Columbine High School Massacre Self Control Theory Essay

Columbine High School Massacre: Self-Control Theory Briselda Villalaz San Diego State University Introduction The Columbine High School Massacre was a school shooting that took place on April 20th, 1999 in Columbine, Colorado. It was a highly planned attacked that included a bomb to confused firefighters, propane tanks that were made into bombs to blow up the cafeteria, 99 explosive device, and some car bombs. The masterminds were Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, they were both seniors. Collaboratively they murdered 12 students and 1 teacher. Aside from the kills they injured 21 other people, and an additional 3 more while trying to escape the horrendous event. After their killing rampage, the murderers committed suicide. The exact reason of why the committed this crime to this day is unclear. The personal journals of the two perpetrators referenced that they wanted the event to compete with those of the Oklahoma City bombing and other deadly events that happened in the United States around the 1900s. The attack is known as the deadliest High School shooting in the history of the United States. The slaughter started the debate over gun control laws, bullying, high school cliques, and subcultures. As a result there was an increase on school security that implemented a zero tolerance policy, there was fear over the goth culture, social outcasts, and gun culture, teenage internet usage, pharmaceutical antidepressants used by teens, and violence incorporated in videoShow MoreRelatedEssay on Columbine Shooters1232 Words   |  5 PagesPsychopath: The FBI’s Analysis of the Killers Motives† The Columbine Alamac (20 April 2004) Janofsky, Michael. Year Later, Columbine Is Learning to Cope While Still Searching for Answers. New York Times (17 April 2000) Luzadder, Dan and Vaughan, Kevin. â€Å"Inside Columbine Investigation† Denver Rocky Mountain News (19 December 1999 ) This paper is going to explore what effect the labeling theory had in regards to the tragedy at Columbine High School. Were these two students labeled, to what extentRead MoreColumbine High School Massacre : The Facts, Theories, Issues, And Solutions Essay1601 Words   |  7 PagesColumbine High School Massacre: The Facts, Theories, Issues, and Solutions On April 20, 1999, one of the largest school shootings in American history took place at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Two teens, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, shot and killed 13 people and wounded more than 20 others both before committing suicide. Many believe the two teens decided to hold this school massacre because both were bullied and were outcasts. This paper will examine labeling and social controlRead MoreBowling Analysis : Bowling For Columbine1837 Words   |  8 PagesMichael Moore’s 2002 documentary Bowling for Columbine tackles the weighty issues surrounding gun culture and violence in America, focusing especially on mass shootings such as the Columbine high school massacre from which the program takes its name. Using techniques of comedy and satire as a tool to engage the audience and ridicule those he feels are responsible, such as members of the National Rifle Association (NRA) as well as statistics and examples to prove his points, Moore pr esents his opinionRead MoreGun Violence And Gun Control1166 Words   |  5 PagesOpportunities. There has always been a gun culture in America; however it has also been a gun-control culture. Whenever a devastating mass shooting occurs, such as the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, a deliberation about gun violence follows suit. Depending on whom you discuss this with, that case is not always true. There are those that are for gun control and those that are against. There are also conspiracy theories that claim that the events that occurred on that day were, in fact, staged with â€Å"crisisRead MoreSocial And Social Learning Theory1553 Words   |  7 PagesThe Social Learning Theory is best defined as crime is learned through associations with others who commit crimes. Juveniles are very impressionable or gullible, wherein they want to be popular or part of the in-crowd or clique. In comparison to the 1970’s versus today, juveniles are emulating criminals depicted o n television not just through associations. Consider the current state of technology, specifically the internet and websites such as â€Å"You Tube.† With respect to crime and juvenile delinquentsRead MoreWhy Should Guns Be Outlawed?2268 Words   |  10 PagesEvery day, there are numerous armed robberies, and from time to time, the next massacre manages to take the lives of innocent people. Many people accuse guns of being the culprit for these horrific events, but the truth is, it s the deranged society we live in today. Many people would propose that guns should be outlawed in America, but prohibiting guns will not stop gun violence any more than outlawing drugs keep them from entering the country s border and spreading throughout the streets of theRead MoreMedia s Effect On Society1286 Words   |  6 Pagesof this. It is attributed, according to Denis McQuail in his book Mass Communication and Society, to â€Å"influence opinion and belief, change habits of life, and ac tively mold behavior.† Unfortunately, media affects the public in a way that it could control what a person does or thinks. More and more people see in media the preferable image that they want to be themselves. As viewers see this pastime to be designed for enjoyment, media greatly affects the audience’s morality, security, and health. Read MoreSchool Violence Among Male Students Essay4213 Words   |  17 PagesIntroduction: The topic that I will be discussing is school violence among male students. School violence is a major problem in the United Sates, and it is becoming more common. I chose to apply the anomie perspective because I believe that there is a connection between school violence and the absence of social control. According to the anomie perspective, â€Å"Society is not a flat collection of equally resourceful and fortunate individuals. It is constructed in a complex hierarchy where people areRead MoreVideo Game Violence And Violent Video Games2382 Words   |  10 Pagesto mass shootings I was not able to conduct the research. However, for this paper I chose to conduct a literature analysis to see what research has been conducted and to seek out gaps and themes in this research. Introduction After the elementary school shooting of Sandy Hook in 2012 this issue of violent video games became a hot issue calling for a connection of violence to video games. However, the final investigative report suggested that he was more a fan of nonviolent games (Ferguson, 2015)Read MoreDoes Mass Media Play a Role Causing Our Children to Be Aggressive and Violent?3210 Words   |  13 Pagesas television, movies, and the video game industry. Does the mass media have a lasting effects on causing violence in our children and as well if it plays an influence in causing them to be violent as adults. I will be describing the different theories used by the experts in explaining that the mass media does cause children to be violent. I will present my point of view with my own experiences and observations because I believe it does play a part. What is Mass Media? Mass media is any

How Al Capones Empire Grew - 3749 Words

Al Capones Whiskey Importation Turns Into Cocaine Hydrochloride Al Capone had been a juvenile delinquent and gained his scarface nickname after he was slashed across the cheek while working as a night club bouncer. The once small-time thug moved up and up to become the head of a huge villainous organization, believed to be responsible for at least 300 murders. The St. Valentines Day Massacre in which seven members of a rival gang were lined up against a garage wall and gunned down, is probably the most notorious and bloody killing attributable to Capones reign of terror in Chicagos 1920s. However, Capone was more prominent in going against the law of prohibition. While alcohol was outlawed, Capone smuggled whiskey from Canada to New†¦show more content†¦The children and the parents were close; there was no apparent mental disability, no traumatic event that sent the boys hurtling into a life of crime. They did not display sociopathic or psychotic personalities; they were not crazy. Nor did they inherit a predilection for a criminal career or belong to a criminal society...They were a law-abiding, unremarkable Italian-American family with conventional patterns of behavior and frustrations; they displayed no special genius for crime, or anything else, for that matter. (Bergreen, 29-30) In May of 1906, Gabriele became an American citizen. Within the family, his children would always be called by their Italian names, but in the outside world, the boys would be known by the American names they adopted. Vincenzo became James; Raffaele became Ralph; Salvatore became Frank; Alphonse became Al. Shortly after Al was born, Gabriele moved the family to a better area in an apartment over his barber shop at 69 Park Avenue in Brooklyn. This move would expose Al to cultural influences well beyond what he was accustomed to in the Italian immigrant community. Most of the people living around Park Avenue were Irish, although Germans, Swedes and Chinese were also in the n eighborhood. Moving into a broader ethnic universe allowed Al to escape the solidity of his Italian neighborhood. There is no question that this exposure would help him in his future role as the head of a criminal empire. A block from Als homeShow MoreRelatedAl Capone : The Ruthless Gangster1222 Words   |  5 PagesAl Capone is widely known as the most ruthless gangster in the United States due to his involvement in violence due to the illegalization of the distribution and consumption of alcohol, the Prohibition Act. Most of Capone’s profits came from his disobedience to the act which was successful due to the few tactics he utilized. Throughout the 1920s, Capone was known for being a successful criminal and almost made Prohibition nonexistent. Capone is credited for most of the illegal distribution of alcoholRead MoreResearch Paper On Al Capone1952 Words   |  8 PagesThesis Statement and Introduction: Al Capone was the most influential force on prohibition-era Chicago’s socioeconomic and political landscapes, and thus, the most powerful man in Chicago. Capone was a psychologically complex man, both a social force to be reckoned with and a hardened, unfeeling gangster. The demand for alcohol during the prohibition meant that his control of the bootlegging industry in Chicago, and beyond, made him not only extremely wealthy, but extremely powerful. EventuallyRead MoreThe Struggling Attempts of the Government and Police Essay examples1701 Words   |  7 Pagesof dollars just from the bootlegging business they ran. Capone also took control of a large group of the gang. Al Capone took control of the Assassins and other small gangs at the time while still controlling a portion of the bootlegging business. With the assassins he killed off the competing groups among the same business ground in Chicago. The Valentines Day Massacre is Al Capone’s most famous killing. It was of a rival gang on February 14th, 1929. It took place at 2122 N. Clark Street in theRead MoreThe Rise And Fall Of Al Capone2250 Words   |  9 PagesThe Rise and Fall of Al Capone Katharine Sexton California Baptist University Abstract In a time when the American Society for the Promotion of Temperance was trying to bring about change for the moral good of the country. Their intentions were taken advantage of and twisted into a multimillion dollar industry. That would give birth to one of the largest organized crime syndications, as well as to the rise of a man who for short time would control the largest organized crime syndications in theRead MoreEssay about Al Capone 2361 Words   |  10 Pagesironically the country became more corrupt, unethical, and crime ridden. Citizens felt they should have the freedom to consume alcohol by their own choice, and the beginning of the prohibition saw-wide spread manufacturing of bootleg liquor. Criminal gangs grew from the highly profitable illegal liquor trade. Fighting between these gangs broke out, and many people were killed. The United States Government claimed that it was a failed experiment, and finally on February 20, 1933, they passed the twenty-firstRead MoreThe R ise Of Organized Crime2736 Words   |  11 Pagesnation was dry, at least that’s what the country wanted. In reality the nation was about to be flooded with alcohol. This is when organized crime really starts to develop in the United States. In this paper we will cover a few notorious players including Al Capone, Charlie â€Å"Lucky† Luciano, Myer Lansky, and briefly Enoch Johnson. We will follow their lives from birth until their fate be it death imprisonment or the departure from organized crime. Along the way we will meet other key players including JohnnyRead MoreProhibition and the Rise of Organized Crime4837 Words   |  20 PagesD. Sacramental Use II. Affects of Prohibition   Ã‚  Ã‚   A. Wine Consumption   Ã‚  Ã‚   B. Winery Survival      Ã‚   C. Volstead Act III. Crime and Corruption   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A. Bootlegging   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   B. Smuggling   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   C. Speakeasies   IV. Al Capone   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A. Chicago Mob   Ã‚  Ã‚   B. St Valentine’s Day Massacre C. The Demise of Al Capone and Prohibition V. Conclusions Although prohibitions goal was to a increase sense of integrity in the United States, it encouraged normally law-abiding citizens to break the law, enabled the growthRead MoreCultural Diversity During The 1920s2250 Words   |  9 PagesThroughout the 20th century the mafia has controlled the organized crime scene with an unwavering fist only for its rule to be challenged by other families. The mafia s bosses give each family its own unique style whether they be a media persona like Al Capone, A brutal killer like Charles Luciano, or completely insane like George Moran. Alphonse Capone is perhaps one of the most notorious gangsters of all time being remembered in infamy as a very successful businessman and a stone cold killer. Before

Short Story for Phosphorus Cycle free essay sample

Vicmar Verra Jerome Arcilla Gideon Moronia Christian Bernales Janine Castillo Krishafe Sanchez Tresha Camille Diola Jun Se Jeong The Unexpected Journey Once upon a time, in a faraway place, there live a man named Jack who lives in a common. He was so very poor that he got his living through planting in his small backyard. He was the only human, living in the forest but he has many animals who lives with him. One day, Jack felt so lonely. He felt there was something missing in his life in that moment. He was not able to work the whole day and slept through the whole night. The day came when jack decided to leave his home and got to travel. He was desperate to found out what was that missing piece to complete the picture of his life. And then, His journey has begun. Along his journey, while looking at the sky, he didn’t realized that someone was also on his way and eventually they bumped on each other that made the two fall. Jack: Hey, are you blind? Can’t you see I’m walking in this road you crazy woman? Shaira: What? Me, crazy woman? How dare you to say it to me! Don’t you know that I am the†¦.. Before she could say it, she remembered that she must maintain her identity hidden. So Jack: know what crazy lady? Shaira: ahhh that I’m also walking in this road. And it is your fault why it happened not me. Jack: and now it’s my fault! Whoa, nice one but I have to go. I don’t like to waste my time talking to a nonsense and crazy old lady like you. Shaira: Grrrhhhhhhhhhh However, the sky starts to pour rain. It was a hard one. Thunder roars and lightning strikes. So jack ran off to find a place where he could take shelter for a while until the rain will stop. Meanwhile, Shaira was so afraid that she could not move her body while keeping her ears closed. She was afraid of thunders and lightings. Jack was moved woefully. He immediately helped her. And lead her to a shelter. A cave. Shaira: Thank You! Jack: No you don’t have to. By the way, the rain is heavy outside. I think we should stay here until morning. It might be dangerous to travel. Unless If you don’t mind being with me? Shaira: I guess you’re right. I have to stay here until morning. (She smile happily. ) Jack: Good! So, good night. Have a wonderful night hmmh, you are..? Shaira: Oh! By the way I’m Shaira. And? Jack: Jack! Call me Jack for short. (And he smiles back. ) Shaira: So, nice to meet you Jack. Jack: Same here! (While preparing the woods to be burn in order to give them warm in that cold winter night. Shaira: Goodnight Jack! She was not seeing jack at that moment because she already closed her eyes when she told it. She was sad because she didn’t received any response by Jack. However, she realized that they are just both strangers to each other and any attachment would mean something that is bad or might lead to coercion. After an hour, Shaira felt there was something wrong. So she aroused up, and see if Jack is Okay. And her great shocked, Jack was not there! Shaira: Oh no! Jack! Jack! Jack! Where are you? Please don’t leave me! Please! I’m scared. It was dark inside the cave. But she faced it bravely. Shaira runs off to find Jack. She was crying heavily. Until she heard something. Someone is screaming out of pain! Shaira: Jack, is that you? Jack? Jack? Please answer me Jack! And a loud voice echoed in the cave. Shaira was terrified. Shaira think that there are ghost in the cave. She felt afraid again. However, that was just a false alarm. Actually Jack was just having a hard time releasing his waste. That’s why he had to shout out because it is big, really a big dechets. Jack: Oh, thanks God. I feels so relieved. As he tightens his belt, Shaira took the chance to see who was there. And to her surprise she saw Jack. Jack: Shaira, what are you doing here? Shaira: I should be the one asking that question. What are you doing here Jack? Jack: Me? Doing here? Oh! Common. I have to release my dechets because I cannot hold it any longer. So, I walked and find a place where I could have my moment. And I found this place. Isn’t it nice so? Shaira: Never mind. Let’s go back now. Jack: Ok. But before they could step up, Shaira saw something and it is going to hit Jack. Shaira: Jack, watch out! Jack immediately shook his body off as fast as he could. He turned his head and he was extremely shock of what he saw. Do you know what he saw? Do you really want it so bad? Just sit back, and relax. So, Jack saw his dechets moving. Yeah, his dechets! And the most shocking event is, when his dechets talks. What a shocking dechets it would be! Jack: Am I hallucinating or am I just dreaming? Ok! (He slapped his faced once, then again, and again! ) Ouch! That hurts. Dechets: Yeah, it really hurts, you know! Jack: Oh my God. Can you really talk? Shaira: What happened? Jack: See that, it was talking. My dechets is talking. Shaira: Yeah I know that. Jack: You know? But how? Shaira: I heard it too that’s why I knew. Dechets: Bupools! Jack: Yeah, you’re right. Dechets: So, what are you doing in this cave? Shaira: It is raining heavily outside so we stopped and found this place to shelter us until morning, until the rain stop. Dechets: Is that so? Then you’re always welcome here! Shaira: Thank You! Dechets: Back to you Jack. Thank you! Jack: For what? Dechets: For releasing me? Now I’m free, free at last! No, actually thank you for contributing to the environment. You did a good job. Jack: Are you serious? Dechets: Yeah, 100% sure. You want to know why? Jack: If you let us to know, then why not. Dechets: Good. Have a sit. And you too my lady. Shaira: Thank You. The dechets starts telling a story. In living organisms, phosphorus is†¦. Jack: Phosphorus? What is that? I don’t even know or heard about that? Dechets: Jack listen first. I will tell you all about phosphorus in an easy manner for you two to understand. Ok? Shaira: He’s right Jack. We have to listen first. Jack: I guess so, but†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Dechets: No buts, just listen Ok! In living organisms, phosphorus is an essential components of cells. For example, it makes up part of the head groups in the phospholipids of all cellular membranes. Phosphorus is also found abundantly in the nucleus, where it forms part of the chemical backbone of DNA and RNA. How do organisms acquire phosphorus? The main stores of phosphorus in the biosphere are found in Earth’s crust. With weathering, rocks release phosphorus in the form of phosphate. The phosphate enters the soil, where plants take it in through their roots. When animals eat plants, they incorporate the plants’ phosphorus into their own bodies. When plants, animals, and other organisms die or release wastes, as what you’ve done to me, phosphorus becomes available to decomposers, such as fungi and bacteria. The decomposers break down the tissues and release phosphate into the soil, where plants can take it up again. From the land, phosphorus enters rivers and oceans by runoff, leaching, or in the cells of living organisms. Once in the ocean, phosphorus enters the marine food chain. A single phosphorus atom might cycle between the water and the bodies of organisms for an average of 100,000 years before it finally falls to the ocean bottom as sediment, forming new rocks. Phosphorus can remain trapped in sediment for 100 million years or more. Unlike elements in the carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen cycles, phosphorus does not cycle through the atmosphere. Instead, it has a sedimentary cycle. Phosphorus in the ocean sediments must be lifted by geological forces to reach Earth’s surface again, where the cycle can continue. Humans have changed the natural phosphorus cycle by activities such as mining and fertilizing. Fertilizer contains abundant phosphorus, which enters the environment. Sewage treatment plants add extra phosphorus to rivers, lakes and oceans. Extra phosphorus can put some organisms, such as algae, at a growth advantage, and thereby upset the balance of organisms in an ecosystem. Jack: Ahhh, now I knew. Phosphorus really is essential to all living things. Without it, living things might not be possible. Shaira: Yes Jack. Phosphorus plays many roles in our environment and we have to maintain its balance in our ecosystem. Dechets: Yes, that’s right Shaira. But, as what you’ve said Shaira we have to maintain its level, because any excess will bring danger to our environment. Jack: Danger? What danger? Dechets: Human interference in the phosphorus cycle occurs by overuse or careless use of phosphorus fertilizers. This results in increased amounts of phosphorus as pollutants in bodies of water resulting in  eutrophication. Eutrophication devastates water ecosystems. Although the net effect as a carbon sequestration mechanism is minimal, the ecological impact of phosphorus fertilization to the ocean could be extreme. Given the other assaults on marine ecosystems, including warming, and acidification of surface ocean waters from higher carbon dioxide levels, it would be pure speculation to project how P eutrophication would affect ecosystem structure and distribution in the future.

The purpose of showmanship Essay Example For Students

The purpose of showmanship Essay It was a good place strategically for Edward to build an English castle. The River Seiont is right next to the castle, making it easy for Edward to bring in supplies. There was the rich agriculture of Anglesey right next to him, and the Menai allowed quick access between N. Wales and the West Coast. It was the perfect place to base an English invasion of Wales. Edward managed to create a centre of English influence that had previously had a very anti-English feel to it. But there were also historical reasons for why Edward may have wanted to build his castle there. We will write a custom essay on The purpose of showmanship specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The castle was built around a preserved Norman Mottle and close to the Roman fort of Segontium, says a source written in a CADW booklet. Some Historians believe that Edward was on a great ego trip at the time and was obsessed with total power. He may have wanted to try and give the impression that he was the true heir and successor of both the Norman conquerors and of Imperial Rome. Segontium lay in ruins just under a mile from where Edward was building Caernarfon at the time. Overall, it would have been a great power image for Edward. It is also written in the same source that the fact that Edward built Caernarfon around the Norman Mottle, and so close to Segontium, ostentatiously embodied Edwards claim to be both the successor of the Norman conquerors and the true heir of Imperial Rome. This source backs up my point that Edward wanted to be as powerful as the Norman conquerors and the Emperors of Rome. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Richard III section.

Expert Interview with Colleen Georges on Resumes and Hiring

Expert Interview with Colleen Georges on Resumes and Hiring Dr. Colleen Georges is a professional psychologist who has focused her career on job seeking and writing the perfect resume. She’s a certified counselor, time management consultant, career coach, leadership expert, and if that weren’t enough, she runs Colleen’s Career Creations, a resume writing and job coaching service. Somehow, she found the time to speak with us about how to write the best possible resume. What are some common problems you see on resumes, and why do you think they persist?The two most prevalent issues I encounter with resumes are lack of a clear job target or career focus and documents that read like job task descriptions, rather than career achievement highlights. Fortunately, I see fewer and fewer resumes that begin with objective statements, which are generally unfocused and do little to separate one candidate’s value from another. However, I still see many resumes with summary of qualifications sections that are too vague or broad, or resumes that have no summary at all.What makes a strong resume?A strong resume needs to effectively brand professionals in their field of practice, and immediately showcase their professional title/job target, years of experience, specific expertise/hard skills and unique value propositions. Often, professionals believe that since this information is spread throughout their resume, there is no need to summarize and present it at the beginning. However, most recruiters and hiring managers today are flooded with hundreds of resumes and lack the time to read through every line of each document to determine which candidates have the requisite skills for the job. Thus, candidates can make recruiters’ and hiring managers’ lives easier by summarizing this information in a strong branding statement right at the beginning of the resume in a 10- to 15-second read.More importantly, job seekers can do themselves a wealth of good by following their branding statement with a sect ion that showcases five to seven of their proudest career achievements. Such a section should highlight accomplishments that demonstrate a broad spectrum of skill sets that are relevant to their target field. This can be done by underscoring the quantitative and qualitative results of their work, such as costs cut, revenue generated, time saved, customer satisfaction increased, errors decreased, manuals written, policies and procedures developed, training instituted and so forth.Even more effective, a career achievements section can outline the story behind the outcomes, in a bite-sized, bulleted Challenge, Actions, Results format. By nature, people learn and understand people best through their unique stories, which is why interviewers often ask candidates to discuss times when they have performed a particular action. Articulating stories, both on a resume and in an interview, demonstrates to an employer that the candidate is purposeful in their actions and both understands and can articulate their process. Furthermore, this section backs up the skills the job seeker presents in their branding statement.Many job seekers do not include career achievement sections because they believe the time to share this information will be during the interview. In this competitive job market, however, without sharing these successes on a resume, an interview may never come. Yet most commonly, the reason for this lack of information on job seekers’ resumes is because from the time we are children, we are taught not to brag about our accomplishments, as others may find us obnoxious. Over the years, this lesson makes it progressively more challenging to acknowledge our accomplishments to ourselves, nonetheless an audience. However, when job seeking, emphasizing our unique talents and successes is critical, and thus we must unlearn the lesson, at least in this arena.What can job boards do to help job seekers write a better resume?A number of job boards are already provid ing resources to job seekers, such as resume critiques and tips. However, a wonderful resource would be to not only suggest providing branding statements and achievement stories, but to offer suggested skills required by various career fields, as well as common deliverables for these fields. For example, an accountant might need skills like variance analysis, bank reconciliation, and audit preparation, and common deliverables may be decreasing risk exposure, diminishing accounting errors and automating processes. Sometimes the hardest part of resume writing is getting started in figuring what skills and accomplishments to highlight. Resources like this may help job seekers brainstorm.What are some red flags we might accidentally put up on a resume or say during an interview?The most common red flags on resumes are generally items that point to age, which can unfortunately lead to age discrimination in some cases. I typically suggest that my clients represent that last 15-20 years of their career and leave off college graduation dates that go further back than 20 years. Furthermore, computer skills that are very dated, like DOS for example, should be left off. I also suggest eliminating AOL email accounts as well, since it is remembered to be a part of the advent of the internet, and the â€Å"dial-up† days. I typically advise clients to get a Gmail account. It is most certainly the â€Å"in† email, forever evolving in its capabilities.In both resumes and interviews, I also advise my clients not to draw attention to job gaps by stating that they were terminated or took a leave due to illness, an accident or a family-related situation. This information can inadvertently lead to fear that such issues may arise again in the future and negatively impact employment if hired.How can employers write job postings to let employees know what they’re looking for? Is it just some requirements, or can they convey a culture in a posting?I am always of th e belief that with job postings, the more detail, the better. With detail, the employer is less likely to attract candidates who lack the requisite experience and skills. As a resume writer, I love job postings that break tasks into umbrella categories and provide the specific accountability within them. This enables me to pull out the candidate’s relevant skills and accomplishments and match them to the posting. When utilized by employers, applicant tracking systems are scanning for this type of skill match, so it works to both the employer’s and candidate’s advantage for employers to offer detailed job descriptions in postings.Conveying corporate culture would be a fantastic advantage to both employer and candidate. Employers can weed out receiving resumes from candidates who may not be a great fit, and candidates can avoid wasting energy applying for a job that will not suit their work style and values.What do you wish everyone, from recruiters to job seekers , knew about resumes?This is a great question, and not an easy one to answer. I would say that I wish recruiters, employers and job seekers recognized that a resume is meant to be a job seeker’s marketing document. Like any marketing collateral, it should showcase the best of who the candidate is. Sometimes, recruiters and employers get frustrated because they later learn that a candidate left off a short-term job, for example. Similarly, candidates occasionally fear leaving off a short-term position because their omission may be â€Å"caught.† There is a staunch difference between omitting a career blip and, say, creating a position you never had on your resume. Candidates should never lie on a resume – this is a matter of ethics and integrity. Marketing documents are created to describe a product’s attributes. No product or person is perfect, but all have their own uniquely fantastic qualities. With this said, the resume is the prelude to the interview. The interview is where candidate and employer see if those unique attributes and the company’s position, team and culture collectively create the right synergy.How will technology change the resume? Will we see more links? Videos? Gimmicks?Technology is absolutely changing resumes in a wonderful way. We can now make our resumes come alive by linking them to our online articles, interviews, features, video presentations, documents, artistic endeavors or similar media. We can also create web resumes and create social media profiles that give recruiters and employers a wider window into who we are, not just what we have done. We can now show employers, in action, what we bring to the table.Yet technology has indeed amplified the pressure for job seekers. I now tell my job-seeking clients that they must be on LinkedIn. It’s not a luxury anymore – for recruiters and hiring managers in most industries, it’s seen as a necessity. Those who are not on LinkedIn ca n be viewed as lacking social media savvy, which is a career no-no. But it’s not just about being on LinkedIn, it’s about using all its resources. Recruiters and hiring managers can gather additional information about candidates from LinkedIn through recommendations and group membership and activity. I do a lot of one-on-one client coaching and group workshops on optimally leveraging LinkedIn and other social media like Twitter and Facebook. Some of this coaching involves what to post and what not to post, how to set privacy settings and simply how to use all the features of the various social media to the job seeker’s advantage.

How to Start a Publishing Company in 5 Steps the 2019 Edition

How to Start a Publishing Company in 5 Steps the 2019 Edition How to Start a Publishing Company in 2019 If you’ve ever watched the reality show Shark Tank, you may have found yourself daydreaming about starting your own business. And if you’re an indie author who’s learning the self-publishing ropes, you might be wondering if you should  start your own publishing business - as opposed to just doing everything under your own name.So before we get to the details of how to start a publishing company, let’s start by addressing that question first: should you start a publishing company? The answer might be yes if you:Are publishing one or more series of books (the hassle of starting a company might not be worth it if you’re looking to publish just one title)Are working in an area with a higher risk of liability (such as health-related or technical books) - or are simply looking for added protection of your personal assetsAre looking to operate as a â€Å"professional† writer (as opposed to a â€Å"hobbyist† writer)Have a concrete brand th at you would like to expand to include similar books by other authorsIf these criteria don’t apply to you, you’re likely better off publishing your books under your own name. But if they ring a bell, then this guide to starting a publishing company is a great place to start.Note: this advice is not coming from legal professionals, and any business ventures should be taken after consideration of local laws and consulting with professionals. What follows mainly applies to starting a company in the United States.Disclaimer withstanding, let’s get started! Should you start your own publishing company? Learn how to answer that question. The benefits of starting your own publishing companyTo help you better understand whether this is the right time for you to start your own publishing company, let’s look at the benefits a little closer.Air of professionalismWhile self-publishing is a major accomplishment that should be viewed with pride, many bookstores and libraries will not stock their shelves with books clearly published by authors. In addition, readers are often less likely to purchase an obviously self-published title as they’d prefer to go with books that have been vetted by publishers - which of course means they’re missing out on some great reads! This is just how author Joseph Alexander grew his own publishing business (and became a self-published millionaire in the meantime). While writing and publishing a series of non-fiction books about learning guitar, Joseph spent a good deal of time building his web presence and learning about branding. His sales began to take off and other musicians began approaching him to publish their own books. As Joseph says, â€Å"We split the profits 50/50. I grew my publishing company and they got great royalties.† His publishing company, Fundamental Changes, now boasts a long list of bestselling titles. Tips for starting your own publishing company #selfpub Tips for starting a publishing companyBefore you can fire up the presses and take the publishing world by storm, there are a few T’s to cross and I’s to dot to give your business the best chance for success.Evaluate your goals to startStarting a publishing company requires authors to fully become an entrepreneur in their own right and is not an endeavor to be taken lightly. If you’re toying with the idea, here are a few questions to ask yourself:Why do you want to start a publishing company?What kind of books do you want to publish?Will you publish your books only, or titles from other authors, too?What income range are you expecting this business to yield?How do you see your business growing in the next year? 5 years? Ten years?These are questions you should readily and passionately be able to answer before you get started, as they will affect your business decisions.Establish your business structureWe know, we know, can’t we just skip ahead to the fun pa rt, like choosing a company name? Not just yet, there’s some important groundwork to be laid first, like deciding exactly what type of company you are looking to start.Businesses come in many shapes and forms. When it comes to publishing in most territories, the main choices are:Sole proprietorship: a business operated and owned by one person. The simplest business form, but not the most risk-free (keep reading).Corporation: a group of people or an organization authorized to manage the company as a single entity. A more complex business form.Partnership: two or more parties contractually agree to manage and operate a businessLLC: provides the protection of assets that a corporation receives with versatility and pass-through tax benefits of a partnership or sole proprietorship (meaning a business taxes can be paid through someone’s personal tax return).Most authors will decide to start their own publishing companies as an LLC or sole proprietorship, as these are the mos t flexible and simple business forms of the bunch. However, our personal suggestion is that you set up as an LLC. As mentioned before, LLCs offer the most liability protection, meaning your personal assets are protected from any debts incurred by the business.For more information on what structure best suits your goals, check out the Small Business Administration.Choose a company nameAfter all that business talk it’s time to have some fun: it’s time to christen your publishing company! Here’s a couple of things to keep in mind when deciding on a name:Branding. What market or niche are you targeting? In which genre does your company publish? These questions will help you refine your company’s brand - and its name should be a reflection of that. If you’re planning to publish middle-grade fiction primarily, choose a name that reflects that. Take a look at other publishing companies to get a sense of how their name reflects their brand.Relatability. W e live in a fast-paced world and your allotted time frame to capture someone’s attention is slim to none. So it pays to be strategic when coming up with a name, and to use words that readers will already be familiar with. If there’s a made-up word you really want to use, ask yourself what it will communicate - if anything - to people at first glance.Keep it short and to the point. Superkalifragilistikexpialigetisch Press isn’t a smart move.Don’t use the word â€Å"Inc.† unless you are actually planning to incorporate your businessFinally, make sure whatever name you choose hasn’t already been taken! Check if the name is already trademarked and then search for the availability of the URL-version on a domain registrar site like GoDaddy.Make it officialJust because you’ve had business cards printed, doesn’t mean your business is live yet. There are still a few more ducks to get in a row. Just to name a few...Obtain your Employer Identification Number (EIN) This is a nine-digit number provided by the IRS that includes information about the state the business is registered in. Think of it a bit like your company’s social insurance number. Learn more here.Set up a business bank account After you’ve received an EIN, you can register for a business bank account which will allow you to keep your business and personal finances separate. This will ensure your personal assets are protected should a lawsuit ever arise (knock on wood, this is just a precaution!) and it will make it easier for you come tax season.Also, consider setting up a PayPal account for online transactions.Set up an accounting system Stifle that yawn, because this is an important, can’t-be-overlooked step! Whether you’re using a free resource like Google Sheets, a paid tool like Quickbooks, or outsourcing accounting work to a professional, nailing your bookkeeping practices down from the start is essential. It will help you track which of your efforts are paying off and ensure you have a record of all expenses which will be handy for tax write-offs.Here are a few pieces of accounting software that might come in handy:Quickbooks. With over 4.8 million users worldwide, it’s one of the most popular accounting applications. While it has a vast number of tools for all kinds of business (brick and mortar, e-commerce, home-based, etc.), it caters especially to small businesses.Freshbooks. A great option for invoicing needs, it allows users to easily add billable time and expenses, customize the look of the invoice, and set up recurring invoices, automatic payment reminders, and late fees.Zoho Books. This is a good option for very small businesses looking for a simple solution. It offers basic accounting features, with the option to integrate and access advanced tools as your business grows.Wave Financial. If you’re looking for a free option, this might be your best bet. It doesn’t have any bells and whistles, but it does offer no-charge, cloud-based accounting functions designed specifically for small businesses.Register your domain name When people want to know more about your company, it’s likely their natural response will be to Google it. A website is the best way to capture those interested leads and to tell people more about your business. Again, we recommend GoDaddy for this.Grow your teamTrust us, your publishing company will only get by with a little help from some friends. Professional ones, hopefully, with lots of experiencing in publishing. Growing your team is especially necessity if you want to become one of the big players in publishing.Launching successful titles comes with a lot of specialized work, such as editing, cover design, interior formatting, web design, marketing, etc. Luckily you can turn to online marketplaces (such as Reedsy!) to hire those services - and you don’t need to break the bank at the same time. One of the benefits of starting a publishing company these days is that you can keep things pretty lean by building a network of freelancers you trust, without getting tie d down to a head-count.And you won’t be alone: more and more traditional publishers are looking to freelancers to help develop books.We hope this information helps you decide whether starting a company is the right path for you, and, if so, how to start a publishing company that hits the ground running.Starting a business comes with its fair share of ups and downs; learnings and mistakes. If you’ve started your own publishing company, help spread the knowledge by sharing your experiences! And, as always, any thoughts or questions are encouraged in the comments below.

Prohibition of Cigarette Manufacturing Term Paper

Prohibition of Cigarette Manufacturing - Term Paper Example â€Å"Awareness of and involvement with tobacco marketing were both significantly associated with being a smoker: for example, 30% (55/185) of smokers had received free gifts through coupons in cigarette packs, compared with 11% (21/199) of non-smokers (P

Hypertension Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Hypertension - Research Paper Example Should the blood pressure hit 140/90 and above, one is considered to have hypertension. The two major classifications of hypertension are secondary and essential hypertension. Whereas essential hypertension refers to a high blood pressure case whose cause is unknown, secondary hypertension refers to high blood pressure caused by tumors, kidney disease, and birth control pills (Falvo, 2009). The essential type of hypertension has been identified to cause about 95% of all hypertension cases. That is, among the about 73 million adults in the United States suffering from hypertension, 69.35% have the essential hypertension (Falvo, 2009). Although the exact causes of hypertension are generally unknown, several risk factors have been associated with hypertension. These factors include diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, and lack of physical activity, smoking, vitamin D deficiency, stress, aging, excessive alcohol consumption, genetics, and medications such as birth control pills, obesity, and e xcessive consumption of salt. Others are chronic kidney disease and insufficient consumption of minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. The symptoms of the condition are rather hard to identify and quite a big percentage of hypertension victims do not know that they have the condition. Because this ignorance about one’s hypertension status could last years and endanger lives, it is recommended that people continually go for screenings. Included in these symptoms are problems with vision, breathing problems severe headaches, fatigue or confusion, nausea, blood in the urine, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, and chest pains (Falvo, 2009). This paper explores the subject of hypertension with regards to its statistics, prevalence, psycho-social challenges, lifestyles, treatment, researches, and community programs. Statistics on Hypertension That hypertension is a major health concern in the United States is evidenced by the statistics made available by federal, state, a nd local government agents as well as private citizens, community-based groups, and non-governmental organizations. For instance, that as many as one in three American adults are at risk of contracting chronic kidney disease, stroke, and heart attack/heart failure makes them highly likely to develop hypertension as well. Evidently, hypertension prevalence is rather alarming. It has also been noted that more than half of hypertension patients have not managed to put it under control, resulting in severe health and psycho-social problems, reduced control rates, and high prevalence across the population. According to the American Society of Hypertension (ASH), more should be done regarding the establishment of educational, prevention, treatment, management and research programs to address hypertension, which has been a national health concern for quite some tine. These programs should specifically target hypertension prevention, treatment, awareness, and the reduction of hypertensionâ €™s consequences. To meet these objectives, these programs will have to initiate

Modernisation and under-development Essay Example for Free

Modernisation and under-development Essay The concept of globalisation is one that has become widely used in debates in politics, business and the media over the past few years. A decade ago the term globalisation was relatively unknown. Today it seems to be on the tip of everyones tongue. Globalisation refers to the fact we all increasingly live in one world, so that individuals, groups and nations become interdependent. According to Held, Goldblatt and Perraton globalisation is an idea whose time has come yet it (globalisation) lacks precise definition. Despite the imprecision of the term globalisation the use of the term, according to Held and McGrew, reflects increased interconnectedness in political, economic and cultural matters across the world creating a shared social space. Hyperglobalists argue that contemporary globalisation defines a new era in which peoples everywhere are increasingly subject to the disciplines of the global marketplace. Although economic forces are an integral part of globalisation, it would be wrong to suggest that they alone produce it. Globalisation is created by the coming together of politics, social, cultural and economic factors. It has been driven forward above all by the development of the information and communication technologies that have intensified the speed and scope of interaction between people al over the world. As a simple example, think of the last 2008 Olympics. Because of global television links some of the sports are now watched by millions worldwide. Marx believed direct expressions of underlying economic organisation, quite different types of political order may exist in societies that have similar production systems. For instance, some societies based on industrial capitalism have had authoritarian political systems (examples are Nazi German and South Africa under apartheid) whole others are much more democratic for example, the United States, Britain or Sweden. The impact of science and technology both influence and are influenced by political and cultural factors scientific and technology development for example helped create modern forms of communication such as radio and television. Radio, television and other electronic media have also come to shape the how we think and feel about the world. The invention of writing for instance, allowed for the keeping of records, making possible increased control of material resources and development of large scale organisations. The free market does nothing to address re-distribution of wealth. It assumes that wealth will trickle down to the poor. The former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, once said it is our job to glory in inequality and see that talents and abilities are given vent and expression for the benefit of all of us.

George Orwells Animal Farm :: Animal Farm Essays

Pigs walking on two feet, horses and sheep talking. This is how George Orwell satirizes human nature in his classic novel Animal Farm. Animal Farm is an allegory of the Russian Revolution of 1917. The title of the book is also the setting for the action in the novel. The animals in the story decide to have a revolution and take control of the farm from the humans. Soon the story shows us how certain groups move from the original ideals of the revolution to a situation where there is domination by one group and submission by all the others. The major idea in this story is the political corruption of what was once a pure political ideal. Orwell uses satire to ridicule human traits in his characters such as Napoleon and Squealer. There are several different characters in the novel utilizing animals as symbols of people in real life during the Russian Revolution. Napoleon is the leader of the pigs that ultimately come to dominate the farm. The characteristics that we associate with pigs , lazy, greedy, and pushy are meant to symbolize the characteristics that the leaders of the Russian Revolution exhibited. Napoleon is admired by all of the animals because he is their leader. All of the animals believe that their leader wants to fulfill all of their needs. They also are convinced that Napoleon’s decisions are made the best interest of the animals. Napoleon’s piglike qualities are shown throughout the story. He exhibited greediness when he sold the dying horse, Boxer to a slaughterhouse for money so that he and the other pigs could purchase whiskey. Orwell ridicules human nature through Napoleon in the sense that he is trying to show how the greedy and power hungry eventually end in corruption. Squealer is short, fat and nimble. Just the image of a pig. Squealer is so persuasive that he could turn black into white! This is just what he does again and again throughout the story. Every time that the pigs take more power and money Squealer persuades the animals to think that the decisions are being made are absolutely necessary for the well being of all. When things are scarce, he proves that production has increased- with figures that the animals can not read of course.He is also the one who makes the changes in the Seven Commandments. The characteristics that Squealer has in his personality are not admirable in a human being because Squealer is accurately portrays the propaganda agent that he represents.

First characteristic book Essay

Willa Cather has never published a bad book. Ergo, all of her work is of the same excellence, all of it has the same importance. Speaking about her creative activity it is difficult to divide her heritage into good and bad books. Nevertheless, despite that fact the truth is that Cather’s strongest books are those related to the West, to the land of her childhood. Willa Sibert Cather was born in Virginia, but brought up from the age of 8 in Nebraska, where she was reared among the immigrants. My attempt will be to find out what episodes of Willa Cather’s life had impact upon her work and to prove that this impact was determinative in the formation of mature and internationally known writer worthy being included in contemporary literary canon. Willa Cather was educated at the University of Nebraska, where she studied Latin that may have influenced her graceful Virgilian style. (Daiches, 1951, 34) Later she worked on the staff, then as editor, of McClure’s Magazine in New York from 1906 to 1912. With O Pioneers! , written in 1913, she turned to the Nebraska prairies to relate the stories she experienced, he stories praising the romanticism and difficulties of the life in frontier. She was awarded with a Pulitzer Prize for her novel One of Ours of 1922. Willa Cather would probably be a writer even had she never gone West in her early impressionable years. What kind of a writer, it would be hard to say. In this context James Seaton makes some presumption, namely he refers to the inferior quality of her non-Western books, that we should not have had anything like her present masterpieces, and that America and the world would not have heard of her. (Seaton, 1998, 147) Willa Cather’s best works are indeed the result of cooperation of poetic vision of the artist in words and landscape where each gives to each, the artist giving her chosen country expression and duration forever, the country and the people so identifying themselves with the artist as to become backbone and marrow of her work. Willa Cather’s union with the great table-lands east of the Rockies had prominent effect on her best works. The passion for description of past in Cather’s works is usually explained by critics as the influence of her childhood spent in Nebraska. (Brown, 1953, O’Brien, 1987); and Joan Acocella justly calls Cather â€Å"the elegist of the pioneer period, the repository of what America thinks of as its early triumphs. † (Acocella, 2000, 3) Willa Cather wrote three novels, her so-called prairie trilogy – all based on her childhood in Nebraska. In the 1913 O Pioneers! a young Swedish immigrant, Alexandra Bergson, raises a blooming farm out of the barren Nebraska plain. Then comes The Song of the Lark, in which Thea Kronborg, another little Swede, stuck in another prairie town, dreams of becoming an artist, and actually makes it. And the third is My Antonia, the story of a Czech girl, Antonia Shimerda. Willa Cather takes to her heart the simplest souls of the West, the generous, impulsive, loyal souls of brakeman, ranchman, pioneer, missionary priest and Indian. Willa Cather’s Thea Kronborg, her Claude Wheeler, her Professor St. Peter, her Archbishop carry the pioneers’ flag of endurance into the higher realms, driven on by their imagination and their passion to a more perfect world. Willa Cather’s early resettlement to the West brought about for her, without her striving for it, the revelation of a landscape’s essential beauty and of the particular imprint on it of human sufferings and toil. Her early experience was that factor which encouraged the development of originality and a form of Cather’s writing. The length of that experience is eloquent enough: a child of nine came, saw, and conquered the West; it took a mature woman of some published books behind her to write O Pioneers, Willa Cather’s probably first characteristic book. Willa Cather soon exchanged the prairie for the schoolroom. Nevertheless, the prairie and the pioneers had given her what no school could have given: the first priceless experience of life in the open in a vast untamed country, an experience that is all the more palpable in her novels with eloquent English tongue poetizing beauty of the West, the pioneers’ inarticulate dreams, their stoic acceptance of the inevitable, and their ready answer to the call of adventure.

Perception and Societal Factors

Serenity In Joss Hoedown's â€Å"Serenity' and â€Å"Firefly', the human race used and polluted the Earth until it could no longer support life. In order to survive, humanity had to leave Earth- That-Was and find a new home. Taking place 500 years in the future, the Chinese and Americans were the main cultures that have survived centuries of time and light- years of travel, they have blended into one culture where speaking English can suddenly give way to speaking Chinese as if they were one language. Stereotypes and rejoice were mostly observed in Alliance vs..Brownout scenes, and by Jane (Adam Baldwin). The solar system that Serenity takes place in is made up of central planets governed by â€Å"The Alliance†, essentially THE government. Some people didn't want to be governed by The Alliance while others welcomed the idea. Thus a war began. Malcolm Reynolds, Captain of the ship Serenity, fought on the side of the Brownouts. The Alliance won the war and maintained control o f the central planets while the Babel â€Å"Brownouts† typically settled on the outer desolate American old-west type planets, poor, lawless.Ethnocentrism can probably be observed in the crew of Serenity, they've become a family, weary of outsiders. The Verse is a dangerous place. The Alliance and all their riches have built the biggest cities, the biggest buildings, the biggest army, and best technology including weapons and ships. The crew of Serenity tends to stay clear of Alliance considering the Jobs they take are often illegal. The Alliance is the Role of Power.

OBriens Depiction of Soldiers Essays

OBriens Depiction of Soldiers Essays OBriens Depiction of Soldiers Essay OBriens Depiction of Soldiers Essay Essay Topic: The Things They Carried War causes a lot of damage not only in the form of destruction of property and death of combatants but also in the long-lasting effects on the military service personnel. Some sustain injuries that take years to heal, causing several functional limitations in terms of movement, bathing, and preparation of meals. These limitations have far-reaching consequences that undermine the quality of the lives of the ex-soldiers. Others experience psychological problems that affect the social aspect of their lives for many years. Although OBriens story focuses on the life of a soldier before and after the war, the arrangement of episodes gives a succinct account of the psychological challenges soldiers face outside combat settings. The highlighted effects often occur after the soldiers are released from the service and seek to integrate themselves into civilian populations. Coping with the scars of war is the greatest challenge that veterans face as they reintegrate into civilian life (Demers 160; Brown 2). In his book, OBrien depicts soldiers as persons filled with guilt for some of the decisions they made either in the batter fields or before military engagements. Due to the problems that veterans encounter after the war, some of them are depicted as overwhelmed by guilt for joining foreign war missions (OBrien 4-14).This is shown in the episode where Norman Bowker regrets for his waste of time in Vietnam. According to Bowker, his friends back at home have achieved a lot in his absence (OBrien 98-107).The death of Kiowa left a lot of guilt in Bowker. Bowker saw his friend helplessly die but could not prevent it since he faced a similar threat (OBrien 96-97).Such experiences leave long-term scars on soldiers. Research elsewhere documents that fears of guilt are common with veterans who are often haunted not only by the failures in the battle fields to protect their friends but also the stark reality of life after assuming civilian culture(Demers 166-173). They cannot reconcile that some of their colleagues died in the war because they failed to act or cared so much about personal safety. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD) has become the most common mental condition that is diagnosed among former military service officers (Smith and True148). According to Demers (160), 31 percent of the soldiers that have been deployed in war zones get diagnosed with PSTD. PSTD is as a result of the horrendous encounters in the war which subject the soldiers to extreme stress. Psychological problems such as depression detach former soldiers from the rest of the civilian population. As OBrien (97-108), reveals, some of the veterans are so disconnected with the civilian life that they fail to create an emotional attachment with events in the civilian world. The story of Bowker reveals a man who is overwhelmed by thoughts of war yet he cannot find someone to share such painful experiences. This situation aggravated by the lack of information on the part of the civilian population in regards to the effect of war experiences on soldiers (Dickerson 15 Nov, 2015). The nature of the western culture compounds the mental problems of veterans. Western societies have developed into tight-knit communities which allow little camaraderie that is common in the military (Smith and True 148). Nobody is around for the former military service personnel to talk to as the Western life has become individualized. In view of the social interactions, veterans consider telling stories and interacting with friends as one of the effective ways of coping with traumatic war experiences (Demers 164). According to Demers, it is a natural way of telling ones life story, and it often comes with great satisfaction. Brown (26) concurs that social connection is vital in overcoming worries associated with war. Due to the disruptive and emotional nature of traumatic experiences, veterans encounter additional challenges of seeking personal identity especially in civilian settings(Demers 163).As a result, veterans become disconnected, delaying the process of reintegration into the civilian culture. According to OBrien (98-104), the failure to locate ones identity is evidenced in Bowkers inability to reconcile his thoughts. The situation is compounded by the lack of friends and his disconnectedness with family members. PSTDs destructive nature also leaves veterans frustrated and despondent with life. Since most of the victims suffer in silence, they end up seeking solace in alcohol (Demers 160).Psychological studies find that most alcohol-dependent veterans exhibit symptoms of PSTD; PSTD precedes alcohol problems that are common with ex-soldiers (Brown 5).The dependence on alcohol comes as a result of failure to access professional transition services as well as the inadequate social bond between friends and families. Through Bowker, OBrien depicts the life of an ex-soldier consuming excessive amount of alcohol as a way of seeking solace from his troubled world. Yet, this approach does not solve much of the problems, exposing the life of the veteran to more suffering. Veterans that do not receive much attention in the treatment of PSTD often display anger and depression (Demers 160).The social disconnect is likely to make an ex-soldier live in bitterness and, may lead to engagement in criminal activities as a consequence of extreme aggressiveness (Brown 4).According to Brown (4-5), veterans account for 10 percent of bookings at prison facilities in the US. Common crimes include murder, assault, and attempted murder. Similarly, OBrien presents Bowker as angry and bitter with his life. Such situation may expose him to acts that are in contravention of the law (103-109). Economic problems make a prominent feature in OBriens narration. Veterans are depicted as stragglers in the search for employment opportunities (OBrien 108).The failure to secure a job results from several factors. For instance, in the civilian workplace, social relationships are essential for successful performance. This may not be achieved by a former military service officer considering that most of them suffer from psychological problems. According to Demers (163-172), ex-soldiers (especially young veterans) find it difficult to cope with the workplace environment due to poor reintegration rate and lack of the appropriate skills that match available job opportunities. Furthermore, some may experience challenges in acquiring new skills that would fit the requirements of the civilian labor market. Through the narrator, OBrien exposes the transition challenges young veterans encounter in their efforts to acquire relevant skills in the labor market. He narrates that Bowker changed se veral jobs in a short period and also dropped out of college (OBrien 108-109).Such behaviors depict veterans as disjointed and disoriented. As Demers (162-64) notes, the failure to last for long on a single job reflects a failure in the process of transition. The situation is worsened by the low level of awareness among the civilians in regards to the psychological problems faced by veterans. Those that fail to handle the pressures of unemployment and psychological challenges often engage in crime while others may commit suicide in resignation (Brown 5; OBrien 108-09). Although some soldiers succeed in reintegrating into the civilian culture, the memories of war events often remain part of their lives for many years. Some of the scars never go away. According to OBrien (91-94), the relationships of the soldiers with their families are likely to be affected due to the inability to reveal some of the experiences of the war. There are some war secrets that veterans fail to reveal for the rest of their lives. Despite the success the narrator has achieved in reintegrating into the civilian culture, memories of the gruesome events of the war continue to haunt him. This is seen in his decision to go back to Vietnam to revisit the scene where his friend died during the war. Also, he decides to plunge himself into the river on the scene of Kiowas death (92-94).These actions depict a person who has not fully recovered from the mental ravages of the war. In conclusion, OBrien illustrates several problems that veterans endure in non-combat settings. Most of the ex-soldiers face severe guilt problems that are rooted in the failure to protect the death of some of their friends and colleague during the war or the realities of civilian culture. Others suffer from PSTD which affects their social skills and also predisposes them to suicidal tendencies and crime. Due to the non-gregarious nature of the Western society, most veterans find it difficult to shake off the horrors of the war; few persons are available for socialization. Moreover, the lack of understanding among civilian population regarding the psychological conditions of former soldiers further exposes them to isolation. On overall, OBrien emphasizes that no matter much the veterans integrate into the civilian culture, the scars of the war may never be erased. Brown, WilliamB. From War Zones to Jail: Veteran Reintegration Problems. Policy Justice Journal, vol.8, no.1,2011, pp.1-48. Demers, Anne. When Veterans Return: The Role of Community in Reintegration. Journal of Loss and Trauma, vol.16, no.2,2011, pp.160-179. Dickerson, Kelly. Soldiers returning home are faced with a heartbreaking problem most people dont understand. Business Insider, 15Nov.2015. OBrien, Tim. The Things They Carried: A Work of Fiction. Broadway Books,1998. Smith, R.T., and G. True. Warring Identities: Identity Conflict and the Mental Distress of American Veterans of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Society and Mental Health, vol.4, no.2,2014, pp.147-161.

History of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

History of the Lewis and Clark Expedition On May 14, 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark left from St. Louis, Missouri with the Corps of Discovery and headed west in an effort to explore and document the new lands bought by the Louisiana Purchase. With only one death, the group reached the Pacific Ocean at Portland and then returned back to St. Louis on September 23, 1806. The Louisiana Purchase In April 1803, the United States, under President Thomas Jefferson, purchased 828,000 square miles (2,144,510 square km) of land from France. This land acquisition is commonly known as the Louisiana Purchase. The lands included in the Louisiana Purchase were those west of the Mississippi River but they were largely unexplored and therefore completely unknown to both the U.S. and France at the time. Because of this, shortly after the purchase of the land President Jefferson requested that Congress approve $2,500 for an exploratory expedition west. Goals of the Expedition Once Congress approved the funds for the expedition, President Jefferson chose Captain Meriwether Lewis as its leader. Lewis was chosen mainly because he already had some knowledge of the west and was an experienced Army officer. After making further arrangements for the expedition, Lewis decided he wanted a co-captain and selected another Army officer, William Clark. The goals of this expedition, as outlined by President Jefferson, were to study the Native American tribes living in the area as well as the plants, animals, geology, and terrain of the region. The expedition was also to be a diplomatic one and aid in transferring power over the lands and the people living on them from the French and Spanish to the United States. In addition, President Jefferson wanted the expedition to find a direct waterway to the West Coast and the Pacific Ocean so westward expansion and commerce would be easier to achieve in the coming years. The Expedition Begins Lewis and Clarks expedition officially began on May 14, 1804, when they and the 33 other men making up the Corps of Discovery departed from their camp near St. Louis, Missouri. The first portion of the expedition followed the route of the Missouri River during which, they passed through places such as present-day Kansas City, Missouri, and Omaha, Nebraska. On August 20, 1804, the Corps experienced its first and only casualty when Sergeant Charles Floyd died of appendicitis. He was the first U.S. soldier to die west of the Mississippi River. Shortly after Floyds death, the Corps reached the edge of the Great Plains and saw the areas many different species, most of which were new to them. They also met their first Sioux tribe, the Yankton Sioux, in a peaceful encounter. The Corps next meeting with the Sioux, however, was not as peaceful. In September 1804, the Corps met the Teton Sioux further west and during that encounter, one of the chiefs demanded that the Corps give them a boat before being allowed to pass. When the Corps refused, the Tetons threatened violence and the Corps prepared to fight. Before serious hostilities began though, both sides retreated. The First Report The Corps expedition then successfully continued upriver until winter when they stopped in the villages of the Mandan tribe in December 1804. While waiting out the winter, Lewis and Clark had the Corps built Fort Mandan near present-day Washburn, North Dakota, where they stayed until April 1805. During this time, Lewis and Clark wrote their first report to President Jefferson. In it, they chronicled 108 plant species and 68 mineral types. Upon leaving Fort Mandan, Lewis and Clark sent this report, along with some members of the expedition and a map of the U.S. drawn by Clark back to St. Louis. Dividing Afterward, the Corps continued along the route of the Missouri River until they reached a fork in late May 1805 and were forced to divide the expedition to find the true Missouri River. Eventually, they found it and in June the expedition came together and crossed the rivers headwaters. Shortly thereafter the Corps arrived at the Continental Divide and were forced to continue their journey on horseback at Lemhi Pass on the Montana-Idaho border on August 26, 1805. Reaching Portland Once over the divide, the Corps again continued their journey in canoes down the Rocky Mountains on the Clearwater River (in northern Idaho), the Snake River, and finally the Columbia River into what is present-day Portland, Oregon. The Corps then, at last, reached the Pacific Ocean in December 1805 and built Fort Clatsop on the south side of the Columbia River to wait out the winter. During their time at the fort, the men explored the area, hunted elk and other wildlife, met Native American tribes, and prepared for their journey home. Returning to St. Louis On March 23, 1806, Lewis and Clark and the rest of the Corps left Fort Clatsop and began their journey back to St. Louis. Once reaching the Continental Divide in July, the Corps separated for a brief time so Lewis could explore the Marias River, a tributary of the Missouri River. They then reunited at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers on August 11 and returned to St. Louis on September 23, 1806. Achievements of the Lewis and Clark Expedition Although Lewis and Clark did not find a direct waterway from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, their expedition brought a wealth of knowledge about the newly purchased lands in the west. For example, the expedition provided extensive facts on the Northwests natural resources. Lewis and Clark were able to document over 100 animal species and over 170 plants. They also brought back information on the size, minerals, and the geology of the area. In addition, the expedition established relations with the Native Americans in the region, one of President Jeffersons main goals. Aside from the confrontation with the Teton Sioux, these relations were largely peaceful and the Corps received extensive help from the various tribes they met regarding things like food and navigation. For geographical knowledge, the Lewis and Clark expedition provided widespread knowledge about the topography of the Pacific Northwest and produced more than 140 maps of the region. To read more about Lewis and Clark, visit the National Geographic site dedicated to their journey or read their report of the expedition, originally published in 1814.

Paper on Speech Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Paper on Speech - Essay Example I informed her the abstracts of these videos and shared to her the links so she can view them. She confirmed that the nationality of those people featured in the Chicken a la Carte film is Filipinos from the Philippines. As she herself is a Filipino, she confirmed that these incidents really happen in their country. There was even featured news commentary that previously broadcasted the situation in their national television. We both agreed that the situation was indeed very sad and heavy to reflect on. The issues presented on the Miniature Earth confirmed the inequality experienced by peoples around the globe in terms of economic wealth and human rights. However, the sorry state of global inequality has been known for decades but not one government has enacted laws and legislations to improve the welfare of mankind. Even international organizations fail to address critical concerns of social poverty, economic inequalities, human injustice, racisms, chronic and epidemic illnesses, and environmental destruction, among others. Even the most developed countries in the world contain issues of poverty, unequal distribution of economic wealth, and violations of human rights. Their governments remain to shift their priorities to military weapons and expenditures rather than focusing on developmental assistance promoting education, good health, food production, and prevention of diseases. Emily even shed tears when she saw the short film presentation. She agreed on the contentions presented and mentioned that more and more governments all over the world have shifted their agenda towards enriching their own selfish interests and turning their backs on the more pressing and obvious dilemmas on inequality and poverty that pervades human life. Further, she said that parents must train their children to be more appreciative of what they have. The little things that each and every family could do to assist in improving the plight of human welfare must be done to

World Religions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

World Religions - Essay Example No less important difference between the two Christian denominations is relevant to the question of salvation. Protestants often say that faith is the primary and fundamental way for the salvation of man. Faith is the path that opens the way to the grace of God. Unlike Protestants, Catholics are inclined to say that despite the fact that faith is essential for salvation, it cannot be seen as the only way to salvation. In this respect, faith is not enough. Catholics consider â€Å"justification as a process, dependent on the grace you receive by participating in the Church --- which is seen as a repository of saving grace† (Rosario). As noted above, the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism are also manifested in the ritual area. In particular, the ritual of the Eucharist has a different interpretation in the denominations. Catholics insist on the doctrine of transubstantiation. According to this doctrine, the edible ritual elements used during the Eucharist should be seen as the literal embodiment of the body and blood of Christ. In turn, Protestants use the doctrine of consubstantiation, that is, they believe that the body and blood of Christ coexist along with the bread and the wine (Rosario). In comparison with the Protestants, Catholics give special importance to various saints, including the Virgin Mary. â€Å"Roman Catholics see veneration, not as praying to the Saints and the Virgin Mary, but as praying through them† (Rosario). Unlike Catholics, Protestants emphasize the direct communication with God.

Global News Agenda Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Global News Agenda - Essay Example News usually construct ‘them’ to show a fairer representation of those who are far in terms of culture or space and they include the neighbors abroad and the strangers living amongst them (Ginneken 1998). The news reports usually produce meanings which construct ideological representations of the different groups of people from different countries. Media usually report distant suffering in their news which brings about the construction of ‘us’ versus ‘them’. The language used in the news reports brings different meanings within the social context as to some the ‘us’ versus ‘them’ brings about negative values (Kamalipour and Snow 2004). Unprecedented censorship is also evident with how news is constructed. In most cases, the ‘us’ versus ‘them’ is created whenever there is suffering in the country or culture to be aired. The media creates ‘us’ versus ‘them’ in order to c reate specific subject position for both the spectators and suffers. The spectators ‘us’ may take the position of activists, philanthropists or even voyeurs while suffers ‘them’ take the position of a human being or abstract number. Theoretical perspectives will be used in the analysis and evaluation of how the news constructs a sense of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ between different nations. Agenda setting theory Agenda setting theory shows how the media highly affects the order of presentation in the news reports about events and issues in the minds of the public (Dearing and Roger 1996). Global news agenda is based on the construction of ‘us’ versus ‘them’. This theory also shows how the media had a high influence on the public by their ability to tell us on the important issues. The main aim of this theory is to create a public awareness and to show the salient issues created by the news media. Different aspects of the media are encompassed in this theory which shows different ways on how news is constructed. 1. Freedom of press and expression world wide Freedom of press helps the media in constructing ‘us’ versus ‘them’. Freedom of speech in Middle East is enshrined in article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and political Rights (ICCPR). It is also based on the UN treaty which is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Magee 2002). Social solidarity is part of cosmopolitanism and it includes the bonds of mutual commitments based on more than similarities of pre-established identities. Social solidarity puts it clearly that all citizens are engaged in the making of a better future for everyone. Cosmopolitan explains how global media institutions have the power to create publics around the world as non-communitarian publics. Cosmopolitan is the willingness to relate with other people. The way media constructs news about distant suffering rarel y does it cultivate a cosmopolitan sensibility or a global public (Ginneken 1998). For example, airing news on how people are being maimed killed or burned or even tortured is the creation of cosmopolitan through the TV news where it creates a spectatorship of suffering to ‘us’ the viewers. Global news does not also overcome the

Technical aspects of tourism

Technical aspects of tourism Executive summary: This report deals with the introduction and usage of ICT (Information and communication technology in the field of tourism. This report discusses all the technical aspects of the tourism industry and its impact on consumers. First it discusses various basic factors relate to the ICT and how it has been used by the customer and the tourism sector to interact with each other and also stress on various other benefits arising out of it. It discusses the topic of e-business in detail and explains how it has affected the consumers across the world. The topics like decision making by the tourist and various models by different analysts have also been taken into consideration to assess the topic in depth. Competitive advantage of E- commerce has been brought into light. To analyse the impact of ICT on the tourism industry, we have taken an example of a tourist agency called Thomas Cook. It one of the premier tourism agencies in the word, that has achieved a lot of success through effective implementing the ICT system in their firm. This report has analysed the strategies adopted by Thomas cook for their success in tourism sector. One of the major factors called mySAP consumer relations management has been discussed in detail. This paper also deals with the advantages of the benefits that a consumer has through e-commerce as well as the barriers of e-commerce. Introduction: Information and communication technology (ICT) is the Contemporary style of doing business in an effective manner. This process was being used since the early 1930s but in recent times i.e., the past 15 years this system is been followed extensively in various sectors. Major sectors like retail, banking, telecommunication, governments of various countries, Tourism, etc is using this system effectively. This concept covers vide rang of appliances like internet, wireless, Digital Cameras Wi-Fi, VIOP, GPS, Digital Radio, etc. Every sector is trying to implement this process through one way or the other to improve their business performance. It is been so extensively these days that an article in the Daily Telegraph IT supplement said that, many large organisations would not survive 24 hours without the help of ICT. This attitude change towards ICT was always expected and is of no wonder. This development was inevitable as this made the work easier and faster. This is the main reason why outsourcing of work began. The cost of production was reduced and so was the cost of goods. This technological development has eliminated the national boundaries and helped various businesses to go global, thus integrating markets as well as economies across the world. This rapid growth in the technology has lead to the concept of E-Business and E-Commerce. With e-business there are various advantages due to the presence of global audience, online transaction, etc. This is playing a major role in reshaping the tourism sector across the world. This concept of ICT has brought people much closer to the tourism service providers. Now, customers do most of their holiday or travel plans online. Many tourism companies are adopting this technology. The tourism sector being one of the traditional sectors it was not a smooth ride in taking up this technological advancement. Many small could not afford this kind of investment. They had to terminate a lot of workers as after this advancement there was minimal response to the traditional high street travel agencies. Although physical services are the core products of industry, it is dominated by information systems. (Shankar, 2008) ICT and tourism sector: Tourism is a fast growing and information intensive sector. In traditional tourism sector the customer has to all the way to the travel agency to get the information about the journey or trip. Now, it has become easy for the customers to just sit in their home and browse through various sites and compare different packages provided by different travel agencies. The ICT tools for organising, Marketing, Managing the customer is known. Advertising, promotions, managing sales, use of GIS and GPS to monitor and manage the customer can be considered as some of the ICT tool among many. There are various reasons as to why the tourism industry is adopting this approach: (According to Avison and Fitzgerald, 1995) To expand the industrial boundaries. Reduce expenses. Improve relations with the customers. To deter the new entrants in the market. With the ICT technology been used in various sectors like Airways, Railways, Tour operators, Hotels etc has made is essential for the tourism sector to adopt this system and later an advantage for the sector (Inkpen and Sheldon, 1997). Various kinds of business are using social media to do their business through networking sites and other ways: Web 2.0: It has gained immense popularity in the web world and its users. This is been extensively used by the tourism industry. It has brought a new face to the industry. It has a lot of technological web applications like social networking groups, blogs, podcasting, online video, etc. RSS: RSS (Really Simple Syndicate) is used by the tourism industry to communicate with its customers in person. This simple syndicate enable the customer to receive information on the relevant tourism topic of his choosing. Through this a customer receives the links of different or best travel deals. (Nelson, 2006) Blogging: A person creates a blog and updates it with all the information and text. Then the blogger encourages a discussion on his blog by posting comments. This system of blogging is been used by tourism firms, where they post some information and encourage discussion between customers and keep their customer attracted. Social networking: This is the most accessed or most popular mode of sharing information on internet. As the majority are youngsters this has flourished. The most known social networking sites are Facebook, Hi5, Orkut, Twitter, etc. A person has access to various communities and has a chance to be part of different groups and to enter into discussions online (Boyd and Ellison, 2007). One of the fastest growing travel web sites is WAYN. It helps people to exchange information on their travel experiences and to share their interests online. Online videos and podcasting: When it comes to this mode the most famous site that pops in our mind is YouTube. It is of great help in the tourism as a visual is provided so as to inform/communicate with the customer in an effective manner. A social networking provides called metaverses enable the customers to interact while doing business. Virtual websites are also coming into existence where we can create a personalised avatar and go for a virtual holiday on web. (Hay, 2008) Tagging: This process saves a lot of time for the customer as many travel agencies are tagging different item from different sites so that the customer doesnt have to search in multiple places. Like tourism website may tag the location of the place from Google maps, information taken from encyclopaedia and video from YouTube. (Oconnor et al, 2008) Tourist Decision Making: This is important factor on how a tourist thinks and what are the factors that determine or influence the decision making of the tourist? There were many models which tired to explain the consumer behaviour but failed as they were regarding the tangible goods and did not take into consideration the intangible factors or the feeling part of the customer. (Gilbert, 1991) All the models were criticised that they were just an extension of other models. Let us take into consideration Schmoll (1977) which is based on decision making process in tourism. Motivation, desires/needs, and expectations are said to influence the final destination. There are other factors also which influence the decision making that is, travel stimuli, external and internal variables. (Swarbrooke and Horner, 1999) The process of decision making includes 5 points as proposed by Mathieson and Wall (1982). A desire to travel. The potential of the customer in obtaining information from the respective tourist agency, broachers, advertisements, etc. Other factor like cost of the trip, availability of alternative tours, facilities available in that region, etc. Accommodation type, travel mode and ultimately the final destination. Travel preparations like packing of clothing and equipment and the travel begins. Evaluation of past travel experiences and the result of this will obviously effect future tours. All these models have tried to analyse the behaviour of the tourist and the factors (tangible and intangible) that affect their decision making. Competitive Advantage of E-Business: There are a lot of competitive advantages that arise out of e-business and information technology. The customer can find out about the product, its various uses and compare with other products online sitting at home rather than going all the way to the store. Sometime lot of product comparison may go against the firm so they can adopt the method of product bundling. As various services can be added to the bundle and keep the customer away from individual product comparison. (Schiesel, 2001) Innovation and introduction of niche products which deals with the issues related to product substitutes and new entries into the market. (Sinha, 2000) Consumer centric strategy that is, gathering of information from the customer and developing the packages or products accordingly. (Viehland, 2000) Transfer of skills and sharing of activities and be exploited via extending to related product lines. (Porter, 1980) Price lining and smart pricing: Selling the same product at different price levels to reach people of different standard is price lining. In smart pricing, different price is charged at different market and also according to the value of the product in that region. (Sinha, 2000) Price discrimination must be done to save the profit margins, so that when the competition intensifies then they dont have to lower their prices. Dialogue based marketing must be done in order to explain the customer about the product as well as to obtain a feedback on the packages and upgrade accordingly. (Sealey, 2000) Establishing revenue sharing strategies with other web sites so as to provide customer with subsidiary requirements and fulfilling their needs to the maximum extent. For eg, dell computers is already doing this and has been successful in providing better services. (Hoffman and Novak, 2000) Completely automated delivery system so as to meet the customer desires. About Thomas Cook: It is a leading leisure travel group with 22.1 million customers. It operates around 21 countries across the word. It operates with 31,000 employees all over the world with a fleet 95 aircrafts and 3400 franchised office all over the world. (Thomas Cook Group). It has captured 30% of the UK, Ireland, India and Middle East market, with a fleet of 43 planes and a controlled distribution of 68.6%. Their strategy is to focus on their main business that is, the travel agency and to strengthen it. They also want to invest in travel related sectors and financial sectors through mergers, acquisitions and investing with partners. Ultimately their aim is to become the largest individual travel service provider in the world. They are also planning on becoming independent financial service provider in the world market. To attain this they are with the implementation of highest standard of corporate governance to have an effective decision making mechanism. (Thomas Cook Group Ltd.) Challenges for Tour Operators: All the major tourism companies after 1980 are focused on increasing their profit margins by vertical integration. Although this did not produce anticipated results as the tourism companies expected due to high costs of integration and less returns on their investment or expenditure. Due to rapid growth of travel eMediaries and commission erosion at that time had a negative impact on the travel industry. (Dombey, 2005) Due to this Crisis Thomas cook changed its strategy from an ideal integrated leisure travel group as this model was outdated. In 2006 CEO of Thomas cook announced a new business model where they will be offering optimum flexibility to the customer at the expense of low investment. (Karstadt Quell, 2006) With the vast usage of internet by the consumers and the presence of eMediaries in the market, Thomas Cook had to rethink its strategies. Although not completely abandoning of the traditional integrated vertical system, the advantages of the traditional system were integrated with that of the new dynamic and flexible system that is the system of ICT. This model was also known as hybrid model. (Chaffey, 2004) Changes in organisation as a whole: Thomas cook had to go through a lot changes on the organisational level as they have now opted for a new model of performing their business. The traditional system was more human with minimal technological involvement in the process of customer service. Now, the new model was highly sophisticated and technical so the whole organisation had to go through a change in terms of structure, work culture, workers mind set, technical changes etc. Structural changes: The traditional system followed a hierarchical structure where everything was strictly departmentalised. But as they went for e-business this kind of traditional structure was considered as barrier in performing e-business. So, they went for a system which was more like an informal networking (Shand 2000). For eg the number of directors was reduced to 8 from 40, to ensure that decisions were taken quickly in the organisation. Cultural changes: With adoption of internet and a highly technical based system it changes the whole organisation, how it thinks, how it does things and it completely effects the organisational. When a company is about to adopt e-business then it must take into consideration the two most important factors that is, the organisational culture and technical skills. The high level management was up for the rapid implementations of e-business techniques but the annual report was suggesting that it would take some time to completely adopt. It was found was part of the organisation was running fast and the rest of the organisation jus looked like they were trying to catch up. With e-business they were able to concentrate more on the consumer and their need therefore, by obtaining the loyalty and also deepening the relationship with the customers. (Siegel, 2000) Technical Changes: E-business required knowledge of skills at both the managerial as well as the operational level. Now in this scenario there will more knowledge based jobs available and there is a possibility that the manager could be less competent than his employee as he may be update with all the new technological skill. (Mahesh and Hartman, 2005) It was also observed that some of the junior managers were training or giving suggestions to their superiors. As a result 80% of the recruitments in the e-business section were made outside the organization as they didnt have the ability as they lacked technical knowledge. One of the biggest challenges to Thomas Cook was to make the technological changes that is, updating or installing new softwares, purchasing of high end computers, etc. Thomas Cook has announced a  £64 million replace it s legacy reservation systems to multi channel reservation platform. Thomas Cook and ICT: We have discussed on the information and communication system, its implications in tourism sector and the competitive advantages arising when then system is followed. Now, let us take an example of a tourism agency and analyse how the ICS has benefited them. Thomas Cook has started using the ICS from February 2000. It has made huge investments on the technical development of the firm. After they entered the online system their business was up by 15% and 30% of the customers were using the online services. It has invested a lot in e-business development and training and is now reaping the benefits of it. Thomas cook adopted the strategy of direct marketing which is nothing but an interactive use of the advertising media to stimulate and to modify in such a way that the behaviours can be recorded, tracked, understood, stored for the future use of the information. (Jacobs R. and Stone B., 2001) They first adopted the Communicating Sequential Processes (CSP) which was then proposed by the IT project manager in the firm. This is a Formal Language that was used to describe patterns in interaction between concurrent systems. It was a failure because of the following reasons: CSP complicated the process for error search and made it very tedious. It delayed the process of generating the campaigns and market segment reports as, by 2004 its database was full and was unable to accommodate or manage further data/information. In travel world each customer has a different choice and the CSP database was not sophisticated enough to handle these issues as it was an outdated method. The cost of campaign was increased due to the use of CSP as it was outdated and did not serve the purpose of the dynamic future needs. As cost of maintenance was increasing and thus were unable to use the profits for various aspects of their business. They were now looking for a cost effective, and a system which could enable the smooth processing of the information, effective campaign, etc. Their answer to all these problems was one solution an thaw was mySAP CRM. This was a product of SAP global for customer relations management (CRM). What is mySAP CRM? This software unlike other CRM software helps in not only in formulating and achieving the short term imperatives but also in the process of decision making and in reducing the cost of managing or maintenance. It can also help a company in achieving differentiated capabilities to compete in the market. SAP CRM covers various aspect of the tourism industry and helps them in various ways like: (According to SAP Global) Marketing: It helps in achieving the organisational goals. Better understanding of market spending and the returns on them. Visibility and control of operations is increased which accelerates the process of marketing. High value customers can be identified and retained with the help of Customer loyalty programmes. A central marketing platform could be established. Sales: Profits can be increased. Customer interaction and be initiated and their demands could be met more efficiently. The focus on sales is increased Enterprise sales process can be initiated across channels. Personalised experience to the customers can be provided. Service: With the help of in spot information and other resources there shall be an improvement in first contact resolution. Service employees are provided with tools and the information that is requires to retain the customer and to prevent a churn. Easy access to resources and information boosts field utilization. Product based services are provided to the customer to increase the revenue. Issues related to product defects can be handled effectively. A unique and consistent user experience is possible with various interaction channels like voice mails, text messages, e-mails, etc. Contact Centre: The number of relevant calls can be increased. Personalised telemarketing campaigns can be initiated. Customer services can be improved from the first call itself. A proper analysis on contact centre is possible and insight is attained on the current trends. E-Commerce: Improving sales and to extend market with relevant offers. Personalised and targeted e-marketing campaign to attain the customer loyalty. Intuitive self services could be provided to increase customer convenience. The cost of sales can be reduced by following proper and consistent ways of pricing and customer information across channels. Reliable commitments are made using streamline end to end order to cash. Possibilities of analyzing the actions and trends of e-business. IT Services: IT service agents and track and solve the problems easily through streamline service desk. Management of IT financials by the use of native integration of SAP ERP financial solutions. Built in analytics and add on tools enable to get a insight into the IT service desk. Both the customer and the stakeholders are satisfied as there is a transparent process in defining and enforcing agreements on service levels. Web 2.0 supports native integration with SAP solution manager so all the SAP and non SAP related IT support services are managed appropriately. With all these advantages of mySAP CRM in providing effective services in the tourism industry has enabled Thomas cook to attain a superior level in the tourism sector then its counterparts in the same sector. The major competitive advantage that Thomas Cook attained from mySAP CRM are: To integrate campaign between various departments and partners this in turn helped in maintaining the brand consistency. The marketing department have streamlines and standardized the process for creating or approving a particular campaign. Complex segmentations and database operations have become faster with the use of high speed segmentation and also provide new insights into customer behaviour. Thomas Cook was able to provide campaign relevant data for the execution of a campaign due to highly flexible customer structure. It reduced the cost of reaching the targeted customer and now Thomas Cook and reaches more customers without any increase in spending. (Reiner Wegmann, IT Project Manager, Thomas cook, 2006) Thomas Cook was now independent and not relying on any other IT department for third party subscription. Interactive drag and drop phase and graphic visualisation has speeded up the process of market segmentation and listing. The process of decision making was faster due to personalised portals. This also enables the players to take wise and quick decisions as important information is already there in there portals. Thomas cook was able to make long term business propositions as well as to focus on the operational business objectives. (SAP customer success story retail, Thomas cook, 2006) Benefits of E-commerce to Customers: From the above analysis we can say that there are a lot of benefits to the customers: The web provides ample information about every destination and the facilities over there. Through e commerce the tourism agencies are able to provide all the information about the desired destination. The products or packages can be compared and the customer can take a decision accordingly. The customer can use the social networking and discuss the tour experiences or enquire about them or to know about them. It provides flexibility to the customer. The customer no longer has to go all way to the agency to gather information about his desired destiny. E-commerce provides various packages and concessions online which are not available otherwise. E-commerce has user friendly web sites that are designed for the targeted customers. Barriers of E-Commerce: We have discussed all the various factors that influenced the tourism industry to adopt ICT system and e-commerce played an important role. There also some barriers associated with e-commerce that has to be taken into consideration by the tourism industry and to work on them to get better results in the future. It cannot functions without the basic requirements like backup services and required hardware. These can be an expensive investment in the company at the time converting from a traditional system. The trust factor of the e-commerce must be given preference and both the government and the private sector should work together in increasing the safety of e-commerce. Confidentiality should be provided to the customers personal information, safety of credit card details must also be ensured. The existence of regulations and presence of international laws prevents e-commerce from being an effective source. Conclusion: From the above analysis we can conclude that, Information and communication system plays an important role in the development of the tourism industry. Social networking and various other options on web have taken the tourism industry to the next level. The web has provided a huge marketing source for the tourism sector in cost effective manner. (Armstrong and Hagel, 1996; Kozinets, 1999; Wang et al, 2002) It is also evident that the latest upgrade in information systems has clearly given Thomas Cook an edge over the other tourism agencies. Although it has gone through rapid changes in the organisational structure but it has effectively managed its resources and is able provide one of the best services in the world to desired tourists. In the process of adopting new skills and systems, the mindsets and cultures have to develop and resistance at any level of the organisation need to be handled with lot of care. (Jackson and Harris, 2003) Thomas Cook has effectively used mySAP Consume Relation management system to provide quality services to the customer and at the same time limiting their expenditures on publicity or promotion of the product. The process of innovation and implementing new methods in work place has paid off for Thomas Cook. It was a bold step to adopt the ICT system into a traditional tourist sector. Thus, we can conclude by saying that ICT has played an important role in the development of the tourism industry and enable the customers to enjoy better services that they deserve. Although there is this trust issue regarding e-commerce and its uses but more people are using this facility every day. References: Arusha, T. (2000, february). Information Communication Technologies (ICT) and Tourism. Retrieved may 23, 2010, from www.nric.net: http://www.nric.net/tourism/sidebar/ICT.pdf Boyd, D. M. (2007). Journal of computer mediated communications , 210-230. Fitzgerald, A. . (n.d.). INtroduction to information systems in business. Retrieved may 23, 2010, from www.comp.glam.ac.uk: http://www.comp.glam.ac.uk/pages/staff/tdhutchings/chapter1.html Global, S. (n.d.). Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software From SAP. Retrieved may 24, 2010, from www.sap.com: http://www.sap.com/solutions/business-suite/crm/index.epx Group, T. C. (n.d.). www.thomascookgroup.com. Retrieved may 23, 2010, from Business segments and brands: http://www.thomascookgroup.com/segments Jackson, P. (n.d.). Ebusiness and organisational change. Journal of organisational change management , 497-511. Juline E.Mills, R. L. (2005). Handbook of Consumer Behavior, Tourism and the Internet. Haworth press. Kozinets. (1999). Staregic implications of virtual comunities of consumption. European mamagement , 252-264. netstarter. (n.d.). e commerce barriers and opportunities. Retrieved may 22, 2010, from www.netstarter.com: http://www.netstarter.com.au/Content_Common/pg-ecommerce-Benefits-Barriers.seo Roberto daniele, A. j. (n.d.). Tour operator in an ebusiness world. Retrieved may 23, 2010, from www.googlebooks.com: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=s9f5_kvYrZoCpg=PA207lpg=PA207dq=thomas+cook+information+and+communication+technologysource=blots=KkiM3J5HGosig=iL2qLClFWLyN8wzC6Dgx3PXScUchl=enei=1vykS5jQFIS80gTFitT1CQsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=9ved= SAP customer success story, Reatil-tourism marketing. (n.d.). Retrieved may 22, 2010, from www.sap.com: http://www.sap.com/solutions/business-suite/crm/pdf/CS_ThomasCook%20.pdf Seveg, M. B. (1997). The Impact of Electronic Commerce on the Travel Industry. California. Shanker, D. (n.d.). ICT and Tourism: Challenges and Opportunities. Retrieved may 24, 2010, from www.dspace.iimk.ac.in: http://dspace.iimk.ac.in/bitstream/2259/536/1/50-58.pdf Shin, N. (n.d.). STRATEGIES FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN ELECTRONIC COMMERCE. Retrieved may 22, 2010, from www.csulb.edu: http://www.csulb.edu/web/journals/jecr/issues/20014/paper4.pdf Sigala, m. (n.d.). Tour operators in an e business world. Retrieved may 23, 2010, from www.books.google.com: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=s9f5_kvYrZoCpg=PA207lpg=PA207dq=thomas+cook+information+and+communication+technologysource=blots=KkiM3J5HGosig=iL2qLClFWLyN8wzC6Dgx3PXScUchl=enei=1vykS5jQFIS80gTFitT1CQsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=9ved= Thomas, D. (2002, june 27). Holidaymakers take plunge into Internet booking pool. Retrieved may 22, 2010, from www.computerweekly.com: http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2002/06/27/188052/holidaymakers-take-plunge-into-internet-booking-pool.htm