A Research Study On Microbial Ecology Biogeography,...

someone who is extremely passionate and enthusiastic about biological sciences, especially in topics covering microbiology and molecular biology. I am presently working as a Research Scientist at 3-Cs Ltd, United Kingdom and I am writing to express my interest to pursue the PhD topic; â€Å"Microbial ecology: biogeography, disease dispersal and potential source of new biotech products†; because it is engaged in an integrated approach of using many interesting subjects like molecular genetics, histology, microbiology, bioinformatics etc. Going through the advert of the mentioned PhD programme, I am positive that I have the required qualities to be a successful PhD student for this programme; because along with proficient theoretical understanding of this topic, I believe that I also have a clear idea of the laboratory techniques needed to approach and complete this topic. The reason why I have chosen to study under the world renowned Bournemouth University is because of its ou tstanding reputation for scientific achievement and the advanced research facilities. I am optimistic that I will not only gain intellectual benefits from this PhD programme, but would also be considered as a strong competitor in the outside world. By completing my PhD at the Bournemouth University, I will be prepared to fulfil my personal and career objectives as I work to improve my research and developmental skills. Furthermore, I am extremely confident that working under honourable supervisor Dr. G.

Hard Times Many Symbols about Human Nature Free Essays

In Dickens’s Hard Times, there are many symbols that run through the novel. These symbols stand for much more than Just word you would come across multiple times as you read. Each symbol can mean something about human nature, human relationships, morality, and even about our society. We will write a custom essay sample on Hard Times: Many Symbols about Human Nature or any similar topic only for you Order Now Each symbol can have a different meaning to all of us. The symbols that came up frequently and that stood out to me as I read were staircase, Pegasus, smoke serpents, and fire. The first symbol that stood out to me was the staircase Mrs. Sparsit imagines. This ymbol stood out to me when Mrs. Sparsit notices that Louisa and Harthouse are spending a bunch of time together. As she notices this, she imagines that Louisa is running down some sort of staircase into a â€Å"dark pit of shame and ruin at the bottom. † I believe that this staircase represents her belief that Louisa is going to disappear with Harthouse and ruin herself forever. Mrs. Sparsit has disliked Bounderbys marriage to the Louisa and has always hoped to marry him herself. So this makes her very happy by Louisa’s action to disappear with Harthouse. Through he staircase, Dickens reveals how Mrs. Sparsit’s character is hypocritical. He also suggests that Mrs. Sparsit’s own self misinterprets the situation between Louisa and Harthouse. She misinterprets this because she ends up in shame by having an affair with Harthouse and Louisa ends up returning home to her father. The next symbol that stood out to me was the Pegasus from Mrs. Slearys circus. Mr. Slearys circus entertainers would stay at an inn called the Pegasus Arms. The symbol is inside of this inn. On the inside of this inn, the symbol is a Pegasus that is a odel of a flying horse with golden stars stuck on all over him. This symbol, the Pegasus, represents a world of fantasy and beauty from which Gradgrinds children are not a part of. There is a point when Mr. Gradgrind informs the pupils at his school that wallpaper with horses on it is unrealistic because horses do not in fact live on walls. He always taught the kids hard facts and nothing but them and to not have an imagination. The circus people however live in a world in which horses can dance and flying horses can be imagined even if they do not in fact really exist in the eal world. The name of this inn shows the contrast between the imaginative and very happy world of the circus and Mr. Gradgrind’s belief in the importance of fact and to have no imagination. Another symbol that stood out to me was the smoke serpents above Coketown. The symbol was the streams of smoke that was in the skies above Coketown. These streams are the outcome of factories and industrialization. However, these smoke serpents also represent the obliviousness of some factory owners like Bounderby. He is always so focused on making as much money and profit as he possibly can. Bounderby concludes that the serpents of smoke are a positive sign that the factories are producing and making a g prott Bounderby tails to see the smoke as a torm of unhealthy pollution because he is so concerned about making a profit. He also fails to recognize his own abuse of the hands in his factories. He does not realize how miserable and poor his workers are and is more worried about his business and himself. The final symbol that stood out to me was fire. The first time the symbol fire stood out to me was when Louisa is first introduced in Chapter 3. The narrator explains that here is a â€Å"fire with nothing to burn, a starved imagination keeping life in itself somehow. † This shows that Louisa seems she has not listened to her father’s beliefs against wondering and imagining. The fire also shows a certain kid of warmth. It is says that Louisa often stares into the fireplace when she is alone. She stares as if she sees things in the flames that others do not, like her rigid father and brother. However, there is also another kind of fire that stands out to me in Hard Times. The other time I think of fire in this novel is the fires that keep the factories running. The fire provides heat and power for machines. This shows that fire can be an example of an evil that can be used as a greater good. Through this symbol, Dickens shows the importance of imagination to show the industrialization of human nature. In conclusion, symbols can mean and represent many things in life. People use different symbols every day to represent something that they believe in. For example, many very religious people may wear a cross around their neck to show a symbol of faith Just how the Pegasus from Mrs. Slearys circus is a symbol to the people to have an imagination. How to cite Hard Times: Many Symbols about Human Nature, Papers

Effective Internal Control free essay sample

Listed below are four interbank cash transfers, indicated by the letters a, b, c and d, of a client for late December 20X1, and early January 20X2. Your answer choice for the next two questions should be selected from this list. For each of transfers a through d indicate whether cash is understated, unaffected, or overstated by the transfer and provide a brief example of what could cause the situation in which cash is either understated or overstated. a. Unaffected. b. Unaffected. c. Understated. Although there are a number of possible situations, one is that in which a check is written on the disbursing bank on the last day of December with a credit to cash, and an associated debit to some expense account so as to decrease reported profits (and taxes) for the year. d. Overstated. One situation is that in which an employee has misappropriated funds during the year, and draw a check transferring funds to the account with the shortage so as to cover the shortage. We will write a custom essay sample on Effective Internal Control or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page As of December 31, the shortage is replaced, with no reduction as yet recorded in the account on which it is drawn. Since financial investments are assets with a high degree of inherent risk, companies must establish effective internal control over their investments. a. Describe the functions that should be segregated to provide good internal control over financial investments. b. Describe two other internal control policies that should be established for financial investments. a. The functions that should be segregated with respect to financial investments are: 1. Authorization of purchases and sales, 2. Custody of the securities, and 3. Maintaining records of investments. b. Other internal controls include (only two required): Establishing formal investment policies. Maintaining a complete detailed record of investments and revenue from investments. Registration of securities in the name of the company. Periodic physical inspection. Joint control over securities, or use of an independent custodian. Preparation of a budget of investment revenue. Determination of appropriate accounting by competent personnel. 3. Confirmation of accounts receivable is presumptively mandatory audit procedure. In performing this procedure, auditors use positive confirmation requests or negative confirmation requests or a combination of both. Describe three conditions which should exist for the auditors to use the negative form of request. b. If a response is not received to an initial positive confirmation request, describe the action that should be taken by the auditors, including a discussion of alternative auditing procedures. a. Audit tasks requiring specialized skill or knowledge (only three required): Identifying controls at service organizations that provide financial services for the client. Obtaining an understanding of information systems for securities and derivatives that are highly dependent on computer technology. Applying complex accounting principles. Understanding the methods of determining fair values of financial investments. Assessing inherent risk and control risk for assertions about derivatives used for hedging. b. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their value form other financial instruments, underlying assets, or indices. c. Clients engage in financial derivative transactions for two major purposes: Hedgingto hedge changes in value of an existing asset or liability or of a prospective future transaction. Speculatingto bet on the change in value of another financial instrument, an asset, or an index. . Internal control over sales transactions is very important to the effectiveness of an organization. a. For effective control over credit sales, describe four major functions that should be segregated. b. In addition to adequate segregation of duties, describe two other internal controls over sales transactions. a. Functions that should be segregated to provide for effective internal control over sales transactions include (only four required): Authorization of sales. Credit approval. Issuance of merchandise from stock. Shipping of merchandise. Billing of accounts. Maintenance of accounting records. b. Other internal controls over sales transactions include (only two required): Verification of invoices. Prenumbered shipping documents that are accounted for by the billing department. Credit approval obtained prior to shipment of goods. Mailing of monthly customer statements. Control over written-off receivables. 5In auditing a clients inventory, the auditors must be concerned with the detection of goods that are both damaged and obsolete. a. Why are the auditors concerned with detecting damaged and obsolete goods? How do the auditors test for damaged goods in the clients inventory? c. How do the auditors test for obsolete goods in the clients inventory? a. Auditors are concerned about detecting damaged and obsolete inventory because the recorded cost of these goods may be significantly greater than their net realizable value. b. Auditors test for damaged goods by inquiry of client personnel and observation during the clients physical inventory. c. Tests for obsolescence include: 1. Review of perpetual inventory records, 2. Analytical procedures, such as calculation of ratios, such as inventory turnover, and 3. Inquiry of client personnel. 6. Observation of a clients inventory is a presumptively mandatory audit procedure. a. What part should the auditors play in planning the physical inventory? b. Describe the procedures performed by the auditors during their observation of a clients physical inventory. c. Why do the auditors document their inventory test counts in their working papers? a. The auditors should review the clients planning of the physical inventory and make suggestions for improvement. b. During the inventory observation the auditors: 1. Evaluate whether the inventory procedures are followed that assure that all items are counted and nothing is counted twice. 2. Be alert for goods that appear to be damaged or obsolete. 3. Obtain information to test the clients cutoff of purchases and sales. 4. Make test counts and record them in their working papers. 5. Make inquiries regarding goods on consignment. 6. Obtain tag control information and record the information in the working papers. c. The auditors document their test counts in the working papers to later test the accuracy of the final inventory listing. Plant and equipment are not as inherently risky as are other assets, such as inventories and accounts receivable. However, a company should still endeavor to maintain effective internal control over plant and equipment. a. Describe the principal purpose of internal controls relating to plant and equipment. b. List and describe four major controls applicable to plant and equipment. a. The principal purpose of internal controls relating to plant and equipment is to obtain maximum efficiency from the dollars invested in plant assets. The following are major internal controls for plant and equipment (only four required): Use of a plant budget to forecast and control acquisitions and retirements. Maintaining subsidiary ledger of property. Establishing a system of authorizations for acquisitions. A written statement of company policy distinguishing between capital and revenue expenditures. A policy requiring all purchases of plant and equipment through normal purchasing and receiving procedures. Periodic physical inventories. A system of retirement procedures, including serially numbered retirement work orders. Auditors should obtain evidence that there are no significant amounts of unrecorded retirements of property, plant and equipment. a. Describe two ways that the auditors obtain evidence that there are no significant amounts of unrecorded retirements of property (land). b. Describe three ways that the auditors obtain evidence that there are no significant amounts of unrecorded retirements of equipment. a. The auditors obtain evidence that there are no significant amounts of unrecorded retirements of property by (only two required): Examination of property tax bills. Vouching rent receipts from lessees. Examination of payments to mortgagee or trustee. b. The auditors obtain evidence that there are no significant amounts of unrecorded retirements of equipment by (only three required): For major purchases, investigate related retirements. Analyze the Miscellaneous Revenue account to locate cash proceeds from sale of equipment. For discontinued operations, investigate related retirements. Inquire of executives and supervisors. Investigate reductions in insurance coverage.

Serial Killer Mind Essays - Necrophiles, Murder, Ted Bundy

Serial Killer Mind In the last three decades the USA has been troubled by an approaching problem, the serial killer. A serial killer is a person who kills a number of people, usually considered over five, with a cooling off period between each murder, usually one murder at one given time). Two murders at one time occasionally happen and these murders may go on for a period of months or years until the killer is caught. Throughout the last three decades the US serial killer rate has risen 94% and it is estimated that by the next millennium it will claim an average of 11 lives a day. Serial Murder is an epidemic; there are at least 35 serial killers active in the USA today who claim one third of the annual murder rate. The USA has 6% of the world's population yet it has three quarters of all serial killers. Not only are serial killers appearing in more numbers in the US but also all over the world countries are terrorized by serial killers, which are appearing in more numbers year and year after. KILLER TRAIT: A serial killer is a typical white male, 20-30, and most of them are usually in the USA. Their main motives are sex (even though the act of sex may or may not take place), power, manipulation, domination and control. The sex motive is usually rape for an organized killer and sadism for a disorganized killer. They act in a series of 5 or more murders with a cooling off period between each murder. Serial killers can go on for months and years before they are usually caught. The victim is usually the same for every killer - prostitute, hitchhiker etc. Their victims may also have the same or similar attributes in gender, age, race, general look, residence etc. Serial killers also stick by their modus operandi very closely and may change it with experience. Most murders occur by strangulation, suffocation, stabbing etc. Serial killers act by a sex-murder fantasy based with their control, they usually live in this dream world in their teens until they act it out for real when they get into the adult stage. As each murder occurs a serial killer may be disappointed by his murder fantasy and may act it out again to achieve it to there own satisfaction. CHARACTERISTICS OF A SERIAL KILLER: 1. Killings are separate ('serial'), occurring with greater or less frequency, often escalating over a period of time, sometimes years, and will continue until the killer is taken into custody, dies, or is himself/herself killed. 2. In common with normal homicides, killing tends to be one on one. There are instances however where a serial killer has struck down more than one victim in a single incident. 3. There is no (or very little) previous connection between the perpetrator and the victim; the persons involved rarely being related. 4. Although there may be a 'pattern' or 'victim trait', individual murders within a series rarely display a clearly defined or rational motive. 5. An increasingly greater spatial mobility (since the advent of the automobile) has enabled killers (if they wish) to move rapidly from one place to another, often before a murder has even been discovered. 6. There is usually a high degree of redundant violence, or an 'overkill', where the victim is subjected to a disproportionate level of brutality. MOTIVES: These are the motives a serial killer might display (some killers display various motives): Visionaries - Acts in response to voices and is instructed by these voices to perform the act of murder. These killers are usually schizophrenic and psychotic. Missionaries - They think it is their responsibility to rid society of unwanted elements. Hedonists - Kill because murder causes them pleasure. Lust Killers - Kill for sexual gratification with acts that are usually sadistic. Thrill Killers - Kill because of a desire for a thrill or experience. Gain Killers - Kill for personal gain. The killer premeditates the act to require financial gain or materialistic goods. While gain is not the main motive in a murder some serial killers have took the opportunity to steal from their victims for their own personal gain. Power Seekers - Kill for the desire to have control over the life and death of others. Mobility: These are the classifications for the stable killer and the transient killer: The Stable Killer (eg. Gacy, Dahmer) - Lives and works in one location for an extended period. Hunts

French Passive Constructions

French Passive Constructions Passive constructions are those in which a verbs action is performed on the subject, rather than the subject performing the action as in active (normal) constructions. The passive voice is the most common French passive construction, but there are a couple of others to watch out for as well. Other French Passive Constructions Passive Infinitive: Even though the French infinitive translates as to verb, the French infinitive sometimes needs to be preceded by a preposition. This is the case with the passive infinitive, which is commonly used with indefinite and negative words, such as Il ny a rien manger - Theres nothing to eat.Passive Reflexive: In the passive reflexive construction, a normally non-reflexive verb is used reflexively in order to express the passive nature of the action, as in Ça se voit - Thats obvious.Reflexive Causative: The reflexive causative (se faire infinitive) indicates something that happens to the subject, either per someone elses implied action or wish or unintentionally. Passive Reflexive in Detail In French (and English) it is preferable to avoid the passive voice. French has numerous constructions which are commonly used in place of the passive voice, one of which is the passive reflexive. The French passive reflexive is used in place of the passive voice in order to avoid naming the agent of a verb. The passive reflexive is formed with a noun or pronoun, then the reflexive pronoun se, and finally the appropriate verb conjugation (third-person singular or plural). In essence, this construction uses a non-reflexive verb reflexively in order to demonstrate the passive nature of the action. The literal translation of the French passive reflexive (something does something to itself) is strange to English ears, but its important to recognize this construction and understand what it actually means. Ça se voit. - Thats obvious.Ça saperà §oit peine. - Its hardly noticeable.Cela ne se dit pas. -  That isnt said.Ce livre se lit souvent. - This book is often read.Comment se prononce ce mot  ?  - How is this word pronounced?Comment à §a sà ©crit  ? (informal) - How is that spelled?Un homme sest rencontrà © hier. - A man was found yesterday.Un coup de tonnerre sest entendu. - A crash of thunder was heard.Les mà »res ne se vendent pas ici. - Blackberries are not sold here.Ce produit devrait sutiliser quotidiennement. - This product should be used daily.

Banning Corporal Punishment in Schools

Banning Corporal Punishment in Schools What is corporal punishment? The National Association of School Nurses defines it as â€Å"the intentional infliction of physical pain as a method of changing behavior. It may include methods such as hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, pinching, shaking, use of various objects (paddles, belts, sticks, or others), or painful body postures. Still Legal in 22  States While corporal punishment such as paddling, spanking and hitting students disappeared from private schools by the 1960s, according to an article published by NPR in December 2016,  it is still permitted in public schools in 22  states, which can be broken down into 7 states that simply dont prohibit it and 15 states that expressly permit it. The following seven states still have laws on their books that do not prohibit corporal punishment: IdahoColoradoSouth DakotaKansasIndianaNew HampshireMaine The following 15 states expressly permit corporal punishment in schools: AlabamaArizonaArkansas  FloridaGeorgiaKentuckyLouisianaMississippiMissouriNorth CarolinaOklahomaSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasWyoming What is ironic about this situation is that no accredited teachers college in the U.S. advocates the use of corporal punishment. If they dont teach the use of corporal punishment in the classroom, why is the use of it still legal? The United States is the only nation in the western world which still permits corporal punishment in its schools. Canada banned corporal punishment in 2004. No European country permits corporal punishment. So far, the United States Congress has not acted on requests from organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union to enact federal legislation banning corporal punishment. Since education is widely viewed as a local and state matter, any further banning of corporal punishment will probably have to occur at that level. If, on the other hand, the federal government were to withhold funding from states where corporal punishment is legal, the local authorities might be more inclined to pass the appropriate laws. Rationale for Corporal Punishment Corporal punishment in one form or another has been around schools for centuries. It certainly is not a new issue. In the Roman Family children learned by imitation and corporal punishment. Religion also plays a role in the history of disciplining children by spanking or hitting them. Many people interpret Proverbs 13:24 literally when it states: Spare the rod and spoil the child. Why Should Corporal Punishment Be Banned? Research has shown that corporal punishment in the classroom is not an effective practice, and can cause more harm than good. Research has also shown that more students of color and students with disabilities experience instances of corporal punishment more than their peers. The research shows that children who are beaten and abused are more likely to be prone to depression, low self-esteem and suicide. The simple fact that corporal punishment as a disciplinary measure is not part of any education curriculum indicates that educators at every level know that it has no place in the classroom. Discipline can and should be taught be example and non-physical consequences. Most leading professional associations oppose corporal punishment in all its forms.  Corporal punishment is not allowed in the military, mental institutions or prisons, either. I learned years ago about corporal punishment from a man who was an expert in the field. I co-founded a high school in Nassau, Bahamas in 1994. As deputy director of the school, one of the first issues I had to deal with was discipline. Dr. Elliston Rahming, the owner and director of the school, was a criminologist. He had very firm views about the subject: there would be no corporal punishment of any kind. We had to find better, more effective ways than beating to enforce discipline. In the Bahamas, beating children was, and still, is an accepted disciplinary method in the home and in the school. Our solution was to develop a Code of Discipline which basically penalized unacceptable behavior according to the severity of the infraction. Everything from dress code to drugs, weapons and sexual infractions was covered. Remediation and resolution, retraining and reprogramming were the goals. Yes, we did get to the point on two or three occasions where we actually did suspend and expel st udents. The biggest problem we faced was breaking the cycle of abuse. What Happens in Americas Private Schools? Most private schools frown on the use of corporal punishment. Most schools have found more enlightened and effective methods for dealing with disciplinary issues. Honor codes and clearly spelled out results for infractions combined with contract law give private schools an edge in dealing with discipline. Basically, if you do something seriously wrong, you will get suspended or expelled from school. You will have no recourse because you have no legal rights other than those in the contract which you signed with the school. Things Parents Can Do What can you do? Write the state education departments of the states which still permit corporal punishment. Let them know that you oppose its use. Write your legislators and urge them to make corporal punishment illegal. Blog about local incidents of corporal punishment whenever appropriate. Organizations Opposed to Corporal Punishment in Schools The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry opposes the use of corporal punishment in schools and takes issue with laws in some states legalizing such corporal punishment and protecting adults who use it from prosecution for child abuse. The American School Counselor Association: ASCA seeks the elimination of corporal punishment in schools. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that corporal punishment in schools be abolished in all states by law and that alternative forms of student behavior management be used. The National Association of Secondary School Principals believes that the practice of corporal punishment in schools should be abolished and that principals should utilize alternative forms of discipline. The National Center for the Study of Corporal Punishment and Alternatives (NCSCPA) tracks information about this subject and puts out updates. It also offers an interesting reading list and other materials. Interview With Jordan Riak Jordan Riak is the Executive Director of Project NoSpank, an organization which is dedicated to the eradication of corporal punishment in our schools. In this article, he responds to some of our questions regarding corporal punishment. How Prevalent is Corporal Punishment in Schools? With the exception of those who are directly affected, most people are unaware that in more than 20  states, teachers and school administrators have the legal right to physically batter pupils. Children are sent home with bruised buttocks daily in untold numbers. There is a downward trend in the number of paddlings annually, which is encouraging, but still a small comfort to victims. Editors note: outdated data has been removed, but recent studies have shown that more than 100,000 students were physically punished in 2013-2014.  But the true numbers are surely higher than the records show. Since the data is supplied voluntarily, and since those reporting arent especially proud of what they are admitting to, under-reporting is inevitable. Some schools decline to participate in the Office for Civil Rights survey. When I inform people of the extensive use of corporal punishment in the schools, they almost invariably react with astonishment. Those who remember the paddle from their own school days tend to assume (erroneously) that its use had long since faded into history. Those who are fortunate enough to have attended schools where corporal punishment wasnt used or who lived in the states where bans were in effect are incredulous when presented with information about its current use. The following anecdote is illustrative. I was invited to address a class of students at San Francisco State University who were preparing to become school counselors. Some in the group already had teaching experience. At the conclusion of my presentation, one of the students- a teacher- opined that surely I was misinformed about the situation in California. Corporal punishment just isnt allowed here and hasnt been for years, she flatly insisted. I knew otherwise. I asked her where she had attended school and in w hich districts she had worked. As I expected, the places she named all had district-wide policies against the use of corporal punishment. She was unaware that in neighboring communities students were being paddled legally. Paddlers dont advertise, and one cant blame her for not knowing. The use of corporal punishment by public school teachers in California became illegal on January 1, 1987. In the United States, there is a long-standing gentlemans agreement between government, the media, and the educational establishment to avoid any mention of teacher violence. Typical of such taboos, adherents not only refrain from entering forbidden territory but come to believe that no such territory exists. An indignant correspondent wrote me the following: In my twenty years as a teacher in Texas, I never saw one student paddled. Strictly speaking, he might have been telling the truth about what he hadnt seen, but its hard to believe he was unaware of what was going on all around him. Recently I heard this on the radio. An author who had written about sports heroes influence as role models on youth was just concluding an interview and was beginning to field listeners calls. One caller recounted his experience at high school where a coach routinely beat up players. He told how one student who had been victimized by the coach later encountered him in public and punched him. The show s host abruptly cut off the call, and said laughingly, Well, there you have the darker side. Sounds like a movie by____ and hastened to the next caller. Rest assured, the United States does not have a monopoly on denial in this regard. At a conference on child abuse in Sydney in 1978, when I raised a question from the floor about why none of the presenters had talked about caning in schools, the moderator replied, It seems the things you want to talk about, Mr. Riak, are not the things we want to talk about. At that same conference, where I had set up a table to distribute anti-corporal punishment literature, a member of the New South Wales education department told me this: The corporal punishment controversy that youve been stirring up here is causing more broken friendships in the department than any other issue I can remember. Caning is no longer legal in Australian schools, and hopefully, old friendships have mended. How Do You Define Corporal Punishment? There never has been, and probably never will be, a definition of corporal punishment that doesnt stir debate. The American College Dictionary, 1953 Edition, defines corporal punishment as physical injury inflicted on the body of one convicted of a crime, and including the death penalty, flogging, sentence to a term of years, etc. The California Education Code, 1990 Compact Edition, Section 49001 defines it as the willful infliction, or willfully causing the infliction of physical pain on a pupil. Proponents of corporal punishment typically define the practice in personal terms, i.e., what they experienced when they were children, and what they now do to their children. Query any spanker on what it means to corporally punish a child and you will hear autobiography. When one attempts to distinguishing corporal punishment from child abuse, the confusion deepens. Lawmakers, as a rule, duck this conundrum. When it is forced on them, they act as though they are walking on eggs as they grope for language doesnt cramp the style of child punishers. Thats why legal definitions of child abuse are models of vagueness- an heroic accomplishment for those trained in the art of exactitude- and a boon to lawyers who defend abusers. School corporal punishment in schools United States typically involves requiring the student to bend forward as far as possible thus making the protruding posterior a convenient target for the punisher. That target is then struck one or more times with a flat board called a paddle. This causes sharp upward jolts to the spinal column accompanied by bruising, soreness and discoloration of the buttocks. Since the locus of impact is close to the anus and genitals, the sexual component of the act is unarguable. Nevertheless, possible adverse effects on the developing sexuality of young victims are ignored. Furthermore, the possibility that certain punishers are using the act as a pretext for gratifying their own perverse sexual appetites is also ignored. When these risk factors are cited, corporal punishment apologists typically dismiss the suggestion with derisive laughter and retorts such as, Oh, comon, please! Gime a break! Forced exercise is one of several unacknowledged forms of corporal punishment. Though the practice is unequivocally condemned by physical education experts, it is widely used, even in states that ban corporal punishment. It is a staple of locked facilities where troubled youth are corralled ostensibly for the purpose of being reformed. Not allowing children to void bodily waste when the need arises is another form of corporal punishment. It is physically and psychologically dangerous in the extreme, but its use against schoolchildren of all ages is ubiquitous. Punitive restriction of movement also qualifies as corporal punishment. When done to incarcerated adults, it is deemed a violation of human rights. When done to schoolchildren, its called discipline. In school environments where buttocks beating is key to student management and discipline, all the myriad lesser insults to which children are prey such as ear twisting, cheek squeezing, finger jabbing, arm grabbing, slamming against the wall and general manhandling are apt to pass unchronicled and unrecognized for what they really are. Article updated by Stacy Jagodowski

Contract Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Contract Law - Essay Example Since Standard Contracts display an inherent certainty, they leave no scope for ambiguity. The Supplier who has made the Standard Contract (Employers, Banks, Investors and other such people) can impose their own clauses. They impose their own clauses and are adamant about any proposed change by the client. What makes provisions in agreements â€Å"standard† is the failure of the client to negotiate them and the willingness of those artists to accept such an off-putting reply that something is â€Å"standard.† ( IVAN HOFFMAN, B.A., J.D.) There are of course many provisions that should be included in any thorough agreement even though many of those provisions and their internal components remain fully negotiable. But at the very least, money points, royalties, advances, reserves should be considered as fully fair game in all deals. Other agreed terms, whilst not mandatory, have been subject to agreement between the negotiating parties nationally and should not therefore n eed amending in any way at local level. There are only a small number of terms which will be particular to each practice and which will need to be tailored to reflect the agreement. In the present scenario there is precious little that the client can do. There are not too many legal instruments could be provided to the client against the supplier, who has prepared the Standard Contract. As a rule, the standard conditions are valid in most circumstances.

Buddhism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Buddhism - Research Paper Example The region of Buddhism unlike its predecessor Confucianism was able to directly address the concept of human suffering. This is what led to its wide appeal for the Chinese populace since they were undergoing a lot of suffering due to disease, displacement and scarcity of food. There was a lot of infighting between the broken state and the people of China at the time were dealing with a lot chaos and disunity. This was due to the warring states who were vying for supremacy after the fall of the Han dynasty. The Han dynasty had been so powerful and every subsequent and hopeful successor of the now divided state desired to have its glory and power. The religion of Buddhism is still very strong despite Chinas official shift to atheism. This is in spite of Communist attempts at stamping out religion when they took control of China in 1949. Buddhism continues to grow in China most especially after the economic reforms in late eighties. (PARKER, 1905) The Buddhism that took hold in China is Mahayana form of Buddhism .In it are which variations within Mahayana Buddhism such as Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism (Lamaism).The Mahayana believes in the broader interpretations of Buddha’s teachings. This is in contrast to the more abstract philosophical nature present in Theravada Buddhism. The Mahayana Buddhists also belief in more contemporary Buddha’s like Amitabha. The Theravada Buddhists are against those beliefs so do not belief in the contemporary Buddha. The Buddhisms popularity also led to the quick conversion to Buddhism by later Chinese rulers (JETTY, 1914). These rulers made Buddhism into a state religion. The subsequent Sui and Tang Dynasties also all adopted Buddhism as their religion state religion. The foreign rulers of China were also not to be left out in their pursuit and practice of Buddhism such as the Yuan Dynasty and the Manchu’s dynasties. They did this in order to connec t with the Chinese populace and

Like Water for Chocolate Essay Example for Free

Like Water for Chocolate Essay Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Squalevella Bantam Doubleday Dell Pub (Trd); ISBN: 0553472550 Copyright 1994 CHAPTER ONE. JANUARY. Chrutnuw Ro/ INGREDIENTS 1 can of arOin 1/2 choriw aaye oreyano 1 can of chitej rrano 10 haro ro PREPARATION: Take care to chop the onion fine. To keep from crying when you chop it (which is so annoying!), I suggest you place a little bit on your head. The trouble with crying over an onion is that once the chopping gets you started and the tears begin to well up, the next thing you know you just cant stop. I dont know whether thats ever happened to you, but I have to confess its happened to me, many times. Mama used to say it was because I was especially sensitive to onions, like my great-aunt, Tita. Tita was so sensitive to onions, any time they were being chopped, they say she would just cry and cry, when she was still in my greatgrandmothers belly her sobs were so loud that even Nancha, the cook, who was halfdeaf, could hear them easily. Once her wailing got so violent that it brought on an early labor. And before my greatgrandmother could let out a word or even a whimper, Tita made her entrance into this world, prematurely, right there on the kitchen table amid the smells of simmering noodle soup, thyme, bay leaves, and cilantro, steamed milk, garlic, and, of course, onion. Tita had no need for the usual slap on the bottom, because she was already crying as she emerged, maybe that was because she knew then that it would be her lot in life to be denied marriage. The way Nancha told it, Tita was literally washed into this world on a great tide of tears that spilled over the edge of t he table and flooded across the kitchen floor. That afternoon, when the uproar had subsided and the water had been dried up by the sun, Nancha swept up the residue the tears had left on the red stone floor. There was enough salt to fill a ten-pound sack-it was used for cooking and lasted a long time. Thanks to her unusual birth, Tita felt a deep love for the kitchen, where she spent most of her life from the day she was born. When she was only two days old, Titas father, my great-grandfather, died of a heart attack and Mama Elenas milk dried up from the shock. Since there was no such thing as powdered milk in those days, and they couldnt find a wet nurse anywhere, they were in a panic to satisfy the infants hunger. Nancha, who knew everything about cooking-and much more that doesnt enter the picture until later offered to take chargeof feeding Tita. She felt she had the best chance of `educating the innocent childs stomach, even though she had never mauled or had children. Though she didnt know how to read or write, when it came to cooking she knew everything there was to know. Mama Elena accepted her offer gratefully, she had enough to do between her mourning and the enormous responsibility of running the ranch and it was the ranch that would provide her children the food and education they deserved-without having to worry about feeding a newborn baby on top of everything else. From that day on, Titas domain was the kitchen, where she grew vigorous and healthy on a diet of teas and thin corn gruels. This explains the sixth sense Tita developed about everything concerning food. Her eating habits, for example, were attuned to the kitchen routine: in the morning, when she could smell that the beans were ready, at midday, when she sensed the water was ready for plucking the chickens, and in the afternoon, when the dinner bread was baking, Tita knew it was time for her to be fed. Sometimes she would cry for no reason at all, like when Nancha chopped onions, but since they both knew the cause of those tears, they didnt pay them much mind. They made them a source of entertainment, so that during her childhood Tita didnt distinguish between tears of laughter and tears of sorrow. For her laughing was a form of crying. Likewise for Tita the joy of living was wrapped up in the delights of food. It wasnt easy for a person whose knowledge of life was based onthe kitchen to comprehend the outside world. That world was an endless expanse that began at the door between the kitchen and the rest of the house, whereas everything on the kitchen side of that door, on through the door leading to the patio and the kitchen and herb gardens was completely hers-it was Titas realm. Her sisters were just the opposite: to them, Titas world seemed full of unknown dangers, and they were terrified of it. They felt that playing in the kitchen was foolish and dangerous. But once, Tita managed to convince them to join her in watching the dazzling display made by dancing water drops dribbled on a red hot griddle. While Tita was singing and waving her wet hands in time, showering drops of water down on the griddle so they would dance, Rosaura was cowering in the corner stunned by the display. Gertrudis, on the other hand, found this game enticing, and she threw herself into it with the enthusiasm she always showed where rhythm, movement, or music were involved. Then Rosaura had tried to join them-but since she barely moistened her hands and then shook them gingerly, her efforts didnt have the desired effect. So Tita tried to move her hands closer to the griddle. Rosaura resisted, and they struggled for control until Tita became annoyed and let go, so that momentum carried Rosauras hands onto it. Tita got a terrible spanking for that, and she was forbidden to play with her sisters in her own world. Nancha became her playmate then. Together they made up all sorts of games and activities having to do with cooking. Like the day they saw a man in the village plaza twisting long thin balloons into animal shapes, and they decided to do it with sausages. They didnt just make real animals, they also made up some of their own, creatures with the neck of a swan, the legs of a dog, the tail of a horse, and on and on. Then there was trouble, however, when the animals had to be taken apart to fry the sausage. Tita refused to do it. The only time she was willing to take them apart was when the sausage was intended for the Christmas rolls she loved so much. Then she not only allowed her animals to be dismantled, she watched them fry with glee. The sausage for the rolls must be fried over very low heat, so that it cooks thoroughly without getting too brown. When done, remove from the heat and add the sardines, which have been deboned ahead of time. Any black spots on the skin should also have been scraped off with a knife. Combine the onions, chopped chiles, and the ground oregano with the sardines. Let the mixture stand before filling the rolls. Tita enjoyed this step enormously, while the filling was resting, it was very pleasant to savor its aroma, for smells have the power to evoke the past, bringing back sounds and even other smells that have no match in the present. Tita liked to take a deep breath and let the characteristic smoke and smell transport her through the recesses of her memory. It was useless to try to recall the first time she had smelled one of those rolls-she couldnt, possibly because it had been before she was born. It might have been the unusual combination of sardines and sausages that had called to her and made her decide to trade the peace of ethereal existence in Mama Elenas belly for life as her daughter, in order to enter the De la Garza family and share their delicious meals and wonderful sausage. On Mama Elenas ranch, sausage making was a real ritual. The day before, they started peeling garlic, cleaning chiles, and grinding spices. All the women in the family had to participate: Mama Elena, her daughters, Gertrudis, Rosaura, and Tita, Nancha, the cook. And Chencha, the maid. They gathered around the diningroom table in the afternoon, and between the talking and the joking the time flew by until it started to get dark. Then Mama Elena would say: Thats it for today. For a good listener, it is said, a single word will suffice, so when they heard that, they all sprang into action. First they had to clear the table, then they had to assign tasks: one collected the chickens, another drew water for breakfast from the well, a third was in charge of wood for the stove. There would be no ironing, no embroidery, no sewing that day. When it was all finished, they went to their bedrooms to read, say their prayers, and go to sleep. One afternoon, before Mama Elena told them they could leave the table, Tita, who was then fifteen, announced in a trembling voice that Pedro Muzquiz would like to come and speak with her. After an endless silence during which Titas soul shrank, Mama Elena asked: And why should this gentleman want to come talk to me? Titas answer could barely be heard: I dont know. Mama Elena threw her a look that seemed to Tita to contain all the years of repression that had flowed over the family, and said: If he intends to ask for your hand, tell him not to bother. Hell be wasting his time and mine too. You know perfectly well that being the youngest daughter means you have to take care of me until the day I die. With that Mama Elena got slowly to her feet, put her glasses in her apron, and said in a tone of final command: . II Thats it for today. Tita knew that discussion was not one of the forms of communication permitted in Mama Elenas household, but even so, for the first time in her life, she intended to protest her mothers ruling. But in my opinion You dont have an opinion, and thats all I want to hear about it. For generations, not a single person in my family has ever questioned this tradition, and no daughter of mine is going to be the one to start. Tita lowered her head, and the realization of her fate struck her as forcibly as her tears struck the table. From then on they knew, she and the table, that they could never have even the slightest voice in the unknown forces that fated Tita to bow before her mothers absurd decision, and the table to continue to receive the bitter tears that she had first shed on the day of her birth. Still Tita did not submit. anxieties sprang to her mind. Doubts and the next week she didnt speak a single word to her. What passed for communication between them resumed when Mama Elena, who was inspecting the clothes each of the women had been sewing, discovered that Titas creation, which was the most perfect, had not been basted before it was sewed. Congratulations, she said, your stitches are perfect -but you didnt haste it, did you? No, answered Tita, astonished that the sentence of silence had been revoked. `Then go and rip it out. Baste it and sew it again and then come and show it to me. And remember that the lazy man and the stingy man end up walking their road twice. But thats if a person makes a mistake, and you yourself said a moment ago that my sewing was . Are you starting up with your rebelliousness again? Its enough that you have the audacity to break the rules in your sewing. Im sorry, Mami. I wont ever do it again. With that Tita succeeded in calming Mama Elenas anger. For once she had been very careful, she had called her Mami in the correct tone of voice. Mama Elena felt that the word Mama had a disrespectful sound to it, and so, from the time they were little, she had ordered her daughters to use the word Mami when speaking to her. The only one who resisted, the only one who said the word without the proper deference was Tita, which had earned her plenty of slaps. But how perfectly she had said it this time! Mama Elena took comfort in the hope For one thing, she wanted to know who started this family tradition. It would be nice if she could let that genius know about one little flaw in this perfect plan for taking care of women in their old age. If Tita couldnt marry and have children, who would take care of her when she got old? Was there a solution in a case like that? Or are daughters who stay home and take care of their mothers not expected to survive too long after the parents death? And what about women who marry and cant have children, who will take care of them? And besides, shed like to know what kind of studies had established that the youngest daughter and not the eldest is best suited to care for their mother. Had the opinion of the daughter affected by the plan ever been taken into account? If she couldnt marry, was she at least allowed to experience love? Or not even that? Tita knew perfectly well that all these questions would have to be buried forever in the archive of questions that have no answers. In the De la Garza family, one obeyedimmediately. Ignoring Tita completely, a very angry Mama Elena left the kitchen, and for that she had finally managed to subdue her youngest daughter. Unfortunately her hope was short-lived, for the very next day Pedro Muzquiz appeared at the house, his esteemed father at his side, to ask for Titas hand in marriage. His arrival caused a huge uproar, as his visit was completely unexpected. Several days earlier Tita had sent Pedro a message via Nanchas brother asking him to abandon his suit. The brother swore he had delivered the message to Pedro, and yet, there they were, in the house. Mama Elena received them in the living room, she was extremely polite and explained why it was impossible for Tita to marry. But if you really want Pedro to get married, allow me to suggest my daughter Rosaura, whos just two years older than Tita. She is one hundred percent available, and ready for marriage At that Chencha almost dropped right onto Mama Elena the tray containing coffee and cookies, which she had carried into the living room to offer don Pascual and his son. Excusing herself, she rushed back to the kitchen, where Tita, Rosaura, and Gertrudis were waiting for her to fill them in on every detail about what was going on in the living room. She burst headlong into the room, and they all immediately stopped what they were doing, so as not to miss a word she said. They were together in the kitchen making Christmas Rolls. As the name implies, these rolls are usually prepared around Christmas, but today they were being prepared in honor of Titas birthday. She would soon be sixteen years old, and she wanted to celebrate with one of her favorite dishes. Isnt that something? Your ma talks about being ready for marriage like she was dishing up a plate of enchiladas! And the worse thing is, theyre completely different! You cant just switch tacos and enchiladas like that! Chencha kept up this kind of running commentary as she told the others-in her own way, of course-about the scene she had just witnessed. Tita knew Chencha sometimes exaggerated and distorted things, so she held her aching heart in check. She would not accept what she had just heard. Feigning calm, she continued cutting the rolls for her sisters and Nancha to fill. It is best to use homemade rolls. Hard rolls can easily be obtained from a bakery, but they should be small, the larger ones are unsuited for this recipe. After filling the rolls, bake for ten minutes and serve hot. For best results, leave the rolls out overnight, wrapped in a cloth, so that the grease from the sausage soaks into the bread. When Tita was finishing wrapping the next days rolls, Mama Elena came into the kitchen and informed them that she had agreed to Pedros marriage-to Rosaura. Hearing Chenchas story confirmed, Tita felt her body fill with a wintry chill: in one sharp, quick blast she was so cold and dry her cheeks burned and turned red, red as the apples beside her. That overpowering chill a lasted a long time, and she could find no respite, not even when Nancha told her what she had overheard as she escorted don Pascual Muzquiz and his son to the ranchs gate. Nancha followed them, walking as quietly as she could in order to hear the conversation between father and son. Don Pascual and Pedro were walking slowly, speaking in low, controlled, angry voices. Why did you do that, Pedro? It will look ridiculous, your agreeing to marry Rosaura. What happened to the eternal love you swore to Tita? Arent you going to keep that vow? Of course Ill keep it. When youre told theres no way you can marry the woman you love and your only hope of being near her is to marry her sister, wouldnt you do the same? Nancha didnt manage to hear the answer, Pulque, the ranch dog, wentrunning by, barking at a rabbit he mistook for a cat. So you intend to marry without love? No, Papa, I am going to marry with a great love for Tita that willnever die. Their voices grew less and less audible, drowned out by the crackling of dried leaves beneath their feet. How strange that Nancha, who was quite hard of hearing by that time, should have claimed to have heard this conversation. Still, Tita thanked Nancha for telling her-but that did not alter the icy feelings she began to have for Pedro. It is said that the deaf cant hear but can understand. Perhaps Nancha only heard what everyone else was afraid to say. Tita could not get to sleep that night, she could not find the words for what she was feeling. How unfortunate that black holes in space had not yet been discovered, for then she might have understood the black hole in the center of her chest, infinite coldness flowing through it. Whenever she closed her eyes she saw scenes from last Christmas, the first time Pedro and his family had been invited to dinner1 the scenesgrew more and more vivid, and the cold within her grew sharper. Despite the time that had passed since that evening, she remembered it perfectly: the sounds, the smells, the way her new dress had grazed the freshly waxed floor, the look Pedro gave her . . . That look! She had been walking to the table carrying a tray of egg-yolk candies when she first felt his hot gaze burning her skin. She turned her head, and her eyes met Pedros. It was then she understood how dough feels when it is plunged into boiling oil. The heat that invaded her body was so real she was afraid she would start to bubble-her face, her stomach, her heart, her breasts-like batter, and unable to endure his gaze she lowered her eyes and hastily crossed the room, to where Gertrudis was pedaling the player piano, playing a waltz called the Eyes of Youth. She set her tray on a little table in the middle of the room, picked up a glass of Noyo liquor that was in front of her, hardly aware of what she was doing, and sat down next to Paquita Lobo, the De Ia Carzas neighbor. But even that distance between herself and Pedro was not enough1 she felt her blood pulsing, searing her veins. A deep flush suffused her face and no matter how she tried she could not find a place for her eyes to rest. Paquita saw that something was bothering her, and with a look of great concern, she asked: That liquor is pretty strong, isnt it? Pardon me? You look a little woozy, Tita. Are you feeling all right? Yes, thank you. Youre old enough to have a little drink on a special occasion, but tell me, you little devil, did your mama say it was okay? I can see youre excited-youre shaking and Im sorry but I must say youd better not have any more. You wouldnt want to make a fool of yourself. That was the last straw! To have Paquita Lobo think she was drunk. She couldnt allow the tiniest suspicion to remain in Paquitas mind or she might tell her mother. Titas fear of her mother was enough to make her forget Pedro for a moment, and she applied herself to convincing Paquita, any way she could, that she was thinking clearly, that her mind was alert. She chatted with her, she gossiped, she made small talk. She even told her the recipe for this Noyo liquor which was supposed to have had such an effect on her. The liquor is made by soaking four ounces of peaches and a half pound of apricots in water for twenty-four hours to loosen the skin1 next, they are peeled, crushed, and steeped in hot water for fifteen days. Then the liquor is distilled. After two and a half pounds of sugar have been completely dissolved in the water, four ounces of orange-flower water are added, and the mixture is stirred and strained. And so there would be no lingering doubts about her mental and physical well-being, she reminded Paquita, as if it were just an aside, that the water containers held 2.016 liters, no more and no less. So when Mama Elena came over to ask Paquita if she was being properly entertained, she replied enthusiastically. Oh yes, perfectly! You have such wonderful daughters. Such fascinating conversation! Mama Elena sent Tita to the kitchen to get something for the guests. Pedro happened to be walking by at that moment and he offered his help. Tita rushed off to the kitchen without a word. His presence made her extremely uncomfortable. He followed her in, and she quickly sent him off with one of the trays of delicious snacks that had been waiting on the kitchen table. She would never forget the moment their hands accidentally touched as they both slowly bent down to pick up the same tray. That was when Pedro confessed his love. Sen on to Tita, I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to be alone with you to tell you that I am deeply in love with you. I know this declaration is presumptuous, and that its quite sudden, but its so hard to get near you that I decided to tell you tonight. All I ask is that you tell me whether I can hope to win your love. I dont know what to say . give me time to think. No, no, I cant! I need an answer now: you dont have to think about love, you either feel it or you dont. I am a man of few words, but my word is my pledge. I swear that my love for you will last forever. What about you? Do you feel the same way about me? Yes! Yes, a thousand times. From that night on she would love him forever. And now she had to give him up. It wasnt decent to desire your sisters future husband. She had to try to put him out of her mind somehow, so she could get to sleep. She started to eat the Christmas Roll Nancha had left out on her bureau, along with a glass of milk, this remedy had proven effective many times. Nancha, with all her experience, knew that for Tita there was no pain that wouldnt disappear if she ate a delicious Christmas Roll. But this time it didnt work. She felt no relief from the hollow sensation in her stomach. Just the opposite, a wave of nausea flowed over her. She realized that the hollow sensation was not hunger but an icy feeling of grief. She had to get rid of that terrible sensation of cold. First she put on a wool robe and a heavy cloak. The cold still gripped her. Then she put on felt slippers and another two shawls. No good. Finally she went to her sewing box and pulled out the bedspread she had started the day Pedro first spoke of marriage. A bedspread like that, a crocheted one, takes about a year to complete. Exactly the length of time Pedro and Tita had planned to wait before getting married. She decided to use the yarn, not to let it go to waste, and so she worked on the bedspread and wept furiously, weeping and working until dawn, and threw it over herself. It didnt help at all. Not that night, nor many others, for as long as she lived, could she free herself from that cold. TO BE CONTINUED Next months recipe, Chabeta weooina Cake. CHAPTER TWO. FEBRUARY. Chabefa Wany Cake INGREDIENTS. 175 aranw refinco granetlate0 uyar 300 yram cake flour, fteo three tim 17eay arateo peel of one lime PREPARATION: Place five egg yolks, four whole eggs, and the sugar in a large bowl. Beat until the mixture thickens and then add two more whole eggs repeat, adding the remaining eggs two at a time until all the eggs have been added. To make the cake for Pedro and Rosauras wedding, Tita and Nancha had to multiply this recipe by ten, since they were preparing a cake not for eighteen people but for 180. Therefore, they needed 170 eggs,which meant they had to arrange to have that number of good eggs on thesame day. To get that number of eggs together, they preserved all the eggs laid by the best hens for several weeks. This preserving technique had been employed on the ranch since time immemorial to ensure a supply of this nourishing and indispensable food throughout the winter. The best time to preserve eggs is August or September. The eggs must be very fresh. Nancha preferred to use only eggs laid the same day. The eggs are placed in a cask containing crumbled sheep fodder, allowed to cool, and then covered completely. This will keep the eggs fresh for months. If you want them to keep for more than a year, place the eggs in an earthenware crock and cover them with a ten-percent lime solution. Cover tightly to keep the air out and store in the wine cellar. Tita and Nancha had chosen to use the first method because they didnt need to keep the eggs fresh for that many months. They had placed the cask containing the preserved eggs between them under the kitchen table and were taking the eggs out of it as they put the cake together. When she had beaten barely a hundred eggs, the phenomenal energy required for the task began to have a bad effect on Titas mood. To reach the goal of 170 seemed unimaginable. Tita beat the mixture while Nancha broke the eggs and added them to it. A fit of trembling shook Titas body and she broke out in goose bumps when each new egg was broken. The egg whites reminded her of the testicles of the chickens they had castrated the month before. Roosters that are castrated and then fattened up are called capons. The family had decided to serve capons at Pedro and Rosauras wedding because they would impress everyone with the quality of the dinner, as much for the amount of work required in their preparation as for the extraordinary flavor of the birds themselves. As soon as the date of the wedding was set for the twelfth of January, they ordered two hundred roosters to be bought for castrating and fattening up. This task fell to Tita and Nancha. Nancha because of her experience and Tita as punishment for feigning a headache to avoid her sister Rosauras engagement. I wont stand for disobedience, Mama Elena told her, nor am going to allow you to ruin your sisters wedding, with your acting like a victim. Youre in charge of all the preparations starting now, and dont ever let me catch you with a single tear or even a long face, do you hear?

A Comparison of Wilfred Owen’s Dulce et Decorum est to Alfred Tennyson’

A Comparison of Wilfred Owen’s â€Å"Dulce et Decorum est† to Alfred Tennyson’s â€Å"Charge of the Light Brigade† In this essay I will attempt to compare and contrast Wilfred Owen’s â€Å"Dulce et Decorum est† to Alfred Tennyson’s â€Å"Charge of the Light Brigade†. I will examine the use of poetic devices in the poems as well as outline what is happening in each. Wilfred Owen was born on the 18th of March 1893 in owestry, United Kingdom. He was the oldest of four children and was educated in an evangelical school. Though Owen rejected most of his beliefs by 1913 the influence of his education still remains evident in his poems and their themes of sacrifice, biblical language and his vivid, frightening description of hell. One of the main influences on Owen’s poetry was his meeting with Siegfried Sassoon, though Owen soon fashioned his own style and approach to the war. The characteristics of Owen’s poetry are the use of Para rhyme (The rhyming of two words which have the same consonants but whose stressed vowels are different), alliteration, and assonance. Alfred Tennyson was born on 5th August 1809 in Somersby, Lincolnshire and died on the 6th October 1892 to later be buried in the poet’s corner in Westminster Abby. Tennyson was often regarded as the chief representative of the Victorian age in poetry, succeeding Wordsworth as poet laureate in 1850. Wilfred Owen’s poems are inspired by the horrors of his own experiences in World War One from 28th July 1914 to 4th November 1918, the day that he died 1 week before the armistice. At the time of this poem there were excessive amounts of propagandistic poetry for example Jessie Pope’s â€Å"Who’s for the game?† Lord Alfred Tennyson’s â€Å"Charge of the Light Brigade† was written to commemorate the suicidal charge by British light cavalry over open terrain in the Battle of Balaclava (Ukraine) in the Crimean War from 1854 to 1856. This was the first war to have photographic media coverage. Of the 637 men involved in the charge, 247 were killed or injured. Tennyson describes the valiant charge of the light brigade into â€Å"the jaws of death†. Tennyson makes use of repetition, allusion, and personification to paint a vivid picture of the charge and at the same time give the reader an insight into the mind of the brave soldiers of the light brigade. The rhythm of this poem imitates the sound of the horses galloping towards th... ...nly minor injuries can me sustained from war for example a broken leg. I preferred â€Å"Charge of the light brigade† because the pace and rhyming scheme give a sense of action and excitement. Strong metaphors and similes are used to provide the reader with an insight into the minds of the soldiers. I especially like how Tennyson describes the conflict itself in the 4th stanza, as this is a strong example of the sense of action in his work. The perception of war has gone through much change since the time of Tennyson, in Tennyson’s time war was regarded as a good thing but over time the perception of war has completely reversed, and in my opinion it seems these days that war is something that should be avoided at all costs mainly due to the technical advances made giving war much more potential to destroy more than just lives. I will conclude this essay with a quote from â€Å"the charge of the light brigade† which I believe shows the heroism of those men who died for their country and persevered under impossible odds. â€Å"When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wondered. Honour the charge they made, Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred.

Madura Garments

Sales and Distribution Channel Structure of Madura Garments Group B9 Ishan Agrawal (11P081) Jaya S Choubey (11P083) Kumar Rahul(11P087) Abhishek Narayan (11P145) Madhur Paul (11P147) Contents Madura Garments3 Background4 Louis Philippe:4 Van Heusen:4 Allen Solly:4 Esprit:4 Planet Fashion:5 Madura Fashion & Lifestyle Channel Structure6 Data on the Channel Structure of Madura Fashion & Lifestyle8 New Product Development10 Market Overview13 Product positioning:13 Product pricing13 Competitor Channel Strategy13 Process followed15 Issues in Channel Strategy16 Issue: Selecting Channel Members16Issue: Fostering Channel Member acceptance of the new products16 Issue: Stocking and Visual merchandising17 Issue: Maintaining Product Differentiation17 Recommendations:17 Issue: Product Positioning:17 Issue: Product line expansion17 Issue: Sales Organization and Sales Culture:18 Sales Culture:18 Personal Selling Process:19 Recruitment, Selection and Training of Sales Personnel21 Step 1: Manpower Pla nning21 Step 2: Sourcing activity21 Internal Sourcing21 External Sourcing21 Step 3: Approval22 Training and Development :-22 Probation Appraisal Forms:22 Territory and Quota Management23Evaluation of Sales Personnel24 Challenges faced in implementing recommendations:26 What can be done to address these challenges? 26 References27 Madura Garments Background Madura Garments, a division of Aditya Birla Nuvo is India's leading apparel retail company. It consists of the brands: Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly and Peter  England. Apart from these it has a distribution agreement with the international brand Esprit for which it has opened exclusive brand outlets. Louis Philippe: Louis Philippe was the first genuinely international garment label introduced in the Indian market in 1989.Recognised as a Superbrand, Louis Philippe epitomises elegance, class and status, addressing the needs of the style conscious, contemporary Indian men. The brand brings superbly crafted range of silks , trousers, blazers, ties and T-shirts that makes an exclusive fashion statement recognised by its distinctive icon The Upper  Crest. The brand creates an image of stylish, confident, spirited, cool ensemble with hidden details, slimmer cuts. LP the youth brand from Louis Philippe, has introduced new fashion formals range for today’s young and successful urbanites. The range exudes elan, style and success which personifies today’s youth.Van Heusen: Van Heusen, India's premium work-wear brand, brought to India in 1990, has given corporate attire altogether a new look and meaning through continuous product innovation and exclusive collections such as Autumn Winter, Ken & Tony, Worldwear, Informals, IQ Clothing, winter wear, knits, innerwear and accessories. Cool Pants, designed using breakthrough technology adopted by NASA, or the Oxyrich shirts with oxygen ions to neutralise high stress levels in the intelligent clothing (IQ)range, are a few examples of the tradition of innovation that began with the invention of the collar in 1919.Worldwear is Van Heusen's extension of the best-selling range of  corporate wear for the global Indian. Allen Solly: Allen Solly has established itself as the leading western wear brand redefining the wardrobe of the modern Indian. It has popularised the Friday dressing concept in India. With the launch of its women's wear range in December 2001, Allen Solly has made a successful foray into the growing women's work and casual wear market. The brand has won the most admired brand – Womens wear IFA 2004, 2005, 2007; most admired brand -trousers IFA 2005; most admired brand – smart casuals IFA 2006.It has also won the IFA Images 2001 best brand award in the readymade menswear category. Esprit: Esprit provides a fresh look and a new style to its existing variety every month. The brand offers a variety of choices with the availability of its various collections in all the stores, to keep satisfying the need s of its growing customers. EDC by Esprit addresses young, spontaneous people who live for the moment and express this lifestyle with an individual look. Planet Fashion:Planet Fashion is the apparel retailing arm of Madura Garments, Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd. It houses not only our leading (inhouse) menswear brands like Louis Philippe, VanHeusen, Allen Solly and Peter England, but also Levi's denim, Monte Carlo knitwear and most recently, Jocky innerwear in selected stores. It aims to be the complete wardrobe solution for a man – a one-stop destination for all his apparel needs. Its product portfolio ranges from corporate formal wear to casual leisurewear, accessories, t-shirts, interwear and lately, denims and innerwear. In the dynamic readymade garments industry, speed in reacting to changes in trends and customer tastes, and constant introduction of new styles are critical to success. This in turn depends on the availability of constantly updated information, up-to-date and ac curate market data, which is critical to Madura Garments for strategic decisions involving introduction of new products, quick response to customer needs, inventory management, and overall market competitiveness.To effectively deliver its products to customers, Madura Garments employs multiple distribution channels. This includes their dedicated network (Planet Fashion and Dress Circle stores), multi brand outlets, distributors, agents and branded exports, which totally add up to more than 21 distributors with 1000+ retailers and 150+ factory owned retail outlets spread over a large territory. Madura Fashion & Lifestyle Channel Structure Trade Channels: Multi Brand Outlets: This channel of Madura has declined over the years. At present, it is contributing around 20-25% of the revenue share.According to a retail manager at Madura, customers today are unwilling to buy clothes from MBOs, with modern well-staffed malls and exclusive outlets offering more personalised service. MBOs usual ly adopt branded shelf approach for stocking various products. MBOs are located throughout the country including Tier II and Tier III towns. MBOs have enabled Madura to increase its reach but they offer very poor returns, to the order, of only 2%. The channel structure for a Multi Brand Outlet is a multilayered one. Usually, it is a three level channel.The products move from the factory to major wholesalers who then distribute tham to regional distributors who finally take the product to the retail shop floor. This multilayered channel is responsible for lesser return. Factory Wholesalers Distributors Multi Brand Outlets Exclusive Business Outlets: Madura Fashion & Lifestyle has more than 1,000 exclusive branded outlets with over 1 million square feet of retail space across the country. The company greatly ramped up its exclusive Brand outlets business in 2011 by adding 250 stores in that single year only.The current count stands at 1129. Exclusive Business Outlets contribute around 30-35% share in revenue and provide 10-15% return which is highest among that provided by any other channel of Madura except planet fashion. It is essentially a zero level channel with products provided directly from the company to the outlet. The shorter channel can also be seen as one of the reasons for higher return. Department Stores: It has more than 1,000 exclusive branded outlets with over 1 million square feet of retail space across the country.The company’s brands are also present in over 100 department stores. All major department stores like Central, Lifestyle, Shopper’s Stop, Reliance and Max, to name just a few, stock different Madura brands. Planet Fashion: In 2001, Madura Fashion & Lifestyle envisioned providing a unique shopping experience to delight its customers. Soon, the company opened a distinct, specialty menswear showroom at Commercial Street in Bangalore. The thinking behind the store was to provide a superior retail experience and offer men a one-stop destination for all their apparel needs.Each of the brands is a complete lifestyle brand and has an exhaustive range of shirts, trousers, knits, winter wear, suits and accessories. They offer the best range across formal, semi-formal and casual occasions and across various price ranges. Louis Philippe caters to the style-conscious contemporary man. Van Heusen formals are the ideal choice for the corporate customer, while Allen Solly is unconventional and associated with Friday Dressing, and offers relaxed wear for the young and ambitious trendsetter. Peter England is value for money, and caters to the mid-price segment.In order to pursue its intention of providing a complete wardrobe solution to its customers, Planet Fashion has been looking at brands beyond the Madura Fashion & Lifestyle stable. Recognising the need for brand names in winter wear, inner wear, and denims, it introduced Monte Carlo, Jockey and Levi’s in select stores. Realising that wedding apparel fo r men was a huge untapped market, Planet Fashion also tied up with â€Å"Manyawar† for its range of ethnic menswear. With a strong presence in 88 cities across India as well as in the Gulf and SAARC countries, Planet Fashion stores greet more than three million customers each year.Planet Fashion has 146 stores, which by the end of the year will touch 200. The winning retail model has been successful not only in premium locations, but also in smaller towns such as Udupi, Bareilly and Dehradun. Planet Fashion is the largest chain of stores of its kind in India, with an average store footprint that ranges from 1,500-6,000 sq ft, depending on its location. To drive its growth objective, it has launched a new format of store christened – Planet Fashion Grande, which is for both men and women and offers a large section for the growing accessories market.The first Planet Fashion Grande store opened at Indiranagar, Bangalore in December 2011. Planet Fashion has ensured that no stone is left unturned to create a store that truly lives up to its name. The new store showcases select international brands such as Calvin Klein, Nautica, Esprit and EDC. For those particular about exclusive tailoring, there is a section dedicated to custom tailoring. Planet Fashion Grande is also launching made-to-measure service, where the suits will be custom tailored at the company’s factory set up with Italian collaboration. The ladies section is one-of-its-kind in Bangalore.It offers the pret line of Ritu Kumar, the exclusive printed sarees from Satya Paul, the pure ethnic collection from Seven East and the ethnic fusion range of Global Desi. On the formal front there is and, a western fusion range, Allen Solly and Van Heusen Women. All this is complemented with footwear and handbags. Madura Fashion and Lifestyle employs a direct distribution channel to Planet Fashion retail channel from its warehouses. The model of distribution employed is Consignment model wherein the stock is completely owned by the company and merchandising and Visual marketing is handled by the Company’s retail staff.The return on this business realized is 20% and it forms a 10% share of the company’s revenue. Value Channels: The value channels comprise mostly of depletion channels. This channel includes specific sales like employee sales and sales through factory outlets and also multi-brand depletion channels like Brand Factory and Lootmart. The stock is completely owned by the company in case of company specific sales while it is franchisee owned in multi-brand depletion channels.The return realized is negligible for the company. E-commerce: Electronic commerce, commonly known as e-commerce or e-commerce, is the buying and selling of products or services over electronic systems such as the Internet and other computer networks. Electronic commerce draws on such technologies as electronic funds transfer, supply chain management, Internet marketing, online tr ansaction processing, electronic data interchange (EDI), inventory management systems, and automated data collection systems.Modern electronic commerce typically uses the World Wide Web at least at one point in the transaction's life-cycle, although it may encompass a wider range of technologies such as e-mail, mobile devices and telephones as well. Electronic commerce is generally considered to be the sales aspect of e-business. It also consists of the exchange of data to facilitate the financing and payment aspects of business transactions. Madura Fashion and lifestyle does not sell its products via company owned online space but rather sells to big online retailers like Jabong and Myntra in India.As of now, e-retail is not a big part of the company’s revenues. The stock is franchisee owned and distribution is taken care of by the company itself. It is a part of the company’s long term future to start retailing through its own brand portals and through mobile-based a pplications. Industrial Sales: This is a special case where specific orders are addressed by the company itself. This could be a case in case of very large orders or a valuable B2B business. This is a negligible portion of the company’s yearly revenues.Exports: The company exports merchandise to different countries where it operates in and to other retailers to. This is guided by license agreements between the parent brands and the company. Data on the Channel Structure of Madura Fashion ; Lifestyle Channels| About| Model| Return| Revenue Share| 1. Trade | MBOs (Multi-brand outlets)| Buy n Sell| 2%| 20-25%| 2. EBOs (Exclusive business outlets)| Buy and Sell EBOs and Consignment EBOs| Buy n SellConsignment| 10-15%| 30-35%| 3. DS (Department stores)| Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, Max, Westside| Buy n Sell| | 15-20%| 4. PF (Planet fashion)| | | 20%| 10%| . Value Channels| Factory outlets, Brand Factory, Loot mart etc| | Marginal| 0| 6. E-commerce| | | | Marginal| 7. Industrial Sales | | | | marginal| 8. Exports| | | | 5%| New Product Development New Product Development is a process which consists of developing, testing and considering the viability of products which are new to the market. It is a complete process of bringing a new product to the market. If a company has many new products in the pipeline, then cost of development per new product is less. Also, it should be noted that most product ideas are aborted before launch.Thus, if a company has only one product in development and that product is aborted before launch, then significant costs are incurred both financially and in terms of morale of the new product team. A new product may manifest itself in different forms and have associated channel issues. These are discussed below. 1. A new product may be a product that opens up an entirely new market. In this case, the entire channel strategy has to be designed for the new market. It has to be checked whether the new product to be introduced can be served by existing channel or not. If not, then this involves the complete process of designing a new channel. . A new product may be a product that adapts or replaces an existing product. In such a case, the existing channel may work with little redesigning. 3. The new product may be such that it significantly broadens the market for an existing product. For example, new models of printers use same kind of cartridges. Here also, the existing channel may suffice to serve the new product. 4. A new product may also be an old product introduced into a new market. In such a case, a channel parallel and similar to the channel in the old market has to be established after studying the market demographics. . An old product packaged in a different way or an old product marketed in a different way might also be called a new product. In this case, existing channel may suffice if target market and positioning are same. Our Louis Philippe footwear fall into category defined by point no. 1, that is, it is a product that has opened up an entirely new market. LP has since long focused only on garments and clothing. Now, Madura wants to leverage its brand name and sell other merchandise under it. Footwear is an entirely new product category with new set of competitors coming into picture.It demands modification of existing channel or designing of a completely new channel. Existing stores which carry LP garments might not be willing to stock footwear also. The importance of new product development is immense. New products can be used to: * Increase/ defend market share by offering more choice or updating older products. * Appeal to new segments. * Diversify into new markets. * Improve relations with distributors. * Maintain the firm's position as a leading edge company. Even out peaks and troughs in demand. * Make better use of organisation's resources. Stages in new product development: 1.Idea Generation: It involves conceptualization of new ideas. Eg: Sales, R;D and production depa rtment confluence to generate new ideas. Sales team identifies a new market opportunity, R;D develops is design and production department determines its production feasibility. These functions may be cross performed also. Analysis of customers or market research by an external agency may also spur new product development. 2. Idea Screening: Ideas are checked for technical feasibility, financial viability and marketability and the poor ones are dropped. Product is evaluated on its demand, marketability and profit potential.Ideas may be rated according to marketing, production and strategic factors. 3. Concept development and testing: This stage involves turning ideas into tangible products that consumers perceive as being valuable. Concept testing consists of testing new products with a group of consumers to find out if the concepts have strong consumer appeal. 4. Marketing strategy development: An initial marketing strategy for a new product is designed based on the product concept. 5. Business Analysis: A review of the sales, costs, profit projections and breakeven points for the new product to find out whether these factors satisfy the firm’s objective. . Product Development: Engineering and production issues are resolved and the idea is translated into reality through prototypes and simulations. 7. Test Marketing: Launching a product in a small geographical area. 8. Commercialization: The product is introduced into the market. Timing is critical for success. Product has to be well targeted and positioned. The LP footwear is in the stage of commercialization. Earlier ideas considered were LP artificial jewellery, LP clothing accessories, LP sunglasses etc. But footwear was decided by management to be most appropriate and in sync with the objectives and practical constraints.There are three ways to introduce new products under the auspices of existing products: Line extension: Using an existing brand name on products within the same category. Brand ext ension: Using an existing brand name on products in a new category but within the same broadly defined market. Brand stretching: Using an existing name on a product in a different market. Using LP name to introduce footwear is a case of brand extension. The fears of brand dilution are minimized by the fact that footwear also form part of fashion and clothing and are integral to style statement of a person.For the purposes of this project, we have identified issues in the channel that are associated with changes in the marketing environment, most typically in the case of a new product development and introduction. On interaction with the channel managers, it was found that one major issue they had been facing with their channel is introduction of new products into the channel. Madura Fashion ; Lifestyle wants to leverage its brand names to introduce merchandise other than clothing. Madura Fashion and Lifestyle introduced Louis Philippe Footwear in the Spring Summer Collection, 2010.T he footwear served as a means of brand extension. The brand wanted to move forward from being an apparel category player to a wider lifestyle brand. Diversifying into newer product categories, expanding the existing product portfolio and targeting newer customers seemed like a good idea to go about doing this. The reason they chose to enter the footwear category were many. Market Overview The Indian footwear market is expected to generate total revenue of $2. 5 billion in 2011, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10. 3% between 2007 and 2011. In comparison, the Chinese market will increase with a CAGR of 5. %, and the Japanese market will decline with a compound annual rate of change (CARC) of -1. 1%, over the same period, to reach respective values of $13. 7 billion and $13. 9 billion in 2011. Sales generated through clothing, footwear, sportswear and accessories retailers are expected to be the most lucrative for the Indian footwear market in 2011, with total reve nues of $2,314. 9 million, equivalent to 91. 5% of the market's overall value. In comparison, sales through discount, variety store, and general merchandise retailers will generate revenues of $103 million in 2011, equating to 4. 1% of the market's aggregate revenues.The Indian footwear market experienced strong growth during 2011 after also having strong growth in 2010. The market is predicted to continue growing strongly over the forecast period to 2016. The performance of the market is forecast to accelerate, with an anticipated CAGR of 15. 1% for the five-year period 2011 – 2016, which is expected to drive the market to a value of $5. 1 billion by the end of 2016. Comparatively, the Chinese and Japanese markets will grow with CAGRs of 7. 8% and 0. 3% respectively, over the same period, to reach respective values of $20 billion and $14. 1 billion in 2016. Product positioning:The product was positioned as a premium category product targeted at customers who had high disposa ble incomes. The product could serve as a potential hook for acquiring new customers as well transforming the brand into a premium lifestyle player. The channel strategy would serve a critical factor in achieving the desired result. Product pricing The product was introduced in the premium range in the Indian market. The starting price was Rs 2400 and the closing price was 5400. Competitor Channel Strategy The Indian footwear market was densely populated with competitors. The competitors can be divided into three broad categories.The first category is product specialists who manufacture and sell their own products. The second category is the brand extension products that are sourced by companies and sold through the channels. The third category is the private players consisting of the unorganized sector of the market. The channel strategy for different companies that have launched products in this market category depends on a lot on the scale of operations they are aiming at. Channe ls like Market development partners (MDPs) are generally employed in areas that are geographically or logistically difficult to handle exclusively.Different brands employ different channel strategies. Another factor that determines the channel strategy of a brand is the positioning. An economy brand is more liable to enter small markets via MDPs as the target customers reside there and because it makes business sense. Contrastingly, a premium player may choose to employ a strategy of opening only Exclusive business outlets (EBOs) to preserve its shopping experience and exclusivity. Experience also plays a big part in deciding the channel strategy. Generally, core category players have a wider distribution network as this is their revenue generating business.Consequently they also have the required experience to carry out the operations. The following are an attempt to summarize the size and the channel strategy employed by the major market leaders in the Indian footwear market. The data employed for this analysis is indicative and approximate. Brands| Exclusive Business Outlets(EBOs)| Management Development Parters(MDPs)| Multi-brand Outlets (MBOs)/Department Stores(DS)| Turnover(Rs Cr. )| Lee Cooper| 100| 750| 1500| 200| Red Tape| 200| 500| 1500| 400| Woodland| 300| 1000| 1500| 750|Bata| 1300| 30000| 1000| 1540. 59| Liberty| 350| 4500| 1500| 310| Franco Leone| 25| 0| 850| 100| Nike| 150| 600| 1000| 700| Adidas| 350| 750| 1000| 585| Puma| 150| 500| 700| 550| Reebok| 900| 700| 1000| 1400| From the above data, we can observe that the core category players in the Indian market, the product specialists have a distinctly different channel strategy from products which are brand extensions. Product specialists usually rely on a licensee model with Management Development Partners (MDPs) to open exclusive stores in different parts of the company.However, these exclusive stores are different from company owned stores which are relatively few in number, but still far gre ater than the number of Lifestyle EBOs that carry footwear as brand extension products. Process followed Issues in Channel Strategy Issue: Selecting Channel Members The channel strategy has to be such that the product fulfills its potential to act as a brand accelerator and complete the Lifestyle promise of the brand. It has to be consistent with the brand’s core promise of freedom, individuality and success.The other functions this product could perform are to appeal to a wider set of audience in a pure category play, to engage brand loyal customers and act as a hook for potential customers. The major tasks required to be performed by the channel members are * EBOs: Complete the Lifestyle look and drive premiumness * DS and MBOs: Create a larger play for the brand * Depletion channels: Recruit customers for the brand Madura Fashion ; Lifestyle introduced these products in EBOs, Department Stores, MBOs, Planet Fashion and on the e-commerce platform. Recommendation:Footwear is introduced in Exclusive Brand Outlets (EBOs), MBOs (Multi Brand Outlets), Department stores (DS) and Planet Fashion (PF) showrooms. The remaining four channels are not relevant for a new product like footwear. Moreover, EBOs and DS are very short channels ( 2 step), so company has more control over them. Issue: Fostering Channel Member acceptance of the new products Recommendations: * Reinforce the belief of the channel members that the product would sell by sharing the results of consumer response * Convincing the retailer of the high potential value creation by the product Issue: Stocking and Visual merchandising Stocking and display handled by the company in the case of EBOs and large Multi-Brand Outlets like Shoppers Stop etc * Stocking and display to be handled by the retailer in the case of trade channels. * Training imparted to all store managers for the Visual Merchandising. * Store Management handled by the company in EBOs, and the vendor in the case of large MBOs and trad e channels Issue: Maintaining Product Differentiation Louis Philippe footwear is similar to other products offered by Madura Garments: they project the same sense of quality, style and prestige.They are differentiated on these grounds and are premium priced. They are sold in certain outlets to enhance the exclusivity factor. Since they are present across India in various stores, it is important that channel members also help create a differentiated product by conveying the same to the customers. Recommendations: * They should be displayed properly and stylishly and good services must be provided by retailers to the customers because even the customers’ experience at the outlet adds to the way the product is perceived to be different from others. The salespeople present at the store must be well trained and must communicate the superior quality and style of the footwear to the customers. Issue: Product Positioning: The retailer support is required in the form of proper merchan dise presentation and display. Since the competition is very strong in this segment, focus on product positioning is essential. Recommendations: Madura Garment should provide attractive incentives in the form of promotional allowances and special merchandising deals so that the retailer positioning is in line with the image projected by the company. Issue: Product line expansionSince Madura Garments is foraying into a new product category of footwear, it is important to aid the channel members who are used to the apparel category. Recommendations: * Explain to the channel members the reason for the addition of footwear category and its feasibility * Frequent communication with the channel members to ensure a smooth flow of information about the demand for the footwear * Company should aid the channel members in stocking, choosing a display pattern (if required) and merchandising * Ensuring trouble-free products and making provisions for return of dissatisfactory stocksIssue: Sales O rganization and Sales Culture: Currently Madura Garments have 82 stores in India and 5 outside India. In India it has store across 50 cities in India, ranging from high streets like Connaught Place and South Ex to smaller towns like Bareilly, Karnal and Dehradun. International presence inDubai, Sharjah, Qatar and Kathmandu. Sales Culture: * Components of sales culture. * Role of sales culture in developing a sound sales organization Personal Selling Process: It is the personal presentation by the firm’s sales force for the purpose of making sales and building customer relationships.Personal selling is paid personal communication that attempts to inform customers and persuade them to purchase  products or services. Personal Selling Process consists of the following steps: Prospecting Pre approach Approach Presentation and Demonstration Handling Objective Closing Follow up Company’s records: Salesman refers to the company’s records and gets in touch with several old and new contact. Through this way sales may be  promoted   Retailers: The sales force get the valuable leads from the retailers since they are in direct contact with the customer and are familiar with the taste, needs, preference. 1. Pre approach:After identifying the prospect in the prospecting stage. , the second step of salesman to know about the prospect likes, dislike, preference, nature, behavior, economic and social status. 2. Approach: In this stage prospect and the salesman come in contact with each other face-to-face. Madura Garment brand and its product are well reputed to all. The branded  product also generated the curiosity among the prospects. 3. Presentation and Demonstration: Salesman gives the description about the product to the prospect through this as follow:   Salesman comes within the store or the shop of the prospect can promptly  present it to the prospect.Salesman shows the kind of quality that customer is looking for and also shows some new trend garments, it saves time ; also the customer tends to make a quick buying decision. Salesman demonstrates the product to increase the interest of the customer. 4. The Close: This is the last stage of the presentation and demonstration, in this salesman does the analysis after the presentation as : Salesman judges the mood, attitude , perception of the prospect. In all over the presentation, the salesman faces every objection with a smile and his face and confidently answering to any queries of the prospect. . Follow up: This is a critical step in creating customer satisfaction and building long-term relationships with customers. If the customer experienced any problems whatsoever, the sales  professional can intervene and become a customer advocate to ensure 100% satisfaction. Recruitment, Selection and Training of Sales Personnel Madura aims in keeping its Employment policy non-discriminative. The policy is framed in a way that it ensures consistency and equal opportunity. U tmost care is taken to check  any kind of discrimination based on caste, religion, colour, age, sex, national origin etc.Merit based Selection of candidates. 1) Sourcing the candidate by ordering for forms 2) Screening the candidate 3) Selection test 4) Personal interview 5) To ensure that all candidates are assessed objectively and fairly. 6) To appoint the Right candidate for the Right job. The recruitment process starts with the arising of a vacancy in the organization. A vacancy can arise in the following ways: Madura Garment follows following sources planning:- Step 1: Manpower Planning AOP (Annual Operating Plan), this process is taken up every year. It is taken up at Personal Level and Entity Level.Several points like Revenue generation, Acquisition number, etc. Step 2: Sourcing activity There are three types of sourcing done at Bombay dyeing. After the resumes of candidates are chosen then the same is sent to the department head where the vacancy arises. The department hea d will then shortlist the same and they ask the HR department to fix an interview with the selected candidates. There are two type of interview which is taken up at Bombay dyeing, firstly the Functional interview and then the Functional Head and HR Head takes the interview. Internal SourcingThis system provides the existing employees an opportunity to apply for higher posts aswell as for vacancies in other departments thus allow them a take up more challenging  job profile / responsibilities in other/same department. This thus becomes a kind of  motivation factor for the employees. * Employee Reference * Re-employment of former employee External Sourcing * Placement Consultant * Job Portals : timesjobs, Monster, NAUKRI. * Campus Recruitment Step 3: Approval * The process of recruitment takes about 10  ± 15 days Selection : Training and Development :-Training and development is perhaps one of the fastest growing fields in any company. The significance and value of training has been recognised by the corporate world to a great extent. Training is an act of increasing the knowledge and skills of an employee which they need to perform their jobs. Need for Training and Development in an Organization: * Contributes towards organizational objectives * Acquiring the requisite knowledge, skill and attitude * To achieve individual growth * Need for cross functional managers * Prepare employees for higher level jobs * Training Need IdentificationThe need for training is identified in the following manner:   Probation Appraisal Forms: The appraiser appraises the performance of the employee and gives the recommendations as to the kind of training required by the individual. Thus the training need identified. Through Performance managing strategy :- In the system, the individuals are supposed to identify training areas for  themselves along with their superiors doing the same. This is utilized by the HR. Departmental and Divisional Needs :- If a new system is star ted in a particular department, the employees of that dept. are required to be trained for using the same.Transfer :- If an individual is transferred from one dept. to other, he needs to be trained   Promotion :- If an employee is promoted, he may require training in the skills to handle the new  position. Also a gap arises in his current position and to fill this gap, training may  be required. Territory and Quota Management Sales Territory Management by Madura Garments it’s Activities to Produce Maximum Results :- How you prioritize your sales territory management activities depends upon whether you are managing a territory that has existing customers, or whether you are building your  customer base from scratch.If you manage a territory that has existing customers, your first priority should be to introduce yourself to every single one of your customers. This should be a pleasant, low-key introduction along the lines of:†I just wanted to introduce myself and see if there is anything I can do to help you. â€Å"Then, as you are chatting with your customers, you can ask:†Would you mind sharing with me how you think my company's relationship with you has been going so far? What have we been doing well? Where could we improve? † The Benefits of Sales Territory management for company :- Optimal quota and territory assignments for best use of selling resources   * Immediate integration of planning outputs into a production commissions system for accuracy and low cost operation   * Easy adjustments to attribution and change crediting * Optimized pay plan effectiveness * Maximized seller motivation * Increased sales supervisor efficiency and effectiveness   * Alignment of individual goals with strategic objectives Quota Management:- Analysts estimate organizations may lose as much as 10% of total annual sales in â€Å"lost opportunity† revenue based on misaligned territories and quotas.With Callidus Quota Management, b usinesses regain this lost revenue, ensuring quotas reflect up-to-date market dynamics and territory potential. * Helps identify opportunities to better align quotas to maximize revenue based on historical performance * Provides easy-to-use tools to uplift, discount, and prorate quota targets as needed * Supports modeling of multiple goal scenarios based on how best to achieve corporate or sales region revenue goals * Effectively automates the workflow processes around quota distribution, adjustments, and approvals * Provides up-to-date visibility into sales quotas and attainment to dateCompensation and Motivation Compensation :- Madura Garments group compensate there salesman by providing them the following  benefit:- Base Salary:- The fixed amount to be paid according to a system of job classification or market  based criteria (round about 2-3 lakhs ). Incentives:- Additional variable pay based on performance against objectives and payable incash, stock or tax-deferrable arran gements (1% on their sales target). Protectives:- Programs which insure employees against loss of life or earning ability, and which insure against major current expenses. life insurance * medical insurance * survivor's income * dental insurance * disability income Paid Time Off  :- Vacations, holidays, family leave, jury duty, etc Motivation:- In Madura Garments group motivation to salesperson is done accordingly :- * Performance Appraisal is the process of Evaluating the Achievements of the Sales Force in Terms of Requirements of the Job * The Appraisal System is Essentially a Comparison of Sales Force Goals and Objectives With Actual Achievements in the Field * Giving the sales achiever award to the best sales man of the year. Doing fair practices, means no bias in the organisation. * Keep improving the working standards Evaluation of Sales Personnel For any industry it is very essential to have a cost effective & efficient distribution channel that adds value in to whole value chain. Effective distribution channel and integrated supply chain management help in growth of industry and make it more competitive. India has large and diversified textile industry with different segments and sectors; therefore it has fragmented sales and distribution network Sales ChannelMadura Garments group do their product promotion by giving advertisement in T. V,Radio, Newspaper, Magazine, road side banners etc. In Madura Garments group, there are so many popular lifestyle brands and international  brand. These brands are given below and Madura Garments Group also opened exclusive  brand outlets:- * Louis Philippe * Peter England * Allen Solly * Van Heusen * Esprit * Planet Fashion Challenges faced in implementing recommendations: 1. Dissatisfaction in the channel members not selected for the distribution of this product. . Inventory management in the face of changing fashion tastes of the people. 3. Channel members demand of a clear return policy. 4. Fostering collabor ation and shared investment in the growth of the product, visual merchandising, stocking and sales force management. 5. Training and management of sales force. 6. Evaluating channel members performance using modern trade and retail metrics What can be done to address these challenges? The company has to invest in delivering long term partnerships with the channel members.The performance of the product is the main criteria for evaluating the success of a product. However, the success of the product also depends a lot on the acceptance of these new products in the channel. The company has to focus on continuous dialogue and information sharing between theses channel partners. The company can also offer to extend credit support to the channel members in specific cases. The flow in the channel needs to be maintained. The stocking has to be handled by the company itself following the proposed process.Overall, greater coordination is required in all spheres of the channel relationships. R eferences 1. http://www. sifyims. com/pdf/Sify-ES. pdf 2. Mr. Suman Saha, Manager, Key Accouts, Madura F&L (9743999672) 3. Mr. Deepak Thakur, Group Manager, Lous Phillipe, Madura F&L (9743999434) 4. Mr. Ajay Vendala, Manager, Strategy, Madura F&L (9743999287) 5. Mr. Suraj Holla, Manager, Strategy, Madura F&L (9743999239) 6. Mr.. John James, Staff Manager, Planet Fashion 7. Mr. Neeraj Asopa, Store Manager, Louis Phillipe . http://business. highbeam. com/412143/article-1G1-228248861/length-product-line-distribution-channels 9. http://www. thehindubusinessline. com/todays-paper/tp-marketing/article990515. ece 10. http://www. icmrindia. org/casestudies/catalogue/Marketing/Louis%20Philippe-Excerpts%202. htm 11. Mr. Rajat Joshi, Store Manager, Allen Solly, Ambience Mall 12. Mr. Rakesh Mehra, Store Manager, Louis Phillipe, MGF Mall 13. Planet Fashion Showroom, Mehrauli Road, Gurgaon 14. Salespeople at different outlets