The Process of Mongol Invasions of Japan

The Process of Mongol invasions of Japan As soon as Koryeo (Korean Dynasty) had succumbed to Mongolia, Kublai Khan sent ambassadors through the Koryeo Dynasty to convey the meaning of friendship in 1268. The Japanese government was encouraged to send a reply, but the Hojo clan who was shikken(ruler) refused and also didn’t send a reply. Later, the Mongol government sent an envoy many times, but the Japanese rejected the demands of Mongolia. Finally, the war started. There were three invasions of Mongolia.The First invasion was in November 1274, the Mongolian troops first invaded Japan with Koryeo of Kimbanggyeog leading the Korean Dynasty army and Yuan Holdon leading the Mongol army, using 900 vessels ships and 40,000 military soldiers. They started to invade Happo ( , Masan) and then Tsushima(? ?) in October 5th. After 9 days, they raided Iquique(? ?) and arrived at the Hakata seaport of Kyushu. Finally, they annihilated Hirado (? ) Â · Takashi ? Do (? ?)and then retreated t he next day.There is a claim that they retreated because of a storm, but it wasn’t the season for storms or seasonal typhoons from cyclones. Additionally, the Japanese don’t have the record to support this. It’s common opinion that the Mongol government had the purpose of establishing a country with military action in Japan. The second invasion was in 1281. Koryeo troops led the second invasion. They failed completely because of a typhoon. The defeat was caused by lack of awareness about the Japanese climate of the maritime.There were other reasons. The first reason was stiff resistance from the Japanese Kamakura Shogunate who held the regime at the time. Secondly, Mongolia couldn’t focus on the conquest of Japan because of Mongolian domestic matters. Ultimately, the Mongolians prepared the third conquest, but there was a rebellion in the Song Dynasty. That’s why the invasion was cancelled. The results of Mongol invasions in Japan In Mongolia, The Japanese conquest was a good strategy from the Mongol government to develop.During the process of the development and growth of the Mongol empire, Kublai Khan’s ruling was an important turning point. It was an opportunity to convert from a nomadic country to an agricultural country and also from undeveloped grasslands to autonomous central country. Even if the Mongols didn’t start the Japanese conquest, Mongolia was powerful enough and was equipped to become a world empire but the plan failed. If the Mongolians had success in the Japanese invasion, it would have built the most powerful universal empire in the history of mankind but it didn’t happen.They failed twice and the third time they abandoned the invasion in the middle of the Japanese occupation . It caused them to feel pressure in the administration and the effect was division in the country. The gigantic empire disappeared just after 70 years. The Japanese had the biggest national crisis because of the large-scale invasion of the Mongol-koryeo troops. In Japan, the first Japanese occupation is called the ‘Inverse of Moon young’ and the second one is called ‘Inverse of Red Face’.Japan succeeded in protecting the country during the first two big invasions but the economy suffered a vast blow. The Japanese could control the warriors by mobilizing them across the country during the Mongolian invasions. However, they suffered economic damages because of the huge military. On the one hand, they were affected in emotional aspects. First, they prayed for victory. This showed people’s shock and anxiety for the second invasion. Secondly, the ‘kamikaje’ word appeared. Kamikaje means god and wind. This reminds the Japanese that thanks to a typhoon they were saved.

Quality Management Virgin Atlantic Essay

Company overview: Since it was founded in 1984, Virgin Atlantic Airways has become Britain’s second largest carrier serving the world’s major cities. Now based at both London’s Gatwick and Heathrow airports, it operates long haul services to thirty destinations worldwide as far apart as Las Vegas and Shanghai. Virgin Atlantic has enjoyed huge popularity, winning top business, consumer and trade awards from around the world. The airline has pioneered a range of innovations setting new standards of service, which its competitors have subsequently sought to follow. Despite Virgin Atlantic’s growth the service still remains customer driven with an emphasis on value for money, quality, fun and innovation. Virgin Atlantic had carried around 53m passengers since it began operations and now employs almost 9000 people worldwide. ANALYSIS OF THE CASE STUDY: The Customer benefit package from Virgin airlines: The Tangibles: 1-Comfortable seats 2- Fairly spacious lounge for business and first class passengers 3- Overall tasty and exceptional option of food and beverages is served 4- Comfortable and cheerful atmosphere in the airplane. 5- Reasonable pricing for the guaranteed service 6- Well-organized design selection for the inside of the plane such as the separate seat and bed idea The Intangibles: 1- Caring and friendly flight attendants. 2-In flight Internet connection. 3-Highly advanced website with several checking choices such as the Check in, chill out in the Caribbean which allow customers to relax in their hotel. As the staff deliver the boarding passband, they take the luggage in a secure van to check it in the airport. 4- Several fair packages serving diverse customer demands. 5- Enable customers to book other related inquiries such as booking a car, a hotel 6- The website covers all the needed information from getting airport directions to inflight exercises. 7- Enable customers to exchange their money at different locations. 8- Cleanness and neatness of the airplanes. 9- Hip and trendy design for the logo. 10- Brand recognition. 11- Exceptional customer service such as personally calling customers before the flight time to check if they’re in need for help. 12- Involving customers in their objective which is â€Å"to grow a profitable airline, that people love to fly and where people love to work†. 13- Efficient customer complaints procedure even for non travelers. 14- Efficient baggage claims procedure even in incidents occurrence * What are the heads of Virgin’s product design? Virgin has three product heads which are the economy’s and Premium Economy’s classes design, the Upper Class and a head for Clubhouses. * What kind of structure does the organization apply? The organization has a flat structure. * What gave Virgin’s design a level of respect within the organization? Virgin’s design was granted respect by building relationships and communicating the value of design in the organization. * What is the benefit from the service design? The benefit is to ensure that the new designs of virgin’s services are improving and increasing customer’s satisfaction. *How does Virgin maintain a low staff turnover even though their promotions are limited? Virgin maintains a low staff turnover in their design by keeping employees motivated and satisfied. The organization assures this result by educating their design employees, involving them in training programs, applying a cross-functional share of ideas and teamwork. * What are the incentives of applying team works? Teamwork grants designers with the appropriate reward and grant managers the achievement of the negotiated goals. *What is the operational focus of Virgin? Virgin airlines focuses on differentiation in design. *How does Virgin Atlantic operate within its time and resource constraints? Virgin executes its projects and designs activities through a company of wide project management system. *How is the project design processed? The design process undergoes R&D, Design Development and implementation. *What are the stages of research and development of Virgin Atlantic? First, they start with product challenge in which the performance is monitored not to decrease or it’s raised. After that, the opportunity identifier stage begins where an idea is introduced into action by the group directors with the approved fundings. From the OI, Virgin develops the product brief. Then, the project design is discussed in a dialogue form between the employees responsible for the project and the design team. Finally, the approval of the board is requested with a detailed presentation in hand. *What are the risks of the OI stage? Budgets and timelines limitations are critical to OI. *What is the aim of creating a dialogue for the project design? Creating a dialogue is important for the stakeholders because it assures them that their interests will be delivered within the time and money limits. *What are the reasons behind the meetings of Design Development? 1) The ITCM is held to ensure that the project design is applicable. 2) The PDR is held so that the manufacturers demonstrate their understanding of the project and correct any misinterepretation . 3) The CDR is held so that the designers and manufacturers both agree on the final design. 4) The FAI is to ensure that the manufactured products are as planned. *How does Virgin Atlantic minimize the risks of implementation? Virgin minimizes the implementation’s risk by reducing the expensive aircraft downtime and by storing products six months before the roll out. *Does Virgin outsource and if so in which activity? Virgin uses external agencies to help with creating different designs. *How does Virgin manage the work of the internal and external design groups? Virgin manage the work between these parties by establishing weekly meetings and increasing those meetings when needed. Also, Virgin ensures that external groups reach their highest performance by giving them their space and keeping them separate from one another. *What are the methods used in improving Virgin service? Virgin collects information from internal customers, external customers, third parties. An example of internal customers are the senior mangers. Furthermore, Virgin provide customers with Xplane questionaries which are taken under consideration by the designers even in seat sizes. Virgin also uses benchmarking data to improve its design satisfaction. * How did Virgin reached success with its new upper class addition? At first, the design team discussed a number of flat beds’ layouts with the managers. Then, they prioritized the features to ensure that the important features are included in the layout. After that, the engineering department ensured that the layout is safe and undergoes the regulations. Then, the layout of separate seats and sleeping areas was passed to the development stage after the approval of the board of directors. In addition, the seat features were analyzed and tested to ensure its performance. * In which way did the upper class concept cover customer’s retention? The upper class concept didn’t only include a comfortable layout, it also included service factors such as limousine pick-up, in-flight massage, lightning specifications and dining options. Also, Virgin included customers in the assessment of its new service inquiry. In your opinion, how do you think Virgin airlines can improve their performance? I believe that Virgin have reached a high performance and established a brand image within the airlines sector. Thus, the best way to ensure their success is by benchmarking and seeking improvements even in the small missing aspects. In the end, there isn’t limit to the competing market. Primary problem: How will Virgin Atlantic airways segment and position their firm in the market in order for them to surpass their competitors and become market leader? Supporting details: Richard Banson (the founder of Virgin Atlantic) believes that knowing the needs and wants of all customers is the best core competence, the Virgin Atlantic believes that they need to accommodate all the customers who can afford to pay for the ticket, but Virgin Atlantic don’t practice the marketing segmentation. Secondary problem: How will the Virgin Atlantic Airways maintain their good reputation and their service? Supporting details: The Virgin Atlantic airways is known for its innovations, products, services, schedule, but the seats are tiny with no legroom in the premium economy class. Recommendations: Primary problem: virgin Atlantic airways need to identify their target market so they can serve and do their job effectively and efficiently Secondary problem: Virgin Atlantic should conduct a disciplinary action for their employees. Attendants should distribute a wish-list where passengers can write what they want freely either during the flight or after the flight, they can wish to buy presents instead of going to the duty free, by the wish-list the management will know the likes and dislikes of the passenger and this will result in avoiding complaints. REFERENCES http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/Case-studies/Virgin-Atlantic-Airways/Designing-the-Upper-Class-Suite/ Quality management manual Worldwide flights | Africa, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, UK and USA | Virgin Atlantic. (n.d.). Worldwide Flights | Africa, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, UK and USA | Virgin Atlantic. Retrieved from http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en.html http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/virginatlantic Research Methodology. (n.d.). Research Methodology. Retrieved from http://research-methodology.net/virgin-atlantic-airways/ Virgin Strategy1. (n.d.). Virgin Strategy1. Retrieved from http://fr.scribd.com/doc/60328463/Virgin-Strategy1 Virgin Atlantic Airways Fleet Details and History. (n.d.). – Planespotters.net Just Aviation. Retrieved from http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/Virgin-Atlantic http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/careers/highlife/timeline/index.jsp Virgin Atlantic Limited. (n.d.). PrivCo. Retrieved from http://www.privco.com/private-company/virgin-atlantic-limited Virgin Atlantic Airways Passenger Reviews and Customer Trip Reports. (n.d.). Virgin Atlantic Airways Customer Reviews. Retrieved from http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/vir_atl.htm AirlineMeals.net – Airline catering * the world’s largest website about airline catering. (n.d.). AirlineMeals.net – Airline Catering * the World’s Largest Website about Airline Catering. Retrieved from http://www.airlinemeals.net/browse.php?id=2325 https://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/manageyourflights/index.jsp The Economist. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2012/12/virgin-atlantic

Extended concert review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Extended concert review - Essay Example The ensemble that was used for the jazz performance was based on the contemporary style of jazz that formed from big band. This was inclusive of the rhythm section that drove forward the different pieces of music by keeping the beat to each of the songs. This was followed by the brass and saxophone sections that balanced out a stronger sound to the ensemble. The sections interchanged different solo forms while holding the melody or the harmonies that were used throughout each of the pieces. This combination of factors then provided a different approach to the music played while developing a specific sound that made a stronger statement to the different pieces that were played. The blend of instrumentation created a louder sound through each of the pieces while making a bold statement with the melodies and with the more dissonant harmonies that were a part of the performance. The style of jazz that was played consisted of more classical forms, such as from the 1950s – 1970s. Th ere was a combination with some contemporary pieces; however, all were based on the level of the performance that was a part of the ensemble. The first piece that was heard was a jazz standard called â€Å"Invitation.† This was followed by a second standard also known as a blues standard by Jerry Lewis and which was well – known for being associated with a contemporary Hollywood video scene. This was followed by other standards, such as George Gershwin’s â€Å"Someone to Watch Over Me.† The standards continued as a main part of the jazz ensemble and approach taken toward the music. There were distinct melodies that were a part of the styles used, as opposed to more new age and contemporary styles that has more experimentation and breaks the rules of jazz. This was done because of the performers that were a part of the stage and the approaches which were used in conducting the ensemble. The more contemporary songs included more dissonance with the harmonie s and distinguished sounds that were combined with the melodies to create the right type of effect. The jazz ensemble was able to build the right approach to the music by combining the melody and harmony of more classical styles to build a strong foundation with the music that was played. An important part of the performance was with the improvisation that was a part of the performance. The improvisation was defined by soloists that had a 16 bar section on average for a solo. This rotated between different instruments, such as the piano, trumpet or trombone. Each individual was able to create their own interpretation of the music by using their own melodic lines or approaches. The improvisation that was heard could associate strongly with the chord structure and harmonies that were behind the jazz pieces. When listening to the solos, it could be heard that the changes in chordal structure was what led the ensembles. Each of the soloists would have a scale or set of notes that went a round the chords played in the background. When these changed, the improvisation also altered into a different chordal structure and scale that was played. There wasn’t a distinguished melody by the improvisation and most stayed within the most comfortable range of the instrument to create the necessary sound. The strengths of the

Sea Water Intrusion in Estuaries Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sea Water Intrusion in Estuaries - Article Example The results obtained using the model includes the measure of water level, discharge and salinity level. These have shown good agreement with the observed results. Also, a direct relationship between longitudinal salt dispersion with flood-ebb loop length and tidal efficiency is also confirmed in this study (Nguyen et al, 2008b). The prediction of the salinity distribution in the complex situations like multi-channel estuaries like Mekong delta have also been reported in the literature (Nguyen and Savenije, 2006). Mekong delta is unique in its character. It has large number of branches and transports huge quantity of water (2000 cu.m per second) even during summer. The prediction model is framed on the principle that the multi-channel estuarine system would function as single entity and the paired branches could be appropriately combined to one. The results obtained from the analysis show that steady state models could predict the salinity levels very well. They could also explain the equilibrium conditions established in the estuaries during variable flow period especially during the dry seasons. Also, authors have computed the system response time for Mekong also. The data used in the paper was collected during the period 1991 to 1998. As Mekong delta is a very active morphologically, it's topography too is undergoing continuous change due to the transport of sediments through the river. Hence, the model would require continuous improvement by incorporating the recent topographical details. Further, the model also has parameters like mean estuary depth and river discharge that have high degree of uncertainty (Nguyen and Savenije, 2006). Determination of fresh water discharge is essential for quantification of salinity distribution. In the case of very low flows the salinity distribution is observed to be maximum. But the low fresh water flows coupled with high tidal flows make the accurate estimate of fresh water discharges very difficult. And in the case of Mekong delta, the multi channel characteristics make the accurate direct determination of discharge computation very cumbersome. A reliable model has been proposed to estimate the river discharge under the above situations (Nguyen et al, 2008a). The principle applied in this process is the reverse calculation, from the known values of salinity distribution the authors have developed equations to determine the river discharge. In this connection, two separate approaches have been attempted for different clusters of rivers in this basin. In the first approach, based on the information on the salinity distribution and estuarine shape of each branch the discharge i n the individual branches is computed. And in the other approach, from the combined shape of estuarine branches and the salinity distribution, the combined discharge is estimated. These analytical models could be used to compute the river discharges in multi channel estuarine regions by collecting the salinity distributions (Nguyen et al, 2008a). References Nguyen, A.D. and Savenije, H.H.G Salt intrusion in multi channel estuaries : a case study in Mekong delta, Vietnam, Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 10, 2006, 743 -754. Nguyen, A.D., Savenije, H.H.G, Pham, D N and Tang, D T, Using salt intrusion measurements to determine the freshwater discharge distribution over

How would George Fredrickson explain Sherman Alexies essay

How would George Fredrickson explain Sherman Alexies - Essay Example Manifest destiny is an idea held by most Americans that America would expand its boundaries throughout the continent. However, slavery and the existence of many tribes hindered the realization of the idea of manifest destiny. Fredrickson uses four models to explain how different ethnic and racial groups that people view as different should relate with one another. However, this essay focuses on one of the models, which is assimilation. The essay will examine Sherman Alexie’s essay and how Sherman applies Fredrickson’s model of assimilation. Assimilation is one of the best models of explaining the racial and ethnic differences between different tribes living in America. Assimilation is an exemplary model of explaining gender identity and the best approach to unite different social groups in the world. The main aim of assimilation is to establish a stable American culture where all ethnic groups are equal. Good understanding of the model requires one to know some terms that the model uses. Some of these terms include dominant cultures, inferior cultures and out-groups among other terms. The model does not call for a racist approach to ethnic and racial integration but rather considers the plight of all cultures involved, including the inferior cultures. However, the dominant culture has some characteristics of superiority and purity. Assimilation involves invitation of minority cultures to join the American culture through ethnic integration. In most cases, few aspects of the minority culture are preserved or passed on to the new integrated American culture. American has applied this model throughout its history. For instance, in the twentieth century, the model applied to large numbers of European immigrants who had migrated to America (Fredrickson 102). Other social theories can apply this model. For instance, equality of men and women can apply the model of assimilation in trying to understand the basic facts surrounding it

Project management Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Project management - Coursework Example The case: S M Construction has been awarded a contract to build a new manufacturing plant just outside Cardiff. The activity on arrow table below gives data on the activities involved in the plant’s construction. The excellent timeline view, provided by Ms project, is one of the features that contributed to the usefulness of this software (Muir, 2004, 59). The feature allowed for organizing each execution, listed in the case, regardless of whether they were complicated or long projects. This made the coordination between the projects, both long and short, much easier. Further, the compatibility of the project to other office apps also contributed to the successful execution of the task assigned by SM construction. The compatibility allowed for a presentation in Microsoft word, through copy pasting for better understanding. Further the software made it easy to derive relationship between the presented activities, thereby presenting an activity node diagram worth appraising (Taylor & Dow, 2013, 45). From the above case, the use of MS project proved that the SM construction project manager can minimize cost from  £26000 to  £19000. This was obtained by extracting a critical path from network diagram, which showed the shortest route possible. The network diagram showed that the lowest cost will be along 1-2, 1-3, 2-5, 5-6. Mind manager is another software, apart form Microsoft project, which can be use to perform the exercise presented by SM constructions (Lowery, 2001, 7). Managing such project, as presented, is made easier by mind manager through its outstanding feature of graphically compiling the data. The software allows users to add relationship between given activities and sub activities within a given project. Intuitively, the effectiveness of mind managers lies in how easy it allows users to organize information and

Effect of modern technology texting and languages in academic Essay

Effect of modern technology texting and languages in academic communication language - Essay Example While it is frequently argued that the use of contractions, slang, and icons in text messaging is a signal for the development of a new language, the fact is that it signalizes death of appreciation of the written language because of its complexities. Modern technology texting and language is defined by traits and qualities that are significantly different from those of the academic communication that is otherwise carried out every day. â€Å"Short-cuts, including abbreviations, acronyms, and unique spellings [are] most prevalent in the instant message conversation, followed by pragmatic signals, such use of emoticons, emotion words, and punctuation, and typographical and spelling errors were relatively uncommon† (Varnhagen et al, 2010, p. 719). Unlike that, academic communication employs the use of proper grammar, sentence construction, and the quality of writing is governed by such factors as flow of writing, and smooth transition of ideas from one paragraph to another. There are certain factors behind the death of appreciation of written language. The first among these is the time. Typing is more time-consuming than speaking. Accuracy is another element. Typing is more prone to errors than is speaking (Herring, 2003). In an attempt to compensate for such issues, young generation communicating through the instant messaging has developed short cuts. An example of such short cuts is writing â€Å"l8r† instead of â€Å"later†. In addition to that, acronyms are frequently used in place of common phrases, e.g. use of acronym â€Å"brb† in place of the phrase â€Å"be right back† (Werry, 1996). Another quality that provides spoken language with an edge over the written language is the ease of expression of emotions in the former unlike the latter. Users of text messaging have developed the graphic pragmatic devices in support of the communication functions. Examples of these include smileys or use of expressions like â€Å"YW † in place of â€Å"you’re welcome†. New ways

Globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 9

Globalization - Essay Example Alternatively taken as synonymous with globalization are the concepts of free market, economic liberalization, westernization or Americanization, technological (Internet) revolution, global integration, and internationalization (Scheuerman, 2006). â€Å"†¦the fundamental changes in the spatial and temporal contours of social existence, according to which the significance of space or territory undergoes shifts in the face of a no less dramatic acceleration in the temporal structure of crucial forms of human activity.† (Scheuerman, 2006) Broken down to its essential concept, globalization is the change in our culture because of the growing insignificance of time and space in our lifestyle and in the manner we deal with one another. People get in contact and interact in progressively shorter periods of time, and often almost instantaneously, such that the illusion of no-distance is perceived to exist among us. This is not confined to the use of electronic means of communicating long distances, but encompasses rather the vast area of elements and attributes that define human existence. This definition given to globalization also precludes the idea that any one country or culture dominates the acculturation process. Globalization had been associated with Westernization (or Americanization), giving way to â€Å"a psycho-cultural underdevelopment†¦ expressed in a desire to imitate blindly the Western way of life, thought, and development pattern† (Dhaouadi, 2002). In the first half of the twentieth century, it is undeniable that the US and Western Europe were the predominant net providers of capital in the world, and Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and much of the rest of the world were net users. Classical economists argue that economic growth depends upon capital accumulation, and in the case of a lack of it, then capital infusion to generate production (Muhammad, Majeed,

The Aesthetic Images and Wonderful Meaning of ''In Praise of a Snail's Essay

The Aesthetic Images and Wonderful Meaning of ''In Praise of a Snail's pace'' - Essay Example Goodman connects with her audience through using aesthetic images and wonderful meanings as well as rhetorical devices. In order to displaw her unhappiness with today’t busy society, Goodman uses aesthetic imagery and wonderful meaningl. She offers, â€Å"There are rituals you cannot speed up without destroying them† (Goodman, A21). This tells of her sadness that anyone would think to send an emaid to a grievind widow. Through this, she sows a new thought in hee readerss minds. This is that any methoe of cold communication, â€Å"continuous partial attention† (Goodman, A21), about such an important issue would by damagind. She believes that it would not be helpful tn makg the widow feel better. Her statement about â€Å"hyperactive technology† (Goodman, A21) once again gives hee readers an image of negativity about n lifeless object. She clearly gets her point across about the dangers of e-communication with this imagery. To better reach her audience, Goodma uses rhetorical device, or which the greatest is the simile  sShe does this when she compares - condolence e-mail to â€Å"serving Thanksgiving dinner at a fast-food restaurant† (Goodman, A21). â€Å"These are rituals you cannot speed up† (Goodman, A21). The reader knows that is would be terribld to share an important dinner in such a place. She also attempt, to gaig sympathy from hee readero through the uss of slanting efforts to show her negative views about the subject. This is carried oue through thy use og quotes from Linda Stone that support her goals. Goodman also seems upbeat about possible improvements in society. â€Å"People are searching for ways to slow down and listen up† (Goodman, A21). This is a positive sign than people may be relying less and less on e-communication. When she surmises that people neet more attention these days, she is emphasizing that there is a deep need for closeness in society. By com paring attention to an

Case study of Chipotle Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Of Chipotle - Case Study Example We ought to solidify Chipotle as Mexican-American food. Unlike our competitors, Chipotle does not use many aspects of Mexican culture to advertise its products. This strategy will establish Chipotle as a household name for Mexican-American food, rather than Mexican fast food. No need to create authentic Mexican experience, since our competitors have tried to do the same since our customer value local ingredients more than imported ingredients and enjoy our food because of its taste and is good for them. Thus our strategy for 2014 should be to learn from our competitors and learn from their downfall. We should avoid the idea that we are a fast food restaurant and instead focus on provision of healthy fresh ingredients. This will distinguish us from the likes of Taco bell and others. We should also do massive marketing that shows how we handle our ingredients. Apart from that our clients should know that purchasing Chipotle means contributing to a greener future. Though they may pay dearly for our services, they should not feel the pinch since we are riding on the promise of our mission statement. They will understand that they are paying for local ingredients and a healthier lifestyle. This will keep their bargaining power low and not compromise the quality of our food for greater profit. Last but not least is solidifying Chipotle as Mexican-American food. No need to create an authentic Mexican experience, since this has been created by our competitors. This will make us stand out and be unique in every way, thus endearing us to our

Internal Control Essay Example for Free

Internal Control Essay The LBJ Company is currently making a decision to go public or not and with that The LBJ Company will also need to become knowledgeable about their internal controls within their systems, specifically in regards to Accounting and also Human Resources and how it will affect them and their employees and of course how they conduct business. There have been some positive and negative issues arise in regards to their internal controls. However, the LBJ Company needs to be acknowledged for what they are doing right, but will also need to address the issues that are negatively affecting them and their business and will continue to negatively affect them if they decide to go public, which will drive down the cost of their shares etc. This case study will review these items as well as make recommendations for what the LBJ Company can do to tighten up their internal controls. Part 1: Internal Controls Requirements Inform the President of any new internal control requirements if the company decides to go public. Internal controls are mechanisms, policies, and procedures used to minimize and monitor operational risks. In order to deter employees from committing a dishonest or fraudulent act the controls must be thorough and comprehensive. However, internal controls by themselves are not enough. They will be effective only if they are reinforced through culture, policies and procedures, information systems, training, and supervision of staff. * The primary objectives of internal controls are to: Internal controls help to provide reliable data by ensuring that information is recorded in a consistent way that will allow for useful financial reports * They also help prevent fraud and loss by safeguarding assets and essential records. * Internal controls promote operational efficiency by reducing unnecessary duplication of effort and guarding against misallocation of resources. * They encourage adherence to management policies and funding source requirements. Internal controls can be broke down into two categories- accounting and administrative controls, which is exactly what the issues are with the LBJ Company. (Internal Controls Checklist) According to the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, all publicly traded U.S. corporations are required to maintain an adequate system of internal control at all times. As LJB Company President, he or she should be aware that a controlled environment must be present at all times, and â€Å"that unethical activity will not be tolerated.† The LBJ Company must identify and analyze the various factors that could create risk for the business and how the team can manage those risks. The overall internal control system needs to show and communicate all appropriate information within the organization, to ensure that the communicated information has reached the organization. According to the textbook, â€Å"It is very important to have testing and auditing of controls to build a long lasting organization. (Kimmel, 2009) Part 2: What the Company is Doing Right? Advise the President of what the company is doing right (they are doing some things well) and also recommend to the President whether or not they should buy the indelible ink machine. When you advise the President, please be sure to reference the applicable internal control principle that applies. The company has been doing well by creating a balanced environment for employees, due to the long-term employees that are currently there is an excellent thing for LBJ Company. From what is being shown, the managers and employees have a great balance, which keeps good control and promotes a team oriented environment within the company. Another good thing is that the accountant is in charge of the checks and also stores them into safe in his office, but the manager should have the only key to the safe to increase the monitoring of the checks and would also create a checks and balance system. Plus if the accountant is not there for whatever reason and an employee needs their check, the manager can handle that and not violate any employment laws by not giving an employee their check in a timely manner. The President of LJB Company, has also done a good thing for wanting the employees to be aware of any new regulations required of the company if they decide to go public. It is incredibly important the President have different individuals serve as an Accountant, Treasurer and Controller which will help streamline many of their processes. This way, the Accountant will not be responsible for all financial dealings and again this will create checks and balances which are required to go public. Part 3: Advise the President of what the company is doing wrong (they are definitely doing some things poorly). Please be sure to include the internal control principle that is being violated along with a recommendation for improvement. (20 points) This situation for LBJ Company has shown that it is in clear violation of the internal control principle and is running significant risks by not including more oversight and checks and balances. First of all, that they have one accountant who plays the role of both Treasurer and Controller is an area of great risk. The Controller and Treasurer are meant to play opposite roles in which they provide oversight and checks and balances to the other. The two positions should be filled by separate employees, and this change should be implemented as soon as possible. In the current setup, the one accountant has too much power over the processes. Another issue is the cash drawer principle also leaves the company vulnerable to fraud and manipulation of funds. For example, even if a company employee were to act independently, an employee could easily remove a substantial amount of unauthorized funds, and it would be difficult, if not impossible, to find who did it as any of the company employees could have been culpable. An example of the problems that arise from the anonymity that company employees have within the organization, is clearly exemplified in the case of the worker who was fired for viewing pornography on the company computer. Not only does this introduce risks of damaging corporate reputation, and download viruses, but it also highlights how the lack of individual user accounts and accountability makes it so that one employee can hide their malicious actions with anonymity. Below are some recommendations for the LBJ Company. Recommendat ions: 1) To introduce a culture of corporate responsibility, the CEO should begin to implement individual user accounts for its computers, as well as a formal cash withdrawal system, that requires that company employees register themselves with another person or a computer system. 2) The role of the one accountant who acts as Treasurer and Controller must be separated into two so as not to violate the internal control principle, and in order to minimize the likelihood of fraud. 3) The checks should not just be left at the accountants office, but in a safe where only two people have access such as the accountant and the manager. That way more than one person is responsible. 4) The accountant taking checks home over the weekend is a security issue as well as introduces more opportunity for fraud. This practice must be stopped and more safeguards put in place. This also is an issue regarding personal identifying information on the checks of the employees and if the checks become lost or stolen, then that information is available to the public now. 5) The accountant also being involved in the interview process for new employees is disturbing because of the level of control he has over critical aspects in the companys day to day business. If he were to hire an accomplice, he could easily use that individual and his position in order to manipulate accounts and withdraw significant funds from the company before he is ever caught. 6) The HR Departments should also run more thorough background checks as part of their hiring processes. (Bell, 2010) Conclusion Now that the LBJ Company has received the recommendations to fix the issues with their internal controls, they will no doubt be able to go public and be successful. The LBJ Company should also re-evaluate their processes every so often to make sure that these new systems for their internal controls are successful. They should re-evaluate every so often in case they need to make changes as well.

Sport Tourism Essay Example for Free

Sport Tourism Essay Sports tourism presents an opportunity for the City of Kent, Kent State University and City of Kent schools to leverage existing sports and recreation facilities to create new economic and community value by hosting amateur sporting events at Kent venues. These events bring new dollars into the Kent economy, showcase Kent’s assets, and provide opportunities for Kent’s kids to compete against some of the best student athletes in the nation in their own home town. This report provides an overview of how other cities have combined local resources to create a competitive sports tourism strategy. July 17, 2006 Office of the City Manager 1 Table of Contents I. II. III. Sports Commission Missions Sports Commission Membership Sports Commission Practicing Models Big City 1. Cleveland, Ohio 2. Columbus, Ohio Small Cities with Universities 1. Cortland New York 2. Gainesville, Florida 3. Huntsville, Alabama 4. Lehigh, Pennsylvania 5. Southbend, Indiana 6. Yakima, Washington Small City without a University 1. Read more:  Wallace good people  essay Kingsport, Tennessee Greater Cleveland Sports Commission Greater Columbus Sports Commission page 3 page 4 page 5 page 5 page 8 Cortland Regional Sports Council Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee Huntsville Sports Commission Lehigh Valley Sports Commissio Southbend Regional Sports Commission Yakima Valley Sports Council page 13 page 25 page 27 page 30 page 34 page 36 Kingsport Convention and Visitors Bureau page 38 IV. National Association of Sports Commissions page 48 V. Economic Impact of Sports Events 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. A Review of Economic Impact Study on Sport Events Greater Chattanooga Sports Committees Estimated Economic Impact Surpasses $15 Million Kingsport Sports Tourism Dollars in 2005 Cortland Sports Tourism Dollars Economic Impact of Amateur Softball Events Cities Compete to Host Sporting Events Economic Impact Calculation Examples Comparative Economic Impact Analyses page 53 page 53 page 55 page 59 page 60 page 62 page 64 page 66 page 67 2 I. Missions Summary To make Greater Cleveland the nations foremost destination for sporting events and activities. The mission of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission is to provide leadership, guidance and marketing expertise in attracting regional, national and international sporting events and activities to benefit Greater Columbus economically and socially. The mission of CRSC is to promote Cortland County for sports related business, events, competition and education. CRSCs goal is to create a positive economic impact through sporting/recreational events within the Cortland community. Our mission is to be a leading voice of the sports and tourism industries in Alachua County; to foster economic development and add to our quality of life through sports utilizing public and private sector resources; to recruit and create sports, recreation and entertainment opportunities for the community that produce a positive economic impact; to build an understanding in the community of the importance of sports and tourism; and to do so with skill, while meeting all industry professional standards. By recruiting and retaining events, the organization seeks to increase tourism, create a significant economic impact and provide for an improved quality of life for Lehigh Valley residents. The mission of the Lehigh Valley Sports Commission is to attract sports events to the Lehigh Valley through effective marketing, bid coordination and hosting activities. The sports commission will develop a fundraising mechanism for bid fees, and foster relationships with national governing bodies, sponsors and local media. Our mission includes building a volunteer base to support amateur sports events throughout the Lehigh Valley. The South Bend Regional Sports Commission exists to attract and retain international, national, regional, state and local sports events to St. Joseph County and surrounding communities. To promote the South Bend region as a world-class sporting event destination and to pursue and assist sports-related activities which stimulate the local economy, enhance the area’s image, provide outstanding entertainment and participatory opportunities while contributing to the community’s quality of life. To advance the mission of the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau by stimulating economic growth through sporting events that generate economic impact for the Yakima Valley. Emphasis is placed on promoting the Yakima Valley as a premiere sports destination to event planners, participants and spectators while providing exception customer service. 3 II. Membership Summary Columbus Board of Commissioners Brian Ellis, Chair Nationwide Realty Investors Nick Ashooh American Electric Power †¢Paul Astleford Experience Columbus Irwin Bain Schottenstein Stores Corporation †¢Butch Moore The Dispatch Printing Company †¢Michael Priest JMACRhett Ricart. Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority †¢Gene Smith The Ohio State University Gainesville Sports Organizing Committee Wende Blumberg, the 2006 GSOC President, leads the twenty-five member GSOC Board of Trustees. The Board comes from a broad cross section of Alachua County citizens. Trustees are area business people with an interest in sports and economic development. The board includes people from sports facilities including the Stephen C. OConnell Center, various Alachua County cities, Gainesville Raceway, local banks, insurance companies, and local print, radio and television companies. Huntsville Sports CommissionRonald Evans Von Braun CenterCharles Winters Huntsville Madison County Conventions and Visitors Bureau Greater Cleveland Sports Commission VISION To make Greater Cleveland the nations foremost destination for sporting events and activities WHY BOOK A VENUE WHEN YOU CAN BOOK A CITY? There are so many reasons why Cleveland is an outstanding place to host your sporting event. We can help make your event a success! The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is dedicated to making Cleveland the nations premier destination for amateur sports events and activities. The Sports Commission offers a wide array of services and assistance to not only attract events to Cleveland, but to ensure their success. Sponsorship Event Management Marketing Public Relations Facility and Site Selection Volunteers Hospitality Vendor Referrals Connections to the Cleveland Community If you would like to discuss bringing YOUR event to Cleveland, please call us at 216. 621. 0600 Host Commission of: 2004 International Children’s Games 2004 NBC Gravity Games 2007 NCAA Women’s Final Four Basketball Championships 2004 U. S. Short Track National Speedskating Championships U. S. Gymnastics Championships McDonald’s All-American High School Basketball Game U. S. Olympic Trials Box-Offs. David E. Gilbert is President CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, whose goal is to make Greater Cleveland the nation’s foremost destination for amateur sporting events and activities. The organization is responsible for attracting, promoting and managing major amateur athletic events and to create sporting opportunities for youth and amateur athletes. Since its refounding in late 1999, the Sports Commission has already had significant success by securing more than 50 events for Cleveland including the NCAA Women’s Final Four, NBC Gravity Games, U. S. Gymnastics Championships, International Children’s Games, McDonald’s All-American High School Basketball Game, and U. S. Olympic Trials Box-Offs. These events represent an economic impact of more than $160 million for Cleveland’s economy. Prior to this position, David served as Director of Community Affairs and Special Projects for the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland where he was responsible for advancing Cleveland’s travel and tourism service standards and related developments. Highlights of his tenure with include funding and development of two new, full-service visitor information centers and spearheading the funding, creation and operations of the Spirit of Hospitality Career Training 5 Program, an innovative, new welfare-to-work initiative that received national recognition and acclaim. Prior to his work with the CVB, David served as executive director of North Coast Harbor, Inc. , a local development corporation responsible for the master planning and marketing of Cleveland’s downtown lakefront development district. He also held the position of director of corporate development for The Cleveland Play House. David Gilbert We are bringing people to town for reasons other than conventions, he said. Our mission is to make Cleveland a national capital for amateur sports. With the Commissions event schedule at 41 (one-third having already taken place, including the Gravity Games and the U. S. gymnastics and figure skating championships), Gilbert estimated the economic impact at $160-162 million. Without the capital to pay a $200,000 bid fee for a typical event, the non-profit Commission won the figure skating championships, for example, by paying only part of the bid fee but taking responsibility for hospitality, transportation, arena rental and other aspects off the shoulders of the event organizers. With creative tactics such as this, and the support of our partners, Gilbert said were beating the pants off other locations. 6 Red carpet treatment for skaters By MAYA R. PAYNE 2:21 pm, April 5, 2006. Cleveland is in the running to host the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships, and area leaders are betting that a bit of North Coast hospitality will give the city an edge over two other cities hoping to host the event. The U. S. Figure Skating Association site selection committee visits Cleveland today and Thursday and is seeking information to help its members narrow the field of potential sites. The association’s representatives will appraise the ice rinks at Quicken Loans Arena and the Wolstein Center. They also will meet with Cleveland leaders and the local figure skating community, which includes a dozen separate skating organizations comprising the Greater Cleveland Council of Figure Skating Clubs. A U. S. Figure Skating Association spokeswoman declined to identify the two other finalist cities. She said the organization won’t comment on the selection process until mid-April, when it makes its recommendation to the International Skating Union, the sport’s governing body. But Spokane, Wash. , also is in the hunt, according to the Spokesman-Review in Spokane. The city’s business and community leaders had a red carpet rally along Post Street in Spokane to demonstrate their support of the event. Cleveland has its own plans for wooing the event that is expected to bring its host city $30 million. It begins with showing that Clevelanders will embrace the skating championship and not simply host it, said David Gilbert, president and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. The organization promotes amateur sports events and activities in the region. â€Å"When this event is here, it will mean everything to this community,† Mr. Gilbert said The sports commission and assorted community leaders, including Mayor Frank Jackson, will drive home this point with discussion of past successes such as the International Children’s Games and the U. S. Figure Skating Championships that Cleveland hosted in 2000, he said. The skating championship still holds the record for highest attendance in a non-Olympic year, Mr. Gilbert said. They can also list financial and in-kind support among Cleveland’s strengths. Mr. Gilbert said the commission has secured $900,000 in commitments already. He declined to name the donors. The International Skating Union will select the city and has already said the United States will host the 2009 event. 7 2. Greater Columbus Sports Commission Greater Columbus Sports Commission 45 Vine St. Columbus, OH 43215 614-221-6060, 800-331-0092 fax: 614-224-7301 www. ColumbusSports. org The mission of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission is to provide leadership, guidance and marketing expertise in attracting regional, national and international sporting events and activities to benefit Greater Columbus economically and socially. The Greater Columbus Sports Commission is a member of the National Association of Sports Commissions. Board of Commissioners Brian Ellis, Chair Nationwide Realty Investors Nick Ashooh American Electric Power Paul Astleford Experience Columbus Irwin Bain Schottenstein Stores Corporation Butch Moore The Dispatch Printing Company Michael Priest JMAC Rhett Ricart Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority Gene Smith The Ohio State University Interns needed to work with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. View the general job posting or one for a specific project with the National Softball Association. The Advisory Council, comprised of high-profile sports and community figures, is directly involved in sales and marketing efforts to attract regional, national and international sporting events to Greater Columbus. Bret Adams Blaugrund, Herbert Martin, Inc. Mark Bivenour Columbus Distributing Steve Germain Germain Motor Company Archie Griffin The Ohio State University Alumni Association John Hicks MVP Tours Stephanie Hightower Columbus Board of Education Jim Lorimer Arnold Fitness Weekend Mark McCullers Columbus Crew Clair Muscaro Ohio High School Athletic Association (retired) Mike Reynolds Thrifty Car Rental. 8 Wayne Roberts Columbus Recreation and Parks Department Jack Ruscilli Ruscilli Construction Co. , Inc. Ken Schnacke Columbus Clippers Todd Sharrock Columbus Blue Jackets Dan Sullivan HNS Sports Group, Inc. Rob Wallace Accor/Red Roof Inns Robert Werth Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP Visitors bureau plans launch of sports commission Business First of Columbus May 10, 2002 by Kathy Hoke Business First Forget the Olympics. Think youth soccer and basketball tournaments. Under a new marketing program to begin in late June, Columbus will go after youth athletic events as well as adult amateur matches such as the popular mens and womens NCAA Final Four basketball tournaments and USA Volleyball National Championship. The Columbus Sports Commission expects to add new power to ongoing efforts to attract sporting events, which can draw thousands of participants and fans and generate millions of dollars in spending for cities. The commission will begin operations June 28, a day after a planned fund-raiser at Nationwide Arena aimed at promoting the citys amateur sports history to a local crowd. Sponsored by the Greater Columbus Convention Visitors Bureau, the Columbus Celebrates Sports event will pay tribute to the history and future of sports in the area. Ballots for the greatest or most memorable sports moments in Columbus will appear beginning May 15 in newspapers and on a variety of Web sites. Our goal is not to determine who are the best athletes from Columbus, but rather to recognize the top sports moments that captivated our community and really put us on the map, said Paul Astleford, president and CEO of the bureau. Sports celebrities expected to attend are Indy 500 winner Bobby Rahal, two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, OSU football coach Jim Tressel, U. S. national soccer team and Columbus Crew standout Brian McBride and former Buckeye greats Jim Jackson and Keith Byars. More than 1,500 people are expected to attend the event, to be emceed by Greg Gumbel of CBS Sports. 9 Logan in charge The sports commission fulfills a plan laid out when Linda Logan joined the bureau in 1997 as its first sports marketing sales representative. Logans prediction that it would take five years to form a sports commission was accurate. She will head the two-member commission, which will be structured as a charitable nonprofit in which donations are tax deductible, rather than the not-for-profit association status of the bureau, whose downtown Columbus office will house the commission. Within two years, the commission is expected to grow to a staff of seven, about even in size with many sports commissions in other cities but far smaller than the sports commission in Indianapolis, which has a staff of 30 and has operated for more than two decades. Its a very competitive market, Logan said. Over 200 cities are going for the same events we are. Logan, secretary to the National Association of Sports Commissions, knows what other cities are doing to attract athletic events. The Columbus commission is long overdue, she said, and will allow her staff more opportunities and resources to attract sporting events. A staff of two compared to a staff of seven or a staff of 30 is not an even playing field, she said. About 80 percent of the commissions work is expected to focus on attracting youth, collegiate and amateur sporting events to Columbus. The commission also will work toward luring professional events, although contributions for that work will not be tax deductible. City can compete Your city should not have a concern about its ability to compete in this industry, said Don Schumacher, a sports marketing consultant who heads the national association and who once ran a now-defunct sports commission in Cincinnati. Schumacher cited Columbus central location for drive-in visitors and its sports and hotel facilities as key factors for drawing athletic events. Logan will need support from corporate donors to fulfill the commissions potential, Schumacher said. You cant do this without the proper funding, he said. You need sufficient operating money to find events and bid on them, and raise support behind the events. 2-21-2005 By: Joni Bentz Seal 10 OSU ATHLETICS CONTRIBUTE $100. 5 MILLION TO ECONOMY Each year, nearly 1,000 athletes clad in scarlet and gray tackle, shoot and swing more than $100 million into greater Columbus coffers by drawing millions of fans for matches in 36 varsity sports. Those fans contribute to  the economic vitality of central Ohio by driving radio and television ratings, purchasing Ohio State merchandise and game tickets, and patronizing area hotels and restaurants. One of the largest and most diverse athletics programs in the nation, Ohio State is among the first to measure its impact with a study conducted by a joint effort of the Department of Athletics, the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, SportsImpact of St. Louis and local public relations firm Paul Werth Associates. Athletics Director Andy Geiger presented â€Å"An Analysis of the Economic Impact of Ohio State Athletics on the Greater Columbus Region† at the Feb. 2 Columbus Metropolitan Club forum on the topic. Geiger and President Karen Holbrook also introduced the department’s Good Sports community outreach initiative, which will serve as an umbrella program for the interaction student-athletes, coaches and staff have with the residents of central Ohio. â€Å"For the past 18 months we’ve been working on a way to tell a different sort of story about the Ohio State athletics program — about some of the many things we do that don’t make the headlines,† Geiger told forum attendees. â€Å"We want to share our ideas with you — and to get your reactions to — what we have in the works to share the accomplishments of our student-athletes and staff — off the field and in the community. † Applying an economic impact equation, the team studied the spending habits of event attendees and participants — which include visiting student-athletes, coaches, team officials, referees/umpires/officials, NCAA representatives and media — from outside greater Columbus during the 2002-03 academic year. The report also indicated that, of the revenue generated, 36 percent, or $36. 1 million, is retained long term as valueadded revenue to Columbus, meaning it boosts regional income, property-type income and local taxes in an amount sufficient to annually fund 989 full-time jobs paying market wages. But Geiger explained there is an impact made on the community that transcends dollars and cents: â€Å"It is the way we touch the lives of others. We have nearly 1,000 studentathletes and 300 associates of the department who are using the power of sports to touch people of all ages and in all corners of central Ohio and campus community,† he said. The Good Sports program endeavors to demonstrate the human impact Ohio State student-athletes and staff have on the community. For example, Geiger said studentathletes contribute thousands of volunteer hours to hundreds of community groups. Many on the athletic staff lead nonprofit boards in the community and serve as leaders of major charitable fundraisers. And throughout the year, Ohio State makes its world-class athletic venues available to youth organizations, providing children with the thrill of competing in the same facilities as their sports heroes. â€Å"Good Sports is our way of further institutionalizing our mission and values within our own staff, on campus and throughout our community,† Geiger said. â€Å"We operate our department based on six core values — and we want everyone to know them well — Education, Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, Respect and Tradition. † 11 In her opening remarks, Holbrook reminded forum participants that many Ohio State student-athletes will settle in the Columbus area and continue to be contributors to the social fabric of the region long after their competitive days end. â€Å"We believe the many meaningful things our people are doing in the community will be energized and grow by placing them under the umbrella of the Good Sports program, where we can measure the impact more clearly and develop synergies between various outreach programs in our city,† she said. 12 1. Cortland Regional Sports Council About the Cortland Regional Sports Council More affectionately known as the CRSC, this agency was formed as a result of hosting sporting events in Cortland for the 2002 Empire State Games. The economic impact that these events had on the Cortland Community was tremendous and thanks to a partnership between SUNY Cortland, TC3 and local community members, a focus on attracting sporting events to our community was launched. The mission of CRSC is to promote Cortland County for sports related business, events, competition and education. The possibilities are endless! So far, three events have been associated with CRSC New York State Girls High School Lacrosse Championships, Section III High School Soccer Championships and the NYS Volleyball Tournament. Combined, these events have produced over $600,000 in revenue for the Cortland business community. CRSCs goal is to create a positive economic impact through sporting/recreational events within the Cortland community. We look forward to being the recognized clearinghouse for Cortland County Sporting and Recreational events via printed and electronic media. Over the next few months there are several CRSC events slated to take place in Cortland County. There will be opportunities for local businesses to participate in these events either as volunteer or as sponsors. If there is an event you are particularly interested in, please call 756-1864 for additional information or e-mail us at [emailprotected] org. 13 Current 2005 Events Section III Soccer SemiFinals (November 5, 6 2004) Site: SUNY Cortland Economic Impact: $209,438. 00 NYSPHS Volleyball (November 12, 13 2004) Site: SUNY Cortland Economic Impact: $137,060. 88 CNY Powersports SnoCross Race (February 5, 6 2005) Site: CNY Powersports Economic Impact: $207,130. 00 ATV Special Events 2004 Season Banquet (February 12, 2005) Site: Holiday Inn Economic Impact: $5,030. 30 AAU Basketball Tournament Cortland Shootout (March 25 26, 2005) Site: SUNY Cortland Park Center and Luske Field House Economic Impact: $42,373. 87 New York State YMCA Gymnastics Competition (April 15th 16th, 2005) Site: JM McDonald Sports Complex 14 Economic Impact: $19,727. 50 Crown City Soccer Friendlies (April 30 May 1, 2005) Site: SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex Economic Impact of $7,693. 55 Crown City Lumberjack Invitational (May 21, 2005) Site: JM McDonald Sports Complex Economic Impact of $14,795. 00 NYSPHSAA Girls Lacrosse Championships (June 4, 2005) Site: SUNY Cortland Economic Impact of $68,453. 05 North/South Lacrosse Game and Banquet Economic Impact of $73,976. 00 Bull League Lacrosse Opening Day Economic Impact of $321,939. 00 BonTon Roulet Bicycle Tour Economic Impact of $26,631. 00 NYS Junior American Legion Baseball Championships Economic Impact of $25,408. 88 Celtic Festival / Heavy Athletics Economic Impact of $184,464. 18 Southern Tier Bowhuners Championships Economic Impact of $8,877. 00 TOTAL = $1,352,998. 21 15 Cortland Venues JM McDonald Sports Complex The Cortland Sports Complex is a 80,000 square foot facility with the following components. Indoor NHL size ice rink (200 x 85) with seating capacity of 700 Large indoor soccer field (210 x 110) with seating capacity of 200 Smaller indoor soccer field (110 x 50) with bleachers Raised observation area Full service concession stand Indoor walking track Five locker rooms and two changing rooms Meeting rooms including a Party Room Paved parking for over 200 cars Space to provide additional overflow parking for large events Floor seating for special events like graduations and concerts will allow significant additional capacity. SUNY Cortland – Outdoor Venues For more information you can visit http://www.cortland. edu. Stadium Complex . Stadium Field Sprinturf surface with 6,5 00 seating capacity Auxiliary Field Sprinturf surface with 1,500 seating capacity with 8 Lane Track with long jump, high jump, pole vault, hammer throw, discus and shot put areas 5 Additional Natural grass fields available All fields suitable for Field Hockey, Football, Lacrosse and Soccer Wallace Field †¢ Natural Grass Baseball Field 800 seating capacity Holloway Field †¢ Natural Grass Soccer Field 1000 seating capacity Dragon Field †¢ Tennis Natural Grass Softball Field 150 seating capacity †¢ 22 Newly resurfaced Tennis courts. SUNY Cortland – Indoor Venues 16 For more information you can visit http://www. cortland. edu. Corey Gymnasium †¢ †¢ Maple Hardwood Flooring with the option of one full size, 18,000 sq. ft. and 3,500 seating capacity OR 3 separate smaller gyms Suitable for Basketball, Volleyball and Badminton Holstein Pool †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ 6 Lane 50 meter pool with removable bulkhead State of the art timing system 15 Diving area with 2 one-meter diving boards, 1 three-meter diving board water agitation system underwater viewing deck Alumni Arena †¢ †¢ 15,275 sq. ft. facility with 2,000 seating capacity Suitable for Ice Hockey and Skating. Gymnastics Arena †¢ Fully equipped gymnastics gym with seating capacity of 500 in the balcony Auxiliary Gym †¢ †¢ †¢ 5,158 sq. ft. which houses 1 Basketball or Volleyball Court 4 Badminton Courts Project Adventure with High Ropes Course and Climbing Wall Wrestling Room †¢ 3,200 sq. feet of padded space Racquetball †¢ Squash 10 Regulation size Courts †¢ 8 Regulation size Courts Lusk Field House †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ 40,000 sq. ft. 6 lane indoor track with long jump pit and pole vault area Netting to allow for Baseball, Softball and Lacrosse practice Space can be used as 3 Basketball courts, 6 Volleyball courts or 24 Badminton Courts. 17 City of Cortland Recreation Facilities Park Beaudry Location Scammell St. Basketball 2 Courts Soccer 4 Fields #1 U12 #2 U12 #3 U10 Tennis Softball/Baseball 3 Fields Beaudry 1 Youth Adult Softball Youth Baseball Beaudry 2 Youth Adult Softball Park Randall Location Elm St. Basketball 1 Court Mult-Field (Soccer, Lacrosse, Field Hockey) 1 Field Field #1 Regulation Tennis 2 Courts Softball/Baseball 1 Field Softball Field with lights Park Armory Location Randall St. Basketball 1/2 Court Mult-Field (Soccer, Lacrosse, Field Hockey) 1 Field Field #1 Regulation. Tennis 4 Courts Lights Softball/Baseball 1 Field Meldrim Field with lights Park Barry School Location Wheeler Ave Basketball Mult-Field (Soccer, Lacrosse, Field Hockey) 1 Field Field #1 Youth Tennis Softball/Baseball 1 Field Youth Baseball/Softball Location Raymond Ave. Basketball Mult-Field (Soccer, Lacrosse, Field Hockey) 2 Fields Field #1 Tennis Softball/Baseball 2 Fields Field #1 Jr. Sr. Baseball Field #2 Jr. Sr. Baseball Park Suggett Regulation Field #2 Regulation Location Homer Ave Basketball 2 Courts Mult-Field (Soccer, Lacrosse, Field Hockey) 2 Fields Field #1 Tennis. Softball/Baseball 2 Fields Williamson Youth Softball/Baseball Suggett Youth Adult Softball/Baseball Park Yaman Youth Field #2 Youth Location Basketball Soccer Tennis Skate Park 1 Park Open to Skateboards, rollerblades and 20 inch bikes. Kennedy Pkwy 1/2 Court 18 Cortland University Department of Sports Management CORTLAND, N. Y. For over 20 years, Cortland Sport Management professor Dr. Ted Fay built many solid relationships as an Olympic coach and administrator. This year, he brought one of the relationships home with him. Thanks in great part to Fays connections and tireless efforts, U. S. and international team handball officials visited the State University of New York at Cortland campus on Tuesday May 11 to announce their intentions to locate a USA Women’s Team Handball National Training Center at the Central New York campus. This is an extremely significant announcement, not just for the college, but for the entire Cortland community, Fay said. A lot of hard work went into this, and there will be a lot more in the future to grow the sport to where it needs to be on an international level. Dr. Hassan Moustafa of Egypt, the president of International Handball Federation (IHF) Federation, and Michael Cavanaugh, executive director of USA Team Handball, the national governing body for the Olympic sport of team handball, spoke at a press conference coordinated by SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum at the SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex. SUNY Chancellor Robert King and Cortland Regional Sports Council Chair Joseph Reagan, a local businessman, also addressed the media. â€Å"It is my pleasure to announ.

What Was Bps Strategy Prior To The Accident Business Essay

What Was Bps Strategy Prior To The Accident Business Essay Deepwater Horizon was an offshore oil-rig located in the Gulf-of- Mexico, owned by Transocean, leased by BP and deployed by Hyundai. 20th April 2010, during the drilling, a tear in the riser-pipe caused an uncontrollable leakage of petroleum, claiming 11 lives, injuring 17 others. The fire fed by the oilfield continued for next 36 hours causing the rig sunk ultimately. Disagreement between different stakeholders caused a delay in taking measures to restrict the oil-leakage. This leakage from the oil-field could only be stopped after 87 days, resulting approx 60,000 barrels/day of oil-leakage into the gulf-of-Mexico causing irreparable damage to marine and coastal ecosystem. Beaches remain closed, tourism and related business suffered, seafood was contaminated and oil killed marine-life across the US-coast. BP on Nov-12 agreed to plead guilty to 14 criminal acts related to this event and to pay $4.5 billion. The potential fine for the spill under the act is $1,100 to $4,300 a barrel s pilled, (NY Times, 2013). This incident also triggered government, MNCs and environmental agencies to agree upon and device stringent measures on improving the safety of offshore oil-rigs, safeguarding the environment, enhancing the post-disaster measures (OCS report, 2011).this incident damaged the strong portfolio value of BP apart from causing it immense financial loss. Preparedness is of utmost important, a process should be devised and actively in-place to tackle such disasters, in such an environment, strategies originate in formal plans (Mintzberg and Waters, 1995) : precise intentions exist [both government and MNCs] , formulated and articulated by central leadership [government], backed up by formal controls to ensure complete adherence [by MNCs], to increase preparedness for disasters in an controllable or predictable manner- mostly this approach converges towards planned-approach. Despite of BPs commitment towards maintaining readiness to respond on larger-scale, to minim ize damaging-effect and facilitate mitigation activities- the magnitude of the deepwater incident was enormous in magnitude and unprecedented which caught BP in its mitigating strategy-formulation. Environmental and social impact assessment is an inherent part of BP strategy (BP, 2013) which analyses the potential risk to environment and on human in the neighborhood of such establishments, though the state-of-art technologies BP failed to assess the risk of this oil-rig. BP lacked in the collaboration with all stakeholders in addressing this disaster. The traditional-way of aerial and satellite imagery in estimating the actual deep-underwater situation failed (Jernelo ¨v, 2010). Another failure of BP was to manage the media in restricting the exaggerated and conflicting facts spread across worldwide thus damaging BPs strong portfolio-value. Strategy Literature Review We can relate the concept of strategic space (Fiegenbaum Thomas, 1990) with the Deepwater-horizon disaster; we would map as the first-step the characteristics of the business environment, termed as strategic space. Three dimensions, a) the levels of organizational strategy (e.g. US government and BP-corporate), b) the strategic decisions making process (e.g. scope, resource deployment), and c) the time period which defines the broad characteristics of the strategic space. First firms need to invest on a well-designed, technically-sound, and precise research, placed within a comprehensive framework covering initially the stable aspects of group behavior, then moves progressively to theory development and testing of dynamic behavior (Fiegenbaum Thomas, 1990). MNCs and government need to join hand to invest on the study of this incident to identify the root-cause of this failure and then agree to devise enhanced preventive measures for such future incidents. It is clear that traditional countermeasures failed, which necessitates for a new approach of risk-management. In the aftermath of this, US govt is taking significant measures to improve regulatory oversight on offshore drilling (OCS report, 2011). We can see competition as a dynamic process in which firms continually take actions to outperform each other (Rindova et al, 2010), once one competitor faces such disaster the other firm eagerly willing to take the advantage of the situation by airing neg ative campaign and aggressive advertisement [e.g. as Shell did]. During such disasters we can argue that a firms decisions as a series of competitive actions provides audience with necessary cues in framing impression about it, as well as comparing it to other players in the same market. Firms competitive actions thus act as a dynamic mechanism for firm specific reduction of ambiguity. Emergence period [of such disaster] on which we focus is relatively short and creates a dynamic environment in which firms [BP] need to make rapid changes in their strategies responding to the changing need of the ground-situation, Rindova et al (ibid). Deepwater-horizon or such incidents are huge in magnitude and poses significant capability to cause damage we need to introduce -out-of-the-box thinking and improvisation/innovation to devise strategies to fight with such situation the dynamic nature of such incidents requires prompt action taking capability [in the terms of financial, technologica l resource]. Insurance [and reinsurance] firms also come under scope during such incidents their risk evaluation process need to be enhanced and routine check-up should be stringent. Product diversification and size dimensions are two such aspects that needs close inspection while determining the value of such huge installations Fiegenbaum Thomas (ibid). Having a good strategy and right execution of the same is essential for a good-management (Thompson et al, 2012) all stakeholders need to have a well-defined strategy in-place to manage such disasters and absolute adherence is needed when calamities occur. The strategy need to be flexible enough to adept itself responding to the actual ground-situation [feedback loop]. A deliberately emergent approach might be useful Mintzberg Waters (ibid). MNCs need to be made responsible to adjust themselves during the unexpectedly tough business-environment by undertaking strategic defense and approaches that enables them to overcome the adversity Thompso n et al, (ibid). But at the same time government also cant escape its responsibilities. Off course a good strategy is essential to obtain and sustain market-position strong enough so that the firm is capable to yield profitable financial performance despite unforeseen events/external factors [e.g. disaster, natural calamity or potential competition]. A review on BP Strategy What was BPs strategy prior to the accident? BP being a trusted company adheres to a higher set of standards in everyday work (BP, 2011). Business doesnt occur in vacuum, the place and time is important (Parry et al, 2007)- stakeholder theory (Donaldson and Preston, 1995) emphasizes on considering all stakeholders [in the environment in which firm operates not only the shareholders interest] strategy-making. Several stakeholders and their competitive interest are associated with such huge installations. BP needs to respect this and maintain balance among all such groups while making their strategy. BP seemed to follow a deliberate approach until this event. BP states its objective as create value for shareholders (BP, 2011) it being a global MNC needs to be responsible towards environment and people in the region it operates. Safety remained top-priority for BP, when disaster happens BP needs to be flexible enough to response to the situation and devise measures to control the aftermath- we observed that they spent three days in discussing the approach. Constructive dialogue with all stakeholders and prompt action in such cases is needed. Government authorities, local-people, environmental-organizations, employee and shareholders, opinions from all should be considered during formulating the strategy which lacked in the case. This incident also shows that neither government nor BP was prepared to sustain such disaster this shows an obvious lack from BPs part in conducting appropriate risk assessment (OCS report, 2011). Experts conclude that this disaster could have been avoided, preparedness and prompt-action is pivotal in managing s uch disaster. Analysis of BP actions in light of the strategic frameworks Resource based view VRIO resources for BP is its strong portfolio value [inimitable and rare], its technical expertise [valuable and rare], financial and organisational strength [valuable]. BP has lost two of its VRIO resources, resulting from this incident; its brand-value and financial-strength [to pay the huge fine]. BP lacked the technical-expertise to avoid the incident and then failed to restrict the leakage it lost its valuable and rare resources [infrastructure, human life]. The myth of inimitable technical expertise of BP and its strong portfolio value were shattered by the incident. It is a huge loss for a firm. Approach based view BP followed a planned approach in addressing this unprecedented disaster and their lack of being flexible and adapting/enhancing strategy to mitigate this series of events caused the continuous oil-leakage for 87 days. They also lack the coordination with different stakeholders and discussions on approach prevented them three days to take measure. Consensus approach would have been key Mintzberg Waters (ibid) as they need to take input from US government agencies, environmentalists and other lease-partners to devise the most appropriate damage control mechanism. Flexibility and transparent communication would have been key in estimating the damage and make containment plains where BP failed in establishing consensus and maintain transparency about the actual size of the disaster. A combination of emergent [taking input from all stakeholders] and Umbrella approach would have been reduce the damage. Ideological approach, Mintzberg Waters (ibid) where collective vision of all stakehol ders are respected might have been useful. Five-Force analysis BP has strong supplier groups [US government, Transocean, Hyundai] they are few and supply highly differentiated products so they pose significant threat to the industry (Porter, 2008/1979). BP suffered here as in future these suppliers would either expel BP [US govt already did a ban on future explorations by BP in US] or impose stringent conditions. BP loses its production capability directly affecting its market-share, posing a moderate threat to BP from strong buyer perspective. Substitutes and new-entrants are of minor threat but rivalry is of major impact. Shell initiated aggressive campaign against BP after this incident, causing more damage to BP brand-value. Conclusions/Recommendations In our time protection of the environment is a priority and such environmental disasters have a huge impact created and multifold by media and environment agencies to damage the portfolio value of the Oil-MNC. Firms needed to justify their actions to all stakeholders including the valuable shareholders. Firms need to balance between profitability and responsibility (Breeze, 2012) and demonstrate their adherence in a sustainable corporate social responsibility. Not only in their vision statement but also everyday acts. Assurance of human safety and environmental protection is pivotal for any industry; such things remain sometimes neglected in leased oil-rigs, reforms is necessary; both at the government layer imposing regulatory steps on quality-control and the firms internal decision-making process to ensure their political autonomy, technical expertise, and their full consideration of environmental protection (OCS report, 2011). Instead of one-sided blaming MNCs for this disaster w e need to equip ourselves from preventing such incidents to occur, suggestions Strengthen the collaboration between government-agencies and MNCs, Firms need to invest on RD to improve spill-response. Analyze the traditional measures to contain the spill and introduce upgrades both Firms and Govt. responsible BP to invest to enhance its spill preparedness and control mechanisms Invest on robust design, leakage measurement and containment Government and BP need to ensure fair, transparent damage control and estimating mechanism. Restore the coastal wild life and marine food-chain, trust building measures need to taken by government to assure the seafood consumers. Firms and government need to establish stringent measures to safeguard the human-life on the rig and the rescue-staff. Long term restoration [of the marine life] plan is needed from Government funded by BP to mitigate the irreparable loss of the coastal-life. Government should impose laws on the financial responsibility of the firms operating in the area during such disaster Such confidence-building measures would slowly but steadily improve the environmental situation of Mexican-Gulf and lessons learnt from this disaster would help firms to enhance their disaster preparedness. Disasters caused by blow-outs might occur in future too and investment needed to prevent such situation [failsafe mechanism], if that fails capping of blow-out need to be done swiftly and relief-walls might be suitable to restrict the leakage, Jernelo ¨v (ibid). Consensus and umbrella approach, Mintzberg and Waters (ibid) where strategies originate/revolve around consensus- in such a multiparty environment reaching consensus is of utmost important, no stakeholder can devise/deploy strategy in single handed. Government needs to develop the boundaries of tolerance and impose safety-mechanisms, within which firms need to operate and periodic checking mechanism should be in place to ensure firms operate within their limits set by government. Corporate Social Responsibility determine s the expected behavior of a firm towards its commitment to society and responsibility of conducts for environment BP needs to demonstrate this in their future plants.

The Harried Coffee Culture vs. the Joys of Drinking Tea :: Argumentative Persuasive Argument Essays

The Harried Coffee Culture vs. the Joys of Drinking Tea Dawn approaches. Signs and sounds of life appear as warm-blooded creatures slough off the chill of night and lumber forth to greet the day. Chitterings and grunts, screeches and roaring fill the ether and rise to a crescendo as beasts gather for their early morning feeding. Many creatures are thrown together, instigating the occasional scuffle as each vies for position. Claws flash, accompanied by warning growls as dominance exerts itself, subordinates retreating with rumbling complaint. One by one each pulls away from the frenzy, hunching over hard-won spoils: double tall cafà © latte with whipped cream and nutmeg, biscotti on the side. And so man has devolved to brutishness, compelled by the base sensuality of the elemental coffee bean. Coffee drinking has soared in popularity, as evidenced by the proliferation of establishments such as Starbucks and Pete's Coffee. According to the Koffee Korner website, coffee made its historical debut in 850 A.D. and by 1995 coffee became: "the worlds [sic] most popular beverage. More than 400 billion cups are consumed each year. It is a world commodity that is second only to oil." The fondness for this viscous black beverage has made such a stir that the phrase "coffee culture" has been coined to express this mania. Yet the use of the term "culture" is misleading, when you look at Webster's definition: "enlightenment and excellence of taste acquired by intellectual and aesthetic training" (Merriam). What enlightenment can be acquired while people madly dash around gulping high-octane fluid - like Espresso (Italian for "fast"), invented in 1903 by Luigi Bezzera (Sippy, Did you know) - from paper cups in a never-ending effort to get through the day? On the contrary, coffee's contribution to this sort of break-neck pace is a cause for the decline of the pursuit of intellect in modern society. Conversely, the pastime of tea drinking is on a more elevated plateau of reasoning. Unlike coffee, there is no instant tea to speak of (not counting instant iced tea which is too distasteful to mention). In fact, the perfect cup of tea is achieved only after careful preparation. A favorite teapot is selected and filled with boiling water to warm. The warming water is tossed out and freshly boiled water is poured over tea leaves added to the pot, a measure of tea for each cup and one measure respectfully for the pot.

Microsoft shares the wealth :: essays research papers

Why MICROSOFT decided to pay dividends in 2003? 1.1 The company might see itself stepping in  ¡Ã‚ §Maturity Stage ¡Ã‚ ¨ -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Harder to grow, revenue growth slide down Investors buy stock for one of two reasons; either it will grow in value or pay a dividend. If a company stops growing, stockholders will demand a dividend. If they don't get it, they will sell their stock. In the history, Microsoft enjoyed incredible growth, so dividend was unnecessary. Recent Microsoft dividends may tell us that the company has ended its growth phase and is now a 'mature' company. -  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  More competitions from Open source like Linux and open office Windows and Office continue to supply most of Microsoft ¡Ã‚ ¦s profit. But that profit is being squeezed as more and more companies are using Linux servers and even Linux desktops. For example, China is developing its own OS (Operating System) and planning to use for the whole country (their intention is to keep Microsoft away from the country). The company has been forced to slash prices for some key customers to avoid large scale defections, which leads to difficulties to locate the right price because high price may reduce the market share, but low price to compete against open source may reduce its core revenue. 1.2 Expecting the stock price will increase after dividends paid - Investors can buy more shares Experts say most investors will also likely use the extra cash to buy more shares. And there ¡Ã‚ ¦s no guarantee the investors will spend money in the economy. Indeed, most investors will probably reinvest it or keep it in a cash account at their brokerage. - Stocks buyback policy from Microsoft itself Even if Microsoft use  ¡Ã‚ §Optimal Distribution Policy ¡Ã‚ ¨ in which there is a balance between cash dividends (around 32 billions USD) and stock repurchase (around 30 billions USD). This may affect the decrease in stock price a little while after the announcement of dividend payout, however investors still hope for the rising price in the future. 1.3 The company reserves the great amount of cash liquidity As we can see from the article that Microsoft can pay around 32 billions USD for cash dividend, 30 billions USD for stocks repurchase and another 3 billions USD, for the goodness, to Bill & Melinda Gates foundation. Agree / Disagree with the decision, explain why? AGREE because: „I  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As the company is reaching the maturity stage, dividend payout is another option instead of company growth only „I  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  30 billion USD buy back will contribute to keep the stock value up and make investors happy

Experiment to investigate factors affecting the rate of reaction betwee

Experiment to investigate factors affecting the rate of reaction between magnesium ribbon and hydrochloric acid Rates of Reaction: Investigation Experiment to investigate factors affecting the rate of reaction between magnesium ribbon and hydrochloric acid. Chemical reactions between substances are caused by the collision of particles. More collisions mean a quicker rate of reaction. In the reaction between hydrochloric acid and magnesium ribbon, the chemical reaction takes place when the magnesium ribbon is dropped into the hydrochloric acid. The products are hydrogen gas and magnesium chloride. The equation for this reaction is as follows:- Magnesium + Hydrochloric acid Magnesium chloride + Hydrogen Mg (s) + 2HCL (aq) MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g) Factors that affect the rate of reaction:- * Temperature * Mass of magnesium ribbon * Concentration of hydrochloric acid * Surface area of magnesium ribbon I have chosen to use the concentration of hydrochloric acid as my independent variable. These different concentrations can be varied easily and made up accurately for the experiment. Each experiment will be done four times so that an average reading can be calculated - ensuring an accurate and reliable conclusion. The measured variable will be the time taken for the same quantity of magnesium ribbon in each experiment to be used up in reaction. The constant variable will be the length of the magnesium ribbon used in each experiment. Rate of reaction = Gradient of the line of a graph plotted with time taken to cease reacting against concentration. Concentration of a solution describes the number of active particles in a particular volume. The unit of concentration is: mol.dm-3 Prediction I predict that the higher the concentra... ...ing around faster. This would mean HCL and magnesium particles would collide more frequently, thereby increasing rate of reaction. I think that my results on graph 1 were suitable to draw an accurate best-fit line. The points are all joined by the line. I used 5 different concentrations which were in a suitably wide range. If I were to repeat the experiment I would use a slightly wider range of concentrations to expand my conclusion, such as 1.25M, 0.75M and 0.25M. If the resources were available, I would also extend the range to higher concentrations than the 2M I was restricted to in this investigation. Further investigation could also include using another factor as my independent variable. I could differ the surface area of magnesium in my experiments, and see how this affects rate of reaction; in what way and if there is a definite proportional relationship.

How Does James Seek to Disturb and Involv Essay

How Does James Seek To Disturb and Involve The Reader In The Turn Of The Screw? The Turn of the Screw, written by author Henry James, although defying many gothic conventions remains one of the most suspenseful and sinister tales of the Victorian Era. The novella’s enthralling nature effectively seeks to disturb and involve readers and this is made evident through James’s successful use of a variety of structural and literary techniques to create and prolong suspense and ambiguity. James first establishes a strong and intimate connection between reader and protagonist through the use of first person in order to actively involve the reader. This is achieved through the governess’s use of syntax and complex sentences when describing her first impressions of Bly. For example when the governess says â€Å"I remember as a thoroughly pleasant impression the broad, clear front, its open windows and fresh curtains and the pair of maids looking out† readers are provided with clear imagery of what the governess is seeing, therefore enabling readers to identify with the protagonist and view the situation from her perspective. This intimate identification with the governess later contributes to the disturbance of readers as, when the reader reaches the possible conclusion of the governesses emotional instability and tendency to catastrophise situations (when the governess says â€Å"His not reading to her, I declared, they’re talking of them, they’re talking horrors! †) readers begin questioning the governesses judgement, which for the majority of the novella has also been their own as a result of the reader being provided with a limited perception and knowledge of the happenings of Bly (as the tale has been told from the governesses viewpoint) This results in readers questioning every assumption they have previously made as they take into account the unreliability of the governess as narrator. The inclusion of ambiguous dialogue throughout the novella also contributes to the disturbance and involvement of readers by causing readers to question the true motives of characters. For instance when Miles says â€Å"of course, we’ve the others†, when speaking to the governess it is unclear whether Miles is referring to the maids and various other servants in the house or to the ghosts of Peter Quint and Miss Jessel. Another example, towards the end of the novella is when Miles and the governess are discussing Miles schooling. The governess is finally attempting to piece together the reason for Miles’ expulsion from boarding school when Miles says â€Å"Well-I said things†. This causes the reader to question the true meaning of dialogue, forcing the reader to draw their own conclusions and opinions based on limited and somewhat flimsy evidence. This therefore leads to judgements on the motives and reliability of characters being made and subsequently impacts on the readers personal opinions of characters, in especial the protagonist as well as the characters of the children, Mrs Grose and the ghosts themselves. It is important to note the use of ambiguous dialogue (or lack thereof) between Miles and Flora, particularly in the first half of the novella significantly contributes to the validity of the governess’s theory of Miles and Flora being corrupt. By not supplying the reader with dialogue between Flora and Miles it is assumed by the reader that the children are communicating in private, and as a consequence have something to hide, further validating the governess’s theory and sparking a sense of fear in readers. The further involvement and disturbance of the reader is instigated by James’s inclusion of long pauses and gaps in dialogue to further the tales suspenseful atmosphere and in turn, draw readers in. When Miles says to the governess â€Å"think me-for a change-bad! † the pauses in between his dialogue heighten the mounting suspense and ambiguity of the moment, in turn disturbing and distressing the reader. A further example of this is when, during a discussion of the relationship between Peter Quint and Miss Jessel between the governess and Mrs Grose, Mrs Grose says â€Å"oh he couldn’t prevent-â€Å". The governess then interjects with the dialogue and rhetorical question of, â€Å"Your learning the truth? †. This interjectory on the governesses part contributes to the ominous nature of the novella and further disturbs and concerns the reader through leaving the reader with an unanswered question which readers are then forced to draw their own conclusions on. The pauses and use of rhetorical questions also allows the reader time to ponder underlying questions and possible motives of characters (such as that of Mrs Grose and her part in the tale) and whilst actively engaging the reader, encourages them to anticipate the ‘next turn of the screw’. An additional way the novella seeks to horrify and capture the attention of readers is through plot and the ‘hooks’ at the end of each sequential chapter. The governess’s unnatural desire to control the children fascinates and involves the reader as they continue to question the sanity of the governess and, simultaneously the nature of the children. This desire of the protagonist is conveyed to readers through the actions and dialogue of the governess such as when she listens at Mile’s bedroom door during the night and says â€Å"what under my endless obsession, I had been impelled to listen for was some betrayal of his not being at rest†. Actions and ambiguous dialogue such as this disturbs the reader as it is regarded to all, (except the governess) as strange behaviour and acts as further proof of the probable insanity and overactive imagination of the governess. The ‘hooks’ at the end of each chapter are yet another way James uses plot to involve the reader and seeks to disturb them. These hooks or revelations by the narrator act as ambiguous snippets of information that is vitally important to the reader in order for some sort of conclusion or opinion to be reached. For instance at the conclusion of chapter 19 the governess finally voices her theory of Flora being in communication with Miss Jessel to Flora herself when she says â€Å"Where, my pet, is Miss Jessel? †. This creates a sense of terror and anxiety in readers as James has carefully built up suspense through plot to this moment and so ambiguity is at its peak when the governess finally voices her theory to Flora. The use of juxtapositions and hyperbole throughout the descriptive and emotive language of the governess is yet another way James strives to disturb and involve. The descriptive language and passion with which the governess tends to use to describe Flora and Miles, for example â€Å"I was dazzled by their loveliness†, â€Å"real rose-flush of his innocence† and â€Å"he was therefore an angel† makes the later revelation of the children’s corruption caused by the ghosts all the more disturbing and surprising to readers as the children are written about in such a pure and angelic light. This captures the attention of the reader and causes them to question the theory of the children’s corruption and consider the evidence (or lack thereof) from which it has been convened. The juxtaposition â€Å"to gaze into the depths of blue of the child’s eyes and pronounce their loveliness a trick of premature cunning† is another example of how James uses descriptive language to convey the emotional stress of the protagonist to readers as this is a strong contrast to the governess’s initial views of the children as being of â€Å"angelic nature†. â€Å"I seemed to see in the beautiful face with which he watched me how ugly and queer I looked† again contrasts the beauty of Miles with that of the governess and so draws the attention of the reader to the governesses  tendency to be easily influenced by appearance, evidence of her own innocence, inexperience and naivety which could possibly contribute to her overactive imagination and hallucinations. Setting is a superfluous method to which James meritoriously pioneers to disturb and involve the reader. The in depth descriptions used to create imagery for readers of the protagonists environment is a powerful method used by James in capturing the attention of readers and providing them with a window to the governess’s thoughts. â€Å"Driving at that hour, on a lovely day, through a country, the summer sweetness of which served as a friendly welcome† is an example of how setting is used to inform readers of the governesses opinions and inner feelings (here she feels relaxed and excited for her arrival at Bly) In addition â€Å"It was a crisp, clear day, the first of its order for some time, the night had brought a touch of frost and the autumn air, bright and sharp† is another excellent example of how James uses setting to establish the mood and atmosphere of the novella and of the governess and therefore actively involve the reader by causing the reader to feel they are more than an objective viewer but an actual participant in the tale. The use of the adjectives â€Å"crisp† and â€Å"clear† could also possibly convey the emotional state of the governess and consequently contribute to the later disturbance of the reader as the emotional state of the protagonist recedes further and further into turmoil and chaos. It is evident, throughout the Turn of the Screw Henry James has pioneered a variety of both structural and literary methods to seek to disturb and involve the reader. By doing this James has allowed his tale to remain a classic one that can relate in almost every society and time period as it continues to force readers to reach their own conclusions and subsequently, allows the novella to remain a mystery for all those involved.