Ambrose Bierces Chickamauga Essay - 1196 Words

Ambrose Bierces Chickamauga Ambrose Bierce’s short story, Chickamauga, scrutinizes American values, specifically, America’s identifying with the natural world. Bierce is critical of the American association with divine destiny, which has manifested itself throughout history in the form of John Winthrop’s â€Å"City upon a hill† speech, the notion of the â€Å"white man’s burden,† and Manifest Destiny. American history, in the scope of the short story, is one of perceived â€Å"rightly† subjugation of others. Bierce satirizes this philosophy by use of the child as a manifestation of American values that are eventually shown to be feeble and weak. The opening paragraph summarizes American history in abstract terms: â€Å"It was happy in a new†¦show more content†¦This image is important in that it shows that war, though thought in common culture as the supreme occasion of grandeur and bravery, also of subjugation, is really nothing more than a child’s exploit in the frightening unknown—frightening to the child who ventures into it, not because nature is itself frightening. Bierce is showing America as a child who cannot function in the natural world. Instinct in Bierce’s work is described as being â€Å"blind† (456). The landscape is at first covered in â€Å"undergrowth† that causes the child to struggle through (Ibid). However, the child eventually comes to realize that the â€Å"ground had been twice passed over—in advance and in retreat† (457). Here again Bierce plays with the popular notion that territory Americans conquered was virgin when in fact it had long been inhabited. The association of virgin territory representing defeat and surrender, all within the scope of instinct, shows Bierce’s work to be critical of another American belief and value. The instinctual desire to ever expand into territory is shown to be both blind and destructive. Once again, Bierce is critical of American subjugation. The powerful images of the battle the child stumbles upon are also used by Bierce as a way to satirize American culture of natural privilege and right. Bierce describes that â€Å"the very ground seeming in motion toward the creek† (456). TheShow MoreRelatedChickamauga. This essay is about Ambrose Bierces dark short story, Chickamauga.1398 Words   |  6 PagesChickamauga Ambrose Bierces Chickamauga is a disillusioned childs awakening. Literally, a six year old deaf boy is thrown into a most horrifically traumatic series of events. His story is relayed in the third person omniscient perspective through the eyes of the child as well as an elder. It takes place during the Civil War in a southern town. Chickamauga begins with the boys entrance into the forest where he goes to play solitarily. With him he carries a toy wooden sword with which he battlesRead MoreAnalyses of â€Å"Chickamauga† Analyzed947 Words   |  4 PagesAnalyses of â€Å"Chickamauga† Analyzed â€Å"Chickamauga† is short story by Ambrose Bierce that takes place in 1863 during the American Civil War. It is an anti-war narrative that also speaks to the evolution of humans in battle. A young child, the son of a veteran is the central character. Having grown up around war and being born of a soldier the child shows insensitivity to wounded men that few could understand. Not only insensitive to the setting, the child makes a game of the situation at handRead MoreThe Reality Of War By Ambrose Bierce1254 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"The Reality of War† Death; destruction; crawling, bloody men without jaws; and a child in the middle of it is just a glimpse of the grotesque short narrative â€Å"Chickamauga† by Ambrose Bierce. Chickamauga Creek is an area near Chattanooga, Tennessee and northwestern Georgia, plagued by war, suffering, and bloodshed from the Civil War (Bohannon). Bierce served in the Union Army during the American Civil War (Campbell). Many Americans then, and today, romanticize war with glory, heroism, and patriotismRead MoreLiterary Analysis of Chickamauga1349 Words   |  6 PagesSwift 1 Samuel Swift English 2312 Dr. Chuck Jackson 02/10/2011 Ambrose Bierce’s Twisted Naturalist Short Story â€Å"Chickamauga† The author of â€Å"Chickamauga,† Ambrose Bierce, created this short story as a naturalist visualization of the devastating effects that wars and battles had on the soldiers which fought in them. The short story â€Å"Chickamauga† is defined as naturalist literature because of the author’s employment of specific literary techniques which define naturalism, such as the way the authorRead MoreAmbrose Gwinnett Bierce: A Brief Biography560 Words   |  2 Pagesresult, he received very little proper schooling and tackled a mountain of chores rather than homework. Despite his lack of schooling, Bierce grew to have a love of literature and he borrowed volumes from his father’s small personal collection (â€Å"Ambrose†). Bierce’s love of literature followed him throughout his life from his first job as a printer’s devil, an apprentice at a printing establishment, to the rest of life as an underrated author. His literary creations were impart the products of his familyRead MoreThe Darkness Of Light By Ambrose Bierce1178 Words   |  5 PagesAmbrose Bierce was known as the â€Å"mist of light†. His stories were usually centered on civil war. It was usually a horror or supernatural story, but it could be a comic or tall-tale as well. Bierce’s â€Å"Chickamauga† is nothing short of a horror story. This story is known as one of the most powerful anti-war stories, and fits in with the literary criticism New Historicism. It is about a young boy around the age of 6 years, whose father had fought in the Civil War. We later find out that the young boy

Night World The Chosen Chapter 8 Free Essays

string(36) " to be sure it wasn’t a trap\." Well?† Daphne said. â€Å"I think it’s the slave trade.† And, Rashel thought, I think I was right-this is something big. We will write a custom essay sample on Night World : The Chosen Chapter 8 or any similar topic only for you Order Now The Night World slave trade had been banned a long time ago-back in medieval days, if she remembered the stories correctly. The Council apparently had decided that kidnapping humans and selling them to Night People for food or amusement was just too dangerous. But it sounded as if Quinn might be reviving it, probably without the Council’s permission. How very enterprising of him. I was right about killing him, too, Rashel thought. There’s no choice now. He’s as bad as I imagined- and worse. Daphne was goggling. â€Å"They were going to make me a slave?† she almost yelled. â€Å"Sh.† Rashel glanced at the man behind the doughnut counter. â€Å"I think so. Well-a slave and a sort of perpetual food supply if you were sold to vampires. Probably just dinner if you were going to werewolves.† Daphne’s lips repeated werewolves silently. But Rashel was speaking again before she could ask about it. â€Å"Look, Daphne-did you get any idea about where you might be going? You said they mentioned a boat. But a boat to where? What city?† â€Å"I don’t know. They never talked about any city. They just said the boat was ready†¦ and something about an aunt-clave.† She pronounced it ont-clave. â€Å"The girl said, ‘When we get to the aunt-clave†¦'† Daphne broke off as Rashel grabbed her wrist. â€Å"An enclave,† Rashel whispered. Thin chills of excitement were running through her. â€Å"They were talking about an enclave.† Daphne nodded, looking alarmed. â€Å"I guess.† This was big. This was†¦ bigger than big. It was incredible. A vampire enclave. The kidnapped girls were being taken to one of the hidden enclaves, one of the secret strongholds no vampire hunter had ever managed to penetrate. No human had even discovered the location of one. If I could get there†¦ if I could get in†¦ She could learn enough to destroy a whole town of vampires. Wipe an enclave off the face of the earth. She knew she could. â€Å"Uh, Rashel? You’re hurting me.† â€Å"Sorry.† Rashel let go of Daphne’s arm. â€Å"Now, listen,† she said fiercely. â€Å"I saved your life, right? I mean, they were going to do terrible things to you. So you owe me, right?† â€Å"Yeah, sure; sure, I owe you.† Daphne made pacifying motions with her hands. â€Å"Are you okay?† â€Å"Yes. I’m fine. But I need your help. I want you to tell me everything about that club. Everything I need to get in-and get chosen.† Daphne stared at her. â€Å"I’m sorry; you’re crazy.† â€Å"No, no. I know what I’m doing. As long as they don’t know I’m a vampire hunter, it’ll be okay. I have to get to that enclave.† Daphne slowly shook her blond head. â€Å"What, you’re going to, like, slay them all? By yourself? Can’t we just tell the police?† â€Å"Not all by myself. I could take a couple of other vampire hunters to help me. And as for the police†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Rashel stopped and sighed. â€Å"Okay. I guess there are some things I should explain. Then maybe you’ll understand better.† She raised her eyes and looked at Daphne steadily. â€Å"First, I should tell you about the Night World. Look, even before you met those vampires, didn’t you ever have the feeling that there was something eerie going on, right alongside our world and all mixed up in it?† She made it as simple as she could, and tried to answer Daphne’s questions patiently. And at last, Daphne sat back, looking sick and more frightened than Rashel had seen her yet. â€Å"They’re all over,† Daphne said, as if she still didn’t believe it. â€Å"In the police departments. In the government. And nobody’s ever been able to do anything about them.† â€Å"The only people who’ve had any success are the ones who work secretly, in small groups or alone. We stay hidden. We’re very careful. And we weed them out, one by one. That’s what it means to be a vampire hunter.† She leaned forward. â€Å"Now do you see why it’s so important for me to get to that enclave? It’s a chance to get at a whole bunch of them all at once, to wipe out one of their hiding places. Not to mention stopping the slave trade. Don’t you think it should be stopped?† Daphne opened her mouth, shut it again. â€Å"Okay,† she said finally, and sighed. â€Å"I’ll help. I can tell you what to talk about, how to act. At least what worked for me.† She cocked her head. â€Å"You’re going to have to dress differently†¦.† â€Å"I’ll get a couple of other vampire hunters and we’ll meet tomorrow after school. Let’s say six-thirty. Right now, I’m taking you home. You need to sleep.† She waited to see if Daphne would object, but the other girl just nodded and sighed again. â€Å"Yeah. You know, after some of the things I’ve learned, home’s starting to look good.† â€Å"Just one more thing,† Rashel said. â€Å"You can’t tell anybody about what happened to you. Tell them anything-that you ran away, whatever-but not the truth. Okay?† â€Å"Okay.† â€Å"And especially don’t tell anyone about me. Got it? My life may depend on it.† â€Å"Elliot’s not here.† The voice on the telephone was cold and as hostile as Rashel had ever heard it. â€Å"Vicky, I need to talk to him. Or somebody. I’m telling you, this is our chance to get to an enclave. The girl from the warehouse heard them talking about it.† It was Friday afternoon and Rashel was phoning from a booth near her school. Vicky was speaking heavily. â€Å"We staked out that street for days and didn’t see anything, but you just happened to be in the right place at the right time to help a girl escape.† â€Å"Yes. I already told you.† â€Å"Well, that was convenient, wasn’t it?† Rashel gripped the handset more tightly. â€Å"What do you mean?† â€Å"Just that it would be a very dangerous thing, going to a vampire enclave. And that a person would have to really trust whoever was giving them the information about it. You’d have to be sure it wasn’t a trap. You read "Night World : The Chosen Chapter 8" in category "Essay examples"† Rashel stared at the phone buttons, controlling her breathing. â€Å"I see.† â€Å"Yes, well, you don’t have much credibility around here anymore. Not since letting that vampire get away. And this sounds like just the sort of thing you’d do if you were in on it with them.† Great, Rashel thought. I’ve managed to convince her that I really am a vampire sympathizer. Aloud she said, â€Å"Is that what Nyala is telling everybody? That I’m working with the Night World?† â€Å"I don’t know what Nyala is doing.† Vicky sounded waspish and a little uneasy. â€Å"I haven’t seen her since Tuesday and nobody answers at her house.† Rashel tried to make her voice calm and reasonable. â€Å"Will you at least tell Elliot what I’m doing? Then he can call me if he wants to.† â€Å"Don’t hold your breath,† Vicky said, and hung up. Great. Terrific. Rashel replaced the handset wondering if she wasn’t supposed to hold her breath until Elliot called, or until Vicky passed on the message. One thing was clear: she couldn’t count on any help from the Lancers. Or any other vampire hunters. Nyala could be spreading any kind of rumors, and Rashel didn’t dare even call another group. There was no choice. She’d have to do it alone. That night she went to Daphne’s house. â€Å"Well, she’s grounded,† Mrs. Childs said at the door. She was a small woman with a baby in one hand, a Pampers in the other, and a toddler clutching her leg. â€Å"But I guess you can go upstairs.† Upstairs, Daphne had to chase a younger sister out of the bedroom before Rashel could sit down. â€Å"You see, I don’t even have a room of my own,† she said. â€Å"And you’re grounded. But you’re alive,† Rashel said, and raised her eyebrows. â€Å"Hi.† â€Å"Oh. Hi.† Daphne looked embarrassed. Then she smiled, sitting cross-legged on her bed. â€Å"You’re wearing normal clothes.† Rashel glanced down at her sweater and jeans. â€Å"Yeah, the ninja outfit’s just my career uniform.† Daphne grinned. â€Å"Well, you’re still going to have to look different if you’re going to get into the club. Should we start now, or do you want to wait for the others?† Rashel stared at a row of perfume bottles on the dresser across the room. â€Å"There aren’t going to be any others.† â€Å"But I thought you said†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Look. It’s hard to explain, but I’ve had a little problem with the vampire hunters around here. So I’m doing it without them. It’s no problem. We can start now.† â€Å"Well†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Daphne pursed her lips. She looked different from the disheveled wild creature Rashel had rescued from the street last night. Her blond hair was soft and fluffy, her cornflower blue eyes were large and innocent, her face was round and sweet. She was fashionably dressed and she seemed relaxed, in her own element in this normal teenager’s room. It was Rashel who felt out of place. â€Å"Well†¦ do you want to just take along a friend or something?† Daphne asked. â€Å"I don’t have a friend,† Rashel said flatly. â€Å"And I don’t want one. Friends are people to worry about, they’re baggage. I don’t like baggage.† Daphne blinked slowly. â€Å"But at school†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I don’t stay at schools more than one year at a time. I live with foster families, and I usually get myself sent to a new city every year. That way I stay ahead of the vampires. Look, this isn’t about me, okay? What I want to know-â€Å" â€Å"But†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Daphne was staring at the mirror. Rashel followed her gaze to see that the reflecting surface was almost completely covered by pictures. Pictures of Daphne with guys, Daphne with other girls. Daphne counted her friends in droves, apparently. â€Å"But doesn’t that get lonely?† â€Å"No, it doesn’t get lonely,† Rashel said through her teeth. She found herself getting rough with the lacy little throw pillow on her lap. â€Å"I like being on my own. Now are we done with the press conference?† Looking hurt, Daphne nodded. â€Å"Okay. I talked with some people at school and everything at the dub is going on the same as usual-except that Quinn hasn’t been there since Sunday. Ivan and the girl were there Tuesday and Wednesday, but not Quinn.† â€Å"Oh, really?† That was interesting. Rashel had known from the beginning that her greatest problem was going to be Quinn. The other two vampires hadn’t seen her-she didn’t think they even realized that Daphne had run off with a vampire hunter last night. But Quinn had spoken to her. Had been†¦ very close to her. Still, what could he have seen in that cellar, even with his vampire vision? Not her face. Not even her hair. Her ninja outfit covered her from neck to wrist to ankle. All he could possibly know was that she was tall. If she changed her voice and kept her eyes down, he shouldn’t be able to recognize her. But it would be easier still if he weren’t there in the first place, and Rashel could try her act on Ivan. â€Å"That reminds me,† she said. â€Å"Ivan and the girl- are their little groups into death, too?† Daphne nodded. â€Å"Everybody in the whole place is, basically. It’s that kind of place.† A perfect place for vampires, in other words. Rashel wondered briefly if the Night People owned the dub or if some obliging humans had just constructed the ideal habitat for them. She’d have to check into that. â€Å"Actually,† Daphne was saying, a little shyly, â€Å"I’ve got a poem here for you. I thought you could say you wrote it. It would sort of prove you were into the same thing as the other girls.† Rashel took the piece of notebook paper and read: There’s warmth in ice; there’s cooling peace in fire, And midnight light to show us all the way. The dancing flame becomes a funeral pyre; The Dark was more enticing than the Day. She looked up at Daphne sharply. â€Å"You wrote this before you knew about the Night World?† Daphne nodded. â€Å"It’s the kind of thing Quinn liked. He used to say he was the darkness and the silence and things like that.† Rashel wished she had Quinn right there in the room, along with a large stake. These young girls were like moths to his flame, and he was taking advantage of their innocence. He wasn’t even pretending to be harmless; instead he was encouraging them to love their own destruction. Making them think it was their idea. â€Å"About your clothes,† Daphne was going on. â€Å"My friend Mamie is about your size and she lent me this stuff. Try it on and we’ll see if it looks right.† She tossed Rashel a bundle. Rashel unfolded it, examined it doubtfully. A few minutes later she was examining herself even more doubtfully in the mirror. She was wearing a velvety black jumpsuit which clung to her like a second skin. It was cut in a very low V in front, but the sleeves reached down in Gothic points on the backs of her hands almost to the middle finger. Around her neck was a black leather choker that looked to her like a dog collar. She said, â€Å"I don’t know†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"No, no, you look great. Sort of like a Betsey Johnson ultra model. Walk a little†¦ turn around†¦ okay, yeah. Now all we have to do is paint your fingernails black, add a little makeup, and-â€Å" Daphne stopped and frowned. â€Å"What’s wrong?† â€Å"It’s the way you walk. You walk like-well, like them, actually. Like the vampires. As if you’re stalking something. And you don’t ever make a noise. They’re going to know you’re a vampire hunter from the way you move.† It was a good point, but Rashel didn’t know what to do about it. â€Å"Um†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I’ve got it,† Daphne said brightly. â€Å"We’ll put you in heels.† â€Å"Oh, no,† Rashel said. â€Å"There is absolutely no way I’m going to wear those things.† â€Å"But it’ll be perfect, see? You won’t be able to walk normally.† â€Å"No, and I won’t be able to run, either.† â€Å"But you aren’t going there to run. You’re going to talk and dance and stuff.† Hands on her hips, she shook her head. â€Å"I don’t know, Rashel, you really need somebody to go there with you, to help you with this stuff†¦.† Daphne stopped and her eyes narrowed. She stared at the mirror for a moment, then she nodded. â€Å"Yeah. That’s it. There’s no other choice,† she said, expelling her breath. She turned to face Rashel squarely. â€Å"I’ll just have to go with you myself.† â€Å"What?† â€Å"You need somebody with you; you can’t do this all alone. And there’s nobody better than me. I’ll go with you and this time we’ll both get chosen.† Rashel sat on the bed. â€Å"I’m sorry; this time you ‘re crazy. You’re the last person the vampires would ever choose. You know all about them.† â€Å"But they don’t know that,† Daphne said serenely. â€Å"I told everybody at school today that I didn’t remember anything that happened from Sunday on. I had to tell them something, you know. So I said that I never got to meet Quinn; that I didn’t know what happened to me, but I woke up last night alone on this street in Mission Hill.† Rashel tried to think. Would any of the vampires believe this story? The answer surprised her. They just might. If Daphne had begun to come out of the mind control while she was in the truck†¦ if she had jumped out and started running, only to become fully conscious a little while later.. .. Yes. It could work. The vampires would assume that she’d have amnesia for the whole period she was in a trance, and maybe for a little before. It could work†¦. â€Å"But it’s too dangerous,† she said. â€Å"Even if I let you go to the club with me, I could never let you get chosen.† â€Å"Why not? You already said I must be resistant to their mind-control thingy, right?† Daphne’s blue eyes were sparking with energy and her cheeks were flushed. â€Å"So that makes me perfect for the job. I can do it. I know I can help you.† Rashel stood helplessly. Take this fluffy bunny of a girl to a vampire enclave? Let her get sold as a slave to bloodsucking monsters? Ask her to fight ruthless snakes like Quinn? â€Å"I like to work alone,† she said in a hard voice. Daphne folded her arms over her chest, refusing to be intimidated. â€Å"Well, maybe it’s time you tried something different. Look, I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re so independent, so adventurous, so–amazing. But even you can’t do everything by yourself. I know I’m not a vampire hunter, but I’d like to be your friend. Maybe you should try trusting a friend this time.† Her eyes met Rashel’s, and at that moment she didn’t look like a fluffy bunny, but like a small, confident, and intelligent young woman. â€Å"Besides, it was me who got kidnapped,† Daphne said, shrugging. â€Å"Don’t you think I should get to pay them back a little?† Rashel caught herself almost grinning. She couldn’t help liking this girl, or feeling a glow of warmth at her praise. But still†¦ She drew in a careful breath and watched Daphne closely. â€Å"And you’re not scared?† â€Å"Of course I’m scared. I’d be stupid not to be. But I’m not so scared I can’t go.† It was the right answer. Rashel looked around the cluttered lacy room and nodded slowly. At last she said, â€Å"Okay, you’re in. Tomorrow’s Saturday. We’ll do it tomorrow night.† How to cite Night World : The Chosen Chapter 8, Essay examples

Strategic Leadership in A Changing World

Question: Write an essay about the strategic leadership in a changing world. Answer: 1.0 Introduction: The current study aims to identify one strategic issue faced by the Malaysia-based company, which is operating under fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. The researcher has chosen AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD, a Malaysia-based mayonnaise manufacturing firm. The current strategic issue of the company has been discussed using models like PESTEL and SWOT, to identify the issue critically. A threat matrix and the policy options have been presented by the current researcher. Based on the analysis, the researcher has tried to put a recommendation considering the principle of RALES matrix. Finally, the researcher has placed a possible conclusion based on the current study analysis. 2.0 External analysis: 2.1 PESTEL analysis: 2.1.1 Political Environment As per the political environment of Malaysia, the country presents a clean and high trading policy towards the business giants. The open market nature and the government tax policy directly affect the sale of the products of FMCG firms. The government intervene helps the business organisations like AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD to increase the business growth in large extent. According to the opinion of ChandraSekhar (2012), the subsidy policies provided by the government assist the firm to grow at faster rates and reduce the amount of interest paid in favour of funds elevated from the outside. The trading policy of the country is mediocre to import and export the goods and services in a favourable situation. ChoiChangBeom (2011) stated that it becomes a barrier for the business organisation to face the problems due to the reason of corruption. Therefore, it could be inferred that the entire political environment of Malaysia is diversified in nature for AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BH D to expand the market share. 2.1.2 Economic Factors The rapid economic development of Malaysia provides the organisation a higher speed growth segment that would directly help the firm to calculate its net income in the target market area. Adding to this Conrad and Thompson (2013) mentioned that the rate of labour cost is extremely high in this country which makes a pressure on the business unit for investing high expenses for the workers. The spending patterns of the consumers entirely depend on the income. In the opinion of Kim and Lin (2012), the foreign exchange rate is a limitation for AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD to earn enough value for the concern of import and export. 2.1.2.1 Implication It has been observed that the consumer price in Malaysia rose 3.5% in 2016 (website). As per the opinion of Kim and Lin (2012), it is the highest inflation cost compared with the previous year which would increase all categories of products. As a consequence, the growth of AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD would be affected as the purchase rate of the customer group would be decreased in this period. Hence, it could be deduced that the current inflation figure of the country produces several risk factors to the market growth of AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD. 2.1.3 Social Factors The mixed population with three major communities like Malay, Chinese and Indian gives Malaysia a vibrant culture. The Islamic predominant culture of the country defines its nature towards the taste of food. The change in lifestyle is the primary restraint for AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD to distribute its products segment for increasing the purchasing power of the customers (Mosley, 2006). The customers of Malaysia want the range of different available products while buying the food products especially. Therefore, the mayonnaise products of this firm are not enough to attract the consumers. 2.1.4 Technological Factors Considering the opinion of Saroso and Murthy (2007), Malaysia needs more technological development to enable its competence in the international marketplace. The organisation, AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD needs more technological advancements for economising the scale of production to achieve the optimum level of profits. According to the opinion of Brexendorf and Daecke (2012), improvement in technology would lead its competitive force by discovering innovative products segment. Furthermore, the change in automation would reduce the labour costs by introducing automatic machines in the production plant. 2.1.5 Legal Factors The industry-specific regulations of Malaysia indicate that no industry can be established between the cities (Chimhundu and Hamlin, 2007). These specific legal norms restricted AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD to establish the production plants in the cities. The Consumer Protection Act has empowered the customers to file a case against the seller if the firm or the seller made any cheat through the products quality or price. Hence, these types of legal practices of the country provide a range of risk factors for the business of the organisation. 2.1.6 Environmental Factors As per the rule of the Government, no company cannot be dumped the waste material into the river. As AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD is a food production plant, it becomes a barrier while disposed of the raw materials. In this present scenario, Liu and Ko (2010) added that the small scale of land for the factories is one of the major obstruction to the development of the production plant of AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD. The firm would also need to adopt many remedies to avoid the global warming issues. 3.0 Internal analysis: The inner analysis of the firm AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD indicates that the Franchising mode of business is unique and provides higher competitiveness of the company. Additionally, the marketing strategy adopted by the enterprise is also considered potential enough to penetrate the target market in the Singaporean and UAE region as well. 3.1 Bases of competitive advantages: The tagline of the product Jasma Adventures in Taste is one of the significant marketing elements of the firm AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD, which builds a competitive advantage for the company. Also, Miller et al. (2013) stated that new factories established in Kimar also considered as another base of its brand competitiveness. In this context, Mohan (2012) indicated that clean and healthy food production offered by the firm constitutes the brand competitiveness among other rivals. On the other hand, the brand positioning in the hypermarket is also considered another competitive advantage for the current business. The integration of all these factors has helped the firm managing greater brand competitiveness, in its national and international brand operation. 4.0 SWOT Analysis: 4.1 Strength: Dynamic marketing strategy is one of the major strengths of the brand. Along with this, the 5S certification provided by SIRIM has been found significant strength regarding managing brand image on the global platform. Miller et al. (2013) supported and stated the fact that product rebranding strategies adopted by the firm are the strength of the business. Additionally, the brand receives significant support from the Malaysian government, which has enabled the company competing with its current rivals. The MeSTI Certification provided by the Ministry of Health Malaysian has created higher brand value in the Malaysian FMCG market, thereby maintaining its brand competitiveness successfully (www.jasmafood.com, 2016). 4.2 Weakness: The product quality issue has been identified as the major weakness of the current firm as compared to the competitors. In this context, Goyal (2011) stated that other mayonnaise manufacturing companies operating in the Malaysia offering signature tastes and 100% Halal products as well. Thus, the similar tastes and packaging of the products provides the monotonous layout to the product lines, which reduces its scope of wider accessibility amongst the potential prospects. The energy, protein, fat and carbohydrate content offered by Kewpie Malaysia is offering fresh food materials than AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD. Thus, the product quality is the primary weakness of the firm. 4.3 Opportunity: The company has joined the exhibition for promoting the brand offerings to the international customers. This type of brand promotion could be a greater opportunity in its Dubai operation as the country provides a culture of excellence and quality lifestyle to the firm. Thus, the global brand extension in UAE country could be a significant opportunity for AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD. Oraman et al. (2012) also mentioned that the brand is targeting different retail kiosk in the hypermarket and the brand distribution is enhancing its overall sustainability index as well. Hence, the brand extension through the distributed hypermarket could be considered a potential opportunity for the brand to increase the brand competitiveness and sustainability in the international business market. 4.4 Threats: The improved competitor in the Malaysian FMCG market is considered one of the biggest threats for the firm AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD. At the same time, being an SME, the company is failing to accumulate potential funds to improve the business sustainability in the Malaysian FMCG market. Abdi et al. (2013) stated that the Malaysian FMCG market has become somewhat flat now, and the increase of hypermarket and supermarket is reducing consumer spending habits in the stand-alone companies as well. Thus, the economic fluctuation could also be considered another significant threat to the current firm. However, since last quarter of 2014, the consumer confidence index started increasing (www.marketing-interactive.com, 2016). Thus, it could be considered as the nullifying factor for the reduced growth of the Malaysian FMCG industry. 5.0 Threat Matrix: Since the firm produces only mayonnaise, it could experience higher risks in the global operations. Emphasising on a single product segment can easily lead the brand towards the product saturation point. Hence, the existence of the fiercest competitors in the similar market can be a slaughter for AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD, to experience product stagnancy. High Impact 5 1 2 High 1 2 Low Impact 3 4 Medium 4 5 Low 3 Low probability High probability Table 1: Threat Matrix (Source: Created by author) Analysis: Evaluating the threat matrix, it can be stated that the production of mayonnaise is a greater risk to the brand, as the government is initiating health awareness campaigns to reduce the fat consumptions. Thus, the government support for the popular brand might not be sufficient enough to convince the prospective audience. The lesser product variety is a major risk for the favourite brand regarding managing the sustainability. On the other hand, the brand is targeting through its extension in the hypermarkets, where other competitors are selling diversified products as well. Soowoong and Byeongok (2008) also stated that as the brand recognition of the familiar name is lower, it would incur a high risk to surpass the brand loyalty created by the FMCG giants. The brand with great recognition would attain greater competency in the hypermarket in the mayonnaise segment. Thus, the overall threat matrix indicates that the current brand would undergo a risky situation in its international business operation. 6.0 Strategic options: The strategic options analysis would help the firm understanding the range of suitable options for its policy response in the global market. Chimhundu and Hamlin (2007) also mentioned that as the business lacks from the monetary resource, the policy options could generate transparency and greater accountability for its international investment decisions as well. Thus, the brand could be able to deliver the expected business benefits to the internal stakeholders. 6.1 Strategic options development and Analysis: Merge and Acquisition is a modern form of partnership that would help one company to take over another. As per the present situation of the AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD, the brand would adopt a new merger and acquisition policy with Kewpie for improving its performance in the international market. One of the disadvantages of this plan would be the firm would lose its identity and the customer position (Brexendorf and Daecke, 2012). The overall profitability would be divided between the two firms. Adding to this Chimhundu and Hamlin (2007) mentioned that the strategic alliances with Kewpie could be another supportive option to share the core strengths with each other. The disadvantage of this strategy would be the owner of AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD would lose control over the decision related to the business operations. Hence, these two strategic development options would be an intellectual option to enhance its manufacturing and distribution capabilities. 6.2 Strategic option weighted score: Advantages Score Disadvantages Score Performance improvement 3 Lose in own identity and customer position 2.5 Share core strengths with each other 4 Lack of control in decision making 2 Total advantage scores 7 Total disadvantage scores 4.5 Table 1: Strategic option weightage score (Source: Created by Author) As per the analysis of the weightage score it has been speculated that the firm could go for the two options for the future betterment of the brand. The results of the present analysis indicate that the strategic alliance could be the best choice as it attains a better score rather than the merge and acquisition program. The risk factors with this initiative would be low while adopting this agreement. 7.0 Recommendations: A per the current analysis of AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD it has been suggested that the brand would need to keep a focus on the diversified products segment for attaining the best customer attraction towards the brand. Supporting this ChandraSekhar (2012) added that consumption of mayonnaise is not good for health as it increases the fat in human body. Therefore, as per the government awareness program, the organisation would need to concentrate on the other product options apart from the mayonnaise. Furthermore, ChoiChangBeom (2007) mention that joint ventures with the leading FMCG firm in Malaysia would help the firm to increase its market growth. Further enhancement in food taste and more research and development would be beneficial for AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD to amplify its growth in the international marketplace. 7.1 RACE Matrix: According to the opinion of Conrad and Thompson (2013), 80% of the business organisation are currently planning to increase the digital marketing spend by adopting the RACE model. In the present situation of AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD, the RACE model would help the firm to estimate costs for acquiring a new customer base. The proper planning for the research and development plan would help the company to produce different products with the best quality to draw the excellent customers attraction (Liu and Ko, 2010). Adding to this, the model would be helpful for building the strategic approach to digital marketing. Hence, it could be inferred that the implication of RACE model would be highly beneficial for AJ Food Industries (M) SDN BHD to achieve a strategic market position in the international market. 8.0 Conclusion: Considering the current strategic management issue of the firm, it can be concluded that strategic alliance between two or more companies could be helpful for meeting the brand profitability. On the other hand, the merger and acquisition with the Kewpie could be fruitful to the contemporary brand managing its greater brand sustainability and profitability in the international business context. References: Abdi, A., Ashouri, M., Jamalpour, G. and Sandoosi, S. (2013). Overview SWOT Analysis Method and Its Application in Organizations. Singaporean Journal of Business , Economics and Management Studies, 1(12), pp.69-74 Brexendorf, T.O. and Daecke, N. (2012) The brand manager current tasks and skill requirements in FMCG companies, Marketing Review St. Gallen, 29(6), pp. 3237 ChandraSekhar, B.V.N.G. (2012) Consumer buying behaviour and brand loyalty in rural markets: FMCG, IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 3(2), pp. 5067. Chimhundu, R. and Hamlin, R. (2007) Future of the brand management structure in FMCG, Journal of Brand Management, 14(3), pp. 232239 Chimhundu, R. and Hamlin, R. (2007). Future of the brand management structure in FMCG. Journal of Brand Management, 14(3), pp.232-239. ChoiChangBeom (2011) The effect of joint venture partners management control on international joint venture performance, The e-Business Studies, 12(4), pp. 159174. Conrad, C. and Thompson, M. (2013) The new brand spirit: How communicating sustainability builds brands, reputations and profits. United Kingdom: Ashgate Publishing. Goyal, A. (2011). An Exploratory Study for Consumer Buying Behavior for Environment-Friendly Products in FMCg Sector. IJAR, 4(4), pp.1-3 Jasmafood.com.my. (2016). AJ Food Industries (M) Sdn Bhd. Kim, D.-H. and Lin, S.-C. (2012) Inflation and inflation volatility revisited, International Finance, 15(3), pp. 327345. Liu, G. and Ko, W.-W. (2010) An analysis of cause-related marketing implementation strategies through social alliance: Partnership conditions and strategic objectives, Journal of Business Ethics, 100(2), pp. 253281. Miller, D., Merrilees, B. and Yakimova, R. (2013). Corporate Rebranding: An Integrative Review of Major Enablers and Barriers to the Rebranding Process. International Journal of Management Reviews, 16(3), pp.265-289. Mohan, D. (2012). Brand Attitude Vs Customer Demographic Profile: A Study of Fmcg Sector. PARIPEX, 3(2), pp.174-175. Mosley, L. (2006) Companies, international trade and human rights by Janet dine, Political Science Quarterly, 121(3), pp. 537539. Oraman, Y., Azabagaoglu, M. and Inan, I. (2011). The Firms Survival and Competition through Global Expansion: A Case Study from Food Industry in FMCG Sector. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 24, pp.188-197. Saroso, D.S. and Murthy, D.N.P. (2007) Product quality improvement, International Journal of Technology Management, 37(1/2), p. 29. Soowoong, S., and Byeongok, K. (2008). FMCG Brand Recognition influenced by the Patternized Package Display. Journal of Digital Design, 8(1), pp.177-185.

Sunset on the Sea Essay Example For Students

Sunset on the Sea Essay The Sun begins to set slowly. The Orange red blob rolls down the sky. The waves break gently into white foam on the black beach. The small crystals in the sand sparkle and glow brilliantly orange, with the sunrays. The soft sand cushions the feet. The Now red sun is cut in half by the gentle sea. The beams redden the coconut trees, which sway gently in the wind. The seagulls ride with the wind, dipping in and out Of The Sea in search of food. The sailboats bob like toys on the water. The sun finally sets and darkness creeps up like a thief.The creatures of the night awaken. We will write a custom essay on Sunset on the Sea specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Small rats dash quickly in and out of the shrubbery. Fire red clouds roll over the darkening sky. Lightning rips through air and brightens the earth for a second, and then blinks out of existence. A deafening and ear-splitting thunder crashes and booms, then all is quiet. The winds stop, the waves stop, all creatures cease. The sky now goes pitch black. There is no more light from the setting sun. Then comes the rain in driving and slanting sheets.

History and Geography of Germany

History and Geography of Germany Population: 81,471,834 (July 2011 estimate)Capital: BerlinArea: 137,847 square miles (357,022 sq km)Coastline: 2,250 miles (3,621 km)Highest Point: Zugspitze at 9,721 feet (2,963 m)Lowest Point: Neuendorf bei Wilster at -11 feet (-3.5 m)Germany is a country located in Western and Central Europe. Its capital and largest city is Berlin but other large cities include Hamburg, Munich, Cologne and Frankfurt. Germany is one of the most populous countries of the European Union and it has one of the largest economies in Europe. It is known for its history, high standard of living and cultural heritage. History of Germany: Weimar Republic to Today According to the U.S. Department of State, in 1919 the Weimar Republic was formed as a democratic state but Germany gradually began to experience economic and social problems. By 1929 the government had lost much of its stability as the world entered a depression and the presence of dozens of political parties in Germanys government hampered its ability to create a unified system. By 1932 the National Socialist Party (Nazi Party) led by Adolf Hitler was growing in power and in 1933 the Weimar Republic was mostly gone. In 1934 President Paul von Hindenburg died and Hitler, who had been named Reich Chancellor in 1933, became Germanys leader.Once the Nazi Party took power in Germany nearly all democratic institutions in the country were abolished. In addition, Germanys Jewish peoples were jailed as were any members of opposing parties. Shortly thereafter the Nazis began a policy of genocide against the countrys Jewish population. This later became known as the Holocaust and around six m illion Jewish people in both Germany and other Nazi occupied areas were killed. In addition to the Holocaust, Nazi governmental policies and expansionist practices eventually led to World War II. This later destroyed Germanys political structure, economy and many of its cities.On May 8, 1945 Germany surrendered and the United States, United Kingdom, USSR and France took control under what was called Four Power Control. Initially Germany was to be controlled as a single unit, but eastern Germany soon became dominated by Soviet policies. In 1948 the USSR blockaded Berlin and by 1949 East and West Germany were created. West Germany, or the Federal Republic of Germany, followed principles set forth by the U.S. and U.K., while East Germany was controlled by the Soviet Union and its communist policies. As a result, there was severe political and social unrest in Germany throughout most of the mid-1900s and in the 1950s millions of East Germans fled to the west. In 1961 the Berlin Wall was constructed, officially dividing the two.By the 1980 pressure for political ref orm and German unification was growing and in 1989 the Berlin Wall fell and in 1990 the Four Power Control ended. As a result, Germany began to unify itself and on December 2, 1990 it held the first all German elections since 1933. Since the 1990s, Germany has continued to regain its political, economic and social stability and today it is known for having a high standard of living and a strong economy. Government of Germany Today Germanys government is considered a federal republic. It has an executive branch of government with a chief of state who is the countrys president and a head of government who is known as the chancellor. Germany also has a bicameral legislature made up of the Federal Council and the Federal Diet. Germanys judicial branch consists of the Federal Constitutional Court, the Federal Court of Justice and the Federal Administrative Court. The country is divided into 16 states for local administration. Economics and Land Use in Germany Germany has a very strong, modern economy that is considered the fifth largest in the world. In addition, according to the CIA World Factbook, it is one of the worlds most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal cement and chemicals. Other industries in Germany include machinery production, motor vehicle manufacture, electronics, shipbuilding and textiles. Agriculture also plays a role in Germanys economy and the main products are potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, cabbage, fruit, cattle pigs and dairy products. Geography and Climate of Germany Germany is located in Central Europe along the Baltic and North Seas. It also shares borders with nine different countries - some of which include France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium. Germany has a varied topography with lowlands in the north, the Bavarian Alps in the south and uplands in the central part of the country. The highest point in Germany is Zugspitze at 9,721 feet (2,963 m), while the lowest is Neuendorf bei Wilster at -11 feet (-3.5 m).The climate of Germany is considered temperate and marine. It has cool, wet winters and mild summers. The average January low temperature for Berlin, the capital of Germany, is 28.6ËšF (-1.9ËšC) and the average July high temperature the city is 74.7ËšF (23.7ËšC).To learn more about Germany, visit the Geography and Maps section on Germany on this website. Source:Central Intelligence Agency. (17 June 2011). CIA - The World Factbook - Germany. Retrieved from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html ï » ¿Infoplease.com. (n.d.).Germany: History, Geography, Government, and Culture- Infoplease.com. Retrieved from: infoplease.com/ipa/A0107568.html United States Department of State. (10 November 2010). Germany. Retrieved from: state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3997.htm Wikipedia.com. (20 June 2011). Germany - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany

Early literacy Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Early literacy - Article Example 2), and the top of these other things is an orderly household. b. In-depth critical analysis Whalen has discussed a report in support of his arguments and tried to convey to the reader why he thinks that an orderly house assists in the development of early reading skills in young children. She mentions a study by researchers at Columbia University’s Teachers College and Ohio State University, which says that parents can help their children to read by doing much more than just providing them with books. They can provide them with a well-managed and orderly household in order to assist them in reading. This research was done on 455 kindergarten and first-grade twins. It was concluded that â€Å"mothers who are above-average readers are also those who are more likely to keep a tidy home and to implement daily household routines†, and these mothers are better teachers for their children. The subject matter of the article very well goes with the title the author has suggeste d and has good scholastic importance. The problem can be well understood by an average reader and the research is not limited to the author’s own aptitudes and ideas. However, the author has not been able to provide enough evidence to support his claim and has only discussed one study. The article lacks proof and sound arguments and the reader is not convinced as to how an orderly home can help a child in developing reading skills. It would have been better if Whalen had discussed multiple researches to back up her claim. It is only the last paragraph that is convincing enough for the reader because it discusses the important role of book reading in the development of reading skills. 2. Review of the Literature/ Comparison with other Researches We cannot deny the significance of an orderly home in the early literacy skills. We are just arguing that Whalen did not provide much evidence. To back up the article’s argument, we compared it with some other writings provided by profound scholars. Lee and Croninger (1994) assert in their writing that â€Å"variations in the home environments of poor and middle-income children affect their literacy development, which leads to substantial differences in reading ability and behavior† (p.286). Now, this research more clearly describes what the main causes of inequity of home environments of children are and how their literacy gets affected by the disorderliness of their homes. Other researchers like Morrow and Weinstein, and Rasinski and Fredericks (as cited in U.S. Department of Education, 2011) affirm that a literate home environment is vital if the aim of the parents is to enable their children develop literacy skills. A literate home environment is a complement of the school. According to the article, a literate home environment does not mean that the parents should be able to read and write in English; instead, it means that they must be able to provide their children with a lot of reading materi al and a good study location inside the house. This article supports Whalen’s arguments in his last paragraph, that parents must support their children’s reading abilities through provision of books, anywhere and anytime. Connor (2007) conducted a study regarding the influence of school and home environments upon the literacy skills of children, and states in his research that, â€Å"Home learning environments and parenting, along with preschool opportunities in the community, have been shown to directly relate to children’

BHP Billiton Limited Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

BHP Billiton Limited - Essay Example The concept of corporate governance can be defined as the procedures which are used to direct and control an organisation in alliance with its determined mission and vision. The extended role of corporate governance further exhibits a proper structure specifying the delegation of rights as well as the responsibilities bestowed upon the participants of an organisation including its board members, lower and middle level managers, stakeholders, shareholders and other interest groups (OECD 2005). The corporate governance comprises the three basic factors. In this context, it provides with adequate transparency in its decision-making process. Transparency in turn provides scope for accountability that entails the responsibilities of the decision makers within an organisation. It also provides accountability for the conservation of the concern with respect to the shareholders’ interests as well as the commitment of the organization towards its stakeholders. Indeed, accountants and o ther financial decision makers play a vital role in determining organizational effectiveness to mitigate such concerns through high degree of ethical commitments. Thus, it can be stated that the accounting theories and the corporate governance are interrelated as the underlying function of the corporate governance is to control organizational activities and the utilization of the corporate resources (Clark 2011). Based on this understanding, the objective of the paper reflects the corporate governance practices of BHP Billiton Limited (BHP) to alleviate the risk related to the corporate factor with further reasons to such conventions. Areas of Corporate Governance in BHP Billiton Limited to Alleviate the Risk of the Corporate Failure The corporate governance system practiced in BHP entails the approaches to provide the value that has been created on a long term basis complying with a high-quality governance framework (FRC 2012). The company believes that the governance must not be l imited to the Board, but it must be spread within the organisation. Through its governance system, BHP aims to foster a culture that values as well as awards the ethical standard prevailing in the organisation along with the personal and the corporate integrity and the standard to have respect deciphered aptly for its stakeholders on the whole. The company hereby aims to establish an appropriate ‘Code of Business Conduct’ for the employees, the suppliers and the customers constituting a major proportion of its stakeholders group. The application of these approaches related to the governance further attempt to foster the long-term goodwill of the company playing a major role to alleviate the risks of the corporate failure on the basis of accounting discrepancies (BHP Billiton 2012). Notably, the corporate governance structure of the company entails the diversified perspective of the Board of Directors. The structure in BHP comprises of the shareholders, the Board of Dire ctors, the functional committee, the Chief Executive Officers and the group management committee. The framed structure helps the company to