Catherine II and Stalin :: European History

Catherine II and Stalin Catherine II (the Great) and Joseph Stalin were both leaders of Russia that demonstrated an awareness of the West. They tried to emulate some of the elements of the West while purposely neglecting others. For this reason they were partial westernizers. Catherine the Great was very in tune with the Enlightenment and she had vast knowledge over the culture of Western Europe. Due to this she decided that her country was backward and would need to change in order for it to remain being a world power. In 1767 she assembled a Legislative Commission to help her amend the laws and government of Russia. Before this body convened, Catherine published a set of Instructions based on many of the political works of the philosophes. Other examples of her westernization exist in her plans for economic growth. She tried to halt interior barriers in trade. Also, under her reign, the exports of grain, flax, fur, and naval stores increased and she encouraged the growth of the urban middle class, which is so essential for trade. On the other hand, although it seemed as if Catherine was taking steps toward a more western future, her proposition to reform law did not occur until fifty years later. Also, she strongly supported to rights of the nobility and granted them local power over the medieval custom of serfs. Catherine never had any intention from departing from absolutism and her close rapport with the philosophes was a strategic move. She wanted them to spread the word of a progressive and modern Russia. She wanted to resemble the West but she did not want to actually be like it. Joseph Stalin was much less modern in his thought than Catherine the Great. One of the few examples of westernization under his regime was the remarkably successful Five-Year Plans. This was his vehicle for industrialization by setting goals for economic production and meeting them. Also, Stalin made peace with the Russian Orthodox Church. Although, this was more likely an attempt to gain more support during World War II than because of the kindness of his heart. However, most of Stalin's actions reflected a cruel backward mentality. Stalin's collectivization proposal made the kulaks very wealthy and also was opposed by many farmers and peasants from all social classes. First, Stalin eliminated the kulaks as a class. Then he proceeded to assassinate al dissidents and this ended up in

Critical Thinking, Apple Inc.

APPLE INC 2 Voted as the most innovative company for three consecutive years during 2006-2008 and voted as America’s number 1 most Admired Company (McGregor, 2008), Apples faces a major challenge to continue growth at this level. Describe two factors you think Apple should consider as the company develops long-term strategy for growth. I think that as Apple continues to move forward with out the guiding force that was Steve Jobs, they have to consider the impact that competitors are going to have on their market share.There are now several competing devices similar to the iPhone, iPod, and iPad in the market place now. Apple will have to continue the tradition of innovation, and homegrown product development to stay on top. With new leadership, comes new ways of doing things. Even though the new CEO of Apple inc, Tim Cook is a Steve Jobs protege, he will have his own style, and it remains to be seen how much of an impact that is going to have in the future. For the moment Appl e seems to be doing just fine. Current earnings over this period a year ago are up. (Apple Inc. 2012)If Apple were to build a balanced scorecard, what two objectives do you think should be included in the learning and growth perspective? â€Å"In a knowledge-worker organization, people — the only repository of knowledge — are the main resource. †(Balanced Score Card Institute, 2012) Apple should continue to ensure the professional development of its managers and engineers. The talents of these people have brought Apple to where it is today. Product development should be another objective. Apple inc. has been doing things right (for them) for quite awhile now.Their ability to innovate, and develop products that are simple to use has been one of the keys to their success. APPLE INC. 3 References: Balanced Score Card Institute. (2012),Balanced Score Card Institute- A Strategy Management Group Company Retrieved June 10, 2012 from: http://www. balancedscorecard. org/ BSCResources/AbouttheBalancedScorecard/tabid/55/Default. aspx Apple Inc. (2012) Apple Inc. Retrieved June 10, 2012 from: http://www. apple. com/pr/library/2012/04/24Apple-Reports-Second-Quarter-Results. html

Stylistic analysis of a short story “Laura” Essay

The story under analysis is titled â€Å"Laura†. It is written by British author, master of the short story Hector Hugh Munro, better known by the pen name Saki. The very story belongs to fiction genre with a unique touch of mystery, psychological themes, as it concerned with two main heroines’ (Laura and Amanda) emotional states. The tone of the story is full of irony and even sarcasm, especially in the dialogues and closing lines. The mysterious ideas and incredible circumstances provide the suspense and makes the text rather gripping and thought-provoking. The story is told from the third person, who involves the reader in Amanda’s inner world. It is shown by the indirect method of characterization, as the characters are revealed through their speech, actions and behaviors. The main heroines are Laura, a hasty, unadvised person, who possesses some eccentric ideas and her friend Amanda, more material and serious lady. The reader is merely introduced to them, so it is meant to find out about their personalities through the speech. Amanda is very concerned about Laura’s condition, because she was only given a couple of days to live. In spite of those dramatic perspectives, Laura is not afraid to die, because of her belief in reincarnation. She admits, that she has never been a nice person, so she is ready to become an animal in the next life, and than, may be, a little Nubian boy. From this point on, the complex and dynamic personalities with some vivid qualities are shown. The biggest role in the text belongs to the dialogues. They help to create the settings of the story and reveal information about characters’ lives, beliefs and states. From the first setting it is possible to imagine a kind of a country town, as one of the minor characters (Egbert, Amanda’s husband) runs a farm. The atmosphere of the text is quite changeable, so in the end of the story the secondary setting of the Nile Valley is depicted. From the very beginning of the story the reader finds some foreshadowing. It gives special hints to what will happen in the future. The plot includes some complications which lead right up to the climax of the text. After Laura’s death Amanda believes her friend to be reincarnated as an otter. Eventually, she learns that the animal has been killed. The fact, that a witness noticed â€Å"such a human look  in its eyes† brings Amanda an attack of nervous prostration. At the very end of the story the reader finds another climax and new unsolved conflict: a Nubian boy had thrown all Egbert’s clean shirts into the bath. All this presents an external conflict; an internal conflict is revealed through struggling doubts about what happens after death. Obviously, the text has an open ending. This short story is extremely interesting from the stylistic point of view. The writer had a very specific way of applying stylistic devices in the text. Comic nature of the situation is expressed by a lot of formal lexis and play upon polysemous words and idioms (â€Å"dying by inches†). The use of certain stylistic means is closely related to the portrayal of heroine’s personalities and conditions. The author is often ironic showing Laura’s mood and ideas. It also creates a strong humorous effect. The repetition of the word â€Å"circumstances† serves to make the reader see what type of a person Laura is, to understand her attitude towards other people. There are examples of parallel constructions in the text: â€Å"My best flower bed and my best fowls singled out for destructions†. The reader meets cases of hyperbole, like in: â€Å"he needn’t have gone on about it for the entire evening†, â€Å"maddest kind of idea†, â€Å" beast† (about the otter). The examples of litotes are met in Sir Lulworth’s speech about Laura. Instead of saying that she is out of her mind he uses the words â€Å"unaccountable† and â€Å"inconsiderate†. Metaphors are mostly used for the portrayal of Amanda’s husband: â€Å"wearing an air of bereavement† and â€Å"hurricane of shouted curses†. The main idea of the story is to show the reader how it is necessary for a person to let the dead go, though it can be so emotionally hard and painful. It won’t do to imagine them still alive in other different forms, because all these feelings and experience may lead to nervous breakdown. The connection between the story and its title turns out to be rather striking, as the only character, Amanda by name, is followed throughout the whole text, while her friend Laura’s swift death is depicted in one short sentence. But still, her presence is strongly felt all the way.

Promotion Strategy Used by Sony to Promote Vaio C Series Essay

VAIO C Series uses advertising to communicate to consumers. In addition, it classifies its segmentation to communicate directly with each ages or lifestyles of consumers. Message on advertising must classify to depend on target group because they are different such as teenager or young. Those target groups want notebook to reflect to their lifestyles. Using message to make recognition about functional, smart, cool, and modern is available for teenage or young. As well, the obvious promotional strategy is taken an emotional advertising instead of representing performances. Now, VAIO C Series is entering to a stage of an emotional benefit. Representing only an advance technology is not enough, VAIO C Series uses the emotional advertising to make consumer feeling accompany with VAIO C Series. An emotional aspect is made consumer to be proud when they use VAIO C Series and feel required to possess it. For example of VAIO C Series advertising campaign, â€Å"Show It with Your VAIO† this advertising emphasizes feeling and pride to possess and use VAIO C Series. Sales Promotion Sony has promoted its product through different sale promotional strategies. For example, distributing a premium product is a standard promotion. The premium product is accessories that are case & pouch, mouse, docking station, and micro vault. These premiums supported absolutely VAIO C Series users to enhance when using it. Furthermore, VAIO C Series uses the sale promotion of price-off especially in Commart X’Gen Thailand or Sony Day Let’s Cheer that consumer can buy VAIO C Series for the special price. For example, VAIO C Series discount 2000 Baths and pay by installments zero percent within a year. Public relation Sony VAIO C Series has advantages of public relationship from the corporate brand to take the good brand image. The Sony Group recognizes that its businesses have direct and indirect impact on the communities in which it operates. Sponsorship Sony is an active sponsor. Sony understands that sponsorship is its responsibility to assist like-minded organizations to help them achieve their goals. For example of sponsorship, Sony supports the InSIGHT Out project, Sony Thai support Showroom TV Program, and Sony Thai supported the 36th Charity Bazaar. Direct Marketing On the other hand, SONY also used direct selling strategy for their promotion. They provide an interactive customer website for visitor who wishes to get more information about VAIO C Series to select and preview the colours for the SONY VAIO C Series. SONY also uses e-mail to acknowledge their customer about their latest product and updates. Personal selling In VAIO store, the sale force makes the good relationship and will communicate well to costumer when they want to know more information. SONY has training the sale force to communicate VAIO C Series information both its product and entertainment from VAIO C Series. They must have the technology knowledge to relate with product to teach consumer. Personal selling has every VAIO C Series dealers that is a force promotion in highly competitors.

Case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 32

Case study - Essay Example Per se, the products are mainly associated with fun placing them in the category of luxurious products (Naggar 159). An effective problem to this problem is developing strategies for marketing the cereals. One of the best marketing strategies will be effective campaign (Naggar 169). Effective campaign will incorporate some of the traditional Arabic food into the breakfast basket for the whole family. The campaign should target mothers and house helps as they form the chief consumers/buyers of food stuff (Naggar 180). The second solution will be is merging with local companies to increase credibility to the consumer. Arabian countries have strict rules when it comes to many things and among them is food. A merger with a local company will effectively dilute the mistrust of the products being offered by Kellogg Company (Naggar 191). These mergers apart from increasing acceptability in the new markets, they also reduce competition of the market share. Kellogg Company management should encourage take- over and mergers with local companies (Naggar 200). Kellogg Company should understand the consumers and consumer behaviors of the people in the gulf countries in order to effectively penetrate these markets (Naggar 220). The above two solutions form core bases for the impending problem of the

Discuss the different levels of irony in the story Essay

Discuss the different levels of irony in the story - Essay Example It is his journey from stardom to decline. However, A Hunger Artist is not only about changing trends of society, but, actually, it portrays various tabooed issues with its ironic theme, hidden symbols, and metaphors. Irony is a dominating aspect to this story, and its different levels are evident throughout the narrative. This paper is an attempt to understand the hidden irony, and allegory in A Hunger Artist. Irony could be understood as the conceptual contrast between outwardly appearance and the actuality behind personal motives, experiences, and situations of life (Colebrook 5). Irony has different levels: it could be verbal, situational, and dramatic. In a story, irony should be assessed on both personal and communal grounds. Presence of verbal irony in this tale is evident by the hurtful dialogues directed towards the artist. Kafka has very clearly expressed the suspicion, public indifference and dejection experienced by the artist through the narrative. The artist is compared to an animal at several occasions, and by the end of the story, his cage is habited by a panther which is not only insulting, but also ironic to a much greater extent. The quote â€Å"Starvation artist might respond with an outbreak of rage and, to everyone's horror, begin to rattle the bars of his cage like an animal† proves this point (Kafka 61). ... The verbal irony worsens in the last part, where the artist dies due to the unjustified ignorance from his employers but says, â€Å"And forgive me, all of you† (Give It Up! And Other Short Stories 33). This is not just absurd but also ironic because the artist is the receiver of cruelty, negligence, and indifference from the world, but he is asking others to forgive him for his sins. However, this has a lesson which Kafka has conveyed to the reader through a conversation between the artist and the overseer. The artist says, â€Å"I always wanted you to admire my fasting, but you shouldn't admire it† (Give It Up! And Other Short Stories 33). In this story, hunger is used as an element of irony, depicting constraint, isolation, and self-denial which, when imposed, crushes a person spiritually and physically. That is why Kafka clearly stated that such an act must not be admired. Situational irony occurs at numerous points in A Hunger Artist. The aspect that the artist has acknowledged his fading art is an example of situational irony. "In recent decades interest in hunger artists has greatly diminished" (Kafka 56). It is true that entertainment is necessary, but allowing such an odious act for enjoyment sake, and then suddenly rejecting it shows the society’s disrespect for art. The manner in which fasting act was conducted provides sufficient evidence for situational irony. The artist was confined in a cage, and guards kept a constant check on him. â€Å"There were also permanent watchmen, usually butchers – whose job it was, always three at a time, to watch the starvation artist day and night† (Kafka 57). Such a situation is ironic because it depicts the indifferent attitude of the public and employers towards a

Abstract critique Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Abstract critique - Essay Example The research identified leadership skills that school administrators need to manage an inclusive school setting. The recommendations and findings of the research support the literature presented by the researchers and yields valuable insights for program recommendations. The article emphasizes the need for school leaders to equip themselves with knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs to enhance their leadership skills that would eventually create an effective schools program aimed at recruiting and maintaining competent special education teachers. Furthermore, educators must be responsive to the diverse needs of an inclusive school set-up which can only be accomplished by upgrading one’s self. The research combined quantitative and qualitative methods to acquire triangulation that would enhance the validity and reliability of the result. Researchers also employed the assistance of three independent researchers to conduct face validity of the quantitative instruments used. Although the methods are good, the researchers could have utilized more quantitative methods. The evidence was strong as confirmed by the results of the research. For example, one of the results showing the challenges faced by school administrators is â€Å"lack of ability to generate solutions and options in resource mgt.†. At the beginning of the research, this was one of the issues raised by the Council for Exceptional Children presented as â€Å"overwhelming paperwork† which is a roadblock towards the effective management of inclusion schools. There are other similar issues that the researchers raised at the beginning of the article which was later validated by the research. The article can be a good platform for other researchers to pursue studies in order to concretely and comprehensively cover more challenges in educational leadership dealing with special education administration. There