Maintenance And Redevelopment Of Aged Public Housing Estate Construction Essay

Support And Redevelopment Of Aged Public Housing Estate Construction Essay Since the fire in Shek Kip Mei on 25 December 1953 that made 53,000 individuals destitute, because of the shantytowns of the China outsiders were decimated. As the populace development of Hong Kong is extremely quick from the five decades prior because of the outsiders and birthrate. At present, Hong Kong Government is confronting the issue of thickness populated. Hence, Hong Kong Government doles out Hong Kong Housing Authority to create open lodging system of multi story working for settlers to living there. Thusly, Hong Kong Housing Authority has been transform into the greatest open lodging designer and the single owner in Hong Kong. All things considered, the lodging condition and the practicability is the significant thought of the area, on the grounds that the fundamental idea of open lodging is fulfill the essential and genuine need of townspeople, who can't bear the cost of the private lodging necessity. These days, there are numerous open lodging home are out of the current norm and old fashioned inferable from the time is slip by. Along these lines, Hong Kong Housing Authority dispatches the Comprehensive Redevelopment Program to make an improvement of living quality to the occupant that living in old open lodging bequest, there are 566 objective square around 231,403 pads which was worked before 1973 are annihilated and the Comprehensive Redevelopment Program was finished in January 2010. Something else, the Housing Authority complete the Total Maintenance Scheme in 2006 roughly covering 600,000 pads, the Housing Authority article indicating that the principle idea of this plan is Proactive and extensive way to deal with recognize support issues, at that point Prompt reaction to crises and occupants demands, at last, Enhanced special and instructive projects to improve the upkeep quality and administration in broad daylight lodging bequest and upgrade the nature of living conditio n to the inhabitant. As of now in this time, Hong Kong Housing Authority had made two diverse program which are support and redevelopment in various period to upgrade the living nature of open lodging bequest. Building support is a technique to economical of keeping and improves the capacity of offices of matured open lodging. Redevelopment is a strategy that destroy the old fashioned structure and redevelopment, it is confounded, on the grounds that there are numerous elements are contained, (for example brain research influence of occupant, utilization of time, cost of money, accessibility of the land). Therefore, the motivation behind this investigation is research the advantage and burden of upkeep and redevelopment of matured open lodging, express the unique and challenges to go before the redevelopment and support and raise my proposal that base on the assessment of open and the plausibility concentrate on the really condition for the future structure the executives for Hong Kong, . Presentation In this investigation, I will initially give some foundation data of matured open lodging in Hong Kong. At that point, I will introduce an away from foundation of support and redevelopment, for example, the meaning of upkeep and redevelopment, and basically survey the state of matured open lodging in Hong Kong. At that point, I will assess and analyze the goal of government strategy for decision among support and redevelopment of matured open lodging, so as to settle on the best choice between selection of upkeep and redevelopment of matured open lodging in Hong Kong. Also, I will plot and talk about the components adding to the choice. In addition, I will predominantly concentrate on three elements, monetary, condition and auxiliary wellbeing. Furthermore, I will at that point plot the favorable circumstances and detriments of support and redevelopment, which can influence the choice between appropriation of upkeep and redevelopment of matured open lodging. At long last, I will sum up the components which can influence the dynamic and give a few proposals to the future dynamic and redevelopment for open lodging home. Points and Objective The point of this exposition is to audit and assess the choice for the old open structure among upkeep and redevelopment of Hong Kong. Objective: A chronicled audit the foundation of open lodging in Hong Kong. A writing audits the meaning of support and redevelopment and looks at the factor which decides the choice among redevelopment and upkeep. Do research and meeting with chosen target building and gathering. Choice of open structure for contextual analysis. A basic information examination and data dependent on the end drawn from all audit and exploration. End and suggestion dependent on the basic investigation and aftereffect of the examination. History of open lodging in Hong Kong The presence of open lodging in Hong Kong essentially because of the fire in Shek Kip Mei on 25 December 1953, the fire demolished the stopgap homes of evacuees from Mainland China, leaving 53,000 individuals destitute. After the fire, and confronting a flood of migrant populace, at that point the legislature propelled an open lodging project to present the possibility of multi story working for the foreigner populace living there, along these lines initiating a program of mass open lodging, giving moderate homes to those on low earnings. A few researchers have contended that the administration has been exaggerating the job of the fire throughout the entire existence of open lodging in Hong Kong. These days, open lodging office is the weightiest position of the general public. Open lodging home major gave a home to people groups who cannot manage the cost of the private convenience in genuine need, in light of the fact that the paces of open lodging are truly lower than private lodging. At present, there are 169 open lodging domain (around 656,000 open rental pads and home around 2.2 million individuals) under the Housing Authoritys (HA) the executives scope. Examination strategy and huge of study Examination is a procedure, which is the best approach to find the solution and question to theory in various method of this investigation and bolster the end from data of the exploration. Moreover, technique is use for demonstrate reality of the supposition, the philosophy that is look over writing survey (for example news, article, diary, book) and examination for target individual (for example bunch talk with, singular meeting, survey). Section diagram Section one is the Introduction of this investigation, in this part, the historical backdrop of Honk Kong open lodging home is presented first, at that point characterize the principle focal point of this examination plainly and clarify the wellspring of data about this investigation. In this manner, an away from of this examination accommodated the peruser from this section. Part two is the Literature Review, in this section, the definition and normal for upkeep and redevelopment are distinguish by writing or article or diary, from that point onward, the factor of impact that among support and redevelopment is perceive base on the idea discoveries of upkeep and redevelopment, the significant data from the article or diary are recap and analyze the information on the most applicable. Section Three is the Methodology, in this part is to settle on a basic audit on the choice for the old open structure among support and redevelopment of Hong Kong. The philosophy comprises of a writing audit, trailed by poll review and the resulting meeting. The end from the examination of the aftereffects of poll and meeting overviews would be filled in as a ground for figuring the suggestions. Section Four is the Findings and Data Analysis, in this part all data and information that gathered would be sorted out in this part and definite conversation and investigation would be introduced from the meeting and the poll. Section Five is the Conclusion and Recommendations, in this part, last end and proposals will be made dependent on the conversation, gathered data and investigation made in Chapter three and four. Writing survey Meaning of Maintenance As per British Standard 8210 characterized support as the mix of all specialized and regulatory activity proposed to hold a thing in, or reestablish it to, a state where it can play out its necessary capacity. What's more, the past rendition of British Standard (BS 3811: 1964) expressed that upkeep as a mix of any activities did to hold a thing, or reestablish it to, a worthy condition. There are not many parts are distinguished from the above definition. As indicated by the British Standard expressed that Action not just identified with the physical execution of support work, likewise worried about its introduction, financing and association. The idea of an adequate condition, which infers and comprehension of the necessity for the powerful use of the structure and its parts, which thusly urges more extensive thought of building execution, Sanctioned of Institute of Building offer the followings meaning of upkeep: Works attempted so as to keep, reestablish or improve each office, for example all aspects of building, its administrations and encompasses, to a concurred norm, controlled by the harmony among need and accessible assets. The advisory group on Building Maintenance suggested the reception of the followings: Meaning of support: Work embraced so as to keep, reestablish or improve each office for example all aspects of building, its administrations and encompasses to a right now worthy norm and to support the utility and estimation of the office. Appropriate upkeep can broaden the helpful existence of a structure considerably. Redesign of old structures is some of the time a suitable option in contrast to redevelopment as it makes considerably less interruption the influenced inhabitants. It can likewise improve the earth and decrease the requirement for urban restoration from the Planning condition and Lands Branch, 1996 English norm (BS 3811: 1984) clas

Essay on Aspen Ski Case

Article on Aspen Ski Case Article on Aspen Ski Case On the off chance that I held the situation of Executive Director of Sustainability for Aspen Skiing Company, I would have prompted CEO Mike Kaplan to not sign onto the Greenpeace drove Kimberly-Clark blacklist. There were unequivocal advantages of supporting the blacklist, for example, having the option to have a significant effect on the green activities of another organization yet the negative consideration that ASC would get from appending their name to this battle would exceed any advantages that would have been picked up. Supporting the blacklist had the danger of welcoming undesirable media consideration and allegations of â€Å"greenwashing†, which is when organizations would attempt to depict themselves as being earth proactive while really doing almost no for nature. ASC had its own difficulties to manage, including an undertaking to grow one of its ski regions by 500 sections of land as it confronted solid push once more from the nearby network and untamed life advo cates. Despite the fact that ASC had made immense walks in diminishing their carbon impression and were being as earth manageable as could be expected under the circumstances, they expended colossal measures of vitality on account of the idea of the ski business; this could be viewed as dubious on the grounds that an organization that utilizes monstrous measures of vitality and frees enormous segments from woodlands for its working exercises can't censure another organization for not being maintainable. Additionally I feel that they ought to concentrate their assets and endeavors on what they are eminent for, giving a rich and world-class skiing

The Effect of Clinical Simulation on Student Self-Efficacy in learning Dissertation - 1

The Effect of Clinical Simulation on Student Self-Efficacy in learning - Dissertation Example Cases like these point to the estimation of clinical reenactment in nursing training to help engage such understudies in having the option to deal with testing assignments and circumstances in their own training. Clinical reproduction is characterized by Waxman (2010) as an instructing technique that gives understudies learning encounters intently looking like genuine conditions that they are probably going to experience in their expert practice. â€Å"Simulated clinical experience requires drenching understudies in an agent understanding consideration situation, a setting that impersonates the genuine condition with adequate authenticity to permit students to suspend disbelief† (p.29). Explicit to nursing training is the usage of a similar high-constancy puppet which gives a significant level of intelligence and authenticity to nursing understudies during their reenactment procedures (Jeffries, 2007). The combination of reproduction in the nursing instruction educational plan s is invited by nurture teachers as another and compelling technique that vows to set up the understudies better for a future in the nursing calling as able and certain wellbeing laborers. Setting up a clinical reproduction circumstance takes a lot of time, arranging and exertion that draws its data from speculations and expert encounters (Waxman, 2010). The unpredictability of clinical recreation brings up the issue in the event that it improves a student’s self-viability to be a progressively proficient expert or leave the understudy overpowered with the plausible difficulties the person will look by and by. Self-viability is one pointer of an individual’s view of how solid and steady the person is in having the option to effectively achieve errands (Bandura, 1977, 1986). Further, Bandura (2004) clarifies that: â€Å"Efficacy convictions impact objectives and yearnings. The more grounded the apparent self-viability, the higher the objectives individuals set for them selves and the firmer their duty to them. Self-viability convictions likewise decide how obstructions and hindrances are seen. Those of high viability see obstructions as conquerable by progress of self-administration aptitudes and perseverant effort† (p. 145). Subject This examination will investigate clinical recreation as another strategy for learning in nursing training. It will talk about the comparing subjective and full of feeling forms that the understudy experiences during the reenactment and finish on the off chance that it is undoubtedly a viable methodology in the improvement of understudy viability. The examination issue The exploration issue modeled for this investigation is â€Å"How does clinical reenactment influence a student’s self-adequacy in learning in Nursing education?† Background and support. The present requests of human services require increasingly forceful preparing of medicinal services experts so as to address the developing needs o f an industry that is attacked with a large number of diseases. An ever increasing number of maladies concoct manifestations that might be bizarre. These may represent an enormous test to new medical caretakers who have been prepared in the customary methodologies of talks, conversations, pretend and research facility practice, as these may not, at this point be viable (Waxman, 2010). A medical attendant should be completely prepared in different regions and has amassed enough encounters to have the option to deliberately observe their best courses of action. Such moves might be pivotal to the treatment and security of the patient and along these lines,

Topics To Write An Argumentative Essay On

Topics To Write An Argumentative Essay OnWhile topics to write an argumentative essay on can be a very general question, it is worth asking what the topic should be. The reason for this is that different topics can be very specific in their issue or detail. It is, therefore, important to write about issues with more specificity.One of the most common argumentative essay topics is the economy. In a situation where businesses or firms are not performing well, and there is not enough money coming in to fund new investments or pay off existing debts, then an argumentative essay can be written on the importance of having enough money to invest in the future. In other situations, the economy could be going badly as one or several companies face difficulties and may be forced to lay off staff and cut down production. This is an argumentative essay topic which would require more specificity in the presentation of the information. For example, instead of talking about the lack of money, one c ould talk about how businesses that faced problems should have been able to secure the resources they needed to run smoothly.There are several ways of presenting economic analysis of statistics in an argumentative essay. In fact, a lot of professors will tell students how to effectively use data and analysis to create an argumentative essay. One way is to make the most out of the data which has been collected. Students who are good at data collection will be in a great position to write an argumentative essay on any situation. A better way is to focus on the more relevant areas of analysis.Another way to address economic debate is to show how the statistics are related to the people's lives. Statistics can help us to understand how some people are affected by a certain condition and how they can improve their lives. In fact, they can also help us understand why some economic issues occur, which can help us address the cause of the problem and thus its solution. It is important to re member that statistics are quite a specialised subject and that in order to understand it, we should understand not only the statistical process but also the particular kind of statistical questions it can answer. In order to write an argumentative essay on economics, it is important to be able to explain the underlying logic of the methods and to demonstrate how the results will be used to make predictions. Of course, it is also important to understand how the theories and methods apply to current situations.Students have to realize that statistics have to be used and understood in a specific way. While arguments can be made about how a particular problem might be solved, a student can't argue how statistics can solve a particular problem. Students need to understand that statistics is not just about statistics but also about what the statistics can show us about an individual, a company or a country.As statistics continues to develop, more students will be required to be familiar with these principles. For those who wish to specialize in statistics, however, they need to make sure that they learn from the best and the most reputable institutes, as they will be able to get better results in the area.

The Change Story of Yellow Auto and Recommendations for the Company Free Essay Example, 2000 words

The research will examine two significant components of the company from a sociological point of view. The first is the problem with the previous decision-making system that stood in the way of reforms. The second is the examination of the new systems that were implemented to attain the objectives of the company. The first observation of the old decision making system is that it was a centralized system that was steeped in the owner who doubled as the president and the top manager of the company. Lussier identifies that centralization of authority means that the organization's group structure operates around a single unit of the entity and this has an influence on communication and interpersonal relationships in the organization (2011, p. 174). In examining group dynamics, there is a distinction between formal and informal groups. A formal group is one where there is a consciously created set of roles and obligations that are well defined (Chevalier, 2007, p. 105). An informal grou p is established through relationships. In the case of Yellow Auto (1988 2001), there were unwritten rules and employees lacked autonomy. We will write a custom essay sample on The Change Story of Yellow Auto and Recommendations for the Company or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page

Steroids The Most Exciting Season Ever Since Major...

The most exciting season ever in major league baseball was 1998 when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa both chased after Babe Ruth’s record of sixty home runs in a single season. No one knew who would come out on top throughout the season, but in the end Mark ended up with 72 and Sammy with 66. Every baseball fan in America thought of these two guys as heroes, but the sad truth was that both of them had been cheating by using steroids. Steroids are a drug that will help increase your testosterone levels which makes for better all-around performance. Steroids were developed in the 1930’s when the drug was invented to treat Hypogonadism in which the testes don’t produce enough testosterone for normal growth and development. Steroids were first tested on laboratory animals, and when scientist found out that steroids could facilitate the growth of skeletal muscle that’s when many athletes such as body builders and weight lifters began using this harmful drug. 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Project Management Accounting

Question: DescriptionHobart Beverage Company uses the weighted-average method in its process costing system. Materials are included at the start of the production process but conversion costs are uniformly applied throughout the production process. The following data about the Packaging Department. were taken from the companys accounting records: In 1 January 2016, there were 20,000 units in the work in process inventory that were 40% completed and 150,000 units in the finished goods inventory. The company sold 300,000 units during January. Sales price per unit is $7. There were 32,000 units, which were 75% complete as to conversion costs, in the work in process inventory and 120,000 units in the finished goods inventory at the end ofJanuary. Cost data are summarized below: WIP 1 January 2016 Cost per equivalent unit Direct Materials $ 34,900 Materials $2.45 Conversion costs $ 41,500 Conversion $3.15 Required: 1. How many units were transferred from the Packaging Department to the Finished Goods Department during the month? 2. What were the equivalent units of production for direct materials and conversion costs for the month of January? 3. Compute the total costs incurred in January for (a) materials and (b) conversion. 4. Compute (a) the cost of WIP Inventory as of 31 January 2016 and (b) the cost of units completed and transferred out during the month. 5. What is the cost of goods sold by taking the unit cost data from the answers to requirement 3 above? 6. Assuming conversion cost consists 40% of labour costs and that manufacturing overhead cost is 60% fixed cost, calculate how many units ABC Company must sell to breakeven during January. Show all necessary formula and computations. Answer: 1:- 2,70,000 units were transferred from packaging department to finished goods during the month of January. The details is as follows:- i) Calculation for Unit Transferred from Packaging Dep. to Finished Goods :- Particulars Units Closing Stock of Finished Goods 120000 Add : Sales during the Month 300000 Less : Opening Stock of Finished Goods 150000 Units Transferred from WIP to FG 270000 2:- The equivalent units of direct material and conversion cost for the month are shown in the following table:- ii) Equivalent Units for Direct Material and Conversion Cost :- Direct Material Conversion Cost Particulars Total Units Percentage Equivalent Units Percentage Equivalent Units Total Goods manufactured in the month 250000 100% 250000 100% 250000 Opening Stock of WIP 20000 0% 0 60% 12000 Closing Stock of WIP 32000 100% 32000 75% 24000 TOTAL 282000 286000 3:- Total Cost, incurred for direct materials and conversion cost, are calculated below:- iii) Computation of Total Direct Material Conversion Cost:- Particulars Per Unit Cost Equivalent Units Total Cost Direct Material 2.45 282000 690900 Conversion Cost 3.15 286000 900900 4: Both of the cost of Closing WIP and cost of Units completed and transferred during the month are ascertained and exhibited below:- iv) Cost of Closing WIP and Units Completed Transferred:- Particulars Total Units % of Consumption Cost per Unit Total Amount a) Cost of Closing WIP Inventory:- Direct Material 32000 100% 2.45 78400 Conversion Cost 32000 75% 3.15 75600 Total Cost of Closing WIP Inventory 32000 154000 b) Cost of Units Completed Transferred:- Direct Material 250000 100% 2.45 612500 Conversion Cost 250000 100% 3.15 787500 Cost of Units Completed during the month 250000 1400000 Direct Material 20000 0% 2.45 0 Conversion Cost 20000 60% 3.15 37800 Cost of Opening WIP completed in the month 20000 37800 Total Cost of Units Completed Transferred during the Month 270000 1437800 5: The cost of goods sold is computed in the table below:- v) Computation of Cost of Goods Sold:- Particulars Amount Amount Unit Cost per Unit Direct Material 690900 Conversion Costs 900900 Factory Cost 1591800 Opening WIP Inventory 76400 Less : Closing WIP Inventory 154000 -77600 Cost of Goods Manufactured 1669400 Opening Finished Goods Inventory 840000 Less : Closing Stock of Finished Goods 672000 168000 Cost of Goods Sold 1837400 300000 6.12 6: The Break Even Point as per the given point is as follows:- vi) Break Even Point :- Particulars Amount Amount Total Cost Per Unit of Goods Sold 6.12 Less : Direct Material 2.45 Labour Cost 1.26 3.71 Contribution Per Unit 2.41 Fixed Cost Manufacturing Cost Overhead 540540 Break Even Point in Unit (Fixed Cost/Contribution p.u.) 223857 Note : All the calculation are shown in the attached spread sheet. Bibliography:- Alhabeeb, M.J., 2012. Breakà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ Even Analysis.Mathematical Finance, pp.247-273 Vanderbeck, E.J., 2012.Principles of cost accounting. Cengage Learning

Stanley Black and Decker Essay Example

Stanley Black and Decker Essay Madison Avenue New York, New York April 24, 2010 John F. Lundgren President amp; Chief Executive Officer Stanley Black amp; Decker 1000 Stanley Drive New Britain, CT 06053 Dear Mr. Lundgren, In response to your request, an evaluation of your firm, Stanley Black amp; Decker, was conducted to determine the strategic issues and problems within and surrounding your firm. This consisted of a review of the external environment, a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis incorporating identification of factors which drive the business, a determination of the company’s financial condition and performance, and consideration of ethics and social responsibility. Please find attached for your consideration a copy of my Business Report containing discussion of the preceding, as well as numerous conclusions and recommendations with justification. The principal recommendations for your firm are as follows: Short term recommendation 1. Shut down the power tool business 2. Expansion in security segment, especially health care product line 3. Decrease dividend-payout-ratio Long term recommendation 1. Create a marketing team with CRM members which will interact and develop relationship with Home Depot and Lowes, so that better and more shelve space can be acquired in the stores. 2. The merged company can ask for higher discounts for procuring raw materials 3. Improve after sales customer support service In the event you have any questions in this regard, please do not hesitate to contact me. Very truly yours, Rana Nayak We will write a custom essay sample on Stanley Black and Decker specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Stanley Black and Decker specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Stanley Black and Decker specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Senior Business Analyst Statement of Recommendations Short-term 1. Create a marketing team with CRM members which will interact and develop relationship with Home Depot and Lowes, so that better and more shelve space can be acquired in the stores. 2. To attract female customers, manufacture the consumer tools with appealing colors like green or pink. Also make these products lighter and ergonomic. 3. Form a division in the company to handle lawsuits filed against the company. The expenses have to be reduced as litigation expenses are substantial. 4. Employ Asian managers to carry out operations in Asia. . The merged company can ask for higher discounts for procuring raw materials 6. Design better packaging for attracting customers at retail stores like Home Depot and Lowes. 7. Advertise on TV Shows. 8. Improve customer service for after sales. 9. Do not shut down any plant in China. 10. Create a market research team to research about the tool industry in Asian Markets. 11. The compan y should design products for international market 12. Use the Black amp; Decker distribution system in the U. S markets to expand Stanleys product line in the retail segment. 13. Start Point-of Sale data collection 4. Set up a showcase office in New Delhi, India. Long-term Recommendations 1. For the segments of Convergent Security Solutions, Health care Solutions and Mechanical Access Solutions the company should maximize their investment and also try to seek market dominance since the market is growing. 2. Shut down the power tool business. 3. Cost containment and the Security segment continue to be bright spots. 4. Moodys has downgraded of StanleyBlackamp;Decker ratings to Baa1. Pay off some debt by reducing dividend payout ratio. 5. Decrease the underfunded debt obligation of $412. million for Stanley Works 6. The cost of production can be decreased by adopting economies of scale. 7. Procurement units can be moved closer to manufacturing plants 8. Invest in Ramp;D 9. Joint venture with â€Å"Future Group† in India to attain shelf places in the biggest retail chain stores. 10. The markets in India and China will be only targeted in the Industrial amp; Automotive and Security business s egments. 11. Open new service centers where products can be repaired and refurbished products should be sold at the same centers instead of Home Depot or Lowes. 2. The material facilities not being used by the company can be sold or leased to other companies. 13. Invest in Training 14. Implement SAP throughout the company. Remote/External Environment a) Economic Factors CDIY amp; INDUSTRIAL The hand tool industry is dependent upon the residential and commercial construction and home repair and renovation industries. The economic recession in the early 2000’s declined the demand in commercial and industrial sectors. However, growth in housing sectors has helped in sustaining the industry. In 2005, the hand tool industry sold $1. 4 billion but in 2006 it dropped down by $100million. Despite a sluggish economy in the early years of the first decade of the 2000s, the climate for hand tools remained positive. Extremely low interest rates caused a surge in new housing starts from 1. 2 million in 2000 to an estimated 1. 6 million in 2003. While residential construction boosted sales among professionals, consumer uncertainty about the economy, as well as the war against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, caused a trend toward nesting. Home improvement and DIY projects rose as people postponed travel and other major undertakings, thus driving the consumer hand tool market. The power tool or pneumatic tools and fasteners include nail guns, staplers, nails and staples that are used for construction, remodeling, furniture making, pallet manufacturing and other applications involving the attachment of wooden materials. Industry growth depends upon increased expenditures in the ho me improvement, home repair and maintenance, and residential and commercial construction sectors. By 2005, increased purchases by women, who were tackling more DIY projects, also drove sales and demand for lightweight, easy-to-use designs. On the other hand, the global recession of 2008-09 had a huge impact on the housing industry. New housing starts reached an unprecedented low of just 494,000 as of May, 2009, which was down nearly 13% from just the previous month. This in turn severely impacted the financials of the major industry players, such as Black amp; Decker, who saw sales of their power hand tools drop by more than $800 million or 23% compared to the previous year. The industry shipped products valued at $1. 3 billion in 2006, which represented a drop from the $1. 4 billion shipped in 2005. However, according to The Freedonia Group, industry growth in the mid to late years of the first decade of the 2000s was projected to be driven by powerful, high-end tools and the continuing proliferation of cordless products. Professional buyers were anticipated to continue to generate more revenues than consumers, but in the DIY market overall growth was expected to outpace professional sales. SECURITY The company provides extensive suite of mechanical and electronic security product system and a variety of security services such as security integration system , software related installation, maintenance, monitoring services, automatic doors, door closers, exit devices, healthcare storage and supply chain solutions, patient protection products, hardware and locking mechanisms. A substantial portion of company’s products are sold to home centers and mass merchants in U. S and Europe. Security products are sold on a direct sales basis and in certain instances through party distributors. Despite the trend towards customer consolidation, the company has been able to make diversified customer base and has decreased customer concentration risk over the past several years. The sales from continuing operations in markets outside the home centers and mass merchant distribution channels have grown at a greater rate through combination of acquisitions and other efforts to broaden the customer base primarily in Security and Industrial segments. Porters Five Forces The threat of substitute products or services: Construction amp; DIY Low The hand tools industry is saturated with numerous small and large companies producing hand tools which include measuring and leveling tools, planes, hammers, demolition tools, knives and blades, screwdrivers, saws, chisels and consumer tackers. The tools are considered as commodities. Consumers are looking for products at better pricing. Local companies are producing these non-powered tools which are less priced as consumers are not concerned for quality. This is true for US, European and Asian markets. Pneumatic tools and fasteners include nail guns, staplers, nails and staples that are used for construction, remodeling, furniture making, pallet manufacturing and other applications involving the attachment of wooden materials. Industrial – Low There are no substitute products for industrial segment as tool will always be required in this segment. Only innovations can be done which can be counted as a competition. Security – Low Threat of substitutes in this industry is low as there are fewer chances of customers going for something that is second best as far as security services are concerned. The threat of the entry of new competitors Construction amp; DIY The growth in the commercial construction has made up the decline in residential construction last year but now that it is also slowing down the outlook for professional power tools is looking gloomy in the U. S. The threat of new competitors is low as the industry has already multiple established companies providing a wide range of hand tools and power tools to consumers. Industrial The Stanley works industrial segment faces an intense competition because there are many manufacturers of industrial products. Each company wants to achieve competitive advantage over other in terms of quality, technology, price, distribution and brand/image reputation. They would face competition not only in terms of similar products but also products that can be used as a substitute for its products. The primary competitors include SK Tools, Multi-power Tools, Bosch etc. Security The security industry is a commodity industry. Growth in this industry is related to the growth of the housing and construction industries. The North American and European markets are already mature, while the emerging markets of Asia and Latin America have strong growth potential. Companies compete aggressively on price, quality, after-sales service, manufacturing efficiency, and supply chain management. Companies tend to spend their advertising dollars on trade shows, trade publications, magazines and newspaper advertisements, and in-store displays. Threat of Entry LOW The barriers to entry within this industry are moderate to low due to brand preferences and customer loyalty towards the larger and more established rival companies. Other obstacles to new entrants include strong brand loyalty to establish firms and economic factors, such as requirement for large sources of capital, specialized facilities, and the technology and manufacturing plants. In addition, the accessibility of distribution channels can be difficult for an unknown firm with little or no brand recognition. Since there are several competitive forces in this industry, it is a difficult industry to penetrate in and be competitive. The entry barriers are high in this industry. There are already a lot of competitors in this industry and they can it difficult for a new entrant by using price cuts, increased advertising, product improvement, and promotions. Supply side economies of scale: Since companies produce large volumes then can capitalize economies of scale this can deter companies from entering the market because either they have to enter in large scale or assume a cost disadvantage. Unequal access to distribution channels: New comers will not have the same kind of access to distribution channels which is their main source of customers. The intensity of competitive rivalry In hand tools, with 50,300 employees and sales of approximately $12. 7 billion in 2008, Danaher Corp. of Washington, D. C. was the industry leader. Danaher expanded by merging with Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company, Acme-Cleveland Corporation, Pacific Scientific Co. , and Joslyn Corp. According to the International Directory of Company Histories, in 1994 Danaher Corporation was recognized as the worlds largest producer of drill chucks, the countrys largest producer and marketer of Swiss screw machine components, and the leading automotive tools supplier to the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA) and Sears. In the power tools segment, the major industry players are Milwaukee, Makita, Stanley and Black amp; Decker. The bargaining power of customers (buyers) Construction amp; DIY High The bargaining power of buyers is high because as availability of professional segment tools, the products under Do It Yourself segment have become commodities. Hence consumers prefer better quality along with better pricing. Buyers switching cost have become low also as the tools from different companies are available in outlets like Sear, Kmart, Wal-Mart. Hence the bargaining power of buyers is high as all the power tools have more or less same design and serve same purpose. Industrial High The power of buyers is relatively high because for Industrial segment they have two types of customers. i. e. Direct Sales Customers and Retailers/Distributors. The consumers to whom the products are sold directly purchase the products based on their requirements, and price. In case of retailers/distributors they purchase the products in large quantities, which gives buyers substantial leverage over price. There are many manufacturers available in this industry that also provide the same products at very competitive prices. And the customers who buy these products have no switching costs, hence their bargaining is high. For e. g. during economic instability customers are reluctant to spends their money on very expensive or branded products instead they will choose to buy the products which gives them the work at a lower price. Security High Although the company has an established brand in the field of security tools it’s customers have a wide variety of options to choose from. With increased completion from private label brands the customers have high bargaining power. The bargaining power of suppliers Construction amp; DIY Low The bargaining power of suppliers is LOW because, multiple vendors are available for raw material procurement. Industrial Low The suppliers to the Stanley Works are producers/ distributors of ferrous and non-ferrous metals including, but not limited to steel, aluminum, zinc, brass, copper and nickel, as well as resin. the Company uses other commodity based materials for components and packaging including, but not limited to, plastics, wood, and other corrugated products. The raw materials required are procured globally and available from multiple sources at competitive prices. The Stanley Works can obtain these products at a very cheaper rate as there are many sources available. Hence in this case the bargaining power of suppliers is less. Bargaining power of suppliers – low The raw materials required are produced globally and are available from multiple sources at competitive prices. The company does not anticipate difficulties in obtaining any raw materials or energy used in production process. Hence the bargaining power of suppliers is very low. Social Factors CDIY amp; Industrial Professional power tool users include construction workers, electricians, plumbers, repair and maintenance workers, auto mechanics, and manufacturing workers. They are very conscious of quality and features and tend to buy only those tools that are durable, functional, dependable, and capable of precision. They purchase tools through jobbers, contractor supply firms, industrial supply house, building supply centers, and some home improvement centers. The industry is growing as the world population grows rapidly. In U. S. A. , real GDP grew at an average annual rate of 4. 1 percent from 1995 to 2000 compared with 2. 7 percent from 1987 to 1995. Private wage and salary disbursements increased as GDP grew. Key product trends, such as ergonomic designs, added features, and improved battery performance, influences current product development. Fastening and assembly is one of the few areas in manufacturing where things are continually moving fast. No longer can the design and cost of fasteners be viewed outside of the manufacturing process. The design of the fastener and its impact on production costs and product development process must be taken into consideration, rather than treated as piecemeal. Security Security is a multibillion-dollar industry, consisting of a diverse group of corporations that supply personnel and products designed to protect public and private property and individuals from a variety of problems such as theft, arson, and personal attacks. Services include security guards, private investigators, and consultants. Products range from armored cars to X-ray scanning devices to bank vaults. In addition, an area of significant growth and importance for the security industry in the early years of the first decade of the twenty-first century was securing intangibles, in particular intellectual property, computer-stored information or data, and computer networks. Throughout the world, it was an especially important industry in view of real and assumed threats to national security, petroleum pipelines, nuclear power plants, and the global economy, among others. Political Factors Power tools are subject to various safety and environmental laws and regulations. There are several accidents that can involved power tool. Power tools can pose electrical hazards, fire and explosion hazards, projectile hazards, cuts, abrasions, and amputation hazards, ergonomic hazards and noise hazard. Power tools are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Underwriters Laboratories Inc. , and CSA International. For both retail and professional power tools, they can both be dangerous if they are not used properly but for more so for professional because they are used on a daily basis. A major risk faced by professionals that use power tools is the Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome which is a collection of disorders caused by overexposure to vibration of portable power tools. Regulations have been put in place by OSHA that makes employers responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment used by employees. A risk that is faced by both retail consumers and professionals is loss of hearing; power tools can generate noise levels that can exceed 85 dBA when that occurs users should wear hearing protection. In recent news, the Government Accountability Office has been asked to investigate OSHA’s reporting on work-related injuries and illnesses. This would affect the power tools because stricter regulations can be put in place that would affect the design and production of power tools. Industrial Fastening System Increased sales of Japanese automobiles affected the operation of both OE and aftermarket parts manufacturers. Because most Japanese aftermarket parts were furnished by Japanese OE suppliers, the volumes of replacement parts for domestic parts suppliers dropped as Japanese vehicles increased their market share in the United States. Foreign vehicles manufactured in the U. S. had significantly fewer domestic suppliers than Big Three’s cars. At the request of U. S. suppliers, the FTC began an investigation of alleged antitrust violations by Japanese auto producers in the U. S. As a result, the U. S government forced Japanese automakers to increase their purchasing volume from domestic suppliers. Congress instituted the Fastener Quality Act in 1990 due to the scandal of unqualified fasteners. The strict standards spurred the fastener industry to upgrade its competitive ability more over than foreign competitors. In June 1999, the U. S. fastener industry got its wish when President Clinton signed a series of amendments on the FQA, in an effort to make legislation less burdensome. Supporters of the amending legislation claimed that it shifted the policing focus from government mandated regulations to more â€Å"preventive measures. † The new legislation also recognized decade long industry improvements in quality control and eliminated test performances at government-approved facilities. Plumbing Workers safety measures were gaining fast popularity. Even government and individual chapters were getting involved into it. In response to the same, Black amp; Decker Hardware and Home Improvement group’s Kwikset facility in Denison, Texas became an OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Voluntary Protection Program star facility in 2006. There were specific rules for designing and manufacturing plumbing products laid down by the government as well as other chapters. Price Pfister products in plumbing industry are designed and manufactured in compliance with the standards and codes of Federal specification, American National Standard, Uniform Plumbing Code, Federal Energy Policy Act, California Energy Commission and the Canadian Standard Association. Technological Factors Construction amp; DIY Ergonomics, which is the engineering of tools for maximum comfort and minimal hazard to the human body, was an increasingly popular consideration for this industry. In 1999, Stanley Works redesigned the handles of many of its tools to better fit the human hand and to reduce the likelihood of injury from vibration and other stresses. For instance, the company incorporated a carbon-steel shank into its AntiVibe framing hammer to absorb the shock that traditional hammers transmitted to the human arm. Stanley Works also offered an ergonomic screwdriver with a diamond-textured handle made of soft elastomer and a layer of hard polypropylene, so that consumers could grasp the tool firmly without needing to squeeze hard enough to hurt their hands. Security For several years, demand lagged behind the technologys maturity. Prohibitive implementation costs, lingering technical problems, fears of privacy invasion, and concerns over system accuracy stalled mass implementation. By the middle of the first decade of the twenty-first century, security systems were well entrenched in some sectors, particularly government and health care, but penetration was meager for other industries that were long on promise, such as financial services and the travel industry. In 2006, governmental applications remained the predominant market for security tools, while certain types of security systems enjoyed overwhelming dominance. But the heightened security consciousness in the mid-years of the first decade of the 2000s was making a noticeable impression on the industrys prospects. Decreasing costs and increasing technical sophistication of products meant that security tools were gradually penetrating many kinds of transactions. Security tools technology in the early and middle years of the twenty-first centurys first decade thus enjoyed a period of modest but promising growth, moving out of the realm of science fiction and into everyday life. Environmental Factors Future laws and regulations are expected to be increasingly stringent and will likely increase the industry participants expenditures related to environmental matters. Many companies have been named as potentially responsible party (â€Å"PRP†) in a number of administrative proceedings for the remediation of various waste sites. Current laws potentially impose joint and several liabilities upon each PRP. Business operations of companies are subject to foreign, federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. These laws and regulations define the acceptable methods for the discharge of pollutants and the disposal of products and components that contain certain substances. These laws and regulations also require that products be designed in a manner to permit easy recycling or proper disposal of environmentally-sensitive components such as nickel cadmium batteries. Batteries used in professional power tools should be designed to meet environmental requirements. IV. SWOT Analysis for Stanley Works Strengths The Company’s operations are classified into three business segments: Security, Industrial, and Construction amp; Do-It-Yourself. All segments have significant international operations in developed countries, but do not have large investments that would be subject to expropriation risk in developing countries. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates affect the U. S. dollar translation of international operations in each segment. Core Competencies Stanley works core competency lies in the security segment of the business especially in the Mechanical Access System. Stanley has been making hardware like hinges, hooks safe locks and keys science 1843. Its major brands being Best, Kwikset, Baldwin, or Weiser and many more. Distinctive Competencies The company has a distinctive competency of hedging its Business Segments based on the demand in the market. The company can take profits from on of its segments to cover of the losses for its other based on the current market condition Company has a distinctive competency in its Health care sector. Stanley entered the Health Care sector in 2007 and has grown enormously in this sector with major revenues coming from the health care department. Competitive Strategy The competitive strategy of Stanley Works is acquisitions of  companies for obtaining employees, processes, technologies and solutions. Multiple and diversified revenue streams of Stanley Works: Stanley has a balanced revenue generation from its three business segments. For the year 2008, CDIY (construction and do-it-yourself), security, and industrial accounted for 37. 4%, 33. 8%, and 28. 8% of the companys total revenues, respectively. This diversification of business portfolio is protecting the company’s earning by providing opportunity to follow the demand variability of different product lines. The company has the flexibility to focus on growing industry and tune its production levels accordingly. Strong brand equity The company has established strong brand equity in construction and industrial segments. The key brands of the company include Stanley, Bostitch, FatMax, MaxGrip, DynaGrip, PowerLock, Proto, Husky, Vidmar, ZAG, MAC, Jensen, Contact East, Bostitch, Atro, Cobotics, LaBounty, and Innerspace. The strong brand equity in the construction and industrial segment makes the company the world leader in the design, development and delivery of tools. In addition, the company has numerous trademarks that are used in its businesses worldwide. For instance, the company’s tagline ‘Make Something Great’ acts as a center piece of the brand strategy for all three segments. The company’s list of trademarks include BEST, HSM, National, Sonitrol, GdP , Xmark, LaBounty, MAC, Mac Tools, Proto, Vidmar, Facom, Virax, USAG, the Bostitch, Powerlock, Tape Rule Case Design (Powerlock), and FatMax. These well-known trademarks enjoy the reputation for quality and value and are among the world’s most trusted brand names. Strong brand equity not only ensures employee and customer retention, but also enables the company to launch more products under its own labels. Power tools, lawn and garden products, portable power products, home products, and accessories are marketed around the world under the BLACK amp; DECKER name as well as other trademarks, and trade names, including, without limitation, ORANGE AND BLACK COLOR SCHEME; POWERFUL SOLUTIONS; FIRESTORM; GELMAX COMFORT GRIP; MOUSE; BULLSEYE; PIVOT DRIVER; STORMSTATION; WORKMATE; BLACK amp; DECKER XT; Stanley fulfillment system (SFS) SFS was created to improve Stanley’s long tradition of its business excellence. It helps in improving the company’s business operations such as procurement, quality in manufacturing, maximizing customer fill rates, integrating acquisitions and other key business processes. It operates as a continuous improvement program focused on the needs of the company’s customers. Moreover, SFS acts as a blueprint for company’s success and roadmap for continued growth. In addition, SFS is focused on continuously improving the key areas where Stanley interacts with its customers. The company measures and implements control improvements to its areas of business to ensure customers have a positive experience. The SFS system helps in improving service, increase quality and reduce cost which gives a competitive edge to the company over its rivals. Diversified business operations globally: Material facilities owned by the Stanley Works and its subsidiaries follow: CDIY Miramar, Florida; Fishers, Indiana; Kannapolis, North Carolina; Epping, Australia; Mechelen, Belgium; Oakville, Canada; Leeds, England; Karmiel and Migdal, Israel; Biassono and Figino Serenza, Italy and Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Industrial Phoenix, Arizona; Two Harbors, Minnesota; Columbus, Georgetown, and Sabina, Ohio; Allentown, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; Pecky, Czech Republic; Epernay, Ezy Sur Eure, Feuquieres en Vimeu, Morangis and Villeneuve Le Roi, France; and Fano, Gemonio and Monvalle, Italy. Security Farmington, Connecticut; Sterling and Rock Falls, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Nicholasville, Kentucky; Richmond, Virginia; Cobourg, Canada; Nueva Leon, Mexico; and Xiaolan, Peoples Republic of China. Industrial a. Professional amp; Automotive mechanics tools amp; storage system 1. Broad Array of End Markets . Unique Range Of Government Solutions 3. Light-weighted compared to other available products. b. Hydraulic tools amp; accessories Reduce Initial Costs 1. Air Compressors required to power pneumatic tools are expensive and comparatively the dual hydraulic tool circuit are very cheap. 2. Reduce Operating Costs 1. Less system maintenance: A hydraulic system has few moving parts and is self- lubr icated; therefore requires far less maintenance than an air system. 2. Less tool maintenance:   Hydraulic tools are full of oil at all times, and are thus preserved and lubricated. 3. More efficient. Most hydraulic systems operate at two or three times the efficiency of air systems because the oil is not compressible. 4. No pilferage: While there is a ready market for gasoline or air powered tools, the general public does not have a hydraulic source of power. Hydraulic tools are seldom pilfered. Advantages for the Operator 1. Safer. Hydraulic oil is a poor conductor of electricity. A hydraulic tool with nonconductive hoses is much safer dielectrically than an air tool which may have moisture condensed in the hose. 2. Lower noise levels. Noise of air tools comes from both the compressor and the tool exhaust. Hydraulic tools have neither of these sources, and operate at noticeably lower noise levels. 3. Higher power-weight ratio. Air tools operating at 90-100 psi must be larger and heavier to achieve force

Long-term memory loss and treatments essays

Short/Long-term memory loss and treatments essays For my article summary paper, I have chosen to use chapter 7 The Human Memory. I have picked several articles to summarize. The majority of my information will becoming from Human Memory and Researchers Find Protein that Makes Long-term Memory possible. According to our text book, short-term memory is defined as a limited-capacity store that can maintain unrehearsed information, and long-term memory is defined as unlimited capacity store that can hold information over lengthy periods of time. The first article discusses the functions of short-term memory loss, and gives an example via experiment with mice. The second article focuses on the role protein plays in long-term memory. This article also features an experiment using mice. In the first article, they explains how STM works. When the brain forms new short-term memories, it creates new neurons in a region of the hippocampus called the dentate gyrus. This process also cleans out the outdated memories, in order to fit new ones. The article then talks about popular, but potentially disruptive treatments for Alzheimers disease. Patients with the disease loose cells in the hippocampus. One popular treatment is to transplant stem cells into the region to replace the dead cells. Contrary to that treatment, new work suggest that the addition of new cells might disrupt memory retention. Memory retention is disrupted by altering connections between neurons in the hippocampus and by boosting the memory clearance process. (Human Memory) Richard Harvey, director of research at the Alzheimer's Society, says he is not surprised that stem cell transplants might damage memory. "Our view is that stem cells offer hope in disorders like Parkinson's, but in Alz heimer's the problem is more to do with the network connections of neurons, transplanting new neurons could disrupt these networks, he says. ...

Is No Child Left Behind Working Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Is No Child Left Behind Working - Essay Example Within this context, the Federal government aims to provide economic aid to the state/ local educational agencies to uplift the academic standards of the present educational system in schools. Besides, the success of NCLB was fully vested upon the beneficiaries of the foretold educational policy. The basic factor of NCLB is to help the children with disabilities to acquire an important position within the educational system of the states in USA. As pointed out earlier, the aim of the federal government was systematic but the foretold educational innovation proves to be less successful because the federal government acted the role of a funding agency, not as an authority with full fledged power to alter the implementation and assessment of NCLB. Positives and negatives One can easily identify that the implementation of NCLB is with a number of positive and negative effects within the educational scenario. Gary L. Anderson opines that â€Å"On the positive side, some principals were a ble to use the leverage NCLB gave them to selectively implement some good programs† (27).

Week One Individual Assignment Guillermo Furniture Store Scenario Essay

Week One Individual Assignment Guillermo Furniture Store Scenario - Essay Example This paper discuses budgets, ethical considerations, and other relevant information Guillermo must consider. The current budget for Guillermo Furniture Store has some serious flaws due to an imbalance between income and expenses. In the business world in order for a company to succeed in the long run its income or revenues must exceed its expenses. Guillermo has options available to him, but many of these options require radical change for Guillermo. Two options are to acquire a competitor or to merge with another company. The acquisition of a new firm has to be analyzed based on the budget of the company. The buyer has to have enough capital available to make the purchase. Merging with another competitor can help reduce overhead costs. A potential downside of merging is inefficiencies associated with organizational culture conflicts. The employees from the different business entities have different ways of doing business. Guillermo does not like the time commitments and loss of independence associated with these two options. Budgets are useful accounting tools that can help managers make important decisions. Businesses that do not use budgets can fall victims of misspending and cash shortages. Operating budgets are typically created to forecast the income and expenses of companies for the next year. When managers are dealing with strategic decisions in the long term they use budgets for longer periods of time. Techniques such as time series and regression models can be useful for forecasting purposes. The use of budgets can help managers determine how to implement process improvements to reduce cost. A budget can help a manager determine when the income of a company is insufficient to cover its expenses and make a profit. A budget can also be used by managers to determine when to buy equipment and machinery. If a company makes an above normal profit during a month it can invest more money on equipment. In

Type of clothing line Essay Example for Free

Type of clothing line Essay PINK TARTAN Kimberley Newport-Mimran is the president and head designer of Pink Tartan, . The New York Pink Tartan showroom opened in 2004, and the line is now carried at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Holt Renfrew and The Bay as well as specialty stores across North America, Dubai and Seoul. Newport-Mimran studied fashion merchandising and manufacturing management eventually moving into a career in the buying office at the Hudson Bay Company, North America’s oldest retailer. Her style philosophy was clear: â€Å"simplicity is the secret to elegance. † Newport-Mimran went on to product development and merchandising and specialized in denim and menswear at Club Monaco, where she learned the importance of structure and tailoring. â€Å"Execution is key† became her lifelong mantra. Newport-Mimran later moved to Caban where she further exemplified that sourcing is an art: finding fabric and manufacturing makes the difference in luxury design. There she met and married the CEO, Joe Mimran. Today the pair is viewed as Canadian fashion royalty; Mimran launched the Joe Fresh mass fashion phenomenon after the selling of Club Monaco to Ralph Lauren. Womenswear NARCES (The designer is Nikki irthensohn.) Nikki is a Canadian of Persian heritage who was born in Austria, and grew up in Iran and the UK. She holds a Masters degree in Business from Canada/The Netherlands. Her design education comes from growing up in the industry by learning from her mother an accomplished tailor who worked for Victor Edelstein who designed for the British Royal Family, including some of the most iconic gowns of Princess Diana. With NARCES, Nikki combines her very successful business career with a talent and love for fashion design. Womenswear specializes in after-five and evening wear THRESHOLD FT: RANK BY RANI Emerging designer Rani Kim is re-conceptualizing men’s fashion and modernizing the new era of menswear through her brand, RANK BY RANI. Beginning her fashion education at Ryerson University, Kim was trained to appropriate utilitarian design by redefining the structures of masculine menswear. Referencing her Danish design education from her exchange to Teko Design School in Denmark, Kim began developing designs for the modern international man. Her latest collection shown at Toronto Men’s Fashion Week is a strong example of her attention to detail and minimalist execution, which are strong elements of her brand. menswear KLAXON HOWL Since opening Klaxon Howl in 2005 owner and designer Matt Robinson has drawn inspiration from the archives of his legendary collection of the early to mid 20th century. These important, relevant pieces, books and films are studied and echoed in each design The entire Klaxon Howl collection is produced by hand, locally and in small batches using construction techniques rarely seen in modern North American manufacturing. Matt works with quality fabrics that lend them selves to each design. Most are woven on looms in Japan and cut and sewn with pride right here in Toronto. vintage militaria, workwear and sportswear BEAUFILLE Beaufille is founded by sisters Chloe and Parris Gordon. Beaufille is a contemporary line that references historical design elements within a modern context to create a sophisticated tough girl aesthetic. Beaufille represents the girl who has an eye for sophisticated construction, and who appreciates the juxtaposition between old and new. The Gordon sisters attended the Nova Scotia College Of Art And Design in Halifax, and through their exposure to all forms of art, including painting, drawing, filmography, design, photography, textiles, jewelry and fashion, joined up to create a brand that draws on their collective experiences. womenswear

The Civil Rights Movement Essay -- Black struggle for civil rights in A

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution form what is known as the Bill of Rights. In essence it is a summary of the basic rights held by all U.S. citizens. However, Negro citizens during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950-70’s felt this document and its mandate that guaranteed the civil rights and civil liberties of all people; were interpreted differently for people of color. The freedoms outlined in the Constitution were not enforced the same by the government of the United States for the black race as it did for the white race. â€Å"You all treat us so bad,† just like we are animals.† Those are the words voiced by Mrs. Rosa Parks, a Negro seamstress. Whose refusal to move to the back of the bus and give her seat to a white man, touched off the enormously successful bus boycott of Montgomery, Alabama in the winter of 1956. But on a greater magnitude it fueled the Civil Rights movement of the Negro American. This incident almost single-handedly galvanized Negroes to insist on equal rights according to the laws of the United States government and to end segregation of all public places. To build on the Montgomery victory, black leaders and ministers convened in Atlanta, GA in 1957 to form the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The SCLC main function would be to coordinate the efforts of the many church-based civil rights groups. The mission of the SCLC was to gain all civil liberties by law and not by violence. With Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as its president, the SCLC would become the country’s most powerful civil rights organization. With work to do in all areas to bring about social change for the Negro—notably the segregated schools of the South the SCLC made this their first shot across the bough--figuratively speaking. In 1954 the Supreme Court issued its decision on the case Brown v. Board of Education. The Court ruled that separate-but-equal segregated schools violated the Fourteenth Amendment and that school desegregation must take place â€Å"with all deliberate speed.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This order by the highest court of the United States were not embraced by the White Race or by the burceacy of most state governments. The state bureaucracies swung into full force to intimidate anyone associated with the Civil Rights movement. Black protesters as well as sympathizers to the Civil Rights movement were jailed ... ...tant musical development of the 20th century—has its roots in Black American culture. Thanks to the CIVIL RIGHTS movement, more blacks now get a good education and good jobs than formerly, although there is still a long way to go. Some arguably believe the Civil Rights movement is over...but is it?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In many areas of our country, there is still neighborhood segregation. Realtors and homeowners that conspire to sell only to white in order to keep black and other races out. The right to marry whom you want outside your race is still today a matter of discussion by parties other then the engaged couple. Although Blacks have made strives in the job industries. Yet even in Year 2004 we are still achieving first (Black appointee) in some professions. In the meantime, black leaders and other black citizens of influence, are urging the black race to continue to develop and maintain a sense of pride in their culture. The phrase and song title made famous by the soul singer, Mr. James Brown, â€Å"Black and I’m Proud† and the sister phrase â€Å"Black is beautiful† is a reminder to blacks (and whites) that they have much to be proud of.

Succubus Revealed Chapter 20

I thought about it for half a heartbeat, and even that was too long. There was no question what my decision could be. Seth and I were bound together. Even if it had been for Jerome's convenience, Seth had found my soul across the incredible reaches of the dream world. Seth and I had found each other, life after life, and continually fallen in love. Even if we didn't consciously remember each other, some inner part of ourselves had connected. I remembered Roman's words. Over and over, you find each other and lose each other, you bicker and fight, throw it all away on mistrust and lack of communication. Are you going to let that continue? No, the cycle was going to end. On my terms. These lives we'd lived . . . the pain we'd suffered . . . it wouldn't be for nothing. It didn't matter if Seth hated me and never wanted to see me again. I wouldn't abandon him – not now, not ever. â€Å"No deal,† I said to Roman. â€Å"Seth and I are doing this together, whether he knows it or not.† Roman didn't try to talk me out of it. He simply said, â€Å"You understand what's at stake?† â€Å"I do.† If we failed here, I wouldn't just lose my soul. I would also be looking forward to an eternity in Hell's service, with superiors none-too-pleased that I'd shaken up the status quo. I didn't doubt that there was some article or clause somewhere that said I couldn't be penalized for this, but as I'd noted before, Hell had plenty of ways of punishing people off the record. The Las Vegas position would probably no longer exist, forcing me to relocate to some truly terrible location. Hannibal called the court back to order, and Roman relayed my decision. Hannibal clicked his tongue disapprovingly. â€Å"Risking it all for the new car, eh? Well, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, it falls in your hands now. You've heard the evidence – and lack thereof. Do you believe there is enough ‘proof' to support the petitioner's case? Should both contracts – that these individuals willingly signed – be invalidated?† So much for justice being blind. The jury cast votes anonymously, which I found interesting. It was a small nod toward impartiality, theoretically providing protection to those who voted against their side's best interests. From what both Roman and Marcel had told me, I could see it happening among the angels. But did it ever happen with demons? Even if they knew the right or wrong of a situation, their ultimate goal was to accrue souls for Hell. Would any of them be moved by a case enough to go with their conscience? Was it possible that some spark of goodness could still endure in the darkness of this place? Judging from the quick way everyone scrawled their responses on the pieces of paper given, it didn't look like it. There was no hesitation. The demons wore cocky, self-assured expressions. Angels and demons came from the same stock, but I'd been told that once they spent enough time in Hell, that angelic nature was eroded away. These demons weren't going to lose any sleep about what became of my soul. The votes were collected by the bailiff. He sorted them into two suspiciously similarly sized piles and handed them to the judge. Hannibal did a quick count and nodded to himself before addressing us. A new stillness fell over the room. â€Å"Here we go,† murmured Roman. â€Å"The jury has spoken,† said Hannibal. â€Å"Six to six. We have a tie.† There was a collective exhalation in the room, and then the tension ramped back up as everyone waited for the next step. I shouldn't have been surprised by the tie, but some part of me had been hoping maybe, just maybe, a wayward demon would've voted in my favor. I had my answer. There was no spark of goodness here. It couldn't survive in Hell. â€Å"In accordance with article . . . fuck, I don't know . . . article something-or-other, we'll be going to a tiebreaker vote,† said Hannibal. The bailiff returned with an ornate vase, which he handed to the judge. Hannibal dumped out the contents, revealing a white marble and a black marble. â€Å"In this case, it really is as simple as black and white. If the black one's drawn, a demon casts the deciding vote. If it's white, an angel will.† He paused, looking bemused. â€Å"That's so cliched. I don't suppose we could switch the colors around? Just this once? No? Okay, let's get on with it.† He scanned the jury and pointed to an angel with curly red hair and long-lashed blue eyes. â€Å"You. You'll do the draw.† She nodded her acceptance and approached the bench gracefully. Again, another attempt at justice. If Hannibal had drawn the marbles, I would have been suspicious of the outcome. The fairness of the matter was future solidified when he made her swear to draw fairly, without using her powers to advantage. â€Å"I swear,† she said, placing the marbles in the vase. She shook them up and reached her hand in, casting a brief and – unless I was mistaken – sympathetic look at me. Her hand emerged, closed in a fist. When she opened it, no one could see the marble right away, but her face told the story. â€Å"Shit,† said Roman. The angel's palm revealed a black marble. She handed it to the judge who made no pretense at hiding his joy. He thanked her as she returned to her seat and then held the marble up for all the room to see. There was a murmur of excitement among the demons, delighted at having won the gamble he'd laid before us. I had a moment of regret, but only a small one. I could've walked away from here with my soul and life intact. I could've never brought this up and continued my life as a succubus undisturbed, living out the dream scenario in Las Vegas. Instead, I'd risked everything for the chance to free myself and Seth. And I'd lost for both of us. Had it been worth it? Yes. † ‘Fate' has spoken,† said Hannibal, still admiring the marble. â€Å"Per the rules, the decision now falls to a thirteenth juror, who will be randomly selected from a pool of Hell's illustrious servants. Doris?† Doris began clicking away at her laptop. After a few moments, she gave a nod toward the bailiff. He walked toward the back exit, presumably to escort in the thirteenth juror. My heart felt heavy and leaden, and I was startled when Roman again placed his hand on mine. â€Å"I'm sorry,† he said in a low voice. â€Å"I should have fought harder. Or pushed you to take the deal – â€Å" I squeezed his hand back. â€Å"No. You were perfect. The only thing you shouldn't have done was get involved with this mess.† It was impossible to believe, but whatever fate awaited me after my suit was denied wouldn't be half as bad as his. He gave me a playful smile. â€Å"What, and miss the chance to laugh in the face of Heaven and Hell? Besides, there's no way I could leave you to – â€Å" The courtroom had given way to chatter when the bailiff left, and now silence resumed upon his return. Whatever sentiments Roman had been about to say were lost, as he joined me in looking back to see the demon who would cast the last condemning vote on me. When I did, I had to do a double take. It was Yasmine. I almost didn't recognize her. It had been a year since I'd seen her, a year since I'd watched her fall from grace, transforming from an angel to a demon. Yasmine had committed a number of grave sins as an angel, starting when she'd fallen in love. That alone was forbidden for her kind, but it had gone one step further – she'd fallen for a nephilim named Vincent. Vince was a great guy, but like Roman, the standard reaction from angels and demons alike had been prompt destruction. One angel had finally acted on that impulse, and Yasmine had rushed to defend Vince – killing the other angel in the process. And with that, she had been condemned to Hell. I had seen it. It had been terrible. One angel's death, another's fall. It had all gone down the night Nyx had been found and recaptured. Vince and I had been in the cross fire of it. I'd done what I could for him, but there was nothing I could do to stop Heaven's punishment. Before leaving town, Vince had told me that it didn't matter what I thought I knew about Yasmine. He'd said that once she had spent enough time in Hell and around other demons, she'd become like them. It was what happened to all of them, how someone like Carter could become someone like Jerome. I hadn't believed it at the time but could understand it better after being surrounded in the despair and wrongness of this place. And when I studied her now, I could see it had happened to her too. I remembered a smiling, laughing young woman with sparkling dark eyes and shining black hair. The hair and eyes were ostensibly the same, but there was no light or laughter in them. Her eyes seemed fathomless, dark and cold as she stared straight ahead and walked to the front of the courtroom. She was wearing a gauzy black dress, reminding me of some Goth courtesan, and her long, flowing hair blended into the silken fabric. Even if I'd never met her or known her history, I would have instantly identified her as a demon. Just like the others in the room, there was something in the way she looked and carried herself. I was about to be condemned by someone who had once been my friend. Yasmine reached the front of the courtroom and was gestured toward the witnesses' table. She sat down, gazing around the room with an unreadable expression. â€Å"You've been following the trial?† asked Judge Hannibal. â€Å"Yes,† she said, in a voice as expressionless as her face. How she'd been watching, I couldn't say. With Hell, it could've been closed-circuit TV or a magic mirror for all I knew. â€Å"And you understand your duty?† asked Hannibal. â€Å"Yes,† she replied. Hannibal was trying to maintain some semblance of formality and procedure, but the self-satisfied smirk on his face was kind of negating that. He was too goddamned pleased with himself and this turn of events. â€Å"Cast your vote then, based on the evidence and arguments you've witnessed. If you believe the two contracts are both sound and have not contradicted each other, then cast your vote against the petitioner.† When silence followed, Roman spoke up. â€Å"And if she thinks the two contracts aren't valid?† â€Å"Yes, yes.† Hannibal made a dismissive gesture, annoyed at this obvious waste of his time. â€Å"If you believe the contracts do contradict each other, then cast your vote for the petitioner.† Yasmine was given a piece of paper and pen, just like the other jurors. And just like the others, she wasted no time in writing her vote, her markings swift and certain. When she finished, she looked up serenely, no change in her expression, no sign that we'd ever once known each other. As terrible as I felt about my own fate, I couldn't help but feel nearly as bad for what Hell had done to someone as good and kind as her. No, I thought. Not just Hell. Really, Heaven was just as guilty. What kind of group could advocate goodness and not allow its members to love? Hannibal took the paper from her with a flourish and held it out before him to read. â€Å"In accordance with the laws of this court, and the infallible Kingdom of Hell, the jury finds – † There was a pause, and the next part came out as a question. â€Å"In favor of the petitioner?† A spark of goodness in the darkness. . . . For a moment, nothing happened. The courtroom was silent, frozen in time. Then, several things happened right on top of each other. From behind me, I heard Jerome say, â€Å"Shit.† Yasmine winked at me. Roman hugged me. Hannibal reread the slip of paper, looked at Yasmine, and then swallowed before speaking. â€Å"Both contracts are declared invalid, null and void.† Most of the room was on its feet, voices raised in fury. I had no time to process what they were saying, though, because I was disintegrating away. â€Å"No, not yet!† I exclaimed. I reached desperately for Roman, whose arms had been around me, but couldn't get ahold of him anymore. I was becoming nothing, a will-o'-the-wisp, unable to grasp anything of substance. I tried, though. I tried to grab him and take him with me because there was no way I could leave him here, not in the midst of a bunch of demons pissed off over having just lost two souls. I even tried to say his name, but it didn't work. I had no mouth, no voice anymore. I was leaving this place, and he was staying. The last thing I saw was his sea green eyes regarding me with both happiness and sorrow. I thought I heard him saying something about â€Å"a far, far greater thing,† and then I perceived nothing. I would have screamed in fury if I could have, but I was gone. I was nothing. Only darkness.

Essay on Women in Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown

â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† and Women What are the attitudes of the young Puritan husband Goodman Brown toward women, of the author toward women, of other characters in the story toward women? This essay intends to answer that question. Randall Stewart in â€Å"Hawthorne’s Female Characters† states that there are three types of female characters in Hawthorne’s writings: (1) â€Å"the wholesome New England girl, bright, sensible and self-reliant;† (2) â€Å"the frail, sylph-like creature, easily swayed by a stronger personality;† and (3) â€Å"the woman with an exotic richness in her nature† (98), and that â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† has in Faith â€Å"cheerfulness, prettiness, and a simple-minded domesticity† (99). So this categorizes her under type†¦show more content†¦Leavis says in â€Å"Hawthorne as Poet† that â€Å"It is a journey he takes under compulsion, and it should not escape us that she tries to stop him because she is under a similar compulsion to go on a ‘journey’ herself† (36). So the main male and female characters are manifesting similar (equal?) characteristics. But thinking only of himself, Goodman abandoned Faith to an evening of loneliness at home, or so it initially seemed. Alas, they had been married but three months when he rejected her thus. After a rather hostile accusation of distrust by Brown, Faith wished him well, â€Å"May God bless you!† And he, feeling perhaps that he had been a bit harsh, tried to assuage her fears of spending the night alone by reassuring her, â€Å"Say thy prayers, dear Faith, and go to bed at dusk, and no harm will come to thee.† Then he left her alone. When he had gone as far as the meeting-house, he looked back and saw that she was still looking after him – with a melancholy air. He chided himself, â€Å"What a wretch am I to leave her on such an errand!† Yet he, in his prioritizing, gave her a back seat to his wishes and continued on his way. When into the dense forest, he met the â€Å"grave† man who berated him lightly for his tardiness; Goodman defended himself by blaming it on his wife, â€Å"Faith kept me back awhile.† There was no pause to reflect on the uprightness of his actions; he quite naturally and unhesitatingly blamed Faith for something for which she was mostShow MoreRelatedYoung Goodman Brown from a Moral Standpoint1352 Words   |  6 PagesHawthorne discovered that his ancestors were founders and Puritan leaders of the Salem witch trials. Shortly after this tragic finding, he wrote â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† a tale that is considered one of the greatest in American literature. Analyzing Nathaniel Hawthorne’s work from a moral perspective can help illuminate his short story: â€Å"Young Goodman Brown.† Hawthorne was both prideful and embarrassed in the actions of his ancestors. According to Jacqueline Shoemaker, Hawthorne felt pride in seeingRead More Nathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Browns Apocalypse Essay1006 Words   |  5 PagesNathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Browns Apocalypse      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Most criticism and reflection of Nathaniel Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown centers on a good versus evil theme. Critics also debate interpretations of the main characters consciousness; is Brown awake or dreaming.   What is certain is that he lives and dies in pain because his belief in his righteousness isolates him from his community.   It is also certain that Hawthornes interpretation of Browns mid-lifeRead MoreYoung Goodman Brown: The Evils of Puritanism Essay1728 Words   |  7 Pagesthe isolation of individuals who failed to uphold the faith. For Hawthorne, Young Goodman Brown illustrates the difference between Puritan teaching and practicing and reflects his own guilt about the mistreatment of men at the hands of his forefathers. Young Goodman Brown protagonist struggles with Puritanism is a reflection of Hawthorne personal conflicts with Puritanism. Hawthorne uses the story of Young Goodman Brown to illustrate Puritanisms disconnection between their espoused beliefs andRead More Hawthornes Young Goodman Brown and History Essay1704 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"Young Goodman Brown† and History  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚   Q. D. Leavis states that â€Å"perhaps the persecuting aspect of their way of life was peculiarly present to Hawthorne because of the witch-hanging judge and the Quaker-whipping Major among his ancestors† (30). This is a reference to one instance of historical allusion in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown.† This essay will explore a variety of historical incidences referred to in this short story.    Clarice Swisher in â€Å"NathanielRead MoreAnalysis Of Hawthorne s The Forest 1013 Words   |  5 Pages Another aspect of Hawthorne’s ancestors is that they were Puritans. The Puritan belief is finely interwoven in his story. According to Michael E. McCabe, â€Å"Puritan doctrine taught that all men are totally depraved and require constant self – examination to see that they are sinners and unworthy of God’s Grace† (1). Brown’s experience in the forest, is, in a sense, not a dream. Instead, Brown is looking deep into his soul in search of the inner evilness and whether he is worthy of â€Å"God’s Grace.† TheRead MoreThe Brown s A Forest, And The Devil !1742 Words   |  7 PagesThe Brown’s, A Forest, and The Devil! Oh My Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† tells a tale of when man, who is supposedly good in nature, faces temptation and evil head on. The story, much like the tale of Adam Eve, is an allegory for the evil and selfishness of mankind; for young Goodman Brown s fight with his inner temptations and his outward struggle with the devil himself represents mankind s lost encounter within the battle of good and evil. Though it is not clear whether the events inRead More Young Goodman Brown Essay1048 Words   |  5 Pages The main theme of the Nathaniel Hawthorne’s, â€Å" Young Goodman Brown,† is the struggle between Goodman Brown’s faith, power to resist his own evil impulses and his own doubts within him. It is a story of Young Goodman Brown’s personal conflict over his inner desires and its greater meaning conflict between good and evil in the world. The characteristics of Young Goodman Brown are similar to the life of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Natha niel Hawthorne had his own doubts about his own Puritan life and beliefsRead More Hawthornes Puritanical Beliefs Revealed in The Scarlett Letter and Young Goodman Brown1739 Words   |  7 PagesHawthornes Puritanical Beliefs Revealed in The Scarlett Letter and Young Goodman Brown When an author depicts a person or group of people in his or her work, the opinion of the writer most often sifts into the descriptions, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Some writers are very guarded regarding their feelings toward any particular subject, while others are very open and happy to share. Nathaniel Hawthorne belongs to the latter group. The purpose of the majority of his literary workRead MoreYoung Goodman Brown Versus the Fall of the House of Usher Essay example1433 Words   |  6 PagesAngela Higgerson Dr. Lewis ENGL 2041 3 March 2010 In both, Nathanial Hawthorne’s â€Å"Young Goodman Brown† and Edgar Allen Poe’s â€Å"The Fall of the House of Usher† the protagonists, Young Goodman Brown and the narrator experience a journey into the subconscious. Both stories have an overlap that blurs the boundaries of reality and fantasy. It is truly the supernatural aspects of these two stories that force the protagonists and the reader to delve into the realm of the subconsciousRead MoreThe Birthmark By Nathaniel Hawthorne1426 Words   |  6 Pageswas strongly evident in American literature. 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