Introduction, Timeline and Advances of Ancient Mesopotamia

Introduction, Timeline and Advances of Ancient Mesopotamia Mesopotamia is an ancient civilization that took up pretty much everything that today is modern Iraq and Syria, a triangular patch wedged between the Tigris River, the Zagros Mountains, and the Lesser Zab River. Mesopotamia is considered the first urban civilization, that is to say, it was the first society which has provided evidence of people deliberately living in close proximity to one another, with attendant social and economic structures to allow that to occur peaceably. Generally, people speak of north and south Mesopotamia, most prominently during the Sumer (south) and Akkad (north) periods between about 3000-2000 BC. However, the histories of the north and south dating back to the sixth millennium BC are divergent; and later the Assyrian kings did their best to unite the two halves. Mesopotamian Chronology Dates after ca 1500 BC are generally agreed upon; important sites are listed in parentheses after each period. Ubaid Period [6500-4000 BC (Telloh, Ur, Ubaid, Oueili, Eridu, Tepe Gawra, H3 As-Sabiyah) Uruk Period [4000-3000 BC]  (Brak, Hamoukar, Girsu/Telloh, Umma, Lagash, Eridu, Ur, Hacinebi Tepe, Chogha Mish)Jemdet Nasr [3200-3000 BC] (Uruk)Early Dynastic Period [3000-2350 BC] (Kish, Uruk, Ur, Lagash, Asmar, Mari, Umma, Al-Rawda)Akkadian [2350-2200 BC] (Agade, Sumer, Lagash, Uruk, Titris Hoyuk)Neo-Sumerian [2100-2000 BC] (Ur, Elam, Tappeh Sialk)Old Babylonian and Old Assyrian Periods [2000-1600 BC] (Mari, Ebla Babylon, Isin, Larsa, Asssur)Middle Assyrian [1600-1000 BC] (Babylon, Ctesiphon)Neo-Assyrian [1000-605 BC] (Nineveh)Neo-Babylonian [625-539 BC] (Babylon) Mesopotamian Advances Mesopotamia was first home to villages in the Neolithic period of around 6,000 BC. Permanent mudbrick residential structures were being constructed before the Ubaid period at southern sites such as Tell el-Oueili, as well as Ur, Eridu, Telloh, and Ubaid. At Tell Brak in northern Mesopotamia, architecture began appearing at least as early as 4400 BC. Temples were also in evidence by the sixth millennium, in particular at Eridu. The first urban settlements have been identified at Uruk, about 3900 BC, along with mass-produced wheel-thrown pottery, the introduction of writing, and cylinder seals.Tell Brak became a 130-hectare metropolis by 3500 BC; and by 3100 Uruk covered nearly 250 hectares. . Assyrian records written in cuneiform have been found and deciphered, allowing us much more information about the political and economic pieces of latter Mesopotamian society. In the north part was the kingdom of Assyria; to the south was the Sumerians and Akkadian in the alluvial plain between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Mesopotamia continued as a definable civilization right through the fall of Babylon (about 1595 BC). Of most concern today are the ongoing issues associated with the continuing war in Iraq, which has gravely damaged much of the archaeological sites and allowed looting to occur, as described in a recent article by archaeologist Zainab Bahrani. Mesopotamian Sites Important Mesopotamian sites include: Tell el-Ubaid, Uruk, Ur, Eridu, Tell Brak, Tell el-Oueili, Nineveh, Pasargardae, Babylon, Tepe Gawra, Telloh, Hacinebi Tepe, Khorsabad, Nimrud, H3, As Sabiyah, Failaka, Ugarit, Uluburun Sources Ãâ€"mà ¼r Harmansah at the Joukowsky Institute at Brown University is in the process of developing a course on Mesopotamia, which looks really useful. Bernbeck, Reinhard 1995 Lasting alliances and emerging competition: Economic developments in early Mesopotamia. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 14(1):1-25. Bertman, Stephen. 2004. Handbook to Life in Mesopotamia. Oxford University Press, Oxford. Brusasco, Paolo 2004 Theory and practice in the study of Mesopotamian domestic space.  Antiquity 78(299):142-157. De Ryck, I., A. Adriaens, and F. Adams 2005 An overview of Mesopotamian bronze metallurgy during the 3rd millennium BC. Journal of Cultural Heritage 6261–268. Jahjah, Munzer, Carlo Ulivieri, Antonio Invernizzi, and Roberto Parapetti 2007 Archaeological remote sensing application pre-postwar situation of Babylon archaeological site- Iraq. Acta Astronautica 61:121–130. Luby, Edward M. 1997 The Ur-Archaeologist: Leonard Woolley and the treasures of Mesopotamia. Biblical Archaeology Review 22(2):60-61. Rothman, Mitchell 2004 Studying the development of complex society: Mesopotamia in the late fifth and fourth millennia BC. Journal of Archaeological Research 12(1):75-119. Wright, Henry T. 2006 Early state dynamics as political experiment. Journal of Anthropological Research 62(3):305-319. Zainab Bahrani. 2004. Lawless in Mesopotamia. Natural History 113(2):44-49

Humorous Fathers Day Quotes

Humorous Fathers Day Quotes Looking for humorous quotes about fathers? Here are some funny Fathers Day quotes. These quotes reflect the subtle wit with a touch of sarcasm. Poke your dad with your own brand of humor. What fathers love most is a relaxed holiday in the company of their kids. Your father may seem broody on other days, but with a touch of tender love, watch your dad turn into a giant candy-dispensing, singing and laughing, happy old man. Humor is the best way to reach out. It can soothe hurt feelings, calm tempers, and build strong relationships. Share a joke with your dad and watch his lips curve into a sly smile. Tickle him further with more jokes, quips,  and quotes. Read him funny verses or funny Fathers Day sayings to bring out the chuckles. Once  the floodgates open, you will find a very different father beneath the veil of sobriety. Funny Fathers Day Quotes Red ButtonsNever raise your hand to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. Jimmy Piersal, on How to Diaper a BabySpread the diaper in the position of the diamond with you at bat. Then, fold second base down to home and set the baby on the pitchers mound. Put first base and third together, bring up home plate and pin the three together. Of course, in case of rain, you gotta call the game and start all over again. Ernest HemingwayTo be a successful father, theres one absolute rule: when you have a kid, dont look at it for the first two years. Phyllis McGinleyThe thing to remember about fathers is... theyre men. A girl has to keep it in mind: They are dragon-seekers, bent on improbable rescues. Scratch any father, you find someone chock-full of qualms and romantic terrors, believing change is a threat, like your first shoes with heels on, like your first bicycle... John AubreySir Walter, being strangely surprised and put out of his countenance at so great a table, gives his son a damned blow over the face. His son, as rude as he was, would not strike his father, but strikes over the face the gentleman that sat next to him and said, Box about: twill come to my father anon. James BaldwinIf the relationship of father to son could really be reduced to biology, the whole earth would blaze with the glory of fathers and sons. Helen HayesWhen Charles first saw our child Mary, he said all the proper things for a new father. He looked upon the poor little red thing and blurted, Shes more beautiful than the Brooklyn Bridge. Peter De VriesMy father hated radio and he could not wait for television to be invented so that he could hate that too. Robert OrbenLife was a lot simpler when what we honored was father and mother rather than all major credit cards.

Garden art through the ages Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Garden art through the ages - Article Example Art history has the major objective of determining the originality of various works of the art. Anciently, anything produced using a machine would not qualify as art but in the modern time the scope of the study has increased including the study of computer aided images. The history of art depends on the artifacts. There is an established way of generating a date when a given art was done based on a certain artifact that is available. The artwork was done a long time ago, but the artifact is a presentation of the evidence of the artistic activity that took place. There are certain questions of concern to the art historian, and the first question is the age of the art. The dates when the artwork was done can be established in a number of ways. The historian can use the physical evidence of the material that was used to decorate a particular artwork. For example, certain paints then he or she can easily guess the age of the artwork from the existing artifact that is based on a given fact that the given material that was used did not exist at a certain time anciently. Therefore, the historian can easily trace the age of the art by checking on the artifact that is existing. An earliest possible date and latest possible date for the use of certain material such as certain type of inks can be established by the historian. There are materials that are used by artists at the current time and those that were used in the olden times and therefore it becomes very easy for the historians to come up with a conclusive age of the artwork based on material used to construct the artifact. The historians also rely on documentary evidence. This is because it provided a hint of the date when a given article was written about a certain artwork that manifests in the form of physical artifact that exists. This means that if a historian wants to know the age of an artifact, he or she only looks for the historical books where the ancient artists

How can people be achieved between cultures Research Paper

How can people be achieved between cultures - Research Paper Example John Stuart mill and John Locke advocated for upholding human rights earlier than other scholars. Nevertheless, this does not necessarily mean that they were the one responsible in the formulation of human rights. The universality of human rights cuts across various cultures. Even though appreciation of the rights occurred in the Western world and as characterised in both the American and French revolution, the historical development of human rights is much older (Marek, 2010). In an attempt to understand the current global cultural politics, modern scholars draw insight from modernity. This view holds that modernity originated from the West in a Judaeo Christian setting. The interrelation between economic, scientific, philosophical and artistic revolutions led to an understanding of novel ways about people, the environment and political power. These thoughts did not lead to globalization, but through military skill and economic imperialism the Europeans contributed to modernity (Reus-Smit, 2011). There are many opinions on what constitutes human rights, the perceptions differ from an intellectual or political point of view. Additionally, the differences seem to originate from the historical evolution of human rights. Human rights originate from people with diverse backgrounds. Another view holds that human rights can be divided into; whether based on an individual’s status or status of group, the degree to which people are treated depending on success or acknowledgement, the importance of rights, obligation and thoughts on the interdependency between the two or the emphasis on economic and social rights vs. civil and political rights (Plantilla & Raj, 1997). The result of the cold war ushered in a period with many uncertainties. There was an end to the super power enmity and the North-South divide. Nevertheless, this period concurred with many world problems including unemployment, poverty,

Music in Education Essay Example for Free

Music in Education Essay Music can affect the body in many health-promoting ways, which is the basis for a growing field known as music therapy. However, you can use music in your daily life and achieve many stress relief benefits on your own. One of the great benefits of music as a stress reliever is that it can be used while you conduct your regular activities so that it really doesn’t take time away from your busy schedule. Music provides a wonderful backdrop for your life so that you can find increased enjoyment from what you’re doing and also reduce stress from your day. Music still tells a story, we know just have many genres to satisfy the cultural and social tastes of our modern society. Hip Hop is a genre of music that has significantly grown the last couple of decades. Its increased popularity has brought it to the forefront of globalization. Technological advances have made it easy for Hip Hop to spread out globally. This occurrence of globalization is a key example that as our cultural borders are broken down by technology, our own cultural and social practices become fluid. Although there are many positive and negative comments about the globalization of Hip Hop, it is a reflection of the growing phenomenon occurring all over the world. Hip hop originated in the South Bronx of New York City in the 1970s. The term rap is often used synonymously with hip hop, but hip hop can also be described as an entire subculture (â€Å"Hip Hop†, 2004). The term Hip Hop is said to have come from a joke between Keith Cowboy, rapper with Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, and their friends (â€Å"Hip Hop†, 2004). Although Hip Hop was created on American soil, its influences are global. It can be said that Hip Hop might be a result of ethnic globalization. Hip Hop has roots in African, Caribbean, and Latino culture (â€Å"Hip Hop Globalization and Youth Culture†, 2005). Spoken word, which is still popular today is also an influence in Hip Hop music and culture. Spoken word is a style of poetry spoken in a rhythmic fashion. Hip Hop ranges from rap music, to B-boy dance. It was a platform to empower ethnic youth without violence. Hip Hop in the beginning was essentially still an underground subculture. It was popular with many ethnic communities but it was not popular in the mainstream music industry. This all changed with the band Blondie and their song â€Å"Rapture†. â€Å"Rapture† is one of the first rap songs to reach the top of the charts in mainstream pop music. Although Blondie is a punk/rock band, they were the proper catalyst to give Hip Hop the mainstream attention it deserved. Hip Hop has changed since its birth in the 1970s. Hip Hop is now apart of the mainstream music scene. It is not uncommon to see artist from different genres collaborating with Hip Hop artists. It is also not uncommon to see Hip Hop music and culture in movies, television shows, and commercials. In the past you would only see people from ethnic communities wearing Hip Hop clothing, now all races including Asian, Caucasian, etc have accepted the Hip Hop style. The subject matter has also changed. In the past Hip Hop lyrics focused on political and societal frustrations, now Hip Hop lyrics steer more toward provocative content. Hip Hop subject matter consists mostly of the aspirations of wealth, sex, drug use, and criminal activity. During the beginning years the age of the Hip Hop listener was wide spread. It ranged from teens to even adults in their 50s. Although Hip Hop still has an adult audience, it is now more geared toward younger audiences. Younger listeners are more likely to purchase Hip Hop music and paraphernalia, than the older audience. Music has always been a great healer. In the Bible, we learn about how David played the harp to help ease his severe depression of King Saul. Music is a significant mood-changer and reliever of stress, working on many levels at once. Many experts suggest that it is the rhythm of the music or the beat that has the calming effect on us although we may not be very conscious about it. They point out that when we were a baby in our mothers womb, we probably were influenced by the heartbeat of our mother. We respond to the soothing music at later stages in life, perhaps associating it with the safe, relaxing, protective environment provided by our mother. They say that math is the universal language, and while that may be true, music has traits to it that even the casual listener should but may not always recognize as universal, literally and figuratively. Moreover, music is beneficial to the musicians and the listeners health and well-being. Music is everywhere, and it can be made and enjoyed by anyone, any animal, and any living thing, in its own way. The universe itself has a sense of rhythm, melody and music. Everyday speech has a lilt that can be called some kind of music. In nature, without the white noise of civilization in the background, the sounds of the trees, the water, and the air can all be called music. And animals, birds in particular, have their own sense of melody in the sounds that they make and use to communicate with each other. Music comes in so many various forms that it reflects, in a way, the diversity of the languages spoken and written on the planet. Whether it be classical music, pop, gospel music, country music or whatever pleases the ear, there will always be a kind of music for everyone, and it can come in any language. They say that learning and listening to music makes one smarter. As studies show, music makes the musician use his mind in a way that develops and maintains good mental health. Music is an art and a science; anyone who learns any bit of musical theory will know that music has a particular structure, while still allowing for creative freedom. Reading music and playing an instrument causes the musician to use both sides of his brain at once – the mathematical side, and the artistic side. Learning to understand a staff of music and the symbols written on it is akin to learning a scientific or mathematical formula. Applying the formula to the instrument at hand takes plenty of practise to do well, but once it is learned, it does not easily fade away. Developing and maintaining musicality, on the other hand, is partly talent and partly practise, much like other art forms like drawing, dancing and singing. Music is a great well for emotions. The same art form that puts babies to sleep can release anger and sadness, encourage joy, and sooth stress. To the Romantics, music was the purest of art forms because it connects directly with emotions (The New Penguin Book of Romantic Poetry, 47), during a time period that produced composers that are still well known today. David wrote many psalms while he watched sheep. And even though he was not always a favourite of King Saul, David’s playing would comfort the king (1 Samuel 16). Music brings people together. It is understood that before modern technology, live music was a natural form of entertainment, and people were considered accomplished when they learned to play instruments. Music can create a good atmosphere and encourage a good mood that relaxes people whether they are actively listening to it or not. That is part of the reason why it is ideal for parties, weddings, funerals, and other such gatherings. Music is universal. It is calming, gentling, entertaining, inspiring and healthy. It helps maintain good mental health and a balanced emotional state. It is a gift from God that anyone can learn, appreciate and enjoy. Hip Hop proves to be the voice of the people that may not be able to speak for themselves in conventional ways. Globalization has allowed many people who would not have the means to speak up, to be able to take center stage. Many believe that globalization will be the end of individuality and creativity.

LRNA - Company Profile :: essays research papers

1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Industry History & Current Overview Since the invention of the Ford’s Model T, the modern automobile industry has been manufacturing affordable automobiles for everyone in the U.S. The age of design of cars boomed as people started to demand more customization of their cars (Model T only came black). This began the shift from manufacturing-driven automobile to a more design-driven automobile. The Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) emerged in the 1990s based on the negative image of the minivan, which was developed throughout the 1980s on a bland and purely functional platform. In 1996, the Ford Motor Company began building the Expedition, its new, full-sized SUV in Michigan. The Expedition was essentially the F-150 pickup truck (the best selling pick-up truck) with an extra set of doors and two more rows of seats. Ford marketed the SUV at a ticket price of thirty-six thousand dollars. The average cost to build these trucks was no more than twenty-four thousand dollar, and in the automobile industry, this is a high-profit margin. By the late 1990s, the SUV market has become the most profitable in the automobile industry. The move toward a more aggressively styled and higher riding vehicles have caused unintended consequences and risks. The risks include decreased â€Å"drivability†, obstruction of vision, and concerns surrounding safety. Current trends in vehicle design focus on addressing these problems to achieve appealing designs with the best qualities of both cars and trucks, as seen in all the new designs from the Land Rover. 2004 will be remembered as a pivotal year in the automobile industry. It was a year in which high gasoline prices started a sea change among U.S. consumers that will finally create significant demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. Gasoline prices of $2.00+ per gallon started taking a huge bite out of family budgets, and many middle-class consumers who own fuel guzzling SUVs and pickup trucks began to wish they had vehicles that were much less expensive to operate. Demand for hybrid cars (ie. Toyota Prius) was so high that many customers had to wait six months or longer to get there car. Other carmakers, including Ford and GM, saw the opportunity and introduced their own brand of hybrid vehicles to market. Ford launched its first hybrid: a small SUV. Other fuel-efficient vehicles, such as BMW’s MINI Cooper, also enjoyed soaring demand. Meanwhile, sales of heavy SUVs lagged miserably, and automakers such as Chevy, Hummer and Cadillac offered unprecedented dealer incentives and rebates in an effort to move these vehicles, Land Rover Range Rover has increased due to efficient newly designed models as shown from the stats below.

Globalization itself Essay

Globalization is not value free; rather, the pressures to conform to universal standards of conduct and competitive performance force organizations and individuals to assimilate new values, which may be in conflict with local cultural values and practices. This requires the individuals, organizations, and nations to build the necessary mind-set, competencies, capabilities, and capacities to manage the transformations associated with globalization. Globalization is founded on competitiveness. To remain competitive, actors must â€Å"continue to innovate† (Anton, 1995). Innovations are based on advancements in science, technology, and commercialization. It is, therefore, logical to add to the center the institutional actors involved in promoting science, technology, and innovation. This includes universities, research laboratories, startups, entrepreneurs, knowledge workers, venture capitalists, management experts, consulting firms, stock markets, shareholders, and corporate directors. The United States currently leads the world in investing in science, technology, and innovations and remains the most dominant actor at the center. A key lesson we learn from these experts is that globalization can and must be managed. Since globalization affects all nations, governments, businesses, communities, and individuals, the best we can do is fight back or respond in kind in order to take advantage of its opportunities and to minimize its potential adverse consequences. This requires a â€Å"strategic approach to globalization† (Fischer, 2000). Nations, governments, businesses, institutions, communities, and individuals should not see themselves as helpless victims of globalization; rather, they should actively take the initiative to understand the nature of globalization, its causes, and its consequences on the ground; assess their own opportunities, strengths, and limitations; and develop realistic goals and a plan of action for managing globalization. It is not easy, and there are no guarantees or shortcuts, but the strategic approach is better than isolation or surrender. Doing it in partnership with others increases the chances of success and mitigates against some of the negative consequences. The management literature is rich with descriptive materials on how businesses can become globally strategic and competitive in the twenty-first century. (Hirst, 1999) Nations, government institutions, communities, and individuals can draw on this body of knowledge to develop their own tailor-made strategic directions and action plans for managing globalization. In its 1999 Human Development Report on globalization with a human face, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), one of the U. N. specialized agencies doing extensive work in developing countries, provides a framework and guidelines for managing globalization. Recognizing that globalization is characterized by new markets, new tools, new actors, and new rules, the report challenges governments and the international community to find rules and institutions for stronger governance at the local, national, regional, and global levels. Globalization is multidimensional and, therefore, means different things to different people across time and space. Globalization is about transformational change with intended and unintended adverse effects. Since its dynamics and consequences are not fully predictable, some of its aspects may be emphasized or deemphasized at different times for different regions, countries, or societies. (Friedman, 2000) Yet, because the key drivers of globalization come from industrialized countries, individual developing countries have no realistic option but to participate in the globalization process. Many people are openly opposed to globalization: the concept, its practice, and its consequences. This is in spite of its actual and potential benefits to both rich and poor countries. This opposition, if left unchecked, threatens to push the world back to the dark days of protectionism and closed societies reminiscent of the Cold War. Many world leaders have, at one time or another, expressed doubt, apprehension, qualified support, or outright opposition to globalization and have questioned its moral justification. However, Globalization can be and in most cases has been, good for cultural diversity and development. By contributing to â€Å"liberalization, rising incomes, increased use of technology, better education, and global migration,† (Prakash & Hart, 1997) globalization helps to create multiple environments in support of cultural and interactive diversity. It allows people to experiment with alternative models of development, while at the same time borrowing ideas and practices from other cultures and institutions. It provides people with the opportunity to enjoy freedom for their own culture and, at the same time, be exposed to other cultures. It allows weaker and smaller cultures to coexist alongside the big and powerful cultures. It allows minor or provincial languages and remote cultures to connect with other cultures. As it presently exists in the world today, globalization is an asymmetrical and imperfect system. To be committed to globalization is to understand its lack of symmetry among the players and its inherent imperfections. Therefore, globalizing countries, governments, businesses, institutions, and communities must commit themselves to work toward its improvement. For developing countries, this means, among other things, not to promote globalization as a â€Å"panacea for all problems,† (Micklethwait, 2000) but to build the necessary institutional capacities and competencies for the defense and improvement of globalization for the greater benefit of all citizens. Resources Anton, D. J. 1995. Diversity, Globalization, and the Way of Nature. Ottawa: International Development Research Centre, 1995. Fischer, T. C. 2000. The United States, the European Union, and â€Å"Globalization† of World Trade: Allies or Adversaries? Westport, CT: Quorum. Hirst, P. , and G. Thompson. 1999. Questioning Globalization: The International Economy and the Possibilities of Governance. Cambridge: Polity Press. Friedman, T. L. 2000. The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization. New York: Anchor Books. Prakash, A. , and J. A. Hart. 1997. Globalization and Governance. London: Routledge. Micklethwait, J. , and A. Wooldridge. 2000. A Future Perfect: The Challenge and Hidden Promise of Globalization. New York: Random House.

Business: Luxury Good and Competitive Advantage Essay

5. What is Coach’s strategy to compete in the ladies handbag and leather accessories industry? Has the company’s competitive strategy yielded a sustainable competitive advantage? If so, has that advantage translated into superior financial and market performance? A business strategy refers to the means by which it sets out to achieve its desired objectives and goals. Coach’s competitive strategy deals exclusively with management’s game plan for competing successfully and securing a competitive advantage over rivals Michael Kors, Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, and Versace. The different types of strategies used by these companies include, but are not limited to, low-cost provider strategies, differentiation strategies, focused low-cost and differentiation strategies, and best-cost provider strategies. Coach Inc. ’s strategy that created the accessible luxury market in ladies handbags made it among the best-known luxury brands in North America and Asia and had allowed its sales to grow at an annual rate of 20 percent between 2000 and 2011, reaching $4. 2 billion. The company’s strategy focuses on five key initiatives. First, Coach built a market share in North America by 15 new full- price retail stores and 25 factory outlets. They have built a market share in Japan through the addition of 15 new locations. Coach seeks to raise brand awareness and build share in underpenetrated markets, including Europe and South America, and Asia, with 30 new locations planned in the region. It also looks to increase sales of products targeted towards men by offering dual gender lines. Lastly, Coach raised brand awareness and built market share through coach. com, global e-commerce sites, and social networking initiatives. Coach Inc. implements various advertising strategies, marketing strategies, sourcing strategies, and differentiation strategies, etc. Coach’s strategy, which focused on matching key luxury rivals in quality and styling while beating them on price by 50 percent or more, yielded a competitive advantage in attracting middle-income consumers desiring the taste of luxury, but also affluent and wealthy consumers with the means to spend more money. Another distinctive element was its multichannel distribution model, which included indirect wholesale sales to third-party retailers but focused primarily on direct-to-consumer sales. Coach appears to be using the best-cost provider strategy because it gives customers more value for their money while satisfying buyer expectations on key quality features, performance and service attributes. For example Coach uses attractive pricing to enable it to appeal to consumers who would not normally consider luxury brands, while the quality and styling of its products were sufficient to satisfy luxury consumers. Coach has the ability to do this through its factory outlet stores and its prices are way below the price of its competitors. Coach also displays differentiation by offering distinctive, easily recognizable luxury products that are extremely well made and provide excellent value. Coach has a unique approach to its differentiation. Each quarter, major consumer research is undertaken to define product trends, selection, and consumer desires. Monthly product launches enhance the company’s voguish image and give consumers reason to make purchases. They also use frequent product introductions because consumers always want the newest items and fashions. Coach sought to make consumer service experience an additional differentiating factor. It has agreed to refurbish or replace damaged handbags, regardless of the age of the bag. Through the company’s Special Request, customers were allowed to order merchandise for home delivery. Overall Coach displays a great mix of low cost and differentiation. A sustainable competitive advantage refers to a long-term competitive advantage that is not easily duplicable or surpassable by the competitors. Coach’s competitive advantage has proven to yield a sustainable competitive advantage. When it comes to anticipating fashion trends, Coach has 1 / 3 proven to be successful. Each year Coach interviews its customers through Internet questionnaires, phone surveys, and face-to-face encounters with shoppers at its stores. Such intense market research has helped Coach executives spot trends well before its competitors. This in turn has helped it to extend the brand far beyond the leather bags that long were its trademark and into watches, accessories, cosmetic cases, key fobs, belts, electronic accessories, gloves, hats, scarves, business cases, luggage, eyewear, fragrance, and clothing. According to the case study and further research, sales have grown an average of 29% over each of the past three years, fueling a strong 63% averaged return on invested capital during the same period. Currently Coach is a leading American marketer of fine accessories and gifts for women and men. Its sustainable competitive advantage is a result of employee engagement, supply chain capabilities, environmental conservation, and community. Coach seeks to hire and train the best employees in a supportive and engaging environment. Coach collaborates with their raw material suppliers and manufacturing partners. Coach continues to improve the way it makes it products in order to protect the resources of the environment. Coach also supports the local communities in which they operate. Results show that Coach has increased its net sales from $3,230,468 to $4,158,507, its market share increased by nearly 6%, and its common stock price is $60, which is a result of superior financial and market performance. 6. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Coach Inc.? What competencies and capabilities does it have that its chief rivals don’t have? What new market opportunities does Coach have? What threats do you see to the company’s future well being? Coach has many strengths and weaknesses. Coach strengths include its wide range of accessories such as its handbags, watches, accessories, cosmetic cases, key fobs, belts, electronic accessories, gloves, hats, scarves, business cases, luggage, eyewear, fragrance, and clothing. It is the leading luxury leather goods company in the United States, with expansion in Japan, China, and Asia. Coach has developed a respected reputation by providing their customers with quality products and its 70+ years of being in business. They do a great job of advertising through press releases, catalogs, internet, and shopping centers. Coach has a larger range of pricing which attracts lower income consumers and wealthier consumers. They also allow their products to be sold at stores (department and full price stores) and online. Coach prides themselves on creating customer value. However, Coach also displays weaknesses as well. They have a limited selection for men and a poor inventory turnover rate. Coach has no direct announcements to the public about the promotion of new products. Their new products first sell at full price which keeps the lower income consumers away. This could lead to the problem of selling more at their outlet stores versus their full price stores. Currently Coach relies on the United States, Japan, and Canada for the majority of its sales by not fully expanding into other countries. A core competency refers to a defining capability or advantage that distinguishes an enterprise from its competitors. Coach believes that external coaching and leadership workshops are powerful tools in increasing a leader’s awareness and insight on their management approach, which leads to core competencies and capabilities. Coach has the skill and expertise to create unique and differentiated luxury items at a lower cost than its competitors. It also has valuable physical assets, human assets, organizational assets, intangible assets, and alliances and cooperative ventures. All of these resources and capabilities are valuable, rare, hard to copy, and non-substitutable. Some of the defining characteristics that distinguish Coach from its competitors include its wide selection of luxury items, its low cost strategy, store location (outlet and full price), advertising, online shopping, meeting customer desires, superior value and quality, its direct-to-consumer channels and indirect channels, 970 wholesale locations in the United States and Canada, specialty retailers in 18 countries, and its relationships with consumers (customer loyalty). Coach’s strategy, which focused on matching key luxury rivals in quality and styling while beating them on price by 50 percent or more, yielded a competitive advantage in attracting middle-income consumers desiring the taste of luxury, but also affluent and wealthy consumers with the means to spend more money. Another 2 / 3 distinctive element was its multichannel distribution model, which included indirect wholesale sales to third-party retailers but focused primarily on direct-to-consumer sales. Coach has many new opportunities in its market of luxury goods. It has a high potential for increased sales with new product lines. The promotion in other countries can bring awareness to the brand and company. Its pricing can attract more customers because of the lower priced items compared to its competitors. Its online option of purchasing will increase as technology increases. Coach also has the opportunity to increase the number of stores in North America, expand stores in other countries, and use its flexible dependency on suppliers. However, Coach also faces numerous threats. There is always the threat of rivalry, competition, and substitutes in the luxury market. One of the major threats is counterfeit products and the economic downturn in the United States. Young adults and teens often go through phases of fashion and may later chose a different brand other than Coach. Coach faces exchange rate risks if they enter new foreign markets. Lastly there is a threat of not having enough stores around the world which could hurt the consumer market. These threats could hurt the well-being of the company, but its strengths and opportunities seem to outweigh them for the time being.

3 Parenthetical Punctuation Puzzles

3 Parenthetical Punctuation Puzzles 3 Parenthetical Punctuation Puzzles 3 Parenthetical Punctuation Puzzles By Mark Nichol 1. â€Å"Thanks to technology, we can have independence, relative independence, from the harsh qualities of the real world on a day-to-day basis.† This sentence’s punctuation a series of three commas implies a flat progression of ideas without modulation. But the writer, after the fact, modifies the absolute word independence with the qualifying term relative, and should signal this slight case of backpedaling by marking the phrase â€Å"relative independence† as an interjection: â€Å"Thanks to technology, we can have independence relative independence from the harsh qualities of the real world on a day-to-day basis.† 2. â€Å"You, yes you, can say you were there for the advent of the Apple iPod.† The writer almost immediately interrupts the sentence to emphasize the importance of the reader’s qualification to make the claim. The interruption, however, is weak because it is accomplished with a pair of quotidian commas rather than two dashing dashes. Also, note that if the writer had correctly punctuated the parenthetical phrase (â€Å"yes, you†), the result would be a confusing sequence of three commas (â€Å"You, yes, you, can say . . .†), which would further diminish the impact of the interruption. The correct treatment is â€Å"You yes, you can say you were there for the advent of the Apple iPod.† (The third parenthetical option, to place â€Å"yes, you† in parentheses, is the equivalent of whispering the phrase, which is not the connotation the writer intends.) 3. â€Å"The potato, and for that matter ginger root, are not true roots, but underground stems.† This sentence is a more complicated variation of the one in the previous example complicated, because the interjection (â€Å"and for that matter ginger root†) itself includes a parenthetical phrase that the author has erred in not setting off with punctuation: â€Å"For that matter† is an interjection within the phrase â€Å"and ginger root.† The larger interjection should be set off by em dashes, though parentheses are also correct; commas will suffice for the one within: â€Å"The potato and, for that matter, ginger root is not a true root, but an underground stem.† (Note, too, that I altered the sentence’s plural construction to a singular one: Factually, ginger root is also an underground stem rather than a true root, but in the sentence as it is structured, because ginger root is within a parenthetical phrase, is and the nouns root and stem refer only to potato.) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Idioms About Legs, Feet, and ToesWhen to Form a Plural with an ApostrophePeople vs. Persons

Adverb (Adverbial) Clause Definition and Examples

Adverb (Adverbial) Clause Definition and Examples In English grammar, an adverb clause is a  dependent clause used as an adverb within a sentence to indicate time, place, condition, contrast, concession, reason, purpose, or result. Also known as an  adverbial clause. An adverb clause begins with a subordinating conjunction (such as if, when, because, or although) and usually includes a subject and a predicate. Writing With Adverb Clauses Building Sentences With Adverb ClausesPractice in Arranging and Punctuating Adverb ClausesPractice in Building and Combining Sentences with Adverb Clauses Examples and Observations The name adverbial suggests that adverbial clauses modify verbs; but they modify whole clauses, as shown by the examples [below]. Their other key property is that they are adjuncts, since they are typically optional constituents in sentences. They are traditionally classified according to their meaning, for example adverbial clauses of reason, time, concession, manner or condition, as illustrated below.(a) ReasonBecause Marianne loved Willoughby, she refused to believe that he had deserted her.(b) TimeWhen Fanny returned, she found Tom Bertram very ill.(c) ConcessionAlthough Mr DArcy disliked Mrs Bennet he married Elizabeth.(d) MannerHenry changed his plans as the mood took him.(e) ConditionIf Emma had left Hartfield, Mr Woodhouse would have been unhappy.(Jim Miller, An Introduction to English Syntax. Edinburgh University Press, 2002)This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.(newspaper editor to Senator Ransom Stoddart in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, 1962) All human beings should try to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why.(attributed to James Thurber)If Wilbur is killed and his trough stands empty day after day, youll grow so thin we can look right through your stomach and see objects on the other side.(E.B. White, Charlottes Web. Harper Row, 1952)Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.(Helen Keller, Optimism: An Essay, 1903)The greatest thrill in the world is to end the game with a home run and watch everybody else walk off the field while youre running the bases on air.(Al Rosen, third-baseman for the Cleveland Indians, 1947-1956)Again at eight o’clock, when the dark lanes of the Forties were five deep with throbbing taxi cabs, bound for the theatre district, I felt a sinking in my heart. Forms leaned together in the taxis as they waited, and voices sang, and there was laughter from unheard jokes, and lighted cigarettes outlined unintelligible gestures in side.(F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, 1925) The swift December dusk had come tumbling clownishly after its dull day, and, as he stared through the dull square of the window of the schoolroom, he felt his belly crave for its food.(James Joyce, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, 1916)Though we thumped, wept, and chanted We want Ted for minutes after he hid in the dugout, he did not come back.(John Updike, Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu, 1960)As I ate the oysters with their strong taste of the sea and their faint metallic taste that the cold white wine washed away, leaving only the sea taste and the succulent texture, and as I drank their cold liquid from each shell and washed it down with the crisp taste of the wine, I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy and to make plans.(Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast, 1964)When I was coming up, I practiced all the time because I thought if I didnt I couldnt do my best.(Attributed to Herbie Hancock)And when the broken hearted peopleLiving in the world agree,There will be an answer, let it be.For though they may be parted there isStill a chance that they will seeThere will be an answer, let it be.(John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Let It Be) According to legend, when Lady Godiva pleaded with her husband, the Earl of Mercia, to cancel a burdensome tax he had levied against his subjects, he agreed to do so only if she rode naked through the city.(Jim Hargan, The City of Lady Godiva. British Heritage, January 2001)Experience is what you get when you didnt get what you wanted.(Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture, 2008) The Lighter Side of Adverbial Clauses I drank some boiling water because I wanted to whistle. (Mitch Hedberg)I generally avoid temptation unless I cant resist it. (Mae West, My Little Chickadee, 1940)If I ever opened a trampoline store, I dont think Id call it Trampo-Land, because you might think it was a store for tramps, which is not the impression we are trying to convey with our store. (Jack Handey, Deep Thoughts, 1992)

Is time spent on the Internet valuable to students' interpersonal Research Paper

Is time spent on the Internet valuable to students' interpersonal relationships - Research Paper Example Following a survey conducted on college students to investigate the value of the time spent on the internet to their interpersonal relationships, this paper presents an analysis of the findings from the study. This study analyzes the levels of social anxiety in college students and its influence on their behavior on the internet. The findings depict a weak positive correlation between the use of internet and amount of time spent with friends and acquaintances. Introduction Communication through the internet, mainly social networking sites, has become a regular practice among internet users as computers and the internet have become part and parcel of daily life. The internet offers convenient means of establishing social contact with others as well as socially interacting with them. Internet interaction made possible by digital connection generates a situation where users bargain their time online while socializing. The spread of social media also enables users to navigate face-to-fac e and online relationships through online interactions. Many studies conducted regarding how internet use affects individual’s relationships socially have indicated a disparity in results. While some studies concluded that internet use formed new relationships and strengthened existing ones, others displayed that internet use contributed to a decline in the size of individuals’ social circles as time spent interacting on the internet lessened face-to-face interactions and Social activities. Easy access to internet facilities, especially due to increasing wireless internet in various places, is another factor which directly influences social relationships. Lately, a growing number of internet users access the internet from a wireless connection either at home, school or some restaurant. This shows that many internet users are mainly using mobile phones, laptops, tablets or other portable devices to check mail or browse the internet using cell phone networks of Wi-Fi hot spots. Some studies argue that those who depend on wireless access as a connection means build up different behaviors compared to their wired counterparts. Wi-Fi particularly makes integration of intensive internet use with the use of public space possible. Public spaces are a unique factor in the shaping and maintenance of social networks, democracy, and individual opinions. It is therefore pertinent to analyze how internet use affects interpersonal relationships and the value of this influence. The aim of this study is to investigate implications of internet use for college student’s interpersonal relationship. How valuable are these implications? This study uses questionnaires to establish the levels of anxiety among the college students and to conduct a detailed survey of the relationship between internet use and their interpersonal relationships. To gain knowledge of the intricate effects the internet has on social relationships, its critical to investigate how often the students use particular social networking websites and for what purposes. Specifically, this study analyses how these social networking websites are beneficial to the students’ lives in terms of enhancing their social relationships. Finally, this study also compares the use of social networking sites to other channels of interaction like phone calls, emails and text messages to establish the