What Steroids Can Do To Your Body - 781 Words

A bloodcurdling feeling spreads throughout the arena, a smell so menacing that even the men inside the ring don’t know what will happen next. The roars of men are zipping through the air as bodies are torn limb from limb. Grotesque as this image may be only a few hundred years ago were people competing in stadiums adorned by thousands of viewers. Competition has always been a part of human nature, ever since the first man put his foot onto this planet the race has been on. Certainly competition has changed as years have gone by. First we competed for food on a daily basis, competition was needed in order to just make it through the day, as many years began to pass competition began to turn into daze in which people could watch others fight for their lives fighting against creatures from other parts of the world unknown to their own. Today, we no longer face the life or death bouts over a single meal. The sense of competition has not dulled, yet it has been moved from a daily s urvival to more of an extravagance for viewers to behold the abilities of others in awe. These days, the most anticipated competitions are held in football stadiums, boxing rings, and weight rooms. The rewards for todays gladiators consist of bragging rights over a rival, worldwide notoriety, and large sums of money. Being the best at what we do, getting the feeling that you are number one is what we as humans have always strived for. No matter what the cost had been we always took another step forwardShow MoreRelatedAre Steroids as Bad as We Think?1132 Words   |  5 PagesAre Steroids Bad? Anabolic steroids are one of the most thought about drugs when talking about gaining weight and muscle. Steroids have been around for years and athletes today continue to use these illegal performance enhancing drugs. But are they really that bad for you? Steroids not only have terrible side effects but they are also becoming more and more common around the world today with pro icons using them and the existence of them. People use steroids for many reasons whether it isRead MoreSteroids Is A Synthetic Form Of The Male Hormone Testosterone And Can Help Your Body1151 Words   |  5 PagesHendricks 3/14/16 Steroids in Sports Do you know what proper steroid use can do for you in sports? Steroids are a synthetic form of the male hormone testosterone and can help your body be the best that it can be and improve your game. Steroids have been used as early as 776 BC in the original Olympic Games by the ancient Greeks to enhance their performance. There are many different forms of this drug some you take by mouth and some you have to inject and when used responsibly there can be endlessRead MoreSelf Esteem And Body Image Problems1491 Words   |  6 PagesLow self-esteem and body image problems are too much to handle alone for some teens. A few may become depressed and lose interest in activities or friends. Some go on to develop eating disorders or body image disorders, or use alcohol or drugs to escape feelings of low worth. It can be tempting to compare ourselves with others. The trouble with that is, not everyone grows or develops at the same time or in the same way. Media images and other outside in fluences can affect ones psyche. Some parentsRead MoreDon t Confuse Anabolic Steroids With Corticosteroids1561 Words   |  7 PagesDon t confuse anabolic steroids with corticosteroids, warns physiatrist Kenneth Mautner, MD, of Emory University. Anabolic steroids are used to build up muscle. Corticosteroids are used to dampen overactive immune responses and reduce swelling. Anabolic steroid use is illegal and banned by professional sports organizations and medical associations. In spite of this, some athletes continue to take steroids because they think it gives them a competitive advantage. As seen in the high-profile casesRead MoreSteroids : The Most Exciting Season Ever Since Major League Baseball918 Words   |  4 Pagescheating 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 andRead More The History of Steroids: The Legal and Illegal Usage of Steroids1466 Words   |  6 PagesThe us e of steroid by athletes has been a controversial issue for some time. One can argue that the usage is totally wrong and it is against the morals and the rules of the games. Although steroids boost up the process of muscle building and endurance, it also has complications in the long run. Those that cheat their way by using and or abusing such chemicals can have serious health defects. A real athlete should work his/her way with hard work and the correct training to build that endurance andRead MoreEssay about The Effects of Anabolic Steroids 1472 Words   |  6 PagesSteroids (anabolic) are a drug that was discovered and made by medical scientists in the last 1930’s to help with medical problems. The drug was made to help with many medical problems such as testosterone, growth, sexual functioning, and other medical problems such as helping people with HIV to help grow musical. It also helps with many other diseases. Like any other drug on the market people learn that the drug can be used for many other ways. Steroids can enhance athlete’s performance as wellRead MoreThe Effects of Steroids on the Human Body and Steroid Abuse by Athletes1034 Words   |  5 PagesThe Effects of Steroids on the Human Body and Steroid Abuse by Athletes For many years, the use and abuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids have been linked closely to athletes. Steroids come in different forms. They can be taken in pill form or injected straight into the user’s muscles by a needle. There are many sports that are associated with steroid abuse like weightlifting, basketball, and track and field. Anabolic-androgenic steroids are synthetic forms of male sex hormonesRead MorePositive And Negative Effects Of Anabolic Steroids1199 Words   |  5 PagesYou need to do something that is going to quickly make you better. Now imagine that job is a sport. You might think steroids are the answer to your problem, but it isn’t that easy. There are many adverse effects from steroids, such as the destruction of your organs or your physical appearance. There are many more adverse effects to using steroids than positive ones. This is why it is very risky to use them. Before using them you need to know what steroids are and what happens to your body when you takeRead MoreShould School Athletes Have Drug Tests?1301 Words   |  6 PagesPechacek states that 50 million people do drugs in the united states and 4 million of them are underage and the majority of them are in a high school athletic. Citizens predict that this percentage number will slowly pullulate and gradually mo re high school athletes will be exposed to drugs. Schools should allow drug tests to be permitted on high school athletes because taking drugs are unfair to the sport, drugs harm the body mentally and physically, and it can ruin future opportunities for athletes

Analysis Of The Play Death Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller

Selling More Than Just Merchandise The play, Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller explores topics that are parallel to the lives of the common man. This makes his play relevant during many different eras, as the central issues discussed correlate with struggles of everyday common people, no matter at what point in history the play is shown. This makes his play very versatile in nature as it can be shown throughout the decades. His play can be considered a classic story; one that cannot be forgotten over the decades as it continues to be a popular play. Miller’s play connects with over half of Americans who fit into the middle to low class. His play is very diverse in that way as many people can identify with the core issues discussed in his play. The play follows the Lomans, a lower-middle class family, who are struggling throughout the end of the 1940s. There are vital relationships within the story, as the audience notices the main character, Willy, longs to live vicariously through his eldest son in particu lar, Biff. The protagonist, Willy supports his family by being a travelling salesman. In any era, this is a very difficult way to make a living. This struggle is felt throughout the play through the tension between Willy and his wife, Linda, as they are often arguing. Even from the start of the play when Willy is seen coming home after a long and somewhat unsuccessful trip, he begins to discuss issues about getting home, and how he had car trouble. It appears thatShow MoreRelatedWilly Loman, the Modern Hero in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman1739 Words   |  7 Pages In Arthur Miller’s essay â€Å"Tragedy and the Common Man†, a picture is painted of a â€Å"flaw-full† man, known as the modern hero of tragedies. Miller describes what characteristics the modern tragic hero possesses and how he differs from the heroes depicted by classic Greek playwrights such as Sophocles and Aristotle. In order to understand how drastically the modern hero has evolved, one must first understand the basic characteristics that the heroes created by Sophocles and Aristotle encompass. TheRead More Death of a Salesman is a Tragedy as Defined in Millers Tragedy and the Common Man1046 Words   |  5 PagesDeath of a Salesman is a Tragedy as Defined in Millers Tragedy and the Common Man In Tragedy and the Common Man, Arthur Miller discusses his definition and criteria for tragedy as they apply to the common man. The criteria and standards proposed by Miller may be used to evaluate his timeless work, Death of A Salesman. The first major standard of tragedy set forth is:   â€Å"...if the exaltation of tragic action were truly a property of the high-bred character alone, it is inconceivable thatRead MoreDeath Of A Salesman Tragedy Essay1365 Words   |  6 PagesDeath of a Salesman is a tragic play written in 1949 by Arthur Miller. The story is about a salesman who lost his identity after having an affair with another woman and can’t seem to accept the changes in his life since the event. The story has been performed in theaters and shown on film for many years. Lee Siegel, a writer for The Nation explains the role of Death of a Salesman in the entertainment industry: Every ten years or so, Death of a Salesman is revived, and every ten years we get theRead MoreArthur Miller s Death Of A Salesman1027 Words   |  5 PagesAn Analysis of Tragic Heroism of Biff Loman in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller This literary study will define the tragic heroism of Biff Loman in Arthur Miller’s play The Death of a Salesman. Biff is initially a victim of Willy’s continual harassment to make more money and find a better career. In this family unit, Biff must endure the unrealistic and fantasy-based elusions of his father in his fanatical pursuit of the American Dream. However, Biff soon learns of Willy’s extra-marital betrayalRead MoreComparing Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and Fences by August Wilson 1403 Words   |  6 PagesFences written by August Wilson and Death of a Salesman written by Arthur Miller are two plays that could be considered very different in terms of their plot. The plots of both plays contain two very different cultural backgrounds which affects each protagonist differently. If the reader or audience looks past the plot into the theme and symbolisms used they can see that the plays are more similar than they are different. In spite of the dif ferent cultural backgrounds of each protagonist they bothRead MoreQuest For Literary Form : The Greeks Believed That The Tragedy1742 Words   |  7 Pagesthis belief. In the modern times, there has been a change in this view with various authors abandoning the classical form to follow more liberal forms of literacy. (Kennedy Gioia, Pp. 1203) Aristotle s Concept of Tragedy The analysis of Aristotle on tragedy formed the guideline for later poets in the Western civilization. Aristotle defined tragedy as â€Å"the simulation of actions that are stern, containing magnitudes, comprehensive in itself in a suitable and gratifying languageRead MoreFailure Of The American Dream In The Writings Of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Zora Neale Hurston, And August Wilson1418 Words   |  6 Pages†American Dream† in the writings of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Arthur Miller, Zora Neale Hurston, and August Wilson. Fitzgerald’s account of the Jay Gatsby s rise to fame in the 1920s defines the failure of financial success as part of the American Dream. Gatsby will eventually die due to his excessive greed, which is not unlike the emotional death of Willy Loman as he fails to become a successful salesman in Author Miller’s Death of a Salesman. More so, Hurston’s depiction of Nanny’s own failures inRead MoreAnalysis Of Arthur Mil ler s The Crucible 1052 Words   |  5 PagesArthur Miller was one of the leading American playwrights in the 20th century. Arthur Miller was born on October 17, 1915 in Harlem New York City to Isidore and Augusta Miller (GradeSaver). After graduating from high school, Miller worked a variety of odd jobs including hosting a radio program; this was before the University of Michigan accepted him. At school, he studied journalism, became the night editor of the Michigan Daily, and began experimenting with theater and writing plays. He lived throughRead MoreDeath Of A Salesman Symbolism Analysis1145 Words   |  5 PagesSymbols in â€Å"Death of a Salesman† by Arthur Miller Symbolism, as defined by Oxford Dictionary, is the â€Å"use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.† Throughout the play Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, he uses symbols to represent a greater idea and to say more than what is actually being said. Through the use of silk stockings, a rubber hose, and the flute music that drifts through the play, Miller demonstrates the power that these items have over the Loman family. One reoccurring symbolRead MoreEssay about The American Dream in Death of a Salesman1371 Words   |  6 PagesArthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman’ is an examination of American life and consumerism. It relates the story of a common man who portrays this lifestyle. Other issues explored in the play include: materialism, procrastination and alienation. The play was set in 1948, in a time where The American Dream was highly regarded, despite the Depression. The American Dream was a belief that emerged in the later half of the nineteenth century, that if you work hard you will achieve success and prosperity

Effective and Ethical Leadership free essay sample

Page 2. Throughout the evolution of modern business, leaders have strived to be effective and profitable. However, due to unprecedented business scandals throughout the past decade, strict adherence to the principles of business ethics has become more prominent and expansive than ever before. In light of scandalous and unethical business practices, as exuded by Enron and WorldCom for example, business leaders and governing agencies realize the importance of ethical behavior. Although there is not a clear cut or standard set of attributes that constitute an effective and ethical leader, there are several common aspects that can be identified. The most important attributes of an effective and ethical leader are trustworthiness and accountability. Employees must feel that they can trust their managers in any and every situation. Team members must believe that a manager has immaculate intentions for the well-being of the project and the team. Employees will work harder towards the goals of the organization as well as towards the goals of individual assignments if they feel that management is looking out for their best interests. We will write a custom essay sample on Effective and Ethical Leadership or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Team members should not look at business management as an entity of oppression. Employees should be able to approach managers without intimidation or prejudice. In other words, workers should feel free to address concerns and express opinions. Experienced front line workers are more privy to minute details regarding the daily operations of the business. A worker that trusts his or her superior is more likely to express opinions and concerns that can enhance business activity or correct errors. Employees that trust the management of the organization will be more willing to work diligently towards the company’s goals. Employees that do not have a trustworthy management team can suffer from a reduction in morale. Overall, a lack of trust leads to a distant and less productive work environment. Page 3. Another equally important attribute of an effective and ethical leader is accountability. Effective managers should not be afraid to admit when they are wrong. Even the best managers make mistakes. In essence, a manager with a strong ethical track record will be able to address tough questions with realistic answers. Transcending departmental and hierarchal barriers, accountability promotes communication throughout the entire organization. For example, after years of slumping car sales coupled with rigid hierarchal divisions, Ford Motors decided to embark in a new direction with Alan Mulally as CEO in 2006. Throughout its century of existence, Ford â€Å"developed a very tall hierarchy, composed of managers whose main goal was to protect their turf and avoid any direct blame for its plunging car sales (Jones 2010). Even the COO Mark Fields stated that â€Å"at Ford you never admit when you don’t know something (Jones 2010). † New CEO, Alan Mulally, diligently worked to demolish the communication barriers between the divisions of production and to develop new ethical norms. For instance, he instituted weekly meetings where department heads were encouraged to openly share problems. Mulally promoted a new culture that was more accepting and open about mistakes. Moreover, sharing all a spects of production information through a universal lens can help to promote decreased production costs on a company-wide level. Organizations will prosper under a management that promotes and radiates accountability and trustworthiness. Employees are more prone to open lines of communication with trusted superiors. Managers that can accept responsibility for errors while co-piloting new plans of attack on pertinent issues can help to eliminate unnecessary depletion of organizational resources. A corporate culture that is built upon these attributes will be poised for future success. Page 4. Works Cited Jones, G. R. (2010). Organizational Theory, Design, and Change (6th ed. , p. 14). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

There are two different parts to this play one is Essay Example For Students

There are two different parts to this play one is Essay subtler than the other. Every now and again Willy takes us into the past back to his Great American family. But it primarily depicts the events that occur a long time after that perfect family idea has flown out the window. Even still Willy from time to time relives that life he once had with the boys who could have done anything been anything, especially Biff who was the apple of Willys eye. Even Happy gets caught up in the past and how great things once were. Biff and his Mother Linda are the only ones that actually always live in reality. Linda knows what Willy does and how he has flashbacks but she allows it because she knows its what fuels him and keeps him going and without it there would be no Willy. Biff knows that this goes on but he cant comprehend his why she lets him do it. He thinks his father is crazy and is embarrassed by his actions. So it is like a small battle between father and son. Happy has no real relevance to this part of the story he is an accessory to this wh ole situation. What is keeping this family together? Linda is, she took the job of holding this family together at all costs. She is the peacemaker and tries to see both sides and understand. She does this with no credit what so ever she has always been over looked by her entire family especially Willythroughout the play she seems like this boring little role that is of no importance. But think about it logically. What if anytime during the play something happens to Linda. There are two possible out comes one would occur before this Great American Family had been demolished. What if she was killed by some freak accident like a car hit her when she was walking to the store. Would it have broken up this family even sooner than it originally would have. No, It would have brought them together. They wouldnt have all this animosity towards each other. Even though this event would have at first seemed like the unthinkable. These boys who were becoming men would look and see really how pre cious everything really is. And how important everyday is with each other because you may not be there the next. Linda had lived her whole life that way. She did not want to disturb what they had even if it meant sacrificing her feelings. Now what if she had died after Biff had returned from working on a farm? Would they have left each other to be alone with no one or would this event of tragic proportions bring them together. See according to what we know about Biffs personality he would be angry with his father and blame him. He feels that he now sees reality that he isnt living up on that cloud like his father and occasionally his brother were on. They would have it out like they did originally and I think it would have the same outcome. Because with the fight between Willy and Biff. Linda wasnt a real part of itsure she was there but it was between Biff and his father I think that the same events would have taken place and almost the same words would have been used between them. and yes I think Would have killed himself so that Biff and Happy could have received the insurance. But they both didnt want that.so the only way to really keep that family of Willy and his two boys together. Would be to have Linda the most innocent of all the Lomans die some how during the time that everything was going well. There are two different parts to this play one is subtler than the other. Every now and again Willy takes us into the past back to his Great American family. However it primarily depicts the events that occur a long time after that perfect family idea has flown out the window. Even still Willy from time to time relives that life he once had with the boys who could have done anything, been anything, especially Biff who was the apple of Willys eye. Even Happy gets caught up in the past and how great things once were. Biff and his Mother Linda are the only ones that actually always live in reality. Linda knows what Willy does and how he has flashbacks but she all ows it because she knows its what fuels him and keeps him going and without it there would be no Willy. Biff knows that this goes on but he cant comprehend his why she lets him do it. He thinks his father is crazy and is embarrassed by his actions. It is like a small battle between father and son. Happy has no real relevance to this part of the story he is an accessory to this whole situation. What is keeping this family together? Linda is, she took the job of holding this family together at all costs. She is the peacemaker and tries to see both sides and understand. She does this with no credit what so ever she has always been over looked by her entire family especially Willythroughout the play she seems like this boring little role that is of no importance. But, think about it logically. What if anytime during the play something happens to Linda? There are two possible out comes, one would occur before this Great American Family had been demolished. What if she was killed by some freak accident like a car hit her when she was walking to the store?Would it have broken up this family even sooner than it originally would have? No, It would have brought them together. They wouldnt have all this animosity towards each other. Even though this event would have at first seemed like the unthinkable, these boys who were becoming men would look and see really how precious everything really is, and how important everyday is with each other because you may not be there the next. Linda had lived her whole life that way. She did not want to disturb what they had even if it meant sacrificing her feelings. Now what if she had died after Biff had returned from working on a farm? Would they have left each other to be alone with no one or would this event of tragic proportions bring them together? According to what we know about Biffs personality he would be angry with his father and blame him. He feels that he now sees reality, that he isnt living up on that cloud like his fat her and occasionally his brother were on. They would have it out like they did originally and I think it would have the same outcome. With the fight between Willy and Biff, Linda wasnt a real part of itsure she was there but it was between Biff and his father. I think that the same events would have taken place and almost the same words would have been used between them and yes I think Would have killed himself so that Biff and Happy could have received the insurance. But, they both didnt want that, so the only way to really keep that family of Willy and his two boys together would be to have Linda the most innocent of all the Lomans die some how during the time that everything was going well. Unless a tragedy of that immense proportion occurred the Lomans were doomed form the start. .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7 , .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7 .postImageUrl , .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7 , .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7:hover , .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7:visited , .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7:active { border:0!important; } .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7:active , .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7 .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ud7dddc4e948a23e2b7fc2622382cc7c7:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Depresstion Essay We will write a custom essay on There are two different parts to this play one is specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now

Blackberry Right Strategy Essay Example

Blackberry Right Strategy Essay The implementation of correct strategy in an organization is of vital importance. The reason for this is that strategy helps an organization to reach goals and it helps an organization to prosper. The correct Strategy and implementation also helps an organization to have a competitive advantage over its rivals. An organization with a competitive advantage can dictate terms to its rivals and can buy of niche markets supplying similar products. The aim of this assignment is to form an analysis of the strategic positioning of blackberry’s firm. This assignment will compare blackberry to its arch rivals and will review if blackberry’s performance is better than its rivals or not. We will also explain the reason behind the rebranding phase from the change of Research in motion to Blackberry. We will assess if we agree with the current strategies or not, and give a reason to why we think so. RESEARCH IN MOTION REBRANDS ITSELF AS BLACKBERRY CEO Thorsten Heins announced that his company will no longer be known as Research in Motion at a Blackberry event. He stated that it will be rebranded as â€Å"BLACKBERRY†. We have reinvented the company, and we want to represent this in our brand, Heins said. One brand. One promise. Our customers use a BlackBerry, our employees work for BlackBerry, and our shareholders are owners of BlackBerry. (Website 1). We will write a custom essay sample on Blackberry Right Strategy specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Blackberry Right Strategy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Blackberry Right Strategy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Blackberry is also changing its stock symbols to reflect the change. It will be listed as BBRY in NASDAQ and BB in TSX. * It’s out with the old and in with the new as RIM rebrands itself with a new name, a new operating system and a new phone. It’s a bold step for a company that made several missteps after ruling the smartphone segment and believes it must start over from scratch with new products and a new brand. By changing its name and launching an excellent operating system that runs on impressive phones, BlackBerry is doing more than writing a new chapter. It’s starting a new book. The importance of this cannot be overstated as the company that once defined the smartphone segment struggles to remain relevant in the era of Google and Apple. Even though Blackberry is turning this new leaf through Rebranding they must not forget that whilst they were regrouping their competitors were constantly improving. Samsung and Apple in particular have become so dominant in the mobile industry. They managed to get into the cell phone industry through their Brand names Samsung and Apple which are world renown and very reliable products. Once in they took the world by storm by releasing A grade products in the Smartphone industry and have just made their Brands stronger. Blackberry needs to recognize their presence and start becoming much more innovative than they have been in the past. They need to ensure that they build a strong brand to compete and become better than the likes of Samsung and Apple. STRATEGIC POSITIONING OF BLACKBERRY Strategic positioning is the overall intended objectives and approach to a situation. Most business managers will carefully develop a well thought out strategic position and take considerable steps to communicate it to staff clearly so that all parts of the business can be operating towards the firms stated goals. Blackberry has to realise that they are competing in a high velocity market which is turbulent. What this means is that the technology is improving at such a rapid pace that they have to keep up to the pace otherwise they will fall back in the race to supremacy in the phenomenon of Smartphones. Short product life cycle poses a huge threat to Blackberry therefor in order to eliminate this demon they need to ensure that they constantly invest aggressively in Ramp;D to stay on the leading of technological know how (Corporate Strategy Notes, Tailoring Strategy to Fit Specific Industry and Company Situations, Page 4 of 8). At Present Blackberry is not doing so therefore their strategic position is unstable and they face the problem of falling behind their current rivals and new rivals. A case in point is Blackberry. Not so long ago, it was arguably the standard corporate accessory. If you were working for a blue chip multinational, chances are that a Blackberry phone was your standard issue kit. Now it’s very different. Apple’s iPhone has successfully made the transition from niche to mainstream use, while Samsung and other android mobile providers have developed feature-rich devices for non-Apple users. Blackberry got squeezed from both sides, and is now struggling to define its relevance. It recently launched its new product, the Z10, which at first glance could be mistaken for the iPhone. While it’s not easy for a brand to create a strong and differentiated competitive position in a crowded marketplace, that’s a more sustainable strategic alternative than either a) copying your competition or b) ignoring your competition in the hope that it will go away. As competitive positioning strategies go, this â€Å"head in the sand† approach is not only wishful thinking, but does nothing to build a brand’s credibility. Effective competitive positioning demands that you understand not only the real benefits your product offers to your customer base, but that you also understand and can articulate how those measure up against your competitors. Pretending they don’t exist gets you nowhere. The strategy chosen by Blackberry is dependent on situational factors and the direction the organizations owners wish to take. At present the situational factors include the threat and competition posed by Apple and Samsung in particular as they are emerging and improving day by day therefore Blackberry has to have the right strategy in order to keep up with them. Blackberry’s strategic position in the market is unstable at present because of the several external and internal forces being presented. The reason that we say it is unstable is because internally Blackberry is carrying out their strategies efficiently. That doesn’t mean that they are in a good place, because you can have Great Strategies, but they could be implemented poorly and in this case you can have mediocre strategies which are being implemented brilliantly. The efficient implementation masks that the strategy is mediocre but as we see in the performance of the product on a financial and technological level it does not live up to the standards in the competing smartphone industry. Therefore this is our core reason for saying that Blackberry’s strategic position is unstable. IF they don’t change their strategic position from being unstable to stable it may cause them to falter in years to come. If Blackberry releases a new line of Smartphones and they are a flop in the industry they will go from bad to worse and the consequence of that will result in the company losing lots of profit. If they do decide to formulate new strategies and implement them with efficiency it will result in them being able to compete in the market more fiercely and they would become much more financially and technologically stable. Whilst it is very easy of the tongue to say we are just going to adopt new strategies and succeed, we need to ensure we carry out Research and Development actions to ensure we obtain vital information to devise a plan of how we are going to go forward. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Research and Development departments are common in many larger companies, especially those working with newer products or technologies subject to important shifts. While research and development work can be instrumental in creating new products or adding features to old products, the work that the department does is more complex than simple innovation. Ramp;D is connected to marketing, cost management and other parts of business strategy. (Website 2) Blackberry has made a valiant effort with their Ramp;D department however it isn’t fully up to the standards of their competitors in the ndustry. This doesn’t mean that they are bad, their competitors are just on another level at present. More efficient Research and Development will ensure they get on par or even surpass the performance of their competitors. Blackberry has been good in the development phase as they have had their set norms being the Curve, Bold and Torch which they have developed and upgraded really well ov er the years. The curve has had the 8900 which was primarily 2G, however through development they now offer the 9380 which has a 2G-3G option and that is just focusing on one aspect. Others may include a slimmer phone, more user friendly buttons, variety of different colour options etc. This shows us that the Smartphone is constantly improving however it isn’t going that extra mile to ensure that they get a larger market share. A possible reason for this is that Blackberry is content with their profit as it stands and they do not want to risk investment being lost if they have a new proposition being a flop. The consequences of Risks are Rewards or Punishment and there is a very fine line between them. Blackberry has come out their shell in recent months with their release of the Q10 and Z10 Smartphones however it hasn’t really lifted off the ground very well. Sales are low and there consumers prefer the Apple iPhone or the Samsung S3 because they feel it is much easier to use and it has more to offer. The new release looks somewhat identical to the iPhone, some begin to think that Blackberry has adopted the strategy of copying the competition thinking that it may benefit them however the technology also has to match that of the iPhone, and so far it isn’t living up to those standards. Therefore Blackberry needs to go back to the drawing board and carry out thorough Research and Development programmes on how they really want to move forward because the Q10 and Z10 is more of a flop then a success as it stands. Even though the overall outlook on the new release is good, it still falls short of the standards of its competitors. Blackberry needs to find that cutting edge and decisive new form of technology that will allow them to compete up there with the likes of Samsung and Apple or even better them. For now they are just playing second fiddle and trying to catch up to the rapid pace that their competitors are moving at. The External Environment PORTER Porter’s 5 force analysis plays a vital role in how Blackberry goes about working around competition, and how they isolate competitive advantage or disadvantage of the company. It will also enable Blackberry to strategize accordingly to ensure they are up to standards in the market. 1. Competitive pressures associated with the market maneuvering and jockeying for buyer patronage that goes on among rival sellers in the industry†. The 1st Force enables for Blackberry to distinguish their Rival sellers in the industry and be able to release new cutting edge technology that is better than theirs in order for them to keep up to speed and stay ahead of the competition. 2. â€Å"Competitive pressures associated with the threat of new entrants into the market†. This Force enables Blackberry to realise that there is alwa ys the threat of new entrants in the market. To eliminate this pressure Blackberry always needs to have the latest technology to ensure that if new entrants emerge in the market with good technology they can compete with them or eliminate them instead of losing market share. 3. â€Å"Competitive pressures coming from the attempts of companies in other industries to win buyers over to their own substitute products†. The 3rd Force shows Blackberry that companies like Samsung and Apple who are generally associated with Tv’s and Ipod’s respectively in a totally different industry can come into the market with substitute products and compete with them. At present Samsung and Apple have first class products with the best technology and Blackberry is falling back very fast. This is a major area of concern and is an area where Blackberry needs to catch up with very fast or it will result in them soon being a midget in the market. 4. â€Å"Competitive pressures stemming from buyer bargaining power and seller-buyer collaboration†. From the 4th force Blackberry realise that it must have a good customer relationship in order for them to gain a bigger market share. Blackberry must allow the buyer some bargaining power otherwise the buyer will feel hard done by and may seek elsewhere. There must be a good level of collaboration between buyer and supplier that will ensure that Blackberry moves forward smoothly in the market. 5. â€Å"Competitive pressure stemming from supplier bargaining power and supplier-seller collaboration†. The 5th force shows Blackberry that they must have a good relationship with their suppliers in order to obtain their materials at good low prices. If the collaboration is good the result would be low production cost and higher profits. (Corporate Strategy Notes, Analysing the External Environment, Page 2 0f 6) GENERAL INDIRECT ENVIRONMENT (PESTEL) There are some factors that Blackberry has no control of in the external environment and they have to work around these problems. On the Political Sphere they are affected by the taxation policy which may ultimately affect their returns therefore they need to ensure that their profits are good and their tax is up to date which will enable them to be in the safe zone with the tax man. They have to also come to terms with the foreign tax regulations. The Economic sector is probably one of the most delicate. Changes in the economic sector have to be acted upon stealthily because it can affect the Blackberry in a big way. Inflation poses a big threat because with inflation comes higher cost for everything. Interest rates also play a major role. Social influence is a sector which Blackberry thrives on. The social sector includes lifestyle changes, levels of education, social mobility etc. The aim of Blackberry is to attract the masses with their product which will enable them to become more connected socially. Their Blackberry Messenger service does wonders in regard to this because it allows people to network at a high pace. The technological environment poses one of the biggest threats to Blackberry. As technology is rapidly improving it will be up to Blackberry to keep up with the pace, if not then they will lag behind and may suffer losses. They have no control over how fast technology improves therefore they will have to be on the ball. The Environmental sector includes waste disposal and energy consumption in connection with Blackberry. Blackberry needs to find the most efficient and green methods in manufacturing their product in order for them to save money and be safe in regard to the protection laws. Blackberry has to ensure at all times that they do not violate any labour laws and Employment laws. They must also make sure that they are keeping up to scratch with the Health and Safety Standards to ensure they don’t obtain any fines that would cause them loss of profit. (Strategic and Operations Management, Module 5, External Environment Assessment, General Indirect Environment, Page 23) SWOT ANALYSIS The purpose of the Swot analysis for Blackberry is to clearly identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It is important for Blackberry to know where they stand and where they need to improve. Blackberry has various strengths in the industry. Their social networks are among the best out there and this is probably the only reason that Blackberry is surviving in the market. They need to continue using this as their major advantage over their rivals. At present Blackberry has a large consumer base because of its social network BBM, it enables people to network socially and for business. Blackberry need to continue enhancing the technology in this sphere to ensure they keep the market interested with the product. Another Strength of Blackberry is that they offer you a variety of phones to choose from, it isn’t as limited as to the likes of Samsung and Apple. This offers the customer a choice as to what they prefer, many may not like a specific design so they opt for something else and Blackberry has many choices to offer therefore this is a major strength for them. Blackberry has many weaknesses which they need to rectify in order to keep up to the likes of Samsung and Apple in the industry. Blackberry does not advertise as much as Samsung and Apple, this means that their rivals are getting much more exposure than them. They need to rectify this matter otherwise they will quickly lose market share and consumer base. They need to advertise on platforms like television, radio and billboards in busy areas in order to make customers aware of their product. Blackberry has a lot of software problems which need to be rectified. They don’t have many features as to the likes of Samsung and Apple, this means that they begin to lag behind the likes of their competitors. Therefore Blackberry needs to carry out Ramp;D programmes in order for them to come up to standards. There will always be opportunities for Blackberry in the market and they need to pounce on them in order to move forward consistently. Blackberry Applications are constantly improving and this forms a major opportunity for them as customers like good applications and with the improvement they can lure more customers in. Blackberry Pricing is becoming more and more affordable for the average man and this is a good opportunity for Blackberry to cut profits and lower prices in order to get a large customer. Threats are the major concern of Blackberry because this is what dictates how they perform in the market based on the performance of their competitors. The major threat comes from the likes of Samsung and Apple because of their ability to be innovative to the extremes and release cutting edge technology on a regular basis. This will cause Blackberry to seriously lag behind therefore it poses a major threat. RECCOMENDATIONS We recommend that Blackberry develops new strategies in order to compete strongly in the market again because as it stands with their current strategies they are fairly unstable and in huge trouble if they mess up the slightest bit. Blackberry needs to do more advertising compared to Samsung and Apple to ensure that they are able to compete in the industry strongly. They need to implement long term corporate strategies in order to better their strategic positions. They need to have excellent strategies and implement them accordingly in order to become a better company. Blackberry needs to do more market research on the external environment. As we know the external environment is uncontrollable however Blackberry must develop back up plans that will enable them to adapt to change accordingly in the external environment. They need to research and monitor the progress of their competitors in order to keep up to par or keep ahead of them in the technology sphere in order to claim a larger consumer base. Blackberry needs to carry out more thorough Ramp;D programmes in order for them to develop new cutting edge technology which they can offer to their consumers, they further need to incorporate many more features in the phone which will make consumers much more interested in the product. The prime reason that we do not agree with the current strategies of Blackberry is because with their current strategies their strategic position is very weak. In order to change this Blackberry needs to adopt all of the above in order to come up to scratch with their rivals. CONCLUSION We have come to a collective agreement that Blackberry is still a major force in the smartphone industry however they are beginning to fade because of the competition in the industry. Blackberry lacks a good decisive strategy in order to compete on the levels of Samsung and Blackberry. Their technology is good but it’s not the best. They are not able to keep up to the speed that technology is improving and this is causing them to fall behind very fast. More thorough Ramp;D programmes and better strategies will enable them to fight their way back into the market and will give them the opportunity to get on par with their competitors and even surpass them. If they decide to keep their current strategies they will face the consequence of losing their large consumer base which they have achieved with great difficulty. They will lose a massive market share to the likes of their rivals and new entrants into the smartphone industry. Their stock shares have dropped drastically over the last few months because their sales have dropped substantially and the release of their new phone Z10 has not lived up to their expectations. Therefore this will result in them further falling behind in the industry. Now it is up to their corporates to formulate and devise new strategies and implement them with efficiency in order to move forward.

Finding a Paying Market in Homeschoolers

Finding a Paying Market in Homeschoolers Most writers are always on the lookout for ways to earn a little extra cash with their craft. One of those ways kind of fell into my lap, and I face-palmed myself for not thinking about it before. A friend asked if I would teach a writing class at her homeschool co-op. I homeschooled my own children for 18 years, and it never occurred to me to offer my knowledge to other homeschoolers. Here are a few things you need to know to break into a local homeschool group. ==They plan classes for the following year in January. September of one year isn’t too early to approach them with your class ideas for the next year. ==Co-ops have wish lists to include their course needs and requests from parents. Many of those wishes go above and beyond what most homeschooling curriculums offer. For example, most parents teach grammar at home, but can’t teach their children how to write a novel. Perhaps a journalism class, with a bimonthly printed newspaper, would be a good addition to the co-op’s class list, or teaching a freelancing class where students could actually submit stories and articles to magazines that accept writing from kids. theclaremontreview.ca/#!writing-submissions/c1bm7 http://kidspiritonline.com/help/ newmoon.com/content/?id=1006type=1 http://polyphonyhs.com/submit/ skippingstones.org/submissions.htm stonesoup.com/stone-soup-contributor-guideline/ teenink.com/Submissions/guidelines.php) ==Offer different ideas, reaching different age groups. While they may already offer a journalism class for high school age students, maybe teaching elementary students how to write and illustrate a picture book would complement the co-op’s needs. Many groups use IEW for creative writing classes. You can find out more about that curriculum at their website (http://iew.com). Study it and come up with an idea that is different, a need that isn’t already met. ==Write course descriptions and be specific. You don’t necessarily have to have your lessons planned out for the entire year, but you do need to know, and be able to communicate, what your plans are for the class. Create a syllabus to give students at the beginning of the year. ==Some parents want grades for their children to add to transcripts. Depending on what the parents are doing at home with their children, they may need you to grade, even if it just a pass/fail type of grade. Talk with the homeschool co-op to see what they require. ==Some co-ops will allow you to charge an extra fee for printing or supply costs. For example, when teaching a picture book class, you may need fancy paper, markers, stencils, and other art supplies for the children to use. This is a one-time fee for the year that allows you to purchase what is necessary for the benefit of the class. ==Expect a wide range in class number. You may only end up with a few students or up to as many as twenty, depending on the size of the co-op, scheduling conflicts, or simply the number of students interested in taking your class. ==Don’t be surprised if they require a background check. After all, you are working with their children. Teaching writing to homeschool students can be fun and exciting as well as profitable. To find a homeschool co-op in your area, visit http://a2zhomeschooling.com/regional/regional_worldwide_homeschooling/ or home-school.com/groups/ for list

Principles of Adult Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words - 1

Principles of Adult Education - Essay Example Fron this discussion it is clear that  the focus is on the individual, and particularly that person’s conscious, rational activities of perceiving, interpreting, categorising and storing knowledge. Basically it depends upon the capabilities of an individual as to how he perceives learning. Schemata theorists, for example, suggest that as learners we first acquire new information, interpret it according to our previous experiences, then evaluate and remember concepts using our existing mental schemata or categories, and restructure our concepts and organising schemata as we are challenged by new experiences.This paper highlights that  in the everyday process of ‘meaning-making’ and problem solving, reflective theories explain that pupil learn procedural knowledge (how to do things or solve problems) and propositional knowledge (what things mean) through reflecting on experiences. But in critical reflection people question how they framed the problem in the firs t place. Even if no apparent problems exist, the thoughtful practitioner questions situations, asking why things are the way they are, why events unfold in the way they do.  One problem with explaining adult learning as a straightforward matter of individuals reflecting carefully and even critically on their experiences is that we are embedded so thoroughly in our cultures that we may not be able to distance our thinking from our own experiences.