William Faulkner s A Rose For Emily - 951 Words

literary Response to â€Å"A Rose for Emily† â€Å"A Rose for Emily† by William Faulkner was published in 1930. This short story is set in an old southern town. I believe that this and several other combinations of events are what made the main character Miss Emily go insane. Miss Emily was an old school southern woman trapped in a modernizing society. She tried desperately to keep to her old ways, but the changes that happened around her were inevitable. This made me feel like something was going to go wrong very early in the story. It became very apparent to me that Emily did not deal well with change. Throughout the story, I felt sorry for her, because I do not deal well with change either. I find it hard and stressful to deal with. Thus I can see how her changing environment directly impacted Miss Emily’s life. When Emily met the love of her life she slowly became obsessed with him. This was until one day he betrayed her by spreading rumors about her that wer en t true. As the town grew more and more people heard these rumors and began to think less of Miss Emily. This along with her sheltered and isolated childhood could have been what drove Miss Emily to become a murder later on in her life. There are many events that occurred throughout the story that triggered my overall reaction. I noticed that the words â€Å"iron gray hair†(124) were repeated several times throughout the story. This not only gave an idea of Emily’s age, but added a sense of mystery to the scene. OneShow MoreRelatedWilliam Faulkner s A Rose For Emily1316 Words   |  6 Pagesminuscule detail in the writing. In order to fully enjoy William Faulkner’s â€Å"A Rose for Emily† readers must do the latter. Faulkner is a witty writer; some symbols are less obvious than others in his writing. To fully appreciate and obtain full meaning of the text readers must pay attention to his symbols and how they contribute to the greater theme. William Fa ulkner uses symbolization in â€Å"A Rose for Emily† to develop a theme of personal struggle. Emily faces many personal struggles: her relationship withRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s A Rose For Emily1181 Words   |  5 Pages Is William Faulkner s A Rose for Emily iconic American literature? Faulkner uses setting, theme and plot to show the ways â€Å"A Rose for Emily† is an iconic American literature. Faulkner saw the Forum magazine with his short story he wrote, â€Å"A Rose for Emily† and found out that was his first national publication. The Mississippi Writers Page says, â€Å"The man himself never stood taller than five feet, six inches tall, but in the realm of American literature, William Faulkner is a giant† (MWP). Read MoreWilliam Faulkner s A Rose For Emily1528 Words   |  7 Pagespoint of view is A Rose for Emily told? Why? In William Faulkner s short story A Rose for Emily the reader is given the account of an old woman who is rejected by society. The reader is acquainted with Miss Emily Grierson by a spectator, somebody who is not Miss Emily, but rather part of the town that rejects her. The storyteller has a somewhat omniscient perspective, knowing more than the normal town s individual, however not all that matters there is to think about Miss Emily. The storytellerRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s A Rose For Emily1801 Words   |  8 Pages William Faulkner is known for his many short stories, however, many has wondered what has influenced him in writing these stories. Like his well known, most famous short story â€Å"A Rose for Emily†, which has always been compared to â€Å"Barn Burning†, one of Faulkner’s other short story. It only make sense to compare them two together because these two stories has may similarities , whether it may be in setting , characters or style they favor each other . Nevertheless they also have many differencesRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s A Rose For Emily957 Words   |  4 PagesBereavement While a â€Å"Rose for Emily† by William Faulkner and â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† by Flannery O’Connor share the common themes of unexpected death and the old south, the murders found in each story are vastly different. Both stories tell of strong female protagonists who don’t cope well with change and both foreshadow death right from the beginning, but the murderers themselves come from completely different worlds. Emily Grierson of â€Å"A Rose for Emily and the grandmother in â€Å"ARead MoreWilliam Faulkner s A Rose For Emily879 Words   |  4 Pagesare both similar due to how these emotions cause a human to act irrationally. The lone woman in A Rose for Emily and the cashier, Sammy, in A P both portrayed a greater sense of hate which overcame their love. We as humans, capable of powerful emotion typically act too quickly to even understand the consequences of our actions. One prime example is portrayed in William Faulkner’s A Rose for Emily, Emily loved Homer tremendously, however he did not feel the same way †he liked men, and it was knownRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s A Rose For Emily1682 Words   |  7 PagesLyons Professor Amy Green Writing about Literature COM1102 Oct. 06, 2015 William Faulkner s A Rose for Emily is a short story that has also been adapted into a short film; both have been largely debated. Faulkner’s lack of a normal chronology and situation-triggered memories generates a story that has many understandings among its readers, but surprises everyone at the end. When asked about the title of his story, Faulkner said, [The title] was an allegorical title; the meaning was, here was aRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s A Rose For Emily854 Words   |  4 Pages Literary Response to â€Å"A Rose for Emily† â€Å"A Rose for Emily† by William Faulkner was published in 1930. This short story is set in an old southern town. I believe that this and several other combinations of events are what made the main character Miss Emily go insane. Miss Emily was a old school southern woman trapped in a modernizing society. She tried desperately to try and keep to her old ways, but the changes were inevitable. This made me feel like something was going to go wrong very early inRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s A Rose For Emily1810 Words   |  8 Pages William Faulkner is one amazing writing ,who is known for his many short stories .However, many has wondered what has influenced him in writing these stories . Like his well known, most famous short story â€Å"A Rose for Emily†, which has always been compared to â€Å"Barn Burning†, one of Faulkner’s other short story. It only make sense to compare them two together because these two stories has may similarities , whether it may be in setting , characters or style they favor each other . NeverthelessRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s A Of The Sky And A Rose For Emily1540 Words   |  7 Pagesgeneral has affected all societies in all time periods, and reading is more than just an everyday task. These two authors affected society in their time, with their reappraising stories: A Horseman In The Sky and A Rose For Emily. However, William Faulkner (author of A Rose For Emily) and Ambrose Bierce (author of A Horseman In The Sky) have different views and affects on so ciety by when the particular story was published, the use of figurative language, and different genres. Back in the time of

Spirituality for the Alienated Free Essays

Struggling with the Spirit in today’s world is a daunting challenge. Most fail. This is because the mainline culture holds that the life of the Spirit is actually a life of the mind, a life of the emotions somewhat distorted by older, â€Å"discredited† system of spirituality and life. We will write a custom essay sample on Spirituality for the Alienated or any similar topic only for you Order Now Burg’s project, however, is not so much denying this rather dogmatic approach, but in reconstructing it so that the moderns can come to the life of the spirit with few doubts and problems. However, Borg speaks to me for several reasons: first, my love of the eastern tradition stresses Christ as Tao, as the path, rather than as a dogmatic set of beliefs. It is not so much that dogma is a problem–as it merely asserts things as true–but these propositions never exist in themselves, they exist as part of a broader whole, a struggle with myself and the modern world (Damascene, 1999). This struggle is about integration: the integration of a tradition, a set of beliefs held propositionally, but also its integration within a culture that is often hostile, and that–it seems–seeks to constantly throw roadblocks in the way of one’s struggle. This paper, then, will take my own struggle through the methods Borg uses to reconnect Christianity to modern life. The basic thesis here is integration: taking the insights from all relevant communities to construct a reasonable and useful understanding of Jesus and his mission. For Borg’s (1995) work, the real struggle is twofold: first, the struggle between the communal understanding of Christ and his historical essence, and second, the struggle with integrating â€Å"modern scholarship† with one’s life of true faith. This struggle is very real, but for Borg, his uncritical acceptance of â€Å"modern scholarship† as a set of infallible oracles who have no agenda or ulterior motives make his approach weak and compliant. Nevertheless, the insights taken from this approach cannot be ignored. The basic historical approach Borg takes is highly problematic: Christ did not say what is attributed to him, this existed as an oral tradition prior to being written down, hence unreliable, and lastly, that these oral ideas were written down by a community that had already experienced Christ and hence, itself is largely personal and cultural (Borg, 1995). Unfortunately, he refuses to deal with the large body of work that refutes these theses, such as McDowell (2006), Strobel (1998), Siciliano (2001) and so many others. His assumption that the modernist scholarship is true (rather than as an ideological construct) shows his criticism to be poorly developed: if the Christ of the ancient world is an ideological construct of the community (and hence unreliable), why is the modern academic, also part of a community, not guilty of the same crime? The fact that Borg is a part of this community might help in answering that problem. If I am to hold that Christ is the creation of an ideologically motivated community, then there is no reason why the â€Å"modern scholarship† on this question is not also an ideologically motivated community. Nevertheless, it is the case that struggles against the modern idea are real, and some of their insights cannot be cast out of hand, as this community does to what they call the â€Å"fundamentalists. † There are several issues Borg takes the reader though that are full of insight and use for the modern Christian buffeted by the modern mentality. In Borg’s Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time (1995), he stresses that images of Jesus are important for one’s development as a Christian. There are several images that he identifies: Jesus as Savior: likely the most common image. Christ came to earth to save man frm sin, to take his human nature and link it to the divine, hence cleansing it, and bringing it through the realm of death, hence conquering it. Second, Jesus as teacher, Jesus came to earth to primarily teach a set of doctrines about Himself, the world and the Christian’s relation to it. Third, Jesus as the â€Å"king of creation,† the stern judge and teacher of righteousness. Fourth, Jesus as moralist, that Jesus came to earth to primary teach an ethical system. And lastly, Jesus as a liturgical figure, the Jesus whose beauty is such that normal words cannot describe it, but it can only be understood in poetry and the symbolism of liturgy (Borg, 2-5). This is an important approach. All of these, to one extent or another, are a part of each Christian’s life, but some are more significant than others. Borg seems to hold that the real problem for modern Christians is the â€Å"propositional† nature of â€Å"faith. † That faith, for him, is the assent to a series (literally a list) of propositions: Christ is the Son of God, Christ walked on water, etc. The problem is that the modern person lives in a society that lives by its own dogmas: that such things cannot happen because they â€Å"violate the laws of nature. † Of course, this assumes that Christ is not their author. He does have a solution, one that I find personally satisfying: that there are two Christs (though not literally), the Christ that existed prior to the resurrection, and the Christ that came after. The latter is the Christ that should motivate the modern reader, and this is the Christ that motivated the early Christian community to write the scriptures. The assumption is that this community made up a series of stories and held to it. The fact that the resurrection and crucifixion made no sense to the surrounding Jewish or pagan world is not considered. In other words, that no real religious interest was served by creating these stories, since the concept of a crucified God was abhorrent to both communities. Nevertheless, he holds that the motivation of writing the Gospels come from the resurrection, which Borg takes as true from the testimony of the Scriptures that he does not trust (Borg, 1995). Nevertheless, Borg, while inconsistent, is involved with a similar struggle to my own. Being from a secular household, the concept of Christ and his miracles was strange to me. No different, really, than a cartoon superhero. It was so easy to reject them, so hard to accept them. But this was not a matter of assent and intellectual life, but rather socially. To preach Christ to anyone other than the converted is to lose a great deal of social capital. This I felt powerfully. But intellectually, I never had a problem: â€Å"science,† or rather, the scientific establishment, tells me that the infinitely complex life of DNA came into existence by chance. If this was true, then how strange was it to believe that God came to earth to teach men about Himself? I never thought it strange that Christ was God, while my friends believed that Eric Clapton was God. What I did find strange was the mentality of belief as â€Å"propositions. † In other words, that one could hold to the list of accepted beliefs about God and Christ, but the integration of these ideas into the world about them was the real challenge. Borg’s other famed work, The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering the life of Faith, has helped me put this problem into a better perspective. In fact, it is precisely the statement of the problem that makes the most sense, just as much as the solution itself. In other words, the context of the problem suggests its own answer. Borg writes that Christ should be seen as a way of life rather than as a set of beliefs (Borg, 2004, 25). However, the problem is that Borg seems to say this so as to relieve himself of the pressure of believing things that â€Å"modern scholarship† has decided are false. This, as I have already said, is the great weak spot of this series of books. But it helps to place it like this: Dogma: This is an intellectual approach to God and Christ. It holds to a set of beliefs both as reflecting the historical world of facts, and at the same time, demands a consistency among the propositions believed. This is fair enough. But the real issue is that it is a matter of the head. If Christianity was to be a strictly rational, empirical religion, then why did Christ not speak in this way? Christ, rather than speaking as a metaphysician, spoke in parables, He spoke in aphorisms, He spoke in stories of only a few sentences. He seems to preach by example as much as by words. Way: Christ preached by example, by the words and actions that he integrated within himself for a short span of three years. He struggles with non-belief, the arrogance of the Pharisees, and incomprehension of the Romans. But this is precisely our condition: our modern Pharisees, our modern secular people consistently give us trouble. Christ is a way of struggle rather than as a set of dogmatic beliefs (Damascene, 1999). Borg (2004, 28-37) does one better: he reduces the struggle this way: Christ and the Christian mission in the modern world can be reduced to four specific approaches: (1) Assensus: this is a matter of rational assent. This is the problem, at least when such assent is separated from the community. One can hold that Borg is really trying to minimize conflicts, to minimize the â€Å"dogmatic† element of Christ so as to lower the threshold of belief: more and more can come to Christ if they do not need to â€Å"pass the belief test. † At the same time, Borg can also be said to hold this because either he does not believe the dogmatic pronouncements about Christ, or his community (i. e. the academic community) does not, and he does not want to be left out, or attacked as a â€Å"fundamentalist. † (2) Fidelity: this is the matter is personal relationship. This is not so much a matter of a-dogmatism, but goes beyond it: love is stronger than intellectual assent. One follows Christ not because he has given assent to a series of dogmas, but rather, because Christ is a man worthy of being followed. A man that exudes love in the strongest sense of the world. (3) Vision: the approach where faith in Christ makes sense out of the whole: the world, the community even of religion. While it is is true that Christ preached the coming of his Church, he did not speak of it all that much. Christ spoke of a life of struggle, of virtue, of a personal relationship through faith. The apostles had this, and still could not keep Judas. The vision is to bring the whole into integration with Christ’s teachings, the real basis of this paper and the basis of my personal life. One cannot run from the world, but one can infuse it with Christ and his teachings. But this is difficult with so many teachings about Christ, one does not know which image to pick,. This is the problem, and many have rejected Him altogether because fo the disagreements. This many be the real strength of Borg and his approach. (4) Trust: this seems to synthesize all the above. One trusts in the message of Jesus, but a message that might not be literally â€Å"true,† but is the experience of God in and by the community. If one approaches scriptures in this manner, then one can get over the â€Å"belief threshold† and see the Scriptures as a â€Å"response to God,† rather than a historical record. On a more personal note, the most satisfying part of Borg’s work is in his threefold â€Å"basis† of the Christian life in the modern era. I’d like to make this the conclusion, and the real central element of my personal response to reading Borg. In his (2004) work, Borg holds that the modern mission of Christianity can be reduced to three elements: (1) The affirmation of the reality of God. Now this can be done two ways: first, through intellectual arguments, but also as a set of experiences. Borg prefers the latter. Nevertheless, in my own history, it was the former that led me to the latter. In my younger years of obligatory doubt, it was not the experience of God, it was the understanding of him. Once I understood him, I could feel and experience him. But my understanding came in the form of a series of negations: I could not believe that DNA ever came into existence by chance. DNA is the great proof of the intelligence of God, the very nature of His creative power (at least that which is open to human observation). I could not believe that matter was eternal. Even in my younger years, while I could not articulate such an idea, I most certainly believed it. Materialism holds that matter is God, in the sense that all things, including life, came from it. It is also eternal and hence, all powerful. Once I realized this set of ideas that must be held by materialism, I realized that the life of the spirit was for me. Life cannot come from death, since something cannot give what it does not have. Consciousness does not come from chance. I saw these as the affirmation of the dogmatic and ideological community of modern scholarship and science, I saw it as the worst and crudest form of obscurantism (2) The centrality of Jesus. While I have no problem with this concept, I can not imagine that Borg can say the same. Jesus? But if one holds that the Jesus of Scripture is deliberately falsified, then what is he speaking of here? He never says. Jesus seems to become an archetype rather than a person. If one holds that the New Testament is falsified (a concept I hold as fantastic) then Christ can never be central. In other words, unless one holds to certain things as historically true (i. e. dogma), then Christ can never be the central part of one’s life. (3) Lastly, the centrality of the scriptures. There are two ways of viewing this: first, the scriptures as historically true, which Borg rejects, and the scriptures as reflecting, in words, the early community’s experience with God. Of course, these are not mutually exclusive, but the latter does more accurately reflect out situation. We do experience God in our lives. What we write about this comes out as vague and poetic. It is not history, but at best, psychology. It does not mean that the experiences are false, but that there are only so many ways that such experiences can be expressed. The final expression cannot, however, be called â€Å"history. † I commend Borg for trying, but he ultimately, fails. He cannot have it both ways: to reject scripture (as his community does) but still hold Jesus as central. Jesus cannot be central if his life is falsified. Borg is ultimately a sloppy writer that seems to want to pleas everyone, and make Christianity an easy religion for all to approach. Whatever he likes about the Scriptures he uses, whatever will get him made fun of by his colleagues, he rejects. This is dishonest, and says more about the academic community than the early Christian community. Basically Borg is trying to rescue Christianity from the attacks of the modern critics, while affirming that everything that those critics say about the Bible is true. Nevertheless, we have all experienced the doubt, the pressure of the outside world. It is all the matter of context and expression: how we approach God in a materialistic world. That, Borg can do nicely. Bibliography: Borg, Marcus (1995) Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time. HarperOne. ___. (2004) The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering the Life of Faith. HarperOne Damascene, Fr. (1999) Christ the Eternal Tao. St. Herman’s Press. Fr. Damascene’s book strongly takes the approach advocated by Borg. He holds that Christ as a relational entity (so to speak) leads to believing in Christ as the Way, a method, a path to Enlightenment and truth. McDowell, Josh. (2006). Evidence for Christianity. Thomas Nelson Publishers. Strobel, Leo. (1998). The Case for Christ. Zondervan. Siciliano, Terry. (2001) Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: Evidence for Christianity. Truth Press. These are three major works that refute the thesis that Christ’s message was falsified. There are many means to do this, but the most impressive one is that the message that came out in the Scriptures is repugnant to both the Jewish and Pagan mentality: rising from the dead, execution like a common criminal, no military force, etc. were all highly disagreeable to the environment in which the Scriptures were first written and disseminated. Hence, they must be true. If one was going to invent a series of events, the last series one would invent at the time was that which was actually written. How to cite Spirituality for the Alienated, Papers

Business Proposal Newly Venture Health Club & Fitness Business

Question: Provide a business proposal for newly venture health club and fitness business. Answer: Introduction The fitness business and health club industry is mounting in the present day context. For creating a new business venture, management needs to evaluate every aspect of the business. Nowadays, the concept of venture and merger is widely used by the companies globally to achieve competitive advantages (Barrow, Barrow Brown, 2012). The main objective of the paper is to provide a business proposal for newly venture health club and fitness business. The proposal contains business plan, which helps to identify the major aspects that it will focus to generate income and how will it reach to the targeted customers. This further aims to provide analysis of the fitness market. Based on the analysis, it will focus on formulating a business plan that comprises financial plan for the new venture, period to make profit as well. The paper summarizes the vision, mission, and the objective of the business proposal. The paper will focus on providing an effective plan that will help to achieve certain target and generate profit from the investment. Summary In the present day context, the fitness industry is in the growing phase. Every people are concerned about his or her health, as it is a significant part of ones life. In the present scenario, people mainly focus on maintaining and presenting them to look pretty and handsome. Additionally, in this busy world, people are maintaining their health through exercises to live healthy normal life. Hence, people joined health club to do exercise, which leads to better and healthy life along with attractive personality. The economic theory has been the motivational factor for the entrepreneur. In the present day context, the health care industry has lots of opportunities (Barrow, Barrow Brown, 2012). Vision: our vision is to develop as a leader in the fitness industry Mission: we committed to provide exceptional physical education training to serve better to the client, which leads to their healthier life Objective: our main objective is to grow sustainably in the health club industry Rationale: our core values and underlying principle is to develop community by providing training, and education relating to health Business Model The targeted customer of the enterprise will be the local resident near to the centre. The company will segment its customer from the age of 17 to 35 years. The company will be targeting both the male and female customers equally. The company will generate its revenue from the monthly charges and the initial admission fees. Additionally, the company will be selling some products such as protein powders, supplementary products, and milk packets among others. These will help it to generate revenue and earn considerable profit. The company will be creating value to the customers by collaborating fitness centre with the health club. Additionally, the company will be introducing a diverse range of advanced fitness equipments to meet the demand of its clients. The company will be providing proper training to its staff for providing quality guidance to the clients. The company will offer extensive range of services including, sauna, steam bath, yoga, spas, meditation, gymnasium, and massage . The company will also be focusing on introducing health related programs to aware people regarding the importance of health in this busy world (Burns, 2014). Figure: Business model CANVAS Source: (Burns, 2014) Market Analysis The market of fitness and health club is in booming phase. The member of UK health club and fitness industry increased to 1.5 million. Additionally, the proportion of the fitness members as compared to the population in UK was 1:8. The UK fitness industry has developed with the increased number of health clubs. It was notable that the UK fitness market has a growth rate of 5.4% in 2015, which is considerably high to the value in 2009 that was 2.4% (The Leisure Database Company Ltd, 2015). The growth was largely due to the low cost private sector fitness centres and health clubs. Since 2009, the fitness industry demand has increased by 3.6% (The Leisure Database Company Ltd, 2015). The fitness centres and health clubs are mainly focusing on urban places, wherein the population is larger than the rural areas in UK. The fitness and health club market has been fully dependent on the health of the UK customers. Estimations revealed that financial cost of obesity in the UK is 5 million pou nd in a year (The Leisure Database Company Ltd, 2015). Additionally, a large number of people from UKs population are physically inactive. The health club and fitness market has been facing a tough condition during the last three decades, as the customer has been facing relatively low disposable income and high inflation. Hence, by understanding the complexity of their concerning health the UK population has understand the importance of physical exercise (The Leisure Database Company Ltd, 2015; WTS International, 2013; WTS International, 2015). PEST analysis helps to know the current market situation and the factors that influencing the business venturing. PEST Analysis Political The health care industry has to deal with certain local laws and regulation. The taxes related to the fitness and health care can affect the cost and business risk. The political policies regarding the health club has been the major concern for opening new venture. Economical The healthcare industry has significantly influenced by the economical factor. Growing inflation, low disposable income remains a major factor for the industry to achieve growth. Social The attitude, option that the society provides to the consumers affects the industry. The demographics such as age, income, gender have focused on improving their health issues. Technological The health care industry has been experiencing the technological development from past few years. The use of advance technology such as interactive personal station, online facilities, music system has provides the industry a new edge. This technological development helps to attract more customers to live a healthy life. SWOT Strengths The main strength involve the well-trained staffs which provide our company competitive advantages. Additionally, the price strategy provides the company a good brand image. Weaknesses The company lack adequate financial support to compete in the health care market Opportunities The new venture will provide an opportunity to raise fund. The growing market of healthcare industry has remained a major opportunity for the company. Threats The growing competition of the high quality health club services providers has been its major threats. The high cost due to the legislation and taxes has also its threat. From the PEST and SWOT analysis, the venture can use opportunity to support the business plan. The form of business would be partnership, as the company is approaching to establish a new venture with fitness business. The company is already into a health club business and planning to venture with a fitness business, so the new venture business would be starting from the zero level or De novo. The business will be dreamer that has low risk and high innovativeness. Start-Up Capital The cost that will require for the start-up of new venture fitness centre and health club is approximately 70,000. The investors will provide approximately 50,000 and the rest amount of 20,000 will come from loan. The start-up costs include infrastructure development, employee cost, equipment cost, promotion, and others (Barrow, Barrow Brown, 2012). Start-up investment Investors contribution 50,000 Bank loan 20,000 Total investment required 70,000 Assets Non cash Assets 0 Cash requirement 5,000 Additional cash 0 Cash balance 5,000 Liabilities Current borrowings 0 Long term liability 20,000 Outstanding payable 0 Other current liabilities 0 Total Liability 20,000 Figure: Forecasted Balance Sheet The start-up expenses of the proposed venture will involve legal and licensing expenses, wherein the company will be allocating 1500. Stationary expenses involves towel, water bottle among others, wherein the company will allocate 1000. The company will be distributing 9,500 for the rent. Additionally, for the insurance the new venture will assign 5000. The main investment for the venture company will be the investment of equipment. For the equipment, the company will be allocating 25,000, as the focus of the company will be to provide superior customer services with advanced equipment. The company will be assigning 10,000 for the leasehold development. For the maintenance purpose, the company will distribute leasehold of 6,500. For the utility expenses, it will spend 5500 and other expenses will be of 6000. Timeline for Making Profit The company should focus on obtaining its customer from the first month of its business operations. In the first month, the company will attempt to generate revenue of 20,000 from its customer. Figure: Sales Forecast of First Twelve Month Figure: Sales Forecast of 5 Year Sales forecast reveals that the company will be generating its income from the beginning of the fourth year, as in the fourth year the company will be in break-even point, where the cost and revenue will be equal. By providing the high quality services with the advance equipment, the company will be able to generate revenue from its customer (Burns, 2014). By considering the sale forecast, and determining the possible break-even point in the fourth year, it is necessary to convey to the manager of the bank that the complete loan amount will be paid at the end of the fourth year. Conclusion From the above proposal, it is clear that the company needs to evaluate all aspect of internal as well as external factors such as partners, the activities that the company will perform while implementing the business plan, the budget allocation and the key resources that the company will utilise. The business proposal provides the insight of the fitness and healthcare market. It also provides the timeline for the profit making. Based on the sales forecast, it clearly identifies that the company will be generating profit from the 4th year of its operations. Thus, it is recommended to the investors to invest in the business that will derive above 10% interest on the investment amount. This business proposal will provide the company wide information about the budget for introducing the new venture business. The business model CANVAs will help to know the revenue generation mechanism for the company. The paper shows the analysis of the business model that helps to evaluate the value pro position for the proposed venture. References Barrow, C., Barrow, P. Brown, R., 2012, The business plan workbook. Kogan Page Publishers, London. Burns, P., 2014, New venture creation: a framework for entrepreneurial start-ups. Palgrave Macmillan, USA. The Leisure Database Company Ltd 2015, 2015 state of the UK fitness industry report published yesterday, viewed 26 January 2016, https://www.leisuredb.com/blog/2015/6/19/2015-state-of-the-uk-fitness-industry-report-published-yesterday WTS International, 2013. Health Club Management Handbook 2013. Start A New, pp. 1-236. WTS International, 2015. Health Club Management Handbook 2015. WTS International, pp. 1-260.

Tesco Essay Example For Students

Tesco Essay Wednesday, 23 December 2009 TESCO PLC Ansoff s Matrix Introduction Tesco as a market leader with a successful business in the UK always attracts many researchers to find more about why the company has competitive advantages among other rivals. â€Å"The first basic ingredient of leadership is a guiding vision. The leader has a clear idea of what he wants to do – professionally and personally – and the strength to persist in the face of setbacks, even failures. Unless you know where you are going, and why, you cannot possibly get there† (Warren Bennis, 1994)1. This company has a successful business history in 80 years of its activities. Today, Tesco Plc is considered as a successful retailer in the UK. The position of Tesco among other competitors in the UK shows that this company has been successful in its applied marketing strategies. As a retailer, the company could take over from other rivals and could locate itself with a distinctive gap at the top of the table of 100 lucrative businesses in the UK. Tesco has applied some series of empirical marketing strategies. We will write a custom essay on Tesco specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now According to Ansoff matrix strategy, Tesco could develop its markets and products in the UK market, and ultimately with diversification strategy has got in front of other rivals. Market penetration, Product Development, Market Development and Diversification are the strategies in which Tesco has chosen for influence and remaining in the market. By applying these mentioned strategies, Tesco has got its competitive advantages among other rivals. In the UK, the market of groceries has been shared among some major companies where Tesco is the only one who has got the largest market share. Internationally, Tesco could expand its business and its international growth shows that this company has a successful business among some other overseas competitors. In this essay, it has been tried to examine Tesco Company from point of view of Ansoff s Matrix analysis. Firstly, for a background, this essay looks into the Tescos success through 80 years of its business, then this essay is going to examine of above mentioned strategies in which Tesco has chosen for boosting its marketing and sustaining competitive advantages. Tescos History Jack Cohen, Tesco establisher has started his own business when he begun to sell surplus of groceries in East of London in 1919. The first days profit was 1 Pound. The business could lead him to sell his first product in his own brand name of Tesco in 1924. This name has come from the two first letters of TE Stockwell, and Co from surname of Jack. In those early days, Jack Cohen had a partner in firm of tea as a supplier, TE Stockwell. In 1929, Cohen could open his first store in Burnt Oak, Edgware in north of London. Tesco has become plc in 1932. A specified land has been bought in north of London at Angel Road, Edmonton for building a new headquarters and warehouse in 1934. In this year, Tesco could open its first modern warehouse with new modern ideas in controlling of central stock. In 1947, share price of 25 p has been modified for Tesco in Stock Exchange. The first self-service supermarket has been opened in 1956. Tesco diversified its business to selling of petrol by opening its first petrol station 1n 1974. For the first time, annual sales of Tesco reached to one billion Pound in 1979 and it exceeded 2 billion Pound in the year of 1982 and also, in this year for the first time Tesco could computerize checkouts in stores. In 1985, Tesco has been considered as a first grocery retailer in which emphasizing on nutritional value of its own-brand products through Healthy Eating initiative. In 1991 became biggest independent petrol retailer in Britain. Some various products and services have been lunched in 1992 such as Tesco Organic range, computers for schools and Every little Helps. Tesco became pioneer in customer service to commitment at the checkouts through One in Front in 1994. After two years in 1996, Tesco entered in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In this year, Tesco could introduce customer Assistants, ways in which made shopping easier for the customers. In year of 1997, Terry Leahy became Tesco CEO and marked developed in Republic of Ireland. By the year, 1988 and 1999 Tesco market has developed to Taiwan, Thailand and South Korea. Tesco could publish its supermarkets price comparisons on the internet, on-line banking and on-line bookstore has been lunched in 1999. Tesco could improve in customer service by lunching Customer Champions policy in many stores; it became leadership of organic retailer in the UK in 2001. Internationally, Tesco could expand its market to Malaysia, Turkey, Japan, China and the united State between years of 2002 and 2007. Tesco has expanded its market as an ethical issue in its own-brand Fair-trade in 2004, one year later it has been announced that Tesco has 2 billion profit. Tesco exited from Taiwanese market and swapped all its assets with Carrefour in Czech Republic in 2005. Towards diversification strategy, another store under name of Tesco Homeplus lunched in 2005. Cash and Carry is a recent plan, which has been made to develop market in India in 2008. In 2009 club cards re-lunched in the UK with 150 million investment offering customers. Ansoff product and market analysis Figure 1 Source: Ansoff (1957, 1989) The well-known tool, Ansoff matrix was published in Harvard Business Review in 1957. And also this strategy has been published in Ansoffs book in the title of Corporative Strategy in 1965. This strategy has been chosen in this essay for finding better of Tesco position in the Market. Regarding to Ansoffs matrix Tesco could develop its products and its markets by penetrating into the market with using of current products and current customers. And also, it has developed market into segmentation and diversification policies. Later it would be mentioned that Ansoff matrix analysis is an empirical tool approach help businesses to find objectives and leads to a sustainable development. The Ansoff matrix provides the basis for an organizations objective setting and sets the foundation of directional policy for its future (Bennett, 1994)2. Ansoff matrix model can be used as model of BCG matrix and or Porters five forces model to clarify what kind of strategies are applicable and when applying these kind of strategies are useful for a businesses. Figure 1 shows that the correlation of products and market related to present and future. From one side companies should consider Markets and from other side they should develop their products. In following, this essay is trying to extend each section of the matrix more clearly and compare with the situation of Tesco. Market Penetration Ansoffs matrix suggests that a business attempts to penetrate and to grow in markets by existing products. Companies such as Tesco always penetrate to the markets by its current products. Tesco has benefited from its customers to penetrate the markets. It is very important market penetration starts with current customers. Market Penetration would be an empirical strategy for presenting new products or services to the current customers. In order to achieve this important, Tesco uses the strategy in three ways. Firstly, Tesco gains customers from other competitors like ASDA, Sainsburys, Somerfield, etc Secondly, by providing the product quality and / or high level of service, Tesco could retain more customers, where Tescos customers feel Tesco is the best provider. These situations make the situation more distinctive among other Tescos competitors. Thirdly, attracting more non-users of the product or services to the business by using of advertising and promotion or other marketing stra tegies, these would be capable policies (Ansoff, 1989, Lynch, 2003). According to Lynch, Marketing Penetration strategy is very important for Tesco because retaining existing customers is cheaper than attracting new one. For example, Tescos international expansion strategy has responded to meet the maximum needs of customers. it is sensitive to local expectations in other countries, by entering into joint ventures with local partners, such as Samsung Group in South Korea (Samsung-Tesco Home plus), and Charoen Pokphand in Thailand (Tesco Lotus), appointing a very high proportion of local personnel to management positions. (Tesco Preliminary Results 2006) In addition, Tesco launched its South Korean operations in 1999 and partnered with Samsung, Tesco holds 81% of the shares in the venture3. .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb , .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb .postImageUrl , .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb , .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb:hover , .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb:visited , .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb:active { border:0!important; } .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb { 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; } .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb:active , .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb .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; } .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .udde8cf8ae74da2f0c3e43d068664bbfb:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Solutions To Homelessness EssayTherefore, Market Penetration would be an empirical strategy for presenting new products or services to the current customers. It seems penetration to a market needs many factors. It is obvious that it is not easy to attract more non-user customers to a business. These factors, which significantly influence to the Tescos Market penetration, are mentioned as, the strength of marketing; it means Tesco is considering some capable marketing strategies towards attracting more customers with advertising or promotion tools. Accessing to low cost materials and effective production is one of effective ways to influence into market, by recognition of lower cost supplier; it would be a privilege for Tesco to provide goods and services for its customers benefitting from lower prices. Having good experiences of customers and customers satisfaction would be a privilege for a retailer to retain the market. Other important issues for penetrating into market can be counted as standards, availability of materials, good quality control, problems regulatory and bility to explain the benefits of the offering to the prospects. The effective infrastructure in terms of organization for recruiting capable employees to support customers needs would be useful ways to gain customers from other competitors. Distribution, financial stability, an extended channel of utilization, reputation and familiarity with customers needs, all and all would be Tescos power for controlling market penetration. At the end, using of adequate c apital with applying technology may strengthen to this strategy. Therefore, Market Penetration is nothing except, retaining existing customers by responding to their needs and attracting more other customers by using a sophisticated marketing strategy4. All these approaches lead businesses to achieve theirs objectives towards sustainable advantages in a rivalry environment. Product development Product development is another strategic approach in which uses for developing new products. This strategic method occurs when an organization such as Tesco wants to develop new products to satisfy its customers within a market. It should be considered that, this kind of development refers to significant new products development. Therefore, product development happens when an organization wants to provide all customers needs in one place to make customers more dependent and also to attract more customers in one place to purchase their needs in a convenient ways. For example, our findings have led to todays customers being able to buy a TV, mobile phone or complementary medicines in Tescos super stores all over the branches and even shop as far afield as Thailand and South Korea5. Therefore, this is the reason that organization uses this strategy towards their product developments and the definition would be as follow: Utilizing of maximum production capacity, countering competitive entry and maintaining the companys reputation regarding to product innovators by use of new technologies and protecting market share. (Lynch, 2003) Vertical integration would be an empirical strategic approach, which are used by Tesco as an efficient way to maximized profitability. When a company wants to control cost of commodities and wants to expand its market share within a market, it should choose this method. Differentiation may consider as other advantage of vertical advantages when Tesco might expand its market share by producing of many products. Vertical integration may happen in three kinds of approaches: backwards integration, forward integrations and balance integration. Most of times, balance integration happens in Tescos business. This kind of vertical integration means, when Tesco may involve in a business, which covers whole procedures of producing of one specific product, including from A to Z, these may start from involving in business of raw material preparations, production and ultimately distributions into markets. For example, many food productions have been produced by Tesco such as, Cereals, Chocolate bars, many kinds of beverages etc. As a retailer, Tesco has produced many food productions and as a market retailer may distribute into the market. Applying vertical integration as a strategic method could be considered as efficient and profitable approaches towards cost regulation and expanding market shares, this policy could lead a business to differentiation. Therefore, vertical integration can be used as an approach to develop product development towards increasing market share and cost regulation. The disadvantages of vertical integration could be known as huge investment and losing the main core of the business. Tesco may lose its core of business when it evolves to other areas of its business. Tesco as a retailer when involves in producing of some goods it seems that the core its business has changed to other area which is not related to its business or some facilities and investment which is necessary for developing its retailing business, must be focus on and invest to production section. Therefore, this kind of strategy despite of having more profits for the business, it has a high risk for the business and if fails it may cause to bankruptcy. Brand loyalty is one of the strongest factors in which can help to product development strategy. When consumers are trustful of using of one or many commodities, which belong to productions of one company, it may motivate them to use and to purchase the products continuously. Sometimes trust on consuming of one specific brand may lead to consume other products from that particular brand. Therefore, reputation of a particular brand may lead to continues consumption by consumers. This trust on a specific brand has known as Brand Loyalty. As it has been mentioned above vertical integration strategies has been developed because of Brand loyalty. Tesco with having a large amount of customers has got a potential situation for selling any kinds of products which has been produced by itself. Therefore, Brand loyalty may lead to differentiation and, Brand loyalty and differentiation would be two factors lead to product development. Brand loyalty may happen when customers find the products distinctively in terms of quality Therefore, standardization of product in quality may boost to constant use. Brand loyalty may boost marketing and help to a product development. Brand loyalty of Products must be considered in prices, qualities and uniqueness in which to meet maximum needs of consumers and ultimately lead to boost product development. Market Development Market development happens when a company moves beyond its current customers in other geographical market for its existing products. This strategy is applied for finding new markets and most of the time happens internationally. Therefore, Market Development is a strategy in which companies develop their market internationally for its existing products. This may entail exploration of new segments of a market, new uses for the companys products and services or new geographical areas in order to attract new customers. (Lynch, 2003) For example, Tesco has developed market in many countries such as china, Czech Republic, France, Hungry, Republic of Ireland, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Poland, Slovakia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and United States. Figure 26 shows Tescos influence within market of other countries in the world. As it has been mentioned before, vertical integration could help Tesco to control its market with using of cost. Figure2 Tesco around the world This strategy may help Tesco to define cost and control market. Vertical integration strategy enabled Tesco to become more competitive among other international rivals or even local competitors. By looking into porters five forces, vertical integration policy may act as a barrier for entry of other rivals into the business. Therefore, Tesco with investment in international countries and using of vertical integration strategy controls cost and market, and consequently has increased its market share. For penetrating to an international market, Tesco has joined with other successful business. For example, Tesco in 1999 has joined to Samsung in South Korea, and it has 81 percent share of this venture7. In China with 50 present of shares has joined with Hymall and in 2004 Tesco has joined Ting Hsin in Taiwan8. Join venture strategy acts like vertical integration in businesses. As it has been discussed before, this strategy might consider as forward vertical integration when Tesco wants to control distribution of its business with using of market potentiality of its partner. .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b , .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b .postImageUrl , .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b , .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b:hover , .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b:visited , .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b:active { border:0!important; } .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b { 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; } .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b:active , .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b .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; } .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u64eae7febeaff8e076a15fe35ac6b24b:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Bmw Series EssayTherefore, when Tesco needs to penetrate to a market internationally, it would be easier and chipper with using of partners distribution channels. This policy is adopted by Lynchs ideas who said, penetrating to a market by using of current customers would be chipper than finding new customers. Figure 3 Figure 3 shows that the strategies might be applied by Tesco regarding to Ansoff matrix and vertical integration has been successful9. Regarding to the graph, between years of 2004 and 2008 the business in Asia has been increased and it has 6 percent growth in recent 4 years. Tesco in 2006 has entered into the USA market it has opened grocery convenient stores on the west coast Arizona, California and Nevada under a name of Fresh and Easy10. Entering to a market like America would not be easy for Tesco. Existence of Wal-mart as a biggest grocer in the world, in the USA makes the situation tougher for Tesco. Tesco should compete with a competitor who has many branches in all over the USA. Wal-mart is a mighty grocery, which has competitive prices and being well distributed. Sainsbury and Marks ; Spenser had disappointed experiences before and had sold their outlets in 1990s. Despite of many barriers to entry, Tesco by looking into applicable strategies, which have been applied, by Lidel and Aldi (the two German retailers) which had a successful approach to penetrate the UK market. Hard pricing approach was a lucrative strategy was applied by Lidel and aldi and it seems, Tesco has not any choices to penetrate to the US market with this strategy. Lidel and Aldi had hard discount strategy towards their competitive advantages. They could enter into the UK market despite of many potential competitors such as ASDA, Sainsbury, Tesco, etc. ith using of competitive prices. Tesco found that there is no way except supplying the grocery goods lower than Wal-Mart prices. The aim was achievable by reducing number of employee and using of self-checking machines. The other diversified strategy was to produce some fresh food for the customers. Tesco has considered some manufacturing plants to develop its products11. Diversification Tesco as a grocer retailer has expanded its business to many other businesses (non food) for maximizing its profitability. Diversification is a strong strategy towards meeting maximum customer needs. Firstly, for better understanding of diversification, may look into some definitions and strategies would be useful. Diversification means variety. Richard Lynch (2003) defined diversification strategy in which a distinctive way that a company goes out of its current business, and evolves to another business. Diversification may happen in related or unrelated areas of a business. Tesco has diversified its businesses to areas such as Garden centers, with purchasing Dobbies Garden Centres Tesco has entered to business of gardening12. Tesco with joint venturing with Royal Bank of Scotland has entered to financial market. Now Tesco can offer many financial issues in the market such as credit cards, loans, mortgages, saving accounts and many other types of insurance13. Tesco operates Internet system provider (ISP), mobile phone, and home phone and Volp businesses. Tesco with join venture strategy with O2 could develop diversification in telecommunication and also Tesco could expand it businesses in voice over internet with venturing of Freshtel Australia14. The other diversification is seen in Tesco businesses is fuel. For the first time Tesco has entered to Fuel businesses in 1974. Recently Tesco has entered into bio fuels, which are petrol-bio ethanol and diesel-biodiesel blends instead of pure petrol and diesel at its petrol stations. This kind of energy is considered as green energy15. In general, diversification could be considered as a defensive strategy towards sustainable competitive advantages. A company could spread its businesses in all areas to prevent from fragile situations. This kind of strategy enables a business to influence to many other profitable areas to grantee its existence. However, one of the weaknesses of Diversifications could be the risk of investment out of the core business of a company. For example, Recession could be a threat for this kind of strategy. When a company invests into many areas, which are not its core of business and because of lack of knowledge or specialty may lead them to bankruptcy to that area and cause them to lose large amounts of money. Conclusion To sum up, as discussed before Ansoffs Matrix and Porters five forces can be used as a strategic models to enable Tesco to obtain its objectives and to sustain competitive advantages in the markets. Tescos plans to enter to the United State are a bit ambitious. Directly Tesco cannot enter to this market and compete with the strongest retailer such as Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has completely covered all the United State markets and there are not any chances for other rivals to enter to the market. Wal-Mart stores are distributed all over the market in the United State. Therefore, Tesco like the other follower who were pioneers in American market should taste the defeat. Sainsbury and Mark Spenser who entered previously has no fate other than bankruptcy. So it is really good strategy if Tesco could penetrate to this market from other way. For example, this penetration could be like a chain restaurant or as a fresh and easy chain store, which has already established by Tesco in the United State. The other strategy for Tesco is, to put more investment to develop market internationally in its agenda. Tesco has spent huge investment to penetrate into many countries and there must be comprehensive plans to develop and adding to its market share within these countries. Vertical integration would be applicable and efficient way for Tesco to add its market share within these countries. Tesco needs to create a situation to make more customers to depend on Tesco. This strategy may help to extend and grantee for this business. It may happen when customers does not need to pay cash or by debit card. Tesco can open an account for customers and provide for them credits for their future porches. Involving in producing of many essential requirements within the countries as a vertical integration strategy would be other empirical approaches towards sustainable competitive advantages. ** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Sahab Hosseini Sunday, August 16, 2009 Brighton ISC Sussex University Foot notes 1 Center for Public Leadership , John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Fall 2005 2 Bennett, A. R. (1994), Business Planning: Can the Health Service Move from Strategy into Action? , Journal of Management in Medicin e, Vol. 8, No. 2. 3 (Tesco to expand in South Korea. Food Navigator Europe. 16 May 2001. ) 4 Copyright  © 1994-2009 Business Resource Software, Inc. http://www. usinessplans. org/Market. html 5 Tesco 2009 Tesco. com / careers 6source: http://www. tescocorporate. com/plc/about_us/map 7 Tesco to expand in South Korea Food Navigator Europe 16 May 2001 8 TESCO Extends Partnership in China 9 E-intelligence on global retailing – www. planetretail. net copyright M+M planet retail Ltd All rights reserved 10 Tesco to enter United States http://www. tescocorporate. com 11 copy right Richard Lynch 2009 12 Jordan, Dearbail (2007-06-08). Tesco swoops on Dobbies Garden Centres. The Times, (Times Newspapers). 3 Tesco is taking full control of Tesco Personal Finance, after paying Royal Bank of Scotland 950m for its 50% stake in the division. Sky News 14 Tesco launches net calls service. BBC News. 19 January 2006 15 O2 signs 136,000 contract customers. Mobile Today, Noble House, http://www . mobiletoday. co. uk References * Ansoff, I. (1989), Corporate Strategy, rev. edn, Penguin, Harmondsworth. * Ansoff, I. H. (1957), Strategies for diversification, Harvard Business Review, Vol. 35, No. 2, p. 113-124. * Bennis W. , 1994 On Becoming a Leader (ISBN 0738208175) * Center for Public Leadership , John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Fall 2005 * Lynch, R. (2003), Corporate Strategy, 3rd ed. , Prentice Hall Financial Times. * Tesco: Our History. www. tescocorporate. com. Tesco plc. * http://www. tescocorporate. com, retrieved 2009 * http://www. tescoplc. com/plc/about_us/tesco_story * http://www. foodnavigator. com/Financial-Industry/Tesco-to-expand-in-South-Korea * http://www. businessplans. org/Market. html * http://www. coursework4you. co. uk/essays-and-dissertations/ansoff-analysis. php * http://www. foodnavigator. com/news/ng. asp? id=40638-tesco-to-expand.

The Approximate Size of My Tumor Essay Example

The Approximate Size of My Tumor Essay Example The Approximate Size of My Tumor Essay The Approximate Size of My Tumor Essay TITLE OF ESSAY: An Analysis of the author’s use of reflection in â€Å"The Approximate Size of my Tumor† In the short story â€Å"The Approximate Size of my Tumor†, the author uses reflection to give the reader a greater insight into the relationship between Jimmy Many Horses and his wife, Norma. Showing that there are two sides to humor: Jimmy’s viewpoint that humor is used as a copy mechanism and Norma’s viewpoint that there is a time and place for humor and for being serious. Jimmy Many Horses retells the history of his relationship with his wife Norma, from their initial meeting at the Powwow Tavern through their marriage including grappling with alcohol addiction and Jimmy’s diagnosis of terminal cancer. After learning of Jimmy’s diagnosis of terminal cancer Norma leaves reacting to Jimmy’s constant use of humor, even in the face of death which angers Norma. The author uses reflection to give us insight on how Norma and Jimmy met, explaining that humor is a part of Jimmy’s character. Jimmy’s recollection of their relationship includes a classic Indian pickup line, â€Å"Listen†¦if I stole 1,000 horses, I’d give you 501 of them. † Jimmy’s cavalier humor about his diagnosis enrages Norma to the point she leaves him to go on the powwow circuit, ultimately ending up in Arlee, Montana, with a â€Å"second kind of cousin† before returning to be with Jimmy in his last days, citing â€Å"making fry bread and helping people die are two things Indians are good at. While in the hospital on his death bed, Jimmy continues to use humor as a coping mechanism. â€Å"Humor was an antiseptic that cleaned the deepest of personal wounds. † Even Jimmy’s description of his tumors is described as the approximate size and shape of a baseball-with faint stitch marks on it. The story tells how one person may use differing copying mechanisms to cope with their feelings, for Jimmy Many Horses, he uses humor which enables him in the beginning to deny the reality of his terminal diagnosis, resulting in his wife becoming so angered by him not taking this seriously that she leaves as another form of coping and requiring Jimmy to face that there is a time and place where humor is appropriate and when it isn’t. Humor destroys one part of Jimmy’s life while it aids him in coping with another.

Purpose of Urban Greenbelts

Purpose of Urban Greenbelts The term â€Å"greenbelt† refers to any area of undeveloped natural land that has been set aside near urban or developed land to provide open space, offer light recreational opportunities, or contain development. And, yes, the natural greenbelts along areas of Southeast Asia’s coastlines, including the region’s mangrove forests, served as buffers and helped to prevent even greater loss of life from the December 2004 tsunami. The Importance of Greenbelts in Urban Areas Greenbelts in and around urban areas have probably not saved any lives, but they are important nonetheless to the ecological health of any given region. The various plants and trees in greenbelts serve as organic sponges for various forms of pollution, and as storehouses of ​carbon dioxide to help offset global climate change. â€Å"Trees are an important part of the city infrastructure,† says Gary Moll of American Forests. Because of the many benefits trees provide to cities, Moll likes to refer to them as the â€Å"ultimate urban multi-taskers.† Urban Greenbelts Provide Links to Nature Greenbelts are also important to help urban dwellers feel more connected to nature. Dr. S.C. Sharma of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in India believes that all cities should â€Å"earmark certain areas for the development of greenbelts [to] bring life and color to the concrete jungle and [a] healthy environment to the urbanites.† While urban living may hold important advantages over rural living, feeling disconnected from nature is a serious drawback of city life. Greenbelts Help to Limit Urban Sprawl Greenbelts are also important in efforts to limit sprawl, which is the tendency for cities to spread out and encroach on rural lands and wildlife habitat. Three U.S. states- Oregon, Washington,  and Tennessee- require their largest cities to establish so-called â€Å"urban growth boundaries† to limit sprawl through the establishment of planned greenbelts. Meanwhile, the cities of Minneapolis, Virginia Beach, Miami,  and Anchorage have created urban growth boundaries on their own. In California’s Bay Area, the nonprofit Greenbelt Alliance has successfully lobbied for the establishment of 21 urban growth boundaries across four counties surrounding the city of San Francisco. Greenbelts Around the World The concept has also caught on in Canada, with the cities of Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver adopting similar mandates for the creation of greenbelts to improve land use. Urban greenbelts can also be found in and around larger cities in Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Are Greenbelts Essential to World Peace? The greenbelt concept has even spread to rural areas, such as those in East Africa. Womens’ rights and environmental activist Wangari Maathai launched the Green Belt Movement in Kenya in 1977 as a grassroots tree-planting program to address the challenges of deforestation, soil erosion and lack of water in her home country. To date, her organization has overseen the planting of 40 million trees across Africa. In 2004, Maathai was the first environmentalist to be awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. Why peace? â€Å"There can be no peace without equitable development, and there can be no development without sustainable management of the environment in a democratic and peaceful space,† said Maathai in her Nobel acceptance speech. EarthTalk is a regular feature of E/The Environmental Magazine. Selected EarthTalk columns are reprinted on About Environmental Issues by permission of the editors of E. Edited by Frederic Beaudry

Islamic Politics and Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Islamic Politics and Culture - Essay Example They were the minority and through them, he ruled for some time as the Caliph, a title that was normally given to Muhammad successor. However, this rule ended after the majority Sunni Muslims killed his son Hussein and went ahead to monopolize political power. After this, the Shia has lived in the shadow of the state and appeared to give up politics in favor of religious concerns looking to Imams rather than political leaders. The first 12 of the Shia Imams descending from Ali gradually directed the faith of their followers to create a disparity between them and the Sunni. Sunni Muslims regard themselves to be the orthodox or traditionalist of Islam, their name, Sunni is derived from the word Ahl al-Sunna† which translates into people of tradition. This is in reference to the traditions that were inherited form the actions of the prophet and those he held close. The Sunnis are well known for their veneration of all the prophets that came before Mohamed although they view those that followed him to be little more than temporal figures. Unlike the Shias, religious teachers by the Sunni have in most cases come under state control given that their system emphasis a codified system of Islamic law and the adherence to its four schools of low. The Shias on the other hand have a messianic attribute about them and they have a hierarchy of clerics that practice independent and current interpretations of the Islamic texts. The Shia Muslim number between 120 to 170 million, which is on average about a 10th of all Muslims globally. The Shia are the majority in Iran, Iraq Bahrain and some people claim that they are also the majority in turkey although this has never been verified (Barzegar 51). Shia Muslims hold that the Imam is holy and cannot commit sins which makes his authority both perfect and divine under the assumption that

Critical analysis of a contemporary environmental issue Term Paper

Critical analysis of a contemporary environmental issue - Term Paper Example It occurs due to irresponsible human activities that are associated with their social, political, cultural and economic activities. Its primary effects are the extinction of wildlife and human race over a period of a few years. People are the major contributor of the ecological degradations hence they should be held accountable to find solutions to this issue. It results from inappropriate laws and rules, which govern commons management. There are rules set both by the government and institutions on common land management, which are not effective in avoiding ecological degradation. For instance, there are no rules and laws that are set by these bodies to regulate populations’ expansion on the commons. This has resulted to rapid occupations of the commons by the increasing population. This in turn is resulting to depletion of natural resources such as forests and wildlife since settlements displace or kill wild animals and destroy forests. Some of the commons are managed by aut horities that do not comply with the law and push to the formation of rules that favour their destructive activities. Scarcity and populations have also led to the ecological degradation. The human population has increased tremendously in the past decades. This increasing population requires basic needs such as shelter, food and clothing, which are scarce and provided by natural resources. This results to diminishing and depletion of natural resources, which do not increase at the rate of population growth. This paper has used numerous bibliographies that include i. Tucker, R. P. (2007).  Insatiable appetite: The United States and the ecological degradation of the tropical world. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. This booklet describes how pollution due to economic activities in US has led to the ecological degradation. It clearly outlines how these economic activities can be controlled and contained in order to conserve the environment. ii. Ravera, O., & Commission of the European Communities. (1989).  Ecological assessment of environmental degradation, pollution, and recovery: Lectures of a course held at the Joint Research Centre, Ispra (Italy), 12-16 October 1987. Amsterdam: Published for the Commission of the European Communities by Elsevier. This journal describes how pollution has prevailed all over the world leading to ecological degradation. It outlines the measures the governments could take conserve the natural resources. iii. Akinwumia, I. O., Oyebisia, T. O., & Salami, A. T. (n.d.). Environmental degradation in Nigeria: implications and policy issues†a viewpoint. Environmental degradation. Retrieved October 18, 2013, from http://www.tandfonline.com/. This journal explains how poor policies have led to the ecological degradation in Nigeria. It shows how different countries have implemented ineffective laws which facilitate depletions of resources in the commons. Draft/ Final Paper Ecological degradation refers to environmental dete rioration caused by depletion of resources and results to ecosystem destruction and wildlife extinction. There was a balanced ecosystem many years ago,

Analysis of Vegetables Essay Example for Free

Analysis of Vegetables Essay For example, calcium and phosphorus are required for the formation of bones and teeth deficiency of these causes the decay of teeth and bones. Deficiency of iron causes anemia. Lack of iodine causes goiter. So it is necessary that the food we eat be selected carefully. Besides wheat, rice and milk, fruits and vegetables form an important part of balanced diet. They contain minerals, carbohydrates and vitamins. We are advised by doctors to include more vegetables and fruits in our diets, Therefore, study could be undertaken to investigate the constituents of various fruits and vegetables. OBJECTIVE OF PROJECT To plan for the balanced diet, knowledge of various ingredients of fruits and vegetables is necessary. In this project, we aim to have knowledge about the contents of different fruits.

The Power of Fate in Macbeth Essay -- William Shakespeare

Fate is one person's destiny, it cannot be understood by mere mortals but a greater power beyond human comprehension. Fate is so powerful that it controls a person's outcome on life before it happens. Many people become victims of fate in which they catch a glimpse of what their future is going to look like, but do not totally grasp the outcome. Macbeth cannot fully comprehend the possible outcome of his fate because he is mortal, and therefore is a victim to his power driven quest and his ultimate fate. Many have been said to agree with this statement. For example, as stated in Shakespeare A to Z, "The Witches are an enactment of the irrational. The supernatural world if terrifying because it is beyond human control, and in the play it is therefore symbolic of the unpredictable force of human motivation." The magic of the witches is thus an image of human moral disruption. Through their own uncertain nature, they demonstrate- and promote- the disruption in the world of they play. The outcome of the first prophecy or encounter with the Witches is the beginning of Macbeth's downfall. After Macbeth was told about his potential reign as king, Macbeth said, "Stay, you imperfect speakers. Tell me more. By Sinel's death I know I am Thane-of Glamis. But how of Cawdor?...You owe this strange intelligence or why upon this blasted heath you stop our way with such a prophetic greeting. Speak, I charge you." (1.3.73.) After Macbeth tried to ask questions, the witches vanished. The witches seem to have watched Macbeth and studied how he is. They know his weaknesses are his greed and ambition, and by telling him this specific part of his destiny, his weaknesses will overcome his virtues. The witches then left Macbeth at this time possibly be... ...ant. As stated by Frank Kermode in the book Shakespeare for Students, ?Macbeth is a play about the eclipse of civility and manhood, the temporary triumph of evil, when it ends, virtue, and justice are restored.? ?Shakespeare displays a remarkable perception of the human condition by dramatizing not only the way in which evil enters Macbeth?s world, but also the devastating effect it has on those who yield to temptation and sin? (Shakespeare for Students page 238.) Macbeth is merely a victim of his fate. In this case, the weird sisters represent the wrath and cunningness of the various ways fate can play out. Fate has so much power that it can take over a person and leave them feeling almost possessed. If Macbeth were immortal and could understand his fate, he might have saved himself, but because he is mortal he is tricked, and subsequently, destroyed by fate.

The Factors that Contribute to Effective Use of iPads with PMLD Pupils

Introduction This chapter will discuss the background, the scope and the need for the present study highlighting the research questions raised that will the study will attempt to answer. The present study focuses on pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) and how with the use of technology in the form of iPads these pupils can be effectively taught. In other words, what factors can contribute towards the effective use of iPads in Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) pupils. Background The field of special education and learning has advanced tremendously through the past decades and sub-branches have developed wherein specialists have discovered and realised the various learning disabilities amongst children. Children with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) present ample challenges for teachers. Technology in this regard has several solutions to offer to aid in effective teaching and learning as a part of effective teaching aid, technology in the form of inventions such as iPads comes to rescue and enable more productive teaching and learning (Davis and Florian, 2004). Pupils need one-to-one help and iPads can allow pupils to refrain from being thrown down on or chewed down on the floor and enable them to stay on the table in the classroom. However, the effective use of iPads remains a question unanswered in the present research literature. Scope of the Study This section will discuss and explain the scope of the study entailing how the conclusions drawn from the findings and the answers of the research questions found will provide implications to improve the practical scenario for teachers dealing with pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). The present study attempts the fill the gap in literature that exists with regard to the use of iPads in enabling more productive and effective teaching and learning amongst pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). The implications of the study will allow teachers to practice more effective teaching strategies and improve learning and participation amongst pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) using iPads. Research Question This section will briefly state the research question that the study will attempt to answer using primary and secondary research findings. The main research question raised in the study is: What are the factors that contribute to effective use of iPads with PMLD pupils? Limitations This section will discuss the limitations of the research in terms of the findings and the implications to be drawn from the research. Literature Review This section will investigate and critically discuss the theoretical underpinnings of the subject area to raise questions regarding the existing literature that are presently unanswered and provide a theoretical framework to allow for answering the research question raised. The literature review of the present study will revolve around the theoretical perspectives on teaching pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), the teaching strategies adopted based on the existing research findings and developments and the recent technological developments and their involvement in the field of special education. The literature review will point towards the need to investigate the scope of and the use of iPads in special education of pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) further backed with the theoretical framework supporting the teaching strategies to be embedded in the effective use of iPads in classrooms. The literature review will draw out the usefulness of iPads in the form of the applications that can be utilized in teaching and engaging PMLD pupils in classrooms and then testing this theoretical finding using primary data collection to draw conclusions and implications for teachers. Following this plan of action for the literature review, the chapter will be divided in the following sections: Theoretical Perspectives on PMLD Teaching and Learning In this section of the literature review, the theories related to PMLD teaching will be focused on to develop a background to the existing development in the field and shed light on the aspects that form the foundation of the present study and support the need for further exploration. Effective Teaching Strategies and Tools for PMLD Pupils In this section, the contemporary practice of teaching PMLD pupils will be investigated using secondary information obtained from books and research journals to capture strengths and weaknesses and identity a need for further investigation and development. Applications on iPads for Special Education of Pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) In this section, the advancements in the technology and how they have come to aid in learning of PMLD pupils will be critically evaluated in this section focusing entirely on iPads. Methodology This chapter will discuss the methodology chosen for the present study and provide justifications for selecting it. Action research strategy is the prime research strategy to be used. Primary as well as secondary sources of data will be used to capture the information required to answer the research question raised. The chapter will discuss and explain what action research entails and provide brief explanations of the primary and secondary sources of information. The chapter will further discuss the sampling technique used and the sample size. Further, the research instrument to be used will also be discussed. Research Strategy The research strategy of action research will be discussed here. Action research involves a practical approach to research inquiry in a social institution (Waters-Adams, 2006). Survey on teachers of 10 special schools using questionnaire will be used to investigate and collect the data and develop engagement profiles with pupils using specific applications. Research Design Primary and secondary sources will be discussed here. Sample Size and Sampling Technique The sample size and sampling technique will be discussed here. Analysis and Discussion This chapter will present, analyse and discuss the findings of the study and draw answers for the research question. Conclusion This chapter will summarize the findings and draw out implications for the teachers to practice more effective teaching strategies and improve learning and participation amongst pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) using iPads. References Davis, P. and Florian, L. (2004). ‘Teaching strategies and approaches for pupils with special educational needs: A scoping study’. Department for Education and Skills. Available at http://www.education.gov.uk/complexneeds/modules/Module-1.1-Understanding-the-child-development-and-difficulties/All/downloads/m01p010c/II.teaching_strategies%20including_aspects_of_II.pdf. Accessed 3 August 2012. Waters-Adams, S. (2006). Action Research in Education. Faculty of Education Plymouth. The Factors that Contribute to Effective Use of iPads with PMLD Pupils 1. Introduction This chapter will discuss the background, scope and need for the proposed study, highlighting the main questions that the research will address. The research aims to explore how technology can be optimally used to support pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD). Focusing on the Apple iPad, the study will explore how technology might be used to augment the effective teaching of pupils with PMLD by investigating the factors that may contribute towards efficient implementation of such technologies.1.1. BackgroundThe field of special education and learning has advanced tremendously through the decades, and has led to the development of sub-branches of research allowing specialists to discover and understand more about various learning disabilities amongst children. Currently, children with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) present an ample challenge to modern teaching methods and teachers alike. However, advances in technology have been able to off er several solutions to effective teaching and learning as a part of effective teaching aid. Such technology has included in the invention of tablet devices such as Apple iPads, which are thought to promote more productive teaching and learning (Davis and Florian, 2004). Such pupils require one-to-one help and although plausibly iPads may have a role to play in such support, the factors that contribute to the effective use of iPads remain under researched in the empirical literature.1.2. Scope of the StudyThis section explores the scope of the study, detailing how the conclusions drawn from the findings will have practical implications that may improve teaching practices for teachers dealing with pupils with PMLD. At present, there exists a gap in the emerging literature surrounding the use of technology with pupils with PMLD. Although case studies detailing the utility of iPads in enabling more productive and effective teaching and learning amongst pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD) are beginning to emerge, the area remains under-researched. Little is known about the specific factors that contribute to the effective use of iPads with PMLD pupils. The findings and associated implications of the proposed study will allow teachers to develop and practice the most effective teaching strategies to improve learning and participation amongst PMLD pupils using iPads.1.3. Research QuestionThe main research questions explored in the present study were: Does the use of iPads enhance learning with PMLD pupils? What are the factors that contribute to the effective use of iPads with PMLD pupils?1.4. Study LimitationsAt present the only predicted limitations will be concerned with the practicalities of conducting action research in tandem with normal teaching activities. In order to manage this effectively, a detailed timescale of this research has been formulated.2. Literature ReviewAccording to Boote and Beile (2005), the purpose of a literatur e review is to provide a theoretical underpinning to the area under discussion by critically examining the existing literature surrounding the topic under investigation. Following this rationale, the subsequent section will provide an evaluative report of the subject area, going beyond the descriptive to identify the questions that remain unanswered in the current literature, and provide a theoretical framework to approach the research question under study. The review will revolve around the theoretical perspectives regarding teaching pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), the teaching strategies currently adopted based on existing research findings and developments and the recent technological developments and their relevance to the field of special education. The literature review will indicate the need to investigate the scope and use of iPads in special education of pupils with PMLD, backed with a theoretical framework supporting the teaching strategies to be embedded in the effective use of iPads in classrooms. Furthermore, it will identify the effectiveness of iPads in the form of the applications that can be utilised in teaching and engaging PMLD pupils in classrooms. Following this plan of action for the literature review, the chapter will be sub-divided in the following sections:To modify or extend this essay or to get pricing on a custom essay Contact Us Today1. Theoretical Perspectives on PMLD Teaching and LearningAccording to the Schools’ Census Data (2004), pupils with PMLD are defined as â€Å"†¦(having) complex learning needs. In addition to very severe learning difficulties, pupils have other significant difficulties, such as physical disabilities, sensory impairment or a severe medical condition†. This de finition highlights the complexity of PMLD; it is severe and multi-domain, characterised by the existence of two or more severe impairments that may be visual, physical or sensory, and include other complex medical needs (Healy & Noonan Walsh, 2007). In 2010, the Dfes identified a 29.7% increase in the prevalence of pupils with PMLD between 2002 and 2009, due in part to improved diagnosis and survival rates of pre-term infants with severe disabilities (Marlow, Wolke, Bracewell & Samara, 2005). Pupils with PMLD have greater difficulties in learning, and require a high degree of adult support to meet both their learning and physical needs (DfES, 2004). Practitioners and educators must be able to support such pupils to overcome these barriers to learning, by adapting the curriculum to meet their specific needs. According to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (2007), pupils with PMLD are likely to remain at an early stage of development, with attainment in the early P Scale bet ween P1 to P3, with a focus on developing basic skills throughout the curriculum and across all subjects. Flo Longhorn and Penny Lacey have been working with pupils with PMLD for over ten years, and both advocate a sensory approach to learning. Both authors emphasised the importance for children with PMLD to engage their senses from an early stage, and suggested that the role of practitioner is to stimulate; as effective learning can only take place when such sensory stimulation takes place: â€Å"Without the stimulation and awakening of the senses, it would be difficult for a very special child to begin to make sense of the outside world and begin to learn.† (Longhorn, 2004: p.6)To modify or extend this essay or to get pricing on a custom essay Contact Us TodaySimilarly, Lacey (2009; 2011) suggested that the PMLD learner requires opportunities to understand, discover and explore through sound, touch, smell, taste and vision. To better understand why learning for PMLD pupils should be sensory requires an exploration of the cognitive processes that are at play. If we consider the early stages of development in normal children, learning is primarily concerned with children forging a connection to the world around them; making sense of it via exploration and investigation using their senses (Longhorn, 2004). This resonates closely with Piaget’s sensorimotor stage, the first stage of cognitive development in his influential theory (Piaget, 1977) whereby infants from birth to two years construct an understanding of the world by coordinating their physical actions with outcomes such as seeing and hearing. Across the two years, a child is expected to progress from reflexive action at birth, to the emergence of symbolic thought toward the end of the stage. According to Cunnigham (2010), PMLD learners at the most severe end of the spectrum function cognitively at six to twelve months of age, therefore an appropriate approach for such learners is to focus methods of teaching at sensory levels.2. Effective Teaching Strategies and Tools for PMLD PupilsAll pupils learn best when they are fully engaged (Iovanne et al., 2003). According to Carpenter (2010), no meaningful learning or outcome will take place without pupil engagement; therefore it is vital that deep engagement from pupils is planned throughout the learning activity. In this sense student engagement can be conceptualised as a reciprocal process; a function of both the time and energy pu pils devote to educationally purposeful activities, and the efforts made by schools to implement effective educational practices (Kuh et al. 2008). Given that engagement is so vital to the success of mainstream educational activities, it stands to reason that such engagement is similarly vital to the success of educational activities with pupils with PMLD. Indeed, Iovannone et al., (2003) stated that degree of engagement was the most important predictor of educational success for pupils with PMLD. Following research conducted by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSATrust) into effective learning with children with complex learning difficulties, the Engagement Profile and Scale was developed. This is a classroom tool that allows teachers to focus on pupils’ engagement to learning to create personalised pathways of learning, and monitor the effectiveness of classroom interventions (SSATrust). The teacher is required to select an activity with which the pupil is usually highly engaged, and one to which the pupil demonstrates low engagement. During each task, the teacher records the extent to which the pupil demonstrates his or her engagement across a 5-point scale ranging from no engagement to fully sustained engagement across seven domains (awareness, curiosity, investigation, discovery, anticipation, initiation and persistence). Teachers are encouraged to look for small signs of early engagement such as changes in breathing, eye movement, facial expressions or movement. Although in its early stages of classroom intervention, forming part of ongoing research into best practice in classrooms with children with complex educational needs, early case study reports have indicated that the Educational Profile and Scale is an effective tool to devise strategic interventions to encourage re-engagement with learning (Carpenter, Egerton, Brookes & Durdle, 2011).To modify or extend this essay or to get pricing on a custom essay Contact Us Today2.3. The Specific Use of Technology to Support Learners with PMLDInformation communication technology (ICT) has become a valuable tool for teaching and learning in specialist schools (Davis & Florian, 2004). Condie, Munro, Seagraves and Kenesson (2007) concluded that a substantial body of literature supported the notion that ICT can be a powerful tool to support pupils with educational needs, both in mainstream and specialist environments. Although the studies have tended towards the small scale, findings have elicited common themes included increased communication, improved participation and self-esteem. Ofsted have reported on a number of ways ICT has supported the learning of pupils with additional educational needs, noting improvements to attention span, attitude and motivation, whilst overcoming some of the barriers to learning therefore also increasing attainment (Ofsted 2005; 2004a). The Communications Aid Project (CAP), which was funded from 2002 – 2006 supplied technological aids to pupils with severe communication problems to allow them to more readily access the school curriculum. An evaluation of the project (Wright et al., 2004) noted that the initiative had been well received by parents and pupils alike, with pupils reporting a significant increase in both their abilities and quality of life. The key advantage of ICT lies in its opportunity to provide a personalised learning environment, tailored individually to meet the specific needs of each pupil, but in order for this to be realised, there must be first be a comprehensive and accurate assessment of pupil needs, access and strengths (Handy, 2000). Practically speaking, although ICT can free pupils with limited motor skills or coordination from the problems of manipulating physical materials, physical access to the device itself must be simple to allow pupils to concentrate their efforts on the cognitive task being performed. (Williams, 2005; NOF training manual, 2004). Technology, however, is often introduced to pupils without a full understanding of the benefit it may offer. Florian and Hegarty (2004) suggest that unless teachers fully understand the potential benefits of ICT and the logic behind using such technology, purposeful learning and engagement is limited. The application of ICT, they argue, must begin with the teacher and an understanding of the type of learning they hope to achieve. Teachers must be trained and competent in the use of ICT themselves before they can successfully support its use in pupils with PMLD in overcoming barriers to learning. Furthermore, they must also fully understand the nature of the assessment they would need to conduct in order to fully utlilise the technology. In addition to an adequate assessment of needs and the appropriate use of devices, the third component of successful use of ICT involves the software employed. Sparrowhawk and Heald (2007) outlined criteria for software to ensure it can successfully overcome barriers to learning. They suggested that software should be stimulating and fun, colourful with clear, rich graphics, music and sound, offer immediate feedback with repetition and reward, be challenging and allow pupils to keep trying, but be structured in small steps. Supporting these criteria, Foyle (2012) recently published an article outlining the role of interactive technology in the SEN classroom, describing pupils as most engaged and motivated when applications were visual and contained sound, music and rewards.To modify or extend this essay or to get pricing on a custom essay Contact Us TodayAn important contributor to the field has been the tablet device, specifically the Apple iPad, a slim, lightweight and multi-touch device for downloading, accessing and interacting with a vast range of applications. To date, little empirical evidence of the effectiveness of the iPad in supporting learning in pupils with PMLD has been conducted and reported, although case studies published by schools that use iPads to support such learners are beginning to emerge. For example, the deputy head teacher at Topcliff School has reported that iPads have had a positive impact and response from their special needs pupils and teachers alike, as the iPad is easy to use, accessible and allows the user to access many well-designed applications, a sentiment shared by the head of music at Mary Elliot Special school, who described the technology as easy to use allowing teachers to feel confident in using ICT, with cheap yet engaging applications. In a blog written by ‘Jwinchester25’ (2012), a head of year in a generic special school for pupils with a range of special educational needs, the iPad is described as a d evice that enables and allows learning at any time, with a wealth of sensory applications that are ideal for learners working between p1 and p2, owing to the visual impact and instant feedback provided by its applications. Undoubtedly, the iPad has several factors that are advantageous in supporting the learning of PMLD pupils, including the range and value of its applications, its sleek and easy to use design, and use of touch technology, which can help overcome barriers for pupils facing issues using the traditional mouse and keyboard (Bean, 2012). However, such advantages come with important caveats; teachers must ensure that the device is both adequately positioned and mounted to optimise both vision and interaction (Watson Hyatt, 2010; Rahman, 2012).To modify or extend this essay or to get pricing on a custom essay Contact Us Today2.4. ConclusionPupils with PMLD have greater difficulties in learning and have additional impairments in functioning and needs that can create barrie rs to learning. Practitioners and teachers can support pupils to overcome such barriers by providing a learning environment that is stimulating to the senses, and promotes motivation and engagement. The world of technology can augment such learning by enabling pupils with PMLD to communicate and engage with the world around them. However, in order to maximally support such learners, technology must be tailored to the specific and individual needs of each pupil, requiring a thorough and accurate assessment of each pupil’s needs. It would appear that the Apple iPad has great potential to act as a tool for learning for pupils with PMLD, however there remains a gap in the empirical literature regarding the factors that might influence successful use of the iPad in such a teaching environment.1. MethodologyThe following chapter discusses the research methodology chosen for the present study and provides the rationale underpinning its selection. As action research was selected as t he prime research strategy, this chapter will discuss and explain what action research entails and also provide a brief explanation of the data collection methods that will be employed. Furthermore, the chapter will discuss the technique of sample selection and sample size proposed. The chapter will conclude with a discussion of the research instruments that will be utilised to gather the primary data.2. Research StrategyAccording to Lewin (1946), action research is â€Å"a comparative research on the conditions and effects of various forms of social action and research leading to social action (using) a spiral of steps, each of which is composed of a circle of planning, action and fact-finding about the result of the action†. It involves a practical approach to research inquiry in a social institution (Waters-Adams, 2006), and is perhaps more interactive than other research methodologies, as it balances data collection and analysis with problem solving action in the field. T his is advantageous as it allows the researcher to derive predictions regarding change within the research site (Reason & Bradbury, 2002). It is conceptualised as a collaborative process between the researcher and the research site and population, so it allows not only for observation and reflection, but also action and improvement of practice (Mills, 2006). Action research was particularly appropriate in this context. The author of the present study is an ICT coordinator, and was keen to discover how new technology purchased by the author’s school could be most effectively used with PMLD learners. Action research is often used when a new initiative is about to be implemented, in the absence of knowledge regarding the best method to do so. It allows for the discovery of practical solutions that are directly derived from the specific circumstances of the research site. However, as action research does not involve the objective measurement of phenomena, it can suffer from researcher bias (Mills, 2006). However, all researchers bring a degree of subjectivity shaped by individual experience, and it is the action researcher’s challenge to recognise such bias and build a critical reflexivity into the research process accordingly (Herr & Anderson, 2005). Action research can be time consuming, and difficult to conduct in tandem with normal classroom activities. For this reason, Mills (2006) a dvocates developing a timeline of enquiry.To modify or extend this essay or to get pricing on a custom essay Contact Us TodayThe timetable for the current study is as follows: Phase 1 (July 2012): Develop research questions. Phase 2 (August 2012): Conducted critical review of relevant literature. Phase 3 (September 2012): Conduct classroom observation. Disseminate questionnaire to second school. Phase 4 (October 2012): Conducted semi-structured interviews with teachers. Phase 5 (November – December 2012): Data collation and analysis Phase 6 (Early 2013): Review, question and action. Disseminate research findings to interested parties.3. Data CollectionAccording to Mills, â€Å"the importance of data collection is to challenge yourself to explore every possible angle to try to find patterns and seek out new understanding among the data† (2006: 122). The selection of data collection methods forms a fundamental step in the research process and should be underpinned by the concepts of reliability and validity. Reliability relates to the accuracy of the data and urges the researcher to consider whether the data they have collected presents an accu rate representation of the reality under study. Validity refers to the essential truthfulness of the data; an assertion that the data collected actually measures the reality under study. Producing high quality research is of particular concern to the action researcher in schools, as the teacher researcher has an additional obligation to their students, and to add to the professional knowledge base (Sagor, 2000). One method of enhancing the quality of research is to triangulate data collection; to use more than one source of data during more than one point in time. The present study included questionnaires, observation and semi-structured interviews. The approach therefore was mainly qualitative, although the inclusion of some closed-ended questions in the questionnaire allowed for some limited quantitative enquiry.4. QuestionnairesThe questionnaire was designed and will be disseminated via Survey Monkey, an online research resource which allows users to design surveys and collect an d analyse data easily. The questionnaire contained both open-ended and closed-ended questions to enable respondents to both answer the specific research questions, and also provide their own responses to add richness to the data. Invitations to participate in this part of the research will be made to members of staff from a different school to the research site, and respondents will be invited to complete the questionnaire via an online link. The questionnaire has been designed specifically to investigate how other schools are integrating iPads into their work with PMLD learners. The main advantage of the questionnaire method is that it potentially allows the researcher to collect a large amount of information in a relatively short amount of time (Mills, 2006). However, the method is notorious for returning lower response rates. Generally speaking, postal survey methods have an average response rate of below 10%, whilst typical response rates for online surveys are a little higher, at 20 – 30% (SurveyMonkey, 2012).5. ObservationThe observations will be conducted only at the primary research site, and will be participatory in nature, as this allows for more focused naturalistic observation (Bell, 2005). In the present study, observation will take place with four pupils with PMLD as they use iPads as part of normal teaching and learning activities. The observations will be guided by the use of the Engagement Profile (SSATrust, 2010) which will enable the researcher to observe exactly which factors involved in the use of iPads engage pupils. For an example of the Engagement Profile observation sheet refer to Appendix A.6. InterviewThe aim of the interview is to elicit information about participant’s attitudes, opinions and perspectives in order to form a meaningful understanding of the phenomena under study (Hannan, 2007). Specifically, this research will include the use of semi-structured interviews, which allow researchers to have a set of specifi c questions to discuss, but allows for some flexibility on the respondents’ behalf. One interview will be conducted with the class teacher, and will address the ways in which iPads are incorporated into teaching activities with PMLD learners.To modify or extend this essay or to get pricing on a custom essay Contact Us Today1. Sample Size and Sampling Techniques For questionnaire completion, sampling will follow the snowballing technique, a non-probability sampling technique whereby participants in turn recruit future participants from among their acquaintances. In this instance, the link to the online survey will be sent to the target population, with a request that it is passed on to other interested parties. As the likely response rate is as yet unknown, the link will be sent to all possible study participants. The return rate will determine whether any quantitative data analysis will be conducted on the closed-ended survey items. The observations will be limited to four pu pils, who will be identified as appropriate for participation via the researcher’s own knowledge of the pupils within the research site, and via discussions with classroom teachers. Only one interview will be conducted with the classroom teacher. Methods were selected that drew upon small samples to provide an in-depth exploration of the area under study, the number of observations and interviews was restricted to maximise the effectiveness of such in-depth exploration (see Kruger & Casey, 2009 for a discussion regarding sample size when using qualitative methods.7. Ethical ConsiderationsOf prime concern to any researcher, are the ethical considerations and implications of their work. A full understanding of research ethics, and adherence and accountability to an ethical framework can provide a solid base for the research work in order to achieve completion of said research successfully (Willis, Inman and Valenti, 2010). Adherence to ethical considerations in research promote s the aims of research; prohibiting the falsification of results avoids error. Ethical norms ensure that the researcher remains accountable to the public and can prevent harm; therefore prior to the commencement of any piece of research, it is essential to consider all the ethical implications that may present themselves throughout all stages of the study. Central to research ethics is the issue of consent. The proposed study will provide interview participants with a Participant Information Form (PIF) detailing exactly the aims and processes of the research, and the contact details of the researcher. A consent form will be given with the PIF for both the participant and researcher to sign. The form will detail the participants’ right to refuse to participate, and right to withdraw consent at any point during the research, without penalty. As the pupil observations will be conducted as part of normal teaching and learning activities, it is not necessary to seek permission fro m parents.To modify or extend this essay or to get pricing on a custom essay Contact Us TodayIn a dissertation work, keeping the personal details of the respondents secured is a prime ethical requirement, therefore, another major ethical consideration of the proposed study relates to anonymity and confidentiality. Conducting any research within the workplace could raise concerns among participants; therefore the interviews and Engagement Profiles will be anonymised and assigned codes rather than names. Surveys will be conducted anonymously via SurveyMonkey, access to data will be strictly limited to the researcher, and all participants will have the right to access their own information.ReferencesBean, I. (2012) A helping hand. SEN Magazine, February 2012. Available at: https://www.senmagazine.co.uk/articles/856-how-can-we-make-computers-more-accessible-to-all.html (accessed 13.08.2012). Boote, D.N. & Beile, P. (2005). Scholars before researchers: On the centrality of the dissertation literature review in research preparation. Educational Research 34 (6): 3 – 15. Carpenter, B., Egerton, J., Brooks, T.& Durdle , R. (2011). Engagement in Learning. 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