Analysis Of The Poem Ankh - 1011 Words

Symbolism 101 Assignment: Ankh Cindy Alexander Do to being born into a strong Roman Catholic family, this symbol automatically reminds me of the some of the priests and on occasion some of the nuns wearing this cross around their neck. I always liked this cross much better than the crucifix. That one always scared me as a small child. I remember thinking that this one looked kind of like a stick figure of a woman. She had to be in a dress because you couldn t see her legs. I still like the look of this symbol today. Even more so now that I know the history behind it. The Ankh like most spiritual symbols, don t have a single simple meaning. But let s start with the fact that the ankh is an Egyptian letter; specifically, it is a†¦show more content†¦At this point, I am rolling my eyes. This, to me, seems like a very Juvenal explanation for such a powerful symbol. Another theory was put forth by Wallis Budge an Egyptologist, who claimed the Ankh originated from the belt buckle of Isis. Or to be more specific the tjet, or the knot of Isis. This was said to be a ceremonial girdle that was thought to represent the female genitalia. Although this is just a theory, it is in keeping with the meaning the Egyptians have held throughout history up till the present day. The Ankh has also been associated with the mirror. This is in no small part to the fact that the Egyptians believe that the afterlife is a mirror image of life on earth. Ankhs were made out of a wide verity of materials like metal, wood, faience, terracotta, and stone. They were believed to have magical powers, which were thought to provide the wearer with supernatural benefits. Of course, the specific power of the ankh was determined by the material it was made from, as well as the color. An ankh was an amulet that was worn by many throughout their life and carried with them to their grave. Even Elvis Presley wore an Ankh amulet. And when he was criticized for doing so, his response was â€Å"I don t want to miss out on Heaven because of a technicality.† As far as how the Ankh is used in modern day pagan practices,

Using Kalman Filter Is Digital Signal Processing Based Filter

2.4 VIDEO DENOISING Nowadays digital cameras which is used to capture images and videos are storing it directly in digital form. But this digital data ie. images or videos are corrupted by various types of noises. It may cause due to some disturbances or may be impulse noise. To suppress noise and improve the image performances we use image processing schemes. In this paper they uses Kalman filter to remove the impulse noise. The Kalman filter is digital signal processing based filter. It estimates three states past, present and future of a system.[10] To remove noise from video sequences they utilize both temporal and spatial information. In the temporal domain, by collecting neighbouring frames based on similarities of all images, to remove noise from a video tracking sequence they given a low-rank matrix recovery phenomena. [11] 3. METHODOLOGY ADOPTED 3.1 Wavelength De-noising 3.2 Bilateral De-noising 3.1 WAVELENGTH DENOISING Basically a wavelet is small wave, which has its energy concentrated in time to give a tool for the analysis time varying phenomena. It is easier to remove noise from a contaminated 1D or 2D data using these algorithms to eliminate the small coefficient associated to the noise. In many signals, mostly concentration of energy is in a small number of dimensions and the coefficients of these dimensions are relatively large compared to other dimensions (noise) that has its energy spread over a large number of coefficients. In wavelet thresholdingShow MoreRelatedNeural Recording And Processing Of The Neural Signals1180 Words   |  5 PagesNeural Recording and Processing The most critical element of a Brain Machine Interface (BMI) is the recording and processing of the neural signal. We use an invasive neural signal recording to achieve higher performance of the BMI and to obtain better resolution. 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Proposal. Impact of Recession on Buying Behaviour of Ethical Consumers Free Essays

Introduction 1. Proposed Working Title Impact of the Recession on the Buying Behaviour of Ethical Consumers in the UK food industry 2. Research Background According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, an economy is said to be in a recession when there is a decline in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for two successive quarters. We will write a custom essay sample on Proposal. Impact of Recession on Buying Behaviour of Ethical Consumers or any similar topic only for you Order Now The recent economic downturn which commenced in 2007 has hit UK in a huge way. The recent recession is described as the worst recession to have hit the country since the Second World War, with GDP declining up to 3.8% in 2009 and unemployment having risen to its highest point in sixteen years. The credit crunch has undoubtedly has had a significant impact on consumer trends and behaviour. With many households facing unemployment, there has been a major cut back in consumer spending. The areas where consumers were found to cut back on spending are personal durables (e.g. clothing), indulgences (e.g. premium coffee), household durables (.g. electronics) and services (e.g. salon treatment). Alongside alterations have also been found in consumer preferences and purchase behaviour. Numerous studies have found that consumer behaviour during the recession is characterised by an increased sensitivity to price, marking a shift to lower cost products. Studies have also found that there is an increased focus on quality during the recession period, implying that consumers are increasingly looking for products that are of good quality, yet affordable. With retailers facing increasing cost of production during the economic downturn, to make a profit it is necessary for retailer to push the increase in prices to customers. This may prove to be an even greater challenge for ethical goods producers. In line, Carrigan et al state that â€Å"it is all very well asking people to spend a little more to save the planet while everyone is rolling in and times are good, but once things turn sour and people start tightening their belts then things may be a little different†. The credit crunch is bound to pose the biggest challenges ever for ethical consumerism. In this conte xt, it is highly relevant to study the impact of the recession on ethical consumer behaviour. This research will focus on evaluating the impact of recession on ethical consumer behaviour in the food sector. Specifically, the study will focus on ethical retailers in the food industry in the UK. Gaining a good understanding of how consumers are responding to the prolonged economic downturn in regard to ethical purchase behaviour is crucial in leading both ethical and non ethical companies in making changes to their fundamental business model in order to ensure success. Although there are signs that the economy is improving, which might question the relevance of this research, it is important to note that changes in consumer behaviour caused by a recession are likely to remain for a long period. So whilst economists may signal that the recession has ended and recovery has begun, consumers are unlikely to reflect this in their buying behaviour immediately. 3. Research Aims The aim of this research is to evaluate the impact of the recent recession on the buying behaviour of ethical consumers. 4. Research Questions / Objectives The most important question that this research proposes is: How does the economic downturn impact ethical consumer behaviourThis question in turn provokes us to find answers to other significant questions such as: What challenges does the recent recession present to consumers wishing to consume sustainably and ethicallyDoes price factor outweigh ethical values during the recessionWhat challenges does the recent recession present to marketers in the food industry to produce sustainable and ethical goods? The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the impact of the economic downturn on the purchasing behaviour of ethical consumers. Other key objectives include – 1. To evaluate the impact of the economic downturn on marketers of ethical goods 2. To explore ways in which ethical retailers can engage consumers with social responsibility attitudes and retain their loyalty during and after the recession 5. Literature Review The Ethical Consumer Researcher Association (ECRA) describe ethical consumerism in its truest sense as purchasing goods or services which do not harmful to the environment and society, and are made without harming the environment or exploiting workers. Consumers can express their ethical values and feelings of responsibility towards society by either buying products for their positive ethical qualities (e.g. free trade, organic etc) or by boycotting products for their perceived unethical characteristics (e.g. products produced using child labour). Ethical consumerism has been a growing trend globally and particularly in the UK. Cooperative Bank’ 2009 Ethical Consumerism Report revealed that the total sales of ethical products in the UK has grown almost threefold in the past ten years. The ethical market in the UK was worth 13.5 billion pounds in 1999 and in 2008 was estimated to be worth 36 billion pounds. The growth in ethical consumerism during the last decade has been in the 2005 – 2007 periods and primarily in the food and finance sectors. The report further highlights that there is a significant rise in Britons holding socially responsible attitudes and this growth has not been affected by the recession. However, Carrigan et al caution that this picture is not very encouraging as firstly reality is far from how it is pictured, describing it as the 30:3 syndrome. According to Carrigan et al, while a third of consumers admit to care about companies’ social responsibility and sustainability initiatives, it is important to note that ethical goods rarely achieve more than 3 per cent of the market share. Carrigan et al note that even though the idea of ethical consumerism is better understood by customers today and they hold more socially responsible attitudes, it does not necessarily mean that these attitudes are translated into ethical purchases. The findings of some researches suggest that except among a minority of consumers, ethical values and principles hold third stand in purchase decisions, with factors such as price and quality holding the greatest priority. The cause for this substantial gap in between consumer attitude towards ethical purchases and actual purchase of ethical products is that consumers consider several product attributes jointly when making a purchase decision, such as, price, quality, attitude and brand knowledge. When evaluating an ethical product, consumers are influenced by several relevant product and marketing attributes. These can be divided into thre e categories. Firstly, consumers are faced to choose between different types of ethical claims. Second, their purchase decision will depend upon the credibility of the brand and third marketing efforts and advertisements will influence consumer purchase decision. Thus clearly ethical consumer behaviour like all other attributes of consumer behaviour is exposed to the risks of recession and can be highly unpredictable. Although the Ethical Consumerism Report highlights a consistent growth in the ethical market in the last ten years, it is forecasted that the value of the ethical sector would slow down until 2012 owing to the sluggish economy with price being the most important factor influencing consumer purchase decisions. The ethical market is expected to pick up again in 2012 as the economy becomes more favourable. With some surveys revealing that in the context of the recession, consumer ethical behaviours are being limited by cost as people are less likely to pay a premium price for goods produced ethically, some other survey findings reveal that consumers are willing to pay more for ethically produced goods and services during the recession period. A major limitation of these studies is that they have not focused on any one particular se ctor. 6. Methodology The proposed research is guided by the philosophy of positivism. According to logical positivism the world simply consists of observable empirical regularities and science should restrict itself to describing these in the form of objectives, falsifiable propositions. The nature of the proposed research is exploratory in order to develop deep insights and ideas about the underlying nature of the research topic and in turn generate a hypothesis. The exploratory research will begin with a study of the reported findings of other researchers. This process is called literature review. For conducting the literature review, Hart’ six step process will be employed. The six steps for conducting the literature review are – Begin general reading to define the topic Establish the scope of the research topic and locate major themes Establish objectives for the literature search Plan the structure of the literature search, including codes and cross referencing Plan sources to be read Begin reading of selected sources In addition to helping gain deep insights into the research topic, the literature review is also used for evaluating the research methods selected for the recent research. The main sources of the literature review will be core marketing textbooks and professional journals from online databases such as Emerald and JSTOR. Stemming from the deductive nature of positivist researches, both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection will be used. Specifically, semi structured face to face interviews will be used for gathering data from key respondents of the selected ethical retail firms in the food industry; and survey questionnaire will be used for gathering data from consumers. Interviewing is selected for gathering data from the ethical retail firms as it stands out as the best method for gathering rich and holistic information quickly from a relatively small sample[12]. A list of topics to be covered will be prepared to help ensure that important points are not overlooked and that the interview follows a logical progression. Survey method is the technique of gathering data by asking questions from people who are thought to have the desired information. Survey method is chosen for gathering data from customers because compared to other primary data collection techniques, questionnaires he lp gather data from a large sample with lesser cost and time. In addition, questionnaires also provide participants the chance to submit thoughtful responses, since they have time to look up information and reflect before responding, plus there is a high contact rate. Questions will be crafted carefully so that it will stimulate unambiguous answers from the respondents. The questionnaires will be administered directly to consumers. 7. Project Schedule Research Gantt Chart (Week commencing 11 July 2010) BIBLIOGRAPHY Bhattacharyya, D.K., 2003. Research Methodology. New Delhi: Excel Books. Carrigan, M. and Pelsmacker, P., 2009. Will ethical consumers sustain their values in the global credit crunchInternational Marketing Review, Vol 26, Issue 6, pp. 674 – 687 Carrigan, M., Marinova, S., Szmigin, I., 2005. Ethics and international marketing. International Marketing Review, Vol 22, No 5. Harrison, R., Newholm, T. and Shaw, D., 2005. The ethical consumer. Sage Publications. Interbrand, 2009. Consumer spending in a recession. Available online: www.interbrand.com [accessed on 21 May 2010 Keinert, C., 2008. Corporate social responsibility as an international strategy. Springer. Gill, J. and Johnson, P., 2002. Research Methods for Managers. 3rd ed. London: SAGE publications. Patton, M.Q., 2002. Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods. 3rd ed. USA: SAGE publications Varey, R.J., 2002. Marketing communication: principles and practice. Routledge. UK Cooperative Bank, 2009. Ethical Consumer Report 2009. Available online: www.ethicalconsumer.org [accessed on 21 May 2010 How to cite Proposal. Impact of Recession on Buying Behaviour of Ethical Consumers, Essay examples

Separation of Plant Pigment by Paper Chromatography- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theSeparation of Plant Pigment by Paper Chromatography. Answer: Plants have molecules that have the ability to absorb certain wavelength of light and reflect others. These colored molecules found in plants are called pigments, the color being imparted by virtue of selective absorption of light waves. Molecules contain electrons that can absorb a particular amount of energy and move to the next higher energy level from their resting state. Light waves having that optimum level of energy within them get absorbed by a molecule and all other light waves are reflected back (Bassham 2015). Same phenomenon occurs in case of plants pigments. The gained energy is released or transferred in various forms to return back to its resting state. In plants that energy is utilized during photosynthesis to convert the solar energy into chemical energy of glucose or other carbohydrates. Some of the different kinds of pigments found in pants are Chlorophyll, Carotenoid and Xanthophyll. Apart from photosynthesis, the vibrant colors of pigments of attract insects whic h eventually help in pollination. Chlorophyll is the main pigment found in all plants. It can be of different types- chlorophyll a, b, c and d. Chlorophyll a absorbs light of wavelengths 430 nm (blue) and 662nm (red), strongly reflecting green light. Carotenoids are accessory pigments absorbing light of wavelength between 460nm to 550nm. Other pigments do not absorb light as efficiently as the two already mentioned (Tanaka, Sasaki and Ohmiya 2008). Chromatography is one of the most widely used methods in separation science. It can separate molecules based on their solubility in a particular solvent and identify them using predefined standards. It has been classified into several types based on the phases used and the separation mechanisms. The most common types of techniques are Paper Chromatography, Column Chromatography, This Layer Chromatography, Gas Chromatography, Thin Layer Chromatography, and Affinity Chromatography and so on. Paper Chromatography have been widely used to separate plant pigment. The basic principle is the pigment extracts are being places on the paper, the stationary phase and placed in developing chamber with an appropriate solvent. The solvent binds with the pigments and travels different lengths based on their solubility in the solvent. Most soluble pigments travel the farthest. Each pigment has a standard distance that it travels (Block, Le Strange and Zweig 2013). The ratio of the distance travelled by a pigment to that of the solvent font is known as the Rf value. The equipment required to perform a pigment separation experiment are as flows: Plant leaves, Ruler Large, test tube Cork with push pin, Chromatography paper (precut 18 cm strips), Pencil, Chromatography solvent (9:1 petroleum ether acetone), 6 ml syringe, Colored pencils, Calculator, Scissors, Plastic wrap (Ikan 2013). After extracting the pigments they are placed on the paper separately along a line drawn on it. The solvent is taken in a test tube and the paper is placed inside it carefully and left undisturbed. The pigments will rise to different heights and separate into distinct bands. The distance travelled by the solvent and the pigments are then measured and the Rf values are calculated using a calculator. The values are compared to standard values to identify the different pigment present in the mixture. References Tanaka, Y., Sasaki, N. and Ohmiya, A., 2008. Biosynthesis of plant pigments: anthocyanins, betalains and carotenoids.The Plant Journal,54(4), pp.733-749. Bassham, D.C., 2015. Plant biology: Pigments on the move.Nature,526(7575), pp.644-645. Block, R.J., Le Strange, R. and Zweig, G., 2013.Paper Chromatography: A Laboratory Manual. Elsevier. Ikan, R., 2013.Natural products: a laboratory guide. Elsevier.

A Tale Of Two Cities Charles Dickens (1812-1870) Essays

A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens (1812-1870) A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens (1812-1870) Type of Work: Historical fiction Setting London and Paris during the French Revolution (1789-1799) Principal Characters Dr. Manette, a French physician, wrongfully imprisoned for 18 years Lucie Manette, his daughter Charles Darnay, a former French aristocrat who has repudiated his title and left France to live in England Jarvis Lorry, the able representative of Tellson Co., a banking house Sydney Carton, a law clerk Madame Defarge, a French peasant and longtime revolutionary Story Overveiw (In the year 1775, King George III sat on the throne of England, preoccupied with his rebellious colonies in America. Across a narrow neck of water to the east, Louis XVI reigned in France, not very much bothered by anything except seeing to his own comforts.) On a cold and foggy night in late November, Mr. Jarvis Lorry was headed out of London bound for Paris, via Dover, on a matter of business. In the darkness of the coach, as he and the other passengers waked and drowsed by turns, Lorry was confronted by a gaunt and ghostly apparition, who engaged him in a silent and macabre conversation The figure haunting him through the night was Dr. Manette, a French physician and the father of Mr. Lorry's young ward. When the doctor had disappeared from his home eighteen years before, his young English wife had diligently and sorrowfully searched for him, until she died two years later, leaving her small daughter Lucie, who was placed in the care of Mr. Lorry. Lorry had brought the child to England, where she was turned over to Lorry's servant, Miss Press, a wild-looking, wonderful woman who adored her. At Dover, Lorry was joined by Lucie - now a young woman - and Miss Press. Lorry informed Lucie that her father had been found alive after years as a political prisoner, and that he, Mr. Lorry, was making this trip to Paris in order to identify him. Lucie, it was hoped, could then help "restore him to life." The sudden reality of finally meeting her father was so great that Lucie could only mutter in an awestricken, doubting voice, "I am going to see his Ghost! It will be his Ghost - not him!" In Paris, Mr. Lorry proceeded directly to the wine-shop of Monsieur Defarge, a former attendant to Dr. Manette, who was now looking after him. The company ascended to the attic. Lucie had been prophetic; indeed, Manette seemed but the ghost of a man, bending over his little shoemaker's bench, unaware of anything around him. Still, together with the free and bewildered Manette, the little group journeyed back to England. Lucie already showed a love and understanding for her long-isolated father, and her companions felt sure she would accomplish the miracle of calling him back to his former self. Five years later, Lucie and her father were called as witnesses in an English court, where a Frenchman, Charles Darnay, was on trial for treason. In the courtroom sat another young man, a lawyer's clerk named Sydney Carton. Carton was immediately struck by the resemblance he and Damay bore to one another, and when a key witness identified the prisoner as the man he had seen gathering information at a dockyard, Carton managed to discredit the witness by calling attention to the fact that in that very courtroom sat another - himself - who could easily be mistaken for the prisoner. The jury was swayed, and Darnay was acquitted. During the trial, both Carton and Darnay became acquainted with the Manettes. From that time on, they often visited the Manette's comfortable little house on Soho Square. Both men enjoyed the company of the good doctor, whose health of mind and body had been restored through Lucie's patient ministrations - and they also came to see Lucie. As suitors, their physical resemblance was never remarked upon because they were so different in attitude and demeanor. While Darnay, who had turned his back on his ancestral name and title, showed his refined upbringing in his confidence and courtliness, Carton seemed to be his own worst enemy. He was only confident of continued failure, and assured himself of it through drink, slovenliness and a morose character. Though Lucie elcomed them both, she was most drawn to Darnay. Being of a sympathetic and loving nature, she listened and wept one day as Carton, in uncharacteristic openness, confessed his love for her. He asked from her nothing in return because he believed even her love would not be enough to redeem him. The conversation ended with Carton's strange statement and promise: It is useless to say it,

Craniotomy of Tumors Essay Example

Craniotomy of Tumors Essay Example Craniotomy of Tumors Paper Craniotomy of Tumors Paper Surgeries pertaining to the brain for tumor removal are commonly done thru craniotomy. Craniotomy is also performed to examine the brain, remove a blood clot, manage hemorrhage, do biopsy, or to ease pressure inside the skull. The same with other surgeries, the patient will undergo diagnostic procedures prior to craniotomy like: computed tomography scans (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. This is done to determine the underlying problem that required the craniotomy as well as to get a better view at the brain’s structure. Angiography of the cerebrum may also be utilized to study the blood supply to the tumor, aneurysm, or other brain lesion. In the case of a tumor in the occipital lobe, the skull will be opened by making a curving incision at the nape of the neck around the occipital lobe. This paper discusses the procedure for a 40-year old, quadriplegic and HIV positive patient. Preparation of the Patient The patient is usually given drugs to ease anxiety. Other medications to reduce the risk of swelling, seizures and infection after the operation may be administered as well. Before and during the surgery, fluids will be restricted; a diuretic may be given if the patient is prone to retaining fluids. Intake of food or drink will not be permitted past midnight the night before surgery. The patient is admitted the morning of the procedure. Catheter will be inserted prior to patient going to the operating room. Since the patient is HIV positive, it is best that the patient’s schedule of operation/surgery will be the latest surgery for the day. Double gloving among the operating room staffs and surgeons should be imperative. Extra care in handling blood and body fluids should be maintained. Being quadriplegic, the patient will then be positioned in a modified fowler’s position HOB elevated 15-20? , patient on his lateral side. During the Procedure General anesthesia is given while the patient lies on the operating table. The head is positioned in a 3-pin skull fixation device once the patient is asleep. The device, which is attached to the table, holds the patient’s head in position during the procedure. A lumbar drain is inserted in the patient’s lower back to help remove cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that allows the brain to relax during surgery. Additional support may be placed due to the patient’s quadriplegic condition. A skin incision behind the hairline is made after the patient’s scalp has been prepped with an antiseptic. The surgeon makes the incision as far as the thin membrane covering the skull. Many small arteries have to be sealed by surgeon since the scalp is well supplied with blood. The skin flap is then folded back to expose the bone. A circle of holes is made in the skull with a hand drill or a craniotome. A fine wire saw is inserted through the holes by the surgeon to cut the outline of a bone flap to expose the brain. The cut bone flap is taken off exposing the brain protective covering called the dura (Mayfield clinic, 2009). The bone flap is saved until it is replaced at the end of the procedure. Surgery of the underlying cause then commences. The surgeon opens the dura using surgical scissors and exposes the brain. Retractors are used to gently expose a passage to the section needing surgery (restoration or removal). Various very small instruments and tools are used by the surgeon due to the difficulty of moving tissues aside to perform the repair or removal procedure. This is due to the compact structure of the brain. Evoked potential monitoring is oftentimes used to preserve the nerve functions and to ensure that it will not be additionally damaged in the surgery. This is accomplished by stimulating specific cranial nerves while monitoring brain responses. The retractors holding the brain are taken off after the surgery for the underlying cause has been completed and the dura is closed with stitches. The bone flap is put back in its original position and secured with titanium plates and screws. The plates and screws will remain permanently to support the area. In some instances, a drain is placed under the skin for a couple of days to take away blood or fluid from the repaired area. Finally, the surgeon stitches back the membrane, muscle and skin of the scalp together. A soft adhesive or turban-like dressing is placed over the incision. Post Surgery The patient is taken to the recovery room after surgery and vital signs are monitored as the patient regains consciousness (from anesthesia). Oxygen supply remains until the patient fully recovers. Since the patient is HIV positive, constant monitoring is required since the patient is immuno-compromised. Painkillers and drugs are given after the operation to manage any swelling and seizures that may arise are after the operation. Codeine may be given to relieve the headache and nausea that may occur as a result of stretching or irritation of the nerves of the scalp that happens during the craniotomy. An anticonvulsant medication to prevent seizure may also be given. Patient hospital discharge varies from only 2 days to 2 weeks depending on the surgery and complications. In this case, a high probability of complication might develop due to the patient being HIV positive. The bandage on the skull is changed regularly. Stitches or staples are removed 7–10 days after surgery in the doctor’s office. The patient should avoid getting the scalp wet until all the sutures have been removed. A clean cap or scarf can be worn until the hair grows back Reference Mayfield clinic. (2009, January). Craniotomy. Retrieved March 6, 2009, from mayfieldclinic. com/PE-Craniotomy. htm The surgeon marks with a felt tip pen a large square flap on the scalp that covers the surgical area. Following this mark, the surgeon makes an incision into the skin as far as the thin membrane covering the skull bone. Because the scalp is well supplied with blood, the surgeon will have to seal many small arteries. The surgeon then folds back a skin flap to expose the bone. Using a high speed hand drill or an automatic craniotome, the surgeon makes a circle of holes in the skull, and pushes a soft metal guide under the bone from one hole to the next. A fine wire saw is then moved along the guide channel under the bone between adjacent holes. The surgeon saws through the bone until the bone flap can be removed to expose the brain. After the surgery for the underlying cause is completed, the piece of skull is replaced and

Application Development and Databases Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Application Development and Databases - Essay Example Permissions and authorization of users or processes are defined according to the policies of the business. An access control policy basically specifies a set of rules that describe the methods in which a client can access a server. Access control Matrix: An access control matrix is a simple method for the storage of access control information. It is a table in which each row represents a subject (user), each column represents an object (the object can be a file or a record etc.) and each entry is the set of access rights for that subject to that object. In general the access control matrix will be sparse, because most users will not have access rights to most objects. Every subject will, however, be mapped with every object (subject, object, rights). This approach can provide very fine grained security control. The problem is the more fine grained the control becomes the more entries are required in the table. In a big system the table can quickly become very big and difficult to manage and slow to search. Access control list: A different approach is to use capabilities and access control lists. The first method is to specify only the objects that a user may access. This approach is called a capability. It can be seen as a token giving the possessor certain rights to an object. The capability can be stored with the subject. A second method is to create a list that specifies which subjects can... The first method is to specify only the objects that a user may access. This approach is called a capability. It can be seen as a token giving the possessor certain rights to an object. The capability can be stored with the subject. A second method is to create a list that specifies which subjects can access an object, including their access rights. This approach is called an access control list (ACL). The ACL can be stored with the object or the resource. View based security: Currently, authorization mechanisms in SQL permit access control at the level of complete tables or columns, or on views. It is also possible to create views for specific users, restricting access to data by granting rights only to certain views & tables for each user. These allow those users access to only selected tuples of a table. However, complex role based access control conditions are difficult to implement. In some cases view security can be bypassed (if users have access to base tables). Also, management of security policy becomes complex by views. When a security policy is added, changed, or removed, it's difficult to determine what exactly to do with each view. An administrator cannot tell whether, by changing security policies through altering or dropping a view, he/she is breaking an application. Enforcing Access control privileges: i. Discretionary privileges: It is usually based on the granting and revoking of privileges. It is further divided into two classifications: 1. The Account level: At this level, the DBA specifies the particular privileges that each account holds independently of the relations in the database. Example: As the PMS is based on a centralized Oracle server, it must implement all the

Assessing organizational culture Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Assessing organizational culture - Case Study Example ike communication in general, organizational communication represents a more complex phenomenon as it entails the integration of two unique concepts, â€Å"organization† and â€Å"communication†. In light of this, it is prudent for scholars to understand aspects relating to both concepts separately, and in turn find the intersection points of the two. Initially, individual’s conceptualization of organization communication centred on production of messages; however, this has now changed with research showing the importance of developing literacy within this domain. Literacy has and continues to broaden people’s perspectives with regard to organization communication, as they begin to appreciate the variety of ways they can approach, examine and understand communication (Cheney et al., 2010). Champoux (1996) identifies six key functions of organization communication, which include information sharing, emotion, feedback, persuasion, innovation and integration to coordinate various functions. Through effective channels of communication at the workplace, different parties are able to share information, which facilitates planning and the execution of tasks with the sole aim of achieving both individual and organizational goals. In addition, effective communication channels serve as a tool for parties to communicate their e motions; for example, top management can these channels to communicate their displeasure/ dissatisfaction with employees’ performance. They also serve as a feedback tool whereby, recipients are able to respond to the senders’ messages; therefore, give their input on specific matters. Finally, effective communication channels permit the integration of various functions within the organization. Departmentalization exists even in organizations with the simplest organization structure. As such, effective channels of communication enable the coordination of functions, which are specific to each department. Cheney et al. (2010) argue that literacy in

Contract Law on Offer and Acceptance Case Study

Contract Law on Offer and Acceptance - Case Study Example Hence Brenda succeeds on the both the counts against Andrew. Tuesday Morning: Brenda replied by e mail that the price of 50 was a mistake instead of 500 and offered to Andrew the car at a discounted price of 450.and kept the offer open till 12.00 p.m on Friday. and Andrew replied that he would consider the new offer though expressing annoyance at Brenda's mistake. Brenda had corrected the price on the website before receipt of Andrew's offer. An offer is made when one person signifies to another his willingness to do or not to do a certain act with an intention that it shall be binding on the offeror if accepted by the person to whom the offer is made. The latter is called 'offeree"1 The offeror's signifiying act called expression of willingness may be by means of a letter, newspaper, websites, e mail and also by conduct by which an offeror may be genuinely offering or just displaying an act what is known as 'invitation to treat" As such goods advertised are only 'invitation to treat'. 2 They are of unilateral nature i.e. open to the whole world to accept such as offer for rewards etc. 3 In Partridge v Crittenden [1968], appellant Patridge had been convicted for sale of banned variety of bird punishable under Protection of Birds Act 1954 by inserting a classified advertisement in a journal without mentioning the words "offer for sale" In the appeal it was held to be an invitation to treat and not an offer for sale and co nviction was set aside. On the other hand in the case of Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co [1893], an exception was made because the offeror meant business by depositing a certain sum of money as a reward for any one contracting influenza inspite of using medicine. So they could not escape liability stating their offer was an invitation to treat. Question arises website advertisements are offers or invitations to treat, relevant the instant case of Andrew v Brenda. .An offer is a set of conditions contemplating acceptance and capable of being accepted. "Thus in Thomson v James (1855) 18 D 1, Lord President MacNeill said, 'an offer is nothing until it is communicated' (at p.10). This is because an offer is not capable of acceptance until it has been communicated to the offeree" 4 "It is important to be able to differentiate between these invitations to treat and true offers, as acceptance of an offer creates a concluded contract whereas 'acceptance' of an invitation to treat is merely an offer. To assist in the identification of such invitations the law has developed presumptions as

Common Barriers to Communication

Common Barriers to Communication There are many barriers that occur every single day that cause ineffective communication. Not many people are aware of these barriers. Studies have shown that not everyone is aware of their behavior when speaking or listening. Habits are hard to kick but it is not impossible. Some of these barriers can be avoided, some cannot, but that does not mean that there is no solution for it. Without putting the effort into avoiding some of these common communication barriers, miscommunications might occur. One should always be sincere when holding a conversation with someone therefore, these are some of the common communication barriers one should take note of. One of the most common communication barriers is language. Not everyone’s first language is the same, so trying to bring a message across could be difficult. It would of course be easier if both parties could speak the same language but if otherwise, then there could be other solutions for the problem. For example, during intern ational business meetings, they could hire a translator. Another alternative would be to make the effort to learn a bit of the other party’s language to show sincerity in wanting to understand them better, and to avoid language barriers. Another scenario would be if a customer is not local and does not speak the native language, then we could try to find other ways to understand them. Most people have five senses, and if we don’t understand them, we could try other senses like seeing, which would mean, to ‘act’ it out for them. These could be some of the ways to communicate with someone who does not speak the same language as us. â€Å"However, even when communicating in the same language, the terminology used in a message may act as a barrier if it is not fully understood by the receiver(s). For example, a message that includes a lot of specialist jargon and abbreviations will not be understood by a receiver who is not familiar with the terminology used. †(http://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/barriers-communication.html#ixzz2x2ZuJjfh) Another common communication barrier is having poor listening skills. â€Å"We retain only about 50 percent of a ten-minute oral presentation immediately after we hear it, and about 25 percent of the same message after 48 hours† (Day Rasberry, 1980, Page 43) Some barriers that could cause poor listening skills are, â€Å"laziness, disinterest, closed-mindedness, insincerity, boredom, etc.† (S. Golen, 1990 Page 25 to 35) and also, â€Å"Sometimes a listener and speaker experience communication problems due to effects of the thinking-speaking time differential. This differential results from the fact that the average person talks at a rate of about 125 words per minute, while a listener can process information at approximately 450 words per minute.† (Nixon West, 1989) Because of this, we have time to think about other things and therefore get distracted and are not focused on wha t the speaker has to say. In some cases, there are people who often interrupt when someone is talking. â€Å"Interruptions are usually the result of a listener’s ego involvement or impatience with the speaker or the topic.† (Deborah Q. Gaut Eileen M. Perrigo, 1998 Page 40) A reason behind this could be that the interrupter feels more knowledgeable and feels the need to correct others when he or she feels that the other party is wrong. Another reason could be that the interrupter feels comfortable with the person he or she is talking to and thinks that it is okay to do so. Some of the characteristics of poor listeners are impatience, lack of direct eye contact, constant fidgeting, etc. Body language is very important and is a key strategy to read a person. An example would be, the listener keeps looking at the time, keeps fiddling with things or does not look at the speaker in the eyes. This would give the speaker the impression that whatever he or she has to say is no t important and it would also be showing that the listener is not showing any respect towards the speaker. There are also, cultural barriers. Different people have different beliefs and not everyone is knowledgeable of other cultures. Several barriers to intercultural communication have been identified, like â€Å"linguistic, physical, perceptual, experiential, verbal, etc† (Bell, 1992 ; Treece Kleen, 1997) There is also an â€Å"Important but not often recognized or visible barrier to intercultural communication: that of stress. Stress often accompanies communication between people of different cultural backgrounds because of the high degree of uncertainty, unfamiliarity and threat involved in the process.† (Pedersen and Pedersen, 1985) It is because of the short period of time you have with that certain person of a different culture to talk or discuss about something, which creates a high level of pressure to want to leave a good impression especially if it is about business or working together. Sometimes both parties could be speaking the same language but because of cultural differences, it could be hard to understand it in their accent so it would be extremely embarrassing for him or her to repeat several times just for the other person to try and understand the message that the speaker is trying to put across. A stereotype is defined as A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image (www.dictonary.com) It is common to be misunderstood by other people but it can also be very frustrating. †When an individual has a preconception about another individual, it makes it difficult for the individual not to view the other individuals communication with prejudice.† (http://www.studymode.com/essays/Barriers-To-Effective-Communication-77841.html) There are so many types of stereotypes. For example, â€Å"Someone working in an insubordinate position might be deemed to be uneducated with little to offer, when in fact, this is not true and employers can lose out on valuable opportunities by not communicating with them, and including those in the lower-level positions in the creative process.† (http://www.ehow.com/facts_6832310_stereotyping-affect-communication-work_.html#ixzz2x3RPpVd9) In addition, there are also gender stereotypes. â€Å"Gender roles typi cally call for men to be the more authoritative, in-control worker, with women as more emotional. This stereotype can adversely affect a womans role in the workplace, especially in senior management positions. Gender stereotypes prevent those with true, leadership and management capabilities from getting ahead. This adversely affects both the women and men in the workplace and their ability to communicate for the better of the company.† (http://www.ehow.com/facts_6832310_stereotyping-affect-communication-work_.html#ixzz2x3akKCJu) â€Å"Stereotypes based on race and ethnicity is not only morally wrong, but legally wrong as well, and can alienate employees. If employees are not communicating based on preconceived notions, they are not engaged in the same goals for the company and this will ultimately reflect in the companys failures.† (http://www.ehow.com/facts_6832310_stereotyping-affect-communication-work_.html#ixzz2x3bmP1xG) Everyone has been stereotyped by someone and /or has stereotyped someone before. It is one of the greatest communication barriers but yet it cannot be helped sometimes. It paints a picture of someone or something that may or may not be true, and instantly causes judgments without having to get to know the person, which is unfair. There are other barriers like noise that affect effective communications. Noise could affect our hearing and we may not understand the message the speaker was trying to put across. That way, misunderstanding could occur. Especially if someone wanted instructions to be carried out but the person who is supposed to execute it, heard it differently. â€Å"For instance, you may assume that because people are nodding while you speak, they understand and agree with what you are saying. Similarly, if you invite questions about your message and get none, it would be easy to assume therearenone.The truth is, few people will risk the potential embarrassment of being the only one who doesn’t agree with or understand your message or doesn’t know what to ask. To assume they do would be a mistake.† (http://gwynteatro.wordpress.com/2011/11/20/4-barriers-to-effective-communication-what-to-do-about-them/) In some cases, assumptions could be accurate, but if it is not, then it cou ld lead to a communication breakdown. â€Å"We all use selective perception in composing and interpreting information† (Irene F. H. Wong and Michael D. Connor and Ulrike M. Murfett, 2006, Page 12) In conclusion, there are many barriers that cause ineffective communications. These are barriers that people should take into consideration in order to avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments. Being a good listener has its advantages. It helps us understand messages, instructions, etc better and understanding the message or instruction that is put across to us would help us perform better and/or meet customers’ expectations. But first of all, one must be willing to listen and be focused on the topic. A good listener should also respond appropriately. â€Å"Communication is two-way. A response is called for. It may be no more than applause – or even silence. But it is still a response, which will in turn be interpreted by the speaker.† (John Adair, 2009, Page 92 ) Being an effective speaker also has its advantages. When speaking, it has to be clear, simple, vivid and natural so that the message can be broad across clearly and that the listener understands. Overall, being a good listener and a good speaker affects effective communications. It works both ways.

Impact of Technology on Society Essay -- american society, technologica

Technology is continuously developing and has begun creating shortcuts for the American society. As a society we need to find a balance between our technological use and our everyday life. In my opinion, society has become too dependent on technology. The more advanced technology becomes, the more it seems to be gaining control over our lives. Even though technology is offering society many beneficial qualities; it also is causing many negative effects to occur. Technology is affecting society socially, mentally, and physically. One point addressed throughout each article was how technology has affected society socially. Technology has contributed to society’s lack of social skills, social interaction, and has allowed many of us to become antisocial individuals. According to Sherry Turkle, psychologist and director of the MIT Initiative on Technology, the lack of these social abilities has contributed to the absence of emotional maturation in individuals of today’s society. Turkle stated, â€Å"Very quickly for teenagers [it became] [that] they prefer to text than talk because talking for them involves too much information, too much tension, too much awkwardness. They like the idea of a communication medium in which there does not need to be awkwardness.† (Turkle). I know this is true among teenagers in our society. I, like many of my other peers would prefer to send a text message before calling someone any day. I believe this is because we have become so reliant on text messaging that we no longer know how to have a decent intellectual conversation. Turkle says this occurs because â€Å"talking involves too much information, texting is a lot quicker, and it is very easy to stop before you are rejected.† In addition to affecting society... ...e physically active. As technology continues to advance it seems society's aptitudes have begun to decline socially, mentally, and physically. According to Butte, famous theoretical physicist Albert Einstein once stated, â€Å"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity† (Butte). I believe this quote truly summarizes how technology has affected our society. Works Cited Butte Patil, Pratik R. Technological Advancements and Its Impact on Humanity. Academia.edu. Academia.edu, 2013. Web. 15 Nov. 2013. Crowther, Hal. "One Hundred Fears of Solitude. â€Å"The Telegraph." Telegraph, 13 Aug. 2013. Web. 26 October 2013. Sterling, Bruce. â€Å"Self-Reliance 2008.† The Atlantic. The Atlantic Monthly Group, 1 November 2008. Web. 16 October 2013. Turkle, Sherry. Interview: Digital Nation. Frontline. PBS. WGBH, Boston, 2 Feb. 2010. Web. 16 Oct. 2013.

Racism in America Essay

Racism is very much a problem in our country; we just can’t admit that it’s there. We bury it back in our minds, not able to admit the pressing problem in our nation. All of the groups in our nation demonstrate racism and believe that they are right for hating a certain type of people. The Klu Klux Klan, Aryans, Skinheads, Neo Nazis, and many more are a good example of the racism that still lingers. There is also a substantial amount of racial profiling now ever since the September 11th tragedies. Many people ridicule Middle Easterners and people who are considered to have â€Å"their color† because some of us think that since a few Middle Eastern terrorists bombed us, they all hate us and want us to die. This all started with slavery and the Africans being sent away from their homelands to break their backs working on our farms. We spit on them, treated them like shit, and expected them to work hard for us and like it. Many of the white people do feel sorry and are guilty for what we did to the African American ancestors, but there’s nothing we can do to take it back. It is history and we cannot change it. There is still racism towards African Americans. Whenever you hear a murder, robbery, assault, or drug bust on the news, they say it was an African American. There are just as many white people that commit those same crimes, but they aren’t on the news nearly as much. Affirmative Action in today’s society has nothing to do with slavery and if it does, it really shouldn’t. We use Affirmative Action to make a school or work environment have diversity, not pity on what we did. Affirmative Action is to make sure minorities have the same opportunities as everyone else.

How to Select Quotes for an Essay

How to Select Quotes for an Essay Any kind of creative work needs some kind of inspiration. If you have to write an essay, you need to think of a couple of original ideas and express them in your work. However, your ideas might not be understood, no matter how insightful or suitable they are. Often your knowledge and skills are just not enough. Thats exactly the time you should find some quotes to support your arguments. Choosing a quotation is not as easy as it may seem at first. There are a couple of points to consider. You need support from a source that is considered reliable. That means the writer or creator of the source should be considered an expert in that field. Furthermore, the quote should come from a scholarly source, preferably peer-reviewed. You should consult your online school database for sources first. Checking the credibility of a quote on a website is a bit more difficult, yet not impossible. The author of the source should be listed, as well as a publishing date or update. Besides knowing that the author is an expert in the area in which you are researching, the author’s affiliation with an organization should also be provided. When in doubt, you can always ask your teacher for an advice. Using quotes is like using salt when cooking soup: too much is bad and too little is also bad. So, use a quote only when its needed. For example, if you state an argument, you may want to support it with evidence provided by a well-known scientist. On the other hand, you may want to argue that a point some authority expresses is contradictory or not true. You might also use two quotes with contrasting ideas and then dwell on the differences in the viewpoints of the two authors. Another instance where quotes are necessary is in providing evidence or statistical data from reliable sources. Once youve identified the extract from a book or an article you want to cite and determined a reason for doing so, you must quote correctly. Use double quotation marks to identify the sentence taken from another source. Single quotation marks are used to indicate a quotation inside a quotation. Also, all the commas and full stops should be left within the double quotation marks. Use three dots (an ellipsis) if you dont want to use the full sentence (†¦), and use brackets ([example]) if you want to insert your own words to make a quote clearer to the reader, for example when the quote is not so clear without the context it was originally used in. Finally, you need to cite the source for your quote, using the appropriate formatting rules. Otherwise, if you use a quotation incorrectly, without quotation marks or without citing the source, it may be regarded as plagiarism. This is the last thing you want to happen to you. As you can see, knowing how to use quotations is a must for every student, and you are no exception. So, we hope you can use all these tips in writing a high quality, scholarly paper. CustomWritings.com is one of professional essay writing services which can help you with writing your academic essay on any topic. Dont hesitate to contact us!

Values In The Phaeacian Societ essays

Values In The Phaeacian Societ essays The Importance of Values In The Phaeacian Society The Phaeacian societys values are what the basis of what their civilized community is built on. In Robert Fagles translation of The Odyssey by Homer, there are numerous references made to what kind of values are held by the Phaeacian society. In book VI, as well as the rest of the books, there are examples of how the societies values provide structure, regulation, and rules for the culture to live by. It is evident in the writing, not only directly, but also indirectly, such as peoples responses and reactions to certain activities or words. One of the most important and easily recognizable values of the Phaeacian society is hospitality. Throughout the book, there are numerous examples of the importance of hospitality to the culture. The encounter between Odysseus and Nausicaa is a perfect display of what great extents one is expected to go to provide a guest, especially a stranger, with superb hospitality. Nausicaa is well trained in her manners, and very well she should be, the daughter of a king. She is representing her family, and reflects this when she tells her maidens, heres an unlucky wanderer strayed our way and we must tend him well.... So, quick, my girls, give our newfound friend some food and drink and bathe the him in the river(VI. 226-231). This is an unusual act in todays culture; to feed and bathe a complete stranger met on a waterfront. Nausicaa further extends her hospitality by inviting Odysseus to come to her residence later in the evening to meet her mother and father. The fact that a famil y of great importance, or even royalty, doesnt scrutinize a stranger, but makes sure his every need is taken care of before anything else, illustrates just how important the value of hospitality is to the Phaeacian society. It represents their level of civility and refinement in their culture. This level is something that...

Why Hospitals should hire Patient Navigator Research Paper

Why Hospitals should hire Patient Navigator - Research Paper Example The populations with limited access on the healthcare system encounter difficulty in using the system leading to delay in cancer diagnosis, added costs, less efficient, and effective use of recommended therapies. The patient navigation programs provide support and guidance to people with the goal of improving access to the cancer care system and overcome barriers to quality care. This paper will present a conceptual model to evaluate cost-effectiveness of cancer patient navigation-programs, discuss challenges, and the best approach to address the challenges. Evaluating the economic impact of patient navigation has a wide array of activities that involves different settings while it suffers from inadequate of information. Different cost elements differ in the study perspective. Different researchers present interventions to determine the relevant cost measures that assess the economic value of patient navigation. The history of the patient navigation programs attributes to Harold Freeman the chair of American Cancer Society that commissioned the study of barrier to cancer among the poor in America. The success of the pioneer program and recognition of significant barriers to cancer diagnosis continue to exist among the minority and the underserved populations. Currently, many patient navigation programs work to reduce barriers to care at all levels. The growing popularity and publication of promising observational studies fail to evaluate the efficacy of navigator programs. Researchers are yet to establish the cost-effectiveness and the impact of navigation programs on cancer-related morbidity and survival. The patient navigator programs can be time and resource intensive. Similar to other interventions may improve the health of poor and underserved populations. One should view the navigation programs in the context of allocating resources to maximize health outcomes on limited budgets. It is important to

Choose one of the eight schools of criticism. Choose a poem from part Essay

Choose one of the eight schools of criticism. Choose a poem from part two of your english 1302 textbook. Craft an argument through the lens of your chosen schools criteria or focus on that poem - Essay Example This serves as a challenge for the reader to try and relate the author’s events with that of a historical event. It is here that he reader is curious as to which race in history is known for martyrdoms? If the first of the reader’s guesses is the Jews, then this answer is conveyed in the latter parts of the poem. One cannot help but sympathise with the state of hopelessness of the author in the second stanza. This is evidenced in the lines: ‘nothing serves me to assuage the agony of our age.’ 1The second part of the poem which is at the beginning of the third stanza is also an emphasis on the hopelessness of the author that her life will not become better with time. We get to know of her obsession with redemption from the life she is living at that time. Short terse and compact lines compel he reader to sympathise with the author’s situation. The reader can feel the sorrow and agony of someone in despair from the use of such short and emotional lines. The reader also is constantly in question as to who is the cause of such misery to the author but a good historical background may serve well to inform the reader that he setting of the poem was in Nazi Germany, where the Germans oppressed the people of Jewish origin. From the line, ‘The Jew of ghetto crawls,’ the reader is given a distinct imagination ox the deplorable living condition of the Jews as they were living in the Holocaust. 2The reader sympathises with the author for the horrors that she experiences of her teenage years after reading the following stanza: â€Å"Like every living Jew I have in imagination seen the gas-chamber the mass-grave the unknown body which was mine and found in every German face behind the mask the mark of Cain I will not make their thoughts my own by hating people for their race.†2 Gershon says that ‘Here and there a Jew lifts an individual face, a man for the sake of his gifts

Sustainability of shellfish stocks in the Irish Sea Essay

Sustainability of shellfish stocks in the Irish Sea - Essay Example The seminar presentation seeks to find ways that could help sustain the population of fish stocks in the Irish Sea. In order to achieve this, the organisms must be organized into different breeding groups, migration patterns; productivity, genetics and habitats must be first explored and understood. The shellfish were organized into a population structure whereby a population is a group of organisms of one species which can freely interbreed and live in the same place at a time (Atkinson, 2000)2. Populations can be further divided into sub-populations where interbreeding is restricted and the organisms accumulate genetic differences and may locally adapt to the environment. Another way of organizing the shellfish is by the use of the stock concept. This involves division into stocks for easier management. However, this may not accurately reflect genetic sub-division because in subdivision and productivity concept, each sub-population contributes absolute productivity to the total population which may vary depending on environmental conditions. While extirpation of subpopulations decreases, total productivity may increase vulnerability to environmental change and decrease genetic diversity. In considering subdivision and gene flow, the reduction in size or density of subpopulations may reduce migration between subpopulations and increases genetic drift or may increase migration into some subpopulations. Migration of locally harvested stock contribute to breeding populations over a much wider geographical area, for example, salmon and trout harvested in the ocean contain migrants from many different freshwater streams which are genetically isolated subpopulations and locally adapted to breeding streams (Nielsen, 1994)3. The methodologies used include the migration of larvae or adults between subpopulations, DNA extraction of haemolymph or muscle, DNA analysis through gene sequencing and screen for microsatellite markers used to measure genetic diversity. Another

‘Friendship Changes Its Meaning and Function Through the Life Course Essay Example for Free

‘Friendship Changes Its Meaning and Function Through the Life Course Essay In many western societies, friendship is portrayed in a very positive and desirable light, and most of all something people have the freedom to choose, unlike kinship. However as examined further in this essay, friendship means and functions as many different things to different people and can be influenced by an array of different social factors. There are various stages in the life-course that provide both opportunities and threats to the development and maintenance of friendships, yet it is evident that friendship does change and evolve in meaning and function through the life course. Some sociologists believe that social change has affected the significance of friendship, and thus changed its function throughout the life course. Due to social change, choice and reciprocity have become highly valued in relationships; which is expected in today’s post-industrial society. Many see the traditional ‘nuclear’ family as diminishing. This can be explained by the individualisation thesis (Giddens 1992, Ulrich Beck and Beck Gersheim 1995), who argue that set traditions and social rules are in decline, thus giving rise to voluntarism and democracy distinct from kinship; which can be recognised in the notion of the ‘pure relationship’ (Giddens 1992). Therefore friendship can be seen as the ideal relationship in society; differing much from the ‘fixed’ or ‘given’ relationships with kin and the community, which are seen to be declining in significance. This has allowed friends to take the roles traditionally formed by families. The idea of ‘families of choice’ (Weeks et al 2001:9) suggests that trends such as increasing cohabitation, divorce rates, greater social and geographical mobility, increasing levels of female education, increased participation of females in the labour market, and the growth of non-heterosexual household arrangements along with a strong sense of individualization have led to families of choice. This social suffusion of family and friends is especially evident amongst non-heterosexuals, due to their exclusion from the ‘family’ and ‘marriage’ in which they haven’t received support from families; they’ve chosen their own networks of relationships conceived as families. However it is important not to overstate the significance of friendship compared to relationships with family with much empirical evidence stating family relationships still remain significant. Firstly, it is important to recognise that there isn’t a single universal definition of friendship; which can cause many sociologists to encounter problems when researching the notion of friendship, and thus how its meaning and function may change and evolve through the life course. There are many different forms of friendships, ranging from diverse and complex friendships which are ever-changing and evolving. Whether it is those we file in our address books to those who have a profound presence in our lives. People attach the label ‘friend’ to those whom they’ve simply had a pleasant association with or as for as those who they’ve shared a lifelong relationship with. Some believe it is ‘the valuing of the other person for whatever is perceived as their unique and pleasing qualities’ (Wright 1978), which is said to be a defining characteristic. Research into what friendship means, reveals friendship as being voluntary rather than obligatory. Though as explored further this element of choice of who we categorise as our friends, can be highly influenced by other social factors and elements of homophily; which changes as we enter different stages of the life course. There is much diversity within friendship, with every relationship being completely unique. There are many recurrent types of friendships, such as associates, useful contacts, favour friends and a fun friend which are categorized as a simple friend, which ranges to a helpmate, comforter, confidant and a soul mate; which constitute towards a complex friendship. Research has found that the degree of intimacy of a friendship is affected by the amount of time friends have known each other. Furthermore, Pahl and Spencer categories the types of friendships people have in their personal communities into different types of friendship repertoire. They identify between the basic, intense, focal and broad repertoire, these typologies allow us recognise that some friendships strengthen in meaning whereas some even tend to get lost ad fade away as people enter different stages of the life course. Through stages in the life course such as leaving school, going to college, starting work, living with a partner/getting married, having children, getting divorced, moving home and retiring etc, can provide new opportunities for friendship whilst even threaten existing ones. Kinship ties and especially primary kinship ties generally continue in some form, whereas change in friendship is routine and normal. Indeed some friendships are long-term with some even life-long, although for the majority this isn’t the case. Usually friends occupy similar social positions to one another; tending to be the same age, be of a similar class position, same gender and occupy similar positions in the life course. Friendships are active in certain periods of our life and then gradually become less significant and meaningful, due to a change in people’s circumstances as they enter in stages of the life course, therefore sustaining that relationship becomes difficult. There are a variety of domestic circumstances that can affect friendship. Typically there appears to be changes in people’s friendship patterns when they get married. This is because their existing relationships with other single people tends to become less central to their lives and be replaced by other couple friendships (Cohen 1992), this is how couples create a marital relationship in which ‘togetherness’ and mutual involvement is paramount. Along with this is sharing leisure and sociability therefore maintaining friendships with those who are single becomes difficult. Not only that but divorce can also dramatically alter friendship, for men the effect may be less who will continue to be involved in the same work and leisure activities whereas women with children, their friendships patterns will alter more significantly due a change in their social, economic and domestic circumstances (Milardo 1987). Similarly shifts can occur in friendship when children are born, the aspects of family life will affect the space available for friendship. Old activities that were once shared between two people often become problematic, especially in the early years of childhood Having children can be a very demanding job, therefore less time is left for developing new and servicing old friendships, and thus gradually old friends who are at different stages of their life course become less involved and are replaced by others who share a similar social position. In the same way, caring for an elderly relative can constrain the freedom for sociability. However, we can also see how gender is affected within childcare which affects the space for friendship. As many women have less extensive social participation, and their character of domestic and paid labour, therefore there is less opportunity to develop social ties. Whereas, men tend to have more time and financial resources to devote to sociability because of their role within the domestic and paid division of labour. Equally, as people enter old age and retirement this can also affect the opportunities for friendship. For some retirement may present them with more time to spend with friends, with the absence of work commitments. However others the reduced financial circumstances mean the engagement through social activities is limited, and the pool of social contacts is reduced through employment. Friendships can also alter due to a change in a person’s social location. For instance, if someone was to gain a promotion at work it could affect their friendship ties. Not only that but with the idea of work as someone is in a different position within a hierarchy, they may have authority over others and thus increased earning capacity and an alteration of their life-style, maintaining existing friends becomes difficult especially as friendship is seen to be based on equality. Despite friendship being based on liking and trust and not on status hierarchy or difference, in essence the friendships becomes less active, and new friends who lead similar life-styles and of similar status replace old friends. A persons work situation affects the opportunities they have in meeting others as well as the resources of time, money and energy they have for sociability (Allen 1989). The demands and organization of a person’s work can also pattern their friendships both inside and outside the workplace. For example, different shift patterns, different levels of physical and mention exertion and different times being away from home call affect and individual’s capability and willingness to participate in sociability. Nevertheless, it may be thought that due advances in technology, email and social networking increase the possibility of forming friendships with face to face conversation being absent. Yet, despite these new forms of communication, we are still more likely to have closer ties with people who live in closer geographical proximity to us. Friendship is dynamic; it may become deeper or fade as we enter different stages of the life course nonetheless as Pahl claims it does change meaning and functions throughout the life course. Patterns of people’s friendships throughout the life course are structured around, people’s social and economic circumstances which influence their opportunities for social involvement. Different aspects of structural location such as work situation and domestic situation alter during the life course and change the meaning and function of friendship’s. Friendship is also linked to broader social and economic factors, and individual’s immediate social environment influences who they come in contact with and thus who they build friendships with. Word Count: 1,575.

Marketing Analysis of BQ | SWOT

Marketing Analysis of BQ | SWOT Introduction A strategy is developed by a consideration of the resources of the organisation in relation to its environment, the prime purpose being to add value Dobson (2004). According to Stredwick (2008), Strategic analysis is concerned with the strategic position of the organisation. It consists of the organisations values, culture, resources and its environment. It tackles the following questions: what are the key characteristics of the organisation, what changes are going on in the environment, and how will these affect the organisation and its activities. In addition, a detailed internal and external environmental analysis including an assessment of culture enables the organisation to make a strategic choice and also help in the strategic implementation. Therefore, the report will use different tools such as SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis in relation to Michael Porter five forces analysis to highlight where BQ (UK) is, and the environment it operates in, is strategically and where it could be in the future and the nature of competition. It looks at internal factors, the strengths and weaknesses of BQ, and external factors, the opportunities and threats facing the business. Besides, PESTLE (Political, Economic, Socio-cultural, Technological, Legal and Environmental) analysis is another tool to be used to analyse the macro external environment. Johnson (1992) Cultural web will also be used for the assessment of BQ culture. BQ Profile BQ was the first national DIY retailer and has been in the DIY business for more than 30 years. Richard Block and David Quayle (BQ) wanted to bring value, longer opening hours and a broader product range to everyone. In the 1980s it bought the Scottish DIY chain Dodge City and eventually became part of the Kingfisher Group. Today, BQ is the UKs leading DIY and garden centre retailer and its stores offer approximately 40,000 inspirational home improvement and garden products for the homemaker, occasional to serious DIY and trade professionals. Swot Analysis of BQ UK Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities Threats (SWOT) analysis is a tool of environmental scanning aimed at analysing both the internal (strengths and weaknesses) and external environment (i.e. opportunities and threats) to see whether the organisation can seize new opportunities given its strengths and face new threats despite its weaknesses. Thus, a SWOT analysis is a well-rounded analysis which goes well beyond the internal environment. Strengths Leading brand and good reputation BQ is the number one leading brand in the UK and is twice the size of its competitor. It has a market size of  £31bn as regard to the size of repair, maintenance and improvement market. Being the number one position in the UK market, BQ has a major strength as they are ahead of their rivals. Furthermore, BQs reputation is strong and popular which means people view it with respect and believe in it, for example, BQ is supporting Prince Charles in his Preserve the Rainforest. Increased market share BQ has a market share of 14% where it employs 22,602 employees and has 321 stores in the UK (http://www.kingfisher.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=33 accessed [19/10/10]. Thus, BQ will continue to grow in the home improvement and garden sector. Their increased market share is a key to their success as it boosts reputation, profit and the value of the organisation. Constantly creating new, differentiated, Innovative and wide range of Products BQ offer around 40,000 products in stores. BQ also has its strong own-label such as BQ car boot protector, BQ Foot pump and so on. BQ has innovative, well displayed products and they are also continuing with their renewal programme which includes updating product ranges such as launching their first fair-trade products and designing more eco-products. Thus, BQs innovation keeps it a front-runner in the home improvement and garden centre as it is regularly re-launching and designing new products. Hence, having a product differentiation strategy makes BQ at a better competitive advantage. Sites BQ has some good positions and new opening opportunities. BQ has 321 stores in the UK. They also encourage more eco stores such as their eco flagship store is located in New Malden and boasts innovative developments such as 108 underground bore holes, 100 metres deep which heat and cool the store with energy from the earth. Moreover, for the first year 2010/11 half progress, three large and 1 medium stores revamp (kingfisher strategy progress, March 2010). Thus, this is a strength which shows the overall performance of the BQ. Adding value to the organisation Adopting Michael Porter (1985) value chain concept through all its primary and supporting activities, BQ Delivering Value programme of self-help initiatives is working well, meaning now it generates significantly higher profits and cash flow from its operations and a much better return on capital for its shareholders [www.kingfisher.com]. Technological strengths BQ have embraced technological advancement in their business. For example, it has their own website where customers can shop on line namely, www.diy.com, thus facilitating e-commerce. In addition, BQ intranet facility also helps in improving its internal communication system where policy and procedures of the company can be accessed to all employees. Furthermore, on the 4th august 2010, BQ has launched its first iDIY APPS which makes it easier for customers to get the job done by having BQ experts available for them whenever needed. It is new at apple store and free to download for I phone and I pad users. Moreover, a range of green technologies have incorporated into new stores at BQ. Good customer relationship management More than three million customers come at BQ (UK) doors every week. Thus, BQ has an extensive customer base, which is a major strength regarding sales and profit. Besides, BQ retain their customers by giving them the opportunity to create, design their own product according to their taste. BQ offer different types of discount for regular shoppers which also help in customer retention such as the diamond card which offer 10 % discount off to the over 60s every Wednesday off selected purchases or products, Trade Discount Card which also offers discounts for trade customers and Corporate Gift Cards which receive discounts for bulk spending. Effective Human Resource Practices BQ has been awarded again for the fourth year running the Gallup best workplace award. Besides, on the 22nd June 2010, BQ UK also scoops the top award at institute of internal communications [www.kingfisher.com]. BQ UK is also recognised for its constant emphasis on employee training in order to improve customer satisfaction. For example, 15 500 employees of BQ UK have completed a Retail Skills Level 2 NVQ or Home Improvement Knowledge Qualification awarded by City Guilds. BQ has a very experienced workforce which drives the organisation with knowledge and expertise. In general, we can therefore comment that BQ UK concentrate on the soft side of human resource management. They invest in people through good communications, teaming and training. A participative management style BQ has an organic or flatter organisational structure which reflects its culture. Employees are empowered and have freedom of expressing new ideas. Thus, BQ unlocks the potential of its employees. At BQ, they have been busy laying the foundations for future growth. For example, they recently launched a Dragons Den-style panel to help them filter new innovative and creative ideas from staff which is called the Innovation Den. This, therefore, encourages a culture of entrepreneurship and empowerment. Financial resources BQ has improved their financial performance; this can be proved by the key performance indicators such as the operating margin which has increased from 2.8% in 08/09 to 4.9% in 09/10. Thus, the rigorous focus on generating improved cash flow from operations, reducing the investment in working capital, whilst tightening controls over capital expenditure, has yielded a significant reduction in financial net debt [www.kingfisher.com ] Effective waste and recycling management Reducing waste help to improve efficiency of organisation, thus, so far BQ has 48 % less carbon emitted from waste. They have tried to manage their production in a systematic way through the use of technology. They encourage customers to return old products and packaging for recycling. Low threat of new entrance (one element of Porters five forces analysis) Being the market leader, having a market size of  £31bn, concentrating on product differentiation; economies of scale; having cost advantages; having high capital requirements and being part of kingfisher, the third largest home improvement retailer in the world, BQ, has low threat of new competitors. Bargaining power of suppliers: one element of Porters five forces analysis BQ maintain strong relationship with their suppliers, for instance, ensuring that their suppliers provide them with eco-friendly products. Thus, the bargaining power of their suppliers is low, which makes BQ having a competitive advantage. Weaknesses As per kingfisher business review, august 2010, BQ like to like sales has increased on seasonal products such as garden products; however, one weakness will be that sales of garden product will be reduced due to winter weather which will discourage customers to invest in their gardens. BQ website, diy.com, has a poor e-commerce ratings as they were ranked bottom overall, with customer scans of 50%. In addition, the site got only two star ratings for price and product out of five stars. Furthermore, they also have delivery issues; from over packaging and delays to time slots which shows how BQ is wasting both its time and resources and also reveals their inability to adapt quickly to change. Opportunities BQ is to expand its offer in to the trade market, with the triumphant trial of Trade Point stores in nine of its large UK branches. As customer tastes keep changing, for example many people prefer to use eco-friendly products, thus an opportunity will be to broaden BQs customer by offering several trials of new or expanded product categories. Thus, this will expand the product/service lines by BQ which could help them to raise sales and increase their product portfolio. In addition, products which are cash generators and are at the maturity stage on the product life cycle can finance the rising star at the growth stage and even the question mark that are at the introduction phase. To open more eco-stores, thus, meeting the companys aim of being a sustainable business. Integrate advanced ICT (information communication technology) in business process to improve efficiency and effectiveness such as having an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system. Reinforce its web design to facilitate effectiveness e-commerce. Redesigned and reduced the size of packaging on a number of lighting products, removing significant amounts of plastic and polystyrene. This will help in handling waste appropriately. Further international growth. BQ has several stores in the UK and Ireland. It also operates in china. BQ has a number of highly skilled staff, which is an opportunity for them to explore as expertise of their staff can help B Q to bring the business forward. Threats Industry Rivalry (one element of Porter five forces analysis) Focus (DIY) Limited; Wickes and Homebase Limited are the top UK industry rivalry. Homebase limited is the second market leader in home improvement and garden centre retailer in the UK. Homebase with its sister company Argos (750 stores) booming rapidly, shows a recorded sales figure of  £1.57 billion 2009/10 and profit margin was  £41.2 million 2009/10 (www.homebase.co.uk). Although, BQ are going to open some Trade points, Homebase has already a robust supply chain partnership with Argos. Being the first one to introduce loyalty cards, Homebase have an advantage in retaining customers. Homebase allow customers to collect and redeem nectar points. Even BQ has a system of processing nectar points, but this is available only on their website, even though, points are spent, not collected. In addition, Homebase is also recognised for choice, style and customer service across the wider home enhancement market. In addition, according to the Observer (31st October 2010, by Zoo Wood), analysts verdict stated that Homebase is planning to buy Focus (DIY) limited, if the acquisition is confirmed, BQ would be facing big competitive challenges, and may even lose its number one market position in the UK. Thus, the nature of competition where BQ operates is fierce. Tax increases can place additional financial burdens on BQ Changes in the way consumers shop and spend and other changing consumer patterns could be a threat to BQs performance For example, during the recession, many customers buying behaviour pattern changes, most likely, they will not spend money in home improvement or garden products. In addition, wallpapers colour paint can also be changed according to the colour fashion trend. BQ could be threatened by the high bargaining power of customers that they can influence BQ pricing strategies. BQ is susceptible to slowing UK housing market. For example, in the UK, sales declined by 2.6% to  £4.3bn in March 2009, as the recession hit consumers upgrading their homes. In addition, Kingfisher state that UK home improvement market has fallen down which will not only affect the sales, but will also affect the companys profitability and performance. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7965018.stm accessed [19/10/10]. Ultimately, when strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are identified, BQ implement the three strategies which can be formulated: a) matching strategies: match strengths with opportunities; b) conversion strategies: converting threats into opportunities and/or weaknesses into strengths; c) creative strategies: they can also be creative and try to identify hidden strengths. PESTLE Analysis of BQ PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, legal issues and Environmental) analysis is used as a tool to analyse the external macro environment. It deals with those six factors that affect the organisation. Although the items in a PESTLE analysis rely on past events and experience, the analysis can be used as a forecast of the future. Besides, Kotler (1998) claims that PESTLE analysis is a useful strategic tool for understanding market development or decline, business position, prospective and direction for operations Political Factors Employment legislation According to Balchin (1994), For employment legislations, the government supports retailers to provide a mix of job opportunities from flexible, lower-paid and locally-based jobs to highly-skilled, higher-paid and centrally-located jobs. BQ has a flexible workforce of 60%; BQ does provide work for a diverse of people, such as students; people aged 45 plus; and under 25. In addition, increasing the retirement age up to 66 year old by 2020 will make BQ to review its HR policies to formulate new strategies. Besides, due to the increase of tax (VAT 20%), BQ price strategies need to be reviewed. However, BQ has requested to the government and European Commission to reduce the VAT to 5% on energy saving products to make it affordable to all www.diy.com . BQ is working in partnership with the government to promote sustainable growth For example, BQ is helping the Government Launch of the Green Loan Pilot Scheme where BQ is partnering the London Borough of Sutton in an experiment of the governments new (PAYS) Pay as You Save Scheme www.crp-news.com . Besides, BQ is helping the government to provide security equipment at reasonable prices and as affordable as possible to secure 45,000 homes. Government also offers BQ with vouchers to help in preventing burglary (National Security). Thus, having a good relationship with the government may help BQ in the future, such as having tax breaks, good public relations and strengthen their reputation. Economic Factors Economic factors are of concern to BQ, as they are likely to influence demand, costs, prices and profits. One of the most significant factors of the economy is high unemployment levels which have mainly increased due to the recession. The recession causing an increase in unemployment has decreased the effective demand for many goods, adversely affecting the demand required to produce such goods. For example, in 2008 the UK home improvement market declined by around 4% as the economic environment worsened, impacting consumer spending. BQ was badly affected by the weak housing market, that have made them concentrate on different marketing strategies of how to attract; retain or acquire the customers. BQ GDP (Gross Domestic Product) estimates for 2010 is 1.5 % This really shows the contribution BQ has made to boost the economy by producing its product within the countrys border. A positive GDP also indicates an avenue for economic growth which leads to higher living standards and greater prosperity for individuals. It also supports businesses to be profitable, which creates employment and income. Increase interest rates by 4% in 2011 and an increase in inflation rates will affect both BQ and the consumers. Therefore, the economy is likely to experience falls in consumption and investment. Social Factors Shifts in values, culture and lifestyle Norms, values and paradigms form the socio-cultural environment. They have impact on corporate strategies. For example, there has been a shift of lifestyle where nowadays people are more concerned of the environment issues occurring, such as the Green House Effect, the widening gap of the ozone layer, and so on, thus, they are more prone to consume eco-friendly products which help in maintaining a sustainable environment. Thus, to adapt with this socio-cultural shift, has pushed BQ towards the being responsible to the environment and support ethical behaviour. For example, they have designed new eco products and open new eco stores by using green technologies, such as QUEST environmental management system. In addition, BQ social responsibility which can reflect upon its culture, are divided into four section: Their diversity strategy (value of respect for people), Environmental impact (life cycle and make up of products); Ethical (how and where to buy our products) and Community (their better neighbourhood approach). Demographic changes Demographic changes such as the ageing population and an increase in female workers have made BQ to review its employment policy, for example, this made them concentrate on benefits offered to older workforce. In addition, having an ageing population has also influenced BQ in developing different marketing strategies to retain older customers such as the diamond discount card which offer 10 % discount off to the over 60s. Source: Hogarth, T. and Michael C. Barth (1991) Moreover, families are nowadays having fewer children, and having an ageing population, will result in a shortage of skilled labours in the market. Thus, this had led to the recent introduction of legislations such as the entrepreneurs visa, point-based systems and working visa. Therefore, BQ should acknowledged these changes and review its employment policy accordingly. Education In order to promote children skills, BQ has launched its nationwide job done initiative by teaching children DIY skills as a curriculum for the future. In addition, to educate both women and men about the use of DIY tools, BQ has introduced its IDIY apps. Technological Factors Technology is a major micro environmental factor which has influenced the development of BQ products and services. The new technologies benefit both customers and the company: customer satisfaction increases as products are readily available, services can become more personalised and shopping more convenient (Data monitor Report, 2003). BQ utilises the following technologies: New tracking technology: BQ is using TaqMan operation campaign technology Decorating card technology Variety use of low carbon technologies including solar panels and ground source heat pumps for New Malden eco store. And, in the future, solar system can be used in most homes as a replacement for gas and electric heating. BQ joined SEDEX- a web-based system that provides a membership based data exchange where it provides them with greater visibility at all levels of their supply chain. Legal Factors Many government legislations and policies have a direct influence on the performance of BQ. For instance, Kingfisher retail board ensures that BQ adopt the code of practice to guarantee ethical business practices among its employees, suppliers, contractors and investors. For example, BQ has an anti-bribery and corruption policies and procedures in the light of the new UK Bribery Act 2010. The existence of powerful competitors with reputable brands generates a threat of intense price wars and robust requirements for product differentiation. The governments policies for monopoly controls and reduction of buyers power can limit entry to this sector with such controls as license requirements and limits on access to raw materials (Mintel Report, 2004; Myers, 2004). Thus to device politically correct pricing policies, BQ set reasonable prices for its products. Environmental Factors In 2003, there has been greater pressure on many companies and managers to recognise their responsibility to society, and act in a way which benefits society overall (Lindgreen and Hingley, 2003). Thus, in 2008, BQ signed a three year partnership with BioRegional to move towards becoming a One Planet Living business in order to reduce its impact on the worlds resources. BQ is awarded chain-of-custody certification for both Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC). In addition, Graiser and Scott (2004) state that in 2003 the government has planned to introduce a new strategy for sustainable consumption and production to minimise waste reduce consumption of resources and minimise environmental damage. Thus, this has pushed BQ in developing strategies such as making use of a new supplier measurement system call QUality-Ethics-SafeTy (QUEST) to ensure that the green policy is respected in accordance to the sustainability standards. However, BQ commitment is that they will force all timber products to be source certified, and also developed enforcing principles to engage its environmental campaign on suppliers. In this circumstance, question can be asked about power relations between BQ and suppliers: could other companies do what BQ is doing? Do BQ have that much power which it holds over its supply base? According to New (2003), he states that BQ does not have that power to change the way the supplier operates as green purchasing policies would vary between firms context. Assessment of BQ Culture According to CWL Hill G R Jones (2001), an organisational culture is the specific collection of values and norms that are shared by people and groups in an organisation and that control the way they interact with each other and with stakeholders outside the organisation. Cultural Onion What is right and proper? What the organisation should seek to achieve? The basic assumptions of the group The way we do things around hereCulture can be compared to an onion with three layers. Figure : Cultural Onion; source: Trompenaars Hampden-Turner (1997) Cultural Web One of the most commonly used ways of making sense of an organisations culture is to use the cultural web (Johnson, 1992). It is a schematic representation of the elements of an organisations culture in such a way that we can see how each element influences the paradigm. The cultural web theory is also a useful analysis for management as it represents the fundamental assumptions related to political, symbolic and structural aspect of the organisation. Figure : cultural web. Source: Johnson (1992) Cultural web theory application is an effective tool in assessing the cultural environment for BQ. As mention before, the cultural onion contains layers of norms, values, and paradigm and also the ways of doing business within and outside the company. Hence, the concept of cultural web is the demonstration of these actions taken for granted for understanding how they associate and influence the strategy (Veliyath and Fitzgerald, 2000; Johnson and Scholes, 2003). It is also used to bridge the gap between actual and desired culture through adaption of future strategies. Culture can be examined through the interpretations of how the organisation behaves, including, rituals, stories, structures, routines and systems. This shows the clues about the taken-for-granted assumptions (Paradigm). BQ has a very friendly, welcoming and supporting approach in the routine ways that shows how staffs behave towards each other, and towards those outside the company that can make up the way people do things. The control systems and measurements are continually under the management review to display the competence of the staff and bosses decisions. For instance, control systems on its quality of service, its strong environmental supply chain system, and the behavioural control of its staffs by having a good HR policy. The rituals of the organisations life are, corporate gatherings, the special events which BQ stresses what is mostly important and reinforce the way things are done. Symbols represent different basics such as Titles, Logos, uniforms or the type of language and expressions commonly used which becomes a shorthand image of the nature of the organization. BQ has already a recognised eye catching Orange colour as its logo as well as its uniforms. The brand and the logo signify a lot to people inside and outside the organisation. Nevertheless, BQ is recognised for using similar orange colour logo and store layout from the American giant DIY retailer, Home Depot, thus, the question is how innovative and unique is BQ as regard to its logo and brand positioning? What will happen to BQ if Home Depot comes into UK market? Power Structures are the core assumptions that contribute to the paradigm and are likely to be made by the most powerful management groupings in the organisation. And, as for BQ, its power relies in the environmental and ethics department, how to make people more committed to the environment and as well as to develop their core values. Continuous meetings and communication at every level of the organisations hierarchy signify a strong internal environment and a flat (organic) organisational structure. Conclusion The report entails a detailed environmental analysis of BQ including an assessment of culture. BQ had adopted influential identities by making their DIY model into a virus and outlaying it out into the culture via a range of channels: cultural sponsorship, consumer experience, political controversy, and brand extensions. The report has used mainly SWOT and PESTLE to conduct the environmental analysis. Although they are powerful tool for analysis, they do have some limitations. For example, they are only good for the person who makes it. For instance, in SWOT analysis strength can be seen as a weakness by another person. Thus, it lacks of validity and reliability. However, conducting an environmental analysis will help to formulate generic strategies for the company to have a competitive advantage. Furthermore, the industry life cycle can also be viewed as an extension of PESTLE analysis as it is a way of showing how certain PESTLE factors influence the development of an industry over time. For example, it was the changes of PESTLE factors that caused BQ to move from growth to maturity and back again. Besides, due to a dynamic environment, strategy formulation should be viewed as a route to continuous learning. The excellence of a formulated strategy and the speed of its implementation will hence depend on the quality of BQs intellectual and behavioural learning processes.