Tuesday, December 31, 2019

A Life on Slaverys Frontier - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 8 Words: 2335 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2019/05/13 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Slavery Essay Did you like this example? Economy during the 1860s was very demanding when it came crops and maids. Many people wanted to own slaves in order to sell more produce. The more produce that was made or picked and sold by the families, the more money that was made. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "A Life on Slaverys Frontier" essay for you Create order Little did people know they were the ones that helped built the economy in the 17th and 18th centuries. Due to that, cruelty towards slave families during the 1860s was a huge factor that went into being as slavery grew over the years. Slaves were on high demand as the cotton and tobacco fields grew. Most enslaved women were raped by their owners in order to bear children for the children to work on the plantations in the future. As one can see, the economy and slavery tie in perfectly with the way families were treated and what their conditions were during these harsh times; such as children were being forced to work in the fields and woman being abused; families were separated against their will and their living conditions were below normal. In the book, Mrs. Dred Scott: A Life on Slaverys Frontier, the author, Lea VanderVelde, studys the life of Harriet Scott, the not so know wife of Dred Scott. The lawsuit and outcome of the Dred Scott case is known to many and even studied by some, but not all know that even she, Harriet Scott, sued to be freed. Instead of only focusing only on the court case that came to be, Lea VanderVelde also tries to talk about Harriet Scotts life entirely in order to help expand our knowledge and understanding of the freedom suite but also the struggles that slaves had to experience in a wider spectrum. This will be a troubling goal due to the shortage of records provided to the public about slaved people and enslaved people near the frontier. VanderVelde addresses the challenge by looking through records that are valid and looking through anyone who owned or fired Harriet or Dred. In addition, they looked for people that were their neighbors and friends in order to get a sense of what world they lived in. By taking an approach to write a biography, she is able to make predictions and assumptions about the type of work that Harriet did in the past, where she used to live, and what type of relationships she had with those people that surrounded her on a daily basis. VanderVelde has in her possession diaries and letters of Lawrence Taliaferro, Harriets first owner in the frontier. His letters have been overlooked many times by historians, just like Harriet had been by many people, and not thoroughly reviewed. He was a diarist with journals including many details of past events that shaped the Scotts lives on the wilderness frontier- and presumably influenced the development of Harriets character. Vandervelde begins her story when Harriet arrives to the frontier as a fourteen-year-old girl in 1835. She tags along with her master when he travels to west from Pennsylvania to get into his new position as Indian Agent to the Dakota,serving as Indian agent to the Dakota was his lifes work. Harriet grew up in a multiracial environment where whites, native Americans, and black slaves all lived close to each other. While she lived in the West, she met Dred Scott and married him. The time they spent living north of the Missouri Compromise line became the basis for them to claim freedom, due to the fact that Harriets master did not state he was going to free her after he gave her to Dred for her to become his wife. VanderVelde continues to make an effort to try and reconstruct the Scotts lives and their relationships with white people when they moved to St. Louis. It tries to tie in how slavery played a huge role in the citys economy and social life as they lived in a slave state as fre e blacks. The battle of the Scotts legal battle in order for them to be freed is also detailed. She tells us about both Dreds and Harriets case and how their case was developed and how the choice of the courts to join them together. The typical identity of a woman in the nineteenth century was hidden under her husband, due to this her story was hidden but helped change the terms of the case. In a way, her claims were stronger and closer to getting her freedom. This would also benefit her because this gave her the opportunity to liberate her two daughters. The case caught a lot of people attention at the time because of the political situation they were surrounded by during the time the case went to trial. The amount of data accumulated all in one book is so much that it is so appealing to readers who are interested in the freedom suits or frontier slavery. Because of Vanderveldes wide research into the frontier life, this book helps us learn about the relationships of whites, African Americans , and Native Americans. The work VanderVelde came up with is a huge contribution to our way of understanding slavery. Moving on to the next book is Without Consent or Contract: The Rise and Fall of American Slavery. This book talks about the economy and how it came to unravel and develop. During the colonial era, a period that had the countrys history when it was exposed to colonial power, the size of the plantations was not as big as people thought. The fields of tobacco were averaged to lower than twenty slaves each, and the fields of cotton were not any bigger than thirty-five slaves. Plantations that had the largest about of production were the ones that grew rice and sugar. About 100 slaves were working on the plantations in Louisiana in 1860. As the ending of the eighteenth century got closer and the beginning of the nineteenth century got closer, most of the slave population that the British, French, and Brazil had been born in Africa in order to neutralize the death rates. Later on, creoles (slaves born in the New World) made up the majority of the slave population in the U.S Colonies as early as 1740 . Slave labor involves not just adults but children. When children start maturing at the age of eleven, by the time they reach ages fifteen or sixteen they would have fully matured in a sense where they are capable of doing more. Data from Olsons sample showed that ages 16-20, about 83% of the males and 89% of the females were field hands. In a graph shown it is evident that men would earn more money than females, they were below twenty percent to forty percent earnings. Although, ages 5 through 17, the annul net earnings from females exceeded that from males, probably because girls matured more rapidly than boys. Women picked more than males prior to the age of sixteen. As time passed, a lot of the men were transferred from working on the fields to crafting jobs and females were moved to being house servants. Their jobs kept shifting as time went by, men to gardeners, women to nurses in order to care for children and sick people. In larger plantations, women were sent to cloth houses where their job was to spin, wove and sew the cotton into garments for the whites. The number of hours slaves were put to work was ranging from fifty-seven to sixty during the spring, summer, and fall. After the civil war, the amount of labor done by the slaves decreased, after the Civil War, by a third. This is because the amount of work done by the black agriculturalist decreased, not to mention the of withdraw of women and children from labor. A lot depended not only on slaves but free workers due to the fact that having both would be just as profitable. The demand for slaves not only increased between every decade from 1820 and 1860, but slaves were being used more in the cities than in the countrysides. Due to that, the price for slaves was increasing and cities decided to let the countryside deal with the high prices while they depended on free workers. Northern farmers began to expand,not by adding many workers to the unit, as happened in the South, but by adding capital to a farm with limited number of workers. Before the nineteenth century it was known that many women would give birth to babies, yet not all survived due to illnesses, little to no medical technology, and diseased environments. Although the churches generally kept track of the babies that were baptized and buried, not all could be baptized due to them dying before they got a chance. Because of that, the number of babies that died not long after birth are unaccounted for. The author of this book was trying to show us that people were mistered and forced to do things they did not want to do. The author of In Search of a Promised Land: A Slave Family in the Old South started out by introducing the family of Sally Thomas during the early antebellum or time immediately before the Civil War. The family consisted of three boys, all of whom were from two different white men. The book analyzed all characters by explaining what they did when they were young compared to what they grew to be as adults. First, begin by introducing Sally Thomas, who was relocated and was taken to Nashville, Tennessee, where she became a quasi-slave, meaning she is allowed to have a job and work freely, although still owned by her master. She soon made enough money to rent a small house and open a place a place to do laundry. She started building a reputation for herself and became a very widely known, successful, respected businesswoman. Although she had to give some of the money to her master, she was able to keep the majority of it. As time passed, Sally thought of her children and knew the ideal way for her children to mature was to travel. Due to Sallys friendship with Captain Richard Rapier, she had close contact with some rivermen, who were also her customers. She was able to get John Thomas, her oldest son, a trip to New Orleans where Slaves and free blacks loaded and unloaded tens of thousands of bales or raw cotton each year for export to textile mills in the North and Great Britain. Before Richard Rapier died, he set aside some money and left John, Sallys oldest son, to the Thomas Estate. After he died, the executors of his estate met his demands and paid the money in order to emancipate a certain male slave by the name of John H. Rapier. Sally was so joyful because her son was legally free at the age of twenty-one. Although she was an illiterate herself, John was able to learn how to read and write as Richards personal servant. After she got her oldest son free, Sally felt it would be almost impossible to purchase both Henry and James due to that fact that their value was high on the slave market, but she kept w orking hard. Her middle child, Henry, did not go with Sally and James to Nashville. He was a big, in shape, and a smart man in his mid-twenties. He was sold on the market for a price that was unreachable for Sally. She had encouraged him many times to run away, and one day, in 1834, he did. He was later caught only to escape again, stealing a boat on the Ohio River. He made it onto the Indian shore where he met a man willing to cut off his cuffs, and after that he went on to move as far away from his pursuers as possible. Sally was still working in her laundry place. As soon as James grew old enough, he started helping Sally run errands. Later, in order for James to stay with Sally, she had to pay John Martin, her owner, 400 dollars in order for John Martin to set him free. She had only saved up 350$ from all her time working at the laundry place, so she asked Foster if he would pay the fifty and she would pay him back, which she paid a short time later. The deal was made, and Sally later receive d free papers for her boy James. Although this book mainly talked about the Thomas-Rapier family, their search for freedom, and the economy backtracks, they also gave the reader an inside picture into the lives of free slaves in the antebellum South and quasi-slaves, like Sally Thomas. The readers are able to look through the opportunities yet limits slaves had in their predicament during these troubled times. A lot of visual sources are provided in order to get an idea of what was happening. Travels of James Thomas and John Rapier Jr. to Nicaragua which is a visual representation of a map that shows the passages they took in order to travel. What the authors Franklin, and Schweninger, were trying to explore the 1860s as well as the events that went on during this historical century. In closing, as reading analyzing these books, they teach the readers about the lives of the slaves. The way they were treated was no way to ever treat a human being but was done due to the societys blindness to see everyone is a human being, no matter skin color. African Americans way of living during this time was so harsh, many people would die due to starvation and sicknesses. Families were separated and sold to different masters, because of this, not many family members would see each other ever again. Especially newborn babies because they would grow up to help on the fields. The money they were worth was so little at times, most masters didnt care about their slaves as long as they worked on the fields and got work done for them.

Monday, December 23, 2019

Synthesis Of The 13th Amendment - 745 Words

Prior to the Civil War in 1865, most of the African Americans remained slaves and were denied life, liberty and property. The 14th Amendment paved the way for former slaves and oppressed groups of people to come, granting them citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws. One of the main oppressed groups currently are same sex couples. For a long period of time, they were denied marriage and did not receive any rights as far as benefits because they loved a person of the same gender. In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that all state bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional and made same sex marriage legal in the United States of America. Amendments When the Civil War began, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation†¦show more content†¦Is it possible to compare the discrimination between gays and African Americans? Yes of course. Both groups of people went through a phase of oppression and just wanted to be accepted into society as equal persons. Just like there was segregation with the whites and blacks, the homosexuals were also segregated. â€Å"Back in the 60’s, bartenders would deny drinks to patrons suspected of being gay or kick them out altogether; others would serve them drinks but force them to sit facing away from other customers to prevent them from socializing.† One of the biggest known discrimination is the with United States Military. It was illegal for a homosexual person to enlist with the military. If a person enlisted and did not declare that he or she was gay, then got caught in a homosexual act, the individual could get kicked out with a dishonorable discharge and not hold a federal position ever again. The Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) policy introduced by President Bill Clinton said that you may not ask if someone is gay, or admit that you are gay. This can be compared to the Emancipation Proclamation. This is similar in comparison because the Presidents were trying to make both sides happy, but in a hush hush kind of way. Many homosexuals that served in the Military prior to 2015 had to hide who they were and their loved ones throughout their career. They were forbidden to get married and receive the same benefits as their heterosexualShow MoreRelatedSynthesis of Aspirin1618 Words   |  7 Pagesacidification of salicylic acid and acetic anhydride. The objective was to convert a specific amount of salicylic acid into the same amount of aspirin that was high in purity. Furthermore, the other objectives were to enable students to conduct the synthesis of aspirin, reinforce skills or recrystallisation and the technique of melting point determination. The amount of each compound should be the same because there is a 1:1 ratio between them. The purity of the synthesized aspirin was measured by determiningRead MoreHemp Cultivation in China42289 Words   |  170 PagesThe effect of ∆-9-THC on Herpes simplex virus replication. J. Gen. Virol. 49: 427. Dahiya, M.S. and Jain, G.C., 1977. Antibacterial activity of cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol. Indian Drugs Pharm. Ind. 12: 31-4. ElSohly, H.N. et al., 1982. Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of certain cannabichromene and cannabigerol related compounds. J. Pharm. Sci. 71: 1319-23. Ferenczy, L. et al., 1958. An antibacterial preparatum from hemp (Cannabis sativa L.). Naturwissenschaften. 45: 188. Grlic, L.,Read MoreConvergence of Ifrs and Us Gaap15636 Words   |  63 Pagesrole of the FRC was extended and they became the solitary ‘independent regulator of the accounting and auditing profession, as well as being responsible for issuing accounting standards and dealing with their enforcement’ (ICAEW, 2013). Further amendments were made to improve the independence of the FRC and in July 2012 they were made into a unified regulatory body (ICAEW, 2013). An improved arrangement was executed to ensure effective governance of all of the FRC’s regulatory activities under ultimateRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timot hy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesContextual Work Design Features: A Meta-Analytic Summary and Theoretical Extension of the Work Design Literature,† Journal of Applied Psychology 92, no. 5 (2007), pp. 1332–1356; and D. S. Chiaburu and D. A. Harrison, â€Å"Do Peers Make the Place? Conceptual Synthesis and Meta-Analysis of Coworker Effect 94 CHAPTER 3 Attitudes and Job Satisfaction 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. on Perceptions, Attitudes, OCBs, and Performance,† Journal of Applied Psychology 93, no. 5 (2008),

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Part Five Chapter XI Free Essays

XI Howard had told Shirley that he did not feel well, that he thought he had better stay in bed and rest, and that the Copper Kettle could run without him for an afternoon. ‘I’ll call Mo,’ he said. ‘No, I’ll call her,’ said Shirley sharply. We will write a custom essay sample on Part Five Chapter XI or any similar topic only for you Order Now As she closed the bedroom door on him, Shirley thought, He’s using his heart. He had said, ‘Don’t be silly, Shirl’, and then, ‘It’s rubbish, bloody rubbish’, and she had not pressed him. Years of genteel avoidance of grisly topics (Shirley had been literally struck dumb when twenty-three-year-old Patricia had said: ‘I’m gay, Mum.’) seemed to have muzzled something inside her. The doorbell rang. Lexie said, ‘Dad told me to come round here. He and Mum have got something to do. Where’s Grandad?’ ‘In bed,’ said Shirley. ‘He overdid it a bit last night.’ ‘It was a good party, wasn’t it?’ said Lexie. ‘Yes, lovely,’ said Shirley, with a tempest building inside her. After a while, her granddaughter’s prattling wore Shirley down. ‘Let’s have lunch at the cafe,’ she suggested. ‘Howard,’ she called through the closed bedroom door, ‘I’m taking Lexie for lunch at the Copper Kettle.’ He sounded worried, and she was glad. She was not afraid of Maureen. She would look Maureen right in the face †¦ But it occurred to Shirley, as she walked, that Howard might have telephoned Maureen the moment she had left the bungalow. She was so stupid †¦ somehow, she had thought that, in calling Maureen herself about Howard’s illness, she had stopped them communicating †¦ she was forgetting †¦ The familiar, well-loved streets seemed different, strange. She had taken a regular inventory of the window she presented to this lovely little world: wife and mother, hospital volunteer, secretary to the Parish Council, First Citizeness; and Pagford had been her mirror, reflecting, in its polite respect, her value and her worth. But the Ghost had taken a rubber stamp and smeared across the pristine surface of her life a revelation that would nullify it all: ‘her husband was sleeping with his business partner, and she never knew †¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ It would be all that anyone said, when she was mentioned; all that they ever remembered about her. She pushed open the door of the cafe; the bell tinkled, and Lexie said, ‘There’s Peanut Price.’ ‘Howard all right?’ croaked Maureen. ‘Just tired,’ said Shirley, moving smoothly to a table and sitting down, her heart beating so fast that she wondered whether she might have a coronary herself. ‘Tell him neither of the girls has turned up,’ said Maureen crossly, lingering by their table, ‘and neither of them bothered to call in either. It’s lucky we’re not busy.’ Lexie went to the counter to talk to Andrew, who had been put on waiter duty. Conscious of her unusual solitude, as she sat alone at the table, Shirley remembered Mary Fairbrother, erect and gaunt at Barry’s funeral, widowhood draped around her like a queen’s train; the pity, the admiration. In losing her husband, Mary had become the silent passive recipient of admiration, whereas she, shackled to a man who had betrayed her, was cloaked in grubbiness, a target of derision †¦ (Long ago, in Yarvil, men had subjected Shirley to smutty jokes because of her mother’s reputation, even though she, Shirley, had been as pure as it was possible to be.) ‘Grandad’s feeling ill,’ Lexie was telling Andrew. ‘What’s in those cakes?’ He bent down behind the counter, hiding his red face. I snogged your mum. Andrew had almost skived off work. He had been afraid that Howard might sack him on the spot for kissing his daughter-in-law, and was downright terrified that Miles Mollison might storm in, looking for him. At the same time, he was not so naive that he did not know that Samantha, who must, he thought ruthlessly, be well over forty, would figure as the villain of the piece. His defence was simple. ‘She was pissed and she grabbed me.’ There was a tiny glimmer of pride in his embarrassment. He had been anxious to see Gaia; he wanted to tell her that a grown woman had pounced on him. He had hoped that they might laugh about it, the way that they laughed about Maureen, but that she might be secretly impressed; and also that in the course of laughing, he might find out exactly what she had done with Fats; how far she had let him go. He was prepared to forgive her. She had been pissed too. But she had not turned up. He went to fetch a napkin for Lexie and almost collided with his boss’s wife, who was standing behind the counter, holding his EpiPen. ‘Howard wanted me to check something,’ Shirley told him. ‘And this needle shouldn’t be kept in here. I’ll put it in the back.’ How to cite Part Five Chapter XI, Essay examples

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Partner Corporate Environmental Performance -Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Partner Corporate Environmental Performance? Answer: Introduction Lavazza coffee is a leading coffee brand which was founded in 1895 by Luigi Lavazza. The brand started as a small grocery store. It is still run by the fourth generation of the same family. Lavazza imports coffee from various parts of the world and have given birth to the idea of blending different coffees. They organization believes that the blending of different coffees is the key to their success and unique taste. The brand is a market leader in Italy and has a wide presence in over 90 countries across the globe. Caf Crema is one of the leading offerings of Lavazza coffee. This particular coffee consists of a 100% Arabica blend. It has a unique and fragrant aroma and is composed of Indian and Brazilian coffee. The coffee is fairly strong and is largely in demand among people across the globe. Lavazza coffee brand classifies their coffee in 10 different profiles based on their taste, flavor and body (Carey, 2016). Caf Crema falls in the 7 category signifying that it is a balanced coffee which is rich in taste. This report throws light on international expansion recommendations for the brand. The countries considered for the same are China and Australia. This report highlights the business environment for Lavazza to enter and flourish into these two countries as well as the modes of entry recommended to the firm. International expansion International expansion is when organization move ahead of their local boundaries and expand into international geographies. The era of globalization has made this fairly easy and largely prominent. Lavazza coffee already has presence in over 90 countries of the world. Expansion of Lavazza coffee further would be another milestone for the brand owing to the strong brand name the company possesses. The level of brand awareness is high accounting people and hence it would be easy for them to accept it. Depending on the creativity and uniqueness of product promotions, it is even possible to generate curiosity and excitement in the minds of new customers for the brand. The increasing coffee consuming population is adding cherry on the cake. Potential markets The potential markets chosen for the brand are Australia and China. The reason behind considering these two countries is their increasing population, changing demographics, ease of doing business index, disposable income of their people and growing economic environment. Both Australia and China are developed economies and have a significant contribution to the worlds growth. The macro environment of the two countries can be better understood by conducting a PESTLE analysis which is as below (Newton, 2014): Australia Politically Australia is a democratic liberal democracy. The intervention of government is partial and most of the businesses are in private hands. The open government is a clear advantage for any new business. The tax system is largely favorable and the costs involved in starting a new business are competitive. Economic Economically Australia is a great opportunity for any entrepreneurs. The ease of doing business in the country is high and at present it ranks 14 in the world. Australias non-farm payrolls employment number are rising and hence the country is welcoming new businesses with open arms. The inflation is contained and the overall business market is open with bare minimum restrictions. Social Socio-cultural factors affecting any organization refer to the set of beliefs, customs, behaviors and practices that people of a region predominantly follow. The country is ranked 42nd in the worlds coffee consumption which is more than most countries. The level of education in the country is highest yet. The influence of the British is very large on the population and hence the coffee culture is on a rise. Technological As of 2011, almost 79% of the population in the country is internet savvy. Over 17million people are smartphone users. These two factors alone are evidence enough of the technological growth and development of the country. Technological advancement of any country acts in the favor of a new business establishment as it helps the business in enhancing the reach to the customer. Legal Australias business laws are simple and make the entire process of starting a new business rather convenient. The company must be registered as a foreign company followed by obtaining permits to run operations in Australia are the two basic necessary steps that must be adopted by the company before venturing into this country. The business taxes that need to paid are as below: Corporate tax Goods and Services Tax Capital gains tax Other business taxes. Environmental Managers of any organization must take into account the environmental and ecological factors impacting the country of operations. Lavazza has a project Tierra running in order to ensure sustainable development of the planet. After due consideration of the ecological environment of Australia, similar project can be included. Australian governments are particular about their carbon footprints. It is essential that the wastes from businesses in Australia is disposed in an efficient manner. Political China is a constitutional monarchy. Both formal and informal organizations must abide by government rules and regulations. The political stability of the country is currently a question mark. The increasing privatization is a boon for new businesses. However, the intervention of government in the starting up of a new business is one of the highest in the world. Economic China is a developed economy with a rising inflation. The employment numbers are getting better and the steps taken by the government to control the population are expected to improve them further. China is ranked 78th in terms of the ease of doing business in the world according to World Bank reports. The increasing inflation is reducing the disposable income of people making the country a non-favorable destination for marketers. Social Socially, China has improved leaps and bounds over the last few years. The government has put efforts in curbing the unfathomably and aimlessly growing population of the country. The coffee consumption is evident and the large population of the country reduces the impact of existing competition. The level of education is growing and so is consumer awareness. Technological China is a birthplace for second hand technology. Any technology existing in any part of the world would have a me too product in China at a cheaper price. Even so, only close to 40% of the people are using the internet. Due to the uneven income distribution, some of the cities have become a massive hub for business and growth while some are still coming to terms with this growth. Legal There are various laws in place that govern new businesses in the country. The control of the government on the same is relatively high and makes it difficult for budding entrepreneurs to be creative. There is no such thing as an independent contractor in China. Therefore the company has to be registered as a foreign entity and be governed by those rules. Environmental There are various steps taken by the Chinese government for the betterment of the environment in the country. China has been conducting immense research in the field of solar energy and the availability of that technology is a boon for any new business in the country. The central government ideally issues strict compliances and the monitoring and enforcement of the same is done by the local governments. China has also been working hard on its carbon footprints and hence ensures that the organizations effectively use their resources. Selected market Given the above analysis, the appropriate market for entry is Australia. There are various reasons for selecting Australia. These reasons are as below: Higher ease of doing business Rank 14th in the whole world (World Bank, 2018). Controlled inflation hence higher disposable income of people. Population is more technologically aware and averse. Coffee drinking is an important part of their culture. British influence. Less government intervention. Increased privatization. Lesser competition as compared to China. General strategy Global standardization The biggest advantage of Lavazza stays with the strong brand name and history of the Lavazza family. For certain brands, it is important that they remain authentic to their roots irrespective of their company of operations. Therefore the strategy recommended to Lavazza coffee would be that of global standardization. This means that the company and its products remain the same across the world (Kotabe Helsen, 2014). It is true that the consumer needs and demands of every country is highly varied and it is largely difficult to presume that such a wide variety of peoples needs would be catered to by a single product. However, there are various advantages to adopting this strategy. The brand name of the organization is preserved. The authentic ideas and products remain the same. The longer term vision behind a global standardization strategy is to ensure customers across the world of the same taste, quality, richness and flavor of the coffee across the world. Such brands become home brands and they act as a safety net for people travelling to foreign locations. Moreover the huge line of Lavazza products ensures that the company is single handedly able to cater to the needs of diverse customers across the globe. Lavazza classifies its coffee into 10 categories. This division is based on the flavor, texture, richness and aroma of the coffee. Given the efficiency of this division as well as the large range of products in each range make it plausible for Lavazza coffee to cater to the needs of highly diverse customers with varied tastes and preferences in coffee. Entry mode in Australia Joint Venture Australia has a booming coffee market. Currently Lavazza products are supplied in the Australian food market Valcorp fine foods. However, the market penetration is bare minimum and the company barely holds any share in the market. In order to make its presence felt, it is imperative that organizations select appropriate modes to enter into a new country. This is crucial as the mode of entry has a rather longer term impact on the shareholding of the company. The entry mode recommended to Lavazza coffee for entry into Australia would be a Joint Venture. A joint venture is ideally a combination of two established companies (one local and one international) who come together and work in consensus. The exact holding of each organization in the collaboration is mutually decided. In this scenario, Lavazza coffee must indulge in a joint venture with a well-established name brand like Woolworths Limited. The various advantages of the joint venture between Woolworths Limited and Lavazza coffee would be as below. Local knowledge The idea behind tying up with a local brand is to gauge the knowledge that the brand holds about the local culture, customs, people and lifestyles of the area and use it efficiently to improve and establish business (Yan Luo, 2016). Woolworths limited has been in existence in Australia since 1924. After almost a millennium of a business, the brand obviously holds immense knowledge about the locals and Lavazza could really take advantage of that. When two leading brands like Lavazza coffee and Woolworths come together, they yield immediate response owing to the long term trust in the two organizations. Woolworths long history in the country has garnered immense goodwill in the market. When Lavazza coffee ties up with such a reliable brand, there will be a certain amount of trust and respect associated with the venture from the beginning. Shared risks and costs When two companies come together for a joint venture, they share the risks and costs of the ventures. Hence the burden does not entirely fall on one organization (Shah, 2015). This is a major advantage of joint ventures. Since Australia is a relatively new market for Lavazza, it is expected to come with a certain amount of risks in the business. These risks can be covered by Woolworths experience and knowledge of the area. Improved relationships and growing network The biggest advantage of a joint venture is the long term relationships and bond that forms between the two organizations. When two leading brands come together and work collaboratively, it signifies a road map for future growth and success of both the brands. Owing to Woolworths history in the country, they have built and established a grand network of suppliers, vendors, media personnel, distributors and other stakeholders of the business. Lavazza coffee can gain the direct advantage of this network and utilize it to their advantage, gain and growth. Growth Lavazza coffee and its growth in the international market is the agenda in the report. However, a joint venture with Woolworths limited will also lead to the growth of the local brand. This would be their introduction in an entirely different business segment. It would help them enhance their product lines and attract an even wider customer base for the business. Promotional strategies In order to be able to succeed in any new business, it is important that the product or service is promoted effectively. The promotional strategies of any business help the organization in reaching out a wide customer segment and market their products to them. International expansion also requires immense promotion from the brand. For the existing product, promotion strategies can be relatively easier but for an international expansion, the promotional strategies of the business have the responsibility of creating excitement about a new product in a new market. This can often be tricky. Strategies recommended to Lavazza coffee for effective promotion in Australian grounds is as below. Television advertising The first and foremost strategy that can be adopted by any business to venture into a new country is to reach out to people through television. The viewership of television is massive in almost every part of the globe. This is why television advertisments lead to an enhanced awareness about the brand and its upcoming presence in their local countries. Lavazza coffee must ensure that they associate with leading channels and broadcast creative advertisements at peak watching hours. Interesting taglines could also be used by the brand like Soon in Australia or Now in Australia to make people aware about the introduction. Joint venture advertising In this case of a joint venture mode of entry, Woolworths limited must also work towards promoting Lavazza coffee to its existing customers and using their existing strategies. This would help in building trust and curiosity in the minds of the consumers. Social media marketing Social media marketing is the art of promoting any brand, organization or product through social media platforms. The growing usage of social media has now made these platforms a promotion for leading brands. Lavazza coffee already has dedicated Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter accounts with a large number of followers. Social media marketing is a largely effective tool to reach out a large customer segment with the help of a single platform. Social media has also become a medium to enable a two way communication with customers (Solomon Tuten, 2017). In order to ensure this, Lavazza must enhance their social listening and be consistently aware of what is being spoken about the brand on various social media platforms. Facebook posts are often followed by various comments and twitter hashtags are largely responsible for creating a buzz in the market. These strategies of social media marketing must be adopted by Lavazza coffee to ensure a higher brand reach and improved customer base. Digital marketing Digital marketing enables users to look for a brand on search engines in an effective manner. At the same time, these users are targeted by the company on numerous digital platforms. This makes it easy for the brands to target customers based on their preferences, internet search history, location, cultures, behavior and cookies stored. Digital marketing breeds on search engine optimization and search engine marketing (Chaffey Ellis-Chadwick, 2016). Both these processes make it easy for consumers to reach out to their customers and consistently target them through different sources and destinations. Challenges of starting a new business in Australia No country in the world is perfect in every aspect. Even while starting a business in Australia, it is important to list down various challenges that Lavazza may face within the Australian market. This will help the brand stay prepared and be ready with a contingency plan as and when required. The various challenges of starting a new business in Australia are as below: It is important to submit the ASIC form 201. This is an application for the registration of a company. Availing construction permits is very difficult especially for a foreign company, Lavazza would be opening up outlets and hence this can pose a severe threat Attaining office utilities in Australia is a longer process than any other country. Utility involves basic utilities like electric and water supply. The company must complete a CT metering form to arrange for an internal wiring in the office. This entire procedure takes about 75 days just to get basic utilities in place. Taxation is taken very strictly. The corporate tax currently stands at flat 30%. It is imperative for Lavazza to familiarize itself with the taxation policies of the country. Australian culture is difficult to understand and track owing to a significant impact of nearby countries. Also the country has no majority religion of its own. This diversity in the population makes it difficult to understand the culture of the country. It is highly important to understand the GST (Goods and services tax) levied in Australia. There is already an increasing competition especially from Di Bella coffee which has become a global brand on its own. Recommendations Lavazza coffee is a leading brand in Italy and across the globe. After detailed analysis, a new prospective market Lavazza coffee has been finalized as Australia. This report has laid emphasis on international expansion strategies that can be adopted by Lavazza in order to expand to the Australian market. Expanding to any new markets requires immense expertise and knowledge. There are various circumstantial issues that must be considered. Few recommendations for Lavazza are as below: Know about the market Before venturing into this international market, it is highly recommended to know about the market well in advance. The firm must decide upon their location and distributors as well as customer preferences and ideologies. It is also important to understand the customer needs and work towards catering those specific needs of the consumers. Pricing strategy It is also important that while entering into a new market, the product must be priced effectively to ensure that people buy it. Lavazza follows a premium pricing strategy across the globe. Premium pricing refers to pricing the product slightly higher than the markets average (Hinterhuber Liozu, 2018). This way the brand, sets an effective positioning for itself and hence targets a niche market who can afford quality products at a higher price. For premium priced products, the target market of the organization shifts on the basis of income groups. Lavazza coffee will be opening up various cafes and hence it becomes crucial to effectively finalize the place where they set their caf. Lavazza coffee must select commercial places which are easy to locate. It will also be beneficial to have an outlet at leading airports of the country. Appropriate selection of place makes is plausible for customers to reach the outlet and hence leads to increased brand visibility and awareness. Promote well The last part of the product market involves promoting the product in such a manner that it is easy to reach out to consumers. Lavazza coffee must allocate unique strategies to ensure that that the consumers are aware about the product. The promotions of the company should be able to create a sense of curiosity and excitement in the minds of consumers. Digital marketing, social media marketing, billboard advertisement, television newspaper ads as well as email marketing can be used by Lavazza to reach out to its consumers. Conclusion Lavazza coffee is a leading coffee chain established in Italy. The brand has now become a global brand with a wide presence across the globe. This report throws light on the international expansion strategies that can be adopted by the company. For consideration, China and Australian markets have been considered. Of the two countries, Australia has provided for a better business opportunity for Lavazza coffee. This is due to the controlled inflation, high disposable income, increased ease of business, rising coffee population and internet aversion of the consumers. Australia is a land of a brilliant opportunity for Lavazza. It has been recommended that Lavazza must adopt a global standardization strategy and ensure that the look, feel, taste and flavor of the brand remains the same across the globe. Moreover, the entry mode to adopt is recommended to be a joint venture with Woolworths Limited. The brand image and the wide reach of the latter is sure to benefit Lavazza coffee. Lavazza coffee has a strong brand name and in order for further growth, it is important for the brand to analyze new areas of operation. Australia seems like that perfect next jump destination to make for the coffee brand. With appropriate pricing, unique promotions and clear understanding of the market, Lavazza coffee can surely gain a large market and enhance its customer base across the world. This would lead to the brands increased awareness, improved positioning and widened reach. References Carey, J.M., 2016. Visionaries: Creating a Modern Guggenheim. New York. Guggenheim bookstore. Chaffey, D. and Ellis-Chadwick, F., 2016. Digital marketing. Prentice Hall. Hinterhuber, A. and Liozu, S.M., 2018. Thoughts: premium pricing in B2C and B2B.Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management, pp.1-5. Kotabe, M. and Helsen, K., 2014.Global marketing management. Newton, P., 2014. What is the PESTLE Analysis? London, United Kingdom. Bookboon. Shah, K.U., 2015. Choice and control of international joint venture partners to improve corporate environmental performance.Journal of Cleaner Production,89, pp.32-40. Tuten, T.L. and Solomon, M.R., 2017.Social media marketing. Sage. World Bank. 2018. Ease of doing business. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IC.BUS.EASE.XQ. Retrieved on 3 February, 2018. Yan, A. and Luo, Y., 2016.International joint ventures: Theory and practice. Routledge.

Friday, November 29, 2019

Information Security The Physical Security Factor

Today, more than ever before, healthcare organizations are increasingly becoming dependent on computer-based systems to access critical patient data and provide treatment solutions remotely via virtual private networks (VPNs).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Information Security: The Physical Security Factor specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Consequently, any kind of disruption targeting these information systems may occasion consequences ranging from inconvenience to catastrophe (Loch, Carr Warkentin, 2002). But while research in both academia and industry has developed effective technological and software-based solutions to protect information systems against possible threats and attacks (Stajano Wilson, 2011), only a handful of the articles found in various databases pay close attention to the physical aspect of information security (Huigang Yajiong, 2010). This paper is devoted to outlining some of the fund amental steps that need to be considered for the physical security of computers used in an urgent care center to access patient data and their email system via a VPN. Stajano Wilson (2011) note that effective countermeasures against security threats to information systems depend on first strengthening the human element to make users understand how they can naturally fall victim to fraudsters. This therefore implies that users, in this case physicians and other health practitioners, need to be exposed to some form of training on how they can use the system without compromising the security aspect of the network. For instance, system users could be exposed to formal training on how to discard used electronic media containing sensitive patient information through available techniques instead of leaving the information on the computer drives.Advertising Looking for essay on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Purging is one such technique that could be used by the practitioners to completely erase sensitive files which may have been deleted from the computer drives but not overwritten with other data (Walters, 2007). From a holistic security engineering standpoint, computers are often vulnerable to instances of theft and other possible attacks if the immediate physical environment is not secured (Stajano Wilson, 2011). This therefore implies that doors leading to the computer rooms must not only be secure, but must be kept under lock and key and windows adequately grilled to curtail any occurrence of unauthorized access to the computer rooms (Walters, 2007). Indeed, many organizations have a policy that restricts entry to the computer and server rooms to authorized personnel, in most occasions a systems analyst or administrator. It should be noted that this aspect of physical security is fundamentally important since all the other factors are dependent on how safe the computer or server room is from possib le attacks and illegal access. Engaging trained security personnel and dogs to physically protect the information systems is yet another physical aspect of information security that is intrinsically important yet seldom considered by many organizations (Loch et al, 2002). Patient data is sensitive in nature, thus the need to engage all efforts that may be deemed necessary to protect the computers from theft or illegal access. Consequently, trained security personnel forms a critical aspect of the physical security of information security needed to secure the computer rooms and the immediate environment from possible attacks, which may result in the theft of computers and by extension the loss of critical data (Perrig, Stankovic Wagner, 2004). Dogs are always useful in repelling thieves from accessing the urgent care center.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Information Security: The Physical Security Factor specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/pag e Learn More Access to computer areas and server rooms should be restricted through the use of identification badges or authorization cards to ensure that only the authorized health practitioners gain access to these critical areas (Perrig et al, 2004). For instance, the organization may invest in electronic identification badges that must first be accepted by the system or the door lock for them to gain access to the information stored in the computers. Research has demonstrated that identification cards and access control points inarguably decrease the possibility of attackers to physically tamper with information stored in computer systems or to even have access to areas where such computers may be located (Loch et al, 2002). Physical security of information systems cannot be complete without engaging the authentication processes via personal identification numbers (PIN), passwords, computer locks, and other devices that may be used to limit access to authorized us ers only. According to Renaud De Angeli (2009), â€Å"†¦authentication is required to verify that the user’s proffered identity is valid† (p. 135). It is only plausible for physicians and other health practitioners using the VPN to access sensitive patient data to memorize their PINs and/or passwords rather than writing them down on a piece of paper because such information could be accessed by other employees or external individuals harboring ulterior motives. Computer locks could always be employed to prevent other employees or strangers from gaining access to the data stored in the computer or from manipulating computer hardware configurations with the aim to steal data or remotely control the computer system (Stajano Wilson, 2007). Lastly, the environmental factors need to be effectively controlled to make the physical security of information systems a reality.Advertising Looking for essay on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Instances of fire outbreak, flooding of computer areas and server rooms, extremely high temperatures, electricity variations and other environmental concerns need to be effectively managed to prevent loss of use and loss of productivity of the information systems (Perrig et al, 2004). For instance, flooding of the server room may occasion protracted dysfunctions of the server system, leading to loss of connectivity and subsequent loss of access to critical patient data even among the authorized users. Going by this example, therefore, the urgent care center should invest in an effective drainage system to prevent instances of flooding. Reference List Huigang, L., Yajiong, X. (2010). Understanding security behaviors in personal computer usage: A threat avoidance perspective. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 11(7), 394-413. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Loch, K.D., Carr, H.H., Warkentin, M.E. (2002). Threats to information systems: Today’ s reality, yesterday’s understanding. MIS Quarterly, 16(2), 173-186. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Perrig, A., Stankovic, J., Wagner, D. (2004). Security in wireless sensor networks. Communication of the ACM, 47(6), 53-57. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Renaud, K., De Angeli, A. (2009). Visual passwords: Cure-all or snake-oil? Communications of the ACM, 52(12), 135-140. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Stajano, F., Wilson, P. (2011). Understanding scam victims: Seven principles for systems security. Communications of the ACM, 54(3), 70-75. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Walters, L.M. (2007). A draft of an information systems security and control course. Journal of Information Systems, 21(1), 123-148. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier Database. This essay on Information Security: The Physical Security Factor was written and submitted by user Jameson Bell to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Best Book Blogs for Avid Readers

Best Book Blogs for Avid Readers For those of us lost in the world of fiction, the question will always be, What should I read next? To that end, we search the depths of second-hand bookstores. We scour our local libraries, or the Amazon best-seller list and recommended purchases. We do this not simply to find a book that we will enjoy, but almost always to find a novel which strikes the same spark in our heart as the last masterpiece (the one which has now been read so often and so thoroughly that the pages have come loose in their binding).To that end, Silent Book Club, Bookanista and Book Smugglers are here to help. These three websites scratch the itch of the endlessly-reading reader; and they provide more than just a blog – they provide a cozy community of fellow readers.Silent Book ClubSilent Book Club is a website for readers like us (often introverted, sometimes too introverted) to come together and discuss their current favorite novels, and to find the next piece of fiction that really blows us away. The website boasts more than thirty active chapters, from London, England to Nagoya, Japan, which come together (usually monthly) to discuss their latest read. Silent Book Club has an active Facebook group, and they post regularly on Instagram and Twitter.For those of us with our fingers on the pulse of the book world, Silent Book Clubs use of social media is indispensable. It keeps its readers up to date on events, meetups and attractions in the world of reading and publishing. Still, the book club is growing, and though it has already stretched worldwide, the presence of a chapter in your hometown might be lacking. No matter! Silent Book Club will help you set up your own official chapter, and help you create a new tradition (your own personal meetup) in your neighborhood.This all seems too good to be true, and of course, cynical minds immediately begin whirring: we ask questions about where the site finds its profits, or what supports this community. The answer is that they run a small merchandise shop, and those proceeds go toward supporting volunteers, which keep the whole community running smoothly. Its a cute little e-shop with a selection of kitschy bookmarks, postcards and handbags (and, of course, the occasional book).Other than these optional purchases to support the community, all the services offered by the silent book club are free of charge. In fact, without even submitting an e-mail address, you can browse their calendar of meetups and find the one nearest you. This great community provides the opportunity, without commitment, for us to crawl out of our favorite arm-chair (the one we sunk into years ago and have now fortified with a particular side-table for our tea, an arm upon which the cat perches, and a bag at the side filled with knitting projects).On top of this call to action, to bring us out to the meetups, the silent book club boasts a warm blog: a welcome resource for readers. Each article is written by volunteers from the various si lent book club chapters, and if you start your own chapter, then you can contribute to the blog yourself. Though often insightful, because of the volunteer nature of the contributions, updates are sporadic – sometimes they come too fast to keep up with, and other times lag to only a single update each month. Still, when the articles are posted, they offer unique insight into the author of the post, and that writers book club.One recent article, written by the organizer of the Portland, Maine chapter, gives a wonderful overview of influential poets throughout the years. It was written for poetry month and includes excerpts by which to judge each of the poets, and gauge ones interest before delving more deeply into their works.Most articles discuss comfortable topics like what to read next and offer insightful critiques written on new works of fiction. Others delve into matters of political interest, in the reading and writing world. For example, a short series of posts called Read the World, gives details about historical publishing in nations and geographic areas, and suggests where one might begin if they want to explore the fiction of a certain area. Further still, other posts discuss the rise of audiobooks, and their place in the silent book club; they give details on how to host your own silent book club, and what makes the meetups successful. Other articles address the We Will Not Be Silent campaign, which offers a toolbox to activists, as well as hard-hitting subjects such as the effect of literature on children and on developing minds.Finally, I have personally found Silent Book Clubs presence on Facebook to be incredibly beneficial. The core Facebook group @silentbookclub is one resource: it offers updates on all the events which the silent book club promotes, and it helps us introverts look ahead to getting out of the house (and plan out our busy week so we can make time for the meetups); it brings book news like releases and author interviews conveniently into our Facebook feed; and it gives the opportunity (without being pushy) to participate in demonstrations or political activism.Beyond this core group, however, are a network of smaller silent book club groups, one for each chapter. These are usually beyond amazing. Just by making a quick search in Facebook, I stumbled on three silent book club chapters, all with very active Facebook groups. One was in my home city, and each of the other two were within quick driving distance. These sub-communities are the result of the natural branching and expanding of a good idea. Like a good book, readers know that a good idea should be shared.BookanistaThe writers at Bookanista.com refer to their site as a web magazine (as opposed to a blog). This professional demeanour isnt simply a pretentious grab for new readers: their posts are closer to scholarly journal entries than the topical discussions of many bloggers, and they take a deep dive into each discussion.That being said, it s less likely that youll find a new read in a quick skim of Bookanista. The themes and discussions on the site are often much wider, addressing issues of mental illness and gender in novels, and delving into ideas such as ambiguity in writing, and the pitfalls of considering everyone who writes a poem, a poet. With an archive stretching back to 2015, and an extensive collection of short stories and extracts, Bookanista has content to spare. There is bound to be something on the site which snags any readaholics imagination, and because of their reputation, Bookanista is often one of the first sites to get review copies and exclusive excerpts from new authors.Similarly, if you are the kind of reader who devours all the works of an author before moving on, but youve run out of your favorite writers works, then Bookanista might be able to find you a new literary love. Their author interviews are a source of insight into the latest trends in publishing and up-coming novels. They often ob scure the work itself in favor of addressing the authors method, or their stylistic choices. Rather than attempt to describe the works of each author, they let the novels and short stories speak for themselves, publishing short pieces of fiction alongside interviews and articles. Everything on Bookanista is free, and well worth a look.The Book SmugglersTheBookSmugglers.com describe themselves as, A book review blog specializing in speculative fiction and popgeekery for all ages since 2008; A digital-first publisher of speculative fiction and nonfiction since 2014; the 2017 Hugo Nominee for best Semiprozine; and a duo of awesomely badass book nerds. Their blog posts focus on new works, but especially science fiction and fantasy. For those looking for their next great read, their current headlining article is a piece called X Marks the Story, which seeks to pair the reader with excellent short fiction, to hopefully bridge the gap between great novels.On top of their blog, the book smu gglers are a publishing house with a focus on digital press. They offer book reviews for newly published novels, and support authors by showing off full and partial works on their site, in addition to longer works published by the book smuggler online imprint.Like Bookanista, the book smugglers host a collection of short fiction on their site in a section called Gods and Monsters. This section is worth a quick look, and if you are a fantasy or science fiction buff, it warrants a much longer look. The short stories included in Gods and Monsters are each written by different authors, but always play with similar themes. From religion, to humanity, to serial killers or werewolves, each story is focussed on gods and monsters, either literally or figuratively (or both). Just a quick glance at this portion of the site will find you in the company of dozens of well-polished, professionally edited shorter fictions.The wider communityThe blogs discussed here are not where these communities e nd. Silent book club, Bookanista and The Book Smugglers have a network of readers which place an emphasis on doing. Each of these sites is concerned with getting out of your chair and making change alongside like-minded individuals – or just on getting out of the house and swapping books with new friends. To this end, Silent Book Club is anything but silent within the Twitterverse. They have cultivated a massive network of friendships, bringing together dozens of sites, each with a similar attitude towards reading. Each of these three excellent blogs boast very active Twitter handles. Silent Book Club at @readwinerepeat, @bookanista, and @booksmugglers bring together a wealth of related content and inspiring images. Browsing through their combined Twitter profiles is a sure method to link a reader to a community in their geographic area, or a cause which interests them and brings them out of their shell. We all have something which gets us fired up and out of the house, and t hese communities provide valuable links to those places and people which help to establish communities of readers.In short, reading can be isolating, but it can also be the bridge of shared experience that brings like-minded individuals together in service of a cause, or to discuss the matters which are important to us. Getting out of our arm chair may be a bit uncomfortable, but so long as it means a quiet read, with those who had to struggle out of their own comfy armchair; and as long as it means a glass of good wine, and the presence of good companions; as long as the silent book club, Bookanista and the book smugglers are asking these things of us, I think we can find some time to meet in the real world (or at the very least on twitter), even if it is only to discuss the fictional worlds we love.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Business Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Business Report - Essay Example This helps us to engross in a business scenario design and recommend substitute strategies ensuring a comprehensive market appraisal. Later in the document contains the endorsements for the modifications in the structure of the organization, bearing in mind the finest probable manner of handling the business collection and human possessions. An investigation is commenced with the financial assets and broad-spectrum corporation possessions as well as product expansion founded on the gaining of innovative understanding (Augustin, 2011). Consequently, the document recommends designing the impression of strategic alteration in operational administration, and scrutinizes any global plans for the firm. Precisely, this analysis offers in depth strategic SWOT analysis of the corporation’s businesses and operations. The firm’s explanation delivers a perfect and impartial opinion of the company’s key strengths and weaknesses and the prospective opportunities and threats. T his will aid to express strategies that supplement the trade by allowing you to comprehend their followers, patrons and competitors better. Introduction Sainsbury was established in 1869 and nowadays functioning in over 1,106 hypermarkets and suitability stores. The company has around 157,000 employees in all over the World. The slogan of the company is that we (the company) place our clients at the heart of the whole thing we fix and have devoted in their stores, their contemporaries and their channels to distribute the greatest likely shopping experience. Their resilient philosophy and values are the part of their uniqueness and essential to their success (Rowley, 2003). Core values The core values of the company are given as: Accomplishment improved every day – the company emphasizes on enlightening its facilities. Countless services drive sales, however, there is a condition that better provision is pointing to higher sales. Discrete accountability team delivery even thou gh teamwork is invigorated, right a distinct in the firm has accountability in the conference service standards. Retain it modest, humble and well-organized services are obtainable (j–Sainsbury, 2013). Admiration for the discrete employee – each discrete worker within the company is appreciated for his extravagance services. The income of the business is intended for dissemination and improvement of the corporation (Yong, James, Kevin, and Donna, 2011,). Strategy The values of the J Sainsbury are the section of their extended term strategy of development. The company is ready to review and reinforce their strategy, in order to create a decent business sense and provision of an actual competitive benefit (Wrigley, 2000). Business Performance The J Sainsbury has had one more efficacious year, outdoing the flea market in what residue a hard trading atmosphere. Their segment of the grocery shop is the uppermost for an era at 16.8% and they are at the moment the UK’s second major grocer ensuing 35 uninterrupted quarters of like for like sales progress. We endure to aid customers Live Well for Less and stared like for like auctions up 1.45 for the 28 weeks up to 28 the September 2013 (Francis, 2011). Business case The J Sainsbury recognizes as true as their values and their 20 x 20 sustainability obligations play an immense part in their accomplishment. They deliver opportunities for the employees to discriminate themselves with client, dealers,

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Discussion Board 7-1 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion Board 7-1 - Research Paper Example Test administrators began by ensuring that test takers who were ostensibly adolescents understood the purpose of the measurements. In addition, test administrators informed the students about their rights throughout the test process. The measurement process used scales, including Morally Debatable Behaviors Scale-Revised (MDBS-R) for rating attitudes, emotions and other behaviors (Cohen, Swerdlik & Sturman, 2013). The psychological measurement session also employed the use of the Likert scale that enabled critical understanding of specific behaviors. The assessment was generally correct and successful bearing that approved individuals later demonstrated the detected characteristics. The psychological measurements conducted in the educational context to determine appropriateness of students to high school disclosed many insights about tools of measurement. One of the insight is that the interview is a very crucial assessment tool that may not miss in a psychometric. Actually, interview forms the basis of every assessment as test administrators have to interview to gather basic and vital information from clients (Cohen, Swerdlik & Sturman, 2013). Another insight is that case history data is an important source of data about test takers considering that it carries true and accurate information. During the assessment of students to join high school, medical reports, recommendation letter by elementary teachers concerning conducts and abilities of the students and academic reports acted as sources of case history data. Further insight is that Likert scale is an efficient means of measurement as it enables test takers to make quick and usually correct ranking of thei r abilities. In future when involved in psychological measurement of clients, one should consider interviewing and case history data as basic assessment tools. For quicker and inclusive assessment, an individual should consider using

Monday, November 18, 2019

Reflective Writing Assignments Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Reflective Writing Assignments - Essay Example However, there should be a limit to the free will since it can be disastrous at times (Campbell 9). A world without free will but with only good things happening is an incomplete world. This is because free will is an important component of life, and thus without it life can be sometimes unbearable. Conversely, a world where the presence of free will leads to occurrence of bad things is not good either. This is because people misuse the free will accorded to perform evil actions that may sometimes end up being disastrous (Campbell 13). This is because everyone perceives free will as the right to behave or do things that only pleases without considering the impact of such actions to fellow human beings. However, when comparing the two scenarios, it is better for one to live in a world without free will but has good things happening to him rather than live in a world with free will but the freedom makes him do evil things that at times prove disastrous. A world without free will is goo d since even though a person is denied the freedom of choice, he is not exposed to bad things associated with free will. For instance, a person can live without free will but he is properly treated and therefore, exposed to good things. This is because the person is only denied freedom of choice while accorded other good things of life, which might make life more bearable. This is true since at times the presence of free will exposes an individual to bad things; for instance, freedom of choice might lead a person to make wrong decisions with grave consequences (Campbell 18). Consequently, a world with free will is not good and forms a dangerous place since the freedom makes an individual perform evil actions. Thus, the free will leads to the occurrence of bad things with grave consequences. For instance, a world where each person is permitted to kill, maim, or even oppress one another is a bad place to live in since life becomes unbearable. In such world, people become revengeful an d so evil because there is no law or person dictating the free will. Therefore, since no human being prefers facing or experiencing bad things in life, it is better to live in a world with lots of good things but without free will. This is because there is more suffering in a world with free will since every person does what pleases him or her without considering the consequences of such action to other people within the surroundings (Campbell 25). For instance, in a world without freedom, an individual might decide to play booming music late in the night without considering the unnecessary noise and inconveniences caused to the sleepy neighbors. In a retaliatory attack, the neighbors might decide to attack and severely beat him since there is no law restricting them from doing such an action. From the two scenarios, it is clear that although free will is important in the world, too much of it is so dangerous since it can lead to the occurrence of bad things. Due to such scenarios, it is better to live in a world where freedom is restricted to avoid occurrence of bad things attributed to the free will. At least such a world will have minimal records of bad things occurring and this will make life at least bearable and enjoyable. (634 words) Q2. Is it okay to spend one being in order to save one thousand human beings? Is it okay to assassinate one human being in order to save one thousand human beings? Is it okay to draw up a battle plan that deliberately costs the lives of

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Pervious concrete and traditional concrete

Pervious concrete and traditional concrete CHAPTER 1 Introduction Background to Research Problem Once it has been established that a car park or driveway is required, it is then very important to ensure the client assesses which material of surfacing is required. The client needs to prioritise what is most important to them regarding time, cost, and availability and how sustainable the material may be. Majority of contractors within the UK construction industry will use traditional concrete with regular drainage systems unaware that pervious concrete is available (Offenburg 2008). Therefore, it is important to examine and perform a comparison between traditional and pervious concrete regarding cost, availability, durability, maintenance and sustainability. Pervious concrete is fairly easy to define; it is concrete that allows water to flow through it. Where traditional concrete is a very solid material, pervious concrete leaves void spaces throughout, allowing water to flow through it. Pervious concrete has a low water to cement ratio and contains none, or very little sand. It typically has a void content of 15% to 25% creating a structure resembling a Rice Krispies ® treat, allowing as much as eight gallons of water per square foot to pass through per minute (McMillan 2007). This type of concrete is traditionally used in driveways, car parks, greenhouses, pedestrian walkways and roads with light traffic. However, it can also be utilised for a variety of different paving projects. Pervious concrete has been around for approximately 20 years but has only recently started to expand further into the market due to the material meeting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) storm water regulations. The increase in demand for pervious concrete used on projects has increased extensively in the US within the last three to four years, which during the last year has caught on here in the UK construction industry. The reason as to why the material has caught the eye of the UK construction industry may be due to the tremendous potential the material has had on scaling back the negative impact that traditional concrete has had on the environment, by eliminating storm water runoff, removing pollutants and even recycling the storm water captured. However, many developers fail to see beyond costs of impervious implementations and therefore adoption has been slow. Traditional concrete has been around for decades and has been the most popular type of concrete used in the UK, however a reform was needed as traditional concrete has many negative impacts such its negative effect on the climate and its ineffective drainage issues. Pervious concrete can be used in most situations as an alternative to traditional concrete. (Buller 2006). However the there are many issues which The core purpose of this research report aims to identify how pervious concrete compares to traditional concrete in relation to costs, availability, durability, maintenance and sustainability in the UK. Strategic Aim To conduct a survey to investigate how the pervious concrete has impacted the UK construction industry and how it compares to the already established traditional concrete in terms of cost, availability, durability, maintenance and sustainability. Tactical Objectives 1. To determine if pervious concrete is just as strong and durable as traditional concrete. 2. To analyse the costs involved in producing and constructing both materials. 3. To examine the available certified skilled contractors who are available to lay the products. 4. To critically analyse future outcomes of the pervious product and see if it measures up to traditional concrete in the long run in aspects of durability, maintenance and overall long term savings 5. To evaluate the sustainable properties between pervious and traditional concrete. Research Hypothesis The use of pervious concrete over the world has been on the increase over the past few years. While pervious concrete has become more and more popular, there are still many questions to be answered regarding the application of it before it becomes a widely accepted material. This dissertation will now go on with a critical review of the literature to investigate the real differences between pervious and traditional concrete. The methodology which has been used and the reasoning behind this will follow in a chapter. The final chapter of the dissertation will draw a conclusion from in depth information and results gathered subsequently recommendations will be made. CHAPTER 2 Literature Review Critical Review This section of the dissertation will look at the literature relating to pervious concrete and traditional concrete. It will review both materials in terms of terms of cost, availability, durability, maintenance and sustainability in the UK. Finally, this section seeks to understand if pervious concrete is just as good as traditional concrete and understand the subsequent attainments and problems with both materials. There has been a lot written on traditional concrete worldwide as its such a popular material however pervious concrete has little information available in the UK and most information is based from the USA where pervious concrete has been tried and tested and put into use. Concrete plays an essential part in civil engineering with most structures using it in one way or the other. Its evolution dates back to the Roman Empire as it was widely used in most Roman structures, thereby moving from stone and brick construction. However, since then the face of construction has radically changed with buildings built over tens of floors regularly and tunnels built underwater using pre-cast concrete. Hence, the array of construction materials available, including concrete, have evolved significantly since and improved. Concrete plays a very important role in the UK economy. It contributes to almost 10% of the overall economic growth and employs a significant amount of labour. According to Sustainable Concrete (2010), the UK exported 535,000 tonnes of ready-mixed concrete, which was worth  £9million to the economy. Traditional concrete is the most basic form of concrete and is very easily available for consumers. According to Popovics, S. (1992, pp. 1), concrete is composed of three to four basic ingredients. These include: * Hydraulic cement, otherwise known as Portland cement * Mineral aggregates * Water * Admixtures Hydraulic cement is one of the key constituents to forming concrete and greatly impacts the strength of the resulting mixture. Schwartz (1993, pp. 91) states ratio of Portland cement in concrete directly affects the strength and cost of the concrete. The more cement in a mix, the stronger and more expensive it is. Mineral aggregates typically consist of gravelled stones or stone-like solids. The purpose of aggregates is to significantly reduce the required content of cement, the costliest component within concrete. Additionally, it helps a constructor minimise the creep, or deformation caused over a long time, caused by the resulting mixture. Popovics, S. (1992, pp. 275) state that aggregates occupies roughly three-fourths of the total concrete volume. By adding water to this mix, the loose mixture of cement and mineral aggregates gel into a thicker and more solid mix. Schwartz (1993, pp. 91) states water/cement ratios may go from high-strength concrete, to 8.5 to 1 for a low-strength mix. By adding too little of the water, one can risk making the concrete too weak. Thus, based on the concretes usage and cost constraints the mixture of the underlying constituents can be varied. It is possible to engineer the mixtures property based on its intended use by adding admixtures. Perkins (1997, pp. 22) defines admixtures as a chemical compound that is added in small proportion to the concrete mixture to produce a desired characteristic. The types of admixtures used are accelerators, set retarders and water reducers. For example, the purpose of accelerators is to increase the initial reaction between the cement and the water, whereas the set retarders do the exact reverse. According to Perkins (1997, pp. 22), UK is well behind Continental Europe, USA and other developed markets in terms of extent of usage of admixtures within concrete. For decades, concrete has been one of the preferred construction materials owing to its excellent technical properties. One of its main traits is its high compressive strength due to which it is used in applications such as columns. However, its tensile strength is roughly one-tenths of its compressive strength. Thus, in order to improve its tensile strength it is reinforced with steel, which creates a strong bond with concrete. When loaded over a long period, traditional concrete can prove to be susceptible failure and in some case even eventual failure. From a UK context, concretes performance against cold and wet weather would be crucial. Pigeon et al (1995, pp 33) state that concrete can freeze in its saturated state and cause tensile stress within the material due to the formation of ice crystals in the pores of the concrete. However, if the concrete is not cured or reinforced effectively then it could cause its performance to weaken and, under worst cases, eventual failure. Typically, the strength of concrete is measured by its compressive strength, which is its strongest feature. According to Abeles et al (2003, pp. 21), strength of concrete increases with age, with the rate of increase dependent on the quality of cement and aggregates used. The content and cost of the concrete can be varied depending on its application. Commercially, the strength of concrete is quoted based on its weight and the compressive strength it would attain after 28 days. For example, C20 concrete would stand for a normal weight concrete and a compressive strength of 20 N/mm2. NRMCA (2003) quote that concretes compressive strength can be varied from 2500 psi, or 17 Mpa, for residential concrete to 4000 psi, or 28 Mpa, upwards for commercial structures. The variation in strength is primarily due to water-cement ratio, admixtures and curing process among others. Availability of concrete for commercial purposes typically depends on the constituents and the location of the building works. For example, admixtures work best when introduced immediately after the wetting of the cement and might require the mixing to be done on-site rather than in a factory. Additionally, the location of quarries and sourcing of materials (Contract Journal, 2008) is crucial in understanding availability and the distribution pipeline. Most UK concrete companies are fully capable of sourcing all components of concrete themselves. For example, Brett Group, one of UKs leading construction groups, provides customers with a wide range of options from type of aggregates to the type of job. However, it is even more dependent on its usage. For use in residential repairs, it is usually procured from local stores by components and mixed on-site, whereas if it is for a larger project then it would be pre-cast and delivered by the manufacturers. For example, the construction of Eurotunnel was made possible by use of pre-cast concrete supports embedded on a concrete track. Maintenance of traditional concrete is crucial to provide long-term serviceability for users. Failure to implement an adequate control process can result in expensive repairs. In some cases, cracks can start to appear on the concrete as load starts to increase over time. This would necessitate usage of sealants, which act to bridge the cracks with an adhesive material. In the UK, some of the common failures of concrete (St. Astier, 2009) are due to: * Poor maintenance incorrect diagnosis * Inefficient waterproofing capabilities causing excessive penetration of moisture * Excessive carbonation or chloride levels Traditional concrete is a resource and energy dependent material, as it requires material from large quarries and factories to prepare the concrete. The UK construction industry currently uses 400 million tonnes of resources per year, of which 10% are unused product going straight to a landfill (Sustainable Concrete, 2010). Additionally, each year structures that are beyond repair are demolished and taken to the landfills. All this combined, yield a large wastage of resources. However, instead of letting this waste go unused it is possible to re-cycle them by crushing them and using them as aggregates within the concrete mixture. According to the Concrete Centre (2010), it is their vision to ensure that by 2012, the UK concrete industry will be recognized as the leader in sustainable construction, by taking a dynamic role in delivering a sustainable built environment in a manner that is profitable, socially responsible and functions within environmental limits. Traditional concrete, despite its many advantages, does not perform well in precipitous environment. Pervious concrete allows for air and water to flow freely through the mixture. This limits the runoff from its surface and enhances drainage features. SE Cement (2008) defines pervious concrete as a mixture of Portland cement, water, coarse aggregate and almost no sand. The key feature of this mixture is that it has 15-25% void within its volume. The air pockets within the concrete allow for water to seep through the structure and perform as normal. It is also necessary to ensure that the coarse aggregates are not too loose and get carried away with water. Thus, the mixing and placing process has to be carefully carried out such that the water and Portland cement are coagulated well to form a thick paste around the aggregates. This is crucial to maintain a well-connected system of voids to ensure effective drainage of water. Pervious concrete is particularly useful in parking lots, riverbanks and areas that are highly precipitous as it limits the interference of water and easy drainage of water. According to Limbachiya (2009, pp.554), the use of pervious concrete dates back to 1852. Its use became further widespread following the Second World War and increased construction activity. According to Brandt (2009, pp. 63), the porous nature of pervious concrete makes it less strong than traditional concrete. Even then, compressive strength of 50 MPa can be reached with small size aggregates and usage of the right admixtures. The reduced compressive strength has led to its restrictive use such as roadways with low to medium traffic. However, SE Cement (2010) estimates that for most applications compressive strengths of 3.5 to 27.5 MPa will suffice. Despite its strong performance in precipitous climate, there are questions that remain to be answered regarding its durability in colder climates. Traditional concrete is subject to cracking through the normal thaw and freeze cycle that occurs in colder areas of the country. Such conditions have been simulated to test the performance of pervious concrete and it was found by Delatte (2008, pp. 118) that the durability of pervious concrete was poor when the void system was filled with water. They have also indicated that the durability was improved when the moisture in the voids was drained and the cement paste air-entrained. The mixing process and labour costs for pervious concrete are far more involved than that of traditional concrete. Thus, Limbachiya (2009, pp. 556) expects the initial costs of pervious concrete to be higher than those for traditional concrete because of the thicker installed size of pervious concrete. However, it is worth noting that the additional investment made is for a particular purpose, i.e. the porous structure of the concrete. Thus, the extra cost should be weighed against this advantage gained over its lifetime. Since pervious concrete would need to be customised for the region and application by customers, most manufacturing companies use a large distribution system to minimize delays in batching for customers. Limbachiya (2009, pp. 556) states that maintenance of pervious concrete pavements is a highly debatable subject. They proceed to state that structures not maintained well continue to perform well, although not at the initial infiltration rates which is its key objective. However, one key concern within pervious concrete is to prevent any clogging of void structures within it, as this would fail one of its objectives, i.e. to be porous. Typically, proper maintenance of pervious concrete pavements includes vacuum sweeping or power washing. Pressure washing of a clogged pervious concrete pavement has restored it to 80-90% of its original permeability (Pervious Concrete, 2009). Structures such as shopping malls and buildings have roadways and parking lots around for vehicle use. If these pavements are built using traditional concrete, then they risk flooding under heavy rain. Thus, zoning regulations necessitate controls such as retention ponds, which essentially collect the excess water on the pavements from the rain. This requires extra capital investment and resources for setting up. However, if instead of traditional concrete, pervious concrete is used to create the pavements, then the excess water on the surface percolates through the voids in the concrete into the soil underneath. This eliminates ponding on the pavement and preserves more land, capital and resources for alternate use. However, the basic configuration of pervious concrete allows all liquids to go through the voids. A more environment friendly version of pervious concrete was developed in the UK, in 1999, where in surface water is allowed to pass through to a specially engineered sub-base while oils and other water pollutants are retained (Concrete Products, 1999). This ensures that the water table under the pavement does not get contaminated. Within the UK, a unique standard for drainage technology called Concrete Block Permeable Paving (CBPP) has been set-up. According to Paving (2010), this code has been championed by all the major pre-cast concrete paving manufacturers in the UK. Such developments will be positive for the progress of the sustainability within UKs pavement community and minimise damage to the environment from constructions. Critical Appraisal This literature review has analysed the features of two popular variants of concrete traditional and pervious. In particular, it has discussed the basic composition, durability, availability costs, and finally sustainability. It has been identified that both types of concrete have their advantages and drawbacks. Sustainability remains a very important subject within the construction industry in the UK, with the government imposing landfill and aggregate taxes to discourage resource-intensive manufacturers. Additionally, manufacturers are paying increasing attention towards climate change in order to provide protection to the pavements over the life cycle rather than repairing or replacing the structure frequently. Concrete repairs have been a major issue for the UK economy. This has been further accentuated by the rapid expansion of the UK construction industry, which contributes to roughly 10% of the GDP. According to Mays (1992, pp XI), approximately  £500 million is being spent annual on concrete repairs in the UK. This clearly stresses the fact that it is essential to understand the context of concretes application, as it is better to install the right type of concrete rather than to repair and re-install at a later stage. Product Design and Methodology Scope of the Chapter In order to investigate pervious and traditional concrete a suitable and relevant methodology had to be adopted to collect information required. For this procedure the most appropriate procedures seen were a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches. This allowed quantitative information to be collected on the respondents individual experiences with both pervious and traditional concrete together with their qualitative views on its effectiveness. The data collected was from a primary source. Rationale of the Research Questionnaire To investigate pervious and traditional concrete a number of different groups within the UK Construction industry could have been sampled such as contractors, clients and designers. A poor targeting of questionnaires would have revealed a lower response rate. A person with a limited knowledge of pervious and traditional concrete could have completed the questionnaire but this would have given misleading set of results. The best solution to overcome this would be to go straight to the correct References Popovics, S. (1992), Concrete materials: properties, specifications, and testing, 2nd Edition, Noyes Publication, New Jersey Schwartz, M. (1993), Basic Engineering for Builders, Craftsman Book Company, USA Perkins, P.H., (1997), Repair, protection and waterproofing of concrete structures, 3rd Edition, Chapman Hall, UK Pigeon, M., Pleau, R., (1995), Durability of concrete in cold climates, 1st Edition, Chapman Hall, UK St. Astier (2009), Concrete Repairs FAQs, http://www.st-astier.co.uk/concrete-repair-coatings/concrete-repair-faqs (Date viewed, 24 Jan 2010) Contract Journal (2008), The market for concrete products is ever-changing, 9 July 2008, http://www.contractjournal.com/Articles/2008/07/09/60162/the-market-for-concrete-products-is-ever-changing.html (Date viewed, 27 Jan 2010) Sustainable Concrete (2009), Sustainable Concrete, http://www.sustainableconcrete.org.uk/main.asp?page=4 (Date viewed, 26 Jan 2010) Abeles, P.W., Bardhan-Roy, B.K., (2003), Prestressed concrete designers handbook, 3rd Edition, Spon Press, London Brandt, A. M., (2009), Cement Based Composites: Materials, Mechanical Properties, and Performance, 2nd Edition, Taylor Francis, UK Mays, G., (2001), Durability of concrete structures: investigation, repair, protection,2nd Edition, Spon Press, London Southeast Cement (2010), What is pervious concrete?, Portland Cement Association, Concrete Products (1999), Porous concrete promotes greener water system, 1 December 1999, http://concreteproducts.com/mag/concrete_porous_concrete_promotes/ Pervious Pavements (2009), Inspection and Maintenance, 2009, http://www.perviouspavement.org/inspection%20and%20maintenance.htm (Date viewed, 26 Jan 2010) Limbachiya, M.C., (2009), Excellence in Concrete Construction Through Innovation, Taylor Francis Group, UK Delatte, N., (2008), Concrete Pavement, Design, Construction and Performance, 1st Edition, Taylor Francis Group, UK Paving (2009), Block Paving, http://www.paving.org.uk/block_paving.php (Date viewed, 27 Jan 2010) Offenburg, M. (2008, March). Producing Pervious Pavement. Concrete International. March, 2005, p 50, Retrieved 1 November, 2009 from proqest database, p 50. Schueler, T. R, (1994). The importance of imperviousness. Watershed Protection Techniques 1(3):100-111, pp 100-105 Ready mixed concrete (n.d), Retrieved 1 November 2007 from the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Web Site: http://nrmca.org/aboutconcrete/types.asp Naoum, S G (2006), Dissertation research and writing for construction students, 2nd Edition. EPA Storm water technology fact sheet porous pavement (1999). Retrieved 5 December, 2009 from http://www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/porouspa.pdf Natural approaches to storm water management permeable pavement. (n.d.) Puget Sound Action Team Publications. Retrieved October 2009 from the Puget Sound Action Team Online Website: http://www.psat.wa.gov/Publications/LID_studies/permeable_pavement.htm McMillian, T (2007), Comparing Traditional Concrete to Permeable Concrete for a Community College Pavement Application. 8.0 Further Reading Richard Kirkham. (2007), Ferry and Brandons Cost Planning of Buildings, Blackwell Publishing, London Chudley, R. (2002), Building Construction Handbook: Incorporating Current Building and Construction Regulations. Spons Press, London Construction News (2008), Pervious Pavements : 1st October, p32. Stenmark, C. 1995. An Alternative Road Construction for Stormwater Management. Water Science and Technology, 32(1): 79-84.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Ulysses S Grant Essay -- American History

Ulysses S Grant Although Ulysses S. Grant's contemporaries placed him in the highest position of great Americans along with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, the twentieth century has seen him fade. His presidency has been almost universally condemned, and he is consistently ranked second to rock bottom Warren G. Harding in polls of historians to rate the presidents. Although his military reputation has declined as well, it nevertheless continues to win him a steady following. Even his most faithful admirers, however, tend to end their studies conveniently at Appomattox, and one senses a wide regret that Grant's public career extended beyond the Civil War. Taking note of this trend, John Y. Simon observes that some biographers "seem to have wished that Grant had accepted Lincoln's invitation to Ford's Theatre" on the night the president was shot- the night that John Wilkes Booth had intended to assassinate Grant along with Lincoln. Much of what has been passed down as an objective appraisal of Grant's presidency more closely resembles the partisan critiques that were produced by a relatively small group of performers during the 1870's-- in many ways the intellectual ancestors of the present historical profession. Although such a minority can sometimes be a source of enlightenment, in this case, it has contributed a monolithic picture of a complex era that is about as depressing as it is inaccurate. Little consideration is given the checkered nature of Grant's eight years of the Gilded Age. Michael Les Benedict observes that Grant "dominated his era, a stronger resident than most have recognized". In both the domestic and foreign realms, President Grant could claim a wide range of achievements. In the aftermath... ... the corruption / civil service reform issue was more important than such issues as Reconstruction, international crises, Indian affairs, and the multitude of economic matters, all combined. As William B. Hesseltine admits in his definitive study of President Grant, "Grant's enemies....stuffed the ballot boxes of history against Grant..." Bibliogaphy Garland, Hamlin. Ulysses S. Grant; his life and character. New York: Doubleday & McClure Co., 1898. King, Charles. The True Ulysses S. Grant. Philadelphia, London, J.B. Lippincott Company, 1914. Ringwalt, J. Luther (John Luther) Anecdotes of General Ulysses S. Grant illustrating his military and political career and his personal traits. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co., 1886. Richardson, Albert D. (Albert Deane). A personal history of Ulysses S. Grant. Hartford, Conn.: American Publishing Company, 1868.