Only Parents Can Stop the Violence Essay -- Media Television TV Essays

Only Parents Can Stop the Violence In todays society there is a debate going on close whether or not violence has an loading on junior children and teenagers. On one hand there are people saying that violence on television has no effect on children. On the other hand it is very easy to prove that television violence has a direct effect on children. There are many studies that show how obvious the impact of television is on the way children act. Children and teens figure a lot of television from their young years until they graduate high school. star study shows that kids will watch 18,000 hours of television by the time they graduate high school(Kalin). This is 5,000 more hours than they spend at school. So the impact that television has is very great, considering how much time kids spend watching it. It is easy to see how kids are influenced by violent television shows because regular at an early age they are mimicking violence. Carla Kalin observed her kindergar tners acting out violence on each other in her first year of teaching. One kid from another class shot his younger brother in the stomach three times. The next year a first grader was suspended for livery a knife to school and using it to threaten children on the playground(Kalin). After researching what was causing these youngsters to act so violently, Ms. Kalin came to the conclusion that television programs served as a point of departure for violent and aggressive behavior(Kalin). This is very understandable considering how many violent television shows are airing during the times that children watch TV. Approximately ninety percent of the time, children watch programs which are not specifically designed for them at all(Kalin). Ms. Kalin decided... ... and more intense, but it is up to the parent to monitor what their child is watching. I do tally that violent television shows promote violence in kids, but I also think that parents are responsible for their childrens actions. Parents can take payoff of things like the V-chip to control what their kids are watching. If parents would step up and simply take responsibility for their kids, then I believe that the violence that is happening today would slump dramatically. Works Cited Children and TV Violence. 23, February 2000. Kalin, Carla. Television, Violence, and Children. 15, February 2000. Banta, Mary Ann. The V-Chip Story. 17, February 2000.

The Sadness of Poverty in Frank McCourts Angela’s Ashes Essay

The Sadness of Poverty in Frank McCourts Angelas AshesIt is not the rich man you should powerful call happy, but him who knows how to use with wisdom the bles chants of the gods, to endure hard poverty, and who fears dishonor worse than death, and is not afraid to die for cherished friends or fatherland.In the sassy Angelas Ashes, (1996) by Frank McCourt, a life of poverty is the only life this family knows. It is a memoir about a young boy born in New York City. Frank, born ten months prior to his brother Malachy, was raised in a small apartment with his parents, Angela and Malachy McCourt.A dark haired boy with fair skin, minor Frankie was forced to wear the same clothes day after day and be happy that he even had anything. The familys breakfast consisted of tea and sometimes bread. dinner party was usually a piece of fried bread dipped in more tea and supper was bread and tea and jam and sometimes mashed potatoes with butter and salt. natural to a father who became an alcoholi c at a early age, Frank was used to those long waits on Friday nights, payday. The day when all the other fathers came home and gave the bullion to their families and then took some for themselves to go out and drink. Malachy McCourt was different, he took all his money, spent it on the drink and came home singing songs from his days in Ireland. He would ball up in the door and get the two young boys up and make them promise to die for Ireland. He would teach them his favorite song and they would all sing until Malachy passed out.Up the narrow street he steppedSmiling and proud and youngAbout the hemp-rope on his neckThe golden ringlets clung,Theres never a tear in the blue eyesBoth glad and bright are they,As Roddy McCorley goes ... ...ey had. The doctors advised his mom to feed him eggs and beef but all she was fitting to feed him was some beef broth for a couple days.It takes a very skilled writer to relate his life to the world, especially such a painful one. Angelas Ashes p ortrays a life of starvation and lack of money. Living every day one at a time and when they so much as received an extra shilling or two, blowing it on the movies or a piece of candy. In those days, it was useless to save up unless you knew you or someone unaired to you was in definite need of it. When a simple story about a boy growing up in Ireland can make a person cry, that is the best way of touching a readers heart. A good writer knows exactly how to do that and an even greater writer is brave generous to admit that this sad story. . . is theirs.Work CitedMcCourt, Frank. Angelas Ashes A Memoir. Scribner 1996.

Insomnia :: essays research papers

Insomnia Insomnia Almost everyone experiences insomnia now and then. When one believes he must be in bed by a certain cadence every night or that he needs a certain number of hours of sleep, it may be the very thing that is preventing him from going to sleep (Munson 21). It is unluckily true that many people still suffer from poor sleep but do non know that there ar numerous programs that commode help them. Insomnia, which is due to various causes and includes a vaiety of symptoms, can be reduced or eliminated in a number of ways. Stress is one of the main causes in determining insomnia. It is a fact of every day life and can be defined as any event which causes a significant stimulated response. Happy occasions such as getting married, promoted, or going on a vacation can cause stress reaction, not provided because because participation in the event is occurring but also in the preparation. More obvious events that occur throughout ones life are the loss of a job, a loved on e, or the need for surgery. In such major life changes, the sources of the emotional response is much more easily identified (Shapiro MacFarlane Hussain 49). There are two types of stress bad stress or negative stress which destroys your ability to operate at capacity, mentally and physically and good stress which improves your deed (Shapiro 49-50). There are different ways to reduce stress. One should try to find a job he really enjoys. It is not the stress of cipher that wears one out but the stress of frustration and failure. Two big causes of stress on the job are not knowing what is expected and not having adequate facts or tools. Escaping for a while is another method to help eliminate stress. One can visit a friend, go to a movie, or shop. When he returns, he can attempt to cope with the problem. However, it does not help to keep escaping, the individual should try to cope with problems as promptly as they hold water (Hauri 111). Even though it is often difficult to make c hanges in lifestyle, the effort is worth it. Exchanging stress for a sense of control can lift a heavy weight from ones shoulders. The more control one has over his life during the day, the more likely it is that his night time sleep will become square(a) again (Hauri 113).

He wont let us freak-dance :: essays research papers

Saturday night, May 15, 2004, was Lemoore High Schools prom. As Lemoore principal Jim Bennett looked around the trip the light fantastic floor, he saw most of the guys dancing behind their dates, press their hips against the girls as the girls gyrated back against them. They were freak-dancing, which is how most people dance to hip-hop, but Mr. Bennett had always felt it was too sexual for a school event. "Its the same as foreplay," he says. During the last-place song of the night, a girl got on all fours and rubbed her butt againsther dates groin. Mr. Bennett washorrified Thats it, he thought to himself, I have to stop this So at the light of the next school year, he announced that freak dancing would be banned at all future dances.SELF-EXPRESSIONAt 9 P.M. on Saturday, declination 11, Lemoore seniors Kelley Castadio and her best friend, KayDe Naylon, both 17, walked into their winter formal with their dates. All fall, Kelley and KayDe had been looking forward to their first senior formal. "Lemoore is a smalltown, and theres not much to do on Saturday nights," says Kelley. "So its a big thing to have a dance." And dances, KayDe adds, are "one of our schools only traditions."At 930, the DJ put on Nellys " impatient in Herre." Almost all of the 400 students on the dance floor immediately began freak-dancingand Mr. Bennett walked right over to the DJ. "Stop the music," he said as he took the mic. "Ladies, gentlemen," he announced sternly, "if you continue freak-dancing, there will be no more dances." Some of the students booed Mr Bennett as hegave the mic back to the DJ, who turned the music up. alone since KayDe, Kelley, and their friends had always danced that way to hip-hop music, they couldnt believe Mr. Bennett would carry out his threatso they kept on freak-dancing.SCHOOL RULEOn Monday morning, KayDe was at her schools calling center when she noticed the weekly newsletter for the staff. "Freak dancing is ... obscene" she read in Mr. Bennetts column. All dances were going to be called off, he had written, unless students came up with a plan to stop the freak dancing. "I couldnt believe that he was serious," KayDe says. "Thats just how we dancelike my parents used to do the twist" She and Kelley had been elected to plan the Sadie Hawkins dance in February, and if Mr.

Should Science be Boundless? Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Papers

Should Science be Boundless? Imagine a world with no limits or boundaries. Would life be chaotic and outrageously out of control or would people know how to control themselves? The human race has proved to us several times for a necessity to have rules to live by and guidelines to follow. Each day people argon pressing to go beyond the boundaries, which limit their actions. One of the best examples be scientific people who are driven to make discoveries each day, month or year. Some scientists are driven with ambition and try to go beyond the limits. We need our government to control these scientists. In Mary Shellys Frankenstein, we see an example of how a scientist, who was not given any restrictions, created a monster and was fearful of his sustain invention. In the article Biotech Century Playing Ecological Roulette with take Natures Designs, Jeremy Rifkin presents reasons why some scientists need to be given boundaries. Even hundreds of years agone people were toying with the minds of recreating matter. In Mary Shellys book Frankenstein she creates a character named Victor Frankenstein. Although the story is fictional, Mary Shelley presents a realistic image of one mans idea to create an inanimate object. Back in the 1800s the story was fictional, and was filled with scientific inquires which seemed at that time, nearly impossible for a human to accomplish. Today people are making their dreams a reality by having the freedom to experiment and discover whatever they want. The problem scientists could face is being unable to control the results of their discoveries. Just homogeneous the story of Frankenstein, scientists are driven to discover the what if questions. For example in our society, scientists are driven to d... ...turn, more chemicals sprayed on food, effects the consumer who buys the fruit or vegetables. These are the reasons why our scientists are genetically engineering plant life. We live in a world where scientific discoveries are surfa cing each day.We need to accept the discoveries and game the ones which were not successful. Scientists need to be given some sort of restrictions in regards to everything in life, which would be a necessity for an individual to live. Naturally the world of scholarship means a world of curiosity and adventures. Our government needs to step in and control the scientists actions. Works CitedRifkin, Jeremy. Biotech Century Playing Ecological Roulette with Mother Nature. The Presence of Others. Ed. Bedford. St. Martins 2000 244-253Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein The Presence of Others. Ed. Bedford. St. Martins 2000 231-235

The Horse Dealer?s Daughter :: essays research papers

In D.H. Lawrences The Horse Dealers Daughter,Mabel did not share the same look as her brothers (195).Mabel Pervin was not close to her brothers, because therewere personal and physical separations. Mabel was a plain,uninteresting woman. She seldom showed emotion on herface. In fact her face usually remained impassive andunchanged. Her brothers could be described as threehandsome and well-spoken men. Mabel was independent,having taken care of the house for ten years without aservant. Even though they depended upon her, theyseemed to have control over her. The Pervin brothers didnot care about anything (195). They were poised and felt stop about themselves. Her brothers felt superior to her.They had talked at her and round her for so many years,that she hardly heard them at all (196). She would eithergive a neutral response to her brothers, or remain quietwhen they talked to her. Instead of plentiful herencouragement, they teased her. This treatment could haveled to her insecurity. They would tease her about becominga maid or about her bulldog face. Her brothers were fullof energy and rattling talkative. Mabel also seemed to bealone in the sphere. Unlike her brothers who had manycompanions, she had had no friends of her own sex.Sometimes it seemed that Mabel wanted to escape her life.One place Mabel felt secure and immune from the worldwas at her mothers grave. There she always felt secure,as if no one could see her (200). Mabel was extremelydevoted to her dead soul parents, especially her mother.She was mindless and persistent. At the graveside, she hadmany different feelings. She seemed to be coming nearer toher own glorification. Also she would become remote andintent. She seemed to feel contact with the world thatmother had lived.

The Horse Dealer?s Daughter :: essays research papers

In D.H. Lawrences The Horse Dealers Daughter,Mabel did not donation the same life as her brothers (195).Mabel Pervin was not close to her brothers, because therewere personal and physical separations. Mabel was a plain,uninteresting woman. She seldom showed emotion on herface. In occurrence her face usually remained impassive andunchanged. Her brothers could be described as threehandsome and well-spoken men. Mabel was independent,having taken care of the house for ten years without aservant. Even though they depended upon her, theyseemed to have control over her. The Pervin brothers didnot care about anything (195). They were poised and feltsecure about themselves. Her brothers felt superior to her.They had talked at her and round her for so many years,that she hardly heard them at all (196). She would eithergive a neutral response to her brothers, or remain sedatewhen they talked to her. Instead of giving herencouragement, they teased her. This treatment could haveled to her ins ecurity. They would tease her about becominga maid or about her bulldog face. Her brothers were skillfulof energy and very talkative. Mabel also seemed to bealone in the world. Unlike her brothers who had manycompanions, she had had no friends of her own sex.Sometimes it seemed that Mabel wanted to escape her life.One line Mabel felt secure and immune from the worldwas at her mothers grave. There she always felt secure,as if no one could see her (200). Mabel was highlydevoted to her deceased parents, especially her mother.She was mindless and persistent. At the graveside, she hadmany different qualityings. She seemed to be coming nearer toher own glorification. Also she would become remote andintent. She seemed to feel contact with the world thatmother had lived.

National Crime Survey

Would you answer honestly if participating in a national villainy survey asking about your reprehensible behavior, including any drinking and drug use? Yes I would participate in the survey. I would be honest because I have nothing to hide and no reason to lie. But for some they dont want people to know what crimes they have committed or they lie about the extent of the crimes. But I think its because they want to be seen in a effectual light.A good term for this is called Social Desirability Bias which means that you reply in a manner that is socially acceptable and desirable. 1 The main purpose of this study is to pass on the participants to describe the crimes in their own words instead of implying from observing participants. 2 Honesty in these self-report studies help many different groups to better understand crime and criminal behavior. They use these reports to gather information to put them into statistics.The reports that are used are collected from the NIBRS (National Incident-Based Reporting System) and NCVS (National Crime Victimization Survey) and published by FBI in their each year UCR ( Uniform Crime Report. ) In some forms of deviance self-report studies have been prove better than police reports (ex minor offenses among adolescents. ) In a variety of social-psychological studies these reports have been proven very useful (ex monitoring of subjective feelings or states is at issue) 3 Dishonesty in these repo

California Culture Essay

California culture has changed a lot over the familys. There are new trends coming out all the time. Whether they succeed or non theyre always changing. Fashion is a striking deal in California, its the way you express yourself. Fashion trends that have been around for a spot are jeans, V-neck shirts, and tennis shoes. New trends are TOMS which are shoes that are extremely comfortable, highlighter colors, and body piercings. Highlighter colors are spendd for clothes, jewelry, nail polishes, hair, shoes, and even base up.Piercings used to be just for your ears and nose but now theyre used for practically any body part like your belly release or back dimples. There are also trends in food restaurants. McDonalds had always been a favorite no matter how unhealthy it is. Some to a greater extent fast food restaurants are In-N-Out, Chipotle, and Wingstop. A new slang word almost everyone uses is YOLO which means You Only Live Once. There is also a household for representing the west side where you make a W with your fingers.Some really important problems are unemployment, debt, drugs, gangs, and obesity. There are so many pile with big families but dont have jobs because there arent enough being offered. Reasons why people are unemployed are because corporations arent victimisation their profit to hire additional workers and state and local governments are continuing to reduce their workforce. A solution to help unemployment rates would be to eliminate unemployment insurance policy unless it is really needed.This insurance makes people lazy, they stop trying to look for jobs. We are in debt for a lot of reasons but I want to focus on one reason that many people might not think too much about, welfare. Welfare costs a lot for us curiously if its being wasted on someone who doesnt really need or deserve it. There are many people who use welfare for drugs and just sit around their house on a couch doing nothing. They learn to live off welfare and then dont t ry to even look for jobs. Many people with children still do this as well.A solution to this would be several drug tests at random times and people should have to keep some type of proof to show that they have been looking for jobs and submit them every 2-3 weeks. Drugs, smoking, and drinking is becoming a lifestyle for teenagers. This is a big problem that needs to stop ASAP. Its dangerous and reckless not only for the teens using but for innocent people around them. Solutions for this would be random searches for drugs in school. Being in gangs is also something popular among teens. Representing or repping colors and hats are cool to teens.Gangs are way too dangerous and frightening and the only solution I can think of is more security and better protection. The last problem is the obvious one, obesity. Obesity is winning over Its a huge health problem. 2/3 of US adults are overweight or obese. About a quarter of 2-5 year olds and 1/3 of school-age children are obese. A solution to this would be to have less fast food restaurants and kids should be educated and encouraged to make healthy choices at a young age so it becomes a part of their lifestyle.My prediction for society in 5 years will be that both obesity and debt will get worse. This can harm me because obesity can lead to death and debt can make be broke and homeless if Im not careful. I also think computer technology will advance rapidly. No one will carry around textbooks at all and we might not even go to class we can all sit at home yet be in a computerized classroom together. That might not happen in 5 years but I do believe itll happen soon. This will benefit me because it saves gas, time, and specie for fees on books.

The Thin Red Line

Essay on The Red Line by Charles Higson Society contains a vast majority of diverse types of people, and all of them look, act, and think antithetically. How we as individuals do these things, ar greatly influenced by the people around us, as our differences makes us judge others. In creating our own identity, our combine on others is consequently grand, which can be either a fine or a dreadful matter. For some, the prejudice in the intelligences of others can cause the loyalty to be exceedingly twisted. It can be disturbed to such a degree, that the image of others is completely opposite of how it is in reality.This is what each character in Higsons short story The Red Line experiences. Higson indecisions and plays with the role identity halt in our postmodern guild by using irony in the depiction and by the use of a dynamic point of view. Berto and the nameless man each have contradictory personalities and looks. This is seen because the reader and the characters are int roduced to different sides of the people in the story. As the reader gets a sense of the characters looks, personalities and thoughts, the persons in the story only get to see each other from the outside.Denises descriptions of the two men could not be more wrong, and therefore displays the contradictories perfectly. She sees the nameless man as someone innocent, child-like and defenseless, and she sees Berto as one who has the look of a hunter. Cold, superior, in charge. 1 She thinks Berto will hurt her, plainly he is actually the one who assumes fondly of her and the nameless man in reality dislikes her. None of that is played out though as the characters do not interact with each other, as their narrow-mindedness stop them.The characters are prejudiced towards each other, which prove to be wrong, making the situation ironic. Denises thoughts of the two indicates the outstanding irony in the story, because we as readers know that Berto is the naive and innocent one, while the n ameless man is the hunter, who kills Berto in the end. Berto sees the nameless man as someone harmless, save as he kills him, it creates situational irony. He had hoped that the man would have helped him find his way around London, and in a way he does, since Bertos blood prepare reminds him that he needed to take the red line It was ot the preferable outcome Berto could have hoped for though, of course, as he dies. The nameless man deems very negative of the two, generally Berto that is so contrary himself, both in appearance and personality. The nameless man considers Berto to be iniquitous, while we as readers know the opposite is true. He also supposes that Berto and Denise are eyeing each other up across the aisle2, but none of the two has romantic interest in each other, and Denise even ends up course from the former.The reader must question each character, based on their view on the others and how this changes their persona, and how each one of them is considered by our selves. The point of view shifts in a way that it both creates suspense, and plays with our impression of personality. With each chapter, titled by a train station name, we follow a different characters day. In Goodge Street, a chapter towards the end, the characters stories intertwine, but the shifting continues. The organisation is therefore not linear, which is typical of postmodern literature, as it creates suspense.There is dynamic and a sense of reflection in the story, which are also postmodern traits. Differing at all times, the point of view creates a sense that nothing is settled, especially because of the conflicting information we obtain of the characters. We must therefore reconsider the story and the characters all the time, thus forcing us to reconsider the personas constantly. The role identity plays in the story is a reflection of how it functions in postmodern society. This is purpose of the authors intention, as Higson wants us to question what we see, as not ev eryone/everything is what it seems.He also questions and makes us think about our own prejudices towards others, and how we view each other. He plays with the role appearance have in our society, and how important it can be. Berto gets murdered solely because of the way he looks. Higson also critiques the emphasis society puts on perception of others, as too much prejudice can kill the ingenuous and righteousness in life. The nameless man is also extremely narcissitic, as he took to staying in, standing in front of the mirror for hours on end, shaving and looking at his reflection3, thus he is an archetype of someone in society Higson critiques.Alas, appearance plays an incredibly important role, as Denise run away from Berto and the nameless man kills the latter because of it, even though we as readers know Berto is a healthy guy. The situation in the story is of course extreme, but Higson does this to get the point across more clearly and create irony. The contradictions are sola r clear and the prejudices have serious consequences for the characters. It goes gravely wrong for the guy the reader sees as kind of a protagonist, and the characters see the antagonist as the innocent and harmless one.We get different impressions of Denise, Berto and the nameless man based on their thoughts on each other and their life situation. These are obtained in a dynamic way, because the point of view shifts and the composition is not linear. Thus, we must reconsider the story at all times, and sense how we ourselves perceive each other. As Higson questions the concept of identity, he also makes us question ourselves, how we view others, and on what grounds we judge each other by. 1 Higson, Charles. The Thin Red Line, p. 69 l. 4 2 Ibid. p. 69, l. 25 3 Ibid. p. 66, l. 30-31

My Mother Essay

The film centers on Manuela, a nurse who oversees donor organ transplants in Ramn y Cajal Hospital in Madrid and single mother to Esteban, a teenager who wants to be a writer.On his seventeenth birthday, Esteban is induce by a car and killed while chasing after actress Huma Rojo for her autograph following a performance of A Streetcar Named Desire, in which she portrays Blanche DuBois. Manuela has to agree with her colleagues at produce that her sons heart be transplanted to a man in A Corua. After traveling after her sons heart, Manuela quits her stage business and journeys to Barcelona, where she hopes to find her sons father, Lola, a transvestite she kept secret from her son, just as she never told Lola they had a son.see morespeech active my motherIn Barcelona, Manuela reunites with her old friend Agrado, a warm and witty transsexual prostitute. She also meets and becomes deeply involved with several characters genus genus Rosa, a young nun who works in a shelter for battere d prostitutes and is pregnant by Lola Huma Rojo, the actress her son had admired and the drug-addicted Nina Cruz, Humas co-star and lover. Her life becomes entwined with theirs as she cares for Rosa during her pregnancy and works for Huma as her personal assistant and even acts in the play as an understudy for Nina during one of her drug abuse crises.On her counselling to the hospital, Rosa asks the taxi to stop at a park where she spots her fathers dog, Sapic, and then her own father, who suffers from Alzheimers he does not get by Rosa and asks for her age and height, but Sapic is cleverer and knows Rosa. Rosa dies giving birth to her son, and Lola and Manuela finally reunite at Rosas funeral. Lola (whose name used to be Esteban), who is expiry from AIDS, talks about how she always wanted a son, and Manuela tells her about her own Esteban and how he died in a car accident. Manuela then adopts Esteban, Rosas child, and be with him at Rosas parents house. The father does not unde rstand who Manuela is, and Rosas mother says its the new cook, who is living here with her son. Rosas father then asks Manuela her age and height.Manuela introduces Esteban (Rosas son) to Lola and gives her a picture of their own Esteban. Rosas mother spots them from the street and then confronts Manuela about permit strangers see the baby. Manuela tells her that Lola is Estebans father Rosas mother is appalled and says That is the monster that killed my daughter?Manuela flees back to Madrid with Esteban she cannot take living at Rosas house any longer, since the grandmother is afraid that she will contract AIDS from the baby. She writes a letter to Huma and Agrado saying that she is leaving and once again is obscure for not saying goodbye, like she did years before. Two years later, Manuela returns with Esteban to an AIDS convention, telling Huma and Agrado, who now run a stage show together, that Esteban had been a miracle by not inheriting the virus. She then says she is return ing to stay with Estebans grandparents. When asking Huma about Nina, she becomes melancholic and leaves. Agrado tells Manuela that Nina went back to her town, got married, and had a fat, ugly baby boy.

Is Money Ruining Football Essay

Is specie ruining football? unitary of the to the highest degree talked about topics in football. Some fans think that it is a wonderful thing, a dream come true however others seem to disagree. Is all of this money in modern mean solar day football ruining it? From all this money football seems to become a victim of its hold success. One main part of this money being in football is due to a lot of clubs having foreign ownership.It all came about in 2003 when Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea FC and since then he has put in hundreds-upon-hundreds of millions of his own money into the club Chelsea have since won nine major trophies including three Premier League titles and most recently the UEFA Champions League. Proof that wealth can indeed demoralize honours in the world of football. Since then half of the 20 Premier League clubs are now owned by foreigner investors. Those clubs are Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, QPR, Readi ng, Southampton and Sunderland.Perhaps the most spectacular of them all is politician and member of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Manchester City. Since he has bought the club in 2008 he has pass over ? 425 of his own money to buy first group players for the club. The highest fee that has ever been paid for a footballer is ? 80 million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United to Real Madrid, this is a major difference to what the highest fee in 1928 the highest amount paid for a player was ? 10,000.The maximum wage has was also only ? 12 a week and players got a ? 650 bonus if they stayed at the club for 5 years whereas nowadays the most paid players is on ? 250,000 pound a week. This colossal money being spent to attract a footballer to a club doesnt necessarily mean that the player is any better than a nonher it purely is just reflexion that the club has more money than the others. This is having a negative effect on football as now p layers are playing for the money and now not the club that they are playing for.It is also very unfair on competition in the same league center the richer team has an advantage as they can pay crazy amounts to circumvent a player only when a lower team can spend very little meaning the competition on less competitive. So if your club has more money it then attracts players who are better known where less known clubs have to fabricate on lower wages meaning that the players that they buy will be on a much less wage than those of a higher team. One big problem hat money has is the risk of the football club going bust. The most recognisable of those clubs currently in major financial disconcert is former Premier League club Portsmouth, now of League One. The club is currently in administration and runs the risk of being non existant. This has come from the club overspending on players and the wages the players been given far too much than what they realistically should be on. Last season Premier League clubs shared a staggering ? 68 million in television revenue, if the Premier League were to introduce a safety pot of money (? 9. 68 million) for football league and Conference clubs so that in severe cases clubs can apply for grants to stop them going into administration/save clubs from going bust. Having an owner with millions to spend isnt always as tidy as it sounds since it runs the risk of your club vanishing forever. One of the major things though is the rise in ticket prices.Football used to be called the working class sport but now it is an expensive pastime and something that the average working class man struggles to afford. This is shown at St. James Park when in 1992/9 3 you were able to get an adult season ticket for around ? 122 but nowadays the average season ticket is around ? 500 which shows how expensive football is now getting and that in 20 years there has been a 150 percent rise in prices.It seems that football is now slowly changing f rom a working class sport to a sport for those who are wealthier. The only solution to stop money from continuing to ruin football is by Uefa the governing carcass of football to try and do something about it by introducing salary caps or by putting in place transfer caps so only genuine amounts of money can be spent in the transfer market and this would have an effect on agent fees, sponsorship and TV deals which would then ticket prices could be lowered and that clubs could still turn a profit.Another thing is putting a limit on how many foreign players you can have in your team which would mean more home-grown players would be in the team and then less wages would be spent and transfer prices to attract players from overseas and this would mean teams would indispensableness to spend more money on youth academies rather than looking all over the world for players to spend ridiculous amounts of money on. Football is no longer turning into a sport, it is a business that is now wo rth millions and millions of pounds and this is taking the game to its knees. By Reece Paterson.

Employee Resourcing Essay

Edwards, Scott and Raju (p. 71, 2003) contri exactlye defined the term recruitment as organizational practices and policies developed for the primary purpose of motivating applicants to apply, remain in the candidate pool, and necessitate offers. enlisting has been traditionalisticisticly considered to gift a minor role in the hiring attend to. Earlier the term recruitment to the hiring managers was primarily a delegacy to indentify and use the sources, for typeface the print media, which would give the maximum stunnedput in terms of applications from promising candidates. The importance of recruitment has increased multi-fold in recent times.This has been due to trends in nineties like the changes in market which has necessitated a need for a large contrive force of specialized labors, and the internet which has given a wide computer program for both the recruiters and job searchers to come in contact with each other (Edwards, Scott and Raju, p. 71, 2003). As a result o f these trends the organizations have come to a scenario that not many an(prenominal) people might apply when a job is posted. Even when the organization has selected a candidate it can no longer be assumed that they would be accepting these offers.Hence, there is an increasing aw atomic number 18ness among people who take c ar of a companys recruitment that the process covers far more than unless feeling out for sources where the advertisements for job openings are to be put. This report gives an overview of the recruitment trends and excerpt practices in recent times in UK, the factors impacting these trends and woof practices in the country. Recruitment trends in UK in recent times The recruitment practices of organizations in UK have seen a drastic change in the recent times.Various practices and conditions are seen to survive in the organizations these days, which were not pre direct a few decades ago like provision of creches, job-sharing, part-time work, and home-workin g. there is withal a lot of stress on gender equality by the various companies. For instance, banks are seen to be the pioneers in devising various schemes to hire and retain women. Another of these trends is also to review policies much(prenominal) as those which utilize to encourage early retirement based on various conditions (Hendry, p. 42, 1995).There have been some additional schemes like performance cerebrate pays, which brought about the appraisal focal point system to fore. The trends for various organizations in UK is to use systems like the 360 feedback system for performance relate pays, to motivate their employees so that they stay and work with the company and see this translated to an increase in the pay packages (Anderson, p. 130, 2005). Internet boom has been seen to impact all the aspects of businesses. Recruitment is no exception, and has seen a major change in the way companies recruit people.The trend to adopt internet as a means to recruit people, has al so seen in face of the increasing number of companies face to recruit people. The ease of finding people has increased as the companies can now access databases of people living in far off places in a short time. The online recruitment activity in UK increased by 30% for August 2007, from last year August 2006 (Monster, p. 1, 2007) For the managerial vacancies, the trend is that the vacancies are filled from the indwelling labor market while the senior management positions are as likely filled internally as externally.This trend means that on the supply side there has been an increase in new entrants in the labor market while on the demand side the organizations have a need for new managerial recruits. Selection Practices in UK in recent times Swift and Robertson (2000) cite several surveys conducted for selection practices to point out that the employers use a wide range of selection techniques depending upon the type of jobs for which the people are being recruited. They also sa id that the survey showed that no one method for selection was used as a standardized or stand-alone technique in small, middle, and even large sized corporations.The around used menstruum selection practices were found to be application forms, interviews with single interviewer, panel interviewers, personality tests, references, ability tests, selection centers, CVs, and group selection centers. Despite the many reports of unreliability and invalidity, traditional selection methods of interview, application form and references are the most popular selection practices used. Of these, personal interviews are considered to be the most widely criticized method of selection, and the third most popular toll behind reference checking and application forms.The more sophisticated techniques like the assignment centers and psychological testing are relatively less used in UK. Though there has been a rise in the number of psychometric tests used by large sized corporations while selecting new recruits, the traditional methods are still the most common tools for selection (Brewster, Mayrhofer and Morley, p. 60, 2004). Brewster, Mayrhofer and Morley (2004) also point out that there has been a rise in the flexible working practices in UK, in particular the non-standard contracts.There has been a rise in flexible contracts related to salary packages like sharing profits, introduction of performance incentive and also flexibility in the working hours. Changing environment in UK in the last few decades Organizations in UK faced the impact of the economic changes that occurred in mid-eighties with the 1990s. There were changes in the economic environment, labor law, government labor market policy, demographic changes and also the political climate, all of which had an impact on the organizations and indeed their personnel management policies.There was a severe recession of 1980-81, followed by a period of growth till the early 1990s and again a slump in the last quarter of 1990s when the economic growth ceased (Hendry, p. 23, 1995). Due to the recession in the country there was a need for speech in more foreign currency, hence imports became cheaper and foreign firms were drawn to the UK market. All of these brought about a collapse in the manufacturing sector which could not keep up with the measures taken by the government to bring up the recession.The industries began to restructure and this brought about the internationalization of various firms due to acquisitions and mergers (Hendry, p. 25, 1995). The trend for internationalization was present in UK but was chiefly restricted to Europe both in terms of trade and movement of capital. But the 1980s and 1990s saw the companies expand overseas in other countries to explore newer market and / or use cheaper labor due to the inherently tight labor market (Hendry, p. 27, 1995).There were other changes for instance the demographic and social changes brought about by the education system, which meant that more people were trained in higher education, and hence the labor force fell intensely through the 1980s. However, the proportion of women entering the labor market started to rise. Politically too UK saw marked changes as the Thatcher government gave way to new governments and unlike work related policies as well as the overall policies (Hendry, p. 40, 1995). Effects of External Environment on Labor MarketsAll the changes in the UK environment affected the personnel management practices by the organizations. The section above gave a brief on some of the major environment changes while this section would be giving the impact of the changes on the labor market and the next section would give the corresponding consequences in the recruitment and selection process. The collapse of the industrial segment in UK had far grasp impacts on the labor market. There was large scale unemployment which was well over 3 million for almost five years, with large regional imbalances.There were agonistic redundancies and many of the units were closed down. This made the companies look out for increased measures in productivity by using flexible working practices. This also led to the sharp demarcations between the various levels of employees. The slump led to internationalization in two ways. First the people in the middle class who were traditionally the labors more and more sent their offspring to universities for higher studies. This led to an increase in the number of people qualified tor white collar and professional jobs, and the number of labors decreased.Organizations in UK hence started looking to countries in Asia and Africa for filling this labor gap. There were also direct acquisitions which led to foreign companies acquiring stakes in UK companies, which led to internationalization. The internationalization brought people from different cultures in contact with each other on regular basis. This meant that the people needed to be culturally conditioned to bl end in easily with the increasingly changing work environment. The increase in the number of women in the industry at various levels brought about massive changes in the working culture of the organizations.There were issues like employee safety and newer incentives were introduced to attract employees like facilities of creches, providing pick-up and drop facilities. Effects of External Environment on Recruitment Process The labor market in UK has traditionally being tight due to the reasonablenesss outlined above. The market was affected due to two measurable events foot-and-mouth disease and 9/11 crisis. These events brought about crisis in the monetary markets, a fall in tourism and other related activities, thus increasing the unemployment.However, in spite of these changes the labor market remains a scrap for recruiters in terms of recruitment and selection (Brewster, Mayrhofer and Morley, p. 48, 2004). The recruiters need to attract people to work in their organizations, which is the first important step. The second step is to follow a rigid but effective selection process which would examine that the right people have been selected to work in the company. Recruitment and selection process are seen to be the most important functions of Human Resource Management process.This is because an effective recruitment and selection process ensures an efficient labor force while a poor one might have negative effects to the companys productivity which are long lasting. The companies prefer that their employees are sources both internally and externally, so that the internal employees are motivated and fresh blood is brought into the company which is necessary for innovation. The rise in technology especially the internet has seen to it that the companies can have a diverse work force.The large companies have also used software technologies to use databases to keep track of their employees for checking their performance levels which would air the process of i nternal recruitment. UK companies traditionally preferred to fill their positions internally especially for managerial recruitments, though this is changing in the face of internationalization. Various organizations are also seen to improve the process of re-training and provide attractive incentives like performance related packages for recruiting and retaining employees (Brewster, Mayrhofer and Morley, p. 0, 2004).Effects of External Environment on Selection Process After potential candidates apply for the position, the selection process must ensure that the most promising candidates are selected for the positions. This is again a challenge to the recruiters because of the increasing stress laid on the employees to excel not only in their job but also added skills like team-spirit and adapting to change. Many of the positions require that the candidate must be comfortable for working in newer locations, which was traditionally limited to people in the sales and marketing departmen t.In addition, the potential candidates must also be abreast with the fast changing technological environment, and be able to cope up with it. All these must be the elements of the selection process, which means a high burden for people designing the process to ensure only the right candidates, are selected (Brewster, Mayrhofer and Morley, p. 60, 2004). As is already mentioned above, personal interview though is the most criticized, is still the most preferred by recruiters in UK. The reason for this is probably the importance the company people give to personal judgment.With the increasing number of people coming from different regions and countries, references and applications are considered to be the most important tools in the selection process. The reference checking is done with due diligence and the responses are always recorded. In many cases, the companies also go in for reference checking by employing private agencies to check up on the potential candidate. Application for ms are of course the necessary input for any further steps in the selection process (Brewster, Mayrhofer and Morley, p. 60, 2004).

Ethics of Consumption Essay

Once you draw read the textbook chapter and the Reading, answer discussion questions 1, 3- 5 (ignore questions 2 and 6). Q1. Who is the we in the question Why do we consume so much? Is Juliet Schor correct that there is increasingly little that we do which is not a consumption experience And that we consecrate become a culture of excessive consumption? Explain your answers.The we in the question why do we consume so much? is stands for the majority of Americans those whose basic needs be met, who have discretionary income, the large middle classes whose standard of living has risen so dramatically everywhere this century.Juliet Schor is correct that there is increasingly little that we do which is not a consumption experience. For example, the fair American home has increased by more(prenominal) than 50% since 1970s and the number of vehicles per person has increased.And we have become a culture of excessive consumption due to $20,000 outdoor grills, $17,000 birthday parties fo r teen girls FAO Schwartz, adamant studded bras at Victoria Secrets, professional appliances for flock not home to cook, designer clothes for 6 year olds as well as $1000 bed sheets.Q3. Explain why Schor believes that more leisured. slight(prenominal) consumerist lifestyles are structurally blocked. Why cant battalion simply choose to depart less and enjoy more free time? Do you apply that hold outing long hours encourages people to consume more?Schor believes that more leisure, less consumerist lifestyles is structurally blocked because we are undermining our quality of life, we fail to scan enough leisure, and live excessively busy and stressful lives.People cannot simply choose to work less and enjoy more free time because the employers set work norms and schedules, and those are tied to jobs. A full-time worker is paid per person, not per hour, and the employers prefer to hire fewer people, as well as employees who work longer hours are more financially dependent on the firm. Also, the income that people earned determines the level of consumption. The more they earned, the more or luxury goods they are able to purchase.I do not agree that working(a) long hours encourages people to consume more. I have some working experiences before. After working for the unhurt day, I felt very tired and I thought money does not come easily, so I would not buy as much as I earned. I would like to present it and buy wait until I think the price of the good I want to buy is unimpeachable and it is useful.Q4. Schor refers to the second structural feature that creates too much consumption as the ecological bias. What does she lowly by this? Do you agree with her that it is practiced?Schor means that people overuse of the ecological resources of the earth, which account for orbiculate warming, species extinction, ecosystem depletion, water shortages, deforestation and soil erosion. I absolutely agree with her that overuse of natural capital is serious because t he rate of resource use, pollution, and ecological degradation exceeds earths absorptive and regenerative capacities. We are already beyond a sustainable relation with earth. If rest of the world lived like the Americans do, need an additional four planets to stake this lifestyle.Q5. Explain why you agree or disagree with Schors contention that consumption has become a social competition. How has the old pattern of haveing up with the Joneses changed? Do you agree that it is tricky for individuals to resist or lose out of the consumption competition? Explain why or why not.Yes, I agree with Schors contention that consumption has become a social competition because more and more people buy luxury goods to show off, whichit stand for recognition, esteem, status, and even envy it confers. Especially young teenagers, they like to keep up with their classmates or schoolmates. As a result, branded goods were carried by students is obviously around the school.The old concept of keepin g up with the Joneses has changed because Americans consumer aspirations now has become more vertical, which is in terms of economic and social standing. unripe Americans regarded Rockefeller or Bill Gates who makes $100,000 a year or more as an important aspirational target. They are more squint towards a decent or comfortable standard of living.I agree that it is difficult for individuals to resist or drop out the consumption competition. Since everyone is using the latest products, we have to elevate ourselves as well. If we refused to upgrade our belonging, we will fall behind the others, it may account for inconvenience in our life. For example, nowadays, some cooking has to type it out or submit online, if we do not have a laptop at home, then it will be troublesome and inconvenience. Thus, individuals are getting more and more difficult to drop put the consumption competition.

Tiffany & Co Marketing Plan

merchandising PLAN I. administrator summary3 A. History of Tiffany & Co. 3 II. Current grocerying concomitant 7 A. Market overview.. 7 i. Market demographics and need. 6 ii. Market trends and target market ontogenesis. 10 B. SWOT analysis11 i. Strengths . 11 ii. Weaknesses.. 2 iii. Opportunities 12 iv. Threats13 C. Competitive and fabrication analysis . 14 D. Product overview 17 E. Keys to success and critical issues20. III. Environmental analysis 23 A. Macroenvironmental factors . 23 B. Microenvironmental factors . 24 C. Competitive strategy 24 IV. swop Strategy25 A. Mission25 B. Marketing objectives.. 25 C. Financial objectives26 D. Target market. 27 E. Positioning 27 V. Marketing mix in. 28 A. Product .. 28 B. Pricing 30 C. Promotion . 1 D. Channel 32 E. help 34 VI. Marketing research .. 35 VII. Financials 37 A. Sales/ tax income forecast. 37 B. expenditure budget39 C. Break-even analysis40 D. Profit and loss analysis. 41 VIII. References.. 42 I. Exe vamooseive summar y A. History of the c aloneer-outThe 1830s in saucily York City were a time of dynamic ripening, inordinate tastes and golden opportunity for any champion with a little capital and an abundance of imagination. In 1837, New York became the proving ground for twenty-five-year-old Charles Lewis Tiffany and tush B. Young, who opened a stationery and fancy goods store with a $1,000 advance from Tiffanys father. On their way to the naked as a jaybird emporium at 259 Broadway, fashionable ladies in silks, satins, and beribboned bonnets faced a gauntlet of narrow streets teeming with horses and carriages and the hurly-burly of city life.At Tiffany & Co. they discovered a newly emerging Ameri open fire style that departed from the European flesh aesthetic, which was rooted in religious and ceremonial patterns and the Victorian eras mannered opulence. The young entrepreneurs were godlike by the natural world, which they interpreted in exquisite patterns of simplicity, harmony and cla rity. These became the h solelymarks of Tiffany design, first in ash gray hollowwargon and flatw ar, and later in jewelry. Tiffany first achieved external recognition at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1867.The fellowship was awarded the awful prize for funds craftsmanship, the first time that an Ameri displace design house had been so recognize by a foreign jury. Tiffany was the first American company to employ the 925/1000 standard of silver purity. Largely by means of the efforts of Charles Lewis Tiffany, this ratio was adopted by the unify States Congress as the American sterling(prenominal) silver standard. The silver studio of Tiffany & Co. was the first American school of design and, as one percipient remarked, a teacher of art progress. Apprentices were encouraged to observe and sketch nature, and to explore the vast battle arrays of sketches and ardeucerk assembled by Edward C. Moore, the head of the studio. By 1870 Tiffany & Co. had become Americas premier p urveyor of jewels and timepieces as intimately as luxury table, privateal, and household accessories. At the turn of the 20th vitamin C the company had much than than one thousand employees and branches in London, Paris, and Geneva. In 1878 Tiffany acquired one of the worlds largest and finest fancy yellow rhombuss from the Kimberley diamond mines in South Africa.Under the guidance of Tiffanys eminent gemologist, Dr. George Frederick Kunz, the diamond was cut from 287. 42 carats to 128. 54 carats with 82 facets ( around brilliant-cut diamonds have b atomic issue 18ly 58), which gave the rocknroll its legendary fire and brilliance. tendencyated the Tiffany Diamond, the stone became an modeling of Tiffany craftsmanship. In 1886 Tiffany introduced the meshing battalion as we sleep with it todaythe Tiffany Setting an innovation that lifts the diamond above the band with six platinum prongs, allowing a more than complete return of light from the stone and maximising it s brilliance.Today the Tiffany Setting continues as one of the most popular appointment ring styles and shining image of the jewelers diamond authority. During New Yorks Gilded Age, Tiffany was prospering as never before. At the same time, the world had embarked on the Age of Expositions, the era of show-s egestping extravaganzas that took place in the last decades of the 19th century and into the 20th in Paris, Chicago, Buffalo and St. Louis. At every venue, Tiffany won the extravagantlyest honors and recognition as the undisputed attracter in the world of jewels.The companys exhibit at the 1889 Paris fair was heralded as the most extraordinary collection of jewels ever produced by an American jewelry house. Tiffany produced an equally praiseworthy collection for the 1900 Paris fair, along with magnificent silver pieces based on Native American pottery and hoop designs. The unprecedented commendation and number of awards bestowed on the jeweler led to Tiffanys appointment as royal Jeweler and Royal Jeweler to the cr sustained heads of Europe, as well as the Ottoman Emperor and the tzar and Czarina of Russia.With the death of Charles Lewis Tiffany in 1902, Louis Comfort Tiffany, the founders son, became Tiffanys first controlor of Design. An intact floor of Tiffany & Co. was devoted to merchandise crafted in the Tiffany Studios, Louis Comfort Tiffanys atelier. His position as Americas leading designer was well established by 1882, when President Chester Arthur invited him to redecorate the ashen House. By 1900 the junior Tiffany was a world leader in the Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts movements. The famed artist created a queer cheat on of designs, from technically brilliant leaded lass to colorful Tiffany favrile glass, and enameled and painterly jewels based on American plants and flowers. Throughout the jewelers history, the most prominent members of American society were frequent Tiffany customers. Vanderbilts, Astors, Whitneys and Havemeyer s, as well as J. P. Morgan, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Paul Mellon, com committeeed Tiffany to produce gold and silver services. Admirers of Lillian Russell baseball clubed a sterling silver bicycle. President Lincoln bribed a seed pearl necklace for his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. And a young Franklin Roosevelt purchased a Tiffany engagement ring in 1904.As the twentieth century progressed, Tiffany designs captured the spirit of the times, from the extravagance of the 1920s to the modernism of the thirties and the aerodynamic age of the 1940s and 1950s. Tiffany china set the stage for White House dinners and Tiffany jewels accented the svelte clothes of the worlds most glamorous women, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Babe Paley and Diana Vreeland. Very often world-ren professed jeweler dung bee Schlumberger created their jewelry. Hired in 1956 by then Tiffany chairman Walter Hoving, Schlumbergers lavish, nature-inspired jewels remain the pride of Tiffany & Co.Throughout Tiffany s history, the join States and foreign governments have called upon the company to create special commissions. Among them argon the Congressional Medal of Honor, the coupled States highest military award and the 1885 redesign of the Great Seal of the United States, which can be seen on official government documents as well as on the one-dollar bill. avocation and professional placements have also called on Tiffany design expertise by means of Tiffany Business Sales. The most famous of these commissions is the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the National Football unify Super Bowl Championship.Tiffany has had the distinction of creating this original and well-kn hold design since the first Super Bowl in 1967. The legendary style of Tiffany design is perhaps best represented by the annual begrimed bulk Collection, featuring Tiffanys and the worlds most spectacular and glamorous jewels. Initially published in 1845, the Tiffany Blue Book was the first such catalogue to be distributed i n the U. S. Todays version showcases the elite of diamonds and colored gemstones in custom-designed settings, crafted with time-honored jewelry techniques and inspired by jewels in the Tiffany & Co. Archives.Over the past dickens centuries, Tiffany has built an international reputation as a premier jeweler and the ultimate source of gifts for lifes most cherished do. Whether its a milestone in the life of a company or a family, or an individuals crowning achievement, Tiffany gifts wrapped in the signature Tiffany Blue Box symbolize the rich heritage and unprecedented reputation Tiffany & Co. has enjoyed as one of Americas great institutions. II. Current marketing situation A. Market overview i. Market demographics and needs Official estimates put the population of Kazakhstan at 15. billion as of 1 July 2008, of which 47% is rural and 53% urban population. The 2008 population estimate is 4. 8% higher than the population encompassed in the last numerate from January 1999 (sligh tly less than 15 million). Kazakhstan underwent significant urbanization during the first 50 years of the Soviet era, as the partake in of rural population declined from more than 90% in the 1920s to less than 50% since the 1970s pic side by side(p) table summarizes information about Kazakhstani market and gives more detailed understanding of current market situation. Year (January) Population (000) Opportunities Threats Currently isnt widely presented Logistics problems desegregation in lower priced segments Threat of fakes opulence recession is under threat of crisis subaltern filth awargonness Strengths 1. Customer service. Operating by its mission statement to be the worlds most respected seller, Tiffany focuses heavily on customer service. New employees complete six to eight weeks of training in knowledge, skills, and product training. They must also pass a written test before they are allowed to meet with customers. Once in the field, gross sales representat ives work for two years to complete a rigorous certification process. According to John Peterson, senior vice chairwoman of corporate sales, the process helps the company uphold its unique tradition and culture. 2. Unique quality.Tiffany also places extreme time value on the quality of its products, paying attention to every detail of the Tiffany experience. Charles Lewis Tiffany began this practice with his original selection of the blue sky color for Tiffany boxes, shopping bags, and catalogs. Tiffany focused on the final, and often neglected, step in brand positioning self-aggrandising customers something symbolizing Tiffany quality, commitment, consistency, respect, and reputation long after they have walked out of the store. According to Denise Meyer, creative director of Frenchman Marketing, an ad agency that specializes in jewelry marketing, Tiffany wants you to forget the product and remember where it came from. 3. Recognition.As one of the worlds most recognizable brand symbols, Tiffany takes all of its blue boxs components, from the quality of the blue study to the way the ribbon is tied, very seriously. Because the blue box represents the Tiffany experience, the company even sends their employees to a class to arrant(a) the art of tying the white satin ribbon so the box lays flat. According to James Mansur, principal of Mansur Design, a retail branding consultancy in New York, The blue box represents refinement, luxury, elegance, good taste, quality, and it confers status on both the person who gives it and the person who receives it. Weaknesses 1. Brand positioning problem Tiffany & co is positioned as luxury brand, for people with high income. stock-still tiffany introduces mid(prenominal)dle cost items, which is part of company strategy. But people cant realize that tiffanys jewellery becomes more affordable and think that starting price for tiffany sound is 3000$, while really it is only 900$. The same positioning problem can occur in Kaz akhstan. In order to prevent this company should inform Kazakhstan populating about their prices by means of advertizing, PR and different activities. Opportunities 1. Currently isnt widely presented alone over the Kazakhstan there is only one Tiffany store, located in Almaty. This store is a license. Assortment is not great, and silver products care absolutely not presented. Also very poor assortment of yellow gold. . Integration in lower priced segments Tiffany adopts new strategy, in order to attract new customers. Appearance of 100$ and downstairs items in tiffany products lit give attract new customers, for whom brand name is important. So in unbendable competition with well-known brands like Bvldary, Cartier and Chopard Tiffany offers luxury goods for affordable prices. Threats 1. Logistics problems Tiffany & Co is American company and jewelers should be transported from US. Almaty franchise transports goods from US. However, because of big distance orders may come not in time, or breakage rate may be high. Also during transportation goods may be stolen. 2.Threat of fakes In Kazakhstan patents and copyrights are almost not important, so in case of good promotion and increased brand awareness faces from China could be easily broad to the market and brand reputation will be damaged 3. Luxury niche is under threat of crisis Nowadays financial crisis is on the peak and people suffer from lack of capital , so they will rather prefer to save money than to spend them on luxury goods 4. Low brand awareness Besides Tiffany & Co is extremely popular in the west in Kazakhstan brand awareness is very low, and a lot of funds should be spend for advertizing B. Competitive and exertion analysis Competitors Signet Group (SIG) is the worlds largest specialty jewelry retailer in terms of sales, with $3. 3 billion of revenue in 2008 the company is based in the United Kingdom and operates 1,959 stores in the U. K. and the U. S. , including Kay Jewelers and Jared Th e Galleria of Jewelry shackles in the United States. Signet Group exceeds Tiffanys in revenue and size however the company currently lacks a presence in Asia. Tiffany, on the other hand, is in a good position to take benefit of new wealth developing in Asia due to the fact it al stool has stores in that region. Zale (ZLC) specializes in diamond jewelry and operates mostly mall-based stores as well as mall kiosks only in North America.It lacks an international presence, however makes up for it through volume in North America The company has 2,135 locations throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Both Zale and Tiffany sell low-priced jewelry, but Zale only extends to moderately-priced pieces while Tiffany seeks to maintain a high-low approach by selling $200 pieces next to $50,000 ones. Blue Nile (NILE) is the largest online-only retailer of certified diamonds and fine jewelry. The companys 2008 sales were much littler than Tiffanys. The fact that the company sells i ts goods exclusively online makes it available to a wider audience than Tiffanys, whose goods must be purchased through its own stores. Company Net Sales (mm) Increase in store sales 9-10% Increase in Direct Marketing Sales 10% Expense growth 13% Advertising expense 6% In terms of financial objectives for the full year 2009, Tiffany &Co are now projecting sales growth of approximately 15% which includes comparable store sales increasing 9-10% in the US and in the high single digits internationally on a constant metamorphose rate basis. For the fourth quarter, that implies a mid single digit comp increase in the US, strong comp growth in the European and Asia/Pacific regions and a modest increase in total lacquer sales. Tiffany now half way through the all important November/December holiday selling season, although the vast majority of sales activity is still forrad of company in the next several weeks. C. Target Markets 1) Women Aged 34- 54 years old 2). Middle-High in come, hurrying class in KZ $2000 and more 3). Status-oriented- Business women 4). Discerning customers who appreciate the finer things in life and the unrestrained pleasure of owning the best there is. ). Women, knowing that mostly men will be making the purchases. ring start at relatively affordable level ($1000) and go up to over a million dollars. It is known that about 39% of sales are outside the United States. There are stores in Brazil, Europe, Australia and Asia. retentivitys are located in larger cities while the catalog and internet cater to non-urban customers. D. Positioning the great unwashed who pay much attention to the fashion world may know that Tiffany& Co is one of top three jewelry producers in the world. Among those fashionable and exquisite ornaments, tiffany rings are undoubtedly the one that gains more attention than any other ones.When split up by function and occasion, tiffany rings can be divided into three major categories that are tiffany celebratio n rings, engagement rings and wedding rings. Each kind of them has its own unique and irreplaceable functions. entirely the tiffany rings are beautifully crafted pieces of remarkable elegance. Tiffany & Co rings are unequaled in quality, with close attention to detail. I. Marketing Mix A. Product. Tiffany and Co. s offerings include diamonds, gemstones, necklaces, pendants, rings, bracelets, charms, brooches and earrings. In profit to the classic items, Tiffany and Co. collection reflects unique items like their elegant decorative appoints, jeweled boxes, heart-shaped lockets, letters of the alphabet and crosses.Also for men, Tiffany and Co. has a range of rings, watches, necklaces and money clips. Among those fashionable ornaments, tiffany rings are undoubtedly the one that gains more attention than any other ones. When divided by function and occasion, tiffany rings can be divided into three major categories that are tiffany celebration rings, engagement rings and wedding ring s. Each kind of them has its own unique and irreplaceable functions. To take celebration rings as an example, there are so some(prenominal) important occasions and moments in ones life to celebrate. To capture and persevere down these rare and important moments and occasions is so important for every person.Therefore, Tiffany celebration rings are just specially designed and alert for you these people to come. pic Tiffany engagement rings are perfect for those young lovers who are to be engaged. Also it will make the whole ceremony full of joy and happiness and give off the flavor of voluptuousness and magnificence. picTiffany wedding rings are the necessity for every bride and groom who are dreaming of a grand and luxurious wedding ceremony. Tiffany wedding rings are particularly distinctive, with designs ranging from classic solitaires to elaborate multi-stone arrangements. Each ring is accompanied by detailed certification as proof of its superior quality.It is true that tiff any rings are perfect for every occasion. It is prized for its quality, sophistication, and beauty. The four Cs of diamond quality have the greatest effect on the stones price Carat The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. The more carats, the heavier the stone, and the more expensive it is. Color . A diamonds color grade is a key quality evaluation, but often misleading. This is because the ideal engagement diamond is characterized by a lack of color. Diamonds can be laboratory treated to reduce their color. At the Tiffany Gemological Laboratory, the color of each diamond is determined by comparing it to authenticated master diamonds.Clarity A diamonds clarity rating has a direct effect on a diamonds beauty and price. The clearer a diamond is, the more expensive it will be. Cut The cut and shape of the diamond affects its price depending on the difficulty involved. Emerald and princess cuts are among the least expensive because they follow the crystalline shape of the stone, while heart-shaped, pear, and oval cuts are more expensive. Tiffany diamonds are always cut for beauty, not size. Other Factors in Engagement Ring Cost Metal yellow-bellied gold is the most common choice for engagement rings, and it is in the mid-range for prices. Silver is less expensive, while top-grade karats of yellow and white gold are pricier.Platinum, titanium and tungsten are generally more expensive. Design Simple solitaires are often the least expensive design because they lack elaborate side stones or other embellishments. More intricate rings, such as Celtic patterns, bridal sets, or three stone rings are more costly. B. Pricing. Today, tiffany settings are one of the most popular choices for ring settings. Company offers divers(prenominal) ring designs, including channel set bands and minimal setting diamond bands that emphasize the stones.. Three stone engagement rings are increasingly popular, and Tiffany engagement rings often use fancy shapes such as ovals, heart s, pears, and tapered baguettes for exquisite arrangements. Rings Price ranges Sterling silver rings $100 -$1000 fortunate rings $250 over $ 5000 Platinum rings $250 over $ 5000 One carat diamond ring $95,00-$35,000 White gold rings $500 over $5000 Every ring is unique, each with its own precise gemological characteristics, determine will vary. All rings meet Tiffanys strict quality requirements and Tiffany engagement ring prices are offered C. Promotion. Tiffany & Co periodically conducts product promotional events and regularly advertises, primarily in newspapers and magazines.. In Fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005, company spent approximately $174 million, $162million and $137million, respectively, on worldwide advertising, which includes costs for media, production, catalogs, promotional events and other related items. prevalent Relations (promotional)activity is a significant aspect of Registrants business. Management believes that Tiffanys image is heighten by a p olitical platform of charity sponsorships, grants and merchandise donations. For example, Tiffany & Co. serves as the Awards Sponsor of the inaugural Pasadena Marathon organization presented by Kaiser Permanente. The organizations mission is to promote an enhanced quality of life for those who work, live, or attend school in the Pasadena area. Thus, company offers financial and logistical reinforcement to local civic and philanthropic agencies. In addition ,in support of its mission to preserve the natural heritage that distinguishes great urban centers, The Tiffany & Co.Foundation announced grants on phratry 25, 2008 to three organizationsHermann Park Conservancy in Houston, Parkways Foundation in Chicago, and The Vizcayans in Miamifor the restoration of parks and gardens in their individual cities, totaling $2,750,000. These grants expand the Foundations urban parks program that originated with support for New York Citys parks Donations are also made to The Tiffany & Co. Founda tion, a private foundation organized to support the charitable organizations with efforts concentrated in environmental conservation and support for the decorative arts. Tiffany also engages in a program of retail promotions and media activities to maintain consumer awareness of the Company and its products.Each year, Tiffany publishes its well-known Blue Book which showcases jewelry and other merchandise. Registrant considers these and other promotional efforts important in maintaining Tiffanys image. D. Channel of distribution. The Company operates in three segments Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe. Americas includes sales in TIFFANY & CO. stores in the United States, Canada and Latin/South America. Tiffany distributes a selection of its products in the United States and Canada through its Websites at www. tiffany. com and www. tiffany. ca. Tiffany also distributes catalogs of selected merchandise to its list of customers in the United States and to mailing lists rented from thir d parties.In addition, Business account holders may make gift purchases through the Companys website at http//business. tiffany. com . Price allowances are given to eligible business account holders for certain purchases on the Tiffany for Business website. Moreover, products and services are marketed through a sales organization, through advertising in newspapers and business periodicals and through the publication of special catalogs. The retail sales in Asia-Pacific region consists of sales transacted in TIFFANY & CO. locations in Japan, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, Singapore, Macau and Malaysia. The Company does business in Japan through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tiffany & Co. Japan, Inc. The Company offers a selection of TIFFANY & CO. erchandise for purchase in Japan and Australia through its Websites at www. tiffany. co. jp and www. tiffany. com/au. Selected TIFFANY & CO. merchandise is sold to independent distributors for resale in Asia-Pacific markets, pred ominantly in the Middle Eastern region. As for Europe , retail sales consists of sales transacted in TIFFANY & CO. stores in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain and Ireland. The Company offers a selection of TIFFANY & CO. merchandise for purchase in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland through its Website at www. tiffany. com/uk International Retail The following tables set locations operated by Tiffany & Co Europe Austria Vienna Italy Milan France Paris, Galeries Lafayette Italy Rome France Paris, Printemps department store Switzerland Zurich France Paris, Rue de la Paix United Kingdom London, Harrods Germany capital of Kentucky United Kingdom London, Old Bond Street Germany Hamburg United Kingdom London, Royal Exchange Germany Munich United Kingdom London, Selfridges Italy Bologna United Kingdom London, Sloane Street Italy Florence Canada and Central/South America Canada Toronto Mexic o Mexico City, Palacio Store, Perisur Canada Vancouver Mexico Mexico City, Palacio Store, Polanco Brazil Sao Paulo, Jardins Mexico Monterrey, Palacio Store Brazil Sao Paulo, Iguatemi Shopping Center Mexico Puebla, Palacio Store Mexico Mexico City, Masaryk Mexico Santa Fe Asia-Pacific Excluding Japan Australia Brisbane Australia Melbourne Australia Sydney China Beijing, The Peninsula Palace Hotel China Beijing, oriental person Plaza China Shanghai, Jiu Guang City Plaza China Shanghai, Plaza 66 China Tianjin Hong Kong Elements Hong Kong Hong Kong International airport Hong Kong International Finance Center Hong Kong The Landmark Center Hong Kong Pacific Place Hong Kong The Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong Sogo Department Store Korea Busan, troller Department Store Korea Seoul, Galleria Luxury Hall East Dept.Store Korea Seoul, Hyundai Department Store Korea Seoul, Hyundai Coex Department Store Korea Seoul, Lotte Downtown Department Store Korea Seo ul, Lotte World Korea Seoul, Shinsegae Main Macau The Venetian safety Macau Wynn Resort Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, KLCC Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Pavillion Singapore ChangiAirport Singapore Ngee Ann City Singapore Raffles Hotel Taiwan Kaohsiung, Hanshin Department Store Taiwan Taichung, Sogo Department Store Taiwan capital of Taiwan, The Regent Hotel Taiwan Taipei, Sogo Department Store Taiwan Taipei, Taipei Financial Center E. Service pic Customer service is a companys most effective tool, therefore, they strive to keep customers happy. Tiffany representatives are available for telephone and email support twenty-four hours a day. There are many informative FAQs and articles on their website. Email customer service.Any customer who has question or assistance can complete the special form. They can find this form in the web site of company. Jewelry care. paid cleanings are recommended as often as once a year. For this reason company encourage customers to trifle the ir Tiffany & Co. jewelry back to us for professional servicing. Company staff is knowledgeable and experienced in all aspects of jewelry care cleaning gemstones, restringing pearls and repairing clasps and earring backs. Due to the fact that our items are bought over the Internet, cannot be tried on ahead of time and are bought site unseen, company have developed the following return and exchange policy for customer service purposes. For ReturnsAll returns must be postmarked within 7 days of tar and must be in resalable conditions. Buyer is responsible for the fare charges to return. The $9. 99 shipping fee and a 15% restocking fee will be deducted from the refund amount For Exchanges Exchanges are only allowed for the items which are spoiled or damaged upon receipt or the items do not fit and are not win to a restocking fee. Items must be returned within 15 days of delivery and the customer is responsible for shipping charges to return. All items can only exchange for equal pri ce replacement Tiffany also arranges to have items resized. All purchases through Tiffany& Co. s website include a 30 day, full refund, satisfaction guarantee. II. Marketing Research firing into Kazakhstany market is a market development for company Tiffany, so managers of Tiffany need information in order to introduce products and services that create value in the mind of the customer. But the perception of value is a subjective one, and what customers value this year may be quite different from what they value next year. As such, the attributes that create value cannot simply be deducted from common knowledge. Rather, data must be collected and analyzed. The ending of marketing research is to provide the facts and direction that managers need to make their more important marketing decisions.In order to screen the market, our group made a standard test research, we created the questionnaire, that helps to identify if the population of Kazakhstan is ready to buy Tiffany products, sum of money, that people want to pay and finally the product mix, that will be provide in this country. The questionnaire has the following form ? 1. . ( ) 2. ?) 18-24 b) 25-32 ?) 33-39 d) 40-46 e) 46 3. ?) $1000 b) $1000 $2,500 ?) $2,500 ? 4. ? Tiffany? . , 5. ? 6. ?) $100-$250 b) $250-$500 ?) $1,000-$5,000 d) ? 7. - . , , 8. Tiffany? , , 9. a) ? b) ? c) ? d) ? 10. Tiffany? ?) b) c) ? 11. Tiffany? a) , b) , c) d) , ? , Our group made a research, 50 random respondents have answered questionnaire, and after the survey we received following results 27% of respondents doesnt know anything about Tiffany 48% are ready to buy Tiffany products, but have never done it before 18% know about Tiffany and already have use its production % are not kindle in Tiffany products III. Financials A. Sales/revenue forecast(s) By territory Years Ended January31, (in thousands) Net sales $ By Products (in thousands) Net sales $ 2 , 8 5 9 , 9 9 7 (in thousands) Expenses (in thousands, draw off per share amounts) Net sales $ Net Income $ 220,022 $ 323,478 $ 272,897 References 1. Kotler P. (2003) Marketing Management. 11th edition. New Jersey, Pearson education Inc. 2. www. Gazeta. kz, (02. 01. 09), . Online. Available from http//www. gazeta. kz/art. asp? aid=124611 Accessed June 21209 3. , (03. 02. 09), . Online Available from http//www. rosbalt. u/2009/02/03/614987. html Accessed June 21 2009 4. Tiffany , Shareholder information Online Available from http//investor. tiffany. com/faq. cfm? SH_No_JavaScript=yes Accessed June 21 2009 5. www. Murman. ru,(05. 02. 09) Online Available from http//business. murman. ru/research/33/473/? id=108 Accessed June 21 2009 6. Export. by, , Online Available from http/ /export. by/? act=s_docs=view=1615=by_country=58=archive=64 Accessed June 21 2009 7. http//www. tiffanyandcofoundation. org/news/article/08%20Urban%20Parks%20Program. spx Tiffany & CO foundation 8. http//sec. edgar-online. com/tiffanyco/10-k-annual-report/2006/03/31/Section3. aspx -Annual report of Tiffany & Co 9. http//www. tiffany. com/ the main website 10. http//online-jewelry-review. toptenreviews. com/tiffany-amp-co-review. html Online Jewelry Review pic pic pic pic World Wide Scale Increase the number of loyal users Attract new customers Different loyalty programs Make the products more affordable The price range starts from $100 Discounts, Coupons Tiffanys lamp Charles Lewis Tiffany First Tiffany Store Tiffany Store in Tokio Wedding Rings Bvlgari rings Cartier rings

Second Foundation 2. Two Men without the Mule

The send was in near- representiness. No tenuousg lacked, but the destination. The Mule had suggested a sink to Trantor the military man that was the bulk of an incomparable Galactic metropolis of the hugest Empire mankind had always known the unsoundedborn military man that had been capital of all the stars.Pritcher disapproved. It was an r are path sucked dry.He plunge Bail Channis in the ships vanishing room. The childlike mans rollingy hair was just sufficiently disheve lead to allow a single curl to droop all over the forehead as if it had been carefully placed thither and blush teeth showed in a smile that matched it. Vaguely, the stiff officer felt himself harden against the other.Channis excitement was evident, Pritcher, its too far a coincidence.The general give tongue to coldly Im not aware of the subject of conversition.Oh- Well, then drag up a chair, old man, and lets get into it. Ive been going over your notes. I find them excellent.How pleasant that you do. moreover Im wondering if youve complete to the conclusions I become. accept you of all time tried analyzing the problem deductively? I mean, its all very well to weed come to the fore the stars at random, and to extradite d adept all you did in quintet expeditions is quite a bit of star-hopping. Thats obvious. But have you calculated how long it would take to go d wholeness every known world at this rate?Yes. Several eras, Pritcher felt no urge to meet the young man halfway, but on that point was the importance of filching the others judging the others uncontrolled, and hence, unpredictable, mind.Well, then, suppose were analytical nearly it and try to decide just what were looking for?The s floor, said Pritcher, grimly.A root of psychologists, corrected Channis, who are as weak in physical skill as the First Foundation was weak in psychology. Well, youre from the First Foundation, which Im not. The implications are probably obvious to you. We moldiness fin d a world which rules by virtue of mental skills, and yet which is very backwards scientifically.Is that needfully so? questi angiotensin-converting enzymed Pritcher, quietly. Our own Union of Worlds isnt backwards scientifically, charge though our ruler owes his strength to his mental powers.Because he has the skills of the First Foundation to draw upon, came the s readablely impatient answer, and that is the plainly such(prenominal) reservoir of knowl move on in the Galaxy. The Second Foundation must live among the dry crumbs of the broken Galactic Empire. There are no pickings there.So then you postulate mental power sufficient to establish their rule over a group of worlds and physical helplessness as well?Comparative physical helplessness. over against the decadent inhabit areas, they are competent to defend themselves. Against the resurgent forces of the Mule, with his background of a mature atomic economy, they cannot stand. Else, why is their kettle of fish so well-hid den, both at the start by the fo downstairs, Hari Seldon, and now by themselves. Your own First Foundation made no secret of its existence and did not have it made for them, when they were an undefended single urban center on a l angiotensin-converting enzymely planet lead hundred years ago.The smooth lines of Pritchers dark smell twitched sardonically. And now that youve finished your deep analysis, would you like a list of all the kingdoms, republics, planet states and dictatorships of whizz grade or another in that political wilderness out there that correspond to your description and to several(prenominal) factors besides?All this has been considered then? Channis unconnected none of his brashness.You wont find it here, naturally, but we have a only worked out guide to the political units of the Opposing Periphery. Really, did you suppose the Mule would work entirely hit-and-miss?Well, then and the young mans voice rose in a burst of energy, what of the Oligarchy of Tazend a?Pritcher touched his ear thoughtfully, Tazenda? Oh, I think I know it. Theyre not in the Periphery, are they? It seems to me theyre fully a third of the way towards the center of the Galaxy.Yes. What of that?The records we have place the Second Foundation at the other end of the Galaxy. Space knows its the only thing we have to go on. Why talk of Tazenda anyway? Its angular deviation from the First Foundation radian is only round one hundred ten to one hundred twenty degrees anyway. Nowhere near one hundred eighty.Theres another head teacher in the records. The Second Foundation was established at Stars End.No such region in the Galaxy has ever been located.Because it was a local name, suppressed later for greater secrecy. Or maybe one invented for the purpose by Seldon and his group. Yet theres some relationship between Stars End and Tazenda, dont you think?A vague similarity in sound? Insufficient.Have you ever been there?No.Yet it is mentioned in your records.Where? Oh, yes, but that was simply to take on food and water. There was certainly nothing remarkable close to the world.Did you land at the ruling planet? The center of government?I couldnt possibly say.Channis brooded about it under the others cold gaze. thusly, Would you look at the crystalline lens with me for a wink?Certainly.The Lens was perhaps the newest feature of the interstellar cruisers of the day. Actually, it was a complicated calculating machine which could throw on a screen a transcript of the night sky as seen from any given point of the Galaxy.Channis adjusted the co-ordinate points and the wall lights of the pilot room were extinguished. In the dim red light at the control board of the Lens, Channis face glowed ruddily. Pritcher sit in the pilot seat, long legs crossed, face lost in the gloom.Slowly, as the induction period passed, the points of light brightened on the screen. And then they were thick and bright with the generously populated star-groupings of the Galaxys ce nter.This, explained Channis, is the winter night-sky as seen from Trantor. That is the important point that, as far as I know, has been neglected so far in your search. All natural orientation must start from Trantor as zero point. Trantor was the capital of the Galactic Empire. Even more so scientifically and culturally, than politically. And, therefore, the significance of any descriptive name should stem, nine times out of ten, from a Trantorian orientation. Youll think back in this connection that, although Seldon was from Helicon, towards the Periphery, his group worked on Trantor itself.What is it youre trying to show me? Pritchers level voice plunged icily into the assembly enthusiasm of the other.The map will explain it. Do you see the dark nebula? The shadow of his arm strike down upon the screen, which took on the bespanglement of the Galaxy. The pointing finger ended on a particular patch of black that seemed a golf hole in the speckled fabric of light. The stellag raphical records call it Pelots Nebula. Watch it. Im going to expand the image.Pritcher had watched the phenomenon of Lens Image expansion in the lead but he still caught his breath. It was like being at the visiplate of a spaceship storming through a horribly crowded Galaxy without entering hyperspace. The stars diverged towards them from a common center, flared outwards and tumbled off the edge of the screen. Single points became double, then globular. Hazy patches dissolved into myriad points. And always that illusion of motion.Channis spoke through it all, Youll flier that we are moving along the direct line from Trantor to Pelots Nebula, so that in effect we are still looking at a stellar orientation equivalent to that of Trantor. There is probably a subtile error because of the gravitic deviation of light that I havent the math to calculate for, but Im sure it cant be significant.The fantasm was spreading over the screen. As the rate of magnification slowed, the stars sl ipped off the four ends of the screen in a regretful leave-taking. At the rims of the growing nebula, the brilliant universe of stars shone abruptly in token for that light which was merely hidden behind the swirling unradiating atom fragments of sodium and calcium that filled cubic parsecs of space.And Channis pointed again, This has been called The Mouth by the inhabitants of that region of space. And that is significant because it is only from the Trantorian orientation that it looks like a mouth. What he indicated was a rift in the body of the Nebula, cause like a ragged, grin mouth in profile, outlined by the glazing glory of the starlight with which it was filled.Follow The Mouth. said Channis. Follow The Mouth towards the gullet as it narrows down to a thin, splintering line of light.Again the screen spread out a trifle, until the Nebula stretched away from The Mouth to block off all the screen but that narrow slabber and Channis finger silently followed it down, to wher e it straggled to a halt, and then, as his finger continued moving onward, to a spot where one single star sparked lonesomely and there his finger halted, for beyond that was blackness, unrelieved.Stars End, said the young man, simply. The fabric of the Nebula is thin there and the light of that one star finds its way through in just that one direction to sparkle on Trantor.Youre tying to tell me that- the voice of the Mules general died in suspicion.Im not trying. That is Tazenda Stars End.The lights went on. The Lens flicked off. Pritcher reached Channis in three long strides, What made you think of this?And Channis leaned back in his chair with a queerly puzzled scene on his face. It was accidental. Id like to take intellectual credit for this, but it was only accidental. In any case, even it happens, it fits. According to our references, Tazenda is an oligarchy. It rules twenty-seven inhabited planets. It is not advanced scientifically. And most of all, it is an obscure wor ld that has adhered to a harsh neutrality in the local politics of that stellar region, and is not expansionist. I think we ought to see it.Have you informed the Mule of this?No. Nor shall we. Were in space now, about to make the first hop.Pritcher, in sharp horror, sprang to the visiplate. Cold space met his eyes when he adjusted it. He gazed fixedly at the view, then turned. Automatically, his tump over reached for the hard, comfortable curve of the butt of his b coatinger.By whose order?By my order, general- it was the first time Channis had ever used the others title -while I was engaging you here. You probably felt no acceleration, because it came at the twinkling I was expanding the palm of the Lens and you undoubtedly imagined it to be an illusion of the apparent star motion.Why? well(p) what are you doing? What was the point of your nonsense about Tazenda, then?That was no nonsense. I was completely serious. Were going there. We leftover today because we were schedule d to leave three days from now. General, you dont believe there is a Second Foundation, and I do. You are merely following the Mules orders without faith I recognize a serious danger. The Second Foundation has now had five years to prepare. How theyve prepared, I dont know, but what if they have agents on Kalgan. If I carry about in my mind the knowledge of the whereabouts of the Second Foundation, they may discover that. My life might be no longer safe, and I have a great affection for my life. Even on a thin and remote possibility such as that, I would rather p nonplus safe. So no one knows of Tazenda but you, and you found out only after we were out in space. And even so, there is the hesitation of the crew. Channis was smiling again, ironically, in obviously complete control of the situation.Pritchers happen fell away from his blaster, and for a moment a vague discomfort pierced him. What kept him from action? What deadened him? There was a time when he was a rebellious and un promoted captain of the First Foundations commercial empire, when it would have been himself rather than Channis who would have taken prompt and daring action such as that. Was the Mule right? Was his controlled mind so relate with obedience as to lose initiative? He felt a thickening despondency sustain him down into a strange lassitude.He said, Well done However, you will consult me in the upcoming before making decisions of this nature.The flickering signal caught his attention.Thats the engine room, said Channis, casually. They warmed up on five minutes notice and I asked them to let me know if there was any trouble. Want to hold the fort?Pritcher nodded mutely, and cogitated in the sudden loneliness on the evils of approaching fifty. The visiplate was sparsely starred. The main body of the Galaxy misted one end. What if he were free of the Mules influence-But he recoiled in horror at the thought.***Chief Engineer Huxlani looked sharply at the young, ununiformed man who carr ied himself with the assurance of a Fleet officer and seemed to be in a specify of authority. Huxlani, as a regular Fleet man from the days his chin had dripped milk, generally confused authority with specialised insignia.But the Mule had appointed this man, and the Mule was, of course, the last word. The only word for that matter. not even subconsciously did he question that. Emotional control went deep.He handed Channis the inadequate oval bearing without a word.Channis hefted it, and smiled engagingly.Youre a Foundation man, arent you, chief?Yes, sir. I served in the Foundation Fleet eighteen years before the First Citizen took over.Foundation training in engineering?Qualified Technician, First Class Central take aim on Anacreon.Good enough. And you found this on the communication circuit, where I asked you to look?Yes, Sir.Does it belong there?No, Sir.Then what is it?A hypertracer, sir.Thats not enough. Im not a Foundation man. What is it?Its a device to allow the ship to be traced through hyperspace.In other words we can be followed anywhere.Yes, Sir.All right. Its a recent invention, isnt it? It was genuine by one of the Research Institutes set up by the First Citizen, wasnt it?I believe so, Sir.And its works are a government secret. Right?I, believe so, Sir.Yet here it is. Intriguing.Channis tossed the hypertracer methodically from hand to hand for a a few(prenominal) seconds. Then, sharply, he held it out, Take it, then, and put it back exactly where you found it and exactly how you found it. Understand? And then forget this incident. EntirelyThe chief choked down his near-automatic salute, turned sharply and left.The ship bounded through the Galaxy, its path a wide-spaced dotted line through the stars. The dots, referred to, were the scant stretches of ten to sixty light-seconds spent in normal space and between them stretched the hundred-and-up light-year gaps that represented the hops through hyperspace.Bail Channis sat at the control pane l of the Lens and felt again the involuntary surge of near-worship at the expression of it.He was not a Foundation man and the interplay of forces at the twist of a knob or the breaking of a contact was not second nature to him.Not that the Lens ought quite to bore even a Foundation man. Within its unbelievably compact body were enough electronic circuits to pin-point accurately a hundred million separate stars in exact relationship to each other. And as if that were not a feat in itself, it was further capable of translating any given portion of the Galactic vault of heaven along any of the three spatial axes or to rotate any portion of the Field about a center.It was because of that, that the Lens had performed a near-revolution in interstellar tour. In the younger days of interstellar travel, the enumeration of each hop through hyperspace meant any amount of work from a day to a hebdomad and the larger portion of such work was the more or less precise calculation of Ships impersonate on the Galactic scale of reference. Essentially that meant the accurate observation of at least three widely-spaced stars, the position of which, with reference to the arbitrary Galactic triple-zero, were known.And it is the word known, that is the catch. To any who know the star field well from one certain reference point, stars are as individual as people. Jump ten parsecs, however, and not even your own sun is recognizable. It may not even be visible.The answer was, of course, spectroscopic analysis. For centuries, the main object of interstellar engineering was the analysis of the light signature of more and more stars in greater and greater detail. With this, and the growing precision of the hop itself, standard routes of travel through the Galaxy were adopted and interstellar travel became less of an art and more of a science.And yet, even under the Foundation with improved calculating machines and a new method of mechanically scanning the star field for a known li ght signature, it sometimes took days to locate three stars and then calculate position in regions not previously old(prenominal) to the pilot.It was the Lens that changed all that. For one thing it required only a single known star. For another, even a space tyro such as Channis could operate it.The nearest sizable star at the moment was Vincetori, according to hop calculations, and on the visiplate now, a bright star was centered. Channis hoped that it was Vincetori.The field screen of the Lens was thrown directly next that of the visiplate and with careful fingers, Channis punched out the co-ordinates of Vincetori. He closed a relay, and the star field sprang to bright view. In it, too, a bright star was centered, but otherwise there seemed no relationship. He adjusted the Lens along the Z-Axis and expanded the Field to where the photometer showed both centered stars to be of tinct brightness.Channis looked for a second star, sizably bright, on the visiplate and found one on th e field screen to correspond. Slowly, he turn the screen to similar angular deflection. He twisted his mouth and rejected the result with a grimace. Again he rotated and another bright star was brought into position, and a third. And then he grinned. That did it. Perhaps a specialist with trained relationship perception might have clicked first try, but hed settle for three.That was the adjustment. In the final step, the two fields overlapped and merged into a sea of not-quite-rightness. Most of the stars were close doubles. But the exquisite adjustment did not take long. The double stars melted together, one field remained, and the Ships Position could now be read directly off the dials. The entire procedure had taken less than half an hour.Channis found Han Pritcher in his private quarters. The general was quite apparently preparing for bed. He looked up.News?Not particularly. Well be at Tazenda in another hop.I know.I dont want to bother you if youre turning in, but have you lo oked through the fill we picked up in Cil?Han Pritcher cast a disparaging look at the article in question, where it lay in its black case upon his low bookshelf, Yes.And what do you think?I think that if there was ever any science to History, it has been quite lost in this region of the Galaxy.Channis grinned broadly, I know what you mean. Rather barren, isnt it?Not if you enjoy personal chronicles of rulers. Probably unreachable, I should say, in both directions. Where history concerns mainly personalities, the drawings become every black or white according to the interests of the writer. I find it all remarkably useless.But there is talk about Tazenda. Thats the point I tried to make when I gave you the film. Its the only one I could find that even mentioned them.All right. They have good rulers and bad. Theyve conquered a few planets, won some battles, lost a few. There is nothing distinctive about them. I dont think much of your theory, Channis.But youve mazed a few points. Di dnt you notice that they never formed coalitions? They always remained completely outside the politics of this command of the star swarm. As you say, they conquered a few planets, but then they stopped and that without any startling bastinado of consequence. Its just as if they spread out enough to protect themselves, but not enough to draw and quarter attention.Very well, came the unemotional response. I have no objection to landing. At the worst a little lost time.Oh, no. At the worst complete defeat. If it is the Second Foundation. Remember it would be a world of space-knows-how-many Mules.What do you plan to do?Land on some minor subject planet. Find out as much as we can about Tazenda first, then improvise from that.All right. No objection. If you dont mind now, I would like the light out.Channis left with a wave of his hand.And in the darkness of a tiny room in an island of driving metal lost in the vastness of space, General Han Pritcher remained awake, following the th oughts that led him through such fantastic reaches.If everything he had so painfully decided were true and how all the facts were commence to fit then Tazenda was the Second Foundation. There was no way out. But how? How?Could it be Tazenda? An ordinary world? One without distinction? A slum lost amid the wreckage of an Empire? A splinter among the fragments? He remembered, as from a distance, the Mules shriveled face and his thin voice as he used to speak of the old Foundation psychologist, Ebling Mis, the one man who had maybe learned the secret of the Second Foundation.Pritcher recalled the tension of the Mules words It was as if astonishment had overwhelmed Mis. It was as though something about the Second Foundation had surpassed all his expectations, had driven in a direction completely different from what he might have assumed. If I could only have read his thoughts rather than his emotions. Yet the emotions were plain and above everything else was this vast surprise.Sur prise was the keynote. Something supremely astonishing And now came this boy, this grinning youngster, glibly joyful about Tazenda and its undistinguished subnormality. And he had to be right. He had to. Otherwise, nothing made sense.Pritchers last conscious thought had a touch of grimness. That hypertracer along the Etheric tube was still there. He had checked it one hour back, with Channis well out of the way.Second InterludeIt was a casual meeting in the anteroom of the Council Chamber just a few moments before passing into the Chamber to take up the commercial enterprise of the day and the few thoughts flashed back and forth quickly.So the Mule is on his way.Thats what I hear, too. Risky aright riskyNot if affairs adhere to the functions set up.The Mule is not an ordinary man and it is ticklish to manipulate his chosen instruments without detection by him. The controlled minds are difficult to touch. They say hes caught on to a few cases.Yes, I dont see how that can be av oided.Uncontrolled minds are easier. But so few are in positions of authority under him-They entered the Chamber. Others of the Second Foundation followed them.