The Dark Knight By Christopher Nolan - 2179 Words

In the movie, The Dark Knight by Christopher Nolan, Joker, the immoral character, tries to create a state of dilemma in people’s point of view. This movie was aired in 2008, and it is known for its action and adventure genre. Joker tries to evoke the citizens of Gotham by putting them in dangerous terrorist attacks, in order to confuse them about the order verses disorders of the society. This essay will explore ideas such as good verses evil, socially accepted moralities. The film opens with a group of thugs wearing clown masks rubbing a bank. However, during the job each member begins to kill one another one by one, the remaining rubber reveals himself to be the joker, a crazy super villain, who escapes from the bank in a school bus. The district attorney of Gotham, Hervey Dent, is leading a campaign against organized crime and it is heralded by the citizens of the Gotham. Then, he begins to investigate other banks that are suspected of having mob ties. Several mob leaders hold a conference which is interrupted by the joker. The joker offers to kill the Batman in exchange for half of a large amount of money that was stolen from mob bosses by the Chinese man named Lau. After the joker shows a feet of his strangeness and his strength they hired the Joker. That means he needs to find Lau and brings him back to the city of Gotham to testify against the mob. Dent is able to put five hundred and forty nine criminals in custody under the Rico law. In respon se, Joker begins toShow MoreRelatedThe Dark Knight, By Christopher Nolan1398 Words   |  6 Pagesis shaped. It depends on how one attributes and characteristics are set, which is what molds a person to be who they truly are. The Dark Knight, which is directed by Christopher Nolan, is the second installment on Nolan’s batman trilogy. It is a story based on the DC character Batman, who struggles against the odds of the psychotic villain, the joker. In The Dark Knight, the main characters consist of: Batman, The Joker, Alfred, Lt. James Gordon, Harvey dent/Two Face, and Rachel Dawes; all of themRead MoreThe Dark Knight By Christopher Nolan1428 Words   |  6 PagesThe movie the Dark Knight directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Heath Ledger and Christian Bale, exhibits a wide variety of different psychological principles and theories. The Dark Knight is about the popular superhero, originating from the year of our Lord nineteen thirty nine, Batman and his struggle to preserv e the order in the city of Gotham, where he was born and raised. He is challenged by the strongest adversary he has ever met, a disturbed name that goes by the name the Joker, when heRead MoreReview Of Christopher Nolan s The Dark Knight 1138 Words   |  5 PagesJalen Mathis Professor Drummond English 1101 4 December 16 Prompt #3 -Scene analysis I chose to analyze The Dark Knight (2008) directed by Christopher Nolan. My scene begins at 00:01:13 and ends at 00:05:54. I chose to analyze this scene because it contains interesting points that I have recognized, as the villain shows different characteristics, using aspects such as camera angles. In this analysis, I will be looking at the setting, lighting, sound and the use of the camera and how each of theseRead MoreReview Of Christopher Nolan s The Dark Knight 1781 Words   |  8 Pages Directed by Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight is not a film normally considered a member of the western genre by any means. The western genre is meant to captivate a viewer with action on the frontier of the ol’ west. From bank robberies to mining towns wanted for land, the western brought many new film plots and characteristics to the big screen. The main appeal of westerns started dying off in the late 1900s but that has not stopped modern day film makers from producing them. Fil ms such asRead MoreAnalysis Of Christopher Nolan s The Dark Knight Trilogy 963 Words   |  4 Pagesdirector I have chosen to write about is none other than Christopher Nolan. I chose to write about him not just because he did one of my favorite superhero movies of all time (The Dark Knight Trilogy), but he is one of my favorite directors of all time. After reading Andrew Sarris article, I will stick with the meaning of what I have said before, but there are three circles I must know: the outer, middle and inner (technique, style, and meaning). Nolan in my opinion, fits within the whole auteur thing becauseRead MoreThe Duality Within People By Christopher Nolan s The Dark Knight1278 Words   |  6 Pagesare displayed in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, through the character of Harvey Dent, who becomes Two-Face. Two-Face plays a crucial role for the understanding of human nature, as he is a manifestation of the inner turmoil of good versus evil that resides within peopl e. Two-Face’s corrupted and evil environment, Gotham City, contributes to the cultivation of his inner evil. The sad and negative situations that Two-Face experiences are also a cause to the development of his dark side. FurthermoreRead MoreThe Dark Knight and Defining Evil Essay1727 Words   |  7 Pagesempty definition. This inability to define evil manifests itself in out literature, politics and especially our entertainment. Films like The Dark Knight portray how evil can range from a true hero that is seen as a threat or villain to society to maniac that kills steals and wreaks havoc with no reason, like The Joker. In The Dark Knight Christopher Nolan portrays the difficulty in defining evil and the many forms evil can take in our society through the complex relationships between Batman, TheRead MoreA Dream Thief By Christopher Nolan1605 Words   |  7 PagesChristopher Nolan s extit{Inception} depicts Dom Cobb as a dream thief with the ability to enter ones unconsci ous or subconscious through dreams, and access their secrets. His particular set of skills costs him his wife s life, and as a result, loses the ability to see his kids as well. He and a team of associates are briefed with the task to plant an idea in Robert Fischer, the heir of a multi-billion dollar empire. However Cobb s constant battle with his past proves more of an obstacle thanRead MoreThe Technical Quality of The Dark Knight1396 Words   |  6 PagesThe Dark Knight The Dark Knight is an action hero film from 2008 directed and co-written by Christopher Nolan. It is Christopher Nolan’s second film based on the comic hero Batman, and it’s the second movie to the 2005 Batman Begins. As Roger Ebert explains, â€Å"It creates characters we come to care about. That’s because of the performances, because of the direction, because of the writing, and because of the superlative technical quality of the entire production.† The stars include Christian BaleRead MoreThe Dark Knight And The Departed Film Analysis1970 Words   |  8 Pagessignificant connection between the four films The Dark Knight directed by Christopher Nolan, The Departed directed by Martin Scorsese, The Prestige directed by Christopher Nolan and Gone Girl directed by David Fincher is the way in which the directors have manipulated the narrative structure to engage the audience in contrasting ways. Christopher Nolan and Martin Scorsese used equally weighted pr otagonists and antagonists in the films The Dark Knight and The Departed to create the narrative structure

Industrialization During The Civil War - 1281 Words

The Industrialization era in the United States brought immense change to the rebuilding country after the civil war. During the Industrialization era in the United States reforms were made to help create a better working condition to go along with the increase of production and growing number of people in the workforce. Key individuals helped advance the process of a more industrialized America, however corruption in business and politics also monopolies in certain parts of industries came with people’s desire to attain more wealth. The Industrialization era helped modernize the country into what we know today. When compared to the industrialization eras of other countries the United States was the shortest. The Industrialization era came to be known as the gilded age, and towards the end of industrialization was the start of the progressive era. During the progressive era social reforms, and political activism were the focal points. The start of the industrial era in the United States began after reconstruction in the south ended after the civil war. Working conditions during this time were poor and dangerous. Unlike today there weren’t as many safety regulations and procedures that workers and business had to follow in order to prevent injuries. When people were injured on the job they didn’t receive workmen’s compensation like they do today, they usually lost their job to someone who could still work. Upton Sinclair the author of the book â€Å"The Jungle† talked aboutShow MoreRelatedIndustrialization During The Civil War2117 Words   |  9 PagesIndustrializ ation after the Civil War was a major component in creating the advanced world we live in today. The industrial revolution connected America through transportation, leading to easier communication. It shifted how the process of business went about allowing productivity to skyrocket. Industrialization changed how the average person lived their life with their family and how they earned money to provide for that family. Political control was superseded by the wealthy. It shifted the majorityRead MoreIndustrialization And Urbanization During The Civil War858 Words   |  4 PagesIndustrialization and urbanization that happened in America after the civil war, is a good manifestation that the country was moving along the right path. After the war, progress in terms of investments, industrialization and urbanization was inevitable. After the civil war in America, people from the south who had been displaced and the people who were free could now move to the west to work in the cattle dri ves, fight the Indians and also begin a new life as farmers. Social Darwinism philosophyRead MoreHis 105 Assignment 21361 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿ Industrialization after the Civil War John E. Brown Strayer University HIS 105- Contemporary U. S. History Professor Anthony McCormack November 9, 2014 Industrialization after the Civil War When the Civil War was declared over, the United States became a better nation because of the Constitutional Amendments that were passed outlawing slavery and giving the government as well as the state the ability to serve and protect everyone. This paper will also show major aspects ofRead MoreIndustrialization After the Civil War624 Words   |  3 PagesHubbard HSI105 | 11/07/14 ------------------------------------------------- Industrialization after the Civil War Anthony, McCormick HIS1405 Kimberly Hubbard HSI105 | 11/07/14 ------------------------------------------------- Industrialization after the Civil War Anthony, McCormick HIS1405 Industrialization after the Civil War Industrialization after the civil war, came with significant changes concerning most peoples lives. There were alsoRead MoreIntroduction Of Industrial Revolution And The War Of 18121577 Words   |  7 PagesIndustrial Revolution first began in North America. This location was very important for the sparking of the revolution because the railroad , which was one of the causes of industrialization, was built here. The Historical Catalysts of Industrial Revolution: †¢ The Embargo Act and the War of 1812: In the early 1800s, the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France challenged the neutrality of the United States. Britain and France created trade restrictions which was not only peaking others’ economies butRead MoreIntroduction Of The American Industrial Revolution1467 Words   |  6 PagesIndustrial Revolution first began in North America. This location was very important for the sparking of the revolution because the railroad, which was one of the causes of industrialization, was built here. The Historical Catalysts of Industrial Revolution: The Embargo Act and the War of 1812: In the early 1800s, the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France challenged the neutrality of the United States. Britain and France created trade restrictions which was not only peaking others’ economies butRead MoreReconstruction and Industrialization1446 Words   |  6 PagesAssignment 1: â€Å"America’s Post-Civil War Growing Pains† Reconstruction and Industrialization 1865-1900 Four years after the first shots were fired at Fort Sumter the Civil War ended with the Union’s Victory over the Confederacy. Though the war was over, there were still many problems that needed to be resolved in order to reunite the states as a nation. The time period in which steps were taken to rebuild the nation is known as reconstruction. Reconstruction lasted from 1865 until 1877. TheRead MoreThe Industrial Revolution And The War Of 18121461 Words   |  6 PagesIndustrial Revolution first began in North America. This location was very important for the sparking of the revolution because the railroad, which was one of the causes of industrialization, was built here. The Historical Catalysts of Industrial Revolution: The Embargo Act and the War of 1812: In the early 1800s, the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France challenged the neutrality of the United States. Britain and France created trade restrictions which was not only peaking others’ economies butRead MoreDiscuss the Political, Social, and Economic Impact of the Civil War on the Us.729 Words   |  3 PagesThe costs of the Civil War were enormous. The total number of military causalities on both sides exceeded 1 million. More men died in the Civil War than in all other American wars combined until Vietnam. However, the Civil War impacted the United States well beyond just deaths. The Civil war brought fundamental alterations in the life of the nation, changing the economy, the political landscape, as well as ways of life. Economically, wartime measures had introduced new federal involvement inRead MoreIndustrialization After the Civil War Research Paper1321 Words   |  6 PagesAssignment 1.2: Research Paper Industrialization after the Civil War Shana Dukes History 105 Professor Tracey M. Biagas February 3. 2014 Introduction Industrialization after the Civil War was a period where Industrial city were being built, there were jobs for people and the political aspect was having corruption. In this paper the main points in this paper discussed the major aspects of the Industrialization Revolution, such as groups that were affected by the Industrial society,

Globalization Advanced Free Trade, Open Markets, And...

Globalization advanced free trade, open markets, and competition in the world economy. Regrettably, this worldwide amalgamation and growth contributed to the equalities and inequalities between third world nation-states. The growing populace placed an extra demand on the third world nation-states for food, shelter, and clothing. Consequently, Africa, South Asia, and Latin America grew anxious since their populaces are predisposed to diseases, famine, and premature death. In chapter one of Promises Not Kept: Poverty and The Betrayal of Third-World Development John Isbister declared that in the twentieth cen ¬tury, The lives of people in the third world are changing. They are not improving, however, at least for the majority. In order to†¦show more content†¦Chapter one John Isbister book Promises Not Kept: Poverty and The Betrayal of Third -World Development brought to mind Huey Newton book Revolutionary Suicide. In the book’s Manifesto Mr. Newton differentiated between revolutionary suicide and reactionary suicide. Both he shared are social conditions that condemn a person to pre-mature death. Reactionary suicide deprives a person of human dignity; it renders the individual helpless while inducing spiritual, emotional and intellectual death in such a way that, â€Å"The victims have stopped fighting the form of oppression that drinks their blood.† This is caused by external factors that overwhelm, condemn and leaves a person powerless to gradually slip into a life of silent desperation. Revolutionary suicide, on the other hand, does not accept social conditions, but pushes against, â€Å"the forces that would drive me to self-murder.† In fact, Mr. Newton was not speaking about the taking of one’s life, but the social conditions that would cause a person or populace to relinquish all concept of security or prosperity. Undoubtedly, Mr. Isbister is determined to dispel widespread myths about third world countries gradually slipping into a life of silent hopelessness. The third world is undergoing rapid and sometimes chaotic social change: pop-ulations are growing and becoming more urbanized. Public health measures are lowering death rates. Within recent memory, nationalist independence

Crozier Head, Saint Michael Trampling the Serpent ---...

Title: Crozier Head, Saint Michael Trampling the Serpent Culture: early Christian Date: 2nd quarter in 13th century Provenience: Limoges, France Material: copper-gilt and champlevá º » enamel Measurements: 10  ¾ x 2 7/8 x 5  ½ in. As a symbol of jurisdiction and authority of high ranking catholic prelates, the crozier or known as pastoral staff at times is inspired by the shepherd’s crook. It can be used as a walking stick for support in journeys and in churches before the introduction of seats. In this crozier head, Saint Michael known as an emblem of church militant and an archangel (high-ranking angel) is battling the serpent which is the demon or satan. This figure indicate the two very opposing force between the good and evil, and†¦show more content†¦A pastoral staff with crook head shape on the top was starting to emerge. This kind of pastoral staff was called a crozier. This luxurious material made type of pastoral staff was used until nowadays. Most of this kind of pastoral staff often carved with biblical character and always show two opposing force when they were fighting to each other. Saint Michael battling the demon serpent was the most popular decoration to be carved on the crozier because it was the perfect representation of good and evil. It may be true that â€Å"In art, he is most frequently shown with a sword, either battling with or standing in triumph over a dragon or the prostrate Satan† (Jones 178). Saint Michael is one of three archangels (the other two are Gabriel and Raphael) that was mentioned in the Holy Bible. He was known as the general of heaven, protector of chosen people in earth. In early Catholic church, people considered him as the defender of Christianity. He was also charged with the guidance of souls here below, to protect them from devil’s snares and to lead them to the eternal light (Englebert, 369). Saint Michael is a famous character among all Christian figures. He often gave vision to people and give solution to every problem. An appearance of him once occurred among the monks in French, who built a monastery under his name, Mont-Saint-Michael. He also appeared in the cave of mount gargano, southern Italy on may 8th 492 and until now that

Strategic Adaptability free essay sample

Strategic adaptability is the ability of an organization to make changes in the way they conduct business and look at the various situations which arise. It is imperative that companies remain flexible enough to make adjustments that will beneficial to the well being of the company. There are many different aspects of the business world which can be benefited by the company remaining open to new ideas and options thereby being able to adapt their strategic plan to the current situation. In the case of Queen’s Hotel, changes in the hospitality industry create the need to stay current and flexible in order to maintain a competitive edge. By adapting to the changes in the hospitality industry, Queen’s Hotel will be able to attract customers by offering better customer service. SendOutCards is a company which conducts business solely online. With the growing popularity and convenience of the Internet, more and more companies are seeing a dramatic increase in the electronic side of their business. Because of the wider competition base, it is necessary for SendOutCards to find ways to set themselves apart from the other companies out there. By offering additional services, such as gift baskets, gift cards and e-cards, SendOutCards will be able to increase their sales and customer base by offering more options which will appeal to more people. 3M is a company which manufactures a wide variety of products and has a bigger opportunity to find ways to be adaptable. They can use the example of other companies which are in similar circumstances and learn lessons without the need to experience the event. By adapting in this manner, 3M will be proactive in making sure they are current with the trends and forces which may impact them. Odwalla is in the food and beverage industry and must look to the consumer for the trends which will affect their business. By staying on top of what people are looking for in their snack bars and beverages, Odwalla can provide products which will not only be natural and healthy, but they will satisfy the ever changing preferences of the health conscience consumer. The forces and trends which affect each of these businesses are many and constantly changing. We will address a few of these trends and discuss how these companies can adapt and improve their business by making strategic changes which will turn what could be a potentially difficult situation into a chance to grow and improve. Trends in the Hospitality Industry Every industry has trends and they play a big role in our society. The bell-bottom trend in clothing, the DVD player in an SUV in the car industry, the flat screen T. V. in your living room, but the most important trend is in the travel industry. What is a trend? According to dictionary. om, a trend is the general course or prevailing tendency; drift. If this is a direct quote it needs to be in parenthesis and not italicized! In marketing, it is the direction the market is heading . In economics, it is the behavior of the society. In this synopsis, three trends will be identified, their relevance in the hospitality industry explained, and how Queen’s Hotel has used the trends to strategically plan ahead. The tren ds-Travel, Internet, Casino hotels Travel: According to Plunkett, the travel business is now emerging as a more streamlined, efficient and focused industry. Many of the biggest, most successful firms are becoming extremely global in nature Is this another direct quote? (Plunkett, 2008). Many people are finding ways to travel, either for vacationing, business, or personal reasons. Internet: The information technology highway has found a way to help the consumer plan all their needs with the click of a mouse. The internet provides a simple way for consumers to shop in the privacy of their home. Casino hotels: Many hotels are now casino ready in most parts of the developed world. Casinos have become a trend that people have come to gamble with. Casinos have become part of the entertainment industry and provide a way for clients to book hotel with such amenity. Relevance of the trends in the hospitality industry Because the hospitality industry has become a way of life, many managers face unlimited opportunities to grow their businesses through the rapidly changing demands of their clients. Many hotels are partnering with travel agents to provide package deals for their clients. The travel agents are able to book hotels, tours, and attractions included with the plane ticket. Customers are able to use the internet to find deals. Not everyone prefers travel agents as they also come with a fee, therefore, many people are using the internet to package their travel needs. The internet has become a way to reward people for doing it themselves with online discounts, etc. According to a web article, 15 million people are addicted to gambling, casinos gross more than $30 billion dollars annually, 49% of 15 year olds, 63% of 16 year-olds, and 76% of 18 year-olds gamble (http://www. overcominggambling. com/facts. html Not correct citing) and this statistic is only in the U. S. Many people are attracted to casino hotels as it’s a form of entertainment. Queen’s Hotel Strategic Plan to the trends Queen’s Hotel realizes that travel, the internet and casinos are popular trends in the hospitality industry. The hotel has a website that allows customers to book online. If they do, they are given a 10% discount. The hotel has partnered with many online travel agents to provide package deals to customers. The hotel is looking to undergo a renovation to add a casino. Adding a casino in a third world hotel will give it an edge. Carlos Gift Basket Giving This trend of giving gift baskets has grown extensively in the 21st century. Gift baskets are easily available for purchase online and even more personalized than other items that you can give someone, such as flowers or candy. They allow the buyer to be more creative in their gift choice and they are a little more exciting for clients to receive. â€Å"They are beautiful and brimming with unique gifts and tasty treats. They are a more personalized gift than balloons, and more practical than sending flowers† (James). This trend has given corporate America other alternatives to market to clients, show appreciation or just to increase customer loyalty. It gives them the ability of giving something to their clients, or potential clients, which doesn’t come across as too over the top or too cheap. Relevance The reason why the trend of giving gift baskets has developed so quickly and has gained lots of popularity is that people feel they have more of a personal touch; and with the ease of ordering your gift basket over the internet, the convenience has made it easier for people to choose their options, on their own time frame, without having to go shopping at different stores or even package it nicely for the intended person. Since SendOutCards does all of their business online and offers a wide range of cards for different occasions at prices which are cheaper than those found at your local stores, the option to offer a service to clients other than cards just makes sense. Adaptability SendOutCards has decided to take the time to take advantage of this part of online business as well. Not only is their business based on the same concept of internet ease and options, they are now giving the option to send out a gift along with your card, in the form of candy, books, gift cards, gift baskets and other items. The gift basket, or gift giving industry, is a simple and convenient way to promote more business and to take advantage of a growing need for online purchasing of gifts. As Jennifer James states in her article on Fabjob. com, â€Å"Not only is the work fun and creative, but you can also start a gift basket business easily from home, by setting up a small space where you design and build your gift baskets† (James). Gift Cards The giving of gift cards has become an automatic option for business owners to give to their clients, or even as gifts. It has become so popular that people tend to give them to their family and friends for holidays and birthdays instead of taking the chance of purchasing something that may not be wanted or appreciated. Gift cards have become increasingly popular and can be found in almost any retail business. They are even found in grocery stores. It is almost to the point that people expect to find a gift card at their local retail store. Relevance According to an article in USA today by Rhonda Abrams in 2004; Two recent studies (by the National Retail Federation and by the accounting firm Deloitte and Touche) show the explosive size of the gift card market: †¢ 74. 3% of consumers will buy a gift card this holiday season †¢ 81% of consumers received a gift card last year †¢ 50. 2% of consumers would like to receive a gift card †¢ 12% of shoppers bought gift cards for their own use †¢ 11. 5% of the average consumers holiday budget will be spent on gift cards. (http://www. usatoday. om/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2004-12-10-cards_x. htm) This is not listed in References and is not correct citing! As we can see, there is a demand for gift cards and corporations are taking advantage of them. Not only do the companies use the gift cards as a selling point for people to buy gifts, they will have the opportunity to get new business from people using the cards and spending more money than what is actua lly on the card because they cannot cash out the card. According to Abrams article, â€Å"Customers buy more. 1% of gift card users spent more than the face value of the card. The average face value of a gift card in 2003 was $47. 20; those who spent more averaged a whopping $90† (Abrams, 2004). Adaptability This is an area that SendOutCards has tried to take advantage of. They do offer gift cards, but only from other businesses. They have not made the move to offer their own gift cards for their own products. It probably is not as feasible for them to do so as it may be more costly for them to pay for the cards and not have people use them since people could only use it for their products. Since most people don’t send themselves a gift or a greeting card, it would be like giving them a gift card so that they can give a gift to someone else, which defeats the purpose of giving a gift. SendOutCards has taken advantage of offering gift cards from other companies because they know there is a demand for them. They have negotiated a deal with these companies and buy them at a discounted price and have created a win-win situation for both them and the retailers who will see the extra revenue. E-Cards E-cards have developed ever since the internet has taken off. You can find about any card and in almost every language on the internet. According to an article by Keith Regan in the E-Commerce times in 2005, â€Å"According to Branch Internet Services, the first e-mail Christmas greeting cards were sent 10 years ago this season, when Dominos Farms Christmas Light Display worked with Branch to offer Web users the chance to e-mail photos of the holiday display. Fewer than 15,000 cards were sent that year, according to Branch† (Regan, 2005). Free E-Cards are offered all over the internet, but the businesses are not making much money. They were relying heavily on advertisement payments through banners and popup on their websites. Sally Babcock, of the e-card giant American Greetings Interactive said, â€Å"Since its inception, AGI, the online unit of the cards giant, has gone from a paid model to a free, ad-supported approach and has returned to a blended, mostly paid model once again† (Regan 2005). Many customers are seeing them as a real alternative to sending out a card in the mail and are even willing to pay the fees for the services. Relevance Ecards are still very popular amongst many internet users. The problem is that they still don’t have the personal touch that a physical card has. According to Babcock, â€Å"Even those who sell them for a living acknowledge that the day may never come when electronic greeting cards replace paper cards. But eCards are already far more than just a time-wasting diversion or a low-cost alternative to the real thing† (Regan, 2005). Some backers like the ecard approach because of the environmental friendly aspect of it. Adaptability The way SendOutCards has adapted to this industry is to offer a service that the online E-cards have not offered to this point. They offer to actually send out a physical card to a client, family, friend or acquaintance directly to the persons’ home. They have even offered the option for their users to send the card in their own handwriting, which personalizes the card that much more. They know that the e-card business is good for their target market, but the market which SendOutCards wants to target is those who want to make a bigger impression. AGI has tried this in the past but has not been successful in its attempts. Babcock admits, â€Å"Also gaining traction are online options to have cards personalized, printed and in some cases even mailed. In those cases, the customer is paying for convenience, said Babcock. â€Å"AGI also offers a print-at-home line of cards, she noted† (Regan, 2005). SendOutCards wants to be able to make a difference in people’s lives. They have the idea that it is more meaningful for people to go to the mail box, open it up and have the physical experience of reading the personalized card. SendOutCards has made it more affordable to be able to send out a card from your computer than it would cost you to go to the store, pick one out, stamp it and physically mail it out. They will do it for you, which takes about 60 seconds to do it all (Eliason, 2008). This is their niche that the industry has not caught up to as of yet. Being able to adapt to the economy and your competition is what will set you apart from others. SendOutCards has the difficult task to stay on top of its competitors by being able to offer a service that other businesses don’t have. They have taken the example of the gift basket industry and implemented what they could to be competitive in the gift giving industry. They know that they can gain clients who want more than just a greeting card. With this knowledge, they have implemented the procedure of offering other options besides just the greeting cards. SendOutCards also applied the example of the demand for the convenience of a gift card. This is an option which they developed in partnership with various retailers. They receive a discounted price for the gift cards in exchange for offering clients the option to purchase them thus allowing both to make money from the proceeds of the card. This also gives clients a larger variety of options. SendOutCards has an advantage over the E-Card industry by offering not only to package and send an actual card, but to do so in the handwriting of the client. They have developed a system which allows people to send the card without leaving their home to shop for the card and the hassle of finding a stamp to send it. They are trying to appeal to the people who still feel it more personal to send a card by traditional mail rather than by e-mail. Johnson and Johnson, Inc. Johnson and Johnson, Inc. s an example of an organization that has had to adapt with strategy to forces or trends that have surrounded the corporation. Johnson and Johnson recently fell into a safety predicament which required immediate action by the company to salvage its image. Johnson and Johnson found themselves losing customers and sales due to the danger of one of their products. Following the death by overdose of several individuals, including youth and child ren, Johnson and Johnson was forced to recall thousands of unsafe bottles of Tylenol (Macdonald, 2007). The primary changes that the company made were in relation to the bottle the Tylenol came in and the removal of a potentially deadly ingredient in the Tylenol. Immediately Johnson and Johnson recalled the entire defective product line and removed all existing product from the shelves. This act alone cost the company millions of dollars and substantial time in revamping the new bottle and new Tylenol formula. Despite this great challenge, Johnson and Johnson was able to seize the opportunity to remarket their product as a newly revamped and safer product. After recalling and removing the defective product, Johnson and Johnson set out a new marketing campaign to reestablish their public image as a safer and more consumer conscience product. The ad campaign worked. Tylenol is now viewed as one of the safest products on the market. 3M could benefit from such a marketing campaign. 3M is a company much like Johnson and Johnson. They both manufacture and distribute millions of different products used all across the globe. Because of the expanse of the market that 3M is targeting, the potential for safety concerns and problems is dramatically increased. M must constantly keep a watchful eye to be apprised of any issues that should arise. An environmental scan will also keep 3M apprised of any safety concerns which arise within the market that could affect their company. Strategic planners with 3M can learn from those at Johnson and Johnson because of the accuracy and timeliness which they responded to the challenge, thus turning it into an o pportunity. In the future, 3M is sure to encounter environmental factors that will place their products in the path of new regulations or circumstances that could threaten the success of the organization. M must act as Johnson and Johnson did by using accurate environmental scanning and acting in a timely manner to save the company. Southwest Airlines Another paramount example of environmental scanning used by strategic planners to help an organization thrive is Southwest Airlines’ use of fuel hedging. â€Å"Using some simple and some complex investment strategies, Southwest has for a decade locked in the prices it pays for large amounts of jet fuel months and even years ahead of time. Its success at that has protected it from run-ups in crude oil prices and dramatically cut its fuel expenses† (Reed, 2008). One area of grave concern in the U. S. economy is the cost of fuel. People all across the country are looking for alternative fuel and cheaper transportation as a means of saving money. The airline industry, on the other hand, has no other resource available. There is no hybrid airplane neither is there one which can run on alternative fuel. Therefore, airlines are forced to look elsewhere to save money. Southwest Airlines has used environmental scanning to conclude that fuel prices are constantly on the rise and can be locked in a contract to be purchased in mass quantities for a cheaper price. By allocating additional funds to pre purchase fuel at a lower cost, Southwest Airlines is placing themselves in a win-win scenario. The oil company would be glad to secure an agreement for guaranteed sales and the Airline Company will jump at the opportunity to save money on fuel that they are certainly going to use. Fuel hedging has proven effective for Southwest Airlines and a similar approach can be an effective money saving technique for 3M as well. 3M constantly manufactures millions of products. The company is constantly receiving supplies of materials from distributors. M must always be on the lookout for trends in the environment that could affect the prices of the products they use in manufacturing. If the company can accurately predict which products will rise in cost due to extenuating circumstances, they can either look for an alternative product or seek some sort of pre purchase order price for said product similar to Southwest Airlines’ use of fuel hedging. Toyo ta Toyota Motor Corporation is a classic example of an organization that is constantly scanning the environment for forces or trends that can affect their business. This strategy has enabled Toyota to become the number one automobile maker in the world (Liker, 2004). When a customer purchases a Toyota they are getting a quality product. Toyota has been successful in environmental scanning in several areas, but in particular they have excelled in a market that is increasingly concerned with fuel economy. Toyota has constantly been at the forefront of knowing what the customer wants and when they want it. Amid the crisis we are facing with the economy, and especially the rising fuel costs, Toyota is able to provide customers with a fuel efficient car. The difference between Toyota’s fuel efficient cars and those of the competition is timeliness. Toyota had anticipated the need for a fuel efficient car long before it became a priority for the competition. Now while the competition scrambles to make a vehicle similar to a fuel efficient Toyota, Toyota is focusing on bettering their product and placing themselves even further ahead of the competition. This is an example of how Toyota has done accurate scanning of the remote environment. The remote environment includes: economic factors, social factors, political factors, technological factors, and ecological factors. Managers must consider the availability of credit, level of disposable income, and the propensity of people to spend when considering economic factors. Other things to consider are the prime interest rates and the gross national product (Robinson, 2004). Toyota has taken into consideration these factors. They have accurately looked at the environment and what the consumer is dealing with and they have catered to the customer accordingly. 3M would do well to follow suit. Much like Toyota, 3M manufactures products for their customers and is not immune to environmental factors. Because of these facts, 3M must adopt an environmental scanning strategy that will enable them to adapt to forces in the environment and come out triumphant. ODWALLA Functional Beverages â€Å"Functional beverages are drinks that have been enhanced with added ingredients to provide specific health benefits beyond general nutrition†¦Consumers are seeking specific health benefits in their foods and beverages and these functional drinks fit neatly into the ‘healthiness-on-the-go’ market† (Sharon Palmer, 2008). Functional beverages are gaining popularity over soft drinks as more and more people are looking for healthier alternatives. These drinks have added ingredients which help to promote a healthy image. Some of these functional beverages have FDA approved claims while others have only minimal amounts of vitamins and minerals and do not provide any real health benefit (Sharon Palmer, 2008). Many companies are beginning to offer a wider variety of functional beverages. Even companies in the children’s beverage market are capitalizing on the turn towards better for you foods and beverages. ‘[A]s more parents seek healthier beverage options for kids, I foresee the continued trend toward more products being all natural, organic, lower in calories, lower in sugar, or having more specific fortifications within their formulations,’ predicts Phan† (Goldschmidt, 2008) senior brand manager at Hansen’s. With this trend gaining popularity among consumers of all ages, it is more than just a passing phase; it is the new way of thinking. Relevance Because functional drinks are quickly becoming an industry staple, Odwalla Inc. is constantly gaining new competitors. With the increase in the number of competitors, Odwalla must always be innovative in its product development. While Odwalla’s products are all natural and retain as much of the natural vitamins and minerals found in the ingredients used, there is a more pressing need for Odwalla to make these benefits known to consumers as the options available are becoming greater. Strategic Adaptability As Odwalla analyzes the growing competition, they will need to remain innovative with their marketing and advertising. They will want to make sure that consumers are aware of the many health benefits already available in their products. They will want to emphasize the fact that their products have always been all natural and fresh with the least amount of processing possible in order to maintain the inherent nutritional value of the ingredients which go into each and every product made. By highlighting these strong points, consumers will be able to see why paying a little more for a much better product really is a better value. Probiotics â€Å"Probiotics are a host of healthful bacteria that help break down and assimilate food† (Kane, 2008) and can be found in a wide variety of foods. Yogurt contains probiotics and many food manufacturers are adding probiotics to their products because of the great health benefit. â€Å"WITH BENEFICIAL LIVE BACTERIA CALLED PROBIOTICS. yogurt bolsters the bodys ability to fend off certain infections and helps keep the intestines healthy, allowing them to absorb more nutrientsand energy-from food† (Boone, 2008). Relevance Odwalla prides itself on providing its customers with fresh, healthy beverages and snack bars and they are always looking for new ways to make their products the best they can be. Probiotics are both healthy and natural and fit right in line with the goals of Odwalla. Since more and more companies are incorporating these bacteria into their products, probiotic additives are going to become better known by consumers and thus sought out because of their natural benefits. Strategic Adaptability Odwalla has the ability to develop a new product which would incorporate probiotics. This would enhance the benefits already afforded by consuming the all natural products of Odwalla. With more people being educated on the benefits of probiotic bacteria, there will be a demand for products which incorporate this. By adding probiotics, Odwalla would help to fulfill its mission of â€Å"soil to soul† (Odwalla President Discusses Strategy with GreenMoney Journal, 2004) because it would allow more of the natural goodness contained within each bottle of juice to reach the soul of the consumer. Specialty drinks in a declining economy The world’s economy has been stagnant and is now in a state of decline. In spite of a tough economy, consumer products manufacturers have continued to experience growth (CPG Industry: Sales Growth in Challenging Economy, 2008). The economy is not showing signs of improvement and things are only going to be getting tougher. With commodities’ prices continuing to rise, consumer products manufactures will need to adopt successful practices in strategic areas in order to continue to grow (CPG Industry: Sales Growth in Challenging Economy, 2004). Relevance The cost of commodities greatly affects the profit margin of Odwalla. They rely on having fresh products available at all times and can be crippled by shortages due to natural disasters as well as price hikes caused by the increasing cost of doing business. These things take a toll on the bottom line and can lead to financial struggle within the company as well as strained relationships with suppliers. Strategic Adaptability There are different options available to Odwalla to help them through the period of economic hardship. As they contract with suppliers, they can negotiate pricing which will benefit both parties. They have the option of purchasing farms which would produce the produce needed for their products, thereby eliminating the need for a middle-man supplier. Also, plans to produce new products can be put on hold until the economy recovers. By holding off the added expense of developing and marketing a new product, Odwalla would be able to focus on their better sellers and allow them to carry the company through the difficult times. Conclusion The world of business can be challenging and exciting. By staying on top of current forces and trends, managers are able to help their businesses thrive in an ever changing market. Change is not limited to one area or aspect of a corporation and by following the examples of other companies, change can provide a new opportunity for growth and development. Retaining the ability to adapt the strategic goals of the corporation can mean the difference in being an industry leader, or a company which has already had its day and is on its way out.

The Black Church in America free essay sample

This paper discusses the reasons the Black Church is the most stable and dominant institutional sphere in black communities in the United States. The author illustrates because of many historical factors, religion among black people is the only institutional area that was permitted to develop to any significant degree. During several centuries of slavery other institutions were deemed illegal and remained relatively undeveloped. As the only significant social institution other than the black family, the Black Church has taken on multiple roles and burdens that differ from its white counterpart. Black churches have remained overwhelmingly Protestant because blacks have little contact with Roman Catholicism. Some blacks have become Catholics, however, and because other religious orders refused black candidates, two communities of black nuns were founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence in 1829 and the Holy Family Sisters in 1842. The first black American priest, James Augustine Healy, was ordained in 1854.

International Corporation Law Class Discussion

Question: Discuss the codification of directors duties? Answer: Introduction The Companies Act 2006 introduced a codification of the directors duties. With this codification, the directors common law fiduciary duties have been placed on a legislative footing for the first time. These duties legally bind all directors including those who have been formally appointed, the de facto directors as well as the shadow directors. In this discussion paper, we shall try to evaluate whether the codification of the directors duties has been helpful or not[1]. We shall also compare the scenario with that of the situation in Australian jurisdiction under the Corporation Act. Negative views Going through the provisions of the law, we can say that the codification of the duties of the directors was an unnecessary step. The duties that have been codified do not differ from the equitable and common law counterparts to a great extent. They simply intend to place the existing laws under the common law principles into a codified aspect and in order to find out if a breach has in fact been committed by the directors or not, the courts as well as the Judges will have to refer back to pre-2006 case laws[2]. Those case laws have been founded not on the codified law but on the common law principles. One who is a layman will simply find the codified law to be a mere documentation of the already existing common law rules and nothing more than that. Positive views Of course, one might argue that the codification will lead to a statutory requirement, yet the precedents and the previous occasions definitely and clearly point to the way that these aspects had been very lucrative and lucid in the preceding years as well. The intention of the legislature behind this codification was to achieve a higher sense of duty and a better clarity f the position of todays company directors. Comparison with the world We shall now discuss if this is at par with the situation in other countries or jurisdictions across the globe. In India, with the incorporation of the revised company law in 2013, the directors duties have been given a new phase in it. The directors have been criminally liable under the new legislation for breach of their duties[3]. Comparison with Australia Coming to compare the situation with the Australian Corporation Act, we can say that the legislation is Australia is much different because there, the duties that are conferred are having a much wider access transgressing the border of the customary principles of common law. While on one hand, the law in United Kingdom is just a codified form of the already in existence laws but in other jurisdictions (particularly Australia), the law specifically provides the wide extent to which the liability of the Directors along with other officials of the company extends to. Moreover, after analyzing a few cases in both the jurisdictions, it can be said that the codification of this particular area was not at all necessary[4]. The system was running smooth enough to meet the principles of justice. Conclusion The law which aimed to codify directors duties has not been able to meet the standard that it aimed at by the legislators. References Azmi R and Abd Razak A, 'Paradigm Shift Or Mere Codification Of Law: A Review Of Directors Duties In Malaysia' (2012) 38 Commonwealth Law Bulletin Nordberg D and McNulty T, 'Creating Better Boards Through Codification: Possibilities And Limitations In UK Corporate Governance, 19922010' (2013) 55 Business History Overland J, 'Liability For Insider Trading: Learning Lessons From Australia' (2009) 2 International Journal of Private Law Riley C, 'Company Law Whither UK Corporate Governance?' (2012) 1997 ac [1] Juliette Overland, 'Liability For Insider Trading: Learning Lessons From Australia' (2009) 2 International Journal of Private Law. [2] Donald Nordberg and Terry McNulty, 'Creating Better Boards Through Codification: Possibilities And Limitations In UK Corporate Governance, 19922010' (2013) 55 Business History. [3] C. A. Riley, 'Company Law Whither UK Corporate Governance?' (2012) 1997 ac. [4] Ruzita Azmi and Adilah Abd Razak, 'Paradigm Shift Or Mere Codification Of Law: A Review Of Directors Duties In Malaysia' (2012) 38 Commonwealth Law Bulletin.

Leadership Mandiant Cyber Security Company

Mandiant Cyber Security Company is an American firm founded in the year 2004 (Gerdes, 2009). Kevin Mandia is the founder and the CEO of the company. Before starting the company, Mandia had worked in the security industry for more than 12 years. As such, he had served in the US air force as a computer security analyst and a computer forensic officer. Mandia formed the organization after he realized that there were going to be a lot of computer intrusion in the future.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership: Mandiant Cyber Security Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Currently, the company’s headquarter is based in Virginia. In America, the firm has several offices with more than 300 staff members. The firms’ customers include private firms, government organizations, and high-status individuals. All these customers have been overwhelmed with the firms’ ability to notify them when their systems are at threat and the material consequences of the threats. Early this year, the firm became very popular when it accused Chinese cyber attackers for stealing terabytes of information and documents from American firms and government institutions (Doll, 2013). In the allegation report, the firm asserts that Unit 61398 of the Chinese army was responsible for the attacks. In the last century, several leadership styles and theories were formulated and analyzed (Kippenberger, 2012). Notably, the basic principles of leadership such as inspiring and directing others to realize shared goals underwent through little changes in the past decades. However, leadership context, complexity, and diversity in institutions progressed immensely in the last century. The achievements behind Mandiant Cyber Security Company owe its success to the leadership styles exhibited in the firm. Effective leadership styles have not only enabled the firm to help its customers from being attacked by cybercr iminals but also enabled the company to run smoothly. As evidence from the top executives such as Kevin Mandia and Travis Reese, the firm’s top management embraces more of transformational leadership style compared with transactional leadership style. The executives’ ability to embrace dynamic leadership has enabled the firm to become accustomed to changing conditions in the cyber world. During the inception period, Mandia’s transformational leadership was evidenced through his ability to plot a clear vision of the firm’s goals, which has enabled its success. Similarly, the firm’s transformational leadership is evidenced by its ability to attract numerous and reputable organizations as its customers. Notably, the firm’s customers have been pleased with the services offered by the company.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Apart from th e executive, the firm’s staff embraces transactional leadership style. This leadership style has been efficient for these employees as they work on fixed programs and responsibilities. For instance, when the firm receives a call from a distressed customer that his or her company is under threat from hackers, the firms delegate some of its employees to monitor the costumer’s network for a very long period (Rao Upadhyaya, 2013). Such tasks are usually very demanding and specific. Therefore, through transactional leadership styles the company has been able to achieve its goals with ease. In general, the firm’s ability to integrate modern technologies, effective security measures, policies, and appropriate leadership styles has spearheaded its success. Another type of leadership style portrayed in the firm is situational leadership. Through this leadership style, the firm’s management has been able to identify precisely the abilities and enthusiasms levels o f its employees and lay down tasks, which are suitable to their enthusiasms and abilities. Usually, IT firms undergo through many changes compared to other firms. These changes are normally met with resistance in most of the companies. However, by embracing situational leadership style a firm can be able to deal with the changes. In this regard, Mandiant Cyber Security Company has managed to survive the changes in the market by embracing situational leadership style. I believe that if the firm is to improve its leadership styles, it should adapt to the use of a single leadership approach. In my opinion, situational leadership style should be the only leadership approach exhibited in the firm. As such, this leadership style is far much superior compared with the other leadership styles. Therefore, other than focusing on three leadership styles the firm should settle on the situational leadership style and perfect its use in managing the firm. Given that a cyber security firm’s operation involves many changes, this type of leadership style is suitable for varying situations. Usually, external and internal forces lead individuals, teams, and objectives vary. In this regard, effective situational leaders should be able to tackle and respond to any kind of change. This implies that unlike other leadership styles, situational leadership style is distinct, applicable, and rational. To improve on this style the firm’s leaders should try to assess the willingness of their employees before deciding on the appropriate leadership style. Currently, the company’s popularity has risen and attracted many customers. Similarly, the company plans to expand its operations globally. This implies that the company is undergoing through various changes. In this regard, it will be useful for the firm to adapt to one leadership style, which is situational leadership style.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership: Mandiant Cyber Security Co mpany specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More References Doll, M. (2013). Defending the digital frontier a security agenda. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. Gerdes, L. I. (2009). Cyber crime. Detroit: Greenhaven Press. Kippenberger, T. (2012). Leadership styles. Oxford, U.K.: Capstone Pub.. Rao, H. R., Upadhyaya, S. (2013). Information assurance, security and privacy services. Bingley, UK: Emerald. This essay on Leadership: Mandiant Cyber Security Company was written and submitted by user Brooklynn K. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.