3 Books to Fight Political Loneliness

3 Books to Fight Political Loneliness This is a guest post from Zoe Strickland. Zoe is a writer, editor, and caffeine-addict living in Oregon. She likes wine, pop culture, space, and tattoos. She’s one of those ‘loud feminists’ and wouldn’t have it any other way. Follow her on Twitter  @zoealea. It’s no denying that the current political state is a crapshoot. You can’t go on social media without seeing posts upon posts about the void of politics. Like many people, I’ve coped with this by sinking into a couch with a mug of coffee, and reading. While I love the escape, it’s also important to face what’s going on, and to connect with the different points of view of people and how they’ve been affected by the administration. We all know that books give us the reassurance that we’re not doing this thing alone, so I’ve begun to explore books that were put together and published after this last November’s election. Think of it as a sort of quest of literary hope. These are my findings: Pantsuit Nation edited by Libby Chamberlain Pantsuit Nation is a book that collects the reasons and stories behind people who voted for Hillary Clinton. I picked this book up without really reading the description. My brain flagged it as a feminist political read, and I immediately checked it out of the library. Regardless of whether or not you agree with Clinton, Pantsuit Nation is a fantastic read. It is a book that’s less about the politics, and more about the stories of everyday people and what makes them tick. Radical Hope: Love and Dissent in Dangerous Times edited by Carolina de Robertis Radical Hope is just what the title leads you to think it is. It’s a collection of essays by people who are trying to find hope in a world where it may be difficult to find it. The essays are written in the form of letters to people in the past, present, and future. Some contributors write to their ancestors and relatives, and some write to historical figures. Radical Hope is emotional, it’s real, and it’s a great book to keep you company. Our Stories, Our Voices edited by Amy Reed This book hasn’t actually come out yet: Our Stories, Our Voices is slated for a Summer 2018 release, and contains essays by YA writers. The essays are described as ones that explore, “diverse experiences of injustice, empowerment, and growing up female in America” with the goal of offering “hope and solidarity to young readers.” Though it doesn’t come out for another year, Our Stories, Our Voices is bound to be exceptional. These books are more than just political collections; they’re pieces of literature that may just help you feel like you aren’t alone. Sign up for True Story to receive nonfiction news, new releases, and must-read forthcoming titles. Thank you for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox.

Essay about Barriers and Obstacles to Critical Thinking

Barriers and Obstacles to Critical Thinking Your Name PHL 251 March 21, 2011 Philip Reynolds Barriers and Obstacles to Critical Thinking Critical thinking helps thinkers to act instead of reacting. Reacting results in hasty decisions that are not always well thought-out. Quick decisions can lead to error or cause more problems. Evaluating decision is important to the decision-making process. During reflections a thinker can rethink what the outcome was and if the problem could have been addressed in a better manner. By evaluating decisions a thinker is learning what works and what does not work, therefore, fostering successful problem- solving and decision-making skills. However, critical thinking can be damaged or affected by†¦show more content†¦The understanding of others is a welcomed benefit. Although experience is a wonderful teacher, if it is filtered through a biased or distorted view, that is how it is remembered. Self- delusion supports self-delusion. Create an open mind and question logic by asking again and again, â€Å"Am I thinking logically and rationally†. This is called a sanity check. Another good sanity check is choosing friends and colleagues who will speak truthfully, not just echoing words of affirmation. These friends are priceless as sounding boards for stream of thought and rational thinking. Scheduled pressure can be an enemy of sound critical thinking. They can lead to cutting corners which may lead to making mistakes and poor decision making. Stress can also lead to mistakes and bad decision making. Procrastination at time is result of not knowing where to start can result in more stress and cutting corners. To overcome this barrier is as simple as proper planning and execution. Group thinking is danger to critical thinking. Critical thinking by its very nature questions ideas, opinions, and thoughts of oneself and others. It uses internal and external reflection. Sources include radio, television, newspaper, magazines and the internet to reflect what is called normal thinking. Questioning the source and what heard are ways to demonstrate critical thinking skills. Being a thinker takes conscious and constantShow MoreRelatedEssay about My Journey Towards Acacemid Success663 Words   |  3 PagesLearning Reflection A solid education is imperative for success. Education impacts the personal and professional side of life. I have been in the pursuit of my degree for quite some time. I have allowed obstacles to distract and discourage me from obtaining my degree. For instance, my language barrier was an impediment for quite some time. I was determined to work and become fluent in the English language. The experience of learning another language was challenging but rewarding. Work is another challengeRead MoreUnited Kingdom Council For International Student Affairs965 Words   |  4 PagesThe teaching and learning methods which are unique to universities in the UK constitute the greatest obstacle facing international students. Discuss. The last two decades have seen a growing trend towards the number of international students who have chosen the UK as their studying destination. According to United Kingdom Council for International Student Affairs, the enrolment of overseas students into the UK universities rose by 21% in 2010. Under this circumstance, the issues that face theRead MoreThe Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living Essay1577 Words   |  7 Pagesworth living.† This quote, by a famous philosopher Socrates, amplifies the idea of critical thinking and its true importance. This quote explains that if we as individuals do not evaluate ourselves, then we stop living as human beings.This quote can present what is truly at stake when dealing with critical thinking. Critical thinking allows human beings to question the status quo naturally with no effect. Critical thinking is an important practice and technique one should inquire throughout their lifetimeRead MoreEssay about Methods to Strengthen the Chains of Inference1610 Words   |  7 Pages Organisational issues that affect the quality of analysis such as analyst training are outside the scope of this short essay. Moreover, many of the high profile intelligence failures are attributable less to organisational obstacles than political or psychological barriers , . The human mind is necessarily vulnerable to cognitive bias in order to distil complexity for comprehension , but this results in several well-documented challenges to accurate intelligence analysis. The numerous challengesRead MoreThe Military Environment And The Future Environment1076 Words   |  5 Pagessuccessful in fulfilling its mission with less resources available, inculcating the cost-conscious culture through breaching many obstacles and the process of utilizing successful measures to instill new behavior, norms, values and assumptions is essential. In this paper, I will describe some obstacles that discourage the cost reductions and number of measures to ove rcome those obstacles, including the active role of leaders in the process, using a â€Å"lean† cost management approach, data analysis, innovationsRead MoreThe Negative Effects Of Mental Health1050 Words   |  5 Pages Mental health is a critical aspect of anyones well-being. However, struggling with a mental illness can negatively affect that. Mayo Clinic defines mental illness as a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Struggles with mental health are a major obstacle for anyone to endure, no matter their racial identity. However, racial minorities tend face further struggles in their journey. Understanding the underlying factors that play into mentalRead MoreAnalyzing 12 Angry Men. Introduction. A Young Man’S Life1102 Words   |  5 Pageskilling his father, somehow, these twelve strangers must come together, communicate effectively, build a team, and reach a verdict. This paper will give a synop sis of the communication barriers involved between the members and how they were able to develop as a team and overcome them. How They Overcame Communication Obstacles and Grew as a Team On the surface, the decision, due to the facts, seems overwhelmingly clear— â€Å"guilty,† says eleven out of twelve jurors. But we soon discover that the decisionRead MoreAdvantages and Disadvantages of Interactive Learning Environment673 Words   |  3 Pagesreprisal or embarrassment. The development of true critical-thinking skills, however, requires just such an open and honest exchange of ideas. Discussion in class is one of the interactive learning during lectures. When the lecturer ask his/her students to discuss about a specific topic in class, it will helps to motivate students toward further learning, to allow students to apply information in new settings, or to develop students thinking skills, then discussion is preferable to lecture. Read MoreIntroduction to Rereading America901 Words   |  4 Pagesand flaws. To succeed in college we need to be mentally strong and dedicated towards our goal. Everyone has a different perception of critical thinking. The editors explain the real meaning of thinking critically and point out that thinking from the different viewpoints and various aspects with creating the ability to form perception is critical thinking. Talking about the power of cultural myths, the editors tell that cultural myths hold people together and influence in the way we relate toRead MoreBarriers to Critical Thinking1250 Words   |  5 Pagesof Critical Thinking Skills Critical thinking is a rich concept that has been developing throughout the past 2500 years. Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing and evaluating information gathered from observation as a guide to belief and action. Critical thinking skills are important because they enable students â€Å"to deal effectively with social, scientific, and practical problems† (Shakirova, 2007, p. 42). Besides that, critical thinking

The Relationship Between Human Resource Management and...

Understanding the Relationship Between Human Resource Management and Human Resource Development Diana Williams National American University Understanding the Relationship Between Human Resource Management and Human Resource Development Human resource management (HRM) is the umbrella under which all other human resource activities are found. Some of the major activities under the umbrella are: benefits and compensation, health safety and security, human resource planning, staffing, equal employment opportunity, and human resource development (HRD) (Werner, DeSimone, 2012). Byars and Rue (2011) define HRM as, â€Å"Activities designed to provide for and coordinate the human resources of an organization†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦The design phase of the intervention involves selecting the specific objective for the program, and developing a lesson plan based upon that specific objective. The implementation phase means executing the intervention using the best and most appropriate method. The final phase in the HRD process is evaluation, where the agent measures the effectiveness of the intervention (Werner, DeSimone, 2012). Present and future Challenges for the HRD Profession The expanded role of the HRD professional has developed and expanded as a result of the new competitive landscape created by the global market and economy. Organizational success today requires doing more with less resources, which necessitates maximizing the effectiveness of human capital by developing employee skills, using technology effectively, creating new organizational structures that facilitate decision-making at all levels of the organization, and developing a learning culture that encourages learning and innovative thinking (Werner, DeSimone, 2012). Harris and Short describe a major challenge they call a â€Å"maze of complexity and changing contexts† in organizations today. They state, â€Å"The value of workplace education and training has become a mantra for business survival† (Harris, Short, 2010, 358-359). Unfortunately, according to Harris and Short, many HRD programs are considered a lesser impo rtant function of HRM, indicating a lack ofShow MoreRelatedHuman Resources Management– Case Study1421 Words   |  6 PagesHuman Resources Management– Case Study Human resource management refers to a series of human resources policies and the corresponding management activities. These activities include corporate human resources strategy, employee recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management, compensation management, staff flow management, employee relationship management, employee safety and health management, etc. Namely: enterprise modern management method, is used to obtain (candidate)Read MoreHuman Resource Management : The Management Of An Organization1250 Words   |  5 PagesHuman resource management is the management of an organization to build and maintain the relation between the employee and the organization in order to meet business objectives and employee expectations. The process of hiring and developing employees so that they become more valuable to the organization. Human resource management is the governance of an organization s employee. HRM is sometimes referred to simply as human resource. HRM is the process of recruitment, selection of employee, providingRead MoreArgument of Hr1723 Words   |  7 Pagesfully understand the important position in the development of a enterprise. In modern times, HR has been promoted to a high degree of enterprise development strategies and plays more and more important roles in the development of enterprises. In the modern business management, HR is the core position. It is important for a wise leader to consider HR as the main part and power of the management. Because of the important role of HR, the human resources managers are demanded to have professional skillsRead MoreHrm and Ir1533 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction â€Å"Human Resources Management† and â€Å"Industrial relations† has different concepts about the determination and functions of the both spheres. The essay deliberates the comparison and contrast on the key features of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations in academic fields. Definitions of terms HRM and IR will be identified through the review of the origin and development of these two areas. Moreover, I have pointed out the theoretical scope of the two subjects and key featuresRead MoreHow Strategic Management Plan And The Human Resource Planning Process1410 Words   |  6 Pagesexamine how strategic management plans are established and redefine to keep the organizations moving forward in growth. Management promotes and brings about a change in the structure to keep it active and efficient in the approaches to achieving its goals and objective. The strategy behind the approaches correlation is what leads to actually implementing and providing data to analyze on an ongoing basis to enhance the strategic plan of the organization. The relationship between the eight elementsRead MoreHistory Of Union And Human Resources1205 Words   |  5 Pagescompany gets profit, labor can get their reasonable benefit back. The trend of an organization is management in the twenty-first century. A company thinks an employee is part of assets in the organization. Therefore, the Human Resource Management is more valuable than the union to manage the employee. History of Union and Human Resources The history is a track shows the development of unions and Human Resources. In the past, the original labor unions happened in the nineteenth century which was the IndustryRead MoreHuman Resource Management And Organizational Strategy752 Words   |  4 Pagesintelligence over experience in his employees. In modern society, human capital is the most dynamic resources for a company. How to attract excellent human resource and utilize their ability to reach organizational goal is something managers should think about. Strategic human resource management could explain the relationship between human resource management and organizational strategy. The idea of strategic human resource (management) is a relatively new concept. It first introduced in early 1980’Read MoreImpact Of Hrm Practices On Employee Performance Essay883 Words   |  4 Pagesperformance in the Textile Industry of Pakistan. The results showed a positive relationship. Study by (Ilhaamie,2015) entitled: Islamic human resource practices and organizational performance: some findings in a developing country. The study showed some significant and positive relationships between Islamic human resource practices and organizational performance. A study by (Azmi , 2015) entitled: â€Å"Human Resource Practices and Organizational Performance:A Preliminary Finding of Islamic OrganizationsRead MoreOrganization Planning, Project Management, and Information Technology1319 Words   |  6 PagesApplication: Organization Planning, Project Management, and Information Technology The successful implementation and subsequent meaningful use of information technology solutions within a health care organization is a challenging and iterative process. The organization must engage in careful and ongoing strategic and tactical planning to ensure that the implemented technology will ultimately be effective and beneficial for its practitioners, staff, and patients. To prepare for this Application

Essay on Music and Addiction - 1665 Words

Music and Addiction missing works cited Songs can influence the way people feel, think, and act. The following songs have a common theme. Addiction is a very large part of todays society. It can be so powerful that when artists express their ideas and feelings about personal or even interpersonal experiences with addiction, the listener can almost feel what the artist is feeling. Many songs glamorize drug use and drug culture. I tried to find some songs that illustrate the down side of drug use and abuse. In the song Nutshell, lead singer Layne Staley shares the feelings of temptation, hopelessness, and abandonment of heroin addiction. In the song Amphetamines by eve6, he describes some of the unpleasant side effects of taking†¦show more content†¦This is him expressing the fact that only a small group of people know what he feels when he would give his last five dollars to another hit or just one bullet. He says, no one to cry to, no place to go home. I think that this explains the isolation that comes along with heroin usage. Friends and family members are bound to be much more unwilling to associate with him, even if its a way of showing tough love. He goes on to say that his gift of self is raped. This is him feeling the pain that goes along with any addiction: the feeling that your life is run by a chemical and not your own free will. His privacy is no longer in tact, whether its from constant media pressure, going on the road to perform live shows, or anything else that could interfere with his private life. He feels the pressures of life in show business and finally feels the stress that it can dish out. He finishes the song with the phrase, If I cant be my own, Id feel better dead. He says that if he cant find a way to stop letting heroin control his life, hed rather die than feel the pain. In this case, like a handful of other musicians stories, he takes it all the way to the end. Layne Staley died on April 20th of 2002 at the age of 34 of a heroin overdose. Amphetamines Amphetamines by eve6 is faster and more upbeat. This may have something to do with the nature of amphetamines. He starts by describing his situation: Amphetamines and jellybeans. His teeth areShow MoreRelatedMusic Therapy And Drug Addiction1981 Words   |  8 PagesMusic Therapy and Drug Addiction Many people feel too confident and think their life is in control and that there is no ways they can develop a drug habit. Having a drug addiction is overwhelming for many people in our society. A person with a drug addiction will have difficulty accomplishing their goals in life. Anyone can become trapped and loose themselves in drug addiction. Drug addiction has an effect on your body especially your brain. Psychologically, it is mentioned that the age someone startsRead MoreEffects of Listening To Music Essay1452 Words   |  6 Pagesarticle, The rewards of music listening: Response and physiological connectivity of the mesolimbic system, discussed the neurological and neurochemical responses to listening to pleasant and unpleasant music. The experiment was composed of thirteen right-handed individuals, six males and seven females, between the ages of 19 and 23, none of which has any specialized musical training. Each participant was played 20-25 second clips of classical music and scrambled classical music. To scramble the musicalRead MoreAnalysis : Babylon Revisited By F. Scott Fitzgerald And Sonny s Blues Essay1316 Words   |  6 PagesHaving an addiction can be an agonizing and insufferable adventure anyone can ever face. It usually starts small with a â€Å"I’ll try it once†, then eventually becomes a fully developed addiction. In Babylon Revisited by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sonny’s Blues by James Baldwin, both poems portray blindness verses sight. Babylon Revisited is about a man named Charles Wales who returns to Paris and is on a mission to regain custody of his daughter while being blinded by his addictions whereas Sonny’s BluesRead MoreAdversity In Sonnys Blues By James Baldwin892 Words   |  4 Pagesstruggles with his identity and ability to feel emotion leading him to the world of music and drugs, â€Å"To be aware of oneself, Baldwin believes, is to feel a sense of loss, to know where we are and what weâ€℠¢ve left behind† (Murray 355). Truly knowing one’s identity comes at the cost of confronting the past. Pain, suffering, and tragedy make up the identity of men just as music expresses it. Sonny’s passion for music, as Murray points out in his article, reveals strength. Strength to tap into the lossRead MoreAnalysis Of James Baldwin s Sonny s Blues 933 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Reaching Reclamation† Addiction is a horrible thing. Unhappiness is a mood throughout the whole story. Blues is a genre of music that is often used to express a sad mood. The contradictory lives of the two brothers contribute to the theme of being safe and take risks. In this story, James Baldwin writes about two brothers who were raised together. As time passed, they separated from one another and lived completely different lives. â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† by James Baldwin addresses the themes of findingRead MoreRequiem for a Dream981 Words   |  4 Pagescharacters? Requiem for a dream was made in 2000, and was directed by Darren Aronofsky. The film exposes the truth about drug addiction and the effects it has on peoples lives. It also shows people who are trying to fit into society which can have disastrous effects which causes them to turn to drugs to fit in. The film follows four individual characters and their addictions and is set in Brooklyn. The main protagonist in the film is Harry Goldfarb who is represented as a typical drug addict who hasRead MoreThe Music of Generation X986 Words   |  4 PagesThe Music of Generation X Since the beginning of time the human beings have adored the soothing sounds of music. Music has affected the way people have behaved and dressed throughout different periods of time. Different groups have been formed based upon their preference in music. Take for an example in the music of my generation, Generation X, there are several different groups oriented by music. In Generation X punks, gangs, alternative people, ravers, hippies, and pop rockers have allRead Moresonnys blues1309 Words   |  6 Pagesown pain and made that pai into a book . In Sonny s blues he explains the struggles in the black community ,family,and drug addiction. In Sonny s blues many major point stand out to me the most . One of the main points is why Sonny decided that drugs would be his escape from his struggles .The second point is the relationship between the brothers and how Sonny s addiction to drugs affected it . The third point is the narrator actually understanding his brothers reasons for taking drugs and actuallyRead MoreCritical Analysis Of Elastic Heart, By Sia Furler1275 Words   |  6 PagesSia Furler is an Australian Pop-Singer who often brings her personal trauma and messages to life through symbolic music videos and heartfelt lyrics. Her music video Elastic Heart, published on January 7th, 2013, has been a controversial topic of debate since its premiere, showcasing a very convoluted message that has often been misinterpreted as pedophelia or abuse, amongst other things. Though it’s indeterminate representation is purposeful to spark a conversation, one interpretation that is popularRead MoreComparison Between Michael Jackson And Whitney Houston1342 Words   |  6 PagesComparison between Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston’s Music and Personal lives. Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston were two of the biggest music acts in the world, selling hundreds upon thousands of records between them. Both acts rose to fame at an early age eventually earning the titles ‘The King of Pop’ (The Guardian, 2009) and ‘The Voice’ (IMDB, 2012) as well as earning plentiful awards in their careers; It is claimed that Whitney Houston is the most awarded female artist of all time. As

The Hunger Artist free essay sample

Does Kafka’s Hunger Artist create a new sense of the body? If so, how? And how does the Hunger Artist’s strange human body compete against animals’ bodies in this story? Create a clear and direct overall thesis and argue. ! Kafka’s â€Å" A Hunger Artist†, illustrates a compelling reinvention of the body through the story of a single act in a circus where a man goes forty days without the consumption of food in efforts to horrify his audience. Kafka’s story portrays the artist’s internal con? icts as he faces his own addiction to starvation, with the external destruction of the artist’s withering body. As the story develops, the hunger artist becomes less of a spectacle to the audience and more of an unrelatable freak and is eventually replaced, ironically, with a healthy young panther. Kafka’s â€Å"A Hunger Artist† exposes the fundamental will to defy traditional human convention, by de? ning a new sense of the body as the power of the mind through characterizing a basic need as a common desire. We will write a custom essay sample on The Hunger Artist or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Kafka contrasts the artist’s diminished body with an ordinary panther that presents the spectators with a symbol of life and complete ful? llment. The hunger artist is able to construe a contemporary sense of body with his indifference to temptation and neglecting to be glutinous, therefore pushing his mind farther then his body. The artist also shapes the new sense of body through building on the idea that there is a distinct difference between desire and need. In articulating this distinction, the artist creates a paradox based on the idea that by desiring nothing, he will be ful? lled. Kafka takes the human body to new extremes and pushes the hunger artist to the boundaries of desire, rede? ning the traditional sense of body. The hunger artist was genuine about his form of art and fully immersed himself into fasting. The hunger artist was constantly bomb-barred with the allurement of food, however,â€Å"the initiates knew well enough that during his fast the artist would never in any circumstances, not even under forcible compulsion, swallow the smallest morsel of food† (Kafka 223). The artist is able to displace his biological hunger, with his hunger to push himself to the limits. Throughout the story, the artist has many opportunities to break his performance, after all â€Å"no one could possibly watch [him] continuously, day and night† (Kafka 224). The hunger artist is his own spectator and wants nothing more but to see him   nish his act, but â€Å"[feels] that there [are] no limits to his capacity for fasting† (Kafka 225). The Hunger artist’s is determined to surpass all expectations over rides his gluttonous temptations. Kafka goes on to compare the human artists emancipated body with his replacement, the young panther. The panther, unlike the hunger artist, â€Å"[was brought] the food he liked† (Kafka 231) whereas the hunger artist was aiming for a lifetime of grati? cation rather then instant temporary food ful? llment. The story unravels to reveal the artist â€Å"was never satis? ed†(Kafka 224) even after completing his forty day fast. Kafka describes the artist feeling resentment towards the public questioning â€Å" if he could endure fasting longer, why shouldn’t the public endure it? † (225). The audience â€Å"began to lose interest, sympathetic support began to fall off†(Kafka 225) yet the artist was not ful? lled by himself like much of the spectators were. Kafka explains the artist â€Å"couldn’t ? nd the food [he] liked. If [he] has found it, believe me, [he would] have made no fuss and stuffed [himself] like you or anyone else† (Kafka 231). To the public, the artist seems to have considerable amounts of self control, however, what the public neglects to see is his true talent, determination. The artist is able to clearly separate his needs and desire and has been indifferent towards food for he has yet to ? nd something he desires. One thing he desires is to push himself farther and farther into his addiction to starvation. The artist feltâ€Å"he was working honestly, but the world was cheating him of his reward†(Kafka 230). The audience only saw the artist as an old, lifeless man with no ambition. The artist’s internal buzz was masked by his deteriorating body. The young panther who replaced the artist was full of life and was whole, which contrasted the artist. The one thing the artist desired more left him dying â€Å"no longer proud persuasion that he was still continuing to fast†(Kafka 231). The panther lived everyday in full harmony, ? lling his wishes day by day. The hunger artist understood he needed only to live to have what he desired. Besides living, the artist needed no other form of comfort, knowing each day he was getting closer to his wish, which was comfort enough. By establishing his needs and desires, the artist creates a new sense of body, one where needs and desires are driven harmonically.   The panther had â€Å"seemed to carry freedom around with it; somewhere in his jaws it seemed to lurk; and the joy of life streamed with such ardent passion from his throat that for the onlookers it was not easy to stand the shock of it† (Kafka 231) whereas the artist â€Å"merely staring into vacancy with half shut eyes, now and then taking a sip from a tiny glass of water to moisten his lips† (Kafka 223). The panther and the artist, both are trying to achieve their wishes. The panther doing so in a traditional materialistic manor and the artist rede? ning the ordinary sense of body by attempting to achieve his wish of absolute nothing. The artist displays the enormous efforts he must go through to achieve his dreams, and through all of his efforts the artist is able to show how one can manipulate themselves to go places they have never gone before.

Apple Computer, Inc. Maintaining the Music Business

Introduction Apple Computers Inc. was incorporated in early 1977. Its primary business was the manufacture of personal computers. Apple’s primary target was to make privet individuals to own a computer. This strategy has changed over the years. It has incorporated other devices into its production line (Chapman Hoskisson, 2012). Over the years, Apple’s innovations have revolutionized the smart devices market.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company was reluctant to venture into the mobile phone market at first. Steve Jobs once said that Apple would not manufacture a phone. His reason was the company’s incapacity to control what went into the device (Meyer, 2010). A few years later, Apple produced the iPhone. The iPhone is just one of Apple’s leading products. ITunes allows subscribers to dow nload music and movies at a fee. This innovation fundamentally changed music distribution worldwide. The company does not earn substantial amounts from this service. Apple capitalizes on its influence on other products instead. It significantly increases iPod’s sales as many customers use it to store their music and movies (Chapman Hoskisson, 2012). The iPod is Apples cash cow, generating up to 40% of its revenues (Meyer, 2010). Apple’s iPhone combines mobile phone and iPod features. The company operates in a highly competitive industry, competing directly with cell phones, computers, digital content and consumer electronics. Apple combines innovation and smart marketing strategies to maintain its competitive advantage (Meyer, 2010). Strategic challenges facing Apple Computer Apple Computer keeps a tight control over the quality of its products (Chapman Hoskisson, 2012). This has assured its customers of high quality products and services from the company. Keeping th is control and maintaining quality is a challenge facing the company. Various companies supply its product components. These include; Texas Instruments, Phillips and Samsung. Some of these suppliers have expressed concern over Jobs’ controlling nature (Chapman Hoskisson, 2012). Maintaining a balance between quality controls and good relationships with suppliers is a major challenge for the company.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Apple’s innovative ability has always been the hallmark of its success. It produces attractive pieces which competitors keep reproducing (Chapman Hoskisson, 2012). The challenge to Apple is maintaining these abilities. Remaining innovative helps to keep its products unique and different from its competitors. As it expands globally, keeping its innovations secret will be another challenge. Information on designs and other importa nt details may leak from its factories worldwide. Apple’s traditional clients were technology savvy fanatics. Its customer base has widened with an increase in its products. Some of its products aim at specific consumer groups such as students (Chapman Hoskisson, 2012). Marketing to these diverse markets and meeting their expectations is going to be a huge challenge. Eye-catching marketing ads have always been associated with Apple. With a wider and varied customer base, the company needs to remain relevant. Satisfying a varied customer base is not going to be easy for Apple. There are customers who prefer products that are compatible with different devices. Apple has always preferred services that are only compatible with its products. Meeting these expectations require a change of tactics. The company is expanding globally (Chapman Hoskisson, 2012). This will require a professional team to handle the increased exposure. It will also need to create and maintain good relati onships with all the stakeholders. This is a significant challenge for Apple. This is because it has always relied on Steve Jobs for this. It needs other faces to show passion for the brand and boost its popularity. Jobs could not do it alone after the expansion. There should be a succession plan in place. Measuring company success There are various ways by which a company’s success can be measured. Accounting measures are popular methods of measuring company success along financial lines. These include; profitability, return of assets and return on equity ratios among others.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More They give a snapshot of the financial status of a company. Data that can be quantified is used in this method. The problem is that these methods do not take qualitative data into account. A company’s succ ess is only measured in financial aspects (Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson, 2010). Using a balanced scorecard can give a balanced assessment of a company’s success. Accounting measures are applied alongside three other measures. This method considers different perspectives. These are; the internal processes, accounting measures, learning and growth, and customer perspectives. By considering both qualitative and quantitative data, one gets a balanced analysis s of the company. The balanced scorecard reveals the weaknesses and strengths of a company. This measure is similar to the triple bottom line method of measuring company success. When applying the triple bottom line, one considers both the environmental and social successes of the company (Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson, 2010). Benchmarking focuses on the current success of a company in different aspects. It also looks at ways of improving or maintaining that success. Significant factors affecting a company’s success are identi fied. These are then measured and used as a yardstick. The company must aim at meeting and surpassing these measures. Customer satisfaction, return on assets, profitability and return on equity are commonly used as benchmarks. Internal and external environmental factors affecting Apple’s future A company’s future significantly depends on its competitive advantage in the market (Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson, 2010). This is heavily influenced by factors in its internal and external environment. Apple has a rich well of resources, both tangible and intangible. The company’s wealth, however, lies in its intangible resources. Apple’s employees have a knack for innovative designs. Its CEO-Steve Jobs is a good example of an innovative mind within Apple. He has been the brain behind many of its innovations. The company’s brand is another internal resource. It is associated with attractive, high quality devices (Chapman Hoskisson, 2012). It has also created a network of good relationships with other players in the industry. This has enabled it to make agreements with music record companies and movie makers.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More These partnerships have been the bedrock of iTunes’s success. The personal qualities of Steve Jobs have helped the company to maintain a good public image. He has also helped to maintain good relations between the company and its customers. Apple’s internal capabilities are in advertising, production and marketing. It produces products that cater for its diverse markets. Its creative adverts and marketing strategies reward it with high sales. Its core competence is innovation. The company comes up with new technology and devices regularly. This gives it a healthy competitive edge over its competitors (Chapman Hoskisson, 2012). In the external environment, a variety of factors are likely to affect Apple’s future strategies and success. The digital media industry that Apple has ventured into is fiercely competitive. Entry barriers are low. The capital required is not prohibitive and many firms with resources can easily invest. ITunes, iPod and the iPhone face sti ff competition from new and existing entrants in the market (Chapman Hoskisson, 2012). The future of Apple depends on how well it maintains its competitive advantage. Apple’s products face competition from cheaper brands. Its customers have easy access to products that can substitute Apple’s products. Its competitors, who produce and sell similar products at a cheaper price, threaten Apple’s dominance. Global markets such as Japan are saturated with competitors. Apple has found it hard to penetrate this market because local manufacturers have a strong hold over it (Chapman Hoskisson, 2012). Its operations are affected by copyright laws. It sells protected material on iTunes (Chapman Hoskisson, 2012). It, therefore, has to protect these products from copyright violations. This is a significant factor in the arrangements it makes with music records and movie companies. Technological advancements also affect Apple’s business significantly. As technology c hanges, it has to be innovative to remain relevant. Consumers want the latest technological devices. Its survival depends on how well it keeps pace with changes in technology. Apple’s strategy in the face of rivalry Apple’s marketing and innovative strategies make it a leader in the industry. It consistently produces innovative products whose popularity is unrivaled in the industry. Though similar products exist, they do not match apple in quality. Apple’s customers have become accustomed to superior experiences (Chapman Hoskisson, 2012). However, the incompatibility of its services with other products could be its undoing. Competitors such as Microsoft and Samsung manufacture products that are compatible with many devices. The company’s advertising and marketing strategies maintain its competitiveness. It operates its own outlets that increase its products’ exposure. Apple’s strategies have fared favorably even with fierce rivalry within t he industry. Recommendations The popularity of the iPhone and other products exposes Apple to increased malware threats. The company should increase the security of its products. Assuring customers of the safety of their devices will maintain customer confidence. As the company enters the music industry, it should maintain the core values of the Apple brand. Innovative, high quality products should be maintained. Customers’ expectations of the Apple brand should be satisfied even in new markets. Current products; phones, iPods computers and other should be updated. This will differentiate them from the competing products. It will also ensure that they remain relevant as technology changes. The company should craft a succession plan. It relies significantly on Steve Jobs for its public image. He is Mr. â€Å"fix it† when things go wrong. The company should groom other persons for the role. The press and other stakeholders should have other faces to associate the brand w ith. Apple has a reputation of concentrating on its customers and not on competitors. This is a good strategy as the company establishes an intimate bond with them. It learns what customers prefer and focuses on satisfying them. However, the competition it faces is increasing by the day. It faces threats not only from established companies but also startups. It should pay more attention to competitors without becoming obsessed with them. As the company seeks to partner with different companies, it should not lose its control over quality. These partnerships are necessary in its global expansion plant. As it grows big, it may lose its original strengths. It should guard against this to maintain customer loyalty. References Chapman, R Hoskisson, R (2012), Apple Computer Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business  While Introducing iPhone, Case Study. Hitt, M , Ireland, R Hoskisson, R (2010), Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases:  Competitiveness and Globalization, South Western Ed ucational Publishing, Sydney. Meyer, C (2010), 7 Challenges Facing Apple after Surpassing Microsoft’s Market Cap,  Retrieved from http://www.workingwider.com/strategic_innovation/7-challenges-facing-apple-after-surpassing-microsofts-market-cap/ This case study on Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business was written and submitted by user Santiago Stein 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.

Colonialism of Africa essays

Colonialism of Africa essays Although there had been a British and greater European presence in Africa prior to the last two decades of the 19th century it was primarily coastal and revolved around the slave trade. With the abolition of the slave trade within the British Empire in 1803 and a complete abolition of slavery across the empire in 1834 there was little interest in Africa by Britain until the end of the century. This lack of interest in Africa did not include The Cape Colony though, which the British gained at the end of the Napoleonic Wars and which served a key role in outfitting ships on the British trade route to India. The role and importance of Africa to the British soon changed though do to imperial competition with France and Germany. Germany under the aggressive policies of Bismarck set out to take a leading role in Africa and catch up to other European powers such as Britain and France in terms of empire by gaining new control over territory and expanding their spheres of influence. Other important factors made Africa the hot spot for British and European expansion including the discovery of gold in the Transvaal and diamonds in the Orange Free State, the palm oil industry in Nigeria, scientific discoveries such as the way to treat malaria, and the mapping and exploration of the previously mysterious African interior early in the 19th century. In order to explore the nature of British expansion in Africa Porters The Lions Share and T.O. Lloyds The British Empire 1558-1995 are indispensable texts. Using their information on British expansion throughout Africa as a foundation it becomes possible to break down the period of greatest growth between 1880 and 1900 by analyzing British role in Africa prior to 1880, the external roles that competitors such as Germany and France had in forcing Englands imperial hand coupled with the internal economic drives for procuring areas of Africa, and the special case and significance of...