Starbucks Target Market

?Starbucks Target Market Starbucks Target market is nine-to-five workers inurban centers and surrounding suburbs, but in general any age, and any person too. Their costumers identifying a clear Value proposal, because is best communicated simply when  some person had made the decision to drop into a retail store, stay awhile, and then share with co-workers the next day the experience had there. Howard Schultz said in his vision of Starbucks that â€Å"you get more than the finest coffee when you visit†¦ you get great people, first-rate music, a comfortable and upbeat meeting place, and sound advice on brewing excellent coffee at home. In positioning itself as a unique entity in a land with nothing similar, a Starbucks store was promoted to be â€Å"a place where you can sit back and be yourself. † The company vision included that â€Å"at home you're part of a family†¦ at work you're part of a company†¦ and somewhere in between†¦ † there is a Star bucks! So the Starbucks product, while ingrained in its coffee, is really the overall experience. The price of an actual brewed cup of coffee was consistent with the image of being â€Å"a notch above† or a â€Å"worthwhile experience†Ã¢â‚¬â€œhigher than most competitors. And the place where Starbucks offered its product was primarily its retail outlets. To experience Starbucks fully, one must go to an actual Starbucks location. In this respect, the location of a Starbucks relative to customer convenience was important, and Starbucks developed a â€Å"real estate opportunistic† attitude to address this–that is it did not necessarily wait for the ideal building or lot to become available, Starbucks was flexible in terms of retail space layout and design to fit the location convenience of its target market

Hereford Plays series Essay

After the complex events of the scene before, Marco jumps in to try and regain his brother’s dignity. This is his family and he cannot let Rodolpho be disgraced like that or be hurt; whether it was just a stagger or not, Eddie was out of order and Marco won’t allow it. As Catherine and Rodolpho dance, Marco discusses a ‘friendly’ challenge: ‘Marco takes a chair and places it in front of Eddie’. Eddie has to lift the chair as far up as he can with one hand holding it by the bottom of one leg. As Eddie kneels and grasps the leg he lifts it by an inch whereas when Marco tries it he lifts it all the way above his head. This simple action obviously had a motive behind it: to warn Eddie to lay off his brother but Eddie consciously knows that he won’t give up that easily. Marco has shown that Eddie may think he’s more of a man than Rodolpho but Marco is more of a man than Eddie; this event has generally shamed Eddie in his home, which is something this character feels very strongly about as the head of the household. The scene needs a sense of oppositon and competition. In order to emphasise what is to be a true test of strength, the onlookers (Rodolpho, Catherine and Beatrice) need to have complete awareness and support of Marco’s triumph. In this scene you have to visually compare the failure of Eddie in comparison to the triumph of Marco. While Marco is lifting the chair he is struggling and the tension in his neck, face, arms and especially his facial expression is needed to portray not just victory of lifting the chair but the victory of putting Eddie to shame and gaining some respect for his brother. This scene is a turning point in the story because Eddie now knows that if he wants Rodolpho out of his life he’ll may have to take even more extreme measures and the battle has turned from not just putting Catherine off of Rodolpho but to get these immigrants out of his house. It’s important for its visual impact on the audience because its dramatic actions of a fight for strength and self-dignity turns the whole generalisation of the story from a happy family get-together into a potential ‘crime against his (Eddie’s) family and the Sicilian community’ (as quoted from synopsis/pri cis of the book). Its also important because it shows Marco’s justified slyness; justified because he has dishonoured Eddie but only in retaliation to Eddie taking advantage of Rodolpho. As soon as Marco said â€Å"Here†¦ † and started to lift the chair it is the beginning of Eddie’s slowly increasing shame and disgrace. The victory celebration should idealistically be a smiled expression (from Marco) as if to imply to Eddie that no-one messes with his brother or else they’ll answer to him. As director I would issue the following instructions: Catherine: you’re enjoying your dance with Rodolpho and you are nai ve as to what might be going on with Eddie and Marco so keep off guard and treat the situation as though its just a bit of fun between them. Beatrice: you have realised that Eddie feels discomforted at the weak position that he has been put in; however you believed that he deserved it and you are just hoping that Eddie has learned his lesson and will not interfere again. Act supportive at his distress but don’t destroy is ride by talking about it too much (as your character would naturally do) Eddie: you have to accept Marco’s offer very boldly and confidently as Catherine might be watching and you don’t want to back down now. Your facial expression has to show repressed rage at Marco; grind your teeth and be silent to keep your pride, you want everyone else in the room to feel that what has happened doesn’t mean or prove anything so get on as though it didn’t happen although you’re still much aware of the damage that Marco has done Marco: you are proud of what you have accomplished but you’re not going to look like a show off; if you win gracefully it will add to Eddie’s shame which is something you want to do. Your facial expression should say ‘ I’m triumphant and taking it well’ In conclusion, Eddie cares about his family and the responsibilities that come with it. He was strict in the upbringing of Catherine and had the utmost respect for his wife. Even though he made a fool of himself and died just for his name (his dignity) we must recognise he had a strong and defiant will or view that was his own and that he fought to uphold, such as his ‘primitive man’s view’ that there must be a law that keeps Catherine from marrying Rodolpho because he is supposedly a homosexual. The bottom line is Eddie should have settled for half meaning he brought Catherine up and now it was time to let her go. So in the end, Eddie dies to keep his pride and his ‘name’ but doesn’t even gain the audience’s admiration because his actions were unnecessary. As quoted by E. R. Wood, who wrote the introduction in the Hereford Plays series (1975) publication of ‘A View From The Bridge’, â€Å"To be a tragic hero, you do not have to be in the right; you have to be true to yourself. † So Eddie was guilty of destroying the lives of these immigrants and the only honourable way out was to die.

Impacts of Colonialism on U.K Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Impacts of Colonialism on U.K - Essay Example During the beginning of the 20th century, England had its control over maximum areas of the world under its empirical power (College of New Jersey, â€Å"British Empire†). In the first three decades of the 19th century, the UK adopted the policy to rule Cape Colony. In 1795, the UK seized the Cape from the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC). After a few years, British in 1803 returned the Cape to the Dutch government peacefully. In the year 1806, when the Napoleonic Wars began, the British captured the Cape in order to protect the sea route in order to protect their route to their Asian empire (U.S. Library of Congress, â€Å"British Colonialism†). During the late 18th century, the British government was in need for a base in the zone of Malaysia when they controlled India. Under the command of Francis Light in 1786, the British had colonized Penang and established Georgetown and they took over the Province of Wellesley in 1800. During the period of 1819, a trading post was founded at Singapore (Lambert, â€Å"A Brief History of Malaysia†). From the episode of the colonization of the Cape, the British government gained a lot. They focused upon the policy of the labor market. They utilized mass force of Cape for the purpose of the labor source for the British government. The colonial rule of the UK over the Cape in South Africa was strong and they colonized Cape due to certain reasons. The reasons were to secure the routes of their trade secrets, acquire huge labor and maintain the political power over most parts in the world. Primarily the labor supply was concentrated in this region (U.S. Library of Congress, â€Å"British Colonialism†). From the colonization of Malaysia, the British government had set up their trade bases in Singapore and around the coasts of Malaysia. They acquired Malaysia’s rubber industry and traded in the

Esaay 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Esaay 1 - Essay Example One of the justifications for this was parens patriae, meaning that the state has the right to intervene in the affairs of the child when they feel that the child is endangered or not being taken care of properly. One of the main guiding points is the environment in which the child has grown up in. Social learning theory and living with parents that do not nurture the child can lead to an increase in deviant behavior. Therefore, the child has not been taught how to act properly in society. This would then fall under parens patriae, in which the state would intervene and focus on the rehabilitation, not on punishment like the adult contemporaries. In addition keeping the children with positive role models through foster care can also help with their deviant behavior by taking them out of areas they associated with their bad life style, such as what they did in New York and Baltimore. One of the most important themes posed by Platt is the question of bringing juvenile crime into the sc ope of criminal law and the effect of nature vs nurture. This is a completely applicable question in today’s judicial system. Some children are born with a conduct disorder which can lead to more severe deviant disorders during development.

Debating Cinema and Time in film Inception Essay

Debating Cinema and Time in film Inception - Essay Example The approach that is given to Inception by Christopher Nolan conforms to the perspective of the theory of Bernani and Dutoit as portrayed in their book,-the approach given by the movie make the possibility of being to be put at great stake. Nolan also in hi movie, inception uses the theory that states that film using the ‘general apparatus’ are predetermined to guarantee production of a subject that dominates an ideology. Throughout the movie, there are breath-taking special effects coupled with unbelievable twists and turns. The film man referred to as Batman: the dark night and the Prestige are rated to be brilliant with the ability to create a world within a world with the masterpiece. Even though it is a little bit difficult to understand the movie, it has managed what very many directors are yearning for; the ability to leave the audience in need of more and continues with the talk about the movies weeks after watching it. There are creative camera works that has be en used in the development of the movie and this is what contributes to the peculiarity of the movie. For instance, when Leonardo and his partner Arthur visited Saito with their proposal for a dream to steal, the camera work involved in the scene is one of the very rare uses of 180 degrees. The use of 180 degrees do create the realism that there is a discussion going on while in the real sense it is just the use of two cameras on the opposites to create an impression that there is a discussion taking place. Usually, 180 degrees shot is to make shots that are close up in nature and will allow the audience to construe the characters emotional state and not the entire shooting scene. This camera work was used in the movie to depict the three men sat in a round table discussing. Apart from the 180 degrees rule, the director of the movie also used some other unique styles of expressing the facial expression of two characters talking; this involved the use of ‘shot reverse shot†™ which is able to move back and forth between two characters to depict that they are in a conversation. This technique also uses the 180 degrees rule to show a conversation between two people by moving the camera back and forth between the two people so that the audience can connect with the facial reaction of the characters talking (McCormick, 2004). This technique has been perfectly used in the movies where two people are discussing or talking in a way that it brings out the sense of conversation that connects easily with the audience. In the film, most of the shots are long shots, medium shots, and close shots meant to bring in varieties in the movies, this works well in keeping the audience interested about the movies and avoid tension building in the audience since they are fully aware of the happenings. The closes up shots are used particularly when the intended purpose is to depict the facial expression of the audience such as reactions and emotional state. In this case, t he close up shots works to pass important information to the audience and about the character of the individuals as well as what they think. Close up shots in this regard can also be used to bring into focus some of the important characters in the movies and to which the audience should pay more attention to and follow because they are

MASTER AND COMMANDER Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

MASTER AND COMMANDER - Essay Example Stephen Maturin and their first adventures. At the same time, there is a historical element to the novel since the backdrop of the story is the war between England and France known as the Napoleonic wars which took place sometime after the French revolution1. In this context, the novel brings together the culture and the history of the times when it starts by placing the action in Port Mahon in 1800. Of course the world was a very different place then and the culture of the time is easily observed in the opening where the first meeting between Aubrey and Maturin is certainly less than ideal. At a Royal Navy base in Port Mahon, Minorca, Jack Aubrey is nudged by Maturin at the governor’s ball during a musical performance. They quibble with each other, but before it can get really serious, Jack is informed that he is about to be given the command of his own ship and he seeks out Maturin to join him on his voyage2. The historical background here is plainly obvious since the cultural elements of challenging someone to a duel and imagined slights at being nudged could certainly not take place in this day and age. At the same time the quick about turn shown by Jack also has its basis in historical fact as it was often difficult to recruit individuals for the hard life of the navy. In fact, Jack has to convince the doctor/scientist/philosopher that the Mediterranean is an excellent place to do research and study3. Of course the place where he conducts this research and study is the HMS Sophie of which the master and commander is Jack Aubrey. The ship’s physician also acts as a reference point for the reader since other characters in the novel explain things to him as the voyage progresses. This explanation of naval matters is also useful for the readers since they also gain awareness about the ship and the manner in which the navy conducts its business4. In the historical context, sailing in the 1800s was quite a different matter as

Masters of Science in Information Management at Syracuse University Essay

Masters of Science in Information Management at Syracuse University - Essay Example Some of the most interesting and useful courses that make part of the program are ’Web-Design and Management’ and ‘Application Programming for Information System’. Designing web and making java programs are some of the key skills contemporary organizations expect to find in the graduates of Information Management. ‘Intro/Info Based Organization’ is a very good course whose knowledge guides the professionals in maximizing benefits for the company through informed decision making. The courses ‘Info Reporting and Presentation’ and ‘Global Financial System Architecture’ helped improve my social skills as I had to frequently work in collaboration with my teammates and develop business plans. These courses and the exercises they comprise have interesting ways of inculcating the required skills in the students. Reflecting upon my past experience with this field of study, I am positive that studying it at Masters level would p ave the way for new opportunities for me both in academia and industry. After almost four years of study in the Syracuse University, I have become quite aware of this university and this city. The school faculty is very helpful and is always available to guide the students through matters related to studies, career, or life in general. Syracuse University organizes many educational and recreational events every semester. Syracuse University maintains a high profile in sports as well; as a royal basketball fan, I believe that Syracuse University is second to none in offering the students' growth opportunities in sports along with studies. Since Syracuse University can offer me both good quality study and rich leisure life, it is really a place where I can draw a balance between studies and life. My parents can finance my studies. They can pay for the tuition either by international wire transfer or by credit card.

Investigation of Consumer's Perceptions of Baranka Cafe on Motorway Literature review

Investigation of Consumer's Perceptions of Baranka Cafe on Motorway - Literature review Example Mick, Pettigrew, Pechmann and Ozanne (2011, p.167) note that a brand image is accumulated reflections about an organization’s characters. It is vital for highlighting an organization’s missions and visions. The elements of a constructive brand include an impacting logo that rises to prop an organization’s image. Additionally, Rao (2011, p. 49) argues that a slogan is essential in describing an organization in brief as well as supporting the core values of the same. Consumers use details, in their subconscious, in order to develop a lasting impression about services. In turn, they become subjective associations of the bundle of services that customers would receive in Baranka. An example of brand image, for Baranka, would concern with hygiene. Additionally, the cafe could be identifiable as a sophisticated service group. The idea behind this appeal pertains to the fact that a consumer purchases both a product and a brand. In most circumstances, a customer’s drive towards services would be driven by the brand. Mooji (2009, p 275) highlights of brand positioning statement as vital in a brand image. Kapferer (2008, p. 98) confirms that the brand positioning statement links the internal with the external aspects of a brand. These two aspects are the principal areas of a brand. The internal aspects relate to the same that a company injects for the market. In terms of Baranka, this would refer to the efforts that they would commit in establishing their distinct image upon customers. According to Prideaux, Moscardo & Laws (2006, p. 54), a brand image entails the goals, of brand identity and values, that the company expects upon the impression of the market. It relates to the idea that Baranak would want to convey to its clients. Szwarc (2005, p. 89) notes that Baranka would make extra efforts in providing entertainment to its customers. Breckenfeld (2008, p.34) defines external aspects of a brand as relating to the same that the consumers pe rceive of Baranka’s services. The vitality of brands in daily consumption relate to a desired brand identity. Baranka should strive to transfers its expectations, on image, to the customers. Singh (2007, p. 41) explains that it is vital to note that such a brand would be practical in the long run. Sunder (2011, p. 23) says that in spite of the fact that customers may have imaginary brand images, it is crucial for Baranka to commit efforts in achieving the desired brand identity. Brown (2006, p. 126) notes that it achieves the same by employing marketing mix elements. Marketing mix elements include communication, product, price and distribution. The core part of communication relates to constructive advertising. Cochran (2003, p. 234) notes that Baranka should strive to identify elements that customers highly value. For instance, they would construct an image of convenience to customers. In this perspective, Self and Roche (2012 p. 245) argues that the cafe would be appropriat e for students and employees in their respective breaks. In addition, they would transfer their image expectations by packaging their sandwiches and baguettes in an attractive way. It is vital to note that there is significant competition in coffee packaging. Therefore, it is crucial that Baranka exceptionally designs its beverage tins. Dinnie (2007, p. 123) adds that another principal area, of communication, pertains to use of word of mouth in gaining publicity. Onkvisit & Shaw (2008, p. 278) adds that employees are principal

Arab's scientists Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Arab's scientists - Essay Example During these years, the various "Muslim artists and scientists, princes and laborers together made a unique culture that has directly and indirectly influenced societies on every continent" (Turner, 1). In my article I will focus on the well known Arab algebraic mathematicians and their contributions towards the study of science and technology that continue to influence us even today. Discussion The modern form of ‘scientific method,’ that forms the core in all studies pertaining to mathematics and science, is said to have been first established by Ibn Al Haytham (Alhazen), a well known Persian scientist of the 10th-11century Arab world (Gorini, 53-55). In fact it has been contended by many scholars that the study of science in its modern essence has taken shape from the various scientific ideas and knowledge that transpired during the Islamic golden period (Hossein, 71). Ibn al-Haytham is considered to be a trendsetter in the field of of  experimental physics (Gorini, 55)  where his innovative methods of experimentation and quantifications, in order to differentiate between the varying scientific notions and thoughts, are still held in great esteem amongst the modern scientists.  In his famous treatise,  Book of Optics, he transformed the scientific study of  optics, where he empirically derived that owing to the  light rays  that enter the human eye makes it possible for a person to see (Elliot, 330-37). During this golden period, Islamic mathematics played an important role in the overall growth and development of Islamic scientific studies. The development in mathematics mainly grew from the various religious observations that had integrated within it, different problems related to astronomy and mathematics, especially the subjects of algebra, geometry, trigonometry,  and  arithmetic. The Islamic law of inheritance proved to be a great catalyst in the development of algebra (a derivative from the Arabic word al-jabr), a branch of mathematics, by well known Islamic mathematicians during the medieval period, such as,  Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi.   Al-Khwarizmi in his famous book Hisab al-jabr w’al-muqabala  used algebra (in the form of linear equations) to come to a logical derivation on the subject of the Islamic law of inheritance.  Later other mathematicians like Al-Hassar who in the 12th century formulated the modern mathematical symbolic notations, like fractions. Another well known mathematician in the 15th century, Abu al-Hasan ibn Ali al-Qalasadi actualized an algebraic symbolic notation which is considered to be "the first steps toward the introduction of algebraic symbolism" in the 15th century (O'Connor and  Robertson, Abu'l Hasan ibn Ali al Qalasadi, 1999). There are three main theories regarding the conceptualization of Islamic algebra, where the first one states that it was derived from Hindu scientific notions; the second theory tell us that Islamic algebra came from Mes opotamian influences; while the third theory opines that it was derived from Greek algebraic notions (Boyer, 230). Throughout the entire golden era, before the Islamic civilization came to an end, the Arab scientists were fully aware of the notions of rhetorical algebra, which was in wide use, and often the numbers were written in the form of words (like ‘

Minds Are Opened Only When Hearts Are Opened Essay Example for Free

Minds Are Opened Only When Hearts Are Opened Essay â€Å"Minds are like parachutes. They only function when they are open.† James Dewar To create the life that you want, growing as a human being and regularly experiencing a prosperous lifestyle, you will need a mind open to other people, possibilities, ideas and opinions around you. When you have an open mind you allow yourself to attract and follow up on opportunities. When you work with the power of the conscious and subconscious mind you will attract opportunities that will bring you what you need; for what you radiate you will constantly attract. When you are prepared to become creative you will create a vibrant life, while eliminating negative and unwanted situations. Most people think they already listen to others with an open mind, merely by paying close attention to what is being said. In fact, keeping an open mind is not easy to do if you are happy with the way you are doing things and do not see the point of changing. We all have moments, however, when we do listen with an open heart and mind, for example, we are more open to listening to someone we trust. An open mind is an understanding mind which will develop a genuine appreciation for people. When you take the trouble to think of other people’s feelings, their viewpoints and their desires you are saying â€Å"people are important†. An open mind will accept other people unconditionally. It requires the letting go of likes and dislikes and other similar emotions. When you do this you discipline your emotions and you allow people to be who they are with all their idiosyncrasies, differences and irritations. When you are communicating with others there can often be misunderstandings and these can lead to failure in your relations with others. We expect others to react and respond and come to the same conclusions we do over a given set of facts. Unfortunately, no one reacts to things as they are but to their own mental images; they are responding appropriately to what they see as the truth about the situation. An open-minded person will ask themselves â€Å"How does this appear to that person?† or, â€Å"How does that person interpret the situation?† and they will try to understand why someone might act differently to the way they expected. Many small business owners have faced extinction because they thought they knew it all and were not prepared to have an open mind and listen to others who had been down that path before them. When you are open minded you are always prepared to be teachable, to learn something new and take advantage of opportunities that present themselves. An open mind is the doorway to expansion of ideas. When you open your mind you are not compromising your ethics and values. It just means that you begin to practice a greater sense of awareness and in doing so you are prepared to look at your world a little differently. Test opportunities that are presented to you and examine where the message is coming from. It may be from a friend, a neutral party or from a source about which you are sceptical. If you are not sure, instruct your subconscious mind to guide you by simply saying, â€Å"I am making the right decision.† Focus on what you want, not on what you don’t want. A Closed Mind â€Å"A closed mind is like a closed book; just a block of wood. – Chinese Proverb. We have all been given the power to develop ideas and exercise free will. Unfortunately too often those ideas die as a seed and people use their free will to close their mind to the tremendous opportunities surrounding them. This stubbornness prevents them from achieving the goals that they want for themselves and so the opportunity for success is greatly decreased. In our formative years we grow and develop egos that maintain very particular ideas about ourselves in relation to the world around us. Your ego is your conscious mind, that which controls your behaviour and tries to give meaning to your external, material reality. It is powerful and can control your life if you allow it. Your external reality is a direct result of your mental and spiritual self so if the latter two are not where you want them to be your external and material self will suffer. The ego cannot improve the quality of your mental and spiritual life. When you close your mind you essentially become stubborn and become a victim of the ego mind which says, â€Å"My attitude is right despite what anyone else has to say†. The ego mind, although it thinks it knows better than anyone else, is never prepared to leave its comfort zone and so is not open to new ideas nor will it welcome others into its world. This kind of attitude shuts you off from the process of life and nature which is about growing and experiencing new possibilities. Think about how many times you were resistant to trying something new only to eventually give in and discover that you really enjoyed the process. Limitations are the jail of the mind so if you can throw off the shackles and open your mind to new and exciting ideas, your possibilities become limitless. When the mind is shackled and limited it affects every part of your life, for example, work presentations can lack innovation and impact and even every-day conversations are less productive and rewarding. Conversations often become defensive as the mind closes off to what is being said by others. Society today gives out a negative message that everyone is out to ‘take you down’ and that if it ‘looks to good to be true, it probably is’. This causes many to close their minds to everything beyond their current knowledge. An open mind is a mind that is aware that the current knowledge is not all there is to know and will eagerly investigate possibilities. When you have a closed mind to new and exciting possibilities you essentially tell yourself that you are not willing to go the extra mile – that you are not willing to grow and experience new things. You have now switched off the power within you and there can be no change and no progress in life and things will never improve. Such people become very introspective and weak. The old recordings of the past can, however, be changed. If you choose, you can wipe the old record clean, put on a new record and make a decision to activate the positive thoughts which lead to a relaxed and open view of the world. Remember, the past explains how you got to the present but where you go from here is your responsibility. In his book A Vision of Power Glory, John Kehoe gives a Zen parable about two monks who are on a journey together when they come to a river. By the river there is a beautiful woman. The woman asks them, â€Å"Please will one of you monks carry me across the river? The river is too wide and the current too swift.† The two monks look at one another, because they have taken a sacred vow to not so much as even touch a woman. Then, abruptly, the older monk picks up the woman, carries her across the river and puts her down on the other side. They continue on their journey. The younger monk is flabbergasted. He can’t believe it. An hour goes by and not a word is spoken between them. Two hours. Three hours. And finally, after four hours, he turns to the older monk and blurts out, â€Å"How could you have done that? How could you have carried that woman?† â€Å"Oh?† responds his companion, â€Å"Are you still carrying her? I put her down four hours ago.† John Kehoe goes on to say, â€Å"How much are we still carrying around inside us that should have been put down a long time ago? Disappointments; regrets; failures; grudges. How much junk are we carrying around inside us and how long are we going to carry it? All our life?† If you want to change and improve your attitude to life then it is imperative that you keep an open mind. That is not to say you will be taken in by every ‘fly-by-night’ scheme that may be put before you. An open mind is curious and investigative and examines new things. Your creative power system uses your conscious and subconscious mind to attract, explore and check out new opportunities so that you can begin achieving your goals and creating the life you want. Don’t limit yourself; learn how to attract new possibilities and make the right decisions by developing the power of your mind and heart. If you move in your community with an open mind and an open heart you can learn to accept others. You don’t have to agree with them, but accept who they are and feel free to express yourself. I remember a friend of ours who has passed on now, who was well-known and well-liked in community affairs. He met many people as he moved around and sometimes in a gathering he would be heard to say, â€Å"There’s a fellow over there I met recently and I didn’t like him; I must go over and get to know him better†. He would always come away with a new-found friend; now that’s an open mind and open heart.

Internal And External Fit Of Coca Cola

Internal And External Fit Of Coca Cola Established in 1886, the Coca Cola Company operates in more than 200 countries markets more than 500 brands 3,300 beverage products. The Coca Cola Company explains its operations system this way. We are a global business that operates on a local scale in every community we do business The company believes its strengths lie in their ability to have a global reach at the same time have a local focus. The company has more than 300 bottling partners worldwide. The Coca Cola Company manufacturers sells concentrates, beverage bases syrups to bottling operations; owns the brands; is responsible for consumer brand marketing initiatives. The bottling partners manufacture, package, merchandise distribute the finished branded beverages to their customers vending partners, who then sell the Coca Cola products to consumers. Organizational Strategy Product/Market Focus Coca cola is a company that knows that their main priority is to reach their products to the customers. Coca cola focuses on improving the product itself either by design, taste, ingredients, size, convenience, and many other factors. Coca-Colas target market satisfies a wide variety of cultural consumers around the world. Moreover, their products target people who are health conscious and people who are on a diet. Their products do fit all age groups from the young to the old. There are Coca-Cola products for the athletes who train for a sport, such as Powerade (Coca-Cola Product). Also, this company has focused on people who need coffee in the morning before they go to work. Coca- Cola owns a joint venture with Illycaffe, Italy coffee brand which is primarily for the people who are coffee-lovers. The focus of this market, Coca Cola, is applicable to both male and females. Coca- Cola does engage in product diversification throughout the world. Coke a product is mainly directed to th e young children. Their advertisements are mostly directed to the young. Coke wants to target the young because they know their product will give youths power and energy. Brand extension strategy has played a key role on Coke. Coke introduces new products under their trademark Coca-Cola. Brand extension strategy is quite effective under the Coke trademark. There will be this recognition and realization from consumers, that they will be drinking a Coca Cola product. Brand extension strategy puts a new product into an existing market. Diet Coke is an example of brand extension strategy which became successful. For instance, Diet Coke has been recognized gradually by consumers worldwide, it has low calories and has been sold over 100 countries. It promotes liveliness and energy to consumers similar to Coke. Many consumers who do enjoy coke as a soft drink, there would be a higher probability for a consumer to try a can of diet-coke due to brand awareness. Rationale: Coca Cola Company wants to continue focusing their needs for consumers with regards to delivering innovative food products which includes energy drinks, vitamins, and antioxidant drinks. Furthermore, Coca Cola is focusing on creating a healthy and active lifestyle that is more adaptive to consumer behavior. Coca cola is working with their bottling partners to enhance customer relationships and make their products widely known and distributed everywhere. Growth Strategy/Goals Hard goals In terms of its growth strategy, which is their market position in the beverage industry, Coca Cola Company is concentrating in opening more opportunities in developing markets by leveraging the scale reach of the Coca Cola system to shape capture value. The company intends to accomplish it by sharpening their execution at the point of sale and expanding the brand portfolio. The company has projected that these developing markets are expected to contribute approximately 20 percent of incremental population growth over the next 10 years. Personal expenditure per capita in these markets is expected to increase by 65% over the next decade. Furthermore, Coca Cola company anticipates that developing markets will contribute approximately  ¼ of the incremental unit case volume by 2020. Rationale The coca cola companys long term growth strategy of investing in emerging markets, is related to the Coca Cola Company projections in these markets. The CCC attributes this to a positive correlation between wealth and the increase in consumption of Nonalcoholic ready-to-drink(NARTD) beverages. From now to 2020, more than 1 billion people will join the middle class, and the per capita wealth for individuals will increase by nearly 30 percent. They have the ability to invest in new plants in places like china India. Over the next 3 years Coca Cola company plans to invest $2 billion, 3 new plants are expected to be finished in that time period. The company clearly understands in order for intended strategy to be attained, consumer access and system alignment is key to their growth in these emerging markets. This means placing more coolers throughout these countries, in order to drive on-the-go consumption. Soft goals The Coca Cola company is also encouraging their partners in the value chain, to enhance their soft skills within these developing markets. The company is focused on growing annual consumption of beverage products. The company intends to work with its bottling partners to establish new customer relationships grow existing ones, from street vendors restaurants, to large-scale grocers. Rationale The reason why the CCC emphasizes the development of soft skills, the Coca Cola Company has a vast distribution network to contend with. To remain a leader in the beverage industry, communicating with its partners along the value chain is an important aspect of their continued success in the beverage industry. As I have said, Coca Cola Company has a huge distribution network and it is one of the best distribution network in the world, nobody in the beverage industry can match this tremendous asset. Another reason why the Coca Cola company is successful in its core activities, stems from its mission, vision values. This is the source where the CCC can attribute its success, its long-term strategy to become the most widely available consumed soft drink in the world. Perhaps the following statement which comes from the CCCs mission, vision values strategic outlook can be deemed a poignant assertion. The world is changing all around us, to continue to thrive as a business over the ne xt ten years, beyond, we must look ahead, understand the trends forces that will shape our business in the future move swiftly to prepare for whats to come. We must get ready for tomorrow, today. Mission This is Coca Colas mission statement To refresh the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦To inspire moments of optimism and happinessà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦To create value and make a difference. Coca Cola company mission statement clearly defines the purpose for which and reason why they exist as an organization. The employees must be feel they are a part of an organization that knows where it is heading, in terms of the language it uses with their mission statement. to create value make a difference resonates with belonging to an organization, that wants to create a culture of empowerment and continuous improvement. Vision Coca Cola Companys vision statement is a guide to what the company needs to accomplish so it can achieve sustainable and quality growth. The CCC vision statement is based on what we will call the six Ps (people, portfolio, partners, planet, profit, productivity) People: Be a great place to work, where people are inspired to the best they can be Portfolio: Bring the world a portfolio of quality beverage brands that anticipate satisfy peoples desires needs. Partners: Nurture a winning network of customers suppliers, together we create mutual enduring value. Planet: Be a responsible citizen that makes a difference by helping build support sustainable communities. Profit: Maximize long-term to shareowners while being mindful of our overall responsibilities. Productivity: Be a highly effective, lean fast-moving organization. Culture of CCC This quote epitomizes their culture: Our Winning Culture: Our winning culture defines the attitudes and behaviours that will be required of us to make our 2020 vision a reality Such is the importance of the Mission Vision of the CCC, I believe it is important to include the culture of this company. Because the culture shapes the attitudes behaviours of the everyone that works for the organization. The Coca Cola Company is identified with having a strong culture The CCC has incorporated the culture with their 2020 Vision, which is a long-term strategy aimed to be a RoadMap for understanding the trends and forces that will shape their business of the future. The CCC says it is a preparation of whats to come designed to seize on opportunities once they have been identified. This roadmap is based on winning together with their bottling partners. Values of The CCC Live Our Values: Our values serve as a compass for our actions and describe how we behave in the world. Leadership: The courage to shape a better future Collaboration: Leverage collective genius Integrity: Be real Accountability: If it is to be, it is up to me Passion: Committed to heart mind Diversity: As inclusive as our brands Quality: What we do, we do well Values as we understand, act as a guide for our individual actions and group behaviour. They are the moral compass in our every day interactions with the internal external environment, customers, associates, public, family, friends, and institutions, Rationale The Coca Cola Companys mission, vision, culture, and values, defines and shapes the companys objectives into measurable expressions of what the organization intends to achieve. They include a mixture of hard and soft goals, the hierarchy or top management at Coca Cola Company understands they have to develop a blueprint that employees and the bottling partners can follow and identify with being successful in their business. One striking example comes from their vision statement one of the six Ps, which states, People: be a great place to work, where people are inspired to the best they can be Another vision statement says Partners: nurture a winning network of customers suppliers, together we create a mutual enduring value The CCCs vision, culture and values create an atmosphere of individual attainment and group accomplishment. Where the essence of individual talent is nurtured and encouraged, and group effort is identified as an important contributor to the goals of the CCC. Core activities The value of change plays an important part in the core activities of the Coca Cola Company because the company relies a lot in its suppliers, the bottles companies and the people selling the product. The suppliers are from people they get there ingredients like sugar, coffee, citrus around the world, the water they use in the process of making the beverage to the people in charge of the packaging.. Then come in role the Coca Cola system which is basically where first the company produces the beverages and then comes in play the bottling partners. They are independent bottling partners in charge manufacture, package and distribute the final product. Finally there is the selling the beverages process where the final products are taken to the warehouse for being distributed to retail outlets. The products are then distributed to the customers that are supermarket, convenience stores, restaurants, etc. And also to the vending machines and coolers that are place in strategic locations to reach all customers. And that way the product finally reach the consumers, around 1.6 billion time a day are the products consume Coca Cola Company depends a lot in other part to take the products to the consumers. They treat them with respect and importance and make them realize the importance of their work to the coca cola system. They have been using this system for years and so far had work perfectly. They are focus in the need of the consumers, the customers and the franchise partners; they think in terms of globalization, they are always aware of change. They also use an aggressive marketing strategy. Almost everywhere and in the most important events you can see a Coca Cola logo, they have billboards, commercials, products that will be associated with Coca Cola. Rationale The core activities are an important play for the company because if what makes them different from the rest of the company. They depends a lot in the suppliers the bottling companies and the customers. They play in an important role in making the product as the suppliers give them the prime materials. Then there are the bottling companies that are play an equal significant part, they are the package where the product is deliver and if you can see the bottle of the products of the company are immediately associated with the company. For example Coca Cola has a unique bottle design that everyone in the world with associate or recognized. Value Proposition Coca -Cola Company is an organization which provides value for their consumers and customers. Customers are their energy source for this organization. Creating the value starts with their coca cola products. Hence, this can greatly be achieved by greater variety of brands, pricing, packaging, and affordability. In addition, Coca-Cola products do focus on the customer lifestyle in terms of satisfaction. For example, if a person were to be on a diet, well there is diet coke. Hence, Coca Cola does engage in the customer needs in terms of the product. Coca- Cola has over nearly 400 brands (including water, juice, teas, coffees, energy drinks, and especially sodas) and wants to engage consumers to try something refreshing and new. It really comes down to choices for consumer in terms of coca cola products. Coca-cola brands include Fruitopia, Fanta, Sprite, Dasani, Nestea, Powerade, and many more brands. One of Coca-Colas slogans was Open Happiness. This slogan was represented to the consu mers and was meant to letting the consumers enjoy their products. Coca Cola is able to meet todays non-alcoholic beverage needs of consumers. Coca Colas current value proposition is The Coke Side of Life which represents happiness when you open up a can of coke or any other Coca-Cola product. The Coke Side of Life explains that it is an enjoyable, comfortable, and sociable environment when one actually consumes a Coca-Cola product. Rationale: Coca Cola Company continues to work on research/development and focus on making new products. For instance, a can of coke has a secret formula that will be difficult to imitate. Coca Cola products are significant because they make each product unique. Internal Fit/Factors Porter 5 Forces Analysis Threat of Entrants Coca-Cola does have a lot of competitors in the soft drink industry. The threat of entrants is low for the soft drink industry. There are very few entrants who can compete with Coke. In addition, a barrier to entry when entering the soft drink industry would be a high capital investment. If you dont have that high capital investment it would be hard to enter the industry. Coke nearly earns 48% of the soft drink industry and there are no competitors that are nowhere near coca colas distribution. Coca-Cola has over 500 brands of products which are potentially substitutes. To get the point, the buyer can switch from one product to another at no cost under the Coca Cola brand. Nowadays, consumers are really being health-conscious about their health. So they may not be interested in soft drinks but look at tea, juices, milk and even water. Certainly, Coke does have these products on hand. If Coca Cola decides to increase most of their product by a $0.50 increase, it would be very likely, consumers would buy Pepsi products. Coke can lose its profits margin and can have a major impact on the trademark itself if they increase prices. Price is a huge factor to take into consideration with regards to other entrants. The challenge for this organization today and the future is to focus private companies because they can imitate the products and put cheaper prices. Private companies currently earn 14.4% of the soft drink industry. Having strong barriers prevents from this rising situation to happen. One strong barrier to entrant that prevents from coming would be distribution channels. Coca cola has their products everywhere on their store shelves which make it accessible to consumers while new private companies will have a hard time selling their products to wholesalers, retailers, and distributors. Rationale: Entrants are slowly rising to the carbonated soft drink industry and as organization must find new barriers. Coca-Cola should continue to develop their brand loyalty worldwide and convince consumers to have reliability in their products. Barriers to entry One of the 5 forces that shape the soft drink industry is barriers to entry. The Coca Cola company says on its website it is facing strong competition from well-established global companies and many local participants. For this particular industry, the competitive forces are benign, (favourable). Most of the companies in the soft drink industry are profitable. The Coca Cola companys main competitors are Dr.Pepper, Nestle and Pepsico. These companies definitely have the advantage over there competitors. In porters 5 forces, Porter refers to supply-side economies of scale, where firms such as the CCC and Pepsico can produce at large volumes enjoy lower costs per unit because they can spread fixed costs over more units, employ more efficient technology, or command better terms from suppliers. According to Porters article, supply-side scale economies deter entry by forcing the aspiring entrant either to come in the industry on a large scale, which requires dislodging entrenched competito rs. How does a newcomer circumvent the barriers to soft drink industry? Perhaps create new distribution channels of their own. Creating a niche market for their drink in the form of marketing to a certain segment in the soft drink industry. Competitive Rivalry Competitive rivalry is between two main competitors the Coca Cola Company and Pepsico to satisfy the taste of consumers in this industry. Last month Beverage Digest reported that Pepsi-Colas market share fell 0.5 percentage point while Diet Coke slipped just 0.1 percentage point in the U.S. supermarkets, convenience stores and other retail outlets. The two companies have fought over the past decade to win market share from one another as overall sales dropped. This relates to Porters article on the 5 competitive forces that shape strategy. There is an intense rivalry between these two companies. According to porter high rivalry, limits the profitability of the industry. The Coca Cola Company and Pepsico are competing based on brand image. Power of the buyers One of the 5 forces of porter is buyers the power of the, for Coca Cola Company the power of the buyers is high. They play an important role in the Company process because they are part of the distribution process of the company. They play an important role in distributing the system so it can reach the consumers. They are part of the company and the process. They are part of the strategy used by the company. Power of the suppliers Another of the 5 forces of porter is the suppliers. As well they play an important role in the company process so they have a high power. They have a high power because they also play an important part of the process of the soft drinks. If they decided to boycott the company it will caused them serious damages. There will be a cost to switch suppliers because they will have to build a relationship since 0 and might lost incomes for doing that. External Fit(Diamond E. Model) Management Preferences The senior management team wants to increase the efficiency and effectiveness in the production and bottling sector. With regards to economies of scale, Coke continues to increase production at a low cost. As production of Coca Cola products increase, the cost of producing each unit falls. Moreover, the senior management continues to think about new products (in addition to their 500 products), develop beverages, make new programs and promotions, and meet the needs of customers. The senior management continues to strive for sustainability in their organization. Coca cola recently launched their plant bottle packaging, which basically means they have created their PET bottles from plant based materials. Hence, makes their product 100% recyclable. Muhtar Kent, chief operating officer continues his obligation with sustainability. In 10 years, he plans to reduce coca colas emission by a half. To continue improving performance, Coca-Cola continues to update their technology with regards to quality control. As well continue using better material for their products. In addition, this organization is starting to develop their products in rural areas of the world. The senior management team wants to let consumers know that they are the most trusted carbonated soft drink company and strive to achieve leadership in corporate sustainability. Rationale: The main preferences for Muhtar Kent, CEO, wants to develop and raise their brands, enhance revenue growth and increase productivity within their products. Resources The resources on the Coca Cola Company according to the Diamond E. Model are first the all the resources that the company have to keep on growing and innovating. From the shareholders to the investors, etc. The company has used many of these resources to create healthy products or bio friendly products. They are aware that many of their ingredients comes from the environment and the nature so they are trying to created a friendly environment where the environment is being look after. They have different programs that are meant to help the environments to maintain the natural resources of the land. This is very important because if one of the products they use is gone they wont be able to produce the product anymore. Organization What is the structure, leadership and unique features of the Coca Cola Company in relation to Fry/Killing Diamond E Model. It is what is referred to as the Coca Cola system, which comprises 300 bottling partners worldwide. The coca cola system operates through multiple local channels, the company manufactures and sells its concentrate, beverage bases and syrups to bottling operations, owns the brands and responsible for consumer brand marketing initiatives. The bottling partners manufacture, package, merchandise and distribute the final branded beverages to customers and vending partners, who then sell the products to consumers. It is no wonder the coca cola company has one of the best distribution systems in the world and the ability to penetrate in markets where no company can duplicate is attribute to the structure and leadership at the Coca Cola company. The other unique aspect is the relationship it has with its bottling partners, who in turn works closely with customers, like g rocery stores, restaurants, street vendors, convenience stores, movie theatres, and amusement parks to execute localized strategies developed in partnership with the company. Part2 The strategic job we chose for our organization was Brand manager and the requisite job we chose was a Truck Driver/Vending Machine Supplier. Requisite Job at Coca Cola: Truck Driver/Vending Machine Supplier The requisite job for the Coca Cola company we agreed to use was the truck driver/vending machine supplier. This type of worker requires high school education, has to be licensed to drive a truck, may involve some lifting and moving heavy case of soft drinks. It would be an asset to be in good physical condition. But it is not a requirement. The job incumbent must be personable, because you are dealing with customers and consumers of the company on a daily basis. It would be ideal to hire from within the company a group of truck driver/vending machine suppliers, but due to the supply of this type of worker. We will hire from outside the company. It is easy to hire from a pool of truck driver/vending machine stockers. Duties -Responsible for delivering product and filling vending machines at all points of availability. -Collects and is accountable for money -Check accuracy and stability of the load -Restock machine to proper level, maintaining accuracy in stock levels -Invoice and collection of monies -Securing company assets -Ensure the machines are clean and in good working order -Ensure compliance with regulatory and company policies and procedures -Settle all accounts daily -Ensure product codes and Health codes are adhere to -Report damage to machines -Load supplies in a vehicle, such as a truck -Establish and maintain good customer relations with business owners and operators Knowledge/Skills/Attributes/other attributes of a Truck Driver/Vending Machine Supplier Knowledge -knowledge of the English language -Able to provide customer service and interpersonal relationships on one on one basis. -able to provide and identify customer service needs in a group dynamic situation. -being able to evaluate quickly customer service needs and know how to meet those needs -knowledge of simple mathematics and statistics -knowledgeable of relevant equipment and company safety policies and procedures. -able to understand and read provincial regulations, regarding the safe operation of a vehicle Skills -active listening -speaking -Critical thinking -Coordination -Service orientation -Judgement and Decision-making -Writing Abilities -Oral comprehension -Good Vision -Ability for good oral expression -Speech clarity -Written Comprehension -Control Precision -Depth Perception Other Attributes -Ability to perform and work directly with the Public -Able to deal with external customers -Able to have Face-to-Face discussions -Able to work with a group or team -Is able to work outdoors, exposure to all types of weather -Able to handle the daily contact with the same people in a professional and polite manner Labour Market for a Coca Cola Truck Driver/Vending Machine Supplier Based on the duties and KSAOs of this type of work at the Coca Cola company. We are not just looking to hire any driver. They need to have the experience in dealing with customers and the public. They must be committed to working for the company, because we are going to be testing the potential hirees. The testing will be based on questions about our companys occupational health procedures and equipment operation. The potential hirees will be tested on English language proficiency and Mathematics problem-solving etc They will also be quizzed on customer service skills. What type of interpersonal skills do they possess? This type of job consists of daily contact with customers and business owners. We will give provide further training for those drivers/vending suppliers at the companys expense. Based on these requirements for the job, we will need to find certain individuals that possess a high school diploma, with a clean driving record. The company is confident that we will find the se talented people to come and work for the Coca Cola company. The CCC will provide the additional training to enhance skills such English, written and oral comprehension. The training will also involve a simulation of driving a Coca cola delivery truck. How to handle tight corners for example, or driving on the highway, avoiding dangerous maneuvers, while changing lanes. We at Coca Cola believe we can, attract and retain this type of driver. They will go through Coca Cola University, and once they complete their goals with a certificate. They will have the ability to work anywhere in Canada and the U.S. The company believes by showing that commitment and belief to our people in this case, our truck driver/vending suppliers, we have created a our own market. Benefits The benefits are: -Training: at the Coca cola university for only selected hirees. -Health, Dental, Vision Plan -an employee who requires work-life balance, can ask for it. This might involve parental leave or personal leave program. It is our belief at our company that we have invested time and training for our employees, in order to retain and attract future employees this is one benefit at the coca cola company will a mainstay. We also have wellness programs, so our employees have the option of going into a fitness program at the no cost to them. We have financial planning benefits that our Truck driver/vending suppliers can take advantage of, so they can plan for the a secure future for their families. Compensation We would start the new hirees at $13 hourly rate,work, after one year to $15/hr- enventually topping at $30/hr. The performance pay would be based on individual performance. We are designing the merit bonuses into the compensation package. One form of a bonus incentive could be showing up for work consistently. Or we could gear it to production like serving a number of vending machines or a certain number of clients. The other options are, since this type of work involves excellent customer service skills, we could start to give bonuses to employees who score high on customer service. Another type of bonus, could be about minimizing errors by truck delivery personnel on the most efficient routes for delivering products of Coca cola. We would also encourage the participation of employees on what type of bonuses they like to attain. Research has shown that employees who work to challenging but attainable goals, especially when they had a role in formulating these goals-outperform those without specific work goals Recruitment It is our belief that the best form of recruiting for future truck delivery drivers is externally. Although we will encourage the input of our present employees about their ideas on who would be an ideal candidate, people they know. We trust our employees input, this method of HR forecasting may not be sophisticated but it assures the involvement of our employees for this type of work. It also ensures the employees, that the company has invested this much training and time for their personal development, they become part of decision-making. External recruit reduces our HR costs somewhat, but the investment we make in the training we provide is offset by performance bonuses and compensation packages. The company becomes profitable because of our incentives and the commitment by our truck driver/vending suppliers. PAQ Based on the type of work is involved in becoming a Truck driver/vending specialist, we believe the PAQ method for analyzing specific techniques of this job will be sufficient. It is a structured job analysis checklist of items or job elements used to rate a job. The PAQ method will co

Community Crime Profile Survey Essays -- essays research papers yyy

Community Crime Profile Survey with Questions   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The small community of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ is the one square mile home to a comparatively tiny population of approximately 7,600 people, including myself. I live on a residential street of this small suburban town where a great threat of danger and harm has never really been associated with its name. The crime rate on the city-data.com crime index is a minute 35.6 when compared to the U.S. average of 330.6. In the year of 2002 Wood-Ridge did not experience any murders, rapes, or robberies, and only 1 assault, 35 larceny counts, and 7 auto thefts. This is the main reason why all parties who were surveyed either felt very safe or somewhat safe living their lives in this neighborhood and believe crime has either decreased or stayed the same. All parties surveyed also rated the following services from acceptable to excellent: ambulance, cable television, electric utilities, fire, gas, phone, and police. Then when surveyed about police more closely the answers only v aried from good to excellent, with most answers in the excellent range. I found this survey relatively easy to perform. My town issues a small phone book of all persons living in town and I drew names at random and surveyed whoever was willing to offer their time. I surveyed five people ages 18-29, one person age 30-39, seven people ages 40-49, six people ages 50-59, and two people over 69 years of age. Seventeen of these people were male and only four were female, 100% of which was Caucasian. Two parties resided in apartments, while nineteen lived in a house. Eighteen families owned the residence they lived in and three rented, and obviously 100% of them have telephones in their homes. Of the parties surveyed, thirteen had full-time jobs, three were self-employed, one was a student, one was unemployed, and three parties were retired. The five most predominant problems exemplified from this survey were the amount of youths that are hanging out on the streets, the use of alcohol, alo ng with the use of drugs, traffic violations, and vandalism. Throughout this summary, these problems will become more detailed with possible solutions requiring efforts from a majority of the community, including the PTA, church organizations, local media, and everyday people that take part in this neighborhood.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The... ...1 Don’t Know -- 1 Police: Excellent -- 12 Good -- 8 Acceptable -- 0 Poor -- 1 Don’t Know -- 0 POLICE CONCERNS Evaluate current performance of the police in each of following areas: Quickness in Responding to Calls: Successfully Satisfying Your Call: Excellent -- 13 Excellent -- 13 Good -- 6 Good -- 6 Acceptable -- 1 Acceptable -- 1 Poor -- 0 Poor -- 0 Don’t Know -- 1 Don’t Know -- 1 Willing to Work With Neighborhood: Vehicle Patrols: Excellent -- 12 Excellent -- 12 Good -- 5 Good -- 6 Acceptable -- 3 Acceptable -- 2 Poor -- 1 Poor -- 0 Don’t Know -- 0 Don’t Know -- 0 Foot Patrols: Excellent -- 10 Good -- 3 Acceptable -- 6 Poor -- 2 Don’t Know -- 0 VOLUNTEER WORK Does your neighborhood have a crime watch program? Yes -- 0 No -- 4 Don’t know -- 17 If not, would you like your neighborhood to have a crime watch program? Yes -- 13 No -- 6 Don’t know -- 2 Do you/would you participate in a crime watch program? Yes -- 13 No -- 2 Don’t know -- 6 Does your neighborhood have a neighborhood association or community group? Yes -- 0 No -- 17 Don’t know -- 4 Do you/would you participate in the association or group? Yes -- 13 No -- 6 Don’t know -- 2 Community Crime Profile Survey Essays -- essays research papers yyy Community Crime Profile Survey with Questions   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The small community of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ is the one square mile home to a comparatively tiny population of approximately 7,600 people, including myself. I live on a residential street of this small suburban town where a great threat of danger and harm has never really been associated with its name. The crime rate on the city-data.com crime index is a minute 35.6 when compared to the U.S. average of 330.6. In the year of 2002 Wood-Ridge did not experience any murders, rapes, or robberies, and only 1 assault, 35 larceny counts, and 7 auto thefts. This is the main reason why all parties who were surveyed either felt very safe or somewhat safe living their lives in this neighborhood and believe crime has either decreased or stayed the same. All parties surveyed also rated the following services from acceptable to excellent: ambulance, cable television, electric utilities, fire, gas, phone, and police. Then when surveyed about police more closely the answers only v aried from good to excellent, with most answers in the excellent range. I found this survey relatively easy to perform. My town issues a small phone book of all persons living in town and I drew names at random and surveyed whoever was willing to offer their time. I surveyed five people ages 18-29, one person age 30-39, seven people ages 40-49, six people ages 50-59, and two people over 69 years of age. Seventeen of these people were male and only four were female, 100% of which was Caucasian. Two parties resided in apartments, while nineteen lived in a house. Eighteen families owned the residence they lived in and three rented, and obviously 100% of them have telephones in their homes. Of the parties surveyed, thirteen had full-time jobs, three were self-employed, one was a student, one was unemployed, and three parties were retired. The five most predominant problems exemplified from this survey were the amount of youths that are hanging out on the streets, the use of alcohol, alo ng with the use of drugs, traffic violations, and vandalism. Throughout this summary, these problems will become more detailed with possible solutions requiring efforts from a majority of the community, including the PTA, church organizations, local media, and everyday people that take part in this neighborhood.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The... ...1 Don’t Know -- 1 Police: Excellent -- 12 Good -- 8 Acceptable -- 0 Poor -- 1 Don’t Know -- 0 POLICE CONCERNS Evaluate current performance of the police in each of following areas: Quickness in Responding to Calls: Successfully Satisfying Your Call: Excellent -- 13 Excellent -- 13 Good -- 6 Good -- 6 Acceptable -- 1 Acceptable -- 1 Poor -- 0 Poor -- 0 Don’t Know -- 1 Don’t Know -- 1 Willing to Work With Neighborhood: Vehicle Patrols: Excellent -- 12 Excellent -- 12 Good -- 5 Good -- 6 Acceptable -- 3 Acceptable -- 2 Poor -- 1 Poor -- 0 Don’t Know -- 0 Don’t Know -- 0 Foot Patrols: Excellent -- 10 Good -- 3 Acceptable -- 6 Poor -- 2 Don’t Know -- 0 VOLUNTEER WORK Does your neighborhood have a crime watch program? Yes -- 0 No -- 4 Don’t know -- 17 If not, would you like your neighborhood to have a crime watch program? Yes -- 13 No -- 6 Don’t know -- 2 Do you/would you participate in a crime watch program? Yes -- 13 No -- 2 Don’t know -- 6 Does your neighborhood have a neighborhood association or community group? Yes -- 0 No -- 17 Don’t know -- 4 Do you/would you participate in the association or group? Yes -- 13 No -- 6 Don’t know -- 2

The Perception of African Americans in the Media and How it Affects The

The Perception of African Americans in the Media and How it Affects Their Self-Identity There has been much debate over the perception of African Americans in the media and how it affects their self-identity. It is easy to find examples of bias in portraying African Americans, but not a lot of causal research to prove that it causes problems with self-identity. A case can even be made that the amount of media presence by African Americans, whether biased or un-biased, has greatly helped to unify and give voice to a small minority group. The role of the media in the social identity of African Americans According to the United States Census Bureau (2001), 12.3% of all people reporting as one race reported they were â€Å"Black or African American†. This ethnic identity is now the second biggest minority in the United States. It also refers to a group of people who have been in this country for as long as it has existed. However, through the persecution of slavery, the rigors of segregation, and the continuing latent prejudice; African Americans are still searching for their true identity. African American Identity Just as children that were adopted tend to long for a true identity most of their lives, so is the plight of the African American. Stolen from their homeland and forced into enslavement in a new country, African Americans were basically victims of identity theft. Although much progress has been made in the way of an American identity for African Americans, a true identity has not yet been found. According to W.E.B DuBois (1903) â€Å"The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife—this longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self†. (p. 68) Many African Americans feel the same as Kali Tal (1996) when she says, â€Å"After the Egyptian and Indian, the Greek and Roman, the Teuton and Mongolian, the Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight in this American world – a world which yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world.† She also states, â€Å"One ever feels his twoness – an American, a Negro, two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled arrives; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.† A quick look at American histor... ...ly 25, 2004 from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/timeline/early_01.html Tal, K. (1996) The Unbearable Whiteness of Being: African American Critical Theory and Cyberculture The Kali Tal Homepage Retrieved July 25 fromhttp://www.freshmonsters.com/kalital/Text/Articles/whiteness.html U.S. Census Bureau (2001) Overview of Race and Hispanic Origin. Census 2000 Website Retrieved July 25, 2004 from http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/cb01cn61.html Woods, K. M. (1995) An Essay on a Wickedly Powerful Word Poynter Online Retrieved July 25, 2004 from http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=5603 Afro-phobic or Afro-publicist 15 Worthy, D. (2004) Cosby’s Rant Reverberates Through the Black Press NCM Retrieved July 25, 2004 from http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id= c3a1cf5b268909dfee0db53722131aee Young African-Americans Against Media Stereotypes (2004) Black Athletes and the Media. YAAMS WEBSITE Retrieved July 25, 2004 from http://www.yaaams.org/blackathletes.shtml Young African-Americans Against Media Stereotypes (2004) The NBA and White Wives. YAAAMS Website Retrieved July 25, 2004 from http://www.yaaams.org/whitewives.shtml

Trade in the 19th-21st Century

IntroductionExplain how the function of the Mercantilism pattern between 1500-to the late 1700s century has influence the International Trade Theories in the 19Thursday-21stcentury. ( one page )â€Å"Mercantilism† A school of economic idea developed in 16th-and 17th-century England, mercantile system argued that a state ‘s primary economic aim should be the accomplishment of a trade excess with the associated influx of gold. The cardinal thought was that trade was a zero-sum game and that a state could accumulate gold through a balance-of-trade excess merely at the disbursal of another state. ( Bowles, Paul, 2009 ) . Mercantilism had really of import influence to the organisation of Britain’s trade with other states particularly with its settlements. And there were assortment of rules for illustration, curtailing to provide the natural stuffs for Britain’s mill and prohibiting competed with some sorts of goods. The intent of mercantile system is to advance the economic strength of female parent state and acquire a trade excess. However, Adam Smith thought that mercantile system is incorrect. He believed free trade policy was better than mercantile system. In add-on to David Hume wrote essay â€Å" Of the Balance of Trade † ( 1752 ) suggestion that the balance of trade excess would take to domestic monetary value degree unstable. And, he developed early measure theory of money. In the mid- 18Thursdaycentury, hence, mercantile system had been proved unreasonable and was replaced by the theory of comparative advantage and the industry benefits from free trade that developed by David Ricardo. In 1840s, Mercantilism was eliminated and free trade and comparative advantage as the new economic policy for the economic system. Although free trade had become the chiefly theory in economic system, protectionist policies returned because of the economic catastrophe in the 1930s. Even Keynes believed that increasing the money supply could better domestic goods. Therefore mercantile system had new followings and so called â€Å"Neomercantilism† . Particularly in 1940 period East Asia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan – and in the 1990s and early twenty-first century, China – had taken the policies of â€Å" neomercantilist. † That enabled the East Asiatic economic systems to acquire quickly growing over a long period which impacted many other developing states, for illustration, Latin America, to take the same economic policies â€Å" neomercantilist † .Examinewhy states engage in tradeand the benefits of specialisation and trade between states.Nowadays, international trade is play a polar function in maintaining economic addition. People the universe over have profited tremendo usly from the cooperation across it, for illustration, developed states get inexpensive labour and big market, and developing states get engineering and increasing populating standing. It is win-win state of affairs. There are assortment of benefits for both states in footings of economic and societal advancement. For economic system, particularly for free trade, there are many states benefits from this economic policies such as Latin American state, Brazil, Chile, where fiscal and free trade has quickly change their economic system. First, free trade could better the life standing of domestic citizens. Several surveies has indicated successful trade could enable people out of poorness. Through free trade, by constructing an unfastened market, could profit for local economic because of the financess of international investing and trade. And there is possible chances to construct new industries and pull new engineerings. In add-on to which could make employee chances. Second, free trade besides can make a more competitory environment which really of import for development of domestic economic system for case China, duty rate â€Å"highest value over the past 19 old ages was 40.75 in 1992, while its lowest value was 7.69 in 2010.† ( China – Duty rate, indexmundi.com ) . During 18 o ld ages developing, the GDP of China had addition quickly. Of class, the increasing of GDP in China is the consequence of many factors while diminishing the duty rate and the barriers of import play a cardinal function for it. In fact, the political ground non merely find the economic system but besides the populating criterion of people. For societal advancement, by free trade, in one regard which can increase the financess for society, in other regard, the authorities can utilize the financess to put substructure and instruction. Equally far as we know, the societal advancement should establish on the fiscal development.When you sit down for your eventide repast attempt to gauge the figure of people andminutessthatare required to convey your repast to you-be as sidelong inventive and every bit specific as possible.Tonight, my flushing repast was rice and fish which made by myself. For rice, purchase it from supermarket, which is imported from Thailand. In Thailand, the rice need factors of merchandises to bring forth, which include husbandman, seeds, land and capital goods. First, husbandmans need purchase seeds from retail of seed and capital goods, in this measure, the store need staff to sell the seeds and capital goods. During period clip, the rice is produced which need to present to factory to treat and pack a nd so sell to wholesaler. Second, the employee of council would oversee the quality of rice whether fulfill the nutrient criterion. Wholesaler need staff to sell the rice to retail and supermarket. In the last measure, supermarket, need staff for illustration teller to sell the rice. For fish, it was imported from Australia. First measure, catching the fishes in the ocean. During this procedure, need person drive the boat and staff to catch the fishes. Second measure, presenting the fish to the mill. In this measure, the mill need staff to treat the fish, and packing. Third measure, export the fish to New Zealand, in this measure, the staff of imposts would oversee the quality of the fish. The forth measure, selling the fishes to the retail and the supermarket. And in this measure, need driver to transport the fish to supermarket. The last measure, in the supermarket, merely like the rice, need staff to shop and sell the fish. I cooked the rice and fish by the electric cooker. For the electric cooker, I think that more complicated than rice and fish. First measure, the mill demand to by the constituent which the made by natural stuffs, for illustration, plastic and metal. Both natural stuffs need to delve from land, in this procedure, need tonss of people to make it. In the 2nd measure, doing the natural stuffs into constituents. The 3rd measure, selling and presenting the constituents to the mills that make the electric cooker. The forth measure, the staff of mill industry the electric cooker. The 5th measure, selling and presenting the merchandises to the retail and supermarket. It seems that is a really simple eventide repasts, but behind it there are many people to work and bring forth, which is the amazing of trade and economic. And the most of import portion of the procedure, making many chances and financess. And it is power for development of society. Q2 Trade construction of your chosen statesAnalysisAustralia is an Oceanian state consisting the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and legion smaller islands ( Australia, en.wikipedia.org ) , in the South hemisphere. New Zealand is in the South hemisphere every bit good, hence, both states have the similar clime and agribusiness construction. However, the land country of Australia is 7,692,024 sq.km. larger than New Zealand land country 268021 sq.km. about 29 times. Australia’s GDP is 1560.60 USD, one million millions. New Zealand’s GDP is 182.59 USD, one million millions, in 2013, about 8.6 times. Australia is a affluent state ; it generates its income from assorted beginnings including mining-related exports, telecommunications, banking and fabrication. ( Australia, en.wikipedia.org ) . Because of affluent mineral resource particularly iron mine in Australia, hence mining-related exports has big proportion in its export. And she has really clo sely economic relation with China, every twelvemonth, China would import big Numberss of Fe mine signifier Australia. Turn to New Zealand, because of the land country is little and low population lead to domestic consume does non plenty, hence, international trade of New Zealand is really of import in its economic construction, peculiarly for agricultural merchandises. Exports has big proportion that is 24 per centum of its end product, which doing New Zealand vulnerable to international goods monetary values and planetary economic. And, because of agribusiness land is affluent so, the nutrient merchandises is the most important portion of its exports in 2014, doing up 55 % of the value. Because of the affluent forest resource, Wood is the 2nd largest merchandises ( 7 % ) in New Zealand. New Zealand is good know because of the film The Lord Of Rings and its beautiful environment. Therefore Tourism plays a important function in New Zealand ‘s economic system, lending $ 15.0 billion to New Zealand’s entire GDP and back uping 9.6 per centum of the entire work force in 2010. ( New Zealand, en.wikipedia.org ) . Every twelvemonth, there are tonss of international visitants to New Zealand to see the astonishing landscape, and the figure of visitants are expected to increase at 2.5 per centum yearly up to 2015. Therefore, the service industry is the largest industry in the New Zealand economic system, the 2nd one is fabricating and building and so farming and natural stuff.Datas tabular arrayData tabular array must include the undermentioned information in 2013: Table 1: Basic economic indexs and trade construction of state Australia and New Zealand in 2013AustraliaNew ZealandLand country ( sq.km. )7,692,024Land country ( sq.km )268021GDP ( current USD, one million millions )1560.60GDP ( current USD, one million millions )182.59GNI per capita ( current USD )43084.90GNI per capita ( current USD )32768Entire Trade ( X+M ) ( current USD, 1000000s )-661Entire Trade ( X+M ) ( current USD, 1000000s )473Entire exports ( current USD, 1000000s )10484Entire exports ( current USD, 1000000s )3969Entire Import ( current USD, 1000000s )11145Entire Import ( current USD, 1000000s )3223Trade to GDP ratio i % i?†°0.04Trade to GDP ratio i % i?†°0.26Share of exports ( % )Agricultural MerchandisesAgricultural MerchandisesFuels and excavation merchandisesFuels and excavation merchandisesIndustriesIndustriesShare of Imports ( % )Agricultural MerchandisesAgricultural MerchandisesFuels and excavation merchandisesFuels and excavation merchandisesIndustriesIndustries Q3 Explain the theory Analysis of absolute advantage of Australia and New Zealand Absolute advantage is a state is said to hold an absolute advantage over another state in the production of a good or service if it can bring forth that good or service ( the ‘‘output’’ ) utilizing fewer existent resources ( like capital or labour, the ‘‘inputs’’ ) . Equivalently, utilizing the same inputs, the state can bring forth more end product. ( Van M. , Charles, 2009 ) To better the rule of absolute advantage, premise that there are two states ( the Australia and New Zealand ) bring forthing four agribusiness merchandises ( Meat, poulet, wheat, soya beans and tomatoes ) , and the labour is the lone factors of merchandises. Suppose that merchandises for illustration, soya beans can be traded without costs and labours are stable in the two states. All employee in Australia or New Zealand have the same productive. However, production engineering in Australia different from that in the New Zealand. Suppose that Australia requires four units of labour to bring forth one unit of wheat, nevertheless the New Zealand requires merely need three units of labour. As the same as above, Australia merely needs five units of labour to bring forth one unit of tomatoes, while the New Zealand needs seven units of employee. Because Australia is more efficient to bring forth tomatoes and the New Zealand is more efficient to bring forth wheat. So, there is decision, Aus tralia has an absolute advantage to bring forth tomatoes and the New Zealand has an absolute advantage to bring forth wheat. Because of absolute advantage that enable both states gain advantages in trading. And this is why there is tendency specialisation of production in planetary economic system. Just reference above in illustration premise that the Australia produces less wheat than New Zealand. If Australia frees up several units of labour from wheat to bring forth tomatoes, hence, Australia can now to bring forth more units of tomatoes ( chance cost of wheat production in the Australia ) . The Australia has now produced less wheat and more unite tomatoes. If premise that the Australia still need to devour the same units of wheat as earlier. It must import more wheat from New Zealand. To bring forth wheat New Zealand needs more units of employee. These employee should come from the tomatoes industry, therefore the production of tomatoes in New Zealand will drop. ( chance costs of tomatoes production in New Zealand ) . At last, the entire production of wheat keep the same, while the entire production of tomatoes has increased. These excess units of tomatoes is the additions from specialisation if both states focus on the production that they produce most expeditiously. This is win-win state of affairs. Datas Table Data tabular array must include the undermentioned information in 2013 0r 2014i?s Production: Four selected agricultural merchandises of India and Hungary in 2013 or 2014AustraliaNew ZealandMerchandiseEntire production ( tone )Output ( kg/hectare )Entire production ( tone )Output ( kg/hectare )PistachiosPistachiosAlmondsAlmondsBananasBananasCassavaCassavaQ4 Comparativeadvantage Explain the Theory Application and Analysis of comparative advantage of Australia and New Zealand The theory of comparative advantage is an economic theory about the possible additions from trade for persons, houses, or states that arise from differences in their factor gifts or technological advancement. ( Comparative advantage, en.wikipedia.org ) There are two states in the information tabular array, Australia and New Zealand, which produce four agribusiness merchandises chicken, wheat, soya beans and tomatoes. To exemplify the theory merely choose two merchandises, ? ? and? ? . For illustration, in Australia, it can bring forth? ? one unit of? ? by utilizing 10 units of labour to bring forth, or bring forth 4/5 units of? ? . And, in New Zealand could bring forth one unit of? ? by utilizing 9 units of labour, or bring forth 5/4 units of? ? . Therefore, New Zealand has an absolute advantage in bring forthing? ? because of fewer units of labour, while Australia has a comparative advantage because of lower chance cost. Suppose that absence of trade between two states, Australia need 20 units of labours to bring forth one unit? ? and one unit? ? , meanwhile New Zealand need 17 unites to bring forth the same units. If each state focal point on the agribusiness which it has a comparative advantage, the consequence is both merchandises increases, for Australia can pass all units of labour to bring forth? ? and New Zealand can pass all units to bring forth? ? . So, the entire merchandise measure addition. And base on the free trade, both states exchange one unit? ? and one unit? ? . Except consume the same units merchandise as earlier, there still staying more units of merchandises. Datas Table Data tabular array must include the undermentioned information in 2013 0r 2014i?s Production: Four selected agricultural merchandises of India and Hungary in 2013 or 2014IndiaHungaryMerchandisePrice per unitiUSDPrice per unit, USDPistachiosPistachiosAlmondsAlmondsBananasBananasCassavaCassavaQ5 Factor gift, trade and income distributionHecksher-Ohlin ( H-O ) theoretical accountExplain the Theory Application and Analysis of H-O theoretical account for India and Hungary Data tabular array Data tabular array must include the undermentioned information in 2013 Factor gift and form of trade of India and Hungary in 2013 or 2014IndiaHungaryFactorsFactorsAgricultural Land ( million hectares )Agricultural Land ( million hectares )Agricultural Land ( % of land countryAgricultural Land ( % of land countryLabour ( 1000000s )Labour ( 1000000s )Capital ( UDS, 1000000s )Capital ( UDS, 1000000s )Four major exported MerchandisesFour major exported MerchandisesFour major exported MerchandisesFour major exported MerchandisesPistachiosPistachiosAlmondsAlmondsBananasBananasCassavaCassavaStolper-Samuelson ( S-S ) theoretical accountExplain the theory Application and Analysis of S-S theoretical account for India and Hungary Student should utilize information old informations tabular array to reply this portion. Q6 Context of new trade theoriesEconomic of ScaleExplain the theory Application and Analysis of economic of graduated table for India and Hungary Datas tabular array Data tabular array must include the undermentioned information in 2013 0r 2014i?s Domestic ingestion and export: Four selected agricultural merchandises of India and Hungary in 2013 or 2014IndiaHungaryMerchandiseDomestic ingestion ( tone )Exports ( tone )Domestic ingestion ( tone )Exports ( tone )PistachiosPistachiosAlmondsAlmondsBananasBananasCassavaCassavaImperfect competition and market powerExplain the theory Application and Analysis of imperfect competition and market power power of four top bring forthing states on one selected agricultural merchandise Datas tabular array Data tabular array must include the undermentioned information in 2013 One selected agricultural merchandise in 2013 or 2014Agricultural merchandise name:Top four producing/exporting statesVolume of production ( tone )Share of universe production ( % )PistachiosAlmondsBananasCassava Mention Bowles, Paul. ( 2009 ) .The Princeton Encyclopedia of the World Economy: Essaies from the Business And Economics — Economic Situation And Conditions, , ( pp.757-759 ) . Princeton, Princeton University Press. Van M. , Charles. ( 2009 ) . Absolute advantage: Essaies from the Business And Economics — Economic Situation And Conditions, ( pp.1-3 ) . Princeton, Princeton University Press. World Trade Organization. ( 2015 ) . Retrieved from 1 April, 2015, from Wikipedia: hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Organization China – Duty rate. Retrieved from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.indexmundi.com/facts/china/tariff-rate Australia. ( 2015 ) . Retrieved from 28 April, 2015, from Wikipedia hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia New Zealand. ( 2015 ) . Retrieved from 28 April, 2015, from Wikipedia hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand # Economy Comparative advantage. ( 2015 ) . Retrieved from 11 April, 2015, from Wikipedia hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_advantage # Ricardo.27s_example

Bloodlines Chapter Fourteen

â€Å"FROM HIMSELF?† I couldn't help it. The joke was out before I could stop it. â€Å"No.† She perched on the edge of the bed and bit her lower lip. â€Å"Maybe ‘rescue' isn't the right word. But we have to go get him. He's trapped in Los Angeles.† I rubbed my eyes as I sat up and then waited a few moments, just in case this was all a dream. Nope. Nothing changed. I picked up my cell phone from my bedside table and groaned when I read the display. â€Å"Jill, it's not even six yet.† I started to question if Adrian was even awake this early but then remembered he was probably on a nocturnal schedule. Left to their own devices, Moroi went to bed around what was late morning for the rest of us. â€Å"I know,† she said in a small voice. â€Å"I'm sorry. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. He got a ride there last night because he wanted to see those†¦ those Moroi girls again. Lee was supposed to be in LA too, so Adrian figured he could get a ride home. Only, he can't get ahold of Lee, so now he can't get back. Adrian, that is. He's stranded and hung over.† I started to lie back down. â€Å"I don't have a lot of sympathy for that. Maybe he'll learn a lesson.† â€Å"Sydney, please.† I put an arm over my eyes. Maybe if I looked like I was asleep, she'd leave me alone. A question suddenly popped into my head, and I jerked my arm away. â€Å"How do you know any of this? Did he call?† I wasn't a super-light sleeper, but I still would've heard her phone ring. Jill looked away from me. Frowning, I sat up. â€Å"Jill? How do you know any of this?† â€Å"Please,† she whispered. â€Å"Can't we just go get him?† â€Å"Not until you tell me what's going on.† A weird feeling was crawling along my skin. I'd felt for a while that I was being excluded from something big, and now, I suddenly knew I was about to find out what the Moroi had been hiding from me. â€Å"You can't tell,† she said, finally meeting my eyes again. I tapped the tattoo on my cheek. â€Å"I can hardly tell anyone anything as it is.† â€Å"No, not anyone. Not the Alchemists. Not Keith. Not any other Moroi or dhampirs who don't already know.† Not tell the Alchemists? That would be a problem. Among all the other craziness in my life, no matter how much my assignments infuriated me or how much time I'd spent with vampires, I'd never questioned who my loyalty was to. I had to tell the Alchemists if something was going on with Jill and the others. It was my duty to them, to humanity. Of course, part of my duty to the Alchemists was looking after Jill, and whatever was plaguing her now obviously was connected to her welfare. For half a second, I considered lying to her and immediately dismissed the idea. I couldn't do it. If I was going to keep her secret, I would keep it. If I wasn't going to keep it, then I would let her know up front. â€Å"I won't tell,† I said. I think the words surprised me as much as her. She studied me in the dim light and must have at last decided I was telling the truth. She gave a slow nod. â€Å"Adrian and I are bound. Like, with a spirit bond.† I felt my eyes widen in disbelief. â€Å"How did that – † Everything suddenly clicked together, the missing pieces. â€Å"The attack. You – you – â€Å" â€Å"Died,† said Jill bluntly. â€Å"There was so much confusion when the Moroi assassins came. Everyone thought they were coming for Lissa, so most of the guardians went to surround her. Eddie was the only one who came for me, but he wasn't fast enough. This man, he†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Jill touched a spot in the center of her chest and shuddered. â€Å"He stabbed me. He†¦ he killed me. That's when Adrian came along. He used spirit to heal me and bring me back, and now we're bound. Everything happened so fast. No one there even realized what he did.† My mind was reeling. A spirit bond. Spirit was a troubling element to the Alchemists, mostly because we had so few records of it. Our world was documents and knowledge, so any gap made us feel weak. Signs of spirit use had been recorded over the centuries, but no one had really realized it was its own element. Those events had been written off as random magical phenomena. It was only recently, when Vasilisa Dragomir had exposed herself, that spirit had been rediscovered, along with its myriad psychic effects. She and Rose had had a spirit bond, the only modern one we had documented. Healing was one of spirit's most notable attributes, and Vasilisa had brought Rose back from a car accident. It had forged a psychic connection between them, one that had only been shattered when Rose had had a second near-death experience. â€Å"You can see in his head,† I breathed. â€Å"His thoughts. His feelings.† So much began to come together. Like how Jill always knew everything about Adrian, even when he claimed he hadn't told her. She nodded. â€Å"I don't want to. Believe me. But I can't help it. Rose said in time, I'll learn the control to keep his feelings out, but I can't do it now. And he has so much, Sydney. So much feeling. He feels everything so strongly – love, grief, anger. His emotions are up and down, all over the place. What happened between him and Rose†¦ it tears him apart. It's hard to stay focused on me sometimes with all of that going on in him. At least it's only some of the time. I can't really control when it happens.† I didn't say it but wondered if some of those volatile feelings were part of spirit's tendency to drive its users insane. Or maybe it was just part of Adrian's innate personality. All irrelevant, for now. â€Å"But he can't feel you, right? It's only one way?† I asked. Rose had been able to read Vasilisa's thoughts and see her experiences in everyday life – but not the other way around. I assumed it was the same now, but with spirit, one couldn't take anything for granted. â€Å"Right,† she agreed. â€Å"That's how†¦ that's how you always know things about him. Like my visits. And when he wanted pizza. That's why he's here, what Abe wanted him here for.† Jill frowned. â€Å"Abe? No, it was kind of a group choice for Adrian to come along. Rose and Lissa thought it would be best if we were together while we were getting used to the bond, and I wanted him nearby too. What made you think Abe was involved?† â€Å"Er, nothing,† I said. Abe instructing Adrian to stay at Clarence's must not have been something Jill observed. â€Å"I was just mixed up about something.† â€Å"Can we go now?† she begged. â€Å"I answered your questions.† â€Å"Let me make sure I understand something first,† I said. â€Å"Explain how he ended up in Los Angeles and why he's stuck.† Jill clasped her hands together and looked away again, a habit I was coming to associate with when she had information that she knew wasn't going to be received well. â€Å"He, um, left Clarence's last night. Because he was bored. He hitchhiked into town – to Palm Springs – and ended up partying with some people who were going to LA. So, he went with them. And while he was in a club, he found those girls – some Moroi girls – and so he went home with them. And then he spent the night and kind of passed out. Until now. Now he's awake. And he wants to go home. To Clarence's.† With all this talk of clubbing and girls, an unsettling thought was building in my mind. â€Å"Jill, just how much of that did you actually experience?† She was still avoiding my gaze. â€Å"It's not important.† â€Å"It is to me,† I said. The night Jill had woken in tears†¦ that had been when Adrian was with those girls too. Was she living his sex life? â€Å"What was he thinking? He knows you're there, that you're living everything he does, but he never stops to – oh God. The first day of school. Ms. Chang was right, wasn't she? You were hung over. Vicariously, at least.† And almost every other morning, she woke up feeling semi-sick – because Adrian was hung over too. Jill nodded. â€Å"There was nothing physical they could've tested – like blood or anything – to prove that's what it was, but yeah. I might as well have had one. I certainly felt like it. It was awful.† I reached out and turned her face toward mine so that she had to look at me. â€Å"And you are now too.† There was more light in the room as the sun rose higher, and I could see the signs again. The sickly paleness and bloodshot eyes. I wouldn't have been surprised if her head and stomach hurt too. I dropped my hand and shook my head in disgust. â€Å"He can stay there.† â€Å"Sydney!† â€Å"He deserves it. I know you feel†¦ something†¦ for him.† Whether it was sisterly or romantic affection, it really didn't matter. â€Å"But you can't baby him and run to every need and request he sends to you.† â€Å"He's not asking me, not exactly,† she said. â€Å"I can just feel that he wants it.† â€Å"Well, he should've thought of that before he got himself into this mess. He can figure out his own way back.† â€Å"His cell phone died.† â€Å"He can borrow one from his new ‘friends.'† â€Å"He's in agony,† she said. â€Å"That's how life is,† I said. â€Å"I'm in agony.† I sighed. â€Å"Jill – â€Å" â€Å"No, I'm serious. And it's not just the hangover. I mean, yeah, part of it's the hangover. And as long as he's sick and not taking anything, then so am I! Plus†¦ his thoughts. Ugh.† Jill rested her forehead in her hands. â€Å"I can't get rid of how unhappy he is. It's like†¦ like a hammer banging in my head. I can't get away from it. I can't do anything else except think about how miserable he is! And that makes me miserable. Or think I'm miserable. I don't know.† She sighed. â€Å"Please, Sydney. Can we go?† â€Å"Do you know where he is?† I asked. â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"All right, then. I'll go.† I slid over to the edge of the bed. She stood up with me. â€Å"I'll come too.† â€Å"No,† I said. â€Å"You go back to bed. Take some aspirin and see if you can make yourself feel better.† I also had a few things I wanted to say to Adrian in private. Admittedly, if she was constantly connected to him, she'd â€Å"overhear† our conversation, but it'd be a lot easier to tell him what I wanted to when she wasn't actually there in the flesh, looking at me with those big eyes. â€Å"But how will you – â€Å" â€Å"I don't want you getting sick in the car. Just call me if something changes or if he leaves or whatever.† Jill's further protests were halfhearted, either because she didn't feel up to them or was just willing to be grateful for anyone â€Å"rescuing† Adrian. She didn't have an exact address, but she had a very vivid description of the condo he was at, which was right next door to a notable hotel. When I looked it up, I saw the hotel was actually in Long Beach, meaning I'd have to go past Los Angeles proper. I had a two-hour drive ahead of me. Coffee would be required. It was a pretty day, at least, and there was almost no traffic out so early on a Sunday. Looking at the sun and blue skies, I kept thinking about how nice it would be if I were making this drive in a convertible, with the top down. It would also be nice if I had been making this drive for any other reason besides retrieving a stranded vampire party boy. I was still having a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea that Jill and Adrian were spirit bound. The notion of someone bringing another back from the dead was not one that meshed well with my religious beliefs. It was just as troubling as another of spirit's feats: restoring Strigoi. We had two documented cases of that happening too, two Strigoi magically changed by spirit users back to their original form. One was a woman named Sonya Karp. The other was Dimitri Belikov. Between that and all this resurrection, spirit was really starting to freak me out. That much power just didn't seem right. I reached Long Beach right on schedule and had no problem finding the condo complex. It was right across the street from an oceanfront hotel called the Cascadia. Since Jill hadn't called with a change of location, I assumed Adrian was still holed up. Street parking was easy to find at this time of day, and I paused outside to stare at the blue-gray expanse of the Pacific on the western horizon. It was breathtaking, especially after my first week in the desert of Palm Springs. I almost wished Jill had come. Maybe being near so much water would have made her feel better. The condos were in a peach stucco building with three floors, two units on each floor. From Adrian's memories, Jill remembered going to the top of the building and turning right. I retraced those steps and came to a blue door with a heavy brass knocker. I knocked. When no answer came after almost a minute, I tried again more loudly. I was nearly on the verge of a third attempt when I heard the lock unclick. The door opened a crack, and a girl peeked out. She was clearly Moroi, with a skinny runway model build and pale, perfect skin that seemed particularly irritating today, considering I was pretty sure a pimple was going to break out on my forehead soon. She was my age, maybe a little older, with sleek black hair and deep blue eyes. She looked like some otherworldly doll. She was also half-asleep. â€Å"Yeah?† She looked me over. â€Å"Are you selling something?† Next to this tall, perfect Moroi, I suddenly felt self-conscious and frumpy in my linen skirt and button-down top. â€Å"Is Adrian here?† â€Å"Who?† â€Å"Adrian. Tall. Brown hair. Green eyes.† She frowned. â€Å"Do you mean Jet?† â€Å"I†¦ I'm not sure. Does he smoke like a chimney?† The girl nodded sagely. â€Å"Yup. You must mean Jet.† She glanced behind her and yelled, â€Å"Hey, Jet! There's some saleswoman here to see you.† â€Å"Send her out,† called a familiar voice. The Moroi opened the door wider and beckoned me in. â€Å"He's on the balcony.† I walked through a living room that served as a cautionary tale of what would ever happen if Jill and I lost all sense of housekeeping and self-respect. The place was a disaster. A girl disaster. Laundry piles littered the floor, and dirty dishes covered every square inch that wasn't occupied by empty beer bottles. A knocked-over bottle of nail polish had created a bubblegum pink splotch on the carpet. On the couch, tangled in blankets, a blond Moroi girl peered at me drowsily and then went back to sleep. Stepping around everything, I made my way to Adrian through a patio door. He stood on a balcony, leaning against its railing, his back to me. The morning air was warm and clear, so naturally, he was trying to ruin it by smoking. â€Å"Tell me this, Sage,† he said, without turning back to face me. â€Å"Why the hell would someone put a building near the beach but not have the balconies face the water? They were built to look at hills behind us. Unless the neighbors start doing something interesting, I'm ready to declare this structure a total waste.† I crossed my arms and glared at his back. â€Å"I'm so glad I've got your valuable opinion on that. I'll be sure and note it when I file my complaint to the city council for their inadequate ocean views.† He turned around, the hint of a smile twisting his lips. â€Å"What are you doing here? I figured you'd be in church or something.† â€Å"What do you think? I'm here because of the pleas of a fifteen-year-old girl who doesn't deserve what you put her through.† Any trace of a smile vanished. â€Å"Oh. She told you.† He turned back around. â€Å"Yes, and you all should have told me sooner! This is serious†¦ monumental.† â€Å"And no doubt something the Alchemists would love to study.† I could envision his sneer perfectly. â€Å"I promised her I wouldn't tell. But you still should've filled me in. It's kind of important information to have since I'm the one who has to babysit all of you.† ‘†Babysit' is kind of an extreme term, Sage.† â€Å"Considering the current scenario? No, not really.† Adrian said nothing, and I gave him a quick assessment. He wore high-quality, dark-washed jeans and a red cotton shirt that must have been slept in, judging from the wrinkles. His feet were bare. â€Å"Did you bring a coat?† I asked. â€Å"No.† I went back inside and did a search among the clutter. The blond Moroi girl was fast asleep, and the one who'd let me in was sprawled on an unmade bed in another room. I finally found Adrian's socks and shoes tossed in a corner. I rushed to retrieve them, then headed back outside and dropped them next to him on the balcony. â€Å"Put those on. We're leaving.† â€Å"You aren't my mom.† â€Å"No, yours is serving a sentence for perjury and theft, if memory serves.† It was a mean, mean thing to say, but it was also the truth. And it got his attention. Adrian's head whipped around. Anger glinted in the depths of his green eyes, the first I'd ever truly seen in him. â€Å"Don't you ever mention her again. You have no idea what you're talking about.† His anger was a little intimidating, but I held my ground. â€Å"Actually, I was the one in charge of tracking down the records she stole.† â€Å"She had her reasons,† he said through gritted teeth. â€Å"You're so willing to defend someone who was convicted of a crime, yet you don't have any consideration for Jill – who's done nothing.† â€Å"I have plenty of consideration for her!† He paused to light a cigarette with trembling hands, and I suspected he was also trying to get a grip on his emotions. â€Å"I think about her all the time. How could I not? She's there†¦ I can't feel it, but she's always there, always listening to things in my head, listening to things I don't even want to hear. Feeling things I don't want to feel.† He inhaled on the cigarette and turned to look at the view, though I doubted he actually saw it. â€Å"If you're so aware of her, then how come you do stuff like this?† I gestured around us. â€Å"How could you drink when you know it affects her too? How could you do† – I grimaced – â€Å"whatever you did with those girls, knowing she could ‘see' it? She's fifteen.† â€Å"I know, I know,† he said. â€Å"I didn't know about the drinking – not at first. When she came over after school and told me that day, I stopped. I really did. But then†¦ when you guys were over on Friday, she told me to go ahead since it was the weekend. I guess she wasn't as worried about getting sick. So, I said to myself, ‘I'll just have a couple.' Only last night, it turned into more than that. And then things got kind of crazy, and I ended up here and – what am I doing? I don't have to justify my actions to you.† â€Å"I don't think you can justify them to anyone.† I was furious, my blood boiling. â€Å"You're one to talk, Sage.† He pointed an accusing finger. â€Å"At least I take action. You? You let the world go by without you. You stand there while that asshole Keith treats you like crap and just smile and nod. You have no spine. You don't fight back. Even old Abe seems to push you around. Was Rose right that he's got something on you? Or is he just someone else you won't fight back against?† I worked hard not to let him know just how deeply those words struck me. â€Å"You don't know the first thing about me, Adrian Ivashkov. I fight back plenty.† â€Å"You could've fooled me.† I gave him a tight smile. â€Å"I just don't make a spectacle of myself when I do it. It's called being responsible.† â€Å"Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night.† I threw up my hands. â€Å"Well, that's the thing: I don't sleep at night anymore because I have to come save you from your own idiocy. Can we leave now? Please?† As an answer, he put out the cigarette and began putting on his socks and shoes. He looked up at me as he did, the anger totally gone. His moods were changed as easily as flipping a light switch. â€Å"You have to get me out of there. Out of Clarence's.† His voice was level and serious. â€Å"He's a nice enough guy, but I'm going to go crazy if I stay there.† â€Å"As opposed to your excellent behavior when you aren't there?† I glanced back into the condo. â€Å"Maybe your two groupies have room for you.† â€Å"Hey, show some respect. They're real people with names. Carla and Krissy.† He frowned. â€Å"Or was it Missy?† I sighed. â€Å"I told you before, I don't have any control over your living arrangement. How hard is it for you to go get your own place? Why do you need me?† â€Å"Because I have almost no money, Sage. My old man cut me off. He gives me an allowance that's barely enough for cigarettes.† I considered suggesting he quit, but that probably wouldn't be a useful turn in the conversation. â€Å"I'm sorry. I really am. If I think of something, I'll let you know. Besides, doesn't Abe want you to stay there?† I decided to come clean. â€Å"I overheard you two on the first day. How he wanted you to do something for him.† Adrian straightened up, shoes secured. â€Å"Yeah, I don't know what that's all about. Did you hear how totally vague he was too? I think he's just trying to screw with me, keep me busy because somewhere in that messed-up heart of his, he feels bad about what happened with – â€Å" Adrian shut his mouth, but I could hear the unspoken name: Rose. A terrible sadness crossed his features, and his eyes looked lost and haunted. I remembered when I'd been in the car with Jill, and she'd slipped into a tirade about Rose, about how the memory of her tormented Adrian. Knowing what I knew now about the bond, I had a feeling there'd been very little of Jill in those words. That had been a direct line to Adrian. Looking at him, I could barely understand the scope of that pain, nor did I know how to help. I just knew that I suddenly understood a tiny bit better why he would want to drown his sorrows so much, not that that made it any healthier. â€Å"Adrian,† I said awkwardly, â€Å"I'm – â€Å" â€Å"Forget it,† he said. â€Å"You don't know what it's like to love someone like that, then to have that love thrown back in your face – â€Å" An ear-splitting scream suddenly pierced the air. Adrian flinched more than me, proving the downside of vampire hearing: annoying sounds were that much more annoying. As one, we hurried back inside the condo. The blond girl was sitting upright on the couch, as startled as we were. The other girl, the one who had let me in, stood in the doorway to the bedroom, pale as death, a cell phone clutched in her hand. â€Å"What's the matter?† I asked. She opened her mouth to speak and then did a double take at me, seeming to remember that I was human. â€Å"It's okay, Carla,† said Adrian. â€Å"She knows about us. You can trust her.† That was all Carla needed. She threw herself into Adrian's arms and began crying uncontrollably. â€Å"Oh, Jet,† she said between sobs. â€Å"I can't believe it happened to her. How did this happen?† â€Å"What happened?† asked the other Moroi girl, rising unsteadily to her feet. Like Adrian, she looked like she'd slept in her clothes. I dared to hope that Jill hadn't been subjected to as much as indecency as I'd originally imagined. â€Å"Tell us what happened, Carla,† said Adrian in a gentle voice I'd only ever heard him use around with Jill. â€Å"I'm Krissy,† she sniffed. â€Å"And our friend – our friend.† She wiped at her eyes as more tears came to her eyes. â€Å"I just got the call. Our friend – another Moroi who goes to our college – she's dead.† Krissy looked up at the other girl, whom I guessed was Carla now. â€Å"It was Melody. She was killed by Strigoi last night.† Carla gasped and began crying, triggering more tears from Krissy. I met Adrian's eyes, both of us aghast. Even if we had no idea who this Melody was, a Strigoi killing was still a terrible, tragic thing. Immediately, my Alchemist mind kicked into action. I needed to make sure the crime scene was secure and the murder kept secret from humans. â€Å"Where?† I asked. â€Å"Where did it happen?† â€Å"West Hollywood,† said Carla. â€Å"Out behind some club.† I relaxed a little, though I was still shaken by the tragedy of it all. That was a busy, populated region, one that would definitely be on the Alchemists' radar. If any humans had found out, the Alchemists would have long since taken care of it. â€Å"At least they didn't turn her,† said Carla forlornly. â€Å"She can rest in peace. Of course, those monsters still couldn't rest without mutilating her body.† I stared, feeling cold all over. â€Å"What do you mean?† She rubbed her nose on Adrian's shirt. â€Å"Melody. They didn't just drink from her. They slit her throat too.†