Critical Thinking and Perception Essay Example for Free

Critical Thinking and Perception Essay What is real? Our perception of reality is often a product of the environment in which we live. In general, we formulate ideas of reality based on our own experiences as well as the experiences of the people around us. Our lives are influenced constantly by our surroundings. I truly believe that perception is a learned skill and not instinctive. Outside of our communities, television, radio and movies sculpt our perception of the outside world. I think most of my thinking at the ordinary level is based on perception, language, and information. At the most there is one logic step: If this than that. I think most thinking takes place in the perceptual stage. These are the questions that arise, How much do I take in? and how do I look at things? This perception is based on habits of perceptions and what I hear, what I read and how I express myself. I understand that we do not need to use much explicit logic because we have already built the logic into our language. For example, killing is bad unless justified by war or self-dense. I know that with decisions I followed what was recommended and what my friends were doing and then rationalized it with the following rationalization: Everyone does this and the stock rises for a while and when the market eventually gets a severe correction I rationalize that as well. This rationalization is based on informationnot all-available information but a selection that fits what I was inclined to do anyway. I think that logic can be used to reinforce perceptions (and prejudices) but logic and argument will not change perceptions. Perception is more than sensing; it is processing, reacting, and interpreting. Faith Bryne describes perception as, detecting the nature of both outer and inner worlds. In many cases, it also means responding in some way, either consciously or unconsciously. (Perception, 57) Perception is the way we look at things and I think processing is what we do with that perception. In my view if we take processing for granted then perception becomes even more important, because the way we look at a situation will determine what we can do about it. The influences (family, teachers, religion, race, environment, and economic level) that have shaped or conditioned my identity by instilling values, beliefs, viewpoints or attitudes that I have a ccepted without challenge serves as a perceptual block. The situations in which I am less of an individual because of these influences occur when I refuse to understand someone elses opinion or look for other points of view because of something I have been conditioned to believe is true. I am not one who handles others opinions without asking for them. I am not very consistent in ensuring that my opinions are informed. Often times I have not taken careful consideration of the evidence and have treated opinions as facts especially if I have expressed it to the point that I have begun to believe it as truth. At times, in what matters most I am inclined to assume too much and take too much for granted. I feel the strongest urge to conform when someone is a positive role model and conforming to this type of behavior I believe adds value. However, a situation in which this conformist tendency has interfered with my judgment is following others because it seemed the lesser of two evils. All to often at the workplace this is how some decisions are made just to close an issue that ultimately will recycle. Additionally, I tend to jump or make hasty conclusions more often than I would like. This occurs more so in the area of personal relationships. I have learned that there ar e some errors and bad habits that can lead to shallow or uncritical decisions instead of careful judgments. I have gained the most insight from the following errors and bad habits, which are: Resistance to change (habits), Conformity, Rationalization, Stereotyping, common sense, Oversimplification, Hasty conclusions, and unwarranted assumptions. I think the real key to each the of errors and habits mentioned above is my being conscious of the tendency to do them and to get into the habit of applying and practicing the different ways or approaches to avoiding the blocks to critical thinking. This will be an ongoing process if I am to be in control of my own beliefs, and to somehow gain an understanding of the truth, then I must know what good reasoning is, and be aware of the ways in which my reasoning (and that of others) can go astray. How I tend to perceive certain situations in my life and how others may see it may not always agree with my thinking. This is a big obstacle that I will have to work on being better at and learning how to understand others perceptions. References Brynie, Faith Hickman. (2001). Perception. Blackbirch Press, Inc. (p 57

Porters value chain

Porters value chain RUNNNING HEAD: PORTERS VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS Porters Value Chain and Information System [Name of the Writer] [Name of the Institution] Porters Value Chain and Information System Introduction The person most accredited for mounting and articulating the value chain thought is Michael Porter in his 1985 book, Competitive advantage. He offers viewing a firm as a sequential procedure of value-creating actions as a means of a influential conceptual tool for thoughtful the building slabs of competitive advantage. What is a value chain? The value chain shows the full variety of activities that are nedded to bring a product or organization from conception, throughout the intermediary stages of production (involving a grouping of physical change and the effort of various manufacturer services), rescue to final consumers, and final removal after use. (Porter, 1985) The Michael Porter value chain structure has two parts. The first part holds five primary processes: Inbound Logistics (warehousing, receiving and inventory management of raw materials and mechanism); Operations (value-creating actions that change raw materials and parts into finished salable yields); Outbound Logistics (warehousing, order fulfillment, transportation); Sales Marketing (channel assortment, pricing, advertising, sales); Service (customer care, repair, etc.). The second part holds four support type methods: Firm transportation (management, finance, quality, legal); Procurement (acquirement); Human Resources (enlisting, development, reimbursement); Technology Expansion (research and growth, process mechanization, and other technology progress). (Porter, 1985) The five forces analysis is intended to help corporations understand how gainful an industry is and also what they can do to alleviate unenthusiastic forces and thereby improve productivity. Considering the five forces model, we can create to see how this links to the generic approaches. Value chain analysis This needs an ability to resolve the value the firm is demanding to create. Value in this logic is simply the reason why customers favor one companys product over that of its opponent ie, the additional value they recieve from the companys product. This value should logically effect from either a lower cost or extra profits for which they are equipped to pay more. Using our investigation so far, they acquire from cost influential or differentiators. We can use value chain study to ensure that all actions in the firm are in procession with its search of this value. (Tsoukas, 2002 p. 567-582) A firm follow a cost leadership strategy would initiate suitable activities throughout its value chain, as would a company pursuing separation. So, to gain a competitive advantage, a company must follow either cost leadership or demarcation, along with a suitable degree of focus. It can after that use a five forces analysis to charge how this strategy may succeed and productivity might be enhanced. Value chain analysis canister help to recognize and create actions that support the selected generic strategy Some economists assert that the breaches of trust (e.g., at Enron, ImClone, WorldCom, and Global Crossing) that resulted in passage of the Sarbannes-Oxley Act (SOX)were all crimes of information partly involving an unsupervised expert. While Boards will continue to rely on experts such as the CIO for advice, the responsibility remains theirs. (Tsoukas, 2002 p. 567-582) The value chain affirms the importance of the CIO, but lets knows that the Board will be exercising oversight by consulting a number of sources, looking for convergence and consistency. Another example is Infosys that began to move up the IT services value chain into consulting and end-to-end IT solutions while continuing to offer low-end software services. As it moved up the value chain, the company weathered a global downturn due to the September 11th tragedy and the dotcom and telecom bust. (Romme, 2003 p. 558-573) In conventional planning for information systems (IS), companies start with imagining the desired future IS for the company, analyze the present application portfolios, and then compare the two to identify gaps. It is then possible to decide if anew portfolio of applications is to be developed to reach the desired future state. Advances in global information technology (IT) and telecommunications infrastructures, trends in deregulation and trade liberalization, and the emergence of world-class skills and capabilities in offshore locations (Tsoukas, 2002 p. 567-582) have opened up new sourcing opportunities beyond traditional domestic in sourcing and outsourcing. Along the ownership (in source versus outsource) and location (domestic versus offshore) dimensions, four main types of sourcing mechanisms are available: domestic in sourcing, domestic outsourcing, offshore insourcing, and offshore outsourcing. (Van de Ven, 2005 p. 1377-1404) While the outsourcing phenomenon has been well recognized and addressed in the literature, the business process outsourcing and off shoring phenomena are relatively new. Through modular business process and IT designs, firms can unbundle their value chain processes, decouple them from the underlying IT support infrastructure, and make sourcing decisions that best fit the characteristics of business processes. Tight coupling of business processes and IT is negatively associated with a firms ability to detach its processes from each other and from IT. This may leave the firm with no choice but to use a uniform sourcing mechanism for all business processes. (Van de Ven, 2005 p. 1377-1404) Our findings imply that the firm may forego opportunities to exploit low-cost, high-quality capabilities in offshore locations because tight coupling among business processes and with IT may make it infeasible or too costly to separate a business process from the firm and source it from offshore locations. The information chain To the basic elements of the information engineering approach, we add the notion of information chains. The information-chain concept parallels that of the value chain. In fact, for every component of the value chain, at least one information chain exists to support it. Such a chain may begin with a marketing forecast. The forecast leads to a sales plan, from which managers develop a production plan, and thence to a series of decisions about purchases, labor force commitments, and finally a series of sales results. The sales results are eventually quantified as ACTUALS in a sales report, and senior managers can assess the validity of the original marketing forecast in light of these actual results. (Boland, 2000) Unfortunately, most information systems cannot support the association of specific plans and observed results. That is, they cannot close the information chain. Although these systems are excellent at processing transactions, they lack the capability to trace the flow of eve nts, materials, information, and the decisions managers make about them. The transaction processing focus is an intrinsic limitation, but it isnt the only one. Another limitation is the overwhelming emphasis most organizations place on financial results. When organizations stress financially oriented performance measures, they tend to obscure or confuse the tracking of more fundamental causes of performance successes or failures. (Van de Ven, 2005 p. 1377-1404) New accounting methods like activity-based costing are an improvement, but still stress financial measures. Creating customer value is a tough proposition without a focus on traceability. Traceability of causes Traceability of cause and effect is a basic requirement in the transition to competing based on value-chain logic. Traceability is important in solving problems of delivering goods to customers on time, because this performance measure is fundamental to perceived value in the marketplace. In this area, most information systems can provide a quantification of service levels but few provide the mechanisms to determine why specific measurements were observed. For example, many steel service centers have informative systems that can accurately report how many days it took to deliver a quantity of steel to a customer, but few such systems provide management insight on why some deliveries were late. (Tsoukas, 2002 p. 567-582) The value-chain architecture The key benefit of value-chain logic is that it clarifies the relationship of internal operations to events visible to the companys customers and critical stakeholders. Information engineering, with a few methodological improvements, can help clarify the corresponding information relationships through which the company creates those events. For example, the function-entity matrices that contrast business function against data can be useful in finding point of sensitivity and leverage in performance. (Romme, 2003 p. 558-573) Conclusion In the past, outsourcers tended to look just like enterprise IT departments, handling large numbers of diverse devices, systems and applications. By contrast, the new model is based on the idea that different players in the market will focus very narrowly on a limited set of competencies (e.g., managing data centers, servers, a particular application, or a specific business process). Since, for example, the competencies needed to succeed at operating server farms are different from those needed to provide a specific application service, the rules of competitive engagement will change: Companies that try to provide totally integrated outsourcing are likely to fail against competitors that are themselves highly focused, and have a series of inter-dependent partnerships. This major restructuring of the IT value chain introduces its own forms of complexity and the need for something akin to integrated, end-to-end multi-vendor management. It will also create the need for a new type of industry player, a service integrator. Early leaders in this new role are International Network Services (INSwww.ins.com) and ATT Solutions (www.att.com/solutions). (Romme, 2003 p. 558-573) The ability to address a much wider range of concepts and the quality of those insights are much higher. Now the team can plan learning in relation to time, which dramatically portrays opportunities lifecycle cost. The depth of analysis is greater. There is also tremendous learning potential through scenario analyses, which are embedded in the new tools. The effect is a more representative project profile. While the development of unconventional resources is a complex value chain, the new tools and processes Shell unconventional oil has implemented are applicable to conventional opportunities where there is a portfolio of projects to be managed. In these instances, the same tools and processes outlined here enable a portfolio of multiple wells to be more effectively managed at a higher aggregation level. If a portfolio contains multiple individual projects with dependencies and common resources (constraints), it is a candidate for more effective modeling using the dynamic business-simulation planning processes. References Boland, R., F. Coilopy. 2004. Managing as Designing. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA. Huff S.L., Maher P.M., and Munro M.C., What Boards Dont Do-But Must Do-About Information Technology, Ivey Business Journal, 69/1 (September/October 2004): 1-4. Porter Michael, Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance (New York: Free Press, 1985). Porter M.E. and Millar V.E., How Information Gives You Competitive Advantage, Harvard Business Review, 63/4 (July/August 1985): 149-160. Romme, G. 2003. Making a difference: Organization as design. Organ. Sei. 14(5) 558-573. Tsoukas, H., R. Chia. 2002. On organizational becoming: Rethinking organizational change. Organ. Sei. 13 567-582. Van de Ven, A. H., M. S. Poole. 2005. Alternative approaches for studying organizational change. Organ. Stud. 26(9) 1377-1404.

Leisure And Recreation: Museums

Leisure And Recreation: Museums In this piece of work I have discussed the history of the museum and its establishment in London including its unique characterstics.The possible key challenges faced by the attraction in coming future and the ways to combat these challenges by giving proposed management including range of aspects Leisure is the opportunity available to an individual after completing the immediate necessities of life, when he or she has the freedom to choose and engage in an experience that is expected to be personally satisfying From Edexcel Leisure and Recreation Course Specification The term leisure is an ever changing concept that reflects the current social and economic conditions and aspirations, adapting in response to consumer demand and expectations The idea of leisure being described as a state of mind originated with Aristotle. He believed that leisure was a form of self-indulgence and self-improvement. Leisure is seen as a mans greatest possession because it is essential for self development. It forces us to step back from the constant pressures of daily life in order for us to see what is really important (Aristotle internet website) IMPORTANCE OF LEISURE Each person has their own opinion of what leisure means to them and there is no set definition of the word as it covers a wide range of things. leisure time and how it is spent is an individuals choice and the way in which they spend it whether it be home based, active or passive. As long as the individual gets satisfaction from this leisure time then it has been used to its potential. Leisure is important because everyone needs a little bit of relaxation in their life. Having leisure helps a person relieve stress, have time to themselves, and just to recharge their body and mind. Leisure is very important for ones mental and physical health. It provides an opportunity to spend time as you want away from regular work stress with family and friends. It is very important for an individual to take time out for itself as it bring about a positive flow of energy in an individual. Leisure as a function has changed enormously over the last 100 years. With the arrival of new technology some forms of leisure have increased their range of activities hugely. 100 years ago art was considered to be drama, stage shows, architecture and so on. Now it include many different forms. Broadcasting, Film Production and Video were all aspects of the Art Council that received funding in the last year. These have only been considered arts in the last century. The Government, private companies and investors have also discovered the commercial side of leisure. From this information it can be concluded that over the last 100 years leisure has evolved from something that is the opposite of work to something that is vital in our everyday lives. Madame tussauds is among the popular leisure attraction of the present time, it is standing at its place from last 200 years but getting more popular with time for the kind of unique entertainment it is providing to its visitors. Celebrities wax images draw visitors towards itself. IT is a kind of place which has all kind of attraction in it from past to present both for history lovers and for modern young youth.It helps to make visitors dreams come true when they want to touch or meet the personality they like ,which otherwise my not be possible for them because either it has become history or is very big celebrity of modern time ,whom one cant meet. Is it real or is it wax? Sometimes its hard to tell the difference when youre at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum .This unique museum of its own kind has entertained about 500 million visitors since it first opened. The Target Market for Madame Tussauds is to attract all types of consumers, from all social classes. As well as Domestic and Ove rseas visitors. (Refer to appendix 5) London is a cosmopolitan city having peple all around the world with different cultures.The management of Madame tussauds when targeting marketing has taken advantage of this feature of the city and has kept different types of wax sculptures which visitors want to see for example to attract Asian visitors there are various political, sports ,and entertainment figures in the museum. According to the student pack of Madame Tussauds, it identifies their Current Market as Demographics Segmentation according to social class. (Refer to appendix 6) Kotler (1994) believes marketing a product/service, includes potential customers for using this specific product/service. Therefore, organisations will effectively market their product/service according to the Segment of market. This has been known as Target Market. Additionally to Lancaster Reynololds (1999), indicate that, in order to acquire target segment, the organisations has to break down the amount of the total market into different sub-groups / segments, according to their needs and wants, in-order to make the product/service attract consumers within that market segment. Madame Tussauds uses segmentation and targeting market, because it provides many return to their organisation, such as: à ¼ It allows the exhibition to identify their customer groups with different requirements and wants à ¼ The exhibition objective can be achieved easily. For example; profit maximisation and long term growth à ¼ When there are market gaps in a market, it is assessed and then satisfied, this can be done by using unique product / promotional offerings à ¼ By handling marketing mix, in order for competence recognise the target needs. This will lead to an increase customers satisfaction history The name of Madame Tussaud is a famous one known the world over. Most people have heard of the waxwork exhibitions that have her name attached to them, but there was a real woman after whom subsequent exhibitions were named. Madame Marie Tussaud was born Marie Grosholtz on December 1st 1761, in Strasbourg, France. Maries father, Joseph Grosholtz, had been a soldier during the Seven Year War, but had died two months prior to Maries birth. After Maries birth, her mother, Anne Made, moved both of them to Berne, Switzerland, Maries mother obtaining a job as a housekeeper with Dr. Philippe Curtius. In some sources Curtius is named as Maries uncle, though this is probably due to friendship rather than blood ties. Curtius was a skilled physician, who used wax models he made to demonstrate anatomy. Curtius passed on his knowledge of wax modelling to Marie. In 1765 Curtius moved to Paris in order to set up a waxwork show, one of his first casts was of Louis XVs mistress, Marie-Jeanne du Barry. Two years later Marie and her mother joined Curtius in Paris. It took until 1770 for Curtius to be in a position to host his first exhibition, but it immediately became a success attracting large audiences. By 1776 Curtius exhibition was such a success that it moved to the Palais Royal. During this period Curtius continued his tuition of Marie, and soon she was modelling her own waxworks. She met a number of famous individuals; her first wax figure was of Francois Voltaire in 1777, and was quickly followed by Benjamin Franklin and Jean Jacques Rousseau. In addition to famous individuals, Curtius exhibition was also visited by the French Royal family. Curtius expanded his waxworks into a second location, the Caverne des Grands Voleurs on Boulevard du Temple. Marie though had been picked as tutor for the artistic education of Elizabeth, King Louis XVIs sister. Living at the Royal court at Versailles caused problems when the Revolution came. Arrested for allegedly having royalist sympathies, Marie was imprisoned in La Force prison alongside aristocrats and other sympathisers. It is not clear why Marie was saved from the guillotine, her talent at making death masks may have been one, although her acquaintance with Robespierre and Napoleon may have helped. What ever the reason, Marie never faced the guillotine, although she was forced to make death masks from the victims of it, these included friends like Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. In prison she shared a cell with Josephine de Beauharais, the future Empress Josephine, and together the two friends were eventually released. Upon the death of Curtius in 1794, the whole waxwork collection was left to Marie. In the following year, Marie married an engineer, Francois Tussaud, and before 1800 Marie had given birth to two sons, Joseph and Francois. The thriving business of pre-revolution days though struggled in the relative depravation of the New France. To improve their prospects Marie made the decision to take her waxworks on tour. In 1802, Marie along with Joseph travelled to London, with her collection of death masks and wax figures. Resumption though in Revolutionary/Napoleonic War between Britain and France, meant that Marie was stranded, separated from her husband and second son. Extending her tour, Marie took her waxworks on a tour of Britain and Ireland, a tour which would last 33 years. Francois joined Marie in Britain in 1821, following the deaths of Maries husband and mother. The tour came to end in 1835, when Marie found a permanent base for Madame Tussauds on Baker Street. The permanent site was soon attracting a large audience, drawn to the Chamber of Horrors, where victims of the French Revolution and notable murderers and criminals were exhibited. Marie wrote her memoirs in 1838, as her collection continued to grow, the figures of Nelson and Sir Walter Scott were added. Marie died in her sleep in London on 15th April, 1850. Madame Tussauds though continued to thrive, first through her sons and then grandsons. It was her grandsons who moved the exhibition to Marylebone Road in 1884, and since then other branches have been established in Amsterdam, Las Vegas, New York, Washington DC, Hong Kong and Shanghai. The modern Tussauds continues in the traditions of its founder, creating wax figures of the most notable individuals of every generation. location and characterstics The attraction is on the corner of Allsop Place and Marylebone Road, to the north of Central London. The nearest underground station is Baker Street, which is on the Jubilee, Bakerloo, Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith and City lines. Its distinguishing green dome used to house the London Planetarium. Green dome of Madame Tussauds History of location Following a successful tour of the UK, Madame Tussauds established a permanent base for her exhibition in London as the Baker Street Bazaar in 1835. Visitors paid sixpence for the chance to meet the biggest names of the day. The attraction moved to its present site in Marylebone Road in 1884. As fame grows it is a frequent observation that crowds of people can reduce enjoyment of the exhibit by increasing queuing times and causing crowding that has prompted complaints and many patrons to ask for refund Opening times Off-peak opening times are generally 9:30am to 5:30pm. Off-peak periods are weekdays and non UK school holidays. Peak opening times are 9am to 6pm. Peak opening times are weekends, UK school holidays, bank holidays and the whole of the summer period (July through August). In 2008, the opening times in the summer period were 9am to 7pm. Occasionally the attraction shuts early if there is a corporate event happening. ] Zones within the attraction A-List Party Formally Blush, this is the first room on the tour. Included in this room is the Big Brother experience, plus figures such as Samuel L Jackson, Morgan Freeman, Leo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman David and Victoria Beckham and Robert Pattinson. It is designed to feel like you have stepped into a celebrity party, with wax figures dotted around the room. High School Musical Hannah Montana Launched in 2008, this room has a figure of Zac Efron as the character of Troy Bolton from the High School Musical franchise. The room is set like a basketball court and a locker room. It is interactive in that if you successfully shoot a basket a crowd will cheer. In addition the lockers have belongings of other characters of the movie. This zone also includes Miley Cyruss wax figure. There is also a karaoke facility, in which a person can sing Mileys songs. Premiere Night (Movie Room) This zone houses four Bollywood figures as well as celebrities from Hollywood, including Steven Spielberg, Jim Carrey and Audrey Hepburn. It also has several fictional characters: Shrek (which has a squeezable stomach), Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk (which had to be airlifted into the attraction due to its size) and the smallest wax figure ever made,[1] Tinker Bell. Sports Zone The Sports zone has several interactive elements. Putt a golf ball with Tiger Woods, stand on boxing scales next to Mohammed Ali and see what weight you would qualify for in boxing, take a penalty on a virtual reality screen, and ride a bike next to Lance Armstrong. A Royal Appointment In the Royals there is an opportunity to stand next to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William of Wales and Prince Henry of Wales. Culture A mixture of cultural icons fill this area, including Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, Pablo Picasso and Charles Darwin. Music Megastars A mixture of music stars from across the decades appear in an area with a music stage complete with glitter balls. Music icons include Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Britney Spears, Leona Lewis, Kylie Minogue, Amy Winehouse, Tom Jones, Bob Marley, Justin Timberlake and Freddie Mercury. The Beatles in this area appear on the album cover of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. World Leaders The World Leaders area of the attraction contains political and spiritual leaders of the World past and present. The new figure of Barack Obama dominates this area; he is standing in a mock-up of the Oval Office which has a replica of the Resolute desk. Other leaders in this area include Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, Nicolas Sarkozy, Ronald Reagan, Tony Blair, Benazir Bhutto, Martin Luther King, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and Gandhi. The World Leaders area is also noted for its inclusion of controversial figures, including Adolf Hitler, Saddam Hussein and Robert Mugabe. Mother Teresa is one of the very few icons to ask not to be made, saying her work was more important, not the person[2]. Another notable omission from this area is current British Prime Minister Gordon Brown the company said it has not been made into a wax figure due to his low popularity and not being elected into the position of Prime Minister, having assumed the position after the retirement of Tony Blair.[3] Chamber of Horrors and Scream The Chamber of Horrors is the horror section of Madame Tussauds, which showcases serial killers and murders. Included in this area are Guy Fawkes and Dennis Nilsen. This area also exhibits the original guillotine blade that killed Marie Antoinette. The Scream experience (formally Chamber Live) is a live-action, actor-led scare maze. It is based on the premise that several serial killers have been let loose in the chamber. This attraction is not suitable for pregnant women and children under 12 years of age. Behind the Secenes and History of Madame Tussauds This area shows the history of Marie Tussaud, and how she started creating wax figures. It also has an area on how the scupltors make the figures, using Beyoncà © as an example. Spirit of London ride The Spirit of London is a sit-down ride in which visitors sit in London taxis and are taken on a journey through the history of London. The ride starts in Tudor times and ends in the 1980s, passing through the times of Shakespeare, the Great Fire of London, the Industrial Revolution and the Swinging Sixties. The ride has commentary in a few languages and a photo is taken near the end of the ride which can be purchased when disembarke Top of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form James Bond The James Bond area contains the figures of Daniel Craig and Judi Dench. It has on display an original motorbike used in the James Bond movie Casino Royale. Warhols Women The Warhols Women zone contains the figure of Andy Warhol as well as the female celebrities he famously portrayed, including Marilyn Monroe in the classic pose where her skirt is blown upward, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Jerry Hall and Jackie O. About Madame Tussauds Madame Tussauds has branches in 8 major cities (Amsterdam, Berlin, Hong Kong, Shanghai, New York, Las Vegas and Washington, D.C.). A 9th attraction in Hollywood is planned for 2009. Madame Tussauds is part of the Merlin Entertainments group, which also owns the London Eye, the Dungeons, Sea Life Centres and Legoland Discovery Centres, as well as theme parks including Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park in the UK, and Gardaland in Italy. KEY CHALLENGES TO BE FACED BY THE EXHIBITION Swar brooke(2002) states without visitor attractions there would be no need for other tourism services and tourism as such would not exist without them. Different attractions provide their customers with services that are available with in the attraction for example some give their visitors a day out ,others give educational services,some give their customers ancilliary operations but Madme tussauds is one that entertain its visitors with combination of all above mentioned services due to which it is important that this work is put into place to deal with consumers content health and safety and to make sure of their repeat visits. To maintain this standard of excellence the tussauds organisation may possibly face some challenges in future specially in Marketing and competition Customer care Human resource management SWOT ANALYSIS This can be used in order for the organisation to achieve their objectives. This procedure is an effective method of identifying businesses Strengths and Weaknesses, and to examine the Opportunities and Threats they face. Often carrying out an analysis using the SWOT framework that will be enough to reveal changes, which can be usefully made. Swift (2000) According to Hannagan (1992) he defined SWOT analysis as: A SWOT analysis helps to focus attention on the key areas in an organisation that need to be taken into account in producing a marketing planà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. A SWOT analysis is a smmary of the marketing audit. It highlights internal differential strengths and weaknesses form the customers point of view as they relate to external opportunities and threats. Madame Tussaud s is like any attraction/organisation that analysis its internal factors; this is carried out in the marketing process, to analyse the effectiveness of the business operation and their internal factors, which influence to their success. This is achieved by conducting the SWOT analysis. MARKETING AND COMPETITION : In todays world of business and economics makets have become very competitive therefore understanding consumer is no longer enough .Organisations must start giving attention to their competitors , if want to have share in the market. (kotler 2003) As it is stated before, Madame Tussauds it is a large organisation within the travel and tourism industry, therefore it face high standard of challenger not only in London but all around UK,which can become stronger in the future. that is why more effective marketing is required to survive in the competition However, it uses circulation channel for more knowledge of their product national and international. They mainly deliver the awareness of their product/service through the Internet, as it is global. However, other sources of promoting and awareness of their product is mainly done through Media, in the form of posters at tube stations and bus sides which is mainly and to communicate the brand to a wider audience, public relations, portraits, business development and Banqueting Co-operate Entertaining, The prime objective of the organisation is to stay London top paying attraction,therefore a marketing strategy should be in terms of its target,current and potential market study and their process of promotion in order to attract their product to their customer by distribution. However, the aim of promotional planning in the long run is not just to inform, but to promote customers to purchase products/services or, to adopt ideas. Therefore, effective promotion is usually attained by well researched for tracking sales levels and attitude patterns toward consumers needs, this means objective must link to the target aimed. This can be achieved by updating, convincing and highlighting the organisation current and potential target marke CUSTOMER CARE Ensuring that customers are provided with quality services every time is a key in organisational success. Like other tourist attractions Madame tussauds may also face the challenge of delivering quality customer care. The organisation should note that words of mouths from satisfied customers is a free advertising and improved reputation and above all an increased revenue. Tussauds organisation should maintain a high standard of customer care training with in the exhibition to achieve goals like Increase sales Gain a competitive advantage Maintain consumer loyalty Attract new consumers Gain customer satisfaction Enhance the visitor attraction image For achieving high standard of customer care the organisation must improve  ¨ Their queuing process in term of not making consumer to wait for a long period to enter the exhibition  ¨ Signs around the exhibition for direction (such as direction for facilities for disabilities segment) Having more staff speaking different languages Having effective management that can handle crowd HUMAN RESOURCES Human resource management can also be a challenge as selection and recruitment costs will be much more due to the high presence of staff at visitor attractions. Competition in the service sector offering prmanent employment can detract suitable applicants from applying for positions within visitor attractions. With the high staff turnover consistency will be difficult to maintain within visitor attractions, which inevitably will have a negative effect on the quality of service delivered to customers. This is due to the fact that to be able to deliver quality services to consumers requires skilled and well-trained employees. As many employees of visitor attractions are employed on short-term contracts, operators may be less willing to invest in training and development for seasonal staff. In Scotland the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions encourages its members to invest in training and development for all staff, whether full or part time, seasonal or permanent. Many operator s of attractions dislike spending money on training and development for seasonal employees as there is the possibility of the employees not returning the following year. Operators are being encouraged to invest in training and development as this has proven to lead to a stronger more motivated workforce. If employees are enable and empowered to deliver a quality service, employee turnover should reduce, and employees affected by seasonality would be easier retained for the next season to come. They mainly deliver the awareness of their product/service through the Internet, as it is global. However, other sources of promoting and awareness of their product is mainly done through Media, in the form of posters at tube stations and bus sides which is mainly and to communicate the brand to a wider audience, public relations, portraits, business development and Banqueting Co-operate Entertaining, The prime objective of the organisation is to stay London top paying attraction,therefore a marketing strategy should be in terms of its target,current and potential market study and their process of promotion in order to attract their product to their customer by distribution. However, the aim of promotional planning in the long run is not just to inform, but to promote customers to purchase products/services or, to adopt ideas. Therefore, effective promotion is usually attained by well researched for tracking sales levels and attitude patterns toward consumers needs, this means objective must link to the target aimed. This can be achieved by updating, convincing and highlighting the organisation current and potential target market. At the same time one of their target is to carry out a promotional action plan to tsarget market, attract all types of consumers both domestic and overseas CONCLUSION Operators in todays business environment face many challenges as we have seen in bring quality services to visitors of their attractions. By putting in place suitable measures and processes, and ensuring their employees are capable of knowledge about efficient customer care training, confidence and incentive in which to perform at their best, operators can gain an competitive edge in their market, and deliver customer satisfaction s every time.

Primary Behavior Changes and Cide Effects of LSD Essay -- Chemistry Ch

Primary Behavior Changes and Cide Effects of LSD LSD (D lysergic acid diethylamide) is a very potent synthetic hallucinogen. It is manufactured from lysergic acid, found in ergot, which is a fungus that grows on grains. In its original form, LSD is a white or clear, odorless, water soluble crystal that can be crushed into a powder and dissolved. LSD goes by the street name â€Å"acid† or â€Å"blotter† and is sold in tablets, capsules and sometimes liquid form. Oftentimes LSD is added to absorbent paper and sold in individual squares or â€Å"doses† which are then dissolved on the tongue. LSD is an extremely potent mood changing chemical. A person’s subjective world changes drastically once LSD is taken (Blacker, Jones, Stone, & Pfefferbaum, 1968). Users refer to their experience with LSD as a â€Å"trip.† These experiences generally begin about 30 to 90 minutes after taking the drug, and last from 6 to 12 hours. LSD is sometimes described as a drug that breaks down barriers, but the results of taking LSD are complex and variable. Every trip is different and users show a wide range of reactions (Terrill, 1964). The first signs of LSD are usually physical, and can include dilated pupils, salivation, sweating and nausea, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, tremors, dry mouth, chills, raised body temperature, rapid heartbeat and elevated blood pressure. As the trip progresses, one’s mood, perceptions and sensations become affected (Palfai & Jankiewicz, 2001). In the first phase of the trip there may be abnormal body sensations, changes in mood, space and time distortions and visual hallucinations (Palfai & Jankiewicz, 2001). Time may seem to stand still, or race forward or backward... ... lasting LSD side effect [Letter to the editor]. American Journal of Psychiatry, pp. 1233-1234. Blacker, K.H., Jones, R.T., Stone, G.C.,& Pfefferbaum, D. (1968). Chronic users of LSD: the â€Å"acidheads.† American Journal of Psychiatry, 125, 341-351. LSD JustFacts. (n.d). Retrieved February 8, 2005, from http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/jf/drugs/lsd.asp Pahnke, W. (1967, March). LSD and religious experience. Paper presented to a public symposium at Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT. Palfai, T., & Jankiewicz, H. (2001). Drugs and human behavior (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill. Terrill, J.(1964). LSD, the consciousness expanding drug. New York: David Solomon. Ungerleider, J.T., Fisher, D.D., Fuller, M., & Caldwell, A. (1968). The â€Å"bad trip.† The etiology of the adverse LSD reaction. American Journal of Psychiatry, 124, 1483-1490.

American Big Business - A Case Study :: essays research papers

Singer Corporation, now known as Bicoastal Corporation, is the company that brought the world the sewing machine. There are Singer Sewing machines in almost every country in the world and Singer instructions in more than 50 languages. Mahatma Gandhi learned to sew on a Singer and called it â€Å"one of the few useful things ever invented.† I will attempt to explain how Singer came to be one of America’s big businesses. Isaac Merritt Singer was born in Pittstown, New York in 1811, and ran away from his immigrant parents at the age of 12 to join a troupe of traveling actors. He remained an actor until 1835, inventing things on the side. The first patent for a sewing machine was granted in 1790 in England but no one had been able to come up with a reliable design that did not need frequent repairs. Because of this sewing machines had never become commercially successful. In 1850 Singer came up with a design and patented it. In 1851 Singer and Company was born and the Singer sewing machine was an immediate success. The machine was, however very close in design to that of Elias Howe who had been on the verge of solving the problem of the unreliable sewing machine. He sued for patent infringement. Singer hired a young lawyer to defend him. In exchange for his services Clark became an equal partner in the company. Singer ran the manufacturing side and Clark the Financial side. Clark ended the lawsuit and pooled the two patents together creating the Singer Machine Combination. This was the first patent pool in America. Until the late 1850s, because of the price of the sewing machines, the company concentrated on the commercial market e.g. professional tailors and clothing manufactures. But around this time Clark introduced the first customer installment payment plan. Combined with an intensive marketing campaign, this meant that the product could reach a wider market than ever before and even those with relatively low incomes could afford the sewing machines. By 1855 Singer was the world’s biggest sewing company. It begans its overseas expansion starting in Paris, making Singer the world’s first international company. The first factory outside the United States was opened in Glasgow, Scotland in 1961, followed by distribution centers in London, England, and a factory in Brighton, England that was the biggest in the U.K. at the time. By 1867 international sales exceeded at home sales for the first time.

“Rhetorical Analysis of “I Have a Dream”

IntroductionThe day of August 28, 1963 At the Lincoln Memorial 200,000 people gathered after the March on Washington. This is where Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his speech â€Å"I Have a Dream† to America. He spoke about the injustices of segregation and discrimination of African Americans that was taking place in our nation. In his first statement he said, â€Å"I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.† In this statement he has said what he was there to do.He is speaking out for freedom. This speech is one among few to demonstrate the freedom our nation was built upon. We are a nation of democracy and our nation was built on the fact that we have the right to â€Å"alter and institute new government†(Congress). Dr. Martin Luther King’s speeches and demonstrations would provoke a change in the minds and hearts of the American people. He stood up and inspire d a nation into action with his words. With his speech he masterfully uses Ethos, Pathos, and Logos in his rhetoric to provide proof to all Americans that racism and segregation is not the intended foundation of America.EthosAs he delivered his speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial he analogizes Lincoln in his speech, â€Å"Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the emancipation proclamation.† (King) His use of Lincoln brought authority into his speech. Lincoln was a powerful and great president who empowered the American people throughout the civil war. He gained the trust of America and established a new sense of freedom. Martin Luther King is invoking the authority of Lincoln and his view on civil rights. This is providing a strong ethos appeal and establishing credibility with his audience.He also uses the Declaration of Independence to invoke authority in his cause. He quotes, ‘â€Å"unalienable Rights† of â€Å"Life, Liberty and the pursuit of  happiness†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (Congress) (bible) his use of this quote is to use a supreme authority as being on his side. He is stating that the American government has neglected on the obligation to ALL of the American people. He is setting up his own credibility by tapping into authority of a great American and our constitution.PathosHis use of pathos is incredible as he strikes emotional values of both black and white people. His use of the bible causes an emotional response, ‘â€Å"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.† (Isaiah) He is using the bible to provide a belief and faith in what he is saying is truth, and that all people will stand together.His use of metaphors throughout his speech is keeps his audience engaged in his fight for freedom, he states â€Å"And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in t he American dream.† (King) He uses the American dream to appeal to all Americans. He is saying that his dream is part of the American dream that we all deserve to have the freedom to dream.He also uses the appeal that he is a father and that he wants more for his children. â€Å"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character.† (King) This is allowing the listener to relate to him as a father and the aspirations we hold for our children. It provides a human appeal and uses pathos.LogosHe also uses logos in his analogies. When he states, â€Å"America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked ‘insufficient funds.’† (King) His analogy is using logic as a form of reasoning. He reasons is that everyone understands money and that the listener is able to relate to being handed a bad check.ConclusionMartin Lu ther King’s skillful and articulate use of rhetoric in his â€Å"I have a Dream† speech was a major turning point in American history and represented a firm stand for equal rights. He spoke out to confront the issues of racism in our nation. This speech was not the beginning or the ending, but a remarkable moment in the fight for equal rights of everyone. â€Å"When all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing,† â€Å"Free at last! Free at last!† (King)

Gay Rights

Gay Marriage in the United States Gay marriage has divided the American people for over a decade. Yet such a sharp divide has occurred recently. Only a decade ago, gay marriage was nothing but an afterthought on the plates of many U. S. leaders. Many Liberal Democrats did not even support or condone the idea that same sex couples should be able to marry. However in early times, same-sex marriage was not considered exotic and in many cultures, it was encouraged. It was not until the rise of Christianity that a negative attitude towards same-sex marriage upraised.The turn of the 21st century has rought a new life and perspective onto this issue, and at this moment in time, a substantial majority of the American people actually supports same-sex marriages (Karaim, 2011). Marriage should be viewed as the union of two people based upon love and commitment. Marriage is an expression of our desire to create a social partnership, to live and share life's Joys and burdens with the person we l ove, and honoring these desires in all people strengthens society's bonds (Karaim, 2011).A marriage consisting of two males or two females is Just as natural as a marriage between a man and a woman. After many years of fghting this battle it is time for the U. S. federal government to enact a nationwide law granting civil right to marriage for everyone including the homosexual community. State legislatures have been deeply involved in the public debates about how to define marriage and whether the official recognition of marriage should be extended to same-sex couples. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia currently have laws that allow same-sex marriages.While other states are facing court challenges to keep same-sex marriages banned or to ban gay marriage from happening. In 2013 seven U. S States all through legislation and federal court decisions adopted the â€Å"Freedom to Marry' and now allow same-sex couples to marry. These states are Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Dela ware, Minnesota, Rhode Island and California. Out of the sixteen total states that recognize same-sex marriages, ten states and the District of Columbia have acted through legislation, five through court decisions, and one through public initiative.The debate for same-sex marriage became noticeably public in the late twentieth century; it was not until 1993 during a case in Hawaii, that the issue became national news. The ruling of the case stated that the restriction of marriage and its benefits to opposite-sex couples were unconstitutional. The Hawaiian case, declared that no state would be required to recognize a same-sex marriage from another state, and also defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman† (Axel-Lute, 2002, p. l).By the end of that same year, a majority of states passed laws prohibiting same-sex marriage. Since then, states have defined their own definition of marriage, the Defense of Marriage Act stating a marriage is between a man and a woman h as been struck down as well. On a more recent note Hawaii's House of Representatives heard 56 hours of public testimony over five days. And on November 1 lth 2013, the House passed the marriage y a 30 to 19 vote . This made Hawaii the titteentn state to legalize same sex marriage in the Unites States.Earlier this year this same-sex marriage bill hit legislative roadblocks. It wasn't until the U. S. Supreme Court ruled in June that the federal Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional. Governor Neil Abercrombie then called this piece of legislature back into special session to pass a compromise easure that added rights for religious figures who oppose same-sex marriage. The most influential reason against same-sex marriage is based on religion, and the â€Å"traditional† marriage is known as the social contract between a man and a woman.