Zig Ziglar’s Over The Top Essay Example for Free

Zig Ziglar’s Over The Top Essay In his book, Over the Top Zig Ziglar reminds us that we are capable of moving from the level of basic survival to exceeding our goals. Regardless of where we begin in life, and no matter how our lives are right now, we each have the power to do something to change the situation. He directs us to make the choice to take actions that will change our lives for the better. I enjoyed reading this book. It has something to offer to everyone. I believe it should be required reading for all college students. Zig Ziglar teaches people to take responsibility for their lives instead of making excuses. He does refer to God and make references to the bible, but you don’t need to be a Christian, have a religion or even believe in God to benefit from reading this book. It is filled with practical principles useful in everyday life for everyday people. In terms of education, the book provides an abundance of information that could impact the way educational administrators manage our schools, as well as shape the knowledge of educators. For example, the book discusses the premise that when we help other people get what they want this helps us to get to the top and beyond. What does this mean in terms of education? Well, if the principals and administrators in charge would help the teachers get what they want it would probably improve the overall academic environment. When administrators are effective leaders, and give guidance and supervise with more of an authoritative approach as opposed to an authoritarian approach, it would lead to more positive results. According to Ziglar, authoritarian people simply say that you must do something because they say so. An authoritative person would explain the reason why a certain decision was made and why it is best to move in that direction. Thus, an authoritative principal treats his or her faculty members with respect, and authoritative teachers, likewise, treat their students with respect. Moreover â€Å"all of us perform better and more willingly when we know why we’re doing what we have been told or asked to do,† (p. 77). This applies equally to children as it does to adults. The book also points out the importance of being dedicated and feeling positive pride. There are a lot of administrators and teachers dedicated to the field of education. However, society in general seems to lack respect for educators; teachers are often blamed for many social problems such as the deviant behavior and poor academic ability of today’s young people, while parents and society at large are assigned little responsibility for these problems. Over the Top will actually help teachers feel more pride in being teachers. They will know that they can make a positive difference in the lives of their students. The book will motivate them to set goals both inside and outside the classrooms and take the steps necessary to accomplish those goals. They will be committed to being excellent teachers regardless of the financial compensation because they will know that eventually they will be rewarded. Being rich alone does not equal success. Zig Ziglar informs readers that being successful, and over the top includes being â€Å"happy, healthy, reasonably prosperous, and secure, to have friends, peace of mind, good family relationships, and hope,† (p. ). We are reminded to keep a positive attitude, to work towards improving our weaknesses, to view personal growth as a lifetime commitment, and to be willing to change. Haven’t you heard that to be insane is to repeatedly do the same thing and respect different results? Change leads to progress. Zig Ziglar provides the perfect instructional manual for changing our lives for the better. Over the top is interesting, inspirational and will make a difference in the lives of those fortunate enough to read it.

Developing and Interesting Interview

Developing and Interesting Interview Journalism and Society (9303) Discussion questions for the week two tutorials For Peter Clarke’s chapter on interviewing from Australian Journalism Today, the questions are: What is it, according to Clarke, that makes the set piece interview of a public figure (often a politician) so dull and arid today? Clarke (2012) relays the manner in which O’Brien asks a question and states that it is difficult to perceive exactly what is being asked due to the wording, also known as ‘the hollow dance’. It has all the surface attributes of an authentic process of inquiry and revelation but, upon analysis, it’s clear that very little information flows from the verbal content of the interview to the waiting minds of the viewing citizens. They have slim pickings in the form of generalised platitudes. The political interview between Gillard and O’Brien seems so ‘frozen’ on both sides that it is almost useless. By asking such embellished questions with a lot of room for interpretation (use of metaphors, etc.) it has allowed Gillard, who is already media trained, to give a carefully crafted response which she can use to her a dvantage. In other words, the journalist has put the interviewee in a position of power which is not advised (Clarke, 2012, pp. 57-76). What are the main ways that interviewers can overcome this problem? Describe at least two of them as discussed in the chapter. Clarke (2012) explains that Carleton’s question is kicked off with a metaphor, but the image it conjured went swiftly to the nub of the event that had recently occurred and by implication, the intense emotions and fracturing of Labor traditions surrounding that event (Clarke, 2012, p. 59). Interviewers can consider the ratio of words they are using to question their subjects versus the amount of words being used to answer their questions. To achieve a more balanced interview transaction the interviewer could alter their technique, if necessary, to improve the outcomes of an interview. Additionally, interviewers can ask short, carefully crafted questions with a stronger interrogative thrust and fewer ‘distractions’ for the wary interviewee to seize upon if avoidance is their main intention – in the style of Leigh Sales (Clarke, 2012, p. 59). By keeping it simple and not asking double or triple barrelled questions, you are making it more difficult for the interviewee to stray from the answer you seek. Can you think of an interview you have seen or read or heard recently that you thought was effective and interesting? Describe what it was that made it effective and interesting for you. Recently I watched an interview between Andrew Denton and Hugh Jackman on Enough Rope. It was interesting because Jackman is notoriously difficult to interview, since he has been interviewed many times throughout his career. Understandably, it would become a bit monotonous. However, Denton managed to seduce the actor with his charm and casual interview technique. The interview escalated from conversational to confessional and Jackman recounted the moment he wet his pants on stage. Denton’s technique was clearly effective, as he extracted personal and somewhat embarrassing details from his interviewee (Denton, 2004). Discussion questions for the week six tutorials For the chapter from Australian Journalism Today about covering traumatic events, the questions are: The chapter discusses the damage that can be caused by careless or indifferent coverage of traumatic events. What specifically is Kimina Lyall talking about? Lyall speaks of common practices that can aggravate powerlessness, such as camping outside a survivor’s home despite being asked to leave, or even filming a potential interview subject declining a request for an interview (Lyall, 2012, p. 35). Teichroeb (2009) states that he thinks it’s insulting to a victim to go in and take their story and leave and put it in the newspaper without having that relationship – without them being able to say this is OK and this is not (as cited in Lyall, 2012, p. 36). The author also says to avoid the temptation to slot storylines into a series of pre-constructed narratives, such as the hero story or the constructed villain. This type of unthinking, formulaic reporting only serves to frustrate and compound survivor’s grief as well as reinforce the community perception ( as cited in Lyall, 2012, p. 36). Lyall (2012) mentions that journalists can be tempted into taking short cuts that dispense with basic techniques, including checking facts and verifying events with other people present (Lyall, 2012, p. 37). What is post-traumatic stress disorder and to what extent does it affect journalists? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can affect someone who has witnessed a traumatic event, for example, through military service, surviving a natural disaster, or covering a school shooting. Some individuals will have stress reactions that do not pass with time and their symptoms can worsen. Individuals who suffer from PTSD often recall the experience through nightmares and flashbacks, have trouble sleeping, and feel isolated or estranged, and these symptoms can be extreme enough to significantly impact the person’s daily life. It can affect journalists by making them ‘psychologically homeless’ along with preventing them from returning to work because it is so severe (Lyall, 2012, p. 30). What are the main components of self-care for journalists? Lyall (2012) suggests creating a ‘buffer’ between the work experience and the home experience by taking time out alone at the end of the assignment, through to exercise or immersion in family life outside of the working day (Lyall, 2012, p. 38). The first step is recognising the risks. Journalists should expect the possibility of experiencing strong feelings themselves, and recognise this is not a sign of professional weakness but a normal human reaction. Essential resilience advice includes getting enough food, water, sleep and exercise – and reducing the reliance on alcohol – during a distressing assignment. During the assignment, intense emotions should be expected, acknowledged and, if possible, shared honestly with colleagues either at the scene or in the newsroom. Journalists should not be afraid to seek professional help if symptoms persist (Lyall, 2012, p. 38). Reference List Clarke, P. (2012). The interview: a hollow dance looking for new moves? In M. Ricketson (Eds.), Australian Journalism Today (pp. 57-77). South Yarra, Australia: Palgrave Macmillan. Denton, A. (Presenter). (2004, May 10). Interview with Hugh Jackman [Television broadcast]. In Enough Rope with Andrew Denton. Sydney, Australia: ABC. Lyall, K. (2012). Covering traumatic events without traumatising yourself or others. In M. Ricketson (Eds.), Australian Journalism Today (pp. 28-44). South Yarra, Australia: Palgrave Macmillan. Name: Leanne DuckStudent ID: u3065597

Differences Between E Commerce And E Business Information Technology Essay

Differences Between E Commerce And E Business Information Technology Essay Electronic commerce, commonly known as e-commerce or eCommerce, consists of the buying and selling of products or services over electronic systems such as the Internet and other computer networks. The amount of trade conducted electronically has grown extraordinarily with widespread Internet usage. The use of commerce is conducted in this way, spurring and drawing on innovations in electronic funds transfer, supply chain management, Internet marketing, online transaction processing, electronic data interchange (EDI), inventory management systems, and automated data collection systems. Modern electronic commerce typically uses the World Wide Web at least at some point in the transactions lifecycle, although it can encompass a wider range of technologies such as e-mail as well. A large percentage of electronic commerce is conducted entirely electronically for virtual items such as access to premium content on a website, but most electronic commerce involves the transportation of physical items in some way. Online retailers are sometimes known as e-tailers and online retail is sometimes known as e-tail. Almost all big retailers have electronic commerce presence on the World Wide Web. Electronic commerce that is conducted between businesses is referred to as business-to-business or B2B. B2B can be open to all interested parties (e.g. commodity exchange) or limited to specific, pre-qualified participants (private electronic market). Electronic commerce that is conducted between businesses and consumers, on the other hand, is referred to as business-to-consumer or B2C. This is the type of electronic commerce conducted by companies such as Amazon.com. Online shopping is a form of electronic commerce where the buyer is directly online to the sellers computer usually via the internet. There is no intermediary service. The sale and purchase transaction is completed electronically and interactively in real-time such as Amazon.com for new books. If an intermediary is present, then the sale and purchase transaction is called electronic commerce such as eBay.com. Electronic commerce is generally considered to be the sales aspect of e-business. It also consists of the exchange of data to facilitate the financing and payment aspects of the business transactions. TechEncyclopedia Electronic-commerce means selling products online via the Web. Also called e-business, e-tailing and I-commerce. Although in most cases e-commerce and e-business are synonymous, e-commerce implies that goods can be purchased online, whereas e-business might be used as an umbrella term for a total presence on the Web, which would include the e-commerce shopping component. E-commerce may also refer to electronic data interchange (EDI), in which one companys computer queries the inventory and transmits purchase orders to another companys computer. Investopedia Financial Dictionary Electronic Commerce à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ ecommerce is a type of business model, or segment of a larger business model, that enables a firm or individual  to conduct business over an electronic network, typically the internet. Electronic commerce operates in all four of the major market segments: business to business, business to consumer, consumer to consumer and consumer to business. Also sometimes written as e-commerce or eCommerce. Columbia Encyclopedia E-commerce conducted over the Internet, most often via the World Wide Web. E-commerce can apply to purchases made through the Web or to business-to-business activities such as inventory transfers. A customer can order items from a vendors Web site, paying with a credit card (the customer enters account information via the computer) or with a previously established cybercash account. The transaction information is transmitted (usually by modem) to a financial institution for payment clearance and to the vendor for order fulfillment. Personal and account information is kept confidential through the use of secured transactions that use encryption technology Impact of e-commerce Studies in the developed economies have shown that e-commerce will eventually have a far-reaching effect on the world economy because it will revolutionize the way businesses and consumers conduct their business transactions. Some have argued that e-commerce will deepen disintermediation process as producers can sell direct to consumers. For example, Christensen and Tedlow published in Harvard Business Review (January-February 2000) suggest that e-commerce will change the structure of retailing in the US in favour of fewer number of traditional intermediaries. The wide-spread impact of e-commerce is due to lower transaction costs. Using the transaction costs theory, studies have shown that e-commerce will reduce transaction costs of firms and hence final product prices. According to the transaction costs theory, price of a product has three elements: production costs, coordination costs, and profit margin. As firms find better ways to coordinate their activities through electronic channels, their transaction costs will fall. As the industry better manages real time information based on e-commerce, firms can also improve their inventory management and thus reduce inventory costs. Reduced transaction costs benefit both consumer and producer. While consumers will gain access to a broad-based selection of lower priced goods, producers are likely to see higher demand for their products. Furthermore, in the Internet age, people and firms will be connected with highly capable interactive capacity. Through the information highway, consumers will have free market choices, and firms will have almost unrestricted market access. This offers opportunities as well as poses threats to businesses. The impact of e-commerce can be traced at the industry and consumer levels. It can also be traced at the macroeconomy level. It is however important to note that the full impact of e-commerce on an economy depends on several factors such as the rate at which the economy (i.e. firms and the population) adopts e-commerce. This in turn is determined by other factors such as the cost of computers and software, computer and telephone penetration rates, security, manpower, and telecommunication infrastructure. At the industry level, e-commerce will result in some rationalization of activities. Firms will need to undertake investment in an appropriate computer system to implement e-commerce. They will undertake new activities which are knowledge-intensive. Through the adoption of e-commerce, firms will demand for a new kind of workforce, particularly those with a higher level of computer literacy. This new demand will have an immediate and far-reaching implication on the provision of training in the country. Firms will be pre-occupied with technology selection and investment. This task is quite demanding, particularly when the telecommunications and computer technologies are changing at a rapid pace. To keep up with modern technologies, firms cannot ignore continuous investment in human resource. E-commerce will further shorten product cycles of the industry. Through e-commerce, firms will have fast knowledge of what customers want. Firms can use this knowledge to guide the development of their product lines and to identify new growth areas at their earlier stages. With customer information in hand, firms can promote both up-selling and cross-selling. It is expected that e-commerce will also help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMIs) to gain greater market reach for their products and services. In fact, e-commerce can be an efficient and economical way for many SMIs to enter an export market. E-commerce offers consumers a wide range of new opportunities to do direct shopping and banking using the convenience of a home computer or other communication devices. Consumers will also benefit in terms of lower final prices due to lower transaction costs as described above. Looking ahead, e-commerce will lead to some fundamental changes in the way firms relate to consumers and the way firms compete with each other. This is because, through e-commerce consumers will have a wider and direct access to producers of goods and services without intermediaries. With a wider choice of products and services offered to them, they can cast their preferences by describing what they want. In this environment, e-commerce will hasten the shift of market power of consumers, from a product taker to a product maker. As a result, this process will lead to greater competition among firms to protect their market share. For the economy as a whole, e-commerce will result in higher investment by the Government, firms and consumers. Coupled with higher investment in IT, e-commerce will result in higher efficiency and productivity of the economy. In this light, e-commerce will contribute to higher total factor productivity of the Malaysian economy which is needed to sustain economic growth in the long term. E-commerce will create new activities and a variety of new industries which utilize IT. This will lead to the creation of new job opportunities. The increased investment mentioned above and the emergence of new IT-based industries will lead to a higher level of economic activity to support economic expansion and growth. Following the reduction in the transaction costs, e-commerce will also improve the level of efficiency and productivity in the economy. Industries will re-organize their activities to conform with the emergence of a new industrial structure of the country. Definitions and differences of e-commerce and e-business E-commerce describes the process of buying, selling, transferring or exchanging products, services or information via computer networks, including the Internet. E-business is somewhat broader concept. In addition to the buying and selling of goods and services, e-business also refers to servicing customers, collaborating with business partners and performing electronic transactions within an organization. In my opinion, the differences between two of them are not obvious. E-commerce refers to all transactions of business that being made through Internet. It involved money transaction between organizations and customers in a buying and selling process using the Internet. Meanwhile, e-business refers to all of type of businesses entity such as company, enterprise and others which are doing business using the Internet. Business entity use the Internet and other electronic network in all of their operations and daily processes involved. E-business becoming e-commerce when a transaction happens between two organizations. There is no e-commerce without e-business and e-business need e-commerce to survive. Issues, problems and threats in e-commerce and e-business In e-commerce, it is difficult to apply law that usually done in physical world. Many cyber crimes made cannot be justified in court because of lacking the law itself, geographical factors that separate different countries with different laws, and others. People are free to do whatever they like in the Internet including pornography and drugs selling without even caught or sued just because the physical law cannot be applied in Internet. Besides that, there are many frauds that we can find in e-commerce. Sometimes the company is not even exist but still it offer something to sell and people realized after a transaction was made, the product is still do not reach to them. Some business offer product that cost you price that unacceptable high compare to others even if the quality and features are same. Frauds can happen in many ways especially when it involving cyber product. In Internet, there is too much information that hard for us to filter and absorb. An information overload is one of the problems that e-commerce face nowadays. People find it difficult when it has too many websites that offer same product even they have right to choose but it also take time to filter all the related websites. In addition, certain areas do not have Internet coverage so e-commerce cannot reach the people in there. This happen due to certain geographical factors like people live in the mountains, desert, rural areas and others. They must go to nearest city to get Internet coverage and this is difficult to done if it will cost them effort, time and money to do that. Threats in e-commerce must be tackled seriously because in Internet, people can do anything without having fear to be caught or sued. Such threats like human trafficking, drugs selling firearms smuggle, child pornography and others are serious crime in physical world. Yet there are happening and still growing due to Internet usage in e-commerce and this is why we cannot let it done freely without observation and law practice on the threats. Opportunities, advantages and benefits in e-commerce and e-business The importance of both is to catch up with globalization that require IT as medium to doing business as the world has no border anymore with the Internet application. People nowadays are connecting with each other around the world easier than decades ago with Internet and other electronic networks. The world has no boundaries anymore and it offer very much opportunities to businesses around the world to develop. The benefits that we can get is we can have as many customer as we can if we are the organization that doing business using Internet. People all around the world are using Internet as their new medium of shopping and searching for something new. Companies took advantages on it and try hard to sell their products and services although there are companies that fail to achieve their target on e-commerce. Besides that, consumers now have bigger power to choose products. They can easily online and choose their favourite products from different companies which usually undone in physical world. We usually find it difficult to choose from one product to another or from one company to another, but Internet make it simpler and easier for customers so they donà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢t even go to shop by shop to buy what they like. They just click. The advantage of e-commerce and e-business to organization is we can make the transactions easier between customers and our organization by simply clicking the computer and do it online. We can also buy certain product that is difficult to find in certain area such as Kashmir fabrics in East Asia or a product that doesnà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢t offered in physical world such as e-book. In addition, the transactions done become faster and require no attendance to the outlet itself by customers. People who using Internet to shop realize that it become useful to them as the Internet is free, and you can shop at anytime, anywhere and at any situation, The opportunity of both is we can spread our business and market worldwide to increase profit and maximum the knowledge of customers about our company/ organization/ business. Many ordinary people or small business makes huge profit in e-commerce such as the founder of Amazon.com. New medium of marketing is created and organizations all around the world are taking advantages in e-commerce and e-business. Whether they set up a new business or upgrading the existing one, they are all realize that this is the time to grab big opportunity to gain high profit including customer satisfaction.

Success in The Old Man and the Sea :: Ernest Hemmingway

Success Comes in Many Forms Obtaining a goal can bring success to one’s outer â€Å"world† and to one’s inner spirit, the mind and soul. An achievement may bring recognition and respect from surrounding peers. It can also encourage one’s self esteem as well as give them more courage. In Ernest Hemmingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago receives outer, material formed success by earning the respect of his fellow peers and by attaining more physical strength. He also receives inner, spiritual formed success by gaining more self esteem. First, the old man receives outer success by earning the respect and appreciation of the boy and the other fishermen. The boy is speaking to the old man in his shack after the old man’s long journey, â€Å"You must get well fast for there is much that I can learn and you can teach me everything† (Hemmingway 126). The boy appreciates the fact that the old man spends time to teach him about fishing. He respects him a great deal for he knows that the old man is very wise and is a magnificent fisherman. The fellow fishermen also show respect towards the old man as they note the size of the fish after the old man returns home, â€Å"What a fish it was, there has never been such a fish† (123). The men admire the fact that the old man has caught the biggest fish that they have seen. Many fishermen resented Santiago at first, however their opinion changed once they realized what the old man has gone through. Being admired by others plays a major role in improving oneâ⠂¬â„¢s morale. Secondly, Santiago experiences material success because of the augmented physical strength he attains from the obstacles that he is forced to face. The old man is walking home to his shack after he returns from his strenuous journey, â€Å"He had to sit down five times before he reached his shack† (121). The old man is exhausted from his trip because he had spent so much energy catching the fish. Plenty of strength must have been gained from the exertion of this much energy. During the shark attacks, Santiago is optimistic about what good the bleeding from his hands will bring. â€Å"The bleeding may keep the left from cramping† (111). The old man is so strong that he uses the bleeding pain to suffocate a different source of pain. Not only that, but just the fact of keeping a positive attitude about a situation like this is a great accomplishment which can only be obtained from strength. Success in The Old Man and the Sea :: Ernest Hemmingway Success Comes in Many Forms Obtaining a goal can bring success to one’s outer â€Å"world† and to one’s inner spirit, the mind and soul. An achievement may bring recognition and respect from surrounding peers. It can also encourage one’s self esteem as well as give them more courage. In Ernest Hemmingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, Santiago receives outer, material formed success by earning the respect of his fellow peers and by attaining more physical strength. He also receives inner, spiritual formed success by gaining more self esteem. First, the old man receives outer success by earning the respect and appreciation of the boy and the other fishermen. The boy is speaking to the old man in his shack after the old man’s long journey, â€Å"You must get well fast for there is much that I can learn and you can teach me everything† (Hemmingway 126). The boy appreciates the fact that the old man spends time to teach him about fishing. He respects him a great deal for he knows that the old man is very wise and is a magnificent fisherman. The fellow fishermen also show respect towards the old man as they note the size of the fish after the old man returns home, â€Å"What a fish it was, there has never been such a fish† (123). The men admire the fact that the old man has caught the biggest fish that they have seen. Many fishermen resented Santiago at first, however their opinion changed once they realized what the old man has gone through. Being admired by others plays a major role in improving oneâ⠂¬â„¢s morale. Secondly, Santiago experiences material success because of the augmented physical strength he attains from the obstacles that he is forced to face. The old man is walking home to his shack after he returns from his strenuous journey, â€Å"He had to sit down five times before he reached his shack† (121). The old man is exhausted from his trip because he had spent so much energy catching the fish. Plenty of strength must have been gained from the exertion of this much energy. During the shark attacks, Santiago is optimistic about what good the bleeding from his hands will bring. â€Å"The bleeding may keep the left from cramping† (111). The old man is so strong that he uses the bleeding pain to suffocate a different source of pain. Not only that, but just the fact of keeping a positive attitude about a situation like this is a great accomplishment which can only be obtained from strength.

Politics and Poverty Essay -- Essays on Politics

Politics and Poverty Today there is a split in American politics on how to combat poverty. Throughout history, how America combats poverty has changed depending on what party is running the government. There has been a number of different parties however, Republican, Democrat, The Bull Moose Party, and other various ones. However, these views can be put into two main categories: The Liberal ideology and the Conservative ideology. There are three areas, which have broad and differing views on how to combat poverty. Those three being, Welfare, Social Security, and Taxes. The following arguments present how those different perspectives affect the poverty issue in America today. Conservative Ideology Conservatives generally go with the perspective that less is more. Most would side with the argument that less government action is a better approach for society as a whole. Rather than promoting the idea of social equality, like the Liberal perspective, they promote social inequality. Most would like little government regulation and intervention of economy. Conservatives have the "big business" and "trickle down" theory, that even though the rich stay rich, their wealth will eventually reach the poor and poverty-stricken. Liberal Ideology Liberals usually have the perspective that the government should help the people much more than they do presently, with more programs such as welfare (etc.). Liberals generally agree that the government should intervene, regulate, and promote the economy and ensure fairness in society always. Government policies are indeed needed and necessary for citizens to fulfill their daily needs. Most also do agree with a "free-market" society, however, they stress the need for government policies. Welf... ...Radio Address on the Economy." Democratic National Committee. Raul Grijalva. 26 Oct. 2002. http://www.democrats.org/news/200210300002.html "Senate Republicans Back President's Welfare Reform Plan." United States Senate Republican Policy Committee. 18 June 2002. 8 Dec. 2002 <http://www.senate.gov/~rpc/releases/1999/wf061802.htm> "Highlights of the Libertarian Party's 'Ending the Welfare State' Proposal." Libertarian Party: The Party of Principle. 1994-2001. 8 Dec. 2002. <http://www.lp.org/issues/welfare.html> "Who Gets Welfare?" Feminist Majority Foundation. 1996. 8 Dec. 2002. <http://www.feminist.org/other/budget/welfare/welfare.htm> Rector, Robert. Implementing Welfare Reform and Restoring Marriage. "Liberal Views on the Issues." Liberal Politics: U.S. What you need to know about. 8 Dec. 2002. < http://usliberals.about.com/library/blisswelfare.htm>

Sunset Boulevard

Yes, Norma Is That Crazy Sunset Boulevard constantly and persistently advances the theme that Hollywood creates movie stars that become engrossed with their own fame and then abandons them, leaving behind only their outlandish and outdated fantasies. The case of Norma Desmond is no different. Her out-of-touch relationship with reality is given form through her desire to make her â€Å"greatest picture yet. † The segment of Sunset Boulevard that will be analyzed in this essay is significant because, through the use and interplay of cinematography, editing, elements of Mise-en-Scene, and the dialogue, Norma’s delusions are highlighted and magnified.The first few moments of part one of the segment use specific elements of Mise-en-Scene and the dialogue to begin the reinforcement of Norma’s delusions. As her lavish and fanciful car pulls up to the studio door, Norma asks Joe if he would like to accompany her into the studio to meet with Cecil B. DeMille, but Joe refu ses. Joe is dressed fairly normally whereas Norma is wearing a fancy coat and hat to match her equally fancy car. This use of the costumes and makeup suggest that Norma is somehow out of place or out of time because her clothes do not match the occasion.When Joe declines to join Norma in the studio, he explicitly states, â€Å"It’s your script, it’s your show. † This part of the dialogue seems to suggest a separation between Norma and Joe. Norma is excited to meet with DeMille and discuss her movie whereas Joe is content to wait outside with Max and the car – Norma is alone. The next few moments of part one also contain some key lines of dialogue that seem to emphasize the anachronism of Norma Desmond and her fantasies. As she is hugged and greeted by DeMille, she recalls the last time the two had been together.She describes the time as â€Å"very gay,† suggesting that it is a very happy memory. She also remembers waving to DeMille and dancing on a table. It would seem that Norma still associates her relationship with DeMille, and consequently her career as a movie star, with fantastic memories of the past. DeMille mentions that many other people were dancing on tables as well, since Charles Lindbergh had just landed in Paris. This seems to suggest that Norma’s experience (and consequently, her past) is not s special and unique as she would like to believe, but Norma seems ignorant to this subtle suggestion because she is still engrossed by that memory. In the next section of part one, the dialogue between and the behavior of Norma and DeMille heightens the disparity of understanding between the two Hollywood greats. Norma behaves like classic Norma – pretentious with an inflated sense of self-importance. DeMille seems to be walking a line between careful respect and impatience.When Norma asks if he has read her script, DeMille waits for her to break eye contact before looking down and admitting in a rather exas perated and annoyed tone, â€Å"Yes, I did. † DeMille’s facial expression as he says this is key to understanding the distance between him and Norma. He is somewhere between anger, impatience, and confusion, whereas Norma is looking off-screen, seeming quite pleased with herself. DeMille leaves Norma in his director’s chair as he tells one of his assistants to get him on the phone with Gordon Cole, whose calls lead to Norma’s arrival at the studio.The difference between DeMille’s and Norma’s facial expressions and tone reinforce the idea that Norma is living in a fantasy and is separated from reality. The next section of part one uses costumes, lighting, and specific shot angles to reinforce Norma’s delusions about her current importance. A high angle shot of Norma in DeMille’s director’s chair is combined with the use of a spotlight to further Norma’s fantasies about her current importance. When the lighting man puts the spotlight on Norma and exclaims that it’s Norma Desmond for everyone in the studio to hear, the people in the studio surround Norma.Most are dressed for the picture that is being made by DeMille, but there are also a few policemen and normal people as well. The crowd around Norma that is showering her with affection is almost entirely comprised of people in strange clothes. This would seem to suggest that Norma’s sense of self-importance isn’t based in reality. Rather, it is a product of the fantasy world she lives in. In the final moments of part one, non-diegetic music is combined with the dialogue to show that Norma has no idea why she was being called by Gordon Cole.While DeMille is on the telephone with Cole, non-diegetic music is used to heighten the tension and suggest that a revelation is about to be made about the true purpose of the calls to Norma. When Gordon reveals that he was only interested in renting Norma’s luxurious car for a pi cture that is being made, a sudden burst of non-diegetic music is inserted. This music accentuates the difference between Norma Desmond’s reality and actual reality. DeMille pops the fantasy bubble Norma is in by breaking up the crowd of her fans around her and getting the spotlight taken off her.Norma’s fantasy is contrasted with DeMille’s reality when he tries to explain the mix up. She begins weeping out of gratitude for her fans whereas DeMille is trying to let her down as easily as possible. He highlights how detached Norma is when he says that pictures have changed quite a bit since she had been a star. The first half of part two uses cinematography to contrast the Norma’s past and the present. As Max tells Joe about Norma’s old dressing rooms, the camera remains on the car. Joe doesn’t look up at the offices. He doesn’t even seem all that interested in Max’s story.Only when Joe notices Betty does the shot cut away from t he car. Max is still talking but Joe is much more interested in Betty. This use of shot control seems to suggest that Norma and Max’s past is irrelevant to Joe – all he cares about is Betty. The second half of part two uses dialogue to reveal to Max the true nature of the Paramount visit, which shows just how deluded Norma is. Two studio workers walk up to the car as Max is waiting for Joe and Norma to return and ask if they can take a look at the â€Å"funny old car Gordon Cole was talking about. † Max defensively asks what is so funny about the car.He cannot seem to notice how very out-of-place and out-of-time the car is, just as Norma is. The first section of part three uses lighting to contrast with part one. In part one, the inside of the studio is very dark, whereas part three is lighted very well. Betty’s office is well-lit through the open windows and doors, which seems to suggest an air of new life and positivity. DeMille’s studio is quite dark while Norma is present. This contrast seems to highlight the difference between reality and fantasy. Joe and Betty are living in reality – their lives are healthy and growing towards the future, hereas Norma is still living in her past fantasy. Throughout part three, the cinematography and editing, the choice between reality with Betty and fantasy with Norma for Joe is highlighted. Whenever there is a significant portion of Betty’s window visible in the shot, Norma’s car is also visible through the window. As Betty and Joe discuss how to fix up Betty’s script, we can still see the studio workers walking around the car, examining it. Part three also makes significant use of diegetic sound and dialogue to contrast fantasy with reality.As Betty asks Joe to meet with her to work on the script, a car horn begins to honk, calling Joe back to Norma’s fantasy world. Joe takes heed and tries to wrap up the meeting with Betty as soon as possible. Betty , however, is quite insistent and pesters Joe to meet with her. The longer she keeps Joe waiting, the longer and louder the car horn honking becomes. This seems to suggest that Norma’s fantasy world is calling Joe back, keeping him from fully engaging with the present reality. Part four mostly uses non-diegetic sound and music to finish the contrast between reality and Norma’s fantasy.After Max explains to Joe the true reason for the Paramount calls, the camera immediately cuts to Norma and DeMille exiting the studio through the same door they entered earlier in the segment. As Norma insists she isn’t worried about anything and DeMille tries to ship her off without indicating his knowledge of the situation, dark and mysterious music plays. Everyone knows except Norma – not that she cares. Norma is stuck in her fantasy world, convinced that it will become reality. She never picks up on the subtle clues that DeMille gives throughout their interaction that h e has no intention of making a movie with her again.Sunset Boulevard’s theme that Hollywood creates movie stars that become engrossed with their own fame and then abandons them, leaving behind only their outlandish and outdated fantasies, is excellently exemplified through Norma Desmond. Her out-of-touch relationship with reality is given form through her desire to make her â€Å"greatest picture yet. † This segment of Sunset Boulevard is significant because, through the use and interplay of cinematography, editing, elements of Mise-en-Scene, and the dialogue, Norma’s delusions are highlighted and magnified.

Accounting Research Project: Walt Disney

| 2012| | Acc: Research Project | [The Walt Disney Company]| Ticker Symbol: NYSE:DIS A brief summary of the company’s products, history, and financial operations over the last year. | General Overview The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) is one that I have been familiar with my entire life. However, I have never known much about the business side of the company.It was founded in 1923 by Roy and Walt Disney, who came to Hollywood from Kansas City, Missouri. Walt and Roy produced a short animated film series that became known as the Alice Comedies. The small studio in which they worked was outgrown and replaced by a larger facility, where they became Disney Bros. Studio (Disney Archives). In 1928, Mickey Mouse was born, followed by Pluto, Goofy, and the rest of the Disney gang, and the Disney Brothers Studio became the Walt Disney Studio. Disney’s first full-length animated film came out in 1937.Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs became the highest grossing film by 1939 and th e first animated feature film ever produced (studioservices. go. com). During World War II, production was slow, and Disney was contracted into creating propaganda films to endorse the war and boost morale on the home front. However, in 1950, Cinderella revived the company and the Walt Disney Productions theme park plan was set in motion, opening Disneyland in 1955. Walt Disney died in 1966 of lung cancer (age 66), and his brother Roy took over as chairman, CEO and president.The Walt Disney World Resort opened in Orlando, Florida in 1971, and Disney began to make its way into live-action films. Since then, the Walt Disney Company has made its name in the family and entertainment business, becoming one of the largest and most influential companies worldwide, owning markets in China, Japan, North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and Russia. The company headquarters is located in Burbank, California, headed by Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, who ook over the company in 2 005 and acquired other such productions as Pixar (2006), Marvel Entertainment (2009), and Lucasfilm (2012) (thewaltdisneycompany. com). As well as owning several media networks, hotels and resorts, Disney Consumer Products, according to the company’s website, is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company and its affiliates that extends the Disney brand to merchandise ranging from apparel, toys, home decor and books and magazines to foods and beverages, stationary, electronics and fine art.This is accomplished through a franchise-based licensing organization focused on strategic brand priorities, including:  Disney Classic Characters & Disney Baby; Disney Live Action Film; Disney Media Networks & Games, Disney & Pixar Animation Studios; Disney Princess & Disney Fairies;  and  Marvel. Other businesses involved in Disney's consumer products sales are Disney Publishing Worldwide, the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines, and  www. DisneyStore. om  and  www. DisneyStore. co. uk, the company's official shopping portals. The Disney Store retail chain, which debuted in 1987, is owned and operated by Disney in North America, Europe, and Japan (thewaltdisneycompany. com). In recent news, Netflix announced on December 4, 2012 that it has signed a multi-year deal with The Walt Disney Company. According to the article by Ramon Aranda, this will give Netflix the exclusive rights to run feature films available for users to watch instantly.Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer at Netflix said, â€Å"Disney and Netflix have shared a long and mutually beneficial relationship and this deal will bring to our subscribers, in the first pay TV window, some of the highest-quality, most imaginative family films being made today†¦ It’s a bold leap forward for Internet television and we are incredibly pleased and proud this iconic family brand is teaming with Netflix to make it happen. † The article also states that the fin ancial terms of this agreement have not been disclosed.Another recent event for the company was the purchase of the Star Wars franchise Lucasfilm for four billion dollars at the end of October. 100 percent owned by founder George Lucas, an article in USA Today says Disney received the empire at a cost of $4 billion, 40 million Disney shares, and a year and half pursuit. This amount of shares makes Lucas the company’s second largest non-institutional shareholder of Disney, after the trust of Steve Jobs (Krantz, Matt, et. al). The article goes on to note that this deals marks Disney’s fourth largest deal ever, after Capital Cities/ABC (1995), Pixar (2006), and Fox Family (2001).Disney plans to expand on the Star Wars film schedule. CEO Bob Iger said, â€Å"our long term plan is to release a new Star Wars feature film every two to three years,† beginning with Episode VII hopefully releasing in 2015. George Lucas will serve as a creative consultant, but plans to ret ire, saying, â€Å"For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see  Star Wars  passed from one generation to the next. It's now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers† (Krantz, Matt, et. al).The current price per share of the company’s common stock is $48. 67. This number has fluctuated a bit over the last year, but has remained mostly close to the recent price. The lowest price over the last year has been $34. 52, with the highest price at $53. 40 (thewaltdisneycompany. com). Financial Status (2012) According the company’s most recent accounting statements (2012 fiscal year), total assets equaled $74,898; total liabilities equaled $32,940, and the total equity for the year totaled $41,958 (in millions). $74,898 = $32,940 + $41,958The company earned a net income of $5. 682 billion, an eighteen percent increase from the previous year. The earnings per share during the year 2012 increased 24 percent to $3. 13 fro m $2. 52 the prior year. Earnings per share is important because it is a measure of a company’s profitability. It is one of the most closely watched financial ratios in the business world. The revenues for The Walt Disney Company totaled $42. 278 billion, a 4 percent increase from the previous year. Two of Disney’s competitors, News Corp. and Time Warner Inc. have revenues that fall significantly lower than this corporate giant, with News Corp. revenues totaling $33. 88 billion and Time Warner Inc. at $28. 76 billion. Disney’s current assets total $13. 709 billion, with current liabilities totaling $12. 813 billion. The current ratio: 13. 709/12. 813 = 1. 07. The current ratio generally shows the ability of a company to pay back debts. However, if a company is good at managing and planning cash flows, a low number does not necessarily mean they cannot pay back its debts on time.This number has decreased compared to the previous year, which had a current ratio of 1. 13. Disney’s long-term assets include film and television costs, investments, parks, resorts, and other properties (attractions, buildings, and equipment), projects in progress, land, intangible assets, and goodwill; 82 percent of Disney’s assets are long-term. Compared to prior periods, these assets have increased (approximately $2 billion more than 2011). In addition, The Walt Disney Company calculates depreciation using the straight-line method.The long-term liabilities of The Walt Disney Company total $20. 127 billion, or 61 percent of the total liabilities, compared to 63 percent of total liabilities in 2011. Disney has over one trillion shares in circulation currently, both of preferred stock and common stock outstanding. The company saw an increase in cash and cash equivalents of $202 million, giving Disney an end of year balance of $3. 387 billion, compared to the $3. 185 billion from the previous year. According to Disney’s report, cash provided by operations increased 14 percent compared to 2011.The increase in cash provided by operations was due to â€Å"higher segment operating results and the timing of and improved receivable collections, partially offset by higher income tax payments, the payment of interest accrued in prior years on Disneyland Paris borrowings, and higher film production spending† (thewaltdisneycompany. com). Disney uses the average-cost method in order to calculate inventory, stating, â€Å"Inventory primarily includes vacation timeshare units, merchandise, materials, and supplies.Carrying amounts of vacation ownership units are recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Carrying amounts of merchandise, materials, and supplies inventories are generally determined on a moving average cost basis and are recorded at the lower of cost or market. † Only a small portion of the total assets is represented by inventory. In 2012, the inventory only accounted for 2 percent of the company ’s total assets, which is consistent with the 2 percent of total assets in 2011. Work Cited A History of The Walt Disney Company. † Disney 23. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. ;http://d23. disney. go. com/archives/a-history-of-the-walt-disney-company/; Aranda, Ramon. â€Å"Netflix Announces Multi-Year Agreement with The Walt Disney Company. †Ã‚  examiner. com(2012): n. pag. Web. 13 Dec 2012. ;http://www. examiner. com/article/netflix-announces-multi-year-agreement-with-the-walt-disney-company;. Disney Studio Services. â€Å"The Walt Disney Studios History. † Web. 12 Dec. 2012. ;http://studioservices. go. om/disneystudios/history. html; Krantz, Matt, Mike Snider, Marco Della Cava, and Bryan Alexander. â€Å"Disney buys Lucasfilm for $4 billion. â€Å"USA Today. 30 2012: n. page. Web. 16 Dec. 2012. ;http://www. usatoday. com/story/money/business/2012/10/30/disney-star-wars-lucasfilm/1669739/;. The Walt Disney Company. Annual Report: The Walt Disney Company Reports Fourt h Quarter and Full Year Earnings for Fiscal 2012. Burbank: The Walt Disney Company, 2012. 15 Dec. 2012. ;http://thewaltdisneycompany. com/;