7 Reasons to Publish a Blog

7 Reasons to Publish a Blog 7 Reasons to Publish a Blog 7 Reasons to Publish a Blog By Mark Nichol You still don’t have a blog? Below, check out seven arguments for writers joining the blogosphere. Weblogs, universally referred to as blogs, are websites formatted as journals, with posts, or individual entries, that can be accessed in reverse chronological order. (Usually, a few of the most recent posts are visible on the home page, and site visitors can click through to pages featuring previous posts or to an archive page.) They range widely in tone from silly to sober and in topic from adorable cats to international politics and everything in between but perhaps it hasn’t occurred to you how valuable they can be for your writing or editing business or for the company you work for. If you don’t already have a blog, or your current one is about your personal life or a topic unrelated to your profession, consider creating one that serves as an extension of your work. Post news, information, and analysis about pertinent topics, trends, products, or events. Content can take the form of news briefs, essays, reports, white papers, reviews, interviews, polls, surveys, and FAQs (a list of actual or prospective frequently asked questions about a topic), among other forms. Supplement written posts with photographs, graphics, video, and audio. Provide links to related websites and other blogs, and ask webmasters and bloggers to do the same for your blog. Whenever you quote from or refer to an online article or other document, link to it. Here are the seven reasons you should create your own professional or interest-based blog: Your blog is an online advertisement for your writing or editing services, or for documents or publications you write or your company produces. Your blog is an extension of your rà ©sumà © that allows you to present content about your professional experience, as well as writing samples, in one convenient location. Your blog will convey your personality, allowing prospective collaborators, clients, and employers to gain a good first impression of you. Your blog enables you to network with other writers and editors or other people in your industry or sphere of interest. Your blog demonstrates to prospective associates that you are passionate and knowledgeable about the subject area you blog about. Your blog establishes you as an expert (or someone with interest if not expertise) and as someone who engages in extra effort to acquire and share knowledge and information about a profession or area of interest. Your blog provides you with a forum for developing your communication skills not just writing but also video and audio, as well as interactivity such as networking, commenting on other websites and blogs, and responding to comments on your blog. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Freelance Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Homograph ExamplesThat vs. WhichCaptain vs. Master

Second Battle of Manassas - Civil War Second Battle of Manassas

Second Battle of Manassas - Civil War Second Battle of Manassas Second Battle of Manassas - Conflict Dates: The Second Battle of Manassas was fought August 28-30, 1862, during the American Civil War. Armies Commanders Union Major General John Pope70,000 men Confederate General Robert E. Lee55,000 men Second Battle of Manassas - Background: With the collapse of Major General George B. McClellans Peninsula Campaign in the summer of 1862, President Abraham Lincoln brought Major General John Pope east to take command of the newly created Army of Virginia. Consisting of three corps led by Major Generals Franz Sigel, Nathaniel Banks, and Irvin McDowell, Popes force was soon augmented by additional units taken from McClellans Army of the Potomac. Tasked with protecting Washington and the Shenandoah Valley, Pope began moving southwest towards Gordonsville, VA. Seeing that Union forces were divided and believing that the timid McClellan posed little threat, Confederate General Robert E. Lee sensed an opportunity to destroy Pope before returning south to finish off the Army of the Potomac. Detaching the left wing of his army, Lee ordered Major General Thomas Stonewall Jackson to move north to Gordonsville to intercept Pope. On August 9, Jackson defeated Banks corps at Cedar Mountain and four days later Lee began moving the other wing of his army, led by Major General James Longstreet, north to join Jackson. Second Battle of Manassas - Jackson on the March: Between August 22 and 25, the two armies squared off across the rain-swollen Rappahannock River, with neither able to force a crossing. During this time, Pope began receiving reinforcements as McClellans men were withdrawn from the Peninsula. Seeking to defeat Pope before the Union commanders force grew much larger, Lee ordered Jackson to take his men and Major General J.E.B. Stuarts cavalry division on a bold flanking march around the Union right. Moving north, then east through Thoroughfare Gap, Jackson severed the Orange Alexandria Railroad at Bristoe Station before capturing the Union supply base at Manassas Junction on August 27. With Jackson in his rear, Pope was forced to fall back from the Rappahannock and reconcentrate near Centreville. Moving northwest from Manassas, Jackson moved through the old First Bull Run battlefield and assumed a defensive position behind an unfinished railroad grade below Stony Ridge on the night of August 27/28. From this position, Jackson had a clear view of the Warrenton Turnpike which ran east to Centreville. Second Battle of Manassas - Fighting Begins: The fighting began at 6:30 PM on August 28 when units belonging to Brigadier General Rufus Kings division were seen moving east on the turnpike. Jackson, who learned earlier in the day that Lee and Longstreet were marching to join him, moved to the attack. Engaging on the Brawner Farm, the fight was largely against the Union brigades of Brigadier Generals John Gibbon and Abner Doubleday. Firing for around two and half hours, both sides took heavy losses until darkness ended the fighting. Pope misinterpreted the battle as Jackson retreating from Centreville and ordered his men to trap the Confederates. Second Battle of Manassas - Assaulting Jackson: Early the next morning, Jackson dispatched some of Stuarts men to direct Longstreets approaching troops into pre-selected positions on his right. Pope, in an effort to destroy Jackson, moved his men to the fight and planned attacks on both Confederate flanks. Believing that Jacksons right flank was near Gainesville, he directed Major General Fitz John Porter to take his V Corps west to attack that position. At the other end of the line, Sigel was assault the Confederate left along the railroad grade. While Porters men marched, Sigels opened the fighting around 7:00 AM. Attacking Major General A.P. Hills men, the Brigadier General Carl Schurzs troops made little progress. While the Union did achieve some local successes, they were often undone by vigorous Confederate counterattacks. Around 1:00 PM, Pope arrived on the field with reinforcements just as Longstreets lead units were moving into position. To the southwest, Porters corps was moving up the Manassas-Gainesville Road and engaged a group of Confederate cavalry. Second Battle of Manassas - Union Confusion: Shortly thereafter, its advance was halted when Porter received a confusing Joint Order from Pope which muddied the situation and did not provide any clear direction. This confusion was worsened by news from McDowells cavalry commander, Brigadier General John Buford, that large numbers of Confederates (Longstreets men) had been spotted in Gainesville that morning. For an unknown reason, McDowell failed to forward this to Pope until that evening. Pope, waiting for Porters attack, continued to launch piecemeal assaults against Jackson and remained unaware that Longstreets men had arrived on the field. At 4:30, Pope sent an explicit order for Porter to attack, but it was not received until 6:30 and the corps commander was not in a position to comply. In anticipation of this attack, Pope threw Major General Philip Kearnys division against Hills lines. In severe fighting, Kearnys men were only repelled after determined Confederate counterattacks. Observing Union movements, Lee decided to attack the Union flank, but was dissuaded by Longstreet who advocated a reconnaissance in force to set up an assault in the morning. Brigadier General John B. Hoods division moved forward along the turnpike and collided with Brigadier General John Hatchs men. Both sides retreated after a sharp fight. Second Battle of Manassas - Longstreet Strikes As darkness fell, Pope finally received McDowells report regarding Longstreet. Falsely believing that Longstreet had arrived to support Jacksons retreat, Pope recalled Porter and began planning a massive assault by V Corps for the next day. Though advised to move cautiously at a council of war the next morning, Pope pushed Porters men, supported by two additional divisions, west down the turnpike. Around noon, they wheeled right and attacked the right end of Jacksons line. Taken under heavy artillery fire the assault breached the Confederate lines but was thrown back by counterattacks. With the failure of Porters attack, Lee and Longstreet moved forward with 25,000 men against the Union left flank. Driving scattered Union troops before them, they only encountered determined resistance at a few points. Realizing the danger, Pope began moving troops to block the attack. With the situation desperate, he succeeded in forming a defensive line along the Manassas-Sudley Road at the foot of Henry House Hill. The battle lost, Pope began a fighting withdraw back towards Centreville around 8:00 PM. Second Battle of Manassas - Aftermath: The Second Battle of Manassas cost Pope 1,716 killed, 8,215 wounded and 3,893 missing, while Lee suffered 1,305 killed and 7,048 wounded. Relieved on September 12, Popes army was incorporated into the Army of the Potomac. Seeking a scapegoat for the defeat, he had Porter court-martialed for his actions on August 29. Found guilty, Porter spent fifteen years working to clear his name. Having won a stunning victory, Lee embarked on his invasion of Maryland a few days later. Selected Sources National Park Service: Manassas National BattlefieldLibrary of Congress: Second Battle of ManassasHistoryNet: Second Battle of Manassas

Marketing trend (Internet and online marketing)7 Assignment

Marketing trend (Internet and online marketing)7 - Assignment Example al conflict, risk taking ability, participation and authority, and individual factors like age, cultural and social background of the members of the buying team. The Internet has increased the speed and broadened connectivity among businesses, which are fundamental aspects of communication (Charlesworth, 2009). Most key companies now have a Web site. The Web sites give them an instant international presence. Internet marketing simplifies the search for the least price for products, making it quick and cheap. This also shortens the purchase process for businesses. Significant delays in decision making occur when companies restrict the flow of information. The increased speed of information exchange fostered by the Internet provides a solution to this problem (Charlesworth, 2009). This increases the probability of sourcing the right product at the correct time, price, and quality and be delivered punctually. On personal selling, Internet trading exchanges have made it easier to link sellers to buyers and facilitate the sale and distribution of products smaller orders. An example is the selling of online books and music CDs. Research has shown that selling music and books online costs between 9 to 15 percent lower than in conventional vendor stores (Clay, Krishan, & Wolff, 2001). In conclusion, internet marketing speeds up the process of sourcing for products and favorable prices by businesses. The personal seller can market his products from home or office without the use of billboards or employing marketing

Professional Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Professional Development - Essay Example On the other hand, knowing my weaknesses would push me to work hard to turn them into strengths. Being able to communicate well with others in both verbal and written forms will help me establish a network of people who can support me and help me towards achieving my goals. Good communication is key to harmonious and fulfilling relationships. Creativity is one skill which will make me stand out from the rest because I will be able to come up with fresh ideas and strategies that would work out for my future clients. Being creative is one quality that is becoming increasingly in demand these days. 1. Self-Awareness Knowing oneself – one’s own personality, traits, attitudes, views, strengths and weaknesses based on one’s family and cultural background and previous life experiences is a very important skill to master in business. In order for me to get a good self-analysis, I turned to self-assessment tests so I can see myself from an objective point of view. Self-As sessments Self-assessments are effective ways for individuals to evaluate themselves to see how far they have come in terms of progress in one area or another and to know their strengths and weaknesses. Self-assessments can come in various forms. Some are simple reflective practices while others entail taking some tests. For this Professional Development Plan (PDP), I took 3 self-assessment tests namely the Myer-Briggs (MBTI), the DISC and the Learning Styles Inventory (see appendix for results). From the test results of my self-assessments, there were a lot of surprising revelations, agreements and disagreements as well in relation to how I know my self. The following are the interpretations of the results of the tests. MBTI (Myers-Briggs test) This theory measures psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. The preferences indicate the differences in people based on the following: How they focus their attention or get their energy (Extraversion o r Introversion) How they perceive or take in information (Sensing or Intuition) How they prefer to make decisions (Thinking or Feeling) How they orient themselves to the external world (Judgment or Perception) The Myer-Briggs Test Results say I have strong tendencies toward the ESFJ and ENFJ personality types. Both types share the dominant functions of the letters E and F or Extraverted Feeling. This means my dominant function is feeling oriented towards the outer world. I focus on building harmony in the world around me, creating positive atmosphere and good rapport with people. I look after their welfare and go out of my way in overcoming differences of opinion and finding ways for people to agree. I invest much on building positive relationships, motivating others to be happy in each situation. . The ESFJ and ENFJ differ in Sensing/ Intuition. This means I can respond differently to information I receive depending on my preference. If it is clear facts I want to know or accuracy in description of details, then my preference is for Sensing. However, if I prefer to deal with ideas, and venture into unknown territories so I can generate new possibilities, then my preference is for Intuition. My profile also prefers dealing equally with ideas/information and people/things. I prefer dealing equally with facts/tangible things and possibilities/intuitions. I prefer to base my decisions on values rather than logic. My

Females are as Violent as Males Essay Example for Free

Females are as Violent as Males Essay Most people are unaware of researched statistics claiming loud and clear that females are as violent as males. As a matter of fact, females are as violent as males not only in marital relationships but also in adolescence (Hines, Brown, Dunning, 2007, p. 63; Holtzworth-Munroe, 2005). It was the feminists that had widely disseminated the idea that only women are battered in marital relationships (Hines, Brown, Dunning, p. 71). Research shows that wives also act violently toward their husbands even though the latter are capable of causing more physical harm in abusive relationships (Ward Jr. Muldoon, 2007, p. 340). After all, abusive wives typically â€Å"throw objects, slap, kick, bite, and punch,† whereas abusive husbands â€Å"are more likely to strangle, choke, and beat up their partners† (Ward Jr. Muldoon, p. 340-341). But, wives who are arrested for domestic violence tend to imitate their abusive husbands in incidences of violence (Ward Jr. Muldoon, p. 338). What is more, female violence is on the rise (Chmelynski, 2006, p. 8). There are increasing numbers of females being arrested for almost all offenses, â€Å"including aggravated assault, simple assault, burglary, larcenytheft, motor vehicle theft, vandalism, weapons, liquor and curfew/ loitering law violations† (Vaughn et. al. , 2007, p. 36). According to feminists, in particular their theory of power and control, men are socialized to assume that they have the right of controlling women (Ward Jr. Muldoon, p. 359). This leads men to act violently toward what they believe is the weaker sex. Furthermore, it has been asserted by feminists over and over that females behave violently only in self-defense. It is males who attack them first (Hines, Brown, Dunning, p. 63-64). These assertions are not entirely baseless, however. Females were known to be less violent than men in the past (Holtzworth-Munroe). Holtzworth-Munroe reports, Twenty-five years ago, according to statistics which were compiled by the U. S. Department of Justice at that time, for every 10 boys arrested for assault, there was only one girl who was arrested on that charge. Today, however, the ratio is 4 to 1. (Holtzworth-Munroe) So now it is not only husbands but also school authorities who must be wary of female violence (Holtzworth-Munroe). Feminists state that women are usually the victims of crimes of violence (Ward Jr. Muldoon, p. 359). But, feminists ought to develop new theories of power and control now that statistics reveal that the rise in female violence far exceeds the rise in male violence. In fact, between 1978 and 1996, â€Å"there was a 47% increase in the rate of violent crimes committed by females. Violent crime rates among males decreased by 26%† (Vaughn et. al. , p. 36). Female violence in adolescence tends to be more severe than male violence although males tend to inflict the greatest number of injuries on women in abusive marital relationships (Holtzworth-Munroe). According to Kimberly Sebeur, director of 50 Strong, a program developed to support black adolescent males in succeeding at the Martin Luther King, Jr. , High School in Georgia, Its worse when girls fight because they wont stop; they have to be physically overtaken by someone whos stronger than they are†¦ With boys, you can say OK, thats enough, break it up, and thats the end of it. Girls will fight right to the death. (Chmelynski, p. 8) What is more, research has shown that females who act violently in marital relationships do so also against males in stereotypically masculine professions, for example, military, firefighting, and law enforcement. Professors, doctors, lawyers, architects and engineers are victims of female violence to boot. Even politicians have not been spared (Hines, Brown, Dunning, p. 66). Holtzworth-Munroe reports on a research that found that there is a higher number of females than males who initiate violence. Hines, Brown, Dunning report on several studies that found that women do not act violently in self-defense alone. Rather, the majority of women participating in these studies stated that their reasons for acting violently toward their male partners included anger, confusion, revenge, jealousy, and attempts to dominate (Hines, Brown, Dunning, p. 64). Apart from the research mentioned by Holtzworth-Munroe, there have been various studies to examine whether females are more likely than males to initiate violence (Hines, Brown, Dunning, p. 64). Hines, Brown, Dunning write that violence appears to be â€Å"human problem,† as these studies reveal equal numbers of females and males as initiators of violence (p. 64). Of course, females can be as violent as males. Regardless of reasons for the increase in female violence, the fact remains that adolescent males and females are equally violent, and wives commit acts of violence against their husbands as much as the latter act violently toward them. Perhaps it is feminism that has raised female awareness to the point that females do not consider themselves the weaker sex any longer. Then again, men may cause greater physical harm to women even if girls are more physically aggressive than boys. References Chmelynski, C. (2006, Dec). When â€Å"Mean Girls† Turn to Violence. Education Digest 72(4):8. Retrieved Apr 5, 2009, from Academic Search Premier. Hines, D. A. , Brown, J. , Dunning, E. (2007). Characteristics of Callers to the Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men. Journal of Family Violence 22:63-72. Retrieved Apr 5, 2009, from Academic Search Premier. Holtzworth-Munroe, A. (2005, Dec). Male Versus Female Intimate Partner Violence: Putting Controversial Figures into Context. Journal of Marriage and Family 67(5). Retrieved Apr 5, 2009, from Academic Search Premier. Vaughn, M. G. , Newhill, C. E. , Litschge, C. M. , Howard, M. O. (2007). Cluster Profiles of Residentially Incarcerated Adolescent Females: Violence and Clinical Mental Health Characteristics. Advancing Quality in Residential Treatment. Hawthorne Press. Retrieved Apr 5, 2009, from Academic Search Premier. Ward Jr. , R. E. , Muldoon, J. P. (2007). Female Tactics and Strategies of Intimate Partner Violence: A Study of Incident Reports. Sociological Spectrum 27:337-364. Retrieved Apr 5, 2009, from Academic Search Premier.

The Electronics Industry in India :: miscellaneous

The Electronics Industry in India The Electronics industry is one of the fastest growing industries right from its origin. The profit brought out of this is much more compared to other olden industries. India is one among the largest economies in the world and has a good GDP among emerging economies. The birth and growth of this industry in India is quiet interesting. With large population and the potential consumer demand is almost unlimited and hence a strong growth performance could be expected. The base of this industry. Basically Indian market is a consuming market, it grows as people consume more. The liberalization of the economy by 1991 has helped to a rapid growth this helped the electronics industry in India as one of the most important and emerging markets. The start of this industry here dates back to early 1960’s.Electronics was primarily focused to develop in the filed of communication systems for radios, telephony, telegraphy, and television broadcast. A lot of importance was given for the augme ntation of defense capabilities. Till 1980’s the electronic sector was government owned. From there on the growth of the electronic industry took off due to economic changes resulting in the globalization of the economy. The electronic industry recorded a very high growth in subsequent years by 1990’s. Private, foreign investments were encouraged. This was the starting point of forex to pour in. Easing the Norms for the investment, reduction in duties and deli censing of several consumer electronic products marked attraction of foreign investors. The domestic circle response to this was also favorable to the government policies. Allowing this industry for the private sector enabled entrepreneurs build industries to meet suppressed demand. Improvements in this industry have not been only to a particular area but in each and every process right from acquiring the raw materials to the packed product. Long steps have been made in the area of consumer products, communication, biomedical instrumentation, networking and defense. This resulted in significant market growth by late 1990’s. The sales of some basic units increased three-fold .the main area of focus has now turned to design, Compact packing and to provide vale added service. Analyzing the strength of this industry it has a competitive advantage by providing high quality-low price, large trained manpower poll. The key strength being developed infrastructure as compared to the mechanical industry. The software technology parks that have been established are providing the necessary software orientation for this industry.

Kotak Mahindra

Established in 1984, The Kotak Mahindra Group has long been one of India’s most reputed financial organizations. In Feb 2003, Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd. , the group’s flagship company was given the license to carry on banking business by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This approval creates banking history since Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd is the first company in India to convert to a bank. The license authorizing the bank to carry on banking business has been obtained from the RBI in tune with Section 22 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949. KMBL was promoted by Mr.Uday. S. Kotak, Kotak and Company Ltd and Mr. Sidney & A. A. Pinto under the name of Kotak Capital Management Finance Ltd on 21st Nov 1985 and obtained a Certificate of Commencement of Business on 11th Feb 1986.Key group companies and their businesses Kotak Mahindra Bank Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Kotak Securities Kotak Mahindra Prime Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Kotak Mahindra Old Mutual Life Insurance Limited BOARD OF DIRECTORS * Mr. K. M. Gherda – Executive Chairman * Mr. Uday Kotak –Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director * Mr.Anand Mahindra –Co Promoter of Kotak Mahindra Bank and Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Mahindra and Mahindra * Mr. Cyril Shroff –Co Promoter * Mr. Pradeep N Kotak –Agri Division of Kotak and Company Limited * Dr. Shanker Acharya * Mr. Shivaji Dam –Managing Director Kotak Mahindra Old Mutual Life Insurance Limited * Mr. C. Jayaram –Executive Director * Mr. Dipak Gupta –Executive Director Product Detail Kotak Mahindra Bank is one of the prominent subsidiaries of Kotak Mahindra group. The activities of the company being parallel to its objective are very wide and cover all the components of a Bank.The Basic area of Operations is the Banking business, other products are meant for the regular revenue generation. Being a Banking house, the company is in regular touch with Banking Acc ounts, Investment Services, Convenience Banking and Other Services. Kotak Mahindra Bank, it's not about selling you many different products — it's about working out a holistic, pragmatic solution that addresses your financial needs. Through their varied products,they commit themselves to becoming â€Å"banker† to the customer rather than being â€Å"asset financier† to our customers.Banking Services by Kotak Mahindra There are three types of banking accounts: * Savings Account * Edge Savings Account: * Pro Savings Account: * Ace Savings Account * Current Account * Edge Current Account * Pro Current account * ACE Current Account * Term Deposit Investment Services * Demat & On Line Trading Account * Initial Public Offers(Ipo’s) Mutual Funds Convenience Banking * Multiple Banking Channels * ATM (Automatic Teller Machine): * Phone Banking * Mobile Banking * SMS Banking OTHER SERVICES * Banking Hours * Best Compliments Card – the perfect giftCOMPETIVE P ROFILE * HDFC Bank * ICICI Bank HDFC BANK Market Strategy Emphasizes The Following: * Increase market share in India’s expanding banking and financial services industry by following a disciplined growth strategy focusing on quality and not on quantity and delivering high quality customer service. * Leverage our technology platform and open scalable systems to deliver more products to more customers and to control operating costs. * Maintain current high standards for asset quality through disciplined credit risk management. Develop innovative products and services that attract the targeted customers and address inefficiencies in the Indian financial sector. * Continue to develop products and services that reduce bank’s cost of funds. * Focus on high earnings growth with low volatility. ICICI BANK MARKETING STRATEGY OF ICICI BANK: * India’s second largest bank * 614 branches and extension counters * 2200 ATM’S * Biggest private sector bank in India * Most valuable bank in India in terms of market capitalization * Described by the competitors and industry expert in one word – â€Å"Aggressive† Strategy of Kotak Mahindra 1.Kotak Mahindra Bank is Leading Bank in the country, it provides a variety of products and services to different segments of customers. 2. The Bank aims to serve customers from teenagers to senior citizens, hence different products designed to suit specific requirements of the above. 3. Aims to serve all classes of the society from the salaried middle class to the high income business class. Customers are categorized and segmented according to their requirements and needs. For Example, the EDGE Saving Account aims to serve middle class customers so minimum balance required to be maintained is Rs. 0000. While the PRO and ACE Saving Accounts are targeted at high income customers, the minimum balance requirement is Rs. 20000 and Rs. 75000.4. Customers who are more profitable to the Bank (High Value Customer s) are provided special facilities. Priority Banking is meant to serve these high value customers. 5. The Bank prides itself with the ability to provide differentiate products in the crowded market of saving accounts. Bank offers the free home baking, special co-branded debit cards (Smart fill Debit Card) which makes its product unique. . The Bank is also involved in marketing activities which serves as a medium of advertisement for the Bank. These are as follows: * Extended happy hours at certain pubs in Delhi for the Bank’s account holders. * Gift Vouchers on making utility payments, such as cell phones, electricity and MTNL bills. * Free Gifts like caps, pens/wallets to its customers. * Free add-on cards for relatives. 7. The Bank wants its customers to transact more through Internet Banking and ATM, Rather than the customers using the branch. 8.The Debit Cards provided by the Bank are Internationally Accepted around the world, hence giving the customers the convenience to transact anytime, anywhere. 9. The Bank has tied up with other Banks so that its customers can use other Bank’s ATM facility for free transactions 10. The Bank also provides DEMAT account and also sells Mutual Funds, this provides the Bank and Government additional revenue. 11. The Bank has been very successful in enlarging its customer base during the last couple of years. 12. The Number One Reason of people choosing Kotak Mahindra Bank is the Brand Name/Reputation of the Bank.Hence it should be careful that the Brand name and Goodwill the Bank has earned is not diluted. 13. The Biggest competitors of the Bank are ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank and STANDRAD CHARTERED. 14. ATM Facility is most popular way to transact with the Bank. 15. Overall the customers appreciate the service and products offered by the Bank and are willing to recommend the Bank to their acquaintances , But more attention has to paid towards: * Increasing the number of ATM machines. * Improving Internet Bankin g Facility.

Discrimination Against South Africa Essay

South Africa is one of the African countries, which is rich in history and culture. Different racial and cultural groups ranging from Afrikaners to the Indians are staying together in South Africa. This paper analyzes the prejudices and discrimination against South Africa: the Coloured’s and the Black AfricansIntroduction†At least 77% of South Africans are Black Africans.†South Africa has a very diverse and rich cultural nature and therefore has no National Culture. There are several different ethnic groups out of them the most popular being: Zulus (South African Culture: How Prejudice and Discrimination Have Colored Culture) The South African governments were controlled by the white people till Nelson Mandela successfully led the agitations against them and dethroned their ruling and became the first elected president of South Africa in 1994. Till then the black South African people were victims of discrimination and prejudices even thought they were the largest c ommunity in South Africa. Coloured’s and the Black AfricansColoured’s are a mix of Black Africans and (British) Whites. They are so named because of the apartheid regime, as a way a labeling them; however, since then they have developed their own distinct culture. They reside mostly in the Northern and Western Cape. About 80% speak Afrikaans and 20% speak English. (South African Culture: How Prejudice and Discrimination Have Colored Culture) The colored people are a mixed race with its ancestors belongs to Europe, Indonesia, India, Madagascar, Malaya, Mozambique, and Mauritius like countries. The South African society were divided four main racial groups during the apartheid era; Blacks, Whites, Coloured’s and Indians. Based on the color of the people the political rights were also varied among these groups. The whites enjoyed supremacy in every field of life like political cultural and religious things. Even the people from the same religion experienced discrimination because of their skin color. Earlier the political rights of the coloreds were similar to that of the whites though their rights to earn income and property were limited by the law. Prejudices and DiscriminationPrejudice is the positive or negative evaluation of a social group and its members. It differs from stereotyping in that the emphasis with prejudice focuses more on emotional than cognitive factors.  Prejudice is largely an attitude. (Prejudice and discrimination) Historical, cultural, and socio-economic factors all contribute to prejudice. In South Africa, the minority white people controlled the entire process of ruling of the country. They have taken this right as granted to them till leader of African national Congress (ANC), Nelson Mandela successfully led the struggle which resulted in transition towards multi-racial democracy in South Africa. â€Å"The Khoi San were the true original indigenous people of South Africa. They were stripped of their right to call themselves Africans and were labeled colored. They were robbed of their land, culture, language, and identity. (Prejudice and Discrimination in South Africa) The local African community was excited when they heard the ending of apartheid. But as the time passes, they realized that nothing has changed for them. The white people were still kept a distance from them and they were failed to enjoy the human rights which the white people enjoys. Although many people are still working to end this discrimination, Black Africans don’t have their own history and identity even now. â€Å"Education and awareness are the only ways to end the struggles of the black Africans of South Africa. Although they have progressed much as a people, they still have a long way to go. As time passes their plight is sure to become better, just as African Americans lives have become better in this country since segregation ended. The Black Africans are a strong people and they will accomplish their goals in time as they unite and become stronger as a people.† (Prejudice and Discrimination in South Africa) Although apartheid has ended, conditions for Black Africans have not changed much. Many black Africans live way below the poverty line and many Afrikaners live above it, creating a division among them. Most of the wealth is accumulated among the white people. The black people are still weak economically, politically and culturally. It is easy for the white people to dominate in every aspects of human life in South Africa even now because of the above factors. In South Africa the infection and deaths from HIV/AIDS exceeds that in most  other countries. More over the HIV/AIDS problems found mostly among the black community which opened another door for discrimination. The white people were eagerly waiting for a genuine reason to keep the black people at a distance since in the present century; it is a shame for a civilized society to follow the racial discrimination. The HIV/AIDS problem provided them another opportunity to sustain the discrimination which was supposed to be ended once. Government inaction and certain dangerously mistaken beliefs and abusive practices concerning the protection from the disease are largely responsible for this line of discrimination. The illusions about the spreading of AIDS are deliberately spreaded by the white population to keep the black people away from them. ApartheidApartheid is a social policy or racial segregation involving political and economic and legal discrimination against people who are not Whites. (Definitions of apartheid on the Web) Apartheid separated all Europeans and other races living in South Africa. The African community has divided over the color of their skin during this period. â€Å"The system of racial segregation first promulgated by the largely Afrikaner National Party of South Africa in 1948. On a much larger scale was the allocation of 12% of the land area into ‘independent republics’, or ‘homelands’, for the African population, which comprised 69% of the population when the policy began, in 1954.† (Apartheid) The main aim of this apartheid policy was to tie up the Africans to their ‘homelands’ alone which will be governed and developed separately by the white’s government. The black people were allowed to enter the white premises only when the black labor was required. Public places or facilities such as lavatories, transport, parks, and theatres were divided into two groups: white and non-white. In 1990 South Africa’s last non-indigenous president lifted the ban on the ANC and released all political prisoners including Nelson Mandela. The Homelands system was abolished with the end of Apartheid and independent elections were held with equal voting right to all irrespective of the color which resulted in the making of Mandela as the first president of South Africa after the apartheid ended. ConclusionSouth Africa can be considered as the latest country which escaped  from the social evil of different class system based on the color (apartheid). The South African society consists of people from different parts of the world. But all of them treated differently by white led government. The white people in South Africa considered themselves as â€Å"privileged people†. Nelson Mandela is supposed to be the leader who led the struggle against the racial dominance of the white people. Even now, though the apartheid is ended, the white people still keeping the black people away citing different reasons like HIV/AIDS. References1. South African Culture: How Prejudice and Discrimination Have Colored Culture,Retrieved on March 21, 2009 from http://allpoetry.com/column/show/21910702. Prejudice and Discrimination in South Africa, Retrieved on March 21, 2009 fromhttp://www.freeonlineresearchpapers.com/prejudice-south-africa3. Prejudice and Discrimination, Retrieved on March 21, 2009 fromhttp://www.psypress.com/pip/resources/slp/topic.asp?chapter=ch21&topic=ch21-sc-034. Definitions of apartheid on the Web Retrieved on March 21, 2009 fromhttp://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:apartheid&ei=ZRnFSZbqKYKHkQXKpZXEDA&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title5. Apartheid, Retrieved on March 21, 2009 from http://www.answers.com/topic/apartheid

Free Essays on Nirvana

Nirvana Nirvana is the final or the ultimate state a monk attains after he passes through the initial three paths and became completely free from all becoming. It is liberation from the evils of ordinary life, the disappearance of all remnants of individuality, the feeling of "I" or "mine" or "me". It is a condition in which nothing stirs, nothing moves, nothing changes. When the Arhat or the holy one passes away, he attain the realm where there is nothing, where there is "neither solid nor fluid, neither heat nor motion, neither this world nor any other world, neither the sun nor the moon." This is called the cessation of becoming which is "neither arising, nor passing away, neither standing still nor being born, nor dying." It is Nirvana, which is unborn, without source, uncreated and unformed real into which escape is possible for the beings through cessation of craving. The Buddha did not encourage speculation by the initiates on the condition of Nirvana, because of the purely subjective nature of the experience. But an understanding of Nirvana was considered essential for the monks to attain it finally. What is actually the state of Nirvana? Is it a passing away into some void, into some nothingness, into some state that is without a center and without a boundary ? If it is liberation, passing away or dying out, then into what? What happens when a person attains Nirvana? Is Nirvana a kind of death from purely mental point of view? These are some of the difficult question we try to answer here. If we go by the sermon of flame delivered by the Buddha, Nirvana is the extinction of lust, of aversion, of delusion (raga, dvesha and moha), and of the urge to live. We are also told that when Nirvana is attained all becoming comes to an end. The notion of "I" and the "conceit of self-reference" disappears, since all notions of individuality have gone. We are not sure whether Nirvana is a state of bliss or not, unlike in Hinduism whe... Free Essays on Nirvana Free Essays on Nirvana Nirvana Nirvana is the final or the ultimate state a monk attains after he passes through the initial three paths and became completely free from all becoming. It is liberation from the evils of ordinary life, the disappearance of all remnants of individuality, the feeling of "I" or "mine" or "me". It is a condition in which nothing stirs, nothing moves, nothing changes. When the Arhat or the holy one passes away, he attain the realm where there is nothing, where there is "neither solid nor fluid, neither heat nor motion, neither this world nor any other world, neither the sun nor the moon." This is called the cessation of becoming which is "neither arising, nor passing away, neither standing still nor being born, nor dying." It is Nirvana, which is unborn, without source, uncreated and unformed real into which escape is possible for the beings through cessation of craving. The Buddha did not encourage speculation by the initiates on the condition of Nirvana, because of the purely subjective nature of the experience. But an understanding of Nirvana was considered essential for the monks to attain it finally. What is actually the state of Nirvana? Is it a passing away into some void, into some nothingness, into some state that is without a center and without a boundary ? If it is liberation, passing away or dying out, then into what? What happens when a person attains Nirvana? Is Nirvana a kind of death from purely mental point of view? These are some of the difficult question we try to answer here. If we go by the sermon of flame delivered by the Buddha, Nirvana is the extinction of lust, of aversion, of delusion (raga, dvesha and moha), and of the urge to live. We are also told that when Nirvana is attained all becoming comes to an end. The notion of "I" and the "conceit of self-reference" disappears, since all notions of individuality have gone. We are not sure whether Nirvana is a state of bliss or not, unlike in Hinduism whe...

Ocean Sunfish Facts

Ocean Sunfish Facts The ocean sunfish (Mola mola) is certainly one of the more unusual-appearing fish in the oceans. This bony fish, also known as the common mola, is famous for its enormous bulk, striking appearance, high fertility, and free moving lifestyle. Fast Facts: Ocean Sunfish Scientific Name: Mola molaCommon Name(s): Ocean sunfish, common mola, common sunfishBasic Animal Group: FishSize: 6–10 feetWeight: 2,000 poundsLifespan: 22–23 yearsDiet:  CarnivoreHabitat: Pacific, Indian, Atlantic oceans, Mediterranean and North SeasPopulation: UnknownConservation Status: Vulnerable Description The ocean sunfish is a bony fish- it has a skeleton of bone, which distinguishes it from cartilaginous fish, whose skeletons are made of cartilage. The fish doesnt have a normal-looking tail; instead, it has a lumpy appendage called a clavus, which evolved through the fusion of the fishs dorsal and anal fin rays. Despite its lack of a powerful tail, the ocean sunfish is an active and graceful swimmer, using its dorsal and anal fins to perform rapid changes in direction and horizontal movements independent of the prevailing current. It can also leap out of the water. Ocean sunfish vary in color from brown to gray to white. Some even have spots. On average, ocean sunfish weighs about 2,000 pounds and range between 6 and 10 feet across, making them the largest  bony fish  species. Female sunfish are larger than the males- all sunfish larger than 8 feet long are females. The largest ocean sunfish ever measured was nearly 11 feet across  and weighed over 5,000 pounds.   Rodrigo Friscione/Getty Images Species The word mola in its scientific name is Latin for millstone- a large  round stone used to grind grain- and the fishs name is a reference to its disc-like shape. Ocean sunfish are often referred to as common molas or simply molas. The ocean sunfish is also known as the common sunfish, as there are three other species of sunfish that live in the ocean- the slender mola (Ranzania laevis), the sharp-tailed mola (Masturus lanceolatus), and the southern ocean sunfish (Mola alexandrini). The sunfish group gets its name for the fishs characteristic behavior of lying on its side at the sea surface, seemingly basking in the sun. Habitat and Range Ocean sunfish live in tropical and temperate waters, and they can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans as well as inlets such as the Mediterranean and North seas. They generally stay within 60–125 miles of the coastline, and they apparently migrate within their ranges. They spend the summers at higher latitudes and their winters relatively closer to the equator; their ranges typically are along about 300 miles of coastline, although one sunfish off the coast of California was mapped at traveling over 400 miles. They move during the day horizontally at rate of about 16 miles a day. They also move vertically through the day, traveling between the surface and up to 2,600 feet below, moving up and down the water column during the day and night to chase food and regulate body heat. To see an ocean sunfish, though, youll likely have to find one in the wild, because they are difficult to keep in captivity. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is the only aquarium in the U.S. to have live ocean sunfish, and the fish  are kept at only a few other aquaria, such as the Lisbon Oceanarium in Portugal and the Kaiyukan Aquarium in Japan. Diet and Behavior Ocean sunfish like to eat jellyfish and siphonophores (relatives of jellyfish); in fact, they are among the most abundant of the worlds jellyfish eaters. They also eat salps, small fish, plankton, algae, mollusks, and  brittle stars. If youre lucky enough to see an ocean sunfish in the wild, it may look like its dead. Thats because ocean sunfish are often seen lying on their sides near the ocean surface, sometimes flapping their dorsal fins. There are a few theories about why sunfish do this; they often undertake long, deep dives in cold water in search of their favorite prey,  and may use the warm sun at the surface to re-heat themselves and aid digestion. The fish may also use the warm, oxygen-rich surface water to recharge their oxygen stores. And they may visit the surface to attract seabirds from above or cleaner fish from below to clean their skin of parasites. Some sources suggest that the fish wave their fins to attract birds. From 2005 to 2008, scientists tagged 31 ocean sunfish in the North Atlantic in the first study of its kind. The tagged sunfish spent more time near the ocean surface during the night than during the day, and they spent more time in the deep when they were in warmer waters such as  the  Gulf Stream  and the  Gulf of Mexico. BarrettMacKay BarrettMacKay/Getty Images   Reproduction and Offspring Ocean sunfish in Japanese waters spawn in late summer through October and likely multiple times. Age at sexual maturity is inferred at 5–7 years of age, and they spawn an enormous number of eggs. An ocean sunfish was once found with an estimated 300 million eggs in her ovary- more than scientists have ever found in any  vertebrate  species. Although sunfish produce many eggs, the eggs are tiny and essentially scattered into the water, making their chances of survival relatively small. Once an egg is fertilized, the embryo grows into tiny spiked larvae with a tail. After hatching, the spikes and tail disappear and the baby sunfish resembles a small adult. The lifespan of an ocean sunfish is up to 23 years. Conservation Status The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the ocean sunfish as Vulnerable. Currently, sunfish are not targeted for human consumption, but they are endangered by bycatch. Reported estimates in California are that 14 percent to 61 percent of the fish caught by people seeking swordfish is sunfish; in South Africa, they make up 29 to 79 percent of the catch intended for horse mackerel, and in the Mediterranean, an astounding 70 to 95 percent of the total catch for swordfish is, in fact, ocean sunfish. The global population of sunfish is difficult to determine, since they spend so much time in deep water, although tagging has become more common. Sunfish may be a crucial part of the planets changing ecosystem under climate change: They are among the worlds most abundant eaters of jellyfish, and global warming appears to be resulting in an upsurge of jellyfish numbers. The biggest natural predators of ocean sunfish are  orcas  and  sea lions. Ocean Sunfish and Humans Despite their enormous size, ocean sunfish are harmless to humans. They move slowly and are likely more frightened of us than we are of them. Because they are not considered a good food fish in most places, their biggest threats are likely being hit by boats and being caught as bycatch in fishing gear.   Franco Banfi/Getty Images Sources Dewar, H., et al. Satellite Tracking the Worlds Largest Jelly Predator, the Ocean Sunfish, Mola Mola, in the Western Pacific. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 393.1 (2010): 32–42. Print.Liu, J., et al. Mola mola (errata version published in 2016). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: e.T190422A97667070, 2015.  Potter, Inga F., and W. Huntting Howell. Vertical Movement and Behavior of the Ocean Sunfish, Mola Mola, in the Northwest Atlantic. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 396.2 (2011): 138–46. Print.Sims, David W., et al. Satellite Tracking of the Worlds Largest Bony Fish, the Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola L.) in the North East Atlantic. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 370.1 (2009): 127–33. Print.Thys, Tierney M., et al. Ecology of the Ocean Sunfish, Mola Mola, in the Southern California Current System. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 471 (2015): 64–76. Print.

Implementing and Managing Budgets Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Implementing and Managing Budgets - Case Study Example Omega College is a private institution in the Midwest that experiences budgetary challenges because of their limited number of students and resources. The college experience many challenges because they rely on the tuition fees paid by the students to meet their daily operational costs whilst the number of students is not adequately high. For instance international students enroll at the college and study for only a semester then return to their hometowns. The college did not meet their enrolment targets in the last four years and students in other colleges were transferred to the State University to complete their Bachelor’s Degrees. Omega College relies on the generosity of the alumni, friends, and board members to assist finance the annual operating budget. I would recommend the institution in the short term to advertise the programs offered at Omega College at fair prices using various forms of media such as newspapers, televisions, radio stations, and social network sites such as Facebook, which is the most popular social site. Advertising will promote awareness in the society and hence individuals will be aware of the existence of the college and consider enrolling their children at the college. The college can get other additional revenues from projects such as clean water projects and renewable energy projects where they can generate biomass and solar energy and sell to the communities in the area hence generating more finances. I will conduct interviews with the community members to gather data to find out if the options being considered are viable and cost effective. The college will need to work with the master budget to summarize all their projected activities by the way of cash budget, budgeted balance sheet, and the budgeted income statement. Zierdt (2009) noted that the master budget is an all-inclusive projection of how the management plans to conduct all their activities over the fiscal year of the budget period. The college will

Dominican Republic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Dominican Republic - Essay Example Many local people, knowing there destiny fled fearing the Europeans and later on formed there own colonies, called the Maroon colonies. The colonizers brought in another change, they imported the black people and slavery was one of the most predominant features at that time. But all this changed because of the Haitian Liberation, this made sure that slavery was completely abolished from the country, as a result of which, the blacks having no where to go settled on in the country. This is the history of the country, which saw many a change taking place. The people of Dominican Republic are masters when it comes to indirect communication, they firmly believe in maintaining a good relationship with as many people as they possibly can. The people of the Dominican Republic consider themselves to be more Latin American than Caribbean. The situation of the country as of now is quite bad; the people are struggling to fight against the corrupt people, who are currently in power. Spanish is spoken in the country and the people are very proud of the purity of Spanish they speak in the country. The flag of the country is designed in such a manner that it shows national pride and patriotism. The flag consists of the colors red and blue which indicate the blood of the people who gave up their lives and liberty respectively. The Dominican coat of arms can be found in the centre of the flag. "A recent national symbol, constructed in 1992, is the Columbus Lighthouse. It was a work project conceived of by President Joaqun Balaguer when he was 85 ye ars old and blind. It is an enormous cross, flat on the ground, facing the sky and bursting with lights, and was built as a tourist attraction." (Every Culture, 14 August, 2008). The light house is in an area where there is utter poverty; people live in despair, without any electricity and without many more basic necessities. The light house is a very big attraction and can even be seen burning brightly from Puerto Rico. The native people are called the Tianos; Columbus was well greeted when he first arrived in the country. These Tianos were peace loving people and lived in the tropical forest. These Tianos lives in make shift homes and many families lived under the same roof. The villages were further subdivided into districts, each district had a chief, who took care if that particular district. During this time there was no slavery in the country and it was free from all other evils too. The Tianos were very good at growing crops, specially the root crops. They also dug and used it as ornaments. Columbus kept a close eye on the gold digging skills of the Tianos and thought that he had a good chance of paying his debts to the king and queen of Spain. The culture of the Tianos is not very clearly presented because nearly all the Tianos died after three decades of Columbus's visit to the country. Columbus is known the world over for his navigating skills but he failed in dominating these Tainos, inst ead of farming he made them dig in pursuit of gold. The natives died, as there were torturous condition, food was not available in plenty and the population decreased. The country also saw the invasion of the United States of America from 1916 to 1924. The dominance of the United States brought many changes, for instance during the rule many new classes of land owners emerged and the country also sa