Promised land Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Promised land - Movie Review Example The atmosphere of realism is created by the environmental issues addressed in the film. The town people are introduced to the idea of mining of natural gas, without being given the precise details by a salesperson. The role of the soft spoken but self-driven sales-person Steve Butler is played by Matt Damon. Steve is employed by the oil company in a bid to convince the country folk to sell the drilling rights they hold in their own lands (Vant). The town is rich in oil but highly polluted making it a hazardous place to live in. A retired town scientist tries to educate the town folk on the dangers arising from natural gas mining. In his argument the scientist compels individuals to research on the oil mining method called fracking. Fracking poses a serious problem for everyone in the town, since chemicals and harmful gases get releases during the mining process. In the movie signs of dead cows are shown in protest of natural gas mining (Lemire). The cows are a representation of loss of life due to poisoning from chemicals released by the mining plant. The film is highly centered on an activist theme, since the issue of fracking is felt in America especially in Pennsylvania (Lemire). All in all , the film tries to educate Americans on the dangers of natural gas mining on both plant and animal life. The film is a clear statement against environmental pollution and corporate greed

Leadership Skills Personal Development Plan Essay

Leadership Skills Personal Development Plan - Essay Example a detailed analysis of my leadership style on the grounds of strength, weakness, opportunity, threats, along with discussion on improving them in order to be a more effective leader. I have also discussed the SMART(ER) goal setting technique to set the goals for my followers and for myself. All the discussions made in this study are backed up by relevant theories. According to my perception, the concept of leadership is based on the idea of how one individual can guide a group of people to follow his instruction so that they can be driven towards a common goal. At often times the term â€Å"leader† is used synonymous with the term â€Å"manager†. I think that a leader and a manager possess quite a different set of characters (Davis 8). A leader develops a new trend or a set of rules to follow, whereas a manager makes sure that the rules are properly being followed. Most importantly a manager controls his subordinates by relying on his power of authority, but a leader influences his followers by establishing a strong trust (The Wall Street Journal, â€Å"What is the Difference Between Management and Leadership?†). This makes me believe that a leader is a person who takes the right decisions and sets goals for himself and for his followers as well. I have followed a leadership style which binds my team in with strict rules and regulation. I thought that setting up straight forward rules are necessary in order to make sure that there is deviation from the goal. I laid down a series of strict rules for my team and instructed them to follow those rules down to every word. In order to avoid confusion in decision making, I took the responsibility of making all the major decisions myself. I commanded my team to abide by my decisions at all times, so it can be ensured that the progress is directed in the desired way. This style of leadership can be termed as the Autocratic leadership style (Johnson, â€Å"5 Different Types of Leadership Styles†). Strength: The autocratic

A Man Of The People Essay Example for Free

A Man Of The People Essay Every good citizen makes his countys honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious but sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defense and its conscious that he gains protections while he gives it. This quote by Andrew Jackson reflects his views as a president, military leader, and American citizen. Jackson sought to act as the direct representative of the common man. He strove to listen to the wants and needs of the common people. From humble beginnings, Jackson studied law for three years to become a lawyer and was then elected to the House of Representatives. After he served as a General in the War of 1812, he was a war hero and was elected the 7th President of the United States in 1828. Born on the border of North Carolina and South Carolina in a backwoods settlement in 1767, no one thought that Andrew Jackson would achieve as much greatness in his lifetime as he did. At the age of thirteen, Jackson joined the army to fight in the Revolutionary War as a courier. Jacksons father died only a few weeks before he was born, and his mother passed in his early teens, leaving him orphaned at the age of fourteen. After his mother died, he went to live with his uncles, where he studied law for three years. Before going to live with his uncles, Jackson had received a very sporadic education. But after studying law in Salisbury, North Carolina he became a prosecuting attorney in Nashville, Tennessee and soon began his political career. In 1796, Jackson was a member of the convention that established the Tennessee Constitution and, that same year, was elected Tennessees first representative in the U.S. House of Representative. He was elected to the Senate the following year, but resigned after serving only eight months. In 1798, Jackson was elected a judge of the Tennessee Supreme Court, serving in that position until 1804. Jackson was appointed commander of the Tennessee militia in 1801. During the War of 1812 he led his troops to victory against the Creek Indians at Horseshoe Bend, killing some 800 warriors and gaining 20 million acres of land in present-day Georgia and Alabama. After this military success, Jackson was appointed major general. After leading 5,000 soldiers in the defeat of 7,500 British in New Orleans, on January 8, 1815, Jackson was dubbed a national hero. He received the thanks of Congress and a gold medal. More than any president before him, Andrew Jackson was elected by popular vote. He became a democratic symbol and founder of the Democratic Party, the countrys most venerable political organization. During his two-term presidency, he expanded executive powers and transformed the Presidents role from chief administrator to popular tribune. He also carved out a stronger role for the presidency. Jackson replaced many government officials on partisan grounds, inaugurating the spoils system. Catering to his core regional constituency of Southern planters and Western frontiersmen, he condemned antislavery agitation, favored cheaper public lands, and strong-armed Indian tribes into removing west of the Mississippi. Every good citizen makes his countys honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious but sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defense and its conscious that he gains protections while he gives it. This quote by Andrew Jackson reflects his views as a president, military leader, and American citizen. Although from humble beginnings, Jackson was a fierce leader and dedicated to serving the people of the country he led.

PESTEL analysis of Toshiba, Japan

PESTEL analysis of Toshiba, Japan Toshiba Corporation is a company based in Japan that specializes in the production of industrial and consumer electronic and electric products including notebook computers (laptops), electro medical devices. LCDs, home appliances and semiconductors. It is among the oldest and largest companies in Japan. Toshiba laptops are selected as the product to be marketed in Cuba. Cuba is a potential market because of the dynamics involved. It has the ideal setting ground for any company that aims at getting future high volumes of their products. B) Cubas History Christopher Columbus is credited with the discovery of the island of Cuba, an event that led to the colonization of Cuba by Spain. Despite this Cuba had been inhabited by indigenous people for centuries before the discovery. After the Spanish-American war is that Cuba gained its independence and sovereignty in 1902 (Ritter, 2004, pp.47). In the early years of the Spanish occupation, many native Cubans were butchered or forced into slavery while others died from the smallpox and measles brought from Spain. The rest fled to the mountains to escape slavery. This led to the introduction of African slaves to work in the sugar cane plantations. Slavery and slave trade are highly credited with taking the Cuban sugar industry to where it is today. The economic prosperity of Cuba began after Britain took over the island from Spain after the seven year war which ended in Britains favor. Trade regulations were eliminated and the path to prosperity was created. C) Geographical Setting Location Cuba an island that is located in the Caribbean Sea. The entire country or island measures an estimated 48,800 square miles. The country has several highland regions the most notable of which are the Guaniguanco, the Escambery and the Sierra Maestra. The island is located south from the famous Florida Keys (Cuba, 2010). The country has a coastline that extends for an estimated 3,700 kilometers. In relation to other countries, the country lies to the eastern side of the Gulf of Mexico and to the western side of the North Atlantic Ocean. The Yucatan Channel lies to the south east of Cuba. Climate The Cuban highlands, which are about a third of the country, have an overbearing effect on the climate. The fact that the country is an island also has ramifications on the weather and climate patterns experienced. The climate can be defined as tropical climate with a dry period from the month of November lasting until April while the rainy season lasts from May to around October. The country also happens to lie within the path of major hurricanes and other destructive storms which are common in the months of September and October. The average temperatures in Cuba vary between 23?C and 27C throughout the entire year Topography Cuba has several archipelagos but Cuba is the main island. The island has a hilly or mountainous topography marked by several highlands such as the Sierra Maestra, the Escambery, and the Guaniguanco. The rest of the country is marked by plains the largest of which are in the provinces of Matanzas and Camaguey. The rest of the country is marked by coast lines. D) Social Institutions The Cuban culture is a blend between African, American and European cultures. The European cultures were imported to Cuba courtesy of Christopher Columbus (Spain) and Britain. The American culture influence Cuba beginning from the period after the Spanish American war that rid Cuba of the Spanish colonists while the African cultural influences as a result of the many slaves brought in to work in the plantations. 1) Family The family is an important social institution in any nation, society, or community. The stability of the family as an institution is reflected upon the wider society as the society tends to have better social institutions that borrow their moral fabric from the family. Cuba is no exception to these basic rules of nature. Most families in Cuba live as extended families. a) The nuclear family The nuclear family had not had a very distinct role in Cuba until the post Fidel Castro era. The nuclear family is composed of a man, his wife, and their children. This means that in a household where there are three generations of a family, it is possible to have several nuclear families. b) The extended family The extended family is very important part of Cuban society. The family structure in Cuba is that up to three generations of a family live together in the same structure or household, a factor that makes it difficult to create a clear dividing line between the nuclear family and the extended familys role in the family setup. The leader or head of the family or the household therefore is the eldest parent figure in the family. This may be the grandfather or the Godmother within the family. He or she wields power over all the other family members and determines the role of each family member within the family. c) Dynamics of the family and parenting roles 1) Parental Roles: The role of parents is diverse depending on whether the family lives as an extended family or as a nuclear family. In the nuclear family setup, the father is the bread winner in the family while the mother is resigned to the role of care giver and is responsible for maintaining discipline within the family. In addition, family customs and traditions are passed down under the watch of the mother. In the extended family, the elder is in charge of the family. If the elder is a man, he is also the main breadwinner in the family though he is assisted by other family members. If the elder is a woman, she mainly serves as an overseer in the family and offers her guidance while the men in the family serve as the breadwinners. 2) Marriage and Courtship: The Cuban society still takes courtship as primarily the role of the man. Dowry is paid based on the individual customs of the bride. The weddings are one day glamorous events that showcase a lot of Spanish influence. 2) Education a) Education serves as a way of socializing the individuals into the ways of the society in a way that the family as an institution cannot. The educated people are the ones in positions of power and they are held in high regard within society. 1) Primary, secondary and university education and literacy rate The Castro government made primary education compulsory. In addition, school uniforms are also a requirement for all students and are used to denote the grade level of a student. In the Cuban education system primary education takes six years. Secondary education is divided into two categories. The first category is the basic secondary education where students learn basic skills such as language, art, arithmetic, and the sciences. This follows primary education and is almost compulsory for all. The second category is the pre-university education which prepares one for entry into university. After the completion of pre-university education, the students are awarded what is referred to as the Bachillerato in Cuba (C.I.A 2010). It can be compared to a diploma in other education systems in other countries in the world. After the pre-university education, an individual has two options, to pursue either technical education where one will gain skills to enable them gain employment or to pur sue professional education at the university level. b) Literacy rate. The literacy levels in Cuba are reported at 100% although the figure is disputed. The country also reports an enrolment/attendance rate of 98% in primary schools. 3) Political system a) The political system in Cuba can be defined as socialist. The government has executive power which is vested in the Council of State and the Council of Ministers. The legislative role is assigned to the National assembly of peoples Power which is recognized by the constitution as having the highest authority in the country. No voting is done in respect of the positions of prime minister and president. b) The Communist Party of Cuba is the leading social force of the nation (C.I.A 2010). There is widespread censorship in Cuba with a system that is highly authoritarian. The communist party screens all candidates vying for seats in the legislative assembly. c) The current government has been in power since 1959 when Fidel Castro ovethrew the dictator government. It can be described as stable because his successor, Raul Castro, has managed to keep the country at peace and with improved management. d) Special taxes not common e) Local government heavily influenced by the ruling party 4) Legal System a) The main judicial organ is the Peoples Supreme Court. All judges according to the law are not subject to any other authority but the law. They can be elected or replaced and are accountable for their actions. Cuba has been sub divided into fourteen provinces which are further subdivided into 170 municipalities. Representatives to the municipalities and provinces are elected to serve terms that extend for two and a half years. b) The country is socialist. c) The authoritarian approach has affected patent and conventions. They are tightly regulated 5) Social organization a) The presence of groups which can lead to the creation of group behavior or culture is not a common occurrence in Cuba. b) The main aim of the government in relation to the existing social order is to create a classless society where income, race, sex or occupation are used as a definitive means of determining rewards or other favorable allocations. c) In addition, the government prohibits the formation of classes or clubs that may create lines along which the society may be stratified. 6) Business in Cuba Tour guides, barmen, and waitresses require to be tipped although there are no prescribed tipping rates. Tipping allows for one to receive exceptional service from the individuals receiving the tips. Business hours in Cuba are officially between half past eight and half past noon and half past one to half past four during weekdays. Some businesses however opt to open during weekends where the hours of business are between 8 am and 5 pm for alternate Saturdays. E) Religion and aesthetics 1) a) The low number of Protestants can be attributed to the late arrival of protestant doctrines and beliefs to Cuba. b) Cuba is also known to be home to other minor religions which have their roots in western Africa and the slaves who were taken from the region to work in the sugarcane plantations in Cuba. c) Cuba is largely considered as a catholic nation though the Catholic faith practiced within Cuba is modified to suit Cuba. There are also Jews and evangelical Christians amongst the population in the state. d) Nearly 60% of the population is made up of catholic adherents while an estimated 6% are Protestants. e) Santeria which may be referred to as a cult has its origin in Nigeria in western Africa and is widely practiced in and around Cuba. 2) Aesthetics a) Cuba has a strong heritage and history which reflects its visual arts potential. b) The country has numerous galleries, cultural centers, and art museums which have been used for the storage of artistic material from the citizens of Cuba. The government is supportive of art and is known to provide all kinds of assistance to artists in the country. c) Music dance and folklore in Cuba is very rich and displays the three main backgrounds that determine and continue to influence the Cuban society. d) There are influences of African, American, and Spanish elements that are derived from the interaction of Spaniards, Americans, and Africans in the history of Cuba. F) Living conditions 1) a) Many surveys conducted show that Cubans on average consume too much sugar and eat inadequate fruits and vegetables. There are rising cases of diet related anemia and obesity which can be regulated or checked by simply a change of diet. b) A typical meal includes bread, ham, cheese, and rice and plenty of soft drinks with and between meals. c) The government cannot guarantee adequate nutrition for its population and this is considered as one of the failures of the Castro administration. d) The foods made available to the public by the government are as follows; rice, beans, cooking oil, plantains, brown sugar, milk and soy yoghurt which are provided on a monthly basis to holders of ration cards. Other products such are chicken, beef, soy/meat blend and frankfurters are provided based on their availability. 2) a) In Cuba, housing is relatively cheap but in the same breath the housing structures are sparse. Most dwelling places are either in poor condition or are defective in one way or another that makes them unsuitable for dwelling in. b) Most dwellings occupied on a rental basis. The houses have some form of supply of electricity and water and are therefore a bit habitable. c) In most cases houses are occupied are more than one family. 3) The tropical wealthier requires light dressing to cope with the heat and humidity levels. a) A form of dress that can be identified with Cuba is the Havana shirt otherwise known as a Guayabera. The shirt has an array of designs but in general has two or four pockets and largely a casual dress that does not require the wearer to tuck into his trousers. There is a traditional dress made for women in place of the Guayabera and it is very popular all over Cuba although it has been rejected on grounds of being indecent in some cultures. b) The dress code at work is no different from that in many western countries. Employees/workers are expected to maintain a formal dress code. 4) a) In leisure and recreation activities and sports, Cuba is well endowed. To begin with, Cuba is an ideal destination for hiking, snorkeling, climbing, fishing, and caving. The sport is used to symbolize equality in society as well as freedom. The country also has rich soccer traditions among the Caribbean countries. Cubas national team has been to the FIFA world cup where they managed to finish in the seventh position. The beach provided by the long coastline of Cuba provides ample grounds for leisure activities such as skiing, diving, swimming, and sun bathing which are common in almost all of Cuba. c) Most sports and recreational activities in Cuba are carried out in open spaces and often require little or no equipment. Baseball for example is played even on streets by children and thus very low amounts of income are channeled towards sports unless when organized sporting teams are involved and where there are competitions to be won at stake. 5) Social security The social security system in Cuba represents the general values of the wider society whereby there is equality among all beneficiaries. There are no discriminations or preferential treatment for certain individuals based on sex, race, or gender. The Cuban social security system is very efficient. There are an estimated 360, 000 retirees within the population which represents nearly 10% of the population. Each of the retirees in Cuba is paid on a monthly basis. Under the social security system, the government through its social security system pays benefits to an estimated 1.5 million people on a monthly basis. The social security covers areas such as temporary illness, accidents, maternity, and social care for the elderly people within the population. G) LANGUAGE 1) The main language used for communication is Spanish. The language was brought to the island by the Spaniards during the early occupation after Christopher Columbus discovered the island. Spanish is however recognized as the official state language of the people of Cuba. 2) Other languages that are prevalent in Cuba are English and Creole which represent the different heritages and traditions of Cuba. 3) It is important to note the Spanish that is spoken in Cuba varies in some cases from that spoken in Spain and other countries. This is largely because of the French and west African influences that have affected the language. English is mainly spoken as a result of tourist influences. II) ECONOMIC ANALYSIS A) POPULATION 1) The population of Cuba stands at an estimated 11.5 million people as of this year and will reportedly continue to grow at an estimated rate of 0.2%. a) The birth rate in the population is 11.1/1000 which is relatively low even amongst countries of the western world. b) The fertility rate for every woman is estimated as 1.43 children. This represents a drop in fertility rates which may explain why the growth in population has been very low for the last few years. c) Abortions in Cuba are also responsible for the population decline with an estimated 50 abortions for every 1000 pregnancies in the population. 2) a) The population is evenly distributed as only 103 people live in every square kilometer in Cuba. b) The life expectancy is relatively high at an average age of 77 years. The ethnic composition of the population is very varied though there are not many ethnicities. c) The population composition is such that the majority is men and boys for all ages but after the age of 65 years, the number of women outstrips that of men. This fact can only be explained by the lower life expectancy rate for men as compared to women. d) Many Cubans have in one way attempted or plan to attempt illicit migration with the most favored destination being the United States. The rest of the population has a majority that is intent on moving to urban areas. The situation is such that the larger portion of the population is housed in urban centers all over Cuba. e) Mulattos account for nearly half the population while whites account for 35% of the population. The rest of the inhabitants is generally collected of blacks and Chinese with the Chinese forming the smallest ethnic group in Cuba. B) Economic Statistics and activity 1) Gross National Product/ Gross Domestic Product a) Cuba reported a gross domestic product per capita that stood at an estimated $111.1 billion. b) This translates to a per capita income of roughly $9,700 for the year 2009. The estimated real growth rate (nominal growth rate less inflation) was an estimated 1.4%. This is very ideal but there is plenty of room for improvement especially since the growth rate or the GDP or even the per capita figures do not show the situation on the ground 2) People live on less than the expected $9,700 per annum. Businesses publicly owned enterprises lies at 78% to a dismal 22% representing private investment or privately owned enterprises. 3) Average family income is dependent on the ratio of breadwinners to the relative size of the family.2008 estimates were $218. 4) Distribution of wealth a) Income classes. Three major classes exist, the highest is elite and military personnel. The second tier is business magnates and the last is the general workforce. b) Proportion of population to each class. The top tier is about 1/8ths of the total population, the second is and the rest is the general workforce. c) Priority is given to the elite classes and the military. The rest of the workforce is structured in respect to the demographics of income and position 5) The country has deposits of cobalt, iron ore, nickel, copper, salt, manganese, silica, timber, petroleum and farming land. 6) a) The transport system in Cuba comprises of nearly 4200 km of public railway network and a further 7700 km that is set aside for use by sugar cane producers. The highway network consists of nearly 61,000 km of tarmac spread all over the country. b) The country also boasts of waterways that extend for 240 kilometers. The country also has several ports that are used for commercial purposes.There are three main ports. There are also 170 airports as reported back in 2006 c) Because Cuba is an island, the usage of waterways is a major transport form. Nearly half the population uses the train network to go to work. Only about a third drive to work. 7) Communication Systems a) Main types include Print newspapers, radio stations and television stations b) Internet usage widespread c) Media heavily restricted by the government 8) Working conditions a) 78% of employees work for the government b) Good employee-employer relationship c) Employees entitled to benefits and good remuneration 9) Principal industries a) Petroleum, Construction, sugar, tobacco, nickel, pharmaceuticals, agricultural machinery and steel cement accounted for about 37% of the total GDP. b) Principle industries include petroleum, Construction, sugar, tobacco, nickel, pharmaceuticals, agricultural machinery and steel cement Most industries are government owned. Estimated ratio of 2:1 10) Foreign investment a) Direct foreign investment is restricted b) Potential for investment in Housing and food industries 11) International trade statistics a) 1) Major exports include sugar, tobacco, nickel, fish, coffee and citrus. At $ 2.4 billion. 2) The trend for exports is posititve as the government opens up the Cuban economy to private companies b) 1) Imports include food products, petroleum, equipment and machinery at $ 6.9 billion 2) Imports are increasing due to the growth in population and the demand for products and services. c) 1) Imports are more than exports leaving a high balance of payments deficit. About $4.5 billion. 2) Imports are more than exports leaving a high balance of payment deficit. Recent pronouncements by the Cuban government suggest a push towards closing this gap by increasing resource utilization. d) Exchange rates 1) US dollar used mainly in foreign exchange 2) Exchange rate at $ 1 US dollar equivalent to $ 0.9 Cuban convertible Pesos 3) Due to the global recession, the countrys exchange rates are fluctuating and dipping with the global trend. 12) Trade restrictions a) Embargoes placed by United States b) Free trade only with Venezuela c) Import duties high depending on type of product d) the government is subject to tariffs affecting countries of the South American organization. These tariffs are on sugar and petroleum. e) Licensing of business restricted f) Customs duties also high 13) Extent of the economic activities not included in the cash income activities a) Counter trade present in the country 1) Medical personnel used as main products of trade 2) Barter trade common b) Very little aid since US withdrawal 14) Labor force a) Available skilled labor force limited since majority of the population is elderly b) Unemployment rates low at 1.7% 15) Inflation rates low C) Developments in science and technology 1) Highly developed 2) Computers are wide spread. Low investment in research and development 4) Labor force technologically skilled D) Channels of distribution (macro analysis) 1) Trade in Cuba heavily controlled by the government a) Retail 1) Poorly developed retail sector 2) No large shopping centers 3) Good stored are of poor quality and expensive 4) Most tansations are done using cash. 5) Goods sold in dollars in small scale with a small percentage sold on large scale. 6) Chain stores, Department stores and speciality shops fill the supply gap the government cannot currently satisfy. b) Wholesale middlemen 1) Supply chain of estimated 500,000. 2) Mark-up of about 5% on products 3) Goods sold on cash basis c) Import/export agent: the government is the main exporter/importer. d) Most warehouses are fully owned by the government. e) The government has nearly 100% penetration of the markets through its expansive administrative networks. E) Media Media heavily controlled by the government 1) Number of Television Stations: 58 2) a) Television Sets per 1,000: 236.1 b) Number of Radio Stations: 225 c) Number of Radio Receivers: 3,900,000 d) Radio Receivers per 1,000: 348.7.Number of Individuals with Internet Access: 60,000 3) The main use of media houses is for the spread of national ideas that the Communist party in charge in Cuba believes are ideal for the entire population. 4) Any television or radio stations that go against the ideals supported by the party are closed down. 5) There are an estimated 26 national newspapers serving the population of Cuba. Cuba: Country Note Book Introduction Toshiba Corporation is a group of companies including Fujitsu, Mitsubishi electronic, Hitachi, and NEC Corporation. Toshiba relies more on domestic market constituting 60% of its net sales. The balance is taken care of by exports to North America, 16%, Asia 11%, and Europe, 10%. Since its formation in 1939, Toshiba has played a significant role in putting Japan in its current position in international trade. Business in Cuba Official business hours range from 8:30 am to 12: 30 pm for morning session and 1:30 pm to 4: 30 pm for evening session. Weekends are however optional but those who operate open between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays (B8a, B8c). Marketing Strategy for Toshiba laptops (Notebook computers) TARGET MARKET Toshiba Computers mostly manufactures high-end high-performance laptops. The main target of the products would have to be the government and institutions. This is because of the entanglement of all business in the country with government policy and regulation. If the company can manage to get a foothold in the government by offering technological set pieces that accord due privacy and safety of information, then the company shall have overcome a huge barrier. The low per capita income suggests that the market would have to upper-middle class and this is mostly government officials and politicians (IIB). Teenagers and youth below 30 would also be ideal as a segment for the laptops. This is because they are Tech-savvy and want more and better machines for work and play. The fast growth in computer and internet access can be further fuelled by Toshiba offering attractive high-performance laptops and computers. Institutions such as primary and secondary schools, as well as administrative institutions would make and ideal market for moving volumes in bulk (D2b). These places require many computers and laptops to fit in the current global trend. The current government led by Raul Castro is attempting to break the trade barriers ignited during Fidel Castros regime. The trade embargos by the United States do not affect Toshiba because it is a Japanese company(12A). This is good news for the company because the possibility of cut-throat competition is eliminated because American technology companies such as Apple cannot do business in Cuba (12A, 12D). Government policy would favor the company because it is inclusive and the business atmosphere does not vary so much from the Japanese model. The governments interests in arts and sports also require technology. In addition, the media is still backward in matters of technology (E1, E4). The secondary target markets would include such aspects of society as media and transport as the country moves towards a technological revolution of sorts. Marketing is aimed at awareness creation and forming good relationship with customers to the companys advantage. Marketing strategy is therefore very important as whatever the strategy used can either be profitable or destructive to the company. A marketing strategy that utilizes 4Ps that is Product, Promotion, Price and place respectively is ideal for products such as computers. Although, no trade partnership currently exists between Japan and Cuba, the country is a potential export destination for notebook computers. Cuba is highly literate thus can easily embrace the use of notebook computers. Students especially those at pre-university, University and other higher education institutions form the best target market for this product. Besides, the working population including teachers and doctors will find laptops essential hence another potential target market. Product Product refers to either good or service produced or manufactured by accompany especially under large scale with accurate amounts. This involves a description of all the special features of the product in question. Toshiba mini laptop has a full size keyboard and touchpad for easy typing. Its 10.1 diagonal screen is large enough for the eye; leave alone its durable textured four color finish. Its battery has a long life of up to eight hours. It also has attractive features like USB Sleep-and Charge, MP3 player and smart phone hence very convenient for youths. It is also video compatible and its CPU ensures more data storage and faster Internet connection (C1). Promotion In this case Toshiba can place advertisements in Cuban media. This of course will require first good relationship with Cuban government as it controls all media houses. The company can also take advantage of the widespread internet usage and advertise its product online. Toshiba can also promote its laptops through public relation measures like sponsoring sports where it is guaranteed to catch the attention of most youths (C3). Alternatively, Toshiba can take advantage of the widespread internet access in Cuba to engage in e-commerce by placing its product in virtual internet stores. Pricing Considerations should be given to prices of similar products in the market. Price administration on the other hand refers to involves all activities used to fit basic prices for every target market depending on sales situations. The exchange rates are also attractive for such a company (11b1, 11d2) Place The company can develop partnership with Cuban government to ensure that its product is placed in Cuban government stores like shopping malls. It is also possible for Toshiba through good relationship with Cuban government to find its own store for its product (D1). Rhiw location demographics will also affect the places where it can be marketed.

The Horse Dealer?s Daughter: Love Essay -- essays research papers

In the story â€Å"The Horse Dealer’s Daughter†, author D.H. Lawrence represents a type of love metaphor that is truly an example of how powerful love can be. His two main characters, Dr. Jack Fergusson and Mabel Pervin undergo such a dramatic experience, its almost impossible not to pick up his story and read it for a second time. But can something this imaginative and so farfetched actually happen? Well, love does work in mysterious ways and there have been a number of fascinating events that have happened to people. Love is unpredictable, exciting, and probably one of the greatest feelings people can experience during a lifetime. Love is just one of those things that can’t be explained. Since scientists truly can’t find out the meaning of it or why it happens, it allows authors like D.H. Lawrence to create intense and dramatic scenes that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. In this story, Lawrence’s character Mabel finds love at a time where she least expects it. Mabel was one of two girls in a family of five children. Her brothers, all of which were older than her, didn’t think much of Mabel and really didn’t have too much respect for her. When she was fourteen, her mother had passed away, which left Mabel heartbroken and depressed. Her father, whom she had loved very much, remarried to another women and left Mabel with the feeling of insecurity. He also eventually passed away leaving the family in debt. It was all of these events that lead to her deep depression, whi...

Cherokees :: essays research papers

Thesis: The fierce struggle of European nations to dominate the New World caused the Texas Cherokees to be “caught between two fires.'; The two fires Everett refers to is not only in respect to white settlers pushing westward and resistance from other tribes to the east, but between removal and extermination. The Texas Cherokees courageously strived to remain determined in a situation which they were able to alter somewhat but were not able to take control. Everetts depiction of the Texas Cherokees experiences fully supported the thesis presented. The thesis was clearly stated in the preface and the use of specific examples helped to strongly support it as portrayed below. The arguments were followed with supporting statements as portrayed below as well. Everett presents us with a fair, two sided account of the confrontations between the Texas Cherokees and the European settlers. One component of the thesis Everett relates to the Cherokees caught between white settlers pushing westward and resistance from other tribes to the east. Everett gives several examples of Europeans pushing the Cherokees westward. In 1817, the Western Cherokees signed a treaty giving up land rights in the east to Europeans in exchange for permanent reserve in northern Arkansas. (Everett 14) She also demonstrates the resistance received from western tribes. “Warfare with Comanches would replace warfare with Osages.'; (Everett 25) Both statements are examples of how the Texas Cherokees were literally “caught between two fires'; and was very effective. Another aspect of the thesis relates the Texas Cherokees caught between removal and extermination. Everett strongly supports this aspect of the thesis when she gives the example of the new president of the Republic of Texas sending a letter to Duwali’s village. It states that “the red man and the white man cannot dwell together'; and goes on to say, “their final removal is contemplated.'; (Everett 103) This statement alone describes the European feelings toward the red man. It proves how Europeans refuse to negotiate with “savages'; and will use force if they do not cooperate. The third topic of the thesis Everett attempts to prove deals with the determination of the Texas Cherokees to attempt to control the situations they were faced with. It is stated that five hundred warriors took part in the final battle Chief Duwali would fight in. (Everett 108) This proves the determination in the Cherokees hearts. Instead of giving up and moving east they decided to take a stand with overwhelming odds against them.

Portrayal of Teenage Girls in the Media

In the United States of America, citizens possess the privilege to enjoy the freedom of speech and the freedom to express their views and feelings under the protection of the U. S. Constitution. However, there may be a point at which freedom of speech is abused or escalated to an unethical level that may be harmful to the well-being of society, particularly the youth of today and the future leaders of our world. Over the years, the question â€Å"should parents be concerned about the portrayal of teenage girls in the media? † has become a significant controversial moral issue in society.The portrayal of teenage girls in the media is a controversial moral issue because of the cultural sensitivity and the perceived intrusiveness of the subject. This issue primarily concerns the excessiveness of sexual content and unbecoming images of young women exposed through the media. Needless to say, this question leaves many parents ill at ease. Images, perceived norms and new trends are c onsistently being set for how young girls and women must look, act, think, and feel in order to be successful and accepted in today’s society.There has been an ongoing debate concerning moral actions that need to be taken to regulate the appropriateness of age sensitive material being permeated throughout the media. Media is everywhere; it is in classrooms, advertisements, movies, televisions, magazines, newspapers, the internet, the workplace, and in homes all over the country, and it continues to infuse the world and our lives. Media does not only sell tangible products, but also morals, values, concepts of life, and success, and to some extent normalcy (Killing Us Softly 3).Whether positive or negative, consciously or unconsciously, media affects each and every one of us every day. Young girls are being exposed to a supposed ‘ideal’ image of female beauty through the years of media exposure. For example, the notion that the most important thing to a young woma n should be her physical appearance is an idea that is acquired at a very young age. Even before a girl reaches puberty, she is already aware of her physical appearance and the effect it has on her stand in society. Extreme and unhealthy amounts of guilt and shame can follow if the young woman does not achieve that perception (Killing Us Softly 3).Many people in America’s society believe that the media’s unethical behavior is to blame for influencing and even producing some of the nation’s growing problems among teens, such as eating disorders, increased participation in sexual activity, pregnancy rates, rape, increased alcohol consumption and drug use. Others, however, feel that society should not blame the media for the inappropriate behavior and that lack of discipline and morals among teens in today’s society, but rather blame the parents and educators who influence and guide those teens.The majority of parents hold the media responsible for the corru ption of the morals of teenage girls. They believe that the media’s widely unrealistic and unhealthy depiction of young women and what they are supposed to look and behave like in order to be socially accepted and respected has allowed and encouraged teenage girls to become overly consumed in achieving this supposed ideal. Sadly, it has left many girls confused, in danger, or even dead.Supporters of this position argue that â€Å"the mainstream corporate media construct sex and sexuality in ways that limit and hamper girls’ healthy sexual development† (Durham 12). They trust that there is more evidence that the messages teenage girls are getting about sex from media are harmful rather than helpful (12). Intervention began to be a growing demand from the public audience. One potential resolution to this moral issue is to continue revising and producing television and movie ratings that are current, relevant, and constructive to the current images spread through t he media.For example, a ban on commercials and advertisements that objectify women and promote sexual behavior would be effective to alleviate these unethical teen images. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) ratings and the TV Parental Guidelines (a TV ratings system designed to give parents more information about the content and age-appropriateness of TV programs) (â€Å"TV†) can be used â€Å"to allow parents to block out programs they do not want their children to see, based on the ratings† (â€Å"TV†) and other personal preferences.These types of sources support and encourage media restrictions and the facilitation of providing cleaner and more appropriate television for children. Promoting a more realistic and healthy body image, lifestyle, and attitude for today’s young women through public service announcements is another form of media that advocates healthy teen behavior. According to supporters of such sources, consumer advocacy and action is a principal task in resolving this problem.People have the power to critique, analyze, challenge, and affirm media messages, and also have the option of turning off, boycotting, and disengaging from media that denigrate or insult girls (Durham 227). Just as producers have the right to produce and distribute these messages, the public audience has the right to question and challenge them. It is both the responsibility and obligation of the American society and the government to ensure a safer, healthier, more promising nation for girls to develop and grow without negative imagery, or false and fabricated ideals being fed to them through media.Nonetheless, these potential resolutions to limiting the indecent exposure of teenage girls in the media predictably stir up opposition. Some people believe that society should not blame the media for the inappropriate behavior and lack of discipline and morals among teens in today’s society, but rather the parents and educators who influence and guide those teens. Also, they argue that not all media is bad media, and consider the idea that adults are biased against teens.They believe that those who oppose their belief have over exaggerated the media’s impact on today’s youth, claiming that â€Å"seeing attractive models [has] become such a familiar experience that exposure no longer produces a reaction strong enough to influence self-perception or ones general sense of hope† (Wagner 120). Meaning, that girls have become desensitized to this kind of imagery that does not psychology affect them as much as some would like to believe.After analyzing and being influenced by both sides of the argument, the leading proposed solution to me would be to alter the ideal image of female beauty and appeal disseminated by the media, then to extensively promote and advertise an improved, healthier, beautiful, and more realistic idea of female beauty. The media’s negative imagery has had an im pact on the majority of today’s youth and is noticeably a serious problem. This impact has infected the minds of young growing girls with unrealistic and dangerous notions of perfection and lifestyle, clearly leaving parents concerned.America’s teenage generation is disregarding moral values and the practice of self-respect, faith, self awareness and the embracing of childhood experiences, and rather engaging in activities involving immoral behavior which are simply not age-appropriate. Although who can blame them, since this type of behavior has become socially acceptable due to the media’s infiltration into America’s homes and spread of images and ideals focused rebellious behavior, sexual active, parental defiance, and distorted imagery of beauty and health.The American society should take action as concerned citizens by voicing their opinions to society and demanding a decrease of the objectification and sexualization of females in the media. Addition ally, since advertising agencies are not going to immediately rid themselves of the negative unethical habits with regard to female imagery in the media, continuing to produce and broadcast understandable and accurate ratings on all television programs, movies and even advertisements is an effective way to inform parents about what their children are watching and being influenced by.Many young girls worry about the contours of their bodies, especially shape, size, and even muscle tone, because of the belief that the body is the ultimate expression of the self and beauty (Durham 128). This kind of mentality can cause long-term physical and mental damage and can push young girls to dangerous limits. Communities should promote extracurricular programs that help young people develop self-esteem based on traits such as ability, talents, character, and academics, rather than simply physical appearance.The need to replace sexualized images with positive images of females endorsing notions other than physical beauty is vital. The goal should be to deliver messages to all adolescents, boys and girls, which lead to healthy, safe and realistic development. Our government has an obligation to protect its citizens from harmful and dangerous things; ultimately, these things are under the government’s control. The negative influences generated by media on young girls should be taken into consideration and should be diminished, even if that means comprising the few positives.This lasting controversy is clearly a conflict between the values of health, safety, self-esteem, and ethical choices of teenage girls on one side, and the support of logical evidence and standpoints and the parental supervision aspect on the other. While promoting positive messages to youth through the media is the ultimate plan and goal for supporting the change in images presented by the young girls about young girls, every solution can back fire.Some may believe that attempting to transform the media is a waste of time because these corporations behind it all will not bend easily since the obvious result and reason for a lack of good conscience is loss of profits and loss of the number one selling point, sex. However, if enough people take a stand and stop buying products with discriminating and insulting ad campaigns, turn off the television shows displaying high school students having sex and doing drugs, stop allowing their children to go see the movies that encourage and reward poor behavior among teens, then a demand will not go nnoticed. This may force those corporations responsible for the media to change this rising controversial moral problem and take us one step closer to having healthier, happier, growing young girls, rather than confused, pressured, unsatisfied, and vulnerable young teenage girls living everyday of their lives engulfed by an array of poor images and trying to live up to a image that is unhealthy, unsafe, unethical, or simply just doesn’ t exist.Works Cited Durham, Gigi. The Lolita Effect. New York: Overlook P, The, 2008. Killing Us Softly 3: Advertising's Image of Women. Dir. Sut Jhally. Perf. Jean Kilbourne. 2001. â€Å"TV Ratings. † The TV Parental Guidelines. 2008. 1 Nov. 2008 . Wagner, Viqi. Eating Disorders. New York: Greenhaven P, Incorporated, 2007.