Business plan †CoViTek Essay

CoViTek is an Atlanta based company that offers a unique value added service to the $11 billion dollars video rental industry. CoViTek will revolutionize the industry by renting movies through its video vending machines. These machines are already experiencing tremendous success in Europe, where they were invented. Customers will now be able to rent videos twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week in a timely and efficient manner at the lowest price. Our machines can be implemented anywhere, even in locations that are not accessible to our brick and mortar competitors, and we will therefore focus our efforts on all the strategic locations. Reve-lution Int. will offer a unique business-to-consumer service for the rental of videos and DVDs. The technology, containing a fully automated system, will facilitate continuous rental and return of movies bridging the gap between video stores, who only are open 15 hours a day, and services such as the nonexistent Kozmo. com, who offer video delivery for a premium price. The company has a cost-per-action (CPA) pricing structure. CoViTek’s target customers will include universities with a student body of at least 10,000 in addition to the rest of the city of Atlanta for the first six months of operation. CoViTek will provide their clientele with a complete set of integrated tools within the machine to make accurate and enjoyable purchasing decisions. CoViTek will give video rental customers the freedom of rental 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long. CoViTek will build the world’s truly first convenient and efficient rental system†¦ Target Customers Movie rentals have proven to be an integral part of the everyday lives of the American population. With more than $11 billion dollars in rental sales in 1999, we acknowledge the aggregate demand for the video rental industry. Constantly seeking immediate gratification, video rental stores want the most efficient and cost-effective methods of satisfying their customers. CoViTek will make rentals simple by providing consumers the most efficient tools for with which to initialize a rental process. With the killer application technology used in these machines, the customer will be able to conduct multiple searches in order to rent the movie of their desire. CoViTek will further assist them through the provisions of an active preference search, which is currently being used by Amazon. com. This application will determine what the customer rented last and list the preferred movies of that category the customer will like based on past rental behavior. CoViTek’s potential customers will represent the bulk of video rental households who value rental outlet convenience and flexible payment plans. CoViTek will strive for the most efficient, cost-flexible payments and active searches for preservation of quality time. Market Growth Perspective According to analyst Paul Keagan & Associates, at home movie consumption expenditures will increase approximately 40% by 2005 to $27 billion, almost triple the amount spent in 1990. The vast majority of these expenditures, about 83%, will be for video/DVD rentals and retail. However, movie consumption will also encompass pay-per-view and video on demand (VOD) available through cable and satellite services. Video Production Companies Ninety percent of our videotapes will come from one of the six major production companies: 1. Buena Vista 2. Warner Bros. 3. Universal 4. Fox 5. Paramount, or 6. Columbia-Tri-Star The power of these suppliers is very high, as they hold the exclusive rights to the movies they produce. One of our late competitors, Kozmo. com, has built a unique strategic partnership with these production companies. They have developed a profit sharing system with the major production companies requiring no initial investment in the videos, but agreeing to give 40% of the revenue generated by the rentals to the producer of the movie. We believe that this profit sharing system is financially unattractive, although it will allow us to reduce our initial investment costs; it minimizes our profits which in turn will delay our expansion strategy. We will use an initial video vendor, Video Bicicling, based out of Texas to supply us with our videos and DVDs. They will provide us with the most up-do-date movies for competitive prices. Competitor Differentiation CoViTek differentiates itself from its competitors in several key areas. While companies such as Blockbuster and Hollywood Entertainment offer the same features, only CoViTek will incorporate all of the features described below in a way that gives consumers the ultimate ease of use, active preference search, and extremely convenient locations of operations. Time Availability CoViTek’s competitive advantage is based on its time availability for rentals. The machines will be open and available for usage 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round. CoViTek will keep customer service readily available even throughout holidays. Strategic Locations CoViTek will implement the vending machines in key strategic locations after performing a detailed demo-geographical analysis of the city of Atlanta. Locations will initially be university campuses and later the urban areas of the city. Each machine will be located in areas where there is heavy human traffic. Payment Flexibility Our pricing will be flexible depending on the amount of time the video is out. Since CoViTek is a system that is open 24 hours a day there are no late fees associated in our model. Our standard rental time for DVDs is â€Å"midnight of the following day† for a price between $2. 50-$3. 00. Each additional day will be between $1. 50-$2. 00. Video Cassettes will be $3. 99 and if returned within 24 hours $1will be credited back. Each additional day will be $1. 99. (Based on new releases) Active Search CoViTek will use an innovative application technology which actively searches for videos categorized by title, actor, new releases, type of movie (action, thriller, comedy), and most frequently rented movies. Relative Competitive Factor Blockbuster Video Hollywood Video Kozmo. com CoViTek Relative Product Quality and Differentiation i i i i Flexible Payment Plan i E-commerce Based i i Brand Recognition % 100% 63% 40% N/A Locations around campuses i i i i Locations on Campuses i i Large video selection.i i Number of employees less than 5/ location i One of the most compelling aspects of the CoViTek model is its portability into untapped realms of video rental opportunities. This will provide the company with a critical advantage-the flexibility to transform itself in response to competitive challenges or to shifts in the video rental market environment. CoViTek’s flexibility will give downside protection to its owners by insuring that new, innovative means of generating cash flow can be realized. Future elements of CoViTek may include: National Expansion. Video rental opportunities in selected national markets such as: Washington D. C. , Los Angeles, Miami and Huston. Washington D. C: our second location has similar features to our first city of operation. It has a few large universities, widely used public transportation, and high pedestrian traffic. The schools we target will be American University, George Washington University, and Georgetown University. Our downtown locations will depend on areas where there is an intersection of the public transportation lines and high pedestrian traffic. Data Distribution. Future plans may include the sale of CoViTek’s proprietary online consumer data to the major video production companies. Specialized Machine Content Another growth opportunity for CoViTek in the future is the implementation of machines with customized video selection. The content of these machines will be select videos and DVDs targeted toward an audience based on specific themes. These machines will be placed in strategic locations based around their themes. Some possible â€Å"themed† machines may include: classic movie machines, foreign movie machines with Spanish subtitles or dubbing, and award-winning movie machines. The placement of these machines will require careful market analysis and planning, and therefore we plan to wait before implementation to gather enough data about the market and the purchasing patterns of our customers. Investment Needs Michel Khoury founder of CoViTek, has accumulated cash in excess of $10,000 for the development and the start-up cost of the company. CoViTek is now prepared to obtain financing through establishing a line of credit and implementing an equipment loan for its initial machine. It will later apply for loans as needed in order to buy more machines as it expands its operation. Using the machines and earnings as collateral CoViTek should have sufficient funds to obtain a line of credit that will secure its implementation of strategy. The initial stage of funding will be used to complete Web-site development, obtain one machines, invest in computer hardware and software, lease location space needed for the machines and market CoViTek during the first 12 months of operations. After 12 to 18 months of operation, CoViTek will require an infusion of an additional $15,000 to expand its brand image and increase its service offerings at an accelerated pace. Successful development and operation of CoViTek will allow it to be self-sufficient within approximately 9 to 12 months of initial operation. CoViTek will be a for-profit company incorporated in the state of Georgia. CoViTek – Start up costs Machines $20,246. 64 Inventory: video tapes $9,210 Cash/ month $2,808 Advertising $8,000 Legal & Accounting $7,000 Insurance $3,000 TOTAL $50,264. 64 Management team Michel Khoury Chief Executive Officer Founder While founding CoViTek, Michel Khoury is Assistant Managing Director at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. He is working hand in hand with the Managing Director of the company in order to implement a system of bringing foreign investment to the company. He has had significance experience with young ventures as he has participated in the creation of several companies nationally and internationally. Michel Khoury is also consultant to the CEO of Santege Capital Asset Management Group in New York City. Michel Khoury graduated in May of 2001 from Emory University with a Bachelor of Business administration with concentrations in Finance, Consulting, Venture Management and Marketing.

Islam †The Life of Muhammad Essay

A prophet is someone through whom Allah speaks. The Qur’an names 25 prophets, but tradition says there have been 124,000 in all. For Muslims, Muhammad in Allah’s last prophet, known as the ‘seal of the Prophets.’ The exact date of Muhammad’s birth in Mecca is unknown, but it is thought to have been no later than 570 AD. His father was called Abdullah, which means ‘servant of God’ and his mother Aminah- ‘peaceful’. Both were members of the Hashim clan, a sub-division of the Quraysh tribe which had lately abandoned its nomadic life as desert Bedouins and risen to dominate the trading city of Mecca. Muhammad had a sorrowful early childhood. The name Muhammad is said to have been given to him as a result of a dream his grandfather had. He is also said to have had other names, such as Abul-Qasim, Ahmad, and Mustafa. There were many legends about Muhammad. One said that before his birth his mother Aminah heard a voice telling her the child would be a great leader. Another told of a heavy shower of rain, a blessing that ended a long drought. Yet another legend was that two angels removed Muhammad’s heart, washed it clean, then weighed it against first one man, then ten, then a hundred , then a thousand. Finally they said ‘Let it be. Even if you set the whole community in the scale, he would still outweigh it.’ These stories show that Allah was preparing Muhammad for his prohetetic mission in future. His father was dead by the time of his birth and his mother died before he was six, meaning he was raised as an orphan. According to Quraysh law he was to be given to a Bedouin foster mother and sent of into the desert, and would be unable to inherit from his father’s estate. So almost from the beginning of his life he was both poor and something of an outcast from Meccan society. This shows that muslims are taught to trust in Allah’s goodness, and to accept death as a stage in their life and not the end of it. It is, however, known for certain that when he was eight Muhammad was sent to live with his uncle, a merchant called Abu Talib. From the age of 12 Abu Talib took him with him on his long trading trips, which sometimes lasted for many months. A number of stories surround Muhammad in this period of his life. One tells how he and his uncle stopped at a Christian monastery on their travels, and a monk named Bahira recognised the mark of a prophet on Muhammad’s shoulder.His future prophetic status was indicated by certain marks on his body and by miraculous signs in nature. Muhammad first worked as a camel driver, but as both his horizons and business acumen expanded, he became known as The Trusted One (al-Amin) for being fair in his dealings and honoring his obligations. The most important hadith about his early life, and the ones with some of the largest degree of unanimity, are about a trip to Syria, where he was recognised by a Christian monk as Shiloh – the non-Jewish Prophet whose coming was foretold in the book of Genesis. It seems that Muhammad, from an early age, believed himself to be Shiloh, the first and last non-Jewish Prophet who would bring the final message and warning to mankind in the last days before the end of the world. It may have been for this reason that he became something of a mystic, spending long periods of isolated meditation in the desert. From his early twenties onwards he began to have religious experiences and visions of various sorts, but was on the whole confused by their significance. He is also reported to have become a expert on the Jewish and Christian religions and to have engaged in long religious debates with both monotheists and pagans. At the age of 25 Muhammad’s social status changed markedly. He had been employed by a wealthy widow, Khadijah, to run her trading interests and, after they had prospered, she asked him to marry her. He accepted, even though she was to prove faithful, understanding and supportive wife and the marriage was happy. They had six children-two sons, Qusim and Abdullah, and four daughters, Zainab, Ruqaiyyah, Umm Kulthum and Fatima. The two boys died in infancy. The couple had only one surviving child, a daughter called Fatima who in later life became a fanatical Muslim. After her death he had several others, perhaps the best known of whom was the young Aisha. Muhammad’s uncle Abu Talib fell on hard times, and Muhammad repaid his kindness by taking responsibility for his little son Ali. Another child in the house was Zaid ibn Haritha, a slave boy given to Khadijah as a present. One day Zaid’s father, who had been searching for him for years, discovered where he was and offered to buy him back. Zaid was asked what he wished to do and chose to stay with Muhammad. Muhammad was so moved that he freed the boy instantly, and raised him as his own son. At that time Mecca was tumultuous melting pot of Christianity, Judaism, and the various pagan religions practiced by the desert tribes and Meccan clans. Khadijah’s family had been exposed to monotheism, which was growing in popularity in its various forms and it is known that her uncle was a practicing Christian. In contrast, the pagan clan cults of the Qursysh in the city had become decadent, especially in their shameless worship of material goods and worldly wealth and the consequent huge disparities between rich and poor, which Muhammad, with his varied background, was able to appreciate. These problems, springing from the difficult transition of the Quraysh from nomadic poverty to sedentary merchant wealth, concerned him greatly, and social injustice-especially the treatment of orphans like himself-is the theme of many of the early surahs of the Qur’an. The cults of the pagan deser t Bedouin clans, who visited Mecca only occasionally, were equally divisive, degenerate and cruel. Human sacrifice and female infanticide were widely practiced. Each Arab tribe had its own gods and worshiped idols. The most important of these was the House of God (Ka’bah), located in Mecca itself. When Muhammad was a young man it contained 360 pagan idols, worshipped by dozens of separate tribes and clans. His clan, the Hashemites, had the honour of guarding it, through tradition which held that the monument had been re-built by their ancestors Ibrahim and Isma’il after the original- believed to have been built by Adam at the beginning of time- had fallen into disrepair. The Quyrash’s wealth was based on the dozens of pagan cults who used the Ka’bah as their central shrine. They sold idols, and Mecca’s position as a trading city was largely based on contacts made with the visiting tribes. New religions were welcomed as good for business. At first Islam was seen as just another money-making cult and Muhammad was encouraged to use the Ka’ba alongside the others in a spirit of fair and toleration. But in 613 Muhammad began preaching to the public at large, rejecting all other religions, demanding the removal of idols from the Ka’ba and therefore threatening trade. As Quyrash hostility grew Muhammad showed himself to be skillful politician as well as a learned theologian. Steadily he gathered around him the elders of minor clans and middle ranking merchants through preaching a return to the religion of Ibrahim. Whilst the Quyrash continued to ridicule him, called him a madman and an impostor. Muhammad had begun to receive Allah’s final message to mankind in the form of the Qur’an through miraculous revelations which did not come until he was – by the standards of the time- already an old man. The Qur’an Muhammad received his first revelation during the month of Ramadan in the year 610 AD when he was about 40 years old. He was engaged in one of his regular periods of solitary meditation in a cave known as Hira near the top of Mount Jabal Nur, near Mecca, when he received a visitation from the angel Gabriel(Jibreel). Muhammad had experienced religious visions before, but this was quite different. Angel Gabriel (Jibreel) commanded him to ‘Recite in the name of your Lord’, and the Prophet lost control of himself and, Muslims believe, began to speak the actual words of Allah. Eventually he was told to recite what is now the beginning of Chapter 96 of the Koran: Recite in the name of your Lord who created, created man from blood congealed. Recite! Your Lord is the most beneficent, who taught by the pen, taught men that which they did not know. After a short period during which he received no further revelations, they then began again and continued until the end of his life. In the 23 remaining years of his life Muhammad received a total of 114 separate revelations which were compiled as the Qur’an after his death. Muhammad was illiterate so he would repeat each revelation afterwards. Some were written down on whatever was available, from parchment to palm leaves and animals bones, but the majority, in the tradition of the times, were memorized. A year after Muhammad’s death they were collected together by his secretary, Zayd, under the supervision of a committee, shown to many of the Prophet’s companions, and agreed to be accurate. But by about thirty years after his death a number of different versions were circulating and being recited, so a definitive ‘canonical’ version was issued and sent to the four main Islam cities of Basra, Damascus, Kufh and Medina. Two of these original copies still exist today. One is in Tashkent in Soviet Uzbekistan and other is in the Topkapi palace in Istanbul, Turkey. The text is divided into 114 surahs, each containing the words of one revelation. The number of verses, or ayahs, in each surah varies from three to 286 and totals 6,239. Each has a title, and 86 have sub-headings indicating they were received in Mecca, whilst another 28 were received in Medina. The Meccan surahs are shorter, more mystical and warn about the dangers of paganism, marked by vigorous semi-poetic language, and concerned with warnings that men would inevitably be judged by God for their behaviour in this world and severely punished if they did not mend their ways. The Medinan surahs are in general longer, less urgent in tone, and deal in great detail with aspects of Allah’s law such as the rules for declaring war, accepting converts, divorce proceedings and the mandatory punishments for various crimes – more concerne d with the solution of practical problems facing him and his followers. The structure of the Qur’an is unusual and, apparently, illogical. In general the longer Medinan surahs, given last, are at the front of the Book and shorter Meccan surahs, the earliest, at the back. There is no logical explanation for their order but at the same time Western scholars, attempting to reorganise them on this basis, have found that no other order works without splitting the surahs up into scattered verses. Sunni Muslims hold that the order was dictated by Jibree to give the Qur’an an esoteric inner meaning reflecting the Divine rather than human order of things. Acceptance of every word of the Qur’an as the literal word of Allah is a binding obligation on all Muslims. The idea that Muhammad was the author of the Qur’an, or any part of it, is rejected absolutely. At the heart of the Qur’an is the simple, repetitive warning that mankind must renounce paganism, accept Allah as the one God of all mankind and live according to his laws. The message is directly addressed to the pagans, Jews and Christians of Mecca, amongst whom Muhammad lived, complete with threats of dire consequences if they failed to mend their polytheistic ways. The first revelation received by Muhammad deals with this very theme. In another early revelation Allah openly threatens Muhammad’s brother-in-law Abu Lahab, who, as head of his Hashemite clan, had disowned Muhammad and annulled the marriage between his son and Muhammad’s daughter Fatima. Allah also shows himself to be equally angry with Abu Lahab’s wife, who had ridiculed the idea of Muhammad’s Prophethood. The Hijah Muhammad’s flight into exile is the most significant episode in the Prophet’s life apart from the revelations he received which made up the Qur’an. It marks the point in the Prophecy when Allah demanded not just a reform of the religious life of Mecca, but a total break with it. It also marks the start of jihad (Holy War – both spiritual and physical) against the pagan Quyrash and, ultimately, all those oppressing Muslims and opposing by force the spread of Allah’s word. The date of this declaration of war was later chosen as the first day of the Muslim calendar, with 622 the first year of the Age of Hijrah. By this time most of Medina’s population regarded themselves as his followers. Many, in addition, had signed military treaties with his followers in Mecca promising military aid. They now eagerly awaited Muhammad’s declaring of war. But instead, after receiving fresh revelations, he decided to first convert the nomadic Bedouins in the surrounding desert. Between 622 and 628 Muhammad set in motion the biggest tribal avalanche Arabia had ever seen. The tribal chieftains rapidly converted to Islam and joined Muhammad’s army. The process was helped by Islam’s being an entirely new religion free from the feuding assocations of both the localised pagan cults and the ‘foreign’ monotheist doctrines of Judaism and Christainity. Muhammad showed himself to be a brilliant military leader in early skirmishes with the Quyrash and this, along with further revelations promising Allah’s support and certain victory, is likely to have persuaded yet more shayks to join. In just six years Muhammad assembled an army of 10,000 Arabs – a huge force for those times – and marched with the people of Medina against Mecca. The force was so overwhelming the city was taken without resistance. Muhammad issued a general amnesty to the Quyrash and urged them, without pressure, to convert to Islam, which they slowly did. The conquest of Mecca also gave him control of the Ka’bah and he resumed his preaching to pagan pilgrims as they visited the shrine. Conversion was rapid and only nine months after the occupation of Mecca his army had grown to 30,000. More clans and tribes converted to Islam. Muhammad died at Mecca on June 8th 11 AH/632 AD. Respect is shown towards Muhammad by saying peace be upon him (PBUH). He was respected as a man who was close to God, who thought deeply and was kind and wise. Muhammad had known the Ka’ba all his life, with it’s many shines. He had also known the greed, exploitation, lack of compassion of the rich merchants. Muhammad spent his life searching for spiritual guidance, drawing ever closer to God. Islam is not just a matter of ritual prayers or fasting or feasts. It is the conscious bringing of every moment of the day, every decision, every detail of the muslim’s thoughts and actions, into deliberate line with what they accept as being the will of Allah. How is the will of Allah known? The muslim bases all decisions on the revealed words of the Holy Qur’an, the messages that were delivered, over a period of 23 years, to the inspired prophet Muhammad. Not one word in the Qur’an is believed by muslims to be the thought or teaching of Muhammad himself- although he is refered above all human beings as one od the most perfect of Allah’s messengers. Other messengers were Abraham, Moses, Jesus and, in fact, at least 24,000 prohets. Muhammad’s ministry was not based on any mircles other than the receiving of the Qur’an. Muhammad is so important to muslims because be was the last prophet, the seal of all that was revealed to the prophets before him. Muslims family life The Qur’an speaks about the family more than any other topic and deals with the rights and responsibilities of husbands and wives, divorce, orphans, inheritance and so on. The Sunnah also deals with relationships within the family: in one tradition, the Prophet says that a man is the guardian of his family and a women is guardian of her husband’s home and children. Two particular Qur’anic verses underline the Islamic view of the family: . . . he created for you mates that you may dwell in tranquillity with them and he has put love and mercy between your hearts . . . 30:21 We created you from a simple pair of a male and a female. . . that you may know each other (not that you may dispise each other) 49:13 This declares the essential equality between men and women but Islam does not see this as contradicting different roles played by men and women. For example, muslim men carry the heavy burden of family maintenance and are supposed to be the only, or the main, breadwinners supporting not only their wives and children but other married or widowed women in the family. If a man’s wife does not wish to live with his family or anyone else, he must respect her wishes. The major responsibility which falls to the woman is creating a harmonious family atmosphere and bringing up the children. Women may kake up paid work outside the home but it is not expected of them as part of the equal partnership and many muslims feel women should only do so if there is a real need for the money. Mature muslim men and women are allowed to mix at work, in public places and social gatherings. Divorce Islam allows divorce if circumstances warrant or necessitate it. Islam has permitted divorce reluctantly, neither liking nor recommending it. The Prophet of Islam has said: â€Å"Among lawful things, divorce is most disliked by Allah† Islam has not made it necessary that the grounds of divorce should be publicized. It, however; does not mean that Islam views divorce lightly. In fact, publicity of grounds may not be of any positive consequence. The grounds may not be pronounced but genuine. On the other hand, the grounds may be stated and may in reality be false. Islam does not also want washing dirty linen of private affairs in public or in the court except in exceptional circumstances. It is for this reason that court comes in as a last resort in the Islamic scheme of separation of husband and wife. The Quran states as regards grounds of divorce in very general terms: â€Å"And if you fear that the two (i.e husband and wife) may not be able to keep the limits ordered by Allah, there is no blame on either of them if she redeems herself (from the marriage tie) † (2 : 229). The general ground of divorce in the Quran, therefore, is hopeless failure of one or both parties to discharge their marital duties and to consort with each other in kindness, peace and compassion. Long absence of husband without any information, long imprisonment, refusal to provide for wife, impotence etc. are some of the grounds on which wife can ask for divorce. Either party may take steps to divorce in case of chronicle disease, insanity, deceptive misrepresentation during marriage contract, desertion etc. A Muslim male is allowed three chances, that is to say, acts of divorce on three different occasions provided that each divorce is pronounced during the time when the wife is in the period of purit y. A husband may divorce his wife once and let the Iddat (the period of waiting after divorce) pass. During the waiting period the two have the option of being reconciled. If however the waiting period passes without reconciliation, they stand fully divorced. If after the first divorce the husband is reconciled with his wife but the hostility and conflict begins all over again, he may divorce her a second time in the same manner as stated above. In this case also he can return to her during the Iddat (or waiting period). If however, after second reconciliation, he divorces the wife the third time, he can not take back the wife during the Iddat. She is totally prohibited for him. The lady, thereafter can marry any person she likes according to her choice. The wife can divorce her husband if this condition is stipulated in the marriage contract. This kind of divorce is called ‘Delegated Divorce’ (Talaq Taffiz). Marriage can also be dissolved through mutual consent. This is called Khula in the technical language of Islamic law. Marriage can also be dissolved by judicial process through the court on complaint of the wife on the grounds explained before. One of the consequences of the divorce is the commencement of waiting period for the wife. This usually lasts three months. If there is a pregnancy, it lasts as long as pregnancy lasts. The waiting period is basically a term of probation during which reconciliation can be attempted. It is also required to establish whether the wife has conceived. It also allows time for planning the future. Maintenance of wife during the waiting period is on husband. The wife can not be expelled from her place of residence and he can not in any way harass her. These will constitute moral as well as criminal offence. In case of divorce, the young children remain in the custody of their divorced mother. However, the father has to provide the cost of maintenance of young children though they remain under the custody of mother. Islamic law of divorce is based on practical considerations. The process of separation is basically a matter of husband and wife. However; when conflict arises, attempts should be made for reconciliation. It has not made judicial process obligatory in divorce for reasons explained earlier. The intervention of court has nowhere reduced the number of divorce. Judicial process in Islam is the last resort in so far as divorce is concerned. Islamic law on divorce if followed in true spirit will enhance the dignity of man and woman, reduce conflict and ensure justice. The Holy Qur’an explicitly prohibits the divorcing husbands from taking back their marriage gifts no matter how expensive or valuable these gifts might be In the case of the wife choosing to end the marriage, she has to return the marriage gifts or money to her husband. Returning the marriage gifts in this case is a fair compensation for the husband who is keen to keep his wife while she chooses to leave him. But the majority of ulamma’ have agreed that to act unfairly against the husband is not allowed and the marriage cannot be annulled by such way. The Holy Qur’an has instructed Muslim men not to take back any of the gifts they have given to their wives except in the case of the wife choosing to dissolve the marriage. Also, a woman came to the Prophet Muhammad seeking the dissolution of her marriage, she told the Prophet that she did not have any complaints against her husband’s character or manners. Her only problem was that she honestly did not like h im to the extent of not being able to live with him any longer. The Prophet asked her: â€Å"Would you give him his garden (the marriage gift he had given her) back?† she said: â€Å"Yes†. The Prophet then instructed the man to take back his garden and accept the dissolution of the marriage. The children usually stay with their mother unless she is shown to be incapable or unsuitable but she loses the right of custody of her children if she remarries. Marriage The most important ingredients in a Muslim marriage are shared values and beliefs, so that even if a couple come from different cultures and backgrounds they possess the same basic world view, attitudes and habits which will bind them together. Many Muslims seem to marry their cousins, Islam neither encourages nor refuses this practise. The prophet’s seventh wife, Zaimab bint Jahsh, was his cousin, but he only married her when she was 39 after his foster son Zaid divorced her. Cousin marriages inbreeds genetic disorders, and makes it very hard for a couple to divorce from a failed marriage if other close relatives will be offended. Muslim boys may marry Christians and Jews, but Muslim girls are not permitted to marry non- Muslims because in Islam the children have to take the religion of the father, and so w ould become non-Muslims. The prohet said : ‘A woman should only be married to a person who is good enough for her or compatible to her.’ The prophet permitted marriages between people of vastly different social status and financial backgrounds, knowing it was not these factors which made for compatibility, but what they were like in their hearts. Do not marry only for a person’s looks, their beauty might become the cause of moral decline. Do not marry for wealth, since this may become the cause of disobedience. Marry rather on the grounds of religious devotion. ( Haddith) Islam sees marriage as the only moral and legal status for a sexual relationship as it provides in public for the security and well being of man and woman. The ceremony itself is extremely simple and takes the form of a basic contract set in a social gathering. It can take place anywhere usually in a home in Muslim countries but in Britain it is most likely to be in a mosque. The imam does not need to be present and there is no fixed formula but it must be clear that both man and woman agree to the marriage and there may be readings from the Qur’an on the theme of married life. The contract- Aqd nikah- is written, as well as spoken, and bride and groom sign three copies. They keep one each and, in a Muslim country, the third is kept by officials. The Qur’an requires that the groom give the wife mahr- a sum of money or property or some other gift of value. It remains hers, whatever happens, and they agree between them what it is to be and when it is to be given. Jihad Arabic for â€Å"exerting one’s utmost efforts to a determined objective†, such objective normally being the struggle against anything that is not good. Two kinds of jihad traditionally exist for mainstream Muslims: the â€Å"greater† (al-jihad al-akbar) and the â€Å"lesser† ( al-jihad al-asghar). The greater jihad is also known as jihad al-nafs, and is understood as an individual’s inner, spiritual struggle against vice, passion, and ignorance. The lesser jihad is defined as meaning â€Å"holy war† against infidel (non-Muslim) lands and subjects. It has both legal and doctrinal significance in that it is prescribed by the Koran and mainstream Muslim hadiths (recorded sayings and actions ascribed to the Prophet Muhammad and accorded a status on a par with revelation). â€Å"Holy war† is the sole form of war that is theoretically permissable in mainstream Islam. Muslim law has traditionally divided up the world into dar al-Islam (abode of Islam) and dar al- harb (abode of war, that is, of non-Muslim rule). As Islam is the last, most superior and universal of man’s divinely ordained religions, it is believed that the entire world must ultimately surrender to its rule and law, if not its faith. Until that time, a jihad against non-Muslim neighbours and neighbouring lands is the duty of all adult, male, and able-bodied Muslims. According to this traditional view, Muslims who die in jihad automatically become martyrs of the faith and are awarded a special place in Paradise. According to the law-books, two kinds of non-Muslim enemies exist, kafir (pagans) and ahl al- kitab (people of the book). The term â€Å"people of the book† originally meant only Jews and Christians, but later on it included other groups such as followers of Zoroastrianism. â€Å"People of the book† need only submit to Muslim political authority to avoid or end jihad and may keep their original faith: their status, defined as dhimmi (a â€Å"protected† non-Muslim), is inferior to that of a Muslim and they must pay the prescribed â€Å"jizya† (poll tax). As for pagans, that is, those whom Muslims do not recognize as a â€Å"people of the book†, such as Buddhists and Hindus, they must either convert to Islam or suffer execution. This drastic alternative, however, was rarely enforced in practice. There can be no going back for a convert to Islam-be that person a dhimmi or pagan-since it is a capital offence to abandon Islam, even for a former religion with a recognized revelation. However, ways of avoiding the strict enforcement of the law were often found. Jihad can also be defensive, that is, for the purpose of protecting Muslim lands from non-Muslim incursions such as, for example, the crusades of the Christians in the Holy Land during the Middle Ages or the Spanish Reconquista. Some modern Muslim scholars have stressed the defensive aspect of jihad above others. In contrast to the Sunnis, some Muslim groups like the Imami and Bohora-Ismaili Shiites are forbidden from participating in offensive jihad. This is because for both sects the only person legitimately capable of conducting an offensive jihad is their Imam, and he is presently in occultation (that is, in hiding and incommunicado until the end of time). The two sects, however, are permitted participation in defensive jihad. I have been asked to evaluate the following statement ‘The Qur’an would be more useful to everyone if it were translated into modern English. Whether the Qur’an may be translated from its original Arabic into another language, and, if so, under what circumstances a translation may be used, has also been a matter of dispute. Nevertheless, it has been translated by Muslims and non-Muslims into a variety of languages. Today there are many versions available in English and the other major languages of the world. Although it can now be read in at least 40 languages, all translations lose part of the inspiration and meaning, and are not treated with the same respect as the original. Since the Qur’an is believed to be from Allah, every word, every letter, is sacred to muslims. It is therefore considered very important to keep the Qur’an in the language in which it was first spoken i.e. Arabic. Muslims were taught to recite it, and it must still be learnt in Arabic. As Islam spread from Arabia, its language was adopted by a number of Islamic countries, and is still spoken in these countries today. Muslims in these countries should find the Qur’an quite easy to read, even though the style of modern Arabic has naturally changed since Muhammad’s time. In other countries, muslims need to learn enough Arabic to take part in their worship and to read the Qur’an. You can find translations of the Qur’an for people who do not know Arabic, or copies with both Arabic and another language for those who do not have Arabic as their first language, but muslims do not accept these translations as proper Qur’ans. The main argument used to defend the Divine authorship of the Qur’an is the incomparable quality of writing. Much of it is composed in rhyming Arabic and the language is particularly beautiful and graceful. The surahs were given in Arabic and, since it would be a sin to alter the word of Allah, Arabic remains the sacred language of Islam. Non- Arabic speaking muslims can use translations but the Qur’an is so important to them that many learn Arabic just so they can read it in its original form. Muslims and non-believers alike agree the full power and beauty of its writing can only be appreciated in the original. But for muslims it goes further than that. Translations can only be interpretations which cannot truly say what is said in Arabic. The combination of the words and rhythms in the original language- the way the Qur’an sounds when recited- is also an important part of its power. Muslims think of the Qur’an as a complete philosophy, a comprehensive description of the universe and the entirety of the law by which people must live. The longer and later Medina surahs stress Allah’s merciful nature more fully, with extensive friendly practical advice on personal and family matters. The Qur’an is also the focus of Islamic art. Many individuals copies of the Book are major works of art in their own right – with sublime Arabic calligraphy on superb hand-made paper, and high quality decorative leather and metal work. Figurative art is forbidden by classical Islam, especially the creation of images of Allah and the Prophets, and the astonishingly fine decorative art found in many mosques is largely based on Arabic calligraphy, woven into patterns repeating passages from the Book. Even the most sceptical non-believer, Muslims insist, is forced to admit that the Qur’an is a book of immense beauty and importance – not least because it has now almost certain become the most widely read and memorised book in the world. The preface to one of the most widely available Qur’an in English, the Tahrike Tarsile translation, puts it like this: ‘The Qur’an’s miracle lies in its ability to offer at least something to non-believers and everything to believers’. Learning large parts of the the Qur’an by heart is an important part of Muslim religious devotion and children start memorising it at an early age. In many Muslim countries learning the Qur’an by heart forms the basic curriculum of primary school education. Muslims who memorise its contents in their entirety are given the honourable title of al-hafiz.

Customer service Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Customer service - Essay Example The process of launching the company is ongoing and the company is expected to commence its operation towards the end of the year 2015. Its purpose is to bring together like-minded wineries that are sufficiently developing their investments by creating a venue for business custom crush wine manufacturing, on and off premise wine sales and events in the UK that already house flourishing restaurants and nightlife sceneries. The collective will be made up of three wineries, which will operate as the incubator for future wine brands and upcoming industry ideas. The innovative infrastructures and equipment will also feature a tasting bar that has pours and flights from four resident wineries together with their inspirational wines and whisky. It will also provide a cheese platter, featuring Steve’s Cheese. The tasting bar will have the capacity to hold both large and small events, wine release parties and music dinners. Although Flaming Waters is likely to experience high profit as a UK- based organization, the company will, after a year, expand its operations worldwide. Flaming Waters aims at manufacturing and distributing high quality wines and whisky that improve its enjoyment. The organization is also committed to maintain the highest degree of expertise and professionalism, so as to market and sell all its products, such as wines and whiskies, to the food and beverage industry. Further, the company aims at shipping and distributing the aforementioned products in the most responsible way. The company’s mission is to share its love for high-standard wines with individuals who like taking wine. All the brands of products manufactured by the Flaming Waters will be certified as made from organically grown grapes and healthy raw materials. Such products are backed by the organization with absolute satisfaction guarantee. Flaming

Provide an example for five of the ten Price Sensitivity Effects Essay

Provide an example for five of the ten Price Sensitivity Effects - Essay Example Expenditure effect causes consumers to choose alternative options because of high price that might be unaffordable. For example, car brands like Mercedes Benz or BMW offer a prestigious image and quality, but are highly priced. Consumers that are unwilling to spend majority of their income on products like these tend to choose alternative options that provide similar luxury and feel. In such case, price becomes the ultimate deciding factor. Products with unique value tend to accompany price-quality effect. In such cases, price becomes the deciding factor for value creation of the product. This also creates a psychological effect on the consumers through value attained over time. For example, if fast-food brand like McDonald’s alters or raises its product price, consumers would still continue to opt for its products for their quality. This factor refers to the availability of external financial help to buy a specific product that otherwise would seem highly expensive for the consumer. For example, purchasing a house would require huge amount of money. If the consumer is able to procure loan for the purchase, then the price will be less significant as the deciding factor in the purchase. Inventory effect occurs when sellers anticipate price rise. This allows the sellers to hold the stock till price rise and sell the same at increased price, which will in turn give higher profits. This situation is more often seen in retail markets for pharmaceuticals, petroleum products, groceries etc. When the wholesalers anticipate price rise due to market fluctuation, they tend to buy huge amounts of product stock in advance and hold it as inventory. After price rise, they sell the products at increased prices to consumers, thereby making more profits than

War Against Terrorism Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

War Against Terrorism - Assignment Example The war is now affecting even the people who are not directly involved (non-combatants) in its path, and this leads one to question the constitutional rights being violated by the American war on Iraq. This paper will examine the constitutional issue being impacted by this war, and what can be done to eliminate all possible constitutional violations on both sides. After the 9/11 attacks, the American government opted to take away or amend some constitutional rights enjoyed by the American people. It is believed that after the attack, Americans were asked to give up some fundamental rights in order to address the war on terror. Due to fear and uncertainty, people were willing to give these up, not thinking of the future days. It is sad that free people had to give up their civil liberties in order to acquire temporary safety and liberty. This is what most people are up in arms against today, and if the continuous wars are anything to go by, more lobby groups are going to stand and fight for the long forgotten American freedoms. Sadly, America’s allies are also feeling the pressure placed on them by the United States, and are being forced to do the same in their home countries in order to ‘protect’ their citizens from unforeseen threats (Nabeel, Howell & Shryock, 2011). Internationally, the United States is affecting the constitutional rights of the Iraqi government and people by attacking their national sovereignty. There might be a pretext that there is fostered co-operation between the two nations, but this is only what the American government wants people to think. The Iraqi government may be strong-armed to accept the conditions of the American government, while its people are being killed and maimed in the name of the war on terror (Herman, 2011). The trammeling of rights on both sides is alarming, and with advancement in technological fields, there is no telling

Psychology can help us understand ourselves and others. Discuss with Essay

Psychology can help us understand ourselves and others. Discuss with reference to two of four main topics. a] personality, b] Intelligence, c] emotions, d] cognition - Essay Example Cognition is the process or act of knowing and able to make some judgment about it. It is very broad which include a complicated mental process encompassing functions like perception, memory, learning, and problem solving. Cognition includes more than few elements or processes which all work to describe the manner by which knowledge is built up and also how judgments of people are made. The elements related to these processes are: perceiving, recognizing, reasoning, problem solving, conceptualizing, learning, memory, and language (Scienceclarified, 2008). The individual’s ability to comprehend or the cognition ability is necessary for a scientific understanding what human behavior is all about. According to the investigations of various experts, mental processes like association, recall process, and understanding about language are based on the physical relations or interactions of people with their environment, instead of the body which supports the mind; it is basically viewing the body as a support system for a mind. Cognitive structures advance from perception and action like a software (Turing, 1950) which can run on different hardware systems. Human mind can manipulate abstract symbols based on the interactions of people around via his sensory organs as well as greatly coordinated effectors. Wilson (2002) has six various claims about cognition: 1) cognition is situated; 2) cognition is time pressured; 3) cognition is off-loaded onto the environment; 4) the environment is a component of the cognitive system; 5) cognition is for action; 6) an offline cognition is body based. He further emphasized that, sensorimotor functions which evolved for action as well as perception have been preferred for the application of offline cognition. Therefore, it is logical to say that, cognition is based on the functions of human body and interdependent with the environment. Some current experiments have demonstrated that perceptual as well as motor

College is worthy or not Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

College is worthy or not - Essay Example Education is costly and the cost of education has been rising against an almost constant after college salary. Rationally, evading unnecessary education should reduce cost and hence increase social wellbeing of citizens and it’s on these basis that critics of college education base their argument. The increasing demand for education is responsible for the increase in cost and it’s expected that wages reduce as more people enter the job market. Factually, increase in population is responsible for influx in demand for college education and hence so long as population rises, rising college fees is inevitable and reduced wages due out excess labor output could also pop up. However, as pay offs to college graduates stagnate, rewards to high school diploma holders reduce hence widening the gap between the two (TIME). The implication is that, employers still attach more value to college education regardless of the degree taken. Research shows that college graduates earn more t han their counterparts (Economist), moreover, those who do not have a college degree believe that they have less (Piew). Therefore, the only constraint to college education is the ever rising cost. Not going to college does not solve the problem as it reduces productivity and hence reducing the expected returns to capital, making all investments not viable. Mr. Thiel creates a controversy in the importance of education by offering an alternative to college education and then again criticizing the viability of the alternative (Piew). Thiel himself, developed his business idea while still in college, a proof that attending college does not restrain the individual to job market and hence lead only to the middle class as most people think. Under capitalism, the rich are few, but among the rich college graduates are richer than their high school counterparts. Thiel produces capital

How Individuals Appraise Their Own Physical Attractiveness Essay

How Individuals Appraise Their Own Physical Attractiveness - Essay Example The current research was motivated by a desire to better understand how people make judgments about their own attractiveness and how such self-appraisals may systematically vary as a function of the context of time. In Study 1, individuals rated their past self as physically less attractive than their current self. This study is informative in demonstrating that judgments of self-perceived attractiveness vary as a function of temporal perspective. In Study 2, individuals rated their future self as more attractive than their current self. This study is informative in serving as an initial demonstration of how temporal biasing influences future self-appraisals of attractiveness. Furthermore, in both studies, temporal biasing of attractiveness was moderated by an individual difference variable–attribute importance (Study 1) and social comparison orientation. The results of Study 1 are consistent with the view espoused by Mac Davis — participants perceived themselves as mor e attractive now than in the past. Moreover, this pattern was found among only those individuals for whom physical attractiveness was important to their self-concept. Thus, taken together, the results supported the hypotheses. With these results in hand, a second study investigated whether people perceive their future self to be more attractive than their current self. The overall results of Study 2 are consistent with predictions: Respondents rated their future self as more attractive than their current self.

Pollution Problem Affecting Hong Kong Essay Example for Free

Pollution Problem Affecting Hong Kong Essay Recently, a survey was conducted concerning about the development of Hong Kong and the related air pollution issues over the last twenty years. The survey investigated the Air Pollution Index (API) of different districts in Hong Kong, including Central, Mong Kok, Kowloon City, Tung Chung and Yuen Long. According to the result, API has been growing in Central, Tung Chung and Yuen Long from 1992 to 2012. Meanwhile, the Air Pollution Index of Kowloon City and Mong Kok have been increasing within these ten years. It demonstrates that air pollution becomes serious because of the rapid development of society. Air pollution is an inevitable consequence of economic development in Hong Kong. Since there are many vehicles and factories in prosperous areas in Hong Kong, exhaust gas are created and air pollution will deteriorate. For instance, due to the construction of Hong Kong International Airport in Tung Chung in 1998, numerous airplanes taken off and landed leads to the increasingly serious pollution problems. Therefore, API has increased from 32 to 174 over these 20 years according to the data. Besides, some factories and manufacturers may be keen on the pursuit of profits but concerning less about the protection of environment. As a result, air pollution problem in Hong Kong become more severe in these ten years. The government should pay more attention to promote environmental protection. One of the feasible solutions of improving the air pollution problem is to promote environmental protection regularly. It is important for the citizens to build up their awareness of protecting environment. People need to know more about the consequences of poor air quality which may harm their health. The government may take some methods to handle the problem arising. For example, advertising through televisions, holding talks and educating the next generations. Therefore, manufacturers may take their social responsibility to reduce the damage on environment. Air pollution problem can be improved when people are concerning more about the situation. There are some possible benefits and challenges for implementing the solution. First, if the government and citizens can join hands in solving the problem, it is possible that promotion of environmental protection can meet our objectives. However, it may be difficult that the air pollution problem can be improved immediately. In long-run, laws and limitations should be introduced to improve air quality, such as introducing stricter pollution controls for factories, introducing higher registration fee of private cars and limiting the private cars on the road. As a consequence, the air quality of different areas in Hong Kong can be improved through these effective measures. In conclusion, according to the survey, the air pollution problem is increasingly serious in different prosperous districts in Hong Kong due to the economic development. There are lots of feasible and effective strategies of improving air quality. If the government and people collaborate in solving the problem, it is not far to breathe in fresh air in Hong Kong.

Reading Skills Essay Example for Free

Reading Skills Essay Reading daily, Reading deeply, Reading widely are the few important skills of reading from which we can enhance our understanding of passage, ameliorate our vocabulary, correct our grammatical mistakes, increase our thinking capacity and helps in improving or learning any part of a language. The more you read the one thing you realize the key to doing well in the examination, and the key to perform or present any task in a well equipped way. There are many techniques used in reading to get and understand whole idea or summary of the passage to improve reading. But few important skills of reading are given below to improve reading. 1. Styles of reading 2. Active reading 3. A tip for speeding up your active reading 4. Spotting authors navigation aids 5. Words and vocabulary [pic]1. Styles of reading There are three styles of reading which we use in different situations: Scanning: Scanning is what you do to find an answer to a specific question. You may run your eyes quickly down the page in a zigzag or winding S pattern. If you are looking for a name, you note capital letters. For a date, you look for numbers. Vocabulary words may be boldfaced or italicized. When you scan for information, you read only what is needed. Its useful to scan parts of texts to see if theyre going to be useful to you: †¢ the introduction or preface of a book †¢ the first or last paragraphs of chapters †¢ the concluding chapter of a book. Skimming: for getting the gist of something Skimming is covering the chapter to get some of the main ideas and a general overview of the material. It is what you do first when reading a chapter assignment. You don’t read for details at this point. Here is how you skim a chapter: . To preview a passage before you read it in detail  · Read the first paragraph of the chapter line by line.  · Next, read all the bold print headings starting at the beginning.  · Read the first sentence of every paragraph.  · Study any pictures, graphs, charts, and maps.  · Finally, read the last paragraph of the chapter. As you skim, you could write down the main ideas and develop a chapter outline. Detailed reading: for extracting information accurately Where you read every word, and work to learn from the text. In this careful reading, you may find it helpful to skim first, to get a general idea, but then go back to read in detail. Use a dictionary to make sure you understand all the words used. [pic]2. Active reading When youre reading for your course, you need to make sure youre actively involved with the text. Its a waste of your time to just passively read, the way youd read a thriller on holiday. Always make notes to keep up your concentration and understanding. Here are four tips for active reading. Underlining and highlighting Pick out what you think are the most important parts of what you are reading. Do this with your own copy of texts or on photocopies, not with borrowed books. If you are a visual learner, youll find it helpful to use different colours to highlight different aspects of what youre reading. Note key words Record the main headings as you read. Use one or two keywords for each point. When you dont want to mark the text, keep a folder of notes you make while reading. Questions Before you start reading something like an article, a chapter or a whole book, prepare for your reading by noting down questions you want the material to answer. While youre reading, note down questions which the author raises. Summaries Pause after youve read a section of text. Then: 1. put what youve read into your own words; 2. skim through the text and check how accurate your summary is and 3.fill in any gaps. [pic]3. A tip for speeding up your active reading You should learn a huge amount from your reading. If you read passively, without learning, youre wasting your time. So train your mind to learn. Try the SQ3R technique. First developed by researchers at Ohio State University, SQ3R is a useful technique for absorbing written information. It helps you to create a good mental framework of a subject, into which you can fit the right facts. It helps you to set study goals and prompts you to use the review techniques that will help you to remember. The acronym SQ3R stands for the five sequential techniques you should use to read a book: Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review. Survey Gather the information you need to focus on the work and set goals: †¢ Read the title to help prepare for the subject †¢ Read the introduction or summary to see what the author thinks are the key points †¢ Notice the boldface headings to see what the structure is †¢ Notice any maps, graphs or charts. They are there for a purpose †¢ Notice the reading aids, italics, bold face, questions at the end of the chapter. They are all there to help you understand and remember. Question  Help your mind to engage and concentrate. Your mind is engaged in learning when it is actively looking for answers to questions. Make questions that can be answered during the reading of the material. This will give a purpose to your reading. Take a heading and turn it into a question. For example, if a heading in a chapter about Cell Division is in your biology text, make a question by turning the title around: â€Å"How does cell division occur? † or â€Å"How many steps are involved in cell division? † Read Read the first section with your questions in mind. Now you read the material trying to find answers to your questions. This is a careful reading, line by line. You may want to take notes or make flashcards. Recall As you read, look away from your book and notes and try to answer your questions. This checks your learning and helps put that information in your memory. After each section, stop and think back to your questions. See if you can answer them from memory. If not, take a look back at the text. Do this as often as you need to.. Review To check your memory, scan portions of the material or your notes to verify your answers. Review the material and note the main points under each heading. This review step helps you retain the material. The SQ3R method is just one technique that can be used to retain information you collect while reading. Students learn in different ways. Therefore they should be aware of their learning styles. Knowing whether you are an Auditory (learn by hearing), Visual (learn by seeing) or Kinesthetic (hands-on) learner helps you to understand your best learning environment. The SQ3R technique of reading can help to enhance your reading skills no matter what your style is. [pic]4. Spotting authors navigation aids Learn to recognize sequence signals, for example: Three advantages of or A number of methods are available leads you to expect several points to follow. The first sentence of a paragraph will often indicate a sequence:† One important cause of followed by Another important factor and so on, until The final cause of General points are often illustrated by particular examples, for example: General: Birds beaks are appropriately shaped for feeding. Particular: Sparrows and other seed-eating birds have short, stubby beaks; wrens and other insect eaters have thin pointed beaks; herons and other fish hunters have long, sharp beaks for spearing their prey. Whatever you are reading, be aware of the authors background. It is important to recognize the bias given to writing by a writers political, religious, social background. Learn which newspapers and journals represent a particular standpoint [pic]5. Words and vocabulary When youre a graduate people expect you to use a vocabulary which is wider than a school-leavers. To expand your vocabulary: Choose a large dictionary rather than one which is ‘compact or ‘concise. You want one which is big enough to define words clearly and helpfully (around 1,500 pages is a good size). Avoid dictionaries which send you round in circles by just giving synonyms. A pocket dictionary might suggest: ‘impetuous = rash. A more comprehensive dictionary will tell you that impetuous means ‘rushing with force and violence, while another gives ‘liable to act without consideration, and add to your understanding by giving the derivation ‘14th century, from late Latin impetuous = violent. It will tell you that rash means ‘acting without due consideration or thought, and is derived from Old High German rasc = hurried. So underlying these two similar words is the difference between violence and hurrying. There are over 600,000 words in the Oxford English Dictionary; most of them have different meanings, (only a small proportion is synonyms). Avoid dictionaries which send you round in circles by using very complicated language to define the term youre looking up, leaving you struggling to understand half a dozen new words. Keep your dictionary at hand when youre studying. Look up unfamiliar words and work to understand what they mean. Improve your vocabulary by reading widely. Reading skills in a precis form Comprehensions Reading comprehension is a basic skill that each college student must possess. Believe it or not, reading is a complex, accrued skill—not acquired overnight learning to read and comprehend takes practice. Comprehension involves obtaining information from written text. A reader who comprehends a text accurately understands what the writer intended to communicate. She understands the purpose and the main idea. Comprehension cannot be observed directly, but a reader who is able to retell, paraphrase or summarize a text demonstrates comprehension. Interpretation †¢ When a reader interprets a text, he is employing a critical thinking strategy. He uses evidence and clues from the text to draw conclusions and looks for larger or more universal principals in what he has read. Interpretation requires going beyond the initial impression of what he has read to develop a more complex and complete understanding. Analysis †¢ When a reader analyzes the text, she identifies the assumptions of the writer and examines the structure of the argument. She asks questions such as, Does the evidence support the argument? and Does it support the conclusions the writer draws? She is looking for evidence of a logical and/or consistent argument. Synthesis †¢ With synthesis, the skilled reader is able to show how a text develops or builds meaning. He sorts out and reconstructs ideas in a text to point out how they are interrelated. He compares and extends meaning from multiple sources. Evaluation †¢ Evaluation, determining the quality and effectiveness of a text, is the highest level of critical thinking associated with reading, according to Lesley Thompson, Senior Assessment and Accountability Program Associate at the Northwest Regional Education Laboratory. An effective reader evaluates the merit of the text by drawing on her own experience and knowledge and considering whether other sources provide evidence that agrees with or contradicts the writers argument.

Porters Four Generic Competitive Strategies Marketing Essay

Porters Four Generic Competitive Strategies Marketing Essay The company that I has chosen is Dean Foods Company. Dean Foods Company is a leader in the quality branded dairy business in United States. Dean Foods Company was founded in the 1925 by Samuel E.Dean and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The company was formerly known as Suiza Foods Corporation and in December 2001 its changed its name to Dean Foods Company .Its operating as food and beverage company in United States and also knows as multinational corporation their divided their company into 2 segments which is DSD Dairy and WhiteWave-Morningstar which is different company target on different market .like DSD Dairy which target on markets, and distributes various branded and private label dairy case products such as whipping cream, dairy coffee creamers, and ice cream mix and other.The WhiteWave-Morningstar company is target on dairy related products, soy products such as silk soymilk and milk and so on. (http://finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=df). In year 2006 Dean Foods Company have been added into standard and poors 500 index(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%26P_500) and it also in the ranking number 6 in the top 100 food processing company in year 2009 (http://www.foodprocessing.com/top100/) and manage to earn $ 12,454,613  as total revenue in year 2008. (http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=DFannual),ConAgra ,Dairy Farmer of America and Kreadt Food which is the competitor od the Dean Foods Company (http://www.answers.com/topic/dean-foods-company). The corporate vision of Dean Foods Company is Healthy Foods, Healthy Families, Healthy Business and creating value for our owners in long and short-term, by means of profitable dairy activities; to develop, produce and market a broad range of reliable, natural and nutritious dairy products that contribute to well-being and vitality of life; and to recognize that know-how, quality, dedication and leadership of our employees are the most crucial assets to achieve our targets and make stable growth in their business. (http://www.deanfoods.com/our-company.aspx). This is a very important for an organization that in the beginning of the process strategies analysis it should analysis environment. Environmental analysis should be continuous and feed all aspects of planning. The organizations environment analysis is composed as follows 1.0 Internal analysis 1.1 SWOT Analysis SWOT Analysis is plays an important role to evaluate environmental opportunity in relation to the strength and weakness of the organization resources and it relation to the organization culture. (http://deep-swot-analysis-software.smartcode.com/screenshot.html) By using the SWOT analysis we can know the strengths and weakness internal of organization and also The opportunities and threats presented by the external environment to the organization (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_analysis) ,SWOT Analysis with the PEST can be used as a basic for analysis if business and environmental. Because all company are aim for maximizing the profit so that SWOT analysis is normally using for general business planning. Normally SWOT Analysis is creating the value for the company then creating the customer for this value we need to know why we can survive in this market what make us become so special or unique compare to our competitor. What customer need remain unfulfilled in this market and why they will purchase our competitor product and so on. Opportunities are area to add value to our product like doing the promotion and advertisement so that our product will be better known in the market and the threat is how u losing your customer .( http://www.sales-and-marketing-for-you.com/swot-analysis.html). For the example as we know Wal-Mart is a powerful retail brand and also is a value for money, convenience and a wide range of products all within the scope of a stores reputation. Even Wal-Mart is the worlds largest food retailers and the control of the Empire, despite its technological advantages, will make some parts of the country, due to large span of control is weak. This is the main weakness o f the company .they have the opportunity to take over, merger, or other forms of strategic alliance of global retailers, focusing on specific markets such as Europe and the Greater China region because the a the largest food retailer company in this world . But they need always change with time because their competitors not only in the local and also global. (http://marketingteacher.com/SWOT/walmart_swot.htm). 1.2 Value Chain Analysis Value chain analysis is how we create the competitive advantages through adding value in any functional area of business and how it might be using for evaluating competitive advantages. (http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/value-chain-analysis.html) Sources: http://www.remnet.com/porter.html All primary activity will support by the supporting activities which plays an important role in create and maintaining a competitive advantage in current market and it will support by the firm-wide infrastructure. For example McDonalds goes into a win-win relationships with Pret à   manager, a UK sandwich chain which is concentrating on each partners competences. Sources: adapted from American marketing association (2001),Farnham (2001) .case refer to Appendix 1. Through the analysis it will help firm to achieving competitor advantages in different ways which is cost advantage, differentiation and linkages within value activities within the organization and outsourcing activities. Beside that the firm can determine the value of the system in the industry, the various actors in the potential of strategic alliances, its will helps firms to identification of cost drivers by reducing costs and finding ways to optimize the return on the entire value chain links. In addition, the value chain analysis can help firms understand the issues of cost management. For example firm can introduce a new production processes or different sales approach to reducing the cost beside that the firm also can create the differentiation with their competitor by procurement of inputs and make the final product become more unique or either increasing the service level ,finding a cheaper or better suppliers, improve the reliability and flexibility and improve the business processing such as reduce the manufacturing costs, lead time inventory, and avoid the risk in investing in specialized assets . By using this analysis the firm can save a lot of cost and it will increase competitor advantage in the food industry market. 1.3 BCG matrix BCG Matrix is helping the enterprise to determine the product line, analysis their business unit and also allocate resources. Normally it using to analytical tools in brand marketing, product management, strategies management and portfolio of the company. (http://krikor.info/2008/11/bcg-matrix/) (Sources: http://krikor.info/2008/11/bcg-matrix/) Basically the BGC matrix is using to rank the product on the basic of their relative share market and growth rates into four quadrants which show in diagram above. Each represents a different type of business with different strategies and resources requirements. (http://www.maxi-pedia.com/BCG+matrix+model) (http://www.12manage.com/methods_bcgmatrix.html) This model have various advantages which is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬ Enables management assesses the organizations present and future potential and provided base for the management to decide and prepare the next action should be taking. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬ Provides analysis and comparison to multinational companies framework. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬ Provides a good foundation for the formulation and marketing objectives to develop a specific international market. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬ Easy to understand decision-makers through a convenient graphical form à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬ Enables management to make informed decisions. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬Provide access to opportunities and issues related to specific product may be useful insights. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€š ¬Enables management to assess the strength of a company. (http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Bcg-Matrix/164421) By using BCG Matrix analysis, PepsiCo able to market their products and increase their market share and market growth the strategies. In the other hand ,BCG matrix results for PepsiCo is also considered to be inspired by the branding strategy of the company for enhancing the market share and growth of their brands like Frito-lay, Pepsi, Quaker, Tropicana and Gatorade. ( http://ivythesis.typepad.com/term_paper_topics/2009/03/boston-consulting-group-matrix-bcg-on-pepsi-co.html) 2.0 External analysis Is an analysis looking from the outside resources from the company and it might affect the operation of the company. 2.1 PEST Analysis PEST analysis is analysis the external macro-environment that will affect to the entire firm. Its is the short form of politic, economic, social and technology. Its plays an important role to consider by the firm before the organization is starting a marketing process, because some of the factor is no under control of the corporation themselves. ( http://www.netmba.com/strategy/pest/) PEST analysis can be used for business and marketing and strategic planning, product and business development and the research about the market thru the product. The diagram below it shows how PEST analysis can be used for delivery to you from any department or individuals view point of view of the market thru the service and product of the company. (Sources from: http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/pest-analysis.html) PEST analysis has several advantages which is Simple structure Provides an understanding of the business environment. Encourages the development of strategic thinking. May raise consciousness of threats to a project and make the organisations earning profit from it. Can help an organisation to look forward to future difficulty and take action to avoid or minimise their impact Can help an organisation to mark opportunities and make it successfully. (http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-141751393/carrying-out-pest-analysis.html) For example Coca Cola Company is using political analysis which is selling the non alcoholic beverage. Beside that they also using the social analysis by introduce the diet coke to the whole world which nowadays are practicing healthier lifestyles in this action their manage to get 43% of all household in the us citizen to buying their product instead of beer or mineral water (http://www.scribd.com/doc/22274938/Swot-n-Pest-Analysis-of-Nestle-and-Coca-Cola) 2.2 Porter 5 forces It uses the concept of the development of industrial organization economics to derive five kinds of forces to determine the intensity of competition, develop a broad and sophisticated analysis of competitive position and the markets attractiveness. In this regard, the appeal refers to the profitability of the industry. This model can help us to define the threats and opportunities in surroundings our business and creating the strategies or decision about the organization. The diagram below is shows about the how the process and what should we focus when we making decision of the porter 5 forces: (http://www.maxi-pedia.com/Five+Forces+model+by+Michael+Porter) By using this analysis it can bring some benefit to the corporation which is Understanding the competitive forces in your industry. Assessing the attractiveness of, and growth opportunities within, a new industry. Developing effective strategies to raise your profitability, power, and competitive (http://www.strategy4u.com/assessment_tools/info.php?s=2) 2.3 Scenario Analysis Scenario analysis typically focuses on how to estimate the portfolios value will fall if the adverse events, or worst case, a reality. Scenarios involving different rates of reinvested earnings are expected to a horizon, we will re-investment return on investment. (http://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/scenario_analysis.asp) Even the scenario analysis doesnt tell you what should do to meet the customer needs and wants but they can help you understand the potential impact and benefits of different methods. Lets put in front of you all the possible results can help you make the best decision. This analysis has some advantages which is: Multiple scenarios can alert organisation when their facing some uncertainties planning which for future. scenarios help to overcome the tendency to be overconfident and base construction planning on a best guess about the future, scenarios raise the quality of strategic thinking and broaden perspectives, Scenarios help to develop robust strategies regarding different possible futures. (Sources: http://www.projectmara.com/134.0.html) 3.0 Introduction Strategy formulation is vital to the well-being of an organization, it using three phases to analysis the strategy management process which is diagnosis, formulation and implementation to help the corporation to achieve organizational goal. In the three aspects of strategy formulation it can dividend into various level of strategies which is business level strategies, corporation level strategies and international strategies. Each strategy was a different focus, need to address the strategic development and management phases and it support and affect between each other. It should be consistent for a mutually supportive way, constitute an integrated together hierarchy of strategies. 3.1 The relationship between corporate level strategies, business level strategies and international level strategies. The corporate level is thinking about what business are we in? How we created by the value of your business and ensure your business will successful in long-term period by managing your portfolio of business. To ensure that all operations are compatible, we need to develop the business units, and sometimes to make sure each business in your portfolio are compatible with each other. The business level is thinking about how we achieve the goal or an objective which was set by the corporate level. Normally this level will support by the functional to ensure it will be success. The international level is how we finding a new opportunity or other resources to our corporate to ensure it can be survive in the long term period and make sure it have the competitive advantages among our competitor. In other to come up with strategies, there are 2 approaches we need to consider which is 3.2 Resources based approach The two fundamental reason for making the resources and capabilities of the firm are Internal resources and capabilities which provide the basic direction for a firms strategies and resources and capabilities which are the primary sources of profit for the firm. Normally the resources based view will base on internal strength of the organization and compete with external environment. The diagram below is outline the framework of 5 stages to procedure which analysis the strategies formulation of the firm based on the resources based approach (http://books.google.com.my/books?hl=enlr=id=Pv3wzZ0z7R0Coi=fndpg=PA135dq=resources+based+approach+to+strategies+formulationots=E0iz50x-w-sig=FBf9lP-Lv1qJkXrVAj4lIx9bAU8#v=onepageqf=false) RBV explains that a firms sustainable competitive advantage is reached by virtue of unique resources which these resources have the characteristics of being rare, valuable, inimitable, non-tradable, and non-substitutable as well as firm specific. (Sources: Barney 1999 cited by Finney et al.2004, p.1722) For example McDonald using the Resources based approach to ensure their become more unique compare to their competitor and gain some competitive advantages in the market. In order to have a unique ability they use the M as their logo, so that all customers know that this is a glance of the McDonalds restaurant. They prepare French fries and hamburgers as their trademark in the other hand, McDonalds, it is obvious they have the courage ability to face the fact that competition with other international fast food chains. With its enormous market share and the experience in this industry for many years, other companies that they have strengths and the other party is difficult to imitate by other companies (http://www.mightystudents.com/essay/Use.Resource.Based.49020) 3.3 Porter 5 force 2.0 Business Level Business strategy and framework to achieve a specific level of the enterprise and make the organization become successful. Usually involves the company will decide how to compete in our chosen business or strategic business units. (Strategy Formulation benefits http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/encyclopedia/Str-The/Strategy-Formulation.html#ixzz0lqGsD9b3) Adopted from Michael E. Portel(1980) Competitive strategy is about being different. It means deliberately choosing to perform activities differently or to perform different activities than rivals to deliver a unique mix of value 2.1 Porters Four Generic Competitive Strategies Porters Four Generic Competitive Strategies is about how to make become so unique in the market and how to make the product got competitive advantage .Four strategies involved, and to what extent the wide range of activities of enterprises, and how to make their commercial products to distinguish themselves. Differentiation strategy will usually charge higher prices to increase product value, using the value-added features, service, convenience, quality customer. Such as the Mercedes-Benz car company, the premium price for the customer to buy a car, because it makes the buyer willing to pay that there is significant value to the car. ( http://tutor2u.net/business/strategy/competitive_advantage.htm) Cost leadership strategy is how to provide low-cost products and services than their competitors. This strategy is often used when a similar product or substitute products in market and price competition in the market is dominated by the price-sensitive buyers. Through sustained, exceptional efforts to reduce costs, and ensure that these strategies can be used successfully in the market. For example, Tescos competitors will do their shop daily price surveys to ensure that their products sold in cheaper prices to the other. ( http://www.tesco.com/todayattesco/pricecheck.shtml) Cost focus is a strategy which concentrates in a narrow focus and customer segments to the lowest price competition, and strives to lower costs than the competition advantage. For example a small shop on a side -street in a town in which they will order the clothes at lower price, or the cheapest electronic equipments which made in china. Different focus strategies is emphasis is concentrated in a narrow customer base, and competition through a variety of different features for example a high -fashion womens handbag ,clothes ,shoes and other. 2.2 Market positioning The key concept of the market positioning is how to make your product and service become unique and competitive advantages in the market by using pricing, quality, service, distribution and packaging. For example the product Nyquil was conceived as an excellent cough during the day but it will make people become sleepy after consume it. Because of the side effect of sleepiness, the company has be repositioning it and it become the night machine and help the company gain a cold remedy market .(http://www.tenonline.org/art/mm1/9305.html) 3.0 Corporate levels Corporate level is the scope of the different industries and markets the organization and considers what changes and strategies should be made in the growth of our goals or objectives. In the corporate level it got three components are useful which is 3.1 Growth strategies Ansoff matrix is a tool that helps business decides which strategy should be used and set the strategic direction for the business. It can be shown in the following chart: (http://tutor2u.net/business/strategy/ansoff_matrix.htm) In particular, the risk factors have increased further the strategy moves away from the known quantity, therefore, product development and marketing generally involves greater risk than `infiltration and diversity generally carries the greatest risk. 3.2 Portfolio analysis Portfolio analysis is concerned with making decision about the portfolio of lines of business or strategies business unit but not the companys portfolio of individual product. BCG growth share matrix model, which can help us analyze, as an industrial exhibition in the industry growth and market share related to the relative attractiveness of competitiveness indicators. McKinsey matrix is that it can be considered by both the industry attractiveness and competitive strategy customized composite variable. Single business strategy is very successful by using this method for example the early strategies of McDonalds, Coca-Cola company some of the advantage using this strategies is less ambiguity about who are and what we do ,concentrate the efforts of the total organization ,focus on long-term profits. 3.3 Corporate parenting This is a multi-related business, which involves the allocation of resources and management capacity, and in the whole portfolio of business activities. it need making some decision for business in below How to allocated the resources The critical factors make each business unit success and how to improve it Coordination of activities and ability to transfer between business units 4.0 International levels International strategy can also serve as global business, is close to the current market to the global market. Through the international strategy it will help companies creating new sources of competition, opened up new opportunities in the existing market. This is the 3 basic reasons why nowadays company will going international In order to increase sales and profits, multinational companies can expand market outlets, to open up development opportunities. Overseas sales can absorb additional capacity, reduce unit costs. They can also spread the risk of a wide range of market economy In order to gain a competitive advantage, multinational companies can find low-cost production facilities shut down and raw materials or cheaper labor. They can expand their distribution channels and access new technologies through joint ventures. In order to ensure raw material resources, transnational corporations engaged in global exploration, processing, transportation and marketing, raw materials (http://www.marcbowles.com/courses/adv_dip/module11/chapter7/amc11_ch7_two.htm) 4.1 Type of international strategies As we know they got 4 types of international strategy which is global strategies, transnational strategy, international strategy and multi-domestic strategies different strategies also got pros and corns which will show in the chart below Type of international strategies Global strategies Transnational strategies Multi-domestic strategies International strategy Advantages -Local economies. -Scale economies -Core competencies exchangeable. -Experience and location economies. -Locally responsive. Confers almost total local responsiveness on the products / services -Core competencies are exported to gain cost advantages through lower labour and transportation costs. -Limited local responsiveness Disadvantages -Unresponsive to local demand -Difficult to implement. -The term transnational may be used differently from person to person. There is no universally agreed definition. -Limited transfer of core competencies. -Limited experience and location economies. -Tends to produce a form of local autonomy which makes the local unit unresponsive to corporate headquarters -Limited local responsiveness. -Limited flexibility because of limited experience and location economies. Example Electronic goods such as TV and VCR. Motor vehicles. Shell, Unilever, Caterpillar Older MNEs of European origin Computers Foods Pharmaceuticals (Adopted from Zaleski, J. E. 2004, A lesson to learn: How automakers survive globalisation, Bangkok Post , 18 May, p. 2.) (Adopted from Hill 2005, Chapter 12, pp. 427-433.) 4.2 Franchising Top of Form Bottom of Form A commercial organization, which has been in charge of a company in exchange for a successful product or service to continue to work with other businesses operating under the franchisors trade name, and under the guidance and the franchisee, usually a contract relations . (http://www.investorwords.com/2078/franchise.html) For example McDonald after they selling the franchising to the local company their will provided the training to the staff in the restaurant and teaching them how to organize the business. ( http://www.mcdonalds.com.my/abtus/franchise/faq.htm) 4.2 Licensing Licensing is a business arrangement, one of the companies to another companys license to manufacture its products for a specified payment. By licensing patents, trademarks, copyrights, design your business, and other intellectual property rights to others. For example about 90 percent of the $160 million a year in sales at Calvin Klein Inc. comes from licensing the designers name to makers of underwear, jeans and perfume. ( http://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/term/82376.html) http://www.netmba.com/strategy/pest/ http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/pest/

A Comparison of Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold and Prayer Before Brith b

A Comparison of Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold and Prayer Before Brith by Louis MacNeice 'Dover Beach' by Matthew Arnold, written in 1867, and 'Prayer Before Birth' written in 1951 by Louis MacNeice share many similarities despite being written nearly on hundred years apart from each other. This essay will explore the issues and ideas that both poems share, in addition to drawing attention to some of the key differences. 'Dover Beach' is about the thoughts of a man on his honeymoon, who shares his sentiments about the suffering of the world and that fact that his 'love' is the only thing which is positive about his life. 'Prayer Before Birth' describes the thoughts of an unborn child, making a plea to be kept safe against the dangers of the earth. Both poems refer to, are about, are interested in, and are concerned with criticism of the world, and distressed narrators; while some differences can be observed. For example: The unborn child in 'Prayer Before Birth' is certain of what the world is like, and he knows what might happen to him. Matthew Arnold, on the other hand expresses uncertainty in his poem. Even with slight differences, the predominant themes /preoccupations of the two poems are the same. It is clear that both poets feel disillusioned with life, and consider that there is little in life which is joyful or cause for optimism. Indeed, Matthew Arnold refers to a world which, "Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light, nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain." Louis MacNeice is much more specific in is list of things which bring pain to individuals: the lectures of old men, the strife with bureaucracy, the humilia... ... free thinking of his own. To him, this is a fate worse than death, and he would rather die. What I think, is that the two poems are similar, because they are both evoke depressed feelings coming form the poet. Especially 'Prayer Before Birth', because how can a fetus be so incredibly pessimistic? 'Dover Beach' in my opinion is more poetic and more symbolic, and much more profound; whereas 'Prayer Before Birth' is more superficial and straightforward. I personally preferred 'Dover Beach' because of its vivid imagery, and subtle references to religion. I also feel sorry for Matthew Arnold, because when he wrote that beautiful poem, he was feeling anxiety, and uncertainty. He defiantly was not content whilst writing 'Dover Beach.' On the other hand I believe that Louis MacNeice was being cynical, and narrow minded.

Supernatural in Shakespeares Macbeth - Role of the Witches Essay

The Role of the Witches in Macbeth  Ã‚   When Shakespeare wrote his play, Macbeth in 1606 a large majority of people were interested in witchcraft. This is why Shakespeare made the witches and the witches’ prophecies play a major part in the storyline of the play. In the time of Macbeth witches were not thought to be supernatural beings themselves, but supposedly gained their powers by selling their souls to Satan. There can be little doubt that most of Shakespeare’s audience would have believed in witches, and for the purpose of the play, at least, Shakespeare also accepted their reality. The three witches in the tragedy Macbeth are introduced at the beginning of the play and the brief opening few scenes give an immediate impression of mystery, horror and uncertainty. This is a sign of things to come as witchcraft is used as one of the main themes of the play. The witches create an atmosphere of evil and disorder. In the opening scene the weather is thunder and lightning which is a mirror image of the way the witches are perceived. When you think of thunder and lightning you think of evil and destruction, this is exactly the way witches are represented in this play. They are evil and cause destruction in Macbeth’s life. Banquo says in act 1 scene 3 line 124: "The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray's In deepest consequence." He thinks and says bad things of the witches. He calls them instruments of darkness and the devil. He believes that these prophecies will only bring harm even before anything begins to happen. He sees beyond the witches and can see that they are evil where as Macbeth is taken in by the witches and this ‘blindness’ is what causes his downhill spiral o... ...e is responsible for his own destiny. This is an essential theme in this tragedy. Macbeth chooses to gamble with his soul and when he does this it is only him who chooses to lose it. He is responsible for anything he does and must take total accountability for his actions. Macbeth is the one who made the final decision to carry out his actions. He made these final decisions and continued with the killings to cover that of King Duncan. However where as some facts show that the results were all of his own doing, in act 4 he returns to the witches voluntarily to find out his fate in order to see what actions he should take. This suggests that the witches did have a great influence on his actions. Work Cited Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. Ed. X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 7th ed. New York: Longman, 1999.