Rites of Passage for Mesai and Nubian culture Research Paper

Rites of Passage for Mesai and Nubian culture - Research Paper Example In the Maasai culture, ceremonies are used as a way of expressing their culture and self-determination. All the ceremonies form a part of their lives because they are rites of passage. The younger Maasai boys and girls get very anxious to reach the right age and qualify to go through these rites of passage. The pre-circumcision ceremony referred to as Enkipaata is the first boy’s initiation. It is arranged by the fathers of the new age-set group. The ceremony is carried out only when the senior warriors have been settled. Boys aged between 14-16 years later move all around their land in a period of about five months giving information that they will be forming their new age-set. The boys going through initiation are offered a house which has been built in their respect. The Maasai prophet, known as Oloiboni, is responsible for choosing the location of the houses where all the boys of the whole community will be initiated. During this process, the chief of the boys, known as Olopolosi, is chosen, although this position is considered by the community as unfortunate. This is because the chief of the boys is the person supposed to carry all the sins committed by members of his age-group. The boys to be initiated are supposed to sleep in the forest, and at dawn they run towards the homestead and go in with a raider’s attitude. They dance throughout the day of the ceremony dressed in loose clothes. It is after this ceremony that the boys are ready for circumcision. The circumcision ceremony is the most important rite of passage in the Maasai community, for men and women. It is the process that develops young girls and boys from childhood to adulthood. However, due to upcoming challenges of civilization and the 21st century, circumcision for Maasai women has been fading over the years. Once a Maasai boy has been circumcised, they become warriors. After becoming warriors, they fully take the responsibility

Strategy of Constellation Brands Literature review

Strategy of Constellation Brands - Literature review Example There is little question that Constellation is truly a diverse global company. According to the company website, the corporate structure of the company is broken into three divisions which are Constellation Wines North America (Which also controls Vincor Canada), Constellation services which is a joint venture with the Gruppo Modello of Mexico under the name of Crown Imports LLC. Lastly, there is Constellation International which controls Constellation Europe, New Zealand and Australia respectively. With Respect to branding within the firm, in terms of the spirits, product offering is varied across product lines but the common trait is that all the spirits on offer are premium and mid-premium brands. (Vedka Vodka, Black Velvet Rye, and Paul Masson Grand Amber Brandy). According to Gershberg & Geller (2009), Constellation had recently sold off its value spirits brand ‘Sazerac Co’ which had accounted for approximately two-thirds of the company’s 2008 spirits sales i n terms of volume however it is the case that this division is estimated only at accounting for 30% of the profit. As was stated on the company website it is the case that the focus remains on well-known brands which in turn provides name recognition to customers. According to the company website (2009), the popular Mexican brands controlled by Constellation through its joint venture are Corona Extra, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Pacifico and Negra Modelo. Other major international brands controlled by the company are St. Pauli Girl from Germany and Tsingtao from China. All of which are considered premium and semi-premium brands. The company also has a number of what it dubs ‘other’ beverages which are malt liquors, ciders, and fortified wine.

Project Management Techniques Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Project Management Techniques - Essay Example This case is a project aimed at upgrading the staff computers from Windows XP to Windows 7. It should be accomplished during the winter and spring 2011/2012, and shall be carried out by the six member in-house technical support unit of the organization. By the project’s end, all 400 computers located in the company’s 30 locations situated around England should be running on Windows 7. The computers presently are of varied types and specifications, and by project’s end should be running on Windows 7 without compromising or unduly interrupting the regular workload. The purpose of this report is to examine the project management tools that may be used to provide a systematic means of addressing the project’s planning and implementation. The project shall provide the context for discussion, but a full blown analysis is not attempted at this point. Prescribed Project Management Tools This section provides a cursory examination of the traditional project managem ent tools and comment on their applicable use in the context of this project. The traditional tools that will be discussed are the Gantt chart, the PERT method, the Logic Network, the Product Breakdown Structure, and the Work Breakdown Structure. ... In contemporary use, the importance of the Gantt chart as an industry standard is that the time and functional interdependencies of the various tasks are rendered immediately visible (Haughey, 2011). In the figure following, a Gantt chart is presented that may well serve as the initial conceptualization of the project plan. Here it is assumed that the group of six technicians will work in two teams, each team having one member that is familiar with end user requirements. Each of the teams will address half or the 30 locations, and each location can be addressed in two days (including travelling time). The initial schedule is thus laid out in the Gantt chart for one team. Author created The above chart is tentative and not executable for lack of additional data. If the tasks for each location could be broken down further (e.g. hardware modification, software installation, troubleshooting, etc.) and scheduled, e a more detailed and reliable chart results. Even in its tentative state, t hough, it already presents a useful rendition of the work intended and points out what other information are necessary to obtain. Logic Network The Logic Network depicts the series of activities that a project undergoes. The logical and sequential relationships of tasks are emphasized, and may provide information such as the critical path and the important milestones of the project. As with the Gantt chart, the dependencies are established between the timescale, the project elements, and the workflow ((Haughey, 2011). Author created For this case, the Logic Network shown above pertains to the activity of each team for each trip it takes to one of the 15 locations scheduled for it. In the team, a group of three

British Petroleum America, Inc Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

British Petroleum America, Inc - Case Study Example According to the research findings BP had a clean history until the oil spill. A look into its history proves that at least in principle, the company gave attention to health, safety, and environmental standards. For example, in the year 2005 alone, the company invested nearly $ 8 million on promoting the production and marketing of low carbon power from alternative energy sources like solar, wind, and natural gas. Moreover, the company took initiatives to provide low cost liquefied petroleum gas to low income customers. In addition, the company claims that the company prepared new principles in the year 2005 in order to address the increased demand for environmental vigilance. Thus, it becomes evident that the company was very careful to create an environmentally ethical image as it had to access environmentally sensitive areas like Alaska. It was in March 2006 that the worst oil spill in the history of the company took place in the North Slope of Alaska’s tundra. It took fiv e days to discover the oil leak, and by that time, nearly 200000 to 270000 gallons of crude oil spilled into the area. Though the exact reason of the spill is still unknown, the company has been criticized by many for its improper maintenance of pipelines. In fact, the responsibility to maintain and operate the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System where the leak took place is with the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. But BP cannot evade from its responsibility to oversee that proper maintenance takes place. Though the primary reason, according to many, is the aging and deterioration of the pipelines in the supply system, there are various factors that are believed to be the cause of early deterioration and leakage. The first such factor is the diminishing quality of the crude oil that passes through the pipeline (p. 12). It is pointed out that as more and more oil exploration takes place, the quality of crude oil has declined substantially. The company spokesperson opines that the reason b ehind corrosion can be the presence of water and sediment in the oil (p. 12). On the other hand, the opinion of Steve Marshall, the president of BP Exploration, is that the reason lies in the presence of an emulsion-breaking additive in the oil. The ultrasonic tests conducted in the year 2005 identified increasing corrosion in the pipeline, and as a result, the company increased the budget for pipeline maintenance, and increased the frequency of pipeline inspections. Despite all these efforts, the leak took place at a place where the pipe was buried underground. Anyway, the company and its environmental policies have become a center of media attention. In addition, the Office of Pipeline Safety has directed BP to conduct thorough repairs and investigations and to report the same to the office. The company can use the pipeline only after it receives permission from the federal agency. In addition, the company is likely to face a fine that can go up to $ 2.1 million (p. 10). Lastly, t he efforts of the company to present itself as a ‘green’ one has faced a serious set back due to the incident. 1. From the very beginning

Reasons behind Organisations Seeking Control on Its Various Essay - 1

Reasons behind Organisations Seeking Control on Its Various Operational Dimensions - Essay Example According to the research findings, the organizations have attempted to render greater interests in order to control their internal business activities and obtain advantageous competitive benefits identified in the external environment of the business. Moreover, it can be observed that the modern business organizations are highly focused on evaluating a range of useful mechanistic processes in order to enhance their power of controlling and obtaining greater competitive advantages in the global market.In order to obtain a critical understanding of the current day scenario, the various aspects associated with the accomplishment of the organizational goal, i.e. to seek control in different situations, will be evaluated. Additionally, to provide the discussion with firm evidence, the illustration of Marks & Spencer plc (M&S) strategies will be taken into account. According to Jensen, human communication is recognized as a transmission method, through which the conversation conveys one l ocation to another and is possible only when the messages are transferred from a mechanistic perspective. It is in this context that analysts who adopt mechanistic perspective believe that the concepts of communications are causally associated. Specifically, the mechanistic perspective in the communication process involves a linear relationship between the communicator and the channels through which the message is delivered. Moreover, Sorokin has also mentioned that a mechanistic perspective model possesses the capacity of understanding any complex system through the investigation of its particular characteristics as well as the interrelation persisting between the variables. The model is usually integrated with physical aspects where the system elements are identified as real and visible. With reference to the notion of mechanistic models, it can be observed as based on elements which are incorporated in a discrete manner that cannot be physically observed.

Minimum Wage Increase Essay Essay Example for Free

Minimum Wage Increase Essay Essay Most people would agree that raising the minimum wage sounds like a good idea, but arguments arise concerning if this increase would benefit the economy. Jared Bernstein believes that a minimum wage increase would positively affect the American economy. He argues that the economy is driven by consumer spending and low ­income workers are very likely to spend their extra earned money. On the contrary, Douglas Holtz ­Eakin strives to make the point that raising the minimum wage would not be beneficial to the economy. He argues that there would be no reduction in poverty because only a small percent of minimum wage workers are in poverty, while most are unemployed. An examination of raising the minimum wage will reveal why it will benefit American society. According to Jared Bernstein raising the minimum wage would help. Bernstine suggests that the American economy is made up of 70 percent consumer spending. He argues that an extra dollar earned by a wealthy person is less likely to be spent than an extra dollar earned by a low ­income person. In addition Bernstein points out that this leads to the low ­income worker being much more likely to consume their extra dollar of earnings. Similarly one might argue that a minimum wage increase that directly raises the pay of a relatively small share of the workforce by a small amount is unlikely to be a big deal. Raising the minimum wage is a growth strategy and should be used to try to revive our economy. The wage increase would help families struggling on minimum wage salaries. These families would see these new earni ngs as a chance to spend on new things and will slightly help macroeconomic growth. Helping the economy on the margin while also helping these families make ends meet. One should conclude that raising the minimum wage will help families in need and in terms help the economy. According to Douglas Holtz ­Eakin Raising the federal minimum wage will neither reduce poverty nor boost growth. Holtz ­Eakin suggests that increasing the minimum wage would ensure that m illions of Americans got raises that they would presumably turn right around and spend. He argues that unfortunately the money for a raise has to come out of the wallet of another American. In addition Holtz ­Eakin points out that the minimum wage hike for one low ­wage worker comes directly out of the pocket of another. In contrast one might suggest that the wage increase is neither anti ­poverty nor stimulus. According to Holtzs article companies may not be able to hire as many workers if the wage is increased. The money may not come directly from another working americans pocket but it has to come from somewhere. Businesses may suffer from the increase. Some businesses may not even be able to hire as many employees as necessary, taking away jobs. One should conclude that increasing the wage may harm other americans not directly affected by the increase. According to Jared bernstein the moderate increases in the minimum wage boost the earnings of most low ­wage workers without leading to large employment losses. He argues that The increase favored by the president and congressional Democrats, would place the real value of the wage floor back where it was in th e late 1960s. In addition Bernstein suggests that this increase would directly affect about 13 percent of the workforce. He argues a vast majority of low wage families would benefit from the increase. Similarly one might suggest that some families struggling to make ends meet have 2 or 3 minimum wage jobs. These families with multiple minimum wage jobs will greatly benefit from the increase. This research does not put into account that many families struggling on minimum wage have multiple minimum wage jobs. Now these families would have extra earnings to make ends meet and stimulate the economy. Since minimum wage workers are more likely to spend their extra dollars,the american economy will benefit from extra consumer spending. One should conclude that raising the minimum wage would help lower class families who depend on minimum wage. According to Douglas Holtz ­Eakin the minimum wage is a poor tool to fight poverty because it does not target those in poverty. Holtz ­Eakin suggests that only 2 percent of workers earn the minimum wage, and only 20 percent of those are in poverty. He argues that the reality is that the dividing line between being poor and being non ­poor is having a job. In addition Holtz ­Eakin points out that only 7 percent of those who have a job are in poverty, while more than 27.5 percent of those without jobs are poor.

The Life And Work Of Elvis Presley Music Essay

The Life And Work Of Elvis Presley Music Essay Elvis Presley is one of the greatest artists of all time the changes that he went through during his career was controversial and also a success. Elvis changed music genres during his career, his distinctive way of entertaining the audience, and many people praise him as a great icon. Marcus Greil has praised Elvis for his influences on people, a great entertainer, but besides being able to capture the attention by the fans, there is a negative standpoint where Greil states Elvis lacks in his originality. People focus on the peripheral features and the commercialized product he became and Marcus views Elvis attitude toward music is different, instead of concentrating on one genre, he transformed himself multiple times to become part of the music trend. People would recognize for his deep tone voice, his signature dance moves on stage, and his self image. I agree with Marcus praise towards Elvis because he is popular for his talent in the entertainment industry and how Elvis became a product of what people wanted him to be. Elvis career slowly developed and changed through many types of genres, Greil states, The cultural range of his music has expanded to the point where it includes not only the hits of the day, but also patriotic recitals, pure country gospel, and really dirty blues (Marcus, 1975, p.121). Elvis was successfully able that he could do many genres not just what he was good at such as rock n roll. In the Mid 1950s rock and roll lecture, Echard (2011) discussed how he was exposed to different genres when he was growing up, Elvis was extremely open minded in terms of musical style. Some of the kind of music he enjoyed included: hymns and gospel, country music, R+B, and TPA pop. As an amateur he used to sing all these kinds of music (slide 7). This gave him an advantage to become a great singer, and be very flexible in what he did, he was able to transform his image and change into a different direction of genre , Almost as soon as he got to RCA, Elvis image began to soften a little and his material moved in a more pop direction (Echard,14). Besides looking at the singers artistic abilities, Marcus have incorporated nationalism and Rock and Roll together, Marcus posited a notion of Americanism that would embrace rock n roll in its entirety (Mazullo, 2000,145). Elvis was very important part of Americas music history and Marcus that he represented inventing new creativity to the music in the quote he mentioned, If they define different versions of America, Presleys career almost has the scope to take America in (Marcus,121). This shows that he was important part of the Rock and roll history, Elvis was able to show America, certain music genres was not just for Black or White people, I think may have brought a rebellious side but at the same time it is making a statement to country. In Marcus perspective of Rock and roll gives a confidence image to the audience, rock and roll was best understood as a cultural form that worked against the American grain, because of its antiestablishment message, while still representing a distinctive national character (Mazullo,145). People critiqued him at the start of his career doing something very different, media was a big help with developing him as a big artist, It was through the influential TV performances that Presleys early somatic presence was relayed to homes in America (Sewlall,2010,47). This point goes back to Marcus (1975) that the opportunity to create new material in music is not there, his presentation of mastery the grandest fantasy of freedom, but it is finally a counterfeit of freedom: it takes place in a world that for all its openness (Everybody Welcome!) is aesthetically closed(Marcus,123). Popularity became important when media was important, Echard (2011) discussed in the Mid 1950s Rock and roll lecture, the radio was important and a lot of people were exposed to the music. Later on, it led to marketing other artists, such as teen idols. In the lecture of 1958-1964, Echard (2011) discussed the personality became more important than the music, which is an issue because it took away their chances to compose original songs, Teen idols were invariably young and cute. Often they were inexperienced performers with comparatively weak voices and mild personas when compared to the first- generation rock and rollers. They were usually accompanied by studio musicians rather than by bands of their own (slide 5). This represented the country, being able to put attractive music to the audience was important to the music market. There was also an issue of what kind of artist they wanted him to be because record because they thought they want to satisfy the majority of the population, Elvis was marketed as the hillbilly catElvis came to national attention, the first impulse of a larger record industry was to market him as a country musician. (Echard,2011, slide 11). This supports what Marcus critiqued about Elvis, people want to advertise and control in a certain way that we lost the sense of originality, Other critiques that he discussed in the book The mystery train was while his fame was rising the meaning of music was fading away, The golorious oppression of that presentation parallels the all-but-complete assimilation of a revolutionary musical style into the mainstream of American culture, where no one is challenged and no one is threatened (Marcus,123). New teen idols, applies with the quote how they did not need to worry who wrote the better song, Echard (2011) discussed an example of Frankie Avalon i n the 1958-1964 lecture, his image was less dangerous than Elvis. His music was intended for the youth Audience. Elvis was portrayed as perfection, he had the physical attributes about him, it influenced people to be drawn to his personality, he was the typical guy girls wanted, Greil quoted, great artist, a great rocker, a great purveyor of shlock, a great heart throb, a great bore, a great symbol of potency, a great ham, a great nice person, and, yes, a great American (Marcus,121). Everything that is described here, I believe is just the peripheral characteristics of Elvis that is shown to us, Marcus has a good standpoint of Elvis capability to just to please his fans by the presentation of his performance. Even though he lacked originality, he showed a confidence in his music which showed through his performance, he was able to interpret other peoples songs better than the original version by another artist, and to know that even though other signers would have come up with a version of the new black music is acceptable to teenage America, of who did emerge in Elviss wake, none sang as powerfully, or with more than a touch of his magic (Marcus ,141). The story of his humble life and to rise to fame, I believe that many people were inspired in him in some way even if someone was trying to become an artist or becoming something else, he was relatable to the general public even though he presented with a lot of star qualities, Marcus stated in his book, A real glow passes and forth between Elvis and his audience, as he shares a bit of what it means to transcend the world of weakness, failure, worry age and fear, shows what it means for a boy who sprung the poor to be godly and shares tha t too. (Marcus,127) Greil Marcus presented with relevant arguments about Elvis Presleys development of his career, he presented the disadvantage of the emerging lack of original songs written by the artist because the production became the important part of making a successful single. Marcus had a strong understanding of Americas new music trend and being able to explain that Rock n roll was influential even though it is not a popular genre today. Media was important to promote the artist, Elvis Presley was able to perfect his presentation, which did not matter, if he wrote a song or not, his technical skills and the image was already the total package, his influences of performances influenced other artists. His legacy has left an imprint in the music industry, most people today are still able to recognize who is, songs that he did have been done by the artist today.