THE PEREGRINE FALCON Essays - Falco, Birds Of North America

THE PEREGRINE FALCON Essays - Falco, Birds Of North America THE PEREGRINE FALCON Speech topic: The Peregrine Falcon Specific purpose: to inform my audience about the size, appearance, range, hunting and eating habits, and other characteristics. INTRODUCTION ANECDOTE One afternoon an American pilot stationed in Germany was in a free dive with his jet, engines on but not propelling him downward faster than gravity would allow. He looked out to his side and saw a small bird in a dive nearby. He was surprised to see a bird this close to the plane, but not nearly as surprised as he was when he noticed that it was going faster than him, literally passing him. It was a Peregrine Falcon. BODY I. Falcons are the most streamlined birds of prey. A. The Peregrine Falcon has been determined to be the fastest moving animal known to man. 1. It has been clocked electronically traveling at 217 miles per hour in a dive of 45 degrees in Germany. 2. It has been calculated that a Peregrine may be able to reach speeds upwards of 250 miles per hour in a vertical stoop, or dive. 3. The Peregrine's ability to reach such speeds poses more problems than one might think. It does not merely have to be streamlined; the bones, sinews, and muscles must be able to withstand the forces put upon them during maneuvering and braking and its senses must be highly refined and its reactions quick. 4. It also has to breathe during its dives. For this its nostrils are modified so that the flow of air is broken up with a ridge around the nostril, a rod inside it, and two fins at the end of the rod allowing it to breathe easily. A similar structure is found in most other fast flying birds of prey. B. The Peregrine Falcon shares its characteristics with 52 other species of falcon worldwide. Five of them are found on the east coast, the American Kestrel, the Merlin, the Prairie Falcon, the Gyrfalcon, and the Peregrine Falcon. 1. Falcons have pointed wings and narrow, longish tails. 2. They also fly with quick wingbeats similar to those of a pigeon. 3. They all hunt in a similar manner, diving at their prey from above. II. The Peregrine's speed makes it a dangerous predator. A. Prey is caught after a swift dive with nearly closed wings and is either killed in the air by being struck at about half of its top diving speed with the talons or is carried to the ground and killed. B. They also sweep birds from their perches or from the ground, as evident from their occasional thefts of poultry C. Peregrines feed mainly on birds but also on mammals such as young hares and mice and occasionally amphibians and insects. D. Because of its size, 15-20", about the size of a crow, pigeons are a favorite prey, grouse are often caught on moors, and seabirds usually around cliffs. E. After catching their prey, it is taken to a special feeding place where it is plucked before being eaten. F. The Peregrine's hunting ability is also used to keep other birds away from airfields. G. In the Arabian deserts, trained Peregrines are even flown at such birds as large as buzzards, often times killing up to seven or eight of them a day, to keep them off certain areas of property. III. The Peregrine is found all over the world. A. Most often the Peregrine lives in rocky mountainous areas or along the coastline on sea cliffs, where its appearance blends in best. 1. Its patterns and coloration are clear indicators of its species. a. The most striking characteristic, the main indicator of the Peregrine, are its heavy, slate-blue to black "sideburns," which probably absorb light so as to minimize the glare from the ground, enabling it to see its prey more clearly. b. The adults are slaty-backed, and barred and spotted on white below. c. The young birds are brown and heavily streaked, rather than barred and spotted. B. Sometimes they are found in forests, on open plains, and on moors. C. More recently they have been introduced to and/or nested on their own on the ledges of skyscrapers, cathedrals, or other tall buildings in urban areas. IV. Peregrines mate for life and use the same nest site year after year. A. Each pair

Why You Should Use Reusable Shopping Bags

Why You Should Use Reusable Shopping Bags The next time the clerk at your favorite grocery store asks whether you prefer â€Å"paper or plastic† for your purchases, consider giving the truly eco-friendly response and saying, â€Å"neither.† Plastic bags end up as litter that fouls the landscape and kill thousands of marine animals every year that mistake the floating bags for food. Plastic bags that get buried in landfills may take up to 1,000 years to break down, and in the process, they separate into smaller and smaller toxic particles that contaminate soil and water. Furthermore, the production of plastic bags consume millions of gallons of oil that could be used for fuel and heating. Is Paper Better Than Plastic? Paper bags, which many people consider a better alternative to plastic bags, carry their own set of environmental problems. For example, according to the American Forest and Paper Association, in 1999 the U.S. alone used 10 billion paper grocery bags, which adds up to a lot of trees, plus a lot of water and chemicals to process the paper. Reusable Bags Are a Better Option But if you decline both paper and plastic bags, then how do you get your groceries home? The answer, according to many environmentalists, is high-quality reusable shopping bags made of materials that don’t harm the environment during production and don’t need to be discarded after each use. You can find a good selection of high-quality reusable bags online, or at most grocery stores, department stores, and food co-operatives. Experts estimate that 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed and discarded annually worldwide- more than a million per minute. Here are a few facts about plastic bags to help demonstrate the value of reusable bags to consumers and the environment: Plastic bags are not biodegradable. They actually go through a process called photodegradation- breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic particles that contaminate both soil and water, and end up entering the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them.According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 380 billion plastic bags are used in the United States every year. Of those, approximately 100 billion are plastic shopping bags, which cost retailers about $4 billion annually.According to various estimates, Taiwan consumes 20 billion plastic bags annually (900 per person), Japan consumes 300 billion bags each year (300 per person), and Australia consumes 6.9 billion plastic bags annually (326 per person).Hundreds of thousands of whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine mammals die every year after eating discarded plastic bags they mistake for food.Discarded plastic bags have become so common in Africa they have spawned a cottage industry. People there collec t the bags and use them to weave hats, bags, and other goods. According to the BBC, one such group routinely collects 30,000 bags every month. Plastic bags as litter have even become commonplace in Antarctica and other remote areas. According to David Barnes, a marine scientist with the British Antarctic Survey, plastic bags have gone from being rare in the late 1980s and early 1990s to being almost everywhere in Antarctica. Some governments have recognized the severity of the problem and are taking action to help combat it. Strategic Taxes Can Cut Plastic Bag Use In 2001, for example, Ireland was using 1.2 billion plastic bags annually, about 316 per person. In 2002, the Irish government imposed a plastic bag consumption tax (called a PlasTax), which has reduced consumption by 90 percent. The tax of $.15 per bag is paid by consumers when they check out at the store. Besides cutting back on litter, Ireland’s tax has saved approximately 18 million liters of oil. Several other governments around the world are now considering a similar tax on plastic bags. Governments Use the Law to Limit Plastic Bags More recently, Japan passed a law that empowers the government to issue warnings to merchants that overuse plastic bags and don’t do enough to â€Å"reduce, reuse, or recycle.† In Japanese culture, it is common for stores to wrap each item in its own bag, which the Japanese consider a matter of both good hygiene and respect or politeness. Companies Making Tough Choices Meanwhile, some eco-friendly companies- such as Toronto’s Mountain Equipment Co-op- are voluntarily exploring ethical alternatives to plastic bags, turning to biodegradable bags made from corn. The corn-based bags cost several times more than plastic bags, but are produced using much less energy and will break down in landfills or composters in four to 12 weeks. Edited by Frederic Beaudry

Marketing Plan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Marketing Plan - Research Paper Example The company has successfully launched various damage protection formulae because hair damage is the most pressing problem for females. C&A is a recent addition to the FMCG sector of America. Pro-Vitamin Shampoo is one of C&A’s major hair care brand, and the company uses various innovative advertising approaches to keep the product prominent with consumers. Since its inception, the company has offered consumers with unmatched quality products that have created a benchmark for other brands. There are four categories of Pro-Vitamin shampoo in the U.S: The packaging is simple with the Pro-Vitamin Formula written on the front side. This gives credibility and authenticity to the shampoo. The size of the bottle is normal-not very large and not too small. The lid is easy to open and close so that shampoo is wasted. Refer to Appendix 1. Pro-Vitamin shampoo is directly targeted towards adult women who are busy in their lives but want excellent care of their hair. These women are outgoing and social therefore they want their hair to look good and shine. Consumers of Pro-Vitamin shampoo want quick results, because what they see is what they will believe. Therefore, the product makes the scientific formula visible on all its packaging just to make the product look more credible. Pro-Vitamin Shampoo is targeted towards females belonging to the age bracket of 18-35 years. These females are either working somewhere or are housewives (Sharma & Mehta, 2012). The upper and middle classes can afford the shampoo bottles whereas small sachets are available in rural areas. The shampoo is preferred by women belonging to different work backgrounds. This is because the fragrance and feel of the product is excellent leaving the hair soft and shiny. Therefore, working women use it to look good in front of their colleagues. Pro-Vitamin Shampoo is directed towards socially active, beauty conscious females who want to be the centre of attraction. These

Economics of Multinational Enterprise Assignment

Economics of Multinational Enterprise - Assignment Example One of the ways of addressing the risks is by use of operational hedging. This entails introducing a significant degree of flexible in the main operations of a firm. These include the supply chain, channels of distribution, financial positions, and marketing activities (Aghion et al 35). The objective of this strategy is to create adaptable operations that can rapidly respond to any change in the currency movement. This ensures that the fluctuations that may affect the revenues and the costs are offset. Firms can increase their profits by hedging by adopting various strategies. First, they can source materials thus lowering the costs of transportation resulting in increased profits. Another imperative way that the MNEs can adopt is the use of currency invoicing. This implies that the firm can choose a particular denomination that ensures the firm's prices, as well as those of the competitors, are affected by the exchange rate in the same way. This implies that for any firm to retain a competitive position in the market and attain sustainable profits, it can price its products using a volatile currency as long as the competitors use the same price. According to Grassman’s Law, MNEs should use a vehicle currency by considering their stability, low transaction cost, and liquidity. Based on the three aspects, the US dollar has been used as a vehicle currency for a long time by most of Multinational Enterprises. In their efforts to enter the emerging economies, the majority of MNEs undergo challenges that are associated with the legal process, legislative issues as well as technological factors. As a result, the investment flows from the rich countries to the poor countries are adversely affected. However, by initiating strategic economic policies, the investment flows can have similar effects to those of the free trade. One of the strategies that the host countries should emulate is to ensure that the home currency does not depreciate.

European Expansionism Essay Example for Free

European Expansionism Essay Identify and discuss the factors responsible for European expansionism from the 15th century. What were the social, political and economic effects of this expansionism on Europe, Africa and the Americas? There were three chief factors in the 15th century European expansionism. European nations such as Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, and England sought out to expand to new lands in an effort to spread Christianity, reap economic benefits, and to gain notoriety and respect throughout the world as World leaders. The expansion caused the world to change socially, politically and economically. As a result of many trade routes passing the coasts of Africa, Asia and the Americas, European adventurers began to report their findings and sightings of new lands to the monarchs of their home countries. European countries saw the potential of economic growth and market development in the new lands that they traveled to, so it became necessary for them to establish settlements and ownership in these new lands in order to capitalize on the potential. The Europeans were attracted to the natural, human, and technological resources that these new worlds possessed and knew that obtaining them would give them a new level of control in the world. Europeans would travel to parts of Asia in search of spices in order to flavor and preserve their foods. They explored America after its â€Å"discovery†, by Christopher Columbus, for its vast landscape and potential to build colonies and use the lands natural resources to maintain and run an econom. Africa was first ventured to by Europeans for trade of jewels, gems  and other sought after commodities, but then became targeted for its native people to be used as workers in their new lands. Once Europeans began to take action in moving into these new worlds, it became necessary for them to set up colonies, economic systems, rules, and almost most importantly, religion. Since all law was governed by the church in European countries, the need to establish the same type of system in colonized lands was very important as a form of maintaining control and discipline. Many European conquests throughout the world stemmed from or led to the forcible spread of religion. The method used by Europeans was a sure-fire way to recruit new converts. They would tell the natives of which ever land they were conquering that they had no choice but to convert to Christianity, or else they would be killed as an example for anyone else who refused their new religion. By conquering and exploring new l ands scattered throughout both the eastern and western hemisphere, European powers now had control in every area of the world. The colonies that were set up in the continents outside of Europe were governed by the same laws, language, and principles of those in their home countries. This social change caused regions to adopt new languages, and accept new, usually oppressive, lifestyles. Political systems were added and changed in colonized countries as well. A country that may have had its own ruler within the country or region now had to answer to the law of the country colonizing it. This completely took the power out of the hands of native people, for they had no connection or true knowledge about the form of government they had been forced to live in. In most cases of European expansion, the colonized country was exploited for economic gain. In some cases the countries people were used as enslaved workers for production of goods, while in other cases Europeans would obtain control of the resources that were indigenous to the land in order to trade with other countries as well as have a supply for their home countries. The European expansionism changed the way the world worked up until that time. Though many negative events took place in the expansion, it cau sed the world to become a global marketplace. Looking at the way the world began to change during the expansion of European powers lets us see today how the world and its economy have been shaped by it. What is the Columbian Exchange? Discuss its effects on both sides of the  Atlantic Ocean. The Columbian Exchange (Term coined by historian, Alfred W. Crosby) was a global exchange of goods and ideas between the Old World (Europe, Asia and Africa) and the New World (America). When Columbus first discovered America, Spain wanted to set up colonies. Columbus found some people that he named â€Å"Indians.† They colonies started to trade with each other, and by doing do, they started the Columbian Exchange. Many countries were involved in this trade, including China, Africa and Italy. This exchange of new ideas, traditions, food, religion and diet changed cultures everywhere. The Native Americans gave and received many items. One of the most important items that the Indians received was horses. Before horses, Indians had no way of carrying heavy loads from place to place. When the Europeans arrived in America, they gave them the horses, and then transporting goods was much easier . The plains Indians also used horses to hunt and herd the buffalo. Another important item was that the Europeans introduced to them were different types of medicine. The Indians already had medicine and healing (herbs) of their own, but the European way was much more effective. In return, the Indians also gave the Europeans some herbal treatments. Europe, Asia, and Africa received many goods, such as sweet potatoes, potatoes and tobacco. Both types of potato influenced many countries diets including China and Ireland. Tobacco was another important addition to Europe and other places in the Old World. Many people loved it. They could chew it, smoke it and snuff it. These who sold the tobacco made a lot of money. Also, many new vegetables from the New World such as tomatoes, peppers and corn went to the Old World and added to people’s diets, which resulted in better health because they received more nutrition and vitamins from the new foods. Along with all the positive things that the Columbian Exchange, there were negative things passed between the two worlds. Europeans diseases came to the New World. Diseases such as typhus, chicken pox, small pox and influenza plagued the Native Americans. Since they had never been exposed to these diseases, most of them were virtually wiped out from the sickness. In Europe, tobacco love was growing and soon it became a problem. Many people were getting sick or dying from starting to make and smoke cigars with the tobacco. Today, America, Asia, Europe, Japan and Africa still trade with each other. Many goods are received, like chocolate. Every country used chocolate in some way. Europeans had used sugar for what  they called â€Å"a cup of chocolate.† So instead out going out for a cup of coffee, they went out for a cup of chocolate. The Indians had coco. They pounded it and then added peppers and put the mix into water and drank it. Chocolate is one of the most popular trade items that are traded today. As you can see, the Columbian trade is still active and important today. Christopher Columbus Columbus was the Italian navigator who is given credit for the discovery of the Americas. He originally set out to find the West Indies, but miscalculated his routing. He is noted as the first person to come in contact with America’s Native People, which he called Indiana because of his misunderstanding of where the West Indies actually was. He completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean which gave him vast information to return to Europe with about America. The voyages, along with his efforts to colonize Hispaniola, led to the Spanish colonization of the New World. The Reconqusita The reconqusita was a 781 year long period in the Iberian peninsula after the original Islamic conquest to the fall of Granada. It began with the battle of Covadonga, where a small army led by Visigothic nobleman Pelagius defeated an Umayyad army in the mountains of Iberia. Captain James Cook James Cook was a British explorer, captain, and navigator. He Joined the British merchant navy and saw action in the Seven Years war. He is noted for making detailed maps of Newfoundland before making several voyages to the Pacific Ocean. While traveling the pacific, he became the first European to contact with the Eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands, as well as the first to cricumnavigant New Zealand. The Seven Years War The seven Years War was a war that involved Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines. The war took place between 1754 and1763, with its main years of conflict taking place in the seven year period of 1756 through 1763. The war is known in America as  the French and Indian War. The war was driven by all of the World Powers at the time competing in interests, usually being over trade of colonies or control of territories. Vasco Da Gama Vasco Da Gama was a Portuguese explorer who is famous for being the first European to reach India by sea. This navigation helped Portugal establish a colonial empire in Asia. His newly discovered route meant that the Portuguese would not need to cross the highly disputed and dangerous Mediterrianean and that they would no longer have to travel by land to make it to India.

Indo-Anglican Novel: Meena Shirwadkar Essay examples -- indian women

With the advent of the 20th century, the change in the statue and spirit of women has been noted by sociologists. In post-independence India, when women’s education commenced, life had started changing. The spread of education inculcated a sense of individuality among women and aroused an interest in their rights. The early writers presented the traditional type (sita) but the writers tried to show the emerging new woman. The new woman does not want to lead a passive married life of a sacrificial and shadowy creature because the education has matured her sense of individuality. R.K.Narayanan portrays a wide range of feminine characters from conventional to rebellious. Mulk Raj Anand wrote for the emancipation of women. Moreover feminist trends appeared on the horizon and they came into conflict with the conventional moral code. The image of woman in literature in recent decades is different from that of the past. Indian English fiction writers during the last two decades of th e 20th century provide a glimpse into the female psyche and deal with a full range of feminine experience. A study of the recent Indian English fiction reveals that the female protagonists are quite conscious of their identity and are no longer meek and submissive. There is a marked difference in their attitude as compared to the portrayal of woman in early literature. In ‘Images of woman in Indo-Anglican Novel’, Meena Shirwadkar claims the changes in Indian society. Novels have started to progress from depicting women characters solely as epitomes of suffering and womanly virtue as portraying more complex as well as real characters. In the recent years, this was taken to understand that writing was the only preference made by women. Through this medium of ex... ...ndian women novelists advocates independence and assertiveness of women by depicting their characters as survivors who successfully bear torment both physical and emotional. They must raise their voice against the brutalities and violence which is caused by the society. They tend to rebuke the male dominating society which discourages self-reliance in women. Works Cited: Seshadri, Vijayalakshmi. The New women in India- English Women Writers Since the 1970. Delhi: B.R. Publishing Corporation. 1995. Lakshmi C.S. The Face behind the mask : Women in Tamil literature, Stosius Inc/Advent Books Division ,1984. Shirwadkar, Meena. ‘Image of Woman in Indo-Anglican Novel’, Sterling Publishers Pvt., Ltd., 1979. Dhawan, R.K. ed ‘Indian Literature Today’. New Delhi: Prestige Books, 1994. Iyengar, K. R. S. ‘Indian Writing in English’ , New Delhi : Sterling Publication, 1985.

Medicine Is Not Always The Answer Essay

For as far back as one could remember, using medicine to ‘fix’ an ailment has always been the right thing to do. Runny nose? Take something for it. Scratchy throat? Take something for it. If what’s being taken doesn’t help, take something stronger! It is never implied to let a cold run its course. The exact same thing happens when a child is diagnosed with ADHD. Medication is one of the first things that is suggested to control the symptoms of ADHD. Children who have been labeled as having ADHD are almost uncontrollable and it causes a strain on the parents, teachers and doctors who are already overworked and exhausted. However, medication brings on a plethora of other issues. When attempting to treat a child for ADHD, medicine, especially stimulants, shouldn’t be the first option. A child who is given stimulant medicines to combat the symptoms of ADHD can look forward to heart related issues, additional health problems and the possibility of the medicine regimen not being successful. Stimulant drugs are almost always used to treat the symptoms that a child is experiencing after being diagnosed as having ADHD. Stimulants are designed to increase the attention span of a person while decreasing their impulsiveness. With all of this, stimulants potentially affect the heart. These medications cause sudden death in children and adults that mostly have existing heart issues. One side effect of stimulants relative to heart issues is racing heartbeat. Stimulants cause the heart to race and will eventually cause death if it isn’t controlled in a timely manner. In addition, stimulants also cause the blood pressure to become elevated. Elevated blood pressure weakens the heart. Using stimulants in a child that may have ADHD has been proven to not be as safe as it was initially thought.   Now, because of the stimulant medicines, the child has the potential to experience other health issues. Some of the more common health issues that occur as a result of using stimulant medicines are headaches, upset stomach, nausea, depression and difficulty sleeping. All of these other additional health issues will need to be addressed. The child will have to take something for the nausea and the headache and the insomnia that they are now experiencing. So the initial stimulant medication is tweaked to try to rule  out side effects and then they’re on three or four medications. Is it ever considered that these stimulant medications can do more harm than good? None of these things seem to be considered when deciding to just ‘medicate’ the symptoms. This doesn’t help the situation at all. Potentially you have a child who’s been misdiagnosed, is now on medication for it and now he’s on medication for the side effects. At the end of all of this you have a parent who is now overwhelmed. What could possibly happen now? According to Christian Science Monitor, ADHD is Problematic. â€Å"After generations of research, there is still no test for ADHD, nor is there a standard diagnostic measure within the profession’ (Christian Science Monitor, 2013). When the parents and the doctors of a child who has symptoms of ADHD have tried stimulant medicines and nothing has works, what can be done? Having a medicine regime that is unsuccessful is definitely a very strong possibility. What happens when the medication route becomes unsuccessful? All medicines don’t work for everybody. What does a parent do when they’ve taken the doctor’s advice to medicate their child and end up doing more harm than good? Medicating a child is not necessarily a guaranteed solution. This is one of the main reasons that medicine should not be the first choice when attempting to treat the symptoms of ADHD. Medicating a child is not a guaranteed fix for dealing with ADHD. When making the decision to address ADHD and children, don’t rush to do so. â€Å"Sometimes other medical conditions – or even normal childhood behaviors – can be mistaken for ADD/ADHD symptoms, so be sure to eliminate all other possible causes before considering medication for your child† (Help Guide, 2013). Is medicating the symptoms of ADHD really the answer? Unfortunately, medication will not cure this disorder. Medication is designed to control the symptoms of the disorder. Medicating a child should be a last ditch effort when dealing with ADHD. Choosing to medicate a child brings on several different, complex issues. Heart related issues, additional health problems as well as an unsuccessful medicine regimen are all real issues when choosing to deal with medicating the symptoms of ADHD. Considering the use of medication is very risky. There should be other avenues that are considered when attempting to address dealing with ADHD in a child. Giving a child love, affection and mostly attention, should always  be one of the first things to try when dealing with a child that could possibly have ADHD. It’s not the child’s fault that his parents are overwhelmed with life.

Larsen and Toubro Case Study Essay

Organizational Development (OD) is a planned long term effort led and supported through the top management to improve an organization’s ability and to solve its own problems by continuously working together and on managing the culture using behavioural skills. Thus, there are some certain aspects worth discussing about which are- OD is a planned effort. It requires a lot of effort, patience, and faith and is time consuming. Secondly, OD usually uses outsiders. These ‘facilitators’ as they are called are process specialists and are involved in depth in this process. The pioneers of OD in India were Larsen and Toubro India (L&T). OD at L&T started by calling in 2 eminent professors- Dr Udai Pareek and Dr TV Rao to study the appraisal process at the company. The existing appraisal system had many faults and needed to be corrected. The difficult task started by the professors interviewing some bosses and subordinates from different departments (using Diagnosis or Action Research) and they got a very interesting feedback. Some of the aspects of the feedback were – juniors wanted to know how well they were doing on the job, but weren’t told; people wanted to know what the growth opportunities in the company were; the appraisal form was too lengthy; some bosses had too many subordinates to appraise, etc. After getting the feedback from the employees the professors gave a report to the top management about the actual problem. The appraisal system had to serve not just one but many purposes namely it should help people understand their strengths and weaknesses, their own progress on the job, how they can perform better, and how they could grow in the company. So the appraisal process had to address the issues of appraisal, potential, counselling, career development and training all in one! The top management after reviewing the report gave the go ahead and they did two main things which were the most important which were bifurcating the Personnel department into personnel department and HRD department. This bifurcation was the first sign of ‘structural’ change. Secondly, a team of 6 senior managers was formed which would be responsible for implementing the changes required. The story continues when the 6 task force and the professors decided that the appraisal process had to involve the line managers personally, the performance goals must be set jointly by boss and junior and the appraisals must also involve feedback and counselling to people. Thus, they prepared a Performance Appraisal Manual by involving the departmental heads and other senior managers to analyze what kind of objectives could be set and then added such guidelines in the manual. To address the issue of feedback and counselling, the team identified around 29 senior line managers and some senior staff with a flair for public speaking. These selected people were put through a workshop on how to be good ‘Givers’ and ‘Receivers’ of feedback and then later conducted the same workshop for other employees at HQ and regional offices. Thus, the first workshop was a ‘Train the trainer’ workshop which was cascaded to the other employees. After putting in so much of effort now the management at L&T wanted to know whether the process was working for them or not. So again the professors interviewed some seniors and juniors about how the appraisals were going on. This time different views came into the picture – the goal setting was seen as time consuming, appraisal was becoming a numbers game, and was tending to become ritualistic. The HRD department was asked to conduct a survey (Participant Action Research). The survey also threw new light about the new appraisal process. The bosses now did involve their juniors in the goal setting and there was ‘healthy resolution’ of difficulties and there was a ‘high degree of trust’ between the seniors and juniors which led to ‘increased joint understanding about the job’. After receiving such a feedback, they again tried to simplify the appraisal form by adding the definitions of the attributes listed in the appraisal form. In addition, they held refresher courses in feedback skills for both ‘givers’ and ‘receivers’ of feedback. The facilitators felt that the appraisal system has stabilised when 80 to 85% of the appraisal forms were returned within six weeks of the target date. Also the HRD department started analyzing all the appraisal forms. The data from the analysis was used for listing high and low performers for a certain period; for finalising departmental developmental plans and for preparing the list of department wise employees and the training courses they needed. The above mentioned process took L&T 8 years to complete and stabilise themselves. Thus, I can conclude that OD is a long term process which requires a lot of patience, support from the top management and a vision to a bright future.

Quotes to Use in a Toast at Your Sisters Wedding

Quotes to Use in a Toast at Your Sisters Wedding Your sisters getting married and youve been asked to make a toast. Fortunately, many wonderful authors have written about their sisters, providing you with some wonderful starting points for your toast. Whatever your relationship with your sister and your personal style, at least one of these will feel right to you. Heartfelt and Loving Quotes Start your toast with one of these quotes, and then add your own personal touch. Explain how the quote relates to your own relationship with your sister. Tell a little story about the bond you share. Then wish the happy couple joy! A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life. Isadora JamesYou may be as different as the sun and the moon, but the same blood flows through both your hearts. You need her, as she needs you. George R. R. MartinTo have a loving relationship with a sister is not simply to have a buddy or a confident - it is to have a soulmate for life.  Victoria SecundaBless you, my darling, and remember you are always in the heart- oh tucked so close there is no chance of escape- of your sister.  Katherine Mansfield Funny and Snarky Quotes If you and your sister tend to be silly rather than sincere, these quotes may be a perfect start for your toast. Use the quote, then tell a little story from your own lives that reflect the sentiment. Even if your story is a little snarky, though, be sure to finish up with a warm wish for happiness that comes from the heart! Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there.  Amy LiMore than Santa Claus, your sister knows when you’ve been bad and good.   Linda SunshineBig sisters are the crabgrass in the lawn of life. Charles M. SchulzYou can kid the world, but not your sister.  Charlotte GrayHow the hell do you sum up your sister in three minutes? She’s your twin and your polar opposite. She’s your constant companion and your competition. She’s your best friend and the biggest bitch in the world. She’s everything you wish you could be and everything you wish you weren’t.  Ã‚  M. Molly BackesThere’s nobody in the world that knows me better than my sister.  Tia Mowry  Ã¢â‚¬ ¦she’ll go and fall in love, and there’s an end of peace and fun, and cozy times together.†Ã‚  Louisa May AlcottA sister smiles when one tells ones stories, for she knows where the decoration has been added. Chris Montaigne Sincere Quotes While some siblings feel comfortable being cute or funny at a wedding, most prefer to be sincere. These quotes give you a jumping off place for a wonderful toast that celebrates the meaning of sisterhood.   A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. Marian GarrettyThe best thing about having a sister was that I always had a friend. Cali Rae TurnerDon’t believe an accident of birth makes people sisters or brothers. It makes them siblings, gives them mutuality of parentage. Sisterhood and brotherhood is a condition people have to work at. Maya AngelouA sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves; a special kind of double. Toni MorrisonHelp one another, is part of the religion of sisterhood. Louisa May AlcottShe is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she’s the reason you wish you were an only child.  Barb ara Alpert

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga in the American Revolution

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga in the American Revolution The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga took place May 10, 1775, during the American Revolution (1775-1783). In the early days of the conflict, multiple American commanders recognized the strategic importance of Fort Ticonderoga. Located on Lake Champlain, it provided an important link between New York and Canada as well as held a treasure trove of badly-needed artillery. Moving forward in early May, less than a month after war started, forces led by Colonels Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold advanced on the forts small garrison. Storming the fort on May 10, they met minimal resistance and quickly captured it. Fort Ticonderoga served as a launching point for the American invasion of Canada in 1775 and its guns were later removed for use in ending the Siege of Boston. Gibraltar of America Built in 1755 by the French as Fort Carillon, Fort Ticonderoga controlled the southern part of Lake Champlain and guarded the northern approaches to the Hudson Valley. Attacked by the British in 1758 during the Battle of Carillon, the forts garrison, led by Major General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm and the Chevalier de Levis, successfully turned back Major General James Abercrombies army. The fort fell into British hands the following year when a force commanded by Lieutenant General Jeffrey Amherst secured the post and it remained under their control for the rest of the French Indian War. With the end of the conflict, Fort Ticonderogas importance diminished as the French were forced to cede Canada to the British. Though still known as the Gibraltar of America, the fort soon fell into disrepair and its garrison was greatly reduced. The state of the fort continued to decline and in 1774 was described by Colonel  Frederick Haldimand as being in ruinous condition. In 1775, the fort was held by 48 men from the 26th Regiment of Foot, several of which were classified as invalids, led by Captain William Delaplace. A New War With the beginning of the American Revolution in April 1775, Fort Ticonderogas significance returned. Recognizing its importance as a logistical and communications link along the route between New York and Canada, the British commander at Boston, General Thomas Gage, issued orders to the Governor of Canada, Sir Guy Carleton, that Ticonderoga and Crown Point be repaired and reinforced. Unfortunately for the British, Carleton did not receive this letter until May 19. As the Siege of Boston commenced, American leaders became concerned that the fort afforded the British in Canada with a route for attacking their rear. Governor Sir Guy Carleton. Photograph Courtesy of the National Archives of Canada Voicing this, Benedict Arnold appealed to the Connecticut Committee of Correspondence for men and money to mount an expedition to capture Fort Ticonderoga and its large store of artillery. This was granted and recruiters commenced attempting to raise the forces required. Moving north, Arnold made a similar plea to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety. This too was approved and he received a commission as a colonel with orders to raise 400 men to attack the fort. In addition, he was given munitions, supplies, and horses for the expedition. Major General Benedict Arnold. Photograph Courtesy of the National Archives Records Administration Two Expeditions While Arnold began planning his expedition and recruiting men, Ethan Allen and militia forces in the New Hampshire Grants (Vermont) began plotting their own strike against Fort Ticonderoga. Known as the Green Mountain Boys, Allens militia gathered at Bennington before marching on to Castleton. To the south, Arnold moved north with Captains Eleazer Oswald and Jonathan Brown. Crossing into the Grants on May 6, Arnold learned of Allens intentions. Riding ahead of his troops, he reached Bennington the next day. There he was informed that Allen was at Castleton awaiting additional supplies and men. Pressing on, he rode into the Green Mountain Boys camp before they departed for Ticonderoga. Meeting with Allen, who had been elected colonel, Arnold argued that he should lead the attack against the fort and cited his orders from the Massachusetts Committee of Safety. This proved problematic as the majority of the Green Mountain Boys refused to serve under any commander except Allen. After extensive discussions, Allen and Arnold decided to share command. Moving Forward While these talks were ongoing, elements of Allens command were already moving towards Skenesboro and Panton to secure boats for crossing the lake. Additional intelligence was provided by Captain Noah Phelps who had reconnoitered Fort Ticonderoga in disguise. He confirmed that the forts walls were in poor condition, the garrisons gunpowder was wet, and that reinforcements were expected shortly. Assessing this information and the overall situation, Allen and Arnold decided to attack Fort Ticonderoga at dawn on May 10. Assembling their men at Hands Cove (Shoreham, VT) late on May 9, the two commanders were disappointed to find that an insufficient number of boats had been assembled.  As a result, they embarked with around half the command (83 men) and slowly crossed the lake. Arriving on the western shore, they became concerned that dawn would arrive before the rest of the men could make the journey. As a result, they resolved to attack immediately. Forces Commanders Americans Colonel Ethan AllenColonel Benedict Arnoldapprox. 170 men British Captain William Delaplaceapprox. 80 men Storming the Fort Approaching the south gate of Fort Ticonderoga, Allen and Arnold led their men forward. Charging, they caused the sole sentry to abandon his post and swept into the fort. Entering the barracks, the Americans awakened the stunned British soldiers and took their weapons. Moving through the fort, Allen and Arnold made their way to the officers quarters to compel Delaplaces surrender. Reaching the door, they were challenged by Lieutenant Jocelyn Feltham who demanded to know on whose authority they had entered the fort. In reply, Allen reportedly stated, In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress! (Allen later claimed to have said this to Delaplace). Roused from his bed, Delaplace quickly dressed before formally surrendering to the Americans. Securing the Fort Taking possession of the fort, Arnold was horrified when Allens men began to plunder and raid its liquor stores. Though he tried to stop these activities, the Green Mountain Boys refused to adhere to his orders. Frustrated, Arnold retired to Delaplaces quarters to await his men and wrote back to Massachusetts expressing concern that Allens men were  governing by whim and caprice.  He further commented that he believed the plan to strip Fort Ticonderoga and ship its guns to Boston was in threat. As additional American forces occupied Fort Ticonderoga, Lieutenant Seth Warner sailed north to Fort Crown Point. Lightly garrisoned, it fell the next day. Following the arrival of his men from Connecticut and Massachusetts, Arnold began conducting operations on Lake Champlain which culminated with a raid on Fort Saint-Jean on May 18. While Arnold established a base at Crown Point, Allens men began to drift away from Fort Ticonderoga and back to their land in the Grants. Aftermath In the operations against Fort Ticonderoga, one American was injured while British casualties amounted to the capture of the garrison. Later that year, Colonel Henry Knox arrived from Boston to transport the forts guns back to the siege lines. These were later emplaced on Dorchester Heights and compelled the British to abandon the city on March 17, 1776. The fort also served as a springboard for the 1775 American invasion of Canada as well as protected the northern frontier. Major General Henry Knox. Photograph Source: Public Domain In 1776, the American army in Canada was thrown back by the British and forced to retreat back down Lake Champlain. Encamping at Fort Ticonderoga, they aided Arnold in building a scratch fleet which fought a successful delaying action at Valcour Island that October. The following year, Major General John Burgoyne launched a major invasion down the lake. This campaign saw the British re-take the fort. Following their defeat at Saratoga that fall, the British largely abandoned Fort Ticonderoga for the remainder of the war.

The Environmental Rhetoric of the Simpsons Essay

The Environmental Rhetoric of the Simpsons - Essay Example Todd claims that the popular culture imagery in social commentary is the rhetoric of visual arguments (Todd, p. 137). Visual arguments show persuasive messages to the audience. Blair argues, â€Å"Visual argument is to use symbols to communicate and it can convince the audience (Todd, p. 138). The symbols or comical characters that might be presented through visual argument can convince people. For example, showing a visual argument about the environment and what is needed as process to protect the environment. Some visual images can be able to convince, because they might have personal or social experiences, which affect the individuals. The visual argument evidence is relevant because Todd quotes them from the argument and advocacy, which make visual arguments credible to solve problems that the affects the environment. These evidences are persuasive to the audience because they like to watch the visual arguments. Visual arguments show the environmental problems and the result if no care is followed of the process to help the environment. Todd claims that the nuclear power plant of the Simpsons represents the environmental politics of the real world. There should be visual explanations about the power plant regarding the negligence, which characterizes company standards for disposing of nuclear waste. Wastes are leaking out of the trashcan in a plant coffee room is a painful image. Watching trashcan full of waste in a coffee room and ignoring it is a sign of danger to the environment. T

The Emerald Forest Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Emerald Forest - Movie Review Example Spirituality is revealed in the Invisible People’s culture through their beliefs in spirit animal guardians, in reading nature through the noises in the forest, and attaining a higher level of spirituality through snorting psychedelic substances from a narrow pipe (â€Å"Emerald Forest†). This may not seem much but in reality, it is through these trances that these people were able to view the world from above, and helping them gain perspective in choosing what actions to take, including actions that do not impact future generations greatly or actions that venerate the people that lived before them.In my view, the Invisible People have a happier culture that gives a greater amount of satisfaction than the Termite People or Modern People culture. Because the Invisible People work in harmony with nature, they do not cause problems in nature such as rising water levels during rains, high levels of destruction during storms, and even overhunting of animals. This is in large contrast to the Termite People that destroy large areas of forests that not only ruin the habitats of plants and animals but also drive away the tribes that were originally living in these areas (â€Å"Emerald Forest†). In addition, the Invisible People also have higher levels of spirituality and community connections as compared to the Termite People, which makes the former to create decisions that not only impact their present but also their future, while the latter only caters to the need for monetary gain., essentially becoming slaves to money and forgetting about their own selves and the well-being of others from different communities. Lastly, because the Invisible People have simpler needs, this makes it easier for them to be happy and share this happiness with other