Apple Computer's International Business Strategy Essay

Apple Computer's International Business Strategy - Essay Example Company was known for the production of software and computer technologies but now it has widened its areas of productions. As a way of diversification, Apple contributes so significantly in the field of entertainment for instance through the introduction of mp3 mobile player and the iTunes Music Store. Diversification is very significant as it meets the customers’ demands, especially in this digital era. Apple has proved to its clients that it can respond to their needs and also provide for the quality products and services. Diversification of the Apple Company also avails a variety of the product and services to the customers and being that most of its products operates almost under the same operating system thus gives users easy time. Differentiation strategy has also contributed to the success of the Apple Company. It does this by concentrating on both the esthetic and the quality value of its products. The hardware and the software that it uses meet high stands of manufac turing. Because Apple exclusively entrust Mac computers for producing it products, it can easily, monitor and make necessary corrections. Lastly flexibility and cost leadership have also contributed towards meeting the global market. Apple has always been flexible in some of the decisions that they make. When the marketing leaders realize that the price they have set forward for the product does not meet the demand in the market, they always change. There are also able managers in the company who brings about the invention and innovation in the company.

Macbeth Summary - historical context and the main female roles Essay Example for Free

Macbeth Summary historical context and the main female roles Essay * Macbeth was written around 1606 * King James I has recently honoured Shakespeares theatre company and so this play was a thank you to him; o The story is made relevant to him as he had written a book on Demonology about witchcraft with many of his beliefs appearing in Macbeth. o He also claimed direct descendant of Banquo. o King James later had a medal struck of a snake concealed by flowers after the gunpowder plot on him as it showed deceitful concealment of that in Macbeth. * Women in the 17th century (1600s) have had no rights and were inferior to men. o They were thought to be more misogynistic as well, implying that they were more susceptible to evil as well e.g. first sin. o They were to be obedient to father and husband and hostess to men so they couldnt get a divorce if divorced they would own property or land and would be frowned upon by society o Women had no power or education (Lady Macbeth is different; she can read has power over husband and as queen) o Only access to throne by way of manliness (Macduff stripped of his connections with weak womanhood as c-section birth) * Shakespeare takes the historical part of the story from a historian called Raphael Holinshed. In his chronicles, Lady Macbeth is only mentioned once. * The real Macbeth was a Scottish king in the 11th century who ruled after Duncan and is supposed to have been brave, honest and successful in conquering land. * The people of the era would have believed in the divine right of kings whereby a king was appointed by God and only God should have the power to kill him. Therefore the audience would have been appalled to her such a plot. * Witchcraft was very much believed in at this time and those who were thought to be a witch were burnt, hung and drowned as they where that dangerous. They thought they could control everything from the weather to the future and did the work of the devil. Those who didnt believe would still have followed it for the purposes of the play. Lady Macbeth * She has an abnormal female identity as she is able to read Macbeths letter symbolising her power * Her domineering personality also breaks social standards and the witches prophecies display the power of womans sexuality * Macbeth and her have an equal relationship my dearest partner of greatest and knows that Macbeth isnt ruthless enough and so she helps him murder Shalt be what thou art promised or Hie, thee hither that I may poor my spirits in thine ear. They are on the same wave length * Her decision to be unsexed by evil turns her into more into a witch character over time than a character of masculine power. * Lady Macbeth is first shown to be stronger, more ruthless and more ambitious than her husband as she plots and persuades her way to the murder of Duncan. She dominates the first meeting showing Macbeths dependence on her and the ease that he submits to the plan shows his true ambition. Look like the innocent flower and be the serpent under it * She is pre-eminently cunning with a practical mind to plan the murder * She wishes that she were not a women so she could murder herself and her husband implies she is a masculine soul inhabiting a female body by linking masculinity to ambition and violence o Menstrual flow stop: womb equated to the womanly feelings of tenderness o Milk to gall: denies womanly instincts of birth and suckling child ( would bash in her own childs head to gain her ambitions) Antithesis of a maternal mother o Milk of human kindness while blood is masculine in bedchamber o She calls on darkness like her husband to hid the truth * She manipulates Macbeth by questioning his manhood as her ambitions of power have social constraints. He gives in by saying I dare do all that may become a man; ho dares to do more is none and when you durst do it, then you are a man * She is like a serpent behind the innocent flower as she performs evil behind being a good hostess to Duncan where he even says Fair and noble hostess, we are your guests tonight while she plans the Fatal end to Duncan under my battlements she plays the stereotypical women, the perfect mask to get away with murder. * She is very much involved with the murder as she drugs, leaves out the daggers smears blood over the guards. She even says, Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done it which is a sign that she is human * She steadies her husbands nerves (a little water clears us of this deed) issuing imperative language and commands over what he should do, but slips later into madness as she sleep walks later through the castle trying to get rid of an invisible blood stain ambition affects her more strongly than Macbeth before so guilt haunts her more strongly afterward * She is partly responsible for the corruption of Scotland but from the point Macbeth murders the guards unplanned, she slowly slips out of the story * She is cool self-possession who is courageous enough to faint on the news of Duncans murder for her husband and dismiss him from the banquet. False faith doth hide what do the heart does know * Lady Macbeth gets queen which is what she wanted but isnt any happier as her husband drifts away from her (asks permission of servant to speak to him and is left out of other murders as Macbeth wants her to be innocent of the knowledge) * Just before the banquet, Macbeth takes over as the dominant partner controlling their conversion and it taken Lady Macbeths last bit of strength to think of an excuse for Macbeth seeing Banquos ghost. It works at first relating back to her masculine coward argument against Macbeth but the second time the ghost comes back, Macbeth is in so much shock that he doesnt give in to her. Lady Macbeth is then forced to call off the banquet without etiquette. On the plus side, Macbeth goes along with her excuse of his terrors showing their still is trust. * She is the complete opposite of Lady Macduff who is era standard woman who is a maternal mother defends husband despite criticism over leaving them. Her death relates back to Fair is foul and foul is fair as its the good that suffer. The murder of her innocents may have put lady Macduff over the edge. * Once Macbeth goes away, Lady Macbeth starts to sleep walk and wants a light beside her as she sleeps as there is so much darkness inside her. This scene shows her at her most venerable with Out damned spot as she reiterates the whole murder. She uses irony of Will these hands never be clean and hyperbole of all the perfumes in Arabia couldnt sweeten this hand which is a first for her logical mind. * She now says whats done cannot be undone compared to whats done is done strong minded opinion earlier in the story. * She apparently kills herself at the end as she cant cope with the guilt and her character has no further need as Macbeth cant face her as he sees what deeds they have done. * Macbeth feels that his life is now over because of her death as he uses a strong soliloquy saying There would have been time for a word tomorrow so he goes into battle to die a soldiers death. * The last words on her were from Malcolm saying This dead butcher and his fiend like queen which could be a biased opinion bit we dont know how she actually died. * Her role in the story is vital but supplementary to the work of the witches in tempting Macbeth to evil as she is the one who Macbeth trusts and loves * The witches and her share similar features in that they lack in human empathy and are ambiguous beings e.g. witches have beards and Lady Macbeth wants to be unsexed. The Three Witches * Three weird sisters who are the first characters we meet in the play providing dark thoughts and unconscious temptations to evil with their supernatural powers as they play on Macbeths ambitions like puppeteers. * They have beards giving the impressions that they are neither male or female therefore unambiguous * Each worked with their own familiar an animal of transfiguration (Greymalkin Paddock) * The witches appear in thunder and lightning as they control it. They speak in rhythmical paradox (rhyming couplets) fair is foul etc. which is echoed by Lady Macbeth and there appears to be an omen over the castle. * The witches plant the thought, Macbeth thinks it and Lady Macbeth waters it * The witches words are comical but a clearly the most dangerous characters as they act as independent agents toying with human lives and their prophecies are reports of the inevitable. * Their effects of temptation are shown in Macbeth as this great military hero is wrapped in a trance, sees visions, is unable to pray and suffers from fear before saying I have almost forgot the taste of fears * They could be thought to have controlled Lady Macbeth in her insanity when she rubs at the damned spot as they could have been the ones who as she says unsexed her * Shakespeare leaves the witches well outside the limits of human comprehension and only implies stereotypes of the era for the characters * The witches help no one but themselves, even when Macbeth is helped by their prophecies; there are tricks within e.g. Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane or being killed of a man not born of a woman. (Equivocation is the distortion of truth)

Story Titled The Kidnapping English Literature Essay

Story Titled The Kidnapping English Literature Essay It was a wonderful morning. There were bees buzzing outside the yard and birds chirping while looking for food on the paths. Across the street, Old Misses Ling as usual was taking her pet, sniffles for a walk. She was a friendly old lady where everyone was fond of her and even called her an amiable person. Most of the neighbourhood will seek her to baby sit their children as she was very fond of kids. Through the window of my bedroom, I apparently could observe my neighbours mornings duties. Some people grieve in their mornings because of their boring life, same old routine and extra duties. Young children get on their buses waving goodbyes to their parents with their lunch pack in their hands. Those innocent days of mine had passed. I am a fully grown up as a 20 year old teenager in my own opinion but my mother stills call me her little sweetie. She was the only relative I have with my younger brother, Stanley after my father passed away in a car accident when I was 12 years old. I was matured enough to know that he will never come back to us again. I heard it was a homicide but the murderer was never revealed. My mother had a rough time when my dad passed away. She was very stress and uptight with her being a single parent and helping to run errands, taking care of us, and attending interrogations in the police department. We could barely make ends meet for 5 years. Now my mother got a steady job as a clerk in a lawyers firm. Busy but well paid I assumed because she never complained. We were under the familys protection programme for a year as being ordered by the chief police. He proclaimed that we might be attacked for some sort of reason. My mom found it ridiculous. Af ter years of searching my dads killer, we finally put it at rest. My mom thought it was for the best for us that we should stop howling on the past. I put on my snickers and ran downstairs. The smell of coffee and peanut butter ran across my nose. I jump a few step of stairs forward to reach the floor in my living room. My mom was holding a cup of coffee in her hands while speaking on the phone huskily. I never talked about her work at a lawyers firm because I assumed it was boring. She gave me a look while pointing to the food on the table to indicate that I should be having my breakfast. I gave a smirk because I was on a diet. As I was a cheerleader, it is essential to maintain fitness. My brother on the hand was playing with his food in his bowl of cornflakes. He was still a little boy who needs me to keep in straight but I love him. Even though he does get on my nerves, I will still care for him. I walked towards him and kissed his head and grab bits of cornflakes from his bowl and he started yelling. I enjoyed it because it gave me the sense of home. I grabbed my school bag and wave to my mom. It was 6.45am and I had to hurry of to school. Today is a big day because we are going to recruit new members for our cheerleading group. It was junior year recruitment and everyone was talking about it. It was time for us seniors to retire. I was walking beside the road paths when I remembered that I needed to wear my necklace which represents sister hood among the cheerleader members. The road was clear and it was quiet. Everyone must have gone to work by now. I digged the necklace from my bag and put it around my neck. It was 2 kilometres away from my house already. Out of a sudden, I heard a screeching sound of a car from behind. It was zooming fast behind me. It was a black mustang. Before I could avoid it, it stopped in a sudden manner and was forced into the car buy two man. I shouted but was helpless. Two of them were white and wore sporty clothes. Both of them looked like mafias. I was covered with a cloth on my mouth and I felt so weak. I tried to struggle but the chlorofoam was too intense. It seem to seep into my nostrils and mouth. It made me awfully drowsy. It was already taking reaction on my nerves and my brain. I fell to a deep sleep after smelling the chluorofoam from the cloth. All I could felt was the car moving fast forward and a tight grab from the kidnapper in the car. After two hours of deep sleep, I woke up. My heart was pumping really fast. I felt deadly cold. I knew it was probably the end of my life. I saw myself tied up to a chair. I couldnt move my body except my head. My mouth was sticked with a strong hold Sellotape. I wanted to scream but I couldnt. Tears started to run down my face. I tried to keep calm. God is all I could count on. I looked at my surroundings. It seems to be a run down garage. There were lots of car tools which I dont know their functions. I see bottles of kerosene and some car parts. Windows were high up on the ceiling. The wooden floor reeds and I was starting to panic. I heard laughs from outside the garage. It had two distinct voices. The door of the garage opened. One man in his mid 30s walked in with a cruel smile. There were scars on his lips. He was wearing white pants and black shirts with French writing. He was speaking French with his friend followed behind him. His friend was shorter and looked timid. He had bristle hair. They were speaking French, thinking that I would not understand a word. It was clear and they wanted to decide ways to torture me. I wanted to get up and escape so desperately but it was impossible. My hands were tied and it hurts. The brutal guy took a chair and sat in front of me. He looked like a savage guy who would do anything for power. He had nothing but fiery eyes. He looked at me coldly and said Nicole, we both know that you cant run till you give us the chip. We watched you and your family every single day. We knew your dad. You dont even have a single clue that killed your so called heroic dad. My face changed. The thought of my dad suddenly flashed in my mind. They must have knew something and hid away from us. I was furious and puzzled. Your dad was a brilliant guy. He invented a chip that was capable to conquer the world. It had important information of nuclear weapons which will cause massive destructions to the world. He was going to give the chip to the Alias Cooperation. We could not have that happen. We offered millions of US dollars to get the chip from your dad. He was making the wrong decision and the biggest mistake of his life. He was a fool to reject us. One day, he was driving home from work Bom! , we caught him, living him dead. He thinks he cannot get away easily, but with Zachariah around, he cannot even hide. My eyes were blurry. I was so mad that they took away my dead for a small chip. I wanted to hear no more. All those years without my dad were a total darkness to my family. I felt so sad that I hope that they will end me too because I missed my dad so much. The guy went on laughing. He gave me the feeling that my world will be haunted by him. He came near me and looked into my eyes and told me I better get the chip for them or I will share the same fate as my dad. I did know anything about the chip and I didnt know my dad could invent the chip. I told them. The timid guy grabs my neck and whispered in my ear while saying give us the chip and we will let you loose. The sellotape was taken off from my mouth and I started to scream. One of them put a knife on my throat and stuffed my mouth with a cloth. He threatened me that he will cut my throat if I made noises. In a second, another guy enters the garage. This time was a completely different guy. He is dressed all white and a golden watch on his wrist. He was escorted by two of his body guards dressed in dark suits. He seems to be the boss around here because there was completely silence. He was around his mid 50s with the wrinkles on his face and his body build. He ordered the two guys around me to stop hurting me. He sat in front of me smoking a cigar and told me to calm down. He took a phone and dialled numbers and told me to tell my mom to bring the chip over. He put the phone at my ear. When I heard my mom on the phone, she was crying and knew that I was being kidnapped by assuming that I didnt attend school. I told her to find the chip. Before I could continue my sentence, the guy took th e phone and ordered my mom to get the chip within 48 hours. Then he put down the phone. There was complete silence. His assistance seems to have fear towards him. He walked around me and gave me a devils smile. I closed my eyes and comfort myself that it is just a nightmare. The man said: This is not a dream, Nicole! You better hope your mom finds the chip within 48 hours and hand it over to us. I looked at him with disgust and told him even if we had the chip, we wont hand it to him either. He went out of the garage escorted by his two body guards. The other two guys left with him. I was left alone in the dark. Droplets of sweat ran down my head and neck. When it was midnight, it was so cold. My nose went red and felt froze. I knew I had to escape by all means. Before I find a tool to untie the ropes, I heard chaos outside the garage. There were gunshots and I heard sirens. I had a great feeling about it and relieved too. There were two policeman and rescue squad who barged into the garage with snipers and short guns. I saw the two bad kidnappers were lying on the ground with their hands up. The policeman untied me and pulled of the selotape on my mouth. A guy came in with my mom. I was puzzled because he was one of the body guards who escorted the accomplice just now. He reassured me that it was safe then. My mom hugged me and was terrified with her face expressions. She touched my face and told them everything was going to be alright. The guy beside her introduced himself as Allen. He explained that he was under cover in Zachariah association for years to mad e sure no one would lay hands on the chip and my family. He was with the Alias government. He looked at my bracelet and told me my dad put the chip in my bracelet given to me on my 8th birthday. The chip was inserting in the love heart shape attached to my bracelet. I took the bracelet and gave it to Allen. It would be better to be kept with the Alias government. He told us that the Zachariah association was a highly criminal association. They were active for years but they always get covered for their crime by corruption and murdering. They kept quiet for years after murdering my dad because it involved the US government and US military which was a serious crime. My mom was so confused and did not realised all those years my dad was a scientist in the Alias government. He was a businessman all along. Allen has finally got prove to put the Zachariah association under serious criminal punishment. He thanked us for cooperation. It was an awful day which exposed all the truth about my dad. We were sent to the hospital in an ambulans escorted by the policemen and a troop of soldiers. I needed to be admitted to the hospital for several days. Even though, I was sad about the loss of my dad, but I was proud of him serving fro the country with bravery, honesty, loyalty and integrity.

Journey To My Past: Responses to Silent Dancing Story Essay -- Silent

Journey To My Past: Responses to Silent Dancing Story 1 Journal of Reading Silent Dancing Many people say, "Do not judge a book by its cover," but the cover of this book drew me into a journey of reading. The line of the letters Silent Dancing is on top; just below that is a picture of a beautiful four-year old girl. Perhaps she lives with a wealthy family; the girl looks so cute and pretty in her dress. Like many other young girls who usually love toys, she is holding a rattlebox; however, she does not pay attention to the toy in her hands. The young girl appears sad because of wide opened eyes that seem interested of what is in front of her. The quiet lips that have no smile make her look shy and older than her time. Why does this young girl have a feature of sadness? This picture seems to suggest that after reading Silent Dancing I should have the proper answer to that question. Silent Dancing is a garden of many stories in the childhood of a Puerto Rican girl, Judith Ortiz Cofer. Some chapters in her book are very exciting because her memory sometimes stimulates mine. There are many remembrances that are evoked by the reading this book. 2 Reading "More Room" When I first read the caption "More Room," I did not guess that the main character in this chapter was an unhappy person. Soon after reading, I understood she was a sad woman because of only a reason: she could easily get pregnant (actually she had many children). That woman's situation reminds me of my mother. What are the similarities between this character and my Mom? A simple thing: they both were mothers of many children and sometimes felt full of cares when they knew they were carrying another baby. The sound is simple but the fact is not. Like many ... ... tiny paper clothes. Some characters in Cofer's childhood were exciting just like some of the people in my childhood, but the ending of her childhood and mine were very different. At the age of fifteen, Cofer had some boyfriends; they loved and admired her. She fell in love for the first time and learned a lesson about the love; she also was no longer a child at the age of fifteen. However, the ending of my childhood was caused by a war. Like the rope of a kite was broken in the raging wind, my childhood's kite disappeared into the sky. The tragedies of the war fell upon the people in my family and my country; they shattered my innocent childhood when I was only a thirteen years old girl. Although everyone has a different memory about their life, and each of us has special ending to our childhood, reading Silent Dancing gave me the urge to recall these remembrances.

Newspaper as a Reliable Source of News and Information

NEWSPAPER AS A RELIABLE SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION: The newspapers most notable contribution as a mass communication medium has been as a purveyor of information. Many people doubted if newspapers could fight off the challenge posed by radio and television – both being immediate and more entertaining, but they have fought this challenge and have survived and are going strong due to the following reasons: 1. Newspapers offer detailed accounts which is not possible with radio and television. 2. The printed word carries a lot of credibility than the spoken words of radio and tv. . Also while one has to wait for news bulletins on radio and tv, one can read it anytime he wants. Here time is not a constraint. A newspaper's coverage of meetings and events, investigative journalism that uncovers important issues and strong opinion pieces that offer points of view and courses of action are often the starting point of discussion within a community. As recorders of activities large a nd small within the community, as the community's watchdog and often spokesperson, a newspaper plays a crucial role in day-to-day life in every city, town and community in the country.As a keeper of the stories of a community, the newspaper is there at the start, and the finish, and remains the only effective instrument for such record-keeping. As they begin their search for an important household item, consumers usually turn to the pages of the newspaper to study advertisements and promotions placed by local merchants. When planning trips, readers turn to the newspaper for information about possible destinations, accommodations and other travel information. When looking for a new home or attempting to sell their present house, people find the pages of the newspaper the best place to start.The classified section of any newspaper is the first source for people looking for employment. For some people, their first field trip in school is a visit to the newspaper, and for information fo r a school project on current events, their first stop is the newspaper or, now, the newspaper's site on the World Wide Web. Many people develop a lifelong love of reading by picking up a newspaper each day to find out about the important news, follow the progress of their favorite teams, check out the views of a top columnist or to read their favorite comics.The habit of reading the newspaper is an important step in building literacy skills, as well a keeping a person well-informed on the issues of the day. A good newspaper offers something for everyone, whether it is coverage of an election race, reports from council and school board meetings, display or classified advertising, and opinion writing that educates and excites the reader. Thus newspapers are your source of reliable information in a world overloaded with the unreliable.

Terrorism in Hospitality Industry Essays

Terrorism in Hospitality Industry Essays Terrorism in Hospitality Industry Essay Terrorism in Hospitality Industry Essay â€Å"Don’t turn the war on terrorism into the war on tourism† (Zemsky, 2005) The term terrorism has evolved in its meaning since it was first introduced in 1790s during the violent period following the French Revolution, to what it is now as the acts of violence or brutality intended to gain political, religious or ideological objective through intimidation and instillation of fear in the targeted population (Jenkins, 2003; Enders and Sandler, 2002). In hospitality industry, concern regarding terrorism has been noticed since the mid-1980s, as cases of terrorism in tourism related sectors increased dramatically from 206 in 1972 to 3,010 in 1985 (d’Amore and Anunza, 1986). Since then, security is seen as crucial (Pizam and Mansfeld, 1996) and is increasingly intensified especially after the tragic events on September 11, 2001 (Cohen, 2002). Terrorism in hospitality industry is continuously happening. Post the 9/11 era, there have been many significant terrorism incidents targeting hotels worldwide (Guardian, 2009). Hospitality leaders need to be able to take proactive actions to minimize occurrence possibilities. However, managing security in hospitality industry is a little more complex when compared with other industries, and therefore required a different approach. This essay aims to critically analyze the unique challenges faced by hospitality industry in managing its security. Three main issues will be discussed thoroughly and some related examples will be presented as supporting explanations. Then, it will be followed by relevant recommendations regarding actions to be taken by the leaders in the hospitality industry. Complexity of managing security in hospitality industry is primarily due to the nature of the industry itself. Hospitality is a business that revolves around offering friendly, welcoming, and generous treatment to its customers. Hotels in particular, emphasize a â€Å"home-from-home† concept that encourages guests to use facilities as if they were their own in order to make them feel as welcomed, comfortable, convenient and relaxed as possible (Ulph, 1996). It strives for making guests feel as if they were in their home on the one hand, while on the other hand needs to secure it against any possible criminal threats. As mentioned by Todd Brown, the executive director of United States Overseas Security Advisory Council, hospitality industry faces a contradictory problem in term that â€Å"they’re inviting people in and they want to be hospitable, but some are also operating in an environment that is real threatening, especially with terrorism† (Yu, 2008). While other businesses are able to opt for overt security practices, stringent security practices are often considered unacceptable in hospitality industry as guests wish to experience discreet high personalized service (Gill et al. 2002). Several London’s top hotels security managers stated that if not impossible, it is extremely difficult to ensure maximum security in line with maintaining high hospitality standards. Its unique context requires a compromise balance so that hospitable image can still be portrayed and terrorism threats can be prevented, avoiding damage caused by either service deterioration or severe terroris m impacts (Groenenboom and Jones, 2003). Even though there is no international standard, in most cases except for those located in high risk locations such as Israel, to be extremely overt by having uniformed security guard at every door may frighten guests. From the positive side, it does going to enhance protection for the guests, staffs and properties; however it is also going to promote the feeling as if they were in unsafe environment instead and discourage them from wanting to be there. One of international security and policing advisory companies stresses the point that good security practice should not be intrusive. Hospitality leaders should be able to provide discreet, professional and effective security; which is enough to deter threats and at the same time provide a sense of security for the guests (Capital Eye, 2011). One of the very good examples that represent an effective security approach that meets both requirements to be hospitable and safe is shown by several five and seven-star hotels in New Delhi. As host of XIX Commonwealth Games 2011, they not only implemented sophisticated technology but also hired detectives to keep an eye on their guests as part of heightened security measures during the Games to prevent terrorist attack (TNN, 2010). While the detectives were instructed to keep a close watch on the guests and their visitors, to observe their movement and report any suspicious activities, they were also instructed to be discreet and remain unnoticed. However, regardless of the super-tight security, guests should not feel disturbed or even feel that they are being watched. This shows that even though it is difficult to find the balance between hospitality versus security, some innovative approaches are available out there and the implementation will be truly favorable for the business. Next issue to be discussed is the vulnerability of hospitality industry which makes it an easy target for terrorists. The physical environment of the industry, for example in hotels, complicates the way security needs to be managed. As mentioned earlier they emphasize on â€Å"home-from-home† concept, and thus are built with aesthetics and comfort, not security and safety in mind (Goslin, 2008). As a public place with multiple entrances and exits as well as numerous arrivals and departures; everyone, including terrorists, can basically come in and walk around for 24/7 without really being noticed. Loading docks, garages, delivery vehicles, and luggage storage areas all present risks of their own (Cetron, 2004). In addition, the infrastructures also somewhat represent different vulnerabilities. HVAC and water supply systems, electric power and telecommunication services; all are exposed to danger (Homeland Security, 2004). Some researchers (Gill et al. 2002; Groenenboom and Jones, 2003) illustrate a hotel with all facilities that it offers, such as restaurants and bars, shops, leisure centers, nightclubs and so on, as a small city center. Therefore, various crimes that usually happen in the streets may also possibly happen in the hotel. Among all, restaurants face special risks that just a little inadvertence may provide an opportunity for terrorists to easily contaminate the food with bacteria, toxic chemicals or even radioactive materials (Cetron, 2004). It must be remembered that there are different modes of terrorist attacks. From his analysis regarding the logistical burden of each different attack mode, Baxter (2003) showed that the impact of successful biological attack, for example anthrax bacteria, can be many times larger than the impact of conventional bomb attack (Appendix). Even though the impacts can only be seen after some time if compared with immediate damage caused by bombs, it is still equally if not more devastating (Cetron, 2004). Most hotels currently are stuck with the â€Å"Maginot Line† syndrome in managing security in their properties. Security is ineffectively designed solely based on the existing gaps from previous attack to prevent it from reoccurring rather than based on foreseen future attacks, ignoring the fact that terrorists are consistently able to come up with new strategies to overcome the security countermeasures in place (Goslin, 2008). Exact example can be seen from Marriott Jakarta. After its entrance was being hit by suicide bombing in 2003, security guards started to vigorously search every coming guest for bombs and weapons at every lobby entrance. However, the staff entrance is completely forgotten until it was used by the hotel’s florist to smuggle in the bombs in 2009 (Jerard, Astuti and Feisal, 2009). As summarized by Cetron (2004), there are just too many access points which offer opportunities for attack. Vulnerability characteristics of hospitality industry often make it seen as soft-target for terrorist attack. Therefore, although chance of terrorist attack from happening is considered low (Mitroff, 2005), security is still necessary to be managed. Hospitality leaders may take some actions through implementation of new procedures such as luggage scanning upon arrival, metal detectors at entrances, forbidding long-term luggage storage or randomly requesting guests’ identification (Brady, 2009). Besides, from the Marriott Jakarta bombing in 2009, hospitality leaders should also learn that to know their own people well, such as through background check before hiring, and to use suppliers that also know their people will help to overcome the vulnerable characteristics of the industry. Lastly, it is extremely challenging to manage security in hospitality industry as it appears not only as soft-target, due to the hospitable and vulnerable characteristics as previously discussed; but also as tempting-target for terrorism attacks (Pizam, 2009). Hospitality industry organizations, especially the international chain ones are often regarded as representing the western ideologies that current terrorists are mostly fighting against. Because government establishments as the main targets have continuously improved their security defenses and become harder to be attacked; hotels are therefore chosen as secondary targets to represent attacks toward the respective governments (Richter and Waugh, 1986; Stratfor, 2005). For example, in November 2002, three suicide bombers detonated a bomb in Israeli-owned Paradise Hotel’s lobby which is located in Mombasa, Kenya, to show its opposition against Israel government (Daily Mail, 2002). And in August 2003, Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq was also bombed because the hotel had been used by United Nations as its headquarters (UN, 2004). Not only international chain hotels, international guests are also frequently targeted as they symbolize wealth, freedom of choice or independence that is associated with western (Richter and Waugh, 1986). The terrorism impacts involving international guests as the victims is considered to provide guaranteed extensive international media coverage, which therefore allow terrorists to widely spread their messages and making them heard loud, clear and fast in the most effective manner (Sonmez, Apostolopoulos and Tarlow, 1999; Pizam 2009). Moreover, in September 2008, Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan was bombed when the entire Pakistan’s leaders, including president, prime minister and armed service chiefs, were rumored to have been scheduled for dinner over there (BBC, 2008). This shows that actually the hotel was just served as the third-party in the overall plan. As it is common for a hotel to host various events or conferences that may involve highly influential people or political figures as participant, which may be the target of terrorists, indirectly the hotel itself also faces the threat of danger. This latter issue is more likely beyond the control of the hospitality industry leaders. However, the fact that terrorist attacks do not usually occur at locally owned hotels that cater to domestic tourists (Pizam, 2009) exemplifies that hospitality leaders in international chain hotels may try to find strategies for their hotels to blend in with the local communities and create mix between domestic and international guests. In conclusion, all the issues discussed above; the difficulties in finding the balance between hospitality and security, the vulnerable characteristics, and its association with western ideologies which makes it appears as tempting-target for terrorism attacks; have led to certain complexity of security management in hospitality industry if compared with any other industries. Current and future hospitality leaders are required to have the abilities to cope with these issues as it has been widely agreed that for terrorists to strike is no longer a question of â€Å"if†, but rather a question of â€Å"when†, â€Å"how† and â€Å"how prepared† the hotel is to deal with it (Mitroff, 2005). Recent terrorist attacks on hotels worldwide (Guardian, 2009) have increasingly raised guests’ awareness regarding the importance of proper security management to be put in place. Security is becoming a major issue that affects guests’ decision when planning a hotel stay (Sonmez and Graefe, 1998a). Not only that, even for some hotels, security enhancement by having high-level security measures is now regarded as an important selling point (Caterer and Hotelkeeper, 2006). Therefore, a more proactive approach in managing security is extremely required (Ritchie, 2004). In addition to high technology investment like what Dorchester Hotel in London just recently did through the installation of new IP video surveillance management software (Milestone, 2009), employees also need to be trained to fully enhance the overall security measures quality. Employees must be the key focused elements that must be taken care of as in fact they are the ones behind all of the implemented systems and technologies, the ones who have the eyes and ears to recognize any suspicious activities. At last, having emotional intelligence, the ability to perceive, identify, and manage own emotions; as well as to understand others and having the knowledge or skills to manage relationship with others (Serrat, 2009); will help hospitality leaders to be able to do it all, to overcome all challenges and continuously come up with effective security plans and strategies, to make decisions and put them into real actions throughout daily operations, as well as to train the employees, that will result in superior level of security as a whole. ? List of References Baxter, P. 2003. â€Å"Can Terrorists Achieve CBRN Capability in 2004† in Managing Terrorism Risk. Newark, CA: Risk Management Solutions. BBC. 2008. Marriott ‘escape’ report denied [online]. Available at: . [Last accessed on 02. 11. 2011]. Brady, S. 2009. Wake-up call: Lessons learned from Mumbai [online]. Available at: . [Last accessed on 01. 11. 2011]. Capital Eye. 2011. Hotel Security Protecting Everybody’s Interests [online]. Available at: . [Last accessed on 30. 10. 2011]. Caterer and Hotelkeeper. 2006. Hotel security: An important selling point [online]. Available at: . [Last accessed on 02. 11. 2011]. Cetron, M. J. 2004. â€Å"Hospitality In The Age Of Terror†, HSMAI Marketing Review. Cohen, E. A. 2002. â€Å"Collective bargaining regarding safety and security issue†, Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly. Vol. 43 No. 5, pp. 109-18. Daily Mail. 2002. Twelve quizzed after Kenya hotel blast [online]. Available at: . [Last accessed on 02. 11. 2011]. D’Amore, L. J. and Anunza, T. E. 1986. â€Å"International terrorism: implications and challenge for global tourism†, Business Quarterly, pp. 0-29. Enders, W. and Sandler, T. 2002. â€Å"Patterns of transnational terrorism, 1970–1999: Alternative time-series estimates†, International Studies Quarterly. Vol. 46, pp. 145–65. Gill, M. , et al. 2002 Security management and crime in hotels, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. Vol. 14 Iss. 2, pp. 58-64. Goleman, D. 1996. Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can M atter More than IQ. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. Goslin, C. 2008. White Paper – Hotel Security [online]. Available at: . [Last accessed on 31. 10. 2011]. Groenenboom, K. and Jones, P. 2003. Issues of security in hotels, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. Vol. 15 Iss. 1, pp. 14-19. Guardian. 2009. Timeline: Hotel bomb attacks [online]. Available at: . [Last accessed on 30. 10. 2011]. Homeland Security. 2004. Characteristics and Common Vulnerabilities Infrastructure Category: Hotels [online]. Available at: . [Last accessed on 31. 10. 2011]. Jenkins, P. 2003. Images of Terror: What We Can and Cant Know about Terrorism. New York: Aldine de Gruyter. Jerard, J. Astuti, F and Feisal, M. 2009. â€Å"Bombing of JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton Jakarta†, International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research [online]. Available at: . [Last accessed on 01. 11. 2011]. Milestone. 2009. The Dorchester Hotel delivers discreet, top-class security with future-proof Milestone IP video [online]. Available at: . [Last accessed on 02. 11. 2011]. Mitroff, I. I. 2005. Why some companies emerge stronger and better fr om a crisis: 7 essential lessons for surviving disaster. New York: AMACOM. Pizam, A. 2009. Hotels as tempting targets for terrorism attacks†, International Journal of Hospitality Management. Vol. 29 No. 1. Pizam, A. and Mansfeld, Y. 1996. Tourism, crime and international security issues. Chichester,UK: Willey. Richter, L. K. and Waugh, W. L. 1986. â€Å"Tourism politics and political science: A case of not so benign neglect†, Annals of Tourism Research. Vol. 10 No. 3, pp. 313–15. Ritchie, B. W. 2004. â€Å"Chaos, crises and disasters: A strategic approach to crisis management in the tourism industry†, Tourism Management. Vol. 25 No. 6, pp. 669–83. Serrat, O. 009. Understanding and Developing Emotional Intelligence [online]. Available at: . [Last accessed on 02. 11. 2011]. Sonmez, S. F. , Apostolopoulos, Y. and Tarlow, P. 1999. â€Å"Tourism in crisis: Managing the effects of terrorism†, Journal of Travel Research. Vol. 38 No. 1, pp. 13 œ18. Sonmez, S. and Graefe, A. R. 1998a. â€Å"Influence on terrorism risk on foreign tourism decisions†, Annals of Tourism Research. Vol. 25, pp. 112–44. Stratfor. 2005. The Terrorist Attack Cycle: Selecting the Target [online]. Available at: . [Last accessed on 02. 11. 2011]. TNN. 2010. Hotels hire detectives to keep an eye on guests [online]. Available at: . [Last accessed on 30. 10. 2011]. Ulph, S. 1996. Secure reservations, Security Industry, pp. 19-22. UN. 2004. UN Secretariat Summary of Main Findings and Conclusion [online]. New York: Security in Iraq Accountability Panel. Available at: . [Last accessed on 02. 11. 2011]. Yu, R. 2008. International hotels seek mix between hospitality, security [online]. Available at: . [Last accessed on 30. 10. 2011]. Zemsky, H. 2005. War on tourism? [online]. Available at: . [Last accessed on 28. 10. 2011].

Framework and production values Essays

Framework and production values Essays Framework and production values Essay Framework and production values Essay Name: Instructor: Course: Date: : Framework and production values Framework is the foundation or baseline of a piece of work, object or structure. Production value entails sound, lighting, props and scenery. Framework and production values enhance the qualities of a film or play. A common way of applying production values is students setting a stage for a play. Students use costumes, props and other production values. The framework and production of a play aims at exhibiting reality. The costumes, props and actions play a big role in showing realism. The stage is set to have the relevant scenery for the play’s themes (Van, 45). A film’s framework is the basis for a quality film. Therefore, it has to be laid out appropriately for successful filming. The framework includes the introduction of the film, plot, genre and conclusion. An example of a film is Nikita, which is a contemporary film with quality framework and production values. The title of the film is a name of the main character that is antagonistic. She is not sure about her origin but caught in a situation where she has to be an assassin to survive. She decides to reform and dismantle the secret government unit, which trained her. Her mission is joined by other members who agree with her idea of dismantling the unit. The introduction portrays a captivating presentation. The production values look appealing to the audience giving them interest to watch the whole film. The premise of the film is thrilling and logical (Silverblatt, 208). The premise of the film collaborates with the messages conveyed in the film. The plot is well organized and it is made of events aiming at achieving the theme of the film. For instance, the story line is to destroy an evil and secret unit of the government. The significant events of the film are based at bringing down the unit. The film triggers certain feeling in the events. Some characters who portray disloyalty or betrayal. The film portrays some malpractices done by the real life government. Such scenes trigger anger to the audience since they understand they are portraying bad behavior of real government leaders. The film is successful in triggering emotions to the audience. The audience response is paying more attention and some tend to give comment about such scenes. All the significant scenes are related since they have a common achievement (Leonard, 12). They are all involved in showing the characters’ efforts of destroying the evil unit. The characters in the film play a big role in developing the themes and other effects. The characters are related according to their roles. The group fighting evil is related by having a common goal of bringing down the unit. The other group intends to protect the existence of the evil government unit. These two groups compete with each other and it makes the film unpredictable. The actions of the characters are enhanced by the production values. The film has quality sound and soundtracks, which correspond with the events. The lighting has been customized according to the event (Mintz Randy, 100). All the sceneries look realistic to the plot of the film. For instance, the physical location of the unit resembles real government offices. It has high technological equipment and secure location. Presentations with good framework and quality production values are characterized with costly production budgets. One illustration of such a film is Abduction. The title refers to the efforts made to abduct the main character. He is a young male adult called Nathan. The genre of the film is categorized as a contemporary action film (Silverblatt, 209). Nathan realizes some strangers are looking for him. His biological father is carrying information, which the strangers need. The strangers intend to abduct Nathan and use him as bait to lure his father out. Their efforts are rendered useless after the classified information is delivered to the government. They are all killed in the struggle to retrieve the information. The introduction of the film starts with a group of young people having a party. The main character is among them but his foster parents are not aware of his whereabouts. His biological father had to give him up for adoption after his mother was killed. The father works for the CIA and has to live a confidential life. This is why Nathan lived with foster parents, who also protected him from enemies. The introduction gives the audience a basis of the films story line. The premise of the film is logical and has an impact on the messages in the film. The thought and ideas are logical and they follow each other chronologically (Silverblatt, 208). The plot contains a series of events, which develop the theme of the film. The significant events entail the main character fighting for survival. The information, which was held by Nathan, was classified and only specific government personnel should access it. The event where it was secured by the government was also a significant scene. The film is characterized by quality lighting, audible sounds, relevant scenes and appealing decor. All these production values and framework contributes to the success of producing the film (Robert, 75). Works cited Leonard, Richard. Movies That Matter: Reading Film Through the Lens of Faith. Chicago, Ill: Loyola Press, 2006. Print. Mintz, Steven, and Randy Roberts. Hollywood‘s America: Twentieth-century America Through Film. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010. Print. Robert, G. Picard. Media Firms: Structures, Operations and Performance. Taylor Francis, 2005. Print. Silverblatt, Art. Media literacy: keys to interpreting media messages. Conn.: Praeger. 2008. Print. Van, Sijll J. Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2005. Print.