Mistissini History and Culture

Mistissini History and Culture The Crees of Mistissini have resided in the Mistassini Lake area since time immemorial. In the early 1800's, the community of Mistissini's actual location was just a summer encampment due to the establishment of the Hudson Bay Company fur trading post on sight. The North West Company and other fur traders were also in the vicinity and can be considered contenders in the fur trade with the Hudson Bay Company in those days.Apart from Mistissini Crees there were neighbouring Cree hunting groups such as the Nitchigoun, Neoweskaau, and even some Nemaska people whom eventually came together to make up the Mistissini population in the 1930's. The government assistance began in the early 1940's providing food rations and eventually clothing allowance. It wasn't until the early 1960's that the government assistance was fully in place for the Mistissini Crees.The James Bay Agreement was signed on November 11, 1975 giving the Crees of the region opportunity of further development in their respe ctive communities.The Hudson's Bay Company building in Montreal.Progressing over the years in many ways the community of Mistissini has developed to what it is today.Some important dates in the history of Mistissini7200 - 6700 years ago - Deglaciation of the Mistissini area.6000 - 4500 years ago - The initial First Nation occupation of the Mistissini area probably occured during this period. The Mistissini area has probably been occupied continuously from at least 4500 to the present. Some Mistissine Innu dispute these dates, suggesting that their ancestors have always lived here.4500-4000 years ago - Colline Blanche, located on the Temiscamie River, began to be used as a source of stone for the manufacture of stone tools. Archeologists found this high quality stone in sites located in many parts of Quebec and into northern New England.early 1600s AD - Having long...

5 Major Differences Between Public and Private Schools

5 Major Differences Between Public and Private Schools Education is an important part of raising children and preparing them to live successful lives. For many families, finding the right school environment isnt as easy as just enrolling at the local public school. With the information we have today about learning differences and 21st-century skills, not all schools can adequately meet the needs of every student. So how do you determine if the local  school is meeting your childs needs or if its time to switch schools? A common comparison is that of public schools and private schools. As many public schools face budget cuts that lead to larger class sizes and fewer resources, many private schools continue to flourish. However, a private school can be expensive. Is it worth the investment? Here are some major questions that you should be asking yourself about the differences between public and private schools.   How Large Are the Class Sizes? Class size is one of the major differences between public schools and private schools. The class size in urban public schools can be as large as 25-30 students (or more),  while most private schools keep their class sizes closer to an average of 10-15  students, depending on the school. Its important to note that some schools will publicize a student to teacher ratio, in addition to, or sometimes in place of, an average classroom size. The student to teacher ratio is not the same as the average classroom size, as the ratio often includes part-time teachers who may serve as tutors or substitutes, and sometimes the ratio even includes non-teaching faculty (administrators, coaches, dorm parents) who are part of students daily lives outside the classroom. There are  electives at some private schools with even fewer students, meaning that your child will receive personalized attention and the ability to contribute to classroom discussions that foster learning. Some schools have a Harkness Table, an oval-shaped table that began at Philips Exeter Academy to allow all the people at the table to look at each other during discussions. Smaller class sizes also mean that teachers can give students longer and more complicated assignments, as the teachers don’t have as many papers to grade. For example, students at many academically challenging college-preparatory private schools write 10-15 page papers as juniors and seniors. How Are the Teachers Prepared? While public school teachers always need to be certified, private school teachers  often don’t need formal certification. Nevertheless, many are experts in their fields or have master’s or even doctoral degrees. While it is very difficult to remove public school teachers, private school teachers generally have contracts that are renewable each year. How Well Does the School Prepare Students for College or Post-High School Life? While many public schools do a good job of preparing students for college, many do not. For example, a recent study  found that even A-rated public schools in New York City have remediation rates of over 50% for their graduates who attend the City University of New York. Most college-preparatory private schools do a thorough job of preparing their graduates to succeed in college; however, this too varies based on the individual school. What Attitude Do the Students Have When It Comes to School? In part, because private schools often have selective admissions processes, they are able to choose students who are highly motivated. Many private school students want to learn, and your child will be surrounded by students who regard academic achievement as desirable. For students who arent challenged enough at their current schools, finding a school full of highly motivated students can be a major improvement in their learning experience. Does the School Offer Other Services and Activities That Are Meaningful for My Child? Because private schools don’t have to follow state laws about what to teach, they can offer unique and specialized  programs. For example, parochial schools can offer religion classes,  while special-education schools can offer remedial and counseling programs to help their students. Schools often offer highly advanced programs in the sciences or arts. For example, Milken Community Schools in Los Angeles invested more than $6 million in developing one of the top private school Advanced Science Programs. The immersive environment also means that many private school students simply attend school for more hours in the day than do public school students because private schools offer after-school programs and a longer schedule. This means less time to get in trouble and more time to get involved in activities.

Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 6

Management - Essay Example The most significant problems that are affecting the plant include, material cost and a bad co-ordination between Research & Development people and Production engineers. Repeated design changing is making the overall cost higher. Had been designs coming from R & D section go directly for production without any more rectification, cost would have lowered. There is a dispute between R & D and Production peoples. One is blaming the other, which forces me to incorporate one special investigation team to govern actually where the conflict is. One design after coming to Production section does not reserves the right to be changed without proper notification to me. According to the notice sent by Employee & Community Relation Manager, we need to hire women and people of color very soon and make sure a higher percentage will be recruited into Production section which requires more effective manpower. Nothing is born perfect. We have to give the color of perfection. Question is not how effective we are, rather question is how much more we have to be. There must be a good relation among the people in the department as well as within various departments. After getting sure that design is complete and may rule over the market then only materials should be purchased. Otherwise it’s immaterial to periodically purchase and change the model structure. To set up good relationship, weekly meetings will be organized where all the in- charges of various sections may come with their ambiguities and questions if any. Other than this, picnic party, cultural activities will help the employees to intermingle. As Baker and Baker is interested for our model 80, so production engineers must do their work to make the product available as soon as possible. After that only other models and multi channel digital system will be carried out. As we are hiring people, later on works can be split up.

Cancer Nanotechnology Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Cancer Nanotechnology - Research Proposal Example The several available methods for treatment of cancer and all prove to have severe effects to the victims. A proper method of treatment put in place of these other forms of treatment; can be of a relief to the patients. Some cancer patients even believe that cancer treatment is worse than the cancer itself because of the side effects they have to go through. Cancer nanotechnology may have an answer to this big problem. First, it is cheaper, has faster detection methods, and has fewer side effects in comparison to the other forms of treatments. In nanotechnology if the cancer detection nanoparticles are loaded with anti cancer drugs then scientists can be able to attack cancer cells exactly where they are. A potent dose of the anticancer drugs is in delivery in form of time-release treatment. Thus, the delivery of the drugs is to a specific area but released over a period ensuring works effectively and at the same time keeps the patient safe. Once the drug is in the designated area wi th cancerous cells, the gold nanoparticles take the dye to the cancer cells. White blood cells reject this dye and once the dye is inside the cancer cells, they are activated by light to destroy these cells. This treatment in comparison to the others does not subject other parts of the body to chemicals that may affect certain areas such as the tissues. The chemicals are only concentrated to targeted areas with cancerous cells in the body. This way the problem of severe side effects can no longer be a major problem in cancer treatments with this effective and efficient form of treatment for cancer. In addition, nanotechnology is much cheaper if compared to these other forms of treatment. Nanotechnology proves to be an answer to those patients seeking cheaper treatment for cancer.

Don Quixote Essay Example for Free

Don Quixote Essay Fiction and Metafiction in Borges Ficciones and Cervantes Don Quixote dela Mancha Unbelievable and amazing may perhaps best describe the literature that the world has as of the moment. It is unbelievable because who would have thought that the wide spectrum of literary works would be so great in number? At the same time, it is amazing as the progress and history which literature has gone through are truly marvelous. The literary works which are within humanitys reach are incomparable to what people back then had. The literary works of the moment which are within humanitys reach is a compilation of history, art, language, the sciences, and politics of every generation, culture, and nation. Truly, literature has such a monumental scope within its pages that sometimes, a person may be lost with so many things literature has to offer. Literature is both fact and fiction and is inspired both by history and creative imagination. The elements within literature are all reflections of the realities of society, but these things can still be considered as fictional—after all, fact is fact and pure truth—nothing more. But what if something fictional seems so real that it seems to be factual and true? What if a person or a character which is just imagined seems to be a real person of this world? What if the line between reality and imagined is confusing and seems to be separated by nothing at all? Two authors by the name of Jorge Luis Borges and Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra are the answers to such questions. Saavedra who wrote (or â€Å"supposedly re-wrote) the famous adventure of Don Quixote dela Mancha and Jorge Luis Borges who wrote the seventeen literary pieces contained within Ficciones are fictional writers. When a person talks about fiction, it usually pertains to one thing—created by the imagination. Thus, it means that any work of fiction is merely invented by any person and that any fictional work is not true, is false, and can never be a fact. Yet, Saavedra and Borges have created literary works which are fictional but they seem so real and true that a person is left to believe that they are indeed the truth—metafiction. Metafiction, according to Patricia Waugh, is â€Å"a term given to fictional writing which self-consciously and systematically draws attention to its status as an artifact in order to pose questions about the relationship between fiction and reality† (qtd. in Liu). Thus, metafiction is indeed fictional and from the imagination, and it aims to confuse readers about what is real and what is merely created by a person. How does a person achieve this? Again, according to Patricia Waugh, â€Å"such writings not only examine the fundamental structures of narrative fiction, they also explore the possible fictionality of the world outside the literary fictional text† (qtd. in Liu). Thus, an author creates a fictional world and creates another fictional world within the already imagined world—creating a metafictional world. In Borges Ficciones and Saavedras Don Quixote dela Mancha—this metafictional world is truly what they have conjured up. Ficciones is a book which contains seventeen fictional literary pieces that seem to be real. Each piece has its own world, own elements of characters, settings, and even at some point, its own mind and language. There are pieces such as the Library of Babel that appears to be real and true that a reader also wants to believe that such place is true. In that particular piece (from Part One of the book), Borges describes a library in length and in awe. The whole thing seems to be an introduction to a novel of some sort, and yet at the same time, it also seems to come from a real book full of factual evidences that such a library exists. In the following excerpt, Borges describes the library and the people who are fascinated with it: â€Å"When it was proclaimed that the Library comprised all books, the first impression was one of extravagant joy. All men felt themselves of a secret, intact treasure. The universe was justified, the universe suddenly expanded to the limitless dimensions of hope† (83). However, further in the Library of Babel, Borges even talks of mystical books such as the Vindications which are â€Å"books of apology and prophesy which vindicated for all time the actions of every man in the world and established a store of prodigious arcana for the future† (83). What Borges has created is a fictional world, but a reader may find that world to be so palpable and genuine that it appears to be impossible that it is just imagined. The same conclusion can be given to Saavedra and his work on Don Quixote dela Mancha. In Saavedras work, the book is divided into two parts—one is the tale or adventure itself of Don Quixote and the second part is the metafictional work wherein the author talks directly to the readers and even to the characters that they all seem to be real people when clearly, they are all imagined. The ridiculous adventure of Don Quixote and his â€Å"squire† Sancho Panza is so preposterous (as with the example of the enchanted peasant girl or the basin turned into a knights helmet), far-fetched, and humorous that a person will not for a second think that the entire tale is true. However, when Saavedra writes the second part of the book, doubts and hesitations replace the earlier convictions. For example, in the first part, Saavedra writes about a Dulcinea who was believed by Don Quixote to be a princess in disguise of a peasant girl when in fact, she really is a peasant girl. Later on though, Saavedra explains this turn of events in Don Quixotes life: â€Å"I have reason to think that Sanchos artifice to deceive his mater, and make him believe the peasant girl to be Dulcinea enchanted, was in fact, all a contrivance of some one of the magicians who persecute Don Quixote † (369). Therefore, Saavedra has created two worlds—one that is entirely fictional wherein the character of Don Quixote resides, and the other is metaficitonal wherein the character of Don Quixote does reside still but which it is explained why he has such ridiculous notions of chivalry and enchantments. In conclusion, though metafiction may seem to be such a complex and wondrous thing, it cannot exist without a person knowing first what is fictional. Metafiction exists in the world of fiction—a person cannot write or create a metafictional world without going into a fictional one. That is like a person wanting to break the rules without knowing what were the rules in the first place. Literature is truly complex but at the same time unbelievable and amazing—Saavedra and Borges can attest to that. Works Cited Borges, Jorge Luis. Ficciones. New York: Grove Press, 1962. Saavedra, Miguel de Cervantes. Don Quixote dela Mancha. New York: Penguin Group Incorporated, 1957. Lui, Kate. â€Å"Theories of Metafiction. † Postmodern Theories and Texts. 1998. Department of English Language and Literature, Fu Jen University. 4 Aug. 2009.

Genetic Engineering: Our Key to a Better World Essay -- Genetic Engine

What is genetic engineering one might ask and why is there so much moral controversy surrounding the topic? Genetic engineering as defined by Pete Moore, "is the name given to a wide variety of techniques that have one thing in common: they all allow the biologist to take a gene from one cell and insert it into another" (SS1). Such techniques included in genetic engineering (both "good" and "bad") are, genetic screening both during the fetal stage and later in life, gene therapy, sex selection in fetuses, and cloning. Because of many ethical, religious, and safety concerns, genetic engineering is the source of much debate and argument. Many people, even scientists, have raised strong questions concerning the issue. In his article Moore raises such questions as, "Could the technology get out of control and damage human health or the environment? Who will decide which of the many uses are safe and permissible, and which should be banned? How can we assess the safety of genetic enginee ring?" (SS1) These questions and similar ones raised by the opposition do hold valid moral and ethical considerations. However, the vast benefits of regulated genetic engineering techniques could greatly improve human health, the environment, and agriculture, and must be allowed to be explored by responsible scientists. Simply put, genetic engineering offers a possible brighter future for our world and everyone in it and it must be pursued in a restricted manner so the positive effects can be obtained. The first point that must be made when arguing for the use of genetic engineering is stressing that genetic engineering must be highly controlled to avoid possible catastrophe. In his book, The Ethics of Genetic Control, Joseph Fletcher describes ... ...seases would also be eliminated. It is obvious that both sides of the genetic engineering debate have very valid arguments based on their beliefs. However, from the scientist standpoint the banning of genetic engineering research and techniques would be a rash mistake. For how can we know what might have been if we never try? And how can with move our world into the future without exploring progress? Therefore, under strict controls, safety precautions, and bans of unethical techniques, genetic engineering could very well be the key to a better world and a better life for all. Works Cited: Fletcher, Joseph. The Ethics of Genetic Control. New York: Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1974. Moore, Pete. "Genetic Manipulation." New Scientist 13 Nov. 1993: SS1-SS4. Shannon, Thomas A. What Are They Saying About Genetic Engineering? New York: Paulist Press, 1985.

Cmi Level 7 Unit 7006

1. Identify the current strategic aims and objectives 2. Undertake an evaluation of the component parts of a strategic plan 3. Analyze the factors affecting the strategic plan The history of Harley-Davidson began in 1903, in a 10†² x 15†² shed located in the Davidson family's Milwaukee backyard. The Davidson brothers – William D. , Walter, and Arthur – and William S. Harley crafted their first motorcycle using the best tools they had available – mostly their hands and their ingenuity. Since that time Harley-Davidson has learned many lessons on how to operate a business.We are focused on providing our customers with not just a quality product, but also an overall experience. Our mission statement is as follows: honesty, integrity and personal growth in all of our dealings with stakeholders. Our values are the rules by which we operate. At Harley-Davidson, we are equally committed to a corporate vision that mandates how we run our business. Within this vi sion we emphasize the relationships that we deem crucial to our success, including our relationships with customers and suppliers. Our vision states: HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.IS AN ACTION-ORIENTED, INTERNATIONAL COMPANY, A LEADER IN ITS COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE OUR MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH STAKEHOLDERS (CUSTOMERS, SUPPLIERS, EMPLOYEES, SHAREHOLDERS, GOVERNMENT, AND SOCIETY). HARLEY-DAVIDSON BELIEVES THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS TO BALANCE STAKEHOLDERSi INTERESTS THROUGH THE EMPOWERMENT OF ALL EMPLOYEES TO FOCUS ON VALUEADDED ACTIVITIES. Doing Business With Harley-Davidson Our vision is our corporate conscience and it helps us to eliminate short term thinking, such as â€Å"cashing in† on the intense demand for our motorcycles by giving quantity precedence over quality to save a few dollars per unit.It also encourages every employee in our organization to be acutely aware of his or her role in satisfying our stakeholders. Harley-Davidson has become the world leade r in the super-heavyweight (850cc+) motorcycle market because of our unwavering commitment to continuously improve upon the superior quality of our products. This quality commitment is built on the satisfaction of each and every customer, internal and external, including everyone from our production line employees to our end users.This belief is captured within our quality policy statement: HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS COMMITTED TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT TO REDUCE WASTE, DEFECTS AND VARIABILITY IN EVERYTHING WE DO, WHILE STRIVING TO MEET / EXCEED CUSTOMERS' EXPECTATIONS. It is the goal of Harley-Davidson to satisfy our customers by not only meeting, but also exceeding their expectations and by giving them superior value for their money. We can accomplish this only if you, as a Harley-Davidson supplier, embrace our company's values and commitment to quality to the extent that we do.Our hope is that you will see reward in satisfying our customers, which are also your customers. Please remember you are not simply selling your products to Harley-Davidson, you are selling them to our customers. 1. Apply a range of strategic analysis tools to audit progress towards strategic aims and objectives 2. Review and assess the expectations of all stakeholders and their influence upon the organizational strategy 3. Analyze, interpret and produce a structured evaluation of organizational strategic positionHarley Davidson has always been known for its differentiated products that have continuously stood out from the norm. This has a lot to do with strategies Harley uses to promote its products and services. Some of the key strategies used throughout 2013 were the promotion of its 110th Anniversary Special Edition Motorcycles and the worldwide Open Road Tour used to advertise their current production line. The stunning 2013 model 110th Anniversary Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which feature rich new paint schemes and special 110th Anniversary identification has been an instant success.Eve ry 2003 motorcycle in the line-up has been designated a 110th Anniversary model. The company has extended the model year to 14 months to give even more customers the opportunity to own a piece of Harley-Davidson history. The Anniversary celebrations began back in late 2011 as the Open Road Tour made its way to Atlanta, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Toronto and Dallas/Fort Worth. The festivities then traveled overseas to Sydney, Tokyo, Barcelona and Hamburg. Billed as the world’s largest rolling birthday party, the Open Road Tour brought the Harley-Davidson experience full throttle to riders and enthusiasts around the world.Receiving worldwide exposure at minimal advertising costs, the Open Road Tour has been a complete success, thus allowing Harley’s unique and differentiated products to be seen up close around the world. Additionally, Harley-Davidson established the Harley Owners Group (HOG) in 1983 in response to a growing desire by Harley riders for an organized way to sh are their passion and show their pride. By 1985, 49 local chapters had sprouted around the 12 country, with a total membership of 60,000.Now in 2013, the promotion of the 110th Anniversary has allowed the membership to include over 1200 chapters and close to 800,000 members. HOG has played a major role in the success of the 110Th Anniversary celebration. This one of a kind, unique strategy which started 20 years ago by Harley and its members, has grown tremendously and will continue to play an important role in the future success of the company. Strategies such as these implemented by internal management and carried out by dedicated customers and members are one of the most precious assets a company can ever dream of.That is the Harley way!! Furthermore, the key strategies relating to the distribution channels have allowed Harley-Davidson the world-wide exposure needed to market its product with tremendous success and demand that has always seemed to exceed supply. To date, there ar e more than 1300 independent dealers worldwide. Over 630 are within the United States alone. Recognizing that to grow sales will take more than just an increase in capacity, the company’s aim has been to add 20-30 dealers per year to grow the dealer network, with an increase of roughly 5-10 domestically and the balance internationally.In addition to its dedicated dealer network, the company also uses smaller, occasionally temporary retail outlets in high-traffic areas, such as airports, to sell accessory products like apparel, collectibles, and licensed products. This gives Harley the additional exposure needed without having to spend millions on other forms of advertising. In order to effectively analyze Harley Davidson, we wanted to present a breakdown of the different price ranges offered based on the current list of the five classes of heavyweight motorcycles produced under the Harley Davidson name. BusinessHarley-Davidson, Inc. was incorporated in 1981, at which time it purchased the Harley-Davidson ® motorcycle business from AMF Incorporated in a management buyout. In 1986, Harley-Davidson, Inc. became publicly held. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the â€Å"Company† include Harley-Davidson, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. The Company operates in two segments: the Motorcycles ; Related Products (Motorcycles) segment and the Financial Services (Financial Services) segment. The Company's reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services.They are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations. The Motorcycles segment designs, manufactures and sells at wholesale heavyweight (engine displacement of 651+cc) Harley-Davidson motorcycles as well as a line of motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise and related services. The Company's products are sold to retail customers through a network of independent dealers. The Company conducts business on a global basis, with sales in North America, Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA), AsiaPacific and Latin America.In 2009, the Company decided to exit its former Buell product line and ceased production of Buell motorcycles. The sale of remaining Buell motorcycle inventory to independent dealers and/or distributors was substantially completed during 2010. The majority of independent dealers continue to provide ongoing service and replacement parts to Buell owners. In 2010, the Company completed the sale of MV Agusta (MV). The results of MV have been presented as a discontinued operation for all periods. The Motorcycles segment discussion that follows is specific to the Harley-Davidson brand unless otherwise specifically noted.The Financial Services segment consists of Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). HDFS provides wholesale and retail financing and provides insurance and insurance-related programs primarily to Harley-Davidson dealers and their retail customers. HDFS conduct s business principally in the United States and Canada. Harley-Davidson, Inc. , SWOT Analysis * Overview Harley-Davidson, Inc. (Harley-Davidson) designs, manufactures, and sells heavyweight motorcycles. The company markets, its products in North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific and Latin America.The company’s strong brand image, coupled with its wide range of products, helps it to be a front-runner in the industry. However, dependence on the domestic market and product issues are a few areas of concern to the company. Nonetheless, expansion in global markets, especially Asian markets, and launch of new models could ensure a strong future for the company. New emission standards for two wheelers and the prevailing competition could negatively impact the company’s growth. Harley-Davidson, Inc. SWOT Analysis| Strengths| Weakness| Strong Brand ImageBroad Product and Service PortfolioFocused Research and Development Activities| Product Recalls/IssuesDependence on the Domestic M arket| Opportunities| Treats| Global ExpansionNew Product LaunchesRestructuring Plans| New Emission Standards for Two WheelersProcurement of Raw MaterialsCompetitive Landscape| * Strengths Strong Brand Image Harley-Davidson owns one of the strongest brands in the world, which helps it attract and retain a loyal customer base.The company established a strong brand image with its motorcycles achieving iconic status and being ranked among the world’s most valuable brands. Harley-Davidson has been continuously ranked among the top 100 global brands in the world. The company holds 55. 7% share in the US heavyweight market; and is ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the heavyweight motorcycle market share in nine countries across Europe. Harley-Davidson’s motorcycles are known for their traditional styling, design simplicity, durability and quality.The company achieved industry recognition for its high quality, best design, robust performance and unflinching customer confidence, loyalt y and trust of its products and services. The Harley-Davidson brand has significantly contributed to the success of the company by building strong market recognition and a loyal customer base. Broad Product and Service Portfolio Harley-Davidson offers a broad array of products and services through its two business segments, namely, the Motorcycles ; Related Products segment and the Financial Services segment.The company offers a variety of products in the motorcycle segment to cater to the various needs of its customer base. Harley-Davidson designs, manufactures and sells heavyweight touring, custom and performance motorcycles, besides a line of motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise and related services. Harley-Davidson is well known for its unique motorcycles. Its subsidiary, Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC), manufactures five families of motorcycles, namely, Touring, Dyna, Softail, Sportster and V-Rod.These models are distinguished by their frame, engine, suspensi on, and other characteristics. The company shipped 233,117 motorcycles in the fiscal year ended December 2011, comprising 39. 5% Touring motorcycle units, 39. 2% Custom motorcycle units, and 21. 3% Sportster motorcycle units. Through Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS), the company offers a package of wholesale and retail financial services for its products, providing it a competitive edge in the motorcycles business in the US and Canada regions. HDFS financed 51% and 30. 4% of the new Harley-Davidson otorcycles retailed by independent dealers in the US and Canada respectively in 2011. HDFS provides wholesale financial services to Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealers, including floor plan and open account financing of motorcycles and motorcycle parts and accessories. These specific services provide a competitive edge to the company in capturing a higher market share and enhancing its bottom line. Focused Research and Development Activities Harley-Davidson has a strong research a nd development unit that facilitates innovation and attracts industry attention.Its Product Development Center (PDC) undertakes the development of new and better quality products. The company spent $145. 4m, $136. 2m, $143. 1m and $163. 5m in the fiscal years ended December 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008 respectively on research and development activities. Harley-Davidson’s continuous focus on R;D helped the company in launching innovative products such as Softail motorcycles with 1584 cc engine with new features such as new hand controls, a larger odometer, and an anti-lock braking system option.Continuous research and development activity enables the company to maintain a leading position in custom and touring motorcycle market and develop products for the performance segment. Focused R;D activities enable the company to offer innovative products and improve its operational performance. * Weaknesses Product Recalls/Issues Product recalls/issues not only affects the companyâ€⠄¢s current revenue, but could also affect its long-term performance by reducing customer confidence.In February 2012, Harley-Davidson launched a repair service campaign to fix faulty brakes in about 1,228 units of 12 models, including the Road King and the Electra Glide Ultra Classic. In October 2011, the company initiated a world-wide recall affecting over 308,000 units of its Touring, CVO Touring and Trike motorbikes. The company made this recall owing to a potentially dangerous glitch with their braking systems, where in the problem with a switch on the bikes could cause the brake lights to stop working, or may even cause the rear brakes to fail.Such recalls would hamper Harley-Davidson’s brand image and have a significant impact on its product sales. Dependence on the Domestic Market Harley-Davidson focuses predominantly on the US and generates a major part of its revenue from that market, which could increase its business risk. For the fiscal year ended December 2011, t he company’s Motorcycles business reported revenue of $4. 67 billion comprising 67. 7% revenue generated from the US, 16. 8% from Europe, 4. 9% from Japan, 3. 3% from Canada, 3% from Australia and 4. 3% from Other foreign countries.In 2011, its Financial Services business reported revenue of $649. 44m comprising 95. 3% from the US, 0. 7% from Europe and 4% from Canada. Such geographical concentration makes Harley-Davidson vulnerable to the risks of economic downturn in any single market. * Opportunities Global Expansion Harley-Davidson has huge opportunities for growth in the overseas market. In October 2011, the company opened a new permanent Latin America headquarters in Miami, Florida, the US. Through this new headquarters, the company can expands its focus on customers in Latin America.In the fiscal year ended December 2011, retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles from the international markets witnesses a rise of 6. 1%. The rising demand in Europe, Asia, Australia, L atin America and Africa offers huge potential for the company. In 2011, Harley-Davidson completed its second CKD (complete knock down) assembly plant in India to further strengthen its operations in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2010, the company opened a 1,000 square meter showroom in Beirut. This is the first and only showroom in the Levant which includes six-station service facilities with staff trained by the company.In a bid to garner a higher market shares in these regions, the company already refined its business and marketing strategies that are attuned to local customer preferences. Focus on international expansion would help the company enhance its business aggressively and reap greater benefits. New Product Launches Harley-Davidson could benefit from its new product launches. The company intends to explore new methods to enhance its value by introducing new products, which provide an edge over other players in the market.In February 2012, Harley-Davidson launched two new mo torcycle models, namely, the Seventy-Two and the Softail Slim, further strengthening its heavyweight custom offerings. In July 2011, the company offered its customers an H-D1, a comprehensive set of customization tools. In January 2011, the company introduced new Softail motorcycles with 1584 cc engine and through its Touring motorcycles line, the company introduced Electra Glide Classic, Road King, Road King Classic, Ultra Classic Electra Glide and Electra Glide Ultra Limited touring bikes.The company’s 2010 models include nine new domestic models of heavyweight motorcycles. New model launches could help the company sustain its leadership position in the highly competitive automotive industry. Restructuring Plans Effective 2009 – 2010, Harley-Davidson announced a series of restructuring measures, which focused on reducing administrative costs, eliminating excess capacity and exiting non-core business operations.In 2009, as a part of the restructuring plan, the company consolidated engine and transmission plants, closed a distribution facility, discontinued the domestic transportation fleet, consolidated vehicle test facilities, and exited the Buell product line. In September 2010, the company’s unionized employees in Wisconsin ratified three separate new seven-year labor agreements, which take effect in April 2012 when the current contracts expire. The new contracts would allow flexibility and increased production efficiency.Harley-Davidson also repurchased expensive debt worth $300m and is expected to save $45m annually for three years. In December 2011, the company announced plans to cease its operations at New Castalloy, its Australian subsidiary producer of cast motorcycle wheels and wheel hubs; and source those components through other existing suppliers. This move was made in line with its overall strategy to develop world-class manufacturing capability throughout the company by restructuring and consolidating operations for greater competitiveness, efficiency and flexibility.Such restructuring initiatives by Harley-Davidson are expected to improve its operational performance in the long-run. * Threats New Emission Standards for Two Wheelers Harley-Davidson could face increased challenges in its two wheeler business due to the stringent emission standards. According to Dealernews. com, motorcycle industry stakeholders in Europe announced plans to increase EURO 3 emission standards to more stringent EURO 5 standards by 2015. Association des Constructeurs Europeens de Motorcycles (ACEM) is likely to introduce EURO 3 standard for mopeds and Euro 4 standard for motorcycles by 2012.It also proposed the introduction of more stringent emission test cycle, and EURO 5 standard for motorcycles by 2015. Such implementations might require the company to redesign its vehicles, which could result in increased operating costs. Failure to comply with the standards could result in penalties and affect its profit margins. Procu rement of Raw Materials Harley-Davidson relies on suppliers to obtain raw materials and provide components for use in manufacturing its motorcycles. It depends on a single supplier for certain of its raw materials.Such a situation makes the company’s business dependent on the ability of the supplier to deliver the ordered raw materials in time. The rising input costs could also have a major impact on the operational costs of Harley-Davidson. Increasing pressure of the costs of commodities leads to capacity constraints, lower production and financial distress to raw material suppliers. In case of a delay in receiving the raw materials, product delivery to its customers could also get delayed, which impacts its business and customer relations.Competitive Landscape Harley-Davidson manufactures motorcycles in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Many of the company’s competitors have more diversified businesses and they may compete in the automotive market or all segments of the motorcycle market. Its motorcycle retail prices are generally higher than that of its competitors. If price becomes a crucial factor for consumers in the heavyweight motorcycle market, Harley-Davidson would be at a competitive disadvantage.Moreover, its financial services operations face stiff competition from various banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions that may have access to additional sources of capital at more competitive rates and terms, particularly for borrowers in higher credit tiers. The company’s failure to address and respond to these competitive pressures worldwide would have a material adverse effect on its market share. 1. Identify and develop a range of alternative strategic options to meet strategic aims and objectives 2. Determine and justify the strategic option that meets the revised strategic position

Family Conflicts

Family Conflicts There are a lot of things that could cause conflict among a family. Some like jealousy, infidelity, and the way you were raised. Jealousy is the natural counterpart of love; when you commit your love to one person, you want an exclusive commitment in return. Anything that threatens that commitment, whether it is another person, a hobby, a job or a situation, causes jealousy. You want the attention of the person you love; when it is taken by another person, activity or thing, you are jealous for the one you love, and jealous of whatever is claiming that person's attention.It can cause the family to fight often which causes family to drift apart which causes emotional problems between the parents and children. Infidelity affects everyone in a family not just the parents. The children take a large blow from it too. It can cause them to act out. Experts say children who learn about parental infidelity react similarly to children whose parents divorce, except the emotiona l responses to cheating are deeper and can have greater, longer-lasting impacts. Children who see a parent cheat lose trust in them because the parent was always telling them to be good.But in the end they were the ones misbehaving. The difference in between parents being raised can have a large impact on the family and how they raise their own children. If a parent was raised in a strict family they might want to pass that to their teaching styles of their own children. But if theres a strict parent and a free willing parent, they may not see eye to eye. That in turn would cause them to fight about how their children should be raised. Which could end up in a crazy custody battle.

Getting Started With Student Portfolios

Getting Started With Student Portfolios There are many wonderful benefits to having students create portfoliosone is the enhancement of critical thinking skills which results from the need for students to develop evaluation criteria. You can also use this criteria to evaluate their work and engage in self-reflection about their progress. Additionally, students are pleased to observe their personal growth, they tend to  have better attitudes toward their work, and they are more likely to think of themselves as writers. The payoff for using portfolios becomes concrete when students discover they can earn college credit and, in some cases, skip a freshman writing class by creating a top notch writing portfolio while they are still in high school.    Before proceeding with assigning a portfolio, familiarize yourself with the rules and credit requirements for such a project. Theres little point to requiring this work from students if theyre not properly credited or dont understand the assignment.   Working Student Portfolio A working portfolio, often a simple file folder containing all the students work, is helpful when used in conjunction with the evaluation portfolio; you can start it prior to deciding what youll require in the evaluation portfolio and thus protect work from being lost. Arrangements must be made, however, to store folders in the classroom. Students at all levels generally become proud as they watch their work accumulateeven students who rarely work will be amazed to see five or more assignments that they actually finished. Getting Started With Student Portfolios There are three main factors that go into the development of a student portfolio assessment. First, you must decide on the purpose of your students  portfolios. For example, the portfolios might be used to show student growth, to identify weak spots in student work, and/or to evaluate your own teaching methods. After deciding the purpose of the portfolio, you will need to determine how you are going to grade it. In other words, what would a student need in their portfolio for it to be considered a success and for them to earn a passing grade? The answer to the previous two questions helps form the answer to the third: What should be included in the portfolio? Are you going to have students put in all  of  their work or only certain assignments? Who gets to choose? By answering the above questions, you are able to start student portfolios off on the right foot. A big mistake some teachers make is to just jump into student portfolios without thinking through exactly how they are going to manage them. To help you answer these questions, you might find it helpful to review the Portfolio Planning Checklist and Suggested Portfolio Items for each kind of portfolio students will keep. If done in a focused way, creating student portfolios will be a rewarding experience for both student and teacher.

Cute Boyfriend Quotes

Cute Boyfriend Quotes Do you love it when your friends gush, Hes so cute! whenever you talk about your boyfriend? Do you like everyone to think that you are dating the cutest guy in the world? Cute boys are sexy eye-candy at every party or pub. If you have a cute boyfriend, you make your friends envious. These cute boyfriend quotes will make you fall in love with your boyfriend all over again. Share them with your friends, and learn what your friends think about your boyfriend. Sarah McLachlan My love, you know you are my best friend. You know that Id do anything for you, and my love, let nothing come between us. My love for you is strong and true. Louisa May Alcott ​Love is a great beautifier. Jennifer Aniston I feel sexy in my jeans and wearing my boyfriends T-shirt. Kim Kardashian Ive always been the type to fall in love fast and, with every boyfriend, I plan out my wedding in my head. Rita Rudner My boyfriend and I broke up. He wanted to get married and I didnt want him to. Steve Maraboli When in a relationship, a real man doesnt make his woman jealous of others, he makes others jealous of his woman. Cecily von Ziegesar, You Know You Love Me Give a girl a boyfriend and she becomes a total expert on relationships. Michelle M. Pillow When people get into their 30s plus boyfriend sounds weird...if you really think about it. Instead, I think we should universally start using the term manfriend or snookie bookie cuddles pie. Elizabeth Barrett Browning How do I love thee?Let me count the ways.I love thee to the depth and breadth andheight my soul can reach. Emily Bronte Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same. P. Colby If love is a language of the heart, my heart speaks volumes. Robert Sexton Sometimes your nearness takes my breath away; and all the things I want to say can find no voice. Then, in silence, I can only hope my eyes will speak my heart. Ashley Tisdale In high school, it was all about popularity, being with the boyfriend and all the girls thinking hes cute. John Lennon Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear. Dr. Seuss You know youre in love when you cant fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. Jodi Picoult You dont love someone because theyre perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that theyre not. Alexandra Penney in Self The ultimate test of a relationship is to disagree but to hold hands. Barbara Johnson Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Stephenie Meyer, New Moon I honestly have no idea how to live without you. Calvin Klein I think theres something incredibly sexy about a woman wearing her boyfriends T-shirt and underwear. Ginnifer Goodwin Nudity is for my boyfriend or my doctor. April Winchell I am severely distracted these days. Its hard to sit in front of the computer, uploading bad music for hours, when you have a wonderful boyfriend who treats you like a Goddess.

The Crusades Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Crusades - Essay Example The outcomes of the Crusades on Europe during this era became a significant aspect in evolving and in the development of the European civilization, affecting all aspects of life. These include the riches and control of the Catholic Church. Thus, it further increased and expanded their influence and supremacy, placing the Christian legion and resources under their full control. In addition, they attuned the people to look upon them as leaders. Above and beyond all the clout and dominance the papacy had on the people, the pouring out of gifts of devoutness was engorged by the astonishing zeal of spiritual passion into epic scope. In all these, the preeminence of papal rule and the prosperity of the Catholic Church were immensely amplified. Another aspect that was greatly developed because of the Crusades was on business and trading. A steady exigency for transportation led to the construction of ships. This widened the borders of trade, broadening the market into all of Europe. Overflo wing trade goods coming from the rich lands of China and other Asian countries also found their way to Europe, therefore, building a stronger association with the European and Asian cultures. The crusades undoubtedly changed Western European life. For example, they helped chip away feudalism. Countless noblemen and knights loaned or sold away their lands to finance journeys and expeditions. This deterioration in both the numbers and power, and the matching intensification of the regal power, may be pinned down in the revolution that transpired in the birthplace of the movement, France. The Crusades, aside from their effects on religious and economical facet, facilitated the decomposition of the power of feudal nobility. It gave way to the importance of the kings and the people. Societal growth and expansion were now in the hands of the burgher class, or the middle class. Social changes also sprung out from the Crusades. It was one of the primary and the most important nurturing stim ulus of the code of chivalry. Intensified and re-enforced contact and communication with Eastern influences also were refined during this period. The religious war reformed the crusaders’ intellectual beliefs and ideas as well. They liberalized their mentality, and encouraged them to venture out from castles and villages to go and explore grand urban towns and cities, magnificent palaces, marvelous clothing, and stylish and graceful etiquette. These people came home with enhanced preferences, widened beliefs and views about the world. Because of the crusades, a new world was opened in front of them. The motivation given to geographical breakthrough that changed the entire concept and thinking of the way the world was directed different explorers, such as the notable Italian Marco Polo who discovered the beauty of China, rousing the adventures and voyages of Vasco de Gama, Magellan and Christopher Columbus, may possibly be tracked back to the vigorous awareness in geographical subjects. Jerry Ciacho November 20, 2011 The Black Death The Black Death, the immense outburst of the Bubonic Plague, was indeed among the most terrible and devastating blows in all of history. It wiped out more than a hundred million people, eating into cities and towns, encroaching with a steady but unbelievably rapid stride but hit its upmost death toll in Europe during the Middle Ages between 1348 and 1350. Many believe this global virulent disease initially came from China. The bubonic plague for the most part affected only rodents, but fleas started to spread the disease to people. China was the bustling trading center of the world and with the outbreak, it was bound to extend to Western Asia and the rest of Europe. Reaching the shores of

Socialization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Socialization - Essay Example The U.S. has, in the space of five years, become a nation that ignores the very precepts of its founding and international law as well. Young persons that do not fully understand what freedoms they are losing and what this country originally stood for will believe that this type of activity by the government is considered acceptable. That is a frightening prospect as their generation will be more willing to continue the present trend of giving away freedoms for the sake of security until they no longer enjoy the freedoms that their forefathers intended for them and their fathers and grandfathers fought and gave their lives for. In addition, young persons in the U.S. will never have the pride in their country as did their fore-bearers because the country has lost its respect throughout the world and rightfully so. President George Bush characterized the ‘War on Terrorism’ as a prolonged battle against those that would employ terrorist actions along with the nations that enabled them. In addition, the U.S. Congress gave formal authorization to the president on September 18, 2001 to â€Å"use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons† (U.S. Code Collection, 2002). The ultimate culmination of the rhetoric and selective legal reasoning regarding the ‘War on Terror’ was Bush’s order of the U.S. military to invade both Iraq and Afghanistan, an illegal act on many fronts. According to the United States Constitution Article One, Section Eight, only Congress has the exclusive authority to declare war. Presidents do not have this authority (U.S. Constitution). However,