Chinua Achebe s Things Fall Apart - 1617 Words

In Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the characters Ikemefuna and Obierika are used as â€Å"foil characters,† and reveal pertinent traits of Okonkwo’s true nature. The traits of Ikemefuna and Obierika contrast the traits Okonkwo, and allow the reader greater insight into Okonkwo’s fear of emasculation and his trepidation for the transformation of Igbo culture. Both Obierika and Ikemefuna accentuate the abhorrence Okonkwo has for becoming epicene and opprobrious like his father. Obierika also is skeptical of the Igbo culture in that he questions aspects of Igbo traditions and rituals, for he feels a certain degree of change may benefit their society. Furthermore, Ikemefuna’s character also reveals not only Okonkwo’s fear of emasculation, but†¦show more content†¦This quote is an example of how Okonkwo uses his physical dominance to take control of situations. Though Okonkwo wants to be seen as the most powerful man in Umuofia, his aspirati ons arise from his fear of becoming like his father. As learned in chapter one, Okonkwo’s father, Unoka, was not well respected in Umuofia. By the end of his life, Unoka had earned no titles, but rather had accumulated a large debt (Achebe, 6-7). He was considered lazy, and he continuously abashed his family with his irresponsible actions and negative reputation (Achebe, 4). Okonkwo is the exact opposite of his father -- he loves war and violence, he has accumulated two titles, and he is a renowned wrestler. Unlike his father, he is successful, highly respected, and â€Å"was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond,† (Achebe, 3). While Unoka was considered to be weak and effeminate, Okonkwo is the exemplar of power and strength. He is indomitable in nature and he opposes anything considered soft, such as joyful emotion or casual conversation. He will never surrender his desire to differentiate himself from his father. Obierka and Ikemefuna prove that Okonkwo will do whatever it takes to be the authoritativ e archetype. Okonkwo’s most dear friend is Obierka. It is ironic to think that Okonkwo’s greatest friend could be so different in disposition and personality, and yet at the same time be so similar. Obierika has titles, he â€Å"isn’t afraid on blood†

Workplace Competition Is A Perfect Example Of Win Oriented...

Introduction It is rooted in human nature to compete for what we need and sometimes even what we think we deserve. Competition has many different faces and a variety of names. May it be swimming, football, or two employees competing for a promotion, there is no difference in objective. Workplace competition is a perfect example of win-oriented behavior. The basic premise is outmaneuvering opposition to advance quickly through an organization. I believe this is a Human Resource topic because the HR manager has to know what’s going on in his company and how his staffs strive to be the best. The competition occurs naturally because of the employee’s motivation to reach higher levels of employment. Quantifying employee productivity has even become less difficult in areas where there are always deadlines and quotas. After all, who wants to be an entry-level worker earning an entry-level salary their entire professional career? Literature Review Competition offers an avenue for competitors and businesses to flourish. It occurs inevitably in almost any organization or part of life. Organizations usually thrive when members engage in some type of competition. Frederick P. (2008) says, â€Å"Without competition, you’d be on cruise control, with no worries in the world. This makes you vulnerable and prone for mistakes that can be costly. With competition around, you are more likely to keep your eyes open and capture every detail along the way so that you remain on top of your game.†Show MoreRelatedMy Viewing Of Down Periscope922 Words   |  4 Pagesthat is considered to be impossible, especially with his misfit crew. Eventually, through Captain Dodge excellent and often times outlandish behavior, he earns the respect of his crew through means of blatant experiences and charismatic prowess. With that said, let s consider many of the reasons for the success of the mission. While Captain Dodge isn’t a perfect leader, I believe some members of the Navy saw the Charismatic prowess I mentioned above and Admiral Winslow is one such member. SometimesRead MoreManaging Conflicts : Managing Conflict1781 Words   |  8 PagesManaging Conflict Conflicts are mostly unintended; a conflict arises whenever individual’s perception, interpretation, action or decision differ from one another. Workplace team conflict occurs when a group and team members have different point of views and choices own preferred ways of accomplishing tasks or goals without considering each member of his/her team. It is normal for conflict to exist in any organization to the extent that employee and leaders are communicating, understanding and acceptingRead MoreConflict Management At The Workplace Setting2263 Words   |  10 Pagesone way or another. Conflict can have significant impact in the workplace and should not be ignored. It is essential for managers, supervisors, and even coworkers to address individuals that are causing office conflicts. The need for managers to have better leadership and management skills to handle their complex responsibilities is well recognized. The following case introduces conflict management in the workplace setting. The foundation of conflict management centers on communication techniquesRead MoreThe Manager Of The Peninsula Hong Kong1630 Words   |  7 PagesKong was ranked 1st in the Hong Kong best hotel competition, people called it â€Å"Far east lady† to show their love. People maybe curious about the Najie Chen who is the one looks neither offensive nor deliberately creating a mystery woman, in this world-famous hotel, is how to win respect and lead this hotel to successed. At the first, I want to talk about what is leadership,Leaders are individuals who significantly affect poeple’s thoughts and behaviors and the leadership can motivate people’s thinkingRead MoreFactors Affecting Market Share of Retailers15007 Words   |  61 Pagescustomers. They have done a lot in terms of customers services deliver but there was still a gap as most of these retailers don’t know the factors that make customers to prefer buying in their stores. However, many consumer packaged goods face competition among product of different quality was a symmetric. Price promotion by higher-quality brands draw disproportionately more market share from lower quality brands. Competitive pressure from internet and ability of consumers to make price comparisonsRead More Motivation Theory: Ensuring Success of the Workplace Essay4958 Words   |  20 PagesMotivation Theory: Ensuring Success of the Workplace Since the beginning of mankind, leaders have risen to take charge of societies and make decisions. These decisions often meant the difference between having food and going hungry, having shelter or being left outside, and sometimes the difference between life and death. As society has progressed, we have seen great technological advances such as television, computers, cars, and space travel. Despite such advancements, the basic needsRead MoreMotivation in Workplace Essay2798 Words   |  12 Pagesa man into action. Whatever may be the behavior of man, there is some stimulus behind it .Stimulus is dependent upon the motive of the person concerned. Motive can be known by studying his needs and desires. There is no universal theory that can explain the factors influencing motives which control mans behavior at any particular point of time. In general, the different motives operate at different times among different people and influence their behaviors. The process of motivation studies theRead Moreâ€Å"Marketing, Consumerism, Materialism and Ethics: the Modern Marketing Conundrum†4276 Words   |  18 PagesINTRODUCTION Gone are the days when â€Å"buyer beware† was the trend. The sellers used to dictate their terms as the competition was less. But after the Liberalization, Globalizations and Privatization in 1991, more companies entered into India. This changed the situation form â€Å"Buyer’s beware† to â€Å"Sellers beware†. It became more difficult for the companies to sustain in the cut throat competition. They had to shift their focus from product centric to customer centric. Companies had to think smart insteadRead MoreFactors Influencing Employee Motivation6490 Words   |  26 Pagestechnological expertise and employees who possess these valuable attributes are termed gold-collar workers. These valuable employees can make the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful enterprise, so keeping these employees motivated in the workplace has assumed new relevance and importance in recent years. Formulating optimal motivational approaches, though, requires mor e than just pay (which is consistently cited as a major influence on motivation) and benefits, but a host of other factorsRead MoreLeading Change Paper8284 Words   |  34 Pages Effective managers use various political tactics to increase their power within the organization to coordinate and support the work of their peers and subordinates to meet company objectives. Managers regularly acquire and use power. Power-oriented behavior has an impact on managerial career progress, on job performance, on organizational effectiveness, and on the personal lives of employees (Obholzer, 1995). It involves the combined topics of power, influence, authority, and organizational politics

Marketing Strategy on Indonesia free essay sample

The company I choice to do a marketing strategy on was McDonalds, â€Å"Ba Ba Ba Ba Ba I’m Lovin’ it†. I choice McDonalds because it is one of the most universal and internationally known companies that will always and forever be known for its beautiful golden arches and Ronald McDonald characters. Of course, I could have gone with Kentucky Fried Chicken or even Ikea but the thought of not talking about one of the happiest places on earth, and I am not referring to Disney World, would be a disservice to our American culture.McDonalds has dominantly globalized and franchised around the world and gives new meaning to what marketing really is about. It all comes down to the elements of the marketing mix, pursuing the right strategies, choosing the appropriate channel of distribution, and finding your target market. All in all, McDonalds has rapidly dominated the fast food industry and has been able to become a world power house, cross-bordering into international ma rkets. Target Market It’s all about â€Å"Location, Location, Location† and making sure the â€Å"Price is Right†.McDonald’s strategic placement of its fast food locations and affordable prices contributes to the total domination of the market. McDonalds does business in 117 countries around the world (â€Å"International Franchising Information†). They are everywhere, off exits, in large and small communities, internationally, and even in major superstores and airports, making it convenient for people to continuously come back for more. Knowing their target market consists of large families with kids and people who are pressed for time, McDonalds has made their menus more affordable and they give their consumers more for their money.Examples of this can be seen in the â€Å"$1. 00 Menu† or their â€Å"2 for 1 special†. Not only does McDonalds have convenient speedy service but it also provides a fun filled kid-friendly atmosphere. We have all seen those kids that drag their parents to McDonalds to get a happy meal and we shake our heads like really but that is called â€Å"Great Marketing†! Appeal to the kids, with the gimmicks and songs, and then they will bring the parents running. As consumers we look for great value, quality, service, and speed, in turn this brings repeat business and brand loyalty to McDonalds.Franchising and Branding Strategies McDonalds has definitely hit the mark when developing their marketing mix for their company. In every area they focus on the product, pricing, promoting, and production of their products. In exhibit 9. 6 on pg. 290, â€Å"Fast Food in Jakarta, Indonesia†, this shows an example of the U. S fast food franchisers from around the world penetrating international markets (International Marketing. 9th edition pg. 290). The typical reasons for the International expansion of franchise systems are market potential, financial gain, and saturated domestic markets.From a franchise’s perspective, the franchise is beneficial because it reduces risk by implementing a proven concept; and one key franchising concern is the need for standardization, without which many of the benefits of the transferred know-how are lost (International Marketing. 9th edition pg. 346). Typically, such standardization will include the use of a common business name, similar layout, and similar production or services processes. These factors contribute to the high degree of international reconcilability but however standardization does not mean 100 percent uniformity (International Marketing. th edition pg. 346). Even companies that are noted for following the same methods worldwide have made numerous changes in their product offering to appeal more to the local styles. Like the soft drinks and packaged-goods marketers that have led the way, the newest marketers of world brands are producing not necessarily identical products, but recognizable products. As an example, the success of McDonald’s in the world marketplace has been based on variation, not on offering the same product worldwide (What makes a Killer Franchise Brand).Had it not been for variations, McDonald’s would have limited its appeal unnecessarily and would have been far more subject to local competitor’ challenge (International Marketing. 9th edition pg. 346). McDonalds Pricing Strategies McDonalds focuses of four major pricing strategies: product line, promotional, penetration, and value pricing. Product line pricing is a unique pricing strategy that falls solely on their many product lines (McDonald’s Pricing Strategies). Economic conditions may change rapidly, thus warranting change in the product or the product line. During the Asian currency crisis, McDonald’s replaced french-fries with rice in its Indonesian restaurants due to the cost considerations. With the collapse of the local rupiah, potatoes, the only ingredient McDonald’s imports to Indonesia, quintupled in price. In addition, a new rice and egg dish was introduced to maintain as many customers as possible the economic hardship (International Marketing. 9th edition pg. 335). In order to appeal to the local demographic, international marketers must make sure products do not contain ingredients that might be in violation of legal requirements or religious or social customs.Since Indonesia is in a Muslim country, McDonalds â€Å"Maharaja Mac† is made with non-beef products (International Marketing. 9th edition pg. 336). Value pricing is used where external factors such as recession or increased competition force companies to provide ‘value’ products and services to retain sales. † The most notable and recent example of this is McDonald’s â€Å"Dollar Menu† (McDonald’s Pricing Strategies). McDonalds is always offering some type of promotion, such as â€Å"Two Sausage McMuffin’s for $3†. There is also penetration pricing.This is when McDonalds runs a campaign in order to gain some market share in the industry. Channel of Distribution Channels of distribution are becoming more global; that is, growing number retailers are now showing great flexibility in their strategies for entering new geographic markets (International Marketing. 9th edition). McDonalds has definitely reached world power and their cross-border alliances has given them the dominance to reach new markets rapidly (International Marketing. 9th edition pg. 86) Channel of distribution provide the essential linkages that connect producers and customers; it should be a team working toward a common goal.

Treatment of Results Essay Example

Treatment of Results Essay Part 1 Obtaining a calibration plot Salicylic Acid Solution /cm3 We will write a custom essay sample on Treatment of Results specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Treatment of Results specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Treatment of Results specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Concentration /mol.dm-3 Absorbance A 0.0 0.000 0.002 B 0.5 0.048 0.301 C 1.0 0.096 0.487 D 1.5 0.144 0.715 E 2.0 0.192 0.923 F 2.5 0.240 1.184 To calculate the above concentrations, it is required to use the volumes of salicylic acid as shown above, using the formula below: Concentration = weight of tablet specified on container x volume of salicylic acid solution volume of total solution total volume of standard solution Therefore the concentration for 0.5cm3 salicylic acid solution is: = 300 x 0.5 250 12.5 = 0.048 mol.dm-3 These steps are repeated to calculate the other concentrations, each time changing the volume of salicylic acid solution used. Calculating the least squares regression line xi yi xi-x (xi-x)2 yi-y (yi-y)2 (xi-x)(yi-y) 1 0.000 0.002 -0.12 0.0144 -0.60 0.3600 0.0720 2 0.048 0.301 -0.072 0.0052 -0.55 0.3069 0.0399 3 0.096 0.487 -0.024 0.0006 -0.12 0.0132 0.0028 4 0.144 0.715 0.024 0.0006 0.11 0.0128 0.0027 5 0.192 0.923 0.072 0.0052 0.32 0.1030 0.0231 6 0.240 1.184 0.12 0.0144 0.58 0.3387 0.0698 0.72 3.612 0 0.0403 -0.25 1.1347 0.2103 x = 0.72 = 0.12 6 y = 3.612 = 0.602 6 The equation for the least squares regression is in the algebraic form: y = a + bx where a is the intercept of the line on the y-axis and b is the slope of the line. [1] [2] b = 0.2103 = 5.2184 0.0403 a = 0.602 (5.2184 x 0.12) = -0.0242 Therefore the equation for the least squares regression line is: y = 5.2184x 0.0242 Part 2 Interference Studies Concentration /mol.dm-3 Absorbance Acetylsalicylate 0.0261 0.154 Salicylamide 0.2204 1.081 Caffeine -0.0056 0.004 Acetaminophen -0.0058 0.002 The table above shows the results obtained for this part of the investigation. It can be seen that caffeine and acetaminophen have a much lower concentration than acetylsalicylate and salicylamide which suggests that these two compounds are not present in the aspirin. However, with previous knowledge, we know that acetylsalicylate and salicylamide are present in aspirin, which explains a higher concentration than the other two compounds. Part 3 Optimisation of the conditions for the hydrolysis of acetylsalicylate Time /sec Concentration /mol.dm-3 30 0.2075 130 0.2125 230 0.4511 330 0.3535 430 0.1922 530 0.2068 630 0.2142 730 0.2045 830 0.2178 930 0.2285 The results obtained above shows the reaction time for the amount of salicylate formed for ten minutes. Referring to the graph, it can be seen that there is a relatively linear relationship which suggests that the reaction may have completed by the time the absorbances were measured. The first reading was taken at 30 seconds and every minute thereafter. Another reason for the linear relationship could also be that the reaction taking place is very fast and we were unable to measure the absorbances at the initial rate. Part 4 The assay of the aspirin content of a tablet Concentration /mol.dm-3 Absorbance 1 0.1581 0.784 2 0.1342 0.670 3 0.1603 0.795 Calculating the w/w% aspirin in the tablet Weight of aspirin = highest concentration of salicylic acid solution x dilution factor x total volume of solution (dm-3) Dilution factor = total volume . volume of salicylic acid solution used Therefore: Weight of aspirin = 0.2400 x 12.5 x 250 2.5 1000 = 0.3g Therefore w% of aspirin = weight of aspirin x 100 weight of tablet = 0.3 . x 100 0.3352 = 89.4% Calculating the 95% confidence interval [1] where à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ is the true mean, x is the measured mean, s is the measured standard deviation, n is the number of measurements and t is the value from the Students t table xi xi-x (xi-x)2 1 0.1581 0.0072 0.00005184 2 0.1342 -0.0167 0.00027889 3 0.1603 0.0094 0.00008836 0.4526 0 0.00041909 x = 0.4526 = 0.1509 3 s = ?(xi-x)2 = 0.00041909 = 0.0145 n 1 2 t = 4.303 n = 3 Therefore: à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ = 0.1509 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ (4.303 x 0.0145) V3 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ = 0.1509 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ 0.0360g From this we can now compare the result for the weight of aspirin with the amount specified on the container. The amount specified on the container is 0.3g. However, the result for the weight of aspirin that we obtained is also 0.3g. This suggests we were able to collect all the aspirin that is found in the tablet. Discussion Although there are many parts to carrying out the assay, there are main points that should be considered whilst implementing the procedure. 1 Ensure that all the compounds that required weighing are transferred to the beaker without any spillage. Ensure that no powder or solution is lost during the experiment as this can affect the final result of the purity of aspirin in the tablet. 2 Due to the problem of measuring the absorbance of the required solutions, ensure to minimise the delay of measuring the absorbances of the solutions and to avoid keeping samples in direct sunlight, as this can affect the absorbance of the solution. Limitations General limitations that may have occurred during the experiment could be: 1 Human errors not transferring all the powdered tablet to the beaker. Although we received a high value for the w/w% aspirin in the tablet, some powdered tablet may have been lost whilst transference. 2 Not measuring the absorbances of the solution as quickly as possible. Sunlight could have affected the variation of results we had obtained. 3 Not withdrawing aliquots of solution at regular intervals. This served to be a major problem for part 3 of the investigation as we were unable to collect results for the initial rate of the reaction. The graph shows that the reaction had completed by the first minute of the reaction had ended.