Program Evaluation and Its Usefulness Essay Example

Program Evaluation and Its Usefulness Essay Program evaluation is a tool used for evaluating and assessing a program in place. This paper will describe program evaluation and how it can be useful for an organization wishing to determine the efficiency, effectiveness, and the impact of a program. Five of the most common program evaluation models will be introduced. A number of different models are used by those who evaluate programs. This paper will describe, in detail, the success case method for evaluations. Program Evaluation and Its Usefulness Program evaluation is a process of assessing whether a program is efficient, effective, and has an impact on its intended users (Posavac and Carey, 2007). Program evaluation occurs in an organized setting and is a collection of methods, skills, and sensitivities used to determine whether a need is met and whether or not the objectives or goals of the program are sufficiently delivered and achieved. Evaluation looks at program and project objectives and asks whether they have been achieved, judges the worth of ongoing programs, decides upon the usefulness of new program or projects, and so forth† (Boulmetis and Dutwin, 2005, p. 3). Another way to look at program evaluation is to assess the current state of a program and identify any discrepancies of the current state and what the intended state is supposed to be. Program evaluations can be useful to an organization in several ways. We will write a custom essay sample on Program Evaluation and Its Usefulness specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Program Evaluation and Its Usefulness specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Program Evaluation and Its Usefulness specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Program evaluations can contribute to quality services by providing feedback. Formative evaluations, which are designed to help form the programs themselves, provide feedback that can be crucial to the success of an organization (Posavac and Carey, 2007). Also, evaluations can help an organization decide whether a program should be started or not and choose between different program options (Posavac and Carey, 2007). Through data collection, evaluation questions, and data analysis an organization can decide on the effective of a new or ongoing program. Program evaluations can verify that resources would be devoted to meeting unmet needs, verify that implemented programs do provide services, examine the outcome of programs, provide information to maintain and improve quality, and watch for unplanned side effects. Five Most Common Types of Program Evaluation Models The five most common types of program evaluations are ones that assess the program’s efficiency, assess the program’s design and theory, assess the program’s impact on the community or end user, assess the program’s process or implementation, and assess the need for the program. Success Case Model for Evaluation According to Brinkerhoff (1983), success case evaluation seeks qualitative information about a few subjects rather than seeking thinner, quantifiable data about many subjects. The success case model derives information from those participants who have benefited from the program according to the goals and objectives the program intends to have. This feedback may be helpful to others who have not benefitted as well from the program. Success cases may be studies briefly through short interviews with a few trainees or through more elaborate approaches, such as work-sample analysis, records analysis and observation† (Brinkerhoff, 1983, para. 9). Some uses of the success case method are illustrating that the program has a positive impact, modifying and strengthening the program being evaluated, and building data collection methods to determine the extent of the program’s impact (Brinkerhoff, 1983). Evaluation questions often associated with th e success case model ask: How has the program been used? What benefits are results of the program? What problems occurred during or because of the program? Conclusion Program evaluation is necessary to accurately examine a program’s efficiency, effectiveness, or impact of the particular program through the means evaluation questions, data collection, and data analysis. These types of evaluations can provide useful feedback to organizations to examine the outcomes of a program, verify that the goals and objectives of a program are met, provide information to choose between different programs, provide information to improve quality of a program, and watch for unplanned side effects. The five most common evaluation models address the need for a program, the efficiency of a program, the impact of a program, the theory of a program, and the implementation of a program. The success case model of evaluation seeks information on a select group of participants who have experienced success from the program. Feedback from the program can help to modify or strengthen the program, help others who have yet to benefit from the program, and determine the impact of the program on its participants. References Brinkerhoff, R. O. (August 1983). The success case: a low-cost, high-yield evaluation. Training and Development Journal. Retrieved December 6, 2010, from www. ebscohost. com. Boulmetis, J. amp; Dutwin, P. (2005). The ABCs of evaluation: Timeless techniques for program and project managers. (2nd ed. ). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass/John Wiley amp; Sons. Posavac, E. , amp; Carey, R. (2007). Program evaluation: Methods and case studies. (7th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.

William Butler Yeats Leda And The Swan Essays - Greek Mythology

William Butler Yeats Leda And The Swan Essays - Greek Mythology William Butler Yeats Leda And The Swan William Butler Yeats poem Leda and the Swan is a hauntingly beautiful recreation of the Greek myth in which Zeus takes the form of a swan in order to seduce Leda, who, as a result of this brutality becomes the mother of Helen of Troythe woman who is credited with starting the Trojan War. Yeats choice of employing the sonnet format (sometimes associated with romantic thoughts) in order to retell this story, along with other poetic techniques, allows the poem to go beyond the familiar story which has been told and retold many times. Within the realm of the storyline, this poem captures the moment during which Zeus, disguised as a swan, overwhelms and attacks a helpless young woman. During the first four lines of the poem, the speaker wastes no time in situating the reader as to what is occurring: A sudden blow: the great wings beating still Above the staggering girl, her thighs caressed By the dark webs, her nape caught in his bill, He holds her helpless breast upon his breast. First of all, swans are not often associated with being birds of violence. One might envision a vulture attacking someone, but swans are thought of as birds of beauty and grace, and symbolize elegance and peacefulness. The action of the swan in the poem actions is the total opposite and one may find it ironic. This could imply the reason that Zeus chose this bird for his disguise: it would be easier to surprise and overwhelm Leda. Starting the poem with this instance of violence as Yeats chooses to, brings the reader immediately in on a moment of supreme horror. Throughout the poem, the compact nature of the lines, all in iambic pentameter, along with their rhyming endings, further escalate the fever pitch of the moment by swiftly moving along the reader. The ringing assonance of end words still and bill, caressed and breast all work to keep the reader riveted as to what is occurring here in the beginning. The next four lines capture the terror that Leda must feel as she is overwhelmed and virtually smothered by this living down comforter. Yet the speaker manages to incorporate a sensual aspect within the violent confines of the description. Amidst the violence of the rape as it is occurring, the speaker manages to convey confusion, and wonder at what it is that is actually overtaking Leda. The speaker wonders How can those terrified vague fingers push/The feathered glory from her loosening thighs? At this point in the poem, it becomes clear with the descriptive language and imagery that this is much more than a random act of violence. Has it occurred to Leda just who is occupying the body of the swan? Is there more here than a rape scene? Since, as part of the myth it is known that Zeus is the one occupying the form of the swan, and since he is king of the gods this could be interpreted as more of a divine intervention.. This is even more telling because Helen of Troy, the woman who launched 1000 ships because of her beautyis the result of this union. The following four lines (lines 9, 10, 11 & 12) go one step further. These lines refer to the overtaking of Troy by the Greeks, during which the gods all respectively played their part and personalities by taking their preferred sides. The speaker could be connecting the conception of Helen, whose eventual abduction from her husband, Menelaus, (brother of Agamemnon) began the Trojan War. In typical Shakespearean Sonnet format, the last two lines of the poem form a resolution of sorts. Here, the speaker is questioning what exactly, if anything, that Leda took from this attack. In a way, this leaves Leda with the upper hand. Did she put on his knowledge with his power/Before the indifferent beak could let her drop? This statement questions what Leda might have gained from the attack. As a woman unable to fend off the overpowering nature of this attack, Leda had no say in the matter of this brutal rape. Yet the speaker seems to be questioning whether or not Leda left this scene a changed womanperhaps even empowered? Again, one

Changing of Fashion styles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Changing of Fashion styles - Essay Example The essay "Changing of Fashion styles" explores the fashion trends and styles and their changing. To see how these general considerations apply in reality, we may turn our attention to a phenomenon with which all the Western societies have been increasingly preoccupied during the last couple of centuries, and the significance of which grew in the twentieth century to the level when this phenomenon turned into the most powerful fetish of modernity. This profound phenomenon is fashion, and aside from its elevated status this field of human creativity by means of the continual changing of fashion styles perhaps in the most persuasive way serves as a manifesto of the constant change as a slogan of humanity. However, it is my firm belief that the transience of fashion has its deep roots that connect it with some fundamental qualities of the social structure we are living in. With these considerations in mind, let us on the example of the continual changing of fashion styles try to take a closer look at the interplay of the promise of identity reinforcement that fashion apparently offers and the notion of obsolescence as its inevitable hidden companion that may in the end turn out to be the real driving force behind fashion as such. That fashion has since its inception been involved into the process of creation and confirmation of personal and social identities of people can be understood from the very definitions of both these terms. Indeed, we can define identity as a set of individual.

Evidence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Evidence - Essay Example However, we had a minor misunderstanding on the day of the marriage and I refused to eat breakfast in the morning. But he forced food into my mouth and forced me to drink and choked my neck. After marriage his attitude started to change and he argued over issues big or small. Every time we argued he cursed saying that Ethiopians are poor, liars, thieves and whores. One day, after I finished preparing dinner at home, we agreed that I brew coffee and an argument started. And I told him I was not going to brew coffee the ceremonial way as we do in Ethiopia as this would take a lot of time and moreover, we were not in a good mood. He shouted ordering me to brew coffee and jostled me around. He pushed me into the kitchen and forced me to make coffee and forced me to prepare coffee. After I prepared coffee he ordered me to clean the kitchen right then. But, as I was forced to make the coffee, I refused to clean the kitchen and went to bedroom to sleep. He pulled me out of the bedroom and s at me in the corridor. I rose up and told him that I wanted to go to sleep. He laid my head on the floor of the corridor and poured cold ice water over my head. Again I rose up and wanted to go into the bedroom to sleep. He shouted and pushed me around me around and said that I am not permitted in the bedroom and that my place is in the bathroom. Eventually I went in and slept. On another day after grocery shopping, we wanted Injera. We went to an Ethiopia restaurant and ordered a carryout of Doro Wot and Kitfo. He started cursing saying that he is not being served timely because he is not an Ethiopian. I picked a flyer advertising a fashion show night and looked at it and he also did the same. He continued cursing saying â€Å"you whores, this tells you are whores†. I told him I have no interest in talking but he continued saying you beggars, you do not have anything to eat. Then I told him that I did not come because Ethiopia is poor and that I did not have anything to eat. I told him that I came to live a happy/peaceful married life with him. He continued his rough/rude ways and asked me to go back to my country. Finally the carry out was ready and we come home and as we prepared to eat he continued by saying, that Ethiopia is poor and that America gives millions of dollars to Ethiopia. He brought his laptop and as he talked started the internet. Then I said to him, you keep speaking badly about Ethiopia but I will fall back to my tradition. We Ethiopians do not argue while we are eating and I will not enter into conversation with you. When I said this, he snatched the food I was eating and dumped in into the garbage including his portion. He then went to the refrigerator and pulled out food and threw it in the garbage, He then asked me, â€Å"what else do you want me to throw into the garbage?† I told him that I never asked him to throw anything and to keep me out of this. Do you want me to take it out? He asked. I told him I have no say as I did not have any say when he threw the food away. Then he went and pulled out the packaged foods and put them in the sink. He took the Doro Wot and Kitfo out from the garbage. I went and sat by the sofa. He brought the Doro Wot and Kitfo and sat it by my foot and said, here eat it if you want. Then he picked the food including the hot pepper and started spreading it on my hair, my eyes, my face, my neck, my breast. I stood up to go to wash but he

Economics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Economics - Assignment Example Manufacturers are essentially limited to the manufacturing of mobile handsets and accessories and supply them to the mobile phone network service providers. Most of the major manufacturers of mobile phone sets are however, foreign and UK imports mobile phones. Major manufactures of mobile phone handsets include Nokia, Samsung, Apple, Sony Ericson are all foreign firms providing mobile phone handsets and other accessories to the service providers.1 Network operators offer airtime and data services to the end users as well as other tied services. They also offer services to indirect services providers as well as the virtual network service providers. They also sell packages to the customers as well as to the dealers to provide pay as you go as well as other bundled services to end users. Dealers actually operate through their retail outlets and offer mobile phone handsets as well as services obtained from the network operators. Though there are large numbers of smaller and independent dealers however, market seems to be dominated by the few very large dealers such as phone4U and other dealers. The growth of mobile phone networks in UK started during 1985 when government started to de-regulate the market. Since then there has been mushroom growth of the mobile networks in the country. Over the period of time, new services have been added thus increasing the overall depth and breadth of the market. (Doyle and Smith, 1999) Some estimates suggest that there are more than 80 million users of mobile phone data services across the country. Such growth in the market therefore suggests that UK is one of the growing markets for the mobile phone networks. What is also critical to understand that the overall number of service providers have remained limited despite such growth in the market. Initially very few operators were allowed to operate however the overall inclusion rate has increased in the recent past. Firms like Orange, O2, and Vodafone

The Sioux Tribe From The Great Plains In North America

The Sioux Tribe From The Great Plains In North America Sioux Tribe Before Contact The Sioux Tribe from The Great Plains in North America. The Sioux Tribe had a very different cultural outlook compared to our more modern culture. They did not have our advanced technology standards or the amount of knowledge about the world that we currently have. Although they didnt have the knowledge we have, they knew more about their land than many other tribes. They knew a lot about the animals and resources they had and when they would have to move. The Siouans moved according to the amount of resources they had in their area. This included the amount of water, plants and mainly bison. The Siouans followed the masses of bison as they played a very important role in their lives. The Sioux Tribes most distinguished quality was their religious beliefs. They did everything according to these beliefs which was the foundation of their culture. They actually had a very sophisticated and complicated religion but managed to merge it into their daily lifestyle. The Sioux Tribes held many ceremonies to thank the gods and spirits, who they believed existed within nature itself. Most natural occurrences were believed to be caused by the hateful spirits. Though, the wanted occurrences were thought to be given as a reward from Mother Nature. They believed that the land and all life was sacred and treasured the saying All life is holy the two legged sharing it with the four legged and the wings of the air, and all green things. Timeline of events which occurred before contact with non-indigenous people 6000BC The Siouans changed their food acquisition strategies to meet changing conditions by developing new tools and techniques for hunting bison. 3. Early trade among early peoples found in Manitoba copper from Lake Superior, pipestone from Minnesota, shell from the Gulf of Mexico, volcanic glass from Wyoming, flint from North Dakota. 500BC Climate change appeared to hamper growth of native corn varieties First Nations and The Sioux Tribes gradually switched from agriculture to more hunting, fishing and trapping. Maize was grown but bison hunting appeared to be dominant. Maintained important trading relationships and cultural exchanges with First Nations from the south. 1100 AD 1500 AD Map of where the Sioux Tribes were located During Contact and Comparison To Aboriginal Contact The non-indigenous people who colonized the land were the Europeans such as the Spanish and French and the white men otherwise known as the British. The original intents of the Europeans and British were to expand their land for power and for wealth. After Christopher Columbus first discovered America expecting it to be Asia it alerted other nations. This caused other countries to colonise around these areas and hence the Spanish were the first people to meet with the Siouans. The Spanish spread news about the resources and large areas to other European countries which led to more and more Europeans colonizing in that region. As well as the large amounts of space, the Europeans and British took notice of the valuable resources which then led to the trading and mining of the land. During that time, one of the most valuable resources was gold. Loads of gold was found around that region which caused a gold rush, and because of the overwhelming greed of the Europeans, more and more people began to rush to this region which forced the Siouans to leave their lands and move to other areas where the bison went. The Europeans and others were so greedy that they rapidly colonized the whole area thinking that there would be masses of gold there as well which continually forced the Siouans to move away. The first arrival of the Europeans was quite friendly and they had no evil intentions. They wanted peace with the Sioux Tribes and didnt want to disrupt their beliefs and cultural habits. Even though they had different perspectives and beliefs compared to the Sioux Nation, they didnt really mind their differences until later on. Both groups thought that their cultural practices were acceptable at first but when they gained more knowledge about what each group did, they both detested the others beliefs and despised each other. The Europeans believed that all land could be bought and completely owned which disgusted the because they believed that all land was sacred and holy. They thought that the land could be used by everyone for the benefit of everyone. The Sioux Tribe let the Europeans take over their land only because they wanted peace and thought that everyone was allowed on the land. After the Europeans slowly maintained more and more of the Siouans sacred land and began to break their promises. The Siouans saw their horrible intentions of taking over all of the land which was evil and intolerable hence the Siouans declared war on the Europeans. The first known meeting between any western Siouans and the whites was in 1541, when De Soto reached the Quapaw villages in east Arkansas. The Spanish and the Siouans didnt really fight because they had met had the Valley of Vapors. Members of many tribes had gathered at the valley over many years to enjoy the healing properties of the thermal springs. The tribes had developed agreements to put aside their weapons and partake of the healing waters in peace while in the valley. De Soto and his men stayed just long enough to claim the area for Spain. In 1640 the earliest notice of the main northwestern tribe is that of the French explorers. Some French traders soon followed. These men wanted the furs of animals that lived in the Dakota country such as buffalos. In exchange, they introduced the Dakota to goods such as flint and steel. These traders also brought glass, breads, metal knives, axes, guns, flour and sugar to the Dakota. At first the Siouans were fine with the white Europeans since they brought goods. They were able to enjoy the benefits brought to them by the traders and did not suffer much upset to their way of life because there were only a few white people who lived on their land, but by 1685, the Sioux territory was claimed by the French pushing the Siouans down the Mississippi and away from the Buffalo Plains. The Sioux Tribe despised what the Europeans did so they declared war. The first contact of Europeans or white people was quite different between the Sioux tribe and the indigenous people of Australia. They were different in the sense that the Sioux tribe benefitted a little from the Europeans where as the Aborigines suffered major consequences from the British. When the French traders first met the Sioux tribe, they wanted the furs of animals that lived there and in return the Siouans received some goods such as flint and steel as well as guns and other weapons. This helped both the Siouans and the French because they were able to gain new information and products or resources. When the British first met the indigenous people of Australia, they wanted to claim the land and thought that no one owned it. So they decided to ship their convicts over to Australia because they needed more space. The Aborigines didnt want them there because they were greedy and stole their valuable resources and didnt give much in return. This was terrible and so the Aborigines tried to force them to leave which resulted in the death of many Aborigines. This is very different because the initial result for the Siouans was helpful whereas the result for the Aboriginals was brutal and fatal. Though the end the result for both groups were similar because that they both ended up fighting wars. Consequences of Colonization and Comparison to Aboriginal Experiences The result of colonization for the Sioux tribe started off quite well because they were given new resources and goods such as horses, cloth and guns. Unfortunately, with new resources came new diseases that the Siouans had no immunity over such as small pox which killed many of the Siouans. Cultural differences also caused mass destruction in the Sioux tribe. The Siouans believed in different things compared to the Europeans which caused distrust leading into major arguments and battles or clashes where many people were killed. Treaties were made by both sides, but people changed these treaties which were then ignored. Soon, the Sioux and other nations were given reservation land to live on, but frequently they were relocated when valuable commodities such as gold were found on their lands. After a long period of time with the Europeans, they began fighting at war again because of land and resources that the Siouans were receiving. This caused major conflict between the groups and soon the Siouans were forced to leave their land. For the Spanish and other Europeans, colonization was quite rewarding for them from the beginning and afterwards although it led to the death of many Siouans and Europeans. It was rewarding for the Europeans because they eventually got what they originally intended. They obtained the land and resources they wanted as well as their precious gold. This was wonderful for the Europeans because it meant that they had huge masses of land and they could easily expand their territories across the whole of America. By taking the land, the Europeans became extremely powerful and wealthy. The Spanish also learnt some of the cultural practices from the Sioux Tribes which benefitted them greatly. However taking over the land wasnt all that great because it meant that thousands of people from both colonies had to be killed in the process of conquering the land. Colonization of the Spanish also meant that they would have to adapt to the conditions of that region which also brought them some new diseases and difficulties because they couldnt completely utilize the advantages or conditions of the land. For both the Sioux Tribe and Aborigines, colonization had an extremely similar result. Once the Europeans and British conquered the Sioux Tribes and took their land, the Siouans were left absolutely powerless. Even though the Sioux Tribes tried to fight back with everything they had, it was still disastrous because their technology and numbers were just incapable of winning. This was exactly the same with the Aborigines because once the British came and tried to conquer the land, they were successful and the Aborigines were left defeated and powerless. The British overpowered the Aborigines with their superior technology and speed on horsebacks. Land wasnt the only thing lost from both cultures. Religious beliefs and cultural practices were also lost through colonization. The traditions of both cultures were greatly affected with major losses. Sacred cultures and beliefs slowly faded away because of the massacres which prevented the indigenous people to pass down their stories or Dreamtimes from generation to generation. Both indigenous groups took massive tolls because of the mass annihilation and destruction of colonization. This was horrible because no one was able to live in peace and harmony.

The Mark Twain Thesis :: essays research papers

Mark Twain To look at that person on the honor role, who's the best athlete, has the newest car, and gets all the ladies. Or the person in art class who continually produces the best art work and ruins the grade curve for the rest of us. Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example. Throughout his life Mark Twain continued to produce masterpiece writing leaving no good example un-battered. A man who gets his dream job, and is despised by the whole town of just dreamers. A person who's convictions are stronger than his flesh. And a seemingly harmless man, who tells the story as it should be told and comes under the utter annoyance of the narrator. Imperfect characterization played an , obvious, major role in his writings proving that few things annoyed him more than a good example. The pose that Twain takes to his characters that seem to be striving for excellence is quite unique. In an excerpt from Life On The Mississippi Twain tells us of a man with a dream. As imperfection has it this man's dream did not come true. But his friend's similar dream , however, did. The narrator tells us through a blanket of jealousy how this man was perpetually annoying, and how, 'there was nothing generous about this fellow and his greatness.'; Like many of Twain's writings this excerpt shows us a man with convictions as he looks at a seemingly good example and puts it under a different light. Convictions that shine through in what could quite possibly be a realistic situation (in Twain's accounts of them) shimmer with imperfection. In a part of Roughing It Twain brings us to a camp of three men. Under the inclination that they are all about to die, these men start to ponder what they could have done with the rest of their lives. They all end up making promises to themselves that they fully believe they will not have to keep. Promises of, 'reform'; and 'examples to the rising generation.'; In what would seem to be a surreal end to a story of repenters continues on. These men find themselves in a comical situation and end up surviving. So what happens to the promises they never gave a thought to having to keep but for the few moments it takes a man to freeze to death in the dead cold of winter?

A world without laws

Now, Imagine a world without any laws. No rules, no commands and Just your rules to be followed. It's also crazy Isn't To have a world without any laws means not only to be free but also to be In a world with chaos. For example, the traffic rules, Without any traffic rules, how can we determine whether we are on the go signal or not? Can you Imagine It? A car being smashed by another?What result would that supposed to be? Focuses! What else? It's accidents. Yes I can say that every person has his/her rights to wish for his/her freedom however, this freedom should be limited. In this case, I can also say that even though they can do anything what he/she wishes for, he/she can never wish what a government wishes to have in its institution, to have peace and order. Yet, people wish for their own interest and it doesn't help each other. Imagine the people peeing in different places, different streets? Or how about people who throws garbage anywhere? Do you think it's healthy?A big NO for me because these things exults into floods, typhoons and other natural calamities being held not constant or even worse deceases.. This makes the lives of others to be in danger. What about buildings making their goods at higher price or shall we say doing the act of overpricing? Is it helpful to us? I say, no. How can people with little income buy food with too expensive goods? How can they live their lives without buying it? The tendency would be robbery. They will be forced to rob food shops because they can't afford a high price of goods because they are poor.They will be forced and in such ease would make it a hobby because of that high prices of goods. Imagine the world without any law enforcers; do you think we can live peacefully? To those who have lost their innocent member of the family, do you think without the law enforcers, can they claim their right for injustice? No they can't. What about drugs, a world full of dangerous drugs, do you think it molds people to what ou r present professionals are doing right know? Again, I think not. These things we can imagine if we create a world without laws.A world full of accidents, harassment and such cases that a man can o without making himself or herself put Into Jail. Are you willing to have a world Like that? I guess not. Therefore, Imagine a world with laws. Laws that protects human life, a law that makes a person free with Its Limits, Isn't It wonderful? And Peaceful? We need laws to guide us, we need them because we do. Live a world with laws to be guided, secured and to be protected. A world without laws By Paraphrases Imagine a world without any laws. No rules, no commands and in fact we only follow rules of our own. Try to think of it. Fun! Isn't it?Now, imagine a world without any laws. No rules, no commands and Just your rules to be followed. It's also crazy isn't To have a world without any laws means not only to be free but also to be in a determine whether we are on the go signal or not? Can you imagine it? A car being they claim their right for injustice? No they can't. What about drugs, a world full of do without making himself or herself put into Jail. Are you willing to have a world like that? I guess not. Therefore, imagine a world with laws. Laws that protects human life, a law that makes a person free with its limits, isn't it wonderful? And Peaceful?

Reluctant Fundamentalist Essay

In The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Mohsin Hamid uses a variety of literary devices to create the tone of confusion and agitation. By doing so, Mohsin Hamid also develops a theme of change. All these literary features combine to make an enthralling page-turner. One literary device used by the author to create restlessness in the reader is diction. The author intentionally uses words to create discomfort in the reader. â€Å"The twin towers of New York’s World Trade center collapsed. And then I smiled. Yes, despicable as it may sound (4-6). †The fact that the protagonist smiles at America’s misfortune only puts the reader at unease. Furthermore, the author himself suggests that the smile was a despicable reaction. However by making the reader anxious, Mohsin Hamid does only but one thing; lure in the reader to continue reading. This quote also denotes Changez’s change towards America. This is because, although Changez was â€Å"the product of an American university; (he) was earning a lucrative American salary; (he) was infatuated with an American woman (28-30)† his initial reaction to this incident was a smile. The repetition of the word â€Å"American† only creates the motif that Changez has supposedly become American. However after the attack, Changez’s smile only suggests otherwise; thereby creating the theme of change. Another literary device used by Mohsin Hamid to create a sense of confusion is the use of ambiguity through dramatic monologue. â€Å"It is hateful to hear another person gloat over one’s country’s misfortune. But surely you cannot be completely innocent of such feelings yourself (22-24). † Because the American does not speak, the reader is forced to create the personality of the American in his or her own mind. Thus, when the protagonist accuses the American of being guilty of such feelings, the protagonist is essentially accusing the reader of those feelings. The ambiguity of this quote further agitates the reader, yet at the same time forces the reader to continue reading in hope of finding more truths about the reader’s self. One more technique the author uses to develop the theme of change as well as compel the reader to continue reading is foreshadowing. After reflecting on his reaction to the attack, Changez still doesn’t know why he smiled; â€Å"So why did part of me desire to see America harmed? I did not know, then (30-31). † Although Changez is not sure why he smiled at the present time, this quote indicates that later on, the reader will find out why he smiled; another reason requiring the reader to finish reading the book. Simultaneously however, the author also foreshadows a lot of change is about to take place since we already know Changez is back in Pakistan and telling this story to an American at a Pakistani cafe. Literary devices and techniques are abundant in this passage, though they all merge to create a sense of perplexity and irony. At the same time however, they all merge to create the theme of change. Though all this contrariness simply obliges the reader to continue reading the book. Not only will the reader finally understand Changez’s reaction to the attack but the reader will also discover new truths about him or herself as he/she continues to read the book.

Strategic Analysis of Burger King The WritePass Journal

Strategic Analysis of Burger King Introduction Strategic Analysis of Burger King IntroductionBackgroundBurger King History Changes in Leadership – Burger King HistorySignificant Strategic Business decisions in Burger King HistorySignificance in history1)  Ã‚  OFFENSIVE STRATEGY2)  Ã‚  DEFENSIVE STRATEGY3)   GUERILLA/ NICHE STRATEGYCONCLUSIONBIBLIOGRAPHYRelated Introduction The following report is an analysis of case study of Burger King fast food chain till date 2006. It primarily takes into considerations, significant changes over the years. And , also the strategic business decisions that led to, or formed a basis, of these changes. Moreover it helps us to identify the company’s core competencies and the competitive advantage it gained. It also highlights the issues faced by the company. A small comparison with McDonald’s helps to benchmark Burger King’s performance. Following the critical analysis of case study, it follows necessary recommendations for the Burger King Company in UK market and lastly comparioson with ‘Schools of Strategy’ which are prominent in its history. A personal conclusion that evaluates the case – study and various comparisons throughout the report. Background   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The company of Burger King Corporation was formed by Miami entrepreneurs James McLamore and David Edgerton in 1954. The Burger King Holdings is the parent company of Burger king, however in U.S. it operates as Burger Kings Brands title;   whereas internationally as Burger King Corporation. Today (as of year 2006, referring to case study), it is world’s 2nd largest fast food chain based on locations (behind Mcdonalds). The company has presence in more than 70 countries and runs more than 12000 restaurants. Thus, we can see that the brand rules one whopper of whole fast food chain empire. The company is presently run by Mr. John Chidsey who acts as a CEO and chairman of the parent company. The brand has a $2.54 billion and boasts of handling more than 38000 employees successfully catering to 11.4 million customers. Burger King History   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Burger king is a predecessor to a company called Insta-Burger King. The Insta –Burger King was founded in 1953 in Jacksonville, Florida by owners named Keith.J .Cramer and Matthew Burns. The found the company after inspired by McDonald’s efficiency, in food preparation, delivery and architectural layout. The company Insta-Burger King was launched on the basis on an equipment known as the Insta – Broiler. The device proved as a very successful oven for cooking burgers. Changes in Leadership – Burger King History   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Burger King Company saw changes in management from the first year over more than 50 years since its establishment. The names (CEO) and significant decisions of them over the years are as follows: Year Name Former position Significant change in Burger King 1954-1970 James W. McLamore, David Edgerton President and chairman – Burger King Founders, bought Insta-Burger King from Keith G.Cramer (owner of Keith’s Drive-In restaurant) Introduced an improved version of ‘Insta-Broiler’(which had a capacity of 400 burgers an hour) called ‘flame broiler’ Launched ‘Whopper’ sandwich – the company’s signature product By 1961, had 45 restaurants in Florida and South-east US; which they increased to 274 restaurants all over the world mainly through franchising. Year Name Former position Significant change in Burger King 1970-1976 Rosewall W. Leslie Not known Faced problems in company such as unhealthy relationship with the franchises confused advertising stale menus shabby restaurants competition to change in customer preferences 1976-1977 Pazat W. Leslie Not known Continued problem facing 1977-1980 Donald Smith McDonald’s executive Increased problems between franchises and the management Introduced a new corporate structure and developed a new management attitude Solved the inconsistency problem in both food by providing widespread menu and services were managed by greater control over the franchises. Year Name Former position Significant change in Burger King 1980-1982 Lou P. Neeb Not known Followed former Smith’s directions, the company moved from the third position to the second in the fast food industry by 1982. 1982-1983 Norman Brinker Bennigan’s ( part of Pillsbury) Company struggled to re-establish brand image 1983-1985 Jaffery J. Campbell Corporate Executive of Burger king Hired different agencies to promote brand but failed and send confused messages about the products. 1989-1989 Jerry W. Levin Haagen Dazs Completed a deal of Pillsbury to Grand Metropolitan PLC (Grand Met) – a British alcoholic beverage manufacturer and distributor 1989-1993 Barry J. Gibbons Not known Concentrated on improving menu and the brand image. Introduced the BK broiler – a broiler chicken sandwich. Successfully increased company profits by $75 million during tenure at Burger King. Year Name Former position Significant change in Burger King 1993-1995 James B. Adamson Chairman of Denny’s Attempted to increase the quality of food by introducing ‘value menus’ which consisted of extensive combination from menu under a dollar. Simplified menu and focussed on burgers and other products 1995-1995 David Nash Not known Increased sales by 6.6% by combination of the right product with the right marketing message. 1995-1997 Robert C. Lowes Chief Executive – European foods The company launched a $70 million French Fry Advertising campaign. 1997-1999 Dennis N. Malmatinnas Not known Decrease in market share. Grand Metropolitan merges with Guinness to form Diageo PLC 2001-2002 John H. Dasburg CEO – Northwest Airlines Planned to revitalise and reorganise the company, mainly through forming a new corporate structure. 2002-2004 Bradley Blum Headed Olive Garden unit of Darden restaurants The company faced stiff competition and sales dropped by $0.6 million. Year Name Former position Significant change in Burger King 2004-2006 Gregory Brenneman Presidant and COO of Continental Airlines Created ‘a turnaround’ plan named as ‘Go Forward Plan’ which included – 1)  Ã‚  Ã‚   Grow profitably, 2)  Ã‚  Ã‚   Fire up the customer, 3)  Ã‚  Ã‚   Fund the future, and 4)  Ã‚  Ã‚   Work together. Focussed on cutting costs as ‘Drive-thrus’ generated 70% of company’s business. Secondly, introduced a new set of products to push sales. 2006 till date John Chidsey Chairman and CEO of Cendant Corporation The company faced a situation of state recession in US economy. Significant Strategic Business decisions in Burger King History Considering the growth of company over more than 50 years, its significant strategic decisions and success or failure of the same is listed below: Years Significance Business strategy Measure of strategy 1954 To   1967 Launch of signature product ‘Whopper’ and created brand image as ‘Home of the Whopper’ Growth of company through minimum investment Expansion Franchising Successful Company had moved from 45 restaurants within US in 1961 to 274 restaurants across the world, by the end of 1967. 1967 To 1977 Company sold to prepared foods giant ‘Pillsbury’ Expansion Franchising Failure Inconsistency in food and service among the franchises 1977 To   1980 New leadership by hiring McDonald’s executive Donald Smith Company enters UK market Restructuring New team management Control over franchises Successful Increase in customer traffic by 15% and increase in ownership by 8 % showing effective and greater control over franchises. Years Significance Business strategy Measure of strategy 1980   To   1990 1983 – Successful increase in competitive breakfast market 1985 $100 million to restructure company 1988 – Company plans to market as independent entity and in consequent year 1989 bought by Grand Metropolitan Hard sell approach Trade –off   or spin –off   proposal in late 80’s as an independent entity Success Sales up by 19% by $9 million and pre-tax profits up by 9 %    Failure Inconsistency in operations and downfall in sales 1990   To   2000 1990 – Reorganisation plan and launch of BURGER KING Kids Club program 1991 to 1995 – Expansion   in international countries 1997- Infamous change of their fry recipe Targeting kids segment Expansion Success Sales up by $6 million in kids program    Failure Inconsistency in operations and downfall in sales Year Significance Business Strategy Measure of strategy 2001 till   date 2001- Forced sell of Burger King by franchises 2002 Texas Pacific Group takes over 2002 – Revamped broiler, introducing ‘Chicken Whopper’ 2004 – Turnaround plan called as ‘Go Forward Plan’ Expansion Effective advertising and marketing campaign Failure $0.4 billion fall in sales revenue from 2002 to 2003. Customer traffic decreased by 22 % from 1998-2004. Success Increased store sale in 2004 by 7.5 %. Significance in history   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Consider the above span of Burger king’s history of more than 50 years some of the prominent features can be well justified by ‘three sigma’ Competitive strategy model. The model is explained, considering Burger King’s strategies as follows: 1)  Ã‚  OFFENSIVE STRATEGY The strategy formulates overcoming the barriers to goal achievement by changing the systemic relationships creating them.  Ã‚  This strategy often requires significant capital investment and includes the following options – Changing or altering the competitive structure or environment in your industry (forward or backward integration, acquiring competitors, etc.). EXAMPLE – In the span of 1954 to 1967, Burger King History marks a significant approach of increasing its number of branches from 45 outlets in US to 274 outlets across the world. This was achieved through maximum approach towards franchising and expansion with limited investment, thus creating a forward integration. Anticipating industry competitive structural change and positioning your organization to exploit this change before others recognizes it (developing substitute products, changing the mode of sale or distribution, etc.). EXAMPLE – The span of years from 1977-1980 and since 2000, Burger King company adapted new structure with new corporate aptitude in order to control the franchises and improve products. Diversifying into more attractive markets EXAMPLE – Launch of Burger King Kids Club program marked its focus into an attractive children market. The results produced were significant in boosting sales and creating a loyalty and brand image in the new market segment. 2)  Ã‚  DEFENSIVE STRATEGY The strategy is about accepting the industry competitive forces as a given and positioning your organization to best defend against them. This could include harvesting and selling the business before competitive conditions cause its value to drop. EXAMPLE – The history also identifies two major deals of the company respectively Sold to ‘Pillsbury – prepared food giants’ in late 60’s Takeover by Grand Metropolitan PLC in early 1990’s The main reasons accounted were increase in credit burden on the franchises and unhealthy as well as inconsistent relation with franchises. 3)   GUERILLA/ NICHE STRATEGY The strategy involves minimizing or neutralizing barriers by reducing the size of the playing field and taking an offensive or defensive position in a smaller, more attractive market segment. EXAMPLE The Company decided to trade-off as an individual business entity as it failed and showed a remarkable downfall re-building the brand image in 1983 to 1993. The key factor that consistently affected strategy formulation is the continuous changes in leadership/management affecting relationship with franchises and loyal customer. Burger King CORE COMPETENCIES   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Core competencies are points of leverage for gaining competitive advantage.  They are organizational competencies that are unique to your organization or are performed better than your competitors and make a significant contribution to customer perceived value or create a significant cost advantage. Core competency is best explained as the competitiveness of a range of products or services. It can also be explained as the co-ordination of diverse production skills and integration of multiple streams of technologies. Considering Burger King, a global renowned brand and chain of fast food, the core competencies can be generalised as follows: Operational Difference Major company stake is owned by franchises As I went through the historical span of Burger King History, the franchises of Burger King played a major part in expansion of the parent company from the early 1960’s till date. The relation of franchises and management has always been influential and significant in success and failures of Burger King History. Primarily, the company operated with major investment from franchises and minimal from the company, so the decisions and relationship with franchises was crucial. Flame broiler a unique device that improved with decades in Burger King history The company was set-up on the basis of the oven called ‘Insta-broiler’ for cooking burgers. The purpose had been inspired from McDonald’s speedy service. It was further mechanised into a gas grill without changing patties and self functional by means of a conveyor belt. Further, the device was also customised and technologically advanced to produce Chicken sandwich, Chicken Whopper, Veggie burger, etc. Drive –thru service The company though was working hard on franchises and unique device to meet operational needs; it was mainly oriented to meet demand of production at ‘Drive-thru’ restaurants. This was because the company had major part of its sales revenue i.e. 70 % from ‘Drive-thru’ operations. Later this competence was adapted by McDonald and other competitors as well. However the effectiveness and efficiency of Burger King’s ‘Drive-thru’ was easily highlighted.   Competitive methods of Burger King   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The purpose of its competitive strategy is to build a sustainable competitive advantage over the organization’s rivals.  Ã‚  It defines the fundamental decisions that guide the organization’s marketing, financial management and operating strategies. As there were many significant changes in the history of Burger King, eventually there were different competitive methods used in different span in history. Some of the significant competitive methods are listed as follows: 1} Initial decade in Burger king’s history, ‘Insta-broiler’ a device competitive in making burgers and technological advancements in the same gave it a competitive advantage. 2} High amount of franchises worldwide executed major ownership stake and customised operations in the outlets. This was tightened and a new company structure was formed, followed by a new competitive aptitude. [Year 1963 -1967] 3} Push sale approach led increase in competitive breakfast market and thus improve in position in market. Burger King moved to second position in US fast food market after McDonald. [Year 1982-1985] 4} Launched a Burger King Kids Club program that help the company to increase sales and successful entry into a new market segment. [Year 1990-1995] 5} Introduction of a TURNAROUND PLAN named ‘Go Forward Plan’, which was significant to attain objectives like increasing profit, create a customer image, teamwork, etc.[Year 2000]. One more advantage Burger King introduced was ‘Revamped Chicken Whopper’, helpful to compete with other competitors. Burger King  Ã‚     Ã‚   McDonald’s   (BK is simply not as big as McD) Some of the basic company facts and objectives of both the companies, help us understand how Burger King is not as big as McDonald’s in global terms. Facts Burger King McDonald Founder 1941 by Richard and Maurice McDonald 1953 by Keith J.Cramer Present chain 12,150 outlets in 50 states and US territories and 74 countries More than 31,000 outlets in 119 countries Revenue $2.5 Billion Number of employees 360,000 employees 1,500,000 employees (1.5 million) Customers 11.8 million customers daily worldwide 58 million customers across the globe Products offered Flame-broiled burgers including the Whopper, Burger King also offers chicken sandwiches, fish sandwiches, French fries, onion rings, salads, chicken fries and Croissanwiches for breakfast. McDonalds predominantly sells  hamburgers, various types of  chicken  sandwiches  and products,  French fries,  soft drinks,  breakfast  items, and desserts. In most markets, McDonalds offers  salads  and  vegetarian  items,   wraps Calorie content A Burger King Double Whopper has around 920 calories A McDonalds Big Mac consists of 540 calories Objectives Burger King McDonalds Market share 21.9 % in US fast food industry 44% in US fast food industry Value for money More bigger product for reasonable price Product size is smaller with inexpensive price Franchising More than 90 % of the outlets are franchised A little less than 30 % Suppliers The suppliers vary with various franchise in different locations worldwide. McDonald chooses best suppliers and type and quality of meat varies with country culture. Advertising The BK adverts were quite confusing and sending wrong messages in potential market which affected cultural values and also brand image at times. McDonalds often had appropriate ways of advertising and were supportive to increase sales and popularity of the brand. Issues relating to Burger King   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     The case study is very critical in understanding the issues related with Burger King’s history. Some of the prominent issues from past to present can be listed as follows: Franchise management – The company found it difficult to manage more than 90% franchise in the business of Burger King products and services. Crucial reason was also the percentage of stake ownership , which was initially 38% and was improved to 42% by Donald Smith, former McDonald executive. Changes in leadership – The history of Burger King marked approximately 20 changes in management. The changes in short term span affected oragnisation focus over goals and objectives, affected brand image adversely and lacked consistency in operation. Unhealthy food – The Company came prominently in highlight during the era from 2003 as potential customers had responded to be health conscious. The period marked spread of mad-cow disease and obesity levels among children was a rising concern. Market recession – The US economy faced economic recession from 2006 and needs brand to take effective measures to sustain and avoid losing loyal customers to competitors. Recommendations for future development in UK   The Burger King opened its first branch/outlet in UK in 1977 on Coventry Street in London. Since then till date Burger King has 654 restaurants in UK ( out of which 73 are owned) whereas it has 139 ‘drive-through’ restaurants. Considering the present fast food environment in UK, following recommendations come in lime-light: HEALTHY FOOD – Burger King UK has currently many problems within the environment in company and surrounding, however one of the prime concern is healthy food. The company needs to produce fast food with less saturated fats and salt content. The problem of obesity in UK is high as well and addressing to this concern is the need of demand to survive over the competitors. PRIME LOCATIONS and EVENTS – Burger King needs to increase its influence and market share in UK, by serving at prime hot spots as well as at travel destinations. The presence of Burger King on high streets and at various national rail stations and airport is reasonable, however it needs to be accessible at hot tourist spots and business oriented commercial areas. SPEED – Burger King needs to increase its speed of delivering products and services to customers, as it has been competing with McDonalds over more than 50 years and still lacks speed during peak periods. Speed in operations helps to generate revenue in coping zone. Schools of strategy – Burger King’s evolution (analyse critically)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Strategy formation is judgmental designing, intuitive visioning, and emergent learning; it is about transformation as well as perpetuation; it has to include analyzing before and programming after as well as negotiating during †¦Ã¢â‚¬ Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Henry Mintzberg However there is a difference in perspective leading to strategy arguments. Mintzberg identified this and tried to debate and answer different perspectives through his 10 Schools of Strategy/Thinking. The burger King History prominently highlights two of them, explained as follows: 1] The Power School Strategy Systems as Processes of Negotiation According to the power school, strategy systems are described to be mainly shaped by power and politics, whether as a process inside the enterprise itself or as the behaviour of the enterprise as a whole within its external environment. Strategies that may result from such processes tend to be emergent in nature, and take the forms of positions and actions more than perspectives. On the one hand parts of the power school (‘micro power’) see strategy making as the interplay, through persuasion, bargaining, and sometimes through direct confrontation, among narrow scope interests and shifting coalitions, with none dominant for any significant period. On the other hand other parts of power school (‘macro power’) see the enterprise as promoting its own welfare by controlling or cooperating with other enterprise (such as Franchises), through the use of strategic manipulation as well as collective strategies in various kinds of networks and alliances. EXAMPLE – Burger King at different period in history, tried to take control over franchises by executing greater control over their operations and direct confrontation with various industry giants/ suppliers. These various processes implemented to achieve power through strategy highlights ‘THE POWER SCHOOL’. 2] The Configuration School – Strategy Systems as Process of Transformation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The school follows a formation approach wherein the organisation is transforming into one type of decision making structure into another. The school interrupts the period of stability by some process of transformation.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It has configuration of strategy formation from other nine schools which are – Design school – Strategy formation as an   architecture process Planning school – Strategy formation as a formal process Positioning school Strategy formation as an   analytical process Entrepreneurial school Strategy formation as a visionary process Cognitive school Strategy formation as a mental process Learning (or Emergent) school Strategy formation as an emergent process Power school Strategy formation as a process of negotiation Cultural school Strategy formation as a collective process Environmental school Strategy formation as a reactive process The school recognises a appropriate combination of any one or more of them taking into context a particular type. EXAMPLE – Burger King history marks use of Positioning school in year 1980 -1983 to create a brand image and achieve second position in US fast food market.    CONCLUSION Considering the massive history of Burger King and number of changes in leadership, the main highlight of the case study is instability in management. The factor was highly influential in changes and differences in relation of parent company with franchises and staff. Also a prominent feature that needs a remarkable control is franchises management. The company has highest percentage of franchises ( more than 90 %) but less control by only 42% ownership in most of the outlets. The company has a signature product as ‘WHOPPER’ which needs to be promoted all the time and offered with variations, to keep attracting new as well as loyal customers.    BIBLIOGRAPHY Available: mcdonalds.com/us/en/our_story/our_history.html. Last accessed 11th Nov.2010 Available: bk.com/en/us/company-info/index.html. Last accessed 11th Nov.2010. Henry Mintzberg, Bruce Ahlstrand and Joseph Lampel (1987).  Strategy Safari: A Guided Tour Through the Wilds of Strategic Management. 15th ed. New York: Prentice Hall. Oscar Suris. (1988). Burger King seen as takeover target after its spin-off.  Miami News. 8th Nov, page 11. Unknown. (2003).  A competitive strategy model.  Available: threesigma.com/competitive_model.htm. Last accessed 10th Noveber

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