Strengths of Web Designing Companies in Nevada.

Strengths of Web Designing Companies in Nevada.

At Nevada, web designers, understand that most SME’s do not have big budgets or a team of specialised staff to maintain and update their website. As a result, many companies have been established in Nevada which offer affordable solution for professional looking web sites that may previously have been out of the financial budgets of small companies.

Web Design

Websites must have a professional look and feel and also be optimized for search engines so that a business will stands at the top of Google, Yahoo and Bing, and other search engines.  

Internet Marketing

The Internet is now used to find and choose products and services allowing a business to grow. Internet marketing is the most efficient way to promote services, brand a product and maximize profits. 

Selection of a Web designing company in Nevada:

It is necessary for a web-designing company to be specialised in use of Word Press in designing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Marketing via Search Engines (SEM), Marketing via Social Networks, Custom Blog Design and Blogging, Advertising through Google Pay-per-click, Banners advertising, Press Releases, Email marketing and newsletters, Submission to Online Directories and Yellow Pages. Advertising campaigns must work and quick results must be observable so that there is increased conversion and higher profits. 

SEO

85% of Internet traffic quality is driven by the search engines - but 75% of search engine users never go through the first two pages of results.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a way to enhance presence in Google and other search engines, leading to the first page of results with specific keywords, fostering respect for your company as any other current technique commercials. A greater online visibility, increases traffic to a website, attract internet users who know and respect your business and are willing to check a product.

Proven SEO techniques and effective solutions like the selection of specific keywords (Keyword Research), on-page and off-page optimizations, creating advanced links, development of press articles and submission thereof, specific geographic and regional marketing. SEO packages must be tailored to any budget and the results of a good SEO campaign linger much longer after the campaign has ended.

Marketing on Social Networks

Today, social media gives a business the ability to reach a worldwide audience, share their views and recommend their service. Several studies have shown that having followers on Twitter and Facebook are good for business. Nevada web developers know that the marketing through social media on social sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube is the best way to supplement a marketing plan, and their knowledge of social networks ensure a business has a great list of followers from the first day of his campaign.  

Real Estate Issues in the US

INTRODUCTION:

Several major U.S. economists agree that today the residential property market in US will continue its upward trend in 2013, though the pace of recovery may be slower. The real estate market has possibilities which are only beginning to be seen. It is believed that the housing market is on a firm footing. The supply side availability is increasing and abandoned properties are down about 5 million to 3 million. Mortgage rates are lower and are not expected to change much in 2013, and the banks are likely to continue to maintain high standards with a tight lending policy.

Difference between real property and tangible personal property:

Real property, as defined under the English laws, is a piece of property or piece of land which has been altered through human inputs and in which value has been added like in building, wells, dams etc. In most countries the transactions in real property that occur while buying and selling in the market civil laws are in position to protect the interests of either party. In Scotland, real property is known by the term heritable property and in France, it is immobilier.

Tangible personal property is a physical entity which we can feel and touch like for example a car or furniture, or jewellery, works of art which can be removed without damaging the land.

Ownership and a possessory interest in real estate:

Owning property rights makes reality; property, which is vacant property without possession, without content, is just abstraction, is simply a right, and is not reality; this situation regarding the possession is perfectly applicable to the actual enjoyment of the property as the realizable value or warranty. Possession can also occur by itself, that is, independent of any other right. Possession may occur upon exercise of a property right conferred by law; or it may appear in your exercise no more, in itself, i.e., without considering the existence or the result of other rights.

Tenancy for a term of years

Tenancy that automatically expires without the requirement of a notice of termination expires at the end of the period stated in the lease agreement is called tenancy for a term of years. It is not affected by the death of either the tenant or the landlord, and is not terminated by destruction or improvement of the property during that period unless the agreement permits for such termination.

Fixed term lease

A lease binding the parties to each other for a specified period of time, like for a month or one year is called a fixed term lease. The fixed-term lease requires the lessee to make periodic payments and requires the lessor to surrender use of the property.

Major Features of a Fixed Term Tenancy/Tenancy for Years:

A fixed term tenancy is characterised by having a specific start and an end date. The period can be as short as one week and still the agreement will be called a tenancy for years. The duration also can be specified as being determined by the occurrence of a specific event like until the war is finished. This term is gradually becoming obsolete in many territories due to its imprecise nature. In a lease for years, there is a fixed period of time for the survival of the contracted term. If the lease lasts for years for more than one year, the lease must be in writing to satisfy the statute of frauds

Tenancy for years is another common label for a fixed term rental. However, this name can be quite misleading because it does not have to go on for years.

 What Happens at the End of Your Fixed Term Lease Agreement?

The tenant can choose to move out or renewal of the lease agreement with the same terms and conditions can be done. A new rental agreement with different terms and can be done or the lease automatically becomes a periodic tenancy. In some countries if you agree to let your tenant stay on without signing a new lease agreement, your fixed term tenancy will be converted to a month-to-month lease. The tenant can continue staying on the property without permission causing a sticky situation known as a tenancy at sufferance.

Periodic tenancy:

Periodic tenancy occurs where leasing continues from period to period, such as month-to-month or year to year. The tenant has no right to automatically extend the term of the lease. The periodic tenancy does not give the tenant a right to extend the rental period. For example, a periodic tenancy can continue from week to week or month to month. A landlord and tenant can create a periodic tenancy expressly in the contract by implication or operation of law. For example, a tenant might have had a lease for years, but when his tenure ended, became a tenant to rent the property from month to month.

Tenancy at will:

Tenancy at will is where a tenant or landlord may terminate a tenancy at will at any time for any reason. A tenancy at will arises when both the landlord and the tenant understand that either may terminate the lease at any time. Both parties must enter into an express agreement to take a lease at will.

Tenants in Common regardless of their stake in the property have equal rights of possession. In other words, one may occupy the property despite owning the smallest share even in the absence of other co-tenants. Tenants have the right to buy out co-tenants provided the latter is willing.

Joint tenancy requires each tenant to have equal interest or ownership in addition to having equal rights of possession. The owners, who receive the title on the same deed and at the same time, have the right to break a joint tenancy, and create a tenancy in common, by selling their share of the property to another individual. A property held under joint tenancy, cannot be sold without the permission of all the tenants.

REAL ESTATE LAWS IN FLORIDA:

In Florida there is a law protecting tenants and property owners where their relationship is stipulated. Residential Law Landlord and Tenant of Florida will explain the rights of landlord and tenant alike. The most common problems are increasing rent without notice and lack of maintenance of the property. Another common complaint is that the owner does not want to return the security deposit, claiming that there was property damage.

In Florida any notices between either parties to a rental agreement must be in a written document and delivered directly in person or by mail, even if this is for an oral understanding. Section 83.46 (2), FS says that If the lease has no details about the rental duration, this is fixed by the frequency in which the rents have been paid and accepted like in week to week or monthly etc.. A damage deposit is the mostly asked for by the landlords. Before signing a lease, it is necessary to examine the facilities and note any damage like any broken fixtures and fittings. Section 83.49 (a), FS  is applicable when a lease needs termination. 83.49,3 section (b) (c), FS.  If there is a objection to a claim by the owner  a complaint can be filed with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Florida or an action can be started in court to adjudicate the right of the owner tenant. If the owner fails then under Section 83.60 (1), FS the tenant may choose to withhold rent. Section 83.67, FS of the Florida law does not allow a landlord to force a tenant to leave by interrupting or shutting down any service, even if that service is under the control of the owner or landlord makes payment; the landlord cannot resort to change the locks or use a device that denies access to the tenant or harass the tenant in any way.

REAL ESTATE LAWS IN TEXAS:

Tenants are entitled to compensation for any danger to your health or safety. Subchapter B of Chapter 92 of the Code of the Texas Property (§ § 92.061-92 051) describes the process to follow a tenant to repair his right to be respected, and indicates specific actions of the tenant if the landlord refuses to make thereof. 

For tenants living in the state of Texas, the owner must provide a decent, safe and sanitary housing; repair all conditions dangerous to the health or safety of a regular tenant; ensure all fittings are in good condition for hot water at a minimum temperature of 120 ° Fahrenheit; install smoke detectors and secure locks on all doors and windows, including a lock without a key.

Subchapter H of Chapter 92 of the Property Code Texas (92331-92335) prohibits the landlord from retaliating against a tenant-initiated eviction proceedings, depriving the tenant of use of the premises, the tenant reducing services, increasing tenant rent, cancelling the lease, or interfering in bad faith in the tenant's rights under contract, six months after the tenant in good faith exercised any of the following: Notice is given to the owner for need to repair or remedy under Chapter 92 of the Code of the Texas Property;

CONCLUSION:

The federal government of USA passed a law to protect tenants in the event there was any issue regarding foreclosure. This act was called PTFA and it laid down very important provisions by which every tenant had an inherent right to receive a 3 month notice period before any property in which he was residing as a tenant was foreclosed. The law also made provisions that a tenant could continue to live in the rental property till the end of the tenure of the agreement. But it is found in actuality that even with all these legal provisions many tenants all across the country are being forcibly evicted when a property is put up for a foreclosure. The notice periods also fall shot of legal requirements.

Puppy therapy - just in time for finals week.

Puppy therapy - just in time for finals week.

Just down the hall from the reference desk at Emory University's law library in a room housing antique legal texts is Stanley the golden retriever puppy, barking his head off. From Kent State University in Ohio to Macalester College in Minnesota, more and more pooches are around campus during exams to help students relax and maybe even crack a joke or two.

"We had a student who came in and a staff person commented they had never seen that student smile," said Michelle Reid, a law librarian who started Emory's pet therapy program this year after hearing about one at the University of California, San Francisco. Pups are in counselling centres for students to visit regularly or faculty and staff bring their pets to lift spirits. Pet-friendly dorms also are popping up where students can bring their dogs or cats from home.

It's possible at Harvard Medical School and Yale Law School, which both have resident therapy dogs in their libraries that can be borrowed through the card catalogue just like a book. Some dogs, like Harvard Medical School's resident Lassa Cooper, hold regular office hours. Researcher Louise Francisco-Anderson owns Cooper and said she got permission to bring him to campus after her husband read that Yale Law School had a therapy dog on campus named Monty.

A pet keeps it confidential. Most schools, like Emory, partner with organizations that train companion dogs so that the canines get their social training while students get stress relief. The service is almost always free for students. Research shows that interaction with pets decreases the level of cortisol - a stress hormone - in people and increases endorphins, known as the happiness hormone. Scant research exists on the how pet programs on college campuses help students cope with stress.

That's why Kathleen Adele, a nursing professor at Kent State, hopes to garner a grant so she can conduct research as part of her "Dogs on Campus" program. The dogs belong to Adele or other community members and are certified therapy dogs. As soon as there's a tragedy on campus - a student dies in a car wreck, for example - dorms scramble to book the dog team to help comfort upset students, she says. 

Since 2006, Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., has asked faculty and alumni to bring their dogs to campus during finals as part of the "Dog Day Afternoon" program. At Kenyon College in Ohio, the counselling centre and dorms offer puppy play dates with Sunny the yellow lab and Sam the poodle-Chihuahua mix.

Last month, Indiana University students romped around with dogs in the first ever "Rent-a-Puppy" day. First-year Emory law student Anna Idelevich took a break from studying for exams at the library on a recent afternoon to visit Stanley and Hooch, two golden retrievers training to be companion dogs for disabled owners. The private university brought in the dogs as part of a new program to help students cope with the stress of exams.

The Nature of Mental Health Problems

 Importance of promoting mental well being:

Mental and physical health is so closely interlinked that deterioration in the mental condition leads to a worsening prognosis in the physical sphere. A patient with a poor mental health condition is more prone to diseases like heart conditions, cerebral conditions, onset of cancer, and diabetes and also asthma. The tendency to become victims of drug abuse and smoking also increases in these children.

 The present scenario:

There has been a drastic increase of mental conditions in the younger sections of society and they are suffering from depression and anxiety which has registered a 70% rise in the last two decades. Incidences of infliction of deliberate injury to oneself has also risen among the young children with a reported incidence of 1 in every fifteen children being affected. If this situation is left unattended it will cause irreversible damage in adulthood and affect the quality of life and employment within the afflicted population who will face possible alienation from society. Intervention strategies will be needed during the transition from adolescence to become adults.

The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) has researched all aspects of the problem and identified areas where support and intervention is needed and this is summarized in this outline document.

The importance of mental health issues in the growing adult:

A balanced mind is needed to ensure emotional stability, self actualization, and self realization. The balanced adult is a creative individual with a strong sense of purpose and having the intellectual capacity to think on matters like spirituality, socioeconomic independence, self worth, with an ability to stay alone and have feelings for other people in their surroundings. They like to play and have reliance and adaptability to adjust to changing circumstances with a desire to become healthy adults.

The setback of poor  mental health issues in the growing adult:

A poor mental condition in childhood leads to the development of a maladjusted adult with impaired interpersonal skills and a tendency to  becoming social misfits who lead a secluded life. They develop unpredictable behavior patterns and do not have the ability to hold a permanent job for long.

The threat perceptions of poor mental conditions:

Certain socio economic conditions trigger the onset of mental problems in children. Single child, or children living in disturbed or very large families, children with poorly educated parents who are economically deprived are susceptible subjects. A MHF survey found four categories of vulnerable child population. The could broadly be grouped as mentally impaired children, homeless, or adopted children and lastly child offenders. The other class identified by the MHF were children with learning difficulties, refugee children, children seeking shelter and children in child care centers.  A child needs love, trust, understanding, ambitions, positivism, self acceptance and adaptability to grow into mature healthy adults. An identification of intervention methodologies after a thorough research on the various aspects of mental development and impairment needs to be adequately funded. The focus of research would be on reduction of threats and preventing the occurrence through the framing of government policy documents.

The approach to dealing with  poor mental conditions:

Due to a proliferation of terminology for the same or similar mental condition and associated issues there is a communication breakdown between professionals and parents. This needs to be standardized in order to eliminate any communication gap occurring in spoken and written communications while dealing with mental health and emotional well being of children.

Mental health is the condition of psychological well being in the mental states which are described as mental illness and emotional distress. There is no clear definition existing which determines the point where the changeover from mental health to ill-health occurs. This is due to the reason that a behavior pattern which is seemingly normal in a particular circumstance can be difined as abnormal when viewed from a different socio cultural perspective. However the road definition given above serves to demarcate a range of mental conditions where intervention is necessary, and also identifies the environment and the relationships of the factors like social and cultural influences wher the child is growing. This broad definition will be used in the context of this discussion.

Mental health promotion and prevention

There are five fundamental elements which need to be addressed for an all encompassing coverage during planning and promotion of a mental health assessment and intervention framework . Similarly five areas have been identified which cause barriers to good mental health development. The contrasting elements of quality of the environment on one hand and adverse environmental qualities which affect children, the factor of  self respect versus self depreciation, factors of emotional nurturing versus emotional neglect, ability for adaptability verses stress formation due to lack of adaptability and lastly social acceptance versus social alienation all contribute to forming a framework for a policy of promoting mental health at macro, meso and micro levels. Government polices comprise the macro level, The implementation of these polices locally make up the meso level and working with a family on implementation of particular policies comprise the micr4o level. The influence of the environment and ecosystem  on the emotional well being of children together with the socio-cultural and historical perspectives during making of a policy for children makes the policy an all encompassing one.

Psychological wellbeing in children and young people

The acronym SEAL means the Social & Emotional Aspects of Learning. This was a major step in promoting the mental health of children studying in the primary and secondary level in schools. The concept was formalised after in-depth study of the maturity levels and intelligence of the child to draw up a short term plan with a focus of arriving at an intervention solution. The focused aim of a SEAL program is to deliver a solution which is within the scope of the syllabus as the curriculum was designed after a lot of deliberations by subject experts and the introduction of a SEAL program would ensure an overall healthy development for the child. SEAL defined the stress that should on the particular social and emotional which were deficient in the child in order to make the child more adaptable to the socio-emotional context in his educational progress. In order to help the parents the programme was suitably elaborated to help the development of the child at home.  The psycho-educational approach promoted by SEAL stressed the importance of laying the foundations of emotional and social competence and then creating the environments to support positive mental health and psychological wellbeing. The approach could be criticized for focusing on building children‟s competencies rather than seeking changes in the environment or context and for not sufficiently considering the socio-cultural influences of family, home school and local community on the social and emotional outcomes for children. Nevertheless, the initiative has encouraged schools to create emotionally healthy environments by adopting the SEAL approach.  Furthermore, emotional well-being has been used as one of the core themes to determine whether a school can be considered to have achieved the healthy school standard.

Evidence-based interventions and practice

SEAL programs were based on evidence and all interventions and treatments that were  suggested was only after observation of the child in the classroom and at home by trained counsellors who after deliberations on the evidence collected made specific recommendations for a particular child. SEAL recommendations were valued by professionals and were very helpful for parents. It gave guidance on the conditions like ADHD, depression, anxiety and unfounded fears or phobias and also recommended lines of approach for trauma related stress in children. It also recommended the interventional steps and the treatment  methods for particular children who had been under the teams critical observation. 

The young child first learns to trust his parents and the main aim in elementary education is focussed to a single goal to teach him how to love his school so that he feels connected to the school environment and loves like it is his second home. He is made to develop a close bond with the class teacher and any other adult whom he can look up to and depend in his times of difficulties. This aspects of personality development are very critical in the growing child. The teacher must feel responsible not only towards the child but also his parents with whom he must develop a comfortable interrelationship.  Children are normally taking hints from their parents behaviour when it comes to establishing bonds. It is therefore important for the parent to show the child that the teacher and parent bond of trust is well established. This will help the child to follow the parents and start trusting whatever the teacher says and teaches. The behaviour of the principal as the figure of authority is established in the first meeting with parents and through parent teacher meeting which are held every month. The meetings are held in an informal atmosphere over coffee and communications help the parent to play a positive influence on the child’s development and progress. The school also continues to build up the link through posting personal messages in the weekly newsletters and bulletin boards in the class rooms and hall which helps the school to reinforce the feeling in the student that he is a loved and wanted human being who is much valued in the school community.  

Adapting to change.

Children love to follow a routine as they are acomfortable when they know in advance what the hay to do next. Sometimes children who are facing stressful situations at home or in the school may react negatively to change. Even very small change upset them like if a class teacher changes or  a shift of the seating in the class or a new baby who has entered his family. Teachers like parents to reports an small change at home which they feel is affecting the child. The child can be made to become a part of the change process and this will help to become less tence whenever a change occurs. By involving a child in discussions about a possible change in scenario whether at home or at school makes it easier for him to adjust as he is in the know about what will happen and how it will happen and he is reassured and able to cope with the situation in a better way. .

If a child his helped by being told about the things which have been left unchanged then he is able to keep his mental balance and also feel that he is in control of the situation.

Children need to feel that he is an important part of the school community. The teacher can do this in many ways which helps the child to contribute to a class initiative in whatever way he can.  For example a child can be made to feel important when the teacher takes the effort to put homework in small folders inscribed with the students name. An effort like creation of a bulletin board where every child can contribute with their personal experiences enriches the class room environment and promotes discussions. Activities like forming a Green Club helps in making himself a wanted member of the school community and also makes him feel that his contributions in the activity is  making a significant difference.  In this way he moves on from taking part in school activities to taking part in neighbourhood activity as well.

Recognition.

Children have a need to feel loved and wanted as an individual. The positive feedback he receives  from his parents, school friends, school teachers due to his  behaviour and achievements helps to reinforce his self worth.  His academic performance and class work when recognised and appreciated makes him happy. A constant praise for achievements in school sends out a signal that this a desirable situation and the child tries his to live up to everybody’s expectations. Before reprimanding a child it needs to be shown that good behaviour is more desirable and praised. It is seen that this approach makes a delinquent child or an uncooperative child mend his behaviour. Sometimes a child is praised for doing his homework correctly this will make him try to do his assignments correctly as far as possible. As an extreme step in correcting undesirable behaviour the school principal and counsellors call the child to their office. An interactive situation is set up where the child is made to participate and tries to give reasons for the particular recurring undesirable behaviour.  Before entering into any communication with the child it is advisable to make him feel important due to his inherent qualities. There is a chance that this may lead him to change his ways. 

Resiliency and accomplishment.

The power to fight back from the brink of defeat is a very important part of the character which must be developed in order to succeed in life. This is called resilient behaviour and this needs to be reinforced as a essential quality which is appreciated and loved. The method of reshaping a strategy which has not succeeded and then continuing on the predetermined path is something which needs to be taught.  Like continuing with the race after falling down this needs the formation of a new resolve and is something different from sheer grit. It has been proved through research that children with the same risk exposures differ in their ability to bounce back because of differences in their resiliency. The teacher must demonstrate that a small defeat should not lead to frustration and it is in no way considered as a personal failure. Different approaches to solving a particular problem situation can be taught by the teacher. The necessary focus to see the bigger picture and readjust and try again to solve a failed attempt is very essential. A child can only then feel responsible for his actions and also discover his personal worth. When a child comes to know that whatever he has achieved is through his own efforts and not through any help received then he rediscovers his own self and values himself much more. They feel that they are in control of the situation. Children lacking this quality become more dependent and do not want to take any responsibility for anything they do because the lack the element of control over the situation.

 This character trait is very important for success in studies and also in social interactions. The child needs to be taught how to define a target they want to achieve and how to proceed towards achieving it through forming strategies and bringing in all his resources and how to monitor his progress from time to time and also how to know when it is time to get outside help as solutions need further inputs which he does not have. 

Addressing Mental Health Problems

The above factors which have been found to be useful for every child leads a child to achieve a good mental health and also make their  approach to their life problems more efficient. It is also important to keep a watchful eye over the growing child. Children having more acute problems need to be looked after more intensely.  The levels at which a school can support the child’s need have been identified to be in three levels especially in giving support to creating a better learning environment so that children can be encouraged to follow good practices in maintaining good mental health.  The environment must foster a self respect and respect for other students and also help them to communicate with everyone and not to withdraw into a shell. Secondly the programs and syllabus must be such that they are taught that bullying, getting into conflicts are not desirable conducts and becoming socially adept is a trait which is desirable and needs to be developed. Lastly the school takes steps to help students to learn how to cope with their learning disabilities, depression, troubled feelings, and sadness at personal losses.   . Some schools deal with communities which  are prone to higher risks or which have experiences of recent traumatic happenings which have triggered a higher incidence of mental health issues amongst their children. But when we look at the bigger picture of elementary schools across the country we find that the incidence of mental health problems have sharply increased.

The main problems which are found to be occurring commonly are those like bipolar diseases, OCD, Impulsive behaviour, depression, ADHD and other problems.   Teachers must know how to detect a more severe problem by tackling it at the earliest possible opportunity and also know when a problem is beyond their control. This becomes a very difficult task as the young children often cannot clearly tell what is troubling them and seem apparently normal and well adjusted . Also there is a great degree of resemblance among different types of disorders. Repetitive behaviour, anxiety, and great reluctance to try out newer approaches are similar to victms of Asperger syndrome and OCD. Mental health problems are very often interconnected for example many disorders can lead to a general depression. Children can hide the symptom of depression making it very difficult to detect. Whenever a mental health problem manifests in a child it can be detected through a change in daily habits and a reluctance to intermingle. The academic performance is also greatly affected. All these initial symptoms if manifested require the immediate intervention by trained professionals 

Nature of slavery described by Tomas de Mercado

Nature of slavery described by Tomas de Mercado - On the Trade in the Blacks of Cape Verde.

With the decline of the indigenous population it became necessary to import black slave labour. So the Spanish crown was involved in the international market of slaves brought from the west coast of Africa. In the sixteenth century, thousands of enslaved men and women were transported to the American territory. For the  Colombian territory they came through the port of Cartagena de Indies during the period 1595-1615, which was the only port on the Spanish American accredited for zone for the cargo of the enslaved. Most of these enslaved, in the period 1533 to 1580 came from the region known as the ​​Cape Verde. Tomas de  Mercado who was a priest and an economist in Mexico during the middle of 15^th century  or the early modern period. He denounced slavery and the practise of dehumanising the human spirit who were mainly Africans but h European traders who competed with each other in the inhuman practise. However he approved and deemed acceptable the capturing of slaves who had been enslaved by the Africans themselves or those who were prisoners of war or convicts or even a child who had been sold by parents due to necessity. He was a proponent of a concept which he termed as just slavery. This trading of human beings was done by mainly European traders by bring in traffic across the Atlantic ocean into America where it was a much demanded commodity. As this trade increased some people argued against this unhealthy practise. But many Christians were also found a positive side and  expressed the virtues of using an obedient slave in carrying out menial chores. In this way they created an implicit support for slavery.

This is probably the last film which will be produced on slavery as its forceful depiction will finally force the American cinema to stop telling all the lies about the virtues of slavery and the happy and fulfilling lives of a slave population. The story opens with Solomon played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who is  already enslaved and cutting sugar cane on a plantation. Using a number of flashback shots scenes of the happy days when Solomon was free in New York having happiness in the company of his wife and children. He then comes across to white men who give him a job of playing the violin in a circus. Subsequent scenes show the three people having a big party with lots of food and wine. The happy scenes come to an end and we see that Solomon wakes up from a drugged sleep and finds that he has been sold into slavery. He is shown cruelly shackled and passes from one master to another in human bondage.   

This is a story about Solomon, who may represent an entire subjugated people and, by extension, the peculiar institution, as well as the American past and present. It is also a moving story of an individual. The story is a true narrative written by Northup who was born as a free man and then had to share the life of a bonded creature for 12 years. Solomon becomes an important witness in the unfolding of history. He is in enslavement for the standpoint of physical, emotional and psychological parameters but is still intellectually and culturally detached. This makes him a powerful observer of the unfolding events. His life in New York as a free citizen without voting rights gave him a degree of freedom where he could enjoy the privileges of enjoying a weekend with his wife and family. He however remained a black man in pre independent war era in America.

 McQueen has created a classical narrative; the emphasis is on Solomon and his unquenchable desire for freedom. It shows a bewildered man who still cannot believe that he has been sold as a slave even though he has found himself in chains. . Not long after has been drugged and sold as a slave, Solomon sits huddled with two other prisoners on a slave boat headed for the Southern part of America where slaves are in demand. One of the slaves tell him that they should fight back but the second man is resigned to his fate and tells that it is better to keep the head down instead of staging a futile bid for freedom. Solomon is bewildered and his look of disbelief is apparent. It was only a few days before that he roamed the streets of Washington as a free man and now he refuses to accept the second man’s advice that everything is lost forever and he has to suffer in silence. Solomon proudly declares – “I want to live”. The story is about the real world happenings during the fag end of slavery in America. Solomon depicts a poetic record of a black man’s travails into the cruel world of slavery as Platt who has been told a story that he is an escaped convict from Georgia. The compelling narrative style of the film shows the despair which finally encompasses Solomon.

McQueen has recreated a grand screen setting with a lot of emotional content to bring back memories of his film “Hunger”. Sean Bobbitt the cinematographer has filled the screen with a splash of contrasting colors from the deep blue of the ocean to the dark interiors of the ship’s belly where the slaves toil away in a colorless agony. The audience is captivated by Northup’s subjectivity and watch in rapt attention the unfolding story of his life of total freedom and careless abandon to a life of gloom and agony.   The pitiful scenes of a woman being where a woman shrieks in the pain of separation from her young children when they are sold to different owners have to be drowned by Solomon who has been ordered to play his violin to drown the cries. The masterful storyline reminds us of the pains of a slave which had once stirred the conscience of Mercado.   

The obituary on Barney Hajiro

The obituary on Barney Hajiro

Asian born Americans had joined the American war efforts in a very big and significant way with major contributions in the form of selfless sacrifice and undaunted gallantry in the face of enemy attack. Senator Daniel Akaka  who had some Asian roots, led a move to amend the Defence Authorisation Act in 1996 . He was a Hawaiian Democrat candidate and he felt that not enough had been done to recognise the selfless sacrifice of soldiers in the American Army who had roots in Asia. This amendment ordered the Army to relook the Distinguished Service Cross of Asian Americans and especially Japanese Americans and see if they deserved to get the Medal of Honour.  Although the Senate had ordered the relook 4 years elapsed before the Pentagon took a belated review exercise and finally President Bill Clinton presented the Medal of Honour to Senator Inoyue, Mr, Barney Hajiro and 20 other soldiers with Asian backgrounds who went beyond their call of duty and acted in the upholding of American dignity. They were all awarded the Medal of Honour the highest military recognition for bravery.  The Medal of Honour was given from the times of the American Civil War and is the highest recognition for a member of the American armed forces  

Barney Hajiro’s military service:

In the obituary of Barney Hajiro who was a simple private in the American army committed acts of valour which had gone unrecognised for more than 52 years. The fact that he had all alone on his own initiative been able to destroy two German machine gun outposts which was heavily guarded by two sniper covers went unrecognised for more than 50 years  even though his superiors had given him a recommendation of the Medal of Honour award.   The recommendation went on to state his act in 1944 October in France Hajiro ran almost 100 meters dodging a stream of enemy fire. He ran through an area that was booby trapped by the enemy and the outposts were on a hilltop called Suicide Hill and this was heavily guarded by sniper fire. He managed to destroy the enemy and in the process received 4 gun shots in the shoulders and wrists and even in this wounded condition he declined rescue efforts as he wanted 40 other wounded soldiers to be rescued before him. Barney never flouted his bravery and was humble enough to simple state it was all a part of his duty.  Hajiro, was shot in the shoulder and wrist and barred from further combat duty and he had originally received a Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's second-highest award for combat valor.

How does the obituary explain the delay in receiving his citation?

At the of the Awards function President Clinton was truthful and candid while admitting the racial discrimination and prejudice was the reason that such a ceremony was not organised earlier immediately after the war. Even senator Akaka admitted that there was a distinct element of racial prejudice which prevailed against the Japanese Americans after the war which was fallout of the Pearl Harbour attacks. Japanese Americans were mainly concentrated in the 100^th Infantry Battalion and the 442^nd Regimental Combat Team.oth units fought fiercely against the enemy but they got only one posthumous Medal of Honour which seemed like an absurdity when 3464 Medals of Honour were given to American soldiers up to the year 2009.

The obituary is silent on this aspect. Barney like all patriotic Americans was outraged by the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbour and he was one of the first volunteers in March 1943 as were many other Japanese Hawaiians. But despite all his sincerity and angry outbursts there was nothing in the obituary which was able to explain why everything was so delayed. The only acknowledgement was made by The President Bill Clinton who admitted that this was due to racial and institutional discrimination.

Was it appropriate for the article to include Daniel Inouye in the obituary? Why or why not?

James C McNaughton who was the official historian for the American Defence Department was the first person to lead the fight against racial discrimination of the Asian American in the Second World War. He went so far as to say that the way in which the 442^nd was isolated during the institution of bravery awards was tantamount to discrimination within an institution. He also said that he never found an white coloured officer who refused to acknowledge acts of bravery by the Japanese. Daniel Inouye who had fought bravely in Italy during the war and even lost his right arm during a fierce fighting was actually a very modest person who did not understand why he and his former mates had received the medal when they had seen hundreds of other soldiers doing the same thing they had done for getting the medal. The inclusion of Inouye’s remarks gives credence to the fact that there was a deliberate effort to disregard bravery of the Asian Americans for reasons of racial prejudice and institutional discrimination.    

The military service of Japanese Americans during World War II:

The Japanese American soldiers had instituted a forum called the Citizens League which took up the case for posthumous awards of the Medal of Honour to  Sardo S Munemori and in their ongoing efforts they took help from a senator from Utah who sympathised with their struggle. He and others like him realised that the 442^nd battalion made up of around 14000 soldiers of Japanese American backgrounds were very special in their acts of bravery which was acknowledged by even the army. The 442^nd had received nearly 9500 Purple Heart awards in the war efforts and also got more than 50 awards for Distinguished Services along with 8 citations for bravery in battle given by the President. Barney Hajiro had received 3 recognitions from the Army and the President. The obituary acknowledges the members of the 442^nd as being very brave soldiers and recounts the story of the rescue of the lost battalion where 211 soldiers had been trapped in a precarious situation and the 442^nd rescued them at the cost of heavy causalities. 

Hajiro obituary with the Japanese-American World War II experience 

The obituary is silent on the issues involved as they seemed to be steeped in controversy. Of the 22 Asian-Americans whose decorations were upgraded to the Medal of Honour, all but two were Japanese-Americans and members the 442nd or the 100th Infantry Battalion. ..

Though Mr. Hajiro was widely respected for getting the French Legion of Honour he was never allowed to forget that he was Japanese and he accepted his fate that the discrimination and hatred of the Japanese would remain for a long time after the war and he would always be called a Jap by the Americans. The Medal of Honor had been created in the times of the Civil war and given to those who risked their lives in the service of the nation by acts of bravery which were beyond the call of duty.

Out of the 3464 Medals of Honor that had been presented up to 2009 only 31 had been given to Asian Americans.  Mr Hajiro received the Medal after more than 56 years after the war and was the oldest person to receive this honour. Being born in Hawaii he came from a very modest background having dropped school at a very early age and having done very hard work for long hours in the dockyard. He was not allowed to carry arms when he was drafted in the army and made to dig ditches. This was a really sad state of affairs for such a brave man.

Dyson Company Strategic Management

Resources and Capabilities - ‘Inside Dyson’: a distinctive company?



The value chain is essentially a form of analysis of business by which a company decompose into its constituent parts, seeking to identify sources of competitive advantage in those value-generating activities. That competitive advantage is achieved when the company develops and integrates the activities of its value chain more cheaply or better differentiated than its rivals. Therefore the value chain of a company is made up of all its added value generating activities and the margins they contribute.

The value chain is divided into two parts:

Primary activities

Inbound Logistics comprising receipt, storage and distribution of raw materials.	Operations – (Production): processing of raw materials processed into the final product.	Outbound Logistics - Storage of finished products and consumer product distribution.	Sales & Marketing - activities which disclosed the product.	Service and Support - Service: after-sales and maintenance, group activities to preserve, enhance product value through the application of safeguards.
The Dyson plant manufacturing is located in a rural village located in the west of England. .350 engineers are located here for making new products which give the company its control over secrecy and its IP rights. Product meetings are held in sound proof rooms	Vacuums, fan, hand dryers, moving into integrated kitchens and robotic vacuums following the success of iRobots	Product manufacturing is carried out in countries like Malaysia and China where labour is cheap and cost of warehousing and distribution logistics are cost effecting helping to cut down production costs and also ultimate product MRP. Nearness to supply sources also help to maintain quality standards.	Dyson products are new, and different,: whether vacuum or washing machine they are unique  and easily identifiable from their bright colour variations.. The products are  robust, and need little after sales support. Dyson has one of the best online retail stores, which is responsible for most of distribution functions for the company.	Unique Engineering design protected by IP rights.

Secondary activities

Firm Infrastructure (General Management) Infrastructure organization supporting activities across the enterprise, such as planning, accounting and finance .	Their large testing facility in Malaysia operates continually with over 120 test­ing stations. The operation in the UK employs 1200 varied people: some experienced, some freshly qualified, some with 'way out' ideas
Human Resource Management - recruiting, hiring and staff motivation.	Creativity is rewarded and encouraged. A major part of profits is ploughed back in product design. Staff are encouraged to process their ideas whatever be the cost and are rewarded for their efforts.
Technology Development -Development of technology, research and development: cost drivers and value.	The company is focused on innovative product design and development and ploughs back almost half its profits into ruggedness testing of prototypes whatever be the cost involved.
Procurement	Procurement is done near the suppliers of the raw materials and are thoroughly tested for zero defects in the procurement stage. the manu­facturing part of his vacuum value chain in Malaysia and later that of his hand dryers in Nanjing in China

Since the commercial success of Dyson products depends on several players the efficient use of IP tools greatly reduce the hazards faced by the different actors, so that they can then make reasonable profits in exchange for their participation in the process. The IP greatly facilitates the process of introducing innovative technology on the market – before a product is launched it is thoroughly tested for ruggedness by breaking down 100 to 1000 prototypes and locating manufacturing defects at the same time plays an essential role in promoting the image of its technological excellence and all Dyson products are new or improved and need little servicing. Thanks to the added value obtained, the greater profitability leads to increased income or productivity. The value chain is not a collection of independent activities but a system of interdependent activities. Value activities are related by links in the value chain. The links are the relations between the manners in which an activity and the cost or performance of another will play

Dyson company is very rigid about maintaining its product secrecy. Its UK headquarters has advanced biometric identification to restricted areas  and internally developed sound proofing panels ensue that the outside world do not get access to any conversational leaks. The vacuum cleaner value chain located in Malaysia ahs the support of as many as 20 highly specialised testing laboratories all of which are located in the vicinity of the manufacturing plant. There are also additional 120 testing stations which operate round the clock. Hand dryers are produced in Nanjing, China. Dyson has its operations in more than 45 countries situated all around the globe and has a presence in highly competitive markets like Japan, China and USA. 

Identify the resources and competences which underpin Dyson’s sustained and / or temporary competitive advantage.

 By the shifting its production to low cost economies in Asia and China Dyson has brought down the labour component in its product pricing and at the same time increased its profits which have enabled the company to retain and attract a lot of talented engineers. These policies have enabled the company to compete with products manufactured in high cost economies like Europe and USA.  

The foundation of the success of Dyson’s empire is centred on the unique contribution of its engineering division which has helped it to create innovative product designs by engineering and re-engineering its products continuously and always brainstorming new approaches through a breakdown analysis of every prototype created. A prototype is broken down and put together again more than a 100 times and more than 1000 prototypes are created if necessary for a single product before it is launched in the market.  The company promotes an environment where creative ideas are nurtured and rewarded. Its engineers are encouraged to think in different ways and travel through less trodden paths. The even get support from the company for any idea however absurd it may appear if there is an element of creative insight. The protection of every product by the Intellectual Copyrights Act gives the company a greater edge and helps it to use its resources in the most effective way. Its patented technologies like the Ball Technology and the Root cyclone technology which are used in all cars and automobiles and vacuum cleaners have a global penetration and cannot be duplicated by an manufacturer due to the unique value addition features which has given the company a cost reduction advantage which cannot be duplicated.    Distribution Channel, premium products, and value chain

The Dyson presence in the online marketing scene has enabled the company to cut down on logistic costs. Its 24x7 availability and its helpline have enabled a customer loyalty and fetch premium prices for most of the company’s products. The theory and practice of the value chain analysis is typified by the Dyson Company. Strategic competencies on how to create value by increasing testing facilities nearer to the supply source, and location of production in low cost economies has helped give the customers additional value in terms of costs and also reliability together with a greatly reduced maintenance requirement.  

SWOT Analysis

The strengths of the company are centred around its protection of its Intellectual Copyright through patenting every product. Its secrecy, private ownership, lack of financial resources from financial institutions and international availability of the products  have allowed the company to give consumers value for their money.  The weakness will occur when a patent expires or a government changes its policy towards proprietary technology and finally a great deal of dependence on the promoter.

Imitation

Although secrecy is heavily guarded at Dyson competitors might find the key to its strategies but owing to the value chain it has created competitors will find it difficult to match its price and product characteristics in terms of quality and durability. These elements cannot be substituted. This will keep the company sustainable till a wave of more powerful technological interventions appear or companies develop better R&D capacities. The proprietary nature of the company gives it greater freedom to pursue a path of creativity and deployment of resources.

 Threshold capabilities

I believe that the future of Dyson is firmly secure by it policies for development of human resources as freedom for creative engineers will rarely be found in any other production environment. The heavy investment in its research and development and testing has positioned it uniquely as no other competitor will have a similar framework which can be upgraded to Dyson operating standards. Strategic plant locations in Asia where labour will continue to remain for some more time will help the company to carry on unhindered by competition.