A Game of Thrones Chapter Sixty-four

Daenerys The flies circled Khal Drogo slowly, their wings buzzing, a low thrum at the edge of hearing that filled Dany with dread. The sun was high and pitiless. Heat shimmered in waves off the stony outcrops of low hills. A thin finger of sweat trickled slowly between Dany's swollen breasts. The only sounds were the steady clop of their horses' hooves, the rhythmic tingle of the bells in Drogo's hair, and the distant voices behind them. Dany watched the flies. They were as large as bees, gross, purplish, glistening. The Dothraki called them bloodflies. They lived in marshes and stagnant pools, sucked blood from man and horse alike, and laid their eggs in the dead and dying. Drogo hated them. Whenever one came near him, his hand would shoot out quick as a striking snake to close around it. She had never seen him miss. He would hold the fly inside his huge fist long enough to hear its frantic buzzing. Then his fingers would tighten, and when he opened his hand again, the fly would be only a red smear on his palm. Now one crept across the rump of his stallion, and the horse gave an angry flick of its tail to brush it away. The others flitted about Drogo, closer and closer. The khal did not react. His eyes were fixed on distant brown hills, the reins loose in his hands. Beneath his painted vest, a plaster of fig leaves and caked blue mud covered the wound on his breast. The herbwomen had made it for him. Mirri Maz Duur's poultice had itched and burned, and he had torn it off six days ago, cursing her for a maegi. The mud plaster was more soothing, and the herbwomen made him poppy wine as well. He'd been drinking it heavily these past three days; when it was not poppy wine, it was fermented mare's milk or pepper beer. Yet he scarcely touched his food, and he thrashed and groaned in the night. Dany could see how drawn his face had become. Rhaego was restless in her belly, kicking like a stallion, yet even that did not stir Drogo's interest as it had. Every morning her eyes found fresh lines of pain on his face when he woke from his troubled sleep. And now this silence. It was making her afraid. Since they had mounted up at dawn, he had said not a word. When she spoke, she got no answer but a grunt, and not even that much since midday. One of the bloodflies landed on the bare skin of the khal's shoulder. Another, circling, touched down on his neck and crept up toward his mouth. Khal Drogo swayed in the saddle, bells ringing, as his stallion kept onward at a steady walking pace. Dany pressed her heels into her silver and rode closer. â€Å"My lord,† she said softly. â€Å"Drogo. My sun-and-stars.† He did not seem to hear. The bloodfly crawled up under his drooping mustache and settled on his cheek, in the crease beside his nose. Dany gasped, â€Å"Drogo.† Clumsily she reached over and touched his arm. Khal Drogo reeled in the saddle, tilted slowly, and fell heavily from his horse. The flies scattered for a heartbeat, and then circled back to settle on him where he lay. â€Å"No,† Dany said, reining up. Heedless of her belly for once, she scrambled off her silver and ran to him. The grass beneath him was brown and dry. Drogo cried out in pain as Dany knelt beside him. His breath rattled harshly in his throat, and he looked at her without recognition. â€Å"My horse,† he gasped. Dany brushed the flies off his chest, smashing one as he would have. His skin burned beneath her fingers. The khal's bloodriders had been following just behind them. She heard Haggo shout as they galloped up. Cohollo vaulted from his horse. â€Å"Blood of my blood,† he said as he dropped to his knees. The other two kept to their mounts. â€Å"No,† Khal Drogo groaned, struggling in Dany's arms. â€Å"Must ride. Ride. No.† â€Å"He fell from his horse,† Haggo said, staring down. His broad face was impassive, but his voice was leaden. â€Å"You must not say that,† Dany told him. â€Å"We have ridden far enough today. We will camp here.† â€Å"Here?† Haggo looked around them. The land was brown and sere, inhospitable. â€Å"This is no camping ground.† â€Å"It is not for a woman to bid us halt,† said Qotho, â€Å"not even a khaleesi.† â€Å"We camp here,† Dany repeated. â€Å"Haggo, tell them Khal Drogo commanded the halt. If any ask why, say to them that my time is near and I could not continue. Cohollo, bring up the slaves, they must put up the khal's tent at once. Qotho—† â€Å"You do not command me, Khaleesi,† Qotho said. â€Å"Find Mirri Maz Duur,† she told him. The godswife would be walking among the other Lamb Men, in the long column of slaves. â€Å"Bring her to me, with her chest.† Qotho glared down at her, his eyes hard as flint. â€Å"The maegi.† He spat. â€Å"This I will not do.† â€Å"You will,† Dany said, â€Å"or when Drogo wakes, he will hear why you defied me.† Furious, Qotho wheeled his stallion around and galloped off in anger . . . but Dany knew he would return with Mirri Maz Duur, however little he might like it. The slaves erected Khal Drogo's tent beneath a jagged outcrop of black rock whose shadow gave some relief from the heat of the afternoon sun. Even so, it was stifling under the sandsilk as Irri and Doreah helped Dany walk Drogo inside. Thick patterned carpets had been laid down over the ground, and pillows scattered in the corners. Eroeh, the timid girl Dany had rescued outside the mud walls of the Lamb Men, set up a brazier. They stretched Drogo out on a woven mat. â€Å"No,† he muttered in the Common Tongue. â€Å"No, no.† It was all he said, all he seemed capable of saying. Doreah unhooked his medallion belt and stripped off his vest and leggings, while Jhiqui knelt by his feet to undo the laces of his riding sandals. Irri wanted to leave the tent flaps open to let in the breeze, but Dany forbade it. She would not have any see Drogo this way, in delirium and weakness. When her khas came up, she posted them outside at guard. â€Å"Admit no one without my leave,† she told Jhogo. â€Å"No one.† Eroeh stared fearfully at Drogo where he lay. â€Å"He dies,† she whispered. Dany slapped her. â€Å"The khal cannot die. He is the father of the stallion who mounts the world. His hair has never been cut. He still wears the bells his father gave him.† â€Å"Khaleesi, † Jhiqui said, â€Å"he fell from his horse.† Trembling, her eyes full of sudden tears, Dany turned away from them. He fell from his horse! It was so, she had seen it, and the bloodriders, and no doubt her handmaids and the men of her khas as well. And how many more? They could not keep it secret, and Dany knew what that meant. A khal who could not ride could not rule, and Drogo had fallen from his horse. â€Å"We must bathe him,† she said stubbornly. She must not allow herself to despair. â€Å"Irri, have the tub brought at once. Doreah, Eroeh, find water, cool water, he's so hot.† He was a fire in human skin. The slaves set up the heavy copper tub in the corner of the tent. When Doreah brought the first jar of water, Dany wet a length of silk to lay across Drogo's brow, over the burning skin. His eyes looked at her, but he did not see. When his lips opened, no words escaped them, only a moan. â€Å"Where is Mirri Maz Duur?† she demanded, her patience rubbed raw with fear. â€Å"Qotho will find her,† Irri said. Her handmaids filled the tub with tepid water that stank of sulfur, sweetening it with jars of bitter oil and handfuls of crushed mint leaves. While the bath was being prepared, Dany knelt awkwardly beside her lord husband, her belly great with their child within. She undid his braid with anxious fingers, as she had on the night he'd taken her for the first time, beneath the stars. His bells she laid aside carefully, one by one. He would want them again when he was well, she told herself. A breath of air entered the tent as Aggo poked his head through the silk. â€Å"Khaleesi, † he said, â€Å"the Andal is come, and begs leave to enter.† â€Å"The Andal† was what the Dothraki called Ser Jorah. â€Å"Yes,† she said, rising clumsily, â€Å"send him in.† She trusted the knight. He would know what to do if anyone did. Ser Jorah Mormont ducked through the door flap and waited a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dimness. In the fierce heat of the south, he wore loose trousers of mottled sandsilk and open-toed riding sandals that laced up to his knee. His scabbard hung from a twisted horsehair belt. Under a bleached white vest, he was bare-chested, skin reddened by the sun. â€Å"Talk goes from mouth to ear, all over the khalasar,† he said. â€Å"It is said Khal Drogo fell from his horse.† â€Å"Help him,† Dany pleaded. â€Å"For the love you say you bear me, help him now.† The knight knelt beside her. He looked at Drogo long and hard, and then at Dany. â€Å"Send your maids away.† Wordlessly, her throat tight with fear, Dany made a gesture. Irri herded the other girls from the tent. When they were alone, Ser Jorah drew his dagger. Deftly, with a delicacy surprising in such a big man, he began to scrape away the black leaves and dried blue mud from Drogo's chest. The plaster had caked hard as the mud walls of the Lamb Men, and like those walls it cracked easily. Ser Jorah broke the dry mud with his knife, pried the chunks from the flesh, peeled off the leaves one by one. A foul, sweet smell rose from the wound, so thick it almost choked her. The leaves were crusted with blood and pus, Drogo's breast black and glistening with corruption. â€Å"No,† Dany whispered as tears ran down her cheeks. â€Å"No, please, gods hear me, no.† Khal Drogo thrashed, fighting some unseen enemy. Black blood ran slow and thick from his open wound. â€Å"Your khal is good as dead, Princess.† â€Å"No, he can't die, he mustn't, it was only a cut.† Dany took his large callused hand in her own small ones, and held it tight between them. â€Å"I will not let him die . . . â€Å" Ser Jorah gave a bitter laugh. â€Å"Khaleesi or queen, that command is beyond your power. Save your tears, child. Weep for him tomorrow, or a year from now. We do not have time for grief. We must go, and quickly, before he dies.† Dany was lost. â€Å"Go? Where should we go?† â€Å"Asshai, I would say. It lies far to the south, at the end of the known world, yet men say it is a great port. We will find a ship to take us back to Pentos. It will be a hard journey, make no mistake. Do you trust your khas? Will they come with us?† â€Å"Khal Drogo commanded them to keep me safe,† Dany replied uncertainly, â€Å"but if he dies . . . † She touched the swell of her belly. â€Å"I don't understand. Why should we flee? I am khaleesi. I carry Drogo's heir. He will be khal after Drogo . . . â€Å" Ser Jorah frowned. â€Å"Princess, hear me. The Dothraki will not follow a suckling babe. Drogo's strength was what they bowed to, and only that. When he is gone, Jhaqo and Pono and the other kos will fight for his place, and this khalasar will devour itself. The winner will want no more rivals. The boy will be taken from your breast the moment he is born. They will give him to the dogs . . . â€Å" Dany hugged herself. â€Å"But why?† she cried plaintively. â€Å"Why should they kill a little baby?† â€Å"He is Drogo's son, and the crones say he will be the stallion who mounts the world. It was prophesied. Better to kill the child than to risk his fury when he grows to manhood.† The child kicked inside her, as if he had heard. Dany remembered the story Viserys had told her, of what the Usurper's dogs had done to Rhaegar's children. His son had been a babe as well, yet they had ripped him from his mother's breast and dashed his head against a wall. That was the way of men. â€Å"They must not hurt my son!† she cried. â€Å"I will order my khas to keep him safe, and Drogo's bloodriders will—† Ser Jorah held her by the shoulders. â€Å"A bloodrider dies with his khal. You know that, child. They will take you to Vaes Dothrak, to the crones, that is the last duty they owe him in life . . . when it is done, they will join Drogo in the night lands.† Dany did not want to go back to Vaes Dothrak and live the rest of her life among those terrible old women, yet she knew that the knight spoke the truth. Drogo had been more than her sun-and-stars; he had been the shield that kept her safe. â€Å"I will not leave him,† she said stubbornly, miserably. She took his hand again. â€Å"I will not.† A stirring at the tent flap made Dany turn her head. Mirri Maz Duur entered, bowing low. Days on the march, trailing behind the khalasar, had left her limping and haggard, with blistered and bleeding feet and hollows under her eyes. Behind her came Qotho and Haggo, carrying the godswife's chest between them. When the bloodriders caught sight of Drogo's wound, the chest slipped from Haggo's fingers and crashed to the floor of the tent, and Qotho swore an oath so foul it seared the air. Mirri Maz Duur studied Drogo, her face still and dead. â€Å"The wound has festered.† â€Å"This is your work, maegi,† Qotho said. Haggo laid his fist across Mirri's cheek with a meaty smack that drove her to the ground. Then he kicked her where she lay. â€Å"Stop it!† Dany screamed. Qotho pulled Haggo away, saying, â€Å"Kicks are too merciful for a maegi. Take her outside. We will stake her to the earth, to be the mount of every passing man. And when they are done with her, the dogs will use her as well. Weasels will tear out her entrails and carrion crows feast upon her eyes. The flies off the river shall lay their eggs in her womb and drink pus from the ruins of her breasts . . . † He dug iron-hard fingers into the soft, wobbly flesh under the godswife's arm and hauled her to her feet. â€Å"No,† Dany said. â€Å"I will not have her harmed.† Qotho's lips skinned back from his crooked brown teeth in a terrible mockery of a smile. â€Å"No? You say me no? Better you should pray that we do not stake you out beside your maegi. You did this, as much as the other.† Ser Jorah stepped between them, loosening his longsword in its scabbard. â€Å"Rein in your tongue, bloodrider. The princess is still your khaleesi. â€Å" â€Å"Only while the blood-of-my-blood still lives,† Qotho told the knight. â€Å"When he dies, she is nothing.† Dany felt a tightness inside her. â€Å"Before I was khaleesi, I was the blood of the dragon. Ser Jorah, summon my khas.† â€Å"No,† said Qotho. â€Å"We will go. For now . . . Khaleesi. † Haggo followed him from the tent, scowling. â€Å"That one means you no good, Princess,† Mormont said. â€Å"The Dothraki say a man and his bloodriders share one life, and Qotho sees it ending. A dead man is beyond fear.† â€Å"No one has died,† Dany said. â€Å"Ser Jorah, I may have need of your blade. Best go don your armor.† She was more frightened than she dared admit, even to herself. The knight bowed. â€Å"As you say.† He strode from the tent. Dany turned back to Mirri Maz Duur. The woman's eyes were wary. â€Å"So you have saved me once more.† â€Å"And now you must save him,† Dany said. â€Å"Please . . . â€Å" â€Å"You do not ask a slave,† Mirri replied sharply, â€Å"you tell her.† She went to Drogo burning on his mat, and gazed long at his wound. â€Å"Ask or tell, it makes no matter. He is beyond a healer's skills.† The khal's eyes were closed. She opened one with her fingers. â€Å"He has been dulling the hurt with milk of the poppy.† â€Å"Yes,† Dany admitted. â€Å"I made him a poultice of firepod and sting-me-not and bound it in a lambskin.† â€Å"It burned, he said. He tore it off. The herbwomen made him a new one, wet and soothing.† â€Å"It burned, yes. There is great healing magic in fire, even your hairless men know that.† â€Å"Make him another poultice,† Dany begged. â€Å"This time I will make certain he wears it.† â€Å"The time for that is past, my lady,† Mirri said. â€Å"All I can do now is ease the dark road before him, so he might ride painless to the night lands. He will be gone by morning.† Her words were a knife through Dany's breast. What had she ever done to make the gods so cruel? She had finally found a safe place, had finally tasted love and hope. She was finally going home. And now to lose it all . . . â€Å"No,† she pleaded. â€Å"Save him, and I will free you, I swear it. You must know a way . . . some magic, some . . . â€Å" Mirri Maz Duur sat back on her heels and studied Daenerys through eyes as black as night. â€Å"There is a spell.† Her voice was quiet, scarcely more than a whisper. â€Å"But it is hard, lady, and dark. Some would say that death is cleaner. I learned the way in Asshai, and paid dear for the lesson. My teacher was a bloodmage from the Shadow Lands.† Dany went cold all over. â€Å"Then you truly are a maegi . . . â€Å" â€Å"Am I?† Mirri Maz Duur smiled. â€Å"Only a maegi can save your rider now, Silver Lady.† â€Å"Is there no other way?† â€Å"No other.† Khal Drogo gave a shuddering gasp. â€Å"Do it,† Dany blurted. She must not be afraid; she was the blood of the dragon. â€Å"Save him.† â€Å"There is a price,† the godswife warned her. â€Å"You'll have gold, horses, whatever you like.† â€Å"It is not a matter of gold or horses. This is bloodmagic, lady. Only death may pay for life.† â€Å"Death?† Dany wrapped her arms around herself protectively, rocked back and forth on her heels. â€Å"My death?† She told herself she would die for him, if she must. She was the blood of the dragon, she would not be afraid. Her brother Rhaegar had died for the woman he loved. â€Å"No,† Mirri Maz Duur promised. â€Å"Not your death, Khaleesi.† Dany trembled with relief. â€Å"Do it.† The maegi nodded solemnly. â€Å"As you speak, so it shall be done. Call your servants.† Khal Drogo writhed feebly as Rakharo and Quaro lowered him into the bath. â€Å"No,† he muttered, â€Å"no. Must ride.† Once in the water, all the strength seemed to leak out of him. â€Å"Bring his horse,† Mirri Maz Duur commanded, and so it was done. Jhogo led the great red stallion into the tent. When the animal caught the scent of death, he screamed and reared, rolling his eyes. It took three men to subdue him. â€Å"What do you mean to do?† Dany asked her. â€Å"We need the blood,† Mirri answered. â€Å"That is the way.† Jhogo edged back, his hand on his arakh. He was a youth of sixteen years, whip-thin, fearless, quick to laugh, with the faint shadow of his first mustachio on his upper lip. He fell to his knees before her. â€Å"Khaleesi, † he pleaded, â€Å"you must not do this thing. Let me kill this maegi.† â€Å"Kill her and you kill your khal,† Dany said. â€Å"This is bloodmagic,† he said. â€Å"It is forbidden.† â€Å"I am khaleesi, and I say it is not forbidden. In Vaes Dothrak, Khal Drogo slew a stallion and I ate his heart, to give our son strength and courage. This is the same. The same.† The stallion kicked and reared as Rakharo, Quaro, and Aggo pulled him close to the tub where the khal floated like one already dead, pus and blood seeping from his wound to stain the bathwaters. Mirri Maz Duur chanted words in a tongue that Dany did not know, and a knife appeared in her hand. Dany never saw where it came from. It looked old; hammered red bronze, leaf-shaped, its blade covered with ancient glyphs. The maegi drew it across the stallion's throat, under the noble head, and the horse screamed and shuddered as the blood poured out of him in a red rush. He would have collapsed, but the men of her khas held him up. â€Å"Strength of the mount, go into the rider,† Mirri sang as horse blood swirled into the waters of Drogo's bath. â€Å"Strength of the beast, go into the man.† Jhogo looked terrified as he struggled with the stallion's weight, afraid to touch the dead flesh, yet afraid to let go as well. Only a horse, Dany thought. If she could buy Drogo's life with the death of a horse, she would pay a thousand times over. When they let the stallion fall, the bath was a dark red, and nothing showed of Drogo but his face. Mirri Maz Duur had no use for the carcass. â€Å"Burn it,† Dany told them. It was what they did, she knew. When a man died, his mount was killed and placed beneath him on the funeral pyre, to carry him to the night lands. The men of her khas dragged the carcass from the tent. The blood had gone everywhere. Even the sandsilk walls were spotted with red, and the rugs underfoot were black and wet. Braziers were lit. Mirri Maz Duur tossed a red powder onto the coals. It gave the smoke a spicy scent, a pleasant enough smell, yet Eroeh fled sobbing, and Dany was filled with fear. But she had gone too far to turn back now. She sent her handmaids away. â€Å"Go with them, Silver Lady,† Mirri Maz Duur told her. â€Å"I will stay,† Dany said. â€Å"The man took me under the stars and gave life to the child inside me. I will not leave him.† â€Å"You must. Once I begin to sing, no one must enter this tent. My song will wake powers old and dark. The dead will dance here this night. No living man must look on them.† Dany bowed her head, helpless. â€Å"No one will enter.† She bent over the tub, over Drogo in his bath of blood, and kissed him lightly on the brow. â€Å"Bring him back to me,† she whispered to Mirri Maz Duur before she fled. Outside, the sun was low on the horizon, the sky a bruised red. The khalasar had made camp. Tents and sleeping mats were scattered as far as the eye could see. A hot wind blew. Jhogo and Aggo were digging a firepit to burn the dead stallion. A crowd had gathered to stare at Dany with hard black eyes, their faces like masks of beaten copper. She saw Ser Jorah Mormont, wearing mail and leather now, sweat beading on his broad, balding forehead. He pushed his way through the Dothraki to Dany's side. When he saw the scarlet footprints her boots had left on the ground, the color seemed to drain from his face. â€Å"What have you done, you little fool?† he asked hoarsely. â€Å"I had to save him.† â€Å"We could have fled,† he said. â€Å"I would have seen you safe to Asshai, Princess. There was no need . . . â€Å" â€Å"Am I truly your princess?† she asked him. â€Å"You know you are, gods save us both.† â€Å"Then help me now.† Ser Jorah grimaced. â€Å"Would that I knew how.† Mirri Maz Duur's voice rose to a high, ululating wail that sent a shiver down Dany's back. Some of the Dothraki began to mutter and back away. The tent was aglow with the light of braziers within. Through the blood-spattered sandsilk, she glimpsed shadows moving. Mirri Maz Duur was dancing, and not alone. Dany saw naked fear on the faces of the Dothraki. â€Å"This must not be,† Qotho thundered. She had not seen the bloodrider return. Haggo and Cohollo were with him. They had brought the hairless men, the eunuchs who healed with knife and needle and fire. â€Å"This will be,† Dany replied. â€Å"Maegi, † Haggo growled. And old Cohollo—Cohollo who had bound his life to Drogo's on the day of his birth, Cohollo who had always been kind to her—Cohollo spat full in her face. â€Å"You will die, maegi,† Qotho promised, â€Å"but the other must die first.† He drew his arakh and made for the tent. â€Å"No,† she shouted, â€Å"you mustn't.† She caught him by the shoulder, but Qotho shoved her aside. Dany fell to her knees, crossing her arms over her belly to protect the child within. â€Å"Stop him,† she commanded her khas, â€Å"kill him.† Rakharo and Quaro stood beside the tent flap. Quaro took a step forward, reaching for the handle of his whip, but Qotho spun graceful as a dancer, the curved arakh rising. It caught Quaro low under the arm, the bright sharp steel biting up through leather and skin, through muscle and rib bone. Blood fountained as the young rider reeled backward, gasping. Qotho wrenched the blade free. â€Å"Horselord,† Ser Jorah Mormont called. â€Å"Try me.† His longsword slid from its scabbard. Qotho whirled, cursing. The arakh moved so fast that Quaro's blood flew from it in a fine spray, like rain in a hot wind. The longsword caught it a foot from Ser Jorah's face, and held it quivering for an instant as Qotho howled in fury. The knight was clad in chainmail, with gauntlets and greaves of lobstered steel and a heavy gorget around his throat, but he had not thought to don his helm. Qotho danced backward, arakh whirling around his head in a shining blur, flickering out like lightning as the knight came on in a rush. Ser Jorah parried as best he could, but the slashes came so fast that it seemed to Dany that Qotho had four arakhs and as many arms. She heard the crunch of sword on mail, saw sparks fly as the long curved blade glanced off a gauntlet. Suddenly it was Mormont stumbling backward, and Qotho leaping to the attack. The left side of the knight's face ran red with blood, and a cut to the hip opened a gash in his mail and left him limping. Qotho screamed taunts at him, calling him a craven, a milk man, a eunuch in an iron suit. â€Å"You die now!† he promised, arakh shivering through the red twilight. Inside Dany's womb, her son kicked wildly. The curved blade slipped past the straight one and bit deep into the knight's hip where the mail gaped open. Mormont grunted, stumbled. Dany felt a sharp pain in her belly, a wetness on her thighs. Qotho shrieked triumph, but his arakh had found bone, and for half a heartbeat it caught. It was enough. Ser Jorah brought his longsword down with all the strength left him, through flesh and muscle and bone, and Qotho's forearm dangled loose, flopping on a thin cord of skin and sinew. The knight's next cut was at the Dothraki's ear, so savage that Qotho's face seemed almost to explode. The Dothraki were shouting, Mirri Maz Duur wailing inside the tent like nothing human, Quaro pleading for water as he died. Dany cried out for help, but no one heard. Rakharo was fighting Haggo, arakh dancing with arakh until Jhogo's whip cracked, loud as thunder, the lash coiling around Haggo's throat. A yank, and the bloodrider stumbled backward, losing his feet and his sword. Rakharo sprang forward, howling, swinging his arakh down with both hands through the top of Haggo's head. The point caught between his eyes, red and quivering. Someone threw a stone, and when Dany looked, her shoulder was torn and bloody. â€Å"No,† she wept, â€Å"no, please, stop it, it's too high, the price is too high.† More stones came flying. She tried to crawl toward the tent, but Cohollo caught her. Fingers in her hair, he pulled her head back and she felt the cold touch of his knife at her throat. â€Å"My baby,† she screamed, and perhaps the gods heard, for as quick as that, Coh ollo was dead. Aggo's arrow took him under the arm, to pierce his lungs and heart. When at last Daenerys found the strength to raise her head, she saw the crowd dispersing, the Dothraki stealing silently back to their tents and sleeping mats. Some were saddling horses and riding off. The sun had set. Fires burned throughout the khalasar, great orange blazes that crackled with fury and spit embers at the sky. She tried to rise, and agony seized her and squeezed her like a giant's fist. The breath went out of her; it was all she could do to gasp. The sound of Mirri Maz Duur's voice was like a funeral dirge. Inside the tent, the shadows whirled. An arm went under her waist, and then Ser Jorah was lifting her off her feet. His face was sticky with blood, and Dany saw that half his ear was gone. She convulsed in his arms as the pain took her again, and heard the knight shouting for her handmaids to help him. Are they all so afraid? She knew the answer. Another pain grasped her, and Dany bit back a scream. It felt as if her son had a knife in each hand, as if he were hacking at her to cut his way out. â€Å"Doreah, curse you,† Ser Jorah roared. â€Å"Come here. Fetch the birthing women.† â€Å"They will not come. They say she is accursed.† â€Å"They'll come or I'll have their heads.† Doreah wept. â€Å"They are gone, my lord.† â€Å"The maegi,† someone else said. Was that Aggo? â€Å"Take her to the maegi.† No, Dany wanted to say, no, not that, you mustn't, but when she opened her mouth, a long wail of pain escaped, and the sweat broke over her skin. What was wrong with them, couldn't they see? Inside the tent the shapes were dancing, circling the brazier and the bloody bath, dark against the sandsilk, and some did not look human. She glimpsed the shadow of a great wolf, and another like a man wreathed in flames. â€Å"The Lamb Woman knows the secrets of the birthing bed,† Irri said. â€Å"She said so, I heard her.† â€Å"Yes,† Doreah agreed, â€Å"I heard her too.† No, she shouted, or perhaps she only thought it, for no whisper of sound escaped her lips. She was being carried. Her eyes opened to gaze up at a flat dead sky, black and bleak and starless. Please, no. The sound of Mirri Maz Duur's voice grew louder, until it filled the world. The shapes! she screamed. The dancers! Ser Jorah carried her inside the tent.

Essay on Film, “A Bronx Tale”

Amy Lau Expository Essay – â€Å"A Bronx Tale† Topic: â€Å"The choices that you make will shape your life forever† The film, set in New York City, in the 1960s, A Bronx Tale, Lorenzo (played by Robert De Niro) has a son, Calogero, whom we see throughout the film as one who made numerous decisions throughout his life, which shaped his future. One of those things was what Calogero did in the early stages of the film. At nine years old, he sat on the steps as he witnessed Sonny, a gangster, out of defense for a friend, shoot and kill someone seemingly competing with someone else over a parking spot. When Calogero was requested by NYPD detectives to identify the murderer by facial recognition, he kept quiet about the truth. As a result, Sonny welcomed him into his inner group of followers and compelled everyone he knew to please Calogero. Sonny’s men also offered Lorenzo a job to make a lot more money than he already does, but Lorenzo, preferring a law-abiding life, declined the offer. Lorenzo hated Sonny’s influence on his son (â€Å"You don’t understand: It’s not what you say, it’s what he sees, the clothes, the cars, the money, it’s everything. He tried to throw away his baseball cards because he said Mickey Mantle will never pay the rent†). When Lorenzo found out about the money that Calogero has gained from working for Sonny, he took his son’s money and returned them to Sonny at the bar and warns him to keep away from his son, which Sonny responded to Lorenzo, â€Å"I treat him like he’s my son† The turns of events that were caused by Calogero refusing to rat on Sonny in the beginning seemed to have a lasting effect. Eight years later, Calogero became close friends with Sonny and continued to regularly visit him without his father’s knowledge. He also remained part of a gang of local Italian boys he grew up with, which Sonny advised against. He then meets Jane Williams, an African American girl and the two arranged a date despite severe tension between the Blacks and the Italians, especially amongst his friends. The friends he chose also shaped his future. One night in provoked retaliation, Calogero’s friends made a plan to strike at an earlier attack back at the African Americans using molotov cocktails. They compelled Calogero to come with them in a journey to the area of the African Americans, but along the way, Sonny intervenes and orders Calogero out of the car. Calogero catches up with Jane and the two shared an intimate moment. The conversation then leads Calogero to remember of a planned attack in the town where the Blacks live, and he realises that Jane’s brother is in danger. He and Jane rush to stop them, and to her brother’s aid. Then we see Calogero’s friends attack a shop, owned by an African American, and set the shop on fire. Then the shopkeeper, taking the unexploded homemade bomb, which was thrown at him, threw it back at the boys’ car, igniting the rest of the explosives in it. Calogero and Jane arrive at the ruins of the exploded car to discover that all his friends have died as a result of their attack. In mixed feelings of grief and relief, Calogero rushes back to Sonny to thank him for saving his life. Calogero knowing Sonny certainly has its goodness. Page 1/2 Then in a crowded bar upon arrival, he sees Sonny, and also someone coming up behind Sonny with a gun. A shot is fired a Sonny falls to the floor. The unnamed assassin is the son of the man killed by Sonny eight years ago. It seemed Sonny also made a decision eight years ago which shaped his life, which in turn ended in a tragedy. When Lorenzo arrives at the end of the memorial service held for Sonny, to pay his respects to him, he says that he had never hated Sonny, but merely resented him for making Calogero grow up so quickly. In conclusion, the viewers could interpret that the fact that Calogero did not tell the NYPD detectives that Sonny was the murderer definitely has its benefits, like the fact that it has protected him from a possible retaliation that would have resulted from Sonny’s men had he chose to reveal Sonny to detectives as the murderer. And because of this, he won over friends in Sonny and his inner circle of followers, and has remained close throughout. Also, Calogero seemed positively influenced by Sonny as a result of their friendship. He says in the end: â€Å"I learned to give love and get love unconditionally. You just have to accept people for what they are. And I learned the greatest gift of all: the saddest thing in life is wasted talent. The choices that you make will shape your life forever. You can ask anybody from my neighborhood, and they'll just tell you, this is just another Bronx tale†. Page 2/2

Financial Management: Definitions Essay

Define the following terms using your text or other resources. Cite all resources consistent with APA guidelines. Term Definition Resource you used Time value of money Explaind how a dollar received today, other things being  the same, is worth more than a dollar received a year from now. Efficient market efficient market is a market in which all the available information is fully incorporated into securities prices, and the returns investors will earn on their investments cannot be predicted. Primary versus secondary market A primary market is a market in  which new, as opposed to previously issued, securities are bought and sold for the first time. The secondary market is where all subsequent trading of previously issued securities takes place. Risk-return tradeoff investment opportunities  that have different risks and different expected rates of return that reflect those risks. Agency (principal and agent problems) The conflict of interest between the firm’s managers and its stockholders is called a principal-agent problem, or agency problem, in which the firm’s common stockholders, the owners of the firm, are the principals in the relationship, and the managers act as â€Å"agents† to these owners. Market information and security prices and information asymmetry. Through Market information you can know the prices of the different commodities in the market, the supply and the demand situation. Agile and lean principles  to be responsive to changing needs. Previous teachings Return on investment A performance measure used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment or to compare the efficiency of a number of different investments. Cash flow and a source of value Cash flow is a revenue or expense stream that changes a cash account over a given period. A source of value is a source of worth, merit or importaince Project management The planning and organization of an organization’s resources in order to move a specific task, event or duty toward completion. Outsourcing and offshoring Offshoring means getting work done in a different country. Outsourcing refers to contracting work out to an external organization. http://www.diffen.com/difference/Offshoring_vs_Outsourcing Inventory turnover A ratio showing how many times a company’s inventory is sold and replaced over a period Investopedia Just-in-time inventory (JIT) Just in time (JIT) inventory is a management system in which materials or products are produced or acquired only as demand requires http://smallbusiness.chron.com/just-time-inventory-definition-23475.html Vender managed inventory (VMI) A means of optimizing Supply Chain performance in which the manufacturer is responsible for maintaining the distributor’s inventory levels. http://www.vendormanagedinventory.com/definition.php Forecasting and demand management Demand management and forecasting is recognizing all demand for goods and services to support the marketplace. Demand is prioritized when supply is lacking. http://www.apics.org/industry-content-research/publications/ombok/apics-ombok-framework-table-of-contents/apics-ombok-framework-5.4

Business Driven Information Systems Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business Driven Information Systems - Term Paper Example As the report discusses the University of La Verne is faced by a threat of new universities within California which are providing competitive programs. In addition, supplier power for educational and research material has become a threat to the brand identity of the university which ranked among the top institutions of higher education in California. This paper declares that the University of La Verne is mandated to employ proper management and institutional strategies that will help it to overcome the threat of new entrants into the higher education sector and education service delivery. In addition the university must be sensitive to the power of the buyer who comprise of its students who purchase educational services. This would be achieved through affordable and high quality education which meets the needs of the students for competitive advantage. The threat of substitutes is a business challenge for competitive advantage. It is in this sense that the University of La Verne should employ proper business strategies such as marketing so that it can overcome the threat of other research centers. IT success within the University of La Verne’s can be measured in terms of its congruency with the goals and objectives of the institution. Effective adoption and implementation of information technology is must be in line with t he goals and objectives of an organization or institution such as efficiency of operations and activities.

Children with special needs in Australia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Children with special needs in Australia - Essay Example Most of the times, children with special needs from all over the world are deprived of education. It must be realized that they too need education as much as, or even more than, the children without special needs do. They need this education for the following reasons. Equal Right to Education. It is said that â€Å"education prepares individuals to be self-reliant and self-sufficient participants in society† (Rothstein & Johnson, 2010, p. 69). Children with special needs are already unable to do many things due to their handicap. They need to have, at least, the basic education to lessen instances of untoward further deprivation of â€Å"social, economic, intellectual, and psychological well-being† in the future (Rothstein & Johnson, 2010, p. 69). Their case, however, require a more intense educational techniques and strategies for them to reach their full potential. Improve their Focus. Normally, children are easily distracted. Children with special needs more often have worse cases. They lack focus and are inattentive most of the times (Bainbridge, n.d.). Special education instructors are packed with different ways to deal with this inattentiveness that can improve their focus while they are taught with reading and solving math problems (AutoSkill, n.d.). Many other academic progresses are told to be seen in children attending special education. Interaction. Being as they are, children with special needs are continually facing social issues that deny them the chance to interact with other people (Hart, 2009). When children are put in a classroom with other children with or without disabilities, they will be able to learn ways on how to react on different situations with other people. Children with special needs interacting with other children with special needs will improve their self-worth by seeing that their differences are accepted and it is fine to be who they are. On

Business Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 5

Business Ethics - Essay Example I saw the wrong doing of our boss. I was discussed by his action, but there no witnesses except the two people involved and myself. I saw the event from far away. I decided to take a stand against the abuser. I told human resources about it. Our boss did not like my position, she said I wasn’t even there and you did not hear the other person involved complaining. I was made out to be liar. I only lasted an extra month at that job. Relativism perspective basically says that the ethical standards and views of a person are created depending on his own perspective of the situation. I had a car accident about four months ago. I was hit from behind by a car. To me it was simple the person bumped me because he did not keep distance so he was liable. The person who hit my car did not see it that way. His point of view was that I stopped suddenly and my pressing on the brakes cause the accident. Both views might have been right depending on the perspective of the person analyzing the situation. Fortunately the insurance company ruled in my favor. 2. Pick one of the readings from the Harvard Business Review text and discussed what was learned from the reading. Learned can also mean a â€Å"relighting† of something known but forgotten. Then discuss how you could/would use this knowledge in a professional or personal setting. The conflicts a managers faces regarding ethical issues in the workplace are numerous and constant occurrences. The decision making process requires the professional to take into consideration all aspects of the action, but they should remind themselves that the action itself requires a decision based solely on the act without putting unnecessary emphasis on factors such as the consequences of revealing an unethical act to the public. When working in a team environment I would lead a team by emphasizing honesty within the actions of the team. If somebody does not meet expectations the person should be honest about it or should be

Answers quesitons from video Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Answers quesitons from video - Case Study Example such as test and bookkeeping, audits and reviews, client tax returns, strategic business planning, mergers and acquisitions, valuation, and litigation support. The firm has designed these services to ensure superior customer service and client satisfaction. Rosanne Ammirati, a tax partner with the firm, mentioned that even though the firm offers a number of services, it targets specific entrepreneurial companies in real-estate, personal service, and trucking industries. Katz, Sapper and Miller want to work with people for the long-term and provide services to specific industries where growth can happen in order to ensure a healthy business relationship. Neither the firm nor any potential clients would benefit from poor decision-making and entering a relationship that would not be beneficial for both parties. One of Katz, Sapper and Miller’s most successful business practices is in the form of recruiting and retaining new talented employees. College recruitment fills 1/3 of the firm’s annual hiring plan with recent college graduates. The firm maintains high standards for good grades, high GPA, passing the CPA exam when that is required, and that the individual has very strong communication skills and can interact well with the team and clients. The direct of human resources mentioned in the video that the employees can at any time be required to speak with presidents and CEOs of their clients. Recent college graduates must have strong communication skills and be able to interact well with these high-profile clients in order to be trusted to do the work of the firm. Through excellent business practices, and a philosophy that the firm comes first, the Katz, Sapper and Miller is able to retain over 90% of their current employees every year. This statistic shows that the compan y is an excellent company to work for and that the management team and owners support the work of the employees. Dave Resnick, the management director, stated that the firm has a

The Mona Lisa Curse Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Mona Lisa Curse - Assignment Example Towards the end of the film, Hughes says, â€Å"If art can’t tell us about the world we live in, then in don’t believe there’s much point in having it†. Herein I disagree with his view, since art has always been a reflecting of the contemporary culture. It is kind of rule followed by artists in every era, and is reflected in renowned pieces of modern art. According to Hughes, art is now controlled by the rich who can pay high price for them rather than the critics. However, giving the power back to the critics is not the solution. The solution lies in viewing art from the perspective of the artists since they have created art and so have the answers to all questions. .It is an undeniable fact that people learn to love only those things about which they grow to learn. The same thing can be applied to Godhead. Since the beginning of restoration, many truths have come forward regarding the Godhead. Many such truths were lost during the Apostasy. It is because of Restoration that today we have realized that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three distinct beings but with a common purpose. We now believe that Father and Son are two separate beings with flesh and blood, while the Holy Ghost is personification of the spirit, who took the form of dove when descending from heaven. It is only by understanding the true essence of God, mankind can introspect themselves. Restoration of Godhead has also inspired us to believe that although Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three distinct beings.

Innovation Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Innovation - Literature review Example This paper is a literature review of innovation as an important driver of firm profitability and performance, and as a vital source of competitive advantage in any industry. The ability of a business to arrive at creative and insightful designs and methods by which it may meet consumer demands and expectations has always been an attribute that culls consumer loyalty to its products and services. The same is true with the construction industry, where different construction firms are held to public scrutiny by such standards as cost, speed and quality of project execution, but also increasingly by its track record for safety and environment sustainability, its consistency with contemporary concepts of fair and ethical leadership, and the aesthetics and beauty of its design and craftsmanship. In comparative studies among various commercial undertakings, the construction industry noticeably lags behind in terms of innovation, research and development. Industry participants cite the overr iding emphasis on cost minimization in an era of constantly rising materials prices, skilled manpower costs, and administrative expenses. Recent institutional initiatives have been taken to promote innovation in construction, such as the formation of integrated teams and innovative leadership, the most efficient use of information transfer and knowledge management, radical breakthroughs in materials research and construction methods and techniques, and the education of the public to develop a culture more receptive to innovation. The enhancement of an innovative culture in construction requires a broad-based and concerted collaboration among industry firms, associations, regulatory agencies, and other entities in the value chain. Key words: construction, innovation, branded innovation, agile innovation, transformational leadership, information and communication technology, integrated teams Introduction The concept of innovation is often associated with the manufacturing, technology, and retail industries because of the necessity of keeping up with the tastes and preferences of a fickle consumer market. Construction is seldom associate with such dynamic changes, however, because the considerable investment and long-term duration of its products are seen to be better served by strict compliance with building codes, safety standards, and conventional practices to allow much leeway for experimentation and creative revision (Patterson, 2011, p. 18). Innovation in the construction business is a relatively novel concept that has developed in the recent few decades, the scope and scale of which still remains largely undefined as may be observed from the academic studies which have dealt on it. The following survey of related literature will seek to shed light on the generally accepted meaning of innovation in construction, the new paradigms and models emerging from a rethinking of this concept, and the importance of innovation to the construction business. Innovation: definition and effects According to Lundvall (1992, p. 8) innovation is described as potentially new processes, products or strategies that â€Å"result in radical breaks with the past, making a substantial part of accumulated knowledge obsolete.† It has also been defined as consisting of â€Å"the generation of a new idea and its implementation into a new product, process, or service, leading to the dynamic growth of the national economy and the increase of employment, as well as to a creation of pure profit for the innovative business enterprise† (Urabe, Child & Kagono, 1988, p. 3) The classic view espoused by Milton Friedman places priority on the profits realized by a business. In return for financial gains, business contributes much to the improvement of society. According to Ahlstrom (2010), the reverse is actually true – the principal goal of business is the development of innovative goods and services, which in turn generate economic growth and employme nt. Innovation thus improves peoples’

Microbial fuel cells and how cay they produce electricity Lab Report

Microbial fuel cells and how cay they produce electricity - Lab Report Example Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) signify an innovative method of procuring renewable energy in the era of energy crisis. Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 is capable of growing in 50 days in MFCs, the organism is capable of partly oxidizing lactate to acetate with enhanced recovery of the electrons producing electricity. Electricity was generated with lactate or hydrogen on their complete oxidation through electrigens. The cells are attached to the anode, the electrode, thereby conserving energy for growth as the cell is capable of donating its electrons to the electrode. Introduction It is evident that fossil fuels are limited sources for energy on the planet and they are on the verge of exhaustion. Consumption of fossil fuel has augmented climate changes, enhancing temperatures, floods or droughts on the planet causing global warming. Burning involves consumption of oxygen, on flaming fossil fuels which are chiefly carbon, the gas evolved is mainly carbon-di-oxide and obnoxious carbon mono-oxi de. These two gases are hazardous and are chief pollutants. Therefore it is imperative to exploit other means and resources for the production of energy. The new source of energy is retrieved from microbial cells, which are biodegradable and environment friendly (Noam M, 2005). Present era witnesses the generation of electricity from biodegradable compounds, for instance pure chemicals and wastewater. Recently, the production of electricity from microbes paves the way for generating microbial fuel cells capable of producing electricity from complex organic wastes and renewable biomass. Wastes and renewable biomass are attractive sources of energy because both of them encompass natural carbon being fixed in recent times, thus impact on the atmosphere could be reduced. ‘A microbial fuel cells is a mimic of a biological system in which bacteria do not directly transfer their produced electrons to their characteristic electron acceptor’. (Rabaey K, Lissens G, Steven D, Sici liano S and Verstraete W. 2003). MFCs are able to generate electricity through oxidation of organic matter by means of bacteria. Electricity could be generated from a range of biodegradable substrates such as glucose, acetate, ethanol, butyrate, lactate and organic matter. The biggest advantage of MFCs is that they are capable of functioning at room temperature and can be designed to perform numerous functions at different temperatures. In addition, MFCs have also special enzymes to generate electricity. The enzymes produced by MFCs can produce high level of power (Lovely DR, 2006). Enormous factors influence MFCs, these are kind of microbe, type of the proton, resistance and chemical substrate. MFCs also can be coupled with wastewater treatment and thereby exploiting the metabolic potentials of the MFCs, as they are able to metabolize many carbon sources. Chief bacterial population associated with MFCs encompasses Aeromonas, Clostridium, Geobacter, Enterococcus and Shewanella. Ther e are four methods that make the electrons reach the anode they are- (1) Direct membrane associated transfer, (2) Nanowires (conductive pili), (3) Endogenous electron mediators (or electron shuttles) and (4) Exogenous chemical mediators (or electron shuttles). Nanowires plays an important role in the transport of the electrons. Nanowires might help electrons transfer from the bacteria to the metal oxides

Emerging Technology Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Emerging Technology - Term Paper Example This paper talks about the meaning, history, application, and limitations among other aspects of nanotechnology. Definition, Meaning and History of Nanotechnology Nanotechnology is basically defined as engineering that deals with functional systems at a molecular scale. It can also be defined as the ability of the engineers to make new attributes by controlling features at a nanometre scale (Davies 1). This is the technology that has been used to manufacture the microsystems which have reduced voluminous devices into modern day small devices. Nanotechnology is not only able to produce small devices but also devices which produce minimal waste (Davies 1). Although nanotechnology has gained momentum in the second half of the 20th century, it was James Clerk Maxwell who first toyed with the idea in 1967 (Knol 3). He had called for an experiment of small entities with an aim of handling person molecules. Richard Adolf Zsigmondy became the first person to use nanometer to characterize par ticle sizes in 1914. Modern nanotechnology was suggested by Richard Feynman in 1959 (Knol 2). He brought forth the notion of constructing devices and machines in molecular scale. Gordon Moore went ahead to predict how modern day circuitry would look like in 1965. He did this through his rule which has been practical for 50 years. The nanotechnology applied today was defined by Tokyo Science University lecturer, Norio Taniguchi in 1974 (Knol 3). He defined nanotechnology as the process involving separation, consolidation, and deformation of supplies by use of one molecule or atom. This was followed by discoveries such as the Finns’ atomic layering process. Recognition of this process by the entire scientific community put nanotechnology on the map. Application of nanotechnology was first done by Eric Drexler, a famous nanotechnological scientist, using the idea of molecular manufacturing (Knol 4). He argued that molecules would be a tight collection of marbles if atoms were ta ken to be marbles as represented in figure 1. This saw the molecules become standard scaled tools. These nanoscale tools worked in the same way as their significant counterparts irrespective of their size. The bonds between atoms could hold them together to form parts of nano machines. Drexler had visualized that these nano bots would be used as assemblers so as to place atoms into any desired shape. Drexler went ahead to argue that coal could be modified to diamond and computer chips could be formed from sand. He also explained that the process of manufacturing goods would be quickened by reorganizing the atoms that make them. This ignited the minds of many scientist who consequently devoted their time to develop nanotechnology and its applications we they are seen today. Fig. 1: Tight collection of marbles/atoms Courtesy of hplusmagazine.com Recent Business Applications of Nanotechnology Nanotechnology has had widespread applications in all sectors of the economy. Due to its prove d success in the manufacture of nanometer scale products, it has attracted all industries. Currently, it is the leading in production and application of

Why did the 1905 Russian Revolution break out Essay Example for Free

Why did the 1905 Russian Revolution break out Essay The 1905 Russian Revolution was the first of the revolutions that took place in attempt to overthrow Russias Tsarist (or Imperial Autocracy) regime. The revolution broke out in 1905 because of the public unrest and economic depression caused by the Russo-Japanese war in 1904-5; and because of the Bloody Sunday of January 9th, 1905. The significance of the 1905 Revolution was determined by the October Manifesto, which was the Tsars response to the revolution, and by the Tsarist-opposing parties realisation after the Tsars issuing of the Fundamental Laws. In 1904 the Tsar Nicholas IIs Minister of the Interior, Plehve, recommended to him that Russia expanded its Empire in the Far East and in doing so create a small victorious war to stop the revolutionary tide. The resulting Russo-Japanese war was a failure for the Russians, as the Japanese seized Port Arthur and destroyed most of the Russian fleet. The war ended in 1905 with Russia defeated by Japan. Although the resulting peace treaty (the Treaty of Portsmouth) was relatively easy on the Russians, the defeat was humiliating as Japan was only a second-rate power and should have been easily defeated by Russia, one of the five great powers of the time. The war itself caused significant economic strife in Russia, creating food shortages and mass unemployment. This, added to the public opinion that the war with Japan had been completely unnecessary, created unrest among the Russian population, and many of those who were upset blamed the Tsar. On January 9th 1905 the Leader of the Assembly of Russian Factory Workers, Father Gapon, led 150,000 workers to the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg to hand the Tsar (also known to the people as the Little Father of Russia) a petition asking for the release of political prisoners; freedom of speech, press, meetings and conscience in religion; universal and compulsory education; responsibility of the ministers before the people; and equality before the law of all. The Assembly of Russian Factory Workers was tolerated by the government because the police had several informers -including Father Gapon himself- in the group. However, on the workers arrival at the palace, the troops there opened fire on the mass, killing more than a hundred of the demonstrators. This caused the Russian view of the Tsar as their Little Father to be completely shattered and produced a great deal of unrest and  sympathy strikes, leading to the 1905 Russian Revolution. One significant effect of the 1905 Revolution that brought about political change was the Tsars response to the revolution. In order to appease those who would overthrow him, Nicholas II set up a Duma (Russian Parliament) under the October Manifesto of 1905, as well as a set of constitutions granting freedom of conscience, speech, meeting and association and promising that in future no one would be imprisoned without a trial. Although many Russians felt that the Manifesto was not enough of a reform, the small step towards democracy was also seen as a basis for further development, and was enough to put an end to the revolution. The first and seconds Dumas were dissolved by Nicholas as they contained too many radicals from parties such as the Mensheviks, Bolsheviks, Octobrists and Constitutional Democrat Party. However, these first two Dumas allowed the Russian people to discuss and vote on issues, which to them was the slow beginning of a democracy, and was very significant in bringi ng about political change. The fact that the October Manifesto was meant by the Tsar not to bring about change to Russia, but to stall for time, was made clear to the Russian population when Nicholas II issued the Fundamental Laws in 1906. These laws stated that The Emperor of all the Russias possesses the supreme autocratic power, and The Emperor approves laws; and without his approval no legislative measure can become law. While the Fundamental Laws also confirmed the rights granted by the October Manifesto, they sent out the message that while the Tsar had granted the Russians a Duma, Russia was still very much an autocratic country, and that the Tsar could take away the Duma any time he wished. After these Laws were issued, Tsarist-opposing parties such as the Mensheviks and the Bolsheviks realised that there could be no real political change in Russia while the Tsar was still in power. This idea, brought about by the Fundamental Laws, was of crucial significance in bringing about political change in Russi a. In conclusion, the 1905 Revolution broke out in Russia because of unrest and the depression caused by the Russo-Japanese war in 1904 to 1905; and because  of the Bloody Sunday on the ninth of January, 1905. The 1905 Revolution was of important significance in bringing about political change by 1912 because the Duma granted by the October Manifesto allowed the Russian people to get their first taste of democracy, and because the Fundamental Laws issued by the Tsar the following year made them realise that in order to bring about political change, they must overthrow Nicholas II, Tsar of Russia. Bibliography: Lenin and the Russian Revolution by Steve Phillips, published 2000 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution_of_1905 http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/1905_russian_revolution.htm

Automobile industry in Malaysia and India

Automobile industry in Malaysia and India Firstly, International Business is the performance of trade and investment activities that have been done by firms across national borders when it takes place between two or more countries. It is also known as cross-border business. Individual firms, governments and international agencies are involved in the international business transactions. The assets that exchange by firms and nations mostly are physical and intellectual assets which including products, services, capital, technology, know-how and labor. Moreover, international business gives us the opportunity to access the products and services from all around the world and it could profoundly affects the quality of life and the economic of the country (Cavusgil et al. 2008). DEFINITION OF GLOBALIZATION The definition of globalization is the deepening relationship and broadening interdependence among people from different parts of the world, and especially among different countries (Daniels et al. 2007). The categories that involves in globalization are technological, economic, political, and cultural exchanges made possible largely by advances in communication, transportation, and infrastructure. Besides that, there are two types of integration which is negative integration and positive integration. Negative integration could refer to barriers between countries being removed such as tariffs and quotas while positive integration could refer to standardizing international economic laws and polices (The non-hub story 2010). MULTINATIONAL COMPANY (MNC) Multinational Company (MNC) also known as Multinational Corporation is the most important type of the focal firm. It is a direct resource with the various business activities that which is through the subsidiaries and the affiliates that which located in the multiple countries. MNC has its own worldwide of the network and it has corporate with the numerous of the suppliers and the independent business partners of the abroad. MNC is among of the leading participants and many small and medium-sized enterprises participate as well. Multinational company can be categories into 3 elements which is horizontally integrated multinational corporations, vertically integrated multinational corporations and diversified multinational corporations. Horizontally integrated multinational corporations Corporations that manage production establishments in different countries that produces similar products. Vertically integrated multinational corporations Manage production establishment in certain countries to produce products as input to its production establishment in other countries. Diversified multinational corporations Production Establishment is either horizontally or vertically integrated. HISTORY OF HONDA Honda is the worlds largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959 and the worlds largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than 14 million internal combustion engines each year. It is established by Soichiro Honda in 1948. Due to the World War II, Soichiro Honda developed and produced small 2-cycle motorbike engines. It is because during that time Japan was facing gasoline storage and they needed inexpensive transportation that need less gasoline (The non-hub story 2010). Now, the ranking of Honda in automobile manufacturer around the world is number sixth. The first Japanese automobile manufacturer that releases a dedicated luxury brand is Honda. Besides that, Honda is also producing lawn and garden equipment, tillers, robotics, marine engines, personal watercraft and power generators. The headquarters of Honda is located at Minato, Tokyo, Japan (Wikipedia 2010). Macro-environment for automobile industry in host country (PEST analysis): Firstly, the automotive sector is an important yet complicated sector. However, they could use PESTLE analysis to help them in making strategies. PESTLE analysis is a tool that can help organizations making strategies by letting them know about the external environment so they could plan their operate time whether they want to operate now or operate in the future. PESTLE stands for political, economic, social, technological, legal and environment. Political The people will see a continued progress in the ruinous steps which have forced the industry into a social politico economic corner. Whether this is related to flat demand or to the industrys creation of an ever-wider range of vehicles that many buyers seem to care little about, there is a problem. The manufacturing is like linked approach to the policies of governments, the earnings of banks. Little wonder then that so many emerging countries are keen to develop an auto sector or that there is such a political pressure to protect it in the developed countries. The worlds vehicle industry is currently dominated by little more than a handful of firms, each wielding colossal financial, emotional and political power. The manufacturing closely to dealing with political institutions has not always been bright. It tends to be good on technical issues, although it has not always fully presented the longer-term options, but in order to make the choices and their clear. Economic For much of the developed world, and increasingly for the developing world, the automotive industry is a pillar industry, a flag of economic progress. Without an automotive industry, it is impossible to develop an efficient steel business, a plastic industry or a glass sector other central foundations of economic progress. The automotive industry has been a core industry, a unique economic phenomenon, which has dominated the twentieth century. However, the industry now suffers from a series of structural schisms and has become riddled with contradictions and economic discontinuities. For the capital markets and the finance sector, it has lost a lot of its significance, as a result of ever declining profits and stagnant sales. The proliferation of products means that it has become hopelessly wasteful of economic resources. While all these and more sound like a very gloomy assessment of such a vast economic phenomenon, the industry is not in the end despondent. A different future is p ossible for the industry, a highly desirable one. Social The worlds automotive industry affects the society as a whole. It employs millions of people directly, tens of millions indirectly. Its products have transformed society, bringing undreamed-of levels of mobility, changing the ways people live and work. The social value of the additional mobility that this industry brings involves the value of the people being able to commute over longer distances easily, among many others. For most of its existence the motor industry has been a model of social discipline and control and it is not just that the auto sector offers a pillar of something else. There are, on the other hand, particular social issues to address in many developing countries, often those that are the result of an undertone of religious faith. The automotive industry has the role to play in helping develop the mobility of such countries and it can be achieved at an acceptable social cost of the country is prepared to learn the necessary lessons from those who have traveled thi s route before it, and to make the necessary investments. Technological The automotive industry works on a scale so awesome and has an influence so vast that it is often difficult to see. The level and diversity of technologies that it must deploy are increasing, which imposes both new investment burdens and new uncertainties and risks. Roughly a million new cars and trucks are built around the world each week they are easily the most complex products of their kind to be mass-produced in such volumes. The industry uses manufacturing technology that is the cutting edge of science. But still, the potential for developing coordination skills, intellectual capabilities and emotional sensitivities through electronic technologies remain far from fully exploited. There are numerous additional near-term technological opportunities to adapt the automobile to changing energy availability. The possibilities suggest that automotive technology is unexpectedly robust and provides a powerful defence against energy starvation even if the real price of oil climbs steadi ly during the next couple of decades. Legal The automobile industry is subject to numerous technical directives and regulations, as well as legislation of a more legal nature. The legislation covers areas such as competition law, intellectual property law, consumer protection and taxation, and emissions (air quality and fuels). When the auto parts industry reached full development, accelerated technological efforts were made to create a web of local suppliers that would make it possible to meet the growing legal requirements for the national integration of production. Environmental Other than the vehicles themselves, and the roads and fuel needed to run them; the business is intricately tied to the manufacture of a wide range of components and the extraction of precious raw materials. Indirectly, it brings people road congestion, too many fatalities and a wave of other environmental troubles. The effect to the automotive companies are that they needed to establish RD centres to take advantage of research infrastructure and human capital, so that they can develop vehicle products locally to satisfy the requirements of the environmental and safety regulations more effectively. PEST of Honda in Malaysia Political Malaysia is a developing country. From the year 1960 to 1971, the countrys economy was dependent on farming and primary commodities such as rubber and tin. Nowadays, Malaysia is a middle-income country with a multi-sector economy. The GDP growth rate was 5.8% in 2006 and 5.9% in 2007. Domestic demand and dynamism in exports are the main reasons for the economic constancy in Malaysia. Malaysias economic is now depending on industry, agriculture, and services sector, which contributes nearly 115% to the GDP at 2007. Along with the research, Malaysia is one of the worlds main exporters of vehicle parts, accessories and components and to Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan and UK. The automobile parts industry in Malaysia is maintaining the high reputation among their valuable customers locally and also in other country. Engineering capabilities, industrial master plans, and technology advancements are the main factors for the high reputation. The demand for Malaysias automobil e parts are continually increasing, especially among major automobile companies like Mercedes, Mazda, Ford, General Motors, Suzuki, Nissan and Mitsubishi. Besides that, there are 343 automobile parts manufactures in Malaysia. Is up until now, RM 8.2 billion was invested by automotive components and parts manufactures in auto parts industry (MSC, 2007). Economics Malaysia is dedicated to fulfill its multilateral commitments under WTO and AFTA and has taken steps to liberalize its duty structure. Other measures have been taken as well. Since 2001, the equity policy for the automobile sector has been relaxed to allow up to 51% foreign equity on a case by case basis. Besides that, in Malaysia manufacturers and assemblers are currently free to multi-source from the most competitive suppliers globally, uninhibited from local content policy requirements (ELM, 2007). Social Malaysias population was estimated at 25.2 million in 2007, every years growth rate of 1.7 percent. More than 60 percent of the population in Malaysia is Malays and other is Indians (8 percent) and Chinese (32 percent). Approximately 44 percent from the total population is consider to be trained or skilled workers with basic qualifications or higher. Malaysians employees work a minimum of 48-hours per week and also have more holidays compared with China. Until now, the labors costs are still relatively standard compare with other countries in Asia, including Vietnam and China. In addition, Malaysians salary can be divided into two types: one is monthly minimum wages and the other is average wage for an employee in the manufacturing industry (Kiat, 2008). Technological Malaysias infrastructure is good and presents considerable benefits to automobile supply chain operation. Malaysia has 80,328-km road network, highways, and main roads. This mode of transport represents 90% of the goods and passengers traffic in Malaysia. In addition, Malaysia has rail network of more than 2,000 km, mainly located in Kuala Lumpur and along the coast of the Strait of Malacca. The railway service in Malaysia is continuously improving by the government. Such as KTM and LRT. Besides that, there are three main ports and two airports in Malaysia currently growing in terms of exports. Such as KLIA and LCCT. (Kiat, 2008). PEST ANALYSIS OF INDIAN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY : Political Indian government had launched the auto policy for its Self Sustained growth. The government also allowed the foreign equity investment up to 100% formulation of fuel policy to promotes for vehicles propelled by AES Economic The tax wills deductions up to 150% for in house RD activities. Reduce the interest rates for export financing. Economy of India has grown over 8.5% per annum for last 5 years. The industry sector has grown 8-10 % for last few years. More than 90% CV purchase is on credit. Social The social changed lifestyle of people leads to increased purchase of Automobiles. The Average family size is 4 which make it favorable to buy a four wheeler. 4th largest economy on purchasing parity index increase in per capital income levels. The Indian customers are highly educated and well informed and they are price sensitive. They choice for small and compact car preference for Fuel efficient cars with low maintenance. Technological Technology is more and more emphasis on RD. The government is promoting the NATRIP (National Automotive testing and RD Infrastructure Project) to support the growth of Auto industry in India. Customized solutions can be provided with proliferation of technology. To entry of global brands both product and production process has been improved. ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF GLOBALIZATION TO HONDA Movement of capital If the companys capital flows around different countries, the production base of a developing economy would get to enhance. Then, it could enable savings for the entire globe and exhibited high investment potential. It is very important for the country which developing their economy. Developing countries would prefer more on foreign direct investment rather than portfolio investment because portfolio investment does not have a direct impact on the productive capacity expansion. Brand awareness Honda will become more famous when they globalize their company. It will create the opportunity to let the public know more about this company. For example like what is the item that selling in the company, where is their headquarters and etc. Since Honda is producing variety of items, it will be better for public to know the details about this company. Technology When Honda has been globalized, the brand awareness of Honda will definitely increase so it could attract more specialist or industry people who wanted to join their company and create new items with them. Besides that, it could help to improve the technology of the world. It is because whenever Honda had come out with a new item, they will sell or share it in all around the world. Therefore, even though the country does not create that item, they also have the opportunity to use it. So it means that the technology of the world will be increasing. Reduce global warming Honda had produced Hybrid vehicles in order to solve our earth problems like reduce the air pollution and the amount of petroleum which is getting lesser and lesser. Hybrid vehicles are encouraged to use by public as it could at least help out a little for our earth to reduce the global warming issues. STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF GLOBALISATION Build new office or factory In order to create Honda awareness, Honda should build more office and factory at other area where Honda does not have any office or factory at there. It could make the public to have more working opportunity and at the same time they will more understand about Honda. Besides that, Honda could also try to export their produced items to other potential country which they have not export any of their items to that country in order to create awareness. New recruitment In order to create more and more technology items, Honda should hire more specialists or people who familiar with this industry to join Honda. It is because when they create new technology item, it will make our life easier. For example, Honda had created the ASIMO robot to assist us with our daily life. It can also help the people who are not convenience to move around or disable person to do those daily tasks such as pour water, sweep the floor and etc. Create variety of items In order to reduce the global warming problem and at the same time can satisfy the customers needs, Honda have to create variety of items for them to choose. Therefore, everyone will use their items and help to save our environment. It can benefit both sides which is Honda and the earth environment. It is because if Honda really does that then Honda could earn the profit while the environment is getting protected with lesser pollution. For example, Honda could design more Hybrid vehicles in order public could have more choices to choose when they choosing Honda Hybrid vehicles.

Dell Corporation SWOT Analysis

Dell Corporation SWOT Analysis SWOT Analysis Dell Computer Corporation was founded by Michael Saul Dell in 1984 with their simple premise as the basic foundation that personal computers could be built and sold directly to customers and by doing this, Dell could address their specific needs and provide the best computing solutions that meet those customers needs. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Basically, Dell is using Direct Method which provides two advantages: 1. reducing marketing and sales cost by eliminating markups of distributors and retailers and 2. building to order reduced inventory costs and risks of retaining inventories. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Dells Direct Model is the main reason why Dell has achieved its high status in business today. This tactical model enables Dell to interact with customers directly providing them with fast, reasonably-priced and friendly means of production and distribution. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) (S)trengths Dell is one of the largest technological corporations (PC maker) in the world that develops, manufacture, sell and support personal computer, laptops and other computer peripherals. (Mba tutorials, 22 December 2009) Dell is ranked at number 38 on the Fortune 500 in 2010. Fortune also ranks it as the Number 5 most admired company in computer industry. Dell has large acquisitions and mergers. For example acquisition of Perot Systems in 2009 and Alienware in 2006.  (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) Besides that, The Dell brand is one of the best known and renowned computer brands in the World. (Marketing Teacher, 2010) Dell has experienced management and leadership. For example Michael Dell who is presently the computer industrys longest-tenured (CEO) chief executive officer. Dell is also a highly inventive company in its industry and has very strong E-commerce and supply chain management. Dell is the biggest firm in the Austin and second biggest non-oil corporation in Texas and fifth la rgest in Texas by revenue. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) As we know, Dell is using Direct Model which contributed the success to Dell by enabling the company to offer direct relationships with customers such as corporate and institutional customers. Their strategic method also provides other forms of products and services such as internet and telephone purchasing, customized computer systems; phone and online technical support and next-day, on-site product service. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Now, in a market that is ever changing, competitors are challenging Dell with new and unique products in an effort to overcome the superiority of the Direct Model. (Docstoc, 2010) This extensive choice of products and services is absolutely one of Dells strengths to compete with its competitors. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) The growth and development of laptop computers is a primary area in which Dell can work for continued success, despite the threats posed by its competitors. (Docstoc, 2010) Clearly, many of the Dells strengths come as results of the Direct Model. The model itself could be considered one of the companys greatest assets. However, a few specific advantages are gained from through the Direct Model relative to the laptop market. (Docstoc, 2010) First of all, the Direct Model allows the consumers to fully customize their laptops. The market is becoming more educated, now more than ever individuals want a product that can target their specific needs. In the case of laptops, this means that customers want more choices in terms of both performance and profitability. (Docstoc, 2010) By understanding customers needs and preferences is important strength of the company, Dell has cut out the retail seller and sells directly to the customers with no use of a middle man. Dell has made it possible for all customers to have the chance to fully customize their product. (Docstoc, 2010) In term of capture data on its loyal consumers, Dell is using information technology and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) approaches. Thus, a customer could selects a generic PC model, and then adds items and upgrades until the PC is kitted out to the customers own specification. Components are made by suppliers, never by Dell. (Oppapers, 2010) In addition to this customization, the Direct Model benefits the customers with fast delivery of products. This allows customers to place their order, and receive their customized computer often within days. Both these advantages are the greatest assets in targeting the home-user market segment. (Docstoc, 2010) Besides the fast delivery, Dell also offer their customers the ability to track their delivery. (Quality Assurance Solutions, ND) Customers can keep track of their delivery by contacting customer services which is based in India. The finished goods are then dropped off with the customer by courier. Dell has total command of its supply chain. (Oppapers, 2010) Dell also has an advantage in their inventory turnover time, and in their well established relationship with their suppliers. (Docstoc, 2010) These just-in-time (JIT) producing approach creates huge cost savings by minimize the costs, which Dell can pass on to its customers. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) As a result, Dell produces the products which is customized, low-priced and deliver to the customers door within days. (Docstoc, 2010) Dell has differentiated itself from competitors by providing potent systems to the customers at competitive prices. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) By low assembly costs by using relatively cheap labour(Oppapers, 2010), low manufacturing costs(Quality Assurance Solutions, ND), and also boasts the industrys most efficient procurement, manufacturing, and distribution system allow Dell to offer the customers powerful systems at competitive prices. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Besides that, Dell has strong customer base too. Dell is targeting the business executive category by approximately two-third of Dells sales is generated from government agencies, large corporations and educational institutions. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) In other words, Dell has already created long-term relationship with large companies, and this provides most of their business. These companies, in turn, pass the relationship on through their employees, providing them with Dell products. (Docstoc, 2010) (W)eaknesses The significant weaknesses of Dell is fail to attract the market of college student segment. (Docstoc, 2010) Dells sales revenue from educational institutions such as colleges only average of 5% in total. Due to much focuses on business customers, it affected its ability to form relationships with educational institutions. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) And, as many students purchase their PCs through their school, Dell is clearly not in a position to take advantage of the college market. (Docstoc, 2010) Dealing with huge amount of supplies of products and components from many different countries can causes Dell some embarrassment when products are recalled. (Oppapers, 2010) For example, great troubles in quality, manufacturing and services.  (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) Dell. In 2004 Dell had to recall 4.4 million laptop adapters because of a fear that they could overheat, causing electric shocks or fires. (Oppapers, 2010) Another weakness of Dell is there is no diversification and the company is only focusing on the PCs business. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010)  Dell is a computer maker, not a computer manufacturer. (Oppapers, 2010) In other words, they build computers, not develop them. (Quality Assurance Solutions, ND) Dell buys from a group of concentrated hi-tech component producers. Whilst this is a great advantage in terms of business processes, allowing Dell to focus on marketing and logistics, the company is reliant on a number of large suppliers, and to an extent is locked in for periods of time. For example, due to the lack of large suppliers in the World, Dell unable to switch supply. (Oppapers, 2010) In term of home users, Dell have the serious problem on its direct method and customization approach. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) First, customers cannot go to retailers, try a few different products, and walk home with a computer all in a single trip because of Dell does not use distribution channels. (Docstoc, 2010) The very differentiates thing if Dell from its competitors, customization also creates a problem in that customers just cant buy Dell as simply as other brands. It is because each product is custom-built according to their specifications and this might take days to finish. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) And due to this, many computer buyers are wary of a product that they cannot personally examine it before purchasing. In addition, some of the anxious buyers would have no patient to wait for their products to deliver for a number of days. (Docstoc, 2010) Moreover, Dell also has weakness on its technology. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) It   have no proprietary technology to offer the market , Dell is currently using the technology which are shared by the other major competitors. (Mba tutorials, 22 December 2009) Besides that, it changes its technology at very fast rate. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) (O)pportunities Personal computers are becoming a necessity nowadays. Demand for laptops is also growing much faster than desktop computers. As a matter of fact, demand for laptop has overtaken the demand for desktops. This is create a great opportunity for Dell to grow in all other segments. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Besides that, the trend toward more educated buyers also provide great opportunity for Dell by increasing the number of second-time buyers. (Docstoc, 2010) Second-time buyers would most likely avail of Dells custom-built computers because as they have purchased computers in the past know what they want, so do their need to experiment or use some additional computer features. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Here, Dell makes use of the Direct Model which can provide the framework for customers to make truly personalized computers in a relatively hassle-free environment. (Docstoc, 2010) Furthermore, improvement in technology will help Dell to introduce efficient-manufacturing systems which will decrease the production cost. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) For example, increased communication and technological integration, such as Internet create good opportunity for Dell because all the customers can now go to visit Dells website to place their order or to get information. Since Dell does not have retail stores, the online stores would surely make up for its absence. It is not only benefits to Dell, but all the customers. It gives the customers convenience to shop online than to actually drive and do purchase at a physical store. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Another opportunity for Dell would be maintain the excellent lead that was taken by the founder of Dell, Michael Dell will be challenging. (Quality Assurance Solutions, ND)Kevin Rollins replaced Michael Dell in 2004 as Dells Chief Executive Officer. Dell remained the companys Chairman. Despite founder Dells massive success, new blood and a change in management thinking could lead the company into a new and more profitable time. Dell was born in 1965, and founded Dell in 1984 with $1000 whilst studying at the University of Texas. He became the youngest Fortune 500 CEO in 1992, and will be a tough act to follow. (Marketing Teacher, 2010) Diversification in related and unrelated business, such as softwares, broadband, security devices, and PC software are some of the rapid growing segments in Dell company. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) Besides, innovation makes Dell to introduce many new products to its range which includes printers, toners, LCD televisions and other non-computing goods in order to respond to the rapid changing industry. Thus, Dell is competing against iPod and other consumer electronics brands. (Marketing Teacher, 2010) Furthermore, sustaining low-cost leadership is also an important opportunity for Dell. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) Dell is branding and selling low-cost, low-price computers to PC retailers throughout the world in order to open other avenues of branding opportunities. (Quality Assurance Solutions, ND)The PCs are unbranded and should not be recognised as being Dell when the consumer makes a purchase. Rebranding and rebadging for retailers, although a departure for Dell, gives the company new market segments to attack with the associated marketing costs. (Marketing Teacher, 2010) Thus, Dell has opportunity to sell computer directly to retailers. (Mba tutorials, 22 December 2009) (T)hreats The single biggest problem of Dell is the competitive rivalry that exists in the PC market globally. (Marketing Teacher, 2010) Dell is facing strong competition in the industry, such as IBM and Intel to sustain its market share. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) As with all profitable brands, retaliation from competitors and new entrants to the market pose potential threats. As we know, Dell sources from Far Eastern nations because of the low labor costs, but there is nothing stopping competitors to follow what Dell is doing, such as sourcing the same or similar components from the same or similar suppliers. Remember, Dell is a PC maker, not a PC manufacturer. (Marketing Teacher, 2010) In a volatile market such as personal computers, threats abound. Computers change in a constant sometime daily basis. New software, new hardware and computer accessories are introduced at a lightning speed. Thus, the innovation is essential for Dell by always looking out for new things or introducing new computer systems to the market. The threat to become outmoded is a pulsating reality in computer industry. Not only that, companies are also facing the challenge to produce products that are high in quality but low in price. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Therefore, one of the biggest external threats to Dell is the increasingly lower prices for products amount their competitors (Quality Assurance Solutions, ND) and make the price difference among brands is getting smaller. Although Dells Direct Model attracts customers because it saves cost, other companies are also able to offer their products at low costs which could threaten Dells price-conscious growing customer base. Since the prices of the brands are identical, price difference is no longer an issue for a customer. Therefore, they would choose other brands rather than waiting for the delivery of Dells customized computers. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Due to the growth rate of the computer industry is slowing down, Dell which has the biggest share of the market has also slows down the demand of its products. If the demand slows down, the competition will become stiffer in the process. Dell has to work doubly hard to differentiate itself from its substitutes, such as Ipad which introduced by Apple Corporation in order to continue holding a significant market share. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Technological advancement is a double-edge sword. It provides an opportunity but at the same time a threat for Dell because advancement in technology outmoded the manufacturing facilities as well as the company. (Mbalectures, 20 October 2010) Low-cost leadership strategy is no longer an issue to computer companies therefore it is important for computer companies to stand out from the rest of competitors. Therefore, in order to compete with others, Dell has to always keep up with its technological advancements. (Cuizon G., 5 March 2009) Besides that, due to being global in its marketing and operations, Dell is exposed to fluctuations in the World currency markets. Although it is a very lean organization, orders do have to be placed some time ahead due to their company size or value. (Marketing Teacher, 2010) Changes in exchange rates could make the companys global business exposed to potential losses in certain parts of its supply chain. (Quality Assurance Solutions, ND)

Classification Essay - Three Types of Cheaters -- Classification Essay

Plagiarism - Three Types of Cheaters "Fools make researches and wise men exploit them." Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines the word plagiarize as to pass off as one's own the ideas or words of another. Every student knows that plagiarism is dishonest and wrong. Why do so many students do it? Students themselves may not believe that they are plagiarizing. Many students plagiarize because of the diverse types of plagiarism which are often unknown to students. The three major types of plagiarism are shameless, haphazard and self-plagiarism. Self-plagiarism is a relatively new concept that has not gained much attention in the student world. Shameless plagiarists are the ones who go through their entire academic career passing off other people's work as their own. In a majority of cases, these people do not get caught. Recently, a first year student at the San Diego State University admitted to her friends that she was turning in her uncle's essays for every assignment. She felt that she was not doing harm to anyone because her uncle would specifically write the essays for her. All this student had to do was retype the essays with her name on the top of the paper. According to this student, she is not plagiarizing because her uncle has given his expressed permission by consenting to the use of his essays. She has almost completed her first year at the school without even one teacher suspecting academic dishonesty. Although her friends and family members are appalled at her and her uncle's lack of scruples, no one has alerted the school or her teachers. Up north at Chico State University, a young man confessed to his friends that he sends his rough-draft essays to his mother for "proof-reading." His mother essentially woul... ...arism or else students run the risk of being found guilty of plagiarism. Students may think they know what plagiarism is but a lot more are guilty of at least one of the three forms plagiarism. References A Modern Utopia by HG Wells taken from The Economist (US), Feb. 3, 2001 p6 The Spinster and the Prophet. Merriam-Webster Dictionary p 530. Michael Spears (http://voyager.dvc.edu/~bmckinney/www.ehhs.cmich.edu/~mspears/plagiarism.html) New York Times Upfront, Jan 1, 2001, v133 i9 p10 "Truth or Consequences." Personal Interview with San Diego State student 4/2/01 Personal Interview with mother of Chico State student 4/3/01 Personal Interview with Carondelet student 4/5/01 The Christian Science Monitor March 6, 2001 p17 "Your work, or the Web's?" US News & World Report, Nov. 22, 1999 v 127 i20 p 63 "The great term-paper buying caper."