Independent Learning Essay

Why it is important that I understand what independent learning is? Independent learning is a learning method that can be used as a tool by students to help achieve their final goal. It is important for students to understand what independent learning is particularly when planning on pursuing higher education as they will be expected to use their own initiatives while learning a wide range of materials. However, while this essay is to argue the importance of independent learning, it is also important to note that working and sharing learning methods with and from peers also contributes to success. Independent learning can also be described as a method where students acquire a wide range of knowledge. Factors that contribute to this can be self-motivation, keen interest in specific subjects and ability to recognise the importance of success in life. This type of learning could also give students a chance to self-discover themselves and their individual needs as well as their potential s, strengths and weaknesses. Self-discovery is important in a student life specially while attending higher education as it will put things in perspective for the student and helps to set objectives towards improvements that need to be made. The idea of Independent learning should be encouraged more in schools as it could potentially save teachers time as well as give students flexible and more time to catch up on other work activities. In contrast, Independent learning shouldn’t necessarily be seen as a student just working in his/her own at all times (The Higher education academy, 2013). It should be made possible where a situation of group learning is put in place while at the same time individual goals can be reached independently by the students. Typically this way of learning can help students develop a trustful relationship with their mentor. It could also be a way to let the instructor know that his/her student is able to follow the agreed guidance or the type of help the student may require. This is also a complementary way for students to learn how to conduct a research on a specific topic and present their outcome. As a result, students can gain more depth of knowledge in the area of their interest as well as improve in their written and communication skills. Independent learning is also important in developing as well as improving organizational skills. As students are able to self-direct themselves while learning, they should also be able to plot their own path and value their own work in order to compare  themselves to their peers that are on the same level as them (Michie, 2013). Independent learning could also be seen as a way of preparing in advance for lectures or seminars. This as a result could benefit students. For example, it will allow them to focus on any extra or new materials that are covered in sessions as well as gives them the opportunity to ask questions on what they may not be clear about. Some students may argue that Independent learning don†™t work for them. However, it is up to their teachers or mentors to set some guidance to help students understand the importance. Teachers must be able to meet their students half way. It is important to look into their students’ needs and expectation. They should also allow students to perhaps have a trial session of independent study before expecting them to make a direct transition (The Higher education academy, 2013). Developing the habit of Independent learning early on is vital and becomes handy post-higher education. Many employers like to be assured that potential candidates are able to take their own initiatives in completing tasks and confident in working individually without much supervision. From personal experience, I found that Independent learning has been a great tool towards self-discovery and furthermore helped me challenge myself and continue to do so in day to day life; it gave me self-confidence because I found independent learning as a way and guide that puts new experienc e and learning materials into a more transparent setting. It is fair to say that the obvious life skills such as reading, listening, speaking, viewing and presenting are possible to achieve through Independent learning. However it is also possible to gain other personal skills that we could benefit from on day-to-day basis. For instance our social skills, thinking skills and information presenting skills that are vital in our world today. Most of us are able to use our social skills in order to work with others and contribute to our communities in a positive ways. Valuing the way we think is also very important to help us gain understanding and making good judgment and decisions in life. Finally, as an Independent learner it is easily discovered that information skills gained help us in various ways such as the ability to recognise information when needed, ability to ask relevant questions as well as reflect and evaluate our own learning skills. Independent learning simply deduced is learning that is self-directed. In most higher education institutions particularly at university, independent  learning is presumed to be the driving force behind the teaching-learning process (Moore, 1973, pp. 661–679). Students would be expected to dedicate more time studying on their own to get the most out of their learning experience. Furthermore, exemplifying this belief is the growth and success of institutions solely based on independent learning such as the Open University and other distance learning institutions. Thus it is very important to understand and consider this type of approach towards learning when pursuing higher education. Independent learning is also a great option for adult students who may find it difficult to go back to higher education. In today’s world where online courses are available to suite their flexibility and level makes it easier for them to achieve their goal in their own pace (Ictnz.com, 2013). Independent learning is not just limited to pre-lecture preparations or simply being ahead of one’s peers. Learning via this method could potentially help achieve greater academic and social as well as personal successes. These achievements could be in the forms of new research findings or just improving our personal skills while pursuing our passions at a greater level. Reference Ictnz.com. 2013. What are the sklls of an independent learner? [Online] Available at: http://ictnz.com/Inquiry%20Learning/independent%20learning%20skills.htm [Accessed: 25 Sep 2013]. Michie, J. 2013. What is Independent Learning? [Online] Available at: http://jamesmichie.com/blog/2011/10/what-is-independent-learning/ [Accessed: 24 Sep 2013]. Moore, M. 1973. Toward a theory of independent learning and teaching. The Journal of Higher Education, pp. 661–679. The Higher education academy. 2013. Untitled. [Online] Available at: (http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/internationalisation/isl_independent_learning [Accessed: 26 Sep 2013].

Cotton, Slavery and the Old South Essay

The Cotton Economy: TERMS DEFINITIONS SIGNIFICANCE King Cotton Phrase used by politicians and whites to describe the importance of the cotton in the south Boom of cotton production began in 1820s The dominance and importance of the cotton in the south transformed it economy, the production continued westward (south) the demand expanded in the north as their â€Å"cultures† developed in different direction Deep South The southernmost region of the US where cotton production dominated Mid –early 1800s, increasing through 1850s The prospects of the deep south and the profit of cotton drew thousands of white settlers to the south to build plantations and move into the planter class, which increased the region’s population and expanded US territory in the west De Bow’s Review A magazine that advocated southern commercial an agricultural expansion Founded in 1846 lasting until 1880 The publisher, De Bow, made the magazine an advocated for southern economic independence from the North, despite it was also evidence of the South’s dependency on the North Colonial Dependency The reality that the rise of cotton in the South increased their dependency upon Northern industry and commerce, caused by: the regions profitability of cotton, the investments in slaves and land left little other investments,  climate, and southern way of life Strengthened with the growing cotton production in the 1800s The cultures of the North and south diverged, but the dependency upon one another did not. Proving to conflict when sectionalism tried to push them White Society in the South TERMS DEFINITIONS SIGNIFICANCE Cavalier Myth The belief that white southerners were free form the acquisitive instincts of the â€Å"Yankees†, more concerned with the refined and gracious way of life and with rapid growth and development (mid 1800s) The myth conformed to the reality of southern society, in a limited way, dividing them from the north Planter Aristocracy The wealthy, white, plantation owners who cultivated 800+ acres with 40-50 slaves and exercised their power beyond their numbers in relation to society Southerner â€Å"Honor† The idea that individuals had to defend their honor, adopting a specific code of chivalry to protect dignity, social station and manhood, a challenge to that would come to a duel The Genteel Southern Lady Hidden behind their dominating husband in southern honor, the southern lady’s life was centered at the home, serving as a hostess and nurturer, rarely engaging in public activities or find employment Plain Folk Typical southerner who was a yeoman farmer who owned almost no slabs and devoted themselves to subsistence farming Poor Whites-hill people (Piedmont) Patriarchal/paternal society A society through which men â€Å"rule† the family and ancestry is traced through males, and in the south small farmers, even more than planters we committed to this family structure Southern society saw men as the masters of homes and woman and children were work force under his control Slavery: the â€Å"Peculiar Institution† TERMS DEFINITION SIGNIFICANCE Slave Codes-significance-the legal basis of slavery The laws that established that slaves could not own property, leave plantation without permission, be out after dark, congregate with other slaves (except church), possess firearms, or strike a white person, etc. (existed when slavery began in the US –developed more as the southern) The slave codes were the legal basis of slavery & they defend race to be anyone with even a trace of African Ancestry to be black, but the codes often different from the reality on plantation House v. Field Slaves House slaves lived close to the master and his family, serving them at the house and developing almost familial relationships, while field slaves had a more physically exhausting job doing work in fields These two types of slaves helped develop the ways of the southern society, which was drastically altered after the emancipation after the civil war Why high slave mortality rate? The slower increase of the black population was a result of it comparatively high death rate; slave mothers had large families, but the enforced poverty in which virtually all African Americans lived ensured that fewer of their children of white parents Urban Slavery-slavery in the cities Urban slaves had a smaller â€Å"market of work† which consisted of mining/lumbering, dock work, driving wagons and such and unlike rural, could not be supervised as closely and profitably, thus they gained more opportunities to mingles with free blacks and whites Free African Americans African Americans who were free from slavery, they were usually blacks or former slaves who: bought freedom, were set free from master for moral reasons or at their death (rare) common of the north, urban regions Domestic v. foreign slave trade Domestic: the transfer of slaves from one part of the southern to another, often through traders who transported slaves over a long distances to markets where owners bid on them Foreign: federal law prohibited the importation of slaves since 1808, but some were smuggled in Importation of slaves legally â€Å"stopped† in 1898 but the domestic and foreign continued throughout the 1800s â€Å"SAMBO† Stereotype A behavioral charade in which they shuffled grinned and head scratched, acting out the role he/she perceived that white society expected of them; this shaped their views toward slavery while truly the slavers were just putting on a show Gabriel Prosser A slave who gathered 1000 other rebellious slaves outside Richmond to revolt, only the plan was given away and Prosser and 35 others were prosecuted-One of a few rare slaves revolts which was the second way slaves expressed their response to slavery Denmark Vesey Free black of Charleston who, with his followers (all 9,000) made preparations for a revolt, but word leaked and they were suppressed (1822)-this was another failed attempt at a revolt against slavery Nat Turners Revolt A slave preacher who lead a group of African Americans, armed with guns and axes, through Southampton Country, Virginia killing sixty white men and children, door to door before their war overpowered by troops  (1831)-Turner’s revolt was the only large-scale slave uprising in the 19c, but the southerners fear of renewed violence continued as long as slavery lasted Slow Motion Work-as a form of resistance Often took less drastic forms than revolt, like running away (underground railroads) defying masters, stealing from masters or neighbors, loosing or breaking tools, preforming improperly and refusing to work all to protest or resist slavery Typically blacks resisted by adding subtle methods of rebellion into their behavior, which slowly became out of hand as the North began to support their actions and the south felt differently, sectional divide Pidgin It retained some African words but it drew primarily, if selectively from English. & while slave language grew more sophisticated as blacks spent in America-and as new generations grew up never having known African Tongues-some features of this early pidgin survived in black speeches for many generations Slave Polytheistic Religions Blacks developed their own version of Christianity, at time incorporating voodoo or other polytheistic religious traditions of Africa. African-American religion was more emotional and joyful. Slave Nuclear Family Crucial institution of black culture. It suffered legal restrictions, most notably lack of legal marriage. Black women began bearing children at younger ages. Slave communities did not condemn premarital pregnancy the way white society did, and black couples often lived together before marrying. Husbands and wives living on separate plantations often had to visit at night in secret. If a slave was moved to a different plantation, often they were adopted into a family in their new community.

Psychiatric Illness with Substance Misuse Essay

Psychiatric Illness with Substance Misuse - Essay Example Jenny is well known in psychiatric services, has a long history of substance misuse and 3 hospital admissions –the last being in October 2010. In this essay, I am going to focus on the last few years of my client journey and the period from her last admission to hospital to where she is now. I will explore how she came to this point from her perspective and analyze the information gathered in interviews. Due to illicit substance misuse and non-compliance with her treatment, Jenny's mental state deteriorated leading to a hospital admission. When discussing her drug addiction problem, Jenny talked about various stressors in her life prior to admission to hospital and using drugs to escape from problems and not being able to break the cycle of dependence. Jenny talked about her drug habit and how it affected her mental state and behavior. She acknowledged prior to her admission to hospital that she started to feel negative about herself, neglect her personal hygiene and increasin gly feel agitated and angry. At that time, she continued to drink alcohol and use crack cocaine and cannabis as she found it difficult to overcome her cravings and was not compliant with her treatment. She reported feeling threatened by fellow female occupants at her supported accommodation and felt they were trying to harm her. Her record showed that on admission she was aroused, agitated, talking to self, trying to kill some insect on her shoes and responding to unknown stimuli saying that there were spiders around her body. Substance misuse affects people’s mental health in relation to how they see themselves, their mood and behavior.  

The Knowledge Based Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Knowledge Based Economy - Essay Example This will facilitate the transition of technological change into productivity gains that will ensure organizational changes and as such, raise flexibility (OECD, 1996). These changes shall be achieved through financial, information and competition changes. Using allocation, the government’s policy would be to upgrade the human capital. The policy would, for instance, provide a broad-based formal education. It will also handle creating incentives for organizations and people to take part in unceasing training and learning. Subsequently, through the policy, it will be easier for the government to match labor supply and demand by the skill requirements (OECD, 1996). Using distribution, the government’s policy would be to enhance knowledge diffusion. In this case, the policy will be geared towards supporting innovation so as to establish â€Å"diffusion-oriented† programs. The policy will lay out a clear framework for the collaborations and hence, promote the diffusi on of new technologies to various sectors in the economy. The policy will also be instrumental in facilitating the development of information infrastructures. All these approaches have both strengths and weaknesses. The use of all these policies will make it possible for the economy of a country to be knowledge-based. As such, it will benefit from all the advantages of a knowledge based economy. However, the policies require huge financial investments.  Using regulation, the government’s policy would be to promote organizational change.

Iphone Software design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Iphone Software design - Essay Example This application would facilitate the youngster using Smartphone to select and edit the jackets colours; and would also be able to interact with the designers and participate in the discussions’ forum through an easy to use interface of the application. The potential users of the application are youth using Smartphone want a user friendly interface so that they can navigate through the application easily. The users of the application should be informed accordingly through the interface regarding what is going on in the application. The interface elements, contents, etc. of the application should be familiar to the users; consistent and appropriate standards should be applied to the interface, so that the users would recognise the elements rather than; they recall the elements. As the application will be running on top of the iOS and it is not as fast as the computer/laptops, therefore, the application should be simple with fewer graphics (Nielsen, 2005). The essential features of the application include: the user will be capable of searching the designs of the jackets through an easy to use interface of the application. The users will be able to create profile, login the application securely, read and add comments on the jacket designs (only members). The user will have options of viewing and changing the size and colours of the jackets as well. The desirable features of the application include: options of purchasing the jackets (secure transactions) through PayPal, credit card, etc., interaction with designers, enhancing the designing functionality to 3D view, the options of wearing the jackets on the original pictures of the users. The start-up navigation of the application would be similar with Google’s website navigation with advance search options of colours, designers, size, etc. The horizontal bar navigation would be available at the top of the application after logging into the application,

Memory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Memory - Essay Example This is stored with the usage of three ways. First of all, the human mind changes matter into storage forms. This is done by integrating memory with known events which can be things are seen, heard or experienced. This method is referred to as encoding. The second step is storage whereby the human mind places information in the memory for storage. The final part is the ability of a human being to recall and recover the stored information in times of need that is when a person needs to utilize the memory. An interesting aspect of human memory which is unique to the human memory is that their memory functions as a multi unit. The three basic divisions include the sensory memory, the short term memory and the long term memory. The sensory memory is one which comes directly from the persons five senses. This memory is not very long lasting and stays for around 350 milliseconds. This memory does not possess ways for improvement. In 1960 an experiment was conducted by George Sperling to test this memory. According to the procedure a group of people was shown twelve letters arranged in three different rows. Different subjects were asked to repeat the different letters present in different rows. The subjects recalled what they saw but they could not remember it for a long time. The experiment suggested that the sensory memory got erased after some time and the maximum capacity of the sensory memory that a person could retain was around twelve letters. The short term memory is the next step which is reached when the events are moved from the sensory part to the area of realization and perception. This information is also short lived but the time duration of this memory is greater than that of the sensory memory. This time is around 30 seconds and this memory is used basically in short tasks. But this memory does have space for improvement by a method which is known as chunking. Chunking as the name implies means to break in to pieces. An

Accessing External Finance for SMEs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Accessing External Finance for SMEs - Essay Example This essay stresses that Entrepreneurial Finance plays a significant role in helping managers to choose better financing and investment strategies relevant to their line of business. The business sector has been growing tremendously in the recent times. This is because of prevailing affirmative business and market factors. The ever-growing technological advancements, population, and economy has provided the requisite labor of production and increased the demand for the finished products. As a result, diverse businesses have come up to supply the needs of the demanding citizens in our economy. While some businesses are well-established entrepreneurs, most of them are small and medium sized enterprises that face many challenges in starting up, financing, management, and market competition. This paper makes a conclusion that there is evidence of information and control limitations in financial markets especially in the process of seeking debt financing. There is significant credit rationing procedure that denies borrowers a chance to borrow all they want, or to borrow at all. However, many entrepreneurs have been seeking debt finance for the startup, expansion and the running of the enterprise by selling the bonds, bills, notes, debentures, or mortgages held by the business. Entrepreneurs use debentures to raise capital without selling the enterprise, giving up future profits, or having to use their assets.

Marketing startegy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Marketing startegy - Essay Example Their costs for customer service remained at the same value. They retained the same amount of cash reserve in the end of this period one as period zero. They also did not tamper with any pricing strategy and kept a markup of 49.48% for channel 1 and 2.They kept the same number of sales representatives. They used to have equal distribution for both channels but this year they increased quantities of channel 1 and the weight of the units sold were heavier than channel 2. It must be noted that all products ordered in period zero were sold and disposed leaving no ending inventory for the firm but this was not the case in period 1. No changes in strategies but the firm did not deliver the same results. For Firm 2, the distribution intensity is largely found in channel 2 with a higher markup relative to channel 1 and even to period zero's data. They doubled their production by 37.5% but was not able to sell all. It could be seen that they incurred expenses for R&D for product modifications. Product features were improved.Also they increased their advertising as seen in their increase of 16% in expense. It should be noted that Firms 1,2 and 2 did not invest in Marketing Research Reports. They only had very minimal expenses for such and they were not competitive in this manner because they were not able to connect with the consumers and they were not equipped with what the market needs and demands. They could have increased a feature in their product and still not entice the consumers. Additional promotions and commission expense was incurred. they concentrated in improving customer service and incurring an additional $27,500 outflow. Firm 2 and 3 applied the same strategies. Lastly, Firm 4, the considered most successful implemented various strategies and optimized the changes. Product development is the root of the major edge and advantage of this firm against the 3 others. The values of product features were all improved. The highest average retail price of $ 279.70 for both channels was riveted by this firm.Unlike the previous year, they augmented the production by 5,000 units and still exceeded by 3,710 units leaving no inventories to be transferred. They incurred a net contribution.They had no remaining reserve funds though like the other 3 but increased their budget for the next period by 49.85%. More distribution intensity of sales for channel 1 was realized and that made up 80.4% of the total units sold. Competitive strategy of theirs was to focus on product development and market research. Promotions strategy wise, they diminished advertising expense and affected the pioneering type. Sales promotion bore more bearing this year and results prov e its effectivity relative to distribution channel 1 which obviously they concentrated much on. The results of firm 4 was the positive reverse of firms 2 and 3 and definitely of firm1. The market segmentation is constant with their product positioning strategy . 2.) From the perspective of Firm 2, competition might unfold in this industry and there is potential primarily because this period is considered a trial and error allowance for the firms who is deviating from their norms to explore the market. With this, there are major points and the first would relate to launching a new product. As period ended, only Firm 4 incurred net contribution. They all had the option to adapt a new product at the beginning but no one opted for such. In the coming of second

Managing People in a Global economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Managing People in a Global economy - Essay Example Without the employees, an organization can never be able to work, therefore, it is essential for an organization and its management to consider the ethical issues while taking work from their employees. Dan Amos informs in the article, â€Å"Aflac’s Ethics in Action: Pay for Performance—Keep Stakeholders Informed† (2009) that taking care of employees is very essential for the business and also if the management will take care of the employees, as a response, the employees will also take care of the business. Therefore, it is quite clear that the consideration of ethics in an organization develops a mutual relationship between the management and the workers of an organization. The ethical behavior is affected by individual behavior. Some individuals in the organization enjoy an influential position such as the leaders of the organization, the managers and many others. Due to these influential individuals, the steps that are taken regarding ethical behavior are copied and performed by other organizational employees due to which, a culture of ethical behavior is created. The company Aflac is a pay-for-performance company due to which, they decide on the basis of the performance of the employees and pay them accordingly. According to Dan Amos, the organization gives enough consideration to civility and ethics (Amos, 2009). The leaders play an affective role in influencing the stakeholders of a company as they are the one who help the stakeholders to act according to the needs of the organization and who are able to understand the ethical policy of the organization. They are the people who make sure that the employees work according to the code of conduct or code of ethics. They are the individuals who can impact the ethical behavior of an organization to a great extent. The management of the company considers itself in strong bondage with its stakeholders on the basis of its ethical policies (Amos, 2009).

Comparison of Martin Luther King Jr and Malcom X Essay Example for Free

Comparison of Martin Luther King Jr and Malcom X Essay They were black men who had a dream, but never lived to see it fulfilled. One was a man who spoke out to all humanity, but the world was not yet ready for his peaceful words. I have a dream, a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed that all men are created equal. (Martin Luther King) The other, a man who spoke of a violent revolution, which would bring about radical change for the black race. Anything you can think of that you want to change right now, the only way you can do it is with a ballot or a bullet. And if youre not ready to get involved with either one of those, you are satisfied with the status quo. That means well have to change you. (Malcom X) While Martin Luther King promoted non-violence, civil rights, and the end to racial segregation, a man of the name of Malcom X dreamed of a separate nation. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the conscience of his generation. A Southerner, a black man, he gazed upon the great wall of segregation and saw that the power of love could bring it down. From the pain and exhaustion of his fight to free all people from the bondage of separation and injustice, he wrung his eloquent statement of what America could be. (Ansboro, pg. 1) An American clergyman and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, he was one of the principle leaders of the American Civil Rights Movement and a prominent advocate of nonviolent protest. Kings challenges to segregation and racial discrimination in the 1950s and 1960s, helped convince many white Americans to support the cause of civil rights in the United States. After his assassination in 1968, King became the symbol of protest in the struggle for racial justice. (King, Martin Luther, Jr. , pg. 1) In 1964, Malcom X founded an organization called The Muslim Mosque, Inc. In an interview conducted by A. B. Spellman on March 19, 1964, Malcom speaks of his goals for this organization. The Muslim Mosque, Inc. will have as its religious base the religion of Islam, which will be designed to propagate the moral reformations necesary to up the level of the so-called Negro community by eliminating the vices and other evils that destroy the moral fiber of the community. But the political philosophy of the Muslim Mosque will be black nationalism, as well as the social and economic philosophies. We still believe in the Honorable Elijah Muhammands solution as complete separation. The 22 million so-called Negroes should be separated completely from America and should be permitted to go back home to our native African homeland. (Breitmaned, pgs. 5-6) Perhaps the key to these two African-Americans leaders opposing goals lay within their very different pasts. Malcom X was born in Omaha as Malcom Little. Malcoms faith, a Baptist minister was an outspoken follower of Marcus Garvey, the black nationalist leader of the 1920s. The family moved to Lansing, Michigan, and when Malcom was six years old, his father was murdered after receiving threats from the Ku Klux Klan. Malcoms mother suffered a nervous breakdown and her eight children were taken by the welfare department. Malcom was sent first to a foster home and then to a reform school. After 8th grade, Malcom moved to Boston where he worked various jobs and eventually became involved in criminal activity. (Malcom X, pg. 1) In 1946, he was sentenced to prison for burglary. While in prison, Malcom became invested in the teachings of Elijah Muhammed, the leader of the black Muslims also called the Nation of Islam. Malcom spent his time in jail educating himself and learning more about the black Muslims, who advocated racial separation. When Malcom was released in 1952, he joined a black Muslim temple in Detroit and became the most prominent spokesperson for the Nation of Islam by the early 1960s. It was then that he took the name of Malcom X. (Malcom, pg. 1) Martin Luther King was born in Alanta, Georgia, the eldest son of Martin Luther King, Sr. a Baptist minister, and Alberta Williams King. King attended local segregated public schools, where he excelled. He entered nearby Morehouse College at age 15 and graduated with a bachelors degree in sociology in 1948. After graduating with honors from Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania in 1951, he went to Boston University where he earned a doctoral degree in systematic theology in 1955. (King, Martin Luther, Jr. , pg. 1) Throughout Kings education, he was exposed to influences that related Christian theology to the struggles of oppressed peoples. At Morehouse, Crozer, and Boston University, he studied the teachings on nonviolent Indian leader Mohandas Gandhi. King also read and heard the sermons of white Protestant ministers who preached against American racism. He was married in 1953, and in 1954, he accepted his first pastorate at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, a church of well-educated congretions that had recently by a minister who had protested against segregation. (King, Martin Luther, Jr. , pg. 1) Where as King was full of love, peace, respect, and compassion for his fellow white brother, Malcom X was full of hate, anger, and vengeance. He was a dark presence, an angry, cynical, implacable man whose good will or forgiveness or even pity the white race could neither earn nor buy. Coffee, he once remarked in an interview, is the only thing I like integrated. He also pleasantly mentioned that whites were inherently enemies of the Negroes and that integration was impossible without great bloodletting. Nonviolence was as he put it, a mealy-mouth, beg-in, wait-in, plead-in kind of action, and it was only a device for disarming the blacks. He also believed that everything we had heard to the contrary from the Martin Luther Kings and the Roy Wilkinses and the Whiteny Youngs was a deadly dangerous pack of lies. Thats etiquette, he said. Etiquette means to blend in with society. They are being polite. The average Negro doesnt even let another Negro know what he thinks, hes so mistrusting. Im black first- my whole objectives are black, my allegiance is black, my whole objectives are black. By me being a Muslim, Im not interested in American, because America has never been interested in me. (Goldman, pg. 5) Black blood, claimed Malcom X, is stronger than white. A person can have a teaspoon of black in him, and that makes him black. Black cant come from white, but white can come from black. That means black was first. If black is first, black is supreme and white is dependent on black. He meant to haunt whites, to play on their fears and quicken their guilt and deflate their dreams that everything was getting better- and he did. Americas problem is us. Malcom X told whites that if they argued that the sins of the past ought not to visited on them, he would reply: Your father isnt here to pay his debts. My father isnt here to collect, but Im here to collect, and youre here to pay. (Goldman, pgs. 6-9) Martin Luther King is known for his key role as president of the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA), the oganixation that directed the bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. Montgomerys black community had long standing grievances about the mistreatment of blacks on the citys buses. Many white bus drivers treated blacks rudely, often cursing them and humiliating them by enforcing the citys segregation laws, which forced black riders to sit in the back of busses and give up their seats to white passengers on crowded busses. By the 1950s, Montgomerys blacks discussed boycotting the busses in an effort to gain better treatment- but not necessarily to end segregation. On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, a leading member of the local branch of the NAACP, was ordered to give up her seat to a white passenger. When she refused, she was arrested and taken to jail. Local leaders of the NAACP, especially Edgar D. Nixon, recognized recently arrived Kings public speaking gifts as great assets in the battle for black civil rights in Montgomery. King was soon chosen as president of the MIA, the organization that directed the bus boycott.

Impact of Globalization on McDonalds

Impact of Globalization on McDonalds Globalization is a difficult term to be defined. This is because it means different things to different people. However in general, globalization refers to the trend toward countries joining together. According to Frost (2010), globalization refers to the worldwide phenomenon of technological, economic, political and cultural exchanges, which are brought by modern communication, political choice, transportation and legal infrastructure. These are used to open cross-border links among countries all around the world in international trade as well as finance. Globalization is also a term used to describe how people interact with one another economically, politically, and culturally (Frost, 2010). What is McDonalds? McDonalds is the world largest chain of fast food restaurant that were founded in May 15th, 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California. However, McDonalds Corporation was founded in April 15th, 1955 by Ray Kroc in Des Plaines, Illinois. There are more than 31 000 McDonalds restaurant all around the world. Among them, 26 216 restaurants are franchises, 19 020 are operated by conventional franchisees, 3 160 by development licensees, and 4 036 are operated by the company itself (McDonalds, 2009). McDonalds headquarter is located in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States. McDonalds is a fast food restaurant that offers a wide range of products to its customers. Among them are hamburgers, French fries, chicken, milkshakes, coffee, soft drinks and many more. However, in some countries, McDonalds has come up with several products in order to tackle its customers in the country. For example, McDonalds is offering Maharaja Mac in India, Terayaki burger in Japan, and Croque McDo in France. As a successful company, besides its US$ 22.6 billion revenue and US$29.2 billion assets, manpower asset also play an important part in obtaining McDonalds success. Other than Jim Skinner as the chairman and CEO of McDonalds Corporation, there are 1.7 million of employees that have been hired by McDonalds to operate its business all around the world. Due to globalization, McDonalds can start its business is other countries without any hassle. Since its corporation in 1955, McDonalds has successfully operate more that 31 000 restaurants in 117 countries worldwide (McDonalds, 2009). Besides the United States, other countries that McDonalds is operating in are India, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, France, United Kingdom, and many more. Due to this, McDonalds had become well-known in most of the countries in the world as one of the biggest fast food chain in the world. McDonalds SWOT Analysis SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. SWOT Analysis refers to a tool used by a company for auditing it organization and environment (MarketingTeacher.com, 2010). It is the first stage in planning and it also helps the marketers to focus on the key issues (MarketingTeacher.com, 2010). It is used to analyze a companys strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities in the market that they operate in. By analyzing McDonalds SWOT, McDonalds strengths can be identified and changes can be made to overcome it weaknesses. On the other hand, by analyzing McDonalds opportunities and threats action can be taken to improve McDonalds services in the future. Below is the SWOT analysis of McDonalds Corporation. Actual impacts of globalization on McDonalds As a successful and a fast-growing company in a globalized world today, there are number of globalization impacts that McDonalds has to face in order to succeed. Those impacts can be divided into two categories; positive impacts and negatives impacts. Positive impacts are those forces that can help McDonalds to move forward in the industry and on the other hand, negative impacts are those forces that can slowdown its operations. Thus, without a proper and effective decision-making plan made by the managers, these impacts will lead to McDonalds failure in the future. In determining the impacts of globalization on McDonalds, PESTLE Analysis has been used to identify the factors that have caused the impacts. PESTLE stands for political, economic, sociological, technological, legal and environmental. The information obtained from this analysis are used to guide McDonalds management in their decision-making process as well as their future planning process. Positive impacts One of the positive impacts of globalization to McDonalds is due to the economical factor. According to CIPD (2010), economic factor refers to what is happening within the economy such as economic growth, cost of living, rate exchange and interest rate. As the economy is rapidly booming in Asian countries, this has affected McDonalds business in various ways. The table below shows the number of McDonalds restaurants that operate in Asian countries. From 2000 to 2010, with an average quarterly GDP growth of 1.29 percent, Indonesias gross domestic product (GDP) has expanded at an annual rate of 3.45 percent in the last reported quarter (TradingEconomics.com, 2010a). This happened because as the largest national economy in Southeast Asia, government of Indonesia plays a significant role by owning more than 164 state-owned enterprises and at the same time, they also control the prices of several basic goods such as fuel, rice, and electricity (TradingEconomics.com, 2010). As the economy in the country is growing, McDonalds has taken this opportunity to expand its business in the country. From the table above, there are only 75 McDonalds restaurants available in Indonesia compared to 1 restaurant in Brunei. This happened because of the economic growth and the government proposal to increase the employment rate in Indonesia. With this decision made by McDonalds, it has not only increases their reputation in the country but also has decreased the unemployment rate in the country from 9.75 percent in January 2007 to 7.41 percent in January 2010 (TradingEconomics.com, 2010b). Another positive impact of globalization to McDonalds is due to the technological factor. Technological factor refers to what is happening technology-wise which can impact what a company do (CIPD, 2010). As new technologies are continually being developed, changes are made by McDonalds to improve its performance in the industry. According to EngineeringTalk.com (2010), McDonalds has decided to use Echelons LonWorks technology produced in San Jose, United States to meet its goal which is to lower energy consumption and at the same time increase its operational efficiency. McDonalds is encouraging its kitchen equipment manufacturers to include this technology in new equipment for its restaurants (Environmentalleader.com, 2010). McDonalds Vice President of Corporate Responsibility, Bob Langert, says that the technology will enable their franchisees to create a working environment which is easier to operate, facilitate preventive maintenance and provide new services and at the same time save the energy (EngineeringTalk.com, 2010). It also said that with the presence of Echelons power line networking technology, McDonalds can provide communication and data exchange between various pieces of kitchen equipment in its restaurants and this is to allow the development of business process improvement applications, manage energy use, and reduce maintenance costs (EngineeringTalk, 2010). In a globalized era today, import and export between countries are becoming easier (reference). This is because Therefore, Echelons power line networking technology which was produced in San Jose, United States can be accessed by countries such as India, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore easily. As a result, besides benefiting McDonalds financial, this will also increases the countrys FDI rate. Besides economical and technological factor, sociological factor also plays a role in pushing McDonalds in the industry. Sociological factor refers to what is occurring socially in a market in which a company operates in (CIPD, 2010). Sociological factor includes population growth rate, health consciousness, cultural norms, and career attitudes (CIPD, 2010). Negative impacts In contrast to positive impacts, negatives impacts are those activities that can decrease the level of competitiveness of a company in a particular market. However, by making the right decision and action, negative impacts can bring advantages to the company. Similar to positive impacts, negative impacts are also happen because of PESTLE (politics, economics, social, technology, legal and environment) factors. One of the biggest negative impacts of globalization to a fast food restaurant like McDonalds is due to the sociological factor. As mentioned earlier, sociological factor is one of the six external influences that a company has to cope with in order to compete in the market effectively (Wall, et.al., 2010). As a fast-growing company that has franchisees all around the world, McDonalds has also decided to expand its business to India. However, for a country which 20% of its population are vegetarian and around 82% does not eat beef, McDonalds might face problems in attracting its customers. This is because they are either vegetarian, cow- worshipping or non-beef-eating people (Kannan, 2006). Hence, as the worlds largest beef-based food chain, McDonalds may face difficulties in setting up a business where most of its residents do not consume beef. After realizing the problem that they might face, McDonalds has decided to modify its menu to suit the locals needs. Besides Indianizing its menu, McDonalds also offers several products that are only available in India. They are the Maharaja Mac, McAloo Tikki, and McVeggie. Maharaja Mac is the substitute of hamburger which is made from a 100% ground lamb burger that is served with lettuce, tomatoes, special sauce, cheese, onion and pickles on a sesame bun. On the other hand, McAloo Tikki and McVeggie are the products offers by McDonalds with a 100% pure veg stamp on them to the Indians (Kannan, 2006). In addition, to avoid from offending Indias vegan sensibilities, McDonalds strictly segregated it foods into vegetarian and non-vegetarian lines and even the mayonnaise has no egg in it (Harding, 2000). Today, there are more than 58 McDonalds restaurants that are successfully operate in India and according to a study that has been made, McDonalds revenue has increased 50% annually since 1997 (Kannan, 2006). According to the statement above, it shows that McDonalds has successfully overcome the problem that they are facing in India by adapting its local culture. At the same time, McDonalds has also increases its sales revenues and the Indians awareness on the presence of the McDonalds in the world. Besides the social factor, another negative impact of globalization has brought to McDonalds is due to the economical factor. In a globalize era today, besides the existing competitors such as KFC, Wendys and AW, there are numbers of potential entrants has joined the industry. This has led to a rapid growth of fast food restaurant all around the world. Hence, as one of the biggest fast food restaurants, the problem that McDonalds has to face is on how to attract more customers to consume its products. The reason is that, with more fast food restaurants available, consumers can make decision on which fast food restaurants products to be consumed according to their choices. In order to overcome the problem stated above, McDonalds has decided to do a limited time promotions that can attract its existing as well and the new customers. In Malaysia, one of the promotions that McDonalds has came up with to overcome the problem is by offering the McValue Lunch package. According to McDonalds (2010a), the McValue Lunch offers 10 most favourite menus among customers with a cheaper price from 12pm to 3pm every day. The price range for a set of McValue Lunch which includes a French fries as well as carbonated soft is between RM5.95 to RM8.95 per set (McDonalds, 2010a). As a result to the promotion done by McDonalds to attract more customers, today there are more people consumed its products since the promotion was introduced in February 2009. Another negative impact of globalization that McDonalds has successfully overcome is due to the legal factor. According to CIPD (2010) legal factor refers to what is happening with changes of legislation. Legal factor may affect the employment, imports/exports, quotas as well as resources of the country that a company have to deal with. One of the legal problems that McDonalds have to face is the religious law. For McDonalds to operate in an Islamic country, one of the laws that McDonalds has to face is the religious law. This law does not only apply in Malaysia but all Islamic countries all around the world. According to the religious law in the Malaysia, all restaurants that operate in the country have to have HALAL certificates that are produced by Jabatan Agama Islam Malaysia (Jakim). With this standard for foods, it shows that all the products produced by the company are not only 100% free from pork but it also covers the production, preparation, handling and storage of the food. Besides that, with this certificate it shows that the foods produced are safe to be consumed, hygienic and healthy for consumers (Hayati, et.al., 2008). Besides that, an Islamic country like Malaysia, McDonalds have decided to call its hamburgers as Beefburger to avoid the word ham. This is because ham is the thigh of the hind leg of certain animals, especially a pig (FreeDictionery.com, 2010). As a Muslims country with 60.4% of its people are Muslims (NationMaster.com, 2010), hamburgers are called Beefburger to show that the burgers are not made with pork and to avoid misunderstanding between the population in the country. Potential Impacts of globalization and strategies to overcome them Besides all the impacts that have been discussed above, there are still other impacts that McDonalds might have to face in the future. As similar to the impacts mentioned earlier, McDonalds potential impacts of globalization are also due to the external influences towards the company and decision has to be made to overcome them. One of the potential impacts of globalization to McDonalds is due to the economical factor. As the economy in China is growing rapidly, China is also experiencing a food inflation crisis. According to Fullick (2010) a report cited that the rapid food price increase is the main economic problem faced by the country at present. Fullick (2010) also says that food, which makes up about a third of Chinas consumer price index has increased by 10.1 percent compared to non-food items which increased just by 1.6 percent. As KFC and Pizza Hut kept their price unchanged, McDonalds has taken their first step in overcoming the food inflation crisis that are facing China by raising its menu prices by 0.5 yuan to 1 yuan per item (Kwok, 2010). McDonalds (China) Co Ltd spokeswoman said that the adjustment was made because some of the materials prices have increased due to the food inflation. As a number of analysts believe that Chinas GDP is not just slowing but could also dries up its exports, McDonalds which had 1 135 stores in China has ignore all that and planning to open about 500 restaurants in China in three years time (McIntyre, 2009). The reason is that, McDonalds is optimistic about the business prospects in China and for a company that has the balance sheets and cash flows to take the risk, McDonalds sees this downturn as an opportunity to push itself into a new market. Based on McDonalds point of view, as Chinas economy recovers, they have already taken market share in a country that is bound to see relatively rapid population growth and relatively strong GDP over the next several decades (McIntyre, 2009). Another potential impact of globalization to McDonalds is due to sociological factor which is health consciousness. As mentioned by Ronald McDonald (2004), Sugeon General David Satcher has said that fast food is a major contributor to obesity epidemic. With this statement, it has been agreed that fast food may cause obesity and overweight among people. According to figure 1.1 below, number of American adults that are facing obesity as well as overweight has increased since 1973. The statistic shows that since 1973 to 2009, number of obese in America has increased by 20 percent which make the number of obese adults in America today to be more than . people (reference). On the other hand, figure 1.2 shows the number of French adults that are facing obesity has also increased since . As a conclusion, with the evidences given above, due to the increase of fast food restaurants, number of obesity cases has also increased all around the world. As people all around the world are becoming more aware about their health, McDonalds might lose its customers and this will lead to a decrease of its sales revenues. Hence, strategies need to be done by McDonalds to avoid this issue from spreading and resulting to its failure in the future. One of the strategies that can be done by McDonalds is by offering more healthy food to the customers such as salad. Even though the menu offered by McDonalds today have a high nutrition value for a balance life, by offering variety of healthy food will attract the health conscious customers to consume its products. By doing so, it will not only increase McDonalds reputation but it will also decrease the obesity rate all around the world. Conclusion As a conclusion, globalization does influence a company performance in the industry that they are venturing in. These influences can either bring a good impacts or bad impacts to a company. Thus, for the company to succeed in a globalized world today, proper planning and decision-making has to be made by the company to overcome all of the negative impacts caused by globalization. As one of the major company in the fast food industry, McDonalds has been affected by globalization in many ways. However, due to the critical thinking and decision-making made by its manager, McDonalds has successfully overcome all the obstacles and this has increase their reputation in the eye of the world.