Understanding values Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Understanding values - Assignment Example An evidence of this is the fact that although people differ on their opinions on a subject, their understanding of what is right or wrong is mostly the same. For example, some people are in favor of legalization of drugs while others are against it, though people on both sides of the argument mutually think that drugs and their influence on the society should be reduced. Even the argument for the legalization of drugs is made with a view to suppressing the frustration and the development and functioning of illegal channels that happens when the drugs are illegalized. The in-born ability, conscience is the word used for which, is guided or influenced by a range of external influences, typically culture and religion. Of all such factors, religion is the most powerful factor that confirms or denies an idea that is considered righteous by our inherent conscience. That is why â€Å"Christianity has often been associated with authority† (11) However, it is needless to say that people voluntarily accept religion and give it that exalted status to dictate values in their lives because of the emotional appeal made to them by the religion. Dictating and establishing values is one of the most fundamental functions of a

Overview Of Information Systems Essay Example for Free

Overview Of Information Systems Essay Information Systems Types Description / Benefits Example of Each (Including Vendor Name / Vendor Website) How have you seen them used in your organization or an organization that you are familiar with? 1. Databases A database is a computer mechanism for storing and retrieving data. It gives one true command of their data, enabling one to retrieve it, sort it, analyze it, summarize it, and report results in changes. Example: Google Cloud Website: cloud.google.com/ I have seen them used by businesses, and individual users who want to utilize their data across different IT systems. 2. Networks A network is a group of two or more computer systems linked together. The benefits of networking include more convenient file sharing and Internet connection sharing. Example: Examples include local-area networks (LANs) and wide-area networks (WANs). University of Phoenix www.phoenix.edu/ I am currently using a wide area network to download and post my assignments to the university of phoenix website. 3. eBusiness Electronic Business, is the administration of conducting business via the Internet. This would include the buying and selling of goods and services, along with providing technical or customer support through the Internet. The benefit is ebusiness allows people to carry out businesses without the barriers of time or distance. Example: Amazon www.amazon.com I have owned my own business and ecommerce was a great way to provide  services without actually physically being there. 4. Wireless Wireless is communications sent without wires or cables. the benefits to wireless are productivity, convenience, and cost advantages over wired networks. Example: wireless phones www.att.com The use of wireless technology in business and everday life is prevelant in today’s society as a whole. I have a wireless phone use, use Bluetooth and wireless internet on my laptop, as well as being able to transmit ans share internet, in my home and business. 5. Social Media Social Media is the websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking. One main benefit is the ability to seek out potential clients and networking opportunities. Example: LinkedIn www.linkedin.com I am am member of the site and it is a great tool in networking and finding clients and potential employees. 6. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Customer relationship management is the strategy that a company uses to handle customer interactions. It is beneficial by creating various platforms to meet customers needs and receive feedback. Example: rewards card program Best Buy www.bestbuy.com/site/rewards/pcmcat102500050032.c?id Best Buy uses their rewards cards to track purchases ans other consumer information that helps in the promotion of certain products and services that they offer. 7. Supply Chain Management (SCM) Supply chain management is the the oversight of materials, information, and finances as they move in a process from start to finish. This is very beneficial as it shows a log off all happenings with a specific good or service. Example: The U.S. Department of Agriculture www.usda.gov/ The U.S. Department of Agriculture developed a Web-based solution for farmers and ranchers seeking to communicate with distributors and wholesalers. 8. Business Intelligence Business intelligence is a term that refers to a variety of software applications used to analyze an organizations raw data. It is beneficial by helping companies be more efficient, spot areas for cost savings and identify new business opportunities. Example: the board is an all encompassing BI tool that has helped many companies. http://www.board.com/us/ I have seen a list of and have gotten goods and services from some of the companies that have employed the board’s BI tools.

Graduation Speech: Enjoy the Journey :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Sitting in the backseat of the car, I used to bombard my family with these questions. On our summer road trips I was so anxious for the destination that I failed to appreciate the journey. However, as time passed and I grew older, I realized that it was the journey that was important and not the destination. For the past 13 years of our education we have been on a journey - a journey full of experiences, challenges and accomplishments. We have made it through elementary, middle and high school. It hasn't always been what we expected and certainly not easy, but as we progressed down the road, we stretched ourselves to reach across barriers and found ourselves in new and expanding roles. We were given the opportunity to explore our interests and discover what really excites us. We have become more independent and complete individuals. Our growth and self-discovery has placed us here tonight. Tonight we stand at a crossroad where each one of use will take a new direction in our life's journey. Walt Whitman said "Not I - not anyone else can travel that road for you. You must travel it for yourself." Where we end up isn't the most important decision, but instead it is the road we choose to take to get there. The road we take is what we will look back on and call our life. Life is a journey of everyday experiences, teaching us moment in, moment out, who we really are. It's important to remember these words "Happiness is to be found along the way, not at the end of the road, for then the journey is over and it is too late." And so we find ourselves ready and eager to move on. We take with us the strength and knowledge we've gained through our interactions, encounters, challenges and accomplishments at school and at home with parents, teachers and friends. Remember life is not a race but a journey to be enjoyed each step of the way. I leave you with these words from the mountain climber John Amatt: "Adventure isn't hanging on a rope off the sides of a mountain.

Language and Pragmatics Essay

Language is the common ground for everyone. It is the thing that links a society together because this is how they communicate and understand each other. It is common, therefore, that one culture can feel confused when dealing with other people from different cultures. This is due to the fact that even if they learn a certain language, they will still need to learn the culture of the people to be able to communicate properly. It is not enough that one learns the words. A person should be also knowledgeable of the ways certain words or phrases are used or what is proper or not to say during conversations for him or her to completely understand a particular culture. One of the things that I got interested in from the lecture was phatic communion, which is a â€Å"form of communication between people which is not intended to seek or convey information but has the social function of establishing or maintaining social contact. † This is very apparent in the American culture. People have the tendency to automatically ask how the other is doing and the other is expected to respond with just a simple answer. It is not meant to ask how a person is really feeling but it is just a polite way of acknowledging the person’s presence. I have experienced this form of communication since I started living in this country. It is hard to miss it because people use it everyday in the grocery store, at the mall, coffee shop, even at school. I can relate to the examples in the lecture notes because Spanish is my first language. I also had difficulty in learning the English language because of its complications like the phatic communion. At first, I thought that people were concerned about me and the things that are going on with my life. However, when I got used to the language, I came to realize that this was just some form of formality and that I am not expected to give a detailed response. Living in this country, I have also learned that it is not unusual for people to greet each other even if they are complete strangers. People say hello to each other when they pass them on the street. However, this is not being friendly for them. People have become accustomed to it and would feel uncomfortable if they did not acknowledge the other person. This is in contrast to other cultures where people would feel scared or uneasy if a stranger would say hello to them on the streets out of nowhere. They might think that the person has other intentions other than just to be polite. Personally, I think that people from different cultures talk fast because they are already used to the language and they have mastered it since the time they learned how to speak it. As such, fast-paced talking is not only applicable to the Americans but to everyone as well. Some cultures can only seem soft spoken because of their voices but they are still fast-paced if one listens carefully. Another interesting observation is the difference between men and women in terms of listening. As a woman, I can relate to the lecture notes where it is indicated that women tend to nod to show that they are listening to someone. I actually do this just to show appreciation to the speaker, especially when he or she is looking directly at me while speaking. It is a polite way of saying that I am listening although I may not be agreeing to what he or she is trying to say. This is different from what men do and I have noticed this in the way my husband reacts when someone is talking and he is in the audience. There is no indication that he is listening and will only be apparent when he nods his head in agreement with the speaker. I think that women’s reaction is better because if it were me speaking, I would like to know if my audience is listening or not even if they may not agree to what I have to say. It is encouraging to know that the audience is interested in my speech and that I am not being ignored. The last topic that I found interesting is the different ways on how to say no or refuse to someone. I agree with this because sometimes, people find it very difficult to say no in fear of offending the other person. As such, people find different ways to say no and this include offering an alternative, putting the blame on another, diverting the attention to another topic, or through postponement. Doing these things will make it easier to say no and will not make the other person feel bad about the situation. Personally, I do not have a hard time saying no to people, especially if I strongly feel that refusing is the right thing to do. However, it is still good to know how to say no indirectly because we have to realize that people react to things differently. One may be fine with accepting no for an answer while others may take this against you. I think that learning a language and the ways of a certain culture is essential in being able to communicate with the culture’s people effectively. This is the only for an outsider to become accepted and feel comfortable in using the language. It is also a way for a person to learn what is proper and what is unacceptable, which is important for some cultures because there are certain things that might offend them without the person even knowing. It can be said, therefore, that learning a second language is difficult, especially if the person learning it is not even living in the country or place where that language is being used. Exposure is needed for one to learn and acquire a culture’s language and customs. Without experiencing it first-hand, it is hard to practice the language and apply it to one’s everyday lives. It is also better to communicate with the people who use the language everyday so that the person can practice speaking it and using it much better. The person will be able to learn faster and easier if there is first-hand exposure.

Soft drinks in India: Pepsi

Soft drinks in India is a INR 11,000 Crore industry1. The rising mercury levels have ensured that the Indian soft drinks industry is going through a healthy phase wherein, it registered an impressive growth of 24. 6% in the year 2011/12. Carbonates had a growth of 13. 6% growth, Bottled water saw an incredible 34. 3% growth, Fruits and vegetable juices registered a growth of 29. 7%, Sports and energy drinks saw a growth of 17. 2%. PepsiCo operates in these product lines and the impressive growth numbers were of great encouragement for the soft drinks industry in general and PepsiCo in particular.Coke and Pepsi The key players Coca Cola and PepsiCo actively revived their old brands that were popular in the 1980s in India. Coca Cola revived its old brand Citra within the lime carbonates category. While Coca Cola already had Sprite and Limca in the lime carbonates category, Citrus was priced at 20% cheaper than them. Coca Cola also reintroduced its brand â€Å"Rimzim†, a masala soda with cumin and spices. PepsiCo reciprocated by reviving its popular brand Duke in Mumbai, where it is very well known. Duke was launched in four flavours. Since PepsiCo and Coca Cola have almost similar product lines, companies launched new products and were involved in brand extensions in order to differentiate from the others. PepsiCo’s Mirinda was the answer for Coca Cola’s Fanta in the orange category. Lack of differentiation in the Orange category lead PepsiCo to launch two new varieties of Mirinda- â€Å"Mango Orange† and â€Å"Orange Masala† in order to gain traction among the consumers. PepsiCo’s launch of 7up lemony bite in Punjab was to counter Limca. Tata Gluco + was launched by NourishCo ( A joint venture between PepsiCo and Tata ), a lemon flavoured refreshing and recharging beverage. Danone and Narang Beverages partnered to launch B’lue, a water-based restorative drink. Companies are constantly innovating to come up with new products with greater benefits that will help the companies differentiate themselves in the soft drinks industry. The soft drinks industry in urban India is reaching maturity, which is forcing the companies to look at the rural market as the next bastions of growth. Urban consumers consider carbonated soft drinks unhealthy. There is an increased traction for fruit and vegetable juices among the urban consumers. PepsiCo’s Tropicana, Coca Cola’s Minute maid and Dabur’s Real are addressing this surge in the demand for fruit and vegetable juices. As far as the rural markets are concerned, a significant 21% of the off trade volume sales in 2012 came from these markets. Companies are increasing their focus on rural India. As an indication for the increased focus, Coca Cola started distribution of solar powered coolers in rural areas which can store up to two crates of Returnable Glass Bottles (RGBs). Competitors: The Indian soft drinks industry is dominated by PepsiCo, Coca Cola and Parle Bisleri ltd. Coca Cola has 23. 6% of share, Parle Bisleri ltd. has 21. 6% share and PepsiCo has 21. 2%. Parle Bisleri ltd. garners such high volumes solely based on its packaged drinking water brand â€Å"Bisleri†. Excluding packaged water, it’s almost a duopoly with PepsiCo and Coca Cola being the significant players in the soft drinks industry. PepsiCo and Coca Cola have similar product lines. Each of them has a brand as an answer for the brand of the other company. To start with, in the cola drinks category,