Lg Brown Goods

Project on LG Contents Mission3 Mission Statement3 Vision3 Core Values3 How the present strategies are within the mission, vision and core values3 Present Strategy3 Market Analysis3 Segmentation3 Targeting4 Positioning4 Needs4 PESTLE Analysis4 Political factor4 Economical factor4 Socio-cultural factors5 Technological factors5 Legal factors5 Environmental factors5 Industry/ Competitive Analysis6 Industry in which LG Competes6 Industry performance for last 5 years and projections for next 3 years6Market share of Top 5 players by segments7 Market share of organized and unorganized for last year and projection for next three years8 Industry’s 5 competitive forces9 Indirect Competitors of LG Electronics (Brown Goods) –9 Top Direct Competitors of LG Electronics in INDIA –9 Competitive advantages of Samsung Electronics –10 Competitive Advantages of Sony Electronics –10 Competitive Advantage of Videocon –10 SWOT Analysis of LG Electronics –10 Performance Review11Past performance of the product and elements of the marketing mix11 Objective of the company13 Mission Mission Statement To become a top innovative electronics company in the world. It takes pride in its company and employees and believes that this is what will make it into one of the most innovative companies of the 21st century. Vision LG’s vision is to deliver innovative digital products and services that make our customers’ lives better, easier and happier through increased functionality and fun. Core ValuesGlobal, Tomorrow, Energy, Humanity and Technology are the pillars that this corporation is founded on; with the capital letters L and G positioned inside a circle to centre our ideals above all else, humanity. The symbol mark stands for our resolve to establish a lasting relationship with, and to achieve the highest satisfaction for our customers. How the present strategies are within the mission, vision and core values By adopting the Blue O cean Strategy LG will be able to sustain its leadership position.BOS provides a systematic way of identifying and creating high growth opportunities. LG is looking not just to maintain its leadership position in India, but to continue to grow, and to transition from a mass brand to a premium one. Through the adoption of this policy, LG plans to launch products or services which create or significantly increase its market shares and profit by offering differentiated values in view of customers. The move to adopt Blue Ocean Strategy is seen as an ambitious drive to resurrect LG globally.The strategy aims at designing in order to exploit opportunities, so far untapped; either within the present segments of LG or outside, where there is zero or negligible competition. Present Strategy * Local and efficient manufacturing to reduce cost * Product localisation; LG came out with regional language menus on its TV * Introduction of low priced products for the rural market especially in the TV segment * LG has adopted the regional distribution model in India * Offering affordable products at a lower margin –cutting on volume to ring in revenues * LG is adopting the Blue Ocean Strategy (BOS) in India as part of its global strategy * BOS gives a frame work for breaking away from the competition to achieve high customer value and profitability simultaneously * Blue Ocean Products are products and services which create a differential value for the customer, thus opening up vast, new markets to drastically improve profitability and market share * Blue Ocean Business Model is one that focuses the efforts of the company on providing differentiated value to customers. Market AnalysisSegmentation – Demographic Higher income group Occupation – Geographic Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities – Psychographic Loyalty status – switcher loyal because product of different need are taken from different brand considering superiority Usage rate – high in terms of usage user life stage – marriages and other life stage are when brown good and eletronics are bought benefts – for consumer who seek benefits derived with tech occassion – bought mostly on festive season so provided with various schemes. – Behavioural LG look for Value and lifestyle which people believe they correspond to. TargetingLG has targeted its market on the basis of the product that they are offering to the consumer. upper-lower and higher segments people more concern to health benefits, life style and quality products LCD and Plasma TV for premium segment trying to shift to mid class and mass market of product selective specialization Positioning Differentiate product on technology which appeal to consumer on basis of health benefits like health wave system for oven, golden eye for TV its tagline describes to make people life better convenient and healthier they try to position as young vibrant and premium brand NeedsNeeds met by the LG brown n electronics product – ease of use, higher efficiency PESTLE Analysis Political factor Taxation policies, foreign trade regulations, trade policies are the important political factors. LG must follow the compliances given by the government like the Environmental Protection Agency. Sales volume gets negatively affected due to any change in the policies or foreign trade regulations. It will cause consumer to pay more for products. There is a possibility that the change in government can have an effect from the support of LG’s Research and Development. These political factors are:High import duty Export promotion scheme of Indian government like EPCG(Export Promotion Capital Good Scheme), EOU(Export Oriented Units) status Plants in Tax incentive areas like Pune, Greater Noida. Economical factor Price wars is the biggest economic factor for LG. LG has used competitive strategies like localization and adapting it to different markets. Making it easier to grab consumerâ₠¬â„¢s attention with products that are easier for their everyday living. In India, LG opened manufacturing facilities that begun with the R&D looking at what competitors have already brought to the arket and made their product unique and geared towards the consumers needs. Things that may affect sales volume from a economic stand point is a sudden change in consumer’s income. So LG would have to look in to how they can make products more affordable for consumers in recession. In India GDP is rising. Per Capita Income is increasing, so spending power of consumer is increasing. Socio-cultural factors LG went into the market in India with all the right tools. They adapted to the market and immediately began to be the innovators of that market.They have given back to the society by providing them with employment opportunities by building manufacturing plants. They are manufacturing eco-friendly products and increasing the life style of the people. Within the social factor, LG has been able to achieve a higher sales volume in India. Technological factors LG has always been a leader in innovation from the 1980s so technology is the important factor for them. LG is expanding in 3G Network technology. In India, Reliance incorporation with LG has 3G plans made for smart phones. LG introduced its LG Optimus 3D to the market in India.Improvement in technology made the product cheaper and quality of product has been increased. Legal factors Legal factors like employment law and consumer protection law can also affect the start-up of a company. Employment laws, like how many people a business employs the number of employees in each location, the minimum number of employees specified in the employment law etc. Consumer protection law protects consumers from fraudulent or unethical business practices, misleading advertisements, and defective products. So, these are some of the laws that businesses must abide before starting a venture.Environmental factors LG must foll ow the compliances given by the government bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency which also monitors the implementation. The company was penalised for failing to meet its commitment to make products free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) by the end of 2010. All of LG's mobile phones are now free from PVC and BFRs while other products such as TVs and notebooks contain PVC/BFR free parts; LG aims to phase these substances out from TVs monitors and PCs by 2012 and household appliances by 2014.In the Guide the company scored badly on the Energy criteria, being criticized for setting a weak target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and not making renewable energy part of its low carbon strategy. LG scored most points in the Sustainable Operations category with the company providing take-back for obsolete phones in 52 countries and being in the process of addressing the issue of conflict minerals. LG is now following a green pr oduct strategy. The objective of LG Electronics’ green product strategy is to minimize the environmental impact on the whole value chain while enriching lives.The strategy consists of three components; energy, human and resources. The strategy is based on a model that takes into consideration high energy efficiency, a reduction in raw material usage, and human welfare. Industry/ Competitive Analysis Industry in which LG Competes LG Competes in Consumer Durables industry. The  consumer durables industry  emerged in the twentieth century and has now become a global industry worth billions of dollars. * LG specializes in the manufacturing of consumer durables The scope of our report covers LG’s brown Goods which include: * Television * Audio-Video Systems Computers * Electronic Accessories Industry performance for last 5 years and projections for next 3 years * We believe that the Indian consumer durables industry will post strong double digit growth of ~15% over the next 3 years. * We believe that the industry will continue to grow led by lower penetration, increasing disposable income, easy credit availability coupled with declining prices. Increasing rural demand would be the key feature of the industry growth going ahead. * However, increase in raw material prices and intense competition among players, are key challenges for the industry. In a scenario of shorter product life cycles and increasing competition, we believe that the companies with strong R;D, wide distribution network, strong brand would benefit most from the strong industry growth. * We believe that the consumer durables industry’s growth has been two pronged: (a) driven by lower penetration in rural markets and (b) new innovations and replacement demand in urban markets. Source: Display search ,CEAMA, GEPL, Capital Research Market share of Top 5 players by segments Source: Display search ,CEAMA, GEPL, Capital Research Source: Display search ,CEAMA, GEPL, Capital Resear chMarket share of organized and unorganized for last year and projection for next three years Present Scenario : At present around 97 per cent of the more than 5 million retail premises of all types in India are smaller than 50 sq mtrs. So organized retail forms only 3% of the total retail sector in consumer durables industry. Prediction for the future : The urban and rural markets in India are growing at an annual rate of 7 to 10 per cent and 25 per cent respectively. One of the key enablers of this growth has been the increasing penetration of organised retail.While there are established distribution networks in both rural and urban India, the presence of well-known brands and organised sector is increasing. This situation is, however, transforming. Shopping malls are becoming increasingly common in Indian cities, and based on plans announced by key developers, a proliferation of new malls is expected over the next three years. Although many of the new malls would be much smaller than their western counterparts , Indian consumers will have a far larger number of attractive, comfortable, brand-conscious outlets in which to shop.As a result, the organized retail industry is expected to cover a market share of 15 to 18 per cent by the end of 2010, from just 3 per cent at present. This will have a positive impact on the consumer durables industry, as organized retailing would not only streamline the supply chain, but also facilitate increased demand, especially for high-end and branded products Industry’s 5 competitive forces Indirect Competitors of LG Electronics (Brown Goods) – The indirect competitors of LG electronics brown goods such as television, audio systems and cameras are the manufacturers of modern computers and laptops such as Lenovo, H.P and Dell. Modern laptops offer a variety of multidimensional features to the consumers who use them. For instance they can be used as a television, as a video and audio music player or even as a camer a as it hosts all these capabilities in itself. Thus it provides indirect competition to firms which produce the exclusive gadgets offering these services on a single unit basis. Another form of indirect competition is posed by the major mobile phone manufacturers of the world such as Apple, Nokia, Samsung and H. T. C.Modern mobile phones have become very sophisticated and encompass a variety of multimedia features such as gaming, videos, music, camera and the internet. Thus it is acting as a one for all device today and thereby poses indirect threat to dedicated players offering singular service gadgets such as T. V, Music systems or D. V. D players. Also LG faces indirect competition from cheap imitations and imports especially from China and Singapore. These products though poor in terms of quality are very economical and hence cater to a wide range of rural consumers who are extremely price conscious.They can easily purchase these cheap electronic goods at low prices. Thus, they are eating away a possible market share of LG electronics and thereby acting as an indirect competitor to it. Top Direct Competitors of LG Electronics in INDIA – 1. Samsung Electronics 2. Sony Electronics 3. Videocon Competitive advantages of Samsung Electronics – Samsung electronics gains competitive advantage by innovations in the process of product manufacturing, design and development. It has a very strong research and development unit that is working continuously to offer new and innovative product designs.Its speed of execution is perhaps its biggest strength. The time gap between product visualization and its actual delivery is very short which helps it offer the latest in technology trends to its customers in a short span of time. It maintains a very talented pool of creative people who help in driving its technological innovations. It has also been able to feel the pulse of the customers over the years and has been successful in offering product features whic h were highly desired by the customers at acceptable prices.Competitive Advantages of Sony Electronics – The biggest advantage possessed by Sony Electronics is its strong brand image which it has been able to build over a period of time. Its core competence includes the miniaturization of products which involves making products and its components of very small sizes without compromising on its quality. It has a great research and development wing that helps it come out with cutting edge breakthroughs in technology and innovation. Thus, it has been able to offer products with high quality.It has been successful in creating a pool of loyal customers from urban and semi urban areas who seek advanced high quality products without being too concerned about the price factor. Competitive Advantage of Videocon – Videocon has gained competitive advantage in the electronics industry by offering technologically advanced good quality products at relatively low prices. It strives t o provide the best possible service at the lowest possible prices. This has enabled them to become a hot favourite among the price sensitive Indian consumers especially those belonging to rural areas having low purchasing power.It uses strategic planning and vendor management to achieve operational efficiency. It has been able to penetrate a wide market area due to its efficient distribution systems. It has the largest distributed manufacturing base in India having twelve facilities across the country. Thus it has been able to manage a complex supply chain effectively. SWOT Analysis of LG Electronics – Strengths – 1. LG electronics is one of the market leaders in home appliances segment in India and so enjoys a position of strength in the electronics industry. 2.Most of the LG products are of simple design and very ease to use which helps it in satisfying its customers and building trust. 3. It has alliances and partnerships with major technology companies of the world such as G. E, Siemens and Microsoft etc. 4. It has a very wide range of product categories to tap consumers of various segments. 5. It has one of the widest distribution networks in the industry with more than 47 branches and 175 area offices. 6. It has a strong R;D division which helps it to come out with technologically advanced products. Weaknesses – 1.The after sales service of LG is not perceived to be up to the mark as customers are not highly satisfied with it. 2. It has similar product categories and features as compared to its close competitors. 3. It has not been able to create a powerful brand image for itself in the market. 4. It is often directly compared to its biggest competitor Samsung and its supremacy over other brands is overlooked. 5. It has not been able to attract the top talent in the form of highly skilled employees to its fold. Opportunities – 1. The rural market in India is growing as the economic condition of the areas is improving at a fast rate.This has opened a huge potential for sales in these areas for LG. 2. The consumer electronics industry in India is also poised for further growth thereby giving ample opportunity to LG to expand its scope. 3. There will be great opportunities to launch new products in the future as technology is advancing and consumers are always on the lookout for something new. 4. LG has the opportunity to become the leader in white goods market as well by leveraging its supremacy in the other electronics fields. Threats – 1. The biggest threat to LG electronics is from its biggest competitorSamsung which is also from South Korea and is a dominant force in the Indian Electronics market. 2. There is a threat of entering into a price competition with its close competitors that could lower its profit margins. 3. The short product life cycle of electronic products is also a threat to the company as they become obsolete very quickly. 4. The changing government regulations on health, safety and environment issues may also pose a threat to the operations of LG. 5. Cheap imitations and imports from China also pose a small degree of threat to its sales. Performance ReviewPast performance of the product and elements of the marketing mix LG Electronics is doing everything it can to retain its number one position in the Indian brown goods consumer durables market, estimated at Rs 35,000 crore. With more than 30 per cent share of this market, it now expects its India operations to overtake its Korea sales in the next three to four years. LG Electronics India is targeting revenue of Rs 20,000 crore (the figure currently is Rs 16,000 crore) through rapid expansion and new product launches. It is investing Rs 800 crore to expand production capacity, and the advertising budget is Rs 700 crore for this year.LG is focusing on key innovations including 3D TV, mobile digital television, and new solar cell business. The performance highlights – Sales have been shown according to product and place. The following chart shows the percentage contribution made by different product categories in total sales of LG Company. The chart shows that major part of LG revenue comes from brown goods (Home Entertainment and Mobiles). The chart below shows the breakup of sales region wise: Source: 1. Business Standard article June, 2012. 2. Annual Report-LG, 2011 Product Product localisation is a key strategy used by LG. LG came out with Hindi and regional language menus on its TV. †¢ Introduced the low-priced â€Å"Cineplus† and â€Å"Sampoorna† range for the rural markets. †¢ LG was the first brand to introduce gaming in CTVs. In continuation of its association with cricket, LG introduced the cricket game in CTVs. Price To overcome high import duties, LG manufactures PC monitors and refrigerators in India at its manufacturing facility at Noida, Delhi. LGEIL had already commissioned contract manufacturing at Mohali, Kolkata and Bhopal for CTVs. Th is has helped LGEI to reduce costs.LGEIL is implementing a â€Å"digital manufacturing system† (DMS) as a cost-cutting innovation. This system is a follow-up to the Six Sigma exercise LGEIL had initiated earlier. Place (Distribution) LG has adopted the regional distribution model in India. All the distributors work directly with the company. This has resulted in quicker rotation of stocks, and better penetration into the B, C, and D class markets. LG also follows the strategy of stock rotation, rather than dumping stocks on channel partners. LG has over 46 branch offices and another 110 areaoffices across the country.LG had set a target of developing 2,000 dealers, in addition to the existing 3,000 dealers all over India Promotion To make itself a known brand in the consumer electronics sector, LG has taken innovative marketing and promotional initiatives: †¢ Launch of new technologies in consumer electronics and home appliances. †¢ LG was the first brand to enter c ricket in a big way, by sponsoring the 1999 World Cup, and followed it up in 2003 as well. †¢ LG brought in four captains of the Indian cricket team to endorse its products. LG invested more than USS 8 million on advertising and marketing in this sport. LG has differentiated its products using technology and health benefits. The CTV range has ‘Golden Eye’ technology, air-conditioners have the ‘Health Air System’ and microwave ovens have the ‘Health Wave System’. Objective of the company LG Electronics India aims Rs 16,000 crore sales turnover in 2012. The Indian unit of South Korea's LG Electronics expects to double its revenue to $9 billion by 2015, a top executive said, as rising incomes and growing urban households expand the consumer durables market in Asia's third largest economy. LG Electronics Inc, the world's No. TV brand, said on Sunday it aimed to increase its global market share in LCD TVs to 15 percent this year from 11 percent last year by boosting unit sales by 54 percent. LG Electronics is aiming at a 50% market share in the 3D TV market this year, as against 40% last year with the launch of its latest series of Cinema 3D Smart TVs priced in the range of Rs 55,000 to Rs 7,00,000, boasting of world's slimmest bezel TVs. Soon Kwon, MD, LGEIL says, â€Å"We are targeting business worth Rs 1000 crore from 3D TVs and aim to consolidate our position in the Flat Panel TV segment with 30% market share.We have an aggressive marketing strategy with target investment of Rs 100 crore. † The new range is also accompanied by new Cinema 3D glasses for 2012. Adds Kwon, â€Å"3D entertainment is set to explode in India at a steady growth of 500%. We are anticipating the size to go up to 5 lakh units this year, as against 1 lakh units last year. † LG’s aim is to increase export from India to about 40%. LG’s estimated sales(in million) of year ending dec’12 is 47 and dec’13 is al so 47.

40 Common Mistakes in Namaz (Salat)

The Magnifying Glass On Clarifying Many Common Errors AlAlAshAl-Minthaar Fee Katheer Min Al-Akhtaa’ Ash-Shaai’ah A Excerpt Dealing with 40 Commmon Mistakes in Salaat Saalih Ibn Abdul-Azeez Ibn Muhammad Aalish-Shaykh (hafithahullah) Abdul-Qaadir Abdul-Khaaliq – Translator  © 1998 Al-Haramain Foundation Mistakes of Salaah 1. Leaving the salaah altogether. This is indeed kufr (disbelief) and the evidence is found within the Qur’aan the authentic sunnah and the consensus of the ummah. Allah ta’aala states: If they repent and establish the salaah and give the zakaah, they are you brothers in faith (deen). Al-Qur’aan 9:11] And Allah ta’aala says: What landed you in As-Saqar (Hell)? They said: We were not of those who made salaah (almusalleen)†¦[Al-Qur’aan 76:42-43] and so on. As far as the sunnah: The hadeeth of Jaabir that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Between a man and shirk (what protects him from sh irk) is the abandonment of salaah. [Muslim] It is narrated by Abu Dawood, An-Nisaa’i, Ibn Maajah, and At-Tirmidhi on the authority of Buraidah Ibn Al-Husaib from the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) who said: The covenant between us and them (i. e. he Prophet – and/or his successors -and those who claim to be Muslims) is the salaah so whosoever abandons it has disbelieved. [ Ahmad and others and it is saheeh] As far as consensus (al-ijmaa’): Abdullah Ibn Shaqeeq (radiallahu ‘anhu) stated: The Companions of Muhammad (radiallahu ‘anhum) did not view the abandonment of any other deed as kufr other than (abandoning) salaah. [At-Tirmidhi and others with an authentic chain] 2. Delaying the salaah from its appointed time. This is a violation according to the word of Allah ta’aala: Verily the salaah has been appointed for the believers at specific times (mawqoot). Al-Qur’aan 4:103] Al-Mawqoot indicates a specific appointed time and the postponement of sallah beyond the obligatory time (fardh) is a major sin and Allah is the one upon Whom we depend. On the authority of Anas who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying: This is the salaat of the hypocrite (munaafiq); when he sits observing the sun until it is between the horns of Shaitaan, then he stands to perform four (rak’ah) remembering Allah little. [Muslim] If this is the salaah of the hypocrite hen what of the salaah of someone who postpones the prayer until the complete period of the salaat has passed without any excuse? 3. Abandonment of the congregational prayer in the masjid by able men either regularly or on occasion. The commandment has been given to perform the salaah in congregation in the masaajid. Congregational (al-jamaa’ah) salaah is a duty except for those who have a valid excuse according to the sharia’h. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Whoever hea rs the call (al-adhaan) and thereafter does not answer it (i. e. ttend the congregational salaah) there is no salaah for him except for a valid excuse. [Reported by Ibn Maajah and others with a strong chain (isnaad) and Al-Haafith Ibn Hajar said â€Å"Its chain is according to the conditions of Muslim†]. Allah ta’aala also says: And bow down with those who bow down. {Al-Qur’aan 2:43] In a hadeeth in AlBukhaari and Muslim (mutafaqun ‘alaih): †¦I would then leave (after tbe salaah has begun) and go to those men who do not attend the salaah and burn their houses down over them. 4. Lack of tranquility (at-tama’neenah) within the salaat. This is generally done out of ignorance and it is an open sin because tranquility is a pillar (rukn) of the salaah without which the salaah is incorrect. The hadeeth about the man who performed his salaah badly is a clear evidence for this. The meaning of tama’neenah (tranquility) is that the one praying is tranquil in the rukoo’ (bending), standing (‘itidaal), prostration (sujood), and sitting between the two prostrations (juloos), and he should get in position where every bone settles into place, he should not hasten between portions of the prayer until he has attained tranquility in it and gives each its due time. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said to the one who was rushing through his salaah without observing the proper tranquility: Go back and make salaah because you have not made the salaah. And in the hadeeth of Rifaa’ah on the story of the one who prayed badly it goes on: Then he makes takbeer and bows and puts his hands on his knees until each joint is settled and relaxed. Then he says ‘sami’allahu liman hamida’ (Allah hears the one who praises Him) then stands up straight until each bone is in its place. . Lack of proper reverence and humility (khushoo’) in the salaat and excess movement therein. The place of khushoo’ is in the heart and it is evident in the tranquility of the limbs and humility before Allah. Allah has indeed praised His slave by His statement: Those who offer their salaah with all solemnity and full submissiveness. [Al-Qur’aan 23:2] As well [He has praised] the prophets by his statement: Verily they us ed to hasten on to do good deeds and they used to call upon Us with hope and fear, and used to umble themselves before Us. [Al-Qur’aan 21:90] It is incumbent. The limbs of the slave in prayer should be still and his heart should be solemn until he may be rewarded for his salaah. It is narrated on the authority of ‘Ammaar Ibn Yaasir (radiallahu ‘anhu) he said: I heard the messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying: Verily a man leaves after completing his prayer and nothing has been written for him except a tenth of his salaah, a ninth, an eighth, a sixth, a fifth, a fourth, a third, or half of it. Abu Dawood, An-Nisaa’i, and others and it is an authentic hadeeth] The reason for the shortcoming in its reward is the lack of khushoo’ in the heart of the one who prays or in the limbs. 6. Intentionally preceding the imaam in the movements of the prayer or not following his movements. This nullifies the salaah or rak’ah for whoev er bows before his imaam ruins his own rak’ah unless he follows it later with another bowing. Such is likewise with the rest of the arkaan (pillars) of the salaah. It is obligatory for the praying person to follow the imaam completely without preceding him or lagging behind him in any rukn (pillar) or more. Abu Dawood and others transmit with an authentic chain from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Verily the imaam is to be completely followed, so if he makes takbeer then you make takbeer and don’t make takbeer until he does so, and if he bows then bow and don’t bow until he does so†¦ Its origin is in the two saheehs and Al-Bukhaari has another like it narrated by Anas. The one who forgets or the one who is ignorant is excused. 7. Standing to complete a missed rak’ah before the imaam has completely finished making the second tasleem (i. closing the prayer by saying ‘As-salaamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullahi to the right and left). It is reported in Saheeh Muslim that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Do not precede me in the rukoo’ (bowing) not in the sujood (prostration) nor in going out of the prayer (al-insiraaf). The scholars have said that the meaning of al-insi raaf is at-tasleem and it is named such because the praying person may leave afterwards and he leaves only after the second tasleem. The one who precedes the imaam should stay in his place ntil the imaam has completed his salaah, then he should stand and complete whatever he missed, and Allah knows best. 8. Making the intention for prayer aloud. This is a bid’ah (innovation), and we have previously mention the prohibition against bid’ah. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) never made the intention for salaah aloud. Ibn Al-Qayyim, rahimahullah, stated in â€Å"Zaad Al-Ma’aad† or in â€Å"Al-Hudaa An-Nabawiyy†: â€Å"When the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) would stand for salaah he said: ‘Allahu Akbar’ and said nothing else before it nor did he pronounce his intention aloud. Nor did he say: ‘I will pray for Allah salaah such and such while facing the Qiblah four raka’aat as imaam or follower’. Nor did he say: ‘Fulfilling it on time, not making it up, nor the time of fardh’ all ten of which are bid’ah for which no one has reported that he did with an authentic chain, nor even a weak one, nor musnad, nor mursal, nor a single word. Indeed not one narration of the sahaabah or the best of the following generation (taabi’een), nor the four imaams. † 9. Not reciting Al-Faatihah in the salaah; The recitation of Al-Faatihah is a pillar (rukn) and the salaah of whoever does not recite it is void. This is according to the Prophet’s (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying: Whoever makes a salaah wherein Al-Faatihah is not recited then it is khidaaj (miscarried) – and he repeated it three times – incomplete. [Muslim from Abu Hurairah] Also reported in the two saheehs is the hadeeth from ‘Ubaadah Ibn Saamit (radiallahu ‘anhu) marfoo’an (attributable to the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam): The salaah is null for whoever has not recited the Opening of the Book. In another wording from ‘Ubaadah: Could it be that you recite behind your imaam? We said: Yes. He said: Don’t do so except with the Opening of the Book (Al-Faatihah) for the salaah is null of whoever does not recite it. [Ahmed, Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibbaan. This is evidence of its obligation for the follower. Recitation of the follower is absolute or in the aloud prayers as opposed to what is long known. Whether the recitation of Al-Faatihah is absolute or just in the prayers recited aloud is an old difference of opinion among the scholars. Is it waajib or dropped? The majority of scholars (al-jumhoor) say it is dropped however doing so is more clear from possible error and more precaution for deen. Most of those who have the opinion of it being dropped say that it is nevertheless desirable to recite it. 10. Recitation of the Qur’aan in rukoo’ (bowing position) or during sujood (prostration). This is prohibited based on a narration from ibn Abbaas (radiallahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: I have been prevented from reciting the Qur’aan while bowing or in prostration†¦ [Muslim] Ali (radiallahu ‘anu) narrates he said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam prevented me from reciting the Qur’aan while bowing or prostrating. [Muslim and others] 11. Raising the eyes to the sky during salaat or looking to the right and left without due cause. As far as raising the eyes, it is forbidden and bears the threat of punishment. It is narrated by Jabir Ibn Samurah (radiallahu ‘anhu) who said: The Messenger of allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Let the people stop raising their eyes to the sky in the salaah or let their sight not return to them. [Muslim] 12. As far as looking around unnecessarily, it is a deficiency in the salaah of the worshipper as long as he has not turned his entire body in another direction [i. . away from the Qiblah]. If however the entire body is turned then the salaah is invalidated. It is narrated by ‘Aisha (radiallahu ‘anhaa) who said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) about looking around in the salaah. He said: It is misappropriation pilfered by Shaitaan from the salaah of the worshipper. [Al-Bukhaari]. At-Tirmidhi also collected an authentic ha deeth: Be warned of turning or looking around in the salaah because it is destruction. And there are other ahadeeth on looking around in the salaah. 3. Sitting on one’s haunches (Al-Iq’aa) during the salaah and prostrating with the elbows (AlIftiraash) on the ground. Al-Iqaa’ is forbidden as related by Abu Hurairah (radiallahu ‘anhu) who said: My dear friend forbade me three things: He forbade me from pecking like a rooster [just touching the head in prostration – trans], sitting on the haunches like a dog, and looking around like a fox. Transmitted by Ahmed and others and its isnaad (chain) has by graded hasan (good) by Al-Mundhiri and Al-Haithami. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) forbade a man from spreading his arms on the ground like a beast of prey. Summarizing a hadeeth collected by Muslim from ‘Aisha (radiallahu ‘anhaa) as well as by At-Tirmidhi, Ahmed and others from Jaabir (radiallahu ‘anhu) marfoo’an (attributable to the Prophet): If any of you prostrates (sajdah) then keep straight and not spread his arms like the sitting of a dog. 14. Wearing a thin (see-through) garment that does not sufficiently cover the ‘auwrah (private area). This is an invalidator of the salaah because covering one’s ‘auwrah is a condition for a sound salaah. The man’s ‘aurah is – according to what is most authentic – from the 1 navel to the knee. Likewise he must cover his shoulders or one of them in accordance with the statement of Allah: O children of Aadam wear you adornments to every masjid. [Al-‘Araaf 31] It is sufficient to wear a single garment to cover the ‘auwrah according to what is narrated from ‘Umar Ibn Salamah (radiallahu ‘anhu): He saw the Messenger of allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam praying in a single garment (thowub) in the house of Umm Salamah, he had cast both ends over himself. Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] Ibn Qudaamah (rahimahullah) stated: It is obligatory to cover sufficiently to hide the color of the skin, for if it is thin enough that the color of the skin may be seen from behind to the extent that the whiteness or redness of the skin is percieved thane salaah in it is not allowed in that covering has not been achieved. 15. A woman not covering her head wit h the khimaar in salaah and not covering her feet. The ‘aurah of the swoman in the sallah is her entire body with the exception of her face. Nor is there any harm if she covers her face due to the passing by of men or the like. It is obligatory for her to wear a khimaar which is a head covering that also covers the bosom. This according to his (slallahu ‘aliahi wa sallam) statement: Allah does not accept the salaah of the menstruating female unless she is wearing a khimaar. [Collected by Ahmed and the collectors of the six most authentic books except An-Nisaa’i and it has be authenticated by Ibn Khuzaimah and others. It is also obligatory that she cover the tops of her feet in compliance with the hadeeth â€Å"The entire woman is ‘auwrah† Collected by AtTirmidhee with an authentic isnaad. Along this same meaning is what is transmitted by Malik and abu Dawood and others from Muhammad Ibn Said Inb Qunfudh from his mother who asked Umm Salamah (radiallahu ‘anhaa), the wife of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), about what garment a woman should pray in. She answered: She 1 The evidence for covering the shoulders is found in an authentic hadeeth in the collection of Abu Dawood, however we were unable to determine why the shaykh exempts one shoulder. should pray in a khimaar and a full, loose-fitting chemise that conceals the tops of her feet. Also with this meaning is the hadeeth of Umm Salamah: Lower it by an arms length. 16. Walking in front of the praying person whether they be the imaam or praying alone and stepping over the people during the Jumua’h khutbah. It is a sin upon the person who passes in front of someone who is praying. If the one praying has no sutrah then it shold be estimated to be at the place of prostration so the passerby should can pass beyond that point. As narrated in the collections of al-Bukhari and Muslim by Abu Juhaim Ibn Haarith (radiallahu ‘anhu), who said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: If the one who passes in front of the praying person knew how serious a sin it was for him to do so it would have been better for him to wait for forty than walk in front of him. [Forty may refer to forty days, months or years, and Allah knows best – Trans. The one who pushes between the people during the Jumua’h khutbah harms people through his being late for the salaah according to the statement of Al-Mustafah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam): Sit for you have caused harm and come late. [Ahmed and others. Cutting between the people is forbidden. One who enters the masjid should sit where there is space unless he sees a genuinely open area wh ere he should then go to it and sit. Not saying the takbeeratul-ihraam (opening takbeer) when entering upon the congregation while the imaam is in rukoo’. This is a major mistake in that the takbeeratulihraam is a pillar (rukn) of the salaah that must be done by the one praying when standing for the salaah and then afterwards join the imam in the bowing position (rukoo’). To make the takbeer (al-ihraam) and then another takbeer before giong into rukoo’ is more complete and thorough. Abu Hurairah (radiallahu ‘anhu) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) would make takbeer when he stood for the sallah and would then make takbeer upon bowing. Not following the imaam (by getting in the same position) when coming late and the imaam is sitting or in sujood (prostrating). It is most preferred and most sure for the one who enters the masjid that he join the imaam in whatever position he may be in, whether he be in sajdah or otherwise. It is reported by abu Dawood and others with a saheeh isnaad that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: If you come to the salaah and we are making sujood then you also make sujood. For a worshipper to delay making sajdah is to have in effect revented himself from an act of worship which Allah loves. Ali Ibn Abi Talib and Mua’dh ibn Jabal (radiallahu ‘anhumaa) both stated: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: If one of you comes to the salaah and the imaam is in a position then do what the imaam is doing. This is collected by At-Tirmidhi with a weak isnaad however it is in agreement with the preceeding hadeeth. It is also stren gthened by a narration collected by Abu Dawood from Mua’dh (radiallahu ‘anhu): I never saw him (the imaam) in a position except I was also upon it. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Verily Mua’dh has performed an act that is good for you too, so do likewise. Busying oneself with matters that take one away from the salaah. This is evidence of preference of the wordly life over that of the Hereafter, following vain desires and being too busy to obey Allah. This is indeed ruination and of evil consequence to whoever does it. Allah ta’aala says: O you who believe, let not yuor wealth or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah for whyosoever does that will be among the losers. Al-Munafiqoon 9] And He says in praise of the believers: Men who are not diverted by business or trade from the remembrance of Allah and performance of salaah. [An-Noor 37] Preoccupation with any act over the salaah or that leads to being negligant or lazy toward it such as staying up too lateand the like, is not permissible. This is because anything that leads to what is haraam is itself haraam, and Allah is the One who guides to the right path. Playing with one’s clothing or watch or the like. This is an act that negates khushoo’. The evidence for khushoo’ has been presented previously in point 5 [see August Issue – Ed. ]. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) forbade rubbing pebbles during the salaah due to its negative effect on khushoo’ when he said: If any of you performs the prayer let him not rub pebbles for mercy is turned towards him. [Ahmed and the six 17. 18. 19. 20. collections of hadeeth with an authentic isnaad] A person might increase playing around to the point of excessive movement that is outside of the salaah and thereby nullify it. 21. Closing the eyes for no reason. This is a objectionable act (makrooh) as Ibn Al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) mentioned: â€Å"Closing the eyes was not from the guidance of the Rasool (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). † He also said: â€Å"The scholars of fiqh have differed on its detestability. Imam Ahmed and others deemed it detestable and they said that it was of the habits of the Jews. However a group of them ruled it allowable without any detestablility and they said that it may indeed be a closer means of achieving khushoo’ which is the spirit of the salaah, its heart and its aim. â€Å"Most correct is that if keeping the eyes open has no detrimental effect upon khushoo’ then it is preferable to do it. If decorations, adornments or the like are around the worshipper or between him and the qiblah to the point of distraction, then there is absolutely no objection to closing the eyes. Indeed the statement that to do so is desirable (mustahabb) in this case is cl oser to the spirit of the law and its aims than the statement that it is objectionable. And Allah knows best. Eating or drinking or laughing in the salaah thus nullifying it. As far as eating and drinking there is consensus with regards to the fardh. Ibn Al-Mundhir stated: â€Å"The scholars (Ahlul‘Ilm) are in consensus agreement that the one praying is forbidden from eating and drinking. There is also consensus among them that to do so intentionally necessitates repetition of the salaah. † Ibn Al-Mundhir also transmits that there is consensus that the salaah is nullified by laughing. Raising the voice in recitation to the point of distracting those around. It is recommended (mustahabb) that one hears himself, not to the point that it interrupts anyone who is reciting the Qur’aan or making salaah. Al-Bukhaari and Muslim both transmit from ‘Umraan Ibn Husain (radiallahu ‘anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) prayed Dhuhr and there was a man behind him reciting ‘sabbihisma rabbikal‘alaa’ , so when he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) finished he said: Who among you was reciting or who was the reciter? The man said, â€Å"Me. † So he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: I thought that some of you were disputing with me in it. The scholars state: The meaning of his words is a disapproval of the act. Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) stated: Whoever is reciting the Qur’aan and the people are praying additional prayer then it is not correct for him to recite aloud thus disturbing them because the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) left some of his companions while they were praying As-Sahr (before dawn) and he said: O people, each of you is seeking salvation from his Rabb therefore do not overpower one another with your recitation. Crowding in on those who are praying. This is a type of forbidden inflicting of harm. It is upon the praying person to pray in a place where the space ends unless he sees an opening sufficient for him to pass and then there is no harm. However, to cause harm, especially on Yaum Al-Jumu’ah (Friday), is generally forbidden. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said about those who cut the prayer line: Sit, for you have harmed and come late. Not making the lines straight. Allah has ordered the proper performance of salaah saying â€Å"And establish (aqeemu) the salaah†. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has likewise stated: Straighten your lines for verily straightening of the lines is a part of correct performance of salaah (iqaamis-salaah). Al-Bukhaari and Muslim from Anas. Also AlBukhaari narrates from An-Nu’maan Ibn Basheer (radiallahu ‘anhu): Straighten your lines or Allah will cause opposition between your hearts. The order to straighten the lines and taking care to do so is mentioned in a number of hadeeth. (It should also be mention that this includes not leaving any gaps in the lines as is all too commonly neglected – Ed. Raising the feet from the ground in sujood. This is against what is commanded as it is confirmed in the two saheehs from Ibn Abbaas (radiallahu ‘anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was ordered to prostrate upon seven limbs and not to tuck up the hair or the clothes: the forehead (including the nose), the (palms of the) two hands, the knees and the two feet. So th e one praying is commanded to pray with the two feet touching the ground and the complete form of this is to have the toes pointing toward the Qiblah. Part of each foot should touch the ground and if one raises either of them his sajdah (prostration) is incorrect if he continues to do so throughout the prostration. Putting the right hand upon the left and raising them to the neck. This is in contradiction to the sunnah because the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) used to put his right hand 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. over his left upon his chest. This is in a hadeeth of Hasan from several weak transmissions in themselves but that in conjunction strengthen themselves. The sunnah is also to place the hands on the middle of the chest or upon the heart because the heart is in the chest as Allah ta’aala states: It is the hearts within the breasts that are blind. Raising the hands (making takbeer) when going into sujood or when rising out of it. It is an error to lift the hands to the neck and this opposes the sunnah. What is attributed to Ali (radiallahu ‘anhu) in the explanation of the verse: So therefore pray to your Rabb and sacrifice (wanhar – in which the verb is construed as referring to the neck [an-nahr] –Ed. ) is weak and does not constitute a proof. Also incorrect is the incorrect practice of holding one’s hands upon or below the navel as there is no substantiated proof from the authenticated sunnah for this practice – Ed) 28. Raising the hands at the time of sujood or when rising out of sujood. This is in opposition to the well-known sunnah that has been transmitted by most of the companions who narr ated about raising the hands. The student of (sharee'ah) knowledge should stick with the well-known sunnah unless in privacy though he may believe a deed to be more correct from the sunnah that nonetheless contradicts the practice of the generality of the scholars. The imaam of the people should do what is known, for what is commonly and well-known to be the sunnah upon which the majority of the scholars' practice, is sufficient and satisfactory. (The wisdom here is that for a student to insist upon public practice of that which is not regarded by the scholars generally as the sunnah may lead to harm and confusion which would amount to forsaking a fardh, i. e. the prevention of harm, for the sake of a establishing a sunnah – and one which is not totally agreed upon at that – and would thus fall into error. The scholars do not generally unite upon any practice without evidence, although the qualified student may disagree a given ruling or conclusion based upon his understanding of the texts and after sincere and thorough study and reaching a state of being personally satisfied with its outcome. – Ed. ) 28. Hastiness of some imaams in the salaah and lack of tranquility within it, thus not allowing time for the followers to be tranquil in their salaah or time to recite Al-Faatihah, especially in the last rak’ah. The imam is responsible for making the quality of the salaah good because he is being followed. It is therefore his duty to take care of following the Sunnah, and tranquility is a pillar (rukn) that the imam is more obliged to take care of due to his being followed. Likewise, the recitation of Al-Faatihah is a rukn that the followers in the salaah must be given enough time to fulfill. We have already presented the evidence for the obligation of maintaining tranquility (tama’neenah) and reciting Al-Faatihah. 9. Not taking care to make sujood upon the seven ‘limbs’ (i. e. the forehead along with the nose, the palms of both hands, both knees, and the toes of both feet). Abbaas Ibn AbulMuttalib (radiallahu ‘anhu) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying: If the slave prostrates, then seven body parts should prostrate with him: His face, hands, two knees, and his two feet. Related by Muslim, also attributed to Al-M ajd in â€Å"Al-Muntaqaa†, Al-Muzzee and related by others. Ibn Abbaas (radiallahu ‘anhumaa) narrated: The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: I have been ordered to prostrate upon seven â€Å"bones† (i. e. body parts): Upon the forehead –and he pointed to his nose – both hands, both knees and both feet. There are some people who do not prostrate upon both the forehead and the nose or who raise their feet or who do not touch the palms of their hands on the ground, all of which is in opposition to what is commanded. 30. Not caring to learn the rules of salaah. This is other than what any Muslim should do. No doubt salaah is the greatest of the Islamic pillars requiring bodily action. Allah commands its performance – â€Å"Aqimis-Salaah† (Perform the salaah) – in more than seventy ayaat. It is not possible to perform it without having knowledge of its fundamentals or knowing how the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) did the salaah. There is no room for ignorance of the rules of salaah, knowing its prerequisites or its essential parts, obligations, the rules for following or making up for errors and the like. It is fardh to know these matters and the absence of knowledge of these matters is a cause of a Muslim being unaware of what nullifies or spoils his salaah, and Allah is the Guide and Provider of Success. 31 – 34. Carelessness in reciting Al-Faatihah and with proper pronunciation such as saying al-‘Aalimeen instead of al-‘Aalameen, ahdinaa instead of ihdinaa, an’amtu instead of an’amta, and so on. All of these and similar errors are the type of linguistic errors that must be avoided and no one who leads the salaat should commit them. Some may contain impossible meanings such as when one pronounces the â€Å"t† (taa’) in â€Å"an’amta† as â€Å"da† (daad) and thus the salaat would be spoiled. 35. Cracking the knuckles in salaah. This is from the detested actions in the salaah and is thus forbidden. As far as cracking the knuckles in general, Ibn Abi Shaibah narrates in a statement with good isnaad, from Shu’bah Mawlaa ibn Abbaas as stating: I prayed next to Ibn Abbaas and I cracked my knuckles so when I finished my salaah he said, â€Å"May you lose your mother! You crack your knuckles while you are in salaah? Forbiddance of cracking the knuckles is transmitted in a marfoo’ hadeeth from Ali in the collection of Ibn Maajah, however, it is weak (da’eef)and not sufficient in an of itself (ghairu munjabir). 36. Intertwining the fingers (at-tashbeek) during and before the salaah. This is also among the detestable matters. Ka’ab Ibn ‘Ujrah (radiallahu ‘anhu) narrates: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying: If one of you makes wudhoo then goes to the masjid for salaah, let him not clasp his hands together for indeed he is in the salaah. Ahmed, Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhi. With some difference regarding its chain, AdDaarimi, Al-Haakim and others transmit from Abu Hurairah in a marfoo’ hadeeth: â€Å"If one of you makes wudhoo in his house then comes to the masjid, he is in salaah until he returns. Therefore do not do not do like this – and he clasped his fingers together. † There are other mutually supporting hadeeths on this matter of tashbeek. 37. Putting forward someone to lead the salaah as imaam when it is not his place to do so and there are others more deserving present. This contradicts the intended purpose of having an imaam (al-imaamah), which is to be an example to follow (al-iqditaa’). It is necessary that the imaam have understanding of the deen and is able to correctly recite the Qur’aan according to the satatement of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam): The imaam of a people should be the one who best recites the Qur’aan†¦) Transmitted by Muslim from Abu Mas’ood Al-Ansaari (radiallahu ‘anhu). The scholars have ruled that one should not be put forward as imaam whose recitation is not good, or who openly displays sinfulness, or who has an undignified appearance, or who is an innovator, or who is corrupt or like them. If however, such people are put forward, the salaah of the followers is correct. 38. Improper recitation of the Qur’aan. This is an open deficiency and the right of the Qur’aan is that it be read correctly without aberration and that the Muslim strives to improve and excel in its recitation. Allah ta'alaa states: Recite the Qur’aan with tarteel [correct measured tone] and When we teach you the Qur’aan, follow its recitation. Meaning, recitation as is proper according to the Arabic language, with clarity and free from distortion. On this same line is the superiority of the one who purifies his intention as is narrated by ‘Kaisha (radiallahu ‘anhaa) who said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, â€Å"The one who is proficient with the Qur’aan will be with the scribes (angels) honorable and obedient. While the one who recites the Qur’aan haltingly and finds difficulty (while striving to recite it properly) gets a double reward. † [matafaqun ‘alaih] 39. Some men praying behind women in the Haram (The Grand Masjid) of Makkah. Doing so there or elsewhere is a detestable action in the salaah. It is from the sunnah that the rows of the women are behind those of the men. The salaah of a man behind a women may be a cause of him losing all khushoo’ and a disturbance in the salaat through his looking (at the woman) or otherwise. A man should therefore never line up for salaah behind a woman. This is not detestable if due to necessity such as not missing the ‘Eid salaah, or Salaatul-Jumu’ah, or the congregational salaah and other similar situations (i. . that make it impossible to join the front rows with the men – Trans. ). A group of scholars have stated: â€Å"The Haram of Makkah is an exception. † Shaykh Abdul-Aziz Ibn Baz (may Allah preserve him) is of this opinion. 40. Women coming to the masjid beautified or made-up and perfumed. This is one of the open and witnessed evils that become apparent during Ramadhan and outside it. The woman is coming out to worship her Master, n ot to show off the beauty of her clothing! Perhaps men may see her and she would then be sinful and she would suffer a loss of reward for her deed. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) stated: â€Å"Let not any woman who is scented attend the ‘Ishaa with us. † [Muslim] Imam Ahmed transmits along with Abu Dawood with an authentic chain from Abu Hurairah (radiallahu ‘anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: â€Å"Do not forbid the bondwomen of Allah from the houses of Allah, and let them go out tafilaat. † The meaning of the word â€Å"tafilaat† is: Not beautified with adornments or perfumed.

Houses as Motif: Kate Chopins the Awakening

Houses as Motifs in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening Linda Catte Dr. Kathryn Warren ENGL 2329: American Literature March 22, 2012 (KateChopin. org. ) (Krantz’s Grand Isle Hotel Picture of painting by Tracy Warhart Plaisance) (Reflechir: Vol. 1. Les images des prairies tremblantes: 1840-1940 by Cheniere Hurricane Centennial Committee) It is not new or unique that an individual is looking for one’s purpose and meaning in life. Nor is it unique that men and women imitate the norms of society. In Kate Chopin’s novella, The Awakening, Edna Pontellier, the antagonist, knocked against the societal norms of the late 1800’s.Houses represent Edna’s search for her inner self. The houses which Chopin uses in The Awakening come in pairs which contrast each other. Chopin uses the bird cage and the bath-house to illustrate imprisonment and freedom. The house on Grand Isle and the small house on the Cheniere Island represent restlessness and awareness. The grand house on Esplanade Street in New Orleans and the small house located just around the corner demonstrate confinement and control in contrast with freedom and independence. Each house brings to light different aspects of Edna’s personality as she searches for her inner soul and finds new awakenings along the way.As various houses are presented by Chopin, each will provide insight into Edna’s search for meaning in her life. In order to better understand Edna’s state of mind as Chopin begins The Awakening, the norms of society needs an explanation. Mr. Leonce Pontellier demonstrates characteristics of a husband who fits the societal norm of 1899 when The Awakening (Chopin) was written. Behaviors by Leonce are displayed in the opening chapter of Chopin’s novella. There are bird cages with a talking parrot and a singing mockingbird, hanging on the porch of the main house at Grand Isle. â€Å"Mr.Pontellier, unable to read his newspaper with any degree of comfor t, arose with an expression and an exclamation of disgust. † (Chopin, ch. 1) Leonce had the freedom to walk away from an irritation and find solace elsewhere. â€Å"Mr. Pontellier had the privilege of quitting their society when they ceased to be entertaining. † (Chopin, ch. 1) The bird cage represents imprisonment, the birds represents how individuals in society mimic what is repeated over and over. Although every word is not equally understood and interpreted by all, the words still have a meaning. (http://office. microsoft. com/en-us/images)Edna and Leonce were interpreting different meanings from what society expected. Edna had the burden of imprisonment because of the societal norm. Leonce had flexibility and freedom. He was a businessman with a wife and family that was expected to behave in such a manner that would exhibit appearances of a proper marriage and family. An illustration of Leonce’s attitude is revealed in Chapter One of Chopin's book, a few spe cific examples are, â€Å"†¦looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property †¦,† â€Å"†¦perhaps he would return for the early dinner and perhaps he would not. and â€Å"If it was not a mother’s place to look after children, whose on earth was it? He himself had his hands full with his brokerage business. † Leonce viewed himself as important, the roles of society were rigid and fixed in his eyes, and certainly to his advantage. (http://office. microsoft. com/en-us/images) Edna did not have the freedom to detach herself as her husband did from unwanted annoyances. Her escape to the bath-house provided as much freedom as Edna could possess at the time. â€Å"†¦had no intention of bathing; they had just strolled down to the beach for a walk and to be alone and near the water. (Chopin, ch. 7) Lounging at the bath-house on the beach with her friend, Madame Ratignolle, is when Edna realized realities about her marriage a nd children. Her life was now somewhat predetermined because of her own rash decision to marry Leonce out of rebellion against her father and sister Margaret. â€Å"Add to this the violent opposition of her father and her sister Margaret to her marriage with a Catholic, and we need seek no further for the motives which led her to accept Monsieur Pontellier for her husband. † (Chopin, ch. ) She desired passion as expressed in her daydreams prior to marriage, â€Å"It was when the face and figure of a great tragedian began to haunt her imagination and stir her senses. The persistence of the infatuation lent it an aspect of genuineness. The hopelessness of it colored it with the lofty tones of a great passion. † (Chopin, ch. 7) But she had no passion in her life. â€Å"As the devoted wife of a man who worshiped her, she felt she would take her place with a certain dignity in the world of reality, closing the portals forever behind her upon the realm of romance and dreams . † (Chopin, ch. 7) (http://office. icrosoft. com/en-us/images) Marriage did not bring fulfillment or satisfaction to Edna’s life, nor did being a mother. â€Å"She would sometimes gather them passionately to her heart; she would sometimes forget them. † (Chopin, ch. 7) When her children were away with their grandmother, they were not missed by their mother. â€Å"Their absence was a sort of relief, though she did not admit this, even to herself. It seemed to free her of a responsibility which she had blindly assumed and for which Fate had not fitted her. † (Chopin, ch. 7) What mother forgets her children and does not miss them when they are gone?Edna was searching for meaning in her life, she wanted happiness. (http://office. microsoft. com/en-us/images) (http://www. loyno. edu/~kchopin/Album10. html) Vacationing at the house on Grand Isle is where Edna’s dissatisfaction with her own life is brought to the reader’s attention by Chopin. †Å"An indescribable oppression, which seemed to generate in some unfamiliar part of her consciousness, filled her whole being with a vague anguish. It was like a shadow, like a mist passing across her soul’s summer day. It was strange and unfamiliar; it was a mood. † (Chopin, ch. ) Leonce’s role as a husband was unchanging, â€Å"†¦her husband’s kindness and a uniform devotion which had come to be tacit and self-understood. † (Chopin, ch. 1) Spending her summer vacation with the Creoles opened Edna’s eyes to a whole new society. â€Å"A characteristic which distinguished them and which impressed Mrs. Pontellier most forcibly was their entire absence of prudery. † (Chopin, ch. 4) Edna had been raised in a strict religious Presbyterian home by her father. (Chopin, ch. 22) Edna’s new acquaintances stirred new thoughts, there was an inner conflict within her.Unspoken expectations were present for societal norms to be followed fo r a devoted wife and mother, those like her new friend Adele Ratignolle. Edna longed to be her own person, depart from what is expected of her and discover what or who makes her happy. As more and more of Edna’s days were spent together with another new friend, Robert, she missed him when he was not around. â€Å"She missed him the days when some pretext served to take him away from her, just as one misses the sun on a cloudy day without having thought much about the sun when it was shining. † (Chopin, ch. 0) Mademoiselle Reisz impacted Edna, it started when she heard her play the piano at the grand party in the main house on Grand Isle. â€Å"Edna was what she herself called very fond of music. † (Chopin, ch. 9) As she heard the chords, she would envision in her mind what each piece of music was saying to her. But with Mademoiselle Reisz, it was different. Her emotional response was something she had never experienced. â€Å"The very first chords which Mademoi selle Reisz struck upon the piano sent a keen tremor down Mrs. Pontellier’s spinal column. † (Chopin, ch. 9) It was the exact emotion in which she was searching. But the very passions themselves were aroused within her soul, swaying it, lashing it, as the waves daily beat upon her splendid body. † (Chopin, ch. 9) It was that night Edna learned to swim; it was that night she did not do exactly what her husband asks of her. (Chopin, ch. 10) It was the house on Grand Isle that first awakened Edna to new thoughts and feelings. (http://www. loyno. edu/~kchopin/cheniere. htm) The next morning, Edna and Robert went to Cheniere Island. Edna’s behavior and attitude began to transform. She took steps of boldness by sending for Robert to go with her to Cheniere. She had never sent for him before. † (Chopin, ch. 12) On the boat ride to the island, Edna felt a sense of freedom, â€Å"†¦felt as if she were being borne away from some anchorage which had held h er fast, whose chains had been loosening-†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Chopin, ch. 12) She began to daydream of a life where she was alone with Robert. She shared this imagined world with him as her flirtation intensified. (Chopin, ch. 12) When they reached the island, they fulfilled the intended purpose of the trip by attending mass at Our Lady of Lourdes. The freedom Edna had experienced on the boat ride was stripped from her as she sat in the church. †¦her one thought was to quit the stifling atmosphere of the church and reach the open air. † (Chopin, ch. 13) It was at this time that Robert took Edna to a small house on the island where she naps and discovers another facet of herself. Once she awakens, she and Robert have dinner outside the small house, the evening approaches, they do not want the day to end. â€Å"It was very pleasant to stay there under the orange trees, while the sun dipped lower and lower. (Chopin, ch. 13) Upon their return from Cheniere Island, Edna separates herself so that she can be alone to ponder her escape.The escape to the little house that gave her a taste of peace and contentment. â€Å"She could only realize that she herself-her present self-was in some way different from the other self. † (Chopin, ch. 13) (http://office. microsoft. com/en-us/images) Upon return to the grand house on Esplanade Street in New Orleans, Edna brought with her disappointment and heartache. She had not planned on Robert’s sudden departure to Mexico. As her life was becoming more self absorbed, she wanted Robert to remain part of her life. She was aware of her infatuation with him and reacted emotionally to his absence. †¦she had lost that which she had held, that she had been denied that which her impassioned, newly awakened being demanded. † (Chopin, ch. 15) Being home in the grand house where Leonce displays his possessions with such pride, left Edna feeling trapped and imprisoned. Her summer experience changed how she wante d to live her life. When Leonce was ready for life to be back just like it was before, Edna displayed behaviors of rebellion. She was not going to receive visitors on Tuesday afternoons any longer, she was not going to dress as expected for dinner, and she was not going to lead her life controlled by her husband. Chopin, ch. 17) bb (katechopin. org) Leonce was appalled at Edna’s sudden change in behavior. There were societal norms that were important to Leonce. He did not want their friends to think they did not behave properly. â€Å"†¦people don’t do such things; we’ve got to observe les convenances if we expect to get on and keep up with the procession. † (Chopin, ch. 17) The Esplanade house represents confinement and control over Edna. With her new found awakenings, she had no desire to return to the ways of her old life. â€Å"She resolved never to take another step backward. † (Chopin, ch. 7) Her thoughts remained with Robert. â€Å"She had tried to forget him, realizing the inutility of remembering. But the thought of him was like an obsession, ever pressing itself upon her. † (Chopin, ch. 13) (katechopin. org) Edna moved forward with confidence but still did not find the independence she was desiring. Leonce found her behavior â€Å"†¦odd, she’s not like herself. † (Chopin, ch. 22) â€Å"Her whole attitudetoward me and everybody and everything-has changed. † (Chopin, ch. 22) Leonce had concerns about his wife but left her alone upon the advice of Doctor Mandelet. He moved forward with his own (katechopin. rg) life and took a business trip to New York. Edna thought she might miss him , but found â€Å"†¦a radiant peace settled upon her when she at last found herself alone. † (Chopin, ch. 24) Her children were in Iberville with their grandmother. But this peace was short lived. She still did not have Robert. She looked to activities and relationships to find fulfillment in her life. But none provided the contentment and satisfaction she desired. (Chopin, ch. 25) While Leonce was away, Edna made a spontaneous and rash decision , while on a visit with Mademoiselle Reisz, to move into her own house. (Chopin, ch. 6) The small house was located just around the corner from their home on Esplanade Street. â€Å"It looks so cozy, so inviting and restful†¦I’m tired looking after that big house. It never seemed like mine, anyway-like home. † (Chopin, ch. 26) It was this small house where Edna was certain she would find peace and happiness. She would find what this cozy house represents, â€Å"freedom and independence. † (Chopin, ch. 26) Each house Chopin uses as a motif brings to light different aspects of Edna’s personality as she searches for her inner soul. Each house brings new awakenings for Edna along the way.Each house represents her search for meaning in life. â€Å"No longer was she content to ‘feed upon opini on’ when her own soul had invited her. † (Chopin, ch. 32) But Edna was unable to satisfy her soul. She wanted more than anyone or anything could give her. She wanted passion, she wanted Robert. When Robert left for Mexico, it was out of his love and respect for Edna that he could not stay. When he left the small house, it was, again, out of his love and respect for Edna that he must leave. It was Adele Ratignolle who reminded Robert in the beginning of The Awakening (Chopin) of his behavior as a gentleman. If your attentions to any married women here were ever offered with any intention of being convincing, you would not be the gentleman we all know you to be, and you would be unfit to associate with the wives and daughters of the people who trust you. † (Chopin, ch. 1) Edna did not have the wisdom to understand Robert’s rejection of her. She lived selfishly. â€Å"Conditions would some way adjust themselves, she felt; but whatever came, she had resolved n ever again to belong to another than herself. † (Chopin, ch. 26) This statement confirms that Edna’s soul would not be found with Robert. She was aware of her own emptiness. There came over her the acute longing which always summoned into her spiritual vision the presence of the beloved one, overpowering her at once with a sense of unattainable. † (Chopin, ch. 30) (http://office. microsoft. com/en-us/images) The emptiness Edna experienced after Robert’s departure left her hopeless. â€Å"Despondency had come upon her there in the wakeful night, and had never lifted. There was no human being whom she wanted near her except Robert: and she even realized that the day would come when he, too, and the thought of him would melt out of her existence, leaving her alone. (Chopin, ch. 39) It was when Edna stood before the ocean that she knew her future. â€Å"The voice of the sea is seductive, never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wa nder in abysses of solitude. † (Chopin, ch. 39) The only answer to free Edna’s soul was to enter the sea. Freedom would come only in death. There was no turning back to the empty life which only brought despair, heartache and loneliness. The true love, passion, and happiness she envisioned for her life had escaped her. Robert brought a glimpse of the future Edna had envisioned.But that future was not for Edna. In the ocean, naked and without any confinement around her , was she was able to find home. (http://office. microsoft. com/en-us/images) Citations: Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. 1899. www. amazon. com/Kindle-eReader-eBook Retrieved on January 14, 2011. http://www. katechopin. org http://office. microsoft. com/en-us/images http://www. loyno. edu/~kchopin/Album10. html Reflechir: Vol. 1. Les images des prairies tremblantes: 1840-1940 by Cheniere Hurricane Centennial Committee.

Summary the artical Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Summary the artical - Essay Example Blue oceans consist of all those industries that create new demand and market or expand the boundaries of the existing demand and market. By doing so, they generate new opportunities for profit and growth. Blue oceans have been a source of growth in the past and will remain so in the future. Emergence of new industries and wide products differentiation in the existing ones in the past demonstrate this phenomenon. As globalization spreads and barriers fall further, red oceans will increasingly become competitive with more products standardized resulting in price wars and reduced profitability. Only blue oceans will ensure growth and profit in the future. However, paradoxically, there is a bias in favor of red oceans. A study found that, out of 108 new ventures, 86 percent pursued red oceans strategy contributing to 62 percent of revenue and 39 percent of profit. Only the remaining 14 percent new ventures followed blue ocean strategy but they contributed 38 percent of revenue and 61 percent of total profit. Blue oceans have four defining features, as identified based on the data of 100 years in auto, computer, and movie and theater sectors. First, firms might create blue oceans through technological innovation in some cases but they tweak the existing technology to new uses in most cases. Second, existing firms often create blue oceans within their core competency areas rather than stepping out to new frontiers. Third, the most appropriate unit of analysis is not a firm or industry but the strategic move involving managerial actions and decisions to tap the blue oceans of demand and market. Fourth, creation of blue oceans builds new brands. Strategic orientation is more important than large R & D budget to create new market space. Red ocean strategy and blue ocean strategy have their own characteristics. In red ocean strategy, firms compete in the existing market space, beat the competition, exploit the existing demand, make a trade-off

A Letter From Eight White Clergymen and Letter from M. L. King, Jr Essay

A Letter From Eight White Clergymen and Letter from M. L. King, Jr - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that the exigence defines what prompted the authors to write the letters in the first place. For A Call for Unity written by the eight white clergymen, the exigence was the series of demonstrations held by Negro citizens that were allegedly led and directed by outsiders. In the case of King’s letter, the exigence was the need to respond to the clergymen’s contentions that as the outsider being mentioned, his actions were deemed unwise and untimely. This paper illustrates that the audiences were supposedly the local community and readers of the Birmingham, Alabama newspaper since the first letter were sent to its editor. However, one could surmise that the letter was, in fact, directed to King, as the noted leader of the civil rights movement, in behalf of the Negro community. King’s letter was directed to the clergymen, as most of his arguments addressed the clergymen’s position. The researcher states that the mo st obvious constraint was on the part of King who was incarcerated in the Birmingham jail during the time that he responded to the clergymen’s allegations. On the part of the clergymen’s letter, the constraints are their maintaining a conservative stance to use the most appropriate language so as not to project any biases to both white and Negro citizenry. The basic issue presented by the clergymen was the appeal for law, order and common sense in addressing the dilemma on racism. The basis position was for any resentment on alleged discriminations and racial slur should be filed in the proper court of law where legal proceedings and verdict should be respected and accepted. The clergymen contended that the series of demonstrations by Negro citizens were actually led and directed by outsiders, whose actions were deemed unwise and untimely. Finally, the letter highlighted the call for restraint, â€Å"for law enforcement officials to remain calm and to continue to prot ect our city from violence† (Carpenter, et al. 182). On the other hand, King’s basic issued focused on responding to the clergymen’s assertion that his leading the Negro citizens into demonstrations were unwise and untimely. King addressed this argument by initially proving that he was not an outsider; but that he was invited to address the injustices in Birmingham. Further, his letter addressed the clergymen’s position regarding his unwise action towards demonstration; revealed that action was necessary because promises by merchants were broken and that the need for direct-action versus negotiation was favored due to the community’s stance of refusal to negotiate. In terms of responding to the untimely issues, King expounded on concerns such as: the new administration must be prodded and that the Negro citizens have already waited for 340 years (King 186). Analysis The letter of the clergymen was more direct and concise containing only seven paragr aphs. King’s response was comprehensively detailed and lengthy encompassing 50 paragraphs and 14 pages. King was clear in addressing the issues of the clergymen indicating his actions as the leader of the demonstrations as unwise and untimely. He warrants that the non-violent actions were the most appropriate means to address the racial discrimination in Birmingham and their actions could not be considered unwise because a rational four step process was applied: â€Å"collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action† (King 184). The issue of untimeliness was responded to by King as he emphasized the need to prod the new administration to create some tension and lead them to act. Further, he argued that the Negro citizens have waited for too long for more than 340 years and could therefore not be considered that no time was spent to reflect and think of the course of action. King warrants that the present l aws were actually unjust

Motivational statement Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Motivational statement - Research Paper Example My ultimate goal is to be an instrument of change to the development of sailors and hone them into future naval officers. The US Navy is one of the most prestigious institutions which can accord a multi disciplinary approach to the development of navy and marine corps. I am optimistic in learning various principles of leading and motivating navy personnel to enable me to devise innovative methods which would be more effective in improving educational methodologies and instructions. I would like to be given the opportunity to share the theoretical and practical applications of the US Navy to a variety of navy and marine personnel. Inasmuch as the US Navy would accord me with the much needed skills to make me an efficient and effective instrument of knowledge; I, too, if given the opportunity, would like to relate an ample share of what I have learned to those under my future governance. It has always been my dream and long-term goal to position myself as a leading Navy officer to help others in confronting challenges in their future naval service. By being commissioned as a Navy officer, I would finally integrate my diverse leadership and motivational acumen to affiliated careers in marine endeavor. This would eventually fulfill my promise to return the generosity accorded by highly professional governmental service institutions like yours by unselfishly sharing the expertise I earned. Personally, I believe I have the innate skills, utmost dedication, exemplary mental abilities, highly disciplined, unquestionable integrity and pure conviction to delve into this field of endeavor. My previous educational and work experiences fuelled my desire to explore matters pertaining to naval service, human resources intricacies, navy and Marine Corps based participation and correspondences. A childhood dream. A good opportunity. A desired profession. A prestigious governmental service

Assignment 3 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

3 - Assignment Example The landscape is, therefore, irregular, comprising both hills and valleys; hence, resulting in short rivers. On the other hand, in passive continental margins, there is limited tectonic activity; the major processes that occur here are weathering and erosion. This results in level, flat landscapes along the beaches, characterized by long rivers and large debris of sediment. The oceanic ridge, which is a continuous submarine mountain range spanning 80000 kilometers, is elevated relative to the other areas of the ocean floor. The elevation is brought about by convection currents that rise from deep within the earth’s crust through a mantle in a line of weakness, in the form of magma. When it emerges on the earth’s crest, lava cools down and forms a new surface on the sea bed. Continuous eruption and cooling of lava leads to a build-up of materials, which in turn cause elevation at the point the activities take place. The result is a ridge, which is higher than other sections of the ocean floor. Mesosaurus was a reptile that lived in fresh water lakes thousands of years before the existence of dinosaurs. The fact that scientists found its remains, in Eastern South America and Western Africa only, suggests that the two continents could have existed as one land mass millions of years ago. Whereas some schools of thought could have it that the reptiles could have swum across the Atlantic Ocean, this could not happen since Mesosaurus could neither survive in the ocean waters because of their saltiness, nor swim across the ocean due to its expansive nature. These, together with the fact that the coastlines of the two continents fit like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, enforces the theory that the two continents once existed as one expansive land mass. One of the main objections to Wegener’s Continental Drift Theory was his inability to explain the mechanism through which the continents drifted apart. He proposed two theories; a

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TEDSBOX Packaging and the benefits in the Food and Beverage Industry - Essay Example The main component of the packaging system is creating a controlled environment. Temperatures form the most significant component of CCPs. As such, with the packaging system, temperatures are controlled to ensure that the contents are transported at a favorable environment. The food and beverage industry is a beneficiary of the new system. The process of food and beverage production is a cyclical process. It commences from production to packaging, distribution, and consumption. In an instance whereby food products are transported but reach the customer while stale, the products are not fit for consumption. With the TEDSBOX, the environmental deviation systems are put on track to ensure that the cycle is efficient. If the entire food and beverage consignment reaches the consumer in the desired quality, the production process is considered as efficient; hence, maximizing sales. Tracking the environmental deviation system is a new technology that ensures that the production to consumption process is complete with minimal wastage. As such, the new packaging eliminates the chancing that distributors relied on to bridge the products from producers to consumers. Distributors can control the environment in which they transport different food and beverage products; hence, reducing the risk of contamination and obsolescence (Perishable Goods Shipping Problems). Bryan, F. (1992). Hazard analysis critical control point evaluations: A guide to identifying hazards and assessing risks associated with food preparation and storage. Geneva: World Health

Management Practice of the 21st Century Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6250 words

Management Practice of the 21st Century - Essay Example decentralized command-and-control, and so forth. (Manager2006) To some extent they have experience managerial behaviour in different tastes and concerns. For example in business concerns sales: Today do we deploy the same patterns of selling behaviour as it was some decades ago Does that pattern is aligned by product, geography, or industry Does technology have some impact in the marketing of that product Many twenty-plus year sales veterans recall that they have witnessed all three models implemented within the same firm, seen them come, and go, and come back. However, managers, and especially senior executives, are increasingly learning that relying solely on memory of past experiences to make decisions is also problematic. If an industry or market is changing, prior experience and personal memory may be outdated, irrelevant to the new circumstance. An incorrect lesson can also be drawn from prior experience. Coca-Cola's senior management appeared quite affected by this when they decided to retire the firm's premier product the Coca-Cola drin k and replace it with a new variant. The results were disastrous and the firm had to bring back its main product, now called Coca-Cola Classic. The episode has gone down in business history as a classic misjudgement. Smart people just drew the wrong lessons from past events. That is why the rigors of knowledge management and analysis of market conditions must exist side-by-side with personal expertise and experience. (Manager2006) According to Winchester John, organizations that adopt e-business practices make use of electronic networks to transform their processes and exchange value, including money, goods and services. The model for these new kinds of companies has evolved from websites through e-commerce and e-channels to an all-pervasive use of electronic means to interact, collaborate and transact business. The significant investment that is being made by enterprises in this sector is accelerating the pace at which transactions and information can be moved across the world's communications networks and in turn is transforming more customers into e-consumers. In addition to the development of the market itself, advances in technology are enabling these solutions to perform more business functions and services than ever before. (Winchester, 2006) Managing Supply Chain 21st century business environmentis defined byrapid change on a global scale, in terms

Kingston Communications Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Kingston Communications - Assignment Example Using "Porter's Five Force Model" (http://www.12manage.com/methods_porter_five_forces.html), let us see where the issues may exist for Kingston Communications. Porter's model states that thefollowing forces can affect how business relates to the rest of the marketplace: The problem that Kingston had in converting from what was then a traditional telecoms industry using analogue technology to modern digital technology was that they did not readily have the expertise, technology or the agreements in place with providers such as British Telecom, in order to compete against established companies, such as Skype and recently, Vonage. Since then there have been a proliferation of VOIP providers. Various broadband providers have included VOIP as part of their services, when originally all they provided was a dial-up service to access the internet, and later broadband. There are now several companies on the market providing integrated services, including broadband as an 'add-on' as opposed to a primary service as was the case in the recent past. Examples are Sky Television, Orange mobiles, and even BT have got in on the act, by offering digital services alongside their communications offerings. Therefore, Kingston is not alone in feeling the heat of the com petition, as others strive to win market share. How this has changed from a few years ago, and especially for Kingston Communications who used to have a monopoly on these types of service. Kingston probably recognized this as they acquired companies and organizations that had the technology and the resources available. This would make the transition easier, but it came at a price. The acquisition of Affiniti, the business communications integrator,Information Services providing contact centre and directory services, plus the development of their own broadband services would allow Kingston to compete on a level playing field. 2. Threat of substitutes. With regard to VOIP, a substitute phone serviceis exactly what happened.Once the technology for Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) was developed, it became a real threat, not only to Kingston, but other large telecoms companies such asBritish Telecom (BT).The real threat was in the cost of the service. For example, Skype offer a free telephone service to other Skype users. This is now standard among most VOIP providers. It became obvious to Kingston and other telecom providers that drastic decisions had to be made with regard to their technology strategy. 3. Bargaining power of buyers. With the proliferation of VOIP and integrated providers, the relative bargaining power of buyers in this market is relatively strong, especially for the average consumer. They can now choose between integrated solutions, such as digital TV and VOIP services, or choose a relatively low-cost broadband only solution. The costs of these services continue to decline, as more and more suppliers compete for market share. 4. Bargaining power of suppliers.In the early days of VOIP, perhaps the

Theories of Globalization in Communication Essay

Theories of Globalization in Communication - Essay Example Subsequently, the impact of the mass media and communication on the culture of people is also presented. The impact is surmised and given in the conclusion of the paper. A number of theories have come about linking the communication, specifically media, the culture and the society at large. While the media was thought to have cast an alter personality who would be forced to behave in a specific way. The altercast theory do have supporters and some of the behavioural traits generated go in line with this. A development of the altercast theory is the cultivation theory which says that the thought processes in the people who are watching the media can be cultivated over a period of time. Like a plant or stalagmites on the roofs of the cave, they are slowly and steadily built over a period of time. This also meant that the presence in the media is needed and continuously too. The domestication theory, on the other hand, looks at the entire society to be a network of households; a network that runs on cultural, social and technological creations. Miller (1988) defined the concept of domestication theory into four phases; from appropriation, objectificati on, incorporation and conversion starting from the creating a product to objections to its usage and then on to incorporating into the daily lives. Incorporation would also involve converting the technologies and products to suit the cultural style of the locale. This also includes the environment. The final stage is when the household converts itself in line with the trends that is happening in the society and tries to be in line with the outside world. While the gatekeeper theory, pushes forward the much observed, head of the family concept, where one of the members of the family, the mother or the wife wields more strength in deciding on what gets bought (Golding & Harris 1997). What kind of food and clothing is worn by the people is decided more by them rather than by the other members of the family. A person who wants to push need to ensure that the deciding person is the one addressed in their media ads. Gatekeeping concepts have been developed subsequently, so that many organisations even use gatekeeping in their organisational setup (Mattelart A 1998). Even these decisions by the gatekeepers are decided based on the mental models that they have in their mind. Most of the decisions made by the people depend on the mental pictures that they have of the product in their mind, according to Thussu (2000). He also stressed that reasoners build models of truth rather than models of false. Therefore, it is easier for people to make m istakes during such model building exercises. Modernisation theory came up in three waves. Modernisation invariably brings in the western culture under focus and its spread in the world. The first wave of the theory accepted the influence of modernisation with the western culture and technologies at its core. It dominated the entire world and was part of the globalisation agenda. During the second wave that happened in the 1970s and 1980s, the cultural impacts were more widespread. But at the same time, there were very few supporters of the western influence in the cultures of the world. Modernisation was noticed and continued to happen but there was opposition even among the western society, specifically the

The Companies Ordinance Essay Example for Free

The Companies Ordinance Essay II. REGISTERED OFFICE: The registered office of the company will be situated be situated in the province of Sindh III. OBJECT CLAUSE: The objects for which the Company is established are: 1. To manufacture, treat, produce, process, prepare, pack, bottle, can import, export, buy, Sell, market, distribute or otherwise deal in any or all types of foods including without limitation all kinds of raw, processed and prepared food and food products including without limitation dairy products, meat, fish, vegetables, poultry, fruit and fruit Juices, powders and syrups; 2. To advertise all or any of the business and goods of the Company in any way that may be thought advisable; 3. To open and operate accounts, overdraft cash, credit and loan accounts and to keep fixed and other deposits with banks, firms, corporations and institutions, loan offices and other concerns; 4. To do all or any of the above things in any part of the world either as principals, agents, Contractors or otherwise and either alone or in conjunction with others, but not to act as a managing agent 5. To expend money in experimenting on and testing and improving or seeking to improve any patents, rights, invention, discoveries, processes or information of the Company or which the Company may acquire or propose to acquire; IV. LIABILITY CLAUSE: The liability of the members is limited V. AUTHORIZED CAPITAL: The authorized share capital of the Company is Rs. 8,500,000,000 (Rupees Eight Billion Five Hundred Million) divided into 850,000,000 (Eight Hundred Fifty Million) ordinary shares of the nominal value of Rs.10.00 (Rupees ten) each with the rights, privileges, and conditions attached. Here to as are provided for the time being, with power to increase and reduce the capital of the Company and to divide the shares in the capital for the time being, into several classes.