McKesson Global Strategy

Introduction The growth of McKesson Corporation in the pharmaceutical sector has been phenomenal. The growth and prosperity is associated with the management approach employed at McKesson. This report presents findings from a research on the firm’s strategies and operations. The aim of the research was to understand how McKesson responds to challenges and opportunities in the market.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on McKesson Global Strategy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This report covers McKesson’s history, an analysis on the firm’s position in the industry using PESTEL and Porters five forces, then the challenges that the firms has to deal with. Finally, the report provides recommendation on the course of action to ensure the firm maintains its competitive edge in the pharmaceutical sector. History of McKesson It took McKesson Corporation many years to become one of the largest pharmaceu tical firms in the world (International Directory of Company Histories, 1988). John McKesson with the help of other partners pioneered the firm in 1833. The initial setup or company was known as Olcott McKesson (International Directory of Company Histories, 1988). Olcott McKesson had its operations in Manhattan; they operated as wholesale drug suppliers. Daniel Robbins was introduced as a member and in 1953; he was made a partner after the death of Olcott (International Directory of Company Histories, 1988). Eventually, the firm’s name was changed to McKesson Robbins. There followed many identification changes due to the tough beginning that the firm had. The firm experienced a tough beginning but the determination and iron will of McKesson steered the company through all challenges into a successful pharmaceutical company in US. The firm experienced uncertain development, which was characterized by change of ownership and brand name. In 1893, the firm was dealt the worst blow when McKesson died but still the heirs of the firm carried on the mantle. The 20th Century saw the firm grow from strength to strength as new product lines were opened such as food supplements, alcohol and chemical production among others. From 1980s to 1990s, McKesson settled on producing medical product and it divested the unrelated product lines (International Directory of Company Histories, 1988). McKesson chairperson Harlan whose motto was â€Å"any company that doesn’t stick to what it does best is inviting trouble† and that â€Å"anybody who doesn’t prepare lives in dreamland† (International Directory of Company Histories, 1988) engineered the decision. During this period, the firm acquired automated healthcare, HBO Co thus becoming the leading medical suppliers in US.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Currently, McKesson is ranked 14 with over $106.6 billion yearly revenue (International Directory of Company Histories, 1988). McKesson has gone global with branches in Ecuador, Italy, Lebanon Netherland, Taiwan and Thailand (International Directory of Company Histories, 1988). McKesson Strategic Challenges Besides its success story, McKesson has some underlying strategic challenges, which inhibit it from exploiting its full potential. The most intriguing challenge is lack of clear framework to cope with complexity of global operations. Secondly, the firm lacks capability to handle hi-tech human networks. Thirdly, technology in the pharmaceutical industry is always changing and the company has to keep abreast. Fourthly, as the firm spreads its wings, the challenge of meeting international clients’ needs satisfactorily arises. Looking at the array of challenges, unless something is done to avert the effects of the challenges McKesson will find it difficult to contest in the global market. However, to understa nd how well McKesson can respond to the challenges, an analysis of the pharmaceutical industry is vital. PESTEL Analysis A PESTEL analysis comes in handy when looking at the macro factors affecting an organization. PESTEL is an Acronym for Political, Environmental, Social, Technological, and Economic and Legal forces. Therefore, a PESTEL analysis consists in looking into the effects of each of the factors on the operations of an organization. Political Factors McKesson being a US based firm, it enjoys a stable political environment based on democratic foundations or principles. However, having internationalized, success is dependent on how the firm negotiates through murky international political waters. For McKesson to enjoy continued prosperity it has to adhere to each specific government in host country’s policy and rules. Since McKesson is an international firm it is important to evaluate the tax policy assumed by the government, Labor law, trade restrictions and other ta riffs. In addition, McKesson has to respond and always prepare to either ride on or guard against negative effects of bilateral political decisions in the international arena.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on McKesson Global Strategy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Economic Factors Economic factors that affect firms are closely linked to the natures and trends policies adopted by governments. Economical factors, which influence the operations McKesson, include the economic growth rate of nations, interest rates and price fluctuations. Although the US is an economic powerhouse, global economic changes and financial crisis have not spared it and their effects have been devastating. The other factor that has shaped the operation of the corporation is the fluctuating exchange rates and the tax rates imposed by various countries (Gillespie, 2007, p.12). Consequently, the management of McKesson is monitoring the chan ges in the cost of factors of production such as labor and raw materials. Depending on the changes, the Corporation may decide to outsource some raw materials from countries with low cost of production to gain low cost leadership. Social Factors McKesson enjoys the benefits of diverse cultural base that makes up the US. The cultural diversity in the uses provides an edge or benefits to the company in its endeavor to appeal to the global market. Bearing in mind that all individuals are susceptible to illness, McKesson boasts of ready market for its product in US and across the boundaries. The indiscriminating need for pharmaceutical products across cultures and social cohorts enables the corporation to reap steady revenues across various age groups and diverse markets niches. The demand for pharmaceutical products is price inelastic and therefore the firm profit margins are not affected by changes in prices. In fact, price increase for drugs means that the revenue generated by the co mpany increases, the same is the case when epidemics outbreaks occur because sale volumes increase. Best et al (2005, p.5) stresses the importance of evaluating demographic trends to regulate the firms production levels to gratify the market demand. Technological factors Technology is one of the major factors affecting the diversification and the scope of a firm’s prosperity. Embracing the right technology strategically arms the firm with the suitable tools for international competition. McKesson use technology to produce superior qualities compared to those of its competitors.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Williams Green (1997, p. 165) emphasizes the need for innovation and automation of its production and communication systems. While Best et al (2005, p.9) highlight the need for embracing telecommunication since it is indispensable for any global business. In addition, they emphasized the need for need for devising new product as well as new distribution mechanisms (Best et al, 2005, p.9). Managing hundreds of chain branches is a cumbersome task, but this problem has been contained by adoption of Management Information System (MIS) which gearshifts the operations of the vast firm. Furthermore, developing customer touch requires an efficient system, which facilitates a mutual interaction with its customers. McKesson has built an online query and customer desk to serve customers throughout the day (International Directory of Company Histories, 1988). This technology has also led to changes in advertisement strategies, many firms have resorted to the new media ads that are more influen tial and have a wider scope. Environmental factors Modern manufacturing are faced with various environmental regulation imposed by the government pertaining global warming and treatment of waste products. McKesson being a manufacturing firm is obligated to comply with environmental policies to reduce pollution and treatment of waste products (Choucri, 1995, p.221). As part of corporate social responsibility, McKesson ensures it complies with the international environmental regulations in an attempt to preserve clean and healthy environment. Failure to adhere to international standards may force the government force the firm to terminate operations (Choucri, 1995, p.221). However, McKesson enjoy less taxation for emission since its operation is associated with less chlorofluorocarbon that is a major cause of global warming. Legal Factors All corporations are governed by the Corporation Acts, which are designed to control the action of all business organization. Legal factors influenc e the corporation wage rates, age discrimination and laws controlling child labor (Choucri, 1995, p.224). The operations of McKesson are controlled by changes in laws controlling drug production and sales policies. Some drugs are prohibited from open shelf sales and therefore new distribution methods are devised such as agency and opening pharmacies. The competition law influences the operation of large corporations from exploiting small firms because of their monopolistic influences (Lamb, 2009, p.89). In addition, all corporations are obliged to act in accordance with consumer laws. Consumer laws protects consumer from unwarranted acts of the corporation such as hoarding, production of counterfeit products and deceptive descriptions of the commodities (Lamb, 2009, p.89). McKesson management looks into it that all legal factors are held fast to avoid any collision with the government law enforcers. Current External Environment McKesson quest to embrace an international image has ex posed the firm to a new environment with diverse challenges. However, the universality of its products provides an amble penetration into new market niches. Similarly, epidemics transcend geographical boundaries making it possible for a single drug type to be applicable in many countries. Nevertheless, spreading out to a wide region exposes the firm to new competitive forces. International environment is an arena for the best players in the sector, such solid competition calls for production of superior products and taking up the modern technology. Giber (2009, p.175) echoes that the prevailing challenges have forced the management to embark on educating the firms staff to exercise professionalism towards peak performance. McKesson offers a broad range of services and assistance to enhance realization of customers’ uttermost utility (International Directory of Company Histories, 1988). An in-depth drug knowledge and intense awareness of the hospital practices as well as opera tion flow present McKesson with a unique tool for international competition. The nature of the competition has strategically fueled the firm’s ambition to become the best and to streamline operation and management. Currently, the organization has decentralized some operations, for example, marketing and production have been distributed to various countries while activities like finance controls, and technological planning and strategic arrangement are centralized at the headquarters (Giber, 2009, p.174). Porter’s Five Forces Model McKesson has adopted a sustainable international strategy, which is aimed at competing effectively in the market with other pharmaceutical players. The sustainability of the firm’s strategy is best understood in the context of Porter’s Five Forces Model. Threat of New Entrants The pharmaceutical sector is one of the economic sectors with a high rate of turnover. The stable demand for pharmaceuticals and the emergence of new dise ases has attracted many players into the sector. McKesson faces stiff competition from new entrants into the sector both from within the US and international market despite being Multinational Corporation. Pharmaceutical industries have no barriers of entry or exit. Considering a relative low cost of entrance, potential firms find it easier to construct a drug-producing firm than launching hard mechanical engineering plant. Most governments have liberalized the pharmaceutical industry so long as firms’ comply with the health standards and international drug standards put in place. In international market, McKesson struggles to overwhelm the locally established brands in their local markets. Although, McKesson boasts of economies of scales in production, many new entrants in the industry enjoy local loyalty. To surmount the ever-increasing competition, McKesson reacts by staging price wars because it enjoys economies of scale. The other alternative that has favored McKesson is its established brand name thanks to its rich historical background and its ability to develop proprietary competitive advantage (Henry, 2008, p.70). The power of Buyers Gillespie (2007, p.11) points out that consumers’ bargaining power is a pivotal tool that acts against the objective of the firm to maximize profits. Consumer bargaining powers’ reduces prices and consequently the profit margins of every firm; existence of large-scale buyers dictates prices because firms rely heaving on their purchases. However, McKesson pools various categories of customers, large-scale buyers and small-scale consumers. Inability of McKesson to lock-in its customers has adversely affected the firm’s profit margins as customers switch to new drug suppliers. However, the firm’s knowledge Information officers are devising mechanisms to retain customer loyalty by trying to lock-in their customers. The other way that McKesson is winning customer trust is through investing in research, which has resulted to generation of superior products and better customer relationship. Ireland et al (2007, p.96) suggest that proper differentiation can solve the challenge presented because it makes customers less sensitive to prices and promotes their loyalty. The Power of Suppliers Just like the corporations, suppliers’ aims at maximizing profits. To achieve their inherent goals, suppliers bargains for higher prices for their supplies hence reducing the firm’s profit margins. Henry (2008, p.79) portrays the ability of the supplier to switch from one buyer to the other increase their bargaining power forcing buyers to comply with their terms and conditions. Such a move reduces increases the firms’ production costs hence reducing the profits margin (Gillespie, 2007, p.11). To cope with suppliers pressure McKesson relies with a wide range of supplies thus reducing the power of suppliers. Furthermore, the company’s financial ability has made i t possible to engage in mergers both horizontally and vertically. The other stronghold of McKesson is because it has diversified its scope by opening international braches, which acts as reliable pool for cheap supplies. With all its underlying potential and watertight management system, McKesson has a promising future because it will overcome current challenges. Competition from existing Firms The greatest challenge that faces McKesson is stiff completion from established multinationals firms such as Owens Minor Inc New, Cardinal Health Inc, AmerisourceBergen Corp and other foreign firms such as GlaxoSmithscline Inc (International Directory of Company Histories, 1988). The state of competition is heightened by their financial abilities and in-depth research that they practice. The other area of rivalry is their ability to adopt the latest state-of-the art for their production and management systems. Mergers and acquisition is also another area of interest to the existing multinati onals firms, each firm cherish in diversification in order to diminish risk. On top of this, McKesson is concentrating in development of superior quality and designing a reliable customer service link to enhance brand royalty. Substitute threat Pharmaceutical industry faces a great deal of challenge from the substitute products. Many people prefer using food supplements at the expense of medicines because of their associated side effects. In developing countries, people prefer using traditional medicines, which comprises of herbs and roots or other locally produced drugs. High prices of pharmaceutical products discourages many little income earners this compels them to seek for alternative medication services (Floyd, 1997, p.97). However, pharmaceutical sectors have few substitutes therefore this is good news for the McKesson Corporation. Besides there being few the few substitutes, this is no reason to undermine their impact on shaping the economy; hence, McKesson needs to ensure t hat it produces some low priced drugs to target the poor and the middle class consumers. Generic Strategies The three generic strategies that McKesson can employ to its advantage are segmentation strategy, differentiation strategy and cost leadership. Wright et al (1990, p.21) suggest that combination of more than one of these strategies is more successful. Nonetheless, they admit that it is more cumbersome to integrate them. Market segmentation According each firm in an attractive industry often is faced with stiff completion and as a result, there is need to carry out a market research, which is aimed at obtaining requirements of the market. Market segmentation helps the firm to produce consumer tailored products. Apart from meeting the consumer test and preferences the organization stand a better chance of understanding the best method of carrying out market promotion. McKesson has done market segmentation for its products; a separate distribution channel, to ensure competence, s erves each market niche. This criterion has proved to be very successful for the McKesson especially while entering into a new market. In 2008, McKesson carried out a market survey to analyze the local market condition to determine the potential and ways of satisfying consumer needs (Scott, 2009). A successful market differentiation does not only guarantee smooth entry but also help to discern the logistics most appropriate for the firm. Cost Leadership Stiff competition prevailing in international market has yielded to the price wars. Each firms struggle to assume market leadership by increasing the number of customers and developing the corporation brand name. Besides price being a traditional strategic tool, its relevance in modern business operation is still significant. However, the applicability of this strategy is increasingly becoming insignificant because of high production costs (Ireland et al, 2007, p.100). McKesson still use price leadership as part of its competitive to ol. This has been successful because the firm is able to acquire cheaper raw material by merging or absorbing the Suppliers. The other factor that has made this possible is the ability to transfer labor from one country to the other. Wage rates in England are six times that of Brazil and ten times the wage rate of India. By mobilizing labor mobility, McKesson ensure low cost leadership and overall command in the pharmaceutical industry. Product Differentiation Wright, et al (1990, p.23) stress the significance of differentiating products especially in segments which are less price-sensitive. The market characterized by distinct customer needs, which are easily satisfied if organizations produce goods that respond directly to the diversity. McKesson has weaved product differentiation as a key grand strategy that delivers its competitive edge. Differentiation is successful tool because the intellectual property rights such as patents protect it. However, some competitors come up with closely related products, which mean consumers are cheated into purchasing the counterfeit products. It is worth noting that product differentiation is an expensive venture, the high cost and time involved discourages firms from doing it. Urgent issues to be addressed Due to the stiff competition facing the McKesson Corporation, the management should be zealous to cope with it. There are many issues hindering realization of its full potential. However, McKesson is obliged to focus on the following issues: Global market has complicated the operation of the Multinational Corporations such as the McKesson. This being the case, the firm should embrace the multifaceted global challenges and their impeding circumstances. McKesson has no option but to face the challenges in global market head on. The other intriguing challenge that hinders the smooth expansion of McKesson in global market is the complex political systems presented in foreign countries. Barriers of entry have remained issue s that need careful negotiation as well as conforming to the state rules that govern firms. Moreover, it is important McKesson to strike a balance between international bureaucracy and commodity product. Not only is competition becoming stronger for all corporations, but the scope of the competition is also changing with time. Competition is shaping up every time and firms have no option other than delivering superior products that adds consumer utility. The key success factor for excelling in international markets is knowledge accumulation and operation. For McKesson to assume market leadership it should use information acquired for its advantage. Although, McKesson is doing relatively well internationally, still much is expected to be done in order to cement its place as a Pharmaceutical powerhouse. Both technology and telecommunication are rapidly restructuring the competition, and influences the conduct and decisions about the operations of the firm. With adequate information sy stem, the McKesson stands a better chance of coping with the ever-emerging challenges. Designing the Information system should be all-inclusive, covering management, product and competitive strategy. A clearly structured information system harbors a vital success principle for McKesson international. Strategic Recommendation There are issues that the management at the firm has to consider in order to guarantee a great future. Considering the fast changing environment within which it operates, I recommend that McKesson should be vigilant and relentless in carrying out research to develop not only superior quality products but also add value to consumer service. The pharmaceuticals industry is technology driven. Technology is dynamic and very important when it comes to shaping up the competition, therefore McKesson should adopt new technology and discard obsolete one. In line with its internationalization strategy, McKesson should also embrace resource mobility in order to cut down pr oduction to augment low cost leadership. Further, the international market is more dynamic. Therefore, the management should benchmark their strategy to counteract the action by its main competitors in the sector. Moreover, to deal with local players and thus contain stiff competition prevailing in the market, McKesson’s management should embark on strengthening its brand name giving the firm a global outlook. Conclusion McKesson Corporation boasts of a rich history in the pharmaceutical industry and is currently ranked 14th in the Fortune list. Regardless of its prestigious position in global market, McKesson should earnestly act in response to the challenges presented by the global scope. The dynamic nature of the technology is worth paying attention to, to avoid losing its command in the market. Additionally, given the firm serves a global market, the significance of having reliable information system to control the operation of the firm cannot be overlooked. To maintain h igh levels of success, McKesson must develop organic processes that persistently evolve with the changing realities of the competitive modern. Unless the organization evolves as the world order changes, failure is imminent. References Best, N., Dalton, C., Walter, A., 2005. Integrated Management. Butterworth-Heinemann Publisher: Burlington. Choucri, N., 1995. Global Accord Environmental Challenges and International Responses. MIT Press: Massachusetts. Floyd, C., 1997. Managing technology for corporate success. Gower Publishing Ltd: Hampshire. Giber, D., 2009. Linkage Inc’s Best Practices in Leadership Development Handbook: Case Studies Instruments Training. Wiley Publisher: San Francisco. Gillespie, A., 2007. Foundations of Economics. Oxford University Press: New York. Henry, A., 2008. Understanding Strategic Management. Oxford University Press: New York. International Directory of Company Histories, 1988. McKesson Corporation. St. James Press. Web. Ireland, D., Hoskisson, R ., E., Hitt, M., A., 2008. Understanding Business Strategy: Concepts and Case. Cengage Learning: Press, Ohio. Lamb, C., W., Hair, J., F., McDaniel, C., 2009. Essentials of Marketing. Cengage Learning Press: Boulevard. Scott, A., 2009. Drug Topics. The News Magazine for Pharmacists. Web. Williams, T., Green, A., 1997. The Business Approach to Training. Cambridge University Press: Chester. Wright, P., Kroll, M., Kedia, B., and Pringle, C., 1990. Strategic Profiles, Market Share, and Business Performance. Industrial Management. Praeger Publisher: New Jersey. This report on McKesson Global Strategy was written and submitted by user Leonel Daniels to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Content Marketing for Local SEO How to Easily Leverage It the Right Way

Content Marketing for Local SEO How to Easily Leverage It the Right Way People search for local businesses every day. They use relevant keywords with specific location names to find businesses close to them. In fact, Google has found that 76% of smartphone local searches end up with a store visit. If you want to bring people to your business, you need to try to attract local searchers. You need to get ahead of your competitors  and make sure people find your business when they conduct a related local search. Which means you need to increase the visibility of your website in local search results. That’s where local SEO enters the picture. How to Easily Leverage Your Content Marketing for Local SEOApply What You Learn: Download Six Free Content + SEO Templates Creating great content that ranks for local searches is a lot easier when you have the right tools. Put the advice in this post into practice with this Local SEO Content Template Bundle, which includes: Local SEO Bonus Guide to walk you through the basics of local search engine optimization. An on-page SEO checklist to make sure every piece of content you publish is properly optimized. An SEO Content Strategy Template to build a complete end-to-end content strategy with SEO at its core. A Latent Semantic Indexing Infographic explaining how secondary keywords impact SEO. A Guest Blogging Target Spreadsheet Template to store important details for local sites and publications in your area who might publish your content. An Email Pitch Template to help you write great guest blog post pitches that editors will want to read (so your local-optimized content will get published). What is Local SEO? Local SEO is similar to organic search engine optimization, except that it focuses on improving a website’s ranking in local search results. Compared to traditional SEO, local search engine optimization can be much more challenging. But if you want to promote your business to local customers, at the exact moment they're looking for your products or services, you need to improve your local search ranking. Recommended Reading: How to Boost Traffic With 34 Important SEO Tips You Need to Know (+ Free Kit) How to Improve Your Local Search Ranking with Content Marketing The good news is that you can improve your local search ranking by making a few changes to your existing content marketing strategy. This post will show you five ways to optimize your content marketing for local SEO. 1. Submit Guest Posts Publish Content on Local Websites Your current content marketing strategy probably already includes creating blog content for your website. Blogging is an excellent way to enrich your site, and engage visitors. For both standard and local SEO, you need to branch out a bit and start publishing content on other websites. Guest posts can help you showcase your expertise, and earn valuable backlinks. Extensive research conducted by Local SEO Guide found that link signals play a major role in local search ranking. Guest blogging is one of the best ways to build local links, and market your content. It can also help you drive traffic to your site, and attract potential customers. The challenging part is finding local websites that accept guest posts. To do so, you need to use a few keyword combinations – location name + website + write for us/guest post/submit a guest post. Replace â€Å"location name† with your city or state. For example, let’s try to find Sacramento-based sites that accept guest posts. First, we will search for, â€Å"Sacramento website write for us.† As you can see in the screenshot below, there are several local websites that offer guest posting opportunities in Sacramento. Next, search for your location + website + guest post. Then your location + website + submit a guest post. Also try different search terms for your location, if appropriate. Such as your region, county, or nearby cities. For example, if you are in San Jose, you could also try, "Palo Alto," "Silicon Valley," "Santa Clara," or "Cupertino." Make a list of potential websites to write for in your target location. Then visit each site to check out their guest post guidelines, as well as the type of content they publish. Determine which sites cater to the kind of audience you’re targeting. For example, let’s check out the first website from the earlier search results, Sacramento Press, to find out what type of content they publish. As you can see in the screenshot above Sacramento Press publishes content related to â€Å"Things to Do,† â€Å"Food Drink,† and â€Å"Spotlights† in the Sacramento area. This site may be a good place to submit a guest post about a local restaurant, attraction, or event. Recommended Reading: How to Write a Pitch Email That Will Get Your Guest Post Accepted In addition to guest posting, there are other ways you can earn valuable links from high authority local sites. Some websites provide backlinking opportunities to local businesses by creating a local resource list, or by highlighting local deals. For example, let’s search for prominent Sacramento news websites by searching for, â€Å"Sacramento news.† As you can see in the screenshot above, publications like The Sacramento Bee and KCRA Sacramento are among the top results. If you check out some of these publications, you might be able to find an opportunity to earn links to your site. Let’s check out The Sacramento Bee for example. If you go through the website’s menu, you’ll find â€Å"Local Deals† towards the bottom. This suggests that the website gives local businesses the opportunity to list their deals, and earn links to their sites. 2. Find Relevant, Local Keywords You already know the importance of keywords for search engine optimization. Keywords are crucial for local SEO as well, and should be used to enrich and optimize your content. Keywords are crucial for local SEO and should be used to enrich and optimize your content.Whether you’re publishing a blog post on your site, rewriting your site content, or submitting a guest post; using the right keywords can help you attract local searchers. The best keywords are those that are relevant to your business, and have high search volumes in your target location. Add your location keyword to those business-specific keywords, and use that combination to optimize your content. In order to find the best keywords, you can use tools like the Google Keyword Planner. Before you use this tool, you will need to set up your AdWords account. Once your account is setup, go to the homepage, and click on â€Å"Tools† at the top of the page. Then select the â€Å"Keyword Planner,† as shown in the screenshot below. When you get to the Keyword Planner page, select â€Å"Search for new keywords using a phrase, website or category.† Then begin your keyword research using phrases related to your business. As shown in the screenshot below, you will see fields to enter a relevant phrase, your landing page, and your product category. You can also select your target location. Let’s search for keywords related to, â€Å"car dealership,† and keep the target location as San Francisco. This will bring up a long list of potential keywords. The goal is to make a list of keywords with high average monthly searches, and low competition. You can then combine them with your city/location, and use them to optimize your content for local search. For example, â€Å"car dealer in San Francisco,† or â€Å"San Francisco car dealer.† 3. Write Local Content Now that you have a list of the best keywords to use, it’s time to infuse them into your website content for better local search ranking. It’s not enough to simply use these keywords in your page content. Make the most of them by writing local content posts for your blog. You can compile local â€Å"Top 10,† and â€Å"Best Of† lists that are related to your industry or niche. Or you can write useful how-to articles or guides relevant to your industry, and target location. This will help you attract a relevant local audience. For example, if you own a car dealership in San Francisco, you can write a list of the best cars to drive in San Francisco, or the best car washes in San Francisco. You could also write an article with tips for San Francisco car owners, with location-specific advice, such as traffic-related or maintenance-related tips. Cowden Automotive, for example, writes useful car care and maintenance tips for local customers. Their service area includes San Francisco, Oakland, and San Mateo, as well as the surrounding areas. As you can see in the screenshot below, they provide readers with tire care tips, and mentioned their service areas in the blog post. 4. Cross-Promote on Social Media Platforms According to Statista, the number of worldwide social media users will increase from 2.34 billion in 2016 to 2.51 billion in 2017. With those kinds of numbers, it’s highly likely that many of your target consumers are already using social media. If you’re not already doing so, it’s time to start promoting your blog posts and guest posts on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Social media can be a great way to engage your followers, and drive traffic to your website. To further engage local audiences, and grow your follower base, join relevant local groups on social media platforms. Then share your location-specific content in those groups. You can also reach out to relevant, local Facebook pages for help promoting your content. Recommended Reading: 30 Social Media Engagement Tactics That Will Boost Shares and Conversions Let’s say you’re a restaurateur, or your business is related to the food industry, and you’re based in San Francisco. You can write a blog post that lists the best places to get fresh organic ingredients locally. To find relevant groups and pages on Facebook, search for, â€Å"San Francisco food.† You can then sort the search results for â€Å"Pages† or â€Å"Groups.† For public Facebook groups, all you have to do is join. For closed groups, you will have to ask to join, or be added by a member. For Facebook pages, you will need to contact the page owners, and request that they share your content. To contact page owners, and admins for Facebook pages, go to their page. As shown in the screenshot below, you will see an option to â€Å"Message† the page. Send them a short, friendly message with a description of your content, and why you think it would be useful or interesting to their fans. Then politely ask them to share it on their page. Similarly, you can also join relevant LinkedIn groups to promote your content. Just select â€Å"Groups† from the drop-down menu in the search bar, as shown in the screenshot below. In the search bar, enter a relevant search term with the location name to specifically target local audiences. Let’s say you’re a lawyer in San Francisco, and your firm represents businesses and corporations. You can write blog posts with useful tips and advice related to business law. To find a LinkedIn group where local business owners network, use search terms like, â€Å"San Francisco business,† or â€Å"San Francisco entrepreneur.† 5. Participate In, and Write About, Local Activities In the first point, we covered the important role backlinks from local websites play in your local search ranking. And you learned how to build your local link profile through guest posting. Another way to earn local backlinks is to get involved in the community. Participate in local events, charity drives, or awards. You may be able to get a backlink from the official website of the organization or event. If being a participant isn’t your cup of tea, you can also earn links by sponsoring local events, clubs, sports teams, and organizations. For example, the Sacramento Speakers Series has an entire page dedicated to their official sponsors, as shown in the screenshot below: Your participation or sponsorship may be considered newsworthy by local publications, which means you could earn more links from local news sites. Not only will getting involved in the community help you improve your local link profile, it can also help you build your brand’s reputation. According to Search Engine Journal, your real-world prominence can affect your local search rank as well. Real-world prominence can affect your local search rank.Participating in a local event isn’t just great for earning backlinks or boosting your reputation. It also gives you an opportunity to enrich your blog with local content. You can write a post about the event, and your experience or involvement, and publish it on your blog. If possible, include photos and/or videos from the event in your post to optimize engagement. Recommended Reading: How to Increase Visibility With Social Media Optimization Now, Optimize Your Content for Local Search You’ve now learned some of the most effective ways to leverage your content marketing for local SEO. The most important goal is to build backlinks from high-authority local websites and publications. Local links not only help drive traffic to your site  and improve your page authority, they can also help you build a good brand reputation. Another important goal is to enrich your website with high-quality local content to attract and engage a local audience. Make sure that you optimize all of your website content, blog posts, and guest posts with location-specific keywords. With the local SEO tips and strategies above, all that’s left to do is for you to get to work on boosting your local search ranking. Which of these tips will you try out first? Do you have any additional advice for using content marketing for local SEO? Share your thoughts in the comments below. And if you have any questions related to local search ranking, or the local SEO tips above, feel free to ask them in the comments section, or to reach out to me personally.

Top 5 Freelance Mistakes To Avoid

Top 5 Freelance Mistakes To Avoid Top 5 Freelance Mistakes To Avoid Top 5 Freelance Mistakes To Avoid By Colin The road of freelance writing is fraught with pot-holes, sharp bends, and hidden horizons, so it pays to know a few of the mistakes in advance to help make the journey go that little bit smoother. It’s easy to make mistakes when working as a self-employed person, and even the smallest error may have a mis-proportionally negative affect on your business. Here we look at the costliest top 5 mistakes most often made by freelancers monetary and business and the easy ways to prevent them from harming your business. Accepting The Lowest Offer It’s very easy, especially when first starting out on the freelance road, to accept lower paying assignments just to get a foot in the door. It’s part of the bottom-up learning curve, and something everyone has to work through to get to the top. However, many writers are willing to settle far too easily, both for cheap writing gigs, and for poor standards of work. You get what you pay for in this business like any other, so not only will your reputation go down the drain, but you will end up working every hour that God sends for a pittance. Knowing when to move on from a market is an important part of freelancing, but it must be conquered it you are to grow to higher paying markets, higher levels of professionalism, and a better standard of living. Always strive to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, and if that means thanking the editor of a reliable but poorly paid source of work, while ending your agreement with him, then that’s what must be done. As you do move up the ranks, use your experience and confidence to ask for more money. Create a rate card and stick to it no matter what. This is hard to do initially because you will be afraid potential clients will walk, but when was the last time you challenged a plumber or electrician about their prices? Yes, they are expensive, but they are also the experts. Remind clients they get what they pay for, that you are the expert, and show them the benefits you provide. Not Doing The Research Don’t let ignorance of a subject put you off writing about it. Clients appreciate a willingness to learn and grow with them, and it opens you up to more market opportunities in the future. When you do take on an assignment for a subject you know little about, always makes sure to do your research properly. Don’t assume because you have read the relevant page on Wikipedia you are suddenly an expert. A good freelance writer will check all sources, read up and study from various portals, talk to the people who do have the knowledge, and cross-check everything. Submitting an assignment with one or two errors in a new subject is forgivable, but handing in work that is riddled with inaccuracies and falsehoods will lose you a client, and your good reputation. Finally, when querying an editor, don’t wait for him to call you or respond with a ‘yes’ before you begin your research, as you will look foolish when you can’t answer his questions. Do your research before you send your query, that way when the editor gets in touch, you will look professional because you are professional. Missing Deadlines Missing a deadline is like taking a sledgehammer to your own reputation. Why go to the trouble, time, and expense to land a project, only for the submission date to come and go? It’s unprofessional, a mark of disrespect to your client, and suicidal. No editor wants to work with writers who are unreliable. When you receive an assignment with a deadline, set your own personal deadline a few days before and stick to it. That way you can buy extra time should you need it, and if not, your client will be delighted you have exceeded his expectations. Getting assignments in early means your chance of getting more work with the same client increase ten fold, and shows you are willing to work for an editor, not against him. But if for some reason you are struggling, talk to your client, be up front, and be honest. He is more likely to appreciate your honesty in advance, than be glad you missed the deadline without so much as an email. Taking Editors For Granted Trust is vital in the freelancing game; it can take one solid initial assignment to start it growing positively, but can be easily destroyed by one careless article or email to the editor. Never email an editor more than you have to, but never be scared to ask questions either. It sounds like a catch 22, but the truth is, editors appreciate honesty and communication. They are busy people with more than just you on their mind, but if you have a problem or need clarification, then ask in a short, polite, and to the point email. Just don’t keep thanking them or asking how their personal life is. Similarly, keep editors, publishers, or anyone else involved with the running of your freelance business off your joke emailing lists. Keep that sort of thing within your circle of friends, and don’t let the latest funny picture of a Himalayan goat ruin your freelance reputation. Your relationship with an editor is a professional one, so act like a professional. Always remain calm, and if they have said or written something that offends you, take your anger out on an omelet and batter an egg instead. Not Following Up Never give an editor time to forget your name, and always strike when the iron is hot. Many successful business partnerships have been forged through the art of networking and self-promotion. If you’ve completed a successful assignment and been paid, send a hand-written thank you note or a personal e-mail to the editor, and remind them you are willing to develop the relationship should they wish to continue. Make them feel good about hiring you, and prove you are as good as your word. Maybe they can’t offer you more work immediately, but many projects have been won by a freelance writer through recommendations and word of mouth alone. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Freelance Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:60 Synonyms for â€Å"Walk†Connotations of 35 Words for Funny People45 Idioms with "Roll"

The Fundamental Causes of the Womens Movement Essay

The Fundamental Causes of the Womens Movement - Essay Example In the 1960s, the National Organization for Women fought the good fight to bring women's rights and equality for all to the forefront, while at the same time some women, like Phyllis Schlafly, were very vocal against feminism and women's movement. Nonetheless, reformers have made great strides towards equality in society today, both in the workplace and within the home. The proverbial "glass ceiling" that keeps women from substantial promotions in the workplace still exists, and there are definite strides to be made, however, as time passes and outdated ideals and beliefs are shattered, total equality for women may be just a short distance down the road. The women's rights movement began in the first half of the nineteenth century. From the emergence of the suffrage movement in the 1850's until women obtained the right to vote in 1920, suffrage became the primary goal of the women's rights movement. Suffrage included a set of grievances such as unequal wages, inequality at work, unsanitary working conditions, and limited job options. This movement also targeted the suffering of the non-working woman as well, such as married women's property rights and the suffrage of women overall. This led to the first women's rights convention held at Seneca Falls, New York in 1848 (Baker 24). An outspoken proponent of women's rights was Francis Wright who gained prominence within the women's movement in the late 1820's as a colorful, sensational speaker. She spoke out against slavery and also believed that marriage was a coercive institution and advocated replacing current laws on marriage with a non-legal bond called "generous attachment", based only on mutual respect and love and not regulated by any legal authority (24). Because she was a woman, her speeches were considered radical and improper and her detractors labeled her a "Red Harlot" along with any other woman who followed her or attended her lectures (25). Frederick Douglas, a well-known reformer within the anti-slavery movement, was also a staunch supporter of women's rights, and as early as 1848 demanded the vote as an essential right of women (42). Furthermore, Susan B. Anthony, an American civil rights leader, played a pivotal role and wrote often about the women's suffrage movement. In her writings, many t imes she equated the women's movement with the anti-slavery movement. She stated: the 'Woman Suffrage Movement,' was the Anti-Slavery struggle (31) Anthony was also a paid agent of the American Anti-Slavery Society as well as a suffragist (42). In 1875, a major court case, Minor v. Happersett, arose out of the quest to vote by a woman named Virginia Minor. She attempted to cast her vote in St. Louis and the registrar, Happersett, refused to permit her to do so. Minor was the president of the Woman's Suffrage Association of Missouri and her husband was a prominent attorney. They sued the registrar for denying her what they believed was her privilege and immunity of citizenship. The court in Minor v. Happersett decided against her and Minor appealed her case to the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled that if the founders wanted to include suffrage in the constitution, it would have been explicitly stated. The Court refused to interpret the constitution any other way and decided that

The Perception of Nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Perception of Nursing - Essay Example The term ‘leadership’ is usually described as the procedure of stimulating or motivating a collection of people in order to act accordingly for the purpose of accomplishing a common target. An effective leader is viewed to be an inspiration as well as the director of different activities which leads, influences, guides and commands people by a considerable level. The important features of a successful leader entail possessing the competence of building effectual communication proficiencies, quick problem-solving, making valuable decisions consistently and appropriately. It has been apparent from the fact that the aspect of leadership is deemed to be a vital management function which helps to maximize the individual competencies as well as probabilities in relation to the attainment of the expected organizational objectives (Northouse, 2009). The notion of nursing leadership refers to those activities which are performed by a nurse practitioner in order to provide a standard level of patient care. The leadership skills of a nurse practitioner includes making valuable decisions, resolving any sort of conflicts within the team members or multidisciplinary colleagues, acting with increasing integrity and maintaining a strong collaboration with every working member. In relation to the principles of a successful leader, the facet of ‘nursing leadership’ entails the practice of interpersonal as well as communication skills in order to manipulate different members with the intention of attaining a specific objective (Frankel, 2008). The meaning of the general term ‘applicability’ is relevant or appropriate to anything that may be applied in order to acquire an optimistic response. Moreover, it can be described as a deliberate act of applying any kind of a practical application for a specific reason or use (Riviere, 2011). ). For instance, in relation to this discussion, the applicability of nursing leadership with regard to the effectiveness of the patient as well as staff outcomes in modern clinical practices has been portrayed. Conversely, the notion of ‘effectiveness’ is principally described as the capacity of delivering or ensuring an effect in order to attain a predetermined purpose. Additionally, it is also defined as the extent towards which the different objectives are accomplished and the degree towards which the targeted problems are being solved in an efficient manner (Waldt, 2004). The importance of nursing leadership in relation to patients relies on the fact that the nur sing leaders play an imperative part in serving different patients with utmost personal care along with shaping the profession of nursing in order to become more responsive in today’s changing healthcare systems. The nursing leaders usually

How Gazda Cars and Bomino Printing approach the management of their activities Essay Example for Free

How Gazda Cars and Bomino Printing approach the management of their activities Essay Advantages * Its Organised * Their pay is related to their performance, which will motivate them perform better. * Work is carried out in controlled environment. * Its seen as social which motivates workers. * Managers convey moral elite, trustworthy, broadly motivated to organise influence others. * Employees have more control of their work (live to work). * Take interesting staff giving feeling of involvement, security job satisfaction, related to high achievement Disadvantages * Scientific approach used (work to live). * Communication between workers is bad. Not approachable, no influence. * Managers defined as rational economic, primarily motivated by just money. * Being too nice to staff makes managers look weak. Managers need that power so everything is in control. * Staff can abuse their manager if their needs are not fulfilled, e.g., they can strike. People can respond to many different types of management strategies, but there is no single strategy that will work for all everyone all the time. Therefore, Gazda Cars should refer to Fielders Contingency Approach to management. This theory supports the view of the complex man- i.e. the motives that man has which changes over time and in different situations, can be seen as personal hierarchy. It defines situational favourability, or the ease of influencing followers as the combination of situational factors: leader-member relations, task structure, and position power. Fielder argued that leadership style was innate and that the above three situational factors determined whether task or relations oriented leadership was more appropriate. The main ideas about Contingency Theory are: 1. There is no universal or one best way to manage 2. The design of an organisations and its subsystems must fit with the environment 3. Effective organisations not only have a proper fit with the environment but also between its subsystems and 4. The needs of an organisation are better satisfied when it is properly designed and the management style is appropriate both to the tasks undertaken and the nature of the work group. The contingency approach opens the door for the possibility that leadership could be different in every situation (Saal and Knight, 1988). It provides a more realistic view of leadership by allowing for complexity and situational specificity of overall effectiveness. As organisations today are faced with continuing changes in technology, environment conditions, and internal processes, this approach can offer a more sophisticated understanding of the leadership process and emphasise the idea of flexible, adaptive leadership that may contribute to the success of a company. However, the various models in contingency theory have been criticised largely for the difficulty in testing the contingency variables selected since variables may affect each other or be influenced by a leader. The complexity of situational factors and various combinations of task and subordinate characteristics makes a single comprehensive test of the model impossible (Wagner and Hollenbeck, 1992). As it is entirely possible that different leaders in the same situation may reach different conclusions about the situation, which may in turn cause them to take very different actions, the practical use of this theory in business is quite limited. Gazdas Mechanistic Structure Bominos Organic Structure Operates in a competitive fast changing environment but is not seen as exiting or fun. They are separate departments for production, sales, marketing, research and development, data processing, accounts and human resource management. Each member has their own specific role. Obedience to superiors and loyalty to the organisation are assisted upon. This structure is old fashioned. The communication usually comes in the form of instructions decisions issued by superiors and the performance feed back requests for decisions sent from subordinates. Work is carried in a controlled environment. Control authority relationships are structured in a vertical hierarchy. Operates in a highly complex environment. Tasks are highly specialised. Employees are not clear on how their tasks contribute to accomplishing organisational objectives. Distributes inkjet laser printing systems, which is a fast moving product, economically productive. Department are separated for all the main business functions. General roles are defined for each member. Authority relationships control are structured in a network rather than a hierarchy. This approach is to do with being nice to staff. Commitment to organisational goals is recommended more then loyalty or obedience. Teams are set up to work on new product development. Tasks are modified often redefined by means mutual adjustment among task holders. Workers have a variety of tasks which are broad and independent. Relation of task performance to attainment of organisational objectives is emphasised. Gazdas Role culture Bominos Task culture There are usually job descriptions, rules procedures to govern behaviour as well as procedures for all activities. Pay is related to performance. A role culture is one which emphasises conformity to expectations. As Harrisons theory states, such organizations can be said to be rational instruments for the achievements of specific goals. People work most effectively efficiently when they have relatively, simple clearly defined, circumscribed measurable tasks. However the company operates in a highly complex fast changing environment. Here management is seen as completing a succession of projects or solving problems, often as a part of a team. It is project oriented, bringing together the right people. The staff get a feeling of involvement; security general job satisfaction are closely related to high achievement. Performance is judged by results. Job satisfaction tends to be high, to the degree of individual participating group identity. Though the current tall structure and Role culture at Gazda internally complement each other, one can question whether those are the most efficient with regards to the dynamic and highly competitive external environment. Role culture and tall structure is perfectly suited in a stable external environment but cannot maintain maximum productivity in an unpredictable and rapidly changing external environment. Such structures and cultures lack the flexibility to quickly adapt to external influences; it is commonly known that if one cannot adapt to ones external environment then one is in great danger of becoming extinct. It is important to identify the need for reorganisation culture, process and structure. If reorganisation can be justified than the most feasible and effective approach should be implemented to replace its predecessor. The structure at Gazda is a much closed system where information processing and co-operation are slow. It can be said communication is the way to success, hence in order to achieve maximum efficiency champion manufactures need to increase levels of cooperation and information processing to improve the internal environment. Maybe a more organic approach, being an open system which emphasis is placed in group actions; co-operation and team work should be integrated into the present structure and culture along with lateral relationships. The pre dominant advantages of integrating these two new elements are firstly, allowing direct contact between employees and those higher up the hierarchy, hence problems are addressed quicker and time is used efficiently both the current structure and culture will successfully take the business further. In contrast to a tall organisation, a flat organisation will have relatively few layers or just one layer of management. This means that the Chain of Command from top to bottom is short and the span of control is wide. Due to the small number of management layers, flat organisations are often small organisations similar to Bomino Printing. A task culture refers to a team based approach to complete a particular task. They are popular in todays modern business society where the organisation will establish particular project teams to complete a task to date. A task culture clearly offers some benefits. Employees feel motivated because they are empowered to make decisions within their team, they will also feel valued because they may have been selected within that team and given the responsibility to bring the task to a successful end. I say they are both related because the informal structure relates to a particular task carried out by particular groups of individuals working together this is of a similar nature to a task culture. Decision making at managerial levels is more efficient as fewer people need to be informed/included in this process. Thirdly, staff motivation is increased at higher levels of co-operation means employees are not constantly being given simple direct orders by managers. This has a boosting affect on morale and motivation. Last but not least with a free flow of information present, all departments can be encouraged to succumb to change, therefore enabling the organisation to respond to influential external factors. Bomino Printing should remain loyal to the present culture and structure because this will help them build and progress further in the future. Bibliography Human resource management Ian Beardwell and Len Holden Management James A.F Stoner (Fifth edition) Organisations and behaviour Patrick Corner Principles of scientific management Fredrick W. Taylor Web sites http://www.northstar.k12.ak.us/schools/ryn/projects/inventors/taylor/taylor.html http://www.business.com/directory/management/management_theory/contingency_and_system_theory/ http://www.uniqindex.co.za/maslows.htm

George Washington :: Essays Papers

George Washington The genetic disorder I was told to research was the Sickle Cell Disease. I will explain what mutation causes this disease, the characteristics of it, and what has developed in the area of gene therapy because of it. The Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited disease. The gene for hemogoblin-S (which causes the disease) is the most common inherited blood condition in America; although most people only inherit one copy of the gene for HbS, while the other gene, hemogoblin-A, is normal, and can override HbS, blocking the disease. These people have the HbS trait, but not the disease, therefore leading a normal life. For an offspring to acquire the disease, both parents must have the HbS gene, yet the child only has a 25% chance of having Sickle Cells. You cannot catch the disease, you are born with it and it is present for life. There are many complications and harmful effects as the result of the Sickle Cell Disease. The disease causes hemoglobin in the red blood cells, when it does not receive sufficient oxygen, to form into long, sickle shapes with a sticky, chemical surface. When blood cells are this form, they cannot go through the capillaries, blocking off both blood and oxygen. Fortunately only 20% of all red blood cells become Sickle Cells; t he sickle cells have a shorter life span; and most blood cells go through the capillaries before becoming sickle-shaped. The most painful effect known from Sickle Cell Disease are episodes of pain called Sickle Cell Crisis, where the body is in need of oxygen, either from physical activities or a sickle blood cell blocking blood passages that lead to organs. The first day is the worst, where devastating pain goes to the arm, leg, and back, along with the shortness of breath. The other symptoms of Sickle Cells include: strokes, increased infections, early gallstones, yellow discoloring of eyes and skin, low blood cell counts (anemia), and delayed growth. For the cause of the Sickle Cell Disease, there has been many research going on in the area of gene therapy. Labs around the world are trying to fix the basic genetic defect, by placing the correct amino acid in the hemogoblin before or shortly after birth. This method would result in the cure of the root of the problem. Currently researchers are finding a safe way to perform this method. To try

Centerville School Essay

Studies suggest that homework benefits Jr. High Students. However some schools have different beliefs. For example, Centerville School has decided to change its homework policy. Their new policy does not require students to do homework. I disagree with this new policy, for homework has many benefits such as building responsibility and disciplining students, keeping the parent’s involved with their kids’ education and it gives students more time to practice and absorb what they learnt in class. First of all, homework is a great resource for teaching responsibility and discipline to students. It encourages good work habits. With daily homework, students learn time management, an essential life skill. They realise that not all their free  time should be used for leisure. Some of it should be used otherwise, for their studies. It teaches them responsibility to complete work on time as they may lose marks if they don’t finish it. This keeps them organized. Another benefit of homework is that it keeps parents involved with their child’s education. Parents can’t be with their kids at school, therefore are excluded from many class projects and assignments. If the kids get homework, parents can follow their child’s curriculum throughout the year. It also enhances the communication between the child and parent because it gives them something to talk about. Parents can thus monitor their child’s progress in school. Finally, homework gives students more time to practice and absorb what they learnt in class. They have more time to improve and master the skills they learnt at school. Students need this extra time and if not given as homework, teachers will have to dedicate some class time for this. This loss of class time leads to other issues, like not completing their grade curriculum in time. The extra time devoted at home to school has a positive effect on a student’s study life. All in all, Centerville School has decided to alter their homework policy. The policy was to not give their students homework. Homework teaches kids responsibility and discipline, and it involves parents in their kid’s schooling. Also, it gives students more time to exercise and expand the skills they are learning in class. Homework has many benefits and I don’t think the homework policy in Centerville School should be changed.

Relationships between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

The play â€Å"Macbeth† by William Shakespeare is about cruelty, greediness, and desire of undeserved power. Actually, the main characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are both representative of the abovementioned qualities. Relationships between Macbeth and his wife are complex and tangled; moreover, they are changing over the play progress. Their relations play important role in the play as they aim at setting necessary atmosphere, creating moods, attitudes and feelings. It is seen that their relations aren’t perfect, though they stay with each other till the end: Macbeth: â€Å"We will proceed no further in this business: He hath honour'd me of late; and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon†.  Lady Macbeth: â€Å"Was the hope drunk wherein you dress'd yourself? Hath it slept since? And wakes it now, to look so green and pale at what it did so freely? From this time; such I account thy love. Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valor; Letting â€Å"I dare not† wait upon â€Å"I would,† Like the poor cat i' the adage?† (Act I, scene II) Apparent disagreement is seen in the family and it continues throughout the play. Lady Macbeth is horrifying in her ruthlessness and cruelty, whereas she calls her husband a coward when he decides not to kill Duncan stressing that his decision is final and shouldn’t be discussed any more. In contrast to Macbeth, his wife is decision and leads everything to the end. She always makes her mind and only then acts. Lady Macbeth is provided with the power of persuasion and we see that she is more powerful than her husband as she convinces Macbeth to kill Duncan and he agrees. So, relations of the couple are based mainly on Lady’s Macbeth will as she is natural leader, whereas he husband is simply executor. Macbeth is presented to listen to his wife in such a way admitting her leadership and intellectual superiority. Nevertheless, their relations are based also on the sense of openness and mutual trust. It is hardly believable that Lady Macbeth talks her husband into murdering a person and their relationships are worsening as the mood of love is replaced by hatred. Macbeth is timid and fearful failing to go on: Macbeth: â€Å"I'll go no more: I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on't again I dare not.† Lady Macbeth: â€Å"Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers: the sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures: 'tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil. If he does bleed, I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal, for it must seem their guilt†. (Act II, scene II) Nevertheless, their relations are on the peak only when Macbeth becomes a king and they are filled with joy and happiness. They are shown to free of guilt and full of love and desire of more power. They are happily discussing the number of guests from Scotland to be invited to the feast. Their relations are improving and now they are loving family rather than guilty murders. However, there are pure evil, despite they are wrapped up in a luxurious exterior. Premeditated murder is the first step into darkness and Macbeth and his wife have taken in without stopping. As far as they are free of guilt, they are agreeable and happy together. They are both presentation of masculinity in the play. They think if they are happy, their evil would turn around and â€Å"nip them in the butt†. Only after Macbeth experiences a tale of woe, his attitude towards wife is changing. It is evil which comes back and haunts him. Then Lady Macbeth is visited by Banguo, the ghost, who creates the feeling of discomfort and urgency to act: Macbeth: â€Å"Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that which might appall the devil?† Lady Macbeth: â€Å"O proper stuff! This is the very painting of your fear: This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said, led you to Duncan. O, these flaws, and starts, – Impostors to true fear,–would well become A woman's story at a winter's fire, Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself! Why do you make such faces? When all's done, you look but on a stool†. (Act III, scene IV) Lady Macbeth supports and defends her husband. When she sees that her husband is ready to reveal everything, she lies to honored guests protecting her secrets. She loves her husband and in her speech we see she is really downcast and uncomfortable, though she is still full of love. Together they are trying to fight against the sense of guilt, the rumors supporting and nourishing their love. There are shown as united and bonded couple and it may seem that evil is succeeding. It is necessary to outline that relationships between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are directly affecting their actions, decisions and behavior. In other words, they are interconnected not only by family ties, but also common secrets. Their relations are the block of the whole play. When they are getting into detailed conversation, they always find mutual decision, though it is not a good one. Macbeth loves his wife and his life is mutual; they always try to please each other. Sometimes they relations are on the peak, though sometimes they meet the flat line. Macbeth is obsessed with greediness and Lady Macbeth is overfilled with desire to make her husband a king. So, their mutual support results in catastrophe for the country of Scotland. In the end we see that Macbeth becomes obsessed with greediness more than his cruel and demon-infested wife. He even doesn’t talk to her making Lady Macbeth commit suicide. Even then the evil in Macbeth is flourishing and he simply doesn’t notice that his beloved woman has gone. Shakespeare shows that Macbeth is on his stairway to the hell collapsing the whole empire built by Duncan. Macbeth is left alone: soldiers and his trust companion abandon him. It seems that Macbeth should feel ashamed and guilty, though he is obsessed with evil. So, desire of power and money splits up their family relations. Evil and darkness appears to be more powerful than love and happiness. Works Cited Damrosch, David. Longman Anthology of World Literature. US: Longman, 2004. Greenblatt, Stephen. Renaissance Self Fashioning: From More to   Shakespeare. US: Chicago Press, 1984. Shakespeare, William. Plays and Poems. London: Spring books, 1966. Taylor, Edward. Literary Criticism of 17th Century England. London: Universe, 2000.               

Salvador Felipe Jacinto Dali essays

Salvador Felipe Jacinto Dali essays Salvador Felipe Jacinto Dali was born on May 11th, 1904. The palace of birth was a small town about an hour drive from Barcelona called Figueres. His Father was a prosperous notary, who also supplied his family with a summer home Cadaques. This summer home was also the place for Dalis first studio which his parents arranged for him. He found an interrest in art very early and decide to attend the San Fernando Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid. His success came fast. When he was only 24 three of his paintings, including the well know basket of bread, was shown at the Carnegie International Exhibition in Pittsburgh in 1928. That following year Dali joined the Paris surrealist group led by Andre Breton. The same year he held his first one man show in Paris. During the time in Paris he met, the wife of poet Paul Eluard, Gala. She became his sourse of inspiration and lover, she also handled his business. They later married with a civil ceremony. Dali had now become the leader of the surrea list group, but as the war came closer he was kicked out beacause of his political thoughts. Around 1940 Dali moved into a new phase in his carrier, now known as his classical period. He was now demonstrating a preoccupation with science and religon. World War II came and Dali took his beloved Gala and escaped to the United States. Here Dali got his first real exhibit in 1941. It took place at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This was fallowed bu his autobiography The Secret Life of Salvador Dali. As Dali moved away from Surrealism and into his classic period, he began his series of 18 large canvases, many involving scientific, historical or religious themes. Among the bestknown of these works are The Hallucinogenic Toreador and The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. When he returned from the States he picked up the Catholic faith of his youth and he and Gala were married in a second ...

Challenges To Singapore’s Education

Challenges To Singapores Education At the Teachers Day Rally last September, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong outlined the challenges to our education system. A key imperative was National Education. Many Singaporeans, especially pupils and younger Singaporeans, knew little of our recent history. They did not know how we became an independent nation, how we triumphed against long odds, or how today’s peaceful and prosperous Singapore came about. This ignorance will hinder our effort to develop a shared sense of nationhood. We will not acquire the right instincts to bond together as one nation, or maintain the will to survive and prosper in an uncertain world. For Singapore to thrive beyond the founder generation, we must systematically transmit these instincts and attitudes to succeeding cohorts. Through National Education, we must make these instincts and attitudes part of the cultural DNA which makes us Singaporeans. The Prime Minister set up a committee, chaired by Mr Lim Siong Guan, to study how to introduce N ational Education into our education system. The Committee has worked out a plan to do so. To take the next step forward, we need the full commitment of every teacher and principal. National Education is not just a book subject. It must appeal to both heart and mind. Unless you are personally convinced of its importance, committed to the cause and have the knowledge and passion to teach National Education competently and whole-heartedly, the plan will fail. Lessons from Other Countries Singaporeans are not unique in needing National Education. Other countries take National Education as a matter of course. Japan is a tightly-knit, cohesive and group-oriented society, with a long history and a strong sense of unique identity. Yet Japanese schools start early to teach pupils Japanese culture, values, history and geography, and even the politics and economics of Japan. As pupils get older, they also learn about the cultures and histories of other countries. In so doing, they understand even better what makes them uniquely Japanese. Japanese schools go to great lengths to instill group instincts and a sense that every student is an equal member of the group. They have strict regulations on school uniforms, school bags and shoes. Students are grouped into teams called ‘hans’. Members of each han play together and eat together. They take turns to perform specific responsibilities, whether it is the daily cleaning of school premises or serving lunch. Academically stronger students are expected to help their weaker friends. Those who do not are ostracised. Students organise the school sports day themselves. Competition is based mainly on team events; there are few or no individual events. All students participate, including those with disabilities. Japanese schools do all this not because they believe that all students are the same in every respect or have identical abilities. But they want every student to be equally valued as a member of the group, recog nised for his strengths, and for what he can contribute to the group. And so it goes for Japanese society. In US schools, every child is taught the American heritage – George Washington, the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights movement. Students take part in community service. Learning to be a responsible citizen begins young. It is a deliberate inculcating of American political and social values and ideals, to ensure the next generation grows up with these ideas deeply ingrained. It is a process of indoctrination like any other, no less so because the children are brought up to cherish American values of individual liberty. And it is so successful that many Americans are completely convinced that American values are universal values of mankind.

Week 12 Replies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week 12 Replies - Essay Example nice post! i can only imagine how difficult it was to implement that kind of change regarding cell phone use. because people seem to be connected at the hip with their cellphones it is really difficult to find a way to keep everyone in tow. the solution your company came up with is great. however, what is going to be the effect on company expenses in the long run? i mean if im the employee and i knew i was going to get a gift, then id always try to fill up my card fast. hi nice post! you are right. unless people do not see the reason why a change is needed, they will not support the move for change. it is important to show them that the need is necessary. this is the only time people can decide whether they will support the change or not. Thats true Antonia. Meeting all members/workers and listening to their concerns shows them that management respects them. This will foster loyalty. However, I think it also depends on the size of the organization. it can be hard to do this for a very large organization. nice post! i think it will always be hard to implement changes especially if the change affects ones lifestyle. this is something personal. like your example, ive seen many places prohibit smoking in their grounds/facility. what the smokers did was move to a parking lot near those buildings and smoke there instead. i think if people want to get around a change, they will find a way. Hi nice post. i agree with your steps you will take as a leader to meet resistance to change. you are right. forcing change on people without open communication will have bad results. being open to all stakeholders will indeed facilitate a smoother