Essay examples --

What drives success? Where does it come from? Can you be born into it? These are some common questions when it comes to success. Every one can has their own opinion about what success is, and also what it takes to become successful people in today’s world. That is where Malcolm Gladwell comes into play. After reading â€Å"Outliers: The Story of Success†, Gladwell has helped me view the journey to success in ways I have and haven’t heard of before. He helps you understand some complex ideas of why someone may be more successful that someone else. To me success is determined by a lot of things and there is no one thing that can make your success, you have to have multiple things that are not found in one place. There are many things that come to your mind think of when it comes to success, age would be one of the many determining factors. In the book, Gladwell used hockey as an example. Hockey is a sport dominated by Canadians. In Canada, there is a hockey deadline where if a kid is not 10 by January 1st, he has to wait until next year to begin playing. This gives a kid with a birthday before the deadline an advantage over his opponents who could only be a few months’ young than him, because he had a year more of experience. Americans’ understand this in a different way. In the United States school system you have to be 6 before a certain time of the year before you can enter kindergarten. This could be different because those who enter earlier could graduate at a younger age, those who have to wait could be more prepared for school. It depends how you look at each situation, because they all can be different. If you have every played a sport, instrument, or simply attended school then you have heard the quote â€Å"Practice makes perfect.... ...l believes that’s why we are behind educationally. I believe this is a true statement, our kids in united stated should spend more time learning than playing video games, texting, and on social media which seems to be the most popular thing these days. Success can be defined by a lot of different things, whether you are tall or short, rich or poor, your definition may be different than one of your peers. I believe there is not a â€Å"right† answer to the questions â€Å"what is success?† or â€Å"how you do you become successful?† This book really gave me a few more ways of thinking about how success comes along. Some of the things Malcolm Gladwell comes up with are extreme but there is no right or wrong answer. To me success is determined by a lot of things and there is no one thing that can make you successful, you have to have multiple things that are not found in one place.

Custom Coffee & Chocolate Essay

According to the overview of Custom Coffee & Chocolate’s business, Bonnie Brewer and Stacy Kim run a small cafà © where they serve unique coffee, chocolates and maintain a shop. The cafà © is located near a university, where students, faculty, staff, and local residents are the main customers. They have run the business successfully, working together without any employees and selling their products only in the cafà ©. They have started to think about further development. The main question at this point is what strategies they should launch to achieve that aim. The first step to answer on that question is analyzing the company’s internal environment and identifying it strengths and weaknesses. The greatest strength is undoubtedly knowledge acquired by the owners during business and marketing courses and there experience gained at work. The owners also chose an interesting location with many students who they know and understand very well, which combined with the offer is strength of their business. Customers can sit in comfortable chairs, on couches, and at coffee tables, and chat or read newspapers between classes. As we consider weaknesses, we can identify a few problematic things. The largest of these is the limited access to services due to the small space in the cafà ©. Moreover, lack of employees makes it impossible for the cafà © to open longer, because the owners also have to handle the finances. There is also no possibility for customers to order goods over the phone or online, and for the cafà © to deliver service to locations on campus, such as dorms and lounges where students are studying. Another weakness is quite poor menu, which should be extended by new products. Additionally, too little attention is paid to social inclusion by organizing events such as poetry readings or discussion groups, and conducting a blog which could integrate students around the cafà ©. Lack of a wireless connection that customers could use is a significant drawback. The last weakness, which is really important, is a lack of financial reserve. The owners exhausted their savings and the initial small business loan, and  their six-month lease is up. The second step is analyzing the company’s external environment and identifying it opportunities and threats. The greatest opportunity for the development of the company is the ability to reach a wider range of customers who are potentially interested in using the service of the cafà ©. Custom Coffee & Chocolate’s business plan bases on purchasing only fair trade coffee and chocolates made by a few local suppliers. It is worth considering the possibility of obtaining a better price from producer in exchange for promoting their brands. It is also possible to extent the number of potential suppliers, which is likely to enable the cafà © to purchase products at much better prices. An opportunity for the development of the company is the application of new technologies such as online shops, websites or blogs, to allow better contacts with customers on the Internet. Unfortunately, threats also can appear in the company’s external environment. It could be a decrease in the number of students at the University or changed location of classes. The biggest threat may be the emergence of competitors offering similar services at lower prices or better quality. The strategy adopted by the company, which consists of buying products from local suppliers and ordering only fair trade coffee, may cause a risk of introduction of cheaper substitutes on the market by competitors. The last but not the least threat is connected with the need to increase the cafà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s debt by taking additional loans for further development. After determining the strengths and weaknesses of the company’s internal environment as well as the opportunities and threats of the company’s external environment, it is necessary to propose some strategies that take into account the interdependencies between particular elements of SWOT analysis, which will help to develop the company in the right way. One of the ideas is to acquire new customers by increasing the availability of products. Arranging a sale of products through the online store and allowing customers to play orders by phone, organizing appropriate marketing campaigns on the website or in local media, gives opportunities to achieve that goal. Ordered goods would be delivered by courier. At the initial stage, the range of delivery might be limited to locations on campus, such as dorms and lounges where students are studying. This strategy would be built on opportunities of using the Internet and growing the customer’s base without the necessity of looking for larger premises to run  a cafà ©. It is necessary to hire employees to allow the owners to focus on strategic management activities in the cafà ©. It would give Bonnie Brewer and Stacy Kim opportunity to use their knowledge and experience and take over more of the finance and marketing activities. Another interesting strategy that can protect the company against the loss of customers is building social cohesion by turning the cafà © into a cult meeting place for students, faculty and other staff of the University. Organizing poetry readings or discussion groups could be a great idea. Moreover, those activities would be supported by a blog which would be moderated by the cafà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s owners. This way, drinking coffee or eating delicious chocolates would be only a natural addition and benefit during meetings. In that case, the main strength is the specific location with students, faculty and staff whose the owners of the cafe know and understand well. Having loyal customer groups may be particularly important when some competitors appear on the market. This way, the company could significantly reduce this kind of threat. A very effective strategy which could be used is building a recognizable brand of their own products. They should be presented as unique and not available from other competitors. In addition, it might be possible to prepare a wider range of products which could be better suited to the local customers needs. This strategy should be based on the promotion of local products and suppliers of products and high quality fair trade coffee. It could be an opportunity to get additional money from sponsors of the cultural and community building mission carried out by the owners of the cafà ©. The above strategy is based on the strength connected with high quality products which take a niche place on the market and cannot be easily replaced. It protects the company from the threat of competition and improves its competitive advantage.

“My brother, my sister, and I”

The quite an engaging story, the book describes an event in the author’s life. Yoko, then 13, her 17-year old sister, and 21-year old brother became refugees to post World War II Japan. Hoping for the better life, they escape from North Korea only to find extreme hardship in the new land. The novel does not feature the series of quick actions but is able to transfer real-to-life feelings and emotions of the sibling trio. In quite a charming way it tells how these three young people settled down in their first desolate home, owners of which were nice and kind people. Especially the meaningful were their interactions. However, the terrible fire in the warehouse kills their landlords and puts one of the siblings in a hospital. In addition, their problems are multiplied by a terrible blame of the setting the fire and killing the kind couple. Homeless and hungry they fasten together, spending most time in the hospital room by the bed of their sibling. Yoko, once the product of the middle class family, experienced homelessness, hunger, terrible treatment by her classmates, and at times impossible despair. Her mother has died, her father was a POW, and seeing as her two older siblings had to clean toilets to get scraps for her to survive was beyond desperation, but full of humility. This novel teaches us how important the family ties are, those that despite of, at times, very difficult circumstances in life, help us survive and make better of ourselves. This novel also teaches us, that despite the adversities, there are people who are wiling to help, like an odd Burakumin couple they met under the bridge. This novel is about how people, especially young people, can preserve their dignity despite impossibly difficult circumstance that at time life presents. I impression of what I read was not about the adventure this trio experienced but about the yielding motif, â€Å"White righteous men should suffer?† References: Watkins, Y. K. 1996. My brother, my sister, and I. (add publisher)         

Expository Essay Sample on Music Genres

Expository Essay Sample on Music Genres There are definitely certain moments in one’s life that are characterized by a desire for self-expression. For many people, music offers the best way to achieve this. Often, when a person settles down and listens to his/her favorite music, there follows a temporary feeling in which the world’s hassles are forgotten. Music can also add a sense of excitement and anticipation. Moreover, it can be used to set the mood, such as in a movie scene. It can promote a sense of mystery or foreboding, as well as nostalgia or enchantment. Is there a simple definition of music? Music has been considered a difficult concept to define. It is composed of a number of elements such as rhythm, words, notes, tones, and dynamics. Furthermore, music can be classified into a number of genres, time periods, and geographic locations. Each genre is named according to the music type of which it is comprised. Typically, music types include national songs, religious music and secular music, as well as. In secular music, there are numerous sub-types; these are referred to as secular genres. It is important point to note that many music genres have geographic significance. For others, popularity stems from the rich history associated with the music’s origin. Similarly, there are certain music genres that have a huge cult following, while others’ roots can be traced back through many centuries. The most popular music genres include contemporary, like rock, blues, classical music, country music, easy listening music, electronic music, and hip-hop/rap. The list is endless, and each of these genres is composed of numerous other sub-genres. For example, under rock music is hard rock and college rock. Equally, blues includes acoustic blues, country blues, and classic blues. The classical genre, whose popularity has stretched into the modern generation, includes music such as avant-garde, baroque, choral, chant, and opera music. The knowledge of music genres is vital for people desiring to be employed in the music industry. Many music career paths demand that one should be able to identify each type of music and its characteristics. For instance, music managers need this knowledge to sufficiently convince people that an artist’s music is worth listening to. Likewise, booking agents should be able to discuss the kind of music to be performed whenever they attempt to book engagements for music bands. Furthermore, knowledge of music genres helps one to understand different audiences, such as their traits or characteristics, what they enjoy, and why they enjoy it. A number of inferences can be made based on music genres. For instance, it is possible to predict the cultural pattern of a given audience from the genre of music that is prevalent in that community. Similarly, genres speak volumes about the historical background of a given audience. Musicians and other players in the music sector must, therefore, should study the kind of audience for they wish to perform so that they know what that audience is likely to prefer. Tips on expository essay writing: In general, there are several points that one should keep in mind when writing an expository essay on music genres. This essay, however, presents one valuable tip, which is to keep in mind that different people enjoy different kinds of music. Since it is impossible to determine what music the reader appreciates, it is advisable to write the essay based on your favorite music genre. This will include a detailed explanation why that particular genre appeals to you. Any writing that involves a detailed explanation of the main topic is considered expository writing.

Job Spotlight Administrative Assistant

Job Spotlight Administrative Assistant There are currently almost half a million open job postings for qualified administrative assistants- do you have what it takes?Table of contents.What is the job?Where to search for jobs?  Average salary for an administrative assistantHow to get the job?  How to advance your career as an administrative assistantEmployers are seeking applicants with a minimum of an associate’s degree- and the job requirements have evolved from answering phones and fetching coffee. Today’s administrative assistants can expect to not only field incoming calls, but also connect callers to the appropriate contact person, as well as data entry, daily problem-solving, managing office supplies and ordering, coordinating company events, maintaining the boss’ calendar, supervising interns, composing memos and mass emails, and serving as the first point of contact inter-departmental communication.It is an under-appreciated and at times overwhelming role, but it can help prepare you to mo ve onward and upward in administrative jobs in pretty much any field you can think of. [Source: Payscale]Titles for your job searchAdministrative assistantExecutive assistantOffice managerOffice assistantReceptionistCustomer service representativeTellerBookkeeperMerchandiserAccount payable clerkWhere to work?Here are the current top hiring locations for administrative assistants:Spartanburg, SCSpringfield, MAKingsport/Bristol, TNHagerstown/Martinsburg, MDColumbus, GAUtica/Rome, NYMcallen/Edinburg/Mission, TXPeoria, ILHickory/Lenoir/Morganton, NCHuntington/Ashland, WVAnd here are the current top hiring  organizations  for administrative assistants:Wells FargoMacy’sBank of AmericaFamily DollarSeasTargetLowe’sHome DepotHR BlockPetsmartCertifications and skillsIf you’re not already, it’s time to become an expert at Microsoft word, excel, outlook, and powerpoint. Figure out what publications online and in-print contribute to your industry and read them reg ularly. Make sure your written and verbal communications skills are on point- odds are you’ll be called upon for proofreading, at the very least.Though you  don’t have to be great at math, you should definitely be organized enough to handle accounts received and payable, which means tracking bills and checks on their way in and out of the office. If you can, consider taking an accounting course or two- or even getting a certification to bolster your hard skillset. [Source: Wanted Analytics]The bad news is, you have to deal with a lot of personalities, and not all of them will be terrific. The good news is, your skills will be thoroughly transferable, so you can job search by researching companies instead of being limited to a few companies that provide opportunities for a rare specialty.The job can be high stress, until you can master compartmentalizing and set healthy work-life boundaries so your to-do list doesn’t follow you home.Expected salaryThe median ye arly salary for administrative assistants is in the $30k range, and the median hourly rate is under $15. [source: Wanted Analytics]Develop your resumeThe soft and hard skills that make an excellent administrative assistant can come from nearly anywhere- and entry level positions will help polish any skills that you’re still developing. Make sure you frame any experience you’ve had in terms of working with the public, reporting to a busy supervisor, balancing demanding tasks, and communicating efficiently with your colleagues.See also:  3 entry-level job seeking mistakes to avoidAccumulate references/letters of recommendationFor your references, select people who’ve seen you in action at your busiest without cracking under the pressure! Send them a copy of your latest resume and the job posting before you list them as a reference, so they know which of your skills to emphasize when they talk you up.Apply in person or onlineDo your research to find out whether t he company you’re applying to work for accepts applications online (in which case be extra vigilant about uploading the correct and well-proofread versions of your documents; usually saving them as a pdf is most effective), or whether you should drop off a folder with your resume, letters of recommendation, and cover letter.Apply here:  Administrative assistant jobsInterview like a proMany of these basics are widely available online- dress professionally, nothing too flashy or revealing or casual, no cologne, plenty of deodorant, neatly groomed and well-rested. Don’t make the mistake I make nearly every time of over-thinking your handshake or arriving way to early and downing a giant iced coffee while you’re waiting across the street!Research the business ahead of timeKnowing how old the company is, who its founders were, what their mission is, and how your position fits into their overall business will help you answer questions like â€Å"why are you the bes t fit for ABC corp’s downtown office?† or â€Å"what will you bring to ABCs professional atmosphere?† with poise and confidence.In summary: know what you have to offer, and know what they need.Be prepared to highlight 5-7 personal anecdotes that showcase your skills It’s not enough to say you’re organized, describe a project you worked on that required you to exercise all of your organizational skills like planning ahead, coordinating with vendors, tracking payments, running an event, etc.Follow up graciouslyThe morning after your interview, be sure to send a thank-you note or appreciative email to everyone you met with- or if you emailed with only one point person, ask them to pass on your regards. You want to express thanks for their time and information, and reiterate your enthusiasm for the position.See the bigger pictureWhen I first started working as an assistant, I was eager and ready-to-please, but eventually, I got burned out on menial task s and what I perceived as a lack of respect- people talked over me as though I were invisible in meetings and seemed to only think of me when it was time to order things.What I had to realize was that being invisible actually gave me great access to the levels of the company where I wanted to work anyway, and that being the one responsible for keeping everyone in pens and copy paper actually meant everyone relied on me.Be the one everyone wants to knowThe all time great administrative assistants, like Mrs. Landingham on The West Wing or Donna on Suits or Joan Holloway-Harris on Mad Men, thrive because they are the hubs of their offices. If you want to know anything that’s going on, you go to them, and you ask politely, and hope they are feeling helpful. This can be you!As long as you recognize when you’re paying your dues, and are generous with your time and knowledge, people will appreciate your role as gatekeeper.Prove yourselfAnother crucial component is being able to effortlessly pull off the impossible- or at least make it look easy. Assisting is all about anticipating needs, thinking ahead, and taking initiative to make the higher-ups’ jobs run smoothly.I used to get exasperated when my bosses hounded me about small assignments. Eventually I realized the way to avoid follow-up emails with the little urgent exclamation point was to communicate quickly and clearly, even if it was just a quick â€Å"this is still in the works, estimated delivery date is 4/12† note that didn’t even get a response. My bosses learned to trust I would turn jobs around exactly when I said I would, and they could rely on me to communicate if I hit a snag.Be a trusted confidanteI am not going to lie. Office gossip is great. It is fun, it builds work-friendships like nothing else, and seems like a great way to boost your own standing when you’re the one with the intel. But, a truly great administrative assistant knows that loose lips sink s hips- if your boss is trusting you with a big project, or access to confidential information, your career will be better served by keeping a lid on it and being worthy of that trust.Look at tasks that seem more personal than administrative as a sign that you’re becoming indispensible- don’t let it derail your other work, but see what professional benefits come after you demonstrate your ability to keep someone’s confidence.Now that you know what the job looks like, where and how to look for it, and what to do when you get there, you should have everything you need to decide whether a career as an administrative assistant is right for you. Good luck and happy searching!Apply here:  Administrative Assistant jobs

Research paper about Pitney Bowes Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

About Pitney Bowes - Research Paper Example As a leader in the provision of software and hardware capabilities relating to information, the organization faces the need to institute new and improved ways of operations in order to realize its objectives. The organizational development plan, therefore, seeks to shed light on some of the most critical areas of action in addition to offering the new strategies that should be adopted by the organization in order to realize these transformations. Introduction and scope of the plan The major purpose of this organizational development plan is to bring about change and transformation at Pitney Bowes and improve the performance of the organization in the various sectors, as spelled in this plan. Specifically, the plan seeks to enable the organization to realize its objectives as spelled out in the strategic plan, achieve its vision and to transform the overall performance of the organization towards the better. In the context of managing mails, the company seeks to revolutionize the indu stry, as it has always done. More importantly, the plan seeks to ensure that the organization lives up to its mission statement of delivering shareholder and customer value through the provision of quality services in the market. Essentially, this is a document geared towards steering the development of the organization taking consideration of the fact that the present business environment has become almost uncertain and, hence, organizations must always strive to achieve and deliver the best in the market (Pederson, 2010). The plan will further monitor the realization of these goals through a systematic process that links up to the very expectations of the clients and other stakeholders of the organization. The plan is anchored on the Pitney Bowes organizational culture which stresses on the empowerment of staff and building the confidence of the organization’s customers scattered across the world (Lusterman, 2001). It s important to realize that any tangible organizational success can only be realized if the strategies and objectives of the organization are spelled out well and understood by all stakeholders. Everybody should be in the capacity to clearly understand their duties and roles towards the overall development of the organization. Background Pitney Bowes has always pursued a range of activities geared towards the development of the organization since its formation (2006). Much of these changes have always revolved around the establishment of a proper organizational structure that can ensure easy management and decision making. In addition, globalization and the new options brought about by technology have compelled the organization to radically transform its operations in order to comply with these demands of time. This is realized in the areas of research, development and technology where huge investments have been made in the recent past in order to improve operations and facilitate global operations. Indeed, the organization development p lan presents a good basis for the organization to effectively coordinate its operations and manage its increasing affairs across the world. The concept of organizational development is no longer a conventional affair in the business world. It requires proper strategies and sufficient resource allocations in order to succeed. Pitney Bowes has always been a leading provider of services and products in communication across

John Snow and Epidemology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

John Snow and Epidemology - Essay Example He attended day school because of his family background; his father could only afford that because he was an unskilled laborer. Snow was a bright student; his best subject was mathematics and he did well in that and on other subjects. Simmons (2002) reveals that Snow graduated from the University of London in 1843 and he also obtained a doctorate in medicine a year later. John Snow’s epidemiological studies assisted in finding the root of cholera in London in 1854. A number of diseases had affected the residents of England prior 19th century, some include plague in 1665. However, there was an epidemic of cholera in 1831 thought to have been brought by travellers and merchants from parts of Asia. Cholera was a serious threat to the population of England. Medical experts were confused, but John Snow came to their rescue. He revealed that Cholera was caused by a certain agent in London water. Previously before his revelation or theory, the other physicians attributed the spread of cholera to filthiness of London City (Simmons, 2002). The previous theories relating to the spread of cholera pointed out that it was an airborne disease. This was in mid-19th century whereby physicians thought that cholera concentrated at the low levels altitudes. Workers and merchants in slaughterhouses were causing the spread of cholera according to Miasmatists. The Miasmatists explained that the foul smell from the slaughterhouses was the causing the spread of cholera. John Snow refuted their claims saying that the workers who frequently works at the slaughterhouses inhales miasmus. They have however not been the targets of cholera. He meant that the inhalation of miasmus did not cause the spread of cholera. The spread of Cholera according to Snow was caused by ingestion of morbid matter related to cholera (Ramsay, 2006). Relationship between host, agent and environment increases the spread of the disease. The three aspects exist independently, but their integration will lead to