Personal Narative- Tough Girl :: Personal Narrative Writing

Personal Narative- Tough Girl She went to the land of Hollywood with a diamond wedding necklace hanging loosely from her neck like a noose before it gives its snapping goodbye. She went to the land of dreams with pride coloring her shadow; a haughty swing of her thick plait; and why not? Her name was Serina –she was named after a dream. Why not? I thought, though I cried the night before because she got the chance bestowed to her curvy hips, her white Colgate smile, her crystal blue eyes. And what about me? What about me. I have never had the smartness of a woman. I envied her from the day I realized that looking pretty was more important than being rough. I had always been good in games, in fighting, in being well†¦ rough. When we were much younger, I used to bully her so badly that she never joined in any of our games. She became a weak ghost, a girl who was just that†¦a girl. No more. Well I†¦ well; I was more of a boy, a fighter, someone who laughed when the mother advised the daughter to wash her hair with herbal shampoo to make it shiny and black as coal. I ran after kites and learned that slamming the flat of your hand into someone’s face is much more effective than curling that same hand into a fist. I learned that one should never box someone with the thumb hidden inside the white-knuckled clench of a fist. I learned that if someone digs at your eyes with two fingers, you could just bring your flattened hand vertically up at your nose, and whoever’s fingers however long, would never reach your eyes. I lear ned that being flat was more beneficial than being round. The day I discovered that I was turning round, that my legs could not carry me fast enough, that the boys I used to beat up now towered over me; anger glinted inside like a raised knife waiting to fall. From then on, I stopped fighting with boys and started fighting with girls instead. I could have died for my gang - a group of seven girls who knew that their only honor was their strength. One day my friend was walking down the road after a harvest party with a cup of alcohol made out of rice gurgling in her stomach. She bumped into an older woman with a baby clinging onto her hip; and the woman turned around and told her to watch where she was going, if she wanted so much to bump into somebody, why not pick on a boy and not a woman with child.

Remembering John Steinbeck Essay

John Steinbeck, and his writings served not just an instrument but an inspiration of courage, strength and determination. He is a warrior and he fought for the right of the people. He is one of America’s best writers and is best known for his novels. He started by experimenting with characters and thematic unity in his writings. He focused on materialistic values and social exploitation. He is known for his compassion for the poor and the politically oppressed. His works reflects social issues, thus his works were subjected to criticisms. But despite all that, his works gained popularity because of his realistic yet sensitive portrayal of ordinary people. In the beginning of his career in literature, his works were not recognized but even after a few unsuccessful published works, nothing stopped him from writing. His work, Tortilla Flat in 1935 was the one which made a turning point in his literary career. It was only then that his works we’re recognized and given credit. He believed that as a writer he has a responsibility to the readers, and so through his works he was able to serve the people by creating social awareness. Through his works, he became the voice of the people, especially those who are oppressed. Despite a lot of criticisms, he proved himself worthy and used literature as an instrument to fight for what he believed is right. â€Å"Literature is as old as speech. It grew out of human need for it and it has not changed except to become more needed. The skalds, the bards, the writers are not separate and exclusive. From the beginning, their functions, their duties, their responsibilities have been decreed by our species†¦ the writer is delegated to declare and to celebrate man’s proven capacity for greatness of heart and spirit – for gallantry in defeat, for courage, compassion and love. In the endless war against weakness and despair, these are the bright rally flags of hope and of emulation. I hold that a writer who does not passionately believe in the perfectibility of man has no dedication nor any membership in literature. † (Steinbeck) John Steinbeck’s works created impact despite criticisms. He was able to portray in his works the life of the people, which created social consciousness. His writings are based on experiences, and is a mirror of the many different lives of people. This is why I believe, the reason why he gained popularity in his works. He had this connection with the readers, he was able to make each reader relate to the characters in his works, and made them feel that someone was brave enough to stand up and tell the world what the people are going through. He was concerned with the welfare of the people. Through his writings, he became their voice, their inspiration, their salvation. Steinbeck endures because he does not permit readers to complacently dig in, like the hermit crab. He embraces the fullness of life. With compassion, tolerance, and humility, he surveys landscapes: of place, of spirit, of a nation. (Shillinglaw) According to an author review by Amber Garret: John Steinbeck’s ability to mix realistic social conditions with characters of depth and vitality are what make his literature paramount. In order to support his desire to write, Steinbeck worked in various different jobs, many of which were among the working class laborers in California. It was this direct experience with the working class community that gives his writing an element of authenticity and richness. He created novels and stories that did not only address the social issues of his time, but also represent California’s history. Each novel has characters that will stick with the reader long after the book is finished, revealing his obvious unsurpassed talent as a writer. John Steinbeck’s writing style evolved from a period of realist naturalism as seen in The Grapes of Wrath, to more sentimental tone portrayed through novels like East of Eden. He evokes both the good and bad of mankind in his stories through the use of symbolism and nature. John Steinbeck’s writing was not just a product of the imagination, but also a reflection of his friendships and other life experiences. Although he is widely recognized by critics for his early years of writing, in my opinion, it is his later years that show his greatest achievement as a writer. His ability to transform with time and allow his writing to grow and develop into other stages and styles are what make him a true pioneer of American literature. (Garrett) Steinbeck, despite of a few unsuccessful attempts proves that all man’s efforts will be paid of if only he would strive hard, work with passion and dedication and never gives up. Like what he depicted in his novel, â€Å"Man, unlike any other thing organic or inorganic in the universe, grows beyond his work, walks up in the stairs of his concepts, emerges ahead of his accomplishments. † (From The Grapes of Wrath). Up to this day, John Steinbeck’s works are still wildly read and appreciated. He died in 1968 but he dedicated his life observing and reflecting the human condition through his works. He dealt with the economic problems of the rural labor. He showed his sympathy and concern to the oppressed, to the little people being empowered by the rich and in power. He immortalized strength and courage in the human spirit. His life and his writings remain an inspiration to a lot of people. Whatever his experiment in fiction or journalistic prose, he wrote with empathy, clarity, perspicuity: In every bit of honest writing in the world, he noted in a 1938 journal entry, there is a base theme. Try to understand men, if you understand each other you will be kind to each other. Knowing a man well never leads to hate and nearly always leads to love. (qtd. Shillinglaw) Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is one of the best examples of how Steinbeck described the social condition of the people in his hometown Salinas, California. Steinbeck dedicated a part oh his life writing about the people of his place. In the novel of mice and men, he reflected the lives and problems of the working people. Most of the characters he used in this book are immigrants from Mexico and from other places in America who came to California with such hope of finding a better life. The novel was set in Salinas Valley, where he was born. A place he dedicated a part of his life to. A place he knew so well. A place he knew all his life. The place described in the book was very similar to the place he grew up in. The novel is about two migrant workers and is set during the Great Depression in 1930’s. Main characters George Milton and Lennie Small, portrayed two migrant agricultural workers on a ranch in California who both dreams of having their own ranch. But their dreams were hindered by the harsh reality of materialism and greed. This novel present how dreams of the innocent can be broken but this also proves how a friendship can mend someone’s broken dreams. They held on to each other with such hope that someday their dreams will be fulfilled but then some dreams are meant to remain a dream. Steinbeck was able to relay important lessons in life, through his writings. And his works were written based on his own experiences and observation on the people around him and the environment he lives in. Steinbeck received a lot of negative criticism on his works but his works also touched the lives of many people. People continue to read and appreciate his works up to this day. Despite all the criticisms, a lot of people believed in his writings. In an article on why read John Steinbeck written by Dr. Susan Shillinglaw, she said: Steinbeck reaches out a fictional hand. Emotional bonds are forged between book and reader. Solace and laughter and commitment are what many readers discover in Steinbeck’s work. â€Å"In every bit of honest writing in the world,† he wrote in the late 1930s, â€Å"there is a base theme. Try to understand men. † And Steinbeck’s ghostly voice of understanding and solace endures, inspires. In his album â€Å"The Ghost of Tom Joad,† Bruce Springsteen pays tribute to the power of those interior landscapes – characters whose lives are often desolate, besieged, unacknowledged. â€Å"I’ll be ever ‘where,† promises Tom Joad, â€Å"I’ll be in the way guys yell when they’re mad†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Other reasons, equally compelling, insure that John Steinbeck’s voice will not diminish. A distinguished scholar of American literature, John Seelye, repeatedly intones: â€Å"Steinbeck is a great read. † Stories are readily understood. Characters engage, inspire, enrage. My students love East of Eden best of all his novels; ‘It’s like a soap opera,† one said this spring. â€Å"Cathy’s a kick. † Good and evil face off in this book and others. They live. Recently, a class spent 50 minutes discussing whether George needed Lennie as much as Lennie needed George. Readers return to books that are, like close friends, reliable, accessible. entertaining, and – let Steinbeck never again be pilloried by the old complaint that he’s a writer only for adolescent readers – challenging and perplexing. The Japanese have a vigorous Steinbeck Society, over 150 strong. Why are his books so popular there? For many international readers, Steinbeck’s work captures the elusive American psyche: bonds to land, the need for a place. Many of Steinbeck’s stories are archetypal – restless migrants moving west to begin anew. Steinbeck endures because he does not permit readers to complacently dig in, like the hermit crab. He embraces the fullness of life. With compassion, tolerance, and humility, he surveys landscapes: of place, of spirit, of a nation. Today, Steinbeck’s life and works is remembered and is given tribute through the National Steinbeck Center, located in Salinas California. It aims to continue to help enrich the community and the lives of the people through his works. The center is dedicated to inspire audiences to learn about human nature, literature, history, agriculture, and the arts. Works Cited Dirks, Tim the grapes of wrath http://www. filmsite. org/grap. html Garret, Amber. â€Å"John Steinbeck† http://eprentice. sdsu. edu/F044/agarrett/Steinbeck. html National Steinbeck Center http://www. steinbeck. org/MainFrame. html Shillinglaw, Dr. Susan. The Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies â€Å"Why Read John Steinbeck? † http://www. steinbeck. sjsu. edu/works/ORWhy. jsp Steinbeck, John. The Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies â€Å"John Steinbeck’s Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech† http://www. steinbeck. sjsu. edu/works/NobleSpeech. jsp

Elements used in Raisin in the Sun Essay - 1234 Words

Drama 160 Term Paper: Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry’s Raisin in the Sun is a monumental play in the theatrical world. Produced in 1959, it became the first play written by an African-American woman to hit the stage and was later nominated for several Tony Awards. The play touched many controversial themes of the time including racial discrimination and poverty. The design of Raisin in the Sun, including scenic, costume, lighting, and sound elements, were crucial to developing the plot and emphasizing these themes. All of the elements are vital to the message and audience interpretation of the production, and overall, the Playmakers Repertory Company executed them well. The scenic design of a play is arguably the most†¦show more content†¦In addition to scenery, the props strategically placed around the housed illustrated the family’s cares and values. Throughout the room, the audience could see many picture frames. However, the two that were predominately displayed were a picture of Christ hanging over the front door, and a picture of Lena’s deceased husband that stayed on a table in the living room. These props emphasized importance the Younger’s placed on family and religion, which came up many times throughout the production. The entire family lived under one roof, looking after one another and making ends meet, together as a whole. In addition, the plot centered around a life-insurance check from the death of Lena’s husband. This kept the element of religion present since he was deceased and in the eyes of Lena, watching over the family. Both the design of the apartment and the detail of the props wit hin it gave the audience a greater understanding of the deep-rooted values and conflicts of the family. The costume design of Raisin in the Sun went hand-in-hand with the scenery and props. The realistic clothes of the Younger family further described a family of lower class, although not an untidy one. Each day, the members of the family would dress for work or school as well as they could, which illustrated the pride the family carried. This enormous prideShow MoreRelatedA Raisin Of The Sun By Lorraine Hansberry And Eveline968 Words   |  4 Pagespeoples’ actions. This is demonstrated in two very different texts. One is titled A Raisin in the sun and the other is titled Eveline. A Raisin of the Sun is by Lorraine Hansberry and Eveline is by James Joyce. These works of literature were done at different times and by authors with very different backgrounds. A Raisin in the sun and Eveline have the same story line, but uses different styles of writing, elements, and outcom es to express the significance of the character’s behavior and thought processRead MoreThe Authors Experiences of Opression in Loraine Hansberry’s â€Å"A Raisin in The Sun† and Milcha Sanchez-Scott’s â€Å"The Cuban Swimmer† 891 Words   |  4 PagesLoraine Hansberry’s â€Å"A Raisin in The Sun† and Milcha Sanchez-Scott’s â€Å"The Cuban Swimmer† both capture the authors’ past experiences of oppression, and convey their struggles with identity. Both authors are from minority cultures, and both describe the same harsh pressures from the dominant culture. Both author’s share situations of being outcasts, coming from different racial backgrounds and trying to triumph over these obstacles. A Raisin in the Sun and The Cuban Swimmer both share common themesRead MoreComparing The Death Of A Salesman And A Raisin The Sun1710 Words   |  7 Pagesthan enough to support your family is something that has always been tremendously significant in the American culture. The Death of a Salesman and A Raisin the Sun are two tales about this struggle. Both stories are about two American families that portray the common way of life around the 1940’s and the struggles that come with it. A Raisin in the Sun is about a black family living in Chicago, and Death of a Salesman is about a white family living in New York. Both families seem to have many problemsRead MoreEssay on Langston Hughes: in the Beginning There Was Language1027 Words   |  5 Pageshowever, lead us into the next element of language in poetry, figures of speech such as metaphors and similes. Within this short eleven-line poem, there are five similes present. A simile is a comparison of two objects using like or as. The first simile used is comparing the dream deferred (1) to a drying up raisin in the sun (3). Before a raisin dries up, it is a beautiful juicy grape. However, once the sun reaches and affects the grape, the once plump fruit used to make juice and wine for allRead More Langston Hughes: In the beginning there was language Essay1035 Words   |  5 Pagesinto the next element of language in poetry, figures of speech such as metaphors and similes. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Within this short eleven-line poem, there are five similes present. A simile is a comparison of two objects using like or as. The first simile used is comparing the â€Å"dream deferred† (1) to a drying up â€Å"raisin in the sun† (3). Before a raisin dries up, it is a beautiful juicy grape. However, once the sun reaches and affects the grape, the once plump fruit used to make juiceRead MoreThe Great Gatsby And Harlem By Langston Hughes1089 Words   |  5 PagesLangston Hughes. Both of these pieces of literature include literary elements to appeal to the reader’s senses and imagination. A prevalent theme that has been found in works of the roaring 20’s is the wealth that someone may or may not achieve. Literary elements such as figurative language, irony, and symbolism are profound in both The Great Gatsby and â€Å"Harlem†, adding depth to both literature works. One literary element that is prevalent in both pieces is their use of figurative languageRead MoreAntigone and a Rasin in the Sun Essay1873 Words   |  8 PagesAntigone and A Rasin in the Sun Antigone and A Raisin in the Sun are two pieces of literature that are similar in one way, yet very different in another way. Both are very interesting pieces that were written to captivate even the most critical of audiences. This paper will show similarities as well as differences between the two pieces and their authors. Antigone is a play written by Sophocles and is about a young girl named Antigone who struggles with written laws of her city, Thebes. HerRead MoreLangston Hughes And How His Style Of Writing1564 Words   |  7 Pagessurviving in spite of immense difficulties. Langston Hughes is one of the most influential writers because his style of work not only captured the situation of African Americans; it also grabbed the attention of other races with the use of literary elements and other stylistic qualities. Langston Hughes became well known for his way of interpreting music into his work of writing, which readers love and enjoy today. Langston Hughes remains known as the most impressive, durable Negro writer in AmericaRead MoreEssay on Dreams Deferred in Hansberrys A Raising in the Sun1902 Words   |  8 Pagesambitious students must sacrifice another facet of their lives in order to achieve their academic goals. In A Raisin in the Sun, many of the characters must give up something important to them to achieve their own idea of success. Everybody has his or her own dreams. Although some people may have homogeneous aspirations, no two are exactly the same. Hansberrys play, A Raisin in the Sun, reflects this concept by expressing that each character’s idea of the American Dream is distinct in its own wayRead MoreEssay on Follow Your Dreams1914 Words   |  8 PagesDreams are aspirations that reflect a human’s wants and desires in life. They are a fundamental element that drives human beings to achieve the impossible. Dreams have the ability to motivate oneself to set goals and ideals for the future. Each person in some part of their life has had desires that they would like to accomplish. Without these desires, there is nothing to motivate one’s actions and attitude. However, most people believe that satisfaction only exists once a dream is achieved. Louisa

The Citizen Genêt Affair of 1793

The new United States federal government had largely managed to avoid serious diplomatic incidents until 1793. And then along came Citizen Genà ªt. Now more infamously known as â€Å"Citizen Genà ªt,† Edmond Charles Genà ªt served as France’s foreign minister to the United States from 1793 to 1794. Rather than maintaining friendly relationships between the two nations, Genà ªt’s activities entangled France and the United States in a diplomatic crisis that endangered the United States government’s attempts to remain neutral in the conflict between Great Britain and Revolutionary France. While France ultimately resolved the dispute by removing Genà ªt from his position, the events of the Citizen Genà ªt affair forced the United States to create its first set of procedures governing international neutrality. Citizen Genà ªt Edmond Charles Genà ªt was virtually raised to be a government diplomat. Born in Versailles in 1763, he was the ninth son of a lifelong French civil servant, Edmond Jacques Genà ªt, a head clerk in the ministry of foreign affairs. The elder Genà ªt analyzed British naval strength during the Seven Years War and monitored the progress of the American Revolutionary War. By the age of 12, the young Edmond Genà ªt was considered a prodigy due to his ability to read French, English, Italian, Latin, Swedish, Greek, and German. In 1781, at age 18, Genà ªt was appointed court translator and in 1788 was assigned to the French embassy in Saint Petersburg, Russia to serve as ambassador. Genà ªt eventually came to despise all monarchical systems of government, including not only the French monarchy but the Tsarist Russian regime under Catherine the Great, as well. Needless to say, Catherine was offended and in 1792, declared Genà ªt persona non grata, calling his presence â€Å"not only superfluous but even intolerable.† The same year, the anti-monarchist Girondist group rose to power in France and appointed Genà ªt to his post of minister to the United States. Diplomatic Setting of the Citizen Genà ªt Affair During the 1790s, American foreign policy was dominated by the multi-national fallout being generated by the French Revolution. After the violent overthrow of the French monarchy in 1792, the French revolutionary government faced an often-violent colonial power struggle with the monarchies of Great Britain and Spain. In 1793, President George Washington had just appointed former U.S. ambassador to France Thomas Jefferson as America’s first Secretary of State. When the French Revolution led to war between America’s top trade partner Britain and American Revolution ally France, President Washington urged Jefferson, along with the rest of his Cabinet, to maintain a policy of neutrality. However, Jefferson, as leader of the anti-federalist Democratic-Republican Party, sympathized with the French revolutionaries. Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, leader of the Federalist Party, favored maintaining existing alliances—and treaties—with Great Britain. Convinced that supporting either Great Britain or France in a war would place the still comparatively weak United States in imminent danger of invasion by foreign armies, Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality on April 22, 1793. It was this setting that the French government sent Genà ªt – one of its most experienced diplomats—to America to seek the U.S. government’s help in protecting its colonies in the Caribbean. As far as the French government was concerned, America could help them as either an active military ally or as a neutral supplier of arms and materials. Genà ªt was also assigned to: Obtain advance payments on debts owed to France by the United States;Negotiate a commercial agreement between the United States and France; andImplement provisions of the 1778 Franco-American treaty allowing France to attack British merchant ships using French ships stationed in American ports. Unfortunately, Genà ªt’s actions in trying to carry out his mission would bring him – and potentially his government—into direct conflict with the U.S. government. Hello, America. I’m Citizen Genà ªt and I’m Here to Help As soon as he stepped off the ship in Charleston, South Carolina on April 8, 1793, Genà ªt introduced himself as â€Å"Citizen Genà ªt† in an effort to emphasize his pro-revolutionary stance. Genà ªt hoped his affection for French revolutionaries would help him win the hearts and minds of Americans who had recently fought their own revolution, with the help of France, of course. The first American heart and mind Genà ªt apparently won belonged to South Carolina governor William Moultrie. Genà ªt convinced Gov. Moultrie to issue privateering commissions that authorized the bearers, regardless of their country of origin, to board and seize British merchant ships and their cargo for their own profit, with the approval and protection of the French government. In May 1793, Genà ªt arrived in Philadelphia, then the U.S. capital. However, when he presented his diplomatic credentials, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson told him that President Washington’s Cabinet considered his agreement with Gov. Moultrie sanctioning the operations of foreign privateers in American seaports to be a violation of the U.S. policy of neutrality. Taking more wind from Genà ªt’s sails, the U.S. Government, already holding favorable trade privileges in French ports, refused to negotiate a new trade treaty. Washington’s Cabinet also refused Genà ªt’s request for advance payments on U.S. debts to the French government. Genà ªt Defies Washington Not to be deterred by the U.S. government’s warnings, Genà ªt began outfitting another French pirate ship in Charleston Harbor named the Little Democrat. Defying further warnings from U.S. officials to not allow the ship to leave port, Genà ªt continued to prepare the Little Democrat to sail. Further fanning the flames, Genà ªt threatened to bypass the U.S. government by taking his case for French piracy of British ships to the American people, who he believed would back his cause. However, Genà ªt failed to realize that President Washington—and his international neutrality policy—enjoyed great public popularity. Even as President Washington’s Cabinet was discussing how to convince the French government to recall him, Citizen Genà ªt allowed the Little Democrat to sail and begin attacking British merchant ships. Upon learning of this direct violation of the U.S. government’s neutrality policy, Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton asked Secretary of State Jefferson to immediately expel Genà ªt from the United States. Jefferson, however, decided to take the more diplomatic tact of sending a request Genà ªt’s recall to the French government. By the time Jefferson’s request for Genà ªt’s recall reached France, political power within the French government shifted. The radical Jacobins group had replaced the slightly less radical Girondins, who had originally sent Genà ªt to the United States. The foreign policy of the Jacobins favored maintaining friendlier relations with neutral countries that could provide France with crucially needed food. Already unhappy with his failure to fulfill his diplomatic mission and suspecting him of remaining loyal to the Girondins, the French government stripped Genà ªt of his position and demanded that the U.S. government hand him over to French officials sent to replace him. Aware that Genà ªt’s return to France would almost certainly result in his execution, President Washington and Attorney General Edmund Randolph allowed him to remain in the United States. The Citizen Genà ªt affair came to a peaceful end, with Genà ªt himself continuing to reside in the United States until his death in 1834. The Citizen Genà ªt Affair Solidified  US Neutrality Policy In response to the Citizen Genà ªt affair, the United States immediately established a formal policy regarding international neutrality. On August 3, 1793, President Washington’s Cabinet unanimously signed a set of regulations regarding neutrality. Less than a year later, on June 4, 1794, Congress formalized those regulations with its passage of the Neutrality Act of 1794. As the basis for U.S. neutrality policy, the Neutrality Act of 1794 makes it illegal for any American to wage war against any country currently at peace with the United States. In part, the Act declares: â€Å"If any person shall within the territory or jurisdiction of the United States begin or set on foot or provide or prepare the means for any military expedition or enterprise ... against the territory or dominions of any foreign prince or state of whom the United States was at peace that person would be guilty of a misdemeanor.† Although amended several times over the years, the Neutrality Act of 1794 remains in force today.

Wal-Mart China Analysis - 3304 Words

Introduction Since China was opened the market in earlier 1980s, a number of foreign supermarket corporation were entered, e.g. Carrefour, Tesco and Wal-mart. Now the Wal-mart has become one of the very important supermarkets in Chinese supermarket sector. This assignment is intends to offer the evaluation for the business and performance of Wal-mart in China in terms of PEST and SWOT models, with critical discussion on the choosing and using of those two analytical models, so that provide the critical analysis and related recommendation to Wal-mart’s strategy in China. Critical evaluation of PEST and SWOT models Since the corporate strategy has been commonly described as a matrix that provided proper business direction and extent for†¦show more content†¦The evaluation of Wal-mart in China in terms of PEST and SWOT models Political factor It’s a trend that the Chinese government increasingly open market to foreign investors by reducing the barriers of entry. Recently, the State Council of China has altered the foreign investment policies, encouraged and supported the foreign investment on the service sector, especially the labour intensive but environmental friendly business in low developed central or western China (Chen Liang, 2010). The government has also permitted the foreign investors to set up partnership business with local firms (Cao Tai, 2009) rather than formerly approved options of joint venture and wholly owned. On the other hand, the current government and communist party are working to ease the social inequality. The minimum wage and annual income protection have been approved and increased in China at present (Wang et.al., 2009). Also, they have promoted the establishment of government-led labour union in major foreign business and expect to require all of them to set up in later (Kahn, 2006), which aim to create official-approved labour protection chapter and collective bargaining in foreign firms. Economic factor At present, the Chinese economy has partly recovered from previous strike of global economic crisis. With sizable fiscal stimulus in public sector and release of massive lending in recent years,Show MoreRelatedEssay about Swot Analysis of Wal-Mart in China1779 Words   |  8 PagesWal-Mart in China October 31, 2011 The team is playing the role of management consultants in the case study of Wal-Mart stores in China. The team decided that a SWOT analysis was the best approach to the case in the beginning stages of the project. The SWOT analysis was designed as a tool that identifies  the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of an organization. The  method of SWOT analysis is to take the information from  an environmental analysis and separate it into internal  (strengthsRead MoreCase Analysis: Wal-Mart Stores: „Everyday Low Pricesâ€Å" in China2263 Words   |  10 PagesCase Analysis: Wal-Mart Stores: „Everyday Low Pricesâ€Å" in China I. Introduction Within less than 30 years, Wal-Mart had transformed from a small rural retailer in Arkansas into the largest retailer in the U.S. In order to continue this rapid growth, the company had started to pursue international expansion grounded in the belief that the firm’s business model of offering quality products at low prices and great customer service would appeal to consumers everywhere around the world (p.8)[1]Read MoreSwot Analysis of Wal-Mart and Carrefour952 Words   |  4 PagesSusan Donoho Argosy University SWOT Analysis of Wal-mart and Carrefour SWOT Analysis for Wal-Mart and Carrefour What is a hypermarket? According to Business Dictionary that is an online business definition resource, it is a â€Å"vast self-service warehouse-cum-retail outlet that combines the features of a supermarket, department store, discount store, and specialty store in one location.† A hypermarket may also be called a hyper-mart (Business Dictionary, 2012). The multinational retailers thatRead MoreWalmart Success in China?1198 Words   |  5 PagesCase Study: Wal-Mart Stores â€Å"Every Day Low Prices† In China Webster University INTB 5000 1 Webster University 2 Wal-Mart Stores â€Å"Every Day Low Prices† In China FACTS: ïÆ'Ëœ ïÆ'Ëœ First opened in Shenzhen on August 12, 1996 As of December 2007 ïÆ'Ëœ ïÆ'Ëœ ïÆ'Ëœ 94 stores in 51 cities Employs 43,000+ associates Serves around 5 million customers per week ïÆ'Ëœ ïÆ'Ëœ ïÆ'Ëœ ïÆ'Ëœ ïÆ'Ëœ ïÆ'Ëœ ïÆ'Ëœ Transition from rural US to metro/urban in China Competitive analysis a core value of the company ï‚ § Shopping 1,500 items andRead MoreWalmart China Essay1484 Words   |  6 PagesCase Study #1 Wal-Mart China How Wal-Mart China should push â€Å"sustainability† into the next level Research Conducted by Wal-Mart China and third parties found that customer satisfaction was most affected by the value perceived by customers. The Chinese market is known for its price sensitivity. 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Management of AVI-Tech Electronics Limited

Questions: 1.The Singapore Quality Award (SQA) is awarded to organisations that can attain at least 700 points on the various business excellence standards. Besides the SQA, there are niche awards that are based on niche standards that support the overall business excellence framework. overall business excellence framework? 2.Describe the process of evaluating and selecting organisations, like AVI, for the Singapore Quality Award? 3.There are nine key attributes of well-managed and high-performing organisation. Discuss any four key attributes that might apply to or observed in AVI? Answers: 1. It is correct to say that SQA (Singapore Quality Award) is one of the most trusted and widely used quality awards in Singapore. These awards are awarded to the organizations with operational excellence. Generally, the recipient of the awards are the organizations that are able to maintain their quality of products and services. However, there also exists niche awards other than the SQA. These awards are based on niche standards that support the overall business excellence framework. These niche awards use various niche and specific standards. For example, one of the key specific standards is to minimize vendor complaints about the quality of services. It is observed that the corporations would want to minimize the end-consumer complaints. However, when it comes to service delivery of vendors and affiliates, the company may not have hard standards (?liwa Kellard, 2016). This niche standard is a part of business excellence framework and it ensures that the vendor management and aff iliate management is taken care of. Another niche standard that is observed in business excellence framework is the quality checks that are out on the raw materials that is procured from the suppliers. This niche standard of raw material quality ensures that any raw material is at least checked twice before it can be taken for production. This ensures that the quality of final product is not compromised and in long term, the organization is able to maintain the six-sigma standards. This method is used frequently by the organizations in the manufacturing and automobile sector. The large organizations like Toyota is a pioneer in this standard of quality management for raw materials. The small organizations can learn a lot from this standard. Some organizations may have the need of large supply of raw materials and some organizations may need less. However, as a best practice, every raw material that is sourced in the organizations should pass through strict quality standards. 2. The assessor has a strict mechanism in place to evaluate the organizations. There are various parameters for the organization is rated (Pidd Broadbent, 2015). In the framework, there are seven categories used to assess an organisation. These are Leadership, customers, strategy, people, processes, results and knowledge. 3. There are nine attributes of high performing organizations. All these attributes distinguish the best organizations from others. Let us discuss the four attributes that apply to AVI. These four key attributes that is observed in AVI can be discussed as: Leading with vision and integrity: The leadership at top is committed to bring continuous quality improvements. This can be observed in the leadership of Mr. Lim. He ensured that he personally addresses all the employees of the organization to emerge as a successful local multinational company. He communicated his vision to all the stakeholders. Therefore, it can be said that AVI successfully demonstrated this attribute. Managing with agility: The organization has a very flat organizational design that supports system thinking, agility and transparency. The CEO ensured that employees do not feel and hesitation to reach out to him. He was always available and he ensured that he can answer the queries of employees. The idea was to develop and agile system in place so that overall organizational productivity could be improved. Valuing People and partners: AVI has support from some of the best talent in the industry. It ensures that quality exist as a culture (Vora, 2013). One thing that distinguishes AVI from others is the culture of empowerment. AVI empowered its employees to take risks and come out with best ideas and solutions for business problem. At AVI, there was a strong partnership between management, employees and other stakeholders. This partnership ultimately resulted in strong organization. Anticipating the future: The change is never considered as a difficult task in the organization. With effective change management, the organization is never afraid of future. Within AVI, quality exist as a culture and all the stakeholders (internal external) are cautious about the quality. AVI always focused to have smart employees in the system who do not fear change. The management of AVI wanted to deal with change and uncertainty in a smooth manner. AVI realized that industry forces and dynamic and cannot be predicted. Therefore, it is better to be future ready with effective system of change management in place. References Kellard, N. M., ?liwa, M. (2016). Business and Management Impact Assessment in Research Excellence Framework 2014: Analysis and Reflection. British Journal of Management, 27(4), 693-711. Vora, M. (2013). Business excellence through sustainable change management. The TQM Journal, 25(6), 625-640. Pidd, M., Broadbent, J. (2015). Business and management studies in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. British Journal of Management, 26(4), 569-581.

Wolf Motors Case Study Essay Example

Wolf Motors Case Study Essay Answer guidelines: 1. Recommendations for structuring purchasing process: Wolf Motors should consider a centralized corporate level Materials Management System to consolidate buying decisions for each of the 4 dealerships. This would facilitate greater leveraging with suppliers for consistent quality-control. Economies of scale can be achieved by negotiating for better product pricing through higher volume purchasing. An automated EDI inventory management system that interconnects with each of the dealerships and interfaces with the suppliers should be considered: The system would alert purchasing agents and suppliers when critical inventory levels are reached. Inventory Pooling between dealerships could eliminate the need to overstock; parts could be swapped between dealerships in emergency situations. A Vendor-Managed Inventory system would allow the suppliers to continuously replenish stock as needed to avoid shortages. 2. Purchasing policies and procedures for different types of service parts and materials: Wolf Motors has to be concerned with price, quality and delivery in order to ensure after-sale customer service and satisfaction is achieved and maintained. An objective would be to reduce the number of suppliers in the purchasing process by identifying a single source distributor for as many supply and product acquisitions as possible. Working with the distributor Wolf can to identify and select only those brands or products that meet the quality standards which they have set. We will write a custom essay sample on Wolf Motors Case Study specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Wolf Motors Case Study specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Wolf Motors Case Study specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer By minimizing the number of transactions necessary to maintain the desired inventory levels would allow Wolf to realize additional cost savings. 3. Using Supply-Chain Management to reduce space and investment requirements while maintaining adequate service levels: With effective supply-chain management, Wolf Motors can streamline the acquisition processes and maintain efficient inventory control while reducing unnecessary inventory warehousing. Wolf would need to analyze historical inventory turnover rates to identify the appropriate range of supplies required to be on hand in each category. Wolf would need to make adjustments to inventory levels to accommodate demands during peak seasons and promotional marketing periods. Developing the relationship with the distributors and suppliers is critical to ensure availability of supplies necessary to maintain services that continue to satisfy customer needs and demands.