Focus group discussion Essay Example for Free

Focus group discussion Essay The research utilized two focus groups to represent the student population being evaluated. Each focus group is comprised of four students with one moderator in charge of the discussion and although it was mentioned that the target number of students for the focus group would be seven, only four students from each group attended the session. The students that were sampled had all previously used or had the necessary experience in handling web 2. 0 applications particularly wikis, blogs, social networking technologies (MySpace, Friendster, etc. ) and other Web 2. 0 applications that were used by the students. For the first part of the discussion, the group focused on introductory remarks particular on how they utilize web 2. 0 applications. Both groups were asked the question (as a discussion opener) on how do they enjoy spending their spare time in the internet. According to group 1, half of the group indicated that they had very limited time when online because of the budgetary constraints and thus they are more apt to utilize all of their time in using web 2. 0 applications for learning purposes. On the other hand, the other half of the group expressed their fondness of being able to enjoy chat while online with their friends and browsing through forums for information (whether education or non-education related information). One common trait for all the participants of the first group is their interest in reading and searching for subjects that interest them with the use of web 2. 0 applications. It is interesting to note that, previously they had mentioned that they were utilizing information only or web 1. 0 applications for information but with the influx of web 2.0 applications, they had found it easier to use and more apt to their style of finding information (Hinchcliffe, 2006). Being that web 2. 0 applications are more interactive and provides a venue for two-way communication, they are able to ask questions, search for groups or communities with their desired information. For the second group, it was indicated that the members of the group with the same background utilize their spare time by chatting online with their friends, particularly with the classmates as some of the members of the group are schoolmates and are friends. They are able to share information particular to current blogs and subjects that interest them as a whole. With this they are able to find information faster as they are able to share insights with each other. In addition, they are able to utilize their spare time while online by browsing through subjects often referred to by their classmates within the focus group. Being that they are also previously acquainted with each other, they are able to use web 2. 0 applications at the same time, often during school breaks where they are able to meet with each other and share community sites such as blogs and wikis that highlight their favourite and desired information. This adds to the value of web 2. 0 applications being a very communal information technology tool it is able to put together people with the use of the internet and information put together. As a follow up to the first question, every member of the two focus groups were asked of their level of familiarity with respect to web 2. 0 technologies. Level of familiarity is defined as the ability of these students being evaluated to first identify with web 2. 0 technologies, their level of being able to proficiency in utilizing such tools and their capacity to use such tools in aspects of their daily lives such as interaction with society, learning and education (Hinchcliffe, 2006). The first group explained that there are familiar with the most common web 2. 0 technologies online. Noted web 2. 0 applications such as blogs, community forums and Wikis were identified the most by the users. The respondents in group one generally expressed their feelings that Web 2. 0 applications have been already been there in our daily lives even before it was formalized as Web 2. 0 technologies. As one respondent explains, Web 2. 0 technologies have been present for a considerable amount of time already and have been used as a means of providing and transferring information between each other. However, with the formal induction of these technologies as Web 2. 0 technologies, further improvement and interest was accorded to it, thus the influx of users and it was more and more integrated into society. Forums for example have existed for a considerable amount of time yet only recently has it been given so much interest and improvement that it has started to occupy a considerable amount of society’s â€Å"online† daily lives (Anderson, 2007). For the second group, they had indicated what Web 2. 0 applications are but have little or no idea of it whatsoever. The students on the other hand had already used web 2. 0 applications such as social bookmarking, calendaring, image sharing, collaborative authoring, video sharing and social networking tools but had not identified under one umbrella such as Web 2. 0 technologies (O’Reilly, 2005). Students under this group were able to identify that they had used Wikis and Rallypoints as a tool to share information with their classmates in their classes but were not aware that these tools were considered as Web 2. 0 technologies. On the other hand, one of the students under this group had expressed that she had a rough understanding of what Web 2. 0 technologies is however had not taken into consideration the other Web 2. 0 technologies existing.

Intellectual Property: The Patents :: Intellectual Property Patent Papers

Intellectual Property: The Patents Introduction While an ethical analysis in intellectual property may not be as interesting as the ethical analysis in human genetics, such as in human cloning, patents are the most relevant in the area of high technology, which is the most important industry in the Silicon Valley and arguably, becoming one of the most powerful engines in the growth of the U.S. economy. In fact, intellectual property, a once very sleepy and very boring subject, is one of the hottest topics of conversations today in the high technology industry. Background The growing importance of patents has fueled the tremendous growth of new patents being issued annually in the past several years and currently accelerating even faster. Many concerns have been raised about new patent ideas such as new business methods and other abstract concepts. Two examples of these business method patents are the â€Å"One-Click† checkout and payment Internet technology patented by Amazon.com, an Internet commerce company, and the â€Å"Reverse Auction† Internet technology patented by Priceline.com, an Internet based travel agent. Many argue that business methods are discoveries and not true inventions. â€Å"We discover what before existed, though to us unknown; we invent what did not exist before.†1 Patents have become one of the greatest competitive assets to ensure the future of the business and as business tools to map trends and convergences, innovates new strategies and capabilities of partners and competitors, and improve all business units in the corporation. Patents have become critical in determining the winners and losers in business competition. Business Issues Patents have also become strategic assets and competitive weapon of enormous value. Patents have become the bargaining chips for companies in negotiations with other companies to gain competitive advantage by gaining access to needed technologies by cross-licensing its patents with partners and competitors. As businesses began to discover, the power of patents can no longer be ignored in business competitions as the importance of new ideas and innovations have overshadowed market position and tangible assets such as real estate and raw materials to achieve competitive goals. Patents have become critical in the business battlefield  ­Ã‚ ­Ã¢â‚¬â€ the â€Å"smart bombs† of tomorrow’s business wars2 — in addition to the traditional sales increase to expand market share. Patents are the tools that every company needs in the business battlefield to capture and defend its market share, stay ahead of the competition, increase revenues, and to be successful in their respective business segments.

Chapter 13 Gryffindor Versus Ravenclaw

It looked like the end of Ron and Hermione's friendship. Each was so angry with the other that Harry couldn't see how they'd ever make up. Ron was enraged that Hermione had never taken Crookshanks's attempts to eat Scabbers seriously, hadn't bothered to keep a close enough watch on him, and was still trying to pretend that Crookshanks was innocent by suggesting that Ron look for Scabbers under all the boys' beds. Hermione, meanwhile, maintained fiercely that Ron had no proof that Crookshanks had eaten Scabbers, that the ginger hairs might have been there since Christmas, and that Ron had been prejudiced against her cat ever since Crookshanks had landed on Ron's head in the Magical Menagerie. Personally, Harry was sure that Crookshanks had eaten Scabbers, and when he tried to point out to Hermione that the evidence all pointed that way, she lost her temper with Harry too. â€Å"Okay, side with Ron, I knew you would!† she said shrilly. â€Å"First the Firebolt, now Scabbers, everything's my fault, isn't it! Just leave me alone, Harry, I've got a lot of work to do!† Ron had taken the loss of his rat very hard indeed. â€Å"Come on, Ron, you were always saying how boring Scabbers was,† said Fred bracingly. â€Å"And he's been off-color for ages, he was wasting away. It was probably better for him to snuff it quickly — one swallow — he probably didn't feel a thing.† â€Å"Fred!† said Ginny indignantly. â€Å"All he did was eat and sleep, Ron, you said it yourself,† said George. â€Å"He bit Goyle for us once!† Ron said miserably. â€Å"Remember, Harry?† â€Å"Yeah, that's true,† said Harry. â€Å"His finest hour,† said Fred, unable to keep a straight face. â€Å"Let the scar on Goyle's finger stand as a lasting tribute to his memory. Oh, come on, Ron, get yourself down to Hogsmeade and buy a new rat, what's the point of moaning?† In a last-ditch attempt to cheer Ron up, Harry persuaded him to come along to the Gryffindor team's final practice before the Ravenclaw match, so that he could have a ride on the Firebolt after they'd finished. This did seem to take Ron's mind off Scabbers for a moment (â€Å"Great! Can I try and shoot a few goals on it?†) so they set off for the Quidditch field together. Madam Hooch, who was still overseeing Gryffindor practices to keep an eye on Harry, was just as impressed with the Firebolt as everyone else had been. She took it in her hands before takeoff and gave them the benefit of her professional opinion. â€Å"Look at the balance on it! If the Nimbus series has a fault, it's a slight list to the tail end — you often find they develop a drag after a few years. They've updated the handle too, a bit slimmer than the Cleansweeps, reminds me of the old Silver Arrows — a pity they've stopped making them. I learned to fly on one, and a very fine old broom it was too†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She continued in this vein for some time, until Wood said, â€Å"Er — Madam Hooch? Is it okay if Harry has the Firebolt back? We need to practice†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Oh — right — here you are, then, Potter,† said Madam Hooch. â€Å"I'll sit over here with Weasley†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She and Ron left the field to sit in the stadium, and the Gryffindor team gathered around Wood for his final instructions for tomorrow's match. â€Å"Harry, I've just found out who Ravenclaw is playing as Seeker. It's Cho Chang. She's a fourth year, and she's pretty good†¦I really hoped she wouldn't be fit, she's had some problems with injuries†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Wood scowled his displeasure that Cho Chang had made a full recovery, then said, â€Å"On the other hand, she rides a Comet Two Sixty, which is going to look like a joke next to the Firebolt.† He gave Harry's broom a look of fervent admiration, then said, â€Å"Okay, everyone, let's go –â€Å" And at long last, Harry mounted his Firebolt, and kicked off from the ground. It was better than he'd ever dreamed. The Firebolt turned with the lightest touch; it seemed to obey his thoughts rather than his grip; it sped across the field at such speed that the stadium turned into a green-and-gray blur; Harry turned it so sharply that Alicia Spinnet screamed, then he went into a perfectly controlled dive, brushing the grassy field with his toes before rising thirty, forty, fifty feet into the air again — â€Å"Harry, I'm letting the Snitch out!† Wood called. Harry turned and raced a Bludger toward the goal posts; he outstripped it easily, saw the Snitch dart out from behind Wood, and within ten seconds had caught it tightly in his hand. The team cheered madly. Harry let the Snitch go again, gave it a minute's head start, then tore after it, weaving in and out of the others; he spotted it lurking near Katie Bell's knee, looped her easily, and caught it again. It was the best practice ever; the team, inspired by the presence of the Firebolt in their midst, performed their best moves faultlessly, and by the time they hit the ground again, Wood didn't have a single criticism to make, which, as George Weasley pointed out, was a first. â€Å"I can't see what's going to stop us tomorrow!† said Wood. â€Å"Not unless — Harry, you've sorted out your Dementor problem, haven't you?† â€Å"Yeah,† said Harry, thinking of his feeble Patronus and wishing it were stronger. â€Å"The Dementors won't turn up again, Oliver. Dumbledore'd go ballistic,† said Fred confidently. â€Å"Well, let's hope not,† said Wood. â€Å"Anyway — good work, everyone. Let's get back to the tower†¦turn in early†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I'm staying out for a bit; Ron wants a go on the Firebolt,† Harry told Wood, and while the rest of the team headed off to the locker rooms, Harry strode over to Ron, who vaulted the barrier to the stands and came to meet him. Madam Hooch had fallen asleep in her seat. â€Å"Here you go,† said Harry, handing Ron the Firebolt. Ron, an expression of ecstasy on his face, mounted the broom and zoomed off into the gathering darkness while Harry walked around the edge of the field, watching him. Night had fallen before Madam Hooch awoke with a start, told Harry and Ron off for not waking her, and insisted that they go back to the castle. Harry shouldered the Firebolt and he and Ron walked out of the shadowy stadium, discussing the Firebolt's superbly smooth action, its phenomenal acceleration, and its pinpoint turning. They were halfway toward the castle when Harry, glancing to his left, saw something that made his heart turn over — a pair of eyes, gleaming out of the darkness. Harry stopped dead, his heart banging against his ribs. â€Å"What's the matter?† said Ron. Harry pointed. Ron pulled out his wand and muttered, â€Å"Lumos!† A beam of light fell across the grass, hit the bottom of a tree, and illuminated its branches; there, crouching among the budding leaves, was Crookshanks. â€Å"Get out of here!† Ron roared, and he stooped down and seized a stone lying on the grass, but before he could do anything else, Crookshanks had vanished with one swish of his long ginger tail. â€Å"See?† Ron said furiously, chucking the stone down again. â€Å"She's still letting him wander about wherever he wants — probably washing down Scabbers with a couple of birds now†¦.† Harry didn't say anything. He took a deep breath as relief seeped through him; he had been sure for a moment that those eyes had belonged to the Grim. They set off for the castle once more. slightly ashamed of his moment of panic, Harry didn't say anything to Ron — nor did he look left or right until they had reached the well lit entrance hall. Harry went down to breakfast the next morning with the rest of the boys in his dormitory, all of whom seemed to think the Firebolt deserved a sort of guard of honor. As Harry entered the Great Hall, heads turned in the direction of the Firebolt, and there was a good deal of excited muttering. Harry saw, with enormous satisfaction, that the Slytherin team were all looking thunderstruck. â€Å"Did you see his face?† said Ron gleefully, looking back at Malfoy. â€Å"He can't believe it! This is brilliant!† Wood, too, was basking in the reflected glory of the Firebolt. â€Å"Put it here, Harry,† he said, laying the broom in the middle of the table and carefully turning it so that its name faced upward. People from the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables were soon coming over to look. Cedric Diggory came over to congratulate Harry on having acquired such a superb replacement for his Nimbus, and Percy's Ravenclaw girlfriend, Penelope Clearwater, asked if she could actually hold the Firebolt. â€Å"Now, now, Penny, no sabotage!† said Percy heartily as she examined the Firebolt closely. â€Å"Penelope and I have got a bet on,† he told the team. â€Å"Ten Galleons on the outcome of the match!† Penelope put the Firebolt down again, thanked Harry, and went back to her table. â€Å"Harry — make sure you win,† said Percy, in an urgent whisper. â€Å"I haven't got ten Galleons. Yes, I'm coming, Penny!† And he bustled off to join her in a piece of toast. â€Å"Sure you can manage that broom, Potter?† said a cold, drawling voice. Draco Malfoy had arrived for a closer look, Crabbe and Goyle right behind him. â€Å"Yeah, reckon so,† said Harry casually. â€Å"Got plenty of special features, hasn't it?† said Malfoy, eyes glittering maliciously. â€Å"Shame it doesn't come with a parachute — in case you get too near a Dementor.† Crabbe and Goyle sniggered. â€Å"Pity you can't attach an extra arm to yours, Malfoy,† said Harry. â€Å"Then it could catch the Snitch for you.† The Gryffindor team laughed loudly. Malfoy's pale eyes narrowed, and he stalked away. They watched him rejoin the rest of the Slytherin team, who put their heads together, no doubt asking Malfoy whether Harry's broom really was a Firebolt. At a quarter to eleven, the Gryffindor team set off for the locker rooms. The weather couldn't have been more different from their match against Hufflepuff. It was a clear, cool day with a very light breeze; there would be no visibility problems this time, and Harry, though nervous, was starting to feel the excitement only a Quidditch match could bring. They could hear the rest of the school moving into the stadium beyond. Harry took off his black school robes, removed his wand from his pocket, and stuck it inside the T-shirt he was going to wear under his Quidditch robes. He only hoped he wouldn't need it. He wondered suddenly whether Professor Lupin was in the crowd, watching. â€Å"You know what we've got to do,† said Wood as they prepared to leave the locker rooms. â€Å"If we lose this match, we're out of the running. just — just fly like you did in practice yesterday, and we'll be okay!† They walked out onto the field to tumultuous applause. The Ravenclaw team, dressed in blue, were already standing in the middle of the field. Their Seeker, Cho Chang, was the only girl on their team. She was shorter than Harry by about a head, and Harry couldn't help noticing, nervous as he was, that she was extremely pretty. She smiled at Harry as the teams faced each other behind their captains, and he felt a slight lurch in the region of his stomach that he didn't think had anything to do with nerves. â€Å"Wood, Davies, shake hands,† Madam Hooch said briskly, and Wood shook hands with the Ravenclaw Captain. â€Å"Mount your brooms †¦ on my whistle †¦ three — two — one –â€Å" Harry kicked off into the air and the Firebolt zoomed higher and faster than any other broom; he soared around the stadium and began squinting around for the Snitch, listening all the while to the commentary, which was being provided by the Weasley twins' friend Lee Jordan. â€Å"They're off, and the big excitement this match is the Firebolt that Harry Potter is flying for Gryffindor. According to Which Broomstick, the Firebolt's going to be the broom of choice for the national teams at this year's World Championship –â€Å" â€Å"Jordan, would you mind telling us what's going on in the match?† interrupted Professor McGonagall's voice. â€Å"Right you are, Professor — just giving a bit of background information — the Firebolt, incidentally, has a built-in auto-brake and –â€Å" â€Å"Jordan!† â€Å"Okay, okay, Gryffindor in possession, Katie Bell of Gryffindor, heading for goal†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Harry streaked past Katie in the opposite direction, gazing around for a glint of gold and noticing that Cho Chang was tailing him closely. She was undoubtedly a very good flier — she kept cutting across him, forcing him to change direction. â€Å"Show her your acceleration, Harry!† Fred yelled as he whooshed past in pursuit of a Bludger that was aiming for Alicia. Harry urged the Firebolt forward as they rounded the Ravenclaw goal posts and Cho fell behind. Just as Katie succeeded in scoring the first goal of the match, and the Gryffindor end of the field went wild, he saw it — the Snitch was close to the ground, flitting near one of the barriers. Harry dived; Cho saw what he was doing and tore after him — Harry was speeding up, excitement flooding him; dives were his specialty, he was ten feet away — Then a Bludger, hit by one of the Ravenclaw Beaters, came pelting out of nowhere; Harry veered off course, avoiding it by an inch, and in those few, crucial seconds, the Snitch had vanished. There was a great â€Å"Ooooooh† of disappointment from the Gryffindor supporters, but much applause for their Beater from the Ravenclaw end. George Weasley vented his feelings by hitting the second Bludger directly at the offending Beater, who was forced to roll right over in midair to avoid it. â€Å"Gryffindor leads by eighty points to zero, and look at that Firebolt go! Potter's really putting it through its paces now, see it turn — Chang's Comet is just no match for it, the Firebolt's precision — balance is really noticeable in these long –â€Å" â€Å"JORDAN! ARE YOU BEING PAID TO ADVERTISE FIREBOLTS? GET ON WITH THE COMMENTARY!† Ravenclaw was pulling back; they had now scored three goals, which put Gryffindor only fifty points ahead — if Cho got the Snitch before him, Ravenclaw would win. Harry dropped lower, narrowly avoiding a Ravenclaw Chaser, scanning the field frantically — a glint of gold, a flutter of tiny wings — the Snitch was circling the Gryffindor goal post†¦ Harry accelerated, eyes fixed on the speck of gold ahead — but just then, Cho appeared out of thin air, blocking him — â€Å"HARRY, THIS IS NO TIME TO BE A GENTLEMAN!† Wood roared as Harry swerved to avoid a collision. â€Å"KNOCK HER OFF HER BROOM IF YOU HAVE TO!† Harry turned and caught sight of Cho; she was grinning. The Snitch had vanished again. Harry turned his Firebolt upward and was soon twenty feet above the game. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cho following him †¦She'd decided to mark him rather than search for the Snitch herself†¦All right, then†¦if she wanted to tail him, she'd have to take the consequences†¦ He dived again, and Cho, thinking he'd seen the Snitch, tried to follow; Harry pulled out of the dive very sharply; she hurtled downward; he rose fast as a bullet once more, and then saw it, for the third time — the Snitch was glittering way above the field at the Ravenclaw end. He accelerated; so, many feet below, did Cho. He was winning, gaining on the Snitch with every second — then — â€Å"Oh!† screamed Cho, pointing. Distracted, Harry looked down. Three Dementors, three tall, black, hooded Dementors, were looking up at him. He didn't stop to think. Plunging a hand down the neck of his robes, he whipped out his wand and roared, â€Å"Expecto patronum!† Something silver-white, something enormous, erupted from the end of his wand. He knew it had shot directly at the Dementors but didn't pause to watch; his mind still miraculously clear, he looked ahead — he was nearly there. He stretched out the hand still grasping his wand and just managed to close his fingers over the small, struggling Snitch. Madam Hooch's whistle sounded. Harry turned around in midair and saw six scarlet blurs bearing down on him; next moment, the whole team was hugging him so hard he was nearly pulled off his broom. Down below he could hear the roars of the Gryffindors in the crowd. â€Å"That's my boy!† Wood kept yelling. Alicia, Angelina, and Katie had all kissed Harry; Fred had him in a grip so tight Harry felt as though his head would come off In complete disarray, the team managed to make its way back to the ground. Harry got off his broom and looked up to see a gaggle of Gryffindor supporters sprinting onto the field, Ron in the lead. Before he knew it, he had been engulfed by the cheering crowd. â€Å"Yes!† Ron yelled, yanking Harry's arm into the air. â€Å"Yes! Yes!† â€Å"Well done, Harry!† said Percy, looking delighted. â€Å"Ten Galleons to me! Must find Penelope, excuse me –â€Å" â€Å"Good for you, Harry!† roared Seamus Finnigan. â€Å"Ruddy brilliant!† boomed Hagrid over the heads of the milling Gryffindors. â€Å"That was quite some Patronus,† said a voice in Harry's ear. Harry turned around to see Professor Lupin, who looked both shaken and pleased. â€Å"The Dementors didn't affect me at all!† Harry said excitedly. â€Å"I didn't feel a thing!† â€Å"That would be because they — er — weren't Dementors,† said Professor Lupin. â€Å"Come and see — â€Å" He led Harry out of the crowd until they were able to see the edge of the field. â€Å"You gave Mr. Malfoy quite a fright,† said Lupin. Harry stared. Lying in a crumpled heap on the ground were Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Marcus Flint, the Slytherin team Captain, all struggling to remove themselves from long, black, hooded robes. It looked as though Malfoy had been standing on Goyle's shoulders. Standing over them, with an expression of the utmost fury on her face, was Professor McGonagall. â€Å"An unworthy trick!† she was shouting. â€Å"A low and cowardly attempt to sabotage the Gryffindor Seeker! Detention for all of you, and fifty points from Slytherin! I shall be speaking to Professor Dumbledore about this, make no mistake! Ah, here he comes now!† If anything could have set the seal on Gryffindor's victory, it was this. Ron, who had fought his way through to Harry's side, doubled up with laughter as they watched Malfoy fighting to extricate himself from the robe, Goyle's head still stuck inside it. â€Å"Come on, Harry!† said George, fighting his way over. â€Å"Party! Gryffindor common room, now!† â€Å"Right,† said Harry, and feeling happier than he had in ages, he and the rest of the team led the way, still in their scarlet robes, out of the stadium and back up to the castle. It felt as though they had already won the Quidditch Cup; the party went on all day and well into the night. Fred and George Weasley disappeared for a couple of hours and returned with armfuls of bottles of butterbeer, pumpkin fizz, and several bags full of Honeydukes sweets. â€Å"How did you do that?† squealed Angelina Johnson as George started throwing Peppermint Toads into the crowd. â€Å"With a little help from Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs,† Fred muttered in Harry's ear. Only one person wasn't joining in the festivities. Hermione, incredibly, was sitting in a corner, attempting to read an enormous book entitled Home Life and Social Habits of British Muggles. Harry broke away from the table where Fred and George had started juggling butterbeer bottles and went over to her. â€Å"Did you even come to the match?† he asked her. â€Å"Of course I did,† said Hermione in a strangely high-pitched voice, not looking up. â€Å"And I'm very glad we won, and I think you did really well, but I need to read this by Monday.† â€Å"Come on, Hermione, come and have some food,† Harry said, looking over at Ron and wondering whether he was in a good enough mood to bury the hatchet. â€Å"I can't, Harry. I've still got four hundred and twenty-two pages to read!† said Hermione, now sounding slightly hysterical. â€Å"Anyway†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She glanced over at Ron too. â€Å"He doesn't want me to join in.† There was no arguing with this, as Ron chose that moment to say loudly, â€Å"If Scabbers hadn't just been eaten, he could have had some of those Fudge Flies. He used to really like them –â€Å" Hermione burst into tears. Before Harry could say or do anything, she tucked the enormous book under her arm, and, still sobbing, ran toward the staircase to the girls' dormitories and out of sight. â€Å"Can't you give her a break?† Harry asked Ron quietly. â€Å"No,† said Ron flatly. â€Å"If she just acted like she was sorry — but she'll never admit she's wrong, Hermione. She's still acting like Scabbers has gone on vacation or something.† The Gryffindor party ended only when Professor McGonagall turned up in her tartan dressing gown and hair net at one in the morning, to insist that they all go to bed. Harry and Ron climbed the stairs to their dormitory, still discussing the match. At last, exhausted, Harry climbed into bed, twitched the hangings of his four-poster shut to block out a ray of moonlight, lay back, and felt himself almost instantly drifting off to sleep†¦ He had a very strange dream. He was walking through a forest, his Firebolt over his shoulder, following something silvery-white. It was winding its way through the trees ahead, and he could only catch glimpses of it between the leaves. Anxious to catch up with it, he sped up, but as he moved faster, so did his quarry. Harry broke into a run, and ahead he heard hooves gathering speed. Now he was running flat out, and ahead he could hear galloping. Then he turned a corner into a clearing and — â€Å"AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGHHHHHHH! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!† Harry woke as suddenly as though he'd been hit in the face. Disoriented in the total darkness, he fumbled with his hangings, he could hear movements around him, and Seamus Finnigan's voice from the other side of the room. â€Å"What's going on?† Harry thought he heard the dormitory door slam. At last finding the divide in his curtains, he ripped them back, and at the same moment, Dean Thomas lit his lamp. Ron was sitting up in bed, the hangings torn from one side, a look of utmost terror on his face. â€Å"Black! Sirius Black! With a knife!† â€Å"What?† â€Å"Here! Just now! Slashed the curtains! Woke me up!† â€Å"You sure you weren't dreaming, Ron?† said Dean. â€Å"Look at the curtains! I tell you, he was here!† They all scrambled out of bed; Harry reached the dormitory door first, and they sprinted back down the staircase. Doors opened behind them, and sleepy voices called after them. â€Å"Who shouted?† â€Å"What're you doing?† The common room was lit with the glow of the dying fire, still littered with the debris from the party. It was deserted. â€Å"Are you sure you weren't dreaming, Ron?† â€Å"I'm telling you, I saw him!† â€Å"What's all the noise?† â€Å"Professor McGonagall told us to go to bed!† A few of the girls had come down their staircase, pulling on dressing gowns and yawning. Boys, too, were reappearing. â€Å"Excellent, are we carrying on?† said Fred Weasley brightly. â€Å"Everyone back upstairs!† said Percy, hurrying into the common room and pinning his Head Boy badge to his pajamas as he spoke. â€Å"Perce — Sirius Black!† said Ron faintly. â€Å"In our dormitory! With a knife! Woke me up!† The common room went very still. â€Å"Nonsense!† said Percy, looking startled. â€Å"You had too much to eat, Ron — had a nightmare –â€Å" â€Å"I'm telling you –â€Å" â€Å"Now, really, enough's enough!† Professor McGonagall was back. She slammed the portrait behind her as she entered the common room and stared furiously around. â€Å"I am delighted that Gryffindor won the match, but this is getting ridiculous! Percy, I expected better of you!† â€Å"I certainly didn't authorize this, Professor!† said Percy, puffing himself up indignantly. â€Å"I was just telling them all t o get back to bed! My brother Ron here had a nightmare –â€Å" â€Å"IT WASN'T A NIGHTMARE!† Ron yelled. â€Å"PROFESSOR, I WOKE UP, AND SIRIUS BLACK WAS STANDING OVER ME, HOLDING A KNIFE!† Professor McGonagall stared at him. â€Å"Don't be ridiculous, Weasley, how could he possibly have gotten through the portrait hole?† â€Å"Ask him!† said Ron, pointing a shaking finger at the back of Sir Cadogan's picture. â€Å"Ask him if he saw –â€Å" Glaring suspiciously at Ron, Professor McGonagall pushed the portrait back open and went outside. The whole common room listened with bated breath. â€Å"Sir Cadogan, did you just let a man enter Gryffindor Tower?† â€Å"Certainly, good lady!† cried Sir Cadogan. There was a stunned silence, both inside and outside the common room. â€Å"You — you did?† said Professor McGonagall. â€Å"But — but the password!† â€Å"He had 'em!† said Sir Cadogan proudly. â€Å"Had the whole week's, my lady! Read 'em off a little piece of paper!† Professor McGonagall pulled herself back through the portrait hole to face the stunned crowd. She was white as chalk. â€Å"Which person,† she said, her voice shaking, â€Å"which abysmally foolish person wrote down this week's passwords and left them lying around?† There was utter silence, broken by the smallest of terrified squeaks. Neville Longbottom, trembling from head to fluffy slippered toes, raised his hand slowly into the air.

Children With Mental Illness The Meeting Client - 880 Words

On 1/20/2016, CM met with the client to complete Bi-Weekly ILP Review. In the meeting client was dressed in full black attire. She was well groomed. Client walks with a cane due to chronic back problems. In the meeting client was hostile, rude, uncooperative and disrespectful. . It has been this writers observations that client displays signs of narcissism behavior. She often dictates to staff what she will do as opposed to working with staff. At times she reports knowledgeable of DHS Rules and Regulation and she constantly personalized staff as she quote† You guys are trying to make me a mental client.† During the meeting session client was loud and hostile with this writer that the Social Service Supervisor intervenes and join the meeting. However, client continues to display uncooperative, disrespectful behavior. Client talked over the Social Service Supervisor displaying sign of narcissism. 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Exploring Russian Folk Dance - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 16 Words: 4796 Downloads: 6 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Statistics Essay Did you like this example? Introduction 1.1 Background Information Russian people think that the Russian dance is a celebration of their lives. Russian folk dance and folk music discloses the feeling and an expression of spirituality. The visit to Russia is becoming an experience of this new land. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Exploring Russian Folk Dance" essay for you Create order Russia is known as an attractive destination due to the scary size along with an interesting history of Europe. It is considered as an ultimate tourist destination and the country is one third part of European countries with the diverse musical background. Russian dances are full of individual and huge performers (Chitranshi, 2009). Russian dances are the human activities which constitutes all properties about human. Thus Russian dance exists at this land along with their terminology, sayings, proverbs and conversations. In Russia, classical ballet is a ruler. There is no training for the modern dances and also there is no performance space along with some modern schools. Russian folk dance was common among the peasants, commoners and the lower class people living outside the city (earlier than the rule of Peter). The higher class people did not dance but they were getting pleasure from the enjoyable performances of dancing trainers. The major differentiation among social classes within the culture of Russian dance took place as a historical event. That attack had broken the peopleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s way to live life and it also it changed the progress of Russian dances by stumbling its logical sequences. Russian classical ballet dance is very popular dance all around the world and it remained very popular since the nineteenth century (Chitranshi, 2009). 1.2 Aims and Objectives The researcher here aims to understand the concept of Russian folk dance and the reason for conversion of this into Russian Ballet dance. While the objective of this study is to analyse the concept of folk dance in Russia and various types of Russian dances which are famous in the country. 1.3 Research Questions In order to attain aims and objectives of the research, researcher has designed below stated research questions:- What are the various forms of folk dance in Russia? What is the history attached with Russian folk dance? How did Russian folk dance transformed to Ballet dance? How the dance, as source of entertainment had converted into professional dance? Who are the famous people linked to Russian folk and Ballet dance? 1.4 Russian ballet The actual ballet dance did not invent in Russia but the country has contributed very much for its development and currently Russian ballet has gained popularity all over the world. Various ballet dance performers along with the ballet companies have raised out of Russia and ballet theatres are attracting people in larger number. Ballet came into Russia during 1700s and in 1734, first ballet school was introduced (AlbrÑ–ght DanÑ–Ã Ã‚ µl 2004). After few years, an imperial school of St. Petersburg found first Ballet Company in Russia. It was first dominated by Italian and Russian dances as well as chorographers. In 1800s Russiaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Ballet dance incorporated some ideas from folk dancing. The higher class people did not increase and promote the art by supporting some companies. The French choreographer named as Marius Petipa and he was renowned for inventing ballet of Tchaikovsky. Russian ballet took place and observed in new era in the 20th centu ry. It has been identified in previous studies that Michel Fokine (choreographer), Vaslav Nijinksy (dancer), Sergey Diaghilev and Alexandre Benois (designer) set up the ballet company in Russia. At that point of time, superb dancer Anna Pavlova was taking the place. At present Russian ballet is known throughout the world and attracting lots of visitors. There is several ballet companies are operated in Russia such as Kremlin Ballet, Perm ballet and Imperial Russian ballet academy. The well known cities have established their own ballet orchestras and theatres and that are focused by number of supporters. The role of Russian ballet to the classical dances cannot be undervalued. It has been known from past many decades and considered as the indicator of the classical dance. It leads other type of dances. Young girls are becoming ballerinas and their dreams have been powered by the famous Russian dancers. Thus Russian ballet dance has captivated large number of audiences all around the globe. 1.5 Contribution of choreographers 1.5.1 Vaslav Nijinsky This choreographer is renowned as the male dancer of all times and he has also called the god of dance (Parker and Derek, 1988). After the long time of female dominance in the field of ballet, he overtook the ballet dancers of those times such as Pavlova, Karsavina and Kschà Ã‚ µssÑ–nska established superiority in the within the male dance stage in twentieth century. His career in the ballet dance field has ended from past ten years due to his mental disease. But legendary of Nijinsky will continue until the appearance of such type personality who will overtake the ballet generation. Pole became the hero of an imperial Maryinsky theatre just after completing his studies from St. Petersburg school at the age of 18 years. He was the inspiration for the ballets in the western side. Then Fokine invented ballets for Nijinsky and other people like Ravel, Debussy and Stravinsky prepared music for him (AlbrÑ–ght, DanÑ–Ã Ã‚ µl 2004). At the time of First World War, Nijinsky as a Russian citizen was interned in Hungry. Diaghilev got success in getting him out of the country for the purpose to visit North American tour in 1916 and then he choreographed his main part in Till Eulenspiegel. Indicators of dementia praecox became clear for the members of the company and then became sacred of other dancers (Anthony, 2002). The first ballet of Nijinsky named as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Là ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢AprÃÆ' ¨s-mÑ–dÑ– dà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢un Faunà Ã‚ µÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? has become a milestone within the history of ballet Russes of Diaghilev. That ballet was marked near to the period in which Fokine was the biggest dancer. Thus the dancer Nijinsky emerged as a choreographer and his thoughts stimulated the doubts raised by Diaghilev and it ran contradictory to the classical folk dances of Russia. The production of first ballet was totally based some choreographic scores and they were recorded by Nijinsky in his dance entry system. It remained for many years and he became unavailable due to his mental illness for reproducing the work. 1.5.2 Michel Fokine Michel Fokine got training from the Imperial school in St. Petersburg and then he joined Ballet Russes of Diaghilev in 1909. Then he went to United States in the year 1923 where he performed for the American Ballet theatre and Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Fokine considered some artificial as well as random traditions along with the methods and techniques for expressive and natural choreographic styles. This style is known as the recurrent topic in the field of ballet dance. His new ideas and thoughts led the success of the Diaghilev Company. He choreographed so many ballets and Chopiniana that led Balanchine for trying the ballets which became his brand name. The classical ballet dance or folk dance has become unlimited since the days of Fokine and the people thinks that his choreography is old fashioned. So his ballets remained unproductive and suffered from deformation. He was surprised and shocked that it would happen in his career (Michel Fokine, 2011). 1.5.3 Petipa along with the Russian Ballet Marius Petipa was the leading dancer and the choreographer along with the ballet of St. Petersburg in the year 1962. At that time he invented multi- acted ballet for the imperial theatre of Tsar. That ballet gave directions to other ballets and it was considered as classical ballet. In 1869, Petipa took the position of the master of ballet to the Tsarà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s imperial theatre. Then he created so many single and multi act ballets for the presentation on the Russian stages. Then he created and developed Don Quixote type for the ballet in Moscow. He choreographed large number of dances along with numerous types of ballets. 1.6 Russian Ballet Pushkin The present days consider importance of Russian ballet at quite a notable rate. Bolshoi and Maryinsky are among the most renowned companies and training schools for teaching of ballet. These are well known all across the world for their remarkable practices. It is appreciable to note that the tradition of Russia is into existence even in present era. The firmness among dancers and choreographers along with the support by audience has resulting in attainment of this position. However, the past of virile nature represents the main factor for survival of this dance. The ballet of Russia was imported from France though; it admiringly attained its own position in the culture and dance. The dancers and choreographers of Russia considered themselves as equivalent to that of Western countries. However, Alexander Pushkin was the main cause for writing style by Russia. The involvement of this man had resulted in portrayal of characters and story telling by utilizing themes of Russia that fits with the stage and survived for more than two centuries for Russian ballet. Western Europe was the main contributor to Russian ballet dance since the nineteenth century. However, the end of nineteenth century has resulted in formation of Russian ballet dance that differentiates itself from all over the world and become a leader in the arena. Didelot, the person well known as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Russian Balletà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s fatherà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (Steinberg, 1980), in the year 1816 along with explored Pushkin also termed as talent at local level, Russia started making strides for development of its unique form of ballet dance. There was overlap between the Didelot and Pushkinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s era at St Petersburg for Imperial ballet. In comparison to the ballet dance of Western European countries, ballet dance of Russia lied far behind in the field of art. Talented Didelot along with Pushkin had resulted in foundation of unique dance of Russian ballet. In spite of the reason that these two individuals were not able to see the domination of Russian ballet, but they deserved appreciation for their efforts. The main characteristics for Russian ballet include as follows (Nickles Kalman, 2008):- There is an opposition existing between gender and nationality. Here nationality means the Western European and Russian region. Storyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s location for Russians Music composition of Russians Attitude against nation to reflect work of individuals. Unique dancing steps supported by choreography illustrating special characteristics for Russian dancing. On unfolding the ballet dance of Russia, the efforts by Pushkin in his development is influenced. The composition of music and theatrical efforts had been quite unique in Russia due to the talent of Pushkin. On combining these aspects, there raised development in new arenas. The effect of Pushkin to develop Russian opera finally resulted in improvement of Russian ballet. The ballet is usually dependent on music for most of the countries. However, as per Slominsky (1947) stated that there exists strong relationship between these characteristics. The experiments by Pushkin along with the fresh rhythm had resulted in creation of challenging situation among composers. As per Gerald Abraham, the Russians in this century enjoyed favourable time due to better lyrics in spite of pseudo classicism related to Derzhavin that are related to love poems resulting in new song in Russian for Pushkin (Abraham, 1985). However, this was inspiring to note for the dancers and choreographers. The influence by Pushkin allowed in recognizing ballet of Russian for recognition of unique genera and not the import of talent belonging to different countries. The influence of Pushkin had helped in influencing the Russian ballet dance to be recognized all over the world with own image. The influence of Pushkin and Didelot had resulted in enhancing history of Russia to provide a strong background for artistic power. The involvement of Soviet along with arts had resulted in better improved arts. The companies created in Russia, by imperial decree had gained favour from government to result in better learning experience. This had resulted in giving an opportunity along with the challenge. The support by two companies had further resulted in higher value of material found and helps in improvement of opportunities for research, but shall be well defined to ensure that there is no conflicting situation. Chapter 2- Literature Review 2.1 Soviet Union and Folk Dance The Soviet Union concerns for the study of folk dance as an important arena in addition to drama art and music. However, there was lack of recording that would have helped the dancers to develop their skills (Blacking Kealiinohomoku, 1979). Prior to the revolution, there was no focus laid on folk dance. An individual needs to be aware of choreography, philology in addition to musical folklore (Blacking Kealiinohomoku, 1979). Lack of recording system resulted in not availability of recording for choreography. The history of folk dancing in Soviet has been into existence from the 1920s to 1930s (Blacking Kealiinohomoku, 1979). The composers from Ukraine had been involved in this arena and the country was among those who started this concept of folk dance earliest among Soviet Union. The efforts by cultural groups have resulted in good collection of wide range of roles from all across (Bukland, 2007). After the formulation of Russia, the country was left with two choices: outward choice to follow western tradition, and inward trend to follow their culture and tradition (Schultz, 2000). That had raised the urge to have a thorough plan in such a manner that there exists a good balance between the two. The ballet present at St. Petersburg had been considered as Bolshoi too. The development of Maryinsky theatre at St. Petersburg in 1860s followed by the imperial ballet that performed at new theatre in the year 1889, and the company was named as Maryinsky Ballet Company. Thereafter, the name of ballet at St. Petersburg was changed due to the assassination by Sergei Kirov in the year 1934. Thereafter, Soviet Politburo was favoured for replacement of Josef Stalin. There was the opposition for Kirov, by left opposition party (Treadgold, 1995). Renamed ballet institutions had been compounded due to imperial city for Soviets. The ideology from patrons had acted against Russian ballet, and that raised the concept of training of dancers for demonstrating the Bolshoi Theatre and Maryinsky. The seats were restricted for higher official authorities. The subject however had to face censorship resulting in ballet dance as being quite conservative (Dees, 2004). That acted against the introduction of this form of dance as a professional business. Individuals willing to carry on the operation for their profession had to face this as the major barrier against growth of industry and individuals attached with it. However, there still persisted the importance for all the ballet training centres. Moscow Company was among the famous training centres for the name of step child in the end of 19th century. Talented pool of people gathered at Petersburg however due focus was laid on Maryinsky Theatre. This was the main cause of Petersburg Company leading quite ahead of Bolshoi Company and resulted in its brand value in European context (Bailey Ivanova, 1999). Regulating institutions too became an uneven situation. The Bolshoi Ballet was not as tough to be carried on as compared to Maryinsky Ballet. Therefore, the latter had to make available all the resources along with the support provided by imperial court. Therefore, Bolshoi court enjoyed freedom of art. That was too tough to find out when the ballet dance in Russian context came to be known all around the world. The native dancers had to be well renowned at that instance to bring awareness among the genera. The dancer named as Theophile Gautier at St. Petersburg, belonging to Imperial school had stated that the institution of dance results into remarkable group of soloists, incepting the corps for ballet which was same as for movement speed, precision, and unity. That was the moment of joy for the group to disband the right moment for reforming in quite a unique manner. The movement of those feet in perfect manner with proper match among the group, without any confusing stage were the causes of this success. The laughter and chattering were never there. The pantomime for dumb with no action, had the frame as per Lifar (1954), and his studies. That was the unique form of Russian ballet dance for executing during the mid of 19th century. Additionally, the starting of 1844 was the time when ballet dancers of Russia got trained at their place to start formation in West Europe for applauds. Though the dancers were applauded both at national and international level, non Russian choreographers belonging to different locations had formed the dancing groups. Number of dance historians at those times stated that the ballets of Russia are not too different than those of French ballets for the Northern wind (Lifar, 1954). Additionally, the researcher had pointed that the dancers of Russia get training and learning from outside sources. The choreography training in Russia too was not of good standard. Therefore, the training and development was though noted in the country for Russian folk dance followed by the ballet dance, there still lacks the trainers. In case there would have been good number of trainers in the country, there can be improvement in ballet dancers of Russia. The Russian dancers were one or the other way linked to non native place (Lifar, 1954). The learning from those locations results into convergence among Russians including Pushkin, various choreographers and composers for establishment of Russian ballet. There raises the importance to make an effort to improve the chronological sequence for ballets in Russia. There need to be a strong link between the choreographer, composer and writer. For this purpose, ballet dancers had to be compared with that of western counterparts to compare and contrast relationship between the two. Charles Didelot was among the most famous choreographers in his times and was in link with Pushkin. However, previous ballet dancers too had worked to explore the poems of Pushkin to develop ballet dance. 2.2 Isadora Duncan dance: the revolution of an artist in Russia Isadora Duncan dance is known as revolutionary person of modern type of dances who made the first Russian show or presentation in the year 1905 in St. Petersburg at the Marinsky theatre. That was the time making event that had changed the grand Russian ballet tradition. Serge Diaghileff was the founder of the ballet Russe and he told about Isadora that she have given the permanent shock to classical Russian ballet dance and she had pointed the ways which were followed by them (Netti et al., 1991). Then Isadora returned to Russia for six times in her life time and found inspiration of the Russian workers. It has been revealed in the researches that after several years, the people will make the professional as well as personal journey in the country to bring the gift of American Duncan dance to the Russian people or dancers and also they will find that what would be remained within the art of Isadora in modern St. Petersburg. CEC international partners which is a Russian company and it sponsors for an artistic exchange between Eastern and Central Europe. Isadora established a training school in Moscow by getting invitation from the commissioner of people who made efforts for brining art in front of the people. An ideology of Soviet anti-capitalistic requested to disappointment of Duncan with the millionaires in America who failed to fund the schools in Germany, France and Greece (Lomax, 1959). There was little stability within the training for current dancers outside the world of ballet of the Bolshoi and Kirov. From past so many decades, after the communism, an imitation of modern dance has been seen. It was the work of Martha and Graham and her European contemporaries along with the training in Jazz. The dance of Isadora Duncan has brought together another dancers named as Michelle Vazquez Kickasola (Ivette Sotomayer and Cuban American) are elevated in Miami where the Cuban community acts as anti communist party. There were bothered about the choreography of red tunic dances to the red army songs and that may be disgusting for the people who have reformed themselves in the Russian countries in twenty first century (Hilton, Alison, 1995). It has been viewed that so many people have learned the dance as well music being as the main part for their history. Number of old people from independent states like Uzbekistan and Georgia has lamented the lives of people economically and politically under the communism. 2.3 Ballet dance of Ludwig Minkus Ludwig Minkus was one of the biggest musical composers in the mysteries. He was having powerful posts in the imperial ballet theatres in Russia in the nineteenth century. He was known as an antecedent of Tchaikovsky but he was delicate being as a musician. Despite the obscurity, Minkus can never be forgotten. In early 1990s, the imperfection by Natalia Makarova and Rudolf Nureyev, the name of Minkus began to go outside again. Then Richard prepared the ballet recordings that presented some dumpy passages from the Minkus work and thus it provided surprising and wonderful things. From past so many decades, the words came to know about the music of Minkus and it was the traditional part in Soviet Union. That was linked with the legendary of ballet master, named as Marius Petipa. These works such as La Bayadere and Don Quixote were the two choreographers who carried by some valid protection from eighteenth century to the present day (Corona, 1991). They were presented first time to the pe ople all over the world. To ignore the expression of regret, the ballet was proved as successful. That success was consolidated and now it has been carried out by many companies from the federation of Russia. Thus it has resulted into the transformation of old ballets to new type of ballet. The success of these ballets with other types of ballets has laid within the power of score for bringing the emotions of the people and dance of life. Thus Minkus neither published nor revised but played several arrangements that have become very popular in all over the world. It needs a new life for the people who had given up the hopes of their lives. The musical power and authority of ballet has become surprising for the people. These ballet stories has the real power and human demand in which the choreography attracts the esteem of Balletomanes, attracts music in its regularity, the beauty of the music keeps the attention of many people and it engages everyoneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s heart. Don Quixote is a comedy and known as one of the most touching novels in the world and it is about the beauty among the ordinary things. La Bayadere is a tragedy that keeps an eye on the sorrows of people in case of love with full of passion, unfaithfulness, separation and death. It talks about the two things together shows a satisfying symmetry. The ability of the musician responds to the effectiveness of both the sides such as dark and light of the human being touches the main demand of the drama. The life of Minkus and the compositions of ballets and the works are poorly diagnosed and documented, thus the proper and right investigation is needed for them to explore the historical and critical material. The studies provided the help of George Verdak of Indianapolis and it made the copes of this material from the collected ballet scores. It continued by his inheritor before her death. Some major contributions gave by a professor who made scores of La Bayadere. 2.4 Partnership with Marius Petipa The rich success of his work of Don Quixote have taken a part as a major step in the career of Minkus and his first appointment at the imperial Russian theatre in St. Petersburg in the year 1872 as the first court composer of ballet (Degh, Linda, 1965). The death of other choreographer named as Pugni led Minkus to take his place. He became responsible for musical devices as well as library in the Bolshoi theatre. Then he was told to compose music for ballet dance for the opera Mlada. It was commissioned by the director of imperial theatre. Then the projects was ended, Minkus revised prolonged his materials after some years for the development of ballet. That was followed by ballet one after another and Minkus appeared at the Maryinsky and Bolshoi theatre and it was all the choreography of Petipa. The researches have revealed that between the year1869 and 1886, Petipa generated only 4-8 ballets without composing any music by Minkus and that was the important partnership of these two a rtists. Chapter 3- Research Methodology 3.1 Introduction The chapter here explores research methodology used to complete this dissertation. Researcher explores the type of study undertaken at this instance and the approach used for analysing results. The researcher also explores the type of data used in the research and the approach used for the dissertation. The researcher has also explored aims and objectives of the research followed by research questions to achieve these. 3.2 Aims and Objectives The researcher here aims to understand the concept of Russian folk dance and the reason for conversion of this into Russian Ballet dance. While the objective of this study is to analyse the concept of folk dance in Russia and various types of Russian dances which are famous in the country. 3.3 Research questions In order to attain aims and objectives of the research, researcher has designed below stated research questions:- What are the various forms of folk dance in Russia? What is the history attached with Russian folk dance? How did Russian folk dance transformed to Ballet dance? How the dance, as source of entertainment had converted into professional dance? Who are the famous people linked to Russian folk and Ballet dance? 3.4 Paradigm for Research For this research, researcher has used interpretative approach for research. Therefore, the interpretations acted as the main source for data analysis. In addition to this, the descriptive nature of approach was used for research purpose. Researcher has made an effort to collect secondary data from various sources to have a clear thought process for the subject under study. The folk dance in Russia, right from its history to present times is analysed. Various famous personalities were also covered in the research to understand the philosophical approach in the country. Although it is preferred by researchers such as Richards Hall (2000) to collect both primary and secondary data while carrying on the research process, secondary data was chosen hereon by the researcher due to complexity attached with primary data collection approach. Collection of primary data would have added too much to the complexity of this project. First of all, researcher had a clear understanding of the research topic to understand all the concepts related with Russian folk dance. This helped in designing clear aims and objectives of the research. Thereafter, secondary data was analysed further to formulate the dissertation sections and integrate them well to ensure the logical flow of discussion. Then researcher had made an effort to attain the aims and objectives of research by answering research questions. This helped in final conclusion to demonstrate the findings. 3. 5 Research Strategy Used The researcher has made use of case study as research strategy by designing of complete research process. This helped in clearly defining research problems that relate with the subject under study. The use of case study helped in gaining solution for the research. This had helped in acting as main cause for decision making stage to attain the aims and objectives of research. Theories related to folk and ballet dance of Russia were discussed to have a sound understanding of the subject under study. Therefore, case study was taken as a favourable approach for determining the research and evaluating it thoroughly (Robert, 2003). This approach helps in analysing results based on the theoretical framework prepared for the research. Case study is used widely as per researchers such as Robert (2003) to analyse the outcomes due to high reliability and consistency associated with the concept. These help in exploratory study of the subject topic using numerous case studies for using the replication process to analyse based on the theory collected (Yin, 1994). The conceptual methods have been explored well through the use of case study method to analyse the results (Yin, 1994). Through case study method, theoretical background of folk dance in Russia would be created to know about the existence of this traditional approach, which had resulted in Ballet dance introduction and the conversion of dance into professional dance. Therefore, case study seems to be the reliable tool for getting results within short span of time. This would also help the researcher to get rid of any sort of biasness due to different beliefs. 3.6 Method to Collect Data For this research purpose, researcher has taken secondary data as the choice. Number of books, and magazines were referred along with journals and various internet sources. These would help in formulation of strong base to carry out research process. The results would be obtained thoroughly through this strategy to attain outcomes.

The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald - 1531 Words

The Great Gatsby is a highly symbolic piece of literature, representative of life in America during the early 20th century. In particular, however, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel represents the overall failure of the American Dream in an era seemingly known for its economic prosperity. His main argument is that in the end, the American Dream will always be known as a failure; unattainable to almost all who seek it. Fitzgerald argues that the ideals of the American Dream at the time of the so-called â€Å"Roaring Twenties† and the â€Å"Gilded Age† were more destructive to someone’s overall character than beneficial to their happiness and socioeconomic status. Throughout the course of the novel, the author attempts to uncover the more negative aspects of life in the 1920s and ‘30s, suggesting that dancing flapper girls, luxurious parties, and the growth of the American economy all helped to hide the corruption, cynicism, greed, and dishonesty going on be hind the scenes. The American Dream is what its name suggests—simply a dream—and one that Fitzgerald argues won’t ever come true. Fitzgerald portrays the 1920s as an era not only of decaying social and moral values, but as a time when people recklessly pursued the American Dream; much to no avail. An example of this kind of recklessness can be found by examining the protagonist of the book, Jay Gatsby, who seeks to rekindle his past love life with a woman named Daisy Buchanan. At first, Daisy is portrayed as loyal, innocent, and pure.Show MoreRelatedThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald1393 Words   |  6 PagesF. Scott Fitzgerald was the model of the American image in the nineteen twenties. He had wealth, fame, a beautiful wife, and an adorable daughter; all seemed perfect. Beneath the gilded faà §ade, however, was an author who struggled with domestic and physical difficulties that plagued his personal life and career throughout its short span. 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Costco Wholesale Club Strategic Plan Essay Sample free essay sample

The retail industry is an highly competitory environment that poses many challenges for Costco Wholesale Corporation and its rivals. Since many of the shops offer the same merchandises. it may sometimes be really difficult for clients to distinguish between retail shops. Even though the economic system is retrieving from a recession. the retail concern is still a mature industry and is bettering really steadily. Costco and its rivals are affected by the same political. economic. societal. and technological factors. such as revenue enhancements. presidential elections. SEC ordinances. the economic province of the state. exchange rates. assorted societal features. such as client age. income and household size. and the growing of e-commerce. All of these external factors have a great influence on how Costco conducts their operations. Costco is a prime leader in the retail industry thanks to their strategic pricing scheme. low cost operating system. and fiscal stableness. Costco is still vulnerable to legion menaces. such as competition. exchange rates fluctuations. increasing labour and health care costs. and high exposure to low growing markets. If Costco is to keep the market portion in the retail industry. they should see the options of offering more client service in their warehouses. increase on-line retail gross revenues. and get other retail shops for enlargement and growing. Finally. if Costco wants to go more competitory and profitable over clip. direction should implement the recommendation of take downing rank costs and spread outing their operations. Firm ProfileCostco Wholesale Corporation is based in Issaquah. Washington and is one of the taking forces in the General Merchandise Stores/Retail Industry. Costco operates an international concatenation of 600 warehouses where merely their rank holders have the privilege to shop. Costco offers high-quality. trade name name ware at well lower monetary values than other retail locations across the Earth. Their warehouses were originally designed to assist little to moderate-sized concern cut down costs in buying for resale and for day-to-day concern usage. but has turned into a primary location to assist all persons with their personal demands. Costco Wholesale Corporation offers one of the largest assortments of merchandises that can be found in one location. Their merchandises range from food markets. electronics. automotive supplies. jewellery. featuring goods. family contraptions. and office equipment. What distinguishes Costco from other retail merchants is that they merely allow members to shop at any of their locations. There are three different rank degrees: Business. Gold Star ( single ) . and Executive rank. Each specific degree entitles clients to assorted privileges. The mission of Costco Wholesale Corporation is â€Å"To continually supply our members with choice goods and services and the lowest possible monetary values. † Costco is able to carry through its mission by their strategic pricing schemes. while offering merchandises in majority that saves their clients money. There is no vision statement for Costco ; nevertheless. through staying by their mission. Costco hopes to stay a leader in the competitory retail industry and go more profitable in the close hereafter. External AnalysisHarmonizing to Mergentonline. com. Costco Wholesale Corporation is ranked the 2nd largest retail shop in the universe. with five-hundred 98 shops worldwide and one-year grosss near to $ 89 billion dollars. Since about two-thirds of the United States gross domestic merchandise comes from retail shops. many consumers are reliant on the merchandises of retail shops for their mundane demands. In order to hold a competitory advantage over other retail shops. Costco needs to distinguish themselves in footings of merchandises and monetary value. When finding what merchandises to sell and at what monetary value. many external factors affect Costco’s strategic program to separate themselves from their competition. From a political point of view. one of the biggest external factors impacting corporations in the retail industry is revenue enhancements. The United States corporate federal income revenue enhancement rate is one of the highest in the universe. in which companies have to pay 35 % in revenue enhancements on income over $ 18. 333. 333. ( Greenstein. Rogoff. Olsen. A ; Co. . LLP. CPA’s ) Firms in this industry would wish to see corporate revenue enhancement lessening so that the company is able to hold a higher net income. It is unsure if the corporate revenue enhancement rate will increase or diminish ; nevertheless. presidential campaigner Mitt Romney says that he is be aftering on offering a corporate revenue enhancement cut to promote concerns to increase operations in the United States than overseas. The state will merely hold to wait and see if this becomes world. A higher net income could potentially intend more net incomes per portion and more dividends distributed to s tockholders. Not merely are retail companies affected by revenue enhancements in the United States. they are besides affected by export and import revenue enhancements on goods produced and sold throughout the universe. Costco owns a figure of subordinate companies. such as Price Enterprises. Inc. and Shinsegae Department Store Co. which is located in Korea and capable to foreign revenue enhancement rates. Costco. every bit good as its retail rivals. would wish to see a lessening in foreign revenue enhancement rates so that they’re able to bring forth a higher net income from their foreign subordinates. Another political factor that affects retail merchants is presidential elections. Costco needs to pay particular attending at which candidate’s ideals and values interlink with those of Costco. Costco would buttonhole for the campaigner that would assist their concern the most. whether it is revenue enhancement interruptions. credits. deregulating of concern. etc. In the 2008 presidential election. Costco CEO James Sinegal supported Barack Obama with run parts. which seemed a surprise since most Fortune 500 companies support republican campaigners ( retailindustry. about. com ) . SEC ordinances are a concluding political factor. Costco is a publically traded company ; hence. is capable to stricter regulations and ordinances set up by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Stricter regulations and ordinances mean more clip and costs needed to stay by this regulation. which are cumbersome to all houses and ultimately lowers net income. Since the lodging market clang that started in December of 2007. more people are now returning to shop at retail shops. which is bettering the retail sector’s recovery. ( Farfan ) In a hard-pressed economic system. consumers are more cautious about how they spend their money. which is expected to go on due to underemployment and high unemployment rates. Firms in this industry demand to go on to offer their member clients a wide choice of a assortment of merchandises at a low cost. This will pull more clients every bit good as maintain client trueness. Even though the economic system is retrieving. gas monetary values are lifting. This could hold a negative effect for Costco since it operates gas Stationss at legion shops throughout the state. Some clients may be loath to buy gas because they merely do non desire to drive that much anymore or happen cheaper rates someplace else. In add-on. the more money that clients spend on gas at Costco’s the lupus erythematosus they are likely to pass on other shop merchandises. Exchange rates is Another economic factor that has an consequence on Costco. Since Costco has some foreign subordinates. exchange rates are traveling to impact Costco’s net income in a positive or negative manner when it comes clip to set together their fiscal statements. Costco has to interpret their subsidiaries’ foreign currency into dollars and exchange rates tend to fluctuate. which can hold an inauspicious or reverse consequence on net income. A concluding economic factor is involvement and rising prices rates. These two rates have a negative consequence on the industry because if these rates were to increase Costco would hold to increase the monetary values of their merchandises. In add-on to economic factors. societal factors impact the industry. Costco. every bit good as its rivals need to pay attending to four chief features of their clients: Age. client household size. income degrees. and purchasing wonts. Retailers need to cognize the age scope of their clients in order to find what sorts of merchandises to offer. since client age scope varies significantly in retail shops. This will let Costco and other retail merchants to do a determination about how much stock list should be ordered for their shops. The merchandises need to be marketed efficaciously across all age’s in order to appeal to their mark audience. Knowing the household size of retail clients allows retail merchants to place a monetary value scheme for their merchandises. Retailers know that clients with larger households are more prone to seek cost-efficient merchandises to salvage money. while smaller families would be more likely to buy higher-priced merchandises. One of the chief factors that influence the retail concern is consumer income. Income degrees are normally affected by economic conditions and typically the more income a consumer has the more likely they are to pass. Harmonizing to U. S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. consumer disbursement rose 0. 5 per centum this past twelvemonth. ( World Wide Web. ehow. com ) The sum of consumer income affects all retailers’ ability to remain competitory with each other. Last. consumer purchasing wonts can be really dysfunctional for retail merchants. Sometimes consumers will wish a certain merchandises. so when a new one comes along the old merchandise will acquire disbanded. It is critical for success that retail merchants maintain the most voguish. sanely priced merchandises for purchase. The chief technological alteration in this industry is the continued growing of online shopping. every bit good as cyberspace advertisement. Internet shopping has become the retail industry’s most popular tendency and it seems that cyberspace shopping will merely increase over clip ( merchantoline. com ) . Costco maintains a competitory border over other retail shops who do non offer on-line shopping and it a llows them to convey in more gross. Online shopping has wholly revolutionized the manner that retail merchants do concern. Even though the economic system is retrieving from a recession. the retail concern is still a mature industry and is bettering really steadily. The retail industry histories for the 2nd largest consumer sector in the United States. in footings of figure of constitutions and employees. ( merchantonline. com ) Harmonizing to the United States Department of Commerce. gross revenues increased in the first one-fourth of 2011 opposed to 2010. which is supposed to bring forth $ 4. 2 trillion yearly in the United States entirely. ( merchantonline. com ) As a manner to pull more concern and compete with one another. retail merchants are now get downing to offer more price reductions and inducements in their shops. The retail industry can merely make better every bit long as the economic system is bettering. which can increase optimism in the industry. Improved retail conditions means improved fiscal consequences. Investors are puting more in the retail industry and amalgamation and acquisitio n activity increased throughout 2011. The retail industry still maintains their position as the figure one distribution channel in the United States and the outgrowth of the popularity of online shopping will merely let retail merchants to better function the increasing demands of their consumers. The retail industry is a extremely competitory market with legion companies competing for consumer’s concern by offering a assortment of finished merchandises. Costco has many rivals. but no other rival offers a bigger menace than Wal-Mart Stores. Inc. Wal-Mart leads all retail shops in footings of gross with $ 421. 849. 000. 000 yearly ( merchantonline. com ) . which beats Costco by $ 332. 934. 000. 000. Other major rivals of Costco in footings of gross are Target. Sears. Dollar General. Dollar Tree. and eBay. Since online shopping has become more popular. Costco needs to be cognizant of cyberspace companies such as Amazon. com and eBay acquiring more of a market portion in the retail industry. In add-on. Costco needs to be cognizant of other non-store retail merchants as emerging entrants in the retail industry. such as informercials. direct response telecasting advertisement. in-home presentations. peddling machines. e-commerce. and multi-level selling ( Farfan ) . As for a new shop retail merchants emerging. Costco does non necessitate to worry because this is a really difficult barrier to entree and it would hard for another shop retail merchant to distinguish themselves in footings of monetary value and merchandises from the other retail shops. Not merely are rivalry between rivals and the emergent of new entrants forces that form Costco’s strategic program. but Costco besides has to worry about replacements. A replacement for a retail shop would be a food market shops. single gas Stationss. vesture shops. jewellery shops. and electronic shops. All these shops offer many of the same merchandises that Costco offers and at a similar monetary value. Costco has a competitory advantage over many of these other shops because their merchandises can normally all be bought at Costco ; nevertheless. Costco needs to be cognizant of what these shops are making as to what merchandises they offer and at what monetary value in order to keep a competitory advantage. In general. Costco has a supreme advantage in the retail industry compared to its legion rivals. In 2011. Costco was ranked the 3rd largest retail merchant in the United States and 8th largest in the universe. Costco is besides listed as 25th on the Fortune 500. ( costco. com ) The retail industry is booming due to the economic system recovering and the future looks really promising. Costco has an advantage for a higher net income potency in approaching old ages every bit long as they can supply their consumers the best trades that people can happen. Internal AnalysisCostco Wholesale Corporation operates 598 warehouses worldwide in one of the most extremely competitory markets of any industry. In order to keep their success in the retail industry. Costco needs to stay by their mission statement. in which the company plans to continually supply their members with choice goods and services at the lowest possible monetary values. ( Costco. com ) Costco can continue this promise to their consumers by maintaining their members pleased. continuing employee morale. go oning to hold positive relationships with providers. and following Torahs and ordinances. Costco has much strength as a leader in the retail industry and is presented with many chances for growing and farther development ; nevertheless. there are some failings the Costco could better upon and the company is exposed to menaces that could endanger Costco’s future success in the retail industry. Costco has many strong properties that make the company one of the Prime Minister leaders in the retail industry. One of Costco’s strength’s is the company’s merchandise and service choice. Costco offers many national trade name merchandises. every bit good merchandises under its private label Kirkland. ( Datamonitor. 2008 ) Costco’s merchandises range from food markets. electronics. contraptions. hardware. etc. In add-on to merchandises. Costco offers a broad scope of services which include offering assorted types of insurance. existent estate and mortgage services. small-business loans. etc. A assortment of merchandises and services available in one topographic point makes it really convenient for consumers to shop at one topographic point to coverage all of their indispensable demands and purchase luxury points. Costco’s handiness of merchandises and service all in one topographic point helps the company serve a really big and differentiated cons umer base. which promotes higher grades of client satisfaction and reduces concern hazard. Another noteworthy strength of Costco is their strategic monetary value positioning scheme. which has led to increased client trueness. Costco maintains a competitory advantage over other retail shops by offering a well low markup of 11 % of their ware. ( Datamonitor. 2011 ) Because of their low markup. Costco has been able to increase rank reclamations of their consumers. Harmonizing to the 2011 Annual Report. Costco increased their entire cardholder population by 6. 000. 000 members from 2010 conveying about a sum of 64. 000. 000 cardholders at their financial twelvemonth terminal. Although members pay one-year fees to shop at Costco. executive member cardholders. who have the highest one-year fee. position is increasing due to Costco’s 2 % rewards plan. This rewards plan offers clients an extra 2 % price reduction on qualified purchases that can be redeemed at Costco warehouses. ( Datamonitor. 2011 ) Costco’s ability to keep a loyal consumer base will enable the comp any to postulate with other retail companies in this extremely competitory market. A 3rd strength of Costco is their low cost operating doctrine. which has resulted in decreased funding costs for the company. Costco has low stock list costs as a consequence of an addition in their stock list turnover ratio. Costco’s stock list turnover ratio is presently at 12. 67 yearss. which is up by. 36 yearss from the old twelvemonth. ( financials. morningstar. com ) This is chiefly an result of Costco’s low pricing scheme. which offers a narrow choice of private and national trade names. and promoting consumers to purchase in majority. all of which has led to an addition in gross revenues volume for the company. Harmonizing to Costco’s 2011 Annual Report. net gross revenues increased by 5. 1 % from 2010. Costco has been able to hold a really sophisticated supply concatenation web from its gross revenues volume and speedy stock list turnover. thereby leting the company to finance their stock list through payment programs with providers instead than holding to utilize some of their on the job capital. Costco is able to reassign their ware cargos from its distribution centre to the legion warehouses across the state and abroad around a 24 hr clip period. which capitalizes on cargo volume and cut downing receiving and storage costs. When the merchandises arrive at the warehouses. Costco is able to cut down labour for managing and carrying the merchandises by runing a self-service installation. where merchandises are displayed to palettes in big measures and stored on racks. A concluding strength of Costco is increasing their gross and assets systematically and bettering upon their debt place. Net Gross saless have increased steadily since 2009. From 2009 to 2010. net gross revenues increased by $ 6. 37 billion and by $ 10. 8 billion from 2010 to 2011. ( Costco Wholesale Annual Report ) This has besides caused net income to increase every bit good. which is presently at $ 1. 46 billion at the terminal of the 2011 financial twelvemonth. All of Costco’s current assets and belongings and equipment increased in value for 2010. where entire assets increased by $ 2. 9 billion. Costco has seen a lessening in their long-run debt place. which decreased by $ 888 million from 2010. This lessening has improved the company’s debt to equity ratio and involvement coverage ratio. Costco’s improved recognition worthiness and gross and plus place enable Costco to be in place for more enlargement undertakings. Even though Costco Wholesale Corporation has much strength. there are some failings within the company that need to be discussed. The first failing within the company is their focal point of operations within the California market. Costco has 429 warehouses in the United States and 119 of those warehouses are in California. Washington. where the corporation is headquartered. is the closest second best with lone 29 shops in the full province. Costco does non even have any locations in Arkansas. Louisiana. Mississippi. Maine. Wyoming. West Virginia. North Dakota. or South Dakota. There are many macro-economic factors that could potentially ache concern for Costco in California. such as increasing province unemployment degrees. increasing nutrient. gas. and energy monetary values. and the worsening lodging market. California is besides susceptible to many natural catastrophes. such as temblors and forest fires. Costco besides faces the hazard of an increasing figure of sweeping nines em erging in the California retail market. All of these economic. environmental. and industry jeopardies could impact Costco’s overall public presentation since California is the company’s primary beginning of gross. Another failing of Costco is their deficiency of presence in Europe other than the United Kingdom. Costco presently operates 22 warehouses throughout England. Scotland. and Wales. There are no other locations throughout Europe. It would look good for Costco to see spread outing into the European continent sing their economic province. Many states within the European Union are fighting economically and since Costco offers merchandises and services at well low monetary values compared to other retail merchants. more people could see shopping at Costco for their indispensable demands. A failing that stands out for Costco is that they merely allow club members to shop at their warehouses. Many people might non desire to shop at Costco entirely because they are required to pay an one-year rank fee. By merely leting club members to shop at their locations. Costco is losing out on a huge sum of gross of people desiring to shop at that place. but can non. Gross saless could be higher than what they are now if Costco would desire to see altering their policy. More gross revenues could take to more enlargement and a greater market portion. Costco has a history of merchandise callbacks and judicial proceeding proceedings that would damage the company’s image. For case. in December of 2007 a provider of Burritos said that their merchandise contained undeclared casein. a milk protein that could take to serious allergic reactions. ( Datamonitor ) Besides. in 2008. Costco had to remember bottles of Samuel Adams beer because of opportunities of the bottles incorporating glass. In the yesteryear. Costco was involved in a figure of category action cases. which accused the company of neglecting to counterbalance decently for overtime work. non supplying repast or remainder interruptions. and unjust publicity chances for female directors. A negative public image by the media could damage the company’s repute. A concluding failing of Costco is that the company’s inability to market good. Costco does non hold a batch of resources in their selling section and normally is merely involved in direct selling for advancing choice ware. ( Datamonitor ) This can ache Costco because if they are non acquiring the right sum of publicity it could ache them by non being able to pull more members. which could set a load on their end of increasing gross systematically. Some chances that Costco is presented with are strong growing and enlargement outlooks in their Asiatic market. a turning demand for private label merchandises. and more chances for on-line retailing. ( These subjects will be cover in the Options section. ) Costco is besides presented with legion menaces. such as their competition. exchange rates fluctuations. increasing labour and health care costs. and high exposure to low growing markets. Costco stacks up really good compared to their competition with increasing gross growing. enlargement chances. and with their on-line retail sector. Costco is a really big company with a batch of fiscal strength and is executing rather good. financially. in one of the most competitory industries in the universe. Costco seems to hold a really good strategic program with the manner they conduct their concern and it shows that their methods are working. Obviously. there are some things that they would wish to better upon. but Costco is presented with many chances that could turn them into an even larger company and a bigger menace to their competition. Fiscal AnalysisFor the fiscal analysis. I compared Costco to Target. which is one of its nearest rivals. 45 pointsMorningstar. com was used to cipher this data| Focal Firm Costco| | Closest CompetitorTarget| | 2011| 2010| 2009| | 2011| 2010| 2009| Current Ratio ( # ) | 1. 14| 1. 16| 1. 11| | 1. 71| 1. 63| 1. 66| Debt/Equity Ratio ( % ) | 1. 23| 1. 20| 1. 19| | 1. 82| 1. 90| 2. 22| Gross Profit Margin ( % ) | 12. 6 % | 12. 8 % | 12. 7 % | | 30. 9 % | 30. 3 % | 32 % | Net Net income Margin ( % ) | 1. 64 % | 1. 67 % | 1. 52 % | | 4. 33 % | 3. 81 % | 3. 41 % | Activity Ratio ( Your pick ) Inventory Turnover| 12. 67| 12. 31| 11. 94| | 6. 31| 6. 57| 1. 55| Gross Growth ( % ) | 14. 07 % | 9. 13 % | -1. 46 % | | 3. 11 % | . 63 % | 2. 50 % | S. G A ; A/Revenue ( % ) | 9. 82 % | 10. 09 % | 10. 21 % | | 19. 99 % | 20. 01 % | 22. 42 % | Based on the fiscal ratios that are calculated above. Target is more liquid. leveraged. and profitable because they have a higher current ratio compared to Costco. a higher debt/equity ratio than Costco. and a higher gross border and net net income per centum than Costco. Costco has better gross growing over the three old ages. They took a minor hit in 2009 due to the recession. but increased their gross dramatically in 2010 and increased it more in 2011. Target has positive growing in all three old ages ; nevertheless. their gross growing fell in 2010 and did non even increase every bit much gross as Costco. Costco has better control of their S. G A ; A over the three old ages. Costco’s is lower than Target’s and they’re able to steadily diminish their S. G A ; A % of gross over the class of three old ages. Target has a better purchase tendency over the three old ages than Costco. Target is somewhat extremely leveraged so Costco ; nevertheless. Target is dimin ishing their Debt/Equity ratio steadily over the three twelvemonth period. while Costco’s Debt/Ratio increases over the three twelvemonth period. Determining whether Costco or Target is financially â€Å"healthier† than the other in the three-year period presents some trouble because both houses are in really stable conditions and are executing in different countries better than the other. Both companies have been around in the retail industry for many old ages and are doing great paces in going leaders in their extremely competitory market. Not to state that one is better than the other. but if I had to pick one over the other in footings of being financially â€Å"healthier† I would hold to travel with Target. When measuring liquidness ratios. Target wins because they have a higher current ratio than Costco in every twelvemonth over the three-year period. This means that Target has the ability to pay off short-run debts more rapidly than Costco. There is more hard currency. hard currency equivalents. and history receivables on-hand than current liabilities. which is a consequence of both companies holding a positive figure for all three old ages for both companies. Both companies are executing good in footings of being able to pay off short-run debts since all their Numberss are greater than one. but Target has the border because their current ratio is a batch higher than Costco’s. Even though Target has a higher Debt/Equity ratio over the three twelvemonth period. as a company. they are doing great paces in significantly diminishing their sum of purchase. On the other manus. Costco’s Debt/Equity ratio is a batch lower than Target’s. but their Debt/Equity ratio is increasing every twelvemonth. I besides think that Target’s higher purchase is non needfully such a bad thing. As shown by their profitableness ratios. Target is executing financially good and holding debt could be a mark of future growing because the company will necessitate money is order to spread out into more markets. unfastened new shops. purchase new assets. engage more employees. advertise more. etc. If Target is able to utilize their debt efficaciously. holding more debt at the minute will profit them more in the long-term so Costco. Besides. by diminishing their Debt/Equity ratio. Target is take downing the sum of involvement that needs to be paid to creditors for the ad option of financess. Costco would really be increasing their involvement disbursal because their debt is increasing. From a profitableness point of view. Target has about an 18 % higher Gross Profit Margin per centum than Costco in all three old ages. Both firms’ Gross Profit Margin remains reasonably stable around the same per centum over the three twelvemonth period. but it is an tremendous advantage for Target to do about 30 % markup on selling their merchandises entirely. Not merely is Target’s Gross Profit Margin per centum higher. but their net net income border per centum is about 3 % higher in each twelvemonth over the three twelvemonth period than Costco. This after-tax income allows Target to hold the possible to pay a batch more dividends to their Stockholders than Costco. which enables Target to accomplish a primary end of any company. which will increase the wealth of their stockholders. A higher net income gives Target an advantage over Costco to pay out more dividends. Costco does hold an advantage over Target in footings of holding a higher Inventory Turnover ratio each twelvemonth. dramatically increasing their gross. particularly in 2010 and 2011. and holding a lower S. G A ; A/Revenue per centum. However. that’s non to state that Target’s Numberss are bad. Costco is better at turning over their stock list throughout every twelvemonth. where the additions can be seen in the additions in gross growing throughout the three twelvemonth period. Costco being able to sell more stock lists will merely increase gross revenues. Target’s stock list turnover ratio is consistent. They were able to hold a 5 % addition in 2010 and remained around the same in 2011 and can ever better upon this figure. Like their stock list turnover ratio. Target’s gross growing per centum is consistent. It’s positive in every twelvemonth over the three twelvemonth period. but doesn’t have the large leaps that Costco did in 2010 and 2011. It’s good to detect that Target’s gross growing wasn’t that affected in 2009 by the recession that hurt many companies in the retail industry. I think that consistence is better in this class and gives Target an advantage in the long-run because it would truly be difficult for Costco to hold dramatic gross growing increases in old ages to come. but it gives Costco the border in the present. While looking at each companies S. G A ; A/Revenue per centum. both companies are doing the right betterments in this class for the ratio decreases systematically each twelvemonth. Costco wins this class because their S. G A ; A/Revenue per centum is a batch lower than Target’s. Target is making good in the fact that it’s diminishing each twelvemonth. but their S. G A ; A/Revenue per centum is merely higher because they have a batch more profitableness than Costco. which means that they’re selling more merchandises as a whole. If there are more merchandises to sell so at that place has to be more administrative disbursals to run their concern. In decision. both companies are so financially â€Å"healthy. † but Target wins in comparing the two companies. As a whole. I thought that Target had more consistence in some classs and merely kick better Numberss in other classs. It’ll decidedly be interesting how their 2012 Numberss compare to the tendencies their holding at the current minute. Options When measuring the external factors that affect the retail industry. Costco’s strengths. failings. chances. and menaces. and Costco’s fiscal state of affairs. there are three chief options that the house has the capableness to implement traveling frontward. The options are offering more client service in their warehouses. increase on-line retail gross revenues. and get other retail shops for enlargement and growing. All of these options are relevant to the issues confronting the retail industry and will enable Costco to hold a greater competitory advantage over other retail shops. The first option that Costco has traveling frontward is to offer more client service to their clients shopping in the warehouses. Costco displays legion merchandises in majority and on palettes in their warehouses and this could function as an incommodiousness to some of their clients. particularly to older clients who might hold problem acquiring to or raising the merchandises. To avoid these sorts of disagreements and supply the maximal sum of client service to their clients. Costco should increase the sum of forces that they have on their warehouse floors. Customer service will non merely be available at the forepart desk of the shop. but it will now be available throughout the warehouse. which will supply clients with the greatest sum of aid and will take to better client satisfaction and beef up client trueness. Costco does hold the right accomplishment set to implement this program because their employees are good qualified and trained to help customer’s demands. They co uld engage more forces in their shops to do this a full or parttime occupation for some employees and it could be implemented in their shops instead rapidly. so clip would non be a factor in this option. The 2nd option that Costco has is to increase the on-line retail gross revenues. Online-retailing is going the industry’s most popular tendency. Harmonizing to Forrester Research. e-commerce gross revenues in the U. S. will maintain turning at a 10 per centum compound one-year growing rate through 2014. It forecasts on-line retail gross revenues in the U. S. will be about $ 250 billion. up from $ 155 billion in 2009. Last twelvemonth. on-line retail gross revenues were up 11 per centum. compared to 2. 5 per centum for all retail gross revenues. ( techcrunch. com ) On the company web site. Costco has done a really good occupation so far at directing clients how to shop online. which makes shopping at Costco really convenient and less clip consuming. However. in order to go a more effectual leader in on-line retailing. Costco has to take a assortment of steps. chiefly publicizing techniques. to increase their market portion on the e-commerce market. This could be done by doing some alterations to their web site. Costco could shift their opt-in offer to hike their opt-ins and construct a bigger list of loyal endorsers. This is possible by garnering customers’ e-mail references and constructing an e-mail list. which allows Costco to regularly maintain in touch with endorsers. construct relationships of trust and trueness. and sell them merchandises or services. ( World Wide Web. enterpriser. com ) Costco could besides add impact to their publicities with hover ads and have different benefits with their headlines. They need to transfuse a sense of urgency in their web site and convince readers they need to purchase now. they need take any mentions to â€Å"buying† from the top crease. and hike their product’s desirableness by adding images. All of these alterations that could be made to the web site will heighten Costco’s credibleness with on-line retailing and increase their market portion of e-commerce gross revenues. These alterations could be made in a timely order to their web site and Costco has adequate money to cover these execution costs. Costco’s 3rd option traveling frontward is to get other retail shops that will take to the company’s enlargement and growing. Costco presently does non hold any shops in Arkansas. Louisiana. Mississippi. Maine. Wyoming. West Virginia. North Dakota. or South Dakota. 148 of their 429 locations are in either California or Washington. Besides. Costco does non hold any kind of European presence besides 22 in the United Kingdom. Costco could hold the option of spread outing to the parts in the United States where they do non hold any warehouses and spread out into Europe by geting other retail ironss or constructing new warehouses. This will finally let Costco to spread out in other markets and turn more profitable as a company. Costco is financially stable to take on this undertaking because of their consistence of increasing their grosss and assets and their current debt place. Costco will hold to take on a batch of debt or publish some more stock to fund for this undertaki ng. but the debt and equity they get will pay off because of the chances that wait. Costco does hold the accomplishment set for this undertaking. but clip will be the lone issue since it takes a long clip to be after and construct a undertaking of this magnitude. Recommendations The two recommendations that direction for Costco Wholesale Corporation should follow are to lower rank costs and spread out their operations in United States and internationally by either geting shops from other retail ironss or constructing new warehouses. If direction were to take to implement one or both of these recommendations. Costco will go more competitory and profitable over clip. These recommendations would non be easy to implement and would take some clip. but it will convey new chances for one the retail industry’s leaders. For the first recommendation. if Costco were to diminish the sum it costs to go a club member there would be an addition figure of persons who would desire to go a club member at Costco. Having to pay an one-year fee merely to shop at a shop may look to a drawback to some people. Since Costco is a sweeping corporation. merely club members are allowed to shop at the shop. There are three degrees of rank: Business. Gold Star ( single ) . and Executive rank. which has either a $ 55 or $ 110 fee. ( costco. com ) Each rank degree entitles each client to the low cost of Costco’s merchandises. with many options to purchase merchandises in majority that saves more money. Even though Costco makes about $ 1. 8 billion yearly from card rank fees. that figure will increase if Costco were to diminish the monetary values of the rank fees by a little sum because more people would be attracted to a lower monetary value. Costco would be able to go more profitable over clip with implementing th is recommendation because if more people are to go members because of the lessening in rank monetary value so gross will finally increase. For the 2nd recommendation. if Costco were to spread out in the parts of the United States. Europe. and Asia where they do non hold a presence they will be able to increase their market portion. which will take to them holding a greater competitory advantage for other retail merchants and it will let for greater profitableness. Costco can spread out in these countries by either geting other retail shops. such as BJ’s. Aldi. etc. or by constructing new warehouses. Expanding into the provinces of Arkansas. Louisiana. Mississippi. Maine. Wyoming. West Virginia. North Dakota. and South Dakota. every bit good as other countries of the state besides the West seashore give Costco are larger market portion in the United States. Expanding in other countries of Europe outside the United Kingdom will give them a larger European market portion. every bit good as more trade name acknowledgment. Last. Costco has an emerging Asiatic market in the many of the states of Southeast Asia. Costco needs to spread out into the energetic economic systems of China and India. every bit good every bit emerge as a primary retail merchant in Japan. All of these enlargements would take to an addition Asiatic market portion. With the execution of these two recommendations. Costco will see increased consequences of fight and profitableness. Plants Cited Costco. com: Offer Thousands of Items You Want. Web. 01 Feb. 2012. lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www. costco. com gt ; . â€Å"Costco Mission Statement and Code of Ethics. † Costco. com: Offer Thousands of Items You Won’t Find in Your Local Costco. Web. 07 Feb. 2012. Costco Wholesale Annual Report 12/12/2011. † Costco. com: Offer Thousands of Items You Won’t Find in Your Local Costco. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //www. costco. com gt ; . Datamonitor: Costco Wholesale Corporation. Costco Wholesale Corporation SWOT Analysis ( 2008 ) : 1. Business Source Premier. Web. 7 Feb. 2012. 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