Aristotle And Homers Tragic Hero - 1878 Words

In parts of the tragic anthology, Iliad, the author Homer allows the reader to distinguish the various types of heroes presented and the characters that each one of them shares. He succeeds in implementing stages of Aristotle’s poetic definitions of tragedy while shifting his characters to his own Epic Tragedy. The author also prepares the reader in comprehending the differences between his and Aristotle’s definition of the Tragic Hero. In this paper, principles in Aristotle and Homer’s Tragic Heroes will be presented in relation to Achilles and Hector. These two characters will also be compared and contrasted in order to highlight their tragic characters in the anthology. Achilles, a demigod with great strength focuses on his honor and†¦show more content†¦To emphasize, when Achilles pride is offended by the King of Achaeans, Agamemnon, Achilles decides to plot against his own army all in order to prove that Agamemnon is â€Å"a fool†¦ because he did not honor The best of all the fighting Achaeans (Achilles)† (pg. ). This shows to prove that, despite his marks as a great warrior, Achilles hot-headedness toward his companions comes forward as his major weakness which portrays him as a negative hero. On the contrary, Hector is viewed as a positive hero who is bestowed the honor by his countrymen to â€Å"fight in Troy’s first ranks† (pg.213) against the Achaeans, including the pride-seeking Achilles. Despite his infamous devotion to battles and wars, Hector’s tenderness and love for his family and companions grant him many admiration and honor from the people of Troy, although his main goal is to seek. This is in contrast to Achilles. To provide an example; The Trojans, upon Hector s arrival, were covered in joy as they â€Å"ran up to him† (pg. 208). He was shown to be an appreciated prince. Furthermore, as he meets with his parents, his mother offered â€Å"honey-sweet wine† to welcome his visit as well as pouring a â€Å"libation To Father Zeus first and the other immortals†.As she offers her son wine, she states: â€Å"and you are weary from defending your kinsmen†, contributing toShow MoreRelatedThe Fate Of The War1303 Words à ‚  |  6 Pageslabelled as ‘tragic hero’ in some sort. Aristotle’s sense of the tragic hero is: A virtuous man would not make a tragic hero; a total evil man cannot make a tragic hero; the tragic hero must fall as a result of a mistake he has made; the hero must recognize the mistake he has made(Poetics). Aristotle believes in reversal and recognition. A reversal is a change from one state of affair to it s exact opposite. A change from relatively happy circumstances to tragic ones. The tragic hero s mistakeRead MoreTragic Heroes of The Iliad and Oedipus Rex Analysis749 Words   |  3 Pagesof all time. A Greek philosopher, Aristotle, wrote his notion of classic from of heroism called tragic heroism in his work entitled Poetics. In Poetics, Aristotle explains that there are certain qualities that a tragic hero has that can qualify him or her as tragically heroic. Two Grecian literary legends, Achilles from Homer’s Iliad and Sophocles’s Oedipus Rex , fit the description of an Aristotelian tragic hero. Achilles, from Homer’s The Iliad, is a tragic hero. Achilles’s quick rage coincidesRead MoreComparison of Homer and Virgil’s Tragic Hero1908 Words   |  8 PagesVirgil’s Tragic Hero Homer, an ancient Greek epic poet, influenced many writers in the ancient Greek and Roman culture, particularly Virgil. Virgil, most famous for his epic poem The Aeneid demonstrates Homer’s influence through similar characters, mythology, and ideals. Homer in both his most famous works the Iliad and The Odyssey weaves poetry based on centuries worth of oral stories handed down and uses a sophisticated style of writing that is still recognized today. Although the tragic heroRead More Achilles: a Tragic Hero Essay example1166 Words   |  5 PagesAchilles as Tragic Hero In his classic work Poetics Aristotle provided a model of the tragic hero. According to Aristotle, the tragic hero is more admirable than the average person. This results in the tragic hero being admired by the audience. For the audience to accept a tragic ending as just, it is crucial that the tragic hero be responsible for their undoing. At the same time though, they must remain admired and respected. This is achieved by the tragic hero having a fatal flawRead More Reflective essays1316 Words   |  6 Pages The classic tragedy, as defined by Aristotle, has six major parts. These parts include a plot, characters, theme, melody, spectacle, and language. All stories, according to Aristotle must have a beginning, middle, and end, and must follow a logical sequence according to these six elements. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The plot is the series of events, or sequence in which the action of the play occurs. Plot must follow a cause and effect relationship, which follows a logical pattern. CharactersRead MoreIliad - Self image1193 Words   |  5 Pagesdouble spaced, 12 point, three pages minimum, four pages maximum. ( see page three of this document, AP Literature and Composition Draft Requirements) Choose ONE of the following questions Include a List of Works Cited 1. Tragic Hero: â€Å"Achilles is the first great tragic hero in world literature.† Discuss the conflicts of Achilles as developed by Homer and how the author finally resolves them. 2. The Wrath of Achilles: The entire epic is framed within the Wrath of Achilles. Why? How does the poetRead MoreAristotle s The Oresteia And Sophocles The Three Theban Plays1342 Words   |  6 PagesThe tragic self which appears in Aeschylus’s The Oresteia and Sophocles’ The Three Theban Plays, is a self which is caught between the choice of two evils and between following natural and civic laws. However, the philosophical self in Aristotle’s The Nicomachean Ethics focuses on choice as well, but the choice of the highest good such that the fundamental aim of the self is happiness and to become rational human beings. The topic of choice also relates to the discourse between fate and free willRead More Comparing the Hero in Sophocles Oedipus the King, Homers Odyssey, and Tans Joy Luck Club2133 Words   |  9 PagesHeros in Sophocles Oedipus the King, Homers Odyssey, and Tans Joy Luck Club      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In world literature, there are two types of archetypal protagonists, the mythic hero and the tragic hero. Mythic heroes, like Homers Odysseus, represent the combination of superhuman virtues and human imperfections. These traits create a supernatural adventure with a realistic character. The mythic hero is favored by divine powers and eventually achieves a certain goal or completes a certain journeyRead MoreAn Ideal Hero: Greek vs. Roman Essay1527 Words   |  7 Pages b. 4 ages as decline: Golden (peace), Silver (seasons farming), Bronze (war), Iron (mining, deforestation, crime). 4. Dominant and alternate cultural themes in the Iliad Audience: upper-class men Purpose: cultural propaganda. Greek Heros= models of courage skill to men (what to be) women (what to look for- sense of security). a. Dominant Theme: warrior code of personal honor and glory b. Contrasting themes: Family principle, simple country life vs. war, admiration of enemiesRead MoreEssay A Historical Biography of Alexander the Great4466 Words   |  18 Pagespoetry, and drama. His most famous teacher was Aristotle, who taught him philosophy, ethic, politics, and healing, all of which became very important to him in later in life. Aristotle also gave Alexander his precious copy of Homers The Iliad, and this was the book that Alexander carried with him to India. It has also been said that Alexander looked up to him like a father. One point that the two differed on was the status of foreigners. Aristotle saw them as barbarians, like what most Greeks thought

Customer Eccentricity Free Essays

The core idea is to maximize customer value while minimizing waste. Simply, lean means creating more value for customers with fewer resources. A lean organization understands customer value and focuses its key processes to continuously increase it. We will write a custom essay sample on Customer Eccentricity or any similar topic only for you Order Now The ultimate goal is to provide perfect value to the customer through a perfect value creation process that has zero waste. To accomplish this, lean thinking changes the focus of management from optimizing separate technologies, assets, and vertical departments to optimizing the flow of products and services through entire value streams that flow horizontally across technologies, assets, and departments to customers. Eliminating waste along entire value streams, instead of at isolated points, creates processes that need less human effort, less space, less capital, and less time to make products and services at far less costs and with much fewer defects, compared with traditional business systems. Companies are able to respond to changing customer desires with high variety, high quality, low cost, and with very fast throughput times. Also, information management becomes much simpler and more accurate. A BRIEF HISTORY OF LEAN Although there are instances of rigorous process thinking in manufacturing all the way back to the Arsenal in Venice in the 1450s, the first person to truly integrate an entire production process was Henry Ford. At Highland Park, MI, in 1913 he married consistently interchangeable parts with standard work and moving conveyance to create what he called flow production. The public grasped this in the dramatic form of the moving assembly line, but from the standpoint of the manufacturing engineer the breakthroughs actually went much further. Ford lined up fabrication steps in process sequence wherever possible using special-purpose machines and go/no-go gauges to fabricate and assemble the components going into the vehicle within a few minutes, and deliver erfectly fitting components directly to line-side. This was a truly revolutionary break from the shop practices of the American System that consisted of general-purpose machines grouped by process, which made parts that eventually found their way into finished products after a good bit of tinkering (fitting) in subassembly and final assembly. †¦ The problem with Ford’s system was not the flow: He was able to turn the inventories o f the entire company every few days. Rather it was his inability to provide variety. The Model T was not just limited to one color. It was also limited to one specification so that all Model T chassis were essentially identical up through the end of production in 1926. (The customer did have a choice of four or five body styles, a drop-on feature from outside suppliers added at the very end of the production line. Indeed, it appears that practically every machine in the Ford Motor Company worked on a single part number, and there were essentially no changeovers. When the world wanted variety, including model cycles shorter than the 19 years for the Model T, Ford seemed to lose his way. Other automakers responded to the need for many models, each with many options, but with production systems whose design and fabrication steps regressed toward process areas with much longer throughput times. Over time they populated their fabrication shops with larger and larger machines that ran faster and faster, apparently lowering costs per process step, but continually increasing throughput times and inventories except in the rare case—like engine machining lines—where all of the process steps could be linked and automated. Even worse, the time lags between process steps and the complex part routings required ever more sophisticated information management systems culminating in computerized Materials Requirements Planning(MRP) systems . As Kiichiro Toyoda, Taiichi Ohno, and others at Toyota looked at this situation in the 1930s, and more intensely just after World War II, it occurred to them that a series of simple innovations might make it more possible to provide both continuity in process flow and a wide variety in product offerings. They therefore revisited Ford’s original thinking, and invented the Toyota Production System. This system in essence shifted the focus of the manufacturing engineer from individual machines and their utilization, to the flow of the product through the total process. Toyota concluded that by right-sizing machines for the actual volume needed, introducing self-monitoring machines to ensure quality, lining the machines up in process sequence, pioneering quick setups so each machine could make small volumes of many part numbers, and having each process step notify the previous step of its current needs for materials, it would be possible to obtain low cost, high variety, high quality, and very rapid throughput times to respond to changing customer desires. Also, information management could be made much simpler and more accurate. PRINCIPLES OF LEAN The five-step thought process for guiding the implementation of lean techniques is easy to remember, but not always easy to achieve: 1. Specify value from the standpoint of the end customer by product family. 2. Identify all the steps in the value stream for each product family, eliminating whenever possible those steps that do not create value. 3. Make the value-creating steps occur in tight sequence so the product will flow smoothly toward the customer. 4. As flow is introduced, let customers pull value from the next upstream activity. . As value is specified, value streams are identified, wasted steps are removed, and flow and pull are introduced, begin the process again and continue it until a state of perfection is reached in which perfect value is created with no waste. LEAN ACTION PLAN While every individual or company embarking on a lean journey will have different challenges based on their particular set of circumstances, there are several crucial steps th at can help reduce resistance, spread the right learning, and engender the type of commitment necessary for lean enterprise. Getting Started †¢Find a change agent, a leader who will take personal responsibility for the lean transformation. †¢Get the lean knowledge, via a sensei or consultant, who can teach lean techniques and how to implement them as part of a system, not as isolated programs. †¢Find a lever by seizing a crisis or by creating one to begin the transformation. If your company currently isn’t in crisis, focus attention on a lean competitor or find a lean customer or supplier who will make demands for dramatically better performance. Forget grand strategy for the moment. †¢Map the value streams, beginning with the current state of how material and information flow now, then drawing a leaner future state of how they should flow and creating an implementation plan with timetable. †¢Begin as soon as possible with an important and visible activity. †¢Demand immediate results. †¢As soon as you’ve got momentum, expand your scope to link improvements i n the value streams and move beyond the shop floor to office processes. Creating an Organization to Channel Your Value Streams †¢Reorganize your firm by product family and value stream. †¢Create a lean promotion function. †¢Deal with excess people at the outset, and then promise that no one will lose their job in the future due to the introduction of lean techniques. †¢Devise a growth strategy. †¢Remove the anchor-draggers. †¢Once you’ve fixed something, fix it again. †¢Ã¢â‚¬Å"Two steps forward and one step backward is O. K. ; no steps forward is not O. K. Install Business Systems to Encourage Lean Thinking †¢Utilize policy deployment. †¢Create a lean accounting system. †¢Pay your people in relation to the performance of your firm. †¢Make performance measures transparent. †¢Teach lean thinking and skills to everyone. †¢Right-size your tools, such as production equipment and information systems. Completing the Transformation †¢Convince your suppliers and customers to take the ste ps just described. †¢Develop a lean global strategy. Convert from top-down leadership to leadership based on questioning, coaching, and teaching and rooted in the scientific method of plan-do-check-act . Integrate Six Sigma, Lean and Kaizen People spend months drilling the Six Sigma process and statistical tools 1-Sample Sign Test This is used to test the probability of a sample median being equal to hypothesized value. H0: m1=m2=m3=m4 (null hypothesis) Ha: At least one is different (alternate hypothesis) How to cite Customer Eccentricity, Essay examples

3 Problems of Teaching Oral English free essay sample

Some students cant find the right word when they communicate with others in English with the results that they have the impression they are poor at oral English. On the other hand, because of these problems, some of the students might give up this opportunity to learn and practice oral English. With the time flying, they become afraid to talk out aloud in the class. As a result, the less they speak, the worse their oral English will be. For this problem I did sumo research. According to the research, with my knowledge and theory I learned in university,I want to share my own idoas with you. The following lists of statements mainly give us the reasons why same of the students want to learn oral English well: To be able to communicate with people all over the world in an international language. To be able to read and understand a wide range of English sources for future purposes. We will write a custom essay sample on 3 Problems of Teaching Oral English or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page To have a better opportunity of employment, status, and financial reward in the job market in the future. To be able to read and listen to English media for information and pleasure. To pass the tests in the school. And pass the Entrance Examination. To survive abroad if given a chance to go to the West especially in English-speaking countries. From this survey we can see that students themselves need to learn English because most of them consider it as other purposes or they wish to improve their English ability to contact with international people. So students should learn to use language through communication. The task of language teachers is not to inforrn students of the language but to develop their ability to use the language far a variety of communicative purposes. II. Literature Review People found that some problems still existed in oral English teaching in the west region of our country. For example,the first one is putting more emphasis on examination rather than communication. The second one is neglecting the whole understanding of the text. The third one is speaking too much mother tongue in English teaching. The author conducted two oral tests for the students during the action research. From the test score, the author fully convinced that the students have been steadily making progress in their oral English during implement of their practice. The contents were convened into a written form with four aspects: pronunciation, intonation and rhythm; correctness; appropriateness; fluency. By comparison on these four aspects of the two tests, the evaluation is carried out obviously. In my experience of teaching, I fmd students actually have a strong desire to speak. They are reluctant to speak because they arc afraid of making mistakes and failing to find suitable words to express themselves well. If the teacher try to encourage them to speak by using as many ways as possible and creating a good language speaking environment, students will speak actively, willingly and naturally. speaking as one of the four skills, this can be mastered only through practice. Practice makes perfect. Language we used should be fluent and precise, the format should be correct, suit the requirements of the thesis, the structure should be complete, and the arguments should be sufficient and reasonable, the points should be very clear. It is well known that no student can be said to have learned an item of language until he or she uses it naturally and automatically irt an appropriate situation, and this should be the first importance in oral facility. We must make our daily talk accurate, fluent and appropriate. According to the oral English teaching, in west of China, middle school students are supposed to speak oral English in their daily life. At the first, students are expected to be able to express daily onversations in simple English, to ask and answer questions based on some reading or listening material, and to talk briefly for about two minutes about the content of a text after one or two minutes prior preparation. Then, students are expected to be able to carry on conversations with native English speakers not only about daily life but also about social issues. Given some reading or listening material, they should be able to retell the content and discuss the topic for three to four minutes with one or t wo minutes preparation irt advance. III. Analyzing the Reasons of Poor Dral English in Middle School of West Region. . Too timid to speak aloud in the class One way to tackle this problem is to find the root of the problem and start frorn there. In fact, most of the students are afraid to speak aloud in English in their class, or they feel really shy about talking in front of other students, then one way to change this situation is a create and establish your own classroom way where speaking aloud in English is the norm. One way to do this is to distinguish your classroom with other classroorns by arranging the classroom tasks differently in groups, and you can also decorate the walls through English posters. At beginning you should encourage your students to speak in English whether their language is right or wrong, and encourage your students to ask questions in English. Of course, you should not give up this method by yourself. Giving positive feedback also helps shy students to speak more. Another way to get students motivated to speak more is to allocate a percentage of their final grade to speaking skills and let the students know they are being assessed continually an their speaking practice in class throughout the term. And encourage your students to speak out in English is to speak in English yourself as simple as possible in class. If you are shy about speaking in English, how can you expect your students to overcome their fears about speaking in English? Dont worry if you are not completely fluent or dont have that elusive perfect native accent, as Swain wrote We learn to speak by speaking and that goes for teachers as well as students. The more you practice the more you will improve your own oral skills as well as help your students improve theirs. . Boring activities make students keep silent A completely different reason for student silence may simply be that the class activities are boring or are pitched at the wrong 1eve1. Very often our interesting communicative speaking activities are not quite as interesting or as communicative as we think they are and all the students are really required to do is answer yes or no which they do quickly and then just sit in silence and avoid speaking more. So maybe you need to take a closer look at the type of speaking activities you are using and see if they really capture student interest and create a real need for communication. 3. Students dont know the importance of practice Sorne students do not know the importance of their own practice. Language- learning is just like learning swimming, you are not able to learn to swim by reading books. So is earning a language or skill, the most effective way is to practice it in the authentic situation with authentic media.

mhh Essays (475 words) - Dispute Resolution, Ethics, Violence, War

WARS For many years, wars have been in the world. War is very natural thing for humanity.Although nowadays the meaning of the war is changing, the importance of war is the same.Two major causes can be identifed.These causes are economic and political benefits of countries. Firstly,economic benefits lead government to start a war. To get resources in the world is the most important one of economic gains. These countries want to get more natural sources such as mineral resources, water or soil. Also they wish to get industrial resources.The most significant one is petroleum . Hanson indicates in his article ?THE SECRET:Oil Crunch is Coming? that Muslim countries stress economies of Western countries because Muslim nations have 60 percent of the sources of petroleum and they have 95 percent of oil market on the world. (2002) Financial resources and manpower are very important such as China which has perfect manpower. Geopolitical positions of nations are other economic gains. Trade ways and strategical points such as bosporuses and Cyprus are opportunity to get money. Secondly, political gains are other important causes of war.Some nations can start war to get their freedom such as Turkish Independence War.Causes about religion lead governments to involve in wars. In addition, some people want to get control of holy areas. For example, pope arranged the Crusades to get Jerusalem. Also, people can use wars to spread their religion. Ambition to be the dominant power in the world is another reason such as USA. Economic and political benefits result in war whose effects are economic depression and health problems. One of the biggest effects of war is economic depression. War expenses are very high.As Brouwer explains, the biggest financial cost of the First World War is for Germany, with 37.775.000.000 Dollars, second one is Great Britain with 35.334.012.000 Dollars lost. (2001) Wars result in poor economic conditions for people.Wars come out education problems because of economic problems, so people can not get opportunity to obtain new information easily. Lack of investment and production occur because of war. Finally,another important result of war is health problem.By end of war there are a lot of deaths.Aspointed out in the chart ?WAR DEATS per Century? , there were 2 million deaths because of war in 1500s,in 1600s , the number of deaths increase to 6 million.In 1700s, the number of deaths remained the same .From 1700s to 1900s ,there are sharp increased in the number of deaths.(1995) In addition, wars result in illness and also cause epidemic.By end of the wars there were a lot of woundeds. In conclusion, wars cause economic depression,health problem. Although people know harms of the war, they will involve in wars.Peace should be in the world instead of wars

China Department Stores Essays

China Department Stores Essays China Department Stores Essay China Department Stores Essay China Distribution Trading Issue 61 July 2009 Department stores in China, 2009 IN THIS ISSUE : I. Overview II. Operation modes of department stores in China III. Developments of market players IV. Challenges V. Recent developments VI. Conclusion 10 11 19 6 2 4 Overview Department stores in China have enjoyed many years of boom, achieving a compound annual growth rate of 30% between 2003 and 2008. Sales momentum for department stores has deteriorated towards the end of 2008 as consumer cut back on discretionary and luxury spending; but there are recent signs of picking-up growth. Operation modes of department stores in China Department stores operators in China generate revenue from 1) commissions on concessionaire sales, 2) merchandise direct sales, 3) rental income from store tenants, and 4) management fee etc. Commissions from concessionaire sales are the predominant source of income. Developments of market players The competitive landscape for department stores in China is highly fragmented with no significant market leader. Foreign players tend to have wider national footprints and they mainly target the country’s high-income class. Domestic department stores operators mainly focus on regional markets. Challenges Department stores operators in China are often said to be acting like landlords – renting floor space to concessionaires or tenants and paying little attention to differentiation and brand management. Undifferentiated players have resorted to price competition to boost sales, hurting companies’ same-store-sales growth and eroding their margins. Other formats such as specialty stores and retail cannibalization are posing great challenges to department stores. Recent developments Lower-tier cities are the expansion focus. Department store operators focus on upgrading and differentiation. There is growing attention to transform merchandising practices. Export-oriented manufacturers pay growing attention to domestic market brings new potential for department store operators to expand merchandise mix. Department stores operators are grasping attention in the capital market. Many department stores operators have embarked on real estate strategies. Some department stores have explored the â€Å"click-and-mortar† model. Government encourages department stores players to enhance service levels and improve operation environment through awarding players with quality services. Li Fung Research Centre 13/F, LiFung Centre 2 On Ping Street Shatin, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2635 5563 Fax: (852) 2635 1598 E-mail: [emailprotected] com lifunggroup. com/ Li Fung Research Centre Member of the Li Fung Group China Distribution Trading Issue 61 July 2009 Department stores in China, 2009 Department stores have long been one of the major retailing channels in China; they are the chief distribution channel for discretionary consumption items such as branded apparel, cosmetics, jewelry and watches, etc. In the eyes of many Chinese consumers, shopping in department stores represent quality lifestyle and status. For years, many consumer brands have viewed department stores as their top-of-choice in building their recognition in China. As Chinese consumers become growingly affluent, department stores in China has enjoyed years of rapid development in recent years. However, growth momentum of China’s department stores sales has slowed towards the end of 2008; dampened consumer spirits amid global financial crisis, increasingly fierce competition and immature management mindsets all pose challenges to China’s department stores operators. These have prompted department stores operators in China to evolve to stay competitive. Over the past few months in 2009, as China’s economy begins to demonstrate stabilized growth, sales momentum of department stores has picked up again. We believe, long-term prospect for department store sector in China is rosy, as consumption plays a bigger role in the Chinese economy. I. Overview Department stores1 have been one of the most important retail channels in China with an established history longer than other retailing channels such as supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores and shopping malls. They are an important sales channel for discretionary consumption items such as branded apparel, jewelry, cosmetics and watches, etc, many of them targeting the country’s higher-income groups. Thanks to the increasing affluence and urbanization, department stores in China have enjoyed many years of boom. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS), the total sales value of department stores was 180. 1 billion yuan in 2007; the 2008 full-year sales value is yet released but the China Chain Store and Franchise Association (CCFA) and Deloitte estimate the value to reach 219. billion yuan, representing a compound annual growth rate of 30% between 2003 and 2008 (see Exhibit 1). Exhibit 1: Total sales value of department stores, 2003 2008 * Estimated value by Deloitte Source: National Bureau of Statistics of China, China Chain Store and Franchise Association and Deloitte 1 Department stores are stores with sales area between 6,000 and 20,000 m2, usually multi-stor ey, selling wide range of merchandises with emphasis on clothing and accessories, footwear, cosmetics, household items and home appliances etc. Special counters and open shelves are the chief sales formats. Li Fung Research Centre Member of the Li Fung Group 2 China Distribution Trading Issue 61 July 2009 However, department store sector has witnessed some challenges over the past year. Amid the global financial crisis, retail sales growth in China has decelerated towards the end of 2008 and sales of discretionary items are more negatively impacted. According to the CCFA, discretionary and luxury retailers were under greater pressure than previous years. Sales momentum for department stores has deteriorated as consumers cut back on discretionary and luxury spending. Exhibit 2 demonstrates the key statistics of different format retailers. As shall be seen, daily transactions for department stores have registered negative growth of 5. 2% in 2008; the decline is the second biggest among other formats. Average ticket consumption also recorded slow growth of only 1. 5% in 2008. In 1Q09, according to CCFA and Deloitte, both sales revenue and profit for department stores was down by about 5% yoy. Exhibit 2: Key statistics of different format retailers, 2008 Sales revenue (million Retail format Hypermarkets Supermarkets Department stores Convenience stores Home electronics retailers Pharmacies 501. 64 37. 06 2. 0 7. 1 729 1,724 -7. 8 -3. 8 1,901. 0 48. 2 2. 3 1. 3 10. 8 23. 1. 0 -0. 7 yuan) 212. 90 72. 42 883. 97 4. 73 yoy growth (%) 12. 4 11. 3 11. 1 12. 3 Number of Daily transactions 10,059 4,554 10,839 758 yoy growth (%) 1. 0 6. 5 -5. 2 -2. 7 Average ticket consumption (yuan) 58. 1 43. 6 226. 4 16. 2 yoy growth (%) 11. 6 4. 5 1. 5 11. 1 Gross margin (%) 12. 9 12. 9 14. 1 16. 4 yoy growth (%) 0. 3 0. 9 0. 3 0. 0 Source: Ch ina Chain Store and Franchise Association and Deloitte The China Commerce Association for General Merchandise (CCAGM) conducted a research study on 60 major department stores operators in China; in 2008, average sales revenue of major department stores operators in China was up by 15. % yoy to 183. 74 billion yuan; the growth was lower than that of 2007 (17. 8%). 86. 7% of the department stores recorded sales growth in 2008. The CCAGM also surveyed 205 of its member enterprises earlier and Exhibit 3 demonstrates some sales statistics of its member enterprises in the department store sector. Exhibit 3: Performance of the 205 membership enterprises of CCAGM, 2002-2007 2007 Sales income growth (% yoy) Sales margin (%) Sales margin growth (% yoy) 17. 8 8. 5 21. 7 2006 13. 7 8. 4 19. 5 2005 18. 0 7. 4 10. 1 2004 12. 7 8. 9. 9 2003 42. 9 7. 7 26. 0 2002 10. 8 8. 2 4. 1 Source: China Commerce Association for General Merchandise (CCAGM) Li Fung Research Centre Member of the Li Fung Group 3 China Distribution Trading Issue 61 July 2009 Despite poorer sales performance at the end of last year, growth momentum of department stores in China is showing some recent signs of picking up. With huge government initiatives to boost domestic consumption, the total retail sales of consumer goods grew by 15. 0% in the first half of 2009, according to the NBS. Consumer confidence in China is picking up as well. Department stores in China have undoubtedly benefited from China’s resilient retail sales growth; experts believe that growth in second half of 2009 will be even stronger. II. Operation modes of department stores in China Compared with many department stores operators in developed economies, which pay huge attention to differentiation and brand-building, department stores operators in China are often said to be acting like landlords – renting their floor space to concessionaires or tenants and paying little attention o differentiation. Department stores operators in China generate revenue from 1) commissions on concessionaire sales, 2) merchandise direct sales, 3) rental income from store tenants, and 4) management fee etc; and commissions from concessionaire sales are the predominant source of income. For instance, more than 70% of the revenue of Hong Kong-listed department stores operators such as Intime Department S tore ( (see Exhibit 4). Exhibit 4: Revenue breakdown of department store operations from selected companies, 2008 New World Intime Commissions from concessionaire sales Sale of goods direct sale Rental income Management fee income from the operation of department stores Source: Financial reports from respective companies ) and Golden Eagle Department Store ( ), come from the commissions on concessionaire sales Golden Eagle 71. 64% 26. 79% 1. 51% 0. 07% Department Store 68. 30% 15. 07% 5. 51% 11. 11% Parkson 56. 78% 37. 93% 4. 33% 0. 95% 70. 02% 23. 41% 4. 93% 1. 64% Concessionaire sales Under concessionaire arrangements, concessionaires are permitted to establish sales counters in designated areas with their own sales personnel and sell their branded merchandise. Department stores charge concessionaires a turnover commission, usually at a percentage of their total sales proceeds (see Exhibit 5). Usually there is a minimum commission based on the minimum turnover target, regardless of whether such target is achieved. Sales amount received from the concessionaire sales is first collected by the department store and later paid to the concessionaires after deducting relevant expenses, fees and commissions. Average payment settlement period ( ) for department stores is 45-60 days, while some can last for 90 days, according to Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). For some smaller brands, payment settlement with department stores operators can pose cash flow pressure. Li Fung Research Centre Member of the Li Fung Group 4 China Distribution Trading Issue 61 July 2009 Exhibit 5: Average commission rate for different categories in department stores Product Category Clothes, shoes and leather goods Jewelry Gold Cosmetics Source: Hong Kong Trade Development Council Commission rate (Department Store: Concessionaire) 30:70 15:85 8:92 25:75 Generally, concessionaires are responsible for employing their own staff, but department stores operators often devise sets of detailed guidelines and rules of conduct in relation to the employment, assessment and training of the staff. Structured induction and training programs are offered to new recruits and staff in new stores in order to ensure service quality of department stores. Concessionaire arrangement allows department stores operators to lower inventory risk, as in the case of merchandise direct sales and the development of own store brands would involve. Merchandise direct sales Under direct sales arrangements, department stores purchase merchandise from suppliers and resell them in stores (e. g. merchandise at supermarket and home appliance sections). Those items are usually standardized with higher brand recognition, which are easier for operators to manage. Rental income from store tenants Some department stores also lease designated areas to operators of businesses that are complementary to the shopping experience at department stores, including restaurants, pharmacies and beauty salons etc. in order to offer onsumers an â€Å"one-stop shopping† experience. Fierce competition for floor space in department stores in China According to HKTDC, department stores operators usually require concessionaires to pay an average annual guarantee fee of 30,000 yuan to 80,000 yuan as the minimum entrance fee. There are many other miscellaneous fees to gain a place in department stores, which include advertising fee, promotion fee and ma nagement fee, etc. Concessionaires may also be requested to pay for renovation or move to other locations according to policies of department stores. Typically, brands with good market reputation and proven sales track record would have higher chance to secure a place in department stores. For brands that are new to China or lesser known in the market, entry is more difficult. One chief reason behind the so-called landlord phenomena is fierce competition for sales space in China; as brands rush to build their prominence, many department stores operators in China have little incentives to differentiate from competitors. The concessionaire agreements and supply agreements are typically reviewed every year. Department stores have right to terminate a concessionaire arrangement if the concessionaire does not perform well (e. g. , fail to meet its pre-agreed sales target for three consecutive months); thus department stores operators have lower risks in securing their income. Indeed, some consider differentiation, say nurturing their own store brands, costly and would not wish to take the risks such as bearing inventories. Li Fung Research Centre Member of the Li Fung Group 5 China Distribution Trading Issue 61 July 2009 III. Developments of market players The CCFA has released the ranking of â€Å"the top 100 retail chain operators in 2008† (the Top 100s) earlier this year. Among the Top 100s, there are 23 enterprises chiefly operating the department store format. With a 10% increase in number of stores, their sales value was up by 21% yoy in 2008. Selected enterprises are listed in Exhibit 6. Exhibit 6: Selected department stores operators among the Top 100s in China, 2008 Ranking among the Top 100s 3 5 11 Enterprise Bailian Group Co. , Ltd. Dalian Dashang Group Co. , Ltd. Chongqing Commerce (Group) Ltd. f which: ChongQing Department Store Co. , Ltd. : 14 15 20 Hefei Department Store Group Co. , Ltd. Shandong Commercial Group Corporation ( Limited 21 23 27 28 Wuhan Zhongbai Group Co. , Ltd. Liqun Group Shareholding Co. , Ltd. Changchun Eurasia Group Co. , Ltd. Beijing Wangfujing Department Store (Group) Co. , Ltd. 30 Parkson Retail Group Ltd. 10,691 18. 7 40 -2. 4 14,240 13,869 12,130 12,000** 25. 1 13. 3 21. 3 13. 2 630 866 1 8 17 10. 5 3. 1 63. 6 6. 3 ) 14,800** 5. 7 33 6. 5 New World Department Store China 19,400 18,716 23. 8 34. 8 125 164 26. 3 69. Chinese Mainland Chinese Mainland Hong Kong Chinese Mainland Chinese Mainland Chinese Mainland Chinese Mainland Malaysia Sales value* (million yuan) 94,329 62,555 26,255 8,236 yoy growth (%) 8. 3 24. 6 18. 4 18. 3 Number of stores* 6,418 150 294 115 yoy growth (%) -0. 6 3. 4 11. 8 16. 2 Place of origin Chinese Mainland Chinese Mainland Chinese Mainland Chinese Mainland * Value includes other formats of the department store operators ** Estimated value Source: China Chain Store and Franchise Association (CCFA) Li Fung Research Centre Member of the Li Fung Group 6 China Distribution Trading Issue 61 July 2009 The competitive landscape for department stores in China is highly fragmented with no significant market leader. For example, the Dalian Dashang Group ( ), a very strong department store player in northern China with 52 department stores in China in 2008, accounted for less than 1% of the total number of department stores in China, according to Euromonitor. In China, many department stores do not operate as chains but as single-store independents. Chain operation for department stores is not as popular as other retail formats such as supermarkets and hypermarkets. Indeed, many layers are active in restricted localities only. Foreign players tend to have wider national footprints; targeting the country’s high income class China approved the setting up of the first department store by foreign enterprises in 1992. Shanghai No. 1 Yaohan ( ) from Japan was the first foreign player setting foot in China. Over the past decade, foreign players have been expanding ag gressively in China. With better management expertise, most foreign department stores target China’s higher-income consumers. Today, a number of them have already developed an extensive national network. Different from most domestic counterparts, foreign players tend to have wider national footprints. Exhibit 7 demonstrates the store network of selected foreign players. Today, a number of foreign department stores operators have built their market recognition in China and are battling locals for market share. Hong Kong-based New World Department Store is an example. Having a national coverage of 17 cities, the operator has pursued the expansion strategies of â€Å"multiple presences in a single city† and â€Å"radiation cities† in order to dig deeper into the market. Today the department store operator has built their recognition successfully in cities such as Shenyang and Wuhan. The rationale behind such strategy is to build a critical mass in these cities so that it could expand its influence more easily. This also paves the way for the operator’s further expansion into nearby cities or provinces. Exhibit 7: Store locations of selected foreign department stores operators in China, as of July 2009 Department stores operators Parkson Retail Group Ltd. Place of origin Malaysia Store locations Anshan, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Guiyang, Harbin, Hefei, Kuming, Mianyang, Nanchang, Nanning, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shantou, Shenyang, Taiyuan, Tianjin, Urmuqi, Wuxi, Xi’an, Yangzhou, Yantai, Yueyang, Zhengzhou, Zunyi New World Department Store China Ltd. Hong Kong Anshan, Beijing, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Harbin, Kunming, Lanzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Shanghai, Shenyang, Taizhou, Tianjin, Wuhan, Wuxi Aeon Group Far Eastern Group Isetan Co. Ltd Japan Taiwan Japan Beijing, Dongguan, Foshan, Guangzhou, Huizhou, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Yantai, Zhongshan, Zhuhai Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Shanghai, Tianjin Chengdu, Shanghai, Shenyang, Tianjin Li Fung Research Centre Member of the Li Fung Group 7 China Distribution Trading Issue 61 July 2009 Department stores operators Ito Yokado Lippo Group The Store Corp. Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Lotte Group Lifestyle International Holdings Ltd. Source: Company websites Place of origi n Japan Indonesia Malaysia Taiwan Korea Hong Kong Store locations Beijing, Chengdu Tianjin, Chengdu Jiaxing Beijing Beijing Shanghai The global financial turmoil has brought unprecedented challenges to consumer markets in many developed economies; while some foreign operators are becoming more conservative in their respective capital expenditure (for instance, Barneys New York Inc has shelved plans for expansion in Beijing), some others with stronger capital strength are accelerating expansion in emerging markets such as China to counter the depression in their home markets. For instance, the UK-based Marks Spencer has made its debut in China by opening a flagship store in Shanghai in October 2008. The Store Corp. ), one of the largest department stores operators in Malaysia, also announced their ) planned to invest US$42. 3 million to expansion plan in China. Japanese department store giant Takashimaya ( launch its first store in Shanghai in 2012. Domestic department stores operators mainly focus on regional markets With stronger local knowledge and connections as well as longer history, domestic operators tend to have stronger footholds in their respective cities of origin (see Exhibit 8). For instance, Dalian Dashang ( Eurasia ( ) and Changchun ) are very successful regional big names in northeast China. Besides, the fact that many domestic layers have already occupied prime locations gives them natural advantage. Nonetheless, when compared to their foreign counterparts, domestic enterprises tend to be more reluctant to expand to other regions, partly due to concerns over regional differences in consumer culture. Li Fung Research Centre Member of the Li Fung Group 8 China Distribution Trading Issue 61 July 2009 Exhibit 8: Department store locations of selected domestic department stores operators in China, as of July 2009 Company Intime Department Store (Group), Co. , Ltd. Golden Eagle Retail Group Ltd. Beijing Wangfujing Department Store (Group) Co. Ltd. Store locations Beijing, Ezhou, Hangzhou, Jinhua, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Xi’an, Xiangfan, Xianning, Zhoushan Huaian, Kunmin g, Nanjing, Nantong, Suzhou, Taizhou, Yancheng, Yangzhou, Xi’an, Xuzhou Baotou, Beijing, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hohhot, Kunming, Luoyang, Nanning, Taiyuan, Urumqi, Wuhan, Xining, Xuzhou Dalian Dashang Group Co. , Ltd. Dalian and 4 other cities in Liaoning, Daqing and 3 other cities in Heilongjiang, Yanji in Jilin, Kaifeng and 3 others cities in Henan, Chengdu and Zigong in Sichuan, Qingdao Maoye International Holdings Ltd. Beijing Xidan Department Store Co. , Ltd. Fujian Dongbai Group Co. , Ltd. Changchun Eurasia Group Co. , Ltd. Hangzhou Jiebai Group Co. , Ltd. Chengshang Group Co. , Ltd. Shandong Yinzuo Co. , Ltd. Hefei Department Store Group Co. , Ltd. Zhongnan Commercial (Group) Co. , Ltd. Wuhan Zhongbai Group Co. , Ltd. Guangzhou Friendship Group Co. , Ltd. Guangzhou Grandbuy Co. , Ltd. Source: Company websites Chongqing, Shenzhen, Wuxi, Zhuhai Beijing, Chengdu, Lanzhou, Xining, Urmuqi Fuzhou Changchun Hangzhou Chengdu, Mianyang Dongying, Jinan, Zibo Bengbu, Bozhou, Hefei, Huainan, Huangshan, Lu’an, Tong Ling Wuhan Wuhan Guangzhou, Nanning Guangzhou, Zhaoqing, Zhanjiang, Hengyang Li Fung Research Centre Member of the Li Fung Group 9 China Distribution Trading Issue 61 July 2009 A number of domestic players have received huge local government support with their state-owned background. For instance, Nanning Department Store Co. , Ltd. ( ) and Guangzhou Grandbuy are both state-owned. There have been sayings that state-owned department stores are often run less efficiently; these years, though, some have strived hard to improve their operations. For instance, Guangzhou Grandbuy has adopted the Stockholder Rights Plan in 2008, hoping to increase management’s incentives. Indeed, some industry experts believe that a number of state-owned department stores would find themselves hard to survive if they do not upgrade themselves. IV. Challenges As mentioned, department stores in China have witnessed some challenges over the past year. Besides macroeconomic slowdown, there are some other factors hindering the growth of department stores in China. First of which is that many department store players in China have immature operation and management mindsets. Due to the huge market demand of department store floor space in China, many operators have been quite passive in their operation strategy and do not feel the need to differentiate from the rest. Unlike in some developed markets, where many department stores operators have paid huge attention to brand management, such as through unique product assortment and developing private labels to enhance shopping experiences, department stores in China are often said to be acting like â€Å"landlords†. Commission and rental income are the major revenue sources for many. Few department stores have focused on differentiation and brand building. Besides, heavy initial capital outlays, lack of experience in sourcing, long nurturing period for own store brands are also common concerns. In recent years, many department stores in China have frequently reviewed and reshuffled their merchandise portfolio to improve their income. However, the problem of having highly similar brand and tenant mix is still very common. The fact that the market is crowded with a large number of undifferentiated players has made many resorted to price competition to boost sales, especially during more difficult times. Last year, many players have held aggressive promotional activities (e. g. buy-200-get-100 campaigns, anniversary sales events, issuing coupons) to attract footfalls. Discount-driven promotions are hurting companies’ same-store-sales growth and eroding their margins. On the other hand, competition from other format retailers is not to be ignored. According to the NBS, the share of department stores has dropped from 14% in 2003 to 10. 14% in 2007. Specialty stores, in particular, are posing great challenges to department stores as they offer brand owners more flexibility in operations – e. . , brand owners can have more say in product ranges and offerings, store layout designs, thus can better deliver their brand message across. Indeed, Chinese consumers also growingly favor specialty stores as they usually deliver more unique shopping experiences and offer better service levels. Last but not least, many department stores operators have embarked on rapid expansion over t he past years; retail cannibalization has hurt many retailers’ profit margins. Competition is the fiercest in the eastern coastal regions. As a result, many have slowed down their store expansion and put more focus on enhancing same store sales performance, say revamping old stores. Li Fung Research Centre Member of the Li Fung Group 10 China Distribution Trading Issue 61 July 2009 V. Recent developments 1. Lower-tier cities as the expansion focus In view of fierce competition in first-tier cities, many department stores are eyeing the opportunities in China’s lower-tier cities. Indeed, according to AT Kearney, middle class population in China’s second- and third-tier cities will account for 75% of the country’s total in 2017. Although consumers in lower-tier cities are currently much less affluent than those in first-tier cities, their consumption power is growing fast. In view of this, many department stores operators are viewing lower-tier cities as their major expansion focus. For example, Dashang Group has opened new department stores in Kaifeng, Xinyang and Xinxiang in 2008, all of which are lower-tier cities in Henan province; Guangzhou Grandbuy also planned to expand into lower-tier cities including Jieyang and Huizhou in Guangdong province and Chengdu in Sichuan province during 2009. Nonetheless, China is known to be a heterogeneous marketplace and adaptation to local tastes is the key for success. There are already many regional players with strongholds in local markets and have already occupied stores in better locations, making new entries challenging. For instance, Intime Department Store, a successful player in Hangzhou, faced fierce competition with local players when expanding into both Beijing and Wuhan. Beijing Wangfujing Department Store ( ) also quitted Nanning in 2008 after three years of operation. . Department stores operators focus on upgrading and differentiation The department store sector in China is crowded with many undifferentiated players. Today, a growing number of department stores operators are beginning to reinvent themselves in order to differentiate from rivals. Some department stores now adjust merchandise mix more frequently at each local store by monitoring consumer preferences, consumption patterns, spending power and level of comp etition. Some others also seek to â€Å"rebrand† to target specific segments. For example, New World Department Store has embarked on a new dual-concept stores initiative to â€Å"rebrand† its stores to â€Å"Fashion Gallery† or â€Å"Living Gallery† stores. â€Å"Fashion Gallery† focuses on the concept of â€Å"mix-and-match† with the introduction of exclusive private label brands and trendy products; while â€Å"Living Gallery† will introduce more leisure elements with 30% of gross floor area dedicated to dining and leisure services. On the other hand, some operators have upgraded their shop floors to attract more established brands. This is particularly true for the lower floors of the department stores; many operators hope to ride the consumer upgrade trend in China and attract more luxury brands to take up their space has been rising. Many department stores operators have also strived hard to improve customer loyalty, say, expanding VIP customer base. Some have collaborated with banks to issue co-branded credit cards. Credit card co-launched by New World Department Stores and Bank of Communications Co. , Ltd is a case in point. Holders of VIP membership cards and cobranded credit cards can enjoy discounts with their purchases. VIP customers can also accumulate gift points and exchange for selected merchandise in stores. Li Fung Research Centre Member of the Li Fung Group 11 China Distribution Trading Issue 61 July 2009 3. Growing attention to transform merchandising practices As Chinese consumers become more sophisticated, more and more are looking for unique shopping experience. There is growing attention for department stores operators to improve merchandise mix and assortment such as through launching private label brands or increase direct merchandising. For example, Intime Department Store has collaborated with Shenzhen Espresso ( ) to exclusively launch its Justin Time female fashion brand in 2007. The entry of Marks Spencer in 2008 also introduces Chinese consumers the concept of buying private label products. Some department stores operators in China, such as Vans Department Store ( ), are learning from their foreign counterparts and have started training their own merchandisers to bring consumers more exciting merchandise portfolio. However, the nurture period, capital outlays, and inventory risks are still some major concerns. It is believed that more and more department stores operators will experiment with new merchandising practices, but the transformation will be gradual. 4. Export-oriented manufacturers pay growing attention to domestic market brings new potential for department stores operators to expand merchandise mix As China’s exports shrink amid global economic woes, the domestic market is winning the attention of many exportoriented manufacturers. For the first time ever, China’s largest trade exhibition Canton Fair, which traditionally targets only overseas buyers, held a session targeting domestic retailers in end-April this year. Department stores operators in China such as Beijing Wangfujing Department Store and Dalian Dashang Group attended the fair. The made-to-export products, which are usually with higher quality as they need to comply with western quality standards, are reportedly to be very wellreceived. Many believe that domestic demand for these products would be huge. However, the road to tap the domestic potential is not easy. To enjoy autonomy in domestic sales, enterprises engaging in processing/ assembly operations and compensatory trade (TFPs) have to transform their registrations into foreigninvested enterprises (FIEs). In early March, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) vowed to simplify and speed up the transformation process for troubled Mainland-based Hong Kong TFPs who want to sell their products to domestic buyers. Guangdong province also took a similar initiative earlier. In August 2008, the Guangdong government issued a set of guidelines for the on-site transformation of TFPs into FIEs without production stoppage. The Guangdong government would also provide financial support in the transformation process. It is hoped that, by making the procedure of transforming TFPs into FIEs simpler and more transparent, particularly in Guangdong, policies restrictions will no longer be a barrier to domestic sales. Apart from regulatory issues, many export-oriented manufacturers are still hesitant with domestic sales: the order volume is much smaller in size and it takes longer time and is more difficult for them to collect money from domestic buyers. It also takes time and money for them to familiarize with and develop their domestic sales channels and build their market recognition. Last but not least, manufacturers have to customize their products to meet Chinese consumers’ tastes. Li Fung Research Centre Member of the Li Fung Group 12 China Distribution Trading Issue 61 July 2009 Nonetheless, as China’s consumer market expands, we believe more and more manufacturers will engage in domestic sales. This would have important implications for China’s department stores operators, i. e. , the operators can have more choices in merchandize sourcing; and this may accelerate the transformation of their merchandising practices as well. 5. Department stores operators grasping attention in the capital market China’s department stores operators have received huge investors’ interests in recent years. Riding the tide of investors’ interests in mainland consumption-related stocks, a number of department store players have sought public listings over the past few years. Exhibit 9 demonstrates some of the recent listing activities. Exhibit 9: Selected recent IPOs of department stores operators in China Company Your-Mart Co. , Ltd. Newhuadu Industrial Group Co. , Ltd. Better Life Commercial Chain Share Co. , Ltd Maoye International Holdings Ltd. Guangzhou Grandbuy Co. , Ltd. Times Ltd New World Department Store Ltd. Jiahua Stores Holdings Ltd. Intime Department Store (Group) Co. , Ltd. Source: Li Fung Research Centre, newspaper articles Date of listing 2009/7/17 2008/7/31 2008/6/19 2008/5/5 2007/11/22 2007/7/16 2007/7/12 2007/5/21 2007/3/20 Place Shenzhen Shenzhen Shenzhen Hong Kong Shenzhen Hong Kong Hong Kong Hong Kong Hong Kong Besides, many department stores operators in China view mergers and acquisitions (MAs) as a means to expand their market presence quickly, especially into places they are less familiar with. MAs offer them a fast route to acquire local knowledge and connections. Some recent MAs in the sector include Dalian Dashang’s acquisition of Zhenghong International Department Store ( Store ( the future. Li Fung Research Centre Member of the Li Fung Group ) and Xuchang Hongbao Department Store ( ) in Henan in 2008; the acquisitions of Qinhuangdao Jindu Department Store ( ) and Mianyang Xingda Department Store ( ), Taiyuan Liuxiang Department ) by Maoye International Holdings ( ) in 2008. As China’s department store sector is highly fragmented, we expect the waves of MAs to continue in 13 China Distribution Trading Issue 61 July 2009 6. Department stores operators embarking on real estate strategies Over the past years, there has been stiff competition for prime retail locations in China. To secure retail sites and better control rental expenditure, growing numbers of department stores have embarked on their own real estate strategies. In order to speed up its expansion in China, some department stores operators have sought to collaborate with property developers. For instance, Guangzhou Grandbuy ( ) has partnered with RF Properties ( ) for its entry in Chengdu; Grandbuy would be the anchor tenant in the RF Tianhui Mall ( Mall) in the city. Nonetheless, it is observed that some property developers have used department stores to promote their residential projects, without paying enough attention to the profitability of the stores. Some department stores operators have also taken their own initiatives to transform into shopping malls by incorporating different kinds of retail formats in their floor areas. On the other hand, some department stores operators such as Beijing Hualian Department Store ( benefit from the long-term land appreciation. ) in China have actively considered increasing the number of self-owned properties to control rental expenditure and hopefully 7. Department stores operator exploring the â€Å"click-and-mortar† model Online retailing has been one of the major bright spots in China’s retail sector in recent years. Attracted by the huge online traffic flow, some department stores operators have explored the opportunity online by developing their own shopping websites. For instance, Marui Department Store ( ) from Japan has recently announced the cooperation with Alipay, China’s online payment platform giant. Consumers purchasing on Marui’s Chinese website can now pay via Alipay. The Dashang Group, on the other hand, has committed itself to building a business website which boasts 12 product categories and 500 subclasses of goods. Nonetheless, the â€Å"click-and-mortar† model is yet mature in the department store sector in China. Browse rate is low for many department stores websites. Many operators have yet generated much revenue, let alone profit from the online platforms. For instance, online sales revenue accounted for only 5% of Shuangan Department Store ( Beijing Wangfujing Department Store (Group), since the launch of its online platform ( instance, some online platforms have displayed inconsistent information with the offline stores. ) of the ) in 2007. Besides, some consumers have also expressed dissatisfaction with the websites launched by department stores operators; for 8. Government encourages department store players to enhance service levels and improve operation environment The MOFCOM issued the Circular on the Classification and Grading the Retail Enterprises ( 2008 ) in 2008.

Homologous and Analogous Structures Whats the Difference

Homologous and Analogous Structures What's the Difference SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Have you ever thought about how different kinds of animals have body parts that work in similar ways? Like bats and bees? Both creatures have wings - even though their bodies are structured very differently. The key to understanding these differences lies in knowing what homologous and analogous structures are. In this article, we'll talk about each type of structure and discuss the similarities and differences between them. What Are Homologous Structures? Homologous structures are similar structures in related organisms. The most important thing to remember about homologous structures is that they share common ancestry. In other words, only organisms that are somehow related to each other can have homologous structures. For example, a chimpanzee’s arm and a human’s arm are homologous structures. Both sets of arms have a similar structure and use and chimpanzees and humans share a common ancestor. What Are Analogous Structures? Analogous structures are similar structures in unrelated organisms. These structures are similar because they do the same job, not because they share common ancestry. For example, dolphins and sharks both have fins, even though they aren’t related. Both species developed fins because of how (and where) they live. What’s the Difference Between Homologous and Analogous Structures? Homologous and analogous structures have several key differences. Let’s take a look at them: Homologous Structures Analogous Structures Shared ancestry Similar internal structure May look different externally No shared ancestry Similar function May look similar externally Homologous Structures Example A great example of homologous structures are the wings of a bat and the arms of a human. Bats and humans are both mammals, so they share a common ancestry. Both a bat’s wing and a human’s arm share a similar internal bone structure, even though they look very different externally. The wing and the arm also perform different functions - wings help bats fly, while arms help humans interact with their world in a very different way. Analogous Structures Example A great example of analogous structures are a bat’s wing and a bee’s wing. Bats and bees do not share common ancestry, so the structures cannot be homologous. Both bat wings and bee wings serve a common purpose - helping bats and bees fly! The structures look similar on the outside, too. However, their internal structures are very different - bat wings have a bony structure with muscles, while bee wings are membranous extensions. Homologous and Analogous Structures - Key Takeaways Many animals have body parts that look similar, even though they don’t share common functionality. Other animals have body parts that look totally different, but have a shared background. Here’s the difference between homologous and analogous structures: Homologous structures are structures that may look or function differently from related organisms. Analogous structures are structures that look and function similarly from unrelated organisms. What’s Next? Currently taking Biology and need help with other bio topics? Learn about photosynthesis, enzymes, cell theory, and what and how the cell membrane and endoplasmic reticulum work. Are youconsideringtaking the SAT subject testsin a subject like biology? Make sure you get the inside information onthe testbefore you make your decision. If you’re a freshman, sophomore, or junior, you might consider adding AP classes to your schedule. Here’s a complete list of AP courses and tests to help you choose classes that are perfect for you. Want to know the fastest and easiest ways to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius? We've got you covered!Check out our guide to the best ways to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit (or vice versa).

World regions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

World regions - Essay Example The nature of yin-yang lies in interchange and interplay of two components. The alternation of day and night or coldness and hotness is an example. The Taoist belief system holds that the best way an individual can improve his life is by learning how to create his own yin-yang power. Yin Yang power permeates our world. There is a way to balance it to our advantage. These two different states will alter into each other under definite circumstances. For example, in the process of affliction from an illness, a person will experience a high fever, turmoil, and uneasiness. All of a sudden, the fever will slough off. A period of listlessness will then engulf the patient. This is the example of the yin succeeding the yang. The yin and yang are even used to explain the functions of the human body. When speaking of the yin and yang of the body, the upper part, is the yang and the lower part is the yin. The skin is the yang, and the body viscera are the yin (Bishop, 2010). The vital energy that courses through the body to strengthen man is the yang. The liquid life force that bears that energy through the body and to various organs is the yin. What this seeks to portray is that all forces of nature work together to render the balance that is necessary for survival. All opposites that an individual will experience such as wealth and poverty or illness and health, touch on the yin yang reality. They can be explained in relation to the short-term dominance of one theory over another. Since no one principle dominates eternally, it means that all the conditions are subject to change. It is a way of nature to process through periods of flourishing and decline. The Chinese view opposites as evolving and declining. There is neither right nor wrong but a balance, transformation, interaction, and dependent opposition. Both sides are needed to maintain a balance. Since one principle produces the

Starbucks Analyse Marketing Activities and Performance Essay

Starbucks Analyse Marketing Activities and Performance - Essay Example It opened its very first outlet in Market Place, Seattle’s Pike. In 1986 it was acquired by Schultz, who envisioned it as a home coffee shop where people can get the best coffee with other complementary services. The company was expanded with proper positioning and marketing strategies soon after it was acquired by Schultz. Starbucks then reanalyzed its marketing activities which were solely based upon maintaining a personal and cherished relationship between customers and the company. This was done initially by reviving the experience of Italian Espresso Bars. The company’s primary focus was over the quality services extended to its customers and the overall in-store experience. Therefore they bought the best quality coffee and maintain a consummate brand image. The company had a mission statement stating the real purpose of existence i.e. to serve American population. In exact words: â€Å"To instigate and nurture the human strength through serving them one cup per p erson at a specific area† (Charles W. Lamb 22). After having successful business for twenty five years Starbucks expanded its business into the foreign lands. This was initiated through the opening of their first international outlet in Tokyo, Japan. Currently the company has more than 17,000 stores in 49 countries which has enabled the company to become the most recognizable and reputable brand of the world. From the time when it was established in 1971, the company has shown a significantly increasing growth trend which indicates its outstanding performance and enhanced satisfaction level of Starbucks’ customers (Charles W. Lamb 22). Organizational Chart (Starbucks) Product Portfolio Starbucks has a distinctive product portfolio which encompasses a wide range of coffee flavors. It is divided into five categories, namely: Starbucks, Creamice, Fontana, Tazo Tea and Supplies (Products: Our Complete Product Portfolio). Starbucks: It is further classified into ingredients of beverages which are mostly used in production of different drinks and coffees. They also have branded cups with the name of ‘Starbucks’. Additionally they have hot cocoa which is a very unique, high quality chocolate drink and resale merchandize which includes: ceramic cups, roasted dry fruits, biscuits, etc. Creamice: It includes all the beverages which fall into the category of frozen blend. These are served with flavor treats and customized syrups. It has been divided into further categories: Latte, Mango, Mocha and Raspberry. Fontana: It contains a wide variety of syrups and sauces which turns beverages into specialty offering i.e. unique to Starbucks only. The major categories includes: chocolate syrups, fruit syrups and sauces, nuts and essences. Tazo Tea: Coffee and tea are ever best companions and Starbucks has further intensified their relationship. There is a huge variety of tea which is sold in branded packaging. It is artfully blended to give a superior t aste to the customers. The extended versions include: Gallon Bulk Iced tea I, Gallon Bulk Iced Tea II, Filter bag and Tea Latte Concentrate. Supplies: They supply a wide range of products concerning coffee and tea. For instance, they have filters of different sizes, cleaning powders, brushes, pitchers, cream dispensers amongst other things. Broadly the supplies are categorized in to airpots and carefes, small wares, cups and cleaning stuff. SWOT Strengths (Starbucks SWOT Analysis): They have a wide range of p

Fast Food versus Homemade Food Essay Example for Free

Fast Food versus Homemade Food Essay On the other hand, home-made food has less attraction than fast food. A reason for this is that home-made food needs lots of time until it gets ready. For instance, people should wait for several hours in order to have a ready home-made meal. Another reason is that home-made food is less convenient than fast food. For example, you may not find all the ingredients you need in one grocery, yet you have to look in several groceries until you find all the ingredients. Home-made food is much healthier than fast food, and therefore, people will enjoy eating their meals without thinking of health problems. In conclusion, both fast food and home-made food have significant divergence in preparation time, convenience and quality. Fast food might be better in saving time and being more convenient, while home-made food might be better in quality. I do believe that home-made food is much better than fast food, because peoples health is The questions by Dixit saab: 1. Chule Ki Roti is better or bread. 2. Fast Food is better or customs(regular ) food. , are most relevant in todayss context. I prefer regular food but not fast food. Nutritious, hygenenic food is most important. Even in fast food if it is hygenic, nutritious it can be taken. Many a time we are forced to take fast food which is not so hygenic or nutritious ,because of the urgrncy , in place of the meals we take. The regular intake of fast foods in place of regular food is not suggestable which may kill apetite and person become weak. Inthe present day stressful jobs the person is consuming his physical, mental talents tocope with work schedules. Since body is also a machine we should give necessary inputs through food and required rest so that body functions smoothly. Occasional fast food is unaviodable. But one should take care of health by taking healthy food. Health is Wealth.

Green Willow(Japanese Literature) :: essays research papers

Without honor, life is meaningless. According to the folktale, Green Willow, honor is essential to an individual of Japanese decent. This tale explains what the people of this country value and how they function. As the story unfolds, so do the components that form what Japan is. The background contains the codes and classes in which they live. The plot draws our attention, however it is the elements of the culture that is taken into account. In addition, it presents a conflict that is dealt with by society everyday. That is, being distracted from our tasks. In the act of facing that conflict, good judgment should be used. The decision of the main character reveals what arises when you do not. Honor was used as evidence or a symbol of distinction in this culture. The people remained the right to preserve their good name. This code that they emphasize in their country is denominated as the bushido. An example of applying this system to their lives is in the manner of how they conform to their classes. Each person received and exalted title or rank. A samurai warrior, for instance, could not surpass the law by marrying "a [mere] peasant girl" without the permission of his daimyo. In contrast, the samurai would ask the parents for her hand in marriage and they would respond with gratitude. The warrior is "a person of too a degree for [them] to consider refusing the honor of [his] request." The hospitality of the Japanese people is also accredited in the folktale. It is not often that a person would be taken in and accommodated. Despite that common belief, the parents of Green Willow shelter and aid the samurai on his journey. This act of kindness shows that this is a nation with pure and humble intentions. It is evident in the old couples' appreciation for Tomotada's "condescending to overlook their daughter's peasant origins" and offered her as "a gift, a humble handmaid" to him. Furthermore, this tale manifested a true dilemma that our society goes up against daily. Responsibilities are supposed to come before one's own personal gain. If a person becomes enraptured in their own self-seeking task and overlook their duties, that person will eventually suffer for it. Japan regards honor as something you have to strive for. It must be earned. The main character broke the rules of his the country had already established and paid for it in innumerable ways.

Divine Power and Divine Retribution in Jose Saramago’s Blindness Essay

Divine Power and Divine Retribution in Jose Saramago’s Blindness Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Often, writers in literature pilfer from the world of reality in their quest to present compelling characters and gripping plots. Nonetheless, others replicate the real world in an abstract sense to sensitize or communicate the malicious and malignant threats, epidemics and plagues prevalent in the world. Such episodes of these phenomena inflict mass threats and destructions, nefarious villains as well as innocent victims who apparel and enthrall novelists. In some instances, divine retribution follows the nefarious villains as well as grapples the ignorant innocent victims. This is well presented by Jose Saramago in his epic novel, Blindness. This paper explores divine power as well as divine retribution in the book Blindness by Jose Saramago arguing that divinity intervention follows in instituting justice. Besides, divinity intervenes to punish ignorance.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Indeed, the novel does not state explicitly that the onus of the swiftly hitting epidemic is resultant from the hands of a divine power such as God. However, the author does not resist writing on a divine power, God. This is because Jose Saramago introduces and trails the action of the churches in supplementing the government’s effort to contain the situation. Moreover, there are multiple references to church leaders all observable in the novel. Besides, Jose Saramago’s presentation in the novel suggests that divine retribution followed a nefariously villainous person. He or she was inflicted or struck with blindness. Additionally, it is interesting to note that literal authors cannot write a masterful work in a spiritual, religious or cultural vacuum. Deductively, it is evident that Saramago alludes to divine intervention and divine retribution.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Interestingly, the Blindness novel depicts a thrilling plot with an incessantly straying narrator from presentation of dialogues and facts to reflection on moral academic and ethical analysis at great lengths. Divine intervention and retribution features at the onset of the story in the first page. It is here that the author dexterously delineates in detail the expected features at an ordinary road intersection. These include flickering of lights and pedestrians crossing the road. Everything is a routine, and the events unfold as usual. However, a car at the intersection does not move or give way to the traffic behind, in spite of the flickering green light, creating an unusual situation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The author is innate to this situation and goes on to consider rational motives behind the car’s stillness. He states, â€Å"there have to be some mechanical flaws, a loose accelerator, a stuck gear level, suspension problems† (1-2) and many other listings of things that could have gone wary. This situation does not go unnoticed because a bystander comes to the attention of the driver. He opens the door catching the attention of the driver as well as the reader. It then dawns to the reader that the driver was struck with blindness. This is rather bellowing and discomforting. It is not incidental that blindness just hit the driver cum blind. The cause of the blindness can only be explained in terms of divine retribution or intervention.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Saramago twists and turns the novel literally betwixt calamities. The â€Å"Good Samaritan† that came to the aid of the blind man later emerges that he is a thief. On driving the old man home, he steals his car. It is rather ironical that the good natured helper turns to be an immodest, insensitive and hands down thief. Indeed, it is immoral for an able person to take advantage of a handicapped person and exploit them taking advantage of their helplessness. The reader is appareled by the thief and only wishes for divine punishment. Therefore, the thief’s catching of blindness comes as a sigh of relief to the reader for what he or she considers as an immoral and ungracious act.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The scene of people being struck with blindness becomes an incessant phenomenon in the following pages. The narrator trails the lives of victims, and it emerges that they all had crossed paths one way or another. It is here that the narrator philosophizes divine retribution and intervention as calamity strikes the nation ravaging and resulting to outbursts among people with â€Å"I’m blind, I’m blind† uproars. In a series of skits between philosophical argument and conventional wisdom, the narrator presents a vivid account of the actions and motives of the escort and the car thief. Finally, blindness strikes these characters long before the narrator can conclude on the cause of the plague. Interestingly blindness strikes immediately without any bouts to announce its arrival. Divine retribution causes a fierily spread of the plague without a scientific explanation or physical symptoms. Blindness strikes swiftly, strange ly and impartially. For instance, the doctor realizes that he too is blind while watching television. The plague replicates in nature and strangeness to ancient floods and plagues that were acts of divine retribution such as in the bible.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A clout to divine retribution is protracted from the doctor’s wife. She is the only victim of blindness who separates human flaws and godly affairs thereby attributing the epidemic to divinity. According to her, â€Å"this is unbearable filth of the soul of a human. Of the human body† (279). According to the narrator, â€Å"she said, as if to correct this metaphysical thought, then she added, it is all the same† (Saramago 279). The reader is left the quarry of the thoughts of divine power and retribution. Arguably though, why does divine power not punish the malicious and nefarious villains, as well? Thomas Talbott in his article, â€Å"Punishment, Forgiveness and Divine Judgment† argues that retributivist punishment theory. He justifids punishment by questioning if the punishment befits the error or crime committed. Therefore, punishment is not a rehabilitation or crime deterrence tool but a justice and equalit y feature (Talbott, 154).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Just like other narrations, the Blindness narrator is obsessed with the behavior of people when put under extreme conditions. It is interesting to see the huge and expansive wary and panic among people following the blindness plague. Indeed, such a mega scale panic and social disarray contends the prevalence of a divine power with much stronger abilities than man can think. Different institutions in the society fall and crumble thanks to the plague for fear of the plague. The military cannot contain the massively and swiftly spreading plague create a heat of battle and confusion amidst the crisis. The government is also initiated into the crisis. It imposes a quarantine effort to control the contagion unsuccessfully resulting to collapse of the media, military and businesses.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Divinity fabling is also evident in the identity of the characters in the novel. For instance, the author does not give them real names but rather opts to identify them in generic form. For instance, there is the blind man, the Good Samaritan cum the car thief, the doctor, the doctor’s wife among many others. The book begins with the first blind man trailing him as his eyesight elopes while at an intersection, in his car. The first blind man is rescued by the Good Samaritan who takes him home. Later on, the good Samaritan steals his car and eventually loses sight. Indeed, divine retribution strikes and the thief is blinded just like other noble souls. The level of blindness infliction is as a resultant of divinity. It trails people who have crossed paths. For instance, the doctor was struck with blindness. Interestingly, he had attempted to treat the first blind man. People who had sat at the waiting room also got struck with blindn ess.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Saramago presents the proclamations of the churches and the church leaders, as well. They preached the end times claiming that the world was coming to an end. The narrator states, â€Å"they were proclaiming the end of the world†. He adds that they preached, â€Å"redemption through the visions of the seventh days, through penitence, †¦the purity and sanctity of the lymph, the black cat’s blood, the sleep of the shadow, the logic of anthropophagy, the rising of sea, painless castration and mainly divine tattoos..† (Saramago, 298). This presents the existence of divine power that claimed the people. References Cooper, Kate, and Thomas Talbot. â€Å"Punishment, Forgiveness and Divine Judgment.† Retribution, repentance, and reconciliation: papers read at the 2002 Summer Meeting and the 2003 Winter Meeting of the Ecclesiastical History Society. Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK: Published for the Ecclesiastical History Society by the Boydell Press, 2004. 154. Print. Saramago, JoseÃÅ' . Blindness: a novel. New York: Harcourt, 1998. Print. Source document

Diabetes and Complimentary Alternative Medicine Therapies

Diabetes is one of the public health concerns which have affected many people all over the world, despite the recent advances in the field of medicine, care and management. It has been a burden to a lot of people, not only is it damaging to the people suffering from it but also damaging in terms of money. Having diabetes could lead to financial problems, as it needs to be supported and maintained by medications and treatments.Because of this, people thought of ways on how they’d be able to deal with diabetes other ways the normal doctor-medication approach. What they discovered is the Complimentary and Alternative Medicine therapies (CAM) for treating Diabetes. They found out that CAM therapies are as equally helpful in fighting diabetes as compared to medications and other medical treatments. In various researches, it was found that there is a variety of CAM therapies available in the present.These include acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, herbal remedies, high-dose mega vitamins, solitary prayer or spiritual practices, intercessory prayer or spiritual healing by others, commercial diet programs, self-help groups, relaxation/meditation, lifestyle diets, guided imagery, massage, energy healing, folk remedies, biofeedback, naturopathy, yoga, hypnosis, osteopathy, and aromatherapy (Garrow & Egede, 2006; Yeh, Eisenberg, Davis, & Phillips, 2002).These therapies are widely used not only for diabetes, but for other forms of physical problems as well, including heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, digestive conditions, allergies, depression, and many more. According to Yeh, et al, 57% of their respondents reported CAM use for the past year, and 35% used CAM specifically for diabetes (Yeh et al. , 2002). Several researches were conducted to test the efficiency of these complimentary alternative medicine therapies.They were tested on people suffering from different types of diabetes, and whether they have any effect in the person taking the CAM therapy. The se CAM therapies were then compared to the traditional way of dealing with diabetes, which is through medicines. These researchers wished to know whether these CAM therapies are actually working to help people with Diabetes problems instead of giving them false hopes that they are going to be cured. One of the notable characteristics of these CAM therapies is that it does not rip you off financially.It doesn’t necessarily have to be something ingested, it could be a mental conditioning process, an exercise fitness regimen, or a mixture of foreign methods of healing other people. Traditional methods were more on drinking pills, consulting a doctor and having treatments. With CAM therapies, you can do anything you want and still be curing yourself. Also, there are several CAM therapies one could choose from and it doesn’t have to be the same thing over and over again.However, the results of these CAM therapies are not that immediate, as compared to taking medications, wh erein you know what time its effect will last or wear off. But still, it is not advisable to replace the conventional way of treating diabetes with unproven CAM therapies (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2005). As much as possible, make sure that a CAM therapy is proven to be effective before trying it out. Based on the researches, those who used CAM for diabetes were all satisfied with it and found the therapies to be generally helpful.Also, these CAM therapies are not just for taking care of diabetes, it is used in treating other conditions. It is also dependent on which group of people uses what types of CAM. There were those who uses prayer, vitamins, exercise, meditation, herbs, music therapy and many more (Cuellar, Aycock, Cahill, & Ford, 2003). It does not limit a person to one type of therapy alone, but wide range of treatment for those who are suffering from diabetes. One implication of this is the realization that it can give to health care prov iders, since many people are satisfied with CAM therapies.On a research conducted by Cuellar, et al, it is recommended that health care providers must be aware that people using CAM are satisfied with their use (Cuellar et al. , 2003). Perhaps these health care providers would consider offering them to more patients who needs it, and introducing it to those who doesn’t know anything about it yet. In the advent of technology, there are still those people who prefer the old ways than the new ways. This does not only include our preferences, but also how we treat and solve our problems.One example is the famed diabetes, known to have afflicted serous problems to millions of people worldwide. We should not limit ourselves to medicines and other types of treatment. We can always go back to the way nature intended us to be, that’s why we could solve this matter by going back to what are directly provided by our environment. Complimentary Alternative Medicine Therapies is not about how weird you a cure could be; instead it should be about how useful it would be to those needing it.

Free Essays on Art And Architecture Of The Roaring Twenties

Art and Architecture of the Roaring Twenties Architecture Art Deco ‘Art Deco’, also know as a ‘Art Moderne’, was a very popular style of design during the 1920s, although the name of it was not official until the 1960s when it was decided to be named after the International Exposition of Decorative Art, held at the pinnacle of the art deco movement. Art Deco design was particularly common in architecture but also appeared on ocean liners, toasters and jewelry. It is characterized by: long thin forms, curving surfaces and geometric patterns; with the purpose of making the object look like it originated from the â€Å"machine age†. The most prime example of art deco is the Chrysler building in New York. The tip of the skyscraper not only features curving surfaces, but also geometric patterns that appear as triangular windows and as you move higher up the building, the tip becomes thinner (see picture). The design of the building was inspired by machine form and cubist works. More on the construction of this building later. Other examples of art deco include The Rockefeller Building in NY, many buildings in Miami Beach and Fair Park, Dallas. Some of the most famous artists of the art deco movement include William Van Alen, Raymond Hood, Paul Manship and C. Paul Jennewein. Of the notables, Van Alen is perhaps the most famous as he was the chief architect of the Chrysler Building. Skyscraper Skyscrapers are very tall, slender, multi-story buildings that dominate the urban skyline. Unlike conventional buildings, skyscrapers consists of a rigid frame to which non-load-bearing walls are attached. The walls of skyscrapers do not bear the weight unlike other shorter buildings. This type of structure allows for the amazing heights of the skyscrapers to be technically achievable. Before the technologies necessary to construct such structure existed, skyscrapers were impossible dreams. However, by the 1920’s, technology was... Free Essays on Art And Architecture Of The Roaring Twenties Free Essays on Art And Architecture Of The Roaring Twenties Art and Architecture of the Roaring Twenties Architecture Art Deco ‘Art Deco’, also know as a ‘Art Moderne’, was a very popular style of design during the 1920s, although the name of it was not official until the 1960s when it was decided to be named after the International Exposition of Decorative Art, held at the pinnacle of the art deco movement. Art Deco design was particularly common in architecture but also appeared on ocean liners, toasters and jewelry. It is characterized by: long thin forms, curving surfaces and geometric patterns; with the purpose of making the object look like it originated from the â€Å"machine age†. The most prime example of art deco is the Chrysler building in New York. The tip of the skyscraper not only features curving surfaces, but also geometric patterns that appear as triangular windows and as you move higher up the building, the tip becomes thinner (see picture). The design of the building was inspired by machine form and cubist works. More on the construction of this building later. Other examples of art deco include The Rockefeller Building in NY, many buildings in Miami Beach and Fair Park, Dallas. Some of the most famous artists of the art deco movement include William Van Alen, Raymond Hood, Paul Manship and C. Paul Jennewein. Of the notables, Van Alen is perhaps the most famous as he was the chief architect of the Chrysler Building. Skyscraper Skyscrapers are very tall, slender, multi-story buildings that dominate the urban skyline. Unlike conventional buildings, skyscrapers consists of a rigid frame to which non-load-bearing walls are attached. The walls of skyscrapers do not bear the weight unlike other shorter buildings. This type of structure allows for the amazing heights of the skyscrapers to be technically achievable. Before the technologies necessary to construct such structure existed, skyscrapers were impossible dreams. However, by the 1920’s, technology was...

Learn German Numbers, Dates, and Arithmetic Terms

Learn German Numbers, Dates, and Arithmetic Terms For each number below, two forms are shown for German language learners: Kardinalzahl (Cardinal  number: 1, 2, 3, etc.)Ordinalzahl (Ordinal  number: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) Notes on Fractions, Decimals, Articles, and Gender In some cases, a  fractional  number (Bruchzahl: 1/2, 1/5, 1/100) is also given. To make fractions (Brà ¼che) for five and above, just add -el  to the number, or -tel  if the number does not end in t: acht  Ã‚  el  Ã‚  achtel  (an eighth)zehn  Ã‚  tel  Ã‚  zehntel  (a tenth) For Dezimalzahlen (decimal numbers), Germans use das Komma (a comma), not a decimal point: 0.638 0,638 (null Komma sechs drei acht)1.08 1,08 (eins Komma null acht) Fun Fact The German expression in null Komma nichts (â€Å"in zero point zero†) means in an instant or in a flash. Although the masculine (calendar date) form is shown for the ordinal numbers, they can also be feminine (die), neuter (das) or plural, depending on the noun they are used with: das erste Auto  (the first car)die zweite Tà ¼r  (the second door)die ersten Menschen  (the first humans) When referring to individual numbers in German, you say die zwei (two) or die einundzwanzig (twenty-one), short for die Nummer/Zahl. An example would be naming the winning numbers for the lottery on television. Numbers From One to Ten (1-10) 0:  null  (zero or nought)1:  eins (one)der erste,  der 1.  (first)Time Construction: no ending on ein in ein Uhr (one oclock); but eine Uhr (one clock or a clock)  with -e ending on the article eineDate Construction: am ersten (on the first);  am ersten Mai or  am 1. Mai (on May first, on the first of May, on 1 May, or on May 1st)2:  zwei (two); the alternative form  zwo  is often used to avoid confusion with  dreider zweite,  der 2.  (second)halb, die Hlfte  (half or one-half)Time Construction: zwei Uhr (two oclock), but zwei Uhren (two clocks)3:  drei (three)der dritte,  der 3.  (third)drittel  (one third or a third)4:  vier (four)der vierte  (fourth)viertel-, das Viertel  (one fourth, one quarter, a fourth, a quarter or quarter)5:  fà ¼nf (five)der fà ¼nfte  (fifth)6:  sechs (six)der sechste  (sixth)7:  sieben (seven)der siebte  (seventh)8:  acht (eight)der achte  (eighth)9:  neun (nine)der neunte  (ninth) 10s, Tens, or Teens 10: zehn (ten)der zehnte,  der 10.  (tenth)11: elf (eleven)der elfte,  der 11.  (eleventh)12: zwà ¶lf (twelve)der zwà ¶lfte,  der 12.  (twelfth)13: dreizehn (thirteen)der dreizehnte,  der 13.  (thirteenth)am dreizehnten (on the thirteenth)14: vierzehn (fourteen)der vierzehnte,  der 14.  (fourteenth)am vierzehnten (on the fourteenth)15: fà ¼nfzehn (fifteen)der fà ¼nfzehnte,  der 15.  (fifteenth)am fà ¼nfzehnten (on the fifteenth)16: sechzehn (sixteen)der sechzehnte,  der 16.  (sixteenth)17: siebzehn (seventeen)der siebzehnte,  der 17.  (seventeenth)18: achtzehn (eighteen)der achtzehnte,  der 18.  (eighteenth)19: neunzehn (nineteen)der neunzehnte,  der 19.  (nineteenth) 20s or Twenties In German, to say in the twenties, short for the 1920s, you say in den zwanziger Jahren. The same method is used for the following decades. The 1900s and the teens are a little different. 20: zwanzig (twenty)der zwanzigste, der 20.  (twentieth)am zwanzigsten Juni, am 20. Juni  (on the twentieth of June or on June 20th)21: einundzwanzig (twenty-one)der einundzwanzigste,  der 21.  (twenty-first)am einundzwanzigsten Juni,  am 21. Juni  (on the twenty-first of June or on June 21st)22: zweiundzwanzig (twenty-two)der zweiundzwanzigste,  der 22.  (twenty-second)23: dreiundzwanzig (twenty-three)der dreiundzwanzigste,  der 23.  (twenty-third)24: vierundzwanzig (twenty-four)der vierundzwanzigste,  der 24.  (twenty-fourth)25: fà ¼nfundzwanzig (twenty-five)der fà ¼nfundzwanzigste,  der 25.  (twenty-fifth)26: sechsundzwanzig (twenty-six)der sechsundzwanzigste,  der 26.  (twenty-sixth)27: siebenundzwanzig (twenty-seven)der siebenundzwanzigste,  der 27.  (twenty-seventh)28: achtundzwanzig (twenty-eight)der achtundzwanzigste,  der 28.  (twenty-eighth)29: neunundzwanzig (twenty-nine)der neunundzwanzigste,  der 29.  (twenty-ninth) 30s or Thirties Note that unlike the other tens,  dreißig  has no z in its spelling. 30:  dreißig (thirty)der dreißigste,  der 30.  (thirtieth)31:  einunddreißig (thirty-one)der einunddreißigste,  der 31.  (thirty-first)32:  zweiunddreißig (thirty-two)der zweiunddreißigste,  der 32.  (thirty-second)33:  dreiunddreißig (thirty-three)der dreiunddreißigste,  der 33.  (thirty-third)34 to 39: consistent with the system from the 20s 40s or Forties 40:  vierzig (forty)der vierzigste,  der 40.  (fortieth)41:  einundvierzig (forty-one)der einundvierzigste,  der 41.  (forty-first)42:  zweiundvierzig (forty-two)der zweiundvierzigste,  der 42.  (forty-second)43:  dreiundvierzig (forty-three)der dreiundvierzigste,  der 43.  (forty-third)44 to 49: consistent with previous systems 50s or Fifties 50:  fà ¼nfzig (fifty)der fà ¼nfzigste,  der 50.  (fiftieth)51:  einundfà ¼nfzig (fifty-one)der einundfà ¼nfzigste,  der 51.  (fifty-first)52:  zweiundfà ¼nfzig (fifty-two)der zweiundfà ¼nfzigste,  der 52.  (fifty-second)53:  dreiundfà ¼nfzig (fifty-three)der dreiundfà ¼nfzigste,  der 53.  (fifty-third)54 to 59: consistent with previous systems 60s or Sixties 60:  sechzig (sixty)der sechzigste,  der 60.  (sixtieth)61:  einundsechzig (sixty-one)der einundsechzigste,  der 61.  (sixty-first)62:  zweiundsechzig (sixty-two)der zweiundsechzigste,  der 62.  (sixty-second)63:  dreiundsechzig (sixty-three)der dreiundsechzigste,  der 63.  (sixty-third)64 to 69: consistent with previous systems 70s or Seventies 70:  siebzig (seventy)der siebzigste,  der 70.  (seventieth)71:  einundsiebzig (seventy-one)der einundsiebzigste,  der 71.  (seventy-first)72:  zweiundsiebzig (seventy-two)der zweiundsiebzigste,  der 72.  (seventy-second)73:  dreiundsiebzig (seventy-three)der dreiundsiebzigste,  der 73.  (seventy-third)74 to 79: consistent with previous systems 80s or Eighties 80:  achtzig (eighty)der achtzigste,  der 80.  (eightieth)81:  einundachtzig (eighty-one)der einundachtzigste,  der 81.  (eighty-first)82:  zweiundachtzig (eighty-two)der zweiundachtzigste,  der 82.  (eighty-second)83:  dreiundachtzig (eighty-three)der dreiundachtzigste,  der 83.  (eighty-third)84 to 89: consistent with previous systems 90s or Nineties 90:  neunzig (ninety)der neunzigste,  der 90.  (ninetieth)91:  einundneunzig (ninety-one)der einundneunzigste,  der 91.  (ninety-first)92:  zweiundneunzig (ninety-two)der zweiundneunzigste,  der 92.  (ninety-second)93:  dreiundneunzig (ninety-three)der dreiundneunzigste,  der 93.  (ninety-third)94 to 99: consistent with previous systems 100s or One Hundreds 100: hundert  or  einhundert (hundred, a hundred or one hundred)der hundertste,  der 100.  (hundredth)(ein) hundertstel  (one-hundredth or one out of one hundred)101: hunderteins (hundred-and-one)der hunderterste,  der 101.  (hundred-and-first)102: hundertzwei (hundred-and-two)der hundertzweite,  der 102.  (hundred-and-second)103: hundertdrei (hundred-and-three)der hundertdritte,  der 103.  (hundred-and-third)104 to 199: continue in the same way 200s or Two Hundreds, and Other Hundreds 200:  zweihundert (two hundred)der zweihundertste,  der 200.  (two-hundredth)201:  zweihunderteins (two-hundred-and-one)der zweihunderterste,  der 201.  (two-hundred-and-first)202:  zweihundertzwei (two-hundred-and-two)der zweihundertzweite,  der 202.  (two-hundred-and-second)203:  zweihundertdrei (two-hundred-and-three)der zweihundertdritte,  der 203.  (two-hundred-and-third)204 to 899: continue in the same way 900s or Nine Hundreds 900:  neunhundert  (nine-hundred)der neunhundertste,  der 900.  (nine-hundredth)901:  neunhunderteinsder neunhunderterste,  der 901.  (nine-hundred-and-one)902 to 997: continue in the same way998:  neunhundertachtundneunzig  (nine-hundred-ninety-eight)der neunhundertachtundneunzigste,  der 998.  (nine-hundred-ninety-eighth)999:  neunhundertneunundneunzig  (nine-hundred-ninety-nine)der neunhundertneunundneunzigste,  der 999.  (nine-hundred-ninety-ninth) 1000s or One Thousands In German, one thousand is written or printed as either 1000, 1.000 or 1 000,  using a Punkt (decimal point) or a space instead of a comma. This also applies to all German numbers above 1,000. 1000:  tausend  or  eintausend (thousand, a thousand, or one thousand)der tausendste,  der 1000.  (thousandth)tausendstel  (one-thousandth or one out of a thousand)1001:  tausendeins (thousand-one or one-thousand-and-one)der tausenderste,  der 1001.  (thousand-first)1002:  tausendzwei (thousand-two)der tausendzweite,  der 1002.  (thousand-second)1003 to 1999:  continue in the same way Fun Fact 1001 Arabian Nights becomes Tausendundeine Arabische Nacht, but its 1001 Nchte (tausendeine Nchte) otherwise. 2000s or Two Thousands, and Other Thousands 2000:  zweitausend (two-thousand)der zweitausendste,  der 2000.  (two-thousandth)2001:  zweitausendeins (two-thousand-one or two-thousand-and-one)der zweitausenderste,  der 2001.  (two-thousand-first)2002:  zweitausendzwei (two-thousand-two)der zweitausendzweite,  der 2002.  (two-thousand-second)2003:  zweitausenddrei (two-thousand-three)der zweitausenddritte,  der 2003.  (two-thousand-third)2004:  zweitausendvier (two-thousand-four)der zweitausendvierte,  der 2004.  (two-thousand-fourth)2005 to 9998: continue in the same way9999:  neuntausendneunhundertneunundneunzig (nine-thousand-nine-hundred-ninety-nine)der neuntausendneunhundertneunundneunzigste,  der 9.999. (nine-thousand-nine-hundred-ninety-ninth) Talking About Jahre (Years) For the years 1100 to 1999 in German, you must say the  hundert rather than the tausend, as for 1152 (elfhundertzweiundfà ¼nfzig) or 1864 (achtzehnhundertvierundsechzig). 1100:  elfhundert  (year, number)tausendeinhundert  (number only)1200:  zwà ¶lfhundert  (year, number)tausendzweihundert  (number only)1800:  achtzehnhundert  (year, number)1900:  neunzehnhundert  (year, number)2000:  zweitausend  (year, number) In the year 2001 can be spoken or written in German as im Jahre 2001 or im Jahr 2001 (zweitausendeins). The phrase im Jahre means in the year, as in: Im Jahre 1350 (dreizehnhundertfà ¼nfzig) (In the year 1350). If the word Jahr is left out, then the year is used by itself, with no im (in the). For example: Er ist im Jahre 2001 geboren. | Er ist 2001 geboren. (He was born in (the year) 2001.)Er ist im Jahre 1958 geboren. | Er ist 1958 geboren. (He was born in 1958.)Kolumbus hat 1492 (vierzehnhundertzweiundneunzig) Amerika entdeckt. (Columbus discovered America in 1492) To convey the Christian calendar use of A.D. (anno domini, year of our Lord) and B.C. (Before Christ), German uses  n.Chr.  (nach Christus) for A.D. and  v.Chr.  (vor Christus for B.C. C.E. and B.C.E., for Common Era and Before Common Era, were used mostly in East Germany like so:  u.Z. (unserer Zeitrechnung) for C.E., and v.u.Z. (vor unserer Zeitrechnung) for B.C.E. 10,000 and Up 10,000:  zehntausend (ten-thousand)der zehntausendste,  der 10.000.  (ten-thousandth)20,000:  zwanzigtausend (twenty-thousand)der zwanzigtausendste,  der 20.000.  (twenty-thousandth)100,000:  hunderttausend (hundred-thousand)der hunderttausendste,  der 100.000. (hundred-thousandth)1,000,000: (eine) Million (million, one million, or a million)der millionste,  der 1.000.000.  (millionth)2,000,000: zwei Millionen (two million)der zweimillionste,  der 2.000.000. (two-millionth)1,000,000,000: (eine) Milliarde (billion, one billion, or a billion)der milliardste, der 1,000,000,000. (the billionth)1,000,000,000,000: (eine) Billion (trillion, one trillion, or a trillion)der billionste, der 1,000,000,000,000  (the trillionth) Fun Fact In German, one million is  eine Million, but two million is  zwei Millionen  (two millions). An American billion is a German Milliarde. A German Billion is an American trillion.​ Mathematische Ausdrà ¼cke (German Math Terms) German English addieren "add" die Algebra "algebra" das Differentialrechnendas Integralrechnen "calculus" dividieren "divide" durchzehn durch zwei (10/2) "divided by""ten divided by two" istgleichfà ¼nf und sechs ist elf "equals""five plus six equals eleven" die Gleichunge Gleichungsformel "equation" die Formel "formula" die Geometrie "geometry" minusweniger "minus""less" multiplizieren "multiply" plusundzwei und/plus zwei "plus""and""two plus two" subtrahieren "subtract" die Trigonometrie "trigonometry"