MARKETING AND MARKETING STRATEGY Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

MARKETING AND MARKETING STRATEGY - Assignment Example A stimulated customer decides how much information (if any) is needed. If the need is very high and there is a product or service that satisfies the need at hand, the buying decision is most likely to be made immediately. If not, information seeking process begins. A person may seek information from personal sources i.e. from friends, and family members, neighbors or from commercial sources i.e. from salespeople, advertising, point-of-sale displays retailers and dealers. The importance and influence of the collected information vary from one product to another and by customer. This is followed by the evaluation stage where the consumer chooses between alternative brands, products and services. In the case where a product is high involving, the customer carries out thorough evaluation. After extensive evaluation, the customer makes a purchase decision basing on the gathered information (Schultz, 2006). This is followed by post-purchase decision (cognitive dissonance) which is the final stage of the decision-making process. This is mostly common in consumers who express a lot of concern after making a buying decision. After buying a product, the customer may feel that the alternative product could have been a better. In such instances, the consumer will not purchase immediately but is most likely to switch to another brand next time. Like the high involving purchases, the buying process begins with problem recognition. At this stage, a buyer perceives a need or a problem or reacts to a marketing stimulus. A person may seek information from limited sources unlike in high involvement where various sources are considered. This is followed by the evaluation stage where the consumer chooses between alternative brands, products and services. In the case since the product is low involving, the customer carries out simple evaluation. After the evaluation, the customer makes a purchase decision basing on

Strengths and weaknesses of Rolls Royce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Strengths and weaknesses of Rolls Royce - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that Rolls Royce has been a pioneer in the motor car market for over 100 years. It continues to set the standard for motor cars in the industry. Financial ratios help to analyze the financial health of a company. Gross profit margin is an indicator of how %age of a sales dollar is left after the payment of the goods has been made. It is the actual markup on the goods sold. It is better for the company if it has a higher gross profit margin. Rolls Royce gross profit margin has been stable for the past 5 years. There hasn’t been much change in the gross profit margin of the company. This means that with respect to each unit of the product the margin has been consistent and hence the company has been effectively maintaining the process of manufacturing of goods. Operating profit margin indicates the profit margin after payment is made for goods as well as its fixed expenses and other variables. This again has been stable for Rolls Royce with no sharp changes. This means that company understands its business very well and is very effective in managing it. The company has knows how to efficiently manage the various processes of its business. Net Profit margin is the actual measure of a company’s financial success. Net profit margin indicates how profitable the company is. Therefore, higher the net profit margin more profitable the company is. Rolls Royce’s performance with respect to net profit margin has been very inconsistent over the past 5 years.

Organizational structure of the business Essay Example for Free

Organizational structure of the business Essay Businesses can take different approaches on the way they structure the organization of their business. The different types of structures include flat, matrix, and tall. These represent hierarchical, centralized and decentralized forms of organization. These different structures are used in different types of organization relating to the needs the business may require. In a tall structure there are many levels. People of different status within the business take each level. This is hierarchical. As the levels get higher in the structure, the power and responsibility usually increases. In a tall structured organization there would the top layer of the structure but many at the bottom represent few people. This structure would be used in a large business where there would be many members of staff, many groups under different supervision. This form of organization would cause there to be a lack of communication throughout the business as issues would be passed through the levels, supervisors to managers and may never reach the managing director. Elements like this in a tall structure could lead to a lack of control throughout the business. Flat is another style of organizational structure. This is still of a hierarchical form yet there is less layers in the business. This is more of a democratic approach as there is a smaller span of control throughout the organization. As there is less levels in the structure there is less separate sections of power. The reduction in the amount of layers means that communication throughout the business is greatly improved therefore the managing director has a greater level of control over the business as a whole. This would be used in a smaller business. It would consist of a managing director followed by possibly a number of directors then supervisors then staff in a hierarchical fashion. A matrix approach can also be used. This is constructed by the business itself. It can be a democratic, autocratic or lassiez-faire approach or a mixture of the three. Very large businesses, PLC or LTDs use this. As the business is so large a tall matrix would not be appropriate as there would be a lack of interaction and control of the business would not be great. To prevent this happening, Boots designed a structure of its own. These are known as matrix structures. Each level has independent managers and spans of control that do not lead up or down the hierarchy of the business. Each level has independent managers and line supervisors so they are self-contained. The local span of control is the responsibility of the line manager. To keep communication strong within the business there is a strong chain of command throughout the structure. This ensures that any problems; ideas or achievement are known throughout the business. This approach keeps communication and control strong, as although there are a great number of people within the structure it is easy to find out what is happening at present through the chain of commanding supervisors who are responsible at that level. The different sections of the business that are present within the matrix are   Boots the Chemist Wellbeing services   Supply and support services   Boots Healthcare international Each of these sections (levels) of the business has line managers and supervisors. These communicate through the chain of command through out the business. This gives a firm structure of a high level of control and interaction, which is within the best interests of the smooth running of the business. The diagram below shows the set out of the business and how the different sections relate to each other. Within these sections the directing and supervisory structure is set out like this throughout the business This is Richard Baker; he is the chief executive of Boots PLC. He does not work in a store but control along with Howard Dodd Paul Bateman the running nationwide of the Boots Empire. They have control over every structure in every store throughout the country from managers to floor workers however it is rare they interact with any one but senior staff in the department stores. Boots to maximize the benefits created the matrix structure. This shows that they have taken their own approach upon their business and changed with the times. Using a matrix structure as the business expanded to the size it is now has proved beneficial and reaches an objective. Boots aimed to Develop, modernize technology and strategies. Using the matrix structure has been a form of modernizing therefore reaching a set objective. Boots aim of globalization would need to lead from a base of a stable market in the UK business sector. To gain a stable grasp in the UK economy Boots needs a stable business. The matrix structure consisting of effective interaction through out the levels and a hold on control ensures that the business runs smoothly and is stable in doing so. This reaches the objective of taking a strong hold in the UK business field, which can lead, to greater expansion and globalization. Companies can survive at a steady pace without altering too much about the workings of the business. However to expand, as Boots wish to, some of the most beneficial ideas may come from staff low down in the hierarchical structure. It is for this reason that the matrix structure is extremely beneficial as communication and interaction is strong between the levels so ideas can quickly be picked up on along with problems. This benefits the performance of the business and issues are quickly picked up on. This also contributes to the working towards of the objective relevant to expansion and customer loyalty as both business and custom seek to gain return from the matrix structures benefits and overall performance of the business as a whole. The matrix structure has many advantages that would not be applicable if the organization structure was of another form. The chain of command within the business ensures that the communication within the different groups is regular and effective. Within the boots organization there are many different sections that deal with different aspects of the business. The seven sections within the Boots group deal with their specific part of the business whether it is the chemist, retail or health care. The specialization within the business is a great advantage to all concerned. The staff employed in each of the sections are special trained in that area. Specialization is a great advantage to the business as it means that jobs can be carried out informatively and effectively. As staff is specialized in their area they provide great customer service as they are well educated in the fields in which they work. Empowerment enables the staff within the different sections to have freedom to do tasks that they are delegated without supervisions. This increases moral and self-motivation, as the staff feels confident and independent within the business. High motivation increases staff productivity, which improves the performance of the business. The span of control within the individual areas of the business ensures that the business is smooth running and any problems that occur can be dealt with quickly and efficiently. This is an advantage, as problems do not have to travel into other areas of the business through the chain of command. The separate sections of the business are independent in the way they work. This ensures the business has high levels of control throughout the whole business in all sections and all can be accessed quickly through the chain of command. All these are advantages that help a great deal towards improving the performance of the business for the reasons listed. Communication within Boots There are many different types of communication that businesses can adopt. Different forms of communication are used in different situations within a business. The main types of communication that are used now a day revolve around ICT. ICT stands for Information Communication Technology. Communication is used everyday from the second a business opens in the morning till the second that it closes. With out communication a business would never reach its full potential or have the smooth operations it could achieve. Within a large business, like a PLC or LTD like boots communication is essential. Without communication different sections of the business would not operate well together and issues could quickly fall out of hand. Communication through the chain of command is so important in keeping a business afloat and operating efficiently. Good communication ensures that the business keeps control and the top of the hierarchical structure is aware, or can easily find out the major movements from day to day. Between departments and hierarchical levels communication links must be strong as decisions and movements are often made that effect other departments. There are many different types of communication method. The specific sectors include   Written   Non-verbal. Verbal   Electronic Face to face Each of these has specific areas in which it is of most benefit to use. Different types of communication are used dependant on the issue that is relevant, who is sending it, and who is receiving it. It is important that communication towards employees is regular and efficient. This is because employees need to be kept informed of the movement of the business in all aspects. If there is product alterations or price changes employees must be informed straight away so that no problems occur within the business. Also information about extra shifts, overtime, work hours and bonuses, especially over Christmas are very important in the smooth operation and motivation of the staff. Supervisors and managers are usually the ones who would communicate with the staff. There are many methods that could be used. Employees could be informed and communicated with by the use of notice boards. This is a cheap method, which means that everyone can see the information present. This is a good method if everyone is aware there is a notice to be seen. This could easily be ignored or not notice quickly however. Letters with the employees pay slips are a good method to use, as it is likely that a very high majority of the employees will read them. This is good if it can wait till payday for the notice to go out although still staff may not read them. A team meeting at the beginning of the day is a very efficient way of communicating with staff as issues can be raised and the employees can communicate also. This means that everyone can be informed and there are no excuses why staff ignores issues raised. Employees who have computers (not floor workers) such as administration areas and HRM can be communicated with many more forms of modern communication such as email and uses of the Intranet. Managers and supervisors need to be able to receive communication from higher up in the chain of command and also to be able to distribute down the chain. This is very important. Higher levels in the hierarchical structure need to be able to communicate regularly and efficiently in order to hold a strong level of control over the business and make alterations and give advice where necessary. It is very important this area of the business is easy to communicate with so that no time is wasted in trying to do so. Managers in the Boots organization have offices in individual branches and headquarters; some supervisors also have computer access. This enables Boots to provide computers for the staff that is a great benefit when it comes to communication. The use of computers means that these managers can be easily and quickly communicated with via the use of email, Intranet messaging and time tabled events that may be stored and altered on network software that is specific to the Boots store. Different forms of communication are used in different parts of the business depending on different factors. These factors determine the form of communication and approach taken. These are described below.   Formal   Informal   Important   Urgent   Optional   Open to all   Sent to a specific person   Person   Impersonal   Relaxed   Who its aimed towards   Who its from Confidential This all affect what type of communication are used in different situations within the business. The different categories that the forms of communication fall into are know as the channels of communication.

Analysis of Ancient Roman Architecture

Analysis of Ancient Roman Architecture Ancient Rome is well recognised for its potential to produce large, dense and complex network of infrastructure ranging from roads, aqueducts, bridges, baths, and temples. The Romans were impressive builders and some of the structures built by the Romans that still stand up to this day exhibit this. Large infrastructure was one of the fundamental aspects that allowed the Roman Empire to maintain its expansive territory; roads allowing the free movement of goods, information and troops, the sewers and freshwater systems enabling the growth of large populations. Thus, with these benefits, the Roman empire began to flourish and sparked a golden age of technological advancement and architectural development. Under the Roman empire, city development followed the grid plan based framework adopted from late Greek cities of the Hellenistic period. Roman cities had two major roads, the Cardo Maximus, the main street running through the north-south and the Decumanus, running east-west, serving as a secondary street, emphasised in the ancient Roman city of Timgad (figure 1), which was a common aspect of Roman cities. In essence, the Cardo Maximus and Decumanus played an integral part of city planning, but also served as a central hub for economic life and business. Figure 1: The city of Timgad in Algeria (Marten Kuilman 2010) Furthermore, the Roman grid-based city plan transitioned towards an urban plan by the first century B.C.E. However, it was not planned entirely in advance during the development of Rome. On the other hand, by superseding grid-based plan, an urban plan was a more flexible solution resulting in a more elaborate and organic plan that allowed Rome to expand, improve and grow in splendour (Evans, 2017, p.24-5). Thus theatres, public buildings, basilicas, temples, libraries, and amphitheatres were sprinkled all across the urban fabric of the city so that every building was surrounded by a public structure (Kostof, 1991, p.214). Albeit, Rome did suffer from urban issues, most of which was the gap between the wealthy and poor. The vast majority of Roman citizens were poor and lived in multi-storey flats or apartments known as Insulae (figure 2), which were simplistic buildings that only provided at best a maximum of 2 rooms with no indoor plumbing; therefore, the poor had to commute to public baths to get a supply of water. Figure 2: Remains of a insula in the Capitol hill, in Rome (II century a. C.) (Peter Collony and Hazel dodge 1998) On the other hand, the rich lived in single storey private houses called Domus, consisting of multiple rooms, lavishly laid out walls, gardens and courtyards surrounding the atrium (figure 3) which was the large central hall of the Domus.  ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­ Figure 3: A Pompeian Interior oil on panel Dahesh Museum of Art (Luigi Bazzani 1882) The Roman forum was an oblong space adapted from the Greek agora, located near the intersection of the Cardo Maximus and Decumanus whereas the theatre and amphitheatre were located at the perimeter of the city, wrapped around by fortified city walls. The forum was mainly composed of public buildings such as baths, temples of worship, civic centres and administrative buildings, enclosed by colonnades and either a town hall or a basilica. This was because of the Roman propensity to enclose public buildings, for example, the classical Greek theatres evolution that initially began as an open structure (figure 4), however, it was improved upon by the Romans into an enclosed theatre (figure 5) through the combination of the auditorium and stage (Wheeler, 1964, pp.111-2). Figure 4: Greek theatre (Twinningblog 2008) Figure 5: Greek theatre (Twinningblog 2008) Public buildings were adorned with sculptures, paintings, and fountains that were used as a source of civic pride for the Roman public. As a result, the forum became the focal point of business, social existence and the centre of political debate amongst the people of the empire and politicians. Roman temples such as the Maison Carrà ©e, Nimes (16 B.C.E.) (figure 6) were considered the home of the gods as Roman religion played an important part of Roman society. People went to temples to worship and pray to a multitude of deities such as Jupiter, Juno, Venus and Mars amongst many other main gods. Figure 6: The Maison Carà ©e, the Arenas and the Magne Tower in Nimes (Hubert Robert 1787) The Roman theatre, amphitheatre and Hippodrome provided Roman society with an abundance of entertainment. Amphitheatres such as the Coliseum (figure 7) was the home of violence presented in many forms. Entertainment ranged from gladiatorial fights, executions, wild animal fights and the occasional naval battles that required the Coliseum to be flooded, in front of 50,000 spectators from different social classes arranged on stands that the Coliseum was able to house. Therefore, the Coliseum became a public spectacle to a society that loved blood and could decide the fate of the loser but also reflected the social stratification of Roman society. Figure 7: Colosseum: Cross-section (Granger 2014) Whereas the Circus Maximus offered a different kind of entertainment that was chariot racing in front of a maximum capacity 250,000 people that were as famous as the events held at the Coliseum. Even though society loved watching fights and races, however, some members of the public were opposed to the idea of watching fighters die for entertainment at the Coliseum. Thus, the theatre was the ideal alternative to the Coliseum and the Circus Maximus, where plays were held. Roman baths were considered as an essential requirement for day-to-day life in Rome. The Roman practice of Bathing was initially a Greek tradition; that gained popularity amongst Roman society during the second century B.C.E. Moreover, due to the popularity that baths gained, it highlighted the requirement for a centrally based bath complex within the urban structure of every Roman city as more Roman cities began to emerge, epitomised by the city of Bath that gained its name for its Roman bath complex. By the early third century C.E., Eleven main aqueducts supplied the city of Rome on average 190,000 cubic meters of water daily to homes, public and private baths, which had to be provided and distributed via a system of pipes made from either clay or lead. The aqueduct in Segovia, Spain, built in the second Century CE is still being used today. Whereas the Pont du Gard that is part of the aqueduct de Nimes (figure 8) is probably regarded by many architects and engineers as the most impressive aqueduct built by the Romans, standing at a total height of 48.77 metres, shows the skill and complexity that Roman engineers were able to attain. Figure 8: Pont du Gard (Emanuele 2007) Despite water being supplied to Roman baths and houses via a system of pipes, fees were charged in accordance to the pipes size, the larger the pipe, the higher the tax. Therefore, for personal hygiene, Roman citizens went to local baths such as the baths of Caracalla (figure 9), known for its complex functionality, sophistication and immense size. Romans were able to bathe for a small fee; however, Roman baths also became areas of social interchange where gatherings gossiped and conversed about current events or to discuss business matters while getting clean at the same time. Figure 9: The Baths Of Caracalla (Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema 1899) Some Roman structures have survived the test of time and still reside within the urban fabric today, many of these have been changed, repurposed and modernised into urban forms within the city and have contributed to the formation of cities. The Roman amphitheatre turned into a public circular square in Lucca, Diocletian palace that became the centre of Split in Croatia, which was a palace with walls that became the downtown of the city since the collapse of the roman empire. Furthermore, piazza Navona was built on the site of the stadium of Domitian, the amphitheatre and basilica having significant influence on Western architecture. To conclude the Romans were a sociable society that transformed the legacy of Greek architecture into their vision, a vision turned into an art form and embodied in many cities today. Despite Roman architecture being around for millennia, it is one of the most influential architectural styles that became a source of inspiration for many architects throughout time. Bibliography: Kuilman, M. (2010). QA596 The city of Timgad in Algeria. [image] Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/quadralectics/4361584827/in/photostream/ [Accessed 8 Jan. 2017]. Collony, P. and Dodge, H. (1998). Remains of a insula in the Capitol hill, in Rome (II century a. C.). Photography from CONNOLLY, Peter y DODGE, Hazel: La Ciudad Antigua. La vida en la Atenas y Roma clà ¡sicas, Madrid, 1998.. [image] Available at: http://www.catedu.es/aragonromano/images/insulac2.jpg [Accessed 8 Jan. 2017]. Bazzani, L. (1882). : A Pompeian Interior oil on panel Dahesh Museum of Art. [image] Available at: http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/2008/pompeii/images/atrium_int_large.jpg [Accessed 8 Jan. 2017]. Twinningblog, (2008). Greek Theatre. [image] Available at: https://twinningblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/t-greco.jpg [Accessed 8 Jan. 2017]. Twinningblog, (2008). Roman theatre. [image] Available at: https://twinningblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/roman-theatre1.jpg [Accessed 8 Jan. 2017]. Robert, H. (1787). The Maison Carà ©e, the Arenas and the Magne Tower in Nimes. [image] Available at: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Hubert_Robert_-_The_Maison_Car%C3%A9e%2C_the_Arenas_and_the_Magne_Tower_in_Nimes_-_WGA19601.jpg/612px-Hubert_Robert_-_The_Maison_Car%C3%A9e%2C_the_Arenas_and_the_Magne_Tower_in_Nimes_-_WGA19601.jpg [Accessed 8 Jan. 2017]. Granger, (2014). Colosseum: Cross-section. [image] Available at: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHiFPhFaQISeIWPDr_oAddekTi-_R84qFpwnmXyS8PHize9bYr1CoVFSiTHjq_hSi5ujyNyJ6FEG9pdxB7eOlpL3Ri2cMlko1530GO-18SU1Xy5BhTAQPVHYBnvyulxoEOX7bxW-f0uA9O/s400/colosseum-cross-section.jpg [Accessed 8 Jan. 2017]. Emanuele, (2007). Pont du Gard. [image] Available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/[emailprotected]/1566294527 [Accessed 8 Jan. 2017]. Alma-Tadema, L. (1899). The Baths Of Caracalla. [image] Available at: https://uploads1.wikiart.org/images/alma-tadema-lawrence/the-baths-of-caracalla-1899.jpg!Large.jpg [Accessed 8 Jan. 2017]. Dudley, D. (1991). Roman society. Harmondsworth: Penguin. Evans, G. (2017). Cultural planning : an urban renaissance. London: Routledge. Gates, C. (2004). The archaeology of urban life in the ancient Near East and Egypt, Greece, and Rome. London: Routledge. Hodge, A. (2002). Roman aqueducts water supply. London: Duckworth. Kostof, S. and Richard, T. (1991). The City Shaped: Urban Patterns and Meanings Through History. London: Thames and Hudson. Macaulay, D. (1975). City : A Story of Roman Planning and Construction. London: Collins. Perez de Arce, R. (2017). Urban Transformations and the Architecture of Additions. [ebook] London: Routledge, p.xvi-ii. Available at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=CX09BAAAQBAJprintsec=frontcover#v=onepageqf=false [Accessed 3 Jan. 2017]. Rykwert, J. (1976). The idea of a town. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press. Vitruvius Pollio., Schofield, R. and Tavernor, R. (2009). On architecture. London: Penguin Books. Watkin, D. (2009). The Roman Forum. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. Wheeler, M. (1964). Roman art and architecture. London: Thames and Hudson. Yourcenar, M. (2000). Memoirs of Hadrian. London: Penguin.

The 19th Century Prose of Nathaniel Hawthorne :: Biography Biographies Essays

Nathaniel Hawthorne's 19th Century Prose      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Nathaniel Hawthorne, a master of American fiction, often utilizes dreams within the annals of his writings to penetrate, explore and express his perceptions of   the complex moral and spiritual conflicts that plague mankind.   His clever, yet crucial purpose for using dreams is to represent, through symbolism, the human divergence conflict manifested in the souls of man during the firm Christian precepts of the Era in which he lived.   As a visionary in an extremely conservative Puritanical society, he carefully and successfully manages to depict humanity's propensity for sin and secrecy, and any resulting punishment or atonement by weaving dreams into his tales.   The dreams he refers to in many of his writings are heavily symbolic due to his Christian foundation, and they imply that he views most dreams as a pigmentation of reality.   Hawthorne's ability to express and subsequently bring to fruition the true state of man's sinful nature by parallelling dreams with reality represents not only his religious beliefs but also his true mastery of observation regarding the human soul.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   An examination of Hawthorne's own narrative in his short story, The Birthmark, published in 1850 during the latter part of the period of Puritanism expands his observations of mankind with keen insight.         Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Truth often finds its way to the mind close-muffled   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   in robes of sleep, and then speaks with uncompromising   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   directness of matters in regard to which we practice   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   an unconscious self-deception, during our waking   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   moments.  Ã‚   (par.15)    The prophetic statement was made by Hawthorne to open the reader's mind and perhaps inject an introspective glimpse of   his perspective that dreams do indeed contain precursors or warnings of future conscious realities.   He also contends that people often purposely disregard the contents of their dreams and do not face the realities that they are confronted with while in unconscious moments of slumber.  Ã‚   Hawthorne's writings are marked by intrinsic depth and a sincere desire to crawl inside of the characters he has created.   He accomplishes this objective by allowing them to dream. He makes his presence known by frequently commenting openly throughout his prose and interject a narrative of his assertions.  Ã‚   Hawthorne historically has his characters confront reality following a dream, or he reveals that

El Nino Essay -- Meteorology Weather Climate Essays

El Nino We live on an incredibly large planet. Even broader than the size of the planet are the amount of changes and relationships between humans, animals, environment, weather, and the effects of each. Many times with busy schedules and modern lifestyles we forget the interaction that goes on between any number of concepts or ideas. We fail to realize that a specific weather occurrence in the Pacific Ocean can have an effect on every day life in the United States. El Nino is one of the largest scientific phenomenons that scientists have ever explored. The main concepts of El Nino are very simple and there are many variations, causes, affects, and relationships to study. The main idea behind El Nino is that the wind changes direction across the Pacific Ocean. In a non El Nino year (normal), the trade winds blow from east to west across the ocean, from North and South America towards the tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean. In an El Nino year, the trade winds change direction and blow from Asia and the tropical Pacific towards North and South America (NOAA B, 2004). The changes in these winds, commonly called Southern Oscillation winds because the majority of activity happens in the southern parts of the Pacific, produce many other changes. In the final analysis, the winds are the root of this scheme. John Daly (2004) discussed how the winds produce major changes in the temperature of the ocean water. This is the second main concept of El Nino. In normal years, when the wind blows from east to west, the temperature at â€Å"Sea Surface† is about 8 degrees cooler in the west than in the east. During El Nino, the winds blow a certain amount of water towards the west, thus piling it up and making its depth approximately one half meter deeper. Because of the loss of water at either coast, the deeper ocean water rises to replace what is gone. The deeper/cooler water is the source of many incomes in North and South America; however, in an El Nino year, the warmer water sits on top of the ocean, which creates many tribulations relating to both income and weather. The last main point of El Nino is the weather that follows due to the changes in water temperature. Precipitation follows the warmer water, whichever direction it flows. During the normal wind patterns the rainfall in the southern Pacific islands is consistent and creates their tropical identity. Whe... ...lnino/history.asp. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Washington D.C. Last updated April 22, 2004. http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tao/elnino/el-nino-story.html. (A) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA). Washington D.C. Last updated April 22, 2004. http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tao/elnino/faq.html#what. (B) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Washington D.C. Last updated April 22, 2004. http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tao/elnino/impacts.html. (C) Redmond, Kelly. â€Å"El Nino, La Nina, and the Western U.S., Alaska and Hawaii.† June 16, 1998. http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/enso/ensofaq.html. United States Geological Survey (USGS). â€Å"1998 California Flood.† From News Release. Feb. 3, 1998, http://ca.water.usgs.gov/archive/floods/flood98/. University of Illinois, Champaign Illinois. Last updated April, 2000. http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/eln/rcnt.rxml. USA Today, by the Associated Press. â€Å"El Nino found to affect Antarctic Sea Ice.† 2004. http://www.usatoday.com/news/science/cold-science/2002-03-06-nino-ice.htm. Williams, Jack. USA Today. â€Å"Scientists Gather Information on El Nino Impact in Antarctica.† January 8, 2003.

The beach, the place I come to when I finish the day

The beach, the place I come to when I finish the day†¦. It's the perfect place to relax after the pressure of working at a Caribbean bar. Everyday I come to the beach and sit around, it allows me to cool off from work and think about how bad or good my day has been. The beach is always empty at this time and is perfectly located, right outside my house. Stretching a mile in either direction there is plenty of room for people to go who want to be alone, who want time to gather their thoughts and work out what has actually happened to day nd what hasn't. It's also the time when you usually realise you forgot to do something, that's basically why I come here. As I look off down the beach I see the island as night approaches, in the distance the lights of hotels come on, the occasional car lights, the boats in the harbour turn their lights on and the lone cruise ship coming in lit up like a Christmas tree. The sunsets in the distance falling slowly behind the vast spread of water and already high in the sky the moon begins it's over watch. The beach, now cast in a reddish old light begins to cool off from the hot day and the sea, sparkling in the fading light rolls quietly in. The palm trees behind, mostly in shadows sway in the gentle breeze. The occasional bird fly's in to roost and the night creatures come out. On the beach a small crab dashes from hole to hole in search of food and like an opaque blob a jellyfish patiently waits for the sea to return. By now the beach is quiet, only the relaxing sounds remain, the sea as it sloshes up the beach the breeze as it gently blows through the alms, the birds calling their night calls and the nocturnal animals announcing that they are awake. I feel much more relaxed and cooled off now, it like someone has lifted all the weight of the days work off my shoulders allowing me to slouch here and do nothing. I start to play with the sand as a sit and stare out to see, I feel the grains running though my fingers like dry water, the coolness of the sand also helps to relax me. Also the cool breeze coming in from the sea seems to refresh me from the typical Caribbean heat. As I look around and consider going in another crag sidesteps in front of me, its legs sounding like small pebbles as the hit the sand, I smile as it randomly changes direction as though it were lost on to him is a vast desert like beach. Sitting here, alone makes me feel like nothing matters, that however bad things can get there is peace you just need to know where to find it and I have, here. Sighing I get up and plod back into my house, thinking of the horror awaiting me at the bar tomorrow.