Monday, May 18, 2020

Swans Reflecting Elephants Free Essay Example, 750 words

Swans Reflecting Elephants Salvador Dali is one of the most well-known s not only in the Surrealism movement, but in the general world of art. Even after his death, his artistic influence and his astounding paintings continue to be recognized, discussed, and used as examples of what it means to be a surrealist artist. Swans Reflecting Elephants, one of Dali’s most intriguing paintings, is not only representational of Surrealism, but is an epitome of who Dali was as an artist. In this piece, Dali utilized the technique that he coined the paranoid-critical method, as well as introduced the concept of double images. It is the strain on the mind that is required to make sense of this piece that makes it, and Dali, truly surreal. Salvador Dali was a Spanish Surrealist painter who was born on May 11, 1904 in Figueres, Catalonia. Dali honed his artistic talent from a very young age, having been encouraged by his mother. Dali attended drawing school and his charcoal pieces were the first to be displayed to the public. When he was eighteen years old, Dali studied at the Academia de San Fernando, during which he through himself into painting; his unique interpretation of Cubism made him popular among his peers. We will write a custom essay sample on Swans Reflecting Elephants or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now As Dali got older, he experimented more with Surrealism until he had created a style that was uniquely his own. He painted his most famous work, The Persistence of Memory, when he was twenty-seven years old, and his works that came after stayed true to this bizarre and significant style. Though Dali died on January 23, 1989 from heart failure, his legacy continues to live on. Swans Reflecting Elephants is similar to a brain teaser, or an optical illusion, which is what Dali was aiming at when he painted this piece. At first glance, the painting seems to consist of three swans sitting on a lake. They are surrounded by leafless trees, suggesting that the painting takes place in autumn, and some cliffs, and a few stray clouds drift across the sky. Despite the washed-out appearance of the colors, it is a very serene image. However, the closer that one looks at the painting, the more of the subject matter that they can make out. While the image is clearly that of swans sitting on a lake, a second, more closer examination of the piece reveals that the swans and the trees behind them reflect elephants on the lake. The bare trees become the legs of the elephants and the swans become their trunks and bodies. The perfect placement of the trees and swans allow for this double image, essentially offering two paintings, or two stories, in one. In his Swans Reflecting Elephants, Salvador Dali wanted to show that life is not always what it seems at first glance. His use of the double image, with the swans fading so seamlessly into elephants, reveals that our perception can pick up on aspects or features of life that are not immediately recognizable. This is similar to finding constellations among a smattering of stars, or picking out images or designs in the stucco of walls. Our eyes are capable of finding more than just the original image. Furthermore, Dali gives evidence as to how simple it is to make a new image or scene out of something else. In this case, Dali, using his paranoid-critical method, found elephants among the reflections of trees and swans. If, instead of a painting, Dali went to a lake with swans and stared long enough, his mind might have come up with the same scene in his painting, the same reflections. Again, Dali is showing that there is more to this world than meets the eye, or what is immediately evident. I feel that this image is a perfect example of what it means to be an artist - finding something new among the mundanity of the world. I find Swans Reflecting Elephants to be a very intriguing painting. Without having to add additional features to the swans and trees, Dali was able to create elephants from their reflections. By not altering the original image to compensate for the double image, Dali makes this painting realistic. I feel that if someone were to set up swans perfectly on a lake beneath trees, in a fashion similar to the painting, they would accomplish this same reflection. Dali not only succeeded in painting this double image, but I believe that he was successful in accurately portraying how the human mind is capable of working. I also appreciate the fact that this is a painting that needs to be examined. While I could look at it briefly and have a vague understanding of the subject matter, this is a painting that becomes significantly more incredible the longer one inspects it and the more they take in the utilization of the double image. Salvador Dali has become a household name. Even for those who are not familiar with the majority of his works, there are quite a few that people simply know certain pieces as belonging to Dali. His style was unique, even to Surrealist standards, and Swans Reflecting Elephants is a prime example of this. Dali was able to take something as mundane as swans sitting on a lake and turn it into an astounding, thought-provoking image. In this way, Dali stood, and still stands for, what it means to be both a surrealist and an artist.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

What is love Essays - 488 Words

WHAT IS LOVE? Love is a strong feeling of affection for another arising from kinship or personal ties. (2) Unselfish loyal and benevolent behavior or concern for the good of another. (3) A feeling of intense desire and attraction toward a person with whom one is disposed to make a pair; the emotion of sex and romance (Websters Dictionary). There are many different definitions of love. To each person it is different, but most agree it is one of the most important emotions to the each creature on this earth. There are also many different forms of love. For instance, love for your family versus love for a mate. It is still a mystery to most people why people do crazy things for love, or why people feel love â€Å"conquers all† Love is not just†¦show more content†¦Love is how you make another person feel when you are in their presence. Many people show or express their love for someone in many and different ways. To me love is in the actions not the words. Definitions of love go as far as Greek mythology. For example, the story of Cupid and his mortal Bride Psyche. There are many explanations on how love exactly came to mean what it does. According to John Lee there are 6 different types of love. 1. Erotic love: romantic, sexual irrational, and largely based on physical attraction. 2. Manic love: intense, all consuming, possessive, and fluctuating between joy and despair. 3. Ludic love: egoistic, self-serving, competitive, and based on an unequal relationship between one partner who is highly committed and another who is emotionally uninvolved. 4. Pragmatic love: a rational, practical, fair exchange between two carefully matched partners. 5. Storgic love: the companionate, stable love that emerges from a relationship between friends. 6. Agapic love: the altruistic devotion of one partner for the other. Many people have theories, but overall love is whatever the actual individual perceives it to be. Love is only 4 letters, but it is the most complicated emotion yet. It can make you sad, happy, and mad all at the same time. It seems love is important but many often do not see the true meaning. In my opinion love is about looking into the eyes of the person you share it with and knowing that whatever you did wrongShow MoreRelatedWhat Is Love? What It Is?1527 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is Love? When asked the question â€Å"What is Love?† what are some of the first things that come to mind? Some people might say it is an emotion that we experience when we interact with the world around us. People can have love for many things such as money and other material possessions, family and friends, even the world around them. These are just a few examples of how we often use love in our lives. However, love is not only confined to our lives, it is also a very important emotion in religionsRead MoreWhat Is Love?1020 Words   |  5 Pages250 Tu/Thu 10/5/10 What is Love? Love is one of the most difficult words to define. I challenge you to try. You can even go the easy way and simply Google the word â€Å"love†. What you will find is not one but hundreds of definitions along with countless books, movies, and songs all having to do with love. The reason why it is so hard to define love is because there are different forms/stages of love and there are so many things that love can consist of. Also, love can have a different definitionRead MoreWhat is love?872 Words   |  3 PagesLove and passion is the burning sensation that drives humans to lead their lives into new horizons: following the heart hoping it will guide the way. Janie, the lead character in the book, Their Eyes Were Watching God, written by Zora Neale Hurston, is suppressed by family, and two different husband too, only to find pain and sorrow by not following her heart until she is freed by a man who loves her deeply with only one thing on his mind, to protect and love her like nobody else before. ThroughRead MoreWhat Is Love?1080 Words   |  4 PagesTwelfth Night is love. The notion of love is important to the plot as many of the characters are driven by love. There are multiple forms of love depicted throughout the play; each character represents a different type of love. Viola displays a patient, sincere, and enduring love for Orsion as well as a deep familial love for her brother. Sebastian and Antonio share a special bond which could be classified as brotherly love. These two bonds can be seen as the most real forms of love depicted in TwelfthRead MoreWhat is Love?559 Words   |  2 Pagesdictionary love is a feeling of strong affection for a person. (Merriam-Webster) In my opinion, love is a conjunction of different feelings altogether, when a person is in love they feel happy, sad, excited, and scared everything at the same time. What I am trying to say is that for me there is not real definition for love because nobody can really explain the mix of feelings that happened when one is in love. According to one of Latterell’s assumptions love conquers all, she says that, â€Å"true love willRead MoreWhat Is Love?1409 Words   |  6 Pageswaiting for his response. â€Å"I’m looking at love realistically this time around, instead of through the eyes of romantic delirium.† Julian scoffed. â€Å"You can’t fool me. Save your breath.† David was finding it harder to keep his cool. â€Å"I don’t even know the girl with whom I’m supposed to be in love. The whole thing was kind of an illusion, at least the romantic part. Cecilia was Daniel’s girl.† â€Å"That didn’t bother you this past summer—you were head over heels in love.† â€Å"Yeah, with a girl astral projectingRead MoreWhat is Love?589 Words   |  2 PagesWhat is â€Å"Love†? Love can be defined as different things. Love can be the love between brother and sister, sibling love, like Ender and Val. Love can also be the love between a boyfriend and girlfriend or a husband and wife, like Val and her husband, which the book doesn’t really talk much about, or Novinha and Libo. In strange cases, the love you should have for a girlfriend or wife but you feel that way for your sister, like Miro and Ouanda. Love is one of the weirdest feeling ever and is somethingRead MoreWhat Is Love Essay796 Words   |  4 PagesMonday Oct. 19th What is Love? According to Webster’s dictionary the word love is described as a strong, positive emotion of regard and affection. But in society today it seems as if we throw the word love around in such a loose manner it really has lost its meaning. Ranging from â€Å"I love Coach purses†, to actually telling a person â€Å"I love you† is now a common thing. Throughout this essay I’ll be taking a philosophical approach to help give a better understanding of what love is according to theRead MoreWhat Is Freedom For Love? Essay746 Words   |  3 PagesWhat is Freedom to Love? Some would say that freedom to love is, having no limitations or boundaries. To see everyone equally. Many would say that freedom to love is, to give ones life for another. I agree with both statements but I would go further to say that freedom to love is not only an act or a response but it is a lifestyle. Something that defines you. Something that make you, who you are. As proud Americans, this month we celebrate the freedom that we have in this country and theRead MoreWhat is Love? Essay1558 Words   |  7 PagesWhat is Love? Romantic Love Is love chemical? Love cant be just pheromones, surely body chemistry changes. Although, perhaps that is why people break up after a while. Maybe they were attracted to each other at one point, but then the pheromones they were giving off change and the other person is no longer attracted to them. What is attraction based on? What attracts one person to another? People have said they have fallen in love before meeting in person, thanks to the Internet

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Thomas Paine Hai Great Republic Summary - 1694 Words

Paine, Thomas. â€Å"Hail Great Republic.† PoemHunter.com, 21 Sept. 2010, www.poemhunter.com/poem/hail-great-republic/. Thomas Paine’s â€Å"Hail Great Republic† was one of the first American patriotic poem created during the revolutionary moment when the Declaration of Independence was signed. This poem, that used the tune of â€Å"Rule Britannia,† gives us evidence of early ideas when America was ready to break apart from the British tyranny rule. In this poem, he commends this country as the â€Å"land of love and liberty† and hopes the paradise to â€Å"be [there] forever.† Even after praising all its beautiful natural landscape that gives hope for the perfect utopia, he contradicts the idea of freedom as he reflects some of Europe’s ideas. In the poem, he†¦show more content†¦One day, after the carnival, Montresor invites Fortunato to his family’s vaults to taste a new barrel of Amontillado that he had recently bou ght. After Fortunato falls for his trap, he carefully guides him through the damp vaults of his house, surrounded by dead bodies, till they reach the crypt, where Montresor conducts his action. He begins to build a wall to this crypt and traps Fortunato inside, left terrified and helpless. Fortunato has a hard time believing his situation, and hope that his is all a â€Å"joke† till the end. At last, after his final plea, Fortunato stops answering Montresor, even after his own calls. Montresor believes that his â€Å"heart has been sickened† with the damp vaults as he decorated the bones on his fourth wall. In the end of the story Montresor writes that for fifty years no one has disturbed them, and may he rest in peace. A part of American gothic, this type of horror story writing was used by american authors to write about the evils of society. Poe, Edgar Allan. â€Å"Eldorado.† Poestories, Poestories, poestories.com/read/eldorado. The poem â€Å"El Dorado† by Edgar Allen Poe is a tale of a quest to discover the mythical city of gold in South America named El Dorado. This story is a criticism to the American gold rush which caused millions of American to obtain wealth and pursue their ‘American dream.’ In the story, â€Å"a gallant knight† spends his life finding this paradise that is nowhere to be found; this eventually causes his heartShow MoreRelatedStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesNetworked Organizations 20 †¢ Helping Employees Balance Work–Life Conflicts 21 †¢ Creating a Positive Work Environment 22 †¢ Improving Ethical Behavior 22 Coming Attractions: Developing an OB Model 23 An Overview 23 †¢ Inputs 24 †¢ Processes 25 †¢ Outcomes 25 Summary an d Implications for Managers 30 S A L Self-Assessment Library How Much Do I Know About Organizational Behavior? 4 Myth or Science? â€Å"Most Acts of Workplace Bullying Are Men Attacking Women† 12 An Ethical Choice Can You Learn from Failure

The Kite Runner By Khaled Amir Essay - 1398 Words

The Kite Runner is a wonderfully written novel narrating the story of a young boy named Amir. Amir lives in the country of Afghanistan is the time period of about the 1970’s. Amir is also the son of a wealthy businessman who is considered a â€Å"man’s man†, his father was revered for his triumphs and legendary like acts; a major event in his life was when he supposedly wrestled a bear. â€Å"Lore has it my father once wrestled a black bear in Baluchistan with his bare hands. If the story had been about anyone else, it would have been dismissed as laaf, that Afghan tendency to exaggerate†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Hosseini 12) Baba, as that is what Amir calls him, is very set in his ways and believes a man should act in certain ways. Unfortunately for Baba, Amir is not the manliest person. Amir does not live up to Baba’s expectations for him and he constantly disappoints him. This becomes extremely evident as the story goes on and when Amir discusses his wishes to bec ome a fiction writer. â€Å"So, if I understand, you’ll study several years to earn a degree, then you’ll get a chatti job like mine, one you could just as easily land today, on the small chance that your degree might someday help you get†¦ discovered.† He took a deep breath and sipped his tea. Grunted something about medical school, law school, and â€Å"real work.†( Hosseini 134) Baba was upset with his decision due to his stubbornness and his set ideas which make him think that any job that is based more of dreams than hard work ridiculous and due toShow MoreRelatedRedemption is a capacity that both Amir from the remarkable novel Kite Runner, written by Khaled900 Words   |  4 PagesRedemption is a capacity that both Amir from the remarkable novel Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseni along with Walt Kalwoski the main character of the unforgettable movie Gran Tornio, directed by Clint Eastwood, withhold. Both Walt and Amir were collided with li fe changing events that later shaped the individuals they are today. Nevertheless, throughout both stories, the protagonists are faced with opportunities to redeem themselves, often at the risk of hurting their loved ones more than theyRead MoreSymbolism Of Kite Running By Khaled Hosseini1243 Words   |  5 PagesLiterature and Composition 11 December 2015 Symbolism of Kite Running In this essay the book being discussed is, Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Khaled Hosseini’s biography will be discussed as well as the historical influences upon him that affect the novel as a whole. The essay will contain a critical analysis as well as an analysis of the critical response to the work by others. In the novel and now a grown man, the main character Amir recalls events in his childhood that shaped the man he isRead MoreComparative Essay: the Crucible and the Kite Runner1369 Words   |  6 PagesThe Kite Runner, written by Khaled Hosseini, and The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, share many similar themes, characters, and ideas. One particular theme that is present throughout both of these written pieces is love. Defined by the Oxford Dictionary, love is a strong positive emotion of regard and affection. It can be found in moments of one’s life, through relationships, and through people. In The Kite Runner and The Crucible, one can see the similarities of love through friendship, paternalRead MoreThe Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini1313 Words   |  5 Pagesis not unique to just J.K. Rowling. Khaled Hosseini also incorporates life experiences into some of his novels. A prime example of this is The Kite Runner. The storyline of this novel reflects his past to create a journey of a young Afghanistan boy, whose name is Amir. This boy changes drastically throughout his lifetime from a close minded, considerably arrogant boy to an open hearted and minded man. This emotional and mental trip is partially based on Khaled Hosseini’s own life. Throughout Hosseini’sRead MoreKhaled Hosseini is the Man Who Makes a Difference with His Novels808 Words   |  4 Pageseven today† (Hower). Khaled Hosseini’s novels have brought many of his readers a different perspective of Afghanistan. Many people after reading Hosseini’s books start to notice this place more and have sympathy feelings rather negative views about it. Usually people believe the media’s information that conveys about Afghanistan as a poverty place but does not specify why they live in this conditions and how those states affect their everyday life. In the two novels The Kite Runner and A Thousand SplendidRead MoreEssay about Characters of The Kite Runner854 Words   |  4 PagesPublished by Riverhead Books in 2003, Khaled Hosseini wrote The Kite Runner, a powerful story of love, fear, friendship, redemption, and the reality of the cruel world we live in. In this tale, you develop a personal relationship with the characters as you feel their emotions. Khaled Hosseini brings his characters to life eloquently. The relationship between son and father, rich and poor, countryman and his country, Pashtun and Hazara, friend and brother, andRead MoreCritical Analysis Of The Kite Runner1090 Words   |  5 PagesCritical Analysis of the Kite Runner On a day to day basis, an individual is faced with an obstacle they must overcome, ultimately defining their morals and values. In the literature perspective, the novel The Kite Runner delivers multiple thematic ideas that portray the struggles of characters in their ordinary lives. Khaled Hosseini, author and physician, released his debut novel The Kite Runner in the year of 2003. This novel is written in the first person narration of Amir, a Pashtun boy that livesRead MoreAnalysis Of Khaled Hosseini s The Kite Runner 1161 Words   |  5 PagesKhaled Hosseini reveals the subject of friendship and loyalty in The Kite Runner. Khaled Hosseini advocates that in friendship, there must be loyalty, kindness, and trust. The theme of loyalty plays a tremendous role in The Kite Runner through Hassan and Amir. Amir and Hassan grow up together in Kabul, Afghanistan. Amir lives in a house with his father, Baba. Hassan and his father, Ali, live on the same piece of property as Amir and Baba bec ause Hassan and Ali are their servants. Although HassanRead MoreThe Kite Runner Symbolism Analysis753 Words   |  4 Pages2017 SYMBOLS USED IN KHALED HOSSEINI’S THE KITE RUNNER Symbolism is a literary device found in all mediums. Symbols are marks or words that designate the significant features in a piece of literature. They allow people to connect to the many concepts found in the literary works. The novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, showcases this notion of symbolism well. These symbols come full circle by the end of the novel as they represent pivotal moments in the close bond Amir and Hassan share. WithinRead MoreThe Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini883 Words   |  4 Pagesabout the situation. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, revolves around the theme of redemption. Redemption can be used as a cure for guilt. Throughout the novel, the author shows that redemption requires some sort of sacrifice and the only way that is possible is if you can forgive yourself from the mistakes you have made in the past. Khaled Hosseini effectively portrays redemption through motifs such as rape, irony and flashbacks, symbolism, and the development of Amir throughout the story. The

Pangkor Island free essay sample

Have you ever heard Pangkor island before? If popular global destinations are generally what you look for in an overseas trip, chances are Pangkor Island in Malaysia wont make it in your itinerary list .However, there are many beautiful islands within Malaysia.Today , I would like to talk about pangkor island. Pangkor, with its charming mix of fishing settlements and resorts, is a fascinating and convenient holiday destination. It presents the visitor with a rare chance to live near fishermen and observe their lifestyle and also to simply enjoy the fine beaches and resort amenities. Pulau Pangkor is an island off the coast of Perak in north-west peninsular Malaysia, reached by ferry either from the old jetty or from Marina Island jetty both located in Lumut . It has a land area of only 8 square kilometers, and a population of approximately 25,000 islanders. It is promoted as a low-key tourist destination by the Malaysian government, but fishing, seafood and other fishing-related products remain major industries. We will write a custom essay sample on Pangkor Island or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I am going to talk about the history of pangkor island. In past times; this area used to be the center for piracy. The pirates had their home ports in the Pulau Gedung Hills, Pirates Cave and Pirates Rock on the island of Pangkor. Many ships/boats were taken over and robbed of their goods and products. The Dutch were active here in the times of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). People were especially keeping themselves busy with the tin industry, until the British took over. During the British rule the name has temporarily been Monkey Island. Later the island was named Pulau Aman (Peaceful Island) before it regained the name Pangkor. The main town on the island is pangkor town, it is located on the east coast. It used to be one street town and it is still not much more. Pangkor Town is a nice place to visit as there are many great local restaurants where you can enjoy typical dishes originating from the island itself. Furthermore, Pangkor Fishing Villages is located on the east side of Pangkor Island there are three fishing villages facing the mainland: Sungai Pinang Kecil, Sungai Pinang Besar and Kampong Teluk Kecil. In fact its a long strip of villages that continues to Pangkor Town. Although the villages are small they are interesting to visit. Many of the houses are traditional and some are build in the sea on stakes. Pangkor Village is a busy little place with lots happening, particularly in the early hours of the morning when fresh produce from fishermen and from mainland are brought in for the local communitys  daily needs. There are attractions in the island, first and foremost is Fu Lin Kong temple,it is a Taoist temple that has been build at the foot of Pangkor Hill nearby the town of Sungai Pinang Besar in Pangkor island. Many Chinese tourists like to visit and pray in this temple to get the blesses from god. However, other races and foreign tourist also love this place because Fu Lin Kong is one of the popular temple in Pangkor island and its exquisite environment to take photo. Fu Lin Kong has various Buddhist statues inside the temple and many alcoves and ponds around. The unique of Fu Lin Kong is that there is a mini Great Wall Of China build beside the temple. This has reflected the magnificent view of this temple. The next temple I m going to talk is The Sri Maha Kaliaman temple is something special around the Pulau Pangkor area. This temple in the middle of a palm-oil estate is unique.The temple is dedicated to the Hindu bloodthirsty goddess Kali, also known as the dark goddess. Its a goddess of death, destruction, bad luck and grief. She is still venerated in that sense.In Malaysia you will find Kaliaman Temples in many places. The historical sites of the island is Dutch Fort and tiger rock. Just south of Pangkor Town lies Kampong Teluk Gedung. There is the old but small Dutch Fort. It was build in 1670 and used for storing tin. The Dutch used to Fort further as a stronghold against local Malays and pirates.Today only some of the foundations are left. The Dutch Fort is located at Teluk Gedung.Just located next to the Dutch Fort there is Tiger Rockï ¼Ë†Batu Bersuratï ¼â€°. It means literally the stone of inscriptions. The stone is a large granite boulder and the image of a tiger. There are many activities to do in this island such as Jungle trekking. There is a very interesting and challenging trekking to do across the island.If you like to experience a tropical rainforest and do not want to go too deep into the wild of Malaysia, this is a good introduction.The 4 hour trekking leads to Bukit Pangkor and all across the island. Chances are you find wildlife like snakes, wild boar and hornbill birds. Furthemore,there are numerous beaches on Pangkor Island.Pantai Pasir Bogak probably is the most popular beach on the island. Pantai Pasir Bogak is a few kilometers away from Pangkor Town on the West side of the island. Pasir Bogak is the largest and most popular beach on the island. Maybe it is because it is so close to Pangkor Town. The water is  shallow and crystal clear, offering endless hours of fun and frolic in the sunlit sea. There are facilities for riding banana boat, Jet ski, boating, fishing , wind-surfing,kayaking, snorkeling and scuba-diving. Next,of all the Pangkor beaches, Nipah bay Beach is the most beautiful. This beach is located a few kilometers north Pantai Pasir Bogak. The beach is secluded and is able to maintain its natural beauty. Unlike other beaches, it has corals, sea cucumber and bird lovers can find the hornbill on this beach. Nipah Bay Beach has a beautiful view on two small islands called Pulau Giam and Pulau Mentagor. Both of these islands are not inhabited although you might find locals willing to bring you there. Giam is mostly interesting for snorkeling because the waters are shallow and theres plenty of fish to see. In conclusion, Pangkor is a small island, a sleepy town .It doesnt take much time for this island to leave an impression on you theres a sense of timelessness life seems slow here. It’s quite nice to escape the busyness of the major centre of Malaysia. It takes you back in time somewhat and allows you to see locals lead a different sort of lifestyle. Its the perfect place to get away from it all, sit on the beach and just reflect on life.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Synthesis of Completed MBA Subjects

Question: Discuss about the Synthesis of Completed MBA Subjects. Answer: One of the important parts of my life was studying the MBA subjects that saw me learn a lot of noble skills in business management. Being an MBA student grants one an advantage in the business field if you have a goal of being a successful self-driven manager. One learns many ways of solving issues as they arise. Having finished my studies will reciprocate on the knowledge I gained in different fields such as; designing, improving and implementation process, leadership strategies for a changing world, marketing management and managing the value chain. Also, I will evaluate different business theories showing how they can be useful in analysis and problem-solving in businesses. Before enrolling an MBA student, I had little knowledge about designing, improving and implementing the processes. I had no idea if there were courses that would be of such great help towards the development of my management skills until I carried out a self-evaluation. As an effective manager, I will reflect m y understanding in these MBA subjects and other business models, outline the information they provide to me, the concepts that my chosen subjects share, how they come into play in different areas and many others. I have realized that the subjects that have undertaken in my study have a process that they inter-connect with each other for ones' firm or organizational management role to be a success. Designing, improving and implementing processes is a vital part that a manager should focus on. Most companies start with a universal design, then expand with time as the firms grow. The starting process design depends on the designer's experience and not the desired structure. I have noted that designing processes should be well documented for the person who is developing the model doesn't face a challenge. A poor designing process can bring about client frustrations. The designing process should follow a series of steps that leads to a solution for a certain problem. In other words, the product that a given design produces should meet clients expectations. As a manager, through my MBA studies and my role in management, it has come clear to me that one cannot evade designing process. After coming u p with an individual design, it needs to be upgraded to meet the current market situation and compete effectively. The design improvement process incorporates the creation of a team that will develop the desired quality product and services, evaluate the current design process in a chart, check what clients need, draft best practice chart, come up with the new model process chart, discuss the new design process and examines the new process. After all, these are done, as the manager, I have to recheck the proposed design, reason critically if it is suitable for the firm's goals and serves clients right. If the designing process looks promising to reliable output, I then authorize its implementation. The implementation process sees the firm improve its productivity. As the manager, I have gotten a lot of credit and positive comments from clients. For managers to be successful in their role, it is crucial for them to think critically about how they manage, the type of management styles is good for them and will function well for the team and entire organization. As a manager, I prefer adopting techniques that help me to establish a rapport, trust, respect, engage my entire team and develop good working relationships. In the current market, there are a lot of changes that are taking place every day. As a leader, I have developed strategies that have seen me integrate my power collaboration and influence others effectively as I lead the organization. My success has been due to the equal and reasonable alignment of corporate culture strategy focus and operations. I have had to source the emerging trends in the today's' market to address the strategies in the changing world. My strategies in the current changing world are; focusing on myself and the people in my surroundings, having a vision based on the organization's core values , developing a simple approach towards business management, all time communication, searching and bringing in the best people into play and above all hard work. Through this techniques, I have no hardships in coping with the changes in the world. Another important aspect that has learned is the marketing management. Marketing is an important part as it helps me to learn to be economical and maximize the returns. Market control aids in determining how effective a business competes in the industry. As a manager, I focus on the practical actions of marketing tactics within the organization to ensure that this sector coordinates well with others so as to realize ample profits. I employ different tools from the field of economy in analysing the entire industry in which the firm is operating regarding the value chain and others. I carry out an investigation to determine what costs the competitors charging their items, what products they offer, their quality and other factors. On conducting competitor analysis, I gauge myself through practicing a SWOT analysis which helps me improve on any weaknesses that I may be having. I also advocate for market research as there could be new opportunities that could not yet have been exploited f ully or at all. Through this, we can gain some competitive advantage in the market than other firms. This subject on market management has played a significant part towards my success as a manager. The value chain is another critical subject that I learned as a manager. The value chain is a process that uses raw materials, puts them through processing plants and make end products that are offered to the market. This process of coordinating these activities for proper analyzing is termed as value chain management. The main purpose of observing value chain management in an organization is to upgrade communication and improve cooperation among the production chain personnel for quality delivery, decrease inventory costs and achieve greater customer satisfaction. Value chain examines the development of the competitive advantage and comprises of activities that create and add value. As a manager, I have to make sure that the organization activities interacts well with quality products to our customers. Incorporating the value chain management with these other three subjects sees me run my activities smoothly as a manager. Leadership strategies find out what the customers need, the d esigning, improving and implementation processes looks at upgrading the products to satisfy clients requirements, marketing managements researches and analyses the market condition while value chain management undertakes the process of producing the items that will satisfy customers. As a manager, I always ensure that all these four subjects interact at the right proportions and time for smooth running and operation of an organization. When all these factors function efficiently, I experience easy time for management of activities as the profits are at the highest point. In my MBA studies, I encountered several business theories that are helpful in my managerial role. For instance, Competitive advantage theory. This is a concept that elaborates the attributes that allow a business to outdo its competitors (Barney, 2012). This theory is crucial at the national level of productivity. The nature of this theory and the source of competitive advantage differ greatly among industries (Madsen Walker, 2015). Porter highlights that there are several things that determine who gets a competitive advantage by the nations. He further claimed that a firm could achieve competitive advantage over its competitors as having a cost advantage and product difference advantage. Comparative advantage focuses on cheap labor available and natural resources (Foss Knudsen, 2013). The theory tries to maximize scale of economy in goods and services that sell at high prices. Value is of great importance when one need to gain knowledge about competitive because, with a reasonabl e value, there is the possibility of getting the competitive advantage in the product/ services in question. The comparative advantage is confused for comparative advantage sometimes (Barney, 2001). But it focuses on the exportation of primary goods and services while the competitive edge is said to be the ability gained via resources and attributes to operate at a higher level than the other competitors in the market. This theory is important to take in place as a manager. Porter also claims that the source of high returns is similar despite on the venture that on invests. To back his arguments, he came up with a theory that has five forces. These forces expound on Porters critics about profitability (Allio Fahey, 2012). He evaluated the forces within the industry and the suitable decisions process in his model. The forces that make up the model are; competitive rivalry, customer bargaining power, bargaining power of suppliers, the threat of new substitute products and services and entry of new firms in the market. Competitive rivalry determines the number of present competitors in the market and what each of them can do. Customer bargaining power examines the consumer zeal in effecting product prices and quality (Hunt Madhavaram, 2012). Suppliers bargaining power evaluates suppliers control over the product prices or services influencing profitability (Gobble, 2012). The threat of new substitutes is the force that determines customer's possibility t o shift from a firm product to that of a rival. The threat of new businesses examines the possibility of a rival to join the industry. All these force make up Porter's five forces (Ronquillo, 2012). A manager should use these forces evaluate the situation in the industry and make advanced decisions for the business. Design thinking is reasonable methods that designers take into account when creating product or services. It can also be described as the process that designers use to find ultimate solution complex issues (Jackson, 2015). Design thinking draws an imagination and critical reasoning to come up with probabilities of what should take more weight and come to conclusions that are of benefits to the final user. According to Martin, design thinking equates analysis and initiative thinking (Dorst, 2015). Designers live in strategized world in search of ideas and new information that will change the way things are done (Bjgvinsson, Ehn, Hillgren, 2012). Organizations adopt these changes depending on their make-up and structure. Design thinking is an important part that managers should put more weight on and bring in designers who will come up with new models to thrive the firm in the industry. Resource -based theory claims that having strategic resources in a firm presents the business with an outstanding opportunity to enjoy a competitive advantage over its competitors (Conner Prahalad, 1996). The competitive advantage will help the firm achieve more profits that it did before the opportunity presented itself. Resource based theory can be confused with resources when trying to understand the theory of common language. A resource in an asset that can be valued, rare, hard to be copied and not substitutable. It helps the business to capitalize on available opportunities and trend much better that its competitors (Kozlenkova, Samaha Palmatier, 2014). Opponents find it hard to duplicate a firms' resource that is hard to copy. A resource is so unique such that rivals cannot access the firms; benefits that the resources bear hence the firm enjoys all the returns alone (Davis Davis, 2017). Resource- based theory emphasizes on the advantage that outlines that whole is bigger t hat sum of its parts. Resources can be both tangible for example cash or equipment and intangible such as skills of employees. A firm should make maximum use of the resource - based theory whenever it presents itself (Seddon, 2014). When a manager combines all these theories under one firm, it is most likely that that the firm will run in the right direction and be a sole competitor in the industry. As an MBA student, having learned about the above-mentioned theories and ideas, I am now able to make informed decisions and judgments that see a business thrive well in the industry. I have gained knowledge about the models and noted that theories like the comparative advantage should be fully exploited when a firm has the opportunity because they give the firm a great advantage over all rivals in the market. Also, have known that the four subject work hand in hand with each other as they all should inter-marry for business to be prosperous in the current world. These disciplines affect my strategic decisions through granting me more knowledge and skills on critical decision making. They offer all information that a manager needs to know about the current market and opportunities the help me become an effective manager. There are numerous similarities that these subjects share in common, and there are also specific characteristics that each discipline hold. In conclusion, the MBA subjects and theories I have learned in the course of my studies have a great impact that enables me a complete manager who can run and coordinate all business activities to the desired expectations by the firm owners. They offer all that is required for one to be a resourceful person to himself and the society at large. References Allio, R.J., and Fahey, L., 2012. Joan Magretta: what executives learn from revisiting Michael Porter. Strategy Leadership, 40(2), pp.5-10. Barney, J.B., 2012. Purchasing, Supply chain management and sustained competitive advantage: The relevance of resource?based theory. Journal of supply chain management, 48(2), pp.3-6. Barney, J.B., 2001. 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