STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6000 words

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT - Essay Example Tutor Signature: Date: Table of Contents Introduction 4 Theoretical Background 5 Advantages and Disadvantages of E-commerce 6 E-business strategies 8 Implementation Challenges 12 Conclusion 13 References 15 Introduction With the evolution of technology and introduction of the Internet, there is great change in the business environment. Every organization whether it is large or small scale, is trying to adopt and incorporate in business models based on technology into their system. This adoption of web based technology in the business lead to the emergence of E-commerce. In the current business scenario, e-commerce playing a crucial role and changed the way business is conducted around the globe. E-commerce is forcing the companies to find the new ways of expanding their market in which they compete (Plant 2000). To compete and sustain in the new markets, it become more crucial for the organization to not only attract the customers, but also to retain by tailoring the products and ser vices according to their needs and demand. Apart from redefining the products and services, organizations are also forced to restructure their business processes in order to deliver the products and services more effectively and efficiently (Reynolds 2004). ... In this report two business models has been used- McCarthy’s four marketing mix model and Porter’s five forces model to identify the strategies for organizations which want to enter in the field of e-commerce. The overall goal of this study is provide significant insights onto the challenges and advantages of e-commerce and business strategies. Theoretical Background (a) McCarthy’s Four Marketing Mix Model As per the McCarthy, a firm defines its marketing strategies after identifying the target market for its products or services. On the basis of the target market, organization then develops a marketing mix is a combination of product, price, promotion, and place designed according to the target market with the aim of enhancing the sales (Blythe 2009). The unique marketing mix allows the organization to sustain and compete more effectively, thus ensures the profitability and sustainability. For example, by offering different products with an attractive sales prom otion and effective logistics, a firm can increase its sales and revenues. This concept is also applicable on the e-commerce, and organizations working in this field are required to develop strategies for their target market by taking the unique nature of online marketing into the consideration (Napier et al 2006). (b) Porter’s Five Competitive Forces Model This five competitive forces model of Porter’s says that every organization develop its business strategies with the aim of gaining competitive advantage over its competitors. Organization can develop its strategies by focusing on five primary forces: (a) threat of new entrants, (b) rivalry among existing firms within an industry, (c) the Strategic management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3 Strategic management - Essay Example (p. 96) They are pivotal in generating competitive advantage because they reinforce an organization’s functions such as marketing, production or research and development. For instance, in the marketing department, the strategy would work by featuring real-life customers in direct-response print and television advertisements that would steer them towards the company website. In the application of a functional management strategy, the functions as well as the roles assigned will be able to manage corporate level strategies and their activities in such a way that they optimize their functional performance resulting to positive results that contribute to the overall company performance. Ray maintained that there are two kinds of competitive management strategies: the offensive and defensive strategies. The first is concerned with the strategy that usually takes place in an established competitor’s market location, while the latter takes place in the organization’s own current market position as a defense against possible attacks by a rival. (p. 13) However, the case is, the goal is the same: to secure market share, acquire new customers, maintain current ones and cultivate customer loyalty. In the case of this company, a combination of these two strategies would be used, although with more emphasis on the offensive strategy, considering the fact that most of its products claim less than 3 percent of the market, with only one product dominating 40 percent in its own market location. In terms of offensive strategy, the competitive advantage that drives the attraction of new customers is fuelled by innovation and customer value. Currently, the focus of t he organization on innovation has been reaping rewards already. According to Pieper, corporate strategy is the setting of a company’s long-term goals, major policies and plans, and the

Analysis of Doctrine of Equity

Analysis of Doctrine of Equity The doctrine of equity was created to fill in the gaps of common law by providing more flexible remedies, unlike common law which only provide damages such as injunction, specific performance, equitable estoppel etc. Equity only governed by the maxims where it is based on the principles of fairness and conscience and are not as strict as common law. Hence, as the doctrine of equity developed and became more and more flexible in the past centuries, it has now been argued by many academics that equity is now too conceptually messy to be useful.ÂÂ   It has been argued that equity is a blend of strict rules and discretionary principles which attributes to English Law with its flexibility. He further explained that equity comprised of firm rules as well as discretionary principles which will be applicable in different circumstances.[1] In deciding this, the flexibility of equity would be discussed, especially in the areas of such as the three certainties, Quistclose trust and doctrine of fiduciaries. In the case of Knight v Knight[2], Lord Langdale MR had laid down the three certainties test to create a valid private express trust. Certainty is an important element in trust as without certainty, the intention, object and subject of the trust could not be determined by the courts which would then lead to an invalid trust. Under certainty of intention, the settlor must use very clear words and expression to impose a legal obligation for the trustee to hold the property on trust. Generally, imperative words are more encouraged to be used in a will as compared to precatory words. In the case of Re Adams[3], the phrase in full confidence was used in the clause and it was held that there was no trust created as there is no imperative words used in the will. However, in Comiskey v Bowring[4], even the same phrase was used as in Re Adams case, but it was held that the wording created a trust. It could be submitted that the courts now no longer only look at a single word to determine whether there is a trust but look at the whole of the will. In more complex situations where there are no documents available, the courts might infer intention from acts or the words of the parties. In Paul v Constance[5], it was held that the words the money is as much yours as it is mine is sufficient to make a valid trust as there was repeated conduct and has a clear intention. It was suggested that the courts are being too generous in the decisions. However, in Jones v Lock[6], it was held that it was insufficient to manifest a clear intention for the father to create a trust for the son. The problem is that both cases were lack of specific intention to create a trust, there were only general intention to benefit. However, both cases were held differently. It could be argued that the actions were louder than the words in Pauls case. Gardner suggested that the difference of both cases was merely the reflection of changing judicial attitudes.[7] Next, under the certainty of subject matter, the test used by the courts would be whether the property could be certainly identified. However, the courts have recently created an artificial distinction between tangible and intangible property. In Re London Wine Co[8], it was held that no two bottles of wine are alike and therefore it could be identified for their customers. However, in Re Goldcorp Exchange Ltd[9], it was held that the claimants whose gold bullion had been segregated were successful in the claim but not those whose bullion had not been segregated. The reasoning was that the stock of the gold has been constantly changing and it was hard to say which particular piece of gold belongs to any particular customer. It could be submitted that the courts were trying to uphold the principle of fairness by having a different decision from Re Londonscase as the tangible property items here could not be segregated properly. On the other hand, in Hunter v Moss[10] where the property is intangible, a different approach was taken by the courts. In the case, it was held in favour of the claimant and stated that the segregation as in tangible property is not necessary where a trust is made over an intangible property. The reasoning for this is that since the shares is indistinguishable from one another, they will be treated as equal. Based on all three cases above, it could be seen that this area is messy as this certainty has not been applied consistently and the judges have too much discretion changing the judicial attitudes. Lastly, the certainty of object matter required that there must be ascertainable beneficiaries in a trust. Re Baden (No.2)[11] had shown that there are different approaches to deal with when there is a class of objects in a discretionary trust. The test used in the case was originated from McPhail v Doulton[12] where the application of a complete list test was impossible and borrowed the is or is not test from Re Gulbenkians Settlements[13] to determine the beneficiaries. However, there are 3 interpretations on the applicability of the test. Firstly, Sachs LJ upheld the literal application of the original test, but reversed the burden of proof on the claimant to proof that he falls within the class of beneficiaries. Sachs LJ further noted that this does not apply to all discretionary trust situations as a lot of trust with uncertainty would be validated. Secondly, Megaw LJ suggested the approach used in Re Allen[14]which was overruled by Re Gulbenkians case where it held that a trust should be valid if a substantial number of people can show that they are in the class. Finally, Stamp LJ suggested a strict approach where he stated that it is necessary for both conceptual and evidential certainty to exist without any unknown of the certainties. Any unknown of the certainties would lead to an invalid trust. It could be submitted that this area would be too messy for the future cases to refer as there are too many different views. The flexibility of equity could also be found in Quistclose trust which created by Lord Wilberforce in Barclays Bank Ltd v Quistclose Investments Ltd[15]. The Quistclose trust arises when a company borrows money with a particular purpose in mind for that money. Lord Wilberforce suggested there are primary trust to pay dividend and secondary trust arose in favour of the lender if primary trust failed. However, this was heavily criticised as it failed to meet the three certainties to be a valid trust. Later, Lord Millet in Twinsectra v Yardley suggested that there is only one resulting trust instead of two trusts while majority of the court held that it was an express trust. In Re EVTR[16], Dillon LJ suggested that it was a constructive trust for the purpose of the loan.Moreover, academics like Alastair Hudson had suggested that the better analysis for this should be an express trust.[17] Furthermore, in Re Farepak Food[18], Mann J held that there was no trust and described this is as a contractual relationship as opposed to trustee-beneficiary.[19] Furthermore, equity also shown its flexibility in fiduciary area. A fiduciary is a person who holds a position of trust and confidence. Fiduciary has the duty to act in the best interest of the principal in a fiduciary relationship. A fiduciary is bound by the no conflict rule where he must make sure that his duties to the principal do not conflict with his own interest and not allowed to make a profit. The leading case would be Boardman v Phibbs[20] which involves trust where it applied the strict rule which originally from cases such as Keech v Sandford[21] and Bray v Ford[22].The decision was a made in majority of the judges while the other two judges gave dissenting judgments. Lord Upjohn in dissenting suggested that the case should be approached in a more equitable angle and should be decided on its own individual facts instead of laying down a strict rule to be followed like the common law courts. However, in Murad v Al-Saraj[23], the majority of courts again decided by following the rules. Arden LJ from the majority suggested that the court should revisit the inflexibility of rule of equity in harsh circumstances. Furthermore, Jonathan Parker LJ from majority also suggested that it is the time for the court to relax the severity of the rule. In minority, Clarke LJ suggested that the fiduciary could argue for a share in profits even though they breached their duty by reasoning with Warman International v Dwyer[24]. In Foster Bryant Surveying v Bryant[25], it was held that the defendant was not required to account his subsequent profit as the facts were different from the traditional cases. It was suggested that this case law would only be followed when there are same facts in the future. Based on the above, equity has been flexible to evolve to suit the needs of the society. Hence, it is tremendously complex as it was built centuries of laws, but the courts are free to generate new principles and to adapt or apply the old ones depending on the situation. As suggested by Alastair Hudson, equity forces us to consider the plight of the individual in this complex world and to save that individual from being caught up in the legal machine or exposed to irremediable suffering.[26] In conclusion, it could be submitted that equity is still useful even though it might be conceptually messy as shown above. However, this would be inevitable as equity has to be flexible but it would be also required to maintain some consistencies across the cases to prevent the law from being vague. (1650 words) Bibliography Books Gardner S, An introduction to the Law of Trusts (3rd edn OUP 2011) Hudson A, Equity and Trust, (8th edn, Routledge, Oxon, 2015) Hudson A, Great Debates in Equity and Trusts,(1st edn, Palgrave Macmillan 2014) Electronic Sources Alastair Hudson, The Fundamentals of Quistclose Trusts, http://www.alastairhudson.com/trustslaw/Quistclose.pdf accessed on 13rd February 2017 Table of Cases Barclays Bank Ltd v Quistclose Investments Ltd [1970] AC 567 Boardman v Phibbs [1967] 2 AC 46 Bray v Ford [1896] A.C. 44 Comiskey v Bowring-Hanbury [1905] A.C. 84 Foster Bryant Surveying Ltd v Bryant [2007] EWCA Civ 200 Hunter v Moss [1993] 1 WLR 934 Jones v Lock [1865] 1 Ch App 25 Keech v Sandford [1726] Sel. Cas.Ch.61 Knight v Knight [1840] 3 Beav 148 McPhail v Doulton [1971] AC 424 Murad v Al-Saraj [2005] EWCA Civ 959 Paul v Constance [1977] 1 All ER 195 Re Adams Kensington Vestry [1884] LR 27 ChD 394 Re Allen [1953] 1 All ER 308 Re Badens Trusts (No.2) [1973] Ch 9 Re EVTR [1987] BCLC 646 Re Farepak Food and Gifts Ltd (In Administration) [2008] BCC 22 Re Farepak Food and Gifts Ltd (In Administration) [2008] BCC 22, 34 Re Goldcorp Exchange Ltd (In Receivership) [1994] 3 WLR 199 Re Gulbenkians Settlements Trusts [1968] UKHL 5 Re London Wine Co (Shippers) Ltd [1986] PCC 121 Warman International v Dwyer [1994-5] 182 CLR 544 [1] Alastair Hudson, Great Debates in Equity and Trusts,(1st edn, Palgrave Macmillan 2014) [2] Knight v Knight [1840] 3 Beav 148 [3] Re Adams Kensington Vestry [1884] LR 27 ChD 394 [4] Comiskey v Bowring-Hanbury [1905] A.C. 84 [5] Paul v Constance [1977] 1 All ER 195 [6] Jones v Lock [1865] 1 Ch App 25 [7] Simon Gardner, An introduction to the Law of Trusts (3rd edn OUP 2011) 52-3 [8] Re London Wine Co (Shippers) Ltd [1986] PCC 121 [9] Re Goldcorp Exchange Ltd (In Receivership) [1994] 3 WLR 199 [10] Hunter v Moss [1993] 1 WLR 934 [11] Re Badens Trusts (No.2) [1973] Ch 9 [12] McPhail v Doulton [1971] AC 424 [13] Re Gulbenkians Settlements Trusts [1968] UKHL 5 [14] Re Allen [1953] 1 All ER 308 [15] Barclays Bank Ltd v Quistclose Investments Ltd [1970] AC 567 [16] Re EVTR [1987] BCLC 646 [17] http://www.alastairhudson.com/trustslaw/Quistclose.pdf, The Fundamentals of Quistclose Trusts, accessed on 13rd February 2017 [18] Re Farepak Food and Gifts Ltd (In Administration) [2008] BCC 22 [19] Re Farepak Food and Gifts Ltd (In Administration) [2008] BCC 22, 34 [20] Boardman v Phibbs [1967] 2 AC 46 [21] Keech v Sandford [1726] Sel. Cas.Ch.61 [22] Bray v Ford [1896] A.C. 44 [23] Murad v Al-Saraj [2005] EWCA Civ 959 [24] Warman International v Dwyer [1994-5] 182 CLR 544 [25] Foster Bryant Surveying Ltd v Bryant [2007] EWCA Civ 200 [26] Alastair Hudson, Equity and Trust, (8th edn, Routledge, Oxon, 2015)

Creating a Lego Mindstorm Navigation Robot :: Robotics

Includes Source Code Lego Navigation System Abstract My project was to create a robot out of a Lego Mindstorms construction set that was capable of â€Å"knowing† where it was. The robot would head out on a random path, remember and update its location, and return to its origin on a straight line. The challenge of this project was not so much a matter of constructing the robot, but of creating a working program in the week and a half time limit. The project goal was met on the last day, thus showing that a Lego navigation system is possible. Background A war zone is a dangerous place, especially for the infantry. Any advantage, technological or otherwise is welcome, and any technology that spares soldiers’ lives is invaluable. Recently, one such technology has made its way to the battlefield; remote controlled robots. These robots can take real-time video, maneuver inside and out, and move hazardous materials out of the way of troops. Two of the leading manufacturer’s of these robots are iRobot and the US Marine Corps. IRobots’ PackBot EOD uses a camera/grabber, multiple sensors, and a unique tread system capable of climbing stairs in order to execute the majority of its tasks. It also has GPS. The US Marine Corps’ Dragon Runner is a rugged, four-wheeled machine with a camera and other sensors safely encased in the body. The Dragon Runner weighs roughly 16 pounds, while the PackBot is just over twice that much weight. While these robots are a great help in a war zone, the navigation system could be improved. If the robot could navigate by itself, the soldiers that previously had to operate the robot would be free to do more important tasks. By implementing a Cartesian coordinate system, I believe that these robots be programmed with a simple self-navigation system. Procedure The physical design of NavBot is very simple. It follows the basic design of TankBot, as described in David Baum’s Definitive Guide to Lego Mindstorms. I chose this design as the basis of my robot due to its simplicity and ease of construction. While it follows the basic TankBot design, it has its variations, because I didn’t want to hunt down all of the â€Å"required† pieces. When I first built the body and tested it, I found that the robot tended to drift to the right. This was easily fixed by changing the power level of the left motor from 7 (highest) to 4. Aside from a few decorations (wings, camel head, smiley face), the physical aspect of NavBot was complete. The more important, as well as complicated, problem was how to program

Aztec Women Roles and Society

The roles of women are useful to historians because they provide an insight into the life experiences, cultures, thoughts, and every day life of a historical period. Similarly this essay will examine the roles of women, which provide insight into the Aztec civilization’s many strengths. The Aztec child bearer/warrior, priestess and sexual being will be analyzed to display that gender relations were complementary that produced equality. The midwife and weaver reveal that the Aztec’s specialization proved successful through fields like medicine and the market.Finally the Aztec daughter and mother will be examined to show that the Aztec’s had a strong socialization system established through education and the family. For these reasons women’s roles allow historians to look at the greater picture and see that Aztec society was advanced ad possessed three particular strengths being that its gender complementarity structure, a successful specialization of labour , as well as a highly efficiency in socialization that allowed Aztec culture to retransmit itself. Gender relations in Aztec culture were based on a gender complementarity structure.This structure, â€Å"Defines males and females as distinctive but equal and interdependent parts of a larger productive whole. † The Aztec society was fairly gender divided however women’s tasks were usually â€Å"in the heart of the home,† taking care of the family and bearing children, whilst men’s domain was outside and involved hunting, fishing, fighting etc. A clear illustration of how roles were interdependent is seen through food production where men hunted and women cooked the catch. Each role accompanied the other because without one another there would be no sustenance.This cultural ideology could have developed because both sexes may have understood that each had a specific labour/role to fulfill ultimately for God which is supported through an admonition in the Co dex of Mendoza, â€Å"This is the wish of our master and his decision that we shall obtain all that is needed for life only through sweat, only through work. † Furthermore within Aztec religion there were two dual-sexed creator deities Ometechuhtli – Lord of Durality – and Omecihuatl – Lady of Durality – amongst many other male and female deity couples who were equally responsible for a variety of things.This evidence may indicate that gender complementarity relations could have also originated from religion. Nonetheless gender relations in Aztec society were based on gender complementarity. The child bearer/warrior exemplifies how the Aztec’s gender complementarity tproduced gender equality because she gained the same title and honour as male warriors. The child bearing role made women distinct from males however she was still equal, â€Å"As the man gained honour by going valiantly into battle, so the woman gained honour and respect by be aring children because her battle was comparable. The pregnant mother was seen as a warrior entering battle – child labour – because she had to capture her baby. The midwife reinforced this concept because she would emit a war cry during labour. This evidence shows how child bearing was perceived valuably and made women equal to warriors who were highly respected in Aztec society. If a women died during labour she received the same honour as a warrior fallen in battle and was labeled mocihuacquetzque. Similarly to male warriors this name and honour meant that she would travel to a western solar realm where she accompanied the sun.This respect for childbirth may have developed in Aztec culture because they recognizes that, â€Å"They too had made a sacrifice of their own lives so that a new life could come into the world. † Nonetheless the child bearer/warrior role shows historians that she was different but also equal to male warriors through the title and honou r she received. The priestess carried out certain tasks and responsibilities because of the gender complimentarity structure however her level of importance was fairly equal to male priests.When they were old enough daughters became female priests or cihuatlmacazqui. In â€Å"Aztec temples priests guarded the temple fires, made offerings, prayed and cleaned whilst female priests accompanied male tasks by spinning, weaving clothing and sweeping the temple. †Although these tasks may be considered trivial in a modern/ western perspective, her responsibilities were equally important because cloth was used as currency/tribute in markets and sweeping was highly valued since the Aztec’s believed this was purifying the world.Furthermore, whilst head male priests performed many sacrificial rituals, priestesses were also essential to many rites because only they could perform certain rituals/feasts such as the Ochpanizli – Important feast – dedicated to the mother goddess known as Toci. This may be because this was a female deity however priestesses’ had certain responsibilities that made them different than male priests but equal because these were highly valued. These ideas on gender complementarity or equality may have developed from religion.For example, male and female deities were two distinctive parts as Goddesses were responsible for sustaining life however both equally created human life. Regardless the Aztec priestess shows historians that her responsibilities were different because she was a distinct part of the gender complementarity structure, however her roles and responsibilities were as equally valuable as male priests. The female sexual being embodies gender complementarity because like a male she was equally responsible to uphold sexual norms.This role is being analyzed because Colonial Spanish historians often examine labeled roles such as mother and warrior but sometimes ignore women just as sexual beings. In this r ole women were expected to be sexually abstinent until marriage, â€Å"Nothing it, it is still untouched nowhere twisted, still virgin, pure undefiled. † Similarly men were told not to â€Å"lust for vice for filth (illicit sex) that which is deadly† or else â€Å"though wert a dog. † Thus both women and men were expected to be sexually abstinent.This focus on sexual abstinence developed because it ensured fertile potency when sex in marriage occurred and allowed ont ao achieve a â€Å"good heart. † Both men and women were similarly punished through sacrifice, decapitation, placed into slavery for being promiscuous or committing extra marital affairs as the Codex of Mendoza supports with images of couples being executed. Therefore although women were different than men, they were equally responsible to uphold sexual abstinence for the greater moral good.The midwife reveals that the Aztec’s specialization of labour was successful because this allowe d one to have extensive knowledge in one field that advanced certain sectors like medicine. The Aztec thought was that each person had a distinctive specialized role to perform in the greater scheme. The Aztec field of medicine like other societal sectors was specialized and gendered so that males were predominantly â€Å"doctors† and healers whilst women were midwives. The midwife – ciuatl temixiuitli – treated disease, aided with childbirth, provided herbal medicines, message therapy as well as sweat baths.She would concoct a drink from the cuahalahuac tree ground up in water with a red stone called ezetl – jasper – and the tail of an opossum to hasten delivery. Midwives knew that the cuauhalahuac – slippery tree – helped by lubricating the delivery and the jasper helped to prevent hemorrhaging. Similarly modern studies show that this oxytocic medicine assisted by causing strong uterine contractions and cervical dilation. This conco ction required extensive knowledge because the midwife had to know what natural ingredients were useful as well as the dosage and measurements needed per patient.According to Bernardino de Sahagun – Franciscan Friar who lived amongst the Aztecs – just before delivery, â€Å"The midwife washed and massaged the mother in the steam bath and performed an external version (turning the fetus by external manipulation) if the fetus was in a breech position. † She would then place the mother in a squatting position for delivery rather than a lithotomic – lying down – position because midwives knew that this deprived the baby of oxygen. This evidence shows that the midwife’s medical knowledge was comprehensive because she had a detailed understanding of Obstetrics.This specialization of may have developed because the Aztec’s recognized that having distinct roles like the complementarity system ensured every duty or in this case field was filled or because women better understood pregnancy. However this was efficient because it allowed individuals in a certain task or field – Obstetrics – to collect extensive knowledge and advance the field unlike the possibility of a family doctor who is highly skilled but has a general knowledge in various fields.In fact this specialized system was successful because, â€Å"Sixty percent of Aztec medicine would be considered effective treatments today according to Western biomedical standards. † Therefore the Aztec midwife shows historians that the Aztec’s specialization proved successful because this made one highly knowledgeable and advanced fields like medicine. Aztec weavers provide a lens into the highly organized and developed market that was made successful because of the specialization of labour.Men’s productive responsibilities were outside the household and consisted of farming, fishing and long-distance trading, where as woman’s produc tive duties were gendered/specialized into cooking, weaving and artisan work. Although women produced various things that were sold in the market, â€Å"Cloth production was a fundamental part of the female gender. † This is evident because all women from commoner to noble spent hours upon hours weaving, spinning, and manipulating cotton.Not only did weavers produce intricate/detailed designs with rich dyes and beads, Archaeologists have reported to have found 240,000 pieces of tribute cloth that were 6. 7 yards each! This evidence shows historians that specializing in one form of production was effective because it perfected and generated vast amounts. Cortes supports this in his letter to Charles V – where he had visited the market – and wrote, â€Å"I could wish that I had finished telling of all the things which are sold here, but they are so numerous and of such different quality. The specialization of women’s labour as weavers can be looked at on a macro scale perspective which shows that market roles were also specialized with carpenters, feather workers, stonecutters, tailors, weavers, cooks, pottery workers etc.Within the market the weaver was subject to administrators who ensured that goods were sold at fair prices that marketing laws were followed and assigned tribute to the ruler. Furthermore weavers like other merchants had to ensure their, â€Å"Goods and crafts were arranged by type. Cortes supports, â€Å"Each kind of merchandise was kept by itself and had its fixed place market out. † The specialization of ones labour into a certain task can restrict merchants to one product however this information reveals that the micro-level specialization of labour proved efficient on a macro-level because markets were highly organized and specialized with sections for each type of product. Specialization and organization in the market allowed for greater profit that many historians have claimed assisted in stabilizing and making the Aztec economy successful in refueling itself.This specialization of labour may have developed from the same idea as the gender complementarity structure, which was that every person had a specific productive role that ultimately benefited the market and ultimately financed government activities through tribute. Ultimately specialized labour like the weaver show historians that on a greater scale this allowed the perfection of skill, making of vast amounts, and the highly developed and organized and successful market.The mother provides insight into the Aztec’s strong socialization system because it embedded gender roles at an early age with strict enforcement that prepared children for education. Mothers like fathers were responsible to teach their children tasks as well as cultural norms and values. From birth children were perceived as raw social materials, â€Å"My precious necklace, my precious quetzal plume† or â€Å"fruitless tree. † This me taphor reveals that the Aztec’s possibly knew that children were raw products that could be constructed into the final product being adulthood.Franciscan Friar Bernardino de Sahagun – who lived amongst the Aztecs – supports that the Aztec’s valued children highly. Mothers initiated Aztec socialization as early as four years old by teaching daughters how to weave, spin, sit, use their hands, grind maize and make tortilla bread whilst fathers taught their sons how to hunt, fish, artisan work, and how to fight. The Codex of Mendoza supports this with numerous images of mothers instructing their young daughters over a spindle loom.Day after day children had the same routine of work so that they perfected their old tasks and eventually learned new skills. This may have left little time to play so that Aztec children from an early age were instilled with the cultural value of hard work. Routines were strictly enforced because disobedience or laziness – s pinning or sweeping poorly – resulted in physical punishments such as sticking maguey thorns into the shoulder or inhaling chili smoke.Amongst physical punishments, mothers like fathers enforced cultural expectations through verbal instructions on a regular basis that included rules on dressing properly, being obedient and diligent when summoned, speaking slowly and deliberately and walking quickly to avoid laziness. One mothers speech shows historians that the Aztec’s were actively aware of what they were doing, â€Å"Pay attention and from here you will take what will be your life, what will be your doing. † This shows that the Aztec’s were developed because it appears that they actively knew they were socializing and preparing children for adulthood.Furthermore this informal socialization was efficient, as it would recycle itself when daughters would become mothers and teach their children in the same fashion that she only learned from her mother or fa mily. Therefore the Aztec mother shows how the Aztec socialization system was strong because it began at an early age and maintained a regimented routine through strict enforcement that future generations repeated as they became parents. The Aztec daughter or student displays how the socialization process was strong because it continued from the family to a regimented formal education that embedded culture.Similar to sons, daughters were expected to be obedient, respectful, honest, study driven and sexually abstinent. Unlike Western societies, rituals and tasks including formal education made one become an adult. The first type of school daughters attended was the cuicacalli â€Å"house of song† where an, â€Å"Emphasis was placed on basic moral and religious training, knowledge of history, ritual dancing, and singing. † This was a powerful cohesive social experience for Aztec children because they essentially learned everything about Aztec culture.The calmecac was the next school stage which trained noble boys and girls for leadership in religious, military, political life. Discipline was strict because students were required to wake up at dawn, undergo rigorous abstinence with penance, prayers and ritual baths. A main piece of evidence that shows historians that Aztec education was an efficient socializing agent is through the Aztec daughter’s extensive memory of cultural phrases, metaphors, stories and symbolic words that she learned and utilized in oral speeches.The art of speaking was taught in schools because daughters like sons were required to recite admonitions later on in life whether as a mother, midwife or representative of the family because it meant one was educated. Oral proficiency shows that Aztec socialization was efficient because daughters hand an extensive on hand knowledge of Aztec culture that was embedded within them. Therefore Aztec daughter/student or oral speaker shows historians how powerful Aztec socialization was because regimented education embedded culture in the minds and of children.Women’s roles allows historians to look at the greater picture and depict three particular strengths of the Aztec society being gender complementarity, a successful specialization of labour as well as a high efficiency in socialization. Aztec society was based on a gender complementarity structure which produced gender equality for child bearers who were honoured as warriors, priestess’s maintained the same value as male priests and the female sexual being because men and women were equally expected to maintain sexual norms.The Aztec’s specialization of labour through roles like the midwife and weaver allow historians to look at the greater picture see that the Aztec’s were highly knowledgeable and skilled in their subsequent labour/field which led to the increased knowledge in the field of medicine and the successful organization of the market. Finally the Aztec’s posse ssed a strong socialization system shown through the mother and daughter who prove that the Aztec’s were able to embed culture at a young young age through daily routine and strict regiment.Women had various roles in Aztec society which allow historians to look at the greater scheme and form ideas of the people or historical period of study. On a micro-level women may not have been completely equal however on a macro-level Aztec society had many strengths and was well advanced because of its gender relations structure, its ability to logically divide tasks and create a sustaining economy as well as ensure the continuation of its culture through social transmission at home and in school.David Carrasco, Scott Sessions, Daily life of the Aztecs, (London, 1998), p. 129-133. [ 2 ]. Ferdinand Aton, Woman in Pre-Columbian America, (New York, 1983), p. 19 [ 3 ]. Ibid, p. 88 [ 4 ]. Berdan, p. 81 [ 5 ]. Anton, p. 18 [ 6 ]. Anton, p. 18 [ 7 ]. Carrasco, p. 145-157 [ 8 ]. Anton, p. 19 [ 9 ]. Carrasco, p. 125 [ 10 ]. Carrasco, p. 125 [ 11 ]. Carrasco, p. 115 [ 12 ]. Brumfield, p. 98 [ 13 ]. Brumfield, p. 98 [ 14 ]. Carrasco, p. 115 [ 15 ]. Brumfield, p. 94 [ 16 ]. Carrasco, p. 107 [ 17 ]. Carrasco, p. 108 [ 18 ]. Carrasco, p. 108 [ 19 ].Muriel Weaver, The Aztecs, Maya and Their Predecessors, (New York, 1981), p. 446 [ 20 ]. Carrasco, p. 134-139 [ 21 ]. Anton, p. 19 [ 22 ]. Joyce, p. 146 [ 23 ]. Brumfield, p. 92 [ 24 ]. Brumfield, p. 21 [ 25 ]. Ortiz de Montellano, Aztec Medicine, Health, and Nutrition, (1990), p. 186 [ 26 ]. Ibid, p. 185 [ 27 ]. Ibid, p. 185 [ 28 ]. Montellano, p. 180-189 [ 29 ]. Brumfield, p. 92 [ 30 ]. Brumfield, p. 90 [ 31 ]. Carrasco, p. 92 [ 32 ]. Carrasco, p. 92 [ 33 ]. Brumfield, p. 94 [ 34 ]. Townsend, p. 175 [ 35 ].Brumfield, p. 105 [ 36 ]. Brumfield, p. 91 [ 37 ]. Brumfield, p. 113 [ 38 ]. Townsend, p. 174 39 ]. Smith, p. 130-133 [ 40 ]. Smith, p. 132 [ 41 ]. Anton, p. 23-36 [ 42 ]. Leon-Portilla, p. 190 [ 43 ]. Frances Karttunen, James Lo ckhart, The Art of Nahuatl speech (Los Angeles, 1987), p. 35-53 [ 44 ]. Carrasco, p. 97 [ 45 ]. Carrasco, p. 102, p. 136 [ 46 ]. Smith, p. 136 [ 47 ]. Carrasco, p. 102 [ 48 ]. Carrasco, p. 103 [ 49 ]. Leon-Portilla, p. 194 [ 50 ]. Carrasco, p. 102-110 [ 51 ]. Carrasco, p. 102-108 [ 52 ]. Smith, p. 134-140 [ 53 ]. Richard Townsend, The Aztecs, (London, 1992), p. 158 [ 54 ]. Carrasco, p. 109 [ 55 ]. Townsend, p. 158 [ 56 ]. Townsend, p. 158 [ 57 ]. Townsend, p. 160

Welcome speech for annual day

Every morning when I put on my Head Girl badge, I am reminded of the responsibility, challenges and leadership I entail. Although Yr 12 is often described as hectic, for me it has been a year of great discoveries. Where I have learnt from positive and negative experiences, learnt about myself and my peers, and gained the acquired knowledge I will need to carry on for the beginning of my adult life. When I think of the Student Council team this year, I see a group of passionate young adults who can work together in making positive changes throughout the school.Their strength, enthusiasm and positivity has been refreshing and assisted us through the years' hurdles. My experiences at Leeming Senior High School have shaped me into the Year 12 Student I am today and I thank the teachers, students and school for all they have contributed. â€Å"Ability is nothing without opportunity' I have been given countless opportunities to enhance my leadership skills and workshop my passion for dram a. I have attended various leadership camps such as the Sir Charles CourtLeaders Program in 2009 and the Amanda Young Leaders Eco-Summit in 2010. Both these camps not only taught me how to develop my leadership qualities but also bring these skills out into the community, and especially our school. My involvement in the annual school productions, ‘Summer of the Aliens' in 2009, ‘Ziggy's Bar – A Cabaret' in 2010 and this year's ‘A Dream Deferred'; can be characterised by the words: magical, emotional and at times, life changing. IVe come to believe the truth is the most valuable gift you can share with other people.Who you are and what you do is priceless. Sharing my experiences and leadership with the rest of LSHS, the class of 2011 and eventually the rest of the world, has and is one of my goals. My stories. My truths. So that we may all come to understand each other a little better. So that we may all find our own definition of what it means to be successf ul. So that our generation will be prepared to lead. I leave you with one last quote from Nelson Mandela, â€Å"Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that generation. â€Å"