Clustering Techniques in Oodbms (Using Objectstore)

Introduction Performance of a database can be greatly impacted by the manner in which data is loaded. This fact is true regardless of when the data is loaded; whether loaded before the application(s) begin accessing the data, or concurrently while the application(s) are accessing the data. This paper will present various strategies for locating data as it is loaded into the database and detail the performance implications of those strategies. Data Clustering, Working Sets, and Performance With ObejctStore access to persistent data can perform at in-memory speeds.In order to achieve in-memory speeds, one needs cache affinity. Cache affinity is the generic term that describes the degree to which data accessed within a program overlaps with data already retrieved on behalf of a previous request. Effective data clustering allows for better, if not optimal, cache affinity. Data density is defined as the proportion of objects within a given storage block that are accessed by a client durin g some scope of activation. Clustering is a technique to achieve high data density. The working set is defined as the set of database pages a client needs at a given time.ObjectStore is a page-based architecture which performs best when the following goals are met: †¢ Minimize the number of pages transferred between the client and server †¢ Maximize the use of pages already in the cache In order to achieve these goals, the working set of the application should be optimal. The way to achieve an optimal working set is via data clustering. With good data clustering more data can be accessed in fewer pages; thus a high data density rate is obtained. A higher data density results in a smaller working set as well as a better chance of cache affinity. A smaller working set results in fewer page transfers.The following sections in this paper will explain several clustering patterns/techniques for achieving better performance via cache affinity, higher data density and a smaller wo rking set. NOTE: clustering is used in this paper as a concept of locality of reference. The term is not being used to refer to the physical storage unit available in ObjectStore. ObjectStore does present the user with a choice for location of allocations: with the database, within a particular segment, within a particular cluster. For the remainder of this paper, the discussion of cluster is a conceptual one, not the ObjectStore physical one.Database Design Process Database design is one of the most important steps in designing and implementing an ObjectStore application. The following steps are pre-requisites for a database design: 1) Identify key use cases (ones which need to be fast and/or are run frequently) 2) Identify the object(s) used by the use cases called out in step 1 3) Identify the object(s) that are read or updated during the use cases called out in step 1 The focus of clustering efforts should be on the database objects which are used in the high priority use cases identified above.Begin to cluster based on one use case, and then validate with others. The database design strategies which lend themselves to achieving the optimal working set are: †¢ Clustering †¢ Partitioning There are several different types of techniques which result in data being well clustered: †¢ Isolate Index †¢ Pooling †¢ Object Modeling Data Clustering Clustering is a technique used to achieve high data density. Another definition of clustering is a grouping of objects together. If a use case requires objects A, B and C to operate, then those objects should be co-located for optimal data density.If upon loading the database, those objects are physically allocated close to one another, then we say we have clustered those objects. Assume that the size of the three objects combined is less than the size of a physical database page. The clustering leads to high data density because when we fetch the page with object A, we will also get objects B and C. In this particular case, we need just one page transfer to get all objects required for our use case. To accomplish good clustering, one must know the use cases and the objects involved in those use cases.Given that knowledge, the goals of clustering are: †¢ Cluster objects together which are accessed together †¢ Separate (de-cluster, or partition – we will discuss partitioning in detail later in this paper) objects which are never accessed together. This includes separating frequently accessed data from rarely accessed data. Partitioning Partitioning is a strategy to isolate subsets of objects in different physical storage units. By definition, if two objects are in different partitions, they are de-clustered. The two goals of partitioning are to gain isolation and to increase data density.Isolation is desirable when concurrent access is required. The scope of this paper is not intended to cover concurrency. For that reason our discussion of partitioning will be rather brief. Although partitioning is intended for isolating objects, its use can improve data density. This may seem, by definition, to be counter intuitive. Let us use an example to illustrate. Imagine a grocery store. If you were in need of a box of cereal, you would go down the cereal aisle. If the grocer has done his job correctly, the aisle (or some number of shelves in the aisle) will be populated ONLY with boxes of cereal.Because other items have been located in their respective aisles/shelves, the entire cereal aisle is dense with cereal. If the grocer had not done the job correctly, a given section of a shelf might have (for instance) boxes of noodles, cans of vegetables, and bags of chips. In this scenario, the shelf does not have good data density for the goal of obtaining a box of cereal. Recall the definition of data density: the proportion of objects within a given storage block that are accessed by a client during some scope. Our scope is to obtain a box of cereal. Our storage block is the aisle or a shelf. If the shelf in question contains many items other than cereal, then we have poor data density. If, on the other hand, we partition the non-cereal items to be in different aisles, then the cereal aisle would contain only cereal and thus a high data density would Conclusion The way in which data is loaded into the database can have significant impact on the performance of an application. Careful analysis of the use cases for an application should allow key objects to be identified. Once key objects are identified, a clustering strategy can be planned.Several of the techniques presented here can allow for a clustering strategy that will boost performance far beyond any tuning that might be done after the database is loaded and the application delivered. It is often the case that several techniques can be combined; an application need not restrict itself to the use of just one technique. The goal of clustering is to reduce your working set siz e; yield higher data density; and reduce the number of pages which need to be transferred between the application and the ObjectStore server.

Normalization in Montessori Essay

Normalization that I have experience in a Montessori class-room between the ages of 3-4 years old. . In this essay I will be referring to the child as he/she. Human beings are born with the desire to know things, the urge to explore, and the need to master their environment. The class room is carefully prepared to train Children to develop their senses, to stimulate curiosity, to satisfy their child’s need-to-know and to protect them. (Kramer.1976) Firstly, the environment must be prepared to meet the needs of the children positively and all obstacles to the child’s development must be removed. Secondly, the environment had been prepared by the teacher before the children arrived in to the classroom. Thirdly, the teacher is there to direct the children positively in the classroom, and all of these processes prepares the child and contribute to normalization. In the Montessori classroom, another evidence of normalization can be witnessed when the child prepares for an activity through Movement and Freedom. The child chooses a table and chair. The child walks to the classroom shelves. Choose his activity. He chooses the practical life material (The pouring exercise) and carefully carries it back to his seat, placing the tray on his desk. He then begins the next cycle. In addition, concentration and freedom begin to develop gradually at this stage. The normalize child continue to show concentration with his work; and ignore other children in the class-room. â€Å"For his work is the expression of his mind†. (Montessori. 1949, P133). Bearing in mind the sensitive period for Order. He carried out his work, according to the presentation already shown to him previously by his teacher. I noticed how he kept on repeating the exercise, by pouring the water from one jug to another using his manipulative skills. Dr. Montessori’s observation about the girl that kept repeating the exercise â€Å"Forty-Two times†, flashed to my mind instantly. I notice how the child look content with what he was doing. This leads to repetition of the exercise over and over again. He remains calm and confident while carrying out the cycle of activity. Finally, after deriving satisfaction with himself and perfection, he checked to see if he made any spill (Control of Error). He smiled and carefully returns the (Pouring Exercise) back to the practical life shelve. The child demonstrates a sociable attitude. He smiled, and then turns to other children in the classroom after finishing his activity. â€Å"Montessori has arranged things so that the control of error is to be found in the materials themselves†. (Standing. 1962, P 80). He displays the characteristics of normalization previously listed. He was self discipline and stood up quietly after the exercise, and very graceful in his movement, Order and Language. To summarise my point, In a Montessori classroom, the practice of Montessori‘s teaching on â€Å"Normalization† is daily practiced everyday in the Montessori environment. The idea that the environment is prepared, encourage children to work on activities of their own choice at their own time. It helps the child to show the characteristics expected from a normalized child that is -Independent, Respectful, Love of Order, Work, Silence, Mutual cooperation, Obedient and Joy. In Conclusion; I believed that Normalization is constantly practiced in the classroom and this facilitates the child to develop physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually. Finally after understanding how to meet all the needs of the child, this normalized child appears in the Montessori classroom.

Modern History Germany 1918-1945

To what extent did the weaknesses in the Weimar Republic account for the growth and rise to power of the Nazi Party to 1933? The Weimar Republic was created in 1919 with the abdication of Wilhelm II. The new government was the body that signed the Treaty of Versailles, and to many, this was a betrayal. The consequences of Versailles were severe to Germany, and many were looking for someone to blame, the government was the ideal scape goat. Communists and the right saw an opportunity to create a state that they wanted, and were prepared to challenge the new republic for this.Many richer Germans had lived well under the Kaiser, and distrusted the new government. This began a long line of challenges that would become the Weimar Republic’s weaknesses and would later on, lead to their defeat and the growth and rise of the Nazi Party. From the start, the new Weimar government faced opposition from both left and right. The Left wing Spartacist group, lead by Luxemburg and Liebknecht, admired the new Russian Communist political system, and with the fall of the Kaiser, saw an opportunity to attempt to place Germany into a similar system.In January 1919 they revolted, and tried to take control of Berlin, with the support of the USDP they proclaimed a new revolutionary government. However, Ebert had already won the support of the military with the Ebert-Groener pact, and the troops suppressed the revolt. This pact was significant, meaning the government had associated itself with the right, and perhaps this early incident is one of the factors which would convince the government to appoint Hitler Chancellor in 1933. The Right, were next to revolt and in 1920 the Kapp Putch revolt occurred.Monarchists seized government buildings in Berlin; and this forced the government to flee to Stuttgart. The rebels however, surrendered on March 17 as unions declared a general strike. Yet again the government had had another close escape. At this stage the political instability w as through the roof thanks to the financial implications of the Treaty of Versailles. By 1921, the level of reparations had been fixed to 132,000,000 gold marks. And it was clearly evident that Germany was so weakened by this, that it would not be able to pay.By January 1923, the French were angered at Germany's poor lack of payment, and occupied with force, the Ruhr region. The citizens of the Ruhr began to hate the French who were exploiting them, and so again, the people needed someone to blame. Of course this being the same people who had agreed to pay reparations, their government. By November 1923, the situation of hyperinflation had skyrocketed, as small firms collapsed and were bought out at prices far below their real value. Ownership of the German economy became concentrated into the hands of a small few powerful interests.Money was becoming more and more worthless by the day. Burnt constantly, as it became cheaper then firewood itself. The middle classes had their savings devalued considerably, and there was general discontent all over. The Treaty of Versailles was signed by the new government, and this treaty was causing great anguish. The people of Germany had no one to blame but the government, the majority of the country were angered, and it could be considered that with universal criticism, and perhaps some hatred, the new republic was doomed to fail.The extremist Nazi’s had only 12 seats in 1928, and had little or no voice in national government. The socialists were in control with 153 seats and had a steady recovery in progress, with no radical changes planned. The government it's self had progressed from an imperial autocracy to a democratic republic. Universal suffrage came about; meaning their head of state could be changed every seven years if the people became unhappy. From the uplift during the late 1920’s there was optimism for the republic, the economy, and the German culture.This optimism was rudely interrupted however, by the devastating world depression and the heavily impacting Wall Street crash which meant that â€Å"anyone who bought stocks in mid-1929 and held onto them, saw most of his or her adult life pass by before getting back to even†. With this, social breakdown followed, with an increase in crime. Many women turned to prostitution to feed their families and shortly after, Berlin became the centre for experimental artistic movements as well as Nightclubs, cabaret, and Cafes that became notorious for immorality.After this, investment was withdrawn from the economy, causing German to go into decline once again. Unemployment then reaches record levels of six million. With this many people began to turn to Hitler, who preached employment and greatness and promised major improvement. This was reflected in the Nazis then gaining 107 seats in the 1930 election. Showing that people were looking for a proper extremist solution. There were thousands of demonstrations against the governme nt from most political groups throughout but these were overpowered by the 1,300 Nazi demonstrations that took place during 1930 alone.Bruing then relied on decrees to keep order. The depression created the very situation that Hitler had been waiting for. The Nazi's believed that only a national catastrophe would see them win power, and they were correct. The Nazi's stirred up opposition to the government and republic, by linking the government to Versailles, and linking Versailles and the Weimar Republic to all of Germany's problems. As Hitler had such a wide political appeal, the Nazis then began to blame other political groups, especially the communists.Hitler was an excellent orator, and had a strong personality which promised greatness for the German people. He became attractive to the modern day worker and the middle classes as he promised secure employment at a time when people were distrusting of their own current government. Hitler also promised that he would act legally an d with order. Another appeal which gave peace to the German people. However, the elections of 1932 saw the Nazi's lose two million votes at the expense of the communists, the KPD. The country was showing signs of splitting into two.But the one thing that both groups had in common was that they wanted to change the system of government. This did not sit well with the Weimar republic. By now it was clear that the country was going to go one way and the republic was doomed. There was a great fear of civil war amongst the people, and they had to choose who they wanted to prevent this, and unite the country once again. By March 1933 it was clear that more people had turned to the Nazis, who gained 92 more seats, and the communists lost 19.The Nazi revolution was beginning. By this time, the Reichstag saw a Nazi majority and was headed by a Nazi Chancellor. Key Nazi points were soon introduced as law. Point 25 of the Nazi 25 points, Centralisation, was evident when Hitler subordinated the local governments. By May, trade unions were banned, the S. D. P was dissolved, and by June, the Nazi party was the only legal party. When Hindenburg died a year later, Hitler appointed himself Fuhrer, and the Weimar republic came to an end.From the very start, I gained the perspective that many believed that the weak foundations in which the republic was built on, combined with the roles of the conservative elite's in German society as well as the Great Depression were the strong influences which lead to the downfall of the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Nazis. Clearly the Weimar republic faced opposition from both sides of the political spectrum. This created potential for the reintroduction of a monarch, or even a communist state, and several attempted revolutions occurred.The public blamed their problems on the Treaty of Versailles, and in turn, blamed the government that signed it. I think we can agree that from the 1930s the Weimar Republic was surely doomed, when the co untry was splitting into two groups, the left and the right, with both wanting an end to the republic, and a change to another political system, communist or Nazi. The Weimar was a rushed and often referred to as a ‘mistaken democracy, with a dysfunctional nature, that aided in the rise of Nazism. ’ The Weimar republic started in chaos, spent much of its short life in chaos, and dissolved without putting up much resistance. But although it was weakened by these many evolving issues, I believe that the Weimar Republic was not the only factor to Hitler’s rise as his use of aggressive and persuasive propaganda with the backup of violence, brainwashed many people into believing that he was the only option for Germany to follow. I believe that no one factor was responsible for the collapse of the Weimar republic, but it being a combination of factors and circumstances that lead to it's down fall and the growth and rise of power that was then passed to the strategic an d overbearing Nazi Party lead by Hitler in 1933. Freya Young, Year 12 Modern HistoryBibliography and Referencing Internet A quote from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Wall_Street_Crash_of_1929 â€Å"Anyone who bought stocks in mid-1929 and held onto them saw most of his or her adult life pass by before getting back to even. † Quote by Richard M. Salsman http://www. oppapers. com/essays/Rise-Nazi-Party/15442 Books The Weimar Republic, Written By Detlev J. K. Peukert From Weimar to Hitler (Germany 1918-33) Author: E. J. Feuchtwanger Excel HSC, Modern History, Author Ron Ringer

The organisational change of a packaged manufacturing company of Essay

The organisational change of a packaged manufacturing company of Australia named Amcor - Essay Example The paper tells that in present day’s dynamic and competitive business context, organisations need to adjust with the fluctuating environmental situations by constantly introducing changes so that they can stay competitive and cost-effective. Substantial transformations take place when an organisation carry out changes, for instance, apply new technology, develop union, make acquisition, reduce tasks, reorganise operations, or introduce new programs. Organisational changes are generally encouraged by a requirement to maintain or develop organisations’ efficiency. The efficiency relates to the organisations’ capability to utilise resources competently, to accomplish immediate objectives as well as to embrace the prerequisite to changing business condition. Thus, organisational changes help organisations to stay competent for longer period of time. According to Ackerman, there are three kinds of organisational change which are developmental change, transitional cha nge and transformational change. Developmental change refers to the change for augmenting and developing the present situation of an organisation. It often emphasises on developing the abilities and the procedures. The transitional change denotes shifting from present condition to anticipated condition where provisional shift happens over an organised time period. The transformational change is fundamental in nature and necessitates an alteration in expectations on the part of organisation and the employees. (Ramanathan, 2009). Organisational Development Organisational development is a procedure and activity which helps to bring transformations and accomplish greater efficiencies such as augmented financial performance, improved customer satisfaction and better employee participation among others. The focus of organisational development is to assess the present functioning of organisation and accomplish the objectives by increasing the ability. Organisational change is a wider conce ption than organisational development and can be used in managing the organisational transformation (Cummings & Worley, 2008). The nature of change in Amcor is developmental change because it had applied change across numerous locations, divisions and business units in order to develop the safety measures and improve the performance through reduction of time and cost. Amcor had used the constant improvement approach of change which empowers the employees to lead towards alteration from bottom-up stage. The strategic objective of change for Amcor is to maintain accountability in packaging experience (Manufacturing Skills, 2007). Context and Background Amcor is a manufacturing organisation based in Melbourne (Australia), which produces varieties of plastic, string, copper and glass wrapping products and delivers packaging oriented services. Its business has spread in 24 nations and almost half of the income is derived from outside of Australia. It is known as one of the most significa nt organisations on the basis of market capitalisation, sales and profit in the international market (Charles Sturt University, 2011). With the increased competition in the global market, Amcor had faced the challenges of high raw material price and the need for improving customer and market competences. These aspects had resulted in the requirement of organisational change in Amcor. Amcor operates in a progressively competitive business environment where only the fittest and capable organisation can survive and prosper. Thus, in order to survive in the market, Amcor had transformed the organisational culture and behaviour by implementing lean manufacturing in their

Business Ethics Project Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Business Ethics Project - Research Paper Example As it is, the length of the material comes to three pages, though is concise and not very descriptive in nature. Therefore, I didn’t want to edit it to include references which may spoil the content. The areas which are vulnerable for unethical behavior of the employees in this industry, considering the unique features or nature of the business, should be identified and concerted strategies implemented to eliminate such problems. This aspect is very important as it concerns the business ethics as well especially in the case ADT Security Services where ‘integrity, trust and security’ is the corner stone of the business, and any unethical behavior on the part of the employees has a direct bearing on the ethical values of the company. Analysis of the problems in relation to the history of the marketing operations, in terms of customer satisfaction, system failures, complaints received, market research, product research, discontinued products lines, legal issues encountered, labor turnover related to servicing of the products, strengths and weaknesses of the competitors products, technology developments in the field, application of new technology in the development of new products, secrecy levels required to be maintained, customer profiles and needs or requirements of the customers, changes in customer behavior, brand value of the products, etc. Having evolved a strategy, measures to be taken in implementing the strategy to eliminate unethical behavior of the employees, in the light of the analysis made already, assumes greater significance, and several factors are involved in this process. However great the strategy is, inefficiency in implementation, without proper and comprehensive planning covering all facets of the business, result in failure for obvious reasons. Unethical behaviors on the part of the employees usually have financial implications only, in the case of other businesses. Misuse of funds allocated, overcharging the

CRITIQUE OF RESEARCH ARTICLE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

CRITIQUE OF RESEARCH ARTICLE - Essay Example nd Luker should be considered as quite valuable towards the explanation of the role of clinical practice in the provision of quality care to people that are dying (Hinds et al., 2005). More specifically, the above paper focuses on the challenges related with the provision of end of life (EOL) care in acute hospitals across UK. The role of these challenges to the development of specific requirements by the patients and their relatives is also examined. The particular study is mainly based on the following two research methods: observation and interviews (qualitative research). The data collected by the above research are then analyzed and evaluated in order to be used to the formulation of appropriate assumptions regarding the conditions of the provision of EOL care in acute hospitals in UK – these data and the assumptions that follow can be also used in any similar clinical environment taking into account the fact that in the particular area of practice the differentiations am ong hospitals around the world cannot be many (Vickers et al., 2004). For this reason, the study of Willard and Luker can be used as a valuable tool for the evaluation of any similar condition in the clinical practice. It should be also noticed that the writers have chosen to base their research on a ground theory approach trying to identify the data that would be valuable for the evaluation of conditions related with the specific clinical practice area. The specific study should be considered as an excellent base for the identification of any problems related with the provision of EOL care, taking into account the fact that in the research made for purposes of the specific study a significant number of patients with cancer (approximately 73) has participated. The above number represents the patients that accepted to participate in observation; patients that actually gave an interview were estimated to 17. Moreover, a significant number of clinical practitioners (in a relevant hospi tal

The early 20th century USA, Latin America, and Africa Essay - 1

The early 20th century USA, Latin America, and Africa - Essay Example le, there three distinctive trends that they had; there was a tendency to be less and less accessible to the average person, a tendency to glorify art itself as well as to undercut traditional standards and values. A period before the 20th century, music was pretty easy for the average person to understand because they followed common harmonic patters that one could find to frequently popular tunes. (Hoffer, Charles pg. 67) However in the 20th century, composers began to move away from these patters toward what is called atonal music, that which has a pattern not easy to recognize. The century brought with it new freedom and wide experimentation with new musical styles and forms that challenged the accepted rules of early periods. Industrialization led to the inventions of electronic instruments and synthesizer that revolutionized popular music and speeded up the development of new form of music. A good case study is a Latin American music, which has a variety of styles that arrived in America and eventually become influential from the early Spanish and European Baroque to the different beats of the African rhythms.( Gopal, Sarvepalli pg. 102) On the other hand, in visual arts too, the three tendencies could be seen; artists could combine a multiple of perspectives, looking at an object from different points of view and sometimes at different times. It was not easy for an average person to interpret a simple piece of art rather than simply appreciating the art’s use of color, line, composition, as well as the artist’s feelings. They were also influenced by the various movements that fought for the people’s rights and freedom. Africans used various songs to mobilize their members against imperialisms; they also drew diagrams that could only be interpreted by them. But in the 20th century pieces of art have been used to give us, not unfamiliar images, but images that are as familiar as they can possibly be. People have been able to express their feelings in

Why can recounting past experiences be important in helping services Assignment

Why can recounting past experiences be important in helping services users have a sense of who they are Should care workers always encourage people to recall their pasts - Assignment Example 23-24). Some of these service users have undergone traumatic experiences or bad experiences that are either forgotten, repressed or others that happened when the service users were too young. The pertinent question then is, should remembrance of the past be used as an integral part of the reconstruction of the self identity of service users? As noted in the introduction, service users may have an abnormal or maladaptive self-identity. In the development of an individual, some steps are necessary and if developmental tasks are not successfully met, an individual may present immediate problems or have problems later in life (Berger, 2008, p. 34). This is supported by the psychodynamic theories of psychology i.e. Freud’s psychosexual approach and Erikson’s psychosocial approach. Freud’s theory is centered on sexual maturity and only focuses on the years before sexual maturity and how not accomplishing the tasks of a certain stage might later affect the development of an individual in a detrimental way. Erikson’s theory on the other hand is more expansive; covering the entire lifespan of an individual and is based on achievement of certain social tasks (Frager and Fadiman, 2005, p.49). The implication of not meeting some of the goals that one is supposed to meet in the developmental stages is dysfunction coupled with problems with one’s self identity. For instance, a child’s separation from the primary care-givers (mother and father) at the age of 0-2years can lead to general mistrust of the world around them (Aronson, Wilson and Arket, 2007, p. 56). Teenagers who do not have the proper support system are likely to develop an identity crisis; a false sense of self or a loss of perspective as regarding their abilities and the situation that they are in (Santrock, 2009, p. 50). Later stages of development like young adulthood and middle adulthood also present issues that might occur in

Week 5 leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Week 5 leadership - Essay Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Throughout Scripture many different styles of leadership are incorporated. Abraham was seen as an entrepreneurial style leader and Moses as a kaleidoscope leader. Moses had many styles like charismatic, administrative and a people’s manager in good times as well as during the times of crisis. This project will evaluate my personal ability as a Spiritual leader. Furthermore, this will examine my personal ability and style of leadership, as well as ability to set goals in conjunction with God’s agenda. It will also evaluate my ability to anticipate criticism from other leaders and followers, as a result of change processes. Moreover, this project will examine my potential as a leader to effect and accept change, innovate and effectuate continuous improvement.1 Leadership style and how the leaders deliver the message are important to the followers. Spiritual leadership is more than someone putting on an energetic show. The Spiritual leader is a vessel of the Holy Spirit to communicate the truth of the Gospel; of our Lord Jesus Christ. The leader must be sure that the Lord has called him or her into the ministry. Spiritual leadership is a high calling from the Lord and not just an occupation. Spiritual leaders are different from other styles of leaders. A true Spiritual leader must first be a true servant. In the secular world, leader and servant are completely opposite. We as Christian leaders pattern our lives and leadership after Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ said, â€Å"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.† (Mark 10:45) After evaluating my personal style of leadership, I see similarities between my style and Abraham. Abraham had an entrepreneurial style of leadership. Personally I was involved as an entrepreneur in the secular business world, prior to God calling me to the ministry. After the

Women can be better leaders than men Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Women can be better leaders than men - Essay Example During all centuries it has been considered that men are those who win in this unequal battle. I strongly believe that it happens due to the fact that we have been living in the patriarchal society. It can be explained by the fact that up to the 20th century the most important thing both in the life of individual and in life of the whole countries was physical force. The world lived in the state of permanent wartime – the weapon emplacements appeared in the whole world, every time in different places. And the only thing that could contribute to the result of war was men force. Since ancient times men were chosen to be leaders of societies, tribes, droves and countries. In today’s world that is subordinated not to the physical force but to the intellectual one, women have much more possibilities to show their creativity and potential. More and more women nowadays run the companies or societies, participate in political life and at the same time have those responsibilities of mothers, daughters and sisters. So, the question is â€Å"Does gender influence the leadership potential and skills? What is the difference in the way a woman or man leads other people in an organization oÐ º society? Do those women who obtained the leading posts have any distinguished qualities of character? Why do they have it when the majority of women prefer to neglect it? Female leaders are more aggressive and convincing, demand strictly the orders to be done and, surprisingly, tend to take greater risks than male do. I would like to notice, that it has always been believed that men are more risky creatures than women are, but according to the latest researchers women are more impulsive and that is why they easily take risk. Scientists claim that women are more flexible in communication but at the same tougher in their demand, they are more sympathetic with the problems of the suppliers and employees. Women demand from the members of the organization

Fighting cocks Essay Example for Free

Fighting cocks Essay A richly textured social history of Hispaniola†¦ the cock flight is designed to pit equal combatants against each other, and among humans equality is in short supply on Hispaniola. Perhaps this explains why the victorious cock brings glory to his owner yet the victors in the human competition have hardly been inspiring. Kirkus Reviews (January, 1999) There are lots of situations in history when people of power try to use others to fight for the interests which they represent and use them as marionettes or as fighting cocks. We often become witnesses of historical events in which politicians were using ordinary people to fight for their ideals. The idea of the fighting cock is clear to everybody- in a general sense it’s a bird which fights in the arena for the amusement of its owner and as long as the cock wins, it remains alive. Whenever it loses, it gets cooked for the next dinner. Of course, the idea of the fighting cocks in the novel has an allegoric sense but it is hard to imagine any other word which would describe the events going on in the history depicted in the novel with a different term. In order to give a full review of the novel, we are going at first to focus on the main points which it covers, i. e. on the historical period which is depicted in the novel. The main goal of our research is to show how events were going in the period of history which we are analyzing, what contribution Michele Wucker has made to the analysis of the events and what made her work outstanding. We are also going to investigate who were the allegoric fighting cocks in the novel and their owners and how they were trying to achieve their goals by using the fighting cocks. In Michele Wucker’s novel Why the Cocks Fight- Dominicans, Haitians, and the struggle for Hispaniola, a complex exploration of the cultural divide between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is given and the novel focuses on the 1937 massacre which is the central movement in Hispaniola’s history. It appears impossible to understand the essence of the novel without knowing some information about the island Hispaniola which serves as the arena for the fighting cocks in the novel. Investigations show that Hispaniola rises out of the Caribbean between Cuba and Puerto Rico and nowadays still remains a mystery to most North Americans. During the conquest, France and Spain tore the island apart and thus considered themselves a general owner of the island. In a while, the conquerors found themselves no match for the Africans they brought there to work and die in the sugarcane fields. The Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic has diverged considerably from its French-speaking island neighbor but the two nations share more than a porous common border. In order to give a full idea of the differences between those nations, we can give the following information: while in the recent years the Dominican Republic has become a state which a GNP growing faster than GNP of any other Latin country, Haiti remains the poorest country in the Americas. Wucker’s novel focuses on the often tortured relationship between Haitians and Dominicans. They are the cocks which were mentioned in the title of the novel. Those cocks are fighting for territory and power in a cockpit of an island and the stakes are cultural and psychological, sometimes even matters of life and death, in a fight which has been going on for centuries and which brought lots of sorrows to the nations, like any fight. Even though the nations are sharing the same island, they have completely different cultures and thus share different ideals. One nation is French-speaking and black, another one is Spanish-speaking and mulatto. Just as the owners of the fighting cocks contrive battles between the birds, the leaders of Dominican Republic and Haiti often stir up nationalist disputes and exaggerate their cultural difference as a way of deflecting other kinds of turmoil. Even though ordinary people would probably not want to participate in the struggles from their own will and desire, the leaders do their best to force their people to realize that they need to fight for right to rule. The phenomena of Michele Wucker’s book is that the author weavers together the histories and current plights of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It is not an easy task to depict both historical facts and also the realities of modern times but Michele Wucker has done a very successful job on that. The author unveils the seemingly chaotic yet ritualistic world of Dominicans and Haitians and in her novel moves back and forth from the time of Columbus to the 20th century and through the intervening years to emphasize recurring themes rather than a linear story.

Board of Directors, Linear Technologies Essay Example for Free

Board of Directors, Linear Technologies Essay Based on the financials to date and the forward looking capital investments required Linear should increase their dividend payout by $0.01 per share. Entering the fourth quarter of 2003 the market seems to show continued signs of improvement. The company has shown steady growth and revenues are forecasted to exceed 2002’s by 19%. The forecast shows net income coming in at $222.7m; a robust 12% increase over last year. Linear has however increased its cash holdings to be in excess of $1.5b through various management initiatives. However this $1.5b has only shown investors a 4.25% growth which translates to $0.10 earnings per share pre-tax. This is in line with the company’s history of conservatism. Looking ahead the company does seem to have requirements to build a new fabrication facility as their facility is aging and is nearing its effective use in its life cycle and will cost around $200m. Linear seems to have enough cash on hand to be able to invest their cash without leveraging the company too much in the future. They have also not spent much on capital expenditures as a percentage of sales (2.2% in FY2002) this last year and should look to increase that in the future. By looking at the information above in the table we see that Linear has had a long history of paying a dividend and has ample resources to pay out dividends; Thus making them one of the highest in their industry as noted in the table below. The other options show extremes in the industry and prove to be too â€Å"far out there† in terms of this industry. Technology companies are known for investing their cash in RD as well and Linear needs to be aggressive in using its cash reserves in a higher and better use that will in turn show investors more returns as well as provide a health dividend amongst their peers. This is in line with what their investors have come to expect over the last 3 years and any significant adjustment now would not signal well in the markets. This increase would raise their dividend payouts to over $66m (a 22% increase from FY2002). History/Analysis of the Dividend Policy at Linear Linear management started issuing dividends when they were sure of the sustainable profitability and cash flow and understood that if they started a dividend that they would have to maintain this in the long run. They understood that investors don’t react well when a company stops paying a dividend. Hence starting small at and gradually increasing the dividends over time as seen in the chart below while the dividend yield took a large hit in 2000 and rebounded in 2002. (Starting at $0.00625 dividend per share in 1992 after they went public in 1986 to a high of $.05 per share today) The Primary reasons to start issuing the dividend highlighted by the management were – Company is financially well positioned with the sustained cash flow since IPO Show investors that Linear is a less risky investment (compared to other tech firms) Tap in the investors interested in income goals along with growth goals (more attractive than the low bank interest instruments) Management feels that increasing the dividend every year even during a tough economic time was good signaling. One thing to note is that Linear did not just limit itself to dividends but also leveraged the share buyback (based on the market conditions), as a vehicle to give cash back to the investors. In 2003, company has recovered ($198m net income) from the 2001 recessionary slump but still more than 50% below the peak in 2001 ($427m net income.) Moreover, sales and profit grew at 3% and 7% respectively are still far below 2001 levels. Dividend payouts make the stocks less volatile too. On the other hand, when a technology growth company start paying dividend it can be concluded that company believes that shareholders can make higher return by investing somewhere else. Porter’s 5 Forces to date: Dividend and buyback policies at Linear Overall Market: Big market scandals, Enron and World-Com were cooking the accounting books to show growth. Every year an investor can get the real money from the dividend (a bird in hand,) but stock growth is just on paper (two birds in the bush, considering the recent big accounting scandals). Even the Fortune article in 2002 suggested that going forward a growing share of investment returns will be from the dividend income. Simple Proposal: Raise by $0.01 The goal of payout policy is to ensure that funds are allocated optimally across firms and their investors. Having said that, several facts speak in favor of raising Linear’s dividend by one cent and not swinging the pendulum in one direction or the other. Excess cash-to-operations approach for 2003 (first three quarters): Dividends paid: $47 million Operating Cash Flow: $180.1 million with the majority of cash going towards stock repurchases. ($165.7 million) while $13.2 million ended up on the firm’s balance sheet. With 312.4million shares outstanding, Linear’s additional expenditures with a $0.06 dividend would be $3.1million per quarter or $12.5million annually. Given the corporation’s financial situation, this is perfectly feasible as seen in the chart below. This would slightly change the dividend yield as seen in the charts below. The company has a very strong cash balance of over $1.5 billion in which to strategically invest In view of the upcoming changes in tax law, raising dividends enjoys support from major shareholders It could potentially help attract additional investors, such as mutual funds and European investment firms It would be consistent with the firm’s dividend payout history; the dividends have been increasing by one cent every year since 1999 The company is not planning any major acquisition for which cash would be required Middle-ground proposal: Send 1/3 FCF to Dividends, 1/3 FCF to buybacks An option to balance the historical and the path forward for dividend pay would be to adopt the idea of paying one third of their earnings per Blaine Rollins, leader portfolio manager of Janus Fund. â€Å"For companies with strong excess cash flow such as Linear, I would suggest saving a third of the cash for a ‘rainy day’ and sharing the other two-thirds with investors, split equally between dividends and buybacks.† Here’s the historical data of the actual paid and the percentage of their excess cash flow: If we follow the advice from Rollins, here’s the middle ground proposal allocating 1/3 of excess cash flow towards dividends. Assuming the Q4 will be similar to the first 3 quarters in 2003, we can estimate that the net income to be $227.5M and FCFE to be $240M. By taking 1/3, we can recommend dividend for 2003E (estimate) would be $80M. The dividend yield would increase slightly from .4% to .6% a well in the charts above. Economy Due to the recession in 2001, the overall economy is not growing strong but there’s no clear sign of a major decline. SP500 has remained steady over the past few years and with a favorable tax plan, it a signal to the investors that Linear remains a great investment opportunity when people are generally trying to hold on to their cash. Industry Although this is still higher than the industry standard, Linear has maintained a strong cash balance and by rewarding the investors, with a high dividend, it would signal strong growth and attract future investors looking for steady income revenue. This would also be a point of differentiation amongst its competitors and allow Linear to stand out amongst the crowd. However, a concern is a potential message that there is no future growth RD/projects in the pipeline. Linear’s current circumstance: Linear is in a strong financial position to pay aggressive dividends and there’s no apparent risk in increasing dividends to the company. However, some factors to consider are potentially missing out on capital growth investments and executive pay restrictions. Radical Proposal: Distribute All Cash A radical proposal for Linear Technology would be to distribute all of their cash. Taking this to the extreme, it would include the $1.5 billion cash balance they currently have as well as paying all of their cash flow for each of the subsequent years. The $1.5 billion they have on hand would provide a dividend of approximately $5.00 per share. This would represent a dividend yield of 16.2%. If they chose to continue this policy on a going forward basis it would provide a very volatile dividend. Looking at the past ten years of data, this strategy would give investors a dividend between $0.13 and $1.34 per share. Economy The economy still hasn’t rebounded from the recession of 2001. Although Linear Technologies had never had a year with negative cash flow, there was significant uncertainty in the market and by distributing all of their cash they would be in a position where they could not make a mistake if it fell further. Industry This would imply to investors that they do not have growth opportunities that would provide investors attractive returns. Investors prefer to have a predictable dividend, by doing this they would create uncertainty in their dividend policy in the future. Even if they decided not to payout all of their cash every year, by doing it one year they risk setting a precedent that if cash gets to $1.5 billion it will be used for a dividend. This would provide a dividend yield to investors of 16.2%. This is significantly higher than the 0.3% average for the Information Technology sector as a whole. Moreover, if they continued this policy moving forward they would continue to distinguish themselves from the other tech firms by having a much higher dividend yield. Linear’s current circumstance: They run the risk of missing out on opportunities for acquisitions or investment in their existing business. Even if they didn’t see opportunities at the current time, starting the year with a zero cash balance would greatly diminish their ability to finance any expansions or acquisitions. They would be forced to finance those opportunities through debt or raising new equity.

Evaluation Of Indonesias Market Export Of Sabah Tea Marketing Essay

Evaluation Of Indonesias Market Export Of Sabah Tea Marketing Essay 1.1 An overview of Malaysia and Indonesia Malaysia is a nation that situated in central of South-East Asia, bordering Thailand in the north with Singapore to the south and Indonesia to the south and west. The capital of Malaysia is Kuala Lumpur. The nation also includes Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo to the east. Sarawak has an alluvial soil and swampy coastal plains with rivers penetrating the jungle-covered hills and mountains of the interior. This enriches the nation with great agricultural strength. Most of the area in Malaysia is covered by forest, with a mountain range running the length of the peninsula. Extensive forests provide ebony, sandalwood, teak and other wood. The nation is among of the worlds largest producers of computer disk drives, palm oil, rubber and timber. Nevertheless, it has a state controlled car maker, Proton and tourism has considerable room for expansion. Major agricultural products are rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice, coconuts, timber, and pepper. Major trading partners of Malaysia are Singapore, China, Japan, Thailand Hong Kong and Indonesia. (CIA The World Factbook, 6 April 2011) The official language of Malaysia is Malay language (Bahasa Melayu) and population of 28 million over, 43th rank of populous in the world. There are three main ethnics groups in Malaysia, the Malays 60%, the Chinese 26% and Indians and the indigenous make up the rest. (BBC NEWS, 9 March 2011) The climate in Malaysia is tropical with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. The temperature ranges between (89-72 degrees F). There are two seasons as well as Indonesia, the rainy monsoon and dry season. (World Travel Guide, n.d) Indonesia is a nation of islands consisting of 17,508 islands in the South East Asian Archipelago. The capital of Indonesia is Jakarta. Indonesia is known as the worlds largest archipelagic nation. With a population of 200 million over and it is the worlds most populous country. This strategic location has a significant influence towards its Culture, Social, Politics and Economy. Major agricultural products include palm oil, rice, tea, coffee, spices and rubber. Some big industries in Indonesia are petroleum and natural gas, textiles, apparel and mining. Indonesias major trading partners are Japan, the United States, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia. (PT Jakarta Setiabudi Internasional TBK, n.d) Indonesias population can be roughly divided into two groups, the west of the country is mostly occupied by Malay people, while the east is more Pacific. The official language of Indonesia is Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) and about 88% of the population is Muslim. An extimated of 10% of Chri stian and approximately 2% is Hindu and Buddhist. The climate in Indonesia is mostly equatorial. The temperature ranges between 16-35 degrees Celsius (61-91 degrees F) with humidity ranging from 60- 90 percent. There are two seasons which are the rainy monsoon season (November through May), followed by the dry season (June through October). (World Travel Guide, n.d) 1.1 History of Sabah Tea Sabah tea plantation is the first that nestled into the tropical wilderness of Malaysias first ever World Heritage Site, Mount Kinabalu, and a 6,200 acre (2,509 hectares) land at 2,272 feet above the sea level. It is surrounded by the worlds oldest rainforest of about 130 million years. Sabah Tea plantation is the largest single commercial tea plantation in Borneo with approximated area of 1,000 acres endowed with Camellia Sinensis, (an interesting plant and agriculture resources). 3 In 1976, the state government of Sabah had decided to alienate a total of 6,200 acres of land in Kampung Nalapak to Koperasi Desa (KPD). Then, Sabah Tea Sdn Bhd was then incorporated on April 26, 1978 as a subsididary of KPD to operate and manage the tea plantation. The Honorable Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohammad officially opened the Sabah Tea Plantation on February 19, 1984. (Sabah Tea, n.d) Sabah Tea Sdn Bhd is now a member of Yee Lee Corporation bhd. Sabah Tea Sdn Bhd sold its entire shares to Yee Lee Corporation Bhd in the year 1997. Yee Lee Corporation is a well diversified company with active subsidiaries covering manufacturing, distributing and selling a wide array of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) in both locally and Internationally. 1.2 Corporate Information Sabah Tea Plantation is an organic tea plantation in Ranau, Sabah and it is known for its 100% organic tea. On the production of its tea, Sabah Tea Garden is the sole producer of organic tea in Borneo. The company has exports 15% of its products throughout Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Britain and Singapore and 85% are the remaining for domestic consumption. Sabah Tea sdn bhds export has contributed about 10% to the companys income. Sabah tea has also expanded to become a popular holiday destination for both the locals and the foreign tourists around the world, while remaining to produce tea. Sabah tea Garden is the destination which is located in one of the oldest rainforests in the world, Mount Kinabalu. The Sabah Tea Garden has an area of 6,200 acre (2,509 hectares) and a total area of 485.6 hectares (1,200 acres) are been use for cultivation of tea and tourism activities while the rest remains a tropical forest rich with flora and fauna. 4 During the year under review, a drop of 2.4% of tourism in Sabah Tea Garden as compared to the previous year( 2008). The number of local visitors arrived to Sabah has an increased of 5.3% but a tremendous declined in International Visitors, 19.8%. However, this did not stop Sabah Tea Sdn Bhd from achieving 12.3% (RM0.73 million) of sales growth in 2008 to RM0.82 million in 2009. Sabah Tea is upgrading its facilities as well as creating more tourists to come, plus with aggressive marketing strategies, Sabah Tea is confident to increase in tourists. Nevertheless, the impact of the global financial crisis in 2008 flawed into 2009. As a result of the weak market demand, the revenue of Sabah Tea has dropped to 8.3%, from RM76.07 million, 2008 to Rm69.79 million, 2009. Various solutions were been taken to improve on the delivery efficiency, store coverage and working capital management to boast sales and profitability. This in the end has maintained its profitability. (Yee Lee Corporation 2009 annual report) 2.0 Environmental Analysis 2.1 Political and Legal factors Indonesia was a country that was being governed by Dutch, so the Indonesians legal system is closely related to the Dutchs systems. Indonesias new bankruptcy, capital market and company laws are now based on international best practice where initiatives aim to provide greater certainty to creditors and investors across the Indonesian corporate sector are implemented by the government. It is crucial for foreign investor to understand the importance of legal system of Indonesia as it plays an important role that may influences the business. Political change and reform did bring impact to Indonesia economy status. Indonesias president has stress on strong political will to reduce corruption, which is the key to solve Indonesias economic problems. 5 This will lead to newly strengthened independent auditors and greater central bank independence that could enhance the effectiveness of policy implementation and governance efficiency. (Perkins, 2000). Regarding the laws of share ownership, Indonesia Government Regulation No.20/1994, Article 6, the Indonesian partners shares shall be at least five percent (5%) of the total paid- up capital of the company upon its establishment, with that the company is not required to divest its shares to Indonesian parties within 15 years and this is also an advantage upon forming of Joint Ventures. This is a great advantage that Sabah Tea can consider in joining venture with other company, like for example BOH Tea and Kurnia Tea (Indonesias Tea Manufacturer) example, they had joint venture together. In this case, Kurnia Teas shares will stand approximately 50% of the total paid-up capital upon mutual agreement between both parties when establishing BKI (BOH and Kurnia Tea) for tea business. According to the legal system of Indonesia, company (in this case Sabah Tea) must submit a proof that they have paid the issued capital, if Sabah Tea would consider about joint venture with other tea company in Indonesia. Also, the funds being transferred have to be reported to the Indonesias Government. They have the right to draw taxes of 20% or royalties from the business since foreign direct investment companies must pay corporate income tax based upon Indonesian source revenues. (Introduction to the Indonesian Tax System) There are employment rules to oblige to as well according to the Employment act of Indonesia. Indonesia has one of the largest labour forces in the world which make it stand on 5th  rank. So, to protect the labour rights the government has made a law called Labour lawsArticle 28D (2). According to this law 7-hour workdays and 40-hour workweeks, with one 30-minute rest period 6 for each 4 hours of work is legal in Indonesia. One day of rest weekly also mandatory in Indonesia. In April 1992, the Government of Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Labour Organization under the International Program for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) where the minimum working age is 14 years. (Labour Social Protection in Indonesia, 2009). Principally, labor matters in Indonesia are regulated by some laws and regulations as below: Law Number 13 of 2003 concerning Manpower This law concerns on Manpower and includes matters of employees minimum wage, working hours, training programs, benefits and allowances. Law Number 21 of 2000 concerning Labor Unions Labor Union is formed if there are ten or more employees in a company joined the union. Besides, BKI has to ensure that their employee is joining the right Labor Union and cooperate with the respective Union to prevent the occurrence of disputes between the company with union. (Budiardjo et al., 2005) Law Number 1 of 1970 concerning Work Safety Work Safety concerns on workplace safety and the benefits or compensation due when an employee is injured while on duty. It is important for SKI to ensure the workplace safety of the company especially the company plantation and manufacturing workplace. Inspection on workplace safety has to be carried out for every certain period to ensure the workplace is safe and every employee is following the workplace rules and regulations. (Budiardjo et al., 2005) 7 Law Number 3 of 1992 concerning Worker Social Security In Indonesia, an employer with 10 employees or more or having a payroll of at least one million rupiah a month is obligated to ensure his or her employees are joining the Social Security for Manpower (Jaminan Sosial Tenaga Kerja), Jamsostek program that consists of employees occupational accident security, death coverage, old age security, and health maintenance security. 5. Law Number 11 of 1992 concerning Pension Funds. A company in Indonesia can provide a pension scheme for its employees by way of pension fund set up and controlled by the Employer, which also known as Employers Pension Fund. Besides, there is law concerning human rights which is Legislation Number 39 Of 1999 Concerning Human Rights Section Seven, Right to Welfare. Both men and women who works has the right for pay equilibrium to work, fair and adequate remuneration. In this case, Indonesia will exercise no discrimination among male or female who will performing equal workload and paid according to their job scope and provide adequate rewards and compensations for the entire employees to ensure it is sufficient for both own and family expenses. (Muladi, 1999) 2.2 Economical factor Indonesia is considered as a developing country. Developing country is a term generally used to describe a nation with a lower level of income. With the Government Policies and Treasure of National Resources, Indonesia GDP has been growing and increasing rapidly from last few years. Indonesia spends GDP of 23.5% to develop their nation. According to the last budget 8 announcement, Indonesia had revenues of $92.62 billion and expenditures of $98,88 billion in year 2008. It has been 23rd rank in Oil production and 8th position in natural gas production and export as well. (The World Bank, 2008) GDP:   Indonesia has made significant economic advances through last years. Indonesias debt-to- GDP ratio in recent years has declined because of increasingly robust GDP growth which was6.1% ($915.9 billion) in 2008 compare to 5.5% ($811.1 billion) in 2006 and compression to the world. They are on the 54th  position in GDP growth. Indonesias main GDP earning comes from Industry, 48.1%, service sector, 37.5% and lastly, 14.4% of GDP earning from agriculture. (The World Bank, 2009). Inflation rates: One of the major reasons of Indonesias economic downturn is the inflation rate. Inflation rate is still major but it has come down after a high of 20.7% in 1999. It was 9.9% in 2008 compare to 6.3% in 2006. (CIA, the world factbook, n.d) Import: Indonesias import and export trade are rapidly increasing every year. In 2008, the total import was $ 1 25 billion compare to 85.26 billion in 2007. The major import for Indonesia are chemicals, fuels, machinery and equipment. Import partners are Singapore 16.9%, China 11.8%, Japan 11.7%, Malaysia 6.9%, US 6.1%,South Korea 5.4%, Thailand 4.9% (2008). (CIA, the world factbook, n.d) 9 Export: In the same way due to economic growth improvement in productivity, government policies, export is also increasing rapidly. It was $93.3 billion in 2008 compare to $83 billion in2007. The major export are oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, and textiles. The major export partner of countries are Japan 20.2%, US 9.5%, Singapore 9.4%, China8.5%, South Korea 6.7%, India 5.2%, Malaysia 4.7%. (CIA, the world factbook, n.d) 2.3 Social Factors Indonesia is one of the large population nations in the world. It has a total of 240,271,522 populations and it is the 5th largest population all around the world. As we all know, Indonesia is a multi culture and multi ethnic country with different religious view. The majority of the religion in Indonesia is Muslim, as much as 86.1%. Protestants, 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3% and lastly, Hindu 1.8%. According to the (CIA, the world factbook, n.d), the age structure of Indonesia is as follow: Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 34,337,341/female 33,162,207) 15-64 years: 66% (male 79,549,569/female 78,918,321) 65 years and over: 6% (male 6,335,208/female 7,968,876) Education:  If a country has good literacy rate then it has bright future. Same thing apply on Indonesia. 90.4% of its populations are literate in which male are 94% and female are 86.8%. 3.6% of their GDP is spent on education. Besides, Indonesia is also a collectivist society. It places higher importance on group than the 10 individual. The Indonesian counterparts will always place family and community concerns over that of the business or individuals. Other than that, a businesss welfare is important in Indonesians culture, so a business must demonstrate its contributions to the community to ensure the protection gained from the community to protect the business (Foss, 2009). A business that fulfills the obligation towards the living and community gets to enjoy few advantages. The advantages will be quicker bureaucratic processes such as obtaining a permit, resolving disputes through the musyawarah (an important process to solve conflict that involves all concerned parties with policeman intervention and the results are based on community consensus) and acts as surveillance of crime and information sharing (Perkins, 2000). Whats more, Sabah Tea can be used as beverages to create a family spirit in a working environment or even create a relaxing environment when families chill at home on a family day to spend some time together. Sabah tea can also always group employees in a company as a team as they bond through the tea sessions during work and this best fit a company when bonded employees comes together to operates the company together as one. 2.4 Environmental Factors Indonesia is an archipelagic island country in Southeast Asia, lying between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It is in a strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean. The countrys variations in culture have been shaped, although not specifically determined by centuries of complex interactions with the physical environment. Although Indonesians are now less vulnerable to the effects of nature as a result of improved technology and social programs, to some extent their social diversity has emerged from 11 traditionally different patterns of adjustment to their physical circumstances the geographical resources of the Indonesian archipelago have been exploited in ways that fall into consistent social and historical patterns. Nevertheless, the weather in Indonesia is hot and humid. The landscape ranges from rainforests and steaming mangrove swamps to arid plains and snowcapped mountains. Also, Indonesias climate is almost entirely tropical. The uniformly warm waters that make up 81  % of Indonesias area ensure that temperatures on land remain fairly constant, with the coastal plains averaging 28 °C, the inland and mountain areas averaging 26  °C, and the higher mountain regions, 23  °C. Temperature varies little from season to season, and Indonesia experiences relatively little change in the length of daylight hours from one season to the next; the difference between the longest day and the shortest day of the year is only forty-eight minutes. This allows crops to be grown all ye ar round. (CIA, the world factbook, n.d), One of the most important factors is the natural or environmental disaster. Because of its geographic location, Indonesia has faced many natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunami, for example in December 26, 2004, Indonesia has an earthquake of 9.0 magnitudes which as a result caused a tsunami in the Indian Ocean. These natural disasters had caused 155,000 people died. Nevertheless, deforestation, soil erosion and massive forest fires were quite a hit in Indonesia. In1983, a 3 million Ha (hectares) worth of US$ 10 Billion were destroyed in a fire and was caused due to piles of dead wood left behind by the timber industry. In the mid 1980s, Indonesia was rated as the highest deforestation in Southeast Asia. 12 3.0 Product Description 3.1 Sabah Teas Product Description Sabah Tea is produces in Mount Kinabalu, Ranau in Sabah. The location of cool hills of Ranau has bring advantages to Sabah tea. According to Sabah Teas tea plantation, Sabahs tea are been carefully harvest and are 100% free of pesticide which leave the tea untouched and pure. Sabah Teas POP (Point of Purchase) is that the tea is protect to ensure its quality of origin and unlike other tea companies, the leaves are pure and that is free from any substances of chemicals. Due to its location, the tea has preserved it natural flavor without any added colorings. Nevertheless, Sabah Tea has also has an interesting plant added in to their teas, which is Camellia Sinensis, whereby not many organic tea plantations are able to have. Sabah Teas plantation has also been certified for organic production by SKAL Internation B.V of the Netherlands, an internationally recognized organization that performs inspections and grants certification for organic production. (Trademall, Malaysias Leading Trade Portal, n.d). Tea lovers are able to enjoy pure and Borneo rainforest organic tea and Health researchers have even analyze that the Sabah Tea has the effect of lowering the risk of heart attack, lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and promote circulation of blood as well. 13 4.0 Conclusion 4.1 Evaluation and Analysis of Indonesia According to the above environmental analysis, Indonesia is a great market to invest in Tea, Sabah Tea. One of the reasons is that Indonesias GDP growth has steadily risen, achieving real growth of 6.3% in 2007 and 6.1% growth in 2008. Although growth slowed to 4.5% in 2009 given reduced global demand, Indonesia was the third-fastest growing G-20 member, trailing only China and India. Growth has rebounded in 2010, with the forecast for growth of 6.0%. Nevertheless, Indonesias GDP earnings for agriculture has the 3rd highest earnings for Indonesia as stated by (The World Bank, 2009) as high as 14.4% of GDP, as follow by Industry, 48.1% and service sector, 37.5%. Poverty and unemployment have also declined despite the global financial crisis, with the poverty rate falling to 13.3% (March 2010) from 14.2% a year earlier and the unemployment rate falling to 7.4% (February 2010) from 7.87% (August 2009). This has a great effect on Sabah Tea, that the buying power of Indonesias customers or potential customers increased. Poverty rate decreased and GDP of Indonesias earning also comes from agriculture, Indonesia is no doubt a place to invest Sabah Tea. Although the competition in Indonesia is no question is high, Sabah Tea can take into consideration on joining venture with one of the Indonesias tea manufacturer, as what BOH tea has did, joining venture with Kurnia Tea (Indonesias tea company) to form BKI, BOH and Kurnia tea Industry. Indonesias overall macroeconomic picture has also stable. By 2004, real GDP per capita returned to pre-financial crisis levels and income levels are rising. In 2009, domestic 14 consumption continued to account for the largest portion of GDP, at 58.6%, followed by investment at 31.0%, government consumption at 9.6%, and net exports at 2.8%%. Investment realization had climbed in each of the past several years, until the global slowdown in 2009. It is again rebounding in 2010. (TDS, n.d). In the social factors, Indonesias culture and Malaysias culture have no much difference in terms of religions, demographic and geographical factors. To succeed in Indonesia, the first thing to achieve is to establish a face to face relationship, preferably with a person of similar age and status quote from (Perkins, 2000). This has not a problem as the religion in Malaysia is similar as well, Malaysia is able to send a mediator or translator. This is because Indonesians communicates in English or Bahasa Indonesian and Malaysia is able to present a well communicable Malay as a mediator, so that a message is transmitted clearly to every business partners or employees of the company. Also, a business that fulfills the obligation towards the living and community gets to enjoy few advantages. The advantages will be quicker bureaucratic processes such as obtaining a permit, resolving disputes through the musyawarah (an important process to solve conflict that involves all concerned parties . Environment of Indonesia has a slight difference compare to Malaysia, but overall, Indonesias climate and environment is a suitable place for growing teas and people tend to enjoy a warm cup of tea. The weather in Indonesia is hot and humid. The landscape ranges from rainforests and steaming mangrove swamps to arid plains and snowcapped mountains. Also, Indonesias climate is almost entirely tropical. The uniformly warm waters that make up 81  % of Indonesias area ensure that temperatures on land remain fairly constant. This allows crops to be grown all year 15 round. (CIA, the world factbook, n.d). Sabah Tea can even consider on start a tea plantation to avoid International trades limitation and policies imposed by Indonesias Government. 16 Executive Summary This report determines to evaluate the Indonesias market for export of Sabah Tea, Sabah Tea Sdn Bhd. It intends to determine the effective of market as a potential market for investing and exporting Sabah Tea over to Indonesia through the Environmental Analysis, which includes, Political and Legal, Economic, Social, and Environmental. The environmental analysis of Indonesia, shows that Political and Legal, Economic, Social and Environmental have great opportunities for Sabah Tea to invest and export to Indonesia: One, the economics of Indonesia has showed that Agriculture of Indonesia as the 3rd highest GDP earning. Secondly, Cultural factors have also showed that Indonesia and Malaysias cultural background is quite similar and they shared similarities. A business that fulfills the obligation towards the living and community gets to enjoy few advantages. The advantages will be quicker bureaucratic processes such as obtaining a permit, resolving disputes through the musyawarah (an imp ortant process to solve conflict that involves all concerned parties. Lastly, environment of Indonesia has not many differences as it is a suitable place for crops to grow. It is recommended that Indonesia is a potential market to invest and export over to.

Stress Essay -- essays research papers fc

Stress (spring 1997) At one time or another, most people experience stress. The term stress has been used to describe a variety of negative feelings and reactions that accompany threatening or challenging situations. However, not all stress reactions are negative. A certain amount of stress is actually necessary for survival. For example, birth is one of the most stressful experiences of life. The high level of hormones released during birth, which are also involved in the stress response, are believed to prepare the newborn infant for adaptation to the challenges of life outside the womb. These biological responses to stress make the newborn more alert promoting the bonding process and, by extension, the child's physical survival. The stress reaction maximizes the expenditure of energy which helps prepare the body to meet a threatening or challenging situation and the individual tends to mobilize a great deal of effort in order to deal with the event. Both the sympathetic/adrenal and pituitary/adrenal s ystems become activated in response to stress. The sympathetic system is a fast-acting system that allows us to respond to the immediate demands of the situation by activating and increasing arousal. The pituitary/adrenal system is slower-acting and prolongs the aroused state. However, while a certain amount of stress is necessary for survival, prolonged stress can affect health adversely (Bernard & Krupat, 1994). Stress has generally been viewed as a set of neurological and physiological reactions that serves an adaptive function (Franken, 1994). Traditionally, stress research has been oriented toward studies involving the body's reaction to stress and the cognitive processes that influence the perception of stress. However, social perspectives of the stress response have noted that different people experiencing similar life conditions are not necessarily affected in the same manner (Pearlin, 1982). Research into the societal and cultural influences of stress may make it necessary to re-examine how stress is defined and studied. There are a number of definitions of stress as well as number of events that can lead to the experience of stress. People say they are stressed when they take an examination, when having to deal with a frustrating work situation, or when experiencing relationship difficulties. Stressful situations can be viewed as harmfu... ...; M. Lewis, eds. Perspectives in Interactional Psychology. New York: Plenum. Mandler, G. (1982). Stress and Though Processes. In L. Goldberger and S. Breznitz, eds. Handbook of Stress: Theoretical and Clinical Aspects. New York: The Free Press. Merton, R.K. (1957). Social structure and anomie. In R. K. Merton, ed. Social Theory and Social Structure, 2nd ed. New York: Free Press. Pearlin, L. I. (1982). The social contexts of stress. In L. Goldberger and S. Breznitz, eds. Handbook of Stress: Theoretical and Clinical Aspects. New York: The Free Press. Selye, H. (1956). The Stress of Life. New York: McGraw-Hill. Selye, H. (1976). Stress in health and disease. Reading, MA: Butterworth. Selye, H. (1982). History and present status of the stress concept. In L. Goldberger and S. Breznitz, eds. Handbook of Stress: Theoretical and Clinical Aspects. New York: The Free Press. Selye, H. (1985). History and present status of the stress concept. In A. Monat & R.S. Lazarus, eds. Stress and Coping, 2nd ed. New York: Columbia University. Zakowski, S., Hall, M.H. & Baum, A. (1992). Stress, stress management, and the immune system. Applied and Preventative Psychology, 1:1-13.

Trying Martial Arts :: essays research papers

Trying Martial Arts   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Martial Arts are not a good thing to know. It gives you a false sense of superiority. Which makes you more aggressive than you would be normally would be. With this aggression you would most likely go out and start fights. You would always be mad and want to hurt something. Martial Arts are not a good thing to know.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  On the contrary, in martial arts you are taught to control your anger. You are taught not to let your feelings interfere with your skills.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Martial arts encourage violence. It allows people the opportunity to pick on other people who don’t know the art. It gives the one who knows it an upper hand against everybody else. If the wrong people learn this art we could all be in trouble. They would go around terrorizing everything and body.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first thing you are taught in whatever art you take is that you should never use what you know unless you have no choice. In this art there is no such thing as the wrong kind of person, all people with enough training are able to know right from wrong. It helps define lines between authority figures and citizens. It also teaches you to respect you r parents and elders more.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  You are more likely to hurt someone if you are trained in an art. When you get in a fight you are going to either seriously injure the other person or even kill them. Knowing these types of arts is something that should have been lost in is history, it has no place in today’s society. It only causes problems and teaches us to hurt each other. Martial Arts shouldn’t be considered self-defense but more like a weapon to kill.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Yes you are more likely to hurt someone if, and only if, you are provoked into a fight that is unavoidable. This is exactly why you are taught right from the beginning that you do not use it. But if it comes down to it you are trained to have self-control and to know how much force is necessary to talk the other person down.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Martial Arts teach people that fighting is the way to solve all problems. By giving the skill to fight to people they will think that they can win an argument buy fighting and not talking. It promotes people to hurt rather than heal and makes arguments a scary thing to have.

Compressor Stall :: Essays Papers

Compressor Stall Gas turbine engine performance is limited by aerodynamic instabilities called rotating stall and surge. Currently there are several control strategies for enhancing the operability boundary of laboratory compressors by actively controlling rotating stall and surge. Models which capture the qualitative behavior of the aerodynamic instabilities have been found to exhibit abundant dynamic behavior and to be useful for designing control laws. Operability boundary is defined as the operating point where steady axisymmetric flow is unstable and untolerable amount of rotating stall and surge is present in the system. Operability enhancement is defined as the gap between the operability boundary for the controlled system and that for the uncontrolled system. Operability enhancement is one of the main goals for active control of rotating stall and surge. Actuator limits and system noise are found to limit the operability enhancement. We are interested in two problems: Analysis problem: given a controller with actuator limits and certain noise level, find the operability enhancement; Synthesis problem: given a set of controllers with actuator limits and certain noise level, find one that maximize the operability enhancement. It turns out that the synthesis problem is a minimax problem. We try to answer the analysis problem and the synthesis problem by nonlinear reduction using bifurcation theory and invariant manifold theory. For stall control with bleed valve actuators, we have derived analytic formulas that agree qualitatively with the experimental results on a low speed rig. We have solved the synthesis problem for the case when surge inception is close to stall inception by normal form reduction for a low order compressor model. We are also interested in extending the above control problems to general dynamical systems. We think center manifold reduction and normal form reduction are potential tools.Gas turbine engine performance is limited by aerodynamic instabilities called rotating stall and surge.

Author/Mother Relationships Essay

It is very important to have a good relationship with at least one of your parents. You need to be able to share memories of your childhood with the people who raised you. I believe that sharing childhood stories with your parents gives you a connection to a relationship based on trust, emotion and sincerity. In Tony Ardizzone’s short story â€Å"My Mother’s Stories,† Tony tells the reader of his relationship with his mother while she is very sick in the hospital. Throughout the story Tony talks about childhood memories with his mother and he also describes the stories that she is telling to him. I think that through his memories and their stories together the reader is able to imagine and relate to the relationship between Tony and his mother, Mary. We first begin to see the feelings between the author and his mother at the end of the fourth paragraph of the story. Talking about his mother’s stories, he says â€Å"For now the sounds and pictures are my sounds and pictures. Her memory, my memory.† (Ardizzone, 117) You can tell from these sentences that Tony feels very connected to the memories that he shares with his mother. Throughout the story, his mother tells Tony stories about her wedding day, the births of all her children, and other stories from when they were younger. Tony also recalls several memories he has with his family and his mother. It seems like these are events that he remembers often but seems to recall more clearly now that it is nearing the end of his mother’s life. I think it means a lot that his mother felt like she should share these things with her children. It shows that Tony and his mother are very comfortable with each other. Towards the end of the story Tony describes a time from when he was younger. Mary protects her children from seeing a very sick dog get put down by a police officer. Tony says â€Å"We try to look out the windows too, but she pushes the five of us away. No, she says. I don’t want any of you to see this.† (Ardizzone, 125) She tries to protect Tony and his siblings from having to witness death: something terribly awful but of course, inevitable. I think that it is ironic that this is the last story that Tony imagines while his mother is in the hospital. It is ironic because in the story his mother is trying to shield him from seeing something die and sometime very soon Tony might have to see death take over his mother. He is not entirely sure how he would deal with this real fact. I think that this last story shows the reader that his mother really cared about her family and is protective. Since we get this feeling from â€Å"My Mother’s Stories† it shows us that Tony and his mother portrayed their relationship from their stories and memories. Tony and his mother share a relationship that is full of trust and emotions. The connection between the author and his mother is revealed to the reader or listener through the memorable events in their lives. These stories get brought to the surface of Tony’s memories at this point in his life because his mother is now very sick and is in the hospital. Recalling these precious memories can show people the type of relationship he shared with his mother and remind the audiences of the connections within their own families.

A Game of Thrones Chapter Twenty-seven

Eddard It's the hand's tourney that's the cause of all the trouble, my lords,† the commander of the city watch complained to the king's council. â€Å"The king's tourney,† Ned corrected, wincing. â€Å"I assure you, the Hand wants no part of it.† â€Å"Call it what you will, my lord. Knights have been arriving from all over the realm, and for every knight we get two freeriders, three craftsmen, six men-at-arms, a dozen merchants, two dozen whores, and more thieves than I dare guess. This cursed heat had half the city in a fever to start, and now with all these visitors . . . last night we had a drowning, a tavern riot, three knife fights, a rape, two fires, robberies beyond count, and a drunken horse race down the Street of the Sisters. The night before a woman's head was found in the Great Sept, floating in the rainbow pool. No one seems to know how it got there or who it belongs to.† â€Å"How dreadful,† Varys said with a shudder. Lord Renly Baratheon was less sympathetic. â€Å"If you cannot keep the king's peace, Janos, perhaps the City Watch should be commanded by someone who can.† Stout, jowly Janos Slynt puffed himself up like an angry frog, his bald pate reddening. â€Å"Aegon the Dragon himself could not keep the peace, Lord Renly. I need more men.† â€Å"How many?† Ned asked, leaning forward. As ever, Robert had not troubled himself to attend the council session, so it fell to his Hand to speak for him. â€Å"As many as can be gotten, Lord Hand.† â€Å"Hire fifty new men,† Ned told him. â€Å"Lord Baelish will see that you get the coin.† â€Å"I will?† Littlefinger said. â€Å"You will. You found forty thousand golden dragons for a champion's purse, surely you can scrape together a few coppers to keep the king's peace.† Ned turned back to Janos Slynt. â€Å"I will also give you twenty good swords from my own household guard, to serve with the Watch until the crowds have left.† â€Å"All thanks, Lord Hand,† Slynt said, bowing. â€Å"I promise you, they shall be put to good use.† When the Commander had taken his leave, Eddard Stark turned to the rest of the council. â€Å"The sooner this folly is done with, the better I shall like it.† As if the expense and trouble were not irksome enough, all and sundry insisted on salting Ned's wound by calling it â€Å"the Hand's tourney,† as if he were the cause of it. And Robert honestly seemed to think he should feel honored! â€Å"The realm prospers from such events, my lord,† Grand Maester Pycelle said. â€Å"They bring the great the chance of glory, and the lowly a respite from their woes.† â€Å"And put coins in many a pocket,† Littlefinger added. â€Å"Every inn in the city is full, and the whores are walking bowlegged and jingling with each step.† Lord Renly laughed. â€Å"We're fortunate my brother Stannis is not with us. Remember the time he proposed to outlaw brothels? The king asked him if perhaps he'd like to outlaw eating, shitting, and breathing while he was at it. If truth be told, I ofttimes wonder how Stannis ever got that ugly daughter of his. He goes to his marriage bed like a man marching to a battlefield, with a grim look in his eyes and a determination to do his duty.† Ned had not joined the laughter. â€Å"I wonder about your brother Stannis as well. I wonder when he intends to end his visit to Dragonstone and resume his seat on this council.† â€Å"No doubt as soon as we've scourged all those whores into the sea,† Littlefinger replied, provoking more laughter. â€Å"I have heard quite enough about whores for one day,† Ned said, rising. â€Å"Until the morrow.† Harwin had the door when Ned returned to the Tower of the Hand. â€Å"Summon Jory to my chambers and tell your father to saddle my horse,† Ned told him, too brusquely. â€Å"As you say, my lord.† The Red Keep and the â€Å"Hand's tourney† were chafing him raw, Ned reflected as he climbed. He yearned for the comfort of Catelyn's arms, for the sounds of Robb and Jon crossing swords in the practice yard, for the cool days and cold nights of the north. In his chambers he stripped off his council silks and sat for a moment with the book while he waited for Jory to arrive. The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms, With Descliptions of Many High Lords and Noble Ladies and Their Children, by Grand Maester Malleon. Pycelle had spoken truly; it made for ponderous reading. Yet Jon Arryn had asked for it, and Ned felt certain he had reasons. There was something here, some truth buried in these brittle yellow pages, if only he could see it. But what? The tome was over a century old. Scarcely a man now alive had yet been born when Malleon had compiled his dusty lists of weddings, births, and deaths. He opened to the section on House Lannister once more, and turned the pages slowly, hoping against hope that something would leap out at him. The Lannisters were an old family, tracing their descent back to Lann the Clever, a trickster from the Age of Heroes who was no doubt as legendary as Bran the Builder, though far more beloved of singers and taletellers. In the songs, Lann was the fellow who winkled the Casterlys out of Casterly Rock with no weapon but his wits, and stole gold from the sun to brighten his curly hair. Ned wished he were here now, to winkle the truth out of this damnable book. A sharp rap on the door heralded Jory Cassel. Ned closed Malleon's tome and bid him enter. â€Å"I've promised the City Watch twenty of my guard until the tourney is done,† he told him. â€Å"I rely on you to make the choice. Give Alyn the command, and make certain the men understand that they are needed to stop fights, not start them.† Rising, Ned opened a cedar chest and removed a light linen undertunic. â€Å"Did you find the stableboy?† â€Å"The watchman, my lord,† Jory said. â€Å"He vows he'll never touch another horse.† â€Å"What did he have to say?† â€Å"He claims he knew Lord Arryn well. Fast friends, they were.† Jory snorted. â€Å"The Hand always gave the lads a copper on their name days, he says. Had a way with horses. Never rode his mounts too hard, and brought them carrots and apples, so they were always pleased to see him.† â€Å"Carrots and apples,† Ned repeated. It sounded as if this boy would be even less use than the others. And he was the last of the four Littlefinger had turned up. Jory had spoken to each of them in turn. Ser Hugh had been brusque and uninformative, and arrogant as only a new-made knight can be. If the Hand wished to talk to him, he should be pleased to receive him, but he would not be questioned by a mere captain of guards . . . even if said captain was ten years older and a hundred times the swordsman. The serving girl had at least been pleasant. She said Lord Jon had been reading more than was good for him, that he was troubled and melancholy over his young son's frailty, and gruff with his lady wife. The potboy, now cordwainer, had never exchanged so much as a word with Lord Jon, but he was full of oddments of kitchen gossip: the lord had been quarreling with the king, the lord only picked at his food, the lord was sending his boy to be fostered on Dragonstone, the lord had taken a great interest in the breeding of hunting hounds, the lord had visited a master armorer to commission a new suit of plate, wrought all in pale silver with a blue jasper falcon and a mother-of-pearl moon on the breast. The king's own brother had gone with him to help choose the design, the potboy said. No, not Lord Renly, the other one, Lord Stannis. â€Å"Did our watchman recall anything else of note?† â€Å"The lad swears Lord Jon was as strong as a man half his age. Often went riding with Lord Stannis, he says.† Stannis again, Ned thought. He found that curious. Jon Arryn and he had been cordial, but never friendly. And while Robert had been riding north to Winterfell, Stannis had removed himself to Dragonstone, the Targaryen island fastness he had conquered in his brother's name. He had given no word as to when he might return. â€Å"Where did they go on these rides?† Ned asked. â€Å"The boy says that they visited a brothel.† â€Å"A brothel?† Ned said. â€Å"The Lord of the Eyrie and Hand of the King visited a brothel with Stannis Baratheon?† He shook his head, incredulous, wondering what Lord Renly would make of this tidbit. Robert's lusts were the subject of ribald drinking songs throughout the realm, but Stannis was a different sort of man; a bare year younger than the king, yet utterly unlike him, stern, humorless, unforgiving, grim in his sense of duty. â€Å"The boy insists it's true. The Hand took three guardsmen with him, and the boy says they were joking of it when he took their horses afterward.† â€Å"Which brothel?† Ned asked. â€Å"The boy did not know. The guards would.† â€Å"A pity Lysa carried them off to the Vale,† Ned said dryly. â€Å"The gods are doing their best to vex us. Lady Lysa, Maester Colemon, Lord Stannis . . . everyone who might actually know the truth of what happened to Jon Arryn is a thousand leagues away.† â€Å"Will you summon Lord Stannis back from Dragonstone?† â€Å"Not yet,† Ned said. â€Å"Not until I have a better notion of what this is all about and where he stands.† The matter nagged at him. Why did Stannis leave? Had he played some part in Jon Arryn's murder? Or was he afraid? Ned found it hard to imagine what could frighten Stannis Baratheon, who had once held Storm's End through a year of siege, surviving on rats and boot leather while the Lords Tyrell and Redwyne sat outside with their hosts, banqueting in sight of his walls. â€Å"Bring me my doublet, if you would. The grey, with the direwolf sigil. I want this armorer to know who I am. It might make him more forthcoming.† Jory went to the wardrobe. â€Å"Lord Renly is brother to Lord Stannis as well as the king.† â€Å"Yet it seems that he was not invited on these rides.† Ned was not sure what to make of Renly, with all his friendly ways and easy smiles. A few days past, he had taken Ned aside to show him an exquisite rose gold locklet. Inside was a miniature painted in the vivid Myrish style, of a lovely young girl with doe's eyes and a cascade of soft brown hair. Renly had seemed anxious to know if the girl reminded him of anyone, and when Ned had no answer but a shrug, he had seemed disappointed. The maid was Loras Tyrell's sister Margaery, he'd confessed, but there were those who said she looked like Lyanna. â€Å"No,† Ned had told him, bemused. Could it be that Lord Renly, who looked so like a young Robert, had conceived a passion for a girl he fancied to be a young Lyanna? That struck him as more than passing queer. Jory held out the doublet, and Ned slid his hands through the armholes. â€Å"Perhaps Lord Stannis will return for Robert's tourney,† he said as Jory laced the garment up the back. â€Å"That would be a stroke of fortune, my lord,† Jory said. Ned buckled on a longsword. â€Å"In other words, not bloody likely.† His smile was grim. Jory draped Ned's cloak across his shoulders and clasped it at the throat with the Hand's badge of office. â€Å"The armorer lives above his shop, in a large house at the top of the Street of Steel. Alyn knows the way, my lord.† Ned nodded. â€Å"The gods help this potboy if he's sent me off haring after shadows.† It was a slim enough staff to lean on, but the Jon Arryn that Ned Stark had known was not one to wear jeweled and silvered plate. Steel was steel; it was meant for protection, not ornament. He might have changed his views, to be sure. He would scarcely have been the first man who came to look on things differently after a few years at court . . . but the change was marked enough to make Ned wonder. â€Å"Is there any other service I might perform?† â€Å"I suppose you'd best begin visiting whorehouses.† â€Å"Hard duty, my lord.† Jory grinned. â€Å"The men will be glad to help. Porther has made a fair start already.† Ned's favorite horse was saddled and waiting in the yard. Varly and Jacks fell in beside him as he rode through the yard. Their steel caps and shirts of mail must have been sweltering, yet they said no word of complaint. As Lord Eddard passed beneath the King's Gate into the stink of the city, his grey and white cloak streaming from his shoulders, he saw eyes everywhere and kicked his mount into a trot. His guard followed. He looked behind him frequently as they made their way through the crowded city streets. Tomard and Desmond had left the castle early this morning to take up positions on the route they must take, and watch for anyone following them, but even so, Ned was uncertain. The shadow of the King's Spider and his little birds had him fretting like a maiden on her wedding night. The Street of Steel began at the market square beside the River Gate, as it was named on maps, or the Mud Gate, as it was commonly called. A mummer on stilts was striding through the throngs like some great insect, with a horde of barefoot children trailing behind him, hooting. Elsewhere, two ragged boys no older than Bran were dueling with sticks, to the loud encouragement of some and the furious curses of others. An old woman ended the contest by leaning out of her window and emptying a bucket of slops on the heads of the combatants. In the shadow of the wall, farmers stood beside their wagons, bellowing out, â€Å"Apples, the best apples, cheap at twice the price,† and â€Å"Blood melons, sweet as honey,† and â€Å"Turnips, onions, roots, here you go here, here you go, turnips, onions, roots, here you go here.† The Mud Gate was open, and a squad of City Watchmen stood under the portcullis in their golden cloaks, leaning on spears. When a column of riders appeared from the west, the guardsmen sprang into action, shouting commands and moving the carts and foot traffic aside to let the knight enter with his escort. The first rider through the gate carried a long black banner. The silk rippled in the wind like a living thing; across the fabric was blazoned a night sky slashed with purple lightning. â€Å"Make way for Lord Beric!† the rider shouted. â€Å"Make way for Lord Beric!† And close behind came the young lord himself, a dashing figure on a black courser, with red-gold hair and a black satin cloak dusted with stars. â€Å"Here to fight in the Hand's tourney, my lord?† a guardsman called out to him. â€Å"Here to win the Hand's tourney,† Lord Beric shouted back as the crowd cheered. Ned turned off the square where the Street of Steel began and followed its winding path up a long hill, past blacksmiths working at open forges, freeriders haggling over mail shirts, and grizzled ironmongers selling old blades and razors from their wagons. The farther they climbed, the larger the buildings grew. The man they wanted was all the way at the top of the hill, in a huge house of timber and plaster whose upper stories loomed over the narrow street. The double doors showed a hunting scene carved in ebony and weirwood. A pair of stone knights stood sentry at the entrance, armored in fanciful suits of polished red steel that transformed them into griffin and unicorn. Ned left his horse with Jacks and shouldered his way inside. The slim young serving girl took quick note of Ned's badge and the sigil on his doublet, and the master came hurrying out, all smiles and bows. â€Å"Wine for the King's Hand,† he told the girl, gesturing Ned to a couch. â€Å"I am Tobho Mott, my lord, please, please, put yourself at ease.† He wore a black velvet coat with hammers embroidered on the sleeves in silver thread, Around his neck was a heavy silver chain and a sapphire as large as a pigeon's egg. â€Å"If you are in need of new arms for the Hand's tourney, you have come to the right shop.† Ned did not bother to correct him. â€Å"My work is costly, and I make no apologies for that, my lord,† he said as he filled two matching silver goblets. â€Å"You will not find craftsmanship equal to mine anywhere in the Seven Kingdoms, I promise you. Visit every forge in King's Landing if you like, and compare for yourself. Any village smith can hammer out a shirt of mail; my work is art.† Ned sipped his wine and let the man go on. The Knight of Flowers bought all his armor here, Tobho boasted, and many high lords, the ones who knew fine steel, and even Lord Renly, the king's own brother. Perhaps the Hand had seen Lord Renly's new armor, the green plate with the golden antlers? No other armorer in the city could get that deep a green; he knew the secret of putting color in the steel itself, paint and enamel were the crutches of a journeyman. Or mayhaps the Hand wanted a blade? Tobho had learned to work Valyrian steel at the forges of Qohor as a boy. Only a man who knew the spells could take old weapons and forge them anew. â€Å"The direwolf is the sigil of House Stark, is it not? I could fashion a direwolf helm so real that children will run from you in the street,† he vowed. Ned smiled. â€Å"Did you make a falcon helm for Lord Arryn?† Tobho Mott paused a long moment and set aside his wine. â€Å"The Hand did call upon me, with Lord Stannis, the king's brother. I regret to say, they did not honor me with their patronage.† Ned looked at the man evenly, saying nothing, waiting. He had found over the years that silence sometimes yielded more than questions. And so it was this time. â€Å"They asked to see the boy,† the armorer said, â€Å"so I took them back to the forge.† â€Å"The boy,† Ned echoed. He had no notion who the boy might be. â€Å"I should like to see the boy as well.† Tobho Mott gave him a cool, careful look. â€Å"As you wish, my lord,† he said with no trace of his former friendliness. He led Ned out a rear door and across a narrow yard, back to the cavernous stone barn where the work was done. When the armorer opened the door, the blast of hot air that came through made Ned feel as though he were walking into a dragon's mouth. Inside, a forge blazed in each corner, and the air stank of smoke and sulfur. Journeymen armorers glanced up from their hammers and tongs just long enough to wipe the sweat from their brows, while bare-chested apprentice boys worked the bellows. The master called over a tall lad about Robb's age, his arms and chest corded with muscle. â€Å"This is Lord Stark, the new Hand of the King,† he told him as the boy looked at Ned through sullen blue eyes and pushed back sweat-soaked hair with his fingers. Thick hair, shaggy and unkempt and black as ink. The shadow of a new beard darkened his jaw. â€Å"This is Gendry. Strong for his age, and he works hard. Show the Hand that helmet you made, lad.† Almost shyly, the boy led them to his bench, and a steel helm shaped like a bull's head, with two great curving horns. Ned turned the helm over in his hands. It was raw steel, unpolished but expertly shaped. â€Å"This is fine work. I would be pleased if you would let me buy it.† The boy snatched it out of his hands. â€Å"It's not for sale.† Tobho Mott looked horror-struck. â€Å"Boy, this is the King's Hand. If his lordship wants this helm, make him a gift of it. He honors you by asking.† â€Å"I made it for me,† the boy said stubbornly. â€Å"A hundred pardons, my lord,† his master said hurriedly to Ned. â€Å"The boy is crude as new steel, and like new steel would profit from some beating. That helm is journeyman's work at best. Forgive him and I promise I will craft you a helm like none you have ever seen.† â€Å"He's done nothing that requires my forgiveness. Gendry, when Lord Arryn came to see you, what did you talk about?† â€Å"He asked me questions is all, m'lord.† â€Å"What sort of questions?† The boy shrugged. â€Å"How was I, and was I well treated, and if I liked the work, and stuff about my mother. Who she was and what she looked like and all.† â€Å"What did you tell him?† Ned asked. The boy shoved a fresh fall of black hair off his forehead. â€Å"She died when I was little. She had yellow hair, and sometimes she used to sing to me, I remember. She worked in an alehouse.† â€Å"Did Lord Stannis question you as well?† â€Å"The bald one? No, not him. He never said no word, just glared at me, like I was some raper who done for his daughter.† â€Å"Mind your filthy tongue,† the master said. â€Å"This is the King's own Hand.† The boy lowered his eyes. â€Å"A smart boy, but stubborn. That helm . . . the others call him bullheaded, so he threw it in their teeth.† Ned touched the boy's head, fingering the thick black hair. â€Å"Look at me, Gendry.† The apprentice lifted his face. Ned studied the shape of his jaw, the eyes like blue ice. Yes, he thought, I see it. â€Å"Go back to your work, lad. I'm sorry to have bothered you.† He walked back to the house with the master. â€Å"Who paid the boy's apprentice fee?† he asked lightly. Mott looked fretful. â€Å"You saw the boy. Such a strong boy. Those hands of his, those hands were made for hammers. He had such promise, I took him on without a fee.† â€Å"The truth now,† Ned urged. â€Å"The streets are full of strong boys. The day you take on an apprentice without a fee will be the day the Wall comes down. Who paid for him?† â€Å"A lord,† the master said reluctantly. â€Å"He gave no name, and wore no sigil on his coat. He paid in gold, twice the customary sum, and said he was paying once for the boy, and once for my silence.† â€Å"Describe him.† â€Å"He was stout, round of shoulder, not so tall as you. Brown beard, but there was a bit of red in it, I'll swear. He wore a rich cloak, that I do remember, heavy purple velvet worked with silver threads, but the hood shadowed his face and I never did see him clear.† He hesitated a moment. â€Å"My lord, I want no trouble.† â€Å"None of us wants trouble, but I fear these are troubled times, Master Mott,† Ned said. â€Å"You know who the boy is.† â€Å"I am only an armorer, my lord. I know what I'm told.† â€Å"You know who the boy is,† Ned repeated patiently. â€Å"That is not a question.† â€Å"The boy is my apprentice,† the master said. He looked Ned in the eye, stubborn as old iron. â€Å"Who he was before he came to me, that's none of my concern.† Ned nodded. He decided that he liked Tobho Mott, master armorer. â€Å"If the day ever comes when Gendry would rather wield a sword than forge one, send him to me. He has the look of a warrior. Until then, you have my thanks, Master Mott, and my promise. Should I ever want a helm to frighten children, this will be the first place I visit.† His guard was waiting outside with the horses. â€Å"Did you find anything, my lord?† Jacks asked as Ned mounted up. â€Å"I did,† Ned told him, wondering. What had Jon Arryn wanted with a king's bastard, and why was it worth his life?