Saturday, August 31, 2019
What is BigData?!How is it secure!!
Nowadays the volume of data and information has grown massively since the beginning of computer , so did the ways of processing and handling those on-growing data , the hardware software and so did the ability to keep those data secure has evolved as well , mobiles , social-media and all deferent types of data caused the data to grow even more and more !! the huge data volume has exceeded a single machine processing capacity and conventional competing mechanisms ! Which led to the use of parallel and distributed processing mechanisms but hence data are expected to increase even more ,the mechanisms and technique as well as hardware, software need to be improved . IntroductionSince the beginning of computers, the people had used landline phones but now they have smartphones. Apart from that, they are also using bulky desktops for processing data, they were using floppiest then hard disk and nowadays they are using cloud for storing data. Similarly, nowadays even self-driving cars have come up and it is one of the Internet of things (IOT) examples. We can notice due to this enhancement of technology we're generating a huge amount of data. Let's take the example of IOT, have imagined how much data is generated due to using the smart air conditioners, this device actually monitors the body temperature and the outside temperature and accordingly decides what should be the temperature of the room. So, we can actually, see that because of IOT we are generating a huge amount of data. Another example of smartphones, every action even one video or image that is sent through any messenger app will generate data. The data that generate from varicose resources are in structured, semi-structured and structured format. List this data is not in a format that our relational database can handle and apart from that even the volume of data has also increased exponentially. We can define Big data as a collection of data sets very large and complex that it is difficult to analyze using conventional data processing applications or database system tools. In this paper firstly, we will define the big data and how to classify a data as big data. Then, we will discuss the privacy and the security in big data and how the infrastructure techniques can process, store and often also analyses a huge amount of data with different formats. Therefore we'll see how Hadoop solve these problems and understand few components of Hadoop framework as well as NoSQL and cloud. What is a big data and how to consider a data as a big data? A widely definition of big data belongs to IDC: ââ¬Å"big data technologies describe a new generation of technologies and architectures, designed to economically extract value from very large volumes of a wide variety of data, by enabling the high-velocity capture, discovery, and/ or analysisâ⬠[ (Reinsel, 2011) ] According to the 4V's we can classify the data as a big dataThe 4V's are: 1- Volume of data: it is tremendously large. 2- Variety: different kinds of data is being generated from various sources: Structured: have a proper schema for your data in a tabular format like table.semi-structured schema is not defined properly like XML E-mail and CSV format. un-structured like audio video images. 3- Velocity: data is being generated at an alarming rate. With Clint-server model the time came for the web applications and the internet boom. Nowadays everyone started using all this applications not only from their computers and also from smartphones. So more users more appliances and hence a lot of data. 4- Value: mechanism to bring the correct meaning out of the data. We need to make sure that whatever analysis we have done it is of some value. That is it will help in business to grow. Or it has some value to it. [ (MATTURDI Bardi1, 2014) ] Infrastructure techniques à There are many tools and technologies used to deal with a huge amount of data (manage, analyze, and organize them): Hadoop: It's an open source platform managed under the Apache Software Foundation, and its also called-Apache Hadoop-, and it applies processing a huge amount of data ââ¬Å"It allows to work with structured and unstructured data arrays of dimension from 10 to 100 Gb and even moreâ⬠[ (V.Burunova)] and that have done by using a set of servers . Hadoop consists of two modules that are, MapReduce which distributed data processing among multiple servers and Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) for storing data on distributed clusters. Hadoop monitors the correct work of clusters and can detect and retrieve any error or failure for one or more of connecting nodes and by this way Hadoop efforts increasing in core processing and storage size and high availability. ââ¬Å"Hadoop is usually used in a large cluster or a public cloud service such as Yahoo!, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazonâ⬠[ (Hadeer Mahmoud, 2018)]. NoSql:Nowaday, the global Internet is handled with many users and large data. To make large numbers of users use it simultaneously. To support this, we will use the NoSql database technology. NoSql: it is non-relational database starting in 2009 used for distributed data management system [ (Harrison, 2010)]à Characteristics of NoSql :Schema less: data insert into Nosql without first defining a rigid database it provides immense application flexibility.Auto-Sharding: data prevalence through server automatically, without requiring application to participateScalable replication and distribution: more machine can be easily added to the system according to the requirements of the user and software.Queries return answer quickly.Open source development.The popular models of NoSql:Key value-store.Column OrientedDocument StoreGraph Datab aseà [ (Abhishek Prasad1, 2014)]2.MapReduce frame work :is an algorithm that was created by google to handle and process massive amounts of Data (BigData) in reasonable time using parallel and distributed computing techniques, in other-words data are processed in a distributed way before transmission, this algorithm simply divides Big volumes of data into many smaller chunks. These chunks are map-ed to many computers then after doing the required calculations the data are brought back together to reduce the resulting data set , so as you can see the MapReduce algorithm consists of to main functions : à User-defined Map function : This function takes an input pair and generates a Key/Value set of pairs, the MapReduce library puts all values with same integrated key, then it will be passed to the reduce function. User-defined Reduce function: à Function that accepts all integrated keys and related values from the map function to combine values in-order to form a smaller set of values . Its generally produce 1 or 0 output values. à à MapReduce programs can be run in 3 modes: à A. Stand-Alone Mode: only runs JVM (java virtual machine) , no distributed components it uses Linux file system. à B. Pseudo-Distributed Mode: starts a several JVM processes on the same machine.C. Fully-Distributed Mode: runs on multiple machines distributed mode it uses the HDFS. Sparks. (Yang, 2012 )Stands for Scalable Big Bioacoustics Pressing Platform.Is a scalable audio framework existed to handle and process large audio files efficiently by converting the acoustic recordings into a spectrograms(Visual representation of the sound) and then it analyses the recording areas ,this framework is implemented using BigData platforms such as HDFS and Spark . B2P2 main components are:A. Master Node: this node is responsible of manage distribution and control all other nods , its main function are :1-File-distributor, Distribution-Manager : it splits the file into smaller chunks to be distributed on the slave nodes.2-Job-Distributor, Process-Manager: assigns processing tasks that runs on each slave node and gather the outputted files. (Srikanth Thudumu, 2016)A Comprehensive Study on Big Data Security and Integrity Over Cloud Storage Big data requires a tremendous measure of capacity. Information in Big data might be in an unstructured organization, without standard designing, and information sources can be passed the conventional corporate database. Putting away little and medium measured business association's information in a cloud as Big Data is a superior choice for information examination work store Big Data in Network-Attached Storage (NAS). The Big Data put away in the cloud can be broke down utilizing a programming procedure called MapReduce in which question is passed and information are brought. e extricated inquiry comes about is at that point lessened to the informational index important to question. is inquiry handling is at the same time done utilizing NAS gadgets. though MapReduce calculation utilization in Big Data is all around refreshing by numerous analysts as it is without an outline and file free, it requires parsing of each record at perusing point. Is the greatest hindrance of MapReduce calculation use for inquiry preparing in distributed computing. Securing Big Data in Cloud there are a few techniques that canbe utilized to secure hugeinformation in cloud conditions. Inthis area, we will analyze a couple oftechniques.1- Source Validation and Filtering:Data is originating from varioussources, with various arrangementsand merchants. the capacity expertought to confirm and approve thesource before putting away theinformation in distributed storage.the information is sifted through thepassage point itself so security canbe kept up. Application Software Security:the essential worry of Big Data is tostore a gigantic volume ofinformation and not about security.Subsequently, it is prudent to utilizeinitially secure renditions of soproduct to get the data. through opensource, so product and freeware maybe modest, it might bring aboutsecurity breaks. Access Control andAuthentication:the distributed storage supplier mustactualize secure access control andconfirmation systems. It needs tofurnish a few solicitations of theclient's with their parts. at thedifficulty in forcing theseinstruments is that solicitationsmight be from various areas.Scarcely any safe cloud specialistorganizations give validation andaccess control just on enrolled IPtends to in this way guaranteeingsecurity vulnerabilities24. Securingfavored client get to requires all-around characterized securitycontrols and approaches. (Ramakrishnan2, 2016) Referencesà Abhishek Prasad1, B. N. (2014). A Comparative Study of NoSQL Databases. India: National Institute of Technology.Hadeer Mahmoud, A. H. (2018).An approach for Big Data Security bassed on Hadoop Distributed file system . Egypt: Aswan University.Harrison, B. G. (2010). In Search of the Elastic Database. Information Today.MATTURDI Bardi1, Z. X. (2014).Big Data security and privacy: A review. Beijing: University of Science and Technology.Ramakrishnan2, J. R. (2016). A Comprehensive Study on Big Data Security. Indian: ournal of Science and Technology.Reinsel, J. G. (2011).Extracting Value from Chaos. IDC Go-to-Market Services.Srikanth Thudumu, S. G. (2016). A Scalable Big Bioacoustic Processing Platform. Sydney: IEEE.V.Burunova, A. (n.d.). The Big Datsa Analysis. Russia: Saint-Petersburg Electrotechnical University.Yang, G. (2012 ).The Application of MapReduce in the Cloud Computing. Hubei: IEEE.
Friday, August 30, 2019
Comparison of Two Restaurants
Summary Restaurants business one of major segments of Hospitality industry in United Kingdom. This assessment report mainly focuses on the analysis of two difference restaurants base on food and beverage principles and theories. Here writer selected McDonaldââ¬â¢s Hanger lane for fast food segment and Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s Ealing for fine dining segments. Evaluation process based on the writer experienced of those two restaurants and used meal experienced check list prepared using food and beverage theories and concept. In addition, writer created SWOT analysis for each restaurants for enhance analysis external and internal factors.Comparative analysis done using several topics for improve clear understand for readers. Used difference academic journals, books and reputed web site details for deliver evidence to support the discuss points by acknowledging relevant authors of such valuable sources. In addition, knowledge grab during the class contributed more to complete this asse ssment report. Prominent points highlighted during the conclusion for revise reader attention for such points and end of report provide recommendations to the both restaurants to enhance their business performance.There are main two limitations of this this report, first, all provided recommendations relevant only for discussed two restaurants and difficult to generalised and second, majority of points discussed base on writer experienced and that have possibility of involved of unintentional personal biased. 1. Introduction 2012 restaurants market update of keynote shows that market value increase 1. 7% during the 2011 compare to 2010. Government informed that UK emerging from recession in this year by Wintour and Stewart (2012). This shows the creating good business atmosphere within the UK.Restaurants are one of main business sector within the hospitality industry and it has several types of categories such as fast foods, fine dining and ethnic special. This report mainly focuses on the compare and contrasts the two differences restaurants, based on the writer meal experienced of those two restaurants and finally try to gives suggestions that important for improve customer experience and sale of such restaurants. Here writer selected Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s Ealing mainly for fine dining restaurants and McDonaldââ¬â¢s Hanger Lane t for fast food casual restaurants.This comparative analysis base on the writer experienced of those two restaurants and use Meal experience check list (See Appendix: 1) for evaluate these two restaurants. These two restaurants working on difference market segments, however base on the food and beverage theories can easily analysis and evaluate two restaurants. 2. Overview of Restaurants 2. 1. Oââ¬â¢ Neillââ¬â¢s ââ¬â Ealing Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s is one of restaurants chain of Mitchells and Butlers PLC operation in England and they are specialisation of Irish foods; however they offer both table dââ¬â¢hotel and A la carte menus.Other than restaurants facilities, Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s have bar section. This restaurants under the non-captive market and they have powerful strength from the mother company that leader within the UK for Restaurants and Pub including brands like â⬠Harvesterâ⬠and ââ¬Å"all bar oneâ⬠(www. mbplc. com). However, Ealing Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s need to differentiate itself to face greater competition from surrounds restaurants in Ealing area (See Appendix: 2 for SWOT: Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s Ealing). 2. 2 McDonaldââ¬â¢s ââ¬â Hanger Lane (Near Quill Street) The worldââ¬â¢s largest quick chain restaurants and 1200 restaurants located within the UK (www. cdonalds. co. uk). However McDonaldââ¬â¢s under semi-captive food market because customers can choice only from offer alternatives. Open in 24 hours and drive through facilities adds more strength for Hanger Lane McDonaldââ¬â¢s apart from the reputed global name. (See Appendix: 3 for SWOT: McDonaldââ¬â¢s Hanger Lane) 3. Comparative Analysis This comparative analysis and evaluation doing in using separate topics and only consider the restaurants part and not consider their additional activities such as bar in Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s and drive through process of Mc Donaldââ¬â¢s . 1. Service SystemMcDonaldââ¬â¢s following fast food service system and Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s following fine dining service. McDonaldââ¬â¢s always follow single point service and take away service; however Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s use waiterââ¬â¢s assistant systems. Both restaurants service are well maintenance and give good service for customers. Restaurants service systems direct effect of the image of the restaurants and that enhance the customer loyalty. (Ryuet al. 2012) 2. Staff Staffs of both restaurants are well trained and committed to provide full customer satisfaction with higher hygienic practices.All staff members wear proper dress code and very polite and try to pro vide best options for customers. Observed that, McDonaldââ¬â¢s staffs mainly follows the grater standardised control procedures and Oââ¬â¢ Neillââ¬â¢s staff more empowerment for taken some decisions. Highly standardised lead to more control of staff in Mc Donaldââ¬â¢s (Ingram and Jones 1998). Employee empowerment enhance customer responsiveness and as well as employees retention with organization (Ashness and Lashley 1995). 3. Use of Special Equipment and Services Two restaurants always try to use more effective equipment to reduce energy consumption.McDonaldââ¬â¢s using high efficiency British Thermal Unit (BTU) fryer to reduce energy consumption and give quick service to customers. O Neillââ¬â¢s also follow green concept and energy consumption reduce strategy (Mitchell and Butler annual report 2011). Card payment accepts by both restaurants that give more convenient for majority of customers. 4. Meal Experience 3. 4. 1 Interior Arrangement, Decoration and Enterta inment Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s interior design and dining area prepare for more comfortable and classic way for retention customers more time within the restaurants.Arranged seating to facilitate personal and business discussion among the customers and provide slight normal music for give higher feeling to customers. Every Friday and Saturday Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s provides live music for customers. Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s provide high class tableware and decoration of all tables. McDonaldââ¬â¢s interior design comparatively low and provide plastic chairs and tables and no much intention to keep customers long time in restaurants due to concept of fast food serving (Lillicrap and Cousins 2010). Customers repurchasing behaviour and satisfaction highly depend on customer waiting time in fast foods chain outlet (Law et al. 004). Therefore, McDonaldââ¬â¢s basically focus to provide higher number of customers within limited time. Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s lighting arrangements compa ratively good and it provide more attraction and comfort for long-term discussion. However, McDonaldââ¬â¢s hanger lane does not use specific lighting arrangement. 3. 4. 2 Safety and Hygienic Hygienic conditions are higher in both restaurants and displayed the council certificate, safety notice, singe and whole restaurants clean and tidy. This is the last part of the food supply chain and majority of customers believe that restaurants maintain good hygienic conditions (Knight at el. 007). According to the Mitchel and Butler annual report, all food suppliers require to meet British Retail Consortium Global Certificate requirement and need to face regular safety and quality audits. McDonaldââ¬â¢s has own food quality audits systems (www. mcdonalds. co. uk). 3. 4. 3. Food Price Price is important factor for purchasing decision of consumer (Mendez et al. 2006). Observed that both restaurants provided good value for money and this confirmed by few consumers in two restaurants as wel l as writer own experienced. However, Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s need to consider their food price for face competition in Ealing.Competitive pricing lead for price war and that can affect for long term sustainability of business (Davis et al. 2008). 3. 4. 4 Food, Beverage and Menu Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s provide eight difference menus basically focus in Irish foods and provide special menu for kids and Sunday. On the other hand, McDonaldââ¬â¢s provided own menus basically focus on the fast food category. Two restaurants always keep their menus within some limitation with less variation. However, Oââ¬â¢ Neillââ¬â¢s menus are very attractive and give full description for customers (see Appendix 4) (http://www. oneills. co. k/oneillsealing). Oââ¬â¢ Neillââ¬â¢s provides foods very decorative way compare to McDonaldââ¬â¢s (see Appendix 5) and both restaurants provide foods in good temperature. Foods aroma was fantastic in both restaurants that enhance appetite of customer s. Beverage supply was very good in both restaurants. 3. 4. 5 Customer Segments Oââ¬â¢ Neillââ¬â¢s major customer range is people who like to go out with business discussion or friends or get some functions to meet each otherââ¬â¢s. However McDonaldââ¬â¢s major customer range is people who hurry to office or school with kids and back to home at evening.Identify of customer segments is important for sustain in business (Kotler and Keller 2006) 3. 4. 6 Location and Facilities Both restaurants located at very convenient place to consumers, however McDonaldââ¬â¢s Hanger Lane have very good vehicle parking facilities Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s Ealing does not have. McDonaldââ¬â¢s Hanger lane located near the traffic colour lights that give added advantage showing their name for majority of customers use Ealing road (see Appendix 6). In addition, MacDonaldââ¬â¢s Hanger lane opens 24 Hours for customers. However Oââ¬â¢ Neillââ¬â¢s Ealing have open limited time for d ay.McDonaldââ¬â¢s provides free Wi-Fi and Baby Changing facilities for their customers. 7. Promotions Both restaurants provide special offer for focus market segments, example that Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s provide ââ¬Å"Three meals for price twoâ⬠and McDonaldââ¬â¢s provide ââ¬Å"4 weeks for 4 tastesâ⬠. Promotions are important for build good customer relationship and attract potential customers (Kotleret al. 2010). 4. Identification of Present trend in Food Industry Both restaurants not properly address present trends and food related health matter witan the UK. One or more than one shows diagnosis or undiagnosed diabetic within 20 people in UK (Diabetic in the UK 2012). 010 NHS data showed that 26% of adults (age above 16) and three of ten boys and girls (age between 2 to 15) showing either overweight or obesity within UK. However, Observed that both MacDonaldââ¬â¢s and Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s not change for their foods for cater this current trend. In addition , predicted 10. 3% increase of the UK vegetarian foods market within next five years and main retailers such as ASDA, TESCO, Morrison and Sainsbury already started their vegetarian series (Keynote Market assessment 2012). However, both McDonaldââ¬â¢s and Oââ¬â¢ Neillââ¬â¢s not properly address this new market trend in UK. 3. 6 Sales MixObserved that Hanger Lane McDonaldââ¬â¢s main sales product is Burgers and other main sales products are sandwiches, dessert, chips and beverages. Proper awareness of sales mixes importance for decide price of products as well as manage revenue (Kotleret al. 2010). However, Irish foods are the main sales products of Oââ¬â¢ Neillââ¬â¢s and observed that majority of customers prefer for their Irish foods. 3. 7 Marketing McDonaldââ¬â¢s comparatively have powerful marketing strategy than the Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s. McDonaldââ¬â¢s have some benefits of marketing due to global brand and product range is unique for every McDonaldâ⠬â¢s.However, each of franchise has limited resource for own marketing process that related for area. McDonaldââ¬â¢s have single web site that covering all outlets in UK, however Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s Ealing has their own web page under Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s main web (see Appendix 7). This is give opportunity for customers to directly contact Ealing management, find the new functions and specific menus. However, McDonaldââ¬â¢s web site is more attractive than Oââ¬â¢ Neillââ¬â¢s web site and it include nutritionals value and allergic information of the foods (See Appendix 8).McDonaldââ¬â¢s provide special service for their customers ââ¬Å"McDonaldââ¬â¢s on your phoneâ⬠that give location of nearest outlet, menus and latest promotion (www. mcdonalds. co. uk). 4. Conclusion These two restaurants cater their service for difference customer segments in market. However, observed that they always try to dominate in their market segments and very less considerat ion of current market trends in UK such as such as healthy foods and vegetarian foods. Both restaurants committed to give full customer satisfaction and try to attract customers using difference promotion and giving high quality safe foods.Both restaurants have proper identification of own sales mix and they use specific marketing strategy to enhance competitive edge in own market segment. 5. Recommendations All discussion based on these two restaurants and therefore these recommendations relevant only for above two restaurants and difficult to generalised. Oââ¬â¢ Neillââ¬â¢s Ealing 1. Enhance variation of foods in menu ââ¬â This is important to attract customers who have difference needs such as Chinese, Mexican, vegetarian, diabetic foods etc. 2. Consider the food price ââ¬â Need to consider price of foods with compare competitors especially near the Ealing area. . Separate bar area from restaurants. ââ¬â Bar together with restaurants area give some interference for family dining. Therefore, important of physical separate of dining area from bar section to attract more families to restaurants. 4. Band competition ââ¬â They can invite Ealing area musical bands to perform in their restaurants that give more attract of local residents and young people to restaurants. 5. Provide nutritional value in in foods ââ¬â That important to customer to select best suit foods for them and give attraction of customers. 6.Phone application to customers ââ¬â iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Ovi ââ¬â Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s special promotion, menus and special news, this important to always keep customer live with restaurants. 7. Try to get some parking slot beside road side after discuss with Ealing Council. Especially Friday and Saturday nights. 8. Provide loyalty card to regular customers to enhance revisit of regular customers. 9. Provide discount and promotion during the winter period to attract more customers by considering present positive condition of economic growth of UK. McDonaldââ¬â¢s Hanger Lane 1.Increase seating capacity; keep more employees that enhance their attraction of McDonaldââ¬â¢s products. 2. Concern of healthy foods and vegetarian foods ââ¬â Need to consider present market trend of healthy foods, especially foods related to children. 3. Provide more attraction inertial decoration ââ¬â That gives more attraction of customers to restaurants. 4. Provide attractive lighting system. 5. Provide foods in more decorative way to enhance customersââ¬â¢ attraction. 6. Give some higher consideration and facilities to on-site eating customers like takeaway customers. 7. Try to provide combo pack or student pack for attract families and students. . Install indication board beside Ealing road side before the outlet to enhance remind for customers before see outlet and provide information of additional facilities. 9. Start some functions or entertainments, especially at Friday or Saturday to attract customers. Bibliography Ashness, D. and Lashley, C. (1995) Empowering service workers at Harvester Restaurants. 24(8), p. 17 ââ¬â 32. Emerald: Personnel Review [Online]. Available at: http://www. emeraldinsight. com [Accessed: 28 October 2012]. Guardian. co. uk (2012) GDP figures show UK emerging from recession: full reaction. 25 October 2012 [Online].Available at: http://www. guardian. co. uk/business/2012/oct/25/gdp-figures-uk-emerging-recession-full-reaction%20-%204/11/2012 [Accessed: 3 November 2012]. http://www. diabetes. org. uk/Professionals/Publications-reports-and- resources/Reports-statistics-and-case-studies/Reports/Diabetes-in-the-UK-2012/ (2012) [Online]. [Accessed: 28 October 2012]. http://www. ic. nhs. uk/pubs/opad12 (2010) [Online]. [Accessed: 28 October 2012]. http://www. oneills. co. uk/oneillsealing/ (2010) [Online]. [Accessed: 25 October 2012] Ingram, H. and Jones, S. (1998) Teamwork and the management of food service operations. 4(2), p 67-73.Emerald: Team Performance Management [online]. Available at: http://www. emeraldinsight. com [Accessed: 28 October 2012]. Keynote (2012) Market Update 2012: Restaurants Knight, A. J. , Worsoz, M. R. and Todd, E. C. D. (2007) Serving food safety: consumer perceptions of food safety at restaurants. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 19(6), p. 476-484. Emerald: [Online]. Available at: http://www. emeraldinsight. com [Accessed: 28 October 2012]. Kotler, P. and Keller, K. L. (2006) Marketing Management. 12thed. New Jersey: Pearson prentice hall. Kotler, P. , Makens, J. C. and Bowen, J. T. 2010) Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism. 5thed. New Jersey: Pearson prentice hall. Law, A. K. Y. , Hui, Y. V. and Zhao, X. (2004) Modeling repurchase frequency and customer satisfaction for fast food outlets. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 21 (5), p. 545-563. Emerald: [Online]. Available at: http://www. emeraldinsight. com [Accessed: 28 October 2012]. Lillicr ap, D. and Cousins, J. (2010) Food and Beverage Service. 8th ed. London: An Hachette. Mendez, J. L. , Oubina, J. and Rubio, N. (2006) Explanatory factors regarding manufacturer brand: Journal of Product & Brand Management, 15 (6), p. 02-411 Emerald: [Online]. Available at: http://www. emeraldinsight. com [Accessed: 28 October 2012]. Mitchell and Butler annual report 2011. Ryu, K. , Han, H. and Jang, S. (2010) Relationships among hedonic and utilitarianvalues, satisfaction and behavioral intentions in the fast-casual restaurant industry. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 22(3), p. 416-432 Emerald: [Online]. Available at: http://www. emeraldinsight. com [Accessed: 3 November 2012]. www. mbplc. com. www. mcdonalds. co. uk Appendix: 1 ââ¬â Meal Experience Check List . Physiological and Food quality Description of items |Very |satisfied |unsure |Dissatisfied |Very |Remarks | | |satisfied | | | |Dissatisfied | | |Variation of foods ( Vegetarians or| | | | | | | |diabetic) | | | | | | | |Presentation of food ( Decoration) | | | | | | | |Colour of foods | | | | | | |Taste of foods | | | | | | | |Texture of foods | | | | | | | |Temperature of foods | | | | | | | |Variation of beverage | | | | | | | |Temperature of beverage | | | | | | | |Selection of condiments e. g. alts,| | | | | | | |sauces, pepper | | | | | | | |Portion of foods | | | | | | | |Portion of beverage | | | | | | | |Consumer specific | | | | | | | |Quality of food serve | | | | | | | |General hygienic conditions | | | | | | | Economical and convenient |Description of items |Very |satisfied |unsure |Dissatisfied |Very |Remarks | | |satisfied | | | |Dissatisfied | | |Prices of foods | | | | | | | |Price of beverages | | | | | | | |convenient location | | | | | | |Special offering | | | | | | | |Outdoor catering | | | | | | | |Home delivery | | | | | | | |Past service | | | | | | | |Parking facilities | | | | | | | Service and restaurants conditions Description of items |Ver y |satisfied |unsure |Dissatisfied |Very |Remarks | | |satisfied | | | |Dissatisfied | | |Staff greet pleasantly | | | | | | | |Staff knowing of regular customers | | | | | | | |Staff attention to the customers | | | | | | | |Staff willing to service to | | | | | | | |customers | | | | | | | |Manger attention to customer | | | | | | | |Waiter take order properly | | | | | | | |Staff understand of the products ( | | | | | | | |special offer, prices) to select | | | | | | | |proper food and beverage | | | | | | |Staff friendly and polite | | | | | | | |Service fast and quick | | | | | | | |Staff wearing proper attire | | | | | | | |Decoration of restaurant | | | | | | | | Tidy of restaurants | | | | | | | |Tables are clean | | | | | | | |Tables arrange properly | | | | | | | |Table is enough space to keep foods| | | | | | | |Staff give correct bills and | | | | | | | |changes for customers | | | | | | | |Restaurants open hours | | | | | | | |Staff response when leave the | | | | | | | |restaurants | | | | | | | |External appearance of restaurants | | | | | | | |Interior colour of restaurants | | | | | | | |Temperature conditions in | | | | | | | |restaurants | | | | | | | |Background music | | | | | | | |Live music | | | | | | |Table decoration | | | | | | | |Type of linen | | | | | | | |Appropriate tableware | | | | | | | |Furniture conditions | | | | | | | |Arrange of tables | | | | | | | |Layout of restaurants | | | | | | | |Sign of rest room | | | | | | | |Access of disabilities | | | | | | | |Children play area | | | | | | | |Tidiness of the rest room | | | | | | | Marks Very Satisfied ââ¬â 5, Satisfied ââ¬â 4, Unsure- 3, Dissatisfied ââ¬â 2, Very dissatisfied ââ¬â 1 Appendix: 2 ââ¬â SWOT Analysis for Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s Ealing. |Strengths |Weakness | |Reputed National brand and Mother Company. |In side bar lead to reluctant for family dining especially with | |Specialization of Irish foods. |children. |Performing of Live bands that not in other restaurants near Ealing |No proper parking area. | |area. |Foods price comparatively high. | |Located near the Ealing shopping complex area. |Web site not attractive. | |Bar facilities. | | |Attractive decorations and arrangement. | | |Quality service with experienced staff. | | |Provide decorative foods. | | |High clean and hygienic conditions. | |Eating out increase in UK | | |Quality certification. | | |Opportunities |Threats | |Can provide other specific menus like Chinese and Indian cuisine. |Higher number of competitive restaurants in Ealing. | |Enhance seating facilities. |Less prices foods and drinks introduce by surround restaurants. | |Healthy food e. g. diabetic |Retails group (e. g. TESCO , M & S) introduce they are own foods. | |Attraction can be improved. Majority of customers knowing specialization for Irish foods only. | |Better promotion ability. |Higher control from Mother Company leads less reaction for situation| |Emerge of UK economy from res cission. |and location. | |Showing the nutritional values in foods. |Extreme weather conditions. | |Use of new technology to contact customers. E. g Phone update |Rising of fuel and employee cost. | |Possibility to provide more innovative products. |Majority of customers cut of their eating out during the recession. | | |Increase of number of restaurants direct to price war. |Appendix: 3 ââ¬â SWOT Analysis for McDonaldââ¬â¢s Hanger Lane. |Strengths |Weakness | |Reputed Global Brand. |Seating condition not comfortable. | |24 Hours opening. |Seating capacity very low. | |Drive through Process. |Lighting arrangement not attractive. | |No competitive restaurants nearby. |Less decorative of foods. | |Close to busy Ealing road. |Due to quick service oriented less concern of inside customers. | |Large parking area. |Holidays less vehicles use of Ealing road. | |Wi-Fi facilities. | | |Trained staff. | |Clean and tidy environment. | | |Baby changing facilities. | | |Attractive web site. | | |Phone updates facilities. | | |Quality certification. | | |Opportunities |Threats | |Can increase seating capacity. Possibility of come new restaurants nearby areas. | |Concern of healthy foods. E. g Diabetic |Concern of Healthy foods. | |Introduce specific foods e. g vegetarian, Mexican. |Marketing mainly decide by Head office. | |Attraction can be improved. |Retails group (e. g. TESCO, M & S) start to introduce they are own | |Better promotion ability due to location. |cafe and foods. | |Emerge of UK economy from rescission. |Higher traffic in Hanger Lane during the busy hours, reluctant to | |Introduce of innovative products. |turn for McDonaldââ¬â¢s. | | |Extreme weather conditions. | | | | | | Appendix: 4 ââ¬â Oââ¬â¢ Neillââ¬â¢s Menu. [pic] [pic] Source: Oââ¬â¢ Neillââ¬â¢s restaurants menu Appendix: 5 ââ¬â Photo of Decorated Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s Foods. [pic] Source: Food decoration photo taken from Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s website. A ppendix: 6 ââ¬â Location of McDonaldââ¬â¢s Hanger. [pic] [pic] Source: McDonaldââ¬â¢s Hanger lane photos taken by writer Appendix: 7 ââ¬â Web page ââ¬â Oââ¬â¢ Neillââ¬â¢s Ealing. [pic] Source: Oââ¬â¢Neillââ¬â¢s web page Appendix : 8 ââ¬â McDonaldââ¬â¢s web site with nutritional value and allergic information. [pic] Source: McDonaldââ¬â¢s web page
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Thorn Queen Chapter Fifteen
I stood there for several long seconds, staring at Shaya but not really seeing her. ââ¬Å"Thank you,â⬠I said at last, my voice unnaturally flat even to me. She hesitated, eyes worried. ââ¬Å"Is thereâ⬠¦is there anything I can get for you?â⬠More wine, I thought. But I shook my head. Wine suddenly didn't seem strong enough. I wanted to go home just then and raid my liquor cabinet, seeking solace in my own home and its bed, not this godforsaken Dark Ages fortress. The wine was going to make transitioning between the worlds harder, though. It wasn't impossible but would hardly be as smooth as usual. No, it seemed I might be stuck here for a while. ââ¬Å"I need to see Volusian,â⬠I said. She stepped aside for me, and though I didn't ask for it, she followed me solicitously as I headed downstairs, down to the keep's dungeon. It seemed darker and drearier than it had last time, but maybe that was the wine. Jasmine's cell was easy to spot because four guards stood in the hall outside it. I reached it, and through the bars, I saw Volusian standing in one corner, perfectly still, with his arms crossed over his chest. Jasmine sat as absolutely far from him as she could, her face equal parts fear and sullenness. ââ¬Å"What do you want now?â⬠she snapped. I didn't even look at her. ââ¬Å"Volusian,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"I have an errand for you. I'll watch Jasmine while you're gone.â⬠Volusian walked forward, passing through the bars and coming to stand in front of me. ââ¬Å"No doubt my mistress has a more urgent task.â⬠ââ¬Å"Moderately. I want you to go back to Tucson and bring me the bottle of tequila I keep in my liquor cabinet. And don't scare Tim.â⬠Volusian remained motionless in that way of his. ââ¬Å"My mistress grows increasingly creative in her ways to torment me.â⬠ââ¬Å"I thought you'd appreciate it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Only in so much as it inspires me to equally creative means to rip you apart when I am able to break free of these bonds and finally destroy you.â⬠ââ¬Å"You see? There's a silver lining to everything. Now hurry up.â⬠Volusian vanished. With him gone, Jasmine grew bolder. She hurried to the front of the cell, holding the bronze bars as best she could with her bound hands. ââ¬Å"When are you going to let me go?â⬠I sat down against the hall's wall, opposite her. I wondered if she'd try any of her stunted magic with me around. ââ¬Å"When are you going to stop asking?â⬠ââ¬Å"You're a real bitch, you know that?â⬠ââ¬Å"Look, little girl,â⬠I growled. ââ¬Å"You do not want to mess with me tonight. I'm not in a good mood.â⬠Jasmine was undeterred. ââ¬Å"I can't believe you're keeping me in here with thatâ⬠¦that thing! That's just cruel and sadistic.â⬠ââ¬Å"Wow, sadistic's kind of a big word. I didn't think you'd stayed in school long enough to learn that kind of vocabulary.â⬠Her glower darkened. ââ¬Å"When I get out, I'm going to kill you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Then you and ââ¬Ëthat thing' should get along beautifully, seeing as he spends all his time plotting my grisly death too.â⬠She nodded down to her bound hands. ââ¬Å"I can barely feed myself, you know.â⬠ââ¬Å"Barely isn't the same as can't.â⬠But I did feel a little bad about that. Was I really going to keep her in cuffs forever? Yet, how could I not? Maybe I should investigate that potion Rurik had told me about. Noâ⬠¦that wasn't right either. I sighed, and spent the next half-hour listening to her alternate between insults and whining. It was better than thinking about Kiyo, though. All the while, I was sobering up, so when Volusian finally appeared and handed me over a full bottle of Jose Cuervo, I gave silent thanks that I'd purchased an extra-large bottle. ââ¬Å"Thanks,â⬠I said, rising to my feet. I pointed to Jasmine's cell. ââ¬Å"Now-back to guard duty.â⬠I turned around without a second glance, Jasmine's cries of outrage echoing behind me. Shaya, who had waited silently the whole time, fell in step with me as I walked back upstairs. ââ¬Å"Are you sure there isn't anything I can do for you?â⬠I eyed the bottle. ââ¬Å"See if you can find some little glasses about this big.â⬠I held my fingers out to the size of a shot glass. ââ¬Å"And bring enough forâ⬠¦I don't know. You, Rurikâ⬠¦hell, anyone who wants to get drunk with me. Even Ysabel.â⬠I was feeling magnanimous tonight. Or, well, at least in a misery-loves-company mood. Shaya's face looked more troubled than ever, but I paid it little concern as I walked outside to a small circular courtyard in the castle's center. This seemed to be a fixture in most gentry holdings. Dorian had a couple. I'd been told that this one had been green in Aeson's time, filled with lilies and lilacs. Now, it was sandy and gravelly, lined with cacti, mesquite, and even some of the thorn trees that had given the land its name. At least the mesquite scented the air, and I decided one perk of the Otherworld was that those trees always seemed to be in bloom. I sat down cross-legged in the middle of the courtyard, noticing that someone had started to set stone tiles into it to create a kind of patio area. It hadn't been there last time, and I wondered if it was Shaya's doing, just like the patches of grass she kept trying to grow around here. Not waiting for shot glasses, I uncapped the tequila and took a long swig, the strong liquor burning my throat. Shaya returned shortly, Rurik following. His face was uncharacteristically serious. After a brief moment of exchanged looks, they joined me on the tiled ground. Shaya set down some tiny cups made of engraved silver. Not quite shot glasses, but they would do. I took the bottle and filled three of them up. ââ¬Å"To the Willow Queen and her child,â⬠I said, holding my cup in the air. I downed it one gulp. ââ¬Å"Damn. Wish I had some salt and lime.â⬠Shaya and Rurik exchanged glances once more-did they honestly think I didn't notice each time?-and then followed my lead with the tequila. Rurik took his down stoically, but Shaya choked on hers. ââ¬Å"Whatâ⬠¦what is this?â⬠she asked, once she was able to speak. ââ¬Å"God's favorite liquor. I should have had Volusian run to the grocery store and get some margarita mix while he was out.â⬠I paused, laughing at the thought. I poured another shot. ââ¬Å"It's made from a kind of cactus, you know.â⬠Shaya eyed the bottle askance. ââ¬Å"Truly?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yup. Huh. I wonder if we could manufacture this stuff. I've seen agave around. I bet we could set up some serious trade with it.â⬠ââ¬Å"I'm not so certain,â⬠she said. Rurik was pouring another glass. ââ¬Å"I don't know. It might appeal to some.â⬠ââ¬Å"Ah, Rurik. I knew we were kindred spirits.â⬠I held up my empty shot glass, studying the way the half-moon's light shone on it. My head was regaining its pleasant buzz again. ââ¬Å"Do you think Maiwenn's going to have a boy or a girl?â⬠ââ¬Å"I don't know,â⬠said Shaya after several moments of silence. ââ¬Å"There are those who can magically determine such things. But I haven't heard of the Willow Queen doing that.â⬠ââ¬Å"Probably not.â⬠Kiyo would have told me. Or would he have? Maybe he would have held on to that news, keeping it as a special secret between him and Maiwenn. I poured another shot but didn't drink it yet. Shitfaced was one thing; sick was another. ââ¬Å"Back in my world, they would have known its gender a long time ago. They also would have been able to tell all sorts of things-its size, if it had any diseases, even if it was twins or triplets. There's this machine we've got. You run a paddle over the mother's stomach, and then you can see the baby up on this screen. Or, sometimes, even earlier, they can take a needle and suck up amniotic fluid to find out the same things.â⬠Rurik and Shaya were staring at me wide-eyed. It was a common expression amongst Otherworldly denizens whenever I began talking about human technology. ââ¬Å"I wonder sometimes if there's any mystery or wonder left in your world at all.â⬠I glanced over and saw Ysabel's form silhouetted in the doorway to the castle. ââ¬Å"Oh, sure. Plenty of it.â⬠I gestured her over. ââ¬Å"Come have a drink. I'm pretty sure I'm too drunk to kill anyone tonight.â⬠Ysabel hesitated a few seconds and then slowly walked over, sitting near Rurik and Shaya, as far from me as she could respectfully go. She grimaced slightly at the tiles as she tucked her flowing silk skirts underneath her. No doubt being on the ground went against her fastidious nature. Rurik cheerfully handed her a tequila shot. She sniffed it, and her scowl returned. My mind was still on babies. ââ¬Å"Seems like ultrasounds would be useful to you guys. I mean, what with the trouble you have having kids.â⬠There was a good chance, I knew, that Maiwenn might not even survive the delivery. Or that her child wouldn't. It was common among the gentry, sort of the cost for their long and healthy lives. I didn't know how I felt about that. I didn't wish death on either of themâ⬠¦and yet, how much simpler would things be if there was no Maiwenn and no baby? Even now, I could picture Kiyo by her side, holding her hand. His handsome face would be lined with worry as he spoke words of encouragement. Surely, with his human blood, their baby would be healthy and strong. And Maiwenn was a healerâ⬠¦. would that be useful to herself? Maybe. Everything would go well, I was certain, and they'd undoubtedly have a beautiful baby, one that would create a bond between them forever, a bond I could never be a part ofâ⬠¦. I drank my next shot and noticed that Ysabel had manfully downed hers. ââ¬Å"Nice work,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"You want another?â⬠She shook her head. ââ¬Å"I don't consider it ladylike to drown oneself in excess, losing hold of inhibitions and all sense of decorum.â⬠ââ¬Å"Of course you don't,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"I believe,â⬠she added primly, ââ¬Å"that the Willow Queen shares my views.â⬠I smiled, spinning my cup on the ground, watching in fascination as it turned in smaller and smaller circles before coming to a stop. With Maiwenn's baby consuming my thoughts, Ysabel's baiting seemed insignificant tonight. We continued on for a while, Rurik keeping up with me in shots, with Shaya only occasionally indulging. Ysabel seemed to have lost her fear of me and continued her running commentary of barbed remarks. I think knowing I was in a fragile state over Maiwenn's labor had emboldened her. In fact, she was in the middle of some anecdote about how Kiyo and Maiwenn had first gotten involved when her words came to a halt, and her features lit up with surprise. ââ¬Å"My lord!â⬠she cried, springing up just as one of my servants began announcing, ââ¬Å"His royal majesty, King Dorian, of the House of Arkady, caller of earth-ââ¬Å" Dorian strode forward into the courtyard without waiting for his titles to finish. Ysabel fell to her knees before him, face radiant. ââ¬Å"My lord!â⬠He gave her a brief nod of acknowledgment and then swept on past her toward me. I don't think anyone except me saw the devastation that filled her face over the slight. Shaya and Rurik began to rise out of courtesy, but Dorian quickly motioned them down. Unfastening his cloak-it appeared to be navy in the moonlight-he spread it on the ground and sat beside me. ââ¬Å"Well, well, a party, and no one invited me.â⬠ââ¬Å"It was kind of impromptu,â⬠I said, reaching over to pour him a shot. My hand trembled as I held the bottle. Dorian took it from me and finished pouring. He eyed me carefully. ââ¬Å"And yet, it appears to have been going on for some time.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes. We're toasting the birth of the next king or queen of the Willow Land.â⬠ââ¬Å"So I've heard, which is why I came to see how the news was received here.â⬠Dorian tossed back the tequila. His eyebrows rose in surprise at the taste, but it didn't stop him from pouring another. ââ¬Å"And don't presume her child will inherit. It all depends on strength and power.â⬠His words reminded me distantly of Leith's own inheritance problems, which then reminded me of Leith's declaration of love. Ugh. I'd probably killed our one chance at engineering help. Well, that was a concern for another day. ââ¬Å"How'd you get here so fast?â⬠I asked Dorian. ââ¬Å"Not that fast. I heard hours ago.â⬠Hours ago. Dorian had found out before I had. Probably everyone had. Who was I, after all? Certainly no one who was connected to this birth. I was just another monarch who'd be expected to send jewels or tapestries when the baby was born. I poured another shot, but Shaya reached for it. ââ¬Å"May I have another?â⬠She wasn't a fan of this stuff, but I had a feeling she wanted to stop me from drinking any more. Oh, well. There appeared to be about one more shot in the bottle-though Dorian beat me to that one too. ââ¬Å"You'll make yourself sick,â⬠I warned, reaching for the bottle. Only a few drops poured into my cup. ââ¬Å"I'll take my chances. This is a fascinating substance.â⬠ââ¬Å"It comes from cacti,â⬠I said helpfully, hoping it might deter him from that last shot. It didn't. ââ¬Å"Intriguing,â⬠he said after downing it. ââ¬Å"You should try producing it here. I'm certain a number of people would trade for it.â⬠I couldn't be certain in the near-darkness, but it looked like Shaya rolled her eyes. Part of me resented Dorian's presence, though I had to admit that he did a good job in keeping the subject away from Maiwenn and Kiyo. That didn't stop me from thinking about them, of course, but I couldn't help but smile as he entertained the others. Whether it was part of being a king or just something inherently Dorian, he had a powerful charisma about him that could make everyone laugh and stay captivated. With my social reticence, his were skills I admired-and occasionally envied. As the night wore on, though, I could feel the tequila's effects lessening a little. That wasn't to say I still wasn't drunk as hell; I'd taken down half that bottle myself. But, I wanted to go to bed while I was still in that delirious haze. It didn't stop me from feeling down over Kiyo, but I had to imagine being sober would be worse. Everyone stood up when I did, and I felt my legs struggle for balance. ââ¬Å"Let me assist you,â⬠said Shaya, reaching toward me. Dorian intervened before she could help. ââ¬Å"No, no. Allow me to guide the Thorn Queen to her room. I'd like a few words.â⬠Ysabel's face darkened at this, and he gave her a chastising look. ââ¬Å"Oh, stop it. I'll come to you shortly-provided Eugenie will allow me to stay overnight in her castle.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sure, sure,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Come on over. Make yourself at home. Pick out curtains.â⬠He extended his arm to me, and I decided the indignity of letting Dorian guide me was less than that of me falling over in front of my servants. Ysabel's eyes followed us furiously, and I couldn't blame her. If my boyfriend were taking a drunk woman to her bedroom, I'd be pissed too. ââ¬Å"It was very high-handed of you to think I needed your moral support,â⬠I told him once we were out of earshot of the others. ââ¬Å"Right. You only need the moral support of a bottle,â⬠he teased. ââ¬Å"Be honest, Eugenie. Your lover's at the side of a former lover, eagerly awaiting the birth of their child. I'd be distressed as well.â⬠ââ¬Å"Nothing distresses you,â⬠I grumbled. We reached my room, and he followed me in without invitation. ââ¬Å"Plenty of things do,â⬠he said. He frowned, ever so slightly, and it occurred to me he was none too sober himself. I let go of his arm and walked over to the full-length mirror that stood on one side of the room, edged in gold. I'd pinned up my hair earlier and let it down now, wondering if I wanted to bother with sending Nia for a nightgown or if I'd just sleep in my clothes. Standing there, I stared at my body, thinking again of my mother's claims that I was too skinny. I always argued it was an athletic build. Running my hands over the sides of my stomach and down to my hips, I studied my figure. Whatever you wanted to call it, it was slim. ââ¬Å"I can never do that for him,â⬠I said in a small voice. ââ¬Å"I can never give him a baby like she can.â⬠Dorian strolled over and stood behind me, meeting my eyes in the mirror. ââ¬Å"Do you want to?â⬠ââ¬Å"I don't know. Kids were never on my radarâ⬠¦it was always a ââ¬Ëmaybe someday' kind of thing. But nowâ⬠¦knowing I can'tâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ My hips and stomach suddenly seemed as unhealthily skinny as my mother had always said. They would remain untouched and infertile, never filling out with the kind of life Maiwenn's had. I would never share that with Kiyo. I flinched as Dorian reached from behind and placed his hands on the narrowest part of my waist. He rested his head on my shoulder, and I was too weary to shoo him away. ââ¬Å"You speak like someone who's been condemned with infertility or like you've passed your prime.â⬠ââ¬Å"I might as well be.â⬠ââ¬Å"That's not true. You're young. You radiate health and fertility. You could have a dozen children.â⬠I shook my head slowly. ââ¬Å"I can't,â⬠I said sadly. ââ¬Å"I won't. You know I won't, no matter how much you and every other Otherworldly creature want me to.â⬠ââ¬Å"Maybe you'd have a daughter.â⬠ââ¬Å"I can't take the risk.â⬠I knew I'd never be confiding in him sober. ââ¬Å"And what if Kiyo decides he doesn't want that-to be with someone who's always going to be childless? What if he wants more kids? Maybe this babyâ⬠¦Maybe he'll go back to Maiwenn. Maybeâ⬠¦maybe he'll leave meâ⬠¦.â⬠I could feel tears forming in my eyes and hated myself for the weakness. Dorian tightened his grip on my waist. ââ¬Å"He'd be a fool. And you'd be a fool to mourn him if he did. You're more than a childbearing vessel.â⬠ââ¬Å"Not the way everyone talks. Not the way you talk.â⬠To my shock, Dorian spun me around. Still gripping me, he pressed his forehead to mine so that only an inch was between us. I could smell the tequila on his breath, no doubt mirroring my own. ââ¬Å"Eugenie, you're a woman without equal, and no matter how much you annoy the hell out of me and no matter how much I try to get you out of my head-and believe me, both occur regularly-I can't stay away from you. Even if you were barren, I'd take you as my consort in an instant and spend the rest of my life with you-childless, so long as it meant you'd be by my side. I would gladly bring you to my bed with no other thoughts than taking joy from your body. It would be enough.â⬠I swallowed. ââ¬Å"But you're withâ⬠¦I mean, what aboutâ⬠¦what about Ysabel? She can have kidsâ⬠¦.â⬠ââ¬Å"Ysabel,â⬠he said dismissively, ââ¬Å"is nothing. A pale imitation of you-and not even a good one at that.â⬠That was harsh of him, but it filled me with something warm and loved and special. I realized then that no matter the bantering, sexual tension, and many schemes, Dorian really was my friend. I also realized that I wanted so badly then for him to kiss me, to crush his body against mine and run his hands along my bare skin. I wanted to have sex with him against the wall, on the bed, on the floorâ⬠¦it honestly didn't matter, so long as our bodies were joined, and I could feel him in meâ⬠¦. Whoa. I jerked away, my heart racing, barely stopping myself from doing something I'd regret. Deciding he was my friend was one thing; jumping into bed was another. I knew it was the tequila and my worry over Kiyo causing this. I didn't want to be with Dorian again; I couldn't be. Even if he claimed it would be for love and pleasure, I knew it could never be that simple. There would always be politics and schemesâ⬠¦. And so, I did the most unsexy thing I could. I summoned Volusian. The icy, dark presence of my minion caught even Dorian by surprise, and he took a step back. It was the Otherworldly equivalent of a cold shower. Volusian's eyes flicked to him and then turned back to me. ââ¬Å"My mistress requires more intoxication,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"No.â⬠My magical hold on him trembled ever so slightly. It was nowhere near enough for me to lose control, but the alcohol messed with my power a bit. ââ¬Å"I wanted you to go to the Willow Land and see if there's any news.â⬠ââ¬Å"More romantic errands.â⬠ââ¬Å"Just go,â⬠I snapped, trying to sound as harsh and commanding as I could. As soon as Volusian was gone, Dorian strode angrily to me, all traces of sensuality gone. ââ¬Å"That was stupid, Eugenie. You shouldn't have summoned him after drinking so much.â⬠I turned away from him. ââ¬Å"I need to find out what's going on.â⬠ââ¬Å"You need to banish him. You're going to regret keeping him someday.â⬠ââ¬Å"He's useful,â⬠I protested. ââ¬Å"I don't need any lectures. You should go to Ysabel now. I don't need any more declarations of love today.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh?â⬠His light tone returned. ââ¬Å"Had a few of those today?â⬠ââ¬Å"Leith,â⬠I admitted. ââ¬Å"He came by tonight to profess his undying devotion and see if he had a chance with me.â⬠Dorian's green eyes watched me carefully. ââ¬Å"And?â⬠ââ¬Å"And, of course not. I had to tell him no a few times before he finally got it.â⬠Dorian didn't bother hiding his satisfaction. ââ¬Å"You've broken the poor boy's heart. And his mother's, no doubt. There'll be no ball now. Would you like me to throw one instead?â⬠ââ¬Å"No.â⬠My sadness was turning into irritability. ââ¬Å"I want you to leave. Go to Ysabel and paint her or tie her up or whatever it is you do together. I'm tired and want to go to bed. Alone.â⬠To my surprise, Dorian didn't protest. Much. ââ¬Å"As you wish. If you need me, you know where I'll be.â⬠ââ¬Å"It would take a lot for me to interrupt you,â⬠I said dryly. Dorian gave me one of his knowing, sly smiles and then left without another word. The thought of him going to Ysabel's bed troubled me more than I would have liked. He'd barely been gone a few minutes when Volusian returned. ââ¬Å"Well?â⬠I asked. My stomach was queasy. I didn't know what I wanted to hear. If it was in Volusian's nature to smile, I swear, he would have. ââ¬Å"The servants of the Willow Land report joyfully that their queen has given birth to a daughter. All are healthy and well.â⬠My body went perfect still, and for a moment, I saw nothing in the room except those glowing red eyes. Finally, I snapped back to myself. ââ¬Å"Thank you, Volusian.â⬠ââ¬Å"Does my mistress require me to learn anything else about this joyous occasion?â⬠There was a sneer in his voice. ââ¬Å"No. Go back to Jasmine. Now.â⬠He obeyed, leaving me alone. I sat on the bed for several minutes, thinking of everything and nothing. I felt numb. I felt every emotion in the world. And when I suddenly ripped the air from the room and used it to smash a vase against the wall, I couldn't say if it was because of Dorian or Kiyo.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Educating Rita movie Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
Educating Rita movie - Essay Example Rita became ambitious after studying literature. IV. Third Argument: Literary education provides a path for self-discovery enabling us to identify our needs and meet them. V. Fourth argument: Literary education can benefit anybody in ending ignorance. It changed Rita from an ignorant woman to a confident sophisticated woman. VI. Counter Argument: Opponents of literary education as beneficial to anyone would argue that it altered Ritaââ¬â¢s social life negatively. However, it was because of the husbandââ¬â¢s ignorance that the marriage failed to work. VII. Conclusion: In conclusion, the play Educating Rita depicts that literary education change anybodyââ¬â¢s life positively. It changes Rita from illiterate, ignorant woman, studies literature. She eventually becomes transformed into an ambitious confident woman. Everybody Can Benefit From a Literary Education Introduction Educating Rita is a play that revolves around a woman by the name Rita, who aspires to get educated and al ter her social class. In the same play is another character by the name Frank, who is Ritaââ¬â¢s tutor, educated but appears disinterested with life. Throughout the play, Rita views education as the only path towards change. This makes education one of the major themes in the play. Literature characterizes the statues of the people living in a given society. Therefore, the kind of literature written by people living in a given society can be used to study that society. In the play Educating Rita, there is clear depiction of how the society perceives different aspects of life. Therefore, literally education can help anybody understand a given society without having to live within that society. For example, through studying this play, we are able to understand the society that Rita was living in. we experience that hardships that she had to undergo in her daily life. People living in a similar society can benefit from this literally study and learn how they can deal with their chal lenges and succeed in life. This essay argues that everybody can benefit from a literary education. Literary education has great magnitude of bringing positive change in our lives. In the play, education contributes greatly in bringing change in Ritaââ¬â¢s life. Although the change may not be instant, it may take time but it can eventually alter the life of everybody who takes literature studies positively. Education molds the way we view things. In case of Rita, she starts of as an illiterate girl who barely understands anything. She is working as a hairdresser with little understanding of the world. Little by little, she becomes knowledgeable and sophisticated. Therefore, literary education is capable of benefitting everybody who undertakes it (Russell 2-6). Everybody can benefit from education since it enables us to set and achieve goals. Rita starts of as poor girl struggling financially with little education. Her main obstacle is her inability to communicate effectively. Her accent and poor mastery of language makes her feel out of place while among other students. She can barely suit in the school. However, as she continues with her education, she becomes motivated, confident, and ends up having achieved most of her goals. When she achieves in her literature studies, Rita realizes her capability and gains confidence that she could achieve in her life. Communication skill plays a major role in education. Therefore having good mastery of literary education
Housing Law Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words
Housing Law Assignment - Essay Example The procedure for evicting a Scottish secure tenant is provided in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001. Schedule 2 to the said act provides grounds on which court may order recovery of possession. The landlord has to satisfy the sheriff that you have failed to pay rent due and also that it is reasonable to evict you, considering various factors such as the amount of arrears, reason for arrears including unemployment, past history of tenant, duties of the local authority pursuant to orders of eviction with regard to social welfare legislation e.g. Children (Scotland) Act 1995. You can take the following lines of defence. (1)à à à à à à à Your employment was interrupted because of ill health and also because you did not get permanent employment. That you were hospitalized is also a factor which will be considered in your favour. (2)à à à à à à à You are now receiving benefits from the government, and you pay your rents out of these. As per the observation in W oodspring DC v. Taylor [3], receipt of benefits by a tenant is a material factor to be considered while deciding the application for eviction. Similarly, in Angus Housing Association v. Fraser [4] it was held that the sheriff should consider the fact that arrears direct are being paid and rent is taken care of by housing benefit. (3)à à à à à à à The fact that you were sequestrated prior to the decree being passed against you means that it has not been considered by the sheriff. This is another important factor in your possible defence. (4)à à à à à à à The landlord tenant relationship imposes duties on the landlord. The windows of your bedroom are badly fitting and your landlord has not carried out repairs even after seven months of his being informed. It is not clear from the instructions, but additional expenditure for heating due to the condensation may have led to arrears or a part of it. Also, you are entitled to withhold rent till the landlord ca rries out the repairs necessary. As per the observation in Mary Galloway -v- City of Glasgow Council [5], the landlord should have repaired the house within a reasonable period from the date of notice and if not then they would be in breach of express and implied obligations to repair the house. (5)à à à à à à à Your landlord should have taken into account the fact that you are unemployed. Your limited income and ill health caused in all probability by the improper condition of the house are also considerable factors while deciding reasonability of eviction. à à à à à à à à à à à According to a government assessment, about 40% of cases bought to the court resulted in a decree for eviction being issued. Less than 23% of the total cases bought to the court resulted in eviction.[6] On the basis of facts as you narrate them, there is a good chance of avoiding eviction. You can also seek full unemployment benefit from the government, as well as benef its for families. You are entitled for benefits because your children are dependant on you. Her Majestyââ¬â¢s Customs and Revenue department provides these benefits. It will take one year before some of your debts are automatically discharged. It will be of help to prepare a list of your creditors and see if you can defer payment to them until such time as you can get
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
ARIMA modeling Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words
ARIMA modeling - Assignment Example In other words, the data for modeling the revenues of Costco Company may probably need differentiation through it is not certain that there is need for differentiation. In addition, the fact that the first six lags fall outside the confidence area shows that the data is non-stationary, that is, there is trend in the revenue function of Costco Company. Even though there is a trend (non-stationary data) it does not necessarily mean that the data should be transformed or differentiated. This decision can only be reached if specific lags such as 12, 24, and 36 are verified in respect to their expected values. That is when the decision to differentiate the data to remove seasonality and trend will be arrived at. In as much as the aspects of being non-stationary and having a trend have been removed through AR(1) as depicted in the ACF graph, the data looks much better though with two positive spikes at lag 1 and lag 3,. The lags 1 and 3 shows that the data is still non-stationary and there is trend in the data. There is need to remove the non-stationary and trend aspects of the data for efficient and effective modeling of the problem. The indication is that the data does not have a mean or constant variance. In order to do this, there is need to further differentiate the data by taking the 3rd different of y since this will remove the seasonality in the data. The above graph shows that there are specific lags that lie outside the confidence area. This means that the data is not stationary. It is important to find the ACF for the other differences such as 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th for the purposes of removing aspects of seasonality in the data. These lags exist outsides the confidence level as depicted by the ACF graph. The coefficients are SAR and SMA due to the seasonality present in the data. The p values of both coefficients are below .05. The MS is 466718 for the model.
Monday, August 26, 2019
The Apprentice TV Program Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
The Apprentice TV Program - Assignment Example The shortlisted contestants live communally in a suite at Trump Tower in New York City. The successful applicants become divided into two groups. The groups indulge in tasks set to stretch their creativity and business skills. Each group selects a project manager to lead them in the mission. The failing team leaves the competition. The remaining group then splits into two other groups. These undertake another task in the subsequent week. Elimination follows until three contestants remain. The competition ends with the selection of one participant who secures a one year contract in one of the business interests belonging to Donald Trump. The elimination is competitive with profitability heavily emphasized. Teams that make losses during their task face elimination. Elimination takes place in two phases. After failure, the project manager in charge of the team selects two to three people most likely to be the cause of poor performance. The other members get dismissed while the project m anager and the selected members face Trump in the boardroom where their fate awaits. Executives from selected companies interview the finalist duo from which Trump hires the apprentice. The apprentice TV program places its basis on apprenticeship. It is one of the oldest forms of work-based learning. The traditional system, however, lacked sufficiency causing variance in quality. A time-based apprenticeship presents the most benefits to both an organization and a prospective worker. It forms a strategic approach to learning in a field of work as opposed to possession of certain skills. Apprenticeship allows workers to absorb values and ideas of a field of trade. Placement into apprenticeship varies with company's policy. Some firms prefer young people straight out of school while others prefer new learners in the team (Cunningham et al, 2004, pp.62). Apprenticeship programs began way back in time. They incorporate what is learned in class with hand on experience.
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Satire in Catch 22 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Satire in Catch 22 - Essay Example Being able to view war from both within and outside the bureaucratsââ¬â¢ decision-making zone, Hellerââ¬â¢s readers can assess the causes of war, not on the traditional right-or-wrong judging standard, rather on the basis of the underlying bureaucratic motivation that has remained unnoticed by the critics in the post Second World War period. One of Hellerââ¬â¢s twisting propositions is that since the concept of right-or-wrong and the glory of war are essentially the projections of the bureaucratic polity, one should delve into the bureaucratsââ¬â¢ perception of the war in order to trace their idiotic manipulation of the ideology of war. Hellerââ¬â¢s success lies in his ability to take his readers to an excursion to the bureaucratsââ¬â¢ decision-making zone that often is forbidden to the mass commoners. From the laughter-invoking bureaucratic whims, he gradually takes his readers to a more serious exploration of the destructive effects of these warring whims on the s oldiers as well as the mass commonersââ¬â¢ life. Focusing on the experiences of a bombardier, Yossarian, at the Air of Pianosa in Italy Heller goes on exhuming the offstage perversion, folly and idiocy of bureaucratic systems in modern society. Putting the right vs. wrong rhetoric of the stories on the Second World War aside, Heller questions whether the bureaucratsââ¬â¢ purpose behind the curtain of patriotism and honor are healthy for modern society. He attacks on the composition of the provision of Catch-22 that is manipulated by different military and government official differently. These different interpretations of the doctrine of Catch-22 by different persons are inspired by their own ends. Therefore, the Catch-22 doctrine serves the military officials as a blank check to do whatever they want to. The military officials use it to achieve their own ends, whereas it is manipulated by them as a means to suppress their subordinates. By putting the self-contradictory and ci rcular logic of Catch-22 in application, Heller has tried to lay the problems and duality of the bureaucratic reasoning and operation. The narrator of the novel describes Catch-22 in the following manner: ââ¬Å"There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind.â⬠(Heller 78). But in the lines that immediately follow this definition, the narrator upholds the peculiarity and circularity of the provision, as he says, Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he were sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. (Heller 176) Yossarian become delighted to find that this clause can keep his friend Orr away from going to further missions. But Hellerââ¬â¢s readers cannot but note the fact that this clause provides the military bureaucrats with enormous power to do anything without being accountable to anyone, as at some point, a military police says, ââ¬Å"Catch-22 states that agents enforcing Catch-22 need not prove that Catch-22 actually contains whatever provision the accused violator is accused of violating.ââ¬
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Supply Chain Strategic Management Research Paper
Supply Chain Strategic Management - Research Paper Example Global business environment is becoming highly competitive as several leading global organizations are trying to develop and implement unique business operation strategies in order to meet current market demand and achieve competitive advantages. Tesco Used to adopt different unique strategies in the business operation processes in order to meet business goals and corporate objectives. The organization always develops customer and employee centric business strategies to attain sustainable business growth rate. Maintaining sustainability in each and every business operation processes can help an organization to maintain effective business performances. Tesco Plc. always tries to maintain sustainability in business operation processes to develop effective relationship with the shareholders and stakeholders. Ã The organization is strongly focusing on the implementation of CSR and sustainable activities across the supply chain network in order to accomplish the strategic plan. The stra tegic plan of the organization is to maintain environmental, social and economic sustainability through ethical business operation activities. Sustainable supply chain activities are helping the shareholders of the organization to take interest in the business strategies of Tesco several organizations are trying to capitalize on the potential opportunities to improve supply chain activities. High carbon emission level in logistics and supply chain due to high consumption of fossil fuel and energy sources are creating. major concerns for the global retail chain organizations. Therefore, Tesco can grab the opportunity to use effective energy resources to maintain low carbon emission level so that the organization can justify its corporate goals and strategic plan. In addition to this, the organization can try to engage employees in the logistics and supply chain strategy development process in order to bring efficiency in the supply chain management process. Capitalization on this opp ortunity will help the organization to improve supply chain activities.
Friday, August 23, 2019
ROLE OF VIRTUAL ORGANIZATIONS Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words
ROLE OF VIRTUAL ORGANIZATIONS - Research Paper Example Results were as expected and the findings implied that virtual organizations offer a fashionable way of carrying out virtual businesses guaranteeing proper communication between the employees and e-consumers, ensuring low cost management, promising time-saving transactions and assuring a well collaborative environment with safe conduction of e-commerce, all based on some pixels on the computer screen. Current theories focus on the virtual world which is an online imaginary world or cyberspace world where people live imaginary lives, also called the Second Life, in which they establish and maintain businesses and make real money. The business in a virtual world is referred to as virtual business, the product produced is called virtual product, but the money made is real. In a virtual organization (VO), nothing really exists, or exists ââ¬Å"as pixels dancing on the computer screens of people who inhabit the online virtual worldâ⬠(Hof). Businesses are carried out on personal computers. Businessmen log into their accounts, interact with their employees, get updated about their performances, carry out commerce online, pay salaries using online payment websites, shop online and make sales online. A VO is a complete world in itself, having virtual products, goods and services. It has its own virtual economy which can even let one own a piece of land. The virtual currency can eve n be converted in to real dollars. VOs have made business possible that only exists in somebodyââ¬â¢s brains without the need of tables, desks, chairs, offices, buildings, and cups of tea over meetings. Research has shown that VOs also play a major role in carrying out e-commerce, very much similar to real world. There are auction sites where one can place bids or sell something that one owns. One makes payments and gets paid online. There are shopping websites that let you shop whatever you want while sitting in the comfort of
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Deadly Unna Essay Example for Free
Deadly Unna Essay Within the pages of the novel Deadly Unna by Phillip Gwynne we are taken on a journey to a highly racist and bigoted town. Through the eyes of a young teenage boy, we see the world how he does and we experience the division and racism in this corrupt town. In the book, the two races are strongly divided and we can see this clearly in the local bar. The front bar is for the goonyas and the back bar is for the nungas. Nungas are not allowed to be in the front bar with the goonyas, they are not allowed to drink with them. Although the division in the bar is not direct racism, it still leaves a large impression on the reader. In the back bar, there is a serving window for the nungas to buy their drinks, there are no seats at the bar like in the front. ââ¬Å"Back bar or black bar as everybody called it,â⬠(page 156). The back bar is called black bar because that is where all the nungas are permitted to be, not up the front like normal people, like animals at the back. Although the nungas play for the football team, the racial division is even spread in the change rooms. The may not have been a rule in place that the nungas got changed at one end of the rooms and the goonyas at the other, it still came out that way. ââ¬Å"Nungas got changed at one end and us Goonyas at the other. There was no rule or anything; it was just the way it was.â⬠(Page 21) Even though the town allows nungas to play on their football team, they are still classed as unwelcome in the Port. ââ¬Å"boongs piss offà â⬠is written on the jetty shed. The word ââ¬Å"boongâ⬠is a derogatory term that the aboriginals are referred to. ââ¬Å"Everywhere you look boongs piss off, boongs piss off, boongs piss off. Everywhere,â⬠(page 257) the crude saying is written everywhere in The Port making it clear that nungas are not welcome in this part of town. The goonyas part of the town. At the end of the novel, Blacky and his siblings, paint over the sign ââ¬Å"boongs piss offà â⬠that is on the jetty shed, showing that they are not as racist and narrow minded as the rest of the town, their decision may not be agreed with, but they are standing up for what they think is right, proving that nungas should be accepted, not discriminated against. Not only is this town racist, but it is also filled with sexism, majority of the men and teenage boys do not believe that women are their equals. Mr Robertson will not take advice from Gwen Black (Blackyââ¬â¢s mother) because she is a woman, even if she was a ââ¬Å"tactical geniusâ⬠. ââ¬Å"Everybody thought that to be a great coach you had to be a great player. And a bloke, of course,â⬠(page 32). Pickles is also sexist, he dislikes Cathy (a camper) squidding with Blacky and himself, he believes that it is a manââ¬â¢s job. ââ¬Å"Girls and squid, according to him didnââ¬â¢t go together,â⬠(page 181). Blackyââ¬â¢s father is also sexist, he is always down at the pub drinking or going out fishing while his wife Gwen is at home cooking and cleaning for her family.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Introduction to Early Childhood Education Essay Example for Free
Introduction to Early Childhood Education Essay This essay will discuss the importance of partnership with parents/whanau, providing responsive relationships and interactions with children and biculturalism on society. Research shows that children who attend an early childhood centre providing care of high quality succeeded more at school, stayed at school longer and kept achieving more in their early adult years. They grew up with a sense of belonging within their community and society and had the skills needed to take control of their own lives (Beaver, Brewster, Jones, Keene, Neaum, Tallach, 2001). 1. Early childhood centres play an important role in helping families function effectively. They combine their role of supporting families while encouraging childrenââ¬â¢s development in partnership with parents. Each child, each family is unique. In an early childhood centre each one of the children is unique as well as their family. Research shows us that those parents, through parental involvement early on in a childââ¬â¢s education that they are more likely to maintain this through all their educational years (Beaver et al. , 2001). Effective communication is one of the most important principles when forming partnerships with parents. Parents are the most knowledgeable when it comes to their child and if they feel they can share this with staff of the early childhood centre the child will benefit from this (Beaver et al. , 2001). Throughout our lives we know it is hard to part from people we love and some parents find it hard to leave their child in a centre. We therefore need to be sensitive to this issue and work in partnership with parents and help them to build on what they want for their child. Arthur, Beecher, Death, Dockett Farmer (2001) state that ââ¬Å"Early childhood educators should recognise that every setting is a source of learning for young children, with the home acknowledged as a particularly powerful influenceâ⬠(p. 11). 2. Children need to experience reciprocal and responsive relationships to develop and learn. Infants are very dependent and require emotional security to develop an attachment with another person other than their parent(s). A quality learning environment is one where teachers respect each child individually, and are positive, warm, supporting and encourage good self confidence, and initiate meaningful interactions with children. It is essential to create an environment where each child feels appreciated and valued. It is through forming these important adult: child relationships that they will feel a sense of their own identity and develop positive self worth. Nurturing relationships are developed when positive interactions occur. The constant talk with infants, encouraging eye contact and being held in a calm and caring way, active listening, positive language and noticing signs/gestures are some ways that infants develop trust and form a bond with us. The Education (Early Childhood Centres) Regulations 1998 state ââ¬â ââ¬Å"Every child is given positive guidance, using praise and encouragement, and avoiding blame, harsh language, and belittling or degrading responsesâ⬠(Ministry of Education [MoE] , 1998, p. 22). Early childhood teachers need to ensure care giving routines are unhurried, meaningful and a peaceful experience. Take the time to sing songs, read books, follow their interests and extend them, be interested in what they are doing, keep conversations open, enrich their language, allow them to explore and discover, play with them and alongside them and allow yourself to be another person in their lives that interact and are responsive to them. If an infant is crying and they are responded to in a calm and gentle way, treated in the reliable and respected manner they are entitled to they will build a positive image of themselves. Centre policies should reflect this. 3. It is important for all New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand to be aware of, and sensitive to the bicultural nature of New Zealand society which consists of pakehas and the indigenous people ââ¬â the Maori ââ¬â who were here some hundred years before the arrival of Europeans. We need to respect and understand the Treaty of Waitangi which is the formal agreement between the Maori and the British Government which gave the latter the right to establish settlement and a system of British Government subject to certain rights being assured to the Maori. A bicultural perspective promotes the value of both cultures. We as a society need to understand and respect Maori views on child development and the role of the family. In Quality in Action Te Mahi Whai Hua, Implementing the Revised Statement of Desirable Objectives and Practices in New Zealand Early Childhood Services it says teachers need ââ¬Å"to understand how whanau values affect behaviour and influence the ability of children and adults to engage in meaningful purposeful relationshipsâ⬠(Ministry of Education [MoE], 1998, p. 18). We must enable Maori children and their families to be active in their community which will allow their children to learn and grow and develop a strong sense of self-worth. Te reo Maori is a living and relevant language and very significant to Maori. We need to assure Maori families that their culture, beliefs and practices are fully valued, appreciated and supported. We can learn a lot from these and implement them into the curriculum. Early childhood services play an integral part in society. They are an extension of home for children and their parents/whanau therefore we need to consider the cultural heritage of Maori and provide learning experiences for the children that reflect their culture. It is a requirement of the Education (Early Childhood Centres) Regulations 1998 that state ââ¬Å"Encourage children to become and remain confident in their own culture and to develop an understanding of and respect for other cultures of Aotearoa/New Zealandâ⬠(MoE, p. 21).
Customer Satisfaction and Expectation in Hotel
Customer Satisfaction and Expectation in Hotel INTRODUCTION Hospitality is linked to Customer satisfactions because this industry produces and provides customer satisfactions. Now, Customer requirements can be both tangible and intangible but satisfying all of them and hence meeting their requirements is called customer satisfaction. To construct arguments justifying the facilities, layout and ambience of the bedroom, only using the concept as a source of examples to illustrate / support the line of argument. The emphasis is on constructing arguments to justify a detail about the concept. The concept of our hotel revolves around the theme SPORTS. We have decided to build an ALL SPORTS HOTEL in the Cardiff bay area near the millennium stadium, which would be completely focussed on the sports oriented market, for the people who have a niche for sports. Our vision is to amuse and dazzle sports fans. AIM To use and apply theoretical concepts and models to structure a discussion which critically appraises how the proposed hotel concept will meet customer expectations and satisfy customers. The main motive of this piece of work is to research in general terms about what theory says in answer to these questions: What is customer expectation and satisfaction? What are the expectations of hotel customers? What satisfies hotel customers? What is it about my concept that will result in customer satisfaction? To construct arguments justifying the facilities, layout and ambience of the bedroom, only using the concept as a source of examples to illustrate / support the line of argument. The emphasis is on constructing arguments to justify a detail about the concept. WHAT IS CUSTOMER EXPECTATION AND SATISFACTION? Customer Expectation: The definition of customer expectation according to Parasuraman, Zeithaml and Berry (Leonard L) is: the ideas and feelings that aÃâà customerÃâà has about aÃâà productÃâà orÃâà service, based on what he or she needs from it andÃâà expectsÃâà it to do. (ConsumerÃâà expectationÃâà can be formed by earlierÃâà experiences,Ãâà marketing, what other customers say about it,Ãâà alertnessÃâà ofÃâà competitors services, andÃâà product image. If consumer expectations are met, then customer feels satisfied.) The need, desires and ideas of a consumer about a product or facility, and what a customer wants from a service he/she is paying for is called consumer expectations. The level of consumer service is also an aspect, and a consumer might expect to meet effectiveness, cooperation, consistency, assurance in the staff, and a personal interest in his/her patronage. POSSIBLE LEVEL OF CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS AS DESCRIBED BY PARSHURAM, ZEITHAML and BERRY (LEONARD L) (figure 1): CUSTOMER SATISFACTION A business term, is a appraisal of how goods and services supplied by a company meetup or surpass customer expectation. In a aggressive market where companies compete for consumers, customer contentment is seen as a key differentiator and progressively has become a key element of industry strategy. As Parasuraman, Zeithaml and Berry (Leonard L) emphasis, the significance of consumer satisfaction diminishes when a firm has greater than before bargaining power, because consumer satisfaction would be way too low, and consumers would easily have the alternative of leaving for an enhanced hotel offer. There is a significant body of pragmatic literature that establishes the advantages of customer satisfaction for firms. Businesses need to retain existing consumers while targeting non- consumers. Measuring client satisfaction provides a sign of how flourishing the business is at providing products and/or services to the consumers. Consumer satisfaction as described by Bluestein, Abram; M. Moriarty; R. J. Sanderson (2003) is an intangible concept and the actual sign of the state of satisfaction will vary from individual to individual and service to service. The state of satisfaction depends on some particular like both emotional and physical variables which associate with satisfaction behaviour such as return and suggest rate. The stage of satisfaction can also differ depending on other factors such as other products against which the consumer can compare the business products. Factors influencing consumer satisfaction: Product/service features. Exact products or service feature Customer emotions Attributions for service achievement or breakdown Perception of impartiality or fairness Other customers. Price Individual factors the customers mood or emotional state situational factors WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS OF HOTEL CUSTOMERS? To understand the customer expectations from a hotel, we need to think from the customers point of view. When I`m a customer, i expect that i am: (methodology of customer expectations, what he expects from a particular service or hotel) 1. Attention 10. Wide Knowledgeable help 2. Competent, efficient service 11. Friendly nature of staff 3. Anticipation of customers needs 12. To be informed 4. Explanations in customers terms 13. Follow up with 5. Essential Courtesies 14. Honest 6. To be informed of the options 15. Feedback of services 7. Not to be passed around 16. Professional service 8. To be listened to (and heard) 17. Empathetic 9. Personalised attention 18. Respect The involvement of consumers in the modernization process is significant for the development of ground-breaking services and products because very often customers make substantial contributions through the articulation of idea, wishes and needs (Beiger and Graf, 2004) The majority of todays consumer have increasingly higher expectations and tend to be: Informed Confident Independent Educated Consumer-driven Not bound by traditional demographics. WHAT SATISFIES HOTEL CUSTOMERS? A customer is satisfied when his expectations are met. Customer satisfaction is met through The product itself -quality, quantity, presentation, price The service timing and speed to suit the market, efficiency, expertise of staff, appearance and social skills of staff The product support -dà ©cor, display, heating, lighting, linen, glass, cutlery, cleanliness, etc. must all support the product. From marketing viewpoint, it is important to consider the needs and requirements for customer satisfaction for at least three major reasons: People do not buy goods and services for what they are they buy them for what they do for them. Understanding what makes people tick and why they buy things makes it far more likely one will be able to satisfy those needs. If a group of customers display similar behaviours and have similar needs, they form a market segment. It is far easier, and more profitable, to supply a common range of goods and services to a group segment than to a wide-ranging set of individuals. One particular approach to people needs, which fits the hospitality industry very well, was advanced by a behavioural scientist called Abraham Maslow in 1943. He proposed a hierarchy (figure 2) of needs consisting of five levels: Maslows premise is that all of us have needs which require satisfying in ascending order, i.e. higher-level needs only emerge as those immediately proceeding are satisfied. At the base of the triangle are physiological needs of food and drink, necessary for survival. At the next level are the needs of safety and security, represented by the stability of a home, a job, and freedom from anxiety. Then come the need for love, companionship and a sense of belonging. This whole area of needs is central to the hospitality industry whether its a case of providing an intimate family meal for four or a celebration for a victorious sports team. After that is the need for esteem and status. The hospitality industry caters to the egos of its customers as much as to their stomachs, and with some justification. many people are hungrier for recognition than they are for food and drink alone. Warm, friendly greeting and the appropriate use of customers names do much to reinforce their esteem and accord them the status they seek, which gives them mental satisfaction. The need for self-actualization, the desire for self-fulfilment or being the best you can, can be met through activity breaks, featuring special interest groups fishing, golf, antique master-classes, painting, hot air ballooning. Whatever a persons hobby or interests, most activities can be catered for by the hotels over a course of year to satisfy the customer needs. The methodology discussed is actually what a customer expects from service industry. Meeting the consumer expectations will cement relations, increase their fulfilment, and retain their business. Here are six consumer expectations that are the foundation stone of exceptional service and consumer satisfaction: Well-informed and accessible staff: While a consumer is making the buying decision, they want to be well informed, availableÃâà when they want it. Friendly people:Ãâà Customers not only desire product-confident sales persons, they want them to be welcoming and polite. Value for money:Ãâà This is where money factors come in. Customers need value-for-money. Convenience:Ãâà The rule here is simple: make it easy! A fast finish:Ãâà They want thoughtful help making the right choice. Most business lose 25% of their customers annually and yet most companies spend five time as much on generating new customers on retaining existing ones. Steve Mawson (2000) explains that customer satisfaction or dissatisfaction comes more and more from the way the person is treated. Improved technology, more affluence, greater sophistication, foreign travel, intense competition all play their part in increasing customers expectations of levels of service. WHAT IS IT ABOUT MY CONCEPT THAT WILL RESULT IN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION? As I mentioned earlier, my concept of proposing a hotel in Cardiff Bay Area, Wales is of ALL SPORTS HOTEL. It is located near the Millennium stadium, Cardiff, also Cardiff City FC and Cardiff City Stadium are easily reachable. This hotel would be one of a kind in the market, and will surely attract a fair amount of market due to the immense sporting experience it would offer its customers, and also out-of-the-class facilities available at the hotel. To give a sportier feel its decided that the hotel would be stadium shaped. There would be 120 en-suites on four floors and each of them would be designed with a different theme Ground Floor It would consist of front office, cricket and football themed lobbies, sports museum, an exclusive sports merchandise shop. First Floor Designed for the people who love live for cricket, with 30 en-suites on the name of famous cricketing countries like: ENCHANTING ENGLAND INVINCIBLE INDIA With a theatre where customers can watch live cricket matches going on or specially request matches from the past, with a seating capacity of 30 people and a cricket bar. Second Floor Designed for the football crazy people, and 30 en-suites named on major teams like: CHELSEA FC MANCHESTER UNITED Theatre with 30 people capacity, live and on request matches and all football bar. Third Floor with 40 en-suites, which can be designed on the customer request if he wish to live in his favourite sports room. Like Mr Dave Andrews in presentation said that his favourite football club is BIRMINGHAM FC, so we would design a room with the Club theme, so that no guest goes away disappointed. Fourth floor with 20 en-suites, which would be highly luxurious and designed for international sporting personalities who would love to be satisfied in this all-modern sporting facility hotel. Achieving customer satisfaction can be of ease with an interesting concept like this. Experiencing sporting lifestyle with a touch of nature would be of everyones interest as it is out-of-the-box hotel concept. It is earlier discussed that when the hotel meets customers needs and expectation, customer is satisfied. Margaret M. Kappa, Aleta Nitschke and Patricia B. Schappert states that No other feature or service provided by the hotel will impress the guest than a spotlessly clean and comfortable guest room. This statement is very true because it reflects the hotels reflection and eagerness to provide services and satisfy consumers. After designing the bedroom it is the prime duty of the house keeping dept to maintain the standards. At the end of the day a hotel room is the most revenue generating sector of the hotel. The overall objective of any type of designing activity is to provide services at its best that satisfies customers. The bedroom design must be easily accepted, highly pleasing, comfort zones must be established. But at the same time one must have a clear idea of the budget issued for operations to take place and the level of services to be offered. The way designs and services are offered creates an impact on the customer expectations and satisfactions. In simple words, Designing is a process aimed at meeting customer expectations by shaping activities, resources and processes. Lets explain how a customer will be satisfied by our hotel concept, focussing on The facilities, layout and ambience of the bedroom: A football fan books a room in our hotel as his favourite team Manchester United is playing against Chelsea FC next week in the nearby stadium and is accompanied by his wife and two football maniac kids and books the MAN-U Room in the hotel. As in his booking form he filled that he is a die-hard fan of MAN-U FC and his kids love playing football too. He arrived 2 days before the event and before his arrival his expectations were LAYOUT Big Spacious room, additional rooms for kids, perfectly designed as it is an exclusive sports hotel. FACILITIES Exclusive beddings and room accessories, big TV screen in room, games for kids, 24*7 assistance, entry to exclusive football facilities available. AMBIENCE Sporty, Energetic vibrant. How was he satisfied Layout He was offered a MAN-U theme en-suite on the football floor i.e. 2nd floor for à £80 + à £40(kids room). It was a big spacious room + adjoining kids room with the balcony facing towards the millennium stadium where his favourite team MAN-U will be competing after 2 days, so that he might catch a glimpse of his favourite stars or 2. Walls were exclusively designed keeping the MAN-U theme in mind, with his favourite stars wallpapers. Walls in the kids room were specially designed keeping the MAN-U FOR KIDS theme in mind, satisfied the guest with the layout of the room. Facilities Exclusive MAN-U beddings and accessories was the room designed with. MAN-U themed curtains, alarm clock, table lamp Games for kids was pre-installed in the room, big TV screens were installed in the room as well as in the bathroom so that our guest dont even miss a bit of football and guest even enjoyed exclusive MAN-U players interviews and past matches of MAN-U free of cost. He was even offered free entry to the all-exclusive football bar which included 2 free drinks and unlimited soft-drinks/juices for kids, where he can watch and support MAN-U play with a complete stadium like scenario, satisfied his expectations for the facilities being provided. AMBIENCE The time he entered the room he noticed that the room was completely designed on his favourite team, the floor looked like artificial grass and at both the ends of the wall an imaginary goal-post were present. When he called the room service for order the attendant came dressed like a footballer and the dishes in which food was served was completely based on the theme Football. Exclusive football bar was full with fans, supporting their favourite team and enjoying with other fans. The customer expectations of ambience were also met and he was satisfied. The Guest was satisfied with the services being provided and enjoyed his stay at THE ALL SPORTS HOTEL and promised to return in near future.
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