Barriers to Communication Essays

Barriers to Communication Essays Barriers to Communication Essay Barriers to Communication Essay Barriers to Communication and Causes of Communication Failure in Businesses Barriers to communication can occur if the recipient has failed to convey the meaning or / and the importance of the message.  ·Sender breakdown – too much information is being sent, so the recipient misses key points. Also, language can be difficult to understand, as it can be too complex.  ·Method breakdown – when information is very detailed or complicated, then written instructions are better than messages which can be misinterpreted. Recipient breakdown – the recipient deliberately makes a choice to misinterpret the message because of their attitude to either the sender to the message at hand. Other problems with communication could be:  ·Long chain of command.  ·Language complex, and hard to understand.  ·Vague purpose – not detailed enough, more explanation required  ·Inappropriate medium (method used, e. g. written, electronically etc).  ·Red tape – message gets passed on to many different people before finally reaching the recipient making the process too long and the message changing. Also, actions can be delayed as a result of a late arrival of the message.  ·Status of two parties – can be intimidated by the other person’s status because of their gender, age etc.  ·Location – distance of recipient or where message has to reach.  ·Distraction – Communication channels breaking up. BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION No matter how good the communication system in an organisation is, unfortunately barriers can and do often occur. This may be caused by a number of factors which can usually be summarised as being due to physical barriers, system design faults or additional barriers. Physical barriers are often due to the nature of the environment. Thus, for example, the natural barrier which exists, if staff are located in different buildings or on different sites. Likewise, poor or outdated equipment, particularly the failure of management to introduce new technology, may also cause problems. Staff shortages are another factor which frequently causes communication difficulties for an organisation. Whilst distractions like background noise, poor lighting or an environment which is too hot or cold can all affect eoples morale and concentration, which in turn interfere with effective communication. System design faults refer to problems with the structures or systems in place in an organisation. Examples might include an organisational structure which is unclear and therefore makes it confusing to know who to communicate with. Other examples could be inefficient or inappropriate information systems, a lack of supervision or training, and a lack of clarity in roles and responsibilities which can lead to staff being uncertain about what is expected of them. Attitudinal barriers come about as a result of problems with staff in an organisation. These may be brought about, for example, by such factors as poor management, lack of consultation with employees, personality conflicts which can result in people delaying or refusing to communicate, the personal attitudes of individual employees which may be due to lack of motivation or dissatisfaction at work, brought about by insufficient training to enable them to carry out particular tasks, or just resistance to change due to entrenched attitudes and ideas. OTHER COMMON BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION INCLUDE: Psychological factors such as peoples state of mind. We all tend to feel happier and more receptive to information when the sun shines. Equally, if someone has personal problems like worries about their health or marriage, then this will probably affect them. Different languages and cultures represent a national barrier which is particularly important for organisations involved in overseas business. Individual linguistic ability is also important. The use of difficult or inappropriate words in communication can prevent people from understanding the message. Poorly explained or misunderstood messages can also result in confusion. We can all think of situations where we have listened to something explained which we just could not grasp. Physiological barriers may result from individuals personal discomfort, caused, for example, by ill health, poor eye sight or hearing difficulties. Presentation of information Here are the 7 top barriers. 1.Physical barriers Physical barriers in the workplace include:  ·marked out territories, empires and fiefdoms into which strangers are not llowed  ·closed office doors, barrier screens, separate areas for people of different status  ·large working areas or working in one unit that is physically separate from others. Research shows that one of the most important factors in building cohesive teams is proximity. As long as people still have a personal space that they can call their own, nearness to others aids communication because it helps us get to know one another. 2. Perceptual barriers The problem with communicating with others is that we all see the world differently. If we didnt, we would have no need to communicate: something like extrasensory perception would take its place. The following anecdote is a reminder of how our thoughts, assumptions and perceptions shape our own realities: A traveller was walking down a road when he met a man from the next town. Excuse me, he said. I am hoping to stay in the next town tonight. Can you tell me what the townspeople are like? Well, said the townsman, how did you find the people in the last town you visited? Oh, they were an irascible bunch. Kept to themselves. Took me for a fool. Over-charged me for what I got. Gave me very poor service. Well, then, said the townsman, youll find them pretty much the same here. 3. Emotional barriers One of the chief barriers to open and free communications is the emotional barrier. It is comprised mainly of fear, mistrust and suspicion. The roots of our emotional mistrust of others lie in our childhood and infancy when we were taught to be careful what we said to others. Mind your Ps and Qs; Dont speak until youre spoken to; Children should be seen and not heard. As a result many people hold back from communicating their thoughts and feelings to others. They feel vulnerable. While some caution may be wise in certain relationships, excessive fear of what others might think of us can stunt our development as effective communicators and our ability to form meaningful relationships. 4. Cultural barriers When we join a group and wish to remain in it, sooner or later we need to adopt the behaviour patterns of the group. These are the behaviours that the group accept as signs of belonging. The group rewards such behaviour through acts of recognition, approval and inclusion. In groups which are happy to accept you, and where you are happy to conform, there is a mutuality of interest and a high level of win-win contact. Where, however, there are barriers to your membership of a group, a high level of game-playing replaces good communication. 5. Language barriers Language that describes what we want to say in our terms may present barriers to others who are not familiar with our expressions, buzz-words and jargon. When we couch our communication in such language, it is a way of excluding others. In a global market place the greatest compliment we can pay another person is to talk in their language. One of the more chilling memories of the Cold War was the threat by the Soviet leader Nikita Khruschev saying to the Americans at the United Nations: We will bury you! This was taken to mean a threat of nuclear annihilation. However, a more accurate reading of Khruschevs words would have been: We will overtake you! meaning economic superiority. It was not just the language, but the fear and suspicion that the West had of the Soviet Union that led to the more alarmist and sinister interpretation. . 6.Gender barriers There are distinct differences between the speech patterns in a man and those in a woman. A woman speaks between 22,000 and 25,000 words a day whereas a man speaks between 7,000 and 10,000. In childhood, girls speak earlier than boys and at the age of three, have a vocabulary twice that of boys. The reason for this lies in the wiring of a mans and womans brains. When a man talks, his speech is located in the left side of the brain but in no specific area. When a woman talks, the speech is located in both hemispheres and in two specific locations. This means that a man talks in a linear, logical and compartmentalised way, features of left-brain thinking; whereas a woman talks more freely mixing logic and emotion, features of both sides of the brain. It also explains why women talk for much longer than men each day. 7 Interpersonal barriers There are six levels at which people can distance themselves from one another: 1. Withdrawal is an absence of interpersonal contact. It is both refusal to be in touch and time alone. 2. Rituals are meaningless, repetitive routines devoid of real contact. 3. Pastimes fill up time with others in social but superficial activities. 4. Working activities are those tasks which follow the rules and procedures of contact but no more. 5. Games are subtle, manipulative interactions which are about winning and losing. They include rackets and stamps. 6. Closeness is the aim of interpersonal contact where there is a high level of honesty and acceptance of yourself and others. Working on improving your communications is a broad-brush activity. You have to change your thoughts, your feelings, and your physical connections. That way, you can break down the barriers that get in your way and start building relationships that really work. The following questions can used to self-debrief your behavior in settings where personal communications are used to build relationships at work, at home, in a church, with a spouse and about any place where two or more gather. These are the common barriers and you may think of others or variations. It is often helpful to do this evaluation in a group and exchange your views to enhance learning about yourself. The value of this is to discover what you may be doing to shut off communications and find ways to improve your behavior. A second way to use these barriers is to just copy the heading and discuss each within a group. The number one barrier to communications is not listening. Different forms of this are at the end of the list. (jump to listening barriers) EXPECTATIONS: Are your expectations of others or organizations a barrier? Do others know your expectations or do you just think they know them? Can you change your expectations or let go of them to be part of a group or a relationship? How would that feel? Did this in any way feel like giving up your self to be what the group wants you to be? This is probably the number one barrier to communications. Expectations are often not expressed to others and it is as if the other is expected to have a crystal ball and know what you expect. RISKING: What is a risk for you? How much do you risk in a communications setting? What keeps you from risking? Is it fear? If so, fear of what? Is it control? Control of what? Yourself or others or the group? Do you wish to risk more? What will it take to risk more? This is probably the top barriers in communicating authentically. Risk in communication often has this silent question: If I risk myself and this is all Ive got, what will happen if I am rejected? Building communications with others authentically takes a degree of risk. AVOIDANCE: What did you do to avoid looking at yourself? Think about this. What was behind the avoidance? Fear of rejection? Fear of loss of control? Were you part of an avoidance project? What did the group do to avoid doing what it needed to do? Did group norms facilitate avoidance? Avoidance frequently is present when a person feels unsafe or is unsure if its safe. Many business meetings start with considerable avoidance and only in the last minutes does the group get to the real subject, and then often try a quick fix. Avoidance can become a habit. FIXING: Did anyone try to fix you? The group? How did that feel? Did you try to fix, heal or convert anyone or the group? Can you fix anyone other than yourself? How aware are you that this is often done, with good intentions and well-meaning but usually not wanted and unaccepted 90+% of the time? What is your level of acceptance of people just as they are? Fixing is often trying to get the other to believe as you do or to do as you have done in a similar situation or to be more like you so you will feel more comfortable. PROJECTS: Most groups are creative in making projects that have something to do with avoidance. Can you name a project in your group? What do pseudo-projects represent in a group? Sometimes projects are things, sometimes people and often its something completely outside the group and the room. Projects can be a way of fooling ourselves and have many of the characteristics of organizing a group and represent avoidance. They can be barriers to communications. Projects are sometimes necessary to help build safety and trust in groups. They can take the form of challenging the norms of a group or the written rules. SCAPEGOATING: Did you feel scapegoated? What did it feel like? Were you part of a scapegoating effort on another person? Scapegoating is often another form of avoidance or blaming or excluding. It may be an attempt to keep focus off of the person doing the scapegoating! It is seen in most family situations and in the workplace and is usually destructive to the personality. PROBING: Did anyone probe you for information? How did that feel? Did it create a barrier for you? If you were probed and did not like it, what kept you from confronting the prober? If you were the prober, why did you probe? Did it have anything to do with keeping the focus off of you? Probing can be avoidance of task or scapegoating if carried too far. SPEAKING IN CODE: If you were part of a subgroup of two or more people, did/do you speak with language that only those in the subgroup can understand? Can you understand how this is a form of exclusivity? This is often done without realizing it in all kinds of groups. It is not polite and keeps understanding low. CONTROL: Did anyone try to control you or what you said? How did it feel? Were you aware at any time that you were trying to control an outcome? If you tried to control, what was the reason? Was it to control what might happen to you? Did you notice others trying control? Most of us believe we have far more control than we actually do. Letting go of control and risking more may result in more love coming into your life. BLAMING: Did anyone blame you for what was or was not happening? How did that feel? Did you blame anyone? What was your motive for the blaming? Did it have to do with trying to make some other person responsible for your behavior? Did you experience blaming in your family of origin? Blaming can become an almost unconscious habit. PLACATING: Did you feel placated by anyone? Did you placate anyone? How does it feel to be placated? CHAOS AVOIDANCE: Do you run from conflict or avoid it in some way instead of trying to go through it? Do you leave a conversation when it gets too hot for you? (either actual or emotionally) How do you react to change? Another word for Chaos is change. People find many ways to avoid talking about change as it usually feels uncomfortable because of the unknown. Chaos can also mean conflict and many will do anything to avoid it. Chaos is one of the most certain things in life and it is well to learn how to embrace it. SILENCE: How comfortable are you with silence? Can you listen to yourself? To your source of spirit? Do you recognize respectful silence? Do you experience a silent time at home? What would it be like if you asked for some silence in your workplace during a meeting? Silence is an unused tool that is very effective in all kinds of ways. Scott Peck says in the Different Drum, Silence is the primary key to emptiness. Also, More than half of Beethovens music is silence. Without the silence there is no music; there is only noise. Most people have little true silence in their lives, yet it provides considerable peacefulness. EXCLUSION: Did you feel excluded at any time? Did you exclude yourself? Did some person say anything that made you feel excluded? Was your feeling of exclusion accurate? Is this something that often happens to you? Did you exclude any person either by avoiding them, or emotionally tuning them out, or by making a judgmental statement? Did you later change the exclusion to inclusion? Think of how people are often excluded and why. It is often done as an unconscious act that may have been learned in the family or work place. BOUNDARY OR BARRIER: A boundary is often created for protection and should only be changed with considerable thought. A boundary rule is one you have originated that defines what is good or bad for you. A boundry may be a barrier to communication depending on what it is. Are you aware of any boundary you have that is a barrier to meaningful communications? Are you aware of any boundary that you want to change? How will you do that and how will you know if it is safe to change? Boundaries are accumulated during life for protection and become a learned method of existing. Boundaries need to be changed slowly and may be replaced with another boundary that offers more freedom until it becomes safe to take the next step. Some people have few or almost no boundries and this often gets them into trouble. An example of this is a person that regulary offers far more information that is asked for by people they talk to. This becomes a turnoff to others and may result in other avoiding you. LISTENING: How well do you listen to what people say? Do you hear what is not said with words, but with emotions or body language? How about listening to what is not said? How can you listen with your whole being, body, mind, spirit and heart? There are many sub-barriers that come under Listening. Below are some. Automatic Talking: Listening just long enough to find a word that you know something about. Then shut off the rest of what is being said, particularly the emotional content. Then start talking about the word you know something about. This blocks real communications by not hearing the total content. This is the most used form of blocking true communication. For more on this, see Automatic Talking Exercise. SELECTIVE LISTENING: This is when a person hears another but selects to not hear what is being said by choice or desire to hear some other message. This can take several forms and result in acting out in destructive ways. An example is to become passive agressive by prentending to hear and agree to what was said when actually your intent is to NOT act on the message, but make the other person think you will. Another form is to act on what you wanted to hear instead of what was said. Continued selective listening is one of the best ways to destroy a relationship. BEING A FIXER: A fixer is a person that tries to fix another persons faults, problems or personality by offering what worked for them or a friend in a similar situatuon. Fixers often cut off others in the middle of a conversation without hearing the whole story to offer their fix. People overall do not like to be fixed and most suggestions for a fix will be disregarded and may result in anger toward the fixer. Using You or We statements instead of I statements. I statements show ownership of what is being said. You statements are often a form of criticism. We statements often implies everyone within listening distance agrees with the statement which is not true. Its like you speaking for another person without their permission. Absolute Statements. These use such words as Never, always, forever, etc. and are often make a statement untrue. Use a less absolute word. Daydreaming. Letting your attention drift away. There are many causes of this and you can stop it by getting into the conversation and saying you are having a hard time staying with what is being said, without blaming. You may find out others are having the same difficulty and will do the same. Being right. This can take several forms. The most common is polite criticism of how a person speak or what they say or to insinuate that the person said it wrong. This can stop communication particularly with sensitive people. Many people have to learn how to communicate and can only do it by trying the way they know how. Derailing. (a form of avoidance) Changing the subject, or tell a joke, or point a finger at another person or try and turn a question around and back to the speaker. Name calling or belittling. This is hurtful and may make another feel foolish or stupid and they may exclude themselves from further conversation. Being the Reactor. On occasion, a person will attempt to get you to speak by trying to hook you to react. Swearing is a way of hooking some people. A good listener will continue to just listen and not react. This will often cause the person to stop trying to hook you if you keep it up long enough. How do people end up sending muddled messages? Often people tend to focus on problems like lack of listening, or inattention when discussing causes of poor communication, neglecting the fact that if a message is muddled or confused in the first place, no amount of attention or listening is going to unmuddle the initial message. People often send muddled messages information that is structured in such a way that the other person will have almost no chance of understanding it the way it was intended. For example, throwing too much at the other person so that he or she cant figure out the point is one way messages are muddled. Being unclear about one wants to say, and not taking the time to clarify to oneself before speaking, is another cause of muddledness. If you often find that people seem to misunderstand your intent or messages, particularly in face-to-face discussions, often look perplexed and often have to ask questions of you because they dont understand, start looking to the quality of the messages you send, and start slowing down and paying attention to what you say. The payoff can be enormous if you can unmuddle yourself. What is assumption of common meaning and why is it a problem? Some people believe that words mean the same thing for different people. After all, dont we have dictionaries so that people can have the same understanding of a word? This is a major problem in communication not realizing that language, any specific word, can have a different meaning for one person compared to another. Heres an example. You are talking to someone who is considering buying a pet. For you the word dog has very positive meaning, since you had dogs all through childhood. So, you suggest to the person that he might buy a dog for companionship. But does the word dog mean the same thing for the other person? That person may have been bitten by a large dog, when he was a child, and has developed a terror reaction to most dogs. For him, the meaning of the word dog (its connotative meaning) is completely different from yours. If you are oblivious to the idea that words carry different emotional meanings, you and the other person can never learn to understand each other. Even with seemingly straightforward word definitions, things arent simple and we cant assume that when one person uses the word liberal, for example, that they mean the same things as you might mean. For him, a liberal might mean a cowardly, crime coddling and socialistic thinking person, while for you, it might mean someone who believes that we should help those less fortunate. The more heated and emotionallly loaded the words we are using, the more important it is to first try to understand what the other person means from the words he or she uses. Many arguments and conflicts can be prevented by trying to understand first, then argue. What happens if I choose the wrong channel to communicate? If you choose the wrong channels that is if the channels are not effective for the type of message and meaning you want to create you are likely to create misunderstanding, and even end up worse off then if you had kept the message to yourself. Not only does using the wrong channels impede communication, but doing so can cause mistrust in others, particularly about your sincerity and commitment to them. Example: Lets say a departmental manager of 15 employees decides he wants to convey the message that he values their work and well-being. He has a number of ways and channels he can use to do this. He can walk around and talk face to face with his employees on a regular basis, wishing them good morning, and inquiring as to their welfare (thats one channel). He could send a memo out each morning wishing them good morning (thatd be another channel). Or he could send an email. The question is Which channel would be best for this message? Walking around and talking face to face is the most costly in terms of time and managerial commitment, while the other two are not costly. But consider the reaction of employees. How many employees will get the meaning the manager is trying to send, if the channel is an automated email? Worse, how many employees will question the managers commitment if he chooses an email channel to transmit a message that is clearly not suited to the channel? Thats just one example. The more emotionally loaded the message, the more thought has to The message is good, but the timing is oh so bad Why is timing so important? Timing is just one aspect of communicating with, influencing and being heard by your boss. Get heard by your boss by using the techniques outlined in Influencing Your Boss Getting Heard Helpcard. Free Preview. When you talk to someone, assuming youre like most people, you tend to focus on what you want to say. Theres some sense in this since you want to be clear and understandable. It is possible to phrase your message and meaning perfectly, yet have it rejected, ignored or otherwise demeaned. In many ways, timing IS everything in communication. For example, if you have a great idea you want to pitch to the boss, you may get a terrible reception one day, but if you chose another day, you might get a great reception. Clearly, people are more receptive at some times compared to other times. We tend to forget this. And then get upset when we dont get the reactions we want. Luckily improving timing in communication isnt difficult. It involves some conscious thought and curbing impulsiveness or even curbing your enthusiasm. Consider the other person state of mind, emotions, time schedule to assess whether its a good time to talk about a particular subject. Do this beforehand. During conversations, if you get unexpected negative reactions, think about whether its that the other person is simply not ready to hear what you have to say. Maybe its best to continue at another time. Timing is particularly important with emotional or tough conversations. Its always good to ask Id like to talk to you about [topic]. Is it a good time now? go into HOW to communicate it, and which channels to use. What is a leading question? A leading question is a specific kind of question that attempts to lead or manipulate the other person into answering the question the way the asker wants. Its intent is not to understand, but to manipulate. Many of us use leading questions without being conscious of either our intent, or how such use appears to the other person. For example, You dont really believe that is a leading question that clearly is designed to make a statement of opinion, rather than to engage in true inquiry. Leading questions are probably never advisable, since they are certain to create defensive, anger, and a feeling that you are trying to manipulate the other person. If you want to know, ask. If you want to make a statement, or put forth an opinion, dont use a question to try to disguise what you are doing. What is the Im Special Syndrome and How Does It Affect Communication? You think thats bad? When I was young I had to walk twelve miles uphill to school in the dead of winter, and then twelve miles uphill back home again. No doubt youve had the misfortune to have to talk to someone whos desire to present him or herself as special results in a contest to show whos the most disadvantaged or hard done by. At one end of the spectrum a person who believes and or is trying to portray himself as special tends to exaggerate his situations past and present, to show how difficult his life is or has been. At the other end of the spectrum the Im special person goes on and on about who he knows, what hes accomplished, and how good he his. Both approaches are driven by the same thing a sense of wanting to be special in ones own eyes, or the eyes of others. Ego. Its very difficult to have real conversations with such a person, because everything gets turned back to their situation, or their accomplishments, or their health maladies. If you have to deal with such a person, theres really no reasonable way to prevent them from hijacking every conversation for the purpose of appearing special. However, you can ensure that YOU dont get caught up in the Im special syndrome. Life isnt a competition, and communication isnt a war to find out whos best. When you behave this way, you will damage the relationships you are trying to build, and inevitably, when you try to appear special, all you end up doing is to appear to be selfish, self-centered and, in effect a bore. What is placating and how does it create barriers to communication? Placating involves giving in to the other persons postion or demands, even though you still are not comfortable, or happy with them. In essence it involves giving in. In addition placating language is language of giving in Ok, ok, whatever youd like, or I didnt mean it, really. People behave in placating ways and use placating language for a number of reasons. One is a desire to smooth over conflict with others, and the intent may, in fact be good, but the methods may not be. Often when you try to placate someone, you send a mixed meaning or message. You say It really does matter, and you also say, It doesnt matter. This is an incongruence that confuses the other person. So placating tends to obscure communication and understanding. If you are truly OK with giving in, then thats different since you probably wont create communication confusion, provided you explain why its OK. There are of course, other reasons why people go into placating mode, and you should reflect on your own motivations. Are you afraid of conflict? Are you afraid of the other person?

The eNotes Blog Ten Worst Novel Cover Art of AllTime

Ten Worst Novel Cover Art of AllTime Authors rarely have any say in what cover art is chosen to adorn their works. The interpretations can often be down-right ridiculous. Here, for your viewing pleasure/horror are the worst-of-the-worst, the baddest-of-the-bad, and the silliest-of-the-silliest. Here we have Jane Eyre, apparently channeling Jane Russell.   Janes supposed to be homely   Thatll never sell. And perhaps her oddly formed hand is a result of the tragic, and little known, farming accident so frequently passed over by students. Want to trick teens into reading classic literature? How about making the cover of Wuthering Heights look like Twilight ? Of the few gullible teens who fell for the ruse, 100% returned the novel when,  after about fifty pages,   Heathcliff failed to sparkle. And here we have Melvilles classic Billy Budd, re-invisioned as a 70s adult-movie star. My innocence has been shattered by this blatant tourist trap. I want my money back. ~ Max, Tobacco Road Whats that sound I hear? Is itwhy, yes, it is! Its Faulkner turning over in his grave! Behold the young, be-haired Yul Brenner as he lovingly strangles Joanne Woodward. This image comes from great site Pop Sensation, whose author comments: I love the hand-drawn font on the title. Makes the book look like an adaptation of a wacky Disney movie. And heres the back cover! Best things about this back cover? DECAY Why would I read any farther after that? That is perhaps the best single-word tagline Ive ever seen on a book. And the bright, whimsical font! Inspired. By the picture, I would surmise that this is the story of an aging pirate with a bad hairpiece and massive pit stains who wants nothing more than for Maria from Sound of Music to admire his chest hair. The creepiest rendering of Richard Wrights classic, Black Boy, you will ever see. Guaranteed. Although it is kinda cool the way his open collar is shaped like Africa. Again, kudos to Pop Sensation, who aptly notes: Love the way Abridged is used as a major selling point - Finally, our most important Founding Father, in a dose you can manage! Floating Head of Thomas Jefferson backed by the Floating Declaration of Independence. My Most Powerful, Floatingest cover ever. This planting season, why not outfit your team with Dr. E. J. Samuelsons newly patented Invisible Oxen Rigging! Amaze your friends as your oxen appear to pull your plow by sheer force of mind alone Next to music, beer was best, Carson McCullers wrote in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Beer, or alcohol of some sort, seems to have been involved here. If that old codger William Shakespeare just didnt deliver enough debauchery and sensuous women in his version of Julius Caesar, then youll surely want to read the much more exciting The Private Life of Julius Caesar. And come to think of it, that yawner Hamlet leaves a lot to be desired as well.

Caree paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Caree paper - Essay Example The ultimate mission of a teacher is to produce a skilled and an informed citizenry. The paper covers the history, requirements, duties, and the job outlook of a high school or a secondary teacher. In the earliest times, cultural, social values, religion, knowledge, traditions, skills, and morality were passed on to generation by informal education. Education was achieved by imitation and observation. It was in oral form. Parents, kids, and extended family acted as teachers to the young. With the complexity of the ancient civilization, customs and knowledge about agriculture, boat building, military, and other activities called for the demand for teachers. The revolutionary war led to an improvement of education in America. Majority of the teachers at the time were male (Saleh & Khine, 2012). Horace Mann in 1647 opened the first free public school. A significant step in the education sector took pace in 1857, coming up with National Teachers Association. It gave rise to the current teacher profession. Becoming a teacher is not easy. A secondary teacher has to pass through high school, complete college and obtain a four-year bachelor degree in the field or subject they wish to teach. In addition, they have to go through one to two years of college in a Credential program. The program entails classes on how to teach. It also tests knowledge of PRAXIS, CBEST, and SSAT (Saleh & Khine, 2012). Teachers are of different types. Each has a unique and a complicated job. Elementary teachers teach grade K to 8. Secondary teachers teach grade 6 to 12. Special Ed teachers teach students with disabilities. The substitute teachers fill in for the absent teachers. Finally, we have the professors who teach in colleges. A secondary teacher teaches in one major subject area like Mathematics, English, Science, History, and Arts. Their daily duties involve making lesson plans, attending lessons, grading papers, assigning grades, contacting parents, keeping attendance and

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Business Models and Planning - Essay Example Of course, this meant that the market was viable. With about 99.99% of the market untapped, there was a great business opportunity for Chase and partner. More drivers would soon need the services so that business idea was highly viable, and there would be great returns (Hart et al., 2005). The main competitors were Swiss Mobility CarSharing-it had 1400 cars at the moment-and Stadtauto. The latter had only 300 cars. The former had a membership of 30,000 people, and operated in some 700 locations and was mostly concentrated in expanding in Switzerland. Drive Stadtauto had about 7,500 members and did operate in 110 locations. Other competitors were only potential in that they had not already set shop. They included CommunAuto, Car-Sharing Inc. and FlexCar. To differentiate it, Chase and partner focused on cost effectiveness and convenience when other companies focused more on environmental impact. They priced their services relatively cheaper and had diverse products when other competitors concentrated on just one or two products (Hart et al., 2005). Chase and partner used a catchy name-Zipcar. The name communicated their intention so that customers readily related to their services and the core rationale behind their idea; which was basically to share ownership of cars at individual convenience. They employed low-budget advertising techniques. For instance, they got 40% of their customers through word of mouth and referrals where already registered members referred others. Public relations also came in handy for them since they got 25% of their customers through this tactic. They also employed guerrilla grassroots efforts of marketing. Members advertised the services even without knowing they did through well-crafted logos that conveyed environment conservation (Hart et al., 2005). Chase ensured that communication was passed through the websites. She emphasized on quality, convenience, low costs and the

Rhetorical Analysis of My Dropout Boyfriend Kept Dropping In Essay

Rhetorical Analysis of My Dropout Boyfriend Kept Dropping In - Essay Example Now it was the â€Å"living outdoors† phase. The narrator-girlfriend defended her boyfriend by telling everyone that his act is a rebellious one, telling everyone that this is the boyfriend’s way of rebelling to the establishment. The â€Å"living outdoors† experiment of the boyfriend failed in the end. The narrator was partly happy because the boyfriend would finally return indoors, making everything â€Å"normal† again but then again, it is sad because the romance of living far from the reaches of technology and modern life failed as well. The text is actually a bit humoresque as it paints a picture of a college kid who is on the path to self-discovery. The lines â€Å"An  Oprah-esque voice in my head said: It doesn’t matter what people think as long as he feels fulfilled. But another voice in my head, the one that avoided self-help books and talk shows, was less convinced† saw through that. It is also very touching as it shows the persona also confused: will she support the boyfriend or not. Ultimately, she does because of her duty as a girlfriend but we know that she only does so because it’s her duty, and not because she passionately believes on the causes of the boyfriend. She is the practical one in the relationship, opting to stick to college. Her practicality even reaches up to the point that she knows what will happen to her after college, and the implications of being in college: â€Å"but over all once you attended college, you were on the straight-and-narrow path. Or at least, if the economy didn’t sink, you were on the non-homeless path.† The boyfriend is quite a compelling character. He is a typical â€Å"rebellious† kid, trying everything: being a â€Å"Goth, punk, anarchist, Marxist and Zen†. The girlfriend was so used to this lifestyle changes that she was not surprised when the boyfriend brought it up one day. This time, the reason was to be an ascetic, and he wants to follow the footsteps of Chris McCandless, the man who

Economic System Of Pakistan Economics Essay

Economic System Of Pakistan Economics Essay Pakistan is among some of developing countries who have achieved an average growth rate over 5. Pakistan economy has been emerged as an economy with 27th largest in world in term of Nominal. Pakistan has a mixed economy, major decisions are taken by Government and private enterprise, and also economy is exercised by these both sectors. Pakistan economy also depends on its industrialized sector like agriculture, textile etc. Pakistan came in being in 1947 and that time to the fifth decade of it the growth rate of it higher than the worlds economy at that time. In the decade of 1960 Pakistan was considered as a model f economic progression throughout the world. It was so much appreciated due to its economic development. Its yearly average growth rate at that time was 6.8 %. Karachi was the most dominant city who was participating god role for increasing the GDP rate and many others cities copied him and South Korea was one of them. Pakistan economy was down in the decade of 197 t0 1990 due to mismanagement of fiscal policy. But again it was recovered by policy of deregulation. This is a chart of trend of gross domestic product of Pakistan at market prices estimated by the International Monetary Fund with figures in millions of Pakistani Rupees. Year Gross Domestic Product US Dollar Exchange Inflation Index (2000=100) Per Capita Income (as  % of USA) 1960 20,058 4.76 Pakistani Rupees 3.37 1965 31,740 4.76 Pakistani Rupees 3.40 1970 51,355 4.76 Pakistani Rupees 3.26 1975 131,330 9.91 Pakistani Rupees 2.36 1978 283,460 9.97 Pakistani Rupees 21 2.83 1985 569,114 16.28 Pakistani Rupees 30 2.07 1990 1,029,093 21.41 Pakistani Rupees 41 1.92 1995 2,268,461 30.62 Pakistani Rupees 68 2.16 2000 3,826,111 51.64 Pakistani Rupees 100 1.54 2005 6,581,103 59.86 Pakistani Rupees 126 1.71 2Government of Pakistan has made considerable economic policies and also made new jobs and also trying for reduction the poverty using their scarce resources. Government are working effectively and collecting the taxes from all types of communities whether they are elite or middle and by using these taxes making the new products hence unemployment is decreasing, output growth rate is increasing and poverty is also decreasing. Pakistan is exporting more than before, they are producing double than 1990, they are trying to improve their ports and there roads in which easily transactions can be transported. Pakistan is getting benefits from agricultures trade, and country expects to get more and more profit from trade. Pakistan is also progressing by using their resources effectively like using CNG instead of petrol, Hence the import of oil from other countries has been decreased and the cost f many other things also be decreased. Now CNG has taken place in many fields like automobiles. Pakistan has become the 85th country among 181 countries in flagship report. Pakistan is better than china and Russia and also comes highest in South Asia. Pakistan Government investing more in IT department and making their business more mobile. But Now Pakistan economy is going to dogs due to inflation and other economic crisis, Pakistan Economy has to face a crisis like Balance of payment. In year 2008 Pakistan had been bailed out by monetary funds to repay your loans that were increase $ 7.6 billion to $ 11.3 billion. Pakistan economy condition in 2000 was the best condition that it had ever because that time it was emerged due to its spectacular growth, average GDP was 7% between 2003 to 2007.In October 2007 Pakistan revenue increased and become $ 13 billion due to increased in exports to $ 18 billons. Hence it was a turning point for Pakistan economy because $ 8.4 billion had been invested by foreigners. Depression phase of Pakistan economy was 2008 because this time was a grea t terrorism. Terrorism had very bad impact on the overall economy, value of money decreased, growth of output rate decreased. Everyone felt thread and investment f foreigners also decreased hence devaluation of rupee occurred. Political environment also the reason f this situation, the average of inflation n 2011 was 5 % to 7 %. 3Economic comparison of Pakistan 1999-2008 Indicator 1999 2007 2008 2009 GDP $ 75 billion $ 160 billion $ 170 billion $ 185 billion GDP Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) $ 270 billion $ 475.5 billion $ 504 billion $ 545.6 billion GDP per Capita Income $ 450 $ 925 $1085 $1250 Revenue collection Rs. 305 billion Rs. 708 billion Rs. 990 billion Rs. 1.05 trillion Foreign reserves $ 1.96 billion $ 16.4 billion $ 8.89 billion $ 17.21 billion Exports $ 7.5 billion $ 18.5 billion $ 19.22 billion $ 18.45 billion Textile Exports $ 5.5 billion $ 11.2 billion KHI stock exchange (100-Index) $ 5 billion at 700 points $ 75 billion at 14,000 points $ 46 billion at 9,300 points $ 26.5 billion at 9,000 points Foreign Direct Investment $ 1 billion $ 8.4 billion $ 5.19 billion $ 4.6 billion External Debt Liabilities $ 39 billion $ 40.17 billion $ 45.9 billion $ 50.1 billion Poverty level 34% 24% Literacy rate 45% 53% Development programs Rs. 80 billion Rs. 520 billion Rs. 549.7 billion Rs. 621 billion Major part Pakistan income consists of its agriculture products and it produces a huge amount of following objects presented by FOASTAT and the ranking of producing these products are given below: No of objects Food Rank 01 Seed 3rd 02 Sugarcane 5th 03 Rice 11th 04 Wheat   10th 05 Onion 4th 06 Dates 5th 07 Cotton 4th 08 Mango 6th 09 Buffalo Milk   2nd 10 Oranges 11th 11 Chickpea 3rd 12 Apricot 3rd 4Pakistan foremost Natural resources are its land and rivers according to a survey Pakistans 25 % land for cultivation and it is watered by the canals, rivers and some other ways. Pakistan merchandise exports are the part f industrial sector and according to the accountants Pakistan 24 % GDP and 64 % merchandise export relies on this sector. There are some others industries involve like cements, chemical, surgical etc. 250px-Manufacturing_by_Province.jpg Small business has great impact on the overall economy of a country; here is also same thing SME has contributed more than 40 % in the economy of the country. It also reduced the unemployment, use the skilled people and increased the growth rate of output. Small businesses are running almost 90 % enterprises and also make the jobs for people about 80 percent. Pakistan is also improving auto mobile industry and investing in it. It also contributes the GDP like 2.8 percent. In 2010 Pakistan is on number one that used CNG. Almost 3000 CNG pumps are running in the country and more than 2000 are in under construction. Pakistan is a country that is rewarded by its natural resources like rivers, cultivated land, mountains and many other minerals. Among them one of the significant mineral is mining, using their own resources like labor; It etc Pakistan has been found a most dominant country in this field. According to a survey at least 6, 00,000km 2 areas have metallic and non metallic commodities. Recently, a mining survey explores an ample which is the evidence of great minerals. In 1995, minerals policy took a step and said we will explore ourselves and call foreigners investors and it was favorably answered and now four projects are going for finding some new minerals.  [5]  250px-Service_Sector_by_Province.jpg Pakistan serves sector is also trying to improve GDP yet also they are contributing about 53 percent. Pakistan is also improving their IT department by investing more because it can make them more efficient and effective. The massive part of economy is gradually grow towards telecommunication according to a survey Pakistan has more than 18 million internet networks and 91 million mobile users in 2008. Banks are also providing massive amount to the people and industries for investing more and more, it is a good sign because money is continually flowing and the value f money could be increased. There was a very horrible situation in banking sectors in 2008; inspite of that Pakistan banking sector was massively enough determent at that situation. Pakistan is not using their resources rightly in case of electricity, due t this disease a lot of small business has to shut down and hence unemployment also increase. Like other countries Pakistan also has not good planning how to secure our i ncreasing population.

Malaria Essay -- essays research papers fc

Malaria Malaria parasites have been with us since the beginning of time, and fossils of mosquitoes up to thirty million years old show that malaria’s vector has existed for just as long. The parasites causing malaria are highly specific, with man as the only host and mosquitoes as the only vector. Every year, 300,000,000 people are affected by malaria, and while less than one percent of these people die, there are still an estimated 1,500,000 deaths per year. While Malaria was one of the first infectious diseases to be treated successfully with a drug, scientist are still looking for a cure or at least a vaccination today (Cann, 1996). Though many people are aware that malaria is a disease, they are unaware that it is life threatening, kills over a million people each year, and is a very elusive target for antimalarial drugs (Treatment of Malaria, 1996). Being a very specific disease, malaria is caused by only four protozoal parasites: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae. Not only is the disease specific, but the parasites are too, with only 60 of 380 species of female Anopheles mosquitoes as vectors. With the exception of Plasmodia Malariae which may affect other primates, all parasites of malaria have only one host, Homo sapiens. Because some mosquitoes contain substances toxic to Plasmodium in their cells, not all species of mosquitoes are vectors of Plasmodium. Although very specific, malaria still causes disruption of over three hundred million people worldwide each year (Cann, 1996). The life cycle of the parasite causing malaria exists between two organisms, humans and the Anopheles mosquito. When a female mosquito bites a human, she injects an anticoagulant saliva which keeps the human bleeding and ensures an even flowing meal for her. When the vector injects her saliva into the human, it also injects ten percent of her sporozoite load. Once in the bloodstream, the Plasmodium travel to the liver and reproduce by asexual reproduction. These liver cells then burst releasing the parasites back into the bloodstream where they then enter red blood cells. Here, the Plasmodium feed on hemoglobin and reproduce again by asexual reproduction. Afterwards, the red blood cells burst and release the parasites. Some of the para... ...ion people annually. As the Plasmodium parasites mutate more and more to resist the effect of antimalarials, it becomes harder for scientist to find a cure (Treatment of Malaria, 1996). Over forty percent of the world’s population still at risk from this deadly disease, is yearning for a cheap, effective vaccine (Cann, 1996). Bibliography Dr. Cann, Alan J. PhD., "The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute Malaria Database", 1996, http://www.wehi.edu.au/biology/malaria/who.html. Graham, David, "Malaria-Proof Mosquitoes," Technology Review, October 1996, Vol. 99, Issue 7, p20-22, MAS FullTEXT ELITE, Nancy Guinn Library. Herman, Robert, "Malaria," New Groliers Multimedia Encyclopedia, Copywrite 1996. "Atovaquone and Proguanil for Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria," Lancet, June 1, 1996, Vol. 347, Issue 9014, p1511-1515, MAS FullTEXT ELITE, Nancy Guinn Library. "Limited Imagination," Economist, September 28, 1996, Vol. 340, Issue 7985, p80- 82, MAS FullTEXT ELITE, Nance Guinn Library. "Treatment of Malaria," New England Journal of Medicine, September 12, 1996, Vol. 335, Issue 11, p800-807, MAS FullTEXT ELITE, Nancy Guinn Library.

One Earth, One chance Essay

Wake up in the morning. Take a glance outside of your house and there outside was trash, trash, and more trash. That’s not gonna be a pretty picture but if you don’t team and help our Earth, it could happen, and by then it’ll be too late. People should recycle more and save lots of energy plus it helps the Earth and your wallet! It wasn’t until I understood and realized that helping our Earth is a worthy thing to do and it also helps you feel happy that you know that you’ve done well on your part. Obviously, every human being should about recycling. Well did they know that recycling saves our precious resources from being used up? When you recycle aluminum just one can save enough energy to run a TV for three hours! Also for example, twenty-four thousand of waste is dumped daily including a staggering fifteen million plastic bags, enough to fill twenty-five buses. Apparently, if we recycled every plastic bottle we used, we would keep two billion tons of plastic out of landfills, WOW! Robert Alan once said â€Å"We can help educate our families and communities about the importance of recycling for our environment, and how each of us can make a difference for better world by recycling.† Let me now direct your attention on how a ton of recycled paper equals or saves seventeen trees in a paper production, now that’s what I’m talking about! Lastly, but evidently if you recycle glass it can generate 20% less air pollution and 50% less water pollution compared to manufacturing new glass. It’s kind of a real shocker how much little you can do can make a big difference and now one of them can be recycling. Save Energy, and this really speaks for itself. Clearly, turning off your computer at the end of your day saves lots of energy. Did you also know that using natural daylight whenever possible is another great way to cut electricity costs and help the environment? Well it does. Also saving energy at your house can save 30-40% on your energy bill. You can use compact fluorescent lights to light your home. Not only do these bulbs use less energy, but they last longer than traditional bulbs. Another is air dry dishes rather than using the heated drying cycle is a great way of saving energy. Making this small change can add up and make a big difference in your energy use and the amount you pay for energy every month. It’s an evident that helping our Earth is great when you recycle and save energy for you, the Earth and your wallet. Don’t you want to make a difference? So, what are you waiting for? Go help our Earth be more cleaner and energy efficient. Let’s make sure our Earth be cleaner at home and school before it’s too late. Furthermore remember to always be cautious about your energy use! So join me Saturday, downtown and help clean up trash at Dothan’s Annual Clean-Up Day!

Scythians in the Ancient World

Scythians in the Ancient World Scythians a Greek designation were an ancient group of people from Central Eurasia distinguished from others of the area by their customs and their contact with their neighbors. There appear to have been several groups of Scythians, who were known to the Persians as Sakas. We dont know where each group lived, but they lived in the area from the Danube River to Mongolia on the East-West dimension and southward to the Iranian plateau. Where the Scythians Lived Nomadic, Indo-Iranian (a term that also covers inhabitants of the Iranian plateau and the Indus Valley [e.g., Persians and Indians]) horsemen, archers, and pastoralists, depicted wearing pointed hats and trousers, the Scythians lived in the Steppes northeast of the Black Sea, from the 7th-3rd century B.C. Scythia also refers to a region from the Ukraine and Russia (where archaeologists have unearthed Scythian burial mounds) into Central Asia. Eurasian Map showing Steppe tribes, including SythiansRelated map showing location in Asia, as well The Scythians are closely associated with horses (and the Huns). [The 21st-century movie Attila showed a starving boy drinking the blood of his horse to stay alive. However much this might be Hollywood license, it conveys the essential, survival bond between the steppe nomads and their horses.] Ancient Names of the Scythians The greek epic poet Hesiod called the northern tribes hippemolgi mare milkers.The Greek historian Herodotus refers to the European Scythians as Scythians and the eastern ones as Sacae. Beyond the Scythians and other Steppe tribes was supposed to be Apollos sometimes home, among the Hyperboreans.The name Scythians and Sacae applied to themselves was Skudat archer.Later, the Scythians were sometimes called Getae.The Persians also called the Scythians Sakai. According to Richard N. Frye (The Heritage of Central Asia; 2007) of these, there wereSaka HaumavargaSaka Paradraya (beyond the sea or river)Saka Tigrakhauda (pointed hats)Saka para Sugdam (beyond Sogdiana)Scythians, who attacked the kingdom of Urartu in Armenia, were called Ashguzai or Ishguzai by the Assyrians. The Scythians may have been the Biblical Ashkenaz. Legendary Origins of the Scythians A rightly skeptical Herodotus says the Scythians claimed the first man to exist in the region at a time when it was desert and about a millennium before Darius of Persia was named Targitaos. Targitaos was the son of Zeus and the daughter of the river Borysthenes. He had three sons from whom the tribes of the Scythians sprang.Another legend Herodotus reports connects the Scythians with Hercules and Echidna. Tribes of the Scythians Herodotus IV.6 lists the 4 tribes of the Scythians: From Leipoxais sprang the Scythians of the race called Auchatae;from Arpoxais, the middle brother, those known as the Catiari and Traspians;from Colaxais, the youngest, the Royal Scythians, or Paralatae.All together they are named Scoloti, after one of their kings: the Greeks, however, call them Scythians. The Scythians are also divided into: Sacae,Massagetae (may mean strong Getae),Cimmerians, andGetae. The Appeal of the Scythians The Scythians are connected with a variety of customs that interest modern people, including the use of hallucinogenic drugs, fabulous gold treasures, and cannibalism [see Cannibalism in ancient myth]. They have been popular as the noble savage from the 4th century B.C. Ancient writers eulogized the Scythians as more virtuous, hardy, and chaste than their civilized contemporaries. Sources The Scythians, by Jona Lendering.The Scythian Domination in Western Asia: Its Record in History, Scripture, and Archaeology, by E. D. Phillips World Archaeology. 1972.The Scythian: His Rise and Fall, by James William Johnson. Journal of the History of Ideas. 1959 University of Pennsylvania Press.The Scythians: Invading Hordes from the Russian Steppes, by Edwin Yamauchi. The Biblical Archaeologist. 1983.

Hopper & Sheeler essays

Hopper & Sheeler essays Americas modernization and industrialization caused an artistic revolution, which caused many artists to begin to portray the new urban era in their works.and set out to create a Native American painting. One artist, Edward Hopper, a member of the Ashcan school of painters, focused on the gritty metropolis of urban city life in American society, particularly focusing on portraying ordinary subjects in the working class while socializing in modern entertainment events. Another artist named Charles Sheeler, a Precisionist, reveling Americas strength and growth, depicted many objects of the Industrial Age. Clearly, modernism was found in the gritty, alienated realities of urban society caused by industrialization, while other paintings, like Sheelers, reveled in the machine age and Americas growing industrial power. One of the great painters of the Industrialization Era was Edward Hopper, who depicted images of urban isolation in his work. Hopper was greatly influenced by the Ashcan artists, who followed Impressionistic style of cropping, and sketchy brushwork, as well as German Expressionistic techniques such as the use of a darker palette. He and others particularly focused on portraying ordinary subjects in the working class while mingling in modern entertainment events. They wanted their images to be real rather than sentimental and reassuring. Although Hopper was greatly influenced by the Ashcan School, he tended to depict more on urban isolation than the chaos of urban living. One such example is his 1942 painting of Nighthawks, in which he depicts three anonymous and uncommunicative customers lost in their own thoughts. The overall mood of the piece conveys a sense of loneliness and desolation, and the figures seem as remote from the viewer as they are from each other. Hoppers understanding of light and its expressive possibilities play upon the simplified shapes of the figures and give the ...

Issues in Small Business Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Issues in Small Business Management - Essay Example Some of the initiatives taken by Australian government for small business growth include market study and identification of business opportunities in Australian markets for small entrepreneurs. This report emphasizes the importance of home based businesses in Australia that take up almost 67 percent of total small businesses in the country (Commonwealth of Australia, 2004). Many potential opportunities to start home based businesses in Australia have been provided to small business entrepreneurs in this document. Annual Review of Small Business series is another effort to provide comprehensive review of small business sector in Australia and develop a future outlook based on current performance. This report is published annually by the Department of Industry, Trade and Resources to facilitate small business development and growth. It provides case studies of small business organisations and also contains results of surveys conducted for small businesses across Australia. Other important contributions to small business sector include publications highlighting factors that should be taken into account while establishing small businesses; the areas where government support can be sought; best practices and guidance for small business managers to develop business plans; taxation structure; and other similar information that are usually required by all small business owners before starting on a new business and then to maintain a steady business growth. In short, the website provides a load of information targeted towards resolving all queries of small business sector companies. Another website where a variety of information is available is http://www.business.gov.au. References Commonwealth of Australia. (2004). Home Based Business - Local Opportunities [Online]. Available from: [Accessed August 20, 2007]. Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources. (2007). Office of Small Business - What we Do [Online]. Available from: [Accessed August 20, 2007]. Question 2. The Federal Privacy Act of 1988 was enacted to protect personal information of an individual from public disclosure without his/her approval. Effective from 21st December 2002, some small businesses including non-profit and unincorporated associations are required to comply with the Privacy Act (Federal Privacy Commissioner, n.d.). As per the information provided by the Office of Federal Privacy Commissioner, "any small business that: 1. trades in personal information; or 2. is related to a larger business; or 3. provides health service and holds health records; or 4. is a contractor that provides services under a Commonwealth contract" has to comply with Privacy Act of 1988. The Act requires small businesses to do the following key activities in order to ensure privacy of information: To inform people as and when their personal information is to be collected and its intended purpose. To ensure that the personal information is used only for the stated purpose it was collected for; or the consent from relative person has been obtained to use it for other purposes as well. To "pass on personal information only for the reason you collected it, or in ways people would think reasonable, unless you have consent or the

Colgate Toothpastes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Colgate Toothpastes - Essay Example The 7Ps of marketing are discussed to give a clear understanding of the marketing strategy of Colgate for its toothpaste products. The various target markets of the different types of Colgate toothpastes are pinpointed. The positioning strategies of Colgate will also be ascertained. At the end of this report, some recommendations will be suggested to further strengthen Colgate toothpastes’ hold of the toothpaste industry. Introduction Colgate-Palmolive Company is a $16.7 billion global company which serves more than 200 countries (Colgate-Palmolive Company, 2011). It has operations in North America, Latin America, Europe/South Pacific, and Greater Asia/Africa. Their core business is in oral care, personal care, home care and pet nutrition. Their key products are toothpastes, toothbrushes, bar and liquid soaps, deodorants/antiperspirants, dishwashing detergents, household cleaners, fabric conditioners and specialty pet food. This study will focus on the marketing strategy of th e toothpaste line of Colgate. It was in 1873 when Colgate introduced its first toothpaste in jars. Today, Colgate has a 44.7% global market share of the toothpaste market (Colgate-Palmolive Company, 2011). Situational analysis (SWOT) (PESTLE) A. SWOT Analysis 1. Strengths Has been in the toothpaste business since 1873 Strong financial position Consistent market leader and has strong presence worldwide Has a high brand awareness and has strong brand recall Offers a wide choice in toothpaste varieties Known to be the â€Å"No. 1 brand recommended by dentists† Has an image of producing high quality products Strong product development and research program which leads to consistent product innovation Wide channels of distribution 2. Weaknesses Too many toothpaste... This paper stresses that Colgate is the leading brand of toothpaste, it should not rest on its laurels because of the highly competitive industry. Their marketing strategy should be appropriately adjusted depending on the dictates of the times, if it wants to remain competitive and retain its current position in the market. Brand image may not be enough assurance that they will remain on top. Since toothpaste is already in the mature stage, Colgate should find ways and means to innovate their products and continue to address the changing needs of its consumers. The author of the paper declares that with regards to Colgate’s promotional strategy, it is suggested that they emphasize the functionality of their toothpastes more than those that arouse the emotions. It was found out in a research that Colgate’s live demo campaign is a valuable way of increasing usage of a product. This report makes a conclusion that Colgate has 16 varieties of toothpastes, not counting the different flavors in some of its toothpaste brands. It is recommended that product duplicates be removed. Colgate offers too many types of toothpastes but some of them have almost identical active ingredients and characteristics. Too many products tend to confuse the consumer. An example of this is the Colgate Triple Action which is almost the same as the Colgate Cavity Protection and Colgate Total. Their whitening toothpastes such as the Colgate Sparkling White and Colgate Luminous targets the same market. One thinks that Colgate can just retain their most highly-saleable toothpaste and concentrate on marketing it.