The Roman Empire

The Roman Empire was once one of the biggest and most powerful empires in the lands. The empire owned most of the Mediterranean after conquering Carthage, and was immensely powerful. Huge military, very cultured, and massive area, the Roman Empire is the symbol of early, ancient civilizations. But like all powerful and great entities, Rome fell. There were multiple reasons for the fall, economic troubles, the rise of Christianity, and attacks by barbarians. There were other factors of course, but these three things brought the Roman Empire down, starting a new age. Rome had many economic problems that divided the rich and poor. Many emperors debased the currency to supply more coinage, but this had unintended consequences. The coin now only represented gold and silver instead of actual gold and silver. Near the end of the empire, coins meant little to nothing, having little to no silver or gold. Taxes were a big player as well, as Rome had taxed it's citizens too much. The military and imperial guard were absolutely essential, the empire couldn't survive without them. The taxes were so much, that people often sold themselves into slavery, saying that being free from taxes was better than personal liberty. Slavery was the last big player. Rome had a slave issue, relying on slave labor too much. But when territorial gain was halted, slaves and other war treasures stopped as well. Christianity is the largest religion in the world. Back in the age of Rome, it was almost just as massive and fast spreading as it is today. This helped pull Rome into decline. The leader of Rome was seen as divine, chosen by the gods to lead. So when another Godly figure took over, which demanded worship to only him and no other gods before him, the emperor suddenly had fewer supporters. Adding the pope and bishops playing a part in political affairs, the government became more and more confusing and leaning away from the emperor.

Compare of Cococolla and Pepsi Companies Financial Statements

Comp In our country textile companies are doing very well business. So many competitors are in this sector. Lots of new companies entered this market. From all of them we choose two cement company for our report. We collect their financial statement & analyze them within three methods & we identify their comparative advantage. 1. 1 Origin :This is the report comes from our FIN-245 subject. The course instructor Ms. Tarana Majid orally authorized the task of preparing the report to a group of student. She gave this report to learn the way to analyze the financial statements.To follow the syllabus of our subject so we have to do some relevant study based on our report. That’s why this topic comes forward. 1. 2 Scope :We worked on Ashraf textile mills ltd. & Saiham textile mills ltd for our report. 1. 3 Limitat ion:We are very happy because we made our report within some limitations and overcome it almost. For prepare this report we faced some barrier. When we prepare d this report all necessary data is not available. For this we assume some of the data to complete the report. On the other hand when we go to collect the financial statement we were unable to found our needed statement books.Finally, one limitation was on shortage of knowledge that was reduced to make this report a better one. 1. 4 Sour ce of Data:For our report we collect data for finding & analysis. At first we collected the annual report & take financial statements of two companies’. We also collected some data from the internet. 1. 5 Methodol ogy : As a rule, we had to follow a particular method for collecting data to complete the report accurately. At first we make Income Statement, Balance Sheet & Cash Flow on a excel sheet. Than we analysis the Income Statement & the Balance Sheet using the common sizing & indexing method.Finally we used the eleven financial ratios for our ratio analysis. 2 2. 0 Brief History of company: Saiham Textile Ltd. Late Sy ed Sayeed Uddin Ahmed & Begum Hamida Banu, in remembrance of whom, Saiham Textile Mills Limited has derived the name of the company; would have been proud to know how well their offspring have managed and extended the organization. Saiham Textile Mills was set up in Noyapara, Hobiganj district in the year 1982 with an annual capacity of 7. 5 m yards of finished cloth. It was equipped with modern and sophisticated machineries from Japan.Initially it was a weaving, dyeing printing and finishing plant. Saiham Textile claims to be the pioneer in introducing the concept of modern fabrics in Bangladesh. They were one of the first textile mills to start international standard polyester fabric, TC fabric, synthetic and Georgette sarees with cross border. The mother company of the present conglomerate is now comprised of different industrial concerns. The entrepreneurship of Saiham, consists of five directors, all from the same family. Although a company run and managed by relatives, the standard and efficiency of the management does not compromise on its quality.Ashraf Textile mills Ltd. Ashraf textile mills ltd is one of the another company which is run and managed by relatives, the standard and efficiency of the management does not compromise on its quality. Addressed: Ashraf Textile Mills Ltd. New DOSH, Mohakhali Dhaka – 1212 Ph : 9887051-53 Fax : 9887033 3 3 . 0 Findings & Analysis: According to our report subject our main objective is identifying the difference between two companies financial statement. Also we want to find out which company is more stable & which is not stable.From the financial statement we can find out our requirements. In below we give our finding & analysis in basis of company’s financial statement. 3. 1 Analyze of Income Statement, Balance Sheet between two companies’s: In below we are going to discuss about the two companies balance sheet, Income Statement & Cash flow comparison in a briefly : 3. 1. 1 Balance Sheet Comparison: Assets: From the balance sheet of the both companies we can identify that Ashraf textile had504,741,251 tk total assets in 2005 but on the other hand Saiham textile had only425,320,371 tk total asset in 2003-2004.Next year Ashraf textile companies total asset was decreased and Saiham textile company’s total assets increase and in 2007 Ashraf textile reached in167,726,578 tk whereas in 2005-2006 Saiham textile’s total asset436,650,516 tk. For the total asset volume we can say that Saiham textile has more powerful rather than Ashraf textile. Liability: The total liability we saw that Ashraf textile had623,823,012 tk liabilities in 2005 & Saiham textile had152,581,718tk only in 2003-2004. Both companies’ liabilities were also increased in next year. But clearly we can comments that Ashraf textile had least liability than the Saiham textile.How ever Saiham textile had the more Net asset than the Ashraf textile. share holder’s equity we can easily understand that Saiham textile had the more equity and it was 818,663,635 tk for 2004-06 & Ashraf textile had -1,123,244,182. So we can say that Saiham textile had the more investment in the market. 4 3. 1. 2 Income Statement Comparison: From our income statement we can identify that Saiham textile has a profit 74,932,529tk in 2004 &52,001,246 tk in 2005 &57,295,427 tk in 2006. From this we can say that the profit is decreasing by next two years.And this shows that sale for Saiham textile decreasing during the next two year. On the other hand Ashraf textile is in a loss of-62,609,854 tk in 2005 & -122,738,787 tk in 2006 &-14,064,257 tk in 2007. They continue their business in loss where Saiham textile doing their business with profitability. 3. 1. 3 Analyzing Common Sizing & Indexing: In common size analysis we express the various components of a balance sheet as percentage of the total assets of the company. In addition this can be done for the income statement,but here items are releted to net sales.In Ashraf textile balance sheets over the three year span the percentage of current assets increased. On the other hand Saiham textile current assets fluctuated. We see that Ashraf textile account receivable showed a relative diccreased from 2005 to 2007. Saiham textile account receivable flactuated from 2003-04 to 2005-2006. On the liability & equity portion of the balance sheets, Ashraf textile total debt of the company decline on a relative basis from 2005 to 2007. but Saiham textile total debt diccreased in 2004-2005 & increased in 2005-2006.The common size income statement show the gross profit/loss margin from year to year. We see that Ashraf textile operating expenses increase year to year & in 2007 increases sharply. whereas Saiham textile operating expenses diccreased in 2004-2005 & increase again in 2005-2006. In 2005-2007 Ashraf textile’s net profit had negetive percentage, whereas Sai ham textile’s net profit increased. In indexes analysis all financial statement items are 100%. In 2006 & 2007 Ashraf textile current assets indexed is 91. 53 & 9. 95 whereas Saiham textile current assets s indexed is 116. 26 & 100. 3 in 2004-2005 & 2005-2006. The indexed income statements give much the same picture as the common size income statements – namely, fluctuating behavior. In Ashraf textile income statement total gross loss indexed are 100, 196. 037491 & 22. 46332822 in 2005 , 2006 & 2007. Whereas Saiham textile’s gross profit are 100, 69. 3974 & 76. 4626 in 2003-04, 2004-05 & 2005-2006. 5 4. 0 Financial Statement Analysis by ratio: For the performance measurement of Ashraf textile & Saiham textile mills Ltd. In below we are going to analysis about the two companies financial statement using ratio analysis.We used 11 methods to analyze the ratio. Here are belongs: 4. 1 Liquidity Ratio: i) Current Ratio: Current asse ts divided by current liabilities. It shows a firm’s ability to cover its current liabilities with its current assets. In below there is the graph of the two textile company’s current ratio: 0 0. 2 0. 4 ratio year current ratio(Ashraf textile) Series10. 32332 0. 13204 0. 16733 2005 2006 2007 01 2 ratio year current ratio(Saiham textile) Series11. 044 0. 764 0. 982 2003- 2004- 2005- From the graph we can see that Ashraf textile current ratio is 0. 32 times in 2005 and 0. 67 times in 2007. Here we see that current ratio has been decreased and go down in less than 1. On the other hand Saiham textile current ratio is 1. 044 in 2003-04 & next two year stay remain but it also be below the 1 and from the Ashraf textile. In the last year for both company we suggested that the current liabilities cannot be covered if existing current asset are liquated at their book values. 6 ii)Quick Ratio: Current assets less inventories divided by current liabilities. It shows a firms ab ility to meet current liabilities with its most liquid assets. 0 0. 05 0. 1 0. 15 0. 2 ratio ye arQuick ratio(Ashraf textile) Series10. 197173 0. 069725 0. 138913 2005 2006 2007 0 0. 1 0. 2 0. 3 0. 4 ratio year Quick ratio(Saiham textile) Series10. 2643053 0. 15642413 0. 38213114 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 From the graph we can easily identify that in 2006 Ashraf textile & Saiham textile quick ratio is decreased dramatically. We say that in the last year of the both company’s quick ratio increased. But Saiham textile has good position than the Ashraf textile. 4. 2 Financial Leverage debt ratio: i)Debt-To-Equity: Ratios that show the extent to which the firm is financed by debt. – 100 Ratio yearDebt to Equity(Ashraf textile) Series1-5. 239 -2. 17 -1. 253 2005 2006 2007 0 0. 51 Ratio year Debt to Equity(Saiham textile) Series10. 559443 0. 887395 0. 59995 2003- 2004- 2005- If we consider the year 2007 of Ashraf textile, the ratio is -1. 253 that creditors are provi ding for each tk 1. In the case of Saiham textile in 2005- 2006 the ratio is 0. 599 that creditors are providing. So we can say that Ashraf textile is in a better position than the Saiham textile. 7 ii) Debt-To-Total Asset Ratio: The debt to total asset ratio is derived by dividing a firm’s total debt by its total assets. 0246 ratio ear Sebt to Assets (Ashraf textile) Series11. 235926 1. 854987 4. 95805 2005 2006 2007 0 0. 2 0. 4 0. 6 ratio year Debt to Assets(Saiham textile) Series10. 358745 0. 470169 0. 374981 2003- 2004- 2005- From the graph we can realize that Ashraf textile ratio is more than Saiham textile in their last three year. We know that the higher the debt to assets ratio, the greater the financial risk; the lower the ratio, the lower the risk. So Ashraf textile has more risk than the Saiham textile. 4. 3 Coverage Ratio: i) Interest Coverage Ratio: Ratio earning before interest and taxes divided by interest charges.It indicates a firm’s ability to cover i nterest charges. It is also called times interest earned. 0 0. 51 1. 5 2 2. 5 3 ratio year Interest coverage(Ashraf textile) Series1 Series11. 7272998 2. 7067618 0. 3935626 2005 2006 2007 012345 ratio year Interest coverage(Saiham textile) Series14. 3453871 3. 1634257 2. 5946142 2003- 2004- 2005- This ratio serves as one measure of the firm’s ability to meet its interest payments and thus avoid bankruptcy. The higher the ratio the greater company could cover its interest payment without difficulty.So analyze after the two graphs we can said that Saiham textile has more interest coverage than the Ashraf textile Cement. Ashraf textile ratio is fluctuated highly in 2007. 8 4. 4 Activity Ratio: i) Receivable Turnover: the receivable turnover ratio provides insight into the equality of the firm’s receivables and how to successful the firm is in is collections. This ratio is calculated by dividing receivables into annual net credit sales. 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 Days year Receivable turnover(Ashraf textile) Series1 101 6 125 2005 2006 2007 0 10 20 30 40 50 Day Ye ar Receivable turnover (Saiham textile)Series1 14 6 42 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 From the graph we can say that Ashraf textile received their receivable money from the buyers within 101 days in 2005, 6 days in 2006 & 125 days in 2007. On the other, Saiham textile received within 14 day in 2003-2004, 6 day in 2004-2005 and 42 days in 2005-2006. Eventually we can say that Saiham textile was received money within short time rather than the Ashraf textile. ii) PAYABLE TURNOVER: There may be occasions when a firm wants to study in own promptness of payment to suppliers or that of a potential credit customer.This ratio is calculated by dividing purchase into total A/C payable. 0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 300000 350000 400000 Days year Payable turnover(Ashraf textile) Series1 138 276 360420 2005 2006 2007 05 10 15 20 25 30 35 Days year Payable turnover(Saiham textile) Series1 35 10 15 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 From the graph we can say that Ashraf textile paid their payable money to the sales within 138 days in 2005, 276 days in 2006 & 360420 days in 2007. On the other, Saiham textile paid within 35 day in 2003-2004, 10 day in 2004-2005 and 15 days in 2005-2006.Eventually we can say that Saiham textile was paid money within short time rather than the Ashraf textile. 9 iii) INVENTORY ACTIVITY: To help determine how effectively the firm is managing inventory and also to gain an indication of the liquidity of inventory. This ratio is calculated by dividing inventory into COGS. 0 100 200 300 400 Days year Inventory Activity(Ashraf textile) Series1 60 53 369 2005 2006 2007 0 50 100 150 200 250 Days year Inventory Activity(Saiham textile) S eries1 170 225 176 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005- 2006 The figures tell us how many days, on average, before inventory is turned into accounts receivable through sales.Here we see that Ashraf textile was faster than Saiham tex tile in case of inventory activity. iv) TOTAL ASSET TURNOVER: The relationship of net sales to total assets is known as the total asset turnover, or capital turnover. 0 0. 1 0. 2 0. 3 0. 4 0. 5 0. 6 0. 7 ratio year Total asset turnover(Ashraf textile) Series10. 6780095 0. 4476056 0. 05087134 2005 2006 2007 0 0. 1 0. 2 0. 3 0. 4 0. 5 0. 6 0. 7 0. 8 ratio year Total Asset turnover(Saiham textile) Series10. 77632571 0. 56348701 0. 5969018 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 The median total asset turnover for the industry is 1. 66.For this ratio analysis we saw that Ashraf textile & Saiham textile both are less efficient than the industry in this regard. On the other hand Saiham textile is in a better position than the Ashraf textile. 10 4. 5 Profitability Ratio: i) PROFITABILITY RATIO IN RELATION TO SALES: The ratio we consider is the gross profit margin or simply gross profit divided by net sales. 0 0. 51 1. 5 2 2. 5 3 3. 5 4 ratio year Profitability in ratio to sales(Ashraf textile) S eries12. 1829524 2. 6889593973. 648320722 2005 2006 2007 1. 74 1. 75 1. 76 1. 77 1. 78 1. 79 1. 8 1. 81 1. 82 1. 83 ratio year Profitability in relation to ales(Saiham textile) S eries11. 773060426 1. 820902862 1. 780171958 2003- 2004 2004- 2005 2005- 2006 It is a measure of the efficiency of the firm’s operations, as well as an indication of how products are priced. From the above graphs we saw that Ashraf textile has relatively more effective at producing and selling products above cost.ii)PROFITABILITY RATIO IN RELATION TO INVESTMENT: this profitability ratio relates profits to investment. One of those measures is the rate of return on investment, or return on asset. -2 -1. 5 -1 – 0. 50 ratio year Profitability in relation to investment(Ashraf textile) S eries1-0. 35798631 -0. 507839396 -1. 707107588 2005 2006 2007 0 0. 005 0. 01 0. 015 0. 02 0. 025 ratio year Profitability in relation to investment(Saiham textile) Series10. 023235772 0. 018004789 0. 023118956 2003- 2004 2004- 2005 2005- 2006 The standard ratio compares for this is nearly 8%. From our analysis we found that Saiham textile ratio simply fluctuates. Their percentage is not so good. On the other handAshraf textile had negative percentage from 2005- 2007. 11 5. 0Conclusion: We examine the analysis of Ashraf textile & Saiham textile mills ltd. We see that the liquidity position is nit good both of the company.Comparatively Saiham textile better than Ashraf textile mills ltd. Ashraf textile mills ltd. should change the credit policy & proper use of its assets. The profitability ratio of Ashraf textile mills ltd. Good than the Saiham textile mills ltd. The company should avoid the use of debt; otherwise company would be fall into bankruptcy. 12 6.Bibliography: i) Annual report- -Ashraf textile mills ltd. For the year of 2005, 2006 & 2007. -Saiham textile mills ltd. For the year of 2003- 2004, 2004-2005 & 2005-2006. ii) Fundamental of financial management (Twelfth editi on) -James C. Van Horne & John M

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Someone once told me that â€Å"Education is the building blocks of one’s character†. As much as it sounds too much of a cliche’ I couldn’t help but agree with this well known quotation. Although it may be true, that one’s education cannot define a man, it also holds true that different forms of education is readily available and it makes or breaks a man into who he is in his current disposition and into who he may want to be in the future. Some people claim that education is a matter of circumstance and privilege, that in this modern day and age, only those with the proper resources can have the proper education that one may need in order to be successful. If you ask me, this is only true in the terms of getting a degree to get all the right opportunities. But in reality, real education that will lead you towards the ends of your goals in life is the education you gain in life experiences. Let’s take Bill Gates and Albert Einstein who both didn’t finish college for example, they only succeeded in their personal aspirations by learning in the arena of their life and living itself. It may be important to note that in life, one must need a model to see how life is lived and how we learn from everything we see and experience in our day to day living. It may not always be formal education that we may attribute our learnings all the time, but it is imperative that any form of education should take place in order for us to grow in all different aspects of our lives. May it be in our professional lives, personal lives or for social reasons, a learning curb can be gained by us through the years because we were educated not only on how to live life, but most importantly how to be continuously educated till there is nothing more to learn in this life which may bring us to the breaking point of death or suicide. But in both scenarios, we still know that it is an imperative that a learning experience should be observed for us to prosper in a game called life.

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Phuket beach resort - Essay Example We either are planning to have our own Beach Karaoke Pub that will up-front to us an investment of 880,000 up to 1,200,000 baht, which is quiet near the amount due to your project. But there are still other investments that would amount to 900,000 baht. The Chief Security Officer informs us his concerns and displeasure over security problems that a Karaoke Bar might bring. And karaoke pub might attract unwelcome guests or outsiders. This is a negative factor that we would like to reach you. This may decrease the rate of tourists' visitors that are traveling with children. And we in the social; service are reminded of having a great number of drug arrests in karaoke pubs, and we are suggested not to be involved in that type of project. So we are proposing that you put up a strict security system to facilitate inside and outside the pub, securing our visitors and hotel renters to be safe while enjoying in your pub. The security matters are your responsibility and so with us too, we would like to have in our area a screening system of those who enters our place. These may serve as key value drivers that affect the attractiveness of the project. .. So we are proposing that you put up a strict security system to facilitate inside and outside the pub, securing our visitors and hotel renters to be safe while enjoying in your pub. The security matters are your responsibility and so with us too, we would like to have in our area a screening system of those who enters our place. These may serve as key value drivers that affect the attractiveness of the project. Proposed Renting Agreement Monthly rental fee of 170,000 baht for the first 2 years Thereafter, 5% increment for the next 2 years Security Aids We would like to maintain the peace in our beach accompanied with your good management. Mike Campbell, General

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Reflection about a Book A Tale of Two Indians - Essay Example Having been born in India, he underwent different cultural experiences during his childhood that saw him through to his campus life. This section brings to the attention of the reader the rich family backgrounds of the author. After departing India when he was still young, his parents moved to England where he spent most of his childhood years. He undertook the British educational system in elementary education. After a pronounced stay in the United Kingdom, his family then moved again into the United States. Here is where his teenage life began. During his high school education coupled with college and university life, he underwent harsh realities in new environments. Consequently, he was caught up in great confusion, dilemma and inability to make further progress. This section, however, presents the challenges that face many people in life. Some of them become unwilling to continue with life while others, like the author continue to find the slightest implication of solution to con tinue surviving. On the same note, Patel continues to narrate on how the realities were difficult when a new education system does not provide the appropriate channel for success in educational life. Great confusions in addition to hardships in campus make it a great trial in life. After he was expelled from Duke University for cheating, he underwent desperation and, thus, almost succumbed to suicidal thoughts. At the moments of near-death, he recalled a small village in India where he used to make frequent visits as a child during his stay in India. He sought for a reconnection to the past. When he makes the visit to his country of origin, some big differences that include demographical, economical, social and political emerge. These events bring in a contrast of two generations separated miles apart and with different reaction tendencies. His worst scenarios involve his university education where he was considered unfit for long-term stay after allegations of exhibition of dishone sty in his studies. Although he remarkably instills that the American perception of immigrant Americans was not welcoming, his life in America was also not appealing. This view is, however, not reflective of conventional perception of American citizens. This, therefore, becomes a line of defense for his challenged life. Events that lead to a recall of the past. The author chronologically narrates about the events that lead the main character to make a decision to visit his ancestral home. After Patel faced so many challenges in his life (since this book is taken as a recount of the past) some of which he could not handle, depression crept in. Among the challenges included his expulsion from Duke University and continual solitude that resulted to reduced levels of motivation. After continual stress and depression, he experienced trivial life challenges that led him to a land of the lost. He became indulging and sunk into substance abuse. His decision to engage in drugs and alcoholism did not seem to make any situation better. Instead, things continued to worsen. After several failed attempts, his final thoughts of committing suicide almost convinced him to take his own life. Just before committing suicide, he recalled one of his close relatives back in India who as he remembers was tough and faced reality with stiffness. Memories convinced him that perhaps sharing a word with this old man would lead to better

Number Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Number Systems - Essay Example The use of different symbols by different bases means that a no. system uses 10 different symbols and from the 11th no. the cycle of symbol repeats. The concept bases have long existed. Earlier for each of the counted nos. a different symbol was used. However the problem with this system was as the list of the no. counted increased so did the no. of symbols that were used. In fact there would be infinite no. of symbols if this system was followed. This problem was recognized early on by the human civilization and the concept of bases was introduced. Egyptians used a base of 2, Babylonians base of 60, for Mayans the base was 18 and 20. Currently however the number system that is mostly used is the decimal no. system with base 10. The different no. systems that are generally used by computers are: Decimal- This is the no. system which has a base of 10. The lists of symbols of decimal no. system are 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and after 9 the counting again starts from 1. The symbols in a decimal system range from 0 to 9. So after 9 are reached the system should start from 1. But if the system starts from 1 then it will be difficult to understand. So an empty placeholder should be placed in the one’s place. A symbol which is part of the list of symbols, doesn’t have a value in itself but signifies great value when places along with another no. This job is done by the symbol 0. Hence after reaching 9 the system starts from 10. Binary- The binary no. system is the no. system that is most commonly used and understood by the computers. Binary no. system has only 2 symbols 0 and 1 (Merlot, 2002). 0 and 1 are the two states that are represented by on and off. On state represents 1 and off state represents 0. For writing a no. in the binary no. system the way is to write the no. in the parenthesis and then attach a base 2 as subscript after closing parenthesis is written. For example to write (25)10 in binary no. system, it is written as (11001)2. Octal- The octal no.

Chinese Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Chinese Music - Essay Example In the historical context, Chinese music is one of the primal streams that have been present in the society for the longest time (Van 4). From the historical context, music has been one of the cultural aspects that have presented a serious and pleasurable opportunity for self-expression. The available information relates that the Chinese culture has existed solidly for over five years, a period through which music has remained a core pillar of the culture. Archeological evidence highlights that the Neolithic man living in china had a form of music because of the presence of musical instruments among other archeological artifacts. There are four distinct musical activities in the Chinese society. These included music for accompaniment, entertainment, ritualistic music, and music classes. Music for accompaniment accompanied dances such as lion, yingge, dragon, and chaozhou. In ancient china dynasties, people viewed music as the natural law and a moral force. Most of the time, those with musical talent strived to match their singing with the tunes produced in nature by birds and other objects. The Zhou dynasty also regarded music highly and Confucianism existing during that period had a set of songs that it taught. (5). However, the living principles of the Zhou dynasty did not support some of the music that was seemingly subversive to the moral principles that Confucianism taught. In Chinese tradition, music was one of the four foundational aspects of the society. Such regard for music compelled each feudal state to establish a set of music styles that defined its people. For the Zhou dynasty, it established a musical model for the succeeding dynasties because it had established court music. The model encompassed ritual and ceremonial music, musical education system, varying musical styles and music offices within the court. The prevailing political con ditions divided the dynasty into different competing dynasties that emphasized the role of music in the society. The Qin and Han dynasty had both court music and ritual music performed in courts. During the reign of these kingdoms, music expanded immensely. The different dynasties sought to incorporate certain musical aspects into the traditional Chinese music. This factor served to enrich the Chinese music through the integration of new musical aspects. Moreover, the prevailing Chinese music in the Han dynasty spread to the southern region of China (12). A new range of musical instruments emerged during the reign of the different kingdoms. The emerging music after integration with new musical aspects from non-indigenous sources exhibited new tonal variations. After the reunion of the Chinese society forming the Sui Dynasty, other changes emerged to define the court music system. This dynasty appreciated diversity and foreign musicians had the permission to perform and offer musical instruction. The music industry was becoming highly influential and exerting impact on the young people through the new employment openings. The most critical benchmark of music was the successful launching of the first music academy during the Sui dynasty. The role of this academy was to open up a training forum for the young to enhance

Operations management Essay Example for Free

Operations management Essay This assignment requires student complete an analysis of the LensCrafters case from Chapter 6 of the text. Write a six page paper in which you: 1. Evaluate LensCrafters’ operations strategy and explain how the organization seeks to gain a competitive advantage in terms of sustainability. 2. Analyze how operation management activities affect the customer experience. Select two (2) operation management challenges and provide the solutions for confronting them. 3. Examine LensCrafters’ value chain and evaluate its effectiveness to operations in terms of quality, value creation, and customer satisfaction. 4. Determine the different types of performance measurements that can be used to measure LensCrafters’ service-delivery system design. Select at least two (2) types that can be applied and provide justifications for the selection. 5. Examine the different types of technologies applied to LensCrafters’ service operations and evaluate how the technologies strengthen the value chain. 6. Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: †¢ Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. †¢ Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: †¢ Apply the concept of operations management. †¢ Compare and contrast the difference between a supply chain and a value chain. †¢ Analyze the types of measures used for decision making. †¢ Analyze the five key competitive priorities and their relationship to operations strategy. †¢ Analyze different types of technology and their role in manufacturing and service operations. †¢ Use technology and information resources to research issues in operations management. †¢ Write clearly and concisely about operations management using proper writing mechanics. †¢ Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the following rubric.

The Readymade Garments Industry Of Bangladesh

The Readymade Garments Industry Of Bangladesh The readymade garments industry of Bangladesh is the fastest growing export oriented industry of the country. Starting in late seventies, the ready made garment industry of Bangladesh now accounts for over 64% of the countrys total export earning. A close look at the composition of RMG export of Bangladesh over the last two decades reveals that the woven garments sub-sector constituted the lions share. In fact, the beginning of the development of RMG sector started with woven garments in 1985. In the first half the 90s, the share of woven garments was above 80%. However, the share gradually started to decline to about 70% in five years late and to 62% in 2004 and to 38.80% in 2005-2006 (Export Promotion Bureau Bangladesh, 2006). In addition, compared to its double-digit growth in the 90s, the woven garments export grew only about 8% in 2000. Such a declining growth rate and a steep decline of the share of woven garments export in the total RMG export makes it urgent to re-evaluate the status of the sector of Bangladesh vis-Ã  -vis with that of the competing countries. Moreover, with the dominance of the proponents of free market economy, some changes are taking place in the global trade regulations affecting the readymade gar ments sector of Bangladesh in general. One example of such change is the phasing out of the apparel quota on December 31, 2004. Under these circumstances, it is imperative to assess the competitiveness of the woven garments sector of Bangladesh in the global market place. Hence the researcher studied the overall woven garment industry in group and this study analyzes the woven garments industry competitiveness of a single organization from strategic management perspectives. 1.2 Rational of the Study The objectives of the enterprise analysis are the following. To identify the vision, mission, objectives, and values of the company. To identify the process of crafting and executive strategy. To analyze the companys resources and competitive position. To find out the application of the five generic competitive strategies. To find out the application of various complementary strategic options. To find out the fit of the strategies to the company and the industry situations. To identify various diversification strategies. To find out the application of ethics and corporate social responsibility. To identify the leadership styles and corporate culture. 1.3 Scope of the Study The study has some boundaries. The following points delineate those boundaries. Because of the highly fragmented nature of the industry even in the domestic market (with about 400 woven producers present in different parts of the woven garments value chain), aggregation of enterprises could not be provided. Rather, a whole view point of the enterprise has been taken. This limits the researchers of this study not to use financial aggregation as well since only a few woven garments industries (not more than 5) are enlisted with the stock exchange. The analysis has been confined to the key markets of the woven markets. The markets where Bangladesh occasionally exports or where the amount of export is very small, those markets are excluded from the scope of the study. 1.4 Methodology 1.4.1 Research design The study, given the nature of the objectives, has a descriptive research design. Since this study is going to be one of the earliest studies with similar objectives about the woven garments sector, the research would be of reporting kind. According to Cooper and Schindler (2003), at the very elementary level a reporting study is done to provide an account, or to make a summation of data, or to generate some statistics. They have also argued that a reporting study requires very little inference. However, the current study answers what and why of Macro environment, industry and competitive conditions, and thus, requires a great deal of inference. Hence, the current study would be more appropriately termed as a descriptive study. Therefore, the research design for the study is descriptive research design. 1.4.2 Data collection 1.4.2.1 Primary sources The researchers collected the enterprise data organizing and a number of key informant interviews (KII) with the key persons in Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. as I have selected this organization for the enterprise analysis. Due to time limitation, the participants were chosen through personal contacts and participants willingness to participate in the discussion. The key informants considered were senior managers of the selected organization and a few bankers related to the organization. 1.4.2.2 Key Informant Interview The researcher will select at least 7 owners or managers to interview as key informants. This interview will focus on the enterprise level information like the vision, mission, objective, current performance in both local and international markets, the competitors in both markets, products and so on. 1.4.2.3 Secondary sources The researchers have explored the following secondary sources to meet the objectives of the report. Data inventory of Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau Bangladesh (EPB) relating to readymade garments export. Data inventory of Bangladesh Garments Manufactures and Exporters Association (BGMEA) On-line news archive of newspapers and news agencies home and abroad Annual report of the company Books and journals at the library of Institute of Business Administration and University Press Limited 1.5 Limitations of the Study The current study is limited by a number of factors. First, the participants for KII have been chosen conveniently. Second, the list of questions KII has been developed from the scratch by the researchers themselves. However, these limitations are not likely to invalidate the conclusions. The reasons are the following. First, the researchers will depend on both primary and secondary sources. Second, the primary sources have been bifurcated into managers of woven garments companies in Bangladesh. Third, the list of questions has been checked for recasting by the instructor of the course. The refinement of the list of questions following the suggestions of such an expert enhances the relevance and reliability of the questions asked. Hence, these two approaches ensure cross-validation of information needed to fulfill the objectives of the report. Strategic Planning process for Rahim Textiles Limited Mission and Goal SWOT External Analysis: Opportunities and Threats Internal Analysis: Strengths and Weakness Functional Level Strategy Business Level Strategy Global Strategy Corporate Level Strategy Corporate Performance, Governance and Ethics Implementing Strategy in a Single Industry Strategy Formulation Implementing Strategy across Industries and Countries 2.0 Company Profile 2.1 Vision The vision statement of Rahim Textile Mills Ltd is to create added value to the common wealth and to benefit the society. From the discussion with company managers, the researcher revealed that by the above stated vision statement they want to mean to improve the well being of valued equity holders, investors, employees and members of the society without interrupting or disordering the universal socio-ecological-economic position and the process of human civilization leading to peaceful co-existence of all the living beings. The vision statement of Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. lacks the important characteristics of a vision statement. First of all, from the vision the kind of company cannot be identified. It is too much generic and fails to identify the business or industry to which it is supposed to apply. This vision can be applied to companies of any kind of industry. Secondly, the vision statement is not focused to provide managers with guidance in making decisions and allocating resources. The vision is also bland and lacks motivational power. Finally, the vision statement of the company is vague in meaning; no concrete objective is mentioned in the vision. 2.2 Mission Realize the vision; the mission of the company is to play a leading roll in export oriented textile sector through reasonable application of Knowledge and Skills. This mission is also very weak in meaning. There is no description of the companys present business scope and purpose in the vision statement. 2.3 objectives The objective Rahim Textile Mills Ltd is to maximize our productivity on strict ethical standards at minimum cost to ensure optimum growth of wealth of the company. This is basically falls in the type of strategic objective. Since the company is making profit satisfactorily and the existing financial condition is healthy enough, they are concentrating on the strategic objective. 2.4 History Rahim Textile Mills Ltd started its journey in 31 December, 1981. The company commenced production in the year of 1987. Initially the company was producing only woven garments, afterwards with the expansion strategy the company built its capacity in both woven and knit sector as well as in dyeing. They already established huge factory at shafipur, Kaliakar and Gazipur, all outside but very much near to the capital city. The company has four sister concerns. They are as follows: Malek Spinning Mills Ltd. Knit Asia Ltd. New Asia Ltd. Salek Textile Ltd. Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. enlisted in Dhaka stock exchange on 29 March, 1988. 2.5 Products The main woven products of Rahim Textile Mills Ltd are shirts, trousers, hats and jackets, mostly made from cotton. Recently the company are enlarging its product width and producing inner wears for different worldwide famous brands. On the other hand, the company also produces knit garments products, e.g. sweaters and socks. Products Cotton products Shirts, trousers, hats and jackets Knit garments products Sweaters and socks 2.6 Export Volume and Destination As we discussed with the key persons of the company, the informants were declined to disclose the exact quantity of exports from their production, but they mentioned the proportion of export to total production. They mentioned that the company exports about 92% of its products. Most of the export is sent to USA as well as the other major portion in EU countries. From figure 2.3, it can be concluded that earning per share of the company is consistent and higher in the last year. In the last year Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. diversified its business in knitting sector and the result is increased earning per share in the last year. 3.0 Internal Analysis 3.1 Core competencies By the definition of core competence, it is a competitively important activity that a company performs better than other internal activities. In case of Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. its core competence is the quality of its products. In production the company has been using its highly experienced and skilled professional in its manufacturing process. Therefore it already gained loyalty from its buyers. The company not only concentrates in quality, but also maintains the cost of the product so that the cost becomes competitive among the rivalry in the industry. 3.2 Distinctive competencies From literature, distinctive competence is a competitively valuable activity that a company performs better than its rivals. The researchers tried to identify distinctive competence of Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. through key informant interview with the top level managers of the company. But from the response of the KII participants, it has been revealed that the company has no distinctive competence to attract the vigorous buyers in the market. 3.3 Key resources Key resource strengths of a company generally form the cornerstones of strategy and make the company competitive in the industry. From the KII with the top level managers of Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. the researcher identified that key resources of the company are: Highly experienced professional Better technology Better market access 3.4 SWOT Analysis In order to accomplish SWOT analysis the researcher followed the steps below. Figure 3.2: Steps of SWOT analysis. 3.4.1 Resource strength and competitive capabilities From primary data of KII and secondary data, the researchers identified the following resource strength and competitive capabilities. Highly experienced and skilled workforce as its intellectual capital relative to rivals which provides the company learning and experience curve advantages. Better product quality compared to the medium size competitive rivals Better customer base as compared to the small garments companies Technology is on average updated, but not like that of Square textile or Bex-tex Capacity is well-matched with its production volume. 3.4.2 Resource weaknesses and competitive deficiencies Potential resource weaknesses and competitive deficiencies of the company, as identified by the researcher, are mentioned below. The company has no clear strategic vision to direct the company towards specific targets Behind rivals is using e-commerce for their promotion purpose whereas the company even has no website for the convenience of information gathering by the foreign buyers. Its product line is narrow compared to the other rivals in the industry. It has no brand image in local market and very weak influence of brand in the global market, only with the selected suppliers. Long lead time is another crucial factor for which the foreign buyers are declined to buy its products. 3.4.3 Market opportunities Although Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. had been running their business in woven sector only, they are now expanding their business horizon in the knit sector also. The company realized that its skilled and experienced workforce can be utilized in the knit sector effectively and efficiently. We foresee a brighter future for us. Print and dyeing orders shall increase overall. We must continue to strive to achieve more orders which shall ensure greater progress and prosperity. It has become essential for us to embark upon capacity enhancement and balancing of our dyeing printing machineries urgently to meet the stringent quality assurances imposed by the buyers. We need to improve labor productivity and consistency in quality. We will face tougher competition both from within and outside. We need to resolve issues related to bond and customs to ensure faster disposal of imported raw materials. We need to work extensively and pursue the government to have provision of subsidy and other incen tives at different stages of production and process to remain competitive in the international market. The concerted and coordinated efforts will ensure higher production, better quality to make the production year 2007-2008 the year of greater progress and prosperity. 3.4.4 Threats to the future profitability Day by day the strong rivals are capturing the markets available to the industry in Bangladesh. Another threat is coming from technological change. Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. is not large enough to regularly update its technology to compete with other key rivals and so losing market share gradually. Besides, the company is facing cost cut competition from the rivals. 3.5 Prices and costs competitiveness The rise in the price of chemicals and dyes by over 30% also affected the order acceptance and overall production. Exporting countries of dyes, Chemicals and Colors especially China, India increased their prices making the market very competitive and difficult. Buyers took advantage of the competition amongst similar dyeing printing Factories and offered lower price. Despite such a situation we could improve both export and local market prices. Dearth of the trained manpower had led to poor labor productivity and inconsistency in the quality of textile products. 3.6 Business model A companys business model relates to whether the revenue-cost-profit economics of its strategy demonstrate the viability of the business enterprise as a whole. In case of Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. business model of the company is not only viable but also it shows its success in many consecutive year as the company is making huge amount of profit regularly. The business model of Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. is a proven model which ensures the companys viability in the market for a long period- from 1986. 3.7 Value chain of the company The value chain of Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. is similar to the following value chain model. Absent Figure 3.3: Value chain model for Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. On the value chain model, Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. lacks efficiency in sales and marketing. Therefore the company is loosing market share to the competitive rivals. Also there is no R D department in the company. This is why they are lacking in product innovation and product differentiation. 3.8 Dimensions of organizational culture Culture of an organization consists of the characteristics as described in the following figure. Figure 8.1: dimensions of organizational culture From the perspective of the woven garments industry in Bangladesh, most of the employees in the industry come from inferior background in terms of both academic and social status. Almost all the workers educational background is either SSC or below SSC. They are mostly unaware about the culture of the organization. Even the managers are very little concerned about the culture of their organization. From our focus group discussion, the discussants give importance on the following characteristics of organizational culture: Aggressiveness The managers are aggressive with their workers rather than easygoing. The managers always give pressure to the workers about their performance. Even a worker is performing satisfactorily; she or he is not given any kind of motivational incentive or compliments to continue his performance. Team orientation In this industry team orientation among the employees is nearly absent. The managers, in most of the cases being unaware about synergy, do not bother about the performance of team, rather always prefer individual performance. People orientation People orientation reflects the degree to which the management decisions take into consideration the effect of outcomes on people within the organization. By definition and comments of the discussants of FGD, this characteristic of organizational culture is rarely practiced by the managers in planning, design and implementation of production. Outcome orientation Outcome orientation measures the degree to which management focuses on results or outcomes rather than on the techniques and processes used to achieve those outcomes. In most of the woven garment industry the production managers are outcome oriented. They attach importance to the quality of the products rather than their production process and technology used in production. Attention to detail Attention to detail is the degree to which employees are expected to exhibit precision, analysis, and attention to detail. Since most of the workers in the garment industry are unskilled and even they are not provided any kind of training, they must follow the guidelines of their work literally as mentioned by the managers. 4. External Analysis 4.1 Competitor Analysis Major competitors of the Rahim Textile Limited is given below Monno fabric, Babylon Garments, Desh garments and Viella-tex Square Textile Mills Beximco Textiles The factors of similarity are mostly activism in marketing and selling, availability of local raw materials, delivery reliability, and level of backward linkage. 4.2 Competitive Positioning In order to identify the competitive position of the company, the researcher used strategic group mapping considering the selected 7 companies by the group. In strategic group mapping researchers has given importance to the cost of the products, product quality, active marketing, lead time, delivery time, and export quantity. The figure above shows that Monno fabric, Rahim textile, Babylon Garments, Desh garments and Viella-tex have similar ranking on the basis of the two attributes. All these five companies have higher quality while they are low in price. So, these five companies emerge as a strategic group. On the other hand, Square and Bex-tex have average performance on each of the considered factors of the mapping and hence, they can be said to fall in the same group. 4.3 Textile Industry: The textile industry in Bangladesh occupies a prominent position within the countrys industrial structure. It is the largest manufacturing sector, providing jobs for some 50% of the total industrial workforce and contributing 9.5% of the countrys GDP. Also, it accounts for almost 77% of total exports, making it Bangladeshs leading foreign exchange earner. In the early 1980s exports were dominated by jute while garment sales were insignificant. But today garment exports are by far the leading export category. In 2001/02 the clothing sector generated as much as US$4.58 bl in foreign exchange. The industry benefits from special access to markets in the EU, Canada, Norway and Japan. Because Bangladesh is a least developed country, its textile and clothing exports enter these countries quota-free and duty-free. This concession, together with low labour costs, provides the garment sector with a strong competitive advantage. But in order to produce garments for export, the sector has to purchase a large share of its yarn and fabric needs from abroad, especially woven fabrics. Few local textile firms are able to produce materials of the required quality or in adequate quantities. The Bangladeshi government is attempting to remedy this situation. To reduce the countrys import bill, it is offering tax concessions and incentives aimed at encouraging investors to develop the necessary backward linkages. Profitability of a market/industry depends on strength of five threats to profitability: 4.4 Porters Five Factor Analysis: 4.5 Industry life cycle Analysis: A useful tool for analyzing the effects of industry evolution on competitive forces is the industry life model, which identifies five sequential stages in the evolution of an industry that lead to five distinct kinds of industry environment: embryonic, growth, stakeout, mature and decline. Embryonic Shakeout Decline Maturity Growth Textiles industry is at maturity stage in the industrial product life cycle stage. 5.0. Strategy Analysis 5.1 Generic Competitive Strategy A competitive strategy concerns the specifics of managements game plan for competing successfully and achieving a competitive edge over rivals. A company achieves competitive advantages whenever it has some type of edge over rivals in attracting buyers and coping with competitive forces. There are countless variations in the competitive strategies that companies employ. Mainly because each companys strategic approach entails custom-designed actions to fit its own circumstances and industry environment. The mostly used five competitive strategies are shown in the following figure: Figure 4.1: Five generic competitive strategies 5.2 Low-cost provider strategy Among the five mentioned competitive strategies, Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. achieve overall low-cost provider strategy. The company is the lowest cost provider rather than just being one of perhaps several competitors with comparatively low costs. The companys strategic target is meaningfully lower costs than rivals but not necessarily the absolute lowest possible cost. 5.3 Fitness of the strategy Ready made garment industry is moving very fast, new competitors are emerging in the market frequently; growth rate is decreasing year after year. To cope with changes Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. must tailor its strategy so that the company can become profitable and competitive to surrounding rivalry establishing a distinctive competence. 5.4 Strategies for entering the market More and more companies are finding themselves in industry situations characterized by rapid technological change short product cycles because of entry of important and fast-evolving customer requirements and expectations -all occurring at once. Due to the entrance of new competitors the market for Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. is shrinking. To compete with these fast moving changes, this company has to be technologically sound, product innovative to attract the change-demanding customer and product diversification. 5.5 Strategies for coping with rapid changes It is very important to understand the key driving forces of an industry to decide upon the strategy of any company inside the industry. By searching the internet, reviewing related literatures, implementing key informant technique, and by organizing focused group discussion the following key forces have been identified. Growing use of internet technology and applications Increasing globalization Changes in the buyers requirements Changes in cost and efficiency Changes in global regulations in the textiles and apparels industry In Bangladesh internet technology and web applications play a vital role in establishing collaboration between importers and buyers abroad. Exporters communicate with Importers though internet where buyers put their proposal and ask for bidding. Prospective sellers bid through the internet and the lowest bidder is rewarded with sales contract This is how internet technology acts as a bridge in connecting business people across different parts of the world. In domestic market there is no such seller who uses websites as a part of their supply chain. Amazon uses website as a competitive tool in gaining customers. But such facilities havent yet gained prominence in a developing country like Bangladesh. So Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. can take an initiative eto develop website for buyers and suppliers. The overall global trade is increasing phenomenally every year and after. In business the process of going global is largely marked by increasing volume of export and import and greater number of licensing, franchising, strategic alliances, joint venture and setting up of foreign subsidiaries by business houses. Thomas Friedman while describing the trend of globalization summed it up in one sentence that globalization is farther, faster, cheaper, and deeper.(Hossain and Sandhir 2004) Key informant interviews reveal that trade liberalization has made it much easier for entering into new market and carry out manufacturing activities by out sourcing them. Brands like Reebok, Marks Spencer, Denim, Wall Mart, Levies, Nike etc. out source their manufacturing activities to countries like Bangladesh where they can get value chain activities done cheaper than any other part of the world. Although the ready made garment sector is not so much speedy changing, it has to be proactive about the market demand and thereby make itself prepared for the market demand. Other option is the company can react with the change. Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. is considering the latter approach. It is reacting with the changes. When the other companies are fighting to reduce lead time and improve delivery time, this company also trying to walk in the same way. The company is trying to incorporate new technology for its production process. 5.6 Strategies for sustaining rapid company growth As Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. is medium size company in the woven sector industry in Bangladesh, the company is following horizon 1: short-jump for sustaining rapid company growth. By this technique, the company is adding new items to the companys present product line, expanding into new geographic areas where the company does not yet have a market presence and launching offensives to take market share away from rivals. The objective of this short jump is to capitalize fully on whatever growth potential exists in the companys present business arenas. The sustainability of exports of woven garments in Bangladesh remains under question as the sector lacks backward linkages far from the requirements. At present, around 20 to 25 per cent of the raw materials required for the woven garments are supplied domestically whereas the same for the kit garment is 75 to 80 per cent. The manufacturers depend on the international market for the rest of the raw materials required for both the sectors. Given the pattern of growing demand for TC in the international market and the increasing competitiveness from the major exporting countries it would be difficult for Bangladesh to stand in the competition with her limited supply-side capacity. Bangladesh may supper a serious setback in outsourcing raw materials from the international market. 5.7 Diversification Strategy The big risk of a single-business company is having all of rhe firms eggs in one industry basket. If the market is eroded by the appearance of new technologies, new products, or fast-shifting buyer preference, then a companys prospects can quickly dim. For these reasons the company takes diversification strategy to broaden its business horizon. In the researchers case analysis, Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. has also realized the risk of single-business Company and also realized that the existing potential resources can be utilized efficiently if the business is broadened with the similar sectors. From this view point, Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. has extended its business in knitting sector as well as spinning. 5.8 Strategies for entering new businesses From the view point of input side, Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. considered the following factors in expanding its business horizon in new businesses. Existing technologies and expertise complement to the expanded business Existing competencies and capabilities are same valuable competitive assets for the expanded business New business in spinning and knitting is closely related to existing woven garments and so opens new avenues for reduction of cost The existing suppliers expanded their supply in spinning and knitting raw materials as well as buyers demanding products of knitting garments. Besides the management of Rahim Textile Mills Ltd. has thought about the outcome and the benefit of shareholders so that value is added to them.. There were three different choices for the company to diversify in the new business. The choices are as follows: Acquisition of an existing business

Mr Rochester Character Analysis

Mr Rochester Character Analysis Edward Rochester does not resemble a hero portrayed in fairy tales, characters who remain static throughout the plot. He is rather a dynamic and round character that changes notably. He has values that are far from freedom, respect, and integrity. In his behaviours to Jane, one can notice dramatic changes. First of all, his being passionate, guided by his senses rather than his rational mind, drags him to marry an insane woman. The situation of being married to a mad woman, and further being lied to by his own family for money matters, makes him an outcast despite of his high social status. He feels trapped and all the lies Rochester believes soon form a sense of distrust, and cause him grow more and more distant from society. Secondly, Rochester is a cynical rebel who refuses to accept and yield to the orders of society. It is only when he meets Jane, a woman who is intellectually equal to him and morally superior than him and who understands his true nature, that his sensitivity is revealed. He completely fails to notice his social rank and ignores others opinions, and clearly falls in love with Jane. Rather than holding appropriate class boundaries, Rochester makes her feel as if he were my relation rather than my master. (242) He loves Jane in a physically plain but in a mentally deep way which shows that he is not shallow. However, his unfortunate marriage to Bertha Mason becomes an obstacle to his union with Jane.This time Rochester,ÂÂ  purposely outcasts himself from his former enchained life with Bertha in search for a real chance for true love. A great deal is written and discussed about Rochesters marriage and character which comes along with a lot of questions. Even though Rochester didnt know his wife was insane, can he be blamed for the marriage to a woman he hardly knew? Under English law at the time, a man whose wife became insane could not get a divorce. But is Mr. Rochesters way to deal with this problem by hiding his mad wife away the right thing to do? And does the fact that he thinks he deserves happiness give him the right to deceive the woman he loves? It is true that he is madly in love with Jane, yet the fact remains that his approach to win and secure her as a wife was wrong for Mr. Rochester was very inconsiderate of the reality. He did not care about what kind of a position it would put the others when he got what he wished, marrying Jane. Rochester was determined to marry her and he did not think about the immorality of the marriage considering he was already married to Bertha Manson even though one can guess it would be devastating for Jane. However Jane brings out the best in him especially as the story advances toward the end, their differences causes the enlightenment. Bronte uses Jane as a light to shed on Rochesters character. In the end he becomes a new man, his dark secrets and qualities ceases to be a part of his life. As I mentioned in the beginning, the basis of Rochesters flawed life was his dark secrets, and past along with a scandal or sin. And all these become forgivable only when the actual circumstance is revealed and when all the hidden facts are lightened. He is the first person in the novel to offer Jane lasting love and a real home. Although Rochester is Janes social and economic superior, and although men were widely considered to be naturally superior to women in the Victorian period, Jane is Rochesters intellectual equal. Moreover, Jane proves to be his moral superior after the fact that Rochesters marriage to Bertha is revealed. Prior to meeting Jane his character was wild and impulsive. Jane helped him heal his wounds and confront with himself. Keeping secrets about himself and his past could do nothing good for him but only promoted dishonesty and destroyed his relationship with Jane. And only when he could break the chains from his past could he be free and become a new man. Towa rds the end of the novel, Rochester grows and develops from his suffering allowing the two characters to move on and find happiness together. He finally pays for his sins, he becomes a suitably gentle husband for Jane, who morally guides and corrects him at novels end.

Rap Music Is Not Music Essay -- Art

Rap Music Is Not Music Describing the (disenchanting) chanting of â€Å"Rap Music† as singing or as music is indeed (in either case) a capital misnomer. Real Music is the careful arrangement of organized sounds in the form of notes that then result in a smooth blend of rhythm, tone, and pitch that when united, is quite pleasing to the ear. Rap is not music. The unpleasant-sounding horror is chaotic dissonance and certainly not elegant consonance. Rap is veritable noise pollution that is tastelessly amplified from a cumbersome boom box. Generally speaking, unlike black soul music and traditional black rhythm and blues, Rap is both heartless and soulless. Standard love songs show respect and consideration for a member of the opposite gender but most contemporary Rap lyrics promote a hedonistic â€Å"me first† ghetto survival theme that is cruelly perpetuated upon its afflicted listening audience. When Rap songs first appeared I believed that the clamorous nonsense would be another fad phenomenon that would gradually vanish like ‘70s disco music had slowly but surely lost its clout (along with our attendant intrigue and curiosity). But unfortunately the dunce-like Rap lyrics herald the worst elements of society and the brazen inflammatory words glamorize sex, drugs, random and deliberate violence’ and gang intimidation themes that through-and-through reek with sexism, racism and the glorification of the ghetto mentality. In most Rap song themes the dysfunctional dregs of the inner city are elevated to hero status while the â€Å"entertainers† sound like disgruntled grunting angry contemporary cavemen’ who are advocating the downfall of â€Å"white America† with vitriolic words expressing rage, rebellion and social revolution. This expansion of the â€Å"easy-money anti-establishment ghetto mentality† is fueling resentment and hostility among â€Å"disenfranchised† inner city youth as well as contaminating the gullible and vulnerable minds of suburban teens. But the entire reprehensible in-progress-brainwashing technique that â€Å"Rap Music† demonstrably utilizes is both a sham and a canard that is trafficking affected teens down a treacherous One-Way-Street that leads only to a permanent lackluster socio-economic cul-de-sac. What a pathetic and ignoble social disaster! In the ‘50s and early ‘60s black rhythm and blues imaginatively captured the hopes, the dreams, the ideals and t... ...lity has replaced compassion. To add to the ongoing dilemma other benign abstractions also have been viciously assaulted. In the â€Å"Rap Music World† defiance has replaced respect, sex has replaced courtship, using others for personal gain has replaced basic courtesy and wanton rape has replaced teen romance. â€Å"Rap Music† (in general) is definitely a harmful and dangerous factor to American civilization because the colossal scourge equates (in innocent adolescent minds) pervasive corruptive moral fallacies purporting that: adventures tragically equals thugs and drugs, that freedom is social anarchy, that love is the same thing as sex, that justice is a vigilante-oriented lifestyle, that truth can only be represented as deplorable ghetto misery, that honor is nothing more than revenge and last but not least, that Thomas Jefferson’s â€Å"Pursuit of happiness† is really only the pursuit of selfish pleasure. In conclusion, the flimflam known as â€Å"Rap Music† is not bona fide music because the blight is without grace, without beauty and without love, the fundamental truly joyous qualities that are vitally necessary in order to make life both satisfying and worthwhile in any given civilization.

The Role of Women in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart Essay -- Things

More than those of any other African writer, Chinua Achebe’s writings have helped to develop what is known as African literature today. And the single book which has helped him to launch his "revolution" is the classic, Things Fall Apart.   The focus of this essay includes: 1) Achebe's portraiture of women in his fictional universe, the existing sociocultural situation of the period he is depicting, and the factors in it that condition male attitudes towards women; 2) the consequences of the absence of a moderating female principle in his fictions; 3) Achebe's progressively changing attitude towards women s roles; and 4) feminist prospects for African women. In the context of this study, the Igbo people whom Achebe describes will represent the rest of Nigeria -- and a great many of the nations of Africa. Sociocultural Background Were Nigeria and Africa oppressively masculinist? The answer is, "Yes." Ghana was known to have some matrilineal societies, such as the Akans; but Nigeria's traditional culture, Muslim as well as non-Muslim, had been masculine-based even before the advent of the white man. The source, nature, and extent of female subordination and oppression have constituted a vexed problem in African literary debates. Writers such as Ama Ata Aidoo of Ghana and the late Flora Nwapa of Nigeria have insisted that the image of the helpless, dependent, unproductive African woman was one ushered in by European imperialists whose women lived that way. On the other hand, the Nigerian-born, expatriate writer Buchi Emecheta, along with other critics, maintains that African women were traditionally subordinated to sexist cultural mores. I ally myself to the latter camp. I believe that, in creating a masculine-based society, Ac... ...Function of Folk Tradition." Approaches To the African Novel: Essays in Analysis. London: Saros International, 1992. Nwapa, Flora.   Efuru.   London: Heinemann, 1966. ---.   Idu.   London: Heinemann, 1970. Ogunyemi, Chikwenye Okonjo.   "Women and Nigerian Literature." Perspectives on Nigerian Literature. Vol. 1.   Lagos, Nigeria: Guardian Books, 1988. Okonkwo, Juliet.   "The Talented Woman in African Literature." African Quarterly 15.1-2: pages. Rich, Adrienne.   Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution.   New York: Norton, 1976. Thiong o, Ngugi   wa.   Petals of Blood.   London: Heinemann, 1977. ---.   Devil on the Cross.   London: Heinemann, 1982.   Walker, Alice.   "In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens." In Search of Our Mothers   Gardens: Womanist Prose. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1983.   231-243. Weinstock, Donald, and Cathy Ramadan.     

The Golden Lily Chapter 20

GETTING TO TREY was easier said than done. A girl getting into the guys' dorm at normal hours would've been difficult enough. But after curfew? In the middle of the night? Nearly impossible. I had to resort to creative options and called Eddie while I was driving Adrian home. One thing I never had to feel guilty about was calling Eddie at any hour. He kept his ringer on (much to Micah's delight, no doubt), and I suspected he slept with the phone next to his pillow. â€Å"Yes?† Eddie's voice was alert and ready, as though he hadn't been asleep at all. That was just how he was. â€Å"I need you to go see if you can wake up Trey,† I told him. â€Å"Sonya's been kidnapped and is being held at some weird compound with a logo like Trey's tattoo. We need to find out what he knows.† This was the first time Eddie was hearing about Sonya's kidnapping, but he didn't ask for further information – or how I'd known her location. He knew she'd been in danger recently, and this quick message was enough to get him going. I didn't exactly know what would happen when Eddie did find Trey, seeing as there was no way I'd be able to talk to Trey myself until morning. Still, we had to start somewhere. â€Å"Okay,† said Eddie. â€Å"I'm on it. I'll call you back.† We disconnected, and I stifled a yawn. â€Å"Well, here goes nothing. Let's hope Eddie can find out something.† â€Å"Preferably without beating up Trey in the process,† said Adrian. He snuggled against the passenger seat, the only sign that he too was feeling tired from our late night. He'd long since converted from a vampire's nocturnal schedule. â€Å"Since that might limit how much we can find out.† I made a face. â€Å"If Trey's somehow involved with this, I'm not sure I want to take it easy on him. And yet†¦ I just can't believe he is.† â€Å"People fool each other all the time. Look at you. You think Trey knows you're part of a secret society helping to keep vampires hidden from the world?† â€Å"Actually†¦ yes.† I stopped at a red light and thought back on some of Trey's weird behaviors. â€Å"He knows Jill's a Moroi, I'm almost certain of it. He didn't notice right away, but when he did, he kept telling me to keep her hidden. Then after Sonya was attacked, he told me to stay safe.† A horrible realization was dawning on me. â€Å"He knew. He knew I was friends with Sonya. He probably knew about the attack and never said anything!† â€Å"Not a surprise if his group's working counter to yours.† Adrian's tone softened. â€Å"If it makes you feel better, it sounds like he was kind of conflicted if he was trying to warn you.† â€Å"I don't know that it does. Oh, Adrian.† I pulled up in front of his building and saw the yellow Mustang illuminated in the streetlight. â€Å"You left the car out. You're lucky it didn't get towed.† â€Å"I'll move it,† he said. â€Å"And don't look at me like that. It's within a half-mile radius. I'm not breaking your rules.† â€Å"Just be careful,† I muttered. He opened Latte's door and glanced back at me. â€Å"You sure you want to go back to the school? You'll be locked in until morning.† â€Å"Not much I can do until then anyway. I want to be there the instant I can get access to Trey. I'll trust in Eddie for now.† Adrian looked reluctant to leave me but finally nodded. â€Å"Call if you need anything. I'm going to keep trying to see if I can find Sonya in her dreams. Didn't have much luck earlier.† One of spirit's more disconcerting powers was the user's ability to intrude on the dreams of other people. â€Å"Is she just not asleep?† â€Å"That, or drugged.† Neither option made me feel any better. He gave me one last, lingering look before leaving. I returned to Amberwood where a sleepy student aide waved me in without comment. Mrs. Weathers had long since gone home, and her overnight coverage didn't seem particularly concerned about my comings and goings. As I was walking up the stairs, my phone rang. Eddie. â€Å"Well, it took forever, but I finally woke his roommate up,† he told me. â€Å"And?† â€Å"He's not there. I guess he wasn't last night either. Some kind of family emergency.† â€Å"No word on when he'll be back?† I was beginning to think all of Trey's â€Å"family stuff† might be more insidious than I'd guessed. I was also willing to bet he wasn't the only one with a sun tattoo. â€Å"No.† I DRIFTED IN AND OUT of sleep that night. My body was exhausted from the magic, but I was too on edge about Sonya to fully give in to the fatigue. I keep waking up and checking my cell phone, afraid I'd missed some call – despite the fact that it was on its loudest setting. I finally gave up and got out of bed a couple of hours before the cafeteria's breakfast began. By the time I'd showered and dressed – and put my coffee maker into high gear – I was back into open hours on campus. Not that it did me much good. I made two more calls after that, first to Spencer's to see if Trey was working. I didn't expect him to be, but it was a good excuse to see if he'd been there in the last couple of days. He hadn't been. My next call was to Stanton, reporting Sonya's disappearance. I told her we had a lead that connected one of my classmates to the vampire hunters and that Sonya was likely being held at a compound outside of town. I didn't elaborate on how I knew, and Stanton was distracted enough by the kidnapping in general to ask much more. At breakfast, I found my â€Å"family† sitting with Micah over at West's cafeteria. Eddie, Angeline, and Jill's troubled faces told me they all knew about Sonya. Micah was cheerfully chatting about something, and I had a feeling his presence was preventing the others from discussing what they really wanted to. When Micah turned to ask Eddie something, I leaned over and murmured to Jill, â€Å"Get him out of here.† â€Å"Tell him to go?† she whispered back. â€Å"If you need to. Or go with him.† â€Å"But I want to – â€Å" She bit her lip as Micah's attention returned to her. She looked unhappy about what she had to do, but soon put on the resolved expression that recently I'd often seen her wear. She nodded toward Micah's plate. â€Å"Hey, are you about done? I need to check on something with Miss Yamani. Will you come with me?† Micah brightened. â€Å"Of course.† Once the two of them were gone, I turned to Eddie and Angeline. â€Å"Any sign of Trey?† I asked. â€Å"No,† said Eddie. â€Å"I checked in again this morning. His roommate's starting to hate me. Can't say I blame him.† â€Å"This is driving me crazy!† I said, feeling like I could beat my head against the wall. â€Å"We're so close and yet helpless. Every minute that goes by is another that Sonya doesn't have.† He grimaced. â€Å"Are we sure she's alive?† â€Å"She was last night,† I said. Both Eddie and Angeline looked at me in amazement. â€Å"How do you know?† she asked. â€Å"Um, well, I – no way!† My jaw dropped as I stared past Eddie. â€Å"It's Trey!† Sure enough, a bleary-eyed Trey had just entered the cafeteria. Damp hair indicated a recent shower, but there were bruises and scrapes all over him that I could no longer attribute to football. Eddie was in motion before I could say another word, and Angeline and I were quick to follow. I half-expected Eddie to tackle Trey then and there. Instead, Eddie walked right in front of Trey and blocked him from entering the food line. I was just in time to hear Eddie say, â€Å"No breakfast today. You're coming with us.† Trey started to protest and then saw Angeline and me. Jill suddenly appeared as well, having apparently lost Micah. A sad look crossed Trey's features – almost defeated – and he gave a weary nod. â€Å"Let's go outside.† As soon as we'd cleared the door, Eddie grabbed hold of Trey and shoved him against the building. â€Å"Where's Sonya Karp?† Eddie demanded. Trey looked understandably surprised. Eddie was lean and muscled, but most people underestimated just how strong he was. â€Å"Eddie, back off!† I hissed, glancing around uneasily. I had the same urge, true, but our interrogation wouldn't get very far if a teacher came by and thought we were roughing up another student. Eddie released Trey and stepped back, but there was still a dangerous glint in his eyes. â€Å"Where's the compound you're holding her at?† That seemed to wake Trey out of his sluggish state. â€Å"How do you know about that?† â€Å"We'll ask the questions,† said Eddie. He didn't touch Trey again, but his proximity and posture left no question he would go to extremes if needed. â€Å"Is Sonya still alive?† Trey hesitated, and I almost expected a denial of knowledge. â€Å"Y-yes. For now.† Eddie snapped again. He grabbed the front of Trey's shirt and jerked him close. â€Å"I swear, if you and your messed-up associates lay one hand on her – â€Å" â€Å"Eddie,† I warned. For a moment, Eddie didn't move. Then, reluctantly, he released Trey's shirt, but stayed where he'd been standing. â€Å"Trey,† I began, keeping the same reasonable tone I'd just used with Eddie – after all, Trey and I were friends, right? â€Å"You have to help us. Please help us find Sonya.† He shook his head. â€Å"I can't, Sydney. It's for your own good. She's evil. I don't know what trick she's played on you or how she's got this illusion going on that hides her true identity, but you can't trust her. She'll turn on you. Let us – let us do what we need to.† The words were all correct, right in line with the Warriors' propaganda. But, there was something in the way Trey spoke, something about his posture†¦ I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was that made me question him. People teased me about my inability to pick up on social cues, but I was almost certain he wasn't entirely on board with whatever this group wanted him to do. â€Å"This isn't you, Trey,† I said. â€Å"I know you well enough to know. You wouldn't kill an innocent woman.† â€Å"She's not innocent.† There it was again – that mix of emotions. Doubt. â€Å"She's a monster. You know about them. You know what they can do. Not ones like her.† He nodded toward Jill. â€Å"But the others. The undead ones.† â€Å"Does Sonya look undead?† asked Eddie. â€Å"You see any red eyes?† â€Å"No,† Trey admitted. â€Å"But we have other reports. Witnesses who saw her in Kentucky. Reports of her victims.† It was hard to keep a calm face through that. I'd actually seen Sonya when she was Strigoi. She'd been terrifying, and given half a chance, she would have killed my companions and me. It was hard to accept that when one turned into a Strigoi, they weren't in control of their senses or soul. They lost touch with their humanity – or whatever Moroi had – and weren't the same as they'd once been. Sonya had done terrible, terrible things, but she was no longer that creature. â€Å"Sonya changed,† I said. â€Å"She's not one of them anymore.† Trey's eyes narrowed. â€Å"That's impossible. You're being deceived. There's some kind of†¦ I don't know†¦ dark magic going on.† â€Å"This isn't getting us anywhere,† growled Eddie. â€Å"Call Dimitri. Between the two of us, we'll get him to tell us where this compound's at. I've broken into a prison. Getting into this place shouldn't be that much harder.† â€Å"Oh, you think so?† A humorless smile crossed Trey's features. â€Å"That place is surrounded with an electric fence and packed with armed men. Plus, she's heavily secured. You can't just walk in there.† â€Å"Why is she still alive?† asked Angeline. She seemed to realize how weird that sounded and was quick to elaborate. â€Å"That is†¦ I mean, I'm glad she is. But if you think she's so evil, why didn't you finish her off?† She glanced at my friends and me. â€Å"Sorry.† â€Å"It's a good question,† Eddie told her. Trey took a long time in answering. I had a feeling he was torn between keeping the group's secrets and wanting to justify his actions to us. â€Å"Because we're all being tested,† he said finally. â€Å"To see who's worthy of performing the kill.† â€Å"Oh my God,† said Jill. â€Å"Hence all your bruises recently,† I said. My fears of domestic abuse weren't far off, really. â€Å"You're competing to kill a woman who's done nothing to you.† â€Å"Stop saying that!† Trey cried, truly looking distraught. â€Å"She's not innocent.† â€Å"But you're not so sure,† I said. â€Å"Are you? Your eyes aren't telling you what your hunter friends are.† He evaded the accusation. â€Å"My family expects this of me. We all have to try – especially after we messed up the alley attack. We lost our authorization to kill her then, which is why the council ordered these trials to redeem ourselves and prove we were up to it.† Getting â€Å"authorization† to kill someone was sickening, but it was the rest of what he said that made me do a double take. â€Å"You were there,† I said in disbelief. â€Å"In the alley, and – and it was you! You're the one who grabbed me!† It came back to me now, my assailant's surprise and hesitation. Trey's face confirmed as much. â€Å"I knew you were friends with them. I can tell by looking at all of you, although I didn't figure you two out right away.† That was to Eddie and Angeline. Trey turned back to me. â€Å"I recognized your tattoo the first time we met. I just ignored it because I didn't think you were involved in anything that I was. I thought you only hung out with harmless vampires, so I didn't expect you to be there that night. I never wanted you to get hurt. I still don't, which is why you need to let this go.† â€Å"I'm tired of this,† said Eddie. It was a wonder he'd been patient this long. â€Å"We need to bust down the doors of that place and – â€Å" â€Å"Wait, wait.† An idea was forming in my head – and it was another crazy one. â€Å"Trey, you said Eddie couldn't just walk into that place. But could I?† â€Å"What are you talking about?† asked Trey, a mix of suspicion and confusion on his face â€Å"You know what I am. You know what I do.† Trey nodded. â€Å"Our two groups used to be united. Those guys who stopped me on the street even said they thought we should all be working together. The Warriors want Alchemist resources.† â€Å"So, what†¦ you want a trade?† asked Trey, frowning. â€Å"No. I just want to talk to this council of yours. I want to explain why Sonya isn't†¦ er, why she doesn't look the way she used to. There's a Moroi who uses a certain kind of magic who could even show you – â€Å" â€Å"No,† said Trey immediately. â€Å"None of them would be allowed inside. They're tolerated, but that's it. You hybrids wouldn't be allowed either.† Again, he spoke to Eddie and Angeline. I'd never heard the term hybrids used, but the meaning was clear. â€Å"Okay,† I said. â€Å"Only humans. I'm human. Your group wants to work with my group. Let me go with you. Unarmed. I'll talk to your leaders and – â€Å" â€Å"Sydney, no,† protested Eddie. â€Å"You can't go there alone! They tried to decapitate Sonya, for God's sake. And remember what Clarence said about radicals stalking him?† â€Å"We won't hurt humans,† said Trey adamantly. â€Å"She'd be safe.† â€Å"I believe you,† I told him. â€Å"And I know you wouldn't ever let anything happen to me either. Look, aren't you curious about why Sonya is the way she is? Can you take the chance your people are making a mistake? You said you tolerate Moroi. She's one of them. Let me explain. I'm not asking for anything else except a chance to speak.† â€Å"And a guarantee of safety,† added Angeline, who looked almost as outraged as Eddie. He nodded at her words. â€Å"You guys are big on the honor stuff, right? You'd have to promise she'd be safe.† â€Å"Honor's what makes us do what we do,† said Trey. â€Å"If we promise she'll be safe, she will be.† â€Å"Then ask them,† I urged. â€Å"Please? Won't you do this for me? As my friend?† A pained look crossed Trey's features at that. He'd hinted before that he owed me for helping end the illicit tattoo ring last month. That would obligate any friend, let alone one instilled with a rigid sense of honor. I knew then, too, that more than honor was on the line here. Trey and I were friends – with more in common than I'd ever realized. We both were part of groups that wanted to control our lives, often in ways we didn't like. We also had domineering fathers. If Trey and I didn't have such opposing goals, we might have laughed about all this. â€Å"I'll ask,† Trey said. Something told me he too was thinking of our similarities. â€Å"Because it's you. But I can't make any promises.† â€Å"Then ask now,† growled Eddie. â€Å"We don't have time to waste. And I'm guessing Sonya doesn't either.† Trey didn't deny it. I hesitated, suddenly wondering if this was a smart choice. What would happen if we let Trey out of our sight? Would it be better if we really did drag him to Dimitri? And Sonya†¦ how much time did she have left? â€Å"Now,† I reiterated to Trey. â€Å"You have to get in touch with them now. Don't go to class.† It was probably the first and only time I'd say those words. â€Å"I swear,† said Trey. â€Å"I'll call them now.† The bell rang, ending our meeting. Although, if we'd had the chance to save Sonya at that moment, I knew each of my friends would have walked off campus then and there. We let Trey go, and he headed back toward his dorm, not toward our classes. Angeline – newly free from suspension – departed with Jill while Eddie and I walked to history. â€Å"That was a mistake,† he said, face grim as he stared at where Trey had gone. â€Å"For all we know, he's going to disappear, and we'll have lost any chance we had at getting Sonya back.† â€Å"I don't think he will,† I said. â€Å"I know Trey. He's a good person, and I could tell that even if he thinks Strigoi need to be exterminated, he's not 100 percent sure of Sonya. He'll do what he can. I think he's feeling torn right now, caught between what they've told him his whole life and what he's starting to see with his own eyes.† Sound like anyone else you know? an inner voice asked. I'd sort of hoped that Trey would give me an answer right away – say, by chemistry. But he wasn't there either or anywhere else at school the day. I supposed these things took time, and my patience and faith were rewarded at the end of the day with a text from him: Still checking. Some are willing to talk. Others need convincing. Eddie didn't take Trey's message as concrete proof when I showed it to him, but I didn't think Trey would've said anything if he'd skipped town. Eddie wanted to get together with Dimitri and discuss strategy on this new development. So, we decided to take a group trip downtown. I sent the summons to our family to meet outside the East dorm in a half hour. Jill was the first one to arrive, and she came to a halt when she saw me. â€Å"Wow, Sydney†¦ your hair.† I glanced up from where I'd been answering a text from Brayden, telling him I couldn't hang out this weekend. â€Å"What about it?† â€Å"The way those layers are styled. They perfectly complement your face.† She was looking at me in that weird way again. â€Å"Well, yeah,† I said, hoping to change the subject. â€Å"It's a, um, good haircut. Sorry we had to get rid of Micah earlier.† It took her a few seconds, but my distraction snapped her out of the hair-induced trance. â€Å"Oh, no. It's okay. I mean, things are getting weirder between us anyway.† â€Å"Oh?† Micah had seemed as chipper as ever, the last time I saw him. â€Å"You guys are still having problems?† â€Å"Well†¦ I guess I am. I really like him. I love hanging out with him and his friends. But I just keep getting reminded of how nothing can happen with us. Like, this morning. There's a whole other world we have going that he can't be a part of. And I can't stand the thought of lying to him or keeping him out of my life. I might have to do it†¦ for real. End things. I know I've kind of said that before, but now I mean it.† â€Å"We're here for you if you do,† I said. I technically meant it, but if Jill came sobbing to me afterward, I wasn't entirely sure what I should say. Maybe I could find a book on appropriate breakup counseling techniques before she did the deed. A wry smile crossed her face. â€Å"You know what's silly? I mean, I don't want to go jumping from one guy to another – and I do still care about Micah – but I'm starting to notice what a really good guy Eddie is.† â€Å"He's a great guy,† I confirmed. â€Å"Moroi and dhampirs being together are discouraged when they're older, but now†¦ I mean, I knew some who got together at St. Vladimir's.† She gave an embarrassed laugh. â€Å"I know, I know†¦ I shouldn't even be thinking like that. One guy at a time. But still†¦ the more I see Eddie – he's just so brave and so confident. He'd do anything for us, you know? He's like some storybook hero in real life. But he's so dedicated, he'd probably never be interested in someone like me. No time for dating.† â€Å"Actually,† I said, â€Å"I think he'd be very interested in you.† Her eyes widened. â€Å"Really?† I wanted to tell her everything. Instead, I chose my words carefully, unwilling to give away his secrets after he'd spoken to me before about letting him handle his own personal affairs. â€Å"He talks all the time about how smart and competent you are. I think he'd definitely be open to something.† He also talked about how he wasn't worthy of her love, but that resolve might fade if Jill actively went after him. She grew lost in thought, and no more was said on the topic when Eddie and Angeline came walking up. We drove into town, and I dropped Jill and the two dhampirs off at Adrian's while I ran a few errands. Waiting for Trey was agonizing, and I needed distraction. Plus, I was low on some Alchemist supplies and wanted to make sure I was up to full strength before any venture into the Warriors' camp. My phone rang as we were wrapping up. It was Trey, and I stepped outside an herbal store to take the call. â€Å"Okay,† he said. â€Å"You're good to go. They'll meet with you tonight – just you.† Anxiety and excitement raced through me. Tonight. It seemed surprisingly soon, yet that was exactly what I wanted. We needed to get Sonya out of there. â€Å"I'll take you there at seven,† Trey continued. â€Å"And†¦ well, I'm sorry†¦ but you'll have to go blindfolded. And I'll be checking to make sure no one follows us. If they do, everything's off.† â€Å"I understand,† I said, though a blindfold certainly made the venture scarier. â€Å"I'll be ready. Thank you, Trey.† â€Å"Also,† he added, â€Å"we want the sword back.† I made arrangements for him to pick me up at Adrian's, since I had a feeling Dimitri and Eddie would have a lot to say to me beforehand. In fact, I called them as soon as I was off the phone with Trey, to give them a heads-up. I also called Stanton to give her an update. It occurred to me I should have checked with her sooner, but I'd wanted a definitive answer from Trey first. â€Å"I don't like the idea of you going alone,† she said. â€Å"But it does seem unlikely they'd hurt you. They really do seem to stay away from humans – us in particular. And if there's a chance to get Karp out of there†¦ well. That would save us a lot of fallout with the Moroi.† Stanton's tone told me, however, that even if she thought I'd be safe, she wasn't so optimistic about Sonya. â€Å"Be careful, Miss Sage.† Adrian's apartment was filled with tension when I arrived. Dimitri, Eddie, and Angeline were clearly agitated, probably because they were being left out of the action. Adrian, surprisingly, looked upset too, though I couldn't figure out why. Jill watched him with concern, and they kept staring at each other, unseen messages undoubtedly passing to her through the bond. At last, he averted his gaze, like he was ending a conversation. Jill sighed and walked toward the others in the kitchen. I started to speak to Adrian, but Eddie beckoned me forward. â€Å"We're debating on whether to give you a weapon or not,† he said. â€Å"Well, the answer is ‘not,†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ I said immediately. â€Å"Come on, they're blindfolding me. Do you think they won't search me for weapons too?† â€Å"There must be a way,† said Dimitri. Since we were in air conditioning, he wore the duster. â€Å"I can't let you go in there defenseless.† â€Å"I'm not in danger,† I said, feeling like I'd been repeating the same thing all day. â€Å"They might be crazy, but Trey says if they give their word, they'll stick to it.† â€Å"Sonya doesn't have those guarantees,† Dimitri pointed out. â€Å"No weapon is going to help me save her,† I said. â€Å"Except for my reasoning. And I'm armed with that about as well as I can be.† The dhampirs still didn't seem happy. They went back to arguing amongst themselves, and I left them to find some water. Adrian called to me from the living room. â€Å"There's diet pop in there.† I opened the refrigerator. Sure enough, it was stocked with all kinds of pop. And, in fact, it had more food than I'd ever seen. Another benefit of Nathan Ivashkov's generosity. I grabbed a can of Diet Coke and joined Adrian on the couch. â€Å"Thanks,† I said, opening the can. â€Å"This is the next best thing you could have to gelato.† He raised an eyebrow. â€Å"Gelato? Sounds like dessert to me, Sage.† â€Å"It is,† I admitted. The mundane topic was comforting amidst all the tension. â€Å"It's kind of your fault for bringing it up yesterday. Now I can't stop thinking about it. I wanted some at dinner last night, and Brayden talked me out of it – which is probably why I'm even more obsessed with it. Ever had that happen? Once you can't have something, you want it that much more.† â€Å"Yes,† he said bitterly. â€Å"It happens all the time.† â€Å"Why are you so down? You think I should have a weapon, too?† With Adrian, it was really hard to guess where his moods would go. â€Å"No, I get your point, and I think you're right,† he said. â€Å"Not that I like the idea of you going there at all.† â€Å"I have to help Sonya,† I said. He studied me and smiled. â€Å"I know you do. I wish I could come with you.† â€Å"Oh yeah? You going to protect me and carry me out of there like you threatened to do last night?† I teased. â€Å"Hey, if that's what it takes. You and Sonya. I'll toss one of you ever each shoulder. Pretty manly, huh?† â€Å"Very,† I said, happy to see him joking again. His amusement faded, and he became serious again. â€Å"Let me ask you something. Which is scarier: walking into a den of crazy, murdering humans or being with safe – though kind of wacky – vampires and half vampires? I know the hang-up you Alchemists have with us, but is the loyalty to your own race so strong that†¦ I don't know†¦ that the people themselves don't matter?† It was a surprisingly deep question for Adrian. It also echoed my trip to the Alchemist bunker to see Keith. I was reminded of how Keith's father hadn't cared about his son's moral character so long as it meant Keith wasn't on good terms with vampires. I also thought back to the alley and how obstinate the Warriors were about hearing any truth but their own. And finally, I looked over at the dhampirs arguing in the kitchen, continuing to brainstorm covert ways of keeping Sonya and me safe, no matter the risk. I turned back to Adrian. â€Å"I'd take the vampires. Loyalty to one's kind can only go so far.† Something in Adrian's face transformed, but I hardly paid it any attention. I was too struck by the realization that the words I'd just uttered were akin to high treason in the Alchemists. Eddie and Angeline left later to get us dinner, and I let them take my car, so long as Eddie drove. While they were gone, Dimitri tried to drill in some more self-defense techniques, but it was hard to learn very much in so short a time. I kept thinking of Wolfe warning us to avoid dangerous places. What would he say about me walking into a den of armed vampire hunters? Eddie and Angeline were gone for a while and finally returned, angry at how long the restaurant had taken. â€Å"I didn't think we weren't going to be back in time,† said Eddie. â€Å"I was afraid you wouldn't get food before your mission.† â€Å"I don't even know if I can eat,† I admitted. Despite my earlier brave words, I was starting to grow nervous. â€Å"Oh, you can keep those in case you need the car.† He'd walked over to my purse with the keys and dropped them in anyway. â€Å"Are you sure?† â€Å"Positive.† He shrugged and then fished the keys out again. Adrian, to my surprise, watched him with narrowed eyes and seemed upset about something. I couldn't keep up with his moods today. He stood up and walked over to Eddie. After a few moments, they moved even farther away and seemed to be having a whispered argument, one that involved a few glances at me. Everyone else looked uncomfortable and suddenly jumped in with any conversation topics they could find. I could only stare back and forth, feeling like I had missed something important. Trey called me at seven on the dot, saying he was waiting out front. I rose from my chair and picked up the sword, taking a deep breath. â€Å"Wish me luck.† â€Å"I'll walk you out,† said Adrian. â€Å"Adrian,† warned Dimitri. Adrian rolled his eyes. â€Å"I know, I know. Don't worry. I promised.† Promised what? Nobody elaborated. There wasn't far to walk since he lived on the ground floor, but when we stepped outside, he caught hold of me, his hands resting on my arms. A jolt went through me, both at the touch and the unexpected gesture. His only displays of tenderness were usually with Jill. â€Å"Sage,† he said. â€Å"For real. Be careful. Don't be a hero – we've got plenty of them back there. And†¦ no matter what happens, I want you to know that I never doubted what you're going to do. It's smart, and it's brave.† â€Å"You sound like it's already happened and failed,† I said. â€Å"No, no. I just†¦ well, I want you to know that I trust you.† â€Å"Okay,† I said, feeling a little puzzled. I again had the feeling that I wasn't being told something. â€Å"Hopefully my plan will work.† I needed to walk away, out of Adrian's grasp, but couldn't quite do it. I was hesitant to go, for some reason. There was safety and comfort there. Once I left, I really was walking into the lion's den. I lingered a few moments more, safe in the circle we made, and then reluctantly slipped away. â€Å"Please be careful,† he repeated. â€Å"Come back safe.† â€Å"I will.† On impulse I took off my cross necklace and pressed it into his hand. â€Å"This time, keep it for real. Hold onto it until I return. If you get too worried, look at it and know that I'll have to come back for it. It goes really well with khakis and neutral colors.† I worried he would give it back, but he simply nodded and squeezed the cross tight. I walked away, feeling slightly vulnerable without it, but hoped it reassured him. My discomfort suddenly seemed like a small thing. I wanted Adrian to be okay. I got into the passenger seat of Trey's car and immediately gave him the sword. He looked about as miserable as he had earlier. â€Å"You sure you want to go through with this?† Why did everyone keep asking me that? â€Å"Yes. Absolutely.† â€Å"Let me see your cell phone.† I handed it over, and he turned it off. He gave it back, along with a blindfold. â€Å"I'll trust you to put this on yourself.† â€Å"Thanks.† I started to slip it on and then, on impulse, looked back toward the building one last time. Adrian was still standing there, hands in his pockets, face concerned. Seeing my gaze, he managed a small smile and raised one hand in†¦ what? Farewell? A benediction? I didn't know, but it made me feel better. The last thing I saw was the flash of the cross in the sunlight, just before I covered my eyes with the blindfold. I was plunged into darkness.