Skoda Auto - International Business :: essays research papers

Skoda Auto The story of Skoda is one of struggle and success. Skoda enjoys a century-long history of motor vehicle manufacturing in a small town in the Czech Republic, about sixty kilometers outside the cultural and tourist center of Prague. Despite early achievements, times became much harder during the former socialist era. The physical plant fell into disrepair and quality declined. However, this tale in one of transformation, and Skoda has once again become very successful in a joint venture partnership with the large German manufacturer Volkswagen (Mendenhall and Oddou, 379). At the beginning of 1895 mechanic Và ¡clav Laurin and bookseller Và ¡clav Klement began producing bicycles â€Å"Slavia† in Mlada Boleslav.In the next few years, 1899, the firm Laurin & Klement decided to manufacture also motorcycles, which leaded to success in many international competitions. After first attempt at the turn of the century the firm started to manufacture cars. In 1905, Laurin & Klement introduced their first car, Voiturette A, which became very successful between Czech classical veteran cars. Its production grew so fast that soon L & K overstepped the scope of the family business. Skoda 420 Popular In 1907 the founders implemented the business transaction to joint-stock company. In 1920s, the need for merge with stronger industrial partners was expressed that, in 1925, Laurin and Klement merged with Skoda Plzen (Pilsner). In the following years the modernize manufacturing did not only include cars, but also trucks, buses, air engines, and agriculture machinery. In 1930 the car production in the scope of concern was earned many credits. Creation of Joint Company for Automobile Industry (JCAI) after the world industrial crisis leaded for the success on the international market with new models of Skoda, Skoda 422 and 420 Popular. The World War II had broken this development, which damage the civil program and oriented the production of the war equipment. The JCIA Skoda became the part of German concern Hermann-Goring-Werke and fully did have to orient to the war equipment. Besides the preparation of the various parts of guns, Skoda manufactured also different kinds of terrain vehicles, such as heavy tractors and towing vehicles, tanks, etc. Skoda 1101 After World War II the JCIA was changed to Automobile Factory/National Company (AFNC) Skoda. Skoda started to manufacture new models, Skoda 1101/1102 Tudor, which had got along with the technical success of the prewar years. During the 1950s and 1960s, Skoda again introduced new models, Skoda 1200, Spartak, Octavia, Felicia, as well as Skoda 1000MB.

BMW Mini brand comes to India Essay

Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) group, recently introduced its iconic Mini brand in India with four models, price ranging between Rs 24.9 lakh to Rs 31.99 lakh.[1] BMW had contemplated launching the Mini brand in India back in 2009 too, but the move was shelved on account of weak market conditions, particularly due to global economic meltdown. The launch of the compact car BMW mini has been on the line of similar introductions in Indian automobile market by auto majors like Fiat and Volkswagen. Back in 2008, Fiat launched Fiat 500 Cinquecento model in India. It was priced at around Rs 14.82 lakh.[2] The car sold only 60 units and was subsequently re-launched in 2010. The sales number of Fiat 500 seems pale in comparison to the sales of Volkswagen Beetle, which was launched in India in November 2009 and had sold 300 units by July 2010[1], surpassing the original sales targets. However, the sales figures, of both these premium small cars are overshadowed massively by sales of other mass produced small cars in India, which are usually sold in Rs 3-6 lakh price range. Then why has a leading automobile maker like BMW launched a compact car like Mini in the Indian market, which cost nearly 5 to 8 times more than a regular small car in India, and then sell only by tens or hundreds and not by masses? This study aims at bringing to the light the strategies and reasons behind this move by the auto giant and what BMW aims to achieve through it. Let us first start by discussing the marketing mix techniques BMW has used to launch the Mini brand in India : Product : One of the most important component of any marketing mix is the product the company wishes to sell in the market. BMW has been strongly associated as a premium quality auto brand the world over. Its slogan â€Å"The Ultimate Driving Machine† further bolsters the fact that the company is engaged in making top quality cars, demanded by customers who prioritise the quality of the machine, driving pleasure and comfort over price. Therefore, the company targets the niche segment of buyers who demand top of the line quality product. Taking note of the increasing demand for premium cars in the Indian market the company has been adding several brands of cars, even since it set foot in the country, to the portfolio of the products it offers here. Mini was originally launched by British Motor Corporation in 1959.[3] Ever since the car was first introduced to the world, the Mini brand has carved a niche for itself, and created a sort of cult following and sentimental value towards the brand the world over. According to a Wall Street Journal Report dated January 5th 2012, Sales of Mini brand rose 20% in 2011 from the 234,000 units it sold in 2010, helped by robust demand across the U.S., U.K and China, irrespective of weak economic conditions.[4] Though the launch of BMW Mini was delayed in India (as originally planned to launch in 2009), according to Kay Segler, Senior Vice President, Mini Brand Management and Business Coordination, â€Å"Indian market is now ready for a brand like Mini as the country has become a part of the global community when it comes to lifestyle trends.† as told to PTI.[5] He further said, â€Å"More Indians are travelling and living abroad, they have network overseas and are more aware of trends ,† Segler said.[5] BMW’s market observation as worded by Segler shows that there is a market for Mini in India, for those who wish to own an iconic car, which is synonymous to fashion and style the world over. Price : BMW Mini is priced between Rs 24.9 lakh to Rs 31.99 lakh in India. The car is imported as a completely built unit, unlike other BMW variants like 3 series, 5 series, X1 and X3 which are assembled domestically, therefore carrying a high component of tax. However prices have been kept in comparison to the offerings of other competing brands like Volkswagen Beetle and Fiat 500 which fall in the same category as much as possible. Since BMW is a luxury car maker, the prices of the cars in its stable are very high. Mini is no exception. The prices are not such to justify the sale of the car to the masses but rather to high income rich influential Indian buyers who want to purchase the product majorly because of its iconic status and sentimental value attached to the brand over the decades, or simply as a status symbol. Placement : BMW sells its cars in India through 17 dealerships across 13 cities.[7] However, BMW Mini is to be sold through exclusive showrooms. Mini first started selling here at Infinity Cars, Mumbai on Linking Road. The dealership received 100 booking within a week. Later showroom in Delhi was opened in June and has sold 50 units till now[8]. BMW subsequently plans to open exclusive showrooms for Mini in Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Bangalore. The company has strategically chosen the financial capital (Mumbai) and political capital (Delhi) of India for its initial sales of Mini. Mumbai is the hub of financial activities and entertainment industry in the country and therefore has a high density of millionaires in the city. High income groups are attuned and aware of the international trends and style standards. Luxurious/status commodities are always in demand among these group, justifying the launch of an internationally perceived style icon like Mini, here first. Delhi is the home to political structure of India. The entire NCR (National Capital Region) region which includes satellite cities like Gurgaon and Noida have seen a tremendous rise in corporate and multinational establishments over the past decade and is rationally perceived as an IT hub of the country. With the advent of IT industry in the region and tremendous rise in realty prices, the entire NCR has become a home to a large number of high wealth groups. With huge disposable incomes in the region, demand for luxury cars is on the ascent. The two urban cities of Delhi and Mumbai have seen extensive westernisation in the living standards of the residents, resulting into an analogous demand. BMW therefore strategically chose the two cities as distribution centres for its Mini brand. Promotion : When the company found out that Indians accounted for more ‘Likes’ for Mini on a social networking web portal called Facebook, the company rushed to launch the product within the next six months. To promote a product that will appeal to niche class of buyers, BMW has adopted an aggressive marketing technique to sell the Mini brand in India. Supporting this, Dr. Andreas Schaaf, President, BMW Group India, â€Å"We are focused on a strong, surprising, daring and unexpected marketing strategy for the Indian market.†[9] Dummy models of the cars in its portfolio were placed on a lake close to New Delhi and on the rooftops of skyscrapers in order to enhance the presence of Mini brand in India.[9] This strategy was also part of its international ‘daring’ marketing strategy, though domestically it was a new technique. To further promote the Mini brand, the company plans to further collaborate with several marketing agencies. The emphasis is put on the unique ideas the car can be promoted with. According to Bejamin Nagel, Head of Mini India, the focus is on Guerilla and experimental marketing, as the Mini is not a mass product, but rather a premium car. Therefore, the company has opted not to promote it through mass media. It is therefore safe to say that for promoting the Mini brand in India, BMW is focusing on BTL (below the line) advertisement methods to target specific group of niche buyers, instead of ATL (above the line) methods of mass advertisement. Indian Automobile and the Mini The Indian automobile market which we know of today, has developed from its miniscule form since the early 1950s to the giant and growing industry it is today. Before the reforms to liberalise the economy in the early 1990s, the automobile sector was highly insulated from foreign investments. Due to very high tariffs on imports and other measures, the participation of foreign companies was extremely restricted. If we go back a bit further, 1950s saw the arrival of TATA Motors, Bajaj Auto and Mahindra & Mahindra. This lead to a steady increase in vehicle production in India. Subsequently, 1960s witnessed the establishment of two and three wheeler industry in India. However, post entry of Maruti Udyog in the 1980s, the industry witnessed tremendous growth. In 1983, Suzuki was permitted to enter a joint venture with Maruti by government, for some time and it became the only FDI player in the segment.[10] However, a decade later post liberalisation of the Indian economy, the government de-licensed passenger car manufacturing. Eventually, the industry saw a huge influx of foreign car makers into the country by way of FDI. Presently, automobile industry is one of the key growing sectors in the country. Almost every major car maker in the world is present in India. Even after the economic meltdown post 2007, India is still one of the fastest growing economies in the world. This has transformed into huge rise in disposable income, resulting in enhanced demand for products at par with international standards. This and others factors like favourable demographics, supportive business environment have attributed to the decisions of almost all the leading automobile companies in the world to set up and grow their business in India by providing cars at par with the worldwide quality standards. However, according to a recent report carried out by Society of Indian Automobiles Manufacturers, the growth in domestic sales of cars over the April-August 2012 period was 6.61% which is a decline of 3.9% over August 2011, due to the on ongoing economic downturn and turbulences.[11] But most industry analysts and car manufactures are optimistic about the future outlook of the industry which is still seeing considerable growth compared to automobile sector growth in other countries, and expect to witness better business on the hopes of government reforms to boost overall economic development and GDP growth in the coming times. The recent decisions to allow single brand and multi brand retail FDI in the country by the government has further strengthened the confidence of foreign investors towards the business policies in the country being favourable. Therefore, BMW’s decision to bring the Mini brand to the select Indian auto buyers is further vindicated by the deep analysis of the Indian automobile market done above. Like most of its other premium brands of cars, the company does not plan to sell the Mini brand to the masses, but rather to the niche and super rich segment of the Indian auto buyers which demands an international product for the premium price. The demand from this segment has been constantly rising over the past decade. As a result, other premium manufacturers like Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen have been gradually introducing international brands of their car models in India. Like them, BMW’s management perceived this as just the start of the Indian growth story. As a developing country, there is huge potential of growth in the automobile sector, compared to the developed nations where the markets have seemed to reach to a saturation point. However, in the developing economies like India and China, the growth potential is huge and the development graph has still a long way to go upwards, backed by political will, before it can reach some sort of saturation. Some might argue that BMW’s decision to introduce Mini brand in India might be precocious. However, considering the growth potential in the economy, it is only right that BMW would want to stem its roots as deeply as possible in the premium automobile segment of the country right from the start. By adding Mini brand to its portfolio of the internationally recognised products the company sells in India, BMW wants to further bolster its image and position in the market, emphasising its willingness and seriousness to do a long lasting business in India, and providing wide range of premium cars acknowledging and fulfilling different styles, preferences and desires of the premium car buyers of India. References __________________________________________________________________ [1] http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Auto/BMW-launches-Mini-brand-in-India-with-four-models/Article1- 791750.aspx [2] http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-07-19/news/27601128_1_cinquecento-fiat-beetle [3] Reed, Chris (1994). Complete Mini: 35 Years Of Production History, Model Changes, Performance Data. Croydon [4] http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203513604577142310291706308.html [5] http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Auto/BMW-launches-Mini-brand-in-India-with-four-models/Article1- 791750.aspx [6] http://www.bmw.in/in/en/newvehicles/3series/sedan/2011/showroom/index.html [7] http://www.cardekho.com/BMW/cardealers [8] http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-06-08/news/32124207_1_bmw-india-india-president-andreas- schaaf- mini-cooper [9] http://www.cartrade.com/car-bike-news/bmw-to-adopt-aggressive-marketing-strat

Using Software And Its Integration With Regular Cost...

Reports produced by an ABC system contain information, such as product margins, that vary from the information reported for a traditional cost method. It’s also possible that some activity-based costs may be irrelevant in certain decision-making scenarios; for example, ABC does not conform to accounting standards and should not be used for external reporting. Since traditional cost figures tend to be the norm, interpreting ABC data along with regular accounting information can be confusing and lead to bad decision-making. The use of software can streamline the process of maintaining an ABC system and simplify its integration with regular cost accounting information. (Eileen, nd.) Even for smaller businesses, the implementation of an activity-based costing system can be a substantial undertaking. The added precision of the activity-based system can only be achieved if the small business owner is willing to put in the time to analyse the manufacturing process with enough detail to determine how overhead costs are incurred. Due to the difficulty of implementation, many small business owners don t believe the benefit of an activity-based system outweighs the costs. (John, nd.) Other than ABC, balanced scorecard is also design for the change of the management accounting. According to Olve and Sjà ¨ostrand (2002) a balanced scorecard is a format for describing activities of an organisation through a number of measures for four perspectives: financial, customer, internal processShow MoreRelatedThe Adoption Of Cloud AIS1734 Words   |  7 Pagesof cloud based accounting information system in business I. 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While traditional software solutions address the needs of one process, enterprise software, which we might consider for our MIUSRead MoreThe Adoption of Ais1759 Words   |  8 Pagesof cloud based accounting information system in business I. Introduction Accounting information system is playing an important role in the business operation, and the cloud computing has a great impact on the revolution of accounting information system. This research paper aims to discuss the new trend of cloud based accounting information system in business. The whole text is divided into three parts: First part gives an overview of the cloud computing and accounting information system; secondRead MoreApplication of Ict on Accounting4286 Words   |  18 PagesApplications of ICT in Accounting. Accounting records have been maintained only on a manual basis for a period now. The bookkeeper or the owner is required to fill a paper source document for each sale or receipt, and then work overtime writing the transactions of the day or week in special journals, stock cards, and debtor and creditor records. This obviously took some time, time that would otherwise have been spent operating the business. The business also pays extra money to account officersRead MoreComputerized Accounting Functions and Organizations Productivity4059 Words   |  17 PagesTYPES OF COMPUTERIZED ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS By Kathy Adams McIntosh, eHow Contributor Businesses use financial information to create statements and to file income tax returns at the end of the year. Some businesses use manual accounting systems, but many businesses opt for computerized accounting systems to simplify the process and reduce errors. Businesses can choose between different types of computerized accounting systems. 1. 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Success creates wealth; this creates competition as others seek to capitalize on the market. The emergence of new companies into the market begins a cycle of competition. Evaluation of staffing forces companies to find new and more efficient ways of producing their products while lowering cost to increase profit. This is because the cost of personnel is the largest line itemRead MoreManagement 3211270 Words   |  6 Pagesfictitious organization (Banks Against Blight LLC). The system you design might be data storage, telecommunications, e-commerce, accounting information, manufacturing process system, inventory management, or some other system approved by your instructor.   You will discover (or create, if you choose a fictional organization) and explain the main systems in place, discuss the integration, and explain how the data collected by these systems helps the organization make decisions and carry out the strategic plan

The Theme of Patriotism in Persepolis - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 680 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2019/07/01 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Persepolis Essay Did you like this example? Persepolis is an extended description of the historical conditions during Marjanes life. Marjane had a patriotic passion for her country Iran. When she was a young girl, there was a cultural revolution in Iran. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Theme of Patriotism in Persepolis" essay for you Create order Students (including Marjane) were forced to were a veil during school. Marjane didnt quite understand the reasoning behind this and thought she should have her own choice in religion. Many were teetering this concept of the cultural revolution. Eventually, the French non-religious school she attended is halted and the sexes are schooled separately. Growing up, Marjane and God have several conversations, and she is set on being a prophet when she grows up. Throughout this graphic novel, Marjane always exemplifies a spirit of patriotism, boldness, freedom, love, and individual thought. Her pure, childlike heart desires both equality and an elimination of suffering. When she expresses her intention of becoming a prophet, Marjane is mocked, but her parents support her and are unalarmed by her wishes. After she hears her parents concerned about the fire that killed 400 people at a nearby theater, Mr. Satrapi decides to explain the events of the Revolution to her. During this story, Marjan e learns that her grandfather was a prince prior to Reza Shahs rise of power, which would excite any child. Her grandfather became a communist and was imprisoned. While in prison, her grandfather was tormented by going into cells overflowing with water, which Marjane has a difficult time processing. During her grandmothers visit, she explains to Marjane the poverty and hardships they faced during her husbands imprisonment. The Satrapis maid Mehri was given into their care as a child. Marjane and Mehri grew into a sisterly bond. Mehri falls in love with the boy next door and has Marjane write her love letters since she didnt know how to write. Once Mr. Satrapi discovers this love connection, he talks to the boy and tells him Mehri is a maid. Then, the boy is no longer interested. In this time, social classes arent combined. This initially upsets Marjane significantly. She believed her father to be a good man and felt his actions were unjust and unloving. Therefore, she and Mehri attend marches, which aggravates her parents since the marches were formidable. As Shahs rule worsens, many lose their life. Shah travels to the United States and eventually relinquishes his rule. The previously imprisoned Siamak and Mohsen visit the Satrapi family and explain their experiences in prison. Soon after, Marjane discovers that even her Uncle Anoosh was held captive. However, her Uncle Anoosh was identified as valiant for his position in government to hinder the power of Shah, which ultimately declared independence from his brutal rule. Unfortunately, Anoosh is later arrested and killed for a false accusation about being a Russian spy. Due to this event, Marjane completely rejects God and her desire to be a prophet. Around this time, the Iran-Iraq War starts. From this event, her life seems to spiral into a world of pain and shattered expectations. Marjanes hopes of traveling to the U.S. are squandered when the Americans are coerced out of Iran. Those of religious authority closed schools to make alterations, which also harms Marjanes hopes. Shes even assaulted because her veil isnt on. The war only worsens, and her friend Mali comes to live with her as a result of it. Murdered children, bombing raids, deaths of millions, and the death of her hopeless Uncle Taher become enough hardships for Marjane to become a rebel. After her parents return from Turkey, Marjane becomes westernized and is nearly arrested but let off without arrest. One day, her neighborhood was bombed, and her neighbors house was wrecked. She even noticed her friends arm protruding from the debris. After all these disastrous events, her parents make the executive decision to send her to Austria for her safety. She spends the last night with her beloved grandmother and hea ds to the airport the next day. When she turns back to see her parents from afar, her mother had fainted. Yet, she hoped to see her parents again one day.

Queer Centric Love Stories By John Bebe - 1234 Words

However, when it comes to queer-centric love stories, the most common reaction follows the lines of â€Å"this is a gay story, about two gay people, and is about them being gay†, due to the lack of substance to the plot. Even if a work does have a complex plot, the public’s reaction and treatment of the work as â€Å"a gay story† is harmful to perceptions of queer life. Specifically, the manner in which many queer stories, and â€Å"Brokeback† (with the death of Jack) tragically end. These tragic ending, tragedy that is rooted in the character s sexual orientation, only further sends the message that you can’t live as a queer person without pain and consequences, that there is no legitimate way for a happy ending to occur for queer characters. In†¦show more content†¦Integration of Female Characters: The â€Å"Damage† of The Closet The most notable difference between the film adaptation and the short story is the film’s additional emphasis and integration of female characters. In the film, Alma has more of a focus, becomes more complex of a character, and has more lines than in the original story. Additionally, Laureen is a developed character with a personality and character arc, which was also something not found in the original story.This additional emphasis on females provides the audience with a new perspective from which to view the story. However, it is a perspective that is essentially harmful to the queer community. By having a focus on the female characters, the film â€Å"hedges against relying too much on gay-masculinity-as-realism both by cyclically returning point of view to the women in the film, and by draping a light scrim of comedy over Jack and Ennis’s relationship. The moment when Michelle William’s Alma sees her husband locking lips with his â€Å"fishing buddy† has achieved its own iconic status: Oprah Winfrey, when she hosted the cast for a pre-Academy Awards endorsement of the film’s power, focused first on how hard it must have been for Heath and Jake to kiss each other—heavens!—but then insisted that the film was a lesson in the damage the closet wreaks on the lives of women who love closeted men (Joshua Clover)†.

Night World Huntress Chapter 14 Free Essays

string(68) " figure out is what it means by ‘where two eyes are watching\." Did you have trouble getting away?† Hugh said It was the next morning, a very different sort of day from yesterday. The sky was overcast and the air was heavy. Everyone Jez had passed at the Concord BART station looked a little depressed. We will write a custom essay sample on Night World : Huntress Chapter 14 or any similar topic only for you Order Now â€Å"Eh, a little,† she said, and sat down by Hugh on the platform. They were at the far end of the station, beyond the covered area with benches, beside a little concrete security house. It was a safe and private meeting place since the station was almost deserted after the morning commute. â€Å"They chained up my bike with this huge chain. Claire drove me to school-she’s been watching me like a werewolf guarding dinner. And Aunt Nan called the office to make sure I didn’t cut† Hugh shifted in concern. There was a tiny breath of warm wind, and it stirred his fair hair. â€Å"So what did you do?† Jez grinned. â€Å"I cut.† She shrugged and added, â€Å"I got a guy from my auto shop class to drive me here. It wasn’t hard.† He smiled at her sadly, his gray eyes distant. â€Å"But they’re going to find out. Jez, I’m really sorry for completely messing up your life.† She shrugged again. â€Å"Yeah, but if I don’t do it, everybody’s life is going to be even more completely messed up. Every human’s.† â€Å"I know.† He shivered slightly. Then he drew up his legs, clasping his arms around them. He looked at her with his chin on his knees. â€Å"So what did you find out?† â€Å"That the girl Morgead thought was the Wild Power isn’t.† He looks so cute that way, Jez thought helplessly. So-compact. Morgead would never sit like that. Hugh winced. â€Å"Great. You’re sure?† â€Å"Yeah. It was a little kid, eight years old, and she was something special-but not that. She was†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Jez tried to think of a way to describe it. Hugh watched her with eyes that were clear and fathomless, sad and wry and gentle all at once. And suddenly Jez got it. She gasped. â€Å"Goddess-I know! She was like you. That kid was an Old Soul.† Hugh’s eyebrows went up. â€Å"You think?† â€Å"I’m sure of it. She had that same way of looking at you as if she’s seen all of history and she knows that you’re just a little part. That†¦ trig picture’ look. As if she were beyond stupid human things.† â€Å"But not a Wild Power,† Hugh said softly. He looked half discouraged and half relieved. â€Å"So then the Morgead connection is useless.† â€Å"Actually, no. Because he’s got evidence for the Wild Power on videotape.† Jez explained about the movie and the fire and the blue flash. â€Å"So somebody around that kid is probably it. I know that area and so does Morgead. We may be able to find out who.† Hugh chewed his lip. Then he looked directly at her. â€Å"It sounds dangerous. Just how is Morgead taking tins-you coming back and all?† Jez stared out across the BART tracks. They looked like regular train tracks, except for the big one labeled danger electric third rah.. There was a sound like faraway thunder, and then a train came whizzing up like a sleek futuristic white dragon. It stopped and a few people got on and off in the distance. She waited until it left again to answer. â€Å"He†¦ wasn’t very happy at first. But then he kind of got used to it. I don’t think he’s going to make any trouble-unless he finds out, you know.† She wasn’t sure what else to say. She didn’t want to talk to Hugh about Morgead-and she certainly didn’t want to explain what had happened. Especially not when she was so confused about it all herself. â€Å"You still think he’d hate you if he found out you were half human?† Hugh’s voice was quiet. Jez laughed shortly. â€Å"Believe it. He would.† There was a silence, while Hugh looked at her. Suddenly Jez found her mind posing an odd question. If it were Hugh or Morgead, which would she take? Of course, it was a completely ridiculous question. She couldn’t have either of them. Hugh was an Old Soul, and beyond her reach. Not to mention that he only thought of her as a friend. And Morgead might be her soulmate, but he would murder her if he ever discovered the truth. But still, if she did have a choice†¦ Hugh or Morgead? A day ago she’d have said Hugh without question. How strange that now it came up the other way. Because, impossible as it was, deadly as she knew it to be, it was Morgead she was in love with. And she had only just understood that this moment. What a pity that there was no hope in the world for them. Jez found herself giving another short laugh- and then she realized that Hugh was still looking at her. She could feel color rise to her cheeks. â€Å"You were miles away again.† Tm just foggy. Not enough sleep, I guess.† Plus all that fun yesterday. She was still sore from the stick fight and the fall with Iona. But that wasn’t Hugh’s problem. She took a breath, groping for another subject. â€Å"You know, there was something I wanted to ask you. Morgead said the Council had dug up another prophecy-about where each of the Wild Powers is from. Have you heard it?† When he shook his head, she quoted: â€Å"One from the land of kings long forgotten; One from the hearth which still holds the spark; One from the Day World where two eyes are watching; One from the twilight to be one with the dark.† â€Å"Interesting.† Hugh’s gray eyes had lit up. † ‘One from the hearth’†¦ that’s got to be the Harman witches. Their last name was originally ‘Hearth-Woman.’ â€Å" â€Å"Yeah. But the line about the one from the Day World-that one’s a human, right?† â€Å"It sounds like it.† â€Å"That’s what Morgead thought-that’s why he thought the little girl might be a Wild Power even though she was human. But what I can’t figure out is what it means by ‘where two eyes are watching. You read "Night World : Huntress Chapter 14" in category "Essay examples"'† â€Å"Mmm†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Hugh gazed into the distance, as if he liked the challenge. â€Å"The only thing I can think of that combines the idea of ‘Day* and ‘eyes’ is a poem. It goes something like ‘The Night has a thousand eyes, and the Day only one.’ The one eye being the sun, you know, and the thousand eyes the stars at night.† â€Å"Hmpf. What about the moon?† Hugh grinned. ‘I don’t know. Maybe the author wasn’t good at astronomy.† â€Å"Well-that doesn’t help much. I thought it might be a clue. But the truth is that we don’t even know if it’s the human Wild Power we’re after.† Hugh put his chin on his knees again. â€Å"True. But I’ll let Circle Daybreak know about that prophecy. It might help eventually.† He was silent a moment, then added, â€Å"You know, they dug up something interesting, too. Apparently the Hopi Tribe predicted the end of the world pretty accurately.† â€Å"The Hopi?† â€Å"I should say, the ends of the worlds. They knew that it had happened before their time, and that it would happen again. Their legend says that the first world was destroyed by fire. The second world was destroyed by ice. The third world ended in water- a universal flood. And the fourth world-well, that’s ours. It’s supposed to end in blood and darkness- and end soon.† Jez murmured, â€Å"The first world-?† â€Å"Don’t remember your Night World history?† He tched at her, with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. â€Å"The first civilization was the shapeshifters’. Back when humans were scared to go out of their caves, the shapeshifters ruled and the humans thought of them as gods. Animal spirits, totems. It was Shapeshifter World. That lasted for about ten thousand years, until a bunch of volcanoes suddenly became active-â€Å" â€Å"Fire.† â€Å"Yeah. The weather changed, people migrated, and the shapeshifters lost control. After that it was really Witch World. The witches did better than everybody else for ten thousand years, but then there was an Ice Age-â€Å" â€Å"And the Night Wars,† Jez said, remembering. â€Å"When the vampires fought the witches.† â€Å"Right. And after all that, the vampires were in control; it was Vampire World. Which lasted about another ten thousand years, until the flood. And after the flood, human civilization really started. It was Human World, and it has been for a long time. The Night People have just been hanging on around the edges, hiding. But. . .† He paused and straightened. â€Å"That started about eight thousand B.C.† â€Å"Oh.† â€Å"Yeah. The millennium marks the end of our ten thousand years.† He gave his gentle, half-mocking smile. â€Å"We humans are about to lose our lease. Something’s going to happen to bring blood and darkness and then there’ll be a whole new world.† â€Å"Only if we don’t stop it,† Jez said. â€Å"And we will- because we have to.† Hugh’s smiled changed, softening. â€Å"I think we’re lucky to have people like you trying.† Then he lost the smile completely. He looked uncertain. â€Å"Jez- you know, Old Souls aren’t really beyond ‘stupid human things.’ We’re as human as anybody. And we †¦ I mean, and I†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Jez’s heart was beating uncomfortably fast. The way he was looking at her-she’d never seen Hugh look like that at anything or anyone. Another rumble in the distance, and then a train came rushing in. Hugh blinked, glanced up at the digital clock display above the platform, then checked his watch. He cursed. Tm supposed to be somewhere. I’m late.† Jez’s heart gave a strange thump. But not of disappointment. Weirdly, it was more like relief. â€Å"Me, too,† she said. â€Å"I’m supposed to meet Morgead before everybody else gets out of school. I ought to take the next train to San Francisco.† He still hesitated. â€Å"Jez-â€Å" â€Å"Go on,† she said, standing up. â€Å"Ill call you if I turn up anything. Wish me luck.† â€Å"Be careful,† he said instead, and then he was hurrying away. Jez watched him go. She couldn’t help wondering what he had been about to say. Then she turned to walk back to the central part of the station. She was partway around the concrete guardhouse when she heard a noise on the other side. A stealthy, sneaking noise. Not the kind a security guard would make. Jez didn’t hesitate. Smoothly, completely soundless herself, she changed course, turning back and going around the structure the other way to get behind the sneaker. The instant she had a clear view of the intruder’s back, she jumped. She landed on top of her quarry, with a control hold on the person’s wrist. But she already knew that this wasn’t going to be a fight to the death. â€Å"Jez-ow-it’s me!† Claire spluttered. â€Å"I know it’s you, Claire.† â€Å"Let go of my arm!† â€Å"I don’t think so, Claire. You having an interesting morning? Hear any good jokes?† â€Å"Jez!† Claire struggled, hurting herself, then got mad and hurt herself more trying to hit Jez. Jez allowed her to sit up, still keeping hold of her. Claire’s face was flushed and wrathful, her dark hair sticking in strands to her cheeks. Her eyes were shooting sparks. â€Å"Okay, so I’m sorry for eavesdropping. I followed you when Greg Ludlum drove you here. I wanted to know what you were doing. I didn’t know that you were completely freaking insane!† â€Å"Well, it’s too bad you didn’t figure it out earlier. Because unfortunately I have to kill you now to keep you from talking.† Claire’s eyes widened and she choked. Jez suddenly realized that underneath all the sparks and the yelling her cousin was terrified. She let go of Claire’s arm and Claire slumped away from her, rubbing it. â€Å"You-you are insane, aren’t you?† Claire looked at her sideways, through clinging strands of hair. â€Å"I mean, all that stuff about the world ending-it’s some kind of bizarre game you’re playing with your weird friends, isn’t it? Some kind of Dungeons and Dragons stuff†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"What do you think, Claire?† Jez stood up and offered Claire a hand, worried that someone might notice them. She kept that hand on Claire as she herded Claire back behind the guard house. The truth was that this situation wasn’t funny. Claire really was in trouble-because Jez was in trouble. Her entire cover was blown. Everything she’d worked for in the past year-Claire could destroy it all. Claire knew way too much, and Claire hated her enough to use it. â€Å"I think †¦ I don’t know what to think.† Claire swallowed. â€Å"Who was that guy?† â€Å"One of my weird friends. Right?† â€Å"He didn’t seem so weird. When he said things- I don’t know. They sounded†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Claire’s voice trailed off. Finally it came back, almost inaudibly. â€Å"Real.† â€Å"Great.† I am going to have to kill her. What else can I do? â€Å"It’s not a game, is it?† Claire said, looking at her. All the anger was gone from the dark eyes now. They were simply bewildered and frightened. Then Claire shook her head. â€Å"But, I mean, it’s impossible. Vampires and shapeshifters and witches-it’s all just†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Her voice trailed off again. Jez was simply looking at her, with eyes that might be less silvery than a year ago, but that she knew were still pretty strange. And after a few moments Claire’s gaze lost its focus and her whole body seemed to fall in on itself, as if it had lost something vital. Innocence maybe, Jez thought grimly. â€Å"Oh, God, it is true,† Claire whispered. ‘I mean, it’s really true. That’s why you’re gone all the time, isn’t it? You’re off-doing something.† Jez said, â€Å"Yeah.† Claire sagged against the guardhouse. â€Å"Oh, God. I †¦ God. I feel so strange. It’s like-nothing is what I thought.† Yeah, I know the feeling, Jez thought. When the whole world turns around and you have to adjust in two seconds flat. It happened to me, too, a year ago. But none of that was going to help Claire. All she could say was â€Å"I’m sorry.† Claire didn’t seem to hear her. She was speaking in a voice that was just a breath. â€Å"That’s why†¦ that’s why all that weird stuff with your father. Nobody knowing anything about his family and all. I knew from the beginning that there was something about you; I just couldn’t tell what it was.† Oh, great, Jez thought. Here it comes. She tried to keep her face impassive as Claire faced her squarely, raising her eyes with a look somewhere between wonder and dread. â€Å"That guy-he said you were only half human. Which means you’re half†¦ something else?† â€Å"I’m half human and half vampire,† Jez said quietly. The interesting thing was that it was so easy to get out. She’d only ever spoken the words aloud to one person before: Hugh. Now she looked to see if Claire would actually faint or just fall down. Claire did neither. She just shut her eyes. â€Å"You know the really insane thing? I believe that.† She opened her eyes again. â€Å"But-I didn’t know you could be. Half and half.† â€Å"Neither did anybody else, till I was born. I’m the only one.† Jez examined her cousin, realized that she really wasn’t going to faint. When she spoke again, her voice came out more challenging than she meant it to. â€Å"So now that you know, Claire, what are you going to do about it?† â€Å"What do you mean, what am I going to do?† Claire glanced around, then her voice dropped as her eyes glinted with interest. â€Å"Look-do you, like, have to drink blood and everything?† â€Å"Not anymore,† Jez said shortly. What was this? Who would have thought that studious, straitlaced Claire would have such an interest in vampires? â€Å"But you mean you used to?† â€Å"Before I came to live with you guys. I thought I was a full vampire then. But I found out that I could live without it, as long as I didn’t use my powers.† â€Å"You’ve got powers? Really? What kind?† â€Å"No kind. Look, enough with the questions. I told you, I’m not a vampire anymore.† â€Å"And you’re not evil.† Claire said it flatly. Jez looked at her, startled. â€Å"What makes you say that?† â€Å"I heard what you were talking about, saving the world and all. I didn’t understand it, but it sounded like you were on the right side. And-† Claire hesitated, then shrugged. â€Å"And I know you, okay? I mean, you’re arrogant and stubborn and you never explain anything, but you’re not evil. You just aren’t-inside. I can tell.† Jez laughed. A real laugh. She couldn’t help it. Of all people, Claire. She’d misjudged this girl who was her own age but had nothing else in common with her. Her cousin had unexpected depths. â€Å"Well, thanks,† she said. â€Å"I try not to be too evil- these days.† Then she sobered. â€Å"Look, Claire, if you really think that, and if you really believe that the stuff you heard was true-â€Å" â€Å"About the end of the world? I don’t believe it. I mean, I heard it, and I believe you believe it-and when I first heard it I kind of believed it, but-â€Å" â€Å"Just-skip the rest and plain believe it, Claire. It happens to be the truth. And I’m trying to do something about it.† â€Å"Something about a Wild Power, right?† Claire wasn’t sagging anymore. She looked almost excited. â€Å"But what’s a-â€Å" â€Å"You don’t need to know. The point is that if you want to, you can help me.† â€Å"I can? Really?† â€Å"You can help me by going back to school and forgetting that this ever happened. You can help me by keeping my secret and not ever saying a word about this to anybody. And, incidentally, you’ll be keeping your family safe at the same time.† Claire looked away, worked her jaw. â€Å"This stuff you’re doing is pretty dangerous.† It wasn’t a question. â€Å"Very dangerous.† Jez stepped back. â€Å"And I’m late for it right now. So do we have a deal? Will you help me or not? Can I trust you?† â€Å"Or otherwise you’re gonna kill me, right?† Claire looked at her sarcastically. Jez rolled her eyes. â€Å"Don’t tempt me. Seriously, are you going to help?† â€Å"No.† Jez froze, looking down at the shorter girl. â€Å"What?† â€Å"Jez-don’t get mad, but I don’t think I can. Not that way.† Claire was looking back up steadily, her small face serious and surprisingly determined. ‘I mean how can I possibly just walk away, after hearing all that? If everything you said is true, how can I forget?† â€Å"You can because you have to. We all do what we have to do.† Jez looked around the station. Another train should be coming any minute. She simply didn’t have time to spend convincing a human to stay out of business that would kill her. To properly explain it to Claire would take days. All she could do was ask for something she never would have imagined Claire could give her. â€Å"Claire†¦ there’s no way I can convince you or make you do what I want. But I’m asking you-† She let out her breath and went on: â€Å"I’m asking you to trust me. I’m asking you to walk away and at least try to forget this. And to believe that I’m trying the best I can to do the right thing.† Claire kept looking at her steadily for a moment. Then, all at once, the dark eyes filled. They turned away, and Claire’s throat moved once as she swallowed. Then, slowly, she nodded. â€Å"Okay,† she whispered. â€Å"I mean-it’s okay for now. I mean, I guess I can talk to you later about it.† Jez let out her breath. â€Å"That’s right.† Claire stood there for another second, then straightened her shoulders and turned away. But just as suddenly she turned back, looking tense and almost explosive. â€Å"There’s something I have to say to you.† Jez glanced down the tracks. No train. â€Å"Okay.† â€Å"It’s-it’s†¦ that I’m sorry. I’m sorry I bugged you and tried to get Mom mad at you and everything. I was just-I was jealous because they let you get away with anything, and†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She shook her head fiercely and then went on, shrugging grimly as if she hated to admit it. â€Å"And, yeah, because you’re so gorgeous and confident and everything. It made me feel bad and I wanted to hurt you. So. Anyway. There. I’m sorry.† She started to walk away, wobbling a little. â€Å"Claire.† Claire paused, then turned around. Jez spoke a little hesitantly around the obstruction in her throat. â€Å"It’s okay. And thank you.† â€Å"Yeah.† Claire grinned and gave a little shrug. â€Å"See ya later.† She turned around and started walking again. See ya, Jez thought. She felt suddenly tired and strangely emotional. There was too much inside hen sadness and relief and worry and a new feeling for Claire. She crossed her arms and looked around the station, trying to relax, taking deep, even breaths. And saw two werewolves coming straight for Claire. How to cite Night World : Huntress Chapter 14, Essay examples

College Athletes Should Not Be Paid free essay sample

?Amongst the controversy surrounding the NCAA’s recent crackdown on violations with regards to college programs compensating players and players accepting compensation from universities and outside sources, one question has understandably been brought up. It is a question that was bound to be asked sooner or later, and one without an obvious answer: should college athletes be paid? It is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, question that surrounds the world of college sports. The answer, quite simply put, is no. Allowing universities to pay students athletes to participate in sports would require a complete overhaul of the NCAA rule book. At this stage, too many questions need to be answered: how much would athletes get paid? Where would the money come from? Would athletes in certain sports get paid more than others? This is just the tip of the iceberg. The amount of time that it would take to (re)write this part of the rulebook would be ridiculous. Not only do NCAA officials have to write the new rules, but there would also have to be many revisions made before a final copy is finished. Then the new regulations would need to be approved by the majority of the NCAA universities. And there is no guarantee that would happen with the first edition of the rules, so the process would continue to repeat itself until an agreement is reached. On top of that, the Title IX Act would need to be amended in order to accommodate the new rules in order to ensure equality across all genders. All the time it would take to create a set of rules and regulations and amend the necessary laws to make paying college athletes possible would use up many NCAA resources and cost a lot of money. It is one thing to spend time to make money or spend money to save time, but creating new rules and/or amending old ones would be spending time and money just to give even more money away from the university (to pay the athletes). The fact that the NCAA and its affiliates would have to allocate such a large amount of money to creating the new rule book raises another important question: where will the money come from? Initially, it would not come from the NCAA: they would most certainly be in some amount of debt after spending copious amounts of time and money on the rulebook. So why not use the revenue brought in by the athletes? First of all, that is the money the NCAA would have spent on the creation of the new rules and regulations. Secondly, even without incorporating the costs creating a new rulebook would require, that money is reserved for the colleges and universities, the NCAA and NCAA subsidiary conferences (Big Ten Conference, South Eastern Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, etc. ) in order to pay for coaches, training staff, officials for competition, construction and uptake of facilities, advertising, and a per diem for athletes and staff on road trips, among many other countless expenses. Not only do the numbers not work financially, there are also questions on the morality of using revenue to pay players. The main argument behind changing the rules to allow compensation for players is that they bring immense amounts of revenue into colleges and universities but receive nothing in return. While this is a valid argument, it usually only applies to the big money making sports such as football and basketball. The NCAA’s mantra is fairness and equality across all sports and genders, which makes compensation for revenue generation a touchy subject. In terms of morality, you could not rightfully pay the athletes in the â€Å"big two† sports but not in others. Conversely, you could not fairly pay athletes in the other sports for the revenue that they had very little part in creating. For example, think about running a lemonade stand and having to share the profits with your siblings who had no part in it. Or consider seeing your brother get paid for mowing the lawn while you get nothing for shoveling; neither of these would be fair to student athletes. The NCAA would take too much flak if compensating players came down to revenue. If universities were to compensate based on the amount of money brought in to the school by each sport, they would be indirectly saying that they believe certain student athletes to be more valuable than others. Some schools also bring in considerably more money than others from their sports programs. Schools like the University of Florida and the University of Alabama would have no problem using the money brought in by football and basketball to pay all of their athletes (which would still be going against the aforementioned sports ethics, but let’s pretend for a little bit). That is all fine and dandy, but what about smaller market schools like Bethune-Cookman University and the University of Montana? These schools bring in more than $50 million less than the previously mentioned schools. Not only does this limit the amount of money these schools could use to spend on paying athletes, it puts them at a great disadvantage from a recruiting standpoint. This is an extremely important piece of information. Aside from the idea of maintaining amateurism, the entire reason that the NCAA has rules against paying players and players accepting said compensation for play is to keep the recruiting game fair. As nice as it would be, it would be nigh impossible to compensate athletes with the revenue that they bring in, which further muddies the discussion on where money would even come from if athletes were to be paid. Some people would say, ‘raise tuition’. To put it nicely, institutes of higher education would have mutiny on their hands if that was their answer. Speaking for myself and other college students I can and will say that this would not be a favorable or accepted idea. I would never pay more for my education so that someone else can be paid to play a sport, let alone an amateur sport that I do not have any interest in. Just imagine having your taxes raised in order for your local bar league softball teams to get paid for their ‘service’. Not even the most leftward-leaning liberal would agree to that nonsense, yet some people have proposed the same thing, (in principle), for college sports. In a world where a college degree is becoming more and more valuable, the cost is already becoming increasingly unaffordable; and that is without the additional pay that has been proposed by many. The worst part of it is that this proposal comes from the people that would be least affected by it: university officials, university boosters, etc. Another idea that has been proposed is to re-classify athletic roster spots as â€Å"jobs† and athletes as â€Å"employees† in the Federal Work Study program. In theory and on paper this idea sounds great, but in reality it is not as great as it seems. First off, employees in the FWS program are only allowed to work twenty hours a week. Every college athlete in every sport, male or female, spends much more than 20 hours on their respective sports each week. From practice, to film sessions, to weightlifting and conditioning, not to mention competition, that time adds up. What would the athletes â€Å"overtime† be considered? Would the FWS program or NCAA be liable for the athletes at that point? Since the sport would fall under both, it is a tough question to answer. To this point, no one has answered it either. All of that is before the financial aspect of the proposal is even discussed. Over $1. 2 billion was given to 750 thousand students last year. There are almost 170 thousand Division One athletes in the country right now. If each one of those athletes were to collect the maximum of $7,000 from FWS, it would require an additional $1. 2 billion dollars of federal funding, and that is without even having Divisions Two and Three in the discussion. $1. 2 billion is a whole lot of money, and it is very unlikely that such a substantial increase in the FWS budget would be approved. One of the best parts of college sports is the fact that they are amateur athletics. Not only are these athletes getting a college education, but they are also getting to continue their athletic careers in the sports that they love, and many of them are doing so on a scholarship. Is that not enough? More than half of the student body at any given university would give almost anything to have that chance; and athletes are asking for more? It reminds me of Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the child who has everything but keeps asking for more. At many colleges and universities, student athletes are already given preferential treatment over their non-athlete peers. Just one example is Oklahoma State University, where there are numerous reports and admissions of athletes having school work done for them by tutors and professors giving athletes grades they do not deserve in order for them to be eligible for competition. Not only is this against NCAA rules and unethical, it is also sending the wrong message to student athletes. By allowing this to happen, or even by just standing idly by, universities are telling athletes that as long as they are good at sports they will not have to do any work in life; and on top of this, people want to pay them? In no way does that seem like it would be a good idea or end well for the athletes later in life. Most student athletes’ drive and motivation comes from wanting to keep their roster spot, wanting to move up on the depth chart, pride, the fear of losing a scholarship and the possibility of playing at the professional level (which is often the biggest factor). If college athletes were to be paid, that would take away much of their drive, they already have what they wanted: money. If they are guaranteed money in college and the professional level, why would they try their best and risk injury? The level of competition would decrease, which would decrease fan interest, which would in turn decrease revenue brought in by athletics. This case scenario happens in the world of professional sports all the time: a player inks a new deal with a team after a season of hard work, only to slack off once they are guaranteed money: the same would happen to a college athlete as well. All of these signs point towards not paying college athletes. Compensating college athletes for play would not only be financially unrealistic, a legal mess, and against sports and business ethics, it would ruin amateur sports. If that is not enough to convince someone that paying college athletes is a bad idea, then I do not know what would be.