Lennie is mourning the death of his puppy Essay Example for Free

Lennie is mourning the death of his puppy Essay At the beginning of the extract, Lennie is mourning the death of his puppy by his own hand when Curleys wife enters the barn and attempts to comfort him and she allows Lennie to stroke her hair. When Lennies big fingers fell to stroking her hair we see that something is going to happen as the mood changes and the tension is heightened. We have an inclination to what is about to happen as we have seen the inevitability of the scenario with Lennies strength and Curleys wifes desire for affection and attention. When Curleys wife tells Lennie not to muss it up, Lennie strokes harder, as he is overcome with the pleasure of the experience, this shows that Lennie doesnt listen to anyone except from George, thus reinforcing what we already know. Curleys wife says you stop it now and jerks her head sideways and Lennie then panics and automatically his fingers close on her hair and hung on, this is because it is the only thing he can think to do, this emphasises his child-like mentality as his reaction is physical as opposed to psychological. Lennie was in a panic and his face was contorted, these two short simple sentences portray the innocence and naivety of Lennies actions as well as reflecting the way Lennies mind works, short and simple. He begs Curleys wife to stop screaming because Georgell be mad and aint gonna let him tend no rabbits showing that he has a one-track mind, much like a child. Lennie then gets angry and tells Curleys wife I dont want you to yell, this again shows his child-like mindset and his anger leads him to shake her. So hes shaking her, not in an aggressive manner, but to protect his part in the dream, her body flopped like a fish and she was still, for Lennie had broken her neck. At this point we see Lennie, not just kill Curleys wife, but kill the dream too. Lennie does not realise he has killed her as he continues to speak to her, he lifts her arm and lets it drop and is, for a moment, bewildered. His mind cant capacitate why she is not responding, all he thinks he did was shake her, showing just how unaware he is of his own strength. Animal imagery is used to describe how Lennie pawed up the hay until it party covered her, this connotes Lennies clumsiness and density. In the concluding paragraph of the extract we see Lennie become conscious of the outside for the first time, he recalls what George told him to do if he gets into trouble and goes to hide in the brush, taking the dead puppy with him to throw it away because its bad enough like it is. Here we see Lennie make a decision himself, be it the right one or not, he seems to have matured slightly because of the situation at hand and this event could be something that changes Lennies childish behaviour. Throughout the death of Curleys wife, we still feel more sympathy for Lennie, because he is so unaware of the danger his actions can cause and he is still a naive and innocent character, despite the unintentional harm he has brought to many things. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE John Steinbeck section.

Delegation :: essays research papers

Delegation Authority is legitimized power. Power is the ability to influence others effectively. Delegation is the distribution of authority. Delegation frees the manager to use his or her time on higher priority issues and activities. Although it frees a manager up, it does not free him or her up from the accountability for the actions and decisions of the people below him. That is why the manager must have qualified people underneath him so the actions or decisions that are actually made are along the guidelines that are established for the company or organization. The objective of delegation is to get the job done by someone else. In order to have someone else do the job for you, you must ensure that the person whom you are giving power to understands what you want, have the authority to achieve it, and that they know how to do it. These skills are essential when you are about to hand out orders. These all depend upon communicating clearly the nature of the task, the extent of their discretion, and the sources of relevant information and knowledge. I know at FedEx Ground, I can hop on our intranet and get help on a wide variety of things, such dispatching and changing schedules. For a manager, one thing he or she can delegate that should cause no problems are matters that keep repeating themselves. For example, I am in charge of dropping off the nightly deposits for FedEx C.O.D.’s at the end of the night. This is not hard, but why should the terminal manager do it. Another thing a manager can delegate is the part of a job that makes the one delegating way over specialized. This helps getting other people more involved with the operation, and it also helps people learn things that they do not know how to do yet. This also works the other way. If the one delegating has not done something in a long time, he can pass it off to someone that has worked in that department or who knows what they are doing pretty well. As I mentioned before, I work at FedEx Ground. We have a terminal manager in the building that the managers from the different departments report to. The terminal manager then reports to the upper management in the regional offices, and it goes all the way up the ladder finally to the headquarters in Pittsburgh.

Family Essay

Every time we have a family gathering in our house, informal debates are always part of the â€Å"program†. My family and I are delighted to involve talking about current issues especially that concerns the humanity’s welfare morals. It will start from simple talks and later become a big debate amongst our family members. It sounds funny but that is how we have our family gatherings. In fact, discussing current issues make our spirits alert and alive but if there is none, our gathering will become boring and seems incomplete. I personally really like exchanging ideas and point of views from others. Through them, I can learn many insights and know their position regarding the issue, whether they are pro or not. This kind of characteristic really runs in my veins. I am a kind of person that will truly stand for what I believe is right. I will never concede to a perverse beliefs and ideas. Even though I have this kind of attitude that like to debate even on simple issues, I do still have my friends that stick with. There are times that we argue on nonsense things that sometimes lead us to a â€Å"fight†. I can still remember one incident that I and one of my closest friends had a fight over on one issue and that is upholding the good morals. I know we have different views when it comes to that matter. She is quite liberated but I am a reserved and quite conservative type of person. So if we talked over on morality, our ideas always clash and it is not new to me at all. Yes, we are friends but I do not do what she does and she does not do what I do because of our opposite views when it comes to morality. The argument started when she confessed to me that she and her boyfriend had indulged into premarital sex several times. My initial reaction was shocked. I was not able to talk for a moment because of her confession to me. I was shocked with her confession not because the idea itself is new to me but because I was not expecting them do it. I trusted her boyfriend very much that he will not do anything wrong to my friend because I expect him as a person who wants my friend to be preserved even we are in this perilous times where our morals are already deteriorating. I am not against on the idea of having sex because it is a gift of God to be enjoyed by individuals specifically for the married people but doing it outside marriage is a very big â€Å"no, no† to me. And I don’t even say that I want her to be like me because I do believe on individualism. All I want to see is, she will learn how to respect her own self and not allowing anyone, not even her â€Å"beloved† boyfriend, abused her body and take advantage on her. In this modern world, several people either young or old, of legal age or not are into it. It becomes a trend of our society. If you don’t experience it, people will regard you as â€Å"loser† and coward but if you do, you will gain their appreciation and approval. See? This is how our world being corrupted of worldly pleasures. And I don’t believe that if everybody is doing it, it is already right. We have to uphold our morals as people and not letting the things of this world influence and corrupt our good character. That is one of my convictions as a person. Furthermore, she continued to relay to me the things they did in full details and silence came up in the atmosphere. I just allowed her pour out her heart on me. After a few minutes, I asked her why she sticks for that idea and permitted it to happen. But she only answered, â€Å"Why not? Everybody is doing it. And besides, we love each other very much. I was very annoyed and disgusted with her answer but I tried to hold back my temper and trying to make a â€Å"good† discussion with her regarding the matter. So, I continued asking her. â€Å"Do you think that is the only way you can express your love to your boyfriend? † I asked. Then, answered back â€Å"what do you mean? We do this because we love each other. Don’t you understand! And don’t you ever dare to dictate my life on what should I do. You are not my parents! † she exclaimed. Those words struck me a lot. I am just discussing this matter to her because I love her as my dear friend and I want the best for her. I am hoping that, through our discussion, she can be able to realize the possible things that might happen to her in the future if she and her boyfriend will continually indulge on it. So I told her that even though everybody is doing it, it doesn’t mean that it is already right. My point was, even though everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible but not everything is constructive. What seems right to our eyes may lead us into destruction. I told her that she is just destroying her life. Her dignity as a woman was lost. I am trying her to understand my point that I would just want her to preserve her virginity until she will get married because that would be the only best gift she can give to her husband aside from her precious love. But she chose not to understand my point because she was â€Å"extremely† in love with that guy. I can understand her feelings but I can’t tolerate her actions. What she only thinks is the present happiness and not looking for the possible consequences in the future. I told her that every action she will be doing has its consequence. It might be right or wrong. Then, I asked again. â€Å"What if you get pregnant? Is he willing to accept the responsibilities and marry you? † She was silent for awhile and thinking for an answer. â€Å"Well†¦My boyfriend loves me so much and I am pretty sure that he will! † she replied and I can see her trying to convinced herself as she said those words to me. â€Å"Oh, well†¦ if that’s the case, I can’t force you to listen to my advices. I respect your opinion and decision because that is your life. But, always remember that I am not intruding your personal life. I am just worried what might be the consequences of your action and if you are really ready to face that consequence. † I responded. So, that argument is closed and I am thinking that it will never be an issue again to both of us. As time passes by, she continued to share to me what she and her boyfriend were doing and it was all about their sex escapades. I do listen to her even I do not like what I am hearing. I am trying my very best to understand her and remind her that it is not yet late to change. But she will just tell me that there is nothing wrong with her. In fact, she is very proud to experience it. One day, she phoned me and asked if we can dine out. We went to our favorite restaurant. When I saw her, she looked restless and haggard. I smiled at her and asked, â€Å"What is wrong? How are you and your boyfriend? † She just smiled bitterly to me. â€Å"Why? † I asked again. â€Å"I am pregnant and I do not know what to do with this baby. † I just looked at her and never said anything for a second. â€Å"I will abort this baby! † She started to cry. â€Å"No! † I said. â€Å"Did your boyfriend learn about this? † What did he say? † As I asked those questions, tears kept falling on her eyes. â€Å"Tell me†¦ What did he say about the baby? † I repeated. â€Å"He wanted me to abort the baby? He doesn’t want to marry me because we are still young and he has no job yet. I told her to keep the baby and never mind her boyfriend. Anyway, she can take care and provide the needs of her baby if she wants to. But she told me straight on my face that she will abort the baby. Due to her confusions, abortion came up into her mind as an ultimate answer for her recent problem. I told her that she already committed sin once, the sin of committing premarital sex, and now she should not sin again by aborting her own child. It is not right. It is morally not right. You are killing an innocent child, a child that has no strength to defend and fight for himself. This time, I persistently argued with her not to abort her baby. I told her that the guilt will always haunt her for the rest of her life. She might escape the shame for having a baby without a husband but she will not surely escape the guilt that will forever haunt her conscience. She was very stubborn because she told me that she needs to abort the baby because she cannot handle the responsibilities and the shame. I told her that all those scorns from other people will just pass and never be remembered again as the time will pass but the life of her baby cannot be withdraw from death once it is aborted.

The Tragedy of Shylock, a Critical essay on Shakespeares...

Raymond Schmit ï ¿ ½ PAGE * MERGEFORMAT ï ¿ ½6ï ¿ ½ Shakespeare The Tragedy of Shylock I had not read the _Merchant of Venice_ before this class. All of my familiarity with the play was based on hearsay, and for some reason I got the idea in my heads that it was a tragedy. I thought that Shylock_did_ receive a pound of flesh from Antonio, but that it was just skin removed from his back. This gruesome image was what I was waiting for during my entire reading of the play. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was not the case. Also, I found out Comedy means Happy Ending. And that Happy Ending means No One Gets Their Skin Cut off for Defaulting on a Loan. But I found the work to be not as comedic and happy as that ending implies.†¦show more content†¦He once more calls to light the numerous wrongs he has endured, thus explaining his actions. But most eloquently he reminds us all of the humanity inside, that this is not some vile monster, but a man driven to the edge as any man, Christian or Jew, would. This treatment of Shylock, even allowing for there to be cause for a sympathetic reading of Shylock, is testament to Shakespeares unwillingness to succumb to using stereotypes and caricatures. According to Fiedler, he was under a tremendous amount of pressure to create a Jewish scapegoat for the stage for the community to vent its frustrations over a court scandal involving a Jewish physician. The fact that he has no other Jewish characters in all of his plays raises a red flag to say that he did not want to create a monster out of Shylock, but by necessity, created half of one. Through his writing he gave the people what they wanted, an easy villain to hate, but also a way to look at this character without utter contempt. Shakespeare found a way to please his audience and also to leave room for a more charitable interpretation of Shylock. If Shylock is to the hero, then, consequently, another character must be the villain. Because of the way the characters contrast with actual heroes, particularly when they cite Jason and the Argonauts and Troilus and Cressida, it is easy to see these heroes as farcical play-acting villains. The non obstacles they must overcome for love and money contrast sharply with

Battle Analysis of Pearl Harbor - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 961 Downloads: 8 Date added: 2019/07/03 Category History Essay Level High school Tags: Pearl Harbor Essay Did you like this example? The United States did not want to enter WWII due to the military force being weak after fighting in WWI, general opinion wanted neutrality, and the government did not want to enter unless directly threatened or attacked (Why, 2017). However, on December 7, 1941, Japan forced the hand of the United States by attacking Pearl Harbor at Oahu, Hawaii. President Roosevelt appealed to Congress to declare war on Japan, stating that December 7, 1941 would be a date which will live in infamy (Chan, 2016, para. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Battle Analysis of Pearl Harbor" essay for you Create order 4). The attack on Pearl Harbor provides many lessons that through the analysis of weather and terrain, the antagonists, the opposing force, events and outcomes of this attack will better prepare the Armed Forces for future battles. The weather could not have been more conducive for Japan forces to carry out their attack. The skies were clear with some clouds, but overall, the pilots of the torpedo and bomber planes had the advantage of clear visibility. The terrain was the open water of the Pacific Ocean. Scouting planes dispatched from Pearl Harbor patrolled the vast ocean expanse around the island chain but had not detected the Japanese fleet heading for the Hawaiian Islands (United States, n.d., para. 16). Without a doubt, Japan was the major antagonist and opposing force in the attack of Pearl Harbor; however, Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku was considered the mastermind of the attack. There were talks of peace between Japan and the United States, but tensions were rising, and negotiations were at a standstill. Tokyo and Washington negotiated for months leading up to the Pearl Harbor attack, without success. While the United States hoped embargoes on oil and other key goods would lead Japan would halt its expansi onism, the sanctions and other penalties actually convinced Japan to stand its ground, and stirred up the anger of its people against continued Western interference in Asian affairs (Pruitt, 2018, para. 7). The Japanese wanted to gain control of its adversaries across the South Pacific. Admiral Isoroku knew the only way Japan could accomplish this goal was through a surprise attack. This surprise attack would cripple the United States forces and open the Pacific if it happened at Pearl Harbor. The American forces did not believe that Japan would initiate a first strike due to the distance between the two lands and Pearl Harbor, on that Sunday, was left highly unprotected from attack. Admiral Isoroku planned this attack months in advance (Pruitt, 2018). Looking at the events proceeding the attack on Pearl Harbor, gives the U.S. Armed Forces great insight into intelligence and strategical issues. First, there were the sanctions and trade embargos placed on Japan by the United States in 1940 as retaliation for Japan taking a colony in Indochina. Also, during this year, the movement of the Pacific Fleet to Pearl Harbor begins. By January of 1941, Admiral Isoroku is consulting with Japanese officers about the possibility of attacking Pearl Harbor. On Jan. 27, Joseph Gre w, U.S. ambassador to Japan, cables Washington that hes heard rumors that Japan is planning a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Washington disagrees, believing the Japanese will attack the Philippines first if war starts (Petras, 2016, para. 26). The military intelligence discounted a credible threat. More embargos and asset freezes are made against Japan by the United States due to Japan occupying more of Indochina during this same year. Nine months after the rumors of war with Japan are dismissed, Japan launches a carrier strike force headed towards Pearl Harbor and Japanese submarines are to join en route. Another attempt for a peace appeal is made by President Roosevelt the day before the attack; however, no response from Japan is received (Petras, 2016). The infamous. day of December 7, 1941 has arrived. Two Japanese attack plane waves were launched at 0605 hours HST, 220 miles off the shore of Oahu, Hawaii. While these waves were spotted, the threat was once again dismissed due to the misbelief that these planes were friendlies coming from California (Petras, 2016). The damage was done: 2403 killed in the attack, 2335 military deaths, 1178 wounded, 3 U.S. Navy ships destroyed, 18 U.S. Navy ships damaged, 169 U.S. aircraft destroyed, and 158 U.S. aircraft damaged (Petras, 20 16, para. 38-45). This was a devasting blow to the United States but also a crucial mistake for the Japanese forces. The very next day after the attack, war was declared on Japan. Japan failed to take out repair docks and fuel storage tanks, the ships that were damaged were repaired and fought against Japan. Also, not a single U.S. aircraft carrier was present at Pearl Harbor (Why Did, 2018, para. 14). Therefore, the attack was not a real success for Japan. Japan eventually surrendered after two atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in AugU.S.t of 1945, thus. ending WWII. In conclusion, what lessons and insights was the United States Armed Forces able to take away from the attack on Pearl Harbor. First and foremost, this attack makes the realization that the unimaginable can and will likely happen. Military intelligence and strategists need to account for every possibility and prepare for such events. Second, the use of resources is meant to provide safety for the coun try. Revision to intelligence measures and utilization have better prepared the United States forces for future attacks. However, complacency has no place in the ranks, and the United States military officials will need to consistently raise their standards (What, 2017). Finally, a nation divided cannot win. The government bodies wanting to remain neutral in the war and public opinion agreed. However, President Roosevelt, and others thought it best to join the war prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor but conceded in order to keep public support. The attack on Pearl Harbor brought the country together and Allies were made in order to make the success of WWII and the fall of Japan possible (What, 2017).

Plagiarism Academic Dishonesty And Unethical Behavior

Plagiarism has always been a problem in several academic institutions. Also, plagiarism has promoted academic dishonesty and unethical behavior to students in the past years. It is therefore a shared responsibility of instructors, schools and even the students to eliminate this practice and continually strengthen the standards of education. During the marking of assignments using the software turnitin.com, plagiarism was detected from the assignment submitted by a student as compared from another previously submitted assignment. Alibis and explanations were provided by the students; however, sufficient evidence was not present. In this regard, the best way to determine who among the students did plagiarize their assignments is the evaluation of the students’ knowledge and understanding on the topic provided. It can be deemed that the student who really made his or her assignment can explain all the ideas presented in their work easily and efficiently. Moreover, although certain sanctions will be given, the student who will be identified as the one who plagiarized should not be undermined. Hence, the instructor must encourage the student to never plagiarizing in his or her future works. Issue definition While marking student’s assignments, it was found out that two students, Maria and Geoff, have nearly identical submissions. Using the software turnitin.com, it established that Maria’s assignment was 76% identical to the assignment submitted by Geoff. Of the two students,Show MoreRelatedPlagiarism And Plagiarism For Academic Integrity995 Words   |  4 Pages In my opinion, academic integrity refers to the principles associated with being honest and responsible in one academic work. Academic integrity is a vital concept for all academic institutions throughout the globe especially in an era where academic dishonesty is gaining momentum. Cheating and plagiarism represent unethical academic behaviors against which higher academic institutions have been battling against. Nowadays, plagiarism and cheating tools have been greatly influenced by new technologicalRead MoreAcademic Integrity : Types Of Academic Dishonesty And Prevention Methods1743 Words   |  7 Pages Academic Integrity: Types of academic dishonesty and prevention methods Chetan Muppaneni Webster University Academic Integrity: Types of academic dishonesty and prevention methods Abstract This paper discusses the different types of academic dishonesty and the prevention measures that are taken to maintain academic integrity. The need of following the codes/rules of the institutions and to promote the academic integrity is mainly on the students and the faculty. The paper discussesRead MoreAcademic Dishonesty: Applying Technology in Plagiarism1564 Words   |  7 PagesAbstract Academic dishonesty, specifically cheating and plagiarism, recently has increased in popularity. Students often justify unethical academic behavior. Technological innovations, like the cellular telephone, have provided students with new methods of cheating. Plagiarism has also been influenced through technologies, specifically internet companies have emerged that provide unethical solutions to academic assignments. â€Æ' Academic Dishonesty: Applying Technology to Cheat Defined asRead MorePlagiarism, The Most Common Form Of Academic Dishonesty923 Words   |  4 Pagesassignment on time. Acts of academic dishonesty such as copying is growing among today s student. Plagiarism, the most common form of academic dishonesty, is going â€Å"viral† as students misinterpret or disregard the essence of what plagiarism is. Such actions may appear to be efficient, but it isn t worth punishment. Honor Codes, rules set by an academic institution, are set in place to warn students against conducting unethical actions such as plagiarizing. An academic institution may conduct disciplinaryRead MoreAcademic Honesty and Its Value in a Students Life1821 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Running Head: Academic Honesty Abstract This paper is based on the academic honesty and how it is so valuable in a students life. Indeed, the importance of maintaining academic honesty is also discussed in a comprehensive manner as a highlighting facet. Moreover, the aspects through which academic honesty can lead them towards better human being in their lives and entire professional life has also been under discussion. Furthermore, the emphasis has also been made that students are not theRead MoreCheating Is A Word?1496 Words   |  6 Pagescheat, and how I will utilize this knowledge to avoid cheating in the future. Academic dishonesty happens when students cheat in any way, shape, or form that does not represent their true knowledge or work. The Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities at SDSU (San Diego State University) defines cheating in the classroom as follows: â€Å"Cheating is defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work by the use of dishonest, deceptive, or fraud- ulent means.† They giveRead MoreCheating Is Defined As An Act Of Dishonesty844 Words   |  4 Pageshearing the word â€Å"cheat†? According to Merriam Webster, Cheating is defined as an â€Å"act of dishonesty in order to gain an advantage† (Webster, 2015). Society seems to encourage that people should do whatever it takes to win or succeed. This method has been recycled through any type of accomplishment from politics to performances. The three main areas that people are susceptible to cheat in are athletics, academics, and intimate relationships. There are several ways to cheat in sports especially as aRead MoreAcademic Ethics And Academic Integrity Essay1276 Words   |  6 PagesAcademic ethics are the moral codes or the shared standards of an academic enterprise and the core of its success (Occidental College, 2016). Basically, academic ethics require each student, to be honest, responsible, fair, respectful, give credit where it is due, turn in their original work, and etc. (Michigan State University, n.d.). Academic integrity requires students to do their own work without unauthorized help from others, cheating, lying, plagiarizing, and stealing (Valdosta State UniversityRead MoreHow Can You Prevent Academic Dishonesty?1710 Words   |  7 Pagesbig role in academic dishonesty because the student feels like they can not reach the goals that are set out for them within society or even within classes. Certain behaviors from the individual or whom the individual is friends with can provoke or even support academic dishonest y. Differential association shows that behavior can be picked up if the person is hanging out with deviant peers. If the student can not reach the goals they will resort to academic dishonesty or even plagiarism. Social controlRead MorePlagiarism : Plagiarism And Plagiarism1147 Words   |  5 PagesPlagiarism Plagiarism is a major ethical risk in the academic research community (Martin et al., 2009). It is the act of presenting someone else work as one own work whether in full or partially. Several studies have explored the unethical component of plagiarism to students and researcher (Amodeo et al., 2005; Gullifer Tyson, 2010). The emergence of Internet technologies increases the risk of plagiarism in contemporary research since most plagiarism is escalated b computer technologies where

Visual Merchandising -Concepts Concerns- free essay sample

Visual Merchandising -Concepts Concerns- by Ramya Raamanathan Visual Merchandising -Concepts and ConcernsVisual Merchandising, Handloom Home Textiles-A Historical PerspectiveVisual Merchandising has been always one of the weakest aspects of Handloom and Home Textile marketing. For much of the time, Availability and opening of newer outlets was the prime objective rather than effective visual merchandising. Reach rather than visual quality of point of purchase was the consideration. Government ownership of many of the points of purchase did not help the matters either. Contemporary visual treatment of the store and the merchandise was seldom an acute concern for the government, eager to preserve its down to earth (read crude and rustic) image. Lately however thinking seems to have undergone a change and KVIC and other government retail shops are tuning into times. In the area of Handlooms and Home textiles, too the scene is not very different. Beginning with â€Å"bare† points of purchase and moving onto showrooms where display meant nothing more than visual exposure, now lately better retailers are considering effective visual merchandising a necessary must. Historically too, India has always had a rich tradition of visual merchandising. Visual merchandising as seen in Melas, Haats, Peths and festival specific shops, shows a rich and diverse context of visual merchandising. Tradition and Mythology have been creatively re-interpreted across generations for a fresh visual merchandising. Hopefully the flame of creativity founded on indigenous foundations and richness should get translated into modern hi-technology aided visual merchandising, as a continuing inspiration. Changing ScenarioWay back to several decades the handloom business was operated in â€Å"safe† ways could hold the market due to many reasons, one of major reasons was the people belonging to the generation of those times who saw Indian independence and their nostalgia towards it could hold back them to use it, another was being in least competitive era. But with the emergence of rapid growth and development in various textile sectors and up gradation of technological environment handloom had to face severe challenges due to threats arising from the industries. But to survive and to face those challenges the initiative taken were not adequate and the sector reached into it’s present form where now it has become a necessity to adopt contemporary mode for existence and if continuous adaptation in this regard is not done, those days are not far that it would soon be talked as an examples into business textbooks as an exotic categories that may vanish. Countries like china and others have been even adapting our techniques and offering much better quality products in much effective prices. What is the reason? The reason that’s much evident is handlooms still struggling with its limited approach and exposure that pertains to the changing demands. The inadequate attention leading from concept to consumer through various channels are not suffice and product keeps struggling at intermediate stages due to lack of resources that’s being build to support it. To get the benefits the ways that are evident to us are Either gets into the mode what globalization demands or Sells and creates an image that exposes to the richness of our own culture/tradition by emphasizing upon our strengths. Scope of visual merchandising in handloomsWhy there is a need of visual merchandising? It is often understood that It’s a methodology of displaying, but far more than that it means initiating the complete process to a customer instead buying a product to possessing it, and creating an â€Å"aura† that meets consumer expectation with their changing taste. In India the image of handlooms are still associated to old, classic and hand made coarse materials. It’s the high time that even government should understands the realities and take sustainable decisions to monitor the product management chain starting from extraction of raw material to design/product development to selling it or making it reach to the end users through various channels and interfaces. One of possible ways is through multi level retailing, and through tourism promotions for the clusters existing. Emphasizing upon special features these products has to offer with its cultural, traditional and historical significance, the visual merchandising can be on the models of either Department Stores, Heritage Parks or contemporary Haat like Dilli Haat. The Run of ProfitsValue chain in Home Textiles and Handlooms, displays today similar characteristics as are apparent in most mature businesses trying to appropriate new economy developments and increasingly ongoing globalization, that being profits moving in absolute and in margin terms towards the consumer end of the value chain. Retailing and Marketing have therefore emerged as the preferred points in the value chain of Home Textiles and Handlooms too, as in other sectors. Even as the downstream value points as spinning, weaving and processing struggle to survive, Retailing is booming as a sunrise sector in the country. Hence the importance of Retailing and further have Visual Merchandising which stands as an important facet of effective Retailing even for handicrafts and handlooms today. The New Competing AdvantagesThough the handloom product is in a way different from many other products. It’s technique, weave, the experimentation with colours and motifs and most importantly the cultural value of the weaver has to reflect yet today for survival and growth every business has been undergoing a profound change accompanying the change in the market character as well in Handlooms and Home Textiles. Brand, Design and Experience stand out as the new competing advantages, unfortunately however the eserved significance is hardly apportioned by Indian Business and particularly by this sector (handlooms) to it. Results are not difficult to see. There are hardly any strong brands or hardly any firm, which is renowned, the world over for the world-class design work that it does. Hardly also, there are stores where handloom and home textiles are retailed and the experience is memorable or uniquely distinct. Few stores as HOME HEARTH have tried to change the course of stat us but the effort is far too small to requirements. It is imperative hence for the sector and firms/Individuals therein, to appreciate the new competing advantages and appropriate them most effectively and herein would come the role of Integrated Brand and Design Firms and Institutions. Retailing, Visual Merchandising and Value, Margin additionsRetailers today are the envied lot thanks to their profits and margins and the same have been built up through providing of unique shopping experiences. Even as the Indian industry and firms are obsessed with the tangible aspects of the product like quality and price, intangible value addition through Brands and Retail experiences is emerging as the most effective of profit adders. Designer houses are perhaps showing a better appreciation of these realities. FabIndia and Bandhej and Designer brands like Rohit Bal and Ritu Kumar are extracting much value from the same Handloom fabrics which otherwise lie as a burdening inventory at government showrooms. KVICs recent foray into Shopper’s Stop is yet another of the instances where the above thesis stands validated. Contemporary Retail in this area has to focus upon Retail Experience and the same is constituted of – 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Visual Merchandising Audio Sensuality Management Olfactory sensuality Management Tactile sensuality Management Conceptual Brand/Thematic Experience Management In the context hence Visual Merchandising needs to be appreciated as a potent value adder to Retail experience and from there to profits. Visual MerchandisingVisual Merchandising is the means to communicate a store’s fashion, value, products, and quality message to prospective customers so as to entice them to buy from the store on a sustainable basis. . . Gini Frings Visual Merchandising is hence much more than functional configuration of space, layout and consumer flow, it also is a powerful communication and an experience enhancer and differentiator of the displayed merchandise even when product similarities are overwhelming. Aims of Visual Merchandise in Handloom and Home Textiles Visual Merchandise in Handloom and Home Textiles, aims at many objectives to be accomplished and the same below are enumerated†¢ Facilitating Functional Shopping ExperienceFacilitating functional shopping experience through optimizing display of varied thereby easing choices and sampling for the consumer. Visual Enhance Profitability †¢Generate Experience Experience generation pertains to stimulation and management of the entire domain of the consumer’s senses and managing sensuality so as to be congruent with the consumer’s desires. Visual Merchandising helps manage the visual senses and thereby affect/constitute experience generation in etailing. †¢Strengthen the Brand/Identity If properly managed with due design congruence established, Visual Merchandise can add to the brand strength of the firms/cluster/zone whose brands are being retailed or the retail store brand where the experience occurs. Visual coherence however needs to be observed for achievin g visual merchandising-brand communications congruence. †¢Maximize Sales GenerationEffective visual merchandising helps in increasing sales through facilitation of consumer sampling and exposing the best of merchandise to the consumer. Sales have been proved to be effected by quality of visual merchandising, through many studies. †¢Help expansion of product categories through optimizing display of varied variantsEffective visual merchandising also packs more punch in the pack through an optimum display of merchandise. Thereby devouring empty spaces where not necessary, making it feasible to display a larger number of products and product categories, enhancing the probability of higher total spending in the store and hence contributes to profits. Jack up Corporate Image Corporate Image in handloom sector can also gets a boost like corporate brands if they get associations from effective visual merchandise of its products or if intra-store communications are adequately supported by store ambience and visual merchandise quality. Effective Visual Merchandising EmploymentVisual Merchandise in Handloom and Home Textiles needs to be customized and employed with discretion when dealing with Boutiques, Specialty Stores , Departmental Stores and Store in Store points. Visual Merchandise is as much a function of Merchandise Aesthetics and their Configuration as much it is a function of accompanying complementing elements of the overarching Multi-sensory Ambience created. Visual Merchandise is also strongly a function of the Merchandise or the Store Itself. Visual merchandising Merchandise Seasons-Plans and schedulesSeasons Seasons in visual merchandising determine the promotional calendar for developing themes for the visual presentations. There are broadly two international seasons across Fashion and Textile Product Categories, that normally are followed, viz. †¢ †¢ Spring and summer Fall and winters VM and Merchandise PromotionVM often has to support and be in congruence with promotional intentions and the same across the year occur under various contexts and schemes. Some of the main promotional occasions are listed under where customized VM has to be employed. Holiday promotionsInternational Festival/Holidays- Promotion for regular m erchandise occurs at, holidays/festivals. The opportunities are1. Valentine’s day: Displays are usually set up two weeks prior with RED and HEART as principle visual elements. . Easter: Three weeks prior to Easter, Stores stock up Home goods along and spring flowers. Children’s stores stock up eatables on props and attention catching chocolates, eggs, bunnies. Chickens are often used at times as props. 3. Christmas: One of the most important festivals across the world, on this day, Christmas tree, stars, santaclause, bells, raindeer and like elements are used as props. The whole ambience is soaked in red, green, snow white and gold. Lots of gliteratti and music is released the favourite instrument used being piano and guitar. Surprise Gift packs are kept waiting for customers. Indian festivals/holidays 1. Garba: One of the most important festivals in Gujarat, on this occasion, stores in the state undergo a change in the flavour of visual merchandise display and themes are put up depicting Krishna and Radha or depicting the goddess Ambe and her victory over demons. The whole ambience is filled with traditional ras-garba fervor. 2. Kite flying: The ambience is decorated with the various color of kite and bright colors fill the ambience. The festival signifies the change in the position of sun in the celestial orbits and the same is often seen at larger stores, making for the ambience. Special sales For purposes of stock clearance, odd lot clearance, rejects clearances and unsold stock clearances, different visual merchandise is set up which is hardly of high standards. Since the objective is maximum display for maximum clearance and more so the display being extremely short lived, visual merchandising here mostly borders on store stacking of merchandise, however innovative approach to the same has resulted in multifold increases in clearances. Thematic VM As in case of Selfridges, UK, where two festivals have been held in the last two years, being Tokyo Life and Bollywood bash, VM can turn completely thematic and then for the time of the festival or adherence to the theme, VM has to observe the overarching thematic dictates. Life expectancy of Visual DisplaysLife of a Visual Merchandise display for Handloom and Home Textiles should be ideally between one month to three months in the Indian context since the product life cycle of the said products is much longer compared to say garments. Furthermore the following suggestions ought to be kept in mind concerning the same/ 1. Continuity of personnel involved should be maintained when it comes to overseeing the change in displays and putting up the same 2. Periodic change has to be forced, since it assures better coordination between departments and helps increase the promotion of merchandise. 3. A reasonable period of time for a display, assures that the customer gets aquatinted with most of the stock a store has to offer. 4. Too long a period for a display results in items being too long on display and they then appear as faded, rusty, dingy and cannot be sold as a first quality merchandise. 5. Displays are most conspicuous part of the store and hence they should be kept interesting and fresh Types of Visual Merchandise Displays Window display Window display essentially has to reflect corporate identity and should be visually powerful to invite, as †I must posses it†. These are broadly of two types depending on the back end of the display put up1. Closed-back window displays 2. Open back window displays Interior display It should relate to the theme seen in the windows, it effects the movement and traffic of customers and should lead to a total, effective and ergonomic visual concept of the store aiding a pleasant experience. The trend away from window Isolated displays are less frequently in use as too much of time and expense and far from the merchandise to which they relates. However as means of non-store visual merchandising, especially at Airports, leading premium end stores often puts up isolated visual merchandise displays. Point of purchase Display It refers to a display or merchandise presentation at the point where an act of purchase happens and the sale is made. The display is designed to promote a particular product or brand name. Industrial and Exhibition Visual Merchandising- Industrial and Exhibition visual merchandising refers to many formats of visual merchandising and the same are below given along with specifics in brackets, further detailing the visual merchandise displays. 1. 2. 3. 4. Permanent exhibits (Craft and heritage museums) Temporary exhibits (handicraft/ handloom fairs E. g. Organized by EPCH) Travelling Displays (mobile promotions) Out door exhibits (sponsored parks and store maintained public places like â€Å"Dilli Haat† and â€Å"Heritage park† in kolkata) 5. Industrial Products Visual Merchandising (At Factory gates or outlets) E- Visual Merchandising- an emerging visual technology trend E visual merchandising has emerged as one of the most novel and versatile of visual merchandising formats and the same is employed either on the net or over a screen in the store. Varied interfaces are designed for an optimum interface of the consumer with the visual merchandise (virtual tours etc. . What cannot be achieved in real tangible domain can be created in the realm of virtual reality with the help of technological devices equipments and softwares, hence the high value add through a surreal addition to the tangible merchandise. Handloom too has to achieve broader exposures of products/merchandise through these means/channels and shall establis h into the segment through the most reachable medium today. Variables in VMVariables in visual merchandising are many and the objectives they have for meeting are also varied. An enumeration of the variables if below given followed by objectives that may be achieved by their effective management in the related sector1. Lighting conditions impacting merchandise viewing †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ To attract the customers attention To create an appropriate mood for the merchandise To contribute to a positive visual image of the merchandise To allow careful inspection of the merchandise 2. Signage’s Visual and graphic form of communication in letters or any recognizable symbol that gives a message to customer in terms of stores/outlet image as well as for a smooth flow. 1. To assist customer in their flow across the store. 2. To lead the customers in newer sections opened in the store if any 3. Through Color and contrast, add to the visual ambience of the store Most employed Signage techniques are Silk screening, Sign machines and some other signage techniques (cut outs, hand-lettering, calligraphy) Aesthetic factual of the merchandise Often the aesthetic factual of the merchandise impose some constraints and conditions upon the overall visual merchandise design. Some of the factors in the context are1. 2. 3. 4. Look of the product (Area or zonal craft/country side/young/ethnic etc. Print/texture/color or other embellishment (Batik, tie-dye, Ikat, embroidery etc. ) Style/details (ruffled/straight/buttons/cut/fastening etc. ) Fabrics (hand/feel/drape for hand-woven or handknitted) Structural Interior Decor of the store Overall structural interior decor (based on either 16th or 17th century architecture or mythology or contemporary India) of the store ne edless to say is a major guide to the overall design and implementation of the visual merchandise display. Some of the issues in the context bear mentioning are1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Island displays Counters Display cases Ledges Columns Enclosed display Furniture’s Wall/floor color Window DisplaysWindow displays play an important part in visual merchandising and some of the objectives of window displays, is to create the following1. 2. 3. 4. Impact Image Theme Composition Product categories in the store, relative space allocation and mutual placementNo. Of product categories in the store, the percentage space allotted to each category, the volume of merchandise in each category and the relative placement of each category versus others, often determines which merchandise gets the maximum of customer attention. Hence the importance of this variable. Often it’s observed in the handloom shops /outlet that Chaos is created due to mixed merchandise placement, and product attention reduces. PropsProp characteristics are also important in determining the overall look and feel of visual merchandise display. Props can be made of different material, in varied forms and sizes. Three important characteristics of the props used which affect the visual merchandise quality are1. Material 2. Form 3. Size/shape Packaging of products/MerchandiseIf product/ merchandise has to be packaged appropriately, that it adds value to a product. Packaging with type and graphic design again changes the entire approach towards the product range. Special and Other effectsSpecial high-tech effects and other effects generated by Entertaining gadgets also add to the overall visual merchandise display and ambience of the store. Chief elements, which fall under this ambit, are below listed. These kinds of establishments are yet far of imagination to where handloom sector is concerned1. 2. 3. 4. Movement/animation Audio-visual Live Action Audience involvement Aesthetic Elementals in VMImportant aesthetic elementals in visual merchandising, from a design point of view are the following and the same need effective design management for generating an enriching experience. †¢Shape- symmetry, composition and grouping †¢Complementing aesthetic elements- lighting, warmth, colour †¢Product display †¢Layout- space, height, shelving, flow of goods, fixtures and fittings †¢Design- co-ordination, lifestyle, theme †¢Complementing aesthetic elements-lighting, warmth, colour Store Layouts VM Store layouts to a great deal form the framework for visual merchandise design and deployment. Three basic structures are employed as frameworks for it and they areOpenIn Open structure, consumer flow from one product category space into another is clear and open and often facilitated through appropriate interior design. Demarcation or specialization of spaces is least employed here. GridClosed spaces are used here in accordance with the placement and display of products and product categories and enough privacy s conferred upon each of the product categories. When the assortment in the store is such that the product categories stored, varies widely then such separation is employed. BoutiqueUnlike the above two, this arrangement does not deal with separate spaces for differing product categories, rather all of them are placed near to each other and very accessible to the consumer from either side. Such treatment of spaces becomes possible thanks to the small size of boutiques and by nature their focus on a particular or few related product categories. Virtual Visual MerchandisingVirtual Visual Merchandising is a promising high-tech and emerging technique of Visual Merchandising. It may either be practiced by the e-stores on the net or may be used on computer monitors or screens in the stores themselves. Needless to say the dynamics, and spatial dynamics here are much different then otherwise and virtual reality techniques and special effects often add to the effects of visual merchandising and overall store experience. VM a differentiator Visual Merchandising in the context of Handloom and Home Textiles offers itself as a potent differentiator in that when other product parameters stored in store are comparable, Visual merchandising also provides a differentiated shopping experience and hence increases the probability of brands getting purchased at the point of differentiating experience. Visual Merchandising also differentiates a showroom from an organized retailer. Visual merchandising adds value to many products where Prices are not universal and the same is highly profitable when it comes to store brands and private labels. Dynamic Visual MerchandisingWhile ambience generated is objective, its interpretation is subjective and conditioned by the psychic make up of the consumer. Further, there arises Visual Fatigue, when a consumer is exposed repeatedly to the same multi-sensory ambience. It is hence essential that a dynamic multi-sensory ambience be created so as to encounter effectively the factor of fatigue and provide freshness to retail. Brand Nuances VM When designing a VM experience for KVIC, we had to factor in the brand associations consumers have for Khadi, similarly Brand Images and associations have to be carefully counted for before Visual Merchandising designs can be finalized. Brand projections have to be congruent with Experiences created and in the context worth appreciating is the work of Zegna. Brand projections alter the experience of the ambience created in the store and hence not only strategic visual coherence has to be respected across all communications but also conceptual congruence needs to be built, appreciated and often re-inforced. Naturalism and native aesthetics is of utmost importance to be observed and hence the necessity for an indigenous aesthetic research with a reference to consumer experiences Visual Merchandising ProblemsOften arising problems in the area of visual merchandising are either of the belowToo much quantity on displayToo much quantity on display reduces the comfort levels of consumers and reduces his delight in the store. It also does not help him functionally purchase goods for most seem to him not relevant. Also here time taken to sample goes up exponentially and hence total purchase is often reduced. Inadequate DisplayInadequate display is just as adversely affecting as too much of display. If the best is not shown, why should the customer feel drawn? Also if display is not enough it does not tempt the consumer to sample and finally purchase. Confusing DisplayConfusing display where classification of products and product categories is not respected, often leads to incoherence at the end of the consumer and takes away his moods of decisiveness for purchase. It also gives competition a greater score. One product category overshadowing the otherIn departmental or life style stores when one product category overshadows another, the shadowed category naturally not only suffers lesser sales and profits but also a loss of image which later reflects in the long run Color distortion in the store leading to consumer grievancesColour distortion often leads to sharp complaints from consumers of being cheated and being passed off, products, which they did not intend to buy. It reduces the re-purchase on the part of the consumer and hence affects the store image and sales. Lack of brand congruence of the visual look and feel createdIt leads not to immediate reduction in sale but in long term dilution of brand equity of product brands displayed through a confusion created in the design graphics and conceptual associations conveyed at the point of purchase. Visual coherence and conceptual coherence are hence important to observe while designing visual merchandising specifics. World Class creations in VMWorld class visual merchandising creations can be seen at some places listed below. Also given in brackets are the specifics of interest in their contexts. Company/Brand Name Zuchhi VM Specialty Company Owned store Company created VM and Ermanegildo Zegna Designer Brand, Minimalistic and Unique VM Thematic VM during Tokyo life and Bollywood Bash Rich and Premium store VM Connoisseur and Arty Display Fruity delightful VM Functional Self Ridges Debenhams European Museums Mango Pantaloons home textiles VM Failures in IndiaTwo failures in the area of Visual Merchandising in India are given below along with the cause/facet of their VM that has made them a failure. Company/Brand Name Vimal Saga Shakuntal Cause/facet of failure on VM front Looks like a street corner shop/showroom Appears too costly than is No congruence between Merchandise and Thematic Ambience designed Indian Lessons in VM India has been rich always in its Visual Merchandising although the corporate retail phenomenon is a relatively new one. Visual Merchandising has been practised through times immemorial. Craft products, Paintings, Hangers and other elements have been always used to create an aesthetic or thematic Visual Merchandising ambience. It is profitable hence to explore the mythological and cultural and symbolic aesthetic richness of our civilizational nation. This forms the first lesson for Visual Merchandising and more specifically the thematic visual merchandising. Further it is necessary to remember that Visual Merchandise is only a part of the larger Visual Experience. In this context it is necessary to factor in specific Indian choices and here our experience suggest us to1. Respect softness and the light of colours 2. Employ Paintings, Sculpture, Craft products enrich the ambience and Visual Merchandising 3. Respect traditional symbolism and mythological richness of native nation Hopefully an appreciation and practice of visual merchandising anchored in the Indian cultural matrix shall enrich march of Indian business in life style retailing to begin with, expanding slowly to encompass retail experience as a whole. Further Readings 1. Brand and collective brands, the path through design (Vaidya, 2002) 2. Fashion Marketing and Merchandising, Bohlinger 3. Fashion, From concept to consumer, Gene Fringe 4. POP Communications, A conceptual model based on shopper expectations, P K Sinha, MICA 5. Visual Planning, the power of thinking visually, Journal of Brand Management, Vol. 6, No. 5, pp. 161-173 6. Visual Merchandise and Display, second edition, Martin M. Pelger