Customer Management and Customer Intelligence

Customer Management and Customer Intelligence Introduction Customer Relation Management (CRM) is an important part of any organisation. Managers utilise it to improve sales and profitability. Any organisation that targets to be successful in any field must place the customer central to its operations. Such organisations should make customers their most important assets.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Customer Management and Customer Intelligence specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Over the years, many institutions have established the study of customer relations in their curriculum. Managers have also been trained on the most effective ways of employing customer-relation tactics in the course of their operations. Although many industries are coming up at an alarming rate, the fashion and design industry stands out based on the way it has applied CRM to boost its sales through guaranteeing clients quality products. In the fashion and design industry, the custo mer is the most important shareholder. Organisations that are able to understand their customers end up being more successful than others that do not have the same policies (Rigby, Reichheld Schefter 2002; Greenberg 2009). The customer management principle that is applied in any organisation is important because it determines the strength of any brand that the company intends to market and/or sell. The following is an assessment of one of the companies in the luxury fashion industry. The paper discusses the customer management practices that the company has applied. Besides, it gives the necessary changes that the company needs to implement. Company Profile The business selected for assessment is the Christian Louboutin Company brand that operates in Spain. Christian Louboutin Spain is a subsidiary of the main company that is based in Paris. It has stores in many parts of the world. The company specialises in the manufacture of specifically branded shoes. Christian Louboutin is cre dited with the revival of stilettos that were popular among women in the past decades, thus making them part of luxury fashion design today. Products As stated above, Christian Louboutin produces expressly branded and internationally recognised shoes. The red-bottomed shoes act as the trademark for the company. These shoes are popular on the catwalks and other fashion events. The company designs shoes with very high heels since many of its customers prefer the high heels o other types of shoes. In fact, the company has produced heels with a height of more than 120mm with the aim of making women appear decent and more attractive by giving an impression of long legs (Greenberg 2009).Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The category of shoes that Christian Louboutin makes is usually won with the evening dresses. The brand is associated with prominent personalities an d models. The company also offers low-heeled shoes, although they are not as common as the high-heeled ones. The shoes are in most occasions fitted with jewel straps to give them the elegant look and feel. The other accessories include patent leather, red soles, and bows. The company is well known for its signature red-bottomed shoes. This design is patented under the United States laws. The company has also ventured into the manufacture and sale of women handbags. In fact, the owners expect to increase the contribution of handbags for the total company revenue to increase. Size and Revenue Christian Louboutin has recorded significant growth in size and revenues since its establishment in 1991 by Christian Louboutin. The growth in sales started in the first year after the start of the business. This period was occasioned by the increased publicity that the original outlet in France got. In the first year after establishment, Christian Louboutin sold approximately 200 women shoes, wh ich were sought by some of the rich and famous women in the area. The company currently sells over 700,000 pairs of shoes in a year. These shoes are sold to the rich and famous as a policy of luxury. The company is reported to make over $300 million annually as revenue where the shoe section contributes 95% of the revenue. The growth in revenue from the sale of shoes is significant in the company. It approximates to around 40% annual growth. The prices for individual shoes vary. However, a single pair of shoe can go for as much as $6,000. Most of the shoes in the store have a price tag of over $4,000. Customers can also get a custom-made brand to suit their tastes, although at a higher price. The company has been considered the leading brand in the fashion industry for a long time. It continues to lead in the luxury fashion shoe design. The company makes sales through the many outlets in the world. However, the bulk of purchases from the outlets are wholesale purchases. More than 80 % of purchases from the company are wholesale (Greenberg 2009). Market The company has a significantly large market. The fashion industry contributes much to the market. Many fashion events that display luxury designs use Christian Louboutin shoes and handbags, which are mainly rented from the company. Many celebrity women are known to purchase the brand, although most of them come from different parts of the world to purchase the products. The company also has international distribution centres in different parts of the world. Most of the markets for the items are in the United States.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Customer Management and Customer Intelligence specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The United States forms the largest market for Christian Louboutin, with 52% of sales for the company being in this country. The company also has a presence in almost all continents. The European and Russian bazaars in combination with markets from the Middle East countries contribute to over 30% of the company’s revenue. The Asian market makes up the rest of the proportion of the sales. Some of the personalities that form the market for Christian Louboutin include Angelina Jolie and Nicki Mina. Most of the catwalks in the US and Europe market the products as a way of promoting the company on the local and global front. Operation Country The country in which the organisation in focus is located is Spain, which is known for its appetite for luxurious items such as those offered by Christian Louboutin. The company has the store being located in Madrid, Spain. It is renowned for its luxurious items. The country has a favourable macro-environment for any luxury fashion company. It has many centres that are considered the fashion capitals of the world. Companies that work here also enjoy organisational cultures that are favourable in the production of the luxurious items. Madrid offers a large m arket for the company. Dozens of celebrities visit the city as well as other areas in Spain, thus ensuring a constant supply of customers, and hence the positive performance from the company in the country and the region compared to other subsidiaries elsewhere. The country also has an operating environment that allows companies to operate with autonomy. It has also managed to market itself in the fashion industry (Greenberg 2009). Many fashion companies operate within Spain. The companies have utilised the existing policies on different fields. Customer Management and CRM use Customer management is one of the most basic functions of any organisation. Christian Louboutin has adopted a number of strategies to that effect. In the operations that the company has in Spain, it ensures that the specific needs of each customer are met. This strategy reveals why the company allows customers to specify the designs that they require. It is able to offer different prices for items in relation to the customers’ buying ability. According to Peppers, Rogers, and Dorf (1999), an organisation should adopt a one-to-one marketing strategy, which is the change of behaviour in an organisation to suit the needs of the individual customers. This plan allows the organisation to develop goods and services that are customised to the clients’ needs, including the provision of luxurious services.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The concept of one-to-one marketing is heavily employed in Christian Louboutin. The organisation has dedicated its services to the satisfaction of the customers’ needs. The company made adequate preparations to the one-to-one marketing strategy, which in turn led to its success. Peppers, Rogers, and Dorf (1999) confirm that most companies that have adopted the one-to-one marketing strategy have not succeeded because they took it without prior preparations. The company specialises in the manufacture of products that are described by many professionals as being luxurious and state-of-the-art. However, this outcome is only because the company involves customers in the development and marketing of these products. Some of the customers for the organisation frequently shop at the Spanish outlets because they are renowned for their quality and exceptional designs. The prices of the company are also custom-made, and that only a few individuals can afford some of the luxurious items o n offer. This situation has ensured that some of the categories of products are only available to a particular class of customers, and hence the reason why they are sought by these customers. According to Peppers and Rogers (2011), the price of a product in the fashion industry is important in determining the class of customers that buy these products. In Spain, the company has managed to apply specific forms of marketing. These forms include the use of the internet and social sites. According to Lent and Tour (2009), the use of these forms of marketing is favourable for any fashion company that targets to attract any class of customers. Christian Louboutin has traditionally not used print media in the marketing of its products because of the tradition that has been held for a long period. This situation has further contributed to the segmentation of its market, with only a specific group of customers being targeted in the marketing campaigns. Expected Changes There are many expecte d changes in the market developments in Spain for luxurious items. These changes are occasioned by the changes on the national economic front and the change in demand for the luxurious goods. There are also expected changes in the rules and regulations that govern the industry in Spain. After the global economic crisis, the numbers of people participating in the fashion industry were noted to decrease (Greenberg 2009). Customers also reduced in this industry because the Spanish economy was also affected. The effects of the crisis have constantly disappeared with time. The economy is now performing better in Spain and elsewhere in the world. The expectation is that more customers will be able to afford the products that are provided by the company. Advice for the Company The company needs to invest in more customer-relations management practices, with the management being involved directly in these strategies. The other possible advice for the company is that it should engage its cus tomers more through the internet marketing since the move is likely to improve its performance. Seybold (2001) observes that the internet is an important tool in the delivery of information to customers. It provides a cheap means of helping customers carry out a number of activities. Although the company has not established itself on the print media, largely preferring one-to-one marketing, it should also embrace this form of marketing, as it is likely to grow its customer base (Yastrow 2007). Fournier, Dobscha, and Glen Mick (1998) claim that organisations can create friendly relationships with their customers. However, they assert that the very things that organisations are doing to improve relations with their customers are the ones destroying these relations (Fournier, Dobscha Glen Mick 1998). Christian Louboutin may ensure that it gets to learn the customers before it can engage in creating any form of relationship with them. Fournier, Dobscha, and Glen Mick (1998) observe tha t the organisation can embark on the creation of a healthy relationship that is intimate between it and customers. In any relationship, input is from both sides. Customers can be allowed to provide input for the product development and marketing at the Christian Louboutin Company in Spain. This move is in line with the suggestions that are provided by Fournier, Dobscha, and Glen Mick (1998) in their article. The institution can develop and maintain trust between itself and customers. Many of the customers buying from any particular company do so because they consider the company trustworthy in quality, design, and pricing. This case also applies for Christian Louboutin. According to Fournier, Dobscha and Glen Mick (1998), this company needs to provide privacy emotional support and confidentiality to its customers. Customer behaviour is an important part of marketing in any luxury company, and before development of a product, there should be adequate consultation between the customer and the developers. According to Fournier, Dobscha, and Mick (1998, p. 4), â€Å"For contemporary consumers, product satisfaction is linked inextricably with their satisfaction, and companies must attend to both these dimensions if they expect to win.† Christian Louboutin may participate in assuring customers the satisfaction that they deserve in purchasing their products. Conclusion In conclusion, the luxury fashion industry is very competitive. Organisations that want to survive need to ensure that they apply effective customer-relations management. This report has looked at a company operating in the luxury fashion industry in Spain. It has provided a look at the profile of the company and the operating environment in the industry and the country in general. Christian Louboutin is a fashion company providing the best shoes in the luxury industry, as it is known for producing custom-made shoes for her customers. The company utilises some useful CRM measures. However, it sh ould guarantee customer satisfaction and more use of technology in the production and marketing processes. References Fournier, S, Dobscha, S Mick, D 1998, preventing the premature death of relationship marketing, Harvard Business Review, vol. 76 no. 1, pp. 1-6. Greenberg, P 2009, CRM at the Speed of Light, Social CRM Strategies, Tools, and Techniques for Engaging Your Customers. Fourth Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY. Lent, R Tour, G 2009, Selling Luxury. Wiley, New York, NY. Peppers, D Rogers, M 2011, Managing Customer Relationships: A Strategic Framework, Wiley, New York, NY. Peppers, D, Rogers M Dorf, B 1999, ‘is your company ready for one-to-one marketing?’, Harvard Business Review, vol. 77 no. 1, pp. 151-160. Rigby, D, Reichheld, F Schefter, P 2002, Avoid the Four Perils of CRM, Harvard Business Review, vol. 80 no. 2, pp. 101-109. Seybold, P 2001, ‘Get inside the Lives of Your Customers’, Harvard Business Review, vol. 86 no. 1, pp. 80-89. Yastr ow, S 2007, We: The Ideal Customer Relationship. Selectbooks, Washington, DC.

Famous Last Words Kings, Queens, & Members of Royalty

Famous Last Words Kings, Queens, & Members of Royalty Whether realized at the time they are said or only in hindsight, nearly everyone will express a word, phrase or sentence that proves the last thing he or she ever says while alive. Sometimes profound, sometimes every day, here you will find a select collection of the last words spoken by famous kings, queens, rulers and other crowned heads throughout history. Famous Last Words Organized Alphabetically Alexander III, King of Macedon(356-323 B.C.)Kratistos! Latin for mightiest, strongest, or best, this was Alexander the Greats deathbed response when asked whom he would name as his successor, i.e., Whoever is the mightiest! Charlemagne, Emperor, Holy Roman Empire(742-814)Lord, into Thy Hands I commend my spirit. Charles XII, King of Sweden(1682-1718)Do not be afraid. Diana, Princess of Wales(1961-1997)Unknown Despite numerous sources quoting the dying words of the Peoples Princess - such as My God, what happened? or Oh, My God, leave me alone - no reliable source exists concerning Princess Dianas final utterance before she lapsed into unconsciousness following a car crash in Paris, France, on August 31, 1997. Edward VIII, King of the United Kingdom(1894-1972)Mama... Mama... Mama... Serving as king of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for less than 12 months, King Edward VIII officially abdicated the royal throne on December 10, 1936, so he could marry American divorcà ©e Wallis Simpson. The couple stayed together until Edwards death in 1972. Elizabeth I, Queen of England(1533-1603)All my possessions for a moment of time. George III, King of Great Britain and Ireland(1738-1820)Do not wet my lips but when I open my mouth. I thank you... it does me good. Despite the formal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain in 1776 and his countrys later formal acknowledgment of the United States of America as an independent country six years later, this English monarch nevertheless ruled until his death, a reign of more than 59 years. Henry V, King of England(1387-1422)Into Thy hands, O Lord. Henry VIII, King of England(1491-1547)Monks, monks, monks! Immortalized in numerous books and films, the oft-married Tudor king famous for severing all ties with the Roman Catholic Church so he could legitimately marry another woman was likely referring to the troubles he encountered after dissolving Englands Catholic monasteries and convents in 1536. John, King of England(1167-1216)To God and St. Wulfstan, I commend my body and soul. Despite his fame in the Robin Hood legends as the evil prince who oppressed the English people while conspiring to steal the throne from his brother, King Richard I The Lion Hearted, King John also signed Magna Carta in 1215, albeit reluctantly. This historic document guaranteed several basic rights for Englands citizens and established the idea that everyone, even kings, is not above the law. Marie Antoinette, Queen of France(1755-1793)Pardonnez-moi, Monsieur. French for Excuse/forgive me, Sir, the doomed queen apologized to her executioner after stepping on his foot on her way to the guillotine. Napoleon Bonaparte(1769-1821)France... Army... head of the army... Josephine... Nero, Emperor of Rome(37-68)Sero! Haec est fides! Often depicted in film as playing a fiddle while Rome burned down around him, the tyrannical Nero actually committed suicide (although perhaps with the assistance of someone else). As he lay bleeding to death, Nero uttered the Latin for Too Late! This is faith/fidelity! probably in response to a soldier who tried to staunch the emperors bleeding in order to keep him alive. Peter I, Tsar of Russia(1672-1725)Anna. Peter the Great called out his daughters name before losing consciousness and eventually dying. Richard I, King of England(1157-1199)Youth, I forgive thee. Loose his chains and give him 100 shillings. Mortally wounded by an archers arrow during battle, Richard the Lion Hearted nevertheless forgave the shooter and ordered his release before he died. Unfortunately, Richards men failed to honor their fallen kings wish and executed the archer anyway after their sovereigns death. Richard III, King of England(1452-1485)I will die king of England. I will not budge a foot. Treason! Treason! These words feel somewhat less dramatic than Shakespeare later attributed to the king in his play The Tragedy of King Richard the Third. Robert I, King of the Scots(1274-1329)Thanks be to God! For I shall now die in peace, since I know that the most valiant and accomplished knight of my kingdom will perform that for me which I am unable to do for myself. The deed to with The Bruce referred while dying involved the removal of his heart so a knight could carry it to Jerusalems Holy Sepulchre, the burial site of Jesus according to religious belief. Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom(1819-1901)Bertie. The long-reigning queen for whom an entire era is named, and who started the tradition of wearing black at funerals, called out to her eldest son by his nickname shortly before she died.

Monopolies in Todays Market Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Monopolies in Todays Market - Essay Example Atimes, monopolies exist as a result of government backings in which case the monopolies provide goods, products or services which the government considers essential to the well being of the people. The absence of supply curve in the monopolized market causes inefficient allocation of society's resources. Therefore there is that tendency for a monopolist to charge high prices and probably making higher profits compared with firms in perfect competition. The objective of this paper is to unravel the role of monopolies in today's market and the implications of technology and systems on the monopolies. The rest of this paper examines different types of monopoly, its revenue, monopoly and price discriminations, and implications of technology and systems. (a) Pure Monopoly: This is a type of monopoly that exists in a particular region or city in which its products have no close substitutes. This makes it possible for the monopolist to charge extra prices because their products are necessities. (b) Natural Monopoly: A monopoly that exists because of economies of scale it enjoys in which large scale production brings lower average cost. Even though a competitor arises in the industry lower prices the monopolist would charge is capable of sending the competitor off the market. (c) Efficiency Monopoly: When government does not legalize monopoly, a monopoly may exist largely due to its ability to satisfy the customers in which case competition is inadvertently rule out. (d) Legal Monopoly: This form of monopoly has government backing such that laws are enacted to simply rule out competition. Wikipedia says "when such a monopoly is granted to a private party, it is a government granted monopoly; when it is operated by government itself, it is government monopoly or state monopoly". Monopoly Revenue Basically, a monopolist faces downward sloping demand curve which is also the firm's average revenue curve. As the monopolist sells a single price for its products, average revenue per product is the same as the price. For the monopolist to increase its sales it charges lower unit price for its products. At price P1 the monopolist only manages to sell Q1 quantity of the product; in order to increase its sales it reduces the price from P1 to P2 and as such sales is increased from Q1 to Q2 which he now gains in figure 1 below. Given the above scenario, the differential of the total revenue in relation to quantity gives marginal revenue which shows that the additional revenue large enough to offset the reduction in price. Figure 1: Showing Monopolist's gain brought about by price reduction. However, the monopolist maximizes profit where marginal revenue equals marginal cost. The reason is the since marginal cost is always greater than zero the monopolist will operate at profit because marginal revenue will be positive and where demand is elastic. If the monopolist stops production where marginal cost is less than marginal revenue, he will be leaving his profit untapped while quantity in which marginal revenue is greater than marginal cost the firm will be operating at losses. Profit maximizing price is determined by drawing a line where marginal co

Praise vs. Encouragement Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Praise vs. Encouragement - Research Paper Example Parents, for instance, should look forward to praise and encourage their children for the hard work they put into their studies even if their final grades do not reflect it. There are many ways, both obvious, and subtle, that can be used for praising and encouraging. The most prominent method for praising children is through communication. Apart from communication, little gestures, such as a gentle pat on the back, or expressions can also boost up a child’s self esteem and morale. (Loh) There is a great deal of debate between professionals as to the best way to build self-esteem and cause positive reinforcement. Some experts say that praise is the best way, while others vouch towards encouragement. It is true that praise does uplift self esteem of a child but many experts believe that too much praising might actually result in a decreased level of self-worth. This is because by nature, praise injects competitiveness into a person and indirectly discourages cooperation. (Encouragement Is More Effective Than Praise in Guiding Childrens Behavior) For instance, consider a class in which two children, Andy and Bob, study. Both the children have been asked to draw a picture of bird. Both, Andy and Bob, have been working really hard throughout the weekend to finish their drawings. When they finally reveal it to their teacher, he says, â€Å"Bob! I love your drawing! It’s the best!† Even though this praise would boost up Bob’s morale, it will shatter that of Andy’s as he now thinks that Bob is a better artist than him. This would be a great source of discouragement for Andy and will affect his interest and performance in class in future. Therefore, what the teacher should have done is come up with a way by which Bob’s work could have been appreciated without hurting Andy’s feelings. This is where the importance of encouragement can be felt. Praise revolves around the judgments of elders, such as parents or

Lan-Base Attendance Monitoring and Payroll System Essay Example for Free

Lan-Base Attendance Monitoring and Payroll System Essay 1.1 Introduction Modernization changed our lifestyle. Technology improves us to spend time and spaces in remarkable ways. Due to rapid technological changes new things to produce better way of doing things through the help of technology. In our present life style people find way to improve their living day by day .This improvement was obviously seen in our modern technology, such modern machine, improvised gadgets, robotics and the most popular and widely influential is the modern computer. Modern computer helps people to lessen their work in such particular field of industry, particularly for those activities that requires computation storage of information presentation security and many uses of system software by the company, organization and in some aspect of educational areas. One of these changes is through the use of LAN-Based Attendance Monitoring and Payroll System of Caltex Gasoline Station which is programmed automatically set the time and date employees log; so that the office assistant monitors the record and liable easily access the payments of the employees. In the field of Information technology the knowledge in creating a LAN-Based Attendance Monitoring and Payroll System of the employees are one of the most important parts to keep a certain business stable also includes the monitoring of the employees and the payroll. The Owner can’t assure that his employee is arriving on time in Gasoline Station and he can’t also assure if the computation of the payroll is correct and accurate. 1.2.1 Background of the Study The Caltex Techron Balite Merchandise started as a Federal Gasoline station in 2007. After three years Federal Gasoline Station experienced bankrupt because of the competition in other gasoline station. The owner of Federal Gasoline Station decided to sell the property of Federal Gasoline Station to Mr. Danny Reobeca to recover his investment. In the year 2010 September 19, the Caltex Techron merchandising established in Barangay Balite. They started with sixteen (16) employees including (1) one manager, (1) one secretary, (2) two cashiers, and (12) twelve gasoline boys. Nowadays, the Caltex Techron Merchandising has (4) four Gasoline Machines, (3) three Gasoline Tanker, (1) one storage room and (1) one office room. Caltex Techron Merchandising have now (33) thirty three employees including (1) one manager as the owner, (3) three office assistant, (3) three cashier, (2) two guards and (24) twenty four gasoline boys. The operation is 24 hours and has three shifting for gasoline boy and cashiers. First shift (6:00am-3:00pm), second shift (12:00pm-9:00pm), third shift(9:00pm-6:00am), (2) two shifting for the security guard, First shift (6:00am-6:00pm) and second shift (6:00pm-6:00am) while the manager and office assistant work 8 hours start 8:00am to 4:00pm. The facilities of the Caltex Techron Merchandising are complete but proponents found out (2) problem. First, the attendance monitoring of the employee is manual like the traditional. Second, the exact computation of payroll of the employee is manual computation. They have an office assistant in the office room to manage the attendance monitoring and payroll of the employees. 1.2 Statement of the problem 1.2.1 General Problem The Manual attendance and payroll of the employees in Caltex Techron resulting lack of accuracy and security in terms of records. The main problem of manual system is very hard to retrieve information of the employees. 1.2.2 Specific Problem The Caltex Techron Merchandising has also some specific problem as they follow: * Manual recording of the time-in and time-out of the employees. * Using the manual computation of payroll. * Inaccurate employee’s attendance due to manual operation of time keeping. * Unorganized records because of many records that must be filed. 1.3 Objective 1.3.1 General Objective The Proponents aims to develop a LAN-Based Attendance Monitoring and Payroll System that will improve their service in terms of attendance monitoring and payroll of the employee. 1.3.2 Specific objectives * To develop a system that enable to search records easier and faster. * To avoid changing of time that they log. * To develop a system that will monitor the daily time record of employee. * To upgrade and standard the process of computing salaries of employees accurately. * To establish a system that will register the time-in and time-out of employees. * To prevent loosen and break down of the records and files. * To make automated the computation of the salaries of the employees. 1.4 Scope and Limitation The Proponents aims to develop a LAN-Based Attendance Monitoring and Payroll System of the employee for the improvement of Caltex Techron Merchandising. The File maintenance can easily add, search, delete, and update records, with the use of this system. 1.4.1 Scope * Computerize the Attendance of the employee. * Automated computation of salaries. * It gives accurate time and date of the employee’s log. * LAN-based System. * The administrator only has the authority to access the records of the employees. 1.4.2 Limitation * Records only the time and date of log-in and log-out of the employee but it can’t identify who are the real employees. * The LAN-Based Attendance Monitoring and Payroll System embedded only to Caltex Techron. 1.5 Significance of Study This study not only to develop a software system, It also aims to do specific task in a short period of time. Administrator/Manager: * It will help them in terms of less spending space and time. It will help them. Office Assistant: * It will be easy for them to monitor the attendance of the employee and to lessen their work. Employee: * It will be easier to get their salary because of the automatic computation. 1.6 Definition of Terms 1. Automated To operate by automation. 2. Merchandising Sales promotion has a comprehensive function including market research, development of new products. 3. Monitoring A device for observing a biological condition or function. 4. Payroll The sum necessary for distribution to those on a payroll also the money to be distributed. 5. Salary Fixed comprehension paid regularly for devices 6. Technology A capability given by the practical application knowledge. 7. Embedded Fix to the business company. 8. LAN-Based the system is running by group of personal computer and associated equipment that are linked by cable, office building and that share a communications line. 9. Manual work by hand, involving the skills and hard word of hand. 10. Traditional – from generation to generation,† Old style†.

Slavery and the Life of Harriet Jacobs Essay -- Slavery Essays

Slavery and the Life of Harriet Jacobs It is well known that slavery was a horrible event in the history of the United States. However, what isn't as well known is the actual severity of slavery. The experiences of slave women presented by Angela Davis and the theories of black women presented by Patricia Hill Collins are evident in the life of Harriet Jacobs and show the severity of slavery for black women. The history of slave women offered by Davis suggests that "compulsory labor overshadowed every other aspect of women's existence" (Davis 5). This is quite apparent through examination of the life of Harriet Jacobs. All slaves were forced to do hard labor and were subject to cruel remarks by whites, in this sense they were genderless, except women endured much more foul treatment. Harriet Jacobs was forced to listen to the sexual berating from her master, Dr. Flint, as well as receive jealous scorn from her mistress, Mrs. Flint. Yet worse than the verbal abuse was the physical, sexual abuse imposed on slave women. "Naming or not naming the father of a child, taking as a wife a woman who had children by unnamed fathers, [and] giving a newborn child the name of a father" were all considered by Herbert Gutman to be "everyday choices" in slave communities (Davis 15). Not being able to name a father must have made slave women feel great pain from being a "genderless" tool and great isolat ion by forcing them to take care of bastard children on their own. However, the worst comes when the child is old enough to work and, in most cases, is auctioned off. By auctioning off a slave woman's children slave masters not only dehumanized slave women but gave additional pain to slave women by taking their loved children away. Slave... ...brother. These past three points all serve as examples of the severity of slavery for women. The U.S. slave system has placed African American women at a disadvantage for hundreds of years. It's atrocious to think this kind of thing could ever be allowed to happen. Even worse is to the reality that it wouldn't be that way if people truly believed in equality. Women were owned in every aspect, not merely free labor. Their minds, bodies, and souls were pushed to the limits and Harriet Jacobs is an example of this being true. Works Cited Collins, Patricia. Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. New York, NY: Routledge, 2000 Davis, Angela. The Legacy Of Slavery: Standards For A New Womanhood. Jacobs, Harriet, and Yellin, Jean. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press

Past formal or informal language learning experiences.(any language which is not your first language. Essay

My mother tongue is Bengali which is being spoken in our house since my childhood. I have done my preliminary education from Doon. While schooling I’ve studied in English as my first language and Hindi being the second. Thereafter after completing my secondary education I came to Kolkata where in I got a chance to learn Bengali i.e. my mother tongue. As I didn’t like the language I didn’t learn it very sincerely also. As English was my favourite subject during my school days. After finishing my higher secondary, I applied for my Graduation in Communicative English where my subjects were Functional English, Business English, Alternative English & General English .We never had general classes or so called text books but main emphasis was given on communicative language based teaching. CLT is usually characterized as a broad approach to teaching, rather than as a teaching method with a clearly defined set of classroom practices. We were made to interact more and more by giving different situations based topic to discuss so as to practice group discussion in class; authentic texts were used to make the learning meaningful like reading newspaper headlines and describing the situations to the class. We were given role plays based on situation practice. For e.g a visit to a doctor for treatment of any disease. Then we were made to practice speaking, listening skills with audio/video aids. The objective of the course was to express yourself fluently in different communicative contexts (both professional and everyday usage).It taught me English Grammar along with speaking, reading, writing as well as listening skills. I was able to improve my pronunciation and intonation and where to stress on syllables. It also helped me learn business communication; call centre English, report writing for mass communication. It also helped me enhance my public speaking skills, preparing me for job market. Hence I would say consider this aspect of teaching more effective rather than traditional mode of teaching