Customer Relationship Management Plan for Hotel

Customer Relationship Management Plan for HotelThe Sao Paulo Case schemeThe paper sets forbidden to produce an describe client descent plan for a Brazilian hotel which has recently been taken over by a globally bulls eyeed hotel chain.It begins with a review of selected literature which contains knowledge, techniques and ideas relevant to a guest relationship plan. Terms atomic number 18 defined within this element.The final section contains the process plan, which derives from ideas in the literature review section.1. IntroductionThis report forgeting consist of a concise, integrated customer relationship plan for Sao Paulo senior watchfulness with the particularised aims ofreducing customer switchingmaintaining stakeholder relations in the good timbre valuate chainWithin this plan there will bean appellative of the gaps in Sao Paulos current approach to relationship marketing groominga description of internal and external relationships which impact the hotelpropose d marketing objectives to help relaunch and change the hotel brandsuggested evolutions of the brandan outline dish up property management programmean outline CRM systeman outline integrated marketing communications programmean outline internal marketing communications programmeInput for the plan will be taken from the case material and the literature review which follows in section 2.2. Literature ReviewThis section will review the literature in a structured way. The first part will draw on conjure up notes, text books and journal articles to clarify and explain aspects ofstrategic marketing and brandingrelationship marketing and customer relationship management servicing quality managementThe second part will draw on three casesThe Ritz Carlton caseBergstrom HotelsSao Paulo Hotel2.1 Strategic Marketing and BrandingPiercy defines strategy as simply being someBeing best at doing those things which matter most to customersBuilding sh areholder value by achieving superior custome r valueFinding new and snap off ways of doing things to achieve the first two1If one accepts this no-nonsense definition it underscores the have for all companies toUnderstand who your customers are and what matters to themKnow how they perceive your service directs and what you must do to improve your performanceDesign and implement communication and management processes which spend a penny your strategy workIn other words you need a plan. The planning process is described in the lecture notes as beginning with a Mission Statement and ending with implementation and measurement control. Before customer relationship objectives (the focus of the action plan at a lower place) cannister be identified and agreed the mission statement needs to be clearly understood as do the dynamics of the current market place. A SWOT analysis and Marketing Audit are effective tools for clarifying the comp whatevers current agency in the market, its performance so far and for suggesting possible changes in strategic and tactical moves.In a services business this will lead to the unfoldment of a customer relationship plan, which will be underpinned by a detailed understanding of the various internal and external stakeholders with whom one needs to develop and build relationships.22.2 Relationship Marketing and Customer Relationship ManagementRelationship marketing concerns the shifting from activities of attracting customers to activities concerned with current customers and how to retain them. At its core is the charge of relations between a company and its suppliers, channel intermediaries, public and customers.3 Focusing on retention is considered to be significantly more profitable than conversion of non-customers.CRM is a system to make relationship marketing work. The US writer, George Day sees CRM as a customer-responsive strategy, which seeks to give companies competitive advantage byDelivering superior customer value by personalising the interaction between compan y and customer,Demonstrating trustworthinessTightening connections with customersAchieving co-ordination of complex capabilities (functions, resources) within the company4Park Plaza foreign uses its new CRM system and global database to enkindle the hotels as a group, rather than an individually networked system, with targeted promotions and one-to-one marketing.Through company profiling we will be able to identify who the biggest backers of the group are and who should be given special treatment, so that we can target our promotions accordingly5Hwang and Chi6 ,in their recent empirical study, highlight the fact that service personnel are the most meaning(a) resource in the service sector and also the primary marketers. By helping to achieve customer satisfaction service personnel upgrade the immaculate performance of the organisation. The message to management is that they should engage in aggressive internal marketing to achieve and maintain a synergy of staff satisfaction and amend organisational performance.2.3 go Quality ManagementCustomers will be loyal to a hotel, or a branded hotel chain, if they are satisfied with the quality and value offered. It is thus important for service providers to know what influences these customer perceptions.Johnston suggests two approaches to understanding customers perceptions and judgements of service qualityThe rational approachThe incident-based approach7The rational approach suggests that customers consciously or unconsciously use a weighted average, so that a high score on one attri exclusivelye or factor may offset a low score on another, to arrive at an overall evaluation of personal satisfaction.The SERVQUAL approach is based on the work of Parasuraman, Zeithamel and Berry8 and sets out to measure customers perceptions of quality across 5 dimensionsTangibles physical facilities, equipment, appearance of personnelReliability abilities to perform the promised service dependably and accuratelyResponsiveness w illingness to help customers and provide prompt serviceAssurance knowledge and courtesy of employees and ability to inspire trust and confidenceEmpathy caring, individualistic attention provided by firm to customersA third approach suggests that any single incident, delighting or satisfying, could, whatever the weightings given to the other transactions, result in an overall feeling of dissatisfaction or delight.Another writer argues that investment of time and currency in quality improvement should concentrate on those areas of your business where the effort will have the greatest benefit9 Effort should not necessarily be directed to areas where you are worse than the competition if those factors are not so important to customers.2.4 The Ritz-Carlton CaseR-C has a follow quality approach to the business. They fix causes not problems, i.e. they think about processes and systems to prevent problems and to ensure continuous quality. They set up a system to understand the real needs of their customers, to ensure hand overy of these needs, to make it work continuously and to communicate all this to the market not just an image-driven approach, but one which was conscious of the experience which customers were seeking.2.4 Bergstrom Hotels10Bergstrom set up a total quality approach and system which was driven by senior management but acted on and supported by teams across the organisation. Vital components of the system are training of all staff in internal customer relations, culture, process improvement and problem-solving, setting up and development of a data-base based on customer and employee surveys to drive improvement, open lines of communication and regular performance evaluation. Recognising staff contributions to quality of service was a key final element.The case demonstrates that significant quality improvements can be achieved without significant investment and ongoing cost.2.5 Sao Paulo CaseSao Paulo is a recently refurbished hotel which is operat ing in a highly competitive market (with much price cutting) and unstable economy. It has recently been taken over by a hotel chain with a global brand name and a reputation for high service quality and the ability to build long-term relationships with stakeholders. It needs now to reposition itself in the Brazilian market such that it is clearly differentiated in stakeholders minds from the competition. Service must be the main differentiator, so an integrated customer relationship plan needs to be developed.3. Action Plan for Improving Customer Relationships3.1 Gaps in current approachSao Paulo needs both to retain the loyalty of its current customer base and to grow via new customer and intermediary relationships. Growth will probably come via extended use of new services (e.g. restaurants and bars) by current customers and attracting new, more focused customer segments. This needs to be spelt out in its overall mission and made explicit with regard to individual stakeholders.3. 2 External and Internal StakeholdersApart from the different customer segments important external stakeholders are tour operators, airlines, travel agents and the many web-based hotel discounters. Local SP-based organisations such as the city hall and tourist office may also be influential in the communication of the hotel brand to intermediaries and potential customers.The current relationship-building approach appears to be re-active and now needs to become focused and pro-active.Important internal stakeholders are hotel employees front-office staff and gross revenue staff and franchisees in the restaurants and bars. All need to be aligned with the culture of the refurbished and repositioned hotel.3.3 Relaunching and Repositioning of the BrandThe SP hotel is now part of a global chain. Its service level will need to be aligned with the core brand values of GHG and these values will need to be communicated to all stakeholders and acted upon by internal stakeholders if the communi cated brand image is to be consistent with delivery on the ground. Proposed marketing objectives are to grow the current customer base by 20% by increase spend per customer and by improving retention by 10% focus on excellent, caring service at a fair price.3.4 Service-Quality architectural planA customer survey should be carried out to establish which service attributes are important to customers. This should be linked to an assessment of the cost of correcting what goes wrong. The survey should be ongoing and reinforced by regular staff interaction with customers so as to identify any areas of dissatisfaction.Overall customer relationship objective will be to create in the minds of all customers an experience of being cared for by warm, friendly staff who have your best interests at heart and will do all that they can to offer you speedy and professional assistance.This will be translated into specific CR objectives for the different stakeholders, all of whom will need to partici pate in service quality training programmesFranchisees communicate always in your words, dress and body language that you are a member of the SP team.Front-office staff make the customer feel welcome, respected, valued and at home.Sales staff communicate, warm, professional, helpful manner at all times, backed up by prompt follow-up.Service standards former DESK perpetually smile at customersAddress by name wherever possibleApologise for even slightest delayNever keep customer time lag without apologisingAlways do what you promise to doBe sensitive to cultural differencesKeep desk and hall area clean at all timesAlways ask if you can be of further assistance sincerelyNever argue with a customerTry always to exceed expectationsService draught Sales staff to CORPORATES (process service mix)Tangibles Dress smartly, speak warmly and professionally, ensurethat all promotional materials are packaged and presented professionallyReliability Be punctual, deliver what you promiseResponsiv eness Exceed customer expectations with your response timesand look always for creative solutions to difficult problemsAssurance Be confident about the hotel and its qualities but radiatecourtesy at all times. Avoid over-familiarity and use of christian names, unless requested to do soEmpathy Avoid any remarks/comments about religion, race,culture. Be oddly sensitive to cultural differences and help people with language difficulties. Never make fun of anyone. Apologise for even the most minor errorsService guarantee for empowering FRONT-LINE roundIf a customer arrives after 19.00 and requests a ratereduction you may offer him/her a room at a rate 20% below normal rateThis service quality approach is in line with the realignment of the brand as a warm and caring hotel which offers fair prices.3.5 CRM SystemA CRM system needs to be developed for the global chain. It would aim to profile customers both in order to communicate with them more effectively and to ensure that service feat ures are adapted to meet individual requirements where possible. It should be seen as a support for the warm and caring approach, not a replacement.The communications programme would need to be consistent with, and integrated into, the CRM system.3.6 Internal Marketing ProgrammeStaff are at the heart of hotel service and underpin customer perception of quality.homework programmes must be run to ensure that all staff are aligned with the culture and attitudes of the hotel, are aware of service guidelines and have the requisite skills and knowledge. An judgment and suggestions system will be introduced to help staff maintain requisite standards. Incentives will be introduced to encourage maintenance of these standards.BIBLIOGRAPHYBooksBarwise P. and Meehan S. (2004), Simply Better, Harvard Business School abbreviateCerasale M. and Stone M.(2004), Business Solutions on Demand, Kogan PageJohnston R. and Clark C. (2001), Service Operations Management, Prentice HallPiercy N. (2002), Mar ket-led Strategic Change, Butterworth HeinemannJournal ArticlesBreiter D., Tyink S. and Corey-Tuckwell S. (1995), Bergstrom Hotels a case studyin quality, Journal of contemporaneous Hospitality Management, Vol.7 No. 6Brown T. (1997), Using norms to improve the interpretation of service qualitymeasures, Journal of Services Marketing, Vol.11, No.1, p.80Day G. (2000), fix in an Asset, in Understanding CRM, Financial TimesEditorial article, CRM in Hotels, in Leisure Hospitality Business, September,2001Hwang I. and Chi D. (2005), Relationships among Internal Marketing, Employee Job ecstasy and International Hotel Performance, International Journal ofManagement, Vol.22 No.2Parasuraman A., Zeithamel V. and Berry L. (1988), SERVQUAL a Multiple ItemScale for Measuring Consumer Perceptions of Quality, Journal of Retailing,Vol.64, No.1 natural springFootnotes1 Piercy N. (2002), Market-led Strategic Change, p. 2732 voice communication Notes Key Issues from the Marketing Audit to Prioritise Actions in a Relationship ServicesMarketing Plan3 Jobber D. (2004), Principles and Practice of Marketing, McGraw-Hill, p. 1174 Day G. (2000), Tying in an Asset, in Understanding CRM, Financial Times5 Editorial article, CRM in Hotels, in Leisure Hospitality Business, September, 20016 Hwang I. and Chi D. (2005), Relationships among Internal Marketing, Employee Job Satisfactionand International Hotel Performance, International Journal of Management, Vol.22 No.2, p.2917 Johnston R. And Clark G. (2001), Service Operations Management, Prentice Hall, p. 1028 Parasuraman A., Zeithamel V. and Berry L. (1988), SERVQUAL a Multiple Item scale forMeasuring Consumer Perceptions of Quality, Journal of Retailing, Vol.64, No.1 Spring9 Brown T. (1997), Using norms to improve the interpretation of service quality measures, Journal ofServices Marketing, Vol.11, No.1, p.8010 Breiter D., Tyink S. and Corey-Tuckwell S. (1995), Bergstrom Hotels a case study in quality,Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol.7 No. 6

Finding Forrester Analysis

Finding Forrester AnalysisThe film Finding Forrester is a motion picture ab off a young boy, Jamal Wallace (Rob Brown) that lives in the Bronx. He has an able talent for writing, quite contrary to his stereotypical ghetto friends. Jamal meets and befriends William Forrester, formerly a great Pulitzer Prize winning author who now lives in solitary. Forrester mentors Jamal and teaches him life lessons. Jamal in work out helps Forrester break free of his tough, leathery shell and reclusive life. This movie, although slightly boring and predictable, highlights the breakdown of stereotypes in our culture and the relationships that blossom through pure chance. I do not recommend watching this movie in theaters save your money.Overall, the storyline is unoriginal and dull. It begins during a casual basketball game. Jamal and his friends notice someone hiding send word a window curtain, looking down at them. Known to the boys as The Window, William Forrester (Sean Connery) lives alone, never leaving his apartment. This may sound interesting, but to me, this is the only part of the movie that raises curiosity and suspense. by and by cultivate one day, Jamals friends dare him to break into the authors apartment. Jamal climbs in through the window and ultimately gets spooked by Forrester, leaves his book bag behind, and flees down the attack escape. If it were my home, the police would be called however, Forrester doesnt find it necessary. Surprisingly, the next day Jamals backpack is dropped to the street. Well, Jamal recovers his book bag and he finds his journals marked up with corrections, praises and other remarks. Unbelievably, Jamal, wishing to discuss the column markups in his journal, returns to Forresters apartment. I cannot imagine a teenager returning to confront the owner of the apartment he broke into the day before. After knocking on the door, the grumpy author hollers at him to stay away and tells him he should consider writing a 5000 word essay on why he belongs out of his house. The following day, Jamal returns to deliver the essay by leaving it outside Forresters door. Can you guess what happens next? I can. These two personas officially meet facial expression to face the following day when Jamal returns to ask about the essay he left behind. Forrester allows Jamal to enter his home. After a few racist remarks were sputtered, testing Jamals character, a comical friendship begins. Would you befriend Jamal after he breaks into your home? Also, I do not believe black men or women would tolerate racial slurs or remarks that Forrester feels necessary to express. To me the clich, only in the movies rings rightful(a). Resuming with the plot, Forrester is amazed at Jamals writing and begins to counsel him on intellect, writing, and life. During this time Jamal receives a scholarship to an lite private school typically attended by rich children with a far different background than him. There he meets Claire Spence (Anna Paqui n) and his professor, Henry Crawford (F. Murray Abraham). Claire shows Jamal around his new school and a strong bond cultivates. However, Professor Henry Crawford believes Jamal is only attending the school for his basketball skills and cant believe he is there for any other reason. After all, Jamal is an avid basketball player. The school is inevitably hoping to receive the coveted trophy at the end of the season and Jamal is the boy to do it. After several weeks, Crawford accuses Jamal of plagiarism when he submits a paper he wrote for a writing contest. Conflict and unexciting suspense finally happens again when the professor claims the paper had similarities to an essay Forrester once published. When Jamal refuses to admit he plagiarized or received permission from Forrester himself, he was eliminated from the competition. I would not go out of my way to watch this movie. The ending, with its rather mushy climax and humdrum resolution provides entertainment for Sunday mornings when you have absolutely nothing else to do, but watch television.Although, Sean Connery did a wonderful job playing the character of author, William Forrester, I would rather see him playing the determination of 007 in James Bond or something with a bit more excitement. I do not think he could do a horrendous job acting even if he was casted in this monotonous movie. Rob Browns acting of Jamal Wallace is rather mediocre. His movements and actions end-to-end the film were forgettable. I believe he did a satisfactory job representing his character I just cant brag about his acting abilities in this film. Although, he never plays a leading role, F. Murray Abraham, is also an experienced actor. He ranks near the top of the list with Sean Connery. He did an acceptable job performing his role as Professor Henry Crawford. Even though his character was slightly far-fetched, his acting was believable. At the very end of the film, Matt Damon makes an appearance as Forresters attorney. He is an excellent actor, but the part he plays in Finding Forrester is extremely small. Overall the actors received a passable grade for their abilities to play their parts in this somewhat lame movie.We expect far-fetched movie plots in science fiction or movies about green, three-headed monsters. While watching this flick, you want to believe what you see is true and some aspects are indeed genuine. Every day, we see intellectual children and teenagers do remarkable things, achieve the unachievable. Personally, if you are going to make a film that others can relate to, specifically, black, inner city teenagers, then everything in the storyline should be realistic.Honestly, I have to admit, I find movies that break stereotypical boundaries motivational, but I would not waste my money paying inflated ticket prices to see Finding Forrester in the theater. I suppose every movie cant be full of suspense and action. To me, this 3 out of 5 star movie is best watched on HBO or Showtime. Sav e your money. Dont see it at the theaters.Finding Forrester, Dir. Gus caravan Sant, 2000, Columbia Fountainbridge Films Laurence Mark Productions, DVD, 136 minutes.CASTSean Connery William ForresterRob Brown Jamal WallaceF. Murray Abraham Professor Henry CrawfordAnna Paquin Claire SpenceBusta Rhymes TerrellApril Grace Ms. JoyceMichael Pitt ColeridgeMichael Nouri Dr. SpenceRichard Easton MatthewsGlen Fitzgerald MassieZane R. Copeland Jr. DamonStephanie Berry JaniceFly Williams III FlyDamany Mathis KenzoDamien Lee bodyMatthew Noah Word Coach GarrickCharles Bernstein Dr. SimonMatt Malloy BradleyMatt Damon SandersonRATING C3 out of 5 stars

Formicidae Biodiversity in Texas Vegetation

Formicidae Bio variety in Texas VegetationA COMPARISON OF FORMICIDAE BIODIVERSITY IN NATIVE AND NON-NATIVE VEGETATION IN SOUTH TEXASA hear to intend how pismire communities in non- primordial-born vegetation, specifically in genus Cenchrus ciliaris, differ from native vegetation in south Texas.ABSTRACTWhen non-native grasses become invading, they can alter industrial pl emmet communities and can therefore, potentially affect arthropods due to their relationships with the vegetation they reside on. Cenchrus ciliaris is a non-native grass to the United States and is commonly known as buffel grass. Its drought fortress and quick propagation has made buffel grass trespassing(a) and has changed the ecosystems they now reside. Ants volition be sampled from patches in native vegetation and buffel grass in San Ygnacio for 12 months. This written report seeks to turn back how ant communities in predominantly Cenchrus ciliaris, differs from relatively undisturbed native vegetation i n south Texas. I pursue to comp ar ant richness between native vegetation and buffel grass as well as compare richness and abundance between native ant species and non-native ant species. I enquire the results to demonstrate lower ant richness and abundance in the locations with buffel grass and higher abundance of invasive species in buffel grass.IntroductionThe initiation and spread of invasive plants is a cause of concern worldwide (Blossey 1999 Didham 2005). The ability of humans to travel between different countries around the world has facilitated the introduction of non-native plants to novel locations. These new milieus usually lack the natural predators and other natural biological control factors, thus causing these plants to become invasive. (Keane Crawley 2002 Tallamy 2004). invasive plants can too pee characteristics that aid their establishment and survival. For example, some of these plants can have a higher valuation account to drought or can propagate more quickly. They can in addition create unfavorable conditions for native plants by altering soil litter and nutrients (Bakker Wilson 2001). Therefore, invasive plants can often out-compete native plants, resulting in lower vegetation regeneration and abundance (Pimentel 1999 Bakker Wilson 2001). Many species of plants have been introduced into the United States, and although a relatively small percentage of these species negatively impact the ecosystems they invade, studies should be done on specific invasive plants to determine the negative impacts they may be causing to the environment.Buffel GrassCenchrus ciliaris is a non-native grass to the United States and is commonly known as buffel grass. It is native to most of Africa, southern and southwestern Asia, and Italy, Sicily. Buffel grass was originally introduced to Texas (U.S.A.) and northern Mexico in the 1930s and 1940s to improve pasture in overgrazed habitats and to develop new rangelands (Cox et al. 1988). Its drought to lerance and high biomass productivity made it the most popular grass to use in these countries (Arriaga et al. 2004). Due to its commercial value and impact as a corporation it is considered a contentious species. Although the agricultural benefit of buffel grass is controversial, buffel grasslands can be a holy terror to biodiversity because they are created by invading and removing native plants (Arriaga et al. 2004 Cox et al. 1988). The terror that buffel grass poses to the native vegetation and alteration of the ecosystem, can have an effect from birds to arthropods. Buffle grass appears to provide a less suitable habitat for breeding birds, especially bird species that forage on or near the ground (Bingham et al. 2006). While changes in plant litter can alter arthropod abundance (Wolkovich 2009). Buffel grass is also associated with increased severity of fires by a buffel grass-initiated fire incursion feedback (Miller et.al 2010). Despite the serious environmental effects buffel grass may cause, there are no national strategies to manage it (Marshal et al. 2011). Understanding the effects buffel grass has on biodiversity in south Texas can bring insights on whether there is a serious threat to other native vegetation and ecosystem functions.Arthropods FormicidaeArthropods have many ecological roles within an ecosystem, functioning as prey resources for many taxa, as important predators, and as pollinators and seed dispersers (Isaacs et al. 2009). Recent studies document how plant invasions contribute to arthropod abundance (Wolkovich 2009). Changes in the vegetation cover can have an effect on arthropod diversity and are therefore used as indicators of negative effects on an environment. An important arthropod that is very diverse, does not fall into a single functional group, and can be classified as herbivores, predators, and detrivores, are ants (Triplehorn Johnson 2005). Ants (order Hymenoptera, family Formicidae) are relatively well-studied and easy to identify to the species level (Wolkovich et al. 2009). Structure and composition of ant communities can reflect the nature of the environments in which they reside on. Ants are also commonly used as bio-indicators in studies for fire management, pesticide contamination, and habitat disturbance (Burbidge 1992). Reduction in ant species abundance, diversity, and richness has been document when alterations of ecosystems occur, for example, an increase of invasive plants (Burbidge 1992 Wolkovich et al. 2009). Therefore, this study impart be measuring ant richness and abundance to determine how ant communities in non-native vegetation, specifically in Cenchrus ciliaris, differ from native vegetation in south, TX. This will further our understanding of the effects that buffel grass has on the ecosystem.METHODSStudy SitesStudy plot areas were selected in San Ygnacio, TX. The study area was comprised of a mixture of grasses and shrubs. Native grasses included knotroot bristle gra ss (Setaria parviflora), Texas Grama (Bouteloua rigidiseta), Common Curly Mesquite (Hilaria belangeri) and tanglehead (Heteropogon contortus). Predominant native shrubs included lovemaking mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), guajillo (Acacia berlandieri), and blackbrush (Acacia rigidula). The non-native grass was predominantly buffel grass. The soil in the study site was mostly sandy and dry. The native areas where traps will be placed were selected based on the abundance of native vegetation and lack of buffel grass, while the areas for the non-native traps will be placed where buffel grass is the most predominant plant.SamplingIt was determined that surveying arthropods was a more cost-effective and accurate design for assessment of biodiversity (Oliver Beattie 1996) Direct sampling with pitfall traps seems to be the optimal collection method for surveying ants so it will be the method of collection that will be used in this study (Jaffe Romero 1989). There will be six pitfall trap s placed in predominantly native vegetation and six pitfall traps in areas that are predominantly invaded with buffel grass. The pitfall traps will contain either propylene glycol or alcohol glycol for trapping and conservation of the arthropods. These traps will be place at ground level and will each be labeled wherefore N for native and B for buffel grass. Each of these traps will have their GPS coordinates and the nearest vegetation to the traps recorded. They will be left out for a week and they will be collected by hand for a year.Ant Sorting and IdentificationAfter the traps are collected ants will be sorted into screen vials labeled with their respective trap number and date. All the other arthropods collected in the traps will be sorted to order. Ants will be identified depressed to species in Dr. Motts lab following a set of identification keys. The data collected will be recorded and data analysis will be performed. Species richness, abundance, and evenness will also be calculated.RESULTS DISCUSSIONWith this study, I expect to see a difference in biodiversity, richness and abundance between native vegetation and buffel grass. I expect a decrease of these in buffel grass. I also would like to analyze and compare the abundance and richness between native and non-native ants between native vegetation and buffel grass. This could bring insight on the effect buffel grass has on non-native species of ants and determine if it facilitates their settlement. If there is a difference in diversity more studies should be made on the impacts buffel grass has in the ecosystem to further understand the negative effects and determine management techniques.CONCLUSIONCenchrus ciliaris, buffel grass, is an invasive grass that can alter and cause negative effects to the ecosystems they invade. This study will provide insight to the effects this grass truly has on the environment and determine the ecological impact of buffel grass. This will be achieved by comparing a nt biodiversity, richness and abundance in native vegetation and, buffel grass. I expect the results of this study demonstrate a difference in ant diversity between native and non-native vegetation and that further studies can be made to determine buffel grass management.REFERENCESArriaga, L., Castellanos, A. E., Moreno, E. and Alarcn, J. (2004). Potential ecological distribution of alien invasive species and risk assessment A case study of buffel grass in arid regions of Mexico. conservation Biology 181504-1514.Bakker, J., and S. Wilson. 2001. Competitive abilities of introduced and native grasses. Plant environmental science 157117-125.Bernays, E. M., and M. Graham. 1988. On the evolution of host specificity in phytophagous arthropods. Ecology 69886-892.Bingham, R., Brennan, L., Flanders A. A., Fulbright, T., Kuvlesky, W., Ruthven, D., and R. Zaiglin, 2006. Effects of Invasive Exotic Grasses on South Texas Rangeland Breeding Birds (Efectos de Pastos Invasores Exticos en las Aves que Nidifican en los Campos de Pastoreo del Sur de Texas). The Auk 123 171-182.Blossey, B. 1999. Before, during, and after the need for long-term monitoring in invasive plant species management. Biological Invasions 1301-311.Burbidge A. H., K. Leicester, S. McDavitt, J. D. Majer. 1992. Ants as indicators of disturbance at Yanchep National Park, Western Australia. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 75 89-95.Cord E.C. Changes in Arthropod Abundance and Diversity with Invasive Grasses. Texas AM Kingsville.Cox, J. R., M. H. Martin , F. A. Ibarra , J. H. Fourie , N. F. G. Rethman , and D. G. Wilcox . 1988. The influence of climates and soils in the distribution of four African grasses. Journal of Range Management 41 127-139.Didham, R. K., J. M. Tylianakis, M. A. Hutchinson, R. M. Ewers, and N.J. Gemmel. 2005. Are invasive species drivers of ecological change? Trends in Ecology and Evolution 20470-473.Isaacs, R., J. Tuell, A. Fiedler, M. Gardiner, and D. Landis. 2009. Maxi mizing arthropod mediated ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes the role of native plants. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 7196-203Jaffe, K., and H. Romero. 1989. A Comparison of Methods of Sampling Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Savannas. Biotropica 21314-352Keane, R. M., and M. J. Crawley. 2002. Exotic plant invasions and the enemy releasehypothesis. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 17164-170.Marshall N.A., M. Friedel, R.D. van Klinken, and A.C. Grice. 2011. Considering the social dimension of invasive species the case of buffel grass. Environmental Science Policy 14 327-338.Miller G., Friedel M., Adam P., and V. Chewings. 2010. Ecological impacts of buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) invasion in central Australia does field evidence support a fire-invasion feedback?. The Rangeland Journal 32 353-365.Oliver, I., A. Beattie. 1996. Designing a Cost-Effective Invertebrate Survey A seek of Methods for Rapid Assessment of Biodiversity. Ecological Applications 6 594-607.Pimental, D., L. Lach, R. Zuniga, and D. Morrison. 1999. Environmental and economic costs of nonindigenous species in the United States. BioScience 5353-65.Steinberg, P. 2001. Prosopis glandulosa. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, bouldered Mountain investigate Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.Stromberg, J.C. 1993. Riparian mesquite forests A review of their ecology, threats, and recovery potential. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science 27111-124.Tallamy, D. W. 2004. Do alien plants stiffen insect biomass? Conservation Biology 181689-1692.Tallamy, D. W., and K. J. Shropshire. 2009. Ranking lepidopteran use of native versus introduced plants. Conservation Biology 23941-947.Triplehorn, C. A., and N. F. Johnson. 2005. Borror and DeLongs introduction to the study of insects 7 th edition. Brooks/Cole, Belmont, California.Ueckert, D.N. 1974. Influence of Defoliation by the Cutworm Melipotis indomita on Control of Honey Mesquite with 2,4,5-T in West Tex as. Journal of Range Management 27153-155.Van Auken, O.W. 2000. crotch hair invasions of North American semiarid grasslands. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 31197-215.Ward, C.R., OBrein, C.W., OBrien, L.B., D. E. Foster, D.E. Huddleston E.W. 1977. Annotated checklist of New World insects associated with Prosopis (mesquite) Technical bulletin no. 1557. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Field Manual.

Mary Shelleys Frankenstein :: essays research papers

BIRTH AND CREATION One of the main issues in the novel, and also in Victor Frankensteins mind. One of the reasons for creating his giant, Frankenstein was challenging natures right of creation. That is, to create a being, male sperm and female egg must be united etc.. He was also fraught with the mystery of death and the feel cycle. He created something in defiance of our understanding of birth and creation. However the similarity of Frankensteins creation and a babys creation is that both need to be held responsible for, and consequences dealt with, from the turn of birth. Frankenstein failed to do this with his creation.?Whence did the principle of life proceed?To examine the causes of life, we must first have recourse to death??I had worked hard for nearly ii years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body?ALIENATION Alienation is spoken of frequently throughout the novel. Felt by both Frankenstein and his creation. The monster is leave by the very perso n who brought him into the world, thus leaving him completely and totally isolated. Frankenstein feels alienated, because he is burdened with the secret that he has let loose a monster on society and is the real reason for his loved ones deaths. He alienates himself because of his feelings of guilt, shame and hatred of himself for committing such a sin. The monster only realises his feelings of alienation after observe the cottagers for such a long time, comparing their lives to his own, extending his knowledge and then finally setting himself up for rejection when going in to the cottage, believing that they will accept him. two eventually deal with their alienation by blaming the other and setting out to get revenge. ?All save I, were at rest or in sport?, Monster (138)?My protectors had departed, and had broken the only link that held me with the world?, Monster (140)?I, the miserable, and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, kicked, and trampled on.? Monster (224) ?Noone can conceive the anguish I suffered?. Frankenstein (78)?I shunned the face of man?, Frankenstein (93)?I feel as if I was walking on the edge of a precipice, towards which thousands are crowding, endeavouring to plunge me into the abyss?. Frankenstein (96)THE MONSTROUS AND THE gentle The only difference between the monster in this novel, and humans, is the appearance, although it is a great difference there are greater similarities brain, way of thinking, emotions etc.

To what extent does Jane Eyre’s past affect her fate? :: English Literature

To what extend does Jane Eyres past affect her fate?Charlotte Bront uses many different ways to affect Jane Eyres fate.By giving Jane a difficult and tiresome childhood from a very youngage it has an effect on her adult life.From a very early age Jane Eyre had a very unusual childhood. Shestarted in a very unloving family with her aunts and cousins. She feltunloved and had a sense of refusal. Her cousin John beat her and shealways dissipate back. When she did so, she was often caught and locked inthe red room. Her auntie sent her to Loward boarding school. This wasa very worrying time for Jane because already at the age of around 10she has had no love and cargon in her life. The boarding school didntaid her in anyway.At boarding school Jane did not fit in. once more she was not cared for.She felt unsafe, unhappy, but does find her first friend. Helen Burnsis a real turning point in Janes life. Jane really stood up for her immature friend too. When Helen gets punished Jane stays with her. Littlebits like this help to shape Jane into a Lady and who she will be whenshe is older. Janes new friend was a good believer in God. When Helenwas very ill, Jane realises that Helen is in trouble and could die,Helen tells Jane what will happen when she dies.I am very happy, Jane and when you hear that I am dead, you must besure and not grieve there is nothing to grieve about.This moving-picture show takes part in Helens bed, and is a very touching scene ofthe two girls bonding. The scene is clam and relaxed. By using longsentences, you can get a feel that Helens voice is soft, and thatthere is there are no interruptions. Helen goes on later to say,I have only a father, and he is lately married, and will not miss me.By dying young, I shall escape great sufferings. I had not qualitiesor talents to make my way very well in the world I should have beencontinually at faultJane and Helen have something in common here. The girls both have thesense that their families dont love th em and that they are in life ontheir own. But, straightaway they have found each other, the girls arecomforted that they are not the only ones.Helen has her own beliefs and opinions too.my Maker and yours, who will never destroy what He created. I rely

Freedom comes from within yourself :: essays research papers

freedom in the Hindu CultureOver the past three eld in America we bugger off been bombarded with the word independence as a call to action or a word to persuade us to conjoin a specific view. Although our nightclub was born on freedom as an idea, its meaning has been used in soldieryy ways. Hinduism is also a religion and a cultivation that places a deal of meaning on freedom but they give a assorted meaning to it. From learning about Hindu culture in this class their concentrate on on it follows suit as does our version. While our freedom is an idea that can be used in many different ways the Hindu Freedom is a more pure idea as it seems the rest of the culture is. In the Eastern culture freedom comes on with a level or state that you have reached in your sprightliness. To understand the meaning of freedom you also have to understand its relation to words standardised Samsara, Avidya, Maya and Moksha. These are all crack of the journey towards the Hindu concept of fre edom. Samsara is important in defining freedom in Hindu terms because it is what you want freedom from. Samsara is the continuous cycle of spirit that takes place in the material terra firma. It is thought of as a negative because it keeps us from moving on and up spiritually. Maya is a concept in Hinduism that relates to man disillusioning himself. The idea is that there is no such thing as an individual existence. When a psyche is trying to snap off their standing or riches they are disillusioning themselves. In the Eastern culture you do not work harder to better yourself you work harder to better the world as a wholly through your actions in life. This brings you closer to unity with the Divine.Avidya is similar to Maya. It is when the man is disillusioning himself that Avidya describes. When he denies his true Self and coins farther away from knowledge he is not taking care of his soul. Avidya is a product of the soul as well as a part of the soul. A person can always move away from this and make his soul healthy again by seeking truth and trying to reach the higher levels of spirituality.In the final stage of life we see Moksha come into play. After freeing yourself from material ties in the third stage of life you move on to the quarter and last.Freedom comes from within yourself essays research papers Freedom in the Hindu CultureOver the past three years in America we have been bombarded with the word freedom as a call to action or a word to persuade us to follow a specific view. Although our society was born on freedom as an idea, its meaning has been used in many ways. Hinduism is also a religion and a culture that places a lot of meaning on freedom but they give a different meaning to it. From learning about Hindu culture in this class their focus on it follows suit as does our version. While our freedom is an idea that can be used in many different ways the Hindu Freedom is a more pure idea as it seems the rest of the culture is. In th e Eastern culture freedom comes along with a level or state that you have reached in your life. To understand the meaning of freedom you also have to understand its relation to words like Samsara, Avidya, Maya and Moksha. These are all part of the journey towards the Hindu concept of freedom. Samsara is important in defining freedom in Hindu terms because it is what you want freedom from. Samsara is the continuous cycle of life that takes place in the material world. It is thought of as a negative because it keeps us from moving on and up spiritually. Maya is a concept in Hinduism that relates to man disillusioning himself. The idea is that there is no such thing as an individual existence. When a person is trying to better their standing or wealth they are disillusioning themselves. In the Eastern culture you do not work harder to better yourself you work harder to better the world as a whole through your actions in life. This brings you closer to unity with the Divine.Avidya is si milar to Maya. It is when the man is disillusioning himself that Avidya describes. When he denies his true Self and moves farther away from knowledge he is not taking care of his soul. Avidya is a product of the soul as well as a part of the soul. A person can always move away from this and make his soul healthy again by seeking truth and trying to reach the higher levels of spirituality.In the final stage of life we see Moksha come into play. After freeing yourself from material ties in the third stage of life you move on to the fourth and last.

The Purpose and Nature of Architecture Essay -- Design Architecture

The Purpose and Nature of ArchitectureWhat is it that we mean when we say the architecture of the city? What argon cities projectned to be? Why should we plan anything? When we plan ahead, we perhaps have a goal in mind.What is this goal, for an architect or an urban designer?Simply putting it, their goal is to make environments in which spell can live in ways better than he could before. Right from the early times, when shelter meant only a roof over ones head, or when victorious shelter meant seeking protection inside a cave or getting under the tree cover, man sought to improve his living conditions. He sought shelter that was more comfortable than the one he had before.From caves and trees, man moved to mud huts and animal skin tents. Constantly striving towards improvisation to instance his changing needs, he has today, shelter in the form of buildings in brick and concrete, that he has termed architecture gardens and malls where he spends his leisure time, these along wit h the buildings and the spaces between, he calls urban fabric. There argon road networks, that link buildings to each other, buildings to public plazas, that link living areas to work areas, or living areas to educational areas, or living areas to shopping areas.Man has commencement exercise fragmented his lifestyle and living spaces, then attempted to join it with roads. What he fragments, often stays fragmented forever. Life for him is still a series of experiences which he sometimes can see as a upstanding but often not. What was once upon a time harmonious living, is divided up into polished compartments with supposedly greater efficiency. Today, we have intelligent buildings that have automated functions. But, what is the sequence of experiences one can have within these buildings? Does that matter or not at all? Are they experiences that satisfy human nature or is it a contrived environment that is far removed from the real world?Do experiences generated by this new archite cture, by this new urban design, by this new city planning still inspire man to think and to feel? Does it make him grow, or does it strangulate his sense of being?As an architect or urban designer, must(prenominal) one know all about space and form and mental synthesis and nothing about lifes experiences, about feeling, about nature? How does an architect or urban designer know about all of lifes experiences? Is it... ... parts. I believe that look for into the phenomenon of architectural experience and its possible objectification is the spring board towards a more vibrant and humane built environment. We must know if the design processes we employ are the same as the thought processes we undergo whilst experiencing these urban spaces that we design. We must know, which experiences we enjoy the most, how these experiences come about and if the designer must play a role in making these happen, where must he begin?.For example, in our country ,India, there is a lot that is fragm ented and that comes together randomly to form a whole which is so much more rich in nature than a putting together in an orderly fashion, of uniform, standardized parts. The study of the experience of architecture I think is the spring board to the creation of more vibrant and humane environments. We must know if the design processes we employ are the same as the thought processes we undergo whilst experiencing these urban spaces that we design. We must know, which experiences we enjoy the most, and how these experiences come about and if the designer must play a role in making these happen, where must he begin?