Delivering Business Value with It at Hefty Hardware Essay Example for Free

Delivering Business Value with It at Hefty Hardware Essay IT Value is defined as the worth or desirability of a thing. It is a subjective assessment. The value of IT depends very much on how a business and its individual managers choose to view it. Strategic positioning, increased productivity, improved decision making, cost savings, or improved service are all ways value could be defined. It is tied to the organization’s business model because adding value with IT should enable a firm to do it business better. One company sees value resulting from all parts of the organization having the same processes; another defines value by return on investment (ROI); still another measures t by a composite of key performance indicators. IT value proposition is that everyone involved in an IT initiative agree on what value they are trying to deliver and how they will recognized it. IT Value is a function of people, process, and technology. The Three Components of the IT Value Proposition: Identification- Recognize and evaluate opportunities. Conversion- Transformation of ideas and opportunities into IT value propositions and creating IT value. Realization- Deliver value and ensure that technology is widely accepted Best Practices in Identifying Potential Value: Joint business-IT structure. Compare value across projects. Utilize a portfolio approach to project selection/prioritization. Establish a funding mechanism for infrastructure. Conversion: Managerial issues with Conversion More projects than resources: Insufficient time to complete all projects; inadequate technical/business resources; significant business process redesign may be required for implementation of IT. IT value creation can be successfully made by: Excellent project management; Effective execution (e.g. change management); Reliable IT operations Best Practices in Realizing Value: Measure outcomes against expected results.[Does Expected Value = Actual Value?]; Plan a value-realization phase for all IT projects; Look for and eliminate root causes of problems; Assess value realization at all levels in the organization; Have provision for acting on new opportunities.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Essay Example for Free

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Essay Throughout the book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Jim helps Huck develop greater changes. Huckleberry learns multiple lessons such as growing into better and trustworthy friend. Throughout the novel Jim helped Huck see the different side of life and how everyone grows in different surroundings. Eventually both Huckleberry and Jim grew more mature and wanted the best life for one another. Huck finds out a new identity about the world during the book. During the book, Huckleberry Finn has not experienced what life really was or what you could possibly encounter during times that just come out of anything. Jim is that someone you could call peculiar or unexpected. When Huck and Jim were with each other on the island and going down river together, Huck primarily was giving orders to Jim. The motive why Huck was giving orders was because that was the environment he grown up around. As times moves forward Huck starts to realize how niggers have been treated throughout life and began to respect him more by who Jim is on the inside. When Huck was debating on whether to tell Mary that Jim was with him, â€Å"It was fifteen minutes before I could work myself up to go and humble myself to a nigger; but I done it, and I warn’t ever sorry for it afterwards, neither. I didn’t do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn’t done that one if I’d a knowed it would make him feel that way,† page 89. Huck was mortified of what was going to happen if he told Miss Watson, but he overcame it well.

Gender and Sexual Identity

Gender and Sexual Identity Stacey Obispo Gender and Sexual Identity Understanding gender and sexual identities and the functions and effects of gender roles is important because it allows one to understand themselves and how to relate to others. The creation of gender identity is a complex process involving biological, cultural, and psychological elements (Yarber Sayad, 2012). A person’s gender identity is the deepest feelings one has about their gender and is expressed by the way they behave feminine, masculine, neither or both (Planned-Parenthood, 2015). For most individuals gender identity is not much of a concern (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Gender roles on the other hand are of much concern to people (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Gender roles tell one how to act as either a man or woman in their culture. In fact, many people question whether they are sufficiently feminine or masculine (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Not only does culture relate to gender identity and gender roles it also relates to sexual identity development. For instance, the world around a person helps shape their sexuality and the ways it is expressed (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Sexual identity is realized in adulthood when one identifies with a sexual identity such as; heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (Yarber Sayad, 2012). This paper will analyze sexual and gender identity relating to how they evolve throughout ones’ lifespan and influences that contribute to their development. Analysis of; how gender identity contributes to sexual expression, functions and effects of gender/role stereotypes and their effects on relationships will be discussed. Additionally, the author will also contribute final thoughts on what male gender roles should be changed to reflect female roles. Gender and Sexual Identity Evolving through Lifespan When one is born, assignment of gender is given based on anatomical appearance (Yarber Sayad, 2012). This assignment tells others how to respond affecting the individual’s social and cultural development (Yarber Sayad, 2012). As development occurs through early childhood the individual is able to identify themselves as boy or girl based on what is internalized from what others have told them coupled by factors that are not yet understood (Yarber Sayad, 2012). The feeling of either femaleness or maleness is the individual’s gender identity and is developed between the ages of 2 or 3 (Yarber Sayad, 2012). During this stage some children may believe that they can change genders by changing their clothes or hair length (Yarber Sayad, 2012). By the age of 6 or 7 children begin to understand that gender is permanent and it is not something that can be altered or changed by clothes (Yarber Sayad,2012). Gender identity evolves with how we feel and express our gender and gender roles (Yarber Sayad, 2012). These expressions are linked to culture and are expressed through clothing, behavior, and personal appearance (Planned-Parenthood, 2015). Although gender identity is established by seven years of age gender identity expression is communicated and it evolves over time through changes in society and culture (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Different pressures from birth through childhood to conform to ones gender are expressed through learning gender roles (Yarber Sayad, 2012). In infancy throughout childhood a girl may be given dresses to wear, have long hair, and may be prescribed to wear colors such as pink (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Conversely boys may be prescribed to wear pants and blue colors. Parents begin assignment of gender roles based on a child’s gender which shapes the formation of their gender identity (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Parents deploy the use of manipulation from infanc y onward by treating girls gently, telling her she’s pretty (Yarber Sayad, 2012). They tell boys they are strong and tell them that boys do not cry (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Channeling is used by directing children’s attention to objects that are gender specific such as dolls for girls and cars for boys (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Parents during childhood also use verbal appellation to describe the same behavior with different words for boys and girls (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Activity exposure is another way parents expose their children to gender roles (Yarber Sayad, 2012). For instance boys are discouraged from imitating their mothers while girls are encouraged to be there mother’s helper (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Throughout childhood and adolescence teachers and peers are socializing agents that also provide standards for gender-role behavior (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Sexual identity/orientation evolves throughout childhood, adolescence and adulthood. In childhood and early adolescence there is most often sex play or sexual experimentation with members of the opposite sex and same sex (Yarber Sayad, 2012). When these exploratory experiences begin there is uncertainty in terms of sexual orientation (Yarber Sayad, 2012). When late adolescence begins and in young adulthood both male and females are confronted with the importance of developing and establishing intimacy (Yarber Sayad, 2012). The need to be able to develop intimacy places pressure on young adults to conform to a sexual identity and in order to establish intimacy in a relationship one needs to solidify with a sexual orientation (Yarber Sayad, 2012). By late adolescence or young adulthood most individuals develop a heterosexual identity (Yarber Sayad,2012). For those who are attracted to the same sex it can take longer to accept their sexual identity because of societal taboos (Yarbe r Sayad,2012). In middle adulthood individuals may question intimacy and commitment due to divorce (Yarber Sayad, 2012). During this stage some people may reevaluate their sexual identity because one’s philosophy continues to evolve (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Influences Contributing to Gender and Sexual Identity Development Parental influence contributes towards gender and sexual identity development. Gender identity is influenced by gender roles which parents instill in the children from birth through childhood (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Sexual identities are influenced by parents through the child observing their parents behaviors and family dynamics and characteristics (Yarber Sayad, 2012) Peers influence gender identity through providing information about gender role and norms through play activities (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Peers provide standards for gender roles by granting or withholding approval with others by deciding what games to play, what television shows to watch, what types of foods to eat, and what music to listen to. Peers influence sexual identity by passing information about sex to each other (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Furthermore, peer influence places sexual pressure on boys to be sexually active even if they are uninterested or unprepared (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Media influences gender identity through the information they provide on gender roles and perceived norms (Yarber Sayad, 2012; Wood). Females on television are attractive, thin, well groomed and most often under 40 (Wood). In contrast, males are most often aggressive, solve problems and rescue others from danger (Wood). The media influences sexual identity by bombarding adolescents and children with sexual images (Wood). The exposure increases teen’s willingness to experiment with sex (Wood). Religiosity influences gender identity development through information they provide on gender roles and norms (Yarber Sayad, 2012). The information religion provides shapes adolescent sexual behaviors (Yarber Sayad, 2012). This in return influences the choices adolescents and young adults will make regarding their sexual orientation (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Gender Identity and Sexual Expression As mentioned earlier gender roles influence the adaptation of one’s gender identity (Yarber Sayad, 2012). The relationship of gender roles and gender identity is also linked with sexual expression (Yarber Sayad,2012). One will sexually express themselves through gender roles that are learned as well as through social and cultural roles which offer sexual scripts that provide rule, acts, and expectations associated with a particular role (Yarber Sayad,2012). The sexual scripts in American culture strongly influence sexual expression in both men and women. Sexual scripts and gender roles may be different for those that are bisexual, transgender, lesbian and gay (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Sexual scripts organize one’s sexual expression (Yarber Sayad, 2012). There is a cultural component to sexual scripts which emphasizes heterosexuality, places sexual intercourse first, and discourages masturbation (Yarber Sayad, 2012).Within cultural scripts there are specific male and f emale scripts that are encouraged by society to be practiced (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Male sexual scripts include; men should not have or express certain feelings, performance is only what counts, the man is in charge and already know what the woman wants, a man is always ready for sex and wants it, all physical contact leads to sex, all erotic contact leads to sexual intercourse, and sexual intercourse leads to orgasm (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Female sexual scripts include: sex is both good and bad, sex is for men and love is for women, men should know what women want, women should not talk about sex, women should look like models, a man’s desires should be over hers and his orgasm over hers, and only through penile penetration can a woman have an orgasm (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Interpersonal scripts deal with shared conventions and signals expressed by a couple signaling sexual behaviors. Intrapersonal scripts deal with the physiological states that lead to or identify sexual arou sal (Yarber Sayad, 2012). Gender Role Stereotypes There are four different types of gender role stereotypes. The first category of gender role stereotype is personality traits (Planned-Parenthood, 2015). Male gender roles include specific personality traits. For instance in America there are specific personality traits related to the traditional male role. Male gender role traits include; aggressiveness, independence, emotional toughness, feelings of superiority, and decisiveness (Planned-Parenthood, 2015). For females gender role stereotypes include: passivity, compliance, physical attractiveness, and being a wife and mother (Planned-Parenthood, 2015). The second category of gender stereotypes is domestic behaviors (Planned-Parenthood,2015). Males are regarded as being best at doing household repairs while females are regarded as being best at caring for children (Yarber Sayad, 2012). The next category of gender role stereotypes involves occupations (Planned-Parenthood, 2015). Most doctors and construction workers are males and un til recently most secretaries and nurses were female (Planned-Parenthood, 2015). The last category of gender role stereotype is physical appearance (Planned-Parenthood, 2015). Men are expected to be strong, broad shouldered and tall and women are expected to be graceful and small (Planned-Parenthood, 2015). Supporting and Refuting Gender Role Stereotypes Evidence that supports the reason why these gender role stereotypes are fulfilled is presented in the article, What is Stereotype Threat?   (2015). In the article gender role stereotypes are thought to be perpetuated not because one agrees with the gender role rather because one perceives the threat as a risk to conformity which inadvertently leads the individual to self-handicapping strategies that in return preserves the stereotype that was being avoided (â€Å"What is stereotype threat?†). Another reason why gender stereotypes are fulfilled is because of the discomfort they cause the individual. For instance gender role stereotypes can also cause an individual enough discomfort to go against the gender role that they cause the individual to alter or redefine their professional career paths (â€Å"What is stereotype threat?†). Evidence that refutes gender stereotypes is that they do not apply to all ethnicities and socioeconomic classes (â€Å"What is stereotype th reat?†). The majority of research on gender roles has been based on research on White and middle class which are mostly college students (â€Å"What is stereotype threat?†). The roles in other words, are not true to all socioeconomic classes or ethnicities. In addition there is evidence which supports that traditional gender roles are no longer valid because there are new ones which have evolved. Traditional gender role stereotypes are evolving from traditional hierarchical roles to ones that are egalitarian and androgynous (â€Å"What is stereotype threat?†). Additionally, scholars have challenged masculine and feminine gender roles and have found that they are unhealthy and fail to reflect the real world (â€Å"What is stereotype threat?†). Functions of Gender Role Stereotypes The overall functions of these stereotypes is to make multiple associations between gender and other non-sex linked qualities such as strength (male) and affection (female), the next function of gender stereotypes is to is to create a basis for social norm, status, taboos and privileges (Yarber Sayad,2012). The problem with gender role functions is that they categorize people and undervalue the uniqueness of individuals (Yarber Sayad,2012). Gender Roles: Affecting Relationships and Sexual Interactions Gender roles affect relationships because they aid in creating sexual scripts for both males and females (Yarber Sayad,2012). These roles are then telling both male and females how to behave in their relationships and what sexual script each should adhere to (Yarber Sayad,2012). The sexual script in return tells each gender how to participate in sexual acts (Yarber Sayad,2012). Conclusion Gender role attitudes and behaviors of the male sex I would like to see become more like my own include men looking like models and being constantly attractive. I think if this same standard was mentioned or even enforced culturally and by media standards there just may be consensus between both males and females that such standards are not ideal and is ridiculous. Another gender role stereotype that would be nice to see in the male sex is for men to become nurturers. It would be nice to see more males make sacrifices for the partner’s careers or the children’s needs even if it may inconvenience them form what they may want . The on taking of this role may help make roles androgynous. The final role behavior I would like to see more like my own is for males to be caregivers of children. Men becoming caregivers of children may allot women more opportunities within the workplace because they have the peace of mind knowing their counterpart is taking care of their child. References Planned-Parenthood. (2015). Sexual orientation and gender are fundamental parts of who we are. Retrieved from http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation-gender What is stereotype threat? (2015). Retrieved from http://www.reducingstereotypethreat.org/definition.html Wood, J. T. (n.d.). The influence of media on views of gender. Retrieved from http://www.udel.edu/comm245/readings/GenderedMedia.pdf Yarber, W., Sayad, B., Strong, B. (2012). Human sexuality: Diversity in contemporary America. (8th ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill.

Free Awakening Essays: The Pigeon House :: Chopin Awakening Essays

The Pigeon House in The Awakening "In a little four-room house around the corner. It looks so cozy, so inviting and restful."(79) With this description Chopin introduces the reader to Edna’s new residence, which is affectionately known as the pigeon house. The pigeon house provides Edna with the comfort and security that her old house lacked. The tranquility that the pigeon house grants to Edna allows her to experience a freedom that she has never felt before. The first taste of this newfound freedom is the satisfaction that Edna feels in being able to provide for herself with her own money. The fact that she no longer has to rely on her husband’s money breaks the last tie that she had with him: "I know I shall like it, like the feeling of freedom and independence."(80) In her mind now, her marriage is dead, and Mr. Pontellier has no control over her. Financial freedom is not the only thing the pigeon house gives to Edna; it also allows her both physical and spiritual freedom. When Edna kisses Arobin in her husband’s house, she feels "reproach looking at her from the external things around her which he had provided for her external existence."(84) Yet, her first night at the pigeon house she spends with Arobin, and this time feels no reproach or regret. As for the spiritual ramifications provided by her new home, Chopin writes, "There was a feeling of descending in the social scale, with the corresponding sense of having rise n in the spiritual.., she began to look with her own eyes... no longer was she content to feed upon opinion."(94) The pigeon house provides a way for Edna to escape from the society that she hates. She has the freedom to make the decisions in her life now; and she decides that she is going to live life by her own rules, not the rules that society has laid out for her. When she is within her home, she is free from the pressures of being the "mother women" which society forces her to be. The pigeon house nourishes this newfound freedom, allowing it to grow and gain strength. Without the environment provided by the pigeon house, it is doubtful as to whether Edna would have ever "awakened" from the stupefied state that society was forcing her to live in.

Descriptive Essay -The Dump -- Descriptive Essay, Descriptive Writing

The Dump       My mom and I were cleaning up our attic this weekend, and in the process I found all sorts of old junk that I had forgotten about. Of course, I wanted to keep everything I saw; otherwise, I would not have stashed it there in the first place. But after standing over me and prying my hands off of every item that I encountered, my mom finally convinced me to haul all of my broken treasures to the Dump. I wince at the thought of having to brave the ever-present gloom that reigns there. The Dump is a strange and repulsive place, where people tend to bury the human spirit along with their refuse. From the main road, the Dump looked like a prison. The perimeter was surrounded by an eight-foot chain-link with barbed-wire stretched tightly around the top of it. As I followed the slow procession of vehicles through the front gate, I noticed a man peeking through the blinds of a dirty office building. The building's tan exterior was peeling away, probably as a result of prolonged exposure to the toxic environment. Up on a hill overshadowing ...

A Comparison of Wealth in Antony and Cleopatra and The Tempest Essay

The Importance of Wealth in Antony and Cleopatra and The Tempest  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   Wealth and it’s relationship to poverty figures in heavily in two of the plays we have read thus far in class. In both Antony and Cleopatra and The Tempest we are treated to characters and situations that deal with wealth and poverty. Specifically however, both plays have visions of an abundance of wealth that seems at times both corruptible and foolish. In Antony and Cleopatra we have their excessive behavior and flaunting, which proves to be a vice that grips them much to tightly. In The Tempest, characters stranded on a deserted island have their own unique versions of achieving that said abundance. Shakespeare treats the topic similarly in both plays, and uses it to expose the very nature of abundance.    For example, in Antony and Cleopatra we are treated to many scenes describing the level of excess the title characters are involved in. In Act 3, scene 6 Shakespeare writes, Here’s the manner of’t: I’th’ market-place, on a tribunal silver’d, Cleopatra and himself in chairs of gold Were publicly enthron’d. At their feet sat Caesarian, whom they call my father’s son, And all the unlawful issue that their lust Since then hath made between them. Unto her He gave the stablishment of Egypt, made her Of lower Syria, Cyprus,Lydia, Absolute Queen  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   (2-10).    With that passage, Shakespeare (through Caesar) is criticizing the lavishness and public showings of both Antony and Cleopatra. He seems to think it grotesque to have them sitting in front of everyone in â€Å"chairs of gold†.    Even earlier, Antony’s abundant behavior is made obvious. Shakespeare writes, â€Å"he fishes, drinks, and wastes/The lamps of night in ... ... riches? His want of this abundance is like the others, made worse by the fact that he at first had no idea what it was. He had something better (although some would view him as poor), and now a glimpse of wealth has changed him.    In the end, by looking at these two plays, we can see that wealth can indeed be a corrupting force in Shakespeare’s world. Although wealth may not necessarily be just money. It can come in many forms; power, idleness, etc. And in today’s world where money-winning game shows are what pass for culture and entertainment, it seems all the more relevant.    Works Cited:    The Riverside Shakespeare: Second Edition Houghton Mifflin Company Boston/New York   G. Blakemore Evans and J.J.M Tobin eds. Shakespeare’s The Tempest: World’s Classics The Oxford Shakespeare. Oxford University Press New York/London.   Ed. Stanley Wells   

Death of a Parent Essay

I believe we are defined by events that happen throughout our lives both passivity and negatively. Most of the events that change people’s paths often happen suddenly in their life and sometimes have long term effects. Whether it is a personal, religious, life style, or even a career change the fact still remains the cause for change was caused by the event. The statements above are true for my life; my life was about to change forever. This is the day I found out my mother had only six months to live, I was only 19 years old. I was picking my mother up from a routine follow-up appointment she had at Keesler Air force Base Hospital in Biloxi Mississippi, on the afternoon of 3 March 1997. I was walking up the steps of the hospital when I saw her walking out her face was pale I asked her if she was ok, her response was no. At this point in time everything went silent she asked me to sit down on the steps but I couldn’t I just wanted to know what was wrong. My mother while holding my hands then told me the results of the test and that she had liver cancer and it was untreatable. I was frozen not knowing what to say I just grab her and held her close and begun to cry. She told me to stop crying because she was going to need me to be strong for her and my brothers, that she wanted her last six months to be happy memories not sad ones. Let’s step back for a moment so I can explain the relationship I had with my mother because it was not your normal one. My mother was so much more to me than just a mom, she was my best friend I told her everything and she told me everything. We spent many late nights talking about everything in life from how our day went to what life would hold for us in the future. My mother was one of those people who never wanted or asked for anything for herself but was one who gave everything and would do anything for her children. When I say her children I don’t just mean her biological ones, she took care and provide for so many more, whether it was local neighbor hood, friends, family, co-workers and sometime even complete strangers who just need help. I remember many nights sitting at the kitchen table with people eating dinner with us who I did not know and many of them I would never see again after that night. My mom would always say we don’t have much but what we do have is sometimes way more than what others have. My mother was the strongest person I ever known, who also had the biggest heart. Two years before we found out she only had six months to live my mother kicked breast cancers ass. At least so we thought until the cancer showed back up in her liver and the doctors only gave her six months to live. At first nothing changed for her life or mine after finding out the bad news in fact she made me promise not to tell my brothers or anyone else. She continued working up to about the last two months. That is when things started to fall apart. The first thing to go for my mother was her memory. I can remember coming home from work and my mother talking to me about going camping like I was five years old. Not knowing how to handle it I just played along with the conversation, it seemed to make her happy. This went on and off for about two weeks and then things really started heading down hill pretty quick. I had to get help from hospice care, to have help taking care of her, because she was basically bedridden and unable to care for herself. Hospice came into our home and set up a medical bed and other medical equipment in our formal living area, this was the open area in our house. At this point I quit my job to take care of her because hospice care was only coming to the house like twice a day the rest was up to me. I had made a promise to her not to let her die in a hospital and I was trying to keep that promise. As the days went on the care became more and more demanding not really physical but mentally. I was doing everything thing for her, from bathing, changing her clothes, and bed pan to forcing her to take the meds she still need to take for pain control. At this point she was no longer able to speak, it seemed like her mind was completely gone just a blank stare. My breaking point was met, I was unable to care for my mother at home anymore she had pretty much slipped into a coma. I had to have my mother moved to the hospital, I couldn’t keep that promise I made her and still to this day I beg for forgiveness from her. She was only in the hospital for three nights before she passed. My brothers and I took turns at night staying with her and my night was night three. That night was a special night, it was her birthday. On the night she passed away we got her a birthday cake and song happy birthday to our mother for the last time. After singing happy birthday and blowing out the candles we each gave her a hug. When it became my turn to give her a hug I told her it was ok for her to go, that we will be ok and I love you. It wasn’t long after that she passed away at the age of 40. Not long after my mother died my life begun to fall apart. I could not deal with people always asking me if I was ok or if I needed anything. I started pushing everyone away and shutting out the ones I love. I needed to make a positive change in my life because my mother would not want me to live this way. So I joined to U. S. Army and left home and everybody I loved. I didn’t really have a plan I just knew I needed my space and this was the only way I was going to get it. In fact I wrote a letter to my girlfriend breaking up with her on my flight to Germany, after I had completed all my initial training. I was completely alone for the first time after my mother died. Not a day goes by that I do not think about my mother and how her passing changed my life. Today I live my life the way I believe she would have wanted me to, with an open mind, trying to see the positives in every situation I find myself in. There are things I wish I would have handled differently when it comes to my love ones I left behind when I joined the Army. My mother’s passing away changed my life in so many ways and has dad a major impact on the way I raise my kids, I do not take the time I have with them for granted. You never know when your time is up, so I say make the most of it and never wait until tomorrow to tell someone you love them.