Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Architect William Holabird and the First Skyscrapers

Architect William Holabird (born September 11, 1854 in Amenia Union, New York), along with his partner Martin Roche (1853-1927), forged Americas early skyscrapers and launched an architectural style known as the Chicago School. The architectural firms of Holabird and Roche, Burnham and Root, and Adler and Sullivan were some of the most influential teams in American architectural history and modern design. William Holabird began his education at the West Point Military Academy, but after two years he moved to Chicago and worked as a draftsman for William Le Baron Jenney, who is often called Father of the Skyscraper. Holabird founded his own practice in 1880, and formed a partnership with Martin Roche in 1881. The Chicago School style featured many innovations. The Chicago window created the effect that the buildings were composed of glass. Each large pane of glass was flanked by narrow windows that could be opened. Many of the first skyscrapers were built in Chicago, Illinois after the Great Fire of 1871. In Chicago, Holabird and Roche designed the Tacoma Building (1888), the Pontiac Building (1891), the Old Colony Building (1893), the Marquette Building (1895), the LaSalle Hotel (1909), the Brooks Building (1910), the Palmer House (1923), and the Stevens Hotel (1927). Between 1889 and 1908 Holabird and Roche built a number of buildings at Fort Sheridan, Illinois — 66 buildings have been designated a National Historic Landmark District. In addition to their Chicago skyscrapers, Holabird and Roche became leading designers of large hotels in the midwest. The Plankinton Building in Milwaukee Wisconsin started off as a two-story building in 1916 and five more floors were added in 1924. The Plankinton, like other new tall buildings being built at the time, was steel frame with a facade of terra cotta.   After William Holabirds death on July 19, 1923, the firm was reorganized by his son. The new firm, Holabird Root, was highly influential in the 1920s. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is proud to own and occupy the Marquette Building in Chicago. As a supporter of creativity, the Foundation is the perfect owner of a building steeped in history. Early skyscrapers from the Chicago School era are now over a century old, if they havent already been torn down. Holabird and Roche designed the original 1924 neoclassical style Soldier Field in Chicago, a national landmark stripped of its designation after a gut-wrenching 21st century renovation. Restoration and historic preservation are the price of caring for history.

Friday, May 15, 2020

What Is a Starfish Are They Really Fish

The word starfish refers to about 1,800 species of marine animals that are star-shaped. The common term starfish is confusing, though. Starfish arent fish - finned, tailed animals with backbones - they are echinoderms, which are marine invertebrates. So scientists prefer to call these animals sea stars. Sea stars come in all sizes, shapes and colors. Their most noticeable characteristic is their arms, which form their distinctive star shape. Many sea star species have 5 arms, and these species most resemble a traditional star shape. Some species, like the sun star, can have up to 40 arms radiating out from their central disk (the usually circular area at the center of the sea stars arms). All sea stars are in the Class Asteroidea. Asteroidea have a water vascular system, rather than blood. A sea star draws seawater into its body via a madreporite (a porous plate, or sieve plate), and moves it through a series of canals. The water provides structure to the sea stars body, and is used for propulsion by moving the animals tube feet. Although sea stars dont have gills, tails or scales like fish do, they have eyes - one at the end of each of their arms. These are not complex eyes, but eye spots that can sense light and dark. Sea stars may reproduce sexually, by releasing sperm and eggs (gametes) into the water, or asexually, through regeneration.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Cultural and Sub Cultural Influence of Narcotics...

The Cultural And Sub Cultural Influence of Narcotics Anonymous. The Subculture of N.A is a life outside of any expectations formed by the main Cultural Influence. It is a very private organization that I belong to which became a way of life for me. It has values, traditions, beliefs, sanctions and roles. This is the only outside influence in my life that made me develop meaning to my life again. I was a complete and total crack addict who finally hit the bottom of the barrel and started looking for a way to climb out of the grave I dug myself into. Narcotics Anonymous is a group that has taught me many values. They have twelve values, twelve traditions, and twelve steps. As a group we learn to accept all of the above for†¦show more content†¦The N.A. also has norms although informal norms and positive sanctions. For example, if a member of the group strays from the steps and relapses instead of punishment we show them extra love and compassion to get them through their time of need. This is also a form of folkways. There are certain types of conduct which we should follow. If a Group member is sharing we don’t butt in or comment until they are done. This group also has Mores to some extent. Many of our members are here because they were ordered by the court. If these people don’t attend and get there court sheet signed by the group leader they can be sanctioned in a negative way. They may get ordered jail time or even be ordered into a rehab facility. These are the formal norms. Everything about this subculture is different from the dominant culture. We have special beliefs and goals that we struggle to accomplish everyday of our lives as where the dominant culture doesn’t have a constant battle to stay sober. The membership process is so easy for addicts. All you have to do is show up for a meeting. Everyone is welcome, every race, nationality, men women and children. The only thing you need to be is an addict. That ranges from marijuana to heroin and everything in between. The N.A. Group has a symbol This can be found on sobriety key chains. TheShow MoreRelatedEssay about Alcoholism and Drug Addiction17765 Words   |  72 PagesNoida - 201301 Introduction Alcoholism and Drug Addiction may be conceptualized as crime without victim that is, addict himself is the victim who becomes a prey of its misuse. This devastating melody is eroding the roots of social, economic and cultural fiber of Indian Society and all across the globe. It gives rise to criminality and criminal behavior which eventually leads to social disorganization. Alcoholism and drug related offences being victimless crime, they fall in the category of publicRead MoreLangston Hughes Research Paper25309 Words   |  102 Pagesleave the campus, he kept a dormitory room for the summer so he would have a place to write without distraction. Publisher Alfred A. Knopf accepted Not Without Laughter, although Langston was not satisfied with it. Mrs. Mason wished to remain anonymous as his patron, so he dedicated the book to Amy and Joel Spingarn, now the NAACP president, who said that the novel captured the life of ordinary blacks without bitterness or apology and yet with truth and deep feeling. With Godmother Masons

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

The Main Issues of Jack

Questions: 1. Identify the main issues that Jack needs to consider and provide evidence from the case study to support your answer. 2.Explain how Jack would benefit from applying the rational decision-making process to address the issues identified in Question One. 3. Describe the different resources (e.g. valuable, rare etc.) that are available to Jack and provide evidence from the case study to support your answer. 4.Identify, explain and apply one of the organizational strategy frameworks that Jack might find helpful as he considers the future of Glasshouse Avocados? Answers: (1). Solution: Jack followed the business sense of his father and business numbers were doing pretty well. With the passage of time, Jack sensed that there are number of factors in the external environment which can turn threat in the time ahead. Considering the case study, main issues that Jack need to pay attention are: Cost of Production-Production costs are the expenses that are incurred to get the finished products. A company that knows how much it will cost to produce an item, or produce a service, will have a clearer picture of how to better price the item or service and what will be the total cost to the company. Here the product is avocado and production cost includes cost of irrigation equipment and managing root rot in the plants. It is a general fact that profits are always lower when cost of production is higher and business cannot sell products at very higher price in order to cover the rising cost of production. In growing avocados, there are several others cost involved as well such as planting, pruning, pest management, fertilization, labor and harvesting. There could invisible cost as well such as interest on capital. (Capital taken to invest in business). (Investopedia) Increasing competition- Competition refers to active demand by two or more organisms for the resources which are rare or are in shortage. (merriam-webster).Earlier Jack enjoyed the higher profits in the business as there was not much competition and with his networking skills, he had marketed his business so well following his fathers footsteps. Earlier there were low number of growers and cost of overhead and transport cost was shared among them. With more and more growers in the same line of business and with no more cost sharing concepts, results were not favorable with downward sloping gains and slipping business. Lower Sales- Lack of process is considered as one of the strong reasons of low sales and sales manager is handicapped if process is missed. (Eyesonsales)Two of the crucial things discussed above are the backbone of the business to achieve higher sales .Here in case of Glasshouse Avocados, the cost of production and competition was cut-throat which resulted in sales number down each year. In 2012, sales number were down by 13%, trend continued further 15% sales down in 2013 as compared to sales of 2012 but in 2014, there was slight rise in the sales by 9%. With sales almost down, profits dipped and slowdown definitely tensed the situation for Jacks business. Product Innovation Impact-When new growers stepped in the business, they too had mighty understanding of facts above so new entrants came up with idea of putting avocado in a tube and this helped them to emerge as better performers. They were earning profits in spite of stiff competition and uncertainties. Natural Conditions- Clean water and clean air forms the part of natural environment and have impacts on the business functions. (Small business) With a growing time almost a year, there is less chance of having farms vacant to grow anything in short run. With longer growing season, weather conditions need to be in alignment with plant growth which is not possible all over the year. Variations in climate affect the growth cycle and quantity produced. Moving from streamlined business to exploring options- There is change in the air.(The Hindu business line) With Glasshouse Avocados in troubled times with all discussed reasons, Jack is considering moving to other options such as real state but this move by Jack is in double minds. He doesnt want to move but seems nothing else is working. (2). Solution: Business decisions are high risk decisions because the outcome of the decision have impact on several spheres of the business. Rational word simply mean to be logical. Rational decision making process refers to multi-step and formal process of analyzing various options available and choosing the best alternative by applying logic and objectivity. The model of rational decision making can be useful for to manage the issues and reach out to possible solutions. Rational decision making if applied well in current scenarios of Jacks business could result to bring him back in activity and profit numbers may expect positive change. (Happy manager) Steps involved in rational decision making in respect to case study: Define Problem- Lower sales profits Goals of the business-To grow revenue and beat the competition Developing alternative solutions-Concentration on custard apple and passion fruit. Evaluation- Compare cost of production, time period and revenue estimates Selection of best solution- Choose the best to achieve the target. Detail description and analysis of the various steps involved in rational decision making process in context with case: Define the problem- In the first part it is well explained the issues faced by Glasshouse Avocados. Lower sales, dipping revenue and competition creating downstream atmosphere are the major issues troubling Glasshouse in present times. The core reason of dipping profits are the dipping sales and sales are down because of the advanced and modern competitors who gained edge over Glasshouse Avocados. Intuitiveandrationaldecision making are the two ways that an individual can approach problem solving. (Study, Ch.-9) Goals of the business The primary goal of any business is to create economic value i.e. maximize profits. Glasshouse Avocados aims to regain its market share by growing its lost sales. The milestone is also to gain long term stability in terms of production and sales.(Boundless) Developing alternative solutions- Since two of the fruits custard apple and passion fruit are the good lead to grow sales because other competitors have their attentions only on avocados. This opportunity can also be utilized to divert other growers attention and avocados could also be taken in consideration. Elias being a marketing expert have few better ideas that deserves attention. His ideas to integrate processing facilities and develop new supply chain initiatives are worth risk taking. By innovative and attractive packaging of tube avocados, Glasshouse can offer quality and substitute products in supermarkets. Further local growers can also be brought in partnership and business could be expanded. Evaluation-Elias idea have more weightage in terms of success rate. Yes, it involves investment but keeping long profits and sales would too matter. Custard apple and passion fruit could be secondary option as Jack considers avocados to be in plenty numbers and yield good profits. Jack have hopes to revive his business and Elias idea somewhere outshines the other in various criterias such as cost involved, estimated earnings and so on. On contrary, if Jack applies idea of custard apple or passion fruit, others growers may start selling identical products and there may again arise situations as currently prevailing. Evaluation is brief terms is the systematic assessment of the merit of something. (Social research) Selection of the best alternative-Number of ideas are evaluated on various parameters and the best idea is chosen which have pros and can help to revive the business out of the downtime period. In the real world we tend to choose solutions that are reasonable or acceptable instead of the optimal one. So it's important to keep these steps in mind when making hard decisions. (LinkedIn) (3). Solution.-Resources can be in the form of tangible resources or human intelligence or environmental factors. Fixed asset are the valuable resources of any organization. Resource can be a stock or supply of money or staff that can be drawn by organization to function effectively. Jack have access to number of resources that could actually turn out to be profitable assets of the business. The land area of 8o hectares is valuable resource to Jack and this could also be utilized in current business of avocados and other utility is that he have real estate option open to go ahead with constructions of residential or office space to sell or lease out. It will give access to funds in abundance. (Business dictionary) Jacks daughter and son possess good business acumen and they understand the current ups and downs of the business very sensibly .The way Jacks daughter Jacqui look at all the factors , their alternatives , cost reduction and decision making skill is very valuable to Jacks business. His son Elias is very creative and have ideas of expanding business in the same products or diversify the product line. Jack being very successful in his venture holds finest reputation and aware of local zones can easily set up his hands in new ventures as well. Goodwill of the Glasshouse avocados is asset for Jack and its good time to reap up the fruits. (4). Solution: In providing solution to the above questions, there has been already good use of strategic model of SWOT analysis where we have discussed and analyzed the strength and weakness of Glasshouse Avocados and also available opportunities and threats. Strong belief is that to have shining future of business, Jack could make the best use of The McKinsey 7-S Framework. This model approaches both internal and external factors and can be used in wide variety of situations. Mckinseys 7 elements are classified into Hard elements and Soft elements. (MindTools) Hard elements are easy to recognize and management have direct influence on them. Soft elements are affected by culture of the organization and perhaps are tough to be identified early. We will look at each element and co-relate it to fit in Jacks business venture. Strategy- It means to have competitive edge over your competitors by selling goods or services that are unique in some or the other way. Glasshouse avocados have ideas to expand business line by selling tube avocados and enabling customers to eat avocados more effectively. (MindTools) Structure- It defines the reporting relationship in the organizations. (MindTools) Glasshouse avocados have plans to add on growers of avocados with them to reduce the overhead costs of small growers and reporting needs to be clear when working professionals grow in numbers. Systems-It defines the processes followed from start till finalization of the product. (MindTools) Glasshouse avocados have set processes and putting them in order with intellectual workers will help in cost saving and thus, profit will increase. Shared Values- It refers to work culture of the organizations and ethics it believes in. (MindTools) From the Errors time, work ethics remained strong and this definitely serves value in the organization. Style- style of leadership in the organization. Glasshouse avocados should have Laissez Faire style of leadership to deal with market conditions. (MindTools) Staff-the human workforce. Glasshouse avocados needs to hire more people if they are with the plan of expanding their business line. People hired must be capable to handle ups and downs of the business and manage the client base. (MindTools) Skill- As marked above, competency of the employees is crucial for the success of the organizations. At Glasshouse avocados, management starting from Errol to his grandson and daughter have tremendous strength to grow their business and hire skilled people to lead Glasshouse avocados. References: Production cost. (n.d). In Investopedia. Retrieved June 1, 2016, Rational decision making model. (n.d.).In Happy-manager. Retrieved June 1, 2016, The Rational Decision Making Model: Steps and Purpose in Organizations. (n.d). In Study. Retrieved June 1, 2016, 6 Steps in the Rational Decision-Making Model. (2015, Sept.10). In Linkedin. Retrieved June 1, 2016, The McKinsey 7-S Framework. (n.d). In Retrieved June 1, 2016, (n.d).In Business dictionary. Retrieved June 1, 2016.