Microsoft Internet Marketing Strategies and Competitive Advantage

Microsoft Internet Marketing Strategies and Competitive Advantage Introduction Internet technology inspired a business and commerce revolution not witnessed before. Once used for military purposes, internet communication nowadays provides an important platform for business to business, and business to customer interaction. Company websites have become primary tools where potential customers source for information on particular corporate products before making the actual purchase.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Microsoft Internet Marketing Strategies and Competitive Advantage specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Besides, websites have become important cost-effective marketing platforms where businesses launch products and display crucial marketing information for the end users (Arnold, J. et al, 2011, p. 56). Despite the unmistakable advantage however, the rise of the internet and other online technologies have led to creation of security loopholes that, when maliciously explo ited, negatively exposes the concerned businesses (Garfinkel Spafford, 2002, p. 48). This discussion will focus on internet technology, marketing and security from the perspective of Microsoft, a leading US software development firm whose products like windows have become a household name. Specifically, the discussion will concentrate on description and evaluation of Microsoft’s website in terms of product information, corporate contact information, tailoring of products for customers based on their taste and provision of customer information at purchase. Additionally, there will be an analysis and evaluation of Microsoft’s privacy and security policies as well as the envisaged corporate response to a security breach. In this regard, there will be special emphasis on a security breach on the company’s website and system sometime on October this year, which caused a scare among customers and prompted a quick reaction from Microsoft’s security team. Furthe rmore, the discussion will tackle the company’s internet marketing strategies and the competitive advantage that its website offers. Finally, there will be recommendations on two tools that the author feels are necessary in the firm to ensure greater security for its customers.Advertising Looking for research paper on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Microsoft Website A corporate website is a business’s online window and a vital gateway to online business success (Catalano Smith, 2000, p. 118). While a â€Å"good† corporate website is relative, web content in any credible website must identify specific problems to which they extend solutions to customers as well as the important goals they help customers attain. Additionally, web content must establish credibility and also present a call to action that nudges the customer to take the next step in buying the product or service. In Microsoftâ⠂¬â„¢s case, the website home page conspicuously displays the tabs linking to product information. Though a bit cluttered, the respective pages provide a somewhat brief explanation of the products under software, business software and hardware and entertainment categories. The approach the company has undertaken in dispensing its product information is understandable given the large portfolio of the products they offer under every category. The layout through the product information arrangement in the pages displays a subtle acknowledgement of the size of the product portfolio hence the efforts to balance the information available. In a nutshell, Microsoft’s website offers precise product information that is necessary and enough to help a potential customer make an informed decision. On a face value, the company’s website has not given any special emphasis on the contact information. The website displays the â€Å"contact us† tab in the traditional way that is c haracteristic of most corporate and private websites. The â€Å"contact us† link however leads to a detailed page that offers e-mail, chat and telephone links through which to reach the company. The above three links further have sub links that easily enable a prospective customer to access the required information with more precision. It is necessary however, to enhance the â€Å"contact us† link on the home page in a way that enhances a â€Å"good† customer service perception.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Microsoft Internet Marketing Strategies and Competitive Advantage specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There is a concerted effort to develop products to the specific needs of customers. Given the dynamic and varying nature of corporate needs, Microsoft’s website has done well in expounding the basic meaning of products, where they suit and where they best fit. One of the stren gths the website displays concerning customization of products for customers is avoidance of blanket statements that tend to lure customers with the belief that the company can sort their software problems â€Å"no matter what they are†. Microsoft’s website lacks an online portal that will enable customers place online orders, perhaps due to the complexity and specificity of the company’s products. It is apparent that the company relies on the contact information â€Å"further assistance† and possibly for provision of customer information on purchase. As a result, there is an acute lack of customer purchase information in the website. Despite the links however, it is a strategic failure for the website not to avail such information even in the most general terms. Microsoft Internet Marketing Strategies and Competitive Advantage Initially, Microsoft’s resources and innovation helped it to enjoy some sort of monopoly status in internet and software d evelopment market. However, the company nowadays is facing stiff completion from counterfeits and other rising companies such as Google and Apple (Boone Kurtz, 2011, p. 175). The company has in place a marketing strategy that places emphasis on internet marketing. Some of the internet strategies include, collaboration with social networking sites especially aimed at promoting its search engine Bing, placing ads in rival search engines and promoting offers through their main website (Beyazitoglu, 2010, p. 98). While the above strategies are likely to pay dividends, they are part of the traditional internet marketing strategies whose effectiveness is likely to face limitation. However, social networking sites are yet to give their full potential in terms of marketing, hence it is a smart strategy which the company needs to improve and concentrate on in order to stay competitive.Advertising Looking for research paper on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to McDaniel Gitman (2008, p. 108), competitive advantage is largely based on a company’s ability to outdo competitors by doing what they do better or by doing it in a completely different way. While Microsoft’s website is up to date, it offers little competitive advantage compared to its rivals. The only competitive advantage perhaps the website provides is the fact that is offers the company’s flagship products like Windows which have almost become a necessity for all computer users. Privacy/ Security Policy and Response to Security Breach In the backdrop of increased corporate espionage, web security has become a top priority in many organizations (Mackey, 2003, p. 78). Microsoft has an elaborate privacy policy that clearly stipulates the kind of information the company collects from the website and what it uses it for. According to the policy, the company clarifies that it collects personal information with a customer’s consent, explains the uses of the personal information, gives information on how to contact it in case of any issue regarding privacy and also highlights on a customer’s choices and options concerning promotional communication from the company. Generally, the policy is comprehensive and addresses most of the concerns an average Microsoft website users would be interested in regarding privacy. It is important to note that Microsoft has one of the most elaborate cyber security systems in the corporate world (Ratliff Ballard, 2006, p. 24). Despite assurance of security of personal information in the website, an attack on the website in October this year cast doubt on the company’s ability to detect and repulse hackers out to siphon information. In the attack, hackers remotely transferred source codes from the Microsoft website by sending passwords to an external e-mail account in Russia. The attack that according to the company lasted for 12 days used the QAZ Trojan malware which gained acce ss to the company system through an employee e-mail. It is possible that Microsoft did not secure their network’s access points effectively exposing their remote access system that resulted in security breakdown. The company’s response to the breach included invitation of FBI Computer Analysis Response Team that examined the company’s PC’s and including a review of network logs whose sole aim was to detect traceable fingerprints of the intruder. Additionally, Microsoft blocked and in some cases limited access of some of its employees to its network outside their office. By this action, Microsoft prevented a return of any hacker to its network. Security Recommendations In light of the above security breach it is important that the company beefs up its virus scanning/protection as well as network access point protection. The above attack may have happened due to a breakdown of virus and access point protection systems. Logging systems also have become some of the most vulnerable security points in any network system (Bhasin, 2003, p. 67). It is also important that the company disables unused ports besides initiating close monitoring of the logging system. Conclusion Given its ability to help businesses slash costs like in the case of Dell, the internet’s potential in business and commerce is yet to reach its epitome. Besides e-commerce, there are still more innovative applications that corporations are yet to exploit. Growing global access to the internet, especially by previously unreached populations especially in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe offer a great marketing opportunity. However, the threat from illegal intrusion is also growing by the day. It is therefore prudent for corporations to invest in secure internet technologies through research and development in order to ensure safe internet transactions, while guarding against data theft. References Arnold, J. et al. (2011). Web Marketing All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies. New York: Springer Verlag. Beyazitoglu, F. (2010). Business Marketing the Case of Microsoft. New York: John Wiley Sons. Bhasin, S. (2003). Web security basics. London: Sage Publications. Boone, L.E. Kurtz, L.D. (2011). Contemporary Marketing. New York: Springer. Catalano, F. Smith, B.E. (2000). Internet marketing for dummies. NJ: Infobase Publishers. Garfinkel, S. Spafford, G. (2002). Web security, privacy and commerce. London: McGraw-Hill. Mackey, D. (2003). Web security: for network and system administrators. New York: Routledge. McDaniel, C. Gitman, L.J. (2008).The Future of Business: The Essentials. London: Cengage Learning. Ratliff, B. Ballard, J. (2006). Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004. Chicago: Cengage Learning.

Business Models Strategy and Innovation

The concept of the business model is basically a structure that supports business viability that includes its goals, purpose and other ongoing plans to achieve them. In simple words, it specifies the description to fulfill an organization's purpose. The business plan is all about elements that are required for demonstrating a prospective business's feasibility, whereas a business model is about demonstrating elements for making the existing business to work successfully. The definition of the business model is described differently by various authors but its common meaning can be defined by two elements – a business system, that can be defined as work systems in form of delivery or production system that are designed by a firm, within its boundaries and beyond for product delivery to target customers. And the next element is profit model, which is a pattern to describe firm’s intention of making profits in existing business. It can include plans to sales increase or/and reducing costs.   It also helps the business to distinguish from other competitors by means of product or price (Verstraete, & Jouison-Laffitte, 2011). Out of the two elements of the business model, the business system is less visible and profit model is more visible. The profit model is observed by outsiders and due to direct linkage to the bottom line of any firm, it is much more glamorous than the business system. However, a business system can be considered as the most significant element in a business model, since it plays two roles – as a system that realizes a firm's differentiation strategic intent which is the real work, and secondly, it accelerates towards future learning processes. During business system design the following things are determined by the firm –the labor division amongst the firm and its partners for trading, internally organizing firm’s in-house system of working and controlling trading activities of partners externally (Weill, Malone, D’Urso, Herman, & Woerner, 2005). The business model as a system works to satisfy needs of customers and tries to do a better job than other competitors. It also enables people working in an organization to explore more about technologies and observe customer's reaction. The business model as a system functions in accordance with learning system while doing the work that involves learning first. It also leaves footprints of the doers while working on any system. It determines two important factors that include maintaining the workflow of in-house and outsourced operations and controlling final delivery options to customers. These factors help the firm to determine ways to learn about market and technology and search for possible partners that are aligned with the firm's goals (Lindgren, 2012). When actual work is done, the flow of various kinds of information takes place and it creates an overall exchange of information from firms to its business partners. As humans are blessed with high thinking and observational po wers, it can directly stimulate by work or action that can be done. This action further provides triggering events and enhances the capacity to form proper strategies for the business system. Also, the business system helps with accumulating information. It is not just dealing with mundane operations to determine operations cost and various products to act as a learning system. It also enables these firms to keep close watch over outside parties like partners and customers and then gains business system's byproducts activity that can quite quickly accommodate and provides growth for improving long-term benefits. Thus, eliminating static problems of any kind. The profit models, on the other hand, has multiple attractions that enable the firming contract to offer lower cost operations that can reduce its operating costs and no longer needs to invest in such work sector (Osterwalder, & Pigneur, 2009). It overall leads to the reduction in capital costs in the firm. If the business model is considered as a system, the doers are accumulators of work related information and approach contract firm that is still learning. The costs can be controlled unless external work can become extra burdens to the firm's business. It integrates together the unbundled and bundled work for carrying out overall operation smoothly, then delivers its final product to customers. This will not become a serious problem if both these bundled, as well as unbundled works, are integrated without creating the transaction costs too expensive. It also means that less learning about work never erodes future growth that has the potential of unbundling firm. The profit model c an override risks that are imposed on the business system due to dynamic problems in firm. There are unexpected environmental conditions that exist in the supplier firms that can change in dramatic ways, and hence threatens the supply lines for destabilizing integration in smooth ways. This significant learning process can produce certain in-house components in a business model that creates a huge innovation towards progressing future market, where a central role is occupied by components to produce new products successfully (Kim, & Min, 2015).   As per the article on the design of business model with a perspective of an activity system, by Raphael Amit and Christoph Zott, it gives a whole new idea about the business model and its various parameters to design its activity systems. The design elements include structure, content, and governance. The element structure describes activities that are linked or in other words have sequences between them that capture their actual importance for a business model. If IBM is considered, during the 90's when a huge financial crisis occurred, the firm was triggered and it forced to switch its peripheral and core activities. Thus shifting the firm's focus from hardware supplier and to become new software service provider. It enabled the firm to rebuild its structure from old known body or core and it helped in becoming one of the greatest service providers in the world. It took those decades but it enhanced its reach and helped them to launch a new range of activities related to IT, consulting, networking and many other services (Dermine, 2013). By the end of the year 2006, almost over half of the revenues generated by IBM amount to ninety billion dollars and it was possible due to investing new technologies or activities that are totally new. The element content is referred to activities selection by the firm that is actually ready to be performed. If an example of retail bank named as Bancolombia is considered, it adopted activities that were designed for offering microcredit to above sixty percent of Colombian citizens who didn't have banking service accesses. The bank adopted training methodologies for top management people to hire new staff and train them. Thus creating and developing new ways to link and expand the existing banking system that includes channels, applications, and platforms (Honohan, 2002). The element governance is referred to people those performing activities. If any franchise is considered, it is relevant to one approach that can work as a key element in value determination in any firm. It's about an adaptation of new business ideas through exploring professional management for creating values that can be added to performance in any business model. The NICE themes for business model design deal with novelty, lock-in activities, complementarities services and efficiency in a model. Novelties are new ways of governance activities, lock-in refers to retaining power by the activity system, and complementarities are the inclusion of value adding services that lead to innovation in a firm and create demand in an actual market (Teece, 2010). The efficiency refers to use of activity system to achieve more output and reducing transaction costs. The essay covers the overall idea regarding the adaptation of business models to run and operate any business firm successfully. Its idea is to understand the concept of business model and its work functioning as an activity system. The elements of business models are discussed in brief along with its focus on handling problems that can arise during business model implementation. The essay also enlightens on partnership and innovation processes along with significant design elements that are necessary for future growths of existing business models. Dermine, J. (2013). Bank Regulations after the Global Financial Crisis: Good Intentions and Unintended Evil.  European Financial Management,  19(4), 658-674. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-036x.2013.12017.x Honohan, P. (2002). Comment on â€Å"Costs of banking system instability: Some empirical evidence†.  Journal Of Banking & Finance,  26(5), 857-860. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0378-4266(01)00271-0 Kim, S., & Min, S. (2015). Business Model Innovation Performance: When does Adding a New Business Model Benefit an Incumbent?.  Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal,  9(1), 34-57. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/sej.1193 Lindgren, P. (2012). Business Model Innovation Leadership: How Do SME’s Strategically Lead Business Model Innovation?.  International Journal Of Business And Management,  7(14). https://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v7n14p53 Osterwalder, A., & Pigneur, Y. (2009). Business Model Generation. Retrieved from https://www.businessmodelsinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Business-Model-Generation-preview-of-the-book.pdf Teece, D. (2010). Business Models, Business Strategy and Innovation.  Long Range Planning,  43. Retrieved from https://www.businessmodelcommunity.com/fs/root/8jig8-businessmodelsbusinessstrategy.pdf Verstraete, T., & Jouison-Laffitte, E. (2011).  A business model for entrepreneurship  (1st ed.). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. Weill, P., Malone, T., D’Urso, V., Herman, G., & Woerner, S. (2005). Do Some Business Models Perform Better than Others?.  Sloan School Of Management Massachusetts Institute Of Technology. Retrieved from https://ccs.mit.edu/papers/pdf/wp226.pdf

Movie analysing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Movie analysing - Essay Example When the archbishop went to get the sacrament to protect it, the soldier fired at the crucifix and the altar instead of letting him in quietly. Such rudeness desecrated the church because the place of worship has become a place of violence. In order to re-claim and re-establish the sacredness of the church, the archbishop has to take over through the power vested upon him as a leader of the church via a peaceful entry back to the church. He has to do this with the help of the churchgoers. Moreover, the word of God should again be preached in the space so that there would be sanctification of the place once again as it becomes a place of security and peace. The troublesome elements must be expelled from the church to thwart further disturbances. When we say that the church is an institution, we mean that it is like any other organized group wherein there are leaders to govern the people and activities of the church as well as rules and regulations to follow. Since the church deals wit h people, there has to be an organized manner to handle the affairs of the church. Moreover, the church necessarily deals with other institutions like political and business establishments therefore there is the need for such organization. In the movie, this feature is seen in the installation of father Romero as the archbishop. This means that the church recognized him as the leader of all the churches in El Salvador and gave him the power to decide about matters concerning the church. Such leadership demands working well with other priests. For instance, after the massacre of the church worshippers at Aguillares, the Salvadoran bishops convened about the statement that was to be made by the church. They had to agree on what they were supposed to do regarding a political matter that has affected the church people, trying to balance their sides in order not to step in other jurisdictions but also making sure that they do their part as a religious group. When they agreed not to make any statement about the killings during masses, they showed how they act similarly with non-religious institutions, making decisions considering other factors that may put the church in danger or question. Such is collegiality. The bishops showed that there is unity among them. Although there were differing opinions about the matter at hand, respect about different ideas was held and everyone’s reaction was taken into consideration. They all voted for what they wanted to do and they carried on what the majority wanted. In this first convention, Romero upheld collegiality in the church as an institution by being open to considerations. However, after the death of his friend, father Grande, the archbishop decided on a single mass at the cathedral which the bishops did not agree with. As usual, there were different opinions from the group. Some opposed Romero’s decision arguing that the action he plans to take will be misinterpreted as a political statement when the churc h’s job was only to preach the gospel. However, Romero said he is not trying to do so. His word was implemented without the agreement of the majority. This showed how the archbishop critiqued the institution. The church is said to be a â€Å"proclaiming people† when it stands for the rights of the people, acting as a voice for the silenced poor. As the leader of the church, the archbishop or any other powerful authority in the church must do the proclaiming. This act should not just be limited

Pepsi vs coca in india case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Pepsi vs coca in india case - Essay Example Coca-Cola reentered India in the early 1990s when the Indian government adopted the policy of liberalization, privatization and globalization. By that time, PepsiCo had already acquired 26 percent of the cola segment. Coca-Cola could not eat into the market share of existing players as the beverage market was in the growth phase. PepsiCo has been actively strengthening its non-cola portfolio in India. The company has diversified into the lemon and orange segment of carbonated drinks and has also launched its brand of juices. PepsiCo garners one-fourth of its revenue from the non-cola segment and is well poised to capitalize on the consumers changing tastes and preferences. One the other hand, Coca-Cola’s flagship brands; Coke and Thums Up are cola drinks. PepsiCo has also launched its Aquafina brand of bottled mineral water in India. The company has captured a significant market share in the bottled water market which is expected to grow steadily in the future. The vast product array of PepsiCo also includes Gatorade, a well established international sports drink brand. The growing health consciousness amongst Indian consumers is likely to help Gatorade gain further traction in the Indian market. The emergence of sports and exercises in the daily regimen of Indian consumers bodes well for PepsiCo. PepsiCo uses appropriate advertising and sales promotion tactics keeping in mind the Indian culture. Sponsorship of cricket and football tournaments and celebrity endorsements has struck the right chord with PepsiCo’s target market in

The Wars by Timothy Findley Essay -- Justifying Wars Timothy Findley E

The Wars by Timothy Findley Justification. Defined as the act of justifying something. To serve as an acceptable reason or excuse for our actions, based on actual or believed information. Throughout the history of not only the modern world, but certainly back to the â€Å"barest essentials of reason† our species have made decisions that have effectively shaped our world into what it is today. Or have not. The judgments made in the past may also have been relatively insignificant to a larger picture, but would still be important in one persons or a group of people’s day-to-day life. Either way, choices made in any way, shape, or form, are based on what the decision maker believes to be true or morally right. Timothy Findley displays the abovementioned opinion-based judgments in the novel The Wars. From the background behind the novel, to the ending scene of the main character being burned to the ground in a flaming barn, many choices are made. Whether large and important or small and insignificant, Mr. Findley asks us as readers and as humans to look into ourselves to uncover the reasoning behind the choices, as well as our own actions and the actions of our leaders. The justification for most of the aforementioned incidents in The Wars can be classified under 3 broad-based ideas: safety, self-interest or the moral/general good. The first of these main ideas brought up in the novel is safety. The time setting of the story starts in 1915, almost a year after the First World War has begun. At the beginning of this war, the first major decision based on the idea of public safety was made: going to war in the first place. Assassination at Sarajevo sparks what would be a catastrophic loss for nations all across the world. This decision that directly affects the main character, Robert Ross, is Britain declaring war on August 5, 1914. This automatically makes Robert’s home country, Canada, at war as well, as they were part of the British Empire. In the past century, public safety has been the main justification for most types of war. But is going to war really safe? The conceived viewpoint of the author, often referring to the battlefield as lifeless and, in essence, counterproductive, says no. 9,000,000 casualties in four years across the world says no. Many attempts at peace by the UN and peacekeeping coun tries such as Canada say no. Yet, world leaders still pos... ...n for his condition after the fire, Robert would have been in prison for his actions. Instead, his almost lifeless body was guarded all day, even though it was stated by doctors that he would never be able to function or be capable or reason again. Or treason again. Second Lieutenant Robert Ross was a tyrant or pioneer. â€Å"Bastard† or â€Å"hero†. This is for us to decide for ourselves. Throughout The Wars, the main character is involved in many decisions, most of which fit under three main ideas or categories of justification: moral/general good, self-interest, and safety. Timothy Findley indirectly asks the readers of his novel to take these ideas into our own lives, and apply them to the decisions we make as a person or as a society. These decisions may be as simple as what type of bread we buy in the morning to more significant, such as who we vote for on Election Day. For any action we take there is always some type of justification or reason for doing what we are doing. It occurs today as it has occurred in centuries before. And surely, as we look into the future, the decisions will remain, only the justifications will differ, based on information we believe or know to be true.

The Listeners by Walter de la Mare and Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley: Poems mystery

The Listeners by Walter de la Mare and Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley both immediately convey a sense of mystery as they are set in the past. Ozymandias revisits the very distant past and The Listeners revisits the past in the lifetime of a single man. Shelley uses the technique of a story within a story to create mystery, where de la Mare uses an account. However they both make use of a lone traveller who visits lonely places to evoke a sense of fear, encouraging you to think about what might have happened in these places and that events could have been very sinister. Both poems have the main focus of an isolated structure: That dwelt in the lone house then Stood listening in the quiet of the moonlight (â€Å"The Listeners†, lines 14 & 15, Walter de la Mare) Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away. (â€Å"Ozymandias†, lines 13 & 14, Percy Bysshe Shelley) The poets inject both of these inanimate structures with a sense of humanity, which furthers the mysterious aura surrounding them. Shelley uses a human description to do this: And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, (â€Å"Ozymandias†, line 5, Percy Bysshe Shelley) Where de la Mare instead uses the spirits of the Listeners to give the house a sense of humanity, as if the house itself is possessed and listening to the traveller: And he felt in his heart their strangeness, Their stillness answering his cry, (â€Å"The Listeners†, lines 21 & 22, Walter de la Mare) Both poets cleverly use imagery to create pictures in our minds. De la Mare uses very detailed and lengthy descriptions, which build mystery and suspense and make you feel as if you are watching the lone traveler: Knocking on the moonlit door; (â€Å"The Listeners†, line 2, Walter de la Mare) This makes you feel very apprehensive. Shelley's descriptions in Ozymandias are more limited and rather abrupt, which I think creates mystery because the reader has to use their imagination to picture events clearly. The poems differ at this point because in The Listeners, de la Mare's setting is full of life, for example he describes trees, turf, grass and a horse. In contrast to Ozymandias, where Shelley uses bleak descriptions of a setting, which indicates an extremely barren and empty expanse. The Listeners hints at the enduring quality of the spirits who dwell in the house. Whereas Ozymandias gives a clear message of the ephemeral nature of the effects of power and pride. The end of each poem has both similarities and differences. Ozymandias has no clear end. There is nothing to sum it up. Shelley has left a gap to use our own imagination. But in The Listeners, de la Mare clearly describes the traveler retreating back to where he had come from. Creating a clear end to the story. The similarities arise at the end of each poem because both the poets use alliteration to describe distance, space and quiet. Shelley manages to create a large expanse of space, distance and emptiness: The lone and level sands stretch far away. (â€Å"Ozymandias†, line 14, Percy Bysshe Shelley) But de la Mare creates a feeling of stillness, quiet and distance with: And how the silence surged softly backwards, When the plunging hoofs were gone. (â€Å"The Listeners†, lines 35 & 36, Walter de la Mare) By using this alliteration right at the end of the poems and the ‘S' sound all the way through, both poets have finished with mystery and quiet foreboding of what might be. I think that both poems are telling a ghost story. They are quite frightening and very mysterious. Out of the two my favourite is the listeners. I prefer this as I think it is a clear story, which made me feel on edge. Where I found Ozymandias too vague and without a clear ending.

How to Remain Calm and Avoid Power Struggles

You know the circumstance all too well, a child disrupts you or the class or doesnt want to adhere to rules, routines or your instructions. You reprimand the child who then becomes defiant and refuses your request outright. Before you know it, youre engaged in a power struggle. In no time you send the student to the office or have somebody from the office come to collect the student. What have you gained? The term for this is Short term relief but long term grief. There are no winners in a power struggle. Do what the great teachers do - avoid power struggles. Unfortunately, the classroom is the place where power struggles can occur on a frequent basis because teachers are always wanting our students to comply with things they would prefer not to do. However, think of your strategy as getting commitment rather than compliance. Here are some of the tricks that will help you to avoid power struggles: Remain Calm, Do Not Become Defiant Dont over-react. You are always modeling appropriate behaviors in all that you do. Do not show your anger or frustration, believe me, I know this can be difficult but it is a must. A power struggle requires 2 people, so you cannot engage. You do not want to escalate the students behavior. Remain calm and composed. Save Face Dont center the student out in front of their peers, this is very important to the child. It is never good to humiliate the child in front of their peers and you wont build positive relationships if you do. When you respond with an Ive had enough of you speaking out, off to the office with you or If you dont stop that, Ill.......... youll gain nothing. These kinds of statements often escalate a situation in a negative way. You need to think of the end result and statements like this in front of the childs peers will make him more confrontational and a power struggle is more likely to occur. Instead, get the rest of the class working to enable you to have a one to one conversation with the disruptive student just outside the classroom door or quietly at the childs desk. Do not engage with anger, frustration, power or anything that may intimidate the student, it is more likely to escalate the disruptive behavior. Try to validate the students need, I can see why you are angry about....b ut if you work with me, well talk about his later...... After all, your goal is to calm the student, so model the calmness. Dis-engage Do not engage the student. When you model confrontation you will naturally end up in a power struggle. Regardless of how stressed you are - dont let it show. Dont engage, after all, the disruptive student is usually seeking attention and if you give the attention, youve given the student a reward for acting negatively. Ignore minor behaviors, if the student is acting in such a way that a response is required, simply use a matter of fact comment (Jade, your comment isnt appropriate, lets talk about it later and carry on. If its more severe: Jade those comments you made surprise me, youre a capable student and can do better. Do you need me to call the office? At least this way, they make the choice. Deflect the Student's Attention Sometimes you can re-focus the student by ignoring what was said and ask if the specific assignment is done or if the student has something that needs finishing. A little later you might have a one to one with the student suggesting that you didnt appreciate the interruption earlier that disrupted the rest of the class but that youre happy to see him/her working productively again. Always re-focus on what matters. Ask the student how the problem can be resolved, make the student part of the solution. Chillax Time Sometimes it is important to allow the child a chilling out time. Quietly ask the child if a quiet time elsewhere is needed. A buddy classroom or study carrel might just be enough. You may wish to tell him to take some chillaxing time and remind him/her that youll talk when theyre feeling up to it. Wait Time Allow some time for the child to calm down before determining what the consequence will be. This helps to de-escalate the anger the child may be feeling. If you can use humor in the de-escalation process, all the better and it will help you out of a power struggle. Remember the golden rule: Up, down and up again. For instance Jade, youve had such a terrific day, Ive been so proud of you. I dont understand why you are choosing not to follow instructions now. Perhaps Ill give you 5 minutes to think about it and youll be that terrific person I know you to be. Up, down, up. Use common sense and know when to be flexible enough to compromise.