Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Servicescape analysis of a function

Servicescape analysis of a function Executive Summary Purpose: The purpose of this report is to critically analyse an establishment’s different servicescape dimensions and to provide an overall assessment of its servicescape. Analyses: The report aims to find out the different servicescape being utilised by the establishment which makes them successful and what’s need to change. The information in this report is collected through literature reviews mostly journal articles and an actual participation in each experience. Overall Assessment: Discussion will provide a value insight and practical knowledge regarding the topic and will provide more qualitative understanding of the findings to help future researchers improve upon the present study. Conclusion: In conclusion The servicescape plays a major part in shaping customers’ perception of the firm’s image and positioning. A service quality is often difficult to assess as customers frequently use the servicescape as an important quality signal. A well designed servicescape makes customers feel good and boosts their satisfaction and allows the firm to influence their behaviour on enhancing the productivity of the service operation. Numerous tactical decisions must be made when designing the organisation’s environment. Individuals based perceptions of the organisation’s services on sensory cues that exist in the organisation’s environment. Specific tactical decisions must be made about the creation and sometimes the avoidance of scent appeals, sight appeals, sound appeals, touch appeals and taste appeals. The design of management of the organisation’s sensory cues are critical to its long term success. The servicescape must be designed with consideration of the impact on each of the five (5) senses. The Saints Brasserie is located at Edensor Road, serving lunches and dinner, Saints offers Australian and French cuisine with spectacular views. Their staffs provide guests with unsurpassed service, sumptuously prepared dishes served in a warm and friendly atmosphere. It can be a favourite destination spot and a great place to enjoy delightful meals, share a cocktail or glass of wine with friends. Their extensive wine cellar offers a wide selection of vintages and elegant food pairing possibilities. With inside seating, guests can enjoy expertly prepared poultry, fresh seafood, and meats all cook to order. For dessert, enjoy fresh fruits, cappuccino, simple chocolate and deep dark espresso or relax under the stars. Introduction The term â€Å"brasserie† is a French word meaning a French restaurant serving singled dishes with a relaxed seating. This gives Saints a French appeal. Saints Brasserie has a simple servicescape. The restaurant is designed to target the average income class and anyone who is looking for great food at affordable prices. Physical Dimension A.1 Signs, symbols artifacts As soon as patrons arrive at St. John’s RSL, they are given immediate directions on where to go. The plentiful amount of signs throughout the establishment show where things are located and how to get around. One of the highlights at Saints is the use of collaterals highlighting the daily specials hanging high up on the wall outside of the entrance for everyone to clearly see. This will gain the attention of patrons and track those who are interested with the special being offered. Patrons also need to first find a table before ordering. However, the signage is so small and unnoticeable which creates confusion and disorganisation to both the cashier and customers especially during their peak hours, which is from 11PM – 1PM and 5PM-8PM. There is a signage that says â€Å"Order here† which clearly shows where to line up for dining in or taking out. Customers can only make one line, but there are two cash counters that speed up the ordering process. Guests are assisted by friendly staffs who have knowledge both the menu and food. Also, outside the entrance is the monitor with the entire menu of the restaurant with every item Saints has to offer. Though occasional, it is poorly chosen as it is in the middle of the line and those who choose to see the menu without waiting in line are not able to as there is no crowding allowed in that hall. Moreover, the menu of Saints is detailed with few visual aids and variety. Included in the menu is their monthly specials. The menu is not cluttered so customers can easily find the desired items. Here is the sample of what Saints has to offer for dinks and food. Both are presented well and taste great. A.2. Space/ Function Saints does an excellent job of transforming the BINGO area into seating and therefore utilises it for more than one purpose. This is made available when the area is not being used for gaming. However, Saints has no separate room for special events and larger party. There are three different types of atmospheres and tables within the restaurant. There is the regular seating, the boost banquet seating which is located along the windows of the bar near the back as well as the bar seating which are raised tables and taller chairs. In every meal, patrons can get a free drink which you have to claim at the RSL’s main bar. The bar is central to seating which is beneficial as it allows customers to have easy access to the bar without going all the way into the restaurant. It is accessible right by the door so if one wanted to just attend the bar then they could do so. However, the restaurant does not offer seating at the bar. That is why instead of the usual bar set-up where TVs are located just above the bar, the television at Saints are located on the right side of the main bar where customers can wait for their orders and drinks. The televisions in Saints are often displaying sports channels, which is very indicative of the Sports bar appeal the restaurant has. Different TVs often shows different sports so customers can choose what is most important to them to watch and focus on that. A.3 Ambient Conditions During the day, there is a non- direct natural light from the windows while the general view of the interior lights provide a warm bright atmosphere. The entire restaurant is very clean with modern styling. There is a lot of available space and is open in concept. For the dinner atmosphere, the lighting is reduced to a more amber special area lighting approach creating a more comfortable atmosphere for customers can feel that they can stay longer. The restaurant music and noise stays at reasonable levels allowing for table conversations. The creative and vibrant lighting at the bar changes further emphasising the nightlife mode. It is suggestive of a fun, upbeat nightclub and a place to let loose and grab a drink with friends. After dinner is over, the lights are reduced further for the bar crowd. Lighting is changed to spotlighting approach for areas that need vision. Reducing the lighting makes people feel less self-conscious and more inclined to dance and drink. The music and people of the night time bar are all of similar age as expected at a RSL. B. Social Dimension Employees at Saints know the responsibilities and are delegated to specific tasks such as clearing and serving food orders. The main bar is spacious enough where bartenders can easily move behind the bar to efficiently make drinks and take orders. However, Saints has its downfalls and unfortunately there are unnoticeable faults that hindered my experience during atleast one of my visits. The first being, keeping the cleaning supplies out of the eyes of the guests especially not putting the dirty rags right beside the clean cutlery. The initial greeting and wait times can take very long and guests never know how long they actually have to wait. Moreover, food orders also take too long to come out. We have waited for more than an hour before it came out. Socially – symbolic Dimension D. Natural Dimension Overall Assessment First impressions are key to a positive experience. Luckily, a solution to each negative influence to the servicescape can easily be made. Overall, Saints has transformed into a bar with a true identity. One that is connected and integrated with its customers with modern sports bar dà ©cor, functional layout with various seating options and a conveniently located bar among other great features. Staffs are friendly, the aromas are enticing and food are delicious. Knowing this, Saints has a solid foundation but does need some direction to really make it a place to be.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Academic Achievement of Children in Single Parent Homes Essay -- Conse

â€Å"Roberta, you will never get into Princeton University!† Said my uncle, who laughed as I exited his car. I never thought I would hear those words come from my â€Å"favorite† uncle. When he told me this, I had many emotions going through my head. At that moment I felt angry with him and myself because at that moment he made me feel like I was nothing. Where was the faith in me and my ability? This man is my uncle, one who is supposed to be my support system. My uncle works for the government as a journalist. He is an extremely intelligent man, but is known for being arrogant and selfish. He tends, to make negative comments regarding my father’s level of education and my mother’s job status. Because he is gainfully employed and has more education than my mother does not make him â€Å"better.† My father hasn't lived in the same household as me since my freshmen year of highschool. This gives my uncle the opportunity state that the absence of my father is the reason why we struggle. He also believes that my brother and I will follow in his footsteps: We will not be successful. This story is important because black women are currently being stereotyped as single parents with children, who do not amount to anything. I chose this story because it demonstrates how family can negatively influence people more than strangers. Being part of this experience challenged me to be a better person. It made me rethink who I am, while simultaneously working to prove my uncle wrong. Completing this project will allow me to hear individual’s stories regarding growing up in single parent households and overcoming struggles despite the odds. The purpose of this study is to find out how living in single parent homes influences the level of success. During... ... Works Cited: Massey, D. S. (2009). The Moynihan Report revisited: lessons and reflections after four decades. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/412839-The-Moynihan-Report-Revisited.pdf Powell, Downey. (Feb., 1993). Do Children in Single-Parent Households Fare Better Living with Same-Sex Parents? http://www.jstor.org/stable/352959 Amato, Stolba. (Aug., 1993 ). Extended Single-Parent Households and Children's Behavior http://www.jstor.org/stable/4121111 Dickerson, B. (1995). African American single mothers: understanding their lives and families. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. Weldon, Michele.14, May 2012. Single mothers, stand proud http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/13/opinion/weldon-single-mothers/index.html Louv, Richard. 4, February 1999. Single-Parent Success Stories. http://sparkaction.org/node/34

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Lost In Translation Vietnam A Combat Advisor’s Story

Lost In Translation: Vietnam: A Combat Advisor's Story is a very well-known book, which was penned down by Martin J. Dockery. The author of the book has presented a very well-documented account of the experiences of a young officer’s which he encountered during the early years of America’s Vietnam War. This is a description of the time when President Kennedy had sent hundreds and thousands of advisors to Vietnam in order to teach the South Vietnamese Army the ways to fight their war. The author has basically presented the history of American military. The book is fairly enjoyable and informative at the same time. The author of the book, that is, Martin J. Dockery was one of the advisors that were sent by President Kennedy to Saigon. Initially he was a very strong-minded, idealistic first lieutenant of the Army of the United States of America. When he arrived at Saigon, Dockery was certain of America’s coming up victory in Vietnam. A vast number of in-country military advisors of the United States of America filled basic support positions in Saigon and other major cities of Vietnam, Dockery was one of the few advisors who had been assigned Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) combat units. Dockery lived with and fought with an ARVN infantry battalion in the Mekong Delta for nearly eight months during which they carried out missions and operations that usually lasted for a number of days. Dockery here was the single American soldier in the entire unit and most of their time was spent traipsing all the way through the sweltering jungle which was infested by leeches, hiking across canals, or getting involved in unexpected firefights. This stay with the ARVN right in the beginning of the American participation in Southeast Asia provided Dockery with a chance to understand Vietnam far more better than any of the other Americans.   Through this book, the author has gained attention towards the chiefly disregarded part of American combat advisors in the war. By the use of sounds, smells and the view of the country as well as its people, Dockery has put forward the image of an army that was not properly trained, was ineffectual, and reluctant to fight for a government, which was perhaps as corrupt as the French colonial empire which it had replaced. But, for Dockery, his seclusion, threat and annoyance were nothing as compared to his emergent certainty that the advisory program was prone to turn out as a disaster. He believed that even though the advisors would work to their best and that too under the most difficult situation, they would not be able to succeed in the war. Basically, through this book the author has tried to tell us about the reasons which were the cause of the American failure in Vietnam. These causes range from the arrogance of the American views of people and culture to the complete misapprehension of the Americans regarding the influence of the dead on a culture. Through this book, the author has depicted the transformation of his preliminary zest and optimism into discontent with the responsibility that was laid down upon him by his government. The experiences of the author are extremely absorbing, but the most insightful experiences are those which he encountered during his encounters with the hosts of Vietnam regarding the cultural differences. His expression of the social values and the traditions of the Vietnamese people are extremely emotional and touching. Book Report As mentioned above, Lost In Translation: Vietnam: A Combat Advisor’s Story by Martin J. Dockery is a very well-known which was written by the author in order to raise awareness regarding the causes of the loss suffered by the Americans in the Vietnam war. Right in the beginning of the book the author writes, â€Å"This book is not a scholarly work or a comprehensive history. There are no footnotes. It is a memoir based primarily on my recollection of events that occurred when I was a combat advisor in Vietnam in 1962-63. It is only my story† (Dockery, Acknowledgements). Clearly this book is just his memoir, but it has raised much awareness and has unfolded the mistakes of the American government and the military. Further on he says, â€Å"next to the birth of my sons, Vietnam has been the defining experience of my life; it has impacted me profoundly. Not a day goes by when I do not think about Vietnam and my experiences there. Even now I recollect with clarity the sounds, smells and vistas of that place and its people. My tour of duty in Vietnam was marked by isolation, frustration and danger. Nevertheless Vietnam transported me. This is primarily an account of my assignment as a combat advisor to a South Vietnamese infantry battalion. It is an old tale from an old war, but I think it is relevant and instructive today† (Dockery, Preface). This opening statement basically clears out the fact that the book was written in order to inform us of the wrong doings of the American military and government, but when we look closely as the statement it shows how much the author, or in that case all the combat advisors had suffered during those trying times. The book begins by the author describing his history. He begins by telling us of his family background. The memoir guides the reader through the life of the author in a very interesting yet morbid manner. Starting by his birth and his family’s background, his education, he moves on to tell us about his military training and then eventually guides the reader to his experience in Vietnam, which include not only his views over the war but also a number of interesting stories and encounters with the people and information about the land itself. Perhaps through this book the author wishes to share the grief and frustration suffered by him as a completely isolated man. This can be seen in a number of places where he constantly mentions his loneliness. In the words of the author, â€Å"I lived and fought with a South Vietnamese infantry unit. Much of the time, I was isolated from the other Americans and was usually the only American soldier with these Vietnamese soldiers. Most field advisors in 1963   Ã‚   had experiences similar to mine. The thousands of U.S. combat troops who came after me had different experiences and faced perhaps greater dangers. They have their own stories, unlike mine† (Dockery, Preface). But, the author also moves on to say that these experiences have had a profound effect on his personality. He believes that he was rather immature when he arrived in South Vietnam, but these experiences, the hardships he faced; even the loneliness helped him build his character and perhaps become a much stronger man. According to the author, â€Å"the cumulative effect of these events was to turn an immature and insecure person into someone capable, confident and caring. That is how I see myself today. We all grow up; the Vietnam War was the period during which I matured. Although my character was tested, I was fortunate and came home a stronger person† (Dockery, Preface). The book has been written by the author in a rather very interesting way, beginning as mentioned earlier from his childhood to his military services and then eventually to his return to USA and then back to Vietnam. The chapters have been given names which give us hints as to what to expect in the chapter. The names of the chapters are: Early Lessons, A volunteer, The participants, In the field, The cement plant, Delta Life, Back to the USA, Reflections, Return to Vietnam. The book has succeeded in presenting the abrupt and invalid of superfluities. The author portrays his aggravation with moral compass to eventually realize self actualization as persistent warrior turn civilian. This book is highly recommendable for anyone interested in policy planning, volunteerism and also for students of Asian American studies. The contents of the book are particularly persuasive for those obligated in the meandering rational, that basic disagreement founds a respected democratic value system. The reader here is given a loose end to think as to why unshakable dishonest civil war settings over and over again prompt this â€Å"Christo-American† reaction. After going through this book, it is hard to believe that anyone actually believed that experienced Vietnamese commanders, a vast number of whom had a very different schema, would take suggestions from a few newly appointed, rather inexperienced Americans. The author has criticized the ways of the Americans in a rather clear and concise manner without any care for anything. In very clear words, the author’s has presented a testimony which provides unavoidable confirmation that the outcomes of the Vietnam war were extremely clear since perhaps the start of 1962, when the troops had arrived there. The result of the war was evident but it went ignored by the higher authorities. The author has put forward the fact that perhaps the U.S. leaders would learn in a decade what the young officer’s at Vietnam learnt in perhaps a year only. The book and its realities are extremely important to go through and should especially be ready by the authorities that send soldiers off to war. The author in the book has openly claimed that for most part of his life, he was not a very caring person. He was never sensitive and could never understand the feelings of others, not even his mother, sisters or family. But after all that he saw in the Vietnam war, his heart started realizing and feeling these things. In the words of the author, â€Å"the letters I wrote to my parents from Vietnam were devoid of hardship, danger and combat. They touched on politics, weather, food, geography and religion. I was learning to be sensitive, incrementally. Still am† (Dockery, p.6). The book has a morbid outlook all the way through, for it is the tale of a man who has suffered a lot. It should be read by those who wish to join the military services for they have the right to know just what they might face during war. The realities and truths within these pages are to be read by all. Especially those who believe in the righteousness of the American military to know just how wrong their actions were. Every combat advisor at war has his own distinctive incidents and Martin Dockery provides us with something very readable and worth turning pages for. He explains that when they arrived at Saigon, both of the troops (the American and the South Vietnamese) were completely different from each other. They had difference cultures, religions, philosophies, educational backgrounds, traditions etc. What was worst was the difference between their languages which was the basic cause of an umber of misunderstandings and conflicts, which basically shows why he named the book ‘Lost in Translation’. As he was completely isolated, his qualities started being brought up in him. His service ended when he had ended up with malaria, hepatitis, dysentery, skin fungus and worms. The books takes us from his birth in White Plains, NY, to his education, the Vietnam experience as well as his service in the American army’s â€Å"Old Guard†. It is full of interesting stories from which we derive much morals and realize just how wrong the American military was during the Vietnam war. Conclusion In the light of the above discussion, we can hereby culminate that Lost In Translation Vietnam A Combat Advisor's Story, is a very well-known book which has been written by Martin J. Dockery. Martin J. Dockery was one of the vast numbers of combat advisors that were sent by President Kennedy to South Vietnam in order to teach them how to fight. The book is basically the author’s personal tale and he has written this in order to show just where the American military went wrong and faced disaster at Vietnam. He believes that most of the wrong doings were the attitudes of the Americans towards others, their arrogance etc. The book is a must read for all and it presents us with information about the sufferings of the combat advisors who had long before predicted that the American would face disaster but the higher authorities had ignored their warnings. Anyone who believes that the military is out to work for our best or that they would win the hearts of many must read this book to see what the military made these innocent people go   through. The outlook of the book is very morbid but that is because of the baseline of the book. It begins form his childhood and then guides the reader through his entire life including his education, military training, the Vietnam experience, then coming back to USA and then going back to Vietnam. The book is full of interesting stories and can be read by all especially the students of history. Works Cited Dockery, Martin. Lost In Translation: Vietnam: A Combat Advisor's Story. United States of America. Presidio Press. ISBN-10: 0891418512   

Friday, January 3, 2020

Why Jewish People Sought Refuge Overseas - 877 Words

As the saying goes, history tends to repeat itself. In Europe during the 1930s and1940s Jewish Europeans were treated as second class citizens, striped of their rights, and tragically murdered by the masses. Today if someone were to take a look back there would be no question as to why Jewish people sought refuge overseas. Today a very similar situation presents itself in the Middle East. Thousands of Syrians are seeking refuge in neighboring countries and overseas. History may never see such horrible events take place like those of the holocaust, but today tens of thousands of innocent people are being killed in Syria, and thousands more are fleeing the country to seek refuge. Here in present day America, just like decades ago, there exists a racism, a racism that won’t be openly admitted by most but nevertheless, it lives. It’s alive in movies, on social media, and in the news. We see it every day, in the labeling of Muslim refugees as possible terrorist threats or economic baggage that is somehow draining the pockets of the tax payers. The unfair, biased labeling of these refugees is really clouding the vision of many American citizens. In the wake of the recent shootings that have taken place, the news has now gone into a frenzy, uttering absurd misleading statements that any Muslim can become radicalized and therefore can be considered a threat. Even Presidential Candidate Donald J. Trump had audacity to get on public television and call for a, â€Å"complete ban of allShow MoreRelatedHis171 Part 7, E3 Eznotes5586 Words   |  23 Pagesdepletion of the ozone layer.* 8. By 1900, the nation that controlled the majority of the worlds trade and finances was a. Germany. b. Great Britain.* c. Russia. d. the United States. e. Japan. 9. The increase in the number of Europeans living overseas was largely due to a. a drop in the death rate.* b. epidemic disease in Europe. c. famine and starvation. d. plague spreading in Europe. e. the abolition of serfdom in Russia. 10. Which of the following is not characteristic of nineteenth-centuryRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesperiod from the 1870s is included in a long twentieth century (and perhaps even if it is not), migration served as a mode of escape from oppression and poverty and, in many instances, as an avenue toward advancement for an unprecedented number of people that soared well into the hundreds of millions by century’s end. But for a clear majority of these migrants, movement was coerced by flight from war and oppression or was enticed by labor recruiters who preyed on the desperately poor. The prospects