Broad-Based Blac Economic Empowerment - 996 Words

Broad-Based Black economic empowerment (BBBEE) is a program exercised in the South African business structure whereby formerly disadvantaged racial groups are given economic opportunities that were not previously available to them, in an attempt to rectify the inequalities of the past. The goal of Broad-Based Empowerment is to distribute wealth across as broad a spectrum of previously disadvantaged South African society as possible. The aim of this article is to discuss the ethical consequences of BBBEE and other affirmative action tools implemented by the South African Government, and the role of these measures in the present and future workplace. Stakeholder Theory Stakeholder theory states that managers within a company have a moral duty beyond merely maximizing profits and not involving potential role players (Beauchamp 2009). It says that a manager has ethical obligations to help all stakeholders within a company as well as external stakeholders. These stakeholders include company employees, customers, investors and the society in which the company is situated. Managers have to make decisions in such a way that they don’t do anything illegal or morally frowned upon by society. The manager has to act on behalf of, and in the interest of both the companys shareholders and stakeholders. These actions need to be followed through regardless of whether or not the long term results benefit the companys shareholders – they should benefit all their stakeholders. Other

Succubus on Top CHAPTER 3 Free Essays

â€Å"You’re such a dork, Doug!† â€Å"Fuck, that hurt!† Doug Sato, the other dysfunctional assistant manager here and one of the most entertaining mortals I knew, pulled off the rubber mask he’d been wearing, revealing the beautiful features he’d inherited from his Japanese ancestors. He rubbed his forehead, giving me a wounded scowl. Upon closer inspection, I saw that the mask was not that of a demon but rather Darth Maul from The Phantom Menace. We will write a custom essay sample on Succubus on Top CHAPTER 3 or any similar topic only for you Order Now I should have known. No self-respecting demon would have had that many horns. â€Å"What are you doing?† I leaned down to pick up my scattered belongings. â€Å"Halloween was, like, a week ago.† â€Å"Yeah, I know. Everything’s on sale. I got this for three dollars.† â€Å"You got ripped off.† â€Å"Boy, you’re one to nag, Miss I-Show-Up-When-I-Feel-Like-It. You’re lucky it’s just me here.† â€Å"Why are you here?† Doug and I held the same position. On days when we overlapped, we usually worked different shifts, not identical ones. It was for the best. We usually distracted each other enough to accomplish the work of one person. Sometimes less. He grabbed the back of the rolling desk chair and impressively flipped his body into it, the impact of which caused the chair to roll half-way across the office. â€Å"Paige called me in. She’s sick.† Paige, our manager, was about six months pregnant. â€Å"Is she okay?† â€Å"Dunno. If she gets better, she’ll come in later.† He spun around the room a few times, then rolled up to the desk and beat out a fast rhythm on it with his hands. I presumed the cadence was from one of his band’s songs. â€Å"Jesus, you’re wound up today. You get lucky last night?† â€Å"I get lucky every night, Kincaid.† â€Å"Whatever. Your demon mask was more believable than that.† â€Å"Okay, maybe I’m not getting lucky every night right now, but that’s going to change. The group’s getting fucking amazing.† â€Å"I’ve always thought you guys were fucking amazing,† I stated loyally. Doug shook his head, dark eyes almost feverishly bright. â€Å"Oh no. You can’t even believe it now. We got this new drummer, and suddenly†¦it’s just like, I don’t know†¦we’re doing things we’ve never done before.† I frowned. â€Å"Because of one drummer?† â€Å"No, I mean, it’s all of us. He’s just one of the good things that’s happened. It’s like†¦everything’s just clicking into place. You ever have days like that? When everything is perfect? Well, we’re having weeks like that. Songs. Gigs. Style.† His enthusiasm was palpable, and it made me smile. â€Å"We’re even playing the Verona.† â€Å"Seriously?† â€Å"Yup.† â€Å"That’s a major venue. I mean, it’s not like the Tacoma Dome or anything, but then, they wouldn’t let you play there anyway if you didn’t have a monster truck worked into the act.† He spun the chair around again. â€Å"You should come see it. A bunch of the other staff is. It’ll be the greatest night of your life.† â€Å"I don’t know. I’ve had a lot of great nights.† â€Å"Second best then. Unless you’re thinking of joining my groupies. I’d let you be their leader, you know. You could always have first dibs on me.† I rolled my eyes, then turned pensive as the sex jokes reminded me of my recent Seth issues. â€Å"Hey Doug, do you think men and women can date without having sex?† He had been tipping way back in the chair and suddenly snapped forward. â€Å"Oh my God. You are thinking of joining the groupies.† â€Å"I’m serious. Two people dating without sex. Fact or fantasy?† â€Å"Okay, okay. For how long? A week?† â€Å"No. Like, months.† â€Å"Are they Amish?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"Are they ugly?† â€Å"Er, no.† â€Å"No.† â€Å"No what?† â€Å"No, they can’t do it. Not in this day and age. Why do you want to know?† â€Å"No reason.† He cut me an arch look. â€Å"Of course not.† He didn’t know about Seth and me, but he did know me. Our phone’s intercom came to life just then, asking for backup on the registers. â€Å"Paper rock scissors?† Doug asked, spinning the chair around again. â€Å"Nah, I’ll go. I should make up for my tardiness. Besides, I think you need to come down from your caffeine high. Or your megalomania high. Not sure which.† He flashed me a grin and turned to the paused game of Tetris on our shared computer. Truthfully, I didn’t mind going out anyway. I worked for the fun of it, not the money. Immortality was long, and vocation and daily work sort of regulated human existence, even if I wasn’t technically human anymore. It just felt right to be doing something, and unlike so many other unfortunate souls in this world, I actually liked what I did for a living. I checked in on Seth a few times as I worked throughout the day, drank a lot of white-chocolate mochas, and dealt with what was becoming a heavy flow of business as the holiday season grew ever closer. At one point, I finally did have to pull Doug out with me. I found him in our office, still playingTetris. I opened my mouth to make a joke about his work ethic and then caught sight of the computer screen. He played Tetris on a regular basis, so I was familiar with the game and his prowess, but what I saw now blew my mind. His score was the highest I’d ever seen, and he was at such an advanced level now that the pieces zoomed down the screen. I couldn’t follow them. Yet, he caught and placed them all, never missing a beat. â€Å"My God,† I muttered. There was no way his hands and reflexes could be responding like that. The computer would probably implode at any moment. â€Å"I guess everything really is clicking into place for you lately. â€Å" He laughed, either at my pun or my astonishment. â€Å"Need me out there?† â€Å"Yeah†¦though it seems so wasteful now compared to this†¦mastery. Like interrupting Michelangelo.† Doug shrugged obligingly, shut down the game, and followed me out. I think the computer was relieved. He and I worked together cheerfully for the rest of my shift. His good mood over the band’s success kept him chipper and lively, making the day fly by. When it was time for me to go, I offered to close for him since he’d had to come in unexpectedly early. He waved me off. â€Å"Forget about it. Go do something fun tonight.† As I was leaving the store, I passed a rack of magazines and saw a copy of the latest issue of American Mystery. In big letters, one of the headlines read: Cady and O’Neill Return! Seth Mortensen gives us an exclusive novella. Eek. What a bad girlfriend I was. Seth had told me about this story’s upcoming appearance, and I’d completely forgotten about it. It had just come out yesterday. Apparently being with him regularly was distracting me from his art. Before the publication of his last novel, I’d literally marked off days on my calendar until its release. Longing washed over me, but I knew I couldn’t read this story tonight. Bastien had left me a cell phone message saying he’d stop by my place later, and I had a feeling he’d distract me for most of the evening. Tomorrow, I promised myself. I’d read the story tomorrow. I’d just settled in back home when Bastien showed up bearing Thai food. â€Å"How was the literary world today?† he asked as we had a picnic on my living room floor. Aubrey watched sharply from a discreet distance, her eyes fixed covetously on a container of green curry. Pad Thai did nothing for her. â€Å"Weird,† I reflected, recalling sleeping in late, Doug’s behavior, and the frenetic pace of early holiday shopping. â€Å"Yours?† It was clear from his expression he’d been dying to tell me this from the moment he’d cleared my door. â€Å"Fantastic. I moved into the house today. You should see the neighborhood. It’s the American Dream and then some. Big appliances. Manicured lawns. Three-car garages.† â€Å"Three cars? Do you even have a car?† â€Å"Sure do. Company car.† â€Å"Hmphf. No one ever gave me a company car.† â€Å"That’s because you aren’t on the verge of the Seduction of the Century. I even met her already.† â€Å"Dana?† â€Å"First day, and she comes to me! Can you believe it? It’s like I don’t even have to do anything. This operation just runs itself. I am its tool. Its plaything even – or rather, Dana’s plaything.† â€Å"I don’t know about that,† I noted dryly, â€Å"unless you’re going to add that she jumped on you and ripped your clothes off today too.† â€Å"Well, no. She actually just came by to welcome me to the neighborhood. But, she did also invite me to a party she’s hosting. ‘A Barbecue in November.’ Charming, huh?† â€Å"Adorable. Nothing I love better than eating hot dogs in the cold.† He elbowed me. â€Å"It’s a theme, Fleur . It’s fun. And it’s all indoors. You know, you’re turning into a regular cynic lately.† â€Å"Not cynical. Just still skeptical of this whole thing. It seems overly elaborate for what it is. A lot of work for one lay.† â€Å"One lay?† He tsked me and shook his head. â€Å"Let me see your laptop.† I retrieved it from my bedroom and returned to find Aubrey licking the edges of my plate. I shooed her away and handed Bastien the computer. A few quick clicks, and he soon had the Committee for the Preservation of Family Values’ website open. Dana’s organization. Most of her radio broadcasts were archived and available for download. He picked one, and we finished the rest of our meal to the sound of her rich, melodic voice. The first broadcast concerned homosexuality. The CPFV maintained an appearance of sugarcoated goodness, a desire to help people and improve American life. Consequently, because being openly racist or sexist was not good for one’s image anymore, the organization only espoused views slanted in those directions in subtle ways. Blatantly condemning homosexuality, however, was not entirely taboo yet – unfortunately – and the bulk of this broadcast involved Dana oozing on about the importance of â€Å"helping† those people to understand the true way both nature and God intended love to be. Toleration of such misguided lifestyles, she claimed, would lead to a breakdown in our families. The children. For God’s sake, think of the children. Her next broadcast damned the abominable state of today’s clothing. School uniforms and fashion censoring were the only ways to go. How could we expect young girls to grow up with any self-respect when they walked around dressed like sluts? It led to sexual acts they weren’t ready for, not to mention instilling in them the idea that their value came from appearance, not character. I thought of the lacy purple thong I wore under my jeans just then. What was wrong with character and sex appeal? The third one we listened to concerned the futility of teaching teenagers about safe sex and contraception. Abstinence training was the way to go. Keep them in pure ignorance. End of story. â€Å"Enough,† I said at that point. Her shallow, prejudiced values cloaked in so-called love and kindness unsettled the food in my stomach. Bastien grinned. â€Å"Still think it’s just one lay?† I stretched back on my carpet, resting my feet on his lap. He massaged them for me. â€Å"I hate hypocrites, good or evil. Doesn’t matter what they’re touting.† â€Å"You should hear some of her background, some of the past issues she’s advocated for with her group. Lovely stuff there – I researched her all day. I can pull it up for you. â€Å" I held up a hand. â€Å"No, please. I believe you. The bitch must fall, okay? If I had a sword, I’d tap your shoulders and send you off with my blessings.† He lay down beside me. â€Å"Well, why don’t you take a front-row seat then? Come to the party with me. I’m sure no one would mind if Mitch brought his sister.† â€Å"Party on the Eastside? My blessing only goes so far.† â€Å"Oh, come on. Admit it. You have a perverse desire to meet her in the flesh. Besides, it’s been a while since you’ve seen me in action. You might pick up on a few things. Get some pointers.† Laughing, I rolled over on my side to better study him. â€Å"Like I need pointers from you.† He rolled to his side as well, smirking. â€Å"Yeah? Then prove it. Let’s go out tonight. Let’s go hunting.† My smile diminished. â€Å"What?† â€Å"Just like the old days. We’ll find some club, work up a sweat, then tag respective fixes for the night.† Bittersweet memories flashed into my brain, recalling the French cabarets of the nineteenth century. Bastien and I would go out in fine form, separate, and meet back in the morning to laugh and brag about our conquests. The game no longer held much appeal. â€Å"I don’t do that anymore. I told you that.† â€Å"Yeah, but you’ve still got to survive.† â€Å"I am surviving. I got a fix just a couple days ago. I’m set for a while. â€Å" Bastien scowled. â€Å"A few days ago? Bleh. This writer guy’s making you boring. â€Å" â€Å"Hey, it has nothing to do with him. It’s my choice.† â€Å"Sure.† â€Å"What’s with the tone?† â€Å"Not sure. I mean, I thought the whole writer-dating thing was amusing at first – even if he seems kind of dull and will probably only end up causing you pain. But now I’m starting to think it’s indicative of a larger issue with you. I mean, there’s the whole nice guy hang-up to begin with. Then you’re, what? An assistant manager at a bookstore? Not to mention the fact that you have a cat.† Aubrey glared, and so did I. â€Å"There’s nothing wrong with having a cat. And Seth isn’t dull.† â€Å"I suppose you’d know better. He just didn’t really strike me as much, that’s all. If you wanted to obsess about a mortal, I could find you a better one.† â€Å"I don’t want a better one. I mean, there is no better one. I want him.† â€Å"Suit yourself. You’re just becoming ordinary, that’s all. You used to be extraordinary.† â€Å"Ouch. All this because I won’t go out with you tonight?† Bastien shrugged. â€Å"Okay then. We’ll go. But no victim for me.† â€Å"Fair enough.† We went down to a club in Pioneer Square, both of us groomed to the kind of sexy, beautiful perfection that only an incubus and a succubus could achieve. I had pulled my hair up in messy, sex-kitten glory and wore a baby blue tank top with a V-neck that almost went to my belly button. The opening was covered in very sheer lace and made wearing a bra utterly pointless. So I didn’t. The tension between us evaporated as we hit the dance floor. The rhythm pulsed through me, the movement and sweat intoxicating. Bastien and I danced together for a while, both of us aware of the admirers we drew, even in a packed room like this. Physical attraction was about so much more than just superficial appearance. It was about eye contact, outgoingness, and movement too. Incubi and succubi learn this early on, and the good ones move with a grace few mortals can match. I, who had danced well before becoming a succubus, knew I was among the best when it came to body language. Watching us was irresistible. A turn-on in itself. After a while, we split up. The results of the succubus game distressed me sometimes, but the game itself was fun. Very fun. I moved from partner to partner, thriving on the effect I created, on the desire I could see mounting in those whose bodies mine toyed with. It was why, despite my frequent bitching, I had given up my mortal soul for this vocation. I confess, that the thought of going home with someone grew tantalizing, my body warming to the idea of someone’s hands upon me, but then I thought about Seth and his determined adherence to the arrangement we’d entered into. No. No superfluous victims for me tonight. I could be good. I wanted to be good. I’d wait until I actually needed a recharge. From across the room, Bastien inclined his head to me when he left the club, his arm around a small, entranced blonde. When he turned, I noticed a brunette in his other arm. Overachiever. It was two in the morning when I finally made it home. I woke aching and tired the next day, the weather making me feel worse. Rain formed a steady gray curtain as I walked to work. Everything seemed colder. I had been raised in a warm Mediterranean climate; I could never quite accept these kinds of temperatures. When I showed up at the bookstore, it had once again opened without me. Oddly, though, despite exactly the same staff working today, I didn’t get the same boisterous greetings as yesterday. Casey and Janice, on the registers, paused in their work to watch me walk in, their expressions enigmatic. Janice leaned over, murmuring something in the other woman’s ear. When they noticed my curious look, they both forced smiles. â€Å"Hey, Georgina.† â€Å"Hey,† I responded, puzzled and slightly uncomfortable. Passing by the information desk a moment later, I found Beth regarding me with an equally peculiar look. â€Å"How’s it going?† I asked when she didn’t say anything. â€Å"Fine.† She hastily turned to the computer screen in front of her. Now, I’d been subjected to my share of strange looks upon coming into work before, but this was weird even for me. Sometimes, after being with a lover, their absorbed life energy gave me a glamour that unconsciously attracted mortals. It was the same glow that Hugh had teased me about during poker. That was not to blame now, however. My last fix, as I’d told Bastien, had occurred a few days ago. The glow would have weakened by now. Besides, I know entranced looks when I saw them. These were not it. These were curious, what-is-she-doing looks. The kind of looks you get when you have food on your face or a missing button. The likelihood of either of those seemed low, but I ducked into the restroom anyway, just to check. Nope. Flawless. A long denim skirt and a navy, off-the-shoulder sweater. Both smooth and perfect. Makeup in place. Unbound hair hanging to the bottom of my shoulder blades. A typical look for me. Nothing to warrant this attention. Assuming I was reading too much into things, I continued on to thecafe,getting a friendly nod from Seth as he worked in his corner. At least he was behaving normally. A new barista bustled at the espresso bar, and she nearly dropped the cups she held upon seeing me. â€Å"H-hi,† she stammered out, wide-eyed, looking me over from head-to-toe. â€Å"Hi,† I returned. This woman didn’t even know me. Why was she acting weirdly too? â€Å"Medium white-chocolate mocha.† It took her a moment to churn into action, writing my order on a cup. As she rang it up at the register, she asked curiously, â€Å"You’re Georgina, right?† â€Å"Um, yeah. Why?† â€Å"Just heard of you, that’s all.† She looked back down. She said no more to me after that, simply making and handing me the mocha. Taking it, I walked over to Seth and sat across from him. The barista continued watching us with interest, though she immediately turned away upon catching my eye. â€Å"Hey,† Seth greeted me, eyes and fingers busy. â€Å"Hey,† I returned. â€Å"Everyone’s acting really weird today.† He glanced up. â€Å"Are they?† I immediately recognized the thrall he fell into when his writing seized him. He became even more distracted and scattered than usual under such conditions. A succubus should be so lucky to have that kind of effect on a man. â€Å"Yeah. Have you noticed anything? I feel like people are staring at me.† He shook his head, stifling a yawn before returning to typing. â€Å"Things seem the same to me. I like your sweater. Maybe it’s that.† â€Å"Maybe,† I conceded, slightly mollified by the compliment, even if I didn’t believe it. Not wanting to distract him further, I stood up and stretched. â€Å"I should get back to work.† Glancing over at the espresso bar, I noticed Andy, one of the cashiers, buying coffee. â€Å"There!† I hissed to Seth. â€Å"Did you see that?† â€Å"See what?† â€Å"Andy just smirked.† â€Å"No he didn’t.† â€Å"He did. I swear it.† When I went downstairs, back to the main part of the store, I passed Warren. Mid-fifties and strikingly handsome, the store’s morally questionable owner had once been a regular for me before I’d promised Jerome I’d go back to seducing good men. Warren and I had not had sex in some time. Considering my current regiment of decent souls, I kind of missed having an occasional guilt-free one. â€Å"Hello, Georgina.† I was relieved to see he at least didn’t give me any of those gaping looks. â€Å"Been up talking to Mortensen, I presume?† â€Å"Yes,† I agreed, wondering if I was going to be chastised for not getting to work right away. â€Å"Pity you had to take the stairs. We do have an elevator, you know. â€Å" Now I stared open-mouthed. Of course we had an elevator. It was key operated, there for handicapped customers and shipment transport, and was almost never used otherwise. â€Å"Yes. I know that.† Warren winked at me and continued on his way upstairs. â€Å"Just making sure.† Shaking my head, I went back to the main floor and took over a register, giving Andy his lunch break. Janice and Casey remained stiff with me at first, eventually warming somewhat as time progressed. Other staff, moving in and out around me, continued to give me wondering looks, occasionally whispering to each other when they thought I wouldn’t notice. When Seth passed by at one point to tell me he had to run errands but would see me later, I thought Beth – dropping off a book – might pass out. â€Å"All right,† I exclaimed once Seth was gone, â€Å"what’s going on here?† Casey, Beth, and Janice all turned sheepish. â€Å"Nothing, Georgina, honest.† Beth gave me what was apparently supposed to be a winning smile. The others remained silent, faces perfectly innocent, nigh angelic. I didn’t believe any of it, of course. Something weird was going on. Weirder than usual. I needed answers, and there was only one person in the store candid enough to give them to me. Shutting down my register, I stormed back to my office where Doug sat occupied by the computer. Bursting in, I opened my mouth, ready to rant and rave. He jumped about two feet in the air at my sudden arrival, reflexes kicking in with astonishing speed so as not to slosh coffee from the cup he had just raised to his lips. There was a funny look on his face, almost like guilt. No doubt another Tetris game was in progress. But it wasn’t that that delayed my tirade. A strange feeling was creeping along my flesh – a feeling that brushed my immortal senses, rather than the usual five that accompanied a human body. It felt weird, almost uncomfortable. Like nails raking down a chalkboard. Nothing I could identify or had even ever felt before. I looked around the room, half-expecting to find another immortal lurking, even though that strange sensation didn’t quite touch me like the signature I’d usually feel off of an individual. Doug drank from the cup and then set it down, watching me with bemused calmness. â€Å"Something I can help you with, Kincaid?† Blinking, I gave the office another once-over and then shook my head. The feeling disappeared. What the hell? I could have blamed it on stress-induced imagination, but after over a millennium of succubus life, I doubted my immortal senses would start falling prey to hallucinations now. And yet the only thing in here that could possibly be construed as supernatural or divine was Doug’s Tetris mastery. That, I thought wryly, had more to do with hours of skirting work than any sort of magic. Remembering my righteous fury, I pushed aside that momentary weirdness and ratcheted my anger back up to the other weirdness in my life. â€Å"What the fuck is going on?† I exclaimed, slamming the door. â€Å"My sweet Tetriss kills?† â€Å"No! With everyone! Why is everyone treating me so strangely today? They keep staring at me like I’m a freak or something.† Doug’s expression stayed baffled, and then I saw understanding flood his face. â€Å"Ah. That. You really don’t know?† I could have grabbed his neck and shook him. â€Å"Of course I don’t know! What’s going on?† Casually, he moved some papers around on the desk and lifted up a copy of American Mystery. â€Å"You read Seth’s story yet?† â€Å"I haven’t had time.† He tossed me the magazine. â€Å"Do it. Go take your dinner break somewhere – not here – and read. I won’t leave until you get back.† Looking at the time, I realized his shift was nearly over. â€Å"But what’s that got to do with – â€Å" He held up a hand to silence me. â€Å"Just read it. Now.† Scowling, I took the magazine and left the store, settling myself at one of my favoritecafesdown the street. With clam chowder secured, I turned to the first page, wondering what in the world Doug expected me to find. As Seth had explained a few weeks ago, the story was more of a self-contained mystery, dealing little with the overarching psychology and development of his characters. Cady and O’Neill worked for a fictitious institute based out of Washington, D.C., one that researched and secured archaeological and artistic relics. Thus, the two often found themselves liberating art from international thieves or uncovering mysterious code on a piece of pottery. In traditionally gendered styles, Bryant O’Neill worked as a sort of field agent, doing most of the physical work, getting into a lot of fist-fights and whatnot. Demure Nina Cady focused on the research, often staying up late to unravel some key piece of evidence in an ancient text. This particular story contained a lot of those same elements, but like always, Seth’s beautiful writing and quick, witty dialogue kept the material captivating. In another trend consistent with his characters’ behavior, O’Neill almost always got involved with some beautiful woman, though Seth’s last book had turned this pattern on its head, letting Cady finally see some action. The story I read today fell into old ways, and O’Neill, in his ever suave manner, made the moves on a stunning museum curator: Genevieve sauntered through the halls, a queen among subjects, surveying people and displays with both calculation and command. With those green-flecked hazel eyes, she put him in mind of a cat sizing up its next meal. He felt exactly like prey as she paused in front of him, favoring him with a languid look that oozed over his body, her tongue lightly moistening bee-stung lips. Oh God, to be a mouse, he thought. â€Å"Mr. O’Neill,† she purred, brushing a lock of that shining hair away from her face. Faint streaks of honey laced those pale brown strands, like gold veins in ore. He wanted to bury his face in it. He wanted to taste it. â€Å"You’re late.† Despite nearly a foot separating their heights, he felt like the underling here, like he should do penance for his tardiness and kneel in her presence. Not that he would mind that so much, he decided, trying not to stare at the way her dress’s thin material molded itself to her hips and full breasts. Those breasts, he decided, were perfect. Definitely impressive in size, but not grotesquely out of control. And their shape†¦ah, even a master sculptor could never have duplicated those exquisite curves†¦ Realizing she expected a response, he filed his base thoughts away under L for Later and gave her an unruffled smile. â€Å"My apologies.† Now probably wasn’t the time to mention the attack back at his hotel. â€Å"But I never rush anything. At least not when a woman’s involved. â€Å" With that being only the mildest of the suggestive dialogue, I wasn’t surprised when things escalated between them near the end of the story. After all, I thought dryly, it wouldn’t be a true Cady and O’Neill experience if someone didn’t score. And man, did he score. The feline comparisons were right on because Genevieve was a cat in heat. She ended up tying O’Neill up in an elevator, performing an array of kinky acts on him that made even me raise an eyebrow. I was surprised American Mystery hadn’t edited them out, though I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t sort of a turn-on to realize such sordidness had come from mild, complacent – Elevator? We do have an elevator, you know, Warren had told me. Light brown hair. Hazel-green eyes. Petite. Nice breasts. â€Å"Ahh!† I cried, dropping the magazine as if it might bite me. It landed next to my now-empty bowl, and a passing waitress gave me a startled look. Hastily leaving a wad of cash on the table, I grabbed my coat and purse and sprinted back to the bookstore. Doug was still playing Tetris in our office, but I was too upset to speculate much on what was again an amazing performance. All those looks. The whispers and smirks. It all made sense now. â€Å"They think it’s me!† I told him, making him jump for the second time that day.† Genevieve. They all think I’m some sort of horny, rope-wielding, elevator-fetish dominatrix!† Doug raised an eyebrow. â€Å"You mean you aren’t?† How to cite Succubus on Top CHAPTER 3, Essay examples

Sunbeam Essay Example

Sunbeam Essay In 1897 John K. Stewart and Thomas Clark incorporated their Chicago Flexible Shaft Company, which made horse trimming and sheep shearing machinery. [4] In 1910 the company produced its first Sunbeam branded household appliance, the Princess Electric Iron. The company did not officially change its name to Sunbeam until 1946. [5] In 1928, the companys head designer, Swedish immigrant Ivar Jepson, invented the Mixmaster mixer. Introduced in 1930, it was the first mechanical mixer with two detachable beaters whose blades interlocked. [6] The Mixmaster became the companys flagship product for the next forty years, but the brand also became known for the designs, mainly by Robert Davol Budlong, of electric toasters, coffee makers, and electric shavers, among other appliances. [edit] Purchases and acquisitions Sunbeam bought out the Rain King Sprinkler Company and produced one of the most popular lawn sprinkler lines of the 1950s and 1960s. Meanwhile, Sunbeam continued to expand outside of Chicago. By the end of the 1970s, as the leading American manufacturer of small appliances, Sunbeam enjoyed about $1. 3 billion in annual sales and employed nearly 30,000 people worldwide. The John Oster Manufacturing Company was acquired in 1980 by Sunbeam Corporation. In 1981, after Sunbeam was bought by Allegheny International Inc. of Pittsburgh, most of the Chicago-area factories were closed and the headquarters moved from the Chicago region. We will write a custom essay sample on Sunbeam specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Sunbeam specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Sunbeam specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer During this time the companies Allegheny controlled included John Zink Company (manufactured air pollution control devices) and Hanson Scale (manufactured bathroom scales and other balance machines). [7] Alleghenys 4 principal divisions, including Sunbeam, went into decline through the mid 1980s. Since Sunbeam-Oster was one of the most important divisions, responsible for nearly half of all sales, the stockholders were very concerned about the leadership. In 1986, the stockholders accused the Chairman and CEO, Robert Buckley of mis-appropriating funds. 8][9] Buckleys successor, Oliver Travers, downsized considerably and by 1988, the company was essentially just Sunbeam and Oster. The decline continued aided by the stock market crash of October 1987 and Allegheny filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. [10] In the fall of 1989 an investment group called Japonica Partners [11] purchased the remains of Allegheny for $250 million ($468. 7 million today) in hostile takeover. [12] The company was renamed Sunbeam-Oster Company, Inc. At this point the usiness was then divided into 4 divisions: Outdoor Products, Household Products, Specialty Products, and International Sales. The company headquarters were moved again from Pittsburgh to Providence, Rhode Island and then finally to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. [13] By late 1991, Sunbeam-Osters sales had increased 7% enabling it to make the Fortune 500 list. [edit] Chainsaw Al In 1996, Albert J. Dunlap was recruited to be CEO and Chairman of Sunbeam-Oster. In 1997, Sunbeam reported massive increases in sales for its various backyard and kitchen

One-Off is not a New Expression

One-Off is not a New Expression â€Å"One-Off† is not a New Expression â€Å"One-Off† is not a New Expression By Maeve Maddox Barbara McNichol forwarded me a question about the expression one-off as used to mean â€Å"one of a kind.† I really thought the correct slang was one OF, not OFF, as in short for one of a kind. So if thats true, how did one of morph into one off? Or is it simply that people are spelling it incorrectly? Although the definition of one-off contains the word of, the expression has always been one-off. The expression is fairly new in American usage. It began as a British expression and derives from manufacturing jargon. Its first recorded date of use is 1934. As a noun, one-off is defined in the OED as A manufactured product made as the only one of its kind; a prototype; (more generally) something not repeated. One-off can also be used as an adjective: Made or done as the only one of its kind; unique, not repeated. The popularity of the expression in headlines on the web will ensure that its use will no longer be confined to speakers of British English: Vespa builds a one-off, four seater ‘Stretch Scooter’ Exclusive one-off London Bestival Party for 2010 Was Nigerian bomber a one-off? Darling announces one-off shock tax to break bonus culture The Top 10 Weirdest One-off Characters On Lost Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:16 Substitutes for â€Å"Because† or â€Å"Because Of†16 Misquoted QuotationsPreposition Mistakes #3: Two Idioms

Foreword What is a Foreword, Do I Need One, How Do I Write One

Foreword What is a Foreword, Do I Need One, How Do I Write One Foreword: What is a Foreword, Do I Need One, and How Do I Write One? If youre confused about what a foreword is, youre not alone.A new writer, especially someone looking to self-publish a book, has a steep learning curve ahead of them.There are so many new skills to learn- building and managing a book launch team, finding a book cover design, making Amazon Marketing Services work for you, et cetera- and new vocabulary words to go along with them.Here are the questions about forewords we answer:What is a forewordHow to write a forewordDo I need a foreword for my book?Who should write a foreword?What should be included?Whats the difference between a foreword and introduction?Whats the difference between a foreword and a preface?Whats the difference between a foreword and a prologue?NOTE: Dont sweat the small stuff like this! We cover all of what you need (including forewords) in VIP Self-Publishing Program that helps you not only publish your book, but do so for long-term success. Learn more about it hereWhat is a Foreword? A foreword is a piece of writ ing that serves to introduce the reader to the author and the book, usually written by someone who is not the author or an editor of the book. Forewords can also serve as a sort of endorsement for the book.If the author does write the foreword, it might be to explain how the book came to be, or their connection between the work and themselves- like Stephen King often does for his novels.The foreword always goes at the very front of the book (with one exception, which I’ll get into below), and it’s rarely more than a couple of pages long. You may see a foreword with either lowercase Roman numerals or typical Arabic numerals, or without any page numbering whatsoever. That is between you and your book formatter.How to Write a ForewordYou’re pretty sure you’ve seen forewords in books before, or maybe your favorite classic piece of literature has a foreword in the front. You’ve got a book now, or you’re well on your way to finishing it.Do you nee d a foreword, too? Do you need front matter at all?Then again, maybe you’re not new, and you’ve been around the proverbial block enough times to know your way around. Maybe you’ve gained enough recognition to be asked to write a foreword for someone else’s work.And maybe youre someone looking to write a foreword for someone elses book and have no idea where to start.Heres how to write a foreword:Understand what the author is looking forKnow the tone and style of the bookStart with a list of what you want to cover in the forewordMake sure to mention your credibilityTie your own experience back into the worth of the bookGet feedback from others and the authorMake any necessary changes to comply with what the author is looking forBe honest about the book and its impactDo I Need a Foreword for My Book?Now that we know what a foreword is, it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty of whether your book really needs one. This is what you’ve been waitin g for!The first thing to note is that a foreword is certainly not necessary. Plenty of books don’t have forewords, and never have them added on. Unless your book needs the elaboration and context a foreword provides, you won’t miss it.What you really need to consider is whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction.A nonfiction book is far more likely to need a foreword than a novel, especially if the topic is dense or interesting, or the author has passed on. Again, Stephen King does tend to produce forewords for his own fiction novels but this is seen far less in authors who arent as established.For example, the fourth edition of The Elements of Style has a foreword by Roger Angell arguing that the guide is just as relevant today as it was the day Strunk and White turned the manuscript into the publisher.But if you are writing fiction, are you covering a period of history, or some other topic, in depth?A foreword may be helpful if the reader needs a bit of back ground knowledge to sink their teeth into your book. Charles Todd wrote a foreword explaining just who was the titular character of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot: The Complete Short Stories.It’s also not uncommon for works of great literary renown to have a foreword added onto the original manuscript, or added as a way of explaining the difference between the current edition and past editions.Alice L. George’s foreword in the 150th-anniversary edition of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott was written to illustrate why the book is so beloved all these years later.Who Should Write a Foreword?A foreword could be written by several people, but not by just anyone.If you’re of the opinion that your work needs a foreword, approach an expert in the topic of the book or one of your peers in your field, especially if this person is well-known.This lends the book social proof.Unless you have something especially noteworthy to say, it’s probably best not to write your own book’s foreword. You may want to write a preface instead.That being said, if you’ve established yourself as an expert in your field, you may be asked to write a foreword for someone else.What Should Be Included in a Foreword?If you’ve been invited to write a foreword for a book, congratulations! What an honor, and what an impressive accomplishment to add to your resumà ©!Of course, every foreword will have needs as unique as the text that comes after, but here are some ideas for what you could include should you need to write one:Your relationship to the author (if you are or were contemporaries)How the author’s work affected you personallyYour opinion of the book, its protagonist, and/or themeThe book or author’s historical impactDifferences between the current and past editions of the book (if applicable)It’s also important when writing the foreword to strike the same tone as the rest of the book. Avoid writing a witty, hum orous foreword if the book is more serious, and vice-versa.You don’t want the writing styles to clash, or you risk jarring the reader when they turn the page.What’s the Difference Between a Foreword and an Introduction?The introduction is reserved for a book of non-fiction. It can be used to explain the content, but they can also be used to summarize the work.The introduction is sometimes comprised of everything that comes before the bulk of the text, meaning the foreword would be nestled within the introduction.Other times, the introduction is a separate section written by the author themselves.What’s the Difference Between a Foreword and a Preface?If you’re looking to write something like an introductory statement to your own book, you may want to write a preface.In a preface, you can include what your aim was in taking on the project and thank the people in your life who helped to make the book a reality.Unlike forewords, prefaces are always written by the author, and they’re not signed. If your work happens to include both, the foreword comes first.What’s the Difference Between a Foreword and a Prologue?A prologue is always written for fiction, and it takes place within your story’s world.Forewords never take place within your story’s world, unless you’re writing a fictional forward by one of your characters. You might do this if you’re writing as a fictitious person a l Daniel Handler.If your work happens to include both a prologue and a foreword, again, the foreword comes first.And again, a prologue isn’t signed. (You can probably guess why!)Forewords Can Be an Important Part of Your BookWhether or not to include a foreword in your book is- as is most of the art of writing- a matter of personal preference, but not preference alone. Consider what your particular work calls for.Only you can make that call.Trust yourself that you’ll make the right one.Ready to catapult your book to REALL success?Writing and publishing a book on your own isnt always enough.Yes, you have the full capability to make it happen but without extensive knowledge of the internal workings of Amazons search algorithm and a method to make sure your book lands on the top of lists, the long-term success of your book will suffer.We have exactly what for you.

Multimedia Networking VoIP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Multimedia Networking VoIP - Essay Example From the Stone Age till the modern era, man has practically swirling the entire world around him, (not moving himself).(Seiver,2007) Since the break of dawn on the twenty-first century, technology has been man’s new mantra. He thinks it and breathes it. Every set of goals is judged by technology. Technology is one of man’s greatest weapons. Many fear it, whereas many caress it. Some use it abominably whereas some require it as a necessity. In this day, technology zooms and buzzes around our heads, making us â€Å"King of the mountain†. Many of our lives are in luxury because technology blesses us with its presence in our homes and offices and other business fields. It all started with a pair of wool or skins of the cattle. From that it went into an inferno of light and electricity. Then the telephone was the next. And from this point our topic starts.(McKenna,2009) Telephone and its uses are common to all. This device was used for the purpose of talking to family , friends and other loved ones. This was further worked on until it was transformed into a teeny tiny device, known as â€Å"Cellular phone†.(Dodd,2010) The discovery of â€Å"Internet†- A blessing in disguise or another hidden horror- caused a whirlpool to sweep the public of its feet. Internet and phone combined to give off, God knows, millions of new deices like IP-PBX, (Internet Protocol –Private Branch Exchange). ... The joining of external phone lines helps in accommodating more users in a quicker and effective way. The IP PBX serves somewhere between the VoIP user and the more traditional user or sometimes between 2 local users similar to how a normal PBX works. The IP PBX works together with the voice signals through the IP, adding considerable advantages of the IP telephony to this particular system. The IP PBX can work both as a physical system as well as a virtual system. The physical system joins cards with FXO/FXS ports to work, while the virtual system is known as more of a software solution and it also works with soft phones and VoIP gateways,(Holden,2009) thus lowering the overall cost without compromising over the call quality. Complete functions of a traditional PBX are carried out by the IP PBX with additional special and advanced functions that are only possible via the IP system. The most notable advantage of the IP PBX is its flexibility and easy compatibility. The system is â₠¬Å"redundant†; this basically means in a way it has a backward compatibility. The latest systems use the old TDM technology which has the advanced messaging platform. This allows the system to have more advanced functions like voicemail, conferencing, call forwarding etc.(Wellingford,2005) The system proves to be very flexible as moving of the system or addition of new users can be done very easily. There are two major types of the IP PBX; the one which is hosted and the non hosted IP PBX. The hosted IP PBX implies that only basic VoIP accessories are required by the actual company and the main equipment is hosted by a separate company. The hosted system means we just have to

A Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

A - Coursework Example Economic globalisation is a broader idea that encompasses concepts such as globalisation of production, market competition, multinational corporations, and industries. The concept of economic globalisation was suggested along with the policy of trans-national trade and hence it has been occurring for the last 20-30 years. By the end of the 20th century, economic globalisation was greatly promoted and this situation led to the integration of developed economies and developing economies through increased foreign direct investment, elimination of trade barriers, and high immigration flow. Although evidences suggest that economic globalisation has a range of positive financial effects, it is also argued that such effects benefit only developed countries and cause power imbalance in the global economy. This paper will analyse â€Å"in what ways economic globalisation has affected the state†? International capital markets, labour markets, and commodity markets constitute the concept of economic globalisation. While analysing the history of economies, it seems that majority of the economies was influenced by foreign markets by the early 1900s in terms of either money and labour or business policies. Advancement of ship building technology and railroad inventions greatly contributed to the economic interdependence of global economies. Although World War I & II noticeably disrupted these advancements in economic globalisation, this concept again achieved widespread attention in 1970s and since then it has been gradually developing. Nowadays, dramatic advancements in information technology ensure the effective flow of information. Subsequently, economies tend to constitute a single global market so as to take advantages of integrated trade and other economic operations. While analysing the UK economy in the context of economic globalisation, it is obvious that this process has significantly