...Critical Argument Analysis Gabriel Martinez ENG/215 November 9, 2015 Professor Stephanie Critical Argument Analysis “There’s not a man that can’t be thrown, not a horse that can’t be rode, a bull that can’t be stopped, there’s not a disco that I Coke La Rock can’t rock”. (DJ Coke La Rock 1973) This line spoken by Coke La Rock was the birth of rap and hip-hop music. This one bar made Coke La Rock the very first rapper in Hip-Hop and birthed a new genre of music, we now know today as Rap music. John McWhorter, Opio Lumumba Sokoni, and Desi K. Robinson all have written about their different views and opinions on the good the bad and the ugly of rap music. They all offer different arguments on the effects of rap music. Rap music began as a way for black families to focus on bringing families together and uplifting each other’s spirits in times of heartache and pain. However, now since its humble beginnings so much has changed and developed but the spirit of its heart and soul stays the same. John McWhorter argues in his article, “Mean StreetsTheater,” (2003) on the negativity of rap music and the violence that it promotes. He argues that the violence of rap music is causing the rappers to be murdered. He goes on to say that not only are rappers being murdered but also they’re being murdered in front of their children, exposing their children to the violence. Today in our society many agree with his point of view and are causing...
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...Jeff Shields New Venture Creation – DuVal Russell Simmons – Case Study 1) Early on, Simmons decided that he wanted to make his own way in the world. He wanted to live a fast-paced life and call his own shots. Even though he did not like school, he still enrolled at the City College of New York as a sociology major. 2) The target market that Simmons is trying to appeal to is that of urban teens and young adults. He understood that his target market valued authenticity and “keeping it real”. In his words, “You have to tell the truth. It endears you to the community. The people can smell the truth, and they’re a lot smarter than the people who put the records out.” 3) By growing up while being heavily influenced by hip hop music and culture, Simmons had a distinct advantage in reaching out to and understanding his target market.; as he is/was one of that target market. This is advantages for him because he can know and understand what artist and styles will make it big when it reaches the public due to his experience in hip hop music and culture. This can also be a limitation, because he may not have as much experience in other cultures and music styles, thereby limiting him strictly to hip hop and preventing him from spreading his musical venture. 4) Hold a charity basketball game in the New York City community that features appearances from professional athletes. The market research necessary to ensure that it would be a success would be researching...
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...Russell Simmons has been successful because he turned an idea into an opportunity. Mariotti and Glackin (2013) states while Russell attend college he saw an opportunity in the underground music genre Hip-hop (p.154). From that moment on Russell knew he could capitalize off hip-hop. Not only did Russell take a chance on an opportunity, he formed a great record label with his friend Rick Rubin called Def Jam Records. However his success did not stop there Russell went on to create a clothing line, Rush Communications and many other ventures. With his knowledge of street entrepreneurship and the philosophy of “keeping it real” (p.154-155), Russell Simmons was able to promote his ventures with great success, making him one of the biggest entrepreneurs ever. Marketing a business can be a challenge; you must know what the people want and how to deliver what they need. Targeting a market that will buy your product is very important. For Russell Simmons his target market was geared toward his surroundings, urban youth. Jennifer Reingold (2003) illustrates “He is not a man who made it big and then abandoned his roots but rather one who is still as comfortable on the streets of the inner city as he has become on Wall Street”. Within that statement one can conclude that Russell Simmons targeted a culture he is familiar with and still associates with while achieving success. The urban youths and Russell Simmons shared the same beliefs of staying authentic and telling the truth...
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...Concepts Professor Camilla Craig Mat 27th, 2016 Russell Simmons has three core leadership qualities that have helped him to become the successful CEO that he is. A common trait that most successful leaders often have is their commitment to accomplishing goals. Russell Simmons is widely known as the father of hip-hop, who embodies these qualities. Russell Simmons wears many hats and is involved in several different business ventures. He co-founded Def Jam Records which he made $100 million dollars by selling Def Jam to Universal Music Group. Then Simmons found the companies Argyleculture, American Classics, and Phat Farm. Russell Simmons is not just a business owner he is a successful author, who is most famously known for his bestselling book Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success. One of the leadership qualities that Russell Simmons personifies is emotional intelligence. When Russell Simmons talks about working with executives and artist, he always emphasizes the importance of everyone being happy in the deal (Harvard Business Review). Simmons made it very clear that his business success comes from starting businesses based on needs that exist. Due to Russell Simmons being aware of the fact that a need exist is an accurate indicator of an emotionally intelligent leader. The second leadership quality that Russell Simmons has is a positive attitude. Russell Simmons believes and advocates that having a positive attitude, openness...
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...IKEA Case Study – Alan B. BalesWeek 21. What are IKEA's competitive priorities? IKEA’s corporate mantra is to have “Low Price with Meaning”. In other words,their desire is to manufacture and present a product that is both functionallysound and inexpensive at the same time. Notice, I did not use the word “cheap”or inexpensively manufactured using sub-standard materials with untested orquestionable processes. They strive to make things less expensive without evermaking customers feel “cheap”. To accomplish this, IKEA has to maintain abalance between design, manufacturing, and distribution. 2. Describe IKEA's process for developing a new product. The team behind a new product at IKEA consists of designers, productdevelopers, and purchasers of materials who get together to discuss overalldesign, materials and suitable suppliers. Each specialist contributes theirknowledge. For example, a buyer will use their contacts with suppliers all overthe world through the IKEA Trading Services office to determine who can makethis at the best quality for the right price and at the right time. This process is acollaborative effort and takes into account everything from colors to selling priceon the floor of an IKEA store. It is not corporately mandated design; it is design bycommittee if you will. 3. What are additional features of the IKEA concept (beyond their design process)that contribute to creating exceptional value for the customer? IKEA’s model also creates additional value by working...
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...ability to succeed, a desire for immediate feedback, a high level of energy, skill at organizing, and value of achievement over money. There are many reasons why someone may take this path but the bottom-line is this person has a strong will and determination to succeed. The leading entrepreneurs I have chosen are Mary Kay Ash and Russell Simmons. Russell Simmons is a business mogul, activist, best-selling author and he is owner and founder of RUSH Communications. RUSH Communications is a leading multi-faceted holding company with investments in well-known and respected brands in three industry segments: entertainment and media; fashion and lifestyle; and empowerment. RUSH Communications, Inc. includes a management company, the hip-hop record label Def Jam, and the sneaker company Run Athletics. He is also the founder of the clothing lines Phat Farm, Argyleculture, and American Classics. Some of Simmons other ventures include a film and television production company, Simmons Lathan Media Group, Unirush Financial Services, Simmons Jewelry Company, and GlobalGrind.com. Rush Communications is currently worth approximately $340 million. Simmons leads in a situational approach style. His style adapts to the situation and he is able to use different leadership styles to get many different jobs done. He uses his democratic style to receive input from his employees on what they feel consumers want and need. He uses this information to make sound business decisions to keep his companies...
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...The Sports Guy Case Study Case Synopsis The case is about The Sports Guy which is an independent sporting goods store owned by Bob “Rocky” Rhodes; his business is in the retail sporting goods industry. The store is located in the south part of a small town which is just outside the Greater Toronto Area. The town has been growing rapidly for the last few years and the area around the store has become a prosperous neighbourhood, making their location a busy commercial area. The Sports Guy store sells sports related clothing and equipment. About 70% of their sales consist of equipment and uniforms bought by local teams, and 30% of sales consist of regular (walk-in) retail trade. The store’s sales have increased over the years however; have not been growing much in recent years. In the last few years the sales to teams have mostly covered the business’ costs, while the “walk-in” trade has provided most of the profits. Many times Rocky has been left with out-of-season stock that had to be sold off at a loss. Rocky is concerned about the declining inventory turnover rate that is causing an increase in his short-term debt and interest expenses. Problem Statement Rocky wants his business to grow with the town, but to do so will require access to bank credit to finance higher inventories and future expansion. He will have to improve The Sports Guy’s profitability. How will Rocky improve the financial performance of his business when their net profit (after tax) has decreased...
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...1. Russell Simmons has been successful as a media mogul because he was presented an idea/opportunity to create a dynamic business in the music/clothing industry and he jumped on it without second thought. With the help of Rick Rubin, he was able to dedicate his intelligence and skills in these industries to become one of the most well known entrepreneurs today. Since day one he has had a keen sense of what urban youth wanted and has stayed true to “keeping it real.” At the time, hip hop was an underground genre that Russell Simmons was able to deliver to the ears of all who wanted to tune it. 2.) In all of his business endeavors, Russell Simmons has targeted urban youth. This target values authenticity and that’s what Russell Simmons delivers. Through hand selected artists and his Phat Farm clothing line, Russell Simmons has emulated the true meaning of “real.” 3.) Growing up surrounded by hip-hop culture, Russell had an advantage in the marketplace by understanding first-hand what his peers and predecessors wanted that weren’t available at the time. He realized that he could generate revenue through rap; an underground genre that had not yet taken flight, and generate a style that urban youth felt most comfortable with. He was able to give urban youth around the world the music they idolized and the clothes they preferred to wear. 4.) Brainstorm a business ideA business idea I would pitch to Russell Simmons would be creating apps. Applications have become very popular now-a-days...
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...Simmons Case Study In the year 2001, the Simmons Bedding Company was experiencing economic difficulties, which needed to be addressed for the company to maintain operation. Charlie Eitel, CEO of Simmons made the decision that the company had to make changes to its culture. A major change Charles Eitel contemplated was implementing the Great Game of Life (GGOL) program into the company. Introducing the GGOL program into the company will bring about positive changes to the company that will boost employee morale, employee performance, and subsequently improve the Simmons’ company. Simmons Background The Simmons Bedding Company is one of the biggest mattress and bed related products manufacturer in the United States. Simmons was founded in 1870, when Zalmon G. Simmons opened his first factory in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The company’s ability to mass produce beds since 1875 enabled the company to grow into one of the biggest companies in the United States (Casciaro & Edmonson, 2007). In the year 2001, The Simmons Company was facing hard times. It had lost three major customers, the US economy was suffering, and Simmons had to get rid of foam using for bed cushioning because it was bad inventory. In addition, Charles Eitel the CEO had discovered that there was friction between manufacturing plants and low morale throughout many of the company factories. Charles Eitel wanted to make significant changes to the culture of the Simmons Company. One of changes that has been debated is whether...
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...The Use of Human Dignity in Death Penalty Cases: An International perspective An examination of cases from several jurisdictions that address the legality of the death penalty reveals various uses of the notion of human dignity. In 1972, in Furman v. Georgia, the United States Supreme Court declared all existing death penalty statutes at the time unconstitutional as a violation of the Eighth Amendment prohibiting "cruel and unusual punishment". There was no majority opinion, and each of the five majority members wrote a separate opinion. While three of them based their decision on the arbitrary and discriminatory application of the death penalty in the U.S., Justices Brennan and Marshall based their opinions on the per-se unconstitutionality of capital punishment. Justice Brennan argued that although human dignity is not explicitly guaranteed by the United States Constitution, it is the fundamental concept underlying the Eighth Amendment. In his opinion: "The State, even as it punishes, must treat its members with respect for their intrinsic worth as human beings. A punishment is "cruel and unusual, therefore, "if it does not comport with human dignity". He declared that the severity of capital punishment is degrading to the dignity of a man, and since even the vilest criminals share an inherent dignity, the punishment is unconstitutional. Though in Brennan words human dignity functions as a justification for the Eight Amendment, they seem to illustrate the psychological approach...
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...others contradict that a human’s life is irreplaceable and that every person has the right to live. In order to gain a deeper understanding and a better idea of the death penalty and its development into modern day society, it is crucial to examine the historical lawsuits that have been decided in favor or against the capital punishment in America. In 1987 a monumental lawsuit hit the Supreme Court. McCleskey vs. Kemp 481 U.S. 279, (1987), ruling that McCleskey was to be sentenced to death for an armed robbery that resulted in the murder of a police officer. Appealing for his life, McCleskey argued that studies proved that racial discrimination lived with in capital punishment rulings. He heavily relied on a study conducted by Professor David C. Baldus also known as “Baldus Study”. His study concluded that black defendants were more likely to be punished with capital punishment than white defendants, especially if the victim was white. McCleskey tried to state that this proved his sentence was unconstitutional due to the Fourteenth Amendment. He also appealed that it was unconstitutional under the Eighteenth Amendment claiming that the judge had too much discretion upon ruling the death penalty. Unfortunately the Bladus Study did not provide sufficient evidence to prove that the defendant, himself, was receiving racial discrimination....
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...Case Review Worksheet CJ/354 Week Two Worksheet Part I: Case Review Review the cases below by going to the “Detailed Contents” section of the Contemporary Criminal Law textbook. After reviewing the case, select the defense that was represented in the case from the following list: necessity | self-defense | defense of others | defense of home and property | resisting unlawful arrest | consent | duress | intoxication | mistake | age or infancy defense | entrapment | syndrome-based defenses | insanity defense | | | 1. Case 1: State v. Dejarlais State v. Dejarlais section in Ch. 8 of Contemporary Criminal Law Defense used: Consent 2. Case 2: Lopez v. State Lopez v. State section in Ch. 9 of Contemporary Criminal Law Defense used: Insanity Defense 3. Case 3: People v. Ceballos People v. Ceballos section in Ch. 8 of Contemporary Criminal Law Defense used: Defense of Home and Property, Necessity 4. Case 3: Brazil v. State Brazill v. State section in Ch. 9 of Contemporary Criminal Law Defense used: Age or Infancy Defense Part II: Short Answer Answer, in a minimum of 50 words, each of the following questions: 1. What is the adversarial system? The adversarial system, also known as adversary system. Many also refer to it as the legal system. They develop and present any arguments, gather, and submit any evidence they may have, as well as questioning any witnesses. Both parties are represented by attorneys...
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...Object oriented programming refers to a method of programming in which individual objects, usually called "methods" and "functions", are created and used in junction with each other to perform a function. These objects are organized within the program through use of things called structures or classes. A class is something we use to create a blueprint of sorts for a assortment of variables and components. Similarly, a structure serves the same purpose. The only difference between a structure and a class is that a structure's members are public by default and a classes members are private by default. Another form of "blueprint" used by programmers is the data union. While a union is very primitive in comparison to a structure or class, it is a good tool to use to conserve memory in larger applications. A union uses the same memory block for multiple variables at different points. While two variables in a union cannot be accessed at the same time, a union is a good way to re-use blocks of memory that would normally be left void after a variable is finished with. Now that I have covered the basic points of classes, structures and unions, I will go into more detail of just how powerful a class or structure can be. In basic reference, a class is simply a blueprint to something we create instances of later in the program. This is a very vague statement however, because in object-oriented programming the class is the backbone of the program. It is what makes the...
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...To: Rosemary Worth From: Re: misplaced trust on Kate Hoffman causing money loss issue Date: September 17, 2012 This memo is in response to your questions concerning money loss issue raised by Kate Hoffman and any related operating problems. After an in depth study of your company’s daily operation procedure and a situation that you are unable to step in a managerial role because of family responsibilities, I suggest you hire a new manager to take care of daily operation management, focus on 3-4 popular classes, shorten opening hours, and base commissions on performance. My suggestion is based on obtaining better management controls in the following three aspects. People Controls You trust Kate Hoffman so much that you let her take multiple tasks such as marketing, facility up-keeping, scheduling of appointments and record keeping. Kate was paid a salary plus a commission based on gross revenues just as other instructors. Kate might have thought that she did more work than other instructors and deserved more commission. When her expectation was not met, she lacked the motivation to handle multiple tasks and turned to an unethical way – stealing money from unrecorded revenue. If a new manager is hired, Kate can be released from administrative work and concentrate on her instructor job. Thus, further money loss can be avoided, and you can still keep the friendship between Kate and you as before. Furthermore, the newly hired manager can take place of the part time clerical...
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...Lab # 4 OVERLOADING Coding : using System; using System.Collections.Generic; using System.Linq; using System.Text; namespace ConsoleApplication1 {//*********************************multiplication************************************ class A { public int multiply(int a,int b) { return a * b; } public double multiply(int a, double b) { return a * b; } public double multiply(double a, double b) { //1 argument type different OVERLOADING can be performed return a * b; } }//*********************************fraction************************************ #region fraction class fraction { int numerator, denominator; //field public void display() { Console.WriteLine(numerator + "/" + denominator); } public fraction() { numerator = 0; denominator = 1; } public fraction( int n, int d) { numerator = n; denominator = d; } public fraction(int n) { numerator = n; denominator = 1; } } #endregion //*********************************length************************************ #region length class length { int feet, inches; public void display() { ...
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