Assigment #1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Assigment #1 - Essay Example A President who was not the son of a former President and grandson of a Senator. A President whose roots lay in community organizing and advocacy not the oil industry. A President who was from a different party than his predecessor: A Democrat. A President who laid claim to not supporting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A President who was not implicated in the economic meltdown that occurred in the last years of George W. Bushs presidency. Many Americans saw President Obamas election of the dawning of the new era in the first decade of the new millennium. Two years later, in November 2010 some of the hope has faded, change has not occurred as quickly or as completely as many Americans believed it would, or hoped it would, and the Presidents image as a knight in shining armor changing the political landscape, has been tarnished. It was this sense of hope betrayed that was reflected in the most recent election results. Nationally, the Democrats, the Presidents party, lost sixty seats in the House of Representatives and their majority. (â€Å"Politics†, 2010) Nancy Pelossi, former House Speaker, is left debating whether or not to run for the position of Minority Leader. (Hulse, 2010) In the Senate, the Democrats maintained their majority while still losing six seats. (â€Å"Politics†, 2010) The results were clearly negative for the Democrats. Clearly, the vote reflected the electorates displeasure that change had not happened as quickly and as thoroughly as was hoped two years ago. On the other hand, the phenomenon of the Presidents party losing seats in Congress in midterm elections is not uncommon. It happened to Obamas predecessor President George W. Bush and to his predecessor President William Jefferson Clinton. Therefore, taking the longer view it would be a mistake to attach too much importance to this shift. Turning from the national picture to the situation in Colorado the results can be seen considerably more

Business Etiquette - Cubical Space Research Paper

Business Etiquette - Cubical Space - Research Paper Example Knowing how to communicate with decorum will help keep the business as well as grow some leads for the next business. (Columbia University Centre for Career education, 2012). Ensuring continued premises maintenance: In this kind of business, professional presentation go a long way in expressing how organized a company is and thus winning the customers trust. It will be essential to consider doing office maintenance as a way of setting professional standards for the services we provide. ( Columbia University Centre for Career education, 2012) Ensuring that tenants understand the tenure contract: Most of the times, tenants take less interest on terms of lease. Many of them do not understand the meaning of terms like triple net lease, load factor, full service e.t.c. It is important for the proprietor to ensure that the tenant understand what they are signing to avoid any conflict when bleach of tenure happens. (Wolfe, 2012). Keeping to the tenure contact: To develop trust and reliability, it is important for the company to ensure that contracts and agreements are kept strict (Wolfe, 2012). This will go a long way in buying customer’s trust as well as open leads for future business. As a cubicle space leasing company, it is important to consider professional practices like phone and communication etiquette, premise maintenance, leading tenants to understand the tenure contract and commitment to keep to the tenure contract. All the etiquette concerns should be geared towards establishing business leads and maximum trust in the company’s professionalism. Columbia University Centre for Career education. (2012). Skills- Business Etiquette. The Trustees of Colimbia University in the City of New York. Retrieved from: http://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/resources/tipsheets/skills-business-etiquette Wolfe, L. (2012). 3 questions to Ask Before Negotiating or Signing a

Intervention Approach To Promote Fatherhood In Schools Social Work Essay

Intervention Approach To Promote Fatherhood In Schools Social Work Essay An Intervention Approach to Promote Fatherhood in Schools: Acquiring the Generalist Intervention Model, the Mandala Ecosystem Health Model, Urie Bronfenbrenner Ecological Systems Theory and Egan Skilled Helper Model An Intervention Approach to Promote Fatherhood in Schools: Acquiring the Generalist Intervention Model, the Mandala Ecosystem Health Model, Urie Bronfenbrenner ecological systems theory and Egan Helper Model As part of a university-based consultant, this intervention paper seeks to address its issue on organizing a program aimed at engaging fathers/ bringing fathers/ more males into the Catholic College to promote the importance of fatherhood by introducing relevant and effective programs to benefit the local community. The school was formed in 2008 and began as a School in a Shopping Centre. Currently, within the school, around 50% of students live in single-parent homes or with a step-parent. Additionally, around 25% of students have a history of experiencing abuse within the family. The Mandala Health model, Urie Bronfenbrenner ecological systems theory, Egan skilled helper model and the GIM models are to assist me in the planning and suggestion process of delivering an intervention that promotes Australian governments Stronger Families and Communities strategy announced in the 1999-2000 Federal budget. My intervention approach Since, the school wants to promote fatherhood, I as a consultant suggests that in order to increase fathers actively-involved with childs life, the school could give out consent form informing activities such as sports day carnival, fun-fair, etc which fathers could participate in to promote or build bonds with the child instead of just being the sole breadwinner of the household. Let them know that small little things could make a difference in a childs growing up process. It is not just having stable financial income which makes the child happy. In addition, introducing scores charts which motivate their child to inform their fathers on upcoming activities. Whoever fathers participated in the event would be awarded with food vouchers .These vouchers can then be exchanged for free food in the canteen. For scores wise, well based on the top 5% who has meet the requirement and be awarded with token of appreciation; give recognition to fathers effort. What were the stages you went through in the planning process? Describe the activities undertaken. The Generalist Intervention Model is an intervention/practice model that includes all systems (micro, macro and mezzo) by providing a systematic approach to undertake the change process in addressing the issue. The following aforementioned are the processes: Engagement. Establishing rapport relationships and effective communication by greeting the client regardless of whether one is pursuing micro, mezzo or macro change, the fundamentals of doing so is to build good rapport or a trustworthy relationship with clients and target system to produce basic communication. Engagement is inclusive of verbal and non-verbal communication and genuineness to engage clients the helping process (Hull and Kirst-Ashman, 2004). Assessment. Identification of client by defining whether it is individual, family, group, organization or community by identifying one based on all aspects mentioned above. Even though it sounded simple, to recognize who my client is, may become blurred and vague, as I have to question these following questions. Who is my client? Who are the ones that needed my help? Is it just an individual or the entire family is my client instead (Hull and Kirst-Ashman, 2004). Assess the client-in-situation and identify issues. Four major aspects are considered such as micro, mezzo and macro levels. Each aspects must be defined and identify strengths in the element of human diversity. Micro aspects. Exploring the criticality of the problems, causation of the problem, client strengths and and how to improve to better one lives (Hull and Kirst-Ashman, 2004). Planning. Defining the problems and plan which to prioritize. Implementation. Carrying out the discussed plans to achieve client goal. Consistent monitoring and assessing of progress during implementation to ensure client stays on track. Sometimes, it might affect the plan in terms of its situation, conditions or issues. Evaluation. Practitioners must be accountable for their intervention by proving its effectiveness. Evaluating of each goal that has been achieved to determine whether the case should be terminated or reassess to create new goals. Termination and follow-up. Do not establish attachment with the client upon termination. As a saying goes teaching one the techniques of fishing rather than providing one fishes every time which denotes disengage with the person upon the client being stabilized after this intervention ends (Hull and Kirst-Ashman, 2004). What models of planning did you adopt for planning? Refer to relevant literature. The Generalist Intervention model proposed by Hull and Ashman (2004) which involves the eight steps of planning: Work with the client Prioritize problems Translate problems into needs Evaluate levels of intervention for each need Establish goals Specify objectives Specify action steps Formalize a contract Work with the client. Working with the client by involving the client with the problem, definition of the problem which the client perceived a problem as the top priority compared to other problems faced. On the other hand, practitioners have to take into account of the clients strengths during the planning process to prevent dispute among one another. Prioritize problems. Provide priority for each problems what others or practitioners think is most significant might not be significant to the client for the problem to rank as top priority. For example, firstly, fatherhood; engage more fathers/stepfathers in caring, nurturing their children. Secondly, school providing high-quality education and facilities for students. Translate problems into needs. Initially, client suffered from the problems. Hence, as practitioners/consultants, we got to provide solutions to assist in problem-solving. Needless to say, this simple step in planning aids in reorganizing our thoughts on current situation in order to decide on appropriate solutions. Evaluate levels of intervention (micro, mezzo, and macro). Accentuating one client needs at a time by beginning with those ranked as highest priority. Discussion on alternative solutions with the client may focus on the micro, mezzo, or macro level of transformation. For example, involving what can the individual do at the micro-level by providing alternate methods targeting on behavioural management. Establish goals. Charting out goals that are feasible for clients with regards on how to proceed with the intervention. For instance, to build a full-pledged school that benefits the local community. Specify objectives. Goals specificity in identifying what needs to be achieved, how do I go about achieving the goals and meeting my client needs? Therefore, stating explicit objectives helps to provide specification in our objectives. Specify action steps. These steps represent the clarity of the goals and the completion of the goals by moving towards achieving the objectives. Action steps helps to monitor and reassess our clients actions. Noteworthy to note that failure to complete important action steps leads to failure to attain objectives and clients goals. Formalize a contract with the client. Bring in a contract working agreement that is negotiable with the client and others involved in the process. A contract formalizes the agreement between client and practitioner and clarifying both expectations. An array of items includes the financial fees, terms and conditions involved in the intervention. Supposedly, clients should be actively-involved with developing the conditions in the contract. Understandable terms must be used in the contract rather than technical jargons which client doesnt understand easily. Additionally, this contract differs from legal contracts in terms of its flexibility to clients changing needs or conditions. Did you use ecosystemic principles in planning, and if so, what principles were used and how? The Mandala of Health: a health model of the human ecosystem As the Mandala Health model has been on-going in the early 1980s, it has gained worldwide acceptance in the medical and psychological association. This model conveys that the interaction of culture with environment aids one in understanding the human ecology. The outer level of the Mandala highlights our living planet encompassing the culture and the biosphere. Holistically, health of the individual consists of spirit, body and mind dimensions. The system that is surrounding the individual is the family and community aspects while beside the body and mind, makeup of the sick-care system and work. In between the four sides of the circle, contains personal behaviour, psycho-socio economic environment, human biology and physical environment (Hancock, 1993). Ultimately, this model should be as seen as a multi-disciplinary use, flexible and dynamic in which various element transform based on individual needs (Hancock, 1993). Conversely, to solidify the theorys practical framework, I would prefer Bronfenbrenners Ecological Systems Theory as it defines as complex layers of environment, each having an effect on a persons development. Recently, this theory has been renamed bioecological systems theory to emphasize that a persons own biological predisposition is a primary environment fueling their development (Santiago, 2004). The interaction between factors in the persons maturing biology, their immediate family and community environment, and the societal landscape fuels and steers their development. Changes or conflict in any one layer will ripple throughout other layers. To understand fathers needs in the transitions, we must look not only at the fathers but as well as the students and their immediate environment, but also in all environment dimensions of interaction as well. Egan helping model and the outcomes Egan skilled helper model is reflected in my planning process and outcomes. It is not based on a particular theory of personality development, or on a theory of the ways difficulties develop. It is a framework for conceptualizing the helping process, and is best used in working on issues in the recent past and the present. As with any model, it provides a map, which can be used in exploring and navigating, but which is not the territory itself. The Egan model and mentoring are not synonymous; the model can be used in many kinds of helping relationships, and mentoring/co-mentoring can be done using other models or just solely one. The model can and should be used flexibly. The model works best if attention is paid to Rogers core conditions, the helpers approach to the speaker being based on genuineness, respect, and empathy, and if principles of good active listening are remembered throughout. Three main questions were posed to the speaker on Egan model: What is going on? Utilizing the school to the benefit of the local community Organized a program aimed at engaging fathers/bringing fathers/more males into the school Abuse cases found in childrens family lives What do I want instead? Include the staff without appearing to create more work for them Increase the involvement of fathers/grandfathers/stepfathers within the school community How might I get to what I want? Ensure they do not burnout by having a work-life balance in their lives for parents, teachers, and principal Provide student services and counseling facilities Strength and weaknesses of the planning model Theoretically, this theory is versatile, well developed and extremely useful. In contrast, interviewers and consultants have to be highly-competent to adopt the Hull and Kirst-Ashman Generalist Intervention model (GIM) as it emphasize on client strengths rather on weaknesses which perhaps, the person could be intellectually-disabled which might lead to misjudging the persons strengths. Hypothetically, coping strategies, moderation and mediation elements were not covered in the planning model which leads to burnout among organization. In terms of cultural differences, different organizations have certain values or mission and protocol for individuals to adhere. Consultants have to be highly-cultural competence to work effectively with clients of different racial backgrounds, ethnics and various cultures when acquiring the planning model. Also, consultants have to take note not to make automatic assumptions about diverse group in the social environment. They must strive to develop self-awareness and appreciate human differences in an individual in order not to be bias towards to their diagnosis when implementing the model to their client case.

Legalizing Prostitution Will Not Work Response to Mark Liberators Arti

Legalizing Prostitution In the article 'Legalized Prostitution' the author, Mark Liberator, shares his views on legalizing prostitution. He believes because of women's specialized roles in society, they should be allowed to use sex as a service that can be bartered for goods and money, and by using these specialized roles, the author explains that allowing prostitution in the United States could lower a majority of murder and rape cases, and can decrease the amount of suicides and divorces. By making prostitution legal, Liberator also thinks that it will allow law enforcement to respond faster to more important crimes, help women that use prostitution as a career path, and will prevent teens from being trapped into prostitution. Though Liberator states his case strongly, and has statistics that help prove his point, his logic has holes that could even make cocaine, heroin, and other illegal drugs legal. Liberator states that our primal desires should not be ignored or suppressed, but instead should be manag ed. If this is the case, then should our first instincts to lie, cheat, steal, and kill should also be managed? No. Managing these things, and not suppressing them, means that we are making it legal to rob stores, lie about it, and kill anyone who disagrees with our reasons as to why we?ve committed the crime. Not only that, but if we make prostitution legal, it is possible that there could be an overflow of prostitutes, that would create larger drug chains, which could ruin our countries credibility as a safe place to live. I feel that legalizing prostitution is the first small step to that future, and that we should avoid making prostitution tolerable in America. Liberator starts his argument by giving a quick study on c... ...lizing prostitution will do nothing more than encourage the spread of STD?s. In closing, the argument that the author presents falls weak in most aspects. Though he seems to have positive end results to the issue, the immoral act of prostitution still is part of the solution. As proven before, legal prostitution could lead to an excess of prostitutes that could ruin the appearance of our country, it does not control ones animal-like impulses, but merely lets them run wild, it uses sex as a drug that could lead to an increase of sex ?junkies?, the crime rate could possible increase, rather than decrease, and the spread of STD?s will not be effected positively. The best way to fix the issue of prostitution is to continue fighting it, till eventually the message gets across that prostitution is wrong, and does not lead to a profitable life financially, or morally. Legalizing Prostitution Will Not Work Response to Mark Liberator's Arti Legalizing Prostitution In the article 'Legalized Prostitution' the author, Mark Liberator, shares his views on legalizing prostitution. He believes because of women's specialized roles in society, they should be allowed to use sex as a service that can be bartered for goods and money, and by using these specialized roles, the author explains that allowing prostitution in the United States could lower a majority of murder and rape cases, and can decrease the amount of suicides and divorces. By making prostitution legal, Liberator also thinks that it will allow law enforcement to respond faster to more important crimes, help women that use prostitution as a career path, and will prevent teens from being trapped into prostitution. Though Liberator states his case strongly, and has statistics that help prove his point, his logic has holes that could even make cocaine, heroin, and other illegal drugs legal. Liberator states that our primal desires should not be ignored or suppressed, but instead should be manag ed. If this is the case, then should our first instincts to lie, cheat, steal, and kill should also be managed? No. Managing these things, and not suppressing them, means that we are making it legal to rob stores, lie about it, and kill anyone who disagrees with our reasons as to why we?ve committed the crime. Not only that, but if we make prostitution legal, it is possible that there could be an overflow of prostitutes, that would create larger drug chains, which could ruin our countries credibility as a safe place to live. I feel that legalizing prostitution is the first small step to that future, and that we should avoid making prostitution tolerable in America. Liberator starts his argument by giving a quick study on c... ...lizing prostitution will do nothing more than encourage the spread of STD?s. In closing, the argument that the author presents falls weak in most aspects. Though he seems to have positive end results to the issue, the immoral act of prostitution still is part of the solution. As proven before, legal prostitution could lead to an excess of prostitutes that could ruin the appearance of our country, it does not control ones animal-like impulses, but merely lets them run wild, it uses sex as a drug that could lead to an increase of sex ?junkies?, the crime rate could possible increase, rather than decrease, and the spread of STD?s will not be effected positively. The best way to fix the issue of prostitution is to continue fighting it, till eventually the message gets across that prostitution is wrong, and does not lead to a profitable life financially, or morally.

My Polish Teachers Tie Essay

Dunmore presents the relationship between Carla and the head as if Carla despises him. † He sees his staff together for ten minutes once a week, and as usual he had a pile of papers in front of him.† This quote shows that Carla finds him unpleasant, as 10 minutes out of one week is not a long time. She expresses this as if he should be more caring towards the staff of the school. I think Dunmore added this bit of information to give the reader a better understanding of Carla’s overall relationships with people in the school, as if they just glance over her, as if she is nothing. The part of â€Å"as usual he had a pile of papers in front of him† shows us that Carla is thinking of what it must be like to be the head, what it could be like to be of importance, this is why she despises him, because at the start, she sees herself as worthless with the way she describes her job. During Carla’s voyage of discovery, she begins to lean a lot of things about herself which she had never come to realise were her main characteristics which together, all created the self conscious woman she is. Ashamed of her career, Carla is portrayed to under estimate what she is capable of. This assumption is created from the extrinsic feedback others give her and the way they fluctuate their personas. ‘Oh, er- Mrs, er- Carter’ Showing very little knowledge of his staff, the head teacher is illustrated to be an arrogant, audacious, aloof of a creature. With minute understanding of who this hesitant lady is, this shows just how little he cares and that he wouldn’t ever go out of his way to learn more about his staff and where they come from. Evidently he doesn’t even know Carla’s name, never mind her previous nationality. Hiding behind her facade, Carla is truly an ashamed woman who is embarrassed to tell her pen pal what her career really is all about. As a reader, I feel sympathy towards Carla as the writer has shown her feelings to be very emotional and hidden which is a way no one deserves to feel. As a mother, Carla has to make herself feel more confident by doing things to others. For example, Carla wanted to ‘Let him think I’d written once and then not bothered.’ I feel this implies that Carla wants Steve to feel she isn’t interested; giving herself a confidence boost as this will make Carla believe that he is thriving for her to reply, also meaning that someone does actually want to talk to her. Writing to Steve has meant that he would become close to Carla because of who she is as a person, not because of her profession. Due to her lack of confidence, she believes that she’d ‘Never  had letters like that before, and I was never going to again, not after Steve knew who I really was.’ However, her polish pen pal did actually like her for who she was

Macbeth: A Failure As King? Essay

To be regarded as a great king involves many important factors such as being honorable, gracious, and fair. It is far more difficult to regard a king as being great than as being a failure. In Macbeth there are examples of great kings as well as failures as kings. Duncan is a fair and gracious king who is kind to all of his subjects, and Malcolm has the potential to be a great king through the way in which he fights to overthrow Macbeth. Macbeth, however, through his lack of noble qualities is another story. Through arrogance, actions, and cowardice versus bravery Macbeth emerges as the only true failure as a king. Arrogance surfaces in Macbeth because the protagonist believes that he knows better about everything than anyone else. For example, Macbeth is arrogant to his own thoughts and feelings. He easily lets Lady Macbeth manipulate him into killing Duncan by questioning his manhood. Again, Macbeth is just as arrogant when he quickly dismisses Macduff as a threat because an apparition tells him that â€Å"none of a woman born shall harm Macbeth† (IV. i 86-87). Only after a short while does Macbeth decide to kill Macduff, and only as a precaution in case Macduff was actually not born of a woman, which Macbeth does not know, and does not even plan on finding out. Finally, Macbeth is very arrogant when an apparition tells him that he will be overthrown when Birnam wood comes to him: That will never be: Who can impress the forest, bid the tree Unfix his earth † bound root? Sweet bodements! Good! Rebellious dead, rise near till the wood Of Birnam rise, and our high plac’d Macbeth Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath To time and mortal custom (IV. i 103-109) Macbeth feels very secure in his position as king of Scotland, and that he has absolutely nothing to worry about. He does not even attempt to decipher the riddle. Macbeth’s arrogance is brought on by the seeming sureness of his position and by excess pride, and it is a huge cause of his downfall. Actions reflect largely upon the type of person one is and whether one will be a success or a failure. To begin with, Macbeth kills Duncan, who is also a king. The only reason he kills Duncan is that Macbeth has ambition to become the king. Subsequently, Macbeth kills Banquo because he is a threat to him, and he, or his sons, could take the throne away from Macbeth at any  time, or so Macbeth believes: To be thus, is nothing, But to be safely thus: our fears in Banquo Stick deep; and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be fear’d: â€Å"tis much he dares, And, to that dauntless temper of his mind, He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour To act in safety. There is none but he Whose being I do fear; and under him My genius is rebuked, as it is said Mark Anthony’s was by Caesar. He chid the sisters, When first they put the name of king upon me, And bade them speak to him; then prophet like They hail’d him father to a line of kings: Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown, And a barren scepter in my gripe, Thence to be wrench’d with an unlineal hand (III. i 52-67) This heartless murder demonstrates Macbeth’s ruthless actions which cause chaos, since the Great Chain of Being has been disturbed. Last of all, Macbeth once again shows his cruelty with the murders of McDuff’s family. Macbeth originally set out only to kill McDuff, and only slaughters McDuff’s family just to make sure that in the future none of them will be able to harm him. Macbeth is not remorseful in any way for any of his actions, and is a cold-blooded killer. Cowardice and bravery determine whether a character will become a success or a failure in life. If one is a coward, one cannot properly rule a country because one will not be able to stand up to any opposition, and be a guide to doing the right things for others. In fact, Macbeth fulfills his own destiny knowingly when he and Lady Macbeth plot to murder Duncan. Even though Macbeth wants to become king desperately, right before the murder he becomes a coward and tries to back out: We will proceed no further in this business: He hath honour’d me of late; and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon. (I. vii 33-37) Only after Lady Macbeth’s persuasion and manipulation does Macbeth regain a bit of bravery to proceed with the murder. In addition, Macbeth is a coward because he manipulates others into doing his â€Å"dirty work† for him, as for example, arranging the murder of Banquo: Do you find your patience so predominant in your nature, That you can let this go? Are you so gospell’d, To pray for this good man and for his issue, Whose heavy hand hath bow’d you to the grave And beggar’d yours for ever? (III.i 93-98) Macbeth is not involved in any of the killings, other than Duncan’s, and he cowardly hides behind murderers to avoid any guilt he  may have. In comparison, Macbeth shows bravery at the end of the play. Macbeth shows that he is capable of bravery when he does not give up without a fight: I will not yield, To kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet, And to be baited with the rabble’s curse. Though Birnam wood be come to Dunsinane, And thou oppos’d, being of no woman born, Yet I will try the last. Before my body I will throw my warlike shield: lay on, Macduff, (V.viii 32-38) Macbeth knows that he will be overthrown since everything the apparitions said would have to happen for him to be overthrown actually happened, but he still has faith in himself, and continues fighting. Though Macbeth demonstrates both cowardice and bravery, his cowardice far more apparent and intentional, and his bravery is only self beneficial and, therefore, selfish. Through arrogance, actions and cowardice versus bravery, the protagonist in Macbeth , is regarded as a failure because of his selfishness, and utter lack of remorse for his actions. While other kings strive to do good, Macbeth dwells further and further into evilness and makes it apparent he is the only true failure as a king.

Critique Zara’s strategy based upon an evaluation of the external and internal environments facing Zara. The WritePass Journal

Critique Zara’s strategy based upon an evaluation of the external and internal environments facing Zara. Introduction Critique Zara’s strategy based upon an evaluation of the external and internal environments facing Zara. IntroductionReferencesRelated Introduction Using your evaluation of the external and internal environments facing Zara, you are asked to critique Zara’s stated strategy of expansion into (Eastern) Europe and Asia. Consider whether the strategy is feasible, suitable and acceptable. In your answer, consider both the likely benefits as well as challenges that Zara is going to face. How does the emphasis on online expansion fit into the company’s international strategy? Zara opened its first store in 1975 in La Coruà ±a, located in northwest Spain. International expansion of the Zara brand began with the opening of a store in Oporto in 1988. By the end of January 2006, Zara was operating in 59 countries with 852 stores: 664 stores in Europe (including 259 in Spain), 100 in America, 45 in the Middle East and Africa and 31 in Asia. Foreign sales accounted for 69% of the company’s turnover in the year 2005, with Europe being the biggest market so far. This paper critiques Zara’s strategy of expansion into (Eastern) Europe and Asia, based upon an evaluation of the external and internal environments facing Zara. The decision for global expansion is due to both push and pull factors. The push factors are those which encouraged the organization to search for international opportunities. The pull factors include attractive situations in the host market . Limited market growth opportunities at home were major influences in the decision to expand internationally. With the opening of their first store, Zara discovered that for some, the Spanish fashion and design market was on verge of saturation. Key pull factors included the entry of Spain into the European Union. The globalization of the world’s economies, the economy of scale to be made and the similarities of consumer spending patterns was an additional pull factor. Strategy is feasible, suitable and acceptable The internationalization of Zara seemed to follow the classic stage model by first entering the culturally or geographically closest market prior to taking chances in a more distant market. This method aided the company’s learning curve. These stages include: Reluctance as well as trial: Zara focused their expansion on the domestic market. The maturity of the Spanish market led Zara to search for international opportunities. Expansion into Portugal was seen as an attractive as well as familiar market because of their geographical and cultural proximity to Europe. Cautious expansions: During this stage Zara expanded into markets with geographical and psychological proximate as well as with minimum levels of socio-economic developments by adding one or two countries each year to their market portfolio. Zara then began operating in France’s fashion capital, with sights on the geographical contiguous EU and points for later expansions in Northern Europe, including Belgium and Sweden. Benefits as well as challenges that Zara is going to face Zara owns many stores in Europe and Asia; international expansion has been adopted by way of three separate entry modes: Subsidiaries: This direct investing strategy is a very expensive method of entering and it involves a high level of quality management control as well as business risk. Zara adopted such strategy for European as well as Asian countries, which had been perceived for having high growth potential along with low business risks. Joint venturing: This is a cooperative strategy where manufacturing facilities and a know-how of local companies have been combined with expertise in foreign companies in the same market, particularly in large, competitive markets where it is difficult to acquire property for setting up retail outlets and where there have been the other types of barriers which need cooperation with a local firm. Franchisee: This strategy has been chosen for high-risk countries that are culturally different and have little market opportunities along with a low sale forecast. Franchisees of Zara follow a similar business pattern to their subsidiaries regarding product, store location, interior design, and logistics, as well as human resources. When an entry mode has been decided for a specific country, Zara has followed patterns of the expansion called in company as oil stain. Experience guides Zara in these stages of expansions in each country. Emphasis on online expansion fit into the company’s international strategy Experience gained in international environments made Zara intent on rapid global expansion, with regard to the cultural and geographic proximate. Zara consolidated its position in the European market as a method of gaining a foothold in the new countries. Due to the expansion of the European Union, at the start of the year 2006, Zara was operating in 59 countries with 800 stores, with plans to add many more in countries such as Italy, France, Germany and Great Britain, with Asia as the headquarters of international operations. References Alexander, N. (1995b). Internationalisation: interpreting the motives, in McGoldrick P. and Davies, P., International retailing: trends and strategies. London: Pitman Publishing. Johanson, J. a.-P. (1975). The internationalisation of the firm four Swedish case studies. Journal of Management Studies, 12 , 305-322. Martinez, J. (1997). Jose Maria Castellano. Economistas, 73 , 118-126.