The Greed of Music Industry Executives and Declining Record Sales Essay

The Greed of Music Industry Executives and Declining Record Sales The music recording industry is in trouble. For several years now, sales of new and popular music have steadily declined and show no sign of changing. The record companies are quick to blame the growing popularity of the Internet; music is being traded in a digital form online, often anonymously, with the use of file-sharing programs such as Morpheus, KaZaA, and Imesh, to name a few. The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) succeeded in disbanding the pioneer Internet file-sharing program, Napster, but is facing confrontation with similar programs that are escaping American copyright laws. While there is an obvious connection between declining popular music sales and increasing file sharing, there is more going on than the RIAA wants to admit. I will show that the recording companies are overpricing their products, and not sufficiently using the Internet as an opportunity to market and sell their products. I shall begin by describing in greater detail the problem that the recording companies are facing, as well as the growing epidemic of online music trading. From there, I will show the correlation between the two and describe the other factors affecting record sales, and how these trends could be turned around to help the industry.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"The Record Industry is in trouble,† says Jann S. Wenner in an editorial appearing in a recent issue of Rolling Stone Magazine. â€Å"Album sales are now down almost 20% from two years ago, and the record business is facing the biggest retail slide since the Great Depression† (Wenner). People are buying less and less products released by the recording companies. â€Å"Nobody doubts that the music business is in trouble. Last year, global sales of CDs were down by 5% from 2000, the first fall since the format was launched† (NAPSTER R.I.P). The Nielsen SoundScan, used to report final sales to consumers, revealed some of its figures in a September 2002 issue of Billboard Magazine. â€Å"Nielsen SoundScan reports that overall music sales compared with the year before were off by 12.6%†¦while album sales were off by 9.8%. Total first-half units sold fell to 317.7 million units from 363.4 million; the number of albums sold slipped to 311. 1 million units from 344.8 million – an 8.1% drop† (Garrity). Even the number of albums that become hits is... ...election and convenience of P2Ps. Because of consumer’s tendency to download single songs by many varying artists, many may wonder if increased Internet use will eventually exterminate the record album from existence. Personally, I do not foresee the death of CDs and albums as a product. The MP3 format is not quite CD quality, and the singles that are typically downloaded by consumers do not always reflect the talent or best product of a certain performer. Singles are what will make money, but B-sides, the songs that people do not buy the CD for, are also a culmination of an artist’s hard work. B-sides make an album good or bad, and consumers simply do not download B-sides. I fear that buying an entire album will become more rare as these new programs emerge that allow consumers to buy one song at a time, but the album will prevail. Newspapers and Magazines are now available online, but they still appear for retail in stores and by offline subscriptions. Online musi c purchasing shows no signs of dropping, and the consumers show no sign of listening to less music. The industry just has to take the initiative to make the music more accessible to music listeners at a fairer price.

Despotism: Political Philosophy and 14th Century Essay

The Renaissance developed a new and unique form of politics referred to as Despotism. Despotism is a form of government in which a single entity rules with absolute power. The single ruling entity may be an individual, as in an autocracy, or it may be a group, as in an oligarchy. The great Renaissance historian John Addington Symonds refers to the 14th and 15th Centuries in Italy as the â€Å"Age of the Despots. † It was under the tyrannies, in the midst of all the wars and revolutions, that the Italians were given the chance to develop their peculiar individuality. This individuality determined the qualities of the Renaissance and affected Europe as a whole. Italy, due to their unique form of politics, was able to lead the way in the education of Western races, and was the first to distinguish Classical and Medieval life. The conditions that led to this new form of Political government were distinctive to Italian urban life. By the 14th Century, Italy was divided into many principalities surrounding city-States. The cities were an integral part of life in Italy due to commerce, and Italians were the first to reap the benefits of new and increasing trade due to their favorable geographic position in the Mediterranean Sea. Because there was a constant political and class struggle in the cities, Italy lacked a central authority of power. In cities such as Florence, Pisa, and Milan, the age-old rival between Pope and Emperor played itself out. The Guelph party supported the Pope, while the Ghibbiline party supported the Emperor. Civil wars were fought in the cities and ended with a despotism system of ruling, either with an oligarchy or an autocracy. The forming of these authorities was crucial, because peace is essential for trade, and the surplus wealth from commerce is what led to the growth or art and literature, which began the Renaissance. The despots, who were the powerful rulers during despotism, were not from traditional dynasties, and therefore they reached their positions of power in various other ways. Some were appointed by the Holy Roman Emperor to assert his rule, as was the case for the Visconti of Milan in the 14th Century. Other despots were hired soldiers, who later became rulers of the cities they were hired to protect, as was the case for the Sforzas in Milan in the 15th Century. Some despots were elected Mayor of their towns, some controlled their town’s elections- as the Medici family in Florence did, and some despots ruled solely because they were the sons and nephews of Popes. Due to their various ways of gaining power, the despot was usually not from a traditional dynasty, and therefore they did not have the traditional loyalty of the people. Each despot had to gain the loyalty of the people either through a winning personality, or by being clever in the political game. The Despotic court had to set its own rules, which were eventually written down in the Book of the Courtier, which became the guide book for the courts of Early Modern Europe. The most important and the most influential work dealing on Despotism is Machiavelli’s The Prince, and Machiavelli is considered by some to be the father of modern Power Politics. The Italian Renaissance was essentially a mind-set, a collection of powerful attitudes and beliefs. The development of despotism pacified the country from the chaos of their constant civil wars, and allowed them peace, which was essential for trade. As commerce reopened, people began traveling freely, and the level of education began to rise as well as the amount of books that were read. This soon led to an overwhelming growth of literature and art, of which the Renaissance is famous for.

Our Nation s Critical Infrastructure - 1249 Words

In the past sixteen years the United States has seen significant changes to the national policies that protect the population and its critical infrastructure. Two main agencies that arose from the 911 Attacks were the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Homeland Defense (HLD). These two agencies are responsible for protecting countless potential terrorist targets, millions of citizens, and the thousands of miles of U.S boarders. How can two government agencies protect so many assets? This paper will explore the two agencies and identify key roles, responsibilities, resources, and operations. It will highlight the efforts shared between the two agencies and provide the authors own definition of the DHS. Lastly, this paper will identify our nation’s critical infrastructure and how it intertwines with the DHS and HLD, by discussing the resources needed to operate successfully. These two agencies may be separate organizations but they have much more in common than one might think. Let’s begin by looking at the primary mission of each agency. According to classroom text, â€Å"The DHS is responsible for preparation of, prevention of, deterrence of, preemption of, defense against, and response to threats and aggression directed towards U.S. territory, sovereignty, domestic population, and infrastructure; as well as crisis management, and consequence management† (Week 1 Lesson). The DHS has a wide array of responsibilities that incorporates twenty-nineShow MoreRelatedCritical Infrastructure Protection1106 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction When it comes to protecting an infrastructure, careful planning and coordination needs to take place. Protecting an infrastructure takes an important security initiative called Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP). The United States critical infrastructure is protected by the Department of Homeland Security. Examine three areas of the Department of Homeland Security: mission, operations and responsibilities The first area is the Department of Homeland Security’s mission. The DepartmentRead MoreEssay about Assignment 2: Critical Infrastructure Protection1280 Words   |  6 PagesAssignment 2: Critical Infrastructure Protection Eustace LangleyCIS 502 May-23-2013 Facilitator: Dr. Gideon U. Nwatu Strayer University Critical Infrastructure Protection Introduction The Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience advances a national unity of effort to strengthen and maintain secure, functioning, and resilient critical infrastructure (The White House Office of the Press Secretary, February 2013). It is imperative for every nation to developRead MoreThe Department Of Homeland Security And Homeland Defense969 Words   |  4 Pagesresponsibilities must be better resourced than those of the enemy. Success in each of these objectives requires a well-organized infrastructure with clear mission sets. The afore mentioned areas of responsibility, related planning, and resource/personnel management are fluid (rightfully so) and are constantly reevaluated, restructured, and/or reinforced to best counterattack our Nation’s vulnerabilities before they become casualties. In its very simplest terms, Homeland Security’s focus startsRead MoreInformation Security For The Energy Sector1549 Words   |  7 Pagesinstitutions in the United States if the nation is to continue enjoying peace. After the 9/11 attacks, every citizen of the United States is always in fear of what could happen if an attack is waged. Going by the magnitude of the 9/11 attacks, any new attack would catch the country any time and from any quarters. Having this in mind, the security apparatus tasked with securing information in the energy sector should be very keen as the different critical infrastructures in the energy sector could be theRead MoreThe Purpose Of A National Cybersecurity Strategy1421 Words   |  6 Pagestechnologies, and interconnected networks have become integral part of our daily life. Society, businesses, government and national defense depend entirely on the well-functioning of information technology and information infrastructures, communication, tr ansportation, e-commerce, emergency services and financial services depend on the integrity, availability and confidentiality of information streaming these infrastructures. As our society become more reliable on IT, the availability and protectionRead MoreThe Goals Of Risk Management Essay1395 Words   |  6 Pagesmanagement is to identify and eliminate or evade potential vulnerabilities and threats that are not wanted because it creates losses. The fundamentals concepts and principals of Risk Management apply at home, at work, in the community, and at critical infrastructure locations in because there are risks that can cause losses at these places which should be identified and escaped. For instance, at home there are many vulnerabilities which should be found and ways to evade them determined, houses are vulnerableRead MoreRole Of The Department Of Homeland Security1659 Words   |  7 Pagescreation of many anti-terrorism organizations was a clear message that this threat is b eyond a single military or intelligence capacity. Our citizens demanded a strong response that would prevent any future terrorist threat. President Bush created the Department of Homeland Security as the key agency responsible for all anti-terrorism activities to protect our homeland. Government officials and law makers introduced anti-terrorism laws and measures to allow key intelligence and counterterrorism agenciesRead MoreGovernment Regulation By The Private Sector Essay1570 Words   |  7 Pages Introduction Today, our nation is under constant attack by hackers, terrorist groups and other enemies. Unfortunately regardless of how innovative our government or private sectors have become with securing the network systems, the frequency and intensity of the attacks have only increased. Over the last decade, security breaches and cyber-attacks have highlighted how dependent our nation is on its critical infrastructure. It was concluded that a total of 54% of cyber-attacks targeted the USRead MoreHomeland Security And Defense Security Essay1199 Words   |  5 Pagesvery similar words, one you are securing a given item and the other you are defending. So, wouldn’t you think that homeland defense and homeland security would be the same? You would, but they are not. Homeland defense is the of its self is the infrastructure used to defend us against any sort of external threat. Whereas Homeland Security is the strategy that is used with to combat these sort of things. It goes without saying that the primary mission of homeland security and defense, is to protectRead MoreCritical Infrastructure : The United States Forward As A World Dominating Force Essay1161 Words   |  5 PagesCritical infrastructure is actively what moves the United States forward as a world dominating force. Critical infrastructure is also the life-blood that maintains the nation’s way of life. Each one of these organizations gives strength to the country’s wealth, health and security. We use them every day in our lives, it is the bridges we cross when we go to work, and it is the planes, trains, and automobiles that move the citizens throughout the nation. It is these types of critical infrastructure

Dr. James Hardy Performed The First Successful Long Term...

Dr. James Hardy performed the first human lung transplant in 1963, although the patient only lived 18 days.1 The first successful long-term lung transplant was performed in 1983 in Toronto. Recipients of the first lung transplants were plagued by infection, rejection, and most significantly, bronchial anastomotic dehiscence.2 However with advancements in bronchoscopy, ventilation perfusion screening, echocardiography and radiological imaging, there are other post-surgical complications which have been identified as important risks for lung transplant patients. Lung transplantation can take two forms: 1) as a single-lung transplant (to either side via thoracotomy) or 2) as a bilateral-lung transplant (via bilateral thoracotomies or via a†¦show more content†¦While the donor lung is being prepared and removed from its cold ice gauze (a technique to extend the cold preservation time), the pulmonary vessels within the thorax are clamped off. When considering order of re-anastomosis and insertion of the donor lung, bronchial arteries are reattached first, followed by the pulmonary artery, then the pulmonary veins.2 Before the final sutures are tightened, the donor lungs are inflated and aerated. The final steps of the procedure include a bronchoscopy, which examines the airways and detects any unwanted blood or secretions. However, bronchoscopies should be done sparingly as their uses may cause a delayed pneumothorax in a lung transplant patient.3 Post-transplant, patients are monitored very closely in the intensive care unit (ICU) and pharmacological and mechanical management is implemented when necessary. Within the first 24-48 hours after surgery, a patient is ventilated and their Po2 and Pco2 levels are scrutinized. Diuretics may be used in order to avoid any complications from fluid buildup or imbalances that may occur and help with pulmonary recovery.2 Other complications that may occur within the first two days of surgery include: technical complications, graft dysfunction, infections, and rejection. Stenosis of one or more of the anastomoses accounts for 15% the technical complications, which may lead to graft dysfunction.4 Other components of graft dysfunction incorporate pathology from

Career Episode-2 . C.E.2.1 Introduction. C.E.2.1.1 Duration

CAREER EPISODE-2 C.E.2.1 INTRODUCTION C.E.2.1.1 DURATION: The duration of this episode was from June 2015 to December 2015. C.E.2.1.2 PROJECT NAME: Designing, Erection and Commissioning of 5/8 inches to 4 inches High Frequency Tube Mill for 3G Metal Corp. in Bawal, Rewari. C.E.2.1.3 LOCATION: This project was located at Plot no. 119, Sector 26, Industrial Area, Bhiwani. C.E.2.1.4 ORGANIZATION’S NAME: Nav Jyoti Casting Engg. Works. C.E.2.1.5 POSITION: Mechanical Engineer in the Erection Department. C.E.2.2 BACKGROUND C.E.2.2.1 CAREER HISTORY: After completing my first project of Manufacturing, Erection Commissioning of S.S. slitting line (850mm) for Anmol Stainless steel Pvt Ltd, Kolkata, I worked in my company’s projects as a†¦show more content†¦- Detailing and dimensioning the various components for manufacturing. - Working with maintenance teams to develop and implement preventative maintenance processes. - Transforming research ideas into technical plans with the help of computer aided design (AUTOCAD) program. - Creating designs with the help of computer aided design (AUTOCAD) program. - Evaluating final products, overall performance, reliability and safety. C.E.2.2.7 PROJECT BACKGROUND: The project was a direct consequence of the flexible tube mill design which stipulated better efficiency measures, particularly for special (round or square) pipe manufacturing. C.E.3.3 PERSONAL ENGINEERING ACTIVITY C.E.2.3.1 ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS APPLIED: - Concept design generation was guided by theories from Design Engineering like Computer Aided Design and AUTOCAD. This computer program helped in drafting and translates customer needs into product features. - Designing of mechanisms required knowledge in Basics of Mechanical Engineering, Kinematics of Machines, Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials and Mechanical Machine Design. - Concepts of Manufacturing Technology used in considering the implications of issues such as cost, safety and time constraints. - Detailing and dimensioning required knowledge of various Manufacturing operations and Drawing fundamentals to increasing the efficiency of manufactured components thereby reducing manufacturing costs. -

Follow your Dreams Free Essays

Most important factor in anyone’s life. If you really want to fulfill your dreams then surround yourself with positive successful people who believe in your dreams. Common fact, whatever we get for an intake, we try to make our self regarding an environment. We will write a custom essay sample on Follow your Dreams or any similar topic only for you Order Now Some of us can be think totally out of the box but what about others? This thing would happen with most of us. It is very important to know that What is our aim, What is our values in our own life because we mostly tried to listen random options from others. Lets give you my own example. When I turned 25, There is something make me think what I actually want in my life and why I am here as a Human. Being human is much better than human being. To earn a handsome salary is the only motto of my Life†¦ (laugh) My aim was constantly blow regarding an outer Winds. Sometimes it works, many times it doesn’t. But one day, I remember very clearly I found something special which really turns my whole entire life. It was not a Special Quote or big counseling it was Just a ‘Broacher’ for Mass Communication College in Pune. But many hesitations came across in my mind. It seems so many hurdles like how would I get enroll in that college. Is my choose is right or not blaa, blaa.. But one thing was very clear and that is whatever hilarious situation may be came across my way.. but I will never ever see back again. I made something so clear that† Writing† is the only thing which I Born for!! Then What BINGO!! Days were passed and today is the day where you all reading my penning, my own sketched career. While having walk in my desirable career I get some auspicious persons whose suggestions, attentions, even scolding words made my skills so stronger. It is been said that if you aim for nothing, you will hit it every time. Have something to aim for, a dream that you hold close dream is not Just mean to fulfill your dream. Joseph Murphy penned down a beautiful quotes in his world famous book ‘The unconscious mind’ that everyone get what they actually want, Just need to be transfer it in your nconscious mind that you are fulfilling everything what you exactly want. Everyone must think at once, Who you are and what you actually want? No matters whether you want to become Chef, Artists, Manager or even Writer. Simplify and identify your own way and go for a walk in your own path. Believe in yourself. Try to be an optimist in every sovereign situations. Try to introduce yourself a more powerful individual in this small Cosmos. Be like a Labor . And show your liability our laborite that you are not Just something but you are everything in your life. I Choose to live by choice not by chance, to make changes not excuses, to be motivated not manipulated, to be useful not used, to be excel not compete, I choose self- esteem not self pity, I choose to listen my inner voice, not the random options for others. And the bottom line is We are only responsible for our own Happiness. So go and get ready to make your own master piece because today is a perfect day to start living your dreams. Dreams don’t work unless you do. Best Luck!!!!! Follow your Dreams By monicanagdeote How to cite Follow your Dreams, Papers

Change Management Of Nike Free Samples †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Change Management Of Nike. Answer: Introduction Change management is considered to be very crucial in order to gain competitive advantage which is considered to be the main aim of many organizations. Most of the leaders as well as the change agents face various conflicting challenges regarding understanding as well as motivating the highly diverse workforce , being accountable to stakeholders while planning for their future in a highly chaotic environment (Waddell, Creed, Cummings, Worley, 2014). This report analyses the organizational and development lessons that can be learnt from an organization, Nike. Resistance to Change at Nike In case of Nike s study of its supply chain at its factories it was found that by adopting Lean was associated with 15 percent reduction in non-compliance with the labour standards for example time off, wages, as well as benefits. In 1990s the global boycott campaign became very successful and it showed how industry giants can be accounted by consumers the stakeholders. Then Nike board member Jill Ker Conway visited several factories of Nike and identified many ways in which they can be improved by bringing a change in relationship between the management and workers (Griffin-Smith, 2016). Thus Nike started making commitments with its longstanding suppliers so as to implement Lean transformation. The transformation to lean required higher commitment for the contract factories. Many factories had to change their physical layout of entire shop floor; managers who were responsible for lean manufacturing were appointed and sent for training to Sri Lanka. Even Nikes President and CEO Mark Parker have discussed that it is design which keeps ion changing and helps in propelling the $60 billion business ahead. They try to overcome resistance to change by innovating new ways for example the new Flyknit running shoes (Brownlee, 2013). This indicates that change itself is not the issue rather resistance to the change is the major problem. Lean helped the Nike workers as they were assigned the responsibility individually towards quality control as well as they started finding out techniques through which they can improve overall production. This helped in increasing their skill sets as well as added value to the business (Rick, 2013). Implementing Contingency Approach to Change Management Contingency Approach is quite different approach towards change that works in various circumstances. The change model incorporates soft as well as award approaches and this model is two dimensional matrix with two categories that are : scale of change and style of management which need to be used by an organization in order to facilitate change. Out of the four strategies of organizational change that are: Participative evolution, charismatic transformation, forced evolution and Dictatorial transformation, Nike adopts Charismatic transformation. For example in case of Nike the CEO Phil Knight responded to the over campus apparel , focus groups as well as campus protests with young teenagers who got to know about sweatshops. The leadership in this case is found to be collaborative or consultative form of leadership and scale of change is corporate transformation . ON the top level of management leadership at Nike is laissez- faire because all the different departments get the freedom in the decision making process and the top management is also responsible for motivating as well as transferring the visions of the company so that finally the organizational goals and missions are fulfilled (Carty, 2010). Nike on the other hand keeps on developing large number of innovative techniques in order to handle its business. Its organizational structure as well as the peculiarities in the management helps the company to stay sensitive regarding the changing consumer as well as social trends. Recommendations and Conclusion Since resistance towards change is a major issue which the organizations face so to handle that change the leaders or change agents play a crucial role. However, the leaders cant control much of the world which is changing around, but they can still give response to the manner in which the employees feel about the change. By understanding some of the most common reasons due to which the people oppose the change Nike got an opportunity to plan their change strategy in order to address all these factors. Thus by expecting some kind of resistance towards change as well as planning for it well in advance rather from the beginning of the firms change management helps in very efficiently as well as effectively manage all the objections. Lean at Nike helped it in incentivising the contract factories so as to improve their working conditions, it also helped in waste reduction as well as decline in inefficiencies and helped in safeguarding employee satisfaction. Thus Nike being a socially res ponsible company is every ready for change and keeps on changing itself. Bibliography Brownlee, J. (2013, February 10). Nikes 5 Lessons On Innovation By Design. Co. Design. Carty, V. (2010). The Internet and grassroots politcs: Nike, the athletic apparel industry and the anti-sweatshop campaign. Tamara Journal for Critical Organization Inquiry. Griffin-Smith, I. (2016, October 31). How Nike Used Lean to Solve its Sweatshop Problem. The Leadership Network. Rick, T. (2013, March 8). CHANGE IS NOT THE PROBLEM RESISTANCE TO CHANGE IS THE PROBLEM. Meliorate: Change Management. Waddell, D., Creed, A., Cummings, T., Worley, C. G. (2014). Organisational Change: Development and Transformation 6th Edition. Cengage Learning.