Strategies of Approaching Business Ventures

Introduction According to Sarasvathy (2008) there are two distinct strategies of approaching business ventures. Sarasvathy identified that causation is a strategy that is strictly reliant on a plan set initially. She described another strategy referred to as effectuation.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Strategies of Approaching Business Ventures specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Effectuation model describes the situation in which a business changes in accordance to emerging issues. This model is applied highly by entrepreneurs when venturing into businesses. This essay will focus on evaluating the suggestions of commentators about entrepreneurs and the models. Academic concepts There are various conceptual factors that are applied to facilitate appreciation of businesses. The factors that are listed below represent the ideas enabling concepts of business ideas to flourish. Effectiveness This is the degree to whic h a problem is solved (Needham Dransfield 1994). For a business plan to work precisely, it should focus on the extents of marking and determining the prevailing solution. When the prevailing solutions, directive and proper guideline are enacted they go to fit the issue at hand. This presents a good atmosphere for business development and proper progress. An effective business model facilitates the initiation of proper business strategies that are potentially productive with time. It is vital to note that descriptive analysis converge a wide range of ideas into a comprehensive statement targeted to fulfill the ultimate business goal (McKelvey 1996). For these reasons, entrepreneurs prefer this dynamic model that maximizes profits according to situations. Assessment This involves checking the validity or performance of an influenced decision from time to time (Steingold 2004). It ensures minimal mistakes are made on decisions made concerning the new ventures. Assessments display the nature of the prevailing factors around a business. These assessments help to mitigate the factors and modify the business interactions within the environment. In this way, business manages to exploit the surrounding factors to its advantage. Assessments are, therefore, vital in mitigating the direction of the business and ensuring that proper measures are considered amicably.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Accountability The decisions made concerning the new venture should be realistic and reliable for its outcome (Udell 1991). In most cases, there are factors that must be considered through all means. These include being accountable to the activities that a business performs. For instance, if there are some influences concerning pollution of the environment, there must be responsive factors incorporated to fit into this situation. Probably, the business must take responsi bility by hiring people to take care on this issue. The entrepreneurs prefer effectuation due to the ability to change strategies in accordance to situations. For instance, repairs and urgent issues are addressed amicably. Business Models Merchant These are wholesalers and retailers of goods who sell their goods via listing prices or carrying out an auction. They must be present and available at the prevailing business plans (Forsyth 2002). They, also, set up some systems that seek to put their customers on a competition bid. As a result, they have a chance of selling the products at prices that are suggested by the customers. This ensures that the customers do not lack confidence with the company. Instead, they understand that they have a self-regulating system. Manufacturer They produce goods and avail them to their customers directly. This suppresses the chain of distribution. Consequently, it is vital of consider the place from the manufacturer. This is because consumers get acc ess to the products at cheap prices that a business venture cannot manage. Therefore, entrepreneurs can learn this and take charge of effectuation to implement alternative strategies. The community This model is based on customer loyalty to the buyer. Revenue is based on the level of the advertisement, subscription on goods sale or even voluntary contributions. In this light, the manufacturer supports the community as a way of giving back. In this case, the company focuses on the value maximization rather than the profit maximization. They support the community in cases of sponsoring education of children, and sponsoring events among others. As a result, the customers remain loyal to them and avoid wavering on other companies.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Strategies of Approaching Business Ventures specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Utility This is the usefulness of a good or service to a buyer. Consequently, i ts acquisition is based on the usability of the commodity to the consumer (Wren Greenwood 1998). In this light, the manufacturer ensures that the quality of their goods and services is satisfactory. This ensures that the products are usable and meets the needs of the customers. It discourages manufacturing products according to the company’s perspective. On the other hand, it encourages manufacturing products according to the perspective of the customer. Infomediary In this case, the business ventures involve linking buyers to the best products by looking for the best producers of the products needed (Bragg Bragg 2005). Therefore, the customer understands the market well and gets the best commodities to their preference at the time. It seeks to equip the customers with necessary information. This allows them to make informed decisions when buying products. Advertising This kind of business is joined to broadcasting whereby commodities are advertised on the television and on the internet (Arkebauer Miller 1999). This captures market of a product that may be new in a market or substitute goods that are thriving in a very competitive market. It ensures that the company succumbs to the competition that is raised by other company. In fact, advertisements are the most crucial component of any successful business. Affiliate This is a business model that is common in the internet (Forsyth 2002). It does volume marketing of products where people are exposed to advertisements. A good example is the goggle affiliate marketing. This program seeks to allow marketing through personal sites. As a result, goggle acquires a wide network of customers. Brokerage This form of business links between buyers to sellers (Bangs 1996). They carry out transactions in a qualified manner but are liable to the immediate sellers. It enables the customers to attain knowledge about the market position and the products that are in the market. It ensures that they do not miss goods an d services owing to their ignorance.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Leverage Some people venture into businesses through profit making (Appleby 1994). Leverage is a financial activity that arises after multiplying gains by landing out its fixed assets. They do not concentrate on empowering other players in their business. In this case, they deviate from profit maximization and adopt the concept of profit maximization. Leverage This business comes up with new inventions into the market. For example, new phone makes and designs of software are presentable leverage. Innovations ensure that the company will maintain their customers in the business. For example, software industries ensure that updates are developed after some time. It ensures that there is something to get from the developers at all times. Examples The following paragraphs present entrepreneurial businesses that have applied effectuation to their prosperity. Amazon This business levers out its assets through online books. To enable people air suggestions and make opinions concerning book s. It, also, offers e-commerce services to the companies linked to it in different dimensions like their distributors. It, also, brings together buyers and sellers. Apple solutions Apple has brought a vast change in the industry of computers, music and the world of mobile phones. It has, also, come up with a number of peripherals. Media and software supports effectiveness of their products. It is an example of an innovative business. It came up as an innovative business and has ventured into brokerage. Etsy This is an online business that markets handmade products to people all over the world. They make the product easy to use and ensure that they can earn from the devices. In this case, the customers can correct data and upload it online hence making money for their use. Cisco This is a business that deals with networking. It offers internet solutions concerning business and other matters like the environment. It is a publication and merchandise business. In this business, they hav e created a network of IT experts around the world. They have setup a program that seeks to capture the young experts from school into their company. This ensures that their staff is vigorous, vibrant and competent. McDonald’s It is a business situated in the United States of America that franchises businesses in 119 other countries with large number of employees. The McDonald Company offers fast foods in the United States of America. It has made a network that helps in distributing their risks. The distribution of risk ensures that they do not go down in case a single country fails their business. They have setup their headquarters in USA while the other departments are distributed over the 119 countries. In addition, they have the loyalty programs that assist customers. References Appleby, R 1994, Modern business administration, Pitman, London. Arkebauer, J Miller, J 1999, Leading edge business planning for entrepreneurs, Dearborn Financial Pub, Chicago. Bangs, D 1996, Sma rt steps to smart choices: testing your business idea, Upstart Pub Co, Chicago. Bragg, A Bragg M 2005, Developing new business ideas: a step-by-step guide to creating new business ideas worth backing, Financial Times, Harlow. Forsyth, P 2002, Business planning, Capstone Pub, Oxford. McKelvey, M 1996 Evolutionary innovations: the business of biotechnology, Oxford University Press, Oxford. Needham, D Dransfield, R 1994 Business studies (2nd ed.), Stanley Thornes, Cheltenham. Sarasvathy, S 2008, Effectuation: Elements of Entrepreneurial Expertise, Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, Cheltenham. Steingold, F 2004, Legal forms for starting running a small business, Nolo, Berkeley. Udell, G 1991, Ideas, inventions, innovations, Small Business Administration, Washington. Wren, D Greenwood, R 1998, Management innovators: the people and ideas that have shaped modern business, Oxford University Press, New York. This essay on Strategies of Approaching Business Ventures was written and submitted by user Ayleen B. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

PROMETHEUS BOUND essays

PROMETHEUS BOUND essays Peter Paul Rubens (1547 - 1640) When I walked into the Philadelphia Museum of Art for my first time I could not wait to start looking at the artworks of brilliant artist of the past and present. I took my time on my first visit looking at as much as I could. Prometheus Bound by Peter Paul Ruben and Frans Synders, is one of the painting that drew my attention immediately and beckoned me to examine its history. Located on the second floor in room 258, this oil on canvas painting, spanning 95 7/8 x 82 1/2 (7 117/8 x 6 101/2), was begun in 1611 and completed in 1618. Ruben completed the majority of the painting while Synders painted the giant Caucasian Eagle. I choose this painting because I am interested in myths and legends, and the story of Prometheus is of my favorites. I feel Ruben and Synders rendition is unique and mesmerizing due to the visual attributes. In both Greek and Roman mythologies Prometheus was a Titan whose name means "Forethought." Although there are several versions of the myths, the most famous are that Prometheus creates man and later steals fire from Mount Olympus to save mankind. In the Greek myth, Prometheus was the creator of mankind. The goddess Athena taught him architecture, astronomy, mathematics, navigation, medicine, and metallurgy, and he in turn taught them to humans. Zeus, the chief of the Greek gods, became angry with Prometheus for making people powerful by teaching them all these useful skills. Then when the gods chose Prometheus as mediator in a dispute, he fooled the gullible Zeus into picking the worst parts of the sacrificial bull by hiding them under a rich layer of fat. To punish Prometheus, Zeus withheld fire from men. "Let them eat their flesh raw," he declared. Nevertheless, Prometheus disobeyed Zeus and stole fire from one of the other gods, returning to earth to delivered fire to mankind. Z eus trie...

Service Marketing Management Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Service Marketing Management - Term Paper Example According to the Consumer Credit Act 1974, a lender is also held responsible along with the supplier of the goods for any type of breach of contract or the misrepresentation made. This also, therefore, means that the banks have probably failed to correctly anticipate the needs of their customers and then form strategic alliances with the firms offering the goods that consumers want to purchase through credit extended by the banks. According to the Consumer Credit Act 1974, a lender is also held responsible along with the supplier of the goods for any type of breach of contract or the misrepresentation made. This also, therefore, means that the banks have probably failed to correctly anticipate the needs of their customers and then form strategic alliances with the firms offering the goods that consumers want to purchase through credit extended by the banks. Most of the banks are willing to offer what they promise to their customers, however, due to other dimensions, they may not be a ctually delivering what they promise to do. Large Banks, however, seems to be too occupied with offering the services that are more profit-oriented and do not take into consideration what is actually required by the customers Smaller Banks and larger retailers fill that gap?   The above discussion indicates that there are two major gaps in the services offered by the large banks. These include reliability as well as the assurance and as such consumers seem to be most dissatisfied in these two areas. Reliability is often an issue in retail consumer credit wherein banks often tend to levy charges which are not either explicitly explained to the customers or presented in ambiguous and technical language. Since this is often done in order to make more out of unsecured relationships, many banks often engage themselves in such type of activities and result into the significant perceptions issues for the customers. Assurance is another critical gap because many consumers believe that the banks fail to deliver the required services with a given level of services. The issues related with the administration of the services clearly indicate towards the lack of required skills to basically administer the service and may indicate that the large banks are lacking behind in training and development of their employees.  

Trust Property Law Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Trust Property Law - Term Paper Example Law of equity and trust confers the provision regarding the trust. It laid down several duties and responsibilities for the trustees. Moreover, there are provisions like co-ownership, proprietary estoppels, fiduciary relationship etc. Apart from this, one of the prominent features of trust is, it can be raised from either trust deed/covenant as said before or by the Will, i.e. a testamentary trust is a trust created by a Will or a codicil to a Will. A testament is a Will. of or includes land and the trustees of such a trust are trustees of land. Any description of trust includes an implied resulting or constructive trust and a bare trust. (1) An implied trust is based on the presumed intention of the parties at the time the property is acquired by the resulting trustee. That is the point at which the contributors' beneficial interests crystallize. The beneficial shares are unaffected by subsequent conduct. This scope of implied trust has been rightly explained in Cowcher v Cowcher (2). Moreover, a trust can be defined as a "land" which includes land of any tenure and property divided either vertically or horizontal (as in the case of a block of flats) and easements but does not include an undivided share in the land. (3)Now we shall scrutinize how far the scope of trust of land and its various ingredients will help to analyze the issues brought up in the given problem.Before deciding the rights of Ayesha and Ben in the property, the meaning and significance of the concept co-ownership and beneficial joint tenants are to be explained. Beneficial joint tenantsCo-ownership (4) is where a person is entitled to hold the land together with others who have simultaneous interests at the same time they are said to hold concurrently. Where ever there is co-ownership there will be a trust of land. There are 2 types of co-ownership 1. Trust of land and Appointment of trustees Act 1996, sub-section (1) (a) 2. Cowcher v Cowcher [1972] 1 WLR 425 (CA) 3. Law of property 1925 Act, Section 205(1) (ix)4. Law of Property Act 1925, Sec 1Â  

Peugeot , Ethical and social responsibilities Essay

Peugeot , Ethical and social responsibilities - Essay Example All groups of stakeholders have certain interest in the company. The equity shareholders derive greater interest from the company’s return on investment. The company’s CSR Group presents its shareholders with comprehensive and transparent information and precisely the records and events of its activities that are related to its accounts. The company along with the CSR Group maintain loyalty and transparency towards their customers and suppliers in order to develop and preserve long term confident relationships. PSA Peugeot Citroen has signed an international agreement on social responsibility. They have committed to respect fundamental human rights, sharing social needs with industrial partners, sales network team, sub-contractors and suppliers and impact of company’s activities upon the local boundaries (PSA Peugeot Citroen, n.d.). PSA Peugeot Citroen is guided by certain set of values that are griped by its employees, executives and reaffirmed in the group’s objectives to promote conscientious progression. These aspirations are associated with the collective commitments towards the key stakeholders, consumers, partners, community and employees (PSA Peugeot Citroen, 2010). The laws abided by the company include conformity with laws and regulations, non-admittance of inner information and genuineness of accounting statistics, information and indicator (PSA Peugeot Citroen, 2010). The aspects include respect for essential human civil rights, conformity with place of work related to health and safety rules, Admiration for the surroundings & prevention of prejudice, Nuisance and impolite behaviour, Reverence for private life (PSA Peugeot Citroen, 2010). The factors considered under this aspect are the transparent affairs with consumers, vendors and competitors, restrictions on aids and provocations, utilization and security of

Sexual Abuse in Institutions of Learning Disabled

Sexual Abuse in Institutions of Learning Disabled Literature review that critically analyses the sexual abuse of people with learning disabilities in institutions There are a great many facets to the problem of sexual abuse of people with learning disabilities in institutions. The wide variety of learning disabilities, the wide scope for different types of sexual abuse and indeed the huge variety in the institutions themselves, means that there is not any unified standpoint or all-encompassing view that can be taken on the subject. (Ryan J et al 1987). This review will therefore consider each of these aspects in turn together with the literature associated with them and then attempt to draw conclusions from a critical evaluation of each The term learning disability is applied to cover a wide range of different clinical entities. Differing impairments due to differing aetiologies are typically â€Å"lumped together â€Å" under this one term. In the context of this review, differentiation of the various types of learning disability is largely irrelevant and the only discriminating factor that may be relevant is the degree of disability or impairment. For that reason alone we shall consider all causes of learning disability and the conclusions reached will therefore largely be generalisations in the area. Approximately 2% of the UK population are currently classified as having a learning disability and this proportion has been slowly rising over time. In their comprehensive review of the subject, Xenitidis suggests that the reasons for this growth are manifold and complex. (Xenitidis K et al 2000). Part of the reasons given are that the definitions and criteria for the diagnosis of a learning disability are progressively changing as our knowledge of the area expands together with the fact that other relevant factors are changing such as the socio-economic conditions together with the fact that pre-term neonates who would previously been expected to die are now helped to survive but with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and learning disability (Aspray TJ et al. 1999). The McGrother study suggests that over a 35yr period from 1960 the prevalence of learning disability has increased at an average rate of 1.2% per year (McGrother C et al. 2001). One of the difficulties encountered in the context of sexual abuse is the problems that there are in discovering it. The typical person with a learning disability may have differing perceptions of â€Å"right and wrong† and therefore may not be in a position to make a judgement about what is happening. Other factors are that they have a greater difficulty in accessing professional help. (Wilson D et al 1999).Clearly this is less of a problem if we consider the group who are in institutions rather then those who live in the community, but against this is the argument that those in institutions generally tend to be those with the greatest disability and therefore would intuitively be less able to draw attention to a potential problem. (Patja K. 2000) The literature in this area is not particularly extensive but there are a few high quality papers that stand out. The first is by Sequeira (Sequeira H et al 2003) which was a case controlled study (a rare construction in this particular area) which set out to consider any correlation between sexual abuse, mental health and behavioural problems in people with learning disabilities. The authors suggest that this is the first study to seek such a connection. They matched a surprisingly large entry cohort of 54 adults with learning disability in a residential setting who had suffered from sexual abuse with a similar cohort who had not been abused. The actual study was both carefully constructed and meticulously carried out. In broad terms the findings of the study were that there was a statistically significant correlation between sexual abuse and mental illness and behavioural problems together with symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Reassuringly, the authors found that the reactions to abuse were essentially the same as in the general population which suggests that when recognised, the symptoms were evident to observers, but equally this implies that a significant amount of abuse is undetected. (Thompson D et al 1997). With the group with learning disabilities, the authors concluded that in addition, the study group tended to exhibit stereotypical behaviour patterns and that there was a positive correlation between the degree of abuse and the severity of the symptoms reported. We can confidently conclude therefore that there is a positive association between sexual abuse and both psychiatric and behavioural abnormalities in people who have learning disabilities. How does the design and architecture of institutions foster abuse? It has to be observed that an extensive literature search reveals no specific studies on the issues of institution structure and opportunities for abuse. There are a number of papers that refer tangentially to the issue however, and we shall assimilate the points raised in them. Brown, (1999) and Manthorpe (et al, 1999), both observe that institutions, both large and small, are not specifically immune from sexual abuse of their residents. They point to working practices that allow professionals a degree of privacy when dealing with residents in vulnerable situations. (Burke K 1999). It would be unlikely that anyone would disturb a nurse giving a patient a bath or a doctor conducting an interview or examination of a patient. In this respect, it is not the actual architecture of the institution, it is the structuring of the working practice that fosters the possibility of abuse in this area. (Churchill J 1998). Some institutions have mixed sex dormitories and areas which can be difficult for nursing staff to monitor. Inter-resident abuse can therefore take place in areas which may be less easy to detect than the open plan structure of many wards in general hospitals (Brown H et al 1997) Who are the perpetrators of abuse against people with learning disabilities? This is clearly a difficult area in which to be dogmatic, as one can cite evidence from various enquiries which have examined the issue and have implicated virtually every category of professional from medical staff, (COI 1969), through nurses (COI 1971), to care assistants and sub-contracted employees (DOH 2000). Equally, to be balanced, one has to also examine the recent spate of prosecutions form residential care home workers that have been overturned in the appeal court where allegations of abuse have been found to be vindictive or fraudulent. (also COI 1978) What impact does power imbalance between carer and service user have over occurrence of abuse? Abuse, almost by definition, implies an abuse of power.(Northway R 1998).There is automatically an imbalance between those with learning disabilities and those in the general population as, by the very nature of their disability, the majority of those with a learning disability are dependent on other carers for their own protection and safety. (Pillemer K et al. 1993).This power imbalance is taken to a greater extreme when those (healthcare professionals) who are employed to care for their patients, and thereby are generally invested with a degree of trust give instructions to those who are more vulnerable. As Rogers points out, (Rogers AC 1997) the moment a nurse puts on a uniform or the doctor a white coat, they are invested with an automatic degree of authority and respect by the general population and possibly all the more so by those with learning disability, who may well have learned to be more deferential or respectful because these healthcare professionals are effectively the gatekeepers to their own security and well-being. (Sines D 1995) What can be done to reduce abuse in institutions? It is clearly important to be able to restore confidence in the residential settings for the care of those with learning disabilities. One of the prime mechanisms of reduction is to place professional emphasis on detection of abuse together with implementation of management procedures that will minimise the potential for abuse. The recent Government White Paper â€Å"No Secrets† (DOH 2000) has gone a long way into implementing such measures, and this, together with provincial measures in other parts of the UK (NAW 2000), presents guidelines which will help to prevent sexual abuse and also facilitate the investigation of such abuse when it is alleged. Professional bodies have publicly proclaimed a policy of Zero tolerance in this area and have encouraged the philosophy of â€Å"whistle blowing† (NMC 2002 a) it should be noted however, that a study commissioned by the same group, The Nursing and Midwifery council (NMC 2000 b) suggested that despite the guidance and directives given there is clear evidence that nurses, in particular, do not have sufficient knowledge or have received sufficient training in the area of prevention of sexual abuse to effect the recommendations in the Government White Papers. References Aspray TJ, Francis RM, Tyrer SP, and Quilliam SJ 1999 Patients with learning disability in the community BMJ, Feb 1999; 318: 476 – 477 Brown H Stein J 1997.  Sexual abuse perpetrated by men with intellectual disabilities: a comparative study.  Journal of Intellectual Disability Research 41 (3) 215-224. Brown H 1999,  Abuse of people with learning disabilities. In: N Stanley J Manthorpe r B Penhale (Eds) Institutional Abuse: Perspectives Across the Life Coarse. London: Routledge. 1999 Burke K 1999,  Nurses told to avoid close relationships with their patients.  Nursing Standard 13 (49) 4. Churchill J 1998,  It doesnt happen here! In:  T Thompson P Mathias (Eds)  London: Sage/Open University Press. 1998 COI 1969,  Committee of Inquiry (1969) Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Allegations of Ill-treatment of Patients and Other Irregularities at the Ely Hospital, Cardiff. Cmd 3975. London: HMSO. COI 1971,  Committee of Inquiry into Farleigh Hospital (1971) Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Farleigh Hospital.  London: HMSO. 1971,   COI 1978,  Committee of Inquiry into Normansfield Hospital (1978) Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Normansfield Hospital. Cmd 7357.  London: HMSO.1978 DOH 2000,  Department of Health (2000),  No Secrets: Guidance on Developing and Implementing Mula-agency Policies and Procedures to Protect Vulnerable Adults from Abuse.  London: The Stationery Office. 2000 Manthorpe J Stanley N 1999,  Shifting the focus: from bad apples to users rights. In: N Stanley J Manthorpe r B Penhale (Eds) Institutional Abuse: Perspectives Across the Life Course.  London: Routledge 1999 McGrother C, Thorp C, Taub N, Machado O. 2001,  Prevalence, disability and need in adults with severe learning disability.  Tiz Learn Dis Rev 2001;6: 4-13 NAW 2000,  National Assembly for Wales (2000) In Safe Hands: Protection of Vulnerable Adults in Wales.  Cardiff: Social Services Inspectorate for Wales. NMC (2002 a),  Code of Professional Conduct.  London: Nursing and Midwifery Council. NMC (2002 b),  Practitioner-Client Relationships and the Prevention of Abuse.  London: Nursing and Midwifery Council. Northway R 1998,  Oppression in the Lives of People with Learning Difficulties: A Participatory Study. PhD Thesis.  Bristol: University of Bristol. Patja K. 2000,  Life expectancy of people with intellectual disability: a 35-year follow-up study. J Intellect Disabil Res 2000;44: 590-9. Pillemer K Hudson B 1993,  A model abuse prevention programme for nursing assistants.  Gerentologist 33 (1) 128-131. Rogers AC 1997,  Vulnerability health and healthcare.  Journal of Advanced Nursing 26 65-72. Ryan J Thomas F 1987,  The Politics of Mental Handicap.  London: Free Association Books. Sequeira H, Howlin P, Hollins S 2003,  Psychological disturbance associated with sexual abuse in people with learning disabilities,  The British Journal of Psychiatry (2003) 183: 451-456 Sines D 1995,  Impaired autonomy: the challenge of caring.  Journal of Clinical Nursing 4 (2) 109-115. Thompson D, Clare I Brown H 1997,  Not such an ordinary relationship: the role of women support staff in relation to men with learning disabilities who have difficult sexual behaviour.  Disability and Society 12 (4) 573-592. Wilson D, Haire A. 1999,  Health care screening for people with mental handicap living in the community.,  BMJ 1999;301: 1379-81 Xenitidis K. Thornicroft G. Leese M. Slade M. Fotiadou M. Philp H. Sayer J. Harris E. McGee D. Murphy DG. 2000,  Reliability and validity of the CANDID-a needs assessment instrument for adults with learning disabilities and mental health problems.  British Journal of Psychiatry. 176:473-8, 2000 May ############################################################# 29.3.06 PDG Word count 2,071

The World According to Gump: All Nuts and Gooey Centers Essay -- essay

The World According to Gump: All Nuts and Gooey Centers "Life is like a box of chocolates," says Forrest Gump (as played by Tom Hanks) to anyone who will listen."You never know what you're going to get." This homily introduces us into the "world of Forrest Gump," both the random strangers Forrest encounters on his park bench, as well as the film's potential audience.Its folksy wisdom is meant to characterize for us the commonsense, down-to-earth, accepting and exceptional attitude supposedly unique to Forrest Gump; an attitude we will better understand once we have, as the advertisements put it, "seen the world through the eyes of Forrest Gump."Thus this dictum about chocolate is meant to capture what we might call the Gump Worldview: life is full of surprises, some of them odd or funny looking, but all of them enjoyable. Yet, if we can pull ourselves away from the tempting treats for a reflective moment, we might ask ourselves: is a box of chocolates really all that full of surprises?Is it really the case that you never know what you're going to get?If your experience with chocolates is anything like mine, you might agree that, finally, there are ultimately very few surprises to be had this way; that in fact chocolates exist in a fairly simple world where everything is either full of nuts or conceals a gooey center.And so this epigraph does indeed capture the Gump ideology--and a sugary, binary ideology it is. Yet it certainly does not capture the philosophy or mood of the book upon which the film is based.Forrest Gump, by southern writer Winston Groom, begins with the line, "Let me tell you this: being a idiot is no box of chocolates."Thus the film takes what is in the book a statement of protest and cynicism and... ...historical events in which it deals; and that ideology is disturbing.To protest the war is seen as indicative of a personality disorder; in fact, to protest anything is characterized as a psychological flaw, a self-destructive, self-indulgent neurosis.The epigraph for the film reads: "The world will never seem the same after you've seen it through the eyes of Forrest Gump."How true.How troubling, for it suggests that if our vision of history were as blinkered and our desires as ideologically vaccuous as are Forrest's, then all of our dreams (which we shouldn't have) will come true, and all of the world's conflicts (which are mere shams) would be solved.For Forrest Gump the film, life is indeed a series of chocolate-coated surprises--as long as you forget each chocolate the moment it is consumed and you desire nothing more than a steady diet of nuts and gooey centers.