Business Process Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Business Process Management - Assignment Example as an overall aim of controlling and monitoring the organization’s processes while seeking to enhance effectiveness of its workflow (Perficient, Inc 2014, p. 1). Moreover, organizations abhor BPM with an aim of enhancing its capacity to adapt to the numerous changes in the business environment. Indeed, Business Process Management has been an effective methodology in ensuring that the organization responds to challenges in the business environment in an efficient, cost-effective, and reasonable manner (AIIM 2014, p. 1). To enhance the implementation of Business Process Management, organizations must integrate information technology and management. Notably, BPM has been very fundamental in setting out the methods, techniques, and tools that organizations must use in designing, controlling, implementing, and analyzing effective business processes (AIIM 2014, p. 1). As such, it is clear that Business Process Management has an optimal goal of fostering communication and establishing rational business process that guarantees the overall success of the organization. Most importantly is the fact that for any business to succeed, it must rely on business process management, which equally relates to people change management. Indeed, we can establish that business process management entails people, applications, documents, people, and various sources of information. Ideally, people change management relates to business process management in any organization within the business environment. It is factual that business process management entails a combination of processes, technologies, and people to enhance the overall performance in the organization and boost customer value (Perficient, Inc 2014, p. 1). People change management relates to the people’s perception on organizational change in a business environment. Indeed, business process management allows the management to design and implement people solutions that relate to the environmental and organisational culture

The Measure of a Man Essay Example for Free

The Measure of a Man Essay First and foremost I think that it’s important for us to stop and reflect on what it truly means to be a man. With majority of our young men dropping into crime and violence, as well as dropping out of school, it’s important that we understand how each and every one of us can make a difference in changing this pattern in their minds. In one of Dr. King’s speeches he challenges the young men of our society to rethink their understanding and definition on what it means to be a man. Dr. King stated that, â€Å"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.† In this statement it is implied but not expressed that the belief of manhood is not defined by your outward maleness, but by the development of your character on the inside. If everything in your life was perfect or if you wasn’t being challenged then you would be a man. As the great Dr. King said, â€Å"The true test is how you respond and react to the challenges in your own life, as well as the challenges that are around you on a day to day base. You can accept this challenge from Dr. King because he was not just a man of his word he also practiced what he preached. Dr. King not only devoted his life to this nation and the world, Dr. King ultimately gave his life because he wouldn’t accept the suffering, inhumanity as well as the injustice that was around him. Dr. King was not just a man in his home; he was a man in this nation, this nation, this world and his community. He tried to stop the suffering that he saw around him, he took a stand when he witnessed injustice, he spoke out while others remained silent in the mist of discrimination and segregation, and he offered his love when majority was consumed by hatred for black people. Today as we look upon the landscape of Gary Indiana, you will realize that you are faced with the same test that Dr. King passed. There is a crisis of violence that is threatening the safety of every community. There are children who don’t want to try to reach their full potential in school or in life. Dr. King deeply believed that your greatest and highest obligation is your service to other people. Dr. King saw service as a testament of your religion. His challenge for you is that you must be committed in serving others. As well as being committed in serving the youth of your community and others.

The Product Brand Line Of Maggi Marketing Essay

The Product Brand Line Of Maggi Marketing Essay Part 1 Introduction In 1863, Maggi was founded by Julius Michael Johannes Maggi in Switzerland. Julius Maggi developed a flavours recipe to bring added taste to meals. This signified the establishment of the Maggi brand and its product line that is convenient products. In 1882, due to his well-known for nutrition-oriented approach, a physician called Dr. Fridolin Schuler and the Swiss Government met up with Julius Maggi and told him about the problem of the labouring classes who were suffering from malnutrition. After that, he was asked to seek for a solution in order to improve the nutritional values of meals. Therefore, he created the protein based vegetable food products, which were two instant pea soups and an instant bean soup. These two products were quick to be prepared, easy to be digested and sold in a low price. The products were successfully overcame the problem of woman who were lack of time in preparing meals as more and more woman were working outside. By the turn of the century, the Maggi company also produced other types of products such as bouillon cubes, sauces and flavorings. In 1947, Alimentana S.A., the manufacturer of Maggi seasonings and soups merged with Nestlà © to form Nestlà ©-Alimentana S.A. Today, MAGGI ® has been offering high quality, convenient, innovative, and nutritious products. MAGGI ® products help us to prepare nutritious and delicious meals. Its bouillons, soups, seasonings and sauces are useful while cooking and add flavour into our food. The product brand line of MAGGI ® Culinary products is the product brand line of  MAGGI ®. Now, in the year of 2013, the products produced by MAGGI ® basically can be categorized into four different groups which are noodles, MAGGI ® flavour world, sauces and light meals. Among all these products, different kinds of flavours were provided so that the consumers have a variety of choices and select what they want based on personal needs and favourites. The table below showed all the products produced by MAGGI ®: Category Products Noodles 1. MAGGI Hot Bowl Instant Noodle 2. MAGGI Hot Cup Instant Noodle 3. MAGGI 2-Minutes Noodles 4. MAGGI Mi-Goreng MAGGI ® flavour world 1. MAGGI Stock Cubes 2. MAGGI CUKUP RASA 3. MAGGI Liquid Stocks 4. MAGGI HARI-HARI FAVOURITES Sauces 1. MAGGI Oyster Sauce 2. MAGGI Seasoning 3. MAGGI Red Sauce Light meals 1. MAGGI Soup 2. MAGGI Porridge The MAGGI 2-Minutes Noodles Curry MAGGI 2-Minutes Noodles was first introduced in India by Nestle India Limited in 1982 and act as a market leader in selling instant noodles. Therefore, it becomes a well-known instant noodles brand among all the consumers and many people call noodles as Maggi. MAGGI 2-Minutes Noodles Curry is one of flavour in the series of MAGGI 2-Minutes Noodles. It is sold in a pack of five. The servings size of each small pack is 79grams for one serving. The noodle contains 48.6 grams of carbohydrate per serving that provides the energy that we need. It is a convenient product that can be easily found in any marketplace. The package of this product was changed from time to time. The latest packaging carries the new Protein dari Gandum seal as each pack MAGGI 2-Minute Noodles serves as source of protein from wheat. MAGGI 2-Minutes Noodles Curry Inferior Product Inferior products are the products for which there is a direct relationship between changes in income and its demand curve. Based on our understanding, we categorized MAGGI 2-Minutes Noodles Curry is as a inferior product because the purchasing rate of the consumer is basically based on the income of the consumers. When the income of consumers rises, the demand will be reduced and the amount of buying this product will become less as they will choose to buy a more value based product that deliver higher quality. Conversely, the demand of consumers will increase when there is a fall in their income. Complement and substitute goods for MAGGI 2-Minutes Noodles Curry Complementary goods are the goods that jointly consumed with MAGGI 2-Minutes Noodles Curry. The complement goods are as follow: eggs sausages fish balls crab meats prawns carrots tomatoes vegetables bell peppers caraways Whereas, substitute goods are the goods that competes with MAGGI 2-Minutes Noodles Curry for consumer purchases. The substitute goods are as follow: Sajimee mee curry flavoured instant noodles Ibumie Mi curry flavoured instant noodles Adabi curry flavored instant noodles Mamee curry flavoured instant noodles Cintan curry flavoured instant noodles Tesco choice curry flavoured instant noodles Market structure of MAGGI 2-Minutes Noodles Curry Monopolistic Competition Part 2 Comparison of the price of MAGGI 2-Minutes Noodles Curry with _________________ Based on the research found in Tesco, Kampar, Perak, MAGGI 2-Minutes Noodles Curry are sold at the price of RM4.39. Part 3 Advantages and disadvantages for MAGGI ® company of being monopolistic competition firm Advantages Easy Entry and Exit Monopolistic competition is an easy entry and exit market because this market face low barriers to entry Unlike a monopoly market, MAGGI ® easily entered into a monopolistic competition market and start the business because the products produced are not sole control of any other company. Therefore, MAGGI ® can attract the consumes to buy its products as long as they can satisfy the consumers needs. Besides that, while entering into this market, MAGGI ® does not face much problem on government franchises and licenses as well as the patents and copyright as the company will not be restricted to enter into this market. Price takes MAGGI ® has the authority to set the price for its products in order to maximize its revenue. For example, MAGGI ® can increase the selling price when they increase the quality of products to the consumers. The company also can increase the selling price when the input price becomes higher so that they will still earn a constant revenue but not facing a loss. Unlike in the perfect competition market, the consumers might still choose to buy its products even though the price has been increased as long as the products can satisfy the consumers. Differentiated products will attract buyers to stay loyal The differentiated products of MAGGI ® will attract more buyers and maintain the current consumers to stay loyal since the products have the unique features compare to others. Normally, the consumers will not easily switch to another brand when they are attracted by its special characteristic of the products. This will result in a constant revenue since the consumers might consume the products continuously for a long period of time if they do not find any substitute that is better than the current consuming products. Disadvantages Many competitors Since monopolistic competition market is easy to entry and exit, many companies might enter into this market and thus MAGGI ® has to face many competitors. For example, the competitors for MAGGI ® are Sajimee, Ibumie, Adabi, Mamee, Cintan and Tesco. The consumers might easily switch to buy the same type of products from another brands if they think it is worth to buy it from other brands rather than from MAGGI ®. Therefore, MAGGI ® has to consistently observe the strategies of its competitors so that MAGGI ® can make suitable action to face the competitor and make its customers to stay loyal. Higher cost and expenses Since MAGGI ® face a huge numbers of competitors, it is compulsory for a monopolistic competitor to take suitable strategies to attract more buyers. One of the ways is via advertising its products. We can see that MAGGI ® advertise its products through television and do many different types of promotion such as buy one get one free, give food testing to the customers, give discounts and organise a contest for the consumers and give out something else as prizes. All these advertisement and promotion required a lot of cost and expenses. Need to produce differentiated products In order to compete with other close substitutes, MAGGI ® has to come up with differentiated products, which is the products that have real or apparent differences with other substitutes. MAGGI ® must be creative and innovative enough to make their product more distinctive and differentiate their products from other competitors in order to attract more buyers and also maintain its current consumers. MAGGI ® also has to do certain research and improve its products from time to time to make its products more unique no matter is on the quality, price or packaging. Earn zero-economic profit in long-run Unlike a monopolist, MAGGI ® will not earn an economic profit but earn a zero-economic in long-run. In long-run, more and more firms will enter into this market structure and the some of the current market share of MAGGI ® might be taken away by those new firms. This shows the decrease in the consumers demand. Therefore MAGGI ® will do more advertising to recapture the market share. This will results in the increase of the long-run average cost. The decrease of demand and increase of long-run average cost will continues in long-run until MAGGI ® earns a zero economic-profit. Advantages and disadvantages for a customer of buying a product under monopolistic competition market Advantages More innovative product In the monopolistic competition market, there are many competitors and buyers. In order to attract a large scale of customers, the company needs to produce more innovative product continuously so that they can compete with other competitors and survive in the market place. MAGGI ® as monopolistic competition firm will choose to produce more different flavour of instant noodle instead of just produce one type of noodle because it needs to fight against massive of competitor forces. Therefore a customer can enjoy having different types of MAGGI ® products and have more choices. Comparable prices There are many sellers in the monopolistic competition market. The buyers can compare the prices of the same type of product among different producers so that they could choose to buy the products that offered in an affordable price. For example, consumers can choose either to buy MAGGI ® instant noodles or other brands of instant noodles like Mamee and Mi Sedaap. Convenience for buyers to know the details of the product Sellers in the monopolistic competition tend to create more advertisements to deliver the information about their products to the public and also develop a stronger position in consumers mind. Usually the detailed information about the MAGGI ® products such as the new flavour, price, and places that are available to buy the products. The information given will provide convenience for consumers in the process of choosing and buying the product. Disadvantages The price of products might not matched with the quality of products The sellers in monopolistic competition market are free to set the price of products. The seller might set a higher price to earn more revenue but they do not produce the products with higher quality. Therefore the consumers are forced to buy the products expensively. For example, if MAGGI ® might produce the same instant noodles but they raise the price to a higher level. Consequently, the consumers have to buy it at an expensive price but they still enjoy the same quality of instant noodles. Negative impact of advertising In monopolistic competition, the sellers spend a lot of money in advertising their products. It is a benefit for the consumers to know more about the product but it also has negative impact on customer supremacy. Customers are going to be manipulated by the advertisement and about what they want. For example, customers become attracted over the perception of differentiation, they believe information in the advertisement and buy the product without compare the price or quality.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation Essay -- Education Teaching

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation Students are generally classified by two different types of motivation, which are, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. These two types of motivation are the basis for a student’s action and their view of how they perceive schooling and even life. The first type of motivation is intrinsic motivation, which â€Å"generally refers to motivation to engage in an activity because that activity is enjoyable and satisfying to do† (Noels, Pelletier, Clà ©ment, & Vallerand, pg. 38, 2003). Intrinsic motivation is generally the best type of motivation for students to have, because doing certain activities is not being forced upon them; however, the students are enjoying the activities by themselves. This also leads to students creating interesting and self determining solutions for how to problem solve because they are working hard in order to solve the problem or do the activity. An example of intrinsic motivation can be seen everyday when a student thoroughly enjoys a class that they are taking. For example, let us say that a student is taking a math class and they are enticed by math. That student will most likely go home and work on the math homework first and devote the most time to it, because the student is intrinsically motivated to do it. The second major type of motivation is extrinsic motivation. According to Wlodkowski, in extrinsic motivation systems, teachers are perceived to motivate students through the engineering of rewards and punishments (1999). This type of motivation is used when students are not intrinsically motivated and must have some type of â€Å"push† in order to complete an assignment or learn a certain type of area. The main goal for teachers is to try and make students intrinsically ... ...nternet on-line courses. Retrieved November 10, 2004 from http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/diseduc/home.html A good website that discusses the importance of the internet in the classroom and how it will affect the future of student learning and motivation. Technologies for Communication. (1993, September). Retrieved September 27, 2004, from http://www.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/TechReforms/chap2e.html This article describes how communication can be used effectively in the classroom in order to achieve motivation in students. Tuckman, B. (2000). Using frequent testing to increase students’ motivation to achieve. Retrieved November 21, 2004 from http://dennislearningcenter.osu.edu/belgium-paper/BWT-belgium-paper.htm A teacher at Ohio State University who says that frequent testing will motivate students to learn. Gives an example of a study he did in 2000

Enrollment system

Chapter 1: IntroductionThe computerized enrollment system process the way of the school transaction can work easier and better way how the implement for the enrollment system. It brought a new level of the enrollment transaction. The said system can lessen the time for processing time of transaction because it is quick and automated. The hardware equipments like desktop computers and printers can process the transaction in order to work for to be done faster.1.1 Background of the StudyThe group programmers develop a proposed software system to analyze the particular problems in the school. The processing time of the transaction might be minimized how to access the student records very quickly rather than the usual traditional manual system. Another benefit of the proposed system is the convenient way of the storing and retrieving student information made easy and for the future use. The Academia De Covina, Inc old practices may replace for the group programmer’s proposed syste m that will cut down the cost of the materials needed for manual processing of the enrollment and reduce much effort.1.1.1 HistoryAcademia De Covina Inc. is located to Blk. 5 Lot 51, Casmalia St. Ph 2 Covina Village Buhay na tubig . Imus, Cavite is taken from the named of the Subdivision â€Å"Covina Village†. Established on the year 2004-2005 and the persons involved about the management of the school is the Jacobo family. They started with 50 Students, 1 room and 3 Teachers only. After the whole year they build 2 buildings or castle (literally in structure) for Preparatory and Nursery Department. The Academia De Covina, Inc is a private Christian school with a affordable tuition fee. Year 2008, The school was approved by the DepEd Recognized the school. Through the years, the school changes their architectural structures because they know students will increase need to adjust the department and room occupying for their study.The maximum of the students per classroom is 20 a nd all the room is fully air-conditioned.1.1.2 Mission and VisionIn the mission and vision statement of the school â€Å"The Academia De Covina, Inc† stated that how to lead students in their support for academic and how to become a good example individual in community through teaching a Christian studies. The student will have been achieved their goal and dreams and prepared for the challenges they encounter.1.1.2.1 MissionThe global, national and local situation is characterized by unjust structures – imbalance in the distribution of wealth and power, massive poverty and misery. Man’s greed and selfishness drives him to exploit others thus, debasing human dignity and values. Due to these prevailing conditions, we challenged for a commitment to personal and social transformation based on the teaching of Christ.In response to all these challenges and in solidarity with the Filipino people, Academia De Covina commits herself to be actively involved in establishin g a society that is free, just peaceful, and sovereign.1.1.2.2 VisionAcademia De Covina, Inc. Center for Early Childhood development Academics and Christian Education is committed to promote a nationalist education based on Christ’s teaching and human values founded on LOVE, JUSTICE, PEACE and TRUTH. In the context of the present situation and in response to the needs of the times, it strives to become a critical and active catalyst of change.1.2 Statement of the Problem1.2.1 General Statement of the ProblemHow to create a Computerized-Enrollment System for Academia De Covina, Inc.? The school enrollment system seems to be slow and take much effort so what if they didn’t want try the computerized-enrollment system to optimize particular problem involving the school.1.2.2 Specific Statement of the ProblemHow to create an Online Admission Form through web for Academia De Covina, Inc.? The team provides a Registration form liked web based system for enrollment. The enroll ee can input necessary information and easy getting all the data collected by the School administrator.How to create a module to handle registration of students?The software system had a registration form liked inquiry systems for the school which can be manage by the School Administrator to input the data needed from the students.How to create a module for payments?The proponents build also a module for the payment transaction of the students. This kind of module can replace the school traditional computation using the software MsExcel. The Accounting staff head pain for the computing much fee would be relieved by this.How to create a module that will generate the student list?Upon enrollment, the system can process of entering and verify data of student to register on a school. And through this system, can be sure that all the information will be kept in a database for handling records so that the process can minimize some problems like loss of records.How to create a module for f ile maintenance?Another ability of the software system is the file maintenance or record manipulation of the student records. It also views a single record by just searching or filtering doesn’t need to go through on the storage of files of student to find this.How to create a security access of program using number combination?To avoid the access of unauthorized person not involving the school entities, the team assures that the team management or the employee only knows how to operate the program.1.3 Objectives of the Study1.3.1 General ObjectivesTo create a Computerized-Enrollment System for Academia De Covina, Inc. The team established a software-based system which to manage student records in any transaction. It relieves the user and staff management of the school head from the pain stacking task of going through bulky storage of files of students to find a single record.1.3.2 Specific Objectives(INQUIRYAND REQUIREMENTS)To create an Online Admission Form through web for Academia De Covina, Inc.The team acquired a Registration Form in the web which the enrollee has an opportunity to register outside the school they didn’t to fall in line for the registration transaction of the school. All new enrollees are required to pass the requirements; it must be pass at designated school in-order the student update their record.(REGISTRATION)To create a module to handle registration of students.The process of registration would be less of workload because it doesn’t require papers to get the needed data from the students; by just simply inputting all the necessary data of current or new student of the school, it would be registered and certified.(PAYMENTS)To create a module for payments.The proponents ensure that this payment module is to reduce the error and to manage correctly the billing of each student in the school. By this module the process of computation would be quick in time-processing and all the tuition and balances of the student is auto-updated. It also displays the student invoice and official receipt when the student is already paid. There are fixed price for the tuition and other miscellaneous fee and when the Accounting staff needs to update this entire price; she may proceed to the change/update fee.(ENROLLMENT TRANSACTION)To create a module that will generate the student list.For the reliable handling of the student master list, the proponents include a single software database for fast and easy to get student records by just simply filtering and searching data from the student. It also provides opportunity for the staff and teachers to store their student records and all the information in a transaction will be save through the database that can be viewed and edited anytime.To create a module for file maintenance.The program has ability to manipulate data of student records. We can view, add new enrollee, delete old students and update.To create a security access of program using number combination.The team decides to add new feature security to access the program. Once the program start loading, the image of school will be pop-up need to find the secret picture and if the users find this secret picture, the program is now accessible to anyone of the employee.1.4 Significance of the StudyThe computerized enrollment system is the must have system in the school which gives efficient approach for both managements and the students. The Users of the program performed a back-up record in the software system regularly to avoid losing any information. The computerized enrollment system designed to store data coming from the students every time the transaction happens. It can use by accounting and admin department because it is connected on a server in a one database. The Online Registration System Site that the team plans to make is like simple registration form needed to input and to get all the data from new or old students.1.5 Scopes and LimitationsThe Desktop Computer or Laptop is the one of the useful equipment for the software system. The computer is a machine instructed and operated only by human. There is an advantage and disadvantage of using the said system.1.5.1 ScopesComputerized-Enrollment SystemSecurityLog-In ModuleLog-in module will enable the user access their concern works for the safety management of records and confidentially purposes.Log-in AttemptIt limits the login during the trying to access of the account. After the program iterated 3 times if the needed password didn’t match given to the employee, this program temporarily block inability to access the program.Database FeaturesStudent Identification SystemThe Student may be identified by its unique number given by this system. The ID number is a more useful data can be attached in the student information because it can call easily coming from the database to view their personal information.Recycle Bin ModuleThe program had ability to restore any records which deleted without confirmati on. It helps the School Administrator manage without misplacing records.Other featuresPrintable Print-OutsThe program can print sample papers Into hardcopy which the program display the fixed print-outs (Official Receipts, Documents Forms and other Reports) if they didn’t want to edit in other software. One of the features added from the software â€Å"Visual Basic.Net†.1.5.2 LimitationsComputerized-Enrollment SystemPower Generated System It is a computer based so we can’t manipulate or view the student records if the Computer not existed.Student Grades SystemThe proposed program is for enrollment transaction only and not for the student grades system since they have software used to generate the grades, the Microsoft Excel 2007.Online Payments via Credit CardThe team can’t make program to convert credit card into cash so the payment transaction is to be process inside the school. Enrollment System It is clear that the world has taken so many changes. Everything has changed because of the high technology people acquired now and these are the results of the studies made by the professional. They have come up with machines that are easy and convenient for the users. One of these is the computer.In a fast changing world, new emerging technology development has launched itself into the information market. Personal computer architecture evolves so fast that that that software engineering also adopts to cope with the change. School of whether private or public needs to specific software to automate work to lessen the hassle of scanning those old cabinet filed documents to find just a single record.Thus, most institutes nowadays have recognized the importance of computer to cope with the pressing demands of the market. Schools of today are using this technology in their daily transactions. Automated book monitoring system, student’s information system are must to ensure accurac y and efficiently in every school transaction.This study is conducted in order to improve the recording of the enrollment of Lahug Christian School ( LCS ). The researchers chose this institution as their respondent because the said school is currently using a manual enrollment system in processing student’s enrollment system.Problems are encountered using the manual system. It is the main reason why the researchers motivated to propose an Automated Enrollment System of Lahug Christian School ( LCS ). It will provide students and users a fast, reliable and more convenient way of acquiring information of the student’s records. It also  helps the administration provide information in a short period of time.Consequently, the researchers aim to develop and design an Automated Enrollment System to their respondent which is the Lahug Christian School.

Cloudstreet Essay

Cloudstreet: Religion and Spirituality | A Novel by Tim Winton| â€Å"From separate catastrophes, two rural families flee to the city and find themselves sharing a great, breathing, shuddering joint called Cloudstreet, where they begin their lives again from scratch. For twenty years they roister and rankle, laugh and curse until the roof over their heads becomes a home for their hearts.† (Winton, 1991) Tim Winton’s critically acclaimed novel, Cloudstreet is a masterful tale of love, meaning and heartbreaking tragedy that speaks strongly of a post war Australian society that was essentially rebuilding itself after years of political upheaval and financial struggle. Good Morning/Afternoon Ladies and Gentleman. I am a representative of the National English Curriculum board and today I am here to demonstrate to you how Cloudstreet is authentic and believable, and as Marieke Hardy suggests: â€Å"It is Australian. Reading it felt like coming home.† Throughout Cloudstreet, there are numerous concepts that portray the Australian cultural identity; and the theme of religion and spirituality is especially prominent and appealing. The concept of luck, Aboriginal spirituality, and the search for the meaning of life, are all Australian ideas that Winton expertly portrays. Spirituality can be defined as â€Å"a concern for that which is unseen or intangible; as opposed to physical or mundane.† (Greenberg, 2008) It encourages a sense of peace and purpose within an individual and promotes a feeling of belonging. Additionally, religion can be defined as â€Å"the belief in, and worship of a superhuman controlling power.† (Religion) Both concepts are widely integrated into the core of the novel and are depicted through the Australian notion of luck. Luck, which some would argue has long been etched into the Australian consciousness as a common working class superstition, is, whether th ey are conscious of it or not, a form of religion for both families. The Pickles family, most notably Sam, rely on the â€Å"shifty shadow of God† (p 12) to warn them about future events, while the Lamb’s simple game of â€Å"spinning the knife† (p 53) acts as their metaphorical life compass. â€Å"The Lucky Country† (Horne, 1964) is a phrase that originated from a book of the same name written in the 1960’s, and since then, has gained widespread popularity and thus, been attached to the Australian culture for a long time. Winton has  cleverly examined this historical background to incorporate an accurate facet of the Australian identity into the novel and its characters. Also related to the concept of luck, is the fact that after Fish drowns, Oriel, once a devoted and â€Å"god fearing† Christian, begins to question her faith and the reliability of believing in God. When Fish is resuscitated, but only â€Å"some of him comes back†, (p 32) both she and Lester are emotionally forced to abandon God and Christianity and instead, turn to luck, hard work and the idea that â€Å"life and death, was all there was,† (p 65) in order to endure their circumstances. This draws on the common â€Å"Aussie battler† tradition, of which a working class person overcame challenging situations through perseverance, faith and steadfast determination. In terms of the Australian cultural identity, Winton has again taken an important and recognized historical Australian idea and shaped it to evoke feelings of familiarity and intimacy between the readers and the characters of Cloudstreet. The frequent appearance of the â€Å"Blackfella† is yet another example of how the Australian cultural identity is portrayed through examination of Aboriginal Spirituality. However, in many scenes throughout the novel, the blackfella signifies both Christian and Aboriginal spirituality through allusion and comparison. For example, he is likened to Jesus by walking on water and again when he produces a never ending supply of wine and bread in Quick’s car. This comparison is particularly effective as it symbolises the â€Å"coming together† of Christianity and Aboriginality, which was a particularly delicate Australian issue during the time period of the novel, due to Aboriginal marginalisation and the rise of Christian ideals. Essentially, the Blackfella acts as a reminder of the original religion inherent to Australia and its development, during a time when social and political change was overtaking that of its native beliefs. The â€Å"Blackfella† also ac ts as the conscience of the characters when they have lost their way or their family unit is threatened. This can ultimately be seen when he leads Quick back to Cloudstreet after he runs away to the country, knowing that Quick feels secretly lost without his family, and needs them to feel fully alive. He also persuades Sam not the sell the house and states that â€Å"you shouldn’t break a place. Places are strong and important,† (p 406) referring to not only the house and its tragic Aboriginal history, but also to the fragile  families who live inside it. In doing so, he ensures that the families stay whole and together, which is an important and dominating religious value for Aboriginality and Christianity, both during the time period of the novel and in our modern Australian society. Consequently, the â€Å"Blackfella’s† role in Cloudstreet is a significant contribution to the novel’s relevancy to the Australian cultural identity. The Australian cultural identity is also illustrated in Cloudstreet through the spiritual symbolism and personification of the river, and its connection to the character’s search for the meaning of life. This is particularly significant for Quick Lamb, who, is spiritually linked to the river in a number of ways. The river acts as a place of peace, purpose and belonging for Quick. Connecting with his mother when they go prawning, glowing after fishing in the country, and most importantly, falling in love with Rose Pickles, are the most significant spiritually defining events that Quick experiences while on the river. Through realising just how symbolically important the river is to him, Quick finally understands the true meaning of his life, and gains a feeling of belonging that allows him to finally shed his self-degrading title of â€Å"the lost lamb.† (p 310) Australia is a country that values the water. Geographically, we are surrounded by it, with most of our population residing close to the shores. As a result of this, the water is seen as a common gathering place, from which one cannot easily escape nor regard as irrelevant to the Australian way of life. Winton has taken this idea and incorporated it into Cloudstreet, to emphasise and promote a relevant part of Australian culture. Finally, the river’s spiritual and religious connection to Fish Lamb is perhaps the most important concept of the novel. After Fish drowns and has his soul ripped into two separate pieces (spiritual fish and physical fish), the river that he so desperately longs for, essentially becomes his gateway to the spiritual world; to the place where he belongs. It is not until the end of the novel when Fish is finally free to reunite with the water that he is truly whole again. â€Å"I burst into the moon, sun and stars of who I really am. Being Fish Lamb. Perfectly. Always. Everyplace. Me.†(p 424) For many, water in Australia is culturally considered to be the blood of the country; a place of c leansing and rejuvenation. Likewise, for Fish, the river embodies the epitome of the spirit of Australia in the form of life giving water. Although his life was initially taken by the water, it is eventually returned to him when his physical self re-joins his spiritual self. In conclusion, Winton flawlessly encapsulates the cultural identity and spirit of Australia in Cloudstreet through symbolic representations of luck, Aboriginal spirituality and the search for the meaning of life. The characters’ connection with religion and spirituality resonates strongly with the reader and successfully evokes feelings of belonging and familiarity that confirms Cloudstreet is indeed a classic Australian novel. Bibliography Associates, R. Q. (2008, September 16). Ideology in Cloudstreet . Retrieved 2013, from www.englishcurriculum.com.au Cloudstreet Notes. (n.d.). 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