The use of practical resources for supporting learning within Essay

The use of practical resources for supporting learning within Mathematics - Essay Example It could help those students that have special needs, like those who have difficulties with the other resources (such as having a hard time in seeing the board due to eyesight problems). It could also help in the development of understanding number and mental calculation for as long as the correct type of resource has been used (Resources to Support Teaching and Learning Mathematics, n.d.). To support develop and learning, the use of primary resources is very important. Recent studies show that the provision of resources helped kinaesthetic learners in making sure that they learn best through movement and manipulation (Education Review Office New Zealand, 2007). Thus, so much attention has been given to such studies who aim to look into the purposes of resources in supporting learning in various subjects such as mathematics. Aside from aiding the learning of students who learn best through manipulation and movement, resources also have different purpose. Firstly, resources provide a visual image. A visual image allows mathematical concepts to be seen and understood clearly by students. As this paper focuses on primary school students, this is vital in explaining to them the different concepts in mathematics together with the different mathematical operations. Secondly, resources could help in supporting a calculation. Using practical sources in supporting calculation c ould help learners follow the process of calculating something (Tanner and Jones, 2000). At the same time, it will guide them through every stage that you have been through, making it easier for him or her to perform the same calculation. This is also necessary in teaching primary school students as they are just beginning to learn the different processes in performing the different mathematical operations. The teacher could make use of number lines in showing how calculations could be broken down in different steps, and that each ‘jump’

SIA Airlines Essay Example for Free

SIA Airlines Essay QUESTION:The industry analysis is necessary in the strategic marketing planning in order to identify the opportunities and threats in the competitive environment. Choose the airlines as an industry to apply the Michael Porters five forces model and discuss how one established airline like SIA should respond to the competitive environment, after analyzing the industry. SIA is internationally recognised as one of the worlds leading carriers. The company had recognised that in this highly competitive market, any advantage gained by one airline over others will be short-lived, and ideas that are new will become commonplace in a matter of months. As such, SIA noted the importance of having to always stay at the forefront both in service and technology. This strategy of SIA focuses primarily not on reducing costs, but on enhancing quality or service and preventing any customer problem from arising. SIA has succeeded most uniquely with this type of strategy in the airline industry, a strategy commonly employed in service businesses that command premium prices with high margins, businesses in which there are a high degree of repeat business, with word-of-mouth praise by customers as one of the most important marketing channel. Internally, three cost items account for half of SIAs operating cost: fuel, aircraft depreciation and wages. There is little that can be done with respect to fuel cost except for judicious hedging. As for aircraft cost, SIA is universally acknowledged as being second to none in securing the best prices and purchase terms from aircraft and engine manufacturers. That leaves wages. The airlines fixed wages amount to less than $800 million a year, roughly one tenth of total operating expenditure, a modest proportion indeed. Variable wages comprise the rest, consisting mainly of profit-based bonuses and crew allowances based on actual hours of flying by pilots and cabin attendants. The recent wage cuts were a result not of lavish recruitment or over-indulgent pay rises in the past, but of the cumulative damage wrought by terrorism, war and SARS, and the need to stay competitive as other carriers undergo major restructuring of their cost structures. Externally, the industry analysis has a direct effect on a companys strategic competitiveness and above-average returns. While companies, in this case, our very own SIA, cannot directly control the elements of the general environment, it can influence and will be influenced by factors in the airline industry and competitor environments. The intensity of competition in the airline industry and its profit potential are a function of Michael Porters five forces model of competition: the treats posed by new entrants, the power of suppliers, the power of buyers, product substitutes, and the intensity of rivalry among competitors. Studying these forces allows SIA to find a position in the airline industry where it can buffer itself from the power of the forces in order to increase its ability to earn above-average returns. Threats posed by new entrantsNew entrants to an industry typically bring to it new capacity, a desire to gain market share, and substantial resources (Wheelen and Hunger, 7th Ed, pg 61). New entrants to an industry can raise the level of intensity of the competitiveness among companies, thereby reducing its attractiveness. The threat of new entrants largely depends on the barriers to entry obstructions that make it difficult for a company to enter an industry (Wheelen and Hunger, 7th Ed, pg 62). High entry barriers exist in some industries (e.g. shipbuilding) whereas other industries are very easy to enter (e.g. estate agency, restaurants). Key barriers to entry include the need to gain economies of scale quickly, the need to gain technology, large capital and investment requirements, high customer switching costs, lack of access to industry distribution channels, the likelihood of retaliation from existing industry players, and potential saturation of the market. Despite all the numerous barriers to entry, new companies sometimes enter industries with higher quality products, lower prices and substantial marketing resources. It is the management strategists job to identify such threats from potential new competitors and to monitor the new rivals strategies, so as to counterattack as needed, and to capitalise on existing strengths and opportunities. Budget airlines such as Air Asia have been emerging in recent times which represent the emerging point-to-point budget model symbolized by Southwest, JetBlue, EasyGroup and RyanAir. With the economy still on its way to recovery, travellers are still reluctant to spend. The low carrier model works best in short-haul point-to-point market where price is extremely important and the deciding factor is price. The advantage of the low-cost model is that it fits well with current consumer demand as budget flights are cheap and offer more attractive deals to such travellers. One important factor for the emerging budget airline is that travellers main concern is to reach a destination. There is always a group of travellers with just this simple need to be satisfied. Those travellers have no need for in-flight or ground-level services. In face of growing competition, SIA would be launching their very own budget carrier called Tiger Airways. I believe that this is a good strategic move by SIA to tackle the threat from the new budget airlines that are entering the industry currently. Power of suppliersSuppliers are the businesses that supply materials other products into the industry (Wheelen and Hunger, 7th Ed, pg 64). Suppliers can affect an industry through their ability to raise prices or reduce quantity of supply. The cost of items bought from suppliers (e.g. raw materials, components) can have a significant impact on a companys profitability. The bargaining power of suppliers affects the intensity of competition in an industry especially when there are a large numbers of suppliers, when there are only a few good substitute raw materials, or when the cost of switching raw materials is costly. If suppliers have high bargaining power over a company, then in theory the companys industry is less attractive. Companies should pursue backward vertical integration to gain control or ownership of suppliers. This strategy is effective when suppliers are unreliable, too costly, or not capable of meeting a companys needs on  consistent basis. Companies can negotiate more favourably with suppliers when backward vertical integration is a commonly used strategy among rival companies in an industry. Boeing and Airbus dominate the whole airline industry because they are the two major suppliers of aircrafts. There are no satisfactory substitute products available to airline companies as aircrafts are the only form of commercial air transport. Airlines are not a significant customer group for the two suppliers because they can supply aircrafts to governments/military as well. Boeings and Airbuss aircrafts are critical to the airline companys marketplace success because aircrafts are the most important resource in the airline industry. This in turn leads to high bargaining power of Boeing and Airbus they can increase prices and reduce the quality of their aircrafts, without any retaliation by any airlines including SIA. However, another major supplier of SIA is Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS), which provides ground-handling and in-flight catering services at Changi Airport. It is a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA) and now has about 80 per cent market share. It is a fine example of vertical integration undertaken by SIA to gain ownership of supplies. SIA was also very successful with other airline-related companies such as SIA Engineering Company which are now large groups of companies based all over Asia, with profits around the $200 million level, a significant proportion contributed by associate companies. Power of buyersBuyers are the people or organisations that create demand in an industry (Wheelen and Hunger, 7th Ed, pg 64). When the buyers are concentrated or large, or buy in big volume, their bargaining power represents a force affecting the intensity of competition in an industry. Buyers affect an industry through their ability to force down prices, bargain for higher quality or more services, and play competitors against each other. The bargaining power of buyers is higher when the products being purchased are standard or undifferentiated. Whenever the bargaining power of buyer is substantial, rival companies may offer extended warranties or special services to gain customers loyalty. Air travellers and transportation companies purchase a large portion of the airline industrys total service. The sale of tickets to air travellers and cargo space to transportation companies account for a significant portion of the airline companys annual revenues. Buyer groups experience low switching costs as they can choose one airline company over another, depending on which offers better deals. When there are low switching costs, competitors can attract travellers through pricing and service offerings. As such, buyer groups have high buying bargaining power companies in the airline industry have to be more focused on the needs and desires of their customers in order to better serve and satisfy them. SIAs KrisFlyer gives its members more rewards and privilege that come with travelling so as to gain customer loyalty and to entice repeated sales. This is just one, but excellent, way of better serving and satisfying travellers who have considerable power. Product substitutesSubstitutes are products that appear to be different but can satisfy the same need as another product (Wheelen and Hunger, 7th Ed, pg 63). In many industries, companies are in close competition with producers of substitute products in other industries. For example, tea can be considered as a substitute for coffee. According to Porter, substitutes limit the potential returns of an industry by placing a ceiling on the prices companies in the industry can profitably charge (Wheelen and Hunger, 7th Ed, pg 64). In other words, it means that the presence of substitutes put a ceiling on the price to be charged before the consumers will switch to the substitute product. The presence of substitute products lowers the industry attractiveness and profitability because of the limited price levels. The competitive strength of substitutes is best measured by the market share those products obtain and those companies plans for increased capacity and market penetrationSubstitutes to aircrafts include sea and land transports which are much cheaper alternatives. However, they pose no serious threats to the airline company because air transport is still considered as the faster and most effective way to reach a destination. Nevertheless, with rapid advancements in technology, new and better modes of  transport may gradually emerge as better alternatives to aircrafts. In view of this, airlines such as SIA should keep developing strategies to differentiate itself along dimensions that travellers and transportation companies value, so as to reduce any substitutes attractiveness. The intensity of rivalry among competitorsThere are many airline companies in the industry. As a result, intense rivalries are common. The companies are generally aware of competitors actions, often choosing to respond to them. Due to the 911 incident and SARS, the airline industry has been experiencing slow growth which makes rivalry even more intense as companies battle to increase their market shares by attracting competitors customersSome airline companies are viewed as having few differentiated features or capabilities. Rivalry intensifies when a number of airline companies offer the same level of service. In view of this, travellers will then make the decision based on price. What SIA can do to counter the intense rivalry is to take competitive actions and competitive responses in efforts to be successful. The most important thing is of course to differentiate itself from competitors offerings in ways that travellers and transportation companies value and in which SIA has a competitive advantage. ConclusionAs can be seen from the above industry analysis, with threats posed by budget airlines; high bargaining power of Boeing and Airbus; high bargaining power of air travellers and transportation companies; and lastly, intense rivalry among competitors in the airline industry; SIA has to continuously improve itself in order to stay competitive in the airline industry. In fact, the company is doing that very well. It has been fast in reacting to the changes in the industry environment, as evident from their current strategies of introducing a budget airline, cutting costs, focusing attention on business class travellers and implementing long haul flights. Following such moves, will SIA then be able to continue staying ahead of competitors and be ensured of its position as one of the worlds leading carriers for many years to come? The answer remains to be seen. References Thomas L. Wheelen and J David Hunger (2000) Strategic Management And Business Policy 7th Edition Prentice Hall InternationalFred R. David (2001), Strategic Management Concepts And Cases 8th Edition. Prentice Hall InternationalMary Coulter and Stephens P. Robbins (1999) Management 6thEdition, Prentice Hall InternationalJ. David Hunger and Thomas L. Wheelen (2003) Essentials of strategic management, Prentice Hall InternationalCharles W.L. Hill and Gareth R. Jones (2002) Strategic management : an integrated approach 2nd Edition, Houghton MifflinPhilip Kotler (2003) Marketing Management 11th Edition, Prentice Hall International

Race Essays -- essays research papers

Although I was able to witness many different examples of inequalities in most of my daily encounters, a situation occurred that has had the ability to overshadow all of my other observations. While at work, I was able to have a conversation with a co-worker about her father’s recent loss of a job promotion. What makes this situation, such a powerful example of the force of stratification is more that just the conversation that took place but also in the context in which I had it and regrettably in my response to the conversation. I am still unclear as how our discussion began, but none the less, a co-worker, Sally and I engaged in a conversation that focused on why her father, a military Chaplain was â€Å"passed up† for a recent promotion. During my conversation with Sally, she brought up that her father had been recently â€Å"passed up† for a promotion in the Armed Forces because of racial discrimination. I was not overly shocked that Sally would say something of this nature to me, given our background of hearty debates. Intrigued, I asked Sally to explain what she meant by â€Å"passed up† because of racial discrimination. Sally proceeded to explain to me that her father had been â€Å"overlooked† at his last promotion to help fill racial quotas in the military. Sally continued her explanation, stating that her father and his loss of a promotion was a direct result of Affirmative Action. She furthered her explanation that as the population of the military becomes more diverse, in her word...

Business partnerships and their benefits to organizations, suppliers, and customers Essay

Introduction A business partnership is an alliance of two or more parties that take on in a business venture in which the earnings and losses are divided equally. The legal description of a partnership business is an alliance of two or more people to collaborate as co-owners of a company for income. The formation of a partnership necessitates a deliberate alliance of parties or businesses that co own the company and aim to conduct it for profit. Partners can shape the partnership by written or verbal agreement. A partnership accord often directs the partners’ dealings with each other and to the company. Each partner has a right to share in the profits of the partnership. Unless the company accord asserts otherwise, associates share profits equally. Additionally, partners must donate equally to joint venture losses except if a partnership accord offers another arrangement. Each partner is also required to participate equally in the management of the partnership. A popular vote settles disagreements involving the administration of the partnership. On the other hand, some choices such as letting in a new partner or force out a partner entail all the partners’ undivided consent. Every partner owes a fiduciary obligation to the firm and to copartners. This duty necessitates that an associate ought to deal with copartners in good faith. It also requires that an associate should report to copartners for any profit that he or she obtains while engaged in partnership business. Each partner also has a responsibility of trustworthiness to the partnership. Unless the copartners assent, a partner’s obligation of loyalty constrains the partner from utilizing partnership assets for personal benefit. It also constrains the partner from rivaling with the partnership, taking on in self-dealing, or seizing partnership opportunities. It is a fact that firms that participates in the business system as partners complement the company and its suppliers, thereby increasing the value to customers. Business partnerships’ benefits to companies, suppliers, and consumers Firms that participate in the business system as partners allow for minimal formalities and regulatory and reporting requirements required in conducting business deals. Although partnerships are governed by statute, the required statutory formalities are few. A concise written partnership agreement is a good investment in almost any circumstance. However, it is not required, and a partnership may be formed by a verbal agreement between two or more people and can be implied by behavior. State statutes vary with regard to partnerships filing requirements and other formalities. The pertinent state statutes must always be reviewed and must be complied with. Most states do not require partnership registration with the secretary of state or other state official before commencing business. However, a certificate of assumed name or similar document is usually required when the partnership will be transacting business under an assumed name, trade name, or fictitious name (Schneeman, 2007, p.73). Minimal formalities ensure that a partnership business is able to do business with its suppliers smoothly without having to jump major hurdles. This saves a lot of time and resources for both the organization and its suppliers (Practicing Law Institute., and United States, 1971, p.47). This smooth operation between the company and its suppliers ensures that the customers are provided with quality services or products in a timely fashion, thus benefiting the organization, its suppliers, and customers. With partnerships, there is participation and flexibility in management. Unless one or more partners waive their rights, every partner has equal power and authority to manage the partnership affair. Partners of smaller partnerships may find this appealing if they have varied backgrounds and areas of expertise, and all wish to participate actively. All partners are allowed to act freely on behalf of the partnership, with few restrictions. Larger partnerships on the other hand are allowed the flexibility of putting the management of the partnership into the hands of the best individual or group of individuals for the job. According to Bradley, firms which participate in the business system as partners are both competitors and collaborates with respect to their suppliers. Participation and flexibility in the management of an organization ensures that only the best suppliers are targeted as partners. For example, British Airways and Singapore Airlines compete for passengers but they played a partnership role in the development of the Airbus superjumbo for which both are major customers. Organizations need to develop partnerships with the best suppliers to leverage their expertise and technologies to create a competitive advantage. Learning how an organization’s suppliers are performing can lead to superior visibility, which can offer prospects for more collaborative involvement in value-added activities. Many organizations are tracking product and services quality, on-time deliveries, customer service efforts and cost-control programs as part of the supplier rating system. This information can be used to develop supplier programs that will improve supply chain management, thus creating more value for consumers. Participation and flexibility in management creates knowledge environments for managers in firms that participate as business partners. Knowledge environments for administrators look like experience environments for clients. Innovations in knowledge environments must reflect the granularity of managerial experiences, just like innovations in experience environments must reflect the depth of consumer experiences. To create more value for consumers, organizations must continually create new knowledge. The opportunities to do so may come from solving a particular problem, for example, reducing the recharge time for a battery pack in a particular cell phone configuration. The opportunity may also come from identifying major emerging opportunities, for example, the explosive growth of market for cell phones in China and India. To make this happen, organizations must create knowledge environments that facilitate the discovery and action in the new competitive space through participation of partners and flexibility in management processes. This creates value for the company, its suppliers, and its customers. Firms in a business system that participate as partners have the added advantage of shared management. A partner will have other partners to rely on to provide expertise in needed areas. Decisions can be made jointly after thorough discussion. This feature of shared decision-making can also be a disadvantage when a quick decision is needed. Partners must consult with each other on significant issues. Partners have the advantage of appointing a certain partner as managers of the business. They can be delegated the authority to make certain decisions by themselves. Shared organizational management by business partners enables purchasing management. This refers to all activities necessary to manage supplier relationships in such a way that their activities are aligned with the company’s overall business strategies and interests. It focuses on structuring and continuously improving purchasing processes within the organization and between the organization and its suppliers. For example, before applying to be a Volvo supplier, an interested supplier must understand and agree on Volvo’s core values. This helps to eliminate any misunderstandings on the quality of products that the company offers. This benefits the company, its selected suppliers and creates value for its customers. In the business system, shared organizational management by firms in a business partnership enables the development of customer loyalty. Customer relationships are built on the basis of trust. Repeat business gets generated only when customers believe their suppliers and perceive them as creating more value. Loyalty is created only when the customer perceives fairness, equity, and transparency in his or her relationship with the seller. This is possible with a shared organizational management by businesses in a partnership agreement because all parties involved create strategies that improve customer relations, ensuring that they remain loyal to the organization. This generates more profits for the organization. Business partnerships require a low cost of organization. There are no minimum requirements for starting a partnership. The startup costs, including any required state filing fees, tend to be lower than those for corporations are. This in itself is a great advantage for small businesses wishing to form business partnerships. Additionally, the low cost of organization ensures that the partnership business has enough resources to conduct numerous transactions with many suppliers. This means that the supply of any needed raw materials is constant. This ensures that the production of goods or services goes on smoothly without hitches. For the company’s consumers, this is a great advantage for them because the production of goods or services will be relatively cheaper. This means that consumers will have access to the products or services at a relatively cheaper price as compared with other organizations, thus benefitting the organization, its suppliers, and customers. In the business system, business partnerships enable the partner organizations to raise capital easily. Because two or more firms contribute financial resources, business partnerships can raise funds more easily for operating expenses and business expansion. The partners’ combined financial strength also increases the firm’s ability to raise funds from outside sources. This ability of a firm to raise capital easily is an advantage for nonfinancial stakeholders such as suppliers, customers, employees, and the community in which the firm operates. They have no direct monetary stake in the company and no direct influence on the firm’s financial policy. This means that they have no decision or voting power. They only have a state in the firm’s financial health. Nonfinancial stakeholders are interested in the firm’s investment options because they can be hurt by its financial difficulties. Specifically, a firm’s capital structure choices can affect nonfinancial stakeholders by affecting the probability of default on their explicit and implicit claims on the firm and by influencing the firm’s production and pricing decisions. Consequently, firms in partnership may be forced implicitly to take the interests of their nonfinancial stakeholders into account in formulating financial policy. The capital structure of a business partnership can serve as a signaling device to these nonfinancial stakeholders and thereby affect their behavior. A firm’s financial condition can affect how suppliers and customers perceive its reliability. Therefore, the ability of a business partnership to raise capital easily from many different sources means that its suppliers and customers trust its ability to make profitable business for all involved parties. This benefits the firm and its suppliers, and consequently, creates value for its customers. Firms participating in the business system as partners combine a variety of diverse skills and expertise. Partners share the responsibilities of managing and operating the business. Combining partner skills to set goals, manage the overall direction of the firm, and solve problems increases the chances for the partnership’s success. Ideal business partnerships bring together people with complementary backgrounds rather than those with similar experience, skills, and talents. This enables the firm to view the diversity of skills in labor as an asset rather than a cost. These are the skills and expertise in employees that contribute to the firm’s level of productivity. With a business partnership therefore, production of goods or services is of a high quality. This benefits the organization and creates worth for its customers, thus leading to its success. Firms that participate in the business system as business partners increase the size of the organization. In businesses, size matters. Corporations that are big enough to control significant shares of sales and profits in one or more industries and enjoy tremendous financial and organizational advantages over small businesses. Financially, large revenue streams mean big budgets, enormous purchasing power, and great bargaining advantage with suppliers of goods and services. Organizationally, the bigness of an organization facilitates the development and application of specialized human and technological resources. Additionally, this enables the organization to determine its future sourcing strategy for every spend category. The organization is able to decide whether to reduce or expand its supply base, and where the suppliers should come from. The company is also able to decide on the type of relationship it would need to pursue with its suppliers. The company is then able to decide on the type of contract it would put in place in its dealings with suppliers. This ensures that the company has a constant supply of raw materials throughout the year. This means that the products and services produced by the company will be of high quality and would meet the consumer demands. This benefits the organization and its suppliers, and creates value for its customers. In the business system, business partnerships lead to reduced price competition. This according to Bradley means that the decisions made by one company affect and are affected by decisions made by other firms. If one company decides to reduce its prices, it will force other companies to do the same. Modern industries remain full of aggressively price-slashing firms. Modern corporate capitalists are compelled by the market to pass the benefits of productivity improvements to customers through price cuts. Failure to do so would mean that rival firms would soon copy an organization’s innovations and lower their prices, thus forcing them to run out of business. Full-fledged price wars are now so anathema that, even in the most competitive industries, corporate wisdom is to try anything and everything before entering into even a single round of unrestrained price-cutting. Corporate capitalism means price inflation. From a corporate capitalist’s perspective, such steady, mild inflation is a good thing. Major firms can bank on being able to charge a bit more for next year’s model than for this year’s and on taking in a bit more revenue for the same output. This is achievable when corporations form partnerships (Dawson, 2003, p.24). The bargaining power of a firm over its suppliers is crucial because it can improve the price, quantity, reliability, and timely delivery of raw materials. The company’s power increases the more the inputs are commodity items and are subject to price competition. The company, rather than the supplier should add the value. For example, a restaurant buys commodity items like vegetables, meat and drinks, all of which are readily available and subject to intense competition. It has power over suppliers and adds the value by processing them into expensive meals. This also creates value for the consumers because the company will have the ability to produce top quality products. Business partners enjoy income tax benefits. The net income or loss of the partnership is passed through to the associates, according to the partnership accord. The partnership is required to file a partnership return form annually with the revenue services in their countries, but no income tax is owed by the partnership itself. Rather, the partnership’s return indicates the income earned by the partnership and allocated to the individual partners. A partnership is not taxable as a separate entity. The partners on income derived from the partnership pay a single tax. Additionally, because the income of the partnership flows through to the individual partners, if the partnership experiences a net loss, each partner’s share of that loss may be written off on the partner’s individual income tax return. Conclusion A business partnership is an association of two or more parties engaged in a business enterprise where all parties involved share the profits and losses equally. This type of association creates benefits for the organizations involved and its suppliers, thereby creating more value for its customers. The minimal formalities required in starting a business partnership enable the company to deal easily with its suppliers without major red tapes. This enables the company to produce products and services in a much quicker way. Partnerships enable flexibility in management. This ensures that only the targeted suppliers are selected for business partnerships. There are many more benefits of businesses joining in partnership as seen from the points above, all of which enable the company to make profits and create value for their customers. References Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Top of Form Baker, H. K., & Martin, G. S. (2011). Capital Structure & Corporate Financing Decisions:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Valuation, Strategy and Risk Analysis for Creating Long-Term Shareholder Value.   Ã‚   Chichester: John Wiley & Sons. Bouchoux, D. E. (2010). Business organizations for paralegals (5th Ed.). New York: Aspen   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Publishers/Wolters Kluwer Law & Business. Bradley, F. (2005). International marketing strategy. New York: FT/Prentice Hall. Business 2.0. (1998). Brisbane, CA: Imagine Media. Campbell, D., Netzer, A., & Center for International Legal Studies. (2009). International joint    ventures. Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands: Kluwer Law International. Coffey, J., & Garrow, V. (2012). Reaping the Benefits of Mergers and Acquisitions. Hoboken:    Taylor & Francis. Dawson, M. (2003). The consumer trap: big business marketing in American life. Urbana:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   University of Illinois Press. Gilmore, S., & Williams, S. (2012). Human resource management. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Gitman, L. J., & McDaniel, C. D. (2008). The future of business: the essentials (3rd ed.). Mason,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   OH: Thomson South-Western. Gitman, L. J., & McDaniel, C. D. (2009). The future of business: the essentials (4th, student ed.).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mason, OH: South-Western Cenage Learning. Practising Law Institute., & United States. (1971). The local economic development corporation;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   legal and financial guidelines. Washington: U.S. Economic Development   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Administration]; for sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. Govt. Print. Off. Prahalad, C. K., & Ramaswamy, V. (2005). The future of competition: Co-creating unique value   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   with customers. Boston, Mass: Harvard Business School Press. Saxena, R. (2009). Marketing management. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill. Schneeman, A. (2007). The law of corporations and other business organizations (4th ed.).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Clifton Park, NY: West Legal Studies/Thomson Delmar Learning. Watson, D., & Serious Investor Groups. (2005). Business models: Investing in companies and   Ã‚   sectors with strong competitive advantage. Petersfield [England: Harriman House Pub. Weele, A. J. (2010). Purchasing & supply chain management: Analysis, strategy, planning and practice. Andover: Cengage Learning. Weele, A. J. (2010). Purchasing & supply chain management: Analysis, strategy, planning and practice. Andover: Cengage Learning. Wisner, J. D., Tan, K.-C., & Leong, G. K. (2011). Principles of supply chain management: A   Ã‚  Ã‚   balanced approach. Mason, OH: South-Western. Bottom of Form    Bottom of Form    Bottom of Form    Bottom of Form    Bottom of Form   

Of Mice and Men: John Steinbeck Essay

Task: Say what happens on each of the three times we Curley’s wife and what we learn about her. Curley’s wife only appears three times throughout Of Mice and Men, even though she is a pivotal character in the story. The three times she appears are all small parts in the book, but are key scenes. They give us clues about her appearance, character and an insight into her life before she married Curley. The final time we see her is the vital scene where the plot comes together. The first time we see Curley’s wife is chapter 2, where she visits the bunkhouse. Curley’s wife enters the bunkhouse where Lennie and George are unpacking and George is telling Lennie where to go if he gets into trouble. Curley’s wife comes in looking for her husband; she stands in the doorway provocatively trying to get attention from Lennie and George. George ignores Curley’s wife, knowing what she is trying to do, but Lennie is instantly besotted with her. After Curley’s wife doesn’t get very far with Lennie and George she turns her attention to Slim and leaves the bunkhouse. This is only a short scene in the book, but we still learn a lot about Curley’s wife. The fact that she is only ever referred to as Curley’s wife suggests that she is only ever seen as the possession of Curley’s and has no individuality of her own. We learn that she has full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her hair was hung in little rolled clusters, like sausages†. The part about her hair could be taken as an insult about her appearance and that she has failed in making herself attractive. She is descried as wearing mainly red rouged lips, fingernails were red, red mules with little bouquets of red ostrich feathers† which could be interpreted as a colour of danger or a sexual colour which she uses to gain attention from the ranch hands. Curley’s wife strives for attention; by always wearing a lot of make-up and bright clothing she gets the attention she craves so much. Because Curley’s wife is the only woman on the ranch she has no other women to walk to or be friends with and is therefore seen as a sexual object by the ranch hands. She uses this sexual image the ranch hands have of her to gain attention. Her body language suggests that she flirts provocatively her body was thrown forward†, showin her legs†. Her voice was said to have a brittle quality, which could imply that she is as so brittle herself, easily broken or venerable. Because Curley’s wife cannot escape from the sexual image that the other men have of her she uses it as a means of getting the attention she lacks. It is shown this scene that she doesn’t have a good relationship with Curley, because even though she says she is looking for Curley, when she is told where he is she looks apprehensive and rushes back to the bunkhouse as if she would be in trouble if she were not there. Also in this scene shows us that she is lonely and wants someone to talk to because when George answers her brusquely she still stays there and tries to talk to them. After she has gone George speaks of her despairingly bitch†, piece of jail bait† meaning that she has failed to impress him. This scene is like a prediction of what will happen later on in the story, before Curley wife comes into the bunkhouse George is telling Lennie where to go if he gets into trouble, then Curley’s wife walks in. This could be an indication that she is or has something to do with what gets Lennie into trouble. Over all in this scene we find out that Curley’s wife is lonely, pretty, flirty, frightened of her husband and is seen as a possession of Curley’s. The second time we see Curley’s wife is in chapter 4. This scene is where we see Curley’s wife visit Crooks room, gathered there are all the misfits on the ranch. They have been left behind while everyone else has on into town for the night. These people are left behind because they are misfits i.e. are not a young healthy white male. Crooks is black and is crippled, Candy is old and crippled, Lennie has learning disabilities (seen as being thick) and Curley’s wife is a woman. Candy, Lennie and Crooks are discussing the plans for the farm they are going to own, when Curley’s wife comes in looking for Curley. Candy and crooks want Curley’s wife to leave so the don’t get into trouble, but she persists in trying to talk to them. She asks them if they know what happened to Curley’s hand even though she all ready has worked out what has happened. When Crooks tells her to leave or he’ll tell the boss not to let her in the barn any more she becomes angry and tells him not to open his mouth, she threatens that if he dose she will get him strung up on a tree. Curley’s wife only leaves when she thinks the other ranch hands including, Curley have come back from town. Again in this scene we are shown that Curley’s wife is a very lonely person and only wants someone to talk to well, I ain’t givin you no trouble. Think I don’t like to talk to somebody ever’once in a while? Think I like to stick in that house alla time†. She is also again shown to use her appearance to get attention, Her face was heavily made up. Her lips were slightly parted. She breathed strongly, as though she had been running†. Curley’s wife shows discontent in the life that she has now and a great dislike for her husband Curley, Sure I gotta husban’. You all seen him. Swell guy aint he?†, I’m glad you bust up Curley a little bit. He got it comin’ to him. Sometimes I’d like to bust him myself†. She has this dislike for Curley because of his failure to satisfy her emotionally. Even though this scene is a gathering of the ranch misfits Curley’s wife has a slight advantage over the others. This is because she has a superior social standing as a young white female, she uses this to threaten dominate the other misfits. This happens on several occasions i.e. when she talks down to them You bindle bums† and also when Crooks orders her out of his room. By doing this he aggravates him and she attacks him verbally You know what I could do?† Well, you keep your place then Nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny†. Crooks was an easy target for Curley’s wife to pick on because he is black. People were prejudiced against ethnic minorities in those days and this made it easy for her to frighten Crooks. In my opinion I think that she took pleasure out of his suffering and this particular scene shows a nasty side of her personality. The last time we see Curley’s wife is in the barn with Lennie, chapter 5. In this scene all of the men on the ranch except Lennie are outside taking part or are watching a horseshoe tournament. Lennie is in the barn playing with has pup, but accidentally kills it by stroking it too hard. Curley’s wife enters the barn because she is lonely and wants someone to talk too. She tries to flirt and impress Lennie by telling him about her life before she met Curley. She only really gets Lennie’s full attention when he tells her he likes to stroke nice things. When he tells her she invites Lennie to stroke her soft hair, but when Lennies stroking becomes harder, she panics; in a effort to stop her panicking and screaming Lennie puts his hand over her mouth, this in turn makes her panic even more. In the end Lennie like with the pup breaks her neck. He half-buries her in the hay and runs off. Candy later finds her body. Even though this is the last time we see Curley’s wife we still learn a lot about her and things we already know are reinforced. The fact that Curley’s wife is lonely is reinforced again in this scene I get lonely† this again makes her crave attention from other people. She attempts to gain Lennie’s attention in many ways in this scene, one of the ways she tries is by flirting here feel right her†. Another way is by playing on her own loneliness for sympathy even she shows none for Lennie when he shows her his dead pup. She tries to impress Lennie by telling him about her life before she met Curley She looked closely at Lennie to see whether she was impressing him†. Curley’s wife shows herself to be impatient and selfish by not letting Lennie tell his story before hers she went on with her story quickly, before she could be interrupted†. Again in this scene like the one before she shows a great dislike for Curley. This is because she married Curley only because she was let down by a man who said he could put her in movies, she married Curley so she could get away from home, but this turned out to be a hasty and bad decision for her. Because Curley doesn’t give his wife the attention she needs and tries to keep her from the other men on the ranch, she begins to hate Curley and seeks the attention from the other men on the ranch. Curley’s wife is also naive and lacks any common sense; this is because she believed that the man at the Riverside dance could put her in movies, when it is most probable that he just said it to sleep with her He says he was gonna put me in the movies. Soon’s he got back to Hollywood he was gonna write to me about it† I never got that letter†. Also the fact that she let Lennie to stroke her hair after he told her that he killed his pup by stroking it shows that she lacks any common sense. Many of the characters show contempt for Curley’s wife; they feel that she is a troublemaker. Candy calls her a tart and even when she is dead he says to her you god-damn tramp†¦Ever’ body knowed you’d mess things up. You wasn’t no good. You ain’t no good now, you lousy tart†. In my opinion I think that she deserves pity rather than contempt, because her husband is insensitive, possessive and aggressive. From the three times we see Curley’s wife we can say that she is a pivotal character in the story. Because of her hasty marriage to the possessive Curley she has become lonely in her isolation. To try to escape from the loneliness she uses the sexual image the ranch hands have of her to gain attention from other people, even those at the bottom of the social hierarchy. The fact that she is known only as Curley’s wife and is never called by her real name by ether the ranch hands or the author shows that she is seen only as a possession and is not treated as an individual.

Spelling Isnt Magic

Spelling Isnt Magic Spelling Isn’t Magic Spelling Isn’t Magic By Mark Nichol Perhaps no aspect of written language engenders more consternation or trepidation than spelling. There’s even supposedly a clinical term for the fear of misspelling words: ortographobia. (Wait isn’t that spelled wrong?) Unless you were a spelling-bee champion and perhaps in spite of that distinction you might at least occasionally become flustered at the prospect of having to write a word without the confidence that you’ve spelled it correctly. And it’s probably caused you some embarrassment, or at least a pang of self-consciousness: Many poor spellers think they’re less intelligent than spelling whizzes. (That word can be spelled â€Å"wiz,† too; it’s actually a variant of the abridgement of â€Å"wizard.†) Get over it. Spelling skills aren’t highly correlated with intelligence level, and good spellers seem to be born, not made; taking all the spelling tests in the world isn’t likely to place you among those who write without fear of misspelling. And consider these two significant obstacles to orthographical optimization: First, the English language, more than any other, is replete with confusing, counterintuitive, and contradictory spelling rules. Second, spelling by example is increasingly fraught with peril, given the sad decline in care taken in editing books and newspapers (although magazines seem to remain immune to such deterioration in standards) and the preponderance of poor writing on Web sites and in email, chat and texting environments. So, if you’re a poor speller, and you’re up against a native tongue that defies logic and a world in which good writing seems to no longer be highly valued, what do you do? Relax. You have several allies: The dictionary: You could look it up. If I had a dollar for every spelling question I’ve seen in comments on Web sites about writing and editing, I could buy each of the inquirers a pocket dictionary. (Or, better yet, send them a link to www.m-w.com and pocket the cash.) Complication: Neologisms, assuming they survive faddishness to take their place in the lexicon, are years away from inclusion in the next edition. And where do you open a dictionary to if you don’t know the first letter of the word? Also, various dictionaries may differ in preferred spellings. These are minor points, though. Let the dictionary be your friend. Spell-checking programs: Your word-processing program’s built-in schoolmarm will come to your rescue, and you don’t even have to bring it an apple. Complication: Sometimes it’s wrong. Again, this is a petty quibble. Common sense: â€Å"Born,† or â€Å"borne†? (Originating from, or carried by?) â€Å"Affect,† or â€Å"effect†? (To impact or to fake, or to create an impression or influence a result?) â€Å"Ensure,† â€Å"insure, † or â€Å"assure†? (To guarantee, to take precautions, or to convince?) Complication: Common sense sometimes isn’t all that common. And variant meanings can overlap among more than one similar word (as with the â€Å"-sure† words). Finally, this class of words homophones and near homophones constitutes only a fraction of the troublesome words in our language. Ultimately, though, the best defense against the offense of misspelling is to be a stringent scribe: When you review your writing (you do review your writing, don’t you?), assume that it is a capital offense to misspell a word, and act accordingly. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Fly, Flew, (has) FlownFlied?Confusing "Passed" with "Past"How Do You Pronounce "Mozart"?

Alasia Hotel Resorts Companys Risk Management

Alasia Hotel Resorts Companys Risk Management Introduction Understanding risk and risk management in an organisation requires one to understand that risks are varied depending on the type of organization in question. Risk management is the system of strategies, policies and practices that minimize an organization’s exposure to risk, cushioning it against the effects of those risks (Investor Glossary 2011; McNeil, Frey and Embrechts 2005).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Alasia Hotel Resorts Company’s Risk Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More To understand the nature of the dynamics of risk requires one to also consider the variety of business interests and business fields such as health, transport, finance and other (Hutter and Power 2005). Thus, risk management in the business environment assumes different perspectives depending n the organization and the risks in question. However, Hutter and Power (2005) adds that risk management is not something an organization chances to do, but should be a deliberate effort to prepare the organization to deal with future emergencies. Thus proper and effective risk management ensures that the future of the organization is assured. This does not however mean that organizations understand the nature and type of risks that they will encounter in the present and in the future. It means that organizations must implement the correct strategies to deal with dynamic risks as they arise and minimize their effect (Hutter Power 2005). Company outline Alasia Hotel Resorts (AHR) Alasia Hotel Resorts (AHR) is owned by Alexia Limited which was registered in 1984 as a private limited company. AHR is an exclusively full service establishment with fully owned hotels and resorts in these exceptional cities; Berlin, Frankfurt, Budapest, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Sydney and Hamburg. The company has also franchises in London, New York and Florida. It offers a variety off services and products, and c aters for individual, group and corporate clients on full board, half board and customized services. AHR has well established restaurants, coffee shops, bars, catering and cocktail lounges with full service personnel. AHR also offers accommodation services in our main resorts or condominiums with room and personalized services. Condominiums are only for private full board accommodation for small groups or families and guarantees all services offered at the he main hotels. All our large hotels also have exclusive retail shops such as gift shops, boutiques and chemists.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Our hotels and resorts offer other services such as beauty parlors, ballrooms, fitness centers, health amenities, laundry and valet service. Other than these, AHR also has the facilities for exhibit halls, seminars, conferences, private functions such as wedding and ot her types of meetings. To facilitate easy movement of clients, AHR has secured coaches and saloon cars available upon request. As Hutter and Power (2005) explains, risk management is a deliberate effort that is part of AHR’s core business; the same can be said of AHR. The nature of AHR’s business, deals with risks every day, therefore risk management is a core function in its daily operations. As such, risk management becomes the culture and therefore in the business practices at the company. The company has tailored its risk management to suit its business model, nature of business and other factors, such as future expectations (AS/NZS ISO 31000, 2009). The company has thus had to implement risk management strategies as well as processes and a criterion of evaluation to ensure that risk management procedures meet the necessary criteria. Risk management practices at AHR The Company has realized the potential danger of the risks that it is exposed to and as such has for med a risk management department whose membership incorporate all the departmental heads under the leadership of the Risk Evaluation And Management Officer whose is assisted by the company’s chief finance officer and chief operations officer. The mandate of this department is to device and implements best risk management practices. The following are some of the risk management practices implemented by the Risk Evaluation and Management Unit at AHR. The company’s risk management practices are based on Hubbard’s (2009) theory of calibrating and quantifying risks through actuarial science methods as well as creating a community for risk analysis. This helps to give accurate values of the value and effects of risks to then company and means that risk are quantified in terms of probabilities. The best alternative for each probability is quantified and recorded ready for implementation in case risk happens. The method is anticipatory and forwarded looking and more eff ective basis for dealing with respective risks. This theory provides the basis for implementation of the following risk management practicesAdvertising We will write a custom report sample on Alasia Hotel Resorts Company’s Risk Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Human resource risk management Reducing the human resource risk involves a very comprehensive recruitment and selection exercise for the best employees, which is later accompanied by empowering the employees through comprehensive and continuous training and giving them the authority to solve any problem regarding any client issue. Training program also includes leadership development; equipping all employees with leadership skills improves accountability (Enz and Siguaw 2010). This greatly improves the employee’s skills and knowledge thus ensures high productivity levels are maintained. It also encourages non-performers to seek career prospects elsewhe re thus reduces non-productivity risk that would have arisen. For long term commitment the company has implemented an attractive compensation for employees who engage on long term basis (Huselid 1995). Compensation for performing employees includes vacation in one of the international hotel for employee and their immediate families, paid leaves, allowances for extra time duties, among other packages. The objective of this management practice is to improve employee morale and productivity while empowering them to offer satisfactory services to guests and thus ensure that guest are satisfied with AHR’s services. Financial risk management Minimizing financial risk involves controlling the company’s revenue and income by calculating the equilibrium pricing and controls. Because the company operates in various countries, its finances rare also exposed to foreign exchange rates fluctuation (Prindl 1978). Managing the forex rate fluctuations, the company has identified a repo rting currency, US dollar, in which it converts all its assets. This decision is based on the concept of the stability of the US dollar and its universality, which makes financing its international operations easier. Alasia transacts its daily international business through a pre-agreed exchange rate that is not affected by any variation in foreign exchange rates. As such, the company profit margins are insured against any loss. The company and the Risk Evaluation and Management Unit came up with the following equation for hedging;Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More h=E-1 Where E is equal to the amount of foreign exchange exposure risk and varies from 0 to 1. If total hedging is done, the amount of E will be equal to 0 and thus not sensitive to any fluctuations in foreign exchange (Kroner and Sultan 1993). Managing insurance premiums The company has also engaged in insuring all its assets for any loss of value and damage. Depreciating assets such furniture, kitchenware and vehicles have been well insured and thus any loss of value is compensated. Other than this, the nature of the business as well as the international political climate exposes the company to rising insurance premiums. This affects the company revenues. As such, the company has integrated a training program for all its employees in risk reduction. This is aimed at helping reduce claims and as such has kept the insurance premium rates for the hotel relatively low. The company entered into agreement with its underwriter for discounted insurance premiums if the company manages its claims. Negotiations are in their final stages and this arrangement is expected to come into force soon (Hill 2004). Effective risk management practices Hedging One of the most effective risk management practices the company is the hedging that incorporates the value and nature of assets. This means that the company incorporates the value of the asset in determining the hedging value. As such, the asset value is part of part of calibrating the hedging ratio (Kroner and Sultan 1993). Hedging has also seen the group run its international business efficiently without incurring any losses associated with changing forex rates. As such the company has managed to make long term plans for its international business operations (Chowdhry d Howe 1999). The company has seen the rise of its hedged assets such as franchises and other outsourced services like chattered flight for its clients. As such, the company has seen its international business operations done at optimal rates and therefore sw ells the company’s profits margins. Insurance and its benefits Hedging may not guarantee the protection of the company’s physical assets, thus the insurance policy against loss of value is a novel idea. It ensures that the company’s loss in the value of its company depreciating assets such as vehicles, furniture and others is easily recovered is recovered during liquidation. As such, the company’s capital investment is protected against loss as well as guaranteeing better returns in investment. As such, these make the company more fluid in increasing its acquisition and replacement of such assets (Gustavo and Stavros 2011). Ineffective risk management practices Some of the practices in the company’s risk management have not been effective and may not necessarily reduce the effects of risks to the company. Such activities as managing the insurance premiums are not sustainable. This is because the causes of the said rising in insurance premiums are e xternal and outside the group sphere of influence. Such issues as terrorism affect global travel therefore forcing people to stay in their homes and avoid such risk. In effect of the rising threat, the underwriter automatically appreciates insurance premiums due to the increased threat as such situations are not covered by discounted rate agreement. As such, the hotel industry suffers most damage when such threats are high (Hill 2004). The group has one of the best recruitment exercises in the market. It helps in establishing the best quality workforce for the company. It guarantees that the company hires the best brains in very field. However, the exercise ignores one of the fundamental aspects of human resource development, which is developing and growing its own human resource through internship and apprenticeship. Apprenticeship is a very efficient method of grooming potential replacements as well as ensuring a reservoir of workers in a company as well as tapping the best talent while still raw and developing it to fit into a company’s needs (Enz and Siguaw 2010; Huselid 1995). Lastly, the company is not entirely secured by establishing the dollar as the principle currency of trade. The dollar despite being a relatively stable currency is not immune to fluctuation. Due to the company’s large volumes of trade, even the slightest negative change in the value of the dollar will affect the company’s income (Kroner, and Sultan 1993). Recommendations To improve its risk management practices, the company should consider the following recommendations; Alternative currency The most viable option to cushion this effect is to establish an alternative currency such as the Euro as its principle currency of trade, which the company will use to conduct business with, should the dollar fluctuate significantly (Prindl 1978; Malevergne Sornette 2006). Workplace issues The company’s human resource risk management practice is very efficient in man aging how employees work. However, it does vaguely cover employees’ claims concerning harassment, discrimination as well as other workplace issues. As such, the company should keep a regularly updated company policy on discrimination and train all employees on policies concerning these issues and how to avoid them at the work place (Hill 2004). Insurance industries research The insurance industry is also so unpredictable and as such company risk losing their investment when an underwriter is dissolved. To reduce this risk the company should conduct a research on possible insurers based on the highest claims rating. More important, the company should engage insurers who have the best solvency ratings (Hill 2004). Reference List AS/NZS ISO 31000., 2009, Risk management principles and guidelines. Sydney: Standards Australia. Enz , C., Siguaw, J., 2010. The human dimension: a review of human resources  Management issues in the tourism and hospitality industry Cornell Hotel an d Restaurant Administration Quarterly May Web. Hill, J., 2004. Right this way! Hotels make room for risk management. Web. Available at  https://www.insurancejournal.com/magazines/mag-coverstory/2004/08/23/45573.htm [13, March 2011]. Hubbard, D., 2009. The failure of risk management: why it is broken and how to fix it. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons. Hutter, B., Power, M., 2005, Organizational encounters with risk. New York: Cambridge University Press. Huselid, M., 1995. The Impact of Human Resource Management Practices on Turnover,  Productivity, and Corporate Financial Performance. The Academy of Management Journal. Vol. 38, No. 3. Kroner, K. , Sultan J., 1993. Time-varying distributions and dynamic hedging with  Foreign currency futures. Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 28. Malevergne, Y., Sornette, D., 2006. Extreme financial risk: From dependence to risk  management. New York. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. McNeil, A. J., Frey, R., Embrechts, R., 2005, Qu antitative risk management. New Jersey: Price Town University Press. Prindl, A., 1978. Foreign Exchange Risk. The Journal of Risk and Insurance. Vol. 45, No. 4.

Charlottes Web Summary

'Charlotte's Web' Summary A masterpiece of American children’s literature, Charlottes Web  is a fable by E.B. White about a runt of a pig named Wilbur, who is loved by a little girl and befriended by a very clever spider named Charlotte. Summary of Charlottes Web Author E.B. White, a humorist and elegant essayist who wrote for the New Yorker and Esquire and edited The Elements of Style, wrote two other classic children’s books, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan. But Charlotte’s Web- an adventure story set largely in a barn, a story of friendship, a celebration of farm life, and much more- is arguably his finest work. The story begins with Fern Arable rescuing the runt of a pig’s litter, Wilbur, from certain slaughter. Fern cares for the pig, who beats the odds and survives- which is something a theme for Wilbur. Mr. Arable, fearing his daughter is becoming too attached to an animal that is being bred to be butchered, sends Wilbur to the nearby farm of Fern’s uncle, Mr. Zuckerman. Wilbur settles into his new home. At first, he’s lonely and misses Fern, but he settles in when he meets a spider named Charlotte and other animals, including Templeton, a scavenging rat. When Wilbur discovers his fate- pigs are raised to become bacon- Charlotte hatches a plan to help him. She spins a web over Wilbur’s sty that reads: â€Å"Some Pig.† Mr. Zucker spots her work and thinks it is a miracle. Charlotte keeps spinning her words, deploying Templeton to bring back labels so she can copy words such as â€Å"Terrific† over Wilbur’s pigpen. When Wilbur is taken to the country fair, Charlotte and Templeton go to continue their work, as Charlotte spins new messages. The results draw enormous crowds and Charlotte’s plan to save Wilbur’s life pays off. At the close of the fair, however, Charlotte says goodbye to Wilbur. She is dying. But she entrusts her friend with a sack of eggs she has spun. Heartbroken, Wilbur takes the eggs back to the farm and sees that they hatch. Three of Charlotte’s â€Å"kids† stay with Wilbur, who lives happily with Charlotte’s descendants.   Charlotte’s Web was awarded the Massachusetts Childrens Book Award (1984), Newbery Honor Book (1953), Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal (1970), and Horn Book Fanfare.

Write a review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Write a review - Essay Example At the same time, Titanic struck an iceberg in the ocean. Then, Rose’s fiancà © Cal Hockley discovered this romance and accuses Jack of theft of his gift to Rose. In condition of panic because of ship’s sinking, Rose and Jack were re-united and tried to survive together. But, in the cold Atlantic Ocean Jack sacrificed himself in order to save Rose. At the end, Rose is an old woman throwing Cal’s gift back to the ocean. So, this movie can be taken as a complex story that touches multiple sides of human life in genre of Romantic Drama. In this sophisticated context, in a given essay the play of main actors, plot twists and impressive ending are taken as criteria in evaluating this movie as one of the best among all Romantic Dramas. To start with, the main characters played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet are involved in the appealing love-story that emerged for the first time during the cruise on the ship titled Titanic. Actually, the relation between the couple develop in such a passionate and emotional way that it is impossible not to believe them. In addition, the fact that he is a poor risky worker trying to gain attention from a wealthy lady is also important in making their love even more sensual. Thus, the tandem created by DiCaprio and Winslet is really loved by public even nowadays. Moreover, they still are one of the best couples on the screen. In this context, the way these two actors presented the story between Jack and Rose assisted their future careers in Hollywood. Therefore, the play of main actors is on the highest level in Titanic. Furthermore, plot in the movie is highly interesting and full of unexpected difficulties caused by water and people. On the one hand, after liner had crashed into an iceberg everyone left almost with no chance to survive. On another hand, numerous deaths caused by Titanic were driven by human factor. In this context, an additional character Cal who wanted to marry Rose is one of such people.

Transformational Leadership style Research Paper

Transformational Leadership style - Research Paper Example People love working for businesses where they feel motivated and greatly inspired. A transformational leader is always inspiring, energetic, enthusiastic and passionate person who can influence the followers to change their perceptions, expectations and ultimately motivate them to work towards a common goal. This article analyses some of the transformational leadership styles evident in Starbucks’ CEO Howard Schultz. Schultz has learnt the art of transformational leadership which has really steered his business to a higher level in the recent past. According to Schultz, leadership is more than just winning or becoming triumphant but it is a continuation process which involves a number of people working towards achieving a common goal. He thinks that celebrating everyone in a company is a vital thing regardless of the position held in the business. Schultz further things that shared success is very important and that businesses requires team spirit that is highly inspired. Schu ltz believes that business itself is a team that requires highly motivated team spirit to catapult it to success. Inspiring employees is one thing that Howard believes in as it motivates them to share the company’s common goal (Bussing-Burks 76-83). ... The company gives modest paychecks, healthcare packages and stock options to her employees as a way of motivating them. He feels that by offering such kind of benefits that also involve career counseling ties the employees into the business and further creates the sense of belonging. Schultz believes that people are motivated to work even harder because they are part of the results of the company (Burke, Graeme and Cooper 183-185). Additionally, the Starbuck CEO treats his employees as one family thus prompting them to give their all to the company. Treating workforce like a family is a tool of maintaining loyalty amongst employees thus reducing even turnover rate. The warm and family treatment initiated by Schultz is one of the reasons most customers also remain loyal to the retail company due to hospitable treatment by employees. The culture is so much engrained in the company that the company does not call their workforce employees but as partners. He further provides training, le arning and some acknowledgment packages such as coffee education and learning to lead as a way of building confidence amongst the partners and boosting degree of attachment (Strauss 162-163). Schultz also gives hear to his partners’ needs and continuously consulting them and carefully receiving feedback relating to the company’s vision. He takes his time to communicate with employees via phone calls or sending emails enquiring about feedbacks of what the organization offers as well as seeking advice. What Starbuck CEO has successfully done is to communicate his vision so well that it sticks in the mind of all the partners as well as asking for their feedbacks and understanding of the vision (Cassidy & Kreitner 30-31). He further passionately

Read instructions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Read instructions - Essay Example Through caste system, everybody who is born in the society knows what is expected of him or her and this in turn ensures distribution of human capital in all important professions. There are 4 major castes, namely Brahmans, Kshatriyaas, Vaishayas, and Shudras. These castes included religious scholars, rulers and soldiers, farmers and traders, and common unskilled workers respectively (Jaffrelot, 174). The purpose of each caste was fixed and, therefore, a proper balance of all professionals existed in the society. This is one of the major advantages of caste system. Caste system also ends power struggle and violence in the society as everyone is aware of his or her job. No farmer or trader will have an ambition to become a soldier or ruler, and no similarly religious scholar will want to become rule. This puts an end to power struggle in the society and decreases violence related to power to a certain extent. Disregarding the demerits of caste system on individuals, one of its main advantages of caste system is that it creates a society where there is political stability. This can be termed, in a way, as an advantage of the caste system. The caste system has many disadvantages for common man. There is no chance for social mobility in a society with caste system and this can create significant disparity between rich and poor. A poor and socially downgraded person will never have a chance to improve the situation of his or her family. There is monotony in the lives of people who live under a caste system and this monotony is not easy to get rid of. A person has to live all his life with the label with which he was born. There is no chance to break away from the identity one is given at the time of birth. Another disadvantage of caste system is that it destroys principles of merit and skill. The intellectual ability of a person is determined from the caste in which he or she is born, and not by characteristics of his

Task Management Communication Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Task Management Communication Plan - Essay Example By laying down directives, involving internal and external communication and management of information flow; organizations cater to manage conflicts that escalate as a result of diversity issues (work force diversity), discrimination issues and power issues. In the modern day world, managers face key challenges, in terms of finding adaptive communication strategies that are directed towards the creation of an open and flexible work culture (Samson and Daft, 2012). This is where the relevance of this essay lies. This essay will highlight certain entrenched conflicts that arise in an organization and outline effective communication strategies that organizations can implement in order to mitigate such conflicts. For the purpose of fulfilment of this assignment, the company that will be chosen for evaluating communication strategies is Toyota. The following section will include a brief organizational summary. Thereafter, in-depth explanations will be provided regarding the conflict issue s that arise within the company and strategies adopted by the company in order to mitigate such issues. The critical analysis of the working environment will be done covering aspects such as, structural issues, cultural ethos, prevailing work culture, work relationship issues, network analysis and the best practices. Finally, recommendations will be made suggesting alternative communication strategies that can be adopted by company in order to ensure and efficient and effective working environment. Toyota Motor Corporation, headquartered in Aichi, Japan, is the largest automobile manufacturer, as of 2012, which offer a full range of models from mini cars to large trucks. The company also has many diversified operations that include telecommunications, prefabricated housing and leisure boats. The company’s global vision explains the corporate image and reputation that the company, alongside its specialization in the field of automobiles, strives for and expects to achieve

An exploration of notions of 'order' present in Bernard Tschumi's Dissertation

An exploration of notions of 'order' present in Bernard Tschumi's deconstructive architecture of the late 70's - Dissertation Example From the mid-1970s, small pockets of resistance began to form as architects in advanced, post-industrial cultures began to adopt a system of defamiliarization from the established norms. The new mediated world reflected and reinforced dismantled reality. Architecture incorporated such dismantling and fragmentation, through â€Å"celebrating the culture of differences, by accelerating and intensifying the loss of certainty, of centre, of history†4. Deconstruction as a style of architecture has become increasingly influential among architects, educators, policy makers, and developers of prestige projects. Numerous recent projects are based on the deconstructive style. Besides visual fashion, this type of architecture is conceived around form, function and aesthetics. The main characteristics of deconstructive architecture are a â€Å"lack of human-scale details, jagged and convoluted figures, disjointed masses and planes, glittering glass and polished metal surfaces†5. De constructive architecture is rooted in a branch of philosophy whose chief proponent was the late French philosopher Jacques Derrida. To create order in an architectural composition, form, space and other principles play an important part. Order does not refer only to geometric regularity, but to a â€Å"condition in which each part of a whole is properly disposed with reference to other parts and to its purpose†6, towards producing a harmonious arrangement. A natural diversity and complexity is present in the program requirements for buildings. The forms and spaces of any building should acknowledge the hierarchy that is fundamental to the functions they facilitate, the users they serve,... The importance of a theoretical framework in architecture, for increasing the aesthetic and functional value of the built environment has been underscored. Bernard Tschumi’s work which introduces the urban setting into the Parc de la Villette has a distinctive characteristic emphasizing contemporary deconstructive trends. A theoretical framework elucidates the reasons why some buildings affect human beings in specific ways. Nikos Salingros, a colleague and adversary of Tschumi who promotes traditional aesthetics in architecture, also supports this view . He adds that one of the essential requirements of architectural theory is to integrate and organise scattered and seemingly unrelated observations of the ways in which human beings interact with built form. Another significant element of theory is to formalize those observations into an easily applicable framework usable for design. Architecture’s recent embarking on a formulation of its theoretical basis has been long overdue. Until now architecture has been based on personal notions and fashion, rather than on theoretical support.

Magnetic flux density Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Magnetic flux density - Lab Report Example What is more appalling is that most of these deaths occur in developing countries. Cameroon is one of the developing countries which has been cited to have high mortality rate. According to Ross (1996) HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases are the major cause of deaths in Cameroon. This paper seeks to discuss the causes of high mortality in Cameroon. This is with a view to highlight workable solutions to this problem. Mortality rate in Cameroon was last measured in 2011 and found to be at 383.19 (World Health Organization, 2011). This figure places it position 18 when ranked alongside other 20 countries in the world having highest mortality rate (World Health Organization 2011). It is indicated that this high mortality rate in Cameroon is largely contributed by high infant mortality and maternal mortality. For instance, research show that in Cameroon, mortality and Vitamin A deficiency rates in children are very high (Seth, 2009). Findings from Seth (2009) indicates that in Cameroon, for every 1,000 live births, 200 children die before reaching their fifth anniversary. 40 percent of these deaths are the underfives Vit A deficiency (Seth, 2009). Seth also shows that only 13 percent of children in Cameroon sleep under mosquito treated nets. Because of these, there has been reported increase in Maria in Cameroon. Reportedly, Maria account for well beyond 40 percent of deaths in Cameroon for children under five years (Newman, 2013). Research has shown that high maternity mortality is another contributor to the overall increased mortality rates in Cameroon. As found out by Newman (2013) maternal mortality in Cameroon stands at 680 per 100,000 births. This being the case, the question is what causes these high infant and maternal mortality rates in Cameroon. It is largely indicated that that in Cameroon, low birth weight contributes to 70-80 percent of infant mortality rates (Newman, 2013). The New

An exploration of notions of 'order' present in Bernard Tschumi's Dissertation

An exploration of notions of 'order' present in Bernard Tschumi's deconstructive architecture of the late 70's - Dissertation Example From the mid-1970s, small pockets of resistance began to form as architects in advanced, post-industrial cultures began to adopt a system of defamiliarization from the established norms. The new mediated world reflected and reinforced dismantled reality. Architecture incorporated such dismantling and fragmentation, through â€Å"celebrating the culture of differences, by accelerating and intensifying the loss of certainty, of centre, of history†4. Deconstruction as a style of architecture has become increasingly influential among architects, educators, policy makers, and developers of prestige projects. Numerous recent projects are based on the deconstructive style. Besides visual fashion, this type of architecture is conceived around form, function and aesthetics. The main characteristics of deconstructive architecture are a â€Å"lack of human-scale details, jagged and convoluted figures, disjointed masses and planes, glittering glass and polished metal surfaces†5. De constructive architecture is rooted in a branch of philosophy whose chief proponent was the late French philosopher Jacques Derrida. To create order in an architectural composition, form, space and other principles play an important part. Order does not refer only to geometric regularity, but to a â€Å"condition in which each part of a whole is properly disposed with reference to other parts and to its purpose†6, towards producing a harmonious arrangement. A natural diversity and complexity is present in the program requirements for buildings. The forms and spaces of any building should acknowledge the hierarchy that is fundamental to the functions they facilitate, the users they serve,... The importance of a theoretical framework in architecture, for increasing the aesthetic and functional value of the built environment has been underscored. Bernard Tschumi’s work which introduces the urban setting into the Parc de la Villette has a distinctive characteristic emphasizing contemporary deconstructive trends. A theoretical framework elucidates the reasons why some buildings affect human beings in specific ways. Nikos Salingros, a colleague and adversary of Tschumi who promotes traditional aesthetics in architecture, also supports this view . He adds that one of the essential requirements of architectural theory is to integrate and organise scattered and seemingly unrelated observations of the ways in which human beings interact with built form. Another significant element of theory is to formalize those observations into an easily applicable framework usable for design. Architecture’s recent embarking on a formulation of its theoretical basis has been long overdue. Until now architecture has been based on personal notions and fashion, rather than on theoretical support.

The Role of the Financial Manager Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Role of the Financial Manager - Essay Example Therefore it is imperative that the CEO knows how to manage investment and protect the interest of shareholders. He must be able to strategically plan ahead and decide on policies and activities that would increase operating income and stockholder’s equity. Evidently, the best candidate to the CEO post should be the CFO. Maximizing wealth is not something that is new to a CEO who has been managing the finances of the organization. The primary role of the CFO in the firm is to plan strategies and pursue activities that will improve the total value of the firm. In most successful organization, CFOs basically work side by side with the CEO in strategic planning and decision making. He has developed excellent communication skills as he present the current financial condition of the firm to different stakeholders, has been closely oriented with the company’s product and operations, has been consistently working in line with the company’s vision, and has been able to d evelop managerial skills. However this does not absolutely imply that all CFO’s make successful CEO’s. The total personality of the CFO, his business acumen, the quantity and quality of his past experiences, and his continuing passion for the organization combined, make for a better CEO. D.

Kraft Foods Essay Example for Free

Kraft Foods Essay They offer delicious foods and beverages for every lifestyle on the go. While exploring the website of Kraft seems to define their product mix as foods that are geared more towards the people on the go. I would define their product mix as health/wellness foods, quick fix meals, snacks and beverages as well as offering a Premium line of foods. In their health/wellness foods they offer products in a â€Å"light† form such as things like Philadelphia light cream cheese and reduce fat cookies. For meals on the go or quick fix meals Kraft have designed meals like the Kraft Mac Cheese Cups, frozen meals and sandwich kits. They offer a wide variety of snack foods including everyone’s favorite cookie Oreo’s and Splendips. The Premium line that Kraft offers includes foods like DiGornio Pizza and Oscar Myer bacon. Kraft offers 8 product lines with over 50 different brands. Kraft’s product mix is the offering of their premium foods, such as DiGornao Ultimate Pizza which is made as a higher quality pizza then the standard. Tombstone Mexican Style Pizza is offered as a convenience food as a favorite food of teenage boys. It was designed for the ease of cooking a easy, quick, healthy meal. Tang is real fruit goodness of oranges. Everyone will surely love its sweet, refreshing flavor plus the added nutrition it gives. It is also instant drink mix offering the convenience food again. South Beach Diet foods are part of their healthy yet, convenience foods. The line offers alternatives to other popular diet fads. South Beach Diet foods play on wholegrain and the correct or right fats like canola oil and olive oil. In this line they also offer bars for a fast way to fill a craving during the day.

The Homeless are Not Legitimate Members of a Community Essay -- Argume

The Homeless are Not Legitimate Members of a Community In most every community in the United States there exists an ever-growing population of disenfranchised individuals, created by the absence of a home. Their place in the community allows them, at best, the socioeconomic status of â€Å"the homeless-members in our community.† But, are these homeless-members actually legitimate autonomous-members of a moral community? In this paper I will first argue that the homeless are not legitimate autonomous members of a community. Second that the community as a whole has a moral obligation to extend membership to the homeless by meeting their need for a home, and so legitimize their autonomy within the community. A moral community can most practically be defined as â€Å"†¦an entity constituted by all those people who have to work out meaningful ways of living together" (Ethics 98). It is the process of participants gaining access into a vast network of â€Å"communal relations/negotiations† which allows an individual the possibility to define and articulate his or her identity - with a sense of belonging. The grooming for participating in one’s community starts primarily at home in family life, as an individual - embedded in a social group - develops a moral-identity through the negotiation process of choices and actions that has its full expression within the greater community. The homeless, at least to some degree, have little or no part in these communal negotiations in their community due to their transient unstable condition. The community has not openly excluded the homeless from negotiations, it is simply an inadvertent social reality that is ignored by the greater community. If a moral community is an inclusive integrated network in whi... ...tion, must negotiate a directive where the â€Å"Good† of that community can be fully realized by the inclusion of all persons worthy of membership – worthy of a home. Otherwise, an unarticulated, disenfranchised human population in our community will continue to emerge on the other side of the economic-divide; inducing an â€Å"increased social dissonance.† For how can members of a moral community exclaim, â€Å"there’s no place like home† if persons in their mist lament, â€Å"there’s no place - for us!† In the words of Peter Singer: â€Å"If it is in our power to save someone’s life with little cost to our own lives, then we our morally obligated to do so, and not to do so is morally reprehensible† (Ethics 55). Works Cited Abbarno, G. John M. ed. The Ethics of Homelessness; Philosophical Perspectives: Value Inquire Book Series, Vol. 86. Rodopi (Amsterdam, Atlanta, Ga), 1999.

Computer-Based Training :: Technology Essays

Computer-Based Training What is CBT? CBT or Computer Based Training is a difficult term to adequately define because it encompasses various modes of instruction and has evolved from the simplest definition, "The use of computers and multimedia technology for training"(http://www.unn.ac.uk/~buu504/comp_bt.htm). The best definition for CBT is from a 1995 text called Making CBT Happen by Gloria Gery. An interactive learning experience between the learner and computer in which the computer provides the majority of the stimulus, the learner must respond, and the computer analyzes the response and provides feedback to the learner (1995). Although this definition is quite dated, and CBT has evolved considerably since 1995, it adequately describes the key roles the computer and the learner have in the process. CBT (Computer Based Training) can encompass any type of training that involves a learner interacting with a computer. This means that Web Based Training, Interactive Distance Learning, and Intranet can also fall under the CBT definition. For brevity of this paper, we will only look at the CBT modules used on CD-ROM and LAN (Local Area Network). To expound on this definition, one must accurately define Interactive Learning Experience as it relates to training. There are many forms of interactive learning experiences in training. These would include: Interactive practice exercises to incorporate a skill Interactive case studies simulating situations in which the learner applies previously acquired knowledge Interactive role plays in which people can practice new behaviors, approaches, techniques Interactive drills in which learners can prove mastery levels and move along the learning continuum from familiarization to automatic operation and fluency Interactive tests in which the learner can interactively assess their own progress to demonstrate competence or achieve confidence in their own knowledge and skill (Gery, 1995). I would also add that along with the interactive learning experience CBT modules also have administrative qualities. Most CBT programs can register learners based on their status through particular career learning paths, as well as, store the learner's progress of the modules within a database. "There is a record keeping feature that can save time, maintain accurate training records, and diagnose training deficiencies" (Congram, 1995). CBT Advantages and Disadvantages Computer-Based Training modules have many advantages. First, there is the cost issue. For companies who have facilities on a national or even international scale, CBT is the most cost- effective way to train.

Analysis of Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Essay

Abstract Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is a report used by cities, and local governments to provide the public with their financial records each year, while adhering to government accounting standards board (GASB) guidelines. The report presents a comprehensive picture of the reporting entity’s financial condition, it provides how funds are spent and allocated throughout the year. Introduction I will be covering the Carlsbad CAFR for year ended 2011. The Beautiful city of Carlsbad is located along the coast of southern California. Carlsbad is known for its beautiful beaches, and lagoons which cover 1,000 Acres of nature preserves and hiking trails. Its history dates back to 1700, before becoming part of the United States, it was a territory of Spain and then Mexico, the shoreline of Carlsbad’s coastal lagoon was home to the indigenous Luiseno and Diegueà ±os Indians for centuries before the arrival of  the Spaniards (City of Carlsbad, n.d.). The current population of the city is approximately 107,000 residents; total area is 42 Sq. Miles (City of Carlsbad, n.d). The cities top business consists of hospitality, life science, sporting goods and recreation, and telecommunications. The city provides a wide range of services to residents such as; police, fire, infrastructure, and general administration, the CAFR provides detailed information about how these services are funded, and the type of the governmental funds allocated for these services. The city exhibits accountability and honesty by sharing the CAFR with its residents, in turn this builds trust in the residents toward their city, trust in that their hard earn money is being used in the appropriate services, and these funds are put back in to the maintenance and development of their communities. I will be presenting an analysis of Carlsbad’s comprehensive annual financial report for year ended 2011. The report consists of three sections that are introductory, financial, and statistical. Introductory Analysis The introductory for the city Carlsbad’s CAFR begins with a five-year vision statement, it is general vision statement, I find this very encouraging, and reassuring to present it before going into depth with the report. It includes the city’s economic goal, programs, policies, and decisions to be implemented by the city’s officials; it also lists the type of leadership, the open government policy, and they type of environmental services and how they are managed. Then one can find the Letter of Transmittal presented by the city’s finance department, addressed to the mayor, city council and citizens of Carlsbad. The letter is to explain why the CAFR is prepared, what is included in the CAFR, the guidelines followed such as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and that GASB requirements were preserved in the report; the finance department received an auditing from the independent auditing firm Mayer Hoffman McCann, they also included where the resu lts of the auditing can be located which I will cover in the financial analysis later on. In addition the letter offers an audited governments internal control and compliance with legal requirements were in place. The letter also includes a profile of the city, stating the population, geographical location of the city, a section about the city of  Carlsbad community vision, budget process that explains priority projects for the city, and budgetary controls. Followed by factors affecting financial condition, in this section there are Economic profile, long term financial planning, and cash management. Economic profile covers economic strengths and weakness of the city, the city shows improvement in most of its General fund revenues, and is expecting to increase by $ 2.3 Million or 2.1 percent in fiscal year 2011-12, also weakness in residential housing market affected by property tax and 0.2 percent decrease is anticipated in coming year (City of Carlsbad, n.d.) One of the leading factors to the economic crisis in the United States was the housing market, this had affected Carlsbad negatively, house prices fell like many cities in the country, 8 percent in Carlsbad compare to last year, and the following is a chart showing the trend in housing prices in the city (City of Carlsbad, n.d.) Long term financial planning is states that it is the City’s Council’s goal to ensure that they city remains in good financial health, and the city has taken a number of steps to attain this goal, setting forth Growth Management Plan, the plan was adopted by the citizens, the plan ensures that all the necessary public facilities are either constructed along with development or that a financing plan is in place to pay for the facilities prior to the development of the property ,to ensure this plan is effective, an Infrastructure Replacement Fund was created, this fund sets aside money on a yearly basis for major maintenance and replacement of its infrastructure(City of Carlsbad, n.d.). The creation of this fun is a brilliant idea, so when the time come to make the necessary improvement the city would have the money ready, and it would not have to transfer money from other governmental funds. As the economy expected to slowly recover, and provide to support to the largest aspect of our economy, the housing market. The General fund revenue will continue to cover the ongoing cost as seen in the following graph (City of Carlsbad, n.d). The last part of the letter was informative about cash management, major initiatives and projects. The cash management section covers the investment programs, its procedures as well as its objectives. The major initiatives  and projects section goes in to detail about the upcoming projects, it also provides developments and the maintenance of these projects that are designed to strengthen and improve the community. Followed by the letter of transmittal are the Awards and acknowledgments, the government finance officers association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded the city of Carlsbad the certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting to the city of Carlsbad for its CAFR. (City of Carlsbad, n.d.). A webpage called Carlsbadistan which is dedicated to new, events, and all things Carlsbad, stated that city of Carlsbad had been awarded for the 11th time the GFOA during 2009, with this CAFR dating June, 30 2011, this award would be the 12th award received by the city. The Introductory section concludes with a list of the city’s elected officials, leadership team, chairpersons, commissions and boards, and finally an organization chart of electorate. I found the introductory section and the information presented to be very well put, educational, easy to read and follow, the statistical numbers presented in the economic section, the cash management and investments were informative. This city has earned the 12th GFOA awards received, because they simplified yet very complex information that is presented year after year in the CAFR. Financial Analysis The financial section of the CAFR for the city of Carlsbad lists and analyzes the components of financial information for the city, which helps the reader understand the financial condition of the city for the year ended and the projected budgetary for the following year. This section includes Independent Auditors’ report, Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), and financial analysis of the city’s funds. The Independent Auditors’ report main purpose is to examine the financial information presented in the city’s financial statements, the independent auditors concluded the city’s governmental activities, business-type activities, and each major fund was represented in a fair matter, also in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles as of June 30, 2011. MD&A part includes an overview of financial statements, with a chart of the statements, it is informative about the type of financial statements such as Government-Wide fina ncial statements (â€Å"which are intended to provide  aggregated overview of a government’s net assets and changes in net assets†) (Wilson, E.R., Reck, J.L., & Kattelus), and fund financial statements, I thought it breaks down and simplifies the purpose of these statements in financial reporting. Particularly in the Changes in net assets, this has general overview revenues and expenses from 2010-2011, with 11.5% decline from previous year, 2011 revenue is 217.2 (Governmental activities 152.4 and Business-type activities), while expenses 26.1 had an increase of 1.4 %( Governmental activities 21.8 and Business activities 4.3). The chart for sources of revenue can be found in this section, the following are the sources of revenue for fiscal year 2010-2011 amounted to $217.2 Million, the breakdown was as followed: Contributions from property owners 11%, property taxes 26%, income from property & investments 5%, other taxes 4%, sales taxes 4% federal aid 4%, and finally the biggest contributor to revenue was charges for services 31%(City of Carlsbad, n.d.) The following is an overview of the Governmental and Business- type activities on page 25. Governmental activities had an increase in net assets of $21.8 Million, the increase was generated by total revenues of governmental activities of $ 152.2 Million ( $42.7 million in program revenues and $109.5 million in general revenues) offset by $130.3 million in total costs of governmental activities and $ 135,000 transfer to the solid waste fun ( City of Carlsbad, n.d.) And for those who are visual learner like me, here is the visual aid to show the breakdown of the Governmental activities program revenues and expenses (City of Carlsbad, n.d.) Business-type Activities components are water, golf course, wastewater, and solid waste, for these program revenues totaled $56.5 million for the year, and functional expenses $60.8 million(City of Carlsbad, n.d.). Financial Analysis of the city’s funds provides information regarding Governmental funds and Proprietary funds. Governmental funds are near-term, inflows, outflows and balances of spendable resources that are essential for assessing the city’s financing requirements. Under the Governmental funds one can find the General fund statement of revenue, expenditures, and changes in fund balance, the city’s revenue and expenditure for 2011 were as followed; Revenues saw an increase of 2.6% from previous year, total $111.6 Million, largest element of the revenue was taxes at $95.5 Million. Whereas  Expenditures largest element was public safety $44.2 Million, total expenses were 102.1 an there was an increase 1.0%. Ending fund balance in the statement was $13 0.4Million (City of Carlsbad, n.d.). As for the purpose Proprietary Funds in addition to operating revenues and expenses, is to provide short and long term financial information about the city’s Business-type activities, the operating revenues were $35.1 Million which exceeded operating expenses that were $747,000, this increase was due to the increase in water sales revenue to rates (City of Carlsbad, n.d.). This increase has a bitter sweet side to it, in one hand in revenue is a sign that the city is doing great under light of this depressive economy, on the other hand citizens of this could use a break from these increasing rates. Before moving on to the statements the city listed the contact information for the city’s financial management for questions about CAFR. Notes to financial Statements begin on page 59 of the report, it includes when the city was incorporated, a description and scopes of the reporting entity which have several components, I consider it a great way of presenting a conclusion for the report, it presents some of the information presents earlier in the report, such as Governmental wide and fund financial statements, the notes states why they reported and how they were reported. Also lists the type of the governmental funds included in the report such as general funds, and redevelopment debt service funds, as a reader I appreciated how each of these funds were defined and actually listed. In addition a list of the enterprise fund were introduced in this section, describing what they are for example Carlsbad municipal water district, golf course, waste water, and so on, and where are those funds allocated. Financial Standing Overview of the city’s financing over the past 10 fiscal years shows that the city has been doing great, and is experiencing a growth considering the tough economic situation the country has been facing, looking at the total net assets supports that growth. In 2002, city of Carlsbad had $740,000 in total net assets, while in 2011 the total net assets were $17Million (Carlsbad CAFR 2011, 120) I think one of the main reasons the economy in this city is holding up relatively well, is due to the housing market, the city location is the main factor why a lot of home buyers gravitate towards  it. Conclusion The CAFR for the city of Carlsbad was exceptionally interesting, informative, and easy to read and follow. Now wonder this city has earned the GFOA for consecutive 12 years. The introductory, financial and statistical sections had graphs and charts to explain and show how funds for this city was spent, which more so help the visual learners in the public to grasp the complicated accounting components of the report. References 1- The city of Carlsbad CAFR webpage http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/departments/finance/Documents/2011%20CAFR.pdf 2- Carlsbadistan web page http://www.carlsbadistan.com/?p=5623 3- Accounting for Governmental and Nonprofit Entities(15th edition) 4- APA Reference Guide http://datel200.nu.edu/web/documents/APA.pdf