Thursday, October 31, 2019

What makes people attractive to others Research Paper

What makes people attractive to others - Research Paper Example The two most exciting life incidences about life in college for young men is the possibility of development of a relationship away from relatives; either just friendship or romantic. The paper posits that college men become attracted to others when they identify an admirable quality in them. The paper outlines these qualities and their effects in attractiveness. The secret identified in the discussion as overlaying attraction is self love. Attractive people judge neither themselves nor other people. They are open to all love gestures directed to them. This makes their character to be viewed in a positive light. They express their love in every way and think about it most of the time. With such an attitude no ill thoughts about others can clog their mind. According to Harper, college men should understand that human interactions are vital in acquiring a sense of well-being, happiness and self esteem (402). The paper also stresses on the emotional as well as physical well-being because , at their age, the community expects college men to be energetic both physically and emotionally. This implies that one may be physically healthy but emotionally challenged leading to overall adverse effects on their interactions. It will also be difficult for a young man to sustain a meaningful relationship if they lack emotional stability. DISCUSSION The education status of college men demands that much of their thinking capacity be preoccupied by academic issues; not life shocks and stresses. This is an indication that if one does not uphold proper interactive tendencies towards people, his academic performance will certainly be affected negatively. When they discover that people do not like them, emotions run the gamut from defensive indignation to a feeling of deep pain and enormous sadness. One should focus on improving both his physical and emotional character while streamlining self attitude towards other people. However, young college men may look physically tattered, frai l and unattractive if they do not embrace a healthy lifestyle. Healthy people engage in some form of daily exercise alongside healthy diets to support the physical stability of their energetic bodies. One should indulge in this because they respect themselves and not aiming to impress others. The strategy can entail the involvement of a group activity. This promotes positive interactions with the group members. Attractive people maintain their emotional wellbeing through allowing themselves time to focus. This detaches them from adrenaline negative impacts such as distractions and clutters (Davenport point 32). There are many virtues that one needs to acquire to ensure they are attractive to other people especially the college mates and the teaching staff. It is eminent for one to develop his personal operating system (Davenport point 1). This can be accomplished through curving out and defining their philosophy, values, interests and reality than blindly embracing that of their pee rs and the community at large. When people understand your likes and dislikes, the interactive attitude they portray upon you will be related to the stipulated principles. Expressing one’s personality indicates that one accepts who they are. Therefore, people interact with the real self and not a fake personality. Accepting who we are requires personal sacrifice as one lets go of the need for validation (Davenport point 2). Attractive people speak constructively and attach sense in whatever they discuss. Although the current trends among the peers associate naughty-boy image with attractiveness towards young ladies, this notion is short-lived and causes harm to self-worth

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

International Relations paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

International Relations paper - Essay Example The geopolitics is significant in modern international affairs, as it keeps the countries engaged in forming and maintaining strategic relationships with each other and makes even a single country dominate the whole world on the basis of power. The geopolitical influence that is exercised by the United States across different regions of the world remains unchallenged by any country in the world. Being the most powerful and hegemonic country in the world, it has its say in the political and economic landscape of almost every country. Understandably, United States has not achieved this dominance coincidently; rather this happens to be a fruit of continued endeavours of the country to expand its economic, political and military power across the globe. This paper evaluates and elaborates the extent of US geopolitical influence and strategic dominance over the geographically significant regions such as the Middle East, Central Asia and Southeast Asia. The geopolitical objectives of the United States mainly encompass its conventional policies to conserve a significant share of world oil, to ensure a secure supply of energy resources, to dominate its existing and potential competitors, and most importantly to protect the existence of the state of Israel from any regional threats. Most of the US influence across the world signifies the same interests. Whether it is the critical state of regional stability in the Middle East, the pipeline politics in Central Asian Caucasus region, or its strategic influence in the Southeast Asia, the United States tends to play a significant role in shaping the regional and political landscape across the world. As Bromley (2005, p226) clearly illuminates that, "the routeing of pipelines, the policing of shipping lanes and the management of regional influences all depend heavily on US geopolitical commitments." Re-mapping of the Middle East The geopolitical influence in the Middle East allows United States not only to control regional politics, but also renders the oil dependent Western World as subordinate to US imperial objectives. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, the re-mapping of Middle East has remained as one of the very important strategic objectives of the United States Perthes (2004, p85) assets that, "the U.S. administration has embraced the cause of bringing a "new order" to what it calls the Greater Middle East". The post attack invasion of Iraq and the subsequent plans to curtail Iran's nuclear expansion, happen to be a part of this goal. All the US strategies employed in the Middle East's expansion as well as democratisation rests on the objective of fostering a secure region for the state of Israel. Curtailing any threats posed to the existence of Israel by any country in the Middle East and preserving US dominance happen to be on the top of the American strategic targets in the region (Cantori, p102, 200 5) Zanoyan (2003, p108) illuminates that the pre-eminent strategic objective of US presence in Iraq happens to be of the transformation of its regime into a government that is friendly to US plans in the region. In this way, US envisages not only to curtail the roots of terrorism but also to protect Israel from any potential radical Islamic threat. A regime change in Iraq also supports the US objective of strengthening Israel while culminating the ascending Palestinian

Sunday, October 27, 2019

What Impact did the Conquest have on Aztec Society?

What Impact did the Conquest have on Aztec Society? The discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492 was the catalyst for change that had been long awaited in European society. After hundreds of years of living in Asias shadow, the sun was finally rising over Europe and their newly conquered land. But we mustnt forget that the New World was not necessarily new to the indigenous peoples of the Americas. By the time Hernà ¡n Cortà ©s arrived in Mexico, the Aztecs had already established a society that had been successfully functioning for many years, complete with a teeming capital that rivaled European cities. However, the Spanish were able to decapitate their society and permanently change it. Simultaneously, they were able change the way society functioned in their homeland in Europe. But how did the Spanish accomplish the conquest of the Aztec Empire and what happened after they did? The discovery and conquest of the Aztec empire, while beneficial to European society in both the New and Old World, leaves Aztec societ y decapitated and virtually unrecognizable The fall of the Aztec empire to Hernà ¡n Cortà ©s and his army was the necessary first step in controlling this area of the Americas. Hernà ¡n Cortà ©s, a Spaniard on an unsanctioned expedition landed on the coast of Mexico in early1519, was searching for the rumored gold and great cities of Mexico.  [1]  He arrived in the city of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec Empire, later that year.  [2]  At this time in the early 16th century, Tenochtitlan was one of the largest cities in the world, boasting a population of over 200,000 people.  [3]  According to records, the Spanish were dazzled by the city and had never seen anything like it before.  [4]  The Aztec empire as a whole, run by an emperor named Montezuma, had authority over 5 million people in the area that is now known as Mexico.  [5]  Cortà ©s first attempt to conquer the Aztecs failed miserably and he was quickly forced to retreat. However, he returned in 1521with indigenous allies from surroundi ng areas and was able to decapitate their society. He did this by exploiting cultural and political weaknesses of the empire. First of all, the Aztecs were not accustomed to traditional European warfare. Their fighting had always been ceremonial, not for bloodshed. The Europeans were merciless in their efforts to conquer the empire. Secondly, Cortà ©s disrupts the political structure of the empire very quickly by defeating Montezuma. The Aztecs were highly dependent upon their hierarchal structure, and without an emperor, they were unable to effectively organize resistance.  [6]  They were left in a state of chaos and were finally forced to surrender to the conquistadors after 3 months of warfare.  [7]  For the Aztecs, this surrender to the Spanish meant the permanent loss of their political and cultural society. The Spanish did not just deal a mortal blow to the political structure and culture of Tenochtitlan; they also wiped thousands of its residents off the face of the planet. This, however, was not intentional. The Aztecs had never been exposed to European diseases such as influenza and smallpox, and therefore were extremely susceptible to these illnesses. Smallpox was particularly contagious and deadly. Using the Spaniards as a vessel, it killed over 80 percent, which was approximately 11 million people, of the original population of Tenochtitlan.  [8]  It is difficult to fathom how the Aztecs felt as they watched millions of people die around them in an inexplicable manner. The psychological effect was inevitably devastating.  [9]  This demographic collapse further weakened the empire and left it more susceptible to European control and exploitation. If the destruction of the political structure had not been enough to conquer the Aztec Empire, such an overwhelming loss of the o riginal population did. The fall of the Aztec empire, while a devastation to its indigenous people, was a significant achievement for Hernà ¡n Cortà ©s and his army of conquistadors. After bringing Tenochtitlan to the ground, the Europeans assumed the responsibility of power in the area, which meant they needed to construct a new legal framework. Spains new viceroyalty was appropriately named New Spain and its capital was called Mexico City.  [10]  The Spanish crown appointed Hernà ¡n Cortà ©s governor and established a system much like feudalism that had been seen in earlier European society. In the encomienda system, conquistadors were given land and labor, and in return they had to house the indigenous people and provide them with a Christian education.  [11]  This system did not work as effectively as originally planned. Since the Spanish crown was across the ocean, it was not able to enforce the system. In many cases, the Spanish treated the Aztecs as slaves. In hopes of expanding European society into the area, the indigenous people ultimately lost their religion, their culture, their freedom, and their dignity under this system. Promoting religion in the New World was not only a way for Europeans to legitimize their conquests, but it was a way for them to spread their ideas and exert control in the New World.  [12]  Former religious institutions of the Aztec Empire were considered blasphemy to the Spanish Christians, and by 1521 the Spanish had destroyed 600 temples and 20,000 idols. Outnumbered, the indigenous peoples adopted Christianity without much hesitation.  [13]  The Spanish did make efforts to incorporate Aztecan aspects into the new religious society. They allowed indigenous peoples to be a part of the administrative structure of the church. They also replaced traditional church costumes with Spanish garments.  [14]  Just like in Europe, Christianity became an integral part of society in New Spain. Back in the old world, people heard stories of the magnificent conquest of Mexico and developed a desire to go to the New World. This was a good thing, especially following the depletion of 80% of the original population of Tenochtitlan (lecture).  [15]  This introduction of people from the old world created a society of new ethnic diversity. There were the two original groups of people: the Spanish and the indigenous Aztecs. From the earliest interactions between these groups, Spanish males and Aztecan women bred and created a new breed of people called the mestizo (Darwin 64). The Spanish eventually introduced African slaves into society as a source of labor, and they bred with the Spanish and the Aztecs to and developed the mulatto community (Darwin 64).  [16]  This interbreeding created a hierarchal society based upon race, with the Spanish whites, or criolles on top. The new creole society in New Spain was a direct consequence of the European conquest of Aztec society, f or it never would have transpired without them. The Spanish encountered a plethora of new resources in New Spain, but the one good they valued above all others was mineral wealth. The presence of gold and silver in the New World was one of the strongest factors that encouraged colonization (Darwin 63). The discovery of huge supplies of silver at Zacatecas in the Mexico area impacted the New World, the Old World, and beyond (Darwin 63).  [17]  Firstly, it allowed for the development of technologies. Silver has to be purified when it is mined, and the mercury required for purification came from Iberia and Croatia. The lighting in the silver mines is provided by candles made from the fat of cattle. Labor comes from the indigenous inhabitants. When the bullion is shipped over to Europe, it truly makes a huge impact on society. A radical increase in monetization is seen. (lecture)  [18]  . When Asians hear of this, they demand that they become a part of trade. It changed the way in which the Europeans interacted with the Asians . Prior to this, the Europeans tiptoed around the edges of the Asian continent and were seen as nothing but pests. (Darwin pg 59).  [19]  Silver becomes the first truly global commodity. The discovery of silver allows for European expansion into the east and the west, impacting the societies of Europe, Asia, and the Aztecs simultaneously. We mustnt forget how the conquest of the Aztec Empire influenced society across the Atlantic Ocean in the Old World. The discovery of the Americas as a whole challenged the worldviews of European society and exposed them to new natural history and geography. Maps played a major role in 16th century Europe. During this century we see the emergence of the Waldseemuller maps in 1507, which have become known as the birth certificate of America (exhibit).  [20]  Hernà ¡n Cortà ©s also creates a map, this one of his conquered city of Tetnochtitlan. He sends it to Europe and it becomes the first depiction Europeans see of their newly acquired land. And, according to scholar Barbara E. Mundy, the map assumed a symbolic function in supporting Cortà ©ss just conquest of the Amerindian empire. (article)  [21]  In addition to maps, books and art became popular ways of depicting the New World for those who lived thousands of miles away. Bernal Diaz del Castillo, an infantry man of Cort à ©s, wrote about his adventures in New Spain. He tells the story of myself and my comrades, all true conquerors, who served His Majesty in the discovery, conquest, pacification, and settlementà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦of New Spain (exhibit).  [22]  This collection of anecdotes is a classic, even today. The maps, books, and paintings that came from the Old World painted a picture of the New World for European society, enriching their knowledge and enhancing their worldviews. In discussing the impact of the discovery and conquest of the Aztec empire on both American and European societies, one must understand that Hernà ¡n Cortà ©s and his conquistadors ultimately destroyed a once flourishing and dazzling Aztec Empire in hopes of expanding that of the Europeans. This was very clearly a win-lose situation that favored the Europeans. The once great Aztec society was quickly robbed of its culture, religion, and a large majority of its indigenous peoples, and was left with no hope of regaining it. Ultimately, there was no Aztec society left after 1521. It was merely a new European society founded upon the skeleton of the former empire. After the decapitation of the Aztecs, the conquistadors brought in their religion and new political structure and imposed it upon the few remaining indigenous peoples. Tecnotichlan became virtually unrecognizable, both by name and by the new creole society. Back in Europe, the continent was benefitting from the knowledge and goods brought back from the New World. As tragic as the situation may sound for the Aztecs, discoveries and conquests like this happened quite frequently during this time period. It should not be forgotten that Europeans, while an emerging dominant world power during this time period, did not necessarily get there by honest and diplomatic means.

Friday, October 25, 2019

The Role of Propoganda in the American Revolution :: Essays on American Revolution

The colonists during and before the Revolutionary War believed that they had many well-thought reasons to rebel against England. Some of the most popular reasons would have to be the concept of "Taxation without representation" and the famous Stamp Act. Many colonists were not so concerned with taxes so they sided with the reason of the British restricting their westward expansion. But those colonists who did not go along with those excuses for rebellion just plain hated the British for invading their homes. But a single question arises: "What put all of these strong feelings toward Britain into the minds of the colonists?" The answer is simple: Propaganda. Many of the colonists along the coast began to thing that the land they were living in was beginning to become a little too crowded. The majority of these colonists looked to the land west of the Appalachian Mountains, but there was one problem. In 1763 King George III created something known as "The Proclamation of 1763". The Proclamation of 1763 restricted the colonists in the English colonies from moving westward into the lands beyond the Appalachian Mountains. It also forced those who had already settled west of the Appalachians to go back to the eastern side. King George III made this law because he wished to keep peace with the Natives and keep the taxpayers paying taxes. He succeeded partially, but he also managed to confuse and upset a large amount of the colonists. Another problem that made the colonists angry was the Quartering Act. The Quartering Act stated that the colonists must house British soldiers and pay for their expenses. Nearly every colonists was affected by this, even if they did not house a soldier, because the British soldiers would attempt to find odd jobs in their off hours. Thus, the colonists would be in direct competition with the British soldiers for jobs when the colonists were already underpaid due to taxes, such as the Stamp Act. Taxes were a hard part of every day life in the colonies. Many of the taxes Britain placed on the colonies seemed to be very unreasonable to the colonists. One such example of the unreasonable taxes is the Stamp Act. The Stamp Act was put in place to help pay for some of the cost from the French and Indian War. Everything from newspapers to playing cards was taxed. This infuriated the colonists greatly, because the tax from the Stamp Act affected every one in the colonies in some way or another.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Perspectives in the Implementation of the Enhanced K-12 Basic Education Essay

I. INTRODUCTION The Philippines is the last country in Asia and one of the three nations that has a ten year pre-university education program before the implementation of the K-12 system. K-12 program indicates a good quality of education especially for the standard of our education system worldwide, qualification to work abroad and development of skills in employment. The problem in implementation of K-12 in the Philippines is the preparedness of the Filipino people to study with this procedure of quality education. For furthermore information let’s define first what is K-12. a. WHAT IS K-12 The K to 12 Program covers kindergarten and 12 years of basic education (six years of primary education, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school [SHS]) to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship.[1] It means that there will be additional two levels in high school. It is believed that K-12 would place the Philippine education system at par with the international standard and contribute to the improvement of a better educated society that is capable of pursuing productive employment, entrepreneurship, or higher education studies. The adoption of the program is in response to the need to improve the competitiveness of our country’s graduates as the ten-year basic education cycle is seen as inadequate for work and higher education. In fact, overseas Filipino workers are not automatically recognized as professionals in other countries in the view that ten-year education program in insufficient. The Philippines is the only country in Asia and is one of only three countries in the world with a ten-year basic education cycle.[1] b. CONTENTS The K-12 basic education curriculum is said to be enhanced to become learner-centered, responsive and enriched. The education must be learner-centered, focusing on the optimum development of every Filipino student. Another thing is to be responsive in our local needs to enrich the integrative, inquiry-based, constructivist, and technology-enhancement of our society. Here’s the sequence of accompanying K-12 from kindergarten to new high school years 5-6. In kindergarten, they’re going to teach the fundamental learning that a child need. From grade 1 they are going to teach the core learning areas such as mother tongue until grade 3, starting grade 3 focusing on major subjects like science and learning about edukasyong pantahan at pangkabuhayan that will start at grade 4 up to 6. Grades 7- 8 (new high school year 1-2) will be focused on Core Learning Areas and Exploratory Technology & Livelihood Education, next is grade levels 9-10 (new high school year 3-4) which is focused also in Core Learning Areas plus elective Technology & Livelihood Education. Last is the additional two year levels the grade 11 and 12 which is focusing on major subjects like Math, Science, English, Contemporary issues and specializations. c. FEATURES (Learning Areas) i. The new Features of K-12 basic education curriculum are: * Vertical continuum and horizontal articulation of competencies * Mother Tongue as a learning are and medium of instruction * Spiral progression in Science and Math * MAPEH(Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health) begins in Grade 1 ii. LEARNING AREAS * Mother tongue – this is the native language of the students in the region. It is used as the medium of instruction in all subjects except Filipino and English, it is also taught as a separate subject from Grades One to Three. * English & Filipino – from Grade four onwards this is used to enhanced listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The ultimate goal is the communicative competence of Filipino to both oral and written in three languages. * Mathematics, Araling Panlipunan, MAPEH – From grade 1, these subjects are given to know the basic concepts and ideas, skills, and values necessary for artistic expression and cultural literacy. * Science, and Technology & Livelihood Education – From Grade 3 Science is now implied to develop scientific literacy among students that will prepare them to be informed and participative citizens who are able to make judgments and decisions regarding applications of scientific knowledge that may have social, health, or environmental impacts. For the Technology & Livelihood Education that will start at Grade 4 to involve students to develop knowledge, skills, values and attitude in Agriculture.[2] II. GENERAL BACKGROUND a. CONSTITUTIONAL BASIS (Article XIV , Section 1 and 2) The constitutional basis of the implementation of K-12 is found at Article XIV, Section 1 and 2. Section 1. The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. Section 2. The State shall: (1) Establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society; (2) Establish and maintain a system of free public education in the elementary and high school levels. Without limiting the natural right of parents to rear their children, elementary education is compulsory for all children of school age; (3) Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies, and other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both public and private schools, especially to the underprivileged; (4) Encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-learning, independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly those that respond to community needs; and (5) Provide adult citizens, the disabled, and out-of-school youth with training in civics, vocational efficiency, and other skills.[3] This article of the Philippine Constitution supports the endeavor of improving the quality of education in the Philippines. It also aims to uplift educational standard to produce competent Filipino students that can compete and be at par with other countries. b. Reasons for implementing K-12 Why add two more years? Adding two more years will decongest the basic education curriculum and will provide better quality education for all. K to 12 is not new, the proposal for it dates back to 1925. It will be minus 2 instead of plus 2 for those families who cannot afford a college education but still hoping to have their children find a good paying job. With this, parents spend for at least 4 years of college to have an employable child. In this form, parents will not consume for 2 years of basic education that will give them an employable child. In effect, we are saving parents 2 years of expenses. The plan is not â€Å"Plus 2 years before graduation† but â€Å"Minus 2 years before work†. What will society gain from K to 12? K to 12 will assist in accelerating the economic growth since it directs students to choose courses that response to the local needs of the society. A better educated society provides a sound foundation for long-term socio-economic development. III. ANALYSIS c. Positive aspects of K-12 i. Argument No.1 (Philippines will have a 12-year basic education program) In adding two more years in our educational system in the Philippines, I think there’s no problem because we need to upgrade the standard of our education just like the other country have. Because in Asia, only Philippines has a 10-year educational program and Philippines is one of the three countries in the world didn’t already have a 12-year educational system, which is the basis of some other countries abroad in ignoring Filipino to work for them or they don’t recognized the professionalism of the Filipino because of their educational background, for some countries 10-year educational program is insufficient. Some other thing in K-12 educational program, the procedure for further learning is much more productive because it applies Mother Tongue which is the language spoke by a person in his province or territory. ii. Argument No.2 (Includes MTBMLE or Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education in the curriculum) This process will be the medium of instruction from kindergarten up to grade three. English and Filipino is the medium of instruction in grade four.[2] For grades 1 to 3 It’s easy to learn topics when the speaker is using the language from their province. Mother Tongue is used as the first point for literacy development of the student. d. Negative aspects of K-12 iii. Argument No.1 (Insufficient qualified teachers to teach in the K-12 program and availability of more classrooms) Lack of teachers and classrooms are the most common problems before the implementation of K-12 program, and then until now this problem I think will continuously on going because of K-12 program. There will be additional 2 years so it means number of classrooms in each school must increase. Number of teachers since then was not enough to fulfill the needs of our country in education. So where are we going to seek for teachers to teach In the K-12 program? The government must pay attention for this argument if they really want to implement K-12. iv. Argument No.2 (Unavailable materials such as textbooks and curriculum designed for K-12) Textbooks using Mother Tongue is one of the problems to be pursue by an action in implementing K-12. Government must produce textbooks that will act as the guide of the students to their studies. For example a Filipino Mathematics book or Bicolano Fundamental Mathematics book. Those are only example but that’s the truth in this argument, textbooks using Mother Tongue. IV. CONCLUSION I therefore concluded that lets give a chance in implementing K-12 basic education program in the Philippines, it’s not just going to add two more year levels to suffer more in our education but also it standardize our educational system worldwide, strengthen our academics subjects, enhance our literacy through multilingualism, and also work readiness using Senior High School(SHS). As far as I know several schools already produced teachers to teach in the K-12 program but they are few, we need thousands of teachers. Just give a chance then let’s see what will be the result of this program. We don’t know, if K-12 is the way for a better quality and accessible education here in the Philippines. Let’s be responsible in our local needs and especially in our education. V. REFERENCES [1] The K to 12 Education Program . (2012) . K-12 . Retrieved august 19, 2012 , from http://www.gov.ph/k-12/ [3] The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines . (1987) . Article XIV , Section 1-2 . Retrieved September 4, 2012 , from http://www.gov.ph/the-philippine-constitutions/the-1987-constitution-of-the-r

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Geography of Time Essay

The sixth chapter â€Å"Where is Life Faster† discusses differences between life tempos in different cultures trying to reveal in what culture life is the fastest. The author writes that it is very interesting for him to compare one culture to another because a lot of unknown facts contributing development of psychological studies will be identified. Authors’ comparison focuses on time and speed of life. Cultural tempo is argued to affect the quality of human life. Nevertheless, it may be tricky to compare different cultures because labeling individuals should have scientific or psychological basis. It is necessary to go beyond the boundaries in order to measure the tempo of life with accuracy and objectivity. The author finds it interesting to compare indicator of speed in working office in different countries. However, the research has failed as the author needed to find observable jobs and workers should be residents of particular country. Research at gas station has failed as well, because such businesses are not equivalent across countries. According to author’s research, the fastest countries are Japan and Western European countries. Western Europe has nine fastest countries and Japan is the only Asian countries with life tempo. The fist place in West Europe is given to Switzerland, whereas the second is given to Ireland. Ireland is characterized by the fastest walking speed, whereas Switzerland is characterized by the splendid findings. Surprisingly, New York hasn’t gained the highest scores as some workers in office move very slowly. In contrast, the slowest speed of life is observed in non-industrialized countries and it is the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. The slowest is claimed to be Brazil, Indonesia and Mexico. Daily life in these countries is very slow and Brazilians, for example, â€Å"not only expected the casual approach of life, but had abandoned any semblance to of fidelity to the clock†. (p. 136) In such a way the author shows that there are many ways to measure speed of life and the results shows that different cultures has their own life tempo. Further, the author compares Japan, the USA and Western Europe to identify which of the countries is La Dolce Vita. Much of European countries are characterized by opportunities to relax and in the pleasures of good life. Therefore, Levine suggests that La dolce Vita is easier for Europeans rather than for Asians and Africans. For example, Japanese work harder and have less time for relaxing. Europeans are claimed to live better than Americans. La Dolce Vita is welcomed in Italy as they try to balance hard work and leisure. It is necessary to underline that working week is longer in the USA than in most of European countries. However, Japan is characterized by the longest working week. For more than half a century the working week hasn’t been changed and it is argued that time for leisure is decreasing in the country and the nation has less time for themselves. In contrast, in Europe the tendency to work has been replaced by the tendency to relax. For example, without leisure workers in France are more irritating and nervous. Therefore, Western Europeans have more vacation time. For example, in France â€Å"workers by law receive at least five weeks and often six weeks of paid vacation†. (p. 143) When comparing countries examples of cultural differences are seen the most. However, speed of life varies across cities and regions of one country. It is true for the USA as well as the country is very large and each state has its own traditions and customs. The slightest geographical shifts are profound and for example, moving from Oklahoma to Texas is viewed as â€Å"entering France, say, out of Switzerland†. (p. 146) The author is willing to reveal whether there are differences between New York and other large cities. Research results demonstrate that Northeastern United States is viewed as fast-spaced, whereas Californians are more relaxed. Boston and New York are the fastest cities in the country, whereas Los-Angeles is claimed to be one of the slowest in the country. One of the biggest challenges was to measure accurately walking speed as in some regions it was hard to find any walkers at all.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Medical Examiner vs Coroner Essays

Medical Examiner vs Coroner Essays Medical Examiner vs Coroner Paper Medical Examiner vs Coroner Paper Next to the sheriff, the coroner or medical examiner is the oldest of the offices in the United States. Moreover, it is the oldest elective county office. The coroner or medical examiner is an ancient office of the common law. The principal function of medical examiner is to hold inquiry into the cause of an unexplained, sudden, or violent death, in certain cases with a jury. The importance of the coroner’s office has been considerably reduced from that of the fourteenth century, who had jurisdiction over a broad range of criminal cases and also over some civil proceedings. This paper is about the job of a present-day medical examiner also known as a coroner. Main Body The appointment, powers and duties of medical examiners vary to a large degree not only by country but by jurisdiction. In general, the medical examiner’s obligation is to make investigation of any sudden unexpected death, any death whose cause is not precisely determined and, surely, any death that may be abnormal. The medical examiner’s investigation is limited to determining the identity of the dead, in what way, at what time and in what place the death occurred, and the details required for entry in a register. In some states, however, the coroner has additional functions. For instance, in Georgia, the coroner has the powers and duties of a county sheriff. The coroner under certain circumstances (the sheriff is incompetent to act, the office of sheriff is made vacant by death or otherwise) may act as sheriff. In England and Wales, a present-day medical examiner must be either a person licensed to practise medicine or a lawyer of more than five years’ professional experience. Some medical examiners are qualified in two ways. In the United States, a present-day coroner is usually county-level officer that does not need necessarily to have any medical qualification. But in most states coroners are not necessarily medical examiners. Medical examiners are medical doctors who usually have practice in forensic pathology (An Overview of Medical Examiner/Coroner Systems in the United States 16). As indicated above, the medical examiner may investigate any death where there are uncertain matters about the circumstances or its cause. The deaths that should be reported to the medical examiner are as follows: The physician did not visit the patient during his last disease. The physician has not seen the patient during the specified amount of days directly prior to death. Physician has not seen the body after death. The death may have been caused by an industrial infection or violation of the person’s rights that caused him harm. Any sudden or not explained death. Any death in circumstances characterized by suspicion that something is wrong. Any death that an accident may have caused or in some way contributed to. Any indication that the death may be caused by neglect Any death that occurred in police custody Any death that occurred during an operation or anaesthetic. Medical examiner must acquire information about a person who is dead. Medical examiner obtains this information by conducting examinations, analysis of blood, analysis of DNA evidence, and analysis of documents associated with injury. The medical examiner determines the time and cause of death, and presents a formal death certificate and autopsy report. In case the death is concluded to be a murder, the information gathered by the medical examiner will serve as important evidence in the case. Nearly all deaths in the community are reported by the police, who are informed by the ambulance services when they are present at the scene of a sudden death. They also inform when crime is probable, a serious accident has taken place, or a body or remains, considered to be human, have been discovered. Any member of the community, who has suspicions about a death, may convey his feelings of anxiety to the medical examiner. Crime need not necessarily be suspected. It may also be a civil case, for instance a suspicion of medical negligence. The last is often reported by a relative or friend of the dead. When the accident has occurred, a medical examiner or representative of the medical examiner’s office picks up a deceased person from the site where he or she was discovered and brings the body back to the medical examiner’s office for examination (Hickman, M. J. et al. ). Much information is got through autopsies. When the medical examiner’s office orders an autopsy, it is usually performed by a pathologist. The pathologist’s report must be very detailed. A full account of the external appearances of the dead body must be presented. The information should include height, weight, and any distinctive features. After the autopsy is completed, the cause of death is determined. If the cause of death cannot be immediately made certain, or is unnatural, some delay is unavoidable, but attempts are made by medical examiner to keep this to a minimum. If, for instance, samples are directed for analysis in a case of possible drug overdose, the medical examiner will at most times open an inquest to take formal identification. In case medical examiner is sure that no further examination of the body is needed, he will issue an order for disposal (Rhine 1998). It is the duty of the medical examiner to hold an inquest when the conditions of time, place, etc. surrounding a death are of such a character as to make it seem likely to be a murder or other unlawful violet acts. In this case the medical examiner will refer the case to the court. The medical examiner enters on a list a jury, usually consisting of seven to eleven persons. When a medical examiner serves as a court officer, he or she presides over a court hearing that makes a decision regarding the cause of death and what should be done further. Conclusion As discussed in this paper, the medical examiner must investigate any death where there is uncertainty about the circumstances or its cause. For this purpose each medical examiner has an office, so that someone is always available to obtain required information. In addition, medical examiners employ the police as their investigative arm to gather evidence. Information presented by medical examiners is of great importance to any trial. References ‘An Overview of Medical Examiner/Coroner Systems in the United States-Development, Current Status, Issues, and Needs’, The National Academies: Forensic Science Needs Committee, Atlanta, GA. Available from: http://209. 85. 129. 132/search? q=cache:TDW1gjAjq7kJ:www7.nationalacademies. org/stl/June%2520Forensics%2520Hanzlick. pdf+Medical+Examiner/coronerhl=ukct=clnkcd=2gl=ua Hickman, M. J. et al. (2007). â€Å"Medical Examiners and Coroners’ Offices, 2004†, Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, U. S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs. Available from: http://209. 85. 129. 132/search? q=cache:d-hXXdwBaHoJ:www. ojp. usdoj. gov/bjs/pub/pdf/meco04. pdf+Medical+Examiner/coroner+dutieshl=ukct=clnkcd=19gl=ua Rhine, S. (1998). Bone Voyage: A Journey in Forensic Anthropology. University of New Mexico Press: Albuquerque.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Political Aspects Of Hosting Mega Sporting Management Essay Essay Example

Political Aspects Of Hosting Mega Sporting Management Essay Essay Example Political Aspects Of Hosting Mega Sporting Management Essay Essay Political Aspects Of Hosting Mega Sporting Management Essay Essay This paper aims to foremost, describe and analyze the political facets of hosting mega featuring on two major levels- national and international degrees. On the national degree, mega featuring events are able to further coaction among the populace sector, the private sector and the community. Such events are able to better authorities efficiency and used as a tool for the development of new thoughts such as environmental sustainability, diverseness and community engagement. Furthermore, such events can convey about urban transmutation, civic integrity and AIDSs in the edifice of both a national and a cultural individuality. At a more macro international degree, mega-sporting events can be used as a platform for the publicity of international human rights and societal justness and can function as a tool for the international acknowledgment of provinces. Second, this paper will analyse economic facets of hosting mega featuring event by analyzing the entire commercial activity within the state and by weighing the effects of the building of substructure for the mega clean event. In this section, the impacts of the commercial activity with regard to the touristry industry, the employment rate and foreign direct investings on the host state will be examined. Last, this paper seeks to analyze the success of India in hosting the recent XIX Commonwealth Games 2010. A successful mega-sporting event depends on the host s ability to program and put to death the event so that it is able to accomplish new degrees of planetary acknowledgment every bit good as important economic, political and societal development in the hereafter. Reasons for Hosting Mega Sporting Events Political Agendas In this section of the paper, the political docket for hosting mega-sporting events will be discussed on two distinguishable levels- national and international. National Level Civic Pride and Unity Hosting mega athletics events can take to civic pride[ 1 ]. It plays an of import function in the manner people in the host state view themselves and their community. It allows people in the host state to portion their experiences of life in the state and show values that are close to the bosom of the people populating in the state. The passion and committedness exhibited by these voluntaries will non be able to be matched by salaried workers employed to execute the same responsibilities. Volunteerism allows the people in the state to experience a sense of pride for their state. A society of voluntaries is indispensable to accomplishing the host state s vision of being an exciting planetary finish, which is vivacious, widely distributed, and at the same clip culturally rich and diverse. Hosting mega-sporting events can help the edifice of national individualities in some states such as South Africa by advancing societal integrating and furthering tolerance amongst the people. Sports can cut across barriers that divide the society, as in the instance of South Africa where football was seen to further societal coherence between the Whites and the Blacks. The permanent image of Nelson Mandela showing the Rugby World Cup Trophy to the Afrikaner captain Francois Pienaarin 1995 at the event held in South Africa[ 2 ]illustrates how mega-sporting events can convey intangible benefits such as coherence and integrity. Host states use mega-sporting events as a great chance to show a positive cultural image, successful integrating and traditional values in the international sphere with an purpose of increasing touristry in the hereafter. The most suited occasions to expose traditional activities picturing patriotism, Orientalism and cultural individuality in the games are the gap and shutting ceremonials[ 3 ]. At the 1982 Ninth Asiatic Games, the overall subject of the integrity in diverseness in Indian patriotism and civilization was the spirit of the ceremonials. There were shows of a assortment of terpsichoreans picturing the different provinces in India. ( Give more concrete grounds ) Urban Transformation Mega featuring events are accelerators of significant urban transmutation, peculiarly from passage from industrial metropolis to a post-industrial metropolis due to alterations in the planetary economic system[ 4 ]. States are more dependent on the service and touristry industry instead than the fabrication, local capital investing and public sector intercession due to globalisation, deregulating and deindustrialization of the economic system[ 5 ]. Therefore, more enterprises are being taken by the authorities to develop and better substructures and fast path the already proposed development programs. For illustration, Tokyo used the 1964 Olympic games as an chance to transform the metropolis from a congested, war-damaged pandemonium to a modern, comfortable city. Tokyo spent US $ 2.7 million in 1964 on an urban redevelopment program which included extended route betterments, seaport enlargements and development of urban comfortss, lodging, tourer adjustment and waste and sewerage di sposal systems. Among Tokyo s huge Olympic outgo, it was estimated that less than 3 % of the outgo was spent on the building of strictly competition related installations the bulk was alternatively spent on run intoing the metropolis s short term and long-run development programs[ 6 ]. International Strengthening of Global Image and Positioning Some states host mega featuring events as a tool to joint and signal key messages sing the host- a dynamic that extends beyond the province based chase of public diplomatic negotiations[ 7 ]. These signals are critical tools of legitimization for the host state in deriving support both domestically and internationally. The media and planetary communications have played an of import function in this facet by leting the event to be seen from all over the universe at any existent clip. By hosting mega-sporting events like the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games, the host states are provided with a low cost but high profile resource for publicising their policy on international issues or towards specific provinces. Semi peripheral states use mega-sporting events as a tool to signal developmental progresss. The Olympics held in Beijing in 2008 illustrate how mega featuring events played an highly of import function in International political relations. The Chinese saw the Olympics as less of a clean spectacle and more of a coming out party[ 8 ]. The mega sporting event was used as an chance for China to showcase its economic sciences and political development. In fact, the Prime Minister of the People s Republic of China, Wen Jiabao stated in an interview in April 2008 that the Beijing Olympics present an chance for China to demo the universe how democratic, unfastened, civilised, friendly and harmonious it is[ 9 ]. Hosting mega featuring events are besides used to signal decisive and desirable societal alteration. The 1995 Rugby World Cup in Africa played a important function in accommodating the inkinesss and the White persons in South Africa. In peculiar, it gave the Whites in South Africa an chance to encompass the symbols, leaders and thought of a new, multiracial, democratic state basically to finish the symbolic journey from the old to new South Africa[ 10 ]. Besides, the 2010 Football World Cup held late in South Africa shows the state s re-entry into the international community and its journey from a outcast province to a planetary mediator. Phase for the Promotion of International Human Rights and Social Justice States use mega-sporting events as a phase to advance international human right issues. This is particularly apparent during the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 when widespread protest and increased media attending showed how human rights issues were violated by the Chinese authorities. In the 1968 Mexico games, there were protest and menaces of boycotts against the apartheid government in South Africa. South Africa was besides banned from take parting in the games. The ejections of South Africa from the Games lead to international force per unit area of the anti-apartheid motion and athleticss countenances to be imposed on the state until the eventual autumn of the apartheid government. The mega sporting event was successful in the continued enforcement of South African countenances, keeping the anti-apartheid motion[ 11 ]. The clean event played an of import function in bring forthing international consciousness for the apartheid government against South Africa and besides helped bri ng on political and societal alteration within the state. Economic Consequences in the hosting of Mega Sporting Events In this section of the paper, the economic docket of hosting mega featuring events will be discussed in elaborate with regard to the entire commercial activity and the usage of the public financess for the edifice of substructures for the mega clean event. Entire Commercial Activity Tourism Industry The touristry industry will profit with the increasing media coverage given in concurrence with the hosting of such mega featuring event. Conservative surveies estimate addition in station Games tourists to be from 1.5 % to 3 % for the last Olympic Games in 2008[ 12 ]. This addition in the figure of station Games tourer is due to the media coverage of hosting such event. Viewing audiences of the mega sporting event are more likely to develop an involvement in sing the host state, which may take to a greater desire to see the state in the hereafter. The mega clean event gives the host state an chance to showcase itself to the universe as a prima metropolis for athleticss and a perfect locale for events every bit good as an attractive force worthy topographic point of repeated visits. On the other manus, a possible downside to hosting the event is the negative outwardnesss such a congestion may deter regular non-interested visitants from sing the metropolis during the event[ 13 ]. This will take to a autumn in the figure of people sing the state. Besides, if local eating houses and hotels are at full capacity, the event may merely replace instead than supplement the regular touristry industry[ 14 ]. For illustration, in the 2002 World cup held in South Korea, there was an addition in the figure of European visitants to the state but this was offset by a similar lessening in the figure of regular tourers and concern travellers from Japan who chose to avoid the fusss.[ 15 ]There were no alteration in the entire figure of foreign visitants sing the state and the figure was dead at 460 000. This shows a contradiction to the belief that mega featuring events pull big figure of visitants to the host state. Employment Rate Mega featuring events can ensue in an addition in the employment rate of the state. New occupations are created in assorted facets of the featuring event runing from conveyance to building industry. For illustration, it was predicted that the Olympic games held in Atlanta and Sydney would bring forth every bit many as 77 000 and 100 000 new occupations severally. However, states need to be cautioned to hold labour militias so as to avoid the hazard of destructing the economic system. It may turn out risky for little economic systems holding full employment rates to host mega featuring events as it can take to the job of rising prices and this will in bend cause the economic system to deteriorate. Foreign Direct Investments Hosting mega-sporting events can pull foreign direct investings in both the private and public sector from transnational companies. Many transnational corporations are attracted to states with sophisticated substructure with a safe and pleasant ambiance. These foreign direct investings will profit the host state in footings of productive factors such as marketing know-how, preparation installations and technological expertness. The host state will besides profit from the spill over effects such as labour preparation, upgrading of production accomplishments and motive of local constituent providers, stimulation to competition and development of managerial accomplishments and cognition about the foreign markets[ 16 ]. All these accomplishments will work together to increase the fight of the host metropolis. The consequence of the building of substructure Mega Sporting Events requires the host state to put big amounts of money in the building of featuring spheres, which may be used by the authorities otherwise to better wellness attention installations and the instruction system. For the 2002 Fifa World Cup, South Korea invested an estimated $ 2 billion dollars in the building of 10 new bowls and Japan spent $ 4 billion dollars in constructing seven new bowls and renovating three bing 1s[ 17 ]. The extent to which these installations and substructures are used in the hereafter is highly of import, as the demand is likely to diminish well after the mega-sporting event and there is a inclination for these substructures to go white elephants . For illustration, after the 2002 World Cup, merely five out of the 10 new bowls had regular renters. Besides, immense sum of money is invested in keeping the substructures. Therefore, it is necessary for the host state to weigh its benefits and cost before make up ones minding to host the mega cl ean event. An Analysis: The XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Having described the grounds for states to host mega featuring events, it is now imperative that these grounds be analyzed in the context of the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 ( CWG ) held late in India. In its command for the Commonwealth Games, Delhi s purpose was chiefly to excite economic growing and development and at the same clip better the metropolis s substructure[ 18 ]. In this section of the paper, the success of the Games will be assessed on whether the purposes of the host state have been fulfilled based on the undermentioned variables: Making a Permanent Bequest Focus on Post Event Legacy Strategy Alignment It is indispensable for states hosting mega-sporting events to implement enterprises that leave a long term sustainable benefit tailored for the Games. In this facet, one of vision of the CWG forming commission was a clear green vision to endeavor towards cut downing C footmark and going the sustainable development benchmark for multi-disciplinary games in the hereafter [ 19 ]. They implemented many strategic enterprises such as edifice Green infrastructures, holding Green ceremonials and cordial reception and at the same clip initiated a assortment of green procurance policies to make consciousness of the environmental debasement and advance environmental motions. A green concerts were held to bring forth public involvement in the Games, sensitise them about the Green Games subject and at the same clip to bring on the populace to back up its Low Carbon Campaign . The populace was encouraged to take pledges to protect the environment and badges advancing GO GREEN, IT WORKS! were distributed to promote the people to make their portion in caring for the environment[ 20 ]. Social Development Ideally, a successful mega featuring event is one that provides benefits economic, political and societal to a assortment of stakeholders. However, this was nt the instance in the Commonwealth Games. It was reported that kids of over 400,000 building workers at the Games sites are deprived of basic rights like sanitation, schooling and health care[ 21 ]. It is of import that these kids are given their constitutional rights by the authorities in their effort to supply first substructure for the Commonwealth games. Many of the hapless are marginalized as a consequence of the CWG because slums near the Yamuna part where the site of the CWG is at have been demolished. It is estimated that 30 000 to 40 000 households will be displaced by the authorities as a consequence of the CWG[ 22 ]. Infrastructure In order for a mega featuring event to be successful, it is of import that the event fits into the metropolis s development end. A bequest of abandoned substructure and economic ruins tarnishes the image of the host state. In the facet, the Commonwealth Games will profit the people in India to a big extent in the hereafter. Delhi went through a monolithic transmutation with the edifice of a new airdrome terminus, building of more tube paths and the add-on of new coachs to ease the conveyance system within the metropolis for both the locals and tourers. In add-on, new overpass and subwaies was besides built at an estimated cost of RS. 1650 Crores to work out the traffic congestion jobs that the state presently face. However, there is a concern that there will be an underutilization of the sporting substructure station event. Many of the bowls will be vacant and it will be particularly hard to derive entree to the bowl since many of it is authorities owned. Constructing a wide base of Support Hosting a successful mega-sporting event requires the state to hold strong: Common Goal It is of import for the general populace, concern organisations and the authorities to supply a individual voice and a common end for the state so that the best of the state can be presented to a planetary audience. India s determination to offer for the Commonwealth Games was non-transparent and undemocratic[ 23 ]. The CWG was used as an effort by the authorities to inspire an elect goaded plan of urban transmutation that focuses on denationalization, secularisation and buildings of memorials to amour propre. It is dissatisfactory how India s effort to derive national prestigiousness undermined the urban societal motions in India. Government Support Fiscal Guarantees The authorities demand to be a surety for fiscal duties and liabilities related to the event for the mega-sporting event to be successful. The authorities has to do usage of their resources sagely to efficaciously do the event successful due to the immense sum of money involved. In this facet, the Commonwealth Games 2010 can be deemed as a complete failure. First, the authorities did non do usage of their resources expeditiously. The authorities for the mega sporting event used 1000000s of dollars, which were irrelevant to the common adult male in India alternatively of utilizing it for societal development plans and bettering the instruction and healthcare systems in the state. It is of import for the authorities to maintain in head that the money invested in such events comes from public financess and the event should so profit the populace it derives capital from, non curtailing itself to the elite rich minority, while at the same time guaranting that it does no injury to the community[ 24 ]. Second, there were widespread corruptness in assorted facets of forming the event including the procurance and awarding of contracts for the building of the games venue. For illustration, the Commonwealth Games forming commission after probe of fiscal abnormalities charged TS Darbari and deputy manager general Sanjay Mahendroo. Security The authorities needs to play a critical function in maintaining the people safe and the occupation of acquiring the jocks, support staff and protagonists in and out of the state with optimum security. . Mega featuring events, due to their turning visibleness and importance, have become a major mark for terrorists and other riotous forces. Security inquiries emerged after gunslingers who fired on a tourer coach in New Delhi two hebdomads before the games injured two visitants from Taiwan[ 25 ]. The Indian authorities have invested around 370 Crores on security[ 26 ]. The Indian Government liaised with assorted cardinal security bureaus within India and all predicating states in the mega event to increase the degree of security. Particular monitoring security with the electronic surveillance like CCTV, X-Ray luggage scanner was besides placed on the relevant places to look into out the perturbation and problem. The authorities should be applauded for their efforts in undertaking this security issues. Economic Development Tourism Rate There have been a dip in the umber of tourer sing the metropolis due to hapless selling by the Tourism Department and the CWG Organizers and due to negative media coverage environing the Commonwealth Games along with Dengue and inundations menace. The authorities had estimated that one million tourers would get at the CWG but merely 75606 tourers turned up. This caused an inauspicious impact on the hotel and service industry. Employment Rate The employment rate have increased in turn in the development and edifice of substructure in Delhi in readying for the CWG. The edifice of the CWG substructure has involved a great figure of contractors, building companies and day-to-day pay earners. Even after the CWG, occupations are still secured due to the direction and care of the substructure, in peculiar the athletics locales and bowls. The CWG has helped in increasing our employment rate by 1.1 million and this will stay even after the Games[ 27 ]. Economic Growth and Foreign Direct Investments On this facet, it is excessively shortly to reason if India have gained or loosed because it has merely been one month since the CWG. However, it can be concluded that Delhi will profit. Delhi has a presence of good connectivity, which allows the metropolis to be linked with other economically vivacious metropoliss in the state. There is a high literacy rate within the population and many of them are extremely entrepreneurial. Due to good connectivity, the metropolis has the possible to pull private developers and foreign direct investings in the lodging and substructure sectors Decision The Commonwealth Games was non much a failure as many critics have said it to be. The Games went swimmingly and the state was able to profit from the substructures built such as the enhanced conveyance system and the occupations created. However, there were many other facets that were non as successful- there was corruptness charges against some members of the authorities and there was a deficiency of societal development in the state. Besides, the state was unable to cast the underdeveloped state label due to many controversial issues that arose before and during the Games.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

The US Federal Minimum Wage

The US Federal Minimum Wage What is the current U.S. federal minimum wage? The answer to that question can be trickier than you might think.While the current US federal minimum wage was last set at $7.25 per hour on July 24, 2009, your age, type of employment, even where you live can alter the legal minimum hourly wage your employer is required to pay. What is the  Federal Minimum Wage Law? The federal minimum wage is established by and regulated under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (the FLSA). In its final form, the act applied to industries whose combined employment represented only about one-fifth of the US labor force. In these industries, it banned oppressive child labor and set the minimum hourly wage at 25 cents, and the maximum workweek at 44 hours. Who Must Pay the Federal Minimum Wage? Today, the minimum wage law (the FLSA) applies to employees of enterprises that do at least $500,000 in business a year. It also applies to employees of smaller firms if the employees are engaged in interstate commerce or in the production of goods for commerce, such as employees who work in transportation or communications or who regularly use the mails or telephones for interstate communications. It also applies to employees of federal, state or local government agencies, hospitals and schools, and it generally applies to domestic workers. Details of the Federal Minimum Wage The following details apply only to the the federal minimum wage, your state may have its own minimum wage rates and laws. In cases where state minimum wage rates differ with the federal rate, the higher minimum wage rate always applies.Current Federal Minimum Wage: $7.25 per hour (as of July 24, 2009) may vary under the following conditions: Younger Workers: If you are under 20 years of age, you may be paid as little as $4.25 per hour during your first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment. Students, Apprentices and the Disabled: Certain full-time students, student learners, apprentices, and workers with disabilities may be paid less than the minimum wage under special certificates issued by the US Department of Labor. Workers Who Earn Tips: Employers who allow workers to keep tips must pay a cash minimum wage of at least $2.13 per hour IF they claim a tip credit against their federal minimum wage obligation of $7.25 per hour. In other words, if your tips plus cash wages do not equal at least $7.25 per hour, your employer must make up the difference. Overtime Pay: Federal law requires payment of at least 1-and-1/2 times your regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Child Labor: An employee must be at least 16 years old to work in most non-farm jobs and at least 18 to work in non-farm jobs declared hazardous by the Secretary of Labor.Persons 14 and 15 years old are allowed to work before or after school in some non-manufacturing, non-mining and non-hazardous jobs IF: They work no more than - 3 hours on a school day or 18 hours in a school week; 8 hours on a non-school day or 40 hours in a non-school week. Work may not begin before 7 a.m. or end after 7 p.m., except from June 1 through Labor Day, when evening hours are extended to 9 p.m. Different rules apply in agricultural employment. Other Special Exemptions: Under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA), executive, administrative, professional, and outside sales employees are exempted from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the FLSA, provided they meet certain tests regarding job duties and responsibilities and are compensated on a salary basis. Minimum Wages in the States By law, states are allowed to establish their own minimum wages and regulations. However, anytime the state minimum wage differs from the federal minimum wage, the higher rate applies. For specifics and updates on the minimum wages and regulations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, see: Minimum Wage Laws in the States from the U.S. Department of Labor. Enforcement of the Federal Minimum Wage Law The Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor administers and enforces the Fair Labor Standards Act and, thus, the minimum wage with respect to private employment, State and local government employment, and Federal employees of the Library of Congress, U.S. Postal Service, Postal Rate Commission, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The FLSA is enforced by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management for employees of other Executive Branch agencies, and by the U.S. Congress for covered employees of the Legislative Branch.Special rules apply to state and local government employment involving fire protection and law enforcement activities, volunteer services, and compensatory time off instead of cash overtime pay.For information on enforcement of state minimum wages and other state labor laws, see: State Labor Offices/State Laws, from the US Department of Labor. To Report Suspected Violations Suspected violations are abuses of federal or state minimum wage laws should be reported directly to District Office of the U.S. Wage and Hour Division nearest you. For addresses and phone numbers, see: Wage and Hour Division District Office LocationsFederal law prohibits discriminating against or discharging workers who file a complaint or participate in any proceedings under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Electronic Surveillance of Employees Research Paper

Electronic Surveillance of Employees - Research Paper Example This research will begin with the statement that to keep personal confidential information of a person intact and should not be disclosed to any other irrelevant person shall come under the purview of Privacy. The disclosure of such information may cause emotional distress to a person whose information is kept in confidence. In order to monitor the activities of a person or place to detect discreet activities through electronic devices like cameras, video cameras, tape recorders, microphones, and wiretaps come under the category of surveillance through electronic means. The identified instruments can be utilized in a competent court of law as evidence against violators. Multinational Corporations and corporations of repute use electronic surveillance system to ensure foolproof security and safety within their administrative jurisdiction. An employee can expect privacy at least in those places where hidden cameras or microphones are not fitted such as kitchen, dining room, washroom, s moking corner or petty stationary stores. Employees should know what is permissible and what is not permissible for them in accordance with employer’s privacy policy. Initially, the employer and the employee must have signed the document of the privacy policy to be complied in letter and spirit by the stakeholders. In fact, the employee has given the liberty or the rights to monitor his/her activities whether his/her activities are purely professional or personal. Non-compliance with privacy policy surely invites the displeasure of the management. In the United States of America, Electronic Communication Privacy Act (ECPA) 1986 has given the rights to the employers to monitor job-related conversations of its employees. By virtue of this act, employers enjoy complete freedom to listen incoming and outgoing calls. It hardly takes a minute or two to decide whether the calls so received or dispatched are personal or job related. With this freedom employer can measure the employee ’s sincerity and integrity with the company besides his/her professional competence. The prerogative to differentiate the incoming and outgoing calls of employees still lies with the employer and not with the employee (Lyon, 1994). 2- In this modern age and time, one cannot deny the benefits of technological advancement to prevent any unpleasant situation. By dint of computer technology, it is easy to monitor the activities of any employee by the employer at his/her workplace even at a remote location. Many of the employers allow their employees to have an access on the social sites of Internet. To keep the company environment friendly, the employer should provide space at work place for a chat where one can not disturb him or their conversation may not come out of the space to invite others attention (Mishra & Crampton, 1998). This will definitely improve the performance of a company since unnecessary strictness on the employees may have an adverse impact on their job relate d activities. We cannot deny the fact that â€Å"Happy laborers work more†.  

Friday, October 18, 2019

The effect of economic crisis to the marketing strategy of Volkswagen Literature review - 2

The effect of economic crisis to the marketing strategy of Volkswagen in Asian market. The case of Vietnam - Literature review Example inancial crisis on the automotive industry in general and a special note on its impact on the automotive industry in Vietnam’s automotive sector have been included. Research Methodology: The study is about evaluating the effect of economic crisis to the marketing strategy of Volkswagen in Asian market. Now to accomplish the objectives of the study positivism approach has been chosen. In addition, the research design chosen for this study is cross-sectional design approach. Now based on the research questions and research design questionnaire has been selected as the data collection instrument. Findings and Analysis: The aim of the study was to uncover the impact of economic crisis to the marketing strategy of Volkswagen in Asian market. The study revealed that in the global perspective, the company has been able to increase its overall sales volume. In the year 2010 the company has been able to deliver, 7,139,472 cars, but in the year 2011, it increase to 8,160,154 resulting in a 14.3 % growth. In the Asia-Pacific region Volkswagen has been able to deliver 2,140,698 cars in 2010 and in 2011 the company has been able to sell 2,569,765 cars resulting in a staggering 20 % growth. Recommendation: In order to deal effectively with the ongoing issue of financial crisis, the company should reduce its operating cost and marketing cost. It is highly recommended to the company that they should try to integrate more features to their current product portfolio. To create a balance between the net revenue and net expenses, Volkswagen, Vietnam needs to carry out certain cost cutting activities. The company should consider outsourcing different segments of the business to third parties. The economic crisis has affected the automotive industry significantly. In the year 2007 the industry faced the heat of subprime meltdown due to issues related to valuation, in 2008 crisis resulted due to structural and solvency problems in the financial sectors, and in 2009 the disintegrate

#6 Dew Point Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

#6 Dew Point - Essay Example The dew point is a recommended indicator of the actual water vapor content of the air because variations in atmospheric pressure at the earth’s surface are quite minimal. Dew point is measured by an instrument called a Dew Point Meter. These instruments have a polished metal mirror which is cooled as air passes over it (Hens 2007). Essentially, the dew point is determined by finding out the temperature at which dew forms. These manual devices may also be used to standardize other types of instruments that measure humidity. Moreover, automatic sensors may be utilized in a control loop where a humidifier or a dehumidifier is used to manage the dew point of the air in a building or in smaller spaces used for manufacturing processes (Hens, 2007). A high dew point indicates that the air has high water vapor content while a low dew point indicates that the air has low water vapor content. When the air has high water vapor content and, correspondingly, a high dew point, it is said that the air is humid and people are most likely uncomfortable with such situations. This is because a person’s body is designed to use the evaporation of sweat to cool itself down during warm temperatures. However, evaporation largely depends on how much moisture the air already contains and how much more it can hold (Sills 2010). Thus, if the air is already saturated, a person’s sweat will no longer evaporate and so that person ends up sweating profusely. At certain cases where dew point is quite elevated, people suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma may even be in grave danger. The dew point is considered to be an important indicator of the atmosphere’s condition. It affects the living conditions of humans and animals alike and thus, it must be monitored closely using accurate instruments in order to provide necessary and appropriate advice to those who might need

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Brand audit "Heineken" Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Brand audit "Heineken" - Essay Example The Global Heineken Manager Design & Concept once said that the new global long neck would reinforce the packaging, which applied the contemporary fancy can and embossed glasses. The Americans preferred short necks in order to differentiate the local beer from the imported one. The new bottle emphasizes on the visual identity on the cans and bottles. The visual identity was achieved by introducing sensory elements like embossments, indents that are strategically placed and tactile ink. The elements offer consumers aesthetic appealing and fun in the overall drinking experience. Specific packaging changes were done, with the brand elements including an elliptical curve originating from the Heineken’s logo. The refreshing green color is the Heineken’s trademark, which is enriched by the iconic star emblem that is red; the world has mostly recognized beer symbol. Heinekens commitment to improvement is evident from the new can design that was the first of its type to feature with tactile ink will be introduced all over the world. The latest glass has an embossed curve, which adds pleasant and better feeling when held. Heineken produces beer. In changing face of its beverage consumption, blurring its position among self-owned beverage labels and advertising restrictions. The company marketers decided to use the Heineken strong brand equity in expanding into neighboring markets and provided customers with other ways to interact with the company’s brand. Through a number of demonstrations, workshops and other activities, Cisco offered guidance and support on how Heineken could use technology to achieve this vision. The beer produced by Heineken is categorized into three groups; that is Heineken, Buckler and Subsidiary brands (Bergh & Behrer, 2010). Heineken lager beer is the primary product of the Heineken Group. It is over five percent pale lager, which was first manufactured in 1868. Forty brewers in thirty-nine countries around the

The UK Government is Increasing the Retirement Age Literature review

The UK Government is Increasing the Retirement Age - Literature review Example Therefore, increasing the retirement age will mean more advantage to the elderly employees in the UK construction industry, considering that employers are reluctant to offer employments positions to older workers. Age discrimination could worsen, considering the negative attitudes that exist with regards to performance of the aged. Negative attitudes claimed that Low performance of the aged has contributed largely to early retirement among employees (United Nations, 2009, p. 52). The negative attitudes with regards to low performance of the aged could be improved with good performance and contributions of the older employees who have for a long time been denied the opportunity to prove their efficiency at an old age. Employee Age Discrimination According to Lewis, Lewis, and Thornbory (2006, p. 160), older workers are discriminated against on the claims that at an old age, employees tend to have less physical strength and incapability to endure hard conditions in work environments su ch as the construction industry. More to this, the older employees are also discriminated on claims that their cognitive capacity is low compared to younger employees. However, eliminating age discrimination in the UK construction industry would be attracting, motivating, and retaining the aged staffs that are fit for leadership and motivation of the younger employees. More so, employers could gain much reputation as transparent and an equal opportunity employer for development of skills and empowerment to the members. Direct discrimination involves treating individual employee less favorably with regards to their perceived or actual age associated with the individuals where no legitimate aim is justified. Indirect discrimination occurs in situations where policies, procedures and practices that apply to all employees exist, but in specification to the individuals perceived to be old. These practices, procedures, and policies may include application requirements for a particular job that excludes a particular group of disadvantaged individuals, where no legitimate aim is justified. This practice amounts to violation of the law, since the UK legislations demand that employers should not discriminate against employees by their age and incase so, the case must be justifiable fact as a legitimate objective of the organization (Fineman, 2011, p. 59). Harassment implies situations where unwanted behavior towards the aged employees has the purpose and impact of violation of a person’s dignity with regards to intimidation, human degradation, hostility, and humiliation of employees. On the other hand, victimization refers to an unfair treatment brought forward as a complaint by an employee who is regarded to have been treated unfairly based on age. The threat and complaints of age discrimination in the construction industry seem to be rampant at an early age compared to other industries. The increase in the retirement age by the UK government may lead to increas ed case of discrimination against the aging employees. Older workers are often put under pressure by both employers and fellow young employees to retire against their wish (Adams and Beehr, 2003). The UK construction industry is faced by rampant age discrimination claims among employees who are entering their phases of prime

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Research and present how Aflac practices social responsibility and Paper

And present how Aflac practices social responsibility and ethics. Your should uncover how it successfully uses - Research Paper Example The key CSR practises that have enabled Aflac to often rank high among most of the sustainability index such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) amongst others include the multi-purpose recycling program for plastics, office papers among other wastes such aluminium metals (Aflac, 2012a; Forster, Loughran & Mcdonald 2009, p.129). Aflac has come to understand the crucial role played by CSR and ethical practises and conformity programs in promoting the brand of a company and this explains why it been in the Ethisphere list of socially responsible companies continually. This recognition is further attributed to the company dedication to engaging in activities that mutually benefit the communities in which the company operates and enhances is success while maintaining high ethical standards. Aflac focuses on three key areas; compassion, multiplicity and the ability to uphold its purpose, it is dedicated to looking after its own congregation and is mainly concerned with its miscel laneous work force. Consequently, individuals in the societies in which the company operates in have come to have expectations that, it assumes more responsibilities to the public, and this is based on the assumption that the company makes so much money at the expense of the public. It is believed by the management of Aflac that these expectations will continue to increase in the future as the company goes on expanding its activities all over the globe. In addition, the company has come up with environmentally friendly plans to ensure that its negative impact on the environment remains minimal. Thus, its participation in corporate social responsibility can be said to have increased the role of this company in the society by making sure that it participates in making the environment a better place in which to live. Because of this, the company has come to adopt the theory of corporate social responsibility, which is an approach it utilizes when dealing with the impact its business ac tivities have on the societies and the environment, in which it is involved. Corporate Social Responsibility Implementing Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate social responsibilities refer to the actions undertaken by a corporation in order to cater for the welfare of all its stakeholders i.e. its clients, employees and especially to the communities they operate in promoting social welfare. Recently, there has been questioning of the current statements about the advantages of corporate social responsibility and the declarations that companies make on behalf of their corporate social responsibility programs. In particular, it has been suggested that the use of corporate social responsibility for the sake of public relations raises ethical predicaments over the motivation of companies. There have also been warnings concerning the justifications that either companies employ may be dishonest or imprecise with regard to the practical substantiation obtained from small-scale qualitat ive researches undertaken in the 1980s, a period when the exercise of corporate social responsibility was growing rapidly (Brown 2011, p.78). There has been the suggestion that companies only

The UK Government is Increasing the Retirement Age Literature review

The UK Government is Increasing the Retirement Age - Literature review Example Therefore, increasing the retirement age will mean more advantage to the elderly employees in the UK construction industry, considering that employers are reluctant to offer employments positions to older workers. Age discrimination could worsen, considering the negative attitudes that exist with regards to performance of the aged. Negative attitudes claimed that Low performance of the aged has contributed largely to early retirement among employees (United Nations, 2009, p. 52). The negative attitudes with regards to low performance of the aged could be improved with good performance and contributions of the older employees who have for a long time been denied the opportunity to prove their efficiency at an old age. Employee Age Discrimination According to Lewis, Lewis, and Thornbory (2006, p. 160), older workers are discriminated against on the claims that at an old age, employees tend to have less physical strength and incapability to endure hard conditions in work environments su ch as the construction industry. More to this, the older employees are also discriminated on claims that their cognitive capacity is low compared to younger employees. However, eliminating age discrimination in the UK construction industry would be attracting, motivating, and retaining the aged staffs that are fit for leadership and motivation of the younger employees. More so, employers could gain much reputation as transparent and an equal opportunity employer for development of skills and empowerment to the members. Direct discrimination involves treating individual employee less favorably with regards to their perceived or actual age associated with the individuals where no legitimate aim is justified. Indirect discrimination occurs in situations where policies, procedures and practices that apply to all employees exist, but in specification to the individuals perceived to be old. These practices, procedures, and policies may include application requirements for a particular job that excludes a particular group of disadvantaged individuals, where no legitimate aim is justified. This practice amounts to violation of the law, since the UK legislations demand that employers should not discriminate against employees by their age and incase so, the case must be justifiable fact as a legitimate objective of the organization (Fineman, 2011, p. 59). Harassment implies situations where unwanted behavior towards the aged employees has the purpose and impact of violation of a person’s dignity with regards to intimidation, human degradation, hostility, and humiliation of employees. On the other hand, victimization refers to an unfair treatment brought forward as a complaint by an employee who is regarded to have been treated unfairly based on age. The threat and complaints of age discrimination in the construction industry seem to be rampant at an early age compared to other industries. The increase in the retirement age by the UK government may lead to increas ed case of discrimination against the aging employees. Older workers are often put under pressure by both employers and fellow young employees to retire against their wish (Adams and Beehr, 2003). The UK construction industry is faced by rampant age discrimination claims among employees who are entering their phases of prime

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

The Battle of the Sexes in Christianity and Islam Essay Example for Free

The Battle of the Sexes in Christianity and Islam Essay We can observe the differences in marriage bonds between different religions such as a Christian marriage and a Muslim marriage in the passage â€Å"The Battle of the Sexes in Christianity and Islam†. In the Christian faith their religion considers women to be the origin of obedience. It is quoted in the text â€Å"Wives, be subject to your husbands because when harmony prevails, the children are raised well, the household is kept in order†¦ and great benefits, both for families and for states results†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (180). It is shown in this passage wives are the main cause for having their family kept in order although they could not do this independently without their husbands. When it is said â€Å"husband and wife are one flesh† this refers to a Christian marriage of a husband and wife as they are devoted towards one another in the act of love. In the Christian marriage they are deemed equivalent to each other. According to the text it is quoted that â€Å"one’s partner for life, the mother of one’s children, the source of one’s every joy, should never be fettered with fear and threats, but with love and patience†¦Ã¢â‚¬  another quote towards a husband figure states† let no wife say any hurtful thing; she is her husbands body, and it is not for her to dictate to her head, but rather to submit and to obey†(180). Through this Christian bond the husband and wife should be submissive to each other by treating each other with respect. As quoted from personal religion notes â€Å"two shall become one. One man and one woman are united under God in the holy sacrament of Matrimony. † With this being stated the marriage bond for Christians verifies a husband and wife to be cohesive as one individual. In Islam spouses are perceived quite differently. According to the passage it is quoted â€Å"do not burden your wives with things beyond their capacity, and observe God’s exhortations relating to your wives, for they are like slaves in your hands† (181). This quote has stated in a Muslim marriage their bonds are quite similar to slavery. The woman is a slave, but should not be harmed, overworked, or treated as low as one. Dissimilar from a Christian marriage spouses are united as one, in a Muslim marriage the husband is somewhat superior to the wife. Men could use violence to reveal their supremacy towards their wife, although the husband is only allowed to use this violence as a final act, while in many cases this is used right away.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Implications Of Different Sources Of Finance Finance Essay

Implications Of Different Sources Of Finance Finance Essay This assignment will look at the different sources of finance that are available to a small business or a big company. With each source of finance listed the report will assess the implications that can arise and along with this the report will look at the cost to the business to taking a curtain source of finance. All businesses need short-term finance from the very beginning to start up the business and to cover day-to-day running costs. This provides the business with working capital. However businesses also need long-term capital to help them to grow and expand, and this is paid back over a number of years. Without finance a business would find it difficult to accomplish anything. For my assignment purpose I have chosen two companys they are sainsbury and tesco respectly, source of finance can be define into two ways such as internal source of finance and external source of finance. Source of Internal finace fro both company are as follows: Personal savings: This is most often an option for small businesses where the owner has some savings available to use as they wish. Practically both sainsbury and tesco depends on their savings for source of finance. Retained profit: This is profit already made that has been set aside to reinvest in the business. It could be used for new machinery, marketing and advertising, vehicles or a new IT system. Working capital: This is short-term money that is reserved for day-to-day expenses such as stationery, salaries, rent, bills and invoice payments. Sales of assets: There may be surplus fixed assets, such as buildings and machinery that could be sold to generate money for new areas. Decisions to sell items that are still used should be made carefully as it could affect capacity to deliver existing products and services. External Source of financing: Shares: Limited companies could look to sell additional shares, to new or existing shareholders, in exchange for a return on their investment. Loans: There are debenture loans, with fixed or variable interest, which are usually secured against the asset being invested in, so the loan company will have a legal shared interest in the investment. This means that the company would not be able to sell the asset without the lenders prior agreement. In addition the lender will take priority over the owners and shareholders if the business should fail and the cost will have to be repaid even if a loss is made. There are other types of loan for fixed amounts with fixed repayment schedules. These may be considered a little more flexible than debenture loans. Overdraft: A bank overdraft may be a good source of short-term finance to help a business flatten seasonal dips in cash-flow, which would not justify or need a long-term solution. The advantage here is that interest is calculated daily and an overdraft is therefore cheaper than a loan. Hire purchase: Hire purchase arrangements enable a firm to acquire an asset quickly without paying the full-price for it. The company will have exclusive use of the item for a set period of time and then have the option to either return it or buy it at a reduced price. This is often used to fund purchases of vehicles, machinery and printers. Credit from suppliers: Many invoices have payment terms of 30 days or longer. A company can take the maximum amount of time to pay and use the money in the interim period to finance other things. This method should be treated with caution to ensure that the invoice is still paid on time or else the firm might risk upsetting the supplier and jeopardise the future working relationship and terms of business. It should also be remembered that its not found money but rather a careful balancing act of cash-flow. Grants: Grants are often available from councils and other Government bodies for specific issues. For example there may be a council priority to regenerate a particular area of a town and who are happy to help fund refurbishment of buildings. Alternatively there may be an organisation that specialises in helping young entrepreneurs to launch new businesses. Assessment for grants can be very competitive, is very individual and not automatic. Venture capital: This source is most often used in the early stages of developing a new business. There may be a huge risk of failure but the potential returns may also be big. This is a high risk source as the venture capitalist will be looking for a share in the firms equity and a strong return on their investment. However the significant experience these investors have in running businesses could prove valuable to the company. This is what the TV programme Dragons Den is all about! Factoring: This involves a company outsourcing its invoicing arrangements to an external organisation. It immediately allows the company to receive money based on the value of its outstanding invoices as well as to receive payment of future invoices more quickly. It works by the firm making a sale, sending the invoice to the customer, copying the invoice to the factoring company and the factoring company paying an agreed percentage of that invoice, usually 80% within 24 hours. There are fees involved to cover credit management, administration charges, interest and credit protection charges. This must be weighed up against the benefit gained in maximising cash flow, a reduction in the time spent chasing payments and access to a more sophisticated credit control system. The downside is that customers may prefer to deal direct with the company selling the goods or services. In addition ending the relationship could be tricky as the sales ledger would have to be repurchased. Money is a scarce resource and each source has its own advantages and disadvantages. Lenders will be looking for a return on investment, the size of the risk and the flexibility with which they can get their money back when they want or need it. For the company seeking money, the decision as to the best source will ultimately depend on what the money is for, how long the money is needed for, the cost of borrowing and whether the firm can afford the repayments. Task 2: The launch of Clubcard in Thailand in August this year extends Tescos loyalty cards operation further across the globe, and belatedly brings Thailands biggest retailer into a loyalty card market which already contains offers from Carrefour, Tops and Big C. It will clearly be big: in its first three weeks Clubcard gained more members (two million) than competitor Carrefours I-Wish card has accumulated since its launch in 2007. The recent launch in Malaysia has resulted in 70% of scanned transactions being covered by Clubcard. The benefits to Tesco are clear. Their dominance of the UK market has been underpinned by Clubcard, and whilst their latest campaign to double points has yet to prove effective (Tesco growth in the period still lags Asda*, a competitor which does not use a loyalty card), there is a consensus amongst industry observers that it has historically been a critical part of their marketing mix. The benefits to manufacturers are less clear; and one suspects criticism of ones biggest customer would naturally be muted. So what are the implications for Tescos suppliers and how should they respond to Clubcard? Clubcard is a loyalty card, and is designed to encourage shoppers to use a particular chain more. In its simplest incarnation a loyalty card gives rewards, usually in the form of discounts against future purchases, based on how much is spent. Because Clubcard registers who did the shopping, it is possible for Tesco (through their partners Dunnhumby, majority-owned by Tesco), to analyze who buys what, which should enable activities such as promotions to be better targeted. So, for example, a coffee supplier could target their next promotion only at shoppers who bought the competitor product. The targeting of promotions offers a theoretical improvement in effectiveness, but the real boon is the potential to effectively evaluate activities knowing which shoppers bought adds useful data to a promotion evaluation which is currently limited to whether sales went up or not. Clubcard promises suppliers much: Insight into shoppers, more efficient promotions, and unprecedented access to new in-store media opportunities. Suppliers will need to evaluate the potential benefits of the Clubcard offer against the inevitable associated costs. Yet it clearly has limitations: Clubcard in Thailand has two million card holders, yet with Tesco enjoying 25% of the Thai retail market, their total number of shoppers must be significantly higher than this. So how skewed is the sample, how representative, and what is missing? Task 3 Choosing the Right Source of Finance A business needs to assess the different types of finance based on the following criteria: Amount of money required a large amount of money is not available through some sources and the other sources of finance may not offer enough flexibility for a smaller amount. How quickly the money is needed the longer a business can spend trying to raise the money, normally the cheaper it is. However it may need the money very quickly (say if had to pay a big wage bill which if not paid would mean the factory would close down). The business would then have to accept a higher cost. The cheapest option available the cost of finance is normally measured in terms of the extra money that needs to be paid to secure the initial amount the typical cost is the interest that has to be paid on the borrowed amount. The cheapest form of money to a business comes from its trading profits. The amount of risk involved in the reason for the cash a project which has less chance of leading to a profit is deemed more risky than one that does. Potential sources of finance (especially external sources) take this into account and may not lend money to higher risk business projects, unless there is some sort of guarantee that their money will be returned. The length of time of the requirement for finance a good entrepreneur will judge whether the finance needed is for a long-term project or short term and therefore decide what type of finance they wish to use. Short Term and Long Term Finance Short-term finance is needed to cover the day to day running of the business. It will be paid back in a short period of time, so less risky for lenders. Long-term finance tends to be spent on large projects that will pay back over a longer period of time. More risky so lenders tend to ask for some form of insurance or security if the company is unable to repay the loan. A mortgage is an example of secured long-term finance. The main types of short-term finance are: Overdraft Suppliers credit Working capital The main types of long-term finance that are available for to a business are: Mortgages Bank loans Share issue Debentures Retained profits Hire purchase Internal and External Finance Internal finance comes from the trading of the business. External finance comes from individuals or organisations that do not trade directly with the business e.g. banks. Internal finance tends to be the cheapest form of finance since a business does not need to pay interest on the money. However it may not be able to generate the sums of money the business is looking for, especially for larger uses of finance. Examples of internal finance are: Day to day cash from sales to customers. Money loaned from trade suppliers through extended credit. Reductions in the amount of stock held by the business. Disposal (sale) of any surplus assets no longer needed (e.g. selling a company car). Examples of external finance are: An overdraft from the bank. A loan from a bank or building society. The sale of new shares through a share issue. Task 4 All lenders charge interest on their loans and this is the major element in the cost of the finance. Building societies and banks have variable interest rates which may vary according to the size of the loan. However, there are other charges that are normally involved in arraning a mortgage: Arrangement fees Banks and building societies do not always charge arrangement or setup fees, but many lenders do charge them, particularly for some of the specialist mortgages described later in this guide. Arrangement fees are typically in the range of  £100  £400. Valuers report In order to protect its security, the lender will want to be sure that the house is worth the sale price, so will alwas insist on a valuation for mortgage purposes. This will be carried out by a qualified surveyor, who will charge a survey fee, paid by the borrower. The lenders survey aims to establish if the value of the house is enough to protect the lenders security. It does not mean that the property is free from any defects. It is therefore recommended that house buyers obtain a homebuyers report or a full survey to ensure that they are aware of any problems. This will increase the cost but could prove to be a wise investment. Indemnity guarantee fee Some lenders insist on an indemnity guarantee policy if the loan exceeds 75 percent of the property value. This protects the lender in the event of the borrower defaulting on the mortgage and the sale price of the property not being enough to repay the loan. However, this policy is paid for by the borrower and often, the premium has to be added to the loan. In recent times, the threshold for mortgage indemnity guarantees has increased many lenders now set the level at 90 percent. Stamp duty This is a tax charged by the Government on the document transferring ownership of the house, paid by the purchaser. The rates are: Nil up to  £60,000 1% over  £60,000 but not more than  £250,000 3% over  £250,000 but not more than  £500,000 4% over  £500,000 Legal fees There will be legal fees payable to the solicitor or licensed conveyancer handling the transaction. The legal fees will include the local search fees (carried out to reveal matters affecting theproperty) and land registry fees, as well as the lawyers own charges. Other charges All mortgage lenders will have a tariff of other charges that you may incur in certain circumstances at various points during the life of your loan. These are not universal charges lenders will vary in terms of which ones apply, but all should be able to provide details on request. Task 5: Importance of Financial Planning It is important to plan finances in order to reap long term benefits through the assets in hand. The investments that one makes are structured properly and managed by professionals through financial planning. Every decision regarding our finances can be monitored if a proper plan is devised in advance. The following points explain why financial planning is important. Cash Flow: Financial planning helps in increasing cash flow as well as monitoring the spending pattern. The cash flow is increased by undertaking measures such as tax planning, prudent spending and careful budgeting. Capital: A strong capital base can be built with the help of efficient financial planning. Thus, one can think about investments and thereby improve his financial position. Income: It is possible to manage income effectively through planning. Managing income helps in segregating it into tax payments, other monthly expenditures and savings. Family Security: Financial planning is necessary from the point of view of family security. The various policies available in the market serve the purpose of financially securing the family. Investment: A proper financial plan that considers the income and expenditure of a person, helps in choosing the right investment policy. It enables the person to reach the set goals. Standard of Living: The savings created by through planning, come to the rescue in difficult times. Death of the bread winner in a family, affects the standard of living to a great extent. A proper financial plan acts as a guard in such situations and enables the family to survive hard times. Financial Understanding: The financial planning process helps gain an understanding about the current financial position. Adjustments in an investment plan or evaluating a retirement scheme becomes easy for an individual with financial understanding. Assets: A nice cushion in the form of assets is what many of us desire for. But many assets come with liabilities attached. Thus, it becomes important to determine the true value of an asset. The knowledge of settling or canceling the liabilities, comes with the understanding of our finances. The overall process helps us build assets that dont become a burden in the future. Savings: It is good to have investments with high liquidity. These investments, owing to their liquidity, can be utilized in times of emergency and for educational purposes. The argument made by people from low income groups is that they dont need to plan their finances due to the less money they possess. However, no matter how much one earns, better planning of income always helps in the long run. Task 6: Defining the problem Take time to properly define the problem. What is the issue to be covered? What is the problem? What decisions need to be taken? A fish-bone diagram will sometimes help in understanding the complex interlinkages that create a particular problem. For each of the causes or its effects, make a list of information or data that will be required, and clarify how that information will lead to a better decision. Finding the information Determine the sources from where information needed for decision-making can be obtained. What information needs to be taken? Who has that information? Why is that information being collected by the source? Which component of the problem at hand will it help? Evaluate the sources to see which of them can provide the best information, and identify the mode and format in which the information is presented. Keep in mind that different sources provide information in different formats (for different reasons!). Processing the Knowledge This where the information gathered is matched with the problem in hand. The relevant information from each source is extracted and information from multiple sources is organized. Which parts of the information collected needs to be used? What additional data or information is needed? How can information be best presented to be able to understand the situation and take decisions? The collected information is evaluated and integrated for its relevance, validity and interconnectedness. Taking the decision In an interactive and inclusive process involving all the concerned parties, form an opinion from the information collected for its effectiveness and efficiency. Use it to take the decision. Has the decision taken help in solving the problem at hand? Was the decision satisfactory and took into account all the views of concerned parties? A decision taken may need to be examined closely and refined, and modified to meet differing needs over time. Task 7 Impact of finance of financial statement is immence because inorder to prepare financial statememnt some cost is essential such as auditors fee, financial analysts fee.