Monday, September 30, 2019

Twelve men

Try and link views and values to the themes in the text where you can! Identifying views and values 1 . Identify three core views that you believe are expressed throughout ‘Twelve Angry Men' 2. Write three sentences about these views using the sample below as a model Egg: Rose's play challenges the audience to examine their own prejudice, exposing the dangers of prejudging, particularly in the court room. 3. What does Rose value / condemn?Identify three qualities/concepts/ideas that you believe Reginald Rose endorses, challenges or leaves unquestioned in ‘Twelve Angry Men'. Justify your response. 2. Setting: Rose's play is all acted on the same set: Analyses the imagery created by the stage directions at the beginning of the play (Para) Analyses the scenes that take place in the washroom. What is the purpose of this separate section of the stage? In what way(s) does it enable Rose to develop his characters (for example, what is revealed about their motives, attitudes and values etc) as well as our perceptions and responses to them?How does Rose use the New York skyline to reflect his views on the indifference humans can have to serious situations? (p. -4) What is the effect of the way that Rose confines the action of the play to the Jury room? How does it enable Rose to develop dramatic tensions throughout the play? 3. Characters: 1 . Provide character details for each of the twelve Jurors. You can choose to present your details in a comprehensive paragraph on each character, a character map or a chart.You should include: any biographical information: experiences such as: occupation, where they live / grew up the character's personality and role(s) in the play: how they feel about the task, their reasons for feeling the boy is guilty (or innocent); their relationships, attitudes and values 3 – 5 relevant quotations for each character 2. Create a table detailing each Juror's views on the guilt of the defendant. Chart how / why these change ove r the course of the play: Juror When swayed How swayed Evidence (look at stage directions in particular) 3. Now, discuss Rose's view of each character.Is he sympathetic or unsympathetic? Admiring or critical? Affectionate or hostile? How do you know? Explain using quotes. Characterization: Characters views and values can be revealed through: Authorial comments e. G. Hat Rose reveals in the stage directions What the character says themselves How the character speaks – think specifically about the language the character uses and the tone they use What others say or think about them What the character does How their personalities and attitudes are revealed in their relationships How the characters attitudes and beliefs are challenged by others 1 .Choose three key moments in the text where Rose's portrayal of the character reveals something about their or his own views and values. Outline this. 2. Find 5 stage directions relating to your character and explain their relevance â₠¬â€œ choose stage erections that reveal varied aspects of the character (egg: growth over time) 3. Create a word bank for this character 4. Write a succinct paragraph on how views and values are aligned with characters in the text.Remember to begin with a clear contention, provide explanation (about how the views and values are presented) and support with evidence from the text. (see example below to help get you started) For example: Rose depicts the Juror as a forceful and extremely opinionated man within whom can be detected a streak of sadism. He is hammerless and intolerant, and indeed, his lack of compassion is strongly contrasted to the humanity ND sense of moral obligation we find in Juror . This reflects Rose's criticism of 4. Themes Complete a 200 word analysis of each of the themes below for the text as whole.Ensure you utilizes the TEE structure in your analysis: Topic: Introduce the theme and discuss the development of it throughout the text Explain and Explore: Give on e or more strong examples from the text to discuss the overall theme e. G. Key events, reflections from Rose etc Evidence: Finally, use quotes throughout your analysis to strengthen your discussion. Racial prejudice justice and the Jury rationality and subjectivity ere pressure: the power of conformity civic duty(qualities such as honor, compassion, empathy†¦ ND the flip side of this: insensitivity, ignorance †¦ ) 5. Structure and language 1. Rose said: No one anywhere ever knows what goes on inside a Jury room but the Jurors, and I thought then that a play taking place entirely within a Jury room might be an exciting and possible moving experience for an audience. Discuss in detail the choices Rose makes to engage the audience in the drama of his play; to encourage them to reflect on their own prejudices as well as using the court mom to present his views on the importance of integrity and active citizenship. . Plot the tensions' of the drama. What are the turning points? Where do they occur? Why? 3. Choose 2 Jurors and study the language patterns and choices. How do they speak to others? What tone(s) do they use? Are their word choices negatively or positively contacted? How does use Rose use their language to influence our reactions to them? Use examples to support your discussions. 4. Make a list of 10 stage directions, presented in sequential order, that show what is happening in terms of the physical action of the play. Explain their significance. 5.Make a list of 10 stage directions, presented in sequential order, that show what is happening in terms of the emotional states of the characters in the play. You could choose 1 character or various characters. If you choose one character, do not choose the character that you worked on in the group task. Explain their significance. 6. One of the key skills of this outcome is the ability to analyses the ways in which textual meaning is created. This means being able to identify narrative devices used by authors and the way structural and language elements contribute to a readers understanding of the key textual concerns.Some of the devices include: Narrative viewpoint Imagery (similes, metaphors, personification etc) Symbolism / Motif Tone / Mood – consider here Rose's use of the storm, interactions / tension between characters Setting Colloquial Language Writers use these devices to shape our perceptions of and attitudes towards characters and textual ideas / themes. Find 10 literary devices Rose utilizes throughout the text and explain their meaning. Language / Literary Device (for example, symbol, imagery – simile / metaphor, use of setting etc.Textual Example (Quote) Meaning Created (for egg, how do we perceive character, what does it add to our understanding of theme, social context etc. ) 6. Differing interpretations 1 . For each of the following statements, find examples from the text that challenge or endorse the ideas presented – discuss why you ch ose them â€Å"[Twelve Angry Men] points up the fact, which too many of us have not taken seriously, of what it means to serve on a Jury when a man's life is at stake. † â€Å"Numbered but not named, [the Jurors] comprise a cross section of American society†¦ Eire value for Rose is as social representatives rather than as individuals. † â€Å"What is uplifting is that Rose's narrative shows the ugliness of racial prejudice, and then rational men turning their backs on this ugliness. The racist views do not hold sway for long. † Using the themes in the text, develop interpretative statements about the text that link two or more of these ideas in one sentence. For example: Throughout his play, Rose critiques the oppressive and discriminative environment of McCarthy America, exploring the way some Jurors use the power of their rationality to attempt to sway others to share their point of view.Indeed, the 8th juror is aware of the effects and dangers of peer pr essure and this is illustrated through his request to have the second (and possibly the most important vote) taken as an anonymous ballot (p. 18) At various moments in the play, the 10th, 3rd and 7th jurors do try to sway the vote to ‘guilty through the use of intimidation rather than argument. What can be interpreted is another clear message conveyed by Rose through his play is that this type of intimidation will ultimately be unsuccessful.Logic and reason do win out over endemic prejudice, but what the play also illustrates is that for this to occur, there must be voices who are prepared to hold true to their convictions. This is clearly portrayed through the contrast between the â€Å"[interrupting]† and â€Å"[shouting]† of Jurors 10 and 3 and the â€Å"[calm]† and reflective â€Å"[pauses]† of Juror 8. 2. What â€Å"truths† are revealed throughout the play? 3. Identify one character in the text that you are sympathetic towards and one yo u are critical of. Explain your reactions using evidence from the text.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Annotated Bibliography for Childhood Obesity Essay

Child obesity became a very serious issue that is taking on the health of the nation’s children. It is everyone responsibility to work on preventing and reducing childhood obesity, from the parents who are suppose to care about their children’s health, to the public health representatives, who should care about a future healthy nation, and everyone in between. Every part of society should create a set of lifestyle changes in order to save our kids from obesity. There are many aspects, which have to be changed or improved, including parent’s nutrition education, children’s physical activity and kid’s nutrition in a school and home, food industry and etc. Wiley, L. F. (2013). â€Å"No Body Left Behind†: Re-Orienting School-Based Childhood Obesity Interventions. Duke Forum For Law & Social Change (DFLSC), 597-128. The article discuses the school intervention in childhood obesity. It suggests that school would be required to provide a minimum number of minutes of physical education every week. It is very important to make those classes accessible, enjoyable and stimulating for kids. The article also mentions that school lunches with a lot of fruits and vegetables are part of health promotion. It adds that many intervention in this sphere are already exist, but they need improvements, because statistic don’t show any result at this time. My assignment: The article indicates on moderating intervention on obesity in the school system. This idea can be used to support the argument that the school system is a important part of children’s environment and should create a set of changes to reduce obesity among this country’s young  generation. I believe this as one of the true aspects that society should concentrate and improve on. Murtagh L, Ludwig, DS. State intervention in life-threatening childhood obesity. JAMA 2011; 306(2): 206-207. This article is posing a solution offer from Murtagh and Ludwig on obesity in children. They suggest removing a specific subset of obese children away from their parents and placing them foster care as a remedy for their obesity on a state’s law base. Dr. Ludwig and Murtagh assume that this action would change the direction of the child’s obesity by providing an opportunity be exposed to healthy nutrition and reasonable activity level for some period of time. At the same time, the information on how to manage children’s weight would provided to parents of those children. The article further states that â€Å"under most existing child protective services laws, multiple less intrusive interventions such as in-home social supports, parenting training, counseling, and financial assistance, that may address underlying problems without resorting to removal of a child†. †¨ My assessment: I think â€Å"less intrusive interventions† is better idea then removing a child from a family. The last one is an unnecessary action, and may be even damaging for children’s psyche. I don’t defend parents, I also think that parental role is important in children’s obesity issues. I agree that parents should get educated on how to provide healthy nutrition and reasonable activity level for their children. This article would support the idea in my paper that parents are also an important part of society that should be involved in a process of preventing and reducing childhood obesity. Koplan, J., Liverman, C. T., Kraak, V. I., & Institute of Medicine, (U.S.). (2005). Preventing Childhood Obesity : Health in the Balance. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.(p. 153-154) One chapter of this book tells us about how the food industry’s advertising and media affect children’s obesity and what changes have to be done to  shift its affect to the healthier side. The author of this book says that prevention of obesity in children should be a national health priority. All these recreational industries ( food, beverage, restaurant, entertainment) should share in the responsibilities for childhood obesity prevention and be instrumental in supporting this goal. For example, leaders of food industry could make changes to expand healthier options (reduce portion-size, reduce sugar amount in meals and etc.). Media should advocate healthy lifestyle . According to their studies it already stated changing , it has to continue going this direction. The chapter stays idea that all those industries should prevent obesity in children by developing and promoting products, opportunities and information that would encourage healthful eating behavior and regu lar physical activity. My assessment: This book will be used to underscore the idea in my paper that coordinated efforts among the recreational industries, government, and other groups would make easier to create, support, and sustain customer’s demand for â€Å"healthful food and beverage products, appropriately portioned meals, and accurate and consistent nutritional information through food labels, health claims, and other educational sources.† (Koplan, J., Liverman, C. T., Kraak, V. I., 2005, p.153). The book will be used in the sections where food industry and advertising could change their marketing toward healthy choices to help reducing and preventing obesity. Caroli, M., Argentieri, L., & Masi, A. Role Of Television In Childhood Obesity Prevention. International Journal of Obesity, 28, S104-S108. Retrieved June 1, 2014, from http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v28/n3s/full/0802802a.html – aff1 This article is about the role of television in children’s obesity. Authors of the article say that children started watching more television then it was twenty-thirty years ago. Obviously it leads to inactivity and as a result to obesity. Furthermore, the article main point is television as a popular tool among children could be used for spreading correct information on good nutrient and obesity prevention. Authors mention that usually depiction of food in television has many negative consequences on food  habits. In many cases, characters from movies or cartoons eat unhealthy food and provide bad examples to follow. The article supports its idea with studies. My assessment: I will use this article along with other information, when I write about media and advertising effects on childhood obesity. I agree with this idea. I think it is hard to fight food industry or technology market, but society can try to shift it to healthier side at least. Government and policymakers as power layer of society could help to change the situation. Wilson, D. Prevention in Obesity is Part of Childbirth Education. International Journal of Childbirth Education, 29, 4. Retrieved June 1, 2014, from http://www.icea.org/sites/default/files/April%202014%20Final.pdf In this article Debra Wilson tells that prevention of obesity should start from childbirth. She points that women who are overweight during pregnancy have higher risk to give a birth to a baby who would become obese. Many factors could lead to obesity for a baby that depends on mother’s responsibilities, such as maternal smoking, short-term or long-term breastfeeding and etc. In addition, she notes that parents are the ones, who provide food to children and teach them eating habits; they are fully responsible for children’s health. The author concludes that it is much easier and cheaper try to prevent obesity from the beginning, that’s why childbirth educators can help with this. My assignment: This article will be used when I present how childhood obesity can be prevented. Further more, it shows how important the roles of parents are in obesity prevention. I will add this part as support for my point that every layer in society can be apart of changing the nations statistics on child obesity.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Finnis’s Natural Law Theory

Basically, Finn's's natural law theory are divided into three main parts, each with its own purpose and function. According to Finnis, there are first, a set of notions that â€Å"indicate the basic forms of human flourishing as goods to be pursued and realized† and that every human being should have the idea on how they should act. Secondly, Finnis further argued on the notion of â€Å"a set of basic methodological requirements of practical reasonableness †¦ Which distinguish sound from unsound practical thinking and . provide the criteria for distinguishing between [reasonable and unreasonable acts]. Thirdly, a methodological requirements that allows one to distinguish between acting morally right or morally wrong and â€Å"to formulate . .. a set of general moral standards†. 1. First Main Part of Finnis Natural Law Theory : Basic Human Goods Finn's' naturalism is both an ethical theory and a theory of law. Finnis introduced the theory of basic goods in human li fe as the first part of his natural law theory.Based on the set of notions that, â€Å"indicate the basic forms of human flourishing as goods to be pursued and realized† which according to Finnis, every reasonable person would ssent to the value of these basic goods as objects of human striving, and these basic goods are â€Å"indemonstrable but self-evident principles [that shape] our practical reasoning. â€Å"Finnis distinguishes a number of equally valuable basic goods namely, life, practical reasonableness, knowledge, play, friendship, religion, and aesthetic experience.Finnis argues that the list of basic goods is exhaustive in that â€Å"other objectives and forms of good will be found †¦ to be ways or combinations of ways of pursuing .. and realizing †¦ one of the seven basic forms of good, or some combination of hem. † His argument basically means that in order to achieved the basic good, the elements of seven basic goods must be fulfilled. A perso n is said to achieved basic goods even if he achieved either one of the basic forms or combinations of the basic forms, he don't need to pursue all of the seven basic goods at the same time.Since the human basic goods does not provide any hierarchy between the seven forms, hence, the basic goods are incommensurable. According to Finn's, none of the basic goods â€Å"can be analytically reduced to being merely an aspect of any of the others, or o being merely instrumental in the pursuit of any of the others,† and â€Å"each one, when we focus on it, can reasonably be regarded as the most important. In simple words, Finnis argues that, each of the forms of basic goods are to be distinguished from each other because each forms has intrinsic values. 1. 1 .Knowledge Stating that knowledge is good, or thinking of knowledge as a value, is not the same as saying that knowledge is a moral value. By saying knowledge is to be pursued† since it is ag and that goods are to be pursu ed†Finnis is not saying that a moral obligation has been created. Finnis's basic goods are to be thought of as intrinsically good in that all of these values should be considered good for their own sake and not for an instrumental purpose Finnis more particularly describes the good of knowledge as that of speculative knowledge, explaining that this good is the good of knowledge being â€Å"sought for its own sake. This reference to knowledge can also be articulated as truth†so that one can say that this is truth sought for its own sake in the same manner as knowledge. Here, Finnis is not describing an instrumental use of knowledge, but rather â€Å"the pure desire to know' merely out of curiosity and â€Å"an nterest in or concern for truth and a desire to avoid ignorance or error † Finn's's primary argument for the value of the knowledge, as for the value of other items on his list, is by appeal to the reader's intuition: It is obvious that those who are well-i nformed, etc. simply are better-off(other thing being equal) than someone who is muddled, deluded, and ignorant, that the state of the former is better that the state of the latter, not Just in particular case of that, but in all cases, as such, universally, and whether I like it Otr not. Knowledge is better that ignorance

Friday, September 27, 2019

HISTORY High School Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

HISTORY High School - Essay Example They want that government should rule and should limit the liberty of assets. They were actually the "anti-federalist". Moreover, Hamilton wants to introduce the taxation system to gain money from each state to repay the country debt but according to Jefferson this will be unfair with those states that have paid their debt. The Hamilton appeal the urban groups (industrialist) within the society whereas, Jefferson appeal the rural groups (agrarians) within the society. According to Jefferson the Hamilton general policies will corrupt the economy of the country whereas according to Hamilton Jefferson policies are unable to grow the economy. Native American resist this intrusion into their lands by small wars and stop trading with white Americans and they also stop supplying the food stuff that they grew in their fields. More over small fights resist the white American to expand and rule the Native Americans. The efforts of the Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh play an important role as their efforts safe the lives of many Americans and they keep showing different techniques for the country. Moreover, they improve the morale of the Indians. They try to save different areas to minimize the death of people.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Museum of contemporary art and Niemeyer Oscar Research Paper

Museum of contemporary art and Niemeyer Oscar - Research Paper Example The paper "Museum of contemporary art and Niemeyer Oscar" discovers Niemeyer Oscar's works. Museum of contemporary art still remains a unique piece of art. It is shaped like a concord and located on a sloppy field with view of mount sugarloaf visible from the structure. It was designed and inspired by a Brazilian designer whose name was Niemeyer Oscar. It was completed in 1996; it has a height of sixteen and a diameter of 50 meters. The design is inspired by scientific facts and evident; it explains alien facts with the mentioning of UFO by the designer. The concept was picked from the limited space provided; Oscar Niemeyer describes his choice to driven by his desire to view the sea while at the building and accommodating his works in a limited space. The building consists of three levels. It contains an underground facility with a section of water body. There is a ramp constructed on 98- meters of space which leads the public to the facility it also serves as liaison to the remaini ng floors linking the public area to the rest of the exhibition room. The ground floor consist of a bar and restaurant which has the capacity to hold more than fifty persons per seating the window spacing gives the opportunity for those in the facility to view over the bay with the key geographical features being viewed from the auditorium. The basement acts a water reservoir and a power plant. The first floor, it contains a reception area where individuals inquire and seek guidance. It also contains a lobby are and offices.

The Tay Bridge Disaster Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Tay Bridge Disaster - Essay Example Also, the paper will discuss how modern engineering project management should prevent these from occurring and how the construction safeguards could prevent accidents like this. The collapse of the bridge brought into the picture the failure to maintain, optimum Engineering standards or practices by Thomas Bouch and his team. The first standard that has been not followed is the lack of strong cross bracing and fastening. That is, there is an insufficiency in cross bracing and its fastenings through out the bridge, which is very insufficient to sustain the force of strong gale. The next standard that has been missed is not testing the bridge for wind pressure according to appropriate levels. That is, Bouch used a wind pressure of just 10 lbsf/sq ft to test the design of the Tay Bridge. On the other hand, the well known fact is, Bouch, after completing Tay Bridge worked on the Forth Bridge and while working on the design of a proposed Forth bridge, he had used wind pressure up to 30 lbsf/sq ft. Another standard that have been given a go by, is the practice of moulding lugs into the wrought iron, when lugs are attached to it. Because of this mistake, the lugs were proved to break at loads of only 20 tons, while it is expected to withstand loads up to 60 tonnes (taybridgedisaster.co.uk). From the ethical perspective, Bouch, being the person in-charge, seems to have not shown great interest in the successful and foolproof completion of the project. That is, Bouch as well as the contractor appears to have not regularly visited the on-site foundry, where the iron scrap retrieved from the previously half-built bridge was recycled and remade into new structures. Because of this lack of commitment and ethical responsibility from Bouch’s side, the cylindrical cast iron columns, which supported the bridge, were of bad quality. All these inefficiencies only contributed to the collapse of the bridge, leading to many repercussions. The main result is that, the

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Forrensic computing - securing evidence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Forrensic computing - securing evidence - Essay Example Archie Rival, who got the job, says he is very happy with Axta’s work and doesn’t feel there is any conflict. However, at a recent annual review meeting the shipping clerk Asif Iwud told his reviewer in confidence that he believed Axta had not ‘forgotten and forgiven but had other fish to fry’. He believes she will be resigning soon and is hoping to get her job. Evidence is the means and materials that enable a case to be proven. The evidence shows the actual events that took place in any situation, and evidence can either be Digital, Electronic or physical. Digital Evidence is the information that is transmitted or stored in computers in binary form, and which is admissible in a court of law. Electronic Evidence is evidence or data of investigative value which can be stored and transmitted by electronic devices. Various jurisdictions allow for various principles concerning electronic evidence, but these principles are quite similar to the principles defined by the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers). 4 principles of digital and electronic evidence are defined in the third version of the Good Practice Guide for Computer Based Evidence, and these will be described here. Whenever there is cause for computers to be confiscated for forensic examination, there are some pointers as regards the ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) Guide for Good Practice concerning digital and electronic evidence. The guidelines are basically for Police Officers in the United Kingdom, but it is good practice to follow these guidelines especially when there is need to seize and examine electronic data. It is also good practice to treat electronic data in the same manner as physical or traditional forensic evidence, and the ACPO guidelines are aimed at achieving the required standards. Also following these principles will ensure the integrity of the case and, ensure that the steps taken are in compliance with the

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

General Investment Discussion Posts Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

General Investment Discussion Posts - Assignment Example Wieland (2010) denotes that a passive investment strategy has a rate of return of 7% per annum. This, Wieland (2010) denotes that is the main disadvantage of a passive investment strategy. That is, an investor will not get a high return for his or her investments. Barnes (2009) denotes that an active strategy will incorporate a method in which an investor seeks to buy bonds or stocks expecting a high return. On this basis, its main advantage over passive strategy is that an investor can acquire unlimited return. However, this method is very expensive, and there is no guarantee of success. It is important to denote that approximately 80% of actively managed stocks usually underperform (Barnes, 2009). Those that perform well are not consistent over the years. On this basis, the best form of portfolio management is the hybrid system. This is because it is a combination of the passive and active investments strategies (Wieland, 2010). On this note, the hybrid system combines the advantages of these two investments strategies, as well as mitigating their disadvantages. Toporowski (2010) denotes that one major strength of a projected P/E is its ability to explain the degree of confidence upon which investors have on a company. Toporowski (2010) further denotes that a P/E which is low in value will imply that investors do not have confidence with the company. On the other hand, a P/E which is high will denote that investors have confidence with the company. Investors will therefore purchase the various securities and stocks of these companies. On this note, the projected P/E ratio provides a guideline in which investors will know a company that performs well or not. However, the P/E ration has limitations. This is because the P/E ratio uses earnings as its indicator. It is important to denote it is possible to manipulate the earnings of a company. On this note, it is therefore

Monday, September 23, 2019

It ask to look critically at a contemporary social or cultural issue Essay

It ask to look critically at a contemporary social or cultural issue - Essay Example However, with societys liberalization came the dawn of a new age where homosexuals declared openly their sexual preference for same sex partners. They lobbied for social acceptance by challenging legislative statutes, and proceeded to sensitize people about their inherent right to express themselves freely. Consequentially, society remains divided on whether to accept or reject same sex couples. Discussed below includes a brief overview of the history of the gay movement detailing challenges homosexuals face and milestones they managed to overcome. This discussion also tries to analyze the context of homosexuality in contemporary society by analyzing the international reactions on homosexuality. Anthropological research on ancient societies spanning across the globe reveal homosexualitys prevalence. Murray & Roscoe (2011) advanced that homosexuality was consistent and common among African societies. According to these anthropologists, societies refrained from shunning such acts because they deemed them permissible. This explained why some of their leaders engaged in homosexuality; for example, King Mtwapa II, leader of the Baganda kingdom located in Uganda engaged in sexual relations with other men. Presently, modernization of society continues to redefine individuals perspectives on homosexuality. Majority remain ignorant of their past influences leading to irrational deductions. Moreover, religious doctrines influence peoples views on morality by differentiating between right and wrong. Therefore, issues pertaining to same sex relationships are immoral and shunned by societies built on conservative, religious values. Finally, legislative restrictions also continue to shap e perspectives on homosexuality. The laws of any country reflect the countrys cultural and religious views. Consequentially, countries with strict religious backgrounds and conservative cultures institute legislations that prohibit behaviors that deviate from

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Trust is the key ingredient in leadership Essay Example for Free

Trust is the key ingredient in leadership Essay This weeks Assignment consists of viewing a scenario about Sandwich Blitz, Inc. , reading an article about integrity in leadership, and writing a two-page double-spaced paper. Integrity in leadership is absolutely essential. † In today’s world more companies are looking for people with integrity to head their organizations. † It is because of the lack of integrity that financial turmoil is happening in the world today. If you have integrity you will go somewhere in life. â€Å"Grenville Kleiser said, â€Å"You are already consequence in the world if you are known as a man of strict integrity. † Without integrity no real success is possible. â€Å"Trust is the key ingredient in leadership. If you cannot engender trust, you are unlikely to find many who are interested in following your lead. They assume that you are making the right choice based on ethics and proper morals. † Sometimes integrity may be considered an old fashioned word in businesses environment. Integrity is defined among other things as â€Å" being true to one’s values. † When a leader has a set of clearly defined values that determine the actions and decisions they take. Strong leaders must be consistent. Integrity breeds consistency by providing a clear set of principles to follow. With the proper amount of integrity a leader will follow through and do what is right. When integrity is maintained, positive results don’t need to be questioned or worried over. If you want to see successful leadership in your life you need to have integrity. â€Å"Integrity is what we, do, what we say, and what we say we do†- Don Gater. â€Å"Don Gater sums it up well in a short statement. As a man of integrity, your word is your bond. Integrity is an important part of leadership. Leadership is often clear as day when witnessed firsthand, without integrity a leader may find that no one is willing to follow him.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Twisted Hot Yogas target market Market Opportunity

Twisted Hot Yogas target market Market Opportunity Twisted Hot Yoga does not have any direct competition in the location of Aspen Estates and therefore there is the opportunity to target the higher income level consumers surrounding that area. Due to only having one recreation centre near aspen estates in a continuously growing community, Twisted Hot Yoga can give access to their healthy conscious consumers a new hot yoga studio fulfilling many of the new fitness conscious trends. This particular area of the city, the South West quadrant, is currently in the process of expansion. There are many communities surrounding Aspen Woods that are being developed. Up to this date, there are no hot yoga studios in the surrounding area of Aspen Woods. Target Market Twisted Hot Yogas target market can be defined as higher income health conscious consumers. More specifically, women between the ages of 20 and 34 that live in the South West part of Calgary within and surrounding the new communities of Aspen Woods. This specific target market takes pride in healthy busy lifestyles and belongs in an active community (Environics analytics, 2010). Market Size Based on a 2008 Yoga in America study, it was found that Americans spend 5.7 billion dollars a year on yoga classes and products, including equipment, clothing, vacations and media (DVDs, videos, books and magazines), showing an 87% increase since the previous study in 2004 (Yogajournal.com, 2010). The study also found that 6.9% of US adults or 15.8 million people practice yoga and out of those who do not, the study found that 8% or 18.3 million Americans said they were very or extremely interested in yoga (Yogajournal, 2010). The data that was collected on age, gender and other demographic factors showed that out of all the yoga practitioners, 72.2% are women, 27.8% are men, 40.6% are 18 to 34 years old; 41% are 35 to 54; and 18.4% are over 55 (Yogajournal.com, 2010). The study concluded that almost half of these current practitioners started doing yoga to improve their overall health. Market Trends and Opportunities that are Emerging Bikram Yoga: According to CTV news in 2002, hot yoga which is also known as Bikram, was a raging trend across Canada as well as the hottest trend in exercise (2010). Holistic Fitness: Fitness trends in the near future are said to be taking a customized approach to the particular needs and lifestyles of individuals (Euromonitor, 2010). Holistic fitness, group sweat sesh, and get fit quick are the leading future fitness trends around the globe (Euromonitor, 2010). Todays research shows a shift from hitting the gym to attain the ideal body to now a more holistic approach to healthy living. The holistic approach is discussed as reaping the benefits of exercise (Yogajournal.com, 2010). People nowadays are more concerned with getting back into shape physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. According to Euromonitor international, the market for healthy lifestyles is much greater due to the increase in obesity rates (Euromonitor, 2010). This trend is adapting to the 21st century consumers that have busy lifestyles regarding work, family, and social life demands. A German company that specializes in holistic therapy stated that it supports indiv iduals to find personal balance, to relax our mind, and to experience something that is beyond thoughts, analysis, stress and separation (Euromonitor, 2010). A US trends forecaster has predicted in a trends journal that Whole Health Healing will become very popular and part of the public awareness by 2011. Services, products and practitioners furthering a holistic approach will be the cutting edge of a trend that will grow for decades (Euromonintor, 2010). Group Sweat Sesh: The group sweat sesh trend is moving away from personal trainers, exclusive spas, and home fitness training as the craze is said to soon lose some of its appeal. Keeping up with healthy trends and staying fit is nowadays said to be a group effort (Euromonitor, 2010). Having groups of people being trained by an instructor is said to be a perfect fit with the demand for a more budget friendly, more social and fun exercise culture (Euromonitor, 2010). Get Fit Quick: Consumers these days want to get fit quick and see results faster. The continuing trend of body-conscious consumers and what is called the busy-busy society will still be looking for quick fixes, meaning quicker ways to get fit faster (Euromonitor, 2010). Going green: Twisted Hot Yoga will be opening up a Bikram yoga studio that will use all economically friendly products such as bamboo floors and clay walls. The trend of going green is an important factor when opening up a hot yoga studio and therefore, Twisted Hot Yoga will be able to offer its consumers a natural environment as well as greater awareness to keep the community a better place. Use of Yoga as Medical Therapy: Doctors and therapists now often recommend yoga as medical therapy. Yoga as medicine represents the next great yoga wave (yogajournal.com, 2010). A 2008 study found that in the next few years, we will be seeing a lot more yoga in health care settings and more yoga recommended by the medical community as new research shows that yoga is a valuable therapeutic tool for many health conditions (yogajournal.com, 2010). Demographic Analysis The above chart represents the percentage of women between the ages of 20-34 living in the surrounding neighborhoods of Aspen Woods. Using data collected from the GIS mapping (see appendix), West Springs has the greatest percentage in comparison to the other areas in the South West. West Springs is currently in the process of developping 96 residential homes, six buildings consisting of a total of 300 apartments and 55,000 square feet of commercial space which gives Twisted Hot Yoga the opportunity to expand their business and their target market in the future (Jomaa, personal communication, 2010). Twisted Hot Yoga will focus on two customer groups: Upper Income Cosmopolitan Elite and Middle Income Suburban Gentry. Demographic and Psychographic Analysis Upper Income Cosmopolitan Elite Age: 20-34 Sex: 80% female, 30% male Health/Lifestyle: Canadas wealthiest lifestyle, fitness-minded Canadians who belong to health clubs, workout at home, enjoy pilates, yoga and cross-country skiing. This group is very active in the community, volunteering on community projects and making various donations. (Environics analytics, 2010) Twisted Hot Yogas Selling Point: Convenient location, close to the new developing areas, can be attended at any hours during the day, flexible hours Middle Income Suburban Gentry Age: 20-34 Sex: 80% female, 30% male Health/Lifestyle: Canadas up and coming business class, spenders, fitness conscious, much more likely than average Canadians to jog, take aerobics classes, play racquet sports and basketball. Many of these individuals take pride in their healthy lifestyles. (Environics analytics, 2010) Twisted Hot Yogas Selling Point: Can be attended before or after work, close to new developing areas, relieve stress after work and relaxing the mind and body Twisted Hot Yogas target markets enjoy living healthy lifestyles and have higher disposable income. According to Statistics Canada, individuals in higher income groups are more likely to engage in physical activity during their leisure time (2010). Geographic Analysis Distance from surrounding communities to Aspen Landing (Twisted Hot Yoga) Aspen Woods 1.2 km 2 mins Strathcona Park 2.9 kn 4 mins Signal Hill 3.6 km 6 mins Christie Park 3.1 km 5 mins Patterson 5.0 km 8 mins Coach Hill 4.5 km 6 mins Springbank Hill 2.2 km 4 mins Discovery Ridge 5.9 km 12 mins West Springs 2.6 km 5 mins Twisted Hot Yoga targets the surrounding communities of Aspen Woods. The distance from the surrounding communities to the studio is an important factor as Twisted Hot Yoga promotes going green and saving the community. Health conscious consumers can actively participate in going green by not having to drive to the studio. Location Based on Twisted Hot Yogas target market, the selected location for Twisted Hot Yogas studio will be in the new developed area of Aspen Woods. This area is called Aspen Landing shopping center and is located on the corner of 17th avenue and 85th street SW. Aspen Landing consists of 175,000 square feet of retail space and 40,000 square feet of premium second floor office space and serves the dominant community shopping centre in West Calgary (Aspenlanding, 2010). Aspen Woods community social statistics shows that in 2009, total population in that area was 2,830, indicating a 454.9% change since 2005 (City of Calgary, 2010). Based on the following statistics, Twisted Hot Yoga is targeting a continuously growing community. Aspen Woods is said to be one of Calgarys most desirable Estate communities to live in (Calgary Real Estate, 2010). Competition There are currently no other Bikram yoga studios in the neighborhood of Aspen Woods. Twisted Hot Yoga has the opportunity to provide the new and surrounding communities within that specific South West area, a studio that is of short distance from each area. Trends Aspen Woods has been described to be a unique community that offers prestigious shopping within walking distance. There is a variety of stores that offer a wide range of services and products (Calgary Real Estate, 2010). Calgary Real Estate describes Aspen Woods as living in the inner city but surrounded by a prestigious community of estate homes and condos (2010). David Parker wrote an article in the Calgary Herald July 1, 2010 in relation to the Strong community at Aspen Landing (2010). A man by the name of Scarcello was hired by the Vancouver -based land owner, Springbank Land Company to design an upscale urban village style retail centre to bring trendy 17th avenue, Kensington and 4th street to the suburbs (Parker, 2010). The article states that the centre was designed to provide the surrounding estate style communities a place to congregate as well as to dine and shop (Parker, 2010). It was also said that this center provides a enjoyable pedestrian area without the usual big pa rking lots as well as the boardwalk which is designed for visitors to be able to enjoy what they call a bandstand-public space overlooking the water (Parker, 2010). The trendy eating places in Aspen Landing have become very popular. Some of these include Broken Plate, Wok Wok, Thai Tai, and the very tempting Crave Cupcakes (Parker, 2010). ). Aspen Landings unique village concept centre is designed to create an intimate atmosphere with an emphasis on charm (Aspenlading, 2010). Rent Price and Size Through personal communication with a West Springs Landing commercial developer, rent price for Twisted Hot Yoga will be based on square footage. The average rent price for the South West Area is going for approximately 30 to 35 dollars a square foot (Jomaa, personal communication, 2010). Through further research on available commercial space, each available section is between 2,500-5,000 sq ft. Twisted Hot Yoga would need around 2,500 square feet in order to provide customers with a large enough yoga room. (Calgary Real Estate, 2010) Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Strong+community+Aspen+Landing/3223205/story.html#ixzz136PUSBWB http://aspenlanding.ca/?page_id=2 http://www.hotyogastudiodesign.com/where_to_start.php Many studios begin with an initial phone consutation. To get the most out of your copnversation with Chad, have as much information available about your site as possible. For instance, have you signed your lease? Is the power gas or electric? What is the square footage? What kind of plumbing already exists in the space (bathrooms, etc)? This initial conversation will familiarize Chad with the extent of your studios needs and direct to you the next step. In certain situations, a site visit is set up at this time for Chad to see the space first hand. SUPPLIES http://www.calgary.ca/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_104_0_0_35/http;/content.calgary.ca/CCA/City%20Hall/Business%20Units/Community%20and%20Neighbourhood%20Services/Social%20Research%20Policy%20and%20Resources/Community%20Profiles/Community%20Profiles.htm http://www.calgarycommunities.com/communities/strathcona_christie.php Aspen Hills Map http://www.carma.ca/us/OurCommunities/Calgary/~/media/Communities%20Maps/aspenhills%20map.ashx Aspen Landing http://aspenwoodscalgaryrealestate.com/about/aspen-landing/ TRENDY HERALD http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Strong+community+Aspen+Landing/3223205/story.html Aspen Woods $ 376,445 Strathcona Park $ 175,108 Signal Hill $ 132,380 Coach Hill $ 151,475 Patterson $ 155,330 Christie Park $ 198,427 Springbank Hill $ 177,248 Discovery Ridge $ 194,226 West Springs $ 144,067 Aspen Woods 0.1584 Strathcona Park 0.1184 Signal Hill 0.1399 Coach Hill 0.1989 Patterson 0.1756 Christie Park 0.0826 Springbank Hill 0.2031 Discovery Ridge 0.1804 West Springs 0.2566 Yoga is not only about teaching yoga its about going above and beyond and making a difference in the community. Market Segmentation Twisted Yoga will focus on four types of customer groups: Upper Income Cosmopolitan Elite: This group is the core segment of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.. Their demographic and psychographic characteristics are the following: Ages: Sex: Family Income: Health/Lifestyle: Canadas wealthiest lifestyle, fitness-minded Canadians who belong to health clubs, workout at home, enjoy pilates, yoga and cross-country skiing. This group is very active in the community, volunteering on community projects and making various donations. Social Pattern: Twisted Yogas selling point: Middle Income Suburban Gentry: Health/Lifestyle: Canadas up and coming business class, fitness conscious, much more likely than average Canadians to jog, take aerobics classes, play racquet sports and basketball. Many of these individuals take pride in their healthy lifestyles. Urban Downscale: Canadian spenders, stay fit doing pilates and yoga. According to CTV news in 2002, hot yoga also known as Bikram was a raging trend across Canada as well as the hottest trend in exercise (2010). The study, which analyzed data from the 2005  Canadian Community Health Survey, found that age, sex and level of income were among the factors that influenced an individuals level of physical activity. According to Statistics Canada, individuals in higher income groups were more likely to engage in physical activity during their leisure time. With new government initiatives of going green, Twisted Yoga provides not only classes to consumers, but also goes above and beyond to help make a difference in the community. Geographic Demographic Psychographic Middle Income Urban Professionals: This group is the core segment of potential students of GWYC.   Their demographic characteristics are the following: Ages: 26-40. Sex: 30% male, 70% female. Family Income: $30,000-$50,000. Health/Lifestyle Issues: Active individuals that are focused on healthy food and dieting.   Over 70% of this group are members of gyms. Approximately, 40% of potential customers have taken yoga classes before. Social Pattern:   Will more likely attend as part of group.   Centers selling point:  Close to work.   The session lowers stress.   Can be attended with workmates as group activity.   Upper Income: The upper income customer is a secondary target group.   Their demographic characteristics are the following: Ages: 40-60. Sex: 30% male, 70% female. Family Income: $60,000+. Health/Lifestyle Issues: Active individuals that are focused on healthy food and dieting.   Over 90% of this group are members of gyms. Social Pattern:   Will more likely attend alone. Centers selling point:  Close to work.   The session lowers stress Read more: http://www.bplans.com/yoga_center_business_plan/market_analysis_summary_fc.cfm#ixzz12jE7sIS6 http://www.yogajournal.com/for_teachers/983?page=3 http://www.yogaintheworkplace.ca/2005/01/statistics-canada-released-canadian.html The percentage of adults, age 20 to 39, at risk for health problems because of expanding waistlines has quadrupled in the last 30 years, from 5% to 21% for men, and from 6% to 31% in women. Between  1981  and  2009, fitness levels of Canadian children and youth, as well as those of adults, declined significantly, according to the first findings from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). This is the most comprehensive national survey ever conducted in Canada to determine fitness levels. The CHMS captured key information relevant to the health of Canadians by means of direct physical measurements, such as body measurements, cardio-respiratory fitness, musculoskeletal fitne Target Market How old are they? What gender are they? Where do they live? What is their family structure (number of children, extended family, etc.)? What is their income? What do they do for a living? What is their lifestyle like? How do they like to spend their spare time? What motivates them? What is the size of your target market? But dont stop here when youre writing a business plan. To define your target market, you need to ask the specific questions that are directly related to your products or services. For instance, if you plan to sell computer-related services, you need to know things such as how many computers your prospective customer owns. If you plan on selling garden furniture and accessories, you need to know what kinds of garden furniture or accessories your potential customers have bought in the past, and how often. Projections About The Target Market What proportion of your target market has used a product similar to yours before? How much of your product or service might your target market buy? (Estimate this in gross sales and/or in units of product/service sold.) What proportion of your target market might be repeat customers? How might your target market be affected by demographic shifts? How might your target market be affected by economic events (e.g. a local mill closing or a big-box retailer opening locally)? How might your target market be affected by larger socioeconomic trends? How might your target market be affected by government policies (e.g. new bylaws or changes in taxes)? Writing the Market Analysis Section of the Business Plan Once you have all this information, youll write the Market Analysis in the form of several short paragraphs. Use appropriate headings for each paragraph. If you have several target markets, you may want to number each. (See the sidebar for a sample of this section of the business plan, from the Royal Bank.) Remember to properly cite your sources of information within the body of your Market Analysis as you write it. You and other readers of your business plan will need to know the sources of the statistics or opinions that youve gathered from others. The How to Write a Business Plan instructions continue on the next page are tips for researching the market analysis section of the business plan, including sources for Canadian information. Online Market Research Sources When youre researching the Market Analysis section of the business plan, Statistics Canada is an excellent place to start your market research. Their Community Profiles offer free information about all Canadian communities. Here youll find information such as Earnings and Work statistics, conveniently presented for easy comparison between the community and the province its located in. You may also want to take a look at Statistic Canadas Studies section; you might find one thats relevant to your market research. In Doing Industry Research When Writing a Business Plan, I wrote about several other excellent online sources of information for researching the business plan, such as provincial and territorial statistics offices and Canadian Economy Online, which may also be useful when youre researching the Market Analysis. GDSourcing Research Retrievals Canadian Market Resources is a must-visit page when youre researching online; it lists free and low-cost sources of demographic and psychographic data geared to small businesses. Offline Market Research Sources But there are also a great many local resources for information about your target market that youll want to explore. Besides the local library, the local Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade, City Hall, Economic Development Centre, local government agents office, provincial business ministry, local phone book and yellow pages will all have information that will help you define your target market and provide insights into trends. Doing Your Own Market Research These are all secondary sources of information (Others have conducted the research and compiled the information.) You may also want to conduct your own market research (use primary data). For instance, you might want to design a questionnaire and survey your target market to learn more about their habits and preferences relating to your product or service. My article, Do-It-Yourself Market Research, explains the basics of market research and gives tips for sampling and accessing your target market. Does all this sound time-consuming? It is. But it needs to be done if your business plan is going to have any validity. You can have the most fantastic product or service in the world, but if no ones interested in buying it, it will just gather dust. If you dont have the time or the research skills to thoroughly define your target market yourself, hiring a person or firm to do the market research for you can be a wise investment. Statistics Canada http://sbinfocanada.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJzTi=1sdn=sbinfocanadacdn=moneytm=38gps=347_226_1259_621f=00su=p284.9.336.ip_p649.3.336.ip_tt=2bt=1bts=1zu=http%3A//cansim2.statcan.ca/cgi-win/cnsmcgi.exe%3FLang%3DE%26AS_Action%3DFind%26ResultTemplate%3DStudies/StudiesHome1%26AS_Univ%3D1 Statistics Canada, Higher income individuals http://sbinfocanada.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJzTi=1sdn=sbinfocanadacdn=moneytm=38gps=347_226_1259_621f=00su=p284.9.336.ip_p649.3.336.ip_tt=2bt=1bts=1zu=http%3A//cansim2.statcan.ca/cgi-win/cnsmcgi.exe%3FLang%3DE%26AS_Action%3DFind%26ResultTemplate%3DStudies/StudiesHome1%26AS_Univ%3D1

Friday, September 20, 2019

Ashok Mehta Committee

Ashok Mehta Committee The Committee commands that community development would solely be deep and enduring once the community was concerned within the coming up with, decision-making and implementation method (GOI Report, 1957) .The suggestions were for as follows: AN early institution of elective native bodies and devolution to them of necessary resources, power and authority, The essential unit of democratic decentralization was at the block / samiti level since the realm of jurisdiction of the native body ought to neither be overlarge nor too tiny. Such body should not be strained by an excessive amount of management by the govt or government agencies, The body should be planted for 5 years term by indirect elections from the village panchayats, Its functions ought to cowl the event of agriculture altogether its aspects, the promotion of native industries et al. Services like beverage, road building, etc., ought to be provided by Dr. and The upper level body, Zilla Parishad, would play AN consultatory role. The committee counseled the institution of three-tier panchayet bodies The structure envisaged enclosed directly elective panchayet for a village or a gaggle of villages, AN government body referred to as panchayet Samiti for a block with directly elective ANd co-opted members and an consultatory body, Zilla Parishad, with AN ex-officio member from the lower tier and therefore the District Collector because the chairman. it had been left to the states to just accept and affect the recommendations of the committee as per the stress of the case. Consequently, solely a couple of states established PRIs. Ashok Mehta Committee In Dec 1977, with the modification of presidency at the central level, the Janata party Government appointed a committee on Panchayati rule establishments below the post of Ashok Mehta. the intense review was taken of the weaknesses within the functioning of Panchayati rule. the main target was on the removal of rural economic condition and state. The government resolution during this respect reads ‘the government accords the very best priority to rural development therefore on increase agriculture production, produce employment , eradicate economic condition and produce regarding all spherical improvement within the rural economy. The Committee, when having a close study of the succeeding phases of panchayati rule, finished that the grass root establishments area unit grasses while not roots and a caricature of government and created the subsequent recommendations: The district could be a viable social unit that coming up with, co-ordination and resource allocations area unit possible and technical experience offered, PRIs as a two-tier system, with Mandal panchayet at the bottom and Zilla Parishad at the highest, The PRIs area unit capable of designing for themselves with the resources offered to them, District coming up with ought to pay attention of the urban-rural time, Representation of SCs and STs within the election to PRIs on the premise of their population, Four-year term of PRIs, Participation of political parties in elections, Any monetary devolution ought to be committed to acceptive that abundant of the biological process functions at the district level would be contend by the panchayats. The states of province, Andhra Pradesh and province passed new legislation supported this report. However, the flux in politics at the state level failed to enable these establishments to develop their own political dynamics. G.V.K. Rao (1985): In 1985, the G.V.K. Rao Committee was appointed to all over again consider varied aspects of PRIs. The Committee was of the opinion that a complete read of rural development should be taken during which PRIs should play a central role in handling peoples issues. It created the subsequent recommendations (World Bank, 2000): PRIs ought to be activated and given all the specified support to become effective organizations, PRIs at district level and below ought to be allotted the work of designing, implementation and observation of rural development programmes, and The block development workplace ought to be the neural structure of the agricultural development method. L. M. Singhvi Committee (1986): L. M. Singhvi Committee was shaped in 1987 for reviewing the functioning of Panchayati rule establishments. It counseled the reorganization of villages for making viable Gram Panchayats. The committee powerfully counseled that bigger monetary resources be created offered to those establishments. It opined that the Gram Sabha ought to be thought of because the base of a suburbanised democracy. most significantly, it counseled that native autonomy ought to be constitutionally recognized, protected and preserved by the inclusion of a replacement chapter within the Constitution. After the Balwantray Mehta study team reported , legislation was enacted in many nations except among the state of Meghalaya and Nagaland and UTs of Lakshadweep and Mizoram. Keep with the committee originated by the planning Commission that reported in 1985, a three-tier system exists in four states and a couple of of union territories. system along differs from state to state. In terms of structures, electoral procedures, powers and functions, theres a considerable selection among the council establishments adopted by the states. There are, today, quite 217300 village panchayati among the country covering over ninety six of concerning five.79 lakhs thickly settled villages and ninety two exploit the agricultural population of our country. theres a unit a concerning 4526 panchayet samithis of various terminologies at the block, Taluka or Tehsil level. There area unit a unit a concerning 330 ZilaParishads covering concerning seventy six of the district among the country; every ZilaPar ishad has on a mean thirteen to fourteen panchayati aim this and concerning 660 Gram Panchayati. Though there area unit unit aviations from state to state, it need to be generally declared that the functions entrusted to panchayati embody village roads, community wells, and maintenance of public parks, tanks, irrigation works, public hygiene, drainage, and varied civil services. In some states, area along answerable for primary education and square measure entrusted with functions regarding rural industries, primary health care, medical relief, women and kid welfare, maintenance of common grazing grounds and varied community funds and properties and provision of inputs of agricultural production. The extent and tempo of the involvement of panchayati establishments in basis developing with and implementation of development comes is besides subject to wide variations from state to state and even inside the states. Most panchayati establishments seem to suffer from grave insufficiency of resources that sometimes devolve upon them from assignments among the land revenue and water ra te and varied grants by the state governments; in some cases revenue comes from duty and assignment of forest revenue. style of the panchayati establishments along derives gain from taxes on building and non-agricultural lands or from surcharge on tax on transfer of stabile property. Variable in terms of yield, however not unimportant among the lives of Indians in rural areas, there area unit a unit a native taxes, fees, cases, tolls, license fees and varied similar levies, on trades, industries, facility, sanitation, lighting, markets, bazars, and hats, rest homes, bus stands, cart stands, vehicle parking animals, bovine ponds, fish ponds, slaughter homes, ferries, bridges, bovine grazing lands and business crops. The list of subjects on that levies would possibly even be created might not seem to suffer from brevity however the aggregation of yields and collections do suffer from chronic insufficiency notably among the context of the responsibilities that unit of activity or ought to be entrusted to Panchayati dominion establishments and their very important relating the standard of life in our rural areas.29 1.1.7. A Minisrty for panchayet Raj: The union ministry of panchayet rule (MoPR) was established on twenty seven might 2004 to specially take care of the implementation of the availability of 73rd Constitutional change Act 1992 and speed up the method of devolution to PRIs. The ministry has disbursed varied capability building programs, conducted analysis and evaluations and instituted rewards schemes to market devlotuion. The MoRP conducts 2 annual freelance assessment of the progress of regime on this roadmap – the state of the panchayet reports and therefore the calculation of devolution index for the panchayet direction and responsibleness strategy. This theme has been introduced in 2005-06 to encourage state governments to induce bigger devolution of powers to panchayats. 1.1.8. Functions of Grampanchayat: below the article 243-G of the Constitution of Republic of India, the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats area unit explained. Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, the assembly of a State might, by law, endow the Panchayats with such powers and authority as could also be necessary to modify them to operate as establishments of autonomy and such law might contain provisions for the devolution of powers and responsibilities upon Panchayats at the suitable level, subject to such conditions as could also be such in that, with respect to: a) The preparation of plans for economic development and social justice; b) The implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice as could also be entrusted to them together with those in relevancy the matters listed within the Eleventh Schedule. Sections seventy five to eighty three area unit regarding the panchayet rule establishments, during which section seventy five, 79, 80, 81, eighty two and eighty three area unit coping with the Gram panchayet. wherever as section seventy six deals with the functions of panchayet Samiti, section seventy seven deals with the functions of Zila Parishad and section seventy eight deals with the powers of the regime on the functions of Panchayats. (A) Main Functions of Gram panchayet (Section 75) – Subject to such conditions as could also be such by the govt from time to time, the Gram panchayet shall perform the functions such below: (1) General functions (i) Preparation of annual plans for development of the panchayet area; (ii) Preparation of annual budget; (iii) Organizing voluntary labour and voluntary contribution for community works; (iv) Removal of encroachments on public properties; (v) endeavor relief work throughout natural calamities; (vi) Maintenance of essential statistics of villages. (2) Agriculture, together with Agriculture Extension (i) Execution of plans for development of agriculture and horticulture; (ii) Execution of plans for reclamation of wasteland; (iii) Development and maintenance of grazing lands and preventing their unauthorized alienation and use. (3) Cooperation with Government and therefore the panchayet Samiti in exploitation, land reclamation and land conservation works. (4) Implementation of minor irrigation, water management and water coverage development plans. (5) husbandry, dairying and poultry (i) Implementation of schemes for improvement of breed of Bos taurus, poultry and alternative livestock; (ii) Implementation of the theme for promotion of farm forming, poultry and farm. (6) Fisheries Implementation of theme for development of fisheries in villages, (7) Social and farm biological science (i) Plantation and preservation of trees on the edges of roads and alternative public lands below its control; (ii) Implementation of social and farm biological science schemes; (iii) Plantation for fuel and implementation of schemes for fodder development. (iv) Polishing off of programme for development and promotion of sericulture. (8) Minor forest manufacture (i) Providing for assortment, processing, storage and promoting of minor forest manufacture. (9) Khadi, Village and bungalow industries (i) Implementation of schemes for development of village and bungalow industries; (ii)Making schemes for development of agricultural and industrial industries and implementing them; (iii) Organising awareness camps, seminars and coaching programmes, agricultural and industrial exhibitions for good thing about rural areas. (10) Rural Housing (i) Implementation of rural housing schemes; (ii) Distribution of house sites inside its jurisdiction; (iii) Maintenance of records concerning building sites and alternative personal and public properties. (11) Beverage facilities (i) Construction, repair and maintenance of public wells, ponds and hand pumps for beverage, laundry garments and bathing; (ii) Taking measures for hindrance and management of water pollution; (iii) Conducting and maintaining rural facility scheme; (iv) Management of water sources. (12) Roads, buildings, bridges, culverts, water ways that and alternative means that of communication (i) Construction and maintenance of rural roads, drains and bridges culverts. (ii) Maintenance of the building below its management or transferred by the govt or any public authority. (iii) Maintenance of boats, ferries and water ways that. (13) Rural Electrification (i) Provision for and maintenance of lighting public streets and alternative places; (ii) serving to rural electrification. (14) Non standard energy supply (i) Promotion and development of non- standard energy sources; (ii) Maintenance of community non standard energy sources together with bio gas plants; (iii) Propagation and content of improved ovens and alternative energy means that. (15) Economic condition alleviation programme (i) Promotion of public awareness and participation in economic condition alleviation programmes for economic condition and creation of productive assets; (ii) Choice of beneficiaries below varied programmes through Gramsabhas; (iii) Guaranteeing effective implementation and observation of schemes.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Bram Stoker’s Dracula Essay -- English Literature

Bram Stoker’s Dracula Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a classic example of Gothic writing. Gothic writing was very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the early centuries, Gothic writing would frighten the audience and it was also used as a style of architecture. Dracula, which was first published in 1897, would definitely cause a shock as there was a supernatural being, roaming around sucking people’s blood by the neck. Gothic literature usually includes vampires, monsters or some type of ancient mystical creature. It is also set in medieval castles with secret passages, dungeons and ghost places. There are various types of Gothic literature such as romance and horror. There is just usually horror used but mixing both has also become very popular. Romance on its own was very well-liked in the 19th century. The word Gothic actually comes from the Goths language. A Goth was considered one of a German tribe who invaded Eastern and Western Europe. Gothic was a type of architecture prevalent in Western Europe in the 12th - 16th centuries, it was barbarous, rude and uncouth. Dracula contains a lot Gothic conventions which incite the reader. A convention is the main point of a specific type of writing, for example in Dracula there is the use of journeys/quests, diaries, letters, journals, weird places and strange creatures. These conventions are essential in the story of Dracula and it is important to understand them. Dracula, just like any other gothic piece of writing has a villain/vampire-Dracula, a hero-Jonathan Harker and a victim-Mina. Van Helsing also plays a main role as the slayer of Dracula. Chapter 1, like a lot of the other chapters is written in journal style. This journal is of the main ... ...safe and also the plan to kill Dracula. There is more than one convention but still it will not excite the reader as much as the other chapters. Bram Stoker has created such an effective piece of Gothic Writing as the reader can feel how it would be if they were in the same predicament as some of the characters such as Mina and Jonathan. The conventions express one’s feelings out clear like all the opinions in the journals and the letters to each other. Suspense and fear are something that people express in their own way, not everyone can find the same thing frightening. Some people may just be scared of seeing Dracula and the way he kills everyone by sucking their blood, other people may fear turning into a vampire or becoming a victim. He tries to make us see how it would feel like, if there was a blood thirsty monster staring at you, ready to pounce!

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Justice in Aeschylus The Oresteia Essay -- Aeschylus Oresteia

Justice in Aeschylus' The Oresteia How can an endless and violently destructive cycle be just? The concept appears in places along the human timeline as diverse as the Bible and West Side Story. Why do people have a tendency to amplify and repeat violence through a cycle of murder and revenge, and how can this destructive process be called justice? In The Oresteia, the cycle is a familiar one, but is also interweaved with gender issues and a sense of justice that changes within the cycle itself. Instead of focusing on one book of the trilogy, I think it will be more worthwhile to see how these patterns flow through all three books.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The first chapter of the trilogy is the story of Agamemnon, the war hero of Troy who returns home after 10 years. The King had left on a rather sour note, having murdered his daughter Iphigenia to appease the Gods in order for the fleet to sail for Troy. Clytomnestra, the Queen, cannot understand the sacrifice. This is the first occurrence of the so-called gender battle in the trilogy. Agamemnon’s actions are typical of the classic Greek ‘male’ point of view. He is mostly concerned with issues of war, honor and the welfare of the city. Clytomnestra, in contrast, is more concerned with ‘female’ issues, such as the welfare of the family. The Queen, during the King’s absence, becomes obsessed with her daughter’s death, and takes a new lover to the exclusion of her remaining children in an attempt to steal control over the city. When Agamemnon returns, instead of a faithful wife he finds a quick death at the hands of Aegithus. It is interesting to note that another person is also killed, an innocent. Clytomnestra kills Cassandra, a prophetic girl brought home from Troy, on a whim... ...ause it would only allow him to act out more injustice. Still, the idea of making him a better person relative to the values of society is somewhat anti-Socratic. Socrates would rather there be an absolute ideal, without room for human opinion or emotion. Unfortunately, practical situation often preclude the actualization of his ideal. His logic still entails to the idea of relative justice. In modern terms, this would be akin to sentencing criminals to time in therapy or mental health institutes rather than incarceration. This is not so radical a departure from what proponents of capital punishment suggest. But is society ready for a justice system where the guilty are not punished? I don’t think so. As sad as it may seem, the human tendency for hate overrides true justice. Works Cited: Aeschylus. Oresteia. Trans. Peter Meineck. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1998

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Becoming a Medical Billing Specialist Essay

Becoming a Medical Billing Specialist Keisha Marselis SLS 1105-65 Strategies for Success March 20, 2010 Becoming a Medical Billing Specialist I love working with people and on computers. So I looked for a career where I can do both. Deciding to become a Medical Billing Specialist was the perfect choice for me. When I first entered into the medical field, I became a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant). I love doing my job because I was able to help others in need. As time passed I knew I wanted to do more but I just didn’t know what that was. Then one day I went to the doctor’s office with a patient for a routine checkup and I started talking to one of the medical assistants. She asked me if I liked my job. I told her that I love what I did but I wanted something more. I also mentioned that I had went to school for basic computer training before I went to school for CNA. Then she said that I should think about going to school for Medical Billing and Coding. When I started looking into the field, I was astonished. I would be able to do the two things I love, working with people and on computers. I discover that a person interested in medical billing and coding should have excellent knowledge of the field, is willing to help those in need and have flexibility to obtain additional training for job advancement. â€Å"Medical coding is a key step in the medical billing process. Every time a patient receives professional health care in a physician’s office, hospital outpatient facility or ambulatory surgical center(ASC), the provider must code and create a claim to be paid, whether by a commercial payer, the patient or CMS(The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services)† (American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), 2010). A medical coder’s main job is to look over patient’s records and other information to code and classify a patient’s diagnosis or procedure. Then they must assign and input the correct diagnostic code to establish the amount of money a provider receives from the insurer. Coders are also responsible for making sure codes meet all federal, legal and insurance regulations. Jeffress (2003-2010) specifies that â€Å"the healthcare industry depends on skilled medical billing and coding specialists to accurately record and register patient information, verify their insurance policies, and keep track of patient accounts†. When a patient comes in to the doctor’s office, you are the first and last person they come in contact with. So it is important that you get all of the patient’s information to properly start off their file. You also have to make sure the patient has their proper health insurance and understand what their responsibilities are for co-payment, if needed. They would have to fill out different documentation about them and their family medical history. It is also important to help them understand how to fill out these forms so that everything can be properly documented in their file. When the patient sees the doctor, he/she will have a somewhat understanding of why the patient is visiting. While the patient is seeing a doctor, the doctor may tell them a few things that they might not understand. So the patient might come and ask you questions pertaining to what the doctor just told them. By being trained in the field you learn about medical terminology. This is when you breakdown what was told to them. You would be able to explain to them the medical diagnosis or procedure the doctor has told them about. Help them understand what the doctor wants them to do.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Hopes and Dreams Help People to Survive, Even if they can Never Become Real Essay

How is this true for George and Lennie/ the characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’? An important theme in ‘Of Mice and Men’ is that of hopes and dreams. The main dream is that of George and Lennie to own a smallholding and work self-sufficiently. Indeed the story both begins and ends with George narrating the dream to Lennie. As well as George and Lennie other characters such as Candy, Crooks, Curley and Curley’s wife have dreams also. All of these hopes and dreams affect the way the characters behave throughout the novel. The book is set during the American depression of the 1930s after the Wall Street Crash of 1929. During this period many Americans struggled to make ends meet. Many left their old lives in the cities of the East, such as Boston or New York, and travelled West to forge new lives for themselves based on agriculture, † An’ live off the fatta the lan’.† This became the ‘American Dream,’ this is the dream of George and Lennie. For George the dream serves two main roles. The first is that it makes him strive towards something, giving him ambition and a fantasy of betterment. This makes him a better person because he is careful with his money, doesn’t go out drinking or to the brothel, but instead is careful of his responsibilities, â€Å"Me an’ Lennie’s rollin’ up a stake, I might go in an’ set and have a shot, but I ain’t puttin’ out no two and a half.† This allows him to cope with a life that he is dissatisfied with because he can use the dream to escape reality for a short while. The second function of the dream for George is that it is an integral part of his friendship with Lennie. George uses the dream to control Lennie as he behaves himself and works hard looking forward to the realisation of the dream. It is important for George that he continues his friendship with Lennie partly for companionship and party for more selfish reasons that Lennie is able to protect George and makes him feel and seem more intelligent. The dream is important to Lennie for similar reasons to why it is important to George. Primarily it keeps him on the straight and narrow, it makes him work hard, control his violent urges and obey George. He does this for fear of losing his role in the dream, â€Å"you ain’t gonna get in no trouble, because if you do, I won’t let you tend the rabbits.† The dream is also beneficial to Lennie because it allows him to die peacefully. Not only are his final thoughts about tending the rabbits and living happily ever after but he is also spared imprisonment or hanging by George’s devotion to the dream and hence Lennie. The most important function of this dream is to keep them together. Despite George constantly saying â€Å"God a’ mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy.† he stays with Lennie because they have made this dream together and are both striving to make it real. Lennie knows that he must stay with George because if he left he would lose this dream. George and Lennie’s dream is so powerful it draws others in such as Candy and Crooks. Candy is described as, â€Å"grinning with delight† as George describes their new ranch together. This shows how little is needed to make him happy. Candy uses the dream to escape from his lonely and dull life where he feels worthless. Even though he may know it will never become real it gives him, too, something to work for and some comfort, as he will then be looked after in his old age. The relationship between George and Lennie is mirrored in the relationship between Candy and his dog. Candy could not shoot his dog but got Carlson to do it for him. He soon regretted allowing this, â€Å"I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn’t ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog.† This prepares the reader for George shooting Lennie and shows that it was the right thing to do. Crooks also gets caught up in the dream despite how much more cynical he is, â€Å"You guys is just kiddin’ yourself. You’ll talk about it a hell of a lot, but you wont get no land.† This shows how powerful this particular dream is, how they have made it so real as even Crooks want to believe the dream can come true despite what he knows about the world. As the novel progresses the reader becomes more and more like Crooks and pessimistic about the dream ever becoming realised. The dream helps Crooks feel accepted by white men as he is now a part of their dream and included by them. It makes him too feel worthy of something. Crooks’ role is to prepare the reader with his pessimism for the failure of the dream. This dream helps all these four men in a positive way as it gives them all incentive to work harder, save money and not spend it all at the brothel, it helps build friendship and trust. However not all the dreams in ‘Of Mice and Men’ help people to survive in this way, Curley and Curley’s wife’s dreams influence their characters negatively. Curley is a small man with a grudge against the world. He is very angry that he is small and so picks fights with those bigger than himself â€Å"He’s alla time picking scraps with big guys.† His own hope is that he can prove himself to be a big tough guy and get the respect of the other men, he tries to fulfil this with his boxing but still he is a laughing stock with the workers, as he cannot control his own wife. Similarly, Curley’s wife has an unobtainable dream of becoming a movie star. This is also for the respect of others particularly men. Curley’s wife is very good at using her sexuality to control men and also uses her husband’s status to control the workers. As she is unhappily married she uses her dreams as escapism that allows her to believe that she deserves and can get a better life than she has already. These dreams only serve to make Curley and his wife bitter. The difference between George and Lennie’s dream and Curley and his wife’s separate dreams is the effect they have on the characters. Curley and his wife are worse people as they are so caught up in not achieving their dreams that they don’t realise that they already have the dream life of many others. George and Lennie’s dream makes them look forward to a better life and has a positive effect on their current lives. Essentially Curley and his wife are already living the ‘American Dream’ and have the power, prestige and respect that George and Lennie aspire to. But still are unhappy and dream of having more themselves. Dreams are a product of dissatisfaction and this shows how mankind will always strive and dream for higher and better things no matter how much they have. In this theme Steinbeck is commenting that mankind is never satisfied and that dreams are an essential part of survival. Steinbeck’s use of colloquial language for the dialogue between the ranch workers for example â€Å"†¦an’ I’d get a job an’ make up the res’, an’ you could sell eggs an’ stuff like that† to make the story seem more realistic and alive. It also gives us an idea of how they spoke and makes the book more enjoyable for the reader. Using a great deal of dialogue in the book makes it more interesting and easier to read. Steinbeck uses light and darkness to focus the reader’s attention throughout the novel. Such as in the third chapter, the bunkhouse is completely dark but when George and Slim enter, the electric light over the card table is switched on and the focus is then on the conversation at the card table as there is darkness all around. And even though there are voices from the darkness the reader’s attention remains with Slim and George. Steinbeck does not use huge amounts of description however the way that he does describe the events is sufficient to make it seem as though you are actually there or allow you understand what it would be like. By saying â€Å"the thuds and occasional clangs of a horseshoe game† you can hear it in your mind and this helps the reader imagine the scene easily. In this way Steinbeck brings the characters dream to life.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Partner Selection in Joint Ventures Essay

Achieving constant business growth, in terms of size, sales, technology, skills, profits, and a host of other factors is the undeniable primary priority of most business corporations in today’s intensely competitive business scenario. Spurred by constantly changing technological, economic, and political conditions, most business managements continue to look towards achieving constant all round growth, not just to obtain competitive advantage and to satisfy their stakeholders, but also to fuel market prices of company shares, business valuations and the concomitant increases in performance bonuses and management remuneration (Beamish, 1988). Businesses have traditionally grown through strategies of internal growth and acquisition, acquisitions often enlarging the size of businesses manifold, much more in fact than organic internal growth could ever have done (Beamish, 1988). The recent acquisition of Arcelor by the Mittals of London is illustrative of how an acquisition can propel a company to the forefront of an industry in terms of size, sales, geographic spread, and profits. Capital acquisition, though undoubtedly the most effective vehicle for achieving strategic growth requires significant resources and is unfortunately not a very viable option for most companies, especially those which are young, dynamic, ambitious, and look towards achieving fast growth through enlargement of geographical spread, entry into new territories, accessing of new and more sophisticated technology, and enhancement of product portfolio (Gannon, 1993). Swallowing smaller businesses not being very possible for such organizations, their route for growth leads them towards forging alliances with other business firms through various arrangements, be they strategic alliances, representations, franchises or joint ventures (Gannon, 1993). Joint ventures (JVs) allow two business firms, irrespective of their legal status, (private/public stock corporations or partnerships) to come together through a legal entity in which both companies contribute equity and share in the control and profits of the venture. Very obviously joint ventures have many advantages (Geringer and Hebert, 1989). They enable and empower companies to increase and improve their operations by using their strengths, spreading costs as well as risks, enhancing financial access and strength, achieving economies of scale, and accessing technologies and markets (Geringer and Hebert, 1989). The JV process opens up companies to new thoughts, helps in increasing competitive advantages and enables them to achieve their strategic goals through the creation of synergies with other organizations, acquisition of technologies and skills and diversification of activity (Geringer and Hebert, 1989). With such a range of advantages to be gained from the activity the setting up of joint ventures has come to form an integral part of the corporate strategy of most progressive and ambitious companies. Definition of Problem Whilst joint ventures have become an accepted, popular and much used mechanism for the attainment of a number of strategic objectives of different companies, their rate of success ironically continues to be low (Harrigan, 1988). Some management experts, who have in the past attributed this low success rate to basic incompatibilities between different cultures and attitudes towards business, are at a loss to explain why the failure rate of such activity continues to be high even for ventures between companies that belong to the same country (Harrigan, 1988). To take the issue a step further there have also been occasions of JVs failing between two companies, not just of the same country but also of the same group (Harrigan, 1988). Although many such ventures do progress to doing business and making profits, their overall achievements tend to be less than what was originally envisaged, such mediocre results often leading to loss of partner interest, the relegation of the venture to that of a less important activity and subsequently to the search for buyers for the business (Beamish, 1988). International joint ventures of course fare even worse, a fact that has led many experts to wonder whether the establishment of joint ventures are strategically sound decisions or fall into the category of basically risky business decisions whose success depends on the playing out of a number of unpredictable factors (Beamish, 1988). One of the major reasons leading to failures or their less than happy performances of joint ventures, management experts believe, lies with the coming together of wrong people, or to put it in the perspective of one of the partners, the wrong selection of a JV partner (Geringer, 1988). Research Objective This research paper aims to investigate the various issues that are considered during the selection of JV partners, particularly the strategic reasons that are involved in the formation of international joint ventures, the areas of difficulty and the potential points of conflict that could occur between partners during the course of the JV, and the different issues that need to be considered at the time of selection of partner and the sealing of the JV. Methodology and Structure The methodology for researching this paper follows from the framing of the research objective and deals with the most appropriate means of accessing relevant data. Such methodology involves choosing between adoption of quantitative or qualitative research methods and deciding whether to obtain data from primary and/or secondary sources. Quantitative methods, being best suited for research papers that require data to be obtained from many respondents, are not appropriate in the present context. Considering the complexity of the issue being investigated, the subjective nature of information to be analysed, and the interpretation required, as also the need to answer â€Å"how† and â€Å"why† questions, the paper calls for the adoption of qualitative methods. The methodology entails collection of information from secondary and primary sources through the study of available literature on the subject, the bibliography at the end of the paper listing the various publications studied for the purpose. Whilst the study would have been qualitatively enhanced by direct 121 interviews with managers with experience of international joint ventures, such interviews are difficult to arrange at this moment because of the economic crisis and the tremendous disturbance in the corporate world. The paper thus depends exclusively upon a study of the relevant literature for arriving at the findings. Information available on JVs, although extensive and qualitatively rich, is fragmented, and information has had to be obtained from various sources. Whilst the paper is limited by lack of information from individuals with direct first hand experience of joint ventures, efforts have been taken to consult a variety of information sources from different authors and institutions for purposes of cross validation and verification. The review of literature is taken up in the following section, which in turn is followed by an analysis of the findings, conclusions, and suggestions.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Dell Computer Company

DELL’s Working Capital 1. How was Dell’s working capital policy a competitive advantage? Dell has achieved low working capital by keeping its work-in-process and finished goods inventory very low. The competitive advantage Dell achieves from this is that its inventory is significantly lower than its competitors, it does not require large warehouses for stocking the inventories and Dell is also able to adapt the fastest to technology changes in the components. The competitors would find it difficult to adapt to technology changes in a short time because they have larger inventories than Dell does. In short, Dell builds computers only when ordered and thus does not spend much capital as a result. The declining DSI means that Dell takes increasingly shorter days to sell its inventory. 2. How did Dell fund its 52% growth in 1996? Dell needed the following amount to fund its 52% growth in 1996 (using exhibit 4&5): Operating assets (OA) = total assets – short term investment OA in 1995 = 1594 – 484 = 1110 Mil USD Operating Asset to Sales ratio = 1110/3457 = 32% Sales increased from 3457 to 5296 Mil USD in 1996. Multiplying the operating asset to sales ratio by the increase in sales 0. 2 x (5296 – 3457) = 582 mil USD, which is the operating assets that Dell needed to fund its 52% growth. This increase in assets meant an increase in liabilities too, proportional to the sales. The increase in liabilities would be: Liabilities in 1995 = 942 Mil USD Liabilities to Sales ratio = 942/3475 = 27. 1% Increase in liabilities = 0. 271 x (5296 – 3475) = 494 mil USD S o, Dell would have an increase in operating assets of 582 mil USD and an increase in liabilities of 494 mil USD. The short investments would remain the same as it is not related to operations. Operational profit would increase with the Operating Profit to Sales ratio: (net profit/sales) x (5296 – 3457) = (149/3457) x (5296 – 3457) = 227 mil USD In all, we see that a sales increase of 52% has to be funded by 582 mil USD operating assets. The sales increase would also bring additional 494 mil USD in liabilities, while generating 227 mil USD of operating profit, with short term investments remaining the same at 484 mil USD. As a result, any two combinations of liabilities, operational profit or short term investments would be sufficient to offset the 582 mil USD operating assets needed to sustain the 52% sales growth. In 1995, as shown earlier, the operating asset to sales ratio was 32%. Similarly, the ratio in 1996 was (2148 – 591)/5296 = 29. 4%. The difference in the percentages is 2. 54%. This decrease in operating assets in year 1996 suggests that operating efficiency was improved by the same amount. Multiplying this difference in ratio by total sales in 1996: 5296 x 0. 0254 = 134. 5 mil USD, this amount can be reduced from the originally forecasted 582 mil USD to give the actual additional operating asset required to fund the 52% growth: 582 – 134. 5 = 447. 5 mil USD. The net margin in 1995, as shown earlier was 4. % (149/3457). In 1996 it increased to 272/5296 = 5. 14%. This net profit is an increase from the forecasted 227 mil USD (calculation shown earlier), and can be attributed to improved net margins. Also, we see an increase in current liabilities of 187 mil USD between 1995 and 1996. We also see that the sum of the increase in current liability and the net profit, of 199 6, is higher than the actual additional operating asset requirement: 272 + 187 = 459 mil USD > 447. 5 mil USD. Therefore, Dell funded its 1996 sales growth through internal resources, i. e. reducing its current assets and increasing its net margin. . Assuming Dell sales will grow 50% in 1997, how might the company fund this growth internally? How much would working capital need to be reduced and/or profit margin increased? What steps do you recommend the company take? For the year 1996, Operating Assets = Total Assets – Short term Investments = 2148 – 591 = 1557 Mil USD When the sales increases by 50% in 1997, operating assets are also expected to increase by 50%. So for 1997, Dell requires an operating asset of 1557 x 1. 5 = 2336 Mil USD. We should also assume that the net profit as a percentage of sales will increase proportionally by 50% for 1997. For 1996, Net profit as a percentage of sales = 272/5296 = 5. 14% For 1997, Net profit = 5296 x 0. 0514 * 1. 5 = 408 Mil USD For 1997, additional operating asset required = 2336 – 1557 = 779 Mil USD How could this be funded by Dell? Let us assume two scenarios Scenario 1: Let us assume the liabilities remain the same for the year 1997 even when sales increases by 50%, i. e. DELL would not go for any additional liability to fund the increase in operating asset and it would try to do it internally. As per the calculation shown in the attached exhibit, Dell would need 371 Mil USD to fund the increase in sales. The following are the ways DELL could fund this increase in operating asset 1. They could liquidate the short term investments of 591 Mil USD which would cover all of the additional funds required. 2. Dell could sell some of its fixed assets 3. They could reduce inventories, account receivables, and increase the account payables. They could bring down the working capital substantially by having a very low cash cycle. They could negotiate with their suppliers for a higher DPO. With the Just In Time (JIT) concept, they could receive payments immediately from their customers. Let us assume in 1997 Â   |Q4 1996 |Q4 1997 |Difference | |DSI |31 |20 |-11 | |DSO |42 |25 |-17 | |DPO |33 |50 |17 | |CCC |40 |-5 |-35 | So, there is a high possibility to attain a negative cash cycle which in turn saves on the working capital. Average daily sales in 1997 = 7944/365 = 21. 8 Mil USD Cost of sales in 1997 = (4229/5296) x 7944 = 6343. 5 Mil USD Average daily cost of sales in 1997 = 6343. 5/365 = 17. 4 Mil USD For the year 1997, savings due to improved cash cycle is Savings due to reduced inventory days = 11 x 17. 4 = 191. 4 Mil USD Savings due to reduced receivable days = 17 x 21. 8 = 370. 6 Mil USD Savings due to increased payable days = 17 x 17. 4 = 295. 8 Mil USD Total saving from cash cycle improvements = 857. 8 Mil USD Scenario 2: Let us assume liabilities for 1997 increase proportionally (50%) with the increase in sales, i. e. Dell would look for external funding for the increase in operating asset. As per the calculation shown in the attached exhibit, Dell would have enough money to fund the increase in sales with the corresponding increase in liabilities. In fact they will have an excess of 161 Mil USD assuming the long term debt remains unchanged. Dell could use this excess money to repay the long term debt or it could buy back some common stocks. 4. How would your answers to Question 3 change if Dell also repurchased $500 mil USD of common stock in 1997 and repaid its long-term debt? Let us assume Dell repurchased 500 Mil USD of common stock in 1997 and it also repaid its long term debt. In such a scenario, as per the calculation shown in the attached exhibit, Dell would need 452 Mil USD to fund the increase in sales. The points discussed in scenario 1 of Q3 holds good here as well.