Saturday, August 31, 2019

Examples of sudden illness Essay

If they are out in the sun for a long period of time they may get sunburn or even sunstroke. When they are eating they may chock on the food. If the pavement is uneven they could even fall or they may go missing Procedures to follow if accident/illness occurs If an accident or illness occurs you will need to assess the situation before you do anything once you have done this you may need to phone an ambulance, once you have phoned the ambulance you will need to inform the care home so they can then contact the family member. Once you have returned you will need to fill out an accident report. Principles to be followed for safe moving and handling Before you attempt to move anyone you need to assess the situation and more anything out of the way that may cause harm to yourself or the service user when lifting you need to keep your back straight and bend your knees you need to keep it close to you. Important to follow the care plan and communication It is important to follow a persons are plan because you need to know their need and their risk assessment. It is also important to communicate so they do not get worried and so other carers know what you are doing. Staff responsibility for medication The staff that is responsible for the medication are the ctm on duty if you go out a ctm will need to go to give the medication. All medication must be signed for and you must chek how it needs to be stored and how many are to be given and what time. Agreed ways of: Obtaining: to obtain medication you have to sign for it Storing: to store medication it must be locked away Administering: a ctm that is on duty must go with you to administer the mediation Recording: all medication that is giving to a service user must be recorded in the medication book Specialist training a)Carrying out emergency first aid: you may not know the correct way to do something and could cause more harm. b)Assisting with moving and handling : if you do not have the training you do not know the correct way to transfer someone or how to help them stand further more you could injure yourself or the service user c)Handling mediation: you can not handle medication if you have not had training.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Causes for the french revolution Essay

There were many causes for the French Revolution, which started in 1789. However there were three main causes that affected the decision to have a revolution the most which were the weak economy, a bad harvest, and King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette. These were the main reasons that lead to the French Revolution because these events were the ones that affected France the most during 1789. The weak economy was one of the causes of the French Revolution because at that time France was in debt. France was in debt due to helping the colonist become independent from Britain in the American Revolution. For example, in The French Revolution Begins reading it states â€Å"And he borrowed heavily in order to help the American revolutionaries in their war against Great Britain, France’s chief rival. † This is one of the reasons that started the French Revolution because due to being in debt King Louis XVI’s solution was to raise the taxes on the nobles. This was surprised the 2nd estate which consist of the nobles because they paid the least taxes of the 3 estates. Due to this action the 2nd estate called a meeting called the Estates General. In these types of meetings each estate would usually only get one vote but due to the fact that it would be unfair to the 3rd estate. So for this reason every person who was at the Estates General would be granted a vote. The Estates General was to basically approve the new tax. This meeting then caused the National Assembly, which was what the third estate was now called. The third estate pledged a tennis court oath that stated that they wouldn’t leave until a new constitution was made. They drafted a new constitution, which now made France a constitutional monarchy. In conclusion, this is how being in depth was one of the reasons that started the French Revolution. Another cause for the French revolution was the bad harvest in the 1780’s. This was one of the causes for the French revolution because people could grow their food or grain, which is the ingredient to make bread. â€Å"The price of bread doubled in 1789, and many people faced starvation† (French Revolution Begins). In my opinion, I believe that this is one of the reasons to start the revolution because the people back then were poor. They were poor due to the reason that most of their money went to taxes so, if their money went to taxes and they barley had enough to pay for how much the bread used to be hoe are they expected to pay for bread when the price is doubled. I also believe that this is inequitable due to the fact that it isn’t their fault that there was bad weather I believe that the king was just trying to get money. Doubling the bread price made people not have enough money and many people died because of starvation. In conclusion, this is how a bad harvest was another one of the major causes to the French Revolution. The last main cause to the French Revolution had to do with King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette. This I believe was the main reason for the French Revolution because the king and his wife were spending money on unnecessary things. For example â€Å"†¦she spent so much money on gowns, jewels, gambling, and gifts†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (The French Revolution Begins). Based on this evidence we could see how the money was being misused and how the queen didn’t even care about the situation happening with the people. Another example showing how Antoinette was a bad queen was â€Å"One year she lost the equivalent of $1. 5 million gambling in card games† (The French Revolution Begins). This example shows us how the queen spent money and when it came to help people put they were in depth. An example of how King Louis XVI was being a bad king was â€Å"However he lacked the ability to make decisions† (The French Revolution). In my opinion I believe that this is how King Louis XVI was a cause to the French Revolution because this quote shows how he did not know what was right for the people and did not know how to deal with all of the things that were going on in France like people wanting a revolution. This was a good thing for France because they saw that the King could not make any good decisions so they saw that it was a good idea to overthrow the monarchy and become a limited monarchy. In conclusion there were many things that lead to the French Revolution but only 3 things were the main causes. The 3 main causes were the fact that the French were in depth due to the American Revolution. The fact that there was a bad harvest in the 1780’s. Lastly the fact that King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette were spending money in a useless way and that they were making bad decisions.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Language Awareness[ 10th edition] Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Language Awareness[ 10th edition] - Assignment Example It is a negative word and should be left at that, as it has a significance that should not be forgotten. Since the true meaning of the term is founded in racism, it should not be plucked from its role and meaning, in an effort to render it impotent. Suppressing the word and restraining it in the confines of racist conduct continues to give the word social significance and a place in history from which today’s generation can learn of the progress made by society (Asim, 2007). Although efforts of making the term impotent have been made by various entities, due to the historical significance of the word, such efforts remain unsuccessful. The word can only be made impotent by restricting its use to history, where it played a specific role (Asim, 2007). Not using the word in today’s setting to try and change its meaning only serves as a reminder of past history and the tension that existed between the white and black community, since the word tags more than mere

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Mass Spectrometry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mass Spectrometry - Essay Example The first step involves production of ions of the compound by electron ionization. Each product ion is generated from the molecular ion. The result results are then displayed in a plot of a graph of ion abundance against mass to charge proportion. The ions give information concerning the structure and nature of their original molecule. However, the spectrum of a molecular ion appears at a greater value, which gives the total molecular mass of the substance. Mass spectrometry instrument consist of various components, the detector system that detects ions and record relative abundance of every compound, ion source, which produce gaseous ions and analyser, which resolve ions into their respective mass components. In addition, a computer is also required to monitor and control the instrument, get and manipulate data then use it to compare spectra. With the help of these components, a mass spectrometer can perform various processes. This includes, separating ions in accordance to the ratio of their mass to charge, producing ions from the compound, which is done in the ionization source, fragmenting and analysing ions, processing signals from detector, which are then transmitted to computer system and control the instrument via feedback and detect the ions from the last analyser and measure their abundance. This can be done using the detector, which converts the ions to electrical signals. Mass spectrometry has several advantages compared to the other analytical techniques used. It is highly accurate, can be coupled with liquid chromatography to separate samples further, and has a large mass range, fast, auto runs with sampler or direct injection. On the other hand, it has some drawbacks like it is complicated spectra, salts drown signal which takes more time to filter from the machine, a high intensity peak can eclipse smaller intensity peaks, fine tuning work. In conclusion, although Mass

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Examining Alternatives to Globalization Research Paper

Examining Alternatives to Globalization - Research Paper Example It is a fact that the people who are against globalization would actually accept anything that has an opposite tilt to what globalization has to offer. This would mean that the globalization ranks would simply be deemed as unacceptable as they do not bring forward any benefits for their entirety. When it comes to consumerism, they opine that the phenomenon of globalization undertakes measures to make sure that the most deserving individuals within the society do not get what is theirs. Also the element of consumerism has come about with the advent of time and globalization is one such facet which has made headlines due to a number of factors, most significant of which is the premise of bringing the world together, yet this hardly takes place as is suggested by the ones who detest globalization in letter and spirit. Thus globalization is by their standards a very difficult phenomenon which has no advantages so to speak. These people believe that immigration and nutrition are affected due to the advent of globalization in this day and age. There are individuals who do not believe in the dictum of globalization because it hurts the cause of the society from a collective growth and development stance.

Monday, August 26, 2019

None Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 5

None - Essay Example This paper will briefly describe the characteristic features of the Great Depression, compare the approaches of Hoover and Roosevelt to the economic and social turmoil, and explain Roosevelt's New Deal responses to the crisis. As a preliminary matter, the Great Depression was characterized by unprecedented levels of consumer debt, a decrease in international trade in the wake of the first World War, price deflation which compelled both individual and business debtors to cut spending while attempting to service higher than anticipated debt payments, a liquidity crisis which saw the money supply contract rather than expand, and a stock market crash as equity failed to yield anticipated returns (Bernstein, 1989: 33-35). In effect, stating the matter rather simply, money was disappearing on the income or loan side at the same time that debts and expenses were increasing. The consequences were disastrous. Unemployment increased, bankruptcies became commonplace, and huge migrations occurred as people sought new opportunities. There were too few resources for too many people; and where there were adequate resources; they were not allocated equally. President Hoover failed to grasp the pervasive nature of the economic failings; on the contrary, rather than approaching the crisis from a structural point of view, he chose to deal only with the more superficial symptoms of the crisis. More specifically, espousing a philosophical role of government which remained detached and aloof, Hoover refused to involve the government more directly into the market economy or social welfare. He was, in this way, a regulatory minimalist and he trusted that the business cycle and the American work ethic would sort out the crisis without substantial governmental intervention (Kennedy, 199: 56). These views became manifest as a policy of "avowed cooperation"; more particularly, Hoover encouraged certain reforms, such as bank deposit insurance, without supporting any more specific or comprehensive reforms. He was, in the final analysis, extraordinarily passive and ineffective in dealing with the scale of the disaster. President Roosevelt, on the other hand, was much more active and advocated a direct and deep intervention by the federal government. To this end, Roosevelt pursued structural reform, a broader notion of social welfare, and a governmental role in the economy which would increase demand and create jobs by entering into infrastructure contracts and becoming an active economic actor alongside individuals and businesses (Bremer, 1975: 642). Roosevelt distrusted both the free market and businesses in the forms espoused by theoretical purists; as a result, he approached the crisis from the point of view of the federal government helping to manage the business cycle and keeping the excesses of greed and capitalism at bay. Roosevelt was thus a reaction to the passivity and detachment of Hoover; his programs, incorporated as a part of the New Deal and the Second New Deal, remain important parts of our governmental structure and philosophy even today. The New Deal dealt first and foremost with restoring the integrity and the health of America's financial system; Roosevelt was thus forced to reform the powerful banks on Wall Street and elsewhere. This

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Book Revew Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Book Revew - Essay Example Acknowledging that her information is strung together by a lifetime of personal interest in the field and journalistic information gathering during her career as a writer for the New York Times, Dean’s book promises an overview of the issues involved and a reasoned plea for restraint in building up the beaches. In the final analysis, though, this book delivers high-quality information presented in a readable style that conveys not only the problems facing the nation’s beaches, but also the significance of this problem to the rest of the world. As an attempt to convince Americans not to build on the beaches, thus contributing to the erosion problem, the book is a success. Dean pulls her readers in by starting the book with an account of the devastating effects of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane and how the city responded. After outlining the city’s natural sense of vengeance against the uncaring ocean and its Herculean efforts to place it out of harm’s reach, she then outlines the long-term effects the sea wall and raising of the city have had on the coastline itself. Interspersing personal stories regarding coastline studies and devastating storms or other issues caused by erosion with factual and explanatory information regarding what these studies actually mean creates a solid argument against the process of building on the beach or attempting in any way to protect those buildings once constructed. Although she claims no scientific or special expertise on her own part, Dean’s work is widely recognized as a credible source for a number of other volumes including American Disasters by Stephen Biel (2001) and The Earth Around Us: Maintaining a Livable Planet by Jill Schneiderman (2003). As she outlines storm after storm and lost town after lost town, Dean continues to highlight the involvement of human encroachment on the

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Abortion (or Pro Life) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Abortion (or Pro Life) - Essay Example both from sociological and general psychological perspectives, however, an act of abortion is considered immoral and such consideration often tend to condemn women for their consent to abortion as a criminal act. According to the general humanist approach, killing or destruction of life is considered as the most heinous form of crime, which should strictly be condemned by communal and legal efforts. Keeping in accordance with the same approach, killing of an unborn life through abortion has received a great deal of criticism from people in different times at various parts of the world. It is interesting to observe that most of such criticisms are based on the basic principles of morality and ethics. At the same time, the social stature of women in a patriarchal society, which is derogatory and also is held responsible for resulting in different forms of immorality, also has received a dimension of interpretation. The modern feminist and humanist approaches, compared to the earlier times have adopted quite a liberal attitude towards abortion by emphasizing on the fact that women often consent to the execution of the inhuman process in order to retain their position and conventional social dig nity, as they are mere subjects of oppression in the hands of patriarchal society. However, despite the fact that there is certain truth behind such observation, but, keeping a close watch over recent times and analyzing the actuality behind acts of abortion, it will not be an exaggeration if it is argued that using those feminist and humanist approaches as shields of sympathy, women often consent to abortion and try to cover the act of moral wrong under pretention that due to social and cultural oppression they actually have been bound to confine themselves under such situation of performing immortal acts. Thesis Statement: The issue of abortion, within its scope encompasses a twofold problem, namely, the plight of women, confined within the hands of patriarchal social

Friday, August 23, 2019

Critical analysis paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Critical analysis paper - Essay Example l innovations, which have been made to enhance communications such as use of Skype, cell phones, internet, cable television and text messaging, have isolated the young generation from the adults instead of bringing them closer. He believes that communication technology has highly confused the young adults. Throughout his book, Bauerlein argues that technology has stupefied the young people, who are using these devices to learn pop culture instead of searching important information on civil values, history and philosophy. Bauerlein explains the alarming trends, which the American youths have adopted because of technology. For instance, he uses statistics to show the increased levels of college and high school dropout cases, which have increased because of communication technology. Additionally, he explains that the levels of illiteracy have risen, with young adults disregarding traditional values and knowledge. Bauerlein explains that these trends have been caused by advancements in technology, which have seen the introduction of the digital era. He, however, blames mentors and educators, whom he claims to be advocates of technology to be the chief facilitators of the changes that are experienced among the young adults. He claims that teachers have betrayed the young generation because they do not emphasize the significance of traditional values and knowledge. â€Å"Blame also, the teachers, professors†¦ who will not insist on the value of knowledge and tradition, who will not judge cultural no velties by the high standards set by the past†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Bauerlein 65). Bauerlein tries to explain how teachers have facilitated to societal failures by bringing up undisciplined learners. He argues that the form of education that teachers are offering and the teaching of digital media in schools is not sufficient to sustain the future of the young adults because it opposes traditional values. Additionally, Bauerlein claims that most educators encourage learners to establish their

Contemporary Art from the Middle East Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Contemporary Art from the Middle East - Essay Example The essay "Contemporary Art from the Middle East" discovers the exhibition Illuminance: An Elevation of Mind. The exhibition will feature the work of 12 internationally acclaimed and emerging artists from Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, and Turkey. All of the artists create sculptures and installations that reach beyond traditionalism, appreciating the authentic beauty of the culture which is being depicted. The work that these Middle Eastern artists have done is an aesthetic and intellectual adventure that records a personal journey and cuts a unique cross-section through culture. The exhibition focuses on the method of tracing and mapping a complex history of identity often misunderstood or misrepresented in the West. The exhibition also provides a new perspective that situates their work in an engaging and active space. Each artwork presents itself through multiple viewpoints: a fusion of both past and present, as well as between East and West. Moreover, the exhibi tion will include works by local artists including Adel Abdessemed, Dian Al-Hadid, Afruz Amighi, Yael Kanarek, Naama Tsabar, and internationally recognized artists like Mounir Fatmi, Susan Hefuna, Younà ¨s Rahmoun, Marwan Rechmaoui, Gulay Semercioglu, Mehmet Ali Uysal and Penny Hes Yassour to name a few. Illuminance showcases a variety of exciting ways in which contemporary artists are expressing themselves in the nuances of sculpture and installation art, which also includes collaborative efforts and mixed-media pieces.

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Wine War Essay Example for Free

Wine War Essay What changes in global industry and competitive dynamics led france and traditional producers to lose market share to challengers from Autrala, United States, and other New World countries in the late twentieth century? All over the ages, European countries were alone on the world wine market. They have a great heritage in production and are known and appreciated in all countries. They tried to exportat their products but they had faced problems ( like transportation which is extremely expensive and wine that don’t travel well). Also, producers tried to find solutions like new packages (glass bottles in the 18th century and early the 19th) but this was done outside a competition point of view. Unfortunately, the solutions found was not very elaborated and did not allow French wine to be largely spread in the foreign countries. They did not though that this non-satisfied demand in international countries would lead them in a â€Å"wine war†. Complex national and European Community legislations (taxes on exportations, little possibility to transform the wine and to create new excisting products around it, high cost of roduction ) added to the transportation problems did not allow French producers to satisfy the needs allover the world. Therefore, some countries began producing their own wine and also developed new processus and new technologies to produce, transport and market their product. Until today, United States, Australia, Chile and other countries manage to reach good ranking in sales and good reputation of their products. Their creativity, innovations and lower prices permit these â€Å"New world† producers to follow the demand and understand the new young generations’ and new wine-drinker-countries’ demand. During this time, countries such are France was struggling with legislation and continued to think people prefer French wine because of it’s quality and it’s long tradition. They just looked at the decreasing consumption of â€Å"classic†, â€Å"everyday wine†, without changing anything in their methods until few years ago. Where French producters never did anything to sell their wine, the new producers developed very good marketing strategies, and effective distribution systems. In the same time they also increased the quality of their wine and reached good opinion in wine drinker mind. The brand power that has been developed around these alcohol products allows international wine companies to defeat the French very high quality wine.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

How Does Deforestation Impact Birds?

How Does Deforestation Impact Birds? INTRODUCTION This assignment is based on the impact of deforestation on bird communication. Basically, there are two ways in which birds communicate, that is by powerful sight and vocal sound. They also have an important hearing also since they would have to different sounds produced by their own kind. Hearing is actually affected by noise produced from their environment. Because they have to fly all the time their vision has to be very active hence, they are well protected by nictating glands. They dont have binocular vision and this permit them to view all round vision. These well developed senses help birds to live in their habitat without much disturbance since they detect change quickly and migrate to safer grounds. Deforestation on bird Communication It is stated by (Raven 1988) that two-thirds of the worlds species are found in the tropical rainforest. Due to advance technologies and the demands of the worlds population for adequate survival there has been rapid deforestation increase globally that has resulted in extinction of species. Since most species are not discovered as yet, an accurate record on the loss of species may not be present. Only the ones registered under the IUCN will be accounted for. Generally, the total number of species lost globally will be difficult to retrieve rather than species found in a given region. Species that are not endemic will become threatened/endangered easily due to the fact that they havent yet be rediscovered. In todays world deforestation has made a great impact on bird communication by influencing their habitat and lifestyle simultaneously hence, emphasis is being placed to rectify the forthcoming effect on this outcome. Deforestation is known as the removal or destruction of large areas of rainforest and vegetation to fulfill the needs of the population. More than 80% of the earths natural forest have been removed already (national geographic). This activity is carried out by loggers who see this as a job opportunity since, it is being enhanced into lumber used for construction and decorative purposes. Loggers do this on a large scale without allowing the forest to revive. Farmers clear natural vegetation by the common slash and burn method, among others for agricultural purposes in which they gain an income and consume for survival. When the soil becomes depleted of nutrients they clear another area and leaves the former to erode away rather than replant. Natural disaster also plays a part in deforestation, some parts in the US have extensive forest fires that removes forest lives at extreme temperature. Forested areas is being exploited by policy makers to allocate housing for the growing populati on and mining activities to provide jobs for individuals. Construction of dams to maintain a affordable lifestyle for humans have also lead to deforestation and removal of biodiversity for comforting one population neglecting the others. Because of these activities other organisms has to pay the price by being endangered. There will be a reduction of biodiversity since their habitat is destroyed and those who can adapt very quickly will have no problem. Flooding of ecosystem will take place due to erosion of soil and no vegetation to infiltrate water hence, water table will be lowered. Limited space will be provided for adapted animals to share so their foraging activities will be reduced along with food supply. Drought will be more common since temperature will rise, surface water and that of plants will not be available for evaporation hence, amount of rainfall will be reduced. Lastly, there will be an increase in greenhouse effect which leads to global warming. Stated in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC article â€Å" Trees are natural consumers of CO2 which is one of the greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming by building up in atmosphere. Destruction of trees remove C-sink, release more CO2 by tree burning and decomposition.† Picture below shows large scale deforestation. Bird communication basically when a bird sings to claim a personal territory (Dr. Lee). They  tend to mark a particular property in a particular place which they need to do to show ownership among species. The sound is produced by their vocal organ or syrinix located between the junction of their trachea and bronchi. It is used as a communicatory device and also as body language communication to suit their environment and various situations in reply to their lifestyle and ecological behaviour. These include their feeding and foraging behaviour, they require large space among species to gain access to food. Hence, they sing to mark their territory of food and give indication for colleagues to feed. They would want no intruder and tend to extend their territory for alternative food supply. They give a warning call when they sense danger and also make sounds to evade predators. In some cases they use silence as a warning call so they wouldnt be detected by predators e.g. hawk. During flocking and social behaviour sound is needed to communicate among themselves and even others, in fighting and marking territory, courtship and mating, in nesting and parental behaviour and finally, in the display of male dominance. All these behavioural pattern requires a different sound to distinguish what sort of situation they are in before one can actually render assistance. Birds live conspecific in their habitat, by doing so they create a niche that would benefit them in every possible way such as easy feeding access, a range to forage in and a habitat they could call their own. The range would provide birds with food so that there will be no need for them to waste energy to acclimatize to a new source hence, feeding becomes accessible anywhere, anytime in that particular habitat unless there is disruption. Since their metabolic rates are high they would require a large amount of food hence, they have to indulge in foraging activities to supply themselves. After constantly ex ploiting a habitat they would have to adjust to new food sources or find other resources, thus a new habitat will be selected as long as they can survive efficiently. Thereby, more large spaces becomes available for them to graze and procreate. Deforestation entails the complete displacement of bird species or habitat loss by the large scale removal of canopy, trees and vegetation. These places provide a source of shelter and food for birds. In the trees most birds dwells especially when humidity is low, they rest and cool down in trees. In this thick vegetation a wide range of shade is provided hence, the area would have a lot of other wildlife that is used as s source of food for birds so they wouldnt have to fly long distances in search of food. There will also a continuous supply of of plant matter that specific birds feed on thus, these components will provide a community of bird species to inhabit this region. The removal of trees decrease the food supply of birds and they would have no place to call their habitat. There will be an imbalance of ecosystem. Birds will have to find new habitat to acquire their daily nutrient requirements. This may pose a problem since, there is no guarantee that the niche would be empty to accept birds. Other species may live there hence, food has to be shared and intrusion of privacy may occur. Some birds can tolerate these condition while others cant so you will find that the ones to adapt to this environment will survive (survival of the fittest) while the other will continue to roam if they find no satisfactoryly place their number will gradually decrease leading to extinction because there is no food to supply them. Now, if too many species inhabit the same habitat competition will lead to some species dying out and that habitat will be exploited over a short period of time. The cutting down of trees would leave the top soil vulnerable to leaching and erosion and void of any meaningful life. This would mean that birds who act as pollinating agent will not be able to do so anymore so land is left to become barren. Regrowth may take many years to occur. In well established habitat various species would create microhabitat in which they can carry out their person al activities such as breeding and reproduction. If no home is present birds cannot lay hence, their population will be reduced. They are also more exposed to predator since they will have no hiding space leaving more chances for them to become endangered. Birds in this state would have no social life since they would have to keep moving and get accustomed to new species, even if their used to be a benefit for their survival. The environment will also become unsuitable for mating since there will be no site for courtship because there will be a lack of provision of basic materials. In terms of nesting, materials will not be available to construct a comfortable nest for young to survive. When mother would go in search of food to feed them they will be more prone to predators since they will not be able to run away or defend themselves by flying high in trees because their is none and they would not be strong enough to give a warning call or produce a sound that would scare predator a way so they are being feasted upon. There will be no territory to mark since they lose all their living and feeding habitat. The land becomes dry and barren over time hence, tamper with the the nature and influence life forms in forested areas. Land becomes unproductive and serves no purpose. In the cases of natural deforestation it can be beneficial in some ways. It removes the vegetation cover but it also brings with it a rejuvenation of forest by adding other nutrients that can make the area favourable for a new group of species. It provides a variability of ecosystem over a period of time. Artificial deforestation change the whole balance of an ecosystem and birds lifestyle. It exhaust the soil and invade wildlife species. It weaken a forest resilience ability by exploitation of its resources and presistence. In Central Amazonia some species of galliform birds that disperses seed is being threatened due to hunting and habitat destruction (Mr. Borges). Because of deforestation there is need now for the conservation of these birds. Their reproduction is limited if they arent present in their natural environment. They tend to survive quite adequately in a regrown forest. In Southeast Asia there is quite a few numbers of threatened bird species (Thomas Brooks et al). this is due to the large scale deforestation done, which was suppose to held develop the countries. He thought only endemic bird would be prone to extinction. Based on the result he collected there was fluctuation between increased and decreased number of species. He concluded that deforestation affects species with small range and also bird species that will become extinct is very similar to the ones listed as threatened. In Australia a survey was done on quite similar bird species (Westphal et al) which showed that these birds adapted well to changes made in a few places in their inhabited forested area. They were able to live comfortably without making changes to their lifestyle. These birds are small and are very long distance flyers so they can adapt very easily. Based on the following investigation it can be concluded that some birds are vulnerable to complete habitat destruction. Some birds can withstand partial destruction of their habitat while some can adapt to the changing environment. This is due to the nature and structure of the birds as in how quickly they can do things for themselves i.e. some birds can fly and some cant and so on. If forested areas are gradually disappearing, some time in the future all birds are bound to be affected due to increasing predator-prey relationship, place to shelter and mostly because of a decline in food supply. To combat a situation like this policy makers are calling on leaders around the world to make a change. This can be done by sustainable forestry where parts of the forest removed is being replaced before it can be used again. In doing so, CO2 level will not increase in the atmosphere hence, more fresh oxygenated air will be available for bird to breathe in. Reforestation should also be carrie d out in areas than was completely exploited. This may take years so the future species will benefit if we start now since it is not a money consuming process. The little forest that remains should be conserved by using it wisely so that wildlife can be preserved and eco-forestry can be established. In other words by just having a forest pays, people actually pays to have a view of the various bird species worldwide. Legal wildlife trade can also be carried out to expand species richness. In addition to the decline of birds due to deforestation, it is not yet fully understood since much effects of this hasnt been stated clearly. A report carried out by (Duston et al) noted that in primitive times when deforestation was minimum bird species was still going extinct even before they became known to science but no reason was recorded for this. This must have been because the birds were hugh and clumsy hence, they were hunted to extinction. Most of them must have been flightless, competed for food and environmental conditions became unfavourable. Thus, modern birds evolve more efficiently for fast flight and increased activities. REFERENCES www://henriquebourges/artikelen/surinam/Z/Zwarte%20Hokko1 09/1988.pdf/09/11/10th geographic.com/eye/deforestation/effect.html/1996-2009/09/11/10th farmerking/avianbiology/vol1,2,34/1971/academicpress/n.ylondon/09/11/13th http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:10074/hp_le_18/2003.pdf/0911/10th

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Triumph Of The Will Film Studies Essay

Triumph Of The Will Film Studies Essay There are many contrasting opinions on the subject. Some believe that the movie is a piece of Nazi propaganda meant to promote the Nazi image and discourage its enemies. Others believe it is a factual presentation of an event, without possessing any intentional propaganda. Whichever the answer, it is well known that Leni Riefenstahls career has been haunted by Triumph of the Will to this day. To properly judge whether Triumph of the Will was a documentary or propaganda, an accurate definition must be stated. The word propaganda derives from the name of an organization set up in 1622 by the Roman Catholic Church to carry on missionary work, the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith (Congregations de Propaganda Fide). Today propaganda is seen as the systematic effort to manipulate other peoples beliefs, attitudes or actions. The propagandist has a specified goal or set of goals and to achieve these he deliberately selects facts, arguments, images, etc. to present them in the ways he believes will have the most persuasive effect. A documentary is defined as a work, such as a film or television program, presenting political, social, or historical subject matter in a factual and informative manner and often consisting of actual news films or interviews accompanied by narration. Originating from official documentation released for various reasons, it has since become the standard name of non-fiction programmers which attempt to present their subject matter based on fact. In 1934 Hitler commissioned Leni Riefenstahl; the only director whom he believed came close to rivaling the work of Eisenstein, to produce an artistic film about the Party convention at Nuremberg, Triumph of the Will. In her book on the film, Riefenstahl notes that The preparations for the Party convention were made in concert with the preparations for the camera work. In reality however, the rally was intended from the outset to be the stage for a spectacular piece of film propaganda glorifying Nazism. Although Triumph of the Will was indeed about the Nuremberg Party Congress, preparations for the rally were carefully constructed around the preparations for the film. The Third Reichs architect, Albert Speer, carefully constructed the groundwork for the event, with grandiose building arrangements and precise plans for marches. The city of Nuremberg became a stage-set for Riefenstahls film, with a sea of swastika banners, bonfires and torches. Riefenstahls cinematic technique creates a sense of feverish movement and a seemingly endless array of banners and people. Leni Riefenstahl has always claimed, however, that she knew nothing of the objectives of the Nuremberg Rally. When she described the conception of the film she said, Shortly after he came to power Hitler called me to see him and explained that he wanted a film about a Party Congress, and wanted me to make it. My first reaction was to say that I did not know anything about the way such a thing worked or the organization of the Party, so that I would obviously photograph all the wrong things and please nobody even supposing supposing that I could make a documentary, which I had never yet done. Hitler said that this was exactly why he wanted me to do it: because anyone who knew all about the relative importance of the various people and groups and so on, might make a film that would be pedantically accurate, but this was not what he wanted. He wanted a film showing the congress through a non-expert eye, selecting just what was most artistically satisfying in terms of spectacle, I supp ose you might say. He wanted a film which would move, appeal to, and impress an audience which was not necessarily interested in politics. In an interview in 1964, reprinted in A Biographical Dictionary of the Cinema by David Thomson, Riefenstahl made clear that she felt Triumph of the Will was a recording of an event, not a propaganda film, said, If you see this film again today you ascertain that it doesnt contain a single reconstructed scene. Everything in it is true. And it contains no tendentious commentary at all. It is history. A pure historical film it is film-verity. It reflects the truth that was then in 1934, history. It is therefore a documentary. Not a propaganda film. Oh! I know very well what propaganda is. That consists of recreating events in order to illustrate a thesis, or, in the face of certain events, to let one thing go in order to accentuate another. I found myself, me, at the heart of an event which was the reality of a certain time and a certain place. My film is composed of what stemmed from that. It cannot be denied that Triumph of the Will is a record of an event. It is a film of an actuality and happened when and where the film says it did. In an account of the making of the film, Riefenstahl writes that she was involved in the Rallys planning and conceived the event with filming in mind. As Susan Sontag (a revered novelist and director) reiterates in her article entitled Fascinating Fascism: The Rally was planned not only as a spectacular mass meeting, but as a spectacular propaganda film. However, by 1993 in The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl, Riefenstahl claimed that she was not involved in the design of the Rally I just observed and tried to film it well. The idea that I helped to plan it is downright absurd. The film was financed by the Nazi Government, commissioned by Hitler himself, completed with the full cooperation of all involved, with huge resources at her disposal an unlimited budget, crew of 120 and between 30 and 40 cameras. It stands as a powerful artistic representation of the ideas in Hitlers book Mien Kemp work, extreme nationalism, and belief in corporative state socialism, a private army, a youth cult, and the use of propaganda and the submission of all decisions to the supreme leader, i.e. himself. The film, however, reached and influenced far more people than the book ever could. Riefenstahl claimed in The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl that it was Not a documentary but a work of art, [there was] no commentary in the normal sense of the word. Theres no commentator to explain everything. Thats the way it differs from a documentary or a propaganda film. If it were propaganda, as many say, theyd be a commentator to explain the significance and value of the occasion. This wasnt the case. In contrast, Susan Sontag in Fascinating Fascism claims that it is the most successful, most purely propagandistic film ever made, whose very conception negates the possibility of the film-makers having an aesthetic or visual concept independent of propaganda. Just as there are critics who argue that Triumph of the Will is the filming of an actual event and, as such, is a documentary, there are others who speak of the sensationalist and propagandist techniques used to promote the event in the film. Images such as the opening scenes, where Hitlers plane is flying through the clouds, giving a sense of divinity and being above it all, and the clever filming of the crowds watching Hitlers procession on the streets which give the impression that every street Hitler drove on was packed with adoring people illustrate the use of these techniques and indicate more suspicious aspirations from the director. Of course, there are critics who choose a point of neutrality, favoring each side of the argument equally. They argue that propaganda is a part of all film. Paul Rotha (a famous writer and director of Riefenstahls time) said, In one form or another, directly or indirectly, all films are propagandist. The general public is influenced by every film it sees. The dual physic-psychological appeal of pictorial movement and sound is so strong that if it is made with imagination and skill, the film can stir the emotions of any audience. Or as Robert Flaherty (often proclaimed as one of the founding fathers of documentary film) so eloquently declared, Sometimes you have to lie. One often has to distort a thing to catch its true spirit. Many can argue the different options regarding Triumph of the Will, saying it is a documentary, it is propaganda, or it became propaganda unintentionally. However, three points which cannot be refuted indicate that Leni Riefenstahl intentionally made the film propaganda. The fact that she was chosen and funded by Hitler to make the event appeal to the masses would immediately let her know that she needed to produce a film which gave the people the impression Hitler wanted. The angles of Hitler above the adoring crowd as he speaks and the scenes of his plane coming out of the clouds are obvious propagandist techniques to elevate and deify Hitler. Finally, the camera angle manipulation in the film, which made the crowds seem even larger than they were, would not be present in a true documentary which sought to produce the facts. This is obvious evidence of conscious propaganda on the part of Riefenstahl. As such, it is safe to conclude that Triumph of the Will was an intentional piece of propaganda meant to persuade the people to follow certain values.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Essay --

All About Explorers was developed by a group of teachers as a means of teaching students about the Internet. Although the Internet can be a tremendous resource for gathering information about a topic, we found that students often did not have the skills to discern useful information from worthless data. So we set out to develop a series of lessons for elementary age students in which we would demonstrate that just because it is out there for the searching does not mean it is worthwhile. A typical novice strategy for searching the Internet is to type the topic into the address bar. For example, if you are researching Christopher Columbus, you naturally would look first at www.columbus.com. Unfortunately, as you will see if you click on this link, that is not helpful. Neither is www.columbus.org, which takes you to the Columbus, OH, Chamber of Commerce. There are many less benign examples of site names that do not relate to the topic they appear to be about. While we could use many of the existing sites that make this point for us, we did not want to run the risk of finding out in a...

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Coping With Computers :: essays research papers

Coping With Computers   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  While the twentieth century has proven to be a technological revolution, there has not been a single development with as much impact on our day to day lives than that of the computer. For many, the development of the modern computer has provided more widespread business opportunities, greater production efficiency, and greater convenience at both work and home than any other innovation has provided us with.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many of the degrees earned today did not exist twenty years ago. Many of the computer sciences degrees are based on technologies that were not even developed not so long ago. The resulting situation is a work force that has been caught with their ‘pants down.' For many of the senior members of this workforce, they are at a disadvantage when it comes to competing with newer college graduates in today's computer world. This article deals with the feelings of one particular person in this position.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Linda Ellerbee, a journalist and author owns a television production company. She also has her own column in Windows magazine. Her experiences with modern computer technologies range from the terminals of the 1970's all the through today with the Internet and e-mail.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of her first experiences with a computer involved sending a message over the AP news wire. As it turns out, she expressed her candid opinion on some very sensitive topics at the time, including but not limited to the Vietnam War. Consequently, the AP was not amused with the message and she was fired. At the time, this incident was popular enough to make it into Newsweek magazine.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Later on, she moved into television as a reporter, but now owns her own production company, Lucky Duck Productions. Here, she realized that computers act as the driving force in a technologically based industry. She also realized that the younger generations are certainly more comfortable and at home with personal computers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  While running her production company, she tells of her experience with her favorite ‘ghost employee.' In her efforts to find a system administrator, she was referred to Columbia University's Center for Telecommunication Research. There, she negotiated a salary via e-mail, and whenever a system needs to be set up the ghost does it over the Internet. Of course, the bill is sent with e-mail as well. As of yet, she still has never seen the system administrator.

The Ice Cream Incident :: English Literature Essays

The Ice Cream Incident The Ice Cream Incident Eric Mortinson November 18, 2002 There inevitably comes a time during the course of your life where everything you are employs itself to seek revenge from a friend or loved one. This paradoxical concept drives you to the point of hating someone you care dearly for. In the end, the typical result is absolute regret. This moment in my life came at the ancient age of 13. I was the intellectual king of my class. No cerebrum could surpass the database of knowledge I carried within me. This sovereign fantasy of mine was shattered on the nightmarish day Josh Renfro entered the 5th grade classroom at Evans Valley Elementary School. I knew immediately that I was outmatched at last. As the old saying goes, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em." That's precisely what I did. I quickly befriended Josh and became a study partner, even doing an intricate report with him. That joyous year of friendship was over within a few months, and a new challenge awaited us new friends. Josh and I perceived middle school as an educational joke. Most of the material being covered had already been noted and logged into our far advanced memory banks. Getting an 'A' became so simple that we resorted to analyzing teachers and their techniques (which we used for later use) as a form of intellectual entertainment. It was a little past the middle of our 6th grade year when the infamous incident happened. It was late in the science period when Mr. Harrison made an odd request of Justin Watkins and I. He stated that there was a short film that was going to be viewed, that therefore required us to assemble the ancient film projector. As Justin and I constructed and positioned the prehistoric projector, we concentrated hard on the correct assembly and use of this long forgotten technological marvel. Little to our knowledge, a minute science assignment was given to the class as Justin and I worked feverishly. The period ended after the short film; the day ended normally. First period came, and with it came the rumor of an unknown assignment. I questioned, "Josh, did we have a science assignment 'cause someone told me we did. I haven't heard anything about it." "Nope," he replied innocently, "Mr. Harrison didn't give us anything to do. We just watched that movie remember?

Saturday, August 17, 2019

IKEA’s Global Strategy Essay

Swedish company IKEA was the world’s largest furniture retailer since the early 1990s. It sold inexpensive furniture of Scandinavian design. The company operated in 55 countries with a workforce of 76,000 (the company referred to its workforce as its ‘co-workers’). IKEA offered nearly 12,000 items to the home furnishings market worldwide. It sold a wide range of products including furniture, accessories, bathrooms and kitchens at 186 retail stores in 30 countries across Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Australia. IKEA enjoyed high brand equity. | | In 2003, Manhattan US-based Interbrand, a marketing research and consultancy firm, valued the ‘IKEA’ brand at $6.92 billion and ranked IKEA 43rd on its list of the top 100 most valuable global brands, ahead of Nestle, Harley-Davidson, and Apple.3 | Analysts attributed IKEA’s success to its skill in combining good product design and superior quality with an affordable price. IKEA’s low-pricing strategy was aimed at young people. For several decades, IKEA had looked for international markets, which were culturally as close as possible to the Scandinavian market. The basic assumption behind IKEA’s global strategy was ‘one-design-suits-all.’ Anders Dahlvig, the CEO of IKEA, had once said, â€Å"Whether we are in China, Russia, Manhattan, or London, people buy the same things. We don’t adapt to local markets.†| IKEA had, in fact, been quite successful with its ‘one-design-suits-all’ global expansion strategy in many markets. However, industry experts were doubtful as to whether this strategy would translate well into new, culturally diverse and riskier markets. They felt that a higher degree of localization was essential for companies like IKEA to be successful in diverse markets. The Asian markets, together with the Middle East and Australia, accounted for only 4% of IKEA’s total revenues in 2004. The company was keen to increase this share in the future. Upon entry into the far eastern markets, IKEA faced a number of challenges in terms of varied cultural, demographic and market specific needs.| | IKEA opened its first store in China in 1998.  Although the company’s global strategy had worked well in the past in most of the markets it had entered, it quickly learnt that success in the Chinese market required a different strategy in the areas of Marketing and HR. | IKEA also had to alter two of the most important aspects of its time-tested and proven global strategy when it came to China; while elsewhere in the world, IKEA had always located its stores in less expensive areas and sold its furniture on the do-it-yourself (DIY) principle, these elements had to be changed in China. IKEA claimed that it had decentralized most of its functions incl uding HR and stores management in China, but despite this, there was criticism that IKEA was far too bureaucratic with many of its operations being globally controlled and systematized. Commenting on this, Ian Duffy, IKEA’s China retail manager commented, â€Å"We need time to learn and change in the (Chinese) market to become a success.†| IKEA should have many innovations to adapt to the China market. â€Å"At IKEA our vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Our business idea supports this vision by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them.†(Our vision and business idea, http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/about_ikea/the_ikea_way/our_business_idea/index.html) It seems not achieved in China market yet. Firstly, IKEA should have greater cooperation with local suppliers to get more competitive advantage of cost leadership. Secondly, according to the specialty of China market, IKEA should have some more adjustment to satisfy so many China picky customers. Thirdly, IKEA should intensify propaganda work to let more customers understand and accommodate the IKEA model. As an outcomer, there is a long way to be the winner in this huge and potential market.After a long time to research the China market, IKEA already understand the China market more than before. With accelerating the speed of expand, the success of IKEA in China market is only the problem of time.

Friday, August 16, 2019

Osim International

Contents 1. Introduction to Osim International4 2. Competitive Strategy4 3. Company value chain4 3. 1Innovation5 3. 2Operations Management5 4. Non-financial analysis5 4. 1Corporate Social Responsibility5 4. 2Consumer Sentiments6 4. 3Corporate Culture6 4. 4Customer Retention and Growth6 5. Global outlook7 6. Industry outlook of healthy lifestyle products7 7. Comparison between Osim and its competitors8 8. Osim Financials8 8. 1Company’s Financial Ratios8 8. 2Market Prospects9 8. 2. 1Osim on its own9 8. 2. 2Osim vs. Selected peers (VGO, Best World, Ogawa, Jacks)9 8. 2. 3Osim vs. STI10 8. 3Projected Performance10 9. Conclusion11 Appendix A12 Appendix B16 Appendix C19 Appendix D24 Appendix E25 Appendix F26 ? 1. Introduction to Osim International Osim International Ltd. (Osim) is a Singapore listed company; a global leader in the healthy lifestyle products industry. It has been led since its inception by CEO Ron Sim, the company’s value driver, instrumental in bringing Osim to where it is today, greatly influencing its vision, mission and values with his personal touch. The company has expanded to more than 1,100 stores in more than 30 countries worldwide. Within the next 3 to 5 years, they plan to open over 50 outlets and further expand their subsidiaries, GNC and RichLife. . Competitive Strategy In view of the current economic situation, Osim seeks to cautiously and optimistically ‘focus on building profitability, positive EBITDA and operating cash flow’ . Even though they have exceeded sales expectations so far this year, this may be challenging given that they operate in a niche market easily affect ed by consumer sentiment and other global events. Osim feels a strong balance sheet is integral to meeting this aim, achievable through enhanced operational efficiency and outlets being leaner and more effective in sales. With Brand Osim, they desire an image that is one with (the) healthy lifestyle’ . This demonstrates their aspiration to not only be the market leader, but to also be the brand with the best recall and association. Furthermore, Osim adopts a two-pronged approach of innovation and growth; creating demand through innovation and development to support the anticipated US market recovery and the Chinese markets’ expansion. There is also focus on their most important resource, employees; training and empowering talents with emphasis on corporate culture alignment. 3. Company value chain Osim’s value chain involves two main processes: Innovation and Operations Management. . 1Innovation Research and development (R&D) is a process given much emphasis as Osim strives to release new and relevant products to create demand and to keep a technological edge above its competition, resulting in products such as the iDesire and iMedic amongst others. This has won consumers and its efforts were rewarded in 2008, voted as Asia’s most preferred brand for massage ch airs . This is also inculcated in their brand image with their desire to include ‘intelligent innovation’ . 3. 2Operations Management Operations management includes Osim’s manufacturing and retail arms. Upon subjecting raw material to their respective manufacturing processes, Osim creates a product that it believes will add value for consumers and entice them to pay a premium to obtain their desired quality of life. Its retail arm works with an aggressive marketing department to promote their products. Whilst costs are high, the perceived product value added is proportionately high. 4. Non-financial analysis 4. 1Corporate Social Responsibility Osim aims to encourage a positive attitude towards healthy lifestyles. Osim Triathlons in various Asian countries , and the Osim Singapore Masters are some sporting events it has sponsored. While Osim promotes itself as a lifestyle brand, for example, through the promotion of the uSqueez leg massager which appeals to triathletes, they have also donated to the Children’s Cancer Foundation and supported an endowment fund with the NUS Business School . Osim has also demonstrated accountability to society by recalling its products twice . The urgency to recall defective products has shown Osim’s commitment to civic responsibility. However, the recall affected Osim’s reputation as customers were put through the hassle of claiming damages. Despite this, Osim’s branding remains strong and is still one of the world’s most reliable providers in its industry. Accountability to investors was also demonstrated when they came in runners-up in the ‘Most Transparent Company Award (Commerce)’ in SIAS Investors’ Choice Award. 4. 2Consumer Sentiments In a 2008 survey by Synovate , Osim attained the ‘No. 1 Healthy Lifestyle Products Brand’ in consumers’ minds across Asia. The findings show Osim’s strong Asian customer base and affirms its effective branding as a leading provider of innovative products with design and quality, performance, and safety standards. Furthermore, massage chair sales in China has maintained good growth with easy-to-buy payment schemes. 4. 3Corporate Culture A strong corporate culture inculcating positive thinking has been used as a tool to survive market movements. This tool is behind the entrance of new innovations and the extension of Osim’s reach into the global market. Besides this, substantial shareholdings by key management ensures management goals are correctly aligned with that of shareholders’ . 4. 4Customer Retention and Growth In 2005, Osim was rated by Nielsen Consumers as the number one brand in seven attributes . Osim is also a member of Superbrands . To date, higher end products are made in Japan, a country recognized for its quality and precision . Mid-tier to lower end products are manufactured in China to reduce costs. Although manufactured in China, Osim ensures reliability and quality of these products. The market share gained from the provision of quality products has been shown in the same Synovate survey as mentioned above. Osim has also invested heavily in marketing, often publishing its advertisements in various media to increase its brand presence. These include centrespreads in major newspapers as well as television commercials, reigning in celebrities such as S. H. E and Fiona Xie. This fortifies their brand’s credibility, with the aim of converting new customers and retaining current ones. In a way, they have already created a strong and secure customer base and exclusive attention can be placed on gaining additional market share within the region and globally. 5. Global outlook Since the global recession, the market has rebounded with the STI currently trading around 2,600 points, a level last seen a year ago . We are currently believed to be in the accumulation phase , with economic growth expected in the coming years. Global markets have stabilized while key export markets such as the US and Europe remain fairly weak . A rapid recovery is in line for Asian economies, but continued soft private demand means that fiscal and monetary measures must be sustained to ensure continued growth. 6. Industry outlook of healthy lifestyle products Osim’s business efforts are concentrated on an increasingly affluent Asia , especially in countries like Singapore and China, where there is greater focus on lifestyle and well-being. Health is a greater concern as busier schedules reduce exercise time. As Asia’s aging population finds new ways to improve their living standards, more may turn to increasingly relevant healthcare products. However, the lifestyle industry is most vulnerable to fluctuations in business cycles. With the downturn, spending is either decreased or cheaper alternatives are sought. 7. Comparison between Osim and its competitors Osim’s main competitors in the health-food industry provide competition to its subsidiary, Global Active Limited. Its main recognized competitors in the massage products markets include OGAWA, OTO Bodycare and Panasonic. Osim thus relies heavily on innovation, aggressive marketing and quality to distinguish its products from its competitors, leveraging on the fact that consumer preferences are easily influenced. Another form of competition comes in the form of imitations and inexpensive Chinese products that respectively devalue Osim’s brand and provide viable substitutes. This forces Osim to differentiate itself as a premium product and introduce a secondary brand, NOVO, to woo consumers with its affordability. With the expected future growth in the healthy lifestyle products industry and Osim’s stronghold on its base consumer markets, we expect Osim to continue outperforming its competitors, especially in its core business function. 8. Osim Financials 8. 1Company’s Financial Ratios Osim’s profitability ratios have been weakening over the last 5 years, with sharp declines from 2006 onwards. Profit margins dropped from the healthy region of 9% to 0. 6% in 2007 and finally into the negative in 2008. Other returns ratios like ROA and ROE have also dropped significantly from 2005 onwards. Osim’s sales fell from a high of S$623million in 2006 to S$457million in 2008. The low profitability ratios suggest that the company is not effectively utilizing its assets and shareholder investments to generate sales and profit, which is a cause for concern for potential investors. Its dwindling sales and profitability can be attributed to fierce competition from imitations, as mentioned above. Also, Osim spent S$149million to acquire 55% of Brookstone Inc. in 2005, which did not work out well, as Brookstone’s losses dragged down Osim’s profitability from 2006 onwards. Osim’s liquidity ratios, despite the poor financial performances in the past few years, have remained relatively stable. Current ratio has stayed consistently above 1, bar 2007, which implies that the Group is able to meet its short term liabilities with its short term assets. Interest coverage has been falling sharply, primarily due to the fall in operating profits. In order to continue its repayment of interest charges, profits have to improve. 8. 2Market Prospects 8. 2. 1Osim on its own Generally, share prices have been on a strong downward trend since 2006, with MACD crossing below zero for most of the period. Osim’s share price plunged 98% from a high of S$2. 06 in 2006 to a low of S$0. 05 in the start of 2009 before showing signs of recovery, rising from below S$0. 10 to the recent stability of around S$0. 45, an increase of more than 400% during the period from March to September 2009. The recent bullish trend has also been reflected in the strong divergence of the MACD over zero. 8. 2. 2Osim vs. Selected peers (VGO, Best World, Ogawa, Jacks) During the last 5 years, Osim fared poorly compared to its industry peers. It was the worst performing stock out of the 5 selected companies over the period from 1Q07 to 1Q09. However, focusing our attention on more recent developments, Osim’s share price has been outdoing that of its competitors significantly, due to its strong recovery since 1Q09. Osim’s stock has risen at a higher rate, and been the best performing in terms of absolute value. Another interesting factor is the recent significant increase in insider trading, with senior management aggressively purchasing the company stock and subscribing to excess shares through the company’s rights issue . Together with the hints of recovery from recent financial figures, the purchase of shares by Osim’s management and confidence shown in the company might just be the confirmatory signal of their turnaround in fortunes. 8. 2. 3Osim vs. STI On a 5-year basis, comparing the performance of Osim’s share price against the STI, we observe that generally, it has been underperforming relative to the STI. The period between mid-2005 and early 2007, which coincided with Osim’s best financial performance, saw the company outperforming the market. Since 1Q07, it has been underperforming by a large margin until the recent superior performance relative to the STI starting from April 2009. 8. 3Projected Performance Judging from the 9 month 2009 figures, sales appear to continue sluggishly and we estimate the total sales for 2009 to be inferior to that of 2008. However, EBITDA has increased by 16% as compared to the same period last year. Having fully written down the investment in Brookstone, future losses need not be accounted for, and Osim’s profit before tax is expected to improve to around S$33million for 2009, a marked improvement from 2007 and 2008. Projected profitability ratios also suggest signs of recovery with ROA and ROE estimated to be around 9. 02% and 21. 36% respectively. Liquidity ratios for the Group remain healthy as well, as at 30 Sept 2009. Post restructuring, Osim has emerged leaner, significantly cutting down expenses over the past 2 years. Hence, if sales pick up in the future, we should see a return of the high profit margins realized in the past. Osim’s current Net Asset Value (NAV) per share is S$0. 14. Compared against the average share price of around S$0. 45 over the past 2 months, the Price-to-book ratio is about 3. times, implying that the stock may be overvalued. However, the general price-to-book ratio for an average company is 7 times , showing that Osim’s share price may still rise in the future. 9. Conclusion With Ron Sim at the helm and the alignment of the senior management with company objectives, Osim stands poised to achieve its goals in the short term with its aggressive marketi ng and focus on a strong balance sheet during this time of economic uncertainty. They have earned the trust of consumers through the provision of quality products and good corporate governance. While they have effectively lowered costs, revenue remains sluggish. They plan to improve this through expansion in emerging markets as well as to take advantage of Brookstone’s strategic positioning in American markets. Whilst having derived ways to compete effectively, and with the industry expected to grow, private consumption will still be depressed amidst this period of economic recovery due to a lag effect. Defining a medium to long term as between two to five years, we thus projected that Osim, on its own will continue to be profitable as a going concern. While we recognise that outside the industry, there are many superior alternatives that have the potential to generate far better returns, which is beyond the scope of this report, we recommend that with regards to an investment solely in Osim or in the Healthy Lifestyle Products industry, Osim is clearly the worthwhile choice to invest in. Appendix A Profitability Ratios 20082007200620052004 Profit Margin (%)-21. 780. 65. 429. 299. 2 ROA (%)-46. 580. 868. 0510. 214. 6 ROE (%)-141. 921. 9619. 8728. 9726. 16 Cash Flow/Operating Revenue (%)-17. 984. 957. 8911. 812. 6 Profit Margin (%)-21. 780. 65. 429. 299. Profitability ratios measure the return earned on a company's capital and the financial cushion relative to each dollar of sales. Osim's low profitability ratios in recent years are a cause for concern. However, much can be attributed to the economic crisis and the write-off of Brookstone in 2008. Liquidity Ratios 20082007200620052004 Current Ratio1. 090. 951. 021. 111. 87 Quick Rat io0. 480. 450. 450. 671. 38 Interest Coverage-19. 052. 067. 751750. 95 Current Ratio1. 090. 951. 021. 111. 87 Generally, despite the poor performance posted in 2007 and 2008, Osim's Liquidity Ratios remained relatively stable. This implies that there are no issues regarding the solvency of the company and resources are available to meet its obligations. 20082007200620052004 P/E Ratio (%)n. a. 103. 6422. 415. 2912. 48 Dividend Payout Ratio (%)0219. 4332. 2315. 3415. 39 P/E ratio is an indicator of perceived value of a stock. Osim's unusually high P/E ratio in 2007 is due to the low EPS resulting from the poor performance posted in that year. Osim has been consistently paying out dividends until 2008. Hence, should performance improves in future, investors should expect to receive dividend payouts. Appendix B Projected Performance -Month Key FinancialsEstimated Figures for 2009 Sales335. 9450 EBITDA33. 845 Profit before Tax24. 533 Net profit16. 121 Full year figures for 2009 determined based on pro-rating 9-month figures to get conservative estimates. (in $millions)9mth 20099mth 2008% change2009 Estimated20082007200620052004 Sales335. 9346. 2-2. 98%450456. 7523. 7622. 9502. 5332. 2 EBITDA33. 829. 116%453935. 476. 754. 545. 4 Profit before Tax24. 5-19. 5225. 64%33-92. 25. 443. 651. 435. 3 Net profit16. 1-26161. 92%21-99. 53. 735. 845. 630. 8 (in $millions)9mth 20099mth 2008% change2009 Estimated20082007200620052004 Sales335. 9346. 2-2. 98%450456. 7523. 7622. 502. 5332. 2 EBITDA33. 829. 116%453935. 476. 754. 545. 4 Estimated Financial Ratios for 2009 (With Balance Sheet as at 30 Sept 2009) Profit Margin (%)4. 67 ROA (%)9. 02 ROE (%)21. 36 Current Ratio at B/S date1. 16 2009 figures suggest Osim is on the road to recovery. Projected Profit before Tax show improvement compared to 2008 and 2007, though not to the extent of 2006's high. Compared to 1st half of 2008, 2009 has shown improvement in EBITDA even though sales continue to be weak. .Charts with Projected 2009 Ratios Appendix C Osim Stock Charts 5-Year 1-Year Comparison against STI 5-Year 1-Year Comparison Competitors 5-Year 1-Year -Year Absolute 1-Year Absolute Appendix D Insider Trades Announcement DateBuyerNumber of Shares (Ã¢â‚¬Ë œ000) 23/2/09Ron Sim2002 13/3/093466 17/3/09953 27/3/0996150 31/3/09200 1/4/09200 6/4/092700 9/4/096500 Subtotal112171 23/2/09Peter Lee320 13/3/09950 31/3/09550 9/10/09270 Subtotal2090 23/2/09Richard Leow300 23/2/09Ong Kian Min1618 24/2/091000 2/4/09752 23/2/09Michael Kan300 2/4/09218 23/2/09Charlie Teo300 27/3/09365 6/4/09100 2/4/09Khor Peng Soon16 Subtotal4969 Total119230 Appendix E ? Appendix F Japan’s quality in manufacturing was taken from Fundamentals of Composites Manufacturing: Materials, Methods, and Applications by A. Brent Strong

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Should Animals Be Kept in Zoo

houldTopic: You are a member of your school’s debating club. Write a debating speech on the topic â€Å"Animals should never be kept in zoos†. You can either choose for or against the motion. Honorable adjudicators, Ladies and gentlemen, Today’s motion is â€Å"Animals should never be kept in zoos†. Our team totally oppose to the motion. Mind the word ‘never’ is used, which gives a very extreme meaning. Our opponents may say that animals come from nature. They deserve and have to live in their own habitat to make sense. We, human beings, should never disturb them.There should be a clear boarder between them and us. However, is the really practical? The following arguments will explain. First of all, zoos keep animals for educating the public. Zoos are not amusement parks or circuses, animals are not required to be trained to perform. I hereby show sympathy for animals which are mistreated. Ladies and gentlemen, Animals in zoos are real, which attracts the public to visit. There is information about each species and visitors can know more about a variety of species if they read the descriptions.Even if not, at least they know they exist such kind of animal on earth and appreciate the biodiversity of nature. Zoos can also organize programmes and activities to enable participants to understand more about certain species in detail. Clearly, animals in zoos are valuable for educational purpose. Secondly, zoos can preserve animals. Apparently, animals can evade not only predators but also natural disasters like earthquake, hurricanes and so on so forth. This helps them to breed. Then, animals are not endangered or to face extinction.We can now protect what the nature gives us, as this is also our responsibility. In order to safeguard a diversity of species, it is of no alternatives but to keep some of them in zoos. Ladies and gentlemen, we have destroyed the nature enough since industrial revolution, it is time for us to repay and protect animals by simply keep Thirdly, animals in zoos obtain research values. Scientists are conducting researches on numerous animals. This facilitates us to understand deeply in animals.It would be difficult to randomly capture a suitable wild animal, in good condition, for experimental uses or observations. Employing animals in zoos alleviates time constraint and inadequate manpower. Ladies and gentlemen, the more we know about animals, the better we can treat them. Of course, we definitely try to preserve their habitats in nature. To achieve that, researching is the first step. My teammates Peter will further elaborate on the part of education and Mary will give more details of operating zoos.Most of us, if not all, disagree to confine all animals on earth in zoos, which is actually no possible. We just capture a few of each species for preservation, just like the seed bank for plants. Our opponent may the argue people treat them cruelly and we also cannot create the exac t same environment for animals to live in. it is undeniable that artificial environment is not the exact same copy of the nature, which is what animals craving for.However, with advanced technology and better knowledge, we believe it is possible to simulate the nature for animals to live. It is not practical to refuse any degree of confinement of animals. Ladies and gentlemen, we anticipate a balanced sustainable development, which is on both environmental and economic sides, and we ignored the latter in the past. Conserving the nature has become our obligation and zoos are one of the best ways to complete this eternal task. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, today’s motion must not stand. I rest my case. Thank you.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Impact of Economic Factors on Engagement with Pro-Environmental Measures

THE ENVIRONMENT Introduction: On most occasions, conservationist, and authorities bureaus tell us on the benefits of conserving the environment. This is because the universe is witnessing a series of environmental devastations, which range from devastation of woods, pollution of rivers, lakes and air. People argue that it is of import to continue the environment because they play a large function in prolonging the lives of persons. For illustrations, trees help in the formation of rainfall, which is an indispensable demand for agribusiness to last. Forests are natural home grounds of animate beings, and on this footing, destructing woods, will intend the devastation of wild animate beings. This in bend will interrupt the environmental eco-system ( Brooks, 2010 ) . Despite the importance of conserving the environment, most people still prosecute in its devastation. The grounds advanced for their engagement in destructing the environment are, poorness, population growing, and hunt of income. This paper identifies the grounds as to why people still prosecute in the devastation of the environment, despite the of import function that the environment plays in our society. Search for beginnings of income/ gross: Search for beginnings of gross and income is one of the major factors that lead to the devastation of the environment. Take for illustration oil geographic expedition and excavation is a factor that makes people to destruct the environment ( Tisdell, 2005 ) . Oil is an of import natural resource that all most all the economic systems of the universe demand. Oil is needed to drive the transit industry, which is indispensable for the growing of a country’s economic system ( Leydesdorff, 2007 ) . Oil plays a large function in using 1000000s of people all over the universe, and states such as Saudi-Arabia, Qatar, Libya, etc depend on oil production to prolong their economic systems. This is because oil is the major beginning of foreign gross for these states ( Tachibana, 2000 ) . It is of import to denote that oil geographic expedition and excavation play a great function in the devastation of the environment. Oil has the capableness of destructing the lives of animate beings, and human existences. Take for case the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill which was responsible for leaking about 60,000 barrels of oil into the ocean ( Harper and Fletcher, 2011 ) . This had an effecting of killing sea animate beings, which included mahimahis, sea polo-necks, giants, etc. This oil spill was chiefly caused because of oil geographic expedition by BP Oil Company. The ground of these geographic expeditions was to mine oil, for commercial intents. Petroleum companies are besides accused of dumping toxic oil wastes on nearby rivers and Waterss. This has a cause of fouling the environment, and destructing the lives of Marine animate beings populating in these H2O systems ( Imanaka, 1997 ) . Petroleum companies are commercial companies, whose chief purpose is to sale oil merchandises for intents of doing net incomes, and grosss. Income net incomes and gross is non merely restricted to oil geographic expedition, but besides to the devastation of woods, and killing of wild animate beings. For illustration, people cut down trees for intents of acquiring wood. Wood is used to do lumber, a resource that is used to fabricate chairs, and edifice of houses ( Colson, 2011 ) . These are for commercial intents. The violent death of wild animate beings is besides carried out for intents of doing gaining an income, and due to poverty. For illustration, poachers normally kill elephants and rhinos for their ivories, and horns. Elephant Ivories are ever sold in Asia, and are used as beauty merchandises, and for intents of doing medical specialty. The same happens to the horns that poachers get from rhinos. Population Growth: Population growing is besides another factor that deters the preservation of the environment ( Newing, 2010 ) . Because of population growing, world has been forced to look for other topographic points of abode ( Likar, 2011 ) . This will do them to unclutter and destruct woods, as a consequence taking to the devastation of trees, and break of the eco-system. As celebrated earlier, woods are home grounds of wild animate beings, and birds. Destroying woods will take to the decease of some of these animate beings, because they may non happen other home grounds. The devastation of woods is non the lone negative environmental harm that population growing causes. Due to the high figure of people, there is the overconsumption of natural resources such as H2O, oil, nutrient, and even land ( Imanaka, 1997 ) . This consequences to doing these resources scarce. Scarcity of these environmental resources might take to unhealthy competition amongst people, in order to entree the resources under consideration. Peoples besides emit waste merchandises, because of their ingestion activities. This includes H2O, and air pollutants, toxic waste stuff, extra foods, and green house gases. Waste substances such as untreated sewerage may take to the devastation of an individual’s wellness. Other waste merchandises, such as inordinate N have an impact of doing the blooming of algals, in H2O supplies. This will take to the depletion of O, taking to the decease of marine animate beings such as fish ( Calhoun, 2005 ) . To protect the environment by restricting the growing of the environment, states such as China have adopted the one kid policy. This is whereby all twosomes are forced to bear to give birth to merely one kid. India besides has such sort of a policy, and the chief purpose of presenting these types of policy is to cut down the population growing of persons(Environmental issues. 2010 ). There has besides been some unreal method of commanding population growing, and this includes the usage of household planning methods ( Chancellor, 2009 ) . As a method of commanding the population growing in their states, authorities normally promote the usage of household planning methods. Poverty: Poverty is besides another factor that makes people to destruct the environment. In most states of the universe, specifically in the development states, there is the devastation of croping lands, dirt and woods because of over graze. These methods are ever efficient in commanding the population of a province, and therefore protecting an environment. As the growing rate of poorness additions, people destroy the environment faster, and more rapidly. The people over use the environment, such as dirt, land and woods, because they do non hold other beginnings of income, except by utilizing the natural resources under their range ( Harper and Fletcher, 2011 ) . It is of import to denote that because of poorness, the hapless will utilize the natural resources under their range for intents of fulfilling their footing demands. This will include fetching and utilizing firewood to cook, overdriving land for agricultural production, and usage of wild workss and H2O for medical specialty ( Canava ri and Food, 2002 ) . Poor people lack good and better instruction which can assist them to procure good occupations and beginnings of income. On this footing, they lack the quality of life that can do them to utilize electricity for cookery intents, or for other sectors of their domestic life ( Michna, 2010 ) . Electricity can assist in restricting the firewood concern that these people engage in. This is because persons will non depend on firewood as their beginnings of energy. To undertake poorness, the assorted authoritiess need to ordain policies aimed making employment, and bettering the instruction system of a province. The authorities can promote the usage of their trade accomplishments in assisting the hapless to gain income ( Hambler, 2004 ) . But this should happen in a mode that is suited for the saving of the environment. To cover with poorness, policies from the authorities are non sufficient. The authorities needs to spouse with private establishments and non-governmental organisations for intents of promoting them to educate people on the assorted ways of undertaking poorness ( Takeuchi, 2006 ) . This will be effectual because non-governmental organisations usually have an entree to the people, because of their grass root connexions. The hapless can be educated on the importance of continuing the environment ( Graetz, 2011 ) . This will do the hapless to hold knowledge on the benefits of the environment, doing them to utilize the natural resources under their range in a sustainable method. Decision: In decision, poorness, hunt for income, and population growing are some of the factors that encourage people non to prosecute in pro-environmental steps. As discussed in this paper, due to poverty, people will seek to unsuitably utilize the environment for intents of prolonging themselves. This includes film editing of woods for intents of acquiring lumber, over-using the land resource under their ownership, for agricultural intents, and over-grazing. However, with the usage of appropriate authorities policy, it is possible to cut down the degrees of poorness within a province. Search for income is another ground for depletion of the environment, and this usually takes the signifier of geographic expeditions and excavation. This is a really hard issue to work out, because authoritiess are ever in a quandary. That is, whether to halt the geographic expeditions or whether to go on with the geographic expeditions. Stoping the geographic expedition will intend losing a beginning of gross, while go oning with the geographic expedition will intend destructing the environment. Population growing on the other manus is easy to work out. All that a province demands to make is to make a policy restricting the figure of kids an person can give birth to. Mentions: Brooks, J. S. ( 2010 ) . Economic And Social Dimensions Of Environmental Behavior: Reconciliation Conservation And Development In Bhutan.Conservation Biology,24( 6 ) , 1499-1509. Calhoun, Y. ( 2005 ) .Conservation. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers. Canavari, M. , & A ; Food, A. ( 2002 ) .Economic surveies on nutrient, agribusiness and the environment: Joint Conference on Food, Agriculture, and the Environment, Bologna, Italy, June 12- 14, 2001. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic/Plenum. Chancellor, D. ( 2009 ) .Food waste. London: Wayland. Colson, M. ( 2011 ) .The environment. Chicago, Ill. : Raintree. Environmental issues. ( 2010 ) . New Delhi: IFA Publications. Graetz, M. J. ( 2011 ) .The terminal of energy the unmaking of America ‘s environment, security, and independency. Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press. Hambler, C. ( 2004 ) .Conservation. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Harper, C. L. , & A ; Fletcher, T. H. ( 2011 ) .Environment and society: human positions on environmental issues( Canadian ed. ) . Toronto: Pearson Canada. Imanaka, T. ( 1997 ) . Global environment. How protect and surrogate? Interaction between environment and being. Both environment and organisms support on changing.. Kagaku to Seibutsu,35( 3 ) , 178-181. Leydesdorff, L. ( 2007 ) . Environment and Planing B: Planning and Design as a diary: the interdisciplinarity of its environment and the commendation impact.Environment and Planning Bacillus: Planning and Design,34( 5 ) , 826-838. Likar, L. E. ( 2011 ) .Eco-warriors, nihilistic terrorists, and the environment. Santa Barbara, Caliph: Praeger. Michna, J. ( 2010 ) .Risk direction on energy and enviromental preservation in CCE states. New York: Heinmman. Newing, H. ( 2010 ) . Interdisciplinary preparation in environmental preservation: definitions, advancement and future waies.Environmental Conservation,37( 04 ) , 410-418. Tachibana, H. ( 2000 ) . Engineering chance for environment in 2000. Prospect of sound environment. Technological reappraisal of sound environment..Journal of Environmental Conservation Engineering,29( 2 ) , 149-156. Takeuchi, K. ( 2006 ) . Hydrology uniting planetary environment and human environment. Proceedings of the Symposium on Global Environment,14, 307-307. Tisdell, C. A. ( 2005 ) .Economicss of environmental preservation( 2nd ed. ) . Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Pub..

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Qatar Airways Marketing Strategy Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Qatar Airways Marketing Strategy - Case Study Example Brand Management as a marketing strategy was started by Procter & Gamble. It seeks to increase the perceived value of the product or service to the customer, and effect a corresponding increase in sales. A good brand name should be-- legally protectable, easy to pronounce, easy to remember, easy to recognize; attract attention, suggest product or service benefits or suggest usage, suggest the company or product/service image, and distinguish the positioning of the product or service relative to the competition. (Wikipedia)In this age of globalization, Nation Branding has become a strategic marketing approach for many industries including the airline's industry.The inventor of Nation Branding in its modern form is Singapore's, Lee Kuan Yew. He defined what Singapore was, promoted it worldwide, and introduced a set of values and discipline for Singapore's citizens, using advertisements to help educate the population. Nation Branding is practiced by many states, including the United Sta tes and the United Kingdom, South Africa, New Zealand, and most Western European countries. Developing economies also use Nation Branding to create more favorable conditions for foreign direct investment, tourism, trade and diplomatic relations with other countries. Almost majority of international airlines use Nation Branding, such as— British Airways, Canadian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Siberia Airlines, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Philippine Airlines, Saudi Air, Gulf Air among others. Nations have become brands when for decades, researchers have studied â€Å"country of origin.† When there are two products labeled â€Å"Made in Mexico† and â€Å"Made in Japan,† consumers will consistently choose the â€Å"Made in Japan† product.. In 1998, a British marketing consultant named Simon Anholt took this concept a step further. He wrote an article in a trade journal, arguing that places and nations themselves are brands. Anholt received numerous calls from officials around the world seeking his services. In the world of nation branding, flags become logos, national anthems advertising jingles. When customers buy a pair of Calvin Klein jeans they are not just buying a few pounds of denim, they are buying the Calvin Klein experience. Simon Anholt said nation branding works the same way. (Weiner, 2006) According to Anhold, countries have reputations and

Monday, August 12, 2019

Should managers try to eliminate or to encourage the expression of Essay

Should managers try to eliminate or to encourage the expression of organisational conflict Explore your reasons - Essay Example A clever manager will encourage organisational conflict only if it is in the shape of a disagreement. A disagreement is a difference in opinion among two or more persons. It arises as a result of differing personal view points. Disagreements occur frequently between workers within an organisation, and as they do not affect organisational effectiveness, they are looked upon as healthy outlets of workers’ personal beliefs and opinions. Disagreements usually end up amicably, without needing intervention by third parties. The intelligent manager should monitor the progress of a disagreement carefully to ensure that it does not worsen to have direct effects on the workers’ behaviour and their capacity and zeal to work properly (Cram et al.). A shrewd manager should try and eliminate, or when not possible, address and resolve organisational conflicts quickly. If this is not done, the organisation stands to face many bad consequences. The first bad consequence is higher employee turnover. One of the disputing workers could resign, which will need the organisation pay termination costs, and also incur expenses to find and train a new replacement worker. The second bad consequence is that the organization’s working environment becomes tense and heavy with stress. Since the conflict matter is not discussed (let alone solved), an atmosphere heavy with lack of trust, anxiety and apprehension is created. Such an unpleasant atmosphere acts adversely on workers, causing them to develop passive-aggressive behaviour patterns. In addition, the manager who cannot solve conflicts swiftly and effectively fails to inspire trust and confidence in workers. Such a set of circumstances badly hits the reputation of the organisation, c ausing it to face business losses, and making it very hard to recruit new employees and prevent existing employees from leaving. The third and most serious consequence is a distinct loss

Private Equity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Private Equity - Essay Example This process normally involves substantial borrowings and is therefore described as Leveraged buyouts (LBO). Another term which is normally used is â€Å"taken private† which relates to a buyout of a public company and in the process removing it from the stock exchange listing, and therefore transforming it into a private firm (Fraser-Sampson, 2007). Public companies are normally taken private because they have the potential of providing substantial cash flows to investors as the shares are currently undervalued on the stock market. The managers see the potential of â€Å"significantly boosting the firm’s value under private ownership† (Brigham and Ehrhardt 2005, p. 664). This means that companies taken private have the potential of enriching not only the managers who take part in the buyout but the public shareholders who are often offered prices higher than the going market price to sell their shares. Sometimes these shareholders resist but in the end they have to sell their shares because the buyers have enough of the company’s shares to sufficiently influence the takeover of the public company. A large number of public companies have been taken private over the years. A list of some of these companies is provided in Appendix 1 and 2. This list is by no means exhaustive but gives an indication as to the level of activities taking place as it relates to these types of transactions. Arguments for and against public to private transactions A number of arguments have been levelled against public to private transactions. However, there have also been several arguments in its favour. According to Becky (2002, Private vs. Public †¦) â€Å"†¦ in the 1980s a lot of public companies were taken private through a process called a leveraged buyout. That trend may have benefited the entire economy by making the companies a good deal more efficient.† Arguments against public to private transactions Opponents to public companies being taken over by private equity have levelled a number of criticisms against these types of transactions. They believe that some of these private equity managers actually buy public companies, reduce employees, strip the companies of assets and then sell them in secondary buy-out deals. Some also indicate that they are allowed to set off interest payments against income and in the process paying less tax. According to Wiley (2007, p.79) â€Å"some countries are pursuing tougher and tighter ‘thin equity’ tax rules under which it can be difficult to make loan interest fully deductible.† Adding value by increasing earnings multiple Some of the opponents of these types of transactions have indicated that there are many ways the managers of public companies could add value to the company instead of allowing them to go private. These include taking out loans instead of issuing more shares which would be favourable to shareholders as they would see their earnings per share increase. These companies would also pay less tax because the interest on these loans is tax deductible. Increasing the cash flow of the Company Cash flow can be improved through proper management of public companies. There is normally unpredictability in the levels of cash flow in public companies that have been taken private and which therefore need to make regular interest payments. Debt added to private company These purchases normally take place with the use of large amounts of debt, referred to as leveraged