Monday, September 30, 2019

Human Relations Case Study Essay

1. Personality is a relatively stable set of traits that aids in explaining and predicting individual behavior. What are some of Mark Cuban’s traits that can explain his behavior during Maverick games? You have to excuse me for sounding naive but I had no idea who Mark Cuban was! After reading about him, I’m not sure I like him. I find his behavior ridiculous and childish from the outside looking in. Only when I began to read about his business savvy did I find Mr. Cuban tolerable. I find that he is a fan/owner but still an owner and he must be a hard worker because you don’t just fall into a position of that caliber. I think he poses a very driven and determined personality and Mark was quoted on Forbes.com as saying the key personality trait that lead to his success is â€Å"I worked hard and smarter than most people in the business I have been in†. To me this sound arrogant but it works for him! Therefore, because Mark Cuban believes in himself he can act out as a eccentric fan because he doesn’t seem to mind the money or the respect it costs him. 2. Would you describe Mark Cuban as a Type A or Type B personality type? I would say that Mark Cuban is 100% type A. Some of the key characteristics that lead me to believe this is that most type A’s have a exaggerated sense of time making everything they do feel very urgent. I can see this in Mr. Cuban and it makes more sense when he’s jumping around and screaming because the event that he loves is a timed sport. Also, type A personalities tend to be very competitive, and see everything as a challenge which Mark shows at every game! 3. Why is Mark Cuban described as someone with an internal locus of control? Someone with an internal locus of control believes that outcomes are determined by their performance, they like to control every aspect of their life. I can see where a self motivated and well educated person such as Mark may be described as a â€Å"control freak†. 4. The Big Five Model of Personality categorizes traits into the dimensions of surgency, agreeableness, adjustment, conscientiousness, and openness to experience. Which of these dimensions are strongest or clearly evident in Mark Cuban’s personality? I would say that the strongest traits that I was able to decipher would be conscientiousness because I think that any business man of Mark Cubans caliber would have to be both efficient and organized in order to be successful. Another trait would be surgency, Any You Tube video of a Mavericks game will show Mark jumping out of his seat for the whole game leading me to believe that he is both outgoing and obviously far more energetic than myself! 5. Is Mark Cuban projecting a positive or negative image with his eccentric behavior during Maverick games? I instantly thought Mark Cuban was a over the top jerk and he gave me a negative feeling. Being a type A personality I can see where someone may assume that he wouldn’t be my type of people, however I feel that it’s deeper than that. I tend to shy away from look at me people and I feel that he is intentionally putting on a â€Å"show†. There is a part of me that has to respect a hard working business man like Cuban but the way he displays his emotions is atrocious. I can also see how this behavior is a unique business move, making fans either die hard lovers or completely hate the Mavericks. 6. Mark Cuban has had a lot of disagreements with the NBA Commissioner that have resulted in fines totaling almost a million dollars. Each incident brings a lot of publicity to the team and Cuban himself; most of it negative. Chapter 1 discusses three alternatives for resolving human relations problems – change the other person, change the situation or change yourself. Which approach or combination of approaches will you recommend for Mark Cuban and why? I think that in most situations a combination approach works well and I would tell Mark that in order to avoid all these fines, and turn them into fans you need to change yourself. I would say that he’s going to have to acknowledge the way he’s behaving and want to change for himself. If Mr. Cuban can’t control his out-burst then maybe it’s time he admits he has a problem and can no longer attend the games therefore changing the situation.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Environmental Science I Syllabus

Respect the learning and safety of others: Be punctual. Be safe. Be thoughtful. Exploration of science through trial and error and testing hypotheses will be fostered in this class, so an environment of respect and safety is key. Treat others the way you want to be treated, with thoughtfulness and courtesy. Be prompt: early or on time. No one's time is more important that the next person. We must use the time we have to learn together wisely. Respect every member of the classroom's personal space, belongings, and ideas. All students are to take care of the materials and lab environment created in our class.Leave it as it was when you got there or in better condition. Derogatory comments (including profanity) will not be tolerated. Science is learned through experiment, so you will be taught and tested over the safety of our science lab space, to ensure safety. You are expected to follow these science lab procedures and policies. O Note: Due to safety considerations, all bags and belo ngings will be placed in the teacher-designated area. This will be strictly enforced for our safety. 2. Strive for excellence each day. Be prepared. Be engaged. Be responsible. Do your best! Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. † Vince Lombardi Everyone must be prepared, so we do not waste time. Have your all your materials for class with you in your seat when the bell rings. Actively participate and engage in class activities and discussions. Always do your best work. I expect quality in every assignment, no matter how small or large. Students are responsible for assignment due dates, Late Work Policy, and Make-up Work Policy on next page. Students are expected to follow all Little Rock School District policies, which are See Ms.Thompson Rituals and Procedures document for specific daily classroom rituals. Consequences for Poor Decisions: All decisions in life have equal consequences. Below are the disciplinary steps taken if you c hoose to not follow the classroom expectations, rituals, and procedures. 1. Verbal Warning 2. Parent Phone Call 3. Referral to Assistant Principal 4. Referral with SIS Recommendation 5. Referral with ZOOS Recommendation & Parent Conference The teacher reserves the right to send any student out of the classroom or to the office on referral for extremely disruptive, inappropriate, or severe behavior.Under no circumstance should the teacher have to ask a student to leave the classroom more than once. Absences and Make-up Work: All absent students will be allowed to make up work. This is the responsibility of the student, not the teacher. The student is responsible for work assigned prior to his or her absence. Announced deadlines for long-term assignments, projects, and/or research papers must be honored regardless of attendance. Family emergencies are the only exception to this rule. Tests must be made up the day of your return to lass. See the USSR regarding this policy.Students will need to retrieve their make- up work from a responsible classmate and our online Gaggle classroom where all assignments and notes are posted. Late Work: Any minor assignment can be turned in within one day of the original due date for half credit. It will not be accepted after that time. You are expected to meet all class deadlines. Students must sign the â€Å"Late Work† log if they fail to meet the announced deadline. Food and Drink: Students are allowed to have drinks with lids. However, this is a privilege that will be lab days. Communication and Extra Help:I want you to succeed, and I believe that you can. If you ever meet an obstacle on your path to success, please feel free to visit for extra help in the morning before school or after school. I am always available by email (Meghan. [email  protected] Org) to assist you or your parents however I can. Please do not wait until the end of the nine weeks to seek help if you are having trouble. This will be too late to ge t you back on track to succeed. Deadline is a great way for both your family and you to keep up with your grades, use it frequently. Let's work together to make it the best year we can!

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Auto Industry in Canada

To fully understand why Canada is one the wealthiest nations in the world, we need to pay particular attention to Canada’s economic history. The economic history of our country has been marked by many important events that have paved the way for a successful economic future. A brief economic history of Canada would pay particular attention to important events such as the economic boom of the 1920s, the dark times of the 1930s; the Second World War during the 1940s and to also not forget the important trade agreements such as the auto pact and the NAFTA.Despite the above mentioned important events, Canadian economy has also been greatly influenced by its own economic sectors. Our economy has undergone through major changes during the past 3 decades. One of the factors that had an enormous impact on the economy of Canada has been that of the automotive industry. The automotive industry was born in the early years of the 20th century and it has since then, expanded very quickly. (White, 2007, p. 3) The expansion has proved to be economically profitable and also unsuccessful at times.This essay will examine the economical and political impacts of the auto industry in Canada during the past years, by paying special attention to the economic regional imbalance, the auto pact, the North American Free Trade Agreement and also the shift in the Canadian auto market, from American automakers to the Japanese automakers during the past three decades. The automotive industry expanded Canada’s economy by increasing the employment levels, the improvement of roads and contributed to an increase in revenues due to licences and gasoline fees.It also strengthened the economical relationship with our neighbours to the south and has also improved the economy of the southern provinces as it is heavily concentrated in the province of Ontario with major assembly plants in Windsor and Oshawa. The first car was produced in 1888 by Karl Benz in Germany, where as in Canada â €Å"commercial production did not being until after 1900† (White,2007, p. 5) Many Canadian automakers tried their luck but only some succeeded, as the automobile market in Canada was overtaken by the United States in the early stages of its production.It is very important to understand that the beginning of the automobile industry is closely connected to that of the United States. Many people link the creation of the automobile industry in Canada with the American automaker Ford. The design of the American automakers is entirely different from that of the Europeans and this was set early in the history of the car production. The Germans and the French build quality and modern cars which could only be afforded by the rich, where as the Americans were faced by an economic dilemma therefore they build cars that the public at large could afford, at a cheaper quality than the Europeans.As White states in the 1920s the industry hit its stride, expanding such that Canada became the second-largest producer of automobiles in the world. † (2007, p. v) The automobile changed many aspects of the lives of Canadians. The car gave Canadians the leisure they didn’t have before the 1920s. Now they were able to travel long distances comfortably, to find jobs far away from home as now it was easier to get to work. The automobile also allowed for the construction of the hard surface roads. Norrie at al states that by the 1928, there were 8600 km of concrete or macadamized roads in the province (2008, pg. 89) As the number of cars per person increased so did the number of licensed vehicles in Canada. Norrie et al states that by 1923 the number of automobiles in Canada had risen to nearly 1. 2 million (2008, p. 288) Employment rates were steadily rising with the rise in the number of manufactured cars in Canada. The opening of big plants throughout Canada in cities such as Windsor and Oshawa closely contributed to higher employment rates. In 1920 the average num ber of employees in the automobile manufacturing industry was 8,281 where as 6 years later it increased to 11,905. The sun life assurance company, 1956, p. 3 table 1) Even to this day almost 90 years later, these cities are heavily depended on the employment by the automakers. The increase in employment contributed to an increase in the lifestyles of Canadians. Also government revenues increased with the expansion of the automobile industry. They had to find a way to maintain the roads therefore licensing and gas fees were introduced. The automakers did not only increase the lifestyle of the people in the southern provinces but they had a big impact on the western provinces also.Agriculture was one of the many industrial sectors that benefited from the automakers. With cars being built it was now easier for the farmers to sell their products in the market. They now had a more comfortable way to travel and this made their jobs easier. Also the introduction of the farm tractors was a big help in the agriculture industry. The farm tractors increased crop quantities and livestock volume. The tractor was a great invention as it was more efficient and less time consuming. One of the negative impacts of the automobile industry in Canada is that of the regional economic imbalances between the provinces.With the manufacturing being heavily concentrated in Ontario, the other provinces of Canada do not get the same economic output as Ontario does. â€Å"Ontario is considered by far the wealthiest province. The province generates almost 50 percent of Canada’s GDP which translates into a staggering 675 billion dollars. Many analysts describe Ontario as the powerhouse of Canada and a serious contender in North America as well as globally† (Ohmae, 73) The manufacturing plants are situated in the southern province so they could be closer to their parent American companies. The export of the manufactured cars has also increased the GDP of the country.This also sh ows that with the most jobs being in Ontario, Canada’s population is heavily concentrated in Ontario as the province offers more employment opportunities. â€Å"Between the years of 1981 to 1995, Ontario’s exports, primarily in the United States, almost quadrupled from $38 billion to $140 billion. Exports to the other provinces doubled but when we compare exports to the rest of the world in contrast to the rest of Canada the exports dropped from 28 per cent to less than 20 per cent â€Å"(Courchene, 278). The above figures show that Ontario is exporting more to the rest of the world than the other provinces.When it comes to exporting to other countries, Ontario exports more to the United States than any other country in the world. Ontario is better off economically because other important industries are located in the provinces. Industries such as the telecommunication industry are also located in Ontario. Therefore with this being said, Ontario is mostly depended on the United States rather than on the other provinces. The auto industry expanded during the 1920s as already mentioned in this essay. A good reason for this was the fact that Canadians themselves were buying cars, since they were a hot commodity during those years.The auto industry was always dominated by the United States and never by the Canadians and this is why many people wonder if the auto industry in Canada is actually Canadian. The second economic boom for the auto makers were the years after the Second World War. After the war production increased as demand was able to meet supply. The industry moved into a period of growth and prosperity after the war. White states: the number of passenger cars produced rose from almost none at the end of the war to 193, 000 in 1949. (2007, p. 71) However during the 1950s the European auto makers ook the upper hand as they had established good production technology. With this technology they were able to produce cheaper and smaller cars, therefore demand for the American auto market started going down. Anything that affected the United States, affected Canada as we were their biggest car manufacture. If the American auto market was to go down, the Canadian economy would crash with them. To better the economic situation and to help the auto industry at home and to save jobs and the live hood of many Canadians, Canada and the United States signed the auto pact in 1968.The Automotive Products Trade Agreement was not based on free trade but it did however remove tariffs on cars and automotive parts between Canada and the United States. It made exports between the two countries cheaper, therefore by raising Canadian exports into the United States. The auto pact helped both countries in dealing with the economic situation at the time. Analysts say that Canada reaped the most benefits from the auto pact as the big 3 ford, general motors and Chrysler ensured that auto production remained and expanded in Canada.Employment in creased in Canada during the years that the auto pact was still in power. Wallace states that the auto pact was phased out in 2001 as its provision were ruled to contravene WTO regulations by favouring particular corporations (2002, p. 114) The auto pact is also one of the best examples that shows the government’s intervention in the market place. The auto pact shows that it was necessary for the government to intervene in helping the economy out and making sure that employment levels did not go down.The economy also expanded because of the North American Free Trade Agreement signed in 1994 between USA Canada and Mexico. The North American Free Trade Agreement opened the doors to free trade between the 3 countries to ensure economic prosperity for North America. Considering that the United States is our biggest exporter and we export 80 % of our goods to our neighbours in the south, it was economically wise to make such an important step. The country’s GDP has steadily grown wince the implementation of the trade agreement.According to the organization for economic co-operation and development Canada’s Gross domestic product has steadily increased at a rate of 3. 42 percent annually. (OECD, 2010) Since Canada has joined the North American Free Trade Agreement and has eliminated tariffs on auto parts used for manufacturing purposes in Canada, our automotive surplus and sales have increased and so have the employment rates. According to Industry Canada employment growth has been highest in the auto parts manufacturing sector, as output rose to supply North American vehicle production.Also Canada is integrated in the North American Market with annual sales of 20 million vehicles and has an overall automotive trade surplus of $ 4. 6 billion on flows totalling % 159. 1 billion. (Industry Canada, 2009). As we can see Canada has economically benefited from free trade with the United States, this however does not go without saying that throughout t he years, the North American Free Trade agreement has intervened on our political matters and disputes between Canada and the United States have increased throughout the years.A good example of one of the biggest disputes would be that of the Softwood lumber. However, despite all the negative impacts of the North American Free Trade agreement we can generally say that Canada has greatly benefited from this agreement. The auto industry has gone through major changes since the auto pact in 1965 and the implementation of the North American Free Trade agreement in 1994. The American auto makers had a financial downturn in 2009 and the big 3 was very close to filing for bankruptcy if the Canadian and American government would have not bailed them out.Many blame the American financial crisis for the financial meltdown of the automotive industry, where as others blame their profit driven practices. The automakers asked the government for loans and also went through restructuring plans and downsized their plants. They let go a lot of employees and shut down many plants across North America but not in Canada. They went through a process of restructuring as it was necessary for their survival. The Bush government implemented a set of conditions for the automakers, if they were to receive loans from the United States government.These conditions were geared towards the employees as they would be the ones to suffer the most. The global financial meltdown crisis did not only affect the American automakers but also European and Asian automakers. It is generally known that the only way to get out of the recession is to spend, but people cannot afford to spend in times of crisis. Many were laid off and had a hard time surviving the economy as they had no means of support. Once again government intervention was necessary from the Canadians.Considering that the economy in the southern Canadian provinces would go down in ruins, if they American plants decided to show down, the Ha rper government announced that they would offer $3. 5 billion to the automakers. With the help from the Canadian and American government, the big 3 seem to have recuperated from the melt down as they want to rehire their employees in Canada. General Motors announced that they will be rehiring people in Oshawa for the production of cars in 2011.Jones states that Friday’s recall announcement is in addition to another 600 workers GM said will be back at work to produce the Buick Regal. Approximately 1200 GM workers are now on lay off† (2010, p. 1). Many were against the bail out of the American automakers from the Canadian government as they said it would be a waste, where as others were concerned about the live hood of thousands of Canadians. The above quote clearly shows that the Canadian government took the right economic decision to benefit its people in the future. As we can see the big American auto makers are recuperating from the financial meltdown.What they have t o worry about now is competition from the Asian automakers, as they have been taking the lead in the automotive industry since the 1980s. There has been a shift in the Canadian auto market from the Americans to the Japanese auto makers. The Americans still manufacture cars in Canada but the Japanese automakers seem to be dominating the automotive market in the recent years. The Japanese made vehicles are leading the automotive market because of various reasons. The first reason is attributed to the increase in oil prices in the begging of the 1980s.With oil prices going up, people could not afford American made cars anymore as they are known to spend a lot of gas, thus making them economically inefficient. That being one of the main reasons, people turned to Japanese made cars as they are smaller and have fuel efficient engines. White states that the share of the Canadian market supplied by Japanese imports jumped from 6. 6 percent in 1979, the lowest it had been in a decade, to 22. 9 percent in 1982. (2007, p. 89) As we can see the Japanese auto makers were taking big steps in the automotive industry.The recession of the 1980s and the increase in oil prices is what mainly contributed for the turn of events in the favour of the Japanese auto makers. The Canadian government ready to protect the country from the recession of the 1980s put in place policies that required â€Å"motor vehicle manufactures selling significant numbers of vehicles in Canada to invest in Canadian production facilities. † (White, 2007, p. 90). The Japanese auto makers responded to the call of the Canadian government and invested in creating auto plants in Canada.Once again the southern part of Canada profited from this as the plants were located around south central Ontario. The Japanese auto makers had other advantages that the American auto makers did not have at the time. The Japanese had a non unionized work force which worked for lower wages and tougher conditions. More than half of the workforce was made up of young people therefore they did not ask for much other than to be able to support their families. With the share of the Japanese auto makers rising, the American automakers market started dropping rapidly.Another good reason for the Japanese to invest in Canada was the desire to gain free access to the American auto market through the creation of the FTA. Another very important reason why the Japanese cars have a high market share in Canada is because they are responding to the concerns of the general public and especially those of environmental issues. The Japanese auto makers pay attention to the new trends and the problems that face the public at large. They are very flexible and are able to respond to public concerns quickly. They have shown this by producing eco friendly cars such as the Toyota pirus and the hybrid camrys.Lately environmental concerns have become a major issue and these concerns are related to the use of cars as the toxins that they release pollute the air that we breathe. Most environmental damage is caused by driving, therefore big auto makers are asked to change their production practices and produce environmentally friendly cars. Japanese auto makers such as Toyota have answered this call and they have come out with the Toyota hybrid car. A good example of an environmentally friendly car that has swept the market is the Toyota prius that is gasoline electric hybrid.These types of cars use two types of energy sources, gasoline and electricity. The hybrid is a dream come true for the environmentalists as it is as fast as any other car out there and it does not pollute the environment. The automobile technology has changed and as we are shifting towards eco friendly cars the American auto makers are trying to keep up. â€Å"GM cancelled production on its Hummer H1 and ford cancelled production on its Excursion SUV† (Automobile Industry Introduction, 2010) They are also trying to outperform the Japanese auto makers and move towards newer trends such as the plug in rechargeable cars. GM is working towards a gasoline- powered generator capable of charging up the batteries for those occasions when it is not convenient to plug in†. (Automobile Industry Introduction, 2010) As we can see the auto industry has come a long way since the 1920s and it is moving towards newer better trends. It is my personal opinion that the leading auto makers will be those companies that are able to understand and respond to the public’s needs and concerns.In conclusion to this essay it is important to note that the automotive industry in has had an enormous economic impact in Canada and especially on the southern provinces. Created by the big American auto makers, the assembly plants in Canada have raised employment levels and have kept a steady lively hood for Canadians. They have also contributed to a change in Canadian industries such as the agriculture industry, by making farming easier and more efficient. The auto industry in Canada did however create a regional economic imbalance between the provinces in Canada.Ontario is the southern province that has enormously benefited from the auto industry as it is located closer to the parent companies. The location makes manufacturing and exporting of the auto parts easier for both countries. Trade agreements such as the auto pact and the North American Free Trade agreement implemented in 1994 between the United States, Mexico and Canada have also increased employment levels in Canada and maintained a steady economic balance by removing tariffs on importing and exporting goods between the three countries.During the 1980s we saw a major shift from the American auto makers to the Japanese producers of cars. This shift was mainly due to increasing oil prices and the ability of the Japanese to provide more affordable and fuel efficient cars. The global economic meltdown also contributed to the downturn of the American auto makers. With the Americans not being able to meet consumer needs, the general public turned towards the Asian auto makers. The Japanese saw a great opportunity and benefited from this shift.They were able to respond to public concerns regarding eco friendly cars and put in place the production of hybrid cars. These cars have swept the general North American market as they seem to be the perfect solutions for people that cannot afford to spend a lot on fuel and also at the same time want to be environmentally friendly. The Canadian auto industry has had its ups and downs but in general it can be said that it has been a great contribution to the Canadian economy by changing the lives of Canadians and by keeping a steady employment rate.

Friday, September 27, 2019

A System Approach To Small Group Interaction Essay

A System Approach To Small Group Interaction - Essay Example It is essential for group members to communicate openly and freely with all the other group members. Once that in place the group will be able to develop norms about matters to be discussed and members will be in a position to develop rules which will intern affect the group interaction. There must be a common goal or purpose being pursued, and they must work together to achieve that goal. This is because; the goal will bring the group together and will hold it through tensions and conflict moments (Stewart, 162). Sharing of ideas is very important since one is able to learn new things and expound on his or her knowledge as well as making appropriate decisions that are wisely discussed for the benefit of the organization. Communication is a very complex ongoing process that brings people into contact globally. Often, it is perceived as a straight forward exchange of massages between the speaker and the listener, i.e. the most important channel of passing information. There are various types of communication and social factors that influence the entire process. Some of them are: Intentional and unintentional, verbal and nonverbal, defensive and supportive among others (Stewart, 164). Most people would prefer to receive information that is cognitive with their personal indulgent as opposed to cognitive dissonance which is totally inconsistent to one’s understanding of the ideas. Groups can either be big or small depending on the task bestowed on it as well as the nature of the organization that formed such a group. For any group to be more productive and achieve its objective, it is very important that all members work jointly, rather than being independent (Stewart, 168). Despite having different backgrounds, personalities, values, thoughts, and knowledge, it is better for everyone to make sure that he or she makes a significant contribution to the group. A well-structured group aimed at achieving its goal should be able to allow its members to voice their opinions and mind without undermining or criticizing their opinions.  

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Lean Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Lean Management - Essay Example From the research it can be comprehended that the models and concepts which influence the pricing decisions of a firm are management accounting decisions. The pricing strategy of a firm is influenced by several factors which include the fixed and variable costs of the firm and the environmental factors which include legal analysis and competitor analysis. Some of the specific concepts in cost accounting are lean accounting, resource consumption accounting, transfer pricing etc. Manufacturers need to consider various fields like the supply chain process, the assets risk to low cost etc. while determining an appropriate costing strategy for the firm. The term Lean Management means the principles that are used for lean production. The basic idea of the concept of lean manufacturing is to reduce the wastages incurred in any form in the firm. The wastages of the firm which can be minimized through the use of Lean Management principles are the defects in production as there is no proper ut ility of the product. The overproduction factor in firms usually leads to excess finished stock, inappropriate inventory control and the efficient less production system used. The concept of Lean Management is a derivative of the Toyota Production Systems (TPS). The TPS policy reduces the time gap between the customers’ order and the delivery to the customer. The JIT system of inventory also helps in nil wastage of stocks. Resource consumption accounting is a type of principle based management accounting which provides the managers with a decision sustain system for the organization. Another concept which affects the pricing decision is transfer pricing. Transfer pricing is quite applicable in case of the manufacturing organizations. Transfer pricing helps in reducing the operating costs and also helps in lowering the effective tax cost of global operations. â€Å"Using transfer pricing economics to map all the transactions in which the new plant will participate, with suppl iers and customers as well as with related parties, reveals hidden opportunities† (Transfer Pricing in the Automotive Industry 2006, p. 3). Resource consumption accounting is another model which provides managers with adequate management accounting system in order to support pricing or costing decisions in a firm. This concept was specially developed for advanced manufacturing. The resource based cost accounting involves resources, their costs, the quantity based modeling, the cost behavior. Lean management accounting and Toyota Production System are the most suitable models which can be quickly and beneficially applied in Maniac Plc. The lean management system will be useful in taking pricing decisions of the firm. â€Å"The lean management system is structured around three necessities of lean production: strategic planning, organizational structure and human resource capabilities† (Jackson & Jones 1996, p. 18). 2) Maniac Plc practices both standard costing as well as activity based costing system. Standard costing and variance costing are both costing types which play an important role in management accounting. The standard costing system is the estimation of the costs which are necessary for the procedure of

Gangs in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Gangs in America - Essay Example Being raised in an economically depressed neighborhood can understandably lead youth persons to think that their lives are unimportant and thus want for a sense of identity. The social construction gangs offer provides juveniles with a sense of belonging, a particularly significant need for developing youths. In many neighborhoods, adolescents are actively recruited or are intimidated into becoming gang members and seemingly have little choice. â€Å"A few [teens] are virtually born into gangs as a result of neighborhood traditions and their parents’ earlier and perhaps continuing gang participation or involvement in criminal activity† (Moore, 1978). The gangs offer disenfranchised kids, who are undergoing feelings of isolation, a connection to a family-like atmosphere. Some of these youths are wavering between what they consider as their adopted and native cultures but feel a connection to neither. There are many reasons that youths join and remain loyal to gangs, all of which are complex and possibly incomprehensible to the general public. This discussion will briefly explain why juveniles join gangs then discuss gangs themselves, their motivations, general make-up, characteristics, and trends concerning street gang activity. There are numerous early factors that can lead juveniles to become gang members in addition to what might be the most obvious, living in abusive households. Poverty is another of the more significant factors. According to research conducted by the Children’s Defense Fund, nearly one fifth of all youths live below the poverty line in American cities. â€Å"Poor neighborhoods, especially ‘inner-city war zones’, generally have relatively high crime rates, unsatisfactory schools and unhealthy living conditions. They provide a child with few resources, negatively affect development and increase the chances a child will become violent† (â€Å"Rosado†, 2000, p. 15). Children who are subjected to t wo or more risk factors such as poverty and abuse, have a significantly higher risk factor of participating in criminal behavior and juvenile violence. Inner city ‘battle zones’, which have grown significantly in many of the country’s small to medium-sized towns in addition to the larger urban sections of major cities, are described as those areas in which most youths over 14 years old has attended the funeral of more than one friend, a very distinct definition, one that is difficult for most Americans to fully comprehend. (Garbarino, 1999, p. 40). The usual age range of gang members range from 12 to 24 years old with an average age being 17 to 18 but this average age is usually older in large cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago where gangs have been operated for a long time. (Curry & Decker, 1998). While the numbers of gang members are rising, the average age of gang members is also rising. Gangs are becoming progressively older as their ranks swell in throug hout the country. Predictably, male gang members outnumber females by a large majority, a discrepancy that widens as the aggregate age of the members become older. Gang membership fluctuates in size depending on the kinds of criminal activity associated with that gang. â€Å"Traditional (large, enduring, territorial) gangs average about 180 members, whereas specialty (e.g., drug trafficking) gangs average only about 25 members. In large cities some gangs number in the thousands and even

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

The heart that bleeds Latin America Now Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The heart that bleeds Latin America Now - Essay Example policy like no others in the Western Hemisphere. Interspersed are profiles of the Argentineans Evita Peron and Che Guevara and Peruvian Mario Vargas Llosa. Nearly half of the book is devoted to a series of scarcely believable tales from Mexico, where Guillermoprieto was born and returned to live in the mid-1990's. All of these essays appeared in The New Yorker and in The New York Review of Books between 1994 and 2000. In this book, Guillermoprieto is at her best in her psychological portraits of Latin America's unconventional politicos. Among them are Vargas Llosa, the Peruvian writer who lost a presidential bid; Guevara, the icon by which the Latin American left defined itself, and Vicente Fox, the Mexican rancher who dethroned a corrupt political machine to take the presidency. Guillermoprieto makes it clear why Vargas Llosa, an author of inspiring prose, failed miserably in his presidential bid. Her essay about Vargas Llosa also opens up a window into a cruel theme what Guillermoprieto calls a fundamental trait of Peruvians, but is very much a continuing problem of Latin America and those in the diaspora to the United States. These nations and their peoples are constantly immersed in conflict over their mixed blood and class. It's the deep-seated explanation for the conflicts and frustrations of Peruvian life. In her artfully handled essay on Che, it's easy to understand why Guillermoprieto, with her sympathies for the poor, was drawn to Che as a subject matter. Here she dissects three weighty tomes, published in 1997, on Che. And in doing so she quickly takes the reader into her generation's own psyche. She said Guevara was born in Latin America's hour of the hero. And so many of our leaders have been so corrupt, and the range of allowed and possibly public activity has been so narrow, and injustice has cried out so piercingly to the heavens, that only a hero can answer the call, and only a heroic mode of life could seem worthy. Guevara stood out against the inflamed horizon of his time, alone and unique. She sees Che's flaws, though. With horizon inflamed, a generation of followers were "incinerated" by their Che ideology. In a very personal passage, she details how those "children of Che" armed in radical revolution would die, including a great friend of Guillermoprieto's mother, a poet and feminist editor named Alaide Foppa. And by synthesizing details from a book by Jon Anderson, she shows how Che, this man of the people, was a machista of an elitist background who would have his sexual way with the family maids. She writes that Guevara's slogans now sound foolish. And she highlights that with work from a book by Jorge Castaneda, a political scientist who is now Mexico's foreign minister. Castaneda's Che is a man who cannot bear the natural ambivalence of the world, a world of gray where people have mixed allegiances. As the eventual head of the Central Bank, for example, Che was flummoxed by day-today realities of running a government. "Why corrupt workers by offering them more money to work harder" Given the region's history of rickety economies, the reader wonders if a Latin American could be found today

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Lab6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Lab6 - Essay Example The next largest amount of energy consumed is by the clothes dryer, which averages about 1000 kwh per year. An average refrigerator appears to use, approximately, 700 kwh per year. Using the information provided on the website the cost to run an average refrigerator in one year is about $110 per year (Tips: Appliances) â€Å"Green pricing† is the prices given to those individuals that wish to purchase renewable energy directly from their company that provides it. This is something that I would consider participating in, however I would be more likely to invest in energy alternatives on my own and eliminate the need for anymore middle men. Visual inspections inside and outside your home can help you determine if you possibly have a air leak, check the areas around light switch plates and sockets. You can also the household cable lines, which can also lead to air leaks (Detecting Air Leaks). Two very simple things that one can do to save energy in the fall and winter months includes, opening up all the southern facing windows during the day to allow the sun to help naturally heat your home and turning town the temperature on the hot water heater (Fall and Winter Energy-Saving Tips). There are three ways the heat flows through house. Conduction, which is how heat moves through a material, Convection, which is the way that heat moves around through liquids and gases, and finally, radiant heat is the heat absorbed by things in its path. The use of insulation is helpful to primarily reduce the conduction of heat throughout the home (Insulation). Tankless water heaters are exactly as they sound they are a heating element for the water demands without an actual tank. One great positive is that these systems can lead to greener energy efficiency and the negative includes the fact that more water is wasted while one must wait for the water to get hot. In order to determine

Monday, September 23, 2019

Globalization of China Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Globalization of China - Research Paper Example Nevertheless, while assessing the effects of globalization in the world, China offers the most classic example, owing to the way the country has been able to match the opening-up of the country to the rest of the world, with development and geographical advancement of most of its provinces, as well as the revolutionized administration and governance of corporate institutions, and the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (Fan and Zhang, n.p.). Notwithstanding the advantages offered by globalization to China, there are several negative effects that globalization has brought about, which essentially backtracks the gains that the country had made, especially in the cultural and social value systems (Ma, n.p.). The closing of the Starbuck’s coffee house in China's former imperial palace is a good example of how globalization can bring about cultural and social transformation that are detrimental to the value-based system that a country has upheld as the core of its identity (The New York Times, n.p.). ... itors, but its presence in the Chinese museum was found to be threat to Chinese culture, thus attracting media and online protests that led to its closure (The New York Times, n.p.). China’s economy has highly been boosted by the investment of foreign firms within its economy, especially starting the early 1990s, when it implemented some of the much desired financial deregulation (Fan and Zhang, n.p.). This allowed for more entry of investment firms within the country from other foreign countries, especially from Europe and the USA, through eliminating the fixed exchange rates of its currency, thus allowing for more flexible foreign exchange transactions (Mckinnon, n.p.). Therefore, globalization has played the role of a major economic booster in China’s economy, which has in turn made it possible for the country to lift a large percentage of its population from poverty, considering that they can now have jobs that are created by the foreign investments firms in the cou ntry (Mckinnon, n.p.). The deregulation of the currency control in China served to ensure exchange stability, while also promoting aligned price-level of products, thus making it easy for foreign investment firms to gain entry into the country, whose business accounts for a huge growth of the Chinese economy. Further, through globalization, China has been able to operate highly in the technological world, through a creation of a platform through which labor can be exchanged with foreign countries (Fan and Zhang, n.p.). Despite the tight control of the internet that the Chinese government has been applying to regulate the use of the internet within the country, China is one of the largest outsourcing global hub, with many large companies outsourcing labor from China, through the application of

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Overseas empire Essay Example for Free

Overseas empire Essay Suppression of the Muslim threat in North Africa was less successful though. The area was one of important economic and commercial advantage to Aragon and so seizure of large areas would have been of significance. Perhaps the key reason behind the policy though was the increasing Turkish influence in Naples and Sicily. Ferdinands failure came in an expensive garrisoning project, which held little authority and merely contained the problem. Perhaps the reason behind the lacklustre campaign was his preoccupation with Italy. In 1485 he successfully defended Naples from France and then the Holy Roman Empire. Despite careless disengaging of troops during the illness of Louis XII the policy in Italy was on the whole regarded as a success. Taking advantage of French involvement in the North, Ferdinand reclaimed Rousillon and Cerdagne. Then in 1512 following the death of Germaine de Foixs father, Ferdinand annexed Navarre. Isabellas fortuitous support of Christopher Columbus and hence the involvement in the New World had an increasingly significant impact on the economies of Castile and Aragon. Columbuss discovery opened new trade links and resources. In particular the trade of gold and slavery were of great economic benefit in future years. Furthermore Pope Alexander VI settled the rivalry with Portugal without conflict and expense with the division of the Americas. Isabellas piety determined that the extensive period of convivencia, which existed prior to her reign, would end. Since the pogrom of 1391 there had been sporadic anti-Semitic outbreaks largely born out of a resentment of rich Jewish families. For Isabella however the growing trend of conversos practising Judaism in private was of the greatest concern. Therefore in 1478 an Inquisition into conversos was established in Castile and then one in Aragon in 1481. As a result Jews became confined to ghettos and forced to wear yellow badges. Those suspected of heresy were put on trial and punished. In 1492 conversion was then made compulsory with emigration the only other alternative. Whilst only around 3% of the total population actually emigrated a significant social and economic impact was felt. The commercial welfare of the two Kingdoms was severely damaged and perhaps more crucially the policy disillusioned much of the wider population. The assessment of Isabella and Ferdinands social, economic, religious and foreign success reveals that the period in Spanish history is not as clear cut as contemporary chroniclers have suggested. They failed to curtail the nobility, failed in implementing economic growth and embarked on unwise foreign conquests. In saying this however they also achieved numerous successes such as securing the throne, conquering Granada and increasing the overseas empire.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

The role of Marketing Strategy and Planning

The role of Marketing Strategy and Planning What is the role of marketing strategy and planning in a business? As a number of literature and empirical research underline the importance of marketing strategy and planning (Cannon 1978; Drechsler et al. 2013; Bearden 2001), this paper aims to demonstrate the importance of strategic marketing planning and to discuss their roles in the business. It will be divided into three parts. First, related literature will be reviewed to define marketing strategy and planning. Then, the paper discusses marketing strategy and planning’s functions. And in the final part of the paper, example from venture project will be illustrated to display how these functions apply. Marketing strategy and planning’s definition Strategy provides direction and exhibits long-term objective, in which all organizational approaches and resource allocation need to relate to (Jain et al. 2012; Porter 2002). The strategy refers to three levels, corporate, business and marketing (Bearden, 2011), which need to be coherent and consistent to one other (Jain et al. 2012). Corporate strategy provides overall organizational guideline, such as corporate vision and establishment of key business objectives, whereas, strategy in business level relates to overall market, for instance, a market scope (Bearden, 2001). In marketing level, strategy will specifically deal with the marketing mix, target market and marketing execution (Bearden, 2001), for example, unique selling point (USP) proposition, pricing strategy, finance and operations (Lavinsky 2013; Githens 2011). While strategy frames direction, planning deals with detailed implementation and determines a mean in terms of timing and sequence (Jain et al. 2012). It displays what and how to execute strategies in detail (Bearden, 2001), and includes contingency plans to cope with unexpected situations (Schilit, 1987). There is a slightly difference between marketing strategy and planning terms, nevertheless, they are, somehow, relevant. Strategic marketing planning’s roles While marketing strategy functions as a guideline or ‘what-to-do’, marketing planning associates with ‘how-to’ implement those strategies (Jain et al. 2012; Lake n.d.). As these two concepts show a mutual supported process (Lake, n.d.), a combination between two areas, strategic marketing planning (SMP) is emerged. SMP is a term to describe a strategic guideline that all organizational staff undertakes to yield expected outcomes (Baker 2007; Lorette n.d.). So, the following section will focus on SMP by describing factors that shape marketing strategy and SMP’s functions in a business. Supported by Cannon (1978), Jain et al. (2012) proposed that marketing strategy concerns with external assessment, which are customer’s needs and competitor analysis, and internal evaluation, which is company’s capability. The interplay among these three pillars, or 3Cs’ analysis, shapes marketing strategy (Hernandez, 2013). Consequently, strategic marketing reflects customer’s needs, creates product differentiations and corresponds to company’s capabilities properly (Nystrà ¶m 1986; Hernandez 2013; Drechsler et al. 2013). Based on aforementioned planning characteristics and three strategy’s factors, strategic marketing planning yields four main beneficial functions (Blythe and Megicks 2010; Lorette n.d.). First of all, (1) SMP minimises potential risks related to inconsistency between marketing plan and customers’ needs (Cannon, 1978). As a well-conducted research reflects true customers’ needs, marketers could launch desirable product that match to the market. Secondly, (2) a well-organized SMP generates sustainable competitive advantages, such as distinct unique selling point. Thirdly, (3) SMP is a guideline for marketers to pursue business goals regards to certain aspects, for example, it shows financial forecast and clear-cut role allocation, leading to effective financial management and operational efficiency. Lastly, (4) as SMP includes 3C’s model analysis, potential opportunities in the future are identified (Schilit, 1987). Overall, SMP plays important roles, which relates to customer (a desirable product that serves market’s needs), competitors (the marketing mix differentiation), and company (an effective resource allocation). It also allows marketers to recognize future opportunity if SMP has been developed properly (Schilit, 1987). Example: Foodmates, a student cooking community application To demonstrating SMP functions, this following example, a venture project, will be illustrated. Foodmates is a cooking community application for Manchester-based students. To initiate this idea, marketing strategy was established according to three pillars, which are customer, competitor and company. With respect to customer, we reviewed secondary data and conduct primary research to identify opportunities that we could tap into. Students in Manchester represent potential market with specific needs and problems. Three vital student-related implications were raised, which are the lack of cooking skills, high mobile application penetration rate, and active social network interaction. We also included questions to test Foodmates’ conceptual idea. This will ensure that Foodmates will not be rejected from the market. Consequently, our business will bear less of potential risks that might be posed. As cooking application is in a highly competitive market, we analyse competitors’ strategies and their marketing mix, to create differentiation. According to these analyses, we hold on to our 3S’s USP, which are student-focused, simple recipes and sharing community, as our distinct attributes. Foodmates is the online cooking space, where Manchester-based students can contribute their simple recipes to others by posting food pictures with described recipes. This mechanic encourages sharing simple menus, which makes us different from other cooking applications. In company’s assessment aspect, we did financial forecast to estimate start-up budget and considered who should take responsible for particular jobs. Even though they were hypothetically estimated, it allows us to get a picture of what aspects marketing plan should include, and how marketing plan plays a role as a roadmap to achieve business goals. Conclusion In conclusion, marketing strategy determines direction, while planning relates to mean and implementation. The integration between these two aspects triggers strategic marketing planning (SMP) process. The roles of SMP are primarily based on three essential dimensions, which are customer, competitor and company. An effective SMP will reflect customers’ needs so it lowers product’s failure rate in particular market. Moreover, it creates not only product differentiation, but also effective resource allocation within the company. By consider customer, competitor and company aspects, the ultimate goal of SMP is a company’s sustainable success over other competitors in the market. References BAKER, M.J. (2007), â€Å"Marketing and corporate strategy†, in BAKER, M.J. (ed.), Marketing strategy and management, 4th ed., Palgrave Macmillan, New York, p. 50-76. BEARDEN, W.O. (2001), â€Å"Marketing’s strategic role in the organization†, in BEARDEN, W.O. et al. (eds.), Marketing: Principles Perspectives, 3rd ed., McGraw Hill Irwin, Boston, p. 51-73. BLYTHE, J. and MEGICKS, P. (2010), â€Å"Introduction to marketing planning†, in BLYTHE, J. and MEGICKS, P., Marketing Planning: Strategy, Environment and Context, Pearson, Edinburgh, p. 1-22. CANNON, T. (1978), â€Å"New product development†, European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 12 No.3, p. 217-248. DRECHSLER, W. et al. (2013), â€Å"Improving Marketings Contribution to New Product Development†, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Vol. 30 No.2, p. 298-315. GITHENS, G. (2011), A guide to the three types of strategy and business model scope, [Online] Available from: http://leadingstrategicinitiatives.com/2011/07/10/a-guide-to-the-three-types-of-strategy-and-business-model-scope/ [Accessed 11/01/2014]. HERNANDEZ, H. (2013), Simple Approach to a high level 3C’s Analysis, [Online] Available from: http://ochodigital.com/blog/simple-approach-high-level-3cs-analysis/ [Accessed 23/12/2013]. JAIN, S.C. et al. (2012), â€Å"Marketing and the concept of planning and strategy†, in JAIN, S.C. et al. (eds.), Marketing planning and strategy, Cengage, Australia, p. 3-27. LAKE, L. (n.d.), Marketing Strategy vs. Marketing Plan, [Online] Available from: http://marketing.about.com/od/marketingplanandstrategy/a/Marketing-Strategy-Vs-Marketing-Plan.htm [Accessed 23/12/2013]. LAVINSKY, D. (2013), Marketing plan template: Exactly what to include, [Online] Available from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davelavinsky/2013/09/30/marketing-plan-template-exactly-what-to-include/ [Accessed 11/01/2014]. LORETTE, K. (n.d.), The role of marketing planning in business, [Online] Available from: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/role-marketing-planning-business-3234.html [Accessed 23/12/2013]. NYSTRÃâ€"M, H. (1986), â€Å"Balancing competition and cooperation, the key to successful marketing strategy†. In: 3rd International I.M.P. Research seminar on international marketing, France, September 1986. France: IMP, p. 1-19. PORTER, M.E. (2002), â€Å"What is strategy†, in MAZZUCATO, M. (ed.), Strategy for business, SAGE, London, p. 10-31. SCHILIT, W.K. (1987), â€Å"How to write a winning business plan†, Business Horizons, Vol.30 No.5, p. 13-22.