The Machines Are Coming By Zeynep Tufekci - 1584 Words

Americans have believed since the 20th century that machines are going to take their jobs in the future. In â€Å"The Machines Are Coming†, by Zeynep Tufekci, published in The New York Times on April 18, 2015, the author shares her thoughts about robots in our society and their relationship with our life. She emphasizes that as technology develops, robots are taking humans’ position in the workplace and causing problems with the value of human labor in society. Tufekci mentions the fact that the machines are getting smarter as time goes by, and they are going to replace our jobs. The intended purpose of machines is assisting humans and making workplaces more efficient. Today, robots are very intelligent, and as the author mentions in the†¦show more content†¦The author claims that employers view humans as inefficient. Before machines were being used in the workplace, humans had the most power. However, today machines have a more important role than humans do at many workplaces. In the article, the author claims, â€Å"Machines aren’t used because they perform some tasks that much better than humans, but because, in many cases, they do a ‘good enough’ job while also being cheaper, more predictable and easier to control than quirky, pesky human† (2). Thus, it can be understood that humans are in some cases not as helpful in workplaces as machines are and their very humanity can be viewed as inefficient. Hum ans have another problem, which is that if women get pregnant, they tend to have some problems in their workplaces, and machines are going to replace their position quickly. This kind of situation ruins humans’ value. Unlike machines, humans have emotions, so people â€Å"get sick, ask for higher wages, have a bad day, aging parent, a sick child or a cold† (2). Emotions are essential to humans, but sometimes interrupt humans from working. Tufekci investigated a call center from the Philippines. He was trying to solve a minor problem and that required code from the supervisor. Even though he used that code it didn’t solve the problem, so his supervisor made him lose his job. Technology allowed the job to be perfectShow MoreRelatedAre Engines Taking Over Or Not?848 Words   |  4 PagesDean Baker and Zeynep Tufekci, have explored this ongoing debate to better understand this issue and to know if businesses are interchanging humans for engines. However, it cannot be denied that devices are occasionally a pain to deal with. Nowadays, businesses introduce several appliances to their workforce to ease their daily activities. In the article, â€Å"The Job-Killing-Robot Myth†, Baker discusses the different views of the use of robots in industries. He states, â€Å"the machines are getting smarter

Role of Ict in the Hospitality Industry - 4628 Words

1. ICT APPLICATION TOOLS - INTRODUCTION ICT has beyond doubts made huge contribution to the development of hospitality and tourism services. Due to the advancement in technology, the fierce competition and also due to the complexity of the hospitality and tourism markets, organizations from all over the world now depend almost on the use of ICT to plan, manage and market their services. There was a time when organizations would depend on using effective BPOs also known as call-centres to reach out to the consumers, but now the use of the internet has changed the whole scenario. Organizations have now integrated their system with ICT tools such as GDS, CRS, PMS, DMS etc to facilitate in the overall management and marketing of services†¦show more content†¦For example, flight fares may vary according to reservation category, date of journey, length of stay etc and for the ticketing, travel agencies receive a fixed number of ticket forms which may only be used after confirmation has been received from the service pro vider. (Schulz, 1996) Additional Services: Due to the fierce competition and complexity in the market, system operators are forced to offer not only information and booking system but also additional features and services that enables passengers/guests to access to more direct information and customize their service requirements. (Schulz, 1996) Apart from the above four main functions, a high speed network is the second basis for a CRS. 1.3 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (PMS) It is also a computerized system that deals with guest bookings, online reservations, point of sales etc in other words it is a computerized system used mostly by hotels to integrate all the elements of hospitality information and management. (Hotel Management-Network, 2009) PMS such as Micros Fidelio Opera are in-house applications that support the central electronic structure of the hotel. It is used to manage customer reservations and billing processes and it contains all information about the units of the hotel such as room status, types of rooms, price, housekeeping status etc. PMS is used for both front office and back-officeShow MoreRelatede tourism Essay2828 Words   |  12 PagesCritically Evaluate how ICT is applied to the Tourism and Hospitality Industry A Case Study of Hilton Hotel â€Æ' Contents INTRODUCTION 3 ICT (INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY) IN HILTON GROUP OF HOTELS 4 *IMPLEMENTATION OF ICT IN FRONTOFFICE OPERATIONS 5 *IMPLEMENTATIONOF ICT IN MARKETING, DISTRIBUTION AND SALES 6 *BACK OFFICE USE OF ICT IN HILTON HOTELS 8 *EMERGING NEW TRENDS IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY 9 *SAFETY AND SECURITY USE OF ICT IN HILTON HOTEL 11 Read MoreThe Impact Of Tourism On Tourism Sector Essay2086 Words   |  9 Pages Tourism is one of the most important sectors that apply ICTs which already played a significant role in this industry. It plays an important and vital role in the economic activity of Tunisia; it contributes to budget balancing and solves many economic and social problems. The Promotion of tourism services is the most important role that information and communications technology contributes in the tourism sector. It ensures the task of delivering information for tourists on tourism agencies andRead MoreHotel Thesis6924 Words   |  28 Pagestourists, that is a great strength. Considering the catering industry it is the same; people will rarely stop eating. An open sector: The sector creates job opportunities for young people and for women. Also, people with limited education can get the opportunity for a career. It is a global industry with highly international markets Due to its labour intensive and customer close nature it cannot be exported or outsourced It is a flexible industry, which handles changes relatively easy. The tsunami catastropheRead MoreAdvances And Development Of Tourism : A Literature Of Review1476 Words   |  6 Pagesinfluenced the growth and development of tourism industry in many ways. The issue that will be covered in this li terature review is the advances of technology in tourism. The purpose of this literature review will explore the major opportunities for tourism service providers. The literature gathered from a variety of resources in particular areas of Internet and social media, innovation of technology in multimedia and hotel design, and transport technology. Role of Technology in Tourism Nowadays, the useRead MoreRole Of Media Intourism New Communication Technologies.1631 Words   |  7 PagesROLE OF MEDIA IN TOURISM NEW COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES ABSTRACT Matru Devo Bhava Pitru Devo Bhava Aachaarya Devo Bhava Athithi Devo Bhavo - Tittariya Upanishad Respects to Mother, Father, Guru and Guest. They are all forms of God. The saying shows the importance and significance of GUEST in India. From the days of Vedas , we Indians consider tourist as a welcome guest and we give top priority to â€Å"Yatrik† or tourist as an important guest and treat himRead MoreI Want Read a Content from This Website754 Words   |  4 Pageses/data/cont/docs/518-2013-11-05-42_garin-munoz.pdf The Role of the Internet in the Development of World Tourism ABSTRACT: Tourism industry is considered as one of the largest and the mostdiverseindustries in the world. After the machinery and oil industry, this industry as a modern service industryandthe device to create connectivity among nations and various people in the world have been under public attention. Attention to this industry especially in the countries which are rich in historic,Read MoreImplementing A Single Free Trade Area For Asean Integration ( Iai )1745 Words   |  7 Pagesconsultation on macroeconomic and financial policies and trade facilitation measures, enhance infrastructure and communication connectivity, develop electronic transactions through e-ASEAN, integrate industries across the region to promote regional sourcing and cross-border networking and enhance the role of the private sector and in particular SMEs. MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN BRUNEI Brunei Darussalam is a small country in the Malay region. It maintains an Islamic Monarchy and an independentRead MoreEmpowerment Is The Decision Making Process Essay1579 Words   |  7 PagesEmpowerment appeal play an important role in increasing employee’s productivity and providing organizational efficiency. Linkage between employee empowerment sectoral development in the hospitality industry The definition of the ―tourism element of the division includes specific segments of transport, travel agencies and travel agent. Hotels, catering and restaurants are all considered by most organizations to belong to the ―tourism-characteristic industries and are therefore subsumed underRead MoreIct E-Commerce for Hospitality Industry3508 Words   |  15 PagesICT amp; E-COMMERCE FOR HOSPITALITY Module : ICT 106 Institute : Ealing Hammersmith and West London College Submitted by : Jabedur Rahman (ID: 765453) Submitted to : Mr. David Preston Submission Date : 1 March 2011 Contents * Executive Summary * Introduction * Discussion A. ââ€" ºThe application systems used by Marriott Forest of Arden, And The principal technologies used in its operation B. ââ€" ºThe management information systems used by the hotel And theirRead MoreMarketing Practices And Communication Management992 Words   |  4 Pagesconditions. (Kim et al. 2004). The new aspect of IMC is that technological developments have made it possible to put this idea into operational practice.(Kliatchko, 2005). In fact, the emergence and advancement in information and communication technology (ICT) are considered as one of the most significant background factors of IMC. (Kitchen et al, 2004. Gurau, 2008. Kliatchko, 2009). According to advanced technology solutions, IMC programs are able to capture precise data on customers. This means that database

Human Essay Example For Students

Human Essay There are two things that make up a human: god and animals. Humans alone have morality, ability to know the principles of right and wrong behavior, and ethical judgment. Alexander Pope, Shakespeare, and Gilgamesh, these people and books, use concepts of human beings are: morality, divinity, and integrity. In todays world it is shown that humans are very easily divinity and animal. Concerns and perspective status of a person and behavior is what leads humans through life. One of these is which perseverance gives determination of a strong-minded person. A person leads himself with his or her own good moral conduct. We are different than animals in a way, that we can see happiness, while most animals cant. Economy is what lets you manage your household and private affairs. Prudence is the ability to govern and discipline oneself. Courage holds your mind and soul together throughout thick and thin. Human also have another trait, Self-consciousness.Where we are aware of our bodies, and the control of movement, unlike animals. We see ourselves in daily life, and an animal would not, not even in a mirror. These are basic morals or ideals we humans live by today, in our mind and domains. Gilgamesh believes that humans equal god plus animal. The divine plus the beast makes up a person. Another point that is mention on pg 49, is that man should be able to see his own death. Humans are the only animals aware that they are going to die, and what might possibly happen. Essay on Man, Alexander Pope, says that a man doubts everything. Humans can see the good and bad in things, while an animal just wonders what it is. The Humans mind and body both prefer different things. The mind could say youre too fat, and yet the body is hungry. Animals just eat whether they are hungry or not, in the wild they could careless about anything else.Human condition is brought up here, where humans have to do more than just reproduction. Gods they control life, and learn, and as part of such, Humans must too. Humans now a days, go to school and college to learn. Shakespeare, in Hamlet, believes that humans move like angels. The mind of a human should be of the gods type. We have knowledge, tec hnology, and man made things waiting and built from us. That humans are like animals. We all came from the ground and we lay into the ground (ashes to ash, and dust to dust.), the quintessence of dust. Humans have structure their lives by morality and most of it is not by that ideal. We all help another in the time of need. Animals are aware of another in pain, but cannot help; they might eat the one in pain. In art, we can look at a stupid shape or circle, and see beauty of all kinds. Humans make tings for no real apparent reason of divinity. Animals walk everywhere just showing their bodies, and humans have the idea of clothing themselves for reasons unknown. We are animals, but the divinity (god) does not let us. Humans have Medical care, glasses, contacts, make up, drugs; animals have no such things. Animals die because of the down side, but the divinity we have does not let humans go to pieces for a little problem. Humans have the ability of time! Animals could care less.They w ake up, start the day, and go to sleep when the sun is going down. Humans do not like that, the god side of them has to extend itself past that, and stay up longer, live longer, and be stronger. .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a , .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a .postImageUrl , .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a , .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a:hover , .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a:visited , .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a:active { border:0!important; } .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a:active , .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u8834ba5d04075fd7720c775e5a857c2a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Deforestation EssayIn conclusion, humans have an urge to extend themselves past the animals to a hirer rank of human. Humans have the same body characteristics as animals; hair, bones, blood, skin, and faces structure. We have the urge of reproduction, sleep, food, and sense, but divinity has taken it hirer. Gods have time, minds, knowledge, technology, brains, and style. Humans have that too on the inside, but they also have the animals on the outside. So in general, we are stuck in the middle of divinity and creature.

Nazca Lines Essay Example For Students

Nazca Lines Essay The Nazca Lines are located between the Inca and Nazca valleys about200 miles south of Lima, Peru. The phenomena is an assortment of complexlines and figures that draw out animals shapes and symbols. The Nazca Linesare 37 miles long and 1 mile wide. There are 70 animal forms and 900georgraphical forms which include shapes, and geometric forms. These shapesand animals can only be viewed from the sky. For examples monkeys andspiders as well as triangles and circles. In the 1940s, American explorer Paul Kosok visited the Nazca Linesand thoerized that the lines served as an enormous astronomicalobservatory. Another theory was developed by an English explorer, Tony Morrison. He suggested that the people of the Andes Mountains created these lines asa means of religious tradition in which they created shrines on each end ofa line and would more from shine to shrine praying and meditating. My OpinionI believe the Nazca Lines were not just a decoration but an importantaspect to civilization. I dont believe that the Nazca lines served as an enormousastronomical observatory due to the fact that the number of lines that wereastronomically significant were only about the same number that would bethe result of pure chance.

The Last Leaf Review free essay sample

O Henry always has me saying O marvelous! The gruesome plots, the careful work on the minutest of the minute details, the unpredictable surprise endings, the imaginative use of connotation and so much more. He dared to personify the dreadful Pneumonia as the cold, unseen stranger! THE LAST LEAF remains one of my favorite short stories written by him. The plot revolves around two artist girls Sue and Johnsy who have their own studio in quaint old Greenwich Village. Theirs was a relationship fostered on mutual trust and their common tastes in art, chicory salad and bishop sleeves! All went hunky dory till Johnsy fell ill with pneumonia one cold November month. The disease seemed to drain out the last streaks of will and womanly taste from her being. She lay all day on her bed awaiting her death, looking out of the window listlessly. The doctor put her chances at one-in-ten, which he swelled up to one-in-five if Sue managed to get Johnsy to ask one question about the new winter styles in cloak sleeves! Here the author tries to cook up humor from a womans natural eye for fashion. We will write a custom essay sample on The Last Leaf Review or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Distressed by the doctors verdict Sue cried a Japanese napkin to a pulp another typical womanly reaction! She, at no cost, wanted to lose a friend who had so much in common with her and who had, for the past one year, been her staunch companion in everything from her artistic conquests to her personal trivia. With a heavy heart she gathered her drawing board and paintbrush (and a great amount of will) and made her way into Johnsys room. Johnsy lay there still as death itself. Sue began working on an illustration for a magazine story. Young artists must pave their way to Art by drawing pictures for magazine stories that young authors write to pave their way to Literature! Here the author has skillfully rawn a comparison between the two classes of strugglers and brought to light how the two, despite being so different in their genres, together make a wonderful piece! How many of us have actually read up a story because the illustrations were appealing?! Coming back to the story, our heroine Sue sat there in the room sketching with determination, trying to drown her sorrow into her art. Sud denly the sound of low moans broke her trance. She went quickly to Johnsys bedside. She was lying there eyes open wide and fixed outside the window. She was counting counting backwards! Sues solicitous glances found that Johnsy had her eyes on an old, old vine, the leaves of which had been ripped off its body, exposing the rotting skeleton. It had been losing leaves at an alarming rate, from over a hundred leaves on it three days ago to five Just then. In her desperation Johnsy cried out that her life would betray her the day the last leaf fell! Her friend rebuked her with magnificent scorn, calling her a scatterbrain! She declared that she wouldnt leave the room until she saw the last leaf fall off, which she was sure would happen before dark, and prove Johnsys paranoid fears unfounded. On the ground floor of Sues studio lived old Behrman. He was over sixty and sported a long Michael Angelo Moses beard dangling over an impish body. A failure in art his drawing board had waited forty years to receive the first line of the great masterpiece he planned to create! It was still waiting. He made both ends meet by serving as a model to young artists. And Sue was his regular customer. Later that day Sue went over to Behrman to get him to to him. The old man was visibly stupefied at what he heard and blabbered about illogical people of the world. Nevertheless, Sue went back home once her work was done. Days passed and the old vine started making small steps to becoming bald! As each day came and went, its leaves bid adieu one after the other. And Johnsy her belief was becoming a reality! She was slowly slipping away into death. So the leaves fell one after the other until one very last! Johnsy busied herself bidding her final farewell to the world. Days slipped away like sand; soon and fast, but the last leaf refused to fall off, determined not to betray its naked host! Rain, shine or the twilight, nothing could possibly make it part ways with the vine. The young woman waited and she waited still and then her patience wore off. The concluded that God didnt want her in his kingdom and realized that asking for death was a sin. For the first time through her illness she asked for her broth without waiting for Sue to Jostle it down her throat. Soon she was her true self again up and about! One afternoon as the two girls sat knitting, Sue broke the news of old Behrmans death from pneumonia. He was found cold and wet and in pain and beside him was a palette with green and yellow colours mixed on it. No one had wondered why the last leaf never fluttered, never moved Behrman had finally delivered his masterpiece! He had painted it the night the last leaf fell!

Free sample - Pysc.. translation missing

Pysc.. Pysc.In health psychology, the multifactorial model is a foremost paradigm that distinguishes the all-around nature of illnesses. The multi factorial representation is an approach to health and health care that holds the conviction that an individulas good health is a function of numerous factors operating together. This model takes into account an individual biological factors comprising of immune system, genetics, and chronic pain; environmental features including pollution and job hazards; psychological factors comprising of anger, stress, and personality; cultural and sociocultural and factors coprising of things such as family size and the access of health care. Getting to undertand these diverse factors about an individual like their genetic composition and environmental factors can be a large tool in early identification of and understanding risk factors of various diseases. It is not a straightforward, simple case that a disease is as a result of a particular factor. The real ity is that decades if not over a century of contemporary research has resulted to the acknowledgment that a multitude of factors, as well as their connections, play a role in illness and in determination of health (Ricki, 2003).the various factors that are indicated by multifactorial model to be the variety of probable influences or origins of diseases comprise of the socio cultural, psychological, environmental, and stressors. This broad vary of factors, which comprise of both those within and without the control of an individual, are what determines an individual's health and his/her intensity of defenselessness to health problems (Ricki, 2003). Personality or psychological and other factors related to an individual behavior feature in quite a big number of health problems. This can be evidenced by the many number of deaths that could be prevented that occur every year in the United States of America. For instance, smoking is a cause of over 400,000 deaths yearly as a result of cancer, lung disease, heart diseases and stroke. Approximately over 300,000 yearly deaths that occur as a result of stroke, cancer, heart disease and diabetes can essentially be prevented by employment of proper exercise and good diet. Control or moderation of alcohol consumption, immunizations and safe sex practices or abstinence could also go a long way in preventing deaths from infectious diseases, injuries/accidents and vehicular and many disease that are transmitted sexually (Ricki, 2003). It should be noted very well that negative states of one’s psychology and depression can actually lead to a damaged immune system. This is so for the re ason that, dissimilar from the popular thinking, the physical and mental are not completely separate domains but, somewhat entwined (Ricki, 2003). Biological factors in this comprise of gender, age, various injuries, inoculations and exposure to various pathogens. Some individuals will unknowingly make an assumption that their health is condemned by, say, a family history of diabetes while it’s a function of one’s genetic make-up which is beyond a capacity of an individual to be altered. Because of a family history of a certain disease, some individuals will think fatalistically that there is nothing that can be done to perk up their possibilities of overcoming or escaping a given disease. According to National Cancer Institute’s Dr. Robert N. Hoover, many cases of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and others just give rise to predilections, not actually certainties (Ricki, 2003). Environmental factors comprise of the water quality, pollution, hygiene from sanitation and solid waste treatment, global warming, natural disasters and the ozone layer depletion. Individual stressors are responsible for a wide vary of circumstances comprising of hassles at home, time pressure, co-workers, and financial insecurity; major life changes; frustrations; workplace circumstances; and rejection or isolation by peers (Ricki, 2003). Consequently, the multifactorial model, in the diagnosis of an illness, takes into consideration the potential roles that are taken on by biological, psychological, environmental/cultural factors, together with their relations (Ricki, 2003). The appliance of the psychological health model in the United States is in various studies that try to give explanation on the phenomenon of black Americans apparently being affected by various health problems more as judged against to the European Americans. A person is more likely to be diagnosed of cancer if that person is encountering chronic stress. Those who are in excellent psychological health are not as much of apt to smoke, and definitely apt to smoke less. Psychological treatments are employed in combating nausea coming as a result of chemotherapy management for cancer. According to various studies, people who have been taught skills of relaxation are better capable of distracting themselves from the negative consequences of chemotherapy. People undergoing various cancer treatments for instance radiation, chemotherapy, and radical surgeries are most prone to have feelings of depression, lack of control, stress and even anger. Such fveelings are comprehensible but if they turn out to be chronic they can depressingly have an effect on the immune system. And individuals are better capable to restore to health after surgery. Considerations of ethnicity have resulted to studies which show that African-Americans may certainly be genetically prone to hypertension, however, at the same time, stress, poor diet, and smoking to a great extent add to the advancement of the disease. Same considerations have resulted to the findings the predisposition of Afro-Americans to have poorer level of access to worth health care facilitate in explaining, for example, why they are less prone to undergo The multifactorial model is a more of a holistic medical problems approach. It puts into consideration an individual as a whole; their lifestyle and history, rather than only one faulty system or organ. This model results to a more precise treatment and diagnosis. Â   References: Ricki Lewis (2003), Multifactorial Traits, McGraw-Hill Higher Education Jannink, J; Bink, Mc; Jansen, Rc (Aug 2001). "Using complex plant pedigrees to map valuable genes". Trends in plant science 6 (8): 337–42.

Oil and the U.S. economy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Oil and the U.S. economy - Assignment Example The US remains very dependent on these foreign oil reserves for its functioning economy which leaves us helpless to disruption. The US consumes more than 25% of the world’s oil and this is going up by 2% every year; 57% of this oil being consumed is imported from Canada, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and Mexico (Churchill). What this means is the US is built around the use of oil for cheap, reliable energy. The US economy, from its most basic consumer base, cannot survive without it for very long. Despite the US’s clear dependence on foreign oil the US is less dependent on this oil as it was in 1973 and 1980. According to the New York Times, â€Å"the energy used for each dollar of gross domestic product in 1980 was almost 70 percent greater than it is today. While we have collectively wrung our hands over the decline of manufacturing in the country, it has also reduced the relationship between energy prices and growth† (Goolsbee). The US commuter is more dependent than ever though. People live farther from their work and drive more. Because fuel efficiency standards in the US stopped going up in 1990, fuel inefficiency creates a higher demand among US commuter for oil to fill their tanks. When oil prices go up dramatically like in summer of 2008 the US commuter was forced to make difficult choices, and the economy scaled back because the consumer was left in shock by such high prices. This oil shock was right before the economic downturn (Panzner). On the stock market commodity prices and stock prices have an interesting relationship. When commodities go down in value, stocks usually go up in value (Mitchell). This relationship causes some people to look at oil prices in relation to the US economy as a whole when thinking about where the US economy will be going. Oil prices are a big commodity that many analysts look at, and if oil prices change, commodities in general change. This is because oil

Individual Business proposal for electronic and communications Essay

Individual Business proposal for electronic and communications engineering - Essay Example Hospitals are busy places where people are on call all the time. Hospitals have a number of paging systems today which attempt to reach doctors and staff. These range from pagers, which are based on walkie-talkie and two-way communications technologies from the 1960’s, overhead sound signals, which use a public address system, and even lights which send a coded page to specific people or departments. In answering a page or a summons, a staff member must normally call a number or look at a short paging message; usually, the message is â€Å"call your paging service.† There are several problems with the current systems in place. First, it requires too much work on the part of the staff member. If he/she is in the midst of tending to a patient, she must stop and look at the pager, or go to a phone to follow up on the page. He or she must then talk with a dispatcher or listen to a message. The communication is one-way; if he/she has questions about the page, there is no way to get an immediate answer. Each staff member in a hospital needs to be able to communicate with everyone else in a way that does not interrupt their workflow. If a nurse is tending to a patient, for example, he/she must be able to talk to someone without having to step away from the bedside, or use one or two hands for communication. In addition, the person must be able to reach a ‘live’ person on the other end when something is needed, in order to request immediate information or action. The communications system must be transparent to the user, and take little or no training. It should be applicable throughout the institution, but also offsite. If, for example, a physician is visiting with a patient in his offices, and would like to enquire about the availability of a bed at a local hospital, he/she should be able to immediately contact the appropriate hospital staff

Risk Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Risk Assessment - Essay Example 428). On the other hand, a hazard is the potential to cause harm and may take the forms of biological hazards, chemical hazards, natural hazards, cultural hazards, and lifestyle choices (Spoolman & Miller, 2011, 429). The risk of being alcoholic in figure 17-16 and the risk of alcohol consumption in figure 17-3 surprised me because of difference in ranking. In figure 17-16, being alcoholic has the most relative risks towards other hazards as reflected on more than 4,000 days lost of life expectancy. The risk shown in the figures surprised me as I expected that in figure 17-3, alcohol consumption would have the highest degree of risk; however, figure 17-3 revealed that cigarette smoking has the highest degree of risk with annual risk of 10 per 1,000 and alcohol consumption ranked thirteenth with 6.4 per 1000,000 annual risk. Aside from hazard and risk, differentiating hazard from outrage is also necessary in a risk assessment. While hazard is a real and objective risk, an outrage is a subjective, social science, perceived risk (Sandman, 2003, 9). As described earlier, a hazard has the potential to cause harm and outrage happens when the public overestimate the harm a hazard can cause. Although an outrage is a public perception of harm, an outrage is as real, as measurable, as manageable, and as much as part of risk and job as hazard (Sandman, 2011, 9). Hazard levels and outrage levels may differ in degree. For instance, a hazard might has a relative low risk but with a high outrage risk. This is the scenario that happened after Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska in 1989, an oil spill disaster. A BP oil tanker spilled a smaller amount of oil off the cost of California (low hazard risk) but since the public realized that Exxon erred by not providing quickly, timely, and honest information about the spill, the public viewed the same scenario as equally disastrous as the Exxon disaster and the public’s level

Analysis Of Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad Finance Essay

Analysis Of Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad Finance Essay Dutch lady is a company that emphasis on the production of the daily product such as sweetener, yogurt, fresh milk and milk powder. Dutch lady had been starting their business in Malaysia since 1950s. The history of Dutch Lady Corporation in Malaysia begins after World War II, Dutch lady was among the several brands that imports the sweetened condensed milk from its parents company in Holland via local importers and wholesalers. In 1954, Atrading company Friesland (Malaya) Pte. Ltd. based in Singapore was formed to market the sweetened condenses milk imported from Holland in Malaya and Singapore. Dutch lady had joined the particular company with the brand name Dutch Baby. In 1963, Pacific Milk Industries (Malaya) Sendirian Berhad was incorporated in Malaysia with the commissioning of a sweetened milk factory in Petaling Jaya. This factory was the first oversea production factory of the parent company. The Company has begun their operation in the late 1965 and started to manufacture sweetened condensed milk with the licenses from the parent company. In year 1968, Pacific Milk industries (Malaya) were converted into a public company and became the very first daily production company that listed in the Stock of Exchange of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The name of the company was changed from Pacific Milk Industries Berhad to Dutch Baby Milk Industries (Malaya) Berhad in the hope to avoid the confusion in the trade and marketplace surrounding the name of the company. The company had emphasis on the production of the Dutch Baby Sweetened Condensed Milk. In line with the Companys diversification programmed, the Company commissioned and built an Ultra Heat Treated Milk Plant. Locally packed Dutch Baby Modified Baby Food was also introduced in the same year. Dutch Baby Milk Industries (Malaya) Berhad had sought for diversification in their product by introduces the new fruit juice drink product under the JOY brand name in year 1979. Dutch Baby Milk Industries (Malaya) Berhad also concern the safety of their product by introducing the sterilized milk in plastic bottles in the 1983. In year 1984, Dutch Baby Milk Industries (Malaya) Berhad once again change their name to Dutch Lady for product positioning reason. In late 1985, a 3 storey building was build to house the Milk Powder packing plant as their business grew. During 1987, the Company underwent an equity restructuring exercise to comply with the Governments New Economic Policy. The share capital was enlarged to RM16.0 million. In the same year Dutch Lady had the production of pasteurized milk in their production. Dutch Lady had introduced the yogurt and growing up milk in the late 1988 as the strategy to compete with their competitors. Dutch lady Milk Industries had delisted from the Stock Exchange of Singapore in 1989, In compliance with the Governments national policy to pro mote the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. In 1994, Dutch Lady Milk industries have their new milestone in the Dairy Product production. A new warehouse was built to accommodate the companys growing business. Human capital started to expand in line with organizational needs. It is very grateful that Dutch Lady Milk Industries has obtained certification under the ISO 9001 standards. In 1999, Dutch Lady received the Readers Digest Super Brands Gold Award for being voted the preferred brand of milk products in Malaysia. In the same year The Dutch Lady UHT Plant also received HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) certification from the Ministry of Health. In year 2000, Dutch Lady received its second Readers Digest Super Brands Gold Award for being voted the preferred brand of milk products in Malaysia. The Company changed its name from Dutch Baby Milk Industries (Malaya) Berhad to Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad, to be in line with its main brand Dutch Lady with a new commitment Goodness for Life. In year 2001, Dutch Lady received its third Readers Digest Super Brands Gold Award for being voted the preferred brand of milk products in Malaysia and in year 2002 Dutch Lady won the Brand Equity award for liquid milk. In the same year Dutch Lady Sterilized Milk Plant once again received HACCP (Hazard Analysis Control Point) certification from the Ministry of Health. By the way Dutch Lady received its fourth Readers Digest Super Brands Gold Award for being voted the preferred brand of milk products in Malaysia The Companys share capital was increased from RM16.0 million to RM64.0 million via a 3 for 1 bonus issue, in compliance with the then Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange ruling. In 2003, Dutch Lady upgraded the ISO 9001:1994 certification to ISO 9001:2000 standard. Dutch Lady launches a range of DHA-enhanced milk products for infants and young children. Again, The Dutch Lady Powder Plant received HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) certification from the Ministry of Health. In 2003 also Dutch Lady received its fifth Readers Digest Super Brands Gold Award for being voted the preferred brand of milk products in Malaysia. Nutrition for Vitality Dutch Lady revamped its brand image and packaging with the new corporate tagline Get Ready For Life! to profile vitality through healthy lifestyles and activities. In 2004 Dutch Lady received its sixth consecutive Readers Digest Super Brand Gold Award for being voted the preferred brand of milk products in Malaysia. Dutch Lady Corporation did not forget their social responsibilities to the society in 2006 Dutch Lady donated RM70000 worth of products to Deputy .Prime Minister for the Johor flood victims. In the year of 2004 also Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad had won the Award given by National Productivity Corporation (NPC). The objectives of the award are to recognize the companys outstanding productivity management, enhancement and the importance of productivity improvement towards economic development in Malaysia Among the product that produce by Dutch Lady Milk Industries includes; for the growing children Dutch Lady had produce the following product: DL Yes! DL Langkah 1 DL Langkah 2 DL 123Growing up Milk DL 456Growing up Milk Frisolac Gold 1 Frisolac Gold 2 Friso Gold 3 Friso Gold 4 For the family; DL Low Fat Yoghurt DL UHT Milk DL Sterilized Milk DL Pasteurized Milk DL Milk Powder DL Creamers Joy Juice For the young adults DL Shine DL iced Latte 2.0 METHODOLOGY Our group had used the secondary resources, Internet to accomplish the assignment given. We had refer to these website to obtain ours information and the financial statement of the company. http://www.dutchlady.com.my/en/home.asp http://www.icongrouponline.com/pr/Dutch_Lady_Milk_Industries_Berhad_MY/PR.html http://www.dutchlady.com.my/en/home.asp?page=financialsubpage=annual http://www.dutchlady.com.my/sharedfiles/financial/files/DL_QuarterlyReport_Dec06.pdf http://www.dutchlady.com.my/sharedfiles/financial/files/DL_QuarterlyReport_Dec07.pdf http://www.dutchlady.com.my/sharedfiles/financial/files/DL_QuarterlyReport_Dec08.pdf We also refer to the handout that given by the lecturer to solve the ratio in order to finish our financial analysis for the company. We had use several formula to solve the calculation in the handout and we also refer to our textbook for the difficulties that faces by us. Financial ratio analysis includes liquidity ratio, asset management ratio, profitability ratio and leverage ratio. Below are the lists of the formula that we use for this assignment. Current Ratio Higher figure means the business financial condition is better as it has enough liquid assets for its operation. Quick Ratio Higher figure shows the business has enough quick assets to cover its short-term debt immediately. Average Collection Period Comparison of this ratio with credit period will measure the efficiency of the firm to collect its debt. Inventory Turnover Higher figure shows that the firms inventory moves more quickly, meaning that inventory will be sold and replaced more frequently. Total Asset Turnover This ratio will indicate how much of sales can be generated from every dollar of the firms asset. Higher result shows that the firm manages its asset effectively. Debt Ratio Lower ratio is better. It means more coverage earn by creditors if the firm goes bankrupt. Time Interest Earn Ratio The ratio indicates firms ability in paying interest. Higher ratio shows better ability in meeting interest payment. Net Profit Margin Higher ratio is better because it shows the reducing in expenses or cost in producing sales. Return on Equity Higher ratio is better because it shows that the firm can generate better return to the owner of the firm. 4.0 CONCLUSION In conclusion, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad Malaysias liquidity has becomes better from the year 2006 to 2008. Although the current ratio has decrease from 2006 to 2007 which is from 1.773 times to 1.414 times but the ratio increases from year 2007 to 2008 which is from 1.414 times in year 2007 raise to 1.737 times in year 2008. It shows that the business financial condition is becoming better where it has enough liquid asset of its operation in year 2008. Based on the quick ratio, the firms liquidity is not stable from the year 2006 until 2008, which it has decreases from 1.148 times to 0.702 times. The decreased ratio shows that the business might not have enough quick assets in year 2007 to pay its short term debt immediately compare to year 2006. However the ratio increases to 1.134 times in year 2008 and this mean the company have enough quick assets to pay their short term debts. The Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad had become less efficient in collecting its account receivable from year 2006 to 2008 which the average collection period has increases from 45.6 days to 59.39 days. These figures show that the business need to take longer time in year 2008 compare to year 2006 to collect its debt. Based on the total assets turnover, the company has manages its assets more efficiency in year 2006 compare to year 2007 and 2008 which is decrease from 2.43 times to 2.067 times and increase back to 2.41 times in 2008. This means that more sales have been generated from every Ringgit Malaysia of the company assets in year 2006 compare to 2007 and 2008 The fixed assets turnover has also increased from 9.321 times in year 2006 to 10.11 times in year 2007 and 10.62 times in 2008. The increasing in this ratio shows that the company has been more effective in produces the business sales from its fixed assets. Profitability Ratios is measures that indicate how well a firm is performing in terms of its ability to generate profit. Return on assets (ROA) is use to indicate how profitable a company is relative to its total assets. Base from the calculation, it was show that the return on assets is decrease from 20.4% (year 2006)to 16.04% (year 2007) and 14.4% (year 2008), more higher value (%) is calculated that means higher return on assets, so the return on total assets is evidently decrease 6% from year 2006 until year 2008. Net profit margin is use to measures how  much out  of every ringgit Malaysia  of sales a company actually keeps in earning. Base from the calculation, it was show that the net profit margin is decrease from 8.4% (year 2006) to 7.8% (year 2007) and 6% (year 2008), so that means the Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad has a net income of RM0.084 for each ringgit Malaysia of sales in year 2006, but it was decrease to RM0.078 for each ringgit Malaysia of sales in year 2007 and RM0.06 in year 2008. Return on equity (ROE) is measures a corporations profitability  by revealing how much  profit a company generates  with the money shareholders have invested.  Base from the calculation, it was show that the return on equity is increase from35.6% to 37.13% (year 2007) but decrease to 26.4% (year 2008). Higher value (%) is calculated that means the common stockholders of the firm will receive more return on their equity investment, so the return on equity was indicate the accounting return on the common stockholders investment was evidently increase 1.5% from 2006 to 2007 and decrease 10.73% from year 2007 until year 2008. In a conclusion, the calculated was indicating the Profitability Ratios of Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad at year 2006 is better than year 2008. The debt ratio of Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad increase from 42.8% to 56.8% from year 2006 to 2007 and decrease from 56.82% (year 2007) to 45.3% (year 2008).Although the company need adequate short term borrowing in year 2007 to cover their operation but in year 2008 the companys short term borrowing shows the obvious decline. This shows that in the year 2007 the company total debt is higher than the year of 2008, and this prove that the company manage to decrease their debt and making their total asset increase throughout the year before to the next year. This also shows that the company has the ability to pay up their liabilities and due to this its shows that this company has a low financial risk where the percentage of debt ratios is decreasing after the coming year. Apart from that, this show that the firms assets that financed by debt is used effectively where the ratio is lower than in the year 2007 because less debt in financing results in shows less financial risk. The time interest earned of Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad is increase from 126.98 times to 264.33 times from 2006 to 2007 and decrease from 264.33 times (year 2007) to 196.47 times (year 2008). This is because the revenue for company has increase from 2006 to 2007 and decrease along two years which are 2007 and 2008. At the same time, the interest expenses for company have increase along three years. This is because maybe the company not able to generate sufficient revenue so that they need to increase their loan. As a result, it leads to increase and decrease in time interest earned. Through this, the company shows that they need to improve their ability in meeting interest payment. This ratio used to measure the number of times the firm has gained to pay interest expenses. The higher the ratio is better because it shows the ability in meeting interest payment.

how Is Helium Produced? :: essays research papers

"How Is Helium Produced?" Production: Although Helium is one of the most common elements in the universe it is a rare gas on earth. It exists in the atmosphere in such small quantities (less than five parts per million) that recovering it from the air is uneconomical. Helium is produced as a by-product of the refining of natural gas, which is carried out on a commercial scale in the USA and Poland. In these areas natural gas contains a relatively high concentration of Helium which has accumulated as a result of radioactive decay of heavy elements within the earth's crust. Helium is supplied to distribution centres throughout the world in liquid form in large cryogenic containers. The Helium is filled into liquid containers, gas cylinders and cylinder packs as necessary. History of Helium Production: Government involvement in helium conservation dates to the Helium Act of 1925 which authorized the Bureau of Mines to build and operate a large-scale helium extraction and purification plant. From 1929 until 1960 the federal government was the only domestic helium producer. In 1960, Congress amended the Helium Act to provide incentives to natural gas producers for stripping natural gas of its helium, for purchase of the separated helium by the government, and for its long-term storage. With over 960 million cubic meters (34.6 billion cubic feet) of helium in government storage and a large private helium recovery industry, questions arise as to the need for either the federal helium extraction program or the federally maintained helium stockpile. In a move which would take the federal government out of the helium business, Congress passed the Helium Privatization Act (H.R. 873) as part of the Seven- Year Balanced Budget Reconciliation Act of 1995 (H.R. 2491). Although the measure died when the President vetoed the Budget Act on December 6, 1995, the Administration has made a goal the privatization of the federal helium program. On April 30, 1996, the House suspended the rules and passed H.R. 3008, the Helium Privatization Act as agreed to in the House-Senate conference on the Budget Act. Subsequently, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee amended the bill to provide for the National Academy of Sciences to study how best to dispose of the helium reserve. On September 26, 1996, with limited time remaining for the 104th Congress, the House again suspended the rules and passed H.R. 4168, a new bill containing the Senate Committee language. This would avoid the need for a conference if the Senate would also pass the same bill. The Senate did so on September 28, 1996. This report reviews the origin and

Book Report Writing Template Essay

The following book report format template is appropriate for students at the pre-college level who are required to write a report about a book they have read. For the type of book summaries applicable to college and university level (undergraduate and post-graduate), as well as for business and professional situations, you can check out the following book summary sample. 1. Introductory Paragraph The first sentence should state for which instructor and class the book-report is being written. The second sentence should state the title of the book and the author’s name. The third sentence should tell how many pages the book has and the name of the publisher. The fourth sentence can state basic bibliographic information about the book. Bibliographic information means not only the author and title but also what company published the book, what year it was published in and any other relevant information such as the edition and if the book has been translated, simplified or abridged. (see copyright page and the back of the title page. ) The next sentence should state the reason(s) you decided to read this book. Why did you choose this particular book? Typical reasons might be: You like the author. You like this type of book (i. e. mystery, western, adventure or romance, etc. ). Someone recommended the book to you. It was on a required reading list. You liked the cover. These reasons do not have to be complex. Most people choose the books they read because they like the author or somebody recommended it to them. If you chose the book because you like the author, then state why you like that author. An optional sentence can be used if the cover (back cover) of the book gives you any additional information then add a sentence with that information. Was the book a best seller? Are there X million copies in print? Did it win any major awards? 2. Main Character(s) Paragraph The first sentence of this paragraph should state who the main character or characters of the book are, and why they are important. Refer to this person or these persons as the Main Character or Main Characters. You will need at least a complex sentence for this, and probably more than one sentence. 3. Other Characters Paragraph You should compose at least one sentence for each of the other prominent or important characters in the book. State the name of each of the other important characters, and the key role that each one plays in the book Most books have five or six prominent characters besides the main character, so simply listing each one and stating their role in the book will give you a good sized paragraph. 4. Plot Summary Paragraph This is perhaps the hardest paragraph to write in five sentences or so. If you have to write a bit more don’t worry. Here are the main points to cover: State the type of book (Mystery, Western, etc. ). What place or country was the book set in? What time period was the book set in? (19th century, the present, ancient Rome, the 23rd century). Other physical locations which are important, like: ships, airplanes, houses, or buildings. Other notable attributes of the book. (Was it violent, scary, fast paced, etc. ). What is the main character trying to do? What is the outcome of the book? etc. Make sure you cover all of the major parts of the plot. You might have to go back through the book, chapter by chapter, and make a few notes. 5. Personal Impressions and Conclusion Paragraph Simply talk about what you liked or did not like about the book. Use this paragraph as your conclusion. It should summarize your overall impressions of the book and bring the report to a close. Start with a sentence that states that you are now writing a conclusion. (For example: â€Å"My final thoughts on ‘A Fine Balance’ are that it is a fascinating book but I am not entirely sure if I completely understood the thematic message of the book. † Restate your reasons why you liked and/or disliked the book using different words. Write two sentences that talk about the books good points and weak points. Write a sentence or two about what you learned from the book. Close with a sentence that states whether you would recommend the book to others. Don’t be afraid to give your own honest impressions of the book. After all, if you’ve read the book thoroughly, you are entitled to your own interpretation of it. Typically, your book report should not exceed two double-spaced pages, and it should be somewhere between 600 and 800 words in length. Research Assistance This site, which claims to be the best single research source online, maintains an inventory of more than 25,000 research reports on thousands of subjects; many of which are book summaries. Most are available for immediate download. If your subject isn’t already in their archives, they will do custom research and writing for you. You can download existing papers and/or order custom research papers 24 Hours a Day!

Boring essays

Boring essays The three stories that are to be discussed contrast in several different ways. The stories of Bruce Evans, and Jean Crawley, differ from those of Grant McRae for several different reasons. The stories of Bruce and Jean had a view of home life during the war as well as a view of a soldier who fought on the ground. Grant McRaes story was that of an air force soldier who did little work on the ground. Bruces story was one of bravery as they marched across Europe in an attempt to free it from the Nazis hold, while Grant told a story of being locked away in a POW camp. The final way that the stories were different is that Jean and Bruce had stories that were filled with fact and locations, were as, Grant didnt teach he just reminisced, and it was written down. Ultimately all three veterans tell different stories, this shows us that although they fought in the same war there were many different aspects to it. When Bruces told his story it was one of triumph. He began by telling the class about how he became a soldier and his training, but ultimately the bulk of his story came when he entered combat in Normandy. Bruce spun tails of heroics of taking out the German gunners and taking that part of France for the allies. His story continued to the liberation of Holland from the Germans and the wonderful welcome that they received from the Dutch. His story concluded with his march into Germany were he heard that the war was over, and he returned to Holland got rid of his armaments, and was treated like a hero by the Dutch. Jeans story is another story of bravery. Jean told tales of how the women were brave enough to enlist in to the armed services. She spoke of how these women were willing to risk their lives in order to protect their homeland from air raids done by the Germans, risking their own lives by shinning lights on the planes, making them vulnerable to bombing. Grant told a ver y different story. ...

Lettre a Martin

Lettre a Martin Free Online Research Papers Martin, A la lecture de ta lettre oà ¹ tu mapprends la mort de Griselle, une à ©norma tristesse ma dabord envahi, ma petite soeur nà ©tait plus Puis une vague de rage et de colà ¨re ma submergà ©? Quoi! Toi! Mon meilleur ami! Celui qui faisait partie de ma famille, que jai aimà © comme un frà ¨re, ose laisser ma soeur mourir entre les mains de bourreaux, qui sont devenus maintenant tes amis! Le mot traà ®tre nest mà ªme pas assez fort pour qualifier ce que tu as fait. Non seulement tu as tuà © notre amitià © de toujours, mais en plus tu as tuà © ma soeur, cest toi pour moi qui tenait le fusil. Cest toi qui la poursuivait pour lassassiner. Tu nas mà ªme plus de coeur, plus de sentiments. Dans ton cerveau il ny a que deux mots: Heil Hitler. Toi qui à ©tais bon, regarde ce que tu es devenu: tu ne respectes plus les peules. Tu ne penses qu ta nation, qu ton devoir, qu tes faux amis. Tu dà ©nonce notre population, tu laccuse dà ªtre une race particuliere. Nous sommes faits de la mà ªme sorte que toi: nous avons du sang, des os, de la chair. Ne sommes nous pas tous pareils? La souverainà ©tà © nationale, tu ne la connais pas, et sans doute jamais. Tu juges les gens, qui à ©taient bons envers toi, qui tont donnà ©s lamour et la joie, leur amitià ©.Tu es infidà ¨le envers lhumanità ©. Toi tu as tout gachà © jamais. Jamais tu ne retrouveras du bonheur, ce serait trop tard. Jarrà ªte l cette lettre car je crois que tu as atteint les profondeurs de lhorreur et jà ©spere pour toi et toi pays tous les malheurs du monde. Research Papers on Lettre a MartinAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2Comparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoHonest Iagos Truth through Deception19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XMoral and Ethical Issues in Hiring New EmployeesThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationPETSTEL analysis of IndiaThe Project Managment Office SystemAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 Europe

Kayte Clark Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Kayte Clark - Case Study Example According to the US Employment Law different employee unions are not required to ask for such formal permissions prior to contacting any employee. Therefore Kayte accepted their request and allowed them to meet the employees but the company heads including CEO reacted negatively on her action. They passed a notice to the employees stating that Kayte does not have any right to allow employee unions in the organization. Later she was given a onetime retirement offer excluding all the social security and funding benefits. This was supposed to be accepted then and there but she refused to admit it. Consequently, after two weeks she was terminated. Her sudden termination from the organization represents a clear case of retirement discrimination which will be discussed in detail with reference to Employee Retirement Income Security Act: Title VII, The recommendations of National Labor Relations Board and State Torts. This shall be further linked with the elements she must prove for a prima facie case and the awards and damages that she must receive in return. Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA): Title VII Title VII of ERISA covers all the rights of employees while safeguarding them from any social or organizational harm. This is one of the most unique laws in USA as it is solely based upon the individuals who are currently working in an organization rather than contractors or unemployed people. Title VII consists of three fundamental tests through which legal associates recognize that whether an employee falls under this category or not. These include: Agency test i.e. the rights and control of employer over the activities of employees, Economic Realities test which defines the economic dependency of employee over the employer and lastly the Hybrid test which is the combination of agency test and economic test. In addition to this, the legal authorities scrutinize the employment claims as per the duration given to review the contract, nature of agreement either related to employment or retirement, the peculiar terms and conditions and the overall education and experience of the employee. This law is highly applicable in cases such as the one of Kayte because she had significant education and experience in the same organization. Moreover, the time given to Kayte in order to review the retirement package was insufficient neither she was given the opportunity to seek counseling from the company heads. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) NLRB is primarily responsible to improve the working conditions for employees while protecting their wage rights. It guarantees the right of forming an employees’ union in an organization while terminating the inefficient unions or employee groups. Moreover, it encourages the employees to join unions even without the consent of their employer so as to seek social and economic protection. Hence Kayte’s decision to allow the employee union in the organization is justified on the basis of N LRB elements. Furthermore the rules and regulations of National Labor Relations Board are applicable to every employee working at the level of local, state or federal government, in agricultural sector or in domestic service. It also extends protection to people who are employed by their family members or those who work as contractors. This represents that Kayte can easily

Define and analyse the key features of global brands. What strategies Essay

Define and analyse the key features of global brands. What strategies should global brands adopt to be successful internationall - Essay Example The paper comprehensively explores the features of global brands along with the strategies adopted by successful global brands. 2. Features and strategies of successful global brands Various lists of top global brands have been accomplished. Companies such as Coca Cola, Sony, Microsoft, Google and IBM have since long been ranked as the top global firms. Managers are, therefore, confronted with the question of what features distinguish successful global brands from the rest? According to one study, various factors have been identified. Firstly, almost all successful global brands have dominant sales positions in their home market (Quelch, 1999). Even though these companies may be popular internationally, it is the home market sales that form their backbone. Secondly, global brands, by definition, are recognized in almost every part of the world and have at least some sales in these areas (Quelch, 1999). In other words, global brands achieve a â€Å"geographical balance† as far as their sales are concerned. ... Next, global brands must have consistency as far as their brand image and positioning is concerned. In other words, they must be perceived in a similar way by customers and must not have conflicting images in customers’ minds. For instance, Disney connotes identical family values across the globe (Quelch, 1999). Furthermore, most successful global brands have the same brand name as their corporate name. Although exceptions exist, this strategy allows such firms to gain greater awareness and stronger and consistent brand identity across the globe. However, global corporate giants such as Unilever and P&G could practically not use a single brand name owing to the myriad of brands under their umbrella. Next, most global brands are known for making something or being associated with a single product category. For instance, Microsoft is best known for its Windows software, Coca Cola has been associated with the Coke beverage and Phillip Morris has been associated with cigarettes. E ven, companies such as Samsung that have diversified their product offerings may stand holistically for product categories such as electronics. Finally, the country of origin effect plays a crucial role in making brands global (Pharr, 2005). Brands such as Mc Donald’s or Marlboro, for instance, reflect the American lifestyle and customer values of Americans. These values in turn drive greater brand loyalty towards the brand. This is exactly where global brands become recognized by virtue of their association with customers of a particular (home) country. For instance, Japanese electronics, French perfumes and German cars all enjoy country of origin effect (Quelch, 1999). Consistency in brand image of global brands is quintessential to deliver a coherent marketing message across the

The Feasibility of Virtual Fitting Room in the Fashion Industry Literature review

The Feasibility of Virtual Fitting Room in the Fashion Industry - Literature review Example The essay "The Feasibility of Virtual Fitting Room in the Fashion Industry" explores Virtual Fitting Room, its Feasibility in the fashion. Technology, in the modern day business, transcends the use of online retail stores towards the use of mobile applications and sophisticated software. It is arguable that the virtual fitting room application is highly feasible in contemporary fashion business. The advent of fashion stores helped transform shopping, as customers would acquire access to products without visiting physical stores. These stores provide applications for carts and financial transaction. Online shopping has recently developed thereby threatening to replace traditional shopping in real shops. Some shoppers, however, still prefer real sopping to online shopping for notable cited reasons. To begin with, there are serious security concerns, as fraudsters establish sites for conning consumers. In addition, there are grave technical difficulties that some customers face while ma king transactions. For instance, remembering passwords is often one of the major technical issues that customers face. In spite of the online shopping development in fashion marketing, the issue of size and measure remains a great hindrance to online shopping. It is essential to highlight that size and fit are rarely standard across all brands. This leads to a significant amount of product returns thereby hindering sales and creating extra costs for retailers. The use of augmented reality directly solves this problem.

Major v. Brodie Essay Example for Free

Major v. Brodie Essay Case Law Where the tax liability of an English taxpayer depended on the nature of some entity or structure which was not constituted under English law, the matter was to be determined by reference to the actual legal characteristics of that entity or structure under its own governing law. To the extent that the taxpayers liability in the instant case depended on the nature of a partnership under Scots law they were therefore entitled and bound to be taxed by reference to the actual law which governed the partnership. Moreover, under English or Scots law a trade carried on by a partnership was a trade carried on by its members and each of them. (Major v. Brodie) Any trader who bought an asset for use in his trade was the proprietor of it, and inevitably used it in part for the purpose of being its proprietor. It was, however, legally possible for him to use the asset wholly for the purposes of the trade. (Major v. Brodie) Summary The author first recites the facts of the case. Taxpayers Mr. And Mrs. Brodie were members of a partnership under the name of Skeldon Estates (SEP). The two entered into loan agreements with a finance company and advance said loans to the SEP. The balance of the loan was however applied as the firm’s contribution of capital to another partnership, W Murdoch Son, a firm engaged in the trade of farming of which it was a member. Additional loan agreements were subsequently entered into by the taxpayers, the amount of which was applied to the SEP which it used to purchase another farm for use by W Murdoch Son in its farming trade, but which was not an asset of that partnership. The taxpayers claimed tax relief under s 362(1) of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 for interest on the loans for the years 1987-88 to 1992-93 as interest on loans to defray money applied in advancing money to the Skeldon Estates partnership for the purposes of the farming trade which it carried on as a partner in W Murdoch Son. The Revenue denied relief to the taxpayers because they did not meet the requirement of s 362(1) that the money advanced be used wholly for the purposes of carrying on the trade of the partnership claiming the relief. The Revenue treated the money advanced to W Murdoch Son partnership as money advanced for the purposes of carrying on a separate trade, and not for SEP.            According to the author, the conditions of s 362(1)(b) are satisfied. The provision of the law only requires that the money be used wholly for the purposes of the trade carried on by the partnership; it does not however require that such trade be carried on by the partnership alone. In his words: â€Å"When the paragraph requires the money to be used wholly for the purposes of the trade carried on by the partnership there is no need or justification for tacitly interpolating the word alone, or some other expression having the same effect. If the trade is carried on by the partnership, and here the farming trade is carried on by Skeldon Estates partnership (as it is also carried on by Mr Henry Murdoch), it makes no difference whether it is carried on by the partnership alone or in common with any other person or persons. It should be noted that the word wholly in s 362(1)(b) goes with used. It describes how the money has to be used, not who it has to be used by.† (Major v. Brodie) For purposes of granting relief under s 362(1)(b), the trade carried on by a partnership as a member of another partnership may be considered being carried on by it wholly for the purpose of that partnership.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The author then points to the argument of the Crown that the separate legal persona of the SEP from the taxpayers does not entitle them to relief under English law, Park J considers this untenable. First and foremost, the partnership is a Scottish partnership. It therefore has a legal persona separate and distinct from its members and the money advanced by its members can be regarded as money of the partnership, contrary to the Crown’s argument. Even if SEP was, for the sake of argument, an English partnership, the taxpayers would still be entitled to relief because when the paragraph refers to â€Å"the trade . . . carried on by the partnership,† its strict meaning in relation to an English partnership is â€Å"the trade carried on by the partners in their capacities as members of the partnership† because an English partnership does not have a separate legal persona.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The author then discussed the case of Mac Kinlay (Inspector of Taxes) v. Arthur Young McClelland Moores Co. [1989] STC 898, which will be discussed hereunder. Background Facts Arthur Young McClelland Moores Co, is a firm of chartered accountants with over 200 partners decided that it became necessary to ask partners and employees to move from one part of the country to another to ensure that the staff was deployed to the firm’s best advantage with the firm shouldering some of the expenses. Issues The Special Commissioners, in resolving the issue involving two of the firms partners, found that the expenditure was incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the firm’s business by paying regard to two and only two considerations; The conscious motives of Wilson and Cooper in agreeing to move and the motives of the partners in requesting them to do so and agreeing to contribute to the cost in accordance with the established policy. Decision It was concluded by the Court of Appeals through Lord Oliver of Aylmerton that the expenditure was not allowable due to the fact that the purpose of the partnership could not to be determined because it had a separate legal identity which allowed for the purpose of the individual partner to be ignored. The decision in this case allows a deduction to the partnership for payments to a partner for trade or professional purpose and when the payment is in return for full commercial consideration.  It may be however that in relation to a particular receipt by a partner of partnership moneys not falling under either of the above heads, his co- partners are agreeable to his retaining it without bringing it into account so that to that extent the divisible profits at the end of the year are notionally reduced by the amount retained; but this cannot alter the fact that what is retained is part of the profits which would otherwise be divisible. What is taxable is the actual not the notional profit and what has to be demonstrated if a deduction is to be allowed for tax purposes in respect of moneys paid to a partner is that it was paid exclusively for the purposes of the partnership business. As the decision states: â€Å"‘separate entity treatment only arose at the final stage when, the profits of the trade or profession having been computed and the tax in respect of each partners share in them having been worked out, that tax was assessed in one sum in the partnership name. This matter went to machinery, not to principles of liability.† Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The author concludes that a trade carried on by a partnership in its capacity as a member of another partnership may be considered as the trade carried on by the partnership for purposes of tax treatment and tax relief for interest payments.    References: HM Revenue and Customs, BIM38120 Wholly exclusively: partnerships: meeting a partners personal expenditure, retrieved December 3, 2006, http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/bimmanual/BIM38120.htm Mac Kinlay (Inspector of Taxes) v. Arthur Young McClelland Moores Co. [1989] STC 898. Major v. Brodie, [1998] STC 491, 70 Tax Cas 576.

Supernatural Imagery Depicted in Shakespeares Macbeth Essay -- Analyti

Shakespeare uses the supernatural in many different forms during the course of Macbeth to create an atmosphere and add drama, tension and interest to the story. Many of the supernatural images which appear in the play are based on the beliefs and superstitions of those around Shakespeare’s time who would have gone to see his plays. The theme of supernatural forces and beings occurs at many different points during the play, allowing a common thread to be recognized by the audience. The supernatural imagery that Shakespeare uses can be interpreted at many different levels by members of the audience who would have ranged from royalty to working class. Shakespeare integrates the theme of supernatural occurrences throughout each act in a variety of ways. Some of the most obvious supernatural images appear in the first act with the witches who set an atmosphere for the rest of the play. The self-proclaimed â€Å"weird sisters†, are seen throughout the story as a source of evil, their prophesies lead Macbeth to his downfall in â€Å"deepest consequence†, as Banquo had warned. However, there ...

Picassos Guernica Essay -- Essays Papers

Picassos Guernica While it may seem at first glance that Guernica, by Pablo Picasso, is a political statement against the tragedy of the bombing of a small Basque town during the Spanish Civil War, this painting holds connotations beyond the syllogism for which it is given credit. Picasso, unlike Romantic period artists, who are attributed to great political propaganda, is not suggesting an emotionally based judgment should be made about the contemporary event, but rather a focus on the contemplation of the forces of good and evil at work throughout timeless humanity. On the afternoon of April 26, 1937, German forces under the command of the Spanish fascist leader Francisco Franco embarked on the first aerial bombing of a civilian target, the small town of Guernica. The attack was due to the conflict in Spain, the Spanish Civil War: an issue of Democracy against Fascism. The war heightened the threat of Communism and Fascism in Western Europe to a new level. Franco’s attack on the small town, a center of culture in Basque, made it clear that his forces were strong and unrelenting. His allegiance with German forces spawned one of the most tumultuous times in modern history. The aerial bombing of Guernica became a symbol of his unmerciful, cruel political power. Guernica was almost completely destroyed. News of the mounting death toll spread rapidly. However, universally, the impact of the Guernica bombing could have been minimal. While Spain would surely never have forgotten Franco’s reign of terror and its zenith with the bombing of Guernica, Picasso contributed an everlasting reminder to the entire world of the threat of Fascism and the evil of unrelenting power. Having been invited to contribute a piece to the Spanish Pavilion for Paris’ World’s Fair in 1937, Picasso was inspired by the grief of Spain to present an image that would make the most powerful statement against Franco yet. His creation became not only the symbol of the Spanish crisis but of protest of Fascism for all time. Not only is the size of the mural overwhelming, but the shocking images that mix classic symbols with modern technique provide an emotion and passion that is unforgettable. While passion and empathy undeniably drove Picasso to choose his subject, Guernica, it is not the fruit of spontaneous emotion, but of a ... ... agenda is unworthy of praise because he was most focused on creating more a shocking piece for his exhibition, in which the tragedy was merely an outlet for his desire. However, Picasso’s careful treatment of the subject, the fury with which can be seen in him through the grotesque distortions of his figures, and the sympathy for which he begs of humanity in the helpless, horrified faces which look upon the world from his mural, make an everlasting impression on civilization of the brutality of war. Whether Picasso’s political agenda was his priority is certainly debatable, but Picasso once said, â€Å"I like what continues†. Guernica must be a source of great satisfaction to him. Works Cited Becraft, Melvin E. Picasso’s Guernica. New York: The New York Times Company, 1981. Blunt, Anthony. Picasso’s ‘Guernica’. London: Oxford University Press, 1969. Fisch, Ederhard. ‘Guernica’ by Picasso. London and Toronto: Associate University Press, 1988. Russell, Frank D. Picasso’s Guernica. Montclair, NJ: Allanheld, Osmun & Co., 1980. Zervos, Christian. â€Å" Historire d’un tableau de Picasso†, Cahiers d’ Arte. Vol.12 no. 4-5, Paris, 1937, pp. 109-111.

Poetry of Nature Essay

Many poets are inspired by the impressive persona that exists in nature to influence their style of poetry. The awesome power of nature can bring about thought and provoke certain feelings the poet has towards the natural surroundings. If you bear in mind the disposition of some of the things in life that move us like human beauty, love or the beauty of nature you will understand that they have one thing in common. They do not last forever, as sad as it seems, Ladies and Gentleman. Yes they too will eventually die out. Why? Who knows? However it is a fact that when poets write a poem they wish to make their words appealing, as to impress the reader with the intensity of their own experience so they immortalize that sense of feeling that makes their poems last. Wordsworth’s poem, â€Å"Nutting† is a classic portrayal of a man finding time to escape the harsh bitterness of life and escaping to a world of isolation, solitude and loneliness that exists in nature. I’d particularly like to focus on the second part, which has a greater significance in regard to nature, then the other part, which might appear irrelevant. In demonstrating the use of descriptive features Wordsworth has created the perfect sanctuary that one can only ever dream about. The wording used in this section is uncomplicated and evocative. Common language served Wordsworth’s purpose well, for the simple words were direct in their purpose. They expressed feelings that had been known and repeated many times before, and therefore contained a certain durability in his speech. And I saw the sparkling foam, And-with my cheek on one of those green stones that fleeced with moss, under the shady trees, lay round me, scattered like a flock of sheep. In this poem there is much evidence that expresses his loneliness, solitude, and isolation to the rest of the world at that moment in his life. And fade, unseen by any human eye; where fairy water-breaks do murmur on forever; It is obvious that through this perception Wordsworth is generally speaking of past experiences. Wordsworth believed that nature played a key role in spiritual understanding and stressed the role of memory in capturing the experiences of childhood. His poetry just like his beliefs relays a sense of feeling towards aspects of spiritual understanding. I felt a sense of pain when I beheld the silent trees, and saw the intruding sky. Then dearest Maiden, move along these shades in gentleness of heart; with gentle hand Touch-for there is a spirit in the wood. I believe Wordsworth’s motivation in this poem is to let us know that the powers of nature is magical and extremely great. The gracefulness of nature does contribute to the inner feelings of someone who appreciates it (mostly those who want time out for themselves). I believe we need to be with nature, feel it, and take advantage of one of life’s many gifts. PAUSE Lets not forget the main characteristics that nature offers like its visual and harmonious features as well as its auditory features. I believe sound has a very important part to play in nature. This is reflected in John Clare’s poem â€Å"Pleasant Sounds† In this poem you will notice that it is composed in a tactical verse form that allows the use of onomatopoeia to give the poem a visual imagery. The crumbling of cat-ice The rustle of birds The whizzing of larger birds The trample of robins The fall of an acorn The flirt of the ground-lark. The use of Onomatopoeia throughout the poem allocates descriptive words through each sentence that elaborately enhances the effect of poem. The poets appeal to our imagination may be his ability to execute certain emphasis that makes the words stand out from everyday speech. Clare’s interpretation of the poem is not just about sound but is also about his love for nature and the love that he has for the animals. PAUSE Like â€Å"Pleasant Sounds† Clare’s poem â€Å"Autumn† also gives way to visual imagery in light of the poems descriptive attitude. The way in which Clare has introduced rhyme into this poem enhances the visual imagery making it stand out. However it is seen that the sentences tend to drag on too long *There is a dryness in this particular type of poetry. *Religious sentiment, consecrating the affections and natural *And these moods always brought with them faultless expression In comparison to Pleasant sounds there is no sense of sounding, there’s more a sense of the parch dryness of the earth. There is almost an uncomfortable feeling that doesn’t let you feel that sense of soothingness like you did with Pleasant Sounds. In Autumn one is more intuned with the earth in its stage of dryness and shallowness. The words are entwined to give the feeling of parchness and dryness. Clare’s usage of the term over baked bread to describe the ground What essence is there in nature that moves us? Is it the fact that our lives are so fast forward that we tend to overlook what it has to offer? Wordsworth makes this poetic message immortal with his powerful and emotional words. Like Wordsworth, Clare utilizes more emphasis upon nature and the natural world. To study the deeper meaning of poetry through great poets like William Wordsworth and John Clare is always a challenge and an adventure. It brings the mind to contemplate things to which you don’t often think about, such as your personal connection with nature.

buy custom Coupons with Direct Mail essay

buy custom Coupons with Direct Mail essay What Is It and How Does It Work? Current business world experiences intensive marketing. The companies are now shifting totally towards customer winning strategies rather than solely focusing on providing the traditional quality of products and services. This, however, does not in any way compromise the standards of quality because most companies are evaluated and certified for standard quality in their respective fields of interest. This is a global trend that everyone is willing to embrace and, what is more, even has to embrace if willing to retain and attract customers. One of the marketing strategies which companies have been trying to use for a long time is issuing coupons. Coupons are documents, vouchers, or cards that can be used to reduce the prices of certain commodities by a certain amount of discount during the purchase of a product from a certain manufacturer, retailer, or supplier of the same products (Pickton, Masterson, 2010, p. 271). Traditionally, coupons are given out by manufacturers of products or those who sell at the retail level for promotional purposes. Most of the hype created is disguised as a way of appreciation but, in essence, succeeds to create the desired awareness in the consumer market. The coupons are mostly dispensed through the mail, company magazines, and the Internet, and delivered by express by the retailer/manufacturer among other methods. They are meant to promote price discrimination aimed at attracting consumers in places of high price competition (Schultz, Petrison, Robinson, 1998, p. 52). What Are Some Examples of the Concept or Practice in Use? A retail outlet in Switzerland, known as COOP, deals with foods and drinks and, further, runs a supermarket online. During the year of 2010, COOP was determined to attract fresh customers which would result then in more traffic in the stores. This would consequently generate more sales from the new market in four of their retail outlets. Their target market was the residents who lived around their departmental stores of Ebmatingen, Emmenbrucke, Thalwil, and Retkreuz within the heart of Switzerland (International Post Corporation). COOP, therefore, resorted to a program that would make their presence noticeable for thousands of individuals in their cities. They settled on the unaddressed mail strategy, whereby they placed the coupons in unaddressed envelopes and folded them in such a way that one could read the core message without necessarily opening the envelopes. The envelopes were then hung on the mailboxes instead of being dropped in to make sure the owners saw and picked them. T he campaign ended by redemption of around 2.5% coupons and an increase in sales volumes of about 30% more than the year before. Bare Deal is another company based in Chicago the founders of which have actively taken up the direct mail coupon idea to market for the companies that exist in Chicago (Scott, 2011). They have created a website through which they are linked to social websites like face book and twitter. Consumers are, therefore, allowed to bid for products of interest through identifying the product and keying in their postal addresses. The company then prepares vouchers online and then mails the physical coupons that are only redeemable when the customer actually goes to purchase the products (Scott, 2011). They organize for different discounts to be applied and make the customer interested by offering a chance for some lucky shoppers to win up to 100% discount. This has worked well to increase the market share and sales volume of their clients, as reported in the year 2010, over the increased number of redemptions from their consumers. How Prevalent Is It in Business Today? Every modern competing firm has mainly adopted this mode of direct response marketing because it gives a sure way and accurate results in terms of measuring performance. Over the recent years, coupons have confirmed their position as a very efficient tool in sales for any business irrespective of the products/services and the size of the business. The main strength is their ability to attract business, thus a highly preferred tool by the marketing department. According to the Advertising age, a prominent marketing magazine that has been in existence since the year 1930 in Chicago, 87% of the American and European consumer markets use this mode of shopping (Scott, 2011). This opinion is substantially true after a survey by the magazine which has spread its popularity to the rest of the world. Campaigns make it the most preferred option of sales and marketing. This provides a clear road map for future marketing plans. According to the market research, analysis and statistical interpretation of the NHC marketing Inc. for the year of 2010, the American consumer market saved a total of $3.7 billion, which is a 5.7% increase from the 2009 and the gap being equal to $200 million (NHC Marketing Inc.). This is probably due to the increase n coupons for consumer goods distributed during the year of 2010. What Are the Major Trends? Users of direct mail coupons have not had major losses in spite of the global recession in economy. As many companies resorted to mass media, some users stuck to this form of advertising due to its nature of having a specific target based on individual preferences. Due to their measurability, coupons are much cheaper and more effective in marketing and have maintained their appeal through providing lower prices despite the hard economic times affecting both the companies and the consumers. This, however, has not been easy in recent times because of the stiff competition offered by the electronic media. Surveys carried out in America show that all consumers redeem coupons occasionally and the intensity is much felt during hard economic times and subsides during better economic periods (Shimp, 2010, p. 492). While more coupons are offered within the American economy than anywhere else in the world, greater coupon rates are applied in the other countries, but for a few. To date, some countries do not use coupons or even discourage their use by enacting policies that control the regulation of the rates applied. A good example is Germany where a 1% ceiling rate has been put in place (Shimp, 2010, p. 493). In France, monopoly has played a big role in most industries, thus naturally discouraging the use of coupons, except when a few are issued in appreciation of existing customers rather than a sales growth motive. In Japan, the government did away with the strict controls and regulation, thus, the practice is on the rise and at its early stages. In America, the trends in distributions are 88% in favor of Freestanding inserts in papers. These are most circulated during the Sunday distribution of the newspapers (Shimp,2010, p. 494). The next popular method is through distributing the coupons to walk-ins within shopping outlets or the outside distribution of the coupons by businesses by hand delivery. This accounts for 5% and is followed by the direct mail coupon delivery at 2%. The rest are magazines (1.8%), newspapers (1.5%), inside and on packages (1.4%), the Internet (0.2%), and other distribution channels form the remaining 0.3% (Shimp, 2010, p. 494). These statistics, however, are as a result of the methods chosen by companies after analyzing how the various methods of distribution can be effective. This calls for surveys with the favorite method being the Internet and its networking capabilities. Recent studies have, however, incorporated this and recognized a significant increase of 37% of digital coupons used (Brown, 2 011). The major trends in the use of coupons are summarized by Suzie Brown, the Chief Marketing Officer in Valassis Communication, Inc.: Year of Coupon redemption Usage by population (percentage) 2010 78.3% 2009 77% 2008 75.8% 2007 63.6% Sales and marketing executives went on to differentiate their coupon distribution channels and designs in order to enhance the use of coupons in developing greater market shares and sales. The main categories of modification in methods of offering the goods were (NHC Marketing Inc.): Application of a moderate face value of $1.46 in coupons that were distributed in the year of 2010, which reflected an appreciation of 6.6%. The marketers by 26% preferred to combine more than one item in their offers as a requirement for consumers to enjoy the set discounts. Most of the marketers decreased their coupon validity period by one and a half weeks. With the tough economic times showing no sign of future improvement, the companies expect the three categories mentioned to be acted upon further so as to intensify the market population of the use of coupons by the consumers. This should ensure a higher inventory turnover for businesses, thus the reflection of higher sales volumes. What Marketing Benefit or Opportunity Does It Create? The main reasons for the loyalty to this method, as indicated by the survey, include: The ability to increase a companys market share; and it is proven that customers travel over long distances for the redemption. Therefore, the market physical boundaries are increased too. The coupons have made it possible to attract customers of ones business rivals as they are made to loook for better offers in terms of price in an attempt to save money and get cheaper but still quality products. Coupons are always the first thing to capture the attention of residents who move into new neighborhoods. This category of consumers is always on a mission to establish a new shopping routine and to decide on what will be the best way to do this via ready and guaranteed discounts. Coupons have the ability to reunite the business with its former customers who will find a good reason to establish the old links via discounts and great offers As customers are lured into the stores to redeem their coupons, they always buy other related or unrelated items, thus increasing the overall profit margin of the company. This also provides an opportunity to sell other products that the customer may not be aware of by virtue of having them physically in ones premises. The ability to measure and take stock of productivity resulting from any coupon What Risks or Challenges Does It Entail? Due to the recent technological advancements in the world and the intense use of the Internet, more businesses are resorting to using digital coupons more than the direct mail coupons because of their instant communication and availability (Brown, 2011). Websites and social media have developed links where creation of trends makes it easy to reach a larger market share of consumers than the direct mail coupon distribution. Furthermore, the ability to use online shopping options has stimulated people to do their purchases via Internet, thus receiving the electronic coupons and redeeming them online. This is seen as a much faster method of transaction that is flexible for the busy consumer market with majority not having enough time to redeem the coupons in person. This is made worse by the shorter periods of redemption available. The daily trends indicate the fact that marketers are minimizing the period for validity of coupons and so, when consumers run out of time, they interchange the physical vouchers for electronically available options by just entering the identity codes into an online system (Shimp,2011, p. 496). The other challenge that runs across all types of modes used to distribute coupons is that people are facing tough economic times and majority of them do not have the extra income to satisfy all the coupon offers in place. At initial launch, the consumers had some patience to look for offers but with time, they have grown impatient and are either ignoring the offers or destroying them. They seem as a junk or a form of nuisance to them. Therefore, companies are forced to be more than simply innovative in order to ensure that people get to open the envelopes and have a look at what is in the store for them. Many companies like COOP used the outside mail hanging technique with the core contents visible to the addressee. Others use unmarked envelopes in seeking anonymity to raise the curiosity in the targeted customers (Schultz, Petrison Robinson, 1998, p. 53). Some companies are known to use prints that look more like handwritten letters, thus creating an impression of the contents bei ng of personal nature rather than general. Customers are also afraid of issuing their private details for confidentiality purposes. Some of the methods used to collect this information are exposed to the public or can be accessed easily and so create a possibility of unwarranted contact with the customer. As a result, companies use a lot of money to prepare physical coupons and directly mail them to the consumers or access them through their websites, where one should pay first in order to log in. Furthermore, this mode of advertising may change the way how the customers who shop regularly perceive the company (Meisner, 2006, p. 166). By offering strangers cheaper prices for what they pay in full may cheapen the existing customers opinion about them. To some extent, this is seen as a desperate move. Therefore, there exists a risk of losing existing and loyal customers. Where Can We Go to Learn More (e.g., Books, Articles, Websites)? For handling this topic at a much advanced level, there are various books, journals, and magazines, especially in business marketing, which offer case studies of historical application of the coupons to generate sales and increase the market share of the businesses. Further analysis of trends and statistics can be found in summary of performances of the listed in the stock exchange companies. Besides, a lot of analytical reports are found in various public and private libraries. The Internet provides a faster and more effective way of looking for information and has the advantage for the user to access numerous websites when searching for information on this form of marketing. The final recommendation is to do a practical survey of the companies, supermarkets, and huge retail shops that sell assorted products from various producers in order to be able to understand the essence of the coupon marketing. Buy custom Coupons with Direct Mail essay