Nature Of The Transaction Accounting Essay

No, for the intents of this Standard, a dealing with an employee or other party in his/her capacity as a holder of equity instrument of the entity is non a share-based payment dealing. For illustration, if an entity grants all holders of a peculiar category of its equity instruments the right to get farther equity instrument of the entity at a monetary value that is less than the just value of those equity instruments, and an employee receives such a right because he/she is a holder of equity instrument of that peculiar category, the granting or exercising of that right is non capable affair to the necessities of this Standard ( AASB 2, Page 14, Para 12 ) . Besides portion based payments are those payments which are given on the footing of company ‘s equity or portions, nevertheless it does non merely relates to employers but besides to other stakeholders such as providers when they are counted as the receiver of the cost of goods and services. Answer 2-B Harmonizing to AASB2 ( p.11, para 4 ) â€Å" A share-based payment dealing may be settled by another group entity ( or a stockholder of any group entity ) on behalf of the entity receiving or geting the goods or services † . It alsoapplies to an entity that: ( a ) receives goods or services when another entity in the same group ( or a stockholder of any group entity ) has the duty to settlethe share-based payment dealing ; or ( B ) has an demand to settle a share-based payment dealing when another entity in the same group receives the goods or services, unless the dealing is doubtless for a ground other than recompense for goods or services supplied to the entity being paid them. Answer 2 C Harmonizing to AASB2 ( 119 ) employee fillips may be counted as a portion based payments. However it may be portion based or employee benefited. Share options or other equity instruments are granted to employees as portion of their wage bundle, in add-on to hard currency wage and other employment benefits. Normally, it is non possible to mensurate straight the services received for peculiar constituents of the employee ‘s wage bundle. It might besides non be possible to mensurate the just value of the entire wage bundle independently, without mensurating straight the just value of the equity instruments granted. Furthermore, portions or portion options are sometimes granted as portion of a fillip agreement, instead than as a portion of basic wage, for illustration, as an inducement to the employees to stay in the entity ‘s employ or to honor them for their attempts inimproving the entity ‘s public presentation. By allowing portions or portion options, in add-on to other wage, the entity is paying extra wage to obtain extra benefits. It is really hard to gauge the just value of those benefits. Because of the trouble of mensurating straight the just value of the servicesreceived, the entity shall mensurate the just value of the employee services established by mention to the just value of the equity instrument arranged ( AASB2, P.14, Para 12 ) . Share based payments chiefly includes all executive option instead than merely employee benefits or employee fillips. Answer 2D- AASB2, P.13, Recognition 7 explains that â€Å" An entity shall recognize the goods or services established or get in a share-based payment dealing when it obtain the goods or the services are received † . The entity shall recognize a attendant addition in equity if the goods or services were established in an equity-settled share-based payment dealing or a answerability if the goods or services were get in a cash-settled share-based payment dealing. Answer 3- A corporate company when placing the portion based payments or portion options chiefly focus on complexness or the contentions which are at that place in acknowledging the disbursals portion options which involves issue of portion, portion options or other equity which can impact both employees and supplies ( other stakeholder in the company )For-Typically, an disbursal arises from the ingestion of goods or services. For illustration, services are typically consumed instantly, in which instance an disbursal is recognised as the counterparty renders service. Goods might be consumed over a period of clip or, in the instance of stock lists, sold at a ulterior day of the month, in which instance an disbursal is recognised when the goods are consumed or sold.Against-However, sometimes it is necessary to recognize an disbursal before the goods or services are consumed or sold, because they do non measure up for acknowledgment as assets. For illustration, an entity might get goods as portio n of the research stage of a undertaking to develop a new merchandise. Although those goods have non been consumed, they might non measure up for acknowledgment as assets under the applicable Standard. ( AASB, P.13, Recognition 9 ) . Most companies argue against a portion option disbursal acknowledgment and argument on whether the dealing is between the stockholders and the employers or it is between the entity and employees. Question arises whether employees really provide them services for the portion options that are given by the company or non. It may good be argued that the acknowledgment of the disbursals is inconsistent. Answer 4- The attack AASB usage for the rating of portion options is Fair Value attack. ( Deegan 2012, p.16, p.17, p.21 )Nature of the dealingSum at which the disbursal ( or plus ) and equity history are recognizedMinutess where the just value of the goods or services can be measured faithfully At the just value of the goods or services received Minutess with employees ( where there is a kept up premise that the just value of the services can non be measured faithfully ) At the just value of the equity instruments being granted In those ‘rare state of affairss ‘ where the just value of goods and services provided by non-employees can non be measured faithfully At the just value of the equity instruments being grantedPart B01/01 2012 Dr Salaries Expense ( 100000 * $ 0.90 ) $ 90000 Cr Share Options $ 90000 two 30/06/2012 Dr Employee benefits disbursals $ 15000 Cr Share Capital $ 15000 three 01/01/2015 Dr Share Options ( 100000 * $ 3.50 ) $ 350000 Cr Share Capital $ 350000 ( B ) 31st March 2012 Dr Goodwill/ Patents $ 40000 Cr Share Capital $ 40000 Justifying the above entry- Harmonizing to AASB ( explained in Para 12 ) â€Å" Transactions where the just value of the goods and services can be measured faithfully is the sum at the just value of the goods and services received, whereas minutess with the employees and where there is a kept up premise that the just value of the services can non be measured faithfully is the just value of the equity instruments being granted † .

Investment and Cost Savings Essay

Introduction The purpose of this report is to address the key strategic issues facing Coast4Life with the expected downturn ahead. Included is a financial analysis, identification of major issues, analysis of alternatives and a recommendation. Financial Analysis for the Year Ended 2012 (Appendix 1) * Current ratio of 1.6 indicates that the company can meet its short term obligations. There is a 46% improvement versus last year’s current ratio of 1.1. Quick ratio of 1.8 shows a 50% improvement. * Total debt- to-equity of 1.5 shows a 12% improvement over prior year’s ratio of 1.7 indicating that the firm is relying less on debt. Times interest earned ratio of 6.4 improved by 30%. * Profitability ratios indicate overall earnings growth. Net margin of 15.2% grew by 18% compared to 12.9% in 2011 while Return-on-Equity (ROE) of 27.4% grew by 16%. Return on Investments (ROI) of 11.2% shows a significant 28% growth from 8.7% and posted a 14% favourable variance compared to target. * Revenue and net income grew by 13.4% and 33.3%, respectively. Major Strategic Issues With the expected estimated 30%-35% decline in the overall booking, the expected impact is a decline in income by $7M (Appendix 2). The proposed alternatives to generate additional revenues and or/ cost savings are evaluated using a required after tax rate of return of 16%. Alternative 1 – Change Customer Mix Objectives: Maximize Repeat Customers from 20% to 40% Maximize Age Group 40-60 years old from 30% to 38% Pros: * Incremental Income of $721K in 2013; $2.1M for the 3 years ahead combined (Appendix 3) * Opportunity to expand extra-services * Maximizes capacity/resources Cons: * Marketing constraints to target customer mix * May require additional costs to achieve target This option addresses the incremental income requirement. It maximizes profitability and provides opportunities to expand business ( in line with the company’s mission). Alternative 2 – Implement a web-based booking system Pros: * Incremental savings of $24K in 2013; $226K for the 3-yrs ahead combined (Appendix 4) * Opportunity for additional costs reduction (i.e. advertising, promotion) * Provides information about passengers * Opportunity to target more customers * Meets demand for Internet-booking * Accounting module improves financial reporting Cons: * Loss of customer service * Technology must be up to date and well maintained * Security (i.e. financial data, customers) This option meets the cost savings requirement. It also addresses the immediate need of the company for market/customer information and addresses constraints in alternative 1 (customer mix). This is in line with the company’s mission to provide unique services. Alternative 3 – Hire Crew and Hospitality Workers from Underdeveloped Countries Pros: * Incremental cost savings of $883K; $2.1M for the 3 years ahead combined (Appendix 5) * Cheaper wages Cons: * May damage reputation (poor service quality) * May dampen employees’ morale This alternative meets the requirement for cost savings. To ensure quality service, the company must invest in training. The company should also keep key employees (pros: assists in training, promotion could keep morale high). Long-term cost savings is attractive. Alternative 4 – Divest the Fraser dry dock Pros: * Incremental Income of $3.1M in 2013; $2.5M for the 3-years ahead combined (Appendix 6) * Focus on core business Cons: * Incremental costs of $438K per year (maintenance and lost income from the dry dock operations (Appendix 6) * Decline in company-wide morale * Damage to reputation and local ties * Quality of third-party maintenance This alternative meets the incremental income required. This allows the company to focus on its core business. However, long-term, the negative impact on income, reputation and ties with the community are not desirable. It is recommended to change customer mix and implement a web-based booking system. Both alternatives achieve the income requirement (total $745K in 2013; $2.4M for the 3 years ahead). Both alternative have low risk and provide more opportunities to maximize the use of its resources and capacity and expand business. Hiring crew and staff from underdeveloped countries is recommended if the high risk is mitigated i.e. by retaining key employees. Divesting the drydock is not recommended due to the incremental expenses associated in future years. Conclusion The recommended alternatives meet the requirement to generate revenue and/or cost savings to counter the expected downturn in 2013.

A Business Relationship

In the short story ‘A Business Relationship’ Carl’s character is revealed as a simple man. He doesn’t need anything over the top, he’s practical when it comes to money and housework, and he’s incredibly thoughtful when it comes to his wife. To start, Carl seems to be a pretty simple man. The way the author describes their home; he didn’t need much to be happy.They had a small house, and not a lot of money but he was satisfied. When it came to their wedding, he wore an old black suit where the minister’s and the janitor were the only witnesses. Secondly, Carl was very practical. When it came to money, he knew exactly how to handle it. He didn’t want to waste it when he didn’t think he needed to use it. For example in the story, when Olga wants to take him to the hospital he refuses. He thinks it’s too expensive to stay there, and that they don’t have enough money for it. Lastly, he was very thoughtful when it came to his wife.When she stated she’d like to look out while she was working at the counter, he built her a window immediately. He liked to compliment her, for example on her gardening, he says ‘no one would ever know you hadn’t come from the country’. And when he had the extra money he’d brought her ‘marigolds and snapdragons to add to her border of wildflowers’. In conclusion, the way the author wrote the story, you can tell a lot about Carl’s personality. The way he speaks, how his wife acts around him, and in what he does. He lives a simple happy life, and he doesn’t need anything more to be pleased.

Explain the differences between a group and a team Assignment

Explain the differences between a group and a team - Assignment Example The formation of group is easy than a team. If an auditorium is filled with medical professionals, they could be grouped according to gender, expertise, experience, age, specialty etc. The effectiveness is a different issue. In the group total comparability is only the ideal, it rarely occurs. When points view of the group members differ, achieving consensus is a difficult task for a leader. A team is a responsive unit and formed to achieve a particular goal or group of functions. A team leader is seized of the final goal of the team, in advance. Though the process of forming a them is difficult, may involve much spadework, deliberations and consultations, once the profess is accomplished, the working is smooth. There is not much room for differences as the final objective is the same. Take for example a construction team. It may consist of an architect, an accountant, an engineer, a supervisor, a sales manager and a secretary. A collection of people and counseling them for a cause does not evolve them into a team. Teams have definite features that set them apart from group. Generally, a team consists of a small number of individuals, with complimentary skills and all of them are committed for a common purpose, they have target-oriented performance goals. They have a common approach and as such they consider themselves mutually accountable. They are a responsive and responsible unit. The membership of a team is definable, generally not more than twelve. Their functioning is mutually dependent and they can be compared to the steps of a ladder. They know the import and importance of the term â€Å"we† than the syllable â€Å"I.† The working of the team is dynamic, the performance is measured directly and the collective work products are linked to financial performance of the business. The results can be quantified, everyday, when necessary. The team meetings are held often, the problem-solving is taken up

Managerial Economics in MBA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Managerial Economics in MBA - Essay Example Measuring marginal opportunity cost should reflect the intricate ecological and physical inter-linkages that exist within an ecosystem, allowing for the relationship between soil erosion, deforestation, sedimentation, and stream-flow. In turn, the marginal opportunity cost is comprised of direct costs from the use of resources, externalities that arise from inter-linkages of the ecosystem, and user component that comes from the use of resources in a non-sustainable way. 1. Most of Europe’s coal mines have closed down. There are still large reserves of coal available. Under what circumstances would you envisage businesses opening up coal mines and exploiting these resources? Europe still possesses plenty of coal resource reserves. In some cases, these are not easy to access although they can still be mined. The question that arises when considering the probability of their exploitation is their economic viability. The decline witnessed in the 80s regarding mining of coal, as well as the closure of mines, was done because extraction costs for coal became too high given the shifting focus of the global market (Ali & Jeffrey 21). The market began to move towards the use of gas to produce electricity, as well as the use of coal from countries where mining was extra economically viable. However, as Europe becomes a net exporter of gas and oil again as supplies start to run out, they will be forced to be more reliant on supplies of gas from unfriendly economies like Russia or price-hiking Sheikhs from the Middle East. As the price of gas continues to rise due to these factors, the development of technology will alter the relationship that exists between coalâ €™s marginal cost and its marginal revenue (Ali & Jeffrey 21). Another way that coal could become viable again is a new method of making it clean in order to offset its environmental destruction (Ali & Jeffrey 29). Coal causes major environmental destruction, and for its marginal revenue to be above its marginal costs, then it has to be cleaned. Several European countries have begun efforts towards this. One technology, which could see the environmental cost of coal go down, is carbon capture technology.

Japanese culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Japanese culture - Essay Example They seek the support of supernatural powers for their rescue as well as for the solution of their difficulties. Thus, religion provides spiritual guidance and emotional relief to the humans. Being one of the most developed and cultivated countries of the contemporary world, the examining and exploration of ancient Japanese cultural traits and spiritual thought has always been a subject of great interest for the archaeologists, historians and anthropologists. However, researches find no solid records of the Japanese cult and culture in Paleolithic era; thus, either the indigenous Japanese of the Old Stone Age had perished away, or they had been invaded and killed by the outsiders during early Neolithic era. â€Å"Because no full skeletons have yet been found, it has been difficult for the archaeologists to make judgment about the racial character of the Old Stone Age Japanese.† (Varley 2000, 1) Since the Japanese maintained strong faith in Shinto belief during the first six ce nturies A.D., they used to seek spiritual inspiration from Kami, the main objects of worship according to the Shinto faith. Kami worship had been in vogue among the Japanese even under the Jomon and Yayoi dynasties, few centuries before the advent of both Christianity and Buddhism. Kami was not confined to one single object only; rather, it contained several natural phenomena including the Sun, which had always been a source of great inspiration and motivation for them. Thus, the earlier Japanese built shrines and temples of the Sun Goddess and used to seek her support for their worldly matters on the one hand, and for their spiritual uplift on the other. â€Å"The principal monument to the Sun Goddess is the Ise Shrine, which houses her image in the form of mirror the most precious object of the imperial regalia.† (Varley 2000, 17) The political establishment of the Japanese culture had also been laid on the foundation of their religious belief. Consequently, they considered their emperor as Deity, and there were no two opinions on this sensitive-most issue. Thus, the Japanese emperor was also one of the Kami objects according to Shinto belief. It is therefore the imperial Uji clan of Japan enjoyed the divine respect and status among the rest of Uji tribes. Consequently, the imperial Uji could select non-imperial Ujis as ministers even during sixth century A.D, and these appointed ministers were looked at with reverence provided they had been selected by the Kami. The ancient Japanese led very simple and barbarous life and maintained least familiarity with the tools; as a result, the invaders from the neighboring Asian regions overcame them and left indelible impact of their cult and culture on the Japanese. Hence, the Japanese had sought religious inspiration from the neighboring far eastern and south East Asian cultures. The Chinese civilization had been the most dominating one in this regards, and captured the spiritual structure of ancient Japan. T he findings reveal that the ancient Japanese were the followers of Shinto faith, which still prevails in the country. During pre-history to the first quarter of sixth century A.D., Shinto had been the central belief followed by Japanese, though basic customs and conventions of this period are unknown. The Shinto religion is now divided into different sects. â€Å"Shrine Shinto (Jinja Shinto) is the principle form, in existence from the beginning of Japanese history, through which others act. Folk Shinto (Minzoku Shinto) is a sub-string of this, centered on the veneration

Appendicitis and its Symptoms Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Appendicitis and its Symptoms - Essay Example Xuix, a Chinese citizen has been admitted to hospital with having pain in the abdomen. Currently, he is in Australia and his English understanding is limited. Consequently, he is not able to interpret the problem efficiently as well as other useful information needed for further treatment. Furthermore, it is ascertained that he has been suffering from appendicitis and he need to undergo emergency surgery. Xuix is also unable to communicate his medical history appropriately to the medical practitioners. Eventually, the problem is that the medical practitioners are unable to communicate him the risks associated with the surgery and obtain valid consent from him in order to proceed with the surgery. Consequently, an online interpreter’s help was sought, however due to certain issues related to funding the person could not be consulted. In contrast, a cleaning staff who could communicate at a moderate capacity in Chinese as well as in English was employed as an interpreter. Unfort unately, the staff did not have proper knowledge of the medical terminologies. The basic information relating to his surgery was communicated to him and with his consent; he was taken to operation theatre for emergency surgery. ... Department of Health and Human Services, 2008). Slowly the swelling of appendix increases and the pain gets shifted into the lower abdomen. Appendicitis is an emergency situation which might create a medical scenario that requires the appendix to be removed urgently as soon as possible to alleviate the pain felt by the patient. If it is left untreated or swelling continues to persist, appendix may get ruptured or burst. Once the appendix is burst, it may lead to peritonitis and other serious abdominal problems that can be fatal unless it is treated quickly and efficiently (WebMD, LLC, 2012). The diagnosis of appendicitis is conducted by patients’ history and examinations. In modern medical field, appendix can be removed in two ways, the traditional open surgery or the laparoscopic surgery. The surgery procedure nearly takes an hour (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2011). However, there are certain complications relating to surgery. Complications may result from anaesthesia, breathing problem, or side effects caused by surgery (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2011). The possible complications of the surgery may comprise excessive bleeding, or any kind of infection in incision part within the body. Notably, infection may tend to be mild or severe. Contextually, in mild infections, patient may have to suffer from mild tenderness and redness in the area of incision. At the same time, moderate infections may require patient to take antibiotics to prevent any complications while severe infections may cause patient to undergo another surgery along with antibiotics. The complications possibility is rare in terms of laparoscopic procedures. However, the surgery may also have long-term effects which may result in diagnosis of other diseases

Survivor paper for CBS reality show(ONLY INTRO) Essay

Survivor paper for CBS reality show(ONLY INTRO) - Essay Example Those characters include; Sierra, Will, Rodney, and Shirin. The participants tried to explain some of the theories we learned in class from the reality show. The show is about teammates who have problems working together. For example, Will was willing to share with other mates, but they are suspecting him that he is hiding food. Rodney is a selfish character, and he is so convincing than any other character in the show Magder, 2004). The study further, explains the difference between emotions and personality. Emotion is a quick reaction towards someone or something. Emotion is, therefore, a behavior one develops due to a particular occurrence and is for a short period. Some of the emotions include; sadness, anger and surprise as will be discussed in the study. On the other hand, personality is a how a person reacts to and interact, other people. A personality is a behavior that develops in a person and is not easy to change as the show depicts (Magder,

Marketing Principles and Applications Coursework

Marketing Principles and Applications - Coursework Example 7 References 9 1. What Is The Current Target Market For Special K And Its Special K Crunch Bars? Should The Target Market For Special K Be Expanded? If So, Describe The Profile Of The New Target Market. Kellogg Company is a well-reputed name in the global food industry. It specializes in nutritious food section perpetually focusing on the low fat cereal based food items. As a leading brand, the company has many sub-brands under its umbrella, such as Special K and Special K Chocolatey Crunch Bars. Similar to other brands marketed by the company, Special K and Special K Chocolatey Crunch Bars are also based on the cereals and intend to serve the customers with a low fat breakfast item. For instance, Special K cereal is produced from the rice cereal and contains only 110 calories without any fat (Kellogg Company, â€Å"Special K Cereal†). Special K Chocolatey Crunch Bars are also manufactured from cereals and contains merely 90 calories (Kellogg Company, â€Å"Special K Chocolat ey Crunch Bars†). Considering the characteristics of these products, it is quite apparent that these products are mainly targeted to the young adults who also tend to be health conscious. Health consciousness is a growing factor among the adolescents and the young adults. With this concern, it can be stated that the marketing prospects for these sub-brands are quite significant and thus the company should aim at expanding its target market. With the purpose of expansion, the company can focus on both adolescents and young adults in the economy. However, this will require more aggressive promotional strategies along with few modifications in the products with due consideration to the nutrition required for the adolescents. 2. What Consumer Behavior Influences Play A Role Or Will Play A Role In The Marketing Strategy For Special K? Consumer behavior is referred to as the process undertaken by an individual or a group of customers in order to decide their consumption of a product at a particular quantity. The process involves the attitude of the customers, their income level, their spending power and also their lifestyles. As revealed from various empirical studies, favorable consumer behavior effectively enhances the growth of the product, whereas, consumer behavior opposing the product marketed shall lead to the abolition of the product within a short span of time. Thus, consumer behavior is termed to be quite significant in the modern day marketing (Sjoberg & Engelberg, â€Å"Lifestyles, and Risk Perception Consumer Behavior†). In relation to the Kellogg’s Special K and Special K Chocolatey Crunch Bar brands, it can be stated that the factors of consumer behavior such as the income level and spending power are less effective than the attitude and lifestyle choices of the targeted customers. It is due to the fact that the company offers its products at a competitive price with due consideration to the aspect of affordability of the targeted customers. In this regard, most of the marketing strategies adopted by the company in Canada are observed to be focused on the healthy living choices of the customers. In this regard, it intends to generate awareness among the targeted customers through various promotional activities. The company also focuses on its pricing and other promotional strategies, such as discounts, coupons and special services for the

View Buddhism Essay Example for Free

View Buddhism Essay The academically inclined often choose to view Buddhism as an outgrowth of environment or preexisting religions, but Dhammanda (2002) observes that this does not accord it recognition as an intellectual approach to reality. As such, Buddhism is the evolved result of religious and philosophical development derived from a pragmatic form of introspection which yields an emphasis on mental development that evokes the intellectual stance of the scientific method. Verhoeven (2001) notes that, because modern science is regarded as difficult to reconcile with the religious orthodoxy of Western culture, the growing Western interest in Buddhism is largely predicated on its potency as an â€Å"alternative altar† that may seek to fulfill the need to acquire a religious code that can reside comfortably alongside post-Darwinian science. Watson (2001) remarks that exponential progress in the fundamentals of cognitive science have resulted in an increased reception towards the Buddhist tradition, which is preoccupied with the varying modes of human experience. Part of this sudden appeal comes from Buddhism’s remarkable empiricization of psychology and philosophy, which asserts that the emotional well-being of man is contingent upon his ability to realign his perspective on experience and use this realignment to bring about positive change. But the other more crucial component to this sudden appeal is that Western science has begun to reconsider the traditional mind/body binary which situates consciousness within the brain and the body as anatomic extensions of consciousness. As Watson (2001) notes, â€Å"the mind is not just a program in the brain, but [†¦] its processes are distributed throughout the body.† However, Verhoeven (2001) cautions that we should be careful not to equate the resonance between Buddhism and Western science with absolute paradigmatic compatibility. While â€Å"adapting new and unfamiliar Buddhist conceptions to †¦ Western thought† may enrich the field of science, he warns that this also â€Å"threatens to dilute [Buddhism’s] impact and distort its content.† Still, Watson (2001) reasons that Buddhist’s real potential to enrich science is not its quasi-logical structure, but its attempt to propose an epistemology that is not rooted in dualism. â€Å"†¦Its purpose is †¦ to relate to an embodied way of being.† To this end, Buddhism endorses an engagement with the world that is based on process and agency rather than on products and essences. As such, Buddhism’s greatest boon is its potential to confer centuries of results in the domain of first-person experience to further the sophistication of the West’s third-person research. This receptive approach extends beyond enabling the flexibility of fundamental notions of reasons and into the theoretical framework which governs the production of art. Conventional generalizations regarding Eastern and Western art propose that, where Western art give emphasis to form and verisimilitude, Oriental art places an emphasis on abstraction and the representation of the spirit. Under such a dichotomy, the philosophical orientation of Western art is geared towards the imposition of meaning over reality, whereas Eastern art either yields to the primacy of forms, or chooses to receive it as a source of interpretation rather than a tool for representation. Lieberman (1997) proposes that aesthetics in Western art is used to establish a link between the emotions of the artist and the audience. The Western artist accomplishes this by working within the intersection in which form and content operate to produce meaning to create mood. As such, verisimilitude to real forms is not merely a question of creating â€Å"aesthetically pleasing reproduction[s],† but expressing a personal reaction to them. He then contrasts this with Zen Buddhist art, noting that it forgoes verisimilitude in favor of using the simplest possible means to express the â€Å"the inherent nature of the aesthetic object.† As such, regardless of aesthetic peculiarity, any form may inspire painting, be expressed through verse or utilized in music, rather than insisting on dogmatic notions of what can be utilized or expressed in them. (Lieberman, 1997) Lieberman (1997) quips, â€Å"The job of the artist is to suggest the essence, the eternal qualities of the object, which is †¦ a work of natural art before the artist arrives on the scene.† Achieving this goal comes from comprehension of the aesthetic object’s inner nature, what Lieberman terms to be â€Å"its Buddha nature,† and essentially promoting an inquisitive engagement with aesthetic forms not unlike the scientific endeavor. The fashion by which Buddhism enriches civilizations lie in, not merely its ability to open up the modes we engage in science and art through inquisitiveness and receptiveness, but in the fact that these cultural gains are extensions of an entire philosophy which promotes the thinking power of human beings. As Dhammanada (2002) observes, it effectively frees them from the dogmatic approach to life resulting in fanaticism and myopic thinking and â€Å"produces the feeling of self-reliance by teaching that the whole destiny of humanity lay in their own hands, and that they themselves possess the faculty of developing their own energy and insight in order to reach the highest goal.†   REFERENCES Dhammanada, K. S. (2002) What Buddhists Believe. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia. Lieberman, F. (1997) Zen Buddhism and Its Relationship to Elements of Eastern and Western Arts. Retrieved May 16, 2008 from: http://arts.ucsc.edu/faculty/lieberman/zen.html Verhoeven, M. J. (2001, June) Buddhism and Science: Probing the Boundaries of Faith and Reason. Religion East and West, Issue 1. Pp. 77-97 Watson, G. (2001, January) Buddhism Meets Western Science: A dialogue on the mind and consciousness. Religion and the Brain, Issue 19.

Customer Care And Complaint Resolution Policies Commerce Essay

Customer Care And Complaint Resolution Policies Commerce Essay At Romans Pizza, According to Chenet and Johansen (2006) customer care is the ability to inspire trust by being courteous, knowing ones products and understanding the customers needs. Complaint Resolution Policies are defined as To see the analysis of customer care and complaint resolution policies at Romans Pizza, this project consists of five chapters. Chapter 1 will explain the background and brief description of Romans Pizza which will be including the background of Romans pizza, about the good and the service of the product and lastly about the industry. While chapter 2 is based on customer care policy, vision and mission statement of Romans Pizza and their impacts on customer care operations. In chapter 3 all complaints which Romans Pizza face frequently will be touched and ways of logging complaints by customers and who is responsible for attending customers complaints. Chapter 4 will look at the resolution process followed by Romans Pizza and turn around time taken to resolve the complaints and how the VIP customers are handled while chapter 5 will focus on the review process of the complaints raised by customers including how the escalations are handled and how complaint resolution closed. However a s researchers we will also recommend to the management in terms of how they can improve on customer service considering that this is a more competitive and even globalized world .this research work shall be handed over to management. CHAPTER 1 THE FIRM Researchers used Romans Pizza Time Beaters (Pvt) Ltd as a case study and conducted a research based on an Analysis of Customer Care and Complaint resolution Policies. This firm was found in 1993 when Arthur Nicolakakis bought over a struggling Pizzeria. He had a vision to provide the best quality product at the lowest price. Its goal today is still to be the best value for money in the industry. Here in Botswana its operations started in September 2010, opening a single outlet in Gaborone which is located at Game City mall. It is said to be opening other operations in Francistown-Blue Jacket Street, Phakalane, and Square Mart Mall. The competition in this industry is very tough as new entrants enter in succession. PRODUCTS It is producing and selling pizzas. They range from sizes small, medium and large. A customer can either book for a pizza over the phone or in person, and it takes about 10 minutes for it to be ready. Various pizzas are produced with different flavours and taste depending on the ingredients used by the production department at Romans Pizza Time Beaters (Pvt) Ltd. They also sell beverages such as water and soft drinks. THE INDUSRTY Romans Pizza Time Beaters (Pvt) Ltd falls under hotel catering industry. Its competitors include Debonairs Pizza, other restaurants who are selling the same products and Pizza Den. Romans Pizza Time Beaters (Pty) Ltd has also branches in South Africa. Time Beaters (Pvt) Ltd was incorporated in 2010 to provide timely and precise transportation to product providers. CHAPTER 2 CUSTOMER CARE POLICY AND VISION Customer care policy refers to the guide lines that are adhered by the organization when it is dealing with the customers whenever there is a problem. Usually such issues are expressed in vision and mission of the company in relation to the customers. MISSION Mission refers to what an organization aim for its purpose and existence as a supplier or producer of goods and provider of a service to the organization, (Schermerhorn, 2008). Romans Pizza Time Beaters (Pvt) Ltd mission is The Pledge Every Romans Pizza meal is made from the finest imported ingredients, all the way from Greece and Italy, as well as the freshest local ingredients. All meals are prepared to order and are therefore guaranteed to be fresh, delicious and straight from t he oven. The staffs ensure that the pizza experience is truly fit for a king. These are pizza perfectionists, it with and can prove it with the proud and passionate price promotion. Vision refers to the future predictions of the business in relation to what it offers in terms of services that it offer, (Schermerhorn, 2008). Romans Pizzas vision is to be one of the best in selling pizza and to provide customers with the best value and to provide the best quality product at the lowest price. Its goal today is still to be the best value for money in the industry. IMPACTS OF THE MISSION ON CUSTOMERS This mission has a very big effect on customers as what comes into their mind immediately they see the mission statements. They will opt to buy at Romans Pizza because most customers like to be associated with value and quality. So if Romans Pizza does not live up with the expectation of the customers that may work against their success of the business and mission. CHAPTER 3 FREQUENTLY FACED COMPLAINTS Definition of a complaint According to Chenet and Johansen (2006) a complaint is a chance of introspecting what could have been gone wrong and caused dissatisfaction. It can also be referred to as an expression of any dissatisfaction. Ways of logging in the complaints Customers who are willing to complain can pose their complaints via the companys telephone number The company also has a suggestion box displayed on the counter. What management do they will summon all the staff and brief them about the complaints raised by customers and coming up with a solution. The other mode of complaining by customers is through face-to-face. This includes face to face interaction between the customer, and a customer service representative of romans pizza, and then the matter is solved in the floor. The customers are supposed to report their complaints to the sales representative before reaching the manager. Process of logging in the complaints Customers have a way or process of complaining that is arranged by management of Romans Pizza. First of all, complaining customers raise their complaints to the sales representative. The sales representative can resolve the matter at hand if it does not require the top management. If the sales representative is failing to solve the matter, it is then directed directly to the manager. At Romans Pizza complaint numbers are not issued as complaints which are raised by customers are very average and minimal and they do not take long to solve a complaint so this avoid keeping customers waiting. Commonly raised complaints from customers Some of the complaints which are frequently by customers are as follows; Waiting period Sometimes customers say they take a very long time waiting for the pizza to be ready. Some customers order hot pizzas and want them right away but according to the Production manager, a single pizza takes about 10 minutes to be well cooked. Hygiene The level of hygiene at Romans Pizza does not impress some customers because one of the customers stated that it is not clean since there are always flies in the eating area, and the producers or cooks do not put on their hats properly thus chances of their hair falling in the food are very high. Wrong orders Another complaint that is raised is a mismatch of the product that customers have ordered. For instance, a customer might order a pizza in thick flavour and the seller can probably give the customer a thin base. This is usually due to many customers buying at the same time. The number of complaints that management of Romans pizza handle in a day cannot be measured as sometimes there are no complaints at all. In some days, one-two or three complaints can be raised and most of the time there are no complaints raised, they are very average in terms of number. CHAPTER 4 THE RESOLUTION PROCESS THE COMPLAINT RESOLUTION PROCESS (LIST) Complaint resolution processes are the steps which are used by management of a business by way A company can use the `LIST` method of solving a raised complaint by a customer. What happens is that when a customer is dissatisfied with any service pertaining a company in which he or she interacted he will be listened to. After a customer has complained and listened to the customer service provider will then isolate the core and associated problems by asking the complainer some questions. Then the service provider will then solve the problem as quickly as possible and by so doing the customer will be informed. The last step of this method is to take the feedback from the customer to ensure that he is satisfied. Researchers have discovered that Romans Pizza also use the same procedure while trying to solve complaints raised by customers. First of all management listen to a complaint raised by customers and look at where could have been the problem by asking the customer some questions that are related to the complaint. A service provider will make sort of a dialogue with the customer and if its a minor issue that can be solved by a service provider he will promptly solve it and if it requires the manager it will be passed on where he will settle the complaint. After all respond will be taken from the customer and will be informed. Usually each and every complaint is resolved using this same procedure. Escalation process Refers to Standard Turn around time Refers to time set to completing a process or an event that was done previously, (Kotelnikov, 2001). As different customers uses different means of logging in complaints so the turn around time also differs at Romans Pizza and depend on the type of complaints raised, but usually a complaint that is raised over the phone takes about 5 minutes to be solved and face-to-face complaint takes a very short time which is usually 2 minutes. Definition of Deviations Chenet and Johansen (2006) define deviations as a change from an agreement. As for the resolution process each and every customer is given the same priority and the process is the same while attending customers, even VIP customers. According to the customer service provider at Romans Pizza what the customer asks they provide in terms of services and said they appreciate customers complaints as they help in capitalising the mistakes done so as to work on it so that it can never repeat again. CHAPTER 5 THE REVIEW PROCESS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS The staffs of Romans Pizza normally handle meetings every week after the complaints have been collected. They then try to come up with ideas as to how to solve those complaints and strategies to ensure customer satisfaction. They can make themselves better in giving the good customer service which makes them a good competitor against other rivals. HANDLING OF ESCALATIONS Romans Pizza normally make sure that those complaints that are frequently raised by the customers are known throughout the company so that those kinds of complaints can be prevented in the future. TURNAROUND TIME This refers to a set offered for completing a process or on event as done in the previous process or an event (Kotelnikov, 2001). The maximum time taken to resolve the customers complaint does not take more than 30 minutes. Time is considered as money at Romans Pizza the moment a complaint arise the customer care providers immediately takes action and if the complaint is not solved the manager is engaged to assist to solve the problem. This process does not take hour since the customer might lose patience and confidence in the company. COMPLAINT RESOLUTION CLOSURE At the end the branch manager of Romans Pizza should solve customers complaint fairly, that is to say the branch manager should be and give the customer compensation to ensure customer satisfaction and create a good image for the company. After the sale customer satisfaction is checked by calling back the customer to find out if they are satisfied with decision taken to solve the complaints. Conclusion To sum up the project, researchers can conclude that customer service is an integral part in a business for it to be successful and if it provides good quality service, more customers can be obtained and existing customers retained. Thats what Romans Pizza and Time Beaters (Pvt) Ltd is trying to do and if they keep on serving customers with quality they can gain edge over their competitors. Recommendations Romans pizza should improve the hygienic state of their company since it is not good for the health of the customer. The waitress must pay attention when the customers place orders and also brief about the variety of pizzas available in order to avoid mismatch in the products. Also the time estimated for the pizza to be ready should be taken into consideration because sometimes the time promised to the customers for the pizza to be ready is exceeded. The Romans pizza should not take more time to place the orders and should not make the customers to wait for a long time .

Celebrities in the American Media Essays -- Celebrity

American Media: The Bliss of the Public or the Bane of Celebrities? Throughout history, the media has caught some of the most horrific scenes on camera. While it is great that these events were documented, one cannot help but wonder how much is too much when prying into the lives of public figures. Even celebrities need a time to grieve; yet that time seems limited when they are constantly being harassed by men with cameras trying to give the best account of the situation. Since the introduction of the television, and possibly before, news broadcasters have been concerned with one objective— relaying the most interesting and informative report of the breaking story, regardless of the effects of their curiosity. In most cases of tragedy, the media coverage makes the situation worse. There is a photograph by Elliott Erwitt of Jackie Kennedy at President Kennedy’s funeral, which really embodies the effects of broadcasting tragedies. In the picture, Mrs. Kennedy’s face seems frozen in a state of disbelief and grief as a man behind her stands unaffected with a microphone around his ear. Millions of Americans sat in front of their TV sets watching the funeral, and through all of this Mrs. Kennedy was barely able to relax and reflect since it was her duty to plan the whole procession. After the funeral, she still could not find the time to grieve. Because she was the first lady, Jackie Kennedy had an obligation to the public so â€Å"even under the greatest stress imaginable [the] widow was receiving the guests who had come to her husband’s funeral† (Mayo, 84). By being the wife of a public figure, she too feels the stress of being a celebrity. The media, as well as the members of the public have forced her to remain active... ... without creating a rivalry between them or false pretences against them. In an age when media is such a big part of Americans’ lives, it is necessary to take into account the effects that the stories will have on the people in them. Works Cited Baughman, Cynthia. Women on Ice: Feminist Responses to Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan Spectacle. New York, New York: Routledge, 1995. Gladwell, Malcolm. Blink. New York, New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2005. Mayo, John B. Bulletin From Dallas: The President Is Dead. New York, New York: Exposition Press, 1967. Semple, Robert B., ed. Four Days in November. New York, New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2003. Triplett, William. â€Å"Alive†. American Journalism Review. October 1994. Questia. Questia Online Library. University of Miami. 28 September 2006. .

Frank Norris’s Novel McTeague Essay -- Frank Norris McTeague Essays

Frank Norris’s Novel McTeague   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Frank Norris’s novel McTeague explores the decay of society in the early twentieth century. Set in San Francisco, â€Å"a place where anything can happen†¦where fact is often stranger than fiction† (McElrath, Jr. 447), Norris explores themes of greed and naturalism, revealing the darker side of human psyche. What can be found most disturbing is the way that Norris portrays McTeague, in shocking detail, as nothing more than a brute animal at his core. Norris explores the greed and savage animalism that lurks inside McTeague.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  McTeague is first portrayed as a gentle giant. The reader is introduced to McTeague as he sits in his dental parlor, smoking his cigar and drinking his steam beer. He is described as a tall, slowly moving man. McTeague’s mind was as his body, heavy, slow to act, sluggish. Yet there was nothing vicious about the man. Altogether he suggested the draft horse, immensely strong, stupid, docile, obedient (Norris 7). Immediately one can visualize McTeague, a large lumbering mass, going about his daily activities in quiet solitude. The dental practice that McTeague runs provides him with a sound income, and in the first few chapters of the novel, he desires nothing more out of life than to practice what he loves. â€Å"When he opened his Dental Parlors, he felt that his life was a success, that he could hope for nothing better† (Norris 7). Upon meeting Trina, his best friend Marcus’s love interest who comes to him because of a broken tooth, his psyche begins to change and animalistic feelings begin to well up inside McTeague. â€Å"The male, virile desire in him tardily awakened, aroused itself, strong and brutal. It was resistless, untrained, a thing not to be held in a leash an instant† (Norris 25). Norris uses the animal imagery to describe the deterioration of McTeague’s human qualities. When McTeague tells Marcus of his intentions with Trina, there is a palpable tension between the two characters. Although at first they act like gentlemen, there is a silent rivalry between them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Well, what are we going to do about it, Mac?† he said. â€Å"I don’ know,† answered McTeague in great distress. â€Å"I don’ want anything to—to come between us, Mark.†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å"Well, say, Mac,† he cried, striking the table with his fist, â€Å"go ahead. I guess you—you want her pretty bad. I’ll pull out; yes, I will. I’ll give he... ...ull at his right wrist; something held it fast. Looking down, he saw that Marcus in that last struggle had found strength enough to handcuff their wrists together. Marcus was dead now; McTeague locked to the body. All about him, vast interminable, stretched the measureless leagues of Death Valley (Norris 340). In this last scene, McTeague is left to die in the brutal conditions of Death Valley, a force that his primitiveness and greed cannot escape.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Norris develops the novel in a way that takes the reader through the mind of McTeague. The final effect is one of chilling realism. McTeague develops a greed and brute quality that can be realized in all of us. Norris magnifies the deconstructive traits that lurk inside of society and all of us and shows them too us, if we dare to look for them. Works Cited Brief, Peter. 1,300 Critical Evaluations of Selected Novels and Plays: â€Å"McTeague.† Vol. 3, McT-ROB. Salem Press, 1978. McElrath Jr, Joseph. Twentieth Century Literary Criticism: â€Å"McTeague.† Vol. 24. Gale Research Company, 1987. Norris, Frank. McTeague. USA: Signet Classic, 1964. Rexroth, Kenneth. Afterword from â€Å"McTeague.† USA: New American Library, 1964.

Hamlet †the Character Laertes Essay -- The Tragedy of Hamlet Essays

Hamlet – the Character Laertes  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   In the Bard of Avon’s famous tragedy Hamlet the character of Laertes is less clearly presented than others. He is the chamberlain’s son, and yet he commands popular respect and support for a bid for the kingship. How does one piece together all the evidence in his life?    In â€Å"The World of Hamlet† Maynard Mack describes the interference of a possessive Polonius in the life of his son, Laertes:    â€Å"The apparel of proclaims the man,† Polonius assures Laertes, cataloging maxims in the young man’s ear as he is about to leave for Paris. Oft, but not always. And so he sends his man Reynaldo to look into Laertes’ life there – even, if need be, to put a false dress of accusation upon his son (â€Å"What forgeries you please†), the better by indirections to find directions out. (250)    Laertes makes his appearance in the drama after Marcellus, Barnardo and Horatio have already seen the Ghost and have trifled with it in an effort to prompt it to communicate with them. Laertes is in attendance at a social gathering of the court at Elsinore. Laertes, like Fortinbras a rival of Hamlet (Kermode 1138), appears with his father, Polonius, who is later shown to manipulate both him and his sister (Boklund 122). Laertes respectfully approaches the king, who asks, â€Å"And now, Laertes, what's the news with you? / You told us of some suit; what is't, Laertes?† Laertes responds in a manner befitting the son of the lord chamberlain:    My dread lord,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Your leave and favour to return to France;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   From whence though willingly I came to Denmark,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To show my duty in your coronation [. . .] . (1.2)    After Claudius wishes Laertes a farewell for his trip back to F... ...Ed. G. Blakemore Evans. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1974.    Mack, Maynard. â€Å"The World of Hamlet.† Yale Review. vol. 41 (1952) p. 502-23. Rpt. in Shakespeare: Modern Essays in Criticism. Rev. ed. Ed. Leonard F. Dean. New York: Oxford University P., 1967.    Rosenberg, Marvin. â€Å"Laertes: An Impulsive but Earnest Young Aristocrat.† Readings on Hamlet. Ed. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. Rpt. from The Masks of Hamlet. Newark, NJ: Univ. of Delaware P., 1992.    Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 1995. http://www.chemicool.com/Shakespeare/hamlet/full.html No line nos.    Ward & Trent, et al. The Cambridge History of English and American Literature. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1907–21; New York: Bartleby.com, 2000 http://www.bartleby.com/215/0816.html      

Overseas Aid & International Development Essay

International development can only be defined holistically as improvement of human lives and enhancement of the people’s social welfare. International development constitutes the following; provision and/or improvement in sectors of health, education, governance, gender equity and equality, infrastructural facilities, environment, economic empowerment, foreign aid, disaster preparedness and human rights. In order to know the status of the welfare in any society, there are some indicators that can be used and these include the following; the literacy level, poverty level, life expectancy and GDP per capita. Generally, these indicators have been reported to improve over the past and this has not been possible without involvement of development partners. These development partners include CBO ’s, NGO’s , multilateral development agencies and bilateral donors among others. This paper will focus on Catholic Relief Services (CRS ) approach to international development and outline its contribution to the achievement of the MDG’s . CRS is a non governmental organization that was started back in 1943 by United States’ catholic bishops. Its main aim was to resettle those people who were displaced by the Second World War especially in Europe. It is based on Christian religious practices and specifically on catholic doctrine. Ten years later the situation in Europe was regaining its normalcy state and the organization expanded its activities to other parts of the world that include Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Caribbean, Asia and middle east. Other than provision of relief services, the organization has been in the fore front in breaking the vicious cycle of poverty through sustainable community based development initiatives. This has been mainly through its focus in key sectors in the word’s economies and its main activities have been carried out in the following areas; agriculture, emergency response, health including HIV /AIDS , education, microfinance and peace building. It has been active in championing policy issues regarding global poverty, hunger, conflict resolution management and transformation, migration, HIV/AIDS, human trafficking, gender and inequality (http://crs. org/ ). According to the organization â€Å"Catholic Relief Services complements its humanitarian and development experience with policy analysis and advocacy to address root causes of poverty, conflict, and marginalization. CRS examines issues that are dramatically impacting the safety and well-being of poor and vulnerable people worldwide based on the principles of Catholic social teaching, primary among them the protection of the dignity of the human person. †(http://crs. org/ ) Millennium development goals are goals that were set by members of the United Nations and international organizations and aimed to be achieved by 2015. This followed after the adoption of United Nations millennium declaration during the 2000 millennium summit by the member states heads (http://www. un. org/millennium/). The aim of these MDG’s was to foster social and economic development in the poverty stricken countries in the world. There was a major concern on the increase in poverty among many people all over the world and this trend needed urgent redress to stop and reverse it. Following the chapters of the United Nations millennium declaration eight goals were set and named the millennium development goals. These included the following; poverty reduction and hunger eradication, promotion gender equality and women empowerment, improvement of maternal health, eradicate illiteracy through provision of primary education to children all over the world, reverse the trend of HIV/AIDS infections, reduce the death of children under five years of age, promote environmental sustainability and enhance partnership in global development(http://www. undp. org/mdg/basics. shtml). The catholic relief services activities have been intertwined with these millennium development goals and this is a clear indication that achievement of these MDG’s will mean attaining the objectives of the CRS and vice versa. The reason is because the goals can not be achieved without the focus on the sectors addressed by the CRS and thus the CRS can be viewed as an urgent and a partner in the realization of the millennium development goals. The reason for focusing on the CRS is because of its massive contribution and huge network that covers the different corners of the world. Though it is based on Christian virtues and catholism, it has never been crippled or shorthanded by the diversity in people’s background ranging from religion, race tribe, geographical location and nationality. It has always focused on its key objectives and as a result many people have benefited so much from the organization’s activities. Its approach to social issues has been guided by the people’s needs and its immense contribution has saved the lives of many. Most of the beneficiaries of its serviced have risen to great heights and human suffering has highly reduced in those areas it has been reported to operate. The spirit of giving, volunteer ship and promotion peaceful coexistence has been demonstrated by the organization where mutual understanding has prevailed in areas where hostility, hatred, destruction, disasters and political instability has rocked claiming lives of many people. As globalization continues to shape the lives of people, there always arise challenges that need unity and cooperation to be addressed. It is this reason that the CRS has gone beyond its religious cocoons and joined hands with re rest of the world to alleviate human suffering and this is a good example that organizations and states should follow if the world would be a better and safer place for human beings to live. I will now focus on the specific contributions of the CRS towards the achievement of the millennium development goals. Most developing countries highly depend on agriculture. This has been their only resource that has enabled them to survive through acquisition of the basic human needs that include food, clothing, shelter, health services and basic education. However as a result of climatic changes, the agriculture sector has faced many challenges that need to e addressed in order to guarantee its vital contribution and sustainability to the many people who rely on it for their daily life. The challenges need massive investment on technology and skills which must be accompanied by financial costs. Since most of these poor people can not afford them, their poverty escalates day by day. CRS has developed partnership programs with poor local communities by providing advice, research services and inputs to improve agricultural production. It has worked closely with local agencies to ensure programs on environmental matters and agriculture are properly implemented to benefit the poorest in the communities and families all over the world. It seeks to strengthen the local poor communities and encourage them to champion their development without relying on external enforcement. Increased food production will ensure hunger is completely eradicated and people can even have surplus to sell and procure other basic needs in their lives. This will reduce poverty and reduce diseases which have been closely associated with malnutrition. Sexual exploitation which has very much been exacerbated by the need to earn money to buy basis needs will reduce leading to drastic decline in HIV/AIDS infections (Little D. M, Clifford J. M, 2005, 122-127). In the education sector, CRS has made huge contribution to promotion of basic education in different areas of the world. Its activities have increased the access and quality of education to many poor and marginalized populations. This has been aimed at enhancing peace and justice in all communities and has been mainly in areas where crisis has been reported. Their services extend to those areas with relative stability and those that are recovering from the crisis. The organization provides support to schools in local areas where the largest population of the poor are believed to live. In their effort to ensure the poor access quality education and participate fully in community projects, it introduced food assisted education (FAE ). Since mid 1990’s girl child education, teachers support, hygienic education and services for students have also been rolled out. It has also helped to put up education infrastructural facilities and sensitization of members of the communities especially parents to get involved in educational matters for their children. These education activities have an objective of reaching the poor and marginalized members of the society especially the children. As a result poverty is expected to reduce with the decrease in the level of illiteracy all over the world. Poverty will then reduce and thus the millennium development goals are well taken care of by the CRS programmes (Singer H. W, Ansari J. A, 1988, 35-58). CRS is widely involved in emergency responses that ensure that those affected are not denied their right to live with dignity. It therefore works closely with members of the communities affected to ensure their disaster preparedness capacities are strengthened and restored. In times of complex emergencies and natural disasters, the CRS commits itself in life saving livelihood support and strengthening of the entire civil society. To them, peace is of necessity and violent conflict should be prevented. The organization therefore conducts emergency health operations that are usually aimed at supporting the already existing health institutions and ensure those in need of health services and basic medical attention are attended to. Distribution of relief food and technical support to farmers to increase food production is also a vital role played by the CRS. Those who may not have shelters are assisted with temporary shelters and to some larger extend, the organization contribute materials to construct permanent shelters. CRS also ensures conflicts are prevented, properly managed if they arise, resolved peacefully and transformation is achieved within the soonest time possible through addressing the root cause. Marginalized and vulnerable groups receive special attention including expectant women children, aged and those infected with HIV/AIDS (Megan Landon M, 2006, 165-190). In the health sector, the CRS has actively involved local communities to solve problems themselves through empowering them to make sound decisions. They normally use the catholic social teaching which acts as a subsidiary principle. It involves volunteers from different parts of the world who donate their services to those most in need of them and can not afford them. Such programs reduce child mortality, HIV/AIDS infections and reduce deaths that result from inadequate maternal services for women. Social justice is therefore restored and human rights and dignity is fostered. On similar grounds the organization has been very much concerned with AIDS which has been threatening to wipe human beings out of the face of the earth. Research has indicated that as much as poverty has been cited as the cause of the increase in infections of the disease among human beings, it is also an effect. CRS has therefore initiated programmes all over the world with an estimated expenditure of at least $120million and over four million beneficiaries in the year 2007 alone. This has been the trend over the past up to date and as the pandemic deepens its roots, the expenditure has kept on rising. Finally, as the rate of unemployment increases, many people are engaging in self employment to earn their living. Majority of the unemployed are poor and the women who have no collaterals to access financial services from commercial banks. This has increased sexual exploitation which is skewed towards women. This has been taken care of by the microfinance service in CRS that provides affordable loan and financial services to the self employed women. Economic empowerment is very important weapon in war against HIV/AIDS, illiteracy, inequality, hunger, diseases and all other poverty related problems that human beings encounter. This is the major concern of the CRS and the core of millennium development goals. Citing an example of progress in the contributions towards achieving the millennium development goals will directly highlight a major activity carried out by the CRS and therefore the CRS deserves all manner of support in implementation of its goals and objectives if millennium development goals will ever be achieved. Other organizations and governmental entities have already joined hands with CRS such as USAID , USDA , UNDP , The Inter-American Development Bank, Education ministries among many others (http://www. management-issues. com/2006/8/24/research/financial-services-firms-hostile-towards-women. asp ). Conclusion CRS is just but one of the many organizations that has been actively involved in ensuring millennium development goals are achieved. Both the millennium development goals and the CRS have so much in common and it may not be easy to separate the influence of one to the other. While the CRS is concerned with the issues that impact safety and social welfare of the minor marginalized and vulnerable groups of people, the MDG’s outline these issues themselves and sets a target and specific time duration through its objectives when the problems should be reduced to manageable magnitude. It is a lifetime process to completely do away with these problems and challenges and thus, unless otherwise, the CRS should only live to see full redress of the problems. At the same time, achievement of the MDG’s in the year 2015 will set the agenda for the next step in millennium development goals. References About the MDGs: Basics, Retrieved from http://www. undp. org/mdg/basics. shtml on 5th June, 2009 UNITED NATIONS MILLENNIUM DECLARATION, Retrieved from http://www. un. org/millennium/ PDF, on 5th June, 2009 Little D. M, Clifford J. M, (2005), International aid: the flow of public resources from rich to poor countries, Aldine Transaction Singer H. W, Ansari J. A, (1988), Rich and Poor Countries: Consequences of International Economic Disorder, Rutledge Megan Landon M, (2006), Environment, health and sustainable development, McGraw-Hill International Catholic relief service, Retrieved from http://crs. org/ on 5th June, 2009 Financial services firms ‘hostile towards women’ Retrieved from http://www. management-issues. com/2006/8/24/research/financial-services-firms-hostile-towards-women. asp on 5th June, 2009

The Modern Marine NCO Today

Today’s Marine NCO has changed over the years from the past Marine NCO. An NCO today takes the knowledge from their senior NCO’s that was passed down to them and help shape the Jr. Marine today. Having respect goes a long way with Marine NCO’s but how can that be achieved if the NCO doesn’t show any themselves? A Marine NCO is like a father figure in a way, teaches junior marine what he/she needs to know in order to better themselves and make good decisions so that one day when he/she becomes and NCO they can look back and be like my NCO when I was a troop taught me and show me what it takes to be a NCO. NCO’s gain knowledge and wisdom from their seniors but also gain knowledge for their jourior marines and make themselves better. The NCO from the past was more about odering and not listening to their marines which made the Marines under their charge hate their NCO as of to now and days the NCO takes time to listen to their Marines and properly take care of their needs. As a Marine NCO, we have to set standards for others to emulate and strive to be the best and surpass their leaders. A Marine NCO is there for his/her Marines from the smallest minute problem back in the rear to being on the fron lines and helping their Marine in a battle situation. A jounior Marine will trust and respect his fellow NCO(s) if that Marine NCO takes time to understand them and help them in their situation.

East Asian and American Education Essay

One of the phenomenon I experienced and observed a lot is East Asian students, comparingly, speak less in class than American students. More precisely, the students impacted by western education is more talkative (in a class discussion) than the students learned under East Asian education system. Besides the language issue, I am more interested in the foundation of different that drove behind this phenomenon. And I believe this is a good example of how culture affects our mind, further, our behavior. To explore this question, I will discuss the differences between East Asian and Western education system in several aspects: First, the major cultural difference existing in two cultures. Why western education values discussion and why does east asian education value lecture? The difference in professor-student relation, Students’ expectation in learning, and finally, the benefit in each education system. For the major cultural difference between East Asian and Western education system, we can look at the core difference of two culture. That East Asian culture values homogeneous and society as a whole while Western culture emphasizes dynamic and individual. So what does this apply to learning? Amy and Jin, both writers in cross-cultural education field, pointed out that East Asian education values self to be perfect morally and socially while Western education emphasizes creativity and critical thinking. (Chua, 2011, Li, 2012) The purpose of learning shaped education so differently from east to west, that it reflects on every aspect of learning. Teaching method, for instance, American school usually has seminar and East Asian school has mostly lecture. In a seminar, it is the students who are the presenters, so one can hear others opinion and the professor has only a limited role for leading the discussion. It forces students to participate and think about what he/she is learning, and helps students to reform the new learned knowledge with the old ones. It perfectly fits the purpose of western education: think critically and absorb dynamic thoughts. Contrary, students have a more passive role in a lecture, professor being the only role that deliver the knowledge. Students take everything from and only from the instructor and usually not question it even if they doubt it. In East Asian education system, teacher is the center of knowledge (Whang, 2002). Which is not the idea of the Western education system. This can be traced back to ancient China and Confucius culture, which advocated students to respect the teacher. And students were educated to trust everything a teacher gives and should see it as the only truth. Thus, the role of teacher is also a huge factor that affects two education systems. As described, the role of the teacher in East Asian education is majestic, teacher has abso lute authority, and students revere their teacher. Because students believe everything the teacher taught, any concepts that different from the teacher is considered to be wrong, making East Asian students tend not to talk in class unless he/she is sure about the things he/she is going to say is right or meaningful to class. What do students expect in the class? In a research done by a foreign language teacher in China, she pointed that â€Å"students expected to be provided with a detailed systematic plan pertaining to the course provision and delivery to enhance mutual understanding between teachers and students.†, and â€Å"Students show great respect to teachers, but they also expect teachers to have thorough knowledge of the subjects they teach.† (Xiao, 2006), showing that students is prepared to be taught instead of participate in the teaching process. In other hand, in Western education system, student is the central and is required to participate. Learning happens while teaching. When in a class, teacher hope students can integrate into the teaching-learning environment. There’s no absolute right and wrong in a seminar, students speak to express their thought, this is the most important thing in a class. Teacher’s role, more like an introducer of learning, is to lead students into the topic, and students are the decision maker of what he/she wants to take out from the class. Finally, discussing about the benefit of each education system. Teachers have more control in a lecture and in East Asian education, can better delivering ideas. Students can get instant answer and more details for the subject they’re learning. Learners usually develop an independent personality under this kind of education system, are used to know and absorb the answer and theory itself than to understand the reason of the theory. People like to explore and solve the problem by themselves before asking for help. In the Western education system, seminar helps to broaden the subject of learning, student learns not only from the teacher but also the classmates and are exposed to ideas come from different background of aspects. This helps a person to develop creative, confidence and the ability to cooperate with others. Learners under this kind of educating system also care about the reason and principle of a theory than just knowing the theory itself. Reference 1. Chua, A (2011). Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. United States: Penguin Group . 2. Xiao L (2006). Bridging the Gap Between Teaching Styles and Learning Styles: A Cross-Cultural Perspective. Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language. 10, . 3. Li, J (2012). Cultural Foundations of Learning. Rhode Island: Brown University. 4. Whang, Y (2002). Research in Applied Psychology. Taiwan: Wu-Nan Culture.

My task is to create a music video that hasn’t been released on the general market

My task is to create a music video that hasn't been released on the general market. This will be done in a group of four consisting of Courtney, Lisa, Tamica and myself. We need to all decide on what song we are going to produce which is no longer than five minutes long. We need to write a narrative synopsis, this will show how the song relates to the images. Also we will need a detailed storyboard because it will help us out on how to shoot the scenes. We all need to decide on locations, props, costumes, castings and soundtracks that we are going to use in our music video. We must do all arrangements in good time management. The song is called ‘separated' and is singed by an artist called Usher Raymond. It's a song sang by usher to his girl. The academic bit, this is done by analyzing our video and see if the genre and conventions plus how media language fits the music video. In this video I will need to contribute in my role as a lead singer Usher, and also help out in planning plus research with the group, give ideas on locations and to be on time on deadlines. In our group everyone needs to know what they're doing and help out on props, costumes and be on time and know their part. My group and I have chosen the solo artist Usher Raymond because we like the lyrics he uses in the song; it's very different from other songs. Also his lyrics can be formed in to images for our music video â€Å"separated†. Usher Raymond was born on the 14th October 1978 in Chattanooga. He is a young R&B singer. Usher is one of the few who can boast of real star quality. He performed at the American Music Awards as part of the all-star recording collaboration Black Men United. The first single to be taken from the album, â€Å"You Make Me Wanna†, was typical of the smooth ballads on offer. Usher was more successful in the UK, where the single debuted at number 2 in February 2001. He returned to the top of the US charts in July with â€Å"U Remind Me†, which premiered the transatlantic hit album 8701. The single â€Å"U Got It Bad† also reached the number 1 position in 2002. We will be using varies of techniques to make this video so that it fits it conventions and also genre. Using similar filming techniques like camera angles will do this and lighting effects also the location of shots need to be accurate would help a lot. In order to make this music video a success we must use certain skills of marketing techniques. The music video needs to be marketed well. This means we need know what customers to target. We need to brand our music video so it could become popular and known form it. There are many genres of music and for us to do well we need to know our genre of music inside out. We need to know what's going to be in and what props we need also how we could do stuff so that our video fits its genre. To match audience's expectation we would need the video to have conventions that follows other pop music videos. These could be fancy cars, big mansions, the high life, boy meets girl, relationship breaking up or clips of them having fun back in the days. Some of pop artists examples are puff daddy, Nelly, Sean Paul. Our music video is going to be targeted at young teenagers. We believe they are our audience for these kinds of songs, also they would find them as pop idols. We would advertise the new single on TV, radio, newspapers and Internet. The TV is because many teenagers plus adults watch it. The radio is a main advertiser for songs because many people have radios in their cars, personal stereos, work place, homes and phones. People will here the single on the radio and if they liked it they would purchase it. Also playing music on the radio would give us a wider range of audiences and may boost our sales up. My group and I have chosen the solo artist Usher Raymond because we like the lyrics he uses in the song; also his lyrics can be formed in to images for our music video â€Å"separated†. Usher Raymond was born on the 14th October 1978 in Chattanooga. He is a young R&B singer. Usher is one of the few who can boast of real star quality. He performed at the American Music Awards as part of the all-star recording collaboration Black Men United. The first single to be taken from the album, â€Å"You Make Me Wanna†, was typical of the smooth ballads on offer. Usher was more successful in the UK, where the single debuted at number 2 in February 2001. He returned to the top of the US charts in July with â€Å"U Remind Me†, which premiered the transatlantic hit album 8701. The single â€Å"U Got It Bad† also reached the number 1 position in 2002. We have previous marketing techniques that we have discussed and analysed so we can use these techniques to make the video a success. Some of our previous marketing techniques discussed were on how where and how to advertise our music videos and also how to target our main audiences. The channels that we have chosen to broadcast the video on We have chosen to broadcast our video on certain channels like: THE BOX – we chose this channel is because this channel is a national wide all music video channel reaching over 20 million homes in the United States giving us a wide audience. It is also available in the United Kingdom. Specializing in rock, pop, R&B, hip-hop, Latin, and country. Over 170 individual boxes are located throughout the country, which allows each area to have its own custom local play list of videos to choose from. This will be mainly targeted at the seven years old to thirty year old age groups. Also we chose the MTV main channel. The reason we chose this channels is because it is a music channel, which is on a 24-hour video music network. MTV is an advertiser-supported, basic cable service of MTV networks. We would use this channel for promoting our music. By linking the video to a wider audience we would have more sales in records. A good example is to feature another famous artist in to the song from a different genre. ‘U R L' (Usher Record Label) is going to the record label. The label is going to have a picture of usher on it this will make the video sexually attractive to female customers. This will increase the sales. In the video the artist is showing he wants to break up with his girlfriend. Tamica plays the girl featured in the video. Usher sings he wants to be separate from her. Initial ideas that we have come up with are on how to structure each scene of the video, we are going to film each sentence in the song and for the chorus we are going to play the same scene each time. In the video each scene would go along with the music. This should look good and professional. In the video every scene is going to illustrate song lyrics. This is going to be done by having each sentence of the song being represented by an object, scenery, person/s and facial expressions. Our storyboards are going to help us a lot in making the video look realistic. This is because the storyboard will help us by illustrating to us how to achieve the right look and feel of the music videos, also what camera angles we want and lighting. When editing the video we must make sure the words of the song are in the right time of the videoing. If not done correctly then the video wouldn't look very effective. In our group we have decided that I am going to be the solo artist Usher, Courtney is going to the camera woman, Lisa is going to be casting in our video and Tamica is going to be the women in the video (Usher's Girl). My role is going to be difficult but I can achieve it by rehearsing the scenes and working together as a team. I need to make my music video look as real as possible so I can feel I have achieved making my video successfully.

Precedent- Statutory Interpretation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Precedent- Statutory Interpretation - Essay Example ferentiates the English Common Law system from Civil Law, where every case is tried based on a judge’s or jury’s interpretation of law at a particular time, regardless of the outcome of similar cases in the past. This begs one big question: Given that the judiciary has the task of interpreting laws and giving judgments when two or more parties do conflict; add to the fact that it is supposed to play a role that is separate from the legislature, has stare decisis effectively made English courts the rivals of Parliament in making laws? To be able to do that, let us examine the current rules of court in Britain. There are different rules of precedent for each court. There are cited as follows: (â€Å"Rules of precedent†, n.d.) Their Lordships regard the use of precedent as an indispensable foundation upon which to decide what is the law and its application to individual cases. It provides at least some degree of certainty upon which individuals can rely in the conduct of their affairs, as well as a basis for orderly development of legal rules. Their Lordships nevertheless recognise that too rigid adherence to precedent may lead to injustice in a particular case and also unduly restrict the proper development of the law. They propose, therefore, to modify their present practice and, while treating former decisions of this House as normally binding, to depart from a previous decision when it appears right to do so. In this connection they will bear in mind the danger of disturbing retrospectively the basis on which contracts, settlements of property and fiscal arrangements have been entered into and also the especial need for certainty as to the criminal law†¦.This announcement is not intended to affect the use of precedent elsewhere than in this House. Many people believe that the House of Lords is bound by the rules it set, but his statement has implied that the House of Lords is not really bound by its own decisions,

The Fashion Industry and the New Consumer Essay

The Fashion Industry and the New Consumer - Essay Example The paper "The Fashion Industry and the New Consumer" examines marketing concepts for the one of the United Kingdom top fashion brands Marks and Spencer. When we discuss marketing oriented organisations, it is agreeable that Marks and Spencer is one of the organisations in the United Kingdom that practices it. As a matter of fact, the fashion retailer can be described with five major characteristics of marketing oriented organisations; First of all it focuses on extensive and wide spread use of marketing research. ,T the organisation also emphasizes on the benefits of buying their products, that which are based on the attributes of the same product, it keeps on expanding its product lines in all categories and geographical regions. Tthe company makes use of various innovation schemes in order to enhance the value of the product to its target customers and lastly., Tthe company focuses its business inon adding value to customers like free delivery, warranty and credit availability. Ac cording to Armstrong, marketing and selling concepts usually focus on the selling of the products and moving out of firm’s products. This is usually looked at in a bigger perspective. Marketing concepts are meant to make a retailer product, meet the needs of its customers and also be able to make profits for the organisation. ThisIt means that a retailer will put his target on selling his goods and service, however, in order to succeed it is necessary to persuade its customers to embrace the products.

Economic event ( read steps down ) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Economic event ( read steps down ) - Essay Example In brief, the Reagan Tax Reform Act of 1986 was passed by a bi-partisan majority in both house and senate and signed into law by the President. What this affected was lowering the top individual income tax rate from 50% to 28% (Cebula 132). Although this was a vast reduction, it was in fact revenue â€Å"neutral† as the tax burden that was created from the savings was merely passed off onto businesses. President Bush further passed legislation that reduced the tax burden down from 28% to 20%. This has caused an ever increasing budget deficit as Washington is both unable to curtail spending and seemingly obsessed with further tax cuts. It is this cycle of ever increasing budgets and the inability to raise taxes on any group due to the political pressures that have evolved into the unique situation that both political candidates face. Further complicating the issue is the fact that Mitt Romney’s plan intends on keeping the Bush era tax cuts and extending them indefinitely. Similarly, his tax plan claims that although no additional percentage tax increases will be affected, additional revenue will be generated by reducing itemized deductions and other special benefits that the wealthy typically enjoy on their taxes. Analysis by independent think tanks and tax analysts have proven that this particular maneuver will not even come close to closing the revenue gap that further reduction in the highest individual rates will have (William 4). Furthermore, if Mr. Romney will be able to meet the same level of tax revenues while reducing the tax revenues generated from the wealthy, this will invariably be dependent upon the plan’s ability to cover the shortfalls of tax revenue/generation. Likewise, a primary issue that one quickly realizes when analyzing Mitt Romney’s tax plan is the fact that he is interested in: cutting the

The impact that the 2012 Olympic Games could have on Bedford City Assignment

The impact that the 2012 Olympic Games could have on Bedford City Council and what the Council will need to do in preparation for the Games - Assignment Example Hosting the Olympic Games is considered as a great opportunity for cities worldwide. Usually, the specific event results to significant benefits for the city involved – referring to the city that hosts the Games. However, Olympic Games have been also related to certain drawbacks – for instance the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games which were characterized by the damages caused by riots or the Atlanta Olympic Games during which the explosion of a bomb caused the death of 2 people and the injuring of hundreds, as analysed below. For London, the 2012 Olympic Games are considered as a major challenge. The city has to face the significant social turbulences as reflected in the damages caused by riots across Britain the last 5 days. Moreover, the City has to resolve the following problem: will the benefits of the Games be above their drawbacks/ disadvantages? Moreover, will these benefits disadvantages be equally distributed among the regions surrounding London – where ce rtain of these Games’ events will take place? Current paper focuses on the impact of 2012 Olympic Games on Bedford City Council; the benefits and the disadvantages of the Games for the specific area are estimated – using relevant literature and findings from primary research (statistics and figures related to past Olympic Games). Also, another issue is explored: which would be the preparation that Bedford City Council would have to do for hosting the Olympic Games? ... Moreover, the City has to resolve the following problem: will the benefits of the Games be above their drawbacks/ disadvantages? Moreover, will these benefits disadvantages be equally distributed among the regions surrounding London – where certain of these Games’ events will take place? Current paper focuses on the impact of 2012 Olympic Games on Bedford City Council; the benefits and the disadvantages of the Games for the specific area are estimated – using relevant literature and findings from primary research (statistics and figures related to past Olympic Games). Also, another issue is explored: which would be the preparation that Bedford City Council would have to do for hosting the Olympic Games? Emphasis is given on the following three sectors, as they are influenced by the Olympic Games: business environment, human resources and marketing. The practices used in cities that hosted the Olympic Games in the past are used as the basis for developing a framew ork of activities/ plans which would be appropriate for Bedford City Council so that the above city to be appropriately prepared for the particular event. The literature published in the particular field has been combined with the statistics released in regard to past Olympic Games but also in regard to London as a host city for the 2012 Olympic Games. It is revealed that Bedford City Council is partially prepared for participating in the Olympic Games 2012 – as a city hosting one or more activities of the specific event. 2. Background Olympic Games have been traditionally considered as a major cultural event, leading to the improvement of relationships among nations. Because of this fact, the Games

Decision Making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Decision Making - Essay Example most viable when time is of essence in arriving at quick recommendations and when the decision-maker has established vast experience and expertise that warrants knowledge of the potential outcomes of the decision to be made. Still, most women have been proven to have practiced making decisions based on gut-feel and relying merely on perceptions. In one’s personal experience, decision-making follows the rational decision making process where there are clearly stipulated steps that are structured and where one is expected to adhere to. This has been proven to be most effective in one’s personal and professional experiences in life due to the objectivity it accords me, as the decision-maker, to see various options on a factual perspective; and to have generated the most effective recommendations that have been agreeable or amenable to those affected by the decisions on a longer time frame. Likewise, as emphasized in the discourse entitled â€Å"Why Being Certain Means Being Wrong† there is an evident feeling of â€Å"certainty, in the form of the calm feeling of knowing, (which can ultimately) replace the tension of not knowing† (par. 3). Thus, through rational decision making, one ultimately attains a feeling of sublime calmness in the certainty that the selected course of action is the one that is most plausible, more leaning to accuracy and correctness and the least fallible to error. In a more generalized form, one’s rational decision-making process follows these crucial phases: (1) defining or clearly stating the problem (not the symptoms but the root or main predicament); (2) identifying one’s alternative courses of action (which also includes not doing anything, which is called status quo; and other viable options); (3) using cognitive or analytical tools in evaluating each option (such as enumerating benefits versus costs or advantages versus disadvantages, at the most simplest form; SWOT analysis, if needed; ethical, moral and legal considerations;

Critical Thinking Exercise Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Critical Thinking Exercise - Essay Example The brand collectively has over 33,000 restaurants, franchises and outlets serving on a daily basis over 68 million people in almost 120 countries. (About McDolands) The business model of franchising helps McDonald’s to convey reliable, quality oriented and locally-relevant eating experiences to its customers. The total assets of the company amount to $32,990 million including a $22.8 billion of fixed assets. The current assets of the company amount to $4.4 billion and a goodwill of $2.6 billion. The proportion of the current assets over the total assets is 13% and the net identifiable and tangible assets of the company have a proportion of 69.2% which indicates a healthy backing of tangible assets. The major portion of the company’s liabilities is the long-term debt of the company which amounts to $12.1 billion and takes 65.24% of $18.6 billion of the total liabilities. The current liabilities of the company, which majorly include payroll and trade payables, has a low standing as compared to the current assets as the current liabilities amount to $3.5 billion as at December 31, 2011. The company has generated total revenue of $27 billion for the year 2011 and $18.3 billion of that revenue has been generated through company operated restaurants while the remaining from franchised restaurants generating an operating profit of $8.4 billion whereby the operating expenses majorly include food, payroll and other operational expenses such as the ambiance and maintenance related costs of the company. These expenses make up a total of $14.8 billion out of the total $18.5 billion operating expenses. The net income of the company after tax is $5.5 billion for the year which is quite attractive for such a company operating in such a competitive environment. The company also declared a dividend of $2.6 billion for its common shareholders. The company was able to maintain the same level of cash as last year as the company’s total cash was $2.34