Tuesday, December 31, 2019
The Dream Of Moving West - 1083 Words
The topic that I choose was Manifest Destiny. It intrigued me the most because how the dream of moving west was bitter sweet. How tensions between Mexico and America arose and effects toward the civil war. Ever since The United States declared independence in 1776, we have strived to move further west and find new land and hopes of a better way of life. Moving west would not be easy due to substantial amounts of variables. Like territory that has already been claimed and Native Americans who have been pushed west. For now the United States has reached as far as Missouri and Tennessee, but the true thought of moving westward off the idea of Manifest Destiny was not until the 1820ââ¬â¢s where expansionist started to publicize their thoughts of moving further west. The first concept of moving westward was trading with Mexico. Of course trading was not really encouraged by Mexico but states like New Mexico encouraged it and also created the Santa Fe trail . This trading also encouraged business like trappers who would trap animals with valuable fur. They were also known as ââ¬Ëmountain menââ¬â¢. They would cross the Rockies to hunt for these animals. These mountain men would trade with Mexican residents that lived near the Nevada. One trapper known as Jeddian Smith had crossed the Great Basin and Sierra Nevada to California which would be later known as the California trail. It was named that because it would link the United States to the Pacific Coast. This trail also encouraged theShow MoreRelatedThe American Dream By James Madison1661 Words à |à 7 Pageswe went out west because we were encouraged to go west, not that we had to.This represents the path we took to settle the west. We went out west first to get the gold and then we would build railroad and then cities would emerge. The American dream is always changing for different people in different times. The American dream during this time period was to get control of all the land out west and unite it. We would be settling the west for many years but it shows our American Dream in settlingRead MoreThe Leader of the People1495 Words à |à 6 PagesPeople, a theme that is portrayed throughout the story is that of the contrast between dream and reality. In the story, Grandfather cannot come to grasp that his dreams of the West and moving across the plains are over and that reality has set in. Another story that contrasts dream and reality is Ambrose Pierces An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. In this story, Farquhar cannot tell the difference between dream and reality until the very last second, when he is hanged. The plot in each of the storiesRead MoreEssay on John Steinbeckââ¬â¢s The Leader of the People1466 Words à |à 6 PagesPeople,â⬠a theme that is portrayed throughout the story is that of the contrast between dream and reality. In the story, Grandfather cannot come to grasp that his dreams of the West and moving across the plains are over and that reality has set in. Another story that contrasts dream and reality is Ambrose Pierceââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.â⬠In this story, Farquhar cannot tell the difference between dream and reality until the very last second, when he is hanged. à à à à à The plot in each ofRead MoreThe Emptiness of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby Essay1130 Words à |à 5 PagesGatsbyââ¬â¢s sole purpose in life is to achieve the American Dream: to become a land owner, married to the love of his life, who live in comfort and abundance. However, he never gets everything he wants as his love for Daisy is not as fully reciprocated as he wishes it to be. His dream, and the one Nick pursues as well, are only dreams in the end. The culture of the time only gives empty fulfillment with no real substance. The people, like their dreams, are only illusions of what they want to be. Gatsbyââ¬â¢sRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1352 Words à |à 6 Pagescharactersââ¬â¢ ideals and novel context. The profound contrast between suburbs, East Egg and West Egg, reflect the values of Tom and Daisy Buchannan, Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway. Tom and Daisy are superficial characters, living in a suburb of incredibly wealthy and egotistical people. Jay Gatsby is represented as a hopeful young man, aspiring to achieve his dream of marrying Daisy, through the setting of West Egg and itââ¬â¢s portrayal. New York City represents the diverse population of America, filledRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1278 Words à |à 6 Pagesclassics in American literature and being read in classrooms all across the United States. What actually denotes a book as a classic or great, though? In my opinion, a lot of it has to do with what a person needs at the time. According to James L. W. West III, leading Fitzgerald scholar and English literature profes sor at Pennsylvania State University, ââ¬Å"[Gatsby] never seems to lose its modernity; it has that kind of staying powerâ⬠(qtd. In USA Today). Thatââ¬â¢s one of the best parts about The Great GatsbyRead MoreEssay on With the setting of the sun1266 Words à |à 6 PagesGatsby, Wilson, Tom and Daisy all move, or have the intention of moving. Not only does this movement seem to foreshadow events in the book, but it also seems to lead to the conclusion that society as a whole in the 1920s was rather unstable and was undergoing constant change. Not all the characters move in the same way, and this shows how different their backgrounds and lifestyles are. The main movement seems to be from west to east. Throughout the decades man is said to be progressing throughRead MoreThemes Of The Twenties In The Great Gatsby1331 Words à |à 6 Pagessource of social commentary of the roaring twenties- a time period of wealth, excitement, and economic boom. Much like the characters and the settings of Fitzgeraldââ¬â¢s The Great Gatsby, the twenties are a time when people thought they had the American dream. Fitzgerald provides a superb source of commentary on society and the economic standpoint of America in the twenties, and for this reason, the reader can infer much about the book, from the period, and much about the period from the book. Through theRead MoreThe American Dream Through The Eyes Of F. Scott Fitzgerald1690 Words à |à 7 PagesThe American Dream Through the Eyes of F. Scott Fitzgerald F. Scott Fitzgeraldââ¬â¢s novel The Great Gatsby has been criticized, cited, and known as one of the greatest works of American Literature. With numerous themes and focuses, one of the most valuable is represented in the American Dream and how F. Scott Fitzgerald analyzes his idea of this concept. The American Dream is a concept centering on successes in many terms, such as wealth and social standing. These successes are achieved through hardRead More Teh Great Gadsby Essay859 Words à |à 4 Pages The Great Gatsby is a novel that is about the rich people of the roaring twenties and in particularly about a man named Gatsby in search of the American dream. The story starts out with the narrator Nick Carraway moving from the west (Chicago) to a New York suburb called West Egg. His is trying to become a successful bond salesman. Just across the bay is where his cousin Daisy Buchanan and her husband Tom Buchanan live. But right next door is where the main character Jay Gatsby lives in a huge house
Monday, December 23, 2019
The World War I Was Not A Harbinger Of Peace - 1083 Words
Concluding World War I was not a Harbinger of Peace The end of World War I was supposed to end all wars, although ultimately, it caused another. The Axis Powers of World War II found that they were majorly defiled by the conclusion of World War I and adjudged that they needed to start another. The three main factors that induced the Axis Powers to start the war were; the Treaty of Versailles, the rise of right-wing activist parties in Germany and the unsuccessfulness of the League of Nations. The Treaty of Versailles was an incredible contributor Germanyââ¬â¢s depression and their longing for war. Woodrow Wilson, from the US, George Clemence, from France, and Lloyd George, from Britain, all gathered to determine the conditions for the treaty.â⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦Although Italy was given some land, they coveted Dalmatia, but it was eschewed from them. Japan and Italy both greatly wanted to increase their borders, but the Treaty refused their begrudging wishes. The German people at this stage merely wanted to keep their land, but lost 27,000 square miles and one-tenth of its population to the Treaty, as well as all of their German colonies. The German people were incredibly dissatisfied with the government agreeing to the treatyââ¬â¢s demands and political unrest began. The social and economic upheaval caused by the war and the treaty, started a destabilization of Germanyââ¬â¢s democracy and gave rise to many radical right wing parties. The Left Wing parties that were leading Germany at the end of World War I, had seemingly betrayed the countries honour to a disgraceful peace treaty, when no enemy had ever stepped foot on German soil. The devastation and loss during the war caused additional national despair. To try and control the people, the government imprisoned many radical parties for civil unrest. Radical parties served heavy prison sentences. Hitler was sentenced to 5 years in jail, however, after only 9 months, due to vast amounts of political pressure on the government supporting the Nazi party, he was released. Hitler managed to use his short time in prison to write his ââ¬Å"Mein Kumpâ⬠and enhance his oratorical skills. Upon his release Hitler was a politician to be reckoned with. The year of
Sunday, December 15, 2019
St Patricks Free Essays
One of Skrzyneckiââ¬â¢s main focuses in ââ¬ËSt Patrickââ¬â¢s Collegeââ¬â¢ is the disconnections from the environment. The imagery of ââ¬ËOur Lady watched with outstretched armsââ¬â¢ conveys a sense on welcoming and inclusion. However, the ââ¬ËLadyââ¬â¢ image is ââ¬Ëovershadowed by cloudsââ¬â¢ and this is symbolises the personaââ¬â¢s insecurities and doubts for the institution. We will write a custom essay sample on St Patricks or any similar topic only for you Order Now The personaââ¬â¢s disconnections are further reinforced by the irony of ââ¬ËI stuck pine needles into the motto. ââ¬â¢ The motto represents the core values of the school and the persona is desecrating these ideas. This highlights the personaââ¬â¢s disrespect for the school and his lack of immediate adoption of the schoolââ¬â¢s ideals. Thus, the persona is alienated and a sense of acceptance is not developed within the institution. Through the simile ââ¬Ëlike a foreign touristââ¬â¢, Skrzynecki portrays the personaââ¬â¢s disaffection for the school. The diction ââ¬Ëtouristââ¬â¢ suggests that the persona is an outsider and a connection to place has not yet been developed. This idea is further reinforced by the repetition of ââ¬Ë8 yearsââ¬â¢ which emphasises the personaââ¬â¢s lack of acceptance. It indicates that his school time has appeared long to him, indicating a lack of interest due to his alienation. The personal pronoun of ââ¬ËIââ¬â¢ strengthens the idea of the personas alienation, illustrating his sense of loneliness. Consequently, through the stanzaââ¬â¢s tone of disaffection it evokes within the responders empathy for the personaââ¬â¢s dislocation and alienation from the physical environment. The irony of ââ¬Ëprivileged to wearââ¬â¢ represents the impediment of the individualââ¬â¢s progress. The persona is carrying a burden of responsibilities and expectations set by his mum and the school itself. Although he did not feel accepted in the institution he tried to assimilate with the others around him as shown by ââ¬ËCould say The Lordââ¬â¢s Prayer In Latin, all in one breathââ¬â¢. This conveys his insincerity in the prayer and that his religious understanding is only superficial. Hence, the persona has no meaningful connection to the process of learning the values and the whole schooling experience. How to cite St Patricks, Papers
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Unemployment in Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia â⬠Myassignmenthelp.com
Question: Discuss About the Unemployment in Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia? Answer: Introduction The oil exports significantly support the economy of Saudi Arabia, and the government exerts strong control over key economic activities. The country has approximately 16% of the globes verified petroleum reserves, ranks as the chief exporter of oil and performs an important role in OPEC. The oil sector provides approximately 87% of the budget revenue, 90% of export incomes and 42% of the Gross Domestic Product. The government of this country is currently encouraging the expansion of the private sector to diversify the economy and improve the employment of the Saudis(Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), 2017). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has many foreign-based workers who play a significant role, particularly in service and oil sector. The leadership is struggling to reduce unemployment levels among its nationals who are reluctant to take jobs in the private sectors(Al-Asfour Khan, 2014). This paper explores unemployment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The article discusses the causes of unemployment, unemployment trends and measures taken by the government to increase employment levels among the Saudis. Meaning of Unemployment Unemployment refers to a situation where willing and able individuals fail to get work to do at the prevailing wage rate. Unemployment is a common issue all over the world and is accelerated by economic downturns and a high number of scholars entering the job market in search of employment(Arnold, 2013). Like many other nations, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia faces unemployment issues. Causes of Unemployment in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Skill Mismatch Mismatch in the skills attained at universities and colleges and the needs of the businesses is the main reason why the employers in this country find it difficult to hire the locals. There is a weak linkage between labor market requirements and the curriculum. Many of the Saudis lack the necessary experience, soft skills, and exposure to international standards and practices(Flynn, 2011). Moreover, many of the students pursue courses in arts and social sciences while a smaller portion of them undertake science and technology related subjects. Wait Unemployment Phenomenon The Wait unemployment phenomenon is also another issue that is making many Saudis unemployed. The graduates in this country prefer to work in the public sector than the private firms. The public sector employment is preferred by the locals due to remunerative wages and fixed working hours. As a result, most of the job market entrants willingly remain unemployed than occupying the jobs available in the private sector in the hope of securing employment in the public sector(Rajhi, Salamah, Malik, Wilson, 2012). Restrictions on Women Employment Cultural beliefs facilitate the restrictions on women employment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For example, it is seen as a violation of the will of God for unrelated women and men to mingle and hence the restriction of womens ability to take up jobs(Al-Asfour Khan, 2014). As a result, the ladies graduating from universities find it difficult to secure employment in the presence of such cultural barriers. Unemployment Trend in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2014-2016) Graph 1: Retrieved from General Authority for Statistics The rate of unemployment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between 2014 and 2016 has been within 6 to 5.6%. Between these periods, the highest level of unemployment was recorded in mid-2014, that is, 6%. The rate declined sharply to 5.7 % at the end of 2014. The same unemployment trend was experienced in 2015 and dropped to 5.6% in the first and second quarter of 2016. At the end of 2016, the unemployment went back to 5.7%(General Authority for Statistics, 2017). Government Measures to Reduce Unemployment The Nitaqat Program The Nitaqat initiative is one of the latest measures by the government of Saudi Arabia to increase the employment of Saudis. Nitaqat is a Saudiization program for the private sector that groups the companies according to the current proportions of Saudi workers. This initiative requires the private firms in most industries to guarantee that the Saudi employees fill at least 30% of their workforces. Under Nitaqat the companies are grouped into four categories depending on their present Saudiization rates. Excellent indicates full compliance, green shows good compliance, yellow and red poor and no compliance respectively(Al-Asfour Khan, 2014). The program appraises the performance of the businesses in every class prizes the excellent and green groups with top priority. Those companies in the yellow group are given longer deadlines to comply with the Saudiization while those in red are given least priority. However, the enterprises with less than ten workers are exempted from the Nitaq at. The Hafiz program Hafiz is a searching for employment initiative that avails financial support to serious occupation seekers. Moreover, this program provides training and employment support services to help the job seekers find a sustainable work as well as the resources and skills needed to enter the job market. For example, this program provides financial support of 2000 SAR every month for 12 months to incentivize and support serious employment seekers who are qualified for such assistance as the per stipulated requirements(Al-Asfour Khan, 2014). Training of the Saudis The government of Saudi Arabia is committed to ensuring that the Saudis are educated and trained to reduce the reliance on foreign employees. Both private and government funded training institutions are present in Saudi though public sponsored are dominant. The government has improved its spending on education and training to equip the citizens with the skills and knowledge to assist them secure employment in private sectors. Conclusion The economy of Saudi Arabia is heavily dependent on oil exports. The government has considerable control over the chief economic activities. Despite being an oil-rich country, unemployment is present. In 2016, the unemployment level in this country was 5.7%. Skill mismatch is said to be a major reason why the employers are reluctant to hire the Saudis. Other factors that contribute to unemployment include the reluctance of the unemployed to take jobs in private sectors and cultural barriers that impede the employment of women. Some of the measures adopted by the leadership to boost the employment of the Saudis include the Nitaqat Program, the Hafiz plan and the training of the Saudis. References Al-Asfour, A., Khan, S. A. (2014). Workforce localization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: issues and challenges. Human Resource Development International , 243-253. Arnold, R. A. (2013). Economics. Mason, Ohio: South-Western. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). (2017, Jan 12th). The World Factbook: Middle East- SAUDI ARABIA. Retrieved May 6th, 2017, from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/geos/sa.html Flynn, P. (2011). The Saudi Arabian Labor Force: A Comprehensive Statistical Portrait. Middle East Journal , 575-586. General Authority for Statistics. (2017). Labor Force Survey. Retrieved May 6th, 2017, from https://www.stats.gov.sa/en/820 Rajhi, A. A., Salamah, A. A., Malik, M., Wilson, R. (2012). Economic Development in Saudi Arabia. Hoboken : Taylor and Francis.
Friday, November 29, 2019
Arundel Partners Essay Example
Arundel Partners Essay Case Write-Up: Arundel Partners 15. 415 Finance Theory Section B, Oysters Arundel Partners: The Sequel Project With the purchase of sequel rights, what Arundel is achieving is to have a call option on the revenue that each movie brings. This helps to remove the uncertainty and risks associated with producing a movie, especially with regard to moviegoersââ¬â¢ taste. With the sequel right, Arundel will only exercise this option to produce a sequel if the first movie proved to be popular and the sequel is hence predicted to bring in profits.This provides downside protection, as huge losses (due to high production costs) associated with a failed movie will be avoided. Arundel plans to agree on the number of films and price per film before either the studio or itself knows which films would be produced. This prevents the studio from increasing the price of the sequel right if it predicts that a particular movie will be a hit. Thus, Arundel is aiming to earn handsome profits from movies that eventually turn out to be a hit, since it would have paid a relatively low price for the call option on the movie.This is an important point as Arundelââ¬â¢s profitability heavily relies on how much it has to pay for the sequel rights. Although most of the movies will not have profitable sequels (hence rendering the optionââ¬â¢s payoff as zero), the few hit movies will bring about a huge payoff such that overall, Arundel predicts to profit from this idea. If we use straight PV analysis of all the movies, by using the PV of Inflow at Yr4 and PV of Negative cost at Yr3, we can calculate the NPV of each movie at Yr0.Since the total NPV for all 6 studios is negative, we will not purchase all the sequel rights if we use this simple NPV analysis. However, MCA Universal and TCFOX have positive NPVââ¬â¢s and hence we are willing to pay up to $4. 47M for each sequel of MCA Universal and $6. 08M for each sequel of The Walt Disney Company. Sl. | Studio| PV Inflow @ T=4| PV Negat ive Cost @ T=3| NPV @Yr 0| Number of Movies| Cost of each Sequel Right| 1| MCA Universal| 450. 3| 311. 9| 62. 65| 14| 4. 47| 2| Paramount Pictures| 202. 7| 246. 7| (46. 74)| 10| (4. 67)| 3| Sony Pictures Entertainment| 444. 1| 764. | (260. 38)| 34| (7. 66)| 4| Twentieth Century FOX| 186. 2| 241. 1| (53. 14)| 11| (4. 83)| 5| Warner Brothers| 458. 4| 421. 7| (9. 68)| 19| (0. 51)| 6| The Walt Disney Company| 393. 5| 255. 3| 66. 91| 11| 6. 08| | Total| 2135. 2| 2241. 3| (240. 38)| 99| | However if we consider that Arundel has the choice whether to exercise the right, we realise that Arundel will only produce the sequels with positive NPV. With this analysis, the idea of buying the sequels can be profitable for the industry as a whole and for each studio (the level at which the contract will be negotiated).The cost of each sequel rights for each studio is provided in the below table: Sl| Studio/Movie Title| PV Inflow @ T=4| PV Negative Cost @ T=3| NPV of +ive Return Projects @ Yr0| Numbe r of Movies| Cost of each Sequel Right| 1| MCA Universal| 450. 3| 311. 9| 92. 08| 14| 6. 58| 2| Paramount Pictures| 202. 7| 246. 7| 26. 33| 10| 2. 63| 3| Sony Pictures Entertainment| 444. 1| 764. 6| 96. 92| 34| 2. 85| 4| Twentieth Century FOX| 186. 2| 241. 1| 19. 20| 11| 1. 75| 5| Warner Brothers| 458. 4| 421. 7| 137. 21| 19| 7. 22| 6| The Walt Disney Company| 393. 5| 255. 3| 111. 42| 11| 10. 13| | Total| 2135. | 2241. 3| 483. 17| 99| | Black-Scholes Option Value | | | | Input Data| à | à | Stock Price now (P)| | 13. 55| Exercise Price of Option (EX)| | 22. 6| Number of periods to Exercise in years (t)| | 3| Compounded Risk-Free Interest Rate (rf)| | 12. 36%| Standard Deviation (annualized | à | 121. 00%| Output Data| à | à | Present Value of Exercise Price (PV(EX))| | 15. 5981| ?*t^. 5| | 2. 0958| d1| | 0. 9808| d2| | -1. 1150| Delta N(d1) Normal Cumulative Density Function| | 0. 8367| Bank Loan N(d2)*PV(EX)| à | 2. 0656| Value of Call| à | 9. 2728| To price the sequ el right, we can treat it as a call option.The company will not exercise the sequel right if they predict that the sequel will not be profitable based on the first moviesââ¬â¢ performances. The downside of the investment is removed when we purchase the sequel right. To get an estimate of the call price, we use the average of PV of net inflows as the underlying asset, PV of negative costs as exercise price, standard deviation of return as volatility, and 1992 T-bill rate as the risk free rate. After plugging in these numbers into the Black-Scholes formula, we calculated that the average cost for a sequel option should be 9. 728. The main assumption we are making here is that our call option (sequel right) is for an average movie (i. e. if we decide to buy the right, we are willing to pay an average call option price of 9. 2728 for each movie regardless of the studio it is produced from). However, in reality, the company will be negotiating the prices of the sequel rights with each studio. Thus, the quoted price we will get from each studio can be quite different from the overall average price we calculated since each studioââ¬â¢s expected performance is different from one another.The volatility we used is the industry volatility approximated from the standard deviation of returns from 99 moviesââ¬â¢ sequel. When we are evaluating a quoted price of a sequel right, 9. 2728 will be a good bench mark. According to our simple NPV analysis, we would reject the idea of purchasing sequel rights since the NPV value is negative overall. However, if we consider the sequel right as a call option, we see that there is a fair price for each sequel rights. Hence, on average, for any studio quoting less than or equals to 9. 2728 per movie, it is profitable to enter the sequel deal with the studio.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Rap Music on the Younger Generation Today Essay Example
The Effects of Hip Hop/Rap Music on the Younger Generation Today Essay Example The Effects of Hip Hop/Rap Music on the Younger Generation Today Essay The Effects of Hip Hop/Rap Music on the Younger Generation Today Essay The Effects of hip hop/rap Music on The Younger Generation Today The dynamic era of hip hop emerged in the 1970s through the streets of Bronx, New York City. Now twenty five years old and still counting, the world of hip hop is at a new level. Lilââ¬â¢ Wayne, Kanye West, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, and Plies are just some of todayââ¬â¢s biggest icons in the world of hip hop. Having record hitting tracks that jump off the charts, these rappers are definitely the image the younger generation looks up to. Though, having these amazing tracks, these same iconic figures are said to be the cause of our teenagers heading down the road of destruction. The effects of these lyrics on the teenage society are said to provoke violence, foul language, and enhanced sexual behavior. To begin, the effect of hip hop or rap music on the younger generation today has encouraged youth to become more violent and aggressive. Ever since the rise of rap music, teens have been turning to music to help solve their problems. However, this music cannot be helpful but very destructive. Encouraging raging acts of violence, these lyrics influence and damage the minds of children, teens and young adults. For instance, rapper Plies states, ââ¬Å"Dont tell me shit about what them niggas said, Them niggas just raping, Fuck niggas be bluffing, Killers make shit happen,â⬠in his track called Naan Nigga. The breakdown of these lyrics: It does not matter what another individual states about one, if a person is ââ¬Å"realâ⬠one must make violent actions to prove your point in life. The effect of teens listening to music like this is shown in and out of school. More and more students are being arrested and taken to juvenile detention centers due to fighting or bringing weapons to school. For example, my junior year, a student brought a knife to school to threaten another student. During their verbal altercation in the courtyard, the student carrying the knife kept repeating, ââ¬Å"Nigga Iââ¬â¢m real, Iââ¬â¢ll slit yo throat from ear to ear for talking shit,â⬠while swaying the knife from left to right. In my opinion, this raging act of violence was definitely influence by the anger of music that is being listened to. Another effect from rap music is the usage of foul language. Hip hop music often carries with it a swagger, and way of expression that represents an aggressive culture. Rap lyrics in particular, most often carry the same type of theme and language, and mostly degrading to women and other things. Either way, it introduces teenagers who would have never been exposed to such grammar as the way of life and how to speak slang. From my own experience, I have definitely realized that rap music is not only targeting teens, but also children. For example, my six year old cousin was written up in school for rapping a Nikki Minaj song called ââ¬Å"I Beez in the Trapâ⬠during school. She kept repeating the first three lines of the song, ââ¬Å"Bitches aint shit and they ainââ¬â¢t saying nothing. A hundred mothafuckas canââ¬â¢t tell me nothing. I beez in the trap, be-beez in the trap. â⬠Not understanding these lyrics at all, my cousin was only repeating what was seen and heard on the television and radio. For teens and even younger children listening to hip-hop music and watching hip-hop videos day and night, committing the lyrics to memory, the musics language is adopted to oneââ¬â¢s way of expression. Finally, the effect of hip hop or rap music influences enhanced sexual behavior. Watching various music videos with sexy bikini models flaunting and moving all lower bodily assets (hip, thighs, and buttocks) to every beat would not only entice an adult man, but also a teenage boy wanting all the same situations himself. Also, teenage girls who watch these same hip-hop video images take on the viewpoints they present of women as their own image. Whether that image is of women being used as objects or to be desired by many. This sexual mindset is believed to lead to increasing unplanned pregnancies and sexually-transmitted diseases among teens. All in all, hip hop music today has a major effect on teenagers. Lyrics containing violence, foul language, and enhanced sexual behaviors definitely encourages the younger generation to portray the same image. Although, it is not the youthââ¬â¢s fault, it is the content that the music contains. Rap music should not be prohibited, but one must be mindful and watch oneââ¬â¢s actions.
Friday, November 22, 2019
Purchasing Power ParityBig Mac Index Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words
Purchasing Power ParityBig Mac Index - Essay Example The purchasing power parity or the PPP is also loosely explained as the Big Mac index, as introduced by The Economist in the mid-1980s. In the absolute definition of PPP, the Big Mac, a consumer good sold in practically every part of the world, takes the place of the commodity basket. Using this route gives a more simplistic definition of the theory. Therefore, a Big Mac being sold in the United States must have the same price as Big Mac sold in Australia, for example. Looking at PPP with a monetary approach to the exchange rate will show the behavior of exchange rate in the long run, in terms of the supply of and demand for money. An increase in the national interest rate results in the depreciation of the national currency. Likewise, an appreciation of the country's currency will be resulted by a decrease in the national interest rate. However, recent data cannot fully support the theory of the purchasing power parity and the law of one price. In the real world, there are trade barriers, free competition, and differences in price levels in different countries, giving rise to difficulty in testing the PPP through government-published price indexes. There are also certain products and services that have consequently become non-tradable goods because of steep international transport costs. The PPP can also be viewed as a country's real exchange rate, wherein a foreign commodity basket is valuated in terms of a domestic commodity basket. Having all other factors equal, a country's local currency will undergo a long-run appreciation vis--vis foreign currencies, an ensuing scenario when the world demand for this particular country's output increases. The more common notion of purchasing power parity must be distinguished from a related theory known as relative purchasing power parity, wherein the relationship between the relative inflation rates of two countries and the change in the exchange rates of their currencies comes into play. An exchange rate that is determined by purchasing power parity gives rise to an equalization of the purchasing power of different currencies in a particular home country. Despite the fluctuations in the market exchange rates, PPP exchange rates are reflected in the long run. However, the difference between the market exchange rates and the PPP exchange rates can be somewhat significant. See this example: The World Bank's World Development Indicators 2005 estimates that one United States dollar is equivalent to approximately 1.8 Chinese yuan by purchasing power parity in 2003. However, based on nominal exchange rates, one U.S. dollar is currently equal to 7.9 yuan. This discrepancy has large implications; for instance, GDP per capita in the People's Republic of China is about US$1,800, while on a PPP basis it is about US$7,204. This is frequently misused to assert that China is the world's second largest economy, but such a calculation would be invalid under the PPP theory. At the oth er extreme, Japan's nominal GDP per capita is around US$37,600, but its PPP figure is only US$30,615. The proper estimation of purchasing power parity is made difficult because there is no uniform price level. Also, different people in different countries have varying commodity baskets,
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Week 2 response papers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Week 2 response papers - Essay Example sidering that controlling peopleââ¬â¢s values and temperance is difficult, this may not be the ultimate solution to the current and impending environmental problems. In agreement with the student post, teaching people and making them aware of the consequences of their actions can play a lot in changing peopleââ¬â¢s negative behavior. As the student notes, people may end up being less wasteful as they understand the kind of situation that may result due to their actions or inactions. While laws help in bringing sanity, they alone too reduce peopleââ¬â¢s freedoms as noted by the student. A world with numerous freedoms taken away is not a healthy world in my personal view. The world would indeed be a better place if sustainability was upheld without necessarily imposing prohibitions or restrictions to such things as procreation as noted by Dasgupta (2007). As suggested b the student, it would be a noble idea to start teaching people about the issues of sustainability and environmental conservation at a tender age, giving them the opportunity to make informed choices about their preferences and actions. The second student has presented very strong and interesting ideas. The notion that there are already too many laws, regulations and prohibitions is only the truth. However, these laws are broken every so often; even by the very same people who enact them, in some cases. Furthermore, individual freedoms are reduced or altogether abolished with almost every single law that is enacted. Considering the above facts, education seems to be a better option in dealing with issues related to sustainability. When people are educated, they are in a better position to use their common senses to solve or avoid problems (Heal, 2009). Yet another commendable suggestion by the student is the idea that experimental tests should not be conducted in the atmosphere but under simulated conditions. It is common for scientists to simulate how things would work under certain circumstances
Monday, November 18, 2019
Answer two questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words
Answer two questions - Essay Example Every individual has the decision to make with regard to the receiving the grace of God. For example we have a choice to receive or reject Jesus Christ. There are two doctrines that seek to expound the responsibility of God and man in the issue of salvation. According to Arminiasm, salvation is received through the efforts of both man and God. Mans response is therefore the main factor, because he has freewill. Therefore the provision of salvation is not for everyman (Picirilli 482). Man is the determining factor towards the gift of salvation. For example, God saved Adam but man still resisted his grace. According to the doctrine of Calvinism, salvation is determined by the power of God. God therefore determines who will receive salvation. Both are summed up in five points. Calvinism looks as atonement being unlimited and Arminism vice versa. The number of Christian denominations, in the United States are numerous, among them Lutheran, Evangelical, Orthodox among many others. Most Christian professes to love one another yet they cannot stand the ideals of others. Religious tolerance is an important aspect both to the believer and to the community because lack of tolerance leads to misunderstanding among the community who discriminate and ignore others who does not have the same common views and background. Majority of people do not know that religious tolerance promotes respect and understanding among different believers. In the world, all the big religions share the same basic rule, the culture as our golden rule, that promotes the concept of do onto others as you would like them do onto you. According to my views, this is a major teaching that demonstrates that these religions are not different from others much. In an example, Islamic tells us that Ishmael, who was Abrahamââ¬â¢s son, was the patriarch of the Islamic religion. Jews also believes that Abrahamââ¬â¢s son Isaac was their patriarch as he was a Jew like Abraham and so helped in spreading the Jewish
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Importance of Physical Activity Essay
Importance of Physical Activity Essay Introduction Physical activity is an important determinant of health. Its fundamental role in energy balance and weight control and in decreasing the risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer, and depression is widely known. But in this fast paced life, people hardly incorporate physical activity in their daily routine. Non communicable diseases have, as a result been on the rise across the world. Even Mauritius have not been spared from this growing concern on diseases. Undeniably, compared to the past, the health of Mauritians has bettered given that now more facilities are available to combat once mortal diseases. Lifespan has increased as a result and the trend is there are more people as from 65 years old with the balance tipping in favour of the female population. The main problem that Mauritius faces nowadays is in terms of non communicable diseases. The new life trend now leads to other complications like diabetes, hypertension, kidney failure, heart problems, smoke and alcohol related problems. Literature review Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure.(WHO,2013) Regular moderate intensity physical activity is beneficial to health. For instance, it can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, colon and breast cancer, and depression. Other benefits include low risk of hip and vertebral fracture and weight control. Types of Physical Activity Aerobic, muscle-strengthening, bone-strengthening, and stretching are the four main types of physical activity. Aerobic Activity Aerobic activity benefits the heart and lungs. Large muscles, such as those in your arms and legs are used the most. Running, swimming, walking, biking, dancing, and doing jumping jacks are examples of aerobic activity. Aerobic activity also is also known as endurance activity. Aerobic activity increases heart rate. The person also breathes harder during this type of activity. Over time, regular aerobic activity makes the heart and lungs stronger and able to work better. Muscle-strengthening activity Muscle-strengthening activities improve the strength, power, and endurance of muscles. Performing pushups and situps, lifting weights, climbing stairs, and digging in the garden are examples of muscle-strengthening activities. During bone-strengthening activities, muscles push against the bones as the feet, legs, or arms support the bodys weight. This helps to strengthen the bones. Running, walking, jumping rope, and lifting weights are examples of bone-strengthening activities. Muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening activities also can be aerobic if they make the heart and lungs work harder than usual. For example, running is both an aerobic and a bone-strengthening activity. Stretching improves flexibility and ability to fully move the joints. Touching oneââ¬â¢s toes, doing side stretches and yoga exercises are examples of stretching. (AHA,2013) Levels of Intensity in Aerobic Activity Aerobic activity can be performed with light, moderate, or vigorous intensity. Moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity is better for the heart than light-intensity activity. However, even light-intensity activity is better than no activity at all. The level of intensity depends on how hard you have to work to do the activity. People who are less fit usually have to work harder to do an activity than people who are more fit. Therefore, what is light-intensity activity for one person may be moderate-intensity for another. Light- and Moderate-Intensity Activities Light-intensity activities are common daily tasks that do not require much effort. Moderate-intensity activities make the heart, lungs, and muscles work harder than usual. On a scale of 0 to 10, moderate-intensity activity is given a score of 5 or 6. It causes noticeable increases in breathing and heart rate. Vigorous-Intensity Activities On a scale of 0 to 10, vigorous-intensity activity is a 7 or 8. A person doing vigorous-intensity activity cant say more than a few words without stopping for a breath. Examples of Aerobic Activities Below are examples of aerobic activities. Depending on your level of fitness, they can be light, moderate, or vigorous in intensity: Gardening, such as digging or hoeing that causes your heart rate to go up Walking, hiking, jogging, and running Water aerobics or swimming laps Biking, skateboarding, rollerblading, and jumping rope Ballroom dancing and aerobic dancing Tennis, soccer, hockey, and basketball In the present era, many technological advances and conveniences have made our life easier and less active. But there are other factors that affect participation in physical exercise. For instance, transportation, social capital, and time barriers independently contribute to low levels of physical activity. (Zlot et al., 2006). Physical activity is highly recommended among adults and those aged 18ââ¬â64 years old should do at least 150 minutes of moderately intense physical activity throughout the week or at least 75 minutes of vigorous- activity throughout the week or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous activity.(WHO,2013). Unfortunately, according to the Mauritius non-communicable diseases survey 2009, only 16.5% of Mauritians (10.9% of women and 23.2%of men) undertook sufficient vigorous or moderate physical activity to meet national guidelines, that is, 150 minutes of activity per week. 56% (65.8% of women and 45.7% of men) reported doing no moderate or vigorous leisure time physical activity at all. In line with the NCD survey 2009, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes aged 20-74 years was 21.3%: 21.9% in men and 20.6% in women in Mauritius. The prevalence of hypertension was 37.9%: 35.4% for women and 40.5% for men. The age and gender standardised prevalence of obesity was 16.0%: 11.3% in men and 20.5% in women (Mauritian adult population aged 25 -74 years). Comparing those results with the NCD 2004, the preliminary results of the 2004 NCD Survey indicate that the age-standardised prevalence of diabetes in the Mauritian population aged 20-74 years was 15.0% (15.0% among male, 15.1% among female). The prevalence of hypertension in 2004 in participants aged 20-74 years (standardized on the Census year 2000 population) was 24.2% in males, 22.8% in females and 23.1% in both sexes. In 2004, the age-standardised prevalence of obesity in adults aged 20-74 years was 5.6% among males and 13.7% among females, giving an overall prevalence of 10.3%. On one side, adults do not perform enough physical activity, on the other side, type 2 diabetes; hypertension and obesity are on the rise in Mauritius. Importance of physical activity Benefits of physical activity are widely recognised. Physical activity improves the cardiovascular and respiratory system On a regular basis, moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity strengthens the heart muscle. The hearts ability to pump blood to lungs and throughout your body is improved. oxygen levels in your blood rise as more blood flows to your muscles. Capillaries also widen. This allows them to deliver more oxygen to your body and carry away waste products. Physical Activity Reduces Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors(CHD) On a regular basis, moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity can lower risk for CHD. CHD is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood. Plaque narrows the arteries and decreases blood flow to heart muscle. Eventually, an area of plaque can rupture . A blood clot can form on the surface of the plaque. As the clot becomes large enough, it can mostly or completely block blood flow through a coronary artery. A heart attack can result. Certain traits, conditions, or habits may increase the risk for CHD. Physical activity can help control some of these risk factors because it: Can decrease blood pressure and triglyceride levels Can raise HDL cholesterol levels. Maintain blood glucose and insulin levels, which lowers your risk for type 2 diabetes. Decreases levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). This protein is a sign of inflammation. High levels of CRP may suggest an increased risk for CHD. Helps reduce overweight and obesity when combined with a reduced-calorie diet. Physical activity also helps in maintaining a healthy weight over time Can help people to quit smoking. Smoking is a major risk factor for CHD. Inactive people are nearly twice as likely to develop CHD as people who are physically active. According to studies, inactivity is a major risk factor for CHD, just like high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking. Physical Activity Reduces Heart Attack Risk For people who have CHD, aerobic activity done regularly improves the function of the heart. It also decreases the risk of a second heart attack in people who already have had heart attacks. Vigorous aerobic activity may not be safe for people who have CHD. Physical activity boosts mental wellness Tension, anxiety, depression and anger are relieved by performing physical activity Exercise increases the flow of oxygen which directly affects the brain. Your mental acuity and memory can be improved with physical activity. Physical activity improves physical wellness. Stronger immunity It enhances your immune system and decreases the risk of developing diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Reduced risk factors Becoming more active can lower your blood pressure by as much as 4 to 9 mm Hg. Thats the same reduction in blood pressure delivered by some antihypertensive medications. Physical activity can also boost your levels of good cholesterol. Recommendations of physical activity AHA Recommendation At least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least 5 days per week for a total of 150 OR At least 25 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity at least 3 days per week for a total of 75; or a combination of the two AND Moderate to high intensity muscle-strengthening activity at least 2 or more days per week for additional health benefits. Physical inactivity Physical inactivity has been identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths globally Globally, six percent of deaths are attributed to physical inactivity. This follows high blood pressure (13%), tobacco use (9%) and is equal to high blood glucose (6%). Moreover, physical inactivity is the main cause for approximately 21ââ¬â25% of breast and colon cancers, 27% of diabetes and 30% of ischaemic heart disease burden. (WHO) Physical inactivity Globally, around 31% of adults aged 15 and over were insufficiently active in 2008 (men 28% and women 34%). Approximately 3.2 million deaths each year are attributable to insufficient physical activity. In 2008, prevalence of insufficient physical activity was highest in the WHO Region of the Americas and the Eastern Mediterranean Region. In both these regions, almost 50% of women were insufficiently active, while the prevalence for men was 40% in the Americas and 36% in Eastern Mediterranean. The South East Asian Region showed the lowest percentages (15% for men and 19% for women). In all WHO Regions, men were more active than women, with the biggest difference in prevalence between the two sexes in Eastern Mediterranean. This was also the case in nearly every countrhttp://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/factsheet_inactivity/en/y. Physical inactivity and cardiovascular disease The increasing urbanization and mechanization of the world has reduced our levels of physical activity. The World Health Organization believes that more than 60% of the global population is not sufficiently active. If you are physically active you will increase your life span, regardless of any adverse inherited factors. Physical activity, at any age, protects against a multitude of chronic health problems including many forms of cardiovascular disease. Physical activity protects you by regulating your weight and improving your bodyââ¬â¢s use of insulin. Being active is beneficial for your blood pressure, blood lipid levels, blood glucose levels, blood clotting factors, the health of your blood vessels and inflammation, which is powerful promoter of cardiovascular disease. Studies show that doing more than 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate physical activity or an hour of vigorous physical activity every week will reduce your risk of coronary heart disease by about 30%. The consequences of physical inactivity are staggering. More of us are overweight. Adult (and childhood) obesity/overweight level continues to increase: 68% of all Adults are obese or overweight. It is more difficult today to create an active lifestyle. People are less active due to technology and better mass transportation. Sedentary jobs have increased 83% since 1950; Physically active jobs now make up only about 25% of our workforce. That is 50% less than 1950. Our average work week is longer. Americans work 47 hours a week 164 more hours a year than 20 years ago. Extra weight costs us physically and financially. Obesity costs American companies $225.8B per year in health-related productivity losses. The average healthcare cost exceeds $3,000 per person annually. An obese employee costs employer additional $460 to $2,500 in medical costs and sick days per year There are previous studies that have been carried out to assess the views of high school students towards physical activity. In 2010 according to the study carried out by Lovell among non-exercising female students in the United Kingdom, that the greatest perceived benefit from exercise was physical performance followed by the benefits of psychological outlook, preventive health, life enhancement, and then social interaction. The greatest perceived barrier to exercise was physical exertion, which was rated significantly higher than time expenditure, exercise milieu, and family discouragement barriers. Another study was carried by Daskapan in 2006 targetting Turkish university students. Current exercise habits and perceived barriers to physical activity were assessed in the sample. Using a Likert Type scale, participants responded an instrument with 12 items representing barriers to physical activity. Mean scores were computed. External barriers were more important than internal barriers. Lack of time due to busy lesson schedule, My parents give academic success priority over exercise. and lack of time due to responsibilities related to the family and social environment were most cited items for physical activity barriers. In 1999, Allison carried out a study to assess the perceived barriers to physical activity among high school students in Metropolitan school in Toronto. Results showed that time constraints due to school work, other interests, and family activities were three of the four barriers considered most important. Female students had more perceived barriers than the male students towards physical activity. Two empirically distinct and theoretically meaningful factors emerged from the analysisââ¬âperceived internal barriers and perceived external barriers. Perceived internal barriers were predictive of physical activity in overall activity and outside of school activity. Perceived external barriers were predictive of overall physical activity and other school activity, but in the direction opposite of that hypothesized. It was concluded that perceived barriers may be predictive of physical activity participation among high school students only under specific conditions. Till date, no study has been carried out in Mauritius among the young population. To combat the rise in non-communicable diseases plaguing Mauritius, it is essential to identify the factors that are preventing young adults, especially the future graduates of our country, from adhering to the national guidelines of 150 minutes physical activity per week. On the same wavelength, the aim of this study is to identify the barriers that influence the students in participating in physical exercise. Findings from the current study will help to investigate the studentsââ¬â¢ motives for physical exercise and the challenges they face in taking part in regular physical exercise. The findings can assist policy makers, to design effective health strategies in promoting physical exercise at the level of the university.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
The Jacksonian Era Essay -- American History, Politics
Whether people admired Andrew Jacksonââ¬â¢s policies and decisions as president or did not; they can all agree that the two most important economic conflicts during the Jacksonian Era were the Bank War conflict and the Specie Circular Panic of 1837. The Jacksonian Era by Remini, should be renamed The Jacksonian Economy because the outcomes of these two conflicts were what made Americaââ¬â¢s economy today. In describing these two conflicts, Remini showed how Americas learned the hard way of what to do and not do in order to have a successful economy. The Bank War was important because it proved that the nationââ¬â¢s finances could not be trusted in the hands of one man. Jackson believed this to be true and fought to change it. He believed that the Second Bank of the United States was unconstitutional and that it posed a serious threat to the American economy. On the other hand, this American System which was inspired by Alexandria Hamilton, Henry Clay, and lead by Nicholas Bi ddle was meant to modernize the nationââ¬â¢s economy. Both sides of the Bank War would not back down, which lead to Jackson eventually closing down all banks because he believed they were devices to cheat common people. The other most important conflict which played a role in Jacksonina Era was the Panic of 1837. This was the most serious depression the young nation had seen yet. The economy suffered in a number of ways such as large debts, an unfavorable balance of trade as imports had exceeded exports which resulted in a loss of specie; and several crops failures had also taken place in 1837. Both conflict had enormous impacts on Americaââ¬â¢s economy and had many repercussions. The first important economic conflict that Remini presented was Jacksonââ¬â¢s war against the Bank of the... ... passage of the Federal Reserve System. (P-40) Even though the Panic of 1837 had an impact worldwide, overall the Bank Wars had the most influential and long lasting effects on the United States.The Jacksonian Era was a trial and error period for the nationââ¬â¢s economy. Whether people admired Andrew Jacksonââ¬â¢s policies and decisions as president or did not; they can all agree that the two most important economic conflicts during the Jacksonian Era were the Bank War conflict and the Specie Circular Panic of 1837. Both conflicts taught a life lesson of what to steer away from in order to achieve the American dream. Reminiââ¬â¢s The Jacksonian Era taught economic and financial history by exploring the explanation and causes of the Bank War and Panic of 1837. For without the knowledge of these two conflicts, America would not know how its economy survived in the first place.
Monday, November 11, 2019
Juvenile Justice Essay
Morals usually are the guiding principles in just about everybodyââ¬â¢s life. Humans generally tend to do what is considered to be ââ¬Å"rightâ⬠and astray from what is ââ¬Å"wrongâ⬠, but in some cases, people choose to do what is considered ââ¬Å"wrongâ⬠. However, people believe that children should be dealt with much more lightly because theyââ¬â¢re not adults yet. On the other hand, I disagree that children should be exempt from punishment, and I fully agree with the four justices that believe a child who commits a heinous crime should be punished with a prison sentence of life without parole. The eighth amendment bans cruel and unusual punishment to protect its citizens. If a child commits a murder and goes unpunished, is that not a cruel punishment for the victimââ¬â¢s family? In Jennifer Jenkinsââ¬â¢ ââ¬Å"On Punishment and Teen Killersâ⬠, she states that there is: ââ¬Å"no regard to the impact on victimsââ¬â¢ familiesâ⬠(10). The jus tice system is not doing its job if it is not getting justice for the victimââ¬â¢s family. Therefore it would be unconstitutional for the law to not punish the criminal for their heinous crime. Additionally, there have been researches and studies conducted in order to answer why teenagers act the way they do. Research shows that the brain is the very reason for these childrenââ¬â¢s actions. In Paul Thompsonââ¬â¢s article ââ¬Å"Startling Finds on Teenage Brainsâ⬠, he claims, ââ¬Å"massive loss of brain tissue loss occurs in the teen yearsâ⬠and that it is, ââ¬Å"only being lost in the areas controlling impulses, risk-taking, and self-controlâ⬠(7). This may explain why children act in this horrific manner, but it does not give them an excuse to commit crime. A rebuttal to Thompsonââ¬â¢s claim of defense would be Marjie Lundstromââ¬â¢s article ââ¬Å"Kids are Kids-Until They Commit Crimesâ⬠, when it points out: ââ¬Å"theyââ¬â¢re only kids. That is, until they foul up. Until they commit crimesâ⬠(4-5). Kids are kids until they choose to make an ââ¬Å"adult decisionâ⬠and commit a serious crime. Whether the criminal is eleven or seventeen, they are making a conscious decision to engage in a crime. Based on the premise that morals do not substantially change from young adulthood to adulthood, the offender should know that their crime is wrong. Thus, the punishment should be mandatory as a result of the offenderââ¬â¢s actions. Children should pay their dues, even if that means life in prison without parole. If crime is dealt with lightly now, it will only get worse as time progresses. A wise and responsible decision needs to be made so that society can have a more safe and secure future.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
 Developing my Leadership Style Essay
Pressures on organizations are increasing; even in the Studentsââ¬â¢ Union where I work. There are growing needs to become more efficient, and to deliver success against strategic goals with shrinking resources. Quantitative analysis can measure performance outputs, and managers can make judgments using business information by qualitatively analyzing. Employees often represent the largest expense for organizations; therefore it is vital to monitor staff performance in order to recognize success and failure. Leaders can achieve little without the support of their followers. Flatter hierarchal structures are more prevalent in modern times; this means managers cannot expect blind allegiance. Engagement with followers is vital. Effective engagement must happen continuously. It is important not to limit the times of communication to employees. This can lead to misunderstandings of tasks and direction of work. For example, if I were to only talk to my team members on a one to one basis annually, it would be likely they would not be working on what I would ideally want to them to work on. It is useful to note however that some employees might not like too much engagement from a manager. They might feel like they are being monitored too much, and fear they are doing something wrong. They correct balance must be found. An important outcome of effective engagement is that team members can link their daily actions to the organizationââ¬â¢s strategic plan. This will motivate individuals, as it will give them clear goals to work towards. To improve this in my team I could organize a mapping day where everyone links his or her work to the Studentsââ¬â¢ Unionââ¬â¢s strategic plan. Some see a leader simply as an individual others follow, whereas others define leadership as organizing a group of people to achieve a common goal. Studies of leadership have produced theories about the different duties and traits of leaders. I am interested in leadership, as I would like to become a more effective manager. It is useful to understand the similarities and differences between a leader and a manager. Usually a manager is concerned with specific tasks such as budgets, projects, or organizing. Management does not always include a responsibility for people. Leadership, on the other hand, typically have bigger responsibilities than managers; for instance, creating new visions or forming new policies. Leadership always involves leading a group of people. There is a large overlap between leaders and managers. Both strong leaders and strong managers are skilled in keeping their teams focused by challenging individuals to perform strongly in line with objectives. Weak leaders and managers fail to engage with their teams; and so accept chaos and apathy. Leadership Styles It is important to recognize my own leadership style so I can be mindful of my weaknesses. One way to carry out the self-analysis is by using the ââ¬Ësix specific scales for leadershipââ¬â¢ table. The six scales are listed below along each row. Task Person Flexible Dogmatic De-centralised Centralised Reward Punishment The ââ¬Ëmeansââ¬â¢ The ââ¬Ëendââ¬â¢ Structured Organic Task / Person relates to if a manager is task focused or people focused. Task focused leaders emphasize the need to perform to achieve certain goals. A task directed leader would more likely portray an authoritarian style, or a top-down approach meaning they make most the decisions. This could improve efficiency, but lessen moral. On the other hand, person orientated leadership is a behavioral approach in which the motivation and well-being of the team are prioritized. These leaders may have a servant leadership philosophy where rather than giving orders they try to persuade people to work, and try hard themselves to serve the team. There is a risk a team may not function well with this untraditional style, or they could enjoy feeling more valued. Flexible / Dogmatic refers to if a leader will alter practices when a situation changes, or will strictly keep doing things they way they have always been done. A dogmatic leader would want their team to follow established procedures and would reject suggestions to do things differently. A flexible leader would be much more likely to use suggested ideas to modify the statue quo. De-centralised / Centralised is an issue all businesses face; are decisions made by senior managers, or made further down the hierarchy. De-centralised leadership gives an organization a flatter hierarchy, and as decisions are made closer to the customer; this can improve customer service. However a disadvantage of De-centralised leadership is decision-making is less holistically strategic. Centralised leadership makes it easier to implement overarching policies, and prevents people from working in silos. On the other hand, extra layers of bureaucracy are added and disengagement from the front line could lead to bad decisions. Reward / Punishment refers to how a manager chooses to motivate their staff. Do they positively reinforce positive behavior though rewards, or discourage undesirable behavior using punishments? Transactional leaders often reward employees for loyalty and good work. Authoritarian managers may be more likely to use punishments to encourage industry. The means / The end questions whether the method to reach a goal is the most important, or is the end result more critical. A values based leader will probably prioritize ââ¬Ëthe meansââ¬â¢ over ââ¬Ëthe end.ââ¬â¢ Whereas a leader driven by performance targets may only worry about ââ¬Ëthe end.ââ¬â¢ Structured / organic refers to the culture a manager creates. A structured leader will favor bureaucratic structures, precision and strict subornation. On the other hand an organic manager will work to reduce hierarchical structures, and will highly value external knowledge. Different leaders prioritize the things on the scale differently. The scales are useful because a strong emphasis on one aspect suggests a weakness of another trait. If an honest self-analysis is carried out, a person will be made aware of their weaknesses. They can then plan strategies to strengthen the flaws. Own Style I am going to assess the effectiveness of my own leadership style by plotting my characteristics on the six-point scale. Task x Person Flexible x Dogmatic De-centralised x Centralised Reward x Punishment The ââ¬Ëmeansââ¬â¢ x The ââ¬Ëendââ¬â¢ Structured x Organic When I manage I almost wholly focus on the task completion, often at the expense of the welfare of my team. I am flexible in the way I strive to meet my goals as I am not averse to taking on board other people ideas; that also means I do not hold all the decision making power, (de-centralized). I am not the best at recognizing good behavior, as I have always thought people are being paid to do produce a high standard of work, I more typically penalize team members rather than reward them. Again my performance valued nature means I focus on the end rather than the means. Lastly, I prefer to follow a structured approach because it is easier to monitor individualsââ¬â¢ performance and is arguably more time efficient. This is not to the required standard for my job in the Studentsââ¬â¢ Union, steps will need to be put in place in order to improve. Implications I work as Studentsââ¬â¢ Union President. I have to manage my fellow full time officers, (the four Vice Presidents), and the seven part-time officers who volunteer their time to help students. An advantage of being a task based leader is that I can ensure deadlines are met, and jobs get completed by all members of the team, especially those who are not good at managing their time. On the other hand, staff wellbeing may be neglected causing retention and motivation problems. To become a better manager I need to find a way of both organizing the team while not forgetting to look after their welfare. It is important that I am flexible in my role as I am meant to represent the views of all BCU students. I would not be a popular student leader if I did not take into account all new ideas that students suggest to me. Also, as all of my projects involve working with the ever-changing student population, I could easily do something wrong if I did not keep gathering the most current student views. Constantly changing tactics though, does slow work progress; sometimes with time sensitive decisions I must push ahead with what I think is best. A way I could improve would be to define projects that it is appropriate to have a wider student input, and those projects that do not. Doing this would save time on some projects, which I could use to instigate better quality engagement with students on other projects. In regard to decision-making, I usually consult the whole team in our weekly meetings before a decision is made. I think it important to make the team feel empowered, especially the volunteers. I hope that giving others control of decisions gives them ownership of projects, so they are more motivated to work hard on them. However, consulting team members with things does slow things down; but I think it is worth it to make more informed decisions. I am not the best at rewarding my team. My ethos is that I expect team members to do a good job. I do reward individuals if they go above and beyond the call of duty. But, on many more occasions I have had to speak to people about why something is not quite up to scratch. I do have a tendency to focus on the end results rather than the journey there. I donââ¬â¢t mind how people reach their targets, as long as they do. I favor procedures; I like the team to follow the designed routes to get things done. This result of the self-analysis worries me. Forgetting to reward individuals will demotivate them. If I carry on doing this I could reach the stage where every time I pop into the communal office my team thinks I have come to highlight someoneââ¬â¢s failure; this would be a big problem. I need to find a way to regularly reward hard working people. This will create a more positive environment, and people who are comfortable and happy will likely perform better. Adair proposed the Three Global Factors of leadership. The three factors are, determination to deliver, engagement with individuals, and engagement with teams. The three factors overlap, and are inter-related. Different leaders prioritiesprioritize the three factors differently. I certainly lean toward the ââ¬Ëdetermination to deliverââ¬â¢ strand. By focusing on the task, the team may feel undervalued and pressured. Little communication may also mean individuals feel neglected or ignored. I must try to engagement more with individuals and teams to become a more balanced and effective leader. I should set aside time in my calendar to get to know people. This will let me know the best way to communicate the targets to them to motivate them. Spending time with people will also make it a lot easier for me to detect issues. For example, if I know that someone is unhappy, I can investigate why that is and take steps to improve things for them. Developing my Leadership Style After assessing my leadership style and evaluating the results I have produced an action plan to improve my management approach. Action Plan: Benefits of Action Plan Creating an action plan will help me maintain focus working towards goals that I have set to improve my leadership style. The goals relate to weaknesses, (such as prioritising the means and ignoring people), identified in the assessment of my style. The action plan will help ensure that actions and decisions are oriented toward accomplishing the specific goals. The action plan will help me gain self-esteem. Effective action plans contain small steps to achieve ambitions. As I succeed at each step of my plan, I will gain confidence in my ability to be successful and bring change. To create an action plan, I had to determine specific steps linked to the self analysis. The goals and steps are measurable so I am able to tell whether the goals have been met or not. The team will be heavily involved in the action plan. Hopefully this will help strengthen morale and the sense of unity. There are opportunities for team input. Team members who feel included in adaptations will be more motivated to follow through on actions toward achieving the goal because they will feel they partially own the goal. It is important to monitor, evaluate and adapt an action plan to sustain its effectiveness. I will periodically check that I am completing the actions I said I would take by keeping a record of the progress. Objectives should be investigated if they do not in keep with the timeframe defined. My team and myself can sit down and discuss reasons why the success criteria is not being fulfilled in the time predicted. Then the action plan could be reformed or work could be refocused to get things back on track. A More Effective Leader? Having completed this process, I feel confident I can become a more effective leader. For me, the self-analysis was the most important part. I tried my best to give honest answers. It was interesting linking back the findings to the preceding research I had done about leadership styles. I intend to use this Action Plan to complete the objectives I have set myself. I am sure it will strengthen the team I work in.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Marine Sniper essays
Marine Sniper essays The marine corps has many books of horrorendous battles, brave heroes, and all around awesome stories that help show why the corps is the most highly respectable and honorable branch of all the US armed services. Even though Marines fight as a team it's the indivdual marine who whens the battle. When the corps recongizes an individual for his accomplishments he gets craved into our history. Such as John Basilone, Dan Daly, And Archibald Henderson, they are just a few that come to mind first. But there are a few that hold a special spot in our hearts. One of these individuals is Gunnery Sgt. Carlos Hathcock. Carlos Hathcock was a Marine Sniper During the Vietnam War. He has accomplished 95 confirmed kills the highest to to date in Marine Corps history. Unlike the Army a Marine Sniper is a hunter, outdoorsmen, and marksmen. He earns each kill. The book I chose to right about is Marine Sniper By Charles Henderson. Carlos Hathcock was born in the country somewhere in Arkansas and was recruited at the recruiting station in Little Rock.He spent his days like most little boys when he was young getting dirty outside. With his dog and a .22 rifle he would hunt. Although it was not people he was hunting its hard to believe that it would not help him in the future not to mention his career. When he was seventeen he signed up for the marines. In the begining years of his first enlistment he found himself interested in the marine corps rifle team. Traveling around with the team he acquired many medals as well as prostege among the shooting comunity. Before leaving for Veitnam to help begin a scout sniper program he left back a wife and a son. Once in Vietnam Gunnery Sgt. Hathcock and Capt. Land trained marines in how to be snipers. Going out for at least a week at a time Hathcock and one other marine would go out and post themselves in a position that would hopefully bring them some action. On one oc casion a North vietnamesse ...
Monday, November 4, 2019
The origins and objectives of the Taliban's domestic policies while in Essay
The origins and objectives of the Taliban's domestic policies while in power in Afghanistan - Essay Example It can sometimes be understood to mean objections to western ideas, coupled with anti-American sentiments. A history of the Taliban in Afghanistan shall first be presented, along with a discussion of their rise to power in Afghanistan. Talibanââ¬â¢s ideologies on anti-modernism shall also be discussed, including the origins and objectives of these domestic policies in Afghanistan. Details on its anti-modernist goals and activities shall also be detailed in this discussion. The Taliban is an Islamic extremist group which took over Afghanistanââ¬â¢s government in 1996 until they were driven out by American forces in 2001 (Marsden, 2002, p. 124). This group has been considered a safe haven to the al-Qaeda terrorist group, assisting leader Osama bin Laden in his terrorist activities. This group has also set forth a rigid stance on Islamic Law while executing criminals and outlawing the education of women (Nolan, 2006, p. 19). The group has been out of Afghanistan for many years now, however it is still considered an influential group in Afghanistan, implementing policies which seek to undermine the US-supported government. Pakistanââ¬â¢s support for the group has limited the international efforts towards controlling these insurgents and ending their activities in Afghanistan (Nolan, 2006, p. 19). The US will eventually fully withdraw from the country by 2014 and since 2010, the US and Afghani government officials have been carrying out discussions o n conflict settlement. However, these talks have not sufficiently settled the Taliban issue in Afghanistan. The Afghan Mujahideen were associated with a group of tribal fighters whose only purpose or goal was to eliminate the Soviets, not so much to establish insurgent activities. The Mujahideen is considered a group of Afghans fighting against the PDPA and the Soviet troops; this group believed that they were involved in a holy war or a
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Synecdohe, New York Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Synecdohe, New York - Movie Review Example The movie is also based on the unique trait of representing a whole story in the part of the movie Plot, Theme and Characterization The movie depicts the life of a theatre director, played by Philip Hoffman who suffers throughout his life in various physical ailments. However his condition deteriorated as her wife departs taking the daughter with her. Throughout the movie Caden depicts the inevitability of death and holds the idea that everyone around him is already dead. It is the philosophies of death that surrounds him thought in the movie. The film uniquely portrays the self-discovery of Caden in the movie. The transition stages of Caden have been vividly described in the movie. The movie describes the four stages of Caden where he identifies the destructiveness and the constructive nature present with him. In other portions of the movie Cadenââ¬â¢s consciousness and the urge for his wife and family grows. Caden becomes aware of himself and the archetypal spirit within him. He also undertakes a critical analysis of himself through which he understands his ego and has a complete self realization. At the end of the move his quest for his self discovery ends and realizes the truth associated with his love and life. The self-realization of Caden depicted within the movie can be traced back to the Jungian philosophy which states the four stages of self realization which has been portrayed through Cadenââ¬â¢s role in the movie Synecdoche, New York. In order to undergo the process of self-realization Caden decides to make a play based on his own life story. The technique of using the play in the movie was a unique element used for depicting the life story. In the movie Caden is portrayed to be in a myopic state of mind which provides the justification of using the play in order to analyze the series of events which went through his life. In the play composed by Caden, the role of Caden was played by Sammy, whose role was very influential in deciding the outc ome of the play. The role played by Sammy portrayed Cadenââ¬â¢s life in the best possible way and at some point it appeared that he overtook the original life of Caden in the movie. The actor in the play also provided suggestion regarding his role play but Caden did not agree with him. Finally in the play, Caden hands over the responsibility of the direction to an actress and he steps into the shoes of the cleaning lady of her wife. Cadens decision to play the role of cleaning lady shows the passion of his love towards her wife. It illustrates Cadens viewpoint that in order to stay close with her wife he was also ready to be the cleaning lady. It also reflects Cadenââ¬â¢s state of mind when Adele left him and highlights the desperateness within him to get his wife back in the later stage of his life. Caden also surrendered himself to his daughter and held him to be responsible for her dying condition. The movie reached its peak when Caden describes himself to be homosexual to his daughter and takes the burden of the entire disturbance which was there in his personal life with his wife. In the play another dramatization has been provided to highlight the theme of the movie. One of the characters in the play, Hazel is shown to purchase a house which has been on fire. At the initial stage Hazel was reluctant to purchase the house as she feared that it will be the cause of her death. Ultimately Hazel
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Emerson calls for the emergence of an American poetics Essay
Emerson calls for the emergence of an American poetics - Essay Example In what ways does William Cullen Bryant move away from imitating British poetry and address American themes? In what ways does he play by the familiar rules of the epic tradition? In ââ¬ËThe Prairiesââ¬â¢, Bryant can be felt to exude the poet-function which Emerson necessitates by rendering his literary work converge to a ââ¬Ëtranscendentalistââ¬â¢ perspective. Though it is conspicuous in depicting the ââ¬Ënature of natureââ¬â¢ or the way nature is in its downright truth, ââ¬ËThe Prairiesââ¬â¢ brings about discernment of a kind of spirituality attached with nature which essentially surpasses the mere drawing of relevant sentiments toward its physical attributes. Similarly, Bryant emerges to possess a level of authenticity according to the standards set by Emerson for the American poetics based on his poemââ¬â¢s strong sense of individuality which is a typical element in American themes upon almost every form of American literature. As such, Bryant projects an open mind capable of sensibly resonating back to the reader the deeper essence of ââ¬ËThe Prairiesââ¬â¢ which establishes its identity after the poetââ¬â¢s unique insight.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
The Ethics of Hate Essay Example for Free
The Ethics of Hate Essay The First Amendment principles of free speech have been under attack since the Amendment came into being. The very nature of speech gives rise to argument because it is a personal undertaking; something that belongs to the individual alone. An individualââ¬â¢s beliefs can not be judged, and speech is an expression of those beliefs. Thus, the question: Is it wrong to allow speech that strikes at the heart of an individual? The hatefulness of speech is a subjective matter that can not properly be defined by government and, therefore is an unreasonable restriction of first amendment rights. The goal of the free speech doctrine is centered upon an ethical debate; that is, how much freedom should be given to citizens of a free society while still providing a protected environment in which to live? (Weinstein 11) The Constitution is very clear on the right to freedom of expression when it states that, ââ¬Å"Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech. â⬠However, the interpretation of the First Amendment by the Supreme Court in Schenck v. United States put the first real restriction on free speech when it imposed the qualification that speech could not give rise to a ââ¬Å"clear and present dangerâ⬠(Weinstein 17). This first restriction led to the rule being broadened to such an extent that it caused suppression of unpopular political speech (Weinstein 19). The Supreme Court later narrowed the rule to outlaw any speech that tended to incite dangerous action. Once again, the rule was abused and often used to stifle minority speech, one of the very groups the Amendment was meant to protect. (Weinstein) So, the dilemma has continued and still rages, especially with regard to ââ¬Å"hateâ⬠speech. There is no rational argument that hate is good. Yet, when hate is embodied in open speech, is that speech itself the culprit or the speaker? What is hateful to one person may not be to another, so is it the proper thing to do to censor all speech that is interpreted as hateful by anyone? Most authorities agree that, ââ¬Å"[h]ate speech includes the use of hurtful, biased expression; threats of violence based on sex, race, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation; and offensive songs, jokes or events, such as fraternity slave auctions (Miller, and Andsager). Some of these forms of speech are indeed hurtful, even reprehensible, but at the same time they represent a fundamental truth of our society; individual ideas should not be censored because those in authority find them morally wrong or personally offensive (Weinstein 16). Those that would support a ban on hate speech raise the position that it is for the benefit of society as a whole that restrictions should be imposed. They rightfully point out that hate breeds hate and we, as a community, should take the responsibility of seeing that the spread of hateful beliefs is stopped. Cortese states that, ââ¬Å"[s]ocietys mainstream culture, or a subculture, transmits the building blocks of hate speech to children as much at home as throughout the communityâ⬠(3). While the goal of living in a society free of discrimination, hate and fear is an admirable one, it can not be achieved by curtailing our civil liberties. Neither can it be attained by smothering the best hope for change ââ¬â the university and college campuses where traditionally the dramatic transformations of societal norms have always taken place. Restrictive speech codes on college campuses have periodically surfaced, usually during times of civil unrest. However, in the late 1980ââ¬â¢s there was an alarming number of universities implementing restrictive codes in some form or another. The proliferation of restrictive campus speech codes was wholly unprecedented: never had there been such strong support for punishing offensive speech (Walker 127). There was such a rise of discriminatory behavior on college campuses that the courts began applying cases outlawing a ââ¬Å"hostile environmentâ⬠for minorities to the Universities. Even the courts realized, however, that campus speech codes could not be all inclusive and acknowledged that [a]cademic freedom sometimes includes the discussion of controversial subjects such as gay marriage, evolution, or affirmative action (Cortese 2). The very core of our democratic ideals is traced to the free exchange of opinions in our educational environments. If free expression of oneââ¬â¢s thoughts can not be safely uttered inside the walls of universities, then we have given up the right chart our own futures; and the ideal society that we all strive will no longer exist. Individual rights are the very essence of our democracy. To unreasonably restrict those rights defeats the its every purpose An ethical responsibility to treat everyone in our society with respect and tolerance most certainly exists, but that respect can not just be for the politically correct groups. It also has to be applied to all those who the majority of us despise in order for it to mean anything. Though `hate speech` is harsh and hurtful, it is protected by the First Amendment and therefore, should not be regulated by the government or college campuses.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Company and market analysis of TRU colours
Company and market analysis of TRU colours TRU Colours is a private makeup company which provides numerous services for women of all ages. These services range from make-up application to product knowledge, bridal packages and more. TRU Colours is a sole proprietorship run by Rosie Lima. She provides services out of her own home and is also a mobile makeup artist. Mission Statement My mission is to help bring what I see on the inside, outside for everyone else to see through enhancing clients physical appearance and mental relaxation. Situation Analysis Internal Environment: Organization background Rosie Lima established TRU Colours Make-Up Artistry in 2007. TRU Colours is an unregistered sole-proprietorship completely owned and run by Rosie Lima. She completed formal training in the industry in 2009. She has a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies, a Diploma in Cosmetic Management, and a Spa Technician Certificate, all through Humber College. She also interned with Creatively Beautiful. Creatively Beautiful is an award-winning bridal hair and make-up service located in Brampton, Ontario, serving the Acton, Milton, Burlington, Hamilton, Markham, Peel, Halton Hills, and Greater Toronto Area. This company focuses on bridal preparation. They aim to achieve the ultimate experience in relation and pampering for the bride and her party on her wedding day. They focus on makeup application, hair styling, hair extension work, jewellery, accessories, and rentals. TRU Colours provides clients with a customized make-up application experience in the comfort of their own home or a specified location. Since TRU Colours was established, Rosie has been a freelance representative for Lise Watier Cosmetics, freelanced for Shoppers Drugmart both in-store and at their Customer Appreciation Galas, designed and applied numerous looks for photo shoots, and most recently applied make-up, alongside the team from Creatively Beautiful, for the models at the prestigious Total Wedding Show. Services Offered Make-up Design Application Bridal Packages One-on-One Shopping Trips Make-Up Skincare Lessons Make-Up Workshop Parties Financial and Non-financial Results The market for make-up in Canada increased at a compound annual growth rate of 4% between 2004 and 2009. The eye make-up category captured the make-up market in Canada and accounting for a share of 37.4%. Leading players in Canadian make-up market are, Procter Gamble Company, LOreal S.A. and Revlon, Inc. The consistent annual growth of these companies depict that the sector is growing and there are much more opportunities to be explored. Rosie Lima uses the best available make up products manufactured by the top brands to provide quality service to her clients. The industry is expected to grow at much higher rate in near future, so focus should be on targeting maximum number of clients. Study shows that the women aging between 12 -40 should be the potential target. Channels Market value is based on sales through all retail channels including direct to consumer. Toronto gives numerous numbers of options to the clients to select the make-up artists from the list that has Melissa Andre, Melissa Nicholl, Nerissa Haines, Vicki Millar etc. In such a competitive market the advertising channel will help attracting clients just for once. To succeed the retention and referral clientele building is required. Rosie Lima should offer clients the price and service that helps her to establish as a brand. External Environments: Markets A market is any one of a variety of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby businesses sell their goods, services and labour to people in exchange for money. The makeup industry had a variety of markets. These markets range from individuals who require one time makeup application for a specific occasion, to those who want regular makeup application. These are the multiple avenues make-up artistry can take you. Advertisements Magazines Modeling agencies Movies Music videos Runway shows Salons and spas Television Theatre Bridal Makeup Rosie Lima mostly works with individuals. Her clients are usually people who need to look their best for a special occasion, such as an awards dinner, beauty pageant, prom night, or wedding. The target market is women between the ages of 12-35. This segment of the market provides the greatest opportunity. This is because girls around the age of 12 will be beginning to experiment with makeup. Parents may be interested in teaching their adolescents how to properly apply makeup. Also girls around this age go through two major celebrations grade 8 graduation and prom. Many girls will want to look their best on these occasions which will create a demand for a make-up artistry services. Women between the ages of 20-30 are the average age to be married. This will create a high-demand for bridal make-up services. Some women may be interested in make-up consultation which will teach them the skills required to apply their own make-up. This ranges from picking the products desirable for your skin type, the appropriate colours and how to apply your make-up. These are the types of markets that TRU Colour targets. Competitive environment There are many make-up artists available across Toronto. Most of them offer various services ranging from makeup application, spa to hair treatment. Due to heated competition and availability of many artists, the rate of services is kept moderate by most businesses. When one search on the internet to find a makeup artist there are several options available and the majority of them are sole-proprietors offering various services. TRU Colours faces competition from all the local businesses but what sets them apart is the personal touch that Rosie Lima brings along with her. TRU Colours provides customized make-up application to the clients and builds a lasting relationship with most of them. The convenience of getting the make-up done is clients selected location is a unique feature that is not provided by many in the locality. Rosie has gained practical experience in the field and has related formal education as well to better her service offerings. Economic Environment Although beauty remains firmly in the list of reliable categories during the difficult economic conditions that are currently prevailing, a NPD report suggests that it has dropped to fourth place in a list of the least vulnerable consumer goods categories. According to the NPD consumer survey just 32% of respondents said they would cut back on spend for video games, while 36 percent said they would cut back for toys, 39 % would reduce spend on movies and 41% said they would reduce spend on beauty products. Economic slowdown affected this industry too. People were not ready to spend money for appealing outlook. With time as things started coming back on track, the industry is not only stabilized but is also benefited a lot. Product and service advertisements are helping make-up artist to attract clients. Pricing position might pose a threat to them when competing with less expensive product and service. Keeping this meltdown situation is mind TRU colours must offer their clients quarterly, half-yearly or yearly discount coupons, which indeed can encourage the clients to be associated with TRU colours and get benefited from their services. Demographic Environment Demographic environments consists of data and study relating to the human populations in terms of size, density, location, age, sex, origin, incomer, occupation, and other statistical information. Given below are data from the Toronto region where TRU Colour operates: Population by Age 2010 % of Total % Change (2005-2010) 2015 % Change (2010-2015) Total 7,399,926 100.0% 7.3% 7,780,466 5.1% 0 19 1,751,513 23.7% 1.5% 1,743,511 -0.5% 20 24 521,238 7.0% 7.8% 519,424 -0.3% 25 34 1,092,224 14.8% 8.2% 1,200,917 10.0% 35 54 2,299,364 31.1% 6.0% 2,315,911 0.7% 55 64 821,194 11.1% 22.5% 941,616 14.7% 65 74 479,808 6.5% 12.7% 587,833 22.5% 75 + 434,585 5.9% 6.0% 471,254 8.4% Population by Origin 2010 % of Total % Change (2005-2010) 2015 % Change (2010-2015) Total * 7,318,725 100.0% 7.3% 7,695,077 5.1% Born in Canada (Non Immigrant) 4,280,963 58.5% 6.4% 4,435,383 3.6% Born Outside Canada (Immigrant) 2,950,531 40.3% 8.9% 3,172,951 7.5% * The total excludes persons on Indian reserves and settlements but includes non permanent residents, not shown separately. Households by Size 2010 % of Total % Change (2005-2010) 2015 % Change (2010-2015) Total 2,691,769 100.0% 9.8% 2,882,484 7.1% 1 Person 614,487 22.8% 8.0% 648,994 5.6% 2 Persons 766,956 28.5% 9.5% 821,643 7.1% 3 Persons 473,192 17.6% 9.9% 506,839 7.1% 4 to 5 Persons 713,530 26.5% 10.9% 770,321 8.0% 6 or More Persons 123,604 4.6% 13.2% 134,687 9.0% Average Household Size 2.7 2.7 Households by Income * 2010 % of Total 2015 % Change (2010-2015) Total 2,691,769 100.0% 2,882,484 7.1% 0 19,999 316,444 11.8% 248,671 -21.4% 20,000 49,999 637,624 23.7% 531,800 -16.6% 50,000 99,999 900,024 33.4% 883,147 -1.9% 100,000 plus 837,677 31.1% 1,218,866 45.5% Average Household Income $97,046 $125,308 Median Household Income $76,373 $84,718 * Canadian dollars v. Social and cultural Environment What customers like about makeup service is friendly service, good attitude elegant environment, clean fair and reasonable price, highly skilled. Most of women are interested in make-up consultation which will teach them the skills required to apply their own make-up. It is the responsibility of the makeup artist to ensure the safety of the clients while serving them. Since she deals with cosmetics which are primarily made of natural and chemical elements, there exists a risk of health hazards. TRU Colours has had no issues relating to side-effects so far and Rosie in future as well should ensure that all the products she offers are of the highest quality to both herself and the client. She in fact also has a contract that she makes her client go through and signs before offering her services. Rosie Lima mostly works with individuals. Her clients are usually people who need to look their best for a special occasion, such as an awards dinner, beauty pageant, prom night, or wedding. TRU Colours main demographic is women between the ages of 12-35 and predominantly but not limited to bridal makeup. TRU Colours provides avariety of services, each with their own unique benefits. The overall goal of the company is to make women feel beautiful. TRU Colours teaches women proper skin care techniques as well as makeup application skills. vi. Political and Legal Environment A make up certificate / diploma will prove that you have learned the various make up styles, and techniques. It will demonstrate your understanding for knowing the different skin types, and various implications make-up products will have on your clients skin. However, it is possible that you can find work opportunities without any formal education but rather based on your merit, experience and portfolio. Most importantly a make-up certificate / diploma demonstrates that you have the theoretical knowledge behind make-up application. Many employers want to ensure you understand basic hygiene, sanitation, and disease awareness. Make-up artists do not need a license to practice, but they must have some sort of training to work in a spa or salon.à [1]à This training varies from on the job training to actual certificates from community colleges or private make-up schools. There is no licensing required to be a freelance make-up artist in Canada. TRU Colours avoids all legal responsibil ity by ensuring that all clients sign a contract waiving any liability TRU Colours may have in case of emergency. vii. Technological Environment Create and maintain a positive image of professional beauty makeup service, face competition not to lower the price, only to improve service to win customers. While sales and related factors constitute the interaction of how to grasp, and has sales, gross margin is expected to be achieved and with the profit . A beauty salon on the number of daily turnover, investors, operators, it is a very sensitive and the most concern. She is focusing on her potential clients. She also identifies her competitors strength and weaknesses for development. In order to expand her services she should try new avenues in makeup artistry. Her main field is bridal makeup so she could learn different cultural trends regarding makeup. She could consider learning how to work with products such as henna. Henna is a very popular in Indian weddings. If she could adapt to different cultural trends, this would provide new avenues for income. SWOT ANALYSIS: Strengths à ¢Ã¢â ¬Ã ¢ Mobile makeup service à ¢Ã¢â ¬Ã ¢ Time usage à ¢Ã¢â ¬Ã ¢ A wide range of services offered. à ¢Ã¢â ¬Ã ¢ Competitive prices. Weaknesses As a new entrant to the market, TRU Colours lacks brand equity that many of its competitors à ¢Ã¢â ¬Ã ¢ Struggle to appear continually on the edge in terms of fashion and style. à ¢Ã¢â ¬Ã ¢ Large costs associated with a start-up company. Opportunities A steady growing market that is traditionally unaffected by the economic environment. The ability to decrease marginal fixed costs as the customer base grows. Increasing sales opportunities as more people from an individual family frequents TRU Colours. Chances of getting more call flow due to customers references Threats à ¢Ã¢â ¬Ã ¢ Competition from already established chains. à ¢Ã¢â ¬Ã ¢ A change in traffic patterns as they relate. Critical Issues: As it is new established Makeup Artistry So, she is facing competition from established chains Sometimes she has to go out in all weather conditions She is paying for her own training and seminars There are hurdles when get calls from certain people who are not soliciting in close area Receiving calls at uneven time Some homes may not have suitable space available There is need to provide all her own equipment, and it has to be light and easy to man oeuvre from car and into clients homes She needs to take set-up time, journey time and travel expenses into account in your prices She is to take sole responsibility for building up your client base and booking appointments Marketing Objectives Increase the number of clients and thereby increasing business profit. Create awareness about the business in the local market. Update the marketing tools currently used. Implementation of new marketing techniques. Marketing Strategies Target markets:- Positioning Statement: To women who are pressed for time but want to look there best, our TRU Colours is a mobile makeup service that aims to bring out womens beauty at the convenience of their own homes. Rosie Limas target markets will be individual women between the ages of 12-35. She mainly focuses on individualised make-up application for clients who need it on special occasions, such as an awards dinner, beauty pageant, prom night or wedding. Girls between 12-18 will be beginning to learn and experiment with make-up, thus parents may be interested in a make-up consultation session with a professional to teach them proper application techniques. Also, women of all ages may have questions concerning what products are best for their skin, what colours would best compliment their complexion and furthermore, people with bad skin problems may require make-up consultation. This target is women of any age who can afford make-up consultation. Rosie Lima has a vast amount of experience with bridal makeup thus her target is brides to be. These are typical women between 20-30 the average marrying age. These women would require make-up application for themselves as well as their wedding party . This market may offer a variety of unique opportunities. Service Strategy TRU Colours make up artistry is aimed at promoting beauty for women everywhere. TRU Colours main demographic is women between the ages of 12-35 and predominantly but not limited to bridal makeup. TRU Colours provides a variety of services, each with their own unique benefits. The overall goal of the company is to make women feel beautiful. TRU Colours teaches women proper skin care techniques as well as makeup application skills. These makeup services by Rosie Lima offers a number of differential advantages. Rosie has professional training and experience as a makeup artist which gives her an advantage over her competitors. She has a completed portfolio full of examples of her past work experiences. Clients can browse through her portfolio and choose a makeup design of their liking. Rosie Lima also has vast knowledge of various makeup products and how to use them based on different skin types. Clients experience a relaxing makeup application session at their preferred location. Pricing strategies In the make-up artist industry pricing can be determined either by service or hourly. In most salons and spas price is determined by service however freelance make-up artists have the ability to choose either pricing strategy. TRU Colours needs to have a reference price (the industry average price for the service) and then make adjustments accordingly. In the industry prices can start as low as $30 for make-up application for a special event and enter into the $100s. Make-up consultation typically starts around $40.00 an hour increases into the $100.00s.à [2]à These prices are dependent on the reputation of the salon/spa, the reputation and experience of the individual make-up artist and the types of products being used. More prestigious salons/spas set their prices much higher than spas which are just starting out. In make-up the main objective should be product-quality leadership. This is because make-up application services itself is an affordable luxury as many women are capable of applying their own make-up. Having make-up application services is about quality, and luxury. Many women want make-up application services because they want to relax and be pampered through this experience. It is not only about the services itself but also about the atmosphere and total experience it encompasses. TRU Colours charges $45.00 per makeup application service and $35.00 for teenage makeup application. Since she is a freelance makeup artist she does not charge any tax so these rates are based on a cash basis. There is a demand for this service and TRU Colour needs to ensure it does not set its prices too low because this would lead people to question Rosies skills and experience as a make-up artist. The better a make-up artist you are the higher the prices you can set. Thus Rosie should set her prices just above industry standards to ensure that people are confident in her skills as a make-up artist. The estimated costs would be fairly low for a free-lance make-up artist company. This is because the fixed costs are relatively low. The only requirements are a make-up kit with various colours, foundations, primer, toners etc. As make-up brushes. These products are long-lasting and do not require re-placement after each client. There are no employees to pay, or rent as she works out of her home or travels to customers. The variable costs would be the costs of transportation. Thus operating this business would be fairly low in cost. The pricing method selected would be the perceived-value pricing method. This is because customers have a perceived value attached to this service. It depends on the make-up artists experience, training and portfolio that customers will attach a certain value to their service. Promotion Strategies This type of industry requires a variety of promotion strategies. As a result of TRU Colours being an unregistered company most of the promotion will be done through word of mouth. A freelance make-up artist must network as much as possible and promote their business. Networking and promoting are the two most important things to land clients. A makeup artist should create business cards fit for a professional makeup artist. They should be flashy, creative, and different. This is because you are trying to attract the attention of potential clients. You are trying to show that you are creative and flashy especially in this industry. Black and white business cards just do not cut it. You need to show you understand beauty through the art on our business card. Create videos on YouTube. Many women go on YouTube to watch makeup tutorials which teach them new techniques and strategies. Also put your information under the video so they can contact you for an appointment. Also, state your formal education and experience so women see that you are trained and knowledgeable. Create a portfolio and put it in a website online. Many people browse the web for make-up artists and with a portfolio about yourself, your experience and training it could bring in potential clients. Show work that you have done in the past. Put pictures of past clients in your portfolio so potential clients have an idea of your abilities. Put a portfolio on a personal website, myspace or facebook. Social networking websites build credential because friends of friends will be able to check out your work and feel that they can trust you because someone they know, knows you. Perhaps rent a booth at a vendor fair. Bring a few friends with you to model your talents. It will attract attention. Bring your makeup artist portfolio and leave it open for people to browse through. Bring business cards and hand them out to potential clients. Offer discounted rates on make-up services and show how much you usually charge. This way you will build credibility with new clients and they can experience your talents first hand. People will be able to observe your skills and contact you later for an appointment. Collaborate with a spa/ salon. If you know people that work in a salon only specializing in hair or nails tell them to refer their clients to you. Create a few flyers and posters and ask to put them up in their spa. Seeing as the employees in this spa specialize in a different line of work it will not take away business from them and perhaps you can negotiate a deal where they refer clients to you and you refer your clients to them. Leave a copy of your portfolio in their spa/salon so potential clients can glance through it during their hair or nail appointment. This could be beneficial for both you and the salon. Distribution Strategies TRU Colours makeup artistry is a single person company. Rosie Lima is the single employee as well as owner. She provides services out of her own home or in the homes of her clients thus distribution strategies is irrelevant. There is no distribution channel involved in her business as there is no product being sold. Since the service provided requires a set of skills and experience only Rosie is capable of providing set services within her company. Financial Projection Break-Even Analysis Break-Even Analysis Yearly Projection of clients 10 Achieved target in 2009-2010 7 Average revenue $345 Yearly fixed expenditure (eye shadow, foundation, toner, makeup remover) $1,000 Average cost of visiting her clients $24 Breakeven Cost $1,247 Sales forecast Considering the future market projection, that says that make-up artistry market will encounter growth in future. Rosie Limas focus should be expend the categories of service she offer which will help her targeting the numbers and making marking more profits. Assuming the fixed cost for every 7 bridal customers comes out to be $1000 Assuming, she target general make-up customers with the fixed cost for every 10 customers @ $130 and increases by 10% with every year. Sales Forecast for TRU COLOURS Financial Year 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 Achieved target in 2009-2010 7 8 10 12 Average general clients 0 10 12 14 Total clients 7 18 22 26 Average Revenue 345 380 417 459 Average Revenue 0 45 50 54 Fixed Cost (bridal) 1000 1100 1210 1331 Fixed Cost (general) 0 130 143 157 Variable Cost (Average travelling) 24 24 24 24 Break-even Cost (Bridal) 1247 1646 2468 3588 Break-even Cost (General) 0 80 163 281 Profit (Bridal) 1168 1542 1740 1967 Profit (General) 0 370 431 503 Total Profits 1168 1912 2171 2470 Sales forecast graph Expense Forecast:- Rosie Lima works full-time at Humber college so she do not want to incur any variable cost because she dont want to spend money on marketing as she dont have sufficient manpower to cater the clients. She may come up with that idea sometime later. But for now her expense forecast is calculated in the sales forecast section. Implementation Plan The implementation plan for TRU Colours makeup artistry will have a number of phases to it. In order to fulfill all of the promotion strategies listed, she should outsource her plans to a variety of people. She will require a company which creates and prints business cards. This is important to for networking purposes. When she meets new clients she will be able to present them with a professional, yet creative business card in order to attract attention. She should outsource her advertising to a web-design company. This company will create a professional page on various social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook Page in order to gain attention and interest in potential clients. She should create a professional website with her portfolio as well as information about her training and experience. As well as a service and pricing list. She should also post her company on local classified listings and websites such as Kijiji and Craigslist. This will help find new clients which will thus expand her company. She should continue working for various bridal shows in order to gain experience and build her reputation. TRU Colours needs to expand by working in more events in order to increase networking which will build a brand name for herself. Also the more experience she has the higher her reputation will increase. Evaluation and Control There are multiple ways to evaluate the progress of TRU Colours makeup artistry. Firstly, she should ask customers to fill out a feedback form. This would be very useful for her to learn how she can improve her own styles and techniques. She could also use these feedback forms as indicators of how well her services are meeting the needs of her clients. At the approval of her clients, she could put positive feedback forms into her portfolio. This will prove her credentials as a makeup artist to potential clients. TRU Colours does not have any recorded financial records. In order to have more control over the company and greater awareness of how much income the company is making and how much she is spending on products (specifically on what products), she should implement a plan to record her finances. She could use a program such as Microsoft outlook or Microsoft excel in order to keep a record of her income and expenditures. TRU Colours should also record i
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