Thursday, December 26, 2019

Observations - 1305 Words

PPR Domain 1 5th Grade Science Meadows Elementary Time: 08:30 to 10:00 Teacher: Mrs. De La Santo Teaching Strategies: The strategies that the teacher use for the activity was called: Steps of the Scientific Method (Steps of a Science Project.) The students had to use the background knowledge that had been shown to then in the beginning of the week and the information that she had went over at the beginning of the class that day. The children were told to think about: †¢ Hypothesis †¢ Recipes †¢ Gathering material †¢ Experiment †¢ Control-things that stay the same (constant) †¢ Review and ask questions †¢ Get response from children †¢ Conclusion- the end of investigation Class Learner or Teacher Centered: The children are†¦show more content†¦They were really wanted to get it right so they answered every question and made sure that the answers were right. The students kept up with her as she explained and taught them. The students really wanted to get to the real experiment but she told them that until them could get the flow chart right and understand it, the project would had to wait because it was important that they all understand everything. Students Strengths: Science learning of the flow chart for an experiment, that they will be doing next week. Made sure they understood every detail of how the experiment would be conducted. They all understood that if one thing was done wrong or missed that they experiment would not turn out. They were answering the work sheet with all the right answers and had the understanding of the steps that they were to follow. The teacher seemed to be teaching the very well because the worksheet showed that they had listened to her in the week before. They were very strong in the knowledge of the steps of the experiment. Taught the class: Don’t think that I would have taught it any differently. She kept asking questions and made sure that they understood, gave out instructions very clearly, and told them where to turn the papers in. she was walking around checking on the children’s process and she also wrote on the board where to turn in their work in case someone was not listening. As they did the test,Show MoreRelatedParticipant Observation : Observation, Interviews, And Observations856 Words   |  4 PagesParticipant Observation How does one observe while simultaneously participating? It is an awkward position for the researcher to be in—the very nature of the term â€Å"participant observation† is at odds with each other; therefore the author must keep a degree of distance in order to fully observe and record their observations. At the same time, the author must do as the locals do, which is: it is very important for the researcher to connect with members of the population. As the researcher gets to knowRead MoreObservation Of Child Observation1798 Words   |  8 PagesIntroduction Subject â€Å"Chris† is a 7 year old middle class Caucasian male. Observation is taking place in the child’s home over the course of two separate afternoons. Chris is a friendly and well spoken child who is small for his age. Chris is the youngest child in his family and both observations take place while his siblings are home. In each case one or both parents are absent. First Hour of Observation The first hour of observation takes place on a Saturday afternoon. Chris is in his living room withRead MoreObservation Infant Child Observation1809 Words   |  8 PagesOn October 16, 2017, I observed in the infant room from 8:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.. The child I observed was a female and just turned eight months old. Indicators given by the child during the observation, show that the child is progressing at a normal developmental pace and even excelling in other areas. Through observing her, I noticed her motor skills were excelling beyond what was expected. She was pulling herself up and standing. I would often notice her attempting to walk after she was standingRead MoreObservation Report On Child Observation1411 Words   |  6 PagesWe observed Joaquin in his home in the living room of his home. His mother, younger brother, and younger sister were all there. They interacted with Joaquin during the observation. There were times that the children interacted with Caitlin and me, but for the most part we just observed them interact with each other. Observation Summary I brought a couple activities for Joaquin and his siblings to do while we observed him. I brought a pumpkin, hammer, and golf tees for them to pound them into theRead MoreNaturalistic Observations Of Naturalistic Observation1765 Words   |  8 PagesWhat is naturalistic observation? How does a researcher collect data when conducting naturalistic observation research? Naturalistic observation gathers data to provide a â€Å"complete and accurate picture of what occurs in a setting,† (Cozby Bates, 2014, P. 119). The observation describes qualitatively events such as how people make decisions and how they solve problems using the skills individually and sometimes as a group think (Cozby Bates, 2014). Naturalistic observations take place in a normativeRead MoreMy Observations On My Observation1449 Words   |  6 PagesOn the times/days of both my observation, I walked in, ordered my (light bulb) mint lemonade, and took a seat on the - inner most, and consequently also closest to the cash counter – corner table (made for 1-2 people); then I set my timer. At these times, I didn’t use my phone (except for timing my observations), put in headphones or any other such activities that would distract me from the goal in place: to observe my surrounding. I chose this place precisely due to several of hundreds of postsRead MoreObserva tion Report On Coaching Observation1969 Words   |  8 PagesIntro For the coaching observation project I observed the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Urban Meyer. I watched him on TV when Ohio State played Penn State. The reason I selected Urban Meyer to do my coaching observation is because he is the coach I decided to model my coaching philosophy after. The reason I chose this game specifically is because this is a very important game and I want to see how he handles his team in high-pressure situations. Review 1. Coaching style used or observedRead MoreThe Differences Between Observation And Research Observation927 Words   |  4 PagesBeing a Carful observer In this chapter Merriam (...) describes the differences between observation and research observation by establish that the last one is in where researchers defined their proposes and follow a descriptive format to obtain validity and reliability in terms of results. The author suggest that a researcher need a training and mental preparation to obtain those results when using observation as method since this is a skill that had to be developed to write descriptively, recordRead MoreMy Observation Of My Preschool Observation1108 Words   |  5 PagesThe purpose of my â€Å"Preschool Observation† is to observe the behavior of a three year old toddler in a head start school setting. The child’s name is Adam Johnson, he is three years old, I do not know the child. I knew that if I did not know the child it would be a better observation. My purpose is to objectively observe the two year old toddler without bias responses of my observation in full descriptive details. My o bservation of the three year old preschool is to explain the domains of developmentRead MoreNaturalistic Observation And Laboratory Controlled Observation1775 Words   |  8 Pagesresearch are of two broad categories; naturalistic observation and laboratory controlled observation. There are various forms of observational study which include; Casual and Scientific observation, Naturalistic Observation, Subjective and Objective observation, Direct and Indirect observation, Participant and Non Participant observation, Structured and Unstructured observation, Controlled and Non Controlled observation, Concealed and Non-concealed Observation, etc. The observational method used by the

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

The Effects Of Cultural And Religious Diversity On The World

It is quite obvious, that the development of a culture significantly depends on the systems of beliefs and attitudes, which are shared by a certain group of people. On the other hand the system of beliefs and attitudes is formed according to the specific experience and environment, which influence the activities of the people. In such a way beliefs and attitudes are interrelated with culture. This interrelation causes emergence of cultural and religious diversity in the world. However, various religions of the ancient world are not completely different. The psychological peculiarities of human cognition as well as cultural intercommunication, as a result of political influence redistribution or commercial trade, has led to significant similarities of human beliefs and attitudes. Hence, various cultures and religions have differences and similarities, which can be observed on the example of relationships between the human and the Divinity. Investigation of the Ancient Greek religion a nd the religion of the Hebrews provides evidence about the different and similar patterns in human-Divinity interrelationships, as exemplified by Odysseus and Athena as well as Job and God. The research of two ancient texts, Odyssey and Bible, show that the power and influence of the Hebrews’ God is more significant than the power and influence of any particular god in the Ancient Greek Olympus, which makes the human and the Divinity more distant in significance in the Hebrew image of theShow MoreRelatedThe Impact Of Globalization On Cultural Diversity1394 Words   |  6 PagesNowadays, the traditional cultures are disappearing since diverse cultures play a critical role in the society. Many people have been experiencing the negative effects of the globalization process. This paper will be focused on the impact of globalization on cultural diversity. First, it is about the concept of multiculturalism which is an adequate concept of culture today. Second, it will be explained about the difference of cultures which are supposed to considered equal by defining the term minorityRead MoreThe Culture Diversity Theory For Nursing Essay1483 Words   |  6 PagesThe Culture diversity theory Providing culturally competent nursing care begins with having basic principle knowledge and effective training us a nursing student. Madeleine Leininger’s Theory of Culture Care Diversity and Universality defines nursing as a learned scientific and humanistic profession that focuses on patient care, experiences and creative thinking relevant to nursing and health care system. As nurse student in today’s society you will come in contact with a lot of cultural differencesRead MoreStructural Diversity Within A Community859 Words   |  4 PagesStructural diversity is defined as the holistic diverse demographics of a community, in this case, as it pertains to collegiate institutions. From this, we can examine the racial disparities amongst the academic community. It has been proposed that for many different ethnic communities the implementation of structural diversity has influenced each community in a different way. The influence of structural diversity serves different purposes for European Americans as it does to African Americans, AsianRead MoreWhy Discrimination Is Common Among The Racially Different People1205 Words   |  5 Pagesa particular race, ethnic or a certain group’. On the contrary, racism weakens an individual’s ability to realise their potential. It triggers negative thoughts of unworthiness and incompetence. Religious and Cultural differences: As Australia is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, every student brings to the classroom a set of behaviours and a characteristic that makes him or her unique and that will affect his or her academic achievement. Studies shows that Muslims studentsRead MoreAnalysis Of Samuel Huntington s The Clash Of The Civilisations1258 Words   |  6 Pagescivilisations believes that the World will eventually divide in accordance with cultural lines, and not political lines. According to Huntington, â€Å"the thriving East Asian and Muslim societies will soon challenge Western dominance, and the United States being the World leader will need to reevaluate its policies on foreign invention and domestic immigration to remain a major player.† During the Cold War, the world was divided into the First, Second and Third Worlds. Huntington views these ties asRead MoreHeritage1432 Words   |  6 Pagesknowledgeable and respectful of the differences in cultural and religiou s beliefs as this diversity continues. The American Nurses Association (ANA) states, â€Å"knowledge of cultural diversity is vital at all levels of nursing practice†¦nurses need to understand: how cultural group groups define health and illness; what cultural groups do to maintain wellness; what cultural groups believe to be the causes of illness; and how healers cure and care for members of cultural groups.† (1991). The Heritage AssessmentRead MoreThe Influence Of Ecumenical Movements And Interfaith Dialogue1585 Words   |  7 Pagesacceptance and unity between Christian sects, world religions and society in general. The establishment of both religious movements was due to the viciousness of the Second World War and the distress, which was present in humanity at the time. The two religious initiatives hold great value due to the effect they had on Australia post-World War II; they aim and work towards increasing peace, cooperation, dialogue and mutual understanding within the world, thus forming an integrated, united, non-discriminatoryRead MoreWorkplace Diversity And The Workplace853 Words   |  4 PagesWorkplace Diversity Many outstanding articles, books, journals and papers have been written regarding the topic of workforce diversity. Some are relatively short papers such as Diversity in the Workplace published by the University of Florida, and seek to provide the reader with a basic understanding of what is meant by workplace diversity, as well as the potential benefits to both employers and employees alike. Other resources can be significantly more in-depth and explore subtopics of workplaceRead MoreThe Influence of Organizational Culture on Organizational Functionality861 Words   |  3 Pages75-82. Globalization has brought the world closer in communication, economics, politics, and especially business. The Internet and technological improvements have allowed instantaneous communication almost anywhere, and even poor women in India are using Smartphones to manage their banking portfolios. The idea of globalism continues to break down cultural barriers. As this continues it will be essential for organizations to not only understand, but embrace cultural differences and styles (Trebing andRead MoreWas America Founded as a Christian Nation?927 Words   |  4 Pagesso our founding father could be diverse and practice their own religion. The First Amendment declares the right of American citizens to practice freedom of religion. This free practice of beliefs supports the argument that self identity through religious exploration was encouraged. That itself would defy rules or laws that would be set in a nation founded around Christian principles. The American population had become v ery diverse by the time America became founded. However, a large amount of the

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Reluctant Fundamentalist Essay Sample free essay sample

â€Å"It’s like I’m an oyster. I’ve had this crisp pinpoint inside me for a long clip. and I’ve been seeking to do it more comfy. so easy I’ve turned it into a pearl. † ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ a ‘brief and capturing narrative ; a ‘seething commentary on the events of station 9/11 and the bitterness it has created in the heads of non-western universe for the manner America has conducted itself after the onslaughts. A soliloquy narrated by a immature bearded Pakistani adult male Changez to his nameless American invitee with whom he meets in one of the oldest and busiest territories of Lahore Anarkali. Changez tells his invitee about his life and experiences of America ; narrating the yearss he has spent in America foremost as a pupil and so as a successful wall street professional. professing himself as a lover of America and depicting his journey from Pakistan to Princeton and so to Underwood Samson as a dream comes true. Later. in malice of his success in the functions and chances given to him by the host land ; he experienced scruples about his parts in those tendered functions every bit good as on the America’s function in the universe. Changez belongs to an upper category household whose wealth has diminished over the coevalss due to economic hardship. and household frailty. but still whose societal standings persists. He moved to America from his native metropolis of Lahore to analyze on scholarship at Princeton. At the top of his category at Princeton. he is snapped up by the celebrated â€Å"valuation† house of Underwood Samson. He was given a pre-employment fillip and went on careers to Greece with fellow Princeton pupils where he met with Erica and later fall in love with her. Erica a beautiful immature adult female ; ‘a lioness: strong. sleek and constantly surrounded by her pride’ as Changez depict her. She is an aspirant author. and from an elite household life in Manhattan New York. Though troubled from the decease of her childhood friend and sweetheart Chris from malignant neoplastic disease she was ‘struggling with a current that pulled her within herself’ . Her life after run intoing with Changez seems to be on a path of standardization for she likes to be with him ; and it serves as a mediation that heals herself from herwretchedness. I love it when you talk about where you come from†¦you become so alive I love it when you talk about where you come from†¦you become so alive She likes it when he talks about Pakistan. his household. civilization and manner of life in Lahore ; for she tells him ‘I love it when you talk about where you come from†¦you become so alive’ . On their return to America from Greece she helped Changez settling in New York. She takes him to put she used to see with Chris ; and invites him to a household dinner at her flat. She showed him the picture Chris has made while he was in school. her novelette she plans to print and present him to her parents. Even she likes Changez. somehow finds it hard to get down a relationship with him ; for she existed internally at a grade of remove from those around her†¦ some portion of her†¦was out of range. lost in ideas unexpressed. The inability to set herself in a new relationship ; made her progressively introverted and depressed. for she knows he loves and attentions for her ; merely like she did for Chris. For Changez the idea that she is invariably obsessed with the imaginativenesss of Chris ; he finds himself persistently in the presence of a rival ; one who was unseeable and unknown to him. Desperate to win her fondness ; he even tried to portray as Chris for his effort to win her psyche. for his desires to love her. For a minute she believed him. transformed into another universe with him ; a passage that Changez explains as. â€Å"It was as though we were under a enchantment. transported to a universe where I was Chris and she was with Chris† he made love to her. depi ct the feeling for acquiring something as being person else incite a feeling of both repletion and ashamed. â€Å"You’re a alert cat. You know where that comes from? It comes from experiencing out of place†¦Believe me. I know† â€Å"You’re a alert cat. You know where that comes from? It comes from experiencing out of place†¦Believe me. I know† Soon after fall ining the Underwood Samson with other trainees Changez for his passion and hard-work stand out among his co-workers gaining citation of his co-workers and higher-ups. Jim the frailty president of the house develops a personal liking for him for his zest. dedication and an apprehension of what he calls ‘fundamentals’ of success. â€Å"You’re a alert cat. You know where that comes from? It comes from experiencing out of place†¦Believe me. I know† . Jim himself is an foreigner in America ; rather successful in chase of his American Dream ; sees in Changez a contemplation of his yesteryear. Soon. Changez start acquiring of import assignments. going from one portion of the universe to the other with top of the firm’s executive While he is in Manila working on a rating undertaking he see as the twin towers collapse from the Television screen of his hotel room and somehow his first reaction was a smiling ; a unusual sentiment on the idea that person so visibly has brought America to its articulatio genuss as he narrate the histories of his initial reaction of the event to his invitee. The events of 9/11 greatly affected the manner the life used to be. for America that he believes to be a state who ever looks forward was progressively giving itself over to a unsafe nostalgia ; â€Å"The state looks backwards. at how things were better one time upon a clip. It has besides churned up the old ideas in Erica’s heads. for she looks backwards excessively. Chris is her lover from childhood. a lover with â€Å"Old World appeal† from a clip when life was simple and guiltless and she is â€Å"disappearing† into the same â€Å"powerful nostalgia† every bit America as state is†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He returns to Pakistan during Christmas vacations. and finds his state threatened by the looming war from neighbouring India following the events of terrorist onslaught on Indian parliament in New Delhi. He wanted to remain in Lahore as he do non wanted to go forth his state and place in the thick of a crisis ; but from the shove of his household returns to New York explicating it as â€Å"I would shortly be gone. go forthing my household and my place behind. and this made me a sort of coward in my ain eyes. † On his return to New York he was under intuition. face favoritism at the airdrome foremost. so on the streets and public topographic points and in the office excessively. Frustrated with the deceit of Muslims as spiritual fiends in the American media. he refuses to shave off his face fungus that for him was a symbol of his Muslim individuality. It was a signifier of his protest to the America’s perceptual experience towards his people after 9/11. â€Å"I lacked a stable nucleus. I was non certain where I belonged† â€Å"I lacked a stable nucleus. I was non certain where I belonged† Troubled by his love matter with Erica who became highly ill from her emotional and physiological impairment ; and from that of the frights of an emerging war at place with an obviously superior and powerful rival has started impacting his public presentation at work and was mirrored in his turning physical and ideological alienation from America. â€Å"I lacked a stable nucleus. I was non certain where I belonged† Jim who still considers him as valuable plus to the house notices this and despite the black economic state of affairs assigned him with an of import assignment of rating of a publication house in Santiago ; Chile. sing a alteration would function a positive consequence on him. Changez nevertheless preoccupied with ideas of Erica and of troubled political state of affairs in Pakistan started pretermiting his undertakings in order to trail Erica for a answer who stop reacting to his electronic mails and phone calls. and surfing on cyberspace for narratives in order to follow Pakistani personal businesss online. Juan Batista who works in the publication house for old ages at first maintain a hostile attitude to the Changez and the other senior executive who were at that place to measure the publication house. Detecting his indifference to work Juan Batista invites Changez to meal. Tells him with the narrative of Janissaries. the immature Christian male child who fought against their ain civilisation under the Muslim regulation ; taken by their Masterss when they were excessively immature. He so asked Changez how old was he when he foremost comes to America. nevertheless on his answer he did non state anything to him. The meeting nevertheless serves as a accel erator ; solidifying his positions and bitterness for United States for Juan challenges his function and unity in America. and for that Changez considered himself as a modern twenty-four hours Janissary and the function he has been playing everlastingly transforms his thought of American dream and replacement it to that of a Loath Fundamentalist. He returns to New York from Santiago ; go forthing his assignment in the in-between knowing that would ensue in losing his occupation and shortly he has to go forth America following the termination of his visa. But he did non look to care for that for he was no longer charmed by the Underwood Samson or his calling chance and money. On his return he instantly resigned from his occupation and so went to see Erica at her place ; when her female parent told him about her status for she was admitted to a rehabilitation centre. He meet her in infirmary. for her status was that â€Å"she was vanishing into a powerful nostalgia. one from which merely she could take whether or non to return. † The nurse explained to Changez that for Erica it was hard to be in out in the universe. for she in her head sing things that were stronger and more meaningful than the things she could see with the remainder of us. Changez was in quandary. â€Å"to choose whether to go on to seek to win her ove r or to accept her wants and leave. †Maybe†¦it was a trial and I failed† Soon he discovered that Erica disappeared from the clinic where she was being treated. presumed to hold committed self-destruction for she was stating adieu to everyone in the infirmary. He knows in the terminal that she had died and there is no hope of seeing her once more. but still disbelieves. Despite of his inner turmoil’s. his bitterness for America ; his love for Erica remained basically unchanged. Losing all hopes of seeing Erica once more. he returns to Pakistan. Changez join a university as a lector in Lahore. and shortly go popular among his pupils for his unfavorable judgment of America as an militant withstanding America’s function in the universe and its policies of war.

Monday, December 2, 2019

The Killing Floor Essays - , Term Papers, Research Papers

The Killing Floor The Killing Floor Frank Custer leaves his young family in rural Mississippi in pursuit of industrial employment in the northern Promised Land of Chicago, Illinois. Little did he know about the true extent of the journey he was about to embark on. Initially a move to secure work and improve upon the conditions which surrounded him and his family; Frank was about to change more in his life then just his economical status. Immediately upon arriving in the bustling city, Frank and his close friend Thomas gravitate towards other working class African-Americans with similar backgrounds. Unable to read or write, the two men enlist the aide of their local YMCA in finding jobs at a local meat packing plant. Franks first encounters at the packinghouse set the tone for what is to entail. Racial tensions combined with aggressions concerning class associated positions boil just barely beneath the surface on the killing floor. Conditions at the meatpacking plant are considerably less then favorable. The hours are long, the work is backbreaking, and the position in which he works does not pay very well. However, Franks compensation for these conditions are his relationships with the other men whom he lives near and works around. Spending his evenings playing cards and talking with the men introduces Frank to more then just a little relaxation; issues about politics, race relations, and especially the white mans union dominate the colorful conversations. During this time Im amazed at how Frank refuses to let himself get dragged into blindly believing the popular opinions in which his peers hold. He lives an honest life and pursues in finding the whole story beneath the surface of the current topics. Frank consistently demonstrates that he will not settle with keeping his place as is expected of him. It appears as if the people he encounters from day to day are trying to keep segregation and the Old South alive. His peers along with members of the community are dissatisfied with the decisions and alliances with which Frank is making. They feel that the strides he is taking to improve himself i.e., saving money and purchasing a butcher knife, exhibiting real enthusiasm in learning the tricks of new trades, and joining the white mans union, are unnecessary and a blatant demonstration of selling out to the white community. I find myself amazed at how persistent Frank is throughout the course of these events. When he loses his job with the packinghouse and the union can not do anything about it, he still maintains union ties and beliefs, and perseveres in finding a new job. His love and concern for the welfare of his family proved more important then the relationships he is building with other men in the neighborhood. Going against popular opinions to reach for a goal is something that takes a lot of courage to do. He never gives up, re-securing his old job at the packinghouse Frank immediately goes to work on recruiting new migrants from the South into the union. When trouble brews with fellows he works hand in hand with, Frank turns the other cheek because he knows it will do no good to fight them at that moment, its better to wait and pick his battles. From the moment Frank stepped off of the freight train and landed in the Promised Land, his life took a dramatic change. Originally in search of employment and a better life for his family, Frank found much more. Through adversity, loss of friendships, and unpopularity Frank discovered what it was like to be American, something that wasnt afforded to him as a descendant of slaves residing in the Old South of Mississippi. Book Reports

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

How to become a payroll clerk

How to become a payroll clerk If you’re a stickler for details and get a warm glow of satisfaction from the idea of people getting their paychecks on time, then you might want to consider becoming a payroll clerk. These financial professionals are responsible for maintaining and processing large amounts of financial data and payment information for companies.What does a payroll clerk do?Payroll clerks are employed by just about every kind of company (large or small, corporate or nonprofit, etc.) that has employees. These professionals manage employees’ financial data and are typically responsible for processing paychecks and other payments, keeping time records, and handling any pay-related information for employees (like tax information, insurance deductions, or other factors that can affect an employee’s pay).A payroll clerk’s duties may include:Calculating pay for employeesUsing payroll software to manage employee pay and financial informationCalculating taxes and deductionsProducin g and processing employee paychecksTracking employee work time and keeping accurate recordsInitiating direct deposit paymentsCalculating unemployment or severance payVerifying and resolving discrepancies in employee financial data or payKeeping detailed digital or paper financial records to be reportedIssuing pay statements and invoicesProcess and distribute financial documents like W-2 tax formsFollowing financial reporting procedures and legal best practicesThis is typically a 9-to-5 kind of job, with a standard 40-hour work week. Payroll clerks can be found across industries, as their skills are needed by just about any company that handles employee pay.What skills do payroll clerks need?This is a highly specialized role, so there are specific skill sets that will be an asset to you in this field.Math Skills:Â  Although this is a highly administrative position, it also calls for very strong math skills. The payroll clerk is responsible for money going in and out to employees, so they really must be able to do financial math effectively and accurately.Attention to Detail:Â  Because of the emphasis on accuracy, a payroll clerk needs to be able to spot discrepancies or problems in financial documents or paychecks. Mistakes can have significant impacts on employees or the company, so an eagle eye is essential, whether the clerk is using advanced accounting software or good old-fashioned paper and calculators.Problem Solving Skills:Â  Part of the job is resolving issues that inevitably come up when money, math, and humans are involved. If there are discrepancies in amounts paid versus amounts owed, the clerk needs to be able to resolve the issue quickly and accurately.What do you need to become a payroll clerk?The baseline minimum combination is a high school degree and a stellar set of math skills, but many companies prefer their payroll clerk to have at least an associate’s degree in business, accounting, or finance.How much do payroll clerks get pai d?According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, payroll clerks earn a median annual salary of $43,580, or $20.95 per hour.What’s the outlook for payroll clerks?Because these professionals have a strong and versatile set of skills and can work in any industry that has need of payroll processing, it’s a solid career choice in the financial services and administration field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that the demand for payroll clerks will continue to grow by about 6% through 2024.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

The Broken Spears essays

The Broken Spears essays Leon-Portilla, Miguel,ed. The Broken. Boston: Beacon Press, 1992 The Broken Spears written by Miguel Leon-Portilla is a book that goes into depth about the conquest of Mexico starting in 1519 from the point of view of the conquered Aztecs. The book talks about everything significant in the Aztec society that took place during this time of conquest. It goes over the first news of Cortez' and the Spaniards arrival. To Montecuhzoma's belief of the gods, and his association that he made between the Gods and the Spaniards. It goes over each single conquest That Cortez's troops made early. It also talks about the allies gained by the Spanish, and the acceptance of the Spanish and the surrender of Tenochtitlan. It also touches on the revolt of the Aztec people that lead to the terror and the end of the Aztec civilization. This book tells all this from the Aztec point of view. This book would be a great on to recommend to others. After reading this book one can say that the Aztec people went from the conquerors to the conquered. First the Aztecs were driven away by established tribes, then the Aztecs began to develop an empire of immense wealth and power by the late fifteenth century. The empire expanded to include many people from numerous tribes. One tribe that was apart of the Aztec empire were the Cempoala, who would later aid the Spanish in defeating the Aztecs. Because of the "Melting pot" within the empire, the Aztecs had a very diverse culture. However one man and his army brought the Aztecs to their knees. On November of 1519, the Aztec leader Montezuma received reports of small mountains floating off the Mexican coast. At one point the Spaniards were thought of to be Quetzalcoatl, the legendary figure who had one day promised to return from across the ocean. In distress Montezuma sent messengers bearing gifts to the Spanish ships, in order to greet these "gods". But, the Aztec leader was not alone in his attempt to gain acc ...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Determinant Power of Education on Economic Development Term Paper

The Determinant Power of Education on Economic Development - Term Paper Example The researcher states that obvious determinants of economic development include, but are not limited, to the following: the overall number of human resources available within a given geographic region, the overall number of raw material or prevalence that might be exhibited within a given geographic space, distance to determine the market, and last but not least the overall education level of the workforce. It has been broadly assumed over the past several decades, without a great deal of analysis, that education levels dramatically impact upon the overall rate and extent to which economic development is able to take place. However, a more thorough analysis of the issue does not necessarily reveal this simplistic interrelationship. Instead, stronger more market-driven determinants have been effectively determined to have a profound impact upon economic development; at least as compared to the overall education level of the human resources that might be available within a state. As a function of this understanding and analysis, the following paper will provide a literature review, methodology, data analysis, references, and appendix that describes the impact and importance of education in terms of economic development. The underlying hope of the author is that such a level of analysis will be beneficial in providing a more determinant of how economic development can effectively be engaged and how stakeholders can seek to promote further levels of economic development within their respective spheres. One of the first pieces of literature that were reviewed in terms of this particular focus has to do with Singh and Hensel’s article entitled â€Å"Impact Of Extension Education On Improving Knowledge Of Sustainable Technical Agricultural Practices†. Within the article, the authors consider the means by which the United States economy has changed as a function of time. Essentially, manufacturing and the production of durable goods within the United Stat es was a staple of economic development; even as compared to service industries or any other sector of the economy.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Ways For Choc Deluxe Ltd To Get Rid Of The Present Difficulties Essay - 4

Ways For Choc Deluxe Ltd To Get Rid Of The Present Difficulties - Essay Example The researcher states that in this era of global competition, all the multinational companies experience huge competition in the global framework. Such competition further intensifies due to the market expansion and increasing demand in the emerging markets of developing countries. Therefore, all the companies involved into business are required to maintain the quality standards of their products and services so that they can retain their competitive position in the concerned market segment and confirm the provision for future growth. Choc Deluxe Ltd. is a fictitious small-scale chocolate producing company that especially concentrates on premium segment. This global industry player has been able to establish its business within a short span of time and it is expected that the company will show a growth rate of 30% within the next five years period of time. Such growth has been forecasted by experiencing a huge demand for the products, particularly from the emerging economies. Therefo re, it is implied that the company is required to expand its production capacity in order to address such increasing demand in upcoming days. However, while planning for production expansion, management of Choc Deluxe Ltd. identified that they do not have required level of supply of Criollo cocoa beans, which is the key ingredient for the company’s products. As the Christmas was approaching, the company has already committed to supplying bulk of their products and services in various departmental stores and other retailers.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Gathering Blue Essay Example for Free

Gathering Blue Essay Kira was born into a world ruled by the Council of Guardians, which spared her life when she was but an infant and her mother and her mother’s father—who was the chief guardian—pleaded with them to spare her life instead. Now that her mother has died, her father eaten by beasts before she was born, and her possessions taken to an aggressive woman named Vandara, Kira wonders about her future and her life now, being alone. However, because of her special, magical talent in artwork and needlecraft, Jamison of the Council of Guardians looks at her with favor, offering her a special place and task of keeping and designing the Singer’s robe. On the other hand, her young friend, Thomas, whose parents have also departed, and who has a special talent in woodwork, would take care of keeping the Singer’s staff. An old woman, Annabella, helps and teaches Kira in the art of dyeing. However, Annabella dies right after Kira hears beasts in the forest, and Kira and Matt suspect that maybe their parents died under the direction of the Council of Guardians, especially after Matt hears a frightened girl named Jo crying from the Edifice of the Guardians. By the time of the Gathering, Thomas follows Kira to her room where the former has prepared a special gift to her—her father whom she thought was already deceased; yet her father narrates that he was blinded right after Jamison, his political rival, struck him from behind and then left him for dead. Kira leaves the village to start a new life with her father. Theme: At first it appears that people who are born with a defect or an illness can never help the society, but the opposite appears to be true: children of imperfection can also possess special talents that make them unique and valuable to the society. Personal Response: Writer Lois Lowry is a magnificent writer I understood perfectly how it is to be despised in a community where defects and imperfection are enough reasons to be neglected and left to die. I enjoyed reading the vivid scenes, but the part I enjoyed most is when Kira meets her father, who appeared to be a blind man struck by Jamison, whom I did not suspect would be anything but good. Lois Lowry has a talent in bringing suspense to the fullest, making the reader jump in anticipation to another scene that would be anything except boring. It made me think that culture and traditions have a way of ruling people especially children. Instead of helping people out, certain old traditions are taking their life out. Extension Ideas: What do you think are the talents that you possess? Express it with the use of art. Do you have certain talents that, you believe, should be honored and harnessed? Make a list of them and then classify them if they are under the weak, medium, or strong categories. Kira tried her best to fight for her life and her rights. What do you think would you have done if you were put on Kira’s shoes? At the end of the story, Jamison is left in his world, while Kira and her father leaves and searches for a new and better world. What would you do to Jamison if you were one of the members of the Council of Guardians? Explain in the form of a narrati

Friday, November 15, 2019

Analysis of the Discourse and Rhetoric since September 11 Essay

September 11, 2001. After terrorists hijacked four American airliners, toppling the World Trade Center in New York and damaging the Pentagon just outside Washington, rhetoric in various circles of the West among authors, theorists, and pundits centered around a number of interesting topics. The nature of evil has become a topic over which much debate and rhetoric has ensued. Some have used it as a means by which they can explain these actions, whereas others see it as an obstacle to a proper explanation. Even others see it as false, but a necessary falsehood for the war effort. Furthermore, the debate over if, or the extent to which, United States and Western foreign policy contributed to these attacks has also stirred passions on both sides of the argument. My intention is to engage in an analysis of the discourse and rhetoric since September 11. Discourse can be defined as the production of knowledge through language (Hall 201). Certainly, events such as those that occurred on September 11 lead to a production of knowledge, or, at the least, attempts at understanding. Language is being used in very interesting ways by many people in an attempt to produce knowledge or understanding since September 11. I have selected both public figures and intellectuals for this discursive evaluation in order to make a sufficient analysis. There is a dichotomy between the context within which public figures such as the Reverend Billy Graham and President George W, Bush speak and academics or literary figures such as Stanley Fish, Edward Said, and Salman Rushdie. Part of this dichotomy, undoubtedly, exists because of the accountability of public figures to those they represent. One of the first references to evil in the wake of t... ...ction to Modern Societies. Ed. Stuart Hall et al. Polity Press. 184-227. Kurtz, Stanley. â€Å"Edward Said, Imperialist.† The Weekly Standard. 8 October 2001: 33-35. Rushdie, Salman. â€Å"Fighting the Forces of Invisibility.† The Washington Post. October 2, 2001: A25. --------. â€Å"Yes, This Is About Islam.† The New York Times. 2 November 2001. 12 December 2001 . Said, Edward. â€Å"Islam and the West are inadequate banners.† The Observer. 16 September 2001. 12 December 2001. . ---------. â€Å"The Clash of Ignorance.† The Nation. 22 October 2001. 12 December 2001 . Williams, Raymond. Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and Society. New York: Oxford University Press, 1985.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

How to Make Enchiladas (Informative Speech)

In a couple of hours it will be time for dinner. If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably stand in the middle of the kitchen or stare at the fridge aimlessly, thinking about what you can come up with tonight. When looking for a delicious, quick and easy dinner†¦ I have a solution for you. Make Enchiladas! They only take about an hour and a half to make, and are something the whole family will enjoy. I’ll tell you how to make Easy Enchiladas and you decide if it makes you hungry or not. Before cooking anything it is always best to wash your hands and any countertops or cutting boards that you will place food on.Some quick preparation that can be done before starting; is thawing out the chicken ahead of time to make cooking time shorter, shred cheese if needed but I like to use the pre shredded cheese, open the Enchilada sauce cans, and pre heat your oven to about 350. All the supplies you will need are pretty inexpensive. My recipe makes about twenty enchi ladas. The food items you will need are: 5 Boneless skinless chicken breasts, 2 cans of La Victoria enchilada sauce, one bag of any medium cheddar cheese (about 8 cups if shredding by hand) and twenty corn tortillas.Utensils needed are a big pot to boil the chicken in, a strainer, two bowls (one big and one small), can opener, big spoon, and a baking pan to fit the enchiladas in. Once you have all the supplies and prep done, now you are ready to start making the enchilada filling. First you will want to fill your big pot about three quarters of the way full with water and bring it to a boil. When the water starts to boil you can add the chicken breast. Be careful because the pot and water are extremely hot and may splash back up at you.You will want to let the chicken boil for about fourty-five minutes to one hour. I check if the chicken is cooked all the way through by cutting a breast in half and making sure there is no pink in the meat. When the chicken is done, you will want to strain the water from the chicken (being cautious again from the steam coming off the chicken and out of the pot, VERY HOT! I have burned myself many times straining chicken. ) Let your chicken cool down for about fifteen minutes to make it easier to handle. Once it’s cool to touch, you can then hand shred it.Basically just take a piece and start pulling it a part into bite size strands. Put it in a big bowl and add one and a third of cans of the Enchilada sauce to your chicken and mix. Your filling is now done. Next you will want to wrap twenty corn tortillas in a cloth and microwave for two to two and a half minutes (just until they are soft). You can now put the rest of the leftover enchilada sauce into the small bowl for tortilla dipping. Dip a tortilla into the sauce and make sure it has a good amount all over. This is done to give the tortillas that enchilada kick.Set your tortilla down in the baking pan and put a spoon full of the Enchilada filling on top along with a pinch of cheese. Roll up the enchilada as you would a taco or a burrito. Repeat dipping, adding chicken and cheese, and rolling of enchiladas; placing the enchiladas side by side, until the whole baking pan is full. Now for the best part! Add as much cheese to the top of the enchiladas as you’d like. (I usually add a smaller layer over the whole thing). Crank your oven up to 375-400 and put the enchiladas (uncovered) in.Watch them carefully because some cheese melts faster than others. Leave them in the oven for about 15 minutes. Just depending on when the cheese starts to melt or turn golden brown. You can now take your enchiladas out and let them cool down because they should be pretty hot. Serve them to your family and watch them enjoy. This is a quick and easy recipe that I have adapted from my grandmas recipe, to make it an Easy enchilada dinner. I hope that you now will go home and try making them yourself, their pretty good! Thank you for your time.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Zoecon Case Recommendation

The Problem(s). Does the South Delaware Coors distributorship offer sufficient investment potential given Mr. Brownlow’s current business and personal situation? Recommendation(s). Given Mr. Brownlow’s current business and personal situation operating the South Delaware Coors, Inc. distribution does offer sufficient investment potential. The following explanation is presented to evaluate the decision factors in the case. Profit Potential. From the studies conducted by Manson and Associates the potential profit can be estimated.The primary objective was to determine the investment potential of the distribution of Coors. As shown in Table 1, in order to break even, the South Delaware Coors distribution would need to sell $247,272 or 224,793 gallons to break even. This amount is not out of reach when calculating the market potential. The market potential calculated in Table 2. The table uses 2002 estimates to approximate the first full year of production for the South Dela ware Coors distribution. When total sale is multiplied with the wholesale price per gallon, the potential market for the distribution is 415,128 gallons.This potential market gallons sold is higher than the break even amount by 185%, creating a potential profit of $456,641. The industry demand also shows market potential by using the tax approach from Table E of the Manson study. The tax approach shown in Table 3 provides a look into the industry demand of beer in Delaware, where the average revenue of a wholesaler in 1997 was $799,944. Subtracted by the break-even cost, the tax approach shows revenue of $799,944 from the average revenue of a wholesaler.Comparing the break-even cost with the 1998 wholesaler revenue the profit increases 5. 8%, with estimated projected profit of $950,111 in 2002. Market share is shown in table 4. The market shares A, B and C are reflective of the good, better, best scenarios respectively. Even with the worst market share of 436,588. 2 gallons, it stil l surpasses the break even gallons by nearly double. The best market share scenario almost triples the breakeven point at 677,647. 7 gallons. Market and Competitive Environments.Since 1873, Coors has evolved into the fourth largest seller of beer in the United States, working on the philosophy of â€Å"hard work, saving money, devotion to the quality of the product, caring about the environment, and giving people something to believing in. † The impact of Coors on the competitive environments can be seen in the consumer and retailer questionnaire results from the Manson and Associate studies. Study G shows a large consumer following of Coors products with 70% of consumers with a â€Å"certainly will† intention to buy Coors. Similarly the retailer questionnaire, study H, showed 88. % of retailers â€Å"certainly will† sell Coors products. Public Acceptance. Coors’ history stands to show the acceptance in the quality of product Coors offers to their consume rs for over 140 years. Similarly, as with the market and competitive environment, 70% of consumers have the intention to buy Coors’ products. With this amount of anticipation from the consumers, there will most certainly be a spiked period of verbal advertisements from satisfied consumers. This type of advertisement is more powerful than any other advertisement because new consumers are more willing to try a new product when requested by someone they know.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Gendered Pronouns

Gendered Pronouns Gendered Pronouns Gendered Pronouns By Maeve Maddox When I began writing about language several decades ago, the pronoun errors that concerned my readers related to number and case. I never imagined that gender would ever become a source of confusion. Nowadays, however, journalists are faced with the question of which pronouns to use when writing about transgender people. The recommendation of the Associated Press and other style authorities is to use whichever pronouns the subject prefers: Use the pronoun preferred by the individuals who have acquired the physical characteristics (by hormone therapy, body modification, or surgery) of the opposite sex and present themselves in a way that does not correspond with their sex at birth. If that preference is not expressed, use the pronoun consistent with the way the individuals live publicly. The recommendation is easy to follow when writing about events that take place after the subject’s transition. Problems arise when a writer wishes to deal with events that preceded the change. For example, the following sentences from a Wikipedia article illustrate the disconcerting effect of making the new pronouns retroactive: Born Bradley Edward Manning in 1987 in  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, she was the second child of Susan Fox, originally from  Wales, and Brian Manning, an American.   By then, Manning was living as an openly gay man. Her relationship with her father was apparently good. The Wikipedia article on the former Bruce Jenner deals with the problem by avoiding pronouns altogether: After Olympic success, Jenner decided to cash in on celebrity status, which required forgoing any future Olympic competition. Jenners agent George Wallach felt at the time that Jenner had a four-year window to capitalize upon. Wallach reported that Jenner was being considered for the role of  Superman,  which ultimately went to  Christopher Reeve. Journalists are not the only ones struggling with the question of gendered pronouns. University authorities, sensitive to the question of assumptions relating to gender, are rethinking the traditional Male/Female designations on registration forms. According to an article at AP The Big Story, students registering at Harvard are allowed to indicate the pronouns they prefer and are offered the gender-neutral options ze and they. The State University of New York is â€Å"working on a data-collection tool to let students choose among seven gender identities, including trans man, questioning, and genderqueer.† An article in Slate reports that Facebook now offers a drop-down gender menu containing more than fifty designations. Some of the options are cis female, gender fluid, transfeminine, neutrois, and two-spirit. Facebook also provides pronoun options for the feature that alerts users to a friend’s upcoming birthday: wish him a happy birthday wish her a happy birthday wish them a happy birthday Perhaps the day is not too far off when English speakers drop the singular third-person personal pronouns altogether in favor of plural, gender-neutral they and them. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:How to spell "in lieu of"Conversational Email

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Make Colored Easter Eggs Using Natural Dyes

Make Colored Easter Eggs Using Natural Dyes Its fun and easy to use foods and flowers to make your own natural Easter egg dyes. The two main ways to use your own dyes are to add dyes to the eggs when boiling them or to dye the eggs after they have been hard-boiled. Its a lot faster to boil the dyes and eggs together, but you will use several pans if you want to make multiple colors. Dyeing the eggs after they have been cooked takes as many dishes and more time, but may be more practical (after all, most stoves only have four burners!). Try both fresh and frozen produce. Canned produce will produce much paler colors. Boiling the colors with vinegar will result in deeper colors. Some materials need to be boiled to impart their color (name followed by boiled in the table). Some of the fruits, vegetables, and spices can be used cold. To use a cold material, cover the boiled eggs with water, add dyeing materials, a teaspoon or less of vinegar, and let the eggs remain in the refrigerator until the desired color is achieved. In most cases, the longer you leave Easter eggs in the dye, the more deeply colored they will become. Here is the preferred method for using natural dyes: Place the eggs in a single layer in a pan. Add water until the eggs are covered.Add approximately one teaspoon of vinegar.Add the natural dye. Use more dye material for more eggs or for a more intense color.Bring water to a boil.Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.If you are pleased with the color, remove the eggs from the liquid.If you want more intensely colored eggs, temporarily remove the eggs from the liquid. Strain the dye through a coffee filter (unless you want speckled eggs). Cover the eggs with the filtered dye and let them remain in the refrigerator overnight.Naturally-colored eggs will not be glossy, but if you want a shiny appearance you can rub a bit of cooking oil onto the eggs once they are dry. You can use fresh and frozen berries as paints, too. Simply crush the berries against dry boiled eggs. Try coloring on the eggs with crayons or wax pencils before boiling and dyeing them. Happy Easter! Natural Easter Egg Dyes Color Ingredients Lavender Small Quantity of Purple Grape JuiceViolet Blossoms plus 2 tsp Lemon JuiceRed Zinger Tea Violet Blue Violet BlossomsSmall Quantity of Red Onions Skins (boiled)Hibiscus TeaRed Wine Blue Canned BlueberriesRed Cabbage Leaves (boiled)Purple Grape JuiceButterfly Pea Flowers or Tea Green Spinach Leaves (boiled)Liquid Chlorophyll Greenish Yellow Yellow Delicious Apple Peels (boiled) Yellow Orange or Lemon Peels (boiled)Carrot Tops (boiled)Celery Seed (boiled)Ground Cumin (boiled)Ground Turmeric (boiled)Chamomile TeaGreen Tea Golden Brown Dill Seeds Brown Strong CoffeeInstant CoffeeBlack Walnut Shells (boiled)Black Tea Orange Yellow Onion Skins (boiled)Cooked CarrotsChili PowderPaprika Pink BeetsCranberries or JuiceRaspberriesRed Grape JuiceJuice from Pickled Beets Red Lots of Red Onions Skins (boiled)Canned Cherries with JuicePomegranate JuiceRaspberries

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Adoption Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Adoption - Essay Example This mode of production also introduced stratification in the work and labor relationship. This paper, therefore, shall analyze the ways that gender, sexuality, and race structure the capitalist mode of production in certain bodies and bodily capacities in the labor market. Discussion Chandra criticizes the feminist perspectives as held by some western feminists, who view women in the third world countries as ghetto and undeserving of the appropriate treatment as that accorded to the women in the western countries. This perspective classifies women in the third world countries as largely uneducated, undignified, and as intellectually lazy and unable to perform the functions that western women are able to. According to Chandra, these women are fall under the capitalist structure that commodifies particular bodies and or bodily capacities, thus making these women as commodities that can be sold and or bought for the gratification of those that are perceived to be civilized. The feminis t view as held by these biased western feminists, therefore, creates a binary manner of perception for the women, so that there are only the western civilized women and the third world primitive women, without bearing in mind that many of the women in the third world countries are now educated and civilized as their western counterparts (Mohanty, 2003: 210). Kempadoo (2004: 12), in his book on trading sex across the borders, looks at the manner that the capitalist structure has led to increased trade in sex and sexual activities in many countries and between countries. He focuses on the activities in Southeast Asia, which has become famous for its illegal trade activities. Prostitutes are traded across the border to neighboring states and even abroad so that they can sell their services for money. this, according to Kempadoo, is a as result of the capitalist structure and model of trade, which places too much emphasis on the profit aspect of business, and that legitimizes any form o f business as long as it earns the dealer returns and profits for the one in control. It is this urge and need for profits that has led to the creation of recruitment agencies that take advantage of un-sensing girls to recruit them into the agencies, only to be sold to prostitution. The capitalist mode of the economy makes the economy highly stratified and breaking through for one would be quite a challenging task. This makes it attractive and easy for persons to seek alternative means through which they can break into the economy to make it big. Wealthy owners of the means of production are tough on their choices and activities that seek to bar the lowly from achieving these means through poor pay and other forms of restrictions, all of which are acceptable in this mode of production. Lowe, in his article on globalization shares the same view as the other scholars above, who believe that the structure of capitalism is responsible for the skewed relations of labor that are witnessed in the globe today (Lowe, 2007: 131). According to Lowe, globalization, while a most desirable and fruitful event that has led to immense opportunities in the world today, has also been the source of many evils being witnessed in the global economy. Globalization has opened up borders and territorial boundaries, made non-sense of national laws and guidelines for various economic activities, and led to increased rates of interactions for people around the world. While some of these relationships are healthy, some of them are malicious and have been taken advantage of to advance the selfish

Friday, November 1, 2019

Composing a Philosophy of Eating Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Composing a Philosophy of Eating - Essay Example I have few friends in my school who are suffering from obesity related health problems. These friends do not have the ability to play with us because of their overweight. Because of the severe harassments facing from their friends, they like to spend their leisure time either in the library or in front of the computers. Replying to one of my question, one of these obese friends told me that it is difficult for him to take less food even though he likes to reduce his weight. In other words, it is better to take preventive measures before obesity actually strikes a person. The above fact taught me a lesson and I decided to control my eating habits in order to escape from the threat of obesity related problems. This paper describes my philosophy of eating, formulated based on the data collected from my surroundings. My current philosophy of eating can be described in few words; eat nothing unless it’s worth eating. In other words, it is better to eat something only at times when we experience hunger. There are many people who eat something even if they don’t feel hunger, in order to give company to others. I also had such habits. Foods should be consumed only at times when a person feels hungry. Our body has the ability to remind us the necessity of energy in the form of hunger. The energy or calorie received from foods taken at the time when a person feels hungry, will be utilized for some bodily functions. Therefore extra energy or calorie will never be accumulated in our body if we take normal food at the time of hunger. On the other hand when we take food during unwanted times, the body forced to store the extra calorie in the form of fats which will make the person obese. Another major point in my current eating philosophy is the avoidance of fast foods as much as possible. Fast foods are tastier than other foods and people who take fast food may consume more than what is required for the body because if this extra taste. Most of the fast foods are enriched with fat contents. Moreover fast foods are comparatively cheaper and easy to cook. And therefore people make use of it more frequently. Half boiled or half cooked foods are popular in all over the world at present. Nobody wants to spend too much time in kitchen after a busy day schedule. So, people will purchase half boiled foods from groceries or supermarkets and prepare it quickly using a microwave oven or some other cooking equipment. Frequent use of foods cooked using microwave oven could raise radiation related health problems. In short, fast foods, half boiled or half cooked foods can create lot of health problems and it is better to avoid it as much as possible. It is better to eat slowly rather than attacking the dishes in a hurry. Slow eating will help us to eat only the required amount of food, Moreover, such habits will help the digestion process. I have a friend who does have the habit of taking foods in a hurry, irrespective of whether the food is tastier o r not. His philosophy of eating is take food as quickly as possible. He faced lot of problems in the past because of this peculiar eating style. Many times, the bones of fried chicken and fishes get jammed in his throat because of his speedy eating style. Since he is taking food in a hurry, he doesn’t have any idea about the volume of food he has taken. For him taking food three or four times in a day is a routine job and he

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Prophecies in The Odyssey and Oedipus the King Research Paper

Prophecies in The Odyssey and Oedipus the King - Research Paper Example One of the key purposes of using the prophecies is to reveal to the readers at the outset itself, the course, the work or the main protagonist will take. Although, it may reveal the crux of the plot, on the other level, it will heighten the curiosity of the readers regarding whether the prophecies will come true or how the prophecies will come true. Another key perspective of using prophecies is to state the fact that human lives will always be controlled by superior powers or external forces, without any chance of them controlling it. This perspective of prophecy was aptly used in the Greek works, Oedipus the King and The Odyssey. This paper will discuss how the lives of the main protagonists Oedipus and Odysseus were dictated by these prophecies, with Oedipus’ prophecies leading to his downfall and tragedy, while prophecies for Odysseus leading to success. Oedipus fate, it seems, has been sealed even before he is born, with the prophecy coming from Oracle of Apollo at Delphi. As King Laius and Jocasta did not have any children after many years of marriage, they consulted the Oracle at Delphi regarding their childlessness. The Oracle gave out the prophecy that if Jocasta bears a son, that son would kill her husband King Laius and will also marry her. This prophecy was recollected by Jocasta later, â€Å"An oracle once came to Laius declaring he was doomed/To perish by the hand of his own son, A Child that should be born to him by me† (Sophocles 51). To prevent his prophecy from actualizing only Oedipus was ordered to be killed. However, he survives and was cared by King Polybus of Corinth and his wife Merope, who raise him as their own. After hearing rumors that Polybus and Merope are not his real biological parents, he coincidently meets the same Oracle at Delphi to clarify his doubts. Without directly answering Oedipus’ question on parentage, the Oracle again repeats the earlier prophecy but in different words, from the perspective of Oedipus. Oedipus

Monday, October 28, 2019

Penn Square Bank & Down Corning Bankruptcy Essay Example for Free

Penn Square Bank Down Corning Bankruptcy Essay According to Norm Bowie, â€Å"sometimes being moral enhances the bottom line rather than reduces it† (Hartman, 2005, p108). Unfortunately, in the instances of Penn Square Bank and the Dow Corning bankruptcy, that may not have been the case. The following will examine the particulars of these situations and discuss the ethical issues present for each. Penn Square Bank Penn Square Bank was a small bank that played a large role in the Oklahoma banking crisis of the early 1980s. In an effort to maximize on the profits of the booming oil industry, the upper management of Penn Square Bank cut corners in several areas of its new lending division. Documentation to support million-dollar loans became lax. Collateral valuation and revenue recognition was severely over estimated without verification of the documentation to support such claims. Loan contracts were with casual deals and unspecific terms. Credit was extended based upon unverified personal letters paid for by the client. These documentation errors led to loans not properly secured (Caskey, 1985). In addition, Penn Square was more and more money, which facilitated errors in revenue recognition as the bank accepted over estimated valuation claims without requiring loan or interest payments. Thus, on paper the bank looked successful without ever possessing the funds to support its lending endeavors. Finally, credit was extended without true verification of asset valuation or proper documentation, and re-extended when the client could not produce the payments necessary to support the lofty loans (Caskey, 1985). Each of Penn Square Bank’s actions represents a form of financial statement fraud, which led to its downfall in 1982. According to Fraud Examination, there are three ways to deter financial statement fraud: (1) reduce the pressure to commit the fraud, (2) reduce the opportunity to commit the fraud, and (3) reduce the rationalization of the fraud (Wells, 2005). However, in this instance, most if not all of the fraud committed can be attributed to demanding goals set by Penn State Bank owner, Bill Jennings. As explained by Hartman, the â€Å"driving force† of â€Å"profit maximization† created a business environment to facilitate fraud (2005). Because profit was the sole motivator, documentation was inadequate, collateral valuation and revenue recognition was overstated, and credit extension was unverified and inferior. Instead,  Penn Square Bank should have considered the following measures: †¢An oversight or review board should be been established to oversee verification of credit or collateral valuation and determine the risk associated with each loan. †¢Documentation requirements should have been heavily enforced and maintained by the review board. †¢Contract and loan deals should have been regulated to the office with strict documentation requirements. †¢Disclosures should have been made regarding the lack of loan and interest payments. †¢Asset valuation and revenue recognition should have been accurately portrayed to investors, clients, and potential buyers. †¢Upper management should have established company ethical standards and enforced these standards with strict consequences for violation without exception. Unfortunately, all the measures to deter fraud that should have been considered were undermined by the owner’s overwhelming demand for success. Thus, Jennings’ need to maximize profits and increase sales created the pressure, opportunity, and rationalization to commit each action of fraud. Dow Corning Bankruptcy Dow Corning Corporation is the big name in silicone and silicone-based material production. But in 1995, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to protect itself from lawsuits regarding their silicone-based breast implants. Some advocated that the action was an effort to â€Å"avoid compensating women for their injuries† (Book review, 1996, p7). However, according to Hartman, Chapter 11 bankruptcy is intended to protect companies from creditors while it undergoes restructuring in an effort to stave off liquidation. By doing so, the company continues business, pays taxes, and provide jobs but is allowed time to reorganize to triumph over its economic hardship (Hartman, 2005). The ethical challenge is to use Chapter 11 as it is intended – as a restructuring tool to avoid losing everything – rather than file for Chapter 11 as a way of cheating its creditors out of owed money. Hartman suggests that what is ethical in regard to bankruptcy is to go beyond what the laws require and uphold the debt agreements made with creditors (Hartman, 2005). Dow Corning seemed to have that same perspective. Nine years later the company emerged from bankruptcy after settling the lawsuits for a payout of $3.3 billion over the next 15 years (Arndt, 2004). During the time under Chapter 11, the company reorganized  itself to refocus silicone production to develop fabrics, materials, and pharmaceutical products (Arndt, 2004). These sales and expanding markets will help Dow Corning to pay its debts to the 300,000 women named in the settlement (Sissell, 2004). Thus, Dow Corning is Chapter 11 bankruptcy free but still upholding its ethical obligation to the wronged party and its creditors. Although Dow Corning’s actions following the Chapter 11 emergence was ethically sound, its actions leading to the filing was anything but. Problems with Dow Corning’s silicone breast implants began as early as 1984 when they lost a lawsuit claiming the implant caused medical illness such as autoimmune disease. During the investigation for this lawsuit, lawyers found evidence showing Dow Corning executives were aware of complaints from doctors, concerns about the lack of long-term testing, and cases of the implant bursting during surgery. In addition, the study that supposedly proved the effectiveness and safety of the product revealed detrimental long-term effects on the animals under experimentation (Book review, 1996). However, throughout all the breast implant concerns, Down Corning continued to advocate the safety of their product going as far as to hire high profile and extremely expensive teams of legal and public relations specialists. In addition, allegations were present of executives attempting to destroy damning internal documents suggesting upper management was trying to cover up its liability in the claims. The 1984 lawsuit found Dow Corning guilty of fraud and deceit stating the company provided inferior and incomplete information by understating the risks to make an informed decision (Book review, 1996). More important, it revealed the unethical behavior of the executives and company as a whole.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Slave Trade in 1807 Essay -- England

In order to ascertain how significant beliefs and ideologies were in contributing to the abolition of the slave trade in 1807, and the eventual abolition of slavery in 1833, this assignment will consider moral, political,economic and religious factors which culminated into these two distinct reforms. It will explore the influence of Enlightenment; the impact of non-conformists; the role of individuals and resistance from slaves themselves. Additionally, it will look at the attitudes concerning the Atlantic slave trade and slavery from different perspectives. Justifications which were gleaned from the Bible, and from Antiquity, regarding the differences between white and black people meant that for much of the eighteenth century enslaving Africans was generally accepted. However, from the 1800s these beliefs and ideologies were challenged, and both slavery and the slave trade were progressively questioned and condemned. Enlightenment thinkers were instrumental in debates in which reason and intellect were dominant. They believed that individuals had the capacity to improve both themselves, and their environment. Underpinning Enlightenment ideas were the concepts of human and natural rights. Furthermore, the idea that the fundamental right of property is one's own person diminished the argument that any attack on slavery was an attack on property. Enlightened ideas influenced individuals such as Adam Smith who was concerned with economic policy,and Elizabeth Heyrick, who was a middle-class Quaker who pushed for immediate emancipation. (Unit 16,pp.87) Anthology 4.4 (a) and (b) provides definitions of slavery and the slave trade. The principal points raised are that men were born free and equal so slavery was contrary to natural... ... ideologies which resulted in the anti-slavery stance which was integral for political reform. The abolition of the slave trade did not result in the immediate emancipation of slavery, the role of individuals who worked tirelessly with the development of campaigning techniques such as, mass petitioning, door-to-door campaigning, public meetings and the gathering of evidence were extremely valuable to the anti-slavery movement. Even still this process was a long one, and one that involved ordinary people, resistance from slaves themselves and pressure groups. Beliefs and ideologies, were therefore, the most fundamental factor for the abolition of both the Atlantic slave trade (1807) and slave emancipation (1833). The position of parliament and the enactments which resulted were heavily influenced by the beliefs and ideas of people who collectively made a difference.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Just in Time Inventory Management Essay

Just In Time Inventory Management Definition: Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory management is the process of ordering and receiving inventory for production and customer sales only as it is needed and not before. This means that the company does not hold safety stock and operates with low inventory levels. This strategy helps companies lower their inventory carrying costs. Just-in-time inventory management is a cost-cutting inventory management strategy though it can lead to stock-outs. The goal of JIT is to improve return on investment by reducing non-essential costs. http://bizfinance.about.com/od/glossaryj/g/Just-In-Time-Jit-Inventory-Management.htm http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-disadvantages-justintime-inventory-21407.html Advantages & Disadvantages of Just-in-Time Inventory by Neil Kokemuller, Demand Media Companies turnover significant inventory control to suppliers with just-in-time inventory. Related Articles * The Advantages of Just-in-Time Inventory Systems†¨ * Advantages & Disadvantages of Excess Inventory†¨ * Examples of Just-in-Time Inventory * Just in Time Inventory Definition * Advantages & Disadvantages of Matrix Organizational Structures in Business Organizations†¨ * The Disadvantages of Buy-Hold-Sell Inventory Just-in-time (JIT) inventory refers to an inventory management system with objectives of having inventory readily available to meet demand, but not to a point of excess where you must stockpile extra products. Maintaining inventory takes time and has costs, which is what motivates companies to implement JIT programs. Ads by Google Production management Comprehensive SCM, SRM & WMS Suite from Epicor. Learn More.Epicor.com / Distribution Customer Needs Balancing the goals of avoiding stock outs while minimizing inventory costs is at the heart of just-in-time inventory. One of the main benefits of automated and efficient inventory replenishment systems is that you can quickly respond to reduced inventory levels. Companies are now equipped to pull back on stock in a given product category and ramp up inventory in another as customer needs and interests change. Inventory Costs Minimization of inventory management costs is a primary driver and benefit of just-in-time practices. Inventory management has costs, and when you reduce the amount of holding space and staff required with JIT, the company can invest the savings in business growth and other opportunities, points out the Accounting for Management website. You also have less likelihood of throwing out product that gets old or expires, meaning reduced waste. Coordination A disadvantage of managing a just-in-time inventory system is that it requires significant coordination between retailers and suppliers in the distribution channel. Retailers often put major trust in suppliers by syncing their computer systems with suppliers so they can more directly monitor inventory levels at stores or in distribution centers to initiate rapid response to low stock levels. This usually means build up of technology infrastructure, which is costly. This coordinated effort is more involving on the whole than less time intensive inventory management systems. Risks Just-in-time inventory is not without risks. By nature of what it is, companies using JIT intend to walk a fine line between having too much and too little inventory. If company buyers fail to adjust quickly to increased demand or if suppliers have distribution problems, the business risks  upsetting customers with stock outs. If buyers over compensate and buy extra inventory to avoid stock outs, the company could experience higher inventory costs and the potential for waste. Sponsored Links MYOB Accounting Software Simple, Reliable & Secure Solutions Call Now for a Free Demonstration! www.globalbiz.com.sg Web Database App Software Deploy data-driven web applications straight from your database! Try it www.ironspeed.com Primavera P6 PPM Software Software | Consultation | Implementation | Support | www.crownsys.com.sg / Primavera IT Help Desk Software Web-based IT Help Desk with Asset Mgmt. Free version too. Try Now! www.ManageEngine.com / Help_Desk References (2) About the Author Neil Kokemuller has been an active writer and content media website developer since 2007. He wrote regular feature articles for LiveCharts for three years and has been a college marketing professor since 2004. He has four years of additional professional experience in marketing, retail and small business, and he holds a Master of Business Administration from Iowa State University. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/disadvantages-inflating-inventory-38062.html The Disadvantages of Inflating Inventory by Cynthia Myers, Demand Media Carrying a large inventory incurs certain costs. Related Articles * Disadvantages of Buying Inventory in December * Advantages & Disadvantages to a Manual Inventory Control System†¨ * The Disadvantages of Buy-Hold-Sell Inventory * Disadvantages of High Inventory Levels * Advantages & Disadvantages of Excess Inventory†¨ * The Disadvantages of the Continuous Inventory System Increasing inventory in times of rising costs allows you to take advantage of lower prices now, which can result in increased profits as you sell off the inventory. But inflating inventory also carries significant disadvantages. The right inventory strategy for you depends on the business you’re in, your profits and losses and your ability to comfortably carry an inflated inventory. Analyzing your individual situation will tell you if the disadvantages of inflated inventory apply to you. Ads by Google Excel Spreadsheet Templates Fill-in the blanks & easily create any business document! Download NowBiztree.com Increased Costs The costs of inventory go beyond the purchase price of the goods or materials in your inventory. You must pay for space in which to store your inventory. If the inventory is perishable, you’ll rack up utility bills to heat and cool the space. You may need additional personnel to handle the inventory. If you buy materials or goods at a steep enough discount, your savings may be enough to offset these additional costs, but in many cases the cost of adding to your inventory cancel out your savings. Increased Taxes The Internal Revenue Service considers your inventory to be an asset, and you’re required to pay taxes on the inventory in stock at the end of the year. This is the reason you see many businesses hold Inventory Reduction Sales at year’s end. These businesses are looking to reduce their tax burden by selling off excess inventory. If, instead of selling off inventory, you’re focused on accumulating it, you could find yourself with a bigger tax bill. Before you build up your inventory, you should consider the possible tax implications of doing so. Spoilage Losses Most goods have a shelf life — a period after which they begin to deteriorate and spoil. For perishables such as food this can be a relatively short period. Durable goods have a longer shelf life, but even these can lose value over time. Fashions or household goods go out of style, fabrics fade  or are susceptible to damage from dust, insects or fire. If you build up too much inventory, you could be left with a quantity of useless goods on hand, resulting in a loss. Other Considerations When you increase your inventory because you come across a good deal on goods or materials, or because you think the prices will increase in the future, you’re gambling that your predictions about the future will come true. If, for example, the price of the goods and materials falls, you’re left holding an inventory of items for which you paid more than the current market rate. If you decide to inflate your inventory, double and triple check the information that led you to believe doing so was a good idea, and consider all the implications to your bottom line. What Is the Purpose of Just-in-Time Inventory Systems? by Luanne Kelchner, Demand Media Just in Time reduces stored inventory. Related Articles * Inventory & Work Order Systems * An Introduction to Inventory Management Systems * The Advantages of Just-in-Time Inventory Systems†¨ * Examples of Just-in-Time Inventory * Just in Time Inventory Definition * Advantages & Disadvantages of Just-in-Time Inventory Companies use a Just-in-Time manufacturing and inventory management system to improve the efficiency of the company and reduce costs. The system requires manufacturers to purchase only when customer orders create a demand. Companies must develop a relationship with vendors to ensure parts reach the facility in time to manufacture products for the customer request. Businesses only produce inventory when there is a customer order in place. The system does not allow the business to produce or store excess inventory. Just-in-Time systems work in large and small organizations and those that produce products or services. With adjustments, the principles of Just-in-Time inventory management and manufacturing can work in any business. Ads by Google Systems engineering Production & Process Manager Jobs Submit Resume to Apply Now!Monster.com.sg / Systems+engineering Reduce Inventory Costs Using a Just-in-Time inventory system reduces the amount of material on hand in the production facility. Companies can reduce the cost to store and maintain excess inventory and eliminate the risk of materials becoming obsolete while in storage. High inventory quantities tie up company funds, which could otherwise benefit other areas of the business such as the research and development of new products. With the reduction in inventory costs, companies can expand and grow their businesses. Lead Time Reduction Just-in-Time manufacturing also uses a pull system to move materials through the production cycle. For example, in a manufacturing business, materials do not move to the next step on an assembly line until that step or station is ready. This reduces the stockpiling of unfinished product at any stage in the production process. When the company eliminates bottlenecks, production speed or lead-time is faster. Process engineers must determine the maximum quantity any station in the production process can have waiting. While workers may sit idle waiting to move production to the next step, the process is more efficient. Efficient Manufacturing Layout Companies must create a layout on the production floor to move materials through the process efficiently. Some companies must move workstations closer together to eliminate steps in the work process. This leads to a more efficient manufacturing layout that can significantly reduce lead tIme. Building products efficiently is a primary focus for a company implementing a lean manufacturing system. Improve Customer Satisfaction Companies implement a Just-in-Time system or lean manufacturing to satisfy the demands of customers. The voice of the customer is always present in a Just-in-Time manufacturing environment. Reductions in lead time and costs can help a company deliver a product to the customer faster and for a lower price.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Richard Branson Leadership Essay

Introduction I have chosen to write the profile of a Business leader who I admire on Richard Branson. Branson is a English business magnate, best known as the founder and chairman of Virgin Group of more than 400 companies. According to Wagner and Hollenback (2009), leadership is ‘the use of non-coercive and symbolic influence to direct and coordinate the activities of the members of an organised group toward the accomplishment of group objectives. According to Clark (2010), there are three main leadership styles. These are autocratic, democratic and laissez faire. In order to be an effective leader, managers should use all three leadership styles. A good leader should be able to judge which leadership style is most appropriate in a given situation. Research carried out by the University of Michigan and Ohio State University suggests that there are a number of behavioural and leadership theories. These theories outline different aspects of a leader’s behaviour or leadership style which may differentiate those who are effective leaders from those who are not. For example, the University of Michigan identified two general classes of supervisory behaviour. These are employee oriented and job production oriented behaviours. Research carried out by the Ohio State University is very similar to the above piece of research. They identify the two classes of supervisory behaviour styles as a considerate style i.e. employee oriented and an initiating structure style i.e. job production oriented. Similarly to the two above pieces of research, Fiedler identifies two different leadership styles. These are relationship motivated leaders i.e. employee oriented/considerate style and task motivated leaders i.e. job production oriented/initiating structure style. Another piece of research conducted by House identifies four different behavioural styles. They are as follows: directive leadership, supportive leadership, participative leadership and achievement oriented leadership. In order for a manager to be an effective leader they must also be able to perform their roles effectively. A modern leader has fourteen main roles. Richard Branson’s Profile Richard Charles Nicholas Branson was born on the 18th of July 1950 in Blackheath, London. In his youth, Branson was not an impressive student. He was dyslexic and near-sighted, but he could always make things happen. When  he was seventeen, attending school at Stowe, Richard and a classmate started a magazine, Student . When doing an interview with The Guardian he stated â€Å" it was aimed at giving young people a voice on key issues such as the Vietnam War†. He sold  £6,000 worth of advertising in its first edition, which was launched in 1966. The first run of 50,000 copies was disseminated for free, after Branson covered the costs with advertising. This was important business and sales experience for Branson and what he learnt during this time benefited him over time. While running the Student from a basement in London, Richard noticed that stores were not discounting records. Richard began to run ads in the Student offering records at discount prices. The orders flooded in and record sales soon became more profitable than subscription sales. Richard quickly set up an office above an old shoe store and Virgin was born (http://www.lemonadestories.com/virgin.html). The name â€Å"Virgin† was suggested by one of Branson’s early employees because they were all new at business. It was from this point that the Virgin brand grew. Earning enough money from his record store, Branson in 1972 launched the record label Virgin Records with Nik Powell and bought a country estate, in which he installed a recording studio. Mike Oldfield, whose debut album Tubular Bells (1973) was Virgin Records’ first release and a chart-topping best-seller. Virgin Records had other notable artists such as â€Å"The Sex Pistols† and â€Å"Culture Club†. n 1992, to keep his airline company afloat, Branson sold the Virgin label to EMI for  £500 million. Virgin Atlantic had its inaugural flight in 1984 on its then only route between London and New York. After adding a route from Gatwick to Miami in 1986, Virgin Atlantic celebrated its 1,000,00th passenger in 1987. In 2011 Virgin Atlantic carried 5.3 million passengers, making it the eighth largest UK airline in terms of passenger volume. Branson has added other airlines to his Virgin empire such as Virgin Express which operates in Brussles, Virgin Australia and Virgin America. Not being one to shy away from a challenge Branson has had many other ambitious business ventures such as Virgin Vodka, Virgin Cola, the gay night club Heaven, Virgin Cosmetics, Virgin Money, Virgin Cars, F1 team Virgin Racing and most famously Virgin Galactic which plans to provide sub-orbital spaceflights to space tourists, suborbital launches for space science missions and orbital launches of small satellites. He himself frequently  states that all of these ventures are â€Å"calculated risks† which is hard to argue against seeing as Branson is the 4th richest citizen of the United Kingdom, according to the Forbes 2011 list of billionaires, with an estimated net worth of US$4.2 billion. Bransons ambitious and risky are not just limited to the business world as he has broke several world records and attempted many more, for example he completed the first balloon flight across the Atlantic in 1996. All these business and adventuring feats make Branson a truly admiral business leader role model. Branson’s Career and Leadership Style Branson’s career has been hugely successful from leaving school at 16 to go on to become the 4th richest U.K. resident is remarkable. Branson is clear in his book â€Å"Screw it, let’s do it† (2007) about how he has achieved this: â€Å"I have no secret. There are no rules to follow in business. I just work hard and, as I always have done, believe I can do it† With this being said he has combatted the tediousness of working hard by indulging himself in whatever he does, taking a genuine interest and having fun with it: â€Å"A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.† Bransons leadership style is undeniably democratic. Although a democratic leader will the final decision, he or she invites other members of the team to contribute to the decision-making process. This is not only increase job satisfaction by involving employees or team meam members in what’s going on, but it also helps develop people’s skills. Employees and team members feel in control of their own destiny, such as the promotion they desire and so are motivated to work hard by more than just a financial reward. Branson professes this in an interview with Kets De Vries (1998) : â€Å": I’m absolutely certain that it’s a question of the kind of people you have, and the way you motivate them. I’m sure that’s what makes any company successful. If you can motivate your people, use their creative potential, you can get through bad times and you can enjoy the good times together. If you fail to motivate your people, your company is doomed†¦.If your employees are happy and smiling and enjoying their work, they will perform well. Consequently, the customers wiIl enjoy their experience with your com- pany. If your employees are sad and miserable and not  having a good time, the customers will be equally miserable.† In the same interview Branson says he often rewards employees: â€Å"We like to reward our key performers for their creative contribution†¦ I suppose that we have made maybe 15 or 20 multimillionaires through this structure.† Branson applies this personal approach when assessing new business like when Virgin Money took over Northern Bank: â€Å"When we launched Virgin Money, I met with staff members at branches up and down the country. The insight those visits gave me were priceless. If I ever needed convincing that investing in a bank was the right thing to do, well, the stories I heard that week confirmed it. To see so many employees enthusiastic and proud to be working for Virgin made me even more excited about the future of our bank. We very much wanted Virgin Money to be the start of something different, and it was great to see that everyone was onboard. I’ve found that if you ensure that your staff and customers are happy and that your product or service is of good quality, the finances often take care of themselves.† What I could learn from Sir Richard Branson Through my study of Branson I have took many snippets of advice which I hope to use during my career in business after I complete my studies. Branson is an avid ambassador for his democratic style of leadership: â€Å"Having a personality of caring about people is important. You can’t be a good leader unless you generally like people. That is how you bring out the best in them.’ This is definitely a characteristic I want to weave into my leadership fibre. This approach has served Virgin well over the years as in his book, Branson (2009), he mentions a positive outside perspective of working for Virgin which is echoed by the agreement of Virgin staff who enjoy working there. â€Å"Virgin people have told me that at the end of a tiring day, when they are off duty, having a drink in the pub, or a meal, they’re occasionally asked where they work. When they say, â€Å"With Virgin,† the enquirer usually replies, â€Å"Lucky you! That must be a great place to work!† Our staffs usually agrees.† In addition to this extracted advice he gives open advice to anyone who wants  to join him in being an entrepreneur. Forbes magazine (2012) pitched Sir Branson the question â€Å"What are your top three pieces of advice for young entrepreneurs?† to which he responded: â€Å"1. Create a strong culture of excellence – roll up your sleeves and work alongside your staff and take care of them. 2. Don’t be afraid to make a fool of yourself if it helps your business. 3. Find ways to equally prioritize people, planet and profits – because it CAN be done.† These three points offer up key things to take on board if you are to succeed. Have high standards to give you an edge over competition and if needs be work on the ground level with your staff to set an example of how you expect things to be done. Take risks even if there is a chance it may make you look silly if it fails, it could help your business and you should lose your ego for the sake of your business. And finally your staff are your greatest resource, environmental and ethical procedures should be taken, Branson has become environmentally aware ever since a speech Al Gore gave him and he has even set up a green fuel business, and do all you can to ensure your business is running profitably. He insists these three things can be done together.Branson is a master marketer and communicator. Forbes (2012), When Richard Branson had the idea of launching Virgin Atlantic, he pitched it to his fellow directors who had no previous experience in the airline business. He delivered the idea simply, concisely, and effectively. Branson offers leaders and entrepreneurs this advice: â€Å"It is vitally important to present a clear, concise plan that investors can easily understand and repeat to their own people. In the first meeting avoid overly complicated, numbers-laden presentations.† Presentations are supposed to be about getting your point across effectively, you could have the most statistical, graphically stunning and hilariously funny presentation to have ever been seen but if the people you are pitching it to don’t come out of that meeting 100% sure what the point you were trying to make was and interested in your idea then you have failed in your objective.As well as learning from Branson’s successes and teachings, there is equally as much to learn from his failings. He expresses this himself: â€Å"You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over.† Branson’s book â€Å"Business stripped bare† even has a whole chapter called â€Å"Damage Report†. One anecdote goes as follows: â€Å"I was nineteen years old and driving a shipment of records to Belgium when I stumbled on the fact that records  bought in Great Britain that were intended for export were not subject to purchase tax. So I bought the records I needed, pretended they were export, and then sold them to British customers. The whole ploy involved driving four Transit vans loaded with records to Dover, taking them to France, then returning on the next ferry with the records still on board. It not only was illegal, it was really pretty stupid. In May 1969, I was caught red handed by HM Custom and Excise†¦ But I learned a very important lesson: never do anything that means you can’t sleep at night.† This is a huge piece of advice and something we can learn from and hopefully avoid from encountering ourselves. It cost Richard  £60,000 and took almost 3 years for him to patch up such a loss. Illegal doings can almost certainly cost a business its existence and shouldn’t even be thought about. Conclusion Michael Walenius (2010) concludes in his analyses of Branson’s leadership that â€Å"Sir Richard has got a very high degree of consideration and participation in what he does, but at the same time he is very involved in the structure setting at the start of a new business. He is definitively a relationship-oriented leader who is good at aligning people and giving them emotional support and encouragement. He seems to fall into the segment of being a participative and consultative leader. His very strong charisma seems to make anyone listen and follow him.† I find it extremely difficult to disagree with this evaluation. Branson is an iconic leader who prioritises his employees and their well-being. He follows his belief that a happy employee will work harder, create a happier and better working environment, infect customers with their pleasantness, resulting with a happy and loyal customer who then by word of mouth praise the business leading to increased revenue. He is extremely insightful with his advice on presentations, assessing business opportunities and acknowledging and learning from your mistakes. With an estimated wealth of  £4.3 billion, 400+ companies under his name including the 7th biggest airline in the U.K., the first commercial space travel business and most importantly a well-respected name that’s held in high regard in the public eye Branson truly is the business leader who I most admire and most envy. References: Books: Wagner, J.A. and Hollenback, J.R. (2009) Organizational Behaviour: Securing Competitive Advantage, Michigan: Taylor and Francis Richard Branson (2009) Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur. London. Virgin Books.Branson, Richard (29 March 2007). Screw It, Let’s Do It. London. Virgin Books Websites: Clark, D. (2010) ‘Leadership Styles’ [online] (Cited 3 February 2012) Available from Kets De Vries (1998) Charisma in Action: (online) (cited 2 December 2012) Available from < http://molar.crb.ucp.pt/cursos/2%C2%BA%20Ciclo%20-%20Mestrados/Gest%C3%A3o/2007-09/DGRH/Papers/Charisma%20in%20action%20PPP.pdf> Richard Branson (2012) Richard Branson on How to Delegate Control of Your Finances (online) (cited on 2 December 2012) Available from < http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/224879> Carmine Gallo (2011) Richard Branson: The One Skill Leaders Need to Learn (online) (cited 2 December) Available from < http://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2011/06/29/richard-branson-the-one-skill-leaders-need-to-learn/> Michael Walenius (2010) The leadership style of Sir Richard Branson (online) (cited 2 December) Available from < http://michael.walenius.com/?p=141>