Italian Soccer Teams Have Colorful Nicknames

If there are three things you can count on Italians to be passionate about it would be: their food, their family and their soccer (calcio). The pride of Italian’s for their favorite team  knows no bounds. You can find fans (tifosi) fearlessly cheering in all kinds of weather, against all kinds of rivals, and with a dedication that endures generations. Part of the fun of learning about soccer in Italy is also learning about the nicknames of the teams. But first, its important to understand how soccer works in Italy. Soccer is broken down into various clubs, or â€Å"serie.† The best is â€Å"Serie A† followed by â€Å"Serie B† and â€Å"Serie C† etc. Teams in each â€Å"serie† compete against each other. The best team in â€Å"Serie A† is regarded as the best team in italy. The competition in Serie A is fierce and if a team doesn’t win or do well in a season, they can be demoted to a lower â€Å"serie† much to the shame and disappointment of their adoring fans. Now that you understand the basics of how Italian teams are ranked, it is easier to understand their nicknames. Italian Soccer Team Nicknames Some of these nicknames seem random but they all have a story. For example, one of my favorites is the Mussi Volanti (Flying Donkeys—Chievo). They were given this nickname by their rival team, Verona, because the odds of Chievo entering the Serie A league was so slim (like the English expression to express unlikely odds, â€Å"When pigs fly!† In Italian, it’s â€Å"When donkey’s fly!†).    I Diavoli (The Devils—(Milan), are called as such because of their red and black jerseys. I Felsinei (Bologna—is based on the ancient city name, Felsina), and I Lagunari (Venezia— comes from the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo that sits adjacent to the lagoon). Many teams, in fact, have multiple nicknames. For instance, the illustrious Juventus team (a longstanding member and winner of Serie A) is also known as La Vecchia Signora (The Old Lady), La Fidanzata dItalia (The Girlfriend of Italy), Le Zebre (The Zebras), and [La] Signora Omicidi ([The] Lady Killer). The Old lady is a joke because Juventus means young, and lady was added by rivals who were essentially poking fun of the team. It got it’s â€Å"girlfriend of Italy† nickname due to a large amount of southern Italians who, lacking their own Serie A team, became attached to Juventus, the third oldest (and most winning) team in Italy. Besides these less obvious nicknames, one other colorful tradition, is to refer to the teams by the color of their soccer jerseys (le maglie calcio). The terms are frequently seen in print (Palermo, 100 Anni di Rosanero), as part of fan club names (Linea GialloRossa), and in official publications. Even the Italian national soccer team is known as Gli Azzurri because of their blue jerseys. Below is a list of the nicknames associated with the 2015 Serie A Italian soccer teams when referring to their jersey colors: AC Milan: RossoneriAtalanta: NerazzurriCagliari: RossobluCesena: Cavallucci MariniChievo Verona: GiallobluEmpoli: AzzurriFiorentina: ViolaGenoa: RossobluHellas Verona: GiallobluInternazionale: NerazzurriJuventus: BianconeriLazio: BiancocelestiNapoli: AzzurriPalermo: RosaneroParma: GiallobluRoma: GiallorossiSampdoria: BlucerchiatiSassuolo: NeroverdiTorino: il Toro, i GranataUdinese: Bianconeri

Philosophical Outlook in Rene Descartes Essay, Through...

Through The Mediations, Rene Descartes invites us along his path of thoughts as he develops his philosophical outlook on life. From the start, Descartes ponders the certainty of any knowledge he holds, as well as the soundness of its source. He questions his knowledge of anything and everything, even deeply questioning if he truly exists at all. The 17th century philosopher sought to distinguish how he knows what he does; ultimately challenging whether it is the senses or the mind that serves as the more desirable source of knowledge. Descartes believed that in order to truly make this discovery he would need to start from what he believed to be the foundation of things, removing all knowledge he believed to know up until this point and challenging the idea that it is our senses that justify the knowledge we hold. Ultimately through various arguments Descartes’s deemed the senses to be the more unreliable source for one to use to obtain knowledge of their surroundings and life in general. During the First Mediation, Descartes introduces the concept of dreaming to help test the certainty of his knowledge. He brings up the argument that while dreaming he is often led to believe that he is awake and a real life experience is occurring. He brings up one of his dreams in which he is sitting in his room viewing a fire and feeling its warmth. Descartes questions the reliability of his senses if it seems as though he is seeing, hearing and feeling when he is not actually awake.Show MoreRelatedJohn Locke And Rene Descartes1442 Words   |  6 Pagesaddress critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs with underlying theories of their own. John Locke and Rene Descartes were both classified as modern philosophers in the seventeenth century who sums up the subject about personal identity and its determents in reference to our own existence, such as who are we? The personal identity theory states that the philosophical confrontation with the ultimate ques tions of our own existence, such as who are we, and is there life after death? ThisRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pages250 Examples of Employee Involvement Programs 251 †¢ Linking Employee Involvement Programs and Motivation Theories 252 Using Rewards to Motivate Employees 252 What to Pay: Establishing a Pay Structure 252 †¢ How to Pay: Rewarding Individual Employees Through Variable-Pay Programs 253 †¢ Flexible xii CONTENTS Benefits: Developing a Benefits Package 257 †¢ Intrinsic Rewards: Employee Recognition Programs 259 Summary and Implications for Managers 261 S A L Self-Assessment Library What’s

Integration Across A Range Of Learning Areas Education Essay Free Essays

The universe around us is non compartmentalised or fragmented, nor are experiences and activities wholly independent of each other. This mixture and blend of experiences are all inter-related and do up the tapestry of life. On a similar note, the taught course of study should reflect this integrating to more efficaciously prosecute immature scholars in an educational procedure which consists of mostly complimentary countries of acquisition. We will write a custom essay sample on Integration Across A Range Of Learning Areas Education Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now Integrated acquisition is far from a new construct but until late mathematics has struggled to incorporate successfully with other topics. Whilst there is no remarkable educational theoretical account that can be adhered to, the premiss remains ; that of taking several topics and incorporating them with one another with the purpose of larning going enhanced exponentially across all involved capable countries. Mathematicss has such a wide range of application it is wholly appropriate that it should be integrated prolifically across a scope of capable countries. Integration works more efficaciously when there is a clear point of focal point for curricular countries to aim. This synergism of capable countries with a specific end can so complement each other in a much more valuable mode. Advantages of integrating include: Can profit students in apprehension and appreciating links between capable subjects, and a better apprehension of how this relates to life. It can relieve planning force per unit area on instructors. Curricular thoughts are connected. Boundaries sometimes related to learning a specific subject can be eschewed. It can supply a valuable tool for support. More significance and relevancy can be taken from the larning experience. Some disadvantages include: Additional planning of plans is required in order for different topics to be coordinated and to run at the same time. This besides means that a close respect to context and clip is indispensable if the integrating plan is to be effectual. If this is non considered so the consequence can really go damaging. The pureness of some capable countries ( including the existent range of the subject ) can go baffled or lost if attending is non paid. More expertness is required on behalf of the instructors in order to maximize acquisition by effectual integrating. ( Maude, 2001 ) The usage of oppugning in a constructivist environment. ‘In order to protect students ‘ self-pride and develop assurance, it is of import that oppugning takes topographic point in an encouraging and supportive ambiance ‘ ( Kyriacou, 1986 ) . Constructivism is a theory about how people learn based on scientific survey and observation. It states that through a procedure of experience and contemplation we develop ( or concept ) our ain apprehension of the universe. New experiences are reconciled with old thoughts and apprehension, sometimes changing old beliefs and sometimes going disregarded as irrelevant compared to these old beliefs. Questioning is of import when following a constructivist attack to instruction. Through pertinent oppugning pedagogues can help pupils in the building of their cognition instead than reproducing lists of facts for memorization. Questioning students is an of import tool in helping enquiry based acquisition activities and job resolution. Constructivist instruction should animate the pupils ‘ natural wonder and desire to larn how things work. Learners should be engaged by using their existing theories and experience and finally organizing valid decisions based on their findings. ( Brooks A ; Brooks, 1993 ) The usage of drama in a rich environment. The physical environment holds great power for learning possible. The environment can impact mathematical acquisition and instructors should take great attention to see how their schoolroom infinite can be arranged in order to advance kids ‘s mathematical acquisition experience. ( Carol A ; Galper, 2001 ) The mathematically rich larning environment can be farther enhanced with drama, supplying puils the chance to see and prosecute with mathematics whilst seeing grownups apply these techniques in real-world scenarios. Supplying a mathematically rich larning infinite can better the students mathematical accomplishments by rote. ‘In adult-guided schoolrooms, instructors provide scaffolding by introducingaˆÂ ¦ stuffs in the drama Centres and discoursing with kids how to utilize materialsaˆÂ ¦ The pupils in those schoolrooms, in bend used more printed stuffs with attending to their printed facets and produced more printed stuffs than pupils in schoolrooms with no specific instructor counsel ‘ ( Gunn, Simmons A ; Kameenui, 1995 ) . The ongoing nature of appraisal and planning for learning. The procedure of designation, reading and turn toing the acquisition of pupils is the kernel of appraisal. The intent of appraisal is chiefly to supply information on the advancement and ongoing accomplishment of scholars in order to set up a way for future educational scheduling. It is important to describe this appraisal in order to inform and back up farther instruction via the proviso of of import feedback to the students themselves, their other instructors and their parents. Appraisal in the schoolroom is a cardinal component of developing larning schemes. In a competitory universe which is rapidly altering it is of import to develop citizens who are competent and capable of independent and flexible idea. It is besides of import that these citizens can believe for themselves. Certain appraisal schemes are more suitable to peculiar course of study results than others and it is of import for instructors to develop relevant schemes which are appropriate to the topic or method which they are using. ( Black A ; Wiliam, A 1998 ) Mathematical content cognition. It is of import for instructors to develop a sound apprehension of their topic. When learning mathematics it is important for instructors to non merely develop an apprehension of of import mathematic constructs but they should besides be able to explicitly appreciate the connexions on a cardinal degree between what they are learning and what they are larning. Teachers of maths should hold a deep apprehension of processs, constructs and concluding accomplishments that are appropriate and cardinal to the nature of the elements they are learning. It is indispensable that maths instructors know how to link and stand for mathematical thoughts whilst efficaciously pass oning them in an appropriate mode. Students should hold assurance in the pedagogue ‘s apprehension of the topic and conversely larn to appreciate the diverseness, power and public-service corporation of the topic. The instructor should be able to convey these thoughts efficaciously and understand pupil believing in footings of inquiring, scheme, misconceptions, etc. whilst turn toing these issues in such a mode that it supports and promotes pupil acquisition. ( Kilpatrick, et al. , 2001 ) The usage of relevant course of study paperss. The usage of hands-on resources and manipulative ‘s. Developmental spheres, temperaments and larning manners. ‘It is really of import to gain that within any mathematics set at that place will still be marked differences in the mathematical attainment of students. It is indispensable that the instruction takes history of these differences and is antiphonal to the demands of single students. It should non be assumed that the same instruction attack will be needfully suited to all in the group ‘ ( Cockcroft, 1982 ) _REFERENCE How to cite Integration Across A Range Of Learning Areas Education Essay, Essay examples

Australian Financial Accounting Standards Board

Question: Discuss about the Australian Financial Accounting Standards Board. Answer: Introduction: Regulatory environment for financial reporting AASB has identified certain specific financial instruments in the public sector that includes the special drawing rights, currency in circulation and monetary gold. The International Financial Reporting standards has off late declared the consultation paper that has sought feedback regarding the viewpoints of individuals on accounting for the three different public sector instruments in the public sector (Aasb.gov.au., 2016) Changes and development AASB has also introduced different international public accounting guidelines that can be utilized by different public sector business units in Australia. The particular guidelines can help in the process of evaluation of the financial instruments. In addition to this, the AASB has also declared different comments and suggestions that might perhaps help in the process of improvement of the effective system of accounting to uphold different financial instruments of the public sector (Aasb.gov.au., 2016). Changes in the standards International: Australia and Korea together help in the enhancement of the consistency of global accounting AASB along with the Korean Accounting Board is assuming sufficient initiative to support and identify different challenges in the IFRS standards. Again, the process of identification of the challenges by the board members of the AASB can help in reduction of the gaps as well as unethical measures that are carried out by different firms. However, the Korean Accounting Standard Board essentially declared the utilization of different accounting treatments that might perhaps assist in carrying out comparison between the financial declarations of the Korea and the Australia (Aasb.gov.au., 2016). The unified system thereby can help in the process of reduction of the gaps that in turn can diminish the process of tax collection of corporations. Again, the chair of the IASB committee declared that the research file on the KASB and AASB primarily assists in process of decoding the entire system of the IFRS in diverse languages. The research also sheds light on significance of the simple langua ge in the process of setting the standards (Aasb.gov.au., 2016). However, the present research has global applications and not just for the IFRS in Korea as well as Australia. The process also involves different recommendations for the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) that refers to the reduction of the total number of diverse terms of likelihood and development of guidance for clarification of meaning. Therefore, the accounting system can also be used in upholding the corporations in preparing appropriate financial declarations. Modifications in AASB 2 as on 21/07/2016 The present modifications to the AASB primarily declare the alterations that might perhaps assist in diverse share based payments (Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) - Home., 2016). Again, the issue of the AASB 2016-5 declares diverse types of measures that the corporation might possibly use for the share-based compensation. However, the amendments to the AASB 2 also mentioned the different vesting and non-vesting conditions for the shares that can be settled in the form of cash (Aasb.gov.au., 2016). The classification of the share based payments for the new settlement, alteration from cash settled to equity settled. The amendments on the AASB 2 will be applicable from the period as on 1st January 2018. References Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) - Home. (2016). Aasb.gov.au. Retrieved 24 August 2016, from https://www.aasb.gov.au/ Aasb.gov.au. (2016).Aasb.gov.au. Retrieved 23 August 2016, from https://www.aasb.gov.au/News/Amendments-to-AASB-2?newsID=193505 Aasb.gov.au.. (2016). Aasb.gov.au. Retrieved 24 August 2016, from https://www.aasb.gov.au/News/Australia-and-Korea-take-lead-role-in-improving-consistency-of-global-accounting?newsID=193507 Aasb.gov.au. (2016). Aasb.gov.au. Retrieved 24 August 2016, from https://www.aasb.gov.au/News/Public-sector-specific-financial-instruments?newsID=193506

How to Meet New People free essay sample

Meeting new people can be a complicated procedure. The reason many people find it difficult to meet total strangers is because not one single person is the same. Many people find it easy to start up a conversation with total strangers while others have a fear of rejection. Some people are outgoing, some shy, some talkative, while some cannot even talk to themselves. Meeting new people can be difficult because there re so many different types of people and many places in which to find these different people.Such places include malls, new schools, and churches, among many others. I am here to give you the basic fundamentals you will need to know in order to meet new people. First and foremost, you must have confidence in yourself. Pick a day that is good for you. In picking your day you should set aside time to meet and talk to new people for as long as it might take you. We will write a custom essay sample on How to Meet New People or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page When meeting a new person, you do not want to SSH the process; you want to be able to have an adequate conversation.You also need to have confidence. Confidence is the key ingredient to having a successful first meeting with a new person, but you should not be too confident to the point of cockiness. Cockiness is not an attractive trait to have and definitely not something that a new person would appreciate. A key to boosting your confidence level might be dressing in an outfit for which you have received uplifting comments. We all have one!

How people make economic decisions

How people make economic decisions Basically, there are four principles to individual decision making. The first principle is that of scarcity. Economic decisions are characterized by tradeoffs. Individuals face tradeoffs when they have to decide to have one thing in place of another because resources are scarce.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on How people make economic decisions specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The second principle is that of opportunity cost. Opportunity cost simply means the cost of what must be given up in order to get what you want (Frank, Bernanke Kaufman, 2007). Making economic decisions involves evaluating and comparing the cost and benefits of alternatives for the chosen course of action. The third principle is rationality. Rationality means that, every economic decision made must be evaluated on the basis of its marginal benefits over its associated marginal costs (Hubbard O’Brien, 2010). This principle recognizes th at, even very small (marginal) adjustments to a decision can bring about very great changes eventually. It is assumed that rational people will always go for that alternative that yields the highest marginal benefits. Fourth and final, is incentives. This principle means that, economic decisions must have incentives to make them convincing. A perfect example is probably the study time of at least an hour a day I have put forth to be doing my own private studies on this particular subject. In making this decision, I considered two things; time and the relevance of a better grade to my future career. In this case, the one hour a day is the marginal cost and better grade is the marginal benefit. I would have however opted for a different decision, should the grade I scored on this subject never mattered a great deal to my final grade and future career. Principles of economics basically work two ways; on one hand are producers and on the other hand the consumers. As relates producers, e conomics tries to answer these three questions; what to produce, how to produce it and how much, and for whom.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As relates consumers, economics tries to answer these three questions; what to consume, how much of it, and from whom. Producers must compare the marginal benefits against the marginal costs to decide what to produce. Consumers on the other hand must evaluate the value they get against what they chose to give it up for be it money or other resources. It is therefore the interaction on one hand the producers and on the other hand consumers that determines how the economy works to achieve equilibrium. It basically is the application of economic principles on one hand by consumers and on the other producers that the forces of demand and supply are founded and hence a market economy. The main attributes of a market economy is th at buyers and sellers are the main participants in the market and that there is no outside interference by the government. In a centrally planned economy, a central agency such as the government is involved in planning and making major economic decisions. A mixed economy is where there is a mix of buyers and sellers allowed to make some decisions as well as the government (Mankiw, 2008). The type of economic system in place to larger extent affects the economic interactions. In purely market system, the forces of supply and demand fully define economic interactions. The planned economy on the other hand, supply and demand forces play a very minimal role in market interactions as it is the government or central agency that determines the questions of what, how, and by whom. In a mixed economy, supply and demand forces play a significant role but the central agency comes in to correct the imperfections brought about for instance by information asymmetry. References Frank, R. H., Berna nke, B. and Kaufman, R. T. (2007. )Principles of economics, 3rd ed., New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin Hubbard, R. O’Brien, A. (2010). Economics (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Hall. Mankiw, N. G. (2008). Principles of economics, 5th ed., New York: Cengage LearningAdvertising We will write a custom essay sample on How people make economic decisions specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More

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

MicroEconomics - Essay Example This type of monopoly emerges due to natural advantages like abundant mineral resources, good location and so on. For instance, Gulf nations have monopoly in the exploration of crude oil as a result of plenty of natural oil resources (Mankiw & Taylor, 2006).   It also occurs when it is financially impractical or impossible for many companies to engage in a business, for example, when it requires large investments of capital that other companies cannot raise (Tucker, 2011). This occurs when the government passes laws and regulations that reserve a particular trade, services or goods for government agencies (McKenzie & Lee, 2006). For instance, many governments are in charge of running water. Occurs when multiple businesses or firms combine or amalgamate, for example, a combination between competitors like Burger firm and Pizza firm leads to join monopoly thus reducing competition (Tucker, 2011). Monopolies exist so as to dominate the market place by controlling the pricing of a specific product. This is due to lack of economic competition because such a firm controls a significant volume of the market. It also exists due to high overhead cost which discourages other firms (Tucker, 2011). For instance, it requires a high overhead cost to construct power lines from scratch and acquire necessary equipment to generate power, making power company a monopoly. c) Intellectual property protection- extension of patents and copyrights to businesses by the government give them the right of being the sole provider of that new product thus creating a temporary monopoly (Mankiw & Taylor,

Business Ethic and Corporate Social Responsibility Essay

Business Ethic and Corporate Social Responsibility - Essay Example Oil is a major contributor to greenhouse gases which results in climate change. The company is on a drive to become more socially responsible by not only reducing its carbon footprints but by improving the safety of its work environment and is employees. In so doing it seeks to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities as well as the number of oil spills, blowouts and flarings at its operations globally. Shell has faced a lot of criticisms from the communities in which it operates and non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) that are concerned about the companies safety practices, the environment and human rights. The company is currently working with communities, its partners and NGO’s in order to deal with potential impacts and also to share the benefits that derive from operations and projects. Shell’s Display of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) According to the company’s CEO Vosser (2010, qtd. in Shell 2010), strong principles as well as the development of trust are fundamental to shells approach and the respect for human rights is deeply entrenched in the company’s General Business Principles which it proudly boasts as having being developed since 1976. Vosser (2010, qtd in Shell 2010) also reveals that the company has adopted transparency as a way of dealing with some of its problems at its operations in Nigeria which has been plagued by operational spills, spills arising from sabotage and spills arising from the theft of fuel. This allows it to keep track of spills in order to determine the main cause. With respect to safety, the company has signed up with the UN Global Compact LEAD which seeks to reinforce commitment by businesses to the principles of Global Compact. Shell has been a member of this group since 2000. The company’s safety measures has been heightened as a result of the BP Deepwater Ho rizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico which dominated the news all over the world in 2010 and the oil spill that resulted. Shell believes that it has the necessary skills and technical expertise to avert such a situation in its operations based on its stringent operating standards which it applies globally. This is a demonstration of its ability to operate in a socially responsible manner despite the diversity of challenges the company faces. Shell’s goal is zero fatality and zero accidents (Shell 2010). In terms of safety in its deepwater operations the company ensures that the persons employed in this area of its operations are properly trained and are competent to handle the requirements of the job. Shell’s focus on the environment lies in some key areas, including CO2, flaring, spills, and the company’s use of water. The company has invested in technology that will lead to more energy efficient refineries and chemical plants. To this end the company has devel oped carbon capture and storage technology to effectively reduce carbon emissions. The company is working assiduously to reduce gas flarings in Nigeria; one of its locations in which it seeks to tackle environmental problems head on. In order to assist in the improvement of standards and practices that may lead to environmental sustainability the company is working with some leading environmental organisations in the quest to adhere to proper environmental management of the energy sector. In addition to providing jobs and training for its employees, Shell also shares the benefits of its operations with the communities in which it operates by providing contracts for goods and services and by

Curriculum Goals, Objectives, and Products Essay

Curriculum Goals, Objectives, and Products - Essay Example Curriculum goal is defined as an end or purpose that is stated through general terms where the achievement criterion is not used. When curriculum goals are used in a given system or school, they become the aims of education. On the other hand, curriculum objective illustrate an end or purpose that is stated in measurable and specific terms. Thus, curriculum goals are used to derive the curriculum objectives. The locus of curriculum objectives and goals is that they are written at school-district, state and individual level with expectations that jurisdiction has to be adhered to in a respective level. Nevertheless, any curriculum objective and goal, which is developed in a given level has to cut across several disciplines. The development of the curriculum goals and objectives has to focus on states of today with a bias on departmental development while reflecting on change in modern society. Educational aims and developers’ philosophy are used to establish curriculum goals an d objectives in individual, district and state based schools. Thus, the entire process and product of curriculum materials establishment is

Comparison of Goldman Sachs and Close Brothers Annual Report

Comparison of Goldman Sachs and Close Brothers Annual Report International Financial Accounting – Comparison of the Annual Reports 2005 of Goldman Sachs and Close Brothers Description of activities and source and type of revenues Goldman Sachs has three main types of activities Investment banking. This covers services like merger and acquisition advice, helping clients raise debt. Trading and principal investments. This covers trading and investing in fixed income and equity products, currencies and commodities. This is the largest division in terms of net revenues and generated 66% of net revenues in 2005. Asset management and security services. This division provides advisory and financial planning services including brokerage and advisory services to wide range of clients like pension fund and hedge funds. Table 1 shows the net income of the above three divisions in 2005. Table 1 – Goldman Sachs: Net income in the year ended November 2005[1] Division Net revenues, $ billion Revenue as % of total Investment banking 3.67 15% Trading and principal investments 16.36 66% Asset management and security services 4.75 19% Total 24.78 100% Close Brothers provides following main activities Investment banking. Close Brothers has three main divisions under investment banking: Asset management. This division manages assets of private clients, trust funds and offshore funds. Corporate finance provides merger and acquisition, financial restructuring and debt advisory services to corporate clients. Market-making division specialises in providing liquidity to the London retail market-making markets in UK and many international shares. Banking division normal banking services like deposits and foreign exchange facilities to personal and professional clients. Table 2 shows the distribution of operating income, as a measure of revenues, of different divisions Table 2 – Close Brothers: Operating income in the year ended 31 July 2005[2] Division Operating income as % of total Asset management 21% Corporate Finance 7% Market-making 24% Investment banking 52% Banking 48% Total 100% Profitability of the two companies from the company and shareholders perspectives The table 3 shows the profitability of Goldman Sachs in the years ended November 2004 and 2005 Table 3 – Goldman Sachs: Profitability[3] 2005 2004 % change Net revenues, $ billion 24.78 20.55 20.6% Pre-tax earnings, $ billion 8.27 6.68 23.8% % of revenues 33.4% 32.5% Net earnings, $ billion 5.63 4.55 23.7% % of revenues 22.7% 22.1% Diluted earnings per common share, $ 11.21 8.92 25.7% Return on average common shareholders equity 21.80% 19.80% 10.1% Goldman Sachs increased its net revenues by 20.6 % in 2005 whereas pre-tax earnings increased by 23.8 % in the corresponding period. This shows that the company achieved not only higher profits in 2005 but also increased the profitability by limiting growth in expenses. This is supported by the fact that pre-tax earnings as a percent of net revenues were 33.4 % in 2005 compared to 32.5 % in 2004. Net earnings also increased by 23.7 % in the year 2005 in line with growth in pre-tax earnings. The higher growth in net earnings compared to net revenues shows that higher sales were not achieved at the expense of lower margins. Profitability for shareholders is measured in terms of diluted earnings per share. The growth in diluted earnings per share was 25.7 % in 2005. This was even higher than the growth in net-earnings. Shareholders’ profitability is also measured in terms of return on shareholders equity which is net earnings divided by the shareholders equity. This increased by 10% from 19.8 % in 2004 to 21.8 % in 2005. Higher return indicates Goldman Sachs is using equity to earn higher profits. The table 4 shows the profitability of Close Brothers for the years ended July 2004 and 2005 Table 4 – Close Brothers: Profitability[4] 2005 2004 % change Operating income,  £ m 448 401.2 11.7% Pre-tax profit,  £ m 108.62 101.34 7.2% % of operating income 24.2% 25.3% Profit after tax,  £ m 70.75 67.42 4.9% % of operating income 15.8% 16.8% Diluted earnings per common share,  £ 0.47 0.45 4.4% Profit attributable to shareholders,  £ m 68.58 65.21 Shareholders equity,  £ m 540.32 509.26 Return on average common shareholders equity 12.69% 12.80% -0.9% Close Brothers increased its operating income by 11.7 % in 2005 whereas pre-tax earnings increased by 7.2 % only in the corresponding period. This shows that the increase in pre-tax profits was countered by a much higher increase in expenses. The operating margin dropped by 1% from 25.3 % in 2004 to 24.2 % in 2005. Operating margins of Close Brother were about 9 % lower than that of Goldman Sachs indicating that Close Brothers operates in a more competitive environment. Similarly profit after tax as a percent of revenues were 7 % lower in case of Close Brothers – 15.8 % for Close Brothers compared to 22.7 % for Goldman Sachs. The growth in diluted earnings per share was only 4.4 % in 2005. This is much lower than the growth in Goldman Sachs earning per share. The return on common shareholder equity was only 12.70 % in case of Close Brother which means that from shareholders point of view return in Goldman Sachs is higher than Close Brothers. Long-term financial structure of two companies Table 5 shows the financial structure of Goldman Sachs looking at its short and long-term borrowings along with shareholders equity. Table 5 – Financial structure of Goldman Sachs[5] 2005 2004 $ billion % $ billion % Short term borrowings 55.22 36% 54.96 41% Long term borrowings Secured 15.67 10% 12.09 9% Unsecured 84.34 54% 68.61 51% 100.01 64% 80.7 59% Total borrowings 155.23 100% 135.66 100% Cash and cash equivalent 10.26 4.36 Net debt 144.97 131.30 Shareholders equity 28.00 25.08 Long term debt to equity 78% 76% Net debt / (net debt + equity) 84% 84% The % of long-term borrowings has increased from 59 % to 64 % in the year 2005. This has mainly come from the increase in unsecured long-term borrowings. The company is highly geared and its net debt to total capital ratio is 84 %. As of November 2005, 84 % of Goldman Sachs was financed through net debt, i.e., out of every $1 of its capital, 84 cents came from debt. The table 6 shows the financial structure of Close Brothers. Table 6 – Financial Structure of Close Brothers[6] 2005 2004  £ m %  £ m % Short term borrowings 132.22 15% 287.36 40% Long term borrowings 729.28 85% 434.00 60% Total borrowings 861.5 100% 721.36 100% Cash and cash equivalent 1.25 0.85 Net debt 860.25 720.51 Shareholders equity 540.32 509.26 Long term debt to equity 57% 46% Net debt / (net debt + equity) 61% 59% Company’s long-term borrowings have increased significantly from 60 % to 85 % in the year 2005. Close Brothers gearing are more on long-term borrowings as compared to Goldman Sachs. The net debt to total capital ratio is 61 % which means that Close Brothers is less geared compared to Goldman Sachs. Because of higher equity percent in Close Brothers, the long-term debt to equity ratio of Close Brothers is only 57 % in 2005 as compared to 78 % of Goldman Sachs. Analysis of difference in cash flow from profit Cash flows differ from profits because of the following major items: Inclusion of non-cash items like depreciation and amortisation in net profits Cash inflow and outflow in purchase and sale of property and businesses. In case of purchase, no impact is on profit and loss. In case of a sale, only profit or loss over the cost price is included in the profits and not the full amount of sale. Cash inflow or outflow from the financing activities like raising or retiring loan, issue of equity. This impacts cash flow but is not included in the profit and loss statement. We now look at the above sources of difference for both Goldman Sachs and Close Brothers. Table 7 shows the cash flow calculation from net profits of Goldman Sachs for the year 2005. Table 7 – Comparison of cash flow and profits of Goldman Sachs[7] $ bln Net profits 5.63 Cash flow Net profits 5.63 Non-cash items in net earnings 2.16 Cash used in assets and liabilities -20.203 Cash used in operating activities -12.413 Cash from investing activities -1.06 Cash from financing activities 19.37 Change in cash 5.90 Goldman used $12.4 billion of cash in operating activities in 2005 and this includes $20.20 billion of cash used in assets and liabilities. Operating activities also include $2.16 billion of non-cash items like depreciation and amortisation, deferred income tax and stock options. Another $ 1 billion of cash was used in purchase of businesses, property and leases. The cash outflow from operating activities was compensated by cash inflow from financing of $19.37 billion. This was mainly made up of cash inflow of $43 billion from long-term borrowings. Table 8 shows the cash flow calculation of Close Brothers for the year 2005. Table 8 – Comparison of cash flow and profits of Close Brothers for the year ended 31 July 2005[8]  £ m Profit after tax 70.75 Cash flow Cash flow from operating 521.52 Tax -37.82 Net cash flow from operating activities 483.70 Cash from investing activities -171.23 Cash from financing activities -67.98 Change in cash 244.49 While the profit after tax was only  £70.75 million, cash increased by  £244.49 million in the year 2005. This was mainly due to net cash inflow from operating activities of  £483 million. The differences in the sources of cash generation arise between Goldman Sachs and Close Brothers arise from the way they include cash items under different categories. Close Brother was able to show high cash inflow from operating activities because of classification of reduction in loan advances of  £190 million and loan notes issuance of  £260 million under trading activities. If we take out the above two ash inflows form operating activities, then net cash inflow from operating activities would be only  £33.7 million (483.7 – 190 – 260). Also then the cash flow form financing activities would change from - £68 million to  £382 million. Examples of accounting transactions subject to different GAAP Goodwill amortisation and impairment. Goldman Sachs is listed at New York Stock Exchange and subject to US GAAP. Under US accounting SFAS No. 142 â€Å"Goodwill and Other Intangible Asset†, Goldman Sachs tests goodwill each year for impairment[9]. It amortises intangible assets over the useful life which was on average 16 years in 2005[10]. Close Brothers follows Financial Reporting Standard No. 10 and amortised the goodwill over 20 years[11]. Where Goldman Sachs has an option to choose the useful life, companies in UK normally follow the option of 20 years. The change in amortisation years results in difference in profits even though this is a non-cash item. Share based compensation. Goldman Sachs followed US accounting principles SFAS 123 and SFAS 148 under which the compensation expense is recognised over the relevant service period[12]. Close Brother didn’t expense the share based compensation in the year 2005 and expects that future alignment with International Financial Reporting Standards on expensing of share based award will reduce profits by  £ 4 million[13]. Summary of non-numeric information in the annual report and importance to the shareholders Summary of information for Goldman Sachs Investment banking backlog increased in 2005 over 2004[14]. This means that the company was expecting more business to materialise in fees in 2005 and also shows the healthy environment in financial markets. The company increased its market risk in equities and interest rate products in the second half of 2005 assuming that market conditions will remain favourable[15]. If market conditions turn against Goldman Sachs assumption, the riskier investments would lead to higher losses. The business is very prone to financial market conditions and hence it is difficult to predict future earnings[16]. Investors with good knowledge of financial markets – mainly sophisticated institutional investors – can predict with some reasonability future earnings of a company like Goldman Sachs. It would be difficult for individual investors to do the same and hence they have to rely on credible sources for future earning potential of Goldman Sachs. Summary of information for Close Brothers The business performance is subject to economic conditions in UK[17]. Bad debt charge was low in 2005 due to low interest rate and full employment. Increase in interest rate and low employment would increase bad debt charge and reduce profitability. Reputation risk is the most importance and any public failure can lead to significant reduction in income[18]. Implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards could have a material impact on income because of issues like recognition of share based awards[19]. BIBLIOGRAPHY Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005, http://www2.goldmansachs.com/our_firm/investor_relations/financial_reports/annual_reports/2005/ Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005, http://www.closebrothers.co.uk/uploads/cbg2005full.pdf Footnotes [1] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005 [2] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005 [3] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005 [4] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005 [5] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005 [6] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005 [7] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005 [8] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005 [9] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 74 [10] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 89 [11] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 31 [12] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 73 [13] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 8 [14] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 24 [15] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 25 [16] Goldman Sachs, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 25 [17] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 5 [18] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 6 [19] Close Brothers, Annual Report 2005, Pg. 8

Essay --

Introduction: X-ray tubes are a critical aspect of all x-ray imaging systems and the central site of x-ray production. They are a part of the imaging system that radiologic technologists do not interact with, as it is located in protective housing and out of reach. Despite the tube’s location, it is a radiographer’s responsibility to understand its construction and operation. While not all x-ray tubes are the same, there are critical parts that all tubes must contain in order to create x-rays, such as the cathode an anode. Both the cathode and anode are considered electrodes, or conductors through which electricity enters or exits an object. X-ray tubes contain two electrodes and can be further classified as diodes. Diodes are semiconductor devices with two terminals that allow for the flow of current in only one direction. In the x-ray tube this flow is directed from cathode to anode. The purpose of this paper is to describe the different parts that make up an x-ray tube, both internally & externally, and briefly describe the role that each part of the tube plays in the in the process of x-ray production. Literature Review: X-ray tube structure can be divided into the external components, and internal components. The external components consist of the protective housing, an envelope and insulating oil. The internal components include the negatively charged cathode, and positively charged anode. External components: The components necessary for the production of x-ray are housed in a glass or metal envelope. The envelope’s primary purpose is to provide a vacuum for the x-ray tube, allowing the improved flow of electrons from cathode to anode. The envelope also provides insulation from heat and electricity given off. Dielec... ...production, while the angle of the anode interacts with x-ray photons. An anode’s angle affects both the effective focal spot size as well as the intensity of the x-ray beam that exits the tube. X-ray tubes containing rotating anodes possess an assembly of induction-motor electromagnets known as the stator and rotor, mechanisms necessary to turn the target. The stator is the only section of the cathode that is located outside of the tube envelope. It is made up of electromagnets that surround the neck of the x-ray tube. The rotor is a positively charged hollow copper cylinder attached to the anode by a molybdenum shaft. It is located within the stator and inside of the tube envelope. The rotor rotates at high speeds due to the current that runs through each stator, which induces a magnetic field that surrounds the rotor and interacts with the ferromagnetic copper.

A Response to Kant’s First Analogy of Experience

Leibniz, one of the famous philosophers, once wrote, â€Å"I believe that the consideration of a substance is one of the most important and fruitful points in philosophy. † Kant expressed his agreement for this statement in the way he presented the â€Å"First Analogy of Experience†. In this analogy, he proposed the schema of substance beyond physical appearance. In this part, Kant’s primary objective is to explain the conditions for the applicability of a category to appearances: the schema of substance cannot be determined without considering the relevance between its appearance and criteria for a certain category. Therefore, Descartes’ representation of a ball of wax as a substance as perceived by the mind alone is not sufficient for Kant. In contrast, he believed that the ball of wax, before it should be considered as a substance, must meet certain criteria set by a sensible perception. Thus, the schema of substance defines the fact that all changes occur in some substance. To illustrate it further, there are two instances mention below. In a certain situation which occurs in the workplace, employment process has criteria to come across whether an applicant is qualified or not. Furthermore, the qualification of a person may not be suitable for every job description. It is a proof that one substance’s representation varies and not consistent. Another specific example is the fact that an individual person is more describable if put in comparison or a specific category. X is smarter than Y. However, Y is more engaged in sports than X. There are lots of categories to consider. In every category, it is possible that the capacity of an individual is different from each category. In the present time, Kant’s philosophy towards substance is undoubtedly discernible. It has a great impact in today’s time. In fact, it is more applicable to the modern world than any other conflicting philosophies. The outcome of his belief provides evidence of how strong it is.

Heroism in Roll Of Thunder Hear My Cry Essays

Heroism in Roll Of Thunder Hear My Cry Essays Heroism in Roll Of Thunder Hear My Cry Paper Heroism in Roll Of Thunder Hear My Cry Paper To me a hero/ heroin is not someone who has to be a major star. It just has to be someone who does something brave and extraordinary. It can be something as normal as helping a blind person cross a road, as a selfless act. There are many different definitions or perceptions of a hero. After reading Roll of thunder hear my cry, I think the hero of the book is Stacey. Even though it may seem that he didnt do much in the book, but what he did may have been little, but he was brave and stood up for what he believed. One of the heroic acts that Stacey did was standing up to the white bus driver and children who chased the black kids on the road to their school. Stacey knew that complaining wouldnt work, so he, Cassie, Little Man and Christopher John took revenge on them in their own way by digging a hole on the road and filling it with water. Cassie dug a hole on the side of the road, to make it look like it was washed out, Christopher John and Little Man started scooping out mud from the middle of the road. Stacey and Cassie shovelled ragged holes almost a yard wide and a foot deep, when Stacey and Cassies holes merged into one with Little Mans and Christopher Johns, they covered the hole with water and stacked three rocks to identify the spot. So once the bus rides along the road it will get stuck in the hole and the kids will have to walk home covering them in mud and water. The act of revenge may seem small but at least when the children walk to school they know the bus driver will be more cautious and the image of the white kids clothes dripping with water and mud will be good enough. Stacey used skill and careful thinking to make his plan perfect. Later in the book when Mama whips Stacey in class for having cheat notes, although she didnt know that the notes belonged to TJ and Stacey had only taken them off him because he knew it was wrong. When Stacey goes to look for TJ, he finds out that TJ is in the Wallace store hiding, the Wallace store stood almost half a mile beyond Jefferson Davis, on a triangular lot that faced the Soldiers Bridge crossroads. Stacey found TJ and leaping high like a forest fox, fell upon TJ, knocking him down. The two boys rolled toward the road, each trying to keep the others back pinned against the ground, but then Stacey who was stronger gained the advantage. As all the people watched them fight, nobody noticed a mule wagon halt on the road until it was too late, Mr Morrison came out of the wagon, walked straight up to Stacey and lifted him up. Mr Morrison said that he would not tell Mama, but he would leave it up to Stacey to tell. Even though Stacey knew the trouble he would get into for going to the Wallace store against his parents wishes, he took the risk and told them. What he did showed that TJ was brave and risked the trouble he would get into, to show TJ a lesson. In the book Stacey is twelve years old, which is a manly age, where he has to be more responsible and understanding. Although there isnt much age difference between him and Cassie, Stacey is very understanding and knows more about the racial injustice that they are faced with. He helps Cassie many times to understand why some things are done. Like when Big Ma takes Stacey and Cassie to Strawberry, while in the shop of Mr Barnett Cassie doesnt understand why white people get priority in serving and Black people dont, and when Big Ma forces her to say sorry to Lillean Jean for bumping into her by accident she gets really upset. Stacey tells her that Big Ma only made her apologise because couldnt do anything else and if she wouldnt have said sorry it would have caused a hassle there. From these incidents you can see that Stacey helps Cassie understand the concept of racial discrimination and why. The heroin in this book is Cassie, although she doesnt do many things. One of the acts she did stands out most to me, because what she did was a great achievement for herself and she showed Lillean Jean that she couldnt go around believing she was better than everybody. During the trip to Strawberry, Cassie bumped into Lillean Jean, she apologised, but that wasnt good enough. Lillean wanted her to move off the road, when Cassie refused. Lilleans dad forced her to move of the road and apologise again, Cassie ran and Big Ma made sure she apologised and called Lillean Jean miz. She could not understand why Big Ma had made her apologise. Cassie was intent on getting revenge on Lillean for what she did to her; she waited to think out what she would do. Cassie decided that she would put up an act, by being nice to Lillean Jean and call her Miz, without being forced to. By doing this she gained the trust of Lillean, being her slave throughout the month of January, carrying her books. Lillean bragged about her little coloured friend in front of her friends, but when they were alone she confided her secrets about the boy she had passionately loved for the past year and the things she had done to attract his attention; the secrets of the girls she couldnt stand as well as those she could; and even a tidbit or two about her older brothers romantic adventures. Cassie used this to her advantage by luring Lillean out to the woods, she then dropped the books shed been carried and told Lillean that she was tired of carrying them. They then fought and Cassie was more clever and beat Lillean. She made it clear to Lillean that if she told anyone what had happened she would tell her fancy friends how she keeps a secret and how Cassie a nine year old girl beat her up. This incident shows that Cassie thought out the perfect revenge and kept with it for months. Cassie stood up for her beliefs, which to me shows shes the heroine of this book.

Essay on Education and Equality

Essay on Education and Equality Essay on Education and Equality Essay on Education and EqualityThe video required for this discussion helps to assess the significance of finding the proper solutions to social problems associated with education, inequality and race. According to researchers, â€Å"whether in educational attainment between income groups or racial/ethnic groups or across geographic locations- inequality persists† (Social Inequality and Educational Disadvantage, 2014).   In fact, each of these problems can be defined as a major component of larger social problems. Education can become an effective tool in our efforts to build a more equitable society. Therefore, it is crucial to provide equal educational opportunities to all American citizens, no matter to what race they belong (Korgen Furst, 2012).In the video, Affirmative Action vs. Cultural Diversity, Tom Brokaw asks: How do we remedy the historic mistreatment of deserving black Americans without punishing deserving white Americans today? (Affirmative Action vs. Cultural Diversity, 2014). Educational institutions can be used by the government to solve any problems of racial inequality through the promotion of equal opportunities.   The admission policies provided by the University of Michigan and other educational institutions reflect the success of American race relations, which form the basis for building a more equitable society. It is necessary to use the proper strategies in order to fix one problem without creating another. According to Tummala (2010), equal opportunities in education provide equal opportunities in employment. When affirmative action is authorized, it is however noted that no unqualified candidate be preferred to the required position. There should be competition among those candidates who are properly qualified. However, qualified minorities who are under-represented should be provided more opportunities.   Hence, there is a necessity to provide decent and equal education to ensure affirmative action. Educational inequal ity caused by social class differences and family background can be solved through joined efforts of the government and educational institutions policies.

China accounting standards Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

China accounting standards - Essay Example The accounting standards determine the procedure for preparation of financial statements which produces information like business revenues, expenditure, net income, assets, liabilities and the wealth of the stakeholders. Overview: Chinese Accounting standards China has its own system of accounting standards that is maintained in the land of China. The accounting standards of China are composed basic standards, specific standards and application guidance. There are thirty-eight specific standards that are followed in the Chinese accounting standards. During the socialist period, the government of China was the sole owner of the industry. The accounting standards of China are unique as it developed during the socialist regime and is tailor made to the objectives of the Chinese economy. The Chinese accounting standards are intended to focus less on the information of profit and loss. The accounting standards differ from the western accounting standards in terms of providing guideline on information on inventory of the industries. In comparison to the western accounting standards, the Chinese accounting standards are intended less towards accounting of debt of a corporation (Coulaud,  Schulz and  Debilliers, 2008). ... Moreover, the Chinese economy underwent reforms and achieved rapid progress in industrial development. This created the need of revising the accounting standards of China in order to create a competitive ground with the international accounting standards. In 2006, the government of China passed a new accounting law in joint consultation with the ministry of finance, the international accounting standards committee and the representative from the Chinese economy. With a view towards the emerging scenario of integration of international trade with the Chinese trade, the accounting standards of China adopted several standards recommended by the International accounting standards board. In order to align the information on the business performance of China through financial statements and reports and to allow a platform for comparison of the Chinese business with the top listed companies all over the world, the accounting standards of China adopted several features of the international a ccounting standards. The financial reporting procedure was replaced by the international financial reporting standards. The financial reporting criteria helped to compare the financial statements of the Chinese company with the rest of the world which added a significant feature in the era of globalization (Avery,  Zhu and  Cai, 2009). The alignment of the financial reporting standards adopted by China to the International accounting standards is about 95%. Impacts of changes in Chinese accounting standards The changes in the accounting standards of China for preparation of financial statements and accounts have created major impacts on the ways on financial accounting and generating annual reports of the Chinese companies. His has also paved the path of

Critique of Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Critique of Media - Essay Example She demonstrates how consumers and corporations have more contact than ever and how this has allowed the consumer to make their angry voices heard. In spite of lavish advertising campaigns, big business is finding it more and more difficult to keep issues such as exploitation and environmental damage under wraps. The brand, which for so long has inspired trust and loyalty, is becoming undermined by the increasing ability of the consumer to rebel against its one-size-fits-all approach and exercise self-determination, argues Klein. Klein’s argument bases itself around the idea that companies now produce brands rather than products. They rely on their name, rather than the quality of their goods, to shift stock and make profits. This is not a new concept in media criticism. Companies now regularly invest in brand management as part of their overall advertising budget2. Media channels reflect this through advertising which focuses on selling the name and developing a certain image to accompany the brand. She then goes on to explain that companies exploit both producers and consumers, paying a less than fair wage for good produced in the third world which are then sold in the west for designer prices. The originality in her critique comes when she does not focus on the exploited third-world worker, but rather explores western culture and its suffocation by branding. Everything is branded, she states, and this leaves no space free from advertising and marketing. Schools, youth culture and sexual identity ar e all targets for the brands and this leads to the situation in which we now find ourselves – with no unbranded public spaces left. Klein then moves beyond this, passing from media critic, to her secondary role as activist. In order to get away from the branding machine, she suggests ‘culture jamming.’ This subversion of advertising allows the consumer to take back control and free themselves from marketing’s

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

Poadcast - Essay Example Smith indicates that his organization is currently working in Honduras and has established a number of sustainable treatment facilities to aid the people in receiving drinking water. Smith indicates that the project originally began as an idea between himself and a Cornell professor. The technology itself is a community scale drinking water treatment plant. The plant, developed through community input, functions to provide clean water for a variety of functions, such as cleaning, drinking, and bathing. The cleansing process starts with coagulation, sedimentation, and disinfection through chlorine. The materials used in the process are all available locally. Smith notes that the program has been working in Honduras since 2006. He believes that technology will have continued potential, as long as the implementation of the project pays enough attention to the educational and operational costs. Indeed, he recognizes that a primary consideration is that the individual community members ar e educated about the technology. In terms of costs Smith notes that the costs are contingent with the size of the operation. For a small-scale community it costs $50,000, for a larger scale community it costs $150,000. In terms of future goals, the team notes that they hope to expand to future regions. Specifically, Nicaragua and El Salvador are areas that are going to be targeted next. One of the most pervasive considerations is the geographical terrain. Additionally, cultural institutions are an important input element, as the team must work directly with government or community leaders as a means of instituting these programs. Although the Aqua Clara project has seemingly achieved a mode of success, there seems to be a number of issues that must be more thoroughly considered. Perhaps most centrally is the organization’s approach to the social and political spectrum. One considers that the organization has

Advantages of television Essay Example for Free

Advantages of television Essay Television is as much a part of everyday life as eating and drinking. It is in fact a very natural part of daily life. 94 percent of European households own a television and make TV viewing an integral part of their day (*). Whether it is together with friends and family, in between and parallel to other activities (while cooking, while ironing etc. ) or as part of a moment alone while relaxing, TV plays a central role in most people’s lives. As such TV advertising is a powerful communication tool and as much a part of television viewing, as the programmes themselves. Television is as much a part of everyday life as eating and drinking. It is in fact a very natural part of daily life. 94 percent of European households own a television and make TV viewing an integral part of their day (*). Whether it is together with friends and family, in between and parallel to other activities (while cooking, while ironing etc. ) or as part of a moment alone while relaxing, TV plays a central role in most people’s lives. As such TV advertising is a powerful communication tool and as much a part of television viewing, as the programmes themselves. Television is as much a part of everyday life as eating and drinking. It is in fact a very natural part of daily life. 94 percent of European households own a television and make TV viewing an integral part of their day (*). Whether it is together with friends and family, in between and parallel to other activities (while cooking, while ironing etc. ) or as part of a moment alone while relaxing, TV plays a central role in most people’s lives. As such TV advertising is a powerful communication tool and as much a part of television viewing, as the programmes themselves. Television is as much a part of everyday life as eating and drinking. It is in fact a very natural part of daily life. 94 percent of European households own a television and make TV viewing an integral part of their day (*). Whether it is together with friends and family, in between and parallel to other activities (while cooking, while ironing etc. ) or as part of a moment alone while relaxing, TV plays a central role in most people’s lives. As such TV advertising is a powerful communication tool and as much a part of television viewing, as the programmes themselves. Television is as much a part of everyday life as eating and drinking. It is in fact a very natural part of daily life. 94 percent of European households own a television and make TV viewing an integral part of their day (*). Whether it is together with friends and family, in between and parallel to other activities (while cooking, while ironing etc. ) or as part of a moment alone while relaxing, TV plays a central role in most people’s lives. As such TV advertising is a powerful communication tool and as much a part of television viewing, as the programmes themselves. Television is as much a part of everyday life as eating and drinking. It is in fact a very natural part of daily life. 94 percent of European households own a television and make TV viewing an integral part of their day (*). Whether it is together with friends and family, in between and parallel to other activities (while cooking, while ironing etc. ) or as part of a moment alone while relaxing, TV plays a central role in most people’s lives. As such TV advertising is a powerful communication tool and as much a part of television viewing, as the programmes themselves.

Unethical Advertisement in the philippines

Unethical Advertisement in the philippines From this phenomenon, advertisers seize the opportunity to maximize its profit, thus increasing competition in finding ways to captivate the attention of millions of potential consumers to buy their products. This competitive environment pressures advertisers to go beyond the tradition and find new ways to mesmerize the potential consumers. Most of the time, advertisers would sacrifice ethics along the way just to reach their goal in persuading people to buy their products. Even big companies like McDonalds are guilty of this. McDonalds would lure kids to buy their unhealthy meal of hamburgers and soft drinks by giving away free toys when kids purchase a whole meal. Advertisement like these, which crosses the boundaries of ethics, is against consumers right. Unfortunately, here in the Philippines, most consumers are not aware of their right. Unlike in America and other liberal countries where even the colossal corporations are not spared from their unjust advertisements, most Filipino consumers tend to see these unjust advertisements as a part of promotions like there is nothing wrong with seeing women posing sexually just to promote a jewelry, women and men wearing underwear only, products promising an exaggerated truth like a 360 degree damage control hair with in 7 days or even asking influential imaged celebrities to promote alcohol. Maybe the consumers are oblivious to the ethics of advertising because of the majority of the Filipino consumers cannot differentiate ethical from unethical advertisement. This research paper will hope to elucidate on the unethical advertising and the status of the consumers against such ads. It will first define the characteristics of advertising and ethics. Then proceed to the ethical boundaries advertisers cross. To support the suppositions of the research, there are statistical figures that would showcase the opinions and stands of Metro Manila Filipino consumers on the dilemma of unethical advertising. In this paper, the most observed unethical factors in the Philippines which majority, if not all, advertisements violate one way or the other is claiming unrealistic promises, using of psychological impact on potential consumers or promoting of harmful products. Advertising in its simplest characteristic is a medium of communication use to inform consumers about a product. Advertisers, agencies, the media and audiences are all part of a larger environment, influencing and being influenced by a network of forces that includes the economy, government, interest groups and society at large (Arens, 2004, p. 55). The general atmosphere created by these external elements is the advertising environment. This environment is a complex and ever-changing dynamo (OGuinn, Allen, Semenik, 2005, p. 125). It has developed from simple statements, in the start of advertising existence, to a multibillion-dollar, global industry. The growth of these industries leads to the increase of consumerism which is one factor of the development of advertising environment. The more products that are available dictate a greater need for the diversity of these products to be known, thus steps in the communication device known as advertising and the advertising practitioner (Spence, Heekeren, 2005, p. 17). This is the importance of advertising. It is the purpose of the advertiser to communicate to the consumer that a particular brand or product is the most worthy of purchase and use (Bovee, 1995). Therefore, the pressure given to the advertisers by the company is enormous. For the positive outlook, this intense pressure for the income of the advertisers brings forth creativity in capturing the interest of consumers. At its worst, it leads to advertising campaigns that not only push the boundaries of societal acceptance but also go beyond acceptable norms, thus creating ethical problems and dilemmas. These ethical dilemmas differ in every place. This is because of the vast interpretation on what ethics is. Ethics can be simply defined as a set of prescriptive rules, principles, values, and virtues of character that inform and guide interpersonal and intrapersonal conduct; that are the conduct of people toward each other and the conduct of people toward themselves (Spence, Heekeren, 2005, p. 2). If this definition taken into consideration, ethics therefore differ from the reasoning of each individual. When the common reasoning of each individual is combined, universally accepted ethical rules and principles are applied by the majority (Jhally, 1990). This is also known as the codes of ethics. The codes of ethics would help in determining if the advertisement would be considered Unethical advertising is a serious issue especially here in Metro Manila because consumers are exposed approximately more than a hundred ads a day through different medium available. In addition, most Metr o Manila consumers barely have a clue on unethical advertising. Therefore allowing such unprincipled acts of advertisers to continue that could eventually harm the society. After all, it has already been mentioned that advertising does have the power to influence each individuals decision and lifestyle and thus the whole society itself. Parent with at least one kid who is not yet of legal age In dissecting further, figure 1.1 exhibits the different segments of Metro Manila consumer awareness on unethical advertising. As shown in the figure above, only 5% of the highschool students and college students know nothing about unethical advertising. Meanwhile, 50 % and more of the single working consumer and the parent consumer recognize unethical advertising. Therefore, it could be said that teenagers below 18 years are still partly innoncent when it comes to unethical advertising. As well as, more than 50% of the population barely knows the essence of unethical advertising. The awareness rate mentioned above is not a good start for consumerism. It is the right of the consumers to be given correct, clear and reliable information (Bovee, Arens, 1986, p. 63). But without the consumers awareness of its right, advertisers can get away with most of the ethical dilemma. The ethical dilemma with commercial advertising of the consumers right to information, is that the persuasion, under the disguise of information, which not only deceptive, in addition, it can have harmful consequences both for the targeted consumers as well as for the community (Spence, Heekeren, 2005). Especially after the expansion of media, targeted consumers as well as the whole community are frequently exposed to advertisements which intensify the probability of the occurrence of the harmful consequences. Unfortunately, an ordinary consumers cannot avoid being exploited to at least a thousand ads per day (Jones, 2000). Portrayed in the figure 2.1, is the opinion of Metro Manila consumers in the array of advertisements they are exposed to everyday. As, visualized in the graph, the color violet representing 150-200 array and the color tortoise representing 200 onwards array has a total of 3 out of 56 participants enlisted in that cluster. While most of the consumer categories have colors red representing 50 -100 array and green representing 100-150 array, which sums up to a total of 41 out of 56 participants claiming to have exposed around 50-150 ads everyday to most of the individual with no discrimination. Insofar, the figure shows that the majority of the consumers assume they are exposed to at least 50 advertisements per day. A range tremendously lower than Jones (2000) claim of consumers exposure to a thousand advertisements. The cause of such claim that most consumers are exposed to a high number of advertisements is advertisers are very skillful in creating advertisements that will be in plain sight of the consumers in their everyday hassle in life, to give it an unavoidable characteristic. Consumers are so well-researched and targeted that they can be covertly seduced by a strategy that surrounds them and that infiltrates their physical and mental space, often without their realization (OGuinn, Allen, Semenik, 2005, p. 88). Hence, most Metro Manila consumers lose track of the number of advertisements they are exposed to, believing its less than 200 and not otherwise. Thus, an ordinary individual is bombarded with more artistic communication than they can handle and most of the time without their knowledge. This frequency of artistic communication existing creates a clutter which is a barrier to effective communication (Parker, 2006, p. 44). This is the reason why advertisers think outside of the box for a breakthrough possibility. In order to stay competitive in this cluttered media landscape, the architects of advertising need to be creating advertising that does not look, feel, smell or taste like the generic advertising that the new media-savvy and sophisticated consumers have become used to (Spence, Heekeren, 2005, p. 17). To achieve that goal, advertisers try to find effective channels of communication. From traditional channels of TV, radio, posters and newspapers, advertisers embrace the new medium of communication, technologies such as internet and other digital media. Although being in the third world country like Philippines, the tradi tional medium is still thriving. Represented in figure 3.1, Metro Manila consumers are exposed to different types of advertising medium frequently. As interpreted by the graph, the predominant medium that most Metro Manila consumers are exposed to is TV leading by 9 marks against billboard the 2nd dominant advertising medium. Notice that through out the different categories of consumers printed ads like posters, flyers and brochures are low. It might also the factor that billboards and TV are almost unavoidable compared to brochures and flyers. So this shows that traditional advertising communication like TV in the Philippines is still a fad. Though, new approaches like online advertisements are still progressing. These three figures that were just shown exhibit the demographics of the Metro Manila consumers in relation to advertising and its ethics. With the results shown Metro Manila consumers need some consumer rights educational background to help understand what the advertisers are getting away with. Out of the two-digit estimate of ethical issues the advertisers face, three commonly violated are unrealistic promises, use of psychological impact and promotion of harmful product (Spence, Heekeren, 2005). These ethical issues are evident almost everywhere, including the Philippines. After all, advertising addresses people primarily as consumers creating a similar advertising environment almost everywhere (Schultz, 1990, p. 28). The first and most obvious unethical line most advertisers cross without second thoughts is claiming unrealistic promises. One of the most common short-term arguments about advertising is that it is so frequently deceptive. For advertising to be effective, consumers must have confidence in it. So any kind of deception not only detracts from the complete information principle of free enterprise but also risks being self-defeating (Bovee, Arens, 1986, p. 68). A most common example seen by the majority is whitening cream; Use this product and get whiter skin in just 7 days! This whitening cream advertisement gave a promise of whiter skin in just 7 days without genuine evidence of its claim. This kind of deception may profit business firms in the short-term but create a greater harm in the long-run (Lane, Russell, 2001). For the short-term, consumers will purchase the product, but once they figured it is ineffective the purchasing will stop and the sales will go down. Advertisement does not have to be literally true, but an advertisement that is designed to deceive or mislead a consumer is a different matter (Belch, Belch, 2007, p. 224). This is the situation in which the use of puffery in advertising comes under inquiry. Puffery, which is a common practice in advertising, is not considered illegal in most countries even here in the Philippines. This is because puffery is an expression of opinion not made as a representation of a fact (Bovee, Arens, 1986, p. 57). It is the key reason why consumers have the expectation that advertising will stretch the truth rather than express the truth. Shown in figure 4.1 is the perspective of Metro Manila consumers on the categories of unethical advertising. As measured in the graph above, advertising on harmful product and exaggerated truths are ranked 1st and 2nd place as the most viewed unethical category in advertising. From a total of 56 consumers who answered the survey, 55 considered exaggerated truths as unethical and 49 considered ads on harmful products are unethical. Confirming, that most consumers, even in Metro Manila, does have the expectation that advertising will stretch the truth rather than express the truth. A dilemma such as this exists because of no legally backing against it. Stated in The Law on Obligations and Contracts under Title 2 Contracts, Chapter 2 Essential Requisites of Contracts, Section 1 Consent, Article 1340, is The usual exaggerations in trade, when the other party had an opportunity to know the facts are not in themselves fraudulent (De Leon, 2003, p. 128). Explained by De Leon (2003), it is the natural tendency for advertisers to resort to exaggerations in their attempt to make a reasonable profit of the business firm. Customers are expected to know how to take care of their concerns and to rely own independent judgment. Anyone who relies on said exaggerations does so at his own risk. So in essence, the notion of puffery refers to exaggerated claims, comments, commendations, or hyperbole for consumers to based on their own subjective views and opinions. It is generally considered to be part of the artfulness and playfulness of advertising and should not be taken serio usly by reasonably consumers (Jones, 2000, p.86). For the second ethical issue the advertisers trespass is playing mind games with the target consumers by using psychological impact on them. It has already been established that the role of advertising is to creatively show potential consumer products or services in a way that persuades them to buy or at least feel positive towards those products or services. Advertising also often seeks to persuade primarily by an appeal to sentiment rather by an appeal to intellect (Schultz, 1990, p.32). Some examples are advertisements that associate products with feelings of well-being, fun, humor, freedom, romance, glamour loved ones and such. Gigantic industries like Coca-cola, Pepsi and McDonalds could be observed using such types of ads internationally. Even though these advertisements are said to appeal the consumers intellectually and emotionally, advertising cannot create primary demand in mature product categories (OGuinn, Allen, Semenik, 2005, p. 125). This theory is also agreed upon by the Metro Manila consumers in their survey. *5 being the highest Figure 5.1 has a graph about the belief of Metro Manila consumers on how advertisements influence their decisions. As proven in the figure, there are more than 50% of the participants in the high-school category who answered 4 and 3 compared to the other categories where at least 50% of their participants answered 2 and 1. This could mean that younger participants are more influenced to ads compared to adults. Therefore advertisements appealing to intellectual are effective especially to the innocent consumers. So, in those cases, the ads are not intended as true representations of reality or as narratives that correspond to the truth, but rather as rhetorical and metaphorical evocations that are designed to appeal to the consumers emotions and aspirations for the purpose of creating positive and alluring images for the products in the minds of the consumers (Lane, Russell, 2001, p. 91). Therefore, truth could be simply not relevant in advertisements. Seventy-four percent of American consumers either strongly or somewhat strongly believe that most advertisements deliberately stretch the truth about the products they advertise, claims Jhally (1990, p. 103). This statistics would not really surprise most consumers, since advertising is a form communication that does its best to stretch the truth in order to create some profit. As communication genre, it wants you to believe and dispel belief in the same breath (Burton, Purvis, 1991, p. 23). The last line advertisers cross to earn millions, is accepting assignments in which harmful products are to be advertised. In particular, advertising for alcohol and tobacco products have been a controversy in most countries claiming to encourage consumers to use unhealthy products. Some countries, such as Canada, Finland and Philippines, have completely banned cigarette companies from advertising their product. While other countries, such as United States and Australia are very successful in anti smoking campaigns in which cigarette advertising is not entirely banned but all public places are banned from smoking (Arens, 2004). The government does possess the right to intercede, when it believes it needs to, in order to restore a health environment for the majority. In most advertising environments, administrators have embraced what they label a self-regulatory model, in effect establishing a situation in which the industry or profession is doing the regulating with varying degrees o f contribution from other stakeholders, including the government (Burton, Purvis,1991, p. 12). In the Philippines, the government, employing Burton, Purvis self-regulatory model, utilized its power in banning cigarette advertisements. Such action is required by the government, the reduction if not absolute elimination, for the benefit of the majority in the society. Exhibited in figure 6.1 are the responses Metro Manila consumers on government banning cigarette companies to advertise. As, portrayed above, around 55% do agree that cigarette companies should be banned in advertising. While around 5% disagree with the majority. The irony is in figure 4.1 49 out of 56 believes that it is unethical for advertisers to advertise harmful products while in this figure only 32 out of 56 believes that cigarette ads should be banned. Advertisements such as these should be effectively self-regulated. Effective self-regulation calls for the development of a commitment to the wider community, no just to a business firms consumers. In this regard, a process of consultation between industry, consumers and government is established as each has a role to play to make the system work (Belch, Belch, 2007, p. 89). Government offers a public policy perspective, whereas business firms offer the alternative view to a regulatory environment (Burton, Purvis,1991). Consumers input are just as important in order to maintain relevance and confidence in the system. Especially now, where the advertising industry gets intense in competing for consumers limited resource of time by seizing their attention to withhold interest in the advertised product, ignoring the moral obligation they have as advertisers to the consumers. Therefore, in this immense competition there is a chance that most, if not all, advertisements have already cro ss the border of ethics. This research paper has discussed on unethical advertising in the Philippines. Unfortunately, in-depth discussion on the Filipino consumers perspective on ethics, advertising strategies and theories practiced in the Philippines and rules and issues of unethical advertising present in the Philippines has not been fulfilled. This is because of the very few past researches done in this topic. The lack of sources on Filipino consumers perspective of ethics gave need of conducting surveys, which results are shown in the figures presented in this paper. However, the sampled used in the survey is not big enough giving a possibility on a significant error percentage. In addition, the survey has not been conducted throughout Metro Manila, the heart of Philippines commerce, but just a part of Metro Manila. So the survey reference is not enough for more in-depth discussion on the issues where the line of ethics would be drawn for Filipino consumers. For the advertising strategies conducted, theories practiced, rules implemented and issues seen on unethical advertising in the Philippines discussed in this paper, the references used were written by foreign authors with a very credible background. They wrote regarding on advertising theories, examples, issues and ideals based on the western countries. Regrettable, most of the authors have not conducted researches on the advertising scenario in the Philippines. Although, some theories are applicable everywhere, the culture and economic position of the Philippines is really different from the western. This research paper selected references consisting of theories applicable ubiquitously so that it could be used to study unethical advertising in the Philippines. Furthermore, the time allotted for this research paper was very limited for a more extensive research. With a two month time allotment, not all useful resources were gathered. Resources were limited to the books available at the university library. Likewise, the time allotted for the survey was approximately two days. Consequently, not much respondents were sought in a very short period, sacrificing the accuracy of the results. The recommendation to improve the credibility of the research paper due to lack of written resources is interviewing credible persons. A well-renowned Filipino anthropologist may give answers on the culture of ethics in the Philippines. Another recommended interviewee are marketing or advertising managers, because they have put into practice the theories and understood which one is applicable in the Philippines. Although, there is lacking written resources about unethical advertising, written resources should not be entirely forgone. Resources such as Advertising Ethics by Spence, E., Heekeren, B. V. and International advertising: Realities and myths by Jones, J. P. , are needed for conducting this study. These resources would greatly help in building the foundation for this research. With the interview and written resources, the survey should also be a part of the research. This research method would gather information from the individual directly involve in the research at hand. It would be best if more time is allotted here, to disperse the survey form different parts of the Philippines or at least the Metro Manila and to increase the number of respondents for lower statistical percentage error of the survey. Over all, the existence of unethical advertising is evident everywhere even here in the Philippines. It is evidently seen in the unrealistic promises made by business firm to promote sales. Even harmful products are being advertised without shame just to profit. The advertisers are also becoming masters in playing with the minds of their potential consumers. This psychological impact on consumers particularly on children is shamelessly used even by big companies like McDonalds. Consumers at the very least should be aware of these unethical strategies.

William Faulkners A Rose for Emily Essay -- William Faulkner Rose E

William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" â€Å"A Rose for Emily† by William Faulkner is set in a small Southern town during the post-Civil War era. The story revolves around the strange and tragic events of Miss Emily Grierson’s life. At first glance, Emily seems like a lonely woman with little self-confidence and low self-esteem that seems to stem from her upbringing by her father. There seemed to be some kind of abuse by her father and the fact that she had seemed to have lived such a sheltered life. She was brought up thinking that nobody was good enough for her. Her father had even shunned away his own family. Emily was turned into quite an odd character due to this type of upbringing. Emily’s love was controlled by her father, a man that was respected and of high class in the community. After her father passed away, Emily tried to act as if it never happened, and she was actually going to keep her father in the house. It was though she did not want to be alone and she was willing to live with her father’s corpse for company. The town’s people almost had to resort to law and force the issue when Emily finally broke down and came to the reality that her father had to be buried. Emily was a reclusive woman hopelessly clinging onto the ways of the Old South but the town around her was growing with the times. One day when Emily meets a Yankee, Homer Barron, and falls in love with him. Homer was part of the construction company that was responsible for the new building a... William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" Essay -- William Faulkner Rose E William Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily" â€Å"A Rose for Emily† by William Faulkner is set in a small Southern town during the post-Civil War era. The story revolves around the strange and tragic events of Miss Emily Grierson’s life. At first glance, Emily seems like a lonely woman with little self-confidence and low self-esteem that seems to stem from her upbringing by her father. There seemed to be some kind of abuse by her father and the fact that she had seemed to have lived such a sheltered life. She was brought up thinking that nobody was good enough for her. Her father had even shunned away his own family. Emily was turned into quite an odd character due to this type of upbringing. Emily’s love was controlled by her father, a man that was respected and of high class in the community. After her father passed away, Emily tried to act as if it never happened, and she was actually going to keep her father in the house. It was though she did not want to be alone and she was willing to live with her father’s corpse for company. The town’s people almost had to resort to law and force the issue when Emily finally broke down and came to the reality that her father had to be buried. Emily was a reclusive woman hopelessly clinging onto the ways of the Old South but the town around her was growing with the times. One day when Emily meets a Yankee, Homer Barron, and falls in love with him. Homer was part of the construction company that was responsible for the new building a...

Competing with Information Technology Essay

Chapter 2 introduces fundamental concepts of competitive advantage through information technology and illustrates major strategic applications of information systems. Information Technology (IT) professionals must understand how to use IT systems and technology to deliver a competitive advantage to the organization. Information systems and technology should provide more than a cost savings benefit to organizations. Today, IT solutions are expected to provide the means to surpass a competitor’s performance. As discussed in Chapter 1, the role of IT professionals is changing. Currently, there is an evolving term, business technology, which is used to describe the emerging role in IT. IT professionals are becoming more and more integrated with the business operations of an organizations. The Real World Case Study 4, â€Å"IT Leaders: Reinventing IT as a Strategic Business Partner,† describes how one organization is reorganizing to better utilize IT to increase business benefits and contribute to a competitive advantage. It is important for an IT organization to utilize IT to reduce the cost of running the business, grow the business, or develop new services to change the business. To position an organization to better provide its products and services, an understanding of the competitive forces is needed. Michael Porter identifies five threats that require business strategies ensure that an organization can out-perform other competitors. They are: 1. Rivalry of competitors within its industry 2. Threat of new entrants 3. Threat posed by substitute products that might capture its market share 4. The bargaining power of customers 5. The bargaining power of suppliers To counteract these threats, competitive strategies must be developed to address the potential risks an organization may encounter as it strives to maintain its position on the market place. The competitive strategies are: 1. Cost Leadership Strategy 2. Differentiation Strategy 3. Innovation Strategy 4. Growth Strategies 5. Alliance Strategies 6. Other Strategies These strategies can be used either individually or in a combination to position an organization to better compete for the future. An example of an organization that is utilizing IT to change how it does business and remain economically viable in the future is the online magazine Cross Talk. In the 1990’s, Cross Talk was printing and mailing the magazine to subscribers. With a decrease in funding, this organization had to develop ways to reduce costs, deliver its services to its subscribers, grow its subscriber base, demonstrate its value above other on-line content providers, and justify why it should not be eliminated. Cross Talk is now available at its new website in either an online digital flipbook format or PDF version—CrossTalk is now completely electronic. This change reduces their carbon footprint and allows them to bring the journal to their readers in their preferred and most convenient format. This is also CrossTalk’s first step towards reaching new reader devices and enhancing the suitability of the journal for our increasing electronic readership. Customer Value Customer value has become a driving force in the world economy. A key success factor for many organizations is developing customer value by increasing customer loyalty, anticipate their future needs, respond to customer concerns, and provide top-quality customer service. One example is Southwest Airlines. Not only have they automated ticket sales via the Internet, Southwest also sends special offers regarding discounts available at my destination, emails to remind customers that the trip is â€Å"around the corner,† text alerts if a flight is delayed, and offers incentives to fly with them. It seems that Southwest Airlines provides a personal assistant to help make the travel experience more enjoyable. Think about how some of your favorite businesses are creating customer value for you. Internet Technologies Many organizations use Internet technologies to create a strategy to offer fast, responsive, high-quality products and services tailored to a customer’s individual preferences. Internet technologies make customers the focal point of customer relationship management (CRM) and other e-business applications. New technologies such as wikis and blogs are also being incorporated as a means to provide enhanced customer experience. Such communications enable continual interaction with customers by creating a cross-functional collaboration with customers in product development, marketing, delivery, service, and technical support. Television is taking advantage of this capability. TV news shows are reading and answering emails and some reality TV shows allow views to vote for their favorite contestant, preferred ending, or favorite commercial. Using the Internet technologies, business units are better able to shape and offer products and services. Value Chain The value chain is another concept that helps to identify opportunities for strategic information systems. It views an organization as a series of basic activities that add value to its products and services. In this framework, activities are organized into primary and support processes. From the business understanding gained by analyzing an organization’s value chain, the IT organization can determine where to best apply IT systems and technology. The following value chain graphic provides an example of how and where information technologies can be applied to specific business processes to gain a competitive advantage in the market place. Value chain offered by information technologies. Business Reengineering Often times, to remain competitive, an organization must consider more than just where and what IT systems and technology solutions should applied. An organization must look at how it actually does business and then reengineer its business processes. Business reengineering requires an organization to re-design how it does business by eliminating stove-piped, silo organizations and functions, develop an improved understanding for opportunities for information sharing, and instituting enhanced stewardship regarding an organizations data and business processes. Agile Companies The rate of change is increasing and organizations must be able to quickly respond to changing market trends. Standardized, long-lived products and services are giving way to globalized, niche markets which offer products that are individualized and short-lived. To become an agile organization, an organization must consider the following strategies. 1. Provide a solution that customers perceive as a solution to an individual problem. This allows the product to be priced based on value rather than cost to produce. 2. Cooperate with customers suppliers, and other companies to quickly bring the product to market. 3. Thrive on change and uncertainty. 4. Leverage the individuals and knowledge of the processes. Become entrepreneurial in spirit. Knowledge as a Competitive Advantage To remain competitive, organization must become a learning organization. Organizations must be able to capture the knowledge of the organization, learn from this knowledge, and then use it to enhance its offerings. Knowledge Management Systems facilitates an organization’s ability to capture and then utilize its knowledge. Understanding and being able to utilize this â€Å"unstructured date† is key to developing and maintain a competitive advantage. Information capture includes processes, procedures, patents, reference works, best practices, etc. This integration of knowledge helps an organization become an innovative and agile provider of high-quality products and customer services, and potentially a more formidable competitor in the market place. Leaders in information technology are expected to be not only a technology professional but also a business professional. Many are tasked with finding emerging business opportunities, driving growth, encouraging innovation, and engaging customers. This provides a tremendous opportunity for you to step up and co-create and ultimately shape the future business vision. Collaborating with the business will not be enough—you don’t just provide the technology but jointly own the success and failure of business initiatives. IT Portfolio Management and Governance An emerging trend is enhanced IT Portfolio Management and Governance as a means to effectively apply IT systems and technology to business needs. According to Richard Spires, DHS CIO, in his blog post entitled Getting Program Governance Right Helps Ensure Success on the federal CIO Council Web site: Complex IT systems encompass at least a half-dozen stakeholder organizations that must be synchronized, including the strategy organization, the business or mission owner of the system, IT, finance, procurement, security, and privacy. Ensuring all key stakeholders are involved in key decisions is an essential element to assuring genuine alignment. Program Governance Boards provide guidance, decision-making, and oversight of one or more programs. The function of the Program Governance Board is not to usurp the authorities of the Program Manager (PM), but rather to provide a forum by which the PM can bring key issues and trade-off decisions to an informed, empowered body that has a vested interest in that program’s success and views the PM as a trusted advisor and true subject matter specialist. IT organizations must determine where to invest time, people, and money in current and new IT systems and services in order to enhance the value of products and services. To do this, many organizations are categorizing offerings into individual portfolios and establishing a strong governance structure to guide the selection and investment into solutions. Enterprise Architecture Organizations are establishing an Enterprise Architecture (EA) to inform, guide and constrain the investment decisions made by governance boards regarding IT systems. The Federal CIO Council defines EA as: Enterprise Architecture is a strategic information asset base, which defines the mission, the information necessary to perform the mission and the technologies necessary to perform the mission, and the transitional processes for implementing new technologies in response to changing mission needs. An enterprise architecture includes a baseline architecture, target architecture (sometimes referred to an as-is and to-be), and a sequencing plan. An EA identifies which processes and IT systems to standardize and integrate. The benefits of an EA are reduction in IT Costs, improved IT responsiveness, guides the proper selection of IT solutions to ensure the accomplishment strategic business outcomes. The components of an enterprise architecture is described in the figure below: Various layers of an enterprise architecture. (Source: NIST) Conclusion How does your organization determine how to invest in IT? You might see if one of your organization’s senior executives is available for a 30 minute meeting to discuss how the organization determines what technologies to invest in as a corporation. Think about questions to ask. Some examples might be: how is an business need identified? How are IT investments justified? Who are your competitors? If you work for an IT consulting firm, you might as how the company decides what contracts it will bid on. It can be said that our use of IT systems and technology is equivalent to when we were using rotary telephones. As you complete your Masters Program at UMUC, remain watchful of emerging trends in the IT industry, how it will be utilized to gain a competitive advantage, and what impact it will have on the skills needed by an IT professional and the organization structure required to take advantage of the advancements in technology. Trends currently occurring that may be worth watching are: cloud computing, software as a service, virtualization, social networks, and mobile computing. It is through developing learning as a life-long habit, remaining aware of trends in the industry, and understanding the impact that technology has on a company’s ability to compete that you, as an individual, will be able to keep your skills current, agile, and competitive.