When Creating His Short Stories/Novels, John Steinbeck

When creating his short stories/novels, John Steinbeck focused on what it meant to be human. He included life experiences and really fed off of that in many of his writings. Steinbeck was able to experience many struggles in the 1900s such as the great depression and both world wars, all events of which were first hand experiences. Being born in the early 1900’s, Steinbeck revolved around themes relevant to the world and his era. His books/novels fall under these categories: disenfranchisement, integrity vs. corruption, and rebellion are only a few he explored because of his era. Through this he was able to pass the hardships of the early and mid 1900s to future generations using the themes of his books/novels. Steinbeck was able to see†¦show more content†¦It’s obvious the Joads are blood related and so are the Wilsons, but Steinbeck steps away from that and shows how you can be related not through blood. It is someones commitment and loyalty that establishes that family bond is what Steinbeck is saying. However, the Joads on their journey to California meet the Wilsons and both decided to merge and were committed to one another’s survival throughout the hardships, â€Å"Joads and Wilsons crawled westward as a unit...† (Steinbeck 109). With those two families uniting there were 20 others uniting into one and lending a helping hand, â€Å"twenty families became one family, the children were the children of all. The loss of home became one loss, and the golden time in the West was one dream† (Steinbeck 131). This was the turning point in history. At the time families were struggling to find jobs and often times failed to make ends meet. With this happening, families failed to realize they were all experiencing similar problems and failed to offer a helping hand to one another. After realizing that many were going through the same struggle, that drew them closer and they were able to Nevarez 3. bond and lend each other a helping hand. Instead of being two, or three, or four separate families, they d all unite to one big family. The following significant theme is man’s inhumanity to man. This theme ties into the one previously spoken about. SteinbeckShow MoreRelatedAmerica Is Home To Many Great Writers Whom Come Different1709 Words   |  7 Pagesauthors like John Steinbeck who add biographical elements into their pieces of writing. John Steinbeck, one of the most honorable authors of time, is known for receiving Nobel Prize, California commonwealth club medal, Pulitzer Prize, and other great accomplishments towards publishing sixteen novels. Steinbeck’s realist style of writing and life experiences impacting his life show the reader he’s been through a lot in his life and adds plenty of meaning into his stories. Having to work his way up toRead More John Steinbecks Cannery Row - Living Heaven on Earth Essay780 Words   |  4 PagesCannery Row: Living Heaven on Earth    Cannery Row (1945), a novel written by John Steinbeck, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, is a book without much of a plot. Instead, its a novel where setting, atmosphere and most importantly character, take precedence. Steinbeck creates a colorful array of characters struggling to understand their own unique places in the world.    The story is set in the early 20th century, immediately following the Depression and World War II. The charactersRead MoreA Psychological Analysis of Of Mice and Men Essay1319 Words   |  6 Pagesaspect of literature but the two most recognized are the Freudian and Jungian approach. The best approach to use when critically analyzing the novel Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, is the Jungian approach. Because the novel’s main theme is a struggle with the idea of â€Å"self†, using this approach allows the reader to understand the main character, its influences, and ultimately his actions. The Jungian approach was brought about by Carl Jung. He believed in the concept of individuation. ThisRead MoreAnalysis Of John Steinbeck s Of Mice And Men 1079 Words   |  5 Pagescontains the phrase John Steinbeck based the title for the novel. The poem is similar to the book in that George, Lennie, and the mouse all have a goal that involves months of dedicated work. However, the plough and sudden death of Curley’s wife both bring a sudden end to their dreams. Both disasters were unprecedented, but caused by the fact that George, Lennie, and the Mouse were torn apart by their weaknesses. 2. Genre: Of Mice and Men is a novella; or a long, short-story, that is a prose, fictionalRead MoreCharacter Analysis the Chrysanthemums1220 Words   |  5 PagesCharacter Analysis â€Å"The Chrysanthemums† by John Steinbeck John Steinbeck was born in 1902 and lived during what is said to be the most troubled time in American history. Steinbeck was alive during the Dust Bowl paired with the Great Depression, which is believed to be the reason for his almost melancholiac tone in some of his works but he seemed a very diverse writer. Along with â€Å"The Chrysanthemums†, Steinbeck is the author of the well-known and famous novel turned movie The Grapes of Wrath, whereRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck1119 Words   |  5 PagesAccomplished novelist, John Steinbeck, born in 1902, serves as a staple of American literature. He grew up in Salinas, California and graduated from Salinas High School in 1919. After attending Stanford University to study English Literature and failing to obtain a degree, Steinbeck moved to New York City and jumped between odd jobs and writing. With no luck in becoming published, he moved back to California, where he spent the rest of his life. As the author of n ovels, both fiction and nonfictionRead MoreJohn Steinbeck2062 Words   |  9 PagesResearch Paper Literature dates back all the way to 5th century AD overtime Literary works have been develop such as novel, poems, and short stories. Short Stories are described has miniature versions of books or novels, where an author takes a tale and crams it into a ten to twenty page story. John Steinbeck is not only a well-known novelist, but also writes short stories like â€Å"The Chrysanthemums† and â€Å"Flight†. In Steinbeck’s â€Å"The Chrysthemums† Elisa Allen is married to a negligent ranch ownerRead MoreThe Pearl Novel Data Sheet1559 Words   |  7 PagesGreer Sullivan 12-9-14 2 ° The Pearl Novel Data Sheet Author: John Steinbeck Date Published: 1945 Type of Novel: Historical Fiction, Novella Background on History: Steinbeck was inspired to write this novella based off a Mexican folktale that he heard when he visited the country in the early 1940’s. The story was called the Legend of Mechudo. Mechudo was a pearl diver in La Paz and he and his team went out into the bay in order to search for pearls. He was the first diver to dive and he returnedRead MoreJohn Steinbecks use of Realism, Characterization, and Dreams in The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men2450 Words   |  10 PagesJohn Ernst Steinbeck has written many award winning novels, some of which has even been produced as plays that captured audiences everywhere. Steinbeck wrote about real life experiences using realism, characterization, and dreams to emphasize his points and make an impact on his readers in order to reform or change society. The realism used in Steinbecks works is not only effective in informing the reader of circumstances that should be changed, but this nineteenth century literary style also createsRead MoreO f Mice and Men Literary Criticism Essay1941 Words   |  8 PagesAt the mention of the name, John Steinbeck, many associations can be made to the classic works produced by the man. However, he did not begin his life as a successful writer. Growing up in Salinas, California, Steinbeck lived the life of a common man, working to survive in the Land of Promise. He began to develop a taste for writing; however, he studied marine biology while he attended Stanford University. Without graduating with a degree, Steinbeck began working as a laborer and reporter for the

The Causes And Effects Of Bullying - 1369 Words

Jerold Maxwell Senior Project October 12, 2015 The Causes and Effects of Bullying Bullying is defined as unwanted or aggressive behavior that causes someone to feel afraid or intimidated. This behavior could be something physical, verbal or something done electronically or through social media. If someone feels threatened by someone’s actions or words, it could be considered bullying, even if that was not the intent. In my Senior project paper, I will discuss the types of bullying, how to recognize bullying, how to report bullying, what to do if you see incidents of bullying and what resources are available to person who have been bullied. Some people believe that bullying only is seen on television or in the movies but it is a real life issue that is seen and experience by many every day. People of all ages, races, cultures and backgrounds are affected. There are some who are embarrassed to report bullying but it occurs every day, everywhere. After my research, I believe that it is important for us to learn about and understand what causes people to be a bully, as well as understand the effects that being bullied can have on a person. It is important for peopleor you to understand all sides of bullying, from the signs of someone being bullied to what you can do to prevent it. For my senior project Ii researchedam going to talk about what are the types of bullying, how to recognize bullying. how todo he/she report it and what people shouldshould they do when they see itShow MoreRelatedCauses And Effects Of Bullying1297 Words   |  6 Pages10/23/15 Causes and Effects of Bullying Bullying is a big issue that spreads through the world. It can happen to anyone of all ages, and in numerous ways. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among people that involves a real or perceived power imbalance that either repeats or has the potential to repeat, overtime (Bullying Definition). There are so many factors that tie into bullying such as, why the bully is actually bullying, why the bully chose that victim, or even the effects that occurRead MoreCauses and Effects of Bullying1066 Words   |  4 PagesThe rapper Macklemore once said, â€Å"Bullying is a national epidemic.† Bullying has been an issue in the United States in the 1970’s and is still growing nationwide. Despite efforts to contain and eradicate bullying, bullies and bullying has not gone away and has been growing rather than declining. Bullying is a current issue that is controversial because there is little to no action against bullying, the damage done to the victims lead to horrible a ctions such as suicide, and although it is gainingRead MoreThe Cause And Effect Of Bullying1549 Words   |  7 Pagescommon variables within our family that make bullies and define the bullied. THE BULLIES AND THE BULLIED More frequently than not parents are the underlined cause of bullying. At the very least they are responsible for teaching the ways in which to avoid the stress and social impact bullying causes . Several parenting patterns, cause children to boss around or to be bullied as well as give birth to the perpetrator, the bully. Bullies Authoritarian style parenting, which makes usage of violenceRead MoreBullying : Cause And Effect2156 Words   |  9 PagesEmilie Chambers Professor Ulysses Mack English 1302 1 December 2014 Research Paper Bullying: Cause and Effect Bullying is one of America’s largest current problems involving children and teens, it is serious, destructive, and harmful and desperately needs to stop. Bullying is not secluded to one area of America, it is alive in many homes and schools. Bullies play an enormous role in causing their peers to injure themselves, become mentally unstable, struggle with depression, and potentially commitRead MoreThe Cause And Effect Of Bullying1876 Words   |  8 PagesGraduation Project Essay Topic: The Cause and Effect of Bullying Thesis Statement: Bullying is verbal physical abuse that causes the victims to be exploited from social activity, traumatized and sometimes even commit suicide. It consists of redundant acts that cause the bully to have power over the victim. Bullying is a common experience for many children, teenagers, and even adults. Bullying is aggressive behavior between two or more peers that involves a repetition of unwanted negative actionsRead MoreBullying : The Causes And Effects Of Cyberbullying1060 Words   |  5 PagesBullying by electric forms of contact, better known as cyberbullying, has become an epidemic throughout the world in the last few years. While those affected may not be harmed physically, mentally and emotionally they are tortured and some never recover. For youths who have been cyberbullied, it is reported that they have a higher chance of anxiety and also depression. They are also more likely to have problems in their personal lives and in school. Those affected can have thoughts that lead themRead MoreBullying : The Causes And Effects Of Cyberbullying1106 Words   |  5 PagesCyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices such as cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation, sometimes crossing the line into unlawful or criminal behavior. The effects of cyberbullying can be alarming, but they are clear when discussing the coinciding of actual physical bullying, poor academic performance, high rates of depression and other emotions, and even suicidal behaviorRead MoreBullying : The Causes And Effects Of Cyberbullying1508 Words   |  7 Pagesthe same age group. A lot of people think they know what cyberbullying and bullying is but they are not the same. Cyberbullying can affect a kid as much as physical bullying. Cyberbullying has been proven to affect one out of every three children. There are seven or more different ways a person can be cyberbullied. It can lead to person a harming themselves or others being harmed. Cyberbullying has been proven to be a cause of suicide. It affects many people and it can be prevented. ( Breguet pageRead MoreBullying Schools : Its Causes And Effects On Students899 Words   |  4 Pages Bullying is a worldwide issue that affects millions of individuals every day. To some it could be meant as a joke but the reality of the matter is that it could cost someone their life. One article written about the causes and effects of bullying in elementary schools’ explains, â€Å"bullying may include verbal and physical assaults, threats, ‘jokes’ or language, mockery and criticizing, insulting behavior and facial expressions†(Jan,2015). Bullying is not just narrowed down to one specific remark;Read MoreBully Essay : The Causes And Effects Of Bullying1030 Words   |  5 Pages Bullying, is using superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him or her to do what one wants. Bullying affects many people differently. For some people it influences depression and suicidal thoughts. Bullying also may cause people to start bullying also. I was bullied when I was younger and it made me feel like I had no self worth. I believe victims of bullying should be able to talk to anyone that they are comfortable with, whether it may be a parent, trusted adult

Implement marketing strategies and tactics free essay sample

In this report I would select McDonald’s Co. to review their marketing plan, and then determine their strategies and tactics that relate to the company’s stakeholders implementation roles. McDonalds is known as one of the best-known brands worldwide, which has main aims to build its brand by listening to its customers. It also identifies the various stages in the marketing process. Branding develops a personality for an organisation, product or service. The brand image represents how consumers view the organisation. Branding only works when an organisation behaves and presents itself in a consistent way. Marketing communication methods, such as advertising and promotion, are used to create the colours, designs and images, which give the brand its recognisable face. At McDonalds this is represented by its familiar logo the Golden Arches. Marketing involves identifying customer needs and requirements, and meeting these needs in a better way than competitors. We will write a custom essay sample on Implement marketing strategies and tactics or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In this way a company creates loyal customers. The starting point is to find out who potential customers are not everyone will want what McDonalds has to offer. The people McDonalds identifies as likely customers are known as key audiences. The stakeholders of McDonald may include as lists below. Crews and managers According to the marketing strategies of McDonald’s is to build a brand awareness by providing consistent levels of service and quality products, the employees may need to develop their work potential by attend to the training and development programs, including from food preparation to logistic and also the leadership skills. Human resources staff Human resources staff recruits or arranges the training program for staff and also offer good career progression to meet the standard requirement of marketing plan implementation. The human resources staff has plans for a certification program which will govern how employees progress from the crew to the level of restaurant managers. Plans are also in place for a Workplace Skills Certificate. It would be given to crew members who have mastered a set of essential workplace skills, and thus provide a walkable credential to enable them to move onto another position within the consumer service industry. Finance staff To implement the marketing plan that the human resources staff providing the training program for staff, the finance staff need to allocate the budget for them. The objective of the plan 1. Easy accessibility of product and services to the customer 2. Easy accessibility for providing essential services and value-added services 3. Easy complaint handling process. 4. Covering whole target market. Strategic objectives Strategically company’s main focus is to satisfy its customers by providing them the best of their services. While from organizational point of view, expansion is main focus out of the McDonald’s as it is expanding its outlets throughout different countries of the world. Roles and Responsibilities Crewmember To deliver an exceptional customer experience every time, whilst following McDonald’s Values and adhering to company’s Policies and Procedures. The main responsibility as a Crew Member is to ensure that you are delivering the highest level of customer service, in a clean and safe environment. Restaurant Manager The manager will be responsible for every aspect of the restaurant’s  performance. This includes managing all restaurant employees and their development, overseeing restaurant operations, meeting sales and profit targets and business planning. Performance measurement The customer relations manager at McDonalds is responsible for collecting the customer satisfaction information from the fast food, restaurant areas in order to access guest satisfaction information and take appropriate operational performance measures as well as impeding positive action for satisfaction performance. The McDonalds manager may routinely circulate through the restaurant and the need to talk to their customers as they are receiving performance services at its best. This is perceived to be the most critical measure for operation performance at McDonalds placing in certain solution to customer problems and improving McDonald’s current level of satisfaction. The McDonalds managers believe that observing at the time of service and talking to the customers on real-time serves as crucial element of monitoring satisfaction level of McDonald’s customer. McDonalds believe that great customer satisfaction as well as information is a valuable decision making tool as the McDonalds customer remains on the restaurant premises, encourages McDonalds employees and managers to be responsive and communicative with customers. Amiably, feedback from McDonald’s customers after their visit, such as fax and letters is also considered as an important indicator of guest satisfaction. The real-time decision-making is implemented by McDonalds operating departments that have large degree of customer interface such as fast food services and the customer relations, as there is service delivery at McDonalds involving high degree of customer interface as McDonalds managers prefer to monitor customer satisfaction using ways of communication and observation by personal presence. As Fisher (1992, p.21), argue that setting standards for performance measures may impose conflicts with continuous improvement at McDonalds as he noted that, ‘if standards were not carefully set, they had the effect of setting norms rather than motivating satisfaction improvement† (p. 22). However, although McDonalds has wealth of services and products that can be measured and assessed, the most critical aspect is seen to be the overall impressiongained by the customers during their use of the place to dine and other reasons. McDonalds operational performance management are required to strike in strong balance between providing an overall customer satisfaction experience and operating in to several restaurant product and services and McDonalds will achieved the success in satisfaction measure through continuous observation and real time supply chain measures by McDonald heads. The main effort of McDonald’s performance management and McDonald’s employees is to satisfy their customers on a real time basis (Fitzgerald and Moon, 1996) and essential for customer satisfaction measures at McDonalds to talk constantly to their loyal customers and receiving their reactions and responses are seen as key satisfaction measurement indicators, helpful in gaining an awareness of problems and possible complaints. Lists of marketing strategies used by McDonald’s Take a franchise model. McDonald’s provides training and monitoring to each franchisee to ensure that all adhere to the value propositions offered to the customer. Provide product consistency. McDonald’s expects all franchisees to create a similar customer experience (service, products, facilities, etc. ) regardless of the location, time of day, or any other outside factor. Know your customers. McDonald’s spends millions of dollars each year on market research, studying customer segments, perceptions, and expectations

Napster First Amendment Right Essays - Virtual Communities

Napster: First Amendment Right? Napster: To Be or Not To Be Napster (http://www.Napster.com) is a company that operates exclusively online as a virtual music forum. Napster not only allows its visitors the ability to participate in ongoing discussions through its message board forums and online virtual chat rooms, but it also allows its visitors the capability to exchange music files (MP3s) with other Internet users. Because Napster is a virtual online public forum, Napster should be protected under the First Amendment. Under the First Amendment, we the people, are protected by these rights of freedom of speech and assembly. The idea of people coming together in one specific area of the Internet and being able to talk about music is essentially a right of all Americans. We have the right to freedom of assembly and the right to freedom of speech. This is why Napster should not be shut down. Napster should be protected under the First Amendment. Wait!!!! What is a Napster? Shawn Fanning was a nineteen-year-old college student at Northeast University, when he first introduced his program Napster. Fanning had two loves: one was sports and the other was computers. As his curiosity grew for computers, he decided to stop playing sports. He then concentrated most of his time working with computers. He primarily focused on two aspects of the computer, programming and the Internet. During his freshman year at Northeast University, in 1998, Fanning was trying to enter computer science classes higher than the entry level (Jones, 2001, 1A). Not finding anything challenging about the courses he was enrolled in, Fanning decided to start writing a Windows based program in his spare time. He spent most of his time in chat rooms with experienced programmers who knew the ?tricks of the trade,? so to speak, of computer networking. Shawn's roommate loved music files, most commonly known as MP3's, but disliked most music sites that had limited music files available. He also disliked the idea of having to search endlessly from Website to Website for songs. Fanning, having this in mind, and his programming skills at hand, he wrote a program that he entitled Napster. He used the idea of all users being connected to one central computer server, and having access to each other's music files that users wished to share (?MTV News,? 2000, 1). Spoken in a more technical manner ?Napster makes its application software freely available for download by consumers from its website. This software allows users to connect their PCs to and participate in the Napster peer-to-peer file indexing system. Users are not required to share any files with others, either as a condition of using the Napster system or in order to obtain files from other users? (Reuters, 1999). In short, Napster is a facilitator that allows its users to trade music files. It was created by Fanning because other music-trading sites were in his view, unreliable. The idea of program sharing MP3s and giving people the ability to make customized compilation CDs (also known as burning a CD) of their favorite artists songs may sound brilliant to the users of Napster, but to the musicians whom creatively write the music, this is in their view, is a form of stealing. They have not only spent hours producing and writing music, but music is something that is published and copy-written. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is currently representing the band Metallica, rapper Dr. Dre, and five other major record labels, which are all plaintiffs in a copyright infringement and piracy lawsuit against Napster (Reuters, 1999). When the Napster software is downloaded on a computer hard drive, Napter serves as an online music community, where you can conduct a search of the other users songs (MP3 files) that are currently online. According to Fanning, ?There are consistently eight hundred thousand people using the Napster service, limited onl y by their

Description Of Truk Island Essays - Chuuk Lagoon, Chuuk State

Description Of Truk Island Essays - Chuuk Lagoon, Chuuk State Description Of Truk Island The island of Truk was 800 square miles of sheltered lagoons and strong defensive capabilities. (1) In 1944 the island became vulnerable to allied attacks.(2) All of the warships were subsequently moved away from the island leaving all the forces on the island without warship protection. Truk was still considered one of Japans greatest naval bases. Vice Adm. Chuichi Hara was in command of the forces on the island. At this point in the war the allied forces were just moping up the Japanese as they proceeded to mainland Japan. There was no point in an amphibious assault on an island that had no military significance. Especially when you could just bomb the island form afar. The allied forces were not out to crush every Japanese stronghold. They were making the move towards Japan. It was not necessary to stop at every island and waste lives. Truk was to be neutralized. Carrier aircraft from task force 58 attacked Truk. And shot down everything that was thrown at them. And when they had nothing left to throw at them it was a duck shoot. They pounded the island. 31 ships were sunk(3). 270 aircraft destroyed(4). The forces on the island were reduced to nothing in a few short months. Of the forces that were left instead of fighting the allies they were fighting starvation and disease. 2,000 died of starvation(5) Bibliography Work Cited Hagen, Jerome, War in the Pacific (Ohio: Book Masters, Inc. 1988) 270 Hagen, Jerome, War in the Pacific (Ohio: Book Masters, Inc. 1988) 270 Hagen, Jerome, War in the Pacific (Ohio: Book Masters, Inc. 1988) 270 Hagen, Jerome, War in the Pacific (Ohio: Book Masters, Inc. 1988) 270 Hagen, Jerome, War in the Pacific (Ohio: Book Masters, Inc. 1988) 271

Consideration of HRM Essays

Consideration of HRM Essays Consideration of HRM Essay Consideration of HRM Essay Title A Consideration of Human Resource Management future: Its time to unleash HRS full potential Introduction Human Resource Management involves the recruitment and management of the people who work in an organization. The focus of Human Resource Management is to attract, select, train, motivate and compensate employees, while making sure that they comply with employment and labor laws. In the stressful environment of todays businesses, organizations and managers are faced with numerous challenges. Technological change and innovation in product on one hand and the management complexity, on the other hand, make managers rely on human capital. Due to the changing business environment, human resource management also does undeniably need to change to respond to changes. The future is unpredictable and difficult to determine. As a result, the flexibility and business knowledge towards responding to this uncertainty is important. Today, the strategic challenges in the field of human resources are not limited only to administrative matters, but at the same time ttention should be given to the four criteria: 1) Human resources development infrastructure should be maintained, 2) Employees commitment should be engineered, 3) Human resource professionals are strategic partners of the organizations and, 4) HR professionals as internal consultants handle their change management. Literature Review Researchers and theorists have different views about what will happen to human resource function in future. Most research has been done on topics of technology, intellectual capital, and government regulation, workforce demographic changes, hrinking organizations, international management and globalization. It is evident that all the issues mentioned play a very important role in human resource management over the coming decades, and some are clearly more effective than others, but very broad issues like the Future of human resource management are ambiguous. Workforce planning grew during the 1960s and early 1970s in a period of relative economic stability when unemployment was low and organizations were faced with supply shortages and the need to improve labor utilization (see Reilly, he economic downturn of the 1980s when the failure to prove the economic value of workforce plans resulted in many efforts being eliminated. The Problem Identification The activities of HR appear to be and often are disconnected from the real work of the organization. In fact, the primary responsibility for transforming the role of HR belongs to the CEO and to every line manager who must achieve business goals. The reason? Line managers have ultimate responsibility for both the processes and the outcomes of the company. It follows that they should lead the way in fully integrating HR into the companys real work. Indeed, to do so, they must become HR champions themselves. More important, they must hold HR accountable for delivering it. A team of professionals cannot be built by an organization without good Human Resource Management. As a result, businesses with good Human Resource Management (HRM) have higher profits than businesses without or with poor HRM. So, now its demand of time to explore new value for HRM. Although, some studies was done previously in he field of HRM but mostly all studies explored the importance of HRM (Q. Ye et al. , 20110) and scope, limitation which is now only for an historic symbol . These studies do not generalize for the future orientation. Also, there is a very limited research in the existing HRM literature by exploratory method. Therefore, this study will be undertaken to explore the Future of HRM among the world. Objectives The objectives of this study are to investigate and create an entirely new role and agenda for the field that focuses it not on traditional HR activities, but on outcomes. HR should be defined by what it delivers results that enrich the organizations value to customers, investors, and employees. Methodology A qualitative, case study research methodology will be chosen in this research. The research will be conducted through semi-structured interviews and common themes. Participants will be HR officials Experts who will be chosen randomly by sampling method from various famous organizations in Malaysia. Importance of the study The findings of this study will be useful for HR officials to be informed of new role for heir framework and also to make decision in different key point. It will also be helpful to make themselves capable while taking new challenges. Moreover, they can utilize this information to develop such an imperative plan model using user- generated content. 2013-2014 research time line Activity/Duration November December January February March April May June Problem formulation Finding Literature review Preparing Methodology 2014-2015 research time line July August Sep oct Nov Jan Feb Data Collection Analysis acquired data Thesis Submission References

Navigation Systems Inc Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Navigation Systems Inc - Essay Example One can buy a foreign currency for a month from today, or for two months from today. It is clear that the repatriation must be made using a spot rate because it gives a greater amount of conversion with that of a forward exchange rate. The company must be advised to convert its income at spot transaction for a greater yield. Benefits can be derived using a currency option or a currency swaption especially when the exchange rates are high and will yield a greater amount of that currency. Foreign exchange market is where the exchange rate is determined. This market is not a single gathering place where traders shout buy and sell orders at each other. Traders work at their desk dealing with each other by computer and by phone. The daily volume of business dealt with on the foreign exchange markets in 1998 was estimated to be over $2.5 trillion dollars. (Daily volume on New York Stock Exchanges is about $20 billion) Today (2006) it may be about $5 trillion dollars. The daily volume of the foreign exchange market in North America in October 2005 was about $440 billion. The Foreign Exchange market expanded considerably since President Nixon closed the gold window and currencies were left afloat vis--vis other currencies and speculators could profit from their transactions. Until recently, this market was used mostly by banks, who fully appreciated the excellent opportunities to increase their profits.

Concept Identification and Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Concept Identification and Analysis - Essay Example He is very wary of rulers who give a lot of power to the citizens as these citizens may turn against him at any time if their interests are not being fulfilled. He views men as â€Å"ungrateful, fickle, deceptive, deceiving, eager to gain, and avoiders of danger† (392). Such people cannot be trusted thus it is better to instil fear in them so that they may remain loyal. The concept of fear is what dominates Machiavelli’s thinking. He believes that a capable ruler is the one feared by his subjects but this does not mean he should be hated as one can be feared and not hated (392). Bearing in mind the human nature, men hate those who steal other people’s property thus he advises princes to stay off other people’s property. Creating fear among citizens is a way of justifying and legitimizing use of power such that the state can win at all cost. In his view, states are most effective when they are able to justify the use of force. This is why he advices rulers to use cultural traditions and religion if need be as justification for attacking an enemy (Grisby, 87). He also advises them that if they want to colonize a territory they must occupy it and confiscate their land so as to assert their power and make them obedient through fear of consequences. The main aim is to keep the population in fear so that they don’t think of overthrowing the state thus state can maintain power. Use of cruelty and unethical means to justify the state’s ends is thus desirable as fear is the optimum basis for ruling (87). Locke: State of Nature On the second Treatise on civilised government, Locke articulates his ideas on the ideal type of government and refutes the idea that men in their natural state (before establishment of government) are not civilised. He calls the period before establishment of government as the state of nature and believes that in this state, men are guided by reason or the law of nature (Chaurasia, 320). In the state of n ature, men have inalienable rights of life, liberty and property are free to dispose of their possessions as they deem fit. They live happily as peace and order is enhanced through cooperation. However, in this state the society lacks organisation and a social being he is bound at some time to want to be in a group where some people are unjust thus need for a governing body (Chaurasia, 296). As such, a government is established whose sole purpose is to protect the rights of citizens thus it draws its power from the consent of the governed (294). The state of nature concept tries to explain the political philosophy of Locke. With natural rights comes the need to protect these rights hence individuals give up part of their rights through a social contract with the state in return for protection of their rights. Popular sovereignty is thus with the citizens. Should the government break the contract by violating people’s rights, then they have the power to dismiss it (Chaurasia, 324). The government is thus the servant of the society whereas political power rests with the people. He thus advocates liberal or laissez-faire form of government which has minimal state intervention being to maintain peace and order through protection of rights. In this form of government, the use of reason or natural laws dictates that no one ought to harm one another and in case that happens, one is liable to punishment (Chaurasia, 320). The

Staff in the roasting plants are highly Essay Example for Free

Staff in the roasting plants are highly Essay Whether working as a part-time employee, full-time employee, or supplier, Starbucks is one of the best companies to work for. Their dedication to their product and the employees speaks for themselves in their numbers. Sales for 2004 totalled, in millions, are $5, 294. 2, which represents a 29. 9 percent increase over 2003 (Murry 2005). Starbucks carries very little debt, which makes it an even stronger company. It was also sitting on $380 million in cash in the summer of 2004 (Rosato 2004). As Rosata said, â€Å"Starbucks, with little long-term debt and about $380 million in cash, has a stellar balance sheet. † The company finances their new outlets from their own cash reserves (Rosato 2004 p. 124). Not only does Starbucks say their employees are their most important asset, they go out of their way to show it. Background With more than 8,500 coffee shops spanning 30 different countries, Starbucks Corporation, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is the largest specialty coffee retailer in the world (Murray 2005). Howard Schultz first joined the Starbucks team in 1982 after visiting them on a business trip as a supplier for kitchen equipment. He knew that he wanted to be part of Starbucks at the beginning, and spent the next year talking with the current owners before joining (Thompson et al. 2006). After spending time in Europe and seeing the upbeat and trendy market for coffee houses in Milan, he developed a vision of North Americans sitting in a Starbucks, drinking a speciality coffee and reading a paper or chatting among friends. His ideas however, were not shared by the other members of Starbucks who did not want to enter into the restaurant business, and were happy with being a retailer of speciality coffee (Thompson et al. 2006). Everything Starbucks does is designed to enhance the quality and ambience of the great smell and taste of their coffee. From the farms to the brewing of the coffee, and every process in between, set standards and values that have been put in place by top management to ensure quality and consistence (Thompson et al. 2006). Until recently, every Starbucks store was completely owned by the parent corporation. Schultz did not believe that franchising the stores will allow Starbucks to control the quality and customer service that Starbucks had built their clientele around (Thompson et al. 2006). As of 2003, Starbucks currently has approximately 2700 stores within the US and internationally which are licensed and pay royalties. These agreements allowed Starbucks to enter into market areas such as hotels and university campuses which were not previously attainable (Thompson at al. 2006). The prevailing leadership style seems to be one of allowing autonomy to managers and collaboration insofar as managers, or at least some managers, seeking input from employees. Product Starbucks has always taken pride in their quality of their products. Quality starts right at the potential farming locations where Starbucks purchases their beans. Scheduled visits are maintained to insure that the highest quality of bean is sent to their roasting facilities (Thompson et al. 2006). Staff in the roasting plants are highly trained and able to identify quality by the colour and sound of the roasted beans. Automated roasting systems, and high-tech testing equipment ensures that the beans meet the highest standard, with entire batches of product thrown out which do no pass quality testing (Thompson et al. 2006). Starbucks has also mastered the transportation of their coffee by packaging in a vacuum-sealed container, with a one-way valve that allows gasses to escape, but prevents air and moisture from getting in. This has help increase the shelf life of the product (Thompson et al. 2006). The company consistently looks for ways to improve quality of their product and service. For example, Starbucks innovated a prepaid card, which customers can load with $5 to $500 (Cardline 2004). The card can be automatically refilled on a monthly basis from the customer’s debit or charge card. In October 2004, there was $1 billion on 35 million customer cards (Cardline 2004). Starbucks also began offering a gift card in 2004, which can also be reloaded automatically with a minimum of $20 per month (Cardline 2004). Customers listen to previews of musical selections and the store burns a CD with the selections. The music is from new, promising artists (Starbucks Mixes Mochas 2004). Currently Starbucks coffee and be purchased at selected grocery and department stores. From the beginning, Starbucks had offered a mail-order catalogue, targeted at customers who had moved away from the Seattle area, and wanted to continue enjoying the product. In 2003 the program was discontinued with the drop in sales and the ability to purchase the products at most supermarkets. (Thompson et al. 2006). Globalization Currently Starbucks has over 12,000 stores, with more than 3000 of those outside of the United States. Although issues have been brought up with concerns of stores opening up in China, they now boast over 400 stores in that country alone, making it one of their largest non-US markets. With a goat set for over 40,000 stores in the near future, they plan on focusing their expansion into countries such as India, Russia, China, Brazil, and Egypt (Starbucks to Doubles North America Stores 2006) With their social and conscious efforts for individual countries, Starbucks has a simple system for expanding into new territories which is not change anything, or as little as possible. The main focus is to be able to walk into one of their stores, and not know where you are by looking at it. Although there are some cultural difference with certain products that do not sell well in other countries, to them it is all just coffee (Yunker 2006). Staff Development The corporate principles have not changed since its foundation, and everyone is expected to live by them. Management fads are attractive to companies because they tend to offer quick solutions, inflated results, easy implementation, and use flashy buzzwords to sell the idea. They tend to die off quickly when an organization tries to implement one, which makes them easy to identify from a useful management tool (Miller Hartwick 2002). Authors and analysts consistently report the company actually does live by their principles every day (Stopper 2004). Not only are employees reminded of the principles daily, there is a hotline for employees to report any violations of the principles. The fist two principles are: Provide a great work environment and treat each other with respect and dignity, and Embrace diversity as an essential component in the way we do business (Stopper 2004). Loyalty Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Starbucks is the loyalty of its employees. Analysts report the average annual turnover rate for quick-service restaurants is 200 percent; at Starbucks, the turnover rate for employees is 80 percent and for managers, 20 percent (Weber 2005). This is a definite reflection of the company’s attitudes towards actual treatment of employees. Employees are called â€Å"partners,† which sends a hidden message of autonomy and respect (Weber 2005). Schultz had a belief that if you took care of all your employees that they would take care of you. When negotiating with the insurance carrier to include part time employees, Schultz belief is philosophy strong, â€Å"More than half of our retail sales force is part-time workers. That tells me that the majority of our customers are coming into contact with part-timers. How we treat our people is directly related to how we treat our customers and to the quality of our product. Its inarguable that our part-timers are key to the companys success. † (Rothman 1993). Compensation In 1987, Starbucks became the first company to offer part-time employees the same benefits package as is offered to full-time employees, and they offer spousal benefits to same-sex couples as well as opposite-sex couples (Weber 2005). The company pays approximately 75 percent of the health care premiums. Other benefits include a free pound of coffee each week and a stock option plan where employees can purchase stock at 85% of the market price (Weber 2005). They begin with a wage that is above the minimum wage, and although the company will not divulge its salary and benefits scale, and employee in Boston reported a salary beginning at $8 per hour, where minimum wage is $6. 25, and one is San Francisco began at $8. 62, where minimum wage is $8. 50 per hour (Weber 2005). Training The company has a strong and comprehensive 24-hour orientation training program for new employees. Company executives attribute their ability to grow fast to having a stable workforce. Store managers and assistant managers go through a 10-week management training program (Weber 2005). Employee training goes far beyond basic coffee making skills. It includes customer service, brewing the â€Å"perfect cup†, learning how to specialize customer orders, and important housekeeping skills. At the end of the training, employees will know how to properly pronounce the different names, take personal responsibility in the cleanliness of the stores, and will able to sell customers home espresso machines (Thompson at al. 2006). Although many companies in a similar business would find this amount of training extensive and too costly, Starbucks has the advantage of a low turnover rate which allows for this large amount of training. Staff who are better trained are likely to be more satisfied and remain at a job, then those who are not (Anthony et al. 2005) Managers also received extensive training lasting 8 to 12 weeks long. Not only did their training include areas of store operation, procedures, and information systems, but more importantly how to manage people. The training given by other store and regional managers was designed to train a new manager to understand the value, culture and social responsibility that Starbucks considered part of their corporate culture (Thompson Gamble 1997) Conflicts in Staffing Starbucks is not without challenges. Managers in both California and Florida sued the company for overtime pay, claiming they were performing duties not related to management. The company settled the lawsuit in California, not agreeing they really owed the money to the managers but to avoid prolonged litigation (Ouchi 2005). Furthermore, as with all non-unionized companies, the union has attempted to invade the company to get a foothold in Starbucks on a regular basis (Holmes 2005). In June 2005, Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) filed a complaint alleging the company used illegal tactics to keep employees in new Starbucks from joining the union. The employees of the Starbucks located at 36th and Madison Ave. in Manhattan formed their own union in 2004, which is independent and not recognized by any other organization or agency. The leader of this union says it has won higher starting wages at their store as well as â€Å"recognition of repetitive stress injuries† (Holmes 2005). Culture and Social Responsibility Problems aside, it would seem that Starbucks treats its employees a whole lot better than other companies in the same industry, e. g. , how many offer full benefits to part-times employees? The company has a dramatically lower turnover rate than other companies, which suggests employees feel that they are being treated fairly. The corporation has shown the culture at Starbucks, which is one of support and open communication, respect and values. On September 11, the company closed all stores across the country to allow employees to be home with their families (Blassingame 2002). They established crisis management teams, frequent communications to all employees via email, counselling was made available to all employees, upper management flew from Seattle to New York, and they extended their benefits to employees who served in the military (Blassingame 2002). Diversity at Starbucks is without question. The company is not only supportive of gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, it goes much further to â€Å"diversity of opinion, age, cultural experiences, family status, and sexual orientation† (Nagae 2005). They practice what they preach. The company has a very strong social responsibility division and give back to all communities in which they are located (Starbucks 2005). Farmers in developing nations that supply Starbucks with their beans are insured long-term agreements, and sufficient payments that provide a higher level of living standards, and guarantees of financial security (Thompson et al. 2006). Environmental Responsibility As a partner of Conservation International, Starbucks has promoted coffee cultivation methods that protect a healthy environment (Thompson et al. 2006). Farmers do no use pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals and clean ground water is used to protect ecosystems. Farming techniques are also used that develop higher yields in smaller fields that help protect against soil erosion on mountainsides (Thompson et al. 2006). Within the corporation, Starbucks has an Environmental Committee, and a Green Store Task Force which looks at ways to minimize waste, conserve energy, and assist with local environmental efforts (Thompson et al. 2006). Customers are also offered a 10 cent discount off coffee purchases for supplying their own mug (Thompson et al. 2006). Starbucks environment policies also extend to suppliers who are encouraged to use energy-efficient products and eliminate unnecessary packaging. (Thompson et al. 2006). Although it is widely considered in business that profits and the environment are considered to be separate from each other, and caring for one often means hurting the other, Starbucks seems to look at the long-term aspect of this issue. Conclusion Customer service is a top priority for Starbucks, and they understand that proper training, low turnover rates, employee empowerment, and employee satisfaction are all key factors in providing customers the service desired. Not only have they created the staff development model, but the corporate culture has been developed to fully promote a strong working relationship between management and employees, giving the employees the empowerment to provide unsatisfied customers with a free coupon for a coffee no matter what the issue (Thompson et al. 2006). Starbucks has been able to build a brand name that is recognizable around the world which represents quality, style, and customer care. Despite some short fallings in some of Starbuck’s financial decisions, many companies should look at how Starbucks treat their staff, their suppliers and the environment, and make it their vision to develop a business model around the same values. Their growth throughout the United States, and internationally has been unstoppable since the start, which is all due to the belief that every dollar you spend on your employees shows up on the bottom line (Rothman 1993). The company is growing and there seems to be no stopping it. It just expands dramatically each year and it is offering new services and products to keep the consumer coming back. Their belief in employee benefits and strong labour-management has lead to turnover rate that is far superior to those other companies in the same category as Starbucks. The company quickly realized that the financial cost of employee turnover far outweighs the extra cost of benefits. Combined with solid negotiations with insurance providers, and a younger, healthier work force, Starbucks is able to provide viable coverage at minimal costs (Rothman 1993). The advantage that Starbucks has over their competitor is that the value of their employee has existed from the very beginning of the company, unlike others that try to follow management trends and fads. What makes Starbucks truly different than most companies, and the â€Å"Best Company to Work For† is their belief in doing what they preach. Many other company have stated similar values, developed equally in-depth training modules, put social and economic responsibilities in their mission statements, and state that their â€Å"employees are their greatest resource. † While these companies use these terms and goals only at face value, and do not make the commitment to follow through on their promise for a better company, they in fact neither have the commitment nor the desire to implement a positive work environment which they can be proud of. Very few companies can equate the cost of additional support and training for their employees to the company’s bottom line. More importantly, although such things at additional training have a high short-term cost, they typically have long-term benefits with financial gains. Bibliography Anthony, W. , Kacmar M. , Perrewe, P. 2005, Human Resource Management: A Strategic Approach. Thomson Corp. Mason, OH Blassingame, K. 2002. ‘Starbucks displays HR values after tragedy. ’ Employee Benefit News, February 2002. Available from: http://www. benefitnews. com/work/detail. cfm? id=2433 [December 6, 2006] Cardline. 2004. ‘Starbucks Card will have $1 Billion in Balances This Month’ Available from: www. cardforum. com [December 6, 2006] Holmes, S. 2005 â€Å"A bitter Aroma at Starbucks,† Business Week, June 62005 Miller, D. , Hartwick, J. 2002 ‘Spotting Management Fads,’ Harvard Business Review. October 2002 Vol. 80 Issue 10, p26 Murray, B. 2005, Starbucks Coporation. Hoover’s Inc. , Austin Nagae, P. 2005. ‘How General Counsel Support Their CEOs Diversity Efforts,’ Diversity and the Bar. May/June 2005 Ouchi, M. S. 2005. ‘Starbucks told to turn in names in overtime-pay lawsuit,’ The Seattle Times, May 13, 2005-08-27 Rosato, D. 2004. ‘When it Pays to Pay up’. Money Magazine, August 1, 2004, p124 Rothman, M. 1993 ‘Into the Black: How Starbuck’s comprehensive employee-benefits package adds to its bottom line,’ Inc Magazine, Jan 1993. Available from: www. inc. com/magazine/19930101/3340. html. Starbucks Corporation. 2005. Available from: www. starbucks. com [December 6, 2006] Starbucks to Double North America Sales 2006. Available From: MSNBC October 5, 2006 Stopper, W. 2004. ‘Establishing and maintaining the trust of your employees,’ Human Resource Planning, June 2004, p21 Tan, J. 2005. ‘Starbucks to Open 1800 Stores in 2006,’ Insis, August 2, 2005. Available from: www. ebizasialink. com/news. asp? ArticleID=3765SID=48 Techweb, 2004. ‘Starbucks Mixes Mochas and Music with CD Burning Service’ Available From: www. techweb. com [December 6, 2006] Thompson, A. , Gamble J. 1997. ‘Starbucks Corporation’ McGraw-Hill Available from: www. mhhe. com/business/management/thompson/11e/case/starbucks-2. html Thompson, A. ,Gamble J. , Strickland A. J. 2006. Strategy: Winning in the Marketplace. McGraw-Hill, New York Weber, G. 2005. ‘Preserving the Counter Culture,’ Workforce Management, February 2005, p28 Yunker, J. 2006. ‘Starbucks CEO on Globalization: Don’t Go Changing,’ Business Globalization Available From www. globalbydesign. com/2006/12/03/starbucks-ceo-on-globalization-dont-go-changing [December 6, 2006]

Winston Churchill :: essays research papers

Winston Churchill SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL, (1874-1965), British leader. English on his father's side, American on his mother's, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill embodied and expressed the double vitality and the national qualities of both peoples. His names testify to the richness of his historic inheritance: Winston, after the Royalist family with whom the Churchills married before the English Civil War; Leonard, after his remarkable grandfather, Leonard Jerome of New York; Spencer, the married name of a daughter of the 1st duke of Marlborough, from whom the family descended; Churchill, the family name of the 1st duke, which his descendents resumed after the Battle of Waterloo. All these strands come together in a career that had no parallel in British history for richness, range, length, and achievement. Churchill took a leading part in laying the foundations of the welfare state in Britain, in preparing the Royal Navy for World War I, and in settling the political boundaries in the Middle East after the war. In WORLD WAR II emerged as the leader of the united British nation and Commonwealth to resist the German domination of Europe, as an inspirer of the resistance among free peoples, and as a prime architect of victory. In this, and in the struggle against communism afterward, he made himself an indispensable link between the British and American peoples, for he foresaw that the best defense for the free world was the coming together of the English-speaking peoples. Profoundly historically minded, he also had prophetic foresight: British-American unity was the message of his last great book, A History of the English-Speaking Peoples. His dominant qualities were courage and imagination. Less obvious to the public, but no less important, was his powerful, original, and fertile intellect. He had intense loyalty, marked magnanimity and generosity, and an affectionate nature with a puckish humor. Oratory, in which he ultimately became a master, he learned the hard way, but he was a natural wit. The artistic side of his temperament was displayed in his writings and oratorical style, as well as in his paintings. He was a combination of soldier, writer, artist, and statesman. He was not so good as a mere party politician. Like Julius Caesar, he stands out not only as a great man of action, but as a writer of it too. He had genius; as a man he was charming, gay, ebullient, endearing. As for personal defects, such a man was bound to be a great egoist; if that is a defect. So strong a personality was apt to be overbearing. He was something of a gambler, always too willing to take risks. In his earlier career, people thought him of unbalanced judgment partly from the very excess of

A Degree for Meter Readers Essay

South Illinois Electric Company is a Member-Owned, Non-Profit Service Organization whose mission is to provide our member-owners with competitively priced, reliable electricity, superior customer service and innovative solutions to enhance the quality of life in our communities. Organized in 1938 for the purpose of making electricity available to rural areas, South Eastern Illinois Electric Cooperative has grown steadily and now serves over 23,000 accounts through some 3,500 miles of power line. (South Eastern Illinois Electric Cooperative, Inc. ) Meter Readers A meter reader is a utility employee who reads consumption meters for the purpose of billing. He or she may read gas, electric, and water meters, in addition to inspecting meters and utility boxes to confirm that they are in good condition, and checking for signs of tampering or fraud. There are no educational requirements for members of this profession, although most meter readers hold a high school diploma. The need for this profession is also on the decline, as many utilities have turned to automated systems which read meters remotely or read large numbers of meters via handheld units which communicate wirelessly, reducing the need for employees. Every meter reader has a route that he or she follows. Many often complete large portions of their route on foot, driving to a central point and fanning out from their vehicles, so they need to be in good physical condition. They must also be willing to tolerate inclement weather, as meter readings are not canceled for things like rain. See more:  The Story of an Hour Literary Analysis Essay Each one carries a handheld device which is used to record meter data or to interface directly with meters to collect data. At each household on the meter reader’s route, he or she notes down the customer identification and the reading on the customer’s meter. People in this position often face challenges like locked gates, hostile dogs, or inaccessible meters along their routes, although many utilities issue meter reading dates to their customers and ask them to plan ahead for their reading. If a meter cannot be read, the meter reader leaves an appointment card, asking to reschedule a date to read the meter. Once the meter reader’s route is finished, he or she returns to the office to submit the data to the billing department, and bills are issued. Because most utilities cover a large area, there are usually enough routes to keep readers busy every day. Many grow very familiar with their routes and they are able to complete them  quickly. Working as a meter reader requires a high degree of self-discipline, because people in this position work alone in the field, without supervision. They may have varying degrees of interaction with the public, depending on when they set out on their routes and the communities they work in. Experienced meter readers may also periodically be asked to accompany trainees as they learn the process of meter reading and following a route. A Degree for Meter Readers Essay South Illinois Electric Company is a Member-Owned, Non-Profit Service Organization whose mission is to provide our member-owners with competitively priced, reliable electricity, superior customer service and innovative solutions to enhance the quality of life in our communities. Organized in 1938 for the purpose of making electricity available to rural areas, South Eastern Illinois Electric Cooperative has grown steadily and now serves over 23,000 accounts through some 3,500 miles of power line. (South Eastern Illinois Electric Cooperative, Inc. ) Meter Readers A meter reader is a utility employee who reads consumption meters for the purpose of billing. He or she may read gas, electric, and water meters, in addition to inspecting meters and utility boxes to confirm that they are in good condition, and checking for signs of tampering or fraud. There are no educational requirements for members of this profession, although most meter readers hold a high school diploma. The need for this profession is also on the decline, as many utilities have turned to automated systems which read meters remotely or read large numbers of meters via handheld units which communicate wirelessly, reducing the need for employees. Every meter reader has a route that he or she follows. Many often complete large portions of their route on foot, driving to a central point and fanning out from their vehicles, so they need to be in good physical condition. They must also be willing to tolerate inclement weather, as meter readings are not canceled for things like rain. Each one carries a handheld device which is used to record meter data or to interface directly with meters to collect data. At each household on the meter reader’s route, he or she notes down the customer identification and the reading on the customer’s meter. People in this position often face challenges like locked gates, hostile dogs, or inaccessible meters along their routes, although many utilities issue meter reading dates to their customers and ask them to plan ahead for their reading. If a meter cannot be read, the meter reader leaves an appointment card, asking to reschedule a date to read the meter. Once the meter reader’s route is finished, he or she returns to the office to submit the data to the billing department, and bills are issued. Because most utilities cover a large area, there are usually enough routes to keep readers busy every day. Many grow very familiar with their routes and they are able to complete them uickly. Working as a meter reader requires a high degree of self-discipline, because people in this position work alone in the field, without supervision. They may have varying degrees of interaction with the public, depending on when they set out on their routes and the communities they work in. Experienced meter readers may also periodically be asked to accompany trainees as they learn the process of meter reading and following a route.

New Deal Essay

1932. Famine and homelessness afflicted millions across the country. Small shanty-towns called â€Å"Hoovervilles† popped up on the outskirts of towns and in the open areas of cities, and served as home to the most downtrodden of society. Over nine thousand banks had gone bankrupt since 1929, along with them millions of dollars that had been entrusted to their care. Franklin D. Roosevelt inherited the leadership of a nation containing thirteen million unemployed living in utter poverty.Although criticized by his political contemporaries for the vague nature of his â€Å"New Deal,† FDR came into office with a vision that, if employed effectively, would boost people’s confidence in the economy and lift the spirits of millions nationwide. â€Å"The New Deal† may have only been marginally effective in repairing the economic woes of the United States on a pure numbers basis, but it ultimately succeeded in stabilizing the â€Å"depression† in America. In my analysis, the success of the New Deal rested in the positive psychological ramifications it manifested nationwide.The New Deal brought about lasting changes in government policy, and the way Americans would perceive the federal government. According to William E. Leuchtenburg, FDR came into office after a â€Å"lame duck† session that had lasted from February to December that had only weakened the public’s already low perception of Congress. Further, American and European observations at the outset of FDR’s presidency remarked that the common, jobless poor seemed to have lost all vigor for life; listless and calmly accepting their fates, rather than taking to the streets in violent protest.Unlike their European contemporaries, the American people felt simply defeated and hopeless, without the agency to force positive change. President Hoover tried repeatedly (unsuccessfully) to coerce the President-elect into accepting his view of the Depression as well, whil e FDR carefully built a â€Å"brains trust† of intellectuals, theorists, and colleagues to develop the New Deal into a tangible program when he took office.A major obstacle to implementing New Deal programs was a strong push from the Republican side for a return to a Smithian laissez-faire society with traditional values and a myriad of small businesses controlling the bulk of the economy. New Dealers maintained that this idyllic trip down memory lane was mere illusion, and the best way to solve the country’s economic woes was to foster business-government cooperation with an emphasis on balance. As the first part of the New Deal, in the first 100 days, the FDR dministration’s goal was to restore hope and courage to the American people, and stop economic hemorrhaging. In early March, FDR issued a (legally questionable) presidential edict to proclaim a national bank holiday to protect both the banks from mass withdrawal runs and the national treasury. FDR address ed Hoover’s financial advisers’ and the deficit hawks’ concerns through the introduction of the Economy Act, which cut $500 million total out of veterans’ pensions and federal employees’ salaries in order to balance the â€Å"regular† federal budget.FDR sent the Emergency Banking Act to Congress on March 9, 1933, effectively reopening 75% of Federal Reserve Banks, and granted authority to large banking institutions to purchase smaller banks, but with strictly defined rules and regulations. As part of the act, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was established to provide insurance on banking deposits up to $2500, effectively ending the risk of bank runs. Alcohol once again was sold legally on April 7, 1933 after FDR requested Congress to pledge an early end to Prohibition, and the American people began to become reassured in financial recovery with help from FDR’s â€Å"fireside chats. The Thomas Act gave FDR the authority to i nflate money and take the dollar off the gold standard, effectively allowing the economy to expand and diversify. The Securities Act of 1933 created the Securities and Exchange Commission, charged with the regulation of the stock market, correcting excesses in the banking system and the stock market, and maintaining the disclosure of financial statements. All of the aforementioned programs were simply the beginning of the New Deal, but they were necessary for facilitating social, political, and economic change in the United States.The Agricultural Adjustment Act placed limits on competitive farming, reduced crop production through artificial scarcity ensuring agricultural price inflation and padding the pockets of farmers. The AAA also paid farmers subsidies to leave farm lands uncultivated by introducing tax penalties on overproduction. This led to the slaughter of over six million piglets, unfortunately. The AAA was widely unpopular among the American public according to Gallup po lls of the time, and the Supreme Court ultimately declared it unconstitutional; that the state did not have the legal right to control the means of agricultural production.Proponents of the second New Deal introduced new legislation in FDR’s second term to provide government subsidies on lands that were used to plant soil enriching crops rather than commodities. The FERA, CWA, CCC, the WPA, NYA, NRA, PWA, and TVA were all created as part of the relief legislation to get the unemployed back to work, regardless of cost. All the relief works programs especially the CCC were designed to organize a labor force and literally create an â€Å"Army† of working men, provide them with jobs, discipline, food, and shelter while creating infrastructure support nationally through public works projects.These programs were drastically inefficient and dragged the federal deficit even deeper into debt, but they improved the morale of the population by putting millions back to work, and t hey were politically popular, giving FDR the edge to be reelected. New Deal programs were ideal for fostering active political engagement for African Americans, and gave people the strength to organize to let their voices be heard. NAACP membership was dramatically on the rise, and Eleanor Roosevelt’s tireless work for the advancement of racial equality helped spur the movement onward.Greenburg points out that the intentions of the New Deal programs at face value were designed to be racially equal, but the application of those programs brought out the discrimination that was prevalent in society at the time, especially the south. The biggest problem associated with African Americans and the New Deal was that the New Deal officials offering relief to the public only saw the need to assist whites, and that blacks had not established a greater need for assistance. Why? Good old fashioned racism, that’s why. According to Greenberg, African Americans hadn’t fallen th at far during the economic crash though.Even though African Americans had been legally free for near 80 years, they still lived in desperate poverty, and hadn’t reached the levels of financial success achieved by their white counterparts. African Americans generally didn’t own the houses they lived in, worked the least-paying and least-desirable jobs, and essentially had lived in their own economic depression long before the stock market crash of 1929. In the post-Bellum South, a quarter of African American people were categorized as illiterate, as education was not readily available for them due to racial pressures and antiquated Jim Crow laws.Southern blacks lived in more destitute poverty than most other Americans during the depression due to their already horrible lot in life. A majority of Southern blacks were sharecroppers, and didn’t even own the land they were farming. The decline of Agricultural commodities lowered farm prices more and more, until the t enant farmers were literally tending to the fields to do nothing more than lose more money, as the landowners claimed all of the subsidies from the AAA.Wealth was not well-distributed in the south, and they found that opportunity lay in urban centers especially to the north, in modern industrialized cities. What followed was â€Å"The Great Migration† between 1910 and 1940, where African Americans left the south in droves to find opportunities in the cities. They found the worst jobs in the cities coupled with the worst pay, but they were genereally free from the threat of lynch mobs and public beatings, despite not being well-liked by their new neighbors.Section 7A of the NRA required businesses to accept union employees and not discriminate based on ethnicity or race, which allowed greater legislative power for organizations like the American Negro Labor Congress. Even though New Deal programs had been introduced to unify the workingman, the results of the new legislation w idened the distrust between blacks and whites. African Americans provided a cheap labor force, and would often work as scabs during factory strikes, infuriating white union workers, causing deeper tensions.The Communist and Socialist Parties both claimed that capitalists used race as tool to divide the population against itself, and both worked tirelessly to promote equal rights for both the poor and African Americans. This caused even further disparity when these parties used racial inequality to stir up tension between established whites and poor blacks. The Communist and Socialist Parties had found a rallying cry in racial inequality, and actively promoted multiracial unions to demand equality in the workplace.There was even a conspiracy theory espoused by most southern whites that African Americans were Soviet spies, employed by the USSR to bring down the white race and capitalism. FDR’s New Deal programs certainly barred racial discrimination, but local officials were th e people who administered the programs, and the majority of these people still hadn’t changed their racial views. Greenburg points out that the fault lay not in the New Deal, but in the patterns and established segregation that was prevalent in society. It didn’t help that FDR courted southern white democrats in his bid for the election, to secure his position n office. Once he laid out the plans for the New Deal, however, he gained more support from the black community, as they were among those represented in the groups that would benefit from programs designed to empower the jobless, homeless, starving, and needy. The road to hell is paved with good intentions though; Public works projects like the WPA, the NRA (coined â€Å"affectionately as the Negro Removal Agency), and FERA all generally accepted local wage distribution policies, discriminatory hiring practices, and were all subject to public scrutiny.African Americans, not being part of the majority had a lesse r voice in the crowd, and thus were financially punished for any outspoken criticism of racial inequalities within the workplace. FDR avoided directly addressing the race issue in his first few years in office to garner continued support from the southern white supremacists that occupied the Senate.As the US entered WWII, the need for increased collaboration and unity between whites and blacks was much greater, and FDR saw the need for improved race relations (and to ward off a march on the Capitol by A. Philip Randolph and his supporters), so he issued Executive Order 8802 to legally mandate an official federal government position of anti-discrimination policy. Even though the Executive Order was technically part of the first or second New Deal, it was part of FDR’s legacy, and it has had resounding effects throughout American society.New Deal programs were carefully, politically orchestrated to have mass appeal across a broad spectrum of the US population, but unfortunately mass appeal is not sympathetic to minorities caught up in the struggle. While the New Deal provided jobs and money for millions of white Americans, improving morale and confidence in the economy, racial inequality as a product of society, left African Americans generally poor and in similar conditions they had faced before the depression.

Drugs in the work place essays

Drugs in the work place essays Drug Addiction in the School and Work Place How has work efficiency changed as a result of drug addiction in the sch a couool and work place? In the 1960 and 1970's, men and women worked long hours to support their family. For many, these strenuous hours were hard to handle without taking drugs. The use of "uppers" and "downers" was then considered a way to tolerate those long work hours. To this date, the concern of drugs being used for work efficiency persists among adults who work long late hours, teens with an influenced drug addiction, and also the health concerns which occur because of the use of drugs. There are various drugs which have the effect of making the user alert or drowsy when taken. Valium and Ritalin are just a couple examples of the prescription drugs orally taken for specific effects. In the early-mid twentieth century, men and women worked overtime, or even three or four jobs, just to get through life. They got back home late at night and had to wake early the next morning to do it all again. Because of the lack of sleep, they took "uppers" in the morning to be alert and "downers" at night to get rest. Please take note that they also drank coffee throughout the day along with the use of these drugs. The adults who had children during this time greatly influenced them with the sight of their drug addiction. The adult's pill taking drew forth a curiosity in their children. They wondered what the pills do to make their parents take them every single day. At one point, the children's interest grew so greatly as to make them want to try the drugs. So the children, especially teens, began pilfering some "uppers" and "downers"out of sheer interest to experiment with them. The drugs seemed to be "cool" for the teens and their stealing of them increased greatly. They then started taking the drugs to school because of a grown addiction to them. Other teens were also ...

Directions for Direct Address

Directions for Direct Address Directions for Direct Address Directions for Direct Address By Mark Nichol This post, dear reader, describes proper punctuation and capitalization associated with writing in which one or more people are being addressed by name or role. Confusion abounds about how or whether to set off a proper or common noun that serves as a label for one or more people from a statement directed at that audience, and when to capitalize the first letter of an otherwise lowercased word that serves that function. One of the outcomes of the trend toward less formal correspondence is the tendency of writers to omit punctuation from salutations, as in â€Å"Hi Buffy!† Technically, the greeting should read, â€Å"Hi, Buffy!† I can’t police Muffy’s every missive to Buffy, but at the risk of sounding stuffy and making Muffy huffy I’ll remind her (and everyone else) of that fact in this public forum. (However, because dear in â€Å"Dear Buffy† is a modifier, not an interjection, that phrase receives no punctuation.) Another locution that, by the ubiquity of erroneous usage, increases such errors virally is the incorrectly comma-free truncation of â€Å"May I have your attention, shoppers† and the like: â€Å"Attention shoppers.† The word shoppers is a form of direct address and must therefore be set off from the preceding interjection by a comma. A comma should, likewise, be inserted after the direct address in â€Å"Ladies and gentlemen start your engines,† which otherwise reads as if the statement means that well-bred women and men provide the service of turning the readers’ ignition keys. Whenever a sentence communicates that one or more people are being spoken to, a comma (or two) is part of the process. When the term of address precedes the statement, insert a comma after the term of address: â€Å"Sir, please follow me.† When the term of address follows the statement, insert a comma before the term of address: â€Å"Good job, everybody.† When the term of address is inserted into the statement, brace it with two commas: â€Å"Please, miss, can you tell me the time?† But note that these terms of address do not begin with uppercase letters. When are such terms capitalized? This emphasis is generally provided only when the term is a substitution for a known name: â€Å"What do you suggest, Doctor?† â€Å"Please tell us, Senator, how you came to that conclusion.† This rule applies to designations of family relationships, too: â€Å"Can I go see a movie, Mom?† (Or â€Å"I asked Mom if I could go see a movie.† But â€Å"I asked my mom if I could go see a movie,† because, in this case, you’re merely describing the person â€Å"my mom† not naming her.) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Congratulations on or for?Running Amok or Running Amuck?Charles's Pen and Jesus' Name

The Impact of Lobbying on Standard Setting in Accounting Essay

The Impact of Lobbying on Standard Setting in Accounting - Essay Example The essay "The Impact of Lobbying on Standard Setting in Accounting" discusses and critically evaluates the impact of lobbying on standard setting in accounting. Also, in the evaluation of the impact of lobbying on standard setting in accounting, various examples have been used to support the inferences that have been made. According to Frattini, lobbying on standard setting in accounting ensures that there are assurance and legitimacy among standard setters. The process of standard setting should be characterized by the provision of financial information, which will be acceptable and useful to all parties. Therefore, if a standard setter, especially a government body formulates measurement rules that are designated to support government policies, the integrity and credibility of the standard setter would be threatened, regardless of the fiscal merits of the measurement rules. As lobbyists pressure standard setters over the credibility of standards, the standard setters will seek to formulate accounting standards in an innovative manner. Since the parties that are affected by various accounting standards are diversified and there are no adequate conditions for guaranteeing the legitimacy and credibility of a standard, lobbying on standard setting in accounting becomes necessary. This is because ensuring procedural safeguards and inclusiveness in standard setting may be difficult. Standard setters they develop the best, possible accounting standards to secure acceptance of the standards by stakeholders. The conflict that may exist between the standard setters and stakeholders may be used strategically to influence legitimacy and credibility among accounting standard setters (McKay, 2006, p, 2). Therefore, lobbying on standard setting in accounting ensures that assurance and legitimacy among standard setters is enhanced. Lobbying and Revelation of Informatio n about Future Standards Implementation Lobbying on standard setting in accounting allows all the stakeholders to participate in the process of setting standards, and measures the interest about an issue. For instance, when some stakeholders oppose a particular accounting standard, they raise their concerns by advising the government and other interested parties to influence the amendment or removal of the standard (Godfrey & Chalmers, 2007 and Holgate, 2006). This means that more information about the controversial standard has to be provided by the relevant standard setter. Therefore, lobbying on standard setting in accounting reveals information pertaining to the potential implementation problems and costs of future standards (Frattini, 2007, p, 7). Companies and other stakeholders who will be affected by the accounting standa

An Investment in a Mutual Fund and its Goals Article

An Investment in a Mutual Fund and its Goals - Article Example A mutual fund is a form of collective investment that pools money from many investors and invests their money in stocks, bonds, short-term money market instruments, or other securities. While investing in mutual funds, there can be a variety of investment goals and their options. Mutual funds have their own goals also, therefore it is imperative for an investor to make sure that the fund's goals align well his/her own goals. Apart of making huge amount of money in a very quick period, the most common investment goal which also is in accordance with my planning is saving for the life after retirement. This goal requires a certain portion of earnings to be saved and invested on a periodic basis. Since majority of the mutual funds offer retirement plans, which also are secure plans, I look forward to invest my money in these plans as my tiny periodic investment installments will add up and grow into a healthy and substantial sum after the agreed time span. Hence, I will make investment in a mutual fund company that offers and works with balanced or index funds.

Commodification & Globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Commodification & Globalization - Essay Example Technology has transformed our world in such a way that words like national identity, local news, local economy, local culture and isolated catastrophe or calamity are fast becoming meaningless. Though Globalization has been defined by many in their own perspectives for political, traditional and intellectual motives, we will only consider the popular understanding of globalization. Packaging, pricing, marketing and ultimately selling something that was never a sellable commodity is generally known as a process of commodification. Commodification has its roots in the far spread capitalism around the world. Capitalism according to a popular belief (Gamble, 2001), is one of the ramifications of globalization. The phenomenon of commodification mines the commonly found objects, ideas, resources, culture and experiences in our daily lives and creates a monetary value for the previously un-commoditized entity. Such a process triggers a hunt for entities that can be commoditized since it en tails profits. In a capitalist world where the accumulation of wealth is prevalent, such a hunt can mean exhaustion of minable entities for commodification. Exhaustion of commoditize able resources is succinctly outlined by Jeremy Rifkin (2001), If the capitalist system continues to absorb large parts of the cultural realm into its sphere in the form of commodified cultural products, productions, and experiences, the risk is very real that the culture will atrophy to the point where it can no longer produce enough social capital and thus support an economy (p. 245). Online Multiplayer Gaming over the internet is fast becoming a commodity of a globalized world. Though internet experience in itself is a commodity but socializing over the internet via chat rooms, voice chat, social networks and emails has not been a commodity for some years now. The online multiplayer gaming today is charged from pay per hour to pay per year payment models. There exist more clever ways of commodifying the gaming experience that we will look into detail in the coming paragraphs. The commodity harvesters of the internet economy are quickly realizing the money making potential of Social Gaming, the internet games that involve players from around the globe. The very core of internet gaming experience involves real human interaction where the players may know each other; this adds a social dimension to the mix. The growing trend in size of internet gaming, amount of time people spend playing such games and lastly the viable business model that backs any internet application, are major factors that has helped commodification grow in online multiplayer gaming world. Advertisement is an essential step in commodifying something. One such example can be land commodification in over populated countries like China (Xu et. al, 2009), where masses are implanted with a dream of owning a lavish house at attractive locations thus creating a hyped value for irrigable or unused land which otherwise has a lesser value. Such a concept when applied to online multiplayer games, yields astounding value for otherwise a very cost technology. A comprehensive example that has stretched the concept of commodification and globalization to its maximum is called â€Å"Second Life†. The game has its own economy that runs through a currency known as â€Å"

Business Report Essay Example for Free

Business Report Essay Business opportunities in NSW are impacted by internal and external factors. Internal and external factors influence the business opportunities as they determine the success and failure of opportunities in the business environment. External influences are factors which mainly influence the environment outside the business and therefore they determine what the management staff inside the business must do to adjust with the changes in the external environment. External influences include factors such as; economic, financial, geographic, social, legal, political, institutional, technological, competitive situation and markets. Internal influences are factors affecting the business from within i. e. internally. Internal influences include factors such as; product, location, management, resource management and business culture. The following business report is commissioned to examine the influence of external and internal factors of business opportunities in NSW. The economic influence includes factors which relate to changes in the wider economy i. e. booms and recessions in the economy. The benefit of a growing economy allows opportunities for a business to increase profit, so businesses are able to experience rising living standards. ‘Booms’ and ‘upswings’ benefit business opportunities as they are periods where the economy is going through a positive phase where businesses have the opportunity to increase their positive total revenue. Consequently, this will lead to a rise in employment, consumer spending and wages. On the other hand, â€Å"Busts’ and ‘downswings’ are periods where businesses are impacted negatively. An example of a business which suffered from the negative factors of the economic cycle was Harvey Norman. Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) reported Harvey Norman experienced a ‘downswing’ period as profits decreased from $128. 95 million to $81. 9 million and total sales had a decline of 7. 3% due to lack of consumer spending. Financial influences involve ‘deregulation’ which is the removal of government regulations from the industry in hope of improving competition. The improvement of competition allows businesses the opportunity to improve efficiency and productivity of their employers and aim to achieve their required goal. Woolworths and Coles have recently removed regulations relating to supplier payments in order to lower costs and open up opportunities to expand their business and increase profit. Geographical influences such as location will determine the growth and development of a specific business. Geographical influences impact business opportunities as it provides challenges to increase profits, sales and expansion of business. An example of expansion of business is IKEA who have expanded their business to Melbourne, Australia because of economic growth in the Australian economy. Due to dramatic increase in consumer spending, IKEA’s profit increased rapidly and therefore they were able to purchase an 80, 000 metre square warehouse. Geographical influence impacts on business opportunities as it increases employment, sales and expansion of business as seen by the actions of IKEA. Social influences provide opportunities for businesses to change or develop to meet consumer demands. Social influences such as changes in consumer tastes and preferences significantly impacts on business productivity and opportunities. Failure for a business to satisfy consumer’s wants can be detrimental to a business and therefore can lead to a decrease in profits and sales or even cessation if they fail to meet consumer demands. An example of social influence on a business is the impact of the style of clothing of AussieBum. AussieBum manufactures and sells their products via the internet and are successful as their material and style of the underwear and beach clothing is famous among society. The business is successful as the material they produce is unique. Additionally, the location of the manufacturing is based in Australia further satisfying the taste and preferences on Australian consumers. Social influences for this business includes its consumers demanding Australian manufacturers to maintain uniqueness and reflect the Australian image; and consumers demanding products to be purchased over the internet. In this case, AussieBum successfully responds to social influences by having the correct production process of manufacturing their commodities and satisfying consumer demand and preferences. Legal influences impacts on business opportunities as it sets out regulations and laws that impacts business operations. Legal influences sets out guidelines that prevents businesses from discriminating or financial rorting. Additionally, legal influences such as laws and contracts can impact businesses as they are forced to buy from specific and this affects their total revenue. An example of legal influence on a business is the investigation of Coles. A recent article published by Sydney Morning Herald states that Coles is undergoing an investigation on discrimination between suppliers based on their private label brands. This breaches statutes which include anti – discrimination laws. Legal investigation is costly and affects consumer buying and spending at this business. Hence, it is crucial for businesses to abide by legislations to take advantage of the opportunities and maintain consumer satisfaction. Political influences impact businesses as government policies can lead to business uncertainty or business confidence. Political influences impact businesses as they implement policies which can change the structure of businesses. An example of political influences on a business is the impact the carbon tax has on BHP Billiton, a company in the mining industry. The carbon tax affects the company as BHP Billiton is now in charge of paying taxes which affect the company’s total revenue as there is an increase in costs. The carbon tax affects business opportunities in BHP Billiton as they are unable to hire new efficient and productive employees due to increase in their costs. Business opportunities in NSW can also be affected by taxation that can increase business costs and therefore restrict the businesses ability to expand or increase their profit or sales. Additionally, the exchange rate can affect the volume of import and exports from global markets hence impact of the price of products. Institutional influences refer to three bodies (Federal, State, and Local) which all have factors which impact business opportunities in NSW. The regulations of institutional influences are the safety and protection of employers in the business, the compulsory minimum wage, payment of taxes, approving new development and simple business codes of conduct and abiding by the legal business laws. These factors impact business opportunities as businesses must abide by these regulations in order to continue running and the breaching of the regulations can result in penalties which may affect the business financially. A recent investigation involving Coles breaching these regulations as they demanded additional payments from their suppliers led to a decrease in profits and loss of other suppliers. These factors affected Coles as their supply of specific products is decreasing yet they have such high demand but in result aren’t able to satisfy consumers wants. Business opportunities are impacted by the institutional influences as businesses are forced to run in a certain way as it can affect their financial status as well as their reputation if they fail to do so. Technology is improving at a rapid pace and allowing businesses to produce more efficiently. Technological influences impact vehicle manufacturing businesses such as Holden. Holden’s vehicles are produced rapidly because of innovative technology. The new Holden Barina features Apple’s Siri voice command providing more features and improving the product. Additionally, technological influence can impact businesses negatively. For example, technological advancements often replace employees and this decreases the opportunity of hiring new employment contributing to unemployment. Nonetheless, technological influences provide opportunities for businesses to produce products more efficiently and in turn increase their total revenue. Competition is advantageous to both consumers and businesses as it provides opportunities for improvement and demand for consumer satisfaction. A competitive situation often influences businesses to lower prices of its products to gain consumer satisfaction. For example, Woolworths and Coles promote lower prices to compete with one another. This provides consumers with wider range of choice and preferences. More so, they promote consumer points for purchasing goods and services at their store to remain competitive. Also, Jetstar has a policy which states they will provide a 10% discount on their service if their competitive airlines (i. e. Virgin Australia and Tiger Airways) offer a cheaper price for their service.In recent times financial/capital, labour and consumers have significantly changed. Financial/capital markets have seen international financial/capital flows become more flexible and easily accessible due to globalisation. Therefore, markets are more integrated. ASX is an example of these changes as the business has now made it more easily accessible for consumers to purchase and sell shares globally over the internet. Financial/capital markets influence business opportunities as businesses in NSW are linked globally are able to communicate and operate more efficiently. However, negative economic influence can impact on domestic markets in NSW which can impede on business operations.