Methods BT1 Numeracy - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 16 Words: 4802 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Statistics Essay Did you like this example? Research Methods BT1 Numeracy Abstract This research will investigate the readiness of students to join the basic training program. It will focus on the perceptions of staff at No1 Radio School while marrying these comments to student performance. The research will focus on the levels of numeracy within the student population and their ability to apply this to the course material, whilst relating this to their current level of qualifications. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Methods BT1 Numeracy" essay for you Create order These issues are not purely associated with the Royal Air Forces training but are prevalent throughout the education and training sectors. The subjects of literacy and numeracy have been identified as areas that are vastly under research, it is hoped that the issues raised in the short research project will identify further research questions that in turn may form part of further research. Introduction The field of work this research will investigate lies within the MoD, specifically the RAF at DCAE Cosford. The school being used to conduct this research is No1 Radio School, delivering training to Basic Trainees and Assimilation Trainees for all ground trades now known as Trade Group Four (TG4). The students ages range from 17 to 30 years of age. This research will focus on one specific target group, Basic Training 1 (BT1). These students are new members of the Royal Air Force and will have just completed their basic training at Halton (Ten weeks); they have come to Cosford to begin their trade specific training. The course is ten months in length, over which the students will cover both principles and trade training. The entry requirement for this trade is a minimum of three GCSEs, in Physics, Maths and one other subject. However they do accept some individuals with lesser qualifications as an exception and occasionally current members of the RAF who wish to change their trade. The trade requirements are specific and therefore it would be reasonable to assume the students basic level of literacy and in particular numeracy, would be sufficient to allow them to develop throughout this course. Research Issue. This research will look specifically at the levels of numeracy within the BT1 student population. It will try and identify if there is a problem and seek to provide evidence of any issues while providing recommendations for improvement. To ensure that there is no breach of ethics, the research will focus on the perceptions of the staff and the results from the students. This research issued raised questions that required answering, why is it that qualified students find the level 2 key skills and the level 2 maths phase of the BT1 training difficult? It is these issues that have intrigued me for some time. I believe this issue is worthy of research, however it is quite possible that additional questions will be raised that fall outside the scope of this research and may require additional research before they can be answered. Research Focus It has become apparent that new students entering the Royal Air Force as trade group 4 operator maintainers, although qualified for trade do not appear to posses the prerequisite knowledge required to complete the Key Skills at level 2 and the Maths phase of the course. That is not to say they all fail. That would be far from the truth, it is the difficulty they demonstrate when completing this phase of the course. The reason that this research is so important is this first phase of the course is crucial for the students. It gives them the skills and knowledge they require, which in turn will allow them to apply this knowledge to new problems and situations as they progress through the course. These skills could be considered tools of the trade, without a good grasp of these concepts the students will not gain the maximum benefit from the course. Literature Literacy and numeracy have become major issues in the field of education since the Moser report 1999, the working group chair by Sir Claus Moser in the opening statement of the report stated, Something like one adult in five in this country is not functionally literate and far more people have problems with numeracy. Moser, C (1999) This statement is met with surprise when you discuss this subject, however Moser states, We have found that people are staggered when one confronts them with the basic facts about literacy and numeracy, and rightly soIt is a state of affairs that cannot be allowed to continue, and our Report proposes a wide ranging approach to the challenge Moser, C (1999) Many organisations have concerns about the statistics when it comes to Literacy and numeracy in the adult population, Wells, A (2004) states, Surveys in the 1990s suggested that between 15 and 19 per cent of adults had poor basic skills. However, the International Adult Literacy Survey in the late 1990s suggested a much higher figure of 23 per cent or seven million adults. Wells, A (2004) Are we seeing a true picture of the problem? This research has highlighted concerns from staff about the students abilities. It would seem from the statistics that there is a strong correlation. One area this research was unable to quantify was how does gender affect numeracy, It was not possible to confirm or deny this because there were insufficient females included in the sample group to make a good judgement. However a recent article published by the DFES suggests there is a considerable difference between females and males when it comes to numeracy. Grinyer, J (2006) states, Women and men perform near equally for literacy, but men significantly outperform women at numeracy. Grinyer, J (2006) At level 2 this is an interesting fact and one that is perhaps worth of further research. If gender is an issue then what about current qualification level. Grinyer, J (2006) states Highest qualification appears to be the best predictor of an individuals literacy and numeracy level, with parental background and local deprivation having larger effects than current employment status Grinyer, J (2006) Research Hypothesis. The research hypothesis should be constructed in such a way that the research can disprove the hypothesis. So while the researcher believes students have issues with numeracy that directly affect their ability to perform throughout the course, and that the accepted entrance qualifications standards do not reflect the abilities of the students, the hypothesis should refute this. (See the hypothesis) The Hypothesis for this piece of research is: All BT1 trainees are sufficiently numerate to attend the BT1 course, as all trainees are qualified to a minimum standard. (Three relevant GCSEs) Research Hypothesis. There are a number of possible questions encompassing a range of different methodologies the scope of this research will be limited to one Research question, below are two possible questions. Why do students on the BT1 course suffer with the issue of numeracy when attending the taught lessons, completing assignments and examinations when they are course qualified? How do staff perceive the readiness of students on the BT1 course to deal with the academics of the course? After consideration and due to the constraints of this research it was decided to use the later, an interpritivest approach. Using this question offers the research some distinct advantages, firstly a limited scope and secondly and more importantly, it eliminates the students from the research which removes a large percentage of the ethical issue that may arise from questioning the students directly. This research should identify how instructors feel about the perceived problems students have when using the different forms of numeracy. Mercer, N states, one function of theories is to set agendas for research à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ to generate certain kinds of questions which the research will attempt to answer. Mercer in Walford (1998 p.42) This question could use a likert style method of answering, thus allowing the individual to grade their agreement or disagreement of the above question. This question as it stands would not necessarily be suitable for the students to answer as it is likely to produce a Yes/No response, however it could be acceptable for the staff. The same question could be asked in a different way. i.e. How has the GCSE maths helped the students with their study of the other principle subjects? Although it would be more difficult to analyse a short answer would bring out more of the individuals feelings, where as the likert style just grades the agreement or disagreement. Other questions that might be asked are: I. Do you feel the students could complete this course successfully without this qualification (GCSE maths)? II. How did the students maths affect their ability to complete this phase of training? III. Has the student qualification helped them with their studies? Youngman (1986) in Bell said, The more structured a question the easier it will be to analyse. Bell (1999 p.119) Research Paradigm What is a paradigm? A Paradigm à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ group of coherent ideas about the nature of the world and of the functions of researchers that are adhered to by a group of researchers, conditions and patterns of their thinking which underpins their research actions. What paradigms exist? There are a few key paradigms that exist within educational research positivist and Interpretiveist. Positivist research uses scientific, Statistical analysis and empirical methods, Cohen and Manion said, Traditionally, the word refers to those techniques associated with the positivistic model à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ eliciting responses to predetermined questions, recording measurements, describing phenomena and performing experiments. Cohen and Manion(1996 p.38) Interpretiveist research deals with human emotions, personnel perspectives. Cohen and Manion said, The central endeavour in the context of the interpretive paradigm is to understand the subjective world of human experience. Cohen and Manion(1996 p.36) Ethnographical methods are interpretivist. Gall, M. et al (1996, p607) say, Ethnography involves first hand, intensive study of the features of a given culture and the patterns in those features. Judith Bells thoughts on quantitative and qualitative research identify that quantitative researchers collect facts and study the relationship. They are measured using scientific techniques producing quantifiable and generaliseable conclusions, where as a qualitative perspective is more concerned with individuals perceptions of the world; Seeking insight rather than statistical analysis. In addition she concludes that on occasions qualitative researchers draw on quantitative techniques and vice versa. This would suggest that one method alone does not have all the answers and therefore we could consider various methods when conducting research. This research will use an interpretiveist methodology, this approach has been selected as the most appropriate as the information will come from members of staff, the information they provide will be their interpretation of the situation hence interpretiveist. This approach has been chosen as more appropriate than positivist approach because there is little scientific evidence and the amount of data collected would be insufficient to produce any valid statistical analysis. Ethnographical and eclectic research was also dismissed although it bridges the gap between Positivist and Interpertiveist research. It would however,still have positivist elements as mentioned previously. However the over arching reasoning for adopting an interpretiveist approach was the limited nature of this research project. Although, it is hoped that the findings from this research will generate further questions and spark yet further research questions for future research Research Methodology This style of research could be considered a case study, as its focus is centred on a specific group of students, belonging to a single organisation. Cohen and Manion state, a case study researcher typically observes the characteristics of an individual unit à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ a child, a clique, a class, a school or a community Cohen and Manion (1996,p106) While this approach would work it is more suited to a continuous improvement program and not a specific piece of research, in addition the length of time it would take to conduct a program of this nature makes this approach unsuitable. In planning the research, various methodologies were considered, however due to the limited nature of this research and to limit the impact of ethical issues, this research decided that an Interpretiveist approach would be most suited. This style of research is relevant, as the research will investigate the attitudes and opinions of the staff and not the students, while using student data to support or refute the findings. To facilitate this research there were a number of preferred techniques available for gathering the data: Interviews / Meetings Academic results Reference to external sources (Collages, Universities, Schools, Government Departments) The main reason behind this strategy, methods and analysis tools was time. The other key issue was ethics, for these reasons this research will be conducted through focus group meetings with staff using structured questions, this data will then be compared with the average results for a class. This approach will limit the impact of ethical issues and allow some conclusions to be drawn. This approach was discussed with the staff that felt that due to busy teaching commitments this was the most appropriate solution. Judith Bell states, Talking through problems and possible topics with colleagues is an essential stage of any plan. Bell (1999 p.21) The focus group will consist of five lecturers and four instructors, it is envisaged that a single meeting will take place to pose the questions to the staff. The data will be collected via questions directed to the staff in discussion groups; the responses of the staff were recorded. (See Annex B) To support the findings from the discussion groups the students results will be analysed. Data Collection instruments The data collection will be achieved through structured questions delivered at group meetings where the responses will be tabulated; this will give a feeling for the staffs concerns and perhaps some misconceptions. It will also allow any further research to focus its attention on specific areas of concern. Once the data has been collected this can be cross referenced to the student results, identifying any disparities, in addition student results and student retention rates may be useful sources of information. The other methods considered were, interviews, these could be time consuming, as staff are not always available. A well constructed questionnaire could produce valid reliable results in a reasonable time frame. However due to the limited time constraints, this research will utilise meetings with a number of groups and evaluate comments from those meetings to produce an Interpretivist style report. This will not provide hard evidence, however it will illustrate any concerns or trends that may be apparent which in turn could instigate further research. This approach although less structured will give a general feel for the issues, which could lead to further research questions. Sapsford and Jupp note the following facts about collecting data, There are both advantages and disadvantages to both highly structured and less structured methods; in no sense is it true to say that one is more objective than the other. Sapsford and Jupp (1996, p94) Research validity ensures the data collected is accurate and meaningful, collecting data in a non valid way would affect the final analysis; which may produce misconceptions when analysing the research data, thus rendering the research valueless. The research will improve validity through accurate data collection and careful analysis of the results, in addition reliability and repeatability could be enhanced through the triangulation of the data collected. Triangulation is method of verifying the data, checking and ensuring accuracy and ensuring that the findings are qualitative and thus reducing the chance of unsubstantiated data. Cohen and Manion said, Triangulation may be defined as the use of two or more methods of data collection the study of some aspect of human behaviour. Cohen and Manion(1996 p.233) The triangulation of the data was achieved through data collected from the meeting notes; these were then supported by student results and reference to national statistics. Chosen methods of data collection. This project will use a structured set of questions derived from the research question. The aim was to ask these questions at the focus group meeting, where the staffs responses and opinions were recorded. The rationale behind the choice of research and the methodology is predicated upon the limited nature of the research this in turn has limited the choice of methodology (interpertiveist). The limited time scale in which this research was conducted has in turn restricted the modes of research used to produce the data for evaluation; the aim was to gain a feeling from the staff as to how they perceived the research issue. The use of structured questions helped guide the process of data gathering and allowed the collection of data within a very short time scale, this was imperative due to the limited time constraints of this research. The interpritiveist approach allows the staffs feelings to be represented against the set criteria thus giving a good degree of relevant data for analysis. While this approach aided the collection of data at a rapid rate it did not offer the widest selection of data. Other methods could have produced further data to support or refute the findings. However this research hopes to triangulate its findings against student data (examination and assignment results). Research ethics. The matter of ethics is an important one; if the researcher wants to achieve open and honest answers they must consider ethics when conducting the research. To reduce the impact of this research the methodologies have been carefully chosen to reduce the data collection to that of the staff. The students results will be anonymous, to such an extent that the research will not identify the individual students, thus reducing the opportunity for others to identify individuals through the results and class group. Researchers cannot always predict what they might find and they may not like what they find; however it is the duty of the researcher to be open and honest about the research they are conducting. These are some of the things to consider when conducting research: Peoples amenity, that is to say protecting an individuals identity, ensuring that a respondents comments cannot be tracked back to a single individual or group. The Oxford Brookes University classifies research ethics and says, The integrity of any research depends not only on its scientific rigour, but also on its ethical adequacy. Ethical issues are many and varied, and may be quite complex. Research involving human participants is undertaken by many different disciplines and conducted in a broad range of settings and institutions. While some issues are specific to professional groups, all research should be guided by a set of fundamental ethical principles to ensure the protection of human participants. Wood,L (2006) Design Constraints One of the main issues when conducting any form of research is time; given enough time the research could produce massive amounts of facts, figures and an impression of peoples feelings. In addition to time there is always the cost of conducting research. However most organisations would expect any form of research to be conducted within certain time constraints, thus limiting costs and obtaining results within that time frame. Therefore the research can only be expected to deliver some of the information that is available, and that data would need to be substantiated through triangulation, generalisability and reliability. It is the limited nature of this research that has influenced the chosen methodology, interpertiveist. Although this may limit the validity of the research, the triangulation of the staffs comments and answers to the set questions when linked to student results, should give a reasonable confidence in its findings. Analysis of Results The questions asked at the focus group and the responces are given below: The group was asked, Are current BT 1 Trainees academically equipped to join this course? The staff responded with the following statements: Although students are qualified they do not seem to be prepared for the challenges this course offers. Some staff feel that GCSEs are a lower level qualification than a traditional O level (This used to be the entry requirement some years ago.) Although the students are qualified they do not seem to have the prerequisite skills to work effectively on the course. Students do not seem to remember some of the basics of mathematics. It would appear from the response that the staffs perception is that students are not prepared for this course and that the qualifications they hold do not reflect the students abilities. The BBC news web site on 30 October 2003 stated, The survey found 47% of the adults in England or 15 million people had a lower level of mathematical knowledge than was needed to gain a grade G at GCSE. The Department for Education and Skills blamed decades of neglect for figures showing millions of people lacking basic literacy and numeracy skills. https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/3227263.stm There seems to be a general distrust of current qualifications as opposed to the traditional O Levels. This was the minimum entrant standard for this trade. The group was then asked, Which area of the course do students find difficult? The Maths is the most difficult for students because they do not possess the basic skills required to complete the work. Key Skills, Numeracy Some struggle with Electronic fundamentals mainly due to a lack of maths ability. They coped well with Addition and subtraction, however multiplication, division were more problematic. Additional areas where students struggled were percentages, area and fractions. These are not the only subject areas where students found difficulty, however they cover the major problem areas. These issues are similar to those identified in a recent TES, they stated, In last years skills action plan, the Assembly government revealed that 24% of the working age population lacked level 1 literacy skills and 53% level 1 in numeracy. In Wales, 20% have no qualifications compared with 14% across the UK (TES Cymru, June 30 2006) The focus of the problem seems to be centred on the Maths / arithmetic elements of the course. One of the key areas was Key Skills, in particular numeracy. Students seemed to find this difficult; they did not seem to posses the basics. Staff were asked to consider, Are there any circumstances that might affect students ability to perform on the course? Poorly prepared when leaving school. Length of time away from a learning environment. Lack of ability Some seem unable to apply previously learnt knowledge to new situations. Its is difficult to believe the students were poorly prepared as they all are qualified, suggesting they once had the knowledge, however it is interesting to note the comment about the length of time, as it is well known that constant and repetitive use of knowledge aids retention, lack of use leads to little or no retention of knowledge. A recent news article in the Daily Mail by HARRIS, S (2006) stated, One in five about to embark on teaching careers still have problems spelling and using punctuation as well as doing the most simple multiplication, division and percentages. Harris, S (2006) The question, Do you believe the students are suitably qualified? Staffs response to this was, Yes, they are for the trade and on paper, but do the qualifications match up to the expectations of the course? This alludes to a previous question about students being prepared. Do the qualifications meet the minimum requirements of the course. The answer is yes they do, however there seems to be a void between students retained knowledge and the paper qualifications. To illustrate this issue the House of Commons raised the issue of literacy and numeracy with the Secretary of State for Defence being asked, how many and what proportion of new recruits to the army in the last 12 months had (a) literacy and (b) numeracy skills at or below (i) entry level 3, (ii) entry level 2 and (iii) entry level 1. Mr. Touhig replied, Consolidated literacy and numeracy initial assessment figures for recruits to the army in the period 1 November 2004 to 31 October 2005, are provided as follows. Literacy Numeracy Entry level 1 Entry level 2 Entry level 3 Entry level 1 Entry level 2 Entry level 3 Percentage 0.71 7.81 32.51 0.19 7.65 37.11 Number of recruits 72 795 3310 19 770 3737 Total number of recruits(11) Literacy Numeracy These figures were given from an Official Report, column 98W on departmental staff literacy and numeracy. No Author (2005) The group was also asked, Are students prepared for the academic rigor of this course? No, Students are ill prepared when it comes to learning in this environment. This may also relate to the time away from a learning environment, the beginning of the course is quite intensive and therefore the students find it difficult to get back into a learning environment. In summary of the responses, the staff feel the students were inadequately prepared for this course. However this was not for lack of qualifications more a perceived difference between the more traditional O Level and the existing GCSE qualifications, while the time away from the learning environment may have its part to play. Student results for the first eight classes illustrate that not all students struggle to achieve good results. (RAF pass is set at 60) So could this purely be a staff issue and not one of the students. As the results below indicate some classes obtain reasonable results, that is to say, not all struggle. The results for the first eight classes are shown below: Maths BT1/01 BT1/02 BT1/03 BT1/03 BT1/05 BT1/06 BT1/07 BT1/08 59 66 75 56 72 66 68 62 Electronic Fundamentals BT1/01 BT1/02 BT1/03 BT1/03 BT1/05 BT1/06 BT1/07 BT1/08 68 73 82 77 73 74 59 While these classes passed the respective subjects, there are some low scores in maths for classes 1, 4 and 8. Electronic Fundamentals produces better results, however class 1 and 7 have still scoured low marks. This information is not entirely conclusive as can be seen from the results, some classes did well. Findings The hypothesis has been refuted through the data collated from staffs responses to questions and the student data, all be it limited in nature this research has been shown to support the staffs comments. The analysis of the questions suggests a lack of ability on the students part, this however does not seem to be predicated on qualification. The staffs perceptions of students abilities seem to suggest the students are not sufficiently prepared to attend this course, more over they are not used to the training methods utilised within the MOD. These facts when grouped together cause the students and staff some problems, however this is not to say that large numbers of students are failing to achieve a pass in these subjects, therefore is there a problem? On the face of it, no. However modifications to the training methodology and some additional sessions may improve some of these issues. This research has investigated a broad range of issues relating to new students entering the RAFs BT1 training program, their ability to cope with the academic pressures of the course and their ability to complete the work to the required standard. It would appear many students, although qualified on paper have some difficulty when it comes to the Maths and Electronic Fundamentals phases. Some of the underlying problems relate to the methods of delivery on the course as it is unlike traditional academic institutions. This means that the students take time to adjust to this training methodology and as the Maths and Electronic Fundamentals phase of the course is at the front end, it does not allow sufficient time for this adjustment to take place. On the subject of time between learning, many students left school twelve months before joining the course and have not practiced these skills for some time. As with the maths unless a student continues to use these skills they are quickly forgotten. However this does not explain why students do not remember when prompted. Perhaps this could point to a lack of understanding at the initial point of learning and may require further research to substantiate this theory. Recommendations This piece of research has been limited in its nature, however it has allowed the researcher to gain a wider perspective on these issues, to further improve this work and make the findings more valid it is proposed to include the students in any future research. The students were excluded in this case to speed up the data collection and to reduce any ethical issues that may arise from the research. Further research could be developed from the finds of this research, however the level and depth of this research would need to be improved if it were to provide sufficient information for the RAF to consider these new findings. References WOOD, L Ethical Standards for Research involving Human Participants Code of Practice. Last Modified: 18 May 06, Accessed on: 29/05/06 HARRIS, S Thousands of new teachers fail literacy and numeracy tests Last Modified: 14 /08/06, Accessed on: 16/08/06 No Author House of Commons Daily Debates Volume No. 439 Part No. 70, Last Modified: 22 /11/05, Accessed on: 16/05/06 L, COHEN, and L, MANION (1996) Research Methods in education fourth addition. 4th Ed, London: Routledge Publishers GALL, M.D., BORG, W.R., GALL, J.P.(1996) Educational Research: An Introduction. Sixth Edition., New York: Longman Publishers. BELL, J (1999) Doing your research project, A guide for first time researchers in education and social science. 3rd. Ed, Buckingham: Open University Press SAPSFORD, R., JUPP, V. (1996) Data Collection and Analysis. London: Sage Publishers Ltd. WALFORD, G (1998) Doing educational research 4th Ed, London: Routledge Publishers

A Report On Employee Handbook - 1279 Words

INTRODUCTION Introductory Statement This Employee Handbook is designed to summarize certain personnel policies and benefits of ADVANCED MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, CORP. (AME, Corp.), of 1440 E Portland Ave, Fresno, California 93720, and to acquaint employees with many of the rules concerning employment with AME, Corp. This Handbook applies to all employees. This Handbook supersedes all previous employment policies, written and oral, express and implied. AME, Corp. reserves the right to modify, rescind, delete, or add to the provisions of this Handbook from time to time in its sole and absolute discretion. This Employee Handbook is not a binding contract between AME, Corp. and its employees, nor is it intended to alter the at-will employment†¦show more content†¦Any changes to your at-will employment status, described below, must be in writing and must be signed by AME, Corp. At-Will Employment All employees of AME are employed at their own will and the will of the Employer, and are subject to termination at any time, for any reason, and with or without cause or notice. Similary, employees may terminate their employment with AME at any time, for any reason, and with or without cause or notice. This â€Å"at-will† employment relationship may not be altered except by the specific terms of a written contract of employment signed by the President of AME prior to the commencement of employment. Equal Employment Opportunity Advanced Mechanical Engineering, Corp.’s general policy is not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, pregnancy, disability (including those related to pregnancy or child-birth), membership or non-membership in a labor organization, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law. Applicants and employees will be evaluated soley on the basis of their conduct, their compliance with the Company’s policies and legitimate expectations, and

Analysis of Recent Safe Harbour Proposals versus †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Analysis of Recent Safe Harbour Proposals versus Current Legislation on Insolvent Trading in Australia. Answer: Introduction The Australian position on insolvent trading imposes harsh liability on directors who engage the company in trade or incur further debts when it is insolvent or they have reason to believe it would be insolvent(Dorey Rees, 2016). The challenge lies however in determining the point at which the Company becomes insolvent; this uncertainty creates a challenge for directors with regard to undertaking the option of restructuring the company in order to mitigate the evident risk. Recently, the Ministry of Revenue and Financial Services tabled a draft legislation that purposes to reform the current regime on insolvency trading by creating a safe harbour provision in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) that would protect directors from personal liability in cases of insolvent trading and allow them the opportunity to undertake restructuring so as to ensure the companys recovery in case of hardship(The Treasury, 2017). The following discourse aims to analyse the differences between the proposed amendments and current legislation on insolvency trading. Further, the study will engage in an analysis of the effectiveness of the proposed amendments, drawing conclusions and making the relevant recommendations to this regard. An Examination of the Differing Elements Issues In order to effectively analyse the differing features of the current legislation and the proposed amendments, it is first and foremost important to highlight the essential features of both provisions. In that regard the following segment will consider the following: Who owes the duty? When is the debt incurred? When is the Company Insolvent? What are the available defences? What are the consequences imposed in case of liability? Rules and Application The current position reflected in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) under section 588G imposed a duty on the company director to prevent insolvent trading by the company. The purpose of this statutory provision, which would find a director personally liable for incurring debt when a company is insolvent, is to discourage commercial dishonesty or irresponsibility on the part of directors. This was the position held in Edwards v Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2009] NSWCA 424. The duty is therefore owed by a company director; inclusive of shadow and de facto directors, holding the position at the time the company incurs the debt. The proposed amendments uphold the duty owed by directors to the company and other stakeholders to prevent insolvent trading, the provisions of s 588G are unaffected by the Exposure Draft, however, the harshness of the liability imposed on directors is mitigated as shall be seen in the subsequent discussions. As aforementioned, current legislation presents some uncertainties with regard to the determination of when the company is insolvent. Section 95A of the Act 2001 describes insolvency as the inability to cover debts if and when they become due. As such, should a director cause a company to incur debt at such a time then they would be in breach of their duties under s 588G. Powell v Fryer [2001] SASC 59 outlines an objective test that courts have relied on to determine insolvency(Redmond, 2013). According to the holding, in this case, insolvency is determined after having considered the organizations financial position in its entirety. The introduction of recent amendments mitigates the liability arising from the position set by the provisions highlighted above. Section 588GA proposed under the Exposure Draft provides a safe harbour for directors from the liability imposed by the s 588G penalty. Currently, failure to prevent insolvent trading leads to an automatic contravention of the duty imposed above. However, with the safe harbour provision, directors who undertake measures to restructure and attempt to create a better outcome for the company are excluded from the liability imposed by current legislation. Another difference in the two instruments with regard to insolvent trading presents itself in the defences available to directors. Currently, s 588H of the Act 2001 avails a director various defences to avoid personal liability. These defences include reasonable expectation of solvency on the part of the director, reliance on reasonable information from a competent person as regards the solvency of the company, absence from a managerial position due to illness of any other plausible reason at the time of insolvency and finally that reasonable measures were taken to prevent the incurrence of debt(Lewis, 2010). Reasonable steps provided under s 588H (5) can be construed to provide a safe harbour where directors could opt for voluntary administration as illustrated in Statewide Tobacco Services Ltd v Morley (1990) 8 ACLC 827. The Exposure Draft, however, considers these defences as other defences and expressly provides a safe harbour provision for directors. The provision acts as a prim ary defence for a director who undertakes a reasonable course of action to create a better outcome for the organization and its creditors where they suspect a likelihood of insolvency. This defence, however, is limited to debts incurred when a director commences a course of action up to and when the action is completed or found to be unenforceable(Deloitte, 2017). Further, as previously mentioned, the test for solvency is determined by an examination of the organisations financial status. The financial position of any organisation is evinced in its books or financial statements. According to the Exposure Draft, and organisations books can be relied on to support the defence for safe harbour, however, this provision is limited in as far as the director fails to permit or present the books for inspection or where they are found to have concealed or destroyed some information. As such, where directors fail to deliver books for inspection they cannot rely on them as evidence to support the safe harbour defence(Arnold Bloch Leibler, 2017). However, an exception lies where the director can prove they lacked possession of the books in question and made all reasonable efforts to obtain them to no avail. The current legislation lacks this provision with regard to the reliance of books as evidence for a defence; it is limited to the safe harbour provisi on which is novel to Australian Corporations Law. Evidently, as discussed above, the differences between the two provisions lie in the weight of liability accorded to directors in their duty to prevent insolvent trading. The duty is still owed by directors but the defences available are expanded to avail a safe harbour which cures the uncertainty created by the determination of a companys insolvency. The consequences for breach, however, remain the same in that both civil and criminal penalties are accorded where liability is ascertained. An Analysis of the Effectiveness of the Safe Harbour Proposals in the Exposure Draft The proposal was met with a majority of positive feedback by way of submissions and deliberations on the parliamentary floor. Scholars and Institutions expressed support, albeit with recommendations, as to the proposed amendments. Geoff Green, in his submissions as a Chartered Accountant and formerly registered liquidator found the framework set out in the draft with regard to the safe harbour provisions as strong and sensible(Green, 2010). Anderson et al. also cite support for the provision expressing that the evidentiary burden in conjunction with the criteria relied on by court to determine the legitimacy of the course of action limits the scope in which one can engage in illegal phoenix activity in the guise of restructuring as such creating an environment that enables business rescues while limiting the scope for abuse through fraudulent actions. Despite the strong show of support, the provision has been challenged with regard to effectiveness on the following issues. The Harmer Report (1998), outlines various principles and objectives to be considered in the development of Insolvency Law in Australia. As such, legal provisions and amendments should embody these objectives. Among these guidelines is the principle that anylaw regarding insolvency should support the commercial and economic processes of the community. As such, thelaw should ensure it creates an environment that allows for the most suitable solution that would least disrupt the commercial and economic processes in question. Tested against this principle the safe harbour provision can be described as effective as it cultivates an environment that would allow for the continuity of the business by availing an opportunity for recovery through restructuring which if successful ensures commercial and economic processes are maintained and even improved. The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), submitted additional criticism to the proposed safe harbour provision citing uncertainty and complexity as the contributory factors. According to the Institute, the provision for better outcome as expressed under s 588GA sets a prerequisite on directors to evaluate possible outcomes to their decided course of action in comparison to the outcomes available in becoming a Chapter 5 body corporate in order to rely on the proposed defence. The AICD finds the requirement formidable as it is uncertain to the extent that it relies on an analysis of predictions on potential future events. Further, it is complex as the analysis is juxtaposition with a Chapter 5 Corporate body; as per the law there are various ways for a company to become a Chapter 5 Corporate body and as such analysing the possible outcomes from all these avenues would be unduly onerous(AICD, 2017). Herbert Smith Freehills hold a similar opinion citing that the better outco me test sets the bar too high as such creating an element of complexity and uncertainty(Apathy, et al., 2017). Clayton Utz in their submissions outlined support for the proposal citing that it would be effective in creating a safe harbour for company directors with regard to the personal liability imposable for insolvent trading(Clayton Utz, 2017). Further, they recognised that the criteria adopted under s 588GA, which is subjective, is suitable and relevant to the better outcome provision. However, according to Clayton Utz, this effectiveness is limited in as far as the proposal is enforced as a carve-out rather than a defence. That is, in as far as the provision serves as an exclusion from the provisions on civil insolvency trading, rather as a defence in proceedings regarding breach of duty. Further, according to Dong Lin, in order to be effective, the provision should expressly adopt the concept of viability rather than solvency; that is the law should require that directors efforts be made towards long-term viability over the solvency of the organisation(Lin, 2017). Viability is a concept that considers the long-term success and survival of the company over solvency which in essence is a short-term objective. Solvency should be achieved and maintained; this is only possible if the course of action is driven by viability. Conclusions It is evident therefore from the discussion above that the provisions of the Exposure Draft steer a cultural shift among directors as they would encourage greater involvement in analysing and mitigating financial challenges. This is because it creates an environment in which directors can explore restructuring options that are likely to lead to a better outcome for the organisation and its creditors. This effectiveness, however, is limited to the extent that it bears some uncertainties and complexities that inhibit its success. This is because the criteria set to analyse the viability of the course of action are too high, further as they involve an analysis of future predictions they are marred by uncertainty. However, it is evident that the general concept behind the provision is effective; the challenge arises in its enforceability. As such, it can be concluded that the provisions of the Exposure Draft are effective subject to further amendments. Recommendations In consideration of the discourse thus far, the study recommends that further amendments be made to the current proposal. The spirit of the proposal is rational; however, as outlined above, certain challenges are likely to arise in the course of implementation. The research, therefore, recommends as follows: Clarity is effected as to whether the provision is acting as a carve-out or a defence; the study recommends a carve-out approach. The criteria as to better outcome test are evaluated to mitigate rising uncertainties as discussed. The provision is based on the concept of viability over insolvency. References AICD, 2017. National Innovation and Science Agenda- Improving Corporate Insolvency Law: Submissions, s.l.: The Treasury. Apathy, P., Spencer, S. Flippin, L., 2017. Australian Government Releases Draft Insolvent Trading and Ipso Facto Legislation. [Online] Available at: https://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com/latest-thinking/australian-government-releases-draft-insolvent-trading-and-ipso-facto-legislation [Accessed 19 September 2017]. Arnold Bloch Leibler, 2017. Improving Corporate Insolvency Laws Submission, Melbourne: Arnold Bloch Leibler. Australian Law Reform Commission , 1998. Australian Law Reform Commission General Insolvency Inquiry (Harmer Report), s.l.: ALRC. Clayton Utz, 2017. Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Enterprise Incentives No. 2) Bill 2017 - Submission to Treasury from Clayton Utz , Sydney: Clayton Utz. Deloitte, 2017. Deloitte Submissions: Safe Harbour. s.l.:Deloitte. Dorey, I. Rees, E., 2016. The Harbour is Not Yet Safe-Reform on the Move in Australia, s.l.: KL Gates. Edwardss v Australian Securities and Investments Commission (2009) NSWCA 424. Green, G., 2010. Submission on Exposure Draft, s.l.: The Treasury. Lewis, P. L., 2010. Insolvent trading defences after Hall v Poolman. Company and Securities Law Journal, Volume 28, pp. 396-410. Lin, D., 2017. Submission Regarding Insolvency Law Change, s.l.: University of New South Wales. Powell v Fryer (2001) SASC 59. Redmond, P., 2013. Corporations and Financial Markets Law. 6th ed. s.l.:LBC. Statewide Tobacco Services Ltd v Morley (Morley's Case) (1990) 8 ACLC 827. The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, 2017. Exposure Draft: Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Enterprise Incentives No. 2) Bill 2017, s.l.: Treasury. The Treasury, 2017. National Innovation and Science Agenda Improving corporate insolvency law. [Online] Available at: https://treasury.gov.au/consultation/national-innovation-and-science-agenda-improving-corporate-insolvency-law/ [Accessed 20 September 2017].

Stock Market and Rosetta Stone free essay sample

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. We will write a custom essay sample on Stock Market and Rosetta Stone or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold? Rosetta Stone: Pricing the 2009 IPO Please address the following questions in your write-up. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold?Rosetta Stone: Pricing the 2009 IPO Please address the following questions in your write-up. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold?Rosetta Stone: Pricing the 2009 IPO Please address the following questions in your write-up. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold?Rosetta Stone: Pricing the 2009 IPO Please address the following questions in your write-up. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold?Rosetta Stone: Pricing the 2009 IPO Please address the following questions in your write-up. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold?Rosetta Stone: Pricing the 2009 IPO Please address the following questions in your write-up. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold?Rosetta Stone: Pricing the 2009 IPO Please address the following questions in your write-up. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold?Rosetta Stone: Pricing the 2009 IPO Please address the following questions in your write-up. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold?Rosetta Stone: Pricing the 2009 IPO Please address the following questions in your write-up. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold?Rosetta Stone: Pricing the 2009 IPO Please address the following questions in your write-up. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold?Rosetta Stone: Pricing the 2009 IPO Please address the following questions in your write-up. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold?Rosetta Stone: Pricing the 2009 IPO Please address the following questions in your write-up. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold?Rosetta Stone: Pricing the 2009 IPO Please address the following questions in your write-up. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold?Rosetta Stone: Pricing the 2009 IPO Please address the following questions in your write-up. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold?Rosetta Stone: Pricing the 2009 IPO Please address the following questions in your write-up. 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Rosetta Stone going public? 2. What do you think the current market price is for Rosetta Stone shares? Justify your valuation using both discounted cash flow and comparables (market multiples) analysis. 3. At what price would you recommend that Rosetta Stone shares be sold?

Shawnee Prophet essays

Shawnee Prophet essays The goals of Tenskwatawa were to unite all the Indians into an intertribal confederacy under his leadership, stop the American land encroachment and ensure Indian survival. Tenskwatawa preached and demanded sobriety, monogamy, an end to witchcraft, and an end to all relations with the Americans based on visions he had in a dream. He called for total rejection of American culture and denounced the selling of Indian lands. Even though Tenskwatawa was not a gifted speaker or great warrior, he used his gifts of manipulation, forcefulness and persistence to convince other Indians to follow his teachings which were essentially Native and encouraged a return to communal life. Initially, he dominated the Indian movement attracting followers, first to Greenville, Ohio and then to Prophetstown on the Wabash. Prophetstown became a center for Indian resistance as his teachings spread rapidly. The Prophet attracted a considerable following, especially among the younger, more radical warriors. The tribe was cleansed of liquor and evildoers, and other tribes took notice and came to join the Shawnee at Prophetstown. This was the first step in the culmination of Tenskwatawas vision of Indian unity. For a very long time, the majority of people, Indian and both American and British viewed him as the main authority figure at Prophetstown. For the next several years, epidemics spread through the tribes and harsh winters brought famine. These and other misfortunes caused some members of other tribes to be even more suspicious of Tenskwatawas power. Many tribesmen began to believe he was no different from anyone else and left Prophetstown. However, the Battle of Tippecanoe was perhaps most devastating to the aspirations and dreams of the Prophet and his people. The failure of Prophets military leadership and magic to protect Prophetstown was a major factor in the decline o f his influence and most importantly, any lasting ...

Why Applying to as Many Jobs as Possible can be a Mistake

Why Applying to as Many Jobs as Possible can be a Mistake There are two mistakes when applying for jobs. One is to apply to every job in sight, and the other is to apply for multiple positions within the company. Learning the reasons these are mistakes can keep an individual from wasting time and concentrate on the jobs that the individual really wants. If you do not want to waste time finding the right jobs, you can sign up for the right jobs to be sent to you when they become available. Applying for Multiple Jobs at the Same TimeIndividuals who apply for multiple jobs at the same time on job search sites tend to follow the same pattern. Because they are flooding the job websites with multiple applications, they are not taking the time to individualize job applications to show that they are qualified to fill particular jobs. This is the reason why those who send out multiple applications rarely hear back from recruiters. It is better to take the time to research the company and rework a job application to fit the description of the positio n.Focus on Particular JobsThe purpose of a resume is to sell the talents of a worker to a company. The resume should show that the applicant has the credentials to do a particular job and would be a good fit in the position and with the company. A candidate whose resume is too generic will most likely have his or her resume end up in the bottom of the pile.Be Careful Where You Are ApplyingHiring managers or recruiters may post job ads on multiple sites looking for the right match for a job. One mistake job applicants can make is not noticing that they are applying for the same position with the same company over and over. However, the recruiter does notice and may think that the job applicant is sending out multiple resumes without any discretion.Don’t Apply for Nonexistent JobsSome people make the mistake of applying for jobs at a company where none are available. After sending out possibly hundreds of applications, it should be surprising when no responses are forthcoming. Apply only to real job openings where the company is actively looking to fill a position.Applying for Multiple Jobs at the Same CompanyThis can be a big mistake. Recruiters see the job applications as they come in, and an individual who applies for multiple positions within the same company can come across as desperate and willing to take any job. Applying for jobs in this way can end up with the recruiter noting your desperation on your application file. In other words, this is a good way to never get called in for an interview. Recruiters want individuals who actually want particular jobs because they are more likely to stay in the position.How to Apply for Multiple Jobs at the Same CompanyIf a job seeker has an eye to work for a particular company, there are ways to send multiple application, limited to two or three, and still be considered, but it takes finesse to do so. The size of the company can make a difference. A large company may employ multiple recruiters, and that can i ncrease the odds that the same individual will not spot multiple applications from the same person. In addition, focusing only on jobs that are in the same category and for which an individual is fully qualified can make a difference.Getting Your Name Out ThereBesides letting your friends and coworkers know that you are job hunting, it can also be a good idea to use social media such as Facebook or LinkedIn to promote yourself. Many recruiters now take a look at a job applicant’s LinkedIn profile because it can contain much more job information and history than a resume. No matter what an individual’s field of employment is, using job search sites or a job search service can be enhanced by using social media.Applying for a job and getting a callback for an interview takes dedication and focusing on skills and credentials that apply to particular job descriptions. Just as knowing how to get considered for a job is important, so is using the right means to find that job. TheJobNetwork can help by searching job listings that match your skills and expertise to send you email alerts around the clock that might interest you. All you have to do is fill out your qualifications and job interests and TheJobNetwork does the rest. Sign up with TheJobNetwork and get started now.

Quiz Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 14

Quiz - Essay Example With successful implementation, the company could have saved $40M annually (Milton). However, the project was halted in December 2013 with a write off of between $100M to $125M. Avon made a filling in early December 2013 to stop the project. The company sought to stop the project that was rolled out in Canada due to significant market and business disruptions. According to the filing made by the company, the system did not show any clear returns on investments and that the decision to abandon the project was based on the potential risks of further business disruptions (Milton). One of the most successful project in ERP projects of all time is the aluminum company ERP project (Acloa). The company that was started in 1881 embarked on an automation project in 2001. The company contracted Oracle to install and manage and ERP system for their operations in the company and its branches (Micheau 17). With such a big company with branches all over the world, the project was complex and demanding but Oracle managed to pull it off. The project is considered successful because the implementation was able to address all the critical areas of the company’s operations. These are mainly inventory, sales, production and human resource modules of the company. Currently, the company uses ERP system in all its operations including sales management, inventory management, production line management, sales management, and human resource management (Micheau

Sales Presentation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sales Presentation - Essay Example The Baderman Island Resort aims at providing maximum facilities to its valued customers. Therefore, for the convenience of guests, to save them from any communication issues, Interpreter will be available in the Main hotel. To save the precious time of guests, the main Hotel will provide an increased number of staff on the front desk to make checking in and out quick for the guests. The main hotel has an exotic food and beverages department which will cater the guests with their wonderful dishes. The hotel has many different cafà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s and dining halls available for the convenience of guests. The main hotel is meant for families therefore it stresses on the availability of proper recreational facilities designed especially for families and children. Facilities like Baderman Island oasis spa, golf pro shop and Baderman Island Gift Boutique will be available for families. Kids can enjoy visiting the museum and the botanical gardens. Scuba diving and guided nature trips are yet another attraction for the families. Keeping in view the safety of guests, the hotel will hire extra staff trained in scuba diving and water skiing so that safety of children and other guests is ensured. First aid is also available in case of any unpleasant accident. The 400 participants who will not be accompanied with their spouses or families will be accommodated in the Meloncon Hotel. The Meloncon Hotel is meant to cater business travelers. It provides many facilities for business events such as this convention. Interpretation facility is available here. The Melancon Hotel will also honor the conference discounted rates. The hotel will increase its staff at the front desk to accommodate the guest’s convention check in and checkout needs to save the guest’s valueable time. The Melancon hotel is directly connected to the convention center so the guests will not have to cover long distance to reach the convention center.

Farming land Essay Example for Free

Farming land Essay In the late 1800s, many farmers were trapped in a vicious economic cycle. Crops prices began falling and farmers were often forced into mortgaging their farms so they could buy more land and produce more crops to break even. Good farming land was becoming rare and the banks took over the mortgages of farmers who couldnt make payments on their loans. The railroads, on the other end, took advantage of farmers by charging them extreme prices for shipping and storage. Both equally frustrating the farmer, who pretty much resembled a larger economic problem because if he wasnt doing well then the whole nation can’t do well either. Banks controlled the farmer, they watched the farmers and had input on everything they did. The Banks relentlessly took over the mortgages of farmers who couldnt make payments on their loans (doc d). Generally, the average farmer struggled during the late 1800’s due to the huge increase of agriculture worldwide. Because of many technological improvements, which boosted competition, now farmers faced foreign competition, and are now forced to adjust the prices of their crops to stay competitive. An increase of production repaid the farmers losses only temporarily. However, farmers soon realized the limitations of farming land. Also they realized that their own surplus of crops just lower the cost so in the end they dont make as big of a profit. (doc e). The troubles of a farmer were part of a larger economic problem that was affecting the entire nation. Deflation followed the Civil War, which made the amount of money in circulation decreased therefore the value increased. This was bad for the farmer because products took up a lower value. Loans that needed to be repaid with dollars are now worth more than what the farmers had originally borrowed, so many farmers lost money. The farmers saw a solution. It was the use of cheap money to reverse the effects of deflation. Farmers demanded the increase of greenbacks with the addition of unlimited coinage of silver (doc b). With the passage of the Bland-Allison Act in 1878, around 2 to 4 million was added to the silver supply. Yet that only eased it, and didn’t solve the main problem (doc). To make things even worse, railroad companies added more load on the  farmers by taking advantage with prices to transport grain. A lack of competition among the railroads enabled them to put high costs, sometimes making a shipment of grain nearly unprofitable (doc h). Also, railroads gained control over grain storage prices, enabling their influence over the market of price of crops. Justifying the transport prices became unchallengeable due to the lack of competition (doc g). There’s not much farmers can do than hope for some reforms since they’re stuck in a cycle of credit that meant longer hours and more debt with every year. Good farming land quickly became rare and the banks took over the mortgages of farmers who couldnt keep up with payments on their loans. The railroads took advantage of farmers by charging them excessive prices for shipping and storage. As a solution the Bland-Allison Act in 1878 was pasted. The issue of the farmers debt stuck around. There validity of the farmer complaints is totally acceptable due to all the struggles and hardships they went through.

Effects of Imperialism on Society Essay -- Politics, Power, Authority,

As the 21st century begins, the economic infrastructure of the Globe continues to feel the lasting affects of Imperialism in the 20th century and beyond. During the previous century there were two key characters, Germany and the United States, who both played a vital role in producing the economic setting we have today. The use of Imperialist policies in Germany, specifically leading up to and during the Nazi regime, and the United states, specifically in the Post-WWII era, would dictate much of how our present economic system would function. In previous centuries, these flawed policies of imperialism offered a tactless criterion which industrializing nations were to use if at all interested in accumulating wealth or having access to the Global market. These policies called for the domination and exploitation of other nations thereby contributing to the formation of the list of nations we refer to today as the â€Å"the Third World†. Although colonialism and most forms of imp erialism have formally been eradicated since the 1950s, the affects can clearly be seen lingering within International markets and the Global structure. A thorough understanding of imperialism and its effects on todays societies must be preceded by a firm understanding of its definition and familiarity with its history. As with almost any -ism it is very difficult to clearly define exactly what imperialism is, but the Merriam-Webster Dictionary broadly defines it as being: the extension or imposition of power, authority, or influence. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when imperialism was first implemented, but again this is simply because of the diversity of definitions among opposing groups. Despite its shiftiness, there is a generally understood answer to ... ... the world and as a result have left billions below the poverty line. The unfortunate thing is that the imperialist ideology does less for the working class and more for the capitalist class which is considered to be the â€Å"governor of the imperial engine†. In reality it simply does not make sense for the nation but makes total sense for the financial interest of the minority (Magdoff 34). Imperialist policy has lingered in our society with nation being subjugate to other nations through the economy and politics lean up. But emancipation is possible through questions and democracy, as Alexis de Tocqueville once said â€Å" vigilance is the price of liberty, independent and vigorous criticism is the only safeguard of our liberties† (Winslow 460). It is said that to be a super power, one must remain imperialistic but for the sake of we should try to find other alternatives.

Operational Plan Essay

Offices Assistant Operational Plan Goal Increase the sales in each store by 10% by June 2013 Objectives: a) include graphic design services b) Acquisition of additional printer, photocopier and delivery van. c) Reorganize of fixtures and fitting within the store to make space for the equipment d) Multi-skill current retail product staff to include service knowledge. e) Increase in human resource requirements. Strategy In order to increase the sales, the company will need to employee 10 more people with costumer service background, and provide the correct training of the products and services. Consultation Stakeholder Role in the Problem Consultation Method Senior Management Team Decision Maker feedback session email communications newsletters Store Manager Develop an operational plan Meetings group meetings interviews Employees Implementers of the plan Focus groups Brainstorming sessions Feedback sessions. Suppliers Supply equipment Email communication Newsletters Customers Email communication Newsletters Media Involved in the advertisement ex Email communication Newsletters Actions: In order to complete the organization goal and objectives the following are the action that should be taken: a) Include a graphic designer The Marketing department need to advertise the position of graphic designer. Responsible: Manager of the area Timeframe: 18 Oct 2013 to 18 of November 2013 Budget: 500 b) Acquisition of additional printer, photocopier and delivery van To increase the sales, The Company will need to provide additional equipment. Responsible: Store Manager Time frame: 20 Oct 2013 to 18 of November 2013 Budget: 2500 c) Make space for the new equipment Reorganize of fixtures and fitting within the store to make space for the equipment. Responsible: Store Manager Time frame: 15 Oct 2013 to 20 November 2013 Budget: 1000 d) Training Multi-skill current retail product staff to include service knowledge. Responsible: Store Manager and team members Time frame: 18November to 30 November 2013 Budget: 2000 e) Recruitment 10 more people have to be hired. Responsible: Store managers and Manager of specific Areas. Time frame: 20 Oct to 18 November 2013 Contingence plan If the strategy of increasing the sales 10% by next year doesn’t work after the high season(November to January). We will need to focus more in how to advertise more the products and services provided. Because we already have the trained people to continue to project. The Marketing department need to focus in a strategy to get more costumers to increase the sales. Outcome: To increase the sales by 10% by next year. The company need to invest in the project $6000. That include a graphic design services, acquisition and organization of new equipment. Recruitment and training. Approval Name Position Date Sing Carolina Prieto Senior Management Carolina Prieto David Garcia Store Manger David Garcia

Thai Pantene Ad: You Can Shine

Yesterday, I saw an impressive video posted by my friend on Facebook. It’s a Thai Pantene commercial about a deaf and mute girl who plays the violin. At first, I didn’t know that it was actually a shampoo commercial because it’s quite long (4:30) and looks more like a movie trailer. A lot of people was inspired by the advertisement while a few contradicted it. I, for one was captivated by the video but I have to admit that the advertisement failed in so many levels. Well, for being a shampoo commercial, it failed. The story is unrelated and too deep and dramatic for a shampoo. But if it was a movie trailer, it would have been brilliant. The plot and storyline are beautifully intertwined. It actually ruined the mood when one founds out that it was just for a shampoo. (The â€Å"Pantene. You Can Shine.† part) Though putting the shampoo concept aside, this is still a great idea well executed. Honestly, what I really liked about this ad was the use of the piece, Pachelbel Canon in D Major. Maybe because it is my favorite piece. It’s actually the reason why I wanted to play the piano because every time I hear it, it makes me want to play the piece so I can really feel the music. I agree with the old man in the ad who said that â€Å"Music is a visible thing. Close your eyes and you will see.†

The Persian Gulf War Essays - IraqUnited States Relations

The Persian Gulf War Essays - IraqUnited States Relations The Persian Gulf War subject = U.S. History title = The Persian Gulf War The Persian Gulf War-the Feat of the Western Countries On August 2nd, 1990 Iraqi military forces invaded and occupied the small Arab state of Kuwait. The order was given by Iraqi dictatorial president Saddam Hussein. His aim was apparently to take control Kuwaits oil reserves (despite its small size Kuwait is a huge oil producer; it has about 10 per cent of the worlds oil reserves ). Iraq accused Kuwait, and also the United Arab Emirates, of breaking agreements that limit oil production in the Middle East. According to Saddam Hussein, this brought down world oil prices severely and caused financial loss of billions of dollars in Iraqs annual revenue. Saddam Hussein had the nearly hopeless task of justifying the invasion. He plead the fact that Kuwait had been part of the Ottoman province of Basra, a city in the south of Iraq. However, the Ottoman province collapsed after World War I and todays Iraqi borders were not created until then. There was also a further and more obvious blunder in a bid to justify this illegal invasion. Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, had namely recognized Kuwaiti independence in 1963. Furthermore, Hussein claimed that Kuwait had illegally pumped oil from the Iraqi oil field of Rumaila and otherwise conspired to reduce Iraqs essential oil income. By invading Kuwait, Iraq succeeded in surprising the entire world. The USA ended her policy of accommodating Saddam Hussein, which had existed since the Iran-Iraq war. Negative attitude toward Iraq was soon a worldwide phenomenon. The United Nations Security Council passed 12 resolutions condemning the invasion. The ultimate decision was to use military force if Iraq did not withdraw unconditionally by January 15, 1991. Then, when the deadline was set, it was time to start preparing for the worst-the war. President George Bush confronted little difficulty in winning Americans support for the potential war against Iraq. However, the government found it difficult to decide upon and state one overriding reason for going to war. Was it to oppose aggression or was it just to protect global oil supplies? Other powers were more directly concerned as consumers of Persian Gulf oil, but they were not as eager to commit military force, to risk their youth in battle and to pay for the costs of the war. Critics of President Bush continued to maintain that he was taking advantage of the issue of energy supplies in order to manipulate the U. S. public opinion in favor of war. After consulting with U. S. Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney in early August 1990, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia invited American troops onto Saudi soil. He had seen Kuwaits destiny; therefore, he wanted protection. It was also the interest of the USA to stop any further advantage of the Iraqi army. The deployment was called Operation Desert Shield. These troops were armed with light, defensive weaponry. On November 8, 1990 President Bush announced a military buildup to provide an offensive option, Operation Desert Storm, to force Iraq out of Kuwait. The preparation of the operation took two and a half months and it involved a massive air- and sea lift. Finally, in January 1991, the U. S. Congress voted to support Security Council resolution 660. It authorized using all necessary means if Iraq did not withdraw from Kuwait by January 15. Shrugging off this final warning, Saddam Hussein resolutely maintained the occupation of Kuwait. The United States established a broad-based international coalition to confront Iraq militarily and diplomatically. The military coalition consisted of Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Honduras, Italy, Kuwait, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Korea, Spain, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The war also was financed by countries which were unable to send in troops. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were the main donors. More than $53 billion was pledged and received. Before the war, it appeared obvious that Iraq would have very little chance against the Coalition. The relative strength between the parties was extremely unequal. The most critical difference was that the Coalition had a total of 2600 aircraft, over three times more than Iraqs 800 aircraft. Most Arab observers thought Hussein would not last more than six months. Lieutenant General Khalid bin Sultan, the commander of the Arab coalition forces, gave Iraqs leader only 40 days, and repeated this prediction many times. Iraqs

What You Need to Know About a Virtual Internship

What You Need to Know About a Virtual Internship There was a time when the only way you could experience an internship was to be physically present at the employers location. Now that the Internet is available everywhere, virtual internships are becoming more popular. In a virtual internship, you can work remotely while still gaining that valuable experience. However, as with traditional internships, there are pros and cons to doing an internship primarily on your own. Read on to find out what you must know about such an arrangement. Competition for Positions May Be Stiffer In a traditional internship, the applicant pool generally consists of candidates who live within commuting distance of a business. When a company opens up an opportunity for a virtual internship, applicants may live almost anywhere. In that case, its likely that youll be competing against far more qualified people. You May Not Win a Full-Time Position Companies with lower budgets may use virtual interns to staff short-term or small projects. That might mean the company doesnt need you 40 hours a week. Of course, if your plate is full and you dont need to get in a certain number of hours, this could be a good thing for you. Youll Have to Cover Your Own Expenses One benefit of a traditional internship is that you go to a physical location and use the companys own resources, such as computers and printers. If youre doing an internship from school or home, youll most likely be footing the bill for those items yourself. Moreover, if your computer crashes, its your responsibility to get it fixed ASAP. Virtual Internships Only Work in Certain Industries A virtual intern can fill any job that a fulls of common fields include: Graphic design Social media management Editing Software and web development Research Accounting Obviously, any profession that involves working with people or equipment, such as healthcare, would not be open to virtual interns. Networking Wont Come Easy If youre not working at the companys physical location, you wont be making many new in-person contacts. Sure, youll be emailing or Skyping the people you work with directly, but you wont meet people from other departments in the hallway or the kitchen. If you crave social contact, you might find a virtual internship depressing. On the other hand, youll be able to connect online with people- possibly all over the country or the world- through intranets, LinkedIn, and other channels. You May Not Learn Much About the Company When you spend most of your internship in your own personal environment, you wont witness the operations of the company. Its possible that you wont get a good feel for what goes on daily at such a business. When its time to search for a full-time position, having to dress up, commute, and deal with co-workers may be a bit of an adjustment. You Need to Be a Self-Starter If you always relied on your roommate to wake you up for your class, or you tend to be a daydreamer, you may find it extremely difficult to stay on task with a virtual internship. People may check up on you via phone calls or emails, but most of the time, youll need to be able to complete the work yourself without a lot of supervision. Virtual Internships Offer Plenty of Benefits While there are negatives you must consider, virtual internships work very well for the right people. You can fit work in around another part-time job, family commitments, and other activities. You wont have to commute, so youll be safer, save money, and save the environment. More companies are hiring full-time employees with the understanding that the employees will work from home. As this trend continues, youll be well prepared to start a telecommuting career after completing a virtual internship. You wont be micromanaged. If youre an introvert or somebody who simply chafes at the idea of having a boss, less contact may be more comfortable for you.

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

Essay Example As a result of this, more and more men have conventionally acceded to go against their nature and change the diapers at home, though this is not all that is required to sustain the marital satisfaction for either of the two members. While men have tried to share the childcare responsibilities with their wives to assist them in their work, wives have generally increased their demands. They require the husbands to be equally, and in some cases, even more responsible for the childcare than them. This is one of the most common causes of marital dissatisfaction in the contemporary age. This paper suggests some ways in which marital satisfaction in dual career marriages can be increased. Household responsibilities need to be taken very seriously by both partners. If they are left upon the willingness of anybody, they will largely remain unaccepted. In order to retain marital satisfaction along with adequately managing the household responsibilities, it is imperative that assignment of the responsibilities results from mutual consent and agreement of both the partners. Therefore, the solution of this problem obviously requires both the partners to show maximum cooperation and compromise.

New Curriculum from Teaching Tolerance Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

New Curriculum from Teaching Tolerance - Article Example informality incorporates more expression in the article and reflects the author’s ability to connect with the audience, which is primarily teachers in this case. Supporting the arguments with examples e.g. offering learning targets as an example to elaborate how the authors went beyond the literacy standards enhances the understanding of the audience. The article ends with a question for the audience which is an effective way of keeping the sound echoing in the minds of the audience after the article has been read. This article is fairly expressive and yet concise. The contemporary American society is made up of people that belong to a variety of backgrounds in terms of culture, race, religion, and beliefs. Traditionally, the curriculum in American schools has not been customized to address the needs of an ever-diversifying American society. Introduction of the anti-bias education at every grade level is the first and the foremost step to a truly diverse

Case study - knowledge management strategy Essay - 1

Case study - knowledge management strategy - Essay Example MOTO is a large car manufacturer and has underscored to streamline its operations to be environmentally user friendly. Thus, the objective of this proposal is to put forward the strategies pertaining to the knowledge management at MOTO. The strategies proposed would help the company and its employees to have a participatory approach in ensuring proper generation, processing, storage and disposal of knowledge. The strategy has been carefully formulated in relation to the objectives and the vision of the company. The key role of the proposed plan is to utilize and integrate the raw information from different spheres of the organization to aid its vision and key emphasis is on sustainable environmental management by MOTO. The raw information on environmental strategies from the staff comprising of different nationalities would be collected and scientifically analyzed using the proposed knowledge management system. The proposal also covers the peculiar measures to be taken so that the knowledge is stored and retrieved as per the requirements of the policy to be formulated. The market performance of the company, staff participation, their consensus, cost factor, time factor and the conceptual adherence with the key policies of the company are other key factors which have to be taken into consideration during the implementation process. The company’s responsibility towards the environment and the society is well documented and its mission would help shape the formulation process of the environmental policy. The technologies recommended for knowledge management within the environment of MOTO is thus environmental friendly and community oriented. Latest innovations in the knowledge management systems which uphold these values have been carefully selected. To formulate the strategy for the change process, it is important

The Differences Between American And British Politics Politics Essay

The Differences Between American And British Politics Politics Essay The special relationship the term used by Winston Churchill to describe the uniquely close connection between the United States and the United Kingdom. The relationship between the United States of America and the United Kingdom goes back almost two hundred years before the United States declared independence from Great Britain. In order to understand American and the British political system, firstly the US constitution, the type of political parties and the presidency system will be conceded. Secondly the British constitution, the type of political parties and the prime minister system will be also considered. Lastly the differences between the political scenes on the two sides of the Atlantic will be also looking at. As define by Adrian Leftwich politics are at the hearth of all collective social activities, formal and informal, public and private, all human groups, institutions and societies.  [2]  This means that politics takes place at every level of social interaction. US constitution is the oldest written constitution and holds a central place in United State law and political culture. The Constitution in 1787 forms the foundations of the United States federal government and created a structure.  [3]  This has remained an active governing force through the changes in US society and a very remarkably stable document the American constitution is the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man  [4]  . The Constitution creates the three branches of the national government: a legislature, the bicameral Congress; an executive branch led by the President; and a judicial branch headed by the Supreme Court.  [5]  The Constitution specifies the powers and duties of each branch. The good thing about the US constitution is the underlying acceptance that it could be wrong. If you dont like the laws, its OK to rewrite them, provided you have enough support and the balance of power between the Judicial/Legislative/Executive. US political system is dominated by two political parties, which are the Democratic Party currently positions itself left-of-centre in American politics and supports an American liberalism platform and the Republican Party, which positions itself as a right-of-centre and supports an American conservatism platform.  [6]  The reason beyond these two parties is that the electoral system is first past the post or simple majority which, combined with the large voter size of the constituencies in the House and the Senate, ensures that effectively only two parties can play. The other reason is the influence of money. Money has tremendous influence on the political process and campaign, there more you have their more you can reach out that is why the US can only afford two parties or, to put it another way, candidates of any other party face a formidable financial barrier to entry. US presidency system is often referred to by the media as the White House. The US President is both the head of state and the head of government; He presides over the executive branch of the federal government, and is the commander-in-chief of the United States armed forces. Within the executive branch, the President has broad constitutional powers to manage national affairs and the workings of the federal government and may issue executive orders to affect internal policies. The total electoral vote is 538 so to become a president in the US you need 270 electoral votes  [7]  . The President is elected for a fixed term of four years and may serve a maximum of two terms. The President is not elected directly by the voters but by an Electoral College representing each state on the basis of a combination of the number of members in the Senate two for each state and the number of members in the House of Representatives. Unlike the US the UK has no core constitutional document or unwritten constitution there is no single document that can be classed as Britains constitution. The UK constitution however has traditionally been the doctrine of Parliamentary sovereignty, according to which the statutes passed by Parliament are the UKs supreme and final source of law, the Parliament can change the constitution simply by passing new Acts of Parliament.  [8]   UK political parties are an important feature of the British political system. Tree groups dominate party politics in Britain, the conservative, the labour parties and the Liberal Democrat. In addition to these three main parties, there are some much smaller UK parties, most of these parties are transitory but a few have endured sufficient time to merit examination. Some are significant such as the Nationalists in Scotland and Wales, their support has been considerable in particular areas of the United Kingdom.  [9]  Each party have their own institution, it chooses its leader but all involve all the Members of Parliament of the party.  [10]  The leader of the political party with the largest number of members in the House of Commons becomes the Prime Minster. UK does not have a President. Constitutionally the head of state is the monarch who is a hereditary member of the Royal Family. A historic feature of the UK constitution, the Royal Prerogative gives the Crown (the monarch) special powers, including the power to declare war, to make treaties, to pardon criminals, and to dissolve Parliament. Today the role of the monarch in such matters is largely ceremonial, but the Royal Prerogative gives considerable powers to government ministers acting on the Queens behalf.  [11]  So the most important person in the British political system is the Prime Minister. In theory, the Prime Minister simply chooses the ministers who run Government departments and chairs the Cabinet the collection of the most senior of those Ministers. In practice, however, the Prime Minister is a very powerful figure and increasingly has been behaving much like a president in other political systems, especially in the area of foreign policy. The most fundamental difference of UK and US political system is the constitution or the lack of one. The US has a written constitution which is very difficult to change and UK does not have a single document called the constitution but instead its constitutional provisions are scattered over various Acts of Parliament, any of which can be changed by a simple majority in the Parliament. Like Thomas Paine once said Government without a constitution is power without right this means the British government can make the constitution as whatever the wants it to be. There are three major political parties in the British political system: The Labour Party the centre-Left party, The Conservative Party the centre-Right party and the Liberal Democrat the centrist. Where as the US political system is dominated by two political parties: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The division between the Labour and Conservative in the UK is the same as Democratic Party and the Republican Party in the US. Each country, one political party is characterised as Centre-Left and the other as Centre-Right. The US President holds the position of Head of State as well as Head of Government. The UK Prime Minister, it would appear, has more influence in domestic, able to dominate his part, legislature and executive branch. The US President, on the other hand, appears to have the position of supremacy in domestic politics, He does not hold the same position of power in domestic affairs as the UK Prime Minister, but his position of strength appears to be in the realm of foreign and international matters. In conclusion by referring to the question whether British and American politics are different, we can see that the term special relationship as nothing to do with the way these two countries is lead. In each four areas we see how both countries have diverse ways of viewing politics. Reynolds, D. (1985-1986) International Affairs. Royal Institute of International Affairs 1944. 62(1), PP. 1-20 Heywood, A. P.(2002) Politics Second edition, London: Palgrave Vile, M.J.C. (1999) Politcs in the USA. London:Routledge W.E.Gladstone in McKay, D. (1997) American Politics and Society. Oxford : Blackwell. D. (1997) American Politics and Society. Oxford : Blackwell. Ceaser. W. J (1990) Political Parties. In: King, A the New American Political System. London: MacMillan Education LTD, PP. 87-135. BBC (2008) The US Electoral College. Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/3736580.stm/ (Accessed:19november2010) BBC(2003) The UK constitution. Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/bbc_parliament/2561719.stm ( Accessed: 12 November 2010 ) Moran, C . (1985) Politics and Society in Britain. London: MacMillan Education LTD Moran, C . (1985) Politics and Society in Britain. London: MacMillan Education LTD BBC (2003) The UK constitution. Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/bbc_parliament/2561719.stm( Accessed: 12 November 2010 )

Essay --

The development of the heart is a complicated process that implicates cell specification and differentiation, including tissue formation, shaping and alteration, to create a functional organ. The zebrafish has become a potential model system to disentangle the fundamental genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms of cardiac development and function. The liver is one of the essential organ in mammals. It performs many functions such as help the body digest food, store energy, and remove poisons. The liver also completes many regulatory functions that are critical to fetal development and to life in general. However, failure to perform theses function can result in many mammal liver diseases. Hepatomegaly is a symptom that associate with several liver disorders. Surveys had shown that a large number of the death in the US is caused by chronic liver disease. Liver cancer is another type of liver diseases that is one of the main cause of cancer-related death worldwide. For the past decades, zebrafish has been used as an experimental model to study human liver diseases because of the ability of zebrafish to study vertebrate development. There are many advantages on using zebrafish to study human diseases and using the embryos to grow models of liver diseases. First, there are a lot of benefits such as genetic and embryological-based of zebrafish and the embryonic hematopoiesis does not locate in the liver as it is in mammals. Therefore mutants that has liver size or structure will not have the perplexing phenotype of hematopoietic dysfunction. Second, it takes the zebrafish embryo approximately 3-4 days of development and survives on yolk. After the developmental period, the digestive system of the embryonic fish is fully functional... ...ape formation, movement of cardiac progenitor cells, heart tube, and heart function. A novel development of more specific assays, advance genetic screen efforts will provide new knowledge on cardiac development in the following years. Additionally, because of the zebrafish distinct features and its similarities to vertebrae, the zebrafish might become many researchers preferred model organism to study many mammal organs. Recently, the zebrafish has been used to study mechanisms that cause human cardiac and liver diseases and to model human hereditary and developed cardiac diseases. Due to the increase in sequencing efforts, the developing interest to study human liver and cardiac diseases. Also, the increase of resource and the more availability of the zebrafish model used in clinical and basic researchers involved in studying the liver, as well as cardiac diseases