Monday, September 30, 2019

Does the Internet have a democratising effect on society? Essay

Internet has revolutionized the way of doing work in today’s modern world. Businesses are increasingly becoming online because of the wide spread of internet facility available every where. Now it is just a matter of click and one gets his order delivered at his door step. Where ever there is computer, there is internet access also available. Today people feel incomplete without computer and internet because internet makes us connected with the world. It provides a social feeling of comfort and togetherness, anyone having internet access is not alone in the real sense. With ever falling computer prices and internet usage rates, now all classes of people are able to afford the computer and simultaneously use internet. (Cavalier , 2005) Any media to which the whole population can access and communicate on just about anything has an over all democratizing effect on that population. The word ‘democratize’ basically means making available to all. So when we talk about the democratization effect of internet, it means that the internet can be accessed by every one. Radios, television, newspapers all make people literate and let information flow to them but internet is not limited to this extent. The percentage of people involved in producing and consuming knowledge is far greater for internet as compared to any other media. Therefore, it is fair and just if we call internet a democratizing agent. (Browning , 2002) There is information available on any topic at all on the internet. People can access online dictionaries, encyclopedias, journal articles, and search on research engines just sitting at their home. This has widened the knowledge base of the people. This huge information available on the internet has rendered it to have a democratizing effect because anyone any where can have access to information available on widest possible range of subjects. People who are illiterate on a certain subject gain information through the internet and are able to give well prepared lectures on that topic. Even people are now able to access internet free of cost at public libraries, universities, colleges etc. This means that internet has actually led to the democratization of information. The world is witnessing high growth rates in the use of Internet at homes as well as organizations. People have 24/7 connectivity available thanks to the developments in LAN and WAN. Moreover, information is available in all major languages over the internet so even non-English speaking people do not face any kind of trouble in accessing information which they require. People are not bounded from expressing themselves and their presented information can circulate to different corners of the world. The democracy of internet has led to an increase in the public awareness on crucial issues and has granted them freedom to express their thoughts openly even against the government which cannot be done in person. With the increased connectivity, more and more people are becoming aware of their environment and what is going on around them. They can discuss political and national issues over the internet with others and share information. Data related to the government as well as one’s country is easily accessed by the people and they get to know their real economic situation. Internet has democratized the politics and media. News is being transmitted through the internet plus political campaigns are also being carried on the websites. An example would illustrate the democratizing effect of internet on political campaigns. Political candidates and parties are raising more and more money through internet in the form of funds and donations. People try to convince others over the internet to donate for political campaigns and internet has increased the number of donors (Shane , 2004). Previously, people were not willing to donate for political campaigns but with the increasing democratizing effect of the internet, politics is gaining popularity and people are getting involved in political discussions and campaigns.

Dental hygienist Essay

The transition I read is called â€Å"I have eventually found what I wanted to be when I grew up. † It is a personal success narrative about Shelia S. Webster’s journey to going a registered nurse. This transition is really relatable to what I want to be when I grow up because I would wish to go a Pediatric Nurse. Bing a Pediatric Nurse means that you devote your cognition and accomplishments to caring for kids from babyhood to late adolescent old ages. and their households. In this transition Shelia writes about how much work and clip it took for her to go a nurse. Shelia foremost started in the medical field as a labour and bringing staff nurse in 1993. but a few factors of this occupation rapidly had Shelia 2nd thinking her calling ( Webster ) . One factor that made her occupation less appealing was the emphasis of working in a high hazard environment ( Webster ) . The 2nd factor was the late hours. between work and school she barely had any clip to herself ( Webster ) . The 3rd factor that made Shelia want to alter her calling was the restricting attention she could supply in her installation ( Webster ) . All of that emphasis was doing her range her breakage point ( Webster ) . While still in school. her first measure to her calling was subscribing up for the legal nurse consulting seminar and before the semester was over she knew that nursing was the occupation for her ( Webster ) . She was willing to make anything to acquire herself into the nursing plan. to accomplish this she became a claims analyst at a malpractice insurance bearer ( Webster ) . She was determined to larn every bit much as she could at the insurance company and put up an independent LNC ( Legal Nursing Consulting ) pattern in about two old ages ( Webster ) . Her 2nd measure was to take a pilot trial. and it was an oculus opener for her ( Webster ) . The pilot trial is like a pre-test to assist Shelia acquire an apprehension of what the concluding test will be like. Reality set in fast and she was determined to make the best she could on the concluding test. When it was clip for her to take the Legal Nursing Consulting test she did non waver to demo her strengths. She was prepared for the test due to the pattern she got from the pilot trial. and was wholly confident in herself ( Webster ) . In 1998 she got her Legal Nursing Consulting licence and said â€Å"I am really proud to hold those initials in forepart of my last name for the remainder of my life. † ( Webster ) There are a few grounds why Shelia’s narrative relates to my life. When I started my junior twelvemonth of high school I went to the calling centre for dental assisting. I was anticipating to travel to inscribe into Columbus State Community College. acquire a major in Dental Hygiene. and so acquire my Dental Hygienist licence in two old ages. However. after the last two old ages of being in the Dental Assisting plan. like Shelia. I knew I did non desire to be what I thought I wanted to be. I am traveling in a new way. to major in nursing. One ground is. since I was immature I ever took excess concern for people’s well-being and would wish to do a calling out of it. I would besides wish to spread out my nursing and go a Pediatrician. The 2nd ground why Shelia’s narrative is relatable to mine is that I am great with small childs and I think that being a Baby doctor would be a good calling for me. At 19 old ages old. looking for a topographic point to get down my calling. I applied at the local day care called â€Å"Bloom Latch Key. † It is a forenoon and afternoon plan for grade school kids to come to if they are excessively immature to remain place by themselves to wait for the coach. or for the coach to drop them off at their houses. Finally. the 3rd ground why Shelia’s narrative is relatable to my life is because I am acquiring a occupation as a kid attention supplier to acquire my calling started like Shelia worked as a labour and bringing staff member while traveling to school to go a nurse. While I am working for the Bloom Latch Key. I am fostering my communicating accomplishments with kids and going more sociable with them by assisting them with their prep and interacting with them on the resort area. To go a Pediatric Nurse I will necessitate an extra four to six old ages of schooling and take preparation categories throughout my calling. For illustration ; research workers find new diseases every twenty-four hours. so to maintain the parents up to day of the month with the proper cognition nurses take extra categories to larn about the freshly founded diseases. Once I become a Pediatric nurse I will be doing about 48. 000 dollars salary as a starting motor and work my manner up to 68. 000 dollars a twelvemonth. Similar to Shelia. I am working really hard to accomplish my end in life. to go a Pediatric Nurse. I will make so by go oning my occupation at the Bloom Latch Key and constructing societal accomplishments with the kids. I will besides go on to work hard in school and do whatever it takes to go a Pediatric Nurse. Work Citedâ€Å"Personal Success Stories – American Association of Legal Nurse Advisers( AALNC ) . † Personal Success Stories – American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants ( AALNC ) . N. p. . n. d. Web. 23 Sept. 2013.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

The Effects of Social Norms on Society

Dr. Kenneth Hoffman Sociology 200-302 2 January 2013 The Effects of Social Norms on Society In a world where routine is dominant and change is difficult to adhere by, social norms have become major assets for a smoothly functioning day. With the experiment of breaking normative behavior I wanted to do something subtle yet startling. Sometimes the smallest changes in behavior receive the toughest adjustments. First impressions have a strong influence on a person’s relationship with someone else. With that being said, I decided to change the way I went about greeting people.The opening greeting of shaking hands and smiling has become so common it has lost value and become routine. The subtle change I made to my greeting was that I decided to only say my name in a monotone voice and shake hands with the wrong hand, leading to responses of surprise, unease, and sometimes anger. With most people being right handed, I have made the assumption that this could be why the common greeti ng is to shake with one’s right hand. The â€Å"normal† greeting is to smile, say hello, and shake with your right hand. People have taken what use to be excitement to seeing each other to going through common motions repeated multiple times.This greeting is a sign that one may have come from a proper upbringing and family, possibly middle to upper class. It is also taken as a common sign of acceptance to strangers meeting for the first time. My sample size of people ranged from people of all ages and relationships to me. I decided I would greet with a plain face and state my name and reach out with my left hand with all introductions. People who did not know me well believed I was unpleasant and felt awkward. My new greeting was taken with surprise, as people who know me well believed I was in a bad mood or having a bad day.If I don’t do the norm I’m considered upset and negative. From the experiment I learned that people commonly receive me as joyful an d energetic. In a way my own personal norm has evolved into me being upbeat whether my day has been good or bad. All people react to different stimuli in their own way. With that being said, I was surprised to find that out of the 20+ people I greeted against the norm, only one gave my greeting a â€Å"normal† response without interruption. The lone person was a 12 year old boy I see regularly and he just continued what he was doing without a hint of awkwardness.The older people would teach and try to correct what they took as my â€Å"ignorance† toward a common greeting. A few of these older experimentees actually refused to shake my hand unless it was a right handed shake. People around the same age as me were awkward with a sarcastic manner, laughed, or just went ahead and shook my left hand after a moment of hesitation. With all the immediate responses having large variance, the most correlated response was that people thought there was something wrong with my well -being and tried to cheer me up.The overall response to the experiment ended up being quite humorous. It also opened my eyes to how much the people in my life care about me. While I expected the awkward moments, I expected more people to just go along with it and not be startled. Even the slightest changes in one’s actions can affect the response and mood of how people interact with one another. In this case, it was subtle yet changed the entire complexion of the exchanges between the people I intercepted. With responses ranging from laughter to confusion, the smallest changes in normative behavior can have most astonishing results.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Minor in Entrepreneurship Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Minor in Entrepreneurship - Assignment Example Here are some of the issues you need to understand when launching and building a new business: 1. Industry Characteristics 2. Competitive Rivalry 3. Influence of Suppliers 4. Substitute Products Most successful entrepreneurs develop an intimate knowledge of these factors by working in the industry in which they start their business. If they haven’t held a job in the industry they are serious and frequent product consumers. Personal experience in the industry provides excellent exposure to the products, services, suppliers, important contacts, competitors, strength and weaknesses of competitors, key customers, channels of distribution, and marketing strategies. In nearly every success story we have collected, extensive experience in the industry revealed the missing piece that led to the business opportunity. Successful entrepreneurs continue to experience their industry first hand after they launch their new venture. All organizations exist in geographical space; the center is the furthest away from customers; the boundary is the place where customers, products, and competitors all interface. Thriving business builders spend a great deal of time in the boundary of their organization rather than inside an office: they interact with customers, work with front-line employees, and study their competitors’ products and services. Living in the boundary provides personal and up-to-date information about new innovations, reactions from consumers, tactics of competitors, changing conditions, and new business opportunities. Abraham Lincoln, one of our greatest American presidents, is a superb example of â€Å"living in the boundary† in the political arena. According to Lincoln, the best way to assess an opportunity was to gather data personally. During his first few years in office, Lincoln spent more days out of the White House than he did in it. He inspected every state regiment that passed through Washington, D.C., he met with his generals in the field, he spent time with the troops in their encampments, he visited the wounded in hospitals, he spent many days in the telegraph office at the War Department to obtain real-time information, he studied new weaponry, and even took charge of several battles, coming under fire on more than one occasion. This approach gave Lincoln first-hand information for quick decisions and effective strategies without having to rely on second- or third-hand information from others (Donald Phillips, Lincoln on Leadership, New York: Warner Books, 1992). In like manner, successful entrepreneurs spend a considerable amount of time on the edge of their organization, rather than in the center. This gives them a broad and deep understanding of their industry and provides valuable information for decision making and strategic planning. By contrast, company founders who fail often create ideas in a vacuum, and then try to push them into unfamiliar territory. In this scenario, the learning curve is long an d steep, and the fragile venture quickly burns through the capital, passion, goodwill, and team members.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Excel Analysis of Amazon and Ebay Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Excel Analysis of Amazon and Ebay - Assignment Example Therefore, the study has provided computation ratios for the two companies as indicated in the two attached spread sheet files attached as well as a summary of ratios. AMAZON FINANCIAL RATIOS Fins AS Version 2008010211 Ratios - ending Company: Amazon.com Analyst: Nanyail Smoke Most Recent Year Available: 2012 Years Available for: Income Statement (1-5) 5 Balance Sheet (1-5) 5 * EOY values instead of averages - - - - - - Liquidity 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 - - - - - - Days' Sales in Receivables 20.10 19.52 16.94 14.71 15.75 * Accounts Receivable Turnover 18.16 18.70 21.55 24.81 23.18 * A/R Turnover in Days 20.10 19.52 16.94 14.71 15.75 Days' Sales in Inventory 47.88 48.87 44.00 41.75 34.28 * Inventory Turnover 7.62 7.47 8.30 8.74 10.65 * Inventory Turnover in Days 47.88 48.87 44.00 41.75 34.28 * Operating Cycle 67.98 68.38 60.94 56.47 50.03 Working Capital 2,294 2,594 3,375 2,361 1,330 Current Ratio 1.12 1.17 1.33 1.32 1.28 Acid Test 0.78 0.82 1.00 0.99 0.94 Cash Ratio 0.60 0.64 0.84 0 .86 0.79 * Sales to Working Capital 26.63 18.53 10.13 10.38 14.41 Cash Flow/Cur. Mat. of Debt & NP #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! - - - - - - long-term debt-paying ability 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 - - - - - - Times Interest Earned 4.39 11.75 51.20 35.15 13.69 Fixed Charge Coverage 3.52 11.75 51.20 35.15 13.69 Debt Ratio 74.84% 69.31% 63.48% 62.27% 68.53% Debt/Equity 297.40% 225.87% #DIV/0! 162.75% 211.15% Debt to Tangible Net Worth 431.97% 301.98% -884.58% 212.68% 252.55% Cash Flow/Total Debt 17.16% 22.28% 29.29% 38.48% 28.48% - - - - - - Profitability 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 - - - - - - Net Profit Margin 0.19% 1.34% 3.35% 3.70% 3.41% * Total Asset Turnover 1.88 1.90 1.82 1.78 2.33 * Return on Assets 0.36% 2.54% 6.09% 6.61% 7.94% Operating Income Margin 1.11% 1.79% 4.11% 4.61% 4.39% * Operating Asset Turnover 2.04 2.06 1.96 1.96 2.51 * Return on Operating Assets 2.26% 3.70% 8.07% 9.04% 11.01% * Sales to Fixed Assets 8.65 10.88 14.17 19.00 22.44 * Return on Investment 1.53% 6.82% 62.11% 11.23% 20.32% * Return on Total Equity #N/A 8.13% #DIV/0! 17.16% 24.14% * Return on Common Equity #N/A 8.13% #DIV/0! 17.16% 24.14% Gross Profit Margin 24.75% 22.44% 22.35% 22.57% 22.28% - - - - - - Investor Analysis 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 - - - - - - Degree of Financial Leverage 1.17 1.07 1.03 1.03 1.08 Earnings per Share - - - - - Price/Earnings Ratio #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! Percentage of Earnings Retained #N/A 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% Dividend Payout #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! Dividend Yield #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! Book Value per Share 18.04 17.05 #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! Materiality of Options #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! Oper. Cash Flow per Share 9.22 8.47 7.66 7.45 3.72 Oper. Cash Flow/Cash Dividends #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! Year-end Market Price 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 EBAY FINANCIAL RATIOS Fins AS Version 2008010211 Ratios - ending Company: Amazon.com Analyst: Nanyail Smoke Most Rece nt Year Available: 2012 Years Available for: Income Statement (1-5) 5 Balance Sheet (1-5) 5 * EOY values instead of averages - - - - - - Liquidity 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 - - - - - - Days' Sales in Receivables 87.26 80.54 63.27 14.71 15.75 * Accounts Receivable Turnover 4.18 4.53 5.77 24.81 23.18 * A/R Turnover in Days 87.26 80.54 63.27 14.71 15.75 Days' Sales in Inventory 522.13 526.46 455.82 41.75 34.28 * Inventory Turnover 0.70 0.69 0.80

Research an emerging infectious disease Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Research an emerging infectious disease - Essay Example s of containing such fear by informing the public that there is no possibility of getting the virus from casual contact with others (Bernstein, 2015). The article also describes how the virus is transmitted. It is noted as being transmitted by coming into contact with infected body fluids. Such fluids may involve blood, feces, and vomit (Bernstein, 2015). As a result, health workers and people with contact with victims are at a higher risk (Bernstein, 2015). There is also a suggestion of intervention strategies in the article. One of the strategies is to adopt safe burial practices (Bernstein, 2015). The other strategy is to isolate those individuals infected with the virus. In the second article by Dennis Brady, the focus is on changes that have taken place on Ebola virus since the recent outbreak. The changes are shown as a challenge to diagnosis as well as the treatment of the virus. The paper also focuses on the recent cases of the virus in West Africa and traces the origin of the virus that has devastated the region. The virus origin is traced to the funeral of a traditional healer that had been treating patients with the virus (Dennis, 2014). Moreover, proper treatment and control of the virus is said to depend on proper genomic sequencing of the virus. The author notes that changes in the virus affect accuracy of the diagnostic test. Moreover, the change affects effectiveness of the vaccines as well as treatment. The argument is that gathering data on genetic of the virus will help in containing the spread in different parts of the world. Hence, the argument is that genetic technology will help in controlling the virus outbreak and spread. There are various assumptions made in the two articles. One of the assumptions is that limited airborne of Ebola virus is likely to occur (Bernstein, 2015). However, this is flawed as there has been no reported case of virus being spread through the air. Major cases have been documented of spread of the virus. In these

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

'Business Risk Management is beneficial to large corporations and not Essay

'Business Risk Management is beneficial to large corporations and not to small to medium enterprises (SMEs)' - Essay Example At the start up phase of any business, the magnitudes of risks remain the same. However, as the business starts to grow, the risk associated with it also grows. This is primarily because of the fact that, the resources involved in the business also increases proportionately. Hence, large organizations are prone to more business risks than a small and medium sized enterprise. As a result, implementation of risk management technique positively impacts their business. For a large organization implementation of risk management helps them to enhance their shareholder value, reduction in total cost of risk, improves business resiliency and also increases the operational efficiencies (Jolly, 2003). On the other hand, the intensity of risk for the SMEs is less in comparison with large organizations. This is primarily because of the fact that they do not function on a large scale and operates with less resources. Hence, they have less exposure to business risks and thus implementation of risk management techniques will have hardly have any positive impact on the business operation. Moreover, it also increases the operating cost of a business. In response to one of the group members namely Penina, although risk management helps the organizations to assess the business risks, but I believe, it mostly benefits organizations which operate on a large scale. On the other hand, the common risks for the SMEs can be identified without any implementation of risk management techniques. Thus, the notion of risk plays a major role in determining risk management. ... On the other hand, the common risks for the SMEs can be identified without any implementation of risk management techniques. Similarly in this context, the notion of risk intensity plays a major role in determining the importance of risk management. For example, in a large construction company, there are more workers who perform their duties at high altitudes, more number of office staff and more number of cars are required to provide logistic service in comparison with an organization which operates on a small scale. So, the large organization can anticipate having more riskier events, simply due the fact that they have more exposure or opportunity for facing a risk event. In simple words, the probability of risk increases proportionately with the amount of resources involved. Therefore any level of investment pertaining to risk management by the large organizations will have high return on investment. Nevertheless, I agree with Penina with her statement that all business face futur e risks however it is dependent upon the size, industry and operations of that particular company. Now in the context of a small and medium sized enterprise, investment pertaining to risk management has low return on investment. The SMEs employ less number of workers and also involve less quantity of resources. This depicts that, the probability of a risk event is very low in comparison with large organizations. Hence it can be justified that the return on investment pertaining to risk management by the SMEs is low. Penina highlighted that running a business regardless of size can be a dangerous occupation with many different types of risk, as risk is an inherent part of any business, economy and other issues can often increase

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Research Proposal Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Paper - Research Proposal Example The understudies will be asked to finish an overview (Drummond,2014). The finished study will create the greater part of the essential parts to position every understudy in the right area of the 3 X 3 factorial outlines. The study will contain an assortment of inquiries identified with the theory of this study to focus the examples. They are between the utilization designs/ recurrence of the utilization of video games with the kind of video diversion to the understudies achievement and psychological state. The overview will likewise educate with respect to the additional curricular exercises of the understudies since this kind of out of school association might likewise relate to higher or lower government sanctioned test scores. This study is critical due to how essential state-administered testing has ended up, and the amount time and cash get put into enhancing the scores of understudies here. Technology is an apparatus that educators can use to help adapting, yet brain research tutoring must be first. In the event that instructors and therapists do not see how to help learning, engineering utilization will be ineffectual and wasteful. The key determinant of our prosperity and enthusiastic dependability will not be the quantity of machines obtained or links introduced. Instead, it is how people characterize instructive dreams, plan and help staff, outline educational program, location issues of value, and react to the quickly evolving world. Innovation gets utilized as a part of different courses than for instructive profits. Engineering got additionally created for amusement and relaxation. Video games are a type of engineering incorporating visual, sound-related, and kinesthetic/material reenactment structures. Not all, yet numerous understudies are excited in the use of video games in the timetable of relaxation time and unwinding. Video games have advanced a long ways past the

Monday, September 23, 2019

Chapter question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Chapter question - Essay Example age, compatibility, complexibility, trialability, observability, impact on social relations, reversibility, communicability, time, risk and uncertainty, commitment and modifiability† (Edberg, p. 59). Relative advantage defines the measure of effectiveness and efficiency of a proposed innovation with respect to the old technology. A significant relative advantage will therefore motivate a faster adoption of the theory. Complexibility refers to the level of ease of applying a proposed technology. While a complex technology may delay implementation due to lack of implementation resources and determination of certainty over the technology, a less complex technology can be immediately implemented (Edberg, p. 59). Triability however defines the ability to test the technology, practically, before its adoption. Where such practical tests are possible, decision can be made on whether to adopt the technology or not. In cases where such tests are not possible, alternative approaches must be devised and this may delay adoption of the proposed technology. The impacts that the technology can have on the society are also important in determining how fast it can be implemented. This is because social responsibility measures must first be put in place before implementation of the technology. The other factors can also either speed up or delay implementation (Edberg, p.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Project Estimating Techniques Essay Example for Free

Project Estimating Techniques Essay Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Project estimating techniques are important to project managers, because they provide them with accurate predictions on which good planning and risk assessment are more soundly based. An estimate is used as an assessment tool to determine the quantitative outcome of a project. Project estimation is important because it justifier’s the project, usually at the initial stage of the project. This is because it enables the project managers to compare the costs with the anticipated benefits, thus determining the profitability of the project. Project estimation is important because it assists in enforcing the various disciplines required to make the project succeed as well as enabling everyone understand the impact of the project. Project estimation is usually based on three components, which include experience, expert judgment and task decomposition. In experience, the project is compared with projects that have been previously completed. In task decomposition, the project is decomposed into various components known as work breakdown structures and estimating the outcome of each work package. (Rad, 2002). Cost estimation technique   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Cost estimation and budgeting involves estimation of the cost allocated to various duties in the project and the budget for each duty. The initial cost estimation of a project determines the fate of that particular project. It is very important to make accurate cost estimation, because if the cost is over estimation, there is a high likelihood of losing the project. Cost estimation involves identifying various elements, which include resources that are required for the project profits to be made from the project, overheads involves into the technology and the total expenses of the project. The total costs of the project should be analyzed in relation to the work packages of the project. In cost estimation, the total budget cost of each work packages in the projects identified and the process distributed over the time spent on each work package. The cost of each work package is then determined based on the activities and time spent on the package. The cumulative budget cost is used to determine the cost spent over a period of time and it analyzes the cost performance of the project.  Ã‚   The cumulative budget cost is used as a baseline against the actual cost and performance of the project. While preparing the cost estimation budget of a project it is important to consider decision-making processes, investment opportunities and performance reviews. During the project, project managers are advised to keep tract of the committed cost as well as the actual cost by collecting data and maintaining it in an information system. The committed cost should be set aside because it is money that has to be paid out in future. Another important element in cost estimation is determining the earned value for a project. This is determined by the value of work that has been performed and requires collection of data on the complete percentage of each work package. ( Lock,2007). Base and contingency estimation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In base and contingency technique, the estimation involves two components the base and the contingency. The base is referred to as the minimum expected time that is required to complete the project if everything goes as planned. The contingency is the level of trust that is usually placed on the base when all risks taken are put into account. Contingency costs are set aside only for unexpected events and omissions that may arise during the project. Separating the base and contingency cost is determined by considering everything that fail or go wrong during the project. The contingency cost is determined by using the risk analysis technique. Importance of project estimation techniques in an organization base and contingency estimation in an organization, the project manager is required to take into account all the wide risks that the project may encounter. The manager is also required to undertake a risk analysis and determine the appropriate amount of contingency to be set aside. The project contingency can be estimated by determining the money and resources to be used in the project. In order to produce an estimation of the project, the project manager is required to decompose the project into various tasks, otherwise known as a work breakdown structure. The project manager will then estimate each task as appropriate, add the estimates together and finally add the project contingency. Contingency estimation is usually based on expert judgment dependent on various cost engineering. Cost estimation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The cost estimation technique in an organization is required in order to support good-decision making processes as well as making a schedule of the work. Project managers use the cost estimation technique to determine whether the project is worth the effort being put into it. The development of cash flow needs and time-phased budgets requires a proper cost and time estimation technique. Project estimation is important in an organization because it enables them decide whether investing in a certain project is good for the company. (Verzuh, 2005). Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚   Project estimation is the foundation of planning a project because it establishes appropriate targets for the cost and the work packages. Project that are planned based on unrealistic estimations turn out poorly and with very high budgets and schedules. In order to achieve reliable estimates, the project scope should be well identified and defined. If the product scope is defined as unrealistic, then the estimation may be inaccurate therefore leading to very unrealistic targets; initially the project estimation is based on decomposition of the project into work packages. Project estimation is thus, essential for project planning and target setting. Reference Rad, P. F. (2002). Project estimation and cost management. Management concepts. Lock, D. (2007). Project management. Gower publishing Verzuh, E. (2005). The fast forward MBA in project management. John Wiley and sons.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Imc plan for water

Imc plan for water INDUSTRY PROFILE Bottled waterisdrinking waterpackaged inplasticbottle. The dominant form in which water is packaged is newPolyethylene terephthalatebottlesand sold retail. Another method of packaging is in largerhigh-density polyethyleneplastic bottles, or polycarbonate plastic bottles, often used withwater coolers. Since 2000, sales have increased by 60% and the industry is now worth in excess of  £2bn a year. Drinks consultants are predicting that global consumption of bottled water will soon overtake carbonated beverages and one analyst has taken to calling the sector ‘blue gold. Global sales The global bottled water market valuation grew by 7% in 2006 to reach a value of $60,938.1 million. The volume of bottled water grew by 8.1% in 2006 to 115,393.5 million liters. In 2011, the market is forecast to have a value of $86,421.2 million, an increase of 41.8% since 2006. In 2011, the market is forecast to have a volume of 174,286.6 million liters, an increase of 51% since 2006. The global rate of consumption more than doubled between 1997 and 2005.Purified water is currently the leading global seller, with U.S. companies dominating the field, and natural spring water, purified water and flavored water being the fastest-growing market segments Bottled water in the marketplace The Beverage Marketing Corporation defines the bottled water market segment as â€Å"retail PET, retail bulk, home and office delivery, vending, domestic sparkling and imports† but excluding â€Å"flavored and enhanced water.† Bottled water vs. carbonated beverages Bottled water competes in the marketplace with carbonated beverages sold in individual plastic bottles,and is often considered a healthier substitute. According to the Donkey Recycling Institute, sales of flavored, noncarbonated drinks are expected to surpass soda sales by 2010.In response, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have introduced new carbonated drinks that are fortified with vitamins and minerals, Diet Coke Plus and Tava, marketed as â€Å"sparkling beverages.† Bottled water vs. tap water An officewater coolerwith a reusable 5-gallon bottle In india, bottled water costs between Rs 10 to Rs15 per bottle while tap water costs less negligible..In 1999, according to a NRDC study, U.S. consumers paid between 240 and 10,000 times more per unit volume for bottled water than for tap water. According to Bottledwaterblues.com, about 90% of manufacturers costs is from making the bottle, label, and cap. TheShowtimeseriesPenn Teller: Bullshit!demonstrated, in a 2007 episode, that in a controlled setting, diners could not discern between bottled water and water from a garden hose behind the restaurant. The United Church of Christ, United Church of Canada, National Council of Churches, National Coalition of American Nuns and Presbyterians for Restoring Creation are among some of the religious organizations that have raised questions about whether or not the â€Å"privatization† of water is ethical. They regard the industrial purchase and repackaging at a much higher resale price of a basic resource as an unethical trend. InFinland, the newspaperHelsingin Sanomatonce ran ablind tastingtest containing various brands of bottled water, both Finnish and international, and regular tap water from Helsinki. The majority of the tasters preferred the tap water. Bottled water service It is common for business or individuals person to subscribe to a bottled water service. Instead of selling drinking water in small individual-use bottles, the service supplies it in large, reusable (in the USA, typically 5 US gallons) containers. The containers are installed on a dispenser (or â€Å"cooler†) which chills or heats the water and generally has valves on the front for dispensing. This practice stop the issue of disposing of packaging for individual serves while still providing the same product. Purified water vending machines Without bottles drinking water of brand companies. A number of companies worldwide, among which are a number of North American supermarket chains, havevending machinesthat dispense purified water into customers own containers. This again obviates the costs and environmental issues involved in manufacturing, transporting, and disposing of plastic bottles. Executive Summary Although common objective of all IMC program is increase brand awareness, sale and design a unique image of the product in customers mind. To communicate among public and customers, we will advertise our product campaign on TV, magazine, online. Through the advertisement we want to design the brand image of our product into the customer mind. Besides advertisement, we will also carry out promotional activity such as public relation, direct marketing etc. Various water company also organizes various events in order to communicate properly with customers. The Main purpose of this event was to increase the sale of water. Before designing IMC program the Company carried out market research in order to judge customers behaviors toward their mineral water packaged using. So that appropriate primary data can be collected for designing IMC strategy for â€Å"The boond hub†. Before designing integrated marketing communication program it is necessary to judge consumers behavior toward t he product. It is necessary to known customers liking and disliking, these data provide various support during designing of IMC program. Although there are various media available for communicating but Printads news paper and banner is seen most effective medium in the case of mineral water planning strategy. After Research survey done by various mineral water company, it has been founded that female respondents were more brand conscious than male. There is no particular brand trend in among male, but females are more conscious towards their healths. â€Å"dirty water and fast food culture† are the major attributes considered by customer while buying water.Our water Company Boond which makes flavored mineral water has come up with a new IMC plan for the new flavored mineral water product for the new region. South India and metro where the target market in the segment delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, rest of south. In this report, we will further introduce ourselves and how we got star ted, internal and external situational analysis of our company, and why a new IMC plan is needed. Bisleri is a strong competitor in the water industry and it is focusing on increasing the brand equity and profitability of companies focused on increasing their share in the packaged water market. Our mission is to make sure that our clients have the tools and information that they need to become successful in the footwear market. We have looked at the strengths and weaknesses of the Bisleri Company as well as the opportunities and threats and have included them in this IMC plan. HUNKY Company will use all IMC tools which will be best suited for flowing the message among the targeted people. We feel that Bisleri would profit from making an innovative and customer oriented product that will use by mostly all level of people. Company profile Product name-Boond tm Tag line -â€Å"har boond mein biswas†. MISSION Build branded packaged water business to improve health of life by offering tasty, Affordable and highly mineral rich water to our consumer. While maximizing Stakeholders value. Vision:- To become leading brand in packaged water industry after 10 years from today. Situation analysis:- From being confined to the uppermost echelons of society, packaged water has now become a commonplace commodity and almost a necessity in metros. After witnessing historic growth in recent years, it has become a Rs 3,000-crore industry, one that is slated to only post healthy growth rates to become a Rs 10,000-crore business in just three years, says Mr Sushil Kumar, Marketing Director of Shivsu Canadian Clear Waters Technology Pvt Ltd, a company that has executed more than 3,000 packaged water projects worldwide and over 2,000 in India. Speaking toBusiness Lineon the water industry and the road ahead, he said that the industrys phenomenal growth in recent years can be attributed to rising incidence of water-borne diseases, improper municipal supplies, evol ved health consciousness of people as well as globalisation, which has brought in tremendous tourist inflow. â€Å"The bulk water industry, or water in 12-, 20- and 25-litre packages, has also witnessed a parallel growth of Rs 700-1,000 crore,† he informed. â€Å"Basically, the market can be divided into two segments the retail consumer market where the pack sizes are 500 ml, one litre, 1.2/1.5/2-litre and five-litre, and the household and institutional market, where the pack size is usually are 20- or 25-litre.† He added: â€Å"The total Indian market for small segments, such as 0.5-2 litre stands at 12-15 million cases a year. Bulk water sale of 25-litre bubbletops stands at 16.8 million bottles a month.† Though the industry growth rate is 40-50 per cent a year, India is still behind countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, where the industry is already worth Rs 15,000-20,000 crore. â€Å"These countries have much smaller population but similar climatic conditions.† Government data also attributed the growth to the entry of large liquor companies such as the UB Group, which has set up more than 29 plants all over the country for rolling out the Kingfisher brand of packaged water, and around 20 plants for McDowell No 1 brand. Similarly, SAB Miller has come out with Royal Challenge and Haywards 5,000 brands of packaged water, for which purpose it has set up more than 40 plants all over India. The company has also introduced a new concept of sparkling water, â€Å"which is low-carbonated water for a niche market, basically foreigners.† Mr Kumar said that though the Indian market currently has more than 2,000 players, the main brands controlling the market are Pepsis Aquafina, Cokes Kinley, Kingfisher, SAB Millers Royal Challenge, Parle Agros Bisleri, besides local players such as Sabol. He also informed that with better knowledge of packaged drinking water, brands such as Evian of France, Himalayan of North India and Blu Mont from the South are trying to create a niche in the premium water segment of â€Å"mountain spring water,† which comes under the natural mineral water specifications of BIS. â€Å"These products are mainly sold in ‘A class outlets such as five-star hotels, resorts, lifestyle stores, high-end beauty parlours and elite clubs. The industry has also paved the way for new product segments such as flavoured, vitaminised and herbal waters.† With the entry of big players such as the Tatas (who recently bought stake in Mount Everest brand of packaged drinking water), the water industry is poised for a phenomenal surge, â€Å"What we see is just the tip of the iceberg.† SWOT Analysis SWOT analysis will help me to identify our company strength, weaknesses, opportunity and threats internally and externally both. Through this, we can easily identified our competitors in the market and once we know the company weakness and what kind of oppournity we have for the present and future prospect then we can easily make cost effective IMC plan and strategic IMC plan for the company. In SWOT analysis of the company, we have find the following that will help to make more strategical and cost effective IMC plan: STRENGTHS: Easy availability of low cost for all level of people. Massive institutional support for technical services, designing, manpower development and marketing. Exporter-friendly government policies for shoes industry. Well-established linkages with buyers in all parts of India. WEAKNESSES: Lack of modern finishing facilities for packing. Difficulties in accessing to testing, designing and technical services. Environmental problems. Non availability of quality components in the market. Lack of fresh investment in the sector. Uneconomical size of manufacturing units. OPPORTUNITIES: The Indian packaged water market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 10% for the period spanning from 2008 to 2011. Presently, the Indian packaged water market is dominated by health conscious person that accounts for nearly 70% of the total Indian packaged water market. Abundant scope to supply packaged water to companies setting up branch in India. Growing health consciousness globally. Use of information technology and decision support software to help eliminate the length of the production cycle for different products Product diversification There is lot of scope for diversification into other flavour water etc. Growing international and domestic markets. Retain customers through quality supplies and timely deliveries Aim to present the customer with new designs, infrastructure, and country company profiles. Use of modern technology THREATS: Entry of multinationals in domestic market. Stiff competition from other company. Non- tariff barriers Developing countries are resorting to more and more non tariff barriers indirectly. Fast changing fashion trends are difficult to adapt for every time for our company. Competitive analysis The major competitors in packaged water in Indian context of the Boond Company are bisleri, kingfisher, pepsi, aquiafina, kinley, railneel, and oxygen. They are the giant brand in the packaged water segment and they are the well established brand. So to take a challenge in this segment from these all we will create our company brand value in the market through strong positioning message and with differentiate a unique sell property that is water for all level of people and this core value of the BOOND Company will be shown throughout in IMC plan. Pricing factor will be also a major factor to differentiate to all competitors from our company BOOND. Apart from this some local seller of packaged water in todays scenario giving more competition because they are not branded packaged water and they are providing low price packaged water. So, to face giant challenges from all we are creating our core value of the company that is the packaged water for all level of people that most of the ma jor competitors do not have. They mostly targeted the younger generation but BOOND Company will target all level of people in the health concious segment with affordable price. Marketing Mix Strategies:- Product:-The Main aim of the BOOND Company is to produce high quality packaged water in various flavour for all level of people. It is only possible to capture the attention of the target market. The name of our product is boond. The company is providing 2 years free health tips for the customer. Price: The price range of the product range will be from Rs. 12 to 50. The price will be depended upon the flavour and quantity of the product. The company will also provide discount offer and allowance for the channel members. Place: Thedistributionchannels for Boond Company are as follows:- MANUFACTURER (COMPANY) WHOLESELLER PACKAGED TO RETAILER CUSTOMER Promotion:-In a promotion part of the product we are going to launch IMC plan for the target market. Evaluate Performance The Goal of our marketing plan is to achieve market objective that are established before implementation of marketing plan. We evaluate and control our strategic tactics by comparing our result with standard established before setting of plan, by measuring customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. If result is less than our standard than it means there is any default in implementation and monitoring in the program. The people who are responsible for the monitoring and control of the marketing plan will be the Marketing Executives, Sales Managers, Media Managers, Market Research Departments, and the Production Managers.Some activities will be carried out for evaluating the overall performance that will be precisely and closely evaluating the effectiveness of the strategies and tactics for example the gathering and structuring of data regarding market, product, consumers and the pricing trends, then the generation of daily sales report should be maintained and then in the end continuous reconfirming of the marketing budget and activities by the managers of different divisions. IMC objective and strategy Integrated Marketing Communications is a term used to describe a holistic approach to marketing communication. It aims to ensure consistency of message and the complementary use of media. The concept includes online and offline marketing channels. Online marketing channels include any e-marketing campaigns or programs, pay-per-click, affiliate, email, banner to latest web related channels for webinar, blog, micro-blogging, RSS, pod cast, and Internet TV. Offline marketing channels are traditional print (newspaper, magazine), mail order, public relations, industry relations, billboard, radio, and television. Boond Company is developing its integrated marketing communication programmes using all the elements of the marketing mix (product, price, place, and promotion So Integrated marketing communication is integration of all marketing tools, approaches, and resources within a company which maximizes impact on consumer mind and which results into maximum profit at minimum cost. Promotio nal activities include Advertising, sales promotion, and personal selling activities. It also includes internet marketing, sponsorship marketing, direct marketing, database marketing and public relations and integration of all these promotional tools along with other components of marketing mix to gain edge over competitor is called Integrated Marketing Communication. Communication objective:- The main objective of my communication is that people recognise my product as brand. They prefer my product as mineral water. Health conscious person prefer my brand. They feel that proper hygiene is maintained at all the places from where it pass while manufacturing or storing. They think that this company also care for nature. Increase market share up to 20%. Increase sale by 50% in 6 month from thelaunch of public campaign. Create awareness among target audience. Use excessive advertising especially using media preferred by the target market. Create product belonging and position among buyers mind Communication budget:- Total budget is 5 crore. TV advertisement:- (fund allotment 2 crore) Paper advertisement :- (Fund allotted 50 lakhs) Radio advertisement:- (fund allotted-10 lakh) Magazine advertisement:- (fund allotted-10 lakh) Bluetooth advertisement:- (fund allotted-20 lakh) Banners advertisement:- (fund allotted- 30 lakh) Hoardings advertisement:- (fund allotted-90 lakh) Direct selling:- (fund allotted- 1lakh) Door delivery:- fund allotment- 19 lakh) For promotion in event:- (fund allotment-10 lakh) Internet marketing:- (fund allotment-10 lakh) Retailer :- (Fund allotted-30 lakh) Customer sale promotion (Fund allotted-10 lakh) Trade sale promotion (fund allotted-10 lakh) IMC plan TV advertisement:-(fund allotment 2 crore) I will spend around 2 crore on tele-vision advertisement because it reaches to large population. In today scenario TV play very important role in making brand image. I will mainly focus tourist or health oriented channels, try to bring my advertisement those time when there is program related health or tourist place is coming so that I can reach to maximum number of target customers. Because when we go for health we never compromise and same with when we are in tour out of many brands we choose only those brand from which we are familiar or seen their ad in tv. So If we see per person expenditure then it will be less. Paper advertisement :-(fund allotment 50 lakhs) I will spend around 50 lakhs on paper advertisement because it again reaches to large population. I will prefer my advertisement in local as well as national newspaper also. Because my maximum number of customers who are health conscious or who travels frequently prefer national paper and maximum in English language. So my first choice will be that only. Radio advertisement:- (fund allotted-10 lakh) Today again radio trend is coming back due to improved quality of service because of entering of private players. And also today maximum mobile users buy mobile with inbuilt FM radio service. This service is mostly used by youngsters and mid age person, who are my potential customers. So advertisement on radio will also be in priority list. Magazine advertisement:- (fund allotted-10 lakh) Nowadays magazine has reached to mass population. Now magazines are coming according to person interest. For example person who are interested in sports for them sports magazine comes like â€Å"auto†, for business interest business today, business economy, 4p. I will prefer health magazines, tour oriented magazines, sports magazine. Bluetooth advertisement:- (fund allotted-20 lakh) I will also prefer Bluetooth marketing because it reaches only to interested customers so the chance of effectiveness is much more than any other media. Only disadvantage is that it can be done where Bluetooth server is established but this also benefit us because its effectiveness increase. In this customer get all the benefit in the form of video or picture so the effectiveness also increases. Banners advertisement:- (fund allotted- 30 lakh) I will also do banners advertisement because it influence consumer at the time of purchase. When customers go to buy product by seeing advertisement of my brand he will think that this is brand he will prefer, which is normal in our daily life. Hoardings advertisement:- (fund allotment-90 lakh) I will also go for hoardings near market, parks, tourist place, bus stand, railway station all the places where my potential customers go so that consumer recall my brand name all the times. And think that it is good brand. Direct selling:- (fund allotment- 1lakh) I will also prefer direct selling through vendors in trains and bus. Because that is place where consumer need this product most and he will buy it. Also this is place where all the local brand take advantage of it and consumer buy it without will. If I am able to capture this it may be proved very beneficial. Only the commission to the vendor should be kept very high. Door delivery:- fund allotment- 19 lakh) When consumer will buy the product for daily use he will prefer to get the product at home. Also it will be inconvenience to customer the pack of 20 liter with him. So the best option is to deliver the product when he need or call you. This type of practise is already done by many competitors in metro city. For promotion in event:- (fund allotment-20 lakh) I will also prefer promotion of any event which is related to health or tourist. So that I can reached to my maximum customers and they recall me as good brand. Internet marketing:- (fund allotment-10 lakh) I will also do my advertisement on net because today maximum elite customers, business travellers, students and even tourist (tourist take all the information from internet) they all use the internet frequently. So it will very easy to reach them and get their feedback easily. Discount store:- (fund allotment-30 lakh) Today the discount store play very important role in selling this type of product so I will also go for discount store to sell my brand product. Discount stores like easy day, reliance fresh, vishal mart, big bazaar, bargin bazaar all they sell this type product. So I have to give them some special offer so that they prefer my brand. Consumer sale promotion tool:- We will apply following promotional tools increase sale. Price deal: -Price deal is temporary reduction in price of product. We will provide two type of price deal: cents-off deals and price-pack deals. Price deal will be is given at various times to stimulate purchase of Shoes. Coupon: A coupon is typically a printed certificate giving the bearer a stated price reduction or special value on a specific product, generally for a specific period. In this we will provide various kinds of coupon that contain various discount price So that customer get the advantage of this discount and purchase flavour packaged water at low price. Offer: In this we offer that those Customers who buy flavour water will receive a free plain packaged water of 500ml. The offer will be depending upon season to season. The campaign will be marketed with print and TV ads, and will feature TV commercials with musicians singing covers of their favorite song. The company will be offering those collected covers in a CD at retail locations for customers who make a more than 10 flavour packaged water. Premium:We will provide offer of some gift or at bargain price to encourage customer buying. Advertising Specialties: -Advertising specialties also call a promotional product. It will be mostly given to our loyal customers. It includes various cards like birthday card, New Year card. It will be done mostly done to retain old customer. Trade sale promotion tool:- Objectives of Trade Sales Promotion of the Boond packaged water company will be:- Gain/maintain distribution Influence resellers to promote product Influence resellers to offer price discount Increase reseller inventory Defend against competitors Avoid reduction of normal prices There are various sale promotion tools which apply by the Boond packaged warter that stimulate trade to promote company product. Trade Allowances:- In this we will provide short-term special allowances, discounts, or deals granted to resellers to stimulate reseller to rapid purchase of their product. Point-of-Purchase Display:- In this we are generally used at the retail level to call customer attention to a featured product. In this company employees observe every retail shop and that display more company product will be winner of special gift or prize. Implementation Tactics Launch a blind ad campaign on billboards and magazines in all A class areas of major cities and magazine with respect to target market. Heavy advertising on TV, newspapers and magazines Set displays of malls and retail in showrooms and major dealer outlets in all cities. Continue Advertising. Evaluation of IMC planning process Evaluation of IMC planning of Boond packaged water is necessary because:- The cost of advertising and communication spiraling day by day so it is necessary to find out if the investment in IMC plan of the Boond packaged water is generating any return or just going down the drain. As a IMC planner we can easily evaluate various communication alternatives such as alternative message, IMC tools, media and vehicle and choose the most effective ones. It will provide complete feedback regarding the performance of various strategic alternatives and provide a basis for future planning. Evaluation will increase the effectiveness of marketing communication by eliminating unproductive alternatives and adding productive alternatives. Evaluation will provide me the complete figure regarding our total IMC budget expense that the budget is expense in the right way or not. It helps to judge the behavioral result of the target market. It will help to judge the communication oriented result of the target market. It will help to allocate as a guider about the new target market for further new implementation of IMC plan   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Finally at last we will add few words with it that this IMC plan for boond water company is for the financial year 2009-10 is prepared by me by taking the new existing company of my own and not copied from any other sources. Prepared by (randhir pratap). Thank you all for co-operation in presenting my IMC plan in front of my respected mam Ms. Malika thakral and makes the session successful. Bibliography:- http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/07/27/stories/2007072750190900.htm

Friday, September 20, 2019

South Africa: Federal or Unitary?

South Africa: Federal or Unitary? Abgenia Rivoningo Hlophe South African Governing System Introduction The governing system of a country is a crucial component in understanding the manner in which the political sphere functions. This essay will examine the federal and unitary system of government and relate it one to South Africa. In this respect, this essay will focus on the key features of the systems. Notably, this essay aims to prove that the governing system of South Africa, despite having come to existence in 1909 with a constitution that was unitary (Welsh, 1994:243), is federal. However, an inclusion of the unitary system is mandatory for the sake of comparison. Federal and Unitary systems definitions and affirmative argument. Andrew Heywood defines the federal system of governance as a system where power is decentralized, meaning that the central and peripheral levels of government are sovereign (2013:381). He further emphasizes the statement that power is decentralized in a federal state by expanding on the concept of decentralization, reviewing its strengths, as the ability to encourage participation, responsiveness, legitimacy and liberty (Heywood, 2013:383). Adding to this assertion, Kenneth Newton credits the federal system for having many strengths that will make a country successful if it is utilized. He describes the federal system as a way to separate power and encourage consensus within the government (2010:60).Another advantage that he outlines is that the federal system provides the government with an opportunity to address the different needs of people irrespective of geographical location (2010:61). To contrast the federal system, Heywood speaks of the unitary system of government. In this system, power is centralized and there is only sovereignty of power in one authority (2013:385). Additionally, he draws attention to the fact that there are instances where power can be decentralized, which is when there are devolved assemblies (2013:386). Furthermore, the unitary system’s centralization of power has the advantage of having national unity, encouraging uniformity, equality and progress (Heywood, 2013:386). Also adapted from Newton’s dissertation, are the strengths of the unitary system. He writes that unitary systems having central government increases accountability and promotes more organized decision making and fairness (2010:112). With an understanding of the respective systems of government, it places one at an advantage to grasp how a country resembles a particular system, when looking at the key features of the system which follow. Key features associated with South Africa’s governing system. As priory stated, South Africa is a federal system. A federal system has certain characteristics and features which aid in the understanding of what it means for a country to be federal. The features are prescribed as the existence of a written constitution, two relatively autonomous levels of government, a constitutional arbiter and linking institutions (Heywood, 2013:384). Each of these features will be investigated and referred back to the South African context. Firstly, the existence of a written constitution. This is perhaps the most important feature. In any federal system, the constitution must be a formal written document that outlines how government works, the role of each section of government as well as the legislative framework. South Africa has a written constitution which is regarded as the ‘supreme law of the Republic† (South African constitution, 1996:08). Any law that that exists in South Africa must be justified in accordance with the constitution, otherwise it does not have any validity. The presence of a written constitution is vital to the classification of South Africa as a federal system, the constitution forms the foundation of the argument being presented. There are three levels of government namely the national, provincial and local government. Of these levels of government, two levels are â€Å"relatively autonomous† (Heywood, 2013:384). That means that the national and state government each have a certain range of power. In the constitution of South Africa it is clearly stipulated that the spheres of government are distinctive, interdependent, interrelated (South African constitution, 1996:40). It may appear to present a complexity to the initial definition, however when closely reviewed, the constitution says that the spheres are merely interdependent not that they don’t hold separate reins of power. In fact there is further evidence in the constitution to prove the decentralization of power, it states that the different spheres of government have legislative authority (South African Constitution, 1996:44). Indeed, the national and provincial level of government have power, they are only obligated to remain within the borders of the constitution. Also, the fact that all levels of government have a right to be represented in parliament through the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, shows that there is autonomous power because the procedure to get a law passed, is the same for both national and provincial government. Not only the abovementioned but the fact that each province has a legislature where there is a structure separate from national government and has the power to pass bills that affect the province without having to attain permission from national level. Of course, the bill would have to be constitutional but the fact that it can be implemented by provincial authority shows the decentralization (South African Constitution, 1996:82). Since South Africa places great emphasis on the Head of State, the laws implemented at national level, which are constitutional, are of the greatest authority. Even with that understanding, there are matters which the Head of State cann ot check such as the dispute between two provinces, or to suppress a rebellion or establish a productive impose (Molteno, 1896:40). Comparatively, critics might present the structure of the world’s largest economy and oldest federal system, the United States of America (USA) to dispute the claim made about South Africa being solely federal, on the basis that it does not have separate branches but rather it has levels of government that are interdependent. While that might appear plausible, John McCormick writes about how the USA is a unique federal system because of its set up but even so, there is â€Å"shared power, checked and balanced with one another† (2009:48). Another feature of a federal system is exposed, specifically, the presence of a constitutional arbiter. Heywood tells us that this is the formal undertaking of the constitution which is implemented by the Supreme Court and hereby has the authority to arbiter in the event of a dispute between the national and the provincial government (2013:384). Nowhere is this better outlined than in the South African constitution, the courts are independent and are accountable only to the constitution and the law, no entity can interfere with the courts (1996:84). Although the courts, whether being the high court or a magistrate’s court in a particular province, rule according to national legislation, it should not be mistaken as being under the national government. It complies with the constitution particularly, not with a certain level of government, therefore the provincial government cannot have its own laws in the magistrate’s court. Thereby adhering to its main characteristic of being a federal feature. Another interesting feature of a federal system, is the linking of institutions. An assertion by Heywood will be implored upon to understand this feature. He explains this as an effort to garner cooperation and understanding between the national and provincial government because these are the autonomous levels and the local government adheres to the provincial rule (2013:384). This is done through bicameralism, which in the South African context would be the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. Kenneth Newton raises an awareness of a weak and strong bicameralism, which means that one house is stronger than the other (2010: 113). Keeping this in mind, the South African parliament is made up of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces and they both participate in the legislative proceedings, however, there are some issues such as war and peace treaties, army and navy, currency and taxation (Molteno, 1896:118) which are left to national government, where the National Council of Provinces may not vote upon. From that we can say that South Africa has linking of institutions with a â€Å"weak bicameralism† system because the National Assembly is stronger than the National Council of Provinces. While the evidence seems to correlate with the claim that South Africa is a federal system, supporters of unitary systems many present the argument, that South Africa is unitary because the National government has a lot of power vested in it and there is a parliament. However this naysayer’s argument can be countered by David Welsh’s information that when South Africa began to function as a republic in 1909, there was a unitary system in place and the key players of the Inkhata freedom party who proposed federalist policy were attempting to strip the central government of power, which granted the constitution we have today, was a successful attempt (1994:243). This has been mentioned because it explains why South Africa has a parliament. Bearing in mind that South Africa used to be a British colony and as it is a widely recognized fact that, Britain is where the concept of a parliament started. This does not suggest that South Africa is unitary but rather there are remn ants of colonization which proved to be effective and were not eradicated. Conclusion This essay has defined as well examined the key features of a federal system without isolating the unitary system, and further related the features to South Africa. Based on the evidence of the presence of a written constitution, two autonomous levels of government, constitutional arbiter and linking of institution as well as decentralized power in the South African political sphere, it is with concrete knowledge that the initial stance, that South Africa has a federal system of government is found to be correct. Regardless of the presence of a parliament. South Africa evidently has decentralization of power and thus shows all the attributes of a federal system. Bibliography Heywood, A. 2013. Politics. United Kingdom: Palgrave Macmillan. McCormick, J. 2009. Comparative Politics in Transition. Indianalopis: Cengage learning. Molteno, P. 1896. A federal South Africa. London: Sampson Law and Marston. Newton, K Van Deth, J. 2010. Foundations of Comparative Politics. South Hampton: Cambridge University Press. South African Government. (1996). South African Government. 9108-96. [Online] Available from www.gov.za/documents/constitution/9108-96.pdf . [Accessed: 03 March 2014]. Welsh, D. 1994. Evaluating federal systems. Cape Town: Jutaco.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Alcohol and Nutrition :: Health Nutrition Pyramid Diet

Alcohol and Nutrition Nutrition is a course that has two purposes: to provide energy and to maintain body structure and function. Food supplies energy and provides the building blocks needed to replace worn or damaged cells and the nutritional components needed for body function. Alcoholics often eat poorly, limiting their supply of essential nutrients and affecting both energy supply and structure maintenance. Once ingested, food must be digested so it is available for energy and maintenance of body structure and function. Alcohol inhibits the breakdown of nutrients into usable molecules by decreasing secretion of digestive enzymes from the pancreas. Alcohol impairs nutrient absorption by damaging the cells lining the stomach and intestines and disabling transport of some nutrients into the blood. In addition, nutritional deficiencies themselves may lead to further absorption problems. For example, foliate deficiency alters the cells lining the small intestine, which in turn impairs absorption of water and nutrients including glucose, sodium, and additional foliate. Even if nutrients are digested and absorbed, alcohol can prevent them from being fully utilized by altering their transport, storage, and excretion. Decreased liver stores of vitamins such as vitamin A and increased excretion of nutrients such as fat, indicate impaired utilization of nutrients by alcoholics. The three basic nutritional components found in food--carbohydrates, proteins, and fats--are used as energy after being converted to simpler products. Some alcoholics ingest as much as 50 percent of their total daily calories from alcohol, often neglecting important foods. Even when food intake is adequate, alcohol can damage the mechanisms by which the body controls blood glucose levels, resulting in either increased or decreased blood glucose (glucose is the body's principal sugar. As a result, alcohol causes the brain and other body tissue to be deprived of glucose needed for energy and function. Although alcohol is an energy source, how the body processes and uses the energy from alcohol is more complex than can be explained by a simple calorie conversion value. For example, alcohol provides an average of 20 percent of the calories in the diet of the upper third of drinking Americans, and we might expect many drinkers who consume such amounts to be obese. Instead, national data i ndicate that, despite higher caloric intake, drinkers are no more obese than nondrinkers. Also, when alcohol is substituted for carbohydrates, calorie for calorie, subjects tend to lose weight, indicating that they derive less energy from alcohol than from food

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Finance in Business :: Papers

Finance in Business For a business to be successful in the increasingly competitive business environment detailed financial plans and accounts must be drawn up and followed consistently. With so many financial demands placed on small it is vital that all cost are calculated and accounted for prior to the businesses start-up date, these costs are referred to as 'start up costs' Start Up Costs ============== Start-up costs are any payments that my business needs to make prior or opening. ==================================================================== [IMAGE] Rent of premises and equipment. [IMAGE] Wages of any employees ---------------------- Finance must be supplied for any form of ongoing advertising campaigns or sales promotion techniques. [IMAGE] Utilities - gas, water and electricity need to be supplied to my business at all times [IMAGE] Maintenance of business premises, this could also include possible expansion of the business. [IMAGE][IMAGE] Examples of Running Costs businesses are subjected to. Some Star-Up costs also apply during the general running of the business as 'running costs'. Running Costs are payments that are made once the business has started trading. I shall now calculate how much the above costs will affect my business venture. I shall calculate firstly the start-up costs and then the running costs for a sample three-month period. In order to calculate costs effectively I shall design the outlay of my shop first. Designing the layout of my shop. When I began to design the layout of my shop I considered a number of potential problems and requirements, I came to the conclusion that the three most important requirements my shop needed were - * Hygiene * Appearance * Safety By applying serious thought and consideration I aim to solve these issues and be able to design a shop that is both efficient and appealing to customers. Hygiene The layout of the equipment I require in my shop has to allow for easy

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Comprehensive Classroom Technology Plan Essay

Introduction For many schools across the country there have been many studies on what type of communication is best for students, teachers, and parents going into the 21st century. Many school districts have chosen the (CMC) technology which is the Computer mediated communication and it has dramatically changed the ways for students to interact with their professors, especially for communication outside of the classroom (which is better choice pg1). For my future classrooms this along with the phone and paper is my preferred communication method of choice. Class Website From many studies students who are older prefer asynchronous communication such as email can effectively help students in solving problems outside of the classroom. Recently synchronous communication such as a virtual office hours using online chat was also widely used in the class room. (Which is a better choice page 9) For a school website to exist the schools must first follow these four objectives. 1: An introduction to who the school is. 2: An interface of outside resources 3: Publisher of good works 4: A Data resource. (Tech Trends vol 49 num. 6 pages 1.) Most schools already have websites that display this information however what would need to be created is simply a white board that parents and faculty members who are involved with the kindergarten level can access. White board A whiteboard is simply a website that parents and faculty members alike can log onto and check what is happening in the classroom as well as grades. For kindergarten I propose that this whiteboard would have a white page with buttons at the top that will take them to different links. These buttons are laid out in a simple tool bar layout. |Teacher |Student List |Grades |Work for week |School Calendar |Current curriculum |Classroom policies and | |Contact Info. . | | | | | |procedures | Tool Bar Buttons A: Teacher contact info. – This will have my contact information and the hours I am available as well as my vision and mission statement. B: This will have the student’s names that are listed in my class as well as their parents Emergency contact information only visible to faculty. C: Will list the current grades for each subject for the quarter or semester that we are currently in. D: This will have any subjects or work that we are working on for the week so that parents can visually see what we are doing in class. E: This will have a classroom calendar will subject time slots as well as break schedules, lunch times, and other time slots as needed F: This will have my classroom curriculum for the semester and will be constantly updated as it changes G: To me it is important for parents to know the behavior system that you as a teacher put into place as well as any school policies regarding anything from parent –teacher conflict ,kids misbehaving, lunch procedures, etc. All of this involves the webmaster for the school simply using basic html web creating code to create. The information that is based on the website is simple text with minimal visualization. Email/phone The other form of communication that I would have my parents use would be email system as well as phones. Most parents who are in the current age of computers and 21st technology are familiar with how to email and use smart phones as well. I would use this system to keep parents informed in any behavior issues as they occur. The phone system would be not only an emergency behavior contact system but also an important communication tool for any parent to contact me. Technology hindered parents Now there are parents out there who may be ESL parents that are not familiar with how to access the whiteboard or email. For these parents I would suggest sending out monthly handouts that explain A: How to use the white board and email. B: my contact information as well as the schools. C: Since I am pretty fluent in computers I would also try an hold a 1hour class free to parents a month to show them not only the benefits of technology but how to access our whiteboard for student and classroom information. Of course C is based on the amount of computers that our school district has provided us because as we all know some rural schools are still not able to provide a computer lab. How would I setup communication for this school? Non Computer lab school. For a school that doesn’t have a computer lab or website I would revert back to the old fashion way of creating a folder for my students to take home every Friday that would encompass all the information that would be normally available on the website. School Website security Since I am a teacher obviously computer security would be the webmasters job. However I would ask parents to join the schools computer website by creating a username and password so that they would have access to the resources available on the classroom whiteboard as well as the schools website. Faculty For the white board I would ask my fellow teachers to setup a development team to keep the specific kindergarten audience in mind. They would submit a design as to what appropriate sites, cultural analysis, content organization for a culturally responsive website, as well as development of the site and constant site evaluation. (Tec trends Vol 49, number 6 pg. 35) Eventually after the site was created and used for a year I would ask the development team to go back and perform an analysis to see how convenient the site use was for parents and faculty. Then I would ask this analysis information to be passed around to other schools as well as school districts in hopes that it would spread across the state as well as country. I would recommend using all of this analysis with the website http://teacher. scholastic. com/homepagebuilder/ to build the whiteboard and website for all schools. Conclusion As you can see my vision for communication for the 21st century framework not only includes technology of old (paper, phones) but a computer mediated  communication website that provides all the details of myself as a teacher plus the classroom information for my class. This type of technology will help not only the student to parent communication about what is going on in class but also the parent to teacher communication about my vision and mission statement as a teacher. I believe a white board is what every classroom should have in education for classroom of the 21st century References. Author A: Lei Li1Author B: Finley, John1Author C: Pitts, Jennifer1Author D: Rong Guo1 (2010). Which is a better choice for student-faculty interaction: synchronous or asynchronous communication? Journal of Technology Research; Sep2010, Vol. 2, p1-12, 11p, 5 Charts Author A: Miller, Susan1Author B: Adsit, Karen I. 2, 3 Author C: Miller, Ted4 (Dec 2005) Evaluating the Importance of Common Components in School-Based Websites: Frequency of Appearance and Stakeholders’ Judged Value. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning; Nov/Dec2005, Vol. 49 Issue 6, p34-40, 7p, 5 Charts Author A: Walters, Marlenel Author B: Fehring, Heather2 (2009) An investigation of the incorporation of Information and Communication Technology and thinking skills with Year 1 and 2 students. Australian Journal of Language & Literacy; Oct2009, Vol. 32 Issue 3, p258-272, 15p, 1 Black and White Photograph, 6 Diagrams, 1 Chart Website: http://teacher. scholastic. com/homepagebuilder/

Monday, September 16, 2019

Google Inc. Essay

Google Inc. began in 1996 as the brainchild of two bright computer science grad students, Sergey Brin and Larry Page. These two intellectually gifted men met in 1995 at Stanford University where they were doing their PhDs. During their time together at Stanford, both came up with creative ways of finding and organizing large amounts of data. After that, Brin and Page developed a technology called PageRank that enabled them to analyze a particular website’s significance. The idea of a search engine occurred to Brin and Page after they came up with the idea for PageRank. The search engine was based on the on the same algorithm that PageRank used, but would be much more effective at obtaining better and accurate results than existing search engines. The idea soon became the world famous search engine simply known as Google that was launched on September 15, 1997. Brin and Page’s company was formally incorporated on September 4, 1998 at an acquaintance’s garage in Me nlo Park, California. Google, a play on words, received its name from â€Å"googol†, the mathematical equivalent of the number one followed by a hundred zeros. Naming the company Google was seen by both Brin and Page as the perfect way to reflect their original mission to â€Å"organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful†. Over the years, Google has become so popular that is has gained a vast number of followers who liked its simple design and useful results. In 2000, Google began selling text-based advertisements associated with search keywords in order to maintain an uncluttered page design so that speed is maximized when loading a page. Their innovative advertising system, comprised of its AdWords and AdSense products, is so successful that 99% of their revenue is derived from it. However, the technological industry demands constant innovation and Google’s strong focus on continuous improvement is reflected in the company’s ever expanding line of innovative services and products that includes webmail (Gmail), blogging (Blogger), and interactive maps (Google Maps). Google†™s strong organizational culture that includes values such as creativity, simplicity and innovation plays a huge role in their tremendous success and gives them a huge competitive advantage over their rivals in the search engine market.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Is the term ‘Just War’ now outdated? Essay

Debates about what we now call ‘Just War’ go back as far as the Greek philosophers Aristotle and Cicero. In Christian understanding, the theory was developed by St Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan in 374, and his student Augustine. Drawing on Roman ideas and the Old Testament, they marked out that only a legitimate governmental authority has the right to declare war; it must be aimed at restoring peace and ideally should be a last resort. The political situation was such that war was constant, and there was a need for a set of principles in order for the state to support the Church. Pacifism was declared for the clergy and monks only, and it became permissible to wage war on certain grounds, for instance if unjustly attacked. However war for revenge and to get reparations was also allowed, which questions whether it is at all possible to ever fulfill the criteria of either ‘jus ad bellum’ (the six requirements that must be satisfied by the heads of state) or ‘jus in bello’ (justice in the conduct of battle). Later, Thomas Aquinas connected and organized the theory; in the Summa Theologicae he discussed the justifications for going to war. The legitimate authority principle prevented civil uprisings and feudal wars. Originally, the King was anointed and seen as responsible before God for his military actions; thus only the King had the right to wage war on God’s enemies. However throughout history this has been challenged; for instance, the Communist revolution violently established new authority over the previously existing autocratic ruler. Furthermore, in a democratic country, where the prime minister has been elected, the concept of the governmental leader having some sort of a connection with God is inappropriate. The atrocities of the First World War, although declared by legitimate authorities, are clearly not what the Just War Theory ever intended. Thus it seems reasonable to suggest that the theory is outdated, for technological advancements magnified the potential violent impact of war. However, supporters of the United Nations Security Council would say that the Just War theory evolves overtime and adapts to pressing needs; for instance after the Second World War much authority was give to the UN in order to minimise countries waging war in order to satisfy their own demands and pursue their own aims and reactions. Approaching the end of the war at the Yalta Conference (1945) it was decided to ensure a third party could regulate the military affairs of the superpowers. However the UN could not prevent further military conflicts; between the 1980s and 90s the Eastern superpower weakened and the USA, as the remaining paymaster of the UN, gained a lot of support. For instance the carnage committed by Israel, America’s ally, has been largely overlooked, whereas the pre-emptive strike on Iraq was approved. Thus the concept of ‘Just War’ remains impracticable. The issue of terrorism has also proved to be a challenge for the Just War theory. Terrorists are essentially illegitimate authorities trying to bring about political change through violent means; their conduct is often extreme, including the use of shakhids in Chechnya (female suicide bombers, often very young). In the light of 09/11 it is fair to say that when such brutal and inhuman methods are being used, a proportionate response by definition will not be a just one either. This puts certain states in a difficult position in terms of following the Just War principles. The organization identified as responsible, Al-Qa’ida, are not representative of any one country. The members are hard to track and the US cannot cope with its strategy, despite the military and nuclear powers at its disposal. It is particularly difficult to satisfy the demands of ‘jus in bello’ when the threat of Nuclear warfare is apparent once more since the Cold War. Back then the American Roman Catholic bishops condemned the use of nuclear weapons because they are indiscriminate and disproportionate. But even if it is possible to maintain diplomacy between countries and avoid NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical weaponry) it is impossible to control non-governmental sources and rogue states that may obtain NBC and use it to threaten and blackmail. The just war theory cannot provide a clear cut response to the problem of proportionality with regards to nuclear weaponry. The above problems are characteristic of our time; the term ‘Just War’ seems out of keeping with the scale and nature of modern warfare. Resources are growing scarce, world economy is unstable, and political differences drive nations to extreme military measures – no cause is fully just and no major state can be ‘innocent’. However, there are other issues that are not discussed as often in terms of just war – such as the division between the rich and the poor countries, and whether the latter would be justified in waging war to establish a fairer system than the one existing right now. Overall, the Just War theory can be modified and updated; it should not be dismissed because there is a desperate need for peace and justice in the world today.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

How Have Us-China Relationship Been Refashioned By The Crisis Essay

The economic crisis experienced over the recent past has had a resoundingly negative effect across the globe. Altman (2009a, p. 527) describes it as â€Å"the worst in over 75 years. † Different people and different occurrences contributed variedly toward this crisis. However, most researchers tend to point fingers towards the US and blame it solely for orchestrating the crisis through its dubious economic policies and financial excesses (Dibb, 2009, p. 3 and Altman, 2009a, p. 527). Wright (2009, p. 59) furthers this ideology by saying that the recession originated in New York and, and like a wildfire, spread to Asia and other parts of the world. According to Altman (2009b, p. 5), as a result, â€Å"The overall picture is a grim one: a deep, truly global and destabilizing downturn, with world GDP falling for the first time in post-war period. Given rising populations, such an outright contraction is stunning. † China on the other hand chooses to distant itself away from the blame game. Wright (2009, p. 64) supports this reaction by saying that â€Å"China is not blaming US for the crisis. † According to them, the crisis was a culmination of a series of events performed by different countries in relations to their trading methods, economic policies, domestic marketing tendencies as well as overall governance. This has been a tactful stand for china more so with the looming speculations of them wanting to take full advantage of the crisis to impose influence of their minimally scathed domestic economy. It also provides a platform for good interrelations with the US, if need be, since there is no bad-blood between them as opposed to the critiquing nations. For china, their strong domestic market acts as a cushion in this tough time that many nations are languishing in economic distress. Despite facing low revenues from their exports and generally having to deal with the challenge of fluctuating prices of commodities, it has been able to get solace from their stable Foreign exchange trading (Altman, 2009a, p. 31). In sharp contrast, the US-the strongest nation in the world is finding it difficult to cope with the crisis. Apart from allegedly overspending beyond their means, the financial injuries in their banks and credit-markets combined with the unprecedented liquidity levels have forced US down on their knees (Altman, 2009b, 529). To make matters worse, there have been recent concerns of the US loosing its focus from ensuring coherence, coordination and leadership. Altman (2009b, p. ) equates this tendency to the inward preoccupation of the US with severe unemployment, housing challenges and fiscal pressures. He exemplifies this by saying, â€Å"US household lost 20 percent of their net worth in just 18 months, dropping from a peak of $64. 4 trillion in mid 2007 to $51. 5 billion at the end of 2008 (p. 3). On the other hand, it looks like china could increase its diplomatic presence in the development world by sharing its vast acumen of resources and ideologies (Altman, 2009b p. 3). According to Altman (2009a p. 28), â€Å"This relatively unscathed position gives china the opportunity to solidify its strategic advantages as the united States and Europe struggle to recover† by investing in places where US and Europe can’t. In essence, this rise by china combined with other Scandinavian countries threatens to overthrow USA from the global driving seat. Altman (2009a, 527) aptly describes it as â€Å"shifting the world’s centre of gravity away from the united states. †An Analyst like Dibb (2009, p. 2) is already voicing out his opinions to this by saying the global wealth is speeding from the east to west. In fact, he goes further and says â€Å"We think that the global financial crisis will hasten the relative decline of America and Improve China’s status (2009, p. 5). † Such opinions are, however, greatly discouraged as they may just aggravate the highly polarised relationship between China and USA. Rediker (2009, p. 555-556) challenges America to copy from other well doing countries if they are to survive. He further voices out the deficit in ideology and capital which has facilitated null movement of the US economy, and asks them to swallow their pride by borrowing a leaf from the attested pages of China’s ideologies. This is especially important with the rising concerns of China’s ascendancy in geopolitical standings based on the increased car sales, freight shipment and electricity consumption; thus offering it great financial leverage (Altman, 2009b, p. 7). Nevertheless, other analysts believe that this crisis may lead to a better relationship between China and US. This they believe can be done by Obama administration giving China a more central role in the IMF as well as bringing them to the G8 (Altman, 2009a, p. 528). To them, China ideologies in terms of geopolitical measures are similar to those of the US i. . both do not want Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. Again, both China and US are capitalist in nature and therefore finding a middle ground for a starting a mutual relationship will not be very problematic. Based on such factors, Altman (2009b, p. 7) concludes that â€Å"It is increasingly clear that the US-Chinese relationship will emerge as the most important bilateral one in the world. † As a point of caution, Dibb (2009, p. 3) warns that USA and China should treat one another with respect-if such a deal is struck- or else, dire consequences could erupt in the event of a mass unrest from either ends. Of course there are underlying issues like USA routing for free markets and China supporting a controlled market; which may presumably conflict. However, proponents of better relations between China and US believe that the overall good of the world will supersede such minor differences (Dibb, 2009, p. 4). It is desperate times for US and maybe, that is the reason why they are going for desperate measures. Being into the unchartered waters of financial down-surge, the US has taken stern measures to resuscitate its economy. This is based on the trial and failure of an example is them stopping to spend on discretionary items and are only focusing on only the basics. Through this, they are able to save more and pay down their debts. China has commended this move and said it opens doors for fostering better relationships with other countries (Altman, 2009a, p. 531). In conclusion, hope is not lost even in these difficult times of financial distress. Coincidentally, this crisis coincides with the tenure of Barrack Obama as president and his message of hope even in times of hopelessness. As for now, Atman (2009a, p. 39) say that â€Å"The united states will have to operate from a smaller global platform-while others, especially china, will have a chance to rise faster. † Critics should nevertheless watch for USA’s comeback; their slip does not mean they have fallen (Wright, 2009, p. 556). In fact, this should be a chance for both China and USA to demonstrate good leadership by working together. By doing this, the economic crisis-which not only affects the US and China but also other parts of the world will eventually be a thing of the past (Wright, 2009, p. 566).