Supply Chain Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Supply Chain Management - Case Study Example Another model of picking location is mixed fulfilment model, which enable customers to order directly and the orders will being dispatched from warehouse as well as supermarkets. This method is regarded to be highly flexible but this method is difficult to schedule by the company (Ody, 2000). The customers of Sainsbury’s are involved with both the method of business to pick the ordered goods on time of delivery from picking centres or supermarkets or warehouse. At times, home delivery approach is also scheduled by the companies for high convenience of customers. However, such approach of distribution and delivery is regarded to be difficult as customer when customer is not available. This situation mainly happens when the ordered goods reach quickly or earlier than pre-defined time at pre-defined location. On the other hand, customers pick the ordered goods directly from regional picking centres and warehouses or supermarkets. These were regarded to the distribution centres for company (Ody, 2000). The Sainsbury’s business utilises the ‘orderline’ technology to run its standalone operations efficiently. However, in the current scenario, for high business expansion as well as sustainability Sainsbury’s needed to incorporate a new IT system within its existing system. To integrate such new technology within the old but will take five years’ time to establish the same. Additionally, the company developed website to stay connected with its customers and assimilated a loyal customer base for better future prospective (Ody,

The cornerstones of character Essay Example for Free

The cornerstones of character Essay Challenges are the cornerstones of character. They are natural parts of life that not only support change, but they also strengthen the mold of which we are made. Of the many forms challenges that appear, two challenges (one of which is inevitable and the other that is self-imposed) do their parts to alter who we are for the better. Though a natural part of life, death, in any form, evokes and arouses many conflicting emotions. Experiencing my grandmother’s death at the age of sixteen marked the first time I attended a funeral. The fact that it was the funeral of someone very dear to me made my first attendance extremely difficult. The black dresses and solemn looks mirrored the emotions I felt inside. The beautiful remarks about my grandmother did little to comfort me or provide supplement for the inner loss I felt. Moreover, knowing I had to let go continuously battled the potent feeling of not wanting to let go. While old enough to realize that death is a natural end to life that must come at some point, I was also cognizant of the fact that death had marked an end to a very valuable friendship. My grandmother was the epitome of wisdom. Though her words of wisdom will forever resonate in my mind, I will deeply continue to miss her reassuring voice and still harbor a bit of resentment towards death for permanently depriving me of time in the future that I could have spent listening and learning from more of her valuable advice. One lesson learned from my grandmother’s death is to seize and savor each present moment. A newspaper article said that the present is so appropriately named because it is a â€Å"gift†. Gifts are meant to provide pleasure on more than one occasion. Thus, I have learned to assume and appreciate the times with my grandmother as invaluable and lasting sentiments. Approximately one year after my grandmother’s death, my idol and role model announced that life was too hard for him to continue. Working full time and attending medical school proved to be too challenging for my brother. He would go to classes during the day, take short naps, and whisk off to his night job. Though his goals were noble and definitely attainable, my brother failed to recognize his limits. Going to class required usage from the mental power source, for which a couple of hours of sleep could not replenish. The job required more mental effort as well as physical effort. As a result of his self-imposed ideals, my brother reached a point of exhaustion that threatened his logic and life. Between the two demands, my brother cracked under the pressure. He had simply stretched himself too thin. Witnessing my brother’s breakdown taught me that having high goals is acceptable, but that reasonable planning to reach those goals is just as important. When pursued logically and strategically, high goals will still challenge, but they will also prompt growth. On the other hand, pursuing elevated goals irrationally results in unnecessary stress, which results in a despondent state of mind and eventually death. Though one goal takes precedence over the other, my brother did not have to completely abandon one for the sake of the other. School was definitely a priority that could not be compromised. On the other hand, his job could have been part-time instead of full-time. Obviously, my brother was not going to make a sufficient amount of money working his current job; therefore, the number of hours were not as important as school. By continuing to pursue school as a full-time endeavor and reducing his work hours, my brother found a functional medium that allowed him to better balance both endeavors. Life is a gift of challenges that condition and a reward that serve as reminders. The challenges are there to strengthen us and aid in our growth to become better individuals. In addition, those challenges help us to recognize and appreciate the rewards. Though each serves in a different capacity, both should be taken with great care. Without either, we would be stuck in a stagnant pool of convenience surrounded by false senses of hope and security.

Evaluating Coca Colas understanding of its Consumers Behaviour

Evaluating Coca Colas understanding of its Consumers Behaviour 1.0 Introduction A consumer is a person who spots a need or desire, and then looks for the best way to satisfy his or her need either by purchase or acquisition (Solomon et al, 2010). Consumer behaviour as defined by Solomon et al (2006) is the processes involved when individuals or groups select, purchase, use or dispose of products, services, ideas, or experiences to satisfy needs or desires. Customer retention is vital these days and organisations are looking for the best way to please and satisfy the interest of their consumers. According to Fill (2009), the understanding of the buyers behaviour makes marketing strategies and plan come out successful. The Coca-Cola Company is soft drink industry that has been able to build its brand loyalty with its consumers over its years of operation, despite the highly competitive market (Euromonitor, 2010). But this success would not have been realistic without understanding who the consumer is, what the consumer needs and how the consumer behaves. The Econo mic recession was a trying time for companies which led to the closures of some and loss for majority, the soft drink industry is not an exception and Coca- cola which falls under the soft drink industry will be analysed on how effective the management of their consumers was to in ensuring their survival in the recession. 1.1 A brief summary of The Coca- Cola operations The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC) is the largest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of non alcoholic beverage, concentrates and syrups in the world. Coca-cola has a portfolio of more than 3,300 beverages, from diet and regular sparkling beverages to still beverages such as 100 percent fruit juices and fruit drinks, waters, sports and energy drinks, teas and coffees, and milk-and soy-based beverages, which are now sold in more than 200 countries in the world. (Coca-cola, 2010). Coca- cola first got to Britain in the year 1900, after Charles Candler brought a jug of syrup along on a visit to England. Soon after, in the early 1920s, it went on sale at the London Coliseum and in Selfridges. Since then coca-cola Britain has come up with innovative soft drinks namely: Coca-cola; Diet Coke; Coca-cola zero; Sprite; Sprite zero; Fanta;Fanta Zero; 5 Alive; Schweppes; Schweppes zero; Powerade; Powerade zero; Kia ora; Kia ora(no added sugar); Dr. Pepper; Dr. Pepper zero; Lilt; Lilt Zero; Oasis; Oasis extra light; Glaceau vitamin water and Relentless. (Coca-cola, 2010) With about 4,650 employees, Coca-cola GB claims to have sold 228million cases in 2008. Pic. 1.1 The Coca-Cola Company Great Britain brands Available on this link- http://www.coca-cola.co.uk/brands/ 1.2 An overview of the soft drink industry in Great Britain Mintel (2010) stated that close to one-quarter of companies in the UK soft drinks market is growing at more than 10% per year. Some of the main players in the UK soft drink industry include Coca-cola, Pepsi cola UK, Tropical UK, Nestle UK etc to mention but a few. The British Soft Drinks Associations 2010 UK Soft Drinks Report found that the overall market grew by 1.7% in 2009, with total consumption reaching 14,140 million litres, at a retail value of  £13.224 billion (Mintel, 2010). The British Soft Drinks Assocaition (2010) stated that it was encouraging to see that the soft drinks market was holding up during the economic downturn. According to M intel (2010), for the second year running, Coca-cola topped interbrands best global brands table, placing it above its competitors in the soft drink industry. The coca-cola company has continued to focus on expanding its business through taking tactical places in niche soft drinks producers, by purchasing a stake in UK smoothie produce r, Innocent Drinks (Euromonitor, 2010). 1.3 The recession in United Kingdom Recessions occur during the down or contraction phase of the business cycle. The term business cycle refers to the familiar ups and downs of economic activity. (Pearce and Michael 2006). Furthermore, Pearce and Micheal (2006) opined that recessions cause significant declines in resources available to the firm because customers spend less, lenders lend less, and competitive rivalry increases. Initially, the behaviour of consumers changes during recessions. They have less money to spend and cut back personal spending in response to the overall decline in economic activity. Industrial and business customers may become disloyal, demand renegotiated contract terms, and alter purchase patterns. Also by Pride and Ferrell (1995), recession is a stage in the business cycle during which unemployment rises and total buying power declines, stifling both consumers and business peopless propensity to spend. The UK economy was growing faster than the average for the Euro zone throughout most of this decade. However, an abrupt slowdown began in 2008 and the economy entered a recession in the third quarter. According to Euromonitor (2010), real gross domestic profit fell by 4.9% in 2009, making this the UKs longest post-war recession. The UK has been harder hit than many countries because of its large financial sector. The fiscal position has deteriorated over the past several years. The deficit was pushed even higher as a result of the bailout of large banks. The number of unemployed also rose by 50% during the recession with 800,000 jobs being lost (Euromonitor, 2010). The recession led to business closures, job losses and a lack of employment opportunities in the UK (Athey, 2009). This first global recession in the new era of globalization, started in the US, spread to Europe, and eventually became global; its the worst economic crisis since the great depression. (Stiglitz and Joseph, 2 009). 1.4 The Coca-Cola Company and the recession TCCCs gross profit margin decreased to 64.2 percent in 2009 from 64.4 percent in 2008, primarily due to foreign currency fluctuations, adverse geographic mix as a result of expansion in their up and coming markets, current focus to steer better reasonable initiatives across different major markets and unfavourable channel and marketing mix in some certain markets. (Coca-Cola, 2010). Even though there was a slight decrease (0.2%) in their profit margin compared to the previous year, TCCC arguably performed well despite the economic downturn. The unit case volume in TCCC is one of the measures of the fundamental strength of the company because it helps to measure progress at their consumer level. In Europe, the sales volume of year ended 2009 versus year ended 2008 shows that the unit case volume in Europe decreased 1 percent, caused mainly by the ongoing hard macroeconomic situations in most part of Europe. These hard macroeconomic conditions influenced major markets and caused a decline in the unit case volume of 8 percent in South and Eastern Europe, 4 percent in Iberia and 2 percent in Germany. The volume declines in these markets were partially made up for by 6 percent unit case volume growth in France and 4 percent growth in Great Britain.(Coca-cola, 2010). Table 1.1- Financial result of The Coca-Cola Company Year Ended December 31, 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 (In millions except per share data) SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS Net operating revenues $ 30,990 $ 31,944 $ 28,857 $ 24,088 $ 23,104 Net income attributable to shareholders 6,824 5,807 5, 981 5, 080 5, 872 GROSS PROFIT 19,902 20,570 18,451 GROSS PROFIT MARGIN 64.2% 64.4% 63.9% PER SHARE DATA Basic net income $ 2.95 $ 2.51 $ 2.59 $ 2.16 $ 2.04 Diluted net income 2.93 2.49 2.57 2.16 2.04 Cash dividends 1.64 1.52 1.36 1.24 1.12 BALANCE SHEET DATA Total assets $ 48,671 $ 40,519 $ 43,269 $ 29,963 $ 29,427 Long-term debt 5,059 2,781 3,277 1,314 1,154 1.5 Scope of Study The interest of this study lies mainly with The Coca-cola Company, focusing on Coca-cola Great Britain as the scope of study. This study also examines the level at which the recession affected the sales in coca-cola and the consumers attitude towards the purchase of coca-cola. CHAPTER TWO 2.0 Key Consumer Behaviour Aspects According to British Soft Drinks Association, (2010), Consumers are loyal to the drinks they know and trust but remain open to innovative products and brand extensions which meet their ever-evolving needs. The industrys ability to provide the public with a wide range of enjoyable and affordable drinks will ensure it remains resilient despite the tough economic climate. Three key consumer aspects have been carefully selected from Jiang (2010) as explained in the Consumer Behaviour Lectures; the following aspect of the consumer behaviour may have influenced the continuous purchase of coca-cola products despite the economic downturn- the buying process, Attitude formation and Motivation. 2.1 The Buying process A buying decision making process is the selection of an option from two or more alternative choices (Jiang, 2010). Coca-colas consumers can be explained in Consumer as a Problem Solver (Habitual Decision Maker). A habitual decision maker makes choices that are characterised by an impulse made with little effort and without conscious control (Solomon et al, 2006). Coca-colas brands are low involvement products and so require little information search. Most decisions made by people who consume coca-cola are with little or no conscious effort. Coca-cola consumers purchase Coke for example based on a habit that has been formed over time. Also the Evaluation of alternatives can be used to explain the brands resistance to the recession, much of the consumers effort that goes into a purchase decision develops at the stage in which a choice must be made from the accessible alternatives (Solomon et al, 2006). In many cases, there are a number of alternatives (such as water, soft drink or alcohol) a consumer could consider in satisfying a biogenic need, i.e. to conquer thirst. A consumer that has formed a habit overtime to purchase diet Coke for example will always have in mind a diet coke whenever hes thirsty. Branding can also be an influence on the evaluation of alternatives. In a survey of Global Brands, Inter Brand and Business Week identified the significance for companies to create communities around their products and services, which gives the customers the opportunity to feel as if they own the brand (Solomon et al, 2006). Fill (2009) also supported that as a brand becomes established with a buyer, so the psycholo gical benefits of ownership are preferred to competing offerings, and a form of relationship emerges Coke is not only seen as a drink by its consumers, but seen in the light of its heritage and relationship with them( Payne,2007). Brands also create impressions and strong feelings so much that when people see the coke bottle with its red label, and the content, people suddenly feel thirsty and the need to have a drink (Riesenbeck and Perrey, 2007) According to Mintel, (2010), the Interbrand ranked Coca-cola as the number one global brand in the year 2009 and 2010 respectively. Brands can influence a consumers choice in a decision making process, in a study conducted, 51percent of consumers preferred Pepsi over Coke , while in an open test, only 23percent preferred Pepsi over coke(Jenkinson, 1995). In my opinion, Coca-cola consumers have developed a relationship with the brand, which makes them to choose coca-colas brands amongst all other alternatives even in a recession. The econom ic downturn did not affect consumers choices, habits did not change despite the recession; coca-cola consumers did not change their product preferences because a habit has been formed over time. Table 2.1 Buying Decision making process Evaluations After purchase behaviour/feeling Involvement Information search Need recognition Need Purchase Decision Identity Alternatives Source- (Jiang, 2010) 2.2 Attitude Formation and change Attitude is a persons learned predisposition, tendency to respond to an object in a consistently favourable or unfavourable way (Allport, 1935) as cited by (Jiang, 2010). An attitude formed, lasts over a period of time, an attitude towards what a person eats or drink or developing an attitude towards different brands (such as drinking diet Coke rather than drinking diet Pepsi) or also having an attitude towards a general consumption pattern(such as eating twice to eating once in a day) (Solomon et al, 2006). The Utilitarian Function which is related to the basic principles of reward and punishment will be used to explain why TCCC was not entirely affected by recession. Attitudes are formed based on the presumed product qualities (either pleasure or pain) (Solomon et al, 2006). Attitudes influence a consumers decision making and the goal of a marketer is always to create a positive attitude towards a product or change existing attitudes (Fill, 2009). In a recent research conducted by TCCC to evaluate consumers attitudes towards its brands, it revealed that coca-cola is the brand most associated with happiness (Coca-cola, 2010). The result of the survey revealed that over a half of the people that participated in the research said its the taste that makes them smile others said sharing a bottle of coca-cola with family and friends can provide an opportunity to spend time together (Coca-cola, 2010). Coca-cola consumers have developed an attitude overtime, so the recession would not change their product preference but might just alter their consumption pattern (such as reducing the intake of one three bottles per day to two bottles per day). The theme of the TCCC also stresses straight forward benefits (Coca-cola.Open Happiness). TCCC develops strategies to penetrate their consumers lifestyle to pass a message. In order to promote Coca-Cola Zero (one of Coca-Colas brands),TCCC partnered with the Twentieth Century Fox and director Ja mes Camerons for his epic-adventure and blockbuster film Avatar. This promotional strategy helped to form an attitude towards Coca-Cola Zero and raise its awareness. They also use promotional activities and sponsorship of events such as the Olympic Torch Relay in 11 countries, and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games(Coca-Cola 2010) and also Attitudes towards coca-cola could also be formed by the yearly coca-cola adverts, as supported by Pearce and Micheal (2006) aggressive marketing campaigns may be more effective during recessions, as competitors feeling the pinch might attempt to forestall losses by reducing their advertising. During the recession, TCCC, engaged in massive paid advertising to reinforce their brands in the minds of the consumers. Also towards the end of each year, coca-cola does an advert, using the Christmas theme to convey its message to its viewers. The viewers feelings about the context in which an advertisement appears can also influence brand attitudes (Solomon et al, 2006). Liking this Christmas themed adverts would naturally link us to Attitude Formation (three hierarchies of effects), Affect, Behaviour and Beliefs. Affect (like the brand), behaviour (buy the brand), belief (feel satisfied with the brand) or belief (create awareness of the brand), behaviour (buy the brand), affect (like the bra nd) or belief (create awareness of the brand), affect (like the brand), behaviour (buy the brand). Attitude formed over time influences a consumers purchase behaviour, in spite of the recession, it can be argued that the attitude of the coca-colas consumers did not change, and there was a continual process in consumers purchase pattern. Coca-cola was not so affected by the recession because of the consumers attitudes towards their products Table 2.2 Three Hierarchies of Effects Attitudes based on cognitive information processing Affect Attitudes based on behavioural learning processes Behaviour Behaviour Behaviour Beliefs vvv Beliefs vvv Beliefs vvv Attitudes based on hedonic consumption Affect Affect Source- (Jiang, 2010) 2.3 Motivation Motivation is the driving force within individuals that impels them to action, this driving force is produced by a state of tension which exists as the result of an unfilled need (Jaing 2010). Every action is done for a reason. Motivation refers to the process that cause people to behave as they do, motivation occurs when a need (Utilitarian-consumers practical benefits or Hedonic-consumers emotional benefits) is aroused that the consumers wishes to satisfy. The desired end- state is the consumers goal. The degree of arousal is called a drive (Solomon et al, 2006). The purpose of purchasing a drink would be to satisfy a biogenic need, i.e. to conquer thirst. For a consumer to now choose a diet coke because hes thirsty is called psychogenic. Coca-cola motivates its consumers through its themed message (Open Happiness), and this can be explained in the hedonic needs (Consumers emotional benefits) The survey TCCC conducted for their consumers shows that the taste of coca-cola makes them happy. What motivates a consumer might be different compared to the other consumer. A regular coke consumer willing to reduce his sugar consumption will be happy to switch to coke zero which has no sugar and less calories. Also viewing it from the Consumer involvement angle, TCCC also motivates its consumers by connecting with millions of them every day through their brands Facebook pages, Twitter and influential blogs, creating a dialogue that allows TCCC to build their brand assets and strengthen their consumer relationships. Solomon, (2006) defines involvement as a persons perceived relevance of the object based on his/her inherent needs, values, and interests. Through this Fans page on facebook, consumers can access their advertisements, Coca-Cola applications and downloads, and get live updates from the Company. Also TCCC involves their consumers through the Coca-Cola Freestyle, this makes the consumers beverage innovators by giving them choices and variety to make more than 1 00 different branded beverages at the touch of a button, this provides fun, and a relationship that connects the company with its consumers. (Coca-cola, 2010). TCCC motivates their consumers by associating with things that will be of interest to the consumers, for example; on their website is a calculator used for checking amount of calories and quantity of drinks consumed every week so as to help consumers monitor their calorie intake in having a healthy diet and lifestyle. This can help motivate a consumer to purchase TCCCs product because they have shown the consumer the consumer that in as much as they want to make profit, they also care about them and their health. The recession did not really affect TCCCs sales because of the motivation TCCC tries to create and the relationship they have been able to build overtime with their consumers. CONCLUSION 3.1 Conclusion Understanding consumers behaviour is key to having a successful company; marketers need to deepen their research on their consumers because the consumers are becoming aware of the important role they play in their consumption pattern. Competitors are always also looking for tactics to grow and influence new consumers, and any organisation that does not meet up with consumers expectations would be losing a consumer. Companies should look for ways to retain their current customers and also focus on getting new ones attracting new customers should be a priority in a recession (Pearce and Michael 2006). Organisations should actively engage their customers more than before.

Against Schools Essay -- Analysis, John Gatto

In John Gatto’s essay â€Å"Against Schools† he states from experience as a school teacher that are current educational system is at fault (148). He claims that classrooms are often filled with boredom manufactured by repetitive class work and unenthusiastic teachings. Students are not actively engaged and challenged by their work and more often than not they have either already covered the concepts taught in class or they just do not understand what is being taught to them. The children contained in classrooms have come to believe that their teachers are not all that knowledgeable about the subjects that they are teaching and this advances their apathy towards education. The teachers also feel disadvantaged while fulfilling their roles as teachers because the students often bring rude and careless attitudes to class. Teachers often wish to change the curriculums that are set for students in order to create a more effective lesson plan, but they are restricted by stric t regulations and consequences that bind them to their compulsory teachings (148-149). An active illustration of John Gatto’s perspective on our educational system can be found in Mike Rose’s essay â€Å"I Just Wanna Be Average† (157). Throughout this piece of literature the author Mike Rose describes the kind of education he received while undergoing teachings in the vocational track. During Mike’s vocational experiences he was taught by teachers that were inexperienced and poorly trained in the subjects they taught. As a result, their lesson plan and the assignments they prepared for class were not designed to proficiently teach students anything practical. For example, the curriculum of Mike Rose’s English class for the entire semester consisted of the repeated reading of ... ...o think for themselves. He believes that students will become more active and informed citizens if they are brought up to think for themselves (155). Gatto’s proposed solutions can be found successfully applied in Mike Rose’s essay. In his essay he describes the mediocre education he received while on the vocational track. Mike’s future was looking rather grim until he came under the instruction of Jack MacFarland. This man was a wise and enthusiastic teacher who challenged students academically. He encouraged and inspired students to read, to be proactive in their classes, and to think for themselves. His classes were engaging and the students were interested in his teachings (165-167). The fact that the same solutions that Gatto proposed in his essay was successful applied elsewhere proves that teaching practices need and can to change for the better.

Excel Benefits

Excel system MIS 241-001 NC A&T State University A. Define the competitive advantages of an Excel system in general. An Excel system is very useful in the business world allowing many tasks to be overcome more effortlessly.One advantage is calculations enabling issues to be solved with few errors when dealing with placement of numbers and topic in there needed category; along with number placement there is also so many tools and formulas that make finding an answer so much easier, instead of inputting the mathematical calculations for hours on a piece of paper or entering a formula over and over again an excel system allows this process to be done all at once cutting down on redundancy and error. B.Achieving competitive advantages using information systems. When a company is involved with technology that company is thus allowed to grow and change when change is needed. Information systems are achieving this task thought out the business world, helping to improve efficiency and cu tting down redundancy. This achievement over all allows many companies who are at the cutting edge and using technology to its full potential to have personal achievements of there own, a competitive advantage over there competitors.Technology for a company can be very helpful may it be cutting down cost, cutting down redundancy, improving efficiency and workflow or even allow visibility for improves about their competitors. C. Achieving competitive advantages using Excel. Excel has been in use for years within many businesses even still today; one main function of excel is it allows you to organize, manipulate, and change data that has been entered into excel. Over all for this reason excel can provided a competitive advantage if the data being recorded is used correctly in a way that can only improve business function.This data in turn can be produced into valuable information and used for business intelligence to improve on areas that are not preforming to levels need and really just getting down to the core of an issue by using valuable information. D. Providing three examples/areas of using IS/Excel to achieve competitive advantages and explaining how they are done. Excel allows the user to input data then take that recorded data and covert this recorded data into information that can be used to target, track, and understand the current status of a company, over all utilizing and creating business intelligence.However, on the other hand most company’s have no reason not to involve information systems into there company strategy Information systems in one way can allow a company to connect information from different departments, even using a server and multiple computers to cut down company cost and improve networking between different departments. Another asset of using information systems is that it can allow transitions and shipping to become more visible and even understandable making this process only more simple and effective.

Preparing for the First Certificate Examination for Free

Preparing for the First Certificate Examination for Free Cambridge Universitys First Certificate Examination (FCE) is probably the most widely respected English learning certificate outside of the United States. Examination centers around the world offer the First Certificate Exam twice a year; once in December and once in June. In fact, the First Certificate is only one of a number of Cambridge examinations aimed at levels from young learners to business English. However, the FCE is certainly the most popular. The tests are given in Cambridge University approved exam centers using Cambridge University approved examiners. Study Strategy Studying for the First Certificate Exam usually involves a long course. First Certificate preparation course can last 120 hours and involve a difficult (and long) exam which contains five papers including: ReadingWritingUse of EnglishListeningSpeaking There are few resources on the Internet for First Certificate preparation. However, you can  find practice tests, wordbanks, and practice  exercises. You can use these materials to prepare for the exam or to check to see if your level of English is right for working towards this exam. About the Test Before beginning to study for the First Certificate, it is a good idea to understand the philosophy and purpose behind this standardized test. Practicing techniques on test taking can help you understand general test-taking preparation. The best way to understand the specifics of the FCE is to go straight to the source and visit the introduction to the exam at Cambridge Universitys EFL site. For information about where the First Certificate is placed on the European 5-level scale, you can visit this informative page. Listening Finding FCE-specific listening practice exercises can be difficult, so get creative! Visit the BBCs audio and visual page and listen to or watch various ABC programs. The exam is purely British English, so its best to listen to this classic British radio station.

5 Strategies for Faking It ‘Til You Make It at Work

5 Strategies for Faking It ‘Til You Make It at Work In an ideal world, we all know what we’re doing all the time. People come to us for our calm guru-ness, grateful as we solve problems with a self-assured answer or bit of advice. In reality, we don’t know it all. But with a bit of bravado and a lot of confidence, shhh†¦no one else needs to know that. Here are six things to work on to increase your workplace confidence, which can help you get that raise or lead a team to professional glory.1. Stop fearing failureFailing at something is not the end of the world. When I think about failing at work, it inevitably starts an imagined spiral of doom which ends with me on the unemployment line, wailing and gnashing my teeth over how things went so very wrong. But you know what? Things move forward when something (or someone) fails. It may be a stressful time, but you learn a lot about your problem-solving skills and your ability to rebound.Once you realize that your professional life is not over if you make a mistake or do n’t accomplish a particular goal, you can use that to build your confidence and see lousy outcomes as a chance to rebound into better things. (Note: I do not recommend using this method of confidence-building if you’re a heart surgeon.)2. Realize you’re not a fraudAre you familiar with imposter syndrome? It’s where you feel like you’re a sham and that everyone will somehow find out that you’re secretly winging it, or that you’re really a helpless kid wearing a tie and sitting in a cubicle. But you’re not winging it- the person sitting at your desk is you, with all of your experience and knowledge, whether you realize you have that arsenal or not. Own it! Your successes and your decisions belong to you, even if you feel unsure about them.3. Don’t always wear rose-colored glassesOptimism can be great†¦no one likes a Debbie Downer. However, overly optimistic thinking can actually undermine your confidence. It may give you a false sense that things will turn out well, and let you kinda go on autopilot to let things play out. The more confident approach is to be realistic about outcomes and understand what is within your power to make that happen.4. Figure out your valueOne of the best ways to be confident in your role is to recognize the strengths you bring to the table. Once you understand what you do well, you can strategize how to apply that to areas where you might be struggling a little or looking to build up experience or competence.You don’t have to go it alone- it’s fine to ask your boss or a colleague what they think your strengths are. In fact, it shows your boss that you’re taking a proactive approach to your role and really trying to bring your best self. What you learn about yourself (or what you take from your self-evaluation) can make you feel more competent in how you approach challenges.5. Make confidence a habitYou may roll your eyes at the idea of doing dail y affirmations in your mirror every morning, but honestly- it can’t hurt to make some positive thinking part of your daily routine. When you’re walking the dog, doing yoga, or waiting in line at the smoothie place, take a minute to reflect on any challenge you’re facing and think about how you are going to overcome it. Don’t stress about the how (not yet, anyway). Think about how you have the skills to take it on, and assure yourself that you will get it done.The confidence is there for the taking- you just need to be bold and grab it.

Americas Invisible Conflict Professor Ramos Blog

Americas Invisible Conflict The moment I found the scholarly journal for this essay, I immediately said to myself: â€Å"This is the one I’ve been looking for†, simply because it says exactly what I feel when it comes to the first chapter of Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man. My selected scholarly journal is also a review of a book called Ghosts of Jim Crow: Ending Racism in Post-Racial America by F. Michael Higginbotham. Another important reason why I chose this specific journal is because it also discusses how racism is still a major problem in American society. The way of connecting it with Invisible Man is almost like confronting racism in different time periods, just continuing the same conversation. Amy Bass’ journal of the book obviously explains the novel’s main purpose per its title but also goes in depth with its clear racial content. The following quote serves as an example of this claim: â€Å"there is some sort of notion that both are issues only of the past, with America ignoring the fact that just because ‘one individual black has been treated fairly does not warrant the conclusion that all others have been’ (Bass 1). The two issues talked about in this quote are race and racism which continually serve as blights to American society not only because they are deemed as morally wrong but also because they have existed in America before the United States was even a nation. This quote itself may allude to the famous statement coined by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, â€Å"All men are created equal† yet this did not include black slaves who lived in America during that time. Per this phrase, America surmises that just because one black man achieves success, every black person has the same equal amount of success which is false. It seems as if, given Bass’ viewpoint, the main message of Higginbotham’s book is to state that America should not stop giving African American people more civil rights because the black people in the country are still treated unequally even though slavery in the United States has been outlawed for over 150 years: â€Å"Higginbotham is remarkably optimistic†¦ as he encourages America to continue to embark on projects for equality, with some semblance of a belief that it can actually be achieved† (Bass 1-2). Barack Obama, in 2008, made dreams a reality when he became the first black president of the nation yet Higginbotham’s main argument is that America should simply not stop until every black person is treated fairly. Invisible Man, written by Ralph Ellison, is a well-known novel that is often said to be autobiographical yet this claim has never been proven. An interesting aspect about the story is how the narrator is haunted by his grandfather, a quiet man who releases pent-up anger on his deathbed about how he feels like a traitor to his race, probably because he did not join in the fight of equality for the black race. In the first chapter of the book, called â€Å"Battle Royal†, the narrator has been accepted to an all-black college but must participate in a battle royal in order to receive the scholarship. Even though the narrator loses, he still gets it after giving a speech to the white crowd. Passages of Booker T. Washington’s Atlanta Exposition address is quoted by the narrator when he starts his speech and then talks about how the American community needs social responsibility. Although after being beaten senseless and on the brink of unconsciousness, he briefly replaces this with social equality. This brief utterance causes a stir with the crowd but the narrator â€Å"corrects† himself by reverting back to social responsibility. After a man in the crowd asks the narrator if he was sure that he was mistaken by saying social equality, the man says: â€Å"Well, you had better speak more slowly so we can understand. We mean to do right by you, but you’ve got to know your place at all times† (Ellison 1219). The very inclusion of this quote just confirms how nothing has really changed for racism in America: yes, the narrator goes to an all-black college which would not even be an opportunity 100 years earlier but had to humiliate himself and denounce the opportunity to proclaim for social equality in this process. At this stage, the argument could be made that while life for the black people in America has improved significantly from this point, America still has an extremely long way to go. Racism is an obvious tie to the scholarly journal and Invisible Man but what really connects them together? The answer is this: they both talk about racism but the heart of the message is about the illusion that racism was in America. Racism is an aspect not seen among America’s current problems because it has already been resolved yet it is a problem that still exists, a realization made by Bass and the narrator. An awareness of racism against the black community is more prevalent in American society due to the deaths of young black teenagers such as Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray among countless others which are said to have happened because of police brutality. Deaths such as these have inspired the founding of the Black Lives Matter movement in an effort to eradicate the systemic racism that African Americans continue to face throughout society. After reviewing these points, Bass’ article and Invisible Man contribute to our conversation in class because like other readings, these specific ones deal with racism and how to conquer it in American society. Racism still leaves a huge impact on society – if it did not, we would not be discussing it so much in class. Ellison, in the â€Å"Battle Royal† section, showed how much racism continued to thrive in 1950s America because of the battle royal while Bass provides insight to the reader on how this same racism still exists in today America. The fight against racism in America is like overcoming an addiction: it must continually be checked and fought against every day or else the country will revert back to its racist origins. I know, this fact about America is not a pretty one but it is one that must be confronted – no nation is born with innocence. Bass, Amy. Ghosts of Jim Crow: Ending Racism in Post-Racial America. Ethnic Racial Studies, vol. 37, no. 10, Oct. 2014, pp. 1900, 1901, web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer? vid=6sid=b0827211-3f80-41ba-ad62-48fcada9113c%40pdc-v- sessmgr03. Accessed 10 May 2019. Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man Battle Royal. The Norton Anthology of American Literature: Ninth Shorter Edition, Volume 2, W. W. Norton Company, 2017, p. 1219.

Psychology Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Psychology - Assignment Example Psychology is the Science that create an understanding towards a logical thinking ability keeping humane in concise. It is a science which is not new but with us right from the human civilization. It is the way where an understanding is built up about the behaviour of a person, and methods could be devised to enhance what is lacking in the personality and how well an individual be groomed to have a sound and congenial influence on the society or social ambience of the individual. Besides the fact that lot of research has been carried out we are still at the tip of the iceberg to further dwell towards the understanding of psychology. So far an immense collection of theories that have been postulated over the years have been made and studied along with varies protocols and experiments that have been performed to resolve behaviour issues. Theories postulated are for different kinds of behaviour and not the same for all kinds of behavioural issue. Based on psychological theories humans are classified into various patterns and syndromes. Psychology helps these individuals to recover various therapeutic problems. Thus psychology encompass a study of behaviour including the activities and reactions; and the internal progression of views and judgments. The term "psyche" means soul and "logos" means a study. Thus psychology is not confined to any core study but it encompass a complete understanding of the nature as well as the way it was nurtured under a given set of conditions. Psychology sets its goal for its study as: Description of the issue or the subject, explanation, prediction of the possibilities and modifications that are possible. 1. Description- It describes the performance, that an individual displays and based on this analysis a psychologists try to comprehend if this attitude or behaviour is under normal or acceptable limits. For this, a psychologists analyzes, opinion and views, emotions, beliefs, mind-set, outlook and approaches,

Strategic Business Information Systems - Cirque du Soleil's Essay

Strategic Business Information Systems - Cirque du Soleil's Information Technology Initiatives - Essay Example Both the strategies can be approached narrowly or broadly and in either case there is the third viable competitive strategy that is ‘focus’. (12manage.com) Ward and Peppard (2002) have identified that IS/IT strategy formulation and planning will help an organization to gain competitive advantage in the existing market by enabling the organization to develop a flexible and cost effective technology infrastructure which in turn will lead to the deployment of resources and competencies that are needed to accomplish the organizational goals effectively and efficiently. By using latest technology Cirque du Soleil could develop a new intellectual and dramatic entertainment project that made the company stand out unique. The use of technology has helped the company to reduce its cost structure and the organization could increase the ticket prices beyond the amount charged by the traditional circuses. This also made the organization compete with the Broadway theatre prices. (Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne, 2005) The success of Cirque du Soleil lies in their ability to create a new and compelling product rather than creating a new market. It cannot be said the business of Cirque is an alternative to traditional circus business (Blue Ocean Strategy) but through a product differentiation as advocated by Porter (1980) Cirque competes in the existing market with a brand new product having different characteristics. This makes the product of Cirque unique. The strengths and weaknesses of Cirque du Soleil can be analyzed using a SWOT analysis. Cirque du Soleil is able to have distinct competitive advantageous position due to three fundamental reasons. They are: (i) Product differentiation advantage – by employing innovative production techniques the organization is able to make shows that evoke awe, wonder, inspiration and reflection among the customers, (ii) Niche competitive advantage – the production of Cirque

Enterprise in practice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Enterprise in practice - Essay Example These models can be used in practice in order to assess the viability of an opportunity under specific market conditions. The first of these models, the SWOT analysis, provides a detailed view of the internal and the external environment of the organization. SWOT analysis focuses on the identification and the evaluation of the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (Earley et al. 2000). The two first elements of SWOT analysis, i.e. the strengths and weaknesses refer to the internal organizational environment; in opposition, opportunities and threats reflect the organization’s external environment (Adler et al. 2008). ... al conditions; moreover, secondary data describing the organization’s external environment would be also used (for instance, statistical data referring to the performance of the industry in which the organization operates or the trends of the particular industry regarding specific business decisions, e.g. mergers and acquisitions); it would be preferable that the information referring to the organization’s external environment is relevant to the opportunity the viability of which has been set under examination; for example, if the development of a strategic alliance between a specific organization and a well known organization of its industry is planned, then the performance of similar strategic decisions within the particular industry would be examined; an alternative method for generating ideas, along with the use of SWOT analysis, would be the focus groups, which would offer the following advantage: through the open discussion on a series of important issues, ideas c ould be developed in regard to the opportunity under evaluation; b) furthermore, the ideas generating through the above process – or processes, in case that both the processes suggested above are used – should be carefully preserved, in order to be further processed; the use of a notebook would be useful ensuring that the ideas generating will be not in risk – referring to the potential loss of ideas if they are stored in a database/ PC accessed by third persons, c) at the next level, the PEST analysis (Political, Economic, Social and Technological factors) would be used in order to identify additional risks in the organization’s external environment; PEST analysis refers to different elements of the organization’s external environment and for this reason it should be used along with SWOT

Classroom Behavior Management Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Classroom Behavior Management Plan - Essay Example Disruptive behavior in this context refers to defiant behavior and disregard of the rules that have been put in place (Wang, Haertel, & Walberg, 2003). Examples of the Targeted Behavior Disruptive behavior is usually a violation of the rules that have been put in place to govern the behavior of the students in the classroom. It is important that, in addition to being subject to the rules, the students participate in their creation. An example of rules assisting in managing the classroom behavior is ensuring that the students do not speak without raising their hands. The student should also ensure that all materials necessary for the lesson are brought into the classroom. This is to ensure that movement during class session is minimized. The students must also seek the teacher’s permission to leave their desks or to address the others. In the classroom, both the students and the teacher should make sure that official school language is used. The student must do as asked by the teacher without the teacher having to repeat the instructions that have been given in the class. In instances when group discussions are required, the groups will be assigned to the students by the teacher to ensure that the students stick to the discussion that is expected of them as opposed to straying from the topic as is likely to happen if the students pick the groups themselves. When the rules are established, it is important for a teacher to explain why each of the rules is important. The students will be required to own the rules; it will be easier for the students to follow the rules if they participate in making them. Rationale Disruptive behavior has a very discouraging outcome in students and school performances. Disruptive behavior that is often observed in the classroom includes aggressive behavior, when a student pushes others around and engages them in physical altercations. A student who shows aggressive behavior may also damage property in the classroom. Disruptive behavior of the student can also be of a social nature when the student tries to divert the attention of the teacher and the classmates by engaging in topics that are not relevant to what is being discussed. The disruptive student may also pass notes or whisper to others while the teacher continues with the lesson. Method of Collecting Baseline Data The classroom management plan is important, as without it, learning is likely to be disrupted and the learning goals that have been established will not be achieved. The plan is important to the achievement of the learning goals and the maintenance of order in the classroom setting. The data will be collected through classroom observation. This is because most of the disruptive behaviors that have been identified can be observed in the classroom setting. For example, it is easy to observe a student who is passing notes or trying to divert the attention of the class as well as engaging in other forms of disruptive behavior. Hypothetical Baseline Data Behavioral level 250 200 150 100 50 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 days (Marzano & Marzano, 2009) With the help of the hypothetical baseline data above, it is verifiable that the identified classroom behaviors are deteriorating with time. This calls for instant measures to counter the over increasing unbearable classroom behaviors. Behavioral Goal The core aim of the plan is to ensure transformation of the

Discussion #3 STAT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion #3 STAT - Essay Example All one needs to find a course or topic is either visit the site overview, or browse the courses by departments. Advanced search is another option that can be used to find a particular topic. â€Å"Probability and Statistics in Engineering† is one of the courses offered by MIT which makes part of the curriculum of the Civil and Environmental Engineering. Topics discussed in depth in this course include but are not limited to fundamentals of probability, conditional distributions, hypothesis testing and Bayesian analysis. â€Å"Introduction to Probability and Statistics† is one such course offered by this website that is most closely related to what we have studied in the course as it gives an insight into the basics of probability and statistics. Topics in this course include basic models of probability, confidence intervals and linear regression. The best feature of this website is that the course content is supported with exams as well as their solutions. In this sense, this website is a complete online source of

Usability will be an important factor in QoL and QoA Essay

Usability will be an important factor in QoL and QoA - Essay Example Current markets are saturated with lots of computer products from different vendors. As a result, manufactures need to develop systems and products that are usable by consumer. In order to achieve this, they should focus on user-oriented methods of product design rather than technology-oriented methods (David, 1984). In doing so, the customers quality of experience will increase which will in turn increase the quality of experience. The key idea behind usability is the object should be designed with key attention and consideration put on the user’s psychology and physiology. In other words, the designed systems should be efficient. By efficiently, it means that a consumer takes little time to learn and use it. This will ensure that the consumer make more use of the given product thus improving their quality of life. Many are the times when products come in the market and go. During this period of time, consumer may forget how to use the particular product. Usability focuses on the ability of consumers to remember how to use this product, were it to return back to the market. It is very important to design products that consumer will easily remember to use as this will enable them establish proficiency hence improving the quality of life (Iler, 2000). Produced goods are never 100% efficient and as a result the manufacture needs to test it before releasing the product into the market. Manufacture need to understand that testing things prior to releasing them into the market is cheaper compared to releasing and then make rectifications later. In addition to that, quality of life demands that for people to experience the general welfare of life the level of errors, arising from usage of commodities, should be minimized greatly (Mellouk, 2014). This means that consumer goods should be designed in a way that consumers will make very minimal errors while using these products. Manufactures should therefore design products with interfaces that are easy to understand

Classroom Behavior Management Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Classroom Behavior Management Plan - Essay Example Disruptive behavior in this context refers to defiant behavior and disregard of the rules that have been put in place (Wang, Haertel, & Walberg, 2003). Examples of the Targeted Behavior Disruptive behavior is usually a violation of the rules that have been put in place to govern the behavior of the students in the classroom. It is important that, in addition to being subject to the rules, the students participate in their creation. An example of rules assisting in managing the classroom behavior is ensuring that the students do not speak without raising their hands. The student should also ensure that all materials necessary for the lesson are brought into the classroom. This is to ensure that movement during class session is minimized. The students must also seek the teacher’s permission to leave their desks or to address the others. In the classroom, both the students and the teacher should make sure that official school language is used. The student must do as asked by the teacher without the teacher having to repeat the instructions that have been given in the class. In instances when group discussions are required, the groups will be assigned to the students by the teacher to ensure that the students stick to the discussion that is expected of them as opposed to straying from the topic as is likely to happen if the students pick the groups themselves. When the rules are established, it is important for a teacher to explain why each of the rules is important. The students will be required to own the rules; it will be easier for the students to follow the rules if they participate in making them. Rationale Disruptive behavior has a very discouraging outcome in students and school performances. Disruptive behavior that is often observed in the classroom includes aggressive behavior, when a student pushes others around and engages them in physical altercations. A student who shows aggressive behavior may also damage property in the classroom. Disruptive behavior of the student can also be of a social nature when the student tries to divert the attention of the teacher and the classmates by engaging in topics that are not relevant to what is being discussed. The disruptive student may also pass notes or whisper to others while the teacher continues with the lesson. Method of Collecting Baseline Data The classroom management plan is important, as without it, learning is likely to be disrupted and the learning goals that have been established will not be achieved. The plan is important to the achievement of the learning goals and the maintenance of order in the classroom setting. The data will be collected through classroom observation. This is because most of the disruptive behaviors that have been identified can be observed in the classroom setting. For example, it is easy to observe a student who is passing notes or trying to divert the attention of the class as well as engaging in other forms of disruptive behavior. Hypothetical Baseline Data Behavioral level 250 200 150 100 50 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 days (Marzano & Marzano, 2009) With the help of the hypothetical baseline data above, it is verifiable that the identified classroom behaviors are deteriorating with time. This calls for instant measures to counter the over increasing unbearable classroom behaviors. Behavioral Goal The core aim of the plan is to ensure transformation of the

Usability will be an important factor in QoL and QoA Essay

Usability will be an important factor in QoL and QoA - Essay Example Current markets are saturated with lots of computer products from different vendors. As a result, manufactures need to develop systems and products that are usable by consumer. In order to achieve this, they should focus on user-oriented methods of product design rather than technology-oriented methods (David, 1984). In doing so, the customers quality of experience will increase which will in turn increase the quality of experience. The key idea behind usability is the object should be designed with key attention and consideration put on the user’s psychology and physiology. In other words, the designed systems should be efficient. By efficiently, it means that a consumer takes little time to learn and use it. This will ensure that the consumer make more use of the given product thus improving their quality of life. Many are the times when products come in the market and go. During this period of time, consumer may forget how to use the particular product. Usability focuses on the ability of consumers to remember how to use this product, were it to return back to the market. It is very important to design products that consumer will easily remember to use as this will enable them establish proficiency hence improving the quality of life (Iler, 2000). Produced goods are never 100% efficient and as a result the manufacture needs to test it before releasing the product into the market. Manufacture need to understand that testing things prior to releasing them into the market is cheaper compared to releasing and then make rectifications later. In addition to that, quality of life demands that for people to experience the general welfare of life the level of errors, arising from usage of commodities, should be minimized greatly (Mellouk, 2014). This means that consumer goods should be designed in a way that consumers will make very minimal errors while using these products. Manufactures should therefore design products with interfaces that are easy to understand

Compare London by William Blake and Composed Upon Westminster Bridge by William Wordsworth Essay Example for Free

Compare London by William Blake and Composed Upon Westminster Bridge by William Wordsworth Essay William Blake wrote the poem London, set in the 1790s in the aftermath of the French Revolution, it is also the time of the industrial revolution. London is expanding rapidly and poverty is commonplace. It is a time of great wealth existing alongside great poverty. Therefore Blake describes two categories of people. Indeed he uses the most unfortunate sections of society to demonstrate this existence. In verse three he talks about the hapless Soldiers sigh runs in blood down palace walls. From this quotation one would insinuate that Blake is stating the wealthy are building their luxury lifestyles of the suffering of the poor, i.e. V3 The youthful Harlot and V4 The Hapless Soldier. Etc. The diction used in this poem creates an intense mood/atmosphere of depression or suffering, Marks of weakness, marks of woe is used to describe what he meets as he wanders the streets of London. Importantly the repetition of every in the second stanza, is used to emphasise the impact poverty creates on peoples lifes. Spread throughout the entire poem are words which imply that poverty is the dominant lifestyle. V1 Marks of weakness, marks of woe V2 cry, fear, ban, manacles. V3 Cry, blackning, appals, hapless, blood. V4 Curse, blasts, tear, blights, plagues. This clever diction not only sets the mood but effectively influences the readers conclusion or interpretation of the poem. Composed Upon Westminster Bridge by William Wordsworth is written in the form of a sonnet. A traditional format used at that time. It is a fourteen line poem. He opens with a surprising statement, Earth has nothing to show more fair. As most writers at this time would have described the beauty of rural areas. His opinion of the city is the complete opposite to that of Blakes perhaps this is due to Wordsworth viewing the city from a different perspective at a different time of day i.e. early morning. In comparison to London which focuses on the place and its people. Composed Upon Westminster Bridge concentrates on London as a s place. Dull would he be of soul who could pass by a sight so touching in its own majesty. Implies that a person who could pass by without noticing the majestic sight would be without sensitivity. The city is personified in the fourth line of the poem, this city now doth like a garment the personification used in conjunction with the simile of like a garment.. makes the scene much more personal. Wordsworth lists the imposing landmarks in line six, which can distinguishes that he is relating to the wealthily side of London. The air is smokeless which clarifies that it is early morning, before industry begin, maybe this is why he believes that no scene from nature is as splendid as London. Never did sun more beautifully steep, in his first splendour, valley, rock or hill. Ne`er saw I, never felt a calm so deep. From analysing both poems it appears that the significant difference between Composed Upon Westminster Bridge and London is the deeply contrasting description about their place. Two every different opinions are presented, in every different perspectives. Perhaps Wordsworths is a misconception of the reality as he is from the north of England, and viewing London as a wealthy outsider. In the other hand Blake was from London and was not wealthy. Different opinions, different times, different lifestyles are the causes of these two exceptionally differentiating poems. The next two poems I will be comparing are Epic and Shamcoduff both were written by Patrick Kavanagh around the 1940s Kavanagh lived on a small farm in Monaghan close to the border with Armagh. He wrote his early poetry while still working on the farm. Epic tells of the dispute between two farmers over a part of an acre, half a rood of rock. The title is ironic as epic suggests that it would be a grand story involving important events, but it is actually quiet the opposite. Kavanagh compares the small dispute with the great event of Troy which started through a small row. For a time he thought the events of the outside world was more important than his personal life. He compares the year of the Munich bother with the situation and questions himself about which was most important. This suggests that he believes his own lifestyle, position in life and indeed place takes priority over the global affecting events. Kavanagh creates a personal feeling by using names of local town lands such as Ballyrush and Gortin. This creates as sense of familiarity. The concluding line Gods make their own importance implies that men make their own position in life. Which is what I believe he is striving to do with this poem.

Government Legislation And Market Structure Of Airline Industry Economics Essay

Government Legislation And Market Structure Of Airline Industry Economics Essay Over the past two decades the airline industry has experienced major changes that has affected the overall structure and segmentation of the market. The Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) market has stolen ground on the established market, at a substantial rate. This essay will focus on the Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) market and in particular will look at the easyJet firm based in Luton, England. The essay will asses the position that easyJet has acquired in the European airline market and the microeconomic factors that affect the firm. In addition, the essay will provide an analysis of how past, current and future prospects of the economy and how macroeconomic factors influence easyJets growth. Finally, based on analysis of the key discussions raised throughout the essay, a set of recommendations will be made outlining possible strategies that the firm could consider in order to prosper further. History of easyJet Greek entrepreneur Stelious Haji-Ioannou founded easyJet in 1995. The company was created to take advantage of the deregulation of the European Airline industry and to offer customers a low cost alternative. The company along with Ryanair pioneered the no-frills airline. The reduction of costs lies at the core of the low-cost business model, which aims to offer lower fares, eliminating some comfort and services that were traditionally guaranteed (Malighetti, Paleari Redondi. 2009). EasyJet was floated on the stock market in 2000. It has grown since then into a leading European Low-Cost Carrier. The company provides airline services on short-haul and medium-haul point-to-point routes, operating primarily in Europe on over 400 routes. SECTION 1, MICROECONOMICS: Government Legislation Market Structure: In the past the European airline industry was characterized by an oligopoly market structure, a form of imperfect competition in which a limited number of firms dominated the industry (Rubin Joy, 2005). However although airlines may use oligopoly market power to restrict competition, new innovative firms can carve out a niche, which is the strategy of easyJet (Rubin Joy, 2005) In order to stimulate competition, during the 1980s the European Commission implemented the open skies legislation. This aimed to liberalise air travel within the European Community and challenge the cartel of flag-carrying national airlines such as British Airways, Air France and Lufthansa which controlled 40% of the available passenger-kilometers on scheduled intra-European flights through bilateral agreements, regulated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) (Ghoshal, Lefefebure, Jorgensen Staniforth, 1988) As easyJets annual report in 2001 eludes to the market environment for too long, many of Europes airlines have considered themselves immune from the realities of their operating environment. State aid, entrenchment at Europes busiest airports and favourable restrictive bilateral agreements have been used to prevent proper competition from sweeping continental Europe. According to Rubin et al., (2005) although high entry costs of aircraft acquisition and other capital requirements make entry difficult, the industry appears more contestable (e.g. imperfectly competitive but subject to potential entry if warranted by prices or profits). This paved the way for the LCCs to enter the market, armed with completely different business models which have erode the dominant carriers market share even at large hub airports. Figure 1 shows how the UK in particular where easyJet are based have taken to the LCC idea. Figure 1 Low Cost Carriers operating to/from major European countries by frequency in November 2005 Source: OAG MAX Online. February 2006 Competitive analysis: The airline industry is characterised by high levels of competition, therefore the profit margins can be result in low returns. Because profit margins are very small, during a recession or a lull in demand airlines can become bankrupt within a short space of time. In order for easyJet to sustain there profit growth they rely on very quick turnarounds in order to maximize there profit. In addition the expansion of the Internet has made the pricing of fairs more transparent to the customer and has eradicated the travel agents fee, which has brought huge cost savings for airlines. These costs have been passes onto to the passengers, which has triggered a boom in flight capacity. However, the internet has also resulted in more price comparison websites for the price sensitive customer to compare ticket prices from different airlines. Customers now do not have much loyalty towards specific airlines, as they are more concerned with finding the cheapest price for their journey. However easyJet have now become one of the leading LCC airlines in the UK as illustrated by market share in Figure 2. Figure 2 Shows the dominance of both easyJet and Ryanair that have a large market share in the UK. Figure 2 Low Cost Carriers to/from the UK Source: OAG MAX Online. March 2006 Major determinants of demand: The demand for air travel is sensitive to changes in easyJets own prices, the price of related goods, incomes and individual taste preferences. However the degree of sensitivity is dependent on varying market conditions. EasyJets own price The low cost carriers have profoundly changed the airline industry, by increasing the demand for air travel. Alertness to latent demand, characterized by the passengers willingness to pay elastic prices, which is not the attitude of the so-called traditional passengers, is among the key factors of easyJets success (Pels and Rietveld, 2004). Because of the their alternative business plan, easyJet are able to offer a reduced price to customers. The price choices and the ability of the airlines to understand the characteristics of the demand are decisive in the balance of the business model itself (Malighetti, Paleari, and Redondi, 2009) The Internet has also increased the transparency of costs and allowed customers to compare prices instantly. There is now no loyalty, because customers will most often than not choose the cheapest ticket. No-frills airlines tend to use simplified pricing structures based on demand regulated single fares or flexible return tickets without the high- cost premium fares required by mainstream airlines for fully flexible travel (Baum, 1997). Lower fares have meant that those more frequent shorter holidays are not necessarily a more expensive option and the trend towards more flexible booking arrangements has encouraged this development (Graham, 2006). Price of related goods: The price of substitute goods and the consumers purpose of travel consistently affect the demand for easyJets services. There are numerous forms of substitutes that could cater for the customers needs such as travelling by car domestically or by train internationally. The structure of demand, which guides the optimisation choices of the carrier, is influenced by the presence of competitors, and the passengers opportunities to opt for a substitute service (Malighetti, Paleari, and Redondi, 2009) Therefore if Eurostar decreased their prices to travel from London to Paris then this would affect the demand for and the price customers are willing to pay to travel with easyJet. In addition airline passengers usually travel for different purposes, either leisure, business or to visits friends and family. Typically, business travelers have lower demand elasticity, and higher willingness to pay than leisure travelers. (Alves, and Barbot, 2009) Income The demand for travel is also affected by the average household income. If the household income increases so does the purchase of luxury goods such as travelling abroad. On this basis a elasticity multiplier of 1.1 is used to adjust air travel price elasticitys for short-haul flights (Deaton, 1975). Tastes SECTION 2: MACROECONOMICS This section of the essay will asses how past current and future prospects of the economy has affected easyJet. Monetary and Fiscal policy: Monetary policies in the shape of interest rates affect the demand on the airline industry. Higher interest rates raise the retail price index by raising the cost of living. This has made borrowing from banks more expensive and coupled with the current economic climate has had a negative impact on consumer expenditure. Therefore people have less disposable income to spend on travelling aboard. Figure 3 Relationship between Interest rates easyJets annual total profit Source: Bank of England As Figure 3 illustrates, between 2005 and 2007 there was a sharp increase in easyJet profits. However, because of the recent economic recession the Bank of England have responded to the current climate by reducing their interest rates from 5.5% to 2.0% to try and stimulate the economy. EasyJet are affected by fiscal policies through the implementation of tax duties on air carriers. The government allocate these fees to fund for increased security needed since the September 11th terrorist attack and support operations at airpark facilitates. As the graph illustrates during the 2007-2008 period there was a sharp decline in profits due to the unexpected doubling of Air Passenger Duty (APD) in the UK (easyJet Plc Annual report, 2007). Although the government use fiscal policies to try and stabilise the airline industry, they ultimately decrease the already tight profit margin that easyJet operates under. In addition the future of the airline industry seems likely that there will be more taxes levied at easyJet and the airline industry as a whole. As easyJets annual (2008) reports states the European Union has now finalised the terms of aviations entry into the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). This will require us, from 2012, to hold carbon emission allowances to cover our CO2 emissions. ETS is a cap and trade scheme, covering many sectors, and is designed to ensure that carbon emissions in the EU are reduced as efficiently as possible. Crude oil The airline industry uses kerosene, which is now ranked as the third highest petroleum because it is widely available and can withstand a wide range of temperature fluctuation. Therefore, the price of kerosene has an obvious and direct impact on the cost of easyJets and the airline industry as a whole, because it is one of the major costs occurred in the business. Figure 4 The relationship between Crude Oil and easyJets net profit Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Independent Statistics Analysis Figure 4 illustrates the relationship between crude oil prices and easyJets total revenue. As you can see from the graph there is a direct correlation between the two values. Crude oil has been rising astronomically since 2000. EasyJets annual report highlighted the affect that oil is having on their profits the price of oil, which constituted some 14% of our costs for the year ended 30 September 2004 (easyJet Plc Annual Report, 2004). In 2008 the price of oil was still high on the agenda of easyJets annual report, which stated The price of fuel rose to unprecedented levels and less well positioned competitors struggled to survive resulting in capacity exiting the market. In addition it is alarming to realise that the price of jet fuel has risen by more than 50% in the last year. This is directly affecting easyJets baseline profits as Table 1 demonstrates. (IATA Website, 2010) Table 1 This weeks price of aviation jet fuel Percentage change vs. 1-Jan-10 Index* $/b cts/gal $/mt 1 week ago 1 month ago 1 year ago Jet Fuel Price 241.7 88.4 210.5 696.7 3.7% 1.6% 50.3% Sourced from Platts  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   * 100 in 2000 (87 cts/gal) Increases in fuel prices have an obvious affect on the operation, but they also trigger economic recessions, which in turn result in a substantial decline in demand for air travel and air cargo. However, like many other industries that rely on crude oil high prices forces them to cut down their use or look for alternative resources. In order to tackle this problem easyJet have bought fleets of new airliners. To offset this, we are concentrating both on operating the most fuel-efficient aircraft and reducing costs elsewhere (easyJet Plc Annual Report, 2004). The new aircrafts are more fuel-efficient enabling them to reduce the expenditure on fuel. In addition, when fuel prices are raised it also affects the consumers decision on whether to fly at all or look for substitute modes of transport. GDP Growth: GDP growth has historically been a key determinant of the leisure travel demand and it continues to play an important role in many forecasting models (Graham, A. 2006). EasyJet and the airline industry are affected by the overall condition of the national and international economy. When there is a healthy economy the nations expenditure on travel increases. However, when there is an unhealthy economy the buying habits of the consumer falls because travelers will have fewer resources available to travel for pleasure. Figure 5 The relationship between GDP and easyJet net profit Source: Office for National Statistics As the graph illustrates 2002 and 2003 there was a sharp decrease in easyJets profit. A statement from the annual report attributes these facts to the War in Iraq, economic uncertainty and the SARS epidemic all adversely affected sentiment about travel, both business and personal (easyJet Plc Annual Report, 2003). However, A fundamental weakness in comparing travel growth to economic growth is that ignores the important influence that travel cost or price can play. The travel cost will determine the amount of income that needs to be spent on travel (Graham, A. 2006). Recent reports have suggested that the UK and the rest of Europe are slowly emerging from the recent recession. This should help to contribute to easyJet reaching its projected growth forecasts. Conclusion: Based on the previous analysis of discussion that was raised I will now sate recommendations and describe possible strategies easyJet could consider to increase their net profit. The current economic conditions have had an adverse affect on the airline industry as a whole. The near future may see more mergers of airlines in order to survive or heavy consolidation of their routes. The future of easyJet is heavily reliant on outside influences. However, because the easyJet company is based on a low-cost business plan coupled with the fact that population is rising, one could argue that they are in a better position to weather the storm and increase market share. In order to take advantage of the current situation easyJet need to face a number of problems. There is no question that the price of fuel is playing a significant role in the underlining profit of the easyJet company. Both in terms of the reduced profit margin and the overall affect the price of oil can have on the overall economy, history has shown us that it can contribute to the manifestation of recessions. However because the price of oil is set externally it is out of easyJets control, therefore there is need to explore alternative avenues of curtailing the effect that oil prices has on the easyJet company. One solution to reducing the affect that oil prices has on easyJet is by investing in more fuel efficient aircraft that reduce the amount of miles per gallon. As technology is moving forward at a unprecedented pace new airliners are becoming more aerodynamic, using lighter materials and pilots are utilising more cruise control technologies so that the consumption of fuel is used more efficiently. In addition, investing in more fuel efficient aircrafts will reduce the amount of money that will need to be paid in 2012 when the new Emissions Trading Scheme is enrolled, which is designed to ensure carbon emissions are reduced as efficiently as possible. Another alternative method to curbing the affect oil prices is to invest in research and development of alternative fuels. Although this may initially require large investments, but if alternatives are found easyJet will be ideally placed to be one of the first airlines to take advantage of new technologies and pass the savings onto their customers. In recent years easyJet has expanded its operations around Europe especially in Italy, France and Spain with nearly half of easyJets passengers now originating from outside the UK (easyJet Plc Annual Report, 2008). However, these expansions may have caused their operations to slip in their overall efficiency. Because of the nature of easyJets business plan, the company relies on very quick turnarounds at airports and highly efficient operations in order to maximise their profit margin. Therefore it would be beneficial for easyJet if they were to focus on economies of scale by making their operations more lean in order to increase profit margins. Because customers are becoming price sensitive to airline prices, another strategy that could prove beneficial is to target the business class who will have less of a price elasticity compared to leisure travellers who do not necessarily have to use easyJets services. In order to appeal to the business class easyJet will need to offer more flexible and more frequent services to the major business capitals in Europe.

Transportation 1788-1868 :: Free Essays Online

Transportation 1788-1868 The process of transporting convicted criminals to Australia came about as a result of Britain's defeat in the American War of Independence. With the loss of this colony, Britain also lost its primary depository for its surplus criminal population; and, for a time, these excess numbers were housed in floating jails - 'hulks' - moored on the Thames. This proved an unpopular policy and so, in 1787, a British fleet set sail to build a penal colony at Botany Bay in New South Wales - seventeen years after James Cook had landed there. Robert Hughes, in his study The Fatal Shore, describes this undertaking as 'a new colonial experiment, never tried before, not repeated since. An unexplored continent would become a jail.' The choice of New South Wales was an unusual one, for Cook had described it as barren, and A.G.L. Shaw notes in Convicts and the Colonies that 'it seemed wholly useless for trade'. It would appear that all the British government required was a place to dispose of its criminal classes and subsequently forget about them, ignoring commercial considerations. The inhospitable nature of the place seemed ideal for ne'er-do-wells, and its distant location meant that few were likely to return. Many crimes, from petty theft to murder, were deemed worthy of transportation, and there seems to have been little distinction made between types of criminal, which concerned social reformers of the time. Household Words expressed concern that 'hardened ruffians of the deepest dye were chained hand to hand, during a six month voyage, with simple country poachers, pickpockets of tender age, and sailor smugglers.' All prisoners were treated alike, and conditions were harsh; appalling living conditions, disease, hunger, floggings and general neglect were prevalent and many convicts died en route or upon arrival. However there was hope on the horizon for some prisoners; those who behaved well were hired out to emigrant farmers to become, like Dickens' Magwitch, 'sheep farmer(s), stock breeder(s) and other trades besides.' Thus convicts could make some sort of return to respectability. Not only that: those who had completed their terms were granted small plots of land, with the aim of boosting the local economy and ensuring that these undesirable - regardless of whether their crimes were 'worked out and paid for' - did not return to British shores. The response from the metropolitan centre to these emancipist settlers who flourished was one of outrage; they feared that transportation would be perceived as a great blessing by the criminal classes, rather than as a deterrent.

Child Rearing In Victorian Times :: essays research papers fc

Child Rearing in Victorian Times   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Childhood barely existed for most British children at the end of the eighteenth century, since they began a lifetime of hard labour as soon as they were capable of simple tasks. By contrast, the fortunate children of the wealthy generally were spoiled and enjoyed special provisions for the need of a lengthy childhood, yet who in a way may have endured the same pain of those who were not as fortunate.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Child rearing in the Victorian times was not at all similar to child rearing today. There were of course two different categories on how the child was brought up. They went from one extreme to the other. They were the difference of the classes. The life of an upper class child during the Victorian era, was as one may put it, stuffy, conventional and routine, not to mention quite lonely at certain times. Yet others argue Victorian children should have been quite content, given the fact that they were treated to only the best of toys, clothes and education and it was absurd to even consider the child being neglected.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mothers and Fathers were seen as special, glamourous guests, due to the fact that they were never around and rarely seen by their children. This was because child and parent led totally separate existences, they were only summoned to appear before their parents at a certain set hour of the day. Many Victorian children like Winston Churchill and Harriet Marden recall such cold relations between their selves and their mothers that they would be able to count how many times in their life they had been hugged. Family life was formal, although during that time child rearing manuals urged bonding and maternal ties, mothers remained cool and distant. Children were a convenience to their parents, they obeyed them as they would an army officer. Sir Osbert Sitwell once argued, Parents were aware that the child would be a nuisance and a whole bevy of servants, in addition to the complex guardianship of nursery and school rooms was necessary not so much to aid the infant as to screen him from his father or mother, except on some occasions as he could be used by them as adjuncts, toys or decorations. Although this only describes a minority of parents it was always in the best interests for the child not to be heard or in the way, it was rarely taken to the extent of screening the child.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It was the era of nurses and nannies, the child was not raised by the woman who gave birth to him, but by the hired help.

Entrepreneurial Leadership: Five Guys Burger & Fries

Entrepreneurial Leadership: Five Guys Burger & Fries Lisa Dunn Dr. Doris Martin BUS 505 Strayer University October 16, 2012 â€Å"We are in the business of selling burgers† – Jerry Murrell says as one of the mission statements for his company; Five Guys Burger & Fries. Five Guys has had the same business plan since Jerry and his sons opened the first burger shop in 1986. They only use fresh ingredients never frozen. There are no gimmicks to the Five Guys philosophy; just simple food with simple ingredients.That’s how it worked while running one restaurant and that’s how it works with now over a thousand restaurants all over the U. S. and Canada (Smith, 2011, p. 2). The philosophy of Five Guys is simple: fresh ingredients never frozen. There are no freezers only coolers in their restaurants. They have no drive-thru window and do not deliver. This sets them apart from many other restaurants. They are not your typical burger joint. Everything is made on premi ses at each individual franchised location.Most burger places are fast food, with a drive –thru window, and many options of their menu. However; Five Guys just wants to make burgers and fries. They keep a simple menu to ensure quality of food. They know they can make a great burger and are not interested in making a mediocre chicken sandwich just to put more on the menu. Five Guys also has simple advertising and decor, unlike their competitors that spend millions on fancy advertising. Jerry has said, â€Å"Treat that person right, he’ll walk out the door and sell for you.From the beginning, I wanted people to know that we put all our money into the food. That’s why the decor is so simple – red and white tiles. We don’t spend our money on decor. Or on guys in chicken suits. But we’ll go overboard on food (Joiner, 2012) Five Guys values remain unchanged from when then started the business back in 1986. Jerry has said â€Å"The only thing we did right was stick to our guns (Burke 2012). They started out as a simple burger place and have stayed a simple burger place just more of them. They thrive on customer loyalty and customer service. We are not doing you a favor by serving you – you are doing us a favor by giving us the opportunity to do so (Smith, 2011, p. 2)† Jerry has said about how customers are a part of his business. Having the same values from the beginning days to then franchising has helped this unique success story that is Five Guys to be the fastest growing restaurant chain (Rosenwald, 2006). Some of the factors that contributed to the success of Five Guys in such a short time frame are the employee motivation, the quality of food, and the overall value of the company.Five Guys says it is important to make employees feel a sense of ownership and accountability. The way they motivate their employees is that they employ secret shoppers and auditors to walk in and inspect the store. If the secret shopper or auditor gives a passing grade to that location there is a thousand dollar bonus for the employees to split evenly. It helps to maintain excellence in the food and the cleanliness of the store (York, 2009, p. 3). The great quality of food at Five Guys is based on its loyalty to suppliers. Five Guys buys the best fresh meat and real Idaho potatoes.They could do cheaper products but it would not taste as good. This of course raises the price of the food, but customers have not complained about paying a few extra bucks for a better burger and fries (Smith, 2012). The overall value of the company has greatly contributed to the success of Five Guys. Once Five Guys started to franchise people thought that the value of the company and its product would decrease. That is not that case; the contracts that franchisers sign makes for the value to consistent and not change a good thing.There are specific and extensive details of how to run and operate a Five Guys restaurant so people going to any of the thousand stores will get the same food that tastes the same (Rosenwald, 2006). These factors contribute to the short-time success that Five Guys has had. Being who they are and making a simple great tasting burger helps to market a company just by word of mouth. There had been a cookie cutter ways of running a business over the years that Five Guys just threw out the window and did their own thing at their own time.Five Guys started small and stayed small for many years. They never wanted to franchise and be huge. Their ultimate goal was to make a great burger using great quality fresh ingredients. Five Guys does not do what other restaurants do. They do not advertise or market themselves, nor do they change anything just become social practices say they should. They have a very small list of items on their menu; consisting of burgers, fries, and hotdogs. Many have said that not adding milkshakes or salads would take business away and make people not come.Howeve r, having simple items that you can make your own with different condiments makes people go to Five Guys rather than the other burger places (York, 2009). Being an individual that has been to different locations of Five Guys restaurants, it is easy to see that following ethical or social practices does work for how Five Guys runs its business. It is clear the minute that a person walks into a Five Guys establishment that you are welcome and greeted. Then choosing from the simple menu board above the cashier is easy and efficient.Being able to watch a freshly made burger and fries come to life behind the counter makes the experience refreshing. It is great to see and know that food is made to order exactly how it was ordered. Looking around the establishment, noticing the real potato bags and peanut boxes and oil lets that person know that simple real foods go into making your lunch or dinner. When the food in ready there is no tray like many other restaurants, it comes in a brown ba g that a person can take to go or sit down at a table and enjoy.Knowing the quality and freshness that goes into each order lets the customer know just how important it is to be served at Five Guys. There doesn’t need to be a lot of marketing or different practices to make Five Guys stand out. Their food should do it, and as a customer it does. Five Guys has been around for many years, it is just in the past few years that once Jerry Murrell and his five sons began to franchise did the world take notice of a unique way to run a simple burger and fries restaurant.Being able to set themselves apart from fast food restaurants and keeping their core values has made Five Guys popular. With the different factors contributed to the success of Five Guys and ignoring ethical and social practices, Five Guys were able to stay themselves and create a great burger that across the country can enjoy. As Jerry says â€Å"You are dependent on us, we are dependent on you. You are not an outsi der in our business-you are part of it (Smith, 2011). † Five Guys knows that success is in a great product and people to buy that product.Keeping the company simple has worked for Jerry and his five guys. Resources: Burke, M. (2012). Five Guys Burgers: America’s Fastest Growing Restaurant Chain. Forbes. Retrieved on October 12, 2012. Joiner, L. (2012). Five Guys found a simple recipe for success: Do it right. USAToday. Retrieved on October 12, 2012. Rosenwald, M. (2006). Five Guys, Taking a Bigger Bite. The Washington Post. Retrieved on October, 19, 2012. Smith, R. (2011). The Runaway Hit. QSR Magazine. Retrieved on October 12, 2012. York, E. (2009). Five Guys: an America’s Hottest Brands Case Study. AdvertisingAge. Retrieved on October 12, 2012.

International Trade and Tariff Essay

Tariffs Explain the various impacts of an import tariff in small nations vs. large nations. The impact of an import tariff in a small nation is entirely unlike then an import tariff from a larger nation. When smaller nations imposes a tariff, it does not affect world prices, however the price of the importable commodity will start to rise, usually by the amount of the tariff for manufacturers and trade in the small nation. When large nations impose a tariff, it will reduce the volume of trade. Large nation tariffs also improve terms of the nation’s trade. Since the volume of trade is being reduced, it tends to lesson the nation’s welfare. However it also can improve the nation’s welfare. It depends on the welfare of the nation to if it actually rises or falls depending on the two conflicting forces. What are the three main reasons governments prefer using a tariff to restrict imports versus quotas? A few reasons why tariffs are better option than import quotas is because, tariffs can generate revenue for the Government, import quotas can lead to administrative corruption, and import quotas can cause smuggling. The reason the government can make money off of tariffs is because there can be a percentage put on imported goods that will generate extra money. There are millions of different things that are imported into a country and the small percentage of tariffs generates a lot of revenue that would be lost of the government unless their trade had an authorizing fee on goods being imported. This can lead to administrative corruption, if there are no restrictions on importing goods then the government has the ability to pick and choose who can import and who cannot. This can give the custom officials a lot of power since they would have the ability to favor and only allow certain corporations. Tariff system helps to rid the possibility of corruptions. This not just the price, but also the quantity sold through supply and demand. Smuggling can occur with an import quota when there are large shortages. A tariff cannot provide a set number on the goods or products that are coming into the country so the number of imports will increase when the demand for it goes up. Should our government use a weak dollar exchange rate policy to make imports more expensive in order to help our exporters? The weakening of the U. S. dollar means that the dollar has fallen in value compared other currency. The weak dollar is good for exports, but not good for importers. The value of currency will decrease when the demand for that specific currency is low, which will make importing goods more expensive. A weak dollar can make things difficult for exporters that are selling to the United States. If a foreign company wants to sell goods to the U. S. it either needs to up the price of the product or sell it at a lower price because of the exchange rate. What roles do the IMF and WTO play in trade and the use of tariffs? The IMF or International Monetary Fun is an global business of countries that strives to guarantee the constancy of the worldwide financial and economic system. The IMF tries to make sure that there is balanced growth to international trade, it promotes exchange constancy and helps to give countries a way to balance payment issues. Tariff rate data comes from the IMF database and the country’s authority figures. The WTO or World Trade Organization is a global company that works on the rules of trade between two countries. It helps to ensure that international trade moves smoothly and generously. It also gives countries a helpful and just outlet for dealing with arguments over importing issues. The WTO regulations permit a nation to defend certain businesses if the elimination of tariffs would have detrimental side effects, such as the loss of necessary national trade.