Case Study Botswana: A Diamond in the Rough Essay

The Harvard Business School case study â€Å"Botswana: a diamond in the rough† deals with various reasons how Botswana became within 40 years the most successful economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. The case study leads through Botswana’s history before the colonization by the British Empire until today, stating several factors which made Botswana more successful compared to it’s neighbour countries in Sub-Sahara Africa. Within only 30 years a very rapid economical growth could be observed and in 2000 Botswana’s GDP growing rate reached a similar value as China. The political situation is stable since Botswana’s independence in 1966 and their corruption is, especially compared to other African countries, very low. The unemployment rate until 2000 never felt under 2%, which is even compared with countries outside of Africa very rare. Asking myself if Botswana is a success, I can definitely answer yes. Even if the country still has to struggle with the second highest HIV infection rate in the world and it is still a challenge for the government to diversify the economy, in order to be less dependent on the fluctuating diamond industry, Botswana is called to be the â€Å"African Miracle†. Taking into consideration that Botswana is a land-locked country and until 1968 there were no mentionable resources it seems quiet astonishing what they achieved in the short period of time since their independence. According to the case study there are several factors that made Botswana as successful as it is today. First of all, the fundament of Botswana’s highly democratic political system can be found in Botswana’s history in the 18th century. The Tswana tribe had less monarchical structures than other African countries, issues of public interest were discussed and decided by an assembly and criticisms of the policies were allowed to be expressed in public. Another reason for Botswana’s success today is, that even during the 80 years of British colony, Botswana was allowed to keep its political structures, as the British had only a limited interest in the resource-scarce country. As Botswana’s inhabitants were less oppressed by their colonial rulers, they were able to develop their democratically society more or less in freedom. In accordance with the case study Botswana’s biggest success factor was the discovery of gold and diamond mines in 1968. More mines were found in the following years and Botswana became number one diamond exporter worldwide. A very important but also controversial decision by Botswana’s government was the foundation of a Joint Venture with the South African multinational company DeBeers. As a contrast, other African countries with valuable resources decided to nationalize mines and oil fields and raised taxes unproportional. Due to Botswana’s decision to cooperate with DeBeers, they became the world’s most successful international cartel. In my opinion the discovery of the diamond mines in Botswana had a huge contribution to the country’s success today, but looking at other African countries which are rich in resources one will recognize that countries as Angola or Sierra Leone cannot document the similar successes as Botswana can do. Coming to the question if Botswana’s success is replicable on other African countries we have to remind, that only a few African countries are as rich in valuable resources as Botswana. But as I mentioned before, even countries that are provided with similar resources, weren’t able to channel the high revenues into physical, social and human capital infrastructures. Contrariwise, these countries have to struggle with civil wars and political conflicts, often initiated by the valuable resources. In my point of view the most important success factor of Botswana are the before mentioned democratically structures which were already founded in the 18th century. Most other African countries were ruled by absolutistic kings, which were replaced by dominant colonial powers. History cannot be changed, but a lesson that other African countries can learn from Botswana is the development and implementation of state institutions in order to achieve long-term oriented and sustainable governance.

Scientific Method and Scientist Perspective View

Science is a venture that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanation and prediction about what are the things that is happening in the world. A closely related meaning of this is Aristotle’s scientific view, which is scientific knowledge is a body of reliable knowledge that can be logically and rationally explained. Objectivity in the field of science is recognized with the property of scientific measurement that can be tested from the scientist who proposes them freely. So, it is strongly connected to the aim of testability and reproducibility. To be identified as an objective, the results of measurement must be passed on from person to person and then to be verified for third parties, to be able to understand by the objective world. In my opinion, I believe science is objective because as a scientist perspective view all explanation and prediction must be precise and accurate. And I believe scientist don’t just believe on people’s perspective view. One example of this is when religious people believed that God created everything usually scientist will not believe it without any explanation so they tend to research things that will lead them to their findings. Like the creation of human they believe that human were first apes but due to the environmental changes, this apes tend to adapt to the environment and slowly evolve in to humans. There are a lot of things that affect the objectivity of science. First, the selection of the specific object to measure is typically a subjective decision and it often involves reductionism. One example of this is in an experiment when a scientist is determining a specific finding usually he determines his finding by using subjective interpretation of quantifying terms such as â€Å"cold†, â€Å"hot†, â€Å"blue†, â€Å"tiny†, â€Å"huge†, and â€Å"small†, â€Å"large†, â€Å"gigantic†, â€Å"red†, and some other adjectives that could describe their experiment. Second is the selection of instruments and measurement methodology. Some features or qualities of the object under study will be ignored in the measurement process, and the limitations of the chosen instruments will cause data to be left out of consideration. One example of this is when a scientist wants to know the temperature of the area. He can either use the thermometer to measure directly the temperature or use the barometer to know the humidity of the air and determine the temperature. These two devices can give two different results which can result to a skewed decision. In addition absolute limits of objectivity surrounding the measurement process, can give community of researchers certain â€Å"subjective views†, and this subjectivity is therefore built in to the conceptual systems. In my opinion, we can do a lot of things to improve the objectivity of science. We can avoid the variety of subjective interpretation by using measuring tools like measuring tools like meter stick, stopwatches, thermometer, barometer, electromechanical measuring instruments like the spectrometers, voltmeters, timers, oscilloscopes and gravimeters. These devices eliminate the perspective variability of individual observers. An additional objectivity of science we can also develop the avoiding of such partiality like the cognitive bias, which is an outline of variation in judgment that happens in particular situations, cultural bias, which is the occurrence of interpreting and judging phenomena by standards innate to one’s own culture and sampling bias, is an error that causes some members of the population to not be included than others by doing random sampling and double-bind trials Random sampling is taking a number of independent observations from the same probability distribution, without involving any real population while in the other hand double-bind trials is an experimental procedure in which neither the subjects of the experiment nor the persons administering the experiment know the critical aspects of the experiment.

Critical Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Critical Response - Essay Example Also, the author points out the similarity of the case to the inclusion of the phrase â€Å"In God we trust† in the United States dollar; however, Wilde distinguishes this similarity as inverted as she contends that the focus is absolutely different: the In God we trust in US dollar is employed for business undertakings while under God in the Pledge of Allegiance is used in recitation of loyalty. While the author makes manifold convincing points in her article, there are three most salient points that should not be overlooked: (1) the phrase â€Å"under God† is descriptive of something; and that description, while does not attempt to establish a religion, creates a link to the deeply-embedded Christian heritage of America; (2) that â€Å"under God† and â€Å"In God do we trust† are phrases that are used distinctively for very different purposes; (3) Many Americans do not believe in God; as a matter of fact, â€Å"70 or 80% of the Americans are atheistâ₠¬  (Wilde 2). Therefore, there is more reason for the rewording of the Pledge of Allegiance as not everyone is willing to identify themselves with the included phrase. â€Å"Under God† is descriptive of something and it is divisive Since 1954, the Pledge of Allegiance reads: â€Å"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all† (Djupe 329). Wilde is persuasive in the fact that the phrase â€Å"under God† is descriptive of something; and that description is something ironical to the intention of the pledge: notice the phrases â€Å"with Liberty and Justice for all† – the First Amendment of the United States constitution strongly prohibits the establishment of religion in any law that the Congress would intend to create. In this regard, it can be observed every American citizen, whether an permanent resident or a citizen, sh ould be given complete justice and liberty, including religious liberty and the right to exercise their religious freedom; nevertheless, the fact that the Pledge of Allegiance is for every American citizen to recite, whether they are willing to do it or not, it breaks the intention of the pledge that there is justice and liberty for all considering that not everyone believes in God and yet everyone are deemed to recite it. Even if they choose to be silent in the phrase when reciting the pledge, why should they be silent in the first place? While Chief Justice Rehnquist calls the phrase â€Å"under God† as a â€Å"descriptive phrase†, he was not able to specify what the phrase is describing. Granting that the Chief Justice was right, for the sake of argument, it could then be inferred that the phrase is descriptive of monotheism - something that denies many non-Christian Americans to conform to the law; and thus, a political harassment of some sort. Since it is a pledge intended for the people of the United States of America, then no one is exempted from it, including atheists. By and large, the wordings have fallen short of the real character of America: a land that is free. How can a country that claims to be free, with â€Å"Justice and Liberty for all† would make an act that is discordant for its people? The solution may be just be a revision of the pledge itself and nothing more. â€Å"

Information Systems and Strategy Management Assignment

Information Systems and Strategy Management - Assignment Example The firm must therefore radically change its information management systems to survive against the expected challenge. The European Union electricity supply sector represents a market share of over â‚ ¬150 billion annually, an annual investment of â‚ ¬30 billion Euros, while it employs over 750, 000 workers. The Electricity Supply Industry (ESIC) has a virtual monopoly in the European Union power supply industry, but the EU has decided to open up the market hence create competition for ESIC. In order for the power supply company, ESIC transform from a monopolistic system into a highly competitive market oriented firm, it needs to radically overhaul its information management systems. This will involve the company adopting a modern information technology (IT) system that incorporates all the firm’s divisions including the financial, production, and marketing sectors. Contemporary organizations have come to value the crucial importance of customer service to their continued survival. Firms with good customer oriented policies are able to able to maintain client royalty albeit the current fierce competition. The release of correct, regular and appropriate product information to workers, clients and providers across all channels is one of the fundamentals in retaining and acquiring new clientele. ESIC emerging from a monopolistic system will therefore need to change her information dissemination sector by revealing new products innovation information, financial dealings, among other news hence change her corporate image. ESIC must be geared to offer high quality customer service to her clientele by creating a seamless customer rapport across all the channels (generating, transmission, system control, distribution, supply sectors) by developing strategies aimed at surpassing the competing firms. Company products and information should be easily accessed either through the normal supply

The Five-Task Strategy Making Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Five-Task Strategy Making - Assignment Example Monitoring significantly increases the chances of success of the strategy-making process because it offers a critical outlook of the whole exercise, including areas of weakness and how to correct them. Unlike monitoring, evaluation is concerned with what has been achieved. In this exercise, the organization examines the decisions and actions it has taken and determines whether they were successful or not. In case of failure or success, evaluation reveals the reasons for the outcome. The organization can then use this information to develop more effective processes in the future. Corrective adjustments are often done either to increase the success ratio of the process, or to develop better procedures and systems to support future processes (Neluheni, Pretorius, & Ukpere, 2014). The whole process of monitoring, evaluation, and corrective adjustments can be done by either internal or external practitioners. Ultimately, organizations should aim at limiting the amount of monitoring, corrective adjustments and evaluation by conducting highly efficient and effective planning (Valler, Tait, & Marshall, 2013). Thorough planning limits the need for intensive monitoring and evaluation and large-scale adjustments by reducing the number of mistakes made. There are three key elements of strategic planning addressed in this case study. The first is the development of a strategic vision, mission, and core values. The second is setting objectives, while the third is crafting a strategy to attain the objectives and the company vision. In this case, Harry Lindsol, who is a prospective investor, has conducted an analysis of the market and relevant trends before deciding on the best investment option (Thompson, Peteraf, Gamble, & Strickland, 2014). He has also made a strategic investment decision because his course of action is based on comprehensive analysis and evaluation of all relevant factors. A major advantage offered by eBooks relates to editions.

Literature College Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Literature College - Essay Example In this kind of struggle we will see that a deep sense of pride in their heritage and culture is the power that enable them to counter the prejudices and priorities of the white dominant culture and help them preserve what they value most, regain what they were deprived of and find their place in the modern world. Carol Geddes (2007) recounted such a struggle. She reminisced her growing years as a native in their home in the Yukon Bush and the experiences of living in a culture where family, the extended kind, was of paramount importance. She recalled the most heart warming memory as the "feeling of acceptance" and "security in every pair of arms" that carried her, as children were wont to be carried and passed upon during those times (Geddes 86). And this experience was something magnified and replicated in their whole village (Geddes 87). The advent of the Alaska Highway presaged the end of their way of life; and the "tremendous upheaval for Yukon native people" (Geddes 88) was beyond the intelligence or concern of the whites. While the family culture did not vanish the socio-physical dislocation introduced elements - alcoholism, absentee parent, epidemics, broken family - that began to threaten it (Geddes 88). The concept of education along with religion - meant to bring about the best in people - were the very ones that seek to crucify to death the native's sense of personal worth. Geddes recalled one incident in school where the teacher, either ignorant or unmindful of the Indian boy- girl social role, asked her to answer a question her cousin was not able to answer, something unthinkable in Indian society, and which devastated both her and her cousin. She recalled how subject assignment without giving the native students prerogative to choose cast them as "stupid" and she remembered how the experience was "terribly undermining" (Geddes 90). Another aspect that ran conflict with white's dominance and touched the very core of their being was their sense of identity as a people. Another native Canadian, Thomas King (2007) recalled how as a young boy of twelve her mother could not be intimidated to declare herself as Canadian but insisted on identifying her citizenship as Blackfoot before Border Immigration Officers, both from the Canadian and American

South of US Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

South of US - Essay Example The combination of hot and cold weather along with abundant quantity of rain makes the region one of the best places to conduct agricultural activities. Several states are labeled under the southern region of United States, some of these states include: Maryland, Virginia, Louisiana and 14 other states that form the over all southern regions of US. These states have experienced lower rates of immigration except the state of Texas and Florida and the common population of these states includes the Scottish and Irish individuals and those who are children of the African American slaves. The total population of these states in accordance to the statistics of 2010 was 114,555,744 individuals (Bureau of Economic and Business Research, 2010). The culture experienced in these states is very different in nature as compared to the rest of the US, the specialty of food that is made in these states include: barbecue, pork and pecan

Critical Comparison between Questionnaires and Focus Groups Essay

Critical Comparison between Questionnaires and Focus Groups - Essay Example This research will begin with the definition of research as a systematic or scientific way of searching for knowledge. Research provides answers to questions by uncovering hidden truths. An individual can conduct a research to familiarise with a certain phenomenon or discover new insights on a familiar phenomenon. Research can also be conducted to test formulated hypothesis on a phenomenon or describe the characteristics of the object under study. Therefore, the kind of research approach that an individual utilises is based on the purpose and objective of the research. Research can be categorised in many ways. One such way is descriptive versus analytical research. Descriptive research is conducted to investigate various aspects of a phenomenon. A researcher in this case aims at finding out facts about research objects. It may include surveys and enquires on the current situation in the researcher’s area of interest. In a descriptive research, the researcher simply reports fac ts about variables. The researcher has no control of over variables and cannot manipulate them in the study. Therefore, the researcher gives a description of variables as they exist in their natural environment. Descriptive research is useful in measuring objects. In this kind of research, different methods are used depending on the nature of the study and the researcher’s preferences. Comparative and correlation research methods are used in descriptive research. Analytical research involves using the facts collected on a phenomenon to evaluate that phenomenon. Therefore, the researcher does not just gather facts about research objects but also uses those facts to analyse or make judgements about the objects under study (Kumar 2008, p. 6; Kothari 2008, p.2). Research can also be categorised as fundamental or applied research. Applied research differs from fundamental research in that it seeks to provide an immediate solution to an existing problem. Fundamental research will g eneralise a problem and develop theories of how the problem began or how it can be solved. Thus, multiple solutions may be generated and analysed in fundamental research but the researcher gives his or her recommendation on the ideal solutions. Fundamental research is often referred to as basic research because an individual gathers facts for the sake of adding to their level of knowledge. Applied research is conclusive and provides solutions to research questions or actual problems in the area of study. Therefore, basic or fundamental research adds to the existing body of scientific knowledge while applied research provides solutions to problems (Ethridge 2004, p. 20). Research can be categorised as conceptual or empirical. Conceptual research is based on theories and is used to develop new concepts about a phenomenon. This research can also be used to reinforce or interpret existing concepts and theories. Empirical research does not consider the existing theories but relies on obs ervation. This type of research is based on data collected and conclusions are drawn based on observations. Empirical research is experimental and a researcher collects firsthand information on phenomenon. The research may manipulate things in an environment to achieve the desired results. Empirical research in most cases starts with a hypothesis or expected results from an experiment. The data collected in this case will be used to test hypothesis. Empirical research is used to describe relationships between two or more variables (Kumar 2008, p. 8; Burns 1992, p. 195). Research can be categorised as either quantitative or qualitative. This is the most common categorisation of research. Quantitative research is based on measurable variables. The main objective in quantitative research is to generalise collected data. Qualitative research focuses on collecting information on immeasurable variables such as human behaviour, emotions and feelings among

Twentieth-century Marxism. Georg Lukcs and the problem of Essay

Twentieth-century Marxism. Georg Lukcs and the problem of consciousness - Essay Example Georg Lukacs stands as a dominant figure in twentieth-century Marxism. The publication of his  History and Class Consciousness  and Karl Korsch  Marxism and Philosophy  in 1923 marked the first serious efforts to rethink Marxism Both Lukacs and Korsch were responding to the inability of the orthodox viewpoint to account for either the unexpected survival of the Russian Revolution or the progressive dissolution of revolutionary working-class movements in Europe. Their efforts led them to examine the origins of Marx's thought and to revitalize and reemphasize aspects of his work which had previously been underplayed or ignored. Their work gave rise to what later would be labeled "Western Marxism." This variant of Marxist thought is characterized by its interest in the early Marx and in the philosophical (especially Hegelian) roots of Marxism; by its focus on Marx as opposed to Engels; and by its stress on consciousness, culture, and subjectivity science, economics, and nature. It is within Western Marxism, of course, that Critical Theory is situated. And Lukacs's work would particularly influence the critical theorists. Lukacs is also a controversial figure in twentieth-century Marxism. The contributions and contradictions of his work, as well as his reassessments and repudiations of it, have been the subject of a great deal of debate and discussion.19  My interest here, however, is not in his work as a whole, but rather in his treatment of the proletariat as the revolutionary subject. His effort to address the issue of the proletariat's self-conscious agency effectively created more problems than it solved. At the same time that he insisted upon the identification of the proletariat as the revolutionary subject, he detailed the socioeconomic conditions that precluded its ability to fulfill its world-historical mission. It is the development of this dilemma in Lukacs's work that interests us here. In  History and Class Consciousness, Lukacs speaks of the proletariat as the "identical subject-object," "the subject of action," "the 'we' of the genesis." Although he would later label his treatment of the proletariat as an "attempt to -17- Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning.  www.questia.com   Publication Information:  Book Title: Critical Theory and Political Possibilities: Conceptions of Emancipatory Politics in the Works of Horkheimer, Adorno, Marcuse, and Habermas. Contributors: Joan Alway - author. Publisher: Greenwood Press. Place of Publication: Westport, CT. Publication Year: 1995. Page Number: 17. out-Hegel Hegel,"  20  he held firm to his conviction that the proletariat was the historical subject whose actions would bring about the revolution. Lukacs followed Marx in believing that it was the position of the proletariat in the capitalist mode of production that conferred upon it its unique status. Within a system based on the production and exchange of commodities, workers were both commodities and the pro ducers of commodities. The fact that they, and they alone, were in a position to recognize themselves as both the subject and the object of the production process, and thus of the historical process, meant that the proletariat was capable of gaining unique insight into historical truth. For Lukacs the proletariat is the first truly universal class: for the first time in history, there existed a class whose self-understanding was the understanding of society as a whole, whose fate was the fate of society as a whole. In the proletariat subjective awareness and objective knowledge coincided. Lukacs insists that subjective awareness is not an automatic consequence of objective position. He argues that while objective position and conditions "give the proletariat the opportunity and the necessity to change society," social transformation will result only from their "free" action.  21  And this free action will be a function of the prolet

A research paper on cocaine Essay Example for Free

A research paper on cocaine Essay Grown in the countries of South America, with Columbia being the most productive, the Erythroxylon Coca bush is the natural origin of cocaine, a central nervous stimulant. Its history is as rich and diverse as the people using and dealing the drug. Cocaine use dates as far back as the 16th century when it was used among Inca royalty. In the early 1800s cocaine was introduced to Europe. Sigmond Freud wrote a song in its honor and famous author Robert Louis Stevenson wrote The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde during a six -day cocaine binge. In the early 1900s cocaine was available to consumers over the counter. Its medicinal value was a relief for toothaches and congestion. Parke Davis advised their consumers of the effects of cocaine by stating that it could make the coward brave, the silent eloquent, and render the sufferer insensitive to pain. The use of cocaine found its way into other products like wine and the most famous of all, Coca Cola. Early production of Coca Cola contained 60mg of cocaine. Today, the popular soft drink still uses the leaves of the Coco Bush for flavor but the illicit drug has been removed (www.cocaine.org). The resurrection of cocaine use as a recreational drug began in the 1960s, and was used mostly among the affluent because of its price. Movie stars, sport stars and the like give cocaine its mystique and draw; psychological and physical effects make it addictive. Changes in form and price make cocaine far more accessible and affordable. Today, there is no clear connection between the use of cocaine and education, occupation or socioeconomic status. Cocaine is generally sold as a hydrochloride salt, a fine white powder substance that is commonly referred to as snow, coke or blow. Street dealers of cocaine commonly dilute, or cut the drug with similar looking substances like talcum powder or with active local anesthetics and even sometimes with other stimulants like amphetamines. The purity of street cocaine, powder form, is about 75 percent. When the impurities of this form are removed, it is known as freebase or crack cocaine. Crack cocaine  is easier to find and less expensive to buy. Cocaine in any form can be found in almost every town and city. Research studies done in 1999 showed cocaine is used by over 3.7 million Americans 12 years old and over, with the highest rate among people 18 and 25 years of age. The use among people 35 years and older also continues to rise (www.cocaine.org). The effects of cocaine depend on the route of administration, the amount of consumption, the users past experience, and the circumstances under which its taken. The major routes of administration are snorting, injecting, and smoking. Snorting is inhaling the powder form through the nasal cavity. The drug enters the bloodstream through the nasal tissues. Injecting cocaine is using a syringe to release the drug directly into the bloodstream. Smoking cocaine is inhaling the cocaine vapors or smoke delivering large quantities to the lungs where it then enters the bloodstream as quickly as injecting. Cocaine interferes with the re-absorption process of dopamine that is a chemical messenger of pleasure to the brain. The effects are instant and intense but not long lasting (www.drugs.indiana.edu). The short -term effects usually make the user fell euphoric, energetic, and alert to their senses. It can decrease your anxiety and heighten your sexuality. Crack users have described the rush as a whole body orgasm. Or, a user can feel anxious or panic-stricken. The drug is a parody of heaven and hell. Often times the cocaine user craves other drugs. These symptoms appear quickly and disappear within a few minutes or a few hours. Physically, a persons blood pressure, body temperature, heartbeat, and breathing accelerate, along with pupil dialation. In larger amounts the side effects intensify. The high might include feelings of paranoia, vertigo, and muscle twitches and physically a user might experience chest pains, nausea, blurred vision. Over time with continued use, the effects of cocaine gradually change. Irritability, restlessness, insomnia and paranoia replace the euphoria. Physically, the long- term user will lose interest in sex and lose weight. Those who snort the drug wear out their nasal septum while those who inject it risk the chance of contracting hepatitis or AIDS. Cocaine related deaths  are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory arrest. Over time, to the users tolerance, the drug will build. To achieve the same effects as that of early usage requires larger doses of the drug. The user becomes psychologically dependent. The drug becomes pivotal to their thoughts, feelings and their daily activities. Cocaine just made you feel really good. Then after you get done feeling really good then you start to get a Superman ego and thats the beginning of the end. (Drug Wars; A Frontline, PBS Production) Often times, cocaine addicts develop an illicit lifestyle to keep up with their drug habit. Cocaines influence leads a user to stealing from family, friends and even employers. The lifestyle of addicts becomes as corrupt as the organizations that produce and supply the product. Cocaines addiction has two sides: the love of the high and the love of the money. The US Government has estimated that cocaine trafficking takes nearly $80 billion a year out of our economy. In 1990, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) estimated about 20 Colombian organizations controlled most of Americas cocaine supply. Annual revenues of the Colombian drug trade have been estimated to be 5 billion dollars. The drug cartels existing today control every phase of the drug trafficking business. They manufacture, transport, distribute, and finance cocaine. Like many large corporations, the business involves bankers, accountants, and lawyers, wholesalers and retailers. More special to this business the cartel payroll also includes chemists, pilots and enforcers of security (www.drugs.indiana.edu). The cartels are structured in layers, at the center is the cartel manager or kingpin. Information shared among the members of the cartel is highly secularized. Only a choice few are privy to all the workings of the cartel. Those employees holding positions in the outer layers of the organization (the lawyers, accountants, bankers, and enforcers) reap the financial benefits of serving their bosses but are strictly put on a need to know basis. Cartels operating in the United States are referred to as cells which are self contained organized units. The Medillin Cartel was the first known, successful cartel of cocaine  traffickers coming from Colombia. It was established in 1978 and lead by Carlos Lehder. It used violence and intimidation to stay one step ahead of the justice system. The cartel bribed police officers with money or threatened them with death if they did not honor the cartel and look the other way when they did business. The Medellin Cartel was taken down in March of 1984. Carlos Lehder was arrested in 1987, tried in the United States and sentenced to 135 years without the possibility of parole. George Jungs, the Medillin Cartels American contact, testimony against Lehder assured his conviction. In the 1990s, on the heels of the Medillin, came the Cali Cartel. They are responsible for 70-80 percent of the cocaine coming into the United States and 90 percent of that entering Europe. Instead of violence and intimidation like their counter parts, the Cali operated their business using a subtle approach. Law enforcement has had difficulty in closing the Cali operations for many reasons. Their structure is different from that of the Medillin, as is their methods of smuggling. They are much more conservative. They only sell to people they know. The home office, which is the CEO and vice presidents, coordinate the cells. The cells contact the buyers usually by cellular phone or pager and arrange the time and place to distribute the drugs. Payment is made at the second meeting. When the deal is done, the home office is contacted and accurate records are kept by both (www.awesomestories.com). While the Colombians may monopolize the cocaine market, there are similar organizations in other countries. The Triads and Tongs of China, La Compania of Cuba, and the Yakuza of Japan are some other major drug trafficking organizations. They have successfully invested into legitimate American business. The one thing they all have in common: United States of America as a client base (www.cocainefacts.com). Cocaine touches many people on a variety of levels. It can completely change a persons personality, for the worse. It spins a web of deceit and destruction. Physically and mentally the drug tricks you from recognizing reality. Euphoria tricks you into believing that the high is good, all the while the time bomb is ticking. Blowing up your mind is just a matter of time. Works Cited Bailey, William J. Factline on Cocaine. 1995: Heller, Matthew. Addicted to Love. Los Angeles Magazine. Sept. 1999. No Author Given. No Author Given.

Principles of Human Resource Management

Principles of Human Resource Management 1. Introduction I will attempt to explain, research, apply the knowledge to my organisation make recommendations, and provide new knowledge for the following five key learning points: A company/business cannot grow without, until its leaders grow within  [3]  , The key to retention of the right people is role sculpting, Mentoring is not coaching, The rate at which an organisation learns may become the only sustainable source of competitive advantage  [4]  , and Diversity is inclusivity. 2. Key Learning Points 2.a) Key Learning Point A company/business cannot grow without, until its leaders grow within  [5]   Synthesis The premise of John Maxwells statement and this key learning point is that leaders growth precedes company growth and the companys growth is directly related to that of its leaders growth. Leaders growth is also be extended to growth of managers and employees, creation of a learning organization. Research Research on this key learning point indicates the following process to grow the business by growing its leaders: Creating a climate for potential leaders  [6]  , The environment has to be conducive for change, an environment in which people will excel, an environment which will automatically produce individual growth and therefore company growth, and most importantly of all, a positive environment. Identifying potential leaders  [7]  , The right person for the job has to be selected that has / will have the ability to influence people to achieve company goals. This is not an easy task. The potential downside is if the wrong person is hired you are committed and reversing the decision is costly is all respects. Nurturing potential leaders  [8]  , According to John C Maxwell, nurturing is not only about rewarding with money / shares etc. but its also about changing the person life by believing in them, encouraging them, sharing with them and trusting them  [9]   Equipping potential leaders  [10]  , The person is given the given the ongoing training they require for their current roles and responsibilities Developing potential leaders  [11]  , The person is given the given the ongoing development they require for the position with the focus being gearing up for the future. Coaching potential leaders  [12]  , The employee is equipped, empowered in their current roles and responsibilities Realizing the value to and from potential leaders  [13]  . Harnessing the growth in the employees to achieve company growth. It is important that the growth is perpetuated throughout the organization, a learning culture. Application Our business is a family owned property development, construction and property investment business. It grew organically to a point where an executive management team was appointed (sourced internally externally) to take the business forward, as the owners felt that they did not have the skills to do so. This management team has had the necessary training. Development is currently being undertaken by WBS MAP and a mentorship program; however, this is in reality a coaching program. The following issues have been identified: Learning / growth is only happening at an executive management level and not below, The owners are battling to let go. This creates uncertainty in the executive management team and is not a positive environment conducive to change, Nurturing has taken place but trust remains an issue, and Coaching has taken place albeit under the guise of mentorship. The following are the recommendations: A learning culture should be created throughout the organization, For learning and change to take place, confidence is needed in the executive management team. This will require the owners to let go and trust in their appointees, Systems, procedures together with levels of authority are required for decision making to alleviate the trust issue, and A properly structured mentorship program is required. New Knowledge We need to develop and surround ourselves with leaders as we are only as good as those that report to us. This will form the basis of a very good team. Doing this will enhance our effectiveness by creating leverage through staff. This will enable us to drive the strategies of the organisation. 2. Key Learning Points (contd) 2.b) Key Learning Point The key to retention of the right people is role sculpting Synthesis Retaining the right people (talent war) for the right position and employee mobility is a worldwide problem as people below the age of 35 years move jobs every 5 years and in South Africa every 2.5 years  [14]  . Job sculpting is the art of matching people to roles that allows: 1) Their deeply imbedded life interests, 2) Their abilities, and 3) Their values. This is expressed in work satisfaction and commitment, and leads to growth and success.  [15]   Research Business environments are continually changing and consequently the role of the employee needs to follow suit. Strategically and using the HR Database, a GAP analysis is performed of where we are now versus where we want to be. A decision is then made as to the role of the employee (with employee engagement and employee consent [positive buy-in]). Implementation is then planned and executed. It is a given and of paramount importance that career management and career development have and are still taking place. It is also a given that the right person, at the right time, with the right complimentary talents is required. Once again this comes from the HR Database. It is also a given that Role description and role specification are required. The sculpted role is then monitored through performance management. Application Role sculpting does not exist within the organisation for which I work. Retention of talent is done by paying above market salaries and talent mobility has not been a problem since the world economic crisis started in 2008. GAP analyses are performed resulting in changed employee roles, however employee consultation requires attention. Strategies are effective executed but there is need for a HR Database. There is also a need for career management and career development have and are still taking place. Role description and role specification are done. The new role is monitored through performance management. New Knowledge The retention of the RIGHT people is hugely important due to the skills shortages being experienced in the country. What I have found personally is that skills available out there have become more expensive than the existing skills we have bought over the past 3 to 5 years. What Im raising here is that companies are paying above market salaries for an average skill due to the shortage thereof. Staffing and retention of staff has become challenging and complex, hence the importance of the key to retention of the right people is role sculpting. 2. Key Learning Points (contd) 2.c) Key Learning Point Mentoring is not coaching Synthesis Mentoring IS NOT the same coaching as is often confused by organizations. Mentoring is voluntary process focusing on relationships, guidance and advice. The outcome of mentoring is EMPOWERMENT. A mentor does not teach. Coaching is a compulsory process with the focus on teaching within the employees roles and responsibilities. The outcome of coaching is TRANSFORMATION. A coach teaches. Mentoring and coaching form part of training and development and both build peoples confidence through their successes. Research Per the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Development), London, surveys  [16]  the use of mentoring and coaching as part of a broader HR personal developmental tool is on the increase, with 72% of companies surveyed using mentoring and 63% using coaching. The use of mentoring and coaching is used as part of a broader HR personal developmental tool. Mentoring refers to a developmental relationship with a more experienced expert and a less experienced (and usually younger) protà ©gà ©. The use of the term coaching on the other hand (as in the art of coaching people) has its origins in English traditional university cramming in the mid 19th Century.  [17]   Per an article written by Jo Lamb on 24 April 2008, Workplace Coaching and Mentoring, Exploring the Key Differences to Maximise Personal Development  [18]  , Mentoring and coaching are similar in light of enabling employees (therefore employers) to try and gain full potential by leverage with the employee. However, the fundamental differences are 1) Timing mentoring does not have a time frame and can go on indefinitely (even through career changes) but coaching does have a very specific time frame, 2) Experience and qualifications mentors are experienced in the field they are mentoring in whereas coaches are not necessarily experienced in this field, and 3) Focus in mentoring is not as specific as that of coaching. The success of the coaching and mentoring programs were questioned as they were more often than not left to managers who did not always have the time and sometimes ability to see the process through to fruition. I dont necessarily agree with the fundamental timing difference 1) above as mentors within an organisation are bound by time. You could however have an outside mentor who could mentor you across many employments. I also dont agree with experience and qualification in 2) above. My opinion is that this is the reverse; coaches have specific knowledge whereas mentors may have specific knowledge but the mentoring takes place on a generalist level and specific job knowledge is not required. Application Mentoring takes place within the organization for which I work, but I feel that the mentors were not properly trained. This was key to the process not working as intended. There was only one mentor for each mentee and confidentiality was an issue. Coaching does take place, but it is ad hoc and informal. There is a need for coaching to be formalized. New Knowledge There is an ongoing argument that mentoring and coaching can be viewed as the same within training and development. I do however feel that the mentoring is empowering and coaching is transforming. The biggest downfall of mentoring and coaching programs is the whether they take place correctly, or if at all (monitoring and feedback sessions would be required, and whether the coaches and mentors are properly qualified to mentor and coach respectively. 2. Key Learning Points (contd) 2.d) Key Learning Point The rate at which an organisation learns may become the only sustainable source of competitive advantage  [19]   Synthesis (15) Research (30) Application (30) New Knowledge (20) 2. Key Learning Points (contd) 2.e) Key Learning Point Diversity is inclusivity Synthesis (15) Research (30) Application (30) New Knowledge (20)

Themes in The Crucible Essay -- Essay on The Crucible

Themes in The Crucible In the crucible Arthur Miller takes the chilling story of the Salem witch hunt in 1692 and combines it with the issues of McCarthyism in the 1950s. The play reflects Miller’s ideas and opinions about McCarthyism and what he thinks are the similarities to the Salem witch hunts. Proctor is the main character Millers uses to reflect the unfairness of the Salem and McCarthy trials and how the truth died in the 1950s. This makes Proctor’s role very dramatic and exciting. Miller also uses a dramatic licence to make this even more so – adding the love to Elizabeth and guilt about Abigail gives the story an intriguing twist. The whole nature of Proctor makes him an exciting and complex character; as a result this makes him entertaining to the audience and his complexity keeps the audience enthralled throughout the play. His personality is not boring or simple. He has a quick temper and is often angry, it seems he can’t control his feelings. â€Å"[turning on her, rifle in hand] I will curse her hotter than the oldest cinder in hell.† This has the effect of exciting the audience and adds interest (not to mention tension with this particular line) but this line can have the effect of making Proctor look like a bad person. Alternatively it could suggest that Proctor is human and has his faults, the audience would sympathise with this. Inside Proctor lacks self confidence, he was shamed when he had an affair with Abigail. Proctor shows this when he says, â€Å"I may blush for my sin†, this line give the audience the impression that John realises that the affair was wrong, that is was a sin and he regrets it. It also implies that he hasn’t forgiven himself for what he did with Abigail and he still ... ... relevance to them. John Proctor is the character which the audience relate to and have opinions about the most. They see him fight although he stands to loose everything and admire his courage. They see him battle against himself to sign a confession or tell the truth about Abigail and respect his conviction. They see him become almost a martyr or tragic hero as he dies for his belief in the truth and his pride in his name. These things add drama, excitement, structure and interest to the plot of the Crucible. He has a fatal flaw, whether it be his pride, attraction to Abigail or trust in Elizabeth, but this means the audience can relate to him. The Crucible is a story of Proctor’s personal tragedy but it also a story of the Salem witch hunt, and of McCarthyism. Miller strikes a balance between these things to get the plot which makes up the Crucible.

The Use of Humour in The Opposite Sex. :: English Literature

Discuss the use of humour in The Opposite Sex. The Opposite Sex is a small story, which although diminuitive in length, fits its' purpose well as a humourous short read. The use of language, the portrayal of certain images and the dexterous use of imagery in literary terms such as similies are all well within place in the story- all contributing to the laughable effect that it has upon its' readers. I believe that 'The Opposite Sex' is set and based on the times that the writer Laurie Lee had when he was a young boy. This helps to link the story into modern age circumstances, that although it has been a few years since Lee was a young boy, as proven in my Julius Caesar essay, human nature does not change. Therefore the reader finds it easier to relate to. The story is written very informally, rather like a 'chatty' style, this helps to create a better link between the writing and the reader themselves. This is shown in the very first line of 'The Opposite Sex'. Only six words in, the word 'sex'is used. To many this would be shocking, but also a small pointer in the direction of an exciting read. When Lee describes how his life was as open as a 'cucumber frame' and that sex to him was a 'constant force like the national grid', we begin to see his imaginative use of similies, which are used well by Lee to create good humourous effect. One of the funniest parts from the story follows, as Lee describes how he felt about sex, using lots of tricky similies and using the comparison between sex and a 'game of cricket'. 'After years of lazily inspecting the pitch, came when I was suddenly called to play'. This shows that Lee had been concious of sex for a long time, but his burst for it had only just emerged as he was 'called to play'. He then writes- 'There had of course, been early practice at the nets, some of it solitary..". I found this particular extraction from the story very humourous, as Lee is using such phallic symbols as these, which is paving the way for the reader to imagine what he's actually getting it, so therefore it would apply to everybody's sense of humour. Then he writes, '..the occasion arrived when I actually stood at the crease, bat in hand, ready to strip the willow'. I also found this particular part very amusing, as mentioned before, I can imagine what he's getting at here. It's a clever use of a set of phallic symbols which serve to take place of any crude language and also help to add

Cheaper by the Dozen :: Free Essay Writer

Cheaper by the Dozen â€Å" Cheaper by the Dozen†, based on a real-life story of the Gilbreth family, is a fantastic book. This hilarious comedy about a family with a dozen children kept me in stitches until the end! This family, run like a well oiled machine, took me on Sunday rides through the country, battles in the family court, summers at the sea, Father’s theories on motion study, and the economic removal of the whole families tonsils. I loved it! I find it truly amazing. Not only did the family boast twelve children, but they all learned to speak foreign languages, touch typing, mental arithmetic, and even Morse Code- all because their father worked out dozens of ingenious ways to motivate them- although often it was quite reluctantly on their part. I had many laugh out loud moments, and at times would have enjoyed being a part of this large and loving family, or perhaps raising one of my own in the same manner†¦imagine that! It probably could never happen. I can’t imagine living with twelve brothers and sisters and getting along! Actually, I would not call it getting along; I would call it survival, by jimgo! The Gilbreth family of twelve red-haired, freckle-faced children parented by efficiency experts and pioneers in the field of motion study, Lillian and Frank, were a bit eccentric and extremely funny. I can still remember one of the lines a child blurted out at the dinner table â€Å"Please, we are NOT in the mood for an organ recital.† This was the standard reprimand for belching in the family and never intended for public airing. I also enjoyed the part when one of the children said to a dinner guest, â€Å"Is this of general interest?† Although these twelve children were highly disciplined by their father, (mother, for the most part, would just agree with father) in a couple instances they were able to catch father off guard, like when the children would continually ask him â€Å"Father can you touch type?† â€Å"No,† he would reply, â€Å"but I can teach it!† Nothing was considered more of a sin than wasting valuable time, that is why the father, Frank timed himself trying to go as fast as he possible can with almost everything. Every movement of everyday must be functional. He timed himself buttoning his shirt to see which way was faster, top-bottom, or bottom-top. He timed himself shaving to see which way took longer, using to brushes to apply the shaving cream, or one.

Reasons for inefficiency in monopolies Essay

1 Reasons for inefficiency in monopolies 1. 1 Monopolies and pricing A monopoly prices its products where marginal costs meet marginal revenues to maximise profits. Due to the fact that this price is higher than the market price in perfect competition, many consumers are not able or willing to buy at the higher price. This deadweight loss is an allocative inefficiency. Figure 1: Pricing in monopolies and perfect competition The consumer surplus in perfect competition is 1+2+4, and the producer surplus is 3+5. The consumer surplus in a monopoly is 1, the producer surplus is 2+3, and the deadweight loss is 4+5. 1. 2 Monopolies and productive efficiency In theory, a monopoly does not have to be less (productive) efficient than perfect competition. In reality, however, almost all monopolies tend to be inefficient. This may be for the following reasons: 1. 2. 1 Pressure for productive efficiency In perfect competition the price within an industry is determined by the market, or in other words, by demand and supply. Profit maximisation is achieved where the marginal cost curve intersects the demand curve (see figure 1). This means that in perfect competition, the company maximises its profit at the minimum point of its average cost curve. A company in a perfectly competitive environment tries, therefore, to be as efficient as possible in order to meet the minimum average cost. This causes a lot of pressure to achieve productive efficiency. A company in a monopolistic environment is able to change not only its cost, but also its prices. There is far less pressure for productive efficiency. 1. 2. 2 Diseconomies of scale A monopoly may increase its output to the point where it exceeds the minimum point of cost on its long-run average total cost curve. In this case, diseconomies of scale occur. 1. 2. 3 X-inefficiency. In perfect competition, X-inefficiency of one market participant will have almost no influence on the market and the market price. X-inefficiencies in a monopoly increase cost and, therefore, price. X-inefficiencies are more likely in monopolies because there is no benchmark to monitor the performance of management and less pressure from shareholders and markets. 1. 2. 4 Principal Agent There are no benchmarks and most shareholders and regulators do not have the insight into the company to evaluate management. 1. 2. 5 Case study: Deutsche Post AG (DPAG), Germany. The privatisation of most regulatory monopolies during the last few decades shows that competition decreases costs: Figure 2: Deutsche Post AG: Postal items delivered and employees (FTE) 1999-2005 The Deutsche Post AG lost its monopoly on the delivery of letters over 100 grams in 1998 and on the delivery of letters between 50-100 grams in 2005. From 1999- 2005, employees were reduced by 16% despite the fact that the total number of items delivered increased by over 3%. This means that during the monopoly the DPAG had a lower productive efficiency, delivering fewer items with more people and higher costs.

Capricious traffic police Essay

A few days ago, while I was returning to Dhaka from Comilla, one of my friends called me in my mobile and wanted to know where I was. Right on that time I was in Kaanchpur Bridge. I told him that I was in Comilla. The thing is that was not untrue in the sense that it took 4 hours to reach Jatrabari, a time more than enough to reach Dhaka from Comilla. I knew this would happen and the confidence stemmed from the constant and horrible national Jatrabari gridlock. Gulistan-Jatrabari 10 kilometre flyover construction has not been completed yet which was supposed to end in December, 2012. This giant construction narrowed the passage for vehicles. Besides, the traffic police are also reckless in their duties and are completely failing to handle this gridlock. They make it even worse by letting the vehicles move disorderly. If it takes 3-4 hours to reach Saidabad from Kaanchpur, what the hell city are we living in? People who face this unbearable congestion in 8-9 pm have to wait until it is 1 am to reach Saidabad. The pick pockets and hijackers do roam right in that time exposing the passengers to vulnerable criminal attack. Moreover, it is hard to find a public transport then. How horrible this scenario is! The trucks with heavy consignments from Chittagong and the busses from south-eastern districts with passengers blend here in this narrow passage. Any bypass road hasn’t been there to ease the gridlock which is supposed to be when a flyover like this happens in a city area. The timeline provided by LGRD ministry to have the flyover finished has exceeded and we keep suffering. How long will it continue?

Philip Anderson

Which of the investment alternative: Provides the highest returns to the client? Provides the highest profits to Stuart&Co.? In order to find the right result for each question, I suppose the client of each situation will invest $10,000. I will make a lot of calculations to support my opinion. The process listed as Exhibit1, Exhibit2 and Exhibit 3. Both Alternative A and C will provide the highest returns to the client depending on the period of investment. In this case, A has the highest investment return (See Exhibit 3). In this situation, ending redeemable value (ERV=P (1+T) n) and gain on investment are higher than B and C.Other than that, the cost of investment (Cost investment = Initial payment+ Total Load or Commission) is lower than B and C. So, the ROI (ROI= (Gain on investment + Cost of investment)/cost of investment) is higher than B and C. This is because A has the highest initial payments, but B and C need to take the load out from the same initial payments. Moreover, A has a lower management fee. Instead, B has a higher load and management fee; C has a higher load. Alternative B will provide higher profits to Stuart & Co (See Exhibit 2). In this situation, the total profit of Stuart & Co. s the sum of load or commission and management fee. B is higher than A and C. This is because B requires paying load or commission at 5% to purchase. Besides, B has a high percentage management fee. 2. Which alternative should the top management of Stuart & Co. want Philip to recommend to his client? Is the company’s control system designed to ensure that choice? (The case mentions several measures used to reward the branch managers). I think alternative B is what the top management wants because it will bring the maximum profit for the company.The company’s control system is not designed to ensure this choice. For example, the company emphasis on† developing and nurturing profitable relationship with as many clients as possible, and the speci fic products and service sold to clients should be dictated by the needs of those clients. † Obviously, B is not the one which should be dictated needs of clients because clients are pursuing high ROI. At the beginning of this investment, clients need to pay 5% of his initial payment (P) to company for load or commission, which reduces his initial payment.Also, B has the lowest average annual total return (T). During the same length period, lowest P and T will cause the lowest ending redeemable value (ERV). Besides, B has the highest investment cost. Therefore, B’s ROI is lower than A and C. 3. If Philip recommends the highest profit choice (for the company), is he acting unethically? From the perspective of the company, he is acting ethically. This is because maximizing company’s profit is company’s ultimate goal. On one hand, Philip has helped his clients make profit from their investment.On the other side, he helps his company to achieve highest profit. It is the ideal result of company’s control system. Therefore, he is doing an excellent job at his position. It is ethical. However, from the perspective of clients, he is not acting ethically. Clients hope their investment advisor can help them to achieve highest ROI. This means they want higher gain on investment and lower cost of investment, which just conflicts with company’s benefit. So if Philip did not consider clients’ benefit but just focus on company’s benefit, his acting is unethical.

Analysis of the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth Essay

Lady Macbeth is a complex and intriguing character – she presents various elements in her character, often surprising us with sudden turns of personality. This reflects with Macbeth and her, causing various changes in their relationship – drawing them both closer together, and pushing them away from one another. When we first meet Lady Macbeth in Act One, Scene 5, she is reading Macbeths letter. This is the letter that openly tells word for word what happened and what the witches told Macbeth. He obviously had no hesitation in being so open with his wife, which is notable. Straight away, Lady Macbeth takes from the letter her own interpretation, saying that she knows that Macbeth must now kill Duncan so that he can be King as the witches have said, but she also analyses his nature from the letter, fearing that he will be too good natured to carry it out. This suggests that she knows at this point that she is going to have to persuade him. As the scene progresses, an Attendant comes in and tells Lady Macbeth that the King is on his way to the castle to stay with them. Once he leaves, Lady Macbeth is speaking as if she is ultimately sure that this murder will go ahead. But she is fully aware that it is going to be emotionally very difficult to go through with, and she calls upon evil spirits to assist her murderous plans. â€Å"Come, you spirits, That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here And fill me from crown to the toe top full Of direst cruelty;† She does not want to have any human emotion within her, as she knows that that will cause her to possibly back down and not go through with her plans, so she begs that she lose her inner feelings of conscience; â€Å"Stop th’access and passage to remorse That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose nor keep peace between Th’effect of it.† At this point Macbeth enters she greets him with notions of future greatness, almost as if she is already beginning to tempt him with her ideas of murdering Duncan. She urges him to keep a welcoming look on his face when the others arrive, so as not to give away their deadly intentions. At the end of the scene Lady Macbeth gives him words of comfort by telling him not to worry, she will take care of things. Even that small gesture goes to show how controlling she likes to be, especially of this situation. The next scene that Lady Macbeth appears in is Act 1, Scene 6, where she has a brief appearance. She comes in simply to welcome Duncan with elaborate courtesy, almost over the top in her greeting. She is obviously making every effort to lull Duncan into a false sense of security. She also makes notable reference to the loyalty, obedience, and their gratefulness for his past honours to Macbeth and herself. This is a perfect example of the sort of open lying and falsehood that seems to come easy to Lady Macbeth. She has no trouble with coming out with any sort of lies so that her plans may run smoothly. This is evident of her character throughout the play. The next scene Lady Macbeth is in, Act 1, scene 7, is when she comes in straight after a monologue from Macbeth where he is struggling with his conscience. Now he has been left to his own thoughts for a while, he has began to think back to all the times that Duncan has helped and honoured him, and is quickly coming up with more and more reasons against going ahead with the murder. Once Lady Macbeth enters, Macbeth tells her that he is now not going to go through with it and Lady Macbeth reacts very negatively. She immediately accuses him of not loving her, claiming that if he did then he would go through with it. â€Å"From this time Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own act and valour, As thou Art in desire ? This is blatant emotional blackmail, but when Macbeth doesn’t back down, she quickly gets more and more harsh with her words. She borders on over dramatic, while maintaining every sense of meaning what she says, (which in itself is debatable). She says that Macbeth is no man if he is to break such a promise. This reference of not being manly is also used later, by Macbeth himself, when he accuses the two murderers of not being real men, but dogs. â€Å"What beast was’t then That made you break this enterprise to me ? When you durst do it, then you were a man. And to be more than what you were, you would- Be so much more the man.† She then speaks the worst reference of all-she tells Macbeth that she would rather brutally kill her own child than to break such a promise. â€Å"I have given suck and know, How tender ’tis to love a babe that milks me: I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn As you have done to this.† All of her words are pure shock tactics, attempting to make Macbeth feel awful for even thinking of disagreeing with her. And, just as she wants, he breaks and agrees to carry on with their plot. She reassures him that it will all go smoothly, and she will drug the guards, so that they can later be blamed for the deed. Again, she is reassuring Macbeth, and he is taking in everything she tells him. This is commonplace in their relationship, with what we have seen of the couple so far. The next scene our Lady appears in is Act 2, scene 2. Lady Macbeth has drugged the bodyguards as she stated she would, and is waiting on Macbeths return from killing Duncan. She is exhilarated with excitement but fears that the murder has not been gone through with. However soon after the scene begins, Macbeth returns, bloody daggers in hand. He tells her that he has in fact killed Duncan, but is distraught. He is obsessed by his inability to say ‘Amen’ after his cruel deed had been done. He is also transfixed by a voice that he had heard, crying that he has murdered sleep and would never sleep again. â€Å"Still it cried, ‘Sleep no more’ to all the house; ‘Glamis hath murdered sleep’, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more: Macbeth shall sleep no more.† Lady Macbeth in her usual non-sympathising way dismisses his hallucinations and orders him to put the daggers back by the guards. â€Å"†Who was it, thus cried? Why, worthy thane, You do unbend your noble strength to think So brain-sickly of things. Go and get some water And wash this filthy witness from your hand. Why did you bring these daggers from your place? They must lie there. Go carry them and smear The sleepy grooms with Blood. Macbeth, changing his usual role in the relationship, refuses! â€Å"Ill go no more I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on’t again, I dare not. Lady Macbeth seems a little taken aback, but bossily takes the daggers to put them back herself. She leaves Macbeth to his own thoughts. A knocking sound frightens the already very fragile-minded Macbeth, and on Lady Macbeth’s almost immediate return, she tells him to pull himself together, and smoothly plans an alibi. This scene is another clear cut example of Lady Macbeths dominant role in her and her husbands relationship. It seems Macbeth’s strength in life is found within Lady Macbeth. And Lady Macbeth herself feeds on this. So this situation is a fantastic opportunity for each of the two to show how they in their own way depend on one another. The next scene Lady Macbeth appears in, is at a climax point when Duncan is found dead. When Lady Macbeth enters, she is told of the news, and she, smooth as silk, acts suitably shocked at the ‘news’. This would have been substantial enough, but then when Macbeth re-enters to tell them all that he has killed the two guards, Lady Macbeth attempts to take the attention from him, by fainting. Of course, this as planned takes eyes away from Macbeth, and the moment is broken. Some might say however, that at this point Lady Macbeth is acting of rather high suspicion from being so overly-dramatic. But we have to assume that they are already so distraught about Duncan, and still so wrapped up in all of the goings on, that they miss this-which of course suits Lady Macbeth down to the ground! 2 scenes later, when Lady Macbeth next appears, Act 3, scene 1, she is now heralded as Queen. She only has presence there for 3 short lines, but essentially helps Macbeth to invite Banquo to that evenings banquet, and again is almost overly welcoming, which might, looked at in other eyes, look again rather suspicious. The next scene that Lady Macbeth appears in is Act 3, Scene 2. The scenes between her appearance and this one, show Macbeth hiring murderers to kill Banquo. This is a massive pivotal step for Macbeth, as he is clearly taking matters into his own hands rather than relying upon his Lady. He is however still very wound up about the murder and what has gone on. This reflects into Lady Macbeth, as in this scene she is shown to be rather troubled at this point, because Macbeth is still utterly distraught at what has gone on. She advises him not to brood at what has gone on, but this makes little difference. This may be because he is simply too upset to notice her help, but may also be because he is ceasing to listen to her so much. Macbeth then goes on to talk about how he even envies the peace that Duncan has now that he is dead! It was certainly not part of Lady Macbeth’s plan for Macbeth to get so upset, and I don’t think she’s quite sure how to handle it! Then however, Macbeth turns his attentions to telling his wife to pay special attentions to Banquo that night at the banquet. He hints darkly to her of dark deeds going ahead that night. This is almost teasing her with information-he knows that she thrives on being the one in control and is almost lavish with his words. At this, Lady Macbeth says nothing, but we can but imagine how she would be feeling to have the notion that Macbeth is doing things without her guidance or leadership. The next scene she is in is Act 3 Scene 4. Banquo has now been killed by Macbeths hired murderers. This scene is the all important banquet scene. It is a banquet held by Macbeth and his Lady, to welcome all of the lords under him, and essentially to try and impress them so that they will support him. Therefore it is undoubtedly very important for everything to go well. The very beginning of the scene shows Macbeth welcoming them all, and inviting them to sit down. The murderers then enter to inform him of Banquo’s death, and Fleance’s escape. Macbeth is distressed at the news of Fleance’s escape, but soon consoles himself that Fleance is too young to do any harm. Then, Banquo’s ghost appears, and sits in Macbeths seat. Lennox urges him to sit down with them, but Macbeth denies that there is space for him to sit down. A small discussion takes place in which they are all urging Macbeth to sit down, and Macbeth continues to deny there is space! He then becomes increasingly upset, and accuses the Lords of putting Banquo’s ghost there. Sensing that there will be trouble, Lady Macbeth intervenes and tries to calm the situation, and the confused Lords, by telling them that Macbeth is having a momentary lapse, and not to encourage him as it will upset him further; â€Å"Sit, worthy friends. My lord is often thus, And hath been from his youth. Pray you, keep seat. The fit is momentary; upon a thought He will again be well. If much you note him You shall offend him and extend his passion. Feed, and regard him not.† She then turns to Macbeth and uses a past used expression of, â€Å"Are you a man?!† He answers that he is, and much alike to her character, dismisses him just as she has done so often before when Macbeth shows weakness. Macbeth tells her to look at the ghost, as he is seeing already, and then tries to ‘talk’ to the ghost! This shows how certain he is that Banquo’s ghost is there. The Ghost then leaves the room, and while still maintaining that he saw Banquo’s ghost, Macbeth broods for a short time on how the dead return. He then seems to settle himself, and apologises to his guests before proposing a toast of general good health to them all, and to Banquo. At this point, the situation seems to have been salvaged but then the Ghost re-enters and once again and Macbeth explodes into violent language, through obvious sheer fear. Lady Macbeth attempts to reassure the guests in between his outbursts. â€Å"Think of this, good peers, But as a thing of custom. ‘Tis no other, Only it spoils the pleasure of the time.† But as Macbeth rants on, terrified, she realises she is losing control of the situation, and makes a last bid of control by ordering the Lords to leave. â€Å"I pray you speak not; he grows worse and worse. Question enrages him. At once, good night. Stand not upon the order of your going, But go at once.† The Lords leave, while Macbeth broods on murder, and the general unnaturalness. Lady Macbeth does little to stop him, which suggests that she is finally at a loss of what to do. It is evident that she has lost control of him at this point. Macbeth vows that he will go and see the witches and will go by anything they tell him from now onwards. This may seem simple to Macbeth, but must be difficult for Lady Macbeth, as this is yet another blatant turn away from her control and guidance. She tells him to go to bed, not even commenting on his choice to go to the witches instead of her. After this scene, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth do not appear in any more scenes together. Macbeth most definitely continues to take the lead in the relationship, which is a complete and utter turn around from what we were seeing at the beginning of the play. Macbeths and his Lady’s relationship was based almost entirely on the fact that he depended on her completely, trusting her with everything. She in turn depended on him, as her role in their relationship purely was to guide and dominate Macbeth. This had worked perfectly fine until the point when they killed Duncan. This was a pivotal point in the play, because after Macbeth had gone through with the murder he, through his own decision and means, went and killed the guards. This was not part of Lady Macbeths structured plan, and this was his first break away from her regulation. From that point, Macbeth rapidly began to break away from Lady Macbeths domineering side, and started doing things for himself, notably when he arranged for Fleance and Banquo to be killed. As the play progresses it was evident that Macbeth was speedily becoming a much stronger, more brutal, and perhaps most significantly, self dependant. And as a direct result, Lady Macbeth faded out in her dominance and general persona. The next scene that Lady Macbeth appears in is much later in the play, which is Act 5, scene 1. She hasn’t even been mentioned during this time, let alone by Macbeth. The scene begins with a waiting-gentlewoman and a doctor. The Gentlewoman is telling the Doctor that she is concerned, as Lady Macbeth has been frequently been sleepwalking. He asks her what she has been saying all the while she has been sleepwalking, and she refuses to tell him. However at that point Lady Macbeth herself enters, sleepwalking, and he finds out for himself. She is seemingly rubbing her hands, which the Doctor enquires about. Then, Lady Macbeth speaks; â€Å"Yet here’ a spot† So the two onlookers listen to her words. â€Å"Out damned spot! Out, I say! One. Two. Why then ’tis time to do’t. Hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie, a soldier, and afeard ? What need we fear ? Who knows it, when none can call our power to account? Yet who would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him?† And then; â€Å"The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now ? What will these ne’er be clean? No more o’that, my lord, no more’that. You mar all this starting.† The Doctor and Gentlewoman at this point comment that they know that she has spoken of what she has not. She has basically just told them that she knows and was involved in murder. And still, she continues; â€Å"Here’s the smell of blood still; all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. O, O, O.† The doctor and gentlewoman are somewhat shocked at her words and state that her heart is heavily burdened. The Doctor says that, â€Å"This disease is beyond my practise†, meaning that he cannot heal her saddened heart. And then Lady Macbeth speaks again; â€Å"Wash your hands, out on your nightgown, look not so pale. I tell you yet again, Banquo’s buried; he cannot come out on’s grave.† And then; â€Å"To bed, to bed; theres a knocking at the gate. Come, come, come, come, give me your hand; what’s done cannot be undone. To bed, to bed, to bed.† And then she leaves. Her last few words are the words she told Macbeth when he was so unsure of himself and was upset at what they had done. When she repeats them at this point, it is almost as if she is reassuring herself as she speaks, rather than just going over it, which is interesting. It is obvious that now that it has finally hit Lady Macbeth the extent of what has been happening. It has finally occurred to her also, how much she has lost control. And this is literally killing her. The Doctor and Gentlewoman do not want to comment on what they have heard, for fear of what has been said. The scene ends with the Doctor being bid goodnight by the gentlewoman, as he goes to find Macbeth and tell him of his diagnosis. When Macbeth, 2 scenes later, is told that Lady Macbeth is irreparably unwell, he simply dismisses medicine and even suggestively dismisses the Doctor himself, while asking for his armour. He is only now thinking of himself. That is clear. He has no feelings of care or love for his once doted upon wife and instead can only think of himself and what is going on around him in regards to the attack. In Act5, scene 5, Macbeth is told of Lady Macbeth’s inevitable death. If at any point much earlier in their relationship Macbeth had been given such news, he would undoubtedly have been distraught. It would have been of great loss to him. But here, not so. Instead, he selfishly twists the news into some sort of extra ‘problem’ or ‘hassle’ to him. He sees it as another bad thing that has happened in his life. He shows no sadness, and instead is filled with feelings of resentment that it should just be yet another downfall in his life. This shows just how bad their relationship has got. It has got to the point where Macbeth is literally only looking out for one person, and one person only- himself. He has no further need for a wife, and so feels no grief at her death, and instead reflects on life’s futility; â€Å"Out, out, brief candle, Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury. Signifying nothing.† As we have followed Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship, various changes have occurred, which in turn have all ricocheted down the line towards Lady Macbeths death, and then eventually Macbeths own death. Macbeth took first steps towards less dependence when he went and killed the guards. This was not an apparent part of Lady Macbeths plan, and this unsettled her. But still she took charge of the situation by fainting, to draw away attention from his unintended actions. Then, he took further steps by arranging Banquo and Fleance to be murdered, and then Macduff’s family. Most importantly in it all, Macbeth did not tell Lady Macbeth of his actions. Instead he teased her with the notion of his plots and plans, leaving her ponder. He most probably enjoyed this mockery of his wife, as it was a large statement in their relationship, which once had been based on his dependence. He continues after all this to keep breaking away from her. He stops telling her his thoughts and plans entirely, and in accordance to this, Lady Macbeth loses her somewhat vital status, which is essentially what she thrived on, and how was the only way to keep their relationship going in the only way she knew how. So inexorably she gets to a point when she is only left to her own thoughts which she has in the past shied away from through putting all her efforts into her husband and his welfare. Off-stage, she dies, although it is never made clear how. We are left to assume that as foreseen by the doctor she died in her bed of such a burdened heart. Alternatively she may have taken her own life, or â€Å"fallen on roman daggers†, as it described as earlier in the play. As described earlier Macbeth takes this to his own heart as another ‘fault’ in his own life, and shortly after this point is justifiably murdered himself, by Macduff, whose family Macbeth earlier killed. Earlier in the play, Lady Macbeth sums up the futility of their actions and almost a premonition of what lay ahead was summed up when she said; â€Å"Nought’s had, all’s spent Where our desire is got without content. ‘Tis safer to be that which we destroy Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.†

Why Literatura by Mario Vargas - Summury Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Why Literatura by Mario Vargas - Summury - Essay Example e computer, can replace the books and provide the readers with all the excitement, pleasure and the inherent relationship that he develops with the concerned author as well as with the characters. According to the author, while speaking at the Royal Spanish Academy, Bill Gates had even said that his ultimate goal ‘is to put an end to paper and then to books’. Is it really that easy? Llosa says that even though the technology has restructured the priority areas of human race, the relevance and importance of literature can never lose its basic essence of providing people with the opportunity of creative imagination and at the same time, help them to understand the wider scope of human psychology through the experiences of other people. The very appeal of the literature lies on the fact that it not only provides the reader with an opportunity to grow and learn but it also goes beyond the concept of time and space. One can even go so far as to say that one can actually observe the changes or evolution because we have gleaned the process of evolving times through the literature. Indeed, Homer, Socrates, Tolstoy, Shakespeare are as important a figure today as any other contemporary writers. We understand them because we can identify ourselves in their writing. Another very important aspect of literature is that it provides the human race with the means to express their deepest feeling that facilitates platform for the future generations to learn and expand on the various facet of inter-related imagery or the real life situations that directly or indirectly may have considerable impact on other people. The books can inflame the emotions of the readers and they can also be the greatest source of inspiration for those who wish to look beyond the petty selfness of racism, prejudices and religious bigotry. The author is saddened by the fact that the reading habit in people has declined drastically, though women readers have increased. According to a survey in US in

What is the best way to educate American children Essay - 1

What is the best way to educate American children - Essay Example The individualism in this response makes it clear that there is no one right answer to the question and that choice is a necessary component to any functional system of education. For instance, the standards applied to one student may clearly fail to apply to another student of significantly diminished abilities, and for the latter child, special attention may be required. However, there are many proposed answers to the question of the best means to educate in our society, and many of them require universalizing a single means touted as the most effective or most efficient in all cases. While not the best for all cases, home-based education does offer the best chance for the average student to succeed and thrive in a comfortable and beneficial learning environment. Other solutions to the problem of education, namely independent (or private) schools and traditional (or public) schools, do not offer the same kind of benefits as home-based education. Moreover, these alternative solution s are based on philosophically opposed assumptions and thereby forge a gulf through which home-based education passes through and asserts itself as the ideal solution. Home-based education is superior with respect to two intellectually significant criteria. The first is educational performance, which, as identified in Henslin (2005), is demonstrably better in homeschooled children than in their peers educated in a public school system. In a testing scenario, targeting 21,000 home schooled children who had much higher proficiency on these tests than that of students in public schools, home schooled children outperformed their public school counterparts in every meaningful category of evaluation. In this study, the students highlighted scored in the 70th and 80th percentiles, which is 10 to 20 percentage points higher than when these tests were administered to public school students (Henslin, 2005, pp. 512-13). The second criterion is moral and ethical in nature: how does the

Annotated Bibliography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Annotated Bibliography - Essay Example Clardy, A. (2008). Policies for Managing the Training and Development Function: Lessons from the Federal Government. Public Personnel Management. Vol. 37 (1):. 27+. Retrieved 13 April, 2011 from Questia. Clardy (2008) undertook a literature review on the policies of human resource development and archival data in order to determine whether the framework used by the federal government workforce could be applicable to other employment environments. He found that while they cannot be considered as a means of solving all problems in the management of training functions, they can provide a scaffold from which training can be more effectively managed and how human resource development policies can better focus, shape, and guide a company’s human resource. De Meuse, K., Hostage, T., Eau, C. & O’Neill, K. (2007). A Longitudinal Evaluation of Senior Managers' Perceptions and Attitudes of a Workplace Diversity Training Program. Human Resource Planning. Vol.30 (2): 38. Retrieved 1 3 April, 2011 from Ebscohost. This study, a pilot study undertaken within a large manufacturing company aiming to implement a new program of diversity, aimed to find out whether the training would be effective. The pilot study involved 57 mangers and senior managers across 70 locations throughout North and South America. A survey was administered a week prior and after the training and gain 3 months later. The results proved positive in terms of increased scores both directly after and further after the training, which provides a number of positive implications for diversity training of senior management. Druskat, V., Sala, F. & Mount, G. (2006). Linking Emotional Intelligence and Performance at Work: Current Research Evidence with Individuals and Groups. Mahwah, New Jersey:Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. The primary aim of this book is to provide discussion on current and leading edge research into the link between emotional intelligence and workplace performance for future researcher s and organizations and human resource departments. The main objective is to provide evidence and applied research for increasing knowledge and thus capabilities of improved workplace outcomes. Gray, R. (2007). Climate of Success: Creating the Right Organization Climate for High Performance. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Butterworth Heinemann. Gray (2007) explores the notion of organizational climate by using case studies to depict the causal links and effects of different climate issues and making recommendations on how to make improvements. He also shows how climate characteristics occur, how they impact on performance, and how managers can manipulate these characteristics and use their knowledge and understanding to benefit others as well as themselves. Grugulis, I. (2009). Skills, Training and Human Resource Development: A Response. Economic and Labour Relations Review. Vol.19 (2): 123+. Retrieved 13 April, 2011 from Questia. Grugulis’ (2009) article is a response to an earlier cri tique written by Ian Hampson (n.d) in relation to her book entitled ‘Skills, Training and Human Resource Development’. In her response Grugilis (2009) reiterates her motives for writing the book and thus the focus of her book, which was questioned by Hampson. She states that her book is intended to make academic research in human resource development (HRD) more

Integrated Reading & Writing Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Integrated Reading & Writing - Coursework Example The reason behind his suggestion is that, by supplementation a person will have tackled many issues with a single solution. One gets the vitamins yet, he or she avoids getting a cold. 6. Which of these people are cautious about it, or wish to find out more? Name them. (1.5) Sir Harris Burns is more cautious about the consumption of these supplements, and he states that there is need for a scientific consensus that is broader. He warns people that supplements in the diet can cause harm hence there is a need to wait for a study that is well randomised especially in large populations. He also wants to wait for a review conclusions of the evidence by the government of the UK scientific advisory committee on nutrition in the year 2014. He thinks that there is a need for a broader scientific consensus. In simpler the title is trying to show not only, the advantages of the vitamin pills supplementation compared to the nature intake of these vitamins. Vitamins might be very important in the body, but how does the consumption of this vitamin occur. Dietary Reference Values means the complete set of the reference values nutrient recommendations, such as population the average requirement, reference intakes, adequate levels of intake and an intake of a lower threshold. According to study, it was found out to be true for a woman to undergo a live pregnancy her partner must have taken an anti oxidant vitamin supplementation vitamin intake levels affect fertility adversely. On the second report, it is more based on why the vitamin intake is crucial and how it is used, and the effects of supplementation only it is not based on the normal intake of vitamin D unlike the first report, which clearly states the main source of vitamin D other than supplementation. The second report is more educational based on the vitamin supplementation intake thus it does not deal with one particular vitamin and it is supplementation alone. It is easily

Trifles by Susan Glaspell Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Trifles by Susan Glaspell - Research Paper Example In this paper an effort has been made to elaborate how Mrs. Peters breaks away from traditional gender roles for women of her era to take on her husband’s role as sheriff, but, in this process, seems to abandon being â€Å"married to the law† and is ultimately â€Å"loyal to her sex.† The narrowed down topic, for the purpose of this paper, is ‘crime solving.’ Does Mrs. Peters know about the evidence-based approach to investigations in crimes? Crime investigation and evidence acceptable to the law are alternative beats of the same heart. Her priority seems to narrow down on the possible perpetrator of the crime, and to achieve her purpose she is inclined to sidetrack the legal angle to start with. The asset of the woman is her sixth sense is invariably sharper as compared to men and she is in a position to guess what is swept under the carpet, in this case, by the murderer. Just as a lie repeated a thousand times from a platform takes on the garb of truth, when women are often told that they are inferior to men, their thinking capabilities are no match to that of men, they actually believe it. The line of action taken by the legal luminaries and by Mrs. Peters for investigation of the crime is different and it is in tune with their thinking. The thinking of the former is conditioned by legal requirements and as for Mrs. Peters she just wants to know the truth and she too seeks evidences that the official investigators would dismiss as trifles. Both are systematic in their approach of investigation but the domain of investigation of each one of them and their perspectives vary. The legal luminaries think that the interference of women led by Mrs. Peters in the investigation is unnecessary and not worthwhile. From the point of view of the Sheriff, kitchen is the least important place but for Mrs. Peters it is the most important place. The gender perspective of the author is clearly evident

Post Soviet Eurasia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Post Soviet Eurasia - Essay Example Speaking about the collapse of the Soviet Union, it is important to note that the its main reason was killing of established regime by the crisis, caused by the internal contradictions of the Soviet system and the inability of the Communist Party to resolve them. The end of the Soviet Union led to the ethnic and other conflicts that resulted in thousands of victims and became the cause of instant impoverishment of millions of people as well as the development of the widespread criminality and massive loss of life guidelines. The question of the Post-Soviet reality is more complicated. All former Soviet republics managed to transform themselves into the independent states, which could be hardly imagined in 1991. Today the economic situation in these areas is different. Before the beginning of the global economic crisis, almost all countries of the former Soviet Union managed to overcome deep financial default, caused by the collapse and reconstruction of all-union economy. â€Å"Most of the armed conflicts that accompanied the collapse of the Soviet Union took place in the Caucasus. The independent countries of the south – Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia – are beset by the economic problems, social unrest and territorial disputes† (King, Charles, 2008). The origins of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict lie in the events of the late 1980s, when the activation of the Georgian national movement for the independence from the Union center and the radical actions of its leaders led to a sharp deterioration of relations between Georgians and ethnic minorities (primarily, the Abkhazians and Ossetians, who had their own autonomous education and demanded to enhance their status). In 1992, South Ossetia was an independent state, with its own constitution (adopted in 1993), and state symbols. Georgian authorities continued to accept it as the Tskhinvali region, but they did not take active steps to establish control over it. In

Case study-scientific glass Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

-scientific glass - Case Study Example Similarly, the alternative of accuracy and reliability of the managers’ records should be investigated (Cannella and Ciancimino 21).The alternatives can be evaluated by for example physically counterchecking the inventory and the recorded figures. If they indicate similarity, then the records can be relied upon. Otherwise, the managers should be trained on how to keep updated records. In 2009, the cost of goods sold according to the balance sheet was $38.9 million while the inventory stood at $8.7 million. Dividing $38.9 with $8.7, the answer is 4.47 which represent the inventory turnover. Months of inventory is then obtained by dividing 365 by 4.47 is equal to 81.66. In order to get the days of inventory based on months, 81.66 is divided by days which equals to 2.7. The ratio of inventory against sales is obtained by dividing total inventory in 2009 by total sales which stood at 86.3 million which is equal to 0.1. If SG increases the sales by 20 percent in 2010 thus getting total sales of $103.86, and keeps the inventory coverage the same, the forecasted inventory in for the company would be 1.04 while that of North America which contributes 50.9% 4.44/8.72*100 of the whole inventory would be 0.53. One of the policies that the company focuses at adopting is eliminating trunk stock. In order to ensure that the customers’ demands were effectively met by the company, the sales people are allowed to check up a maximum of $10,000 in their cars as well as homes. However, after some deliberation, Beane deemed it fit to remove the trunk shots. Even if this would be apart of the solution to the inventory problem, some managers were hesitant to apply the policy. The maximum amount of inventory that would be saved would stand at $320,000 that is gotten by multiplying 32 salespersons by 10,000. By emulating the policy change, I estimate that the company