Business analysis of Merbatty

CIMA Global Business Challenge 2014 MNA206Management Accounting II Semester2 2013-2014 Mid-term assignment ContentBackground 1.1 Industrial background†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.4 1.2 Merbatty’s background†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ .4 – 5SWOT analysis 2.1 Strength 2.1.1 Large portion of economic of scale†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ 5 2.1.2 Low involvement rate during tough economic†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ 5 2.1.3 Advantages of naming on the stock market†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ †¦ 5 2.1.4 Improve public image by Charitable work†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚ ¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ ..5 2.1.5 Latest technology†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ ..5 2.2 Weakness 2.2.1 Less control of outsourcing interior designers†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ .6 2.2.2 Disadvantages of a public limited company†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..6 2.2.3 Narrow produce theoretical accounts and weak gross revenues allocation†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ .6 2.3 Opportunities 2.3.2 Five old ages program including new theoretical accounts production†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ .6 2.3.3 Five old ages program including new gross revenues offices†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ .6 2.3.4 Opening of 3rd boat edifice facility†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ 6 2.3.5 Introduction of new technology†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.6 2.4 Threats 2.4.1 Competitors†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ 7 2.4.2 Restriction of production capacity†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ .7Ratio analysis 3.1 Liquidity ratios†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ 7 3.2 Profitability ratios†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ †¦ 7 – 8 3.3 Efficiency ratios†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ †¦ †¦ .8 3.4 Investing ratios†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦ ..8Problem analysis 4.1 Accident at work†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..9 – 10 4.2 Rushing boat†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦10 – 11 4.3 Late bringing of a hull from Topcrest†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â ‚¬ ¦ †¦ ..11 – 12Proposals analysis 5.1 New design provider for 3rd boat edifice facility†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦..12 – 13 5.2 Gross saless staff employment issue†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦13Ethical issues 6.1 Rushing boat issue†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..14 6.3 Subsequently bringing from Topcrest issue†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦14Reference†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦14 Background1.1 IndustrialEuropean were being the leader of the leisure boat edifice industry until the recent 20 century, the USA and Australia has come in and portion the market as one of the developed luxury boat edifice states. Changes with the times, people live longer and bask more leisure clip, the demand of luxury boats as a consequence addition greatly and correspondingly the quality of leisure boats. The mark clients of luxury boats are major come from the upper category who are affluent and successful. To them, they ever don’t have much restriction on the disbursement to the boat and hence they tend to hold higher criterions of demand on the quality of the boat. That makes the luxury boat industry to be more customer-oriented. On the other manus, with the new station of environmental statute law ( Recreational Craft Directive ) in EU and USA increases the cost of the industry.1.2 MerbattyMerbatty is a luxury boat edifice company which has a 33 old ages history located in the Northern of EU. There are two boat mills locate at the USA and the EU. There are about 2200 employees working in the two mills. It goes public in 2012 and presently issued 120 million portion at monetary value of ˆ2.8. Thus, the shareholding of the president drops to 30 % and the JKL has become the 2nd big shareholding with 28 % shareholding. Merbatty are presently selling 15 types of boats with different sizes in assorted monetary values. Base on the cardinal cost, clients can hold their ain specific direction for the interior design of the boat with extra payment. The edifice procedure varies from three to ten months depending on different theoretical account and size of the boat. Beyond EU and USA, Merbatty employs gross revenues agents worldwide to bring forth gross revenues from different parts of the universe. In twelvemonth 2012, Merbatty had a gross revenues record of 280 boats which account 8 % of the planetary market. The major gross revenues are chiefly come f rom Flybridge and Cruisers Model which are comparatively lower monetary value theoretical accounts. The EU made up the largest net income proportion with ˆ219 and following by USA made a benefit of ˆ148.SWOT Analysis2.1 Strengths2.1.1 Large portion of economic of graduated tableDuring 2012, Merbatty have a boats production record of 280 boats which occupy the planetary market portion at 8 % . Therefore could set Merbatty in the competitory advantage.2.1.2 Low involvement rate during tough economicDue to the tough economic system environment, Governments tends to implement quantitative easing pecuniary policy, which increase the supply of money, and lower the involvement rate. Thus would be a benefit to the Merbatty as they enjoy a lower involvement rate on the new loan of ˆ200m.2.1.3 Advantages of naming on the stock marketMerbatty became a listed company in the 2012, it can so bask assorted beginnings of finance.2.1.4 Improve public image by Charitable workAs the presid ent of Merbatty has been ever involved in charitable work, therefore aid Merbatty to do betterment of image over the populace.2.1.5 LatestengineeringMerbatty is presently utilizing the latest engineering, including Computer Numerical Controlled ( CNC ) machining and robotic spray systems. Therefore can assist to cut down the costs of production.2.2 Failings2.2.1 Less control of outsourcing interior interior decoratorsMerbatty decides to outsource several elements of its interior design services. Therefore would take to loss of direction control and merchandise quality jobs.2.2.2 Disadvantages of a populace limited companyEvery coin has two sides, as Merbatty is being a populace limited company, has to portion its net income with outside stockholders and increase its disposal disbursals.2.2.3 Narrow produce theoretical accounts and weak gross revenues allotmentMerbatty is presently selling 15 types of self-praises, which is rather a narrow picks provide to its clients. Therefore may set Merbatty in the competitory disadvantage.2.3 Opportunities2.3.1 Five old ages program including new theoretical accounts productionMerbatty is be aftering to bring forth a much wider scope of new boat theoretical accounts. Thus would assist to work out the failing of non holding adequate diverseness of boat theoretical accounts as rivals which mentioned above.2.3.2 Five old ages program including new gross revenues officesMerbatty will open gross revenues offices in over 20 locations around the universe and to end some gross revenues agents’ contracts. Thus would wider the gross revenues web of the company,2.3.3 Opening of 3rd boat edifice installationThe 3rd boat edifice installation located at the Surania would be a great competitory advantage to the Merbatty. Thus could supply a scope of targeted services to the great demand from Middle East.2.3.4 Introduction of newengineeringMerbatty has introduced the provider evaluation systems and Cardinal Performance Indicators ( KPI’s ) to keep a closer relationship and to construct a long standing relationship with its provider.2.4 Menaces2.4.1 RivalsMerbatty merely focus on the edifice of boats powered by engines and doesn’t include other types of leisure boats, as a consequence it would restrict its fight towards other boats builders and set its rivals in a competitory advantages.2.4.2 Restriction of production capacityConfronting the increasing demand of luxury boats, the capacity of Merbatty’s two installations would make the impregnation point.Ratio analysis3.1 Liquidity Ratios20122011Current ratio3.150.793.1.1 Current ratioThe current ratio of 2012 addition quickly from 2011 which from 0.79 to 3.15. The state of affairs reflect that the liquidness degree of the company has a important addition, which means the company has hold more hard currency than that of receivables. Other the other manus, 3.15 is considered to be a excessively high current ratio that shows the Merbatty may non expeditiously utilizing its current assets in coevals of net income.3.2 Profitability Ratios20122011Net income border8 %7 %ROCE0.090.213.2.1 Net income borderThe net income border of Merbatty had a really little addition of 1 % from twelvemonth 2011 to twelvemonth 2012, which explains that the gross revenues status and disbursals incurred is remain changeless for the past twelvemonth.3.2.3 ROCESimilar to the excessively high current ratio, a diminishing ROCE of Merbatty one time once more indicates the inefficiently usage of its capital investings. 3.3 Efficiency Ratio20122011Asset turnover0.520.803.3.1 Asset turnoverA lower plus turnover ratio than old twelvemonth could be a strong grounds that Merbatty is presently utilizing its assets in an inefficient manner.3.4 Investment Ratio20122011Gearing0.250.40EPS0.220.663.4.1 Gearing ratioA diminishing geartrain ratio would be a positive alteration to the company, which means that the debts of Merbatty had decreased from last twelvemonth. The pitching ratio of Merbatty is 0.25 ( & A ; lt ; 1 ) which can be considered as healthy.3.4.2 EPSMerbatty is presently sing a lessening of EPS while it holding an increasing net income. The dropped EPS is caused by the new issue of portions of Merbatty, as there is no large alterations on its net income generated in both old ages while its portion issued had increased from 2011 ( 30m ) to 2012 ( 90M ) .Problemanalysis4.1 Accidenct at work4.1.1 Impact of the jobRecently Paulo, a Scotsman of Merbatty, had felt down while he is working on a hull an d had broken his leg because he arrived for work high on drug. This reflects that there is non adequate security cheque for bad workers of Merbatty. Besides on the other manus shows that the working guideline is non perform purely. When employees are injured during occupation, it may do unhappiness and fright in workers around the on the job environment. Employees may be hesitating to go on with the undertaking environing the inflectional morphology topographic point. Therefore would damage the morale of employee. Thereafter, Merbatty has to manage the aftercare works with utmost cautious because the populace, including the brotherhood, are following really closely on the issue. Once the public consider the company makes improper actions, it will convey serious amendss to the image and repute of the company. In November 2009, 6 workers were unluckily fall down from a faulty lift and caused decease during the building procedure of the International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong. The d eceased’s households urged the developer, Sun Hung Kai Properties, to explicate the accident. The developer non simply provided no account but besides tried to cover the renters in nearby. Such improper managing drawn the choler of the populace, the brotherhood so raised presentations to knock the unscrupulous of the Sun Hung Kai Properties.4.1.2 Solutions1. Merely to let go of a compensation to Paulo and to cover the accident to the populace. 2. To supply a good aftercare ( compensation and medical service ) to Paulo and to apologise to the populace about the improper implement of safety guideline and promise to better.4.1.3 RecommendationSolution 2 are recommended as it benefits the company in both short term and long term. In short term, supplying a good aftercare to the victim could keep employees’ morale and do the paused undertaking continue. In long term, it is a good manner to apologise before any public sentiment come out. Because this could avoid the company image being damaged by ballyhoos.4.1.4 ProblemBy solution 1, if it is running good with the covering work on the accident, there would non be a rigorous feedback from the populace, therefore aid to cut costs and shorten the stairss it may necessitate to take comparison to solution 2. The company on the other manus has to bear the hazard that if the covering work is fail, there would be an irreversible harm to the company.4.2 Rushing Boat4.2.1Impact of the jobJesper is the market manager of Merbatty. He has an thought to advance Merbatty’s top boat P-3000 through rushing boat. Although the rushing boat cost a batch to Merbatty, Jesper has do a computation and analysis on the P-3000 costing. He believes that the gross revenues of P-3000 after the publicity through rushing boat can cover the cost spent on rushing boat. However, the president of Merbatty Alberto feels dismayed about the event of rushing boat. Alberto thought passing on rushing boat to advance the boat of Merbatty is blowing of money while without any warrant of success. 4.2.2 Solving the jobAlberto and Jesper can hold a meeting to discourse about the issue about the racing boat event. Other stockholder can give advices on the issue and happen out the best manner.Other than publicity through rushing boat, there are still a batch of events that can advance Merbatty. May be they can do some advertizement or go to some boat exhibition to catch notice.4.2.3 RecommendationSolution 1 is the best options, other stockholders have the rights to vote for the proposal and advices in the meeting. Merely two work forces thoughts are non plenty, may be the proposal works and attract batch of clients. 4.2.4 Problem Solution 2 may set the company into a high hazard of loss because of non guaranteed of net income.4.3 Late bringing of a hull from Topcrest4.3.1 Impact of the jobAs there are non a batch of providers picks that Merbatty can take and the contract was excessively moneymaking to turn down, the best thought is to trust on Topcrest. A late hull deliver would give a bad repute to the concern. However, Topcrest offered a sensible compensation to Merbatty, which can work out the merbatty’s short term fiscal jobs. For illustration, a figure of little parts such as chemical coating or adhesive agents such as capacitive providers frequently have to confront Apple ‘s demanding demands and forcing for lower monetary values. Apple will inquire the makers â€Å" if they have the ability to make this? Or we will happen another provider, † It can normally coerce providers into entry. Confronting such a big individual concern, the bulk of providers will be pushed to the bound of th e production line, and Apple can therefore cut down costs. This is in fact the bulk of big companies control the agencies of cost. Furthermore, for case iphone 6 needed sapphire glass for the phone. There is non a batch of companies sell sapphire glass in the universe and making the criterions of Apple is more hard. This shows Apple has no better trades from other companies, merely like Merbatty has no better options than Topcrest.4.3.2 Solving the jobMerbatty could take another hull provider.Merbatty can accept the offer by Topcrest. In the interim, Merbatty can happen other more dependable providers.If Topcrest and Merbatty have a contract and Topcrest failed to finish the offer which includes good quality and warrant no late bringing, Merbatty can action for breach of contract and possible get more compensation. The compensation they get can put on other dependable providers.4.3.3 RecommendationShort term Finding other providers in such short clip would be hard, hence Merbatty should accept the offer by Topcrest. They have good quality of hulls and besides would give compensate for the hold. If Merbatty decides to happen other providers, they can non vouch that the hulls would get on clip and they would hold a higher loss. Long term Merbatty should happen more different providers and negotiate to hold the best trade for the hereafter. They can trust on more providers and avoid late bringing. 4.3.4 Problem Solution 2 should be the best option to work out the job. First, it can work out the job instantly that hull has non plenty to utilize in Merbatty. Second, Merbatty can still happen better providers to avoid the job in the hereafter in the interim.Proposalsanalysis5.1 New design provider for 3rd boat edifice installation5.1.1 Background of proposalThe 3rd boat edifice installation located in Surania was approved by Merbatty Board on March 2012. Lukas Dian has provided the background information of two possible design companies that willing to work for the new Surania Facility, the Merbatty has to do the pick.5.1.2 Discussions1. Cooper DesignCooper Designs is a Western European multinational boat interior design concern company. It has a new office which is located in Dubaria, 200 stat mis off from the Suranian boat edifice installation. It is a successful designing company supplying high quality services and its designs are winning the best modern design awards. Furthermore the Coope r make full usage of computing machine assisted design techniques ( CAD ) and provides an extranet service leting clients to remotely see the current design for their boat at any clip. 2. Arabian Insides Arabian Interiors is a four year-old company but it has won acknowledgment at the 2013 Dubaria international boat show for the best Arabian designed boat inside. The company’s employees are local people who are good educated and full trained in the usage of the latest CAD systems.5.1.3 RecommendationsFor suggestion to Merbatty, it is a good manner for it to take the Arabian Interiors. Although it has been founded for four old ages, it already got an award from the 2013 Dubaria international boat show. The hazard of utilizing this interior decorator is lower because the employees are well-training to the latest Cad system.5.2 Gross saless staff employment issue5.2.1 Background of the proposalThe Merbatty gross revenues manager, Mr. Stefan Gil and HR manager Marie Lopp had discussed about employ gross revenues staff as oppose to agents.5.2.2 Discussions1. Opinion of Mr. Gil Gross saless agents are more motivated to sell the merchandises. And most of the boat merchandising concerns have been used this for twelvemonth and Merbatty should seek to maintain the state of affairs if there is no profitable issues. 2. Opinion of Miss Lopp The growing of Merbatty boats’ monetary value presents are more low-cost by the clients. Most of the mark market of agents are non the same as Merbatty’s mark while the gross revenues staff of Merbatty can indicating to the company’s chief market.5.2.3 RecommendationIt is a good suggestion to maintain the state of affairs now as agents have their ain client dealingss that Merbatty do non hold at this minute, it may cut down its fight and diminish the gross revenues of merchandises if Merbatty lost its gross revenues agents.Ethical issues6.1 Rushing boat issueIn the instance, Jesper involves his opportunism to asseverate himself on the concern and is non objectivity plenty. Without any confirmed analysis and grounds, Jesper assert that there will be a excess gross revenues of the P-3000. Thus would set the stockholders on a high hazard to loss.6.2 Subsequently bringing from Topcrest issueIn the instance, the late bringing from Topcrest would impact the repute of M erbatty because therefore may do a late bringing of Merbatty to its clients. The careless of Topcrest shows that it merely base on its ain involvement and neglect the honestness between Topcrest and Merbatty.MentionNg, Maggie. Death of 6 at ICC an accident, medical examiner regulations. ( 11stDec, 2010 ) hypertext transfer protocol: //www.scmp.com/article/733022/death-6-icc-accident-coroner-rules ( visited 23rdMarch 2014 )1

Skill Acquisition Volleyball

The term ‘skill acquisition' Is used to describe the ability to learn a new skill. There Is no specification as to what Is classified as a skill, a skill can be anything from intellectual activities to physical activities, a skill can even be something as a simple as listening. The objective of skill acquisition is to select a new skill and study that skill until you have learnt it.Skill acquisition is an extremely important part of sport making it a heavily researched and investigated topic and therefore there are many efferent theories on the best way to acquire a skill. According to (Skill acquisition and performance Improvement, Abernathy B, 2005) with practice, skills become less consciously controlled and more automatic, this provides highly-skilled performers with the ability to perform multiple tasks relating to that skill concurrently and therefore for efficiently.This report will outline the stages of learning a skill, open and closed skills, types of practice, how fe edback can improve the process of skill acquisition and skill acquisition relating to volleyball. There are three stages of skill learning: cognitive stage, associated stage and autonomous stage, the aim of progressing through each stage Is to coherently understand the level that the player is at and therefore create a better understanding of what type of practice is needed to improve.The first stage of learning, the cognitive stage involves mental understanding, watching a demonstration and then having a coach to provide feedback as stated by (M Broadcloth, stages of skill acquisition, 2008). The aim of the cognitive stage is to be educated on the dynamics of the skill for example, a basketball player might watch a demonstration of the basic technique Involved In shooting a free throw, examining the technique they would then try to mimic It and If unsuccessful a coach or someone with a better understanding could then provide ways to improve the result.The next stage, the associated stage involves trial and error, tuning and honing and lots of practice, the basketball player once given feedback would adjust their technique and then practice it over and over according o (A Gibson, Perez, 2011) for example, shooting one hundred free throws one after the other In order to gain repetition and confidence. The final stage of skill calculations, the autonomous stage involves automatic execution of the skill and then the ability to focus on tactics and decision making.The autonomous stage of learning is extremely difficult to advance to, once the skill has been successfully learned, the autonomous stage enables the player to execute that skill consistently as stated by (Bored of studies, stages of skill acquisition, 2006) for example the basketball player, once able to shoot free throws every time, would have to execute this skill under pressure with another player trying to block or execute It with a time limit.Currently, I am at the associative stage of learning in terms of the ‘digging' skill in volleyball as I understand the skill and I have been given feedback in order to improve; I am focusing on repetition of the skill by doing continuous practice with simple digs. Each stage can be supported through the use open and closed skill knowledge. An Open Motor skill Is a skill which Is performed In an unstable environment, where reformed in a stationery environment where the performer chooses when to start the skill according to (Hubcap's, closed motor skills vs.. Open motor skills, 2012).Sports that involve the use of open skills include: netball, soccer and hockey as the environments in these sports are constantly changing and therefore movements have to be continually adapted. Closed motor skills include: serving in tennis and squash as the environments of these sports are stable and predictable, the players know which movements to make and when (Abashes, P. ND Taylor, J. 1996). The skill I am studying in volleyball is the dig, this sk ill is an open motor skill as it is performed in an unstable environment, the ball can be placed in my area at any time and the required skill may not always be a dig.There are different methods of practice when acquiring a skill, the quality and quantity of practice plays an important role in this process and is defined as massed and distributed practice by (NEWS HAS, The practice method). Massed practice occurs when one skill is continuously practiced in a session with only brief rest periods or none at all whereas, distributed practice requires a skill to be practiced through a variety of training drills with moderate rest periods as stated by (NEWS HAS, The practice method).The distributed practice method would be the far more effective method as the stage of learning I am currently at is the associative stage and the associative stage requires massed practice. Each training session I used massed practice to focus on digging; this was achieved by completing at least fifty digs f rom a set point each session. Through eased practice I have reached a consistent level in terms of accuracy when digging the ball and I have been able to take this skill into each game situation. The use of feedback has also contributed to improving each training session.Feedback is information that is given about a certain activity after it has performed in order to provide a better understanding. There are two types of feedback, descriptive feedback and prescriptive feedback according to (Craig Wringers, Human Kinetics). Descriptive feedback is when someone describes to the player what they did when reforming the skill whereas prescriptive feedback is when the player is given an explanation on what they can do to improve that skill (Craig Wringers, Human Kinetics).For example, during each volleyball training session after completing my skill, my partner wrote down descriptive and prescriptive feedback. In doing so, I was able to gather an understanding of how I was achieving the s kill and what was needed to improve (See Appendix 1). Through this feedback, finding the weak point of my skill was made easier and I discovered that the preparation needed to be improved when digging the ball; from here I was able to change from focusing on the execution to the preparation.

Haiti Development Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Haiti Development - Research Paper Example Though independent long before, the economy of the country is still in the struggling phase. According to the recent reports, the per capita income of the country in 2009 has been a meager $ 790 that tantamounts to a nominal sum of $ 2 per day per person. Having such poor performance on the economic front, the country has almost 80% of the population below the poverty level while only half the population is believed to be literate. The country is basically an agricultural nation but unlike many of the other nations of the world, agricultural population of Haiti does not have access to the modern means and techniques of agriculture. This is prevalent as while more than 65% of the population is engaged with agriculture, the profession yields even less than 30% of the GDP for the country (Foreign & Common Wealth Office, â€Å"Haiti†). The extreme poor performance of the economy of Haiti has its linked consequences like that of underprivileged human resource development and that of topping the list of corruption. The other prominent demerit of the country has been the concentration of wealth. It is perceived that top 1% of the population controls almost half of the nation’s wealth. The condition of the economy is also depicted by the prime source of earning for the government which has been the external debt for years now. In 2005, a new born baby in Haiti had a liability of US $ 169 (because of external debt) though recently the international bodies like that of IMF and World Bank have written off the external debt (IMF, â€Å"Haiti: Enhanced Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries — Completion Point Document†). The poor country of Haiti has been further affected by the disastrous environment time and again. Though the country was blessed with deep forest and had rich flora and fauna, the diminishing economy of the nation has resulted in cutting of most of such

Organisational Change Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 1

Organisational Change Management - Essay Example Organization structure shows the expressed allocation of responsibilities for different functions and processes to different entities like branches, its departments, workgroups and individuals. There are two most common organization structures known as vertical and horizontal structures. In case study there is vertical organizational structure as everyone has to be accountable to upper management for their doings and they have to obey all policies and rules made by them no matter they are favorable for them or not. Key issues that organization is facing: This case study is about a French car component manufacturing that has two plants operating in France, Spain and UK. D2’s focuses is on having perfect return on investment and have growth in shareholders’ value. But over recent years D2 is facing a lot of problems and issue that hinders its growth. Recent economic downturn has a bad impact on demand and D2 has to struggle a lot for its survival. This is because of reces sion in business cycle, which represents a general slowdown in activities related to economy. D2 is facing problems in capacity utilization and generation of profits as it need investments and has to cut down its cost to certain level. There is widespread drop in spending of the industry that is called as an adverse demand shock. D2 has decided to stop producing some components and to concentrate the production of other components at fewer sites in order to benefit from economies of scale. D2 will face so many problems when this decision would be announced because its plant’s workers are expecting D2 to invest highly in manufacturing departments of the D2 as many of the plants of French car component manufacturing are out-dated. Another problem is that D2 is not working to utilize its capacity up to the mark. Production expansion by the D2 is not up to the standards. D2 cannot produce as much as it needs to produce because of its outdated plants. UK plant has to face closure because of its outdated technology. Production expansion is required through Blois in France because Blois has the most advanced technology in it and provides the opportunity to the D2 to have expansion in production and survive and grow. The new strategy will involve expanding production at the D2’s main factory at Blois in France. Production is to be expanded in Blois because Blois has the most advanced manufacturing technology and the factory is not yet working to capacity. It is anticipated that increasing production at Blois will lead to a significant reduction in costs. Product development is needed in didcot (UK). D2 would be facing redundancy when it would announce these strategy and framework for product development and production expansion because these workers have no idea of using latest technology as they were playing with outdated version of technology and these employees and workers would be having no way to switch to other plants as other plants are operating in advanced technology. D2 is expecting another problem that many of the D2 product developme

Cango Third Analysis Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Cango Third Analysis Report - Essay Example Performance appraisals are often done by the company in regards to motivating the employees to engage, align and act in proper synchronization with regards to the company’s goals and objectives (Grubb, 2007, p. 2). The subjective measure of performance takes into account, the various influencing factors that can affect an employee’s performance. But at the same time, since they are dependent on human judgments rather than judged from the objective point of view, there is a tendency of errors. The reason for the errors can be mostly attributed to the human’s ability of judging an employee’s capability and performance (Jones, Steffy & Bray, 1991, p. 307). It can be clearly seen from the transcripts that Clark has confessed to the fact that he is having a serious problem of evaluating his subordinates on the basis of their performance while following the company’s normal scale of subjective performance evaluation. It is quite evident that while evaluating his team members, Clark is making errors related to the factors of leniency. As per the transcripts, Clark prefers to recommend employees with a higher rating on their subjective type performance appraisal rather than giving them a lower rating. This clearly highlights his erroneous evaluation of performance reports, due to his lenient nature of evaluation, while providing the subordinates and team members with a benefit of doubt. Clark’s habit of providing handling performance appraisals on the basis of benefit of doubt also highlights his ability of judging his team members abilities, while using the subjective scale of performance. Clark’s Way Out There can be a number of ways in which Clark can handle this problem while still following the company’s subjective performance appraisal system. Training In an attempt to handle this problem, Clark can opt for help from fellow managers who are working at Cango. Taking this approach of seeking help will lead to an informal form of training from his colleagues, thereby making him more efficient in the handling of the performance evaluation system of the company. Better judgment Another way to tackle his existing problem is through the fact of going for a one on one interview and feedback session for his team members with regards to the targets and assignments they have achieved. This will enable him to make an informed and well justified choice, thereby removing his option of benefit of doubt, while evaluating his team members. 2. Clark’s Suggestion and Its Implication It can be commonly said that the performance management system is done with the sole aim of motivating the employees. It involves the process of defining performance of the employees with regards to the competency required to perform the specified tasks. Performance analysis is also related to the process of determining and understanding the various factors that effectively contributes to the performance of the employees as well as managing them for the purpose of developing their skills and competencies thereby converting them to highly valued resources for the company. (http://books.google.co.in/books?id=qCZTEPI52pkC&printsec=frontcover&dq=performance+management+system&source=bl&ots=YB_a0Dlos7&sig=HEKfKSExUpmHdDu2Yvut9Rv17hk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=u5tyUKLbEOPEmAW6-YDgBQ&ved=0CEUQ6wEwAg#v=onepage&q=performance%20management%20system&f=false, p. 53) Performance management system can be either subjective or objective based in nature. Objective based performance manag

Rene Descarte's Faulty Reliance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Rene Descarte's Faulty Reliance - Essay Example To rehearse his argument in short: Descartes believes that we cannot at first glance trust our senses, as it is possible that we are being deceived. Those elements of the world outside our own mind (the res extensa) are available for our thought and our perception (res cogitans) but we cannot trust that the reality of what we think we see is in fact what comprises the world around us. We should doubt, radically, such a belief, because for Descartes this gap between the world around us and our knowledge of the world helps to explain why there exists to many different beliefs about the fundamental nature of our existence. Instead, Descartes suggests, we should be satisfied with the knowledge only that we can think, that we can consider, that thing that we call knowledge, and that material we think of as the world. Hence the famous notion of the Cogito, which in somewhat condensed form, suggests that â€Å"I think, therefore I am.† The claim here is not that of a logical operatio n (thinking begets the awareness of existence) but rather that thinking constitutes the one demonstration of existence that our imperfect cognition makes allows. We are imperfect creatures, capable of being aware of our own imperfections. At the same time, though, we are aware of the possibility of perfection. We can think about the ideal, the infinite, the absolute. And yet we do not know these things, we do not experience these things, and we cannot point our fingers in the direction of some object out there in the physical world around us, in order to demonstrate any of these ideal qualities. Imagination, Descartes seems to suggest, simply isn't powerful to make an argument by way of extension, that would imagine perfection or completion from imperfect or incomplete elements. And so, Descartes suggests, our capacity to think – which is our only true capacity and essence – must have some root that explains the nature of perfection. Descartes introduces this argument by way of a rather awkward rhetorical question (93): â€Å"Now, it is manifest by the natural light that there must at least be as much reality in the efficient and total cause as in its effect; for whence can the effect draw its reality if not from its cause? And how could the cause communicate to it this reality unless it possessed it in itself? (93) How could it, indeed? Well, for Descartes, the answer to the question is contained within its premise: if we can understand perfection, there must exist the essence of perfection, and thus we know that God exists. From the act of thinking, then, we know that we exist, and from the act of thinking about the transcendent or the divine, then we know that God exists. These may seem like separate argument claims. Indeed, in the order they are presented, the Cogito appears to pave the way for the subsequent Ontological argument that proves the existence of God. But we need to understand that this is a trick of presentation, not a linear lo gical relationship. In fact it is the other way around, though this doesn't become apparent until Descartes concludes his project, when the debt the Cogito owes to the Ontological argument is revealed. The most telling paragraph is this: ...considering only that God is my creator, it is highly probably that he in some way fashioned me

How China attained regional economic dominance by the first century up Essay

How China attained regional economic dominance by the first century up to the fifteenth century C. E - Essay Example How China attained regional economic dominance by the first century up to the fifteenth century C. E.? This paper examines, explores, and discusses how China attained regional economic dominance by the first century up to the fifteenth century C. E. but then suddenly and almost inexplicably went into decline afterwards, and got conquered by the Western colonial powers. In other words, a perceived and nascent global power became weak instead of continuing its remarkable trajectory of both growth and dominance: economically, politically, and militarily. Historians generally concede China was a dominant power for eighteen of the last twenty or so centuries and is now out to regain its lost glory with an unprecedented rate of growth. China today has the world's continuously existing civilization, dating back to at least 5,000 years ago, although it is admittedly not the world's first civilization to have sprung up. That distinction belongs to the Sumerian civilization in the Middle East near modern-day Iraq, and there were also other older civilizations like the Egyptian, Greek, and Indian civilizations but these much earlier civilizations no longer exist. Chinese civilization is a very unique one because it developed independently on its own, without any outside or external influences. It is manifested in its discoveries and inventions which rank being among the world's firsts such as paper, ink, gunpowder, and most of all, its inherently difficult system of writing with its use of characters in Chinese calligraphy. Linguists are gen erally agreed it is the most difficult language to learn. China developed the first currency in the form of coins and paper money, the first bureaucracy in civil service to manage a vast empire, and a strong navy but it was essentially a land power. The chief reason why China declined was the rot from within. Discussion An empire can grow to a certain size, after which it becomes unmanageable due to its sheer size. Problems of administration, control, tax collection, and imposition of a certain cultural mindset can be unwieldy for its rulers. Sooner or later, conquered people will start to agitate for reforms and freedom from imperial rule, especially if it is an oppressive rule. This had been the problem with the Chinese empire, after it was unified by Emperor Shihuang Ti (259-210 B. C. E.) after he defeated all the local warlords. As the first and foremost emperor of the Qin dynasty, he introduced a lot of reforms which expanded and strengthened the vast territories under his cont rol. He imposed and adopted the Legalistic principles as a foundation of his dynastic rule, in which laws were imposed without exceptions, because the empire then was composed of many ethnicities and rule would be difficult otherwise. However, his dynasty that was supposed to last 10,000 generations did not survive; it lasted just four years after his death, as his successors were weak and got deposed. During his time, he imposed high taxes on the people, which discouraged farmers from tilling the land as they could no longer afford to pay those taxes. He embarked on many grandiose projects that drained the state coffers, plus the cost of maintenance of a large army to protect its frontiers. Similar to the Late Roman Empire (circa 250-450 C. E.), the Chinese elites did not produce at all but relied on taxation to maintain and subsidize their opulent lifestyles. A number of causes, both internal and external, can threaten and weaken an empire; in the case of China, it was internal de cay, as subsequent rulers did not take advantage of the so-called â€Å"geographical pivot of history† with its strategic location in the central Euro-Asian landmass (Mackinder 28). It could have pressed and exploited its advantage in being a great land power, as its territories formed a contiguous empire, unlike other empires in history. This glaring failure to press its advantages caused its decline starting in the fifteenth century. Other empires,

Developing Retail and Promotion Strategies Essay

Developing Retail and Promotion Strategies - Essay Example A regional shopping Center is expected to have high customer traffic and hence implementing a promotion strategy would help convince large numbers of people to purchase a product. The firm requires coming up with a mission statement that will help their customers understand why the product suits their needs. The location of the regional shopping center should also be strategic such that many customers have easy access to it (Rogers, 2001). Customers may decide to purchase commodities in a certain shop just because it closer to them even if other factors such as price are no favorable. A convincing mission statement will lure customers into purchasing a certain product over another. The shopping center should focus more on product organization in their shelves and stores. A customer may decide to purchase a commodity just because they saw it in the shelves. Product organization may also convince window shoppers on purchasing a product they saw(Voss & Seiders, 2003). It is therefore im portant to ensure that the products catch the eye of the target market. The shop may also use modern strategies such as internet marketing to convince them to purchase a product at a certain retail center. However the cost consideration of such a method should be well evaluated so that it does not affect the profit percentages. Direct marketing could also be very effective in a regional shopping center. The firm may decide to employ people in the shop who will talk to the customers and convince them to purchase a certain product. This method has an advantage over the others since there will be a direct response from the customers and hence adjusting to fit the market will be very easy for the manufacturer (Bhatia, 2008). A new restaurant will obviously be experiencing low numbers of customers and will require critical retail and promotion strategies in order to

Article Critique on “Black Hair” Essay Example for Free

Article Critique on â€Å"Black Hair† Essay This story discussed the life of a sixteen year old man who wanted to become independent in his life but does not know how to start. The protagonist of the story was the narrator. He showed his life in a blurred path where he could not able how to distinguish the facts and fictions of life. It means that he is still incapable of being a productive individual in his society because he himself could not understand how his life works in the general perspective of human nature. Though he knows how things work, he could not manage these things in normal and proper way. Because of this, the protagonist still need to learn from what is true, right, and wrong from everything that is beyond his reach so that there would be greater knowledge and self-esteem that would grow in his identity. Based on my reading in the whole story, I can say that the whole setup of the story tackles the issues and personal identity of the persona. He pitied himself because he did not know what he is doing in his surroundings. He does not know how to look for a right job, right home, and right place to go in his everyday living. This became the conflict of the story. Everything was focused in his ways and perspectives as neophyte in his journey of life. At the end of the story, he remained clueless with those things that he encountered even the coke machine where he could not find one when he is thirsty. The implication of the story is that the author showed the angst of a young man who seeks independence in the world of real life. When we are with our family, we could not feel the pressure of having a life. We always think of the better things that we could manage but through this story, we tend to realize how things work when we are already alone. It shows that life is always a cycle and a chosen ground. When we choose to ignore the things that we encounter during our early days, it would not give us the privilege to know what true life is because we are incapable of living – to understand and to learn things around us. Reference Soto, G. Black Hair pp. 296-302

Polar Bears Essay Example for Free

Polar Bears Essay Class: Ursidae. 9bPhysical characteristics: Bears have big heads, round ears, small eyes that face forward, very short tails, and stocky legs. They are plantigrade, walking on the heels and soles of their feet like humans do. Each paw has five curved claws that are not retractable, or cannot be pulled back. Habitat: The polar bear habitats encompass the entire Arctic region. Polar bears have adapted to be able to live in the water and on land. Unlike other bear species, the polar bear are excellent swimmers, and have been spotted more than 100 miles away from land or ice. The polar bear habitat is that of the entire Arctic region. Life cycle: Female polar bears reach sexual maturity at about four to five years. Male polar bears reach sexual maturity at about six years. Breeding takes place from March to June on the sea ice, but most occurs during April and May. During the breeding season, males and females find each other by congregating in the best seal-hunting habitats. Male polar bears have been seen following the tracks of breeding female polar bears for more than 100 km Competition for females is intense. Females breed about once every three years; therefore, there are about three adult males to every breeding female. Before mating, a female polar bear may be accompanied by several males. The males fight fiercely among themselves until the strongest or largest male succeeds in chasing the others away. Dominant males may succeed in mating with several females in a season. Females have babies in the den while hibernating. Polar bears life span is about 15-18 years. Prey: The Polar bear’s main prey is the Arctic seal which is a rich source of high-fat blubber. They have a very interesting way of catching their prey. A Polar bear would make a breathing hole somewhere in the middle of a vast ice expanse. Seals would often come out of these holes to breath. The Polar bear would patiently lie on its stomach with its mouth near the hole, waiting for any unfortunate seal to appear. This wait could sometimes last for several hours before a Polar bear could have his meal. Polar bears also prey on bearded seals and harp seals. When this prey is difficult to find, Polar bears would attack young walrus, narwhal, fish, seabirds and eggs. Species status: Polar bears were added to the list of threatened species because polar bears are vulnerable to this loss of habitat. Hunting of polar bears as a food source by certain native people and trade in native handicrafts made from polar bears will also continue. However, importing polar bear products from Canada (where trophy hunting is legal) will be banned. Pollution from man-made kills polar bears also Use for humans past and present- pas was they were hunted for food and fur. Present still hunted but also hunted for trophies but that has been banned Interesting facts: Polar bear cubs learn to freeze and remain still while their mother hunts. If they move, the mother disciples them, with a whack to the head. A polar bears fur is not white!! It is hollow. The fur reflects light. The hollow fur also traps the suns heat to help keep the polar bear warm. Known as the king of the artic.

The Tourism Industry Is A Complex System

The Tourism Industry Is A Complex System The tourism industry is a complex system where its necessary to look at all different sectors which are influencing each other, to get a clear understanding how this system works. A helpful tool to use already models and theories, apply them on different example and evaluate them. The individual as a potential customer has to be analysed and categorised, which is ensuing a better understanding of tourist behaviour. Furthermore it helps to recognize their decision making progress for a destination, as well as getting knowledge about their needs and expectation. This essay will show the usage of these models and theories on example of the Dominican Republic. Tourism can be defined as a combination of services and activities for people who travel to places outside of their familiar surroundings. The definition of a tourist is wide-ranging, because the purpose of travel ranges from holidays, business trips, and visits to friends and relatives to various other reasons such as study, religion, shopping and so on. More than an industry, it is rather like a system that sells packaged holidays, activities, attractions, accommodations, and entertainment. It is offering the opportunity to break away from normal life and enjoy leisure time in different locations. Tourism normally does not provide just one single product; mostly it is a bundling of various products to satisfy the demand of the tourist. For example, someone going on holiday to London would not merely consume one product from one supplier. It is more likely that he is utilizing a package of services. He might arrive by plane, go by bus/train to his hotel, dine in a restaurant, and ta ke a sightseeing tour. Due to the fact that nearly every tourism product is interlinked, there is no owner or manager with complete control of his own destiny (Gunn A.C. 2002, p.243). Additionally, other industries, such as the oil industry, are linked to the tourism industry. In recent years tourism become a part of daily life because people have more leisure time than they used to have 50 years ago and the view of the work-life balance has changed. Another important point to mention is that the tourism industry is one of the largest in the world and is creating millions of temporary and permanent jobs. In 2006 the travel and tourism industrys percentage of the world gross domestic product was 10,3%, with a turnover of US$6,477.2 billion. The industry supported 234 million jobs, 8.7% of total world employment (Cooper, et al 2006: 3). This data represents the global importance and significance to the world economy. Tourism does not include just the supply of hotels, beaches and travel agencies but also economical, environmental and socio-cultural impacts. These three areas are always commingling and conflicting. There are people whom are simply interested in making a profit, other people wanting to protect the environment, and yet another group of people concerned with the social and cultural impacts of a tourist region. All three groups must achieve a balance to enable sustainable tourism. This idea is shown on the following graphic: 3. Tourist typology and their implementation to tourism models Stanley C. Plog One approach to understand tourist behaviour is to identify different types of people, whereupon they can be categorised into a series of organised psychographic types. In 1973 Stanley C. Plog created a model for the American population showing how personal motivation influences the decision for a vacation destination. He divided tourists into four types: allocentric, near-allocentric, mid-centric, and near-psychocentric/psychocentric. The allocentric type views travelling as an opportunity to discover foreign cultures and prefers exotic destinations. They are self confident and open for new experiences. The near-allocentric type is sporty, seeks challenges and views the journey as a chance to test a new lifestyle. The mid-centric type looks for relaxation and pleasure in a well-known environment. They want to escape from the daily routine and enjoy comfortable accommodation. The near-psychocentric and psychocentric types are focused on themselves and are scared to discover something new. These people tend to look for a safe place to holiday. Their choice of destination will be a place they know and where they are not that far away from their home city (Johnson Thomas, 1992: 19). Plog considered that there are just a few psychocentric or allocentric types because the majority of tourists are mid-centric. However, Plogs model is hard to apply in reality. For example the Dominion Republic has a lot of organised mass tourism and it is possible to organize a journey by yourself as well. Every tourist is an individual, so they cannot be generalized. One trip can have a completely different occasion and characteristic than the other one (Cooper, 2008: 48). Cohens tourist typology Another model which classifies tourists is Cohens tourist typology. He divides tourists into the organised mass tourist, the individual mass tourist, the explorer and the drifter. Cohen explains that organised mass tourists are typically purchasing a ready-made package tour where they have no or just a little contact with the local people and stay most of the time inside a resort. This is similar to Plogs psychocentrics` type. In Cohens theory most of the tourists are individual mass tourists. They are similar to the organised mass tourists, but they have more flexibility and scope for personal choice. They want to have contact to the local people. This category is comparable to Plogs midcentric tourists and most tourists fall into this category. The third tourist type is the explorer, who organises the trip by himself and looks for something special, something away from the typical interests of a mass tourist. However, he is still interested in comfortable accommodations. The last t ype, the drifter, is completely independent, wants to live with local people and wants to take part in the native culture. Cohens last two tourists theories, the explorer and the drifter, which are also the minority in this industry, are similar to Plogs allocentric tourists. (Cooper et al, p.51). 5. Demand for the creation of tourist typologies and their practice on the example of the Dominican Republic The reason why we need these typologies for different tourists is to help and to be able to develop tourism destinations. Expectations and needs from tourists on a perfect holiday can be identified, so the desired service can be supplied. As soon as we know the different motivations for individuals travelling to a particular destination, a specific tourist type is going to be targeted. This means that in example of the Dom. Rep. the organised mass tourists in the majority, which are looking for a safe holiday, we know their behaviour and know how to plan for them. Most of the resorts in Dom.Rep. are designed for this clientele and have been developed very fast during the last 20 years to satisfy the demand from tourists. At the first stage resorts were build for explorer or drifter, and since the creation of package tourism, a lot of individual mass tourists came to this area. With the creation of all-inclusive, there is no need for tourists to leave the hotel. Because of investigati ng the different desire of tourists and define them, it was possible to develop this area (National and regional tourism planning 1994, p.147). 6. Doxeys Index: The socio-cultural impact of tourism The Doxeys Index describes the relationship between visitors and the visited. He developed a five stage model which describes the first step as the upcoming  ´euphoria ´ when a small number of tourists arrive thus stimulating the economy and a large number of new jobs are created. The next steps are apathy and annoyance. At this stage local people get first used to tourists in their familiar surroundings, and afterwards annoyed, because too many people are visiting the destination. Antagonism and acceptance are the last steps in this theory. Native people start to avoid tourists and at the last step they accept them. Acceptance means, that they accept tourists in their usual life and forget how the area was before tourists arrived (Cooper et al, p.47). Top priority should be always building better relationships between residents and visitors, which improves social life for both sides. In Punta Cana, where the proportion of tourists is high to the number of residents, cultural problems occur because of different society expectations (National and regional tourism planning 1994, p.147). While Punta Cana has grown within twenty years, the local community did not have enough time to adjust to the high number of tourists. The three models of Plog, Cohen and Doxey are coextensive whith each other because when the first visitors (drifter) arrive at a destination, local people are euphoric. These tourists (allocentric) are not scared to discover new areas. In the midcentric are the explorer and the individual mass tourists. At this stage the community becomes apathetic and annoyed. The last step is the organized mass tourist who belongs to the psychocentric and native people start to accept them. The relationship between the models is linear (Cooper et al, p.47). 7. Butlers Tourism Area Lifecycle (TALC) The Tourism Area Lifecycle(TALC) is a well-known model Butler created to illustrate the dynamic of a tourist -destination or -product through different stages. The graph describes a characteristic function due to the natural interrelation between the exposure and intensity of tourism. It shows the evolutional process where every tourism product is going through, which can help manager to find a way out in case of a crisis or new developed destinations to establish themselves. Butler first stage is exploration, where small number of visitors arrive in an undeveloped area. These people been identified as Plogs allocentric or Cohens explorer type. After their trip they are responsible for Involvement, because they tell others about place they been to (Ryan 2003, p.269). A following rise of the curve during the development stage is logical, because more tourists can be carried. Butler says that the number of tourists decrease until the carrying capacity is reached, this is the consolidation stage. New development has to happen again to rejuvenate, otherwise it would come to a decline of visitors (Butler 2006). While developing new strategies is important to investigate the existing facts and concentrate on the potentials the destination is already providing. At this point it is necessary to make a decision. To develop this place, to leave the place how it is and increase the price or let it decline. Decline is the next stage of Butlers TALC. This happens if t oo many tourists are arriving at a destination at the same time and the capacity is too low. Visitor are disappointed and the number of tourists will therefore start to fall. An option to avoid decline is Rejuvenation. That means that the area has to be developed for example with new hotels and beaches. 8. The 5As model The 5As model was helpful to rejuvenate the Dominican Republic when it had been reached the stagnation point. A new development of Attractions, Accessibility, Activities, Amenities and Accommodation were necessary to bring facilities up to the level demanded by international tourists. When the carrying capacity was reached, an essential element in the tourism take-off was government investment in the infrastructure of tourism zones. Over $76 million went into the Puerto Plata region between 1974 and 1982. New hotels and transportation networks were built, to get electric power and satisfy water supply. Infrastructure was one of the main important things which had to be developed and when the airport in Punta Cana was built, a lot of new different tourists begun to visit this area. (http://kiskeya-alternative.org/publica/afuller/rd-tourism.html#ecsoc) Today the Dominion Republic is one of the most visited countries and popular for family holidays. This destination fits perfect in Butlers TALC because at first it was an undeveloped place and started to grow, decisions by the policy had to be done for example to rejuvenate the place, to let the area how it is or to let it decline. The Dominican government decided for rejuvenation because of the high potential of this area. With new roads, attractions, airports and hotels the resort development strategy was successful (National and regional tourism planning, 1994, p.147). 9. Multiplier effect In tourism the multiplier effect is used to illustrate how many times money spent by a tourist circulates through a countrys economy. In other words when a new tourist destination is created, the local economy benefits as new jobs are being created and tourist bring additional trade to local businesses. The most common example is when a new hotel is being built it does not only create jobs directly in the hotel, but also indirectly in other sectors of the economy. The hotel has to buy food from local farmers, who then spend some of this money, for example, on domestic expenses. When tourists spend money for local products the demand for those products increases, which also increases secondary employment. However the multiplier effect continues until there is a leakage out of the economy through imports, which is the purchase of goods from other countries. The most common example would be a Third World country, such as Dominican Republic, much of the money spent by tourist end up leaving the countrys economy via foreign-owned airlines, hotels, imported drinks and food, etc. A typical luxurious four star hotel would be more likely to import most of its goods and services; if that means that better quality would be provided which would ensure better customer satisfaction. (http://geographyfieldwork.com/TouristMultiplier.htm 10. Conclusion Models could be helpful to develop a successful tourism destination and understand the different motivations of tourists. When the policy changes the supply for example to develop an area for package tourism, the demand will also change. That means that the supply has to meet the demand side when at the descriptive side the object and services changing. Plogs, Cohens and Doxeys models are descriptive because they just describe a situation but Butlers model is descriptive and prescriptive. TALC explains what is happening in an area and makes diagnose. After this diagnose the problem becomes clear and it is easier to make a decision for solving this problem. It is always necessary to find out how much potential a place has to make substantial development it in the right way. For this fact tourism models are helpful. 11. References Cooper, C, Fletcher, J, Fyall, A, Gilbert, D and Wanhill, S (2008) Tourism Principles and Practice (4thedn), Prentice Hall, Essex Gunn, C.A (2002) Tourism Planning (4th edn), Routledge, London Howie, F. (2003 a,b), Managing the Tourist Destination: A Practical Guide (1st edn), Cengage Learning EMEA Johnson Thomas (1992), Choice and Demand in Tourism, Mansell Publishing Limited National and regional tourism planning (1994) Methodologies and Case Studies (World Tourism Organization) (1st edn), Routledge, London Ryan, C (2003), Recreational Tourism and Impacts (1st edn), Channel View Publications, Clevedon Dominican Republic tourism, Tourism Development in the Dominican Republic: Growth, Costs, Benefits and Choices, avaible from http://kiskeya-alternative.org/publica/afuller/rd-tourism.html#ecsoc (accessed on 11.12.2009)

Peirce, Thirdness and Pedagogy :: Philosophy Education Teaching Learning Papers

Peirce, Thirdness and Pedagogy It is well known that the word pedagogy comes from the Greek paidagogos (teacher, pedagogue) which has the same root as paideia, usually translated "culture." The theme of this congress highlights the hope of many teachers of philosophy, that their teaching and writing has some impact on the culture. In this paper I want to show a connection between a Peircean understanding of persons (as interpreted by Royce) and its implications for how we go about conducting classes in philosophy. This connection is very recent with me, and it has changed my approach to teaching, especially at the "introductory" level. Our line of thought will have three major phases: 1) the Peircean understanding of persons as members of a community of interpretation; 2) its implications for a theory of pedagogy which emphasizes "induction into" more than "introduction to" the subject; and 3) the specific techniques that I have adopted in introductory classes to enact this theory of pedagogy. At the outset I should say that at least half of my teaching is at the introductory level, with classes ranging from 30 to 50 students each. It is these students, most of whom will not take any more philosophy, that I am most concerned about in this paper. How can their one exposure to academic philosophy convince them that it is a vital part of their heritage and a cultural resource that is absolutely necessary to a healthy society? Especially if a course is historically oriented, as ours is by catalogue description, it is easy for students to feel that philosophy is the irrelevant meanderings of dead white males! Good teaching can overcome this in some measure, but I believe that a Peircean understanding of persons can lead us to a theory of pedagogy that directs us towards the kind of classroom practices that will make the experience of philosophy more vital and significant for our students. I. Peirce, Thirdness, and Personhood Every philosophy of education in informed, at least implicitly, by a notion of personhood. Peirce focused more explicitly on epistemological understandings than personhood, but his epistemological writings supplied perspectives which were used by Josiah Royce in his last major work, The Problem of Christianity, to formulate a notion of the self as a member of a "community of interpretation." In his discussion of this concept, Royce was explicit about his debt to Peirce, especially Peirce’s notion of "thirdness.

Public Policy Topic: Health Care :: Healthcare, Politics

Through the decades there have been many public policy topics in our society that have a very large impact on the county as whole. They are reasons why American have either prospered and have been set back into recessions. Health is one of the most talked about public policy topics. Health care is topic that affects local and state governments for many reasons. First of all, health care is insurance for people that are injured or ill. Each county has their own type of health care. There are many different types of health care organizations that are offered to people all over the world. Some of these organizations include: the health maintenance group, provider group, and a proposal that combines aspects from both the health maintenance group and the provider group. The most important type of health care insurance is a universal health plan. Universal health care is what will eventually save Americans a large amount of money and it will also guarantee that every American is insured. The number of uninsured citizens has grown to be above 40 million people. Health care is becoming unaffordable and we can eliminate wasteful inadequacies. A centralized national database can be established to make life easier for doctors, and medical professionals will only have to worry about the patience and not who’s paying for the medication for people . There are many people today who do not like the idea of universal health care and refuse to get it. America is known for having the best medical physicians and people are afraid that it will change drastically if we all share one universal health care plan. Also, if the insurance were to decrease in the universal health plan then taxes should skyrocket and therefore the money that is being saved will end up being used for taxes. According to â€Å"Should the Government Provide Free Universal Healthcare for All Americans?† Joe Messerli says that â€Å"The government must pay for this somehow† (Messerli). I agree with this because the government will need the money to fund for this universal health care plan. In a Universal health the patient can be responsible for some cost at the time of the consumption but the majority of the cost is covered by compulsory insurance and tax revenues. To provide health care services for the entire country requires a lot of funding tha t other governments acquire by taxation and also maybe from premiums for some of compulsory health insurance required of all citizens.

Defeating the Aztec Empire

Hernan Cortes, a fierce Spanish conquistador, landed at San Juan de Ulua, in April 1519. With him, Cortes had 508 soldiers, one hundred sailors, artillery cannons, eleven ships and sixteen horses. Cortes and his small army, marched through Mexico, forming alliances with Aztec rivals, until reaching the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. Tenochtitlan was the capital city of the massive Mexican empire known as the Aztecs or Mexica. It had a population of 200,000 people; almost three times that of the largest city of Spain, Seyville (Windschuttle, 43). Within the next two years, Cortes and his men had triumphantly defeated the Aztecs and taken control of Tenochtitlan against all odds. (Daniel, 1992) So how, despite be hopelessly outnumbered, without the possibility of new supplies or reinforcements, fighting other native tribes and Spaniards, and the Aztecs on their own turf, did this tiny Spanish force defeat such a formidable army. Today, there are a number of reasons why the Spanish have believed to been able to overcome such odds. A combination of poor Aztec military tactics against advance Spanish weaponry and strategy, a weak Aztec ruler, the spread of disease, Tenochtitlan’s poor governing over its populace, and the interconnectedness of Aztec military and religion ultimately led to the demise of its empire. The first phase of the Spanish invasion of Mexico took place in April 1519. In defiance of the Governor of Cuba and his expedition sponsor, Cortes took control over his forces and moved them inland. On the way, Cortes met resistance from other locals, who he eventually conquered and absolved into his army as allies. After reaching Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Capital, the Spaniards were initially greeted as foreign ambassadors. Other claims state that the Aztecs viewed Cortes as the god, Quetzalcoatl (Windschuttle, 50). The Spanish did not return the favor, eventually kidnapping Emperor Montezuma and, using him as a puppet, ran the country. The Governor of Cuba, angry with the defiant Cortes, sent a force under Panfilo Narvaez to end his exploration. As the natives before him, Cortes defeated this force and had them join him in his conquest. In Cortes’ absence, the Spanish troops left behind had massacred Aztec nobles during a religious festival, a confrontation that also left emperor Moctezuma dead. The Spanish were forced to leave Tenochtitlan, ending the first phase of the conquest. For a year, the Spanish forces recuperated, gathering eight thousand native allies and new supplies, including three naval vessels. â€Å"To ay siege to a lake-girt city requiring the prefabrication of thirteen brigantines on the far side of the mountains, eight thousand carriers to transport the pieces, their reassembly in Texcoco, the digging of a canal and the deepening of the lake for their successful launching (Clendinenn, 72)† For a year, Cortes and his native allies lay siege to the city of Tenochtitlan. Using experience military tactics, against an Aztec force unprepared for them, Cortes and his troops captured the capital cit y, killing almost all inside. This would be the end of the Aztec empire. Moctezuma II was the ninth ruler of Tenochtitlan and the first Aztec emperor to make contact with Europeans. Moctezuma’s poor leadership and unwillingness to deal with the invading Spaniards are regarded as large factors of the Aztec’s demise. He immediately assumed the foreigners to be foreign ambassadors and was blindly unable to see their true intent. At their first meeting, the two leaders exchanged gifts. Clendinnen stated that â€Å"Cortes interpreted Moctezoma’s first gifts as gestures of submission of naive attempts of bribery. To the Aztecs, Moctezuma gifts were most likely â€Å"statements of dominancy, superb gestures of wealth and liberality made the more glorious by the arrogant humility of their giving (Windshuttle, 40). † After living months in Tenochtitlan, the Spaniards launched a coup, taking Moctezuma as a hostage. When he was taken hostage, he preferred to attempt to bribe the invaders rather than, although have the ability to, expel t hem from the city. Being heavily religious, Moctezuma would depend on his oracles for a plan of action, proving his indecisiveness and wasting valuable time. Indecisiveness of the leader and inaction to deal with the invaders led to the demise of the Aztec empire (Windschuttle, 45). The Aztec’s authoritative rule over its different cities and populations allowed for Hernan Cortes to recruit thousands of native allies. Only recently rising to power, the Aztecs depended on governed regions and populations for taxing tribute that included food and other necessities. â€Å"They exacted tribute by threat of terror and retribution. In fact, each year, the agricultural harvest heralded the onset of a six-month season of war, in which warriors from Tenochtitlan would go out to other settlements to challenge them to battle, to bring back captives for sacrifice, and to carry off women, children, and slaves (Windschuttle, 54). † The capital city of Tenochtitlan’s use of murder, sacrifice, and firm rule over its lands caused other Aztec cities to desire them to be overthrown. The Aztec’s authoritative rule was heavily resented, and did poorly to attain any loyal sentiments among its far-reaching population. Cortes was able to easily break these shaky alliances, and have these angered native populations join him in getting rid of the Aztecs. By the second siege of Tenochtitlan, Cortes had almost every other Aztec city fighting behind him. It was these native allies that led to the final massacre of the remaining Aztecs in Technoctitlan (Clendinenn, 91). Since the first contact between Europeans and American natives, diseases such as smallpox, measles, and yellow fever had spread like wildfire, killing millions of natives. The spread of disease to natives lacking immunity also contributed to the fall of the Aztecs. During the second siege of Tenochtitlan, a Spanish soldier from the force sent by the Governor of Cuba, had brought the smallpox disease with him. This disease spread quickly and was very effective at killing the natives. â€Å"Smallpox was the biggest single cause of death in the Valley of Mexico and killed off many more Aztec warriors than did Spanish swords or guns (Windschuttle, 46). † When the second siege of Tenochtitlan began, their population had dwindled so much that defeat was seemingly imminent. A major reason for the Spanish victory over the Aztecs was their experienced and trained military soldiers. They had foot soldiers with pikes, swordsmen, muskets and artillery. Spanish forces, trained by numerous wars with the French, were comprised of tercios, or units of 250 men. Soldiers were well-trained and put through drills that stressed the importance of the unit working together. Cortes and his army, due to lack of men, had to adjust to follow Spanish military strategy. â€Å"During the siege of Tenochtitlan the force was reformed into nine companies of about fifty men each, grouped in turn into three â€Å"divisions,† each of three companies. This handling of troops was in keeping with Spanish practice of the period (Daniel, 189). Cortes’ sixteen horses also proved to be incredibly effective against the Aztec soldiers and a played a vital role in their victory. â€Å"At Cintla in Tabasco, early in the expedition, thirteen horseman route a huge enemy force engaged with the infantry. At Otumba the wounded and exhausted cavalry repeatedly broke through the overwhelmi ng numbers of Aztec troops until they retreated (Daniel, 189). † Without the help of rival native groups, such as the Tlaxcala and Texcoco, the Spanish would have been even more outnumbered by the Aztec forces. This tactical use of alliances was possibly the most important aspect of Cortes’ conquest of Mexico. Overall, the use of infantry, cavalry, and allies seemed to be too much for the Aztecs. The tactical organization of the Aztec military was much different than that of the Spanish. The Aztec forces were comprised of every able man, who had little option, as opposed to the Spanish forces comprised of volunteers. Their forces were divided into four units of four hundred men, commanded by a councilor of the emperor. Most of these troops were low class commoners. There were also units of elite soldier fraternities, such as the Eagle and the Jaguar, that provided increased military skill to the Aztec army. Typically, Aztec forces would use open formations and attempt to overcome their foe using flanking tactics (Daniel 120). The Aztecs and their fortified cities were also not used to siege warfare or the use of cannons. â€Å"European cities had over this time adapted their construction, supplies and defenses to the possibility of a siege. Moreover , at the time the Spaniards were departing from America, European fortifications were going through a rapid redesign because of the challenge presented by the invention of cannon. In Tenochtitlan, however, Cortes found a people who had never even conceived of European-style siege warfare, let alone constructed defenses against it (Clendinenn, 56). † The Aztec use of open formations and inability to defend against cavalry attacks led to a disadvantage on the battleground. The Spanish army’s closed sword-wielding formations were able to hold up well against the Aztecs, often breaking through their lines. The cavalry, time and time again, were able to break up the Aztec formations, causing them to retreat. An example of the overpowering Spanish army tactics was highlighted by the Battle of Otumba. Here, a large Aztec army confronted exhausted Spanish forces. Cortes ordered his cavalry to attack the military leaders and the Aztec army’s flanks, breaking through their lines and causing confusion. The Spanish infantrymen engaged the Aztec foot soldiers, continuing to attack as the Aztec retreated. These tactics of Cortes and his men proved to too much even large Aztec force. Aside from military tactics, the military technologies utilized by the Spanish army were far more superior to the weapons of the Aztecs. Europeans were much more advanced in terms of weaponry, using weapons of steel and iron against the Aztec’s wood and stone. As the Aztecs considered kills with long-distance weapons to shameful, their arrows and darts were only meant to injure their opponents. Aztec warriors carried wooden arrows, knives of flint stone and wooden clubs embedded with flakes of obsidian, a form of volcanic glass (Windschuttle, 45). † These clubs with stone tips were the most effective weapons carried by the Aztecs. Spanish soldiers on the other hand carried â€Å"cutlasses, lances, arrowheads and armor all forged from iron and steel, plus hand guns, crossbows, and cannons (Windschuttle, 1997-45). Their lances and cutlasses were much more efficient in hand-to-hand combat, with the ability to kill opponents with one strike. The Spanish also brought with them armored cavalry, cannons, crossbows, brigantines (ships), and handguns. In the second siege of Tenochtitlan, the three brigantines lay waste to Aztec canoes fighting in defense of the city. The Aztec military was seemingly outmatched and did not intimidate the invaders in the least. â€Å"Spanish soldiers, in fact, found Aztec weapons so inconsequential that they abandoned their own heavy metal armor in favor of quilted cotton (Windschuttle, 55). The Spanish weaponry was too much for the outdated weapons of the Aztecs to have a chance. One historian, Inga Clendinnen, argued that the biggest Aztec disadvantage was how they viewed military confrontations. As they did with the Spanish, the Aztecs would send food and gifts to an enemy viewed as inferior. The Aztecs felt that war and religion were interconnected. The Aztecs preferred hand-to-hand combat with the intention of using captives for sacrifices to the gods. They were opposed to killing opponents from a distance and viewed surprise ambushing as an unthinkable military tactic. The Spanish army, however, cherished their long-ranged weapons, such as their muskets and crossbows. To make matters worse, Aztec warriors considered being killed by a long-distance weapon as an unworthy death. â€Å"Spaniards valued their crossbows and muskets for their capacity to pick off selected enemies well behind the line of engagement: as snipers, as we would say. The psychological demoralization attending those sudden, trivializing deaths of great men painted for war, but not yet engaged in combat, must have been formidable (Clendinnen, 80)† Cortes also launched numerous attacks in the orning, known as dawn raids, charging on unsuspecting villages and slaughtering men, women, and children. Cortes and the Spanish army learned to take advantage of the Aztecs’ religious military tactics. Spanish soldiers would pretend to retreat, tempting Aztec troops to pursue chases in the hopes of acquiring sacrificial captives. Cortes would then simultaneously have his troops turn around and slaughter the unsuspecting Aztecs (Windschuttle, 52-53). Cortes states that â€Å"Sometimes, as we were thus withdrawing and they pursued us so eagerly, the horsemen would pretend to be fleeing, and then suddenly would turn on the,; we always took a dozen or so of the boldest. By these means and by the ambushed which we set for them, they were always much hurt; and certainly it was a remarkable sight for even when they well knew the harm they would receive from us as we withdrew, they still pursued us until we had left the city (Clendinenn, 80). † The Spanish used siege warfare to ultimately bring down Tenochtitlan. They constricted its perimeter, forcing other tribes to join them against the Aztecs, and cutting off supplies to the Tenochtitlan’s inhabitants. â€Å"Siege was the quintessential European strategy: an economical design to exert maximum pressure on whole populations with active engagement, delivering control over people and place at least cost (Clendinenn, 83). † Aztecs detested this form of warfare, preferring the more honorable hand-to-hand combat. The Spanish, however, would avoid this type of warfare, sticking together in tight formations and using long-distance weapons and artillery. In the end, despite being heavily outnumbered, outgunned, and malnourished the Aztecs followed their prideful ways and refused to surrender. â€Å"Again they encountered ghostly figures, of women and gaunt children, and saw the warriors still stationed on the rooftops, but silent now, and unarmed, close-wrapped in their cloaks. And still the fruitless pretense at negotiation, the dumb, obdurate resistance (Clendinnen, 91). † Here Cortes seems to be dumbfounded by the resilience of the seemingly defeated Aztecs. In the coming day, Cortes and his army killed twelve thousand more Tenochtitlan inhabitants. Cortes again tried to get them to surrender. â€Å"I said many things to persuade them to surrender but all to no avail, although we showed them more signs of peace that have ever been shown to a vanquished people for we, by the grade of our Lord, were now the victors (Clendinnen, 91). † After two more days of Aztec refusal, Cortes released their native ally forces, which mercilessly murdered â€Å"forty-thousand† more Aztec civilians. Between the 15th and 16th centuries, the Aztec empire had been a thriving empire with far-reaching influence throughout Mexico. The eventual demise befalling them would go blindly unknown as Hernan Cortes and his army of Spanish Conquistadors explored Mexico. Within two years of seeing Tenochtitlan and meeting its emperor Moctezuma II, the Spanish forces of roughly five hundred men had destroyed the Aztec city and killed off most of inhabitants. There are many reasons that contributed to this extremely unlikely scenario. Moctezuma made the first blunder by accepting the invaders as foreign ambassadors and basically allowing them to roam freely around the city. His eventual kidnapping at the hands of the Spanish seemed to be the beginning of the end. After the initial siege of Tenochtitlan was unsuccessful, the Spanish were able to recuperate in a neighboring city of Texococo. Preying on weak ties between Technotitlan and the cities it cruelly and authoritatively ruled over, Cortes was able to combine a native ally army. In conjunction with the Spaniards’ advanced weaponry and military strategy, and using the poor religious-backed military tactics of the Aztecs to their advantage, the Aztecs fell within a year. The defeat of the Aztecs seemingly opened the door to European colonization of the Americas and the further destruction of the continents’ natives.

Harvey Milk

Chloe Addison September 22, 2009 Harvey Milk As of 1977, no openly gay politician had ever held office in the United States. Homosexuality, at the time, was frowned upon and therefore the idea of a someone with â€Å"different† sexual preferences holding office was almost an impossibility. As our country was evolving during the 70’s, gays and lesbians began fighting for their rights. The voice of this phenomenal movement was that of Harvey Milk. In 1977, Milk would change American politics forever. Harvey Milk was born in Woodmere, New York in 1930. He went on to college at New York State College for Teachers and majored in mathematics. After graduating, Milk joined the U. S. Navy during the Korean War. During this time, he was very successful and was discharged in 1955 as a lieutenant, junior grade. Following his time of service, Milk began teaching at George W. Hewlett High School. While teaching, Joe Campbell would enter Milk’s life. The two fell in love and moved in together, but after six years of being together, the two separated. Harvey Milk went on to court another man by the name of Craig Rodwell. Rodwellwas part of a gay activist group which was known for agitating the police. Despite being very involved with him, Milk felt he could not continue to be with him. As the United States changed in the 1960’s, opportunities for gays and lesbians began to present themselves. One of these opportunities was Castro Street in San Francisco. By 1969, San Francisco had the largest number of homosexuals per capita than any other city in the United States. Harvey Milk quickly recognized the Bay Area as the place he would be able to make an immediate difference for the gay community. He and his love interest at the time Scott Smith,opened a film shop on Castro Street. After numerous incidents and problems with government policies, Milk decided to run for office. If elected, he realized that he would be able to make a difference for the gay community in ways that no one previously was able to do. Running for office would not be easy at all. After revealing he would be running for office, noted activist in gay politics Jim Foster did not back Milk. Despite his endorsement, many gay bar owners quickly supported his ambitions. The owners were tired of police brutality and intolerance of their establishments. Despite running on extremely low funds, Milk’s fiery speeches drew him much attention during the 1973 elections. Though he did not win, this allowed him to gain a great amount of press. Milk developed anorganization known as the Teamsters. As the Teamsters grew, Milk’s popularity grew as well. He would go on to become loving known as â€Å"the Mayor of Castro Street†. Harvey Milk would eventually win the 1977 election for the California State Assembly. His inauguration made national headlines since he was the first openly gay non-incumbent man to win an election for public office. During his time in office, Milk strived to help gays get their rights that they so desperately deserved. At the 1978 San Francisco Gay Freedom Day, Milk delivered his most memorable speech, the â€Å"Hope Speech†. Sadly Harvey Milk’s groundbreaking career was cut short after being shot and killed in 1978. Harvey Milk â€Å"My name is Harvey Milk, and I’m here to recruit you,† were the famous words of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He was elected after 3 times of losing the election because there weren’t enough people who support gay rights in San Francisco at the time. Although times have changes and many people are more open minded and are more supportive of LGBT communities, the LGBT communities still do not have the same human rights as any other America have. In present time only 10 states recognize gay marriage as a legal right. Numerous people believe that it is a sin for people of the same gender to get married. Many human right organization are advocating and protesting, that gay rights are human rights. Everyone should have the opportunity to equality in all aspects of life, such as equal marriage, medical benefits, adoption, and equal opportunities in the workforce. The Constitution it states, â€Å"†¦All men should be made equal. † This is the law. There is no way around the fact that every person deserves an equal opportunity in life regardless of what they do. People in society around the world face violence and inequality because of who they are and who they love. The fight for gay rights to become a human right has begun. But there are many people who feel as if this is a big mistake. Gay marriage has slowly become a social norm amongst individuals of today’s society. Initially, this leads to the discussion of homosexuals having the right to marry in society. Ultimately, conflict from the opposing position of ‘against’ gay marriage may arise that gay marriage can destroy the concept of marriage and mock the importance of the bible. In reference to this; everyone in society has the right to marry regardless of gender, thus it should be socially acceptable. However, this is why it is significant to discuss both sides of the argument, regardless homosexuals do not necessarily want to get marriage but may just want the justification of having equal rights. But there are people such as Jack Donnelley who commits to stating gay rights are not a human right. Donnelley explains how â€Å"homosexuality is widely considered immoral. He also states if human rights are paramount rights, not even all illegitimate discrimination falls under a human right to nondiscrimination. Donnelley explains how sexual minorities are merely people are all victims of racism, sexism, and religious persecution, they are human beings who identified by dominant social group as somehow less than a fully human and thus not entitle to the same rights as every â€Å"normal† human being would have. Marriage is a fundamental human right acco rding to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 16, and the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Nevertheless, though not mentioned in the United States Constitution, it can be argued, as was the case in Iowa per the state’s own constitution, to be a matter of equal protection under the law. In the movie Milk, Harvey Milk was an advocate for gay rights. He believed that the more people who came out to their families the more people can relate having gay rights because they know someone who is gay and then society will become more acceptable to it. Regardless of the odds he keep fighting for the opportunity to become the first openly gay person to become elected into a political position. Harvey Milk influenced a lot of people during the time of his campaign, that gay rights were a human right. In the years since Milk’s assassination, public opinion has shifted on gay marriage, gays in the military, and other issues, and there have been hundreds of openly LGBT public officials in America, yet the work continues. As society begins to accept the LGBT community and homosexuals become openly about their relationships to one another, they become more valued members within their communities and the difference between living together or being married seems to disappear. As for homosexual couples who want to build and raise a family, adoption is the most popular action to partake in and socially this should be accepted within the rights of society. Allowing equal rights opportunities can also benefit the economy in several different ways. It can lower the unemployment rate, and also help the church communities who allow gay marriage. â€Å"Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,† was a law established by congress that allowed homosexual men and women to serve in the military as long as they kept their sexual orientation private. On September 20, 2011, congress made history by passing a law repealing the â€Å"Don’t ask don’t tell† legislation of 1993. Thousands of service men and women came out of there proverbial closets, where many had been hiding their entire careers, to celebrate their new right to express themselves freely. Some even celebrated by marrying their longtime mates, an act that only brought to light a new issue. The United States government will not recognize same sex marriage on a federal level. As a result, same-sex unions are not recognized in the military and these couples are not eligible for married benefits. Plainly put, it is not fair. All married persons serving in the military should be eligible to receive the same benefits, regardless of sexual orientation. There will always be people against any decision that will be made if they make gay rights as a human right. People will always claim gays rights are against the bible. But if homosexuals are allowed an equal opportunity in society, than not only are the people going to find this a social normal but this is a progress in society, where we can help other countries and other organization continue battling human rights equality for the entire world. Although times have changes and many people are more open minded and are more supportive of LGBT communities, the LGBT communities still do not have the same human rights as any other America have. But I believe with Harvey Milk, coming out to family and friends helps advocate equality for all people including homosexual. Harvey Milk â€Å"My name is Harvey Milk, and I’m here to recruit you,† were the famous words of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He was elected after 3 times of losing the election because there weren’t enough people who support gay rights in San Francisco at the time. Although times have changes and many people are more open minded and are more supportive of LGBT communities, the LGBT communities still do not have the same human rights as any other America have. In present time only 10 states recognize gay marriage as a legal right. Numerous people believe that it is a sin for people of the same gender to get married. Many human right organization are advocating and protesting, that gay rights are human rights. Everyone should have the opportunity to equality in all aspects of life, such as equal marriage, medical benefits, adoption, and equal opportunities in the workforce. The Constitution it states, â€Å"†¦All men should be made equal. † This is the law. There is no way around the fact that every person deserves an equal opportunity in life regardless of what they do. People in society around the world face violence and inequality because of who they are and who they love. The fight for gay rights to become a human right has begun. But there are many people who feel as if this is a big mistake. Gay marriage has slowly become a social norm amongst individuals of today’s society. Initially, this leads to the discussion of homosexuals having the right to marry in society. Ultimately, conflict from the opposing position of ‘against’ gay marriage may arise that gay marriage can destroy the concept of marriage and mock the importance of the bible. In reference to this; everyone in society has the right to marry regardless of gender, thus it should be socially acceptable. However, this is why it is significant to discuss both sides of the argument, regardless homosexuals do not necessarily want to get marriage but may just want the justification of having equal rights. But there are people such as Jack Donnelley who commits to stating gay rights are not a human right. Donnelley explains how â€Å"homosexuality is widely considered immoral. He also states if human rights are paramount rights, not even all illegitimate discrimination falls under a human right to nondiscrimination. Donnelley explains how sexual minorities are merely people are all victims of racism, sexism, and religious persecution, they are human beings who identified by dominant social group as somehow less than a fully human and thus not entitle to the same rights as every â€Å"normal† human being would have. Marriage is a fundamental human right acco rding to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 16, and the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Nevertheless, though not mentioned in the United States Constitution, it can be argued, as was the case in Iowa per the state’s own constitution, to be a matter of equal protection under the law. In the movie Milk, Harvey Milk was an advocate for gay rights. He believed that the more people who came out to their families the more people can relate having gay rights because they know someone who is gay and then society will become more acceptable to it. Regardless of the odds he keep fighting for the opportunity to become the first openly gay person to become elected into a political position. Harvey Milk influenced a lot of people during the time of his campaign, that gay rights were a human right. In the years since Milk’s assassination, public opinion has shifted on gay marriage, gays in the military, and other issues, and there have been hundreds of openly LGBT public officials in America, yet the work continues. As society begins to accept the LGBT community and homosexuals become openly about their relationships to one another, they become more valued members within their communities and the difference between living together or being married seems to disappear. As for homosexual couples who want to build and raise a family, adoption is the most popular action to partake in and socially this should be accepted within the rights of society. Allowing equal rights opportunities can also benefit the economy in several different ways. It can lower the unemployment rate, and also help the church communities who allow gay marriage. â€Å"Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,† was a law established by congress that allowed homosexual men and women to serve in the military as long as they kept their sexual orientation private. On September 20, 2011, congress made history by passing a law repealing the â€Å"Don’t ask don’t tell† legislation of 1993. Thousands of service men and women came out of there proverbial closets, where many had been hiding their entire careers, to celebrate their new right to express themselves freely. Some even celebrated by marrying their longtime mates, an act that only brought to light a new issue. The United States government will not recognize same sex marriage on a federal level. As a result, same-sex unions are not recognized in the military and these couples are not eligible for married benefits. Plainly put, it is not fair. All married persons serving in the military should be eligible to receive the same benefits, regardless of sexual orientation. There will always be people against any decision that will be made if they make gay rights as a human right. People will always claim gays rights are against the bible. But if homosexuals are allowed an equal opportunity in society, than not only are the people going to find this a social normal but this is a progress in society, where we can help other countries and other organization continue battling human rights equality for the entire world. Although times have changes and many people are more open minded and are more supportive of LGBT communities, the LGBT communities still do not have the same human rights as any other America have. But I believe with Harvey Milk, coming out to family and friends helps advocate equality for all people including homosexual.