Stratman

Experiential Exercise 3A Developing an EFE Matrix for Walt Disney Company Purpose This exercise will give you practice developing an EFE matrix . An EFE matrix summarizes the result of an external audit . This is an important tool widely used by strategists . Instructions Step 1Join with other two students in class , and jointly prepare an EFE Matrix for Walt Disney Company . Refer back to the cohesion case and to Experiential Exercise 1A . If necessary , to identify external opportunities and threats . Use the information in the S&P Industry Surveys that you copied as part of Experiential Exercise 1A . Be sure not to include strategies as opportunities , but di include as many $’s , %’s , #’s , and ratios as possible . Step 2 All three-person team participating in this exercise should record their EFE total weighted scores on the board . Put your initials after your score to identify it as your team’s Step 3 Compare the total weighted scores. Which team’s score came closest to the instructor’s answer ? iscuss reasons for variation in the scores reported on the board . Experential Exercise 3C Developing an EFE Matrix for my University Purpose More colleges and universities are embarking upon the strategic-management process . Institutions are consciously and systematically identifying and evaluating external opportunities and threats facing higher education in your state , the nation , and the world . Instructions Step 1Join with two other i ndividuals in class and jointly prepare an EFE Matrix for your institution. Step 2 Go to the board and record your total weighted score in a column that includes the scores of all three person-teams participating . Put your initials after your score to identify it as your team’s. Step 3 Which team viewed your college’s strategies most positively ? Which team viewed your college’s most negatively ? Discuss the nature of the differences . Opportunities †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Move into different segments †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Proper inventory management †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Market development in untapped countries. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Reduction in operating costs. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Disney music channel   Ã‚  Ã‚   Benchmarking to improve management practices. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Disney school of management and training †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Online Websites †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Develop more attractions for theme park. Threats †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Security Threats due to terrorism †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Employee retention †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   High compe tition in Media Industry. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Facing fierce competition from Paramount Parks, Universal Studios and Six Flags Theme Parks. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Social and ethnic groups. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Government policies †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   High demanding market in terms of innovation. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Increasing salaries and labor cost. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Recession   Ã‚  Ã‚   Maintain product differentiation. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Tight competition in national and international markets. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Searching, paying and retaining innovative people. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Piracy Recent changes in U. S. , global, or regional economic conditions could have a continuing adverse effect on the profitability of some or all of our businesses. Changes in public and consumer tastes and preferences for entertainment and consumer products could reduce demand for our entertainment offerings and products and adversely affect the profitability of any of our businesses. Changes in technology and in consumer consumption patterns may affect demand for our entertainment products or the cost of producing or distributing products. The success of our businesses is highly dependent on the existence and maintenance of intellectual property rights in the entertainment products and services we create. A variety of uncontrollable events may reduce demand for our products and services, impair our ability to provide our products and services or increase the cost of providing our products and services. Increased competitive pressures may reduce our revenues or increase our costs. Sustained increases in costs of pension and postretirement medical and other employee health and welfare benefits may reduce our profitability. Our results may be adversely affected if long-term programming or carriage contracts are not renewed on sufficiently favorable terms. Changes in regulations applicable to our businesses may impair the profitability of our businesses. Labor disputes may disrupt our operations and adversely affect the profitability of any of our businesses. Provisions in our corporate documents and Delaware state law could delay or prevent a change of control, even if that change would be beneficial to shareholders. The seasonality of certain of our businesses could exacerbate negative impacts on our operations. The Company’s acquisition of Marvel is expected to cause short term dilution in earnings per share and there can be no assurance that anticipated improvements in earnings per share will be realized.

The reaction to Boris Johnson’s article about Ken Bigley and resulting implications for the media

When Boris Johnson's article in The Spectator1 caused controversy a week ago, it raised questions not only about the ethical position of politicians involved in journalism, but also about the freedom of the media and its relationship with regulators and governmental bodies. Boris Johnson is a much- derided figure, often attacked for his looks and manner rather than his views and actions. In a radio interview for the BBC, for example, Paul Bigley (Ken's brother) accused him of being a â€Å"self- centred, pompous twit†2 and belittled him for his appearance and waffling manner despite the valid points in the article, and subsequent apology. This tact was followed by newspapers almost without exception; The Times, for example, started their article with a quote from Michael Howard denouncing Johnson's writing as â€Å"nonsense from beginning to end,†4 a comment in the Liverpool Daily Post recommended that he ‘got life insurance,'5 and an article on the BBC website6 provided quotations only from those against the MP. This is in direct contrast to what the same website suggested was the general public opinion. On the ‘Your Views'7 section, nineteen out of twenty- two comments support Johnson's opinion, ranging from those in general support to people from Liverpool criticising their fellow Liverpudlians; suggesting that the media was either being sensationalist or deliberately opposing a Conservative- who, it should be noted, did not even write the article. The true author, Simon Heffer, was barely mentioned and has ‘no plans to issue an apology;'8 further evidence that it was the character of Johnson rather than his article that caused so much disagreement. This is supported by a comment in The Independent which noted that Johnson was not the first social commentator to challenge Liverpool's reaction to the beheading. On Sunday the 10th of October, Dr Anthony Daniels challenged the town's reaction for an ‘estranged son â€Å"whose attachment to Liverpool was so great that he was planning to live in Thailand. â€Å"‘9 Dr Daniels, however, was not featured in any newspaper or criticised for his comments. This calls into question the role of MPs in the media; whether it is possible for them to be both decision makers and public commentators. Though not the first editor to become an MP- Iain Macleod and Dick Crossman have both managed it in the past- as both the Financial Times and The Guardian Student pointed out, in ‘bowing down to Mr Howard's edict'10 Johnson put political ambition over journalistic independence. This not only undermines Johnson's validity as a public commentator but also the doctrine of press freedom. Enshrined in the US Constitution in the First Amendment and by ‘Supreme Court precedent,'11 the press is often perceived in America as the ‘fourth branch of government,' providing a check and balance to the judiciary, executive and legislative. Though in Britain the branches are less divided, the same principle should stand to provide effective restraints; hence the ongoing debate over the Lord Chancellor's position in all three branches of Government. When an MP becomes involved in the media, therefore, its independence is called into question. It seems unlikely, for example, than an MP could comment fairly on the actions of a body he or she works for. The reaction to Johnson's article proves that MPs working as journalists do not have the same freedom as journalists not also working as MPs. This challenges the validity of a ‘free media' that can be influenced so easily despite supposedly having complete freedom of speech. Often heralded as an indicator of democracy, Britain's press is perceived to be one of the freest in the world. â€Å"Freedom,† however, can be interpreted in many ways. In the United Kingdom, for example, though the media can in theory print anything there are moral and bureaucratic restrictions. Seven companies, four of which account for 90% of sales, own the entire national press and media ‘moguls' such as Rupert Murdoch control many publications. Murdoch himself owns the News of the World, The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times. This may have influenced their synonymous attack on Johnson's article which was published in The Spectator, owned by one of Murdoch's rivals the Barclay brothers- who, as commented upon in The Times, have ‘not raised the Liverpool editorial'12 with Johnson, revealing their ongoing faith in having a politician as an editor whilst others are questioning it. The ownership of chains of newspapers has implications on their bias and impartiality. Murdoch's politics, for example, are generally right- wing, though he apparently favours republicanism over monarchy and is said to have refused a British peerage. His influence is apparent in the papers he owns. In February 1998, for example, The Sun, which had consistently attacked Labour's plans for the Millennium Dome suddenly changed tack and threw its weight behind the project. It seems no coincidence that Murdoch's BSkyB had recently made an investment in the Dome. 13 It is, however, impossible for any form of media to be truly unbiased. Humans, by their nature, are influenced by what they read and who they see, and inject personal opinion into articles or reports without intending to. In the United Kingdom The Times is typically seen as a left- wing paper, The Telegraph as right- wing, and The Independent as the most unbiased paper. These stereotypes rarely hold true, however, with The Times' editorial often being more lenient towards the Conservatives. This may have more to do with the fact that the media often opposes whoever is in power, whoever they are, with no regards to traditional stance. Of the articles about Johnson, the most balanced viewpoint was from The Guardian Student. From the very start it offers views for and against the article; even the headline, â€Å"Boris is ‘sorry' for tactless own goal†14 presents Johnson as apologetic whilst also implying he made a blunder. Throughout, it keeps this balanced viewpoint with quotations from those supporting him followed by those against; contrasting articles in The Times15 which present tirades of criticism. The Guardian Student article is an exception, however. Though often not as transparent as headlines in tabloids such as The Sun or The Daily Star, broadsheets in the Western world show clear bias without obvious governmental controls. This may be seen to affect politics. In a poll conducted in America in 1992, for example, 89% of 1400 members of the national media surveyed voted for Clinton in that same year. 16 Though it is certain this would have influenced the journalists' articles, it is debateable whether the media dictated the public's mood or vice versa. In 1997 when The Sun declared â€Å"It's The Sun Wot Won It† due to its support of the Labour party, it was questionable whether they actually influenced the public or merely responded to what the public was urging them to print. Despite the obvious bias, however, the media of the Western world is still typically liberal in viewpoint, with it rare for an outlet to present controversial or minority views. The views of the BNP, for example, are rarely, if ever, supported in the media. The reason for this comes down to money. The public are unlikely to buy a paper if it is known to publish racist, xenophobic or controversial views, even if they are just the expression of free speech (though The Sun comes close on occasion, printing sensationalist headlines with unsubstantiated evidence17). Constantly looking for ways to increase revenue, papers are therefore unlikely to publish minority views if it is the majority that they are aiming for. Minority views are more often only heard when their exponents, such as Abu Hanzar, are being persecuted or when comedians are chastising them. Billy Connelly and Doug Stanhope, for example, as criticised in the Warwick Boar18, regularly use controversial, politically incorrect material under the guise of jokes. Connelly joking about Ken Bigley, for example, did not receive the criticism that Johnson did despite being more tactless and insensitive. Freedom of press, however, is not truly understood unless compared to non- Western countries. In ‘Last Seven Days' (a Warwick- based informal political discussion group), for example, both a Russian and a Chinese student commented that the freedom of the press is not appreciated in Britain. In Russia, using restrictive legislation and exerting financial pressure through the government and government- related companies, the Kremlin â€Å"gained nearly total control of the broadcast media in 2003. â€Å"19 Many Russians, as commented upon in the World Press Review, support restrictions on the press. 20 This has resulted in a media consistently supporting the Russian government and President, as evident in the translation of articles from Moscow News which celebrate nuclear weapons test launches as ‘landmark events. An article on the same event in the USA or the UK is likely to have included criticism of the demand and use of nuclear weapons. The general perception of the media in much of the Western world is that they have a great degree of freedom. Whilst this is true if compared to countries such as Russia, China or Iraq, there are still pressures on journalists to produce articles with a particular slant or viewpoint. It could be said, for example, that the restrictive policies typical of countries ruled by dictatorship have been replaced by the â€Å"dictatorial† media barons such as Rupert Murdoch and the Barclay brothers. The governmental restrictions, meanwhile, are more likely to be whips or party leaders trying to pander to public opinion rather than imposing party policy, as was displayed by Michael Howard over Boris Johnson's article. I also witnessed this during work experience at the House of Commons, where there were daily meetings for all opposition MPs to discuss the previous day's press coverage, and the majority of Theresa May's (MP, Windsor and Maidenhead) work was to attract the attention of, or respond to, local and national media. The relationship between the press and politicians is complex, with politicians trying to get in the media, and journalists often only willing to cover a minority of issues for personal, political, or financial reasons. When politicians, such as Boris Johnson, become directly involved in the media, further restrictions and pressures are placed on the medium. Therefore though the media, in particular in Britain, is supposedly free from constraints, in reality there are numerous limits on what journalists are willing to write.

Onet

Week 3 Assignment 1. The occupation I researched was in the field of corrections. Finding specific information on this occupation using O*NET was not difficult at all. For this assignment I was provided with step-by-step instructions on how to get to the â€Å" My Next Move† page where a person can type in keywords to research careers. At first glance the site can look intimidating but like any other site if you read the information provided the page will help guide you in the right direction.I feel that a person navigating through the site can still reach the locations they desire if they familiarize themselves with the page and once again, read the information given. As I began reading information I noticed that each heading or subtitle was followed with examples or descriptions on what to do or how to operate the function and I like how they incorporate links to reach the next page in the description as they guide you on where to go. They couldn’t make using the site any easier other than typing and doing the research for you.The page itself reads like a job analysis the way it defines and tells duties of a job. I was impressed by the information on the page in particular two areas, the heading under education where it tells you what kind of education is associated with the field of occupation and the heading under job outlook where it tells you average salary per your for that job but also allows a person quick access to view job opportunities in each state, view local job opportunities, and/or find a job throughout the U. S. 2. The correction officer occupation I am preparing for was not listed as part of my matching skills, on the opening page.But as I explored different links I found that my match was listed on those pages as related matches. In my opinion attaching fields that are closely related along with the initial search add value to the site by giving the researcher access to explore other occupations that the he or she may never hav e thought of before. I feel that the information on the page, in particular defining the skills, education, and abilities for the job will direct the right applicant by discouraging those who already know they don’t fit the bill from wasting company time and expense well as their own time.What continues to impress me is not all the information provided on a page, even though it is more helpful than just reading about the job description, but that it is the right information along with helpful tools like links to help you locate jobs and apprenticeships. Overall I like how O*NET matches occupations to your skill and provides related suggestions because I felt as though it help open my mind to new ideas as it broadened the range of consideration for job enquiries. 3.O*NET is a very good tool for conducting a job analysis because it already provides a lot of information about many occupations, â€Å"the O*NET database contains information on hundreds of careers, and is continua lly updated and provided online at no cost† (O*NET, 2010). If it had not already been done I would conduct a job analysis of the company using one or a combination of the traditional job analysis methods. Once the data was a collected, organized, and compiled into useful information I would then utilize the O*NET database for comparing information.With O*NET’s extensive database HR can locate exact occupations and use the information to see just how well their companies job analysis measures nationwide. Available tools on the site can assist on changing or fine-tuning an analysis. One tool that can quickly become an HR’s number one asset is The Toolkit for Business function that â€Å"helps business professionals who want to make the most of the information in O*NET† (O*NET, 2010). This function goes further with assisting by giving examples and â€Å"easy to follow steps for creating accurate job descriptions† (O*NET, 2010). The material describes how to effectively use O*NET Online to aid in HR planning and employee reskilling and retention† (O*NET, 2010). Another function I think many HRM will find may come in handy is located under the developers tab. The Spanish version database â€Å"maintains the same format and file structure as the English 4. 0 version. This can be a pretty accurate tool to answer questions HR may have involving language barriers and a good format for Spanish speaking â€Å"job seekers, students, and other career explorers† (O*NET, 2010) to utilize the same wealth of information. . I would most certainly have my staff use this site for several reasons. As mentioned earlier, this site contains so much information and different helpful tools to assist with HRM I think a company would do itself an injustice not utilizing all that it has to offer. Consistently updated information, easy to read instructions, examples, and point and click functions available at no cost all wrapped up in a comp lete package make this at tool HR should not be without. I would have my staff use this site to keep our job analysis up to date and accurate.When seeking potential employees it is in the interest of the company as well as the applicant that the job seeker understands exactly what the company is in search of and what they expect from them. Since the company web site has become the most popular recruiting method it is that much more important that job listing be accurate with the job specifications that â€Å"state the minimum acceptable qualifications that the incumbent must possess to perform the job successfully† (DeCenzo, Robbins, 2012).The job specifications provide information on â€Å" knowledge, skills, education, experience, certification, and abilities† (DeCenzo, Robbins, 2012) required for the position. Another reason to have my staff use the O*NET site is for the testing and assessment consumer guide. There are three different guides HR can use to fit the ap propriate application.Testing and Assessment helps with workforce development, Test and Other Assessments â€Å"focus towards clients of workforce development† (O*NET, 2010), and another Testing and Assessment guide â€Å" can help managers with and workforce development professionals understand and use employment testing and assessment practices to meet their organization’s human resource goals† (O*NET, 2010). References D. DeCenzo, S. Robbins 2012 Fundamentals of Human Resource Management. John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken NJ O*NET (2010). Retrieved from http://www. mynextmove. org O*NET (2010). Retrieved from http://www. onetcenter. org

Definition informal personality type Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Definition informal personality type - Assignment Example According to my pals, I am a no-nonsense girl who cares less about the public opinion as long as I achieve my goals. Nonetheless, this does not mean violating other people’s rights and freedom in order to succeed in my endeavors. My strong personality has gained me different names from my male and female friends. However, the word jerk is beyond my character. I might cause a conflict or pain to individuals who threaten my freedom or intend to divert my goals, but under normal circumstances, I am calm and friendly. The society has a wrong perception of womanhood due to the stereotypes and male domination. Consequently, women and girls who express their willingness to confront patriarchy receive social neglect and labelling. I am firm girl who intends to follow my dream and achieve the success that fits my description. I draw my inspiration from Margret Thatcher, and if my idol was a jerk, I intend to be one as it is profitable than being

Innovation and Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words - 2

Innovation and Change - Essay Example Today, innovative activity is a vital undertaking in determining the competitiveness of a country in the global markets as well as its economic progress. Despite the great importance that innovation bears in addition to the opportunities brought about by globalisation and new and advanced technologies; many governments around the globe are faced with difficulties in strengthening their activities in this area (Cole, 2010). This paper sets out to discuss the policy issues and challenges that face innovation and look at the ways to address these challenges. In the process of addressing these challenges; it is evident that influencers of policies regulating innovation activities are mostly governments. In addition, the major steps to be taken towards addressing most of the challenges are often within the power of the government. Today, the rise in the standards of living of people around the globe can be attributed to innovation. Today’s more productive economy can be pointed to the application of technological advances in combination with innovative and entrepreneurial approaches in the creation and distribution of commodities; both goods and services (Economist Intelligence Unit, 2009). In areas where the regulatory and market structures are favourable to the expansion of the more productive activities; the result is more economic growth and development hence; the effort of innovation in conjunction with formal research and development (R&D) remain the main themes of growth. Research opines that innovation is on the rise towards forming a major part of the economic activity (Warda et al., 2006). In the past two decades, growth in investment in machinery and equipment has been more rapid than in knowledge in most countries. In countries such as the United States and Finland, investment in knowledge is much greater than that in machinery and equipment. Furthermore, activities of R&D have intensified in most countries in the past decade but major developed n ations still remain unchanged in this area. The rate of growth of productivity is heavily influenced by improvements made in the skill composition of the workforce. More recently, the significance of innovation has been bolstered by the rapid technological advances and globalisation that have led to the establishment of new markets and new forms of competition that deliver consumers with innovative products and services. Even though these developments hasten the need for many countries to elevate the value chain; de Serres et al. (2006) opine that strengthening innovation performance is a major problem in these nations. An example is the slow progress witnessed with the Lisbon strategy of the European Union. However, a renewal of the strategy resulted in some success in helping the EU’s R&D and innovation performance – which is a key element of the Lisbon strategy; to increase the intensity of R&D in every economy. Innovation, however, is difficult to measure using R&D since for it to succeed it requires that a number of policies be implemented across extensive domains ranging from funding of the R&D, entrepreneurship, immigration, education as well as financial, product and labour market regulations. Analysis from the past decade reveals that the rapid increases in the intensity of R&D in many countries around the globe are due to a number of factors. These factors include (de Serres et al., 2006): i. Reduced anti-competitive regulations of the product market that

Generating forecasts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Generating forecasts - Essay Example Since the current and future customers have more money to buy the company’s goods and services, it is possible to predict an increase in the purchase of the stores’ product sales and services revenues. Statistical tools help make more informed store management decisions. In the same manner, the increase in certain independent factors may indicate a possible decline in the dependent factor. For example, an increase in the government’s taxes will reduce the workers’ take home pays or salaries. Consequently, the reduced take home pays will reduce the workers’ purchasing power. Consequently, the decision makers must expect a decline in the stores’ sales and service revenues. With the reduced take home pay, the employees must cut down their avoidable expenses. The table 1 data shows the company can generate the future weeks’ projected revenues (Johnson, 2010). The expected future sales are grounded based on the above multiple independent variables. The dependent variable is the revenues. As dependent variable, the sales output is normally dependent on the many independent variables. The above table shows that the competitors often sell their products at prices that are reasonable. A reasonable price takes into consideration several relevant factors. One of the relevant factors is the demand for the products. A high customers’ demand for the products will encourage the stores to increase their selling prices. However, a low demand for the stores’ products and services persuades the store managers to offer discounted prices. With the discounts, the customers will take advantage of the price reductions. A price reduction will normally trigger a higher demand for the stores’ products and services (Johnson, 2010). The above table 2 shows the summary of the statistical findings’ regression analysis for the ten weeks. The Multiple regression output is shown to be 0.63. The R Squared figure is 0.40. The Adjusted R squared figure is -.0950.

Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 7

Philosophy - Essay Example It can be studied as a property of brain. All the human activities are controlled by the instructions from the brain. Cognitive capacities include; the ability to analyze a situation, the ability to evaluate the do’s and don’ts, implementation of actions, understanding and analysis of ideas to form clear pictures about an incident, hypothesis formations, generalizations, anticipation of new possibilities, ability to understand the cause-and-effect linkages among a system etc. The intellectual levels of different human beings are different and hence the cognitive capacities also will be different from person to person. â€Å"According to the computational theory of mind (CTM), mental capacities are explained by inner computations, which in biological organisms are realized in the brain† (Gualtiero Piccinini). Human mind activities are more or less similar to that of a computer. A computer is providing us the output after a lot of computations. Whatever the instructions supplied to a computer is been processed inside the Central Processing Similarly our mind also will undergo lot of computing process before taking a decision. The instructions to the computer is been supplied through the keyboard or mouse while in the case of human being the instructions are obtained through the senses, ear, eyes, nose, tongue and skin. In the case of a computer the information will be processed in the CPU while in the case of human it is processed in the brain. For computers the instructions supplied from the keyboard or mouse will reach the CPU through address buses while in the case of human the instructions from the senses reaches the brain through nerves associated with the senses. Consider the case of a purchasing decision of a car by a person. He will decide about the car to be purchased only after lot of computations such as analyzing the data about different models of cars, evaluation of price factors, fuel economy, maintenance costs, resale value, his

A Situational Analysis on Marsha Warrens Case Essay

A Situational Analysis on Marsha Warrens Case - Essay Example In environmental control, the exercise of excessive disciplinary actions may sound sensible, but it can establish restrictive academic atmosphere, arresting learning at the expense of highly reactive students. Indicatively, in the case study of Marsha Warren, despite application of contingent teaching and management strategies, there are still manifestations of setbacks, not only on the part of the students, but also in the instructors’ classroom management. Although the students’ behavioral and learning problems are sources of class disruptions, the teachers’ personal attitude towards their academic functions may worsen the uncontrollable situations.  In environmental control, the exercise of excessive disciplinary actions may sound sensible, but it can establish restrictive academic atmosphere, arresting learning at the expense of highly reactive students. Indicatively, in the case study of Marsha Warren, despite application of contingent teaching and managem ent strategies, there are still manifestations of setbacks, not only on the part of the students, but also in the instructors’ classroom management. Although the students’ behavioral and learning problems are sources of class disruptions, the teachers’ personal attitude towards their academic functions may worsen the uncontrollable situations.   Dealing with difficult students in heterogeneous groups can be tasking to patience and efforts of every instructor. In the case of Warren, several dilemmas have piled up, instigating sparks of hostility in learning and social interaction. For one, the source of disruptive behavior has not been dealt with accordingly. With the narrowed focus on â€Å"bad behavior,† other important aspects of the disruptive problems have been neglectfully addressed (Goldstein, 2007, p. 4). The instructor in the paper keeps placing punishing consequences on the delinquent acts of the students, never reflecting on implication of con secutive reprimands on children’s social conditioning. Active interaction is severely hampered through this restrictive management form, reducing motivations on students’ learning desires.  In relation, while the lack of insight on how to classroom conflicts is rampant, abject competency in teaching and handling a classroom conflict is questioned.  

The Impact of Offshoring in the Services Sector Essay

The Impact of Offshoring in the Services Sector - Essay Example The researcher presents that in an extensive study by Wilding and Jurado noted that, "Poor labor availability or quality within the surveyed organizations is not a considerable driver for outsourcing". The number one driver is cost savings on labor. For a company to realize any benefit from the lower cost of labor, it will require employee displacement. According to Beaumont and Sohal, "Outsourcing a function may entail dismissal or redeployment of employees, changes in the work they do or their transfer to the vendor's employment and its different conditions". All these features impact the employees that are directly affected as well as influencing the attitude of the employees that remain with the firm. Balancing to the lowered cost of labor is the substantial investment that the firm needs to make in the offshore workforce. Training the vendor is a high priority and requires a significant investment to train and retain agents who are skilled and highly motivated. These investments need to evaluate over the long term and not a snapshot in time. One of the risks associated with offshoring is that the firm creates a dependence on the vendor that does the contracting. As the company offshores more of its internal functions the risk grows with it. The direct cost of this risk is the cost of monitoring the vendor which increases as the size of the contract increases. Additional risk comes from long-term offshoring contracts, which may be difficult to break in case of a problem. According to Oh, Gallivan, and Kim, investors weigh the impact of these risks and state, "Investors will "bid up'' the stock prices of client firms that are able to pursue low-risk outsourcing engagements while punishing clients that become entangled in outsourcing contracts that pose a high level of risk". Offshoring will have a negative economic return for the shareholders. Offshoring may be the remedy of last resort for a failing business. According to Lacity and Hirscheim, "outsourcing is being used to salvage a losing enterprise. Is it sound business practice to liquidate the IS department to rescue a firm Many shareholders believe so -- stock prices systematically rise just after an outsourcing announcement". The remedy for the impact of offshoring on the low skilled segment of the financial services sector may not be realistic. According to Binder, "the jobs of call center operators are clearly at risk, while the jobs of most doctors look safe. The glibly-prescribed remedy for the rich countries is, therefore, more education and, more generally, an upskilling of the workforce". However, in a capitalist market system, there is a saturation point where upskilling results in a market glut of these skills and drives the wage downward. Educating away the cost of offshoring would, therefore, be counterproductive.

The American War of Independence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The American War of Independence - Essay Example But by whatever stroke of fate, the colonials completely trounced the mighty forces of Great Britain. The rout was so unexpected that the historian John Ferling quoted George Washington as saying that the "American victory was a little short of a standing miracle".1 Ferling went on to say that the skirmishes and battles "often hinged on intangibles such as leadership under fire, heroism, good fortune, blunders, tenacity and surprise".2 The British forces all throughout the war played the aggressor , employing time-tested strategies and tactics that it had used before against the French, Spanish and Irish foes. The colonials, meanwhile, a complete tyro in any warfare, were always on the defensive employing tactics that were best suited for the occasion. "often dismissed by the British as ragtag"4 were surviving on a measly budget accorded them by the Continental Congress. Thus, in some skirmishes, they were on the brink of starvation, sometimes attired in tattered clothes and shoes and sometimes in decrepit condition. The triumvirate of King George III, Secretary of State George Germain and Prime Minister Lord North formed the nucleus which decided what tactics Britain should implement in the war in the New World. This nucleus ,based in London, 3000 miles away from the arena of war, was responsible for the coordination, the logistics and the communication needed to win a war. Meanwhile, the Continental Congress, composed of delegates from all the colonies and based in Philadelphia, was the brain and the nerve center , the controller and the coordinator of the colonial forces. With the riches coming from its colonies in the West Indies, Canada, America, Gibraltar and India, there was no doubt that Britain entered this war financially prepared. The Congress, on the other hand, aware that any victory would hinge on how well-oiled the war machinery would be, desperately sought finances both from abroad and from the home front. It used the strategy of diplomacy and psychology on England's long-standing enemies, France and Spain, stoked the latter's hatred and resentment and came out extracting some financial support as well as munitions from both. Since that was not enough, it used 4 tactics to raise money locally i.e. loans from "well-to-do merchants and planters"; "forced loans ... from farmers who were given certificates of indebtedness"; by levying money or goods "apportioned among the various states"; and by "issuance of paper money, the famous Continental currency".5

Persuasive essay in favour of abolishing hunting Essay Example for Free

Persuasive essay in favour of abolishing hunting Essay Hunting should be prohibited because it is all too simple for hunters to abuse regulations. Firstly, there is no way to be certain whether or not hunters comply with limits established in regards to the amount of animals they are allowed to kill, and where they are allowed to hunt. Every occurrence in a hunting expedition cannot be monitored and therefore hunters are essentially â€Å"allowed† to do as they please. The overconfidence that ensues leads to hunters taking even more lives than they are permitted. As well, hunters have the ability to enter reserves to hunt game, though they may not have the permission. This can have devastating consequences on the condition of the ecosystem where the animas live as well as the power to destroy and hinder conservation attempts. However, this could be solved through the abolition of hunting. Secondly, it is nearly impossible to identify whether methods that hunters use are â€Å"ethical†. Though there truly is no ethical way to kill an innocent animal, certain measures are taken to create laws to keep hunting as humane as possible. Nevertheless, there are many cases where these laws are disobeyed and ignored. For example, news stories have described a horrifying hunting method referred to as â€Å"slob-hunting†. Hunters will run into a herd of elk or other game and senselessly shoot, taking whatever they have killed and leaving wounded animals to simply die on their own. This merciless tactic is certainly something that is intolerable, and is yet another example of why sport hunting should be eliminated. Lastly, hunters are not supervised, giving them the ability to kill any animal in the area, including endangered species. Though most endangered species in places like North America are protected, animals do not stay stationary and there is always the possibility for one of these creatures to be injured or killed. Therefore, because hunters do not always comply with hunting laws, the practice should be abolished altogether. Another reason hunting should be outlawed is because it disrupts the intricate balance of an ecosystem. One example of this is the depletion of endangered species. There are many animals whose numbers have been severely reduced due to hunting, such as the polar bear. Though it may not seem like a conventional prey in sport hunting, climate change is not the only reason for their dwindling numbers. Polar bears are respectfully hunted in most parts of North America by the Inuit, as it is part of the culture of the area. However, polar bear trophies have now become the desire of many American sport hunters. These trophies are representative of nothing but the senseless murder of an animal, and are a prime example of how harmful sport hunting can be on an entire species. Hunters may argues that hunting is justified as it keeps animals from overpopulating, however in the wild this occurs independently. If left unchanged, and ecosystem can easily sustain itself and thrive. Population is naturally controlled through disease, as the weakest animals are killed off and the strongest are left to survive and breed, but when hunting, the strongest are the ones who are killed. To agree with a hunter’s logic would be agreeing that it is justified to kill an animal because they may become sick or starve, which is sickening. It is unnecessary cruelty, and should be eradicated. Hunting also disturbs hibernation patterns of animals, and can cause stress which can take a heavy toll on their wellbeing. For example, to wolves who live in very intimate families, the loss from hunting can devastate very many. Hunting also places very much stress on animals, and can hinder their eating. This in turn reduces their amount of fat and energy they store during hibernation, and may not allow them to survive through winter. The stress can also cause them to succumb more easily to diseases which in turn can spread to all members of the animal community. Consequently, because hunting disrupts the natural balance of plants and animals in an ecosystem, sport hunting should banned. Lastly, hunting also has the potential to destroy forests, and other habitats that animals live in. Hunters may leave camps unattended which can lead to forest fires, and damage the homes of plants and animals in the area. Unattended campfires in the campsites of hunters, especially in dry summer months, are extremely dangerous to forests. They can very easily catch on trees and can potentially destroy entire forests and take many lives. Setting up a camp itself, though it may seem like a simple act, can also have damage on the surrounding plant life. Not only are plants suffocated by the weight of a tent but also any other gear brought. They are also heavily trampled. This damage could be done to an animal’s food supply, and could cause an entire group of animals to go hungry. The weapons that hunters use can also cause physical damage to plants and trees which animals need for food and shelter. Bullets and arrows can easily slice through trees and plants, destroying both animal homes and their meals. Gunpowder and residues from other weapons can also settle onto plants. If ingested by an unsuspecting herbivore, this can make then very ill and can even be fatal to them. Finally, when hunting animals that reside in the water, the boats used pollute the oceans and lakes the animals call home, and injure animals that get too close to the propeller or motor. Boats moving through lakes deposit gasoline and oil into lakes, which can be fatal to aquatic life. They also drag litter into the water which is hazardous not only for fish and other underwater creatures, but for animals such as otters and birds as well. Boat motors and propellers can also be tremendously dangerous to marine life, as they are sharp and can seriously disfigure an innocent creature. Thus, because hunting has the ability to destroy not only animals but also their habitats, it should be prohibited.

The Compound Pendulum Essay Example for Free

The Compound Pendulum Essay Over here, I will be exploring the different ways in which love is portrayed by authors in their texts. We see love as being supportive in â€Å"Macbeth† and â€Å"The Song Of The Old Mother. † As we progress, we also see love between individuals as being disturbed. We see this in â€Å"My Last Duchess† and â€Å"Porphyria’s lover,† as the speakers in the following poems are very possessive, but the way they treat their partners is very disturbing. In many texts the authors portray love as being supportive and we see many examples of this in â€Å"Macbeth,† by William Shakespeare and in â€Å"The Song of the Old Mother,† by William Butler Yeats. The only major difference between these two is the supportive love is shown in two different relationships: in Macbeth it is shown between a husband and wife relationship and in the Song of the Old Mother it is shown in a parent child relationship. Macbeth is a play written by the famous William Shakespeare in 1606, during the early reign of James I. James I originally was from Scotland but had just become the king of England and was a patron Shakespeare’s acting company, The King’s Men. In Macbeth, the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth is a very close. They both love each other very much and we get to know this in Macbeths letter to Lady Macbeth, where he calls her his â€Å"dearest partner of greatness. † They love each other a lot and we constantly see Lady Macbeth supporting and leading Macbeth in many different occasions. We see her being concerned about his future a lot as she wants the best for him even by using the evil means, for example the murder of King Duncan. We also see that she also knows Macbeth’s nature very well. We see this right after Lady Macbeth reads the letter from Macbeth about the prophecies made upon the heath, she said: â€Å"Yet I do fear thy nature: it is too full o’ the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way. † Shakespeare uses metaphors to show that Macbeth is pure; the metaphor â€Å"full o’ the milk of human kindness† tells us the Macbeth’s heart is white and pure like milk suggesting that he is very pure and generous. The phrase â€Å"to catch the nearest way† tells us that Macbeth is an honourable man and likes to earn his titles instead of taking short criminal ways. Over here Lady Macbeth is referring to the murder of Duncan about which Macbeth was really unsure about, however in the end he was convinced by Lady Macbeth. Some readers might think that Lady Macbeth is eager to see her husband as the king and wants it to happen as soon as possible even if he has to use wrong methods of earning better future. However others might think that Lady Macbeth is thinking about herself as she wants to get her hands on the fame and fortune more quickly. She knows that very well that Macbeth will need her support in order to betray others and get the best. Before Macbeth has reached his castle she starts thinking of ways in which she can convince him. Then She found the perfect solution to her problem in which she will use the power of her tongue to convince him. She said: â€Å"Hie thee hither that I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valour of my tongue all the impedes thee from the golden round. † Over here she decides to use the power of her tongue to clear all of Macbeth’s doubts. The phrase â€Å"pour my spirits in thine ear† suggests that she will inspire him with her passion and her brave words will clear all the hesitations that he has. The phrase â€Å"chastise with the valour of my tongue† shows that she will tell him off for having any doubts. Now Shakespeare here uses a very powerful verb â€Å"chastise,† this verb is very harsh and is used by parents to tell their child off for being extremely naughty. This shows the dominance of Lady Macbeth over Macbeth, which is the total opposite of how husband and wife relationships were in the Elizabethan era. The phrase â€Å"impedes thee from the golden round† over here Lady Macbeth refers to the crown as the â€Å"golden round,† to emphasize its importance. Overall this phrase suggests that Lady Macbeth will help Macbeth overcome all the obstacles which are in his way. Over here the argument is the same as before, some will think that she is doing this for the welfare of Macbeth, while others will say she is doing it for fame and titles. Much later on in the play, after Duncan’s murder Macbeth started hallucinating and brought the daggers with him. When Lady Macbeth orders him to put them back and smear the servants, he refuses as he was too afraid to go. So Lady Macbeth takes on the job and comes backs and gets Macbeth to wash his hand, at that point she insults him of being a coward. She said: â€Å"My hands are of your colour: but I shame to wear a heart so white† Lady Macbeth insults Macbeth by saying â€Å"a heart so white,† suggesting that she is saying that he was a coward and can’t handle a little blood. She then says â€Å"hands are of your colour,† suggesting that is supporting him She means to say that she is his accomplice in the crime. She might have said this due the condition he was in. Over all the argument for all these quotes above are the same as some think she did all this for Macbeth, while others suggest she did this for herself. Now comes â€Å"The Song Of The Old Mother,† in which the poet shows love in a supportive manner in a parent child relationship. This poem is written by William Butler Yeats, who was born in Ireland in 1865. He was really fascinated by Irish history and culture. And this poem that he wrote in 1899 reflects his interest in the Irish peasantry.

Global Transportation and the Logistics Industry

Global Transportation and the Logistics Industry The Transportation Logistics sector spans a wide range of service offerings such as by air, road, rail, sea as well as related services such as warehousing, handling, and stevedoring. The extent of coverage includes value added services such as packaging, assembling, labelling etc. In addition to these, Transport Logistic providers undertake the management role of planning, administering and coordinating. Over the years, the sector has reshaped in manner where most players have a tendency to consolidate; resulting in larger, integrated groups operating in more than one of the Transport Logistics sub-services/sectors. As a result, the limits between the sub-services/sectors become more and more indistinct. The benefits of globalisation and business process outsourcing of logistics services generated double digit revenue growth in the industry in the early part of the 21st century. However the co-existence of other pressures, threats and limitations such as the economic downturn, and fuel price hike contribute to the dramatic changes faced by contenders in the sector. With privatisation and liberalisation, more complexities were introduced to the sector. In addition, trade routes are changing and networks have become increasingly complex as have the agreements between companies sharing resources. There have been several regulatory requirements which have changed substantially in the recent years. Due to more IT enabled interconnectivity in companies, it operates across national. Hence, issues pertaining to customs, tax compliance, accounting and governance have increased. Companies looking to build a sustainable business need to continuously offer value additions to its stakeholders. Therefore with the changing business models in the industry, many companies are evolving from forwarding and warehouse managing businesses to highly industrialised, IT driven supply chain providers; adopting a holistic approach in their service. Impact of the economic downturn Over the past years, the Transport Logistics industry has been profiting considerably from positive economic conditions and the demand for raw materials, capital and consumer products. Since 2008 though, the trade was suddenly faced with some of the most complex market conditions in history. A tightening global credit crisis and economic downturn that began in the U.S. quickly spread throughout the globe, impacting many organizations in nearly every aspect of the business. Changes in consumer buying patterns have led to less significant transport volumes, and shifts to less expensive delivery modes, with a sizeable impact on the express business. The volatile oil price coupled with a stronger focus on emission reduction has increased pressure on transportation companies, especially airlines, leading to a record in airline insolvencies. In addition, the economic recession places more fundamental challenges on the Transportation Logistics industry: consumer patterns and a general cur b of demand thereby causing a lower level of the flow of goods. Opportunities in the emerging markets For a countrys economy, in addition to the tourism sector, even the transportation sector is often viewed as an important indicator of growth. With the rise in commercial trade activities, the location of manufacturing facilities and distribution centres can have a major impact on the growth of a countrys transportation sector and transportation infrastructure. The relative location of these manufacturing facilities and distribution centres can dictate whether the country becomes a centre within a logistics network or a spoke in the wheel, serving in effect as a transit passage. Such matters are of particular importance to emerging economies where the transport and logistics infrastructure is making rapid development. Logistic providers are faced with clients who wish to source out of low-cost countries or access these new markets. They need to ensure that they can help their clients meet their objectives, understand the emerging markets environment, and expand their competencies and resources. These companies are at a crossroads in their development and have several strategic questions to consider. Should they expand or try new a niche? Should they move into an acquisition? Should they look at a stock-exchange float? Should they invest in IT/new technology? Should they look at optimising their cost base to counteract the trend towards smaller margins? How can they differentiate from competition by convincing customers that they add value to the business? About FedEx Corporation Introduction http://www.csustan.edu/manage/harris/case4.html Federal Express is an express transportation company, founded by Frederick W. Smith in 1973. During his college years, his intuition that the U.S. was becoming a service-oriented economy and needed a reliable, overnight delivery service company designed for dedicated transportation of packages and documents was the cornerstone of the companys existence today. He started Federal Express with over $80 million, making it the largest company of its time ever funded by venture capital. He found investors willing to contribute $40 million, used $8 million in family money, and received the rest from bank financing. Background Federal Express became successful due to the fact that they pioneered in advanced IT interventions ahead of its competition. They built a super-hub in Memphis, Tennessee, where all packages from the United States would be loaded and shipped out each night. Today, Federal Express has over 143,000 workers worldwide, and delivers more than 3 million express packages to 211 countries daily. One major change has affected Federal Express. In January of 1998, Federal Express the company re-launched as FDX Corporation. FDX Corporation now includes Federal Express, Roadway Packaging System (RPS), Viking Freight, Roberts Express, and Caliber Logistics. Even though FDX owns all these companies, Federal Express still remains independent. Federal Express CEO is currently Theodore Weise. FDXs strategy is to corroborate on selling and synergies for all FDX companies, but run operations separately and keep each companys strengths and markets separate. Therefore, some information will be about FDX, but most will be for Federal Express as its own company. FDX Corporate Subsidiaries All business units of FDX follow the corporate mission statement of the parent company. This synergy allows for growth. It also puts the entity in a position to acquire more companies whose operations are similar. Currently, these are the names and descriptions of the companies under FDX, other than Federal Express. 1. RPS: North Americas second-largest provider of ground small-package delivery. It also services 28 European countries and Puerto Rico. 2. Viking Freight: The premier brand name in less-than-truckload freight movements throughout the western United States. 3. Roberts Express: Engineer and execute time-specific, door-to-door surface and air-charter delivery solutions that solve special-handling challenges for FDX customers within North America and Europe. 4. Caliber Logistics: Develops and implements customized logistics solutions that help FDX customers manage costs, improve customer service and focus on their core business activities. In the Sales Breakdown for these FDX companies, Federal Express still accounts for 83 percent of total revenues. The next largest is RPS, bringing in 11 percent of FDXs total revenues. Strategic vision http://apps.shareholder.com/sec/viewerContent.aspx?companyid=FDXdocid=784953 FedEx Corporations vision is a world where goods and information move quickly and seamlessly. A world where businesses source raw materials and parts globally, then move high-value goods quickly between continents and across time zones. A world where global information and transportation networks can shrink time and distance, creating competitive advantages for customers. FedEx has experienced consistent growth in terms of net income in just about every year of its operation, which has meant three decades of growth. One of the companys greatest strengths is undoubtedly its business concept. No matter what the economy is doing, there will always be a need for package delivery of some sort by companies and individuals involved in nearly every industry. Even when times are tough and companies are seeking to save money, FedEx has less expensive delivery alternatives from which to choose. Of course, being the originator of the express delivery concept is also a key strength. FedEx became a household name before any of its competitors ever arrived on the scene, and thus has become synonymous with the idea of express package delivery in the minds of many, if not most, consumers. Visionary leadership (introduction to founder CEO) Fred Smith recognized the need for a reliable, overnight delivery service. Smith presented the idea in a Yale term paper in the 1960s, and received a C grade for his efforts. Between 1969 and 1971 Smith, however, secured $90 million ($40 million from investors, $8 million from his family, and $42 million in bank financing) to launch Federal Express as the then largest startup funded by venture capital. Federal Express began offering overnight and second-day delivery to 22 American cities in 1973. Today, The FedEx Express unit is one of the five subsidiary organizations that comprise Federal Express. The FedEx Express unit is the primary focus of this study. FedEx Express is the global market leader in express transportation. The firm moves an average of three million packages daily. FedEx Ground is a subsidiary of FedEx Express. FedEx Ground provides ground delivery of packages in North America. FedEx Freight is a less-than-truckload carrier. FedEx Freight operates throughout the United States. FedEx Freight has two operating subsidiaries à ¹ FedEx Freight East and FedEx Freight West. Access is what makes all forms of interaction and exchange possible between people, businesses and nations. Increases in Access boost opportunities and empower people with the ability and confidence to improve their current conditions and future prospects. Mission Statement The Mission Statement of FDX is to produce superior financial returns for stockholders, by providing high value-added logistics, transportation and related information services through focused operating companies. This mission statement shows that FDX has a clear focus. (1) The main focus is to bring returns to stockholders. (2) They will emphasize adding value above and beyond just their service of transporting an object from one place to another. (3) Their focus of operations will be logistics, transportation, and related information. This mission statement is focused enough to keep FDX from diversifying into for example, food products; yet vague enough to allow growth in all of those areas. Philosophy FDX and Federal Express, in particular hold a People-Service-Profit philosophy. The ‘People goal is the continuous improvement of managements leadership. The ‘Service standard is 100 percent customer satisfaction. The ‘Profit goal is much like any other companys goal, and is essential to long-term viability. This philosophy governs how FDX runs its business, and defines strategies. Customers Markets, Globalization and Services The scope of the Federal Express operation covers business-to-business, business-to-individual and individual-to-individual accounts. Federal Express markets include more than 200 countries where 90 percent of all the worlds revenues originate. Federal Express provides both document and freight deliveries as well as supporting services. Stemming from the visionary leadership of the CEO, the company follows market reach global footprint and a business strategy. Competitors Federal Express list of competitors include: United Parcel Service (UPS), Airborne Express, Emery Worldwide, BAX Global, DHL Worldwide, and United States Postal Service. Federal Express holds 46.5 percent, the largest portion, with UPS and Airborne Express as the largest competitors. As shown from the preceding information, Federal Express is clearly a large, strong, and growing express transportation company. Environment screening analysis This section will show the services Federal Express provides; its strengths and weaknesses as an organization; the opportunities and threats, current problems and issues faced. Services Federal Express provides delivery on documents and packages both domestically and internationally. Further, the company also provides supporting services. In the United States, Internationally Supporting Services Priority Overnight Priority interNet Ship Standard Overnight Economy Collect on Delivery Same Day Next Flight Location Service First Overnight First Dangerous Goods Service Express Freight Priority Freight Worldwide Logistics Weekend Shipping Economy Freight U.S. Government Shippers Alaska and Hawaii Airport to Airport International Government Guide S.W.O.T. Analysis Company Strengths and Resource Capabilities: Globalisation: Federal Express largely operates on a global scale. They operate in 211 countries. They provide services that appeal to most of the world. They have such a large market in which to operate which generates tremendous revenue for the business. Benefits of global economies of scale become available to players that operate in such a large playing field. Innovation: Federal Express took the first-mover advantage by identifying airplanes and trucks as a source and resource to gain business advantage. This helped them to remain the industry leader since 1973. Technology and Communication: Federal Express uses and continues to search for new technology. They allow spending of $1billion a year, 10% of total revenues on IT interventions such as integration. The companys commitment to introducing new customer centric service models through IT keeps customers from switching to other providers. Federal Express also has excellent communication with their customers. They use tracking devices on all shipments and customers can trace their shipment through many different avenues including a user-friendly Web site. Federal Express customers can feel assured that FedEx will always be on top of technology. Strategic Vision: Company CEO Frederick Smith built an industry leader, and sustained the title since 1973. The strategic vision of the company is cascaded through top managers who are in charge of the strategic direction of the business. First-Mover Advantage: The company has had first-mover advantage in several areas: (1) Being a global express transportation logistics company (2) Advanced IT interventions that attributed to the continued success of the company (3) Incorporating smaller business units with similar operations under its belt to synergize and control more of the market. Consolidating its resource capabilities at an optimized level has attributed greatly to its success. Strong Brand Image: In 1990, Federal Express became the first organization awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in the service category. Further, in 1994, the company was the first in global express transportation to obtain simultaneous system-wide ISO 9001 certification in international quality standards. Federal Express has also developed its own quality system that matches their customers standards. Company Weaknesses and Resource Deficiencies: Escalating prices: Federal Express prices are priced above its competitors. This can be a weakness if their customers do not perceive a difference between Federal Express and its competitors services. Labour Disputes with Pilots: Federal Express pilots have formed the FedEx Pilots Association. This organization demanded changes in the pilots salaries, retirement benefits, and suggested outsourcing some foreign flights instead of giving their own pilots the job. The pilots have a Web site where news is posted and any grievances are communicated. During the busy Christmas season in 1998, the pilots threatened to strike. Federal Express and the FedEx Pilots Association have developed a tentative agreement, which is published on the pilots Web site. However, the pilots do not believe this agreement fully meets their expectations. The pilot dispute is definitely an internal weakness for Federal Express, considering they have 3,500 pilots employed with them. The business operations would suffer if there were strikes. When UPS employees went on strike in 1997, Federal Express took the extra 800,000 shipments a day. If Federal Express employees went on strike, their competitors could gain an immediate advantage. The reason for running subsidiaries separately: FDX has deliberately chosen to keep its subsidiaries separate. According to FDXs 1998 Annual Report, CEO Frederick Smith states, Simply layering the unique resource and operating requirements of a time-definite, global, express-delivery network onto a day-definite, ground small-package network would surely result in diminished service quality and increased costs. Under the FDX umbrella, we will leverage our shared strengths while operating each delivery network independently, with each focused on its respective markets. Frederick Smith is confident this will be a strength, instead of a weakness. Company Opportunities: Expansion Globally: Federal Express can continue to expand its global footprint. Expansion Internally: Federal Express can continue to acquire more similar smaller business which could offer Federal Express leverage to expand into new technologies or areas in their industry. Run Subsidiaries Together: If FDX doesnt profit from running the subsidiaries separately, they can change to integrating their operations to achieve better synergies and economies of scale. Contracts with Large Corporations: To stay the industry leader, Federal Express should form contracts with companies who will add cost-saving or value-adding benefits to their services. Joint-Ventures: Federal Express can form joint ventures, such as already with Netscape and American Express, to enjoy the growth of integrating their customer bases. Expansion of e-commerce: Federal Express already has a major presence of shipping online. They should keep finding Internet companies to contract delivery of their products. Since the growth of e-commerce is rapid now, Federal Express could enjoy both profits and brand name recognition from this kind of expansion. Company Threats: Y2K Problem: If Federal Express communication and tracking systems arent actually Year 2000 ready, they will experience lost shipments, lost customers, and lost profits. This is a threat for every business, but a global company will be affected on a larger scale. Community Responsibility in the U.S.: Federal Express might be subject to community disapproval in expansion within the United States. Right now, Federal Express has plans to build a second super-hub in Greensboro, NC. The airport is supportive, but the citizens of the community are not. Federal Express has to decide whether the community support or building the centre is more important. Relations with Foreign Countries: Through Federal Express expansions globally, they are subject to laws and regulations of all foreign countries. There could be major problems in this area, stunting growth and raising costs. Already, Great Britain will not let Federal Express fly their own planes for shipments. Federal Express must either load their cargo on to British planes, or use ground transportation. This is very inefficient for Federal Express; however, it keeps competition out for British Air Transportation companies. Everywhere Federal Express goes, they are at risk for regulations that hinder their operations or efficiency. Economic and Political Conditions: Federal Express is subject to the entire worlds economic and political condition in the areas of fuel prices and supply, customer purchase of their services, and relations with foreign countries. As a global company, they are subject to much more risk than domestic companies. Current Problems and Issues Federal Express has several current issues and problems. Decisions about these issues will affect Federal Express profits and brand name in the future. Federal Express Pilots disputes with the company over their salary and compensation, retirement benefits, and Federal Express outsourcing some foreign flights. Federal Express spends only 13.17 percent of total operating expenses on their labor expense. The industry average is 14.81 percent. However, Federal Express main competitors spend 20 and 24 percent of total operating expenses on labor. This is why the pilots are voicing their disagreements, and demanding change. Fuel Price Fluctuation: Federal Express raised their prices and developed contracts with oil suppliers to cover fluctuating fuel costs and volatility of supply. Creation of super-hub in North Carolina: Federal Express does not have the communitys support. Alliance with Netscape: FDX created an alliance with Netscape in order to simplify the world of electronic commerce. FDX will offer delivery services on Netscapes Internet portal site. This will allow both companies to achieve mutual business targets that could not be achieved otherwise. Alliance with American Express: Federal Express offers a 10 to 20 percent discount on many delivery services to customers using an American Express Small Business Corporate Card. Federal Express offers many different services spanning the globe; this is why Federal Express has many strengths, and opportunities. However, Federal Express must also be concerned with their weaknesses and current problems. Industry Analysis Dominant Economic Characteristics Federal Express is in the Air Freight or Air Cargo Transportation Industry. This industry had sales of $34.2 billion in 1998. This industry is in the early maturity life cycle because entry is difficult, yet current competitors are still growing. Companies can realize economies of scale in this industry in marketing and purchasing. Services in this industry are essentially identical, with the exception being the value-added services. General Economic Conditions The current global economic crisis can affect this industry by stunting foreign expansion and reduced utilization of express shipping services. The current crisis in Kosovo may affect business for these companies if any countries they do business in feel the United States is wrong and want to boycott American-originating products and services. Porters 5-Forces Model Rivalry Among Competing Sellers: This is a strong force in this industry because the competitors use price cuts to compete, there is a low cost and ease to switching brands, and the companies in this industry diversify and acquire other companies for strategic growth and synergy. Competitive Force of Potential Entry: This is a weak force in this industry. Each company currently in the industry has strong brand images, leaving a harder job for new companies. The capital expenditures to start an express transportation company are large, and the companies currently are achieving economies of scale by going global. Any smaller company will not be able to achieve these right away, not allowing them to compete on prices. Another factor threatening potential entrants is trade tariffs and international regulations. Most companies currently in the industry have already established relations with foreign countries. New companies will have to prove themselves to foreign companies, suppliers, and customers. Competitive Pressures of Substitute Products: This is a weak to moderate force in this industry. Businesses and individuals that wish to ship cargo and packages can do it with other modes of transportation such as trucks, trains and boats. However, the customers that use air freight transportation usually desire convenience, speed, and low cost. Traditional transportation modes do not offer all three of these. Businesses and Individuals who want to ship documents can use e-mail, the Internet, and Facsimiles. However, these can take some time to scan and load, and then it is uncertain that your document will get to its destination. Power of Suppliers This is a strong force if the suppliers serve industries other than Air Freight. If a supplier only has accounts, or the majority of their accounts with these companies, they will not be able to control prices and supplies. Suppliers that are involved in this industry are: vehicle manufacturers, airplane manufacturers, fuel suppliers, labor, airports, and shipping materials manufacturers. Power of Buyers This is a moderate force in this industry because competition keeps prices similar among the companies. The only difference is companies, such as Federal Express who have value-added services that allow a higher price. Also, the buyers of the services in this industry are reactionary. They do not know the technology before it happens. They become dependent on the technology, service and speed offered by the companies in this industry and will pay for it. Industry Prospects and Overall Attractiveness A trend among Air Freight shippers is to use the Internet for communication with customers and even obtaining shipping contracts with companies selling on the Internet. This alliance with the fastest-growing industry will bring exponential growth to the Air Freight industry, above and beyond what they would normally have realized without this. This industry should remain attractive, with concentration on competition for market share, service differentiation, and brand image. Current Advertising has been aimed at being better than the competitor for different reasons. Performance Analysis FDX has an impressive performance record for example in 1998 they had revenues of $15.9 billion. We can also look at their Net Income for 1998, as well as for the last five years. This information is shown in 4 on Page 3 of the Appendix. As you can see, sales have been growing steadily for the past five years. Looking at the net income, though, it isnt that impressive. It even declined in 1997, from the rising fuel costs during that year. However, in 1998 it grew from $200,000 to $500,000. That could be from reduction in operating costs, or from the acquisition of the subsidiaries which had lower operating costs compared to Federal Express. The financial ratios for FDX compared to Airborne Express (ABF) are in Table 2 on Page 3 of the Appendix. Most of the ratios show Airborne Express in better financial condition than FDX. However, this can be explained through FDXs size as compared to Airborne Express. Airborne Express does not offer as many services or types of shipments as FDX, and it only has half the market share as FDX. Since UPS does not have air shipments, we could not benchmark FDX to them. Clearly though, FDX and Federal Express is the market leader in this industry, have outstanding sales, a healthy profit, and a safe amount of debt. A 5-Year analysis of Federal Express profitability and activity ratios is in s 5 and 6 on page 4 of the Appendix. These ratios over time show a steady increase, except for year 1997, where fuel costs hurt Federal Express deeply.TNT N.V. is an international express and mail delivery services company with headquarters in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, TNT operates the national postal service under the name TNT Post. The group also offers postal services in eight other European countries, including the UK, Federal Express Five-Point Strategy Federal Express has five strategies that govern business tactics. These are to improve service levels, lower unit costs, establish international leadership and sustain profitability, get closer to the customer, and maintain the People-Service-Profit Philosophy. Major Strategic Issues FDX is focused on three primary growth strategies. A collaborative sales process that leverages their shared customer relationships, aggressive global marketing of the broad FDX portfolio to targeted prospective customers, and a strategic application of information systems to reduce costs and improve customer access and connectivity. Introduction to the business strategy Expanding Access Through Our Networks While the benefits and mechanisms of Access are too vast and complex to attribute to any one creator, FedEx is proud to have been the driving force behind many milestones and advances, beginning with overnight express delivery in 1973 from our hub in Memphis. At first connecting 25 U.S. cities — and today, 220 countries — express delivery was a historic breakthrough in Access, collapsing the time and distance between places and connecting people everywhere. Through our expanding networks, anyone shipping a package can now tap into unprecedented speed and worldwide reach. Shaping the Way the World Connects FedEx delivers systems and solutions, not just packages. In recent years, weve increased Access by moving information in the form of bits as close to its destination as possible before converting it into atoms. For example, when one customer planned to host a leadership seminar in New Delhi, FedEx Kinkos transferred tons of materials digitally to China, printed them in one day, and shipped them to India the next. With FedEx Office Print Online capability, any individual can do the same — printing documents remotely and having them delivered locally. Its one major new way FedEx is contributing to greater Access. Today, thanks in part to the Access provided by the internet and FedEx, its possible for a leading electronics company to synchronize its microchip factories in China to the pulse of global demand, flying the finished chips as needed to manufacturing lines in Shanghai, Seoul or Singapore. The chips are bound for laptops and phones that create personal connections in their own right, while the corresponding transformation of China into the worlds factory is expected to lift half a billion people out of poverty by 2020. New FedEx hubs in Guangzhou and Hangzhou will increase the global Access of homegrown Chinese companies and contribute to greater quality of life, while helping companies outside this market to navigate and grow their business here. Changing Whats Possible For 35 years, FedEx has been dedicated to changing whats possible and improving life for people everywhere by promoting greater Access. Every day around the world, we see first-hand how Access empowers people to improve their lives, their businesses and their communities. Because we see this power, we have a unique perspective on Access. Infrastructure/supply chain value chain FedEx has done several things with its value chain to develop new business. First they have always recognized the need to have technology and IT work to communicate the logistics that they run. They have developed internet technologies that work simply and efficiently to enable customers and sellers to use FedEx as a go between. This has enabled many companies to integrate FedEx technology into their own web sites for customers to use. However, up until January 19, 2000 the organization of Fe

Essay --

Introduction The previous chapter explained the method of data collection and alluded to the issues pertaining to the actual process of data collection. Once the data was collected from the respondents and coded, descriptive statistics and cross tabulations were performed on the data. The statistical analyses conducted illustrated the extent to which management’s inability to innovate causes corporate failure. The results of the statistical analyses from questionnaires are presented in this chapter. The implications of the findings are discussed in light of the literature reviewed in chapter two. Participants Questionnaires were sent to 120 people across several industries, educational level, race and gender. 98 approximately 82% of the 120 questionnaires sent out were answered and returned. Questionnaires Sent Out Answered Ignored 120 98 22 Gender Question one required respondents to state their gender. 97 questionnaires filled this answer except one. 64 of the respondents were male and 34 female. Gender Distribution Male Female 64 34 Racial distribution Question two was for respondents to state their race. This question was optional but fortunately, all participants filled it. 32 were Blacks, 43 Whites and 23 Asians. Every race had good representation. It was not a coincidence; it happened the way the questionnaires where distributed. Racial distribution Blacks Whites Asians 32.65% 43.88% 23.47% Educational Level Educational level was broken down in several categories, Primary School, Secondary School, High School, Undergraduate, Post graduate, Doctorate or PhD, Professional Qualification and Not Applicable so as to cover every group of persons. Responds where as follows: Educational Qualification Distribution ... ...of the respondents strongly agreed there is a strong positive relationship, 55% agreed, 4% disagreed, 7% strongly disagreed and no one was indifferent. Relationship between Management, Innovation, Customers and Business failure Strongly Agree 32 Agree 55 Neutral 0 Disagree 4 Strongly disagree 7 Conclusion This chapter focused on the actual findings of the study and presented the extent to which innovation can affect an organisation. The statistical nature of the findings was essential to give a clear view on how management’s inability to innovate can cause business failure. There is sufficient evidence to believe that the respondents of this study were engaged in best practice and any information in regards to their identity or personal issues were kept confidential. Based on the finding of this study, the recommendations will be presented in the next chapter.

Graduation Speech: Its All About the Lives We Touch :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

To be honest, I felt daunted by the task of attempting to sum up "the future"; and, what few key points could I focus on that everyone could relate to and take interest in? After a few weeks of thinking about it, the answer struck me—absolutely nothing. With that in mind, the task became easier, for I no longer aimed to impress but to advise, no longer to appease but to guide. The final result was much more personal and thoughtful than I had ever intended. I asked around to my friends, "When you think of the future, what one word pops into your mind first?" One practical senior replied "technology." He is, of course, quite right. It is impossible to tell what specific advancements await the world in the near future, but it is important to realize that with the power to change the planet through a microchip or one single stem cell, comes the burden of great responsibility. Because of this, America's youth, us, needs to be more ethically attuned than ever before. We must weigh the outcome, the possibility for acclaim and money, always with the ethics of the means. It is only with a balance of technological advancement and morality that this country will move forward and prosper. Marian Wright Edelman succinctly explained, "If we believe in it, if we have faith in it, if we dream it, if we struggle for it, and if we refuse to give up, we can make America a place where truly no child is left behind. What good does it matter for us to be the richest, most powerful nation on earth and lose our soul?" An honest friend of mine replied "fear" when asked about the future. Truthfully, most of us here today are just a little bit afraid. Graduates: you're moving on to new and different things. Families: you're watching them do it. At this leaping-off point, a hand to hold is both a comfort and a guide. Should that hand grip too tightly, however, the spirit becomes shackled. It is impossible to learn, to explore, discover, and to grow under the constant protection of another ¹s wing. Going it alone inspires imagination and resourcefulness. A mind accustomed to the direction of others, one that is used to being told what and when to feel, cannot learn the art of free will. Lastly, over sheltering infringes upon the development of the soul, an incarceration that leads to inner turmoil.

Romanticism :: essays research papers

Romanticism Roughly from 1815 to 1910, this period of time is called the romantic period. At this period, all arts are transforming from classic arts by having greater emphasis on the qualities of remoteness and strangeness in essence. The influence of romanticism in music particularly, has shown that romantic composers value the freedom of expression, movement, passion, and endless pursuit of the unattainable fantasy and imagination. The composers of the romantic period are in search of new subject matters, more emotional and are more expressive of their feelings as they are not bounded by structural rules in classical music where order, equilibrium, control and perfection are deemed important (Dorak, 2000). The characteristics of romantic music are influenced by the Romantic Movement, where the arts of literature and painting play a great role in influencing romantic music. Other evidence of non-musical influences in romantic music is the popularity of romantic poetry during that era. Poems, opera arias and works form great romantic poets are transformed into instrumental works and composers like Schubert uses musical elements such as melodies inspired by poetry in his works (http://absoluteastronomy.com). The musical language itself has shown that romantic music is different from the rest of the music before its time. Extended tonal and harmonic elements are noticed in romantic music compared to those in the classical era, where chromaticism, the usage of dissonance, and modulations are used extensively. Other societal practice during romanticism is the Romantic Opera. In comparison to the classical and baroque opera, romantic opera has a continuous flow of music in each scene and soon, people pay less attention to tenors and pays equal attention to choruses. To name a few of many composers for romantic operas, Wagner and Bizet are known for their works for romantic opera during the romantic era. Romantic music is also influenced by folk music, tunes, rhythms and themes as many romantic composers wrote nationalist music, which is inspired from folk dances and songs, during the romantic period (http://absoluteastronomy.com). Another factor that contributed to romantic music in defining its traits is the instrumentation.

Object-oriented Programming and Recommendation Summary

Clark College of Science and Technology SNS Bldg. , Aurea St. Samsonville Subd. , Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga A project study presented to the Faculty of the Computer Programming In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the title of Object Oriented Programming Language Tungol, Axel-Yor Gomez, Christallane Velarde, Patrick John Santos, Renato Astraquillo, Angelo Clark College of Science and Technology SNS Bldg. , Aurea St. Samsonville Subd. , Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga A project study presented to the Faculty of the Computer Programming In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the title ofObject Oriented Programming Language Tungol, Axel-Yor Gomez, Christallane Velarde, Patrick John Santos, Renato Carino, Joy Valerie Astraquillo, Angelo AKNOWLEDGEMENT DEDICATION TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I: Project and Its Background Introduction Theoretical Framework Conceptual Framework Statement of the Problem Objectives of the Study Significance of the Study Scope and Delimitation CHAPTER I I: Review on Related Literature Review on Local Literature Review on Foreign Literature CHAPTER III: Research Design and Procedures Research Methodology Research Instrument Context Diagram Zero Diagram Data Flow Diagram System RequirementsCHAPTER IV: Photographic Documentation Screenshots Description and Codes Database Table Project Schedule CHAPTER V: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation Summary Conclusion Recommendation FIGURES Figure1Context Diagram Figure2Zero Diagram Figure3Data Flow Diagram Figure4Splash Form Figure5Log-In Forms Figure6Main Menu Figure7Farrowing Schedules Figure8Pay Roll CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION PROBLEMS AND ITS BACKGROUND DCTHILLSFARM is a farm bought by Domie C. Tungol and Erlinda V. Tungol in year 1998, located in Sapang Bato, Angeles City. DCTHILLSFARM’s business just got approved and it needs a system for it to start.Surely because of the news that DCTHILLSFARM is going to start its business, many people will want to join, and it will need a system to keep track of the employees and their payroll. Because the business is just about to start, there’s yet is no system for the farm to use. Through studying the problem, the researchers came up with an idea to make a computerized payroll system with a special feature that helps the farm keep track of the farrowing schedules of the pigs. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Minimum Hardware Requirements: Processor: Pentium IV or Higher Hard Disk: 80 GB or HigherMemory: 512 MB or Higher Monitor: SVGA Monitor (800Ãâ€"600 and 32-bitcolor) Keyboard: Standard Keyboard Mouse: Optical Mouse Printer: Printing Device (Ink Jet / Dot Matrix) Software Specification Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP or Higher Application Software: CHAPTER V SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY CONCLUSION RECOMMENDATION THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK Now a days, technology became very essential in all establishment. From the early days, people are capable of using pens and papers on their daily dealings. The transfo rmation of this setup improved because of the different technologies.Computerized Payroll system is an application that will help the DCTHILLSFARM’s to keep track of the payroll of its employees. The system can be useful in computing the payroll of the employees especially to the owner it minimize their works. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK The researchers of the study are developing a kind of proposal, which is the Computerized Payroll that can easily compute the salary of the employees to make their works easier and more accurately. In order to solve the problem of the DCTHILL’SFARM’s, the people behind the study gathered information on how these things to be done.The system can be useful in computing the salary of the employee especially to the owner it minimize their works. STATEMENTS OF THE PROBLEM The study seeks to find solution and betterment with the manual payroll. Because of the said system, problems occur. GENERAL PROBLEM The manual payroll system of the DCTHI LLSFARM’s makes the owner more stressful, sometimes they created Human errors in computing the salary of their employee and the works of the owner are process in a slowly manner. SPECIFIC PROBLEM * Difficulty in Computing Because of the manual system the owner is having difficulty in computing the salary of the employees one by one. Time Consuming Through the manual system, the owner consumes time in computing all of the salary of the Employees OBJECTIVES OF THE PROBLEM GENERAL OBJECTIVES SPECIFIC PROBLEM * Rapidness in Process * Easy in Computing * Less Consume in Time SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY TO THE STUDENTS TO THE TEACHERS TO THE SCHOOL TO THE FUTURE RESEARCHERS SCOPE AND DELIMITATION SCOPE DELIMITATION CHAPTER II REVIEW ON LOCAL AND FOREIGN LITERATURE REVIEW ON LOCAL LITERATURE REVIEW ON FOREIGN LITERATURE CHAPTER III RESEARCH DESIGN AND PROCEDURES RESEARCH METHODOLOGY RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

Learning Styles Essay

There are three different types of learning styles. By taking a learning styles quiz, I found out that I am an auditory learner. This means I do best learning by hearing and listening. Now knowing that I am an auditory learner I can discover new techniques that will help me be more attentive and I can expand myself as a learner. First, discovering new techniques as an auditory learner to be more attentive is easy. I was not surprised when I saw the list of usual things auditory learns do. I felt as if the learning style I was assigned to fit me perfectly. I am one who will hum or talk to themselves or others when bored, acquire knowledge by reading aloud, or sit where they can hear but needn’t pay attention to what is happening in front. These are all things I do daily without even thinking about it. For example, every morning in my first period history class I will be typing the notes my teacher writes on the board but also working on other homework or looking things up. I need not to see what my teacher is doing. If just keep my ears open and listen, I believe I comprehend just as well as someone who sits in the front row and has all their attention focused on the teacher. I know that I am automatically immune to already doing some of these techniques, but I also know there are more tips that I can incorporate in my daily life to further myself for my future. Next, expanding myself as an auditory learner can greatly help me in the near future. I can become a better reading by reading aloud as much as I can. Hearing myself say things aloud will help me remember a lot better than silent reading to myself. I can also become a better writer by repeating things after I have written them down on paper. If I read what I have written aloud, I will get a better view on if the right words are being used correctly in that specific sentence. Also I will get to hear if that sentence, paragraph, or even full essay sounds like I’m doing well and staying on track. I tend to veer off subject sometimes, so I know that verbal repetition will be helpful for any upcoming school courses or even scholarships that I will need to write essays for. Verbalization is the key and in my situation knowing my key factor is going to help me expand my study skills and comprehension in school. All in all, I have become aware of what different changes I can make for myself. Taking the learning styles quiz and realizing that I am an auditory learner helped me realize how I can better myself throughout my learning years. I can discover new techniques that will help me be more attentive and I can expand myself as a learner and for that I am grateful.

College Debate Essay

In Katherine Porter’s essay, â€Å"The Value Of a College Degree†, Katherine answers the question to whether continuing education beyond high school is worth it or not. Since college costs are increasing radically every year, many students and parents aren’t considering a two- or four-year college education a necessity. Her essay is reaches out to those parents and students who are in doubt, with the use of cited evidence and her many research studies, she is determined into convincing those who question attending college to pursue further education. Although the question of whether continuing education beyond high school is worth it or not remains unsettled by many, it should definitely be considered. First off, a valuable college education brings out the best in a person; it makes them stronger and builds an immense amount of confidence. Some may consider pursuing a college education as something that’s completely out of reach, but I might just have to say that you’re wrong. A college education not only builds strength and confidence, it also helps you grow. College students are situated in different types of situations, environments and or settings in which they encounter all kinds of people. To explain much further, as said in a source found in Google: â€Å"College education has a profound effect on a person and his or her life. It helps people choose their careers more wisely and the college experience makes people become more confident and can make better and well judged decisions. † (Google. com, Value of College Education) A College education develops growth in terms of adulthood and maturity, built from experience. Many high school students believe that doing well academically would be enough. That is only somewhat true; most colleges consider well-rounded students, like those who participate in extra curricular actives, activities such as being involved in sports, volunteering, and community work. Keeping an open mind when considering college selections is a very important factor when it comes to decision making. Parents and students should not allow money or locations limit their thinking when researching schools. By attending college fairs, and purchasing college guide books they’ll learn about colleges that ‘fit’, in an overall aspect. Scheduling interviews, preferably on-campus interviews, will allow students to demonstrate genuine interest and allows him or her the opportunity to make a valuable link. All in all, the key factor isn’t getting a college degree itself but the degree owner. A college education is now a necessity, and the average American couldn’t possibly make it through these times and those that are to come without one. â€Å"Get in(worry about the money later. †