Through the Looking Glass

Through the Looking Glass Summary of the Class Readings The first article â€Å"Through the Looking Glass† supports the use of effective communication after a crisis. The SCCT model offers useful guidelines that can manage the manner in which different organizations respond to crises. According to this article, the diminish strategy can minimize an organization’s association with different crises.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on â€Å"Through the Looking Glass† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The findings indicate how Red Cross fails to assume responsibility for different crises. The second article â€Å"Compassion without Blame† examines how ValuJet responded after one of its planes crashed. ValuJet decided to use several mortification strategies after Flight 592 crashed. The company â€Å"also used new strategies such as nonexistence, suffering, ingratiation, and distance† (Englehardt, Sallot, Springston, 2004, p. 149). This approach resulted in detrimental results. The targeted accident was human-induced thus resulting in many deaths. The article explains why it was appropriate for the company to use mortification strategies in order to maximize its concern for the community. The approach would have repaired the firm’s image. The article recommends the use of â€Å"Compassion Without Blame† strategy in order to produce the best image. ValuJet should have also established the best PR strategies in order to restore its image.  The article â€Å"Crisis Communication, Image Restoration, and Battling Stereotypes of Terror and Wars† explores the issues facing many countries in the Middle East. The region â€Å"experiences constant coverage of terror attacks, conflicts, and wars† (Avraham, 2013, p. 1354). According to the author, the multi-step model can alter place image. Many countries in the Middle East use â€Å"three strategies (message, sou rce, and audience) to deal with wars, crises, and stereotypes of terrorism† (Avraham, 2013, p. 1354). This discussion explains why the Middle East should adopt a powerful branding tool. The fourth article â€Å"Blowout!: Firestone’s Image Restoration Campaign† explores how concealment of incriminating evidence and denial occur after every wrongful event.Advertising Looking for critical writing on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Firestone used such responses after producing defective tires. Such tires caused numerous injuries and deaths. The company was driven by corporate greed. This case study explains why a corrective action could have produced the best results. The authors also examine how mixed strategies such as corrective action and mortification could have produced the best results. Significance and Implication to Strategic Communication The first article supports the use of the diminish strategy in order to ameliorate the targeted crisis. This strategy can therefore help many organizations to deal with every crisis. An â€Å"informed approach should therefore depend on the best public relations (PR) theory† (Sisco, Collins, Zoch, 2010, p. 27). The Role of Apologia can also produce the best results instead of avoiding responsibility. The second article recommends the use of â€Å"Compassion Without Blame† strategy in order to produce the best image after a crisis. This approach can also bolster a company’s communication approach whenever there is a crisis. These two articles encourage entrepreneurs and organizations to respond to different crises.  The third article supports the use of appropriate marketing initiatives, campaigns, and PR strategies. Such approaches can restore the image of the targeted region.   New media campaigns and appropriate marketing officials can also promote the best PR practices. This approach can deal with negative situations and events characterizing a specific region. The article supports the use of a corrective action in order to produce the best communication outcomes (Blaney, Benoit, Brazeal, 2002). Companies can therefore use the above models in order to support their strategic communication approaches. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Articles The first article begins by examining the aspects of the SCCT model. This understanding makes it easier for the reader to identify the effectiveness of the diminish strategy. The authors have also used the best research approach. The authors have used three approaches to explore the models used by the American Red Cross. However, the article lacks sufficient examples and quality sources to support the arguments. The second article combines different models that can support a firm’s public image. The authors present a powerful model to explore how different organizations can deal with certain crises.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on â€Å"Through the Looking Glass† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These ideas can support the goals of different companies. The â€Å"Compassion Without Blame† approach is also applicable in other industries. The study approach presents quality ideas to the reader (Englehardt et al., 2004).  The third article identifies unique branding strategies that have supported the image of the Middle East. The article examines how the multi-step model can deal with such challenges (Avraham, 2013). However, the article fails to offer a powerful PR approach that can produce the best outcomes. The article on Firestone identifies the major mistakes committed by different companies. The article uses an appropriate methodology and discussions to discourage companies from shifting blames. A corrective approach can produce better results. A combined strategy will also improve the image of ever y company. The main weakness associated with the article is the absence of quality or recent sources. Agreements and Disagreements These articles present powerful arguments that can make different firms successful. The authors of the articles also support the importance of crisis communication and management in every organization. This approach â€Å"can support the goals of both for profit and not for profit organizations† (Sisco et al., 2010, p. 25). Most of the concepts presented in these articles can transform many companies. The articles support the importance of Public Relations (PR) in every firm. Societies and companies should use the best models to address every crisis. Reference List Avraham, E. (2013). Crisis Communication, Image Restoration, and Battling Stereotypes of Terror and Wars: Media Strategies for Attracting Tourism to Middle Eastern Countries. American Behavioral Scientist, 57(9), 1350-1367. Blaney, J., Benoit, W., Brazeal, L. (2002). Blowout!: Fireston e’s Image Restoration Campaign. Public Relations Review, 28(1), 379-392.Advertising Looking for critical writing on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Englehardt, K., Sallot, L., Springston, J. (2004). Compassion Without Blame: Testing the Accident Decision Flow Chart With the Crash of ValuJet Flight 592. Journal of Public Relations Research, 16(2), 127-156. Sisco, H., Collins, E., Zoch, L. (2010). Through the looking glass: A decade of Red Cross crisis response a situational crisis communication theory. Public Relations Review, 36(1), 21-27.

The Difference Between a High School Diploma and a GED

The Difference Between a High School Diploma and a GED There’s more than one way to prove your knowledge. While many students spend years earning their high school diplomas, others take a battery of tests in a single day and move on to college with a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). But is a GED as good as an actual diploma? And do colleges and employers really care which one you choose? Take a look at the facts before deciding how to complete your high school education. GED Students who take the GED exam must not be enrolled in or graduated from high school and must be over the age of 16. Depending on the state where the test is taken, students may also have to meet other requirements. Requirements: The GED is awarded after  a student passes a series of tests in five academic subjects. In order to pass each test, the student must score higher than 60% of the sample set of graduating seniors. Generally, students need to spend a considerable amount of time studying for the exams. Length of study: Students are not required to take traditional courses in order to earn their GED. The examinations take seven hours and five minutes to complete. Students may need to take preparation courses in order to get ready for the exams. However, these preparation courses are not mandatory. How employers view a GED: The majority of employers hiring for entry-level positions will consider a GED score as comparable to an actual diploma. A small number of employers will consider the GED inferior to a diploma. If a student continues school and receives a college degree, his employer will probably not even consider how he completed his high school education. How colleges view a GED: Most community colleges admit students who have received a GED. Individual universities have their own policies. Many will accept students with a GED, but some will not view the credential the same way as a diploma, especially if the school requires specialized courses of study for admittance. In many cases, a traditional diploma will be viewed as superior. High School Diploma Laws vary from state to state, but most schools will permit students to work on completing their high school diploma at a traditional public school for one to three  years after they turn eighteen. Special community schools and other programs often provide older students the opportunity to complete their graduation requirements. School diplomas do not generally have minimum age requirements. Requirements: In order to receive a diploma, students must complete coursework as dictated by their school district. Curriculum varies from district to district. Length of study: Students generally take four years to complete their high school diploma. How employers view a diploma: A high school diploma will allow students to meet the education requirements for many entry-level positions. Generally, employees with diplomas will earn significantly more than those without. Students who wish to advance in their careers may need to attend college for additional training. How colleges view a diploma: Most students admitted to four-year colleges have earned a high school diploma. However, a diploma does not guarantee acceptance. Factors such as grade point average (GPA), coursework, and extracurricular activities also play a role in admissions decisions.

Ralph Eubanks Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ralph Eubanks - Research Paper Example He was also one of the first coloured students to attend the integrated school. In describing his experiences, he has highlighted his acute embarrassment and feelings of isolation upon being the Eubanks has also mentioned the State Sovereignty Commission and says that this institution was empowered to do any and all actions that would help to preserve the sovereignty of the state of Mississippi, so that she could continue with her racist policies without any interference from the federal Government. As a result, while the other states in the Union flourished through increased representation of black students in integrated schools, colleges and Universities, the state of Mississippi lagged far behind. Eubanks sums up the purpose of this organization as being in effect, working to â€Å"instill fear in Mississippians like my parents: well educated, progressive thinking African-Americans, more commonly known as uppity niggers.† (Eubanks Xiv). Finding his own parents names on the Commission’s list – as people who needed to be spied upon and watched, in order to ensure that they did not interfere with the segregated fabric of the state, was a shock to the au thor. One of the people that Eubanks spoke to during the course of his self discovery and discovery of his past was Horace Harned, the Chairman of the Commission. This was a man who had wielded a considerable amount of power in the small farming community where his father and mother lived. At one time he had been a member of the Ku Klux Klan and was strongly in support of segregation and the standard of life that he and his contemporaries had enjoyed by rigidly maintaining the structure of the segregated society. In speaking to him, Eubanks was told that most certainly, the fact that his parents’ names had been on the list would suggest that they were always in danger of actions being taken against them by people Harned described ad rednecks. He described himself as the firebrand of the

Arab-Israeli War of 1948 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Arab-Israeli War of 1948 - Essay Example Observers claim that the Arab nations were not satisfied with the UN ruling, which they criticized greatly on the basis of great imbalance on the partition. Most Arabs claimed that the partition plan did not adequately balance the two groups. More so the Arabs, whom they claimed to, have been the majority. The UN voted in favor of the partition, ruling that the British were to terminate their mandate in Palestine in order to pave way for the partition to be implemented. Avi (1998) continue to argue that by the beginning of the Second World War; most Arab countries were under the strong influence of their colonial masters. Most notably were British and the French groups. He point out that Jordan in particular remained under the strong influence of the British thus acquired arms supply and military training. The Arabs countries joined hand to form the Arab league, which was mandated to coordinate the policies between their states after independence. According to Gelber (2006), the UN p artition plan was unanimously rejected by the Arab League of Nations. They declared holy war (jihad) upon all the Jews both in the Arab states and those living in Israel. He further claims that by 1940, most Jews had flown back to Israel from the Arab states fearing being persecuted. Consequently, he adds that the Arabs in Israel were encouraged to leave the country with a promise of returning after they purge the Jews land. Gelber (2006) estimates the number of Jews refugees running from the Arab states to be around one million (1,000,000), and that of Arabs from Israel to have been around three hundred and forty three thousand (343,000). War triggered a mass exodus from the Arab states. It is claimed that the Jews easily integrated in their mother country thus the claims that most Jews today are descendants of the Jews from the Arabic countries. However, it is also argued that, intentionally, the Arabs did not integrate their fellow Arabs who had escaped from Israel following war outbreak. During the initial stages of the Arab-Israel war, Avi (1998) observes that the British who were in control of Palestine, denied the Jews a chance to defend themselves. He further argues that this was done in many ways some of which were blocking those coming from other countries and denying them entry into Israel. Second, they outlawed Israel’s militia men as terrorists groups and denied them a chance to import weapons. In the mean time, it is argued that the British were supplying arms to the Arab countries and freely allowed them into Palestine. This is argued to have greatly compromised the Jewish ability to defend themselves against the Arabs. This continued until the British mandate was terminated. By February Benny (2008) observes that the Palestinian informed the UN Security Council that the partition plan could not be carried out without military aid. Because of the long process to come up with a defense force, the situation in Palestine got out of control. Benny claims that this resulted as disagreements raged the formation of the military forces without incorporating the support of the major powers. Consequently, war broke out in Palestine. He further states that the UN council blamed the Arabs for the war outbreak, with most of the western and European countries condemned Israel’s’ invasion by the Arabs. The British and the Palestine denied the UN Palestine Commission access to resolve the war crisis. Avi (1998) points out that, despite all the mounting pressure in Palestine, the UN did not suspend the partition plan. As a result, Israel

Firm value and share price strategy Essay Example for Free

Firm value and share price strategy Essay BAE facing challenges on Intensive competition and budget defence cuts by their major customers should focus on increasing shareholders’ equity by reduction of costs, adapting capabilities to the changing priorities of their customers and improve their Programme execution. Directors should monitor working capital expenditures to ensure that unnecessary further debt would be incurred that inevitably has an effect on book values. Higher book values (stockholders’ equity) act as a positive in a buyers assessment of purchase price, to some extent providing at least the illusion of a floor in value (Nation’s Business 2006). 4) Recommendations dealing with corporate governance Currently BAE Systems has faced problems facing its shareholders due to its criticism received on corporate governance and ethical conduct (Daily Mail 2010). As a recommendation, BAE should follow the financial reporting council (FRC) proposition on putting greater emphasis on the principles of UK’s corporate governance code, and apply the annual shareholder re-election. This would have a significant impact a wider engagement for the company’s shareholders. A necessary midyear review process should be conducted by an external facilitator to help in the evaluation process, metrics such as board effectiveness by dealing with issues in a timely manner should be considered. Having a wide and complex set of operations, information dissemination in a timely manner is very important to ensure appropriate decisions. Key performance Indicators should be the guideline across all the managing directors and their performance will be evaluated by comparison of their actual results from targets. 5) Critical evaluation of the model used Using financial models can provide actual figures for projection analysis that can create awareness for a company’s board of directors (Palmgren 1999). The Residual Income Model can be used as a valuation of the firm, based on its total book value and residual income (Financial Education 2010). During recent years it has been used as the primary valuation method due to its measurement of internal corporate performance and feasible estimation of the intrinsic value of common stock. The difference between a residual income and traditional financial statements are for the latter its purpose of preparation is to reflect earnings available to its owners, charges incurred for equity capital and dividends are not included, while the former adds the component of cost of equity capital for its calculation (Dodd 2001). Another limitation of the traditional income model is that it may not actually reflect the value of certain business activities. Such in our case with BAE system’s numerous acquisitions, on its accounting model it seems that BAE have significantly improved profitability on its strategies, however this could not be all false, but using the residual income approach some of the acquisitions doesn’t have the kind of effect, due again to the cost of equity capital (Bild, Guest,Cosh and Runsten 2002). 6) Conclusion BAE Systems being in an industry where intense competition exists should apply necessary strategies to ensure profitability in the coming years both for continuous operation and maximizing shareholders equity. Their current strategies for acquisition may have benefited them but the cost of violation of regulation procedures have definitely impacted over all operations. Using financial models like the residual income model, the board of directors can see, what would happen if they continue with their current policies on corporate strategy and governance, it has shown a negative impact on present firm’s value, thus the recommendation for consideration of a new effective strategy to be implemented across the board. List of References BAE Systems (2010) Annual Report 2009.[PDF] Available from http://bae-systems-investor- relations-2009. production. investis. com/results-reports-and-presentations. aspx [09 May 2010]. Brylawski, M. (1995). Developing a circumstance-based Innovation Strategy for a Midsized Aerospace Manufacturer:Fostering Entreprenuership, Opening Boundaries and Seeding Disruption. [PDF] Available from http://dspace. mit. edu/bitstream/handle/1721. 1/34748/56606619. pdf? sequence=1. [09 May 2010]. Bild, M. , Guest,P. , Cosh, A. , and Runsten, M. (2002). Do takeovers create value? A residual income approach on UK data. [PDF] Daily Mail (2010). BAE flies into storm with shareholders. Available from http://www. thisismoney. co. uk/markets/article. html? in_article_id=503922in_page_id= 3. [09 May 2010]. Dodd, J. (2001). Operating income, residual income and EVA: Which metric is more value relevant. Journal of Managerial Issues. Financial Education (2010). The Residual Income Valuation Model. Available from http://financial-education. com/2007/10/30/the-residual-income-valuation-model/ [09 May 2010]. Financial Times (2010). FT Market Data BAE Systems. Available from http://markets. ft. com/ft/tearsheets/analysis. asp? s=BA.:LSE. [09 May 2010]. Nation’s Business (1996). 10 ways to increase your firms value Net Worth. Available from http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m1154/is_n11_v84/ai_18818240/. [09 May 2010]. Palmgren, B. (1999). The Need for Financial Models. Available from http://www. ercim. eu/publication/Ercim_News/enw38/palmgren. html. [09 May 2010]. Smith, T Frost,L. (2008). BAE Buys Tenix Defence to Double Sales in Australia. [Online] Available from http://www. bloomberg. com/apps/news? sid=aV7YIxXunPvspid=20601087 [09 May 2010]. Wachman, R. (2010). BAE Systems hit by defence cuts. Available from http://www. guardian. co. uk/business/2010/mar/22/bae-systems-defence-spending-cuts [09 May 2010]. West, K (2010). BAE goes top of the global arms league. [Online] Available from http://www. thisismoney. co. uk/news/article. html? in_article_id=502716in_page_id=2 [09 May 2010]. Appendices Appendix 1 Five year Summary Income Statement of BAE Systems. Source: retrieved 9 May 2010 Extract from Annual Report 2009 http://bae-systems-investor-relations-2009. production. investis. com/financial-information/five-year-summary. aspx Appendix 2 Group Income Statement. Source: Extract from Annual Report 2009 for the year ended 31 December. Retrieved 10 May 2010 http://bae-systems-investor-relations-2009. production. investis. com/financial-information/group-income-statement. aspx Notes 2009 ?m Total 2009 ?m 2008 ?m Total 2008 ?m Continuing operations Combined sales of Group and equity accounted investments 3 22,415 18,543 Less: share of sales of equity accounted investments 3 (2,041) (1,872) Revenue 3 20,374 16,671 Operating costs 4 (20,060) (15,386) Other income 5 465 415 Group operating profit excluding amortisation and impairment of intangible assets 2,038 2,003. Amortisation 11 (286) (247) Impairment 11 (973) (56) Group operating profit 779 1,700 Share of results of equity accounted investments excluding finance costs and taxation expense 233 132 Financial (expense)/income of equity accounted investments 6 (7) 44 Taxation expense of equity accounted investments (23) (37) Share of results of equity accounted investments 14 203 139 Goodwill impairment in respect of equity accounted investments 14 (121) Contribution from equity accounted investments 203 18 EBITA1 excluding non-recurring items 2,220 1,897 Profit on disposal of businesses2 9. 68 238 Pension curtailment gains2 261 Regulatory penalties3 (278) EBITA1 2,271 2,135 Amortisation (286) (247) Impairments (973) (177) Financial (expense)/income of equity accounted investments 6 (7) 44 Taxation expense of equity accounted investments (23) (37) Operating profit 3 982 1,718 Finance costs 6 Financial income 1,573 3,380 Financial expense (2,273) (2,727) (700) 653 Profit before taxation 282 2,371 Taxation expense 8 UK taxation (105) (351) Overseas taxation (222) (252) (327) (603) (Loss)/profit for the year (45) 1,768 Attributable to: BAE Systems shareholders (67) 1,745 Minority interests 22 23 (45) 1,768 (Loss)/earnings per share 10 Basic (loss)/earnings per share (1. 9)p 49. 6p Diluted (loss)/earnings per share (1. 9)p 49. 5p Appendix 3 Group Balance Sheet as at 31 December. Source: Extract from Annual Report 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2010 http://bae-systems-investor-relations-2009. production. investis. com/financial-information/balance-sheet. aspx Notes 2009 ?m 2008 Restated ?m Fixed assets Tangible assets 2 4 5 Investments in subsidiary undertakings 3 7,070 5,663 7,074 5,668 Current assets Debtors due within one year 4. 7,468 9,339 Debtors due after one year 4 14 3 Other financial assets due within one year 262 703 Other financial assets due after one year 5 179 478 Cash at bank and in hand 5 2,804 1,988 10,725 12,511 Liabilities falling due within one year Loans and overdrafts 6 (37) (49) Creditors 7 (14,490) (12,873) Other financial liabilities 5 (255) (598) (14,782) (13,520) Net current liabilities (4,057) (1,009) Total assets less current liabilities 3,017 4,659 Liabilities falling due after one year Loans 6 (233) (258) Creditors 7 (3) (6) Other financial liabilities 5 (327) (574). (563) (838) Provisions for liabilities and charges 8 (61) (120) (2,393) (3,701) Capital and reserves Issued share capital 10 90 90 Share premium account 12 1,243 1,238 Statutory reserve 13 202 202 Other reserves 12 119 164 Profit and loss account 12 739 2,007 Equity shareholders’ funds 2,393 3,701 Appendix 4 Group Cash Flow for the year ended 31 December. Source: Extract from Annual Report 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2010 http://bae-systems-investor-relations-2009. production. investis. com/financial-information/cash-flow. aspx Notes 2009 ?m 2008 ?m (Loss)/profit for the year (45) 1,768. Taxation expense 327 603 Share of results of equity accounted investments 14 (203) (139) Net finance costs 700 (653) Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 1,600 755 Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment 4, 5 (17) (33) Gain on disposal of investment property 5 – (5) Gain on disposal of businesses 5 (68) (238) Cost of equity–settled employee share schemes 52 51 Movements in provisions 52 (115) Decrease in liabilities for retirement benefit obligations (657) (272) Decrease/(increase) in working capital: Inventories 6 46 Trade and other receivables 52 (5). Trade and other payables 433 246 Cash inflow from operating activities 2,232 2,009 Interest paid (250) (249) Interest element of finance lease rental payments (2) (5) Taxation paid (350) (261) Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,630 1,494 Dividends received from equity accounted investments 14 77 89 Interest received 66 156 Purchases of property, plant and equipment (483) (520) Purchases of intangible assets (42) (32) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 36 44 Proceeds from sale of investment property – 5 Purchase of subsidiary undertakings 27, 29 (357) (1,078). Cash and cash equivalents acquired with subsidiary undertakings 27 33 2 Purchase of equity accounted investments 27 (1) (12) Proceeds from sale of subsidiary undertakings 9 2 131 Cash and cash equivalents disposed of with subsidiary undertakings – (60) Proceeds from sale of equity accounted investments 9 70 16 Net proceeds from (purchase)/sale of other deposits/securities (209) 164 Net cash outflow from investing activities (808) (1,095) Capital element of finance lease rental payments (13) (18) Proceeds from issue of share capital 5 16 Purchase of own shares (25) (43) Equity dividends paid 28. (534) (478) Dividends paid to minority interests (5) (11) Cash inflow/(outflow) from matured derivative financial instruments 36 (440) Cash (outflow)/inflow from movement in cash collateral (11) 106 Cash inflow from loans 920 Cash outflow from repayment of loans (133) (306) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities 240 (1,174) Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,062 (775) Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 2,605 3,046 Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 11 334 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 3,678 2,605.

Sound on Disc :: essays research papers

Sound-On-Disc: From Inception ‘til Death From the Kinetophone to the Vitaphone, the sound-on-disc format dominated the pioneering stage of sound in movies. For the first time ever, people were able to hear sound synchronized with the images on the screen, and the revolution had begun-the talkies were here to stay. It was the sound-on-disc format that helped create many of Hollywood’s â€Å"talkie† classics, including The Jazz Singer and The Singing Fool. However, another format, sound-on-film, would soon take reign of the talking motion picture movement, as the audience and the exhibitors started to become more demanding as technology was slowly improving. Sound-on-disc was simply beleaguered with too many technical and economic problems to continue to stay relevant. Thus, the competing sound-on-film format eventually became widely-accepted in the motion picture industry and is used even to this day.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There were many different technologies in the beginning of the 20th Century that were able to incorporate sound with film, including the Chronophone and the Cameraphone. However, the most influential film-phonograph combination in terms of the impact on the developments in the 1920s was Thomas Edison’s Kinetophone, which featured an automatic synchronizing system (Gomery, 27). Numerous identical gears linked the phonograph and projector to cause both machines, if manually operated, to move at the same rate. He also created an adjustment dial to correct synchronization problems. The Kinetophone was indeed advanced for its time.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  On February 19, 1913, the Kinetophone premiered at the Colonial, a vaudeville theatre on Broadway. The film opened with a lecturer who proceeded to explain the system. He also smashed a plate, played the violin and piano, and had a dog bark-all of which demonstrated the power of Edison’s technology (28). A minstrel act followed, and the film eventually ended with the chorus of the â€Å"Star Spangled Banner.† It was a huge hit, and the audience gave the film a 15 minute standing ovation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Despite it’s successful opening night, the promise of the Kinetophone never materialized. During the second week of its New York Presentation, the audience booed the Kinetophone, as the synchronization was off by as much as 10 to 12 seconds due to an inexperienced projectionist. There were also other problems that plagued it. The phonograph emitted a â€Å"harsh, metallic sound†, and its volume was never sufficient to fill a large vaudeville theatre (29). Eventually, by 1915, all operations of Edison’s Kinetophone had ceased. Edison’s failure marked the end of the pioneering phase of the phonograph- based sound pictures.

Hallstead Jewelers Case Study

Submitted by Yellow Team Eunice King Ronda Klassen Joshua Krupnick Larry McCraw Ronald Mills BUS 5431 Managerial Accounting Professor Nancy Shoemake April 18, 2010 1. 0Summary Hallstead Jewelers was one of the largest jewelry and gift stores in the United States for 83 years. Customers came from throughout the region to buy from extensive collections in each department. Any gift from Hallstead’s had an extra cache attached to it as they were known for having the best. Even though the principal retail shopping areas shifted two blocks west, Hallstead’s reputation and selection still brought in customers. In 1999 however, sales became stagnate and profits were starting to slip. The owners (two sisters, Gretchen and Michaela) made several changes in an effort to revitalize the store back to its full glory. The largest decision they made was to move the stores location, expanding it by 50% more space and selling staff. This move resulted in a five-year lease as well as extensive and expensive renovations. They also made some changes in product offerings and offered more sales potential at the cost of minor reductions in margins. During the year it took to complete the Hallstead’s renovation the industry started showing major changes toward internet based jewelry sales. Tiffany & Company, a business with an origin much like Hallstead Jewelers, grew into an international powerhouse. At the same time, a start-up internet seller, Blue Nile, became the second largest diamond seller in the U. S. While Hallstead’s was growing their fixed costs by doubling their rent payments, Tiffany and Blue Nile were increasing their revenue with â€Å"virtual† storefronts allowing them to increase sales with very little increase in expense. In an effort to explore ideas in strategy that would return the business to profitability, the sisters compiled some questions for their accountant to analyze using some additional operating statistics. The following answers will take a deeper look into the mechanics of the business and provide Gretchen and Michaela with recommendations to get their business back on track. 2. Changes in Breakeven and Margin of Safety The following table shows that while the breakeven in both sales dollars and number of sales tickets has continued to rise from 2003, to 2004, and to 2006, the margin of safety has decreased over the same period of time. What caused this change? 3. 0Reduction in Price One idea the consultant had was to reduce prices to bring i n more customers. The following table illustrates that by reducing prices 10% and increasing sales to 7,500 tickets, the company’s operating income significantly decreases, losing an additional $580K over the previous year’s income/loss. Breakeven in sales tickets is 9,337 – an increase of 1,832 from the previous year. Breakeven in sales dollars increases $1. 47 million to a total of $13. 12 million needed. 4. 0Elimination of Sales Commissions Another idea that Gretchen had was to eliminate sales commissions even though both her Grandfather and Father insisted that commissions were one of the reasons for their success in the past. The figure below illustrates that the elimination of sales commission greatly affects operating income. By eliminating the sales commission in a projection of the three previously reported years, we can see that operating income is in the positive for all three periods. Although Gretchen’s father and grandfather perceived commission to give them a competitive edge, calculations prove that the commission payments are definitely hurting Halstead’s bottom line. Further consideration should be given to eliminate them if possible. 5. 0Advertising Michaela felt that a bigger store could benefit from greater advertising and suggested that advertising be increased by $200,000. If advertising expenses were increased by $200,000, the breakeven point in both sales dollars and sales tickets would increase. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2006, Hallstead spent $257,000 on advertising. If this were increased to $457,000, the breakeven point would be as follows: Breakeven in sales tickets = Breakeven sales dollars / Average sales tickets 7,805 = $12,120,525. 73 / $1,553 Breakeven in sales dollars = Total Fixed Costs / Contribution margin ratio $12,120,525. 73 = $5,211,000 / 0. 430 The affect of the increases in advertising expenditures on the breakeven point in sales dollars would be an increase from $11,655,335. 72 to $12,120,525. 73, a difference of $465,190. 01. It would probably be a good idea for Hallstead Jewelers to try the increase in advertising. Although the company is currently struggling with a negative operating income, the increase in breakeven dollars is relatively nominal. Competition from much larger companies, such as Tiffany & Company, as well as internet jewelry sales from companies such as Blue Nile has taken some of their business. Perhaps some of this increased advertising budget should be spent on expanding their business to the internet and advertising there; allowing Hallstead to compete more directly with Blue Nile and boost sales. Increased advertising may also help bring in more customers who are not yet aware of the company’s new Washington St. location and larger renovated store. 6. 0Average Sales Tickets The following overview takes a look at how much the average sales ticket would have to increase to breakeven if the fixed cost remained the same in 2007 as it was in 2006. Average sales ticket for 2006 is $1,553 @ 6,897 tickets for an Operating loss of $406,000. †¢# of tickets x Average sales ticket = Sales revenue †¢6,897 tickets x $1,553 = $10,711,041 †¢Average ticket sale dollar amount needed to break even = Sales revenue needed to break even / # of sales tickets for 2006 †¢Average ticket sale dollar amount needed to break even = (Fixed Cost / Contribution Margin Ratio) / # of sales tickets for 2006 †¢Average ticket sale dollar amount needed to break even = ($5,011,000 / 0. 43) / 6,897 †¢Average ticket sale dollar amount needed to break even = $1689. 2 †¢Average sales ticket increase to break-even = Average ticket sale needed to break even – Average sales ticket for 2006 †¢Average sales ticket increase to break-even = $1690 – $1,553 = $137 By reducing prices 10% and increasing sales to 7,500 tickets, the company’s operating income significantly decreases, losing an additional $580K over the previous year’s income/loss. Breakeven in sales tickets is 9,337 – an increase of 1,832 from the previous year. Breakeven in sales dollars raises $1. 47 million to a total of $13. 12 million needed. 7. 0Recommendations In our analysis of Hallstead Jewelers we found that Income was steadily declining and the move to the new location, with increased fixed costs, resulted in a loss for 2006. We implemented several options to see what variances would occur. A consultant recommended a 10% reduction in prices which would lead to an increase in sales. We showed this to be a bad idea as operating income significantly decreased with the price reduction. Another idea was to eliminate sales commission. Eliminating sales commission greatly enhanced operating income and resulted in positive operating income for all three years. Michaela suggested increasing the advertising budget by $200,000. Increasing the advertising budget increased the breakeven in sales dollars by $465,190; if increasing the advertising budget results in increased sales it would be justifiable. Based on our analysis of Hallstead Jewelers we would recommend that they discontinue the practice of paying sales commissions. Although Gretchen’s father and grandfather perceived sales commission to give them a competitive edge and drive sales, calculations prove that the commission payments are definitely hurting Halstead’s bottom line. Elimination of sales commission in 2006 would have resulted in $1,215,184 less in breakeven sales dollars. The company's name and reputation should be asset enough to drive Hallstead Jewelers sales. In addition, we would recommend Hallstead Jewelers use $200,000 from the elimination of the sales commissions and apply it to increasing the advertisement budget combating stiff competition from large retailers such as Tiffany and Company and the internet business, Blue Nile. The increased advertising budget should be assessed on an annual basis to validate its effectiveness. Works Cited Jiambalvo, James. Managerial Accounting 4th ed. New Jersey: John Wiley, 2010. â€Å"Break-Even Analysis. † Wikipedia Online http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Break_even_analysis. (11 APR. 2010) â€Å"Contribution Margin. † Wikipedia Online http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Contribution_margin. (10 APR. 2010)

Aircraft Maintenance manuals

An airport cannot function without management. An airport manager may work for a large international airport or they may work for a small municipal airport, but generally the job duties and description will be almost the same. The main responsibility of the airport manager is to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the airport on a daily basis.This includes supporting staff and making sure that all staff is able to provide polite, prompt and correct information to travels, know airport policies and procedures, scheduling the appropriate number of staff, ensuring that all ticketing and security systems are in excellent working condition and troubleshooting any problems are all part of the airport managers job. The airport manager works closely with federal and state aviation committees and department that generate rules and regulations for all aspects of airport business and security.The airport manager must ensure that all aspects of the airport are functioning within these reg ulations or he or she must take the necessary actions to bring them into compliance. This may mean directly working with airport staff or working with the employees or businesses that rent space in the airport terminal. With working with airport staff, the manager must have a good amount of knowledge to understand the issues the staff is working with, such as aircraft maintenance. Aircraft maintenance is an important matter in which managers should have a good understanding of.Without good management in aircraft maintenance, conflicts can damage the safety and efficiency of an airport. As a manager, it is important to hire the most qualified technician and mechanic for operating on aircraft systems and maintenance. The aviation technician should be able to catch up with the new technologies as quickly as possible. New aircraft technology is brought in regularly, aircraft are regularly upgraded. Choosing the appropriate training methods and developing efficient and helpful training m aterial presumes an improved level of significance in current aviation maintenance atmosphere.Training and management entail the capability to evaluate workers' needs, assess personality traits, and develop challenging performance requirements. Training should be regarded as an integral part of the aviation management for attaining the safest maintenance. Having a maintenance program is also essential for achieving the highest possible level of safety for an airport. Managers should know if each of their aircraft is airworthy and properly maintained for operations in air transportation.The aircraft maintenance manual is a great guide in performing in accordance to for all maintenance on the aircrafts. Aircraft maintenance manuals must comply with FAR Parts 135 and 121, which is required by the Federal Aviation Administration regulations. In this manual, a manager can find sections of administrative policies and procedures, detailed instructions for administration, management, and ac complishment of the maintenance program, and technical manuals that describe maintenance standards, methods, techniques, and procedures (Aircraft Maintenance, 8).In addition to knowing maintenance regulations, a manager should also know and understand inspection regulations as well. It is highly important to have the correct inspections and know when to have those inspections for each aircraft in order for them to be airworthy. Having this knowledge will help maintain a safer and more efficient program, because if there were some aircrafts that are unairworthy, then that would waste time and costs for getting out of the way and getting it done. It is always important to sustain an inspected and maintained aircraft for the safety of the air transportation environment.Aging aircraft could also present particular dangers to personnel and passengers. Some aircraft remain in use far beyond the lifetimes initially envisioned when they were manufactured (Ells). Aircraft managers, therefore , should have a thorough plan in place for the maintenance of aircraft that are aging. In such a case, particular teams of people could also be assigned to the regular inspection and repair of such aircraft. The AOPA (Ells) provides a list of sources that should be inherent in a maintenance plan for aging aircraft.A complete list of logbook entries, for example, could provide valuable information relating to maintenance trends and the probably current level of repair. Major repairs should also be listed in such a logbook. Aircraft records from the FAA are also an important component of this investigation and can provide information such as bills-of-sale, repair, and alterations to the aircraft. Having such information on hand will make it much easier to investigate the state of repair of aging aircraft and also to plan for future inspection and repair efforts.It is vital that aging aircraft and all other aircraft to be kept in good working condition to minimize breakdown and acciden ts. Managers have the responsibility to ensure that all maintenance is performed in accordance with FAA and company guidelines. It is always important to know the aircraft systems, how they function and their errors, and know when aircraft inspections and maintenance should occur. Having a well-organized maintenance program will guarantee a safe and efficient airport. References (2012). Airport Management Jobs.Retrieved from http://www. avjobs. com/careers/detail. asp? RecID=65#. UHTLvFEkosw (2011). Federal Aviation Regulations. Retrieved from , http://www. risingup. com/fars/info/part121-135-FAR. shtml (2012). Aircraft Maintenance. Retrieved from https://erau. blackboard. com/bbcswebdav/institution/Worldwide_Online/MGMT_203/pre sentations/mgmt_203_m5_aiircraft_maintenance. pdf Ells, Steven. (2011). Retieved from http://www. aopa. org/members/files/pilot/2000/aging0006. html

How Itching Works and Why Scratching an Itch Feels Good

How Itching Works and Why Scratching an Itch Feels Good Humans and other animals itch for a variety of reasons. Scientists believe the underlying purpose of the annoying sensation (called pruritus) is so we can remove parasites and irritants and protect our skin. However, other things can lead to itching, including drugs, diseases, and even a psychosomatic response. How Itching Works While drugs and disease typically stimulate itching because of a chemical response, most of the time the sensation is a result of skin irritation. Whether the irritation starts from dry skin, a parasite, an insect bite, or chemical exposure, the itch-sensing nerve fibers (called pruriceptors) become activated. Chemicals that activate the fibers may be histamine from inflammation, opioids, endorphins, or the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and serotonin. These nerve cells are a special type of C-fiber, structurally like the C-fibers that transmit pain, except they send a different signal. Only about 5% of C-fibers are pruriceptors. When stimulated, pruriceptor neurons fire a signal to the spinal cord and the brain, which stimulates a rubbing or scratching reflex. In contrast, the response to the signal from pain receptors is an avoidance reflex. Scratching or rubbing an itch stops the signal by stimulating pain receptors and touch receptors in the same region. Drugs and Diseases That Make You Itch Since the nerve fibers for itching are in the skin, it makes sense most itching starts there. Psoriasis, shingles, ringworm, and chicken pox are conditions or infections that affect the skin. However, some drugs and illnesses can cause itching without underlying skin irritation. The antimalarial drug chloroquine is known to cause severe itching as a common side effect. Morphine is another drug known to cause itching. Chronic itching can result from multiple sclerosis, certain cancers, and liver disease. The ingredient that makes peppers hot, capsaicin, can cause itching as well as pain. Why Scratching an Itch Feels Good (But Isnt) The most satisfying relief for an itch is to scratch it. When you scratch, neurons fire pain signals to your brain, which temporarily overrides the itching sensation. The feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin is released to provide relief from the pain. Essentially, your brain rewards you for scratching. However, a study conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates scratching ultimately intensifies the itch because serotonin binds 5HT1A receptors in the spinal cord that activate GRPR neurons that stimulate more itchiness. Blocking serotonin isnt a good solution for people suffering chronic itching because the molecule is also responsible for growth, bone metabolism, and other key processes. How to Stop Itching So, scratching an itch, while pleasurable, is not a good way to stop itching. Getting relief depends on the cause of the pruritis. If the issue is skin irritation, it may help to cleanse the area with a gentle soap and apply an unscented lotion. If inflammation is present, an antihistamine (e.g., Benadryl), calamine, or hydrocortisone may help. Most pain relievers dont diminish itchiness, but opioid antagonists  offer relief to some people. Another option is to expose skin to sunlight or ultraviolet light (UV) therapy, apply a cold pack, or apply a few electrical zaps. If itching persists, its a good idea to see a doctor to check for underlying medical conditions or itching in response to a drug. If you absolutely cant resist the urge to scratch, try rubbing the area rather than scratching it. If all else fails, a German study indicates you can lessen itching by looking into a mirror and scratching the corresponding non-itching body part. Itching Is Contagious Are you getting itchy reading this article? If so, its a completely normal reaction. Itching, like yawning, is contagious. Doctors who treat itchy patients often find themselves scratching as well. Writing about itching leads to itchiness (trust me on this). Researchers have found people attending lectures on itching scratch themselves a lot more often than if they were learning about a different topic. There may be an evolutionary advantage to scratching when you see another person or animal do it. Its likely a good indicator you might want to check for biting insects, parasites, or irritating plants.

How To Write A Process Essay, with Topics and Outline

How To Write A Process Essay, with Topics and Outline Writing a Process Essay Topics Outline example How to start How to write body How to conclude A process essay is a form of writing which explains how to do something. Some of the most common process essays are recipes that demonstrate how food should be prepared. In this type of paper, the reader should be able to follow the sequence and successfully achieve what you are explaining. A process essay serves to: Explain how something is done. It gives a sequence which should be followed to achieve a particular goal. Explain how something works. It tells someone how something is done, for example explaining how to plant a garden. This article gives tips to help the student on how to write a process essay. Topic Choice Choosing the topic for a perfect writing requires a lot of thought. It should be something you regularly do, or have had an experience with it/ this is because the reader should achieve the same results as you after following all the steps. Be specific about your topic. Decide whether you want to tell your readers how to do something or explain them how something works. In case you are stuck in choosing a good process essay topics for your  task, there are some topics you can choose from: How to write a CV; How to grow a kitchen garden; How to cook a Spanish omelet; How to start a business; Preparing dinner for the in-laws; What to do when on a blind date; The process of saddling a horse; Steps to follow when operating a manual generator; The negotiation process; The grieving process; What to do to avoid procrastinating; Designing a tuxedo; Creating a design from scratch; The process of making a cocktail; How to tie a shoe; How to raise a healthy dog; How to file tax returns; The sedimentation process; How to organize a baby shower; How to pack light for the holidays. Common  Structure Keep in mind that there are different outlines for a process essay as every process is different. For this reason, thesis may differ from time to time and may not always look alike. The example below does not have a conclusion as it doesn’t need one. Outline example: How to cook homemade dry cured bacon Ingredients: Pork belly cut 500g of plain salt 100g of brown sugar Handful of juniper berries A spring of fresh rosemary Handful of black peppercorns Four bay leaves Zest of an orange Process: Grind the pepper and juniper berries Combine all the dry ingredients apart from the orange zest Zest the orange onto the belly Rub into the meat and refrigerate for 24 hours Remove from fridge and flip the belly over Bacon can be cured anything from 3 days to a week. The longer it stays the saltier it becomes and lasts longer When finished, take it out and wash all the cure mixture. Pat it dry. Rinse all over with white vinegar to prevent mold from growing Wrap in cotton and keep it in the fridge. Remember to change the cloth weekly Serve on a sandwich and takeout How to start  a process essay The first step to writing a good process essay introduction when making an article on a process is to figure out what you want to write about. Having some previous knowledge on the topic ensures you to become more competent and research widely. Have a global structure- this helps you have a coherent sentence and flow of ideas. The process essay draft tells you whether your content will be enough and lets you know if you have the know-how on how to go about the topic. As people often want to know the origin of something, the introduction for a process essay should begin by giving a little background information about what you are writing. It helps the reader develop a sense of purpose for the article. The first step in a perfect essay writing is to ensure you have all the facts right. Tell the reader what the process is about beforehand. Next, let the reader know what they need to have before beginning the process. Have a checklist of all items needed by listing them. Give the time frame approximated. This is to help the reader be aware how long the task will take and manage their time well. Tips on writing the body (length, paragraphs, and transitions) Have knowledge and understanding of your topic. Do not write a subjects which will have no content. Show that you understand all specifics of what you are doing. The reader does not want to try something, then end up with negative results. Ensure that all the facts are accurate. Write in a sequence. The purpose of the essay is to give guidelines to follow. Ensure that you mark the steps in order. Do not mislead the reader by skipping processes. Explain every step clearly. Remember, every step will vary from the previous one in that some will be lengthier than others. Do not forget to account for the purpose of every action. The aim of this is to make the reader feel that they are learning. Do not make assumptions that they know why. When writing the body, you can use a diagrammatic representation of how it should look like and diagrams make it easier to understand and for the reader to see that they are using it right. The diagrams should be broken down as the steps go. If there are different methods of doing something, mention that to the reader and advice on why you chose the particular process. Give the reader a reason to believe that your process is the best by listing some advantages. How to conclude a process essay Like all other essays, conclsuion  is underrated. After the reader has followed the steps as directed by you, the result should be as stated. Focus on the main result of the process. Explain what the main results should be. If possible, insert a picture of the final result and explain to the reader what they can do with it. This makes the reader feel motivated like they have completed a challenge. Make your steps easy to follow. The reader should understand the process without struggling. This is achieved by using very simple language and short sentences. In conclusion, you might explain to the reader some of the challenges they might experience which will make them not get the desired outcome. Finalizing the task The final step in writing the conclusion for a process essay is proofreading. Proofread to correct spelling, punctuations, and other grammatical errors. Ensure the steps are well sequenced and there is no missing step. Check out for plagiarism. This is especially for processes that have been copied from the internet. There is various process writing help sites for when you get confused which give different tips for an assignment  writing. Ensure that the process essay outlining followed as required. After following this tips in the handbook, your article is now ready for submission and presentation. Be prepared for criticism from your audience.

The Kroger Company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Kroger Company - Essay Example Although, most of its competitors have experienced negative sales growth in 2010, Kroger Co. has not failed to keep its shareholders satisfied by steady sales growth in the last 29 quarters. Kroger Co. takes pride in its loyal customer base as approximately one-half of US households have a Kroger loyalty card. This has been a result of Customer 1st strategy that Kroger Co. believes in. It has also been popular among shareholders for its consistent dividend payments. In 2010, it distributed $250 million along with maintaining investment-grade credit rating and reducing long-term debt which eventually resulted in capital gains. Profitability ratios are an indicator of a company’s performance over the year. Profitability ratios include operating profit margin, net profit margin, return on asset, and return on equity (Puxty, Dodds & Wilson 1988). Sales increased by 7.1% to $82.2 billion in 2010, which is more than its competitors. Operating profit margin for the year 2010 was 2.65% with operating profits of $2.182 billion. Return on sales, also known as net-profit margin, were impressive in 2010 with reported net earnings of $1.12 billion to get $1.74 earning per diluted share. Net profit margin for the year was 1.36%. Shareholders are also interested in return on assets and equity. Their decisions are influenced by these ratios therefore; it is essential that a company projects better return on the asset it employs and the equity it takes. For Kroger, return on equity is impressive with 21%. Moreover, Kroger has been reducing its long term debt in the past few years which makes the company less risky to benefit shareholders. Therefore, a return of 21% is notable in comparison to the industry. Return on asset has also been sufficient with 6.3%. Speaking of efficiency, Kroger Co. has performed well in this regard. Efficiency ratios judge the ability of a company to earn from its resources in an effective and efficient manner (Besley & Brigham 2008). These ratios include asset turnover ratio, receivable turnover ratio and inventory turnover ratio. Total Asset turnover is impressive for Kroger Co. as sales are about 3.5 times the total assets. This means that with every dollar of asset provided, Kroger generates $3.5 worth of sales from it. Inventory Turnover ratio has also been inspiring with a multiple of 16.55 times. This means that in a matter of 21 days, inventory is converted into sale. A high turnover rate implies that Kroger Co. is facing high sales therefore there is minimal investment tied up in the inventory (Fabozzi, Peterson & Drake 2003). Still efforts need to be made to increase its turnover rate as investment in inventory yields zero return and a company would always refrain from having its capital tied up in such an investment. Receivable turnover is calculated by dividing credit sales from average receivables. This ratio measures the efficiency of a company to collect its receivables. Kroger Co. is extremely efficient in this regard as it collects its receivables in less than four days which is remarkable. Kroger Co. generates sales of $82.2 billion and not more than 1 billion is kept as receivable means a job well done. Liquidity ratios illustrate the company’s ability to pay off obligations in the short term (Shim & Siegel 2008). Current asset ratio and acid-test ratio are observed closely when liquidity is in question. Kroger Co. has not been impressive with its ability to keep liquid assets. Current ratio which is current asset divided by current liabilities is below 1. This means that to pay off each dollar of liability, Kroger do es not have equal amount of liquid assets on hand. Acid test ratio is in a sorry state as well. Inventory constitutes major portion of current

Business improvement and change for Cadbury plc UK Essay

Business improvement and change for Cadbury plc UK - Essay Example The main aim of conducting an external analysis of a company is to recognize the environment in which the organisation functions and appraise the organisation’s placement in that environment. Internal analysis is carried out to find out what additional measures can be taken to bring the company out of any problems which it might face then. These measures are first compared to the present existing plans and outlays and later on the implement process takes place. Cadbury Schweppes had plans to break up its business into two separate entities out of which one would focus on its key chocolate and confectionery market while the other on its US drinks business. Michael Porter introduced the Five Forces of Analysis which is conceived as the structural assessment of an industry. The five forces are: competitive rivalry, barriers of entry, threats of substitutes, power of buyers, and power of suppliers.