Report on Prime Bank

CHAPTER-SIX SERVICES OFFERED BY FOREIGN EXCHANGE DIVISION 5. 1 Meaning of Foreign Exchange Foreign Exchange means exchange foreign currency between two countries. If we consider ‘Foreign Exchange’ as a subject, then it means all kind of transactions related to foreign currency. In other wards foreign exchange deals with foreign financial transactions. H. E. Evitt defined â€Å"Foreign Exchange† as the means and methods by which rights to wealth expressed in terms of the currency of one country are converted into rights to wealth in terms of the currency of another country 5. 2-Activities of foreign exchange: There are three kinds of foreign exchange transactions: Import. Export. Remittance. 5. 3 Local Regulations for foreign exchange. Foreign exchange transactions are being controlled by the following rules & regulations: ? Foreign Exchange regulation act 1947. ? Bangladesh Bank issues foreign exchange circular from time to time to control the export, import & remittance business. ? Ministries of commerce issues export & import policy giving basic formalities for import & export business. ? Sometime CCI&E issues public notice for any kind of change in foreign exchange transaction. Bangladesh bank published two volumes in 1996. This is compilation of the instructions to be followed by the authorized dealers in transitions related to foreign exchange. 5. 4 Parties involved in Documentary Credit: The parties are: ? The Issuing Bank, ? The Confirming Bank, if any, and ? The Beneficiary. ? The Applicant, ? The Advising Bank, ? The Nominated Paying/ Accepting Bank, and ? The Transferring Bank, if any. i. Importer – Buyer Who applies for opening the L/C. ii. Issuing Bank – It is the bank which opens/issues a L/C on behalf of the importer. ii. Confirming Bank – It is the bank, which adds its confirmation to the credit and it is done at the request of issuing bank. Confirming bank may or may not be advising bank. iv. Advising / Notifying Bank – is the bank through which the L/C is advised to the exporters. This bank is actually situated in exporters country. It may also assume the role of confirming and / or negotiating bank depending upon the condition of the credit. v. Negotiating Bank – is the bank, which negotiates the bill and pays the amount of the beneficiary. The advising bank and the negotiating bank may or may not be the same. Sometimes it can also be confirming bank. vi. Paying / Accepting Bank – is the bank on which the bill will be drawn (as per condition of the credit). Usually it is the issuing bank. vii. Reimbursing bank – is the bank, which would reimburse the negotiating bank after getting payment – instructions from issuing bank. 5. 5 IMPORT: Under the import policy of Bangladesh the Importer has get the valid Import Registration Certificate (IRC) from the Chief Control of Import & Export (CCI&E). 5. 5. 1- Letter of credit: Letter of Credit means any arrangement whereby a Bank (the issuing Bank) is committed (on behalf of the buyer/applicant) to pay certain amount at the seller’s disposal under some agreed conditions. 5. 5. 2 – Types of documentary credit: Documentary credit may be of three types. †¢ Revocable credit. †¢ Irrevocable credit. †¢ Add confirmed credit. Revocable credit: This type of credit can be cancelled or amended at any time by the issuing Bank without prior notice to the seller. It is not now in use. Irrevocable credit: This type of credit can’t be cancelled or amended by the issuing Bank without the agreement of parties concerned thereto. All the credits issued in our country are of irrevocable nature. Add confirmed credit: When a third Bank provides guarantee to the beneficiary to make payment, if issuing Bank fail to make payment, the L/C is called confirmed L/C. In case of a confirmed L/C a third Bank adds their confirmation to the beneficiary, to make payment, in addition to that of issuing Bank. Confirmed L/C gives the beneficiary a double assurance of payment. 5. 5. 3 Special documentary credit. There are some other special documentary credits that are given below: †¢ Revolving credit. †¢ Transferable credit. Back- to- Back credit. Revolving credit: Which provides for restoring the credit to the original amount after it has been utilized. Transferable credit: If the word ‘Transferable’ incorporated in an L/C, then the L/C is transferable. The first beneficiary can transfer transferable L/C to second beneficiary. But second beneficiary cannot transfer it further to another beneficiary. Back -To- Back credit: The Back To Back is a new credit opened on the bases of an original credit in favor of other beneficiary; under this concept the seller of the first credit offers it as security to the issuing Bank for the assurance of the second credit. The beneficiary of the back-to-back credit may be located inside or outside the original beneficiary’s country. 5. 5. 4 Operations of Documentary Letters of Credit: The following five major steps are involved in the operation of a documentary letter of credit: ? Opening. ? Advising. ? Amendment. ? Presentation. ? Settlement. Opening of Letter of Credit: Opening of letter of credit means, at the request of the applicant (importer) issuance of a L/C in favour of the beneficiary (exporter) by a Bank. The Bank, which open or issue L/C opening Bank or issuing Bank. L/C Advising: Advising through a Bank is a proof of evident authenticity of the credit to the seller. The process of advising a credit consists of forwarding the original credit to the beneficiary to whom it is addressed. Before forwarding the advising Bank verify the signature (s) of the officer (s) of the issuing Bank & ensure that the terms & condition are not in violation of existing exchange control regulation & the other regulation relating to export. If credit is transmitted via telex, advising Bank will match the test used in the telex. Amendment of Credit: Parties involved in a L/C, particularly the seller and the buyer, cannot always satisfy the terms and conditions in full as expected due to some obvious and genuine reasons. In such a situation, the credit should be amended. Presentation of Document: The seller being satisfied with the terms and conditions of the credit proceeds to dispatch the required goods the buyer and after that, has to present the documents evidencing dispatching of goods to the negotiating bank on or before the stipulated expiry date of the credit. After receiving the entire document, the negotiating bank then checks the documents against the credit. If the documents are found in order, the bank will pay, accept or negotiate to the issuing bank. The issuing bank also checks the documents and if they are found as per credit requirements, either effects payment, or reimburse in the pre-agreed manner. Lodgment: If import documents found in order, it to be made entry in the bill register and necessary voucher to be passed, putting bill number on the documents, these processes is called lodgment of the bill. Since the documents stay at this stage for a temporary period i. . up to retirement of the documents, the process is called lodgment. Bank must lodge the documents immediate after receipt of the dame, not exceeding seven (7) Banking days, following the day of receipt of the documents. Retirement of Import documents: When the importer releases the import document from the Bank by acceptance/cash payment or under post import Bank finance it is known as retirement of the import document. Refusal Notice: After examination, if the documents become discrepant, issuing Bank will through the refusal notice to the negotiating Bank with seven Banking days. Settlement: Settlement means fulfilling the commitment of issuing Bank in regard to effecting payment subject to satisfying the credit terms fully. This settlement may be done three separate arrangements as stipulated in the credit. 5. 6 Import Financing: The post import finance extends the import credit in the following forms: ? PAD (Payment against documents). ? LTR (Loan against trust receipt). ? LIM (Loan against import merchandise) 5. 6. 1 Payment Against Document (PAD): PAD Loan is created upon lodgment of import documents. This Loan is created for 21 days -the time being the tolerance for taking documents for the importer. If after 21 days the documents are not taken by the importer, the Bank may sell the imported goods to recover the given amount. 5. 6. 2 Loan Against Trust Receipt (L. T. R): Under this, Loan is allowed only to first class importers. Here only on the basis of trust without paying the Bank anything or a partial amount, the importer takes the documents. Then importer is allowed 60-90 days time to make payment. 5. 6. 3. Loan Against Imported Merchandise (LIM): Advance (Loan) against the security of merchandise imported through the Bank may be allowed either on pledge or hypothecation of goods, retaining margin prescribed on their Landed Cost, depending on their categories and Credit Restriction imposed by the Bangladesh Bank. Bank shall also obtain a letter of undertaking and indemnity from the parties, before getting the goods cleared through LIM Account. 5. 7 Export Under the export policy of Bangladesh, the exporter has to get the valid export registration certificate (ERC) from chief controller of export & import (CCI&E). The ERC is required to renew every year. The ERC number is to be incorporated on export Form & other paper connected with exports. 5. 7. 1-Receiving the letter of credit: After getting contract for sale, exporter should ask the buyer for L/C clearly stating terms & condition of export & payment. 5. 7. 2 – Procuring the materials: After knowing that the L/C has opened in his favor, the next step for the exporter is to set about the task of procuring or manufacturing the contracted merchandise. If the exporter has to procure the raw materials from another supplier (local or abroad) he has to open Back-to-Back L/C. 5. . 3 -Back-to-Back L/C: Back-to-Back L/C is one type of L/C, which is opened against lien on a valid export L/C. It is opened for inland & abroad as well. Bank will supply the following papers/documents for opening a Back-to-Back L/C: ? L/C application form. ? LCA form. ? IMP form. ? Charge document papers. The above papers must be completed, filled & signed by the party thereto. The party will submit the e ntire filled document along with application in printed form of the designated Bank. Which is also an agreement between applicant & the Bank. Procuring the materials: After making the deal & on having the L/C opened in his favor, the next step for the exporter is to set about the task of procuring or manufacturing the contracted merchandise. 5. 8 Export Financing An exporter is one who exports the goods to another customer whether in domestic country or in abroad. In exporting the stipulated goods he may require financing. So export financing may be required at two stages. Pre shipment credit. Post shipment credit 5. 8. 1 Pre shipment credit: Pre shipment credit is the credit, which is given to finance the export activities of an exporter for the actual shipment of goods. The purpose of each credit is to meet the working capital needs from the procuring of raw materials to the transportation of goods for the export the foreign country. Before sanctioning of that credit the Bank takes into consideration the credit worthiness, export performance of the exporters together worthiness all other information required for sanctioning the credit in accordance with the existing rules & regulations. Pre shipment credit takes the following forms: ? Export cash credit (Hypothecation). ? Export cash credit (Pledge). ? Export packing credit. ? Back-to-Back letter of credit. Export cash credit (Hypothecation): Under this arrangement the Bank sanction the Loan to the first class exporter because there is no security against this Loan. The letter of hypothecation creates a charge against the merchandise in favor of the Bank but neither the ownership not the possession is passed to it ( Export cash credit (Pledge): Under this arrangement the Bank advance Loan to exporte r against pledge of raw materials or exportable goods. The exporter surrenders the physical possession of goods under Bank’s effective control till the payment of dues to the Bank as security. If the exporter does not able to pay the Loan the Bank can sell the exportable goods to recover the amount. ( Packing credit: Under this arrangement credit facilities are extended against security of Railway receipt/Steamer receipt/Truck receipt/Vessel receipt, evidencing transportation of goods to the port for shipment of the goods in addition to the usual charge documents & lien of export letter of credit. This type of credit is sanctioned for transitional period from dispatch of goods to negotiations of export documents. It is mainly given for payment of factory salary & wages. ( Back to back letter of credit: Under this arrangement the Bank Finances export business by opening a letter of credit on behalf of the exporter who has received a letter of credit from the overseas buyer but not the actual manufacturer or producer of these exportable goods. Since the second letter of credit is opened on the strength of & backed by another letter of credit, it is called â€Å"Back to back† credit. The need for a back-to-back letter of credit arises because the beneficiary of the original letter of credit may have to procure the goods from actual producer who may not supply the goods unless the Bank guarantees its payment. . 8. 2- Post Shipment Credit: There is a time gap between export of the goods and realization of the proceeds. So exporter may require finance in that period to continue his business. So Bank may finance against export documents ensuring the following: 1. Export documents comply the credit terms. 2. Party’s past performance is satisfactory. 3. Any other security in c ase of export under contract. 5. 9 Foreign Remittance Foreign remittance means remittance of foreign currencies from one place/person to another place/person. In broad sense, foreign remittance includes all sale and purchase of foreign currencies on account of Import, Export, Travel and other purposes. However, specifically foreign remittance means sale & purchase of foreign currencies for the purposes other than export and import. PBL performs the remittance function with different countries. It maintains the foreign remittance in the following form: Foreign Demand Draft. Inward Outward. 5. 9. 1 – Foreign Demand Draft (FDD): A foreign demand draft is a negotiable instrument issued by a Bank drawn on ther Bank with another country the instruction to pay a certain amount to the beneficiary on demand. Remittance through demand draft may be inward or outward. 5. 9. 2 – Inward Remittance Inward remittance refers to the extent where the Bank makes payment to the client against foreign demand draft. Bank will make payment to the client by verifying the, test number, and signature of the authorized officer. Two forms as prescribed b y Bangladesh Bank are used for purchase of Foreign Currencies such as. EXP Form: Remittances received against exports of goods from Bangladesh are done by form EXP. Form C: Inward remittances equivalent to US$2000/- and above are done by Form† C†. However, declaration in Form C is not required in case of remittances by Bangladesh Nationals working abroad. 5. 9. 3 – Outward Remittance It refers to the extent where by the Bank issues foreign demand draft. The Bank charges TK. 300 per Demand Draft. Two forms are used for Outward remittance: IMP Form: All outward remittance on account of Imports is done by form IMP. T. M. Form: For all other outward remittances form T. M. is used. 5. 9. 4 -Collection of foreign currency instruments: To collect proceed of Foreign Instrument following procedures to be maintained: 1. Receive instrument with deposit slip. 2. Affix crossing stamp of the Bank. 3. Entry in the register putting IBCA number. 4. Affix endorsement â€Å"pay to the order of any Bank or trust company, prior endorsement guaranteed†. 5. Instrument to be sent to adjacent correspondents. 5. 9. 5 Miscellaneous Services given by this Department: |Student |Students who are desirous to study abroad can open file in the bank. By opening this file, bank assures the | |File |remittance of funds in abroad for study. |NRIT |‘Non –resident Investors’ Taka Account is an account by which Non-resident Bangladeshi can deposit foreign | |Account |currency for | | |investment in security of stock exchanges. For such accountholders, 5% of primary shares are reserved. | |F. C. |Foreign Currency accounts are opened in the names of Bangladeshi nationals or persons of Bangladeshi origin | |Account |workin g or self-employed in abroad and are maintained as long as the account holders’ desire. |NFCD |Stands for Non-resident Foreign Currency Deposit Eligible | | |Persons may open such accounts even after their return to Bangladesh, within six months of their arrival. | |RFCD |Stands for Resident Foreign Currency Accounts Persons ordinarily resident in Bangladesh may maintain foreign | |Accounts |currency accounts with foreign exchange brought in at the time of their return to Bangladesh from visit | | |abroad. Balance of such accounts is freely remittable to abroad. CHAPTER-SEVEN PROBLEMS & OPPORTUNITIES Problems and opportunities of prime bank limited are discussed through the sowt analysis which is given below: SOWT Analysis: By analysing the Bank’s performance, I get the following Strength opportunity, weakness and threat (SOWT). Strength: It has well reputation in the market Not engaged in unfair business practice. Officers are highly educated. Executives are highly qu alified and experienced. Bank has many attractive deposit schemes. Well-furnished and Air-conditioned Bank. Efficient management practice in the Bank. Faster (T24) software is under implementation. In Singapore there is a PRIME EXCHANGE HOUSE. In CAMEL rating Bank achieved as No. 1 Bank. Percentage of bad loss is very significant (prox. 2%) Membership with SWIFT. Good Banker-customer relationship. Weakness: Deposit is lower than advance. Long-term credit is not sufficient. Small market shares in Banking-business. In present time Bank facing liquidity problem. Daily basis interest on deposit offered by other banks. Existing PCB software does not fulfill all requirement Opportunities: Can increase the credit scheme. Can increase the advertising of the Bank. Private Banks becomes more reliable to local public. Govt. as banned some ‘Jatiya Sanchaya patra’. Threat: There are many competitors in the market. Competitors have more deposit. Govt. imposes tax and VAT on profile. Govt. pressures to reduce interest rate. CHAPTER –EIGHT CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION Conclusion: Bank is the largest organization of mobilizing surplus domestic savings. Attractive Savings Sche mes are offered by PBL such as Contributory Savings Scheme, Monthly Benefit Deposit Scheme, Special Deposit Scheme, Education Savings Scheme, Fixed Deposit Scheme, Prime Bank Money Scheme, Prime Bank Insured Fixed Deposit Scheme as well as different accounts to save money. Schemes are designed concentrating in different purposes to help the fixed income group people to help in need. Bank-Officials are also whole-hearted and dedicated to serve their customer with utmost care. Credit Management policies and techniques used in PBL at present no doubt is comparable to international standards. The officials follow the policy very strictly. They are choosy and conservative in sanctioning loan. The proposal is thoroughly scrutinized by the loan sanctioning authority. The total function of the credit division is monitored periodically. The bank’s classified loan to the total Advance is very low. Management and others related to Prime Bank are trying to formulate new services and products. PBL always try to increase foreign exchange through import, export and remittance. This bank always conceives amicable behaviour with exporters and helps them in their business activities as a trustee friend. It encourage importer to import goods in legal procedure and provide financial assistance for doing business smoothly. This bank contribute to our economy in a great deal by transacting remittance from different countries. Keeping this thought in the management’s mind they made different deed with several foreign banks in abroad to collect money from our service holders and remit it to our country through this bank. In Singapore bank open a â€Å"PRIME EXCHANGE HOUSE† to help our people who employed in that country. Recommendation: Prime Bank Ltd. is one of the most potential Banks in the banking sector. It has a large portfolio with huge assets to meet up its liabilities and the management of this bank is equipped with the expert bankers and managers in all level of management. So it is not an easy job to find out the drawbacks of this branch. I would rather feel like producing my personal opinion about the ongoing practices in Motijheel Branch. For the improvement of the service the following measures should be taken: ? Providing more industrial loans: It seemed to me that the bank having a large amount of deposit is not encouraging the large scale producers that much of long term industrial loans to accelerate the economy as well as to help the economy to solve unemployment problem. ? Ensure Proper Division of manpower In The Desk: There is lack of division of manpower in the branch. Therefore every body has to handle every type of banking services. This decreases the level of performance of the personnel, though it reduces monotonousness. But lack of division of manpower hampers the discipline of working environment. So customers are to wait for some time for the desired service, which is contrary to the Baking’s objective. ? Development of Human Resources: Human resource is another sector for the branch to be developed urgently. Human resources, in the branch, need to be equipped with adequate banking knowledge. Majority of the human resources must be having basic knowledge regarding money, banking, finance and accounting. Without proper knowledge in these subjects, efficiency cannot be optimised. Bank can arrange training program on these subjects. ? Ensure Proper Maintenance of Files: Prime Bank Ltd. gives personalized services. All the officers have to give concentration to the customers, while doing this they cannot properly maintain the customer files. In many cases, application forms are not properly filled up and documents are not properly filed. Every staff should try to reduce these irregularities. ? Ensure Proper Maintenance of Office Premises: Motijheel Br. is supposed to be very neat and clean and well decorated. But sometimes it loses its glamour. The facility staffs are not regular in their duties and files and papers are kept here and there by the officers during the busy hour. This habit must be changed. Moreover, the sitting arrangement is very insufficient comparing with the number of customers. So Motijheel Br. Of PBL must pay attention to this issue. ? Ensure Proper Communication System and Maintenance of Machineries: Most of the time the branch’s computers remain out of order and it is also true for the photocopiers. Attention should be given on proper maintenance of phone, computer, fax machine and photocopier. Ensure Sufficient Forms and Brochures: There are always shortages of application forms, brochures, etc. in the branch. These Forms and Brochures must be maintained in sufficient quantity. Otherwise, customer service will be hampered ? Offer Some Loan and Deposit Scheme Exclusively for The Premium Customers: All the lending and savings packages offered to the Premium cu stomers are same as offered to the general customers, excepting the waiver of service charges for Premium Ones. Prime Bank Limited should try to introduce more attractive lending and savings scheme to its Premium customers to create more business for the Bank. The Bank can pay more attention to this segment of customers, as it is the most solvent group from which income can be generated if the package is designed properly. ? Implement T24 software more quickly: Bank’s implementation of T24 software and data migration activities should continue more quickly because day to day overhead cost increases for that purpose. ? More Gifts and Discounts for The Marginal Customers: Premium Customer should be offered occasional gifts and discounts, which can make the Premium Service more attractive and keep consumer delight. The interest rates on several loan and deposit schemes should be differentiated for the Premium customers Reference By: Peter Rose. By: L. R. Chowdhury. Consultation with the Following Persons ? Iftekher Uddin, SAVP and In-Charge of General Banking Division Motijheel Br. PBL. ? Mohammad Faruq, SAVP and In-Charge of Foreign Exchange Division. Motijheel Br. PBL. ? A. K. M. Jan-e ALAM,AVP; and In-Charge of Credit Division Motijheel Br. PBL. ? Hafizur Rahman Mollik, FAVP; Supervisor of L/C opening. Motijheel Br. PBL. ? Afzalun-Nnhar,FAVP. General Banking Division,Motijheel Br. PBL. Arif Hasan Khan, EO, Credit Division, motijheel Br. PBL. ? Mohammad Abdul Matin; Principal Officer, Credit division, Head office ,PBL. ? Masum Mahmud Baqui, Principal Officer, Corporate Banking, Head Office, PBL. ? Fahmida Sultana, Officer; General Banking Division, Motijheel Br. PBL. ? MD. Rashedul Hasan Khan, Joiner Officer, General Banking Division. Motijheel Br. PBL. ? Khaleda Farhana, Jonier Officer, Gene ral Banking Division; Motijheel Br. PBL. ? Zahid Hasan; Junior Officer; Accounts Section; Motijheel Branch; PBL. ———————– Issuing Bank (Bangladesh) Advising Bank (India) Reimbursing Bank (Japan) Negotiating Bank (India)

Fast Food Advertising And Childhood Obesity Essay

A rise in obesity has been observed in the United States in the last two decades. Obesity is one problem that gives birth to numerous fatal diseases, including but not limited to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a survey and found that, â€Å"More than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) and approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are obese† (Ogden, Carroll). One of the main reasons behind obesity is the American’s love for fast food. Fast food contains only a small proportion of essential nutrients, and is loaded with unhealthy and non-essential nutrients which do nothing but contribute to obesity and resulting diseases. An equally increasing trend has been observed in the openings of new fast food locations. The fact sheet issued by National Restaurant Association shows that â€Å"970,000 new fast food locations were opened in year 2012 and the restaur ant-industry share of each food dollar spent stands at 48%† (2012 forecast). Those parents who know about the adverse effects of fast food consumption try their best to keep their children away from it. But no matter how hard they try to shield their children, some negative forces like advertising provides them a complete exposure to such unhealthy food. A kid may never have eaten a McDonald’s hamburger, but he/she definitely knows what it looks like, thanks to the power of commercials. â€Å"A study of almost 100,000 food ads on TV showed that 89% of ads that teenagers see are promoting products high in fat, sugar, and/or sodium† (Taylor, Daniel). The advertisers are very smart and they never tell the complete story of products they advertise. They make the food look so tempting that it becomes irresistible for everyone especially kids. They best know the techniques to reach out the targeted consumers. Most of the TV advertisements show super-sized meals at cheaper prices but they never show that the excess consumption results in excess calories input. â€Å"A study by Tirtha Dhar and Kathy Baylis indicates that the parents whose children are constantly begging for fast food, after being exposed to TV ads end up purchasing fast food more frequently than parents whose children are not exposed to advertising† (Dhar, Baylis 3). In order to build a prosperous  and healthy nation, Government should take action to ban fast food advertising completely to the children. Achievement of this goal requires unity and mutual efforts by whole nation. The issue of fast food advertising to children is not new and an initiative was taken by the Federal Trade Commission after the joint workshop of FTC and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Marketing, Self-Regulation and Childhood Obesity held in 2005. FTC was the first ever organization in the US which recommended that the Cong ress ban fast food advertising to children under age of 12. According to a report issued by them to Congress, â€Å"44 reporting companies spent approximately $1,618,600,000 to promote food and beverages to children and adolescents in the U.S. in 2006. Approximately $870 million was spent on food marketing directed to children under 12 and a little more than $1 billion on marketing to adolescents† (Kovacic, Harbour, Leibowitz and Rosch). Congress has not worked on any of the recommendations presented in the report yet. It seems like they care more about the profits earned by the giant fast food industry than the health and wellness of general public. Banning fast food advertisements won’t solve the obesity problem at once but it is surely one of the best steps in the right direction – a step that more law makers should not be afraid to take. â€Å"The similar advertising bans already exist in some jurisdictions such as in Quebec (Canada) and few Scandinavian countries† (Dhar, Baylis 7). â€Å"Sweden, Norway, and Finland have banned commercial sponsorship of children’s programs. Sweden also does not permit any television advertising targeting children under the age of twelve† (Role of Media). â€Å"Quebec’s 32 years ban on advertising to children had led to $88 million annual reduction in expenditures on fast food and 13.4 billion to 18.4 billion fewer fast food calories being consumed per year† (Dhar, Baylis 2-10). Residents of Quebec have a very sedentary life, yet their obesity rate is comparatively lesser than the US. These figures indicate that the sanction on fast food adverti sement can prove effective in lowering or curbing fast food consumption in the United States as well. A larger proportion of the US population leads a very active life. An active life combined with the proper and healthy diet may lead to significant reduction in the obesity rates. â€Å"Media and entertainment giant Walt Disney Co’s has already banned junk food advertisements during its TV, radio and other online programs intended for children under the age of 12† (Heavey). Lawmakers and other opponents of this campaign may not agree to the effects of advertising on children and may further argue that this ban will never be successful in achieving the desired results. A research paper commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) states that, â€Å"A survey conducted in the United States showed that 86 percent of children who smoked prefer Marlboro, Camel and Newport which are the three most heavily advertised brands† (Hammond). â€Å"A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 91 percent of six year old children surveyed identified the Joe Camel cartoon character as being associated with cigarettes, about the same percentage as recognized Mickey Mouse† (Fischer, Schwartz and Richards 3145-8). Lawmakers should not forget how the ban on Joe Camel proved to be successful in cutting smoking rates in the United States. â€Å"High school smoking rates dipped significantly from 34.8 percent in 1995 to 21.9 percen t in 2003† (Wilson). Now the webpage of Camel cigarettes cannot be even accessed by kids, as it requires input of some verifiable information. The ban should be placed on the TV channels which children watch the most. A similar ban should be placed on the free video streaming websites which display ads more than the desired videos. Alternatively, a specific time can be defined by the legislators during which no advertising related to fast food shall be displayed on TV. The report issued by FTC includes a variety of recommendations for media and entertainment companies. The best recommendation among them is that, â€Å"More media and entertainment companies should limit the licensing of their characters to healthier foods and beverages that are marketed to children, so that cross-promotions with popular children’s movies and television characters will favor the more, rather than the less, nutritious foods and drinks† (Kovacic, Harbour, Leibowitz and Rosch 11). FTC further recommended media and entertainment companies to use their powers positively. Their report states that â€Å"Media and entertainment companies should test the effectiveness of any health and nutrition messages and public education campaigns aimed at the problem of childhood obesity† (Kovacic, Harbour, Leibowitz and Rosch 11 ). Parents will have to play an active part in this regard. They need to be more watchful about their kid’s media consumption. They should keep an eye on the channels their children watch or the books and magazines they read to see what types of commercials are displayed. By doing this, they can filter out any media  source they don’t want their children to use. A child spends a considerable amount of time in a day in school. Schools can play an important role in making the children aware of adverse effects which fast food consumption can have on their health. They should make the fresh fruits and vegetables available to the children. Fast food companies spend a substantial amount on renting out the spaces used for billboards advertisements. City Government should take some action against these companies and restrict renting out such spaces to them. In order to make sure that these restrictions don’t affect the advertisement of healthy food, the government should set nutrition-based standards which will define what type of products can be advertised. Any product-line that doesn’t meet that standard will never be allowed to be advertised The opponents of this ban may argue that it completely depends on parents whether they let their children buy fast food or not; advertising doesn’t compel them. They ignore the fact that if a parent always says no to his or her children whenever he or she demands for fast food, it would affect them adversely. The kids will compare their position to other kids in the neighborhood or school, and will feel depressed by knowing the fact that they are the only ones who are not allowed to eat fast food. These psychological factors in turn will affect their education and career. â€Å"A mother of two children from California named Parham launched a class-action law suit against McDonald’s appealing that the toys given out with the Happy Meals unfairly trap kids into eating unhealthy foods† (Jodi, Sara). She further speaks about the success of advertising in this regard, â€Å"Other busy, working moms and dads know, we have to say ‘no’ to our young children so many times, and McDonald’s makes that so much harder to do† (Jodi, Sara). Advertising of junk food is the root cause of these problems, which if banned to children, will let the parents achieve the goal of keeping their children healthy and successful. Works Cited Ogden, Cynthia., and Carroll, Margaret. â€Å"Prevalence of Obesity Among Children and Adolescents: United States, Trends 1963-1965 Through 2007-2008.† Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC 24/7, June 2010. Web. 31 October, 2012. â€Å"2012 Restaurant Industry Forecast.† National Restaurant Association. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, nd. Web. 02 November, 2012. Taylor, Julie., Daniel, S. Kirschenbaum. â€Å"Are Fast-Food Advertisers Playing You?† Fit WebMD, Sanford, nd. Web. 02 November, 2012. Dhar, Tritha., Baylis, Kathy. †Fast Food Consumption and the Ban on Advertising Targeting Children: The QuÈbec Experience.† Journal of Marketing Research 48.5 (2011). American Marketing Association. Pg 2-10. Web. 03 November, 2012. Kovacic, William., Harbour, Pamela., Leibowitz, Jon., Rosch, Thomas. â€Å"Marketing Food to Children and Adolescents.† Federal Trade Commission. FTC, July 2008. Web. 03 November, 2012. â€Å"The Role of Media In Childhood Obesity.† Kaiser Family Foundation. 2004. Web. 17 November, 2012. Heavey, Susan. â€Å"Disney Junk-Food Ad Ban Latest Move To Slim U.S. Kids.† Reuters, June 5, 2012. Web. 03 November, 2012. Hammond, Ross. â€Å"Tobacco Advertising & Promotion: The Need for a Coordinated Global Response.† World Health Organization, Geneva. WHO, January 7 to 9 2000. Web. 17 November, 2012 P.M. Fischer, M.P. Schwartz, J.W. Richards et al., â€Å"Brand Logo Recognition by Children Aged 3 to 6 Tears: Mickey Mouse an d Old Joe the Camel,† Journal of the American Medical Association 266 (1991). Pg. 3145-8. Web. 17 November, 2012. Wilson, Duff. â€Å"Teenage Smoking Rates Spur Calls to Renew Anti-Tobacco Campaigns.† The New York Times. NY Times, July 8, 2010. Web. 17 November, 2012 Jodi. Sara. â€Å"California Mom Sues McDonald’s Over Happy Meals.† Circle of Moms. December 15, 2010. Web. 04 November, 2012.

Dead beat dads Essay

A dead beat dad should be penalized for not taking care of their child by providing financial support. Dead beat dads should serve jail time; attend an educational program, and show these men the circumstances that they have forced their child and mother to live in. In most homes children are born out of wedlock. Even though a child is born out of wedlock, it is still both parents responsibility to contribute to the child needs. Unfortunately, its easier said than done because this is not happening much in today’s world. A deadbeat dad isn’t just someone who doesn’t pay child support. A deadbeat dad is also a man that is mostly never around his kids, break promises that he makes to his kids, and doesn’t help contribute to his kids house hold by taking care of home finically. The term â€Å"deadbeat dad† came from child support agencies that used the term to identify men who had fathered a child and choose not to pay child support ordered by a family court of law. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, â€Å"Children who have fathers in their lives learn better, have higher self-esteem and show fewer signs of depression than children without fathers†. Dead beat dads are a menace to our society. First and foremost the police needs to arrest these dead beat dads in put them in jail. They should go to jail if there child support payment is 3 weeks or more late. 3 weeks is enough time so that the child want have to suffer no longer than they should. The place of arrest should be at their job or hang out area. What an awesome way to put these men down just like they done to their child. By doing this it will show these men that their behavior is not acceptable. A father’s decision to leave their household and not help support his family can cause a lot of unnecessary conflict in the family. It is easy for a man and a woman to make a baby in the heat in the moment. However, in most cases the father decides he doesn’t want anything to do with the mother or the newborn leaving the baby fatherless. The responsibilities that the father is faced with such as child support or just being around a newborn baby can scare them away. It is not fair to a child or a mother to be walked out on. It is the father responsibility just as well as the mother to take care of a child that they created. Most men feel irritated with the mother but he’s only getting what he started. Putting these men in jail will definitely make them start paying their child support. While these men are in jail they should be required to attend educational programs. This program will teach these men parenting skills and how important it is to be in their child’s life and the importance of child benefits and financial support. These men should also attend a psychology class that teaches them the consequences that a dead beat dad can have on their child. Dead beat dads should be required to read personal stories wrote by kids that experienced hurt that has been caused by men that has failed to be a father. Hopefully this will open up these men eyes and help them realize how much harm these children go through. The goal is to teach these men how important it is to help these women out with the children they’ve created. Education is very important when it comes to these dead beat dads. With these educational parenting programs, these men would have what it takes to raise their children the right way. Dead beat dads will make better decisions on raising their child with education. Last but not least it is important that the actions we take teach these men a lesson that sticks with them for life. After they complete the educational classes, then these men should be placed in an afflicted home where they will be required to take care of a computerized baby for 1 month. These men will be forced to go find work to take care of themselves and the baby because no food, transportation, or clothes will be given to them. These deadbeat dads shall be required to purchase baby food and diapers for the computerize baby. While these men attend these programs they will also be required to pay back all owed child support. With taking these steps these dead beat dads will understand the nurture of a child. With all this taking place dead beat dads want be a menace to our society any more. Men that choose to not take full responsibility for their children will no longer be accepted in this world. This problem will no longer exist. This problem with dead beat dads has not only affected families but also it has become a public problem that must be addressed now. The goal is to make sure that no child shall ever suffer again because of a dead beat dad. Innocent children need both of their parents in them lives. With these extremes our society will rehabilitate dead beat dads while helping innocent children.

Assignment 8 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Assignment 8 - Essay Example After interpreting the data collected, the researcher can contemplate on the situation investigated clearly. The action plan will enable the researcher to understand the phenomenon investigated. Therefore, the researcher will easily present it to the people interested or improve and assess whether they have met or answered question they asked during initialization of action research project. The action plan will also enable the researcher to identify the presence of new problems. When starting an action research project, researchers list the problems available in the situation. After the research, the action plan will help them identify other problems they had not speculated. Action plan is also essential as it helps, especially in the plan or instructional method executed during the research program. Action planning will assist the researcher to assess if the plan executed during the research has resulted as hypothesized or not. Action planning also depicts the ineffective programs if the plans planned during the initialization of the research have not given results as anticipated. Lastly, action planning is important as it helps in modifying the steps used in the research. The researcher will revamp the previous methods in order to achieve better results in future action research projects. Professional reflection is essential during action planning. Professional reflection involves quantifying and contemplating on the procedures and results concluded from the action research project. It is, therefore, important for the researcher to reflect professionally after the research project results. Professional reflection enables the researcher to reexamine where the action research has taken them. The researcher will continue with the action plan if it has taken them to where they had predicted. Unfortunately, if the action plan is

Justification Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Justification Report - Essay Example The TANF is a block grand designed to assist the needy families and child care in their own families, promoting job preparation and reducing the dependency of needy parents and promoting pregnancies and reducing pregnancies out of wedlock thereby encouraging the two parent families (Kean, 2000).Lately there have been complaints about the grant by those who benefit and other stakeholders, this complaint is based on the time period that the grant takes in helping the needy individuals. This was majorly raised and observed by those who received the grants in terms of money for their livelihood.This research is based on the level of satisfaction of the grant and the extent to which the beneficiaries are satisfied with its programs. It also gives the stakeholders an opportunity to give their opinions on what should be done to improve the operation and the satisfaction of the grant. The challenges that the grant is facing as a whole were also investigated. The method of data analysis was t hrough observation and use of questionnaires. The questionnaires were appropriate by providing the general view through the closed ended questions (Corcoran, 2011) and gave the opportunity for further expression by the open ended questions. The results were analysed by the bar graphs for ease of interpretation.Since the grant comes in different forms, those who found the privilege to be trained found it easy to improve their lifestyles by obtaining jobs and sustaining their institutions with their career even after the granting period.

To what extent have Standard Charges improved the practice of planning Literature review

To what extent have Standard Charges improved the practice of planning obligations in the United Kingdom - Literature review Example The most common form of Standard Charge in relation to planning is the, so called, ‘roof-tax’, which is a tariff imposed ‘on development’ (Syms 2010, p.206). Despite the initial concerns regarding the role and the value of Standard Charges, it has been proved that the specific measure could help towards the improvement of planning obligations in Britain. The ways in which the above target is achieved are analytically explained in this paper; reference is made to the potential differentiation of Standard Charges from other, similar, approaches of planning obligations practice, such as the negotiated approach. 2. Critical review of planning obligations practice The framework of the planning obligations practice in Britain has been extensively examined in the literature; the contribution of these obligations in community development has been considered as one of the most important causes of this phenomenon. However, the emphasis on the planning obligations prac tice has been also related to various political interests, as analytically explained below. ... In accordance with Ratcliffe et al (2009) in their initial form, planning obligations were considered as ‘land-use/ amenity – related gains and social/ economic – related gains (Debenham et al. 1988 in Ratcliffe et al. 2009, p. 16). Another characteristic of planning obligations system in Britain is that the specific system is based ‘upon negotiation and bargaining’ (Ratcliffe et al 2009, p.16). It is assumed that planning obligations system is not fully standardized, but it can be rather transformed and customized in accordance with the needs of each particular case. In this context, flexibility is an additional characteristic of planning obligations system; it is this characteristic, which can result to problems for the effective operation of the specific system, a gap that is covered through Standard Charges, as they are analytically explained below. The planning obligations practice in Britain has to address a series of issues, the most important of which is the demand for increase of development across the country. In a report published by the House of Commons in 2006 reference is made to the need for urban development in the greater London area (House of Commons, 2006, p.198); furthermore, it is explained that the planning obligations practice could help the efforts of the London borough – and the Councils of the surrounding boroughs also – to support land development across London so that the housing needs of the local population to be covered. In the above context, it is made clear that the planning obligations system in London ‘should ensure that increases in value are captured and used to support infrastructure investment to maximize capacity and sustainability’ (House of Commons 2006, p.198).

Give me at least 3 question to discussion after your reading. then Research Paper

Give me at least 3 question to discussion after your reading. then answer the following questions - Research Paper Example It is of much importance that organizations venture the global markets fast but in a realistic manner. When seeking employment, such will be the issues to consider on how best you can help the organization achieve and maintain a global profile. It is evident that organizations need global managers. Do you think that it is the sole responsibility of managers to achieve the objective, or leaders have a role to play in achieving the objective? Can the role of managers and leaders be quantified to establish which one has the greatest significance? What would be your role as a manager, leader, or both, in realizing the objective of global recognition? Kotter convincingly argue that management and leadership roles are complementary, despite them being different. The major difference between the two is that, while managers promote stability, leaders drive change derived from the complex issues that managers solve. The difference is enough to explain that both cannot work independently. In the contemporary world, technological advancements are attributable to the changes in how organizations are run. In the past decade, the internet did not have a significant role in organizations. In addition, smartphones have increasingly been a part of the accessibility of information with the help of the internet. The organizational culture is constantly changing to accommodate the technological advancements and maintain a competitive advantage. In my opinion, I have strong leadership skills, bearing in mind the distinctive characteristics of managers and leaders. Leadership skills are not innate; they are acquired. The working environment shapes individuals to become leaders. On the contrary, management skills are influenced by personal traits. It is evident that leaders focus on the vision and adjust their skills in a manner that is suitable for the team and the organization as a whole. On the other hand, managers set the vision, but it may not be achieved

Argument essay for or against the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and

Argument for or against the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) - Essay Example Therefore, they share a lot in common with second generation Americans since for most of their life has been spent in the USA. Having grown up here, they would have little or no attachment to their country of origin. Usually, they are bicultural and sometimes bilingual; however, they speak fluent English (65). A good number do not have an idea they are actually undocumented immigrants. The situation is so until they apply for college or a driver’s license. Once they apply for these legal documents, they realize they do not have Social Security numbers and other documents that are needed. This paper offers an in-depth analysis of the DREAM Act and supports it. The experiences these youths go through can be discouraging. They represent broken dreams, shattered hope and lost ambitions. Since most of them have lived in the U.S almost all their lives, they complete their education here. In school, they take roles of athletes, valedictorians, class presidents and honor roll students (Perez 115). They are aspired to be teachers, doctors, scientists and engineers like all other children in America. However, the fact that they are documented immigrants, their lives change dramatically. Their day-to-day lives took a completely different course and their futures are no longer certain. They can neither work nor vote. As a matter of fact, something as ordinary as driving is a pleasure they cannot enjoy. At times, some are deported to a country they do not know at all. They are a direct result of economic and political significance. Sadly, only about 5-10% of these undocumented young high school graduates make it to college (110). This is usually because they cannot afford to pay their tuition or because they are not allowed to enroll. Typically, they do not even finish high school and thus end up in gangs and other illegal activities. The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM Act) has however to the rescue of these helpless high school graduates. The DREAM Act offers a pathway for them to attain legal status for undocumented high school graduates every year. The DREAM Act was introduced by Representative Howard Berman and Senator Richard Durbin on May 11th, 2011. Today, the DREAM Act has 2 co-sponsors in the House and an overwhelming 32 in the Senate. Organizations from States in the United including California, Kentucky, Oklahoma and New York have come together in order to support the DRAM act (American Immigration Council). Many undocumented students and their classmates as well as teachers have met up with their members of congress, held rallies, sent letters and even staged hunger strikes in the hopes of making this act a reality. In June 2010, an undocumented student who studies in Harvard was held in detention. After this incident, Harvard president Drew Faust stated that these children need to be given a chance to pursue their post secondary education in their country. The DREAM act has more advantages than disadvanta ges. The DREAM act will boost the economy of the United States as well as the labor in the US. Additionally, the Act will jumpstart the process to citizenship (American Immigration Council). This will be a huge investment on human capital and service to the US. Since DREAM act beneficiaries are all high school graduates, it means that they will get decent jobs. This way, there will be more taxable income in the country and thus in return more revenue for the government. On average a college graduate earns $750,000 throughout their lifetime more than the high school graduate (American Immigration Council). In addition, the Dream Act allows talented individuals to remain in the United States (Arnold 95).

Olympics Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Olympics Paper - Essay Example gets and scale of plans for the site and program to ensure that the Olympics site would accommodate the size of expected attendees, as well as their security, personal and professional needs. It is in this regard that this paper is written to present the steps and tasks needed to prepare for the Olympics. The discourse would include personal protection of VIPs, athletes, and the general public, as well as other security concerns, traffic control, and terrorist threats. The Olympic games originated in Olympia, Greece from as early as 10th or 9th century B.C. Due to its scope and enormity of international participants in the event, the level and depth of security measures are always of paramount priority especially of the host country. In previous Olympic events, there were security companies which were named as the official electronic security sponsor for specific Olympic events. This ensures that the security plans, measures and implementing actions could be directly accounted to a specific organization. In the forthcoming games in London on 2012, â€Å"the Government and its partners in security are committed to the safety and security of the London 2012 Olympics, and a funding envelope of  £600 million has been agreed. This will cover strategic options for a range of security measures, including fraud and financial crime prevention and protection, counter-terrorism, identity assurance and personal protection.† (Beard, 2008) Generally, the following steps and tasks are required to prepare for securing the Olympic games: (1) definition of a specific objective - the aim is to ensure safe and secure Olympic Games which everyone can enjoy; (2) identification of the agency in charge of security; (3) planning stage incorporating security programs, layout, officers and budget in the design for the Olympic site to further secure the Olympic Park; the number of officers needed on duty each day should be detailed including the number of specialists such as firearms,

Expanding the methodology in the lit. review Essay

Expanding the methodology in the lit. review - Essay Example Many children suffered with defective communication because of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In this literature review researcher put forward some teaching methods and special strategies that are in favor of the teachers who worked in the field of educating children with special education needs. Qualitative research approaches help the learner to keep reliability and authenticity. As Deborah Padgett rightly comments; â€Å"For all their demands, qualitative methods can provide the most rewarding experience a researcher will have† (Padgett, 1998, p.1). The research makes use of secondary data which include various strategies and approaches on teaching autistic children with the help of diagrams, study reports tables, survey reports, and so on the qualitative approach for the reason for the study as it best ensembles for the aims and objectives of the research. 4.1 Literature Review Beginning session of the research (2, 3, 3.1, and 3.2) includes information on autism and an ov erview about the current education status which practiced in Saudi Arabia. Then it discuss about available interventions and form of inclusive education for children with autism. Dr. Julie A. Buckley made notable researches in the field of autism spectrum disorder and its treatments. According to her autism spectrum disorder is strictly psychological disease and it needs appropriate medical treatments and behaviorally based therapies. In their joint venture entitled; Healing Our Autistic Children: A Medical Plan for Restoring Your Child's Health, Julie A. Buckley and Jenny McCarthy remark; â€Å"As your child progresses through his treatment plan, make sure not to underestimate the skills he may will be acquiring and becoming able to use† (Buckley & McCarthy, 2010, p. 192). The study provides plenty of information about various behaviorally based therapies for autistic children to ensure structured development in learning. Researchers and social activists often identify the p roblem of misunderstanding in diagnosing and healing of children with autism. Social interactive approaches prove its effectiveness in promoting better education for children with special needs. Martyn Long et al have conducted the UK based study entitled The Psychology of Education: The Evidence Base for Teaching and Learning and the study gives variety of teaching methods and strategies for children with autism and other kinds of developmental disorders. The problem of lacking teaching methods and strategies creates obstacles in the way which providing better education facilities both Britain and Saudi Arabia. Studies prove that Britain current education system in Britain keeps better improvements in providing education for children with autism. Owners of the study remarks; â€Å"Another approach to teaching children with autism, particularly those with severe and profound learning difficulties has been through social interactive approaches† (Long, Wood, Littleton, Passenge r and Sheehy, 2010, p.306). Elaine Fletcher-Janzen’s study suggests variety of teaching strategies and techniques for autistic children to achieve knowledge acquisition. The study reveals that the absence of a well planned

Defense of leisure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Defense of leisure - Essay Example This becomes the only path to reach man’s full potential. The human mind has the capacity to think and reason out, thus, allowing it to reflect on what happened and what is happening in his world, in his life. Leisure’s purpose is to act on directing the human to the path of wholeness. It is not to be just relived from the limited functions that humanity can do or take but it is to â€Å"retain the faculty of grasping the world as a whole and realizing his full potentialities†¦to reach wholeness† (Pieper, 50). Leisure has been described as a ritual for humans to rejuvenate or replenish their strength to move forward and continue the things they do, or the task of their existence (Pieper 17). In comparison with the modern days, as development progress in human along with their cultures, leisure is now commonly known as a way to release stress and fatigue mentally and emotionally. The concept of how leisure eases the mind by contemplating on one’s existence and direction for wholeness has slowly diminished. One of the essentials for survival is performing the limited functions of being human, that is to work and to perform the tasks at hand in order to continue living. As simple minds become more sophisticated, the traditions and one’s outlook on work has changed. This is in relation to utilitarianism, in which, humans focus on the means to live rather than on the purpose of one’s existence. Pieper quoted Weber saying one does not work to live, but rather one lives to work (Pieper p.20). And today that phrase is not very hard to understand, or rather the human race has come to accept it as part of our existence and use leisure to take away every worry that we have and temporarily forget our problems. Leisure, in connection with this, is thought to be something that humans can do after finishing all the limited functions that one has in order to live. One then finishes work to be

Ancient Egyptian Art and Ancient Japanese Art Essay Example for Free

Ancient Egyptian Art and Ancient Japanese Art Essay Ancient Egyptian art during this time was a big time of this civilization. Ancient Egyptian Art usually depict god, goddess and animals, because of their high religious ways. Egytian art is still today recognized as some the most sophisticated works man has ever seen. I chose to works of art to compare and contrast Egyptian and Japanese art. I will start with Egyptian Art first. The Statue of Memi and Sabu Pair is a three dimensional work of art depicting husband and wife standing together These statues was placed in a serdab, the hidden statue chamber found in no royal tomb chapels of the Old Kingdom. This period of art was Egypt most innovative times because of Pyramids and works like this being made. The Egyptians believed that the spirit of the deceased could use such a statue as a home and enter it in order to benefit from gifts of food that were brought to the offering chapel of the tomb (The Metropolitan Museum of Art). The material used Giza Painted Limestone as part of Old Kingdom, Dynasty 4, between 2575–2465 b. c. This goes in with the time of what I discuss early that Egyptians having religious belief they often idealize and symbolize there dead. The pose is unusual because Memi is returning Sabus embrace by draping his arm around her shoulders showing a relationship between the two (The Metropolitan Museum of Art). Second work of art I chose is Ancient Japanese Art. Japanese Ancient Art is one the most dynamic art periods. They were the first to develop pottery. Ancient Japan pottery Go far back as the 11th BC. The work of art I chose to compare and contrast is Storage jar made of earthenware clay unglazed in Middle Jomon period between 2500–1500 B. C. The earthenware food vessel, which came from the Aomori Prefecture in northeastern Japan, is remarkable for the fine quality of its clay and its sophisticated decoration. The cord-marked herringbone pattern was reproduced by cords knotted together and twisted in opposite directions (The Metropolitan Museum of Art). Like the Egyptians they had very detail of work that symbolizes the culture. Japanese use these potteries to store food and eating. The reason for their vast use of pottery was probably so vast because the culture was always on the go at that time. In conclusion both works of both works of art show vast sophistication and symbolize a style based off their culture beliefs and needs. Egyptian Art may have more vast terminology than Japanese Art. Both have made an impact on society today.

Afghanistan Geostrategic Importance

Afghanistan Geostrategic Importance When Allah had made the rest of the world, he saw there was a lot of rubbish left over, bits and pieces and things that did not fit anywhere else. He collected them all together and threw them down on the earth. That was Afghanistan.  [1]   An old Afghan Saying. Introduction The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South-Central Asia. It is variously described as being located within Central Asia,  [2]  South Asia,  [3]  or the Middle East.  [4]  It is bordered by Iran in the west, Pakistan in the south and east, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the north, and China in the far northeast. The geographic entity now known as Afghanistan has a very long history, and has been an ancient focal point of the Silk Road and migration. It is an important geostrategic location, connecting East and West Asia or the Middle East. The land has been a target of various invaders, as well as a source from which local powers invaded neighbouring regions to form their own empires. Ahmad Shah Durrani created the Durrani Empire in 1747, which is considered the beginning of modern Afghanistan.  [5]   In the late 19th century, Afghanistan became a buffer state in The Great Game played between the British Empire and Russian Empire. Due to its strategic placement Afghanistan became the focal point of intense rivalry between Tsarist Russia and Britain during the nineteenth century. On August 19,1919, following the third Anglo-Afghan war, the country regained independence from the United Kingdom over its foreign affairs. During the ensuing conflict, the war-weary British relinquished their control over Afghan foreign affairs by signing the Treaty of Rawalpindi in August 1919  [6]  . In commemoration of this event, Afghans celebrate August 19 as their Independence Day. Afghanistan remained at the centre stage of international politics as a theatre in the cold war games of super powers with Pakistan acting as the frontline state of USA for channelling its financial, material and military supplies to the Afghan Mujahedeen. Since the late 1970s Afghanistan has experienced a continuous state of civil war punctuated by foreign occupations in the forms of the 1979 Soviet invasion and the 2001 USA led invasion that toppled the Taliban government. Afghanistan has assumed importance due to its potential to influence the societies and politics in its bordering countries. (Refer fig 1) Historical Perspective The geography of a nation determines its history, politics and the nature of its people. Afghanistan has been called by many names from being the heart of Asia by the great Indian poet Mohamed Iqbal, to the cockpit of Asia by Lord Curzon.  [7]  The geo strategic location of Afghanistan has been significant since the earliest Aryan invasion it being located on the crossroads between the Arabian Sea and India and between the central Asia and South Asia, the country has indeed stood guard over the land routes to the Indian subcontinent. Even the ruler of Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, had recognised that the key to the security of the plains of India lay in Kabul.  [8]   Afghanistan has always remained an area of imperial aspirations, differing perceptions and competitions both in medieval and modern times.  [9]  Even before Afghanistan emerged as a geo political entity, the region had seen competition for influence by the Mongols, Persians, the Mughals as well as local tribal chiefs. Though Afghanistan as a state existed since 1747, its current political borders evolved only toward the end of the last century (1880-1901) as an outcome of rivalry between British India and Tsarist Russia. Creation of a buffer state between the two giant powers in Asia was a political and military compulsion. Politically speaking, it was the issue of security between British India and Russia that determined Afghanistan as a state more than the factor of its sovereignty since Afghanistans spatial location denied it the resources for it to be a viable state.  [10]  Successive Afghan rulers have maintained stability by sourcing revenue (i.e. plundering) from its n eighbours  [11]  . Afghanistan played a pivotal role in the security perspective during the era of the great game in the Nineteenth century when Russian and British imperial powers seemed to be on a collision course in Central Asia.  [12]  The history of Nineteenth century is consequently a history of moves and counter moves on the part of the Russians and the British Empire, which ultimately resulted in the emergence of the land locked Afghanistan as a buffer state in the demarcation of frontiers. Thus, it was primarily this Great Game being played out in Afghanistan, which resulted in evolving its current political borders, rather than its need for sovereignty. Since its stability was a key factor in maintaining the fragile security balance in the region, the external powers continued to supply rulers of Afghanistan with assured resources to sustain control and internal stability. Thus, Afghanistan became the only country to hold off both Russian and British expansion in the last century without aligning itself with either. The demarcation of Afghanistans border with Russia commenced in 1887, however Russians never lost sight of the fact that they needed to have their influence in the region, and this led to the signing of the Treaty of Friendship between the two in 1921  [13]  . The British too, carried out the demarcation of the border with Afghanistan by creating the Durand line, named after Sir Mortimer Durand in 1893, without giving any thought to the tribal affinities and traditional affiliations.  [14]   Geographical Location Afghanistan is the worlds 41st-largest country (after Burma) and has an area of 245,000 square miles. It is landlocked and mountainous, with plains in the north and southwest. Afghanistan with a noticeable sizeable chunk of geometrically regular territorial configuration lies at the intersection of the Indian Sub-Continent (Pakistan), the Middle East (Iran), Central Asia (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan) and China (The Wakhan Corridor).  In terms of International borders, the details are Pakistan (2430 km); Iran (936 km); Tajikistan (1206 km); Uzbekistan (137 km); Turkmenistan (744 km), and China (75 km).  The northern and southern portion of Afghanistan is divided by the massive Hindu Kush mountain ranges  [15]  . The Pamir Mountains to the northeast also named the roof of the world by Marco Polo are the junction between Tajikistan, Afghanistan and China. In the east, the passes in Suleiman mountain range like the famous Khyber Pass have provided access to the Indian subcontinent. Geo Strategic Relevance since World War II The post World War II saw the collapse of the British colonial rule in the Subcontinent and Soviet Union emerging as a Super Power with USA led western bloc and Soviet Union led eastern communist block  [16]  . With the British departure from India Afghanistan lost its importance, possibly since the western bloc found an ally in Pakistan to counter the Soviet expansion. However, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 brought the country to the limelight once again and the strategic balance of the subcontinent was altered dramatically with intervention of extra regional powers. The geo strategic relevance of Afghanistan in the above backdrop cannot be overlooked and it gained further importance with the breakup of Soviet Union. Infact the country has emerged as a new centre for terrorism. Post Cold War Era and the New Great Game The withdrawal of Soviet Union from Afghanistan once again altered the geopolitical and geo strategic importance of Afghanistan. The resultant power vacuum, infighting among the Mujahedeen commanders, weak government of Najibulla at Kabul, and the lack of United States support to Pakistan, were to a large extent responsible for the state of affairs in Afghanistan. Coupled with an indifferent world community, it formed a sure shot recipe for disaster. Surrounded by two nuclear states (China and Pakistan), a threshold nuclear state (Iran) and having two other nuclear powers in its near vicinity (India, and Russia) places Afghanistan in a difficult situation with its neighbours as well other powers vying to get a foothold in the region to spread their influence in the region and the subcontinent. The emergence of new States in Central Asia in 1991 brought to limelight the vast Hydrocarbon resources available in the region and once again Afghanistan acquired the critical importance of the land route from Central Asia to Arabian Sea. It could be asserted that despite its landlocked location, Afghanistan is important in geo-economic terms too both in terms of substantial deposits of oil and natural gas (assessed but not tapped) and as a energy corridor for Central Asia energy produce.  The newly independent states of the Central Asian region have been desperately looking for means of communication to export their oil and gas riches, so as to end their isolation and economic dependence on Russia. Turkmenistans hope of reviving plans to lay the pipeline across war torn Afghanistan to Pakistan and then to India revealed the desperation facing these states. Taliban and the Impact on the Geo Strategic Environment When Russia eventually withdrew from Afghanistan, the US-supported Mujahideen took control. Instead continuing the support for the buffer state, Americas subsequent withdrawal from the region caused a power vacuum, allowing sectarian interests (the Taliban) to seize control. As Afghanistan had been abandoned by both Russian and the West, the Taliban had no interest in acting as buffer, and pursued their own agenda. Afghanistan, apart from being the land bridge to central Asia has also become a home to the fundamentalist ranging from the Jihadis from Kashmir to the Uighur separatists and provided a suitable launch pad for such activities in Central Asia. Afghanistans geo-political and historical background further complicated the situation. The Taliban were initially welcomed by the war torn population since they promised an end to the prevailing anarchy. However, the subsequent quest for power and their change in stance from having no political ambitions, to a flat refusal for power sharing pushed Afghanistan into another period of instability. Afghanistan, till Dec 2001, can therefore be described as having been a legally undivided territory of fragmented power  [17]  . Soon Taliban as a Host to Al Qaida and its leader, Osama Bin Laden, turned into reality the threat of Islamic Fundamentalism faced by the Central Asian states since 1991. The strengthening of links between militant organisations like Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Al Qaida, the Chechen rebels, Uighur separatists and the Taliban, further compounded the security situation in the region. The bombings of the US embassies in 1998 brought USA and the Taliban on a collision course. However, it was the 11 Sep 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centre, which roused the world community and forced them to deal with the menace posed by Taliban and its associates. The Relevance Post 11 Sep 2001 The global war on terrorism (GWOT) launched by USA and its allies has added great deal of turbulence in the region. Presence in Afghanistan provides USA an opportunity to influence the region and keep a check on Russian, Chinese, Pakistani, Iranian and the Indian influence, the nuclear states in the region, a job it has already commenced, as is evident from the pressure on Pakistan and the Iranians.  [18]  The United States however is in a strategic dilemma as it made its Afghanistan strategy totally dependent on Pakistan Armys cooperation.   A strategic denouement is underway presently.  The United States geopolitically stirs a witches cauldron in Afghanistan by giving primacy to Pakistan Armys strategic sensitivities to control Afghanistan  [19]  .  Any US exit from Afghanistan could create a political vacuum which would most likely get filled in by Russia, Iran and India.  [20]  

BIC Cello Pens Company Analysis

BIC Cello Pens Company Analysis CELLO WRITING INTRUMENT CONT. PVT. LTD A Quote by me For th All Mighty PEN: â€Å"This pen will seem to be a very simple one but it is for all those who signature with pride and dignity the one who kisses it saying good luck before writing an examination all for who write for a good cause (writers) in short this pen is all for ordinary people with extra ordinary soul and not only this but one who buy this pen will contribute to child relief fund. so you make your future better with this pen† I have chosen CELLO WRITING INTRUMENT CONT. PVT. LTD. because this is the only company in India which is catering to all the demands of Indian population, segmented in different categories. And also has 80% market share in the Writing Instrument industry. Now the first question is: Ques1. Which segments are being targeted and strategies used to influence the target segment. Ans. Cello has Indias largest range of smart looking, high-performance gel ink and ballpoint pens in different ink colours and at a variety of price points. Be it a school kid , a college student , a young professional or a senior executive, there is a Cello for every one. 1. School kids: Cello knows what are the demands and needs of a school going kid. The kids want a pen which looks good and smooth in writing as they have just opened up their account of pen after pencils. So this segment is basically the include kids and early teenagers who like CELLO ALPHA GEL For this they have contracted with distributors of school accessories to provide this gel pen in their shops. Its features which are given in the company profile are: Feather-Flo System: Ensures a feather like flow to your writing. Japanese Pigment Ink: Special ink imported from Japan. Water Resistant Ink: Special ink that doesnt smudge. At that time ADD Gel was the major competitor for Cello Alpha Gel but the companys promotional; strategy was to promote their pen in a way of â€Å"COST N STYLE† ie. this pen is less costly as compared to Add gel which was the major threat to the company. And the company has contracted with distributors which then ask the students to use this pen for free in order to have an exact feel to the user that this pen is also good. And for doing this the company has bear the cost of Rs.4,15,367. But this turned to be a great success, now everybody knows about Cello Alpha gel pen. So, this was their strategy in order to attract the target market, and the distributors also contracted with schools to provide this pen as prize to their students. And for this the company gave incentives to their distributors. So these were the kind of tasks which had been done by the company in order to fertilize the sale of their product which would not been accepted by proposed customers if they did not do that at proper time. CELLO GRIPPER also cater the market of kids because the cost of this pen is very low as compared to other ball pens and as its name suggests that its â€Å"GRIP† is its Uniqueness and this is a very good pen for the age group who has just started their account of using ball pen. So this pen provides help to this segment in using pen which was as simple for them because earlier they were using pencil or their usage was limited to gel pens only. And its cost is around Rs.8 which is quite affordable to this segment because this segment is not having much disposable income with them to spend. 2. COLLEGE STUDENTS: FEATURES given in the company profile: Cello Finegrip owns the very special Swiss Soft Tip that allows the pen to write soft and smooth. This elegant fine writer has the special German Fluid ink and the following features: Elasto Grip: Gives a good and comfortable grip while writing. Elegant, Slim and scratch-proof body. Click lock. Unbreakable lock. Writing length over 2000 mts. Now the company knew that this segment like to be stylish and cool thats why they have designed this kind of pen for this segment only. As its features gives us a glance of how the companies are looking at the minute things in order to make their product acceptable by the target market. Pinpoint has been introduced by cello company to target youth who like to have a free flow writing, and look smart and its price is reasonable. Preferred by most of the college going student due to its cost, flow of writing and looks. And the company also promotes this pen by the advertisement by Cricketer M.S. Dhoni and this advertisement was rated the best on-air advertisement in July, the Cello Pin Point pen ad had some help from cricketer M.S. Dhoni. The ad scored 73 on the ad reach index, with a brand recall of 93%. This survey was done by Mint Ad survey report for August Cello Pin Point Cricketer M.S. Dhoni is travelling in the team bus. Suddenly, he finds a boy dangling upside down outside his window, asking for his autograph. The boy is suspended from a bridge with a rope held by his friends. The boys pen doesnt work, so Dhoni uses his Cello Pin Point to sign. He advises the boy to use a Cello pen the next time. 3. WORKING PROFESSIONAL AND EXECUTIVE CLASS: The stylish Cello Powermaxx that has become the working professionals most preferred to the Cello Sapphire, Papersoft and Executive pens with a certain understand luxury that have become a common sight on the desks of senior executives. Theres also Cellos new range of Highlighters and markers that have carved out an enviable name for themselves in a very short time. And in order to attract this segment Cello has other strategies to do this. They have promoted this category pens by giving on internet, because this company thinks that this segment is the one which use internet extensively. In the Readers Digest (2007) it has been announced as the most trusted brand in the entire ASIA. Ques.2. Different promotional tools used and the strategy behind using these tools. Ans. Cello do PERSONAL SELLING- By personal selling by the representative of the company takes place face to face by final customer. And the cello does this when it has to promote its products with its business partner. And the strategy behind doing this is that if one has to influence the business corporate then one has to go personally and give their quotes and has to tell them that how their product would better suit them as compared to other available options. Thats the company has opted this promotion medium also. Basically what cello do, it does MASS SELLING to inform bulk of persons by advertisement. And the medium of advertisement is: By Radio advertisement: In Radio Mirchi, Big FM, 91 FM. Now the company has used this promotion tool in order to influence the mass, an the mass here the company is considering the school going segment and the college going student or we can say the youth. And this medium of promoting a product is best for attracting them towards their product because this is the segment which listens to radio the most. And this is from my view point would be the best medium in order to influence this segment. By TV Advertisements: 8 commercial TV ads are there which the company has made in order to influence the mass. And the Cello pin point advertisement has been ranked 1st by the Mint Ad survey http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbEHaf0naZY there are other writing instrument companies which promotes their pen through TV commercial but the edge which the Cello gets over the other is that it knows what the exact demand of the customers. This company knows that how to promote their product which would lead to a purchase by the customers. Now going through another ad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJFHyV6RtO0 which gives the viewer an insight that how the exact need of them has been catered by the company, by providing the CELLO MAC GEL PEN which let one to write without the fear of drain out by the water and all that kind of stuff. So, here cello knows the need of the customers but if it didnt communicated this feature of their pen through any communication medium then how would be happen to inform the proposed customer about this new invention, which the proposed customer was starving to have. By Internet Advertisements: the company has targeted the working professional class by giving their advertisement on internet, which is commonly used by the high class people. The company think that this medium of communication would best suit them because this is the segment which spend most of its time surfing on internet. Ques.3 .Which strategy out of Pull or Push is used and why? Ans. CELLO has used both the strategy in order to promote its products: PUSH STRATEGY: If the seller makes his promotion by television or radio, its not possible for the buyer to interact with. The company is promoting its products through showing or giving its ad on TV and Radio, which means that the company is using PUSH STRATEGY. PULL STRATEGY: If the communication is made by phone or internet, the buyer has possibilities to interact with the seller. Now as I have given earlier that the company has used the internet ads in order to influence the business customers and the company is also using telecommunication medium in order to get the deals fixed regarding the quotes and other selling reasons. So, the CELLO is using both the strategies in order to have the maximum benefit which is must for every company. This company knows the demand of the time and change and upgrades its strategies accordingly; I think this is the best part of this company which leads it to have a share to 80% in the entire writing instrument market in INDIA. Ques.4. Critically Appraise the Promotional strategy of your selected brand. Ans. This company is the best till now, what I have read about it. But there are some loop holes which if which company pays attention then itll become even the more successful. B2B market: the important segment of every player in the market like: Parker is entertaining the Business Corporate like: Samsung Aventis Star NIIT American Express, Usha Titan, Wipro Birla Plus Dabur Nivea India Today Mc Dowel And Parker has used a strategy to cater this segment which providing separate brand for B2B LEXIs B2B partners are: PfizerLtd. Ranbaxy Ltd. Times of India Hindustan Lever Ltd. Tata Infotect Ltd. Procter Gamble This company also caters to the specific needs of their corporate partners LINC B2B partner are Airtel DHL Blue Dart Microsoft Music World Anderson Presto Aqua Java Reynolds promotes its products by providing: Student scholarship programs in schools Vending machines at schools and nearby places These are the features which are available or we can say that which are catered by the other companies and the area of improvement for my company which CELLO. So, even though my company is having the major market share in share in the writing Instrument industry but if it has to be successful in future and remain or even grow more it has to focus on these areas also It is using various technologies but the common man is not knowing about it, could be due to information gap ie. the company is not giving the proper information to him/her. This is another area where the company has to concentrate on. The technologies which the company is using are: InoxTip: Fibre tip technology that helps in smooth writing. LPHV: Low Pressure High Volume Technology that helps to reduce pressure on the paper. Elasto Grip: Elastic rubber grip to provide have perfect grip on the pen. Lubriflox: Used in the ball pen for free appropriate flow of ink. Lubri Gel: Used in gel pen for free appropriate flow of gel ink Feather Flow: used to reduce the weight of pens for the faster writing. These are different features which are not all highlighted in the advertisement, but can attract a larger chunk of proposed customer if the company focuses to highlight these features in their promotions strategy. The company should also focus on promoting its products by coming up with new range of gift pen which would further segment into two categories: Gifts pen for informal occasions which would be catering to the needs of youth, which would be trendy, stylish and last but not the least would be different from the regular pens. Gift pen for formal occasions which would be catering the needs of business corporate and this range should flexible enough to be customized according to needs of the proposed buyers. CELLO should also focus on print advertisement in business magazines; its a promotion media which is not properly used by this company. So, CELLO should also focus on these magazines, because these are mainly used by the working professionals and executives.

Ideas as Things Essay -- Metaphors Essays

There are many metaphors used to illustrate the process of learning or understanding. Educational theorists use metaphors to describe and demonstrate their theories, but ordinary people also use metaphors to describe cognition. For example, we use images of light to express thought; we have ‘‘bright ideas’’ or ‘‘dark thoughts,’’ or see we the ‘‘light of reason.’’ Atmospheric conditions are also used to describe the quality of someone’s thinking, a person can be an ‘‘airhead,’’ plans can be hazy, and memory can cloud. The common metaphors used to describe learning and cognition differ from those used by modern educational theorists. Most modern thinkers in educational psychology use the metaphor of thoughts and memories as objects with real locations in space. In their models of thought and cognition, ideas and memories can be organized, built with, be used to create frameworks with; they can even become rigid and patterned. In addition, if our thoughts do become rigid we can ‘‘soften’’ them by moving laterally rather than building further on the structures we have already created. In the modern educational philosopher’s paradigm, ideas are no longer the ephemeral products of light and air. Instead, they have become concrete objects that take up space. Ideas, for psychologists, are ‘‘things’’ that we can manipulate. Can I touch this? In spite of the current popularity of the paradigm that thoughts are physical, the conception of thoughts as light or air, as noted above, persists in common usage. When we say that someone has a bright idea, we do not mean that the idea actually illuminates anything. Instead, we mean that his or her idea makes sense to us. It is an interesting metaphor because it likens understandin... ...e ancient epistemological debate still rages. At least ordinary people have not decided whether to allow for the existence of an immaterial mind, whose action is not completely dependent upon the mechanical functioning of the physical brain. Cognitive psychologists, perhaps, believe that thoughts are matter, but common metaphors hint that regular people are not yet wholly convinced. Works Cited The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. 4th ed. : Houghton Mifflin, 2000. Glover, John A., Royce R. Ronning, and Cecil R. Reynolds. Handbook of Creativity. 1st ed. : Springer, 1989. Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary . Nov 2002. 23 Sep. 2005 . Kearsley, Greg. ‘‘TIP: The Theories.’’ Theory into Practice. 14 Sep. 2005 . gOFFICE.com 3 Ideas as Things Essay -- Metaphors Essays There are many metaphors used to illustrate the process of learning or understanding. Educational theorists use metaphors to describe and demonstrate their theories, but ordinary people also use metaphors to describe cognition. For example, we use images of light to express thought; we have ‘‘bright ideas’’ or ‘‘dark thoughts,’’ or see we the ‘‘light of reason.’’ Atmospheric conditions are also used to describe the quality of someone’s thinking, a person can be an ‘‘airhead,’’ plans can be hazy, and memory can cloud. The common metaphors used to describe learning and cognition differ from those used by modern educational theorists. Most modern thinkers in educational psychology use the metaphor of thoughts and memories as objects with real locations in space. In their models of thought and cognition, ideas and memories can be organized, built with, be used to create frameworks with; they can even become rigid and patterned. In addition, if our thoughts do become rigid we can ‘‘soften’’ them by moving laterally rather than building further on the structures we have already created. In the modern educational philosopher’s paradigm, ideas are no longer the ephemeral products of light and air. Instead, they have become concrete objects that take up space. Ideas, for psychologists, are ‘‘things’’ that we can manipulate. Can I touch this? In spite of the current popularity of the paradigm that thoughts are physical, the conception of thoughts as light or air, as noted above, persists in common usage. When we say that someone has a bright idea, we do not mean that the idea actually illuminates anything. Instead, we mean that his or her idea makes sense to us. It is an interesting metaphor because it likens understandin... ...e ancient epistemological debate still rages. At least ordinary people have not decided whether to allow for the existence of an immaterial mind, whose action is not completely dependent upon the mechanical functioning of the physical brain. Cognitive psychologists, perhaps, believe that thoughts are matter, but common metaphors hint that regular people are not yet wholly convinced. Works Cited The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. 4th ed. : Houghton Mifflin, 2000. Glover, John A., Royce R. Ronning, and Cecil R. Reynolds. Handbook of Creativity. 1st ed. : Springer, 1989. Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary . Nov 2002. 23 Sep. 2005 . Kearsley, Greg. ‘‘TIP: The Theories.’’ Theory into Practice. 14 Sep. 2005 . gOFFICE.com 3

Big Box Retailers :: essays research papers

America has always been a country where freedom has been treasured. Freedom is the most basic, valued principle that America was founded on. Whenever a threat looms, it is the cry and demand for freedom that pulls at the heartstrings of all Americans and moves them to action. Any threat to freedom is, in essence, a threat to America. This is usually interpreted as only a military threat, but there is another form the threat could take that is equally dangerous: an economic threat. This is why there are laws against monopolies – so that one company never has an unfair advantage over another. Freedom, equal opportunity for all. Enter the world of big box retailers. These companies are the biggest and most profitable there are to be found in America – the cornerstones of American economic prosperity. Some people, however, contest that the negatives of having a big box retailer in your town far outweigh the positives. Over the years and through many debates and conflicts i t has become apparent that, no matter how beneficial big box retailers are to America, they have an overall negative effect on the American people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Some of the negative aspects of big box retailers can be seen in the effects on the environment and economy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Pollution has always been a big concern for anyone who has seen films or pictures from some of the Southeast Asian countries, where smog sometimes fills the whole sky of cities. Indeed, pollution is a terrible thing, but unfortunately it is a real concern for our modern times. There is always a price to pay for advancing, and in many cases that price is the creation of harmful substances to the environment around us, and sometimes even to us. One shocking example of this happened not so long ago right here in the United States, when one of the five great lakes, Lake Erie, was so full of pollution around Cleveland that almost all of the wildlife died and people could literally walk across the top of the pollution on the lake. Obviously, nobody wants anything like this to ever happen again. Fortunately, the lake was eventually cleaned up, but the damage was done, both to the environment and to the psyche and mindset of the American people. Some people see big box re tailers as a cause of much pollution, and for some people that’s all they need to hear in order to be eternally opposed against big box retailers.

Gap’s History and Mission Statement and Vision Essay

Doris and Don Fisher opened the first Gap store in 1969. Today, Gap Inc. is a leading international specialty retailer with six brands – Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, Athleta and INTERMIX – about 3300 stores and 134,000 employees. The products include apparel, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, children, and babies. The Company operates in two segments: Stores, which includes the operations of the retail stores for Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic, and Direct, which includes the operations for its online brands, both domestic and international. Company-operated stores: About 3,000 stores across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, China, France, Ireland, Japan and Italy *Fun fact! The first Gap store outside the United States opened in the UK in 1987 Franchise stores:Over 250 stores in locations across Asia, Australia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. At its founding in 1969, and remains deep in Gap’s DNA today are: customer focus, community involvement and integrity. Since today, there are more than 134,000 people around the world – and company culture encourages each one to â€Å"Wear your passion.† Mission Statementâ€Å"Gap, Inc. is a brand-builder. We create emotional connections with customers around the world through inspiring product design, unique store experiences, and compelling marketing.†In addition to its mission statement, The Gap also has a purpose statement, which is designed to guide the daily actions of its employees. â€Å"Our purpose? Simply, to make it easier for you to express your personal style throughout your life. We have more than 150,000 passionate, talented people around the world who help bring this purpose to life for our customers.† Vision : Think: customers first – we consider the needs and value the diversity of thought, experience and perspectives among our customers. Inspire: creativity – we open ourselves to new ideas, tapping into our diversity of perspectives. Do: what’s right – we treat every customer, supplier and employee with respect. Deliver: results – we strive to create an inclusive environment where employees thrive and generate top performance.