Business Plan Consultancy Services

Research Methodology Introduction and background A report on the success rates of entrepreneurial start-up companies show that many of the organizations in the US do not make it past a critical point. A critical analysis of the situation shows that a decline in the number of business organizations that navigate through the challenges that face every start-up business has been the outcome (Ries 2011).Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Business Plan: Consultancy Services specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It has strongly been argued that despite entrepreneurs entering the business world with confidence, most of them lack the requisite professional training and experience necessary to become successful. To address those problems, this business plan aims to provide professional training that engages entrepreneurs with the domain knowledge necessary for them to create effective business plans (Chwolka Raith 2012). The goal of the business plan is to offer consultancy services that draw on different disciplines, skills, competencies, and experience of professional consultants in the business industry. The proposed offerings to focus on include basic documents and links to several internal and external resources. Objectives To investigate the business challenges that lead to the early failure of start-up businesses To determine the entrepreneurial skills necessary for start-up business to be successful To establish the type of offerings necessary for the start-up business Conduct a market analysis of the proposed business plan Establish the marketing strategy for the business plan Establish the staffing and operations of the proposed business plan Develop financial projections for the proposed consultancy services Research questions What factors do lead to the early failure of start-up businesses? What entrepreneurial skills are necessary for start-up business to be successful? Which offerings could be necessary for the start-up business? What are the marketing analysis results of the proposed business plan? Which marketing strategy could be used for the proposed business plan? How will the staffing and operations of the proposed business plan be done? What are the financial projections for the proposed consultancy services? Statement of opportunity After the global financial crisis, it became evident that many entrepreneurs starting new businesses in the United States were unable develop and sustain their businesses to maturity (Chwolka Raith 2012). The purpose of the study will be to develop a business consultancy service that provides business offerings tailored to provide professional consultancy services for new and upcoming business organizations to become successful. Methodology Different research methods based on theory and practice have been proposed for conducting business research. The continuum of research paradigms cannot be entirely applied on the proposed study. Here, two approaches, which include the qualitative and quantitative paradigms, have been proposed as appropriate for fact finding to answer the research questions (Daymon Holloway 2010). In the context of the proposed business plan, the justification for study is based on seeking for answers to questions on the factors that underlie the failures noted among start-up businesses (Churchill Iacobucci 2010). The research will establish the right approaches for answering the research questions on the appropriate marketing strategies to reach the clients, staffing operations, and financial projections besides ethical and legal issues for business establishments. In view of the research objectives, the proposed research paradigm includes theory that helps to explain the aims and functions of this research. Here, the deductive approach is proposed to enable the researcher to establish a connection between theory and practice.Advertising Looking for proposal on business econ omics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In particular, when considering both the deductive and inductive approaches, it is important to note that those strategies enable the researcher to start from general to specific solutions to the research problem. The inductive approach is a top down approach that enables the researcher to develop a hypothesis to address the research questions. Inductive paradigm A critical evaluation of logical thinking on research paradigms shows that the inductive approach provides the framework to infer the results of the study back into the investigation. According to JÃ ¤rvensivu and TÃ ¶rnroos (2010), inductive thinking corresponds to the tenets of approximate reasoning, logical thinking, and probabilistic approaches for creating solutions to the research problem. Besides, inductive reasoning provides the foundation for the professional consultant to apply the cognitive skills in the provision of advi ce on business processes and strategies for beginners. However, JÃ ¤rvensivu and TÃ ¶rnroos (2010) fail short of noting that inductive research could provide the foundation to a number of central issues related to cognitive activities, which include judgement, categorization of qualitative and quantitative data on various aspects of the business plan. This is category based induction where different techniques are used to determine the best strategy to segment and provide the right professional advice to the customers. Deductive approach JÃ ¤rvensivu and TÃ ¶rnroos (2010) provide a good foundation for researching on the use of deductive thinking. In theory, the deductive strategy is based on the methods used for developing hypothesis and drawing conclusions on data based on existing theories, which is used to develop the research design for addressing the research questions. However, the approach that is based on moving from the general to the specific solutions on the research issues under consideration. JÃ ¤rvensivu and TÃ ¶rnroos (2010) notes that deductive logic is systematic, beginning with the investigation of the underlying theory, followed by a hypothesis, observations, and gradually the acceptance or rejection of the hypothesis. However, the business plan is not based on validating a hypothesis, but depends on both qualitative and quantitative data to develop appropriate conclusions to act on. In both cases, the deductive and inductive approaches could be combined to address the weaknesses and establish the research on the benefits of both approaches to inform the study. However, it is important to note that the two approaches cannot be used as alternative means, but together. In theory, both methods are based on the process and problem views.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Business Plan: Consultancy Services specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Qualitative and quantitative paradigms The sources of data include secondary and primary. Secondary sources include data from articles, Internet, and databases. While Daymon and Holloway (2010) do not account in detail how to apply data from the primary sources, it is important to note that interviews and questionnaires are some of the best candidates to adopt into the study. In each case of the combined approach of the qualitative and quantitative paradigms, the deductive and inductive approaches could be used to address the research objectives exhaustively (Daymon Holloway 2010). The approach uses a mixed research method, which work primarily on the positivist techniques that are based on the QUAN and QUAL approaches. Basically, the thematic and statistical analytical are appropriate for use in data analysis based in the mixed research methods function by way of data conversion and transformation techniques to answer the research questions. On the philosophical levels, the mixed research method could be appr opriate for the study because of the ability to counter the incompatibility and pragmatism associated with other research paradigms. Churchill and Iacobucci (2010) contend that the approach is designed in such a way as to avoid the clash that exists between the purposes and capacities of both research methods. In theory, it is appropriate to consider the facts that the QUAN approach employs deductive reasoning and the QUAL approach employs logic or systematic reasoning. Data collection tools In practice, different tools are used for data collection. Among them are interviews, questionnaires, and observations. However, each tool is appropriate for a specific context of the study in data collection (Churchill Iacobucci 2010). The proposed data collection tools include interviews and questionnaires. Observations will not be appropriate for data collection because of the time required for changes on the business to occur is long. In each case, both tools have their own advantages and d isadvantages that suit them for use in this study. Despite lacking generalizations, interviews have certain issues such as acquiesced where some people show string consistency in agreeing or disagreeing on certain questions (Churchill Iacobucci 2010).Advertising Looking for proposal on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Other issues include social desirability bias where responses to questions are usually based on one’s bias perceptions. It has been suggested that structured interviews are characterized by response sets, where respondents provide answers that are consistent with the study, but irrelevant to the concepts of investigation. However, interviews provide immediate answers, are time Questionnaires will be used as the tool for data collection when conducting the quantitative study. The rationale is to enable the researcher to collect data and make follow ups when the responses are inadequate. Data analysis Secondary and primary data will be collected and analysed using statistical software to analyse quantitative data and categories to analyse qualitative data. The process of analysing quantitative data will include editing data to ensure completeness and consistency, eliminating questionnaires that have less than 10% responses, converting data into numerical values, and changing th e data into new formats for statistical analysis (Churchill Iacobucci 2010). Here, a univariate analytical approach will be used in the study besides using frequency tables and pie charts to show the behaviour and distribution of the respondents. SPSS will be used to generate numerical values of the mean, standard deviation, mode, and median definitions will be used to analyse the responses. The rationale for using SPSS is that the software has been used by students to analyse data and has been proved to be appropriate for the task. On the other hand, qualitative data will be analysed by the use of the transcription methods using the hyper transcribe software depending on the language translation software such as SYSTTRAN (Churchill Iacobucci 2010). Besides, data cleaning by labeling, structuring, familiarizing, and establishing a coding plan based on the framework for coding the data. By use of the descriptive analysis, the range of responses and recurrent themes will be establis hed using second order analysis. Justify methods for data analysis The approach used in statistical analysis will provide the p-values that enable the significance of the data to be determined so that the probability of establishing extreme values could be avoided. Ethical An ethical form will be issued to seek for consent from the participants and factors such as privacy could be factored as important components in the study (Churchill Iacobucci 2010). In theory, ethics involves the fundamental application of the principles of ethics such as ensuring accurate reporting, ensuring that the principles of moral concern will be factored into the study, intellectual property rights, being conscious of multiple roles, following the principles and rules of informed consent. Validity In theory, validity is the extent to which the results accurately correspond to goals of the study besides the attesting to the evidence of the theory and support of the interpretation of test scores (Churchil l Iacobucci 2010). Content, presentation, face, convergent, concurrent, and construct validity will be assured by putting in place the necessary measures to achieve the different forms of validity. Reliability Reliability is the overall consistency of the measures that will be used to ensure the accuracy and precision of the results. To achieve reliability, the factors that contribute to inconsistencies will be determined and removed to ensure that the results become reliable. Time plan for completion of the project Literature review Introduction This section is a literature review of academic sources that provide qualitative data on the reasons for start-up failures and the appropriate strategies for adoption to avoid failure. The secondary sources of data include articles and books that have been written on the subject of investigation. Business challenges leading to failure of start-ups In the proposed business plan, an investigation will be conducted to determine the challenge s that new entrepreneurs get exposed to that leads to their failure to sustain the business in the market. Simmons, Wiklund and Levie (2014) note that between 2004 and 2013, approximately 2, 000 venture funded companies failed to penetrate and succeed their operations the US. Figure 1: Percentage of failing businesses between 1997 and 2010 Figure 1 shows the rate at which businesses have failed to take off or to continue existing. Simmons, Wiklund and Levie (2014) note 25% to 30% of venture-backed businesses fail for various reasons. Here, failure means that the business either does not generate enough profits to become self-sustaining. Other start-up businesses have all their assets liquidated and investors end up losing all their money despite making investments in high potential businesses. Empirical evidence points out the facts that show the reasons for failure of the start-up businesses. While Simmons, Wiklund and Levie (2014) do not categorise different entrepreneurs, but ge neralise the factors that lead to their failures, the study is rich in the strategies to adopt to avoid failure based on specific indicators. One of the core factors that contribute to failures is marginal niche where the entrepreneur tries to void competition by operating in a limited market size. The study will investigate the effects of marginal niche along with other factors such as derivative ideas, lack of obstinacy in pursuing a business idea to success. Researchers have suggested that market problems make significant contributions to the failures due to lack of value propositions for compelling buyers to be devoted to buying their products, wrong market timing, and a low market size. Daymon and Holloway (2010) suggest business model failures because most start-up entrepreneurs are overly optimistic. They fail to factor issues such as the cost of acquitting a customer, lifetime value of the customer, and the capital efficiency rules. Besides, a poor management team that build s and works on a weak strategy with members who are poor at executing strategies. The study will investigate additional factors such as the effects of getting cash strapped, product related problems, having poor knowledge of who the investors are. The research will focus on problems associated with marketing, failure to adequately conduct a PESTEL analysis and the five forces of competition, which include threat of new entrants into the market, bargaining power of suppliers and customers, threat of substitute products, and industry rivalry. Entrepreneurial skills necessary for start-ups Cassar (2014) provides exhaustive evidence, which points out that for an entrepreneur to be successful, it is vital for them to have some skill to make them navigate through a competitive business. Among the factors to be investigated in the study include the ability to manage money, overcome stress related issues, ability to raise money, strategies for improving ones; productivity, ability to make f riends, knowledge on who to hire into the business, management approaches, and the training and development programs of the staff that the entrepreneur implements. Type of offerings The aim of the proposed business plan is to offer various professional services to educate entrepreneurs on strategic approaches to apply to make start-up businesses successful. Among the proposes areas of investigation are providing start-up kits that provides details on financial models and associated templates to use, business plans for specific markets, and execution presentations. In addition, the proposed offerings include establishing access to program experts through the Internet, telephone conferences, emails, and on-site mentoring. In addition, further investigations will be conducted on additional offerings such as web based access to frequently asked questions to help the client avoid making the same mistakes. It is important to ensure that the customers are informed on technology patenting a nd the patents’ approval cycle. It is proposed that professional services can be offered on other professional platforms by creating free website links to other expert services to supplement those services offered on those in the proposed business plan. Expert services include legal advice, accounting, and investment opportunities. The study will provide the platform for free access to articles on start-ups, techniques for managing cash flows, and incorporation of other businesses into the start-up business. It is proposed that the consultancy services will include assisting clients to determine when and where market opportunities happen, analyse the opportunities, and establish the best methods for opportunity sizing. Market analysis A market analysis based on competitive evaluation of the investing in the plan and market research on the existing opportunity will be conducted to justify the need for a consultancy firm (Galician 2013). Galician (2013) does not present an exha ustive list of strategies to adopt when conducting a market analysis, but provides strong evidence of accurate methods of conducting a market research before making a decision to enter the market. The rationale is to demonstrate that the market is viable and that by offering the services, it is possible to generate profits that could sustain the business. In addition, the study will investigate the current size of the market. Studies show that many companies that are offering similar services focus on established companies and rarely take their services to start-ups. On the other hand, those companies that offer services targeting new start-up businesses are expensive and the success rates of the start-ups are low. In theory, the strategic approach of establishing the feasibility of the business plan and the proposed approach to addressing the market research issues includes conducting cluster analysis, factor analysis, and understanding the customers. The theoretical foundation cou ld include establishing buyer behaviour, relationship development methods, and conducting marketing research. That is in addition to conducting investigations targeting, positioning, and segmentation. Marketing strategy The marketing strategy for the proposed business includes direct selling of the company to the target customers, using agents to market the company among the prospective entrepreneurs, and use of social sites and other Internet based services. In theory, modern marketing strategies are based on massive power transfer to the customer (Palmatier et al. 2006). Here, the proposed marketing strategies include planning, social and ethical responsibility, and being able to develop the required competitive strategies for the business to successfully compete with rivals in the market. However, Internet based services such as social networking websites provide a platform for real time communication between the customer and the service provider. On the other hand, the strategic approach will include investigating the pricing strategies used by the competitors to determine the right pricing mechanisms for the services to be offered. Here, a preliminary investigation shows that an investor presentation could charge $ 2500, developing the marketing plan document could charge $ 1000 alongside the additional services such as focus strategy and plan, cost leadership strategy, service differentiation strategy, advertising plan, and the branding strategy. The proposed charges for the executive mentoring are $1000 and $5000 will be the charges for developing a business plan. Staffing and operations The staffing operations will be done by advertising on the daily newspapers and the Internet to recruit the best candidates for the job. Recruitment will provide the best talents to occupy different positions to build the right management structure to operate the business. Various responsibilities such as marketing, human resource, operations, and risk management will b e filled by qualified and experienced personnel. Besides, employees will be subjected to regular training programs to ensure that those working in the organization are week skilled to do their work. Financial projections Various assumptions underlie the financial projections that provide the framework for arriving at key figures such as profits and income to the business. The sales forecast includes offering services to 10 customers per day besides advertising on the social media. However, the business is projected to grow by 50% in the first year and other subsequent years. On the other hand, the fixed assets of the business cost $ 1000 while $ 12, 000 was taken as a bank loan. Models Teece (2010) provides a reliable academic source that discusses various business models that entrepreneurs can adopt. Examples include the affiliate model that where products are sold by a third party on commission, the Auction model where products are sold through auction, the advertising model which relies on adverts. In theory, a good model enables the entrepreneur to establish a good balance between the cost of acquiring the customer and the ability to monetize those customers. The characteristics of a good business model include those models that enable employees to work and see their jobs within the context of the firm, provide powerful tools for the strategy, and easy to retell the customers about the values offered in the business. Conclusion In conclusion, it is evident that different perspectives have been discussed on the strategies to adopt for the development of the business plan that could enable successful accomplishments of the outlined objectives. Basically, many business start-ups fail because of lack of professional training on the part of the entrepreneur, lack of organizations that offer specialized services to equip the entrepreneurs with the right skills and knowledge on how to start, manage, and successfully run the business to maturity. In the case of th e study, two theoretical approaches were proposed for use in the study. Both inductive and deductive analytical approaches were recommended for use in conducting and analysing the academic literature to answer the research questions. A mixed research method was proposed for the study. The proposed strategy will provide the framework for capturing various aspects of the business plan by getting informed on how to address the research questions using information processed form data obtained through a mixed research method, which factors both qualitative and quantitative paradigms. In theory, the qualitative paradigm is based on the QUAL technique that enables relevant academic literature to be assessed and critically analysed to inform the various aspects of the business plan. The core area of investigation is to establish the reasons that underpin the failure experienced entrepreneurs setting up new businesses from becoming stable. On the hand, the study will factor QUAN, which is ba sed on the quantitative paradigm to collect data for statistical analysis. Besides, two data collection tools were proposed, which include interviews and questionnaires. However, observations were disqualified for data collection because such a tool could be expensive and require a long period of observations to establish the reasons for the occurrence of failures. On the other hand, interviews were deemed to be the right tools to use for data collection despite the weaknesses associated with them. On the other hand, it was deemed necessary to use two data analysis tools, which include SPSS software for numerical analysis of questionnaire data to generate values such as the mean, standard deviation, and the p-values. Besides, the findings will be evaluated to determine the reliability and validity of qualitative and quantitative data. All the aspects of the quantitative and qualitative research study paradigms will be factored into the study in the data analysis process using approp riate software tools. On the other hand, different models have been proposed to use in the study to answer the research questions. Among the models that were proposed to use in the study is the affiliate model among others. However, the most appropriate model proposed for the study was the advertising model. The need in this case is to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to start and sustain a business to grow to maturity. Besides, the physiological and psychological bases of need will provide the foundation on which the proposed business plan will be used to develop a framework that explains how the factors that that influence the customers can be manipulated by the consultant. References Cassar, G 2014, ‘Industry and start-up experience on entrepreneur forecast performance in new firms,’ Journal of Business Venturing, vol. 1, no. 29, pp. 137-15. Churchill, G A Iacobucci, D 2010, Marketing research: methodological foundations, Macmillan Publishing, New York. Ch wolka, A Raith, M G 2012, ‘The value of business planning before start-up—A decision-theoretical perspective’, Journal of Business Venturing, vol. 3, no. 27, pp. 385-399. Daymon, C Holloway, I 2010, Qualitative research methods in public relations and marketing communications, Routledge, New York. Galician, M L 2013, Handbook of product placement in the mass media: New strategies in marketing theory, practice, trends, and ethics, Routledge, New York. JÃ ¤rvensivu, T TÃ ¶rnroos, J Ã… 2010, ‘Case study research with moderate constructionism: Conceptualization and practical illustration’, Industrial Marketing Management, vol. 1, no. 39, pp.100-108. Palmatier, R W, Dant, R P, Grewal, D Evans, K R 2006, ‘Factors influencing the effectiveness of relationship marketing: a meta-analysis’, Journal of marketing, vol. 4, no. 70, pp. 136-153. Ries, E 2011, The lean start-up: How today’s entrepreneurs use continuous innovation to crea te radically successful businesses’, London, Random House LLC. Simmons, S A, Wiklund, J Levie, J 2014, ‘Stigma and business failure: implications for entrepreneurs’ career choices’, Small Business Economics, vol. 3, no. 42, pp. 485-505. Teece, D J 2010, ‘Business models, business strategy and innovation’, Long range planning, vol. 2, no. 43, pp. 172-194. This proposal on Business Plan: Consultancy Services was written and submitted by user Kiera Christensen to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Сomparison and Contrasting Country Lovers and Child of the Americas

Ð ¡omparison and Contrasting Country Lovers and Child of the Americas In every literary works, the author uses his or her life experience and the immediate social, political and spiritual practices to educate or pass a specific message to the society. For instance in her intriguing epic country lovers, Nadine Gordimer focuses on the social prejudices practiced in an environment which harbors mixed races.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Ð ¡omparison and Contrasting: Country Lovers and Child of the Americas specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Through discussing the adventures and social attributes of the characters, Gordimer highlights the aspect of racism. On the other hand, Aurora Morales expresses her poetic skills by enlightening the reader on the aspect of ethnicity as practiced in her contemporary society. Although both Gordimer and Morales apply different forms and style of writing literature, each of them condemns social injustices less seriously. While Gordimer highlights constrained relationship arising from aspects like racism, Morales boasts of her ethnic culture as a way to call for unity. Through focusing on the social and political relationships and elusive interaction of various characters in the articles, the next discussion elaborates the theme of racism/ethnicity while highlighting their similarities and differences. Critical analysis of Gordimer and Morales’ pieces of work highlight some differences as per literature. For instance, both authors apply different forms of writing literary works to express their artistic skills. Gordimer writes a short story in form of a narrative giving it ironical title country lovers. Gordimer has organized the story in form of well-structured paragraphs accurately punctuated. Furthermore, each paragraph highlights a different idea. For instance, the first paragraph gives the picture of the environment or the setting of the story as a farm, which harbors two races blacks and whites. Moreover, the au thor enables the readers to pick out the main theme of the story from the first paragraph. The rest of the paragraphs give emphasis on the theme by applying aspects like the direct speech, which is a common element in short stories. More over, Gordimer applies the aspect of narration and vivid description, which draws the picture of her story in the readers mind. For example, she describes Thebedi’s hut, which is made of raw bricks with a chimney thus, mimicry of the white man’s house. Inside the hut there is a bed made from iron, wooden table and boxes. At the same time, she gives a description of Paulus house as a permanent structure with thick walls to prevent penetration of heat and inside the house there is a kitchen with plenty of foodstuffs and servants, dining room and with numerous bedrooms. Therefore, Gordmer’s description of the two homesteads enables her to emphasize her theme of racism (Spain, 2012, p.770). While the blacks live in abject poverty, t he white masters live in large, well build permanent structures.Advertising Looking for research paper on comparative literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More From the above analysis, Gordimer is against economic differences, which arise because of racism. Although Njabulo is a servant in a white man’s house, he is unable to build a permanent house for his family. The huts are traditional houses of the African society, which are not only unstable but also prone to distraction in strong weather conditions like storms. On the contrary, Morales express her artistic nature by writing her literary work in form of a poem. Written in four stanzas, each stanza has different number of lines highlighting a different aspect. Each stanza starts with the letter â€Å"I†, which is common in most poems. The first stanza emphasizes on the author’s title child of Americas therefore, underscoring the aspect of ethnicity in the society. There are many aspects of poetry expressed for instance repetition of the expression â€Å"I am†, which shows the author is more concerned about her ethnic identity in a foreign environment with multiple cultures (Rich, 1982, 54). The narrator has accepted her culture, race, ethnic background and identity as an American. In addition, Morales add rhythm to the poem to accentuate the element of rhyme, which is common in poetry. For example, the first two lines in stanza three produce a rhythmic fashion as shown below â€Å"I am not African.   Africa is in me, but I cannot return.† This intrigues the reader to appreciate the author’s cultural and ethnic identity. Thus, silently appreciating the social diversity found in America. The second difference evident in the two pieces of literary works is the setting of the Gordimer’s story and Morales’ poem. The short story is set in a farm, in which the owners are whites while the blacks only offer labor. The farm has many families where children play together. Unfortunately, only the white children enroll in school. The author elaborates the theme of her story by writing â€Å"the farm children only play together when they are small but once the white children go away to school, they soon dont† (Gordimer, 1988, p.3). Therefore, Gordimer underscores the racial segregation in her setting. Similarly, children know how to make toys of oxen and bracelets using beans and castor oil seeds (Gordimer, 1988, p.3). Gordimer shows that the whites are colonizers who oppress the black people and have set social rules in the environment that have culminated into injustices. There are no schools for black children, the black people are servants and neither of them freely visits each other’s house. Romantic interracial sexual relationships are illegal, an aspect, which has been socially accepted. Critical analysis of the story proves that the setting of the st ory is in Africa with the whites being immigrants who forcefully decided to rule the natives.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Ð ¡omparison and Contrasting: Country Lovers and Child of the Americas specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Contrarily, the setting of Morales story is in America. In the first stanza and from the first line, the writer confesses, â€Å"I am a child of the Americas† (Morales, n.d, stanza 1). However, although the whites dominantly inhabit America, there are other ethnic groups and races like Jews, Spanish and African among others. However, the narrator applauds other races and countries, which have contributed to the richness of the American culture. Comparison of the main themes in Gordimer and Morales literary works accentuates some differences. For example, Gordimer silently condemns racial prejudice in her contemporary society by vividly describing the social activities in th e farm and its surroundings. The first instance of racial practice Gordimer points at is the separation of the black and white children especially when the latter enrolls in boarding schools. Although in their early childhood, their parents allow them to play together; this habit dies out as the children progress into adulthood. Secondly, a romantic relationship between different racial groups is a social taboo as experienced by Thebedi and Paulus. Paulus is white while Thebedi is black; however, the two accept their childhood friendship to culminate into an illegal love affair. Gordimer condemn racism when she writes, â€Å"He told her, each time, when they would meet again† (clungston, 2010, p.11). Intuitively it was a taboo for the two lovebirds to have an open relationship. Although their relationship grew, but it seemed like a game of hide and seek. Thus, forcing them to have their sexual adventures in weird locations like the riverbank, away from the public. At this lev el, Gordimer enlightens the reader on the impact of racism on social development among children. Furthermore, after a few sexual adventures, Paulus impregnates Thebedi. Ironically, her parent marries her off to a black man to conceal any form of suspicion from the white master (Paulus father). Due to social prejudice, Paulus kills his child to escape embarrassment and further punishment from his parents. Thebedi refrains from stopping Paulus to kill her child because of her identity as a black woman. Therefore, Gordimer proves that racial segregation is a barrier to social development and can lead to social or human injustices as experienced by Thebedi. Thebedi is sure Paulus killed her child but she is unable to testify openly against him retracting her initial accusations. The author writes â€Å"Yet a year later, she retracted her testimony and in a calmer manner testified,† she had not seen what the white man did in the house† (Clugston, 2010, p. 49). Therefore, The bedi’s identity as a black woman forces her to accept oppression from the white man. Moreover, the judge not only drags the case for at least a year but he also rules in favor of the white man. According to Gordimer, racism culminates into social injustices like murder and oppression thus, social growth in a multiracial environment.Advertising Looking for research paper on comparative literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More On contrary, in her epic masterpiece Morales focuses on ethnicity in the society more so, America which, harbors many immigrants. The main theme of her poem is to emphasize self-identity a problem experienced by most Americans especially due to ethnicity. Social diversity is an aspect that America currently experiences. Therefore, the first line of the first stanza confirms the author’s message to the reader â€Å"I am a child of the Americas†¦A child of many Diaspora, born into this continent at a crossroad†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Morales, n.d, stanza 4). The native people of America are the American Indians while all the other citizens like Europeans, African Americans, blacks, Spanish and Jews among others are immigrants. All these races have enriched America’s ethnic culture. However, the ethnicity has led to oppression, disunity and lack of identity amid other social problems. Therefore, Morales poem is not only appreciating her culture but also calling upon other pe ople to embrace and use their culture for the social development of America. In the last line of the last stanza, the author writes, â€Å"I was born at the crossroads and I am whole† this statement emphasizes the rich cultural heritage America boasts posses (Morales, n.d). Although these traditions culminated from a turbulent past experience, all immigrants whether slaves, tradesmen or natives proudly belong to one country, America. Therefore, the ability of the Americans to struggle, persevere and integrate into one society proves that cultural diversity is essential for the social development. Comparatively, both Gordimer and Morales, focus on social development as an important feature in the society. Gordimer highlights racial segregation as a social barrier, which eventually, leads to oppression and other forms of prejudices in society. Similarly, Morales praises ethnicity as an aspect that should promote cultural growth especial in a multiracial environment. According t o her poem, all Jews, Spanish, African American and Europeans living in America are Americans. Thus, the different ethnic groups should unite to explore and integrate into the unique culture. Both authors express the negative impact of racism and ethnicity in the society. While Gordimer presents oppression and social injustices as the outcome of racism, Morales focuses on lack of self-identity and esteem as the eventual impact of ethnicity when traded on the wrong grounds. The second similarity evident in the two pieces of work is the application of the literary elements like metaphors and similes. Although the authors use different types of literary techniques, each of them uses these literary techniques to emphasize their themes. In her short story, Gordimer embraces similes especially when comparing the social lives of the blacks and the whites. For example, after finding out Thebedi’s baby belongs to him Paulus says, â€Å"I feel like killing myself† (clungston, 20 10, p.10). Paulus statement proves that racism is highly practiced in his society. Therefore, he relates his relationship with Thebedi to death. Analytically, Gordimer uses this element to condemn silently racism because practicing it is equally to killing a human being. Another simile, which expresses racism appears when the author says, â€Å"Already at birth there was on its head a quantity of straight, fine floss, like that which carries the seeds of certain weeds in the veld.† (Gordimer,n.d, par.6) according to this statement, Gordimer shows that Thebedi’s daughter was illegal and therefore, unwanted in her society. Thus, the author highlights inhumanity because eventually, Paulus kills the little innocent baby because of fear, racism and oppression as commonly practiced in his society. In addition, Gordimer uses metaphors to express black color as ugly thus, not beautiful to look at or admire. For instance, she describes Njabulo skin as â€Å"matt, opaque coffee -grounds† (Anderson, 1991, P.20). According to the author, although the black skin is unique, people tend to despite the victim. Therefore, she condemns segregation of the blacks especially by the white people who think their skin color is superior. Eventually, she uses the black and white skin to promote racial unity an element that constantly misses in the society. Similarly, Morales applies the art of metaphors to express her poetic skills and educate the reader on the importance of embracing ethnic unity. The first metaphors, she coins is â€Å"I am not African, Africa is in me†¦Spanish is in my flesh†¦I am not European, Europe lives in me†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Morales, n.d. stanza 1-4). The aforementioned group of metaphors highlights the narrator’s identity, culture and ethnic background. However, intuitive analysis of the poem reveals that the narrator accepts herself as an African, Spanish and European. When she writes,† Europe lives in me â€Å"(Mora les, n.d, stanza 1 line 5), it means that the narrator accepts Europeans as Americans who were unable to be accommodated in their original country because of oppression, economic constraints and religious conflicts among other social, political and economic problems. While the phrase â€Å"Spanish is in my flesh† (Morales, n.d, stanza 1 line 3), highlights the integration, intermingling and eventual assimilation of the Spanish people into America thus, giving them a common identity as Americans. Additionally, the metaphor â€Å"Africa is in me† mean Africans came into America as slaves, however, with the abolishment of slavery they became Americans. Surprisingly, the African culture still lingers in African Americans because of the origin and traditions that has not changed for many ages. Therefore, acceptance of all the races in America transforms America into a peaceful country with multiple cultures, racial identities and traditions among others. The fourth metaphor Morales applies is â€Å"I was born at the crossroads and I am whole† (n.d, stanza 4 line 1), her literary expression describes American people as originating from diverse background. Besides, American Indians, there is no other American person who can claim that America is his or her native land. African, Spanish, Jewish and European cultures are all form a unique American culture while at the same time retaining the individual cultural practices. According to Morales, lack of self-identity especially in relation to ethnicity has slowed down social development culture. Essentially, the different ethnic groups in America should create a rich culture that would build self-esteem of most Americans. In conclusion, Gordimer constructs her short story to educate the society on the negative impact of racism. She uses different literary techniques like narration, similes and metaphors to put emphasis on her theme. On the other hand, Morales writes a short poem to preach against the use of ethnicity in oppressing others especially in America. She calls upon all Americans to embrace ethnic unity for the social development. She uses metaphoric expression to emphasize her theme. Finally, both authors not only use similar literary techniques like metaphors but they also focus on a common goal social development in the society. References Anderson, P. (1991). Attitudes to Race in Nadine Gordimers Country Lovers and Alice  Walkers The Welcome Table’. New York. Indie Print publishers Clugston, R. W. (2010). Journey into Literature. California: Bridgepoint Education publishers. Gordimer.N. (n.d). Country lovers. Retrieved from https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/cms/lib/NC01001395/Centricity/Domain/22/Country%20Lovers.pdf Gordimer, N. (1988). Town and Country Lovers . New York. Reclam Philipp publishing company. Morales, L. A. (n.d). Child of the Americas. In Lauraa.diaz-authors page. Web. Rich, P. (1982). Tradition and revolt in South African Fiction: The Novels of Andre Brink, Nadine Gordimer and J.M. Coetzee. Journal of Southern African Studies, 9 (1), 54-73 Spain, A. (2012). Event, Exceptionalism, and the Imperceptible: The Politics of Nadine Gordimers the Pickup. MFS: Modern Fiction Studies, 58 (4), 747-772.

Financial Ratio Analysis for BAE Systems Plc Case Study

Financial Ratio Analysis for BAE Systems Plc - Case Study Example After the September 11 tragedy which shocked the global business environment becomes a grim reminder for nations to improve their defense systems. BAE Systems Plc (BAE) traces its origin to the 7.7 billion merger of Marconi Electronic Systems which is the defense electronics and naval shipbuilding subsidiary of the General Electric Company Plc and British Aerospace which specializes in the manufacture of aircraft, ammunition, and naval systems. Out of these prestigious business organizations, its establishment in 1999 equipped with a unique competitive advantage which enables it to position itself as the third largest global defence company and sixth largest US defense company employing 97, 500 highly skilled people. Financial ratio analysis is a very essential tool in assessing the financial health of a business entity. It enables a financial analyst to spot trends in a business and to compare it with the performance of similar business enterprises within the same industry. This tool is currently utilized by business managers, investors, creditors, suppliers, and other decision makers in order to determine the financial performance and well being of a business organisation. ... These are profitability ratios, financial leverage ratios, liquidity/solvency ratios, and efficiency ratios. In order to get a deeper insight of BAE's financial performance, its computed financial ratios will be benchmarked with its competitor's Cobham Plc. The rationale of choosing these two business organizations is simple. It should be noted that both of them are regarded as important players in the global pharmaceutical industry. Being in the same line of business and the same industry, it is right to assume that BAE and Cobham Plc both face the same challenges and opportunities in the sector under consideration. This assumption justifies the comparability of their financial performance during the fiscal years. 2.1. Profitability Ratios Profitability ratios measure the ability of the company to generate income from its investments less the costs incurred (Fraser & Ormiston 2004). The ratios computed for this category are return on capital employed, sales profit margin, and return on equity. Return on capital employed is a variant of return on investment which measures how well the company is utilizing its capital. The computed sales profit margin, which is the ratio of operating income to sales measures as a percentage of sales, show the excess revenue from sales over cost of normal operation excluding financing. On the other hand, return on equity measures how much wealth is created for the company's stockholders for every shares that they have on hand (Fraser and Ormiston 2006). Logically, higher performance ratios indicate a healthier financial condition. Table 1. Profitability Ratios Comparison Table 1 shows the comparative profitability

Crisis Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Crisis Management - Essay Example This leads us to the fourth important characteristic of a crisis, which is need of initiating a change. If there is no need of a change, it is possible to describe the event under consideration as an incident, or a failure, and not a crisis (Crandall, Parnell and Spillan, 2010). Crisis management differs from risk management. Risk management involves analyzing the potential threats, and finding out the best method of avoiding these threats. Crisis management involves analyzing the threats before their emergence, and also after they have emerged. Crisis management is a discipline, within a wider perspective of management (Blyth, 2009). It consists of techniques and skills that an individual needs to identify, understand, assess and cope up with serious managerial and organizational situations. The skills of crisis management should be put into use, from the time in which the crisis begins, to the time in which the recovery process ends. Identifying those threats is an essential process of crisis management (Crandall, Parnell and Spillan, 2010). It is the occurrence of these threats that the management of an organization will develop a series of plans and strategies to protect the business organization from collapsing or falling. For purposes of reducing uncertainties in the event of an occurrence of a cri sis, organizations normally develop a crisis management plan. A crisis management plan identifies the process which an organization will initiate for purposes of solving the problem under consideration. Crisis management has a direct relation with business. Most business organizations normally undergo a crisis in one form or another. A good example is in 1993 when Pepsi faced a crisis in its operations (Gilpin and Murphy, 2008). This is when syringes were found in the cans belonging to Pepsi. The organization advised the stores where these syringes were found to retain the cans, until an investigation was completed. It

Compare and Contrast the Spaniards' Attitudes toward the Native Essay

Compare and Contrast the Spaniards' Attitudes toward the Native Culture and People They Encountered with the Aztec - Essay Example The modern appreciation of historical facts gave birth to a thorough analysis of the events of the past and what the Western historians were at times unable to point out or those that were dismissed. Essentially, there were things that must be taken into consideration. â€Å"The conquistadors caught a fleeting glance of a civilization with a theology and symbolism as complex as contemporary Catholicism† (Fagan, p.343). The full understanding of any story must involve weighing in all possible accounts of what took place. It cannot be limited to an assertion inferred as fundamental facts. The same goes for a deeper understanding of the Conquistadors arrival and their colonization of the Aztecs. Limiting to the Spaniards’ accounts and personal inclinations gives rise to bias so that revisiting the available accounts of the natives must be integrated. This illuminates any historical reading to have an impartial assessment to reconcile facts from fiction. What Bernal Diaz pr ovided in â€Å"The True History of the Conquest of New Spain† was a personal account of the battle with the Aztecs. It was a vivid narration that aims to disclose the true occurrences of the battle to provide for a more genuine description to put to rest all other claims proliferated by others. It contained detailed descriptions of the practices of the actual encounter. The most graphic were the practices of the natives on their captives, â€Å"with stone knives they sawed open their chests and drew out their palpitating hearts and offered them to the idols that were there, and they kicked the bodies down the steps, and Indian butchers who were waiting below cut off the arms and feet and flayed (the skin off) the faces† (Diaz, n.p.). The autobiographical account described the cannibalistic practices of the natives. The cries of the people on the destruction of their city, though veiled through the words of Diaz, seem to be valid reason for their anger. The people soug ht for the reconstruction of what they have lost. Diaz, as Wyman noted in her introduction came from a more deprived background wherein his venture into foreign land was for personal gain. The mind of a soldier and his hardships primarily regulate his point of view. The brotherhood among soldiers and their sufferings would be most palpable to him. This is apparent in the account as a strict narrative of a battle. This particular endeavour was the principal reason for his ascent into the social strata which maintains his courageous stance amidst the difficulties. Inadvertently, Diaz divulged Aztec practices such as how women helped the men by making their crude weapons including the preparation of the stones for their slings and in the sounding of the devices. In contrast to the narrative of Diaz, Hernan Cortes presents to the monarchy a descriptive account of the city of Temixtitlan under Moctezuma. He illustrates a place filled with life and vitality. It is one where there are soci al centers filled with economic growth. The market is filled with products and various trades. There are also specialized shops such as apothecaries and an indication of medicinal application including the sale of much sought after herbs and spices. â€Å"This Province is in the form of a circle, surrounded on all sides by lofty and

An Analysis Of The Extended Mind Philosophy Essay

An Analysis Of The Extended Mind Philosophy Essay à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Minds like ours can (without the need for any radically new techniques, technologies, or interventions) extend into the world (Clark, 2010, p. 81). Evaluate this statement with reference to the literature on extended cognition. This essay aims to study the extended mind, without any need of completely adapting new techniques, technology, or interventions the minds like ours can launch into the world (Clark, 2010). The focus of the essay will be on internal and external representation of the mind and will evaluate the statement made by Clark (2010) with reference to other literature on extended cognition. Cognitive science believes that the mind has mental representations which are similar to computer data structures and computational procedures analogous and computational algorithms. Cognitive researchers have put forward that the mind holds mental representations as rules, images, logical proposition, and concepts (Dawson 1998). According to Norman (1988, 1993) cognition is viewed as terms of knowledge in the head and knowledge in the world. According to Clark (2010) one of the most significant current discussions in legal and moral philosophy is the extended mind, which refers to the concept between the mind and the environment, from the thesis of Clark and Chalmers (1998) active externalism or Hypothesis of Extended Cognition (HEC). The extended mind commences with the inquiry of where does the mind stop and the rest of the world begin? in respond to the question Clark and Chalmers (1998) present an alternative view with Hypothesis of Extended cognition (HEC). This is to be distinguished from the more traditional externalism meaning from the writing of (Putnam, 1975 Burge, 1986). Clark is asking for people to visualize that individuals could rotate images of geometrical shapes on a computer screen, by the use of a neural implant in their heads or by using a rotate button in the world. Clark affirmed that the implant perspective is evidently cognitive; therefore the button perspective is as well, in spite of either if they are carried out in the head or in the world (cited in Clark 2008). For this reason, it can be argued that the mind extends into the world which was Clarks belief in technology, physical objects, chips and CD-ROMs, as external memory stores that individuals can consult as needs dictate sort of coupled systems (Clark and Chalmers 1998). According to Dartnall (2007); (Schegloff, 1992, cite Alterman, 2007), Clark and Chalmers (1998) admitted that the processes in the world might be seen as individual, truly mental states-experiences, desires, emotions, beliefs, and so on might be in the mind. Nevertheless when it is performed in the head, it should also add up as cognitive when it is carried out in the world, Dartnall (2005) affirmed that the mind leaks or loops into the world. Clark and Chalmers (1998) argued that cognitive processes extend into the world when an individual uses pen and paper to solve a problem, using language to work or to solve a problem and the use of computers. Zhang and Norman (1994) draw our attention to internal representations as being intrinsic to many cognitive tasks and not just input and stimuli to the internal mind. This means that all these researchers thesis show a supportive argument toward Clark (2010) stating that the human mind can be extended into the world. Clark and Chalmers (1998) made such arguments as cognitive states being Parity argument by the things in the environment, in which they identify a number of possible objections to this argument such as the cognitive and the conscious, portability and reliability. They demonstrate two untrue characters to support their argument that the mind can extend into the world, using the example of Otto and Inga, who were both interested in art. Inga has a normal functioning brain, while Otto suffers from Alzheimers disease. They hear about an exhibition at different times and places and they both decide to go, Otto consults his notebook, which says that the museum is on 53rd street so he went to 53rd street to the museum. Whereas Inga recalls that the museum is on 53rd street and walks to the exhibition, as a result of this case Clark and Chalmers (1998) stated that the notebook plays the same role for Otto that biological memory plays for everyone else. They concluded for this reason that som e external objects execute this duty, and that some of our cognitive processes transcend the boundaries of skin and skull (Clark 2008). The HEC has been thoroughly criticized by Adams and Aizawa (2001) defenders of brainbound or organismbound approach to cognition. Clark and Chalmers, (1998) maintain their argument by pointing out to what extreme the mind extended, if someone hardly ever takes relevant action without consulting their Filofax, for instance, their cognitive system will be like that of the notebook in Ottos. Nevertheless if the individual frequently acted without consulting themselves, for example if the individual sometimes answers important questions with I do not know then the information in it counts less as part of individual belief system. Also if someone is relying on the internet is likely to fail on multiple counts, unless the individual is unusually computer reliant, facile with the technology, and trusting, but information on certain files on the individual computer may qualify (cited in Clark 2008). Dartnall, (2005) who argues for internalism and its epistemological implication that an individual can execute actions mentally that someone could typically carry out in the world. These are naturally achieved on inner analogues of external substance, which means that there is a leakage in both ways such as from world to mind, from mind to world. This parity argument has epistemological inference; if the individual can make an empirical discovery in the world using a procedure, then that procedure will also lead to empirical discovery when carried out in the head. For instance if a person walks into a room and sees a partially completed jigsaw puzzle on the table, looks at the puzzle and leaves the room. The person then mentally rotates one of the pieces and discovers where it fits into the puzzle. They have discovered something new, where the piece fits in the jigsaw puzzle, but how has the person done this? Not by straightforward empirical discovery, they did not have the direct en try to the puzzle when they solved it, or if they might have remember it when they walk into the room, because they did not know where it fitted when they were in the room and Shepard Metzler, (1971) also in support of this work also is consistent with Clark (2010) statement. A number of studies have highlighted that our mind extends into the world in support of Clark and Chalmers (1998); Clark (2010); Kosslyn (2006); Zhang and Patel (2006), (Baddeley, 1986; Smith and Jonides, 1997) (cited in Kosslyn 2006). In addition, Kosslyn argues that you are not restricted to whats in your head, but also includes things around you, including other people. Consequently, the self becomes distributed over other people who function as long term social prosthetic devices, cited in (Kosslyn 2006). Rupert (2004) developed a methodology for the hypothesis of extended cognition (HEC) which he called hypothesis of embedded cognition (HEMC), they are two divergent holds on cognitive scheme and their composition and their position in cognitive processing. HEC could more or less correspond to the viewpoint implemented by Clark (2008) those cognitive processes factually extends into the environment, while the traditional HEMC persists that cognitive organism is bound. According to the HEMC rely on cognitive processes, instead of being constituted by the external mechanism and strategy for cognition to happen without the external element being a factual part of the cognitive process. Rupert (2010) opposes Clark (2010), but does not fully reject the HEC. Thus, the HEMC has further empirical support and descriptive worth than HEC (cited in Dahlback, Stjernberg, Kristansson and Skagerlund, 2010). A recent study by Dahlback et al (2010), reviews the hypothesis of the extended mind and in order for them to support Clark and Chalmers (1998), they conducted an empirical study. They developed a definition of what cognitive processes are and how to examine cognitive systems, for instance how external memory support is actually used in elderly peoples everyday life. The participants were four elderly people with mild memory impairments and were diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, and some with a form of dementia. It was observe that one of the women kept the disposed plastic envelopes for the medicine she used and clipped it on her kitchen table. The woman stated that the envelope is a way of reminding her that a home healthcare practitioner as visited her as she will not remember. Dahlback, et al. (2010), pointed out that the plastic envelop is part of the womans memory system from an active internal process, since an already existing material artefact is put to use to improve her m emory, because they is no need to create a material artefact to improve the womans internal function any more. While Clark and Chalmers state that the mind can extend into the world through active externalism, that if process counts as cognitive when carried out in the head, then it could be also counted as cognitive when someone uses object as external memory via a notebook. Bs note were on the inside of her door, for her not to open the door for strangers, just like Otto, but Otto carries her own every were she goes. C uses a shopping list, because she forgets things all the time, while F has an appointment at podiatrist, which she has written and posted on her fridge, she then rewrites the note and the information has been mixed up. Dahlback, et al. (2010), Clark and Chalmers (1998), the imagination of Otto is not as straightforward as they may think in real life. Hence external memory support in this context is of question on how information finds its way into the external memory with participant Fs memory support functions. Dahlback et al (2010) concluded that extended mind hypothesis of Clark and Chalmers had been argued in isolation, for instance the hypothesis was not looked at in a wider theoretical framework surrounding all variety of cognition. In addition, the empirical debate has been slight be being limited to a few paradigms. Consequently, they supported Clark and Chalmers, but proposed alternative theoretical framework that Activity Theory could be used to illuminate some problems brought up in the debate. Activity Theory cognition is first and foremost organism centered and biologically evident in examples alternative from Clark and Chalmers, (1998). Hutchins (1995) argued that cognition is culturally and socially processed. The Activity Theory which is derived from Vygotskys (1978) cultural historical psychology, that the human mind is essentially associated to the interaction linked to the world and the human being. According to the Activity Theory, culture may not only be external which might have power over the human mind, instead is an underlying producing power that is an element of the extraordinarily manufacture of the mind. This finding is consistent with Clarks (2010) thesis, even though they have a different idea. Vygotsky (1978) is also debated Clark and Chalmers (1998) thesis, stating that the human mind is social in nature; that people are shaped by their language, how they are construed and by their culture as well, also that human beings live in a social and communal w orld. Although they has been critics such as Adams and Aizawa (2001) claiming that there might be a crucial difference between a real extended cognitive process where some external artifact in the world is element of an actual cognitive process and process that permit some process. They ask Clark a question: Why did the pencil think that 2 + 2 =4? And Clark answered because it was coupled with a mathematician. According to Adams and Aizawa (2010) in respond to Clarks answer they stated that, there were problems with Clarks extended mind hypothesis. They stated that Clark had no right explanation of the cognitive and the coupling constitution fallacy, so they made a theory mark of the cognitive, which may well prove that cognitive processes in fact are extended. Adams and Aizawa (2001) illustrated some artifact pencil and paper, in which they explain when using pen and paper and at the same time as carry out arithmetic which is rather difficult, the individual may not be able to work out the problem when using just their head and that the person needs to pass information onto the paper. They state that the paper and pen merely permitted a little cognitive process or else may be unattainable. While Menary (2010) feels that the mark of the cognitive is too limited. Adams and Aizawa (2010) propose an explanatory work, that cognition is constituted through underlying processes that involve non-derived content. They offer this in two ways, chemistry, and physics and by psychological laws. They stated that particular psychophysical laws, like Webers law, and psychological laws central memory formation and recall. Consequently they projected that the weight of empirical evidence supports the view that, since an object is of conditional empirical fact, that there are some processes that are identifiable cognitive, which happened in the brain and cannot cross from the brain into the external world. Clark (2010) argued that Adams and Aizawas (2010) argument is not strong enough, mark of the cognition, that cognition should be noticed not by its causes, but by its effects, which means Clark is arguing for a different cognition science which is the coupling constitution fallacy. Nevertheless Adams and Aizawa (2010) believe that Clark cannot come understand the view they had that cognition is a fundamental processing concerning non-derived content. As a result their work did not provoke Clark to address the problem of the most widespread problems with extracranial and transcranial theories of tool use. According to them, Clark did not offer a response to the coupling constitution fallacy and he gives a hint at what he thinks distinguishes the cognitive from the non cognitive. In conclusion this essay has given an account of and the reasons for the widespread extended mind debate and the statement made by (Clark 2010, p. 18) that minds like ours can (without the need for any radically new techniques, technologies, or interventions) extend into the world. It is possible to state that external representation has shown an option to the classical thesis of Clark (2010) view of all cognition taking place in the head. In addition, how it can be practical to be of assistance in real-world problem solving and arrangement of tasks, hence it provides insight into the association between human internal and external worlds and the nature of the mind itself. Furthermore other researches such as Clark, 2003, Clark and Chalmers, 1998, Dennett, 1996, Donald, 1991, Hutchins 1995 (cited in Dartnall, 2005) state that, cognitive processes extend into the world when individuals use pen and paper to work something out or the use of a computer. These findings suggest that the statement made by Clark with reference to other literature on extended cognition has brought new areas to be looked into like the need of technologies. Finally, a number of important limitations need to be considered, first Adams and Aizawa (2010) (cited in Clark 2008) which were the ones who attempted to argue what was wrong with the extended mind hypothesis and Clark stated that they fall short to successfully undermine the argument for the extended mind, because it seems that everyone agreed with Clark, but also bring alternative explanations. However, Adams and Aizawa (2010) argued that Clark was not able to address their theory of the mark of the cognitive, on the other hand Clark and Chalmers attempt to tackle the pervasive coupling constitution fallacy and set out a reasonable theory of what differentiates the cognitive from the non cognitive. The statement made by Clark and Chalmers (1998) has thrown up many questions in need of further investigation with empirical evidence to support the statement.

The Spanish-American War :: American America History

The Spanish-American War During the last years of the nineteenth century, the United States would find itself involved in what John Jay, the American secretary of state, later referred to as a "splendid little war; begun with highest motives, carried on with magnificent intelligence and spirit, favored by that fortune which loves the brave." From an American standpoint, because there were few negative results, and so many significantly positive consequences, John Jay was correct in calling the Spanish-American War a "splendid little war." The defeat of the Spanish forces marked the end of their rule in the Americas and also marked the rise of the United States as a global military power. The Spanish-American War affected the United States in a number of other ways. It helped speed the construction of the Panama Canal and also resulted in the U.S.'s acquisition of foreign territories. There were also many other minor positive outcomes to the war as opposed to the few negative consequences that resulted. The Spanish-American War was the brief conflict that the United States waged against Spain in 1898. The war had grown out of the Cuban struggle for independence, and whose other causes included American imperialism and the sinking of the U.S warship Maine. The actual hostilities in the war lasted four months, from April 25 to August 12, 1898. Most of the fighting occurred in or near the Spanish colonial possessions of Cuba and the Philippines, nearly halfway around the world form each other. In both battlegrounds, the decisive military event was the complete destruction of a Spanish naval squadron by a vastly superior U.S. fleet. These victories, after brief resistance, brought about the surrender of the Spanish to U.S. military forces as indicated by a peace treaty signed between the two countries on December 10, 1898, in Paris, France. In the end, the Americans had minimal casualties, while the Spanish suffered immense fatalities and damage to their naval resources (Encyclopedia Br itannica). The Spanish-American War marked the end of Spain's colonial empire and the end of its rule in the Americas. Since the early 19th century, Americans had watched the series of revolutions that ended Spanish authority throughout South America, Central America, and Mexico. Many people in the United States, however, were irritated by the fact that the Spanish flag continued to fly in Cuba and Puerto Rico. Spain's brutal ways of putting down Cuban demands for some form of personal liberty aroused feelings of sympathy and anger among Americans (Chidsey).

Development of an Employee Training Program

The development and implementation of an appropriate Training Program for Culbreth & Associates’ new client will undergo three major phases. The three phases will include the preparatory activities, actual implementation of the training program, and post-training activities to measure the impact of the training on both organizational and participant levels. Clearly, the type of the training program that will be developed is an Employee Training Program. The specific type of program will depend on the goals of the requesting organization and the learning needs of the employees in terms of â€Å"attitudes, behaviors, competencies, or skills. † (Brady, 2005, p. 1) Thus, the training program could address a variety of concerns, from improving employee-management relationships, enhancing the work environment, improving departmental communications, or fostering cultural competence in the workplace. Preparatory Activities: Planning and Designing the Training Program The first step that will be taken in the development of the training program is to consult with the client to clarify the objectives and expectations that the organization wishes to achieve for the entire program and to determine the extent of support that the management is willing to extend to facilitate and reinforce the changes that could arise from the training. The next step will involve identifying the existing strengths and problem areas in the organization. This will be done through the conduct of training needs analysis on three levels: the organization, tasks, and the individual person/employee. Arthur, et. al. (2003) notes that a systematic needs assessment can guide and serve as the basis for the design, development, delivery, and evaluation of the training program. † (p. 236) In particular, a knowledge of organizational environment, needs, and resources vis-a-vis employee capacities would help determine the goals of the training program. McNamara (2008) suggests that â€Å"it is important that goals be designed and worded to be â€Å"SMARTER† (an acronym), that is, specific, measurable, acceptable to you, realistic to achieve, time-bound with a deadline, extending your capabilities and rewarding to you. The goals of the training will influence the kind of input needed by the participant and match the training methods to their interests and skill levels. After the data from the training needs analysis has been assessed, the training design and module development will commence. This activity will involve searching, choosing, and combining the most appropriate and most effective training strategies and activities based on identified training needs. It would also involve the formulation of the benchmarks for learning or improvement that would be used to measure and evaluate the success of the training. After the training design and module have been completed, the training program will be subjected to pre-testing activities to determine whether the content is appropriate and if it utilizes the most effective approach based on the learning needs of the participants. Training Program Implementation The actual conduct of the training program will after the training design, modules, and participant preparation have been completed. During the actual training, participants will be involved in a variety of activities, from lecture-workshops to simulation and role-playing performance designed to facilitate the necessary changes in attitudes, behaviors, and skills while building on existing strengths and knowledge. The training program will also be structured in such a way that both the trainers and participants have feedback mechanisms to improve the over-all training design and to track their progress in achieving the goals of the training. After the training, an evaluation of the training will be conducted wherein the trainer, participants, and requesting organization will assess training effectivity based on the critierias for learning that were previously developed vis-a-vis the output of the training. Post-training Activities: Training Transfer Monitoring and Evaluation The last step in the training program is the monitoring of training transfer in the actual workplace to determine the impact of the training conducted. This is important since the real effects of the training can only be measured based on positive impact on the actual work environment that can be directly attributed to the learning outcomes of the training program. (Lim & Morris, 2006, p. 85) Hence, the Human Resource Department of the client will be asked to keep records of the training goals and to conduct timely assessments of employee progress in terms of desired workplace attitude, behavior, and capabilities that could provide the basis of more intensive employee development and training programs. Works Cited: Arthur, W. Jr., Bennett, W. Jr., Edens, P. S., & S. T. Bell (2003). Effectiveness of training in organizations: a meta-analysis of design and evaluation features. Journal of Applied Psychology 88(2): 234–245. Brady, Kathleen. (2006) Designing effective training programs. NALP Bulletin. Lim, Doo Hun & Michael Lane Morris (2006). Influence of trainee characteristics, instructional satisfaction, and organizational climate on perceived learning and training transfer. Human Resource Development Quarterly 17(1): 85-115. McNamara, Carter (2008). Complete guidelines to design your training plan. Retrieved August 6, 2008 from http://www.managementhelp.org/trng_dev/gen_plan.htm

Nazi Control Over Germany

Identify Nazi opposition: 1.) Communists 2.)Social Democrats 3.)Anti Nazi teachers and University Professors 4.)Roman Catholic Church 5.)Protestant Churches 6.)Jews and other persecuted minorities (once purges started). 7.)Lander (State parliaments) 8.) trade unions How Nazis dealt with opponents? To ensure political dominance, Nazis wanted to make Germany into a one-party state. To wipe out communists, Hitler used Reichstag fire as an excuse of a â€Å"communist uprising† to disable much of the communist activities. It is to be noted that anti-communism was a major part of Hitler's ideals. Social democrats were disabled as well. Lander were allowed to exist but lost all power. Anti Nazi teachers and university professors posed the threat of spreading an anti-Nazi message. The Nazis even wanted subjects to be taught according to their principles. These people were kept in check by fear of Gestapo. Roman Catholic church was a political threat and the church also had influence over people. In 1933, Hitler signed a concordat with Pope and said Nazis will not interfere with church affairs if church stayed out of politics. However Nazis broke concordat when it dissolved catholic youth league as it was a rival to Hitler youth. Catholic schools closed down after protestations. By 1937, church conflicting with Nazis and pope Pius XI issued Encyclical saying that Nazis were â€Å"hostile to Christ and his church†. Hitler angered and 1000's of priests +nuns sent to conc. camps. Protestant churches were attempted to merge into Reich church. Failed and after protests, people sent to conc. Camps. Jews sent to conc. Camps and murdered. Trade unions banned and replaced with German labour front which reduced pay and took away right to strike How did Nazis use culture and mass media to control people? After Nazis gained power, all forms of media were controlled by Joseph Goebbels. This made sure that no anti-Nazi ideas were publicized. Jewish works were banned as part of the anti-Semitism policies. By these methods, the way the German people thought could be adjusted to the Nazis' will. Culture was used in the way of making Aryan people feel that they were a superior race. Cultural Activities of racial minorities were mostly banned so that they would have no effect on Aryan ideals. Why Nazis persecuted many groups? The Nazis had an ideology of â€Å"racial purification†, whereby only the Aryans were to be in Germany. Therefore Jews and other small races were sent to conc. Camps. Jews were also persecuted because they owned many shops and businesses (once they were removed, these jobs given to Aryans). Mentally and physically disabled people were also persecuted because the Aryan race was supposed to be â€Å"perfect†. Homosexuals were persecuted as well. Was Nazi Germany a totalitarian state? A totalitarian state is a system of govt. where there can be only one party and the people are totally devoted to the state. Nazi Germany was definitely one of these because: 1. One party state: only the national socialists allowed existing. Power taken away from Lander. 2. Civil service purged of â€Å"enemies of the state† until it was fully reliable. 3. Trade unions banned 4. Education system controlled and Nazi ideals fed into children by Hitler youth. 5. Communication and media controlled. 6. Economic control by which unemployment was reduced and Germany brought close to self sufficiency. 7. Religious control 8. People monitored by Gestapo so that if a person was anti-Nazi, he would be taken away. 9. Anti Semitism and other forms of unjustified racial discrimination.

Ballot or the Bullet Essay on Malcolm Xs Speech Essays

Ballot or the Bullet Essay on Malcolm Xs Speech Essays Ballot or the Bullet Essay on Malcolm Xs Speech Essay Ballot or the Bullet Essay on Malcolm Xs Speech Essay Colin Ransom English 12A Ms. Davis The Ballot or The Bullet-Malcolm X -Malcolm’s primary audiences were mainly African Americans. He addressed the whites and the white news media, because he felt that they played a very key and significant role in his discussion of the Ballot or the Bullet. He spoke of the whites in such an uncompromising fashion because he felt that the whites were to blame, of the oppression and struggle in the black community. Malcolm also had a very intriguing way of getting the listeners attention with his select speech and vernacular. By not flattering the audience Malcolm displayed that he was a very serious man and had no time for games in this particular discussion. He defined grounds of disagreement because he viewed the whites as the leaders of trouble in the black community. He did not agree on any decision made by the whites in the black community because he knew there was crooked and evil moral behind it that the common black man could not recognize. Malcolm was a very honest and veracious person, and because he strived to better his people in the African-American community he knew his straight forwardness and honesty had to be presented in order for them to receive the message thoroughly. They applauded him because they were all there to learn, to grown and begin on this new journey of Black Nationalism that Malcolm displayed, so when he made comments on their character that they all intended to destroy it gave them a sense of pride and joy to know someone was behind them. Malcolm knew he was a target by not only the whites, but also the world. Having a gun in his possession would only lead to more trouble his way. Malcolm preached that you shall not start any kind of trouble with the law or anyone, but if it was brought upon you, then do not turn the other cheek, but fight back for your rights as a human being. So having a gun only showed that you were looking for trouble and he in fact wasn’t. Like before Malcolm knew better than to actually start any trouble or retaliation against anyone that hadn’t directly attack him. So by outburst starting retaliation would not show he was a man of composure and strategy in his doings. Malcolm was sincere in that he never held his tongue for no one. He always told the truth in whatever it was he was doing.

Written Assignment # 3 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Written # 3 - Assignment Example The sectors are constructed with grooves and tiles, of which were symbolic of their faith. The nave being the main body of the church provided the central point to the high alter which was developed out of the apse. This architectural design resulted in the development of the Gothic Christian abbey, Romanesque, and cathedral basilica. The Abbey church of Saint- Denis is regarded as the first known Gothic structure in which Christians were able to worship. While the Hagia Sophia was a former orthodox basilica church and later became an imperial mosque. Synagogue is a derivative Hebrew word which means house of gathering. It is a housing for gathered prayer and discussions (Soltes). The five books of Moses are practiced in Judaism, the Torah, and the Jewish Bible (Soltes). They pray while facing Jerusalem and the synagogue structure is oriented to this. In the religion of Judaism, god is nonfigurative, and yet this notion is false because the district synagogues have displayed artistry. For instance, the Dura-Eurpus synagogue, one will find the Torah niche. The division of these designs provides a candelabrum of seven branches, the Menorah, a continuous Jewish art emblem. The number seven symbolizes the perfection and completion and represents the commandment of keeping the seventh day holy as stated in the Torah (Soltes). Also seen is the continuous narrative, of a chronological storyline of the life of Moses (239 A.D).The whole notion of a continuous narration is to do with the visual belief of how to exemplify the relationship b etween God and humanity (Soltes). Christians worship in churches, while Jews worship in synagogues, as the meeting point between sacred as well as profane, and between profanes and sacer. Within a synagogue, it is easy to find the western wall as it normally has a torah niche, which orients those in prayer towards Jerusalem. Architecture of the medieval Jewish synagogue differed from place to

Castle Bingo Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Castle Bingo - Essay Example ----------------------------------------------13.0 Appendices----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13.0 Castle Bingo Executive Summary The research’s finding is that there are many significant supports from each community have a concern on modernization of the active leisure of Castle Bingo and to improve the parks and open more spaces for advancements. There is a significant support for the use of council budgets to support the castle leisure services and strong and effective support for all the small increases in council tax to cater for the improved services especially for games. There seems to be general opinions for the current technology and community services about the Castle Bingo which has been an existing company based in Cardiff office for many years. The concern is on the two types of the customer that is off line based on attending clubs and on line gamers based on internet and their web sites. The findings from th e research are that Castle Bingo online web site concentrates on the information based on the club information. The current location for the main club is favored mostly especially on the by the focusing groups but their experience is expected towards the current location of the sites for the new facilities. The main concern is that the offline and online castle leisure is to focus on the effective marketing research program. Clearly, there is a feeling of the focus group members that the current contract of leisure in problem. This is perceived from the work against all the sports for all the members and the promotion including the management which is mostly concerned with the targeting group. Improving the quality of the on going centers in better location would encourage the current users on the improvement on effective marketing programs though these issues would be addressed in the management teams. Most of the people urge that the council should use its funding including the ta x from the councils to provide sports and other services in order to make the marketing research effective and efficiency. The decisions of the managers in Castle Bingo are based on the benefits of the company as a whole but not on the side of the individuals. Introduction Castle leisure researches interviewed a representative samples targeting 1000 people from the city using an agreed questionnaire. The studies were concerned with 10 locations for researcher where by the sample sizes were formulated: Sample size: this includes the sample social demographics of the data according to their ages and sex. Sample size Male and females Total 1020 15-24 Spalding 850 25-30 Long