story of the hour essays

story of the hour essays So it seems, the world is overrun by predominantly male figures, aggressively trying to out do, so to speak, the large population of frail, unintelligible women. As time permits, this formality has been a constant, just as the sun rising every morning is to this world is it necessary to claim that in fact woman exert characteristics of frailty? Or is it general consensus to say they dont know better? Most ignorance is vincible ignorance, claims Aldous Huxley, we dont know because we dont want to know. In relevance to Kate Chopins dynamic character, Mrs. Mallard, she battles with the hand of a stereotypical society in order to render lost feelings of self and individuality. In spite of what we would like to claim as equality amongst the sexes, women of our own generation can often be depicted as a typical housewife, furnished with kids and the ideal home. In the rush to produce such an image, many have overlooked the obvious truth-that this world is composed of intellectual women. Mrs. Mallard can easily be placed in a category as your typical woman. Perceived by all as weak, she isnt even given the chance to prove otherwise. Constantly reminded of her failing heart, it seems she herself has come to terms with how the world assumes her to be. If one told you enough times, would you believe it? When given the news of Mrss Mallards husbands death, it only reinforces her fragile state. She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment. The dependence on a male figure is no longer there. She feels alone, deserted and why? Because as women, we have been shaped and molded so to think we are not complete without our better half, the male. Mrs. Mall ard is left helpless, she can no longer function only exerting another weakness on her part. At last, Mrs. Mallard isolates herself. She emphasizes the delicious b...

Definition and Discussion of Graphology

Definition and Discussion of Graphology Definition ​Graphology is the study of handwriting as a means of analyzing character. Also called handwriting analysis. Graphology in this sense is not a branch of linguistics The term graphology is derived from the Greek words for writing and study. In linguistics, the term graphology is sometimes used as a synonym for graphemics, the scientific study of the customary ways in which spoken language is transcribed. Pronunciation   gra-FOL-eh-gee Examples and Observations In general, the scientific basis for graphological interpretations of personality is questionable.(Graphology. Encyclopedia Britannica, 1973) In Defense of Graphology Graphology is an old, well-studied, and well-applied projective psychological approach to the study of personality. . . . But somehow, in the United States, graphology is still often categorized as an occult or New Age subject. . . . The purpose of graphology is to examine and evaluate personality and character. Its use is comparable to assessment models such as the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator (which is widely employed in business), or other psychological testing models. And while handwriting can provide insight into the writers past and current state of mind, abilities, and compatibility with others, it cannot predict when he or she will meet a soul mate, accumulate wealth, or find peace and happiness. . . .   Though graphology is sure to meet its share of skeptics, its use has been taken seriously [for] years by many scientists and psychologists, and, most important, by some of the largest and most renowned corporations and government agencies in the world . . ..  In 1980 the Library of Congress changed the classification for graphology books from the occult section to the psychology section, officially moving graphology out of the New Age.(Arlyn Imberman and June Rifkin,  Signature for Success: How to Analyze Handwriting and Improve Your Career, Your Relationships, and Your Life. Andrews McMeel, 2003) An Opposing View: Graphology as an Assessment Tool A report published by the British Psychological Society, Graphology in Personnel Assessment (1993), concludes that graphology is not a viable means of assessing a persons character or abilities. There is no scientific evidence to support the claims of graphologists, and there is no relationship at all between what graphology predicts and subsequent performance in the workplace. This is a view endorsed by research evidence provided by Tapsell and Cox (1977). They maintain that there is no evidence to support the use of graphology in personal assessment.(Eugene F. McKenna,  Business Psychology and Organisational Behaviour, 3rd ed. Psychology Press, 2001) The Origins of Graphology Although there are some mentions of graphology as early as 1622 (Camilo Baldi, Treatise on a Method to Recognize the Nature and Quality of a Writer From His Letters), the practical origins of graphology are in the mid-19th century, based upon the work and writings of Jacques-Hippolyte Michon (France) and Ludwig Klages (Germany). It was, in fact, Michon who coined the term graphology which he used in the title of his book, The Practical System of Graphology (1871 and reprints). The origin of the term graphoanalysis is attributed to M.N. Bunker. Very simply, graphology [in law] is not Questioned Documents.  The purpose of  graphology is  to determine the character of the writer; the purpose of a questioned document examination is to determine the identity of a writer. Thus, graphologists and document examiners cannot trade jobs, since they are involved in very different skills.(Jay Levinson,  Questioned Documents: A Lawyers Handbook. Academic Press, 2001) The Promise of Graphology (1942) If taken away from fortune-tellers and given serious study, graphology may yet become a useful handmaiden of psychology, possibly revealing important traits, attitudes, values of the hidden personality. Research for medical graphology (which studies handwriting for symptoms of nervous diseases) already indicates that handwriting is more than muscular.(Handwriting as Character. Time magazine, May 25,1942)

Why New Business Start-Ups Fail Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Why New Business Start-Ups Fail - Essay Example According to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that a sound business idea is critical for the establishment of any business. Most business start-ups fail especially in their first year due to lack of a transformative idea that can be channeled into meaningful activity. When investors get ready to invest in a business, an area of concentration is on those entities that are scalable, and this decision is made based on the soundness of the ideas presented. This means that businesses that have a wide mandate in the market are never a viable option for potential investors. Investors always go for those businesses that are not general but specific with respect to some target market. To this extent, start-up businesses fail in the sense that there is no idea that that is specific to the businesses that are being established. For start-ups, the experience is a big issue given that the business entities are still new, and with no proper market survival techniques or experience needed for their sustenance. As such, quite a number have failed, without the owners acknowledging the need to have hired appropriate personnel to bridge the skill gaps. Experience in a business entity has all to do with knowing the right forecasting methods, cost structures, and resource utilization. In this sense, it becomes possible for businesses to engage in risky affairs that can lead to failure, and without adequate experience, will likely fail. Upcoming businesses should learn from failures of the former and realize that the short period served in the market is as a result of having no experience in a particular line of business.

Lease Review Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Lease Review - Assignment Example These clauses will be discussed and possible remedies for change given. One problem that may arise from the lease agreement has to do with the no pets allowed clause. This is because I own a pet that I have owned for a long time and which is a family favourite as it helps an autistic cousin who lives with us. Two types of laws, which would provide a tenant with the right to keep their pets where there is a provision against pets like this exist. One of them is local or municipal law, which holds that provisions against keeping pets are waived if the tenant keeps a pet and the landlord does not enforce the said no pet’s provision in the first 3 months in which the tenant is openly and notoriously keeping the pet in their house (Garner & Frith 38). In addition, local laws and federal laws will also allow a tenant to keep pets even where the landlord has expressly insisted on no pets allowed. Those laws prohibit discrimination against disabled people, mandating the landlord to gr ant tenants reasonable accommodation that is required for disabled persons to enjoy and use their new home (Garner & Frith 38). These laws should be used to correct the lease agreement to allow me to keep pets where there is opposition even from fellow neighbours who obey their lease agreement. While the landlord may be within his rights, these prohibitions are overridden by superseding laws. Another problem that may arise from the lease agreement is the access to the house by the landlord. While this would not be such a problem in other circumstances, keeping a pet in the house for the first three months to prevent its removal will be compromised by the landlord coming into the house when he wishes. There are very many variables to the in the definition of what reasonable access for the landlord is. What can be considered reasonable will be dependent on each individual circumstance. Standard terms will give the basis on which the correction to the lease agreement will be made (Garn er & Frith 49). These terms contend that landlords cannot access the house before 8 in the morning and after 6 in the evening, on public holidays, and on Sundays. Since the pet dog is usually in the house during these periods, the lease agreement can be changed. In addition, it can be corrected by insisting the lease agreement includes a clause that entry can only be granted where the tenant consents, there are issues of safety and health, and where urgent repairs are required during these periods. The lease agreement could also include a clause that does not allow the landlord to interfere with the tenant’s reasonable peace, privacy, or comfort (Garner & Frith 50). This will place a restriction on access the landlord may be entitled to. While the tenant is required by law to allow the landlord some access, this access may at times be in breach of the discussed clause, which the tenant is allowed to refuse. The third problem that arises from the lease agreement entails the cl ause on indemnity regarding use of premises. The problem could arise where fellow neighbors cause damages or children cause damage to neighbors’ properties together with other children living in the leased property. To ensure that this is corrected in the lease, the indemnity can be changed so that it is in the form of cross-indemnity, rather than just one way from tenant to landlord so as to

Boston Tea Party, Tea Essay Example for Free

Boston Tea Party, Tea Essay Attention Getter: You probably wouldn’t believe me if I told you that a drug that creates the same signaling activity in the brain as cocaine is sold legally on almost every street corner across the nation. This is a fact however, and the drug is caffeine. It is one of the main ingredients in coffee, and is currently the most frequently used recreational drug in the world. Establish Credibility: I personally consider myself a coffee expert, and have been drinking at least one cup of coffee almost every morning for the last three years. Relate to the audience: Now, I know not every one of you drinks coffee but as you  can tell by the multiple Dutch Bros, Starbucks, and other coffee shops around town it is a very big part of our culture today. Preview: Throughout the course of this speech, I will discuss three major points relating to coffee. First, I will give some information on the history of coffee and when it first came into human culture, followed by the positive health benefits and some of the negative health risks associated with coffee. [First of all, I’m going to talk a little bit about the historical side of coffee and how it first got popular in our culture. ] Body I. Main Point: To understand why coffee is such a big part of modern day society, we must first understand where it originated. A. Sub-point: Coffee was first cultivated on the Arabian Peninsula in the 15th century. 1. Supporting details: Not only were the Arab’s the first to cultivate coffee, but they also were the first to trade coffee. 2. By the 16th century, the popularity of coffee was already expanding and Persia, Egypt, Syria and Turkey all had discovered about the amazing beverage. Sub-point: By the 17th century coffee was still gaining notoriety around  the world, however it was still not a household favorite as it as today. 1. Supporting Details: Coffee houses started sprouting up everywhere in the 1700’s, however tea was still the most popular drink around. 2. In 1773 a heavy tax on tea was inflicted by King George, which led to a pretty famous revolt called The Boston Tea Party. 3. Since people couldn’t afford tea after the tax, coffee quickly took over as the most popular morning beverage across the world, and remains the most popular today. Although coffee has been drank for hundreds of years, the majority of its health  benefits have only recently been discovered in the last few decades. ] II. Main Point: The majority of people drink coffee just to get through each day, however it does have many positive benefits to your health. A. Sub-point: Within just the last few years alone there has been research done showing that coffee may protect against type 2 diabetes, liver cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. 1. Supporting details: According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, liver cancer is the ninth leading cause of cancer and coffee has been shown to reduce risk of liver cancer by 40%. 2. Drinking coffee reduces the risk of diabetes as well, which is a common risk factor of liver cancer. B. Sub-point: One of the other medical uses of coffee is in preventing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. 1. Supporting details: The most common neurodegenerative disease and number 1 cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s. 2. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, however it has been shown that coffee drinkers have up to a 65% lower risk of getting the disease. [You might be thinking coffee is a miracle drink after some of those statistics, however it also has many negative effects on health as well. ] III. Main Point: There are a great deal of health issues that can result from drinking coffee, with some of the most common being addiction, insomnia and increased blood pressure. A. Sub-point: As a college student, one of the last things you will ever want to experience is insomnia, but it is a regular side effect of coffee. 1. Supporting details: By blocking certain receptors in the brain, coffee prevents chemicals that induce sleep from being used. B. Sub-point: Another widely studied effect of coffee, specifically caffeine, is how addictive it is. 1. Supporting details: Caffeine stimulates the central nervous  system and regular use will result in a physical dependence. 2. If a regular coffee drinker doesn’t have their daily cup, they will feel fatigued, irritable, and experience headaches within the first 24 hours. Conclusion 1. Transition Signal: In conclusion, coffee isn’t for everyone but if you do choose to consume it, you at least now know how it affects you. 2. Summary of Main Points: Throughout this speech we looked at how coffee first gained popularity in the human race, some of it’s positive health benefits as well as some of the negatives. 3. Call to Action: Even if you’ve never been a fan of coffee, try drinking a cup  before your next study session and see if you still don’t like it. 4. Memorable end: Although it may be addicting and cause serious potential health problems, there must be something special about coffee considering over half of adults in the U. S. drink it daily. References: 1) Coffee Acts Just like Cocaine, Says Scientist. BeverageDaily. com. Beverage Daily, 02 Sept. 2002. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. 2) Goldschein, Eric. 11 Incredible Facts About The Global Coffee Industry. Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 14 Nov. 2011. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. 3) Gunnars, Kris. 13 Proven Health Benefits of Coffee Authority Nutrition. N. p. , n. d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. 4) The History Of Coffee. National Coffee Association. NCA, n. d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. 5) Stromberg, Joseph. This Is How Your Brain Becomes Addicted to Caffeine. Smithsonian. N. p. , 9 Aug. 2013. Web. 11 Nov. 2014. 6) Van Dam, Rob. Ask the Expert: Coffee and Health. The Nutrition Source. Harvard School of Public Health, n. d. Web. 09 Nov. 2014. 7) Weber, Belinda. Coffee Consumption Cuts Liver Cancer Risk. Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 22 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. .

Letter Written By MLK From Birmingham City Jail, Alabama :: essays research papers

My Dear Fellow Clergymen: While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities "unwise and untimely." Seldom do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work. But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I want to try to answer your statements in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms. I think I should indicate why I am here In Birmingham, since you have been influenced by the view which argues against "outsiders coming in." I have the honor of serving as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization operating in every southern state, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. We have some eighty-five affiliated organizations across the South, and one of them is the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. Frequently we share staff, educational and financial resources with our affiliates. Several months ago the affiliate here in Birmingham asked us to be on call to engage in a nonviolent direct-action program if such were deemed necessary. We readily consented, and when the hour came we lived up to our promise. So I, along with several members of my staff, am here because I was invited here I am here because I have organizational ties here. But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. left their villages and carried their "thus saith the Lord" far beyond the boundaries of their home towns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco-Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid. Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.

Creative Play Essay

Creative development is provided within settings through role play, music, dance and messy activities. Creativity can stem to a range of other things to, such as problem solving, knowledge and understanding of the world, Personal social and emotional development and physical development. When creative activities are set out for children they can gain a great deal of satisfaction and it can increase the child’s confidence and self esteem. Children do not necessarily have an end product in mind but they may just want to explore and enjoy the creative materials they are using. Children are learning all the time and we as practitioners need to make learning fun and enjoyable. It is important that we provide enough opportunities for children to develop creatively we can do this by providing resources that they may not have access to at home and offering support in exploring these materials. As practitioners we are good observers and reflectors and should encourage children to reflect on their experiences to. From children’s reflections you can then look at where an activity should go next and how you can adapt that activity to support the individual child’s learning. Children can learn from as young as newborn. They begin to learn skills such as grasp, facial expression, textures, smells and sounds. The first sign of a child’s creativity begins with exploring sounds and listening to familiar voices around them. They may link these sounds to key people such as their parents, siblings, grandparents or carers. The process of a newborn is to become familiar with its surroundings and to sense a gain of belonging. They can gain this from bonding with its parents. As the child gets older they begin to learn new skills and have more opportunities in which they are able to explore. They become more inquisitive and like to have free flow of activities within the setting they are in and practitioners need to encourage them to explore the surroundings without taking charge of their play. For babies we offer opportunities for them to explore a wide range of materials and resources such as musical and light toys and natural ‘holistic’ objects such as brushes, wool, saucepans, utensils, wood, sponges and a range of different textured fabrics. Babies use the senses to acquire the skills of play they explore by using their hands and eyes. Children gradually learn to understand the properties of the objects that they played with – whether they are hard or soft, or big or small; whether the have a ight or a wrong way up; whether their shape changes or stays the same; whether they taste or smell good, and so on. Babies learn so much from exploratory play and we as practitioners provide them with a safe and secure place to do this. We let the children take risks which they may not be able to do at home such as having out blunt cutlery, pasta and other exciting and interesting objects in which they can play with and learn from. Children are more likely to l earn through play if you make it exciting for them and you help in supporting their play. When supporting children within their play you should aim to provide minimum intervention in children’s play activities while keeping them safe from harm. You should support rather than direct their play and help create a play environment that will stimulate their self directed play and provide maximum opportunities for them to experience a wide variety of activities. You can show support within children’s play by providing flexible planning and enable them to choose from a broad range of play opportunities both indoors and outdoors. You should support their play by giving the child a choice of whether or not they wish to be involved in the play activity. By giving the child plenty of space to play especially when they are taking part in physical and imaginative play and to provide challenging play opportunities to avoid boredom; risk taking is part of the enjoyment of play. Creative play allows children to express their feelings through art, music, role play, singing and story telling. It is important that as practitioners we introduce new concepts of play to children in order to expand on their existing knowledge. When supporting a child in creative play practitioners should not stress that they are to produce an end product, and that there is no competition to who produces the best piece of work as children develop at different levels and stages. Practitioners should support the fact that the child has had a learning experience whether they have just explored the resources and materials or they have reached the end product. All children should be praised for the efforts they have made and feel pride in what they have achieved and learnt and we should support children in not being disappointed in their efforts of creative play. Children’s creative development is broken down into 4 sections these are responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, exploring media and materials, Creating music and dance and developing imagination and imaginative play. Children need the opportunity to explore and investigate and have a sound knowledge of where they want to go in life. Creativity can give your child a chance to experience and develop new skills and sharing their knowledge and skills with others It is a way in which children explore and develop an understanding of the world. Through creative play children develop social, material, and imaginary worlds and their relationships with them, they elaborate all the while a flexible range of responses to the challenges that they may encounter. Creativity plays a part in all the learning areas within the foundation stage for example; Personal, social and emotional development, creativity builds upon a child’s curiosity and encourages a positive approach to new experiences.

BreadTalk Group Limited Essay

The BreadTalk Group Limited has rapidly globalized into 16 countries such as Singapore, China, Hong Kong, South Korea and the Middle East(http://www. breadtalk. com/ourbrand-bt. html Our Presence,2012). It is well known for its bakery, restaurant and food atrium, and this compromises of BreadTalk, Toast Box, The Icing Room, Din Tai Fung, RamenPlay, Carl’s Jr China, and Food Republic. Being founded in 2000, the young company has achieved numerous awards which includes the Singapore Prestige Brand Award in 2011(http://www. breadtalk. com/brand-accolades. tml Brand Accolades, 2012). The Group has a global network of over 400 bakery outlets, with a strength of more than 6000 employees, as well as operating 11 Michelin Star Din Tai Fung restaurants in Singapore and Thailand, and over 30 award winning Food Republic food atriums in Singapore, PRC, Hong Kong and Malaysia. The household brand is founded by the Chairman George Quek Meng Tong, who was appointed to the board in 2003, and re-elected in 2010. Being very experience in food and beverage industry since 1982(http://www. breadtalk. com/board-of-directors. tml, Chairman,2012), he started the bakery business with BreadTalk Private Limited and bought it to list on the Singapore Exchange Limited in 2003. The Group made an average revenue of $333, 000, 000 and a profit of $11, 450, 000 between 2010 and 2011. With an available financial asset of $911, 000 at the end of 2011, the BreadTalk Group has a promising future, with the addition of rapid growth of franchising network in Asia Pacific region (http://www. breadtalk. com/franchising. html, our presence, 2012). Today, organizations and firms have to keep changing and adapting to the global shift (R .  Gomez-Mejia, 2012, page 56) to stay competitive in the industry. And this is because the general environment is always moving, and these dimensions – Demographic, economic, political or legal, sociocultural, technological and global – always influences the industry and firms. These segments are uncontrollable and thus, in order to stay competitive, the BreadTalk Group gathers information required to understand each segments and plan a strategy that can be implemented to tackle environmental changes like demographics in China, global consumer preference, threat of new entrant, nd management across cultures. In recent years, firms are venturing into China’s market due to its huge population of least 6. 8 billion (Worldbank, 2012) , and is seen as a driver of growth for BreadTalk Group. In Boston Consulting Group’s Growth-Share Matrix (R. Gomez-Mejia,2012 page 235), BreadTalk Group is a â€Å"Star† that earnings is growingly stable and high, with cash flow that is not negative. And thus, is to invest and grow. By purchasing an existing presence in China, Food Republic, BreadTalk was able to reap benefits from low setup cost, as well as to observe the consumers’ behaviors in China. Up to date, BreadTalk has already spread into 32 cities of China, and outnumbers Singapore with 20 food courts, 3 Carl’s Jr fast food restaurants, 3 Ramen Play restaurants, and 184 Bakery outlets. The BreadTalk Group plans to grow aggressively in the market as â€Å"China currently accounts for about a third of BreadTalk’s revenue† (Themalaysian insider, 2010), and by establishing most of its presence in Beijing and Shanghai, BreadTalk has took advantage of the rising income which led to higher expenditure in consumers. Thus, the demographic environment of China, has boost BreadTalk Group’s revenue, as well as being a large market for it to expand, unlike in Singapore where brands are very saturated . The BreadTalk Group tackles global consumer tastes and preferences very well even though it changes as time goes by. It has a very strong branding and has a very standardized layout. For example, each BreadTalk is designed with the same clear glass concept, and â€Å"see through† kitchens which conveys their bakery as fresh and artistic while Food Republic holds a more nostalgic style of a Chinese village and Toast Box is designed with a more warm atmosphere of local Nanyang coffee shops in the 60s and 70s(http://www. breadtalk. com/ourbrand-tb. html, our brands 2012). Thus, by standardizing the layouts of the brands in BreadTalk Group, the Group has saved cost on the tedious process of customizing to local conditions as well as creating a strong brand through its unique layouts. Although the BreadTalk Group holds a very strong branding, the barriers to entry to food and beverage industry is very low. And thus, the threat of new entrants is very high as they can threaten the market share. Likewise in BreadTalk, existing competitors such as Bengawan Solo, Crystal Jade My Bread, Imperial Kitchen, as well as many neighborhood bakery stores that are located all over the countries, shows a threat to BreadTalk as they are sharing the same market of consumers. Being a big company, BreadTalk faces risk of new entrants as new comer can learn from existing companies and create a similar or even a better concept. With an extra competitor, unless the demand for BreadTalk bakery increases, the revenue will fall. Thus, it is very important for BreadTalk Group to keep innovating and moving to survive against many competitors. Lastly, the management across cultures is also an environmental factor that affects BreadTalk Group as it shapes the consumers’ preferences and tastes. For example, the highest selling bun in BreadTalk is the â€Å"Pork Floss Bun†( http://www. breadtalk. com/franchising. html,more bread business, 2012), however in Malaysia, the Muslim law does not allow Malays to consume pork, and thus, it is taken out of the choices. BreadTalk also follow themes and trends in countries, like creating the Obunma bun during Obama’s elections, and the â€Å"Peace Panda Buns† after the Sichuan earthquake in 2008, to raise social awareness to donate and help the affected people in the earthquake. Through connecting to cultures of different country, the BreadTalk Group not only holds a social responsible frontier, it also caters to the taste and preferences of different cultures and thus, able to attract many consumers. Besides the above factors, economic and cultural environment affects the business in BreadTalk Group as well. BreadTalk Group is now facing the rising of labor cost and inflation in China, and these are unpredictable to how much it will affect the profits. With the cost of goods sold attributing to nearly 30% of sales(http://breadtalk. istedcompany. com/financials. html, financials 2012), an inflation will cause an increase in the cost of goods sold nearer to its gross margins. Likewise in China, the government has gradually increased wages and might continue to do so. And this will increase the expenses of BreadTalk Group, leading to a decrease in the profits. Although some companies could retrench, but BreadTalk Group needs the human capital and thus, could only adjust its raw materials cost by buying forward, and negotiating contracts in bulk and then purchase at the best price available. By doing so, the cost of sales would be reduced and the Group will be more efficient. The BreadTalk Group holds a low power distance, goals achieving culture, and uses a justice approach. For example, BreadTalk strives to have high and consistent standards of products to their customers. Employees will under-go hands on training on various outlets to make sure that they have a formal entrance to the organization and thus, would not face a cultural shock(R. Gomez-Mejia, 2012 page 66). BreadTalk also emphasizes on team-building by organizing team building trips and activities for its employees. By doing so, employees will interact and understand each other, as well as building bonds that enhances teamwork, boosting effectiveness of the team. In BreadTalk, employees are also encourages to think uniquely and are treated fairly, and thus, managers are required to develop a service culture and all these are to achieve an increase customer’s loyalty. Planning is essential for a company and this is one of the four management functions. Through planning, BreadTalk is able to make action plans on how to expand further into China, as well as allocating its resources to different regions. Through the experience of Food Republic in PRC, BreadTalk was able to capture consumer trends and thus, making use of the core competencies of knowing how to make bakery that attracts PRC nations. Planning is beneficial to BreadTalk as it can excess the external forces as mentioned above, as well as develop a sense of direction and purpose of â€Å"innovation† in both managers and employees. One method of planning is the â€Å"SWOT† analysis, which allows BreadTalk to see its strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats. However, planning has to be continuous and capable of adapting to change. And this can be seen in BreadTalk taking a major internal review of paving a future growth, by dividing into 3 divisions – Bakery, Food Atrium, and Restaurants, and inviting 3 new CEOs(http://www. breadtalk. com/message-shareholder. html, consolidating long term growth, 2012) to handle each division. With such willingness to change, the senior management would function more effectively. Forward planning can also be seen in the upcoming headquarters of BreadTalk Group in Paya Lebar Singapore, which will involve all its brands, logistics, training center, departments, and a common ground for staff all over the world to gather at. BreadTalk Group holds a geographical organization which allows the Group to focus on customer needs that may vary by geographic region of Asean region and China region. And then its further diversify into Bakery, Food Atrium and Restaurants. Through this method, the senior management bench will be deepened, and thus, it can strengthen the strategic focus of BreadTalk Group and allow it to execute plans more effectively. All brands under each segment will be managed in totality. This also provides the platform for each brand to be specially positioned based on its unique brand strategy and especially in view of expansion into the region. One of the strategy that BreadTalk Group holds is sharing the set up cost. This can be seen in NEX Serangoon Singapore, whereby a few brands are set up together in a high human traffic area. Thus, competitors can be minimized, as well as saving cost by renting locations in â€Å"bulk†.

Prehistoric Stone Tools Categories and Terms

Prehistoric Stone Tools Categories and Terms Stone tools are the oldest surviving type of tool made by humans and our ancestorsthe earliest date to at least 1.7 million years ago. It is very likely that bone and wooden tools are also quite early, but organic materials simply dont survive as well as stone. This glossary of stone tool types includes a list of general categories of stone tools used by archaeologists, as well as some general terms pertaining to stone tools. General Terms for Stone Tools Artefact (or Artifact): An artifact (also spelled artefact) is an object or remainder of an object, which was created, adapted, or used by humans. The word artifact can refer to almost anything found at an archaeological site, including everything from landscape patterns to the tiniest of trace elements clinging to a potsherd: all stone tools are artifacts. Geofact: A geofact is a piece of stone with seemingly human-made edges that resulted from naturally broken or eroded, as opposed to one that was broken by purposeful human actions. If artifacts are products of human behaviors, geofacts are products of natural forces. Distinguishing between artifacts and geofacts can be tricky. Lithics: Archaeologists use the (slightly ungrammatical) term lithics to refer to all  artifacts made of stone. Assemblage: Assemblage refers to the entire collection of artifacts recovered from a single site. An artifact assemblage for an 18th century shipwreck might include artifact groups such as arm s, navigational equipment, personal effects, stores; one for a Lapita village might include stone tools, shell bracelets, and ceramics; one for an Iron Age village might include iron nails, fragments of bone combs and pins. Material Culture:  Ã‚  Material culture is used in archaeology and other anthropology-related fields to refer to all the corporeal, tangible objects that are created, used, kept and left behind by past and present cultures. Chipped Stone Tool Types A chipped stone tool is one that was made by flint knapping. The tool maker worked a piece of chert, flint, obsidian, silcrete or similar stone by flaking off pieces with a hammerstone or an ivory baton. Arrowheads / Projectile Points: Most people exposed to American western movies recognize the stone tool called an arrowhead, although archaeologists prefer the term projectile point for anything other than a stone tool fixed to the end of a shaft and shot with an arrow. Archaeologists prefer to use projectile point to refer to any object affixed to a pole or stick of some kind, which has been fashioned for use as a weapon, out of stone, metal, bone, or other material. One of the oldest tools of our sad race, the projectile point was (and is) primarily used to hunt animals for food; but was also used to fend off enemies of one sort or another. Handaxes: Handaxes, often referred to as Acheulean or Achuelian handaxes, are the oldest recognized formal stone tools, used between 1.7 million and 100,000 years ago. Crescents: Crescents (sometimes called lunates) are moon-shaped chipped stone objects which are found fairly rarely on Terminal Pleistocene and Early Holocene (roughly equivalent to Preclovis and Paleoindian) sites in the Western United States. Blades: Blades are chipped stone tools which are always at least twice as long as they are wide with sharp edges on the long edges. Drills/Gimlets: Blades or flakes which have been retouched to have pointed ends may be drills or gimlets: they are identified by the usewear on the working end and are often associated with bead making. Chipped Stone Scrapers Scrapers: A scraper is a chipped stone artifact that has been purposefully shaped with one or more longitudinal sharp edges. Scrapers come in any number of shapes and sizes, and may be carefully shaped and prepared, or simple a pebble with a sharp edge. Scrapers are working tools, made to help clean animals hides, butcher animal flesh, process plant material or any number of other functions. Burins: A burin is a scraper with a steeply notched cutting edge. Denticulates: Denticulates are scrapers with teeth, that is to say, small notched edges that protrude out. Turtle-Backed Scrapers: A turtle backed scraper is a scraper that in cross-section looks like a turtle. One side is humped like a turtles shell, while the other is flat. Often associated with animal hideworking. Spokeshave: A spokeshave is a scraper with a concave scraping edge Ground Stone Tool Types Tools made from ground stone, such as basalt, granite and other heavy, coarse stones, were pecked, ground and/or polished into useful shapes. Adzes: An adze (sometimes spelled adz) is a wood-working tool, similar to an axe or hachet. The shape of the adze is broadly rectangular like an axe, but the blade is attached at a right-angle to the handle rather than straight across. Celts (Polished Axes): A celt is a small axe, often beautifully finished and used to shape wooden objects. Grinding Stones: A grinding stone is a stone with a carved or pecked or ground indentation in which domesticated plants such as wheat or barley or wild ones such as nuts and were ground into flour. Making a Stone Tool Flint Knapping: Flint knapping is the process by which stone (or lithics tools were and are today made. Hammerstone: A hammerstone is the name for an object used as a prehistoric hammer, to create percussion fractures on another object. Debitage: Debitage [pronounced in English roughly DEB-ih-tahzhs] is the collective term used by archaeologists to refer to the sharp-edged waste material left over when someone creates a stone tool (knaps flint). Hunting Technology Atlatl: The atlatl is a sophisticated combination hunting tool or weapon, formed out of a short dart with a point socketed into a longer shaft. A leather strap hooked at the far end allowed the hunter to fling the atlatl over her shoulder, the pointed dart flying off in a deadly and accurate manner, from a safe distance.

Linear Parent Functions (Algebra Help)

Linear Parent Functions (Algebra Help) In Algebra Functions, a function is described as a set of data that has one distinct output (y) for each input (x). A function also describes the relationship between inputs (x) and outputs (y). As a testament to the various patterns between x and y, several types of functions exist. Algebraic Functions LinearAbsolute ValueQuadraticExponentialTrigonometricRationalLogarithmic Each type of Algebraic function is its own family and possesses unique traits. If you want to understand the characteristics of each family, study its parent function, a template of domain and range that extends to other members of the family. This article focuses on the linear parent function. Linear Parent Function Characteristics The equation of the linear parent function is y x. Refer to Linear Parent Function for the graph of y x. Domain: All real numbers Range: All real numbersThe slope, or rate of change, is constant. Linear Function Flips, Shifts, and Other Tricks Family members have common and contrasting attributes. If your dad has a big nose, then you probably have one as well. Nonetheless, just as you are different from your parents, so is a subsequent function different from its parent. Note: Any changes to the equation will alter the graph. Vertical Shiftsy x1The graph shifts up 1 unit. y x-4The graph shifts down 4 units. Changes in Steepnessy 3xThe graph becomes steeper. y  ½xThe graph becomes flatter. Negative Influencey  The graph flips and slopes downward, instead of upward. (See Calculate a Negative Slope.)

China Investments. What makes china an attractive location for inward Essay

China Investments. What makes china an attractive location for inward direct investment by multinational enterprises - Essay Example 2007, p. 400). With this in mind, this has provided capital for the companies to expand even further as there is a steady flow of funds, and the only direction of the company is forward. This is evidenced by the lack of good performance by Chinese companies that are enlisted in the local stock market, whereas those that go to foreign markets have a better performance (Liao 1998). This is to mean that the availability of capital to invest in China is part of its main reasons that it is attractive to foreign investors as their investments can be guaranteed to have returns. In addition, there is plenty of capital in China, but without vehicles to see that the capital is used in constructive projects, there are increased investments as the capital resources are more than the investments available. This is to mean that the country is strategically placed to receive direct investment by multinational firms that want to benefit from the funds available, as well as the resources found there. With little investments going on, there are plenty of opportunities and funds that are unexplored, creating the need for foreign investors to come in and create partnerships with the existing firms and capital holders in order to drive the economy forward, as well as have the funds released as part of a joint venture. Competitiveness Competition in China is a major contributor of the attractiveness of the Chinese business appeal in that the industries and businesses found in China thrive based on tight competition. This is so because of the dynamics of technological innovations that keep investors and businesses on their toes. As such, each investment needs to keep growing lest it is phased out due to being conservative and sticking to conventional means of handling business. The attractive aspect, therefore, lies in the competition, where different firms working in the same sector compete against each other to stay afloat, which are a healthy form of competition to keep the econom y of the country running (Tung-lung & Weichun 2011, p. 153). In addition, the contribution of competition in the business environment of China for investors is brought about by foreign direct investment. This is done through new investment that uses the above strategic information to ensure that the available capital is put to good use. As such, new businesses compete against older ones as the new ones have an edge owing to technological innovations, while the older ones have an edge based on their experience. This is the perfect environment for any business that wants to grow from scratch and make a name for itself as they all need to evolve and adapt to new requirements and technologies, which makes China a dynamic economy and which is an attractive feature for multinationals seeking to establish new investments. Apart from this, there are numerous malpractices in China that act as a magnet for foreign investors and multinationals to set up their businesses. This is because there are illegal practices in China that are only practiced in that country and not anywhere else, which makes the country more competitive than the rest in the global economy. The country has an intricate web of illegal subsidies that range from land, capital and utilities to tax breaks that other countries cannot compete with. This makes the country very appealing in terms of its practices that see investors flock into the country. Competition goes again as far as innovative measures to overcome foreign competition, where there are incentives such as those that see the American market receive more goods from China than those that go into China from the United States. This is an attempt to see to it that competitors in America