My Personal Career Plan - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 2 Words: 512 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2019/03/11 Category Career Essay Level High school Tags: Career Plan Essay Did you like this example? Database from the Engineers Board of Kenya Database from the Engineers Board of Kenya shows that there are 1,848 registered professional engineers, 393 registered consulting engineers and 12,130 graduate engineers. This highlights the critical need for capacity building and knowledge transfer to the younger generation of professionals in the engineering practice with requisite skills to develop well trained personnel to successfully manage the sector. I aim to be a registered professional engineer within the next three years, thus, facilitate and provide experiential training to graduate engineers on road design, construction, rehabilitation, maintenance, and contract administration aspects of projects through mentorship and supervisory roles.. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "My Personal Career Plan" essay for you Create order The skills will also be applicable in increasing mobility and enhancing connectivity between resources, processing points and terminal markets especially in Kenya’s Expansion of Roads Programme aimed to construct and rehabilitate national and county roads network. This will go a long way in achieving sustainable national development through adequately trained professionals. There is demand to research and develop cost effective road construction and maintenance alternatives to the traditional methods and materials. Kenya is one of the countries identified by DFID funded African Community Access Programme (AfCAP) to deliver safe and sustainable access to rural communities through developing new design standards for low volume sealed roads. The skills acquired from my proposed study would equip me with the ability to promote uptake and update of research findings amongst road practitioners, collaborate and partner in transport research within the region and innovate home grown solutions for our local pavements. This will lay the foundation for deliberate efforts and cost effective operations in developing improved designs and standards for road construction and maintenance to support the country’s socio economic development. According to Economic Survey 2018, road projects across the country have breached ideal cost ceilings. I aspire to serve an advisory role to the national government on key urban transport issues and in developing policy recommendations. This will involve undertaking research and formulating policy alternatives. My first objective would be developing an urban form framework that encourages the use of public transport and non-motorised modes of travel which will have the effect of reducing reliance on personal motor vehicles. This will reduce congestion and vehicle emissions as we integrate sustainable development goal (SDG). My second objective would be creating a shift towards transit oriented development that integrates land use and transport planning through development around public transport stations and terminals. This will involve working with senior officials from concerned agencies and departments to create a unified transport and land use plan for metropolitan areas. The UK will be funding the development of Lamu Port city master plan bringing in urban planners, environmental experts and infrastructure planners. I hope to be among the team working on the cities that will benefit from the Ksh 8 billion modernisation fund. Conclusion Ultimately, I desire to be in charge of implementing road policies in relation to national roads and planning the development and maintenance of national roads. This would be highly relevant to Kenya as we are undergoing massive infrastructural development for achievement of Kenya’s development blueprint Vision 2030.

The Effect Of Online Recruitment - 893 Words

Comparing Sections One and Two, we can see that the effect of online recruitment is well reflected. Recruitment, as a significant function in HRM (Unadkat, 2015) is a two-way process (Redman and Wilkinson, 2013) in which companies can select employees, but also employees can select companies. Therefore, the employer brand is important for a company. A fast and effective recruitment method can be very good to enhance the employer brand. Online recruitment’s timeliness helps companies complete the recruitment task quickly and efficiently. In the case studies, Boots’ recruiting campaigns were completed 3 months earlier than usual from start to finish, and River Island used online recruiting to fill all the vacancies in a new store within 9 days. This proves that online recruitment is very effective to save time. Although the terms ‘recruitment’ and ‘selection’ are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. Whitehill (1991) describes recruitment as ‘positive’, ‘building a roster of potentially qualified applicants’, while selection is ‘negative’, as there is a need to eliminate unsuitable applicants (Whitehill, 1991). This means that recruitment is focused more on the quantity and quality of applicants, while selection is focused on suitability. The main goal of recruitment is to provide a sufficient number of high quality candidates for enterprises to choose the right people to fill vacancies (Dowling and Schuler, 1990). The online system has proved suitable for theShow MoreRelatedEmployee Retention And Turnover Rate1660 Words   |  7 Pagesorganization to retain its employees has two-fold implications. Organizations that retain their high performers are bound to be successful in performance and at the same time avoid expenses that are incurred in advertisement of vacant positions, recruitment and selection, induction and training new employees that follow and employee lost (Okioga, 2012). Individuals do not often make snap turnover decisions. Rather, they progress through a series of decision stages that occur, over time, in a more orRead MoreAn Organization Strategic Business Plan1284 Words   |  6 Pagesthose organizations that their strategy is well integrated with human resource recruitment and planning, tend to have human resource competitive advantage. In the following part, the discussion would cover the practices recognized in literature in regards to recruitment and selection processes as job analysis, recruitment and selection. in respect to this, it would be reasonable to first, thoroughly explain the recruitment and selection procedure which encompasses a number of inter connected and relatedRead MoreSaskatchewan doctor shortages: Humanism vs. Structuralism1654 Words   |  7 Pagesinitiates to help attract more physicians to Saskatchewan (â€Å"Physician Recruitment,†2010). The government signed new contracts with emergency rooms doctors in hope that higher salaries will help recruit more physicians (â€Å"Saskatchewan ER,† 2013). The expected salaries range from about 300,000 to 400,0000 yearly (â€Å"Saskatchewan ER,† 2013). The government has also committed a total of 3.5 million dollars to a new strategy (â€Å"Physician Recruitment†, 2010). Government grants also seemed to be a new and innov ativeRead MoreRecruitment Strategy At Hitec International1644 Words   |  7 Pages Recruitment Strategy at HiTec International Report Report Overview This report has been produced for HiTec International, it will examine the current recruitment strategy of HiTec International, address the existing issues within the recruitment infrastructure and propose recommendations to improve recruitment within the organisation while remaining competitive on cost. Company Background HiTec International specialises in the provision of computer hardware and software ‘solutuions’ to corporateRead MoreMy Personality Traits : Perseverance And Time Management1646 Words   |  7 PagesSelf-reported data on time spent and perceived quality for identified recruitment activities 2. Feedback from two individuals who worked closely during the process The self-reported data pointed to the fact that reporting and tracking the data in itself caused a rise in quality of my recruitment activities. The feedback pointed to the fact I was perceived to be above average for both the traits. I realize that intervention effects are strong enough to change behaviors. On a professional and personalRead MoreHrm: Contribution1703 Words   |  7 Pagesa two major HR process:(1) employee recruitment and selection (2)Performance appraisal. In order to support the article, in the following part, we will mention some real case. The article is structured as follows: first explaining the contribution of e-HRM to the HR recruitment part, second we will focus on the performance appraisal. The article will finishes with conclusion and the discussion part. Contribution of e-HRM to the Recruitment Recruitment is the process of attracting the potentialRead MoreHr Planning1554 Words   |  7 Pagespossible expected difficulties. Forward planning will enable the two companies developing and implementing successful approaches in relation with: * Recruitment * Selection * Induction * Training * Retraining * Career progression * Development A good plan will help McDonalds’: * Evaluate future recruitments needed as McDonalds’ is increasingly expanding (franchise) and actually have more than 30,000 restaurants in more than 120 countries around the world. Read MoreThe Role of Recruitment and Selection Essay1280 Words   |  6 Pagesthat includes Recruitement and selection- two major subjects in the HRM function which concerns people and their way to a job for them.This essay will treat and discuss these two topics, recruitment and selection and their importance to the HRM function. Recruitment Job advertisements is a form of recruitment and can be done through several ways for instance through the internet, newspapers, jobcentres etc. (Foot and Hook, 2008). According to Armstrong, M., (2009).The aim is to attract plenty ofRead MoreRole Of Using Agencies During The Recruitment Process Essay1442 Words   |  6 Pageselements of recruitment, particularly for attracting top talent. The use of new media/technology to recruit is also increasing CIPD (2015).This shows a trend of using agencies during the recruitment are become more popular between different organizations. The research report shows that â€Å"Recruitment difficulties over three-quarters of organisations that had attempted to fill vacancies experienced recruitment difficulties in the last year, regardless of sector† CIPD (2015). Thus recruitment agenciesRead MoreImportance of Selection of Sales People1324 Words   |  6 PagesDiscuss the importance of recruitment and selection of sales people. What are so me of the problems associated with selecting the wrong person for the job? Sales people are the front line of many businesses in the sales division. If a business has a shop front where customers come and have to inquire about potential purchases, current purchases or prior purchases then more often than not a salesperson is their first port of call. While it may appear that technology and self service are up and coming

Street Car Named Desire By Williams Essay Example For Students

Street Car Named Desire By Williams Essay A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams, is a very worldly play thatcontains issues from life; a guilty feeling of abandonment, the anger andfrustration between two complete opposites, and the violation of a rape. Ithappens in New Orleans where there are many different races. Blanche DuBois,loses her ancestral home, Belle Reve, and her teaching position as a result ofpromiscuity. With expectations for the new life, she moves in with her pregnantsister Stella and her brutish husband, Stanley Kowalski. Throughout the play, wecan distinguish many difference between Blanche and Stella. Although they comefrom the same noble and aristocratic family,their philosophies of life aredistinct and lead them to different roads. Blanche is a highly vulnerable, aswell as neurotic, woman living in a world of boozy self deception. She isintelligent, yet prefers magic over realism. She puts too much emphasis on hermanners and appearance. She demands to be seen for what she wished to be, rathert han what she really is.This is the reason for the paper lanterns and constantbathing she is creating her world of illusion. A complite opposite of Blanchis Stella.Unlike her sister, she is a passive and gentle woman. She is fiveyears younger than Blanche, about 25, and has been submissive to her for herentire life. After marrying Stanley, she is forced to join the lower class,endure her husbands bad temper, and be obedient to him. Blanche is not acompromising person who can adapt to changes. Moreover, I think she is afraid ofalterations and denies facing the reality (ex. she is afraid of losing herproperties, her youth and beauty, etc.). She feels very uncertain about the newworld and tries to persist in her own way of behavior and thinking, since thatis how she has been educated: to be a lady. Stella is the connecting figure totwo different worlds- the supposed royalty world of Blanche DuBois and the morecommon world of Stanley Kowalski. Blanche and Stanley both attempt to influen ceher, and they succeed to a degree. Stella still has many of the qualitiesinstilled in her at Belle Reve, yet she does not let that get in the way of herhaving some fun. As she is so entangled between two completely opposite worlds,she is stuck and eventually forced to side with one of the two. Both sistersstand in the opposite positions to Stanley. Blanche is more sensible about hisviolence than Stella is.We can distinguish this difference in the late of Scene3. When Stanley beats Stella, she returnes to him soon. In the next morning,Blanche has a quarrel with Stella. She thinks Stanleys behavior cant be put upwith, and she suggests Stella to find another man who could suit her. However,Blanche does not take into consideration that Stella loves Stanley anddoesnt mind his violence at all. From the beginning Stanley has a deepprejudice against Blanche and everything associated with her. He has the reasonsto think that she is not a completely honest person.He gets suspicious of howBlanche obtained all of her clothes, furs, and jewelry.Things get worse when sherefuses to reveal why she left her small Louisiana home. Stanley believes shesconned his wife out of the family mansion, therefore, he starts looking into herpast. He discovers that Blanche has been swindle them since the day she came. After she lost Belle Reve, she moved to the Hotel Flamingo and became DameBlanche. She became extremely promiscuous and the hotel eventually threw herout. A nearby army camp referred to her place as Out of Bounds. Shewas regarded as being crazy. Blanche did not resign from teaching. She lost herjob after it was discovered that she was having relations with aseventeen-year-old boy. Blanches world of fantasy has been created by the liesthat she cannot seem to stop telling. Stanley knows her tricks, therefore hisattitude toward her is very immodest. Blanche pretends to be a fair lady but inreality, she is not. She wants to cover her scandals, and to further a romancewith lonely Mitch. In her opinion, lies are necessary to conceal her unladyor uncharming features such as drinking alcohol, her age, and hersickness(ex.No one is my limit Yes, Stella is my preciouslittle sister. I call her little in spite of the fact shes somewhat older thanI. Just slightly. Less than a year. Stella hasnt be en so welllately, and I came down to help her for a while. Shes very run down.). .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd , .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd .postImageUrl , .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd , .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd:hover , .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd:visited , .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd:active { border:0!important; } .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd:active , .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ube95caaffe309137735146f84eb539bd:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: 12 Angry Men EssayHowever, she is somehow conscious of this falsity (ex.I dont tell truth,I tell what ought to be truth). As her true past comes out, Blanchebecomes the only person who believes her lies. The ending of the play shocks mevery much!! When Stella is at the hospital for delivering a baby, Stanleyviolates Blanche in the most personal way which is rape. After this accident,Blanche loses whatever little sense she has left. Her world becomes a world ofalmost complete fantasy. As a result of her insanity, she is send to a mentalinstitution. As Blanche is taken away, her sister is overcome with feelings ofguilt, loss, and betrayal. Perhaps Stella knows she has made a mistake when shechose not to belive Blanches story about the rape.However, its too late fordeliberation. Blanche is gone, Stanley has won,things will be back to normalagain. English Essays

Prelesional Reading and How it Can Help in a Milit Essays

Prelesional Reading and How it Can Help in a Military Career The book Once an Eagle is a terrific book, no matter what branch of service you plan on joining. The book is even now a required reading for the Marines and a few advanced army schools. The book allows for the reader to learn the two types of leaders: the type of leader that people have to follow and the kind of leader that people want to follow, the kind of leader who shows an effective way as well as a bad way to lead your troops or organization. This translates to the professional reading that the military recommends for any service member to help in their development in their profession. When in your branch of service, it is important to know the difference between a good leader and a bad leader so you can watch and learn from the mistakes of others. Once an Eagle mainly revolves around the two types of leaders and how they both rise in the ranks and how they are different. Courtney Massengale is the antagonist in the book in which he uses his political connections to help him rise in the ranks even though he is not someone who people look at admirably. He is a notable example of how not to lead while the character Sam Damon shows great honor and dedication, qualities his superiors notice, allowing for him to rise through the ranks on his own accord as well as gaining trust and respect from his fellow soldiers. These two examples can and most likely will help me in my career in the army, while I serve my time in the guard as well as when I decide to go active duty after my contract is up, hopefully allowing me to be just as successful as my parents allowing for me to uphold the legacy in which they left for me to fill. Learning things from experience is good because it helps with understanding where you stand to allow for you to make corrections to yourself, but it is important to remember that not everything can be learned from experience because at some point decisions you make will start to affect others possibly putting your soldiers in harm's way or failing to make a deadline resulting in failing the mission. In conclusion, being able to read about the mistakes of others allows for me to correct myself before I make the same mistakes they have in the past.

Nix v. Williams 467 U.S. 431 (1984) Essays - Searches And Seizures

Nix v. Williams 467 U.S. 431 (1984) Essays - Searches And Seizures Nix v. Williams 467 U.S. 431 (1984) U.S. Supreme Court Nix v. Williams, 467 U.S. 431 (1984) Nix v. Williams No. 82-1651 Argued January 18, 1984 Decided June 11, 1984 467 U.S. 431 CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT Facts Robert Allen Williams was arrested for the murder of 10 year old Pamela Powers which occurred on December 24 1968. Williams disposed of the body on a gravel road in Mitchellville Iowa. Law enforcement from the state of Iowa and over 200 volunteers conducted a search in the area of Mitchellville due to finding articles of clothing nearby. On the ride from Davenport to Des Moines Williams made statements to the police without an attorney present due to conversation that was initiated by officers. The statements made led them to find the child lying in a culvert. After the child was found he was arrested and read his Miranda rights. It was found that the statements given by Williams were obtained unlawfully and were not allowed to be presented during the trial, however photos, medical and chemical evidence was allowed. It was argued in court that even if Williams had not made the statements that led to the discovery the child would have been found due to the search of the volunteers wit h evidence that could still be used to convict. Procedural History First trial Williams was indicted for the murder of Pamela Powers in 1969. In the first trial the defense argued that the police interrogated Williams on the ride from Davenport to Des Moines hoping to get information about the girl. Williams had at that time retained counsel and the defense moved to suppress the statements due to unlawful interrogation and to the defendant?s right to counsel. The prosecution argued that the discovery was inevitable due to the search pattern and location of the volunteers. The motion for the defense was denied and Williams was found guilty of first degree murder in 1970. Williams appealed his conviction and it was affirmed however, the second appeal to the Iowa Court of Appeals was reversed. Williams? attorneys filed for Habeas Corpus and it was granted. The courts affirmed and Certiorari was granted. Second trial In 1977 Williams second trial commenced, however, the prosecution did not offer the statements made by Williams to the police. Prosecutors offered into evidence the body of the girl as if the defendant never made the statements. Williams was again found guilty of first degree murder. The Iowa Supreme Court affirmed the conviction stating that the police did not act in bad faith when they questioned Williams on the ride. The high court also found that the body would have been inevitably found during the search. The lower court?s decision was reversed based on the fact that they had not proven the police were acting in bad faith. In 1983 Habeas Corpus and Certiorari were again granted. Legal Issues The legal issue here is whether the evidence that resulted in the arrest should be excluded from trial due to the improper and unlawful interrogation of police officers. Did the comments of the officers as to the ?Christian burial? in effect cause and unlawful interrogation and did that violate the defendant?s right to counsel. Is there an inevitable discovery exception to the exclusionary rule? Decision of the Court Held. The fact that the body and or evidence would have been discovered within a short time period of the search by volunteers the doctrine of inevitable discovery applies. The method of which the evidence was discovered becomes irrelevant and is still allowed against the defendant. Dissent. Justice Brennan dissented, inevitable discovery relies heavily on a hypothetical scenario that may or may not produce the evidence. Therefore since the evidence was not discovered by legal means it remains unconstitutionally obtained. Concurrence. Justices Stevens and White Concurred, maintaining the same holding. Legal Analysis In Nix v. Williams the United States Supreme Court upheld William?s conviction due to the inevitable discovery doctrine. In this instance, the exclusionary rule -the termination of evidence due to the fraudulent nature of which it was obtained-did not apply to this case due to the fact that the child?s body was entered in and viewed as evidence. It was also found that the body and or evidence would have been

Researching Ancestors Using the Canadian Census

Researching Ancestors Using the Canadian Census Canadian census returns contain the official enumeration of the population of Canada, making them one of the most useful sources for genealogical research in Canada. Canadian census records can help you learn such things as when and where your ancestor was born, when the immigrant ancestor arrived in Canada, and the names of parents and other family members. Canadian census records officially  go back to 1666, when King Louis XIV requested a count of the number of landowners in New France. The first census conducted by the national government of Canada didnt occur until 1871, however, and has been taken every ten years since (every five years since 1971). To protect the privacy of living individuals, Canadian census records are kept confidential for a period of 92 years; the most recent Canadian census to be released to the public is 1921. The 1871 census covered the four original provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario. 1881 marked the first coast-to-coast Canadian census. One major exception to the concept of a national Canadian census, is Newfoundland, which was not a part of Canada until 1949, and thus was not included in most Canadian census returns. Labrador was, however, enumerated in the 1871 Census of Canada (Quebec, Labrador District) and the 1911 Canadian Census (Northwest Territories, Labrador Sub-district). What You Can Learn From Canadian Census Records National Canadian Census, 1871-1911The 1871 and later Canadian census records list the following information for each individual in the household: name, age, occupation, religious affiliation, an birthplace (province or country). The 1871 and 1881 Canadian censuses also list the fathers origin or ethnic background. The 1891 Canadian census asked for the parents birthplaces, as well as identification of French Canadians. It is also important as the first national Canadian census to identify the relationship of individuals to the head of household. The 1901 Canadian census is also a hallmark for genealogy research as it asked for the complete birth date (not just the year), as well as the year the person immigrated to Canada, the year of naturalization, and the fathers racial or tribal origin. Canada Census Dates The actual census date varied from census to census, but is important in helping to determine an individuals probable age. The dates of the censuses are as follows: 1871 - 2 April1881 - 4 April1891 - 6 April1901 - 31 March1911 - 1 June1921 - 1 June Where to Find the Canadian Census Online Ancestry.com FamilySearch Historical RecordsAutomated Genealogy Library and Archives of Canada

Film Review (Life of Pi) Movie Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Film (Life of Pi) - Movie Review Example However, in a serious context, there is much to the movie than what it discernibly professes to be. The movie tends to rake the consciousness of the unsuspecting viewers at many levels, provided they are patient and willing to extend to it the time and the scope that many modern day movies seldom demand. The movie besides being a tale of adventure and courage undeniably tends to have a spiritual facet that is brought out and embellished by the director Ang Lee using a range of thematic approaches and the commensurate technological innovations that amply succeed in bringing out the actual quintessence of the story. As far as the genre of Life of Pi is concerned, the tale indeed happens to be a modern day masterpiece of magic realism. The movie pokes the viewers’ attention with an ever shifting setting into which the director intends to weave a vivid sense of abject realism so far as the representation of ordinary and mundane facts are concerned, embellishing it much with descri ptive details and nuances, yet brining out the philosophy and message inherent in the movie by resorting to a dreamlike and fanciful imagery, borrowing a lot from sources like fairy tales and myths (French 21). Though, the settings in the movie are deeply etched in the pragmatic realism, yet the visual appeal owes much that could be interpreted and reinterpreted by the viewers in an utterly personal subjective context. The writer of the script of Life of Pi tends to retain much of the realism when it comes to hunger, animal instinct, survival and persistence, thereby making the viewers have a sense of the inevitable and the unavoidable; while at the same time the writer tends to insert in much of the fantastical elements like a bio-island infested with meerkats and the trees that happen to be carnivorous. Doing so, the script enables the viewers to deviate from the mundane realities of the real world, even though for a moment, to allow oneself to be immersed in a creative space wher e it is possible to reconcile the baser human instincts that are akin to bestiality and animalism, with the best that is inherent in the human mind that is expressed as theology, philosophy, empathy, respect for all forms of life, resolution, persistence and hope, thereby making way for an experience that is both human and bestial at the same time. If Life of Pi has been able to emerge as a creative and commercial success, much credit goes for this to the director Ang Lee. Lee has been able to successfully weave a web of survival and coexistence, where the religious iconography and an abjectly Darwinian struggle for survival coexist with each other, hand in hand to bring forward the fact that not only the life is sacred, but as long as there is a trace of life existent on earth, it will do everything at its disposal to survive and sustain (Stern 36). However, it goes without saying that Lee to some extent overestimated the scope and power of the visual effects at his disposal (Gilbe y 84). Many a times the seascapes contrived by Lee though appearing fantastical and attractive, somehow ended up as being imbued with a childlike fancy and appeal, which could have been a bit difficult to be accepted or perhaps digested by the adult viewers (Quinn 44). Yet, much of these shortcomings could be ignored by the realization that Life of Pi happens to be a movie that is as much a technological marvel as a

Keynesian Liquidity Preference Framework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Keynesian Liquidity Preference Framework - Essay Example Apart from this optimistic approach there will be some negative characteristics of high money supply like, it will hike the inflation rate up to an optimal level (Fontana 31). Let's say the treasury printed so much in Federal Reserve Bank (FED) which made every American a millionaire, after the retirement of everyone, there would be no more workers or servants left to do the biddings which urges the industries to attract people by raising their wages. This of course is the essence of inflation; so persistency in spending the money would be required to overcome the circumstances which may arise due to higher money supply and we can say that it's a best cure of recession. A recession will change in depression if a "Liquidity Gap" occurs in it. A liquidity gap is when people hoard money and refuse to spend, no matter how much the government tries to expand the money supply. There are ample reasons why people hesitate to invest the money; it can be a consumer loss of confidence on the ec onomy probably due to stock market crash or the law and order situation in the country, natural disaster like earthquake or hurricane are also the major cause which abate the spending of the money in the country, although saving is a good thing but it is not viable if spending and investment are not on an adequate level. You know "Wars are good for economy" (it must astonish you) almost all the economist agree that World War II cured the great depression because the U.S finally began massive spending on defense. Social Programs are much more preferable over the ways to avoid depression. The success of Keynesian economics can be evaluated by having a glance over the recession periods. In U.S, before the World War II, eight recessions worsened into depression which happened in (1807, 1837, 1882, 1893, 1920, 1933 and 1937) and since world war II there have been nine recessions under Keynesian policies happened in (1945-46, 1949, 1954, 1956, 1960-61, 1970, 1973-75, 1980-83, 1990-92) and not a single recession turned into a depression. Richard Nixon who was the 37th president of the United States (1969-1974) once declared that "We are Keynesians now" shows the importance of Keynesian Liquidity Preference Theory. As mentioned earlier savings is a must for the economy. According to Keynes saving is equal to investment; means every dollar which is saved is ultimately utilized as an investment in the economy (Keynes 150). Now the concept of money supply and price level effect comes into place; if the economy reaches on an optimal level then people become less interested to invest and under this influence price level increases because the income level also increases. In liquidity preference framework, Keynes (211) states that the money demand can be equated with the term Marginal Efficiency Unit (MEU). Keynes further apprises that nothing will induce the people to invest money if they are on a consensus that the economy is on its peak point from where the prices of the commodities begin to rise and result in increasing the inflation rate up to a vulnerable position (Handa, 511). The industry which badly gets hurt from this jeopardous situation is the banking industry because

Organisation Structure Essay Example for Free

Organisation Structure Essay The structure is totally centralized. The strategic leader makes all key decisions and most communication is done by one on one conversations. It is particularly useful for new (entrepreneurial) business as it enables the founder to control growth and development. They are usually based on traditional domination or charismatic domination in the sense of Max Webers tripartite classification of authority. [edit] Bureaucratic structures Weber (1948, p. 214) gives the analogy that â€Å"the fully developed bureaucratic mechanism compares with other organizations exactly as does the machine compare with the non-mechanical modes of production. Precision, speed, unambiguity, †¦ strict subordination, reduction of friction and of material and personal costs- these are raised to the optimum point in the strictly bureaucratic administration. †[5] Bureaucratic structures have a certain degree of standardization. They are better suited for more complex or larger scale organizations. They usually adopt a tall structure. Then tension between bureaucratic structures and non-bureaucratic is echoed in Burns and Stalker[6] distinction between mechanistic and organic structures. It is not the entire thing about bureaucratic structure. It is very much complex and useful for hierarchical structures organization, mostly in tall organizations. [edit] Post-bureaucratic The term of post bureaucratic is used in two senses in the organizational literature: one generic and one much more specific [7]. In the generic sense the term post bureaucratic is often used to describe a range of ideas developed since the 1980s that specifically contrast themselves with Webers ideal type bureaucracy. This may include total quality management, culture management and matrix management, amongst others. None of these however has left behind the core tenets of Bureaucracy. Hierarchies still exist, authority is still Webers rational, legal type, and the organization is still rule bound. Heckscher, arguing along these lines, describes them as cleaned up bureaucracies [8], rather than a fundamental shift away from bureaucracy. Gideon Kunda, in his classic study of culture management at Tech argued that the essence of bureaucratic control the formalisation, codification and enforcement of rules and regulations does not change in principle.. it shifts focus from organizational structure to the organizations culture. Another smaller group of theorists have developed the theory of the Post-Bureaucratic Organization. [8], provide a detailed discussion which attempts to describe an organization that is fundamentally not bureaucratic. Charles Heckscher has developed an ideal type, the post-bureaucratic organization, in which decisions are based on dialogue and consensus rather than authority and command, the organization is a network rather than a hierarchy, open at the boundaries (in direct contrast to culture management); there is an emphasis on meta-decision making rules rather than decision making rules. This sort of horizontal decision making by consensus model is often used in housing cooperatives, other cooperatives and when running a non-profit or community organization. It is used in order to encourage participation and help to empower people who normally experience oppression in groups. Still other theorists are developing a resurgence of interest in complexity theory and organizations, and have focused on how simple structures can be used to engender organizational adaptations.

Essay --

The narrator of The Autobiography of an Ex-colored Man was born to a â€Å"colored† mother and white father. This combination of his identity led him to encounter many internal and external challenges. Physically he appeared white, so he experienced being able to â€Å"pass† as both â€Å"colored† or white whenever he wished. Being able do such a thing, the narrator struggled with racial boundaries. He embodied almost every permutation, intentional or unintentional, of the experience when encountering various racial (white and â€Å"colored†) communities, eventually deciding to pass as white at the end of the novel. Due to cowardice, instead of representing his race, he suppressed the African-American part of his identity and destroyed his chances of achieving true contentedness and self-awareness. â€Å"Passing† was a common theme seen in many novels that came to relevance during the Harlem Renaissance. This phenomenon dealt with the impermeability of racial boundaries when a person with any amount of African-American blood was considered â€Å"colored†Ã¢â‚¬ . The narrator dealt with this complicated aspect of his life through innumerable experiences while being a part of white and â€Å"colored† communities. Although his mother was â€Å"colored†, his father, who was absent during his childhood, was a white man. In spite of of his â€Å"colored† roots, the narrator had the advantage of outwardly appearing white, thus being able to pass as a white man whenever he desired. He often considered his meaningful African-American origin, but typically resorted to associating with the white race: eventually suppressing the â€Å"colored† element of his identity completely. The narrator was unaware of his â€Å"colored† origin early on in his life. He was observant of his surroundings, but never... ...ith the â€Å"colored† people: he chose to disassociate. The narrator of The Autobiography of an Ex-colored Man decided not to fight for racial equality in America for his fellow African-American, or even for himself, but rather conformed with the white majority thus selecting the uncomplicated path: the path that would lead him to security and safety in the years to come. After struggling with his identity in the white and African-American community as a â€Å"colored† man who could pass as white, he decided to discard his â€Å"colored† roots and stick with his white origin. By doing such a thing, he was able to live a simple, respectful, and safe life, but he abandoned a very significant part of his identity. He felt slight remorse towards the end of the novel, but self-interest held more importance to him than embracing the cultural heritage of the African-American community.

Family structure Essay

First of all the meaning of a family varies from place to place and from culture to culture. Nowadays in some countries there are different types of family existence. For instance traditional extended family has dominated the Saudi Arabia, they have considered the parents the siblings aunts and uncles cousins and grand and great grand parents form the basic unit of the society. The traditional extended family structure has ended up being in Saudi because of the maintenance of the Islamic social, political, and political values. This means that every single being identity in Saudi Arabia posts a collective ancestry, respect for elders, obligation and responsibility for the welfare of other family members. Australian families cannot be compared with the Saudi Arabian type of a family we can define the Australian type of a family as nuclear one but not all families are nuclear. This defines the Australian Family, Which is there might be couple with or without co-resident children of any age or lone parents with co-resident children of any age or other families of related adults such as brothers or sisters living together where no couple or parent –child relationship exists. Effect of Family Structure on Life Satisfaction: Australian Evidence. (2010). Australian community is considered to be the bread winner that is the mother can go to work with the father, but majority the mother provides for the family whereas the father organizes a good bond with the kids. Australia institute of family studies (2010). The mother and the father are responsible for the decision of the family and are both responsible in raising and taking care of the children. This is much different with the Saudi Arabian parents the mother is responsible for the taking care id the children and the house hold chores while the father is still considered to be the head of the family, sons and daughters are taught on how to follow the inherited traditions and responsibilities. a womas life Saudi Arabia (2008). The development of culture beliefs and habit from the past has brought up a difference of the role of the men and women I n both Australia and Saudi Arabia. Both the countries beliefs state that the man still remains the head of the family and the woman remains the care giver of the children, no matter how they try to change the role it will remain the culture being the same. There is difference on the two countries on the bond of the parent and the teenager for example in Australia the mother and the father is always close to the teenager, he gives advice to the teenager and allows him to take the necessary decisions for himself f but this is very different in Saudi Arabia where by the teenage boy should only be seen with other teen age boys and the teenage girl should stay with other teenage girls, they do not make there own decision they follow up the inherited tradition and responsibities. In Australia it is the role of the parent to allow the children to have enough space on what they are supposed to do that is taking care of the children is very necessary but letting them make there own choice, but the Saudi Arabia its much different where by some children will be allowed to take care of other children but at the same time under the supervision of the parent David E (2003). Both the mother and the father in Australia pay close attention to there children for instance they can interact freely with them by either the child is a girl or a boy, but this is also different in Saudi Arabia where by the father is free with the boy child and the mother is free with the girl child. Skolnik A (2010) Reference list: A Woman’s Life in Saudi Arabia. (2008). Available http://americanbedu. com/2008/03/06/a-womans-life-in-saudi-arabia/(accessed April 23, 2010). Australian Institute of Family Studies. Available(2010). http://www. aifs. gov. au/ (accessed April 25, 2010). David E. (2003) The Role of the Extended Family in Saudi Arabia.. http://www. saudi-american-forum. org/Newsletters/SAF_Essay_09. htm(accessed April 24, 2010). Effect of Family Structure on Life Satisfaction: Australian Evidence. (2010). http://ideas. repec. org/p/iae/iaewps/wp2004n24. html (accessed April 22, 2010). Skolnik, A. Politics of Family Structure. (2010). http://www. scu. edu/ethics/publications/other/lawreview/familystructure. html (accessed April 24, 2010). Some sub-cultural variables in family structure in Australia . 2010. http://www. informaworld. com/smpp/1461654283-62197970/content~content=a782578385? words=taft&hash=1395657467 (accessed April 24, 2010).

Important Dates in American History Essay

Mayflower Compact When the pilgrims first arrived to America, the Mayflower Compact, as it is known now, was created. This was the foundation for the Plymouth colonies. To establish colonies, they would first need to obtain a patent from the King of England. However, the need to maintain a society was of great importance, therefore, the Mayflower Compact was established as a social contract. It was signed by all 41 men on the Mayflower. Revolutionary war The revolutionary war is a story that surrounds America’s founding concept; freedom. America, from 1775 – 1783, fought a vicious battle against England. The English sought to control America; they did everything they could to weaken America, such as placing soldiers in their homes and expecting them to provide for him. Eventually, the war broke out. However, after a fierce battle, we were granted our freedom, and our forefathers tale and sacrifice is one that we acknowledge with pride. WWI World War I started as a spark and ended as an explosion like no other. After the assassination of Arch-duke Franz Ferdinand, Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria declared a strike against Serbia. However, sticking with the theme of American History, America did not enter the war until later when Germany began sinking American submarines. the U.S. Congress declared war on the sixth of April, 1917. The Great Depression On October of 1929, the stock market crashed, devastating 40% of the value of common stock. The stock market continued to fall until people lost their jobs and life-savings. During this period, Franklin Roosevelt took the lead as president and introduce the policy known as the ‘New Deal’. This policy created intuitive legislative ideas and helped production of goods and prices, however, this was not enough to end the depression. The WPA was created in order to provide jobs; 9 million people gained positions from this program, and later, the Social Security Act of 1935. Both the New Deal and WWII are ideas of how the Great Depression came to a halt. McCarthyism McCarthyism is a shameful period of American History. A fear of the spread of communism led to blackmail. During the 1940’s, McCarthy, a senator, claimed to know the names of over 200 card-carrying communist in the U.S.. This began a hunt for infiltrators. Writers were often named communist sympathizers and were often unable to continue working. However, in more serious cases, some were jailed for refusing to give the names of communists. The media could not stand-up to McCarthy in fear that they, like three-hundred others, would be blacklisted. Resources: Plymouth.org – Mayflower Compact CIA.gov – Revolutionary War PBS.org – WWI Historylearningsite.co.uk – America and WWI

Beddow, Hymes and McAuslan Article

Beddow, Hymes and McAuslan Article Beddow, M., Hymes, R. McAuslan, P. (2011). Hair color stereotypes and their associated perceptions in relationships and the workplace. PSI CHI Journal of Undergraduate Research, 16(1), 1089-4136. Introduction A number of researches on hair color stereotypes and their associated perceptions prompted the current research. For instance, a research conducted by Lawson (1971) on hair color preferences enlightened on the affinity of certain colors.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Beddow, Hymes and McAuslan Article specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Clayson and Klassen (1989) also confirmed this enlightenment when they found differing perceptions towards various models presented in the study. Another important study was done by Feinman and Gill (1978) indicating that color preference might not be affected by gender. However, hair color of the population majority is preferred as Thelen (1983) found out. Other previ ous studies this topic focused on personality trait perceptions such as that done by Weir and Fine-Davis (1989) who found that people tend to perceive blondes as more popular, feminine and beautiful than brunettes and redheads. Rich and Cash (1993) reinforced the study by showing that broads were more popular and appeared more frequently in magazines. For hostility towards redheads, Heckert and Best (1997) reaffirmed the earlier study by Weir and Fine-Davis and extended to show that people perceive redheads to be exceptionally smart despite other perceptions. Kyle and Mahler (1996) contradicted some of the earlier findings by showing that people perceive brunettes to be competent and intelligent than blondes and red heads. Apparently, it is due to this lack of consistency in previous studies that promoted the current research. In order to have a defined focus of the study, Beddow, Hymes and McAuslan developed three hypotheses. First, they hypothesized that certain personality traits would be perceptually related to a certain hair color: that the participants would find blondes more attractive, feminine and immature; brunettes more intelligent, successful, mature and stronger work ethics; and redheads more aggressive and emotional. Second, they hypothesized that the male and female models with brown hair would be viewed more favorably in the work setting than in the date setting. Third, it was hypothesized that the typical stereotypes associated with hair color would become stronger when combined with situations common to these stereotypes. Indeed, the main goal of the study is to enrich the previous research by examining the effects of stereotypes with respect to hair color, setting and gender. Methods The tested sample consisted of 180 participants all of which were undergraduate students from a Midwestern university. These participants were of varying ages, from different ethnic groups, wore different hair colors and had completed an introductory level psych ology course.Advertising Looking for critical writing on anthropology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For this qualitative study, the researchers examined the perception of the participants towards three color models with respect to work ethics, maturity, emotional, success and aggressiveness within the work and dating setting. This means that the variables included the three color models, work ethics, maturity, emotional, success and aggressiveness. The study design was a correlation in which the researchers compared some variables against others. Specifically, the authors attempted to investigate the relationship between specific hair colors and certain qualities including work ethic, maturity, emotional, success and aggressiveness. The study was also designed to compare the outcome on two broader circumstances: working and dating setting. The study procedure involved the development of questionnaire packets which directed the participants to pretend that they had visited a social network site to search for information about male and female target of the model. The participants then rated the individual models shown on the projector screen according to the directed scenario in the questionnaire packet. Later, the participants completed a brief demographic questionnaire. Results The results supported hypothesis number one that differential perceptions associated with hair color do exist. In regard to blonde hair stereotypes, the participants in this study considered blondes as more mature in a dating setting. For brown hair stereotypes, participants rated brown-haired men as the most masculine. The results also supported hypothesis number two that brown hair models would be viewed more favorably in the work setting than in the date setting. For the models, the participants perceived that the blonde model was the least successful in the worker setting while the brown and red hair as the most s uccessful in the same setting. Similarly, the brown hair models were perceived to be competent and industrious which suggests that that an emotional display in the workplace setting would contradict these qualities. Indeed, the brown haired model was perceived to be the most successful in work setting, consistent with the general stereotypes of competence and intelligence, thus resulting in success. The results also supported hypothesis number three that stereotypes associated with hair color would become stronger when combined with situations common to these stereotypes. For instance, temperamental redhead stereotype manifested itself in the participants, contrasting itself with the blonde model. However, the finding that failed to support hypothesis three as the participants did not perceive blondes to be more attractive in the dating setting as hypothesized.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Beddow, Hymes and McAuslan Article specifically for yo u for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Discussion The researchers interpreted data in terms of probability and standard deviations of the measures associated with variables. For instance, a worker ethic measure with a standard deviation more than 1.00 was generally considered high as well as a probability greater than 0.01. However, in correlating two variables, the authors considered a difference in the range of 1 percent. In essence, a difference of 0.01 in standard deviation was a significant comparative measure. For instance, the authors regarded the gender models as having a variation in work ethic simply because the difference in standard deviation between male and female model was 0.01 (1.32-1.31). The major findings were that the blonde hair models were mature in dating implying dating experience. This aligns with the previous studies that blonde haired models stereotypes are attractive and flirts by the fact that the greater dating experience make them feel more uncomfortable. Regarding the brown haired models, the findings suggest that men are most masculine, competent and industrious which coincides with the previous studies. For instance, the success in work setting reflects a research done by Takeda et al (2006) which showed that blondes are underrepresented in the workforce. The findings also indicate that the red haired models are temperamental and aggressive in nature which is also in harmony with previous studies (Feinman Gill, 1978). Critical reaction The authors’ logic is sound and clear as depicted in the flow of the arguments. From the start, they highlight the purpose of the research as to enrich the previous studies by examining the effects of the hair color stereotype. This is followed by their reasoning that the previous studies identified the stereotypes but did not consider their effects. Through the analysis of data collected from a diverse sample that can represent the entire population, the authors demonst rate the different effects of various stereotypes identified in the literature. The data is logically analyzed for individual models with reference to the perception of the participants. The hypotheses developed by the authors are clear because they confirm the focus of the study and the variables relevant to the study. In harmony with the aim of the study, these hypotheses attempt to test the findings of the previous literature.Advertising Looking for critical writing on anthropology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The various researches presented in the literature are adequate enough to suggest a deficiency in research pertaining to the effects of hair color stereotypes that were identified long time ago. However, the research articles used are not current and one may be compelled to assume that the authors omitted the contribution of contemporary gurus in this area. The various variables included in this study are work ethic, maturity, emotional, success and aggressiveness. This collection however, omitted several important variables including goal commitment, interaction and defiance. These variables might be important in future studies due to their direct relationship with the human way of thinking. With a particular focus on working and dating setting, the three variables are perceived by people as success factors. Therefore, it is justified to suggest that hair color stereotypes will be influenced greatly by these variables. The sample tested by Beddow, Hymes and McAuslan was appropriate for this study due to two key reasons. First, the sample was diverse in various characteristics that may influence human perception such as ethnicity and age. Second, the sample comprised of participants who had psychological freedom to give genuine responses after undergoing the physiological course. These facts suggest that the sample could represent the population that the authors based their conclusions on. The results of this study suggest that further research is needed on this topic because it is clear that the subjects were not exhausted. For instance, the findings were not enough to determine whether the participants perceived brown haired model to be more aggressive than the red haired models. In addition, there could be gaps in this research associated with the scale used to measure the results and the reliability of the instruments is not determined. A follow-up to this study may perhaps use a new methodology that can correlate the stereotype results of this study with other studies related to the topic. This methodology should have the capacity to identify the most relevant variables to study through experimental approaches. For instance, hypothesizing that the relationship between hair color stereotypes and the variables (work ethic, maturity, emotional, success and aggressiveness) is defined by other factors (commitment, interaction and defiance) would serve to include other relevant variables pertinent to human perceptions. In connection to coursework, this article reflects the various components of a research paper in addition to the issues that are emended in psychology topics which need research attention. The first and important thing in a research is to select a researchable topic. This topic will then determine the research focus in reviewing the literature as well as the deficiencies and weaknesses existing in the literature which require further consideration. Moreover, the article is important to a psychology student as a source of mo tivation for research. The authors have developed a research problem by simply acknowledging the efforts of other researchers. This study implies to the general public in that, it facilitates the understanding on how to categorize the people around them. Naturally, it is important to comprehend what surrounds us and appreciate what others can offer in order to live in harmony. Perhaps by understanding the hair color stereotypes, we avoid laying blame on individuals based on our observation. This is because people justify actions differently. Therefore, this study advices us to reach a viable conclusion before judging others and imposing penalties. References Beddow, M., Hymes, R. McAuslan, P. (2011). Hair color stereotypes and their associated perceptions in relationships and the workplace. PSI CHI Journal of Undergraduate Research, 16(1), 1089-4136. Clayson, D. E. Klassen, M. L. (1989). Perception of attractiveness by obesity and hair color. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 68(1), 19 9-202. Feinman, S. Gill, G. W. (1978). Sex differences in physical attractiveness preferences. The Journal of Social Psychology, 105(1), 43-52. Heckert, D. M. Best, A. (1997). Ugly duckling to swan: labeling theory and the stigmatization of red hair. Symbolic Interaction, 20(4), 365-384. Kyle, D. J. Mahler, H. I. (1996). The effects of hair color and cosmetic use on perceptions of female’s ability. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 20(3), 447-455. Lawson, E. D. (1971). Hair color, personality and the observer. Psychological Reports, 28(1), 311-312. Rich, M. K. Cash, T. F. (1993). The American image of beauty: media representations of hair color for four decades. Sex Roles, 29(1-2), 113-124. Takeda, M. B, Helms, M. M. Romanova, N. (2006). Hair color stereotyping and CEO selection in the United Kingdom. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 13(3), 85-99. Thelen, T. H. (1983). Minority type human mate preference. Social Biology, 30(2), 162-180. Weir, S. Fine-Da vis, M. (1989). ‘Dumb blonde’ and ‘temperamental redhead’: the effect of hair colour on some attributed personality characteristic of women. The Irish Journal of Psychology, 10(1), 11-19.

Parts of a Thesis

Parts of a Thesis Parts of a Thesis Parts of a Thesis While writing parts of a thesis - be wary of questions. Rhetorical questions are often used in writing, but are much less common in theses, where an argument should be clearly stated, not hinted at by means of rhetorical questions. Sometimes, for stylistic purposes, you might choose to pose a question to engage the reader's interest. However, thesis examiners will usually expect you to give your own answer to raised question rather than leave it hanging for others to research. Use gender-neutral, dispassionate language. Avoid terms such as 'he' unless you are talking about a specific person. Such terms can usually easily be replaced with gender-neutral language, e.g. 'the manager', 'the researcher'. Similarly, demeaning and dismissive language should be avoided. For example, be careful of criticizing previous researchers in a dismissive or personal way. If your English thesis writing appears to be sexist or arrogant, you may alienate your thesis examiner. Worst of all, your examiner may be a friend of or even the author of work you criticized while writing a thesis.   They are unlikely to look sympathetically on criticism which does not appear to be well founded and objective. This does not mean that you should avoid pointing out gaps in previous literature or failings of previous studies in the course of your academic thesis writing. Master thesis must be well-written and properly formatted. While writing a thesis, always use the spell-check and grammar-check functions. Spelling and grammar checks are not substitutes for careful editing, but will rapidly identify many problems in your writing. Your instinctive last action before you print any document to give to your supervisor should always be a spell check. Failure to detect and remove misspelled words is a direct indicator is your inadequate attention to thesis writing. Thesis Ideas Your thesis editing should happen both on the screen and on the paper. offers you an opportunity to order professional thesis writing help.   We are able to assist you with all parts of a thesis writing.   In addition, you are welcome to request regular updates and communicate with the assigned writer directly. Our writers are exceptionally educated and have many years of thesis writing experience.   There is no assignment we cannot handle!   You may contact us at any time to learn more about writing services and prices.   We are open for communication and we are ready to write thesis on any topic!

European Union's Policy in Telecommunications Essay

European Union's Policy in Telecommunications - Essay Example Thus the EU telecom market has been undergone some revolutionary process, where new players have come to the market along with offering innovative new services, quality products and low prices. Mobile communications, online services, information through the super highway or the internet have revolutionized the continuous growth and use of telecommunication in almost every sphere of the EU region. Telecommunication companies in EU in particular have introduced not only new but also cheaper combined fixed and mobile service packages with alternative pricing formulas and new ways of paying methods (Noam, 1992). Thus these new developments in the telecommunication policy of EU will be crucial to become a part of the modern Information Society. In fact liberalization of telecommunication is the cornerstone of EU's transition, with lowering the price of communicating, encouraging innovation and investment in new services and networks and contributing to improved competitiveness and increased employment. Thus the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) acquired a significant dimension in the coordination efforts of EU in their both the regional and global operations. ICT i s increasingly becoming the world's most important determinant of integration related issues and actions. For instance EU's significance in the internal and external telecommunication strategy in its global operations can be seen with regard to the level of its applications in coordinating inter-country and intra-country operations. The changing telecommunication environment at overseas and operations has such a big impact on the ICT related decision making process in EU.Thus the transition from monopoly to liberalized telecommunication policy in the competitive world would be a very challengeable to the EU commission. In order to have concrete effects, detailed rules are necessary for the EU and also the application of those rules needs to be careful supervised. So the resources had to be focused on scrutinizing the implementation and practical application of the EU regulatory framework in the Member States. The National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) for telecoms have been establis hed in member states of EU and range of tasks has set by the EU regulatory framework in order to grant number of telecom services including - to granting new mobile and fixed network licenses; to approving interconnection prices and agreements; policing prices charged to customers for changing operators, and dealing with the allocation of numbers to new market players. Thus the national competition authorities are also occupied with scrutinizing the new telecoms market. In the 1980's telecommunication policy in the EU was characterized by some public monopolies and run with postal services. Thus it has been revolutionized with the privatization and limited competition in some member countries in EU (Damro, 2000). The development of the telecommunication industry has basically been driven by the increasing application of modern information technology in the telecommunica

Strategic Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Strategic Marketing - Essay Example In this respect, they have recognised their responsibilities towards its internal and business environment. For example, existing business organisation are more focusing on enhancing stakeholders’ value. Moreover, they are also concentrating on the welfare of society, environment and community as they have understood that these activities are very important for their sustainability and for corporate governance (Aras and Crowther, 2009, p.36). In post-modern organisations, management are using these concepts and theories as an important tool for marketing, brand development and for entire strategic management. This paper will attempt to present discussions on environmental marketing which is emerging as a tool for better strategic management. In this respect, the entire discussion will focus on critical analysis, and at first a brief overview of environmental marketing will be presented followed by critical evaluation of its increasing importance. Then, multiple influencing fac tors in environmental marketing will be assessed followed by an analysis on multiple issues in environmental marketing. ... Brief Description of Environmental Marketing Environmental marketing is an emerging concept in strategic business management and it refers to the marketing activities revolving around the environmental consciousness. The increasing environmental awareness among the management and consumers is the major reason for its development. Environmental marketing is also referred as the green marketing. Polonsky and Wimsatt have explained that â€Å"environmental marketing is rooted in the essential tension between environmentalism and modern mass consumption† (Polonsky and Wimsatt, 1997, p.38). Environmentalism involves the entire environmental related issues like global warming, air pollution, water pollution, resource depletion etc. Increasing industrialization and business activities have a greater negative impact on environment and being a social entity, the business organisations have now realized their responsibility towards the safety of environment. There is a conceptual relati on relationship between the green marketing, industrial ecology and environment. Oyewole (2001), have developed a model that clarifies this conceptual relationship. The model is given below. Figure 1: Relationship between Industry and Environment (Source: Zaman, Miliutenko and Nagapetan, 2010) As per the above figure, social cost (including monetary and non-monetary) is major factor that relates the industry and environmental aspects. Considering the social cost, business organisations are now practising green marketing management. For example, they are implementing innovative technologies to develop eco-friendly products focusing on recycling and energy conversation. Increasing Importance of Environmental Marketing Since last decade, the importance and necessity of

There are limitations, but financial and management accounting perform Essay

There are limitations, but financial and management accounting perform a fundamental role in the measurement of performance wit - Essay Example In this context, the performance measurement has been characterized as an activity of key value for organizations in different industrial sectors. The specific issue is examined in this paper; emphasis is given on the role of the financial and management accounting in performance measurement, as a key part of strategic decision process in modern organizations. It is concluded that both financial and management accounting are quite important for the successful development of performance measurement schemes – even if, in certain cases, the involvement of financial and management accounting in performance measurement causes delays in the completion of the relevant processes – under the terms presented below. Because of the above problem, a series of recommendations has been included in this study aiming to support the improvement of performance measurement systems. 2. Performance measurement in organizations 2.1 Performance measurement – description, role The use of performance measurement in modern organizations has been related to the achievement of specific organizational targets. Most commonly, the performance measurement is used a firm’s managers in order to evaluate whether the organizational activities manage to achieve a particular level of performance – as set by the planners of these activities. In this way, it will be possible to estimate if these activities have paid back the investment made on them or not. In practice, the performance measurement – as one of the firm’s key strategic processes – can be quite complex. This fact is reflected in the theories developed in the particular field – referring to the content, the role and the phases of performance measurement in modern organizations. At a first level, certain differentiations can be identified in the criteria used by theorists when having to define the performance measurement; however, a close examination of their views would lead to the assumption that they all emphasize on the value of performance measurement as a tool for estimating the achievement of organizational goals – including the risks involved. In accordance with Hatry (2006) the performance measurement can be defined as the ‘regular measurement of the results (outcomes) and efficiency of services or programs’ (Hatry 2006, p3). On the other hand, Meyer (2003) notes that the term ‘performance measurement’ can be explained using two different definitions: the dictionary definition, which focuses on the past, i.e. on the performance of the organization up to the time point when its performance is measured and the economic definition, which refers rather to the future, emphasizing on ‘the measurement of the shareholder value into the firm’ (Meyer 2003, p20). It is further explained that in the context of the dictionary definition ‘performance is measured by operational measures or current financial res ults’ (Meyer 2003, p20); on the other hand, the economic definition is based on the measurement of performance ‘using share prices’ (Meyer 2003, p20). Another definition of performance measurement is mentioned in the study of Harbour (1997); in the above study reference is made to the performance measurement as a method for ‘measuring work accomplishments and output’ (Harbour 1997, p7). At the next level, Epstein et al. (2006) emphasize on

AirAsia

AirAsia Abstract AirAsia was the first successful low cost airline in the Southeast Asian region. This case study discusses the factors that contributed to AirAsias success. It studies the influence of culture and leadership at AirAsia, the factors contributing to its operational efficiency and the strategic orientation of the airline. It also discusses the threats to the long-term success of the airline with reference to increasing competition in the region and the need to overcome certain service shortcomings. The case concludes with an assessment of AirAsias future plans. To study the growth of the pioneer of low cost airlines in the Southeast Asian region To analyze the reasons for the success of a low cost airline in Southeast Asia, a region where analysts felt there was no market for low cost services To understand the operational model followed by the airline and how it contributed to its success To examine the relationship between leadership and culture and the need for a strong and dynamic leader in a startup organization To understand the threats to the airlines long-term success and how these may be overcome To analyze the growing low cost trend in the Southeast Asian region and the market potential for the same AirAsia was not the first budget carrier in Asia (although it was the first in the Southeast Asian region). The low cost trend actually started in Asia in the 1990s, when two budget airlines Air Do and Skymark Airlines were launched in Japan. However, neither of the airlines succeeded as their operational model was weak and they were soon out discounted by Japans major airlines Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways and Japan Air System. Another budget airline, Cebu Pacific Air, operated flights between Hong Kong and Seoul to the Cebu Islands in the Philippines, but its operations were limited. Otherwise, it was the national flag carriers that dominated the region According to analysts, AirAsias main appeal was its low fares. By offering fares that were a fraction of what major airlines charged, AirAsia created a new market in the Southeast Asian region. People who could otherwise not have afforded air travel began to fly AirAsia Analysts generally agreed that AirAsias success had significantly changed the dynamics of the Southeast Asian aviation industry. However, they said it would be premature to call the airline an unqualified success. AirAsia was set up in 2001, which was a bad time for the global aviation industry. Despite this, it managed to develop a successful business model. However, the airline industry had witnessed a number of cases where airlines started off well but later experienced a downturn In early 2005, AirAsia Sdn Berhad (AirAsia) announced that it would give away 10,000 free seats on its flights to select Southeast Asian destinations.The airline said that was its way of celebrating the completion of three years of successful flying and of saying thank you to the people for their support. AirAsias accomplishments and success today is a reflection of the publics trust and faith in the company,said Tony Fernandes (Fernandes), CEO of AirAsia. The airline also wanted to thank the public for making its late-2004 shares issue a huge success. One of the most successful airlines in the Southeast Asian region and the pioneer of low cost, no frills travel in Malaysia, AirAsia was often in the news for its low fares and fast growing operations Until AirAsia proved them wrong, airline analysts believed that budget carriers would not find a market in Asia. They said the Asian airline industry was different from the industries of the US and Europe airline passengers in Asia looke d on air travel as a luxury, and expected to be pampered by the airlines. For this reason, no-frills travel would not appeal to them. In addition, Asian countries had a great amount of red tapism, which made it difficult to start any new venture, not least of all, an airline. Major national airlines in most of the countries also enjoyed government backing and were too powerful to allow competition to flourish. Therefore, when AirAsia was set up in 2001, it was greeted by a large amount of skepticism. The airline industry was not a good place to be in at that time, reeling as it was from the combined effects of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and economic downturn. However, within three years of operation, AirAsia changed the dynamics of the Asian airline industry. It not only managed to compete with major carriers like Malaysian Airlines (MAS) and Singapore International Airlines (SIA), but it also became the benchmark for several other low-cost airlines in that market. So great was AirAsias impact that analysts said the airline, with its minimal fares, was living up to its tag line which said Now Everyone can Fly. Against All Odds In 2001, Dato Sri Tony Fernandes Fernandes started his career as a music industry executive, working at Virgin Records and Time Warner Music It was his childhood dream to run an airline, but he did not consider the idea seriously until he saw easyJet, a London-based low cost airline, on television. Fernandes was impressed with what he saw of easyJet and decided that he wanted to explore its operations further. He spent two days at easyJets headquarters in Luton airport, talking to staff and passengers and learning how the airline was run. Fernandes had always believed that a low cost airline would be successful in the Southeast Asian region, and his experience at easyJet convinced him of the potential of his idea. He resigned from his job at Time Warner Music and returned home to Malaysia . Fernandes had no prior experience in running an airline, nor did he have enough money to start one. He raised money by mortgaging his house and using up his savings. He also roped in three of his associates Datuk Pahamin A. Rajab, Abdul Aziz Abu Bakar and Kamarudin Meranun who believed in his vision for a low cost operator in Malaysia. Getting an airline license was not easy in Malaysia. The partners set up a meeting with the Malaysi an Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamed (Mahathir), and presented to him the major features of their business model along with Dato Pahamin Ab. Rajab (Former Chairman, AirAsia), Dato Kamarudin bin Meranun (Deputy Group Chief Executive Offi cer, AirAsia) and Dato Abdul Aziz bin Abu Bakar (Current Chairman, AirAsia) formed a partnership to set up Tune Air Sdn Bhd and bought AirAsia for a token sum of RM1.00. With the help of Conor Mc Carthy (Director, AirAsia; former Director of Tune Air Sdn Bhd and former Director of Group Operations, Ryanair), AirAsia was remodeled into a low cost carrier and by January 2002, their vision to make air travel more aff ordable for Malaysians took fl ight. Valued at RM2.3 billion, AirAsia is today an award winning and the largest low cost carrier in Asia. From a two aircraft operation of Boeing 737-300, AirAsia currently boasts a fl eet of 78 aircraft that fl ies to over 60 domestic and international destinations and operates over 500 domestic and international fl ights daily from six hubs located at Low Cost Carrier Terminal (KLIA), Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Bangkok (Thailand), Jakarta (Indonesia) and Bali (Indonesia). AirAsia is fast spreading its wings to create a bigger and more extensive route network through its associate companies, Thai AirAsia and Indonesia AirAsia. The airline has carried, thus far, over 61 million guests since its fi rst day of operation. At AirAsia, we are bringing people closer by bridging boundaries through our philosophy of off ering low fares. It has sparked a revolution in travel, as more and more people from all walks of life are now able to fl y for the first time, while many others have made air travel with AirAsia their preferred choice of transport. We are consistently adding new routes, which include city pairs that never existed before, in our relentless eff orts to create a seamless bridge of unity across Asia. It is something very close to our hearts as we continuously strive to promote air travel and create excitement amongst our guests with our range of innovative products and personalised services. Corporate Vision, Mission and Values Vision-To be the largest low cost airline in Asia and serving the 3 billion people who are currently underserved with poor connectivity and high fares. Mission To be the best company to work for whereby employees are treated as part of a big family Create a globally recognized ASEAN brand To attain the lowest cost so that everyone can fl y with AirAsia Maintain the highest quality product, embracing technology to reduce cost and enhance service level Values Safety Adopting a zero tolerance to unsafe practices and strive for zero accidents through proper training, work practices, risk management and adherence to safety regulations at all times. Valuing Our People Committing to our peoples development and well-being and treating them with respect, dignity and fairness. Customer Focused We care and treat everyone in the same manner that we want to be treated. Integrity Practicing highest standards of ethical behaviour and demonstrate honesty in all our lines of work in order to command trust and mutual respect. Excellence in Performance Setting goals beyond the best and reinforcing high quality performance standards and achieving excellence through implementing best practices. Commitment To Excellence AirAsia is committed to excellence. We intend to excel in everything we do by achieving exceptional results. We have set high standards, but no higher than our customers expectations. Day after day, our people do their best so that we meet these expectations. In all our eff orts, there are five fundamental values: Safety, Passion, Integrity, Caring and Fun. They provide a frame of reference for the AirAsia experience and a corporate culture in which we live and deliver peak performance. The business models AirAsias success has taken flight through the continued confi dence of our guests who prefer a no-frills, hasslefree, low fare and convenient option in air travel. The key to delivering low fares is to consistently keep cost low. Attaining low cost requires high effi ciency in every part of the business and maintaining simplicity. Therefore every system process must incorporate best industry practices. We make this possible through the implementation of the following key strategies: Safety First Safety is the single most important criteria in every aspect of the operations, an area that AirAsia will never compromise on. AirAsia complies with the conditions set by regulators in all the countries where the airline operates. In addition, AirAsia partners with the worlds most renowned maintenance providers to ensure that its fleet is always in the best condition. AirAsia has committed itself to a program of reducing risks and hazards normally associated with our industry through a Safety Management System. This commitment is extended to ensure the full integration of a safety culture, safety policy and safety objectives in a proactive approach to aviation safety. In short, our Safety Management System is not just an add-on but a core part of our business process. It is the way we do business. The critical safety functions of senior management are in the areas of strategy and leadership. Senior management will provide a vision for safety management and provide adequate resources to achieve this level of safety High Aircraft Utilisation AirAsias high frequency flights have made it more convenient for guests to travel as the airline implements a quick turnaround of 25 minutes, which is the fastest in the region. This has resulted in high aircraft utilisation, lower costs and greater airline and staff productivity. Efficient Fleet, AirAsia continues to invest in new aircraft. As of the end of 2008, the Group received a total of 56 Airbus A320 aircraft and the deployment is as follows. Malaysian operations has received 46 and is now a fully Airbus A320 aircraft feet. Thailand operations has received six and Indonesian operation, four. Our fl eet is among the youngest in Asia and we will get even younger as we take delivery of 14 Airbus A320 aircraft and retire nine older Boeing 737-300 Classics aircraft in 2009. These Airbus A320 are ultra modern, more fuel effi cient and environmentally friendly aircraft with unparalleled levels of passenger comfort, serviceability and reliability. We have received positive feedback that our passengers love this aircraft. These aircraft have reduced operational cost signifi cantly and helped to deliver strong profi ts. Low Fare, No Frills AirAsia targets guests who are prepared to do away with frills such as meals, frequent flyer miles or airport lounges in exchange for fares lower than those currently off ered without comprising on quality and service. Guests have the choice of buying exclusively prepared meals, snacks and drinks from our in-fl ight service at an aff ordable price. While onboard AirAsia the best thing to do, of course, is to eat and drink. We will help you do that by off ering a vast selection of food and drinks without punching a hole in your wallet. And our fun and friendly crew will ensure the merriment part of your travel experience. Streamline Operations Making the process as simple as possible is the key to AirAsias success. We are working towards a single aircraft fl eet; this greatly reduces duplicating manpower requirements as well as stocking of maintenance parts. There is only one class seating, i.e. fi rst class, and passengers are free to sit where they choose. Lean Distribution System AirAsia off ers a wide and innovative range of distribution channels to make booking and traveling easier for its guests. AirAsias ticketless service provides a low cost alternative to issuing printed tickets. Simple Distribution System Simple is good, simple is what we want and simple is what we all need. Bearing this in mind, we have worked very hard through countless hours of research and development to ensure that our distribution system is, simple. It is ironic that so much work is required to be simple but bear in mind that simple is a relative word when you are catering to the needs of millions of people across the world. We have developed a comprehensive, yet simple distribution system. One that is capable of handling the most technologically savvy customer to the most technologically deprived. Our website www.airasia.com is available in seven languages and our call centre is conversant in the major spoken Asian languages. For those always on the go, you can book a fl ight using your mobile phone at www.mobile.airasia.com We have recently upgraded our self check-in machines with a simpler and more powerful version. The transaction takes not more than two minutes to complete. This new machine also has an advanced security feature which eff ectively cuts the risk of fraud. We have also expanded our web check-in facility to all stations and destinations. You can now use the web check-in facility even if you have baggage (previously web check-in was only for passengers without baggage). Simply stroll over to the baggage drop off counter every station has one and then proceed to the departure hall for your fl ight. If you have not tried any of these convenient services, I recommend you do so the next time you fl y with AirAsia. Not only will it save you valuable time and eliminate the stress of queuing up, it will also reward AirAsia in the form of lower cost and thus lower my stress. Its amutually healthy proposition! Point to point network The LCC model shuns the hub-andspoke system and adopts the simple pointto-point network. All AirAsia fl ights are shorthaul (four hour fl ight or less). The underlying business is to get a person from point A to B. On Time Performance, Nothing irks airline passengers more than a delay. Often, these delays are caused by factors beyond our control when Mother Nature throws a fi t, for instance but we can try to mitigate these occurrences by ensuring that we take actions within our control to do so. One of the benefi ts of a young fl eet is reliability. AirAsas On Time Performance (OTP) has improved by nine percentage points since the fi rst Airbus A320 aircraft was inducted into our fl eet. The graph below indicates OTP will rise with more Airbus A320 aircraft in the fl eet. We will back test this conclusion and aim for 92% OTP in 2009. If we succeed, it will make us the most punctual airline in the world. In line with our confi dence in achieving this goal, we have launched a revolutionary campaign called On Time Guarantee (OTG). In a snapshot, this campaign compensates a passenger inconvenienced by a substantial delay due to our fault at no additional cost. We believe this pioneering and unique campaign will help to boost the retention rate and raise our brand equity. AirAsia Today AirAsia flies over 100 routes across 12 countries in Asia. The fast-growing airline has become Asias eigth-largest airline in six years, and is now the largest low-cost carrier in Asia, with the lowest cost base of any airline in the world. According to AirAsia, the key to delivering low fares is to consistently keep costs low which requires high efficiency in every part of the business, with every system process incorporating best industry practices. How they do it Ultimately, it is our guests who have made us what we are today. A passion for exceeding our guests expectations is what spurs us to relentlessly pursue innovative ways to enhance the service we provide. Constant innovation is the tool we use to expand our guests freedom to travel so that Now Everyone Can Fly. In 2008, a total commitment to innovation enabled us to stay ahead of the game and once again win an array of prestigious awards. In the years to come, the same commitment will see us successfully navigate the ongoing global economic turbulence, broaden our horizons and not only survive but prosper. In 2009 we will unroll a series of initiatives designed to boost customer service while keeping fares down. So it is apt that this years Annual Report focuses on innovations which will enable AirAsia Berhad (AirAsia) to retain its pole position as the worlds preferred low fare airline. Above all, it is appropriate for us to acknowledge the support our guests give us by making Thanks to YOU the key message of this report. The Asia-Pacific aviation industry is enjoying strong passenger demand. According to the International Civil Aviation Association, passenger numbers in the region grew more than 12 percent in 2007, supported by rising economies, increasing business travel, and growing disposable incomes. Making Innovations Just for You Why is AirAsia performing so well? The answer couldnt be any simpler: AirAsia grows because it saves money for people. Nobody wants to part with their money whenever possible, but I am certain that almost everyone likes to travel. So, sensibly, people look for the lowest cost option with fi rst class service. Providing fi rst class service is imperative for any service oriented company, customers simply wont have it any other way. We realise this importance and have consistently upgraded our service level, and succeeded in doing so without any compromise to effi ciency and cost. I will explain in the following pages our initiatives present and future to enhance customer service delivery. Some are innovative ideas inspired by the talented people of AirAsia and some are simple but functional moves that came from other sources. Expanding the Route Network In 2008, we achieved many milestones. The one closest to my heart is our entry into Singapore. For too long, passengers on the Malaysia to Singapore route were burdened with high fares extracted by the monopolistic nature of the route operators. This is no longer the case AirAsia introduced unheard-of low fares on a route that has proven to be high-yielding and is expected to deliver sustained profi ts. We have six destinations linking to Singapore at the end of 2008 and this number will double by the end of 2009. For years, we have gazed upon India and waited for an opportunity. That day fi nally came and our maiden route, Kuala Lumpur to Tiruchirappalli, has been a resounding success. There is plenty more to come, we currently have on our radar screen to commence services to Coimbatore, Kochi and Kolkata. India presents a fantastic opportunity for AirAsia and I envisage it as one of our biggest markets in years to come.of growth with 39% more passengers carried than the year before. This signifi cantly outpaced the domestic Malaysia passenger numbers that grew by 13%. While we continue to see and capitalise on opportunities in Malaysia, we expect the higher rate of growth in international sectors to continue. With the launch of AirAsia X, AirAsias route network has evolved from being Asia-centric to include Australia and Europe. The impact of this connectivity for instance, connecting Australia and London by providing an alternative, aff ordable version of the so-called Kangaroo Route is being felt not just by AirAsia but by Malaysia. Our route connectivity and the frequency of our fl ights is now turning Kuala Lumpur into the premier regional hub for low-cost travel. Our services in boosting tourism in Malaysia are helping to alleviate some of the pain infl icted by the global economic downturn. Our investments in these new routes and in boosting the Malaysian economy demonstrate our unwavering commitment to the nation and its people. The Chanllenge Implement low cost promotions with high efficiency and best industry practices Create and implement print and web campaigns on a very tight delivery schedule Integrate and implement internationally across multiple languages and media Benefits Accelerated creation to delivery model High quality implementation at a low cost 50 percent increased productivity in creative turnaround and output Industry Overview and Challenges The Asia-Pacifi c aviation industry is facing one of the most challenging period since the 1997 Asian financial crisis. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), passenger numbers in the Asia Pacifi c region shrunk by 1.5% in 2008 and is expected to contract by a further 0.6% in 2009. Financial loss projections paint an even more dismal scenario Asia-Pacifi c airlines posted a US$500 million loss in 2008, with the loss forecast to balloon up to US$1.5 billion in 2009. The competitive environment has gone awry amid confusion. Many airlines have terminated underperforming services, deferred scheduled aircraft deliveries and frozen excess capacity in an attempt to reduce their cost base. Legacy carriers are also slashing fares on main routes, often putting themselves in direct competition with low-cost airlines such as AirAsia. I am confi dent, however, that we will more than hold our own. AirAsia is not just about low fares. Our route connectivity, the frequency of our fl ights, Industry leading punctuality, the 5-Star quality of our service and our determination to excel in everything we do provides our customers and guests unparalleled value We welcome fair competition conducted on a level playing fi eld because we are confi dent we can triumph over all comers. In fact, we are noticing an upsurge of interest in fl ying AirAsia by the corporate sector as it seeks to cut travel costs for its executives by switching to us instead of using legacy carriers. This is just one example of how the current economic downturn has benefi ted us and we have good reason to believe there are many more. Our market share will likely grow in 2009, partly because much of the rest of the industry is in acute distress. Going forward The critical qualities needed to navigate through the current economic turbulence are a focus on innovation, maintaining tight discipline in line with the low-cost model, creative marketing and an unwavering self belief. As many of you are aware, I am an incorrigible optimist. I look for silver lining in any situation and I am confi dent that the economy will rebound. I am also a person who fi rmly believes in lighting a candle rather than cursing the darkness. Which is why we made the painful decisions we made and have put in place strategies that will see us through this uncertain period and continue to deliver long-term value to our customers, shareholders and all our other stakeholders. Unit cost is expected to reduce substantially stemming from our decision to purchase fuel on the spot market, the benefi ts of a younger fl eet and economies of scale. The current price of fuel is substantially lower than the US$128 per barrel that we paid in 2008. The benefi t of the lower fuel p rice goes straight to the bottom line. With these gains in hand, 2009 will be a strong year for the Group. Its been an extremely eventful and exciting year. The Board of Directors and I are pleased and proud to be leading our talented and committed employees as we begin this new chapter in the history of AirAsia. We have every confi dence that the future will be both successful and full of opportunities.