Views on Freackonomics by S.Levitt and S.Dubner

Crime has been a global concern for most countries all over the world. In their influential article titled Freackonomics, Levitt and Dubner give a vivid account of the prevalence of crime in the United States. They stated that crime had been growing persistently in all U.S. cities over recent years and appeared to be a precursor to the demise of the world we knew.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Views on Freackonomics by S.Levitt and S.Dubner specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Murder, drug peddling, rape and robbery had become widespread in all cities and extensively covered by the media in the United States (3). Majority of experts in criminology predicted that crime rate would rise steadily to astonishing figures. For instance, in mid 1990s, James Fox, an expert in criminology, predicted the impending rise in murders by youngsters. He suggested an optimistic and pessimistic state of affairs. On the for mer stance; Fox predicted that the rate of crime committed by teenagers would increase by 14.9% in the next ten years. His pessimistic outlook suggested that the crime rate would rise to more than 30% by 2005. The same pattern of prediction was upheld by several experts in criminology and political scientist. Bill Clinton, the former U.S. president pointed out this gloomy picture when he stated that juvenile delinquency would be among the top priorities to be addressed by future administrations (Levitt Dubner 4). However, against all odds, the crime rate started to drop. The demise was astonishing in a number of aspects. All states recorded significant drop in crime rates. The slump in crime rate was constant and decreased at an increasing rate in successive years. Yet, the drop was totally unexpected, more so by the same specialists who had forecasted the opposite. The degree of the turnaround was shocking. The teen murder rate declined by over 49.9% in less than six years, in con trary to what Fox had predicted- a 14.9% rise in crime rate. By the turn of the new millennium, the aggregate murder rate in the U.S. had decreased to its lowest figures in 35 years. A similar pattern was also observed in other forms of crime, such as car burglary and assault (Levitt Dubner 4). The sudden drop in crime rate prompted several criminologists to propose theories to explain the phenomenon. Some claimed that the booming economy in 1990s contributed to the abrupt turnaround in crime rates. Others claimed that the introduction of numerous gun control regulations reduced the number of guns in the market.Advertising Looking for critical writing on political culture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The introduction of effective policing programs in New York City that reduced incidences of murder from 2444 in 1900s to a low of 595 in 2002 was also cited as a probable reason. These reasons sounded rational because they cr edited the drop in crime levels to human intervention strategies. For example, the introduction of laws on gun control was identified as one of the reason for the decline in crime rate (Levitt Dubner 5). However, these theories were not necessarily accurate. In chapter four, Levitt and Dubner draw an analogy between the account of abortion in Romania and the escalating crime rates in the U.S in 1990s. The two writers suggest that, in one way, the Romanian abortion narrative presents an opposite picture of the crime rates in the United States. However, the convergent point of the two phenomena occurred on December 25th, 1989, when Ceausescu was shot in the head for outlawing abortion. On the same day, crime in the U.S. had reached unprecedented levels. When crime rates started to drop all of a sudden and rapidly, everybody was stunned because it went against all rational expectations (Levitt Dubner 119). The abrupt drop in crime left criminologists with one disturbing question: why did the crime drop so suddenly? The same experts rushed to propose several reasons to explain the abrupt drop. Some of the reasons suggested included: creative policing tactics; an ageing population; over-reliance on penitentiary facilities; decline in crack and heroin sell; economic growth; robust arms control regulations; an increased police force; and other remedial measures such as gun buybacks and capital sentences (Levitt Dubner 121). The reasons suggested above however do not explain adequately why the crime levels fell suddenly. For example, the rapid economic growth in1990 was listed as one of the reason because it created more employment opportunities for the youth. However, this theory was not entirely correct. It is a fact that a thriving economy may render some crimes obsolete. However, this is true for those crimes that are correlated financial aspect, such as automobile theft, robbery and mugging, in contrast to non-financially related crimes such as rape, homicide and murder. A number of studies done indicate that a rise by one percent in employment levels reduced no-violent crime by the same margin. From 1990 to 2000, the rate of employment in the U.S. rose by over 1.9%. Consequently, passive crime fell by over 39.8% during the same period. However, the major fault in this theory is related to violent crime that reduced at a bigger magnitude than any other type of crime (Levitt Dubner 122). Thus, the link between economic growth and declining crime rate was rebuffed.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Views on Freackonomics by S.Levitt and S.Dubner specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More According some studies, abortion was identified as the main reason for the escalation of crime in most parts of the US. When Nicolae Ceausescu banned abortion in mid 1960s, all children born after the law was enacted were likely to engage in criminal activities than those born prior to the ban. Similar research done in Scandinavia and parts of Europe between 1930 and 1960 support this viewpoint. Research experts unraveled that when abortion was forbidden in these countries; women usually ended up resenting their children and refused to nurture them properly. Eve when some socio-economic factors such as age, income, healthcare and education of the women were held constant, the researchers discovered that the affected children would still turn into juvenile delinquency (Levitt Dubner 136). Thus, according to the findings above, it seems the only solution to sprawling crime rate was the legalization of abortion. For example, when abortion was legalize in the US, actual birth rates dropped by over 5.9%. Also, the number of children under foster care decreased rapidly. Thus the legalization of abortion reduced the number of children unwanted by their mothers (Levitt Dubner 139.). As this number fell, the likelihood of juvenile delinquency dropped significantly which in turn reduces crime rate Work Cited Levitt, Steven Dubner, Stephen. â€Å"The Hidden Side of Everything†, Freackonomics, (2005): 1-144 This critical writing on Views on Freackonomics by S.Levitt and S.Dubner was written and submitted by user Pastel Donkey to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The Best AP US Government Review 5-Step Guide

The Best AP US Government Review 5-Step Guide SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips AP US Government can be a fascinating class for those interested in how the American political system works and what factors led to its formation. While the exam is less difficult than many other APs, it's still important to understand the types of questions you can expect and the most efficient ways to study based on the content. In this article, I'll go through sample questions from each part of the exam, list a step-by-step AP Government review process, and provide some tips for making the most of your studying. What’s the Format of the AP US Government Exam? The exam is two hours and twenty-five minutes long, and, like other AP tests, it includes multiple-choice and free-response sections.The multiple-choice section is 45 minutes long and contains 60 questions.You’ll earn one point for each question you answer correctly; there are no points deducted for incorrect answers or questions you leave blank.The free-response section is 100 minutes long and contains four questions.Each question in the free-response section is worth the same percentage of your score, although they typically have different numbers of raw points possible. What Do Questions Look Like on the AP US Government Exam? In this section, I’ll provide official examples of questions from each section of the test.The multiple-choice example is from the course guidelines, and the free-response example is a released question from the 2015 AP test. Multiple Choice Question Example EXCEPT questions are common on the AP US Government exam.It’s critical to read these questions carefully so that you don’t end up getting confused and looking for the wrong answer.In this case, we are looking for the one response that doesn’t represent a concern about the flaws of the Articles of Confederation.We need to eliminate the responses that were legitimate reasons for modifying the Articles of Confederation. The main issue with the Articles of Confederation was that they created a wimpy central government that didn’t have enough power to regulate conflicts between the states.We can eliminate any answers that talk about problems with weaknesses of the central government.That means B, D, and E should all be crossed out, leaving us with A and C as potential answers. Choice C, the desire to promote trade among the states, is connected to the problems with a lack of centralized power.Since the states were so autonomous, trade barriers were being set up that stifled the economy and divided the country too drastically.The federal government needed to be strengthened so that it could prevent these sorts of barriers from being thrown up and creating divisions and rivalries that damaged the country’s economy as a whole.This means that choice C can also be eliminated. Choice A, the only answer left, is the one we want.Although there was ultimately dissatisfaction over safeguards of individual rights and liberties which led to the creation of the Bill of Rights, this did not come to fruition until a couple of years later; it wasn’t a direct impetus for the convention. Free This question requires an understanding of presidential election policies and procedures.You could earn one point in part A for describing a reason why the electoral college was instituted by the framers of the constitution.Potential answers include: It provides for a compromise between small and large states in the election process. It protects against direct election by poorly informed citizens (caters to elites). The framers did not trust the people, Congress, or state legislatures to elect the president on their own. The electoral college reinforces federalism and gives states a role in presidential selection. For part B (also worth one point), you have to explain the message the cartoon sends regarding presidential elections.You might say that it points out that candidates mainly focus on battleground or swing states while placing much less emphasis on most other states.Alternatively, you could simply say that the cartoon indicates that most states are ignored by presidential candidates in the election process. For part C (again, worth one point), you would need to explain why California, Texas, and New York are not emphasized in the cartoon despite being assigned tons of electoral votes.You could say that all those states are very heavily controlled by one party or the other, so campaigning there will only help a candidate so much.Their voting patterns are essentially predetermined. The fate of the election is typically decided in smaller but more evenly divided states. For part D, worth two points, you just need to describe two campaign tactics used in swing states during presidential elections.Possible answers include: Concentrating campaign funds in those states Putting out more TV ads and media coverage in those states Having larger campaign organizations stationed in those states Making more campaign appearances in those states Focusing on issues that swing voters in those states care about Selecting a running mate who hails from one of the swing states You could earn a potential total of five raw points for this question, which is a typical number of points for most AP US Government free-response questions.On the 2015 exam, the first three free-response questions were worth five points each, and the last question was worth seven points.Keep in mind that each question has the same influence on your final score regardless of its raw point value.That means there’s no reason to prioritize one question over another; just start with whichever question seems easiest to you. Which Topics Does the AP US Government Exam Cover? There are six major topics covered by the exam.Here’s a chart detailing how often you’ll see each of them in the multiple-choice section: Topic Area Percentage of Questions Constitutional Underpinnings of US Government 5-15% Political Beliefs and Behaviors 10-20% Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media 10-20% Institutions of National Government: The Congress, the Presidency, the Bureaucracy, and the Federal Courts 35-45% Public Policy 5-15% Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 5-15% How to Review for AP US Government It can be hard to know where to start with your AP Gov review - I'll walk you through five steps to get you readyfor the exam. Step 1: Take a Practice Test The first step in your review should be to take a real practice exam.You need to do this before you dive into studying so you can focus on the areas that need the most work rather than reading over the material indiscriminately.As I mentioned in the previous section, you should also be sure totime yourself accurately on this practice test. When you’re done, score the test (one point for each multiple-choice question, consult specific scoring guidelines for free-response questions), and use this calculator to convert your raw score into an approximate AP score.This should give you some insight into how much time you’ll need to spend studying if you want to reach your goals. The AP US Government exam is known as one of the easier AP tests, so I'd suggest that you aim for a 5 unless you're really struggling with the material. Step 2: Look Back at Your Mistakes When you’ve finished scoring the test, review your mistakes to see which topics need to be addressed in your studying.Categorize incorrect answers by topic area and/or skill set.If you find that you had a lot of trouble with questions that asked about the judiciary, you would want to focus on that content in your review sessions. You can also consider the types of question formats that tripped you up most frequently.For example, if you noticed that you did especially poorly on EXCEPT questions, you might conclude that you need to practice slowing down and paying more attention to the wording of questions on the test. Step 3: Study Whatever You Forgot Now, you can dive back into your notesand study any content that was problematic for you on the practice test.If you don’t have many issues with content and are struggling more with the test format or careless mistakes, you can just do a short review of any small tidbits you missed and then move onto the next step. Step 4: Do Selective Practice Questions This step is important if you struggled with â€Å"EXCEPT† questions or most of your mistakes came from careless misunderstandings of the questions.Practicesimilar questions so that you’re more used to the types of wording and formats you’ll see on the exam.You can find tons of practice questions available on different websites and in review books (I’ll eventually be writing another article that lists all of these resources for you). Step 5: Take a Second Practice Test to Measure Your Progress When you’re satisfied that you have a better handle on all the issues that plagued you on the first practice test, you should take another test to see if you’ve made real progress.Again, time the test accurately, and take it in a quiet, distraction-free environment.If you find that your scores have improved, you can either decide that you’re satisfied or shoot for even more improvement by going through this process again.If you don’t see much improvement, you should backtrack and reexamine your study process.It may be that you were reading over your notes without really absorbing them or you didn’t do enough practice questions to get the hang of the test. Here’s an approximate timeline for the completion of all five of these steps: Step 1: 3 hoursStep 2: 1 hourStep 3: 2 hoursStep 4: 2 hoursStep 5: 3 hours Total Time: 11 hours When you finish studying for the AP test, the unofficial step 6 is convincing your teacher to let you watch House of Cards in class for the remainder of the year. 3 Study Tips for AP US Government Finally, here are a few essential study tips to keep you on track during your AP Government review. Tip #1: Prioritize Institutions of National Government As you can see from the chart in the previous section, "Institutions of National Government" is the most prominent single content area on the test.Congress and the Presidency, in particular, are hot topics that make up around 30 percent of questions. You should be familiar with the powers of these institutions, their compositions, the election processes associated with them, their origins, and how they’ve changed over time.It’s critical to have this knowledge as a foundation so that all the other information you’ve learned makes sense and can be tied back to the central structure of the US political system. Tip #2: Know Your Key Terms AP US Government is heavy on understanding terminology in context and identifying correct definitions on both sections of the test. It’s a great idea to make some flashcards to get yourself up to speed with all the fancy words that are used to describe stuff related to the government. Most review books and textbooks will have lists of key vocabulary that you can reference when creating flashcards.Be able to identify each term by its corresponding definition and state the definition when you're presented with a key term. Tip #3: Authentic Practice Resources Are Important There’s no foolproof substitute for official AP practice questions when reviewing for this test.Although it’s fine to use some unofficial sources (and, in fact, you probably have to if you hope to get in enough practice), you need to mix in at least some official AP questions to make sure you’re ready for the exam.Take at least one or two full official practice tests in your studying so you can get an accurate prediction of how you would perform on the real test. You should also time yourself to the specifications of the real AP test when taking official practice tests.This will help you to detect any issues with time management and develop skills in pacing that are necessary on the AP test.Note that you have less than a minute for each multiple choice question on this test (60 questions in 45 minutes), so you’ll have to keep yourself moving forward constantly to ensure that you make it to the end of the section. Don't get stuck in traffic when you come across hard questions. Either take your best guess or skip it on the first run through and come back to it later. Make sure you glare at the question as you zoom past. It knows what it did. Key Points for AP Government Review The AP US Government exam is one of the shorter AP tests, but it still covers a wide range of topics and includes some confusing question types that you should become familiar with before test day. Here's a recap of the steps you should take to get the most out of your review process: Step 1: Take a Practice Test Step 2: Look Back at Your Mistakes Step 3: Study What You Missed Step 4: Do Selective Practice Questions Step 5: Take Another Practice Test You can repeat these steps as necessary until you're satisfied with your scores. In your studying, focus on learning the ins and outs of institutions of national government and memorizing the definitions of key terms. You should also be sure to practice your skills using real AP questions from the College Board. Above all, don't be intimidated by this test. You're almost certainly capable of earning a 5 if you start studying well in advance! What's Next? To get your studying started, here's an article detailing how to find the best AP practice exams. Want even more advice on how to do well on your AP exams? Check out these six critical tips for success on any AP test. If your school doesn't offer an AP class that interests you, you might consider going rogue and taking the test anyways. Learn how you canself-study for an AP exam and end up with a great score. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Discuss the view that businesses exist to make profits and that we Essay

Discuss the view that businesses exist to make profits and that we should not expect them to take on social responsibilities.( SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF BUSINESS - Essay Example According to Waddock, Corporate management can not avoid corporate social responsibility, as it is the basis for the formation of Corporate Citizenship / Waddock, 2005/ The Committee for Economic Development suggested one more definition of CSR, which is based on â€Å"three concentric circles† approach. In this approach the inner circle is composed of primary economic functions like economic development, company production and jobs offered. The next, intermediate, circle states the necessity for awareness of modification of social values in the process of goods production. Finally the third, outer, circle includes new and therefore still vague responsibilities, which are important for the company seeking to improve social environment / Committee of Economic Development, 1971/. However, the attitude to corporate social responsibility is not such simple. Some experts are quite inspired by the concern of the companies and their desire to make contributions to the society. Their opponents consider that the primary task of any business is to make money not to make the world better. It is not new that companies benefit from being socially responsible. It should be noticed that different companies experience different kinds and different levels of benefits from their CSR policies. This depends greatly on the nature of the business itself, on the country, where the company operates. Besides, it is quite difficult to measure the extend of the benefit from CSR. The question of the benefit to the companies from being socially responsible was one of the primary ones since the introduction of the practice of social responsibility policy. There exist a number of literature investigations focusing on the influence of the corporate social responsibility policy on the performance of the company of the market. Among the best-known

Individual Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Individual Report - Essay Example The analysis entails the resources and the organization’s performance in its external environments. This report describes the organizational paradigms and their impact on the process of strategic management. Introduction An organization defines its own ways of identifying its operations in its environment in order to guarantee profitable performance and customer satisfaction. This is achieved through the implementation of a given structure that determines the functions that warrant the objectives of the company. This is aligned to the key objective of a firm that is solely maximizing its profits. The organizational paradigms key issue assists in describing the structural design that is suitable to the accomplishment of the functional requirements (CARTER 2010). Therefore, organizational paradigms imply the fundamental presuppositions that unnoticeably define and shape an organizations structures, policies, and operations. Elements of Organizational Paradigms Organizational par adigms consist of four main elements according to its scientific description. The symbolic generalization is an element that gives ways that problems within the paradigm are posed and solved. The second element is the metaphysical assumptions (STRATI 2000). This element represents the taken-as-given beliefs about the issues that will be treated as real regarding the organizations operations and environment. The third element describes values that embody the fundamental priorities and alternatives of the problems pursued and the main objectives to adhere (DONALDSON 2001). Lastly, exemplars are an organizational paradigm’s element that deals with those worked-out methods and solutions that exhibit the whole world perception as a rational form. Rational Systems This is an organizational paradigm whose systems are highlighted by high specificity of formation, formalization, objectives, and a conscious purposeful synchronization among members in an effort to establish an efficient operated company. These characteristics of the objectives drive the mannerisms of the company’s members (HASSARD 1995). It also establishes boundaries through which the organization puts efforts to succeed in relation to the firms goals or community within which it seeks to aspire. In addition, the rational system is usually demonstrated by Taylor’s Scientific Management concept of methodical evaluation of an employee’s productivity seeking to set given standards of effectiveness and substitute the arbitrary decisions of front line managers (SCOTT 2003). Furthermore, the rational system addresses management effectiveness by establishing extensive administrative standards through concepts such as hierarchical organizational structures, unity-of-command, and departmentalization. Moreover, it ensures the homogeneity of operations to offer control and focus needed by a firm and its managerial service. The paradigm also offers a different viewpoint that demonstrates the model that companies need structures and procedures to serve and sustain their survival (SCOTT & DAVIS 2007). An example of an implemented rational system is the hierarchical centralized structure of the national security sector of our country. This entails the decision-making process that directs the sector. Each of the constituent part of the sector implements a good deal of the rational system concept. The disciplined forces services are usually affiliated with the

Psychiatric Nursing Reflective Journals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Psychiatric Nursing Reflective Journals - Essay Example She appeared inattentive to my instructions and needed three repetitions of what I had said for her to understand me. When she had obeyed my instructions, I admired volubly her pretty appearance and hugged her. To my queries, she had just stared at me as if she was scared but today she called me up. Seizing the opportunity, I moved up. Nervously pulling me to her side and looking around to ensure that nobody was within hearing distance, she whispered in my ear. Her neighbor was plotting to kill her and her husband, it seemed. She had heard noises from her backyard which sounded like gunshots when she had been in the kitchen at home. Her movements appeared jerky and speech was not incoherent but appeared monotonous. Realizing that her suspicious and guarded nature was characteristic of her condition, paranoid schizophrenia, I pretended to be a good listener to gain her confidence. She claimed that the neighbor of around her age was attracted to her and was eyeing her sexually. Several times he had approached her for sexual favors. She had told her husband about this but he did not believe her. At times the neighbor had thrown stones at her house when she was alone and had rung the doorbell several times. Each time she went to the door, there would be no one. Saying all of this at one go, she quickly pushed me aside when she noticed the nursing supervisor arriving. When the supervisor had left, Mrs. Jones again strode up to me and caught my attention. She told me that her husband was a good man but he did not believe her stories and told me to keep what she told a secret. Half an hour later, Mrs. Jones did not appear to want to talk with me. When I smiled at her, she seemed to have no recognition. I was a little taken back by the stony look on her face. Her husband had told me that she was a receptionist in a hotel and very much appreciated by the others and customers. Believing that she was then well, she had stopped her treatment. He had not noticed the medicin es not being taken. This had triggered this episode. She had also not kept her appointments with the psychotherapist. Anyone would have believed this lady the way she told the stories. They would have been credible had they come from a normal person. The fact that she was admitted for paranoid schizophrenia reminded me that the stories could be delusions. Though I had studied about schizophrenia and its various forms and symptoms, this was the first time that I was in close contact with a person with schizophrenia. Having no physical deficiencies, Mrs. Jones could easily pass on the road without anyone realizing the depth of mental illness that she had, the extent of trouble that she could create and the magnitude of suffering that she went through. What she needed was sympathetic people around her and proper pharmacological and psychological treatment. A person who did not know her to be a patient could even irritate her unknowingly. This was the situation for most psychiatric diso rders. When we were taught psychiatry, we never realized that most psychiatric patients became ill only occasionally and that most of their lives; they were presumably fine and able to work like Mrs. Jones. Treatment allowed them to be a part of normal society. However the treatment schedules should never be missed. I also noted that psychiatric patients should never be allowed to consume drugs without supervision. A family member had to take responsibility. This was another of my new learning. It would serve

Visiting Miami †The city of Sun and Sea

Visiting Miami – The city of Sun and Sea Miami – The city of Sun and Sea Hello! Miami is a large, coastal metropolis that is located on the southeastern tip of Florida. Its subtropical climate, white sandy beaches and the nightlife that never ends make Miami a heaven for tourists and a place where the rich and famous loosen up. It is also home to a portion of the Everglades National Parkthat is a major tourist attraction of Florida. Today, Miami is a major business center and a leader in finance, commerce, culture, entertainment, fashion, arts and international trade. It has also been conferred the title of ‘America’s cleanest city’. Miami being a city that started with nothing is often described as the ‘only city of the world that started as a fantasy’. Whether you are into sports, beaches, salsa, shopping or adventure, you can enjoy this diverse paradise that is full of life any time of the year. Best season to visit Miami Miami is blessed with sunny days and breezy nights all year around. The peak tourist season is during the winter months from January to April when the weather is warm in Miami and cold in rest of the United States. Unlike other places, the crowd in Miami is not off-putting. Instead the continuous string of events and parties make the city a magical place. October to December is the shoulder season with pleasant temperatures. Hotels are available for a relatively lower price and this is a good time to visit. The summer months from May to September are off-season and this is when the days are scorching hot. Hence, the crowd is smaller and hotels cheaper. Irrespective of season, pack your sunglasses, sunscreen, bathing suit, beach towel and you are ready to enjoy Miami. Highlights (Special things to do and experience in Miami) Rejuvenate in the sun kissed beaches of Miami. Whether it is the South beach, Sunny Isles, Haulover beach or the Crandon beach, you will find a beach that will be perfect for you. ‘See and be seen’ in South Beach, the world’s trendiest beach. Be a part of the electrifying nightlife of Miami. Relax in the beautiful Key Biscayne. Dive or snorkel in the turquoise blue waters of Emerald Reef and watch the marine life come to life in front of you. Sail in a boat, yacht or catamaran and admire the beautiful skyline of Miami from the waters. Take an airboat ride and enter a different world that is Everglades National Park. Amaze yourself with the city’s iconic skyline and beautiful views of Biscayne Bay from Downtown Miami. Take a lovely ride to Key West from Miami. Start your day with a delicious Cuban breakfast at Little Havana. Enjoy Brazilian cachaca cocktails with picture perfect views of Biscayne Bay at the Sunset Lounge, Miami Beach. Take the wheel on a NASCAR race track and feel the adrenaline at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Indulge in shopping at the Lincoln road mall, Miami Beach. Partake in the Carnaval on the Mile, a lively two day event celebrating Latin music, art and food. Enjoy what feels like an oversized block party in true Miami style. Soak up art of all kinds in the free Art Walks hosted in different areas of Miami. The biggest and most popular ones are held in Wynwood Arts District and the Design District. After all the fun in sun, unwind at the yoga classes held on the beach. Hotspots (Places to visit in Miami) Miami Beach South Beach: South Beach, popularly nicknamed as SoBe, is a neighborhood in the city of Miami. This is one beach that attracts people of all varieties. You will see beautiful people everywhere flaunting themselves. The beach often draws celebrities and it is also a popular spot for fashion photo shoots and hip clubs. Sophisticated and hot, South Beach defines cool! Lincoln Road: Lincoln Road is an eight-block long pedestrian walkway packed with shops, restaurants and cafes. It features the 1111 Lincoln Road parking garage, which is architecturally acclaimed for its unique appearance. Key Biscayne Island Key Biscayne: Your Miami holidays are incomplete without visiting the scenic and serene Key Biscayne that comprises of four different and beautiful beaches. This secluded island is a short drive over the Rickenbacker Causeway. Just six miles off the coast of Miami,this island is a peaceful paradise that feels a world away from the bustling urban center. It is the perfect place to unwind, relax and connect with Miami’s natural beauty. Crandon Park beach: It is the largest and most popular beach on Key Biscayne.It is more than just a beach as it offers beach volleyball courts, kayak rentals, eco-adventure tours and other activities. Crandon Tennis center and Crandon Golf Key Biscayne located here are open to public and home to annual world-class professional events. Bill BaggsCape Florida State Park: Located on the southern tip of Key Biscayne, the park includes Cape Florida Light (lighthouse), the oldest standing structure in Greater Miami. The beach itself is listed as one of the ‘Top 10 beaches in America’. Virginia Key beach: The historic Virginia Key Beach is a beautiful and isolated beach just off the Rickenbacker Causeway which is the bridge between the mainland and Key Biscayne. Miami Seaquarium is located here. Miami Seaquarium: Miami Seaquarium is a marine-life entertainment park featuring eight marine animal shows and presentations. Lolita, the Killer Whale, bottlenose dolphins and Salty, the Sea Lion are some of the animals it is home to. Visitors are allowed to interact with dolphins or walk underwater among tropical fish for additional fees. Everglades National Park Everglades Alligator Farm: The Everglades is the third largest National Park in the Continental U.S and also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Home to more than 2,000 alligators, the Everglades have been a part of Florida history for as long as Florida has had a history. A trip to Everglades Alligator Farm includes a thrilling airboat tour of the surrounding river of grass, a walking train around the farm to see alligators, crocodiles and exotic snakes. Shark Valley: Shark Valley is part of the Everglades and is a 45-minute drive from Miami. Rent a bike and travel the 15-mile loop that makes up Shark Valley. Get close to the wildlife here that includes alligators, ibis, raccoons, wood storks and spoonbills among others. If you want to play it safe, opt for the two hour tram tour led by trained naturalists. Downtown Downtown Miami:Located right in the heart of Miami between the busy Brickell area, the beaches and rest of the mainland, Downtown is the perfect place to start your night. The famous American Airlines Arena that is home to the ‘Miami Heat’ of NBA and the Adrienne Arsht Center well known for its Opera and Broadway shows are located in the Downtown. Of course for all the club goers, Miami downtown has some of the hottest and diverse clubs in the world. It is here that you can eat atthe finest restaurants, dance in the hottest clubs, admire the iconic skyline and lose yourself in the beautiful views of Biscayne Bay! Key west Island Key West: No Miami holidays are complete without a journey to the Island of Key West. It is a day trip from Miami city. The 150-mile drive to the Key West is one of the most scenic and great American road trips. Once you are in the island, visit the Mallory Square; take a glass-bottom boat ride visiting the coral reef and snorkel in the blue green crystal clear waters of the Key West. It is the southernmost point in the continental USA between Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The lovely drive is one the unique experiences you will have in Miami. Coconut grove Village west:It is a lovely bayside village situated on Biscayne Bay. Laze around the streets of the village consisting of sidewalk cafes, pretty galleries and interesting boutiques. Vizcaya museum and gardens: It is the former villa and estate of businessman James Deeringthat is located on Biscayne Bay in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami. The architecture of this stunningly beautiful American villa was influenced by Veneto and Tuscan Italian Renaissance models. The vizcaya museum contains more than seventy rooms of distinctive architectural interiors decorated with numerous antiques, with emphasis on European art. The villa, museum and the extensive Italian Renaissance gardens altogether make it a charming place to visit. City of Sunny Isles Beach Sunny Isles Beach: With two miles of pristine, white sandy beaches facing the luxurious resorts, Sunny Isles Beach is considered Florida’s Riviera for good reason. Whether it’s lounging poolside in a fancy oceanfront cabana or sinking your toes in the sand, Sunny Isles Beach offers clean, un-crowded and relaxing beaches perfect for a romantic getaway. If you are looking for a quieter, relaxing vacation stay then this is the place to be. Watson Island Jungle Island: It is an interactive zoological park in Miami. One can see a combination of animal and bird life like lions, panthers, lemurs, orangutans, parrots, flamingos, kangaroos and many more. Interactive sessions are available for extra cost. Shopping in Miami Aventura Mall consists of top U.S stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, JCPenney and many more that sum up to more than 300 specialty retailers. Shop and chill at this mall which also features a variety of restaurants and a movie theater. A mix of upscale and casual shopping defines Miami International Mall, located near the airport and offering the favorite stores of locals. For luxury shopping head to the stylish village of BalHarbour featuring stores like Chanel, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Dolce Gabana and many more! You could also catch one of the many fashion events held at this place. Bayside Marketplace blends shopping with pleasure as national retailers share space with culturally distinctive merchandise. And it doesn’t stop at shopping as it offers great seafood and Latin restaurants, all overlooking the lovely Biscayne Bay. At Coconut Grove’s Cocowalk, shop in the sun and dance under the moon! This open-air shopping, dining and entertainment destination has the ambiance of a European town square. When the sun sets, Cocowalk heats up with live music, bars and restaurants. Street-smart shopping in Downtown is one of the delights of Miami. It is home to one of the nation’s largest jewelry districts and hundreds of retailers. Clothes, accessories, electronics, sporting goods, cameras, cosmetics- you name it, they sell it! Designer shopping on the streets of South Beach, whose Lincoln Road, Espanola Way and Ocean Drive stores provide a unique shopping experience, is a must do. In a place that offers souvenirs to gifts, books to jewelry, fashion to art, chocolate to cheese, you are bound to walk away with something special. How to reach Miami: Miami International Airport (MIA), located west of the city is an important hub for traffic between Europe, North America and South America. If you are travelling from one of the U.S cities, then Fort Lauderdale International Airport is a better choice. It is about 30 minutes north of Miami, smaller and less trafficked than MIA. Amtrak’s (train)Silver Service operates trains to Miami from New York, Washington D.C and other cities. Drive to Miami through its three main highways, I-95, I-75 and U. S. Highway 1. How to get around in Miami: Renting a car is a comfortable option to travel in Miami. It is advisable to do so from Miami International Airport as the city has only a few car rental companies. Hiring a Taxi too is a good option especially in North Miami Beach. South Beach Local bus service is one of the cheaper ways to get around in the area of South Beach. It runs every 10-15 minutes throughout the day, is air-conditioned, clean and safe. Metromover is a free mass transit train system in Miami. It serves Downtown Miami, Brickell, Park West and Omni neighborhoods. It s the best way to travel within Downtown Miami. Miami Hop-on Hop-off is another great way to visit the entire city as it covers major attractions like Downtown, Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and more. Top areas in Miami: South Beach: South Beach is more than just white sand beaches and art deco buildings. This is a perfect place to stay for anybody who is vacationing in Miami. From world-class boutiques, casual beachside dining to great nightlife, it is a hotspot in every way. Miami International airport: It is a fast-growing area with hotels and corporate offices. It is minutes away from several popular tourist attractions in Miami. Downtown Miami: Downtown with its iconic skyline, historic shopping arcades, dining options with variety of culinary styles and of course amazing views from everywhere is the most popular place in Miami. This is a place where work meets play. Little Havana:This Cuban neighborhood gives you the opportunity to enjoy the life of Cuba. It is a good place to stay for budget travelers as many Miami hotels are located here. Wake up and have the amazing Cuban breakfast, dance to salsa music that you keep hearing throughout the day from unseen sources, buy in one of the many street shops, eat to your heart’s content in Cuban restaurants and learn a little Spanish! That’s Little Havana for you. Coconut Grove: Coconut grove is a very pretty bayside village within the urban dynamic of Miami. It is the oldest continuously inhabited neighborhood of Miami. It is filled with sidewalk cafes, galleries and boutiques. You can also relax in one of its many parks. Coral Gables: Coral Gables located southwest of Downtown Miami is one of the most desirable and old-fashioned neighborhoods in the area. Sunny Isles Beach: Have an opulent Miami holiday by staying in one of the finer resorts facing the Sunny Isles Beach. Relax in a spa or on the clean un-crowded beach with your loved ones. Bal Harbour:Balharbour is a village with upscale hotels and condos offering oceanfront views and resort spas in a quiet and relaxing environment. Apart from shopping and fine dining, the village also offers complimentary fitness classes on the beach for guests of local hotels. Key Biscayne: Surrounded by many attractions and a world in itself, Key Biscayne is away from the troubles of the mainland. Stay in one of the many ocean facing resorts located here to make your trip even more memorable. Homestead: Located close to Key Biscayne and Everglades National Park and home to the NASCAR race track, this place is fascinating and unique. Thank You!

Lost Innocence and Buried Emotions :: essays research papers fc

Lost Innocence and Buried Emotions   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Have you ever had a special relationship with a sibling or spouse? Henry and Lyman did in the â€Å"Red Convertible† by Louise Erdrich. They grew up on an Indian reservation in Minnesota and were the first ones to own a convertible, which allowed them to leave the reservation and experience life outside of it. That summer they grew close as they traveled from Minnesota to the Little Knife River in North Dakota, eventually finding themselves on the Rocky Boy Reservation in Montana: â€Å"We went places in that car, me and Henry. We took off driving one whole summer†(Erdrich, 365). Upon returning from their travels, Henry’s draft number was called and he joined the marines and was sent to fight in Vietnam: â€Å"I don’t wonder that the army was so glad to get my brother that they turned him into a Marine† (Erdrich, 366). Like Henry, I returned from war with my innocence lost and emotions buried so deeply that I found it difficult t o reconnect with the loved ones in my life. Henry returned from the war a changed man. Somewhere in Vietnam, his innocence had been lost and his emotions buried deep under all of the death and destruction that surrounded him for nearly three years. â€Å"When he came home, though, Henry was very different, and I’ll say this: the change was no good† (Erdrich, 366). He had changed from an easygoing, good-natured fellow into someone who rarely laughed, often looking for the worst in people with a cold and calculating stare. Seeing this, Lyman realized that his relationship with Henry was forever changed. The Gulf War had the same effect on me as Vietnam had on Henry, and like Lyman, Audrey, my wife noticed similar changes in me, affecting our relationship. For years, I was emotionally dead. Eventually, I had to deal with my emotions or I would lose my wife, for she could not live with someone that had become so emotionally disconnected from everything around him. So, I decided to take a few months off, and Audrey and I loaded up our grey ford truck and traveled throughout Texas and Mexico. With her help, I was able to learn how to feel again, unlike Henry, who felt that his only cure was to let his boots fill up with water. â€Å"’My Boots are filling,’ he says† (Erdrich, 370). Though we fought in different wars decades and miles apart, like so many others Henry and I lost our innocence and buried our emotions.

Dale Henry’s book “The Proverbial Cracker” Essay

It is not much questioned about how people mostly wanted to be served and be pleased by others. However, the contrary of this fact was the main theme of Dale Henry’s book â€Å"The Proverbial Cracker†. In this particular book it could not be denied that service is the main key for people to get the satisfaction that they need from their own jobs. The realization of each employee that providing service to others is the only key to their corporal success helps them become the person that is particularly needed not only be business organizations but also well appreciated by the society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The different proverbs in life pertaining to success have mainly been focusing on the ways by which people could attain self satisfaction from their jobs. However, what the said books are lacking which is in turn present in the book of Dale Henry is the fact that service is viewed as a primary aspect of true enlightenment among people. Reading this book brings the reader to the recognition of providing the best for the others that results to their own satisfaction of their own desires.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"Most people see their jobs the way a mosquito sees a nudist camp: all kinds of opportunity, but where do I start?† (Henry, 22) True, it is only when a person realizes the true worth of his job and his responsibilities as a person through his career will he realize that he too has an essential worth to the society. It is only when they see the benefit of what they do are they completely motivated to do their best possible efforts for the sake of their job’s completion.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Certainly, this particular book brings about the needed aide for employees or even self-employed people in the society who lack the motivation to do the best they could in their own chosen careers. Dale Henry has fully arranged a humorous yet meaningful approach to the said invitation of one’s ability to doing his duties as a fine worker for his own organization’s as well as his community’s progress towards development. Bibliography Henry Dale. (2002). The Proverbial Cracker Jack: How To Get Out Of The Box And Become   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Prize. Autumn House Publishing.

Financial Assessment and Analysis Essay

Introduction Financial Assessment Investment is something that is important in the life of any human being and should therefore be taken very seriously (Downes, & Goodman, 2003). To make an investment means that one is looking for a better future and also to receive returns form that particular investment. It is important when an individual wants to make any form of investment that they consider a lot of factors which will affect the full operation and conducting of the investment (Downes, & Goodman, 2003). It is also important that an individual who wants to make an investment must ensure that they have sufficient information that will help in making the relevant decisions with regard to the investment that they have in mind. Without prior and clear information, making decisions about an investment is difficult and may result in disaster where one may lose all the amount of cash or funds and waste efforts put up in the business investment (Downes, & Goodman, 2003). In the case of Pierre, having a clear financial assessment of the investment that he wants to engage in will help him in making the relevant decisions which will ensure that he does not operate the business   at a loss in the long run. This financial assessment will make use of assumptions in the establishment of whether the investment Pierre is interested in is relevant and will be profitable. In making an appropriate investment decision, there are various issues to be considered by Pierre which involves the analysis of the financial situation which the investment will require as well as the returns on investment which will be achieved by the business (Gibson, 2012). The first step that Pierre will need to do is to make a consideration of the financial investment which will be need to make the business fully functional. Financial appraisal of projects or investments is important since it helps in making the relevant decisions on what to invest in or not to invest in. When conducting a financial analysis, there are various methods which can be used in appraising a project which involves finances (Gibson, 2012). The method that would be used in apprai8sing the investment by Pierre is the Discounted Cash flow analysis which will help to establish whether the investment which Pierre is interested in is worth the efforts or it should be abandoned (Larrabee, Voss, & John Wiley & Sons, 2013). Financial appraisal is also important to any individual or organization which wants to make an investment since it helps in establishing the amount of returns to expect. This is done through the analysis of the expenses which the investment will incur and the revenues which the investment will be able to raise within a certain period of time (Larrabee, Voss & John Wiley & Sons, 2013). Factors affecting the success of an investment When wanting to make an investment decision, there are various factors which need to be considered so that the decision to be made can be considered to viable. The various factors which Pierre will need to consider will include issues such as: Availability of finances Any investment that an individual or even an organization wants to get involved in always requires finances. The finances which will be put up in the business must be readily available so that one can be able to know whether they can take up the investment or not (Shim, & Siegel, 2007). There must e enough finances which will cater for every put of the start up of the investment since every operation in the investment or business will require sufficient funds (Downes, & Goodman, 2003). In the case of Pierre, he is retired and has an amount of CAD 500,000, whereby he has already paid all the taxes which are involved in the retirement benefits. This is quite a good amount which needs to be invested considering that he is no longer in active employment hence he will need something to generate finances for him, in terms of investment (Shim, & Siegel, 2007). Considering the amount which Pierre has available for investment, it can be considered that he is ready to take up any investment of his choice since he already has available funds which he can put up in business (Cherunilam, 2010). Human capital There is no business investment which can take place if there is no available human capital which will operate the whole investment and make it bring good returns. Human capital is necessary and its availability is important for the success of any investment (Cherunilam, 2010). It is important to ensure that there is readily available human capital which will be able to handle the whole operations of the investment to be undertaken. The cost of human capital should also be considered when wanting to make an investment since human capital that is not affordable will mean that the investment will incur large amounts of costs in terms of the salaries which will be paid out to the employees of the business (Horiguchi, & International Monetary Fund, 1992). In the case of Pierre, he will run the business on his own which is quite good since he will be able to set an affordable amount of cash for the remuneration which he will pay himself. As a sole owner and operator of the business makes it more convenient for him to make the relevant decisions concerning human capital since he does not have to consult anyone on any matter concerning the number of people to have working in the business (Reilly, & Brown, 2012). In addition, Pierre will only have one assistant in the business that will assist in conducting and carrying out the operations of the business. This means that he will not have a lot of expenses with regard to the human capital that he will employ in the business (Downes, & Goodman, 2003). In addition, the human capital is readily available and can be considered affordable hence this is an encouraging factor towards the establishment of the business investment which Pierre is interested in (Kruschwitz, 2006). Government regulations and policies In every country, there are always regulations and policies which are laid down concerning the operation of business and investments. These policies range from the taxes which businesses need to pay, the regulation policies which each business needs to follow as a way of conducting the business within that country among many other policies (Kruschwitz, 2006). The government policies and regulations gives the direction which business investments needs to follow and every business must be able to comply with those regulations and policies within the countries where they operate (Downes, & Goodman, 2003). In the case of Pierre, government regulations that he needs to consider are the taxes which are charged on the kind of business that he wants to establish, the tariffs involved in the importation, especially of chocolate from Switzerland (Horiguchi, & International Monetary Fund, 1992). It will be important that Pierre ensures that he complies with all the government regulations and polices if he wants the investment that he has in mind to succeed. In some instances, the government regulations may prohibit the prosperity of a business investment due to the stringent rules that the business investment is required to accomplish in the long run and the tax rates also may have a negative effect on the business (Downes, & Goodman, 2003). Availability of market Every business investment needs a market where it can be able to operate in and earn good returns. Without there being a ready market available for the products to be sold by the investor will mean that the business will not be able to progress in any way (Horiguchi, & International Monetary Fund, 1992). To know whether there is an available market which the business can be able to obtain good returns, conducting a market research is necessary. Market research is important because it helps in various ways. One, when an investor conducts a market research, they are able to establish the kind of customers available and their purchasing behaviors. This helps in formulating the operations of the business in such a way that it is able to meet the exact needs of the customers and hence obtain a greater market share (Cherunilam, 2010). Market research is important because it also helps the business investor to establish whether there is sufficient demand for the products that he/she wants to offer to the market. From the case study of Pierre, it can be noted that Pierre has taken the initiative to conduct a market research for the business that he wants to establish (Cherunilam, 2010). This has given him the information regarding the kind of revenue that he will be able to make for a certain period. For example, from the market research results, Pierre knows that he will have a demand of 600kg per month while for the first month he knows that he will have a demand of 100kg per month. This information obtained from market research helps in making a sound investment decision, whereby Pierre can choose whether to continue with the investment idea or simply drop it depending on this information obtained from the market research conducted (Cherunilam, 2010). The market research is also important since it helps in establishing the demand and the supply of the product the investor wants to offer in the market. In addition, market research also helps in establishing the kind of competition the business investment is likely to face. Knowing the kind of competition to be faced helps an investor to formulate a strategic plan that will be applied in overcoming the competition when the business investment is established (Shim, & Siegel, 2007). Returns on investment The main reason that influences business investors to engage in any form of business investment is simply to obtain good returns on the finances that they have invested. An investment that is not capable of bring any form of good returns to the business investor cannot be considered to be viable in the long run and hence should not be considered (Shim, & Siegel, 2007). The main objective that business investors have is to make profits and also to expand their businesses. The returns which an investor is able to obtain from his/her investment must be able to provide the investor with profits and also leave him/her with funds that can be used in the expansion of the business (Downes, & Goodman, 2003). In carrying out this investment of importing chocolate from Switzerland and selling in North America, Pierre needs to know what amount of returns will he be able to obtain after all the deductions from the business have been made (Shim, & Siegel, 2007). If the business will not be able to bring god returns, then there will be no need of Pierre getting involved in this kind of investment since he will just be wasting his resources. This can only be determined through the financial analysis of the whole investment that Pierre wants to undertake, which will enable him to make well informed decisions concerning the investment (Gibson, 2012). Costs of investment Business investments always involve a lot of costs which an investor must be able to cater for so that the business can be fully operational. Considering the costs to be incurred when undertaking any business investment is of great importance and any investor must be able to do so (Gibson, 2012). Determining and considering the costs will enable the investor to know whether the finances that the investor has are sufficient to cater for all the costs which the business investment will incur (Downes, & Goodman, 2003). When the cost of investment is too high, the investor will not be able to realize higher returns hence the investment cannot be considered to be viable to be undertaken. A viable investment must have low cost of operation involved so that the business investor can be able to remain with some finances which can be considered as profits (Gibson, 2012). Therefore, in making this investment decision, Pierre must be able to determine and consider the costs involved in the whole business through a financial analysis so as to ascertain whether the investment is viable or worth the risk or it is something that should be abandoned. The above analyzed factors are important to be considered by any business investor who wants to put up their money or finances and efforts into a certain business investment. Pierre needs to make a consideration of all the above mentioned and discussed factors if at all he wants to establish a well operating business investment (Gibson, 2012). As mentioned above, most of those factors can only be determined using real time data and information generated through a financial analysis and assessment of the kind of investment that Pierre wants to undertake. By conducting the financial analysis, it will be possible to identify the returns that the investment is likely to attract, the costs which the investor, Mr. Pierre is likely to incur in the process of opening and operating the business (Manufacturing and investment around the world: An international survey of factors affecting growth and performance, 2002). Valuation The financial analysis that will be conducted in the case of Pierre will involve the formulation of a monthly cash flow for the whole business investment, and the formulation of an annual cash flow for the whole year. The best method of conducting this financial analysis is through the method of discounted cash flow (Kruschwitz, 2006). Discounted cash flow method is simply used to make a valuation and an estimation of the attractiveness of a certain investment opportunity that is available. This method of discounted cash flow (DCF) always makes use of the future free cash flow which has been projected and is discounted at a certain rate but mostly the weighted average cost of capital is used in this method (Damodaran, 2012). This is done so as to obtain the present value which is in turn is used in the evaluation of a particular investment to find out if it is viable. After the calculation of the discounted cash flow, if the value obtained through this method is found to be higher than that of the current value or cost of investment, then the investment opportunity can be said to be a viable one (Schön, 2007). Monthly Cash Flow The monthly cash flow that Pierre is expecting or will experience from the first, month of the investment is that, in the first month, he will be able to have a net cash flow of about CAD 29,193 while for the subsequent months starting from the second month, it is assumed that he will have a constant cash flow of about CAD 102,243. This is expected to occur throughout the year until the end of the first year. The cash flow in the first month is expected to be less because from the market research conducted, it was observed that the amount of stock that he will be able to sell will be about 100kg which is the reason why the cash flow for the first month is lower as compared to the subsequent months. In the second month and the ones that follow, the unit sales increase due to the increase in the stock from 100kg for the first month to about 600kg from the second month. It is also assumed from the calculation of the monthly cash flow that the interest rates will be uniform throughout the year and no inflation will affect the interest rates. Furthermore, it is assumed that the demand for the products will be constant from the second month and there will be no any form of decline or an increase in the demand throughout the first year. Yearly Cash flow The yearly cash flow that Pierre will experience when he starts the investment of selling the chocolates in Americas, the first year is expected to have a cash flow of about CAD 1,204,866 in total. This is the same amount which is expected to be the cash flow for the company or the investment that Pierre is expecting to start. This net yearly cash flow from the first year for a period of five years is assumed to be constant just as the case of the monthly cash flow in the second month of operation. The assumptions made in this case are that: The interest rates will remain constant throughout the five years and there will be no inflation that will take place throughout that period of time. The demand for the products will remain the same throughout the five year period with no change in the prices which will be charged for the products. It is also assumed that the costs involved in the running of the business will remain constant throughout the five years with no increase or decrease on the expenses of the business investment which Pierre is expecting to undertake. The other assumptions which have been made in the calculation of both the monthly cash flow of the business investment and the yearly cash flow of the business is that the investment or business with luxurygifts.com will be undertaken and also Pierre will employ an assistant for the job. It is the assumption of this report and the calculations made that the exchange rate that is to be used to convert the CHF to CAD is taken to be at the rate of 1 CAD is equivalent to about CHF 0.83. This is the rate which has been used to make a conversion of the purchasing price and air transport costs which Pierre is to incur when importing the products from Switzerland. The amount of cash that Pierre could be able to offer to EigerChoc SA as the upfront payment for the exclusive rights of having to sell the products for the period of five years and still leave him no better off or worse if he made the investment decision of engaging EigerChoc in this kind of business would be a total of about CAD 200,000. The reason why he will be able to offer this amount in an easy way is that within a period of half a year, he will be able to obtain good returns which will help bring back his money and make the business fully operational on its own. This amount of about CAD 200,000 will leave Mr. Pierre with an amount of CAD 300,000, assuming that he used his total lump sum amount to start the business. Considering the expenses which he will incur, the amount of CAD 300,000 will leave him more capable of handling all the expenses even if he offers a sum of CAD 200,000 to EigerChoc as an upfront fee. Conclusion Business decision making, especially with regard to making an investment decision sometimes is quite challenging and to some extent a task that requires a lot of information and keenness. It is important that a business investor must be able to obtain all the relevant information that will enable in making the most appropriate decision of investment. Pierre provided sufficient information about the business investment that he wants to get involved in and from the financial analysis on the annual and the monthly cash flow of the business venture, it can be said that the business investment looks attractive for MR. Pierre to undertake. Pierre is in a better position to make this investment because he has all the resources which are needed for the business. The only thing that may inhibit him from undertaking this kind of business is the regulations and government policies which may make it more expensive in terms of the licenses and may be the trade relations between North America and Switzerland. Recommendations The recommendations which Pierre should consider are that: Conduct further research on government policies and regulations regarding the kind of business investment that he wants to undertake He should make use of the lump sum funds that he has instead of borrowing a loon of about CAD 100,000 at an interest rate of 8%. This will increase the expenses of the business hence should not be undertaken at the start of the business. Do not engage luxurygifts.com at the moment. This should be done when the business is fully established to ensure that the expenses involved are not increased. Offer an amount of about CAD 200,000 to EigerChoc as an upfront payment for the business investment. This will leave him with sufficient amount to operate the business. From the analysis of the factors that affecting or determine whether to undertake a business or not and from the calculations of the cash flow that is expected in the business for the period of five years, it would be more advisable for Pierre to undertake the business considering that he already has the knowledge about the market and the kind of demand that his products will command. In addition, through the help of his wife, the business is expected to perform well in the long run and hence it is a viable investment to undertake. References Cherunilam, F. (2010). International business: Text and cases. New Delhi: PHI Learning Private   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Limited. Damodaran, A. (2012). Investment valuation: Tools and techniques for determining the value of any asset. (Investment valuation.) Hoboken, N.J: Wiley. Gibson, Charles H. (2012). Financial Reporting and Analysis + Thomsonone Printed Access   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Card. South-Western Pub. Horiguchi, Y., & International Monetary Fund. (1992). The United States economy: Performance   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   and issues. Washington, D.C., U.S.A: International Monetary Fund Kruschwitz, L. (2006). Discounted Cash Flow: A Theory of the Valuation of Firms. Chichester:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   John Wiley & Sons. Larrabee, D. T., Voss, J. A., & John Wiley & Sons. (2013). Valuation techniques: Discounted   Ã‚   cash flow, earning quality, measures of value added, and real options. Hoboken: John   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Wiley & Sons. Manufacturing and investment around the world: An international survey of factors affecting   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   growth and performance. (2002). Manchester: Industrial Systems Research. Reilly, F. K., & Brown, K. C. (2012). Investment analysis and portfolio management. Mason,   Ã‚   Ohio: South-Western Cengage Learning. Schön, D. (2007). The relevance of Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) and Economic Value Added (EVA) for the valuation of banks. München: GRIN Verlag. Shim, J. K., & Siegel, J. G. (2007). Handbook of financial analysis, forecasting, and modeling.    Chicago, IL: Wolters Kluwer/CCH.      

Freelance Advice

Freelance Advice Freelance Advice

School Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

School - Essay Example They go about achieving these objectives by usually coming up with a defined set of syllabus of academic content and coordinating the knowledge provided with the defined set of topics in the syllabi. Schools hardly follow any other approach or want to deviate from the academic syllabus drawn up. This methodology of schools is met with mixed views by the individuals all around the world. Some individuals tend to think that as school is an only proper source of education or learning experiences for most students; it should not only emphasize on the academic content but should also work towards the personality and character development of students. Common ethical values such as discipline, honesty and uprightness should be emphasized and instilled in students from school so they know their responsibilities as a citizen and a human being. These individuals tend to think that providing people with a formal qualification and a degree is not quite enough. This world is becoming a worse abode to survive in because of the high level of corruption and immorality in the people who are living in it.

Functions of Management are Evolving in Todays Business Environment Research Paper

Functions of Management are Evolving in Todays Business Environment - Research Paper Example The contemporary managers are anticipated to take lead in the development of sound business solutions, as well as the eventual development of the considered business working policies. This has been weighed against the performance policies adopted by the firm. Contemporary managers have proceeded to create an atmosphere for idea brainstorming as well as the pooling of knowledge. This attribute has been used to steer the firm towards its considered path of success. This is unlike the policies adopted by the traditional managers who were deemed as the source of the policies with the staff being anticipated to proceed with the enactment policies. The role of managers in the shaping of the ethics has been mapped along both the implementation and the oversight. The managers have been anticipated to presume the lead in the development of the respective ethics policies, as well as their implementation. The managers take the initiative of implementation the ethics policies. This allows the rest of the staff an opportunity to be considered on the benefits of the respective policies, as well as considering the contribution they stand to offer towards the bettering of the workplace. The managers allow for the development of this reflection. Additionally, the concept of illustrating the guide for the rest of the employees remain best described via the actions of the managers. The Managers allow for the reflection of the model that is anticipated to be expressed in character reflection. Additionally, the managers are anticipated to be keen on ensuring that the rest of the staff remain committed to the ethics policy adopted by the firm. This is with respect to the prospective role they presume in the guiding of the considered staff. The managers are tasked with the promotion of the adopted habits in the workplace. Ethics comprise of such habits and govern the behavior of the respective employees. The staffs operate under the guidance of the managers, hence their contribution to the shaping of the behaviors of these persons.