Distally Based Sural Artery Flap Health And Social Care Essay

Methodology: This prospective interventional survey was conducted from March 2007- February 2009 at the Department of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and Burns Unit, Liaquat University of Medical Health Sciences, Jamshoro. Sample was collected by non chance convenience sampling. A predesigned proforma was used to roll up the information. SPSS 17 was used for informations analysis. Consequences: Age of 35 inducted patients ‘ ranged from 13-57 old ages with Mean ±SD age of 31 ±7.7 old ages. There were 29 males ( 82.85 % ) and 6 females ( 17.14 % ) . All flaps were survived ; partial tip mortification was seen in 3 patients ( 8.57 % ) . Mode of hurt was route traffic accident in 30 patients ( 85.71 % ) . Two immature males ( 5.71 % ) were with spoke wheel hurt. Two patients ( 5.71 % ) had force per unit area sore lesions. One patient ( 2.85 % ) has exposed calcanium due to fire hurt. Paresthesia on sidelong boundary line of pes resolved on its ain within 6 months period in all instances, there was no neuroma formation. Decision: Sural arteria flap is an outstanding pick for direction of soft tissue defects of lower appendage, specially exposed calcanium and malleolus due to its first-class blood supply and easiness of public presentation. Keywords: lower appendage Reconstruction, sural arteria, sural arteria flap, fasciocutaneous flap Introduction: Soft tissue coverage of lower appendages defect is disputing to both plastic and orthopaedic sawboness. Lower appendage is prone to trauma and jeopardies due to its location and low vascularity. Unlike trunk, there is limited figure of flap picks available for Reconstruction of lower limb defects. These flaps should be able to cover the defect specially any open bone, nervus, sinew or any major vass ; besides it should be easy to execute and give permanent consequences to patient. The really fist documented thought of fasciocutaneous flap was presented in 1980 by Poten, and that resulted because of advanced cognition and survey of anatomy of lower particularly in footings of neurovascular construction, muscular structure, and blood supply to clamber and deep facia. Poten described and emphasized upon the function of fasciocutaneous flap for Reconstruction of lower leg defects due to their dependability and safety profile. Upper and lower appendages have longitudinal dispersed superficial nervousnesss and hypodermic venas. It is advised that fasciocutaneous flaps should integrate these nervousnesss and venas which help in flap endurance and diminish the ratio of flap mortification and best illustration of such fasciocutaneous flap is sural arteria flap which is based on average superficial sural arteria which is a subdivision of superficial Sural arteria. The pedicel sural flap consists of superficial and deep facia, lesser sephanous vena, average superficial little arteria and sural nervus, whereas the flap consists of tegument with hypodermic tissue and facia along with above mentioned neurovascular constructions.Methodology:This prospective interventional survey was conducted form March 2007- February 2009 at the Department of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and Burns Unit, Liaquat University of Medical Health Sciences, Jamshoro. During the survey period patients coming for coverage of lesion on lower appendages were included in the survey after obtaining informed consent. A predesigned proforma was used to roll up the data.. Patients were followed for a period of six months. SPSS 17 was used for informations analysis After all sterile steps the flap was raised. All patients were operated under spinal anaesthesia. After application of compression bandage, the surface markers were drawn at the sidelong boundary line of Achilles tendon medically and laterally at the border of fibular shaft. At sidelong malleolus a sidelong scratch is made, the median scratch is made at the sidelong boundary line of Achilles sinew which continues till the point of its interpolation at border of defect or tubercle of calcanium. After scratch on tegument and facia, the short sephanous vena is ligated and sural nervus is divided. Flap is than raised distally, subdivisions of peroneal arteria are included in sub facial fat in the flap to guarantee maximal blood supply. Flap is so advanced along the sidelong border of Achilles sinew. Donor side is so near chiefly if flap is little in size, otherwise natural surface is covered with partial thickness tegument grafting. After a period of 3 hebdomads the flap is detached and its distal portion is stitched back to its original location.ConsequencesSural flap was done in 35 instances. Patient ‘s age ranged from 13-57 old ages with Mean ±SD age of 31 ±7.7 old ages. There were 29 males ( 82.85 % ) and 6 females ( 17.14 % ) . Majority of patients were between 31-40 twelvemonth of age Table I. All flaps were survived, partial tip mortification was seen in 3 patients ( 8.57 % ) , and remainder had good viability of full flap. Mode of hurt was route traffic accident in bulk of instances i.e. 30 patients ( 85.71 % ) . Two immature males ( 5.71 % ) with radius wheel hurt. Two patients had force per unit area sore lesions. One patient ( 2.85 % ) has exposed calcanium due to fire hurt. Paresthesia on sidelong boundary line of pes resolved on its ain within 6 months period in all instances, there was no neuroma formation.DiscussionReconstruction of lower appendage defect are still an mystery for fictile sawboness working in a apparatus where microvascular surgery installations are non yet available. The most common site is heel which is a weight bearing country and is prone to trauma and other jeopardies like force per unit area sores. The tegument over the heel is less nomadic and has hapless blood supply. Following rehabilitative ladder several options have been studied for sof t tissue coverage of open heel including septo cutaneal, axial form, random form, musculus flap and free flaps. So far, fasciocutaneous flaps are proven to be an armamentarium for fictile sawboness, particularly when it comes to Reconstruction of lower appendage defects. Though many writers are of sentiment that medical plantar flap is the best option for coverage of open heel. However others are of sentiment that sural arteria flap offers the same. Viability of island flaps are ever questionable due to cut down blood supply, another option for coverage of open heel defects is sidelong calcaneal flap which is based on sidelong calcaneal arteria, it besides contain lesser sephanous vena and sural nervus. However once more it has a short coming o tantrums little size, that ‘s why it is non ever suited for open heel defects particularly larger in size. Distally based contrary flow sural arteria flap is option of pick since 1980s. it is based on median superficial sural arteria. The blood flow is in contrary from the peroneal arteria in distal portion of leg. Small nervus besides has its ain arterial supply. These all subdivisions anastomosis freely in superficial plane. Many writers have reported that distally bases sural artery flap as a versatile and dependable flap for Reconstruction of lower appendage defect. Several surveies have reported experience of coverage of calcaneal and malleolus defects with good result with sural flap. The major drawback of this flap is forfeit of sural nervus ; nevertheless surveies report that the esthesis improves over the period of clip and same was the instance in this series on a 6 months follow-up. Decision It is concluded that distally based sural arteria flap is an first-class option for coverage of soft tissue defects of lower appendage, specially exposed calcanium and malleolus due to its first-class blood supply.Table IAge gender distributionAge scope ( old ages )MalesNumber of patients ( % )FemalesNumber of patients ( % )10-20 6 ( 17.14 % )–21-30 5 ( 14.28 % ) 1 ( 2.85 % ) 31-40 14 ( 40 % ) 3 ( 8.57 % ) 41-60 4 ( 14.4 % ) 2 ( 5.71 % ) Entire 29 ( 82.85 % ) 6 ( 17.14 % )Chart IMode of hurt

Describe Your Own Leadership Style Essay

Jim Collins and a group of 22 research associates conducted a five-year research project searching an answer on the question ‘how a company from merely good can be transformed to great one’ and identified that behind this transformation lies a level 5 leader. Level 5 leadership refers to the highest level in a hierarchy of manager’s capabilities. A level 5 leader transforms the organisation into a great institution through a paradoxical combination of personal humility plus professional will. Beneath Level 5 leaders, lie four other layers, each one appropriate in its own right but none with the power of Level 5. Level 1 leader is a high capable individual who plays an important role in the success of his organisation through his talent, knowledge, skills and good work habits. A level 2 leader is a contributing team member who is very good with his team members and ensures that his team meets its assigned objectives and fulfils the core purpose. A level 3 leader is a competent manager who is skilled at organising people and resources towards the effective and efficient pursuit of predetermined objectives. A level 4 leader is an effective leader. He sets high-level performance standards. He is remarkable at motivating his people and leading them towards realising his vision of the organisation. (Appendix 1, p. 11 summarises all levels of Collins’ Leadership Hierarchy) (Collins, J. (2005). Level 5 Leadership: The Triumph of Humility and Fierce Resolve, Harvard Business Review, Vol. 83. No. 7, p. 136-146) The purpose of this assignment is to conduct an evaluation of my own style of leadership within the organisation in which I work by using the above hierarchy as a frame of reference. In order to produce a thorough assessment on both my style and the usefulness of Collin’s model, a range of other theories and concepts must be taken into consideration. However, before proceeding to the analysis and evaluation, it would be helpful first to know the position I hold as well as its responsibilities within the organisation. A Brand Manager, member of the Marketing Department, is responsible for the planning, development and implementation of the Company’s marketing activities, among others: Launching of new products, market research studies, promotional activities/materials, to organize and execute the raining programs for the Sales Force. In order to become an efficient and effective Brand manager, the company is requiring knowledge (good academic background), experience and managerial skills including: Strategic and analytic capabilities, entrepreneurial spirit, team player, and flexibility and strong skills in communication and leadership. The Idea of Leadership It is most likely to find a topic more important to business success today than leadership. Leadership is defined as the ability to influence people toward the achievement of goals. Leadership occurs among people, involves the use of influence and it is used to attain goals. Leaders are expected to persuade or inspire people, produce cooperative efforts and pursue goals. Leadership is different from management, though the two are easily confused. One may be a leader without being a manager and many managers cannot ‘lead a squad of seven- years –olds to the ice cream counter’ according to Gardner (1989). Gardner believes that there are several dimensions for distinguishing leadership from management. Leaders think long-term, look outside as well as inside and influence others regardless the position that they possess. In order to understand the idea of Leadership and which are the characteristics a leader usually has, studies and research have been conducted and several approaches to leadership styles as well as theories are arose. Some of them are going to be related to Collin’s Level 5 leadership hierarchy as well as to my own style of leadership. (Daft R. L. , Management, ch. 16, Leadership in Organisations , p. 514-515) Level 1 Leader & The Leadership Traits Approach Leadership trait approach is the oldest approach to the study of leadership. From this approach occurs that there are certain qualities in some people that define them as leaders or potential leaders. Traits therefore are the distinguishing personal characteristics such as intelligence, values and appearance. Leaders extend their power and use their abilities to influence events. Effective leaders are usually more intelligent, more dependable, responsible and more active. They usually ask for more information and give out more information. However, the ppropriateness of a trait or a set of traits depends on the leadership situation. The same traits do not apply to every organisation or situation. (Appendix 2, p. 11 summarises the physical, social and personal leadership characteristics) On the contrary, Collin’s Hierarchy is consisted of several characteristics/ capabilities that most can be found also in the leadership trait approach such as knowledge, achievement to drive and working effectively with others in a group setting. However, two characteristics that are of great importance are not included in it. There are the most important ones and are a necessary requirement for transforming an organisation from good to great, humility and professional will. (Diploma in Management, Module book 1, section 6, Teams in Management, p. 6. 16) However, in order to understand in what extent these two concepts can be correlated, we can use ourselves as an example. For instance, my position requires being a highly capable individual (Collin’s Hierarchy Level 1). How can I accomplish this requirement? By demonstrating many of the personal traits such as intelligence, knowledge, judgement and cognitive ability. For instance, the products that I handle have intense competition. Good knowledge of the market as well as intelligent moves made them to differentiate from competition. The creation of a guideline for treatment at home as well as the delivery of the products at home gave a benefit to them. As a result, Doctors preferred to prescribe these products for long term use and hade great impact on the company’s name and reliability. When we speak of leadership, either we refer to the qualities/ competencies of an individual or we can refer to a function of organisation. The ‘trait’ theory of leadership- the traditional or popular management view of leadership- focuses on the concept that leadership is a quality or set of qualities particular to an individual. On the contrary, the group dynamics theory sees leadership as a function of organisation. Level 2 Leader & Task versus people perspective styles Task versus people perspective styles of leadership do not take into consideration the organisation as a whole. They focus on teams. Every group of people has a task to accomplish. However, since groups are composed of people, several needs arise from them. According to the group dynamics theory of leadership, the person who adequately fulfils the needs that the group perceive to be the most important could be considered as an effective leader. A working team need to fulfil two functions. First, its formal tasks must be fulfilled. In order this to be accomplished; a set of competencies must be evolved. Technical knowledge, innovation and sense of achievement are related with the instrumental need to perform the tasks. Second, needs for affiliation, interaction and mutual support are usually observed within a team. Such needs are called expressive needs. The person who becomes leader must facilitate the satisfaction of some of the teams’ needs. This leader emerges to the group because he is the best able to help the group survive and succeed. ) (Master in Business Administration, Module book 3, section 1 The Theory of Leadership, p. 1. 7-1-11) According to Collin’s leadership hierarchy, the leader that is described in the group dynamics approach could be characterised as a level 2 leader. A contributing team member who is very good with his team members and ensures that his team meets its assigned objectives and fulfils the core purpose. Both group dynamics approach and Collins hierarchy are useful in helping us to see how leaders may relate to team members and to situations. (Collins, J. , (2005). Level 5 Leadership: The Triumph of Humility and Fierce Resolve, Harvard Business Review, Vol. 83. No. 7, p. 136-146) As a Brand Manager, one of my responsibilities to support our sales team by providing them with moderate amounts of detail and focus on why it is important for the team members to complete our objectives. However, I believe that co-owning the objective/action plan with team members and asking team members ideas as well as offering my own ideas is more efficient and can lead us easier to our goals. Besides, It is better to have, for instance, five people to think rather than one. Therefore, I strongly believe that teamwork can lead to better results. Level 3 Leader & The Contingency Theory According to contingency models, leadership depends as much on the situation of the group as on the leader himself or herself. Thus, we have a choice; either the leader can fit to the situation or change effectively the situation to fit the leader. As we can understand, leadership is different for first-level supervisors than for chief executives and the kind of leadership needed for skilled and highly motivated followers may not work for followers who are alienated and untrained. According to Fiedler, contingency model divides the leadership situation into three variables. In order to determine the most effective leadership style, we must consider the inter-relationship of the three contingencies: leader – member relations, task- structure and position power. 1. Leader – member relations, where mutual trust, respect and open communication exist and can be consider as advantageous. This means that tasks are clear and structured and members are aware of the power the leader holds. On the other hand, where there is little or no trust, respect of communication, then the relationship can be characterised as disadvantageous (control over the situation is needed and a focus on a task will not detract from the leaders/ team relationship because this is not essential to start with. 2.  Task- structure, when work is highly structured and easy to know when somebody has not complied with an instruction and it is easy to impose sanctions. However, when work is unstructured, leaders cannot enforce compliance with external controls and therefore, the leader has much less power than when work is highly structured. 3. Position power, is the extent to which a leader has formal authority over the followers. When position power is high then the leader has the power to plan and direct the work of followers, evaluate it and accordingly reward or punish it. On the other hand, when position power is low, the leader has little authority over followers. (Appendix 3, p. 11 presents Fiedler’s examination on how Leader Style fits the situation) Finally, according to Fiedler, task-oriented leaders tend to be more effective in situations that are either highly advantageous or highly disadvantageous to them and that relationship-oriented leaders tend to be more effective in situations that are moderately advantageous to them. (Bolman,L. G. , Terrence,D. E. , Reframing Organisations, Ch. , Reframing Leadership, p. 342-344) According to Collin, a level 3 leader is a competent manager who is skilled at organising people and resources towards the effective and efficient pursuit of predetermined objectives. However, as it is showed above, an efficient leader must differ from situation to situation or from team to team, according to its special characteristics. Analysing a level 3 leader in correlation with Contingency theory, we understand tha t a level 3 leader should consider both leader –member relations and tasks. Predetermined objectives cannot be achieved, if mutual trust, respect and open communication do not exist in a team and if tasks are not highly structured and followers do not know precisely their responsibilities. However, we must never ignore the extent to which a leader has formal authority over the followers. (Collins, J. , (2005). Level 5 Leadership: The Triumph of Humility and Fierce Resolve, Harvard Business Review, Vol. 83. No. 7, p. 136-146) For instance, according to my position, my everyday contact is with the sales team. According to my opinion, it is clear that trust, respect as well as open communication and mutual understanding exist within our team. One of the responsibilities of my position is to organise in some extent, their work by indicating them what is our goal and how we can reach it, with what tools and where we want to focus. Another one is to monitor our products sales and ask questions whenever I believe it is necessary. However, my position power is not as high as to evaluate them and reward or punish them accordingly.

Marketing Management. The success and failure Essay

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Challenges in Lobbying strategies - Essay Example Second, service providers usually provide e-mail senders with adequate space for data storage. As such, the sender can store the information for future reference. It is also relatively cheaper for reaching out a large number of people who may be important for successful implementation of the proposed policy. However, relying on e-mail as the main communication media also bears some risks. First, the target recipient might miss the chance to see the crucial information. This is because the message can go directly to the recipient’s spam box. Consequently, there will be permanent communication failure, which translates to policy implementation breakdown. Second, if the recipient does not have access to internet, there may be delayed response to the problem, which is very crucial for the wellbeing of the society. Lastly, emails can be hacked and viruses often impair message delivery process through file corruption. Consequently, it remains clear that email cannot replace face-to-face communication if the message is to be delivered precisely and win the hearts of policymakers. Unlike emails, face-to-face communication gives the message sender the chance to use non-verbal cues to express how grave the matter is (Bailey, Cerio, Stanley & Harp, 2007). Nonetheless, email communication st ill remains a cost effective and fast means of delivering important

The drug-crime relationship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The drug-crime relationship - Essay Example The act aimed at curtailing terrorism is also charged with stopping drug smugglers before they cross the borders. On January 9, 2005, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced the creation of new Border Enforcement and Security Task Forces, to increase control at the border. The groups will be nationally integrated teams with federal, state, and local representation specifically directed at cross-border criminal activity (DHS, 2005 http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic). Chertoff said: "These new task forces will take a comprehensive approach to dismantling criminal organizations that exploit our border. The task forces will be charged with sharing information, developing priority targets, and carrying out coordinated law enforcement operations that will enhance border security." ((DHS, 2005 http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic). However, prior to this recent development, The Homeland Security Act had already begun working to protect Americans. In the days following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, Americans began questioning the security of our borders and the legislation in place aimed at keeping our country safe. In 20002, Congress passed the Homeland Security Act, a multi-layered approach to protecting Americans. The act did several things, but most importantly, it created a Department of Homeland Security with a mission â€Å"preventing terrorist attacks within the United States, reducing the vulnerability of the United States to terrorism at home, and minimizing the damage and assisting in the recovery from any attacks that may occur† (http://www.whitehouse.gov/deptofhomeland/analysis/title1.html#101, paragraph 1). The Department of Homeland Security was given five primary responsabilities: information analysis and infrastructure protection; chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and related countermeasures; border and transportation security; emergency preparedness and response; and coordination with other parts of the federal government (http://www.whitehouse.gov/deptofhomeland/analysis/title1.html#101, paragraph 1). It is under its border transportation and security mission that the act has impacted the drug-crime relationship. The Homeland Security Act consolidated many governmental departments under one Homeland Security Department heading. Among the departments effected were U.S. Customs and U.S. Border Patrol, two agencies charged with stemming the flow of drugs at the border. Although the two agencies had similar missions, they reported to different departments, and U.S. Border Patrol was an arm of the U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration. Following the passage of the Homeland Security Act, the two departments were merged together under a new heading: U.S. Custom and Border Protection. From that, two new arms of the department were created, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border Protection. The new department was given a new mission; "keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States - places CBP on the frontline of the war on terrorism. As the nation's unified border agency, CBP is strategically positioned at and between our ports of entry to prevent further terr orist attacks on our nation. This includes carrying out our traditional border-related

Engineering Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Engineering Ethics - Essay Example The chapter discusses the moral complexity in engineering, its ethics and the importance of studying it. Deborah would not agree with Plant Manager Edgar Owens that the excess should be regarded as a merely technically. Meanwhile, would examine them about their moral values. Moral values in engineering projects are not considered as external burdens, but as standards of excellence. Combining the design constraints and goals, engineering projects involves multiple moral values connected to those constraints and goals (Martin and Roland 12). For example, efficiency, safety and respect to people and environment. Technical skills are most importance in solving ethical issues and making moral decisions. Engineers consider macro and micro issues when pursuing their projects. Micro issues are the ones concerning an individual or a company while macro issues are the ones concerning the whole world. Engineering ethics is the rights and responsibilities of engineers and personal commitments and desirable ideals in engineering. Ethic is also a study of morality. After studying engineering one bec omes a profession or a professional in public good, self-regulation or advanced experts. The local parents of the children who swim in the lake would not agree that the excess is merely technicality. Instead, they would wish the lake not to be polluted. Ethical dilemmas would be created among Marvin and Plant Manager Edgar Owens whether to control the pollution or not. Moral dilemmas are comprised of moral reasoning and choices. The chapter discusses how moral choices are useful in technological development, aspects in resolving moral dilemmas and extra roles of professional codes of ethics (Martin and Roland 27). Moral values results to decision making of engineers and their managers who make purely technical and economic decisions. Economic and technical decisions have moral dimensions in four directions, which include environmental protection,

Explain why Perfectly Competitive Industries are Considered to be Essay

Explain why Perfectly Competitive Industries are Considered to be Efficient in the Short and Long-Run - Essay Example There are pros and cons to both yet all reside on one opinion that the key to efficiency is competition. In order to present a concrete conclusion, we have to get into a profound discussion so as to compare pros with cons of perfectly competitive market and also discuss the variance it has with monopoly structure. Perfect Competition and Efficiency: According to Adam Smith perfectly competitive market works under â€Å"invisible hand† in which each individual in society seeks out for the personal interest. However, in order to preach it, he/she has to trade off his belongings with the individual who is willing to get benefited from it. This ultimately leads to benefit of society intentionally or unintentionally. Theoretically; there are many buyers and sellers, identical products, no barriers to entry as well as exit (Thomas E. Woods, 2011). Buyers and sellers both have the perfect information and hence they are the â€Å"price takers† which results in a perfectly elast ic demand curve. This means that if a firm wants to maximize its profit it should sell its product at market price. This means that efficiency is required to keep the cost down and increase the net profit margin. Efficiency is realized when all opportunities to make someone better off without making anyone worse off are exhausted. It is also called ‘Pareto Efficiency’ in most of the global conceptions (Books Llc, 2010). Under ideal conditions in a perfectly competitive market or any other market which is functioning well, the market equilibrium maximizes the difference between the benefits society gets from the good and services and what it costs society to produce. A perfectly competitive market would always focus on the maximum net social benefit. Benefit is not only considered by the monetary return achieved from investments but also the implicit gain realized by the society as a whole. An efficient allotment of resources is accomplished if increment in societyâ€⠄¢s overall level of satisfaction by more of one good and less of another good is not possible. This is why competition is preferred as it mostly leads to favorable outcomes. Competition urges players to perform better than their rival which ultimately leads to better market mechanism. Such efficiency is realized by entities if the price of a good is equal to the marginal cost of the product. An elaboration of the above mechanism is as follows: We know from the above discussion that market supply shows the marginal cost of society of producing the good or service. Moreover, the demand curve is the marginal benefit to society from consuming the good or service. Therefore, the net social benefit would be maximized if the marginal social cost is equal to the marginal social benefit (Tucker, 2010). Considering the cost allocated to society, the market supply is the horizontal sum of each firm’s MC curve or in other words it shows what it costs to produce one additional unit of go od. Economist says that if all the costs are digested by the firms, then supply equals the marginal social cost (Lambert M. Surhone, 2010). On the other hand, economists’ measure benefits in terms of the willingness of consumers to pay therefore, the market demand would be a representation of the total sum of willingness to pay for a unit of good at each level of consumption. The market demand mechanism focuses on maximization of social benefit illustrated below: All consumers whose WTP (willingness to pay) exceeds P will buy a good (or more

Technical proposal assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Technical proposal - Assignment Example In this regard, my institution is not able to accurately and timely analyze students’ data to inform future planning, strategy and service provision. As Campbell (2007) states, students’ intake and new admissions continue to increase while new programs continue to be adopted day by day by the college. The ever increasing records are difficult to handle just by a filing system, hence there is need to develop an effective, accurate and efficient way of managing students record. The students’ record management system that is automated is the right technical change for the college. Students’ record management system is a computerized students’ record management platform that allows students, institution, teachers and administrators to interact. Students’ records help in enhancing students and institution relationship, providing services, facilities and support to the students, measuring and controlling students academic achievement at the institution and subsequently and support to the alumni. The automation of the students’ record system is expected to improve on accuracy and effectiveness of information capturing retrieval and generation of reports for each student. This would eliminate the loss of data improve services in the administration since accessing information would be within a short time. The proposed students’ record management system refers to the computerized network distribution system that allows for the management of records involving the students in college or a learning institution. This technology will enhance a number of functions within the administration concerning the students’ records including registration of students in their respective programs, manage their fee data bases, manage their examination records and manage their accommodation booking and allocation as shown in figure 1. This is a software program application that is intended to provide timely information about all the

The Importance of Science in our Lives Essay Example for Free

The Importance of Science in our Lives Essay Science is our power as human beings to use our wisdom and make decisions. When a loved one is dying of cancer, what would you do? Would you not do anything possible to try to help them? Here is where science has a role in our lives; when we want to do something otherwise difficult or impossible. Though the ways of learning science has changed over the years from solely thinking logically to reading classics to experimenting, the way scientific knowledge is used has not been changed. When there is an epidemic, medicine is used to carry out mans will to cure it. When the Egyptian pyramids were to be built, architecture came into use. Yet science is not used only for such needful or elaborate situations. They also appear in our daily lives. We know it is important to wash ourselves regularly, only for biology. The Wright brothers were able to invent the airplane because they knew hot air rises, and since then, we have been able to use their technology to travel great distances in short periods of time. We humans would be so impotent without science. Science is our knowledge of the universe. It is natural to have for a being who thinks. If we did not have science, it would mean we are plain animals motivated purely by instinct. Our definition of life as a human would not exist. Great are the blessings of science. However, our wisdom is not complete, and can lead us to do wrong. Thereupon, science can be a curse. We have changed the passenger airplane into a fighter. Cameras for keeping memories spy on people. Cell phones for conversations are used to bully kids around, and even explode trains. Our greed, hatred, fear, wickedness, and stupidity have produced terrible uses of what our scientific knowledge has put together. As we all know from Spiderman, With great power comes great responsibility. Science gives us options to do or not to do. Though each option has its consequences, it is a distinct strength which evidently separates us from animals. How we use it will greatly influence the lives of each one of us.

Role of War in Society Essay Example for Free

Role of War in Society Essay Both The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli and Utopia by Thomas Moore examine the role and the importance of war to maintain a strong and successful society. More (via Hythloday) believes that war should be the last option and is not needed in a safe and happy government without the help of auxiliaries and mercenaries while on the other hand, Machiavelli believes that war plays a crucial war in a prosperous and thriving society using other troops and people to avoid war. Machiavelle uses his belief that war is the way to have a strong successful government to shape the society of Italy while More uses the belief of peace and forbearance of war to shape his utopian society. More and Machiavelli have opposing opinions on the values and how the way it can maintain a stability and prosperity in a society. Machiavelli believes that power is attained in a government through the conquering of war and that good law and government follows naturally from good military as we can see in Chapter 12. â€Å"The presence of sound military forces indicates the presence of sound law† (Machiavelli 37). This shows that he believes that a strong developing state directly involves the conquering of war. He believed that successful war is the very foundation upon which all states are built. Machiavelli praises Alexandar the Great, Cyrus, Scipio and Caesar as leaders who gained power through their conquering wars. â€Å"Anyone who reads Xenophon’s life of Cyrus must realize how close Scipio modeled himself on Cyrus, how much that imitation contributed to his glory, and how closely he conformed, in temperance, affability, humanity, and liberty to the thing that Xenophon wrote about Cyrus† (Machiavelli 42). In contrast, More shows his views on war through the Utopians. â€Å"Nothing more inglorious than that glory that is gained by war (More 64). The Utopians viewed war as the last resort and would avoid it at all costs. They hated war and found no glory in the practice of killing others. They would only engage in war to protect themselves and their people, to defend allies, and to relieve oppression. â€Å"No man is to be esteemed our enemy that has never injured us; and that the partnership of the human nature is instead of a league. And that kindness and good-nature unite men more effectually and with greater strength than any agreements whatsoever; since thereby the engagements of mens hearts become stronger than the bond and obligation of words† (More 64). This shows that agreement and unity was very important to the Utopians and they would do anything just to maintain it. They would also try their best to preserve good terms with the people or societies around them. In Machiavelle, all of the issues in the government are in a military point of view because the successfulness in war is crucial to the preservation of the government. â€Å"A prince must have no other objective, no other thought, nor take up any profession but that of war, its methods and its discipline, for that is the only art expected of a ruler. And it is of such great value that it not only keeps hereditary princes in power, but often raises men of lowly condition to that rank† (More 40). Military defense and the strategies required are primary to conquer in war and therefore sustain a happy society. Machiavelle uses the Prince to communicate the importance of war to the audience. â€Å"As for physical training, apart from keeping his troops well disciplined and exercised, he should do a great deal of hunting, and thus harden his body to strenuous exercise, meanwhile learning to read terrain.† This shows that he believed that having brute force would help his army in war to conquer the enemy. War is also what helps a prince to attain power and fortune therefore military and war should be his main priority while ruling. â€Å"..in times of peace he should think about it even more than in wartime. He can do this in two ways, by training the body and training the mind. As for physical training, apart from keeping his troops well and disciplined and exercised, he should do a great deal of hunting, and this harden his body to strenuous exercise..† (Machievelle 41) Princes should always and only think about war especially in times of peace. They need to always be prepared and be in a good state to go to war at any time. â€Å"As for exercising the mind, a prince should read history and reflect on the actions of great men.† Princes should examine the tactics that the past rulers used and put them into action. He should learn from them and learn from both their successes and loses and put them as an example for himself. More in his utopian society would rather use cunning to win rather than brute force because he considered strength to be trait belonging to animals. Unlike Machiavelle, when war is made, the utopians would try to use any technique just to stop war. First one is propaganda in which they would secretly post posters in the enemy territory offering big rewards to people that would assassinate the enemy leaders. The second technique they would use is to promise the throne to the enemy’s rulers brother if he helps the utopians. They would never let things debase to the point where a massacre would occur and would prevent it by not destroying too much of the enemy’s land. nothing more inglorious than that glory that is gained by war â€Å" (More 64). This shows how much the utopians are against war and how much they want to avoid it because they believe that it can ruin their utopian society. Machievelle also believed that one using one own army is best as seen through the example of Cesare Borgia. â€Å"I am never reluctant to cite Cesare Borgia and his deeds. The duke entered the Romagna with auxiliary troops, consisting entirely of Frenchmen; and with them he took Imola and Forli. But then when he found they were not to be trusted, he adopted mercenaries as less dangerous, and hired the Orsini and Vitelli. When he found they too were undependable, treacherous, and dangerous to his service, he got rid of them, and turned to the troops of his own.† (Machievelle 38) The danger with the auxiliaries was because they will always be loyal to their ruler in the end and will probably wait to attack you. Mercenaries on the other hand are better than the auxiliaries but still possess characteristics that are tricky and untrustworthy. Therefore, in the end, Machievelle states that using one’s own troops is the best as Cesare Borgia did in the end. In contrast, the Utopians use spies and bribery to try to stop war. They believe that mercenaries and auxiliaries are tricky but at the same time useful. â€Å"Their second preference is to make use of troops belonging to the nation they are trying to defend; and after them, they enlist as auxiliaries squadrons drawn from their other allies. Lastly they enroll their own citizens. But they always appoint one of their own men who has demonstrated his military capacity to be commander in chief of the whole army.† (More 140) The utopians would do anything to avoid war and they usually would use troops of other nations to fight in war and their troops could be the last resort. They would also avoid fighting on their own land and give the best care to their citizens. A counterargument would be that if ever an intruder invades the Utopian society, war would be initiated. â€Å"For you’ll never find yourself at wat except by your own choice, and peace, not war, ought always to be your first priority† (More 66) Yes if peace cannot be made, war would have to be initiated in the Utopian society but even so, peace is always their foremost choice before they initiate anytime of violence or way on another society. In conclusion, Machievelle’s and More’s contrasting views on war and the strategies and tactics used in war serve one purpose which is to create a stable and prosperous society. Machievelle believes that war using one’s own army is the most crucial factor in maintaining a happy society while More argues that avoiding war using bribery and mercenaries is what the government should be doing no matter what kind of tactics are needed to be used.

Netflix Business Model Analysis and SWOT

Netflix Business Model Analysis and SWOT 1 Introduction Netflix is the worlds largest online movie rental service with over 6.3 million members and a collection of more than 75,000 titles. They are known for both their excellent customer service and their convenient and user-friendly interface on their award-winning website. Though Netflix has received many criticisms, it has continually grown and thrived in the movie rental market. New technology has enabled Netflix to provide high quality streaming videos directly to their subscribers PCs. This service is being rolled out over the first six months of 2007, free of charge, to Netflixs current subscribers. In order to maintain its superior position in the in home filmed-entertainment, Netflix must enter the Video On Demand (VOD) market immediately. By entering the VOD market through offering streaming videos, Netflix will be able to differentiate itself from its competitors, and reduce the likelihood of price competition. Offering a movie streaming service as opposed to a movie downloading service will further aid it in differentiating itself. For the short run, Netflix needs to incorporate the service of streaming movies to complement its DVD rental service. In the long run, after the popularity of streaming movies has grown and the technicalities of this service are fixed, Netflix can separate the DVD rental and streaming movies services, offering two different sets of plans. Pursuing this strategy is vital to Netflixs future, because as new innovations in technology become popular, the DVD-rental subset of the home movie market will shrink, while the downloading and streaming of movies will eventually come to dominate the majority of this market. Therefore, the correct implementation of Netflixs entry into the VOD market, wi ll serve as a bridge strategy, aiding Netflix in its evolution from a DVD rental service to a distributor of digital entertainment. 2 A Closer Look at Netflixs History Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph founded Netflix in 1997. DVDs were a relatively new technology, with less than a thousand titles available at the time, but Hastings and Randolph believed it had potential to replace the VHS format. The company began operating in April 1998, offering 7-day rentals for about $6. Netflix, along with Magic Disc, DVD Express, and Reel.com, were the first few companies to rent DVDs by mail. Netflix differentiated itself by spending heavily in promotions. It created partnerships with companies selling the most vital complementary good, a DVD player. It offered free rentals with the purchase of DVD players from Toshiba and Pioneer and computers with DVD drives from HP and Apple. However, Netflix was in direct competition with Amazon.com in selling DVDs so they came to a compromise in December 1998: Netflix would stop selling DVDs in exchange for being heavily promoted on Amazons website[2]. Netflix began to partner with online movie information providers and promoted more features on its website to attract more customers. In September 1999, it began the Marquee Program, offering 4 DVDs rentals per month with no late fees or due dates for a monthly subscription fee[2]. In February 2000, it introduced CineMatch, a program that evaluates the rental patterns of customers, identifying which movies customers of similar tastes would enjoy[3]. Both programs were highly popular and soon Netflix did not rent out individual DVDs, relying fully on the Marquee Program. Continuing its aggressive marketing and networking campaign, Netflix signed a deal with major DVD produc- ers, such as Warner Home Video and Columbia Tri-Star. In exchange for cheaper prices on large quantities of DVDs, the movie studios received a portion of the rental receipts[2]. As the success of Netflix grabbed the attention of the media, competitors began to respond. In the summer of 2002, Blockbuster started its own unlimited rentals and no late fee subscription plan and bought out an online DVD rental company. Wal-Mart and Columbia House also tried to amass large volumes of DVD titles to compete with Netflix. However, Netflix already had a solid foothold in the market, fending off these major competitors. In re- sponse, it announced the opening of more distribution facilities. Five years after its debut, Netflix finally began to produce profits[2]. On January 16, 2007 Netflix issued a press release regarding a New Feature Will Be Included in Subscribers Monthly Membership at no Extra Charge. For every dollar a user pays for their subscription, they will be able to view one hour of streaming video from a selection of about 1,000 movies and TV series on their PCs. Netflix also announced that they plan to expand the technology to reach every Internet-connected screen, from cell phones to PCs to plasma screens[10]. 3 SWOT Analysis 3.1 Strengths Entry timing Netflix entered the market for DVD rentals at a time when there were few other competitors in the market, allowing them to establish their brand name and image for providing a unique service. They were the first to offer DVD rental by mail and this allowed them to offer a greater variety of DVDs to consumers as compared to their competitors at the time, as DVDs were relatively new to the market. Combined with its successful business model, Netflixs early entry has allowed it to maintain a high relative market share in the online DVD rental industry. Understands weaknesses of competitors: Customer Satisfaction From the start, Netflix understood what irritated many video rental store customers: late fees. Usually after renting and watching a movie from a store such as Blockbuster, the customer has to rush to return the movie on the subsequent day (before midnight) or pay a late fee comparable to the price of the rental. Although Blockbuster does get an estimated 18% of its total revenue from late fees, it leaves the customer annoyed, frustrated, and unsatisfied. On the other hand, Netflix lets the customer keep the DVD until the customer wants to see the next one in their queue, allowing the fredom to return the movie at ones convenience[1]. Networked connections with many partners and even potential competitors From the very beginning of its entry into the market, Netflix understood the importance of making partner- ships with the movie industry, the electronics industry, and retailers[1]. Netflixs name was spread widely through promotions with complementary products, such as DVD players and movie websites. When it saw Amazon.com as a competitor, it stopped selling DVDs to cease all tensions in exchange for being promoted on their website. Additionally, quality leadership has enabled Netflix to stay afloat despite the advent of powerful competitors like Wal-Mart. Not only was Reed Hastings able to fend off Wal-Marts attempt to bankrupt Netflix, he was able to convince Wal-Mart to encourage customers to switch to Netflix after the Wal-Mart service fell through[3]. By staying strong but cooperative, Netflix ended up profiting from many threats. Award-winning website Netflixs website boasts many features. Netflixs CineMatch implements an award-winning algorithm that can predict with surprisingly consistent accuracy what movies someone would prefer given their previous rental history, planned future rentals, and ratings of movies theyve seen in the past[4]. Furthermore, theyre constantly trying to improve the CineMatch program: Netflix is offering a prize of $1 million for a better algorithm[18]. Netflixs large subscription base has allowed a small type of network externality to take shape. More Netflix subscribers means more people rate movies, write reviews for movies, and recommend movies to one another. This also helps fine-tune the accuracy of the CineMatch program. Unique and very large selection of DVDs Netflix has the largest and most diverse collection of DVDs out of any competitor. They have more than 75,000 titles, including foreign films and independent films that are usually not carried by other distributors such as Blockbuster Video and Wal-Mart[7]. Foreign films such as those from Indias Bollywood are particularly successful at attracting customer attention[2]. This selection of movies taps into the underserved population of consumers who are solely with Netflix because the unique titles Netflix has to offer cannot be found for rent elsewhere in the United States. 3.2 Weaknesses Like most brick-and-mortar rental businesses, Netflix often has trouble providing enough copies of new, popular movies. As a result, a main cause of customer dissatisfaction is Netflixs inability to completely satisfy the initial rush for a new movie. However, the company knows it would be unprofitable in the long run to buy more copies just to serve the rush when a movie first becomes available, because the copies will not be rented with nearly as much frequency soon after the rush. Customers have caught on to the fact that Netflix only purchases a limited quantity of new releases right away, opting to wait a few weeks to buy the bulk of its supply at lower costs. While this might save Netflix money, it also has the tendency to drive away current and potential customers. Finally, Netflix does not have a direct connection to any movie studios so it must purchase its entire media through the consumer market[5]. One disadvantage of Netflixs rent-by-mail business model is that customers have to wait (often for several days) for the next movie on their queue to arrive in their mailbox. In many cases, by the time the subscriber receives the DVD, he or she may no longer be in the mood to see that particular movie. Likewise, a Netflix subscriber may feel like watching a movie on a night where all of the DVDs that are part of their plan are currently on route to or from a Netflix distribution center. In such a case, the customer will likely leave the home and rent a movie from a brick-and-mortar retailer, or perhaps order a movie from a service such as Pay-Per-View or iN DEMAND. 3.3 Opportunities Netflix is in a position to expand right now. Previously, sending movies to customers through the mail was a novelty in the rental industry. Now, delivering movies straight to computers of customers is likely to be the next revolution in how consumers view movies in their homes[6]. Luckily for Netflix, this service is only available as a per-viewing basis. Netflix can seize this opportunity if it is successful in efficiently providing streaming content to a customer on a time usage basis rather than a per-viewing basis. In addition, active management could possibly enable Netflix to absorb current providers of this service, such as Movielink, in a way similar to how it absorbed Wal-Marts DVD division. 3.4 Threats The clearest threat to Netflix is Blockbuster and other established rental businesses. Beyond this, customer satisfaction is the only aspect of this business that can make or break a company. If Netflix were to lose its wholesome, reliable image, it might not be able to retain enough of the market to survive. Also, companies like Apple can potentially harm Netflix if they are able to provide services through ones computer that can be easily ported to ones TV[6]. Netflix is less suited to compete with hardware innovations such as Apple TV because it has little to no experience in this area, though such innovations may eventually be complementary rather than competitive. Moreover, there is always the threat of entry by another firm, especially into the VOD industry, a closely related industry, which Netflix is about to enter. 4 Six Forces Analysis of the Video on Demand Industry By offering streaming movies through its website, Netflix is entering the Video on Demand (VOD) industry. This industry, along with DVD rentals (both from online providers such as Netflix, and cable services such as On Demand and Pay-Per-View), is part of the larger industry of watching movies in the home. However, since Netflix is already positioned in this market, with its online DVD rentals, we will examine the smaller portion of the market that is streaming online movies. This business is too closely related to the movie downloading service to be considered as a separate market. 4.1 Entry The Video on Demand industry requires a significant level of capital, so potential entrants face the large sunk costs of acquiring licenses to the movies they want to provide. Moreover, it is too expensive for a firm considering this market to merely test the waters. An established video rental retailer already has experience in marketing movies to people, giving them an experience advantage over potential entrants. Netflix, for example, invested over $40 million to launch its Watch Now streaming video service, shocking many shareholders[6]. These shareholders reactions only highlight the risk involved with such sunk costs. Netflixs Watch Now feature will be fully integrated with its normal online DVD rental website. A firm without the technological advantage of a website with movie-recommendation algorithms like Netflixs CineMatch program is at a significant disadvantage. Moreover, Netflixs website alreay has reams of user reviews and input, that a new firm would be unable to match for years. The technology to offer high-quality downloads is also a barrier to entry, but this barrier is small because such technology is available for licensing from third parties. In this market, product differentiation takes the form of varying quality in the downloaded movies, yet it should be noted that all firms will at least have to offer quality that is very close to DVD quality in order to ensure that discerning customers continue to use their service. Besides quality, differentiation exists in the type of service offered by a company: streaming movies, permanent downloads, or limited time downloads. In sum, this is an industry where entry is difficult for all but the most experienced firms with already established online movie rental/sale experience. These firms are more likely to thrive in this market due to their experience, reputation, and recognizable brand names. 4.2 Rivalry The movie download industry, like the online DVD industry, is not very concentrated[20], and so the few market leaders that share the market may engage in rivalrous price competition. A key example of this is Netflixs and Blockbusters recent price war[8], which lasted until both resolved to settle on a higher price through tacit collusion. A variety of services are being offered in the online movie industry. Amazon Unbox sells movies that one can download and keep on ones harddrive for one to two days[9]. Netflixs Watch Now feature ties in its streaming movie service with its online DVD rental service. Current Netflix customers will get this service for free, which will cost significantly less than Amazon Unbox. Because the product is not easy to differentiate, the competition focuses more on the services provided with the product than the price. An existing variety of movies is essential in this market because consumers will frown upon not finding a movie they want to see. The entry barriers mentioned in the previous section will prevent small and undifferentiated firms from entering the market, practically ensuring that the prices will not be competitive. With a low concentration of firms and emerging differentiation, this industry will not likely be especially rivalrous. 4.3 Supplier Power Netflix and its competitors buy their movies from the movie studios that create the films. The major studios have marginal supplier power in the online movie download market because they are the exclusive source of big name movies that customers desire. These highly popular movies have practically no substitutes in the rental market. However, buyer concentration in this new market is relatively high[20], so suppliers tend to want to sell their product to all of the companies in the market to maximize their revenue. This reduces competition for supply and therefore prevents supplier power from being very high. In this particular market, studios may be concerned with cannibalizing their own product[6]. By making inexpensive movie downloading available to customers, they may lose sales on the more profitable hard case DVD sales. Therefore, large studios may be more willing to withhold licensing agreements to movie download providers such as Netflix, thus strengthening their own supplier power. Overall, the suppliers to this market have only enough power to slightly control prices, but not enough power to influence the evolution of the market as a whole because they must sell their product to survive. 4.4 Substitutes The main substitutes to streaming movies are brick-and-mortar rental stores, online rentals, pay per view TV and theatres. Brick-and-mortar rental stores provide the same service with possibly a better selection of movies as compared to movies available for download by Netflix, but they do not provide the instant gratification of downloading or streaming them whenever a customer desires[3]. Furthermore, the streaming movies service provided by Netflix is more cost effective than these other substitutes because Netflix plans to allot its users a total amount of stream time. For instance, if a customer decides after 20 minutes of watching a movie that he does not want to watch it anymore, switching to another movie incurs no extra cost. Substitutes such as buying per download or traditional renting do not offer this convenience. For this reason, these are weak substitutes to streaming videos. 4.5 Buyer Power Buyer power is very low in this market because one customers decision to buy the service or not will not affect the overall market at all. Similarly, one customers dissatisfaction will not influence a significant amount of other customers. The source of dissatisfaction would have to be concerning an inferior product or service to incite such a widespread response. Clearly, this is not something an independent customer can control. There are substitutes for movie rentals, but these are weak substitutes. Buyers can rent movies from local brick-and-mortar businesses, but this is not nearly as convenient as the instant-gratification downloading of movies. In a broader aspect, a customer always has the option to not spend their free time watching movies, no matter what the source, so the price of rental services cannot climb much higher than they currently are. Overall, individual customers do not hold bargaining power over the price of products in this market; however, the prices themsel ves are regulated by the substitutes and preferences of customers as a whole. 4.6 Complements Technology is the main complement to streaming videos offered by Netflix. The basic complement required is high bandwidth. According to Netflix, a consistent bandwidth of 3 megabits per second is required[10] to watch streaming videos online at DVD quality. This bandwidth is already present in over 47% of US households, which means over 50 million households have broadband service available[14]. Because the required infrastructure is already well developed, Netflix has access to a large customer base. This figure is projected to grow to 55% by the end of 2007, making it a dependable complement. Apart from bandwidth, another possible complement is a product similar to AppleTV that allows users to watch streaming videos directly on their big-screen televisions[15]. Currently, users with S-Video capability can connect their desktops to their televisions but this does not provide the simple and elegant solution the average Netflix customer is looking for. With easy methods to view stream ing videos on the television, physical media (CDs, DVDs, etc.) would be much less functional in the movie rental industry. 5 Netflixs Entry into the VOD Industry via Streaming Movies In our analysis below we will examine Netflixs current business model to find that their business can suc- cessfully incorporate such VOD offering. Netflixs choice of providing streaming content as opposed to downloadable movies allows it to differentiate its service from others in the market, thus aiding Netflix in its strategic positioning. There are both advantages and disadvantages in tying in this new service with Netflixs current subscription plans as opposed to offering the services separately, but the two can complement one another at this early stage in Netflixs entry. These proposed strategies will place Netflix in a strong position in the newly developing market of VOD, and can act as a bridge to allow Netflix to leave the DVD rental industry as physical media becomes obsolete. 5.1 Business Definition The question arises, however, as to how streaming videos and DVD rentals can both fit within Netflixs business definition. There exist scale economies associated with the offering or bundling both of the services, as Netflixs good relations with the movie studios will help enable it to negotiate better prices for its streaming movies. Much of Netflixs existing infrastructure, including its award-winning website cited to be one of Netflixs keys to success, will also apply to streaming movies. The same page that allows one to add a movie to their queue will have a Watch Now button allowing the user to begin streaming the movie immediately. Moreover, a substantial proportion of customers who rent movies online will be open to watching streaming movies, as both are ways of watching movies at home. Streaming videos may be used as a way to sift through movies they are considering to watch on DVD. Since these two somewhat different services have a similar consumer base and share benefits in cost structure, they can both be successfully integrated into the same business model. On the downside, however, it should be noted that many of the elements that allowed Netflix to succeed in renting out DVDs via mail, will not carry over to the digital distribution market. For example, superior logistics in mailing out DVDs and processing receieved DVDs will not aid Netflix in addressing bandwidth problems. The business model will have to undergo some changes if Netflix decides to offer a stand-alone streaming plan in the future (see Tying-in DVD Rentals and Streaming Movies below). 5.2 Netflixs Choice of Streaming Video over Movie Downloads The Online Video on Demand industry has consisted of services such as Amazon Unbox and Movielink which allow users to download a movie for a fixed cost of about $3 and have 24 to 48 hours to view it. Recently, Starz launched Vongo, which allows users to download and watch movies for an unlimited amount per month, but are only allowed to choose from a catalog that is mostly representative of movies currently airing on one or more of Starzs cable television channels[11]. Therefore, Netflixs immediate entry into the VOD market will mark the arrival of one of the first monthly payment-based content providers that will allow viewers to watch their movies via streaming video files, similar to the format that has been popularized on websites such as YouTube and Google Video with higher quality. Perhaps the greatest advantage to streaming video is that it offers an even greater instant gratification incentive than downloadable VOD movies, as one can get the former up and running within a couple minutes with a modest connection speed, whereas a full movie download will often take about a half hour or more. A disadvantage of Netflixs business model has been the waiting times associated with the turn-around between DVDs. Netflixs competitors have been quick to make use of their infrastructure to exploit this disadvantage. Blockbuster frequently gives monthly in-store movie rental benefits to its online subscribers such as a speedier gratification bonus, where the customer can drive to the store and rent a DVD for free to watch for the night while the DVDs previously requested online are still in transit[12]. Now, Netflix can take the lead again in offering the fastest way to watch a movie in ones home. 5.3 One Subscription: Tying-in DVD Rentals and Streaming Movies Netflixs Watch Now will be available at no additional cost to all subscribes within the first half of 2007; there is no plan offering only the streaming download service without DVD rentals. The bundling of these two services is a necessary component of Netflixs strategy. By doing so, Netflix will differentiate its service from the services offered by its competitors and use these complementary goods to reinforce one another (as mentioned above in Business Definition). Netflix simply needs to consider this new bundled feature as just another method of delivering their product. Movie studios who supply films to Netflix are afraid that this Watch Now feature will contribute to cannibalization of their own DVD sales market. They are also concerned with the potential piracy of streaming and downloaded videos[6]. Due to the studios unusual supplier power in this particular matter, the catalog of movies that can be streamed with Netflix is much smaller than the size of their total DVD catalog. If Netflix offered a separate streaming plan, it would have a library of only about 1,000 films and television series to offer to its subscribers, making it difficult to satisfy a wide range of consumers. Variety of selection has always been one of Netflixs keys to success, so spinning off a half-hearted stand alone service could potentially harm its brand name. Tying the two services together allows consumers to see that Netflix is expanding its features since it offers it at no increase in price. It is providing existing subscribers a greater value and giving potential subscribers more incentive to try Netflixs services. By offering the new product as a tie-in, consumers are presented with a unique service that they can only get from Netflix. Consumers are given the opportunity to see a movie precisely when they want to, but can still order a DVD they feel like watching later. This gives consumers the opportunity to see more movies for a relatively lower cost than using only rental services or only temporary download services. The threat of price competition is reduced because the bundle of services makes Netflix appear to be less of a direct threat to download-only VOD services. The only firms able to replicate Netflixs bundling structure are those with an established DVD rental infrastructure. However, Blockbuster is such a firm capable of imitating Netflixs bundling model, especially as it has recently entered negotiations to acquire Movielink, a movie downloading service that offers both downloadable purchases and temporary downloads[13][20]. Blockbusters interest in Movielink suggests that it will more specifically attempt to integrate movie download rentals and sales into its online subscription plans[13], as opposed to streaming content. Should Blockbuster acquire Movielink, it will be able to offer a similar subscription plan to that being offered by Netflix. This apparently small difference reduces the threat of price competition because it will present consumers with a dilemma of preference, rather than an obvious choice of choosing the cheaper of two seemingly identical services. At this early stage in Netflixs attempts in the VOD industry, it is important that Netflix ties in its VOD offerings with its existing, time-tested DVD rental service. This ensures Netflix offers a unique and differen- tiated good, while not risking Netflixs brand name due to the lack of selection in the movies being offered, potential problems that may arise due to Netflixs lack of experience in the industry, and the relatively new and untested technologies being put to use to offer these services. 5.4 Positioning for the Future Over time, Netflixs bundling of DVD rentals with streaming movies will enable them to work out any kinks they have with their ability to distribute movies digitally, while continuing to build a large customer base of subscribers. Traditionally, Netflix has relied on a combination of word-of-mouth suggestions from their existing subscribers and an aggressive marketing campaign[1]. Should they continue to market their services effectively, their subscriber base will grow steadily, and Netflix will be able to collect more personalized user data and become even more proficient at being able to personalize [their] library to each subscriber by leveraging [their] database of user preferences[17]. Netflixs compilation of this data and their subsequent understanding of their customer base will serve a vital part in aiding their positioning in the coming future. However, the future of the DVD rental industry is very unclear as newer forms of media are developed. There are several factors that could hurt the industry that Netflix and other DVD rental outlets have been paying attention to. It is predicted that DVD and its successor formats (Blu-Ray and HD-DVD) will be more prevalent than digitally distributed movies in the short term[6][19]. Yet as complementary technologies grow that will allow for streaming of high definition movies directly to HDTV, VOD will continue to gain popularity and will eventually unseat DVD and other physical forms of media as the dominant format for watching rented movies at home[17]. Technology, however, is not the only barrier to the inevitable prevalence of VOD. As previously mentioned, the studios are wary of allowing the legal digital distribution of films to take place on a major scale, as they rely on DVD sales for a large portion of their revenues. Moreover, if the studios start reducing the window of time in which a movie is exclusively available on DVD after its major theatrical run or allow movies to be distributed in the home in other formats before they can be distributed on DVD, Netflix and other DVD rental firms will be adversely affected[17]. They will no longer have a significant advantage in allowing consumers to view new releases first through their services and more substitutes emerge for viewing those new releases (Pay-Per View, iN DEMAND, etc.). The fate of the DVD rental industry largely depends on factors outside of the hands of Netflix and its competitors. In order to prepare for the demise of the DVD industry, Netflix must make its streaming services available under a separate subscription plan of its own. This point will likely come at a time when the penetration of technology allowing for viewing streaming content on high-end TVs is substantially high. The technology already exists in some ways; the Apple TV is used to wirelessly connect to ones computer and retrieve movies downloaded from the iTunes store onto the computer, then play those movies on ones television[16]. However, it will be some time before this expensive technology is adopted by the mainstream population to such an extent that the digital distribution of movies onto those TVs will return large profits. It is also at this time that Netflixs experience with streaming under the previous tie-in structure will aid it in completely changing its business model toward eventually becoming a digital distributor of filmed entertainment as opposed to a DVD rental outlet. The o ne important factor it will maintain from its rent-DVDs-by-mail days will be the aforementioned personalized library available to its subscriber. Netflix will continue to benefit from the advantages associated with its superior understanding of its customer base through their databases, which they have acquired over the years and will continue to develop. Clearly, Netflixs competitors will be trying to do the same. As mentioned before, Blockbusters acquisition of Movielink only serves to signal that it is also pursuing a similar strategy in trying to survive beyond the death of physical media[20]. Yet, Netflix has historically been more adept at understanding its consumers and delivering easier to use cont

Aaron’s Last Game :: Personal Narrative Writing

Aaron’s Last Game Play this game like it’s your last. This is a common phrase that athletes hear from their coaches to help inspire them to play hard in a game. In the case of my friend Aaron Halford, a basketball game during his sophomore year of high school was his last. It was a playoff game for the basketball team and there was a great deal of pressure on the players to perform well to move on to the next round. However, this was one game where regardless of the score, our team was going to lose. One of our players dribbled down the court, looked to pass, and took the shot. The ball bounced from rim to rim, back and forth, the crowd waited with anticipation, but no one even registered whether the ball entered the hoop. Aaron laid lifeless on the court. What happened, did I miss something? Was there a foul? No one in the crowd knew what caused Aaron to be lying on the court. A whistle was blown and the coaches ran out onto the court only to find that Aaron wasn’t breathing. Without any hesitation, Aaron’s dad raced down to where his son was laying unresponsively. â€Å"Grab the defibrillator,† yelled out one of the coaches. Another coach immediately began administering mouth to mouth resuscitation on Aaron. The whole gym was completely silent. I sat there in disbelief not knowing what to do. He’s going to be alright, isn’t he? Surely he will. Is there something I should do? I was short of breath and closed my eyes and began to pray, however, my thoughts made no sense. I can remember reciting over and over, â€Å"Please God, don’t let him die. Let him be ok.† Everything happened so quickly. Before I knew it, two minutes had passed and Aaron still wasn’t moving. At this point, the coach performing the CPR pulled out the defibrillator and started shocking Aaron’s chest. Aaron’s body jolted vigorously as his coach stunned him. The only speaking voice in the whole gym was Aaron’s father who was speaking to Aaron saying, â€Å"Come on boy; please wake up. I know you have it in you.† Tears began to swell in my eyes. This can’t be happening. Aaron’s father kneeled down next to his son’s still body and prayed aloud.

Microfone Inc. :: essays research papers

MICROFONE INC.Ó Introduction If you have been keeping up to date with the news than you already know that people are accusing cell phones of causing car accidents. People say they are unsafe and distracting to drivers. Georgia is trying to pass a law that will ban the use of cell phones while driving a vehicle, because of the accidents and safety. Florida has had this law for several years now, and from past experience, when the law was passed our company sales decreased. Consumers did not want to buy a cell phone if they could not use it in their car. The company was not expecting a decrease and was not prepared for this, so we suffered with layoffs till things smoothed out. We can not let this happen again, so when the law is passed in Georgia we have to be ready. My department and I put our heads together in hopes of designing a new phone to help us through this situation, for the second time. We were aiming towards a small phone that our customers could use hands free, something simple that did not have unsightly wires hanging out of it. The best result was a cell phone that is as small as a hearing aid. It is called the MicrofoneÓ, it combines all our latest technology into one small phone. Drivers can then talk on their phones hands free, therefore reducing the risk of an accident, and avoid breaking the law. Corporation & Sales The MicrofoneÓ Corporation began in the late 1980’s. From the development of many analog and digital phones, to the development of hands free devices, and portable Internet; the Portadigital INC. Company has brought many technological advances in the wireless world. Many of our leading scholars, graduated from DeVry Institute of Technology and are very knowledgeable in the technology field. We have spent numerous hours developing and now promoting this amazing product that will revolutionize the Cell Phone Industry. After the latest invention of the MicrofoneÓ, to our belief is the best advance in the technology world, the Portadigital company did not want to spend valuable time competing with similar products, but moreover to break away with the concept of Microfone Ó. So after careful decision the Portadigital Corporation successfully changed their name in 2000, to Microfone INC. This change has allowed us to concentrate solely on our unprecedented MicrofoneÓ invention, and it allowed everyone to recognize the Monopoly this could form.

My Goal in Life Essay

At the age of 8 we change our minds about what we want to do when we grow up about every week. At the 18 and a few months away from graduating some of us still don’t know what we want to do or where we want to go in life. Excluding all of those soon to be high school graduates, I already know what I want to do after high and know where I want to go. Since the age of 10, I’ve always dreamt of being a police officer. I cant see myself doing anything other than patrolling the streets and keeping people safe. After graduating high school, Im going to go to college for at least four years. When my four years is done and after I turn twenty-one, I’m going to join the police academy. Im going to work hard and do whatever it takes to get in and pass all my tests. My goal is to be the best police office on the force. When the time comes after a couple years of patrolling, I would love to work my way up to be a special agent or maybe even be a member of the SWAT team. I know a lot of people may doubt me and a lot of people may say, â€Å"A little girl like you can’t do a job like that.† but I will prove them wrong. I want to be able to say â€Å"I did it† instead of â€Å"I tried,† Failing is not an option, the key is to never give up and push yourself as far as you can go.

Operating Cycle

OPERATING CYCLE The way working capital moves around the business is modeled by the working capital cycle. This shows the cash coming into the business,what happens to it while the business has it and then where it goes. the term operating cycle otherwise known as â€Å"cash cycle†. In order to earn sufficient profits,a firm has to depend on its sales activities apart from others. The continuing flow from cash to suppliers,to investors,to debtors and back in cash. The time gap is technically termed as operating cycle. In other words,the duration of the time required to complete the following sequence of events,in case of a manufacturing firm,Is called operating cycle. 1)Conversion of cash into raw materials 2)Conversion of raw materials into work-in-progress 3)conversion of work-in-progress into finished goods 4)conversion of finished goods in debtors 5)conversion of debtors to cash Bewteen each stage of this working capital cycle there is time delay. For some business this will be very long where it takes them a long time to make and sell the product. They will need a substantial amount of working capital to survive. Others though may receive their cash very quickly after paying out for raw materials etc. They will need less working capital. For all businesses though they need to plan how much cash they are going to have. The best way of doing this is a CASH FLOW FORECAST. WORKING CAPITAL CYCLE From the above chart,it can be observed that the firm’s liquidity of a minifacturing firm depends an operating cycle involved in the conversion process from raw materials into finished goods and then sales into cash. In case of non-maifacturing firms,the operating cycle will include the length of the time required to convert: )Cash into inventories b)Inventories into debtors c)debtors nto cash To determine the operating cycle period,time lag associated with all the individual activities of working cycle are to be determined first. Then summing up all the individual time lags working capital cycle is to be ascertained. Determine of individual time lags are shown as follows Raw Materials Conversion Pe riod The RMCP denotes the period for which the raw materials are generally are kept in stores before it is issued to the production department. It is calculated as : RMCP= Average inventory of raw materials and stores †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Averahe daily consumption of raw materials Work-In-Progress conversion period(WPCP) It refers to the period for which the raw materials remain in the production process before it is taken out as finished products. WPCP being done in the following ways : WPCP= Average work-in-progress †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Average daily factory cost of production Finished Goods Conversion Period(FGCP) It refers to the period for which finished goods remain in stores before being sld to the customers. It is measured as : F GCP= Average stock of finished goods †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Average cost of goods sold per days Receiveable Collection Period(RCP) It is the time required to convert the credit sales into cash realizations,i. e. , the time allowed to debtors after credit sales for making the payment. RCP= Average debtors †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Average daily credit sales Payment Deferral Period(PDP) The firm may get sum credit facilities from the suppliers of raw materials,wage earners etc. As the firm enjoys credit,this period has the effect of the reducing money lock period in the operating cycle. CPP= Average creditors †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Average daily credit purchase COMPUTATION OF WORKING CAPITAL IN BIRLA CORPORATION LIMITED (Rs. In lakh) As on 31. 3. 08 As at 31. 3. 07 As at 31. 3. 06 CURRENT ASSET Inventories 20044. 82 14258. 83 10572. 33 Sundry debtors 3171. 25 2722. 47 2248. 22 Cash and Bank 3135. 65 3439. 42 5922. 59 Balances Other Current 28. 38 Assets Loans and 47311. 7 30525. 34 12442. 01 Advances †¦.. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. †¦.. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ TOTAL 73662. 99 50946. 06 31213. 53 LESS-CURRENT LIABILITIES AND PROVISIONS Current Liabilities 30109. 32 24092. 95 25753. 21 Provision 73662. 99 19215. 28 4489. 21 NET WORKING CAPITAL 8246. 75 7637. 83 971. 11 [pic][pic][pic]PLEASE DO THIS†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Importance of Working Capital Ratios Ratio analysis can be used by financial executives to check upon the efficiency with which working capital is being used in the enterprise. The following are the important ratios to measure the efficiency of working capital. The following, easily calculated, ratios are important measures of working capital utilization. |RATIO |FORMULAE |RESULT |INTERPRETATION | |Stock Turnover |Average Stock * |= x days |On average, you turn over the value of your entire stock | |(in days) 365/ | |every x days. You may need to break this down into | | |Cost of Goods Sold | |product groups for effective stock management. | | | | |Obsolete stock, slow moving lines will extend overall stock | | | | |turnover days. Faster production, fewer product lines, just | | | | |in time ordering will reduce average days. | |Receivables |Debtors * 365/ |= x days |It takes you on average x days to collect monies due to | |Ratio |Sales | |you. If your official credit terms are 45 day and it takes | |(in days) | | |you 65 days. | | | |One or more large or slow debts can drag out the average | | | | |days. Effective debtor management will minimize the | | | | |days. | |Payables Ratio |Creditors * 365/ |= x days |On average, you pay your suppliers every x days. If you | |(in days) |Cost of Sales (or | |negotiate better credit terms this will increase. If you pay | | |Purchases) | |earlier, say, to get a discount this will decline. If you simply | | | | |defer paying your suppliers (without agreement) this will | | | | |also increase – but your reputation, the quality of service | | | | |and any flexibility provided by your suppliers may suffer. |Current Ratio |Total Current |= x times |Current Assets are assets that you can readily turn in to | | |Assets/ | |cash or will do so within 12 months in the course of | | |Total Current | |business. Current Liabilities are mount you are due to | | |Liabilities | |pay within the coming 12 months. For example, 1. 5 times | | | | |means that you should be able to lay your hands on $1. 50 | | | | |for every $1. 00 you owe. Less than 1 times e. g. 0. 5 | | | | |means that you could have liquidity problems and be | | | | |under pressure to generate sufficient cash to meet | | | | |oncoming demands. | |Quick Ratio |(Total Current |= x times |Similar to the Current Ratio but takes account of the fact | | |Assets – Inventory)/ | |that it may take time to convert inventory into cash. | |Total Current | | | | |Liabilities | | | |Working |(Inventory + |As % |A high percentage means that working capital needs are | |Capital Ratio |Receivables – |Sales |high relative to your sales. | |Payables)/ | | | | |Sales | | | A measure of both company’s efficiency and its short-term financial health. The working capital ratio. The working capital ratio is calculated as: Positive working capital means that the company is able to pay off its short-term liabilities. Negative working capital means that a company currently is unable to meet its short term liabilities with its current assets(cash,accounts receiveable,inventory). If a company’s current asset do not exceed its current liabilities,then it may run into trouble paying back creditors in the short term. The worst case scenario is bankruptcy. A dceclining working capital ratio over a longer time period could be that the companys sale volumes are decreasing,and as a result,its accounts receiveables number continues to get smaller and smaller. Working capital also gives investors an idea of the company’s underlying operational efficiency . Money that is tied up in inventory or moey that customers still owe to the company cannot be used to pay off any of the company’s obligations. So if a company is not operating in the most efficient manner(slow collection),it will show up as an increase in the working capital. athis can be seen by comparing the wotking captal from one period to another;skow collection may signalan underlying problem in the company’s operations. FOR LIQUIDITY POSITION As on 31. 03. 08 As on 31. 03. 07 As on 31. 03. 07 Current ratio 1. 13 1. 18 1. 3 [pic] INTERPRETATION This ratio reflects the financial stability of the enterprise. The standard of the normal ratio is 2:1 but in most of companies standard is taken according to Tandon Committee which is taken as 1. 33:1. Now if we analyze the three years data it can be predicted that it holds a stable position all through out period but it is seen that it holds a low position than the standard one and the company is required to improve its p osition. As on 31. 03. 08 As on 31. 03. 07 As on 31. 03. 07 Quick ratio 0. 82 0. 84 0. 68 [pic] INTERPRETATION It is the ratio between quick liquid assets and quick liabilities. The normal value for such ratio is taken to be 1:1. It is used as an assessment tool for testing the liquidity position of the firm. It indicates the relationship between strictly liquid assets whose realizable value is almost certain on one hand and strictly liquid liabilities on the other hand. Liquid assets comprise all current assets minus stock. By analyzing the three years data it can be said that its position was weak in the year 2006 but itimproved significantly in the next two years and was stable during that year. But it is to be said thatit does not meet with the standard but in the year 2007 & 2008 it was very close to the standardand it can be said that its liquidity position on an average is stable. As on 31. 03. 08 As on 31. 03. 07 As on 31. 03. 07 Working capital ratio 0. 06 0. 07 0. 01 [pic] INTERPRETATION This ratio indicates whether the investments in current assets or net current assets ( i. e. , working capital ) have been properly utilized. In order words it shows the relationship between sales and working capital. Higher the ratio lower is the investment in working capital and higher is the profitability. But too high ratio indicates over trading. This ratio is an important indicator about the working capital position. Now if we analyze the three years data, we find that it follows an increasing trend which means that its investment in working capital is lower and the company is utilizing more of its profit. But we find that ratio is increasing at a very fast rate which is not a good sign for the company and the company is required to look into these matters closely. FOR PRFITABILITY POSITION As on 31. 03. 8 As on 31. 03. 07 As on 31. 03. 07 Gross profit ratio 34. 36% 31. 40% 14. 67% [pic] INTERPRETATION The gross profit margin reflects the efficiency with which management produces each unit of the product. This ratio of the gross profit to net sales of the business. This ratio gives information about the movement of stock and earning capacity of the business. A high gross profit margin ratio is a sign of good management. it increases higher sale price. As on 31. 03. 08 As on 31. 03. 07 As on 31. 03. 07 Net profit ratio 22. 2% 20. 82% 10. 35% [pic] INTERPRETATION A net profit ratio establishes a relationship between net profit and sales and indicates management efficiency in manufacturing,administrating and selling the products. The ratio is very helpful for measuring the profitability of the business. If the net froit margin is inadequate,the firm will fail to achieve satisfactory return on shareholders fund. As on 31. 03. 08 As on 31. 03. 07 As on 31. 03. 07 Oprating profit ratio 19% 16. 27% 3.. 50% [pic] INTERPRETATION The ratio shows the relation between the entire operating cost and net sales. It indicates the efficiency of the management in operating the business. FOR MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY As on 31. 03. 08 As on 31. 03. 07 As on 31. 03. 07 Debtors turnover ratio 5. 72 days 5. 53 days 5. 79days [pic] Debtors turnover indicates the number of times of debtors turnover each year. generally the higher value of debtors turnover,the more efficiency in management credit. the shorter the average collection period,the better the quality of debtors. A short collection period implies the prompt payments by debtors. As on 31. 03. 08 As on 31. 03. 07 As on 31. 03. 07 CREDITORS TURNOVER 3. 96 days 4. 54 days 7. 72 days RATIO [pic] The ratio reveals the number of days the business or the company enjoys as credit period from its sundry creditors. A very largr credit period in this case indicates over-trading by the company. CALCULATION F MAXIMUM PERMISSABLE BANK FINANCE (MPBP) IN THE YEAR 2008 CURRENT ASSET,LOANS AND ADVANCES Inventories 20044. 82 Sundry debtors 3171. 5 Cash and bank 3135. 65 Loans and advances 47311. 27 Total 73662. 99 CURRENT LIABILITIES AND PROVISION Current liabilities 30109. 32 Provision 35306. 92 Total 65416. 24 Working capital=current assets – current liabilities = 73662. 99 – 65416. 24 = 8246. 75 Own contribution= 25% of working capital = 25% of 8246. 75 = 2061. 68 MPBF = 8246. 75 – 2061. 68 = 6185. 07

Frankenstien Essay

When two contrasting personalities are juxtaposed, it often results in the illumination of distinctive characteristics of the personalities, reflecting the theme of a literary work. In Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, Victor Frankenstein and The Monster are an example of this. As a foil to Frankenstein, The Monster exhibits personality traits that greatly contrast those of Frankenstein. The portrayed sensitivity in the monster contrasts the selfish behavior as Frankenstein; his harsh ways are highlighted by the compassionate ones of The Monster, and the rationality shown in the dialogue involving The Monster shows how irrational Frankenstein can be, all relating to the theme of the need for a balanced life. Throughout the novel, The Monster is characterized as a sensitive being; he wants to be loved and resents the fact that he was rejected by Frankenstein. As he gains knowledge and begins to grow more intelligent, The Monster comes to the realization that Victor abandoned him, that he is unwanted. This frustrates him as he continually gets rejected by society. Although Victor seems to think very highly of himself, The Monster has a very low self-esteem, â€Å"I, the miserable and the abandoned, am an abortion, to be spurned at, and kicked, and trampled on† (pg #), which stems from his rejection by both Victor and society as a whole. This character trait of The Monster makes the sort of selfishness of Victor, as it shows that, in his search for fame and glory, he was uncaring of the consequences. In creating The Monster, Victor’s intentions were not what they should have been; instead of trying to create life in order to make the world better, he was doing is for the sole purpose of becoming a God-like person. His God-complex is apparent in other parts of the novel as well, when he meets The Monster in the mountains and they have a conversation about Victor’s want to destroy The Monster. As the conversation progresses, it is made clear that Victor is unwilling to deal with the consequences of his actions in a rational manner. The Monster, seemingly more intelligent at this point, acts as the â€Å"adult† in this situation, whereas Victor acts as a child with a very ego-centric view on the world.