In your opinion, what have been or are currently the three (3) Essay

In your opinion, what have been or are currently the three (3) greatest challenges for the United States in translating its mili - Essay Example In the years following its inception the military has always faced a number of challenges ranging from ethical, climatic to financial. The paper seeks to identify three such challenges faced by the U.S. army in the context of two wars. The paper also aims at identifying how far has these challenges translated the political outcomes in case of two specific wars. The Challenges The military capability of the U.S is definitely unmatched by any other state. The wars in which the U.S has been involved as often been as a result of an on the nation itself or as result of clash in opinions. This was evident after the 9/11 attacks when potential threats to the homeland and the measures to counter it were considered in full swing (Challenges to Military Operations in Support of U.S Interests, 2008, p.3). The war with Iraq in 2003 was justified by the Bush government as a measure to protect the homeland because they thought Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait as a potential threat to U.S interests (Knecht, 2010, p.113). On the other hand the involvement of America in the Vietnam War was questioned not only by the rest of the world but also by the American citizens themselves. Critical Thinking There is a domain of reasoned opinion between the world of facts and opinion. Nobody is a perfect decision maker. Numerous cognitive biases distort our judgment, and the heuristics, or mental short cuts, our minds use to deal with complexity can sometimes lead us astray. In addition, we are prone to making errors in logic which lead us to faulty conclusions. Overconfidence may lead us to overestimate the soundness of our judgment. Here logic gets more priority than emotions and both process and outcome are equally important. Reasoned opinion is often a source of discomfort because we fail to understand it and hence sense of evaluation and logic should prevail. In the modern age one has to possess these skill and proper approaches are required to learn. One such approach is critical thi nking which is very crucial. The concept of critical thinking is very important and it also finds an important place in the army. It has become synonymous with military education as it is considered to be an essential tool for operating in a complex and dynamic world (Emilio, 2000, p.4). Critical thinking is important as it helps a person to analyze a situation more analytically and to take the decisions accordingly. It enables a person to be more competitive in dealing with arguments and different situations (Brink-Budgen, 2002, p.16). Such critical thinking becomes crucial in the army also has here decision needs to made not on emotion but logic and this creative approach will enable â€Å"the potential of digitized approach† (Bonn, 2005, 106). Critical thinking refers to improvement of one’s judgment. One might assess the information on a PowerPoint slide in a Pentagon briefing, browse a newspaper article, or take part in a conversation with an Iraqi mayor; critical thinking indicates purposeful cognizant and suitable relevance of thoughtful cynicism (Gerras, 2006, p 12) . Ethics Ethics are basically standards which one should follow and they are based on values. It has become one of the challenges in the U.S army and it is threatening the political stability of the government. The violent combat between human beings has always resulted in the loss of humanity. Morality and ethics in humans were also there in the past and

Application Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Application - Essay Example It calls into question the true character and strength of resolve in a person while the journey towards self discovery places him in a position of having to make the tough choices in life. Most of the college students learn to grow up quickly and develop a sense of responsibility that their parents become truly proud of. That is because parents do not really know their children until they have left the family home and been given a chance to truly discover who they are apart from their parents, family, and friends. My journey of self discovery began at the tender age of 16. When I moved to Singapore from Indonesia after graduating from my junior year in high school. I lived independently in Singapore from 2006 to 2009. A total of 3 years wherein I embarked on a unique journey of finding myself and self discovery. Living independently has proven that I am not easily influenced by external and internal factors existing in my life. I was blessed to have experienced living among people of varied cultures and backgrounds who helped me realize the prejudices in the world. Our nationality does now define who we are as a person, we define that through our actions. That is the principle that I have come to develop over time for myself. I am a person who holds true to my own principles and beliefs in righteousness and truth. During the beginning of my journey towards self discovery, I found mostly the negative aspects of myself as a human being. Factors that I knew I disliked and worked hard to change. I knew that keeping those traits would potentially lead me down a path of self destruction. By living independently in Singapore, I began to understand what my true purpose in life was. This journey will be a life long experience. One where I will find the happiness that God meant for me to find in my

Web Searching as an Important Revenue Source for Various Online Firms Essay

Web Searching as an Important Revenue Source for Various Online Firms - Essay Example In order to assess and highlight the current web browsing trends, the paper compares the performance of different browsers and their individual and market performance as well. This comparison would enable to determine the most effective way to gain digital competitive advantage for Google Chrome. Our goal from the analyzation of these market shares to company perceived value is to be able to finally bring google chrome over the top and make it the number one most used web browser. We are in a position and ready to do this, however, first, we need to better understand what we can gain from this. We will be able to gain a better understanding of our competitors and their reliance on web browsers as a source of revenue for their company. Seeing as web browsers have almost no cost, this seems to be a very effective method of raising profits without raising costs. Since Google has a primarily web-based source of total income, it would be wise of us to increase this even more; this has been difficult in recent years seeing as how Google sells only the chrome book as hardware. This will give us a good idea of who may be a possible target for a business deal in which we are allowed to download our web browser as the default. As we are able to see from the numbers alone, we have been able to gain twenty-eight percent of web browser market share within the two years of our introduction of chrome in 2010. The majority of this share was at the expense of Firefox and Internet explorer who had held 32.7% and 52.4% respectively, at the time of our introduction. At the time, safari had only held 3.72% of the market share, which although halved by 2012, does not explain the significant increase that we have experienced with chrome. Currently, the market share for Internet Explorer, FireFox, Safari and Chrome are 34.6%, 5.14%, 1.39% and 28.24%, respectively; meaning that we are 6.36% of market share away from being equal to the market share of internet explorer.

SUMMARY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

SUMMARY - Essay Example Petersen also notes the students have problems with their listening skills. Native Americans speak quickly and fluently, and with vocabularies, but the international students lack a background on such complex terms. Listening then becomes difficult if they cannot follow and understand what lecturers and other students are saying (Petersen). The international students also shy away from speaking in front of others. They are aware of their problems in pronunciation, fluency, intonation, and word stress. They know they cannot fully understand what others say and cannot express what they mean correctly. Their participation in class, therefore, becomes limited. The author, Lissa Petersen, also indicates that the students have problems in reading comprehension, using idioms and grammar. If, however, the students can apply Benjamin Bloom’s strategy of thinking, they can overcome some of the problems. Lastly, Petersen points at rhetorical differences as another hindrance to effective learning by the international students. American academic writing features several differences with other cultures. Although most of the international students are taught English grammar in their countries, the teaching is not up to the American standards. Their English can, therefore, seem to be illogical and disorganized, but is acceptable in another culture

Leading Strategic Change At DaVita Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Leading Strategic Change At DaVita - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that the turnaround in the fortunes of DaVita is attributable to managerial changes incorporated by the company by hiring a new C.E.O, Kent Thiry. Thiry has been the C.E.O of DaVita since October 1999 and has been an instrumental force in its growth and success. He is an experienced C.E.O and a graduate of Harvard in MBA. In October 1999, a time when Kent Thiry took over as C.E.O for Total Rental Care the company was collapsing. Basically, Total Renal Care could not honor its loan obligations, was already paying the charge to its creditors, its leverage had shot up due to the many acquisitions and most vividly the company was on the brink of bankruptcy. Additionally, its stock price had dropped greatly, its systems non- performing and its employees demotivated and unhappy. What made the situation even worse was the shareholders’ loss of faith in the company to the point of using it. The future of the company was uncertain. The new C.E. O, Kent Thiry was facing a dilemma of how to rescue the company that was heading for a closedown. It was now his obligation to turn things around and gain the lost confidence. Thiry was taking over a nightmare job, one that many would avoid. Because of the many challenges that Total Renal Care was facing at the time Thiry took over as C.E.O, a turnaround of things was a priority for him and the management. The purposes of these transformations especially the restructuring of the debts and cash flows were to ensure the company was back on its financial feet. This was to ensure the firm avoids the foreseen financial risk of bankruptcy. Additionally, the early meetings of the CEO and the executive were significant in streamlining the company’s payroll decisions, operating philosophy and other vital legislation that the company wanted to instill. Adoption and recognition of centers aimed at giving attention to their market with a view to making them feel appreciated and cared for .

Cyclermate Report Essay Example for Free

Cyclermate Report Essay I. An executive summary Dai Armstrong and Lewis Llewellyn are the two men who planned to open their own company after being superfluous due to the shutting down of the steel plants in their town of South Wales were Dai Armstrong and Lewis Llewellyn. They became good friends because of taking part in the local club of cycle touring together and decided to start Cyclermate, which was a bicycle manufacturing company that was laid down in the year 1988. In the beginning of time, Cyclermate gained a huge influence over the share of the market. The company appeared well with no problems and difficulties up to 2010, the time when the business is in trouble, it confronted lots of consequences with respect to operation human resource and finance. Therefore, the demand by purchasers fell continue sadly even though the prices were cut down by the company; the distinguishing attributes of the goods were not up to the quality as they were earlier. The rising complaints from the customers regarding degrading quality and faults in the product and the concern by the bank manager regarding the overdraft could cause trouble if the problems are not solved as soon as possible. Because of that, the company requires a right way to deal with this issue and save it from the edge of going bankrupt. II. Introduction Based on case study research in Cyclermate Ltd. and a series of case in community, this report will work out the financial problems and various other problems confronted by Cyclermate. It has been designed to analysis the business environment and management, measured by SWOT and PET models that are required to be looked upon. The report also draws on a brief summary for the financial side of the business. In addition, this report takes into account an examination of difficulties confronted by Cyclermate and possible solution for the problems, included short and long term solutions. Another function of this report is to examine how the company could get out of the crisis and get back to the current market share. Finally, the report brings us some recommendations and conclusion of the whole Cyclermate case study. III. Analysis of Business Environment 1. PEST Analysis PEST analysis is involved in the chief external environmental that effect or control considerably a business strategy. As we can see, PEST is aimed for Political, Economic, Social and Technological matters that can affect the business. PEST is recognized to persuade it in a utile manner of summarizing the external environment. However, it may be adopted the ability of how an establishment should react to these factors. Political Factor A political factor has a powerful impact on income tax, labor law, trade restriction and many more. Company did not recruit enough workers to meet the targets and worker had to work overtime to get the work done and workers are getting paid at normal rate. Using a traditional method may harm workers health and decreased their productivity as well. These mistakes made Cyclermate become a target of health and safety agencies. They have to improve the quality or else they can be stuck in authorized issues. On the  other hand, they also need to achieve higher standard in manufacturing to meet requirements of the market, especially foreign markets. Economic Factor Cyclermate had purchased a larger storehouse for goods, which indeed was essential to them but did not suffice their requirements. Purchasing a warehouse, which fulfilled the needs of the company, could have saved a lot of money and that same money could have used in new or currently in existence projects. Another factor in economics that affects to the development of Cyclermate Ltd is labor. The unemployment rate is increasing, therefore, this is a good chance for this company to choose worker more easily, and employ them easily with affordable price. Social Factor Social factor has a powerful impact on human behavior, Cyclermate had many order but they did not have enough workforce to complete these orders. They have to work long hours in order to achieve their goals. One more important thing is that high-speed innovation as well as the increasing demands of consumers requires Cyclermate to change and improve every day. But there is a truly infact that living standard of clients could effect to their choices. The higher income distribution they get, the higher demands they re Technological Factor Cyclermate Ltd is using the oldest way to advertise their products by posting advertisement in traditional newspapers. It has limited their goods to the customers. Instead, this company can set up its own website. In addition, Cyclermate Ltd is using the oldest way to advertise their products by posting advertisement in traditional newspapers. It has limited their goods to the customers. Instead, this company can set up its own website. 2. SWOT Analysis It is a methodical technique that is utilized to categorize and identify substantial external (Opportunities and Threats) and internal (Strengths and Weaknesses) factors confronted with a specific area. (Johnson, 1993) It  renders data which are useful in corresponding the capabilities and resources to the spiritual atmosphere in which it functions and hence is a significant addition to the planning and marketing procedure. (Pearce, 2005) Let have look at the SWOT of cyclermate to understand more about the current issue that company has to face with. Strengths Direct channels of sale Cyclermate has direct channels of sales with the direct sales and direct shops; hence intermediary’s cost is largely eliminated. Reducing the cost of manufacturing could unquestionably help Cyclermate achieve a huge share of the market. As direct channels are in direct contact with the providers, thus, it could help in increasing in quantity or value of the sales and it provides a good opportunity to the providers to empathize the clients and could make required changes are per the requirement of the customers. Motivated workforce The employees at the Cyclermate are extremely pioneering and are can fully utilize and achieve any given objective or alterations in the company but they are inhibited by the administration as a result they are unable to express their views freely. The employees could have a crucial role in the company for its overall growth and development. Possession of buildings and lands Unlike Cyclermate most of the companies don’t possess either building or land and hence have to pay the heavy rents which adds to the cost but cyclermate can make any changes in the buildings and could capitalize in whichever way they wish to as they own it, which reduces the overall cost. Weaknesses Inexperience and unmotivated staffs of the company The company has made use of untrained workers. These untrained workers are not given the proper training after their employment. It is the fact that the employees and the staff are never allowed to put forward their creative and self-ideas due to the policies of the management, as a result of this  motivation in the staff is lost. Sales are decreasing in amount or degree and there is piling up of stocks in the warehouses which generates a feeling among the staff that they are not under a good management and as this feeling flourishes they lose hopes from the company and it has a very bad impact on their morale. The investors do not truly interested in the business Due to the low returns on the capital invested by the investors, they are unhappy with the performance of the company and are losing faith in it. In addition, the very fact that the shareholders were not paid any interest last year, it may result in the withdrawal of their money from the company. The quality concerns Because lack of the power to be effective of the staffs to keep up the measures of the goods and the quality of raw material utilized is leading to degraded quality of the goods eventually. Old machinery such as traditional spaying technique, painting and low-quality stock control technology needs updating as soon as possible if the business hopes to improve the production and sales in the coming time. Opportunities Take the advantages of social media Cyclermate should launch its website, which provides complete detail and range of the products available with them. Company can employ a new computer system for keeping a good database of the company. They can introduce online selling and modification according to the wish of customers. Introduction of new machines They should introduce some of the modern machinery in order to achieve higher-level productivity. Cyclermate could bring in new robotic machinery in the production process that will lead to speedy output and a superior quality of goods. Employ trained workers They have the opportunity to make use of the trained workforce, which has been recently laid off from the nearby production site. More workforce means opportunity to gain more productivity. Threats Overseas competitors As a result of the growth to a global or worldwide scale, many companies from across the globe have entered the market with products of low price and high quality, which certainly is a threat for Cyclermate as it supplies good with high cost and of lower quality. Due to recession, which is prevailing in Europe the purchasing power of people is going down. Thus, company can have reduced sales or can face financial crises. Reputation Due to poor-quality product for a period of Cyclermate’s reputation is going down and therefore people do not like to go for their products. Huge retail Merchants Retail Merchants like Argos and Halfords are captivating the market eventually and it might happen that Cyclermate may lose the market share completely. Customer threatens them to sue their company after their product was fail in delivering the good performance. IV. Analysis of Business Management 1. Financial Problems Prob. 1.1: Uncontrolled cost The main problem that company is in this situation is because of the uncontrolled cost and mismanaged budget. The costs are increasing yearly with the sales and selling price of the products going down. Let have look at the financial statement that company has  £210,800 worth of non-current assets. Loan request will be refused as company only holds cash fund of  £675 into their bank account. Costs are increasing at a rapid rate year after year. Asset turnover ratio is 2.06:1. This indicates that the profit margins for the company are very low that’s why the ratio is so high. We can also conclude from this that the company’s pricing strategy is not effective leading to lower profits. Prob. 1.2: Dealing with a big loan Creditor days – 24 days leads to the company has to pay back it its debtors in 24 days and it is just left with 675 £ of cash. The Company is liable to pay  £87,500 to the creditors and if they don’t so a legal action may be taken on them, which are not good for company’s reputation. They may talk to the creditors and ask for an extension in time for payments as they are going through financial crisis and don’t have money right now to pay back. Prob. 1.3: Lots of inventories Besides, it shows that the majority of inventories are stored and not effectively managed, that is why current ratio is at such high level, which also means low sales and low revenue gained. Moreover, the company relies on the bank loan as the main monetary support. 2. Operation Problems Prob. 2.1: Stock control system Disturbingly, materials are always in the shortage which results in the disruption of the production process recently. Although the demand is higher and higher, company cannot meet their requirement because of lacking necessary components. Prob. 2.2: Inappropriate division of duties The inappropriate division of duties obviously had made such a burden on many workers. In particular, Dai Armstrong has to deal with many tasks such as making all the frames, factory manager and business director at the same time. He himself also finds it hard to keep up the level of production (approximately 8 frames/day) because it requires the harsh physical demands. Prob. 2.3: Assembly is a complex process Moreover, assembly is a complex process, which takes 2 or 3 hours for one person. Janice Jones and Ffred Gregory often have to work overtime to catch up with the progress. As a result, their health and time issue could be heavily damaged. 3. HR Management problems Prob. 3.1: Improper workforce in manufacturing Unreasonable workforce division is one of the most serious problems of Cyclermate Ltd. Besides, lack of experienced employees and the aging workforce are worrying the production process and raising a big question for a more effective training system. Prob. 3.2: The training system creates The training system creates such obstacles for the assembly process. Typically, Fred, who is 18 years old, is a new and un-experienced person; the training for him is necessary, however, not easy at all. It takes so much time to instruct Fred in traditional way, which is apparently the cause of slow production recently. Prob. 3.3: Corporate culture The staff is highly de-motivated due to decreasing sales and profits and also the behavior of the management as in the sinking company they are not free to put up their ideas even if they do they are rejected because of the superiority of the management. V. Solution A. Short term and immediate planning 1. Financial problems: Solution 1.1: Cost in selling and distribution Cost in selling and distribution could be possible declined to save more money for the company such as cutting cost for postage and courier charges by substituting by cheaper service, as well as the travelling and hospitality. Those indirect costs contribute such high cost to the manufacturing of the cycles, restricting them would help boost the sales with cheaper price. Solution 1.2: Ask for trading debtors to repay The solution to this issue is that they should strictly resolve and for the  trade debtors to repay the loans as soon as possible. The amount of $200,571 would help the financial situation better in the coming time. Once their assets are raised through and their liquidity are proved to be valuable enough to afford the loan, it will be beneficial for them to borrow money from the banks. Solution 1.3: Direct sale prices Cyclermate’s direct sale prices are higher than shop sale price. In order to generate healthy revenue, Cyclermate needs to reduce their direct sale price. By reducing the direct sale prices will increase their sale and it will be easy for them to generate healthy revenue. 2. Operation Problems Solution 2.1: Buy stock when needed Company should only buy stock when they needed. Buying stock earlier will harm company’s financial positions, because raw material does not hold their value and it has got more chances of losing its market value. Solution 2.2: Require clear division A good answer for this problem is that the company should require clear division to who is able to undertake and separate arrangement of duties. Specifically, assigning other qualified person on frame-making position so that Mr. Dai could concentrate and dedicate himself to external relations business only. Solution 2.3: hiring more experienced labors The company should consider hiring more experienced labors for assemble line and frame-making because Mr Dai can no longer put up with the physical requirement of the task. With those simple tasks like packaging, it is acceptable for free hand employees to help out, but only when they finished all their tasks. 3. HR Management problems Solution 3.1: Employ cheaper labors In this case, the company can consider employ cheaper labors that are  suggested by Maldwyn Jones: Chinese or Taiwanese labor to make the machine for them- much better quality but half the price and move Idris Pugh to higher position as a supervisor for the whole wheel-making process. Solution 3.2: Improving the staff’s skills This training program involves directly in the new changes with a purpose of improving the staff’s skills, expertise and methods to complete an error-free task, exposing them to unfamiliar ideas and of course, giving them the chance to practice task under time/speed limit. Solution 3.3: Core business value Trust in others and a firm belief in overcoming difficulties (set up new mission: overcome difficulty, minimize waste and consequence) B. Long term and efficiency improvements Present fiscal condition of Cyclermate (Accounting ratios).The acid / liquid ratio of Cyclermate is 0.76:1, which depicts Cyclermate is incapable to satisfy indebtednesses of shorter term, which mean that it would not be competent to satisfy fiscal difficulty which may happen in the time to come. The Asset turnover ratio for Cyclermate is 2.06:1. As the ratio is excessively high, this means that profit margins are very low. The pricing strategy of Cyclermate is ineffective and because of that low profit. Return on capital employed –Cyclermate has far too less returns on the capital employed, just a mere 0.11 or 11%. Debtor days –It would take Cyclermate 115 days to get back the money from debtors. Creditor days – Cyclermate has to pay back in 24 days to its debtors with a cash balance of 675 £. The financial statement of Cyclermate shows that it has non-current assets which is of worth  £210,800.Any request regarding a loan from the bank will be refused as it has a mere cash balance of  £675. It may get a loan based on the position of its non-current assets. In place of the above-discussed alternative, it can sell its freehold land, which is worth  £160,000, and use the proceeds from the sale in the business. Cyclermate could acquire funds if they pursue its trade debtors to pay off soon. Debtors worth  £200,571 are to be recovered and the funds would be acquired soon if the debtors do not  default and pay in full. Once it has sufficient fund, Cyclermate could apply for the bank loan. VI. Conclusion Overall, Cyclermate will have a better future if they operate their business in slightly different ways. Cyclermate products were famous for its quality and price,if the company still provide what the consumer wants than it would be no harm to the company. But there few changes needs to be changed and once the new rules and regulation apply into the business than it would be a great opportunity for Cyclermate to operate their services. Moreover, With the movement of new threats into the marketplace the present systematic plan of action of Cyclermate is continuously below the acceptable level in its performance due to the fact that the new firms and the existing organizations are coming up with improved quality of products at a cheaper price VII. Recommendations The company must sign up correct individual as per the requirement of the position. Currently the management is interfering in the process of production and is unable to focus of the activities they should be concerned. The financial hardships through which Cyclermate is going through at present could be resolved by selling the unused stock that is piled up in the warehouse. In order to generate revenues and funds to invest in other arena of the company, Cyclermate must sell its freehold land that would certainly generate high revenue. In order to achieve higher output and productivity, modern technology should be applied in the production process. Installing a computer database through which the management could look into all the important and relevant data as and when required. Cyclermate should launch its website, which provides complete detail and range of the products available with them. Reducing both direct sales prices so as to sell the current stock and trade debtors. Employing young and trained workforce that is fit for the position.

Visual Techniques Essay Example for Free

Visual Techniques Essay Contemporary television nowadays is leaning towards the â€Å"reality† aspect of what’s being shown to the audience. Because of this, they adapt visual techniques which makes it easier for the audience to relate to what’s on today’s TV. One specific technique is the subjective perspective or view point. This is when the television shows encourage its viewers to follow a certain character or adopt a certain stance through the direction of the shots. High angled shots usually give power to viewers while low angled shots leave them powerless. Another visual technique is the social distance. This enables the audience to see how close or how intimate characters are to a certain cause or idea. Personal distances are judged through the types of shots, like when its about far social distance, long shots are used, and for close personal distance medium to close-up shots are used. 2. On the other hand, television visual techniques are now being used in contemporary films. One good example is the use of lighting. Before, one can immediately distinguish a film from a television show because television shows usually have more lighting, as compared to darker, dimmer lighting on films. Nowadays, in the advent of High-Definition, films give a more life-like feel just like television because of lighting. Another one television visual technique used in contemporary films is the documentary style or approach. Instead of the usual plot, films follow different sequence of events that could make the viewers feel like they’re watching a made-for-TV documentary. 3. Film and television clearly have influenced each other throughout their shared history. Now, film visual techniques are not anymore limited to films, just like with television techniques being used in films. Also, both of these benefited from better production because of the advanced tools and techniques used in making them (CinemaRoll, 2008). Computer-generated images are not that costly now, making it available even to low-budget films. On the other hand, viewers are tired of the usual plot twists and turns in movies that’s why they enjoy odd, radical approaches in film making, including the incorporation of television techniques in its production (Cohen, 2006). References: CinemaRoll. (2008). Television and Film. Retrieved June 8, 2009, from http://cinemaroll. com/cinemarolling/television-and-film/ Cohen, D. S. (2006). New techniques make visual effects more actor-friendly. Retrieved June 8, 2009, from http://www. variety. com/awardcentral_article/VR1117955526. html? nav=visualfx07