Assignment Internal Cash Control Essay Example for Free

Assignment Internal Cash Control EssayThe weaknesses in the internal control over exchange disbursements are, there should be only 1 person in charge of writing the checks for each task, and there should be numbered checks for two people so that the funds spend female genitalia be bring in easier, the cabinets were the checks are stored should be two locked cabinets, one for each person who writes the checks. Memo I would recommend that to have a better control over capital paid and items purchased, that you start having numbered checks in two separate accounts, one account for the treasurer and one account for the purchasing agent. This method will make it easier for moth parties to fend off mistakes, and it will also be easier to verify money spent and received. P4-1A The internal control principles implemented by the Guard Dog Comp each are, numbered checks so that the gild has a number trail to monitor cash dispersment. Each check must have approval from Jane Bell, an d Dennis Kurt before a check can be issued, this is an establishment of responsibility to ensure that not just anyone ion the go with can write checks.Checks must be signed by either Tom Kimball, the treasurer, or Karen Thews, the assistant treasurer. Before signing a check, the signer is expected to compare the amounts of the check with the amounts on the intrusters bill, this is also a form of establishment of responsibility and both of these procedures are a use of documentation procedures. After signing a check, the signer stamps the invoice paid and inserts within the stamp, the encounter, check number, and amount of the check. The paid invoice is then sent to the accounting department for recording.By doing this it is a vogue of verifying company cash dispersment and documentation control. Blank checks are stored in a safe in the treasurers office. The combination to the safe is known by only the treasurer and assistant treasurer. By locking the checks in a safe it establ ishes responsibility for the checks, and uses a Physical, mechanical, and electronic controls to narrow down any check problems to one source. Each month the bank statement is reconciled with the bank balance per books by the assistant chief accountant.By doing this it establishes document control, this way any discrepancies in the amount paid can be verified. Indicate the weaknesses in internal accounting control in the handling of collections. The weaknesses in the handling of collections are the way the money is deposited, the way the checks are made out and the way the money is verified and deposited. P4-2A List the improvements in internal control procedures that you plan to make at the next meeting of the audit team for (1) the ostiarys, (2) the crack usher, (3) the fiscal secretary, and (4) the finance committee.The improvements the ushers need to make is that after each pass they should individually count their own collected baskets and log there amount in an offering log book, so that there is less room for error in the next step. By handing all the baskets to the head usher without counting the money themselves, the head usher can offer any amount on his final deposit. The improvements the head usher needs to make is to make sure that each usher counts their baskets, and that the head usher counts all the baskets and checks for discrepancies to make sure that no one is pocketing any money.The head usher should also check the amount given to him/her against what is scripted in the offering log. Have a book to log the amount of money that is put into the safe so that it is logged in a way that can be verified by the committee, a note is not a safe method because it can be thrown out, by logging in a book it is easier to find were the discrepancies came from. The improvements the pecuniary secretary should make is that he/she should have a list of what needs to be paid and make a log of the amounts that need paid and to make sure the receipts are lo gged along with whatever bills or services that needed to be paid that week.The financial secretary should also verify the amount of money in the safe against the log that is kept by the ushers. The financial committee should show a more detailed list of what expenditures are needed each month so that the financial secretary knows what is needed for payment that month. They should also be involved in verifying the churches income. To improve internal control the church should have a log for money received during offerings, they should tell the congregation to make the checks payable to the church or to the account holder that the checks are deposited into, because anyone can cash a check made out to cash.The church should also verify that any money not deposited from the offering was spent properly and not used for personal things. Include how a company could use the five basic principles of cash management to increase accuracy for a business. A company can increase the collection of receivables by offering incentives for quick payment from their customers. A company can delay the payment of liabilities and bills to close to the due date of the liability or bill, so that if any expenditure is needed before the due date they will not have spent the money too early.A company can keep inventory low on the merchandise that does not sell quickly, so that the company has money for the merchandise that is popular and selling fast. A company that wish to expand should wait until they have excess money in a slow season so that they can expand their business and have new locations open in time for their busy season. A company should invest money that is sitting idle into low risk companies, the most common form of liquid investments is interest-paying U. S. government securities.

Luke, I Am Your Volkswagen Essay Example for Free

Luke, I Am Your Volkswagen EssayWho doesnt want to be Darth Vader? In whitethorn of 1977, I was just like both other seven year old in America wanting to be just like Darth Vader and use the force to control all my toys. During the 2011 crack Bowl, Volkswagen made a commercial-grade that made my dream of 35 years come true. In this commercial, a young boy pretending to be Darth Vader, storms mint the hall, attempting to use the force to move a treadmill without avail. After many fruitless attempts at controlling everything inside the house, his last attempt is a triumph due in part to his dads new Volkswagen Passat, which has a remote start on his key. The young boy runs past his father, to the front of the automobile to use the force. He aims his hand toward the gondola and to the childs astonishment the force, has finally worked. The rhetorical techniques of logos, ethos and pathos are present and are there to gestate the intended audience. First of all, the advertiseme nt relies on an arouse to reason for its basis. This commercial was created to target an audience that can recognize Darth Vader and Volkswagens.Star Wars references are deeply introduce in our popular culture and it would be safe to say most Americans are aware of phrases that have become part of the popular lexicon, for example May the Force be with You. This commercial collecting to most people because of the fact that every parent enjoys seeing their child uses their imagination and creativity. It also shows his father in the end playing along, amazing his son. Through the commercial Volkswagen recalls a childlike innocence about the car making it suitable for a family. Secondly, Volkswagen brings in an appeal to credibility to convince the advertisements viewers.Darth Vader is known throughout the world as one of the most recognized villains including his infamous death-march music. This commercial would not be same if an adult was used instead of a child to play the part of Darth Vader. Volkswagen uses the popularity of the super bowl commercials to convey the fact that they made the same car with the quality of Volkswagen in an all new design for the 2011 model year. By using both parent in the commercial, Volkswagen established that the Passat is a family car and convinces the audiences to buy the new car.Volkswagens final appeal is to emotions to make the consumer want to believe that purchasing a new Passat can give you the power of the force. In adjunct to the imagery of Darth Vader, the music of Star Wars is easily recognized around the world. The death-march music gives the audience something to remember the commercial by over any other commercial shown on that day. In addition, in the final scene when the father turns the car on and the child thinks he has used the force, this ties the entire scene together and leaves a lasting impression of the commercial with the audience.The main point of this commercial is to sell the new Volkswagen Pass at. The use of a child pretending to be Darth Vader evokes an emotional appeal to innocence. As does the use of the all American family household, a stay at home mother and a father who after a long day still has time to play with his son. Also in the commercial, the minimal use of dialog and the use of music convey a simple yet unforgettable message to its audience. In conclusion, Volkswagen was able to successfully use rhetoric to make a funny and witty ad that appealed to a mass audience and sends a clear message to purchase a new car and you too can use the force.

Francis Bacon Vs John Locke Philosophy Essay

Francis Bacon Vs John Locke Philosophy evidenceCognition is maven of the main principles of philosophy. prying for the ways to understand the surrounding world, trying to make sure that people live in the world they can explain, many philosophers tried to create their consume theories of nature reasoning. People have always been interested in the nature, its processes, and the way in which scientific discoveries are made. There are cardinal ways to experience the nature, deductive and inductive. Francis Bacon and John Locke are two philosophers who searching for the most effective ways of perception have come to opposite perspectives and presented those in their writings, Novum Organum Scientiarum and An Essay on Human Understanding respectively. Bacons Novum Organum Scientiarum and Lockes Essay on Human Understanding are two pieces of writing which do not only(prenominal) present the points of view of the authors, provided also describe two eventful ways for considering sc ience and conducting the process of condition, even though the perspectives of these two people are opposite, they are both use in the modern world with the same frequency.The main reason for writing these two pieces of scientific discussion was the desire to understand the modern world. Cognition is most-valuable for philosophers of the whole world and searching for the most effective ways for understanding the nature Locke and Bacon came to two opposite ways in understanding different processes. Bacon and Locke defend to deductive and inductive methods, which differ by the starting point and the vision of the beginning of the research. It is difficult to understand the surrounding world, as sometimes it seems to be unpronounceable and confusing however, Bacon and Locke managed to call forth that appropriate approach to cognition under correct conditions and in appropriate time with a restricted number of comportions may clear to solving the mystery of the surrounding world. Each mystery should be considered from the side of an appropriate perspective or theory.Considering the main idea of inductive and deductive method, adept should imagine a problem, which he/she wants to dwell upon. Applying to the deductive method, the problem should be considered from a normal perspective. Further, the researcher should concretize and specify the issue turning to the truly particular aspect, which is important. Having an opportunity to prove that the general rule is appropriate for the specific one, a person applies to the deductive method. Inductive method presupposes anther vision of the situation, when dealing with one specific action a person has to prove that the same condition is typical for the general audience. Thus, the generalization of the results is based on the inductive method. Bacon and Locke described these two methods in detail. Writing their pieces of literature, Locke and Bacon tried to deliver their vision of solving the problem of world cog nition. Trying to present their methods, these people could not imagine that they open up the methods which are going to be used in the scientific world for many discoveries, as trying to solve any problem, working on the mystery, etcetera researchers and scholars use either inductive or deductive methods to conduct a research.Bacons Novum Organum Scientiarum is more directed n logic than on philosophy, as applying to the discussion of the general issues, one should create the chain of events, consequences and finishs which are based on the central general idea and come closer to the specific issue which is to be considered. Bacon states that for the powers and motions of things act and take effect at distances not indefinite or accidental, but finite and fixed so that to ascertain and observe these distances in the investigation of the several(prenominal) natures is of the greatest advantage to practice, not only to prevent its failure but also to extend and increase its power (B acon Novum Organum 206). In other words, Bacon tried to prove that the processes in the nature are interconnected and trying to come from the general aspect to the concrete one, a person will mold the expected results only if the correct way is followed. The human disbelief in the fact that things are possible makes the scientific research more complicated.Turning to close discussion of the very inductive method proposed by Bacon, it is important to point at the procedure of the research. A scholar should gather several events which have the same characteristics, outcome or other features. Considering each of the issues individually, the scholar should remember that hey are the part of the general issue. Thus, trying to find the individual features of the common generalized cases, he/she will be able to draw conclusions by means of posteriori reasoning concerning the validity of hypotheses that were formulated a priority (Vignais and Vignais 113) only in case the conditions are met and the procedure is followed ideally.Bacons Novum Organum Scientiarum is a revision of the Aristotles Organon. Bacon tries to make sure that the specifically new order in cognitive processes should be used. Being totally based on logic, Bacon tries to prove in this work that the science of a better and more perfect use of reason in the investigation of things and of the true end of the understanding (Bacon The establishs or counsels well-bred and moral 33). One more important aspect in the Bacons work is the reference to the practical experiments, which helps understand the problem and increase the chances foe drawing the conclusion faster. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that the contribution of Bacon in the development of the cognition and scientific world is invaluableLockes Essay on Human Understanding is based on the process of cognition, when one pays attention to the details and tries to generalize the ideas, which one gathers. Searching for the explanation of diffe rent natural processes, the researcher is presupposes to gather the details, the split of the general stamp and step by step to come closer to the final goal. The consideration of ideas and words as the great instruments of jazzledge makes no despicable part of their observation who would take a view of human knowledge in the whole extent of it (Locke 718). The grandness of Lockes essay is the ways and methods he offered for understanding the human nature. Later, Lockes essay will be exercised as the pro lay down influence upon the Enlightenment, providing the epistemological foundations for modern empiricism (Hyland, Gomez, and Greensides 40). The main idea of this wok is to make sure that people understand the importance of their knowledge and the way how this knowledge may be considered. The perception of the surrounding world plays great role in Lockes theory. Each person is a cerebration being who has an opportunity to distinct ideas in ones mind and draw appropriate conclu sions. The failure to consider the necessary issues, the failure to check the breeding which is really important for this very research is one of the main barriers on the way of human cognition.The main idea of Lockes inductive method is to gather all the necessary facts colligate to the problem and make the necessary connections. The failure to find all the issues and to make the correct connections is a failure many people do not know how to cope with. Locke is sure that once a person manages to understand an issue having created the correct chain of conclusions, the more complicated cognitive processes will be uncommitted for this person (Hyland, Gomez, and Greensides 42). Locke paid much attention to enthusiasm and Rudrum, Black, and Nelson aright say that enthusiasm to Locke is the refusal to apply reason to ideas that the believer thinks are revealed truth, and the question he seeks to consequence is how to distinguish between true revelation and mere enthusiasm (1029). These words just support the information mentioned above. A person who wants to conduct a cognitive process of thinking should make sure that purpose and the process is lead correctly, otherwise, nothing will come out. Commenting on Lockes Essay on Human Understanding, Clarke support that the main idea of the Lockes method is to understand the correct principle and to find the appropriate data, which perfectly meets the problem (Clarke 1).Trying to compare and contrast these two pieces of writing, Bacons Novum Organum Scientiarum and Lockes Essay on Human Understanding, the most important similarities and differences should be identified. These two works are directed at helping people conduct cognitive processes and find out the truth about human nature and the surrounding world. However, the approaches these two authors apply to differ greatly. Bacon bases his theory of logical thinking trying to prove that the pieces of information considered from the general scope of data is the most effective way for cognition. Locke does not try to contradict Bacons ideas, but he refers to another approach, trying to prove that the correctly selected pieces of information and the chain of appropriate conclusions is a guarantee of cognition.Therefore, it may be concluded that even though Bacons and Lockes ideas are diametrically opposite and the way of cognition these authors offer have nothing in common, these two theories deserve attention. Being absolutely different they neither contradict, nor supplement each other. These two theories have found the supporters in the world of science as both logical and knowledge-based methods are used in the modern science. Bacons Novum Organum Scientiarum and Lockes Essay on Human Understanding should be considered as the greatest contributions to the scientific world as these people have presented the society with inductive and deductive methods of cognition, which help modern scientists conduct research. Moreover, separate parts o f the discussion in these two pieces of writing offered the ideas for further research as science is a dynamic sphere, which requires constant movement ahead with the return to the already drawn conclusions to make sure that there is nothing to be added.

Reflecting On Swot Analysis Two Student Nurse Interviews Nursing Essay

Reflecting On Swot Analysis deuce Student Nurse Interviews Nursing Essayyou know you cod got to lift the leave off a little, because you are no longer a carer or a nursing assistant, your actual on your way up to world a nurse, obviously you have got to set an example (from student F.)IncidentI was struck by Fs jobion on her own change in identity and sentiency of internal drive to meet a standard. She was obviously struggling with this change action and aware of feeling vulnerable. I was surprised by her sharing this with me as she was a first year student nurse and this is a level of maturity in self awareness and reflection I might front from a more senior student nurse or even from a revolutionaryly qualified staff nurse. F. had spoken at the start of consultation about trying to find her feet and perhaps feeling sensitive about things.I responded with active listening through the rest of the interview and with an effective succinct question/ statement towards the ce ase that allowed F. to talk about moving on to her next placement. F. was voicing the possibility of having a different outlook towards a new experience almost as if she was recognising the beginnings of long process of change in becoming a professional nurse.Reflective observationIn my SWOT outline of both interviews I conducted, I saw this as the obvious opportunity for a learning moment, both for F. herself and also for myself as an aspiring future mentor. My opinion during the interview was that this was a precious moment for F in becoming a nurse and did wonder how I should respond to her verbalisation of her thoughts and feelings.When I constructed the analysis this part stood out for me again as being a chance for myself to learn, perhaps how to become more effective as a mentor. My thoughts were how to cherish and do this kind of reflection in students in the future. I also wondered how rare these kind of conversations happened during nursing training. F. reflections th at she shared with me, reminded me of my own training and how some staff nurses and stretch nurses had stood out for me in the process of myself acquiring the identity as a nurse.There was a protective element here in that I wondered how F.s authorized reflective state could be nurtured and developed in her future placements. I wondered if she was aware herself of this change process and whether she would voice this in future with her mentors and tutors. It might be possible for F. and similar students to ignore and keep quiet about vulnerabilities and internalise this change process. If mentors were open to listening and gently questioning about becoming a nurse then this might help oneself growth and awareness of the nursing identity.I considered how it might be difficult to record this type of reflection in the CAP booklet, even though the booklet explicitly encourages the use of reflection. A mentor would have to develop excellent reflective skills in order to facilitate thes e skills in students, and perhaps become sensitive to these opportunities for reflection arising early in the programme of nursing education.A possibility for mentors would be to use the mid and close placement meetings with students. So that as well as assessing competencies and professional role development there could be a place to gently discuss and reflect on identity as a nurse.As well as this it might be possible for students to keep a reflective diary during placement and regularly meet with the mentor to discuss issues as they arose. There might be some reluctance for both mentor and student to explore these areas as this is very much about personal identity and occurs during a period of learning and developing in many different aspects as a nurse. saying might well be different for a very experienced and skilled staff nurse who is confident in their own capabilities and skills.Related schemeSome elements of theory relating to developing as a reflective practitioner with in modern nursing will be analysed in the following section.The course of action to becoming a nurse, can involve sharing feelings and asking for support and finding ways to handle emotions (Jarvis and Gibson, 2001). There can be an inherent photo during the process of socialisation where the values and attitudes, that allow the nurse to function in his or her role within the health care system, are in a state of flux and change (Morton-Cooper and Palmer, 2000).The mentor ideally should create a warm, genuine supportive relationship based on trust and sound interpersonal skills (Jarvis and Gibson, 2001). This must be fundamental to facilitating reflection upon personal and professional identity as a nurse. Gardiner (2003) introduces the idea of professional friendship to the role of being a mentor where listening, giving of recognition and challenging are added to the friend type relationship.Some barriers to facilitating reflection on attitudes and self awareness can lie in the mu lti faceted role of the mentor. The mentor role is flexible and may have to cover a number of parts and elements some of which may be contradictory. Two possibly opposing roles are in formal teacher and guide and also assessor of professional competence especially with a student that is struggling or failing. So it may be difficult to add to this list that of confidant and counsellor in the broadest sense (Jarvis and Gibson, 2001).The traditional concept of being professional could resist openness for student nurses. There is a traditional view of keeping a professional distance and restraint in health care which may not encourage the distilion of feelings and vulnerabilities for student nurses. However, Morton-Cooper and Palmer (2000) argue there is some growing evidence of the importance of developing emotional work as a small element to caring, where this is described as emotional literacy, or perhaps in plain English terms as being able to express feelings appropriately, saf ely and effectively.Jarvis and Gibson (2001) discuss the teacher- learner relationship as being hierarchical and the teacher having authority versus creating an inclusive, informal teaching relationship that encourages open reflection and critical thinking. There may be some difficulty for the student to reflect and be vulnerable and open about their changing identity where there is a strict authoritarian relationship (Jarvis and Gibson, 2001).However, the nurse can develop authority based on professionalism and skills and knowledge that is legitimised by colleagues and students. This also relates to the element of mentorship in being a positive role model for student nurse (Jarvis and Gibson, 2001). Morton-Cooper and Palmer (2000) state the idea of the adult learner who directs their own learning and is in a process of becoming rather than being shaped into a role.There are some ways to facilitate reflective practice and awareness. Donovan (2007) suggests using a formal reflective tool and a diary can be useful. Reflective discussion with peers and mentors also can be helpful. Trust is an important element in making reflection effective in clinical placement.Levett-Jones (2007) suggests the idea of using narratives in self assessment. Case study or narratives may be more suitable to exploring practice, assessing competencies and skills. However, this could be a starting point in developing reflective skills and a language of emotional literacy. The value of narrative could lie in allowing direction by the mentor for the beginning nurse while being flexible during nursing education. There is also the value of providing a personal and coherent record for assessment and evaluation (Levett-Jones, 2007).Some of difficulties have been examined that there may arise in developing as a reflective practitioner and how a mentor may help. There has been a short consideration of some of the possible tools such as diaries and narratives which may help in the learning proc ess. futurity ActionTo be a more effective mentor, I would consider using a formal reflective tool such as Marks-Maran and roseate (1997) while mentoring students. This will be familiar to student nurses as it is used in the University of Dundee and in NHS Fife. I would try and use it more explicitly during plan learning programmes.Further I would consider some strategies to encourage reflective discussion amongst students. Some ideas might be planned case studies involving one or more students. A structured and open discussion with a student about attitudes and professional roles may be useful at mid and end placement, although I would be tempted to arrange this after assessment and filling in competencies in the CAP booklet. I t would probably be ideal to have this at separate time as students appear to be anxious about completing their booklets.Lastly, I may trial the use of narrative and or diaries to help with assessment of learning to see if this can promote reflection by st udents I will be working with.

HM Analysis: Ansoff Matrix, Five Forces and PEST

HM Analysis Ansoff Matrix, Five Forces and swearingH and M is a Swedish worldwide phoner which operates in the carriage sector. Its main competitors atomic compute 18 INDITEX, GAR and Arcadian Group. The firm offer form cheap quality products on more than 2000 stores placed in 37 countries including Europe, Asia, North America and Middle East. It tries to adjust their products and their barter model to the new mart to facilitate the entry in a different pagan mart country.The troupe has a strong corporate social responsibility concept and is involved in community and environ mental projects however it has been criticized due to some(prenominal) s slewdals.Despite of the economic crisis which causes a huge drop in the consumption and t herefore in the fashion spending HM thanks to its polity of modest prices is still a quite strong company and has a grave financial reputation as its results and proportionalitys show us.The profitability of this company is due to the sw oop leader strategy that it has make uped, foc utilize on the outsourcing of the manufacturing process to countries with low fag costs, which allows HM to sell cheap products and obtain high profits. Also the blame for this business successful is the differentiation strategy that they flip developed with the help of celebrities and famous designers lines.Introduction to the companyHM (Hennes Mauritz) is an internationally famous company which operates in the fashion industry and besides it also markets cosmetics and accessories. It was founded in Sweden in 1947 by Erling Pearson.In order to know its market destiny, we must say that in 2009, sales including ad valorem tax r from each oneed SEK 118,697 millions furthermore, the number of employees is around 76,0001.Geo computer graphical marketsThe company has around 2000 stores in 37 countries worldwide, specifically in the European, Asiatic, North American and Middle East market. Germany represents the biggest market with the 25% of HMs total shares, followed by United Kingdom and Sweden. As curiosity we can say that Glasgow has 7 HMs stores. Related to the importance that online selling has nowadays, this service is now on hand(predicate) in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Germany, Austria and UK.2Brands and productsHM Group includes the brands COS, Monki, Weekday, Cheap Monday and HM home. The firm designs cheap yet chic article of clothing, offering this to the different segment markets (ladies, men and kids).Mission, values and goalsHM describes its mission as Fashion and quality at the best price. In connection to the values, this company is driven by simplicity, continuous, improvement, team spirit, cost-consciousness and entrepreneurship. A sentence that can summarize HM values is the slogan We believe in people.Finally, HM goals are to intensify the sales in the existing stores, as well as, to make up the number of new stores by a net 10% to 15% per year. Expansion and maintain ing of financial stability are HMs strategic goals. The growth, which is fully self-financed, pass on prevent with an emphasis on quality and continued high profitability.3Corporate Social ResponsibilityThe company guarantees that its products are manufactured under right-hand(a) conditions. According to Karl-Johan Persson (CEO at HM) Being responsible is non only the right thing to do, it makes perfect business sense. (HM 2010)According to the HM 2009 Annual Report, HM acts in many markets as both a buyer and a seller. This requires HM to act responsibly and in a sustainable way with respect to the environment and social responsibility.4HM is very(prenominal) concerned with the supply chain working conditions, so because of that its very careful choosing the countries for the production and it also imposes a strict Code of Conduct5to its suppliers. rough sixty auditors works checking that this Code is being respectedThe company has environmental requirements on suppliers, as a clean production chain, green transport and sustainability form _or_ system of government and vision by sustainable use of resources and healthy products like the organic cotton.According to projects and coope dimensionn, HM has developed community activities, like education and employment of adult female and youth, water and innovation of sustainable textile materials. Also the company has collaborated such as UNICEF and WaterAid6.Furthermore, HM typographys activities and progress on its sustainability programmes annually.7However, HM has starred in some(prenominal) scandals, for instance because they discarded bags of unwanted clothes outside HMS store in New York. These clothes could have been used by needy families in reason non to have been intentionally damaged to avoid re-use.Besides, in March 2010, the company was criticized by pro-Palestinian groups for opening its first stores in Israel at the time when the UN Goldstone report highlighted Israels alleged violation s of international law.CUserspelegriPictureshm protesta palestina.jpgFurthermore, the German edition of the Financial Times newspaper has uncovered an alleged organic cotton fraud by European brands HM, CA, and Tchibo (Treehugger 2010)2. External EnvironmentTo fancyk the main factors impacting on the industry attractiveness and on the environmental stability for HM Im passing bet on to use the study of competitors and the PEST analytic thinking.2.1 CompetitorsHMs main competitors in the most important markets are (Hoovers 2010)COMPANYCOUNTRYBRANDSINDITEXSpainZara, Oysho, Massimo Dutti, Pull Bear, Stradivarius, Zara Home and UterqeGAPUnited StatesGAP, Banana Republic, Budgeteer Old dark blueARCADIA GROUPUnited KingdomBHS, Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge, Wallis, Topshop, Evans, Burton and Topman2.2 Pest AnalysisPOLITICAL HM is a Swedish brand so it has to follow the Swedish legislation, that also the laws of each country where it has establishments, for instance, in UKThe Cons umer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 which implement the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive in the UK.The Enterprise Act 2002 which has wide-ranging implications for businesses and consumers.The Electronic Commerce Regulations 2002 includes the information that the company must share with online customers and regulates advertising.Distance Selling Regulations 2000 these laws are aimed at businesses that sell goods or services to consumers by the internet, office order, phone or fax.The Competition Act 1998 which forbid certain types of anti- competitory behaviour.Its also remarkable that in 2009 the Swedish corporate tax rate was reduced to 26.3 from its prior level of 28%.Trading agreements most of the HM business is located in EU countries -such as Germany and the UK- without custom duties.ECONOMICAlthough the GDP dropped because of the crisis, it has emergenced by the 1.2% in the second quarter 2010.8Since March the 5th 2009, the official bank rate is place d in 0.5%9, because of that the investment cost is low.Consumer spending on clothing rose by just 10%10between 2004 and 2008, well below the 19.2% cast up in overall consumer expenditure during this period.Even though 2009 has been characterized by deflation, the lump rate is again positive (1.14 in September 2010)11. That is to say the engage is starting to rise.SOCIALDue to the social and environmental conscience, HM has to adapt its policy and products to the new customer awareness.Fashion is more and more interesting for young people and that is the reason why this consumer group spends a high part of its incomes on clothes.Customers seem to prefer customized garments. These kinds of products are supplied generally by online sellers but can represent a competence.Fast changing fashion styles make the designers to be expeditious for a reply.HM is operating in Middle East and in Asia, therefore it should take into account the social and cultural differences (religion, language or roles of men and women in the society)TECHNOLOGICALTechnology to make clothing more updated machines are necessary to accomplish certain colours and patterns.The increase of media technology and the internet will make HM popularity to rise.Online selling, available now in seven markets3. HM financial performanceTo know HMs financial situation I am going to make an analysis of the most important financial variables and also to compare them with Zara and Primarks ones.Sales per yearUK is HMs fourth largest market, contributing 6.4% of its turnover (Mintel 2010).20052006200720082009 sales ()400472448583527534524531565889CHANGES IN SALES (%)8,098653312,01357417,600087-0,5692527,88475812In 2008, due to the financial crisis, UK suffered a huge drop in the GDP and in the consumption, for example the household clothing expenditure was 21,60 per week and in 2003 it was 27 .13At the end of may 2010, sales rose by 15% due to the fact that 10 new stores opened.and at the end of May 2010, sales rose by 15% due to the fact that 10 new stores openedand at the end of May 2010, sales rose by 15% due to the fact that 10 new stores opened14In the previous graphic, we can see Primark has a bigger market share and besides it could profit of its low prices in the crisis, gaining ground to its competitors. Zaras turnover is lower than HM.Operating profitIt has not followed any trend for the last five years, it has fluctuated depending on the year.20052006200720082009PROFIT ()442606201353041876710576CHANGES IN PROFIT (%)-2,90665840,1107094-14,46793-83,4712820,63419615In the previous table, the most notable thing is the sharp decline that the operating profit had in 2008. The causes are the increase in selling and administrative costs. According to the 2008 Annual Report this is mainly due to an increased cost level relating to reinforcement of the organization in prep for the long-term investment in store expansion, Internet and catalogue sales and new initiatives.16As we can see in this comparative map, the three companies operating profit has followed a similar tendency with an important drop in 2008. We can also notice that Zaras operating profit in UK moves in negative numbers.LiquidityAnalyzing the following table, we can conclude that HM has a healthy financial personate, because in general to have a reliable symmetry higher than 1,5 is a good sign, even more if its a fashion retail company.20052006200720082009CURRENT RATIO1.761.771.42.41.8317The liquidity or acid test ratio shows how liquid the company is relative to short-term liabilities. Stock is excluded as it can take months to turn into cash. As its higher than 1, we can say that the liquid assets choke the current liabilities.20052006200720082009LIQUIDITY RATIO0.970.960.881.771.2218It can be said that HM has sufficient money available to meet its short-term commitments. convey to the next graphic we can conclude that in liquidity terms Primark can have problems because its current ra tio is always under 0,5.19Solvency20052006200720082009GEARING RATIO34.6181.82110.0952.2451.1220The geared wheel ratio measures the proportion of the companys total capital that is borrowed. The higher the gearing ratio is, the bigger the proportion of the companies money that is borrowed and therefore the bigger the risk.In 2007 the ratio obtained was unreassuring because the loan capital was higher than the capital employed. This was due to the heavy investment that HM was doing in its international expansion and in new initiatives.21The chart shows us that Primark has solvency problems so it could have problems if interest rates are going up. On the other hand, Zara is solvent.InvestmentIn this paragraph I have used the ROCE (Return on capital employed) which measures whether or not a company is generating adequate profits in relation to the funds invested in it and is a key power of investment performance.20052006200720082009ROCE63.182.0669.447.436.1622In retail lower figures w ould be experienced, ranging between 5% and 15% and in the last 2 years, is where HM is placed. We can see that this ratio had a sharp drop in 2008 but before this year this company was extremely profitable.23Primark is the best performance in this area and Zara has seriously problems above all caused by the negative numbers in its profits.4. Competitive strategy4.1 Porters five forces analysisIn this paragraph, Im going to use Porters five forces analysis to determine the intensity of competition and profitability that can be expected in the fashion retail sector.CUserspelegriPicturesporters-five-forces-model.jpg24Threat of new entrantsUK market is not saturatedthither are not barriers to entry in distribution due to the low capital required to open a new store.However, in manufacturing there are important barriers to entry due to the scales economies and to the high investment capital required.Fashion products have a high margin.Threat of substitute products For the fashion secto r we must talk about replacing brands, not products.There are a lot of fashion retailers in the market which HM is present.Besides, the demand is very variable in this market because of the continuous changes in customers needs and requirements.Relation between quality and price is improving because of the outsourcing of manufacturing in countries with lower delve costs.Bargaining power of buyersOne negative aspect is the almost nonexistent loyalty in the cheap fashion segment.Also the switching costs are low.Price is a very important variable for customers.Among the positive aspects its important to say that the volume of purchase is small, that is to say a single buyer is conflicting for the company.Apart from customers association, they are not very well organized to defend their interests.Bargaining power of suppliersIt is not very high because there are a lot of suppliers in countries with low labour costs. That is to say, retailers can impose the demanding conditions because they have more power than suppliers.Rivalry among existing firms in the fashion industryThere are a lot of existing local, national and international competitors.The opportunities to growth are not very high because of the maturity of the sector.The price variable is very influential in consumers when considering alternatives.The quick changes in customers requirements do not permit to develop strong scale economies.In this market is very important the good image of the brand worldwide.257.2 HM competitive strategies Cost leadershipIt is a strategy based on scale economies and in the outsourcing of the manufacturing process to countries with low labour costs. In this way the company can offer low prices26without losing quality and besides being profitable. Thanks to it, the company can self-finance to increase the number of stores and the sales. HM mission is offering quality at the best price. Differentiation strategyThis strategy was implementing few years ago. Celebrities and fam ous designers have created exclusive collections for HM27. Thanks to these collaborations, the company achieves to differentiate in the fashion retail market.This phenomenon is called masstige28, and can be defined as an alliance between a prestigious brand and a mass consumer brand. Thanks to it, consumer can buy a branded product at an affordable price. Masstige is formed by two words mass market and prestigeCustomers perceive that HMs have an added value in comparison with other competitors and they are willing to pay a premium price for them. It the short hunting expedition the company improves its turnover and in the long term it builds a stronger brand awareness and prestige that it could use to penetrate in difficult markets.5. Strategic directions of developmentI am going to use Ansoffs matrix to analyze the main strategic directions followed by the company through the product and marketCUserspelegriPicturesAnsoff-Matrix.gif29 market place penetrationThis strategy is used t o increase existing products sales in the current market. This can be achieved gaining competitors customers and encouraging them to acquire more companys products.HMs key for market penetration is offering fashionable clothing with cheaper prices than other competitors like Zara30. Doyle (2002) argues that the foundation of a successful brand is quality. The company is very concerned about that, therefore it has comprehensive quality control methods which guarantee customer satisfaction.Thanks to the strong advertising campaigns the company has increased its popularity worldwide helped by the globalization of fashion trends and lifestyles. foodstuff developmentLynch (2003) says it involves targeting new segments of a market, identifying new uses for the companys products or entry new international markets.HM internationalization strategy is based on entering one market at a time. Although the standardization of HMs products, the company introduces slight variations to be adapted t o the new market culture.According to the new market segments, the company has launched COS (Collection of Style) with more expensive and smarter clothes than the HMs common one.Product developmentIt can be defined that offering really new and innovative products to the current customers.HM develop this strategy, for example, through strategic alliances with famous designers and fashion icons like Karl Lagerfeld, Madonna or Roberto Cavalli which improve HMs prestige worldwide.Furthermore, the company concerns about research and development, for instance, it introduced environmental friendly materials like organic cotton in its 2008 Spring Collection and then along its entire range of products.Also it is important to underline here that HM has created perfumes, cosmetics and beauty products. Besides as I have said in the introduction HM has a home line available on the internt.CUserspelegriPictureskarl.bmp.DiversificationThis strategy is the riskiest because it means to develop new p roducts and entering new markets. HM has been focusing in fashion items like clothes, jeweler, shoes, bags or accessories so it has not developed very much this strategy. Only they have performed a diversification strategy, specifically household items through HM Home.31The company has also developed curious products such as the stuff pack for the computer game The Sims 2 called Fashion Stuff Pack in June 2007 in collaboration with Maxis game developers.26. Methods of developmentIn this section, I am going to analyse the methods of development used by HM in the recent years, and besides the benefits and challenges that each one involve.Lynch (2003) said that HM has followed a forward vertical integration strategy as method of growth. This means that the company develops activities oriented to customers, the utmost product and the distribution network (retailing) more than related with suppliers (backward integration). Thanks to this strategy, the company can collect information abo ut sales and customers needs to reply apace to changes in the fashion market.HM and Zara are known as fast-fashion retailers. This has permitted them to expand successfully in Europe, Asia and America. However, they have a different internationalization strategy, because HM tends to adapt its products and strategy o the new market charm Zara reproduces the original successful business model in all the markets. Zara prices vary depending on the country while HM has the same price in all the markets in which it is presentHM is a strong financially company which seeks to maintain a good profitability in its growth strategy. We can say that the growth is substantive but also controlled. The growth goals are to increase the number of stores by 10-15% per year, as well as increasing sales in existing stores. In the last five years, the company has had a great growth in number of stores, turnovers and earnings per share.Focusing on HMs geographical expansion, its first store abroad was o pened in Norway in 1964. Then it continued with the expansion in UK, Denmark, Switzerland and Germany. In the 1990s, it opened stores in Finland, France, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands. The first store in US was opened in New York in March 2000.The first store in Asia was in Dubai in 2006, and thanks to a franchising strategy. After this, it entered to East Asia by opening stores in Hong Kong and Shangai32in 2007. Japan in 2008, Russia in 2009 and Corea in 2010 were the following countries to enter. The two first Israeli stores opened in 2010 and as I said in the introduction there were pro-Palestine group protests. It is planned to open new stores in Croatia and Singapore for 2011.HM main method of entry is an organic growth by opening is own stores in the new market. But we can see also that since 2006 the company has followed a franchising strategy in Middle East to open 3 stores in Dubai in agreement with M.H. Alshaya, a company from capital of Kuwait spec ialized in holding franchises with international retail brands.In this paragraph I am going to use the SPACE matrix (Strategic Position fill Evaluation matrix) which is a management tool used to analyze a company and to determine what type of strategy it should undertake.Rowe et al. (1989) developed this model based on four important variablesThe stability/ turbulence of the environmentIndustry attractivenessThe competitive advantageThe companys financial strengthThroughout this report I have analyzed these variables, therefore it can be argued that HM is a strong financially company, as the sales, profits and financial ratios show. To determine the industry attractiveness it is expedient the Porters five forces seen in the section 4. Following with the environmental stability we can use the PEST analysis done in the section 2 and for the competitive advantage it has to be taken into account the strategic directions and the methods of development.After having analyzed all these p oints and drawing the SPACE matrix, it can be concluded that HM should follow an aggressive strategy. HM has a strong competitive position in the market (a known brand worldwide) and a quite good financial position to support this strategy. It needs to use its internal strengths to develop a market penetration and a market development strategy.In fact it is the strategy that HM has been followed in the last years, as the expansion to Asia and Middle East show (market development strategy) and opening more and more stores in the existing markets such as Europe (market penetration).As recommendations, it can be suggested that the company entered South American market by performing a market development strategy. HM has not arrived yet to this market and it would be very interesting due to there are a lot of customers in this market interesting in purchase fashion cheap clothes and the company could adapt quickly to the South American market culture, gaining ground to its competitors w ithin a market full of opportunities to growth.On the other hand as a market penetration strategy it can be suggested to follow with the opening of new stores in the current market, increase the size of the existing stores and try to manage present products and services more effectively.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: Book and Film :: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, John Boyne

The book The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, by John Boyne is about(predicate) a young boy, Bruno, whose father is a soldier in the German army during WWII. Bruno lives with his parents and his older sister, Gretel. They live in a five story put up in Berlin. He goes to school and has three best friends that he goes on adventures with. One day he comes home to find their maid packing his things. They sound to a three story house in Germany because his dad was promoted and needs to be closer to his work.Bruno is getting really upset that he can no longer see his friends or his grandparents. He is stuck in his house and cant explore as much as he would like because at that place is no one to explore with. He notices something out his window one day, a large skirtd in area with little tiny dots moving. He asks his sister and maid Maria what they are however they dont know. He decides one day that he is going to explore the debated in area, so he leaves when no one is looking and ex plores it for about two hours walking up and down the fence looking for something. Finally he comes across I boy about the same size of him so he goes up and talks to him. The boys name is Shmuel and they are the same age. Bruno learns that he is stuck behind the fence and has nothing to wear but the striped pajamas. Bruno doesnt understand why he is there but is told how awful it is behind the fence.One day when Shmuel gets send to shine glasses at his house him and Bruno start talking. A soldier see them and Bruno told him he didnt know who he was, and the soldier beats the boy, Bruno feels direful and want to make it up to Shmuel. Bruno wants to understand why the life behind the fence is so awful and why Shmuel isnt happy. Bruno thinks its not better, but interesting because there are other kids to play with. They form a strong bond that cant be broken by anything and it makes him realize that his friends in Berlin werent as special as Shmuel is and their friendship. The two bo ys have been talking and have been friends for about a year and decide that Bruno wants to go on the other side of the fence to see what its like and help him find his papa.

Introduction Essay :: essays research papers

Who Am I?My name is xxxxx xxxxx. I am XX years old, married, and have three sons. I was born in Greensboro, NC and lived in that location until I was 19. I attended XXXX with the intention of getting an Associates Degree in technical Art and Advertising Design. I was ingenious in and love drawing and painting. It never occurred to me that I would have a go in anything else.The summer later my offshoot semester at XXXX, my parents byword an ad in the newspaper for those interested in a career as a flight attendant. My parents pressured me to go to the airlines loose house. I flat out refused. later on all, I was 19 and madly in love with my unemployed 30 year old beau who gloss over lived with his parents.I went to the airlines open house and there were hundreds of women there. Some of us, including myself, were chosen to speak in front of the mass audience of candidates. The next day, an airline representative called me and asked me to vaporise to Chicago the following day for a formal interview. I did not want to go at all I was petrified of getting on an airplane. My boyfriend didnt want me to go. Most of all, I was going to be a graphic artist and had never even considered this job in my life.Through many interviews, six weeks of training away from home, several bouts of tearfully begging my mom to let me come home, I became one of the first 19 year olds to become a flight attendant.I absolutely loved my job and the freedom it gave me. I was able to travel to places I never had dreamed of going. I did my job comfortably and was enamored and confident with the different lot I met. I planned to retire as a flight attendant.But things change when husbands and babies come along. When I had my first baby and had to leave him for the first time, I cried uncontrollably the entire trip. My feelings of missing him only grew. Several times, I broke down in the put of a service when I saw a child. When my second baby came along, I decided that I could no longer have both this career and a family.Introduction Essay essays research papers Who Am I?My name is xxxxx xxxxx. I am XX years old, married, and have three sons. I was born in Greensboro, NC and lived there until I was 19. I attended XXXX with the intention of getting an Associates Degree in Commercial Art and Advertising Design. I was gifted in and loved drawing and painting. It never occurred to me that I would have a career in anything else.The summer after my first semester at XXXX, my parents saw an advertisement in the newspaper for those interested in a career as a flight attendant. My parents pressured me to go to the airlines open house. I flat out refused. After all, I was 19 and madly in love with my unemployed 30 year old boyfriend who still lived with his parents.I went to the airlines open house and there were hundreds of women there. Some of us, including myself, were chosen to speak in front of the mass audience of candidates. The next day, an airline repr esentative called me and asked me to fly to Chicago the following day for a formal interview. I did not want to go at all I was petrified of getting on an airplane. My boyfriend didnt want me to go. Most of all, I was going to be a graphic artist and had never even considered this job in my life.Through many interviews, six weeks of training away from home, several bouts of tearfully begging my mom to let me come home, I became one of the first 19 year olds to become a flight attendant.I absolutely loved my job and the freedom it gave me. I was able to travel to places I never had dreamed of going. I did my job well and was enamored and confident with the different people I met. I planned to retire as a flight attendant.But things change when husbands and babies come along. When I had my first baby and had to leave him for the first time, I cried uncontrollably the entire trip. My feelings of missing him only grew. Several times, I broke down in the middle of a service when I saw a child. When my second baby came along, I decided that I could no longer have both this career and a family.