Cause and Effect Essay

As more everyday task, such as applying for jobs, banking, shopping, and obtaining general information move into cyberspace, those without computer access are finding themselves segregated from the rest of the digital world. It can be argued that because of the technological demand on today’s society, literacy in technology has become an essential skill for success in today’s society. The basics of computing skills must be supplemented with a set of both cognitive and technical skills, in order to lead to a more universal participation in a technological reliant society. Schools are not sufficiently training teachers; and teachers are not adjusting the curriculum to meet the growing needs of advancing technologies. There is no prevailing standard for what constitutes as fluency and government officials have taken a sluggish approach to equip citizens with the skills and information needed to access government services; especially since governments and businesses move more of their information services exclusively online. Governmental leadership is lagging in bringing society into the information age. Many of the schools throughout the United States are so substandard that a major overhaul is required to provide students with an adequate education. The current policy, which provides computers and Spousta 2 other related hardware but not the necessary training for students and teachers, furthers the inefficient use of resources. The government’s use of technology to provide, exclusive, online services causes a major issue among society as well. In some instances people don’t have computer access and are therefore denied from receiving certain needed services or information. Because a significant amount of the nation’s population are not online, and because the government puts most of its online information in English, and because the information is presented at a twelfth-grade level; millions of residents are further marginalized from the benefits because they either don’t speak English nor have a high education level. As technology further advances and we drift deeper into the information age, the demand for technological literacy among the members of society will continue to increase. Along the way there will be many issues that will eventually need to be addressed as technology advances and government and businesses move more information and services online. Consideration must also be given to those people who are less fortunate and technologically illiterate, or have limited to no computer access.

Marketing Simulation Essay

The rest of the sales force time would be equally divided between the segments B, C and D. Change in Strategy: During simulation, we studied the effects of percentage increase of sales force time for each market segment individually along with decrease in list price. As we proceeded with the simulation, we found that * A decrease in list price and an increase in percentage sales force time for segment D would be more fruitful in the short run as it will increase the overall sales volume and overall profit much more than in the case where sales force concentrates more on segment A. This is because the overall market share of highly price sensitive customers in segment D and â€Å"small volume customers† is almost three times of segment A’s market share. * So, even though the profit margin in segment D and â€Å"small volume customers† is lesser than that for segment A, the overall profit was greater because of the scope of much higher sales volume. * Hence, we dec ided to increase the sales force percentage time for segment D to 40% and for segment A to 30%. We decreased the sales force time percentage for segments B and C to 15% each. Also, we reduced the list price from $142 to $136. Challenges during simulation: During simulation, the primary challenge we faced was to decide on the key parameters that should be changed and the level of change in each of these parameters to get optimum profit and higher market share. Key decisions: Since our initial strategy was to increase the sales volume of segment A, we decided to concentrate on sales force time percentage parameter for each segment and the list price of the motors. We studied the effects of percentage increase of sales force time for each market segment individually along with decrease in list price on the overall profit of the company. Solution Analysis Decrease in list price from $142 to $136 and increase in sales force time percentage to 40% for segment D and to 30% for segment A. As we proceeded with the simulation, we found that * A decrease in list price and an increase in percentage sales force time for segment D would be more fruitful in the short run as it will increase the overall sales volume and overall profit much more than in the case where sales force concentrates more on segment A. This is because the overall market share of highly price sensitive customers in segment D and â€Å"small volume customers† is almost three times of segment A’s market share. * So, even though the profit margin in segment D and â€Å"small volume customers† is lesser than that for segment A, the overall profit was greater because of the scope of much higher sales volume. * Segments B and C sales force time was reduced because of the high competition that MM faces in these categories on the basis of the rmal resistance parameter. Hence, in the long run, MM can target for higher profit margins than for higher sales volume if it concentrates the sales and market research resources to segments A, B and C. The main challenge with this approach is that it would difficult to attract customers from these segments who are already loyal to competitors and would require much more effort from the sales team and the product development team to come up with a product that caters the needs of these segments especially segments B and C where MM has yet to prove its overall competitiveness. Learning and experience This simulation exercise helped us to validate whether our suggested solution was an optimal one and also helped us to arrive at new solutions through experimentation which finally led to change in our overall decisions and strategy. It also showed us how varying a single parameter can change the overall market share and overall profits of the company. Finally, it reinforced the theory behind segmentation of customers according to their buying behavior to achieve optimal marketing strategies.

Free Trade Zones in UAE and Economic Development Research Paper - 2

Free Trade Zones in UAE and Economic Development - Research Paper Example This paper focuses on two companies only i.e. Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone and Dubai Media City Free Zone. Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone (ADAFZ) Positive Contributions to the UAE The Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone is a business and logistics park which is being established by the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC). The creation of ADAFZ is a milestone for Abu Dhabi to globally establish itself as a leading business centre.  Expansion of the airport will enable passenger traffic to shoot from the current 7 million to over 40 million per year. Cargo capacity will also be boosted to two million tons from the current 150,000 tons per year. (Ameifo.com, 2011). According to uaefz.com, multiple business ventures are being established ranging from logistics, aviation and aerospace, consultancy, business development, computing and information technology, electronics, express transport, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals. Various amenities have been put together under one roof and conveniently i ntegrated to provide the best services for investors (Jumeiraconsultants.com, 2011).   The free trade zone provides the locals with better goods at subsidized prices hence boosting the economy. The cheapness of goods is usually as a result of cheap production costs in addition to cheap imported labor. The UAE is freed of re-tasking its resources and instead focuses on its comparative advantages. ADAFZ and other free trade zones function as economic laboratories, which allow UAE governments, to learn what will be most beneficial to their economies over a long time (Ehow.com, 2011). Negative Contributions to the UAE Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone may appear as an equal opportunity for everyone, but, these advantages come along with some disadvantages. The disadvantages extend for UAE is related to the technology level which means that the less industrialized emirates may suffer a disadvantage till they technologically develop. When Abu Dhabi opened its borders to the other emirates to be in the same free trade zone, it also invited fierce competition as well. This means that the whole of UAE competes with one another (Uaefz.com, 2011). The free trade area may also economically develop the area around the airport more than other regions in Abu Dhabi and UAE as a whole. This region may attract more foreign investors than other regions which may lead to economic underdevelopment of some other areas in the free trade zone. The underdevelopment may also impact the Abu Dhabi’s (Ehow.com, 2011). The issue of opening of borders brings the challenge of corporations seeking out for the lowest labor and environmental standards in order to minimize its production costs hence pressuring for low working standards. Furthermore, the transparency and absence of strict regulations of ADAFZ make it an attraction for illicit investors to launder crime proceeds and maybe finance terrorism (Fatf-gafi.org, 2011). Benefits to Investors According to Abu Dhabi (2011) an investor ha s to lease the facility in

Herzog and de Meurion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Herzog and de Meurion - Essay Example Herzog and De Meuron manage to preserve their identities as modernist architects. Their early works cite significant inspiration from the minimalist art of Donald Judd. Both also regard Joseph Beuys as an important motivator to their designs as they collaborate with different artists in each individual project. From the formation of their architectural partnership in 1978, Herzog and De Meuron evolved to be the best in their field. From simple styles of rectangular-inspired architectural designs, the complexity of their adventure in the phase of the Modernist Movement allowed them to adopt and develop complex and dynamic geometric shapes and patterns for their designs. Along with the maturity of skill and technique, innovation when it comes to the use of materials is also taken into account. Herzog and De Meuron’s imagination led then to the use of exterior materials such as silkscreened glass to the down-right simplest plywood (Craven). All of these, no matter how grand or si mple, no matter how expensive or cheap, work to the advantage of these Swiss architects. Both are significantly considered as important figures in architecture. They are regarded as primary institutions when it comes to modernism. The honor they received in 2001 through the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize (Craven) was but a tiny complement as compared to the reputation they had built upon the development of their careers as architects. With much said about the prestige of both architects, it is also important to note that the most important development in the lives of both as professionals occurred upon their designation as primary architects of the 2008 Olympic Stadium in Beijing or more famously known as the Bird’s Nest Stadium. It was in that moment that the modern architects almost went into a conversion of style, adhering to the rules and tenets of post-modernism. However before

The World of Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The World of Finance - Essay Example Both Amex and NASDAQ are similar since both the companies are based on the stock market. Both handle major clients and many different exchanges. Both also deal with the buying and selling of stocks. Each is widely known and capitalizes on their investors. There are some differences in the operations of two companies. NASDAQ is more of a corporate's corporation. It handles mostly technological clients and uses technology to electronically handle everything. Amex on the other hand, likes to be more personalize and does not handle everything electronically. Amex uses floor exchanged and is thought to be slower in handling things. NASDAQ is extremely competitive and continues to try to find way to better its company. In September 2002, New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer sued five corporate executives (former WorldCom chief executive Bernard Ebbers, Qwest chairman Philip Anschutz, former Qwest CEO Joseph P. Nacchio, Metromedia Fiber chairman Stephen Garofalo and former McLeod CEO Clark McLeod) for repayment of funds garnered through profiteering in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and phony stock ratings given by Salomon Smith Barney in return for investment banking business. In January 2003, Spitzer reached a "global" settlement with top Wall Street firms. They pledged to pay $1.4 billion to settle federal and state charges. Bernard Ebbers was head of WorldCom. WorldCom had merged with one of the biggest technological companies MCI in April, 2003. This was one of the biggest technological mergers. This merger had broken up monopolies such as AT&T that had dominated the telephone industry. But after the scandal WorldCom was changed. The company filed for bankruptcy. For a time, WorldCom (WCOM) was the United States' second largest long distance phone company. (Liqi, 2006). PART - II Economic Functions of Financial Intermediaries Financial intermediaries are involved in performing very important economic function of channelizing the excess funds that depositors have, towards satisfying the fund requirements of the borrowers. Financial intermediaries aggregate small amounts of funds into big pools, then invest it in a diverse portfolio of primary securities to achieve more efficient diversification of risk than an individual investor. In this way, financial intermediaries are able to use savings that would otherwise not have been available to produce economic activity. Brokers' Roles in Financial Markets Brokers perform very important function in financial markets. They obtain relevant information that is required by the clients to make informed investment decision. This information ranges from market conditions to government regulations. In addition, brokers carry out clients' portfolio investment planning and provide guidance to the clients about most optimal investment decisions. Brokers have high level of control of a financial market. However, the advent of internet has brought about changes in the way businesses are conducted. The financial markets are no exception. NASDAQ makes use of the internet to provide value added information to the clients. The investment

Music Analysis of My Heart Will Go On by Celine Deon Assignment

Music Analysis of My Heart Will Go On by Celine Deon - Assignment Example The singer starts from the low tone and moves up hitting the highest tone as she approaches the chorus. The song has both chorus and choruses. The song has duality with two distinct parts with the first sounds soft romantic and second sounds determined. The music strains a slow romantic note in the first part. The charm takes a slow music sounds romantic and soulful, that borders on the melancholic but never gives up hope. The music gushes forth powerfully in the second part projecting a determination only a woman’s heart is capable of. Their song uses such instruments such as flute, guitar, piano, violin to create the melody that makes the song creates the mood and provokes a melancholic feeling. The music stresses on the instrumental arranging. There is much use of flute back by melodic use of strings and rhythm guitars. Both electronic and acoustic instrumentation is evident in the song (Hanninen, 2012). The song lyrics creates a somber mood amongst the listeners. In addition, the choice of the love as the theme is much attractive as a love remains a contemporary issue based on the unexpected separation as it happened to the young lovers, Jack and Rose. The music greatly impacts on one’s subconscious minds based on the lyrics that makes one feel so attached and need to share in the pain with Rose. The song provokes human nature to feel part of a problem that affects another based on the state of disparity. The song communicates the emotion expressed in the film, and the words parallel the dialogues especially from the scene when Jack Dawson says his final goodbye and makes Rose promise that she will never give up. However, there are some parts that are read from Rose’s mind. The music depicts a sad love story and creates melancholy is as we watch and listen to its lyrics. The song is emotional as well as demanding. I have chosen the song ‘My Heart Will Go On’ by Celine Deon.

Business -Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business -Assignment - Essay Example The increase in unemployment would result to lesser people having jobs. Lesser people having jobs would translate to lesser Tesco sales. People have less money to buy Tesco products. Clearly, one possible effect is the decline in the company’s sales(Geroski & Gregg, 1997,49). Another possibility is the increase in variable expenses. Inflation would translate to higher prices of commodities, raw materials and other purchase amounts. The company must spend more to purchase the same number of inventory sold in the Tesco Plc stores. The prices of other products sold in its outlets would rise. Obviously, another possibility is the increase in variable expenses(Lipsey & Chrystal,2007,334). A third possibility is an increase in fixed expenses. The electricity cost could increase because of the increase in the electricity company’s operating expenses. The water utility company would increase prices. The telephone costs could demand a price increase. The fixed salary of Tesco employees could increase. Definitely, A third possibility is an increase in fixed expenses(Ingham,2000,47). A fourth possibility is the decline in purchases. A decline in sales would result to an oversupply of products being displayed at the Tesco Plc shops. Many of the inventory items displayed in the Tesco Plc will have a high probability of expiring because of the slowdown in demand for Tesco Plc product. The company, Tesco Plc, will be forced to reduce the number of items purchased due to the large stocks of unsold store items displayed. This reduction in Tesco Plc purchases would ensure that the newly bought products will be sold only after the prior –purchased products have been sold. Surely, a fourth possibility is the decline in purchases(Mullard, 1995,113). A fifth possibility is retrenchment of some employees. A reduction in sales would mean that the company may generate a large decline in the company’s products. Thus, the company has to