Saturday, December 28, 2019

Shaolin Soccer - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1208 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2019/04/15 Category Sports Essay Level High school Tags: Soccer Essay Did you like this example? Anna Corbitt Film Appreciation Film Final November 23, 2018 A Review of Shaolin Soccer Since the beginning of the film industry, it seems that Hollywood films have dominated the movie world. Whether its due to lack of advertisement or reluctance, many Americans (myself included) have watched very few foreign films in their lifetimes. However, there is a plethora of films made outside of the United States that deserve recognition. Foreign films can give audiences an insight into the culture of the country the film originates from. Even films that are not quite as serious contain a certain charm and uniqueness that isnt found in Hollywood. Shaolin Soccer is one of those films. The plot of Shaolin Soccer takes the audience on a journey of actioned packed laughter. The story begins by introducing Golden Foot, a permanently crippled former soccer star, who dreams of redemption by coaching his own soccer team and taking down his nemesis Team Evil. Golden Foot meets the films financially struggling protagonist; Sing. Sing is trying to reunite his brothers and revitalize the art of Shaolin Kung Fu. The pair eventually decide to team up to accomplish their goals and ultimately create the heart of this chaotic comedy. Sing and his reluctant brothers form a soccer team with Golden Foot as the coach. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Shaolin Soccer" essay for you Create order Their plan is to use their special martial art abilities to win the million-dollar soccer championship and promote Kung Fu globally. After several intense sports montages and some adversity due to Team Evils drug enhanced athletes and injuries, the band of Kung Fu misfits finally conquer evil. Shaolin Soccer takes the classic underdog sports story and twists it into something comedic and jam packed with action. The only thing relating this film to actual soccer is that there is ball and a goal. However, the crazy high flying Kung Fu style version of the game is what makes this movie so silly, unique, and endearing. The heart of this film makes it impossible not to smile throughout even with the predictable plot developments and occasional dumb joke. Cinematography plays a significant role in this film. Specifically, different camera angles and movements are used to break from and intensify the action sequences. During one of the action scenes near the end of the film, one of the Shaolin soccer players gets injured. The camera quickly zooms into the concerned faces of his teammates making the scene much more intense. The film uses lighting the same way. Most of the scenes in the film are shot with very bright lighting. However, the movie occasionally uses dim lighting during flashbacks or particularly intense moments. The movie starts off with a flashback showing how Golden Foot became crippled. It is shot in black and white with darker lighting because it is meant to represent the darkest moment of Golden Foots life. This scene set in the past contrasts greatly from the movie taking place in the present. These are just some of the examples of how cinematography is present. The film uses cinematography to frequently shift from a lighthearted comedic triumph to an overdramatized yet equally hilarious trial. Another factor that plays a key role in the success of this film is the acting. The dialogue of this film almost entirely consists of humor. However, the actors never make the storyline line seem like a joke. The comedy filled lines are delivered seriously and with emotion. The actors perform well enough that the audience can easily get behind the outlandish characters and their goals. The ridiculous dialogue never gets boring or annoying because of its delivery. The chemistry between the characters is natural and does not seemed forced. The actors do a fantastic job of portraying the memorable afflictions and demeanors of their characters. The Kung Fu brothers strengths and weaknesses make the story more interesting, and the actors stay true to what makes each brother distinctive. It is easy to believe that Golden Foot and the Kung Fu brothers care about their goals and that they care about each other. The small amount of romance never seems forced or frustrating. The actors interactions with each other make it believable. Overall the actors in this film do an amazing job of making the Kung Fu fantasy seem realistic and relatable. Auteur theory is the theory in filmmaking that the director is the major creative force behind a movie. The directing of this film is the perfect example of auteur theory. Stephen Chow is the films director, but he also co-wrote the script and starred in the lead role. Chow, as director, oversees the audio and visual elements of the film, but as co-screenwriter he also wrote the story. Starring as the protagonist, Sing, he can easily make sure the emotions he wrote in the script are portrayed accurately. He is certainly the undisputed creative force behind Shaolin Soccer. His directing style perfectly showcases the crazy Kung Fu scenes and the comical, yet heart felt, moments that make this film so wonderful. With a delightful cast and near perfect set placement, it is difficult to criticize Chows direction of this film. Stephen Chow is a very talented actor, writer, and director. Without his creative influences the success of this film would not have been possible. Chow is a cinematic genius and his direction of Shaolin Soccer showcases this. He plays a huge role in the production of this motion picture and is definitely a major creative force. The final elements that I find to be a critical part of this film are the editing styles and visual effects. Even though this is a high-flying comedy, the pacing of the film never feels rushed. The film is fast paced throughout, but manages to slow down at the correct time for dialogue. The cuts between scenes always seem to happen at appropriate intervals and allow for a smooth change in settings. The screen fades in during the action sequences making the scenes seem more intense. The camera zoom allows the audience to get a close view of the actors facial expressions and emotions. The scenes then fade out after the soccer games which creates a smooth transition between the Kung Fu and the character dialogues. Though the visual effects in the film can seem cheap and cartoonish, they only add to the films wild comedic value. The soccer kicks with enough velocity to create a tornado, crazy flaming backgrounds, and high flying athletes are what helps distinguish this film from other underdog sports stories. The post production of this film is crucial. Without the computer generated imagery and editing, Shaolin Soccer is dull and pointless. Overall I found Shaolin Soccer to be a wonderfully goofy comedy. Although the audience is unable to relate to being a martial artist with super power like abilities, one can relate to the story of being an underdog with the hope of overcoming adversity and achieving the seemingly impossible. I would recommend this movie to anyone looking for a ridiculously good laugh. Shaolin Soccer is a noteworthy movie that takes the audience on an amazing roller coaster ride. The film contains an attention-grabbing plot, dynamic cinematography, outstanding acting, remarkable directing, and brilliant post production. The movie promises to make the audience laugh, and it delivers exceptionally.

Friday, December 20, 2019

Materialism - the Great Gatsby - 1732 Words

Materialism America has been labeled The land of opportunity, a place where it is possible to accomplish anything and everything. This state of mind is known as The American Dream. The American Dream provides a sense of hope and faith that looks forward to the fulfillment of human wishes and desires. This dream, however, originates from a desire for spiritual and material improvement. Unfortunately, the acquisition of material has been tied together with happiness in America. Although The American Dream can be thought of as a positive motivation, it often causes people to strive for material perfection, rather than a spiritual one. This has been a truth since the beginnings of America, such as the setting of F. Scott†¦show more content†¦But the more important question that faces us through our sense of the immediate tragedy is where (these deficiencies) have brought America. This state of perfection that people so desperately want to achieve is the very reason why Ame rican society is dysfunctional. People are blinded by this hopeful result of their lives, they allow the present to escape their grasp. Fitzgerald introduces a place by the name of The Valley of Ashes. It is a depressing locality far away from the glamour and wealth of the East and West Eggs. This dumping ground is half way between West Egg and New York. The Valley of Ashes is a symbol of the empty existence of a low society. Fitzgerald uses this slum as an example of the failure of the American Dream. He criticizes the corruption of the American dream. What was once for Thomas Jefferson-a belief in self-reliance and hard work, has become what Nick Carraway calls The service of a cast, vulgar, and meretricious beauty (180). This energy might have gone into the pursuit of morale and self worth, rather than materialism and shallow fortunes. Things like love and relating to another human being is completely overlooked in the pursuit of power and a very showy, but fundamentally empty form of success. All the characters in this novel are caught up in materialism except for one, Nick Carraway, the narrator and the observer. Nick sees all the evil that goes on, and itShow MoreRelated Materialism in The Great Gatsby Essay1075 Words   |  5 PagesMaterialism may be defined as attention to or emphasis on material objects, needs or considerations, with a disinterest in or rejection of spiritual values. The acquisition of material wealth is often equated with happiness in this country. This is true today, and it was true during the 1920s, the setting of F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby. That the majority of Americans believe that wealth and happiness are the same is a result of our market economy that encourages consumption and conditionsRead MoreEssay on Materialism in the Great Gatsby905 Words   |  4 Pagessuch as money in The Great Gatsby. Daisy falls in love with Gatsby, who is a poor man at the time, and when Gatsby leaves for the war, Daisy marries Tom Buchanan, who is a rich man, because he is â€Å"old money,† meaning he will always have the money and status to support Daisy. When Gatsby returns from the war, his pursuit of Daisy’s love reveals his materialism and he eventually becomes rich for Daisy and believes that he can win her back because he now has money. The Great Gatsby demonstrates the wayRead More Materialism - The Great Gatsby Essay1687 Wor ds   |  7 Pages Materialism nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;America has been labeled quot;The land of opportunity,quot; a place where it is possible to accomplish anything and everything. This state of mind is known as quot;The American Dream.quot; The American Dream provides a sense of hope and faith that looks forward to the fulfillment of human wishes and desires. This dream, however, originates from a desire for spiritual and material improvement. Unfortunately, the acquisitionRead MoreMaterialism In The Great Gatsby Analysis824 Words   |  4 PagesMaterialism The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, illustrates the different lifestyles in regards to the upper and lower classes. The upper class is represented by â€Å"Old Money†, the people who inherited their wealth. Another part of the upper class is represented by â€Å"New Money†, the people who obtained wealth over time. Old money is more fancy and elegant, whereas new money is more showy and extravagant. Because of this, old money is considered superior to new money. The lower class isRead MoreThe Madness Of Materialism In The Great Gatsby996 Words   |  4 Pagesarticle â€Å"The Madness of Materialism† by Steve Taylor discusses psychological discord and talks about people always wanting certain objects, that they might not be a necessity (Taylor). This article is similar to the novel, The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald because both discuss the idea of wants versus needs. Gatsby is the main character, however Nick Carraway is the narrator througho ut the entire story. They have been neighbors ever since Nick moved to West Egg. Nick and Gatsby become close friendsRead MoreMaterialism in The Great Gatsby Essay515 Words   |  3 Pagessay that you are happy. Daisy Buchanans case in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald proves this to its entirety. When having to decide between an empty marriage with her husband Tom and Jay Gatsby, her love interest, she chooses Tom even though he doesnt make her truly happy. It is then evident all throughout the novel that materialistic properties of wealth and status triumphs over love. In 1917, Daisy became acquainted with Jay Gatsby from Louisiana. Though they seemed very close with eachRead MoreEssay On Greed And Materialism In The Great Gatsby1014 Words   |  5 Pagesgrowth in an economic forum. This caused many Americans to move into the uncharted territory of the city, and make the transition into a prosperous and foreign â€Å"consumer society† (History.com). In addition, the traits of greed and materialism are ubiquitous in The Great Gatsby, as well as in the flashy 1920’s. These two characteristics give one confidence, but as demonstrated in the novel, it brings nothing but short-term satisfaction. After that, feelings of desperation to childish behaviors can accompanyRead MoreGreed And Materialism In The Great Gatsby Analysis1311 Words   |  6 Pagesprosperous and previously foreign â€Å"consumer society† (History.com). The traits of greed and materialism are ubiquitous in The Great Gatsby, as well as in the Art Deco era of the 19 20’s. These two characteristics can give one confidence, but as demonstrated in the novel, they bring nothing but short-term satisfaction. After which, feelings can run the gamut from desperation to childish behaviors. While greed and materialism have the power to seem favorable, bringing an amplification of social status, theyRead MoreEssay On Money And Materialism In The Great Gatsby1994 Words   |  8 Pages Money and materialism play a large role in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book, The Great Gatsby, which takes place on Long Island in the summer of 1922. The book follows a man by the name of Jay Gatsby who centers his life around one goal, winning back the girl of his dreams, Daisy Buchanan, who he lost five years earlier. His quest leads him from rags-to-riches into the arms of the one he loves, and ultimately, to death. This book is written from a Marxist point of view based on the fact that the bookRead MoreEssay on Love vs. Materialism in the Great Gatsby1131 Wo rds   |  5 PagesVs. Materialism The Great Gatsby does not offer a definition of love, or a contrast between love and romance. Rather it suggests that what people believe to be love is normally only a dream. America in the 1920s was a country where moral values were slowly crumbling and Americans soon only had one dream and objective to achieve, success. Distorted love is one theme in the novel The Great Gatsby, present among all of the characters relationships; Daisy and Tom, Tom and Myrtle, Daisy and Gatsby, and

Thursday, December 12, 2019

German Cuisine and Oktoberfest free essay sample

Festival of Fun Before winter wraps a white blanket on the lands, a final celebration is in session for October all over the world. This is the time to eat, drink, and be merry: Oktoberfest. The tradition began in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to the Saxon-Hildburghausen Princess Therese. The location was named Theresienwiese, meaning Theresa’s fields; locals usually refer to them as just â€Å"Wies’n. Festivities occurred on these fields in front of the city gates and continued for sixteen days. The original event at Oktoberfest was a horse race (Saunders, 2007). Each year afterwards, different additions were made such as adding an agricultural show (The History of Oktoberfest, 2007). Throughout the years, the activities accumulated to carousels, swings, tree-climbing competitions, wheelbarrow and sack races, mush eating contests, barrel rolling races and goose chases. In 1908, Oktoberfest even included a roller coaster. At first, beer kiosks were places all around the festival area. In 1896, the small beer kiosks were replaced by large beer halls, which were sponsored by the local breweries (Vistawide, 2008). Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival celebrated annually in Munich, Germany, and includes traditional activities, beer, food, dance, music, and dress. The time of Oktoberfest is important to the whole city of Munich. The Mayor begins the festivities on the first day at noontime. The fun begins officially after he taps into a wooden barrel of beer and proclaims, â€Å"O’zapft is,† meaning, â€Å"It’s tapped! A massive parade takes place on the first Sunday of the festival. The procession includes 7000 performers including groups dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing, historical uniforms, marching bands, riflemen, horses and livestock, carriages and parade floats. On Oktoberfest’s second Sunday, four-hundred musicians comprising the Oktoberfest bands perform concerts (Vistawide, 2008). Many traditional beers are enjoyed at Oktoberfest. A particular type is called Marzen and contains up to 6% alcohol. It is bottom-fermented and lagered for at least 30 days. Other beer is also available – â€Å"Agustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbrau Lowenbrau, Paulaner and Spaten are the traditional German brewers of Oktoberfest, since all brew or bottle beer within the city limits of Munich† (Saunders, 2007). Each beer costs about 7. 50 euros and traditionally is served by a one-liter mug called a Ma?. Servers at Oktoberfest must be able to carry 10 of these mugs at a time (Vistawide, 2008)! Oktoberfest is also a style of beer served at the events. It can be described as an â€Å"amber-gold lager, robust at 5. to 6 percent alcohol by volume, bottom-fermented and lagered for at least a month, with pronounced malt flavors from Vienna malts, usually accented by the German noble hobs such as Hallertau and Tettnang† (Saunders, 2007). Traditional German foods are eaten in massive proportions at any Oktoberfest. These foods include Hendl, which are whole chickens that are grilled whole then split and served in halves. Duck, goose, roasted meats such as pork are served as well. Some more unusual foods served are potato dumplings, red cabbage, roasted ox tails and grilled pork knuckles. Veal sausages known as Wei? urste are served, usually with mustard, sauerkraut, and a pretzel or bread roll. A seafood item can also be found called Steckerlfisch, a grilled fish on a stick. Desserts are also favored among the people (Vistawide, 2008). Oktoberfest is not only celebrated in Munich, Germany, but also in different communities all over the world. A proper example would be Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Oktoberfest. This event was even named one of the best German food festivals in the U. S. by Bon Appetit magazine. After enjoying authentic German food and beer, participants may perform a chicken dance on top of a picnic table. In Tulsa, carnival rides, arts and crafts, clowns and root ‘bier’ for children is available. For people who are older or disabled, a shuttle service is provided for convenience. The Tulsan Oktoberfest claims to be the official birthplace of the chicken dance. In 1981, a German group called Heilbronn Band came to Tulsa and played a song called â€Å"Der Ententaz,† meaning â€Å"duck dance. † They could not find a duck costume to accompany the song, but managed to find a chicken suit, and this spawned the chicken dance tradition. Along with being a fun filled getaway, the Tulsa Oktoberfest has raised over $785,000 in donations for Tulsa’s River Parks. Annually, more than 60,000 people attend the festival (Aspinwal, 2007). An Oktoberfest celebration in Cheyenne, WY has included Americanized carnival food to the variety by serving nachos, hamburgers, hot dogs and Sno Cones. They also performed activities with a Western influence such as a Gunslingers show. Another domestic influence is in the addition of American beers to the selection such as Coors, Coors Light, Budweiser, Bud Light and Samuel Adams. Temporary tattoos may be found at different kiosks. Local arts vendors also participate in the Cheyenne Oktoberfest by selling their wares. As part of the fun, a stein holding competition occurs as well (Cotton, 2006). In Mifflinburg, PA, part of the Oktoberfest entertainment includes traditional dancing and performances from The Black Run Bohemian Dancers. Festivities also include a keg toss, mug lifting contest, hayrides, puppet shows, and hot-air balloon rides (Smith, 2007). In Saxapahaw, NC a strong southern influence is evident in the music. Bluegrass, blues, swing, folk, and old-time music is performed using various instruments including banjoes, mandolins, fiddles, dobro, lap steel, harmonica, and even spoons. Farmers often bring their harvest including organically grown vegetables, farm-raised meats, cheeses, and baked goods (Chapel Hill News, 2007). Most frequently, traditional German music is played at any Oktoberfest. Folk music, polkas and oompah music can be heard continuously. The term â€Å"oom-pah† refers to the downbeats played by bass or tuba and their accompaniments which create a rhythmic melody. European band music is often played and the performers model their group after the 19th and 20th century Prussian and Austrian military bands. These bands are often very big due to multitude of instruments used. Two flugelhorns provide melody and harmony, tenorhorn provides countermelody, a euphonium doubles countermelody and provides afterbeat and bass lines. Trombone, tuba and French horn emit afterbeats (Cole, 2008). In order to dress properly for Oktoberfest, one must include key components in their wardrobe. There are very many pieces of traditional German clothing that include a dirndl, lederhosen, tracht, and gamsbart. A dirndl is a dress worn by women traditionally from the Southern area of Germany. Throughout history, each village would have their own version of he ornate dirndl dress. Originally though, it was worn by Austrian servants. This dress includes the body which is a skirt worn with a blouse and apron. Typically, a knot on the apron of the dirndl signifies that the woman is married. Lederhosen mean â€Å"leather trousers† in German. Historically, these knee breeches were worn by men of the Alpine regions of Germany. Typical featured of these trousers include suspenders and front flaps. The Bavarian lederhosen were worn in the mountains of South Germany and were usually worn by horseback riders or hunters. A tracht is a similar less ornate version of a dirndl, usually made from linen. The gamsbart is a tuft of hair (which could also be replaced with a feather) that is attached to the top of the traditional trachten hat. The gamsbart tufts out like a brush from the hat. Originally it was placed only on hats, but today it is used to decorate other clothing as well. Throughout German history, people from the lower strata of society wore clothes with bleak colors such as shades of gray, brown, and black. On holidays, shades of blue were worn. At the advent of the industrial revolution, factory made outfits introduced a variety of colors, and this is clear in the style of dirndls that exist today (Lad, 2008). Beginning in 1810 in Munich, Germany, the tradition of Oktoberfest has now spread through many regions, reaching a global level. The celebration can be enjoyed by anyone in the world, but the German spirit will still exist because the traditions and cultural beliefs keep it alive. At Oktoberfest, one must be ready to indulge in mouthwatering food and wash it down with strong specialty beer. Those that are most enthusiastic wear complete traditional outfits for the celebration. This is chance for people to leave all the worries of their life behind and just have fun.

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Proposed Tourism Labour Shortage Policy In Australia - Samples

Question: Discuss about the Proposed Tourism Labour Shortage Policy In Australia. Answer: Introduction The tourism industry is one of the largest exports sectors in Australia and contributes around $ 40 billion to the general economy of the country. The sector is said to largely benefit from the continued economic growth in the international source markets as well as the falling Australia dollar value. Our agency, the Tourism Australia is an Australian government agency that is responsible for promoting the country to the global tourism world as a tourism destination for business and leisure (Wakelin-Theron 2015, p. 248). The major objective of the agency is to increase the economic benefit realized from the tourism industry and also support the industry growth strategy 2020 which aims at growing the industry overnight expenditure to $ 140 billion. The agency is active in 16 Australian tourist markets and aims to grow demand for tourism experiences by promoting a unique experience and attributes in the industry which will entice people to visit. With the assumption of continued economic growth, political stability and favorable climate the industry is projected to grow at an estimated growth rate of 6 percent annually (Moid Alam 2016, p. 37). Such growth will, therefore, contribute to increased demand for skilled labor force in the industry. However, the industry is reported to have a shortage in its labor market with a current need of over 36000 employees in the care and restaurants departments. Lack of skilled and experienced labor force has affected the quality of service provision in the industry. This study, therefore, seeks to develop a proposal by the committee formed by the Tourism Australia agency, for the development of a policy which will help in addressing the labor and skills issues affecting the industry and how its implementation will help the industry realize its development strategy for the period 2015 to 2020. Background context of the labor shortage issues in the industry According to the Australian Tourism Labour Force Report of 2015, the Australian hospitality and tourism industry is reported to experience labor or skill shortage. In their report it is said that it has become harder than before to find and recruit the required quality and skilled employees who can be relied upon by the industry to meet the skill standards of various positions, fit in the kitchen team as well as adapt to the culture of the venue and stay for a longer term (Argent et al. 2014, p. 311). Such concerns have led to many arguments based on the reasons why the industry is not attracting the relevant skilled labor force or even retaining the existing ones for a longer period. The report provides that an additional 123 000 workers will be needed by the year 2020 in the tourism and hospitality sector. Such a shortage in the industry is also believed to affect or have a great impact on the productivity and growth of the industry if appropriate measures are not put into place. Also according to the report released by Deloitte Access Economics, there was a labour gap identified of 38 000 workers currently in the industry in 2015 a number that is estimated to increase to 123000 worker shortage as reported by the Australian Tourism Labour Force Report by the year 2020 (Wortman et al. 2015, p. 142). Of this estimated amount, 56 600 which translates to 48 percent of the total is estimated to be the likely demand for skilled workers and also reports an increased strong demand for chefs, caf, and restaurant managers. Therefore, labor shortage is said to be the greatest challenge facing the industry whereby the shortage of skills is said to slow down the productivity and also dampens the growth aspects of the industry. The need for more skilled labor force in the industry is due to the fact that due to the increased demand, the industry is expected to deliver exceptional visitor experiences and customer services in order to meet the expectations of the discerning international visitors. The industry has a projected target of doubling its overnight expenditure to $ 140 billion by 2020 and fears surrounding the industry claim that lack of skilled labor may affect the industry and prevent it from realizing such goals or targets (Stoeckl et al. 2014, p. 792). A report by the Deloitte Access economics provided that the reported inability to find workers with the right skills was seen to be the main reason why the industry faced difficulties in recruiting staff. The Australia Department of Employment in 2015 projected an increase in employment growth in the caf, restaurant, and takeaway food services sector. Therefore the increased demand has been the most contributing factor to a labor shortage in the i ndustry. Labour shortage in the industry has also been having also resulted from lack of trained workers in the industry or the number of existing qualified and skilled workers cannot meet the increasing demand in the industry. Lack of workforce development initiatives in the industry has led to increased labor shortage gap. Such workforce development initiative focus on all aspects of a business workforce and ensure or promote the recruitment of staff with the right skills, experience and attitudes, provides career progression opportunities, advocates for good remuneration packages for employees as well as training and development to shape the existing skills (Dobbs Madgavkar 2014, p. 203). The industry is differentiated from its competitors globally on the basis of the quality of services provided to the tourists and therefore the increased need for the skilled labor force. The Australian government was also reluctant on outsourcing employees from other nations on immigration of labor force through immigration ban policies. There is a call therefore for the government to regulate its policies by allowing more visas by considering overseas staff to cater for the existing labor force gap in the market (Garca Hormiga 2017, p. 216). The report by Deloitte Access economics as examined form the insights above highlights the need to reform the labor market through the relevant improvements to the vocational education system. They present the argument that the idea of a labour shortage in the industry is not a new thing but there is a great need to develop a paradigm shift in thinking about skilled migration or the idea of considering overseas staff and training of the Australian local labor force. The labor shortages have been evident since the industry is usually seen by some people as a source for temporary employment and therefore many individuals have not committed themselves to the long-term agenda of the industry. The employees are supposed to view the opportunities as long-term career option just as careers offered in other industries (Wefersov et al. 2016, p. 55). This has been the main reason why the companies in the industry could not retain employees for longer periods. Lack of combining the use of both highly skilled and semi-skilled labour force in the industry has also intensified the labour force gaps in the industry as the industry has continued to advocate for attraction of highly qualified, experienced and skilled labour without taking into consideration the development plans which aim or focus on training the semi-skilled individuals into great skilled employees. There has also been an increased lack of recognition of transferable skills within the industry in relation to other industries which leads to slow growth and low productivity as businesses learn from each other by comparing the different strategies employed in achieving certain goals and evaluating how the skills used in other industries can help improve the performance of the tourism industry (Sulaiman 2016, p. 67). Lastly, the industry has faced a labor shortage due to its inability to invest in professional development and especially by the small businesses and in accredited training which aims at providing the employees with the right skills and keeping them at par with the current industry changes. Statement of need for the Tourism plan or policy The development of a tourism plan will be very important to the businesses in the tourism industry, the government of Australia and to other stakeholders in the business. This is because the plan will provide possible solutions and also provide a framework for addressing the greatest challenge faced in the industry of labor shortage (Healy et al. 2017, p. 2477). Before understanding why the plan or policy will be important for the various stakeholders in the industry it is important to examine the general objectives or goals of developing the plan. The objectives are guided by the fact that for improvement in terms of productivity to be achieved the greatest need of the industry is to offer quality services which will attract or entice their potential customers to pay more visits and hence the need to reform the current labour strategies and practices as well as individual thinking of the tourism industry. One of the objectives of the plan helps the businesses, the government as well as the other stakeholders in the industry to increase the supply of labor to the industry with the aim of delivering high-quality service standards which meets the demands and expectations of the visitors. The plan also aims to support the development and provision of sustainable employment conditions in the industry which will continue to attract and retain skilled workers or employees in the industry (Wanna 2015, p. 621). It also aims to ensure that education and training systems offered in the country in relation to the hospitality industry deliver the skills and knowledge required to accommodate the growing needs of individuals or personal development as well as the businesses in the tourism industry. Lastly, the plan or policy aims to support the employees and employers in the industry to address the current as well as the future workforce needs and create stability in the labour market. The plan or policy will, therefore, play an important role in the growth and development of the economy of Australia. The government receives a lot of revenue totaling to $ 40 billion from the industry and therefore the industry acts as an important source of revenue in the industry. The government is projecting an increase in revenue collection from the industry to an average of $ 140 billion by the year 2020 (Clemens et al. 2015, p. 1510). To actualize these development or growth targets by the government there is a great need therefore to develop effective policies which favor or enhance the development of skilled labor in the tourism industry. The policy will provide effective strategies which the government should undertake in order to improve the labor productivity in the industry. Government intervention is therefore required in the industry in improving the immigration policies which will favor the recruitment of overseas staff to cater for the increasing demand. This is beca use the plan advocates for the government to consider overseas staff since the current labor dynamics in Australia cannot meet the demands due to the existing labor force gap (Kahn 2015, p. 248). The government is also required to intervene in the development of curriculum in hospitality fields which equips the learners with the right skill development and one that can adapt to changes in the industry based on the tastes and preferences of their visitors. The tourism policy will help the business engaged in the tourism industry achieve its goals by becoming more profitable, attracting more customers and visitors due to provision of quality services, help them attract skilled workforce by advocating for training and development of the employees, help them solve the problem of retaining employees for long-term purposes in the industry to prevent shortages and future crisis in the industry and to help them develop effective working conditions for their employees which will improve their productivity in the businesses (Buxton 2017, p. 204). Most of the tourism businesses including the travel agents, the hotel and restaurant businesses, the accommodation and entertainment business have failed in managing their employees due to poor working conditions and lack of skilled employees. The plan or policy advocates for improved working conditions which will help the employees achieve their personal development as well as the organizational or bu siness development (Jumadi et al. 2017, p. 51). An effective policy or plan will, therefore, help the business grow in terms of achieving its targets and helping the employees attain their personal development. There are also other stakeholders in the tourism industry that may including the investors in various businesses and the community at large which supports the growth of the industry through culture and other development initiatives. The growth of the industry plays an important role in the overall development of the community welfare (Edgell 2015, p. 27). It helps in enhancing the culture of the land and improves the living standards of the community by offering employment to the local community members. Investors will be interested to invest in the industry in which they can see a potential for future growth, therefore a policy addressing labor shortage problem in the industry will act as an advantage to the investors as it will grow their confidence with the industry. Possible policy approaches to the proposed plan In order to implement the objectives of the plan or policy, the plan incorporates the actions of the government, the industry as well the business to take various actions which will ensure they achieve their set goals and objectives as well. The plan advocates therefore for the parties and stakeholders involved in the industry to support sustainable workforce structure. This goes to the businesses which need to develop the effective structure of employee development through remuneration packages, training and motivation (Izenbayev et al. 2016, p. 380). The individuals or employees are also recommended to consider making tourism a career choice as this will minimize the issues or challenges facing the industry or retaining employees as it will change the employees perspective that the industry offers a short-term measure for career growth. The plan advocates for the businesses to retain its quality staff by developing mechanisms such as promotions, rewards, compensation and other bene fits to reducing the problem faced by the industries in attracting qualified and skilled workers and in retaining the existing ones. The policy also advocates for the training of the existing workforce in the tourism industry. This comes due to the fact that the industry demands keep on changing yet there is a slow transition from the institution of higher learning offering training on hospitality skills to employment opportunities (McGrath 2016, p. 493). There is need therefore to ensure that the existing workforce is trained of the market dynamics in order to offer and meet the visitors expectations. The plan also advocates for support of the small businesses in the industry. The growth of the small-scale businesses in the industry has been projected to grow especially in the takeaways business; its growth will equally represent the growth of the general industry. The small businesses can meet the demands which the large industries cannot meet and therefore they should be supported and protected from stiff competition from private companies operating in the same markets (Sandbach, 2015, p. 6). Lastly the plan or policy advocates for initiatives which will grow the tourism workforce. The businesses, government, and other stakeholders should also invest in the development of the workforce for example by developing programs and initiatives which help in linking the suitable candidates with the prospective employers and provides mentoring support to apprentices while completing their training. This will help them build confidence with the potential employees with the industry and change their perspectives concerning their future career decisions in the industry. Proposed planning process for the proposed policy For the policy to be developed and implemented there is need to engage in consultations with the relevant bodies. It is therefore recommended that our tourism Australia agency should engage in consultations with the relevant stakeholders in the government including the government, the business involved in the industry which can be done to a representative sample of the companies involved as well as to the investors (Tabrett 2014, p. 86). Such consolations will help in identifying the key issues in relation to labor force factors that the stakeholders in their view think they can be useful in improving the service provision in the industry and contribute to growth and development of the industry. The stakeholders should also be involved in the implementation of the plan in areas where the plan requires the active participation and intervention. The implementation process is not always and therefore requires the effort of all the stakeholders including the community for effective imple mentation and success of the policy in addressing the current labor shortage crisis as well as prevents the projected future crisis in the industry (Sulaiman, 2016, p. 72). Conclusion The review of the policy should also be constantly done to ensure that it meets its set objectives and long-term goals. The team of the committee selected by the Tourism Australia agency will, therefore, work together in conducting monitoring and evaluation of the policy during implementation with all the stakeholders. This plan is therefore believed to provide the solutions to the labor shortage problems experienced in the tourism industry in Australia and ensure sustainable growth of the industry. References Argent, N, Tonts, M, Jones, R, Holmes, J 2014, 'The Amenity Principle, Internal Migration, and Rural Development in Australia', Annals of the Association of American Geographers, vol. 104, no. 2, pp. 305-318. Available from: 10.1080/00045608.2013.873320. [23 September 201 Buxton, L 2017, 'Ditching deficit thinking: Changing to a culture of high expectations', Issues in Educational Research, vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 198-214. Clemens, MA, Graham, C, Howes, S 2015, 'Skill Development and Regional Mobility: Lessons from the Australia-Pacific Technical College', Journal of Development Studies, vol. 51, no. 11, pp. 1502-1517. Available from: 10.1080/00220388.2015.1028537. [23 September 2017]. Dobbs, R, Madgavkar, A 2014, 'The world at work: Matching skills and jobs in Asia', Prospects (00331538), vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 197-210. Available from: 10.1007/s11125-014-9300-7. [23 September 2017] Edgell, Dl 2015, 'International Sustainable Tourism Policy', Brown Journal of World Affairs, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 25-36 Garca-Almeida, DJ, Hormiga, E 2017, 'Immigration and the competitiveness of an island tourism destination: a knowledgebased reputation analysis of Lanzarote, Canary Islands', Island Studies Journal, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 207-222 Healy, J, Mavromaras, K, Sloane, PJ 2015, 'Adjusting to skill shortages in Australian SMEs', Applied Economics, vol. 47, no. 24, pp. 2470-2487. Available from: 10.1080/00036846.2015.1008764. [23 September 2017]. Izenbayev, B, Mazbayev, O, Saiken, A, Tasbolat, B, Atasoy, E 2016, 'The Great Silk Road As A Factor Of Development Of The Tourism Industry', Oxidation Communications, vol. 39, no. 1-I, pp. 378-383 Jumadi, Y., DK, Indiastuti, R, Hasan, M 2017, 'External Marketing, Government Policy and T-Serqual toward Customer Satisfaction in Indonesia Tourism Industry', International Journal of Management, Accounting Economics, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 43-55. Kahn, LM 2015, 'Skill Shortages, Mismatches, and Structural Unemployment: A Symposium', ILR Review, vol. 68, no. 2, pp. 247-250. Available from: 10.1177/0019793914564960. [23 September 2017] McGrath, K 2016, 'identity Verification And Societal Challenges: Explaining The Gap Between Service Provision And Development Outcomes', MIS Quarterly, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 485-500 Moid, S, Alam, A 2016, 'Scaling Service Quality in the Tourism Industry with Special Reference to Uttar Pradesh', Journal ofManagement Research (09725814), vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 25-43 Sandbach, K 2015, 'Creative Outsiders: creative industries in Greater Western Sydney', Global Media Journal: Australian Edition, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 1-9. Stoeckl, N, Esparon, M, Farr, M, Delisle, A, Stanley, O 2014, 'The great asymmetric divide: An empirical investigation of the link between indigenous and non-indigenous economic systems in Northern Australia', Papers in Regional Science, vol. 93, no. 4, pp. 783-801. Available from: 10.1111/pirs.12028. [23 September 2017]. Sulaiman, MZ 2016, 'The misunderstood concept of translation in tourism promotion', Translation Interpreting, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 53-68 Tabrett, L 2014, 'The development of cultural indicators for Australia policy-making in a federal system of government', Cultural Trends, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 82-92. Available from: 10.1080/09548963.2014.897449. [23 September 2017] Wakelin-Theron, N 2015, 'The additional skills required of tourism graduates for retention within the tourism industry', African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation Dance, pp. 242-256 Wanna, J 2015, 'Commonwealth of Australia January to June 2015', Australian Journal of Politics History, vol. 61, no. 4, pp. 618-625. Available from: 10.1111/ajph.12123. [23 September 2017] Wefersov, J, Wefers, H, Saxunova, D, Szarkov, R 2016, 'Austrian Strategy (Institutional Support) for Tourism Development: -Inspiration for Tourism Oriented Countries', Vilakshan: The XIMB Journal of Management, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 41-66. Wortman, T, Donaldson, R, Westen, G 2016, ''They are stealing my island': Residents' opinions on foreign investment in the residential tourism industry in Tamarin, Mauritius', Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 139-157. Available from: 10.1111/sjtg.12151. [23 September 2017]

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Lord Of The Flies Essays (1377 words) - English-language Films

Lord of the Flies Lord of the Flies Chapter One: The Sound of a Shell. The first chapter concentrates on describing character personalities. Ralph, Piggy, Jack and the rest of the choir are introduced after Ralph blows the conch. The group elects Ralph, 'the chief' and they begin to establish rules and boundaries. Ralph, Jack and Simon explore the island and begin plans for shelters from the weather. The trio find that the island is a fertile place. It has natural fruit, fresh water and wild pigs which could be hunted as a form of meat. Piggy is immediately ostracized from the group and Ralph also decides that a bonfire on the mountain should be lit permanently on the mountain as a constant smoke signal. Chapter Two: Fire on the Mountain. Ralph calls another meeting to discuss the fire on the mountain. Jack decides forming a hunting party to hunt pigs. A small boy claims to have seen a serpent-like beast, but the idea is quickly discarded after Ralph and Jack convince the group otherwise. The group hurriedly rushes to the mountain and collects wood for a fire, which breaks up the meeting. At first the boys have nothing to light the fire, until Jack robs Piggy of his glasses and uses them to magnify the sun's rays to heat the tinder-dry wood. The fire, although majestic, unfortunately only generates a tiny amount of smoke, so the boys stack green branches on to get more smoke. At the next meeting, Ralph decides that more rules should be introduced, including groups to be set out for specific tasks (e.g. Shelters, Fire, Hunting). Also, Piggy brings up a subject of concern. He reveals that one child is missing, and the group fear for his life. Chapter Three: Huts on the Beach. Ralph and Simon start to build shelters on their own and become angry because of the amount of kids who won't help. Ralph and Jack chat about each others views of their predicaments, and find that they are very different. Jack starts to become obsessed with hunting and killing pigs and loses sight of their goal- to be rescued. The younger children spend more and more time playing and less and less time helping. Chapter Four: Painted Faces and Long Hair. The hunters start painting themselves to stay camouflaged from their targets. Piggy suggests making a sundial to tell the time, but has no support. A ship sails past the island but doesn't notice the boys because Jack's choir had let the fire out completely. The boys had lost interest in the fire and decided to go hunting instead. This makes Ralph angry. Jack and his hunters catch a pig, but Ralph doesn't care. Jack re-lights the fire and prepares the pig's meat for a feast. Ralph is still not satisfied and calls a meeting down on the platform, beneath the mountain. Chapter Five: Beast from Water. Ralph calls a meeting, still using the conch system to give kids the right to talk. He tells the group that there idea of water carriers quickly became boring to them and that shelters were being slept in by all but only two people were making them. He was also displeased with the younger children, expelling bodily waste wherever they pleased, instead of in the rock, near the bathing pool, as they agreed. This brought a chorus of laughter. The conversation soon switched to the beast. Some, even most of the group had doubts on whether it was just a figment of the "little'uns" imaginations. Jack talks out of turn and this sparks a verbal brawl between Jack and Ralph. The group now starts to go their separate ways- either with Jack, or Ralph. Jack's hunters decide to hunt the beast and settle the mind of the young kids. Chapter Six: Beast from Air. Ralph and his friends fetch wood for the fire. Later that night, the twins rush to Ralph and Piggy and tell them that they have seen the beast. They ask to use their spears. Ralph went with the other to hunt for the beast. They venture into the jungle and into a cave but find nothing. Jack decides that the cave is a good place for a fort. The boys start to turn against Ralph and his ideas and begin to join Jack in his hunting. Chapter Seven: Shadows and Tall Trees. Ralph hunts with Jack for a while and stabs a boar which the boys mistake for the beast. Jack planned a bonfire where they planned to play a game where Roger would act as a Pig and they would

Sunday, November 24, 2019

The 5

The 5 Before starting planning an event, there are essential stages that one should take to ensure that the event is successful. Some of the basic events planning stages are as follows.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The 5-Stages of Event Planning specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Knowing the Guest It is very important to know the number of people who are expected in a certain event. This is important as it plays a significant role on how the event will be designed. The number and the type of guest invited will determine the type of dà ©cor and appropriate entertainment for the event (Wolf et al 1). The number of guests will affect the room size to be prepared for the event and this will directly affect the budget. The type of guest will also affect the type of food that will be served during the event. Type of Event It is very important to know the kind of the event that is being planned for. The prior knowledge of the t ype of event that one will be hosting, is very important as it will shape the plan and its design (Wolf et al 8). For example, a gala celebrity will be very different from a corporate anniversary. The type of event affects the location, the entertainment and the materials that will be used during the event. Location It is very important to know the location where one will hold the event. The importance of knowing and determining locations help one cater for the availability of space, capacity, proximity and services offered (Wolf et al 13). This will ensure convenience of the event and flexibility in case of such problems as weather. The knowledge of the event location will be very important to the event planner because it will lead to one dealing with rules and regulations required by federal government. Date of the Event In event planning, it is paramount to decide on the best date. A single factor in event planning can change the date that the event will be take place. The decisi on that one makes towards picking a date influences the type of event that will be carried out (Wolf et al 25).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For example, a holiday party is better held at night than a fundraiser. Therefore, this will influence the type of event that in turn affect the time that will be picked. When taking a date, time of the year, time of the day and time of the week are the three main considerations that an event planner should be careful about. Planning a Budget All the other processes of event planning will rely on the amount of money that is available. It is very important to plan a budget of an event well and work within its limits. The importance of planning having a budget is that, it enables one to meet goals and objectives of the event (Wolf et al p.21). It also avoids strain during event as everything will have been properly arranged. Importance of These Steps to Event Planner The steps of event planning are very important to an event planner. The reason being, it will help one to achieve the final goal of the event. This is through following a methodical approach and ensuring that there is nothing that has been left out during event planning (Wolf et al 17). The steps will make an event planner to work within the budget. This is will be very important in the organization of an event as prior preparation will give ample time for consultation incase the budget is not enough. The steps of event planning will also offer consultations making sure that an event planner delivers a successful event at the end of the day. Finally, the steps will help in acquisition of all the required resources before the event. This will reduce headache to event planner during the event. It will also avoid last time rush that may throw the whole event into jeopardy. It offers event planner good time to make any change in case of any dif ficulty in the process of planning (Wolf et al 20). Such unseen circumstances such as rain will be considered before event and proper measures taken to avert such circumstances in good time. Therefore, the five steps for event planning are very important to event planners as they act as blueprint in event planning. Works cited Wolf, Paulette., Wolf, Jodi., Levine, Donielle. Event Planning Made Easy. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2005. Print.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The 5-Stages of Event Planning specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Compare and contrast political ideologies, such as Liberalism and Research Paper

Compare and contrast political ideologies, such as Liberalism and Conservatism - Research Paper Example Political ideologies are a product by a person’s personal beliefs, refined by many years of contemplation and further shaped by numerous life experiences. More than anything else, ideological disputes instigate a highly emotional reaction in people. Abortion, torture, foreign military intervention, gay marriage, workers rights, global warming, health care, the economy, the definition of civil liberties and, incredibly, forced trans-vaginal ultrasound along with several other politically stirring issues are causing ideological battles that have drawn clear ideological boundaries and deeply divided the nation. This paper explains the two polar opposite political points of view, liberalism and conservatism, while giving examples of how each interpret some current issues and why the conservative ideology is fundamentally flawed. The principles of Liberalism include an intense conviction in the democratic process and are confident that the people’s constitutional rights will keep the powers of the government in check. Liberal political leaders have, partially by necessity, steadily grown governmental authority beyond where the authors of the Constitution and some people would prefer. The doctrine of conservatism relies, in part, on their collective interpretation of a Christian-based ideology. As opposed to liberals, conservatives are opposed to government regulation of business but are generally in favor of laws that regulate the personal conduct of private citizens. They are determined to promote their religious agenda without consideration of personal liberties, scientific evidence or constitutional confirmation that may contradict their opinion. â€Å"At the core of the conservative ideology lays a thirst for heroes and villains, a visceral resistance to change, rigid adherence to tradition, fear of the unknown,

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

London Stock Exchange - Why Invest in Shares Research Proposal

London Stock Exchange - Why Invest in Shares - Research Proposal Example For a while, if we go into the history of stock exchange then, it is to be noted that, it was 11th century in France where the courtiers de change were concerned with maintaining the debts of agricultural communities on behalf of banks. These men could be termed as first brokers. Basic roles of stock exchanges can be outlined as below: This report is all about the importance of the stock market and how trading can be done effectively. It discusses the basic fundamental of the stock market and market variation over time and place. In turn, it explains how trading in stock market changes its behavior in a time frame. In order to make the study realistic, research has been started with an initial account of amount notional 100,000 to invest and manage an active trading policy is followed. Constraints have been put in shares to be bought in multiples of 100 if the price is less than 2 and in multiples of 50 if the price is greater than 2. Debentures and Government stocks, which have a nominal value of 100 each, may be bought without restriction. Along with that, transfer stamp is payable on all share purchases which is 0.50 for every 100 or fractional part of 100. As it is a study oriented trading, hence no provision is kept for overdraft facilities and no other source of finance. The trading period was till 28th March 2008; by this time all the holdings were liquidated and after that whatever observation is done, reported here. This paper first discusses what the stock market is all about and then the necessity of it. The trading table is presented in section 3 which describes a few more basic questions like, how the real market is different from a theoretical one and what are the factors that the market is dependent on etc.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 52

Reflection - Essay Example In this regard, the vocabulary learning process becomes easy for scholars. Memorizing vocabulary words is another way of ensuring students learns the English language with ease. According to Echevarria and   Graves (2003), the strategy utilizes memory power in intellectual development. Additionally, the strategy enables students utilize their short-term and long-term memory and attain higher mental power. Mnemonic methods are appropriate in case some students fail to memorize vocabulary words and their meanings. Sheltered instruction concept helps English language learners to practice English skills. The practice of the skills acquired in English lessons makes the students relate the English language with other disciplines of study. In this regard, the students appreciate the English language and the vocabulary used. The teachers are able to accommodate the English language learners through introduction of new concepts into their learning lives. According to Echevarria and   Graves (2003), sheltered instruction creates diversity in the learning process. As a result, students develop their knowledge and skills on a wide array of subjects. The sheltered instruction strategy incorporates all skills of learning, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Grammar and vocabulary are also involved in the sheltered instruction learning. Video use is also indispensable in the learning process. It promotes recall of ideas and concepts, and betters students’ inception through teamwo rk and teacher

Friday, November 15, 2019

Darcy Estate Management

Darcy Estate Management Darcy Estate Management Space Management and Legislation: When researching the techniques and roles adopted by the facilities managers one key criteria involved in the Darcy building relocation focused on space management. This broadened my understanding of the benefits that effective space management can bring such as economic, environmental and social when effective space management techniques are used. Before examining the approach that effective space management requires, it is important to define the term ‘space management’ and how this relates to the Darcy estate relocation and also the Oxford Brookes estate management strategy and all legislation encountered in the relocation. Space management has been defined as the ‘coordination of property space and economic optimisation of its use’ (Dussmann Service, 2013). On account of this, the overall importance Darcy Estate migration, highlights the need for a powerful space management strategy that will create a more effective and flexible way of working. In addition of foremost significance that the execution of space management is in alignment with the Oxford Brookes University (OBU) estate and business strategy. Fig.1 demonstrates the key fragments concerned with the OBU estate strategy and highlights the significance of keeping inside these guidelines to ensure the execution of any space management techniques adhere to these policies. The OBU strategy expresses that by 2020 Oxford Brookes will be the University that others campuses aspire to. Further emphasising the importance of effective space management. ‘Without a firm grip on your space management, organizations can’t align their workplace initiatives to their business goals’ (IWMS, 2010) In connection to space management, the FM is in charge of various roles inside the building, for example, the creation of a space management systems or approaches, the effects of resources and assets on space, general building layout and internal proximity, and adherence to building legislation to name but a few roles. Therefore the needs for regular internal assessments are vital to understand and mitigate against any potential issues that may emerge. We can see listed below are just some of the areas that Facilities Managers are accustomed to: Forecast future space requirements Identify ownership Identify under-utilised spaces Churn rate. Costs associated with occupation Space administration also needs to address the needs of all partners involved within such as the Brookes staff and the end users affected by the relocation. By engaging with and following up on criticism from all parties involved, it is simpler to pick up what is regarded as essential to ensure success throughout the relocation and also during occupancy. With space management the process essentially consists of internal strategic rotational moves within an organisational department to ensure maximum productivity and minimal wastage of space within the organisation, it is of major significance that the FM sees the amount of space which is required and for what reason, whilst also complying with the current estate guidelines and strategies. The OBU Space Strategy lists a number of goals that these moves need to achieve, some of which are listed: Demonstrate a sector-leading space management approach by 2015. Use the HEFCE Space Assessment Model to define space required for academic and support activities. Plan for provision of 2m2 of space per student in teaching activities by 2015. The development of technology related to FM tasks has made it easier to keep track of organisation’s assets and model changes. Computer aided facilities management (CAFM) or computer integrated facilities management (CIFM) are examples of similar such technologies. The extent of assistance these management systems can achieve is vast, some of which are listed: Move Management / Churn Control Real estate portfolio and Lease Administration Facilities Maintenance Strategic Planning For the Brookes FM team to effectively manage a facility that will align the requirements proposed within the Oxford Brookes Estate Strategy there are following strategies that can be utilised to ensure all requirements are met and the space management is at the highest possible efficiency. Audits – Analysing current working capacities can enable a more flexible working environment for ad-hoc work sessions. Hot-desking – Pooled computer rooms and working facilities, on average almost 35% of space portfolio are vacant at any point in time. This implicates that your organization pays a vast amount for NOT occupying space Fewer Meeting Rooms – Meeting space generally oversized and underused At the point of executing a space management strategy, it is critical to consider the legislation and regulatory consequences that also fall under the role of the FM team. The project relocation will have to adhere to all University requirements, combined with formalized legislation that will also have to be considered. Inability to do so can bring about internal postponement and potentially have adverse effect on the majority of the stakeholders within the Oxford Brookes domain that will require access to the Darcy Building. The most significant regulations and laws that will be included in the Darcy relocation will revolve around HS legislation. The Facilities Managers knowledge is not limited to HS legislation, the importance of considering supplementary regulations and laws such as planning and sustainability combined with contract law are all essential in the FM role. The regulations listed below are typical areas of responsibility covered by the Facilities Manager. Workplace Regulations 1992 CDM Regulations 2015 Approved Codes of Practice Building Regulations 2002. Occupiers Liability Acts 1957. Control of Asbestos Regulations 1987 The BIFM definition of FM â€Å"Facilities management is the integration of processes within an organisation to maintain and develop the agreed services which support and improve the effectiveness of its primary activities†. When drafting the relocation strategy of the Darcy building and understanding the different roles and strategies were essential, it is now clear that the FM position assumes a critical part from inception to completion on any in-house project. The Darcy Building Relocation has helped develop a holistic overview of the FM role and more specifically understand: OBU Business Estate Strategy Customer communications Legislation relating to FM role Scheduling Activities Space Management Techniques With these forming the basis of what the FM has an active role in; a deeper understanding of each was gained and proved essential in carrying out a detailed presentation of the Darcy building relocation. In essence, the FM is crucial in delivering a project with minimal disruption, a high degree of stakeholder satisfaction and a flexible, functional and efficient use of space. These are the fundamentals of what results in a successful project. Word Count – 1,181 References Dussmann Service. (2013). http://www.facility-management-glossary.com/ IWMSNews.com, (2010). 9 Benefits of Space Management That Will Impact Your Bottom Line Big Time. Oxford Brookes University. (2011-2015). Towards a University Estate Strategy. Booty, F. (2009). Facilities management handbook. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. Wiggins, J. (2015). FM Tutor, FM and the Law. http://www.mazefind.co.uk/FMtutor/fm_and_the_law.pdf 1

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Skateboard Heaven :: Personal Narrative Essays

Skateboard Heaven      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I come around the corner, and a smile comes across my face.   I love it when there isn't a crowd.   Only two other people braved the chill, and had the will, to get up this early.   Upon arrival, my view is enhanced. Though I've seen it enough to burn an image into my subconscious, each visit brings new wonder.   I climb onto the lower platform, and quickly scale the small wall to the upper.   I nod at the other already standing there.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I've seen him before, but I don't need to know his name.   A silent friendship binds us that rarely needs words.   An occasional cheer or wince says more than the daily chat most are forced to endure.   The sound of the second person rolls softly in my ears. His image creeps into the corner of my eye while I inspect my shoes.   I scrub the soles back and forth on the pavement, out of habit, to insure a dry surface.   I don't bother to watch him.   I can hear him rolling smoothly down low.   His slow, relaxed warm up run tells me he probably arrived short time ago.   He makes his way up the back wall and his wheels go silent.   The other one puts his foot on his tail and effortlessly rolls his truck over the coping.   I watch him quickly drop away and coast to the hip.   He glides past it, and I start to notice the entire view before me as he blends into a larger picture.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I see grey.   Every shade of grey, in all its variety blends and curves from the lightest near whites, to a deepness rivaling black. The darkness overhead   drones with the sound of a thousand automobile tires humming on the top of the bridge.   Though designed for another purpose, it serves well as protection from the rain and weather.   The sun and light, as well as the wind, come from the sides.   The wind blows softly this morn, yet it nips at   exposed skin.   I know I will soon appreciate its soothing aspects as I warm up, so I try not to be bitter about it chilling my already cool body.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I hear the familiar pop of an ollie and my eyes automatically track

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Microeconomics and the Law of Supply and Demand Essay

During the simulation of Goodlife Inc. I was able to see how the effects of a lower rent verses a higher rent had on the vacancy percentage. In our simulation the town of Atlantis had only one rental agency with apartments available. There were single family homes available too but the need for renting was with apartments. I got to see how the supply and demand worked with this rental property simulation. The town of Atlantis saw a rise in population which led to a higher demand for vacant units. This caused Goodlife to raise its rent to meet the growing demand for its available units. But as the demand for renting the units fell so did the demand. This meant Goodlife had to lower its rental price to meet the lesser demand for renting. This is a good example of microeconomics. When I looked at the simulation for examples of macroeconomics I found it when the government stepped in to put a cap on the rent amount. In the simulation there was a survey that showed individuals were living outside of Atlantis rather than renting a place in the city limits where they work. As many of us do currently in our own lives we usually can’t afford to live in the city or area where the best jobs are. I am a prime example, I commute 50 miles one way to work as it’s where the best salary is. I live in an area where housing and rents are affordable and the overall cost of living is cheaper too. In the simulation, the government put a cap of $1550 for the monthly rent of a two bedroom apartment. This was meant to allow middle class families and individuals the opportunity to live where they work. Because of the rent cap, Goodlife didn’t rent out every apartment available as profits would not be able to keep up with the maintenance cost of having every uni t rented. When we look at what a shift in supply and demand curve we see that clearly when Lintech Inc. moved into Atlantis creating more jobs. As soon as  Lintech did this it increased the population of Atlantis which was the shift in the supply curve. This was a negative impact for Goodlife as there was more population needing apartments and not enough two bedroom apartments available. The demand curve now goes up because of the population growth and need for more apartments. With Lintech moving into the city and the population now increasing the demand it means that the quantity demand is now more than quantity supplied at the original equilibrium. This also caused a temporary shortage in the market of two bedrooms apartments in Atlantis. Rental rates went up due to the higher demand. Also quantity demand decreased and quantity supplied increases which leads to a reduction of apartments or shortage of apartments. To get to the new equilibrium the adjustment needs to get between the new demand curve and the original supply curve. When the new equilibrium is reached the rental rates are now higher than they were before. This also means that the number of apartments that are demanded and the supply of apartments has also increased. I can apply this supply and demand to my workplace job. When I have a customer that wants to ship more packages with us on a new daily bases I have to look at the new demand. Before their demand for shipping more I didn’t need extra couriers and trucks to handle the day’s deliveries. Now with the new demand I have to get my supply of couriers and trucks at the last minute. This causes me to have to spend more money to rent more vans and hire more employees. Overall my cost go up with the demand of more shipping packages, but so does my profit as I am able to use more supplies to handle the new demand. To better understand how the concept of microeconomics helps me understand the factors that affect shifts in supply and demand on the equilibrium price and quantity I have to look at the competitors and their prices. The bidding for the competition and where it comes across the equilibrium is the point at which the new equilibrium is now. But under the view of macroeconomics it is seen when the jobs and population grew. This effected the increase and decrease on the available apartments. Now the equilibrium  for rentals is higher then it was before the move in by Lintech. So is the number of apartments demanded and supplies has increased. In the simulation we saw how with lower prices meant that the demand was higher. But with the demand for apartments came higher prices. But if the price was to increase too much the demand for apartments would decrease. There is also a possibility that it could remain the same over a short period of time, then decrease if prices didn’t change. This simulation showed lots of possibilities that could exists in today’s world, or at least in Atlantis. We see what price could do to supply and demand for apartments and what demand could do to price and supply. When either is moved or switched leads to various outcomes the will lead an economy like Atlantis to either run out of its supply of apartments or have an increase in supply of apartments because the prices are too high. Reference Microeconomics, Ninth Edition, David C. Colander (2013) University of Phoenix

Friday, November 8, 2019

Learn Chemistry - Help, Tutorials, Problems Quizzes

Learn Chemistry - Help, Tutorials, Problems Quizzes Learn chemistry! Get chemistry help, tutorials, example problems, self-quizzes, and chemistry tools so you can learn the concepts of general chemistry. Introduction to ChemistryLearn about what chemistry is and how the science of chemistry is studied.What Is Chemistry?What Is the Scientific Method? Math BasicsMath is used in all the sciences, including chemistry. To learn chemistry, you need to understand algebra, geometry, and some trig, as well as be able to work in scientific notation and perform unit conversions.Accuracy Precision ReviewSignificant FiguresScientific NotationPhysical ConstantsMetric Base UnitsTable of Derived Metric UnitsMetric Unit PrefixesUnit CancellingTemperature ConversionsExperimental Error Calculations Atoms and MoleculesAtoms are the basic building blocks of matter. Atoms join together to form compounds and molecules. Learn about the parts of the atom and how atoms form bonds with other atoms.Basic Model of the AtomBohr ModelAtomic Mass Atomic Mass NumberTypes of Chemical BondsIonic vs Covalent BondsRules for Assigning Oxidation NumbersLewis Structures and Electron Dot ModelsIntroduction to Molecular GeometryWhat Is a Mole?More About Molecules MolesLaw of Multiple Proportions StoichiometryStoichiometry describes the proportions between atoms in molecules and reactants/products in chemical reactions. Learn about how matter reacts in predictable ways so that you can balance chemical equations.Types of Chemical ReactionsHow to Balance EquationsHow to Balance Redox ReactionsGram to Mole ConversionsLimiting Reactant Theoretical YieldMole Relations in Balanced EquationsMass Relations in Balanced Equations States of MatterThe states of matter are defined by the structure of matter as well as whether it has a fixed shape and volume. Learn about the different states and how matter transforms itself from one state to another.States of MatterPhase Diagrams Chemical ReactionsOnce you have learned about atoms and molecules, youre ready to examine the type of chemical reactions that can occur.Reactions in WaterTypes of Inorganic Chemical Reactions Periodic TrendsThe properties of the elements exhibit trends based on the structure of their electrons. The trends or periodicity can be used to make predictions about the nature of the elements.Periodic Properties TrendsElement Groups SolutionsIts important to understand how mixtures behave.Solutions, Suspensions, Colloids, DispersionsCalculating Concentration GasesGases exhibit special properties based on having no fixed size or shape.Introduction to Ideal GasesIdeal Gas LawBoyles LawCharles LawDaltons Law of Partial Pressures Acids BasesAcids and bases are concerned with the actions of hydrogen ions or protons in aqueous solutions.Acid Base DefinitionsCommon Acids BasesStrength of Acids BasesCalculating pHBuffersSalt FormationHenderson-Hasselbalch EquationTitration BasicsTitration Curves Thermochemistry Physical ChemistryLearn about the relationships between matter and energy.Laws of ThermochemistryStandard State ConditionsCalorimetry, Heat Flow and EnthalphyBond Energy Enthalpy ChangeEndothermic Exothermic ReactionsWhat Is Absolute Zero? KineticsMatter is always in motion! Learn about the motion of atoms and molecules, or kinetics.Factors that Affect Reaction RateCatalystsChemical Reaction Order Atomic Electronic StructureMuch of the chemistry that you learn is associated with electronic structure, since electrons can move around much more easily than protons or neutrons.Valences of the ElementsAufbau Principle Electronic StructureElectron Configuration of the ElementsAufbau Principle Electronic StructureNernst EquationQuantum Numbers Electron OrbitalsHow Magnets Work Nuclear ChemistryNuclear chemistry is concerned with the behavior of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus.Radiation RadioactivityIsotopes Nuclear SymbolsRate of Radioactive DecayAtomic Mass Atomic AbundanceCarbon-14 Dating Chemistry Practice Problems Index of Worked Chemistry Problems Printable Chemistry Worksheets Chemistry Quizzes How to Take a Test Atom Basics Quiz Atomic Structure Quiz Acids Bases Quiz Chemical Bonds Quiz Changes in State Quiz Compound Naming Quiz Element Number Quiz Element Picture Quiz Units of Measurement Quiz General Chemistry Tools Periodic Table Chemistry Glossary Chemical Structures - Find the structures for molecules, compounds, and functional groups.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

jimmy jam and lewis the pioneers Essays

jimmy jam and lewis the pioneers Essays jimmy jam and lewis the pioneers Essay jimmy jam and lewis the pioneers Essay jimmy jam and lewis the pioneers BY th80 MORRIS 11 PRODUCER JIMMY JAM TERRY LEWIS Don Morris Studio Recording PRODUCER PAPER 11 MORRIS 12 Jimmy Jam And Terry Lewis: Pioneers of Modern RB If New Jack Swing , Soul, or RB had parents, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are shining examples of what make a happy home. For decades the world has been influenced by the creations of these two men. They have not only shaped their artist into stars, they shaped the genre as a whole. James Jimmy Jam Harris and Terry Lewis are both native Minnesotans who met in igh school at a college program at the U of M. Shortly after they formed a band called Flyte Tyme. In the early 80s, the band renamed itself The Time after incorporating Morris Day into the group. The groups early albums shaped what we know as RB and created the new Jack swing style of music. The band was created due to a cause in Princes contract with Warner Brothers. The clause allow Prince to recruit and produce acts for the label. In interviews with the duo, they stated that the creation of The Time is when everything started. During this early time with The Time is when they learned to esh their two worlds of productions and musical styles into what it is today. They both had been very musical growing up so this is also when they honed a lot of their production techniques. A hot producer of the early 80s was a man by the name of Leon Sylvers, the duo states they received skills and got their production chops by watching him produce tracks. Jimmy Jam said, Between Leon and Prince-we got great 12 MORRIS B After working with The Time, the duo went on to produce songs for the SOS Band and Alexander ONeal. In 1986 Jam and Lewis started producing, the actress, Janet Jacksons first album and won them their first Grammy award. They also had great success on Janets second album Rhythm Nation 1814. Jam and Lewis have accumulated 16 No. 1 pop hits and 25 No. l R hits in their career. They have won 4 Grammies and have had 8 nominations over the past 3 decades. The duo was inducted into the SoulMusic Hall of Fame in 2012 and has 3 consecutive decades of number 1 records produced and hundreds of platinum albums under their belt. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are pioneers of a genre, creators of the Minnesota Sound, and amazing producers. Without their musical influence I believe not only R wouldnt be the same, but hip hop, pop, funk wouldnt have the same flair. Flyte Tyme. Flyte Tyme. N. p. , n. d. Web. 08 Oct. 2013. Jimmy Jam Terry Lewis Production Discography. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 09 Dec. 2013. web. 15 oct. 2013. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Interview. Interview. YouTube. YouTube, 25 Apr. 2013. web. 15 oct. 2013.. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Mar. 2013. Web. 23 oct. 2013. Philbrook, Erik. Powerhouse: Jimmy Jam Terry Lewis Celebrate 30 Years as ASCAP Members. Www. ascap. com. N. p. , 19 Sept. 2013. Web. 08 Nov. 2013. 14

Monday, November 4, 2019

Rain and Humidity Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Rain and Humidity - Assignment Example Answer: As the saturation vapor pressure varies directly with temperature, the relative humidity varies inversely with temperature. If no water vapor were added to or removed from unsaturated air, the relative humidity increase as the temperature drops and decreases as the temperature rises. That’s why the air temperature usually rises from a minimum during sunrise to a maximum during early to mid-afternoon on a clear calm day. Question 7. Why does the amount of precipitable water vary with the mean temperature of the troposphere? Answer: The average precipitable water decreases with latitude in response to the pole ward decline in the mean air temperature because evaporation and precipitable water are lower in cold regions. Precipitable water varies from 4.0 cm in the humid tropics to less than 0.5 cm at the Polar Regions. When troposphere in middle and high latitudes is warmest during summer, the amounts of precipitable water are highest. Question 9. Why are clouds and precipitation more likely on the windward slopes of a mountain range than the leeward slopes? Answer: Air that is forced to ascend the windward slopes expands and cools which increases its relative humidity. On sufficient cooling, saturation is achieved and clouds and precipitation develop.... Question 10. What is the significance of a rain shadow for agriculture? Answer: A rain shadow with semi-arid to arid conditions is considered to be the boundary between dry land and rain-fed agriculture. This climate contrast affects the indigenous plant and animal communities, domestic water supply, demand for irrigation water, types of crops that can be grown, and requirements for human shelter. Chapter 6, Critical Thinking Questions Question 2. How and why does the moisture content of the top soil affect the maximum air temperature in the lower troposphere? Answer: Solar radiation heats up the ground surface that transfers heat and moisture from top soil to the atmosphere. This heat and moisture transfer between earth’s surface and the atmosphere occurs by sensible heating (conduction and convection). The heated air has much more capacity to hold moisture content than cooler air. The release or absorption of latent heat affects temperature in the lower troposphere. The asce nding humid air currents also expand and cool influencing the surrounding ambient air temperature. The evaporated moisture content from top soils also adds to the green house effect by trapping more infrared radiation. Question 3. In late autumn or early winter, cold air flows on northwest winds from snow-covered ground across the ice-free waters of Lake Superior. Describe the changes in temperature, vapor pressure, and stability of the cold air as it flows over the lake. Answer: In late autumn or early winter, the ice free waters of Lake Superior are warmer compared to the cold air masses flowing from the North West. When this cold air passes over the lake, the lower levels of the atmosphere take up excessive moisture and heat. The

Friday, November 1, 2019

Critical Thinking - Model 3 - Case - Deductive and Inductive Argumens Coursework

Critical Thinking - Model 3 - Case - Deductive and Inductive Argumens - Coursework Example This is the characteristic of most research activities involving scientific studies. In deductive reasoning, the approach to the conclusion always follows a top to bottom manner (Asheim, 47). This follows that the researcher or investigator always commences with the general hypothesis and narrows down to a specific one in his or her conclusion (Winch, 35). In relation to this, it is of crucial significance to note that the case of Edward depicts a form of deductive reasoning. This follows that Edward first starts by general notion and narrows down to a specific notion in order to substantiate his claims. He points out that all nurses always like to draw blood from the patients. Thus, being one of them, the same applies. This is a form of deductive reasoning. As a response, it is necessary for Edward to understand that making conclusions based on unsupported generalized claims is not appropriate. In this manner, it is important to note that nurses differ in their medical practices as well as decisions. Therefore, the decision taken by one nurse should not necessarily be the one that all nurses must follow. This is important in making Edward understand that there is no solid evidence to justify his claims. Thus, it will be in order for Edward to understand that it is not a must that any nurse must follow or copy what others always do. T his will be important in making Edward refrain from making conclusions following unsubstantiated

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Discuss Nora Helmer's journey from 'dolly' wife to emanicapted woman Essay

Discuss Nora Helmer's journey from 'dolly' wife to emanicapted woman in ''A Doll's House'' by Ibsen - Essay Example In this situation, Nora is depicted as an extravagant woman who spends a lot of money on Christmas presents and home improvements. Yet the play goes well past such meanings and point of view, so that when all the characters and intensities have appeared during the plot development, the play seems to point to something different from what the readers have supposed at the beginning. The first factor of change is marked by a blackmail form Nils Krogsta. In order to save her husband, Nora lent some money from Nils Krogstad, but he found that Nora forged her dying father's signature. When Nora finds a letter, she matures and understands that the disclosure will cost her love and devotion of her husband and happy family life. As a mature woman, she does everything possible to solve the situation (ask her friend Christine to help her), but fails. In Nora's remarks, readers can find the stages of a repudiation of such a "civilized" development, and this refusal, going deeper than a social responsibility. Though, because social role of the wife is predetermined, Ibsen underlines that Nora feels miserable and depressed. The symbolic meaning of blackmail helps readers to grasp the idea at once shaping atmosphere of the play. Also, this setting contemplates nature, both the natural world around the narrator and her own inner nature. Another unique setting is Torvald's st udy. Before he shuts the door he calls to him" (Ibsen).

Monday, October 28, 2019

Gatorade Sport Drinks Essay Example for Free

Gatorade Sport Drinks Essay Gatorade is a brand of flavored non-carbonated sports drinks manufactured by PepsiCo and distributed in over 80 countries. [1] It was first developed in 1965 by researchers at the University of Florida, as a means of replenishing the fluid, carbohydrates and electrolytes that are divested from the body during physical exertion. Its name was derived from the school’s football team, the Gators. Originally produced and marketed by Stokley-Van Camp, the Gatorade sports drink brand was purchased by the Quaker Oats Company in 1983, which was acquired by PepsiCo in 2001. As of 2009, Gatorade is PepsiCo’s 4th-largest brand, on the basis of worldwide annual retail sales. It primarily competes with Powerade and Vitaminwater worldwide, as well as Lucozade Sport in the United Kingdom. Within the U. S. , Gatorade accounts for approximately 75 percent market share in the sports drink category. [2] PepsiCo Inc. (NYSE:PEP) is a global manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of food and beverages, owning many well-known brands including Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Tropicana, Gatorade, and Quaker Oats. [1] PepsiCo operates in over 200 countries, with its largest markets in North America and the United Kingdom. [2] In 2009, the companys revenues were $43. 23 billion with net income of $5. 95 billion. [3] Unlike its major competitor, the Coca-Cola Company (KO), the majority of PepsiCos revenues do not come from carbonated soft drinks. [4] In fact, beverages account for less than 50% of total revenue. [4] Additionally, over 60% of PepsiCos beverage sales come from its key noncarbonated brands like Gatorade and Tropicana. [5] PepsiCos diverse portfolio can mitigate the impact of poor conditions in any one of its markets. Strong demand growth in international markets the company serves 86% of the worlds population and international sales account for 48% of revenue is helping to offset a sluggish domestic market and provided the company with opportunities for continued expansion. [6] [7] PepsiCo is highly exposed to raw materials costs. Prices for the most important input materials, aluminum, PET plastic, corn, sugar, and juice concentrates fluctuate widely. For example, aluminum prices have fallen nearly 60% from their 2008 highs of $1. 50/pound to less than $0. 90/pound. [8]. PepsiCo has benefitted from lower input prices after the collapse of the commodities super spike of 2008. Contents 1 Company Overview 1. 1 Quarterly Earnings 1. 2 Bottlers 1. 3 Operating Segments 2 Trends Forces 2. 1 PepsiCo Must Survive a US Slowdown While Capturing International Growth 2. 2 Commodity Costs are Pressuring Margins 2. 2. 1 Pepsi Must Face a Declining Demand for Carbonated Soft Drinks 2. 2. 2 The Dollar Affects International Performance 3 Competition 3. 1 Beverages 3. 2 Snacks and Convenient Foods 3. 3 Coke vs. Pepsi 3. 3. 1 Global Footprint 3. 3. 2 Diversified Product Offering 4 References On April 20, 2009, PepsiCo made an offer to acquire its two largest bottlers, Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) and Whitman (PAS), for $6 billion in a combined cash and stock deal. The deal was turned down, forcing PepsiCo to make a sweetened $7. 8 billion offer on August 4, 2009. PepsiCo hopes to streamline manufacturing and distribution through the acquisitions, allowing it to bring new products to market more quickly and efficiently. The company expects to gain full control of 80% of its North American market and increase pre-tax profit by $300 million, increasing eps by $. 15. [9] The deal adds $4 billion in debt to PepsiCos balance sheet. According to PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, the acquisition is necessary to consolidate profit as there is not enough total profit in the North American beverage industry to support investments in several different companies. [10] The acquisition closed on March 1, 2010. [11] With the purchase of Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) and Whitman (PAS) in 2010, company executives have said that it will lead to increased joint marketing that will bundle the companys snack and beverage offerings together. [12]. In December 2010, PepsiCo announced the purchase of 66% of Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods, a Russian food and beverage company, for $3. 8 billion. After completing this acquisition, the company is planning to buy the remaining 34%. [13] Wimm-Bill-Dan is the leading producer of dairy products in Russia and they also have a large market share for juice; the purchase significantly expands Pepsis presence in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The addition of Wimm-Bill-Dann moves Pepsi closer to their goal of creating a global nutrition business worth $20 billion by 2020. [14] The acquisition comes three months after the Coca-Cola Companys purchase of Nidan Juices, a leading Russian juice manufacturer. [15] Company Overview PEP Revenues by Segment[16] PepsiCo is the largest snack and non-alcoholic drink producer in the United States, with 39% and 25% of the respective market shares. [16] Although the carbonated soft drink market in the US has gradually declined since the mid-2000s, PepsiCo has been able to grow revenues and net income through product diversification and international expansion. In 2008, the company posted revenues of $43. 3 billion, a 9. 6% increase from 2007; net income fell by 9% to $5. 1 billion. [17] The increase in revenues was primarily driven by higher sales volumes in the key European and Asian markets as well as company wide price increases. [18] The fall in net income was attributable to two reasons. First, PepsiCo recognized a $346 million mark-to-market loss on derivatives used to hedge its commodity exposure. [19] Next, the company incurred restructuring costs of $543 million in relation to its Productivity for Growth program. [20] PepsiCo expects to record another $30-60 million charge in 2009 to complete the program, which will close six plants in an effort to streamline PepsiCos global supply chain. [20] Quarterly Earnings Q1 2009 In the first quarter of 2009, PepsiCo posted revenues of $8. 263 billion, a 1% decrease from Q1 2008 figures; net income fell less than 1% to $1. 135 billion. [21] Although net pricing across PepsiCos product line increased by 7% during the quarter, the company was negatively impacted by a 7% foreign exchange loss due to the strengthening US dollar, as well as a 2% net decrease in sales volume. [22] Q2 2009 In the second quarter of 2009, PepsiCo posted revenues of $10. 592 billion, a 3% decrease from Q2 2008 figures; net income fell less than 1% to $1. 66 billion. [23] PepsiCos volumes remained roughly constant between the quarters, with snack gaining 1% and beverages losing 1%. The decrease in net revenues was due to a weakening of the companys US beverage operations, which decreased by 9%, in addition to the strengthening dollar, which adversely affected revenues by 8. 5%. Ignoring these changes, revenues would have grown by 5. 5%, driven by gains in the the Latin America Foods and Asia/Middle East/Africa divisions. Net income remained roughly constant as input costs fell in line with net revenues. Ignoring currency fluctuations, Earnings Per Share (EPS) would have grown by 8%. [23] Q3 2009 In the third quarter of 2009, PepsiCo had revenues of $11. 08 billion, a 1. 5% decrease from Q3 2008; net income increased 12% to $2. 23 billion. [24] The increasing value of the US Dollar negatively affected net income by 7% and the company had $9 million in costs associated with its merger with PBG and PAS, its two largest bottlers. [25] Worldwide, beverage volume increased 0. 5% while snack volume increased 2%. Frito-Lay North America, the largest division of PepsiCo, grew net revenue by 5% and increased volume by 3%. [26] Through the first three quarters of 2009, Frito-Lay was the fastest growing consumer goods company in North America. [27] The second largest division, PepsiCo Americas Beverages, saw net revenues decline by 9% and total volume decline of 6%. [28] Both Gatorade and Aquafina had double-digit volume declines; discussing Gatorade, executives attribute the decline to casual consumers budget worries and insist that the core consumer, athletes, are still buying the brand. [29] In Latin America and Europe, net revenue declined 10% and 2% respectively, driven primarily by foreign currency weakness compared to the US Dollar. [30] Q4 2009 In the fourth quarter of 2009, PepsiCo had revenues of $13. 3 billion, a 4. 7% increase from Q4 2008; net income increased 99% to $1. 43 billion. [31] Operating income for the quarter was $2 billion. [32] Pepsi American Foods net revenues increased 4%, with a 5% revenues decrease for Quaker Foods being offset by 2% revenue growth for Frito-Lay and 10% revenue growth for Latin American Foods. Pepsi American Beverages net revenues decreased 2% as a result of a 5% decrease in volume. Pepsi Internationals net revenues increased 5%, supported by 4% revenue growth in Europe and 7% growth in AMEA. Volumes for AMEA increased 13% in the quarter while volumes for Europe decreased 3%. [33] AMEAs strong quarter was based on a 13% increase in snack sales and 5% increase in beverage volumes, with 21% growth in beverage volume in India. [34] However, Chinas beverage volume decreased, which implies a market share loss to Coca-Cola Company (KO), whose China volumes grew 29% during the same period. [35] Q1 2010 In the first quarter of 2010, PepsiCo had revenues of $9. 4 billion, a 13. 4% increase from Q1 2009; net income increased 26% to $1. 4 billion. Operating income for the quarter decreased 47% to $840 million. [36] On February 26, PepsiCo completed the acquisition of its two largest bottlers for approximately $12. 6 billion; charges related to the merger in this quarter were approximately $282 million . [37] Worldwide snack volume for the quarter increased 1% while beverages volume dropped 0. 5%. Frito-Lays operating profit increased 10%, primarily as a result of increased sales of variety product packs and the decreased cost of cooking oil. [38] Quaker Foods revenue decreased 1% because of declines in ready-to-eat cereals and oatmeal, which were partially offset by substantial growth in the Roni brand; operating profit declined by 12% mainly as a result of insurance recoveries related to last years flood at Cedar Rapids. [39] In Latin America, favorable net pricing and a 1% increase in volume resulted in a 13% increase in revenues; however unfavorable currency exchange rates in Venezuela (19% decrease) accounted for a 12% decline in operating profit. [40] In Europe, favorable currency exchange rates offset 4% declines in snack and beverage volumes, for net revenues increase of 5% and operating income increase of 16%. [41] Double-digit growth in snacks and beverages volumes for India and China drove net revenues up 23% and operating income up 17% for the Asia, Middle East, and Africa segment. [42] The companys Americas Beverages segment saw volumes slip 4% (despite a 2% gain from a recent distribution agreement with Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS)) with a double-digit decline in Aquafina volume. However, net revenues increased 32% while operating income decreased 83% as a result of the completed merger with PepsiCos two largest bottlers. [43] The merger makes comparisons to previous quarters very challenging, however the Americas Beverages segment is in the process of de-emphasizing less-profitable products in favor of higher end offerings, such as Gatorade, which saw nearly 10% volume gains in the quarter. [44] Q2 2010 In the second quarter of 2010, PepsiCo had revenues of $14. 8 billion, up 40% from Q2 2009; net income decreased 3. 4% to $1. 6 billion. Operating income increased 12. 3% to $2. 46 billion. [45] The primary reason for the discrepancy in revenues and net income was the ongoing costs associated with the companys purchase of its primary bottlers. In Q2 2010 charges related to the restructuring decreased income by $155 million. [46] Worldwide volume increased 7% with an 11% increase in beverages and 1% increase in snacks. Frito-Lay pound volume fell 3% but net income increased 2%. The segment also benefited from lower commodity costs, in particular lower prices for cooking oil. Quaker Foods North Americas revenue fell by 4% with a 2% decline in volume that was primarily attributable to a decrease in cereal volume. [47] Latin America Foods net revenue increased 12% with a 2% increase in volume. However, operating profit fell by 5% after an unfavorable court settlement decreased profits by 5% and unfavorable currency exchange rates added another 5% to the decrease. The companys Americas Beverages increased revenues by 112% as a result of the merger with its major bottlers; volume for the quarter increased 13% with 8% coming from the acquisition of bottling operations in Mexico and 6% from PepsiCos contract with Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. [48] In Europe, net revenues increased 47% with snack volumes growing at 2% and beverage volume growing at 10%. Sales improved in most of Western Europe and Russia but declined slightly in Eastern European countries such as Romania and Ukraine (with the one exception of double-digit beverage growth in Turkey). [49] In Asia, Middle East, and Africa, where the company has recently invested significant funds in increasing manufacturing capabilities, net revenue grew 22%. Snack volume grew 16% and beverage volumes increased by 8%. India saw double-digit growth in both categories, while snack volume in the Middle East and China grew more than 10%. [50] Q3 2010 In the third quarter of 2010, PepsiCo had revenues of $15. 5 billion, up nearly 40% from Q3 2009; net income increased more than 11% to $1. 9 billion. Operating income increased by 25% to $2. 8 billion. [51] The companys volume and revenues increased worldwide for both food (+2. 5%) and beverages (+11%). Quaker Foods was the companys only division that failed to grow its operating income from 2009 with the largest gains posted by North American beverages, Europe, and Latin America Foods. [52] PepsiCo Americas Beverages operating profit grew nearly 80% for the quarter with the majority of this growth related to the companys purchase of its main bottlers in Q1 2010. However, volume grew by 13% during the quarter reflecting 8% growth in Mexico (operations in Mexico were included in the bottling merger), 6% volume growth due to the companys new contract with Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS), and a 4% decline in carbonated beverages in North America that was more than offset by a 5% increase in non-carbonated beverages. The success of the latter was due primarily to a double-digit increase in volume for Gatorade; water sales continued to fall during the quarter. [53] In Europe, volume growth related to the bottling merger accounted for a 7% increase, while double-digit growth in Russia, the UK, and Turkey pushed volume up 17% in total. Snack volume for the quarter grew by 3%, again supported by Russia, the UK, Turkey, and France. Both beverages and snack volume fell by more than 10% in Romania during the quarter. [54] Latin America Foods operating profit grew by 22% as a result of a double-digit volume increase in Brazil and nearly 10% increase in volume for the Sabritas brand in Mexico. [55] Operating profit for Quaker Foods decreased by more than 5% as a result of a 1% decline in volume, especially for Roni and Oatmeal brands. For Frito-Lay North America, pound volume declined 2% as a result of overlap with the companys 20% More Free promotion; sales of Sun Chips fell by more than 10% forced the company to abandon its compostable, albeit noisy, packaging. [56] In the Asia, Middle East, and Africa segment snack volume grew by 16% and beverage volume grew by 4%. Snack volumes grew significantly in the Middle East, China, India, and Australia while only China exhibited strong single-digit beverage growth. [57] Bottlers *Note Pepsis acquisition of Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) and PepsiAmericas (PAS) was completed on March 1, 2010 PepsiCos beverage division manufactures concentrated syrup forms for all of Pepsis beverage brands. PEP sells these concentrates to bottlers for production, packaging, and distribution of the final products. PepsiCo grants bottlers the use of Pepsi trademarks and other brand rights within certain geographic regions. In August 2009, Pepsi made a $7 billion offer to acquire Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) and PepsiAmericas (PAS). As the US carbonated beverage market shrinks from 60% of all nonalcoholic beverages in 1999 to 35% in 2009 PepsiCo hopes to consolidate the earnings of the three companies for shareholders. [9] Additionally, PepsiCo believes the acquisitions will streamline company-wide distribution through economies of scales. Three companies distribute 60% of PepsiCos North American beverage volume:[58] The Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) is the largest of PepsiCos bottlers. PepsiCo has a 33% stake in Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG), and claims its share of income under the equity method of accounting. [59] PepsiAmericas (PAS) is the second-largest bottler in the Pepsi system. PepsiCo has a 43% stake in PepsiAmericas (PAS), and claims its share of income under the equity method of accounting. [60] Pepsi Bottling Ventures is the third-largest domestic bottling company within the Pepsi system. The company was formed in 1999 when five of Pepsi’s bottling companies consolidated to form PBV. Operating Segments PepsiCo operates in six divisions: Frito-Lay North America (29% of Revenue, 43% of Operating Income)[61] manufactures, markets and sells branded snacks. Popular products include Lays Potato Chips, Doritos Tortilla Chips, Cheetos, Rold Gold Pretzels, and SunChips. [1] Following the companys purchase of Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) and Whitman (PAS), company executives have said that it will lead to increased joint marketing, bundling the companys snack and beverage offerings. [62] Quaker Foods North America (4% of Revenue, 8% of Operating Income)[61] manufactures, markets and sells cereals, rice, pasta and other branded products. Popular products include Quaker Oatmeal, Aunt Jemima mixes and syrups, Cap n Crunch cereal, Rice-A-Roni, and Life cereal. [1] Latin America Foods (14% of Revenue, 13% of Operating Income)[61] manufactures, markets and sells a number of leading salty and sweet snack brands. Popular products include Gamesa, Doritos, Cheetos, and Ruffles. [4] PepsiCo Americas Beverages (25% of Revenue, 29% of Operating Income)[61] manufactures, markets and sells beverage concentrates, fountain syrups and finished goods, under various beverage brands. Popular products include Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Tropicana, and Izze. [4] United Kingdom Europe (15% of Revenue, 10% of Operating Income)[61] manufactures, markets and sells a number of leading salty and sweet snack brands. Popular products include Lays, Walkers, Doritos, and Cheetos. [4] Middle East, Africa, and Asia (13% of Revenue, 8% of Operating Income)[61] manufactures, markets and sells a number of leading salty and sweet snack brands. Popular products include Lays, Smiths, Doritos, and Cheetos. [63] Trends Forces PepsiCo Must Survive a US Slowdown While Capturing International Growth Soaring food and energy prices[64], the housing slump[65] and a weakening job market[66] are putting the breaks on consumer spending in North America, even in the typically recession proof drinks and snacks market. Emerging markets such as China, India, Eastern Europe and Latin America present strong growth opportunities for Pepsico. In December 2010, Pepsi announced their purchase of Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods, a Russian food and beverage company, for $5. 4 billion[67]; the purchase followed Coca-Colas purchase of a Russian juice company for $300 million in summer 2010. [68] Wimm-Bill-Dan is the leading producer of dairy products in Russia and they also have a large market share for juice; the purchase significantly expands Pepsis presence in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The company had sales of $2. 6 billion in 2010 and serves approximately 280 million customers in Eurasia. [69] In addition to making international acquisitions, PepsiCo is investing significant resources in expanding their manufacturing capabilities in developing markets. The company has pledged to invest $3. 5 billion in China through 2013, mainly through the construction of 10 to 12 new manufacturing facilities (in addition to the 27 it currently operates). In China, Pepsi is also pursuing a strategy of buying back stakes in its Chinese operations from local partners. These acquisitions will give the company greater control over its operations while increasing profits. Unlike the saturated North American market, Chinas carbonated drink market is growing at almost 20% annually. [70] In late August 2010, PepsiCo announced its plan to invest $250 million in new manufacturing plants in Vietnam further expanding its footprint in the region. In the past two years, the company invested in two other manufacturing plants in Vietnam, and it currently operates five plants in the country. [71] In Latin America, the company has pledged $3 million over the next three years to create an agriculture research center in Peru, which will focus on the discovery of new potato and other vegetable varieties. [72] Pepsis expects their global nutrition business will be worth $20 billion by 2020. [73] Commodity Costs are Pressuring Margins 2007-2009 PET resin prices, ? /pound [74] PepsiCos profitability can be affected directly and indirectly by the costs of various production inputs. PEP is responsible for purchasing the raw materials used to make its products in all its markets and also acts as an agent for the purchase of its bottlers raw materials. Some of the raw materials used by PEP include grains such as corn, wheat flour, oats and rice; fruit and vegetable products like oranges, potatoes, and juice concentrates; sugar; and vegetable and essential oils. For example, aluminum prices have fallen more than 60% from their 2008 highs of $1. 50/pound to less than $0. 65/pound. [8] Changes in the prices of such raw materials could impact total production costs and the company’s profit margins. Changes in bottlers production input costs can also indirectly impact PEPs profits. If a bottlers raw materials become more expensive, it might pass on the increase to customers, which could lead to a loss of market share as customers switch to more affordable alternatives. The primary raw materials used by bottlers are high fructose corn syrup, which is used as a sweetener, aluminum, used to make cans, and PET Resin, used for plastic bottles. In an effort to insulate itself from market forces, PepsiCo has invested $29. 3 million in five farms in China, making it one of the countrys largest agricultural companies. [75] The farms primarily produce potatoes for the companys potato chip brands and by 2005, the company was the largest private potato grower in the country. [76] In her 2008 visit to China, CEO Indra Nooyi said that the company is planning to invest $1 billion in China by 2012. [77] In addition to its farms in China, Pepsi has 12,000 contract farmers in India growing potatoes on 16,000 acres of land. In addition to potatoes, the company is hoping to expand its contract farming initiative to include oats in the near future. [78] Pepsi Must Face a Declining Demand for Carbonated Soft Drinks Consumer demand for CSD has been negatively affected by concerns about health and wellness. Since 1999, carbonated soft drinks have dropped from 60% to 35% of total US beverage volume. [9] Rising health and wellness concerns can be attributed to increasing concern for obesity as well as education campaigns on the part of the FDA as well as non-profit groups. Public campaigns to ban sales of soft drinks and fatty snacks in schools have also negatively impacted demand for sugary sodas. These factors have driven a shift in consumption away from CSD to healthier alternatives, such as tea, juices, and water. Even within the CSD segment, consumers have been moving away from the sugared drinks, opting instead for diet beverages, which do not generally contain any sugar or calories. In response to this shift in consumer demand, PEP has increased its development of both diet CSD and non-CSD beverages. With its popular Tropicana and Gatorade brands, PepsiCo is much better situated than Coca-Cola Company (KO) to react to these changing trends. Facing lower Gatorade sales in 2010, Pepsi developed a social marketing department to track the brands performance and online reputation. By tracking user discussions online and Gatorade groups on Facebook, the company has been able to quickly respond to consumer demands. The results of Pepsis new marketing initiative is inconclusive because the brand rose 2. 4% during the first half of 2010 but this is compared with low sales in 2009. [79] The Dollar Affects International Performance Changes in the strength of the dollar compared to foreign currency could impact the company by decreasing both costs and revenue in dollars. As the strength of the dollar increases, all sales made in foreign currency end up being worth less because the amount of US dollars the company gets per sale decreases. On the other hand the cost of foreign inputs (food and other commodities that go into PepsiCo products) sold in foreign currencies would decrease with the strengthening dollar. Since over half of PepsiCos sales are in international markets, the increasing value of the dollar could be a significant factor driving revenues down overseas. Specifically the company primarily deals with the British Pound, Euro, Australian dollar, and Canadian dollar. Between July and December 2008, the dollar regained nearly all its 2007 losses against foreign currencies, and has continued this trend through 2009. [23] Competition 2008 U. S. non-alcoholic beverage market by volume[80] Beverages In the domestic beverage market, the Coca-Cola Company (KO) is PepsiCos main competitor. In 2008, Coca-Cola had a 23% share of the U. S. non-alcoholic beverage volume, while PEP held a 25% share. Coca-Cola Company (KO) has a higher worldwide share of carbonated soda beverages, but PepsiCo has a more diverse product line and leads the industry in non-carbonated soft drink innovations. [81] PepsiCos revenues are also substantially higher than Coca-Colas, due to PepsiCos snack and convenient foods business, a market in which KO does not participate. PepsiCos presence in the snack and convenient food industries, as well as its industry-leading innovations in the non-carbonated soft drink segment, gives it a somewhat more balanced portfolio than Coca-Cola and provides the company with some protection against further declining demand for CSD. Pepsi also pays the Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) for the rights to sell its products, along with Coca-Cola Company (KO). In December 2009, Pepsi agreed to pay Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) $900 million for the continued rights to sell Dr. Pepper products following the companys acquisition of its North American bottlers. [82] This deal was similar to a contract signed by Coke and Dr. Pepper in June 2010, worth $$715 million, that gave Coke similar distribution rights following their acquisition of Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE). [83] Snacks and Convenient Foods 2008 U. S. Snack Market by volume[80] PepsiCos Frito-Lay and Quaker brands compete in various parts of the larger food industry. Its snack foods manufactured by the Frito-Lay segment hold a commanding share of the U. S. market, accounting for around 39% of domestic snack food sales in 2006. PepsiCos main competitor in the food market overall is Kraft Foods (KFT). Krafts products include snacks, cheese, diary, and cereal products, which puts it in competition both with Frito-Lay and Quaker products. Much like the Coca-Cola Company (KO), Kraft does not participate in both the food and soft drink markets, giving PEP the advantage of having a more diverse offering of products. Coke vs. Pepsi For decades now, Coke and Pepsi have battled for our hearts and minds but what about our capital? Which company will add the best flavor to your investment portfolio? Although both companies share powerful brand names and global franchises, there are two important distinctions between Pepsico and Coca-Cola that any investor should consider before choosing between these comestible titans: Global Footprint When it comes to international presence, Coca-Cola easily trumps Pepsico. In 2009, Coca-Cola generated 74% of its revenue overseas compared to 48% revenue for Pepsico. [84][85] Coca-Colas impressive global footprint puts it in a better position to benefit from strong growth across the globe, particularly in the developing world. Furthermore, because Coke generates so much of its revenue abroad, it stands to benefit greatly from the continuing weakening of the dollar as sales denominated in foreign currencies are suddenly worth more dollars back home. At the same time, Pepsicos heavy dependence on North America makes it much more susceptible to a slowing US economy. Diversified Product Offering. Another important distinction between the two companies is their product offering. While KO is essentially a one-product company that focuses on beverages, Pepsico has a much broader product base that includes beverages, foods and snacks. Coca-Colas heavy dependence on beverages, particularly carbonated beverages, makes it more susceptible than Pepsico to a growing aversion to soda which is perceived as fattening and unhealthy. On the other hand, Pepsicos extensive portfolio of beverages, foods and snacks puts it in a better position from the trend to healthier eating.