Leisure Group Ratio

Question: What is driving or causing your firms economic profit over the past four years to be at the levels it is? Answer: Ratio Analysis The ratios of the company All Leisure Group have been calculated for four consecutive years in order to understand the financial condition of the firm. In this assignment, the profitability ratios, efficiency ratios, liquidity ratios, financial structure ratios and market ratios have been calculated. All the calculations of the mentioned ratios for the years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 have been shown in the appendix and in the excel worksheet. From the calculation itself, it can be said that under the profitability ratios, the net profit margin ratios and return on assets ratios have been calculated in order to understand the profitability of the particular firm in detail. From the chart in the appendix, it can be said that the net profit margin ratio has increased from 0.008 in the year 2012 to 0.203 in the year 2013. However, it constantly decreased from 0.203 in 2013 to 0.053 in the year 2014 and to 0.004 in the year 2015. In a similar manner, the return on assets of the firm also increased initially from 0.004 in the year 2012 to 0.144 in the year 2013, but all of a sudden it reduced to 0.093 in the year 2015 and it get further decreased to 0.007 in the year 2015. The efficiency ratios or the asset management ratios that have been calculated for the particular firm include days of inventory and total asset turnover ratio (Watson and Head 2013). It has been found that the days of inventory has reduced from 0.025 in the year 2012 to 0 in the year 2015. On the other hand, the total asset turnover ratio has increased from 0.554 in the year 2012 to 0.709 in the year 2013 and then it increased to 1.731 in the year 2014 and finally it increased to 1.779 in the year 2015. Among the liquidity ratios, the current ratio has been calculated for the company All Leisure Group for the years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The calculation is shown in the excel worksheet and the table has been shown in the appendix. This calculation indicates that with the passage of time, the c urrent assets of the firm have started to decreased and on the other hand the liabilities of the particular firm have increased. This has resulted into negative current ratio. This indicates that the financial condition of the particular firm is not stable. There are various types of financial structure ratios, but among all the two most suitable ratios have been calculated for the company All Leisure Group in the excel worksheet and the values have been shown in the chart that has been provided in the appendix. The two financial structure ratios that have been calculated are debt by equity ratio and the equity ratio. Both these stated financial structure ratios indicate that the debt of the particular company has increased with the passage of time and in a similar manner the total assets of the firm have increased in comparison to the equity of the company (Taillard 2013). Thus, it can be found that with the passage of time, the debt to equity ratio has increased from 0.413 in the year 2012 to 0.543 in the year 2013 to 0.719 in the year 2013 and finally to 0.791 in the year 2015. This indicates the increased debt of the company and thus represents the weak financial condition of the firm. Similarly, the equity ratio also started to decline from 0.289 in the year 2012 to 0.207 in the year 2013 to 0.164 in the year 2015. This indicates that the equity of the firm has started to decline. This also indicates the weakness of the firm All Leisure Group in its financial scenario. The market ratios of the firm All Leisure Group have also been calculated in order to compare and to understand the financial condition of the firm with the present market. The market ratios that have been calculated for the company All Leisure Group include the earnings per share (EPS), Dividends per share (DPS) and the price earnings ratio (Ross 2012). For the earnings per share, it has been found that the EPS increased in the year 2013 to 21.734 from 0.809 in the year 2012, but it sudden ly started to decrease from the year 2013 to 2014 to 12.128 and it further decreased to 0.88 in the year 2015. This indicates the financial condition of the particular firm is very weak. Nevertheless, it has been found that the particular company maintained or retained its amount of distribution of dividend for the entire 4 years starting from 2012 to 2015. The dividend amount was constant that is 21.63. This indicates that in order to retain the goodwill and the shareholders of the company, the management of the firm decided to maintain the percentage of dividend amount throughout the years though the profit percentage of the firm has reduced (Parrino, Kidwell and Bates 2012). On the other hand, it has been found that the price earnings ratio of the firm has increased with time. This indicates that the market price per share increased with time but the earnings per share by the company started to reduce with the passage of time. therefore, it can be said by analyzing the values of all the types of ratios of the firm All Leisure Group for the years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 that the financial condition of the firm is not well, it is not well performing and the management of the firm should look into the matter regarding the weak financial condition of the firm (Brewer, Garrison and Noreen 2013). As proper steps by the financial manager can only help to recover the negativities of the firm and can make the financial condition stronger (Firer 2012). Economic Profit For better understanding of the economic profit, the return on equity ratio, return on net operating assets, net borrowing cost, profit margin and asset turnover have been calculated for the years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. From the calculation that has been shown in the excel worksheet, it can be said that the return on equity of the firm has increased with the passage of time. On the other hand, the return on net operating assets has decreased with the passage of time. It has been found that the net borrowing cost of the particular firm All Leisure Group has been increased and simultaneously, the profit margin of the firm has been decreased with the passage of time. Moreover, the asset turnover ratio has been increased for the company from the year 2012 to the year 2015 (Brealey, Myers and Marcus 2012). Lastly, the economic profit of the firm All Leisure Group has been found to be decreased with the passage of time. Thus, it can be concluded that the financial condition of the firm is much weak and the management have to take remedial steps in order to strengthen the financial position of the particular firm. For analyzing the net present value (NPV), two projects, Project 1 and Project 2 have been considered. Each of the project has a life time of 5 years and the cost of capital is 10 %. The initial outflow of cash for the project 1 is $ (1000000) and for the project 2, the initial investment is $(500000). Based on the cash inflows of both the project the NPV has been calculated for both the projects. The mathematical formula of calculating NPV is net cash inflows Net cash outflows (Berk 2013). By using this formula, it has been found that the NPV of the project 1 is negative and on the other hand, the NPV of the project 2 is positive. Therefore, as per the thumb rule, the project having positive value will be accepted that is the Project 2 and the project having negative value will be rejected (Berk, DeMarzo and Harford 2012). On the other hand, by calculating the IRR (Internal Rate of Return), it has been found that the project 2 is acceptable as the rate is positive and it is 14 %, whereas, the rate of return for the project 1 is negative that is 24 %. Lastly, the payback period of both the projects have been calculated that indicates that the project 2 has lesser value of payback period than the payback period of the project 1 (Braun and Tietz 2013). Thus, it can be concluded that the investor should select the Project 2 for investment. References Berk, J. (2013).Fundamentals of corporate finance. Toronto: Pearson. Berk, J., DeMarzo, P. and Harford, J. (2012).Fundamentals of corporate finance. Boston: Prentice Hall. Braun, K. and Tietz, W. (2013).Managerial accounting. Boston: Pearson. Brealey, R., Myers, S. and Marcus, A. (2012).Fundamentals of corporate finance. New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Brewer, P., Garrison, R. and Noreen, E. (2013).Introduction to managerial accounting. New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Firer, C. (2012).Fundamentals of corporate finance. London: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Parrino, R., Kidwell, D. and Bates, T. (2012).Fundamentals of corporate finance. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Ross, S. (2012).Fundamentals of corporate finance. New York: McGraw-Hill. Taillard, M. (2013).Corporate finance for dummies. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley Sons, Inc. Watson, D. and Head, A. (2013).Corporate finance. Harlow, England: Pearson.

social changes Essays - Fiction, Literature, Gender Studies

In the nineteenth century gender specific roles and male repression of women?s roles and ideal was common place. Women had stereotypes and restrictive criterion placed on them. In the represent day women have made huge strides in their struggle for equality with men. However, the nineteenth century was still very early in the women?s movement and very different from today. At this time women were thought to be incapable of much of what men were. Consequently women were often not allowed or expected to do the things that men did. At times simply being treated as an imbecile or a child by the men of society would take place. A woman's independence comes with a price only if that society creates it, which many of them do, because most societies have long operated on the base of controlling women. Not working with women, but controlling them and keeping them financially and emotionally dependent on men. There was nothing chivalrous about this, yet, it was about control. A woman must lear n to speak her mind in a way that earns her respect and dignity from her husband, which in turn, will be accepted by society. In the short stories, Story of an Hour written by Kate Chopin, and Yellow Wallpaper written by Charlotte Gilman shows the repression of two women that are being dominated by their husbands in different ways. On the contrary, in Daisy Miller, society is attempting to repress her of freedom of self-expression. Emotional repression, male domination and female oppression are methods to keep women from gaining their independence in society. In Story of an Hour, Louise Mallard was emotionally repressed by her marriage to her husband, Brently Mallard. Upon learning that Mr. Mallard was killed in a tragic accident, Louise was faced with a storm of emotions. Briefly, she mourned his death, and then she discovers this to be her way to emotional freedom. Throughout her marriage, she was forced to live up to his expectations and always had someone to look after her or tell her what to do.? There would be no one to live for her during those coming years; she would live for herself?. She realizes after his apparent death that she was ?Free, free, free?. This shows how her life would change and she is now a new person and removed from the emotionally repressed life that she lived before. Louise was a wife finally free of the domestic servitude called ?marriage? she was trapped in. Mr. Mallard?s death brought upon a sense of liberating independence because when he was alive he would use his ?powerful will? to bend hers. The emotio nal repression from her marriage is what ultimately killed Louise. Mr. Mallard?s death unleashed an array of emotions that was too much for her weak heart to handle. The young wife in the Yellow Wallpaper also faced similar repression, along with extreme male domination in her marriage. John, the young wife?s husband, diagnoses her as having a mental nervous condition. His assumption of his own superior wisdom and maturity leads him to misjudge, patronize and dominate his wife, all in the name of ?helping her.? She is reduced to acting like a cross, petulant child unable to stand up for herself without seeming unreasonable or disloyal. ?What is it, little girl? He said. Don?t go walking about like that ?you?ll get a cold.? This quote shows that John treats his wife as if she is a child in need of his guidance. He talks to her as if she was his daughter instead of his wife. She does as her husband asks of her but secretly disobeys him when he is not around. John?s dominating demeanor forces his wife to find solace in the yellow wallpaper and ultimately uses it to retain some control and exercise the power of her mind from her oppression and escape s her binds. Although she does become mentally ill by the end of the story, she does conquer her dominator by breaking out of her isolation and proving to herself that she can accomplish what she set out to do regardless of people trying to direct her and her life. In Daisy Miller, society is attempting to get Daisy

Fibre Optic vs. Coaxial Cables Advantages and Disadvantages

Introduction The advent and continuous growth of information technology has put more emphasis on the speed at which data can be relayed from one point to another. Although data transfer can still occur wirelessly, the fastest and more reliable way of transmitting data is by way of wire connection.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Fibre Optic vs. Coaxial Cables: Advantages and Disadvantages specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Both fiber optic and coaxial cables are used for purposes of transmitting data between different ends. The terminals are varied, including ‘computers, servers, telephones, network hubs, and televisions’. This paper seeks to discuss the two types of wires used for data transmission, and in particular analyze the advantages and disadvantages that each type has over the other. Fiber Optic This type of cable consists of optical fibers that are covered with plastic layers. The cables are often insulated with an outer covering to protect them from any kind of damages within the environments that they are laid in (White, 2013). Advantages of fibre optic cables Fibre optics transmits data at significant speeds and amounts. This is because the cables employ light to transmit the data from different terminal ends. The large capacity that is inherent in the fibre optic cables results from the fact that the cables contain various silica ‘cores’, which have several proliferations. The cables become more popular for transmitting data due to the numerous proliferations. The fibre optic cables occur in two different varieties, the single and multi-mode ranges. These are also referred to as simplex and duplex fiber optic cables. While the single mode can only offer one propagation path that allows data to be transmitted through, the multi-mode variety offers more than one such path. The duplex fibre optic cables have an added advantage because they have the ability to convey data in two directions. Because of the high quality of data that is relayed through fiber optic cables, they are best preferred for all-encompassing professional networks (White, 2013). Most academic institutions like universities will find it appropriate to use fiber optics for their data and overall internet needs. Business campuses also prefer using this type of cables than the coaxial cables. The performance and general quality of fibre optic cables is less varied over distance. This means end user signals for fiber optic cable users will remain less affected in terms of quality irrespective of the distance separating the data source and the terminal point.Advertising Looking for essay on other technology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Fibre optic cables have a strong and generally high quality performance that is less susceptible to noise sources within their surrounding environment. The immunity to EMI and R FI forms of interferences makes the cable good for use, especially in surroundings where such interferences are common. Disadvantages Fiber optic cables are relatively expensive, compared to the coaxial cables. Additionally, they are comparatively novel with a sophisticated design. These characteristics make them less suitable for use within residential and consumer locations. There are safety concerns emanating from exposure to infrared rays. This can even damage the eyes, especially in instances where the power levels are found to be high. There is high risk of being exposed to infrared rays during fibre inspection under lenses. The small glass fragments that make up the fibre optics are also dangerous if they accidentally get under the skin. This can occur mainly when cutting the fiber. Fiber optic cables are susceptible to microscopic flaws that mainly occur during the manufacturing process. The overall handling of the cables, the cabling process, as well as installation imposes some level of stress to the cables, which eventually leads to strength degradation. Such unavoidable stress activities will obviously lower the performance quality of the cables (Shelly, 2008). Coaxial Cables Coaxial cables are made up of two different types of wire, where the central part comprises of a solid wire and the outer part comprises of braided or foil material conductor. An insulating material that runs through the cable separates both conductors from coming into contact (Shelly, 2008). Advantages of coaxial cables This cable type is highly resilient and of good quality. The design of the cable comprises of four layers: ‘the copper core, a dielectric insulator, woven copper guard, and an outer plastic sheath’. This allows the cables to transmit data faster, without being interfered with by the outside environmental factors. A wide variety of networks used for communication purposes make this type of a cable the most preferable. Coaxial cables are relatively less costly and of a simple design. This makes the cable easy to install because they can easily be twisted. As such, most residential installation, as well as medium-capacity data transfer prefers using this type of cable.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Fibre Optic vs. Coaxial Cables: Advantages and Disadvantages specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Disadvantage Coaxial cables are prone to signal leakage owing to the imperfections of the cable’s shielding. Users often experience weak signals often interfered with because of this characteristic of the cable (Shelly, 2008). Although coaxial cables enjoy high-frequency capacity, this gradually reduces as the length of the cable is increased (White, 2013). This means if the source of data is far from the end user terminals, the quality of transmission will be poor and the end-users will have poor quality signals. The performance of coaxial cables reduces with n oise interference. The cables are prone to induced interference, EMI/RFI. Different noise generators, including fluorescent lights, power cables, computers, and industrial equipment, among other noise generators lower the quality of performance for this cable type. Additionally, cable frequency equalization worsens the problem related to noise interference. The transformer effect lowers down the quality and performance of coaxial cables. The cable’s ‘inner and outer conductor material’ makes it suitable for winding transformers, both ‘primary and secondary’. The transformer effect results into leakages that reduce the signal quality at the terminal point (Shelly, 2008). Conclusion Fibre optic and coaxial cables have become more useful in the contemporary world because of the advent and subsequent growth of the information technology. The cables are used mainly for the transmission of data from different terminal points, including computers and televi sions. The fiber optic cable has more advantages than the coaxial cable because of the high frequency of data transfer that it supports. The cables are also immune to noise interferences that affect the quality of coaxial cables. More importantly, the aspect of distance is of little effect to data relayed over fiber optic cables, as is the case with coaxial cables. However, coaxial cables are less costly compared to fibre optics and are most preferred by small-scale users especially within residential locations. They are also easy to connect as they have minimal instances of breaking or being destroyed, as is the case with fiber optic cables. References Shelly, G. B. (2008). Discovering computers 2009: Complete. Boston, MA: Cengage LearningAdvertising Looking for essay on other technology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More White, C. M. (2013). Data communications and computer networks: a business user’s approach. Boston, MA: Cengage Technology This essay on Fibre Optic vs. Coaxial Cables: Advantages and Disadvantages was written and submitted by user Mackenzie Huber to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on King Lear

King Lear Essay Outline #6 – Examine the characteristics that make the evil characters temporarily succeed. For what reasons do they fail? I – Introduction  · A Shakespearean play that closely relates to society.  · The evil characters temporarily succeed but fail in the end.  · They think they can outsmart society but get what they deserve in the end.  · Jealousy erupts between the two sisters.  · Edmund’s peculiar change of heart.  · Cornwall didn’t have enough knowledge to persecute Lear and Gloucester.  · Evil characters had to many obstacles to succeed and failed due to other conflicts. Thesis: By looking at Regan’s, Goneril’s, Edmund’s, and Cornwall’s determination for control, desire for power, and lack of conscience they temporarily succeed but fail in the end due to jealousy, change of heart, and lack of control II – Body Paragraph 1  · Sub point: Regan and Goneril portray evil characteristics by being clever; they have no conscience, only appetite.  · Personifications of evil and greedy ambition.  · Profess their love to Lear with lies, insincerity, and wrong intentions.  · This begins Regan and Goneril’s plan because Lear believed then and gave them land.  · Goneril complains about Lear and say, â€Å"His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us/† (I iii, line 6)  · Both Regan and Goneril didn’t want Lear to live with them.  · Cornwall and Regan demand that Kent be put in the stocks.  · Goneril makes Lear beg on his knees to Regan for forgiveness.  · They leave Lear outside in storm and lock the doors on him.  · Insult Gloucester, tie him up, and pull on his beard. (pg.161)  · Goneril insults Albany of being a coward.  · Regan promises Oswald a reward if he can kill Gloucester.  · Goneril urges Edmund to kill Albany.  · Begin to fail because of dispute over Edmund.  · Alliance begins to separate because of the desire of Edmund.  · Reg... Free Essays on King Lear Free Essays on King Lear A Great Tragedy: The good misunderstood and the evil accepted Shakespeare’s King Lear and Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus is a detailed description of the consequences of one mans decisions that ends in a tragedy. Lear and Faustus decisions greatly alter their lives and the lives of those around them. These two stories are defined as tragedies because they meet the criteria of what a tragic hero stands for, i.e. a hero is larger than life, and both stories have a tragic fall caused by some error or moral weakness. It is not till the end of the plays that the honest people are recognized. The stories reveal a fatal error in judgement and a character flaw, which causes their downfall, suffering and enlightenment. In the opening of Shakespeare’s King Lear the first error in judgement is introduced in scene 1.1 lines 95-98, where Cordelia confesses her love for her father. Good my lord, You have begot me, bred me, loved me; I return those duties back as are right fit, Obey you, love you, and most honor you. Cordelia understands her position and accepts her duty without question. Lear ignores the fact that cordelia is pouring her heart out and confessing her unconditional love for him and in return he turns his back on her. Cordelia was prideful, and even a fool in her response, but I believe she was simply being honest and true. I believe this is the beginning of his downfall, which will lead him on a path of suffering. Lear made a monumental mistake when he handed over his kingship to his two evil daughters, Regan and Goneril. This is what eventually led him to his mental breakdown and the deaths of many individuals. If he had only choose to keep control over his kingdom or to give up control to someone trustworthy, then his suffering would have been reduced. Faustus much like Lear has made an error in judgement when he chooses to ignore the advice of the fictional Good and Bad Angels and the old man. The ... Free Essays on King Lear King Lear Essay Outline #6 – Examine the characteristics that make the evil characters temporarily succeed. For what reasons do they fail? I – Introduction  · A Shakespearean play that closely relates to society.  · The evil characters temporarily succeed but fail in the end.  · They think they can outsmart society but get what they deserve in the end.  · Jealousy erupts between the two sisters.  · Edmund’s peculiar change of heart.  · Cornwall didn’t have enough knowledge to persecute Lear and Gloucester.  · Evil characters had to many obstacles to succeed and failed due to other conflicts. Thesis: By looking at Regan’s, Goneril’s, Edmund’s, and Cornwall’s determination for control, desire for power, and lack of conscience they temporarily succeed but fail in the end due to jealousy, change of heart, and lack of control II – Body Paragraph 1  · Sub point: Regan and Goneril portray evil characteristics by being clever; they have no conscience, only appetite.  · Personifications of evil and greedy ambition.  · Profess their love to Lear with lies, insincerity, and wrong intentions.  · This begins Regan and Goneril’s plan because Lear believed then and gave them land.  · Goneril complains about Lear and say, â€Å"His knights grow riotous, and himself upbraids us/† (I iii, line 6)  · Both Regan and Goneril didn’t want Lear to live with them.  · Cornwall and Regan demand that Kent be put in the stocks.  · Goneril makes Lear beg on his knees to Regan for forgiveness.  · They leave Lear outside in storm and lock the doors on him.  · Insult Gloucester, tie him up, and pull on his beard. (pg.161)  · Goneril insults Albany of being a coward.  · Regan promises Oswald a reward if he can kill Gloucester.  · Goneril urges Edmund to kill Albany.  · Begin to fail because of dispute over Edmund.  · Alliance begins to separate because of the desire of Edmund.  · Reg... Free Essays on King Lear The tempest in Act III influences the character King Lear significantly. The storm is an echo of Lear’s inner turmoil and his growing insanity: the awesome power of the storm is a physical, chaotic natural reflection of Lear’s internal confusion. Although Lear does not recover his good sense, and learn from his mistakes to become a better king, he begins to learn his weakness and insignificance compared to the remarkable forces of the natural world. As result of this Lear begins to become a humble and caring individual. The storm is a reflection of the crazed mind that Lear possesses. Trying to face down the storm shows despair and the increased loss of his sense of reality. Speaking to the storm, he commands: Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow! You cataracts and hurrincanoes, spout Till you have drenched our steeples, drowned the cocks! (King Lear P.105). The king is powerless to the storm making him realize his own mortality Lear believes his world is coming to an end because his daughters have betrayed him. Also by having his power stripped from him by his daughters, he thinks that the outside world is going to end as well. The chaos that is the storm, is also a reflection of the chaos of Britain without Lears authority. Along with Lear's growing despair and projection, we also see his understandable obsession with his daughters betrayal: "Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters: / I tax you not, you elements, with unkindness" (King Lear P.105). Lear tells the thunder that he does not blame it for attacking him because it does not owe him anything. But he does blame his "two pernicious daughters"(King Lear P.107) for their betrayal. In spite of the clear onset of insanity, Lear exhibits some degree of rational thought he is still able to locate the source of his misfortune. Lear is realizing that he is going mad, even with this terrifying realization he starts to become compassionate ... Free Essays on King Lear According to critics, King Lear is the most devastating of Shakespeare’s tragedies and perhaps his most moving. King Lear is just as powerful when translated to different languages, converted to film, and set in lands far different than ancient Britain. Upon completing the text of King Lear and watching it on film, I have determined that there are numerous differences between the two. Some of these differences found in the film make the tragedy more effective, while others are rather insignificant and deter from the themes discussed in the book. Each performance and portrayal of the play is unique in its own way. Some ideas are presented better in the movie, while others are presented better in the book. As I read throughout the text of the play, I imagined the castle as being large and constructed of concrete. We soon find out that it is made of wood and the roof seems to leak. When we picture royalty, we see the best living conditions and environment known to man. The film shows King Lear and his family residing in an old, run down facility. People of significance and higher class most often are clean shaven and wear the finest of clothing. The characters in the movie have full beards, long gnarly hair, and present themselves in an unorthodox manner. These traits and customs are rather insignificant to the emotions brought forth by the play, but still present the audience with a form of irony. Lear’s daughters, Goneril and Regan, were thought to be younger than the film portrayed them as. Lear is pictured exactly how I imagined him. I believe that if the film had cast younger females to play the roles that it would produce a larger contrast showing just exactly how old King Lear truly is. This wouldn’t fit in with the description of King Lear though. King Lear is said to be in his eighty’s. If the film showed his daughters being really young, confusion would result. The chance of an old man having really...

Project Management of Marks&Spencer Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Project Management of Marks&Spencer - Case Study Example Project Management is the art of directing and coordinating human and material resources throughout the life of a project by using modern management techniques to achieve predetermined objectives of scope, cost, time and quality and participation satisfaction. In order to meet the organizational objective of providing increased satisfaction to the customers by offering products of superior quality and an efficient service in more attractive surroundings that are comfortable to the customers a continuous stores development programme on the part of Marks & Spencer is the most important factor to decide on the expansion and modernization of their stores locations. Apart from the customer satisfaction from the commercial angle also when there is an opportunity for increased profitability resulting from such relocation the company would as well take it up to get the advantage. In the instant case the new location Kendal being a busy market town as well as a popular tourist area in Cumbria offered excellent prospects of increased sales activity. Existing sales performances, proposed selling space available, local customer profile, size of the catchment of the population and local competition are some of the other deciding factors that will infl uence the decision about the project. The major obstacle was the climatic factor as the n... The initial preparation of the site by the contractor may also pose an issue though not a major one. It was necessary to get all the statutory clearances by giving notices abiding by the requirements of public notice periods so that if there are any objections from the public. Another issue in the way of the progress of the project was the important building regulations approval required was for the changes in the elevation involving design changes and relocation of entrances. One of the major obstacles faced was in the issue of the opening dates so that the sales during the festive season were not missed. However the project team did not want to rush up and end in doing wrong things. Discussion and Evaluation: As outlined earlier the organizational objective of Marks & Spencer in improving customer satisfaction and thereby achieving enhanced profitability was aimed to be achieved through this relocation project. The major deciding factor in favour of the project is the location of the new site which is a business town as well as a tourist spot which offers a twin advantage for improving the sales of the company. Moreover the geographical location also went in favour of the decision to relocate. As explained by the Stores Planner the customer satisfaction can be improved not only by offering quality products to the customers but also by providing an attractive and comfortable stores environment. When both these factors are combined in any retail store relocation, the project is bound to result a remarkable success. Moreover efficient stores design also result in an effective cost minimisation. A lot of inputs in the form of studying the existing

How are Clausewitzian concepts (if any) illuminated by Napoleon's Essay

How are Clausewitzian concepts (if any) illuminated by Napoleon's experience - Essay Example Instead, he used his military victories over neighbouring countries to instill in them new institutions and codes of law. He introduced new forms of education and ways of doing politics. The introduction of various civil codes throughout Europe were perhaps his greatest achievement (McLynn, 255). He himself believed his Civil Code would long outlast any of his military glories (Wanniski, 184). But they could not have been introduced without the wars that preceded them. Napoleon was a genius when it came to warfare and operations, but he had a larger vision too (Archer, 380). Napoleon had a vision for Europe and for France. He felt that certain principles should be at the forefront of the Continental way of life. He was clearly an operational genius with respect to military affairs, but he also embodied, more than anyone, the Clausewitzian maxim that war is politics by other means. Work consulted Archer, Christon I.; John R. Ferris, Holger H. Herwig. World History of Warfare. Universi ty of Nebraska Press, 2002. McLynn, Frank. Napoleon. Pimlico, 1998. Wanniski, Jude. The Way the World Works. Regnery Gateway, 1998.

Cultural-Adaptation Essay Example for Free

Cultural-Adaptation Essay The East African tribe ‘Maasai’ can be found in Kenya and certain parts of Tanzania. Their subsistence strategy has primarily been pastoral for several centuries. The Maasai herd cows, sheep and goats for a livelihood as they depend on the meat and milk for their survival. The Maasai are also semi-nomadic people, making them pastoral nomads (ONeil 2). This helps them move from place to place, in search of better climatic and external conditions suitable for raising their herd animals. They constantly move to areas having greener pastures and adequate water to ensure that their livestock are healthier; it also facilitates grass growing back again in areas that have been grazed by cattle. Their choice of location would also depend upon other factors such as safety from predators such as lions. The Maasai do not construct permanent settlements as they are constantly on the move; they live in temporary dwellings that are simple to construct. The social structure of the Maasai has played a key role in preserving the tribe’s primary subsistence strategy as pastoral for centuries. The age-based social structure is quite fair and consistent as there is no discrimination based on caste or familial segregations. However, there are certain gender-based roles and customs within the tribe. The men are divided into the youths, the warriors also know as ‘moran’, and the elders. On the other hand, the young girls get married to warrior men, bear children and raise them; the women can also become elders after their bear four children. The youths become warriors around the â€Å"age of 13 to 17† and move to a different village, live in unsecure enclosures called ‘manyatta built by their mothers and eventually get married (Martin 7). It is the duty of the warriors to ensure that the tribe is safe and cattle are protected from predators. They are mentally conditioned as well as physically trained from a very young age to perform this duty. The Maasai women specialize in building houses from sticks, mud and cow dung. This helps the tribe to move from place to place easily and sustain their semi-nomadic way of life. The Maasai men also build thorn fences to keep their cattle safe in enclosures. The elders are supposed to impart wisdom and live passive lives, as the responsibilities and duties of the tribe pass over to the next generation of warriors. The authority figure in their social system is a person known as laibon, roughly translated as ’medicine man’; the ‘laibon’ also fills the religious needs of the tribe and practices shamanism for healing. This uniform socio-cultural structure lends stability and contributes to the subsistence of the Maasai way of life, as there is very little room for rebellion within the group. Many aboriginal cultures around the world are going through transition due to modernization and the Maasai are no exception to this rule. Urbanization had led to the Maasai being confined to smaller areas, thus threatening their way of life. To cope with these changes, a small segment of the tribe has recently changed its subsistence strategy to agriculture, fishing and taking menial jobs in urbanized areas. The tourism industry promoted by the government has compelled certain Maasai tribes to diverge away from their self-sufficient lifestyle and act as showpieces for tourists (Akama 717). However, the Maasai still retain certain aspects of their cultural identify such as speaking a language called ‘Maa’ and wearing a red cloth called the ‘shuka’; they also pierce their earlobes and adorn large metal earrings. Despite the influence of the modern world, a large segment of the Maasai tribe is still quite self-sufficient as they produce their own food from cattle and take care of other needs such as shelter and medicine. Works Cited Page Akama, John. Marginalization of the Maasai in Kenya. Annals of Tourism Research, Volume 26, Number 3, July 1999. Martin, Marlene. Society-MASAI. The Center for Social Anthropology and Computing. June 14, 2009, http://lucy. ukc. ac. uk/EthnoAtlas/Hmar/Cult_dir/Culture. 7860 ONeil, Dennis. (2007). Patterns of Subsistence: Pastoralism. Palomar College. June 14, 2009, http://anthro. palomar. edu/subsistence/sub_3. htm