Literature Review Outline on Improving Reading Fluency in Elementary Essay

Literature Review Outline on Improving Reading Fluency in Elementary Students - Essay Example i. Definitions and Benefits of Constant Time Delay – Citation of Reference by Aldemir & Gursel (2014): These are teaching techniques that build reading fluency by increasing word recognition. Teaching utilizes procedures that entail observational learning groups such as pronunciation of letters and spelling lessons. b) Objectives: The ambition of the study was to use a multiple baseline design to evaluate the effects on taped numbers intervention and constant time delay on number identification accuracy among kindergarten students. bb. Criticisms: The absence of response data change during intervention sessions that would aid in designing responsible mechanisms for behavior change. Elements related to peer influence such as group and choral responding were not accounted for in the study. dd. Instruments: Formative evaluation process implanted on time delay procedures involving taped interventions such as sounds, texts, video, and animations. Using multimedia computer program inserted to a 5-second constant time- delay procedure was effective in teaching sight words mm. Criticisms: Students with low mastery levels face a high chance of lagging behind in such procedures and thus would not be favored. In addition, the chorus method does not necessary entail memory retention of words that might affect students negatively. Aldemir, O., & Gursel, O. (2014). The effectiveness of the constant time delay procedure in teaching pre-school academic skills to children with developmental disabilities in a small group teaching arrangement. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 14(2), 733-740. Begeny, J. C., Krouse, H. E., Ross, S. G., & Mitchell, R. C. (2009). Increasing elementary-aged students’ reading fluency with small-group interventions: A comparison of repeated reading, listening passage preview, and listening only strategies. Journal of Behavioral Education, 18(3), 211-228. Begeny, J. C., Daly III, E. J., &

Different Cultures And Traditions Essay Example for Free

Different Cultures And Traditions Essay Using texts from different cultures and traditions discuss how free will or determinism in form of development or outcome of the stories. (1500 2500 words) I believe that we are not so free in this world even though most people would like to think we are. Our lives are controlled by many factors which we do not seem to notice. Some people accept what their future is and live with it, with out even attempting to change it. Fortunately thought there are also the same amounts of people who can see their own future but strive to do what ever they can to change it for the better. Now through out this essay I will compare two stories which are Veronica and Country Lovers. There are many instances in these stories of how if the main character in the story made a different decision than the outcome of the story would have been completely different. So we will see what might have happened if the character made a different choice later on in this piece but first I will talk about the different points of view brought out in these stories. We shall start of with the story of Veronica. This story is of a girl and a boy who are best friend and they live in quite a poor village in Africa and the boy Okeke gets a chance to go to the city and study at university due to a scholarship which he had won and Okeke asks Veronica to come but she decides to stay. When Okeke, after finishing his course at university as a doctor comes back to the village he sees Veronica in her dying moments. When Okeke asks to save her she refuses because her husband had died and her son had died also so she had nothing else to live for. Now Okeke thinks Veronica should have left with him and become his secretary and should have attended night classes where as Veronica thinks she should stay because she hates to leave her family behind even though her father was a brute and beat her. If we were to compare the points of view established in the story Veronica with the raised in the story of Country Lovers. (This is the story of Thebedi and Paulus.) This story introduces Paulus Eysendyck, a white farmers son, and Thebedi, the black daughter of one of the farm workers. As children, Paulus and Thebedi played together, but when they are teenagers they begin a sexual relationship. They have tender feelings for each other, even though their relationship is ultimately doomed in the end. Thebedi marries Njabulo, a kind young black man who has loved her for years. Two months later, Thebedi gives birth to a light-skinned child.à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½Ãƒ ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ That Thebedi is pregnant when she marries is not considered scandalous because men in this culture often insist on finding out before marriage if their women are barren. The childs light skin, however, reveals who the father really is. Still, Njabulo treats the baby as if the child were his own. Paulus learns that Thebedi has married and has a light-skinned child. He panics about the child and visits Thebedi in her hut. He asks her to give the baby to someone else to raise, but she does not. Two days later, he asks to see the child alone. Waiting outside the hut, Thebedi hears soft groaning sounds, and the baby soon dies. Officials discover that the baby was poisoned, and Paulus is arrested. Initially, Thebedi says that she knows he poisoned the baby, but when the trial comes, she claims that she does not know what he did in the hut. Paulus is set free. There are clearly two separate points of view which you can clearly see. The point of view of Paulus and Njabulo. Now Paulus is very judgemental and slightly racist. I say this because he wanted to and did kill the baby just because it was light skinned. I can also say this because of the following quote you must give it to someone this proves he is quite racist because he is calling the baby an it who is quite disrespectful. Also there is also a quote which suggests that he could have been the one to kill the baby I feel like killing it myself this also adds some extra evidence against him for killing the baby. And then there is the point of view of Njabulo which is he loves the baby so much he uses the small wages which he gets from his farm work to buy the baby what ever it needs and could ever want. He is such a devoted father. But then again though I suspect that Njabulo might not believe that the baby is not his, I say this because of what he says for Thebedis birthday notice he says Thebedis baby and not their or his birthday which makes me say that he does believe within himself that the baby is his own. I suspect he may think that because the baby has got light coloured skin and because they are both black he would have thought that the baby would have had the same coloured skin as the parent and because the babys skin is light coloured he might suspect that Thebedi might have had an affair with a white man and got pregnant and had a baby. Now we can move on to analyse the language which is used in these texts. Now the language which is used in these two stories are very expressive, they allow us to feel what the character are feelings. I will start to analyse the language used in the story of Veronica. And then I will move to analyse the story of Country Lovers. This in my opinion is a very heart felt and emotional story and I feel it is quite sad that the baby died in the end and that no body was convicted for the death of the baby if there was a murderer. But before we get to that lets start with the language used in Veronica. There are many persuasive words use in this particular text. The language which I have encountered in this text I have never seen or heard of before. Many people have commented on the language which is used in these texts and it is considered to be quite complex but I shall persevere and try to unravel the language in this text for you so that you may understand it as well as I have tried to. There are persuasive words a plenty in this story to help us to understand what the characters in the text are feeling. Now if we move on to analyse the language which is used in Country Lovers. The language which is used in this text is quite complex also so I will try to impart with you the knowledge which I have learnt about the language of this text. Many may say that the words are quite simple but the thing which is hard about the language in this text I the inner meanings within these words which means there is a meaning within a meaning. Now I have scrutinised the language, I will now go on to analyse the structure. There are two main things in the structure which need to be discussed and they are story and characters. I shall start by discussing the story in both of the stories. I have explained at the beginning of this piece the main story lines of these stories but in this paragraph I will go more in to depth about how the author of this story has kept the reader interested and leaving them wanting more. In Veronica for example this story is quite short, even though the story is short does not mean that the story is not interesting or boring. Short stories are just as interesting as novels or long novels. In this story the author has not used many difficult or hard to understand words and all the long / hard words are necessary to give the effect which is given. The author also made it easier for the readers understand what the characters in the story are feeling. For example we said goodbye and she hurtled away. I thought I saw a tear in her eyes as she turned to go. From this quote I can tell that Veronica was really sad about Okeke leaving her and she wanted to avoid a long goodbye because she probably knew the longer she stayed with him the more upset she would get about the thought of him leaving. Now I will move on to analyse the story in Country Lovers. This story is slightly longer than Veronica but is still very interesting. The author of this text does not use many long/ hard words but she does not need to the story is powerful enough and gets the point across without the need to use long and difficult words. This story is quite descriptive, for example: Hidden by the mesh of old, ant eaten trees the more descriptive a story is the better picture of what is happening in the story. If the author is too descriptive it is boring and if there are only few words of description then it isnt very good to get a picture of what is happening in your head. But the author of this story has found the right limit. Now I move on to talk about the characters in these stories. In Veronica there are only two main characters and they are Okeke and Veronica. Now these characters are very well made up and they were designed to play off each other. Where as Veronica is quite resistant to move Okeke is quite happy to try to persuade Veronica to move with him to the big city. Where as in Country Lovers there is Thebedi, Njabulo and also Paulus. Njabulo is quite a shy and retiring type where as Paulus is the alpha male and is more demanding and quite mean and strict. And Thebedi last of all is quite laidback but when she was required of it she was not afraid to stand up for herself. Finally I will analyse if the main characters had main a different choice then what would have happened and how the ending would have been changed. I will start with the story of Veronica. If Veronica had decided to go with Okeke and work as a secretary to him and goes to night classes then she probably would have led a happier and fuller life and also would not have died as early as she did and she would have had a happy and rich family life. In the story of Country Lovers what would have happened if different decisions were made. If Thebedi did not have a sexual relationship with Paulus in her teenage years then he probably would not have come back in her life and Thebedis baby would not have died. Also Njabulo and Thebedis relationship would have been stronger and better. To bring a conclusion to this piece both pieces are brilliant in the way that they are written and put together. They are fantastic short reads which I would recommend to any one to read and also if you wanted to read about different cultures and traditions.

mankind is our business :: essays research papers

â€Å"It takes a village to raise a child†, a famous quote with much more truth in it than may be realized. As a person, being part of a family, community, and country in the world is so mandatory for survival, that not making mankind part of our business is not an option. Survival, as human beings, is not plausible without the outside help of others. Each and every day, whether we realize it or not, we are being helped by others, and more than likely, helping others along the way as well. People should be able to help other people without being cynical, without needing their own selfish motivations in order to achieve their goals. It should not take a catastrophe to get people to open their wallets and their hearts to help others in need. The events that occurred on September eleventh are an example of what it takes for people to realize that there are others in need of help. We, as Americans, and people, should have been helping all along, not just after the occurrence of a disaster. The events of September eleventh showed the compassion that we have towards each other. Even members of countries other than the United States sympathized with the occurrences, and many reached out to help much further than was expected. If people stop caring about the future, then there will be no future, it is as simple as that. We must always reach out to mankind, giving in every way we can, helping to make the future strong, as was done for us by people from the past. Parents are a shining example. They work hard so they can send their children to college in hopes that their children will lead a more productive life than their own. Presidents are yet another. Presidents, and other people with authority and power are at work each and every day in many countries because they are trying to make the world a better place for the future.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are unlimited ways to help mankind become better as a whole. Ranging from the small things like donating clothes food and money to donating personal time, which is so precious in this modern day, that it is of the most valued donation available. It does not seem like much, but in the long run, it all adds up and makes a huge impact on the world.

Comparing Irony of War in Dulce et Decorum, Regeneration, and Quiet on

Irony of War Exposed in Dulce et Decorum, Regeneration, and Quiet on the Western Front    Many of the young officers who fought in the Great War enlisted in the army with glowing enthusiasm, believing that war was played in fancy uniforms with shiny swords. They considered war as a noble task, an exuberant journey filled with honor and glory. Yet, after a short period on the front, they discovered that they had been disillusioned by the war: fighting earned them nothing but hopelessness, death and terror. They had lost their lives to the lost cause of war, which also killed their innocence and youth. They were no longer boys but callous men. Wilfred Owen's poem "Dulce et Decorum Est", Pat Barker's novel Regeneration, and Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front, all portray the irony between the delusive glory of war and the gruesome reality of it, but whereas Owen and Sassoon treat the theme from a British point of view, Remarque allows us to look at it from the enemy's. The poem "Dulce et Decorum Est", an anti-war poem by Wilfred Owen who was an English footsoldier, states that it is not sweet and fitting to die a hero's death for a country. Right off in the first line, Owen describes the troops as being "like old beggars under sacks" (1). This metaphor indicates that the men are battle weary and suggests reluctance. They also have been on their feet for days and appear to be drained of youth as they "marched asleep" (5) and "limped on, blood-shod" (6). Overall, in the first stanza, Oundjian 2 there seems to be a tension between old and young because it shows how the impact of an endless war has reduced these once energetic young men to the point where they could be referred to as "old" (1), "lame" (6) and... ...s, demonstrated through the author's talent, are denouncing the authority figures who were supposed to guide his generation into adulthood but instead turned the youth against each other in the pursuit of superficial ideals. The soldiers were simply the victims of a meaningless war. In conclusion, Remarque's firsthand encounters with trench warfare, Owen's vivid descriptions of the soldiers' experiences and Baker's touching accounts of the lives of historical figures, all state that there were no victors in war, only losers in a hopeless battle for territorial supremacy. Works Cited Barker, Pat. Regeneration. Toronto: Plume, 1993. Owen, Wilfred. "Dulce et Decorum Est." The Faber Book of War Poetry. Ed. Kenneth Baker. London: Faber, 1997. 3-4. Remarque, Erich Maria. All Quiet on the Western Front. Trans. A. W. Wheen. New York: Ballantine, 1982.

A Summary of the Book Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser Essay

Customers, food critic and competitors are all praises over McDonald’s French fries for its unique and distinctive taste.  Ã‚   However, its taste has nothing to do with neither the potatoes that they use nor their cooking equipment.   The source of its distinctive taste has largely to do with cooking oil which is a mixture of 7 percent cottonseed oil and 93 percent beef tallow, which also explains why it has more saturated fat per ounce than a McDonald’s hamburger. They switched to using pure vegetable in 1990 when they started getting criticisms about the high amount of cholesterol in their fries.   This move gave them a whole new challenge on how to maintain the distinctive beefy taste in their fries, which sets them apart from the rest, without using the fat saturated beef tallow.   The problem was solved by adding flavor to their fires.   A closer examination of their ingredients will show you â€Å"natural flavor,† which is hardly natural as â€Å"natural flavor† and artificial flavor† are both man-made.   It explains why McDonald’s fries, as well as American food in general, tastes so good. The flavor industry is very secretive when it comes to their clients.   They deem it of utmost importance to protect the reputation of these popular brands and understandably so since they would like to give the consumers the impression that the flavors and delectability of their food comes from their kitchens and not from elsewhere. International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) is the largest flavor company in the world, also manufactures the scents of some of the most successful and finest perfumes in the United States.   Food’s aroma is responsible for 90 percent of its flavor.   In fact, the â€Å"flavor† manufactured in these companies are primarily the smell of gases being released by the chemicals we put in our mouths. Researches done by scientists reveal that disposition or preference to certain food or taste is usually formed at the early stages of a person’s life.   Aroma or taste, and memory are strongly linked to each other which explain why a particular smell or taste could trigger a person’s memory back to childhood, often referred to as â€Å"comfort foods.†Ã‚   This phenomenon is what fast food chains, including McDonald’s, are banking on in their marketing and promotions.   Memory of Happy Meals can translate to frequent adult visits to McDonald’s. Meanwhile, the author discussed the American ranchers’ dire predicament in the present market.   McDonald’s is America’s largest beef purchaser.   In the late 1960’s McDonald’s buy their beef supply from 175 local suppliers, but in their desire to achieve uniformity as its business expanded, they limited their suppliers down to only five.   Many ranchers argue that large corporations have gained control of the market, employing dirty tactics to keep down the price of cattle. Chicken McNuggets was formed through an idea of McDonald’s chairman, Fred Turner, in 1979.   He wanted a supplier to create a â€Å"chicken finger-food without bones, about the size of your thumb.†Ã‚   The alarming growth rate of poultry in the United States at that time was a threat to the fast food chain whose only products are burgers. After six months of intensive research, Keystone lab developed a new technology for manufacturing McNuggets, made of reconstituted chicken, composed of white meat, held together by stabilizers, breaded, fried, frozen, then reheated.   Its initial test-marketing proved to be so successful that McDonald’s hired another company, Tyson Foods, to guarantee adequate supply.   The success of McNuggets changed the nations system for raising and processing poultry. Greeley, Colorado is a town where cattle is the main business, and where workers and machines turn large steer to vacuum packed packages.   However, the industrialization of cattle raising have turned one of the nation’s best-paying manufacturing jobs, into one of the lowest paying, the biggest workforce of which are poor immigrants. The working conditions in these meat packing plants were horrible to say the least, endangering the lives of its workers as well as those of its consumers.   Presently, meat-packing plants and agricultural fields hire poor immigrant workers who are willing to receive lower pay than U.S. citizens.   Even in the present time when technology and new systems are available, it hardly improved the working conditions of these workers.   They work every day amidst the indescribable stench and dirt, health exposure, injuries, and even death.  Ã‚   The different work in meat-packing plants and slaughterhouses are unarguably one of the most dangerous jobs in the planet. Schlosser brought up the presence of E. coli in meat as one of the hazards in the meat packing industry.   E. coli bacteria aid human beings in digesting food, synthesizing vitamins and protects from dangerous organisms.   On the other hand, E. coli 0157:H7 is a mutated version that is harmful and can release a powerful toxin called â€Å"Shiga toxin.†Ã‚   It attacks the lining of the intestines that may result to abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and low-grade fever. It becomes deadly when â€Å"Shiga toxin† enters the bloodstream and can lead to kidney failure, anemia, internal bleeding, and destruction of vital organs.   Children or elderly with impaired immune systems are more likely to suffer.   Antibiotics do not help and in some cases, even triggers the release of Shiga toxins, after which little or nothing can be done to those infected.   Unlike Salmonella virus which requires large doses to cause infection, E. coli 0157:H7 requires very little.   It only takes a tiny, uncooked particle of a hamburger to contain enough pathogen to kill a person.   This can be transmitted from person-to-person. The influence of America has widely spread for most of the twentieth century, as the popularity of movies, CDs, music videos, television shows, clothing and fashion grow steadily, so does the Americanization of the world.   Fast food is one of the most popular American influences which people around the globe actually patronize.   Today, the United States has the highest obesity rate of any industrialized nations.   It soared dramatically in proportion to the consumption and popularity of fast food.   The Americans’ way of eating and living has changed so drastically in the past decades, when people eat more and move less. The popularity and growth of the fast food industry is mainly through their abundance of high-fat, inexpensive meals that are easily available.   They have also increased their portion sizes as a way of attracting customers.   The popular fast food chains realized that it was easier to increase the size of their portions than to promote healthier eating habits, as it was very difficult to battle eating habits formed early on in life through their own marketing strategies.   Even countries such as Japan, whose diet has always been believed to be the healthiest in the world, succumbed to the fast food influence.   As a result, obesity which used to be a rarity in this country has become more common. In 1994, a libel trial begun between McDonald’s and two Greenpeace activists, Helen Steel and Dave Morris, where Steel and Morris was being sued by the fast food chain for libel.   They were alleged to have spread leaflets and information that were damaging and untrue.   Many years later, the court ruled that the information was indeed libelous as Steel and Morris were not able to prove â€Å"all† of their allegations against McDonalds.   This trial dragged on for years, until present time, and has put McDonald’s in a much worse situation than the two activists, due to bad publicity. Opinion At first glance, Fast Food Nation may seem to be a book that is bent on brandishing the fast food industry to be the bad guys.   However, this book actually contains a well-researched and factual representation of American lifestyle and eating habits, as well as its remarkable influence in the world.   Eric Schlosser wrote a compelling picture of the origins of the present American society and the rest of the world’s â€Å"Americanized† way of life. McDonald’s have been successful in infiltrating the lives of American consumers and establishing its stronghold in many people’s eating habits.   In its aim to provide convenience and â€Å"fast† food to people, McDonald’s and the rest of the fast food industry cleverly found a way to give the consumers exactly that, fast food.   Just like any other business, is it any wonder that the fast food industry has creatively and cleverly formulated it own strategies and marketing ploys to gain the fickle trust of consumers? Many might wonder, if McDonald’s, and the fast food industry in general, should be blamed for the terrible eating habits and obesity that besets many Americans and other nations across the world.   I believe that the consumers are partly to blame in this predicament; after all, what they put in their and their children’s, mouths is ultimately their decision.   However, I strongly believe that McDonalds, and the rest of the fast food industry, has a very crucial responsibility in putting forth correct and unveiled information about their food products. It is their business and moral responsibility to put the health of their consumers of utmost consideration and importance, over profits.   It is understandable for consumers to unwittingly get hooked to these great-tasting fast foods, and realize only later on that they have made a mistake.   Clearly, the fast food industry failed to do their jobs in providing correct and ample information, and in resisting the urge of capitalism and profit over the welfare of their consumers, in effect, jeopardizing their lives and exposing the health of your children to grave danger.

As I Stand Here Ironing essays

As I Stand Here Ironing essays I Stand Here Ironing: Essay In this story, it was obvious that Emilys mother did not take on her responsibilities of being a mother as well as she should have. Many factors of how Emily was raised contributed to her actions and attitude, for example the treatment she was given by her mother. However, her mother was not the only blame for her daughters situation, Emilys father was too. He walked out on Emily and her mother when she was born saying he could no longer endure sharing the want with us in a good-bye note he wrote. Therefore, Emily didnt have a father figure throughout her life. Emily and her mother had to both suffer for how she was raised. Emily sometimes had to starve because her mother had no job, therefore she had no money. At other times, Emily would have to stay at home alone while her mother either worked or stayed out at night with her husband. Due to Emilys mother not being able to manage food and care for her, Emily was sent to a home where she would be taken care of. This incident may have affected Emily also. For at this shelter, parents could not come in physical contact, such as holding, hugging, or kissing, with their kids, which affected Emily more because when she returned home she would barely let her mother hold her or show any type of affection. Another factor that may have affected Emily when growing up was her mother tossing her between different people. When Emily was younger she was sent to live with her father while her mother attempted to make money. By the time she came back she had to start nursery school where I believe she didnt enjoy attending, which her mother assumed because of her own thoughts of how a nursery school teacher treated the children. Emily would always try to find an excuse to stay home from school. When Emilys mother would work, she would sometimes leave he ...

CD Review essays

CD Review essays A CD Review of Bluing: Miles Davis Plays the Blues Miles Davis, from his beginnings as a nineteen-year-old kid in 1945 New York City, to his final days in the early 1990s, is to be considers one of the jazzs best. The 1996 album entitled, Bluing: Miles Davis Plays the Blues, the engineers at Prestige Records bring Miles Davis back to life. Packed with over 73 minutes and 12 bar blues, Bluing brings nine great tunes of Davis together on one disk. Having been originally recorded in the 1950s, these nine cuts take the listener through a decade of music and a decade of Davis life. On the opening track, entitled Bluing, we hear nearly ten minutes of Davis on trumpet, Jackie McLean on alto sax, Sonny Rollins on tenor, Walter Bishop, Jr. on piano, Tommy Porter on bass, and Art Blakey playing the drums. Bishop provides the intro of the song on the piano, with Blakey coming in soon after. Nearly a minute in, Davis begins and is soon softly accompanied by the saxes. Through the first five or so minutes of the tune, Davis enjoys a solo. He is then followed by the tenor and alto sax, respectively. I enjoy this track mostly for the tone Davis achieves and the moderate tempo. However, during Rollins tenor solo and then again for the last minute or so of the song, Davis and the rest of the group pick up the pace and begin double-timing. In the end, for me, this track is made classic by a botched ending on the part of Art Blakey. If you listen closely you can hear Davis instant reaction: Well have to play it again then, man. You know the arrangement. Obviously enough, Blakey doesnt contribute to any of the other songs on the album. Another cut that I enjoyed on this album is Bags Groove. ...

Orwells Writing Rules Are Made to Be Broken

Orwells Writing Rules Are Made to Be Broken Orwell’s Writing Rules Are Made to Be Broken Orwell’s Writing Rules Are Made to Be Broken By Mark Nichol George Orwell, author of Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm, has been celebrated far and wide (including on this site) for his essay â€Å"Politics and the English Language.† The moral force of his argument is undeniable: Orwell, a socialist, witnessed the, well, Orwellian, tyranny of the Soviet Union and feared the power of propaganda and the insidiousness of authoritarian obfuscation, hence his passion for clear, simple writing. Toward the end of this justifiably influential tract, Orwell exhorted readers to adhere to six commandments about writing. However, as he himself wrote in a subsequent paragraph, â€Å"I have not here been considering the literary use of language, but merely language as an instrument for expressing and not for concealing or preventing thought.† Beyond that caution, though, literal adherence to his dicta is inadvisable, and to some extent I disagree with each of them. 1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print. Certainly, many figures of speech such as â€Å"bite the bullet,† â€Å"push the envelope,† and â€Å"go the extra mile† should be sent to the metaphor retirement home, and I’ve warned about buzzwords, but not every common figure of speech has worn out its welcome. They can be especially catchy when used in punny contexts: A government agency turns over a new leaf about deforestation, a rock band plays musical chairs with its lineup, a pharmaceutical company’s setback is a bitter pill to swallow. 2. Never us a long word where a short one will do. Utilization of sesquipedalian vocabulary unquestionably mitigates comprehension, but never is dishearteningly uncompromising. Better to advise minimizing multisyllabism. But must I always write do in place of accomplish? Spread instead of disseminate? Try in favor of endeavor? That’s an oddly totalitarian rule, coming from Orwell. 3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. Um, is always really necessary in that sentence? And â€Å"Omit a word† is more concise than â€Å"cut a word out.† But omit has more letters than cut. Do you see where this is going? The answer is, too far. Striving to attain Hemingwayesque conciseness is appropriate for assembly instructions, and journalistic writing should be as transparent as possible, but Bill Bryson never met an adjective or an adverb he didn’t like, and if anyone’s complained about that, I haven’t read the grievance. In moderation (or, in Bryson’s case, in excess), modification is merited. 4. Never use the passive where you can use the active. The case for active language is often strong. But passive constructions are acceptable when the actor in a sentence (in the following sentence’s case, the â€Å"seer†) is not significant: â€Å"Punk music can be seen as a reaction to the overblown theatricality of disco and arena rock.† And sometimes the object is more important than the subject. Yes, favor active voice, but don’t categorically prohibit occasional passive structure. 5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent. Am I prohibited from referring to an eminence grise, in favor of â€Å"power behind the throne† or â€Å"puppet master†? The French phrase for â€Å"gray eminence,† or â€Å"gray man,† is admittedly somewhat pretentious, but it’s also a rich metaphor and if you don’t know what it means, after you look it up, your word-hoard is in turn enriched. Likewise, scientific terminology and topic-specific jargon can become tiresome, but it’s often appropriate in moderation. 6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous. I disagree with this rule as well. Better, I say, to break any of these rules you like, but only after you acknowledge that each has its justifications and if you remain alert, in your writing, to abuses of the English language they caution against. But â€Å"Orwell, or else† is a policy that smacks of rigidity. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Writing Basics category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:What Is Irony? (With Examples)Ten Yiddish Expressions You Should KnowDouble Possessive

Simulation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Simulation - Essay Example Now the application of cost accounting system came into practices for the fact that that the firm had to come up with a decision i.e. whether to accept this order or otherwise, since bulk orders go for discounted prices, but the exceptional quantity makes the fixed cost distribute over larger volumes. Number cracking leads to the conclusion that the contribution margin and operating profits from lemon cookies are lesser when compared to the real mint ones. So the suggestion came out was to reduce the volume of lemon ones and increase those of real mint, as it would also accommodate the order. In realistic terms, the application should be otherwise, since the unit contribution margin for lemon cookies is on the higher side. At the same time, any order cannot be accepted at a point in time when production capacity is already on maximum utilization point, since it implies the inability of the firm to cater to the order. Along the similar line, the order should not also be considered because the selling price per unit for the bulk order is the one at which contribution margin is less than the fixed costs incurred so it makes less sense to accept the order under such a circumstance despite the fact that the contribution margin would yet be greater than zero, but would result in a loss for the business. Subsequently, it doesn't turn out to be worth for fulfilling the order. Some more facts reveal that the break-even point for the lemon cookies is around 563,000 packs. The current manufacturing is around 600,000 packs, which turns the cycle into a profitable one, as it goes beyond the breakeven, and this manufacturing is around the same marks as the production requirements and monthly targets. However, increasing the break-even volume to 650,000, would not be profitable, despite the firm bring in operating profits. Though in doing this, the existing unit may be forced to reduce its volumes for lemon cookies, as the variable cost per unit for lemon is on the higher side. These were some outcome from the simulation conducted, however, the three major learning points were the taking up of key figures of fixed costs, variable costs and breakeven point. These are the major constituents of cost for running a business. Majority of the costs are easily observable and thus, can be quantified to ensure that their relationship with the level of output can be determined in direct form or otherwise (Costs, 2005, para. 1 and 2). Fixed and Variable costs are the basic bifurcation or classification of costs in a business, while break-even point determines the zero profit/loss levels and beyond this point, is all the profit a firm earns from its operations. Fixed costs remain same irrespective of the volume of output, while variable costs vary with the level of output produced (Marshall, McManus and Viele, 2004, pg. 417). There is another category of costing referred to as mixed cost, and this is a form that contains elements of both fixed and variable costs. The most classical examples are bills that contain a line rent (fixed part) and a unit based rental (variable part). The analyses of all these costs are done

How does consumers' perception influence brand equity Essay

How does consumers' perception influence brand equity - Essay Example Advertising and marketing is all about conveying a single, unified message down to the target audience in a manner which meshes along well both with the client’s budget as well as the aspirations and expectations of the people for whom the brand is being marketed or advertised. It is formed on the basis of psychological and physiological movements which are studied by the advertising and marketing people so that the client (the company people) also remain happy and their business flourishes in the longer run. However, to get this very message down to the intended people is not an easy job to start with. It needs to be very targeted, precise and significant for them in order for them to take notice and understand that the particular brand connects with them in the best and most easiest of manners possible and hence they should be the ones to buy it for themselves and for this reason satisfy their need or even please themselves more than they had already expected.It is a sure to ugh job for the people who have to extract the perfect message which needs to be sharpened again and again before it actually gets down to the right kind of people who will make the actual purchase and therefore the product will be sold in the end. However, on the flip side of the coin, this requires selling the product or the brand in the mind of the consumer before he actually decides to go and buy the very same. This is refereed as the pre-selling stage and advertising has got a lot to do with it.

Report for AIR PARTNER PLC. (Research & Financial Analysis) Essay

Report for AIR PARTNER PLC. (Research & Financial Analysis) - Essay Example Findings a) Financial highlights According to the chairman’s report( air partner’s report 2010), the group made a loss of ?1.65m, a loss of ?0.04 in the financial year 2009.Similarly, the pre-tax profit slumped from ?.6m in 2009 to ?3.5m in 2010 which is attributed to the restructuring costs and loss from some of their operating units. The company’s operation remained profitable despite the challenging environment fueled by a contracting economic outlooks experienced across the world in 2009 and part of 2010.( Vogel,2001).However, its turnover from the continuing operations increased from ?187m in 2009 to ?230m in the year 2010. The annual report released by the director in July 2011, indicates a remarkable increase in turnover and the pretax profit. The turnover increased from ?230m in 2010 to ?282m in 2011.Similarly, the pre-tax profit soared greatly by 93% in as compared to the yrar2010.The re was also an increase in Earnings per share from 26.6% to 32.55 in 2 011.It is also pointed out that in 2011 financial year, the directors were entitled to dividends signifying some positive growth in profits unlike in 2011 where there were no dividends due to the losses the companies had realized. Increase in profits was attributed to its core strategy of focusing on core business of core broking activities in areas which were profitable (Plunkett, 2008). A further critical analysis of their financial statements reveals that the net current assets of the firm decreased from ?9557m in 2009 to ?7642m in 2010 and a light increase to ?9578 in 2011, wit taxation taking major of their expenditures from the companies’ earnings. A loss was registered in cash flows from operating activities from ?2011m to ?2021m in 2011.This was attributed to a discontinued loss from operation as evidenced from the incomes and expenditure statement. Investment activities continued to decrease due to losses that were being incurred by the company, due to a downturn eco nomic patterns with ?18m in 2010 and a worse loss in 2011 of ?627m.in general, the cash and cash equivalents decreased by ?4569m in they year 2011. A closer review of the changes in the equity statement indicates that the company increased slightly from the ?10959m to ?12817m in the year ending 31st july2011. b) Trends and other concerns of the company As noted in their annual report (31st July, 2011), the lead time booking for their clients is ad hoc and unpredictable. This implies that the company’s business trend in uncertainty and only depends on the factors such financial markets, political instability from which their subsidiary company operate and natural events such catastrophe, earthquakes which adversely affect their business operation in those specified areas. For example, the earth quake that occurred in Japan adversely affected all the business in those areas and aircrafts plying those areas had to be called off (Annual Report, 2010; 2011) c) The group’s p rincipal risks The group principal risks include operation-related risks such as shortages of supply, adverse weather conditions, competitive pricing owed to the fact that the industry is highly concentrated, and stringent legal regulations

Computer science and information technology major personal statement Essay

Computer science and information technology major personal statement - Essay Example I noticed that the lock was very convenient since we never had to bring the key again. I started to dream about owning a smart house where electronics will do everything for us, such as tasks scheduling, voice commanding, decisions making, etc. Since coming to the U.S., I have seen people using iPhones to dim lights in their houses. I realized my dream is actually achievable, yet even that did not seem like enough. I want houses that are even â€Å"smarter†, and I wish one day everyone can own one of these houses. I want to customize my own smart house instead of those that exist already. Looking back on the past, I realize t that my dream had become more of a reality when I got to use computers.   The first time I used a computer I use it to play games only. I started to play a Japanese web game (livly) in 2005. By chance the game allowed me to customize my own homepage with HTML. I started to write simple HTML for my page. Eventually, I spent more time exploring the World Wide Web and discovered that there are programming languages for web pages which can do more than a markup language. I managed to read a book about PHP4 and MYSQL which I borrowed from the library. Although I did not have enough knowledge to understand everything, I read through the whole book and tried my best to understand all of the content. At the same time, my achievement in writing simple Visual Basic code in high school encouraged me even more to explore the computer field.   In 2009 I had a very special experience. I participated in a regional championship of the Worldskills Competition in Office and I was glad that I had learnt a lot in the field of software application from the training course I had taken. I was allowed to explore Microsoft Office at a deeper level by implementing VBA and the built-in library functions in Microsoft Excel. A year after I participated in another competition with participants from Hong Kong and Macau. I got a chance

Nurse as Educator Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Nurse as Educator - Essay Example In today's healthcare arena, the unique holistic perspective of nursing practice mandates that nurses possess the knowledge and skills necessary to educate various audiences in a variety of settings with efficiency and effectiveness. The fundamental ideas related to person as caring and nursing as a discipline and profession that serves as the perspective grounding for the theory Nursing as Caring. A new generic understanding of caring or of discipline and profession, but to communicate some of the ideas basic to Nursing as Caring. Caring is an essential feature and expression of being human. The belief that all persons, by virtue of their humanness, are caring establishes the ontological and ethical ground on which this theory is built. Persons as caring are a value which underlies each of the major concepts of Nursing as Caring and is an essential idea for understanding this theory and its complications. Being a person means living caring, and it is through caring that out being and all possibilities are known to the fullest. The concept of nursing situation is central to every aspect of the theory of Nursing as Caring. ... Being a person means living caring, and it is through caring that out being and all possibilities are known to the fullest. NURSING SITUATION AS THE LOCUS OF NURSING The concept of nursing situation is central to every aspect of the theory of Nursing as Caring. The nursing situation is both repository of nursing knowledge, the context for knowing nursing, shared lived experience in which the caring between the nurse and the one nursed enhances personhood. It is to the nursing situation that the nurse brings self as caring person, expressing unique ways of living, attends to calls for caring, creating caring responses that nurture personhood, in the fullness of aesthetic knowing. The nursing situation comes into being when the nurse actualizes a personal and professional commitment to the belief that all persons are caring. It should be recognized that a nurse can engage in many activities in an occupational role that are not necessarily expressions of nursing. When a nurse practices nursing thoughtfully, that nurse if guided by his or her conception of nursing. The concept of nursing formalized in the Nursing as Caring theory is at the very heart of nursing, extending back into the unrecorded beginnings of nursing and forward into the future. Remember that the nursing situation is a construct held by the nurse, any interpersonal experience contains the potential to become a nursing situation. In the formal sense of professional nursing, the nursing situation develops when one person presents self in the role of offering the professional service of nursing and the other presents self in the role of seeking, wanting or accepting

Computer science and information technology major personal statement Essay

Computer science and information technology major personal statement - Essay Example I noticed that the lock was very convenient since we never had to bring the key again. I started to dream about owning a smart house where electronics will do everything for us, such as tasks scheduling, voice commanding, decisions making, etc. Since coming to the U.S., I have seen people using iPhones to dim lights in their houses. I realized my dream is actually achievable, yet even that did not seem like enough. I want houses that are even â€Å"smarter†, and I wish one day everyone can own one of these houses. I want to customize my own smart house instead of those that exist already. Looking back on the past, I realize t that my dream had become more of a reality when I got to use computers.   The first time I used a computer I use it to play games only. I started to play a Japanese web game (livly) in 2005. By chance the game allowed me to customize my own homepage with HTML. I started to write simple HTML for my page. Eventually, I spent more time exploring the World Wide Web and discovered that there are programming languages for web pages which can do more than a markup language. I managed to read a book about PHP4 and MYSQL which I borrowed from the library. Although I did not have enough knowledge to understand everything, I read through the whole book and tried my best to understand all of the content. At the same time, my achievement in writing simple Visual Basic code in high school encouraged me even more to explore the computer field.   In 2009 I had a very special experience. I participated in a regional championship of the Worldskills Competition in Office and I was glad that I had learnt a lot in the field of software application from the training course I had taken. I was allowed to explore Microsoft Office at a deeper level by implementing VBA and the built-in library functions in Microsoft Excel. A year after I participated in another competition with participants from Hong Kong and Macau. I got a chance

Doing Business in Spain Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Doing Business in Spain - Assignment Example In this respect, a new business venture with the assistance of the marketing analysis is able to conduct operations in accordance with business opportunities (Katz, â€Å"Negotiating International Business – Spain†). Spain is a member of the ‘European Commission Community’ and the membership of European Union (EU) facilitated the country to conduct barrier-free trade operations. In this context, the country is able to perform business operations with better growth opportunities. Moreover, with the advent of globalization, the country has been able to perform sustainably with better transparency as well as efficiency (Katz, â€Å"Negotiating International Business – Spain†). The assignment intends to highlight an overview of Spain with regard to culture, education, labor market and economy. Additionally, an analysis is conducted with the aim of obtaining adequate information in relation to the business environments in the Spain on the basis of business culture, investment climate, major industries, legal aspects i.e. labor laws and other laws, business opportunities, process of starting a business in Spain. The analysis further helps to understand the significant areas about business opportunities. Spain is a member state of European Union and the country is officially recognized as Kingdom of Spain (Compare Infobase Ltd., â€Å"Spain Map†). Spanish culture is widely known for its Flamenco dance and music, beaches, bullfights and sunshine. Additionally, the people believes in developing relationship as well as respect (Don Quijote Salamanca S.L., â€Å"Spanish Culture†). Around 12% of the overall populations of Spain are foreigners of which around 47% belongs to European origin and rest is non-European. According to the article published by EURES, 60% of the overall populations of the country are identified as active workers. Spain has the fourth largest economy in the Eurozone in terms of business operations. Additionally, in terms of nominal

Impacts of Cultural Differences Essay Example for Free

Impacts of Cultural Differences Essay College Graduation Thesis Subject: Impacts of Cultural Differences on International Business Negotiation Name: Chen Xiujuan Student No. : 0 8 5 1 0 3 4 0 Specialty and Class: Business English, Class 3 Department: Department of Humanities and Arts Supervisor: Liu Mifan Date: 2011-3-02 Contents Introduction1 1. Types of Cultural Differences2 1. 1Value View2 1. 2. Negotiating Style2 1. 3. Thinking Model2 2. Impact Of Cultural Differences on International Business Negotiations4 . 1Impact of Value Views Differences on International Business Negotiations4 2. 1. 1Impact of Time View Difference on Negotiation. 4 2. 1. 2Impact of Equality View Difference on Negotiation. 5 2. 1. 3 Impact of Objectivity Difference on Negotiation. 6 2. 2 Impact of Negotiating Style Differences on International Business Negotiations. 7 2. 3 Impact of Thinking Model Differences on International Business Negotiation. 8 3. Coping Strategy Of Negotiating Across Cultures. 9 3. 1 Making Preparations before Negotiation. 9 3. 2 Overcoming Cultural Prejudice. 10 3. Conquering Communication Barriers. 10 Conclusion11 Bibliography12 Acknowledgements13 Abstract The business negotiations under different cultural conditions come to cross- cultural negotiations. With the economic globalization and the frequent business contacts, cultural differences seem to be very important; otherwise they could cause unnecessary misunderstanding, even affect the result of the business negotiations. This means it is very important to know the different culture in different countries and the ways to avoid the culture conflicts in the internat ional business negotiations. The article commences from the types of culture differences, then it explains the impacts of these culture differences on international business negotiation and finally it analyzes how to deal with the problem of the cultural differences correctly in negotiation process. Such a standpoint is emphasized: In the business negotiations between different countries, negotiators should accept the other party’s culture, and try to make him be accepted; then make a correct evaluation with the help of valid communication and discover their real benefits between them. Besides, we should know clearly and try to accept the culture differences as possible as we can. It is very important for the success of culture negotiations. Key words: Culture; Cultural differences; Business negotiation; Impact Introduction Along with the advancement globalization and China’s WTO entry, business enterprises in China have to face more and more business negotiations with foreign enterprises, especially with American enterprises. In these negotiations, Chinese negotiators sometimes feel uncomfortable, puzzled, lost, irritated and the alike, because of unfamiliar custom and behaviors demonstrated by American negotiators. Meanwhile, American negotiators confront the same situation. Cult rural differences between China and west countries could cause many problems. Therefore, understanding cultural differences and overcoming them is crucial in international business negotiations. Although the definition of culture is numerous and vague, it is commonly Recognized that culture is a shared system of symbols, beliefs, values, attitudes and expectations. Culture is a major determinant in business negotiation. So have a clear picture of culture differences if of great significance. . Types of Culture Differences The east countries and west countries have produced different cultures on the different continents. Among the different cultures, value views, negotiating style and thinking model appear more obvious. 1. 1Value View Value view is the standard that people use to asses objective things. It includes time view, equality view and objectivity. People may draw a different or even contradictory conclusion abo ut the same thing. Value view is one of the most important differences among the many factors. It can influence the attitude, needs and behavior of people. The value view varies from nation to nation, people know that the eastern person focus on collectivism, while the western people pay more attention to individualism. 1. 2. Negotiating Style Negotiating style refers to the tolerance and graces which the negotiator shows in the negotiation. The negotiators show their negotiating style through behavior, manners and the method of controlling negotiation process during the negotiation. The negotiator’s negotiating style has a bearing on their culture background. According to the culture differences, negotiating style falls into two types: the east negotiating style pattern and the west negotiating style pattern. 1. 3. Thinking Model Thinking model reflects the culture. Because of the influences of history background, continents, words and living method, different nations generate different thinking models. Surely, there is more than one thinking model of a nation, but one is more obvious compared with others. As a whole, east people, especially Chinese have strong comprehensive thinking, image thinking and curved thinking, while analytical thinking, abstract thinking and direct thinking are possessed by the west people. 2. Impact of Cultural Differences on International Business Negotiations With the rapid development of economy, we need to do business with businessmen under different culture background, so in order to reach trade agreement, it is necessary for us to study the impact of culture differences on international negotiation in global business activities. The impact of culture differences on international negotiation is extensive and deeply. Different cultures divide the people into different group and they are also the obstacles of people’s communication. Accordingly, it is required that the negotiator should accept the culture of each other. Furthermore, through culture differences, it is important that the negotiator reveal and understand the other party’s goal and behavior and make him or herself be accepted by the opponent to reach agreement finally 2. 1Impact of Value Views Differences on International Business Negotiations Value Views Differences on International Business Negotiations fall into three types: time view, negotiation style, thinking model. Each has big influences on business negotiation 2. 1. 1 Impact of Time View Difference on Negotiation. The time view which affects the negotiator’s behavior varies from east countries to west countries. The oriental or the Chinese negotiators are usually cautious and patient. They need to go through the phrases of coming up with proposes, bringing up objections and ending the trade which takes a longer time. And they hope to arrange rich time to go on a negotiation, thus knowing more about the opponent . They are good at long and continuous battle. While west people or we could say American people, consider time is precious. They tend to resolve problems swiftly. So, in business negotiation, American businessmen often complain about the delay and the lack of efficiency of negotiators from other countries, while these countries also make a complaint that the Americans lack patience. There is a popular saying among American negotiators and businessmen: It is prohibited to steal time. That shows the time view of Americans. To them, time means money. The time view of Chinese is cyclic. They use long-term and systematic viewpoints to value the importance of the topic. A famous people classify the time view into two kinds: straight-line time viewand cyclic time view. The former pay more attention to concentration and speed, and the later stress doing many things at one time. That they insist on different time view leads to different negotiating style and method. The American people represent the straight-line time view and they have a strong awareness of modern competition. They look for speed and efficiency. So they value time badly and consider time as a special commodity whose value could be assessed. They often use minute to calculate time . They hope to reduce negotiation time at every phrase and want to complete the negotiation quickly. But the Chinese time view is cyclic and they place emphasis on unity. Moreover, it is necessary to be punctual at negotiations. West people have a strong time view, if you don’t comply with the appointment time, they may give you a punishment and they will regard you as unreliable and irresponsible person. Being late for negotiation will give the west businessmen opportunities to exert pressure onyou, and then you will lose the status of being initiative. 2. 1. 2 Impact of Equality View Difference on Negotiation America went through the bourgeoisie revolution of striving for the equality and freedom, so they take equality into their heart. Americans stick to equality and fairness in business, and hope that both could gain benefit. When introducing the topic or situation, the west people would like to use concrete method, particularly data. Their negotiating method is that they will describe their viewpoint and propose at the beginning in order to get initiative. Under this principle, they would come up with a reasonable resolution which they think is very fair. In business relationship, the sellers from America regard the buyer as a counterpart. Americans are fairer than Japanese is sharing benefits. A lot of American managers think fair division of profits is more important than how much they could get. At this point, the east people are different. Because of the deeply influence of class view, they don’t pay much attention to equality. They usually adopt single-win strategy in business negotiations. When involving economic benefits they think much about their own benefits and profits and don’t give so much attention to the benefit of their partners. The market economic system of developed countries is quite mature, so west countries take win-win strategy more in negotiation; basically, they could take the benefits of both into consideration. 2. 1. 3 Impact of Objectivity Difference on Negotiation The objectivity in international business negotiation reflects the degree to which people treat any things. West people especially Americans have a strong objectivity on the understanding of issues. At negotiation table, Americans don’t care much about relationship between people. They don’t care if the status of the opponent is equal to theirs. They make decision based on facts and data, not people. The saying that public things use public ways is a reflection of American objectivity. Therefore,Americans emphasize that Businessmen should distinguish people and issues, what they are really interested in is the actual problems. But in the other parts of the world, it is impossible for them to distinguish people and issues. . 2 Impact of Negotiating Style Differences on International Business Negotiations The impacts of negotiating style differences on international business negotiation mainly exist in negotiating method and negotiating structure. Take the negotiation between America and China as a example, since the oriental care more about unity in thinking, they method they adopt in negotiation is from unity to parts, from the big to little, from the abstract to the concrete, that is to say they should each agreement on general terms, then begin to talk about the concrete terms. And usually not until the end of the negotiation do they make compromise and promise based on all the items, and then to reach agreement. The west people are influenced by analytic thinking, so pay more attention to logical relations between things. They consider more about concrete things than integrity. And they tend discuss the concrete items at the beginning of negotiation, so they often resolve the price, delivery and issuance respectively at first. And they may make compromise at every detail, so the final contract is the combination of many little agreements. The negotiating structure is linked with cultures. Negotiating structure mostly refers to the number of the participants. In business negotiation, the foreign delegation is usually composed by 3-5 people, while the Chinese one could be more 15 people. The foreign negotiators not only need to negotiate with their counterparts but also need to discuss with related person in charge or the government. When making the final decisions, the Chinese negotiators often discuss the results repeatedly from the workers to the board to avoid being decided by a single person. That results from the influence of collectivism. So they often said to their partners: Let us think about it. Let us discuss it. But the west negotiators could make the final decision without going back for discussion. That because their admire individualism and hard working. They have strong independence. They would carry on according to the best ways after knowing their goals. What’s more, most west people think that they have the ability to deal with the negotiation situation on their own. And truly, they are brave enough to take responsibility. 2. 3 Impact of Thinking Model Differences on International Business Negotiation The thinking model of Chinese tends to be comprehensive, concrete and curved, while the Americans are usually analytic, abstract and straight-line. We Chinese are accustomed to talking about general principles at first and then move onto details. To Chinese negotiators, the core is the general guideline, and the details are subject to the guideline. After figuring out the big picture, other problems are easier to resolve. It is the most obvious feature of Chinese negotiators. But west businessmen, especially Americans are likely to discuss the details first and try to avoid the principle. They value details very much and think noting about the unity. Accordingly, they want to discuss the details at the beginning of negotiation. They are direct and simple in negotiation. As a matter of fact, many facts show that General principles first have impact of constriction on the parts and details. For instance, our government insists on the principle that Hong Kong and Macao are undivided parts of China’s territory. In the important diplomatic negotiations such as Entering into relationship with America, Hong Kong’s and Macao’s Coming back into their motherland. It is under such principle that we established the tone of the negotiation and controlled the skeleton of the negotiation, thus we get the advantage and prompt the success of negotiation. 3. Coping Strategy of Negotiating across Cultures The culture differences in cross-cultural communication have various impacts on operation of enterprises. These differences will influence negotiation and management of transnational operation; what’s more, it may have bad effects on the harmonious relationship between our country and foreign countries. Maybe that will lead to the missing of market opportunities, the increase of trade cost and the low efficiency of company management. So, it is really necessary for us all to eliminate and avoid disadvantageous effects. 3. 1 Making Preparations before Negotiation. The negotiators must make good preparations if they want control the development of negotiation successfully in the complex situation. Only do they make good preparations can they make changes freely according to the situation of negotiation and avoid the happening of conflicts. Because the international business negotiation involves extensive aspects, more preparations are needed. The preparations often include the analysis of the negotiators themselves and the opponents; the constitution of negotiation group, elaborating the negotiating goal and strategy and going on imitation negotiation when necessary. When making preparations, you should try to know the opponents while you analyze yourselves. Analyzing yourselves mainly refers to studying if the project is feasible. To knowing about the opponents means understanding their strength such as credit status, the policy? business customs and regulations of their countries and the conditions of their negotiating members and so on. . 2 Overcoming Cultural Prejudice Tolerating different cultures and overcoming cultural prejudice contribute to better communicating with each other and understanding each other. West people often think that they are powerful, capable and experienced, so sometimes, we need to recognize then and give then some good comments. We should learn about the foreign cultures before negotiation a nd accept and understand their cultures in negotiation, because every country regard their own cultures as a matter of course and hope that their culture could be recognized and accepted. 3. Conquering Communication Barriers Two trains running at different railways in the opposite direction will collide with each other; maybe this is the best arrangement for trains. But to communication between people, there won’t be communications if people go ahead according to their own ways. Trains will collide with each other if they run on the same railway at the opposite direction. But if we measure by the objective of people’s communication, only we meet each other, can we have communication and friendship. In negotiation, sometimes we can’t make much progress although we have talked for long time. And sometimes both parties are not satisfied. After thinking, that is caused by communication barriers which happen easily in cross-cultural negotiation. We should make sure if there appear communication barriers, if so, we must overcome them. Generally speaking, we should pay more attention to the following three communication barriers in cross-cultural negotiation: the communication barriers caused by culture background of both; the ones caused by misunderstanding of the contents and information from the partner; the ones caused by not being willing to accept the opponent’s contents and ideas. Conclusion â€Å"Social Customs varies in different countries†. In a word, cross- cultural communication will meet the problem of culture differences surely. In turn, culture differences also influence all aspects of international business communication. To avoid or to resolve the culture differences is a huge task in international business negotiation. In order to step into the international market successfully, we must have the awareness of culture differences, acknowledge culture differences and understand different cultures. Try to know yourself and know them. What’s more, we should respect different behavior of businessmen under different culture background, and then we could reduce unnecessary conflicts resulting from not respecting the opponents. It is beneficial for both to form an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation, reduce culture differences and turn disadvantages into advantages and benefits. Thus, we could avoid conflicts and obstacles, then to promote communication and harmony in international business negotiation. Bibliography 1]George Yule. The study of Language[M]. Cambridge University Press,2000:202-209 [2]Harvey, Paul,,â€Å"The Oxford Companion to English Literature† [M]. London: Oxford University Press. 1978:23-25 [3]Philip R Harris, Managing Cultural Differences [M]. Gulf Publishing Company, 1987:234-260 [4]Wang Cheng fa. A Glimpse of Foreign Land [J]. Kaifeng: Henan Univesity Press, 2000:58-62 [5]. [M]. : ,2000:2-6 [6]  · —— [M]. : ,2004 [7].. [M] : ,2003:340-342 [8]. [M]. : ,2001 Acknowledgements As acknowledgements for my paper, only I — the writer is responsible for the shortcomings. I much acknowledges my thanks to all my teachers, especially to Miss Liu Mifan, my supervisor, who has provides me support, critical ideas and careful suggestions. I also want to thank my family who always give me time, encouragement and secretarial services, especially my parents. Finally, my classmate and friends, who provided thoughtful and thorough reviews of my paper, must be acknowledged.

Business Plan for Startup SME Company

Business Plan for Startup SME Company Business Plan for QW Consultancy Situation Analysis SME and Start Up Companies Operating from Cambridge UK and  Relational Competitor Analysis between QW Consultancy and Potential Competitors in Cambridge The situation analysis will primarily address the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats this new company could face in the transition from a theoretical construct to being a viable operative capable of mounting credible competition with other companies willing to offer similar consultancy services, or similar services within the generic and holistic framework of complete corporate consultancy services. The focus will be a relational comparison between Cambridge, UK, where the new company will be based and the rest of the UK, the EU and the international community. This analysis will be devoted to the analysis of these strengths, weaknesses; opportunities and threats (the classic SWOT analysis formulation) specifically within this geographical context. In a lot of ways the vulnerability of SMEs and Start-Up companies is a major strength and opportunity for QW, as the service that QW wish to provide will specifically target small businesses in order to give them consultancy advice in relation to the issues which will be relevant in terms of initial start up processes. Therefore a more complete understanding of the business, economic and social environment that small businesses typically operate in, in regional towns like Cambridge is paramount in building the business acumen necessary to mount and sustain an effective business operation. As Reid (1995) explains: ‘The typical firm†¦.is surrounded by some rivals with regional markets (25 per cent) and others with no more than local markets (20 per cent). A few (2 per cent) operate internationally. The typical firm†¦.can readily distinguish major from minor competitors and has about three of each. Its principal product is a mildly differentiated commodity which it would characterize as ‘similar’ to that of its rivals. Its customers vary in the extent to which they are well-informed. The typical customer is well-informed, and has a least some familiarity with the technical features of the products, and some experience, directly or indirectly, of consuming them†¦.[1]’. It is clear therefore, that QW will rely heavily upon the local economy in Cambridge, a relatively moderately populated location (the population of Cambridge as counted in the last census is represented in diagrammatic form[2] in the schedule attached[3]). Accordingly the success of QW is likely to mainly be contingent upon local factors, which in turn will be heavily affected by local competitors. Also, particularly in light of Reid’s analysis above, QW needs to understand that although it is a novel concept for a consultancy firm to provide consultancy services specifically to the small business sector, and although, according to the business plan it is anticipated that this will fill a gap in the market, QW must not over estimate the uniqueness of their idea. Their idea essentially involves a singular focus on the SME and start-up business sectors in terms of delivering consultancy services. However, if one examines Diagram One ((which gives a breakdown of the main companie s that offers similar consultancy services in Cambridge, UK, and therefore represents the potential main competitors which QW would encounter if they set up in Cambridge, UK) and which the writer has attached in the Diagrams Section, at the end of this document), it is integral to note that a significant percentage of the largest companies offering consultancy services in Cambridge target the same publics that QW propose to i.e. the start-up business sector and the SME sector. Also, it is important for QW to be aware that these competitors, (while they have got a range of services, only one element of which is usually targeted at the start-up and SME sector), still represent a major threat to the economic success of QW. Indeed, this situation will be a major threat to (and weakness of) QW along with the usual threats faced by fledgling companies. Anderson et al. (1993) give us an insight into these more generic threats: ‘Typically†¦business is forced to operate in market niches.These niches are often market segments which are relatively small in size and may be lacking in adequate growth or profitability opportunities, unless skilfully exploited. Limited physical, financial and human resources, a lack of industrial experience and of business acumen on the part of owner-managers†¦.are frequently to blame for poor exploitation of these fragile niches. Nevertheless, if a†¦(business)†¦.is to grow and prosper, rather than simply to survive, over a non-trivial period of time (say more than three years), it must properly identify, develop and implement the requisite business strategy†¦[4]’. Therefore specifically in terms of Cambridge, UK, QW should consider setting up a presence alongside their competitors, with a strong focus on what makes their service unique (including exclusive pricing policies). As these SME and start up company specific services, and similar ones are offered by their main competitors such as Ernst and Young, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Oakland, and because consultancy itself is such a fluid concept which is often misinterpreted or misunderstood by the end user of the service, QW need to keep two things in mind. Firstly, their planned marketing efforts should be targeted to establish their presence alongside that of their competitors, which will help to differentiate the service QW have to offer. Therefore, QW may wish to consider advertising in the Yellow Pages. Secondly, QW should consider using the voluntary and government sponsored sector within Cambridge to assist them to advertise their service. Therefore, they should potentially consider doing leaflet drops with agencies such as the East of England Regional Development Centre which is responsible for offering assistance to SMEs and Start-Up companies in Cambridge. Also, a similar initiative could be targeted at the St Johns Innovation Centre, in Cambridge which has a similar function. In this way, QW may be able to take advantage of inexpensive advertising for their new company and they will get a high level of exposure to desired publics. QW may also wish to set up a website, as many of their competitors listed in Diagram One have. Also, in terms of safeguarding the unique idea that their proposed company is based upon, QW may wish to consider registering this in order to secure intellectual property rights in their concept, as is their right in light of the developments the law has made in terms of offering intellectual property security. Pietrobelli, C. and Sverrisson, A. (2003) have pointed to the importance of taking such measures and they have also outlined the reasons why a company or product is vulnerable in the absence of such measures: ‘†¦the increase in research and development (RD) costs, the shortening of the life-cycle of products, difficulties of appropriating RD results, particularly in the field of easy-to-copy new technologies (such as computer programs), and the shift toward a global, knowledge-based economy, prompted a far-reaching reform of the intellectual property system (Correa 1994; David 1993)†¦..[5]’. In conclusion therefore, this document has looked at the position of QW in light of their business plan proposals. The piece has been demographically and geographically evaluated with reference to QW’s intentions to locate in Cambridge. Accordingly, the piece has looked at the competitors QW would be likely to encounter in this location and has examined how related factors may impact upon the likely success of QW. An analysis of the generic threats a business may face was looked at as a prelude to the more detailed study of how QW may operate within Cambridge, UK. Bibliography Books Anderson, M., Jacobsen, L. and Reid, G. (1993). Profiles in Small Business: A Competitive Strategy Approach. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: New York. Pietrobelli, C. and Sverrisson, A. (2003) Linking Local and Global Economies: The Ties That Bind. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: New York. Reid, G. (1995) Small Business Enterprise: An Economic Analysis. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: New York. Website http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/pyramids/pages/12ub.asp >>. DIAGRAMS SCHEDULE DIAGRAM ONE QW’S MAIN COMPETITORS OPERATING IN CAMBRIDGE WHAT SERVICES DO THEY OFFER? Apto Consulting Limited Strategic and Business Planning Consultancy Performance Improvement Decision Support Services. Axiom-e Consultancy Financial Management Strategic and Business Planning Consultancy Performance Improvement Decision Support Services. Cambridge Enterprise Business Advice and mentoring for SMEs Funding Advice Financial Planning Cambridge Enterprise Technology Club Networking forum Cambridge Hi-Tech Association of Small Enterprises (CHASE) Networking Group for Entrepreneurs and SMEs Cambridge Strategic Management Research and other Consultancy Manufacturing and Service advice Training Strategic and Business Planning Consultancy Performance Improvement Decision Support Services. Ernst Young Audits and assurance consultancy, Taxation, Business and financial services. Business expansion consultancy Oakland Technical and Market Research Strategic Consultancy Strategic and Business Planning Consultancy Performance Improvement Decision Support Services. Peters Elworthy Moore Auditing and Accounting Tax Consultancy, Business Recovery, IT, Human Resources Recruitment. Price Bailey Forensic Accountancy Taxation Audit and Accounting Services Business Consultancy and Change Management, Financial Planning, PricewaterhouseCoopers Assurance and Regulatory Consultancy Tax services and Actuarial services Risk Management Business Recovery Rapier Management Consultants Corporate Strategy Strategic and Business Planning Consultancy Performance Improvement Decision Support Services. RWA Accountants Tax planning Ecommerce Consultancy Strategic and Business Planning Consultancy Performance Improvement Decision Support Services. Shelford Business Consultants Ltd Business Consultancy Services, Audit and Accounting Services Business Consultancy and Change Management, Financial Planning, DIAGRAM TWO Cambridge The percentages on the pyramid represent the percentage of all males (to the left) and the percentage of all females (to the right) that are in that age group. Age Range Total Males Females 0 – 4 5123 2599 2524 5 – 9 4799 2504 2295 10 – 14 5080 2650 2430 15 – 19 8807 4395 4412 20 – 24 16892 8705 8187 25 – 29 10853 5889 4964 30 – 34 8931 4653 4278 35 – 39 7534 3966 3568 40 – 44 6141 3098 3043 45 – 49 5843 2876 2967 50 – 54 5726 2820 2906 55 – 59 4798 2314 2484 60 – 64 3975 1944 2031 65 – 69 3489 1640 1849 70 – 74 3376 1575 1801 75 – 79 3064 1273 1791 80 – 84 2259 826 1433 85 – 89 1464 431 1033 90 and over 709 158 551 Totals 108863 54316 54547 This page printed from National Statistics Website. Crown Copyright applies unless otherwise stated. 1 Footnotes [1] P52. Reid, G. (1995) Small Business Enterprise: An Economic Analysis. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: New York. [2] Available at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/pyramids/pages/12ub.asp >>. [3] This diagram also denotes how many adults this population contains. [4] P121. Anderson, M., Jacobsen, L. and Reid, G. (1993). Profiles in Small Business: A Competitive Strategy Approach. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: New York. [5] P220. Pietrobelli, C. and Sverrisson, A. (2003) Linking Local and Global Economies: The Ties That Bind. Publisher: Routledge. Place of Publication: New York.

The Ants and The Bees: Comparing the Social Structure of these Colonia

A queen, drones, and workers share a common place in life. They all live in a bee and ant colony striving together to accomplish their specific jobs. Living in a world where females are your workers and protectors of the queen, and drones are used to multiply the colony, and then die. When you look passed the buzzing of ants, you see a very sociable creature working like a well oiled machine. When you hear the dirt on the bees, they may look sociable, but deep down, it’s another world. A world where queens kill sibling sisters, and the drones are ejected out into the cold to starve just for the sake of their colony. Where females defend the nest and die 100% of the time after the sting. Bees and ants, both considered sociable insects, have a very different view on sociability. The colonies of ants and bees are broken down into several different categories. The top of the chain consist of the queen in both colonies. The colony depends on the queen to produce the eggs for their survival. This is the only function for the queen. She is able to choose what gender the eggs will become by fertilizing or not fertilizing them. She is capable of keeping the balance of the colony in check by choosing the gender of her eggs. Unfertile eggs become the drones of the colony, where fertile eggs becomes the female workers. The males, or drones of the colony serve only one purpose, and that is to fertilize the eggs. The drones do no maintenance work, no tending to the colony, no foraging, and they shortly die after mating with the queen. The workers of the colony are all female and mostly foragers, but some do have different task within their society (Stanger et al., 1971, p.10-11). The same can be implied to the ant colony which is made up of ... ...ned (Layton, 2008, p.1). They clamp on with there mighty jaws, rotate in a circle, and sting their victim while still clamped on. Some ants do not have a stinger. They simply drop poison unto their victims skin. Bees and ants live in a social nest setting, where there is a queen, drones, and workers. At first glance they may seem to be almost the same, one with wings and one without. Storing honey for rougher seasons and times, protecting by stinging, and having different types that are more harmful than others. At a closer look, ants are more the social creatures than bees. Living with more than one queen and sharing the neighboring colonies workers. Bees seem to live a more a closed off, mobster type. The queen killing off her sister rivalry to rule over the colony. Bees and ants may be similar in social structure, but different when you get down to the dirt.

Fossil Fuel Consumption, Co2 And Its Impact On Global Climate Essays

Fossil Fuel Consumption, CO2 and Its Impact on Global Climate Background: At the beginning of human history, we had to satisfy our energy needs (for food, heat and movement) by using our own muscle power and gathering or hunting naturally available plants, animals and wood. Each stage in the evolution of human society (the development of farming, domestication of animals, harnessing of wind and water power) increased the average per capita energy use, but it was the Industrial Revolution and the exploitation of fossil fuels which marked the transformation of societies into the energy-intensive economies of today. Since the eighteenth century the industrialising countries have come to rely on non-renewable energy resources, and at present about 80 per cent (Myers, 1994) of the world's commercial energy is derived from oil, coal and gas. Although it has been observed that the growth of energy consumption is closely correlated with the increases in gross national product thus our economic development, the major sources of energy (that is fossil fuels) are 'stock resources'. Fossil fuels are consumed by use and the current consumption patterns are non-sustainable. It is recognised that energy conservation and the development of renewable energy sources will be needed to sustain economic growth. The quantity of ultimately recoverable fossil fuels is limited by geology and remains a matter of suspicion, but the view of the 1970s that scarcity was imminent is still popular. It is the 1973 Oil Crisis marked the transition from abundant, low-cost energy to an era of increasing prices and scarcity. Today concerns over scarcity have been overtaken by the question of whether human beings can afford to meet the environmental costs of continued fossil fuel consumption. One of the most widespread concern related to global climatic changes. Introduction: Climate represents normal weather condition of an area over a period of many years. This is in contrast to weather which is the day to day changes in the atmosphere. It is now realised that our global "climatic normals" had fluctuated in the past millions of years which was nowhere related to human activities. Nevertheless, with the increasing human population and our reliance on fossil fuels since the last century, we have definitely 'participated' in the climatic changes which are taking place to a certain e... ...creasing over the last decade. More on that, it is a fact that the burning of fossil fuels do release infrared-absorbing carbon dioxide to our atmosphere. Therefore, it is just a logical conclusion that the greenhouse is here, as it always does. It appears that there is excessive heating within the greenhouse which is induced by our increasing rate of fossil fuel consumption, and the problems that lies behind global climatic change are far reaching . Perhaps, the real limit to our fossil fuel consumption will be the CO2 problem but not the size of the resource. A Chinese proverb says that "prevention is better than cure." Approaches to energy conservation could be the key. Bibliography: Benarde, M. A., 1992, Global Warning†¦ Global Warming, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 52-65. Goudie, A., 1994, The Human Impact on the Natural Environment, Cambridge: The MIT Press, 301-7. Kraushaar, J. J. & Ristinen, R. A., Energy and Problems of a Technical Society, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 394-400. Myers, N., 1994, The Gaia Atlas of Planet Management, London: Gaia Books Limited, 96-113. Tolba, M. K., 1992, The World Environment 1972-1992, London: Chapman & Hall, 61- -71.

The Recommendations

In the recent past, there have been calls for stricter regulations in terms of supervision and capital adequacy of the banking sector as a result of increased risks faced by banks trading internationally. A committee was therefore formed; Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, to come up with recommendations that would be adopted by banks to mitigate themselves against the risks they face in their operations.The original proposals by the committee were done in 2001 and 2003 although due to changing financial environment, revisions have had to be made that has led to the current financial proposals which were expected to be adopted by member countries after being endorsed by the central bank Governors of G10 countries (BIS, 2009). The Recommendations The framework is set out in 3 pillars; the first one being the minimum capital requirements which touch on the calculation of the minimum capital requirements, capital risk (using standardized approach, internal ratings approach as well as securitization framework), operational risk and market risk.The second pillar touches on the supervisory review process while the third pillar on market discipline (BIS, 2009). 1st Pillar This pillar gives recommendations on the minimum capital requirements and how it is calculated for purposes of credit, market and operational risks. The capital ratio should be lower than 8% with Tier 2 capital being limited to 100% of Tier 1 capital. The capital ratio is calculated using the regulatory capital and risk weighted assets.Regulatory capital framework includes Tier 1 (paid up capital , disclosed reserves), Tier 2 (undisclosed reserves, asset revaluation reserves, general provisions, hybrid capital instruments, subordinated debt and Tier 3 (subordinated short term debts). All these Tiers will be included in the capital base provided total of Tier 2 is subject to maximum of 100% of Tier 1, subordinated debt limited to 50% of Tier 1, Tier 3 capital limited to 250% of Tier 1 capital, ge neral provisions on unidentified losses limited to 1.25 percentage points and unrealized gains being subject to a discount of 55% (BIS, 2009). The internal ratings approach of calculating credit risk is based on unexpected losses and expected losses. Under this method there is categorization of exposures into asset classes with different underlying risk characteristics. These classes are corporate, sovereign, bank, retail and equity. The internal ratings approach should be adopted in the banking group in a phased manner.Standardized approach measures credit risk in a standard manner, with the help of external assessments (BIS, 2009). The other method of determining credit risk is through the use of securitization approach where exposure is determined on the basis of the economic substance rather than the legal form. Traditional securitization is where cash flow from an underlying collection of exposures is used to service a minimum of two different stratified positions showing diffe rent levels of credit risk.Synthetic securitization on the other hand is where at least two different stratified risks reflecting different levels of credit risk where credit risk of an underlying collection of exposures is transferred, partly or wholly through use of funded or unfunded derivatives that mitigate against the credit risk of the portfolio. Operational risk results from insufficient or inadequate internal processes, people and systems or from external events. Operational risk includes legal risk but not strategic or reputational. This risk is measured using standardized and advanced measurement approaches.Market risk is risk of losses in on and off balance sheet positions as a result of changes in the market prices. The risks include risks associated with interest related instruments, forex and commodities. 2nd pillar This pillar of the Basel II provisions touches on supervisory review, risk management as well as supervisory accountability in relation to risks facing th e banks. Supervisory review ensures that banks have enough capital to manage risks develop internal capital assessment , how well banks are assessing their capital requirements as regarding risks as well as amount of capital held against risks.The second pillar also has 4 provisions on banks i. e. banks should have processes of assessing their overall capital adequacy in relation to risk and maintaining capital levels, banks internal capacity and strategies and compliance with capital ratios. , banks operate above regulatory capital ratios and capital requirements, and intervention by supervisors to avoid capital falling bellow minimum capital requirements. Other issues to be addressed under this pillar include interest rate risks, credit risks, operational risks, and market risk (BIS, 2009) 3rd pillarThis touches on the disclosure requirements under Basel II. The disclosure requirements is to complement pillar 1 and 2 thus encouraging market discipline in terms of information acces s on risk, capital, risk assessment process. The disclosures should be in line with the management of these risks thus effectively informing the market on the banks exposure to risks hence enable consistency, understandability and comparability. The information could be made publicly available and in case of non disclosure, penalties may be enforced. These, though, varies across different countries.The disclosure requirements under the framework should not conflict with the accounting standards which are overall and if conflicts arise, they should be explained. Accounting disclosures should also be complemented with the frameworks disclosure requirements to clarify the disclosures (BIS, 2009). Materiality of the disclosures should also be considered. Materiality is determined by the effect of omission or inclusion of an item. The disclosures can also be done on a semi annually, quarterly, or annual basis depending on the nature of information to be disclosed.Confidential and proprie tary information should also be considered in disclosing information to the market. Challenges facing Basel II The implementation of the provisions of Basel II has not been smooth sailing. It has presented some apparent challenges to banks across the globe. The new framework has led to the mobilization of the risk, information systems and finance departments of the banks given the fact that far reaching provisions contained in the accord. This in itself will involve the use of resources in terms of manpower and money (Accenture, 2007).Banks are also faced with the challenge of implementation of the framework in terms of the change in the product portfolios as well as economic environments. This is in terms of the capital requirements which under the accord, should be above the minimum limits. The assessment of capital requirements may also lead to changes in product portfolios thus leading to introduction and withdrawal of other products. Despite the apparent benefits brought about by the new accord, some banks view Basel II as a regulatory bottle neck in their operations.Other challenges that accompany the implementation of Basel II is that of the cost implication. Given the far reaching provisions of the framework, the costs to be incurred in setting up supervisory teams and risk assessment mechanisms may be out of reach of smaller banks or even ‘eat’ into the profits of well established banking institutions. The costs involved have led to uncertainty among many bank heads (Accenture, 2007). The current information systems in most banks around the globe cannot adequately meet the requirements of Basel II.This means that banks will have to either improve on their information systems or overhaul them completely. This brings us back to the issue of cost involved in the implementation of the framework. The need of historical data in the calculation of credit risk, advanced internal rating based approach which requires up to 7 years in historical dat a or advanced measurement approach which requires up to 5 years of historical data will definitely increase the need of databases by banks which also has cost implications attached to it (Accenture, 2007).The implementation of Basel II will lead to the complete change in the existing systems and processes in order to meet the new regulations in risk determination and management as well as capital adequacy. The implementation of the accord will also see the changes in operations of the banks at the same time calling for closer supervision The adoption of the recommendations of the accord has received widespread acceptance although the level of implementation is varied.The effect of this is that there may be lack of uniformity hence making comparisons difficult between different banks (Accenture, 2007). Conclusion Despite all the above mentioned challenges, the benefits brought about by the implementation of Basel II far outweigh the drawbacks. The provisions enable banks to have and develop credit management and assessment systems that will help them to mitigate these risks effectively. The regulatory capital requirements under the accord will also enable the banks to have adequate capital to finance their operations as well as manage any risk arising thereof.The disclosure requirements also ensure that the market is aware of the operations of the banks. References Accenture. (2007, December 10th). Basel II Impacts: Challenges and Opportunities. Retrieved March 16th, 2009, from Accenture: http://www. accenture. com/xdoc/en/industries/financial/banking/capabilities/BII_Survey_SAP. pdf BIS. (2009, March 10th). Basel II:Revised International Capiatl Frameork. Retrieved March 16th, 2009, from Bank for International Settlements: http://www. bis. org/publ/bcbs128. htm