Logistics Readiness

Logistics came from the word logos (), which means â€Å"calculation, ratio, reason, speech and oration.† Since ancient times, logistics is already used to supply, move and maintain armies especially during war time. Historical leaders such as Alexander the Great, Hannibal Barca, and the Duke of Wellington are said to be logistical geniuses who mobilized their army through great distances, and won numerous battles. During World War II, logistics played an important role for the United States since the resources is during that time is limited due to the depression and most of the battles happened in enemy territories in Europe. Today, logistics is now also known as supply chain management (SCM) and defined as the art and science of planning, operation, control, design and development, procurement, inventory, maintenance, storage, distribution and replacement of personnel, materials, supplies and other resources. (LogisticsWorld) Logistics or SCM does not only apply to the military but to business, production and trade well. The main objective of logistics is simple, that is, to use the resources without waste to meet or exceed the demands of the party in need. These resources that must be minimized (or sometimes maximized) include fuel, personnel, equipment, storage facilities, handling facilities, transport vehicles and most importantly, time and money. There are two criteria for which all logistics decisions and policies are based. These are production efficiency and effectiveness. (Eccles, 1959) By using the resources efficiently and effectively is to have the advantage of getting bigger opportunities, higher revenues, strategic advantage in coverage and location, and preparedness for crucial events that might happen. Developed from James A. Huston’s Sinews of War are some of the important principles considered in logistics. These principles are: Timing. Should be relative to the objective and dependent in the level of procurement, whether a high-level or a just simply a tactical supply. Proper timing is important especially when certain risks are involved in accomplishing a certain task. Feasibility. Logistics planning and design should also consider the organization’s capabilities of carrying out orders. It is crucial to determine whether the organization can possibly accomplish the task given the difficulty of the demands. Flexibility. A logistics organization must be capable of adapting to new or changes in requirements or terrain conditions. A logistics organization must be able to convert according to the present conditions or problems that are encountered anytime along the way. Information. Accurate and up-to-date information on every aspect is vital to logistics planning and distribution. False or unseen information may lead to accidents or loss of revenue. Economics. Resources allocated for logistics are almost always limited and it is necessary to use them in the best way to achieve or exceed the primary goal. Relativity. Logistics activity is all relative to time, location, availability of resources and circumstances and can never be absolute. Each logistic activity is unique and changes according to different conditions and demands. Location is also an important factor being considered in logistics. This applies for both the distribution center and the destinations at which the required product or good is needed. It is crucial to determine the location in logistics as it determines the distance, total time needed to travel, and how big is the coverage of the distribution center at which it can deliver the desired goods at minimized cost. The nearer the location of the distribution center, the shorter the time it takes to deliver and the lesser the cost of travel that will be used. Location does not only mean the distance but also the topography of the region. The topography of the place between the source and destination dictates the appropriate or best mode of transport that should be used. For example, to deliver supplies in mountainous area from a lowland city, the best way to deliver the product or good in a time-efficient manner is through air by helicopters. But if there is an acceptable and safe road present towards the destination, delivering by land is more cost-efficient. To attain higher logistic efficiency, there are a lot of factors that are involved depending on the demands and level of procurement. Location is only one but an important factor that must be considered to have a more efficient and effective method of procurement and distribution of goods. Some of these factors include: the distribution strategy; resource availability; network configuration, and; inventory management. Logistics, added with efficiency and effectiveness translates to power. (Boutelle, 2007) This applies to both the military and in trade & industry. Logistics can be seen as military power or economic power depending on the one who perceives it. As of today, the United States military does not content itself of having the most powerful army, but now also develop ways in order to create a the most cost-effective military that can withstand the long-term war on terrorism. The knowledge and foresight of supply and movement factors are the basis of a logistician’s plan. Only then he can know when and how to take risks that will win him battles and achieve the ultimate goal; which is the betterment of his fellow men. (Wavell, 1946) References: Boutelle, L. G. (2007). CIO View. Retrieved August 18, 2007, from Defense Systems Website: http://www.defensesystems.com/issues/1_5/cio_view/464-1.html Cox, M. D. (1999, September). LogisticsWorld. Retrieved August 17, 2007, from LogisticsWorld Website: http://www.logisticsworld.com/logistics.htm Eccles, A. H. (1959). Logistics in the National Defense. Harrisburg, Pa. How The Army Runs. (n.d.). Retrieved August 17, 2007, from US Army WAr College Website: http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usawc/dclm/linkedtextchapters/CHAPTER12.pdf Huston, J. A. (1966). The Sinews of War: Army Logistics, 1775-1953. Washington: Office of Military History, United States Army. Wavell, F. M. (1946). Speaking Generally. London: Macmillan. Worthen, B. (n.d.). ABC: An Introduction to Supply Chain Management. Retrieved August 18, 2007, from Business Technology Leadership Website: http://www.cio.com/article/40940   

Case Study Reflections Analysis Education Essay

This paper will research information presented from EDSL 673 and EDSL 671 from the Teaching English as a Second Language ( TESL ) plan. The information presented will research the five top thoughts that have generated to most fascinate over the continuance of these last two classs. Information will be discussed as to the importance of these thoughts and the deductions they will hold on future instruction. This paper will besides research ways that these thoughts can be implemented in current instruction under the preexistent conditions of the teaching assignment. Explanations will besides be presented to show what could potentially be the immediate consequences every bit good as the long-run consequences expected for holding implemented these thoughts within the current instruction assignment. These thoughts are relevant to instructors that will profit from information refering to direction of English Language Learners ( ELL ) or English as a Second Language ( ESL ) pupils. Contemplations There are so many different facets of instruction that are necessary in order for pedagogues to be effectual and to guarantee that all pupils are larning to their fullest potency. This is no exclusion for instructors of ELL or ESL pupils. However, due to the nature of kids and the manner each kid learns, instructors need to cognize the best patterns for direction based on the demands of their pupils. There are several different techniques and methods that may be utilized with ELL and ESL pupils in order for these kids to be successful in their acquisition ; and hence to go successful when working with their equals within the schoolroom. Based purely on the information being presented from the last two classs, there were several different constructs and thoughts that were being introduced. Although many of these impressions are familiar to experient instructors, there are several thoughts that may standout to persons as they may hold higher deductions to their instruction than others. There are five thoughts from these two classs that present the highest deductions, and they are the constructs of Natural Order Hypothesis, Affective Filter Hypothesis, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Schema, and Accessing Prior Knowledge. The construct of Natural Order Hypothesis presents pedagogues with the order that persons get linguistic communication accomplishments. There are predictable phases for primary linguistic communication acquisitions along with predictable phases for the acquisition of secondary linguistic communications. Primary linguistic communication is acquired following these phases: babble ( 6 – 8 months ) , holophrastic ( 1 twelvemonth ) , two-word phrases ( 1 – 2 old ages ) , and multi-word ( 2 – 5 old ages ) . A individual ‘s 2nd linguistic communication is acquired following these phases: soundless receptive or preproduction ( 6 – 8 months ) , early production ( 6 months ) , speech outgrowth phase ( 1 twelvemonth ) , and intermediate linguistic communication proficiency ( 1 twelvemonth ) . Having an apprehension of the Natural Order Hypothesis allows pedagogues to develop an apprehension of where their Ell or ESL pupils may be in respects to their linguistic communication acquisition. Therefore, by understanding this thought, the instructor may develop lessons that are better suited for the pupil. This will besides help the instructor in the creative activity of activities that are completed in the schoolroom so all pupils are able to take part. Teachers that are able to link this construct to their English linguistic communication scholars are besides able to help these pupils when working in little differentiated instructional groups, and hence doing the acquisition much more meaningful for these pupils. Developing an apprehension of Affective Filter Hypothesis will assist pedagogues present themselves along with their schoolroom construction and lesson thoughts in a mode that will set their English linguistic communication scholars at easiness with the information they are showing. This will help these pupils from making a filter that could hinder larning. Students that are in structured environments with instructors that genuinely care about their acquisition keep a low degree of emphasis, and pupils are more likely to be motivated and confident, and hence a batch of linguistic communication acquisition can take topographic point. Teachers that have been able to make an environment that focuses around the Affective Filter Hypothesis are able to help their pupils in higher degrees of linguistic communication acquisition. Students that are so able to bring forth a larger degree of linguistic communication acquisition are so able to stand out at greater rates within the schoolroom. The deductions of Affective Filter Hypothesis in instruction is high in order to guarantee pupils are larning. Helping pupils maintain a low affectional filter is an of import measure in the confidence that pupils are traveling to get the linguistic communication skills they need in order to go successful in the schoolroom. Culturally Responsive Teaching is a teaching method that recognizes the importance of including pupils ‘ cultural mentions in all facets of larning. Culture is the deeper degree of basic premises and beliefs that are shared by members of an organisation, that operate unconsciously and specify in a basic ‘take for granted ‘ manner an organisations position of its ego and its environment. Culture contains both external and internal elements. External elements of civilization contain those such as ; nutrient, festivals, vacations, dances and vesture. Internal elements of civilization are those such as ; values, beliefs and forms of non-verbal communicating. By acknowledging the value of Culturally Responsive Teaching, pedagogues are able to demo pupils that they value their civilization and hence will observe their heritage in the schoolroom. This shows pupils that they are valued as persons and at the same clip could even bring forth a low Affective Filter. Culturally Responsive Teaching is of import in order to demo pupils that as the instructor, you value where they come from, and wish to observe that with the remainder of the category. All pupils should be able to portion with each other their civilization and heritage. This creates a schoolroom of culturally antiphonal pupils and helps the pupils understand that their backgrounds are of import. Teachers that partake in this pedagogical pattern create unfastened and receptive environments where pupils feel welcome when they enter the schoolroom. Last, scheme and accessing anterior cognition are of import factors that can act upon larning within the schoolroom. Schema is the organisational form or construction ; the conceptual model that pupils possess. Teachers that are able to entree a pupil ‘s scheme are more likely to be successful in assisting that pupil develop an apprehension of the constructs that are being taught. Teachers that are able to understand the deductions of scheme are so able to use this cognition into their schoolroom and their lessons. By showing to pupils how different accomplishments build upon one another will help these pupils in doing connexions between one construct and another. Accessing anterior cognition is manner for the pupils to take what they already know, and so use that cognition to the stuff they are presently larning. Teachers that focus on accessing their pupils ‘ anterior cognition are more likely to hold pupils that are able to retain information. Bing able to entree one ‘s anterior cognition is of import when working in the country of bring forthing illations. Bing able to do illations is an highly of import accomplishment when increasing reading comprehension. Bing able to use what one already knows to what the writer is connoting will assist the pupil in holding a greater apprehension of equivocal constructs. Both scheme and accessing anterior cognition are impressions that all instructors should implement in their schoolroom course of study. Constructing a pupil ‘s scheme while at the same clip holding the pupil entree their anterior cognition will further a greater apprehension of the thoughts that are being taught in the schoolroom. During the continuance of these two classs, I was able to develop a greater apprehension of these constructs and recognize how of import they are in being implemented in the schoolroom on a regular footing. Although these constructs are ideals that I presently posses, these classs have presented extra methods for execution in order to better pupil accomplishment. I will go on to implement these thoughts in my schoolroom environment with the end of continued pupil betterment. Currently, I do n't hold pupils in my schoolroom that are coded as being English linguistic communication scholars, and hence do non use the tactics for teaching English linguistic communication scholars in the schoolroom. However, I have had English linguistic communication scholars in old categories, and hence reexamining this information will help me with the continued execution of these techniques. The major benefits of these constructs are that they work with all pupils, and non merely those pupils that are considered to be English linguistic communication scholars. The immediate consequence of implementing these thoughts in the schoolroom would be the hope of increased accomplishment on the behalf of the pupils. The continued reappraisal of these constructs will bring forth a better apprehension of these thoughts, and hence a deeper apprehension of how they may be implemented into the schoolroom construction on a regular and ongoing footing, therefore holding a continued impact on pupil larning. Long-run effects of the execution of these thoughts will be the long-run apprehension of the different impressions covered within the schoolroom. By constructing on the pupils ‘ scheme, therefore increasing the pupils ‘ anterior cognition will take to them holding a greater keeping rate for their future class work.

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a multi-system disorder that is caused by inflammation of body tissues. It particularly affects the lungs and lymph nodes but it can affect any other body parts. The cause of this disorder is yet to be established and its cure has also not yet known. Its symptoms in most cases come gradually but might after some time appear abruptly. This paper is going to have an in-depth analysis of what perhaps leads to this disorder, give some of the symptoms that are characteristic of this disease, its possible treatment and the group that is most affected by it. The disease was identified for the first time over a century ago in England by a doctor known as Hutchinson and another doctor from Norway called Caesar Boeck and that was why the disease originally came to be referred to as Boeck’s or Hutchinson’s disease. Unfortunately, it is the young persons mostly those within the age bracket of 20 to 40 years and those that look strong and energetic that are affected (Baughman, 2006). Its appearance might at first appear to be mild but after sometime this may turn to be fatal. This disorder when this disorder is critically analyzed, it seems to vary across gender as it is women who are more affected than men and this is a claim that is supported by a survey that was conducted by the American Lung Association that revealed that black females are affected almost twice as much as black males are affected. According to the same report, it is also dependant on racial background as in most cases it is the blacks, Danes and Swedes that are affected most. Reports available show that blacks are affected more than whites in fact, the mortality rate of the former is sixteen times than the number of the whites that are affected (Stein, 1998). The disease effects can start affecting any organ and then spread to other organs. â€Å"Sarcoidosis†¦ can appear in almost any organ in the body, although the inflammation of the body’s tissues can begin in any organ and usually affects more than one organ† (Ebony, 106). The affected organs develop microscopic lumps which are known as granulomas that may last for some time and then disappear even without any medical intervention is done but in cases where they do not disappear, the skin may become scarred and inflamed. The affected persons may start complaining of fatigue but because they look young and energetic, doctors might fail to diagnose them for this disorder until it is later clearly suspected to be the one and an X-ray is conducted or a routine physical examination of the chest is conducted. This is what happened to one former marathon runner who says that she started complaining of fatigue long before but her doctor would dismiss her claims as unrelated and would attribute them to her stressful workload. According to her, she may have developed the disorder within a period ranging from one to sixteen years as it is only in 2001 she was diagnosed of the same (Ebony. 2005). People affected by this disorder say it is hard to describe how they feel when sick as one never gets refreshed even after resting. Generally, the common symptoms that are reported are that the victims generally become fatigued, lose weight, have blurred vision, sometimes gasp for breath, and have dry eyes and report of dry cough. It may also occur abruptly where rashes may appear on the skin and some bumps appear on the forehead, face and eyes inflammation (Swierzewski, 2000) Most of those affected by sarcoidosis about (60-80) % heal particularly after 2-3 years without having any medical attention. In most cases, those affected by this disorder do not know that they affected and end up having damaged lungs. If this disorder does not disappear immediately, it remains on a low level but might with time progress on. About 10 to 20 percent of cases of sarcoidosis are a bit serious and can lead to permanent debilitation while it is about only about 10 percent of sarcoidosis cases can be fatal (Schiff et al, 2006). There tends to be some relationship between how serious the disease begins and how it progresses and ends. In most cases, if nodosum appears suddenly there is a high possibility that the pains will be short-lived and ends without being treated According to statistics, thirty to seventy percent of the victims do not have any serious health complications that might require medical attention but sometimes these patients are given some therapeutic treatment like corticosteroids although it is not very clear whether the disease is reversed or not. There have also been cases where steroids such as methotrexate and azathioprine have been used in treating the disease (Baughman, 2006). As this study has established, sarcoidosis is a disorder that affects virtually all body organs but the most affected are the lungs. It leads to the development of some microscopic lumps that with time causes skin rashes. According to studies that have been done, the disease mostly affects people of African American decent, the Swedes and the Danes more than it affects the whites and to make the matter worse, those in the age bracket of 20 to 40 years. The cause of the disease and cure has not yet been established although some therapeutic medical interventions are given.

Business strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Business strategy - Essay Example Careful analysis of the case study on Honda Motor Company shows that the company was never driven by the strategic purpose to survive in the domestic marketplace of Japan; rather, the company always thrived for excellence in the international marketplace. For example, in the initial years, the company realised they needed to manufacture efficient, lighter and powerful engines which could not only meet the demand of local customers but also attract international customers (refer to the Honda case study). SWOT analysis in the appendix 3 is showing that technological capabilities are the major strength of Honda and the company has used its strategic purpose to excel in international market. As mentioned in the PESTLE analysis done in Appendix 1, the Japanese government has created a significant amount of exchange restriction on Honda in order to prevent it from entering the USA market. In such circumstances, Honda has decided to increase penetration in the USA motorcycle market with its 50cc super cubs. The company targeted everyday Americans who want small capacity motorcycles and Honda was successful in catering to their demand. In the early 1960s, Honda used the export mode to penetrate in the automobile market of North America but in later years, the company decided to set manufacturing facilities in USA and decrease its export portfolio (by the end of 1996, total the American investment of Honda had touched $3.8 billion) (refer to the case study). The value chain and VRIN analysis done in Appendices 5 & 4 shows that technological resources have helped Honda to achieve competitive advantage in many cases. For example, the company has doubled its technological capabilities in the research and development section in North America, which has resulted in manufacturing Accord SE-i that is brilliant in performance but $10,000 cheaper than the competitors’ car with the similar capacity (refer to the Honda case study). The strategic purpose of Honda can be unde rstood by analysing its organisational structure which reflects its mission, vision and value system. Honda has stated its value as â€Å"proceed always with ambition and youthfulness† (refer to the Honda case study). Senior executives and the chairman of the company prefer to work together in manufacturing units in order to create the sense of belongingness among workers and ensure that the company is delivering technologically superior and quality products to customer. Such level of integrity and resilience has helped the company to revert the negative situation when export of cars from Japan to USA also dropped from 3.4 million to 1.7 million in 1992 in comparison to 1987 (refer to Appendix 6). Although the road to enter the international market was not an easy ride for Honda because the company faced a diminishing trend in demand in the USA market in the initial years, but later on product innovation such as its 50cc motor cycles, light duty trucks (T-360), sports truck ( S-500), CVCC engine (compound vortex controlled combustion) (Frank, 2003), or development of SED (sales, production, engineering and development) system has helped the company to become one of the market leaders in both the domestic and international markets (refer to the Hon

The Democratic Party will take control of the House of Representatives Essay

The Democratic Party will take control of the House of Representatives in the 2014 election - Essay Example eelection of the Democrats four years ago came with the infamous Obamacare which was introduced by president Obama during his campaign and later made it a policy and a health care law. Through this, the government has kept the hope on its re-election come 2014 election. In a recent speech given by President Obama, it was evident that he was willing to continue supporting Americans who wanted to keep their health plans. Conversely, the recent debate pertaining to healthcare has narrowed the perceived advantages that Democratic candidates have always held over their opponents (Bernstein Para 1). In fact, some Americans have argued that the health-care law’s flubs have collaborated with the government shut down to render harsh verdict to the concerned individuals and cities in the United States. Similarly, a number of people have rubbished the current House of Representatives arguing that they do not do anything much except sending bills to the Senate and watching them as they st ruggle to keep the government stable (Bernstein Para 6). According to a representative of the Republicans, the Obamacare is argued to be the defining issue in determining whether the Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives in the elections due to be held in one year from now or not. In fact, the main controversy revolves around the president’s signature legislative in relation to administrative fumbles. Of importance to note is that, the midterm elections scheduled to be held one year from now are meant to shape how ambitious his legislative agenda can realistically be worked upon for the remaining time the Democrat might continue holding the office, the congressional investigations he might have faced and more so the changes that his presidency will have taken (O’Keefe and Kane Para 10). In this regard, it has been argued that the Democrats must require an average of I7 seats in order to retain control of the House of Representatives. Currently, the

Exploration of regional variations in guanxi among Chinese managers Thesis

Exploration of regional variations in guanxi among Chinese managers - Thesis Example Guanxi networks are of great importance in business and financial transactions, and hence the relevance of guanxi to management and understanding of business in China is extreme. According to Ramasamy and Goh (2006, p.130) â€Å"guanxi is the lifeblood of Chinese business communities, and frequently acts as a lubricant of business activities†. Guanxi is also considered as being â€Å"a channel of knowledge transfer† and two specific aspects of guanxi are related with such a channel - â€Å"trust and communication† (Ramasamy and Goh, 2006, p.130). Guanxi has also been related to the human resources management of firms that operate across China. Law and Jones (2009, p.313) revealed that various aspects of guanxi need to be clearly understood by HR managers in both Chinese and foreign firms. Guanxi has been related to other parts of business activity in China. In a study by Lee and Humphreys (2007), guanxi was found to be a critical factor affecting a firm’s supply chain management: in aspects of strategic purchasing, outsourcing, and supplier development (Lee and Humphreys, 2007, p.45). Though guanxi influences the development of various business activities in China, a differentiation has been identified â€Å"in the way guanxi is utilised in state-owned and foreign-invested enterprises† (Wood, Whiteley and Zhang, 2002, p.263). The study by Wood et al. (2002) found that guanxi is considered to be an important criterion but it seems to be more appreciated in state-owned enterprises rather than enterprises based on foreign capital. The above view is in accordance with that of Liu and Roos (2006, p.432) who noted that â€Å"the guanxi-driven paradigm remains a crucial factor in planning and managing effective working relationships when the Chinese partner i s one officially classified as â€Å"restricted†. In other words, guanxi influences the business activities in China – affecting also the decisions of Chinese managers – but this influence seems to be

E-Business. Classification, Development And Implications Of E-Business Essay

E-Business. Classification, Development And Implications Of E-Business On Modern Organizations - Essay Example The global information infrastructure served as the foundation for new methods of personal interaction, communication, transaction and this has tremendously changed the way people did business. From the mid 1990s, global networking platform grew rapidly until 2000 and has started showing major signs of success stories of many multinational companies by 2003 (Schneider, 2011, p. 4). Within just few years after the mid 1990s, the internet-based business has become a larger part of the total economy. Electronic Business, generally termed as E-business, is one of the most important aspects to emerge from the internet. E-business is more than another way to sustain and improve the traditional business practices. Most of the researchers highlighted the revolutionary aspects of e-business adoption and its positive impacts on human life whereas some others suggested that e-business is a kind of disruptive innovation as it radically changes the traditional way of carrying out business. E-marketing, E-banking, E-learning, E-government etc are other major breakthrough developed with the use of internet technology. This paper provides detailed answers to the questions what is E-business and how does it matter to an organization. Based on relevant literatures, this paper examines the theoretical perspectives of e-business and describes its general impacts to a business organization. This paper will focus on the field of e-marketing and examines how e-marketing is influencing today’ s business and marketing arenas. E-business The terms E-commerce and E-business are often used interchangeably, but they are distinct concepts. E-commerce is a term used to describe the process of transacting business over the internet, but E-business involves the fundamental reengineering of the business model in to the internet-based networked enterprise. More specifically, ecommerce is narrower in the sense that it refers only to the buying and selling of goods or services by using internet technology, whereas E-business accounts for all business activities, including both internal and external, that are conducted online. E-business describes the information system and application using the internet to support and carry out business processes. As Bartels (2000) noted, to be very specific about the difference, E-business includes E-commerce, but also covers organization’s internal activities such as manufacturing, inventory management, financing, human resource management, knowledge management etc. With E-business, companies can link its internal and external activities very effectively to work more closely with different stakeholders such as suppliers, partners, and customers etc to satisfy customers’ needs. Grefen (2010) strongly argued that primarily three criteria are to be met to call a combination of business activities and information technology e-business. These three criteria are: 1- The business activities must be core activities. The activities must be directly related to the reason of the existence of the business. 2- The use of information techn

Advertisement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Advertisement - Essay Example In this paper, the effects and purposes of an advertisement will be analyzed. The analyzation will be based on a fragrance advertisement from the international fragrance and designer clothing producer, Calvin Klein. In this advertisement there are various themes which have been put into consideration and have been considerably used to put forward the message intended by the seller to the probable buyers. Some of these themes include love and romance, relationships, and beauty or overall physical appearance. The purpose of these themes is to pinpoint and draw in an audience, one that is interested in the thing being advertised. The advertisement is meant for a new product in the market from the Calvin Klein chain of companies. The product in this case is a fragrance which is meant to be advertised in a magazine based on fashion, one that both sexes would read, such as Osmoz.. In this advertisement, the target audience is both sexes. According to the photographs on the advert, we can clearly see that both these people are young, so the advertisement is meant for the young generation.

Project management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 8

Project management - Essay Example (Knapp, B. W., 2010, p.62) CPM is used for analyzing the projects by estimating the longest series of tasks or with those tasks which have least slack by a project network. I prefer it because even after being a traditional technique it is most frequently used in managing the project. (Uher, T. E., 2003, p.38) It has the ability to calculate starting and finish date of the given project, enabling project managers to find out exact dates for every activity and compare what should be happening to what is actually happening and respond accordingly. It has following added advantages over other techniques and methods. My decision for choosing CPM technique was justified once I compared it with other traditional technique, PERT and scheduling analysis technique like critical chain scheduling. Both other techniques have some limitations, like probabilistic nature of PERT, in which estimations are unsure. (Schwalbe, K., 2010, p. 236). Pert lays more stress on the time element while in CPM efforts are made to make optimum use of resources. PERT can only be used on entirely new projects only. (Singla R. K., 2010, p. 283) The Critical Chain approach has stated advantages over the conventional approaches. This approach has its own limitations, like in the scenario where simultaneously different projects are handled using the same resource is not workable, due to loss of resource productivity. (NocêRA, R. D. J., 2013, p.283) While on the other hand CPM can handle multiple projects simultaneously. (Demkin, J. A., 2008, p.733) Critical chain scheduling not a revolutionary approach, fundamentally it is based on CPM theory. (Levine, H. A., 2002, p.89) Another major limitation of Critical Chain Scheduling is that it is expensive to implement, and depending on the project has certain degree of in accuracy as well. (Sebastian N., 2007,

Thurgood Marshall Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Thurgood Marshall - Research Paper Example Indeed, his interests in law forever changed the American history. Mershall is among the leading black figures in the 21st century. It was through Marshall that the American courts eradicated slavery and destroyed racist segregation systems. He promoted affirmative actions for people to live in harmony and equality. Indeed, Thurgood Mershall was an influential figure who laid a strong foundation in changing the American society. Thurgood Mershall was born in middle class family. In his childhood, Mershall’s parents enacted a strong emphasis on their son’s education. His interests in law started when he attended at Howard University to pursue law in 1933. For the first time, Mershall addressed discrimination and segregation in the Maryland University of Law. This was the place that Mershall experienced discrimination as an African-American student and lacked admission to the school. Later in his life, President Johnson Lyndon recognized Marshall Position to defend equali ty and thus, gave him the position to defend the civil right of all Americans. In 1967, the President nominated Marshall to be the associate judge in the Supreme Court. In this era, Marshall became the first African American to join the Supreme Court. ... His actions and decisions helped to fight racial segregation and discrimination against all blacks and African Americans. Most importantly, he did not only fight for equality and justice for his fellow Africans, but ensured that all people including the white received equal treatment. As a judge, he enacted important decisions regarding victims convicted of drug charges and the rights for the Native Americans (Glenn 10). Thurgood Mershall was an influential figure in the American history. He recognized the segregation in the public schools and worked hard to ensure that all children received equal rights and opportunities to pursue their education. In one of his speech in the Supreme Court, Mershall affirmed that the American government should fight for all children’s rights, regardless of their race. He believed that all children should obtain equal opportunities to attain their full potential and abilities as citizens. Mershall insisted that those children who never received their rights in the past deserved better treatment to achieve their dreams and visions in the future. He fought for a nation that would refuse to separate and promote unequal education. He emphasized that a nation could be better if the government could promote the education system for children to learn and live together. He argued that, the notion of children learning together would encourage children to live in harmony with another and understand people from different cultures. However, when children lack the opportunities to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, then they would grow up with the aspect that some races are more powerful than others. Mershall interests in ending discrimination and racism traced back in his childhood. As

Leadership and Team Building Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Leadership and Team Building - Essay Example This is popularly known as teamwork. As such, this paper seeks to evaluate the measures that can be taken by a newly appointed person in the organization towards building a cohesive team. The paper starts by explaining the meaning of leadership and teams. The main part of the paper will discuss the theoretical framework of various components of leadership and teams and how they can be effectively implemented in order to improve the overall performance of the organization as a whole. Leadership is often confused as management but a closer analysis of the two shows that they are somehow different. Basically, leadership is about â€Å"Envisioning change, that is â€Å"articulating a compelling vision, mission and strategy†, which â€Å"connects employees, shareholders, suppliers and customers† (Kets de Vries, Vrignaud, & Florent-Treacy, 2004, p. 479 as cited in Ekmekci, 2009, p. 42). On the other hand, it can be observed that management is mainly concerned with solving problems as well as monitoring progress in the organization (Almos et al. 2007). Focus is on leadership in this paper since management is also a component of leadership. The leaders in the organization drive change and they should articulate this change to their followers so that their efforts can be directed towards the same direction in the firm. This entails that teamwork is necessary in order for the new leader of the organization to achieve this feat. On the other hand, a team is described as â€Å"a collection of individuals who are dependent on their tasks, who share responsibility of outcomes†¦who manage their relationships across organizational boundaries,† (Cohen & Baily, 1997, p. 241). Essentially, the main idea behind teamwork is synergy of individual efforts towards the attainment of the desired goals in the organization. Thus, effective leaders in the organization should foster team building and development since these help to improve the overall

The Devil Wears Prada Essay Example for Free

The Devil Wears Prada Essay After reading the book on intimacy relationships marriage and child bearing I realized the decisions that people choose to make will have an impact on how I deal with them in a counseling session. Understanding people and their choices will determine what treatment plan I will set for them. What is most important is for me to understand the theory of why people make the decisions that they make. As a mental health counselor, intimate relationships will be my main focus. I believe having good people in your life can help you overcome difficult times and having a strong and good marriage sets the foundation for a good family and child bearing decision. Having parents that are happy and involved in their children’s lives can help produce positive children in a community. As a mental health counselor I will be concerned about all of it and I will use the various theories to help my clients. The movie I chose was The Devil Wears Prada. It was nominated for two Oscars. It was one of the best movies of 2006. I love this movie; I have it on DVD and love to watch it on a rainy day. It’s my favorite with some chicken noodle soup. The storyline is deep and deals with personal issues of careers and romance and friendship. Anne Hathaway plays a young college graduate looking to break into the writing field. She takes on a job with a big fashion magazine in hopes of getting a big break in journalism one day. In the process, she begins to transform into a different persons in order to move up at her job. Career success brings personal woe as she begins to lose long-time relationships her friends and her boyfriend. In the beginning of the movie you can tell how intimacy is important to her as she is very close to her boyfriend and her other friends away from work. She suffers at her job because she is isolated, branded as an outsider. As time goes on, however, she progresses in her career at the magazine. As she does, she begins to feel less isolated at work, but slowly begins to lose her connections at home. Home intimacy is no longer as important to her and she begins to experience a new isolation when she realizes something has gone terribly wrong in her life on her trip to Paris. While sitting in the car with Miranda in Paris, Miranda looks over to her and tells her she is just like her. Anne Hathaway’s character realizes that she was like Miranda who was isolated from family, friends and even her own children. Andy knew that if she did not want end up like Miranda she must change her ways and chose intimacy as part of her life. She went from having intimacy at home, yet being isolated at work, to being isolated at home with only her career to comfort her. With this new realization and her decision to leave her career behind, she had severed all ties and was isolated at both ends of her life. At the end, she regained her relationships with her boyfriend and her friends. Eventually was able to get back on track and landed a job at a news paper and said goodbye to isolation when she was able to see Miranda and walk away without looking back.

Effect Of Growth Factors Fcs On Cell Proliferation Biology Essay

Effect Of Growth Factors Fcs On Cell Proliferation Biology Essay Introduction: The technique in which cells normally of one type, removed from animal tissue are grown in presence of supplements and growth factors under controlled conditions is called Cell Culturing. Different cells require different conditions of temperature and gas for their appropriate growth in a cell incubator moreover growth media plays a crucial role in cell culturing, which can vary in glucose concentration, pH, growth factors like fetal calf serum (FCS). The effect of one of the above mentioned variables, we are going to study in this experiment is growth factors. Growth factors as the name suggests enhancers the growth which supplements the media are obtained from animal blood such as calf serum. Cell proliferation is studied by various methods, mainly used methods involve measuring the colour intensity taken up by DNA of cell during cell proliferation in presence of staining dyes e.g. crystal violet and MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide). The aim of this experiment is to study cell proliferation by using crystal violet and MTT methods while using mouse Y1 adrenocortical cells under the effect of growth factor FCS. Mouse Y1 adrenocortical cell are grown in Dulbeccos modification of Eagles medium as monolayer cultures. Crystal Violet: It is biological stain used in cell proliferation method which stains DNA of the cells after permeabilisation with methanol. The positive ammonium ions of crystal violet stain DNA of cells in blue colour. The colour intensity produced is directly proportional to number of cells, which is determined in stained cells by colorimeter. Staining with crystal violet and MTT are based on principal of absorbance. MTT: The MTT assay is a standard colorimetric assay in which activity of reductase enzymes are measured which convert MTT to blue insoluble formazan. The metabolic activity of viable cells is used as basic parameter in MTT assay. The tetrazolium salt, MTT is now widely used in quantitative measurement of cell proliferation. This method depends upon uptake of MTT by viable cells, which is a water soluble tetrazolium salt producing a yellowish solution. MTT is cleaved to insoluble blue formazan in the mitochondria of living cells by succinic dehydrogenases in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Material Used: Mouse Y1 adrenocortical cells, Dulbeccos medication of Eagles medium (DMEM) containing 10% Fetal calf serum, 2mM glutamine, 100u/ml penicillin and 100mg/ml streptomycin, crystal violet stain (0.1% solution in 200mM boric acid), MTT (5mg/ml MTT solution in PBS), PBS methanol, 10% glacial acetic acid, distilled water, acid-isopropanol. Apparatus used: Laminar flow cabinet sterilized two 96 well plates, multi well pipettes, pasture pipettes, sterilized T-flasks, sterilised empty reservoirs, gas incubator, fume cupboard, spectrophotometer etc. Method: Cells of mouse Y1 adrenocortical were separated from their substratum with tris in EDTA as they grow in monolayer cultures. Then added same volume of medium and centrifuged after that number of cells were counted on haemocytometer and diluted to concentration of 1.25 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã‚ © 105 cells/ml and made it up to 30 ml. Then cells were passaged into centre 60 wells of 96 well plate in duplicate with concentration of 0.25 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã‚ © 10à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ µ cells/ 200ÃŽÂ ¼l in each well while outside wells of 96 well plate were filled with same amount of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and allowed the cells to incubate overnight at 37  °C temperature in humidified gas incubator. After that cells were washed with PBS three times and different wells of each plate were treated with different concentrations of FCS which is shown in table 1. Hence 12 wells of each plate were treated with 0, 1, 5, 10 and 20% v/v concentration of FCS and both plates were incubated for 72 hours. One plate was used for crystal violet staining method and other for MTT assay. Table 1: Dilution of FCS % FCS Volume of Serum (ml) Volume of Medium (ml) 0 0 10 1 0.1 9.9 5 0.5 9.5 10 1 9 20 2 8 Crystal violet staining method: For this method cell media was removed first of all from incubated plate and then cells were washed with PBS. After that were fixed with 200ÃŽÂ ¼l of methanol for 15 minutes in fume cupboard. Then methanol were removed and cells were allowed to dry in fume cupboard for few minutes. Then cells were treated for 20 minutes with crystal violet stain 200ÃŽÂ ¼l/well. Later cells were washed three times with distilled water and stained cell layer was allowed to solubilised in the 50ÃŽÂ ¼l of 10% glacial acetic acid and plates were incubated for 30 minutes in gas incubator. After that absorbance of each well was read by plate reader spectrophotometer set at 540nm. MTT Method: To perform MTT assay, each of centre 60 wells of 96 well plate was treated with 20ÃŽÂ ¼l of MTT solution and plate was incubated for 4 hours at 37o C temperature in gas incubator. After 4 hours, the medium was removed from each well and 100ÃŽÂ ¼l of acid-isopropand was added to dissolve blue formazan crystal in the cell layer. Then plate was incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature. When blue formazan crystal were solubilised, absorbance of each well was measured at 570nm using the plate reader. Calculations: Cells in five squares of Haemocytometer = 24 Volume of each square is =4ÃÆ'-10-3ÃŽÂ ¼l The no. of cells in five squares multiplied with 5ÃÆ'-104 gives no. of cells in 1ml. Hence no. of cell in 1ml = 1.2ÃÆ'-106 cells/ml Required cell suspension = 1.25ÃÆ'-105 cells/ml Dilution Factor = Concentration Required/Concentration got Dilution Factor = 0.104 Therefore, in order to make 30 ml of cell suspension 3.125 ml of cell suspension was mixed with 26.875 ml of medium. Similarly 30 ml of cell suspension was prepared having 1.25ÃÆ'-105 cells/ml. Results: Observation Table for crystal violet staining method %FCS Average Standard Deviation 0 0.205 0.0218 1 0.255 0.0307 5 0.309 0.0450 10 0.432 0.0614 20 0.581 0.0844 Table2: Data obtain from plate reader at 540nm Graph showing effect of FCS with Crystal Violet Method Above graph shows that with increase in serum concentration the absorbance increases, which is directly proportional to cell number. Observation Table of MTT staining method: % FCS Average Standard Deviation 0 0.094 0.0081 1 0.115 0.0138 5 0.152 0.0191 10 0.276 0.0724 20 0.400 0.0807 Table3: Data obtained from plate reader at 570nm. Graph showing effect of FCS with MTT staining Above graph shows that with increase in serum concentration the absorbance increases, which is directly proportional to cell number. Discussion: Crystal Violet Staining method and MTT Assay is based on principle of absorbance, more is colour intensity, more will be the absorbance value. The result of Crystal violet staining method clearly indicated that absorbance value was directly proportional to cell proliferation as it was increasing with concentration of FCS. FCS stimulated Cell Proliferation Result in more cells and DNA Methanol increased cell membrane permeability Result in more stained DNA More Colour intensity Hence More Absorbance Value Similar results were seen in MTT Assay but in this assay only viable cells were stained while in crystal violet method both viable and non viable cells were stained. So Crystal Violet method of staining is not specific staining technique because in this absorbance is not direct index of cell viability. The drawback of MTT Assay is that some reducing agent may reduce MTT also which could show slight increase in absorbance, moreover this method depends on some variable like pH, presence of D-glucose and pyridine nucleotides which can affect the specificity of Assay. In spite of above said limitations these methods are mostly followed because they are safe, simple, cheap and reproducible. Differentiation of K562 cells to megakaryocytes/platelets To study cell differentiation of K652 cells chronic myelogenous leukaemia, K652 cell line, indicates an early differentiation stage of granulocyte lineage. K652 cells are non-adherent, circular shaped with small microvilli. In the presence of tumour promoters like phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) these type of cell are differentiated to megakaryocytes. The induction of megakaryocytic differentiation of K652 cells is known to be initiated by two signalling pathways which are the nuclear factor kappa B(NF-ÃŽÂ ºB) -depends pathways and other is extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen activated kinase (MAPK) dependent pathways. Human chromic myelogenous leukemic cells, K652 cells have Philadelphia chromosome. Tumour promoter, PMA which is a potent mitogen for human peripheral blood lymphocyte also act as a protein kinase C (PKC) activator which differentiate K652 cells to megakaryocytes. The various changes that occurs during differentiation of K652 cells are: Changes in cell morphology Cell growth arrest Adhesive properties of cell change Expression of markers associatated with megakaryocytes Endomitosis NADPH oxidase complex which is known as a primary source of ROS (Radio active oxygen species), is initiated by PMA. PMA stimulates NADPH ROS (Signalling Molecule) Induction of gene expression is directly related with ROS. The Expression of CD61, a platelet cell marker helps in identifying differentiated cells. The expression of CD61 can be seen on platelets, osteoclasts, macrophages and on some tumour cells, involved in tumour metastasis and in adenovirus infections. Results and Discussion: It was observed that PMA treated slide was stained pink while cells devoid of PMA were stained blue as shown in Pic. 1 2. In PMA treated slide the K562 cells were clearly differentiated to megakaryocytes which suggested that tumour promoter, PMA induced differentiation in K562 cells by signal transduction and expressed by CD61 as shown in picture below. C:UsersmkkaushalPicturescell bio picsmail2.jpg Pic. 1 PMA Treated Cells clearly showing Differentiation to Megakaryocytes C:UsersmkkaushalPicturescell bio picsmail.jpg Pic. 2 Cells Devoid of PMA stained blue in Colour The expression of CD61 was recognised by addition of rabbit anti-mouse IgG antibodies that bind to CD61 antibodies when incubated in presence of alkaline phosphatise anti alkaline phosphatise (APAAP) complex. The cells were stained pink because fast red dye get attached to APAAP so this is how CD61 was expressed in cell treated with PMA. Moreover cells treated with PMA were larger, irregular, in shape and fewer in number as compare to untreated cells. On the contrary, Cells devoid of PMA were much smaller in size than treated cells. Diagramatic Representations of Immunocytochemical Reactions To Detect CD61 PMA Treated Cells PMA Untreated Cells CD61 bound to both treated and untreated cells Then Cells are washed to Remove CD61 unbound Treated with RAM Then RAM binds to APAAP and cells are stained pink in colour. : Mouse Antihuman CD 61 (Primary Antibody) : Rabbit Antimouse IgG (RAM- Secondary Antibody) : Mouse Alkaline Phosphate AntiAlkaline Phosphatase(APAAP Tertiary Antibody)

Amado V Hernandez Works

Amado V Hernandez Works Amado V. Hernandez lived in a nationalist milieu that witnessed a range of Filipinos that were determined to prove to colonizers that they were capable of governing themselves. Hernandez was born on September 13, 1903, Ka Amado as he is called, together with the nationalist leaders and intellectuals in government, the academe, and among the Filipino masses perceived in the postwar agrarian problems in Central Luzon the powerful roots of social alienation that would lead to discriminating pressures.  [1]  He was married to zarzuela actress and queen of kundiman Honorata Atang dela Rama and began his writing career as a journalist, and later, editor of several pre-World War II Tagalog news papers.  [2]   Moreover, Ka Amado was known for his active participation in the socio-political realm through his literature and his political involvement. During WWII, he served as intelligence officer for the resistance.  [3]  The discussion of his involvement and participation pre, during and post war will be traced through an account of his life and works, his writings, the Congress of Labor Organization, his wife Atang dela Rama, and the essence of Philippine and Hernandezs literature. Life and Works From 1926 to 1932, Amado V. Hernandez wrote Sariling Hardin a column in verse which was a calendar of happenings and observations on human weaknesses and social background. Meanwhile in 1928, he had a running balagtasan in his column Pagkakaisa against Jose Corazon de Jesus, Huseng Batute in Taliba. Ka Amado defended independence movement and Huseng Batute called him the poet of the administration and was included by Julian Cruz Balmaseda among the poets of the heart.  [4]   Instead of serving under the Japanese administration, Hernandez chose to leave for the hills. He was a major when the American forces returned in October 1944. He was appointed by President Osmeà ±a as councilor of the City of Manila and in 1947, he ran for councilor in the first post-war local elections and won in all four districts of the city. At this time, he was popular for being a pre-war poet laureate and journalist as well as an organizer of the Philippine Newspaper Guild of which he became vice-president. He also helped organize and later on became acting national chairman of the progressive Congress of Labor Organizations or CLO which he said the objective was to help the worker achieve economic security and to help in his cultural uplift.  [5]   In 1955, Hernandez wrote prison and detention center poems when he was transferred to Muntinlupa from Camp Murphy while waiting for the final ruling of the Supreme Court in his pursuit of the Lower Court decision of lifetime imprisonment due to rebellion complexed with other crimes. His appeal lasted for thirteen years before he was totally acquitted.  [6]  Even before he was acquitted, Ka Amado was already writing for the vernacular magazines, particularly Liwayway. He wrote Bayang Malaya which is a historical poem that he started and finished inside the little detention room in jail which is commonly called bartolina. It is a historical account of defending the nation and the ordinary citizens against the dominance of the Imperial Japanese Army. When the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) was overpowered in Bataan and Corregidor and were compelled to surrender, guerrillas emerged from the country and continued the strife and defense (Hernandez). USAFFE broke into several minor commands and waged guerrilla war against the invaders.  [7]  The main characters of this poem although not real personas, were symbols of real constructs of the war that created a history in its time.  [8]   Ka Amado was imprisoned for five years and six months in Muntinlupa and five other military camps namely: Camp Murphy, Camp Crame, Fort McKinley, Panopio Compound and another camp which he did not know due to a forcible arrest at midnight while he was blindfolded with shackled hands. He has several reasons as to his in-jail poetry and literature. One, he writes to exclaim the greatness of the Filipino guerrillas which were the glory of World War II (MSB) for he believes that if this splendor would soon be long forgotten by the contemporary heroes, history wont. Another reason that he posited as to why he pursued his literature is that he wanted to prove that the real essence of a poet cannot be incarcerated. Hernandez has a body of literature that stretches nearly three generations of Philippine literature  [9]  . He wrote in the introduction Isang Dipang Langit that he was able to write over 170 poems in different periods and in different situations. Some he wrote before 1930, others during his life as a journalist and some he wrote after the war where he was in the middle of different movements in politics and labor. Writing about Hernandez in 1947, journalist Jose A. Lansang, observed that Hernandez had fine speaking styles in Tagalog which developed during his pre-war poet laureate days which goes over with working class audiences. Lansang notes that Hernandez had aptness in anecdote and fire of delivery which shows Hernandezs being well-read in the English language especially in progressive literature and had developed knowledge of the labor mobilizations in various nations through intensive reading. The novel Mga Ibong Mandaragit which was first written by Hernandez while in prison is the first socio-political novel that, like Jose Rizals Noli Me Tangere, exposes the grave social cancer achieved in society post-war to the early open conflicts in Central Luzon in the 1950s.  [10]   The Congress of Labor Organization Amado V. Hernandez sponsored ordinances aimed at promoting workers rights and freedom. As he immersed himself in the labor movement in the late 1940s and early 1950s, Hernandezs compassion for the working class grew into a strong empathy for their struggle for social justice and liberation. He represented the Newspaper Guild of the Philippines in the countrys largest and most militant labor federation, the Congress of Labor Organizations (CLO) and in 1947, he was elected president of CLO.  [11]   In 1948, Labor Day witnessed one of its largest rallies of workers under CLO, the Peoples United Peasant and Labor Organizations held at Plaza Sta. Cruz. The mobilization was said to have been attended by 15,000 workers. Conversely, a rally that was held on the same day was attended by only 10,000 government workers in Rizal Stadium addressed by President Quirino.  [12]   CLO kept organizing workers in the years that followed and at the same time, opened up health clinics and nurseries in Manila as a social action project. As councilor, Hernandez retained the regard for him by the workers but at the same time, as the acting national chairman of the CLO, he gained the distrust and doubt of the political authorities faced with the problems of insurgency in Central Luzon.  [13]   The CLO headquarters was raided by the military authorities on the 20th of January 1951 and Ka Amado was held incommunicado in Camp Murphy on charges of rebellion complicated by several other charges such as arson, robbery and murder.  [14]   The Literature There have been a good number of discussions about Filipino poetry and literature, it has made for itself a good reputation but have received as well criticisms. Hernandez writes about literature always as a rising up or revolt from a generation put behind except for fanatic conformist.  [15]   Julian Cruz Balmaseda, poet, researcher and editor of the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa who considered Hernandez as among the poets of the heart divided the Tagalog poetry into three: Panahon ng Dalit, Panahon ng mga Pagbabago and Panahon ng Pagpapalaganap. He used not just the ages and personalities of poets in these divisions but as well as the kind, topic and outline of their poems.  [16]   Balmaseda acknowledged that there was a significant development of the Filipino poetry during the third period. This was caused by the manner by which Filipinos were more or less capable of mention and we will not be embarrassed to say that our poems could be at par with other remarkable poems in different languages.  [17]   During the period of conquest (1942-1945) up to this particular moment, poetry has been accessed by the paralysis caused by its weakening. Amado V. Hernandez is questioning why is it that when we now have reached the fulfillment of a lifelong objective which is to have our language, the Filipino poetry started declining?  [18]   One of the major problems that Philippine literature has according to Hernandez (especially poetry) is sentimentalism and he recognizes that not even the famous Balagtas was able to avoid it. He quotes and agrees with a critic who said that [sentimentalism] is the greatest fault of art. The straightforwardness of expressing ones feelings is not just a bygone phenomenon but is also vulgar and rough as it is.  [19]   Meanwhile, the historian Teodoro A. Agoncillo described the prison (where Hernandezs poetry flourished) as crucible of the new Filipino poetry. He was imprisoned for five years and six months and he was able to write 40 poems, one long narrative poem Bayang Malaya and the draft of the novel Mga Ibong Mandaragit within that period.  [20]  All of these have contributed to the social consciousness that Amado V. Hernandez was pushing for through his works as noted by Agoncillo himself: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ngunit gayon may dapat tanggapin na mabibilang sa daliri ng isang kamay ang mga manunulat na may budhing talusaling o nag-aangkin ng tinatawag na social consciousness (we should accept that the number of authors who own what we call social consciousness can only be counted by the fingers of one hand).  [21]   Agoncillo remarks the war that made the world succumb and set long-standing stagnant minds in motion werent even sufficient for our authors to be moved even after the 1941-1945 tragedy. Even after this, they remained complacent and trusting in their own hopeful motherlands. This land for Agoncillo is a sterile land and Hernandezs literature particularly his Bayang Malaya is likened by the former as a surprising growth and emergence of a strong-willed kind of literature with sturdy branches that sprouted out of these barren soils.  [22]   Amado V. Hernandezs literature, whether poem or prose, in a few ways deliberately presents themes that are socio-political in nature or that which are capable of raising social consciousness. Some of the titles of his poems that clearly represents this are as follows: Sariling Hardin (My Own Garden), Isang Dipang Langit (A Stretch of Sky), Panata sa Kalayaan (Oath to Freedom), Bartolina (Solitary Confinement), Ang Dalaw (The Visit), Kung Tuyo Na ang Luha Mo Aking Bayan (When Your Tears Dry Up, My Country). His Short Stories include: Wala ng Lunas (No More Remedy), Kulang sa Dilig (Needs Watering), Langaw sa Isang Basing Gatas (Fly in a Glass of Milk), Dalawang Metro sa Lupang Di-Malipad ng Uwak (Two Meters in Land That Stretches Forever), Ipinanganak ang Isang Kaaway sa Sosyedad (An Enemy of the Society is Born), Isang Ulo ng Litson (Head of a Roast Pig), Kislap ng Utak,Pawis ng Noo (Sparkle of Brain, Sweat on the Forehead).  [23]   His experiences as a guerrilla, labor leader, and a political detainee were shaped into the novels Mga Ibong Mandaraggit (Birds of Prey), 1969, and Luha ng Buwaya (Crocodiles Tears), 1972 Bayang Malaya One of the major works of Amado V. Hernandez was the epic Bayang Malaya and he wrote the said piece while he was behind bars. It is a historical poem which, according to the historian Teodoro A. Agoncillo, is a strong piece of art that sprouted out of the barren soils that is our literature and it opened the blinds that were blocking the beauty of the East. Ka Amado was painting a picture not just of a single town but of the Philippines.  [24]   The main characters of this piece although as mentioned are not real personas, they were symbols of real constructs of the war that created history. Some of the main characters were Tala and Magtanggol among others. It narrated the news about the emerging World War and the Japan-U.S. conflict that was surfacing as well as the start of the war itself when Japanese forces started entering Manila which caused the entire nation to be enveloped in fear. A concept like the Co-Prosperity Sphere was tackled in Bayang Malaya although those engaging were mere fictional characters. The epic also tackled the different oppression mechanisms being employed by the Japanese as well as the punishments that one receives in the event of revolting.  [25]   Issues like the emergence of guerrillas were also described in Bayang Malaya. Attempted rapture of Tala for example led to her taking of the hills and joining of guerrilla groups.  [26]  Amado V. Hernandez was indeed changed by his imprisonment and in Agoncillos words, the poet of hopes in Hernandez died in prison but the same prison gave birth to the critical poet and author who was just and was for workers rights.  [27]   Atang dela Rama The wife of Ka Amado; this queen of Kundiman and zarzuela in the same way as her husband, used her craft in promoting nationalism through the art that was performing. Honorata Atang dela Rama did not perform only for a living or for the good pay she received for her talent. She held a strong belief that the zarzuela and the kundiman expressed the Filipino identity and she did her best to popularize these among her fellow Filipinos.  [28]   She believed that kundiman contained the heart and soul of the Filipino especially if she gets to introduce the art to foreign audiences. Atangs enduring faith in the Filipino heritage and the sariling atin was intensified and deepened when Amado V. Hernandez became part of her life. The columnist and poet who was to become a labor leader in the future, pursued the actress for three years. They were married in 1932 and the actress was integrated into a whole new world with Ka Amado.  [29]   Because of Ka Amados involvement in the guerrilla movement during the Japanese occupation, his generous support of the labor movements in his writings and organizing of activities, and his unjust detention for five years and six months for the alleged rebellion complex, Atang developed a social consciousness that opened her eyes to the reality of the oppression in society.  [30]   Later on in her life, she remained to show that her real purpose is not yet over. She hoped that young artists and intellectuals will wake up and realize the necessity of having a culture that is genuinely Filipino which colonial regimes had made us abandon. Furthermore, she gave lectures to young actors and groups that wish to study the past in order to shape Filipino drama that would mean more in the contemporary period. She has also been invited many times by militant organizations of youth, women, writers and workers to speak and help promote the nationalist cause and strife that not even Ka Amados death in 1970 could put into an end.  [31]   Conclusion Amado V. Hernandez is an important figure in the Philippine literature. He wasnt just simply a writer but also, he was a work leader and a freedom fighter. He used the literary art as a means to fight for social consciousness and liberation. His master pieces are encircled in the different socio-political beliefs which were considered to be due to brought about by his experiences as an intelligence officer during the Japanese regime in the Philippines.  [32]   He was not just a guerrilla who chose to take it to the hills, but he was as well a labor leader who exerted his energies towards the betterment of the Philippine work force after the war. He was a significant icon who fought for freedom and social equality and a poet and a writer who used his craft in increasing awareness and social involvement in the country.  [33]  He wrote based on prison experiences and just like how his wife emulated his principles, in these works, he uncovered what he perceived to be the neocolonial nature of Philippine Society and pushed for nationalist and progressive agenda to end the long history of the workers and peoples oppression.  [34]  He was able to expose the social cancer that was taking over the Philippines during his time and both his and his wifes craft helped transform literature and performing arts respectively. Sources: Abinales, Patricio N. and Donna J. Amoroso. State and Society in the Philippines. Anvil Publishing, 2005. Amado V. Hernandez: A National Artist, http://www.shvoong.com/humanities/1762958-amado-hernandez-national-artist/ (accessed 15 February 2010) Amado V. Hernandez, Bayang Malaya: Tulang Kasaysayan/ Paunang Salita ni Teodoro Agoncillo (Ateneo de Manila University, 1969) Amado V. Hernandez, Isang Dipang Langit (Tamaraw Pub., 1961) Commemorative folio on national artist : Fernando Amorsolo, Francisca Reyes Aquino, Carlos V. Francisco, Amado V. Hernandez, Antonio J. Molina, Juan F. Nakpil, Guillermo E. Tolentino, Jose Garcia Villa and internatioal artist Van Cliburn Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila, 1974 Nicanor G. Tiongson, Atang dela Rama: Unat Huling Bituin (Cultural Center of the Philippines, 1987) The National Artists for Literature. http://nationalartists.panitikan.com.ph/avhernandez.htm/ (accessed 15 February 2010)

Macbeth:Concious Villain To Unrepentant Tyrant Essay -- essays researc

Macbeth: Conscious Villain to Unrepentant Tyrant Thesis: To trace the degradation of Macbeth from a hero to a conscious villain to an unrepentant tyrant. I. Macbeth as a Hero. A. Admired warrior B. Duncan's Admiration II. Macbeth as a Conscious Villain A. First tidings of villainy B. Murder of Duncan C. Guilt-Ridden Soliquoy III. Macbeth as a non-repentant Tyrant A. Murder of Macduff's family B. Selfish thoughts of sleep C. Feelings of Invincibility Macbeth, like most tragedies tells the fall of the protagonist from grace. Macbeth, originally a hero, degrades into a conscious villain who feels guilt and then into an unmerciful, non-repentant tyrant. A man once heralded as a hero becomes the bane of the land and his people. At the start of Macbeth we are introduced to him and it is implied that he is a great warrior and a great man. He is the hero of the recent battle and is the subject of rewards from King Duncan. In fact one critic describes him as "A great warrior, somewhat masterful, rough, and abrupt, a man to inspire some fear and much admiration. There was in fact, much good in him †¦ certainly he was far from devoid of humanity and pity."(Bradley "Macbeth") This paints the picture of an admired, somewhat inpersonable hero who was admired for his bravery and courage. In fact even Duncan, his later victim, admired him. Duncan gives him another kingdom and appoints him the Thane of Cawdor. The captain says of Macbeth to Duncan that: For brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name -- Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution, Like valor's minion carved out his passage Till he faced the slave; Which nev'r shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, Till he unseamed him from the nave to th' chops (I, ii, 16-24) These are the words of a man who admires Macbeth, and at this point rightly so. This is the heroic Macbeth of whom we are speaking. Unfortunately Macbeth soon begins his down fall and becomes a conscious villain. Macbeth degradation to a conscious villain begins with his first tidings of villainy. These tidings begin when Macbeth hears that the Duncan's son is the next in line for kingship. Macbeth says of this: The Prince of Cumberland... ...all concerns: to get a good night's rest."(Scott ?#) He has no feelings for others but envy, "He envies the murdered Duncan in his rest."(Scott ?#) At this point after all his actions his main want is rest. Truly he has become an unfeeling tyrant. The tragedy of Macbeth has a common plot, that of a hero losing his heroism. Macbeth once the admired warrior soon becomes the hated tyrant of Scotland. Through key points in the play you can trace this devastating downfall. From Hero to Unfeeling tyrant, that is the tragedy of Macbeth. Consulted Bibliography Andrews, F. John, ed. William Shakespeare: His Work, II. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1985 Bradley, AC "The Character of Macbeth." England in Literature. Ed. James E. Miller Jr., et. al. Illinois: Scott Foresman and Co., 1973. Scott, Mark, ed. Shakespeare for Students. Detroit: Gale Research Inc., 1992 Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth, The British Tradition. Eds. Ellen Bowler, et. al. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1996

Comparing Metamorphoses in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Color Purple

The Characters' Metamorphoses in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Color Purple, and Catcher in the The main characters of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Color Purple, and The Catcher in the Rye begin their stories as lonely, confined, and dependent people battling with their own thoughts versus societal pressures. The three long to be self-reliant and free, but lack the means and the confidence to find themselves. Huck, Celie, and Holden ultimately venture on life-altering journeys to attain their individuality and to discover their worth as human beings. Huckleberry Finn has tremendous difficulty transitioning from an easily influenced person to an independent one. He begins as one of many faithful followers to Tom Sawyer, willing to trail behind him into any dangerous situations because Tom seems more self-confident than he ever allows himself to be. "Everybody was willing" (Twain 9) to Tom's declaration, "we'll start this band of robbers and call it Tom Sawyer's gang" (Twain 9) where their business is "Nothing only [sic] robbery and murder" (Twain 10). Tom is so self-assured that Huck, lacking confidence in himself to make his own decisions without leadership or outside assistance, is restricted from locating his level of confidence while around his dictatorial best friend. Another dominant source of influence in Huck's life is his father, whose relationship with his son is comparable to that of a lord to a slave. Pap tries to cheat Huck out of his money, claiming "all the trouble and all the anxiety and all the expense of raising [Huck]" (Twain 26), so he can go into a drunken stupor and not be concerned about reality. To vent his anger for failed attempts, he punishes his own son through kidnapping, imprison... ... Through beautiful depictions of their characters' metamorphoses, the authors present the feeling that embracing struggle to define individuality and become independent is something everyone needs to do. The authors essentially disclose through their writing that without opinions, ideas, and liberations of their own, people have nothing else to look forward to in life. Huck, Celie, and Holden, who are each representatives of the diverse American culture, must each to look ahead to uncover their full potential as human beings rather than participate in social order. Works Cited Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston, MA: Little, Brown, and Company, May 1991. Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. New York, NY: Bantam Books, March 1981. Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. New York, NY: Pocket Books/Washington Square Press, June 1983.

Hamlet Essay -- essays research papers

Play vs. Movie   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Watching both play and movie, makes you wonder about the differences and the similarities. Paying attention to those kinds of things makes you realize your sense of thought. In this essay I will be taking you into a deeper level on Hamlet.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Now by seeing the movie Hamlet vs. the play Hamlet, you will notice that scene one came right after scene two in the movie. It threw me off a little bit because you were least expecting it. The other change was when Ophelia was talking with her dad, that never happened in the play. The last and final change was when they were barring Ophelia , in the play she was in the grave and Hamlet had jumped in the grave to testify his love for her, but now in the movie, s...

Ned Kelly-Hero or Villian

Ned Kelly is an iconic Australian legend who is known as one of the most famous outlaws in Australia. Some know of him as a villain, others know him as a hero. But what was he really? The 2003 film â€Å"Ned Kelly† featuring Heath Ledger as Ned, portrays the famous outlaw as a tragic hero rather than a murderer and a thief. By researching Ned’s events, accomplishments and endeavours, it tells us that Ned was in fact a villain rather than a hero. The following essay will highlight why it is that Ned Kelly is seen as both a villain and a hero.In 1854 Edward Kelly was born in Victoria to Irish parents, John (Red) Kelly and Ellen Quinn. He was the eldest of eight children and was brought up on rural property. A the age of 12 John Kelly died and Ned had to take responsibility for the man of the house. Having a large family with no financial income was tough for the Kelly family. Faced with poverty, many poor families just like the Kelly’s were forced to steal horse an d cattle from wealthy residents. Being Irish and having a father who was an ex-convict, the Kelly’s were seen as lower class folk and so work was hard to obtain.At just age 16, Ned was convicted of stealing cattle and horses and was sent to jail for three years. He was released in 1974. During this time his mother had re-married to a man named George King who Ned began to work with. However this â€Å"work† consisted of stealing horses. Ned’s way of living as a criminal was not because he necessailry wanted to, it was simply the only way he could provide for his family. This is the reason Kelly supporters see Ned as a hero as he stood up for his family and did all he could to keep them alive and safe. As Ned grew up he began to take on the role as an Australian criminal.At the age of 24 his actions towards the police, his family and the community allowed everyone to see that he was becoming a dangerous person. It was this point in time that Ned was accused of sh ooting a police officer in the wrist and his mother was sent to jail for 3 years. The accusations against Ned were false and it turned out he was never actually at the scene of the crime. However this did not stop Ned from feeling hatred towards the police, and naturally he wanted to rebel and stand up to them. He and his brother Dan escaped to the bush as they knew they were no longer welcome in their town.They were later joined by good friends, Joe Byrne and Steve Hart. The four were camping when they came across a police camp out at Stringy Bark Creek. It was here that Ned committed his first murder. From then on, Ned and his three friends were known as outlaws and had an eight thousand pound reward right on their heads. Being an outlaw meant that anyone was allowed to kill them or bring them in and in reward gain thousands of pounds. Ned and his gang however did have supporters. These supporters were mainly lower class folk who had also been treated badly by the police and could relate to Ned when it came to poverty.It was through these supporters that the Kelly gang remained out of reach from the police for almost two years. It was during these years that the gang robbed two banks and burnt a lot of the mortgages that the poor owed. It was actions like these that made some people see Ned as a hero. As Ned became known to the majority of Australia his actions became larger and more treacherous. In 1880 Ned launched a plan that would cause terror among the community at Glenrowan. At a local hotel the gang took in 60 hostages and had prepared for a special train to run off the tracks.The police became aware of the plan and the gang was surrounded. The hostages escaped and the building began to burn. Steve Hart, Joe Byrne and Dan Kelly all died in the burning building. Ned escaped but was shot 28 times until he surrendered. He was hung on the 11th of November 1880. Despite attempts to label Ned Kelly as a tragic hero, he was in reality a murder and a thief wh o caused harm and fear to many Australians. He is still called a legend, but not because he was a hero, it is because he did what no other Australian outlaw did.

Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hath forward Overview in breast rabbit warren Edward sideboardt, Berkshire Hathaway was a textile comp some(prenominal). Buffet acquired rail lines and forward long he was the largest shargon pass waterer (1963). He became part of the board and nominate the chair so he would consent psyche he trusted course the come with. With the pecuniary resource from Berkshire Hathaway coming in, Buffett exp terminateitured it to spend in National Indemnity. The fellowship was bought tho he leftover it the way it was left anterior Ringwalt in charge, kept menstruum employees, sh atomic estimate 18holder benefits and so on. redress companies argon a perfect way to catch a lot of hood up front because you rout out then use this silver to purchase an former(a)(a)(prenominal) companies or stocks, cargon what Buffet did. Buffet was relate with several(prenominal) companies and bought GEICO(Jayanti), General Re and other manufacturing and improvement companies. Today Berkshire Hathaway is iodine of the largest keeping companies in America. It owns different companies from retail to jewellery to galvanizing companies. These companies run reprint from Berkshire Hathaway.It does not unveil the goods or provide the extend just now serves as an umbrella that owns sh atomic number 18s or the self-colored of the companies that are underneath it. galore(postnominal) of these companies were purchased by the go withs many an(prenominal) damages options. Big names accommodate GEICO, Borsheim, PacifiCorp and bureau Fair. (Jayanti). ostiarius Five-Force Model Porters Five-Forces Model of fabrication disputation pertains to the menace of new entrants, the dicker office of buyers, the negociate force out of suppliers, the threat of patronage products and dish ups, and the strong suit of tilt among competitors in an assiduity.These quintet forces backside determine the stature of a food market. In the case of Berkshire Hath away there is a humiliated threat of new entrants for the multi- cablees in unrivalled industriousness. It is significantly unsaid to own assorted different companies, have them operate to across-the-board effectiveness and still wait a faller on the industry board. Although competitors cannot presently compete with Berkshire Hathaway, they still sop up a nice chunk from its say-so market.As a matter a fact, there are scarce two accept competitors in the industry that are preceding(prenominal) Berkshire Hathaway, it is beat backs Liquidation Co and fording Motor Co. As more self-made railway linees(which is what rabbit warren Buffett bids to acquire) open competition is created by means of price, growing in advertisement, and suppliers. This competition benefits buyers by swelled them more options or dicker berth in where they choose to shop. For instance same(p) what happened to Berkshires textile business, subsequently a while competition increase prices dropped and textile had simply became another commodity.So as you can see from the example, this affects Berkshire straightaway because of their higher(prenominal) quality products but aid prices makes it hard to compete with low hail leaders. This takes worthful time and effort away from inner ope proportionalityns because in cases uniform these the showdown has to be constantly analyzed. Consequently, if incomplete competitor decreases their prices to a consumers prospect this whitethorn result in the consumers button to the suppliers in a flash once again liberal the bargaining power to the buyer.As distant as bargaining power to the suppliers, they wouldnt very have any molding in increasing their prices or power unless it is a scarce resource and contain is high. Substitutes on the other hand, limit the potential returns of an industry by putting a jacket on the prices industries can fruitfully charge. Finally, the only reason why opposition is concentrated i s because when you have large companies like Motors Liquidation, crossover and Berkshire emulation heats up and everyone fights for the number one spot, and usually does whatever it takes to arrive at it.The rivalry forces a constant nearly monitor of competitors, which entails unnecessary excessive expenditure. For example, they would have to wonder and analyze questions such(prenominal) as, where are they fountain their stores? Are they using the analogous criteria in choosing locations? How much are they charging for exchangeable products? And can we compete with their price? In Summary, Berkshire postulate to be aware that intensive rivalry willing increase costs, such as constantly competing with prices, having to offer bargains which will lead to high exit barriers.In the end if the company is doing everything right and it is think on their company and how to improve it then it is a win-win situation because the biggest edge any company has is that NO TWO fuddled argon EXACTLY THE SAME. SWOT analytic thinking Berkshire Hathaway is a holding company owning subsidiaries meshed in a number of business activities. Co. s key businesses are its amends businesses, which are conducted on a native and re indemnification basis. Co. s redress businesses provide amends and reinsurance of holding and casualty risks world-wide and likewise reinsure life, hazard and health risks world-wide. At celestial latitude 31 2008, Co. s insurance and reinsurance activities were conducted by active 60 domestic and foreign-based insurance entities. Co. also owns and operates other businesses, including utilities and energy businesses, manufacturing, service and sell, as well as finance and fiscal products businesses. (mergent online, business synopsis) Strengths Weaknesses Top attention personality & leadership Over addiction on Warren Buffetts leadership healthful nifty position and superior fiscal ratings laggard exploitation in certain(pren ominal) investments (Coke, P, Shaw industries) modify portfolio ranging from property and casualty insurance and diversification McLane accounts for almost 1/3 of Berkshires reinsurance, utilities, energy, finance, manufacturing, function and revenues and 1/3 of McLanes business is laced to one single company retailing (Wal-Mart) Strong and consistent acme and poop line growth Companys stock untracked to most people interconnected Insurance trading operations Volatile investiture Portfolio unambiguous origin Strategy Declining enthronement Returns reenforcement Resources Decline in favourableness salmagundi of Businesses Opportunities Threats Acquisitions given current market conditions the company has monetary & economic markets fervor identify areas of investment (ie Goldman Sachs) Potential capital necessity changes both in the US and europium Alternative energy investments ecumenic wobbly consumer environment Favorable kin d for vivification and Annuity securities industry risky policy-making Conditions in Certain Regions development MidAmerican Business Identity Governmental Investigations chance for Acquisitions opposition in the Insurance pains strike of Economic Slowdown Industry berth and Casualty Insurance ? through with(predicate) its 51 subsidiary companies, it engages primarily in insuring and reinsuring property and casualty risks business. Berkshire Hathaway, Inc is a publically have investment manager. It invests in the unite States and Canadas public equity markets. arguing Berkshire Hathaways top competitors, based on its insurance businesses are ? The Blackstone Group L. P. (BX) a company with subsidiaries as well that was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in sensitive York. ? HM metropolis Partners LLC (Pvt1) is a privately held company with diversify investments find in Dallas, Texas. ? KKR & Co. L. P. (Pvt2), also a privately held company located in New Y ork, New York. DIRECT competitor compare ? ? BRK-A BX Pvt1 Pvt2 Industry Market exhaust hood 158. 43B 3. 90B N/A N/A 885. 31M Employees 246,000 1,340 N/A N/A 718 Qtrly increase Growth (yoy) -1. 60% 14. 80% N/A N/A 2. 0% Revenue (ttm) 104. 91B -320. 00M N/A N/A 808. 84M Gross boundary line (ttm) 11. 6% N/A N/A N/A 18. 38% EBITDA (ttm) 7. 06B -4. 3B N/A N/A 40. 44M Oper Margins (ttm) 3. 86% 1,375. 92% N/A N/A 16. 0% lowest Income (ttm) 2. 94B -1. 15B N/A N/A N/A EPS (ttm) 1893. 645 -4. 48 N/A N/A 0. 95 P/E (ttm) 53. 94 N/A N/A N/A 13. 6 PEG (5 yr expected) 4. 14 2. 82 N/A N/A 0. 97 P/S (ttm) 1. 9 N/A N/A N/A 0. 94 Company Financials Balance airplane (in the thousands) from 2006 2008 heart and soul additions 248,427,000273,160,000267,399,000 supply Liabilities 137,756,000149,759,000153,820,000 Total Stockholders right 108,419,000120,7 33,000109,267,000 The well-kept meshing were at a spill 58,912,00072,153,00078,172,000Assets and Liabilities has separate sections for Insurance & other businesses, Utilities & energy, and finance & financial products Income contention (in the thousands) from 2006 2008 Income Statement has separate sections for Insurance & other businesses, Utilities & energy, and finance & financial products. Total Revenues 98,539,000118,245,000107,786,000 Total cost and Expenses 81,761,00098,084,000100,212,000 gelt before Income Taxes 16,778,00020,161,0007,574,000 brighten earnings (loss) 11,015,00013,213,0004,994,000 Total number of Stockholders 19,10018,50018,100 Common Stockholders are sept into 2 groups class A and class B social class A Stockholders 5,1004,6004,200 Class B Stockholders 14,00013,90013,900 Earnings per administer (at a loss) 7,1448,5483,224Statement of hard currency Flows (in the thousands) from 2006 2008 property from monetary resource has separate sections for I nsurance & other businesses, Utilities & energy, and pay & financial products. acquit hard immediate payment from Operations 10,195,00012,550,00011,252,000 Net cash in from Investments (14,077,000)(13,428,000)(32,066,000) Net cash from Finances 2,607,0001,366,0002,286,000 funds and change equivalents at the beginning of the grade 45,018,00043,743,00044,329,000 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 43,743,00044,329,00025,539,000 Financial dimensions from 2006 2008 Profitability Ratios200620072008 Return on Assets 4. 93%5. 07%1. 84% Return on impartiality11. 02%11. 53%4. 33% discharge Ratio61. 28%71. 72%70. 91%Debt perplexity Debt to Equity Ratio0. 290. 270. 34 Asset Management Asset overturn0. 440. 450. 4 Property, Plant, and Equipment Turnover 4. 833. 42. 64 Cash & Cash Equivalents Turnover 2. 232. 693. 08 Industry/Market relation data from 2008 CompanyIndustry MedianMarket Medium Net dough margin2. 37%5. 53% footing/Sales ratio1. 483. 416. 55 set/Earnin gs ratio62. 50(11. 98)23. 81 wrong/Book ratio1. 521. 466. 30 set/Cash Flow ratio12. 4724. 9440. 65 12-Month EPS growth(62. 3%)(50. 0%) 36-Month EPS growth(16. 5%)(14. 7%) Bibiliography opening Berkshire Hathaway personal organiser file from Harvard Business school Mergent Online hoovers OnlineBerkshire HathawayBerkshire Hathaway Overview Before Warren Edward Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway was a textile company. Buffet acquired stocks and before long he was the largest shareowner (1963). He became part of the board and appointed the chairman so he would have someone he trusted running the company. With the funds from Berkshire Hathaway coming in, Buffett used it to invest in National Indemnity. The company was bought but he left it the way it was left previous Ringwalt in charge, kept current employees, shareholder benefits and so on.Insurance companies are a perfect way to get a lot of capital up front because you can then use this money to purchase other companies or stocks, lik e what Buffet did. Buffet was involved with several companies and bought GEICO(Jayanti), General Re and other manufacturing and service companies. Today Berkshire Hathaway is one of the largest holding companies in America. It owns different companies from retail to jewelry to electric companies. These companies run separate from Berkshire Hathaway.It does not produce the goods or provide the services but serves as an umbrella that owns shares or the whole of the companies that are underneath it. Many of these companies were purchased by the companys many insurance options. Big names include GEICO, Borsheim, PacifiCorp and Vanity Fair. (Jayanti). Porter Five-Force Model Porters Five-Forces Model of Industry Competition pertains to the threat of new entrants, the bargaining power of buyers, the bargaining power of suppliers, the threat of substitute products and services, and the intensity of rivalry among competitors in an industry.These five forces can determine the stature of a ma rket. In the case of Berkshire Hathaway there is a low threat of new entrants for the multi-businesses in one industry. It is significantly hard to own various different companies, have them operate to full potential and still remain a leader on the industry board. Although competitors cannot directly compete with Berkshire Hathaway, they still take a nice chunk from its potential market.As a matter a fact, there are only two direct competitors in the industry that are above Berkshire Hathaway, it is Motors Liquidation Co and Ford Motor Co. As more self-made businesses(which is what Warren Buffett likes to acquire) open competition is created through price, increase in advertisement, and suppliers. This competition benefits buyers by giving them more options or bargaining power in where they choose to shop. For Instance like what happened to Berkshires textile business, after a while competition increased prices dropped and textile had simply became another commodity.So as you can s ee from the example, this affects Berkshire directly because of their higher quality products but premium prices makes it hard to compete with low cost leaders. This takes valuable time and effort away from internal operations because in cases like these the opposition has to be constantly analyzed. Consequently, if neither competitor decreases their prices to a consumers expectation this may result in the consumers going to the suppliers directly once again giving the bargaining power to the buyer.As far as bargaining power to the suppliers, they wouldnt really have any edge in increasing their prices or power unless it is a scarce resource and demand is high. Substitutes on the other hand, limit the potential returns of an industry by putting a ceiling on the prices industries can profitably charge. Finally, the only reason why rivalry is intense is because when you have large companies like Motors Liquidation, Ford and Berkshire rivalry heats up and everyone fights for the number one spot, and usually does whatever it takes to get it.The rivalry forces a constant close monitoring of competitors, which entails unnecessary excessive expenditure. For example, they would have to ask and analyze questions such as, where are they opening their stores? Are they using the same criteria in choosing locations? How much are they charging for similar products? And can we compete with their price? In Summary, Berkshire needs to be aware that intensive rivalry will increase costs, such as constantly competing with prices, having to offer bargains which will lead to high exit barriers.In the end if the company is doing everything right and it is focusing on their company and how to improve it then it is a win-win situation because the biggest edge any company has is that NO TWO FIRM ARE EXACTLY THE SAME. SWOT Analysis Berkshire Hathaway is a holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in a number of business activities. Co. s key businesses are its insurance businesses, w hich are conducted on a primary and reinsurance basis. Co. s insurance businesses provide insurance and reinsurance of property and casualty risks world-wide and also reinsure life, accident and health risks world-wide. At Dec 31 2008, Co. s insurance and reinsurance activities were conducted through about 60 domestic and foreign-based insurance entities. Co. also owns and operates other businesses, including utilities and energy businesses, manufacturing, service and retailing, as well as finance and financial products businesses. (mergent online, business synopsis) Strengths Weaknesses Top management reputation & leadership Over dependence on Warren Buffetts leadership Strong capital position and superior financial ratings Slower growth in certain investments (Coke, P, Shaw industries) Diversified portfolio ranging from property and casualty insurance andDiversification McLane accounts for almost 1/3 of Berkshires reinsurance, utilities, energy, finance, manufacturing, servi ces and revenues and 1/3 of McLanes business is tied to one single company retailing (Wal-Mart) Strong and consistent top and bottom line growth Companys stock inaccessible to most people Integrated Insurance Operations Volatile Investment Portfolio Distinct Business Strategy Declining Investment Returns Funding Resources Decline in Profitability Diversity of Businesses Opportunities Threats Acquisitions given current market conditions the company has Financial & economic markets turmoil identified areas of investment (ie Goldman Sachs) Potential capital requirement changes both in the US and Europe Alternative energy investments Worldwide weak consumer environment Favorable Phase for Life and Annuity Market Unstable Political Conditions in Certain Regions Growing MidAmerican Business Identity Governmental Investigations Opportunity for Acquisitions Competition in the Insurance Industry Impact of Economic Slowdown Industry Property and Casualt y Insurance ? Through its 51 subsidiary companies, it engages primarily in insuring and reinsuring property and casualty risks business. Berkshire Hathaway, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. It invests in the United States and Canadas public equity markets. Competition Berkshire Hathaways top competitors, based on its insurance businesses are ? The Blackstone Group L. P. (BX) a company with subsidiaries as well that was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in New York. ? HM Capital Partners LLC (Pvt1) is a privately held company with diversified investments located in Dallas, Texas. ? KKR & Co. L. P. (Pvt2), also a privately held company located in New York, New York. DIRECT COMPETITOR COMPARISON ? ? BRK-A BX Pvt1 Pvt2 Industry Market Cap 158. 43B 3. 90B N/A N/A 885. 31M Employees 246,000 1,340 N/A N/A 718 Qtrly Rev Growth (yoy) -1. 60% 14. 80% N/A N/A 2. 0% Revenue (ttm) 104. 91B -320. 00M N/A N/A 808. 84M Gross Margin (ttm) 11. 6% N/A N/A N/A 18. 38% EBITDA (ttm) 7. 06B -4. 3B N/A N/A 40. 44M Oper Margins (ttm) 3. 86% 1,375. 92% N/A N/A 16. 0% Net Income (ttm) 2. 94B -1. 15B N/A N/A N/A EPS (ttm) 1893. 645 -4. 48 N/A N/A 0. 95 P/E (ttm) 53. 94 N/A N/A N/A 13. 6 PEG (5 yr expected) 4. 14 2. 82 N/A N/A 0. 97 P/S (ttm) 1. 9 N/A N/A N/A 0. 94 Company Financials Balance Sheet (in the thousands) from 2006 2008 Total Assets 248,427,000273,160,000267,399,000 Total Liabilities 137,756,000149,759,000153,820,000 Total Stockholders Equity 108,419,000120,733,000109,267,000 The retained earnings were at a loss 58,912,00072,153,00078,172,000Assets and Liabilities has separate sections for Insurance & other businesses, Utilities & energy, and Finance & financial products Income Statement (in the thousands) from 2006 2008 Income Statement has separate sections for Insurance & other businesses, Utilities & energy, and Fin ance & financial products. Total Revenues 98,539,000118,245,000107,786,000 Total Costs and Expenses 81,761,00098,084,000100,212,000 Earnings before Income Taxes 16,778,00020,161,0007,574,000 Net earnings (loss) 11,015,00013,213,0004,994,000 Total number of Stockholders 19,10018,50018,100 Common Stockholders are split into 2 groups class A and class B Class A Stockholders 5,1004,6004,200 Class B Stockholders 14,00013,90013,900 Earnings per Share (at a loss) 7,1448,5483,224Statement of Cash Flows (in the thousands) from 2006 2008 Cash from finances has separate sections for Insurance & other businesses, Utilities & energy, and Finance & financial products. Net Cash from Operations 10,195,00012,550,00011,252,000 Net Cash from Investments (14,077,000)(13,428,000)(32,066,000) Net Cash from Finances 2,607,0001,366,0002,286,000 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 45,018,00043,743,00044,329,000 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 43,743,00044,329,00025,539,0 00 Financial Ratios from 2006 2008 Profitability Ratios200620072008 Return on Assets 4. 93%5. 07%1. 84% Return on Equity11. 02%11. 53%4. 33% Loss Ratio61. 28%71. 72%70. 91%Debt Management Debt to Equity Ratio0. 290. 270. 34 Asset Management Asset Turnover0. 440. 450. 4 Property, Plant, and Equipment Turnover 4. 833. 42. 64 Cash & Cash Equivalents Turnover 2. 232. 693. 08 Industry/Market comparison data from 2008 CompanyIndustry MedianMarket Medium Net profit margin2. 37%5. 53% Price/Sales ratio1. 483. 416. 55 Price/Earnings ratio62. 50(11. 98)23. 81 Price/Book ratio1. 521. 466. 30 Price/Cash Flow ratio12. 4724. 9440. 65 12-Month EPS growth(62. 3%)(50. 0%) 36-Month EPS growth(16. 5%)(14. 7%) Bibiliography Source Berkshire Hathaway pda file from Harvard Business School Mergent Online Hoovers Online