Manipulating Mind-Mapping Software to Develop Essay Writing

Introduction Human race has always had an instinct to express their needs, feelings, and emotions in written forms as well as oral ones. Calkins (1989, p. 3) illustrates that human beings have a deep need to represent their experiences through writing. He mentions that ancient people were fond of writing stories, events, habits, or situations related to them on the walls of caves and temples. It could be said that it is a natural human desire and tendency toward drawing shapes and lines on some materials surfaces. One can observe that young children are driven to leave written marks with pens, pencils, markers, pieces of coal, or even lipsticks on walls, furniture, or bathrooms. Academically speaking, writing is one of the four†¦show more content†¦Whereas the product-based approach deals with writing correct kinds of paragraphs and texts, the process-based approach concentrates on the communicativeness of the written texts. Moreover, the process-based approach is a lea rner-centered, rather than a language-centered mode. The process of second/foreign language writing, as well as writing in the native language, involves three distinct stages followed by foreign language writers: (a) pre-writing, rehearsing, or the write-based phase, in which the ideas are gathered and generated; (b) drafting, or product-based phase in which the writer composes structures, and reconstructs ideas and (c) revision, or the reader-phase of revision (Leeds, 1996; Richards,1992; Scholes and Comley, 1989). Efforts done for the sake of developing the writing skill/sub-skills serve these three phases. Mind-mapping is located in the first pre-writing phase, where the students are given an opportunity to generate, gather, and arrange ideas related to a given essay (Scarcella Oxford, 1992). A mind map is a graphic organizer in which major categories radiate from a central idea, and sub-categories are represented as branches of larger branches. According to Buzan (2000) and Howitt (2009) a mind map is a visual tool that can be used to generate ideas, take notes, organize thinking and develop concepts. The British CouncilShow MoreRelatedProject Management32831 Words   |  132 PagesMetropolitan University Mentor: Prof. Dr. H.J. Scholten Free University of Amsterdam Master Thesis: GIS Project management Final Version ABSTRACT Recent studies concerning GIS show that it is the fastest growing segment (both hard software) of the graphical computer market. 70% of private organizations expect to use GIS as a strategic tool within their company. Like a product, GIS in an organization has a life cycle. 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While maintaining its hallmark features—clear writing style, cutting-edge content, and engaging pedagogy—the fourteenth edition has been updated to reflect the most recent research within the field of organizational behavior. This is one of the most comprehensive and thorough revisions of Organizational

Attending A Full Nude Production - 2000 Words

Attending a full nude production often comes with guilty anticipation in American culture. Even the most modest of attendees enter the space with bold-boundary-breaking, fuck-rules-on-purpose kind of swagger. In the case of Untitled Feminist Show this â€Å"swagger† is no match for counter-cultural performance that addresses naked truth of what public feminist space can be. While some of the play is quite literally bottoms up, Untitled Feminist Show does not hold to typical a bottom-up model of community work which feminists are known for (Hyde 2005). Theatrical performances by nature are public spaces, and use the public sphere as its arena to communicate stories and messages to a greater community. Young Jean Lee uses theater in a unique way†¦show more content†¦However, does Ms. Lee have the power to remove patriarchy from a space? No I don’t believe she can or did, she does not wipe away the structure of male tyranny rather spotlights its fallibility. While empowering and engaging patriarchy still â€Å"ran the show† so to speak. By being a production that required payment and a physical ticket to enter uses economic hierarchy, an economic model male driven and historically oppressive to women and those without disposable income. Referencing the roots of community organizing and the work of Jane Addams, â€Å"involvement of people ... focused on issues related to adult education, community based planning and research, and social and political action† (Weil, Gamble, Williams 1998), should be at the center of organizing. Addressing Feminism in a highly sophisticated and academically oriented way, does not draw in women seeking validation, education, or solutions to issues faced by women, regardless of the topics present in the Play’s content. Furthermore, the irony of a male majority audience, speaks to the cultural acceptance of males viewing female nudity, entitlement in entering public spaces, and the powerlessness and inability to create an â€Å"all female space†. One male audience member commented, â€Å"this play is answer to all that is wrong with the vagina monologues† and implied that this conclusion wasShow MoreRelatedMetz Film Language a Semiotics of the Cinema PDF100902 Words   |  316 Pagessequence rather than shot sequence. Simi ´ xi x A NOTE ON THE TRANSLATION larly dolly in and dolly out are used rather than forward and rear. Mise en scà ¨ne is also retained in its filmic use, while staging is used to describe a stage production. The term constantif, which Metz borrowed from Austin, should be rendered by constantive and not by ascertaining (p. 25). Finally, actor to translate Greimas s concept of actant is misleading and actant is usually kept (see Ducrà ´t and TodorovRead MoreIgbo Dictionary129408 Words   |  518 Pagesand the noun of result the associative tone pattern Table on verbal deriveratives from Emenanjá »  (1978) here 6.2.5 Classification of verbs Verbs can be divided into action verbs (AV), which express actions, and stative (expressing states). For a full discussion of stative verbs, see Nwachukwu 1983f. Within the action verbs, there is a small subclass which do not take the open-vowel suffix -E in the imperative, subjunctive, and perfect verb-forms: e.g. versus Nye mÌ„! Là ¬e yÄ ! (Give me!) (Eat it!)Read MoreLogical Reasoning189930 Words   |  760 Pagesyou can draw your own conclusion. 56 4. What is the conclusion of this argument by analogy? To say that TEX, the scientific word processor language, takes a little effort to learn is like saying that with a little effort you could build your own full-scale, working Challenger spacecraft and run your own space shuttle program. Surely you dont believe you can do this, do you? 5. Rewrite this argument in standard form so that it is deductively valid: Joshua, quit that! Justine isnt bothering

Section 377A of Penal Code of Singapore

Question: Describe about the Section 377A of Penal Code of Singapore? Answer: Singapore's Section 377A of the Penal Code The main leftover piece of the legislation which criminalizes the sex between the mutually consenting adult men is Section 377A of the Penal Code of the country Singapore. Section 377A which is Outrages on decency says that: Any male person who no matter in public or at private are found to commit the commission or stimulate the commission of or procures the commission or attempts to procure the commission through any male person in any act of physical relation with another male person will be punished with imprisonment for some years and now which may be extended to 2 years. (National Library Board, 2015) The enactment of its mother statute of Section 377 must first be first explained in order to understand the Section 377A. Section 377 criminalized the sex against the order of the nature . (The Economist, 2014) It means that if any person voluntarily make any carnal intercourse with any man, animals or woman against the order the nature will be punished with jail or can also be pun ished with imprisonment for a certain term which may also extend or increase to 10 years and that person shall also have to pay fine as a part of the punishment. Issues surrounding Singapore's Section 377A of the Penal Code The issue surrounding section 377A focuses on the good of social marriage and but on the reverse side of the coin as we know there is the social ills of this sexual conduct outside the marriage. This argument on marriage is often developed to a high level of internal consistency and sophistication and is also used by many religious groups and philosophers. There are variations in the issues but the basic principles of all are generally the same. (Wee, 2015) The next issue is in utilitarian ethics based on Harm Principle. All reasonable people most probably agree that it is wrong to engage themselves self-destructive behavior or it mean the behavior that harms another person and this is not moral of humanity. Arguments for upholding Singapore's Section 377A of the Penal Code The first argument, which is in favor of section 377A of Singapore is based on the social good of a marriage. Marriage is a social good according to this argument. Marriage is considered as the faithful, lifelong and monogamous union between a man and a woman. Both of them together not only creates a framework in which male and female support and respect their differences, strengths and weaknesses. But together they are also capable of procreation. Moreover, marriage also provides a safe and very stable environment to the persons within which children can be raised and this provides society a very amount of benefits and also this argument is verified by the Singapore government. The family is the basic and vital building block of our society, this is one of the shared values identified by the Shared Values White Paper. In 2007 Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong explained it as: The basic building block of our society is the family. (lum, 2014) And by in Singapore the word fa mily means one woman one man who are married to each other and having children and bringing up children with that a stable family unit framework. As incest, necrophilia and bestiality are the sexual conduct which are criminalized under the Penal Code. The second argument in favor of section 377A in Singapore is based on the Harm Principle of utilitarian ethics. (National Library Board, 2015)The second argument in favor of section 377A is based on the Harm Principle in utilitarian ethics. According to this the men who have sex with other men is a part of the majority of patients who are having acute HIV infections in Singapore and also many of them are becoming co infected with syphilis. (Wee, 2015) The third argument which is in the favor of section 377A of Singapore is not difficult to handle as it simply says that the section 377A is justified because to a majority of Singaporeans homosexual conduct is offensive. This is based on utilitarian ethics Offense Principle which has been developed by Joel Feinberg and it says that legal intervention is justified by certain forms of offense. According to Feinberg, the mere fact that one feels offended is sufficient. Arguments against upholding Singapore's Section 377A of the Penal Code The Court of Appeal of ruling against the appeals brought in front by, Gary Lim, Tan Eng Hong and Kenneth Chee upholded the Section 377a of the Penal Code constitutionality in which criminalizing sex between men is very disappointing for every Singaporean . (lum, 2015)The existence of this Section 377a have a bad effect not just on Gay men of Singapore but also its Bisexual, Lesbian and other Transgender communities. It encourages reinforces prejudice and discrimination which lead to censorship in the media and have great impact on the health and wellbeing on segment of society. The Singapore's opportunity to showcase itself as a truly openness, accepting and unique society with a great place for working, living and playing has been missed as with this section it discriminates a segment of society with other and don't provide them the same rights . (lum, 2015) A part of society is not considered equal in front of law, don't have right to feel safe at home, have no physical and emotio nal protection and no protection against discrimination which is a right with which every Singaporean should be given and should not be denied on the basis of whom they love. An opportunity has been missed to demonstrate that Singapore country's important principle which is being united people, building of a democratic society. Conclusion Singapore's Section 377A of the penal code of can get justified on the basis of three arguments, from Marriage, Harm and Offense But with this the fact can't b neglect that with upholding this section Singapore have also missed a golden opportunity to demonstrate how well they all stand by their guiding principle of being one united people country and also losses the building of a democratic society which would be based on justice and equality. References Chen, J. (2012). Singapore's Culture War over Section 377A: Through the Lens of Public Choice and Multilingual Research. Law Social Inquiry, 38(1), 106-137. Chua, L. Legislation and Case Notes: The Power of Legal Processes and Section 377A of the Penal Code. SSRN Journal. lum, s. (2014). Court upholds law banning gay sex. AsiaOne. Retrieved 22 March 2015, from https://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/court-upholds-law-banning-gay-sex lum, S. (2015). Court of Appeal rules that Section 377A that criminalises sex between men is constitutional. Straitstimes.com. Retrieved 22 March 2015, from https://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/courts-crime/story/court-appeal-rules-section-377a-criminalises-sex-between-men-const National Library Board, S. (2015). Penal Code section 377A | Infopedia. Eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 22 March 2015, from https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1639_2010-01-31.html Wee, D. (2015). Singapore blogger found guilty of contempt for post crit icizing anti-gay law. Gay Star News. Retrieved 22 March 2015, from https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/singapore-blogger-found-guilty-contempt-post-criticizing-anti-gay-law230115 The Economist,. (2014). On permanent parole. Retrieved 22 March 2015, from https://www.economist.com/banyan/2014/10/gay-rights-singapore

Semester at Sea Voyage Essay Example

Semester at Sea Voyage Essay As a marketing major, I have many academic goals such as acquiring knowledge in a good ambiance, to be able to share my talent and skill that would help me recognize my strengths and weaknesses as a person, and to graduate with greater knowledge and better perspective towards life and aspirations. As what Semester at Sea caters to its students, I can say that it could help me gain more knowledge in different aspects through interaction with different places and countries in the world. John Tymitz, the Chief Executive Officer Emeritus of Semester at Sea stated the six important factors that students would experience while having their semester at sea. These are:Develop an awareness of some of the important elements of interdependence necessary for coexistence in the world today and tomorrow. Build insight and background for interpreting international problems and conflicts. Clarify awareness of your own culture through contrast with others. Grow through the challenge of living and lea rning in a closely integrated environment. Interact with other cultures providing a historically relevant perspective of both developed and emerging nations of the world. (semesteratsea.org)These six factors are connected to my academic goals meaning that Semester at Sea can help me obtain my academic goals in better locations and setup. What is wanted to learn from this semester is my way of communicating to other people. Because I am pursuing my marketing course, I need to convey my communication skills thoroughly to be able to become realistic to my ideas as a future marketer. Through Semester at Sea I would be able to use my communication skills as I go to different places and countries along with my educators and course mates.Semester at Sea would also help me recognize my global perspective by studying historical accounts of the nations that we are going to study. Awareness would also impose within the semester to help students to become extra sensitive to the culture and soci ety of the developing nations that will be studied.In my marketing course, awareness, sensitivity, and logic are the most important factors that we need to obtain to justify our thoughts and reasoning. Because Semester at Sea can help me acquire more knowledge and skills about these factors, it would become a better contribution to my academic goals and perspectives. In general, I can say that Semester at Sea could help me understand everything that is beyond my reach because it caters awareness and acquisition that are important to its students.ReferenceSemester at Sea. 2007. Message from the Chief Executive Officer Emeritus. 3 December 2007. http://www.semesteratsea.com/aboutus/message.html

Incarceration free essay sample

Incarceration is/is not a deterrent to crime? The major question that comes to my mind regarding crime statistics is Why is it that the number of people that are in the U. S. is rising at an unprecedented rate? Analyst say that the crime rate has remained relatively flat over the last 15 years, but today we are seeing the most rapid growth in our nations prison population since the first prisons were established in the 19th century. Some say that this incarceration increase is due to the crackdown on drug users. Others say that its due to the fact that sentenced offenders are more likely to be sent to prison for their crimes than ever before. I can only assume the reasons why our prisons are over-populated is because incarceration is no longer an effective crime deterrent. Years ago, prisons were a horrible place to be, you were forced to work all day. We will write a custom essay sample on Incarceration or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The prisoners did as they were told because if they didn’t, they would be physically beaten by other inmates or guards, or often killed. Today, work is an option and the most severe punishment while in prison is the taking away of privileges that they should not have in the first place. Years ago, citizens perceived prison as a horrible environment; they feared breaking the law and the prison population was extremely low. Today, the average citizen perceives prison as a lazy mans paradise, and prison population is at an all-time high. The incarceration of today is not stringent enough punishment to effective deter crime. Prisoners of today have too many rights and privileges that lead to ineffective incarceration. The justice system must bring the fear back into the system by enforcing stringent punishment as before in order to make incarceration an effective crime deterrent. The problem is that tougher policies dont occur random and is one of the oldest problems facing the U. S. Both the prospect of getting caught and the prospect of spending time in prison are supposed to deter offenders from criminal activities, encouraging more constructive actions like staying in chool. The FBI recently released data showing that serious crimes decreased in 1996, continuing a pattern that began in 1992. This might satisfy the statisticians who detect an improving trend, but it wont calm the fears of most Americans. Indeed, polls show that the average citizen worries a lot about crime. (Steve H. Hanke / professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University)

How Delegates to Presidential Conventions Are Selected

How Delegates to Presidential Conventions Are Selected In the summer of every presidential election year, political parties in the United States typically conduct national conventions to choose their presidential candidates. At the conventions, the presidential candidates are selected by groups of delegates from each state. After a series of speeches and demonstrations in support of each candidate, the delegates begin to vote, state-by-state, for the candidate of their choice. The first candidate to receive a preset majority number of delegate votes becomes the partys presidential candidate. The candidate selected to run for president then selects a vice presidential candidate. Delegates to the national conventions are selected at the state level, according to rules and formulas determined by each political partys state committee. While these rules and formulas can change from state-to-state and from year-to-year, there remain two methods by which the states choose their delegates to the national conventions: the caucus and the primary. The Primary In states holding them, presidential primary elections are open to all registered voters. Just like in general elections, voting is done through a secret ballot. Voters may choose from among all registered candidates and write-ins are counted. There are two types of primaries, closed and open. In a closed primary, voters may vote only in the primary of the political party in which they registered. For example, a voter who registered as a Republican can only vote in the Republican primary. In an open primary, registered voters can vote in the primary of either party, but are allowed to vote in only one primary. Most states hold closed primaries. Primary elections also vary in what names appear on their ballots. Most states hold presidential preference primaries, in which the actual presidential candidates names appear on the ballot. In other states, only the names of convention delegates appear on the ballot. Delegates may state their support for a candidate or declare themselves to be uncommitted. In some states, delegates are bound, or pledged to vote for the primary winner in voting at the national convention. In other states, some or all delegates are unpledged, and free to vote for any candidate they wish at the convention. The Caucus Caucuses are simply meetings, open to all registered voters of the party, at which delegates to the partys national convention are selected. When the caucus begins, the voters in attendance divide themselves into groups according to the candidate they support. The undecided voters congregate into their own group and prepare to be courted by supporters of other candidates. Voters in each group are then invited to give speeches supporting their candidate and trying to persuade others to join their group. At the end of the caucus, party organizers count the voters in each candidates group and calculate how many delegates to the county convention each candidate has won. As in the primaries, the caucus process can produce both pledged and unpledged convention delegates, depending on the party rules of the various states. How Delegates are Awarded The Democratic and Republican parties use different methods for determining how many delegates are awarded to, or pledged to vote for the various candidates at their national conventions. Democrats use a proportional method. Each candidate is awarded a number of delegates in proportion to their support in the state caucuses or the number of primary votes they won. For example, consider a state with 20 delegates at a democratic convention with three candidates. If candidate A received 70% of all caucus and primary votes, candidate B 20% and candidate C 10%, candidate A would get 14 delegates, candidate B would get 4 delegates and candidate C would get two delegates. In the Republican Party, each state chooses either the proportional method or a winner-take-all method of awarding delegates. Under the winner-take-all method, the candidate getting the most votes from a states caucus or primary gets all of that states delegates at the national convention. Key Point: The above are general rules. Primary and caucus rules and methods of convention delegate allocation differ from state-to-state and can be changed by party leadership. To find out the latest information, contact your states Board of Elections. 2020 National Nominating Conventions: Dates and Sites The 2020 Democratic National Convention will be held from July 13th to 16th, 2020, at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Since by tradition, the convention of the party currently holding the White House is held after that of the opposing party, the 2020 Republican National Convention will be held on August 24th to 27th, 2020, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

How Delegates to Presidential Conventions Are Selected

How Delegates to Presidential Conventions Are Selected In the summer of every presidential election year, political parties in the United States typically conduct national conventions to choose their presidential candidates. At the conventions, the presidential candidates are selected by groups of delegates from each state. After a series of speeches and demonstrations in support of each candidate, the delegates begin to vote, state-by-state, for the candidate of their choice. The first candidate to receive a preset majority number of delegate votes becomes the partys presidential candidate. The candidate selected to run for president then selects a vice presidential candidate. Delegates to the national conventions are selected at the state level, according to rules and formulas determined by each political partys state committee. While these rules and formulas can change from state-to-state and from year-to-year, there remain two methods by which the states choose their delegates to the national conventions: the caucus and the primary. The Primary In states holding them, presidential primary elections are open to all registered voters. Just like in general elections, voting is done through a secret ballot. Voters may choose from among all registered candidates and write-ins are counted. There are two types of primaries, closed and open. In a closed primary, voters may vote only in the primary of the political party in which they registered. For example, a voter who registered as a Republican can only vote in the Republican primary. In an open primary, registered voters can vote in the primary of either party, but are allowed to vote in only one primary. Most states hold closed primaries. Primary elections also vary in what names appear on their ballots. Most states hold presidential preference primaries, in which the actual presidential candidates names appear on the ballot. In other states, only the names of convention delegates appear on the ballot. Delegates may state their support for a candidate or declare themselves to be uncommitted. In some states, delegates are bound, or pledged to vote for the primary winner in voting at the national convention. In other states, some or all delegates are unpledged, and free to vote for any candidate they wish at the convention. The Caucus Caucuses are simply meetings, open to all registered voters of the party, at which delegates to the partys national convention are selected. When the caucus begins, the voters in attendance divide themselves into groups according to the candidate they support. The undecided voters congregate into their own group and prepare to be courted by supporters of other candidates. Voters in each group are then invited to give speeches supporting their candidate and trying to persuade others to join their group. At the end of the caucus, party organizers count the voters in each candidates group and calculate how many delegates to the county convention each candidate has won. As in the primaries, the caucus process can produce both pledged and unpledged convention delegates, depending on the party rules of the various states. How Delegates are Awarded The Democratic and Republican parties use different methods for determining how many delegates are awarded to, or pledged to vote for the various candidates at their national conventions. Democrats use a proportional method. Each candidate is awarded a number of delegates in proportion to their support in the state caucuses or the number of primary votes they won. For example, consider a state with 20 delegates at a democratic convention with three candidates. If candidate A received 70% of all caucus and primary votes, candidate B 20% and candidate C 10%, candidate A would get 14 delegates, candidate B would get 4 delegates and candidate C would get two delegates. In the Republican Party, each state chooses either the proportional method or a winner-take-all method of awarding delegates. Under the winner-take-all method, the candidate getting the most votes from a states caucus or primary gets all of that states delegates at the national convention. Key Point: The above are general rules. Primary and caucus rules and methods of convention delegate allocation differ from state-to-state and can be changed by party leadership. To find out the latest information, contact your states Board of Elections. 2020 National Nominating Conventions: Dates and Sites The 2020 Democratic National Convention will be held from July 13th to 16th, 2020, at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Since by tradition, the convention of the party currently holding the White House is held after that of the opposing party, the 2020 Republican National Convention will be held on August 24th to 27th, 2020, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Wildlife and Wind Energy. Leah Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Wildlife and Wind Energy. Leah - Essay Example The researcher did cover the topic well and broad enough. She discussed how wind energy is a great potential of cleaner and renewable source of energy but it will be more successful if further measures of conserving the habitat are embraced. The researcher concentrated mostly on the negatives of the energy production method and provided measures which if implemented could reduce fatality rate of wildlife. The methods discussed include radar technology, GPS tracking, Ultrasonic acoustics and design of the wind turbines. Studies have been conducted to determine the effect of industrial wind turbines on the environment. There are both positive and negative effects which provide clear evidence. Modern turbines are developed in a way that birds can’t rest on them. This still is not a proper solution because the birds still rest on the generators which have rotating blades that can slaughter them. Many nations are contemplating on methods of generating more sustainable, domestically available energy. Wind energy is seen as the most convenient method because it has economic benefits of development, lack of water consumption and emissions during operation and has low impact on humans. This can be the best method of energy production if it will cater for the wildlife

Business Policy and Strategic Management Research Paper - 2

Business Policy and Strategic Management - Research Paper Example The company makes sure that only the best quality beans are used. Starbucks maintains its standard and perform experiment in order to get appropriate balance of taste, and shape. Starbucks manages various roasting and distribution services. The coffee is baked in a strong gas-fired drum roaster for approximately 12–15 minutes. The computer notifies when beans are completely baked (Kotha & Glassman, â€Å"Starbucks Corporation: Competing in a Global Market†). Starbucks put much emphasis on the undertaking of various innovative and entrepreneurial actions with respect to its marketing aspects for making the firm more competitive in the market. Starbuck has set up cafes in hospitals, offices, banks, supermarkets and shopping centers, hotels, and airlines. Starbucks works directly with many countries which produce best quality green coffee beans. It always controls the distribution channel around the globe. It develops personalized customer service to make the customer†™s experience special. Starbucks launched packaged tea because of growing demand of tea in the year 1995. Starbucks coffee’s joint ventures with Pepsi launched a unique version of Frappuccino in 1996 (Kotha & Glassman, â€Å"Starbucks Corporation: Competing in a Global Market†).

Five Years Strategic Plan Essay Example for Free

Five Years Strategic Plan Essay Executive summary You are employed by a Swiss subsidiary of a transnational company in the processed food business whose products are sold via retailers and direct to the food service industry in a number of countries. Recently in Swiss subsidiary has been allocated responsibility for the Asia-Pacific Region and you have been assigned the task of spearheading the firm’s push into china and adjacent countries. In the light of opportunities and constraints to be awaited on the chinese market, the evaluation of alternative entry options showed that our best opportunity was on health food products related to the dairy products actual massive trend. We also decided to adress chinese cultural sensitivity issues by entering in long term close relationship with customers instead of being too focused on quick deals and to adapt our networking strategy to chosen entry strategy. We also examined how we should select a strategic partner, should the Chinese government advise us to do so, and how we should be adapting our global marketing processes to the issues raised by national sovereignty in China. Finally, we decided to include as adjacent market either Thailand or Vietnam in order to benefit from the existing trade relationship between them and China, even if countertrade obligations are to be met. INTRODUCTION The overall purpose of this paper is to present our five years strategic plan which objective is to enable our firm to become a major player in the processed food market adressed to retailers and food service industry. Among our very wide range of products, we will examine alternative market entry options in the light of potential opportunity and constraints, then examine the question of the influence of cultural sensitivity on negociations and on introduction of our product to chineses market. The next step of our analysis will be to examine the impact of adhesion of China to WTO on market environment and the consequences of cultural sensitivity to network and relationships. Our next field of investigation will be to examine the threat represented by a potential obligation to enter a strategic alliance with a local player and by our global company culture regarding national sovereignty issues. And we will finally include perspective of developping an adjacent market with eventually compulsory countertrade involved. Section 1 Alternative chinese market entry option for breakfast cereals and cereal bars in the light of potential opportunities and constraints. The recent huge success of dairy products in China, although a majority of the population is lactose intolerant and milk was never part of the traditional chinese food is showing that chinese market has become increasingly open to adopting foreign fooding habits. This is even reinforced by the success encoutered by Mc Donald’s and Starbucks. But one very interesting element of dairy products success is that its main reason and marketing idea is to value its good impact on health. This is what makes us think that the best way to introduce our firm’s product range is to be highly positionned on health benefits to be awaited from consuming our products, their total safety through high level controls. In terms of politics, China is a stable country, which has invested huge efforts into modernisation of its institutions and legal framework in order to enter the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2001. Contract enforcement and business matters involving foreigners are to be brought before high courts specifically trained. Intellectual property protection is still a broad problem through counterfaiting and brands like Starbucks are now facing parasite competitors who sell similar products to much lower prices. Chinese market is a huge opportunity but the country still lacks infrastructure and geographic entry has to be limited to main big cities, with a view of extending to the ever increasing number of middle sized cities growing all around the country. The idea of staying in urban areas is linked to two factors: our products are distributed through retailers networks, and food service industry which can only be found in big cities in China at the moment. As we work with retailers and food service industry, indirect market entry strategy through intermediary could prove worthy, at least at the beginning, as long as our products are not known. We could benefit from the intermediary’s network and his expertise on selling foreign products to chinese market. However, using and intermediary is not the prefered solution as it would increase our costs, and as chinese market is very price sensitive due to copycats, keeping good price/value ratio is a key strategic point. With direct market entry methods, we would have more control on market reactions and be able to lower our export costs. Alternative solutions to enter market range from specialised trade fairs (on dairy products, health products, breakfast and snacking products, etc) to a campain of trial gifts to be organised with either yoghurt or milk distributors, or by giving free samples in school, university and working areas cafeterias. We could also reach agreements with already installed foreign companies who would be interested in distributing our products on their shelves. Considering our objective of becoming a major player on processed food within the next 5 years, it would probably be worth it to make a large upfront investment to develop internal expertise in chinese market, in order to maintain our own relationships in the target market, which could be later used in order to introduce other product range on the same market. Therefore, and in the context of a long term investment, prefered market entry would be on health safe products targeting families and young working singles. SWOT Analysis Opportunities: Economic climate : a double digit economic development favourable to high quality trendy foreign food processed products with an attraction to health promising food. Demographic changes turning a rural population into city office working people whose life standards have increased dramatically over the last few years. Market opening through China’s entering WTO system and making legal and administrative environment more import friendly Threats: Competitive activity: other global firms are already on the market and Mc Donald’s, Vuitton and Starbucks experience of the market show that any brand valuation generates its army of copycat making it difficult to keep up with very low prices in a very price sensitive market. Culture: Reluctance to adopt new foreign fooding habits in a very traditional culture Pricing: chinese market is very sensitive to pricing and client segment will have to be chosen carefully and matched to pricing range. Strength: Health food image connected to dairy products Processed food in a booming ever increasing market Product adaptability: Cereals can be flavoured according to Chinese market tastes Networking: Company’s excellent ethic reputation Large target: Product attractive to kids and adult alike Weaknesses Not enough differentiation in products Need high advertising budget to gain trendy attracting image Section 2 How culture might impact on (i) negotiating in china and (ii) introducing your firm’s product into china. The usual tip when you prepare a business trip to China is to carry business cards, bring an interpreter, wear a conservative suit. These advice are easy to follow and have proven usefull, but they are too superficial to get you into the kind of association with chinese you need to be able to negociate agreements and introducing on a long term perspective the firm’s products in China. Graham and Lam (2003) have described the roots of chinese culture which have bound chinese people for 5,000 years and show through chinese business negociation: agrarism which superseedes business(survival depends on group cooperation and harmony, loyalty and obdience to familly hierarchy), confucianist morality (relations of ruler and ruled between husband and wife, parents and children, older and younger, and of equal between friends), being more concerned by means than by end in negociations, the fact that chinese tend to see easily the big picture, and finally that chinese people are very cynical about rule of law and rules in general, only trusting their families and their bank account. The elements that are important in chinese negociation are: have personal connections (friends, relatives and close associates), use an intermediary in order to avoid suspicion and distrust, be formal in order to show social status, pay attention to interpersonal harmony (smile, be nice and friendly), see the big picture and leave the detail to a later stage, be patient in order to get concessions on prices, never embarrass or provoque a lost of composure to a chinese (equivalent to loosing face), value endurant work more than talent. As a result of the above, introducing our products into China will probably require either a very long time necessary to build a trusted network, or the use of an intermediary. It is of first importance to try to establish close contact with significant actors of the retail and food service industry. The pricing of the products will probably also be of concern, as, if too low, it might not have the value effect, but, too high, it might repell consumers more tempted by a local copycat.    Impact of recent access of China to the WTO on other environmental variables which can be encountered when doing business in China and how it might benefit to our ability to establish worthwhile business in China. When China joined WTO in 2001, it made a transition from a centrally planned economy to a market driven economy. The institutional framework for foreign trade was inexistent, the information transparency culture still to be invented, existing judicial and administrative system inadapted. A tremendous amount of work was requested before China could integrate WTO system. China agreed with its major trading partners to open chinese market within 3 to 4 years to foreign companies in various sectors, including telecommunications, distribution and wholesaling, financial services, and banking and insurance. The change in laws included codifying existing administrative practices into written laws and regulations, therefore increasing transparency and predictability, covering around 200. Foreign trade law had to be modifyed. Regulations on international trade of goods and rules of origins were created. Regulations on transnational mergers and acquisitions and franchising were developped according to their new objectives. Anti-dumping, subsidy, countervailing and safeguard measures were prepared, and altogether, the capacity of the Government to provide legal information to the public was strengthened. Under the China’s central planning system, foreign trade was administered with both tariff and nontariff controls, including quantitative controls which WTO rules require to eliminate. To ensure that the WTO’s nondiscrimination principle is met in the judicial process, China issued an order that took effect on 1 March 2002 to elevate the jurisdiction over commercial cases involving foreigners from the primary courts to the higher level of courts, the question of training the judges to the appropriate regulation still being an issue at the moment. (Mitchell:2004). Altogether, when entering WTO system China had the tools to a market economy. These modifications created a foreign investment friendly framework, but the cultural reluctance to rules and the natural reliance to human bonds are still to be watched when doing business in China (Usunier Lee:2005). It had a great impact on having major competitors entering the chinese market with success and provides market with the stability and rules needed to establish worthwhile invesment. Section 3 Significance of the focus in China on relationship and network on our chosen entry strategy. As, in China, all business is subject to relationship and network, and as we have chosen to invest into a direct market entry strategy, we will have to rely on building our network with key players. Relationship marketing involves creating, maintaining and enhancing strong relationships with customers and other stakeholders. This type of marketing is moving away from focusing on individual transactions and moving towards to focusing on on building value-laden relationships and marketing networks. This type of marketing is long term oriented, very demanding as it is aimed at delivering long term value and satisfaction to customer (Kotler al:2005) It also involves building relationships at different levels: economics, social, technical and legal resulting in high consumer loyalty. Kotler (2005:476), distinguishes five different relationships that can be formed with customers: basic (sale is made but no follow up on satisfaction) Reactive (salesman encourages customer to come back if any question arises) Accountable (salesperson contacts customer shortly after the sale to check that product meets expectations) Proactive (salesperson or company person phones customer from time to time to suggest other products) Partnership (company works with its customers to discover ways to deliver better value) Considering that we intend to sell our product to a large number of customers with medium profit margin, the adapted relationship level would be â€Å"accountable†. Therefore, salesperson would phone retailer or food service company shortly after the sale to check if product meets expectations. Of course, identifying key customers and being more proactive with them would also enhance efficiency of such relationship marketing. Company would probably take advantage to using other marketing tools as giving special treatment and reward to good customers, or inviting them to special events. Chosen strategy network map and discussion on focal and subsidiary relationship involved. First step is to identify key player in retail networking and food service industry, like main wholesalers to be met at trade fair, mass retailers like supermarkets, trendsetters to be identified on TV or sports like football. Next step is to initiate contact with them with a focus on long term relationship and not on result. These relationship, due to their weight on market and the advantage that can be gained from being referenced with them have to be favoured at a first stage. Then, once this network is established, and in order to continue expansion, identify other distribution channels than wholesalers or mass retailers and initiate subsidiary relationship with them, as smaller restaurants, or hotels. Section 4 Adressing the issues related to rumour that Chinese government might request that we enter into a strategic alliance with a Chinese owned firm: selecting and managing strategic alliance partners in china. As in many asian country there is a rumour that we may have to enter a strategic alliance with a chinese partner in order to be allowed to market processed food in China. As Charles Revson, founder of Revlon cosmetics said once â€Å" I don’t meet competition, I crush it† and this should be remembered when entering a strategic partnership with a chinese partner. In fact, as cultural analysis hereabove showed, chinese only trust their family and their bank account, so, in order to enter a sound alliance, a few criterias must be met. Criterias for selecting strategic partner in China should be: good reputation of loyalty and integrity on the market, but also of product quality for reputation purposes natural feeling and common values, understanding of what our goals are and willingness to collaborate extensive network on our targeted customers, on the areas where we have the greatest growth or the most profitable areas proven synergy opportunity between our two companies instead of competition long term relationship seems possible through mutual cooperation (strategic alliance must be a win-win situation in order to be sustainable on the long term) Impact of the issues of national sovereignty in China on application of our standard marketing approaches in order to enhance global image and additional profits through economy of scale. China is very sensitive on the issue raised by separatist claims by   Taiwanese nationalists, Tibet and Xinjiang separatists. Our standard marketing approaches, designed to enhance global image and enable additional profits through economy of scale, mustn’t be a threat to our main objective which is to become a major player in dairy products in China. Therefore, our standard marketing approaches should be amended in order to avoid any differenciation between the average product sold within China and the ones sold in these three areas. The main market should be priviledged against the particularism of the three separatists areas. No marketing argument that our product would be specifically adressed to the separatists areas should be set forth and it should under no circumstances become a selling argument or even be mentioned, because it would probably cause us to loose main market. Section 5 Criteria to select an adjacent market between Taiwan, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam The first criteria to take into account is capacity to use both markets to enhance presence on each other. Creating synergies in a market entry phase might be vital and the level of trade relationship already existing between China and that country is the right measurment. The second one is to choose a market which might be governed by the same cultural trends in order to be able to adopt the same marketing approach to both. A third criteria, maybe more operational, is distance and accessibility (custom tariffs, roads, etc) between both territories. This might enable to base product in one country and ship to the other from thereof. Fourth criteria might be existing trade relations with Switzerland which might make it easier for us to start networking, as the swiss image would already be a commercial advantage. Myanmar being subject to economic sanction from China due to compulsory labor is not a valid adjacent market, though it has entered the asian liberalisation trend and was even acknowledged by the UN Conference on Trade and Development in 2001 as a member that performed ‘well to better’ in the trade liberalisation process under the WTO’s principles It also does not have the right development stage to be interesting and human rights issues might be damaging our image. It has very little commercial bonds with Switzerland. Thailand had rather recent diplomatic relations with China (dating 1975) but shows since then a real will to become a partner of choice of China. Both nations have common roots and share common ancestors. The commercial agreement between the two countries (Sino Thai Free Trade Agreement) only covers fruits and vegetables at the moment but could possibly be extended. Thailand is also member of the WTO. Its main advantage is to already have strong network trade connections with Switzerland (on machinery, watches, etc), where we are based, which could be a decisive advantage for us in terms of network. Taiwan is actually administrated by China which makes it a priviledged area to invest in. It also has a long tradition of trade with China which makes it a good candidate due to the need for trade network to enhance each others, and as a little dragon, it also has the wealth to be interesting, but choosing it would probably not be the best in terms of advantage on chinese market as it does not really add anything different to being only present in China. Also it does not have any specific links with Swiss market. Vietnam has a common frontier with China and is following more or less the same path towards becoming a market economy and entered WTO in january 2007. Though it does not have the same laws, it has a similar development trend, close traditions and the close commercial links with China in all sectors that makes it a suitable adjacent market. It is also a so called little dragon, a booming economy that could be a very profitable market. The trading network between Vietnam and Switzerland is not too developped though Switzerland is present in Vietnam with a swiss embassy in Hanoi. Finally, in order to develop a global brand image in asia, it might be a good choice to choose between Thailand and Vietnam. How to turn the risk of being obliged to countertrade into a profitable trade More than 80 countries nowadays use or require countertrade exchanges. A concensus of experts opinions (Okaroafo, 1989) has put the percentage of the value of world trade volumes related to countertrade at between 20 to 25%. Counter trade usually occurs when countries lack sufficient hard currency. There are five main variants of countertrade which could be of different value to our firm. Entering a barter (exchange of goods or services directly for other goods or services without the use of money as means of purchase or payment) could eventually be interesting if we manage to find good quality bulk products that could be integrated in our products, like fruits or packaging. Using the switch trading practice (in which the country would exchange allowing our importations against an obligation to make a purchase on the domestic market) could also be of interest to us for the same reasons. A buyback (buying machinery necessary to our production in exchange for products) agreement is not a really interesting deal for us as it involves very heavy transportation. Finally, entering an offset agreement (offsetting a hard-currency purchase of an unspecified product) would be a very dangerous operation as we would have to cover currency exchange variations. Proactive strategy to trade profitably with the selected country In order to be ready when the ban on import occurs, we will implement a proactive strategy by identifying products that could be of use in our production process. Then we will start making contacts with producers of these products and gain market knowledge of prices and quality available, identify suitable suppliers that meet our quality requirements and are able to supply us with the adequate quantities. Therefore, when we will be forced to countertrade, we will already have our network in place. Conclusion: As stated in this document, our five year strategic plan on entering Chinese market involves: entering market with health food linked to dairy products mass trendiness with direct marketing tools Always keep in mind the cultural sensitivity of China in order to use it as a competitive advantage instead of a falling trap. Utilise the huge work done by China to be able to keep up with WTO entering necessary standards in terms of transparency and legal framework to our profit in developping our business Invest in developping extended network and long term relationship marketing in order to open the route to introducing our other products on the market later If needed, choose carefully strategic partners Amend global marketing policy in order to avoid sovereignty issues Choose between Thailand and Vietnam as adjacent market, even if countertrade is involved. Reference Table SunfaithChina Ltd,September 2006,†Market Analysis report on China Yoghourt industry†, http://www.mindbranch.com/listing/product/R521-158.html Chen, C, February 2003, â€Å"Got Milk?†, Wall Street Journal http://www.mindfully.org/Food/2003/China-Dairy-Drinks28feb03.htm John L. Graham and N. Mark Lam, 13 october 2003, â€Å"Negotiating in China†, Havard Business School, Excerpted with permission from The Chinese Negotiation, Harvard Business Review, Vol. 81, No. 10, October 2003 Mitchell, A â€Å"Implementing WTO rules: The Importance of Law Reform, Remarks of Arthur M. Mitchell, General Counsel Asian Development Bank, February 2004, apeC Workshop on Best Practices in WTO Capacity Building, http://www.adb.org/Documents/Speeches/2004/sp2004050.asp Vertariu, P., (1992), Trends and Developments in International Countertrade, Business America, (November 2), 2-6. Okaroafo, S., (1989) Determinants of LDC Mandated Countertrade, International Management Review, (Winter), 1624 â€Å"Interview: Thailand aims to further enhance Thailand-China strategic partnership† People’s Daily, Beijing, 28 June 2005, http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=2180 Swiss Federal State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, 2005, â€Å"Report on Swiss Economic Development Cooperation with Vietnam† Kotler,P, and al: (2005), â€Å"Principles of Marketing†, Pearson Education Ltd Usunier, J-C and Lee, J (2005) â€Å"Marketing across cultures†, Pearson Education Ltd Buksbaum, L (1999), â€Å"Choosing strategic partner that really partner†, press release on Inc.com, (http://www.inc.com/articles/1999/11/19511.html)

Personal Development Plan Business Essay

Personal Development Plan Business Essay Finance is a career which imposes high requirements on the overall qualities of a person. In this report, I am choosing finance as my career field. First, we will describe a career planning methodology in my personal career planning. There are several steps to the career planning process. These steps are: occupational exploration (know the career opportunity), self exploration (know who you are and what you want), decision making, and plan of action. Second, we will identify several job families in the field of finance and the difference between the different possible career paths. These include hedge fund manager, sales and trading, finance analyst, and etc. Then, we will make a decision, giving my career map and career plan as a finance analyst. Six consecutive jobs will be presented to allow me to progress towards my dream job. We will also reveal the KSAs and personal qualities required at each job. Finally, a personal development plan is given with recommendations for future gra duates on the different career they could have in a given field after they graduate. 1. Introduction Finance is an attracting and challenging area for youngsters. For a new comer into this field, just financial knowledge is not enough. Other qualities, such as team spirits, communication skills, and business intuition are equally important for a successful career. With regard to my career goals, I am determined devote myself into financial area. I have great interest in finance because of its importance in corporate development and economic development. Currently, China is relatively weak in its financial sector. I regard it as a huge challenge as well as a huge opportunity for myself entering this field. 2. Career Planning Theory The career planning process is composed of several steps. First it is the self exploration, which answers the question of who you are and what you want. Second it is the occupational exploration, which deals with the job opportunities. Then it is decision making, in which you make up your mind of your career. Finally, it is the plan of action, in which you will set up your goals and put it into action ( Barbara et al 2003; Brian et al 1988; Robert et al 2009;;Samuel et al 1993). 2.1 Self-Exploration Before any career planning, people should have a clear idea about themselves and their expectations of a career. They should ask the questions, such as where do I like to work, indoors or outdoors? Am I good at dealing with the public? Do I prefer to work as a team or do I like to work alone? The thing is that there are no right or wrong answers to these questions, just personal preference. By rethinking of these questinos, they are able to know more about themselves and match themselves to the right occupation. 2.2 Occupational Exploration Having knowledge of the possible job families is equally important. Details about the work carried out in various occupations can be learnt through a large number of methods that can be used to gather occupational information. Some of the methods are listed below, such as online research, personal observation, interview with employees working in the field, books, posters, and TV programs. Usually people use a combination of methods. In this way, they can also get knowledge of the potential income, working conditions, and employment prospects. 2.3. Decision Making After you get the information about yourself and the occupations, it is time to make a decision. From your personal preferences, you should have a good idea of the things that you want in your life. From the job exploration, the occupatinoal requirement, such as the education as well as the work experience you need, will be clear. You can then choose the occupations that will give you what you want. 2.4. Plan of Action From the above steps, the particular career is determined. Now it is time to set up a plan to help you achieve that goal. First, you should consider the needs and insufficiency of yourself, such as what kind of education and training is necessary; What type of interim jobs are required; Second, you should foresee the obstacles which hinder you to get to your career. And hence you will be able to come up with a plan to overcome these obstacles. All these can be used to form your plan of action. 3. Possible Career Path for Finance 3.1 Hedge fund manager A hedge fund manager will decide how to place the assets in different classes of securities. These include cash, bonds, stocks (domestic versus foreign) and etc. 3.2 Finance Analysts This involves the processing and servicing of a variety of operational, personnel, and financial transactions. Involves developing, interpreting and implementing financial concepts for financial planning, resource planning, and control of organizational budget. May analyze and prepare recommendations for financial plans, including annual resource allocations, future requirements, and operating forecasts. 3.3 Mergers and Acquisitions People doing mergers and acquisitions are similar to finance analysts. Only that their focus is on synergies, cost savings, and coinsurance effects that may result from combing firms in similar or dissimilar industries. 3.4 Sales and Trading Sales and trading encompasses a broad spectrum of jobs within an investment bank. Salespeople generate new business by obtaining clients for the firm. Traders concentrate on developing systems and strategies for executing orders to buy and sell securities. Knowledge of the operations of markets is essential to a good trader. 4. My Career Map During my study as a business graduate, I have taken courses in various business subjects such as macro and micro economics, accounting and math. In my free time, I read publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times and The Economist. I browse the financial websites everyday to get a update on the latest business markets. I am good at gathering information. I can understand the financial situation of a specific company from its balance sheet; I can read the economic situation of a country from its macropolicy. Moreover, I receive strict training in interpersonal relationships with others. I have skills in communication. Proposal writing and oral presentations is also my competence. Therefore, I consider myself to be fit for becoming a finance analyst. My career map is in Figure 1. Figure 1 Career Map 5. My Career Plan: Finance Analysts Job Title Assistant Finance Analyst Junior Finance Analyst Finance Analyst Level Entry Junior Experience General Description Entry-level professional; uses professional concepts to resolve problems of limited scope and complexity; works on assignments of limited variety and complexity, requiring limited judgment and decision making. Experienced-level professional who knows how to apply theory and put it into practice with full understanding of the professional field; Challenges Uses basic professional concepts. †¢ Applies campus policies and procedures to resolve routine issues. †¢ Works on problems of limited scope with moderate control and review. Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data from which answers can be readily obtained. †¢ Cultivates internal and external contacts. †¢ Resolves a wide range of issues in imaginative as well as practical ways. Knowledge and Skills †¢ Basic knowledge of financial or accounting concepts, processes and procedures. †¢ Understanding of regulations and best practices concerning financial accounting and services. †¢ Familiar with department chart of accounts and related business processes. †¢ Effective written and verbal communication skills. †¢ Active listening, critical thinking, attention to detail, organizational skills, good interpersonal skills and the ability to multi-task. Basic knowledge in data collection and analysis techniques. †¢ Service orientation †¢ Leadership skills to provide coaching and mentoring to support staff. †¢ Knowledge of core software programs and systems. †¢ Thorough knowledge of finance policies, practices and systems including campus, state and federal rules and regulations. †¢ Knowledge of financial data management and reporting systems. †¢ Active listening, critical thinking, attention to detail, organizational skills, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to multi-task in a high-volume environment. †¢ Able to independently gather, organize, and perform financial analysis assignments. †¢ Advanced knowledge of software programs and systems. Responsibilities †¢ Analyzes financial and/or resource data; prepares and summarizes information. †¢ With supervision, reconciles, researches and resolves discrepancies in financial data. Monitors workflow and productivity in areas such as Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Collections, Purchasing and/or Cashiering. †¢ Coordinates and monitors operations of assigned functional area(s). †¢ May act as central resource for support staff. †¢ Assists with monitoring productivity with the goal of meeting or exceeding standard expectations for timeliness and quality. Identify systematic problems and propose solutions. †¢ Assesses compliance with regulatory agencies and internal policies. †¢ Triages and addresses customer inquiries as appropriate †¢ Ensures the delivery of quality customer service to various constituencies. †¢ Applies professional concepts to resolve issues and to perform moderate to complex analysis. †¢ Gathers and analyzes, financial and resource plans. (Continue) Job Title Senior Finance Analyst portfolio manager CFO / Partner of Company Level Senior Expert Senior Expert General Description broad job knowledge; deals with problems of diverse scopes Recognized expert. Has significant impact and influence on company policy and program development. assigned high level analytical duties that involve in-depth knowledge and understanding of numerous variables and interrelationships. Regularly leads projects of critical importance which carry substantial consequences of success or failure. Challenges †¢Must have good sense of judgment and have proper techniques for obtaining solutions. †¢ Applies wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of campus objectives to resolve complex issues with campus-wide impact in creative and effective ways. †¢ Works on most complex issues with little or no campus precedent where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. †¢ May provide guidance to other personnel or supervise professional or clerical staff; may serve as team lead. †¢ May serve as subject matter expert or project manager. †¢ Internal and external contacts often pertain to broad-reaching plans and objectives. Knowledge and Skills †¢ Sophisticated written and verbal communication skills. †¢ Able to use good judgment and decisionmaking and to solve problems. †¢ Leadership skills to provide coaching and mentoring to professional and support staff. †¢ Expert knowledge of campus and systemwide financial processes, policies and procedures, as well as related accounting and regulatory compliance requirements. †¢ Analytical skills sufficient to assess, advise development, and implement financial data management and reporting systems. †¢ Able to communicate complex findings and recommendations †¢ Able to identify, analyze, and report on complex data. †¢ Sophisticated service orientation and ability to lead a team to deliver excellent customer service. †¢ Strong inter-personal skills and ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels. †¢ Skills in project management, leadership, and process re-design. †¢ Ability to multi-task effectively in a varied, high volume environment. †¢ Sound judgment, decision-making, critical thinking, and creative problem solving. †¢ Understands and anticipates different perspectives. †¢ Leadership ability both inside and outside of the department. †¢ Advanced knowledge of software programs and systems and the ability to use them strategically to achieve results. Responsibilities †¢ Ensures that financial processing functions are performed with accuracy and that daily operations run smoothly. †¢ May act as team leader for support and lower level professional staff. Train staff and create effective teamwork environment. †¢ May review, process, and approve financial data and transactions. Documents procedures for financial activities. †¢ Participates in internal audits and processes. †¢ Reads professional literature and attends seminars to keeps abreast of regulations and best practices. †¢ May serve as a project work leader, project manager or subject matter expert. †¢ Interprets policies and advises campus departments accordingly. †¢ Directs the initiation of and/or designs summary reports and background materials regarding a wide variety of internal and external policies and regulations to address a range of issues and the organized implementation of new services, procedures and/or policies. †¢ Coordinates the gathering of budgetary and resource information during planning stages. †¢ Independently performs highly complex financial or resource research and studies for both internal department and external constituents and makes recommendations to maximize financial or other resource outcomes †¢Analyzes and prepares recommendations for new services, systems or processes that have an impact outside of the school or department. †¢ Participates in audits of internal records and processes. †¢ Develops and implements financial transaction processes and procedures; may train campus staff on financial activities. †¢ Regularly leads analyses of industry approaches, trends and best practices. Develops and implements improvements and/or new approaches and services. †¢ Ensures timely and accurate financial activity capture and reporting. 6. My Personal Development Plan Following my career plan, I am going to present my personal development plan in order to prepare to the first job after graduation I need to begin with to reach my dream job. Floodgate and Nixon (1994) described a form of personal development plan with SMART goals. I will apply their format here. Focus Area Current State Desire State Activities Resource Timeline Language Skills English reading and listening is fair; weak in writing and speaking Sophisticated written and spoken skills Taking English courses; Practise English writing and speaking Online English Learning website; English mp3; English learning books 3 months Communication Skills Basic Communication Skills Active listening, critical thinking, organizational skills, good interpersonal skills Work with others; build up team spirit and team working Books on Communication and team work. 1 months Financial Knowledge Prepare for CFA Passing CFA Level 1 Taking CFA courses; CFA books and exercises 9 months Accounting Knowledge Prepare for ACCA Passing ACCA Part 1 Taking ACCA courses; ACCA books and exercises 6 months Data handling techniques elimentry knowledge in Excel Familiar with minitab, advanced Excel Practise data collecting and processing; Software(Excel/ Minitab); Online tutorial 1 month 7. Conclusion and Recommendation This report is about my personal development plan as a finance analyst. I follow the framework of career planning in developing my personal development plan. In career planning, we must identify our likes, dislikes, assets, and weaknesses. This helps us know what we want and who we are. Then we should identifying potential career opportunities. Finishing these steps, we will be able to choosing a career path. After making a decision, we should define targets and an action plan to achieve our goals. As new graduates, everyone wants to find his/ her perfect match job. Always remember, learning and building up your knowledge will provide you the opportunity to the dream job. On the other hand, youll need to develop the necessary knowledge to understand the working environment, tasks, and responsibilities. All these combined will prepare you for your career. But no matter what career path you are on, for your plan to work out, you must work hard and continuously learn more so that you can do more.

Aristotelian ethics Essay

Aristotelian ethics is focused on the search for happiness through virtue. Happiness functions as the chief and final end of man while virtue is a mediated state in between the irrational tendencies of man. The Aristotelian ethical system is primarily focused on the notion of virtue and value of the golden mean which focuses on practicality as a method of achieving happiness in opposition to self-realization. According to Aristotle, ethical knowledge is not precise compared to the study of mathematics or the sciences, but a practical discipline; that in order to be good or virtuous is not to quantify it as a study but to actually experience becoming good or virtuous. In the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle’s work breaks away from the reason-centered philosophies of his predecessors namely Plato and Aristotle concerning the reason-based pursuit of the highest form of good through an empirical and a goal-centered approach. The attainment of the ‘good’ is the foundation of Aristotelian ethical principles; ethics during the context of classical Greek philosophy is primarily concerned on living the ‘good’ life through the moderation of actions. This notion of good however is different from the hedonistic perspectives concerning the happiness. Hedonism centers its beliefs on pleasure as the purpose or final end of man while Aristotle’s ethics are primarily directed to the practice and experience of life through virtue and mediation. He argues that the rational and irrational tendencies of the soul such as aspirations, desires, wants, and needs, have an ultimate end. Happiness is the final end of such tendencies; however, the process in which happiness may be achieved may go against the dictates of the soul because of subjectivity. Contrary to Plato’s self-existing good, happiness is practical rather than an ideal; it can be attained in the sense that an individual must experience it. The highest form of good must be desirable in itself and not to function to some other self-serving purpose. For Aristotle, happiness is found in the everyday experiences of life and work that is unique to rationalistic human soul. The individual’s purpose is to act upon what is inherently human, that is, to attain happiness through experience. The fulfillment of such end leads to the state of eudaimonia, literally meaning happiness. Eudaimonia is a state of state of mind rather than an interpretative or emotive understanding of happiness per se. In order to achieve such, Aristotle first defines the distinct parts of the human soul, the notion of virtue and its function as part of experience. Happiness is subjective to the individual since there are many forms and concepts wherein happiness can be interpreted; pleasure leads to a state of temporal and physical happiness but does not eternally reside on the individual. The multitude of perspectives concerning the attainment of a universal idea of happiness is a dilemma; since experience provides a subjective interpretation of a phenomenon, there may be no existing ‘universal’ idea. As narrated in the Ethics: â€Å"And so the man who has been educated in a subject is a good judge of that subject, and the man who has received an all-round education is a good judge in general. Hence a young man is not a proper hearer of lectures on political science; for he is inexperienced in the actions that occur in life† (Aristotle 3). For Aristotle, experience and practicality are the foundations of ethical belief. In contrast with his predecessor’s mode of ethical discipline, Aristotle argues that ethics cannot be derived from an abstract notion such as Plato’s Theory of Forms where the self-existing good remains self-evident and unchangeable. This reason-based or rationalistic approach is refuted with Aristotle’s empirical standpoint. Experience, according to Aristotle, is a unique human condition and its uniqueness provides the basis for the formation of a practical ethical system of belief. In order to understand the concept of virtue, Aristotle first divides the parts of the human soul into two parts, the rational and irrational soul which is further subdivided into three categories, namely: the vegetative, appetitive, and calculative value. The irrational ‘part’ of the human person is related to the animalistic soul or instinct (nutritive value), while the rational soul is the distinguishing factor against pure instinctive tendencies. Thus, rational nature of the soul is the definition of the human persona humans has the ability to reason (calculative/appetitive) and impose control on irrational tendencies. The normative control over irrational desires is also a part of Aristotle’s biological differentiation between man and animal. Animals rely on instinct or desire which is irrational, to maintain their survival. The control of the irrational nature (appetitive) leads to the formation of moral virtue while the perfection of the pure rationalistic soul which provides intellect and reason (calculative) is known as an intellectual virtue. Thus, moral virtue falls under the middle ground between the intellect, which regulates it, and the passions, which virtue attempts to control. Virtue is defined as â€Å"a state of character concerned with choice, lying in a mean, i. e. the mean relative to us, this being determined by a rational principle, and by that principle by which the man of practical wisdom would determine it† (Aristotle 35). Virtue, in accordance with experience, is based from practical knowledge. Contradicting the notion of the self-existing good, practical knowledge replaces the notion of self-existing truths. The Platonic notion of understanding these truths is through self-recognition of ignorance as an obstacle of intellectual illumination. In contrast, the practicality of experience acts as the foundation of virtue that is learned through the uniqueness of human experience. Experience is then essential in acquiring these virtues rather than acknowledge the presence of such through the affirmation of doubt. Plato’s theory as exemplified in the Allegory of the Cave calls for the self-affirmation of ‘I know nothing’ in order to determine the absolute or ideal knowledge that exists in the realm of the forms. Aristotle deviates from this rationalistic approach as he emphasizes on practicality in determining truths. Further, Aristotle explains: â€Å"since things that are found in the soul are of three kinds – passions, faculties, states of character, virtue must be one of these† (Aristotle 43) The soul as expressed in its dualistic rational and irrational parts, contain passions, faculties, and other states of character. The passions consist of the emotional either accompanied by pleasure or pain (e. g. joy, sorrow). The faculties of the soul is the capability of these emotions (e. g. being happy, joyful, etc. ), while the states of character is the middle ground in-between the emotional opposites (e. g. consumed or weakened by anger). Virtue is then a mediation of the passions which acts upon the faculties of the soul and leads to the essence on the states of character. One of the important notions in Aristotelian ethics is the notion of the Golden Mean. The golden mean separates human action (e. g. passions) into virtue and vice. The mean, in context with experience, provides the avenue of practicing virtue in the process of attaining happiness. Virtues are either at mean or in opposition (virtue and vice). Vices are further categorized either in its extreme or deficient sense while moral virtue functions as the regulating principle situates action in moderation. For example, the virtue of modesty is the mean between the vice of deficiency (shamelessness) and extreme (bashfulness). The virtue of courage is the middle ground between rashness and cowardice. The concept of the golden mean is dictated by the functions of rationality wherein behavior is formed through experience. It however cannot be quantified through a mathematical or logical proposition; meaning to eat 100 times in excess means it cannot be justified by starving oneself in 50. This ethical system is solely dependent on the conception of rationality on the part of the individual in relation to the uniqueness of experience. The value of virtue is the understanding of mediation in action rather than performing in excess or deficiency. To understand the middle ground of opposite actions leads to intellectual calmness or realization; that to be in excess and deficient leads either through temporary happiness (pleasure) or the lack of it (pain). In addition, the task of finding the middle ground in vices is a difficult task. According to Aristotle: Hence also it is no easy task to be good. For in everything it is no easy task to find the middle, e. g. to find the middle of a circle is not for everyone but for him who knows; so, too, any one can get angry – that is easy – or give or spend money; but to do this to the right person, to the right extent, at the right time with the right motive, and in the right way, that is not for everyone, nor it is easy. (Aristotle 49) To easily determine the middle ground of vices cannot be applied for the totality of every individual since the irrational soul still acts upon its instinctive nature. In relation to the Platonic challenged posed by the Theory of Forms, the attainment of the good is solely dependent on the individual to countermand the irrational passions in order to redirect the soul and purpose in attaining its final end. Plato’s challenge is focused on the breakaway from ignorance to understand the ‘ideal’ world in which the world of illusions is based from. Aristotle on the other hand, focuses on the importance of experience and practical knowledge; to know happiness means we have to experience happiness. Aristotle’s happiness is attained through the practice of virtue and the regulation of the golden mean. However, Aristotle argues: â€Å"So much, then, is plain that the intermediate state is in all things to be praised, but that we must incline sometimes towards the excess, sometimes towards the deficiency, for so shall we most easily hit the mean and what is right† (Aristotle 50). In order to understand the mean, Aristotle again notes the importance of experience. The individual must therefore experience the extreme opposites of the passions (vice) in order to determine the golden mean. For example, one cannot know the virtue of courage if one does not become a coward (deficient) or be rash (excess) in actions. It is only after experience teaches the individual the value of virtue and virtue in turn, leads to the attainment of eudaimonia in which happiness is eternal. Reference Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics (M. Ostwald, Trans. ) New York: Collier Macmillan. 1962

Human Nature in Shakespear’s Plays Essay

Topic- in Shakespeare’s plays how is his unusual detailed knowledge of nature as well as of human beings shown? Shakespeare was a man who deeply loved nature and the beauty of it. He was not just an author who experienced and enjoyed nature but also as someone who studied, understood and knew nature intimately. In this essay there will be discussions about how Shakespeare would often use examples from nature to describe the nature of human beings in his plays and how did he show a deep understanding and knowledge of human nature which he would put that deep knowledge in his plays and poems. Shakespeare’s greatest influences were the works of other great writers as well as from variety of books, and plays which he used as subject materials for his own plays. He got most of his ideas from existing written literature. All of his plays were based on British history, adjusted to suit the occasion. He also drew ideas from many things that he grew up with, like his love for nature gave him several ideas how to write some of his plays and poetry. Besides this, he got many ideas from his childhood as his father is known to have often told him ‘bedtime stories’. Shakespeare may have got inspirations from nature and some ideas of characterizations from real life experiences but his plots where never made from events that happened in his life. Two of his favorite writers were Geoffery Chaucer (1340- 1400) and Plutarch (46-120). Chaucer, who was the first poet ever to be buried at the â€Å"poet’s corner† in Westminster Abby was from a wealthy family where his father was as a deputy to King Edward the third’s butler. Chaucer’s poetry was in Middle English and he was known to be one of the finest poets in England. Shakespeare admired him and many of the sources of his plays came from Chaucer’s poems. Plutarch studied philosophy and he taught it as a teacher in Rome where he earned the admiration of the emperors Trajan and Hadrian. Plutarch’s work was translated by Sir Thomas North which had become very popular in Renaissance England. His translations were then used by Shakespeare himself as sources for many of his plays like Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Coriolanus, Timon of Athens, etc. The way Shakespeare examined and admired nature was quite different from regular viewers. His way of seeing nature was deep and he would use it in many other forms as well. He would usually find ideas for his poems by what he saw and nature was the biggest part that inspired him how to write his poems and plays. For example in one of his plays named King Lear, the concept of nature is considered to be the groundwork of the whole play. From Kingship through to personal human relations, to the views of the empire, from the representation of human nature to the animal imagery, there was nature filling every line of King Lear. Nature is a socially constructed concept which is made in order to legitimize the existing social order. By drawing a brief sketch of the political and social beliefs of the Elizabethan and Jacobean ages, it will be at the same time outlining the arguments for believing that nature truly is the socially constructed concept. The Elizabethan and Jacobean age was a time of change and disorder. They were not known for their unity. Elizabeth had her subjects worry about who would succeed her as she was not married, therefore there was no heir to carry on with the throne. ‘Kings are justly called Gods for that they exercise a manner or resemblance of divine power on the earth. ’ This quote was taken from the speech of James I where he describes the divine rights of Kings. James I had succeeded Elizabeth I to be the first Stuart King. Although he had the Kingship, he still was not able to overcome the political and financial problems of the state. In order for the continuation of his reign, the unity and harmony of the state and nature was of great importance. He legitimized his power by naturalization. Therefore by ‘nature’ everyone has its place, and knows the duties and obligations to that place, and those who have power cannot be questioned which are the divine rights of Kings. The belief in the social order restricting from the natural order is an important concept to hold when probing the idea of nature being utilized to maintain the status quo. The interdependence of man and nature as a theme is explored in King Lear. Men are always represented in the relation to the divine hierarchy which is the physical world and the world of animals but they are never represented in isolation. It becomes easier to understand the actions of Lear with the almost constant references to nature, once the concept of correspondence between man’s nature and the natural world is understood in terms of legitimizing the social order. In King Lear, the tragedy shown in the play is when Lear tries attempting to overthrow the ‘natural’ social order by handing over his crown to his daughters. Once disorder is initiated by Lear’s revocation of his powers and rights as King, disaster in corresponding hierarchies follow. Lear’s abandonment of his power is in direct opposition to the concept of the Divine Right of Kings. According to the laws of nature, it was impossible for Lear to stop being a king, because that was his rightful position by divine ordination and in fact throughout the play he is still referred to as the King, even though he has divided his crown. Also Lear is unable to stop seeing himself as the King, which can be seen from his banishment of Kent, soon after he has relinquished his powers: Hear me, recreant, on thine allegiance, hear me: That thou hast sought to make us break our vows, Which we durst never yet, and with strained pride To come betwixt our sentence and our power, Which nor our nature, nor our place can bear, Our potency made good take thy reward. King Lear (1. 1. 169-173) In this speech Lear not only uses the power of the King which he no longer holds to banish Kent, but he also, unknown to himself, explains why he cannot or should not divide his kingdom, for it goes against both his ‘nature’ and his ‘place’ to divide his ‘power’ from his ‘sentence,’ which is exactly what he does, thereby attempting to deny his nature and position. Aside from the natural position of Kings the natural social order can also be seen in terms of power relations between characters: King over subjects, fathers over daughters, husbands over wives. This naturalization can be seen as being represented by the character of Lear. He possesses his daughters, because he controls over them, therefore it is only ‘natural’ that they should proclaim their love for him. Cordelia’s refuses this which is therefore shocking to Lear and he calls her ‘a wretch whom nature is ashamed’. (1. 1. 213-214) The animal imagery that is shown in King Lear indicates the unnaturalness of a character‘s behavior in comparison to how they should behave if they observed the natural social order. This contradiction again underlines the distinction between nature and the ‘natural social order’. Shakespeare was good in phycology and describing the human character. He did not state many new ideas of human nature in his place as much as he did on the personalities and behaviors that all human beings have. There still are experts that claim that Shakespeare was the ‘inventor of human nature. However, these were Shakespearean experts and not the experts in psychology or human personality. It was not that Shakespeare new more things around him than other people but it was how he saw and examined things and people around him. In many of his plays and poems he showed deep knowledge of human nature. The way in which we experience fear, love, hatred, jealousy, despair, or anything else one can name. The way he wrote it and staged it would leave many artists in the dust and that the meaning of his work would stay with readers and viewers while everything around them changed. Shakespeare managed to grasp what it took to shape the essence of human nature in many of its aspects and drop it into text and drama in a way that would draw our ears, our eyes and our hearts. Unlike psychology, Shakespeare tries attempting to understand why people do what they do. He simply outshone most others, in many times and many places, at drawing portraits of the mystery of human behavior. Shakespeare used to combine nature and human nature together in many of his plays and poems. He used to describe human behavior by relating them with nature. In one of his plays known as Troilus and Cressida, he quotes the following: Let not virtue seek Remuneration for the thing it was; For beauty, wit, High birth, vigor of bone, desert in service, Love, friendship, charity are subjects all To envious and calumniating time One touch of nature makes the whole world kin, That all with one consent praise new-born gawds, Though they are made and moulded of things past, And give to dust that is a little gilt More laud than gilt o’erdusted. (3. 3. 169–179) This quote was spoken by the character known as Ulysses where he says this to the great Greek warrior Achilles who did not participate in the Trojan War because he contained a broken pride and was in love with a Trojan. He did not understand why he was not liked by the other Greeks and Ulysses tried to get Achilles mind back into action by giving him an uncomplimentary lecture on human nature. In the seventh line of Ulysses’ quote, he speaks about the ‘touch of nature’ which means ‘natural traits’. These are vital characteristics that make us all in this world kin. The phrases nowadays used for our ‘touch of nature’ as warmth or generosity or any other romantic ideal is different from how Ulysses describes it. He sees unanimity in our gaudy originalities as our ‘touch of nature’ is a short memory. The past deeds of Achilles, like beauty, wit, love, and so on, are subject to the ravages of time. In other words, it is our nature to forget these types of faded glories because they do not seem important anymore as there are bigger things that should be remembered instead of wasting it on these small glories that will be slowly forgotten in the future. Shakespeare’s unusual yet deep ways of describing human nature through his characters in his plays were unique. From the way he wrote his plays and poems, it would almost feel like to the reader and viewer that he lived in another type of world and that he saw everything around him very differently from normal people. He was very good in describing what he felt through what he saw as well. In one of his well-known plays called Hamlet, one of Hamlet’s quotes he says as following: What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god! The beauty of the world, the paragon of animals—and yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? Man delights not me— nor woman neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so. (2. 2. 303–312). This passage exemplifies how Hamlet says that man is like an angel or god in apprehension. The ‘quintessence of dust’ states that from all God’s work, Man is one of the noblest. Despite all this nobility, Hamlet is not delighted by all this grace or beauty of man. This is one of the moments where his sincerity is genuinely in question as he explains this to two of the king’s followers or ‘parasites’ as he seems them as, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. He feels like there is nothing in Denmark for him and that it feels like a prison to him where he is stuck in following his uncle’s orders and wished that there was another choice for him to follow instead. Even though Man is described as the beauty of God’s works, from what he sees man as in his life gives him another image of human nature.