Womens Anti-Pass Law Campaigns in South Africa

The first attempt to make black women in South Africa carry passes was in 1913 when the Orange Free State introduced a new requirement that women, in addition to existing regulations for black men, must carry reference documents. The resulting protest, by a multi-racial group of women, many of whom were professionals (a large number of teachers, for example) took the form of passive resistance - a refusal to carry the new passes. Many of these women were supporters of the recently formed South African Native National Congress (which became the African National Congress in 1923, although women were not allowed to become full members until 1943). The protest against passes spread through the Orange Free State, to the extent that when World War I broke out, the authorities agreed to relax the rule. At the end of World War I, the authorities in the Orange Free State tried to re-instate the requirement, and again opposition built up. The Bantu Womens League (which became the ANC Womans League in 1948 — a few years after membership of the ANC was opened to women), organized by its first president Charlotte Maxeke, coordinated further passive resistance during late 1918 and early 1919. By 1922 they had achieved success — the South African government agreed that women should not be obliged to carry passes. However, the government still managed to introduce legislation which curtailed the rights of women and the Native (Black) Urban Areas Act No 21 of 1923 extended the existing pass system such that the only black women allowed to live in urban areas were domestic workers. In 1930 local municipal attempts in Potchefstroom to regulate womens movement led to further resistance — this was the same year that white women obtained voting rights in South Africa. White women now had a public face and a political voice, of which activists such as Helen Joseph and Helen Suzman took full advantage. Introduction of Passes for All Blacks With the Blacks (Abolition of Passes and Co-ordination of Documents) Act No 67 of 1952 the South African government amended the pass laws, requiring all black persons over the age of 16 in all provinces to carry a reference book at all times — thereby inforcing influx control of blacks from the homelands. The new reference book, which would now have to be carried by women, required an employers signature to be renewed each month, authorization to be within particular areas, and certification of tax payments. During the 1950s women within the Congress Alliance came together to combat the inherent sexism that existed within various anti-Aparthied groups, such as the ANC. Lilian Ngoyi (a trade unionist and political activist), Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu, Sophia Williams-De Bruyn, and others formed the Federation of South African Women. The prime focus of the FSAW soon changed, and in 1956, with the cooperation of the ANCs Womens League, they organized a mass demonstration against the new pass laws. Womens Anti-Pass March on the Union Buildings, Pretoria On 9 August 1956 over 20,000 women, of all races, marched through the streets of Pretoria to the Union Buildings to hand over a petition to JG Strijdom, South Africas prime minister, over the introduction of the new pass laws and the Group Areas Act No 41 of 1950. This act enforced different residential areas for different races and led to forced removals of people living in wrong areas. Strijdom had arranged to be elsewhere, and the petition was eventually accepted by his Secretary. During the march the women sang a freedom song: Wathint abafazi, Strijdom! wathint abafazi,wathint imbokodo,uza kufa! [When] you strike the women,you strike a rock,you will be crushed [you will die]! Although the 1950s proved to be the height of passive resistance against Apartheid in South Africa, it was largely ignored by the Apartheid government. Further protests against passes (for both men and women) culminated in the Sharpeville Massacre. Pass laws were finally repealed in 1986. The phrase wathint abafazi, wathint imbokodo has come to represent womens courage and strength in South Africa.

How to Reverse Puerto Ricos Crime Rate - 2538 Words

SOS-292, TESC Abstract This paper will explore how Puerto Rico can reverse and reduce their current murder rate. I have developed several recommendations to help the Puerto Rican authority’s achieve this goal. I base my recommendations on research conducted from books like the CIA world Fact Book, Preventing crime: what works for children, offenders, victims, and places, along with other websites, and my own personal experience as a military police officer. A man lies dead in the streets, blood trickling from his head, he lays motionless as a crowd begins to gather to see what happened. Around the corner on another city street the police are responding to more gunshots, only to arrive on†¦show more content†¦Additionally they are strapped with a police system that is plagued with corruption. As stated by Travel Safety Hub some believe the problem is related to a dilemma of â€Å"good cop, bad cop† were corrupt police officers profit in the way of bribes form the lucrative drug trade. Just as in the United States Puerto Rico is in a recession, making it even harder for police officers to ignore the temptation more attractive for some easy money. In all 100 local police officers have come under investigation and an additional 75 have been convicted for police corruption since 2003. Fortunately most of the crime has been center around the big cities and it is still safe in the smaller communities. Furthermore In order to fix this problem in Puerto Rico one of the first things I would do is hire and train a more competent police force. If needed I would completely overhaul the current police academy and structure it so the new officers who were completing training would have the best training, and newest tactics available. If needed I would have those who are going to train the new recruits receive the new training first. This would give the instructors a chance to learn the new material first prior to teaching it, and it would go a long way in establishing their credibility with the new recruits. I would also use current Puerto Rican officers to run

Tim Hortons Corporate Social Responsability Free Essays

Tim Hortons Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a process with the aim to embrace responsibility for the company’s actions and encourage a positive impact through its activities on the environment, consumers, employees, communities and stakeholders. Tim Hortons understands well this concept and the importance of corporate social responsibility. Making a True Difference is the way Tim Hortons defines sustainability and responsibility and the overarching framework that brings together all of our programs and initiatives. We will write a custom essay sample on Tim Hortons Corporate Social Responsability or any similar topic only for you Order Now Making a True Difference helps guide us on our corporate social responsibility journey, supports our overall vision to be a quality leader across all sectors in Canada and sustain our mission to deliver superior quality products and services for our guests and communities. Making a True Difference initiative include the following programs to help individuals, communities and the planet: †¢Tim Hortons Children’s Foundation: The Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to providing a fun-filled camp environment for children from economically disadvantaged homes. Local Programs: Tim Hortons is proud to support local initiatives that make a difference like: Tim Hortons Smile Cookie, Free Summer Swimming, Timbits Minor Sports Program, Earn-a-Bike Program, Remembrance Day, etc. †¢Sponsorships: Tim Hortons believes in giving back to the communities by participating in events, such as community festivals, or partnering with groups, such as minor sports t eams, that are important to the community as a whole. Coffee Partnership: The overall vision of the Tim Hortons Coffee Partnership is to help build sustainable coffee communities by supporting coffee farmers in key areas that will improve their coffee business and their lives. †¢Aboriginal Relations: Tim Hortons have been working on implementing a meaningful, structured and long-term partnership with the Aboriginal community. †¢Animal Welfare at Tim Hortons: Animal welfare is an important issue to Tim Hortons and all its stakeholders, including Restaurant Owners, suppliers, investors and guests. The company considers animal welfare to apply to all aspects of animal care of the farm animals within the supply chain †¢Waste Reduction: Tim Hortons promotes waste reduction through various in-store programs and continues to create awareness about the environment, litter, and the importance of keeping the neighborhoods clean. Tim Hortons CSR programs Achievements: †¢Tim Horton Children’s Foundation (THCF) welcomed 13,414 campers in 2011. †¢In 2011, THCF gave out 243 bursaries for post-secondary education worth $600,000 to graduates of the Youth Leadership Program. †¢Approximately $9. million was raised on Camp Day in 2011, benefitting the THCF. †¢$16 million invested in community initiatives across Canada and the United States. †¢Smile Cookie program raised $4 million for local charities across Canada and the United States. †¢Developed and implemented programs and initiatives within the Education, Employment, Empowering Youth and Economic D evelopment pillars of â€Å"Horizons† – Tim Hortons Aboriginal Relations Program †¢The number of restaurants diverting our hot beverage cups and other paper packaging increased by 22 per cent in 2011 to more than 800 restaurants †¢Achievement of a 6. percent increase in fuel efficiency of the company’s distribution fleet since 2008. †¢9% reduction in water consumption at our corporate buildings in 2011 compared to our baseline year of 2008. †¢Animal Welfare Policy was revised and commitment made to source one per cent of system-wide eggs from enriched-cage hen housing systems as well as to encourage the pork industry to move away from using gestation crates over time. How to cite Tim Hortons Corporate Social Responsability, Papers

Research Undertaken On Kellogg Company- Click for free Solution

Question: Describe about A research is undertaken on Kellogg Company ? Answer: Introduction A research is undertaken on Kellogg Company and the current and future potential of the strategies being pursued by it is studied. The methodology in the research analysis involves five main approaches (Kuada). First, a financial analysis is made on the financial reports of the firm. This analysis is made by comparing it with the performance of the previous year as well as through comparison with its immediate competitor- General Mills Inc.(Kieso, Weygandt and Warfield). Second, an external analysis is made on the firm using the PESTLE analysis and Porters five forces model(Weil and Francis). Third, the internal analysis of the firm is made through a value-chain analysis, resource-based analysis and SWOT analysis. Fourth, the strategies unique to Kellogg company are analyzed and recommendations given regarding future strategies that the management should take (Jiambalvo). Finally, the research is concluded with alternatives of specific strategic actions from the study undertaken History Kelloggs was started by the Kellogg brothers in 1906. It became the worlds leading manufacturer in cereal breakfast. It has manufacturing plants in Asia, UK, Australia, Canada and Latin America. Their wide cereal ranges of products include Kelloggs Corn Flakes, Special K, Rice Krispies, Fruit nFibre and Nutri-Grain cereal bars. Financial Analysis to assess a companys health Financial ratios show comparisons between specific information from the income statement and balance sheet of the company. Comparing the financial performance of Kellogg to the previous year helps to identify problems in the firm which helps management to take strategic decisions. The percentage change is calculated by finding the difference between the current year and the previous year and dividing it by the previous year (Tracy). Financial Analysis Over Time Table 1 Financial Analysis over Time Kellogg Co Current Year 2015 (In $) Prior Year 2014 (In $) % Change Income Statement Sales 13.53B 14.58B -7.23 Gross Profit 4.68B 5.06B -7.5 Selling, General and Admin Expense 3.09B 1.02B 202.9 Net Income 614M 632M -2.8 Balance Sheet Cash 251M 443M -43.3 Inventory 1.25B 1.28B -2.43 Other Current Assets 391M 342M 14.38 Total Assets 15.27B 15.15B 0.79 Current Liabilities 5.74B 4.36B 31.65 Long-term Debt 5.29B 5.94B -10.9 Total Liabilities 13.13B 12.3B 6.75 Retained Earnings 6.6B 6.69B -1.35 Shareholders Equity 2.14B 2.85B -24.9 Liquidity Ratios Current Ratio 0.56 0.77 Quick Ratio 0.35 0.47 Cash Ratio 4% 10% Profitability Ratios Gross Margin 0.35 0.35 Operating Margin 0.08 0.07 Net Profit Margin 0.06 0.06 ROE% 24.97 19.96 ROA% 4.04 4.13 EPS 1.74 1.76 Dividend per share 1.98 1.90 Source: Amigobulls(Amigiobulls) From Table 1, we analyze the financial performance of Kellogg by comparing the present year with its previous year performance In the income statement, the sales have decreased by 7.23% as competitors are capturing consumers of Kellogg. The selling, general and administrative expenses have doubled due to higher salary and high advertising expenses. Kellogg has to improve its sales and decrease costs, though the net income shows only a marginal decrease of 2.8% (Ireland, Hoskisson and Hitt). In the balance sheet, cash at hand has decreased significantly by 43.3% while inventory change is mild. However the total assets have not changed much. The current liabilities have also increased significantly while shareholders' equity has declined. The total liability has increased slightly while retaiing earnings have declined marginally(Gibson). This shows that liabilities are increasing and assets are decreasing when compared to the previous year in Kellogg The quick ratio and the current ratio below 1 shows that the ability of the firm to meet its short term obligations is decreasing, which does not speak well of the profitability of the business(Vandyck). The gross profit margin and the net profit margin are the same which show that there is no growth in the company and management inefficiency. The ROE has increased over time showing that the market value of the equity share has improved showing good performance of equity capital (Beccalli and Poli) Return on assets which show the efficiency and profitability of the business has marginally decreased. This tells that the assets available for generating income have come down to show the efficiency of management has also come down marginally(Palmer). The Earnings per share (EPS) which helps to assess the profits available per share is also marginally down and dividend per share is also down(Murthy and Gurusamy). Financial Health in comparison with competitor Table 2 Financial health of Kellogg in comparison with its closest competitor- General Mills Inc. (GIS) 2015 Case Firm Kellogg (in $) % Closest Competitor(s) GIS (in $) % Income Statement Sales 13.53B 100% 17.63B 100% Gross Profit 4.68B 34.58 5.95B 33.74 Selling, General and Administrative Expenses 3.59B 26.53 3.87B 21.95 Net Income 614M 4.53 1.53B 8.67 Balance Sheet Cash 251M 1.64 334.2M 1.52 Receivables 1.34B 8.77 1.39B 6.32 Inventory 1.25B 8.19 1.54B 7.01 Total Current Assets 3.24B 21.21 3.79B 17.25 Total Assets 15.27B 100 21.96B 100 Total Current Liabilities 5.74B 43.71 4.89B 29.52 Total Liabilities 13.13B 100 16.57B 100 Retained Earnings 6.6B 308 11.99B 222 Shareholders Equity 2.14B 100 5.39B 100 Source: Morning Star(MorningStar) The income statement compared to sales, shows that GIS has a bigger turnover in sales. The gross profits are almost the same, but the net income is double that of Kellogg as its expenses are less than that of Kellogg (Nasdaq). The Balance Sheet shows that GIS has a high asset figure, though its current assets and receivables are lower than Kellogg. The current liabilities of GIS are almost half of Kellogg. This shows that Kellogg is underperforming due to consumers switching brands and purchasing from its competitors. Table 3 Financial Ratios for Case firm and closest competitor for 2015 Ratio Case Firm Kellogg Co Closest Competitor(s) GIS Current Ratio 0.56 0.81 Quick Ratio 0.35 0.52 Debt-to-equity Ratio 6.17 1.44 Debt-to-total Assets Ratio 50.83 38.11 Inventory Turnover(TTM) 6.88 7.09 Total Asset Turnover 0.89 0.78 Gross Profit Margin 0.35 0.34 Net Profit Margin 0.45 0.50 Return on Assets 4.02 8.42 Return on Equity 28.85 34.88 Source: Market Watch (MarketWatch) On analysis of the ratios the profitability ratios (current and quick ratios) show better performance though both are below the required level of 1. Both firms are not able to meet financial obligations, though GIS shows better performance than Kellogg. The debt to equity is better in GIS, while debt to assets show poor performance as debts surpass assets in both firms. The gross profit and net profit margin are on the same footing while the return on equity is good in both firms. The return on assets is marginally better in GIS when compared to Kellogg. External Analysis of Kellogg The external analysis of Kellogg is studied through a general study of the environment through the PESTLE analysis and Porters Five Forces Strategies to look into the industry dynamics. General environment Kellogg Company sells its products in 180 countries. As a global food company, its main objective is to nourish families with breakfast foods, snacks and frozen meals through its array of taste preference and dietary needs(Kellogg). PESTLE Analysis The PESTEL analysis helps to identify macro-environmental forces that affect the business such as Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and environmental factors to identify key factors (Baxter). Political: The U S have drawn new reforms for obese children with focus on cereal products intake(Helpisch). Economical The financial downturn has deteriorated the financial supply in the hands of the people thereby affecting the food market. The increasing unemployment rate, decreasing GDP, increasing inflation rate and low rate of the dollar has decreased sales while increasing competition. Social: With importance given to health and nutrition, intake of cereal foods is on the increase. The obesity factor -among children and adults has also improved, the demand for light food.. Technological: Increasing costs for RD as well as advertisement has decreased the profits made by firms. Recycled packaging are more in demand with environment-friendly consumers. Legal: The American Health Association has increased the number of health claims among the American citizens. Price war due to globalization (need for standardized food) and competition has its impact on the industry. Environmental: Recyclable packages and ecological packagings have increased costs. Demand has increased with demand for natural and fiber foods(Taylor)(Johnson) Porters Five Forces Michael E Porter developed a strategic approach to assess various competitive forces that affects a firm and provided a model to formulate strategies that can raise barrier forces and take advantage of these forces. He identifies these forces as (Michael): Competition: The industry has many large competitors such as General Mills Inc., Kraft. Price competition is high and intense with each firm trying to capture the market Substitution: The cereal industry has many substitutes due to private labels which are available at cheaper rates. Threat of Entry Barriers to entry is high as it involves high capital expenditure; access to distribution channels is tough and brand loyalty is high The bargaining power of buyers: The cereal industry has a low buying power and does not influence the buying market The bargaining power of suppliers: With private labels, products are available at cheaper rates from suppliers who are agricultural producers of cereals(Porter and Norton, Financial Accounting: The Impact on Decision Makers) . Internal Analysis of Kellogg1. The primary goal of managers is to identify the strength and weakness of the firm along with the external opportunities and threats. The internal analysis of Kelloggs is done by Value-chain analysis Resource-based view on the firm SWOT Analysis Fujii) Value Chain Analysis: This analysis helps to understand the cost position and identify multiple means to facilitate implementation of a chosen business-level strategy (Porter and Norton, Using Financial Accounting Information: The Alternative to Debits and Credits)(Tybout and Calder, Kellogg on Marketing). Two activities involved are: Primary Activities Inbound Logistics The quality of the product is maintained by having good suppliers who also deal with the manufacturing, packaging and transport of services. Operations As Kellogg has a global market, it has an office in each country in which it function which can transform its raw materials into finished products ready for sale Outbound Logistics The end product has to reach the consumer, and this is done through a multi-layer channel system. Marketing Sales Kellogg has achieved brand loyalty with consumers identifying its products Steps to increase brand awareness are also taken Service: Providing consumer service through good products according to customers taste and environment friendly packages are services done for the consumer Support Activities Firm Infrastructure: Kellogg has satisfied its customers by providing various services that suits it customers and the organization. Services offered are quality product that cater to taste and preference of consumers, quality control measures, good internal control, etc. Human Resource Management Performance measures are made to develop healthy competition and bring in better staff performance Merit rewards are awarded to motivate employees Kellogg Business Leaders Model has helped in the quality of staff performance and progress of the company Kelloggs recruits staff on an international basis giving preference to staff quality Training for individual career performance helps in better attitude of the staff Technology Development With consumers becoming more health conscious, RD expenditure on nutrition and health is high Special cereals for men is the new product developed Procurement As competition is high with price-wars, costs of raw-material purchase has to be economical Resource-based Analysis The resources of Kellogg Company are tangible, intangible and capabilities. Tangible resources are resources that are clearly visible. Kellogg has its outlets at strategic location and specifically trained employees as its strength, though workers are available at low salaries to competitors Intangible resources are resources that are not visible, but gained through its good reputation, high brand image, quality products and value of the company. It has built a sustainable competitive advantage which would be difficult to replicate. Capabilities such as innovative capabilities and marketing capabilities help to transform enterprises to achieve company performances. SWOT Analysis The SWOT Analysis is a simple planning tool. If used correctly, the managers can develop a smart marketing plan that serves as a catalyst for proper planning. However, it is criticized because it does not give serious consideration to the issues and is considered as a sterile academic exercise that classifies information and data(Ferrell and Hartline) . Strength It is a leading fiber brand in the market It follows a high corporate social responsibility and environment awareness It has computerized warehousing(Baran and Galka) Weakness Awareness about the brand is weakening Advertising investment is high as it has limited scale Inner health is the new concept that consumers prefer to fiber food Opportunities People are interested in healthy food There is a boom in the baby market as well as in consumers over the age of 55 Internet advertising Threats It faces competition from General Mills and Kraft Consumers prefer the taste with nutrition Private label growth(Dranove and Marciano) Strategies of Kellogg and strategies of competitors Competing Firms in the Food Processing Industry Some of the competitors of Kellogg are General Mills Inc. (GIS), Cascadian Farms, Kraft and store brand cereals. However, its biggest competitor is General Mills. Health consciousness, population growth rate, price of raw materials and grains, per capita disposable income Kellogg is a leading manufacturer of ready to eat cereal as well as convenience goods. It holds 34.2% market in cereal foods in the US. It has posted consistent net profit and sales revenue . Kraft Foods Inc. is a large beverage and food company in North America. It is also the second largest in the world. After acquiring Cadbury in 2010, Kraft has strong revenue and operating profit earnings in all snack segments. General Mills are global food manufacturers selling consumer foods through retail stores. They supply to baking industries and food services Kellogg: Firm under Study Strategic Intent The mission statement is to drive sustainable growth through the power of our people and brands by better serving the needs of our consumers, customers and communities. Its vision is to be the food company of choice. Kellogg Company is a long-time industry leader in marketing and innovation. The value statement is we build great brands and make the world a little happier by bringing our best to you It is the global leader in its production of cereals, crackers, cookies, toaster pastries, fruit-flavored snacks, veggie foods and frozen waffles. Its brand includes KelloggsKeebler, Eggo, Pop-Tarts, Mini-Wheats, Nutri-Grain, Rice Krispies, Famous Amos, Austin, Sandies, Murray, Bear, Gardenburger, Monringstar Farms and Stretch Island (Johnson). Strategic Organization The board of directors has assistance from three committees: the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee. Kellogg has a multi-divisional organization structure. It gives autonomy to its local units to function within the overall values and goals of the headquarters (Gupta, Gollakota and Srinivasan). Corporate Strategies To have sustainable growth by introducing a nutritious product, improving brand name and packaging To grow its cereal market and expand in snacks To have realistic targets(Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson). Marketing Strategies With breakfast cereal sales sliding in the US, cereal makers are using various strategies to reclaim their business. Kellogg, which is the worlds largest cereal producer is using new tactics on its old brand such as Disney Frozen-themed cereal and Special K Protein. New product lines are also introduced that includes granola and muesli cereals. General Mills, makers of iconic cereals like Lucky Charms, Wheaties and Cheerios is taking steps to eliminate artificial color and flavor from 90% of its cereals by 2016. Products like Reeses Puffs and Cocoa Puffs and Trix will be the first to be introduced with artificial ingredients by the end of this year- 2016. Kraft also excludes preservatives and synthetic color from its cheese and macaroni(DiPierro). Competitive Advantage No threat of new entrants: As a well-established brand with cereal as an established product, Kellogg does not face threat from new entrants Employees: Kellogg Company has its employees as its competitive advantage. Mr.Kellogg realized that employees were the key to his success and hence provided the right working environment for his employees. Success came with successful employees. Farm Power: The customers of Kelloggs are wholesalers as they decide if they are going to sell Kelloggs cereals in their stores. However, the power of Kelloggs is their contact with farmers directly which provides raw-materials from the farm to the firm (Johnson). Website: Kellogg Company manages its website well to keep a watch over the external environement. 6Specific Strategic Actions Kellogg owes its success to knowledge management, which involves identifying consumer preference and taste; translating these preferences into products; linking these products to its brand equity, reinvigorating its brand equity and maintains the interest of children. Dont Change Anything Foundational functional resources and capabilities: This is founded on its link to agricultural growers and mills. By maintaining this contact, it can get its raw material (cereals) at low rates that will bring down costs. Branded servicing and operations will help to keep its competitors away. The focus can also be given to acquire organic cereals to cater to health conscious consumers and to keep up with competitors(MccGuigan, Moyer and Harris). Creative marketing and innovative R D have helped Kellogg to keep up its standard of new products that customers taste and prefer. Kellogg can improve its advertising campaigns through quality benchmarks- to bring familiarity to its product to its customers. It can also rely on cartoon spokespersons in its advertising campaign to capture demand for its brand(Iacobucci) Strategies that should be improvise upon Human resources: Maintaining highly committed employees through training and development(Henry) Supply Chain: Acquiring diverse and the very best in the supplier base RD: By following the principle of pioneer and not follower, it can lead the market Finance: High growth with high returns should be its objective Social Betterment: Focus on stockholder value, customer relations and work for societal betterment Customers: Wal-Mart is one of the top five customers of Kellogg, accounting for one-fourth of its revenue. Kellogg has to strive to get new customers and also look into providing new products to its aging customers (Tybout and Calkins, Kelloggs on Branding: The Marketing Faculty of The Kellogg School of Management). Changes Needed Kellogg has acquired a name for monopolizing the market and overpricing. By restructuring its price strategy through reduced costs, it can capture a wider market. Strategic recommendations for Kellogg To increase advertisement and attract Generation Z who have more customer loyalty To expand its snack catalogue to all age groups, especially targeting men who are becoming more health conscious Conclusion The company analysis on Kellogg has been undertaken through this research study through financial analysis, internal and external analysis through individual analysis by comparison with its competitors and with previous year performance. To an investor, the stock cannot be recommended for investment currently, though it can be kept in the watch list. There are companies in the same sector that can be invested in. Though it is a great company, it is not a good stock to invest in. To investors, strategies that have to be continued and new strategies to be implemented are given. Works Cited Amigiobulls. "Amigobulls stocks." 24 March 2016. Amigobulls. 27 March 2016 https://amigobulls.com/stocks/K/balance-sheet/annual. Baran, Roger and Robert Galka. CRM: The Foundation of Contemporary Marketing Strategy. London: Routledge, 2013. Baxter, Taylor F. Newbies Guide to Pestle Analysis. New York: CreateSpace Independent Publishers, 2015. Beccalli, Elena and Federica Poli. Bank Risk, Governance and Regulation. 2015: Palgrave Macmillan, New York. DiPierro, Amy. "General Mills, Kellogg's Battle to Reclaim Breakfast Tables." The Street 6 23 2015: 1-5. Dranove, David and Sonia Marciano. Kellogg on Strategy:Concepts, Tools, and Frameworks for Practitioners. Vol. 2. Daryaganj: Wiley India (P) Ltd., 2007. Ferrell, O C and Michael D Hartline. Marketing Strategy. South-Western: Cengage Learning, 2011. Fujii, Tomohisa. IT Global Competency Skill and Knowledge for IT Engineer. Sydney: Cengage Learning, 2013. Gibson, Charles H. Financial Reporting and Analysis Using Financial Accounting Information. South-Western: Cengage Learning, 2009. Gupta, Vipin, Kamala Gollakota and Srinivasan. Business Policy and Strategic Management: Concepts and Applications. New Delhi: PHI Learning, 2009. Helpisch, Yves. Python for Finance: Analyze Big Financial Data. New York: O'Reilly Media Inc, 2014. Henry, Anthony. Understanding Strategic Management. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. Hitt, Michael, Duane Ireland and Robert Hoskisson. Strategic Management: Competitveness and Globalization. South-Western: Thomson Learning, 2007. Iacobucci, Dawn, ed. Kellogg on Marketing: The Kellogg Marketing Faculty. New York: John Wiley Sons, 2001. Ireland, Duane, Robert Hoskisson and Michael Hitt. Understanding Business Strategy Concept Plus. Vol. II. South-Western: Cengage Learning, 2012. Jiambalvo, James. Managerial Accounting. Danvers: John Wiley and Sons, 2010. Johnson, Jennifer. "Kelloggs Strategic Management." 16 February 2012. Kelloggs History . 28 March 2016 . Kellogg. "Kellogg Compay: Corporate Responsibility." 2012 Corporate Responsibility Report Workplace (2012): 1-15. Kieso, Donald, Jerry Weygandt and Terry Warfield. Intermediate Accounting, Volume 2. London: Royal Publishers, 2012. Kuada, John. Research Methodology: A Project Guide for University Students. Mason: Samfunds Literature, 2012. MarketWatch. "Investing Stock Profile." 26 March 2016. Market Watch. 26 Market Watch 2016 https://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/k/profile. MccGuigan, James, Charles Moyer and Fredrick Harris. Managerial Economics: Applications, Strategy and Tactics. South-Western: Thomas Learning Inc, 2008. Michael, Porter. Michael E Porter on Competition. Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing, 2013. MorningStar. "Financials-Morning Star." 28 March 2016. Morning Star. 28 March 2016 https://financials.morningstar.com/ratios/r.html?t. Murthy, A and Gurusamy. Management Accounting. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill, 2009. Nasdaq. "Stock comparison." 27 March 2016. Nasdaq. 27 March 2016 https://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/gis/stock-comparison. Palmer, Joseph. Financial Ratio Analysis: Technical Consulting Practice Aid. Indiana: AICPA, 2010. Porter, Gary A and Curtis L Norton. Financial Accounting: The Impact on Decision Makers. South Western: Cengage Learning, 2013. . Using Financial Accounting Information: The Alternative to Debits and Credits. Vol. II. South-Western: Cengage Learning, 2013. Scruggs, Thomas and Margo Mastropieri, Applications of Research Methodology. San Diego: Elsevier, 2006. Taylor, Stephen. Managing in a Business Context. London: CIPD House, 2005. Tracy, Axel. Ratio Analysis Fundamentals: How to Analyse any Business on the Planet. Sussex: Natural Selection Inc, 2012. Tybout, Alice and Bobby Calder, Kellogg on Marketing. 2nd Edition. Hoboken: John Wiley Sons, Inc., 2010. Tybout, Alice and Tim Calkins. Kelloggs on Branding: The Marketing Faculty of The Kellogg School of Management. Vol. II. New Jersey: John Wiley Sons, 2011. Vandyck, Charles K. Financial Ratio Analysis: A Handy Guideboodk. Ghana: Trafford Publishing, 2006. Weil, Roman, Schipper, Katherine and Jennifer Francis. JenniferFinancial Accounting: An Introduction to Concepts, Methods and Uses. London: Cengage Learning, 2014.

Are you a victim of the weekend effect -The JobNetwork

Are you a victim of the weekend effect  -The JobNetwork Does the following scenario sound like an all-too-familiar weekly routine for you? After a long and stressful workweek and Friday approaches- and finally arrives- you feel a palpable, positive shift in your overall sense of mental well-being. Your mood lifts, your outlook on life and the world improves, it’s almost as if you’re a completely new person, just in time for the weekend!And then†¦Sunday hits and you’re faced with the notion of another workweek. Sunday morning may start out fine, but as the day wears on your thoughts turn to Monday, and all of the things waiting for you at work- the tasks, the meetings, the stress. And suddenly, your new outlook on life isn’t so new and improved anymore, and starts to revert to your usual, not-so-positive workweek mode.This might perfectly encapsulate this week for you, or last week, or any other workweek that you can conjure up in your memory. And trust us, if this sounds like you then rest assured that you ’re not alone. There’s even a term for this- the weekend effect- and it’s a common phenomenon afflicting countless workers across industries and jobs. It can have a wide range of negative consequences on your professional and personal life, beyond ruining at least half of your weekend!Are you a victim of the weekend effect? Why does this happen? Is there any way to fight it? Great questions! If you’re eager to learn more and discover some helpful strategies for freeing yourself from the dreaded weekend effect, then keep reading!Causes of the weekend effectOkay, so now we know that lots of people, regardless of where they’re at in their lives or careers, suffer from the weekend effect. But where does it come from? The weekend effect directly stems from how you perceive your current job. All of the elements of your job factor into this equation- your current position in relation to your overall career aspirations, your job role and responsibilities, your physical workspace, your perception of your coworkers and feelings about your boss, even your thoughts about your daily commute enter into the mix.If you’re looking to diagnose yourself to determine if you’re a victim of the weekend effect, first take a careful mental inventory of your thoughts on all of the above job-related items. This only works if you’re completely honest, so make sure you pull no punches while taking stock of your work feelings.You should also check your physiological reactions when thoughts of work enter your mind. Does your pulse quicken and blood pressure rise? Is a headache or slow churning in the pit of your stomach never far off when you start focusing on your work life? Do you feel a surge of negative thoughts and emotions take hold when thinking about your average work day or week?A great way to figure out if you’re the victim of the weekend effect is to take a daily mental inventory across an entire workweek, and look f or trends. Do negative thoughts, feelings, emotions, and physical symptoms worsen at the beginning of the week and gradually ebb as the weekend approaches? Do your friends, family, or colleagues notice concerning trends in your behavior or mood based on the day of the week?Does this pattern seem to repeat itself every week? If so, then you may be caught in a vicious â€Å"weekend effect cycle,† and despite its relatively harmless-sounding name it can have a tangible, measurable, and harmful effect on your life- everything from your work performance and interactions with coworkers to your personal pursuits and relationships outside of work can suffer. Even your physical health isn’t safe from its effects!If you think you’re a victim of the weekend effect, you have every reason to take things seriously and take matters into your own hands in an effort to escape this. Keep reading for some helpful strategies for freeing yourself from this vicious cycle!How to comba t the weekend effectA great strategy for combating the weekend effect is to attack it at its roots. According to a recent report by Psychology Today, the key causes of the weekend effect are a perceived lack of workplace autonomy, a disinterest in work activities, a disconnection from professional responsibilities and relationships, and feelings of a general lack of competency on the job, whether real or imagined.Do any of these sound like you? If so, make a real effort towards positive change in these areas. Overhauling your entire work life all at once may seem daunting, but small, positive steps and incremental change can make a world of difference. Consider the following approaches to help fight the dreaded weekend effect.Focus on the positiveSure, there are things at work that bring out negative feeling and emotions, we all have them, but the key is to try not to let them take over your thoughts completely. Try making a list of things that you feel positive about regarding your current work situation, and set your focus there. It can contain things that are large (like one of your primary work responsibilities) or relatively small (maybe you like the fact that your desk is by a window with a nice view?). Some people find that just being appreciative that they even have a job in a tough job market helps them through stressful times. The list itself doesn’t have to be particularly long, the only criteria is that it contains items that elicit positive feeling and emotions. Once you have your list, make sure to turn to it whenever your thoughts about work start to turn negative, and hopefully you’ll start seeing a shift in how the idea of work makes you feel.Change what you canThis might seem obvious, but so many of us have become so good at putting off making positive change in our lives, and accepting a less positive version of reality, that it really bears mentioning. You know all of the things that make you feel angry, frustrated, and negati ve when it comes to your work world, and the truth is that some of those things aren’t in our immediate power to change (if only we were able to choose our bosses†¦). That said, there are certainly things at work that bother us that we can change, and these are the things you should focus your energy and effort on. We suggest you start small. Decorate your workspace so that it’s more cheerful. Try improving your communication and relationship with at least one colleague each week. Take regular breaks during the day (but don’t overdo it!) in an effort to combat burnout. You’ll soon start seeing a wave of positive work-related feelings wash over you. Then take on larger things, like those work responsibilities that you consistently dread or your interactions with your boss. Remember- every positive step you make involving work, no matter how small, will help keep the weekend effect at bay.Focus on the fundamentalsanother obvious one, perhaps, but many people don’t seem to â€Å"connect the dots† between living a healthy life and having a positive relationship with our jobs. Taking care of the fundamentals- getting plenty of sleep, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in plenty of exercise- will not only improve the quality of our personal lives, it will also help make us happier and more productive employees. Trust us on this one.If all else fails- life is short, and none of us get an unlimited supply of weekends to stress out through. If you just can’t seem to shake the weekend effect, consider making a job or career change. We’re not endorsing anything impulsive, but it couldn’t hurt to start making plans for a future shift- sometimes the simple act of setting a new goal, no matter how far off the finish line is, can bring about a wave of positive feelings to help combat the weekend effect.Say goodbye to the weekend effect!Now that you know what the weekend effect is, and whether or not youâ₠¬â„¢re among its unfortunate victims, you can start working towards eradicating it. Use the strategies mentioned here and take back control of your weekends.

My South Seas Sleeping Beauty

My South Seas Sleeping Beauty Written by Zhang Guixing, â€Å"My South Seas sleeping beauty: A tale of memory and longing† is a fascinating story whereby the set is in the magical jungles of a place known as Borneo. A Chinese-Malay youth, known as Su Qi, is the narrator as he talks about the vivid collections he has and recounts about his life. Su Qi is troubled and sensitive lad who hails from a wealthy family. The story begins with Su Qi talking about how there were different stories regarding the manner in which his sister died.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on My South Seas Sleeping Beauty specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Nevertheless, in spite of what exactly transpired, the truth remains that the death of the only daughter in the family, viz. Su Qi’s sister, dealt a big blow to the family, which explains why the father started running after young girls while the mother sought solace in an illicit affair. In the quest to shake o ff the tormenting environment that his home offered at best, Su Qi surrenders his mind to the surrounding environment, which is characterized by uncommon flora and fauna coupled with communist insurgents. To Su Qi, the surrounding environment of a rich mix of insurgents and flora and fauna offers the perfect solace that befits his woes until he bumps into Chunxi, a family friend. Chunxi provides an aura of honesty and kindness in a world that is evasive and cruel. Nevertheless, tragedy befalls her as she goes through a bizarre accident, which forces her to go into a coma while Su Qi decides to flee the country and go to Taiwan. Whilst in a Taiwan college, the narrator meets Keyi, an enchantress who befits his choices for an admirable woman. Later, Su Qi finds himself revealing his family’s secrets to a total stranger and at this point, he realizes the wish of having Chunxi, whom he adores to wake up from the coma, might be a castle in the sky. The author of â€Å"My South Se as Sleeping beauty† writes the narration in an intriguing manner such that it introduces the Malaysian and Chinese literature particularly to readers in the West. This paper thus seeks to analyze this book and go into detail with regard to formulating an argument. A closer look at the opening part of the book reveals the author’s interest in unveiling the narrator’s early days as a child in Borneo. The story opens with the untimely death of demise of the narrator’s sister coupled with the turmoil that consequently hit the family leading to its near-break down. He notes, â€Å"My sister’s death was the subject of all sorts of stories† (Zhang 1). The chapter explicates the occurrences surrounding the narrator’s family; for instance, his dad’s senselessness and especially his insatiable appetite for young girls coupled with the narrator’s girl friend going into coma. In the second part, the narrator recalls his early life an d wild exploits especially the romantic moments he shared with Keyi his school time girl friend.Advertising Looking for essay on asian? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In the final part, the narrator’s focus shifts to Borneo and specifically sticks to the Su Qi dad’s escapades especially his blind compulsion towards a young girl of the Dayak origin. Additionally, Su Qi’s mother emerges as having plans of destroying the beautiful family garden. Moreover, in the third chapter, Su Qi comes to the realization that he is truly in love with the twin sister to Chunxi who goes by the name Chuntian and ends up breaking his romance with Keyi. The author makes sure that throughout the entire novel, the story of Su Qi’s family relates extensively to the historical context of the book. Right from the way Su Qi’s father decides to study in a Taiwan University, his affair with a certain female com munist, as well as the British visitors showing up at the parties that he hosts. There is also Borneo’s complicated colonial history coupled with interracial relationships. The British colonial government kills the female communist who is romantically involved with Su Qi’s father and so he vows to seek revenge. He does this by pretending to be a philanthropic and ardent communist while the truth is that he is â€Å"taking advantage of the Communists fanaticism†¦so as to make sure his own hatreds and desires are met (Zhang 178). In addition, figurative elements as symbolism come out in the story; for instance, the narrator mother’s illicit affair symbolizes the meeting point between colonialism and personal desires. The affair that Su Qi’s mother is having with the Dayak Man come into views as a way of her seeking vengeance since her husband is also having sexual escapades especially with Lin Yuan. Su Qi’s mother also tells him a story written by a British author. In the life of Su Qi, a girl from Taiwan falls in love with a Brunei prince. The manner in which both race and gender come out as the British’s sedition that runs throughout the story. One of the styles that the author uses is simile whereby he likens the Su Qi’s family garden to the Eastern Malaysia rainforest that does â€Å"not look too different from the Borneo jungle† (Zhang 189). Looking at Su Qi’s mother, it is easy to see that she has two different personalities; one she is very caring and tender especially when she is in her garden; on the other hand, when provoked she can turn to be very a nasty and harsh woman who portrays â€Å" the mercilessness of an assassin† ( Zhang 10). There is a forbearing significance of the two different sides of portrayed by Su Qi’s mother that the author brings out, which is the likelihood of revival from bad things.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on My Sou th Seas Sleeping Beauty specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The two main components in the novel â€Å"My South Seas Sleeping beauty† are gender and race. As the novel unfolds, the indigenous Dayak women portray an unparalleled resolve and potentiality to contain the Chinese men who simply want to carry out a revenge mission. For instance, after an inferno breaks down during a party in the narrator’s home, the Dayak maidservants working in the family are quick to rescue those attending the party. the narrator’s mother is responsible for starting the fire as a way of striking back at the profligate acts exhibited by the guests. In addition, the narrator’s father dies in the hands of a Dayak girl who consequently succeeds in killing any hopes of the father attacking the communist lovers as a way of avenging what they had done to him earlier in the story. This novel thus deals with very grave issues like colonial and ra cial tension that were happening in the Malaysian history. Female characters in this novel also play a big role especially by being the object of the men’s desire and fixation. This aspect comes into view through the relationships that the novel highlights in detail. Su Qi’s father immediately falls in love with the Dayak teenage girl, while Su Qi himself completely falls in love with three women namely Chunxi, Keyi, and Chuntian. Keyi makes him to forget about his past and he enjoys himself and has fun while with her, but later their relationship ends when he recognizes that he is truly in love with Chuntian, who is Chunxi’s twin sister. Lin Yuan also cherishes Su Qi’s mother despite the fact that she is having the affair to avenge her husband who is also having his own affairs outside their marriage. Zhang uses the style of narration whereby the main character, Su Qi, gives his life experiences as well as those of his family. The use of narration allows the reader to relate with the main character more as compared to if another person was telling the story on his behalf. The narrator goes to the extent of giving even the most intricate and personal details about himself and what he used to do while he was still a small boy. For example, he states that he would piss on the fire that they used to burn the garden that his mother nurtured. However, he uses somewhat vulgar language to describe what he experienced after pissing on the fire; he got a â€Å"fiery cock† (Zhang 9).Advertising Looking for essay on asian? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More He does not shy away from giving some of the personal details on what his mother would do to him; for instance, he says, â€Å"My mother would tug gently at my penis and massage my scrotum† (Zhang 9). By using the first person style, the other characters come out through the narrator via the relationships he has with his parents, siblings, and friends. The reader is in a position to tell what kind of person he is through these associations. There is heterogeneity style in â€Å"My South Seas Sleeping Beauty†, which is very palpable through the way Zhang uses it in order to highlight the differences between Taipei and Borneo. Borneo’s narrative uses complicated images as well as self-explanatory sentences to give a story that is full of unfulfilled revenge and desires (Helliwell 65). Student’s living standards and styles in Taiwan in the last quarter of the 20th century come out through the delineation of Taipei. Some of the places that students patronized like â€Å"the coffee house, night markets, and folks bars† (Ting-Wei 8), come out clearly to underscore the kind of atmosphere that existed in universities during that time. The atmosphere of the university life comes out especially through Su Qi’s roommates behaviors. For instance, one cavalierly recounts (in writing) the numerous times he gets lost in sexual fantasies to a point of onanism. Despite the fact that Taipei’s narratives are somewhat disorganized when compared to that of Borneo, the two parts reconcile at one point when the narrator starts developing feelings for another Chunxi, coupled with the cavorting relationship he enters with Keyi . After Su Qi and Keyi have their first date, he begins thinking about Chunxi; the narrator notes, â€Å"It was as if he was searching for treasure that had been lost at the bottom of the sea for two hundred years† (Zhang 102). As the novel is coming to a finish, Su Qi reawakens the feelings he has for Chun tian and surprisingly it is with Keyi’s support. The novel ends on a happy note whereby Su Qi’s last words â€Å"Chuntian is that you?† which shows him that there is a sense of uncertainty as well as hope. This book is written exemplarily and it explores the issue of sexuality as well as an identity and a skillful reworking of both the Western and Chinese myth. The Chinese culture comes into sight and allows that Western cultures get a feeling of how the people in China live. Their social life includes women planting and tendering to gardens and taking care of their children as â€Å"my mother the fanatical gardener were forever chipping restlessly away at her garden† (Zhang 112). Men on the other hand went to schools and worked to fend for their families. The other theme brought out in this novel is that of family; a family unit is extremely important in the upbringing of children. In the case of Su Qi’s family, the fact that there is tension betw een the parents makes the home not a conducive place for children, which underscores why Su Qi feels the need to escape and shift his attention in the jungle. The parents also go their own separate ways after they start having their own affairs outside their marriage. This move makes the family to become disoriented, as the parents do not care for one another anymore. Unfortunately, the person who gets hurt the most is Su Qi, their son, especially since he misses his sister who dies and the girl he loved is in a coma. The other prominent theme apart from racism is that of men losing their power courtesy of women involvement. The three prominent men in this novel, viz. Su Qi, his father, and Li Yuan seem to be under the spell of women. For instance, Su Qi meets Chunxi whom he loves a lot, but after she is involved in a tragic accident that puts her in a coma, Su Qi moves on and at the University, he meets Keyi whom he has a romantic relationship with even though he still loves Chunxi . While with Keyi, the reality strikes him and he admits that he is truly in love with Chunxi’s twin sister. Su Qi’s father is another victim of women’s charm whereby he has numerous sexual escapades with different women; in addition, he has an instant infatuation with a teenage girl from the Dayak community and later he has a relationship with a communist. Sadly, the socialist lover dies courtesy of the colonial government and thus the narrator’s father vows to take revenge on the government, which is responsible for her death. Li Yuan, on the other hand, admires Su Qi’s mother and they start a romantic relationship. However, Su Qi’s mother only seems to be in the illicit affair since she wants to avenge her husband who has been unfaithful to her. Given the issues raised in this paper, the novel is a resourceful insight into the life of Chinese people especially in the 1970s. The majority of Western readers as well as other people from the outside world will also benefit from reading this book and even find it fascinating besides being educative. Zhang has done a recommendable job in coming up with a novel that is charming not only to the old, but also to the young audience. Helliwell, Christine. â€Å"Variation in oral narrative performance: A pacific example.† The  Journal of Polynesian Society 121(1): 51-73. Print. Ting-wei, Ku. â€Å"Picking and choosing the history we want to keep.† Taipei Times 12 Mar. 2007: 8. Print. Zhang, Guixing. My south sleeping beauty: A tale of memory and longing, New York: Columbia University Press, 2007. Print.

Implementing Quality Management System in Emmar As a UAE Based Company Term Paper

Implementing Quality Management System in Emmar As a UAE Based Company - Term Paper Example The paper will also cover the benefits and problems of six sigma strategy in the business organization. Furthermore, the paper will also relate each of these topics with Emaar which is a UAE based company. The company in order to maintain their quality standards has to take various steps of quality management in its operations.Quality management framework is basically a wide concept of management which comprises of structure of an organization, methods, processes, resources that are needed to provide quality management in an organization. It encompasses all processes in an operational life cycle of a service in an organization. These processes affect the quality from identification of the needs of clients to final satisfaction of their requirements. By this framework, quality services are rendered to clients and stakeholders (Haule, 2007). It is considered as a strategic activity undertaken by a business organization in the competitive global market. In various types of organizations, Total Quality Management (TQM) has turned out to be a paradigm of management. TQM has facilitated organizations to make significant development and achievement in their businesses. There is a great difference between the success variable of TQM related to manufacturing and service companies (University of Nebraska Lincoln, n.d.). Quality management plays a significant role in modern business organizations. TQM is a technique to maintain consistency in production process in organizations so as to uphold reliability, efficiency along with quality. The success and achievement of an organization is based upon the loyalty of customers and through this technique, an organization can achieve satisfaction of the customers. ... Quality management plays a significant role in modern business organizations. TQM is a technique to maintain consistency in production process in organizations so as to uphold reliability, efficiency along with quality. The success and achievement of an organization is based upon the loyalty of customers and through this technique, an organization can achieve satisfaction of the customers. The value of TQM is a management based approach which is characterized by three aspects: principles, practices and techniques. These three principles are focused upon continuous improvement, customer orientation along with teamwork (Hoag & Et. Al., 2010). In 1999, Dow & Et. Al. developed the model of TQM in order to examine the effect of TQM practices on the performance of a firm and its effect on the quality of an organization. There are nine dimensions of quality practices in a firm which include commitment of workforce, joint vision, customer orientation, team building, personal training, mutual relation of supplier, high-tech manufacturing methods and use of bench-marking along with principles of just-in-time (Hoag & Et. Al., 2010). The quality management system encourages an organization to examine the requirements of customers. It also assists to define the processes that add towards the attainment of product which is suitable to the customers and maintains these processes under control. The quality management also caters the framework for incessant improvement of increasing the probability of customer satisfaction as well as the satisfaction of interested parties. Due to these facts of quality management, customers along with organizations become satisfied with the products and processes (International Standard, 2000). Emaar was established in 1997, as