Gloria Borgers Another Kind of Leader Managing the Presidency free essay sample

The article â€Å"Another kind of leader† by Gloria Borger looks at the question of the most appropriate way to manage on the presidency. The author also deals with the differences between a CEO and a President in general. Firstly, Gloria Borger analyzes what advantages George Bush has. He is the delegator-in-chief. Mr. Bush focuses on the big staff, leaving the details to others. Moreover, basing her conclusions on the opinion of President’s staff, the author considers that Bush can manage his time well and that his skills will be useful for transitioning and budgeting. Secondly, the author, referring to some skeptics, states that it may be hard for a CEO to become a good head of state. Ms. Borger illustrates it with the fact how difficult it is for a President to give a pink slip to anybody in his office. Thirdly, it is mentioned in the article that Bush has different ruling strategy from Clinton and Carter. We will write a custom essay sample on Gloria Borgers Another Kind of Leader: Managing the Presidency or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The author says that Clinton was very chaotic and Carter was a micromanager. While Bush, found a middle ground. Besides, Clinton had two modes of dealing the congress which Bush did not possessed: sweet talk and cave-in. Bush just hoped to use his charm to attract support. Fourthly, the author dwells upon the relations between the Congress and a President. Gloria Borger states that Bush must use something besides his charm to be able to deal with the US legislative body. All in all, Ms. Borger examines strengths and weaknesses of George Bush’s managerial style. The author also dwells upon the essential attributes of the presidency and what differs it form a CEO position.

Free Essays on Fitzgerald’s Personal Background Paralleled with the Characters in The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald’s Personal Background Paralleled with the Characters in The Great Gatsby As F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby in the early 1920’s, he used a variety of sources to develop the setting, themes and characters. Since Fitzgerald lived through the corrupt era of the 1920’s he is able to lend authenticity in his portrayal of the materialism and deceit among the characters of his novel. Fitzgerald was influenced by the novel, The Waste Land by C.F. Elliot (Richard Lehan â€Å"Sugar Lumps† 95). The Waste Land was a response to postwar Europe, which was undergoing a radical change (Lehan â€Å"Sugar Lumps† 95). Elliot portrays a world, morally falling apart with no principle to hold it together (Lehan â€Å"Sugar Lumps† 95). Fitzgerald incorporates his personal background, peers and close friends, to form the personalities of the various characters in The Great Gatsby. F. Scott Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota (Michael Reynolds 2360). His mother’s father was a self made Irish immigrant millionaire, and his father was a salesman who married above his social class and squandered the family fortune (Reynolds 2360). Fitzgerald enlisted in the army and fell for the southern belle, Zelda Sayre (Reynolds 2360). She was socially above him and refused his proposal because he did not have any money (Reynolds 2360). His profits after writing This Side of Paradise, finally convinced Zelda to marry him. Zelda and F. Scott went to many wild parties, drove wild cars and spent an excess of money (Reynolds 2360). Their luck ran out in the 1930’s and Zelda was committed on and off, to a sanitarium (Reynolds 2360). As a result of Fitzgerald’s struggle with alcoholism he struggled with his writing career (Reynolds 2360). â€Å"The substance for The Great Gatsby is largely material Fitzgerald had used before; at the heart of it once again are the love affairs of Scott Fitzgerald with Ginevra King and Zelda Sayreï ¿ ½... Free Essays on Fitzgerald’s Personal Background Paralleled with the Characters in The Great Gatsby Free Essays on Fitzgerald’s Personal Background Paralleled with the Characters in The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald’s Personal Background Paralleled with the Characters in The Great Gatsby As F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby in the early 1920’s, he used a variety of sources to develop the setting, themes and characters. Since Fitzgerald lived through the corrupt era of the 1920’s he is able to lend authenticity in his portrayal of the materialism and deceit among the characters of his novel. Fitzgerald was influenced by the novel, The Waste Land by C.F. Elliot (Richard Lehan â€Å"Sugar Lumps† 95). The Waste Land was a response to postwar Europe, which was undergoing a radical change (Lehan â€Å"Sugar Lumps† 95). Elliot portrays a world, morally falling apart with no principle to hold it together (Lehan â€Å"Sugar Lumps† 95). Fitzgerald incorporates his personal background, peers and close friends, to form the personalities of the various characters in The Great Gatsby. F. Scott Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota (Michael Reynolds 2360). His mother’s father was a self made Irish immigrant millionaire, and his father was a salesman who married above his social class and squandered the family fortune (Reynolds 2360). Fitzgerald enlisted in the army and fell for the southern belle, Zelda Sayre (Reynolds 2360). She was socially above him and refused his proposal because he did not have any money (Reynolds 2360). His profits after writing This Side of Paradise, finally convinced Zelda to marry him. Zelda and F. Scott went to many wild parties, drove wild cars and spent an excess of money (Reynolds 2360). Their luck ran out in the 1930’s and Zelda was committed on and off, to a sanitarium (Reynolds 2360). As a result of Fitzgerald’s struggle with alcoholism he struggled with his writing career (Reynolds 2360). â€Å"The substance for The Great Gatsby is largely material Fitzgerald had used before; at the heart of it once again are the love affairs of Scott Fitzgerald with Ginevra King and Zelda Sayreï ¿ ½...

This case study is an introduction to issues of financial management Research Paper

This case study is an introduction to issues of financial management and Human Resource Planning and Budgeting - Research Paper Example The report highlights the payback period, employee turnover projection after the implementation of the machinery, the total cost of the an individual in relation to the human resource function and lastly an evaluation of the firms benefits after the implementation...... I also agree that an electronic copy of this project may be stored and used for the purposes of plagiarism prevention and detection. Copyright Acknowledgement I acknowledge that the copyright of this project and report belongs to Emirates Aviation College. Signed: Date: Acknowledgement This project is a success because of the support received from people who are special to me. I would like to acknowledge the support of my family including my brother and sister, my colleagues from this department and my project supervisor Introduction The company board of directors recently discussed of that the company dealings should be taken on by the medium sized Co- share company. Co-share is to take charge of all their fruit and vegetable packing and supply. Co-share is a small to medium sized supermarket with approximately 165 stores in Midlands and other areas (Mondy, Robert, and Mary, 2003, 140). Unlike LJC white Co-share is more established with strong business ethics and reasonable trade pr actices. The terms of trade that LJC demand indicate that Co-share Company should utilize all their reasonable trade products and the human resource should utilize their best practices in running the company, for example, the use of staff development and the policies that include the none discrimination laws and regulations. The Co-share company has a policy of auditing their suppliers to ensure that all the required practices are adhered to, and they participate in the lucrative activities including the investors in people (Mathis and John, 2003, 200). Background of report The move to engage in business with Co-share would require LCJ the family business to add more assets in order to facilitate the expansion. It

Media Coverage of War Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Media Coverage of War - Research Paper Example The build up to Iraq war and the war itself received wide media attention across the world. The normal television broadcasting schedules of major broadcasters were often disrupted to bring the 24-hour coverage of the war and related analysis. The war coverage was not restricted to the electronic media. The daily newspapers displayed numerous pages with detailed images from the war frontlines. Viewers around the world were able to enjoy quality coverage of the action in the comfort of their homes. It is with no doubt that, the media coverage of the war on Iraq was one of the highest visual qualities, exceeding the coverage of previous wars in the world (Allan and Zelizer 53-60) However, the media coverage of the war on Iraq in 2003 continues eliciting ethical issues, particularly on the role that the journalists played in ensuring that all parties involved in the conflict received fair media attention. In addition, the effects that the coverage had on different groups of people across the world are another major issue of concern. Impartial and objective media coverage is the epitome of professional journalism but during war on Iraq, objectivity was one of the most controversial issues. The issues of impartiality and objectivity were particularly more questionable because most of the journalists came from United States and other western countries that supported the war. The interests in the Iraq conflict particularly in the United States were intense because of the high stakes involved, causing biasness in the reporting (Steven et al, 570-572). In the course of the war coverage, major media houses especially from United States and United Kingdom are renowned for biasness while covering conflicts (Juliane 46). According to Juliane the media companies in these countries seldom question the morality of their countries’ engagement in the conflicts (52). For instance during the Falkland’s war involving United Kingdom and Argentina, Juliane noted that the media in the country failed to challenge the rationale of war. The situation was similar during the first gulf war in 1991 when the American and British press remained largely biased in favor of the allied forces (63-65). Rid attributes the apparent lack of professionalism in the media to vested interests, where the media owners fear reporting actual facts in order to maintain cordial economic relations with the government of the day(82). The media coverage of war in Iraq elicited different criticism from the society. Lewis argued that the coverage from the frontline presented the war as a form of entertainment, involving a superior forces led by the United States displaying their military might against an inferior opposition (55-68). Similarly, the graphic broadcasts elicited concerns about their psychological effects on the audience, especially the young children. In Britain and United States, there were concerns that media would broadcast graphic images of wounded and killed sol diers to the public. This would create psychological suffering to the relatives and trigger public outrage against the war (Rid 77) There was a pronounced contrast between the broadcasts by pro western media and Arab media during the Iraq war. Al jazeera television network, a pro Arabic media house demonstrated a remarkable journalistic coverage by showing the untold suffering of the Iraqi people meted by the occupying forces. The station showed images of Iraqi civilian victims and

Business management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Business management - Essay Example The case, â€Å"eBay in 2002: The Challenges of Sustained Growth† analyse the business environment and the company’s strategic objectives through a combination of industry analysis, competitive analysis and a SWOT analysis and aim at identifying issues which needs attention. The case analysis will also provide brief recommendations in terms of strategies and tactics, which the company can deploy in achieving its strategic goals. In crafting strategies, to gain and maintain a sustainable competitive position in an industry, it is imperative that companies assess the competitive forces at work within the industry in which it operates. Porters Five Force Model can be a useful analytical tool in assessing the competitive forces operating in the online auction industry. The Five Force Model considers the competitive pressures arising from Threat of Substitutes; Rivalry among competing sellers in the industry; Substitutes potential of winning over industry customers; Supplier seller collaborations and bargaining as well as the Seller – Buyer collaborations and bargaining. For e-Bay the Threat of substitutes is coming from traditional models of auctioning, flea markets and classified ads. The retail online stores operated by individual companies also pose substitute products for e-bays product offering. Direct marketing can also be perceived as a substitute. Thus, it can be noted that this competitive force is high in the industry. Threat of new entrants is very high in the e-commerce business-scape. The setting up costs is relatively low and legislature is not tedious. The readily available software makes the process of setting up e-commerce sites ever easier. Since eBay launched its auction site in 1995, the number of auction sites has grown over 2750 by 2001.Thus, this competitive force too is high intensity within the e-commerce sphere. Rivalry among competitors – When rivalry among the competition is high in industries, the pressure on pricing

The Water In Nature Environmental Sciences Essay

The Water In Nature Environmental Sciences Essay What better way to spend a hot summer day lolling on a li-lo in the pool, with a drink in hand, staring at the clouds. This would be impossible without water. Although over 97 percent of water on Earth is part of the world ocean and a further 2 percent is ice, neither of these is easily transformed into usable water. Less than 1 percent of the total amount of water on Earth is usable for drinking, agriculture or industry (Bartholomew 2005). We take water for granted, yet this most precious resource is under threat. The view that life on earth has with water is inescapable without water, life can simply not exist. This essay will provide information about water and explain why it is the Earths most important resource. First, water in natural world will be explored in the project. Then, the use of water in human civilization is delivered. The last part of the research paper is analysis of water scarcity situation making it the most crucial resource. 2. Discussion of findings . Water in nature Water in natural world is divided into two main types: fresh water and salt water. Salt water is in the oceans. There are four oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic. Fresh water is almost contributed to lakes, streams, and rivers. The majority of freshwater is frozen, mainly in the form of glaciers and icecaps. Other frozen water sources include permanently frozen ground, icebergs, and ground ice. There are two types: running water and ground water. The former is mainly available in rivers, streams and rainfall. The second freshwater source is groundwater. This is water that lies under the surface. It exists almost everywhere in the world. The level of groundwater is supplied, in part, by precipitation. When rain falls, for example, it sinks down into the ground and is collected in aquifers (American Geosciences Institutes On-Line n.d). The total amount of water near the surface of the Earth stays almost the same through time, but water is always moving from place to place. This process takes place in various ways. It can transfer in the form of liquid, solid, or vapor. This complicated movement of the Earths water is called the hydrologic cycle (American Geosciences Institutes On-Line n.d.). It is an enormous system generated by energy from the sun where the atmosphere provides the vital connection between the oceans and land. Water from the oceans and the continents is persistently evaporating into the atmosphere. Winds carry the moisture-laden air until the complex process of cloud formation is set. This process is called condensation. The condensation results in precipitation that falls into the ocean and land surface. This has ended water cycle and prepared to start another (Edward Frederick 1990). What happens to precipitation once it has fallen on land? A part of the water soaks into the ground, some of it moving downhill, laterally running into lakes, streams or directly into the ocean. When the rate of rainfall is greater than the Earths ability to absorb it, the additional water flows over the surface into lakes and streams. Also, some of the water that soaks in the ground surface is absorb by plants, which then release into the atmosphere. When precipitation falls at high raises, the water may not immediately soak in, run off, or evaporate. Instead it may turn into part of a snowfield or glacier. Glaciers store large amount of water on land. If present-day glaciers were to melt and release their storage of water, sea level would rise by several tens of meters and plunge many heavily populated coastal areas (Edward Frederick 1990). 2.2. Water in human civilization Water has shaped our civilizations since the beginning of human existence. Our earliest ancestors used to hunt, gather and wander around to find food and water to survive. Evolution led to early civilizations understanding agriculture which allowed them to stay in one place and create civilizations. They would form small towns around water for agricultural reasons (waterservicesolution.wordpress.com 2012). In todays world, water is still one of natures most important gifts to mankind. It is essential for life and survival, and also for cultural and artistic expression. Water is vital for humans needs, for homes and gardens, for agriculture, industry, and the environment. It can provide a means of transportation and is also a focus for leisure, social and sporting activities (Department for Education and Child Development n.d.). Humans survival depends on drinking water as it accounts for 75 percent of body weight. Water is one of the most crucial components to good health. It is necessary for humans body to digest and absorb food; helps maintain proper muscle tone; supplies oxygen and nutrients to the cells; gets rid of the body of wastes; and serves as a natural air conditioning system (Sandi and Darrin 2012). Agriculture accounts for about 70% of water all over the world, increasing to over 90% in developing areas. It is necessary for the production of our food, the natural fibres of our clothing and other goods based on agricultural fresh materials. Industry depends on water, much like agriculture and domestic households depend on water. Industrial reliance on water makes it essential to preserve water in every aspect possible and make sure water pollution is kept at minimum levels (Schroeder 2004). Industrial water withdrawals comprise approximately 23% of water consumption. In a range of industries, water is a key part of manufacturing process. Water is used to cool and heat systems and as an important product component. It is consumed, reused, processed, transformed and discharged (World Economic Forum 2008). According to the United Nations World Water Development Report (n.d.), some 300-500 million tons of heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge, and other wastes store each year from in dustry, most of which gets into the freshwater supply. In some developing countries, 70% of industrial wastes are dumped into untreated waters where they pollute the drinking water. 2.3. Situation of water scarcity Over the last 300 years, world population has increased sevenfold, but water use has rocketed by 35 times. Since 1950, the amount of renewable fresh water each year available per human being has dropped by more than half (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 2010). Now, over 1.2 billion people 20% of the worlds population live in areas where the limits of sustainable water use have been reached. A report made by the CGIAR, FAO, CBD and the Ramsar Convention in 2007 predicted that we will not have enough water to meet global demand for food over the next few decades unless reorganizations in water and agriculture are carried out. Here illustrate some examples of effects of water scarcity. Global wheat supply has been restricted due to unsuccessful wheat crops as a result of severe drought in Australia. In the United States, it was predicted by the Environmental Protection Agency in October 2007 that the City of Atlantas main source of water, Lake Lainer, would be exhausted within 100 days unless considerable managements were taken. Climate change makes the situation worse. In Los Angeles, only 3.21 inches of rainfall were noted in the whole 2006-2007 rain season. It was the driest period on record (World Economic Forum 2008). The impacts of water scarcity influence a large number of sponsors in a variety of ways: commercial federations, communities health, the well-being of citizens, the success of local industries in the supply chain, the ability of local agriculture to deliver the crops demanded by people and the economy, and the potential of the natural environment to function effectively (World Economic Forum 2008). In nowadays world, approximately two-fifths of the total population live in water shortage situation. Therefore, new policies of water management are urgently needed when the worlds population is predicted to have increased to 2-3 trillion people by 2050. Vietnam is also involved in the risk of water sources being exhausted. As urbanization and industrialization are taking place, peoples demand on consuming water for economic purposes and daily activities is now rising rapidly. As a result, water pollution and scarcity becomes a common and extremely serious phenomenon (Lao Cai Department of Water Resources and environment website n.d.) 3. Conclusion The essays analysis has demonstrated that water has been becoming Earths most essential resource. Water plays an important role in harmonizing the natural circulation as well as meeting the demand of humankind. Yet this most precious resource is now scarce and on the edge of running out if no plan and policy is carried out. Obviously, more than one solution is necessary in order to reduce or solve the problem of water scarcity that the world copes with today. Our world recently faces a problem concerning a limited water supply. If the issue continues to grow without substantial changes, negative consequences are inevitable. Nevertheless, there are reasons to believe in a sufficient and qualified water supply in the future as authorities and organization are making considerable efforts to solve the serious situation. Word count: 1500

Zappos, an Electronic Commerce Information System

Abstract As times evolve, so do the tools businesses use to keep up with the competition. One tool widely used is an information system. Such a system allows businesses to input process and store information. Zappos. com is one of the many businesses that use an information system. The system that Zappos. com uses is an electronic commerce information system. This system allows Zappos. com to provide great customer service, which is the company's mission. Many employees are needed to run the different components of the electronic commerce information system, some employees are new and others are seasoned workers. There are managers that train and oversee the production and service provided by employees. The electronic commerce information system has many components. Some workers are in charge of inputting and creating the graphics that appear on the Zappos. com webpage. Other customers are in charge of processing payments and shipping information. A customer must have access to the internet and one of the Zappos. com approved methods of payment to make a purchase. The use of an electronic commerce information system has enabled Zappos. com to be efficient and save money. Unfortunately, should such an information system crash, the website would be unable to run. Although the webpage is very user friendly, there are some improvements that would make it better, such as pictures, advanced search options, and experienced customer service. Zappos. com, an Electronic Commerce Information System With the development of new technology, people have changed the way they do things. From ordering movies and food, to shopping for merchandise, more and more customers are resorting to the internet to satisfy their needs. In order to succeed, companies must keep up with growing trends. Online shopping is one of the fastest growing trends nationwide. In order to provide this feature, companies must have the necessary system in place to provide accurate information such as prices, quantities, and shipping information. One tool many companies use is an information system. Rainer (2009) defines an information system as â€Å"the planning, development, management and use of information technology tools to help people perform all tasks related to information processing and management† (glossary). Zappos. com is an online store that is used my thousands of customer nationwide. Zappos. com offers anything from clothing to shoes for the entire family. There are many features that make Zappos. com an excellent place to shop. One of these features is that customers are given 365 days to return items, as opposed to 30 or 90 days allotted by other online stores. The second feature is that shipping is free both ways. There are many components that make up the electronic commerce information system employed by Zappos. com. Some components allow customers to view the merchandise in stock, while other components store transaction histories. All of these components work together to provide customers with a hassle-free easy internet shopping experience. In addition, components from the online platform also communicate with different operational components. Zappos. com uses this system for many of its operational tasks such as processing payments and keeping up with growing customer trends. Overview and Structure of the Organization Mission: The mission of Zappos. com is to provide the best customer service possible to its customers. There are many internet stores available online. In order to fulfill its mission and stand out above the rest, Zappos. om must provide popular merchandise as well as process transactions fast, accurately, and efficiently. Foundation: The first step in running a successful online organization is to properly train employees. Zappos. com starts by training employee's the core values and organizational culture established by the company. Once the basics have been established, employees are trained to perform different duties. Managers help train and guide new and seasoned Behind the Scenes: To make Zappos. com a successful online business, a special department is in charge of finding merchandise that is in high demand. Once the merchandise has been selected, another department is in charge of taking pictures and preparing information that the customers can see and read when they access the Zappos. com website. After a customer picks out merchandise, a department oversees the processing of the payment and the shipping of the merchandise to the customer. Should there be any issues or concerns, a customer service department is available to assist customers. Inputs, Outputs, and Organizational Usage Webpage Zappos. com is divided up into different sections. Employees enter information such as sizing charts, or lists of brands. Other sections include house wares, beauty, and handbags. Employees are in charge of developing and maintaining these different sections. Merchandise An information system calculates and predicts growing trends. Reports are analyzed to determine the merchandise that will be purchased. Once merchandise is purchased, pictures and descriptions of items are entered into a system to be displayed online. The quantity of merchandise is also imputed to provide accurate information of available merchandise. Transactions Customers view different merchandise online. Once they decide to purchase an item, they must input various information. The first step is usually to indicate the quantity and size of the merchandise. Second, customers enter or create their login information. Third, customers input their address and contact information. Finally, payment information is entered so that customers can get a confirmation that their transaction is being processed and when their merchandise will be shipped. Impact of the Information System on the Organization Efficiency An electronic commerce information system allows Zappos. com to be more efficient. Information that is inputted into the system such as prices or details on merchandize can be viewed by employees in different states. In regards to training, material can be inputed into the information system so that employees can study and review it during their down time or on time allotted for training. Cost Effective An electronic commerce information system allows Zappos. com to be an online store. This saves the company money that would have been spent covering overhead charges as an actual physical store. Rather than having merchandise in one location, Zappos. com is able to offer a variety of merchandize to customers nationwide with the use of an information system. Downfall One negative aspect is that Zappos. com is an online store. Should the electronic commerce information system crash, the website would be shut down. This in return would upset customers that are loyal shoppers. In addition, money would be lost because there is not a physical location where people could go to in order to complete their transactions. Contingency Zappos. om has two locations, one in Las Vegas, and another location in Kentucky. This has allowed Zappos. com to function operations from one location to the other should one system be down. This ensures that while little issues may occur with the site, major issues have never prevented the site from working. Hardware and Software Back Operation Zappos. com must have all the necessary hardware to successfully run an online business. Examples of such hardwa re include cameras to take pictures of merchandise and computers to upload the information to the webpage. Many customers do not feel safe entering their bank information online. As a result, telephones are important so that representatives can assist customers that choose to call. Webpage The webpage designers at Zappos. com would need different hardware as well. Many designers use notepads to organize the content. Graphics programs are also necessary to add slides and transitions to the webpage. Photoshop software also enables designers to tweak pictures so that they appear as professional as possible. Customers To begin with, customers must have access to the internet in order to shop t Zappos. com. Some customers like to use their laptops, desktops, or cell phones to access the site. Many people use internet explorer, while others use Mozilla Firefox. To prevent viruses or other cyber attacks, many customers have some type of internet security software. Recommended Improvements Shoes The Zappos. com website features many shoes and customers can look at multiple views. Unfortunately, t here are not any pictures that show how the shoe would look on an actual person. One improvement the system could use would be to show a picture of a model wearing the shoe. For this improvement, a picture would be taken of a model wearing a shoe. The picture would then be uploaded into the information system so that it is available to be viewed by customers nationwide. Customer Service Zappos. com has a wonderful option to chat live with representatives online. Unfortunately, the service can sometimes be slow because agents have to take time to research the problem. There are so many products offered that sometimes the wait can be long. To fix this issue, agents can be trained to be experts of different areas. This would allow the agents to know their products better so that customer wait time is minimal. For this improvement, agents would have to be better trained in specific departments. In addition, the online chat would have to be set up to allow customers to click on the department that can best assist him or her. Advanced Search Zappos. com offers many products. When trying to narrow down search results, customers have to check different specification. It would be time efficient, to have an advanced search where a customer can enter all the specification of the produce he or should would like to see. To do this, Zappos. com would have to have an advanced search field that would allow customers to choose between different specifications. Conclusion Gone are the days when data had to be inputted, processed, and stored manually. Information systems have revolutionized the way businesses function. Zappos. com is an online store that uses and electronic commerce system to function successfully. Recap major points throughout essay. References Rainer, R. K. , Jr. , & Turban, E. (2009). Introduction to information systems: Supporting and transforming business (3rd ed. ). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Accy

Discussion Question Set #1 – iPhone at Apple (25 points) Lenny Allegretti 1. Which accounting method best reflects the economic reality? Put another way, which accounting numbers – the GAAP or non-GAAP numbers best reflects economic reality? [10 points] Economic reality can be defined as the overall outlook of the economy at a certain point in time. This outlook includes factors such as interest rates, politics, and speculation. In its Q4 financial results Apple reported both GAAP and non-GAAP revenue and net profit for the iPhone.Their GAAP results showed 7. 9 billion in revenue and 1. 1 billion in net profit. The non-GAAP showed revenue of 11. 7 billion and net profit of 2. 4 billion. The GAAP results reflect the usage of subscription accounting for the iPhone. Subscription accounting recognizes product cost and revenue on a straight line basis over 24 months (the average user time period of a single mobile device). This causes the sale of an iPhone to be placed in de ferred revenue to be evenly distributed for the next two years. It also accounts for the costs of goods sold.The non-GAAP results followed the time of sale method. This accounts for the product revenue and cost in the period that revenue or product cost is incurred. Considering the facts I believe that the non-GAAP numbers best reflect economic reality. These are the true numbers of how the iPhone truly performed in that quarter. Apple is a company that spends a tremendous amount of money on R & D each year and they will continue to do that until they cease to exist. Therefore, purchasing an iPhone should not be recorded as a subscription, but it should be recorded time of sale.The fact is that Apple will continue to upgrade its platforms and its devices. The idea of straight line basis accounting for the iPhone does not follow an economic reality. The reality is people want to know how sales and revenue for the iPhone faired in that quarter. The fact that past quarters sales ha ve an effect on that does not economically show the reality of the influence the iPhone has on Apple. 2. Should Apple lobby for their non-GAAP numbers to be sanctioned by FASB? [7. 5 points] I believe that Apple should not lobby for their non-GAAP numbers to be sanctioned by FASB.Apple decided to use the subscription method due to consumer backlash at an upgrade fee for the iPhone. Today Apple holds a large portion of the smart phone industry. If a small upgrade fee for the iPhone was enacted I personally believe it would not affect sales. For example, people pay on average $75-$100 for their cell phone bill a month; a small $5 one or two time fee would not stray people from purchasing an iPhone. Therefore, there would be no need to lobby for the non-GAAP numbers because the new numbers with fees charged for upgrades would be accepted under GAAP.However, with the industry standard set at free upgrades for the consumer, it may be beneficial for Apple along with other smartphone compa nies to lobby for this. Realistically the smartphone market is a booming market. Time will tell if these companies will decide to lobby to the FASB. Even though I believe it is not necessary for Apple to do with their current stake in the market; I do believe that it may occur with the industry standard set. 3. Does it matter if the revenue recognition rule for smartphones changes? 7. 5 points] We have established that there are two methods to recognize smartphone revenue: time of sale and subscription methods. The company providing the phone has the option on which one to pick. If they choose to offer free upgrades by GAAP they are forced to pick the subscription method. If they choose to charge a fee for upgrades they are allowed to choose the time of sale method. Since consumers are drawn into the â€Å"free† upgrades I believe that revenue recognition for smartphones will remain to be subscription.Even though the time of sale method can be positive for companies with conc erns to their financials, the industry has almost set the standard of offering consumers free upgrades. Overall, I do believe it will matter if the revenue recognition is changed. It will allow financial analysts to gather a greater understanding of the financial position a smartphone company is in. This helps gauge future growth and company position on the public market.

Biography of Andy Warhol, Icon of Pop Art

Biography of Andy Warhol, Icon of Pop Art Andy Warhol (born Andrew Warhola; Aug. 6, 1928–Feb. 22, 1987) was one of the most important artists of pop art, a genre that became popular in the second half of the 20th century. Though he is best remembered for his mass-produced paintings of Campbells soup cans, he created hundreds of other works ranging from commercial advertisements to films. His best-known work, including the soup cans, reflected his views on the banality that he saw in the commercial culture of America. Fast Facts; Andy Warhol Known For: Pop artAlso Known As: Andrew WarholaBorn: Aug. 6, 1928 in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaParents: Andrej and Julia WarholaDied: Feb. 22, 1987 in New York, New YorkEducation: Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University)Published Works: Commercial illustrations, paintings, filmsï » ¿Notable Quote: I just happen to like ordinary things. When I paint them, I dont try to make them extraordinary. I just try to paint them ordinary-ordinary. Early Life and Education Andy Warhol was born on Aug. 6, 1928, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up there with his older brothers, Paul and John, and his parents, Andrej and Julia Warhola, both of whom had emigrated from Czechoslovakia (now called Slovakia). Devout Byzantine Catholics, the family regularly attended Mass and observed their Eastern European heritage. Even as a young boy, Warhol liked to draw, color, and cut and paste pictures. His mother, who was also artistic, encouraged him by giving him a chocolate bar every time he finished a page in his coloring book. Elementary school was traumatic for Warhol, especially once he contracted Sydenhams chorea, also known as St. Vitus dance, a disease that attacks the nervous system and makes the sufferer shake uncontrollably. Warhol missed a lot of school during several month-long periods of bed rest. Additionally, large, pink blotches on Warhols skin, also from the disorder, didnt help his self-esteem or acceptance by other students. This led to nicknames such as â€Å"Spot† and â€Å"Andy the Red-Nosed Warhola† and a lifelong interest in clothing, wigs, cosmetics, and, later, plastic surgery in response to what he perceived as his flaws. During high school, Warhol took art classes there and at the Carnegie Institute (now the Carnegie Museum of Art). He was somewhat of an outcast because he was quiet, could always be found with a sketchbook in his hands, and had shockingly pale skin and white-blond hair. Warhol also loved to go to movies and started a collection of celebrity memorabilia, particularly autographed photos. A number of these pictures appeared in Warhols later artwork. Warhol graduated from high school and then went to the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in 1945, graduating in 1949 with a major in pictorial design. Blotted-Line Technique During college, Warhol developed the blotted-line technique, which involved taping two pieces of blank paper together at an edge and then drawing in ink on one page. Before the ink dried, he pressed the two pieces of paper together. The resulting image was a picture with irregular lines that he could fill in with watercolor. Warhol moved to New York right after college and worked there for a decade as a commercial illustrator. He quickly earned a reputation in the 1950s for using his blotted-line technique in commercial advertisements. Some of Warhols most famous ads were for shoes for I. Miller, but he also drew Christmas cards for Tiffany Co., created book and album covers, and illustrated Amy Vanderbilts Complete Book of Etiquette. Pop Art Around 1960, Warhol decided to make a name for himself in pop art, a new style of art that had begun in England in the mid-1950s and consisted of realistic renditions of popular, everyday items. Warhol had turned away from the blotted-line technique and had decided to use paint and canvas, but he was having trouble deciding what to paint. Warhol began with Coke bottles and comic strips, but his work wasnt getting the attention he wanted. In December 1961, a friend gave Warhol an idea: he should paint what he liked most in the world, perhaps something such as money or a can of soup. Warhol painted both. Warhols first exhibition in an art gallery came in 1962 at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles. He displayed his canvases of Campbells soup, one for each of the 32 types of soup made by the company. He sold all the paintings as a set for $1,000. Before long, Warhols work was known all over the world and he was in the vanguard of the new pop art movement. Silk-Screening Unfortunately for Warhol, he found that he couldnt make his paintings fast enough on canvas. In July 1962, he discovered the process of silk screening, which uses a specially prepared section of silk as a stencil, allowing one silk-screen image to create similar patterns multiple times. He immediately began making paintings of political and Hollywood celebrities, most notably a large collection of paintings of Marilyn Monroe. Warhol would use this style for the rest of his life. Mass production not only spread his art; it became his art form. Movies In the 1960s as Warhol continued to paint, he also made films, which were known for creative eroticism, lack of plots, and extreme length- up to 25 hours. From 1963 to 1968, he made nearly 60 movies. One of his movies, Sleep, is a five-and-a-half-hour film of a nude man sleeping. â€Å"We were shooting so many, we never even bothered to give titles to a lot of them,† Warhol later recalled. On July 3, 1968, disgruntled actress Valerie Solanas, one of the hangers-on at Warhols studio known as The Factory, shot him in the chest. Less than 30 minutes later, Warhol was pronounced clinically dead. The doctor then cut Warhols chest open and massaged his heart for a final effort to get it started again. It worked. Though his life was saved, it took a long time for him to recover. Warhol continued to paint during the 1970s and 1980s. He also began publishing a magazine called Interview and several books about himself and pop art. He even dabbled in television, producing two shows- Andy Warhol’s TV  and  Andy Warhol’s Fifteen Minutes,- for MTV and appearing on  The Love Boat  and  Saturday Night Live. Death On Feb. 21, 1987, Warhol underwent routine gallbladder surgery. Though the operation went well, Warhol unexpectedly passed away the following morning from complications. He was 58. Legacy Warhol’s work is featured in an enormous collection at the  Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, which the website describes as one of the most comprehensive single-artist museums in the world and the largest in North America. It includes paintings, drawings, commercial illustrations, sculptures, prints, photographs, wallpapers, sketchbooks, and books covering Warhol’s career, from his student work to pop art paintings and collaborations. In his will, the artist directed that his entire estate be used to create a foundation for the advancement of the visual arts. The  Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts was established in 1987. Sources Andy Warhol: American Artist. Encyclopedia Britannica.Andy Warhols Life. Warhol.org.ï » ¿

The Downfall of the Tokugawa essays

The Downfall of the Tokugawa essays From years 1603 to 1869, the country of Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate. During this period of Japanese history the country suffer from a feudal military dictatorship under the rule of the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. The Feudal period in Japan, also known as the Edo period, was a time when the caste system was very firmly fixed and only the feudal lords and the samurai stood on top. Japan also became isolated because of foreign policies rejecting any offers from western nations to trade with the exception of the Dutch. Eventually due to the strict social orders and the exploitation of the peasant class by the government Japan became socially unstable. It was until the arrival of the United States naval ships led by Commodore Matthew Perry that Japan was forced to end its isolation from the western empires. This event created crisis within the country leading to the downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Opposition forces in Japan used the humiliating intrusion of foreigners as an excuse to overthrow the discredited shogun and the Tokugawa bakufu. The fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate was a result of many events such as wars, rebellion, and treaties that caused the end of the Tokugawa rule. What factor was the most important to the fall of the Tokugawa government in Japan? Did the arrival of the American ships to the Japanese coast trigger a series of events that ended the Tokugawa rule? Or was the collapse inevitable due to the internal problems the country was facing during those times? Historians debate the importance of the events that occur during the fall of the Tokugawa but they all agree that foreign invasion, economic crisis, and revolutions are major reasons for the collapse of the feudal government. The Tokugawa Shogunate was abolished in year 1868 when the imperialist rebels defeated the shogunate forces and restored the power to the emperor of Japan. The defeat of the Tokugawa government ...

CSR strategy and win-win strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

CSR strategy and win-win strategy - Essay Example nization that invests in the chemical industry, corporate social responsibility is one of the most important factors that influence customer relationship and hence the profitability of the organization. A critical analysis of the organizational strategy will reveal the CSR strategies that Bayer Pharmaceutical Company has deployed and the way it has impacted on its business development strategies. First, the organization has invested in long term customer relationships by ensuring that customers benefit from quality products that the organization produces. Over time, the organization has invested in production of quality plastic materials as one of the CSR strategies to win customer loyalty. For an organization to win the long term loyalty of its customers, it is crucial for the organization to invest in quality products that serve the needs of the customers more satisfactorily (Crane, Palazzo, Spence & Matten, 2014). For a strong win-win approach, the organization needs to establish a symbiotic relationship in which both the customers and the organization have a mutual benefit. Customers are likely to remain loyal to organizations that satisfy their needs and protect quality. As such, the reason why Bayer Pharmaceutical Company has remained profitable is because they have provided quality products to win the loyalty of their customers. Bayer Pharmaceutical Company has used environmental friendly methods to attract customers to their business organization. A strong Corporate social responsibility strategies ensures that the organizational operation zero negative effects of the other stakeholders including the customers, the government and the environment. Since Bayer Pharmaceutical Company is a chemical based company, it releases a number of harmful chemicals that may have negative effects on the environment. However, the company has put enough efforts to ensure that the organization reduces its disposal of harmful chemicals in the environment. For instance, the

Discussion Board 8-3 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion Board 8-3 - Assignment Example They include but not limited to Person centered therapy, solution focused therapy, family system therapy, Reality therapy, narrative and feminist. These approaches to psychotherapies used in client treatment in the 21st century have been motivated by similar therapeutic goals, which revolve around symptom reduction, crisis stabilization, stabilization, and self-exploration. There is great benefit in learning more than one approach to psychotherapy. This is because the 21st century to has brought into play some new rather specific changes that continue to affect clients in different ways. We all reside in the same world but each individual seems to make different sense of what he/she see and experience (Murdock, 2013). With practitioners equipped with various counseling techniques and skills learned from different approaches to psychotherapy and counseling, they are often well placed to construct meaning from the lives of their clients more effectively during sessions unlike in cases where the therapist specializes in only one approach to therapy. In other words learning different approaches to psychotherapy and counseling boost the therapist understand different factors that affect clients lives ranging from clients interior psychological processes, behavioral and biological factors, societal and professional influences as well as cultural and communit y factors. All these challenges and views of the client’s life cannot be learned and understood using a single approach to counseling and psychotherapy, which only utilizes specify techniques, which may overlook certain needs of the