Techniques for Conducting Company Analysis and Stock Valuation Assignment - 2

Techniques for Conducting Company Analysis and Stock Valuation - Assignment Example Using comparables entails the use of an organization’s earnings in the process of valuing and organizations stock as well as analysis. Earnings also referred to as the net income or net profit, are the remaining amount after a firm settles all of its outstanding bills. In stock valuation and company analysis, there are earnings per share (EPS) which entails the measurement of earnings in coming up with an apples-to-apples comparison. To find the value of earnings per share, the expert analyzing the company divides the divides the dollar amount of the reported earnings of a corporation the currently outstanding number of shares in the enterprise.  Free cash flow techniques are the most common measurement used by experts, among other investment bankers, for valuing stock as well as analyzing public and private companies. This is in contrary to the fact that the majority of individual investors lack the knowledge of cash flow. Cash flow is simply the amount of money flowing thr ough a company during the business trading period or the company’s activities, usually a quarterly or a year, after doing away with fixed expenses. At times cash flows are referred to as earnings realized before interest, taxation, decreasing and accounting of an account as well as depreciation.  Options-based techniques entail the analysis of the company as well as the valuation of its stock as an alternative approach since it takes full consideration of the risks associated with a venture. While considering these risks, they recognize the ability of firms to postpone a venture until a later time or rather engage in a partial investment.

Of Mice and Men Essay Example for Free

Of Mice and Men Essay Two Itinerant migrant workers, George Milton and Lennie Smalls, are best friends, they have a unique relationship, almost one of father and son opposed to two adults, George looks after and cares for Lennie due to his limited metal abilities, which is often getting them into trouble, hence the reason they were chased out of town from their previous employment, They find work in a ranch in Northern California where they hope to save enough money to settle down and own a piece of land to attain the ‘American Dream’, which suggests that America is the land of prosperity and opportunity but as easy as dreams are made these dreams can also be easily shattered. At the ranch the atmosphere appears to be dangerous, when they are confronted with the bosses’ son Curley whom takes an instant disliking to Lennie, as he feels inferior to larger men, Curley’s Wife also opposes a problem, as she is very flirtatious. As they begin to settle in the ranch, their dream begin to take shape, when two other ranch hands are enticed and would like to be a part of it, the pair are overwhelmed that their dream is slowly turning into a reality. But the story turns when Lennie is left alone, and his love to stroke things ends up with him killing Curley’s Wife, the story then takes an emotional twist, when George is then faced with the dilemma to take his friends life, to save him from the lynch mob sent by Curley. Setting In the opening of the book during the first two pages it describes the tranquil peaceful surrounding of Northern California, â€Å"hillside bank runs deep and green† (pg18) this portrays the beautiful surrounding which is the disturbed by the arrival of two characters. The writer, John Steinbeck shows this by â€Å"rabbits hurried noiselessly for cover† (pg19) suggests the arrival of these two characters has disturbed the tranquil setting; this gives the reader the message that these characters bring trouble. At the end of the book, when both characters George and Lennie are sitting by the river bank, Steinbeck gives the reader the sense of panic by the quotations he uses, as Curley’s mob draw nearer, the writer first describes the atmosphere as â€Å"Shadow in the valley, blue and soft†(pg 144), this suggests that there is a calm before the storm. As more time passes the atmosphere around these two characters gets intense, â€Å"evening breeze blew over the clearing†, (pg 145), the atmosphere is changing around them, Steinbeck is creating a build up, causing a suspense that something is going to happen. When George shoots Lennie the atmosphere then is described as â€Å"the brush seemed filled with cries†, (pg 148) which symbolizes the loss of George, As this is such a great loss for him, losing his best friend, shows the love of their friendship was so strong that George could not let Lennie, die at the hands of Curley’s mob, You get the feel of their friendship, when both men are having a conversation about the dream, before Lennie is shot, â€Å"For the rabbit George†,(pg146), this suggests that George put Lennie is a false sense of security, so that he was in a happy place before he died, this shows how strong their friendship is. Characters George and Lennie George and Lennie are the two main characters, George is described as a small intelligent but uneducated man, George is ambitious who has big dreams in life. Lennie is a large man of statue with great strength and a big heart but his limited mental abilities, means he relies on George for his survival, he is a calm character and like a child he likes to hear stories from George, he doesn’t understand the consequences of his strength, resulting with him often getting the pair in serious trouble. George and Lennie have a unique relationship, you get a contrast of the love hate relationship between the two, There are quotes in the book where George suggests that he could get along better without Lennie, â€Å"I could get along easy and so nice if I didn’t have you on my tail†(pg24), this suggests that George feels that Lennie holds him back in life, but then in another quote when George is speaking to another character, he becomes defensive this shows that he cares about what people think of Lennie †what’s funny about it† and â€Å"He ain’t no cuckoo†(pg67) , this shows the contrast that on the one hand George believes Lennie slows him down in life, but then he feels that he has to care and protect Lennie. Narrative There is the use of slang and non Standard English throughout the book, the dialect used, is that of the slang used by an Itinerant workers at that time, this is effective because it helps to add to the realism of the story and creates a strong impact upon the readers. In book the narrative changes from third person to first person requently this is effective because you get both views and makes the story seem more believable and for the reader to sympathize with the characters. The use of figurative language in ‘Of Mice and Men’ creates the atmosphere of reality. In the beginning of the book the Narrative is in third person style, Lennie is described as â€Å"Sloping shoulders†(pg19) And George is described as â€Å"Strong features†,(pg19) this is effective because, it makes the reader visualize what these characters look like, instead of having a bias view from a first person account. The first person accounts are effective because, In a first person account you can believe the passion of that person for example† He’s dumb as hell†, (pg 65) this is more genuine as it makes the reader believe what the characters views are.

I Wish to Pursue Structural Engineering :: Graduate Admissions Essays

I Wish to Pursue Structural Engineering A simple bridge truss was the first structure I ever analyzed. The simple combination of beams that could hold cars, trains, and trucks over long spans of water fascinated me. Having the tools to analyze the loads on the truss further increased my interest in structures. I encountered the bridge in a textbook for my first engineering class. Knowing that the professor, Mr. Paul Davids, was a tough teacher, I asked him for the textbook so I could study and get ready for the class over the summer. Just arrived from Belize, I was determined to succeed. In class we learned about forces on simple members and then we put the members together to form a simple truss. At this point I had almost decided that structural engineering was the career for me. From there the class just took off: We went on to frames, distributed loads, considered friction; basically we were incorporating real world considerations into structural members. I loved the practical, problem solving aspects of the field. At UC my classes were even more advanced. In my analysis and design classes, I especially enjoyed studying steel design because we not only learned the use of the load resistance factor design but also applied that knowledge -- I designed a four-story building. The professor was a practicing engineer, and he always related the subject to real life steel structures he had engineered, for example, the SB Medical Centre, an all steel building with a base isolated campus. This is the kind of project on which I would like to work, designing the structure and considering how the building will respond to ground motion. After two quarters of structural analysis, I had come as close as possible to analyzing real world structures. Looking back I realize, I had learned great tools for structural analysis, but my "tool box" was still inadequate. I lacked a very important tool: finite element analysis. According to my professor, finite element analysis has revolutionized structural an alysis. Although I liked my classes, my internship experiences really confirmed my interest in structural engineering. While working at Caltrans as a student volunteer, I reviewed computer grading output for streets under construction.

Asses sociological explanations for ethnic differences in educational achievement Essay

Asses sociological explanations for ethnic differences in educational achievement. 20 marks. Ethnicity refers to shared cultural practices, perspectives, and distinctions that set apart one group of people from another. That is, ethnicity is a shared cultural heritage. The most common characteristics distinguishing various ethnic groups are ancestry, a sense of history, language and religion. Modern Britain is said to be a multicultural society made up of many different ethnic groups. Achievement within education is very varied across cultures, with some such as Chinese and Indian students performing above the average, and African-Caribbean and Pakistani students performing well below average. There are many factors which can reduce a child from an ethnic backgrounds attainment. For instance, Material deprivation. Material deprivation focuses on income inequality and the material problems that are associated with it. An example of such a study is J. W. B Douglas, ‘The Home and The School’ (1964). He argued that an interlocking network of inequalities existed which operated against many working class students. This included, differential effects of regional and variations in educational provision and expenditure. Also, housing and environmental factors. Which led to chances of access to ‘good’ primary schools. Therefore, hindering the chance of access to top streams. As a result, minority ethnic children are more likely to live in low-income households. This means they face the problems that Douglas highlighted, the material factors, such as poor quality housing, no working space and even possibly bad influence of peers. One other reason for differences in educational achievement between ethnicities is the basic family life. African-Caribbean communities have a high level of lone parenthood. Actually, it is estimated 50% of African-Caribbean households have a lone-parent . This can mean that many face financial problems, this can lead to lower achievement in school (Douglas’ material factors). Conversely, single mothers can be a positive role model or influence for many young girls, meaning they perform better in education. Another explanation for ethnic differences is Language. For many children of an ethnic minority English is not their primary language. This can be a disadvantage because they may not understand exams as well as others. Also they might struggle to express themselves with limited English. Finally, some teachers may mistake poor English for a lack of intelligence, when actually this could be completely untrue, meaning that a clever child may be let down by the teacher who might not push the student to their full potential. However, you could argue that Chinese and Indian students first language isn’t English, on the other hand in these two cultures it is the norm to learn English as a strong second language. Therefore, they are not hindered by the second language barrier, as opposed to Bangladeshi’s for example. Language was such a big issue that Bernstein (1973) categorised students into two groups. Elaborated and restricted. In the case of an elaborated code, the speaker will select from a relatively extensive range of alternatives. However in the case of a restricted code the number of these alternatives is often severely limited. Bernstein’s work was not always praised. For instance, Labov (1974) argued that young blacks in the United States, although using language which certainly seems an example of the restricted code, nevertheless display a clear ability to argue logically. Their lack of knowledge concerning the subject may reach further than just the exams they have to take. For instance, due to the large amount of failing black Caribbean’s and Bangladeshi’s (a combined total of 41% managed to get 5 A* – C grades), teachers may be subconsciously prejudiced against ethnic minorities. This can lower the students attainments in many ways, one is that the teachers give the student lower grades. Another way is that the teacher negatively labels a student of ethnic minority which can lead to self-fulfilling prophecy. Racism can also lead to conflict between students and teachers, making learning a much harder task. Lastly, racism can lead to low-self esteem among ethnic minorities. A researcher who studies this was Howard Becker (1971). Becker Interviewed 60 Chicago high school teachers. He found that they judged pupils according to how closely they fitted image of â€Å"ideal pupil†. Their conduct & appearance influenced judgement. Middle class was closest to ideal, working class furthest away & labelled as badly behaved. As a result you can see, if teachers labelled students on how they look, you can imagine how they would label a whole ethnic race. Another factor for ethnic differences in educational achievement is the ethnocentric curriculum. There are several reasons why ethnic minorities may struggle due to this curriculum. One is that the subjects often focus on British culture; naturally White British students will have grown up with this culture, so they might have a greater understanding of the content than students who grew up in a different culture. Another reason is that the content of the curriculum could lower ethnic minorities self-esteem, this is because often the white character is seen as â€Å"good† and superior whilst the ethnic minorities are seen as â€Å"not as academic†. However, it is crucial not to forget that every ethnic minority underachieves at this level. In fact, in the UK, Chinese and Indian pupils score better grades than the â€Å"White† ethnic race. One of the main reasons for this is the support of the parents. Research has shown that some parents of ethnic minority, such as Chinese and Indian, take more interest in their child’s education, they also encourage their child more than other in other cultures. This obviously leads to higher achievement for the child. Not only the parents play a part. Some teachers may stereotype some ethnic minorities to be intelligent and hard-working. This encouragement and sort of support can aid a student in raising their grades. To conclude, there are many sociological explanations for the ethnic differences in educational achievement, from language barriers to family life at home. However, it is important to remember not all ethnic minorities to underachieve. Rafi Kentafi – Lindill 12P.

Health Promotion: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Levels

Health promotion is composed of three levels. Primary is the initial level of health promotion and prevention of diseases. The next level is secondary which involves early detection of a disease and prompt intervention to prevent the progression of the disease. Tertiary, the final level, is when a disease is permanent and the goal is to return the individual to the best possible level of functioning (Edelman & Mandle, 2010). According to American Diabetes Association website, the 2011 diabetes statistics in America is 25. 8 million of the population has diabetes. This paper focuses on the health promotion in primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of patients diagnosed with diabetes. Health promotion can affect many factors of a patient’s life from progression of a disease to loss of school or work days therefore loss of education and income to increase in healthcare. O’Donnell (2009) defines health promotion as: â€Å"the art and science of helping people discover the synergies between their core passions and optimal health, enhancing their motivation to strive for optimal health, and supporting them in changing their lifestyle to move toward a state of optimal health. Optimal health is a dynamic balance of physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health. Lifestyle change can be facilitated through a combination of learning experiences that enhance awareness, increase motivation, and build skills and, most important, through the creation of opportunities that open access to environments that make positive health practices the easiest choice. † Patient’s active participation is a main part of health promotion. Patients have to take an active role because education provided to patients is to empower them to make better decisions in their healthcare. Primary interventions include making changes to the individual’s diets, activity levels, motivation, and knowledge. These interventions were utilized in a study to decrease the development of diabetes. The participants were selected by having diabetic risk factors including hypertension, obesity, increased blood sugar, hypercholesterolemia, or family history of diabetes (Penfold, 2013). Diet and nutrition advice was given to individuals. They were educated and demonstration provided on how to make healthy changes in their meals that was within a limited budget. Exercise sessions were also used as a preventative measure in which the individuals were encouraged to participate in cardio activities. The program encouraged the individuals to continue with the exercising by offering free classes. The participants of the study had a positive outlook as they progressed with the new healthy changes. Follow up will be a main factor in this fairly new study to determine if primary intervention was successful. Once an individual is diagnosed with an illness, intervening without hesitation is the key to the secondary level of health promotion. The cause of gestational diabetes is not completely known. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy in women who did not previously have diabetes, but certain risk factors such as obesity can increase a women’s chance of developing it (Webb, 2013). Secondary preventions include prevention of further complication and treatment of a disease to decrease complications (Edelman & Mandle, 2010). The women should be educated on how to take blood glucose, targeted blood sugar levels and to contact providers with abnormal readings. Treatment of the gestational diabetes is also aimed at patients modifying their lifestyles with diet and exercise. If blood sugars remain uncontrolled Webb reports according to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2008) recommends metformin for treatment of gestational diabetes in spite of successful evidence. Patients that are not compliant are at risk of progression of diabetes. Primary and secondary prevention continue into tertiary level of health promotion. â€Å"Tertiary prevention focuses on rehabilitation to help people attain and retain optimal level of functioning regardless of their disabling condition (Edelman & Mandle, 2010). A patient can suffer from many complications of diabetes such as eye complications, foot complications, hypertension, kidney disease, neuropathy and depression. Patients are encouraged to have a satisfying lifestyles and function with their diseases. In an article about health and lifestyles of diabetic adolescents â€Å"Diabetic adolescents had healthier eating habits and more positive attitude towards their satisfaction with life, but their health perception is less positive than that of other adolescents (Serrabulho, Matos & Raposo, 2012). In the study diabetic adolescents had similarities of inactive activities and social support to adolescents without diabetes. The care of diabetic patient from a health promotion point view involves diet, exercise, medication, and knowledge. Involvement of experts in the fields and communities can assist the patient in awareness of diseases. When nurses and patients are educated on primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of prevention care, they develop a mutual respect and responsibility in assisting patients to have successful healthy lifestyles.

The Attraction of Skinheads essays

The Attraction of Skinheads essays In American History X the skinheads gather around an older man Cameron Alexander, a white power writer and recruiter of youthful neo-Nazis. His rhetoric of race reduces all the social problems in America to one thing-minorities. The trouble is, complex social problems never have one single underylying cause to be addressed, but the skinheads lack education and dont understand that minorities are being used as scapegoats. Cameron exploits kids who dont know what to do with themselves or their lives, who dont know what to think, or how to think. They fall for his story-like most of the German people fell for Adolph Hitlers in the 1930s. Hitler made the Jews a scapegoat, while the Skinheads blame anybody who isnt white and protestant. Of course, there is more to it. The film shows the Skinheads acting like terrorists; that is, they are disempowered people, young adults who think they are fighting for a cause and doing something good for themselves and society. They are full of rage about their lives, and minorities make a handy target against which to channel their rage. Also, a neo-Nazi gang is like any gang-the gang supplies a place to belong and fit in, a place to be part of some bigger purpose. Gangs are a response to social conditions, and gang members are not necessarily evil but they are impressionable. In the movie, almost all of them were adolescent males. I think they are looking for role models-someone to show them how to be real men. Unfortunately, Cameron is personable, well-spoken, and fatherly. He sets the wrong example for them, but the skinheads see him as someone to be like, someone who can show them what it means to be a man. When marginalized people feel powerless to address the inequities of society, they form gangs. They hope to achieve power in numbers. They are often hated by society, but experience love and loyalty in the gang&a...

College Admission Essay Sample

College Admission Essay Sample College Admission Essay Example: Various aspects are tasked with motivating an individual in the process of attaining the most important goals in life. A simple shift in perception is likely to complicate or simplify the journey and thus individuals must reconsider their decisions. My life probably follows the same direction given certain circumstances that characterize my life in the past, present, and the probable future. Apart from values like determination, resilience, and focus, my life is entirely centered on the end product that is usually manifested in terms of success. It comes from a great deal of survival tactics that eventually serve to satisfy an appetite. Operating within such precincts is therefore an issue of significant importance in my life and acts as the basis of judgment and expectation. In other words, everything I have ever achieved is generally embodied in procedural attributes that habitually conjured up some form of experience. Previous encounters in my life probably place my merit in certain sections of the society depending on the authenticity and evident quality. Throughout my life I have always received considerable favor and acknowledgment from friends, teachers, parents, and other members of the society. It included leadership positions and being trusted with accountability in any given setting that I did feature. The aspect of favor, or generally featuring as the chosen one, has mostly been enhanced by the fact that I have intermingled with people from various societal, cultural, and racial backgrounds. However, that is not enough in building a character that is compatible with any atmosphere, since education plays a major role altogether. I give credit to education for shaping the route towards most of my achievements due to factors that are definitely evident. At this point, I certainly realize that in order to gain experience in whatever field one desires, the learning process must be taken into a ccount. Basically every activity that is met with the eye and subsequently habituated by the mind can be referred to as a learning process. In the process of exhibiting my inner abilities and passion, I managed to gain favor from my father when he entrusted me with taking care of his business. I have worked in my father’s store for as long as I can remember, and this certainly serves as the best indicator of the kind of person I am going to be in the future. I believe that all I need is additional education that will further improve on my abilities. Over the years I have realized that nothing works better than a learning process that is enhanced by practicality in any given field. Being able to manage my father’s store amidst considerable applause probably puts me in the best position to anticipate for any crucial goal I intend to achieve. Working at my father’s store therefore represents the best thing that ever happened to my personality in terms of creating essential habits that would easily put me in the desired position. Education and experience therefore serve as my partners in this journey and should not be disregarded whatsoever. Having originated from Asia, I believe that my prior encounters and experiences would definitely strengthen my struggle. Additionally, I would also be placed in the best position to help the institution, the immediate community and probably the two countries involved in my upkeep. The possibility of interacting with students from all walks of life will also be instrumental in sharpening my abilities as a result of what I would learn from them. Due to all the above named aspects, qualities, and values, I can easily visualize a destiny that is full of satisfaction and success. A chance to study at your institution will definitely boost my chances of succeeding in my future endeavors. This is due to the diversity that is evident at your institution and the experience that I carry with myself. I would be pleased to materialize my dreams at your institution.

Tips for Writing an Introduction - Proofeds Writing Tips

Tips for Writing an Introduction - Proofeds Writing Tips Tips for Writing an Introduction Whether you’re writing a short paper or an 80,000 word dissertation, your opening chapter should be clear, well-structured and informative. This is because the introduction is the first thing your reader will see in your paper. It therefore serves as an entrance point to your work, laying out a map for what follows. It is also where you can make a good first impression by demonstrating your communication and analytical skills. A good paper therefore needs a good introduction. And to make sure your essays start as well as possible, it is worth considering three things in particular: content, structure and style. Introduction Content There are certain things that every introduction should include, so consider whether your introduction does the following: Define Your Terms Often the most important thing you can do is outline your subject area and define how you are using key terms; try to use a definition from an expert rather than a dictionary definition. Briefly Explain the Background of Your Research Detailed information can be saved for a literature review, but it can help to identify important existing research in the field and to explain how your work will build on this. State Your Objectives and what Your Work Adds to the Debate Explain specifically what you are arguing and how this contributes to existing knowledge. Outline the Structure of your Paper Provide an overview of what each section in your paper will cover and how they relate to your overall argument. This will make your work much easier to follow. Structure It is particularly important that the introduction to your paper is easy to follow, as a disorganized opening will create a negative first impression and there is sometimes a lot of information you need to convey in a short space (ideally, no more than 10% of the paper). As such, it is vital that each paragraph in your introduction flows smoothly into the next, with clarity and concision priorities. A good introduction will often be structured like a mini-paper in itself, with a beginning, middle and end in which you introduce your topic, explain the key concepts and conclude with a hypothesis. Style As mentioned above, clarity and concision are vital when writing an introduction. But there are a few additional things to keep in mind too: Grab the Reader’s Attention A good opening paragraph can make a big difference, so try using an interesting anecdote, example or provocative question to introduce your topic. Avoid Being Too General Though â€Å"Since the beginning of time†¦Ã¢â‚¬  might sound like a good starting point, you’re usually better off being a little more specific. Make Your Work a Pleasure to Read A good introduction will make your reader want to read on, so you should aim to make your writing clear, but still try to write with confidence and flair. Another tip is to write a rough introduction to begin with then revisit it once you have finished your research, by which point you should have good idea of what your paper is about! If you need further advice on how to write and structure an introduction, the professionals at Proofed are here to help.

Swift Water Rescue Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Swift Water Rescue - Research Paper Example This paper will discuss the different skills and knowledge that one needs to acquire in order to understand the rescue process. Over the past years, deaths related with drowning in the water bodies have been on the increase. This has been attributed to lack of knowledge on how to deal with incidents occurring on the sea and fast moving waters. The incidents may occur when the victim intentionally enters an unknown body of water, when a vessel capsizes, or when someone without training attempts to save someone who is drowning. Special training is required for a person to be certified as a swift water rescuer. And the rescuer must be physically capable of engaging the rough waters in order to save another. One skilled in boat racing cannot be certified based on that capability. And another who can swim fast will not guarantee that he will qualify as a swift water first responder. A swift water rescuer, besides having sufficient training is saving people, should also know how to use rescue tools and equipment. And more than that, the rescuer must also wear personal protective gears so that he or she may not sustain bodily harm. With the rough nature of swift water, the rescuer may not be able to predict or control its movement that would push the rescuer towards huge and pointed rocks, and ultimately cause trauma to the head or other parts of the body. Swift water rescue involves the removal of a victim from a body of water. This requires a person to have the right skills and knowledge to handle the problem effectively. A rescuer should put on the right attire to protect oneself from suffocation and being hurt during the rescue process. There are devices that ensure that the rescuer is well protected and armed in the rescue process. For instance, overalls are made of high-density polypropylene webbing that makes the rescuer clean and

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 358

Assignment Example The counselor told him that if he obeyed the institutional rules he would go to school to get his GED and this would help him a lot. The kind of world the speaker has built in the text is the prison world because he describes where new cons are taken that is diagnostic center, he also explains the routine checkup that is four times a day in his prison world. The rules of this world are the prison rules like check up four times a day, their mode of dressing. Some people in this world are treated with respect others with fear example the guy who had cooked heroin was treated with respect. Those welcome are the punks as they can pay protection example we do was attacked with a toothbrush to pay for protection hence showing he was not welcome. Continuing themes are showing the author from different times of his life example his early life before he went to prison like how he used to help his grandmother with work and was happy, the new understanding being conveyed here is unity he had with his family. The exploration of these themes helps engage in complexity of humanity example ways of survival because in the passage he says you are on your own there as no one will help you not even family. According to the writer, only the heart helps them survive in prison as there is no past or future, it’s just the moment. Humanity is all about survival. Example the author’s father tries to quit drinking that shows some humanity in him and tries it for his wife, which shows survival or saving his marriage though still Cecilia the author’s mother still abandons him out of fear of his actions when he is

Research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 5

Research paper - Essay Example The banjo can have four or five strings and is made from a gourd, used as the sound box, covered with hide or plastic. The instrument developed from African instruments (banjar, bandora, banza) that were introduced by slaves (Banjo). The banjo’s predecessor was played in seventh century Africa (Mazbrow). In the seventeenth century, the instrument consisted of a long pole and attached gourd with three or four strings, made from horsehair, catgut, or hemp plant. At first it was played by West African wandering musicians, but by the eighteenth century was played by slave musicians in the West Indies. Knocking and beating was the style used. Notes began to slide and bend once tuning pegs and a flat board for fingering was added (Banjo). This â€Å"banjar† instrument was played in Maryland and Virginia from the mid-eighteenth century. It had a skin head, pegs, and a short thumb string. In Africa, the banjar was played with the talking drums but, in response to a slave uprisi ng in South Carolina, drums and horns became illegal, and the traditional way of playing was adapted to banjar solos (Banjo). The combination of banjo and fiddle, at the core of Appalachian music, was played exclusively by black musicians for about 100 years, before white musicians adopted it (Mazbrow). Just as spirituals were used to communicate escape plans, black banjo songs communicated subversive methods to survive slavery. Many of these songs used cunning animals, like foxes and snakes, to camouflage their message (Banjo). Black banjar music began to have a strong influence on the fiddle playing of Appalachian immigrants from Scotland and Ireland. Soon, white Appalachian musicians were playing the instrument in the same thumping style as the black Appalachian musicians. For some time, white banjo players depended on black banjo players, not only for rhythm and style, but even for acquiring a banjo in the first place (C. Conway 146). Mutual interest and instrument design collab oration soon modified the banjar, replacing the gourd with a wooden rim and open back. Sweeney, an Irish American added a fourth melody string, and the short drone thumb string was kept, so now the banjo had five strings (Banjo). Although African-American Appalachian musicians played the banjo throughout the nineteenth century, white Appalachian musicians dominated the emerging radio and recording technology (Banjo). The first white banjo player to achieve fame for his music, Joel Walker Sweeney, learned how to play the banjo from a neighboring plantation slave, and mid-nineteenth century white banjo players usually performed in black-face (Mazbrow). It was white performers whom people connected to hillbilly music, even though white banjo players had adopted a black musical tradition (Mazbrow). In fact, there has always been a lot of white pride in fiddle and banjo music, by those whose tradition came from Appalachian ancestors, and would never conceive of any black African American contribution to their musical heritage (Mazbrow). Appalachian fiddle and banjo music is popularly thought to be Irish and Scottish, but is syncopated and polyrhythmic, showing African history (Mazbrow). Polyrythm is alien to European music and central to African (Mazbrow). The typical way of strumming the banjo is to brush down with the backs of the fingernails while the thumb plucks the

Arbitration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Arbitration - Essay Example Arbitration is the submission of a complainant to an intended respondent for a settlement of a dispute. The result of the settlement will be final, binding and executive in nature between the two parties. Mediation is done before arbitration or litigation. Through mediation, both parties are tried to reconcile with each other. Mediation is done through communication between parties to settle the dispute on their own by coming up with a solution agreeable to both parties. (Arbitration & Mediation, 2008) Arbitration and mediation, according to Newhall (2008), is more private in nature rather than a court proceeding. The importance to the confidentiality of the issue is also addressed more positively through the said methods. Moreover, through arbitration and mediation, a dispute can be settled faster as compared to going through court litigation, in which cases are scheduled to be settled many days, even months, after. There are numerous arbitration and mediation associations in America with each providing its own set of rules or policies. One arbitration and mediation agency in the US is the United States Arbitration and Mediation (USA&M). USA&M has a general guideline that once its services are sought, both parties are required to comply with the requirements of the said agency such as submitting documents for evidence, appearance during investigation, testify on the credibility of evidence gathered, and others. However, rules and guidelines differ on a case-to-case basis. (USA&M Rules of Arbitration, 2008) Carmen worked for her mother for several years in their restaurant business, her mother as the restaurant manager. Despite being treated abusively by her mother, Carmen endured such treatment and worked faithfully for the restaurant. When both of her parents died, she thought that she will be made manager in exchange for her faithful service. However, her parents’ last will and testament gave the managerial position to

Aldi, Lidl and Netto Supermarkets Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Aldi, Lidl and Netto Supermarkets - Case Study Example The macro economic players include government's regulations, global economic trends, development of technology, and social aspects of living. Analysis of the business environment is very important before coming up with a marketing strategy. The marketing style adopted by the three supermarkets (Aldi, Lidl and Natto). The most important players to consider when designing a marketing scheme are the clients and the competitors so that the buyer behaviour can be manipulated to benefit the business by purchasing more while keeping a competitive advantage over competitors (Creevy 2008). Basically the current business environment shows that the number of buyers is reducing as the credit crisis has led to loss of jobs and the consequence of this is reduced purchases as many people cut down of some expenditure. The current estimated consumer cut down is about 57%. The prices of basic products increased considerably over the past few years according to the Mysupermarket.co.uk estimated at 11% per year. The three supermarkets are struggling very had to stay at the top of the business and also venturing into other countries like Germany where they have already won the war. The risk of recession presents an opportunity and the three supermarkets have advertised their land requirements in the media and have predicted an enormous increase (Creevy 2008). The three supermarkets should strife to maintain and increase the market share which is currently at 40% combined with over 500 stores. The marketing mix has been very unique approach as the supermarkets stock assortment of well recognised brands like Nescafe and Heinz plus other Dutch and German products. Over the next twelve to eighteen months, the Aldi, Lidl and Netto supermarkets should improve on their display of products to add glamour. The products range from alcohol brands, bakery, cereals, desserts, sweets, fruits and vegetables, pasta and dried foods, pets and health and beauty. The foods are displayed in fridges and this offers wide-ranging effects of sausage and other snacks. The aisles should be designed in attractive manner in that the discount tags are colorfully displayed with the clothing stacked in an organized manner (Leroux 2009). To diverse the product portfolio, the supermarkets should provide seasonal delicacies like barbecues. Aldi, Lidl and Netto should adopt price cuts and give offers in order to keep up with the competition from other players in the market like Tesco which is greatly competing with them. The current statistics reveals that the value line of Tesco products is lower making these gods cheaper than those offered by Aldi, Lidl and Netto (Leroux 2009). These supermarkets should now realise that customers are very informed and they a understand that discounts do not imply poor quality hence if the use of offering discounts as a marketing strategy is implemented, then the supermarkets are bound to increase their sales by a greater margin. Lidl property director has confirmed that the supermarket is ready to take an extra mile in order to keep competitors at bay and this would include stocking and dealing in any product that would make commercial sense (Duxbury 2008). For this purposes the supermarkets have placed their interests to purchase land on the media as mentioned before, this is as a result of property slump. The supermarket need to maintain good working

Engineering Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Engineering Ethics - Essay Example The chapter discusses the moral complexity in engineering, its ethics and the importance of studying it. Deborah would not agree with Plant Manager Edgar Owens that the excess should be regarded as a merely technically. Meanwhile, would examine them about their moral values. Moral values in engineering projects are not considered as external burdens, but as standards of excellence. Combining the design constraints and goals, engineering projects involves multiple moral values connected to those constraints and goals (Martin and Roland 12). For example, efficiency, safety and respect to people and environment. Technical skills are most importance in solving ethical issues and making moral decisions. Engineers consider macro and micro issues when pursuing their projects. Micro issues are the ones concerning an individual or a company while macro issues are the ones concerning the whole world. Engineering ethics is the rights and responsibilities of engineers and personal commitments and desirable ideals in engineering. Ethic is also a study of morality. After studying engineering one bec omes a profession or a professional in public good, self-regulation or advanced experts. The local parents of the children who swim in the lake would not agree that the excess is merely technicality. Instead, they would wish the lake not to be polluted. Ethical dilemmas would be created among Marvin and Plant Manager Edgar Owens whether to control the pollution or not. Moral dilemmas are comprised of moral reasoning and choices. The chapter discusses how moral choices are useful in technological development, aspects in resolving moral dilemmas and extra roles of professional codes of ethics (Martin and Roland 27). Moral values results to decision making of engineers and their managers who make purely technical and economic decisions. Economic and technical decisions have moral dimensions in four directions, which include environmental protection,

Aldi, Lidl and Netto Supermarkets Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Aldi, Lidl and Netto Supermarkets - Case Study Example The macro economic players include government's regulations, global economic trends, development of technology, and social aspects of living. Analysis of the business environment is very important before coming up with a marketing strategy. The marketing style adopted by the three supermarkets (Aldi, Lidl and Natto). The most important players to consider when designing a marketing scheme are the clients and the competitors so that the buyer behaviour can be manipulated to benefit the business by purchasing more while keeping a competitive advantage over competitors (Creevy 2008). Basically the current business environment shows that the number of buyers is reducing as the credit crisis has led to loss of jobs and the consequence of this is reduced purchases as many people cut down of some expenditure. The current estimated consumer cut down is about 57%. The prices of basic products increased considerably over the past few years according to the Mysupermarket.co.uk estimated at 11% per year. The three supermarkets are struggling very had to stay at the top of the business and also venturing into other countries like Germany where they have already won the war. The risk of recession presents an opportunity and the three supermarkets have advertised their land requirements in the media and have predicted an enormous increase (Creevy 2008). The three supermarkets should strife to maintain and increase the market share which is currently at 40% combined with over 500 stores. The marketing mix has been very unique approach as the supermarkets stock assortment of well recognised brands like Nescafe and Heinz plus other Dutch and German products. Over the next twelve to eighteen months, the Aldi, Lidl and Netto supermarkets should improve on their display of products to add glamour. The products range from alcohol brands, bakery, cereals, desserts, sweets, fruits and vegetables, pasta and dried foods, pets and health and beauty. The foods are displayed in fridges and this offers wide-ranging effects of sausage and other snacks. The aisles should be designed in attractive manner in that the discount tags are colorfully displayed with the clothing stacked in an organized manner (Leroux 2009). To diverse the product portfolio, the supermarkets should provide seasonal delicacies like barbecues. Aldi, Lidl and Netto should adopt price cuts and give offers in order to keep up with the competition from other players in the market like Tesco which is greatly competing with them. The current statistics reveals that the value line of Tesco products is lower making these gods cheaper than those offered by Aldi, Lidl and Netto (Leroux 2009). These supermarkets should now realise that customers are very informed and they a understand that discounts do not imply poor quality hence if the use of offering discounts as a marketing strategy is implemented, then the supermarkets are bound to increase their sales by a greater margin. Lidl property director has confirmed that the supermarket is ready to take an extra mile in order to keep competitors at bay and this would include stocking and dealing in any product that would make commercial sense (Duxbury 2008). For this purposes the supermarkets have placed their interests to purchase land on the media as mentioned before, this is as a result of property slump. The supermarket need to maintain good working

The Operations and Performance of the Hilton Hotel Case Study

The Operations and Performance of the Hilton Hotel - Case Study Example The purpose of the Hilton Hotel is to provide adequate accommodation facilities, quality food, and drinks along with recreational facilities to their visitors. The hotel aims to be constantly pleasurable to the visitors, invest in their workers and innovate better and newer products for their visitors. They also intend to augment their owners' value and reinforce their loyalty to their constituents. The manager considers the management of supplies to the hotels the most difficult challenge he encounters. This is because the products have to meet certain standards before the business makes their purchases. There are also many suppliers willing to provide their supplies to the hotels and this makes the approval of their tenders a tiresome activity. The products have to undergo several tests to determine their quality and safety before they are purchased. The process of getting approval for the funds to be spent is also very long. These tenders have to be approved by the management comm ittees before the funds are released. This also takes a lot of time and hampers the operations of the hotel. The Hotel’s profits have been on the rise over the years and their financial performance is relatively good. The shareholders of the hotel also receive substantial dividends on their investments. This is because the hotel accommodates many visitors throughout the year from all around the globe. The business owns over three thousand hotels in seventy-four countries that have a very good reputation for their services and products. The financial condition of the hotels enables the managers to effectively carry out the activity of running the business. He is able to pay the workers, purchase supplies on a regular basis for the hotel and renovate the premises regularly. The profitability of the organization has enabled the hotel's management to open up new branches across the globe.

Is action more important than knowledge Essay Example for Free

Is action more important than knowledge Essay Pablo Picasso once said that, Action is the foundational key to all success. In some ways I must agree with Picasso. To succeed in something of importance and value you must take action and not idle away as action speaks louder than words. Though knowledge is important because in some aspects as you cannot be illiterate about your cause if you wish to succeed. Knowledge is a key aspect of human beings. In order to advance in our society you must gain knowledge. Therefore to take action you must have a basis of information in order to be successful. You should not act in haste or proudness but rather develop your pool of information and make an informed decision to acquire your desired results, ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven. Some may say that taking action is more important than acquiring knowledge. They may say that people may spend too much precious time on gaining knowledge and miss there time of action. History does not remember those who were knowledgeable but rather those who took action in a steadfast manner. Though I must disagree. History are full of those who carelessly and in alacrity took an ill-informed decision that was destructive on humanity. For example in when Lenin, the first leader of communist Russia died, his testament was not read out in public. This testament would have kicked Stalin out of the Communist Party and therefore would have stopped the mass murder that happened due to Stalins orders under his reign. Due to the ill-thought Trotsky and other high members of the Bolsheviks, the decision was to not read out the testament in public. This enabled Stalin to take power and soon Stalin became a despotic leader of the communist parties and created a terror in Soviet Russia as well as the rest of the world. Therefore I believe knowledge is of key importance. This is due to the timeless evidence of how acquiring knowledge is more important than taking knowledge, like the testament of Lenin and this story; There once was a man named Pars. He was thought to be slow as before making every decision he would sit and ponder about the connotations and effects this decision would have on him and his fellow classmates.

Gauguin’s Hiva Oa :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Gauguin’s Hiva Oa The Tahitian island of Hiva Oa is the place where artist Paul Gauguin chose to live out the remaining years of his life. In The Moon and Sixpence, the narrator describes the place by saying, â€Å"the beauty of the island is unveiled as diminishing distance shows you in distincter shape its lovely peaks†¦for Tahiti is smiling and friendly† (Maugham 160). This is an excellent description of the island, and it is little wonder that Gauguin found solace here. Hiva Oa is on the southern coast of Tahiti and is the most fertile and well known of the Marquisas group of islands, of which there are six. Even today, Hiva Oa retains much of the physical beauty that it did during Gauguin’s stay. Many of the roads are unpaved and the largest tikis in Polynesia are found right on the island. On the cliffs overlooking the village of Atuona is Cavalry Cemetery where Gauguin is buried, along with another famous man, Belgian singer Jacques Brel, who also lived out his life in Hiva O a. In the village is a museum dedicated to the artist’s life and works. Further to the east is Puamau Village, where many of Gauguin’s descendants still live, mostly in the native lifestyle. In The Moon and Sixpence the natives are described as being promiscuous, although the definition may have a different meaning to Westerners than it does to the natives. One of the narrator’s friends describes the artist’s wife as â€Å"a good girl and she’s only seventeen. She’s never been promiscuous like some of these girls—a captain or a first mate, yes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Maugham 185). This may have been the norm at the time, and one website describes the philosophy of natives today as â€Å"parents allow young people to live an independent sexual life. Young people choose their partners themselves and they may sleep with anyone they wish to† (Petya). Such an easygoing attitude may be hard for many people to understand, but Gauguin seemingl y fit in quite well. This general good nature is further seen in a general attitude of goodwill toward all people and overall generosity. The natives, especially in Gauguin’s time, were not so much concerned with money and material wealth as in living freely. Households at the time—and this can also be seen sometimes today—consisted of a sleeping house and a cooking house, surrounded by an ua ma, or pit for storing fermented breadfruit could be found.

The Tower Of London Essay -- essays research papers

The Tower of London The Tower of London, the oldest fortified palace in Europe, was built by William the Conqueror in the late 1000's. It has served as a fortress, prison, palace, and the final resting-place of many people ("Tower of London" Encarta 1). Its history is full of amazing and horrific stories of life and death. To truly appreciate this magnificent group of structures a look must be taken into its history through it's architecture, uses, and those held in the prisons and dungeons. The Tower Of London is not actually one tower, it is a group of 13 towers located on 7.5 hectares of land known as Tower Hill ("Tower of London" Encarta 1). To the south of the tower is the Thames Rivers, which used to feed a moat that was drained in 1830. The general shape of the tower is a square with two lines of defensive walls surrounding it. The outer wall is defended by six towers on the river face, and there are two semi-circular bastions at the northeast and northwest corners (Tower of London Virtual Tour 3). The original tower, also known as the White Tower, is flanked by four turrets (Encarta 1). By looking carefully at the architecture of the tower you can see the painstaking workmanship put into every little detail. The group of thirteen towers collectively known as the Tower of London has five areas, which are especially interesting. One such tower was...

Fixed Income Securities

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FOR CHAPTER 1 (Questions are in bold print followed by answers. ) 2. What is meant by a mortgage-backed security? A mortgage-backed security is a security backed by one or more mortgage loans. Like a bond that is callable, a mortgage-backed security allows the investor to grant the borrower an option. 4. What is the cash flow of a 10-year bond that pays coupon interest semiannually, has a coupon rate of 7%, and has a par value of $100,000? The principal or par value of a bond is the amount that the issuer agrees to repay the bondholder at the maturity date.The coupon rate multiplied by the principal of the bond provides the dollar amount of the coupon (or annual amount of the interest payment). A 10-year bond with a 7% annual coupon rate and a principal of $100,000 will pay semiannual interest of (0. 07/2)($100,000) = $3,500 for 10(2) = 20 periods. Thus, the cash flow is $3,500. In addition to this periodic cash, the issuer of the bond is obligated to pay back th e principal of $100,000 at the time the last $3,500 is paid. 6. Give three reasons why the maturity of a bond is important.There are three reasons why the term to maturity of a bond is important. First, the term to maturity indicates the time period over which the holder of the bond can expect to receive the coupon payments and the number of years before the principal will be paid in full. Second, the term to maturity is important because the yield on a bond depends on it. The shape of the yield curve determines how the term to maturity affects the yield. Third, the price of a bond will fluctuate over its life as yields in the market change.The volatility of a bond’s price is dependent on its maturity. More specifically, with all other factors constant, the longer the maturity of a bond, the greater the price volatility resulting from a change in market yields. 8. Explain whether or not an investor can determine today what the cash flow of a floating-rate bond will be. Floati ng-rate bonds are issues where the coupon rate resets periodically based on a general formula equal to the reference rate plus the quoted margin. The reference rate is some index subject to change.The exact change is unknown and uncertain. Thus, an investor cannot determine today what the cash flow of a floating-rate bond will be in the future. 10. What is an inverse-floating-rate bond? While the coupon on floating-rate bonds reliant on an interest rate benchmark typically rises as the benchmark rises and falls as the benchmark falls, there are issues whose coupon interest rate moves in the opposite direction from the change in interest rates. Such issues are called inverse floaters. 12. (a) What is meant by an amortizing security?The principal repayment of a bond issue can be for either the total principal to be repaid at maturity or for the principal to be repaid over the life of the bond. In the latter case, there is a schedule of principal repayments. This schedule is called an amortization schedule. Loans that have this amortizing feature are automobile loans and home mortgage loans. There are securities that are created from loans that have an amortization schedule. These securities will then have a schedule of periodic principal repayments.Such securities are referred to as amortizing securities. (b) Why is the maturity of an amortizing security not a useful measure? For amortizing securities, investors do not talk in terms of a bond’s maturity. This is because the stated maturity of such securities only identifies when the final principal payment will be made. The repayment of the principal is being made over time. 14. What does the call feature in a bond entitle the issuer to do? The most common type of option embedded in a bond is a call feature.This provision grants the issuer the right to retire the debt, fully or partially, before the scheduled maturity date. 16. What does the put feature in a bond entitle the bondholder to do? An issue wit h a put provision included in the indenture grants the bondholder the right to sell the issue back to the issuer at par value on designated dates. The advantage to the bondholder is related to the possibility that if interest rates rise after the issue date (thereby reducing a bond’s price) the bondholder can force the issuer to redeem the bond at par value. 8. How do market participants gauge the default risk of a bond issue? It is common to define credit risk as the risk that the issuer of a bond will fail to satisfy the terms of the obligation with respect to the timely payment of interest and repayment of the amount borrowed. This form of credit risk is called default risk. Market participants gauge the default risk of an issue by looking at the default rating or credit rating assigned to a bond issue by one of the three rating companies—Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch. 0. Does an investor who purchases a zero-coupon bond face reinvestment risk? The calculation of the yield of a bond assumes that the cash flows received are reinvested. The additional income from such reinvestment, sometimes called interest-on-interest, depends on the prevailing interest-rate levels at the time of reinvestment, as well as on the reinvestment strategy. Variability in the reinvestment rate of a given strategy because of changes in market interest rates is called reinvestment risk.This risk is that the interest rate at which interim cash flows can be reinvested will fall. Reinvestment risk is greater for longer holding periods, as well as for bonds with large, early cash flows, such as high-coupon bonds. For zero-coupon bonds, interest is reinvested at the same rate as the coupon rate. This eliminates any risk associated with the possibility that coupon payments will be reinvested at a lower rate. However, if rates go up, then the zero coupon bond will fall in value because its â€Å"locked-in† rate is below the higher market rate. 22.W hat is meant by marking a position to market? Marking a position to market means that periodically the market value of a portfolio must be determined. Thus, it can refer to the practice of reporting the value of assets on a market rather than book value basis. Marking to market can also refer to settling or reconciling changes in the value of futures contracts on a daily basis. 24. What is risk risk? There have been new and innovative structures introduced into the bond market. Money managers do not always understand the risk/return characteristics of these securities.Risk risk is defined as not knowing what the risk of a security is because those involved in issuing and buying securities are not aware of what can happen. There are two ways to mitigate or eliminate risk risk. The first approach is to keep up with the literature on the state-of-the-art methodologies for analyzing securities. The second approach is to avoid securities that are not clearly understood. 26. What is a pri ce-risk-transferring innovation? A price-risk-transferring innovation is an innovation that provides market participants with more efficient means for dealing with price or exchange rate risk.

Netflix Risks Essay

Netflix was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Los Gatos, California. Netflix is a company that provides online movie rental subscription services in the United States. The company offers its subscribers access to a library of movie, television, and other filmed entertainment titles on digital versatile disc (DVD) and Blu-Rays. Its members can get DVDs delivered to their homes and can instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and PCs. It also partners with consumer electronics companies to offer a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes to members’ TVs from Netflix. Netflix entered the rental entertainment industry at a time where Blockbuster was king and renting movies required the consumers to drive to the store. However, Netflix realized that through innovation there was a much more efficient and cheaper way to provide the same service than the typical brick-and-mortar companies of the time. Customers of Blockbuster and other store rental places were attracted to the new features (monthly subscription, no late fees) provided by Netflix. Through innovation Netflix basically â€Å"changed† the way movie rentals were done and eventually became the leader of movie rental industry while Blockbuster and many other companies eventually became bankrupt. Netflix’s story of success is also one of caution as Netflix realizes that they will continue to face many risks throughout their business cycle and if they don’t anticipate and/or respond correctly, they too could face the same result as Blockbuster. As of December 31, 2009, Netflix served approximately 12 million subscribers. Currently, Netflix claims on its website to have over 20 million members, making it the leader in rental movie industry. However, Netflix faces many competitors that provide similar services: Comcast, Redbox from Coinstar and even Amazon is planning on also offering streaming services to its prime members. Therefore, if Netflix is to remain as the industry leader and continue its earnings and membership growth it will have to continue to innovate with new ideas. Generally, innovation requires a huge investment from companies in their Research and Development departments. These investments can come out from the companies own cash flow or from issuing loans. In order for a Company to decide if an investment is worth the money it uses either Net Present Value or Internal Rate of Return techniques which basically state that if the return on the investment is greater than the cost, then the company should go ahead and invest. But what is the cost of the investment? If Netflix plans to borrow money, then the cost will be the prevailing interest rate at the time of Issuance of the loan plus a spread premium for specific characteristics pertaining to Netflix. This poses a financial risk on Netflix, more specifically this is called interest rate risk. Interest rates tend to be volatile and there are many different theories (expectations theory, liquidity theory, preferred habitat theory, market segmentation theory) yet nobody really knows 100% for sure if interest rates are going to go up or down and by how much. However, based on the expectations of Netflix’s analysts they have a few choices on dealing with this risk depending on their expectations. If they expect interest rates to go up, then they should issue a long term bond or note now, because if they wait and interests rates do go up then it will be more costly for them to borrow the money they need which might end up affecting the Net Present Value of their investment project. On the other hand, if Netflix expects rates to go down then it will not be a good idea for Netflix to issue out a long term bond or note because if rates eventually do drop then Netflix be essentially borrowing at a higher rate than the prevailing market rate. So what Netflix should do instead is to issue short term debt such as commercial paper and continue to roll it over until they expect that interest rates have reached the lowest and then issue a longer term bond or note depending on their investment project. Finally, the other option for Netflix is that, if they are not sure if interest rates are going to go up or down, they can still hedge against this risk by issuing a long term callable bond so that if interest rates do drop significantly Netflix can call its debt back and reissue at the lower rate. Another way that Netflix has been and plans to continue expanding its membership is by offering its services abroad. In fact, Netflix has already entered the Canadian market and is in the process of offering its services in the United Kingdom. Obviously this is great news for Netflix shareholders however going international also brings additional risks. One of the major risks that we foresee would be exchange rate risk. For example, when Netflix starts to offer its services in the United Kingdom, it will have to decide on what it will charge its British customers a month. However, it will have to do so in pounds, which is the local currency. If for example, we assume that Netflix charges its U. S. customers 10 dollars a month for its services and that it wants to charge the same real value to its U. K. customers, if the pound/dollar exchange rate is . 5 pounds for 1 dollar then Netflix would have to charge its U. K. customers 5 pounds a month. However, interest rates are constantly changing and if Netflix doesn’t do something about this risk then its cash flow would be constantly changing. For example if the pound depreciates against the dollar to . 75 pounds for 1 dollar then the dollar value from its U. K. customers’ 5 pound subscription will now be only worth $6. 67. Netflix could deal with this cash flow loss in two ways, a good way and a bad way. The bad way would be to constantly adjust the prices up and down to its U. K. customers so that the real dollar value remains about the same, however we feel that customers wouldn’t appreciate this price volatility and Netflix would potentially lose many U. K. customers. The good way for Netflix to hedge against exchange rate risk would be to enter the futures market on currencies and lock in on a pound/dollar exchange rate that way any future volatility on the exchange rate wouldn’t affect either negatively or positively on Netflix’s international cash flows. Netflix also faces several nonfinancial risks. Netflix began its ground-breaking entry into the movie rental industry with its mail order system, but the mail order system is not the sole source of its success today. In fact, Netflix’s CEO Reed Hastings has admitted that a lot of Netflix success has been due to do their online streaming content. As an actual Netflix customer myself, I admit that I spend a lot of time streaming movies and shows online, in fact if Netflix were to only offer its mail order system, I would stop being a customer. If other Netflix customers’ value their online service as much as I do then this signifies the important value that the movie streaming services has for Netflix. But what if, something happens (virus, human error, etc†¦) and Netflix’s servers go down and they are unable to operate its streaming function for a couple of days? A couple days may seem trivial however it could potentially mean an enormous amount of lost profit due to unhappy customers. In order to avoid this type of scenario of ever happening, Netflix should think of ways to confront this operational risk. One idea would be to spend money in acquiring backup servers so that if the main servers were to go down for whatever reason, Netflix would be able to switch to their backup servers and therefore customers could continue to stream their favorite movies and shows online while Netflix worked on fixing the problem with the main servers. Even though Netflix is headquartered in Los Gatos, California, it has many â€Å"warehouses† around the United States that deliver movies to customers near their locations. Because of this, Netflix faces many different types of â€Å"pure† risks depending on the location in which their warehouse is situated. Pure risk is a type of risk that involves either a chance of loss or no loss. An example for Netflix would be an earthquake in Los Gatos California, or a tornado in its warehouse in Omaha, Nebraska. Pure risks have tremendous abilities for loss because they cause both direct and indirect losses. If for example, a tornado destroys the Netflix warehouse in Omaha, Nebraska, the direct losses would be the costs of the destroyed warehouse, but at the same time there would be indirect costs such as the costs of perhaps losing customers around the Omaha area because now their movies have to ship from a different warehouse which could potentially take many more days to arrive. Unfortunately, there are no ways to prevent catastrophes such as fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc†¦ However, these high severity, low frequency situations are part of life and therefore a part of Netflix’s business risk. The best way for Netflix to deal with these types of risks are either to self insure by saving a certain amount of money each month or they can do an insurance transfer and pay insurance premiums but not have to worry about these pure risks. As shown in the movie â€Å"Mind Over Money†, human emotions play a major role in driving the market. Netflix should pay attention to such matters as the company could be affected by the irrational decisions people make. Investors have recently been talking about Netflix prices being over priced and it depicts a bull market. Bull markets are characterized by optimism, investor confidence and expectations that strong results will continue. It’s difficult to predict consistently when the trends in the market will change. Part of the difficulty is that psychological effects and speculation may sometimes play a large role in the markets. Therefore, similar to what is shown in the movie people will make irrational behavior and it could lead to the sudden collapse in the market for Netlix. This can be a major risk to the company. Netflix started as a mail order movie rental company in 1997 and through much innovation it was able to not only establish itself in the movie rental business but actually be a leader. Throughout its path from rags to riches, Netflix faced many types of financial and nonfinancial risks and was obviously able to overcome them to reach where it is at today. However, the risks don’t stop now and Netflix is facing strong competition from other movie rental companies and in order for Netflix to stay on top it will have to continue to be innovative and also continue to properly deal with any forthcoming risks.

The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 12

Micha â€Å"Dude, where the fuck is your head today?† Ethan asks and seconds later a grease rag hits me in the face. I throw it back at him, hard. â€Å"You're starting to piss me off with this crap.† Ethan widens his eyes exaggeratedly. â€Å"Whatever man. You've been so distracted for the last two days.† He sticks his head back under the hood. â€Å"And I'm not going to say why.† â€Å"Good, because I don't want to hear it.† I round the back of my car and eye over the tools on the wall of the garage. I grab a rusty toolbox, one of the few things my dad left behind, and toss it into the garbage can. He called again this morning, begging on the answering machine for either my mom or I to pick up. Ethan raises his head up and eyes the garbage can. â€Å"Wanna explain what that was for?† â€Å"Nope.† I pick up a wrench and start working on the car. We work on it for a while, but it's hot and I'm getting more pissed off at my dad by the second. Finally, I move back and throw the wrench down onto the concrete. Ethan doesn't ask questions this time. â€Å"We should have a party tonight,† I announce, unable to hold still. â€Å"A big one, like the one we had on graduation night.† â€Å"You really want to relive that night?† Ethan backs out from under the hood. â€Å"Because I'm not sure I do.† I step outside into the sunlight, determined to get my mind off stuff. â€Å"What you can't remember doesn't hurt, right?† â€Å"I don't think you want to go there.† Ethan walks next to me and we stare down the driveway at an old guy pushing a shopping cart. â€Å"There are plenty of times in my life I wish I could remember – that I'd give anything to remember – but I can't. I lost like a year of my life. It's better to stay within the boundaries of a semi-clear head. Besides, this doesn't sound like you at all. What's up?† â€Å"Nothing's up.† I sigh, raking my fingers through my hair. â€Å"I'm just thinking out loud.† Ethan returns to the garage and starts working on the engine again. Around sophomore year, he started hanging out with these kids at school, who had really heavy views on the world and liked to sit around and get high while they talked about it. Ethan somehow ended up being friends with them, and within a month, he had dropped out of school and got into some pretty heavy shit. A year later he made the decision to get some help. He cleaned up his life, cut the habits, and worked the hell out of himself to catch up in school. He was a grade behind, but managed to graduate with our year. Looking at him, you wouldn't guess. The side door of Ella's house swings open and Lila steps out. She looks upset, although not as bad as she did last night. She glances up the driveway at the house across the street, where there's a very loud game of tackle football going on in the front yard. Her eyes roam to my house and then widen when she sees that I'm watching her. She gives a tentative wave from the top step. â€Å"Hey, Micha.† â€Å"What's up?† I say with a nod of my chin. â€Å"Is Ella up yet?† Shielding her blue eyes from the sun, she looks up at Ella's window. â€Å"Yeah, she said she'd be out in a second. She's just talking to her brother.† â€Å"He's not being a dick, is he?† â€Å"I'm not sure what constitutes as a brother being a dick, since I don't have one.† A smile cracks at her lips. I walk toward the fence, pulling up my jeans that are riding low on my hips. â€Å"There's no yelling going on?† Lila shakes her head and meets me at the fence, plucking some of her blonde hair away from her mouth. â€Å"But Ella's not much of a yeller, is she?† I rest my arms on the top of the fence. â€Å"It depends on which one we're talking about.† Her face falls. â€Å"How could I know her for eight freaking months and not know anything about her. It must say something about me, right?† I feel bad for her. â€Å"I think Ella kind of made it her mission to keep who she was hidden from you. It's not your fault.† She eyes me over with this suspicious look. â€Å"Honestly, it seems like she's that way with everyone, except for you.† â€Å"We've known each other forever,† I say. â€Å"We have a comfortable relationship.† Her blue eyes twinkle with mischievousness. â€Å"One where you feel her up in the car?† â€Å"It feels like you're trying to start some trouble,† I say, liking the girl even more. â€Å"Maybe I am.† She leans over the fence to the side of me so she can get a better view of the inside of the garage. â€Å"Is that Ethan in there?† I step back so she can get a better look. â€Å"Yep, he's working on the car.† â€Å"I think I'll go give him some help.† A grin spans across her face and she hops over the fence, squealing as her shoe gets caught in the wire. Trying not to laugh at her, I unhook her shoe and she walks into the garage, surprising Ethan. The door to Ella's house opens and my attention centers on her as she steps out into the sunlight. She's wearing a tight, black and purple plaid dress, and knee high lace-up boots, but her hair is curled up neatly. It's like a mix of her old look and her new one. Her face is guarded as she ambles across the driveway, with this strange look in her eyes, like she's terrified yet excited at the same time. â€Å"Did Lila come out here?† She bites her lip and I want to lean over and bite it for her; taste her and feel her like I did last night. Without taking my eyes off her, I nod my head at the garage. â€Å"She's in there with Ethan. I think she might have a thing for him.† â€Å"I think you're right.† She pauses. â€Å"I think I might have freaked her out a little, just barely.† â€Å"You mean you and Dean might have freaked her out a little?† â€Å"She told you I was talking to Dean?† â€Å"She mentioned it.† I extend my hand to her. â€Å"Why don't you come over and join the party on this side of the fence?† â€Å"A party of four?† she asks, trying not to grin and looking as cute as hell. I snag her by the hip, jerk her toward me playfully, and dip my lips to her ear. â€Å"It can be a party of two. Just say the word.† She shivers from the feel of my breath on her neck. â€Å"I think we better keep it a foursome.† I press my fingers into the curve of her hips. â€Å"I didn't know you liked it kinky.† She swats my shoulder and I laugh, my dad problems feeling less heavy. â€Å"Relax, I was just kidding, even though you're the one who brought it up first.† â€Å"I was joking.† â€Å"I know†¦ I think I am going to have a party tonight.† â€Å"Don't you have one of those every night?† I cock my eyebrow. â€Å"Besides the night you showed up, have you seen one going on?† She wrinkles her forehead. â€Å"No.† She sits down on the fence, swinging her legs over to my side. â€Å"Micha, what have you been doing for the last eight months?† â€Å"Pinning for you.† I avoid the truth. That I haven't been doing much of anything besides looking for her and helping my mom take care of things. She tucks her dress underneath her legs and I get a small glimpse of the black lacy panties she has on. â€Å"Where do you work?† Against her protest, I spread her legs apart and put myself between them. â€Å"I work at the shop with Ethan a lot, but it's not going to be forever. I have plans. I'm still working on getting everything lined up.† She places her hands on my chest, holding me back. â€Å"I think the lines between our friendship are getting a little blurred.† â€Å"That happened a long time ago,† I tell her, gliding my palms up the sides of her bare legs. â€Å"At least for me it did.† Her jaw tightens. â€Å"It's things like that which make them blurry and things last night†¦ and things like in the car.† â€Å"There seems to be a lot of things, which I think might be a hint that you and I belong together.† Her eyes snap wide and I back off to try another tactic. She needs to smile and let those stressed lips free. I pinch her side and she squeals. â€Å"Don't do that,† she says, holding back a laugh. â€Å"You know I hate being tickled.† I graze my fingers across her other side and she squirms, before falling over the fence and landing on her back in the grass. I leap over the fence easily as she scrambles to her feet. She narrows her eyes, backing toward her back door. I run up to the side of her and she skitters out of my reach. She glances at the door and then at the front yard, which is closer to her. â€Å"Micha, seriously,† she warns. â€Å"We're too old for this.† I spread my arms out to the side innocently. â€Å"I'm not doing anything.† Her eyes flick to her house one last time and then shaking her head, she spins around and runs for the front yard. I give her a head start before I sprint off after her. When I round the house, she's up on the front porch, jiggling the door knob. I laugh at her. â€Å"Is it locked?† She heaves a frustrated sigh and hops over the railing, slipping on the grass. â€Å"Dammit Micha! I'm so going to kick your ass for this.† â€Å"I'm planning on holding you to that threat.† I jog after her across the neighbor's yard. She races across the grass, her hair falling out of a clip. She leaps over the brick fence into the next yard and smashes a row of flowers. Without using my hands, I hop onto the fence, but trip during my dismount and fall on my knees. She freezes in the middle of the lawn and starts to laugh at me. â€Å"You so deserved that.† I get to my feet, dusting the dirt off my knees, and a dark smile rises on my face. â€Å"You think that's funny?† Her eyes sparkle and it's worth the fall. â€Å"You look ridiculous.† â€Å"Do I?† I take a step toward her. She takes a step back. â€Å"You do.† Abruptly the sprinklers turn on, drenching the grass and her. She screams and covers her head with her arms. â€Å"Serves you right for laughing at me,† I say with a grin. She lets her arms fall to the side and smirks. â€Å"Well, at least it keeps you away from me.† Her dress is clinging to her body in all the right places and pieces of her wet hair stick to the sides of her face. She begins to twirl in circles with her hands up above her head. â€Å"You're beautiful,† I say, unable to help myself. Ella Micha looks ridiculous and I can't help but laugh. I haven't laughed in so long that it feels unnatural leaving my mouth. It's like we're kids again, as if this moment belongs in another time where things are weightless and full of sunshine. As I'm laughing at him, the sprinklers turn on and my clothes instantly get soaked. At first I squeal, but then I let go, lifting my hands above my head and twirling in the water, figuring he won't come in after me. He calls out something about me being beautiful and then he charges into the sprinklers, completely blind-siding me. His arms snake around my waist and we collapse to the ground but Micha holds my weight up, so I land on the wet grass gently. â€Å"Micha,† I say, trying to be serious. â€Å"Don't do it. You know how much I hate being tickled.† â€Å"Which makes it even more appealing.† Water beads in his hair, his long eyelashes, his lips. With one hand, he pins my arms above my head and presses his body against mine. My wet clothes cling to my skin and I can feel every part of him. â€Å"I take that back. This is more appealing.† He lets his hand move up my ribs, his thumb sketching along the ridges, sending my body into a frenzy. I stop fighting him and lay perfectly still. Water sprinkles our faces as he lowers his lips to mine. Our wet tongues twine together, full of desire as they collide. A strange, unfamiliar feeling opens inside of me again and my legs fall apart and hook around his waist, requesting more of him, like they did last night. Micha draws back, looking surprised as he glances at the house to the side of us and then at the street. Then he lets out an untamed growl and deepens the kiss, thrusting his tongue deep into my mouth. I suck on his bottom lip and trace my tongue along his lip ring. It sends a quiver through his body and I'm secretly pleased, but my pleasure confuses me. â€Å"Ella,† he groans and then kisses me fiercely. His hand travels upward and cups my breasts. His thumb circles around my nipple and through the wet fabric of my clothes, the feeling is mind blowing. It's driving me wild and my knees vice-grip against his hips. A moan laced with ecstasy crumbles from my lips. I'm starting to lose control again and it's alarming. I try to get past it this time, but it consumes me and I have to stop. After a lot of effort, I get my arms between our bodies and I push him away. â€Å"We should get back.† I look at the brick home of the yard we're laying in. â€Å"Besides if Miss Fenerly comes out, she'll have a heart attack.† Micha's aqua eyes penetrate me. There's mud on his forehead and grass in the locks of his blonde hair. â€Å"If that's what you want.† Maneuvering to his feet, he takes my hand and lifts me to mine. He plucks pieces of grass out of my hair and lets his hand linger on my cheek. Holding hands, we walk across the grass and down the sidewalk, leaving a trail of water behind us and something else. Something invisible to the outside eye, but to me it's more noticeable than the sun in the sky.

Man Power Staffing Agency and Their Knowledge Sharing Practices Research Paper

Man Power Staffing Agency and Their Knowledge Sharing Practices - Research Paper Example The commitment towards producing a positive impact on the society and individuals accounts for an extension of the company’s values. The company shares its expertise and knowledge for the development of sustainable workforce practices. The company’s catering to the manpower requirements in organizations is one of the best in the industry. It has attained great efficiencies in filling business positions or even filling large workforces in the industries. This is done not only through temporary staffing, but also by permanent placements. It solves the staffing problems in organizations through its customized recruitment plans. Besides presenting its staffing solutions, Manpower also contributes tremendous efforts towards training and developmental activities. It thrives on quality and its training programs account for its main component of its knowledge sharing practices. Apart from its training and developmental activities Manpower also devises other strategic human reso urce management practices for firms. Its strategy tips are provided through strategic alliances and contacts and other industry professionals. The project seeks to make an analysis of the knowledge sharing practices that it can implement. Based on the practices, the project would highlight on how the strategies would be effective in aligning with the organizational goals and objectives. Knowledge Sharing practices in Manpower Staffing Agency Among the most prominent knowledge sharing services that the company could implement is to provide companies with innovative and creative workforce solutions that would help them increase productivity, enhance efficiencies and provide a boost to their bottom lines. It provides special advice to businesses for controlling costs and turnovers. Through the knowledge solutions that it has provided, Manpower would be able to reduce the costs associated with recruiting the wrong candidates in organizations substantially. It can provide expertise to te st the skills and abilities of candidates before they are hired. This would benefit many organizations in terms of realizing time savings, reduction of turnover costs, and improving recruiting efficiencies considerably. It can provide solutions to organizations considering their sizes and workforce capacities and workloads (Manpower-a, â€Å"Control costs†). Not only can it help to influence the present working of companies but can also recommend strategies of how they can function in future given the changing environments and conditions. The other important knowledge sharing practice used by Manpower is the provision of training and developmental activities on different tools and skills. The organization could enhance its specialization through the provision of skill specific courses. Moreover it could diversity on its present training domain to include IT, healthcare, hospitality sector etc. The business skills that it could concentrate on could be communication, project ma nagement or even sales excellence. It could cover the critical knowledge areas in the above domain. This can be done using appropriate reading material, extending learning aids for enhancing distribution of knowledge. It is

Article response paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 4

Response paper - Article Example The article also points out why LA can be regarded as a crucial phenomenon to be used while teaching some issues related to language. The article also focuses on the theoretical perspectives, which guide literacy autobiography, and how useful they can be termed to be with regard to literary autobiography. The article outlines that L1 and W1 should be included in the L2 classroom (Steinman, 2007). Personal observation After reading the article, I gained outstanding knowledge regarding literary autobiography. The article is helpful in a number of ways, and the immense information contained in the article forms the basis for a deep understanding of what languages entail. From the article, I have managed to learn that there are various theoretical frameworks that support LA. I have learnt that certain writing conventions can be regarded as significantly crucial. These writing conventions include affective, textual, cognitive, contextual, as well as political. Language also plays a crucia l role in the development of thought. LA is vital to learning for teachers, as well as multilingual students. The L1 writing skills held by writers can be regarded as crucial since writers tend to bring such skills when they take part in L2 writing. The article outlines the crucial role played by information regarding early literacy. As stated in the article, information about early literacy determines the factors that have an impact on the academic writing skills of students (Steinman, 2007). The article outlines that the classroom can be regarded as a place where trans-cultural dialogue takes place. This means that students from diverse cultural backgrounds interact and the cultural beliefs of each student have to be respected. It is worth noting that the article points out the little advocacy with regard to the inclusion of L1 in institutions of higher learning such as universities and colleges. The article also points out levels of change, which tend to be three. These levels in clude change of practice, material and beliefs. Numerous approaches prove to be helpful in the literature and research of Literacy autobiography. Some of the central approaches encompass socio-cultural theory, communities if practice, multiliteracies, as well as contrastive rhetoric. LA is instrumental in examining how writing practices, as well as writing, differ between cultures. Based on multiliteracy, meaning should be derived from all forms of language used in teaching. The article explores various ways in which students from various backgrounds tend to be welcomed in a community of practice, which consists of various languages and students from diverse backgrounds. Writing is crucial to the developing of collaborative learning, as well as value and thought (Steinman, 2007). Excerpts â€Å"I have since been taking part in studying, talking, and thinking about contrastive rhetoric, which refers to the study of writing values and writing conventions, as well as how these tend to vary in different cultures† (Steinman 2007, p.564). â€Å" I discovered the implications and significance of writing conventions such as political, affective, cognitive, contextual, and textual. Consequently, I started rethinking what I expected second language students in my class to bring out appropriately and what they could not articulate with a lot of ease† (Steinman 2007, p.564). The reason for choosing the above excerpts is because they fundamentally address the

Strategic leadership in hospital nonprofit organizations. explain Term Paper

Strategic leadership in hospital nonprofit organizations. explain problems with leadership, mission, budgetting and financial ma - Term Paper Example These include governance, volunteer programs, fundraising and granting, non-profit budgeting and accounting and public policy skills. Problems with leadership, mission, budgeting and financial management in hospital non-profit organizations Budgeting and financial management According to Goodman and Pennings (1997), non-profit organisations require highly customised forms of budgeting. The problem is that these budgeting skills are not taught in general management learning institutions. Non-profit hospitals have to fix their long list of needs within the limited pool of resources available in an attempt to achieve its objectives and meet the needs of the society. This is because the finances received by non-profit hospitals in most cases are low below what they need for effective service delivery. This attempt to satisfy everything for the sake of everyone usually results to ineffectiveness in non-profit hospitals (Bernd et al, 2004). Non-profit hospitals can operate as donor-faced, community-faced or agency-faced. Those that are donor-faced or agency-faced have to be very ken not to annoy their financiers so as to ensure their continuity. This means that the hospital organisation have a hard time in ensuring that no-patients overstay in the hospital so as to keep their financial expenses within the expected limits. Any such occurrences usually brings a lot of losses to the hospital unlike a profit making hospital in which patients pay for their medical and general expenses (Bernd et al, 2004). A budget should reflect the expected expenditure verses expected income as well as act as an executive control tool. However, in non-profit organisations, budgets are usually drawn just for formality purposes. Non-profit hospitals use non-scientific finance budgeting methods. These methods lack scientific calculation and analysis. Such methods do not take into account changes expected in the hospital environment. As a result of this, such budgets are not in a position to exert the required financial control in the hospital (Forbes, 1998). Non-profit hospitals are usually exempted from taxes. This has a disadvantage in that they are not allowed to access equity markets. This becomes a big challenge when the hospital needs capital to fund its projects because it blocks their ability to get capital from multiple channels. This means that the management has to greatly reduce expenses in other areas so as to get capital to fund the new project. Consequently, this impacts on the quality of services offered. Narrowed financial channels usually present a rick of financial crisis in non-profit hospitals. Alternatively, the hospital can opt to wait for donor funding for the project yet such funds could not be forthcoming in the near time (Bernd et al, 2004). Non-profit hospitals lack organisation and highly skilled personnel for its financial management. These cause them to lack the concepts and experiences of advanced enterprise financial control. At the sa me time, some non-profit hospitals lack clearly defined financial objectives in their management. These hospitals have to ensure that their mission to offer social benefits does not overtake the reality that a hospital is a market economy. Non-profit hospitals usually encounter a problem of investment in the course of their financial management. Many at times, there is blindness in investing the capital acquired. For example,

Promoting sustainable resources energy to produce water in Saudi Essay

Promoting sustainable resources energy to produce water in Saudi Arabia - Essay Example The environmental damage is making the process more expensive hence the need for sustainable methods of water production. The country should thus shift their operations to sustainable desalination systems that can support the ever-increasing demand for water resources. Energy demands in Saudi Arabia From all the available sources, the current capacity of producing energy in Saudi Arabia is about 50,000MW and this keeps on growing with 3,000MW annually (Oil and Gas Report, 2013). This annual growth is relatively bigger when compared to other countries in the gulf region. The government of Saudi Arabia invests about 1,125 billion dollars to cater for the energy needs between now and 2018. In the year 2009 alone, the country used about 100 million barrels of oil to produce energy and this implies that they consume one quarter of all their oil in domestic uses. The demand for electricity demand in Saudi Arabia is expected to increase by 70,000MW in the next twenty years, and at this rate only sustainable energy resources can be trusted to drive the country’s growth and demands (Saudi Arabia Country Profile, 2013). The economy of the country is highly dependent on oil exports and if the local consumption is not substituted with other sustainable energy demands, their economic growth may be adversely affected in future. Water desalination heavily relies on the use of fossil fuel energy and with this rate of increased demand; their ability to export oil and earn revenues will be greatly jeopardized. The increased rate of fossil fuel energy production is not a sign of economic development but a sign of inefficient use of energy. Water uses in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia produces 24 million cubic meters of water per day and this represents about a half of the world-desalinated water in the word. Currently the country is building the world largest solar powered desalination facility to supplement the fossil fuel desalination. The country cannot rely on its oil reser ves since they have already used about 70% of their oil natural reserves and therefore are at risk of losing their water supply. The demand of water increases by about 8% of the water reserves and this number is expected to double in the next few yeas meaning the country have to expand their water supply (Energy Industry Report, 2009). Most of the water uses in Saudi Arabia goes to domestic industrial and agricultural use in wheat production but the country is currently reducing their agricultural activities since they prefer importing to producing due to cost effectiveness. Since the country is slowly phasing out wheat production, the paradox is that most of the farmers are turning to fodder crops that require more than ten times the amount of water used to produce wheat. This means that the country will still need more water for other small-scale agricultural production (Monads & Rehman, 2013). Benefits of large-scale sustainable sources of energy in Saudi Arabia If the country fu lly implements the use of sustainable sources of energy, it will help her diversify the use of energy for security purposes. The use of sustainable sources of energy would lead to reduced emissions of greenhouse gases, effluents and other wastes that have a negative impact to the environment. The use of susta