Report on FBI essays

Report on FBI essays 1. Define what do I need to find out? a Briefly list the matters to include in the report. Use this list to identify the information to find out or collect. b Conduct some initial research to establish if you can find sufficient data to support a report on your topic. (Note: If there are insufficient resources you might find it necessary to choose a different topic.) 2. Locate where can I find the information I need? Select the resources most relevant to your topic. Class time will be made available for on-line research. In your report you must refer to at least two journal based resources and not rely on web sites alone. 3. Select which information do I need to use, and how do I record it? a Research the issue you have chosen using library resources, computer magazines, journals, or web sites. The information you collect must be factual, and based on reputable and reliable sources. b Make notes of relevant information found and carefully record bibliographical information. For web sites this will include the access date in addition to the URL. 4. Organise how can I best use this information? a Read through your notes and select the parts of the research to use in your report. b Divide the information into logical sections. Choose headings and list the main points to be presented in each section. 5. Present how will I communicate this information? a Prepare a draft of the main sections of your report and your commentary. This is to be submitted to your teacher for advice, directions and suggestions at this stage. b Develop your draft into a report with the following sections: Title page report title, your name, who the report is for, due date Table of contents section headings and page numbers Summary (50 words ) brief outline of what the report covers ...

Compare two science fiction films which use different themes essays

Compare two science fiction films which use different themes essays A genre normally has a set list of possible themes in there narratives. Science fiction has a few strong themes running throughout the history of this recently popular genre; science fiction wasnt popularized until the 1950s. Most science fiction tales have a prophetic nature and are often set in a future time. They are usually visualized through fanciful settings and advanced technology gadgets, scientific developments or by amazing special effects. A strong theme is science fiction films express societys anxiety about technology and how to forecast and control the impact of technological and environmental changes on society. We use technology everyday of our lives, but most of us do not actually understand how the machine works. And most films show this ignorance and the repercussions of underestimating technological advances. There will be encounters with aliens, creatures or beings, of which a battle will occur, good vs. evil scenario. Although the aliens are not always bad for example, E.T the extra terrestrial. Alien Invader films in the Cold War Era (1950s) portrayed the human race as victimized and at the mercy The film Independence Day contains many strong themes, it contains the aliens. Also the aliens invade our planet, which makes the audience feel the theme of the fear of the unknown. But this theme is treated in a very Alfred Hitchcock attitude, to build up the suspense in the first sequence. The audience is shown the great mass of a spaceship heading past the moon towards the earth, before it is acknowledged by any of the characters. The spaceship is just very metallic and cold, not much is shown at this point, but this adds to the suspense more, for what people dont know scares them the most. Although the film has a serious tone at first, with very dominant military and political characters and situations, there are many humorous moments. For example the song The end...

Hiphop -- My Music and Identity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Hiphop -- My Music and Identity - Essay Example This similarly applies for the other compositions which the artist has been able to deliver with more accountability for the youth than for the money-oriented industry. On the other hand, I believe that the late Tupac Shakur ought to be equivalently credited a lifelong endeavour of appreciation for meaningful pieces as â€Å"Lord Knows†, â€Å"When Thugz Cry†, and â€Å"Until the End of Time†. I can very well identify with these songs to the extent that, sometimes, I wish I were such man for being capable of making the audience understand and value the spirit of the civil rights movement which Tupac appears to communicate with his creative sound of rage in response to the evils of color discrimination. With the chorus portion playing â€Å"Oh why, children send your child off to die / In the streets of chalk where they lie / Let no wrongs cry out when thugs cry / Dear God ..†, Tupac exhibits serious concern for the future particularly of the black youth wh ose lame poverty and lack of education serve as grounds to take drugs, steal, and commit other horrible crimes. It could take a while to embrace the whole lyrics but what honestly sticks to mind is the powerful instrumentation and rap approach that settles the haunting theme in place. Like the stuffs demonstrated by Kells to amaze the public at depth, those of Tupac are themselves alive to present a great cause as they aim to preserve a ‘thug’ culture of fighting for liberty yet with the desire to act and achieve ends in the absence of violence and mischief. Despite certain differences in the hiphop styles of Machine Gun Kelly and Tupac Shakur, I am disposed to establish my music and identity on both as sharp influences who possess the...To me, it occurs that the subject of the song is most effectively conveyed via hiphop as it reminds me of the essence of classic poetry revolutionized by the age of Harlem Renaissance. Hiphop is a genre that takes me to the rhythm of my heart as it allows me to observe its journey down the time when artists like Tupac Shakur and Machine Gun Kelly matter in a society that has since time of racial and class division yearned for social justice and equality. Through the piece â€Å"Invincible†, for instance, Machine Gun Kelly raps the lines â€Å"As my world turns, the heart beats / Not only in my chest, but the heart in the streets / So when they feel this, they feel me / But I can’t feel nothin’, outside these Dre Beats† in an angst-filled tone. In that manner, rapper Kells wears hiphop so as to express a battle raw deep within which seeks release and resolution. Despite certain differences in the hiphop styles of Machine Gun Kelly and Tupac Shakur, I am disposed to establish my music and identity on both as sharp influences who possess the capacity to illumine the significance of immaterial verses. Their way with melodies and content, I suppose, is something that authentic musicians do i n the process of engineering and performing quality hiphop music.

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, a Shared Faith Assignment

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, a Shared Faith - Assignment Example If not for lesser details of greater complications, these religions would be precisely the same. What a unified body of worshippers that would make! But there are discrepancies even among fellow believers. This paper is not about these discrepancies, but about the relative philosophies among believers of these three separate yet united religions. Judaism, Christianity and Islam have been intertwined throughout history by the certain commonality they share in theology, all three are monotheistic (believing in one God) and conceive God to be the Creator and also the source of moral law. The same figures, histories and places are prevalent in each, although they are frequently presented with different roles, perspectives and meanings. 54% of the world’s population consider themselves of the Abrahamic religion. These religions share the collective belief that Adam was the first man created and ancestor of all human beings, Abraham is a prophet and the Torah (which is comprised of the first five books of the old-testament) as being a revelation of God. The holy scripture Jews read is called the Tanach, which is the Torah. Christians study The Holy Bible, both the old and new testaments. And the Muslims follow the Quar’an. All three of these works cover the first 5 old testaments, and the lessons of such prophets as Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Noah, and the list goes on. The fact these religions are monotheistic is the most significant unity between them. In Judaism and Islam, the monotheism of God is absolute including of God’s essence. In Christianity there is a doctrine titled Trinity which says that God exists as 3 persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit united in one being. Christians believe Jesus is God, Jews and Muslims deny this stating that God is too powerful to be reduced to a man that has such needs as eating and sleeping, and who could be beaten, and experience death as Jesus did. They attest that no savior is needed or available as an in termediary for us. Islam regards Jesus not as God, but only a human being that became a magnificent messenger of God, and was God’s word brought to Earth. Jews not only deny Jesus as God but as a prophet as well believing the true messiah the word promises has not come yet, but will arrive at a future place in time. Just as Jews refuse Jesus, so too do many Jews and Christians refuse Muhammad, a prophet singular to Islam religion, visited by the angel Gabriel who brought the final message of God to Earth. Christians share with Muslims the belief in the second coming of Jesus, yet they are split in this joint notion as Christians believe this will be the time of rapture and the final judgment day and Muslims believe Jesus coming will be only to kill the false messiah and restore God’s people once again leading them through this treacherous time. Jesus will rule and then die forty years after leaving behind him a world cleaned and restored to true religion, the religion of Islam. Aside from monotheism, some other mutual views of God these religions hold are that God will reward the good and punish the wicked, God knows the thoughts and deeds of men, the dead will be resurrected, and a personal relationship with God is within everyone’s grasp. We can return to God always through repentance, perfection is not expected of His creation. Following God’s commandments in this physical world connects us to God spiritually and our mission on Earth is to proclaim the glory of God and His existence everywhere. All three religions maintain that life is a test and we will all be judged by God after death since He

Human DNA and Sexual Differentiation Essay Example for Free

Human DNA and Sexual Differentiation Essay There has with respect to understanding human evolution, thus far, hardly been any greater an academic marriage than that which has occurred between physical anthropology and genetics. For anthropologists the union has been particularly beneficial as DNA has been incorporated into the quest to understand human evolution. Some scholars have referred to this as the culmination of the evolution of the once distinct fields represented symbolically by Darwin’s theories on evolution and Mendel’s speculation regarding genes; one scholar has opined that Darwin and Mendel are the core, the essentials of understanding. These basics work together.  The gene pool the hereditary property of a population of animals maintains the variation of the population or species, and mutation tends to increase that variation. Darwins selection cuts back the less favorable variation, in that way sculpting the inheritance of the species. (Howells 8) Fossils and genes, taken together, illuminate in ways that one without the other simply cannot. This refers to the discovery of positive knowledge as well as the discovery of long-established fallacies in the field of physical anthropology (Marks 131). This essay will focus on a few types of positive knowledge regarding the evolution of human DNA. More specifically, this essay will discuss how DNA variation can be used to explain some of the evolutionary physical features for sexual differences in humans as they pertain to language, sexuality, and visual spatial skills. As a preliminary matter, it is important to acknowledge that human sex differences were not always as pronounced as they are today. There were genetic variations that occurred over a long period of time and these genetic differences are evident in the fossils used by physical anthropologists to piece together how and why DNA has evolved as it has over the course of time. Scholars seem to agree that the evolution of human DNA is unique in certain respects; for purposes of this essay, it is significant to note that, regarding sexual differences in species, It is apparent that these same cross-species sex differences have become more pronounced in humans (Joseph 35). The evolution of human DNA with respect to sexual differences is greater than has been found in studies of other species. It has been demonstrated that DNA evolution led to Homo erectus females experiencing a vaginal reorientation at the same time that males experienced a change in pelvic structure (Joseph 35). The consequences were tremendous as this likely resulted in the development of long-term relationships between males and females; this is because, rather than being dependent on estrus in order to get pregnant, females were now physically and genetically configured to be sexually receptive continuously rather than sporadically. These long-term relationships also seem to have coincided with males and females establishing more permanent or semi-permanent homes. It can be argued, to some degree at least, that this genetic variation led to an embryonic notion of marriage and home. These human sex differences were further accelerated with the genetic evolution of the brain; indeed, as the brain became larger, this required a larger birth canal and an increase in the sexual physical differentiation in the size and width of the H. erectus (Joseph 35). DNA varied to accommodate these changes and they are manifest even today in the way that women walk as well as in the more fragile nature of their pelvic bones when compared to their male counterparts. As the female was evolving there were practical consequences; for instance, The transformation of the human female hips and pelvis, however, also limited her ability to run and maneuver in space, at least, compared to most males (Joseph 35). These DNA variations thus functioned to separate males and females and to lay the physical groundwork for other changes. This evolution in human DNA, in turn, led to a division of labor predicated on these newly exaggerated differences between the sexes. Generally speaking, women became gatherers and men became hunters. Each of these roles demanded different types of skills and the human animal adapted through the mechanism of its DNA. The female role demanded careful language skills rather than violence whereas the male role demanded aggression and physical strength. In explaining how the male DNA evolved to adapt to the male’s developing function, one scholar has noted that successful hunting requires prolonged silence, excellent visual-spatial and gross motor skills, and the capacity to endure long treks in the pursuit of prey. These are abilities at which males excel, including modern H. apiens (Joseph 35). In short, many of the human sexual differences noted today can be traced to the ways in which human DNA has evolved over time in order to adapt to changed environments and to changed sex roles. In the final analysis, even a cursory examination of the history of the evolution of human DNA suggests rather persuasively that there are watershed events which can aid in understanding the uni queness of sexual differentiation in humans and how sex roles evolved in response to that sexual differentiation.

The Shipping News :: essays research papers

The Shipping News â€Å"I’m tired of going somewhere. I want to be there!† These words spoken by Bunny Quoyle, riding along with her family on their way to the old homestead in Killick Claw, New Foundland seems an exclamation to a deeper desire to settle what has been an unsettled and unhappy life. The quote could also define the transition that Quolyle, Bunny’s father, experiences. Quoyle is nowhere it seems, until he finally arrives somewhere meaningful. The transformation is a lot about getting over the loss of his wife, Petal, but also much about getting over himself as a loser and getting to a place of contentedness and confidence. Quoyle’s life rides on waves – some small that are body-surfing-like, others that are huge and tumultuous that crash onshore with Tsunami-like devastation. Eventually, he manages to find a place suitable and sustaining. Quoyle began life feeling, believing that he had been born into the wrong family; that somehow he ended up with the wrong parents. He stumbled into adulthood, feeling invisible until someone noticed. His lack of esteem and confidence is evidenced by his always trying to hide his chin with his hand; the hand always goes to the chin, his monstrous chin, when he feels threatened. His love for Petal is partly based on the fact that he caught her attention – once, quite by accident – and that they had a meaningless sexual relationship that resulted in two children. He is the sort of character you feel sorry for from the start, feel badly that he’ll never become anybody, never make something of himself, yet you want to cheer for him all along the way. As we get to know Quoyle, we realize that although he has a negative self image, is always self conscious and has no confidence in his abilities, he has a huge heart and a huge capacity to love, and he especially has a huge consciousness to do what is right for his family. Quoyle is a man growing into himself. His first opportunity to grow comes by an invitation from his aunt to move to New Foundland, to settle in his family’s ancestral home and to find his roots. â€Å"You can be anything you want with a fresh start,† says his aunt in convincing him to go. And off they all go – the aunt, Quoyle, Bunny and Sunshine – and all their self-possessed demons.

PESTEL Analysis of K-Mart Essay

Understanding the general environment of a certain business requires knowledge regarding the key factors and trends in broader society. PESTEL Analysis gives a business the ability to break down the general environment into six different categories: Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal. By analyzing and studying each area, a company can create a strategy that most benefits them. Sears and K-Mart are two retail businesses that can gain from understanding the general environment through PESTEL Analysis. They could use it bad. One way to take a step forward is by creating new innovative strategies and conducting a PESTEL analysis is a good place to start. The first step of PESTEL is to try to understand the political environment. Sears and K-Mart focus on what political factors might affect the way they conduct business and create strategies based on this information. Sears and K-Mart are a part of many companies owned by Sears Holdings Corporation. Sears Holdings Corporation engages in government and political affairs that will benefit them. They openly express interest in politics on their website, stating â€Å"In some jurisdictions, Sears Holdings is engaged in the political campaign process to help elect candidates of both major political parties who support the retail industry and believe in the free enterprise system.1† Engaging in the political arena helps a business like K-Mart understand political trends. Political factors that may be lobbied on by Sears and K-Mart are ones that involve tax policies, labor laws and tariffs. Sears Holdings Company would most likely back the candidate that most benefited them. In 2008 former CEO of Sears, Alan J. Lacy, was one of many retail executives who supported John McCain for President.2 Being open about political affiliations can possibly affect customer opinions. This may not have affected the customer base of Sears, but Sears believes that the Republican Party best helps them. Economic and Social conditions are two major areas that any retail company must focus on in order to create effective strategies. These two areas have can have tremendous affects on the success of retail companies. If the Economy is down then people don’t usually like to spend a lot of money, and this takes a toll on sales of retail businesses. In 2011 Sears and K-Mart closed over 100 stores in an effort to raise cash. According to an article in the Huffington Post, the â€Å"problem is the weak economy that is hurting virtually  all retailers that cater to low- and middle-income shoppers, who are being forced to cut back on spending.3† Today, Sears and K-Mart are being affected by the changing retail landscape, where shoppers are going online for convenience and finding better prices. In order to be successful Sears Holdings must try to get on top of this changing landscape before it passes them by. Social factors go hand in hand with economic factors. If the economy is doing well that does not immediately translate into a major boost in sales. Social factors, like perception, play a gigantic role in the success of today’s businesses because of the affects of social media and the internet. Social perception is an area Sears and K-Mart have been lacking in. Preschool teacher Sara Kriz expresses a view that captures the perception of K-Mart beautifully by saying, â€Å"It seems easier to go to Target and Wal-Mart to get the same thing at the same price,† adding â€Å"the stores are cleaner, and they’re better stocked.4† If Sears and K-Mart want to become more profitable and generate more sales then they must direct their attention to trying to change this negative view associated with their stores. Social media and internet give customers a platform to share their opinions and experiences with the whole world. If most experiences are negative, then the general consensus will be to shop at other places. Technology like the internet has brought about a lot of change and it is another area of the external environment that businesses must try to understand in order to gain a competitive edge. Technology is everywhere we look and its getting better and better. Technology has affected the way Sears and K-Mart strategized in the past. In an attempt to bridge digital and in-store shopping, Sears and K-Mart rolled out iPads and iPod touch devices to almost 450 stores around the country in October 2011.5 Kimberly Freely, spokeswoman for Sears, Chicago, explained the move: â€Å"We wanted to enhance the relationship between customers and associates and improve the overall shopping experience,† adding that, â€Å"it is part of our strategy to become more of an integrated retailer a nd combining the digital and retail formats within the company.† This goes to show the impact that technology is having on the retail market. Today Sears and K-Mart are still striving to incorporate advanced technology in order to improve. Environmental and Legal factors are the last two pieces of PESTEL analysis. Sears and Kmart have aligned their environmental goals with that of the general public.  Sears and Kmart realize promoting a clean environment can benefit both themselves and society as a whole. Many of the appliances Sears sells tout the label of being energy efficient. This reflects Sears and Kmarts efforts to educate customers about a variety of environmental issues, including carbon and energy management, waste reduction and recycling, and water and transportation management. On Sears Holdings Company’s webpage you can learn about all the steps it is taking to promote a clean and sustainable environment. By continuing to engage in this type of activity, Sears and Kmart demonstrate responsibility and a genuine care for protecting the environment. This can go a long way in terms of changing social perception of Sears and Kmart. The Legal aspect of the external environment plays an everyday role in the way Sears and Kmart do business. Sears and Kmart must follow strict legal guidelines covering accounting and reporting practices, antitrust laws, and bribery and corruption among others. Failing to stay within the boundaries of the law can be detrimental to any business. Sears addresses its willingness to comply with laws in the Corporate Governance section of its main website. It states that â€Å"Sears Holdings Corporation values honesty, integrity, and adherence to the highest ethical standards. As part of this commitment, SHC has instituted a series of policies and procedures to reaffirm its dedication to the highest ethical standards.6† Keeping a keen eye on the legal aspect of the external environment will allow Sears and Kmart to focus on its corporate strategy without unnecessary distractions. Understanding the general environment of a certain business requires knowledge regarding the key factors and trends in broader society. It is essential for a business to know the aspects of the external environment so that it can create and enforce an effective strategy. Performing a PESTEL Analysis is the first step in understanding the external environment. Sears and Kmart can greatly benefit from knowing what external factors impact business operations. SWOT Analysis is the next step in collecting information to help understand what capabilities Sears and Kmart should focus on. Works Cited 1 â€Å"Government Affairs.† Sears Holdings. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. . 2 Farfan, Barbara. â€Å"Democratic and Republican Parties Both Get Strong Support from Retailers.† About.com Retail Industry. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. . 3 Berman, Jillian. â€Å"Sears Kmart Stores Closing: At Least 100 Stores To Shut Down Retailer Says.† The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 27 Dec. 2011. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. 4 Berman, Jillian. â€Å"Sears Kmart Stores Closing: At Least 100 Stores To Shut Down Retailer Says.† The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 27 Dec. 2011. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. 5 Tode, Chantal. â€Å"Sears Puts IPads in Shopper Hands to Enhance In-store Shopping.Napean LLC, 17 Oct. 2011. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. 6 â€Å"Corporate Governance.† Sears Holdings Code of Conduct. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. .

Develop Tourism in Sri Lanka Essay

Introduction In countries like Maldives, Malaysia, Singapore and Spain, tourism and related recreation activities play a significant role in the generation of income / foreign exchange and provision of employment opportunities. In fact, in the global context this industry is identified as the single largest economic contributor. Moreover, tourism plays a crucial role in the attainment of macroeconomic stability. Besides, the political stability of a country has a major impact on its tourism industry. According to the preceding view, this essay aims at evaluating empirically the significance of tourism in Sri Lanka after ending civil war. The relationship will be analyzed based on a time series approach. The study will end eavour to estimate the relationship between economic performance and tourism revenue, subject to main macroeconomic variables and political stability of the country. With respect to policy implications, the study recommends that The role of tourism could be highly emphasized in the sustainable economic development with a stable political environment. Sri Lanka entered the international tourism market in the 1960s. Since then, this industry has been growing steadily as a promising sector for the economic development, subject to periodical setbacks especially the civil war prevailed in Sri Lanka, world terrorist attacks and natural disasters. For example, international tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka increased from 18,969 in 1966 to 438,475 in 2008 consequently the receipts from tourism (Sri Lanka Tourist Board 2008). In particular, the contribution of Travel & Tourism to Gross Domestic Product was 7.5% (LKR407.5bn or US$3,388.1mn) in 2009 in Sri Lankan economy. The contribution of the Travel & Tourism economy to  employment wasb503,000 jobs in 2009, 6.2% of total employment or 1 in every 16.2 jobs it also is expected to grow up to 579,000 jobs, 6.7% of total employment or 1 in every 14.8 jobs by 2020. Similarly, the contribution for real GDP growth for Travel & Tourism sector was 5.9% and the travel & Tourism investment was at LKR131.9bn, US$1,096.8mn or 10.1% of total investment in 2009. Out o f 186 registered countries of WTTC the Sri Lankan Travel & Tourism economy is ranked number 87 in absolute size worldwide and 110 in relative contribution to national economies. Tourism remains the fastest growing service industry in the economies of most of developing countries; hence more research has gone into the operations of the sector in order to examine its economic significance and potential. (Amstrong, 1974) It is known that the industry provides an important impetus to growth in other sectors such as agriculture, transportation, retailing and manufacturing and is therefore seen as a key component of economic development. It plays a major role for the generation of foreign exchange which directly facilitates the improvement of foreign reserves of said economies. (Stynes, Daniel J 1999) Similarly, the sector has shown greater improvements in employment generation (direct and indirect), revenue accruing to tourist sites, and increase in number of hotels and similar establishments and other tourism supply establishments. Main Body Given its natural advantages, the tourism sector is viewed as one of the most important engines of growth and development in the Sri Lankan economy and as such, is a key focus in the Government’s industrial strategy. Tourism main supporting sectors account for more than 8.0 per cent of GDP. In relation to employment, agriculture transport, storage & communication, construction, and distribution are the primary beneficiaries from a dollar spent within the tourism industry. Further, these sectors account for over 7.0 per cent of the employed labor force. However, the descriptive analysis points to the continued low and declining impact of the industry on the overall economy in particular in the context of other countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Kenya. However the investment share for tourism sector being high the unstable political situation could be the closest reason for this less performance in the case of comparison. With the end of war, the expected boom in the industry over the years to come will have a noticeable impact. The second empirical modal shows a strong relationship between the political stability and macroeconomic performance in particular with reference to the tourism sector. It is highly recommended to maintain a stable political situation of the country in order for industries like tourism to flourish. The paper has, in the main, addressed two of the important elements of an economic significance of the tourism industry. Further work to be undertaken includes the computation and comparison of cyclical movements of tourism sector performance in response to the global economic and political changes. Percentage of Capital investment in travel and tourism sector in Sri Lanka, South Asia and in the World 2009 In comparison to the 7.7 of South Asia and 9.4 in the world the capital investment percentage of Sri Lankan economy for travel and tourism sector is 10.6. This also highlights the significance of this sector in Sri Lankan economy. Source; World travel and tourism Council Economic impact report – 2009 Percentage of direct industry GDP in travel and tourism sector in Sri Lanka, South Asia and in the World 2009 In 2009 the direct contribution to the GDP from travel and tourism sector is 2.7 in Sri Lanka. The World situation is 3.2 for the same and South Asian Region’s contribution to its GDP from the said sector is 2.2. Source; World travel and tourism Council Economic impact report – 2009 Percentage of Travel & Tourism Employment in total Employment -2009, selected Economies The above figure compares the contribution of employment generation from travel and Tourism sector and Sri Lanka is in the 9th place just 0.1 above India. India being a giant in its resources for tourism product this is the significant place irrespective of Sri Lanka’s internal issues. However Seychelles, Maldives and Maturities are islands who offer similar product. Source; World travel and tourism Council Economic impact report – 2009 Percentage of Travel & Tourism sector contribution to the total GDP-2009, selected Economies The following graph highlights the contribution to the total GDP from Travel and Tourism sector. Sri Lanka enjoys here too a better place in comparison to India which illustrates the significance of this sector in Sri Lankan economy. Here too Seychelles, Maldives and Maturities are islands are out of the general comparison since their product is totally different from the rest of the countries. Source; World travel and tourism Council Economic impact report – 2009 When we move to the second objective of this research we have to check whether there is a war influence on Sri Lankan tourism industry or not. After running an OLS regression The following results have been obtained. As we know receipts from tourism depend on many factors, but in this study factors such as exchange rate, word GDP has been considered. To measure the civil war influence in tourism sector, dummy variable has been included. According to the results changes in exchange rate causes to change in receipts from tourism averagely by 395.78 million while world GDP causes to approximately 930 million. However coefficient of exchange rate is  significant at 1 % level by showing the importance of exchange rate behavior in the tourism industry in Sri Lanka. As the theory implies increase in exchange rate motivate the tourist’s arrivals, because then they are able to exchange more rupees for ICBI 2010 their dollars. World GDP also a better proxy for world living condition and it is positively related with the Sri Lankan tourism industry. When we are evaluating the war influence, the coefficient of dummy variable should be taken in to account. According to this coefficient the average receipts from tourism in non war period is higher than averagely by 3919.75 million compared to the war period. This implies that there is a significant war influence on the Sri Lanka tourism industry. In fact tourist’s arrivals have been limited during the war period, because several international media have also warned Sri Lanka as an unsafe place to visit. Especially, after terrorist attacks on Katunayake International Airport and Central Bank of Sri Lanka, tourism arrivals have dropped down dramatically. The model which has been used to evaluate the above situation is statistically significant at 1 % level and according to the value of R2, explanatory variables jointly explained approximately 93 % of total variation of receipts from tourism. According to both descriptive and econometric approaches of analysis in this study, the significance of tourism sector in Sri Lankan economy has implied to be a major portion for key macroeconomic measurements. Similarly the adverse effects of war on tourism sector have showed a massive loss for Sri Lankan economy over the last decades. The policies of the government in promoting tourism can be summarized as comprising seven main points. * The Government, recognising the significant contribution that tourism makes to social and economic * development of Sri Lanka, has accorded high priority for tourism in its overall programme of national development. * Apart from the obvious economic advantages of tourism, the Government also recognizes the socio-cultural and political benefits that can accrue. * The Ten-year Tourism Master Plan (1992-2001), prepared by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) with funding assistance from UNDP, will serve as the blue-print for tourism development up to the end of this century, with appropriate modifications to suit changing circumstances. The Government also recognises  the importance of promoting domestic tourism, not only as a means to enhance the quality of life of the people, but also as a vital necessity for national integration of people living in isolation due to geographic and ethnic barriers. However, the Government is conscious and mindful of the potential adverse effects that uncontrolled and unplanned tourism development can have on Sri Lankan society and the physical environment. Accordingly, the corner-stone of the Tourism Development Policy will be planned, coordinated and sustainable development. The pace of tourism development over the five-year period 1995-1999 will be moderate, neither too high nor too low, as recommended in the Tourism Master Plan, by taking into consideration the socio-cultural and environmental absorptive capacity. This will help to optimize the economic benefits of tourism, while at the same time minimizing potential adverse impacts on Sri Lankan society and the environment. P olicy of mobilizing the private sector to invest in tourism projects and operate tourism enterprises will be pursued with greater vigor in line with the free-market economic policies of the Government. The Government will follow the main recommendations of the Ten-year Tourism Development Plan for development of tourism, with modifications as deemed necessary. The Plan has set definite targets for development. * to increase tourist arrivals from the 1992 level of 394,000 to 874,000 by the year 2001, with an average annual growth rate of 9 per cent; * to increase foreign exchange earnings from the 1992 level of US$ 201 million to US$ 706 million by 2001, an average annual growth rate of 15 per cent; * to increase hotel accommodation capacity from the 1992 level of 10,200 rooms to 17,600 rooms by 2001, an average annual growth rate of 6 per cent; and 95 * to increase total employment, both direct and indirect, from the 1992 level of 69,000 jobs to 137,000 by2001, an average annual growth rate of 8 per cent. The Government believes that the targets are realistic and attainable and is working towards their attainment. However, with the improvement in the security situation with the restoration of peace and stability, a boom in tourism is expected and hence a re-adjustment of the targets will be required. The tourism product program is designed to encourage the private sector by providing fiscal and other incentives to undertake activities such as refurbish existing hotels, start new hotel development projects and establish tourist restaurants and develop tourist  recreational facilities. The new hotel projects already approved has resulted inexceeding the room requirement for the year 2001. The objectives of tourism marketing and promotional activities are: * To consolidate market growth in the priority * Tourist-generating markets of Europe and Asia by servicing the travel trade and by further raising consumer awareness and * To create consumer awareness and the desire to travel to Sri Lanka in the secondary and opportunity tourist markets. The selected priority markets for promotional activities have been identified as: * The primary markets of Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Japan and India; * The secondary markets of Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Republic of Korea, China and South Africa; and * The opportunity markets of Spain, Eastern Europe, the United States of America, Canada and Australia. Each of these markets will have different degrees of emphasis in terms of required marketing activities, Depending on the degree to which Sri Lanka is already an established destination. There is a need for awareness of Sri Lanka to be raised particularly at the consumer level and point-of-sales. The Board is represented through its offices in Frankfurt, Paris, London, Japan, Thailand and India. It is proposed to appoint Marketing Services Agents in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, the United States and South Africa. There are a number of promotional activities being carried out by Sri Lanka. Servicing of tourist information is a continuing activity which includes distribution of literature to the travel trade and to the consumers and servicing telephone and mail inquiries on a continuing basis. The Board participates in a number of major tourism fairs held annually, along with Air Lanka (the National Carrier) and the Sri Lanka Travel Trade. This is considered an effective means to promote the travel trade as well as to attract consumers. Among the major trade fairs where Sri Lanka participates are: ITB -Berlin, WTM -London, BIT -Milan, BTF -Brussels, TRAVEL -Singapore, JATA -Japan, FITUR -Madrid, HOLIDAY TRAVEL SHOW -Sydney, GIFT -Guangzhou, TOP RESA -Dauvilli, SMTV -Paris, LTE -Hong Kong, SATTE -New Delhi, KOFFA- Seoul and VAKANTIE -Utrecht. Regular presentations on Sri Lanka are made to major tour operators and travel agents in the form of seminars and workshops to educate  and inform them a bout tourism in Sri Lanka and to induce them to sell Sri Lanka by offering tour programs. With the help of the national carrier (Air Lanka) and other airlines, educational and familiarization tours to Sri Lanka are organized as a continuing activity to enable trade and media personnel to obtain first-hand knowledge and experience of Sri Lanka’s tourism product. These programs are conducted for the travel trade as well as for the travel media. Travel journalists, writers, television, broadcasting and film producers will be given high priority in order to obtain maximum publicity for Sri Lanka’s tourism in the key media in major tourist generating markets. Special promotions in the form of cultural and food festivals, Sri Lanka Evenings, etc., are undertaken in the major generating markets, in association with Air Lanka and the travel trade. New trends in tourism marketing policies and strategies in Sri Lanka On the basis of research undertaken by the Ceylon Tourist Board and the World Tourism Organization (WTO), it has been revealed that there is a tremendous potential in developing tourist markets in the Asian region. This has resulted in a change of the tourism marketing policy to consider Asia as a major generating market for Sri Lanka, in addition to Europe. To pursue the change in marketing policy, the Ceylon Tourist Board has developed an Asian Marketing Strategy for Sri Lanka with the assistance of WTO and UNDP. Several markets in the Asian region have been identified with three priority groupings. The first priority is Japan and India. Between them, it is estimated that by 2004 they will be producing over half of all the Asian visitors to Sri Lanka. The second priority is the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan province of China and Thailand. Travel from these markets to Sri Lanka can grow strongly but on a lower scale. The third priority is China and Hong Kong. The ma rketing programme of the Asian Marketing Strategy has been divided into two phases. Phase 1 is the period until the end of hostilities in Sri Lanka. It is assumed that this will be in December 1997. Phase 2 is a peacetime marketing program that will be introduced by a marketing campaign. It has been shown that the prevailing situation of tourism in Sri Lanka is partly due to the security situation and partly due to misconceptions and disinformation about the image of Sri  Lanka. The negative image of Sri Lanka is due to the wide publicity given by the international media about the civil disturbances and acts of violence. In order to counter the misconception, the Sri Lanka Government will launch an Image Restoration Campaign on a sustained basis for a minimum period of two years by means of a public relations and communication campaign supplemented, where necessary, with limited advertising in the key international markets, by using the services of a professional public relations firm with an international network. The current trend in international travel is for tourists to be attracted not so much to a destination, but to spe cific tourist products. The Ceylon Tourist Board has identified this significant development and is planning to develop specific tourist products to which international travelers could be attracted. Conclusion Given its natural advantages, the tourism sector is viewed as one of the most important engines of growth and development in the Sri Lankan economy and as such, is a key focus in the Government’s industrial strategy. Tourism main supporting sectors account for more than 8.0 per cent of GDP. In relation to employment, agriculture transport, storage & communication, construction, and distribution are the primary beneficiaries from a dollar spent within the tourism industry. Further, these sectors account for over 7.0 per cent of the employed labor force. However, the descriptive analysis points to the continued low and declining impact of the industry on the overall economy in particular in the context of other countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Kenya. However the investment shares for tourism sector being high the unstable political situation could be the closest reason for this less performance in the case of comparison. With the end of war, the expected boom in the industry over the years to come will have a noticeable impact. The second empirical modal shows a strong relationship between the political stability and macroeconomic performance in particular with reference to the tourism sector. It is highly recommended to maintain a stable political situation of the country in order for industries like tourism to flourish. This essay has, in the main, addressed two of the important elements of an economic significance of the tourism industry. Further work to be undertaken includes the computation and comparison of  cyclical movements of tourism sector performance in response to the global economic and political changes.

IKEA assignment Essays

IKEA assignment Essays IKEA assignment Essay IKEA assignment Essay Essay Topic: IKEA In this writing we will try to analyse IKEA, the furniture retailer in relation to the assortment of its products and the position it holds in the market. Another question we would analyse is what causes the consumer to decide on where to buy their products enabling the companys position in the market To complete this report we would use a SWOT analysis and a map positioning IKEA along with its competitors with reference to the variety of designs and the value for money. Mintel will be used to obtain statistical information and further research will be carried out from journal, books and news paper articles to support the evidence. As a result of the research we would also develop a list of factors that effect IKEA completing it with a summery. Facts and figures Ingvar Kamprad the founder of IKEA was 24 when he started selling furniture in 1943 opened his first store in his home town Sweden in 1958. As to date IKEA has 180 outlets operating in 22 countries to which 60% of the products are developed in Sweden and consists of approximately 10,000 home ware products in various assortments as listed below. * Bathroom, Beds, Mattresses, chairs and Childrens IKEA * Bookcases, storage systems, Kitchen Cook wares * Floors, Rugs, Lighting, Mirrors * Sofas, Sofa beds and Armchairs * Tables, Textiles, Wardrobes cloths storage * Workspace Furniture accessories During the year 2004 over 365 million customers have visited IKEA stores. The company purchases products from approximately 1,500 suppliers in 55 countries with 27 distributions centres in 16 countries. IKEA is 40% dependent in sourcing from other countries and also transporting from swedwood (own industrial groups)1 to other outlets, therefore it is important for these transport to supply their end of the purchasing to the customers. However the approach IKEA follows is mainly based on being environmentally friendly and they expect their suppliers wherever they are in the world to follow their code of conduct the Ikea Way (IWAY) which is explained in further details in Appendix A Ikea requires the routes from the suppliers to customers to be direct, cost effective environmentally friendly as possible which is also why flat packs are important to them and the customers Ikeas ethos is to provide affordable furnishing for working families, the flat pack nature of the products developed specifically in that format to enable prices to be kept low2. 12 months prior to February 2003 the mintel report has stated that Argos was the favourite source of decorated house ware products but less in functional house ware at 18% whereas IKEA attracted 12% of consumers holding its position in the 2nd place. However it would be necessary to mention that Argos also attracts shoppers interest in other products such as clothing, electrical and entertainment. Below is a table with further details from Mintel. On the other hand as seen on the table below in 2004 the retailer used for purchasing furniture is IKEA with 16% followed by Argos with 10% and department stores being 3rd with 5%. Source Mintel report3 Although IKEA may have counteracted with difficult situations in the past such as the the deadly poisoned bookshelves4 where formaldehyde was found after a tests were conducted by an investigative team from Germany. They have taken immediate action with stopping production world wide showing how the values of the customers were important to them. There may also be difficulties for the shoppers with no transports, with IKEA stores located in retails parks out of the city; however they do ensure transport via train and buses along with the offer to deliver. Position mapping After completing a research travelling the stores, browsing the catalogue and websites, it has helped to analysing the variety of products IKEA produces in comparison to its revelries. This has enabled us to compare prices and position them on the map as seen below. The map is designed to show where the companies stand in relation with its competitors with one line marked as the design/style of assortment the company has and the second line is to measure the value/pricing with both indicating the low and high levels. With approximately 10,000 assortments of furniture the consumer would know that there are varieties to choose from at reasonable prices with quality. This also helps the positioning of IKEA to be the 1st in the market place. `The UK is Ikeas third biggest market, generating 12% of group sales, or pounds 800m last year. Germany is biggest, with 21% of sales. In addition, Brent Park is the busiest Ikea store in the world.5 We can see that IKEA has the highest assortment of all 5 companies with 10,000 products at reasonable pricing. Whereas Habitat was placed on the map for the lowest design yet high with pricing. On the other hand although Argos was the cheapest company the assortment was also much less than IKEA with 3,500 furniture products. John Lewis was positioned on the map to be the third least expensive with the third in line for the variety of assortments in its product range, whereas MFI was placed to be 4th in line of varieties but 3rd with higher prices compared with IKEA. This is a tool used to measure the strength, weakness, threats and opportunity of a company in the market upon competitors as shown in Appendix B One of the major strengths of IKEA is that it a wide variety of products therefore giving them a competitive edge in comparison to their competitors. IKEA strengths come from storing their products under one roof and producing catalogues in various languages and delivers to homes. Last year, a total of 145 million copies were printed in 48 editions and 25 languages 6 The idea was to produce and sell simple, practical items of furniture that were easy to install The flat pack packaging is another one of IKEA strength with easy to install instruction. Another weakness of IKEA is the number of outlets with in UK and in order to strengthen that weakness it would be advisable to open further outlets which would be to their advantage. Although MFI has more outlets, unfortunately most of their furnitures are made as units which are one off to order that requires few weeks of delivery time where the likes of MFI or Courts may make money selling to the customer on a one-off basis7. An opportunity for IKEA is that it does not do e commerce as it is missing out on a great opportunity with large market segmentation, which is one of Argos strengths On the companys website it states that trade through the Internet is small but growing. However, in the UK IKEA does not offer home shopping either through its websites or the catalogue. Customers must make a trip to one of the stores to actually make a purchase8 One other weakness of IKEA is as stated by Mail on Sunday is the queuing system It is reckoned that customers often spend an hour queuing to pay at the checkouts of a busy store. And that helps explain why it wants to build 20 more9. Factors effecting IKEA There are a few factors which affect Ikea in a positive and negative perspective such as the change in fashion If you bought a new coat or boots this winter, the chances are it was not because your old ones had worn out but because you wanted the latest style, label or colour.10 Below listed are few other factors that effect IKEA and the consumer before buying the product. * Change in fashion and taste * Busy life schedule * E commerce * Retailing mistakes/Delivery issues * Marital status Factors in selecting a retailer * Flexibility Buying furniture is an emotional process. Customers require time, flexibility and support from their retail outlets when making such important decisions. We have to respect their needs11. * Quality and Price We are the ones who make the selection of the products by the quality, variety, and also by the price. It doesnt work if we pay a high price12 * Assortment of Product range * Location/ packaging * Media Pressure * Fashion change * Customer loyalty and perception.

6 To-Do List Styles to Get Your Life in Order

6 To-Do List Styles to Get Your Life in Order Do you find the idea of making a to-do list strangely daunting? If you’re one of those people who don’t naturally tend to the to-do list, you might need a little help or inspiration to get you started. Here are some of the best templates, options, and styles for you to try.The Old School ListGo the simple route and simply handwrite your list. If you get a random thought and aren’t near your computer, just jot it down! You can always add it to a more high-tech list later on. You might find this method less distracting when you’re in a working groove. If you have a hard time conceptualizing how to organize your list, there are tons of printable templates in .doc or PDF. Just print ‘em out and fill ‘em in!Bullet JournalingEverybody’s talking about Bullet journaling. Read up on this new technique, described as â€Å"a customizable and forgiving organization system†- an all-in-one â€Å"to-do list, sketchbook, notebook, and diary.â₠¬  It helps you keep your lists manageable in size and keep items from overwhelming you while making sure more of them actually get done. So go to the website and see whether or not the Kool-Aid is right for you!Breaking It DownSet yourself one big goal for the day, then break it into actionable chunks. The smaller tasks will feel more manageable than the larger goal, and you’ll find you chip away at them quickly. Once you build momentum, you’ll be surprised at how fast you knock out your ultimate goal and consider that day a success.Use Your CloudUse the cloud calendar function already on your laptop or your phone. They’ll merge effortlessly together so you can update from either device and have your to-do list with you at all times. And it can help you visualize how much time you have for each segment of your day. Try out the Google â€Å"Goals† feature along with this method for your long-term wish list of goals.Prioritize Your TasksCheck out Wunderli st, Todosit, or iDoneThis, or the thousands of apps like them, to sort your to-dos by priority level. You’ll also earn reward â€Å"points† for every task completed, which is just fun enough to make you feel really good about yourself. If you want a version with fewer bells and whistles, try Template.net which sorts your tasks into columns like â€Å"to do, to get, to call,† etc. Or TidyForms, which lets you schedule out two full days instead of one.Do It For CupcakesNo, honestly, that’s the name of the template. Design Eat Repeat created an adorable weekly organizing template called DO IT FOR THE CUPCAKES that lets you identify six goals per day. If you finish all your tasks in that week, you get cupcakes! Well, you’re strongly encouraged to get them.

Grants Narrative Statement of Need - Fleishhacker Foundation Education Assignment

Grants Narrative Statement of Need - Fleishhacker Foundation Education Program - Assignment Example This essay declares that Boys and Girls Club believe that all children in San Francisco deserve high quality education, which will enable them became responsible citizens of San Francisco in particular, and the Unites States of America in general, in future. Boys and Girls Club prides itself in striving to provide safe environment which is necessary for academic excellence of students; with a special focus on children from low income households in San Francisco. Ensuring that all children from low income households; graduate from high schools and join university and colleges is one of our main desires. This paper makes a conclusion that improving education infrastructure in public schools will enable children from low income households complete education processes successfully. San Francisco Unified School District is one of the largest school districts found in California. The average graduation rate is 66%. An ethnic breakdown of this data reveals a worrying trend in the education sector; African Americans graduation rate is 49%, Latino 48%, Asian 76%, and white 64%. Less than 50% of African and Latino Americans graduated from the high schools in San Francisco. Majority of African Americans and Latino Americans come from low income households; and this explains the high rates of high school drop outs. Low income children cannot afford to study in schools which have all the required academic infrastructures; due to the high fees charged. This calls for a project like ours that will make good education infrastructure accessible to many children as possible.

Ipad Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ipad - Essay Example Let us first look at the features of the iPad. â€Å"There’s more to it. And even less of it.† this is the new tagline of the Apple store for the newly released iPad. The newly released iPad has two cameras for FaceTime and HD video recording. There is a dual core A5 chip, which I don’t even know what it means. It sounds so technical that I can feel that my nose is starting to bleed. I’m just kidding. The battery life of the iPad is 10 hours. That sounds amazing right? All in thinner, lighter design, the new iPad is even more amazing and even less like anything else. Once you pick-up IPad, it would be hard to put down. The iPad and the latest iPad 2, is 33 percent thinner and up to 15 percent lighter so it feels even more comfortable in your hands. There’s incredible technology under your fingers that makes surfing the web, checking the email, watching movies and reading books so natural. iPad has dual-core A5 chip. This technical term makes my head hurt. Kidding aside, the two powerful cores in one A5 chip mean iPad can do twice the work at once. You’ll know these changes when you surf the web, watch the movies, make FaceTime video calls and play games. Aren’t you excited to try the Facetime video calls? This will very useful to those who have their boyfriends or girlfriends. But it will be very scary to use this with our parents, right? I bet we’ll get the same lecture in life like we used to have when we are having dinner with our moms or dads perhaps. The two cameras on iPad, one on front and one on the back, may look tiny but they’re a big deal. The so-called Facetime video calling uses the two cameras so you can talk to your favourite people and see them smile and laugh back at you. For those game enthusiasts, we’ll this is good gadget for you. The graphic performance is nine times better which makes the gameplay on iPad even smoother and more realistic. The iPad also has the world†™s most advanced mobile operating system. iOS 4 lets you browse, read and see everything just by touching the screen. iPad also stays connected though wifi and 3G. Everything is at our fingertips. The multi-touch capability let us use our fingers to do everything. I hope you are all still ok listening to me. Am I boring you? Well, you have no choice, or else you’ll get detention. I’m just kidding. I don’t want to state all the features of the iPad because I believe my nose will bleed due to the technicalities. iPad may have a lot of features that can make us drool to buy one. But what is more important is to know what it can give us or its importance, right? Many new gadgets don't live up to the hype, but the iPad is one gadget that is as good as it looks. You could say that it’s somewhere in between a laptop computer and an iPhone, but really it’s more than that. If you're planning to get an iPad, then the first step should be to find out a bit more about what it can do. First, iPad is the best way to experience the web. iPad is used mainly to surf the internet. It is really convenient to surf the internet anywhere and anytime you want. Second, iPad is ideal for checking e-mail and sending short emails, especially when you’re on the go. iPad has a split-screen view and expansive onscreen keyboard where you can see and touch your email in ways you never could before. Third, iPad can be the world’s biggest cookbook. It is easier to cook having the recipe with you in the kitchen. There are great recipe websites