Marcus Antonius was Not a Great Man

Marcus Antonius was Not a Great Man Marcus Antonius, born c. 83 and died in 30 BCE , was one of the better known Roman leaders, likely because of his romance with Cleopatra and Shakespeare's retelling of his tale. As the son of General Marcus Antonius and Julia, he was the second cousin of Julius Caesar and thus became a powerful man. Antony participated in many military campaigns in his lifetime, and upon Caesar's death he became one of two main contesters of the throne. His life came to an end when his rival Octavian defeated him in battle at Actium and he committed suicide with his lover Cleopatra.Marc Antony was an important man, but his relationship with Caesar was what truly led to his coming into power, and his whole life was directed by events out of his control. Marc Antony was a product of his age and family, nothing more.One of the greater factors of Antony's coming into power was his blood relations, particularly that with Caesar.Cleopatra (Elizabeth Taylor) confronts Julius Caes...

How Networking Got Me a Podcast … and Can Get You a Job

How Networking Got Me a Podcast †¦ and Can Get You a Job One of my new year’s â€Å"ressaylutions† was to investigate and choose a CRM (customer relationship management) system. This week I chose Infusionsoft; but this blog is not about CRM systems or new year’s resolutions. It’s about networking. The sales rep at Infusionsoft connected me with Wes Schaefer, a.k.a. The Sales Whisperer. The first thing Wes did after learning about my business was ask me if I would do a podcast for him on the topic of writing LinkedIn profiles. I was very happy to oblige. I felt grateful for his support and didn’t think twice before giving him a free LinkedIn profile review. Guess what? I now have a podcast that went  out to Wes’ list and aired on April 22. It turns out I’m not even going to work with him for the project I initially contacted him about! But possibilities opened up for doing some business together and for me to present webinars to his 5,500-member list. People want to connect with people, and they want to help! It’s human nature. It’s amazing what can come out of simply talking- and listening- to people, and then doing whatever you can that might be helpful for them. Here’s the thing: People want to connect with people, and they want to help! It’s human nature. If you’re a job seeker, it’s important to remember these facts about people. You might be afraid to approach someone who could help you because you don’t want to bother them, you feel needy, or some other related reason. Remember: People want to connect with people, and they want to help. That said, people also don’t want to feel used or bothered. So how do you approach the connections you have in a way that pushes their â€Å"I want to help† button? One way is to be indirect. It helped, for instance, that I did not call Wes looking for an opportunity to present a webinar. HE saw the opportunity. And he did not ask me for a free LinkedIn profile review; I saw that opening to help him. In job searching, the â€Å"indirect† approach works as well. You are not likely to get a warm welcome with the question, â€Å"Can you give me a job?† Rather, take a research-oriented approach- much like I was researching CRM implementation providers when I called Wes. I know I love connecting people with others who can help them, and I also love sharing my specialized knowledge with people who really need it. It makes me feel special! The following ideas are based on the premise that most people feel the same way I do. Here are†¦ 4 Ways to Use Your Networks to Get a Job †¦ Without Turning Anyone Off Ask for a meeting and say something like this: â€Å"I’m considering a career change and I have done quite a bit of initial research, including x, y and z. My colleague John suggested that you might be a great resource to find out more about this industry. Would you be available to meet for lunch?† Write a letter advising your networking contact that you are doing research about an industry or list of companies (note someone does not have to work at a particular company to be in the know). You can provide the list of companies and ask if they know contact information for key players, current trends, organizational culture, major projects pending, organizational/staffing changes and opportunities, and/or problems the company is facing. Ask your close connections to do some research for you! If your husband is a golfer, he can mention your job search on the course and find out who might be a valuable resource for you. Or if your cousin is in construction and you are exploring the possibility of working in that field, ask your cousin to talk to her contacts who might be willing to meet with you and tell you what it’s like to work at her company.   Join an association, or even a networking group in an area where perhaps you haven’t interacted before. Introduce yourself and what you’re up to. These groups are eager to provide resources and to connect you with people who can help. Many times, these types of researching questions will lead to information about an open position. The trick is to honestly approach people with the expectation that they will give you information- not a job! Of course, it’s a good idea to learn more about the person you’re contacting as well. It’s likely you’ll be inspired to do something for them, just as they were inspired to support you. If you have used any of these techniques in the past, please share your experience. And if you try one of them after reading this blog, please report back on your results!

The Press. Role of the media in the Vietnam war Essay

The Press. Role of the media in the Vietnam war - Essay Example Television (TV) in the mid-1960 was considered to be one of the main sources of news to the Americans. Thus as the Vietnam war was proceeding most Americans turned to the TV as their primary source of news. Intense visuals of the war helped explain the complex nature of the Vietnam war to the Americans who could not understand the military's technical language. The Vietnam war took place between 1957 to 1975. It's the most unpopular war of the 20th century. It resulted in more than 60,000 deaths of American soldiers and between 2 to 4 million Vietnamese deaths. The various TV networks set permanent bureaus in Saigon. By 1968 during the Tet Offensive, 86% of NBC and CBS nightly news programs covered the war. The media were generally supportive of Americans in the war. By 1967, 90% of the nightly news was devoted to the news. Gradually support for the war began to reduce. The military didn’t establish media censorship, thus the journalists could follow the military to the battle fields and reported what they saw. They presented the public with graphic images of what they saw. The turning point of the media support occurred in the late of January 1968 during the Tet Offensive. The public got information first hand from the journalist rather than the military personnel. Thus the media were not biased in showing the American forces deaths and the wounded soldiers. The most damaging the massacre that occurred at My Lai. American forces killed more than 350 civilians, thus introducing the subject of war crimes to the population.

Case Study 13.2-The Super Conducting Super Collider(Project

13.2-The Super Conducting Super Collider(Project Management) - Case Study Example This paper will look at the Superconducting Supercollider project by addressing three questions that relates to it. Question 1 As a consultant, I would utilize the following steps to reintroduce a positive turn on the Superconducting Supercollider. One, I would attempt to comprehend the relationship between stakeholders and connection with the Superconducting Supercollider project. It is paramount to note that for us to comprehend every stakeholder’s negotiating and interests both collectively and personally and how the Superconducting Supercollider operates, people should comprehend the nature of the relation between a number of stakeholders and their association with the project. This will entail power and culture relations. This will enhance the success of the project. Two, I would promote interactions and communications. Communication and interaction will permit those involved in the Superconducting Supercollider project exchange useful ideas. Communication and interaction is essential for project leaders for associations with both stakeholders and individuals that may be opposing the priorities of project vision and objectives. If project leaders can develop a trustworthy basis of comprehending the influence of all players in the project and their significance, they can avert a disaster in a challenging situation (Pinto 406). Three, I would address the perception and effect of stakeholders and their management in the Superconducting Supercollider project. Every project faces the risk of perception, especially, a negative perception during its implementation. For example, in the Superconducting Supercollider, negative views by various parties caused severe challenges to the project. In addition, an insufficient management of the stakeholder concerns may frequently lead to controversies and conflicts about the implementation of the Superconducting Supercollider project. Therefore, addressing the perception and effect of stakeholders will guarantee the smooth running of the project. Finally, I would, align incentives, motivations, and values. Aligning values needs a willingness to share beliefs and perspectives through dialogue and sufficient communication, and an urge to permit shared values to evolve and develop through dialogue. Incentives will be given to stakeholders for realizing the objectives and aims of the Superconducting Supercollider project (Pinto 406). Incentives or motivations may function as a catalyst or stimulus for a significant performance for long. Question 2 There were a number of warning signals signifying the failure of the project. These indications could have been anticipated and tackled. In my opinion, the Superconducting Supercollider project was impossible to accomplish. One, the troublesome nature of the contest for the situation of the Superconducting Supercollider was assured to guarantee that defeated societies, and their federal delegates, would be angry and not likely to offer the Superconductin g Supercollider project the cooperation and support that it required. Two, the manner in which the Superconducting Supercollider funding was primarily dished out, at a dragging pace because of Federal deficit issues, made it challenging for the project to take off resiliently. As a matter of fact, the project had to start sluggishly

Alcoholism Is Destroying Our Society Essay Example for Free

Alcoholism Is Destroying Our Society Essay Alcoholism is the inability to control alcohol and have a strong craving for alcohol.There are cases where people are so addicted to alcohol that they cant remain without it whitin more than one hour.Some even drink alcohol as if they are drinking water.Alcoholism is really becoming a big problem for our society.There is no real cure to alcoholism other than to stop drinking. First of all i would talk about the effect of alcoholism.It has physical effects which are the most important as it can causes death. For example alcoholism causes cancer in the stomach, kidney and liver.Besides alcohol alters digestion of nutrients that the body needs to stay healthy.Alcoholism also causes severe damage in the neurons,so it causes alteration in the body movements,loss of appetite and depression. There are other effects in the body like gastritis and cirrhosis of the liver. All these physical consequences could cause your death if you drink alcohol in mass quantities. The second effects caused by alcoholism are psychological. At the beginning, alcohol makes you feel relaxed, but if you drink it in excess, it increases anxiety and causes depression. It also causes family and legal problems, violence, changes of behavior, suicide, among others. Alcohol is very powerful and alters all your normal behaviors.Moreover alcoholism causes economic effects as well. Alcohol is not cheap. If someone drink two or three times in a week, it could cost him a lot.People do not think about the money and spend almost everything when they are drunk. Studies show that some individuals are more likely to experience alcoholism at some point in their lives than others. For example, genetics can play a role in whether or not a person is likely to be drawn to alcohol. Often the children of alcoholics will have a higher risk of one day becoming an alcoholic themselves. Psychological problems also increase the risk for alcoholism. Individuals suffering from depression, attention deficit disorder, bipolar disorder and many other psychological disorders often turn to alcohol to make them feel better or ease their suffering. This often turns into a dependency. How individuals experience alcoholism in their lives?Genetics can play a role in whether a person is likely to drawn to alcohol.Often the children of alcoholics will have a greater risk of becoming an alcoholics themselves.psychological problems also increase the risk of alcoholism.Individual suffering from depression,attention deficit and many other phsycological disorder often turn to alcohol to make them feel better or to ease their suffering.But this often turns to dependency.The family of those who suffer from alcoholism,may suffer as this person will need money to drink,the family might not afford to fulfill their basic needs.Moreover an alcoholism might lose his job if he cannot be active at work.This causes financial problems to the family. To conclude,alcoholism is destroying the person who suffer from it and his family as well,this causes harm to the whole society.Therefore measures should be taken so that the drinker stops drinking as there are no other real solution to this problem.If the drinker does this soon enough, some of the damage to his or her body may reverse itself. However, most experts feel that a person is an alcoholic for life, and will never be able to drink socially again without falling back into addiction.

Howard Hughes Essay -- Biographies Biography Hughes Essays

Howard Hughes Howard Robard Hughes was a very inventive, attention getting man. He was an out-spoken entrepreneur who was best known for his hard work and dedication in motion pictures and the aviation industry. His inherited fortune gave him the opportunity to start building on his dreams at an early age. Although Howard remained in the news his entire life he was not always looked on favorably in the public’s eye. In later years his paranoia left him a recluse and in twenty years he had not been seen or photographed by the public. Howard was born on Christmas Eve 1904, in Houston, Texas. He was the only child of Howard Robard Hughes Senior and Alene Gano Hughes. His mother died when he was sixteen and his father died when he was 18. Howard’s childhood wasn’t the greatest but in the end it turned out all right. He was orphaned and inherited $2,000,000 and Hughes Tool Company. His uncle was Hollywood writer Rupert Hughes. Howard took his first airplane ride when he was fourteen years old. Howard Hughes attended private elementary and high school in California and Massachusetts. He attended the Rice Institute in Houston, Texas. He also attended the California Institute of Technology. Howard had a fine education because he attended highly educational schools. His father’s great fortune left Howard very wealthy. After his father’s death he was left an estate worth $871,000, and a patent for a drill. The drill was for oil drilling which made much money. In 19...

Glengarry Glen Ross Essay

The majority of David Mamet’s critics give great focus or attention on the negative concepts and views of power, such as repression and exploitation. Mainly, this occurs in the analysis of the associations of power in the business world in â€Å"Glengarry Glen Ross† (1983). A perspective that will be considered in this paper is the investigation of the positivity of exercises of power. More particularly, it will deal on human relationships which are present and crucial in David Mamet’s play. Foucauldian analytics of power comprehensively marks the â€Å"American dream† and the intricacy of function of power as well as the productive effects of power in Mametian business world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Despite the fact that David Mamet started writing plays after the year 1970, he was able to gain an influential and significant position in American literary. David Mamet’s success can be greatly attributed to several influences that honed his skills. When David Mamet was at the age of sixteen, he admired Bob Sickinger. Sickinger intensely influenced his ideas of dramaturgy. However, Bob Sickinger who was believed to be the pioneer of â€Å"Chicago theatre† was not the only one who had influenced David Mamet. When David Mamet attended school at the Goddard College in Vermont, he studied and trained in acting under the tutelage of Sanford Meisner. Meisner influenced David Mamet’s acting as well as his philosophy, by infusing into him the idea of practical and outward techniques, instead of the usual technique of internalization. After college, David Mamet was able to perform several unglamorous jobs in real life. He experienced driving a taxi, working at a truck factory, and cleaning offices for a living. By the year 1969, he got another job. This time, he was assigned as an office manager, particularly at a real estate sales office. Consequently, it can be observed that nearly all characters in David Mamet’s plays belong to social classes exclusive of the high-class. In addition to this, nearly all the sites of his plays and literary works are set generally in marginal places. For example, in â€Å"Glengarry Glen Ross†, the play is set in a real-estate office. The scenes at the beginning of the play in â€Å"Glengarry Glen Ross† create the â€Å"dangerous, ego-threatening world that its salesmen inhabit† (McDonough, 1963). The main characters, Aaronow, Moss, Lingk, Roma, Williamson and Levene, participate in degrading schemes needed for them to maintain jobs. An older salesman, Shelley Levene, who was unsuccessful in attaining good revenues, â€Å"cajoles, bullies, pleads and finally bribes his boss to grant him better leads† (McDonough, 2006). Then, a discontented salesman, Dave Moss, campaigns to raid the sales office and acquire the leads by maneuvering the gullible George Aaronow to do the actual break-in. Lastly, top salesman Richard Roma astonishes and influences the trusting James Link into buying material goods in exchange for Roma’s imaginary companionship. In David Mamet’s play, these salesmen effect their sales by giving a fictive structure. A measly house becomes a remedy to needs that go beyond than that for shelter. The irony is that, for all their skepticism, they are most energetic in their individual performances. They are also most sensitive about human need when they create the fictions intended to capitalize on that need. (Bercovitch et al., 1994). These salesmen seek to ensnare their customers in language but are no less its victims themselves. In a particular scene in the play, Moss asks Aaronow if he is â€Å"in or out†, and further says that â€Å"you tell me, you’re out you take the consequences† (Mamet, 1983). When Aaronow asked â€Å"and why is that?†, Moss capriciously responds â€Å"because you listened† (Mamet, 1983). From the conversation, one of them accuses his supposed friend of complicity because he â€Å"listened† (Bercovitch et al., 1994). In addition to this, irony exists because these salesmen must first understand those they would deceive before they can succeed. As such, these salesmen become hypersensitive, like a confidence trickster who masquerades as a psychic. They also become compellingly precise because they are conscious of the desperation, the fear and the need that coerce their clients into their hands. Somehow, that shared knowledge starts to grant the material desires of their clients. In a discernible disagreement, â€Å"those who can best connect two isolated people are those who deploy the falsities of fiction† (Bercovitch et al., 1994). The salesmen in â€Å"Glengarry Glen Ross† are charged for their deceptions. Deceptions of which they, too, are victims, but held close for their knowledge of an existing desire for trust and connection. However, the salesmen remain unaware of the consequences because of the disparities in the language they use in the business world. In addition to this, they continue to be ignorant because of reality that is diminished by deceptions (Bercovitch et al., 1994). Once again, in contrary to the image which is sought by these salesmen to identify themselves, the image of women is introduced. In a particular scene, Levene advises Williamson at one point, â€Å"a man’s his job† (Mamet, 1983). The apparent point is that doing a job is what makes a man; it gives a man identity. Moreover, Levene stresses that if â€Å"you don’t have the balls† to do the job then â€Å"you’re a secretary† (Mamet, 1983). Traditionally, secretarial jobs are performed by women. Or, as Roma exclaim to Williamson when the latter blows up a transaction, â€Å"where did you learn your trade, you stupid fucking cunt† (Mamet, 1983). Then further says â€Å"you idiot, who ever told you you could work with men?† (Mamet, 1983). If the identity of man is identified based on his performance at work, then failures classify a worker as woman. In particular, it is the differentiation of these two closely prescriptive positions that suggests any sense of identity for these salesmen. And feminine is agreed a negative position. According to McDonough , â€Å"it (feminine) is set up as the failure and lack that a man must overcome in order to establish and maintain his identity as a man† (1963). On the contrary, this construct of male identity stays exceedingly questionable and is continuously exposed by the same antagonism that is thought to create it. The prevailing need of David Mamet’s male characters is for confirmation of their identity, for understanding, comfort, love and friendship. However, this need is neglected because of the fear that needing anything is a sign of weakness and it is unmanly to be insecure in one’s identity. Distrust of the world which the characters live produces this fear. Fear of infidelity in sexual relationships, friendship and business transactions results in distrust among everybody. In addition to this, distrust and fear lies in one’s lack of confidence within the self (McDonough, 2996). To support this, Stephen Shapiro in his study of masculinity argues that, â€Å"male self- mistrust is caused by narcissism and reinforced by male silence, emotional inhibition and puerile attitudes and behavior† (1984). He also adds that â€Å"the division inside men, in the male psyche, has the drastic social consequence of weakening trust in all other relationships† (Shapiro, 1984). Moreover, that â€Å"weakening of the bonds of trust in these relationships causes still further decay in male self-trust† (Shapiro, 1984). In Shapiro’s view, it can be deduced that the characters Edmond, Bernie, Fox and Levene, are motivated by frantic uncertainty or lack of confidence regarding their manhood. According to McDonough, â€Å"this is a sense of powerlessness that they seek to over-compensate for† (1997). She also adds that â€Å"it is a need to establish their manhood in the face of real or imagined challenges to it† (McDonough, 1987). Most of the time, these challenges are personal, internal insecurities. Moreover, they are regularly protected onto the outside world; oftentimes, onto women or else onto fellow salesmen, workers or friends. Above all, David Mamet’s characters assume they have something to verify about themselves through competition with others. As a result, they are imprisoned in a vicious belief of antagonism that they cannot escape.   Within Mamet’s plays, antagonism shows the standards of masculinity. Roma states: â€Å"I swear it’s not a world of men. Machine, it’s a world of clock watchers, bureaucrats, officeholders. It’s a fucked up world. There’s no adventure to it. Dying breed. Yes it is. We are the members of a dying breed† (Mamet, 1983). Masculinity can observed all throughout the play where salesmen refer to themselves as â€Å"men†.   However, it should be noted that they are not referring to themselves of gender. Rather, it can be deduced that the salesmen are a select order of people. As Roma reiterates that they are â€Å"a dying breed†. On the contrary, the â€Å"clock watchers, bureaucrats, officeholders† do not refer to true men. These â€Å"machines† take orders. The personality which these people have does not strongly reflect their work. This can be observed in the likes of Williamson and Shelley â€Å"Machine† Levine. Williamson is a non-salesman while Levene is, according to Kane, more despicable than the arrogant top salesman† (2004). They are considered to be â€Å"despicable company men† who serve simply as cogs in the corporate machine. Levine’s former success is frequently associated with inhumanity. David Mamet implies Levene determined his own destiny but did so mechanically. In some ways, â€Å"Glengarry Glen Ross† seems like a modernized and more mordant version of Arthur Miller’s â€Å"Death of a Salesman† (1996). Shelley Levene in â€Å"Glengarry Glen Ross†, just like Willy Loman in â€Å"Death of a Salesman† is in the last stages of falling apart. He continues living in a largely inhuman world, one unreceptive to any but the majority of aggressive personalities. A product of this world is Levene, who has been an aggressor. However, now he’s old, out of luck and he’s being shown up in the competition. It starts to appear that perhaps he was never all that good anyway. As George affirms, â€Å"he (Levene) has no money, very little pride left (and) his confidence is shattered† (1994). Conceivably the most distinguished fictional salesman is Willy Loman, whose frustrated dreams ultimately divide his family and ruins him. His unyielding quest for success, together with an idealistic view of the world, results in his being â€Å"done in† largely due to the capitalist system. He ignores his emotional life in the certainty that the one purpose of the real-estate business was to generate money. Although he finds that success does not bring him the contentment he seeks. Willy Loman can be considered an archetypal salesman in literature, an unusual combination of both victim and oppressor whose demise is brought about by self-delusion and societal pressure (Dean, 1990). In â€Å"Death of a Salesman†, the American dream may be Willy Loman’s vision of a house and successful children with families of their own. And like Willy, the salesmen in David Mamet’s play all have their American dreams, though it may be different. However, these salesmen don’t dream of grand houses or successful children. Instead, they dream of the rich customer who will enable them to stop working for those who exploit them. They also dream continually of success. Though similarly, as a whole, both Arthur Miller and David Mamet point out the disappointments and failures of the American dream myth and the vindictiveness in capitalistic society. For numerous cohorts of writers who have assessed the American Dream, the salesman has been a symbol of its shortcomings. Indeed, being a salesman can lead to great wealth and that it is the means for a common man to make good by complete hard work. On the other contrary, this is not the characteristic that such writers choose to accentuate. To these people, as Dean affirms, is â€Å"a society that advocates this kind of self-improvement is a consumer society based on materialism† (Dean, 1990). It has, at its heart, an worthlessness that can never be assuaged by yet additional money in the bank. The salesmen gain enthusiasm from the promise of happiness and gratification in return for material success. Their clients too are as much a part of the capitalist hegemony where their purchase is their symbol of material success. The salesmen invest these purchases with remarkable, life-enhancing properties that embrace the guarantee of a better future. However, the truth is not the same. In the same way as the salesmen’s endless quest for unauthentic success is basically a chimera. The goods which they sell are quite insignificant. For that reason, the salesmen are taking advantage of those who, like them, must dream and think of a brighter future (Dean, 1990). Stafford in â€Å"Visions of a Promised Land† stops short of an allegorical reading of â€Å"Glengarry Glen Ross†. Though, he does present the thought-provoking question that Aaronow, Levene and Moss are older Jewish men who may possibly be celebrated with Old Testament figures. Stafford also proposes that they have been paying attention to the real estate business partly by their personal searches for a â€Å"promised land† (1996). â€Å"Ricky Roma, Mitch and Murray are more likely to be gentiles† (Stafford, 1996) associated both with conquering Rome (in Roma’s case) and latter-day Christian entrepreneurial types. On the other hand, the frequent allusions to Old Testament figures and the motif of land for sale imply, Stafford believes, that â€Å"the division of the conflict into old versus new, age versus youth beliefs, gives a sense of historical perspective† (1996). Moreover, â€Å"these ancient traditions have been replaced with a modern day religion based on greed, deceit and spiritual bankruptcy† (Stafford, 1996). Similarly, in â€Å"Weasels and Wisemen†, Leslie Kane concurs that the playwright utilizes allusions to archetypal biblical characters such as the Levites, Moses and Aaron. She adds that there is â€Å"as a link between ancient and modern worlds, values, aspirations and spirituality† (Kane, 1999). Yet it is apparent that insensitive business corporation has, in a sense, changed ancient Judaic ideas of moral and social responsibilities. As a result, the characters in Mamet’s play are caught in a moral predicament. They are rapped between their craving to acquire the land or achieve from its sale and their longing for old value systems. David Mamet’s job is to create a closed moral universe and to leave an evaluation of the characters’ behavior to the audience. He means the evaluation to be difficult rather than easy and for the audience to squirm on the hook. As Mamet has said in â€Å"Decay: Some Thoughts for Actors†, â€Å"we need not fall victim to the liberal fallacy of assuming that because we can perceive a problem we are, de factor, not part of the problem† (1986). According to an interview made by David Savran with David Mamet, Savran asks â€Å"why the subtext is always about power, buying and selling† (1988). Mamet responds â€Å"why not?† and defends it by saying â€Å"I guess most American literature, the American literature that I love, that I grew up on, is about business (and) that’s what America is about† (Savran, 1988). In the point of view of David Mamet, the American Society is composed of human life based on business. When Mamet proposed the delineation of the difficult business world, he â€Å"demonstrated the import of human community as well as the inevitability of conflicts among people† (Wan-Ling, 2000). Whereas, the myth of the American Dream aims to persuade the audience or the salesmen that everybody has an equal opportunity to attain his success, on top of all material success. On the other hand, David Mamet aimed to â€Å"expose the reality that part of such myth brings not only a possibility of the conflict on benefits among people but also that of the blur of boundaries between businessmanship and friendship† (Wan-Ling, 2000). In â€Å"Glengarry Glen Ross†, the functions and effects of power due to the needs and interests of its characters are carefully revealed. Instead of simply presenting his observations on the exercise of power, David Mamet also indicated a reflection of the ruthlessness and gracelessness of the business world. More specifically, as an American playwright, David Mamet manifested in his play the realistic and materialistic American business world. Through Foucauldian analytics of power, it can be realized that the salesmen in â€Å"Glengarry Glen Ross† are not, in the essence, destined to be repressed by the capitalistic system, nor by their colleagues. They have the choice and the ability to resist, which would dominantly bring them to a higher hierarchy in the business world. In essence, David Mamet adduces the business world in â€Å"Glengarry Glen Ross† â€Å"for highlighting the distortion of relationships in human community† (Wan-Ling, 2000). Hence, it can be deduced that it is the characters who trap themselves. Moreover, it is the human beings who cause this distortion. And for this reason, David Mamet achieves his purpose of reminding the actualities of human relationships to his readers. References Bercovitch, S., Carswell, C. H., & Patell, C. R. K. (1999). The Cambridge History of American Literature. United Kingdom: The Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge. Bigsby, C. W. E. (2004). The Cambridge Companion to David Mamet. United Kingdom: The Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge. Dean, A. (1990). David Mamet: Language as Dramatic Action. New Jersey: Associated University Presses. George, K. (1994). Playwriting: The First Workshop. USA: Butterworth-Heinemann. Kane, L. (1999). Weasels and Wisemen: Ethics and Ethnicity in the Works of David Mamet. New York: St. Martin’s. Kane, L. (2004). The Art of Crime: The Plays and Films of Harold Pinter and David Mamet. New York: Routledge. King, K. (2001). Modern Dramatists. New York: Routledge. Mamet, D. (1983). Glengarry Glen Ross: A Play. New York: Grove Press. Mamet, D. (1986). Decay: Some Thoughts for Actions. New York: Viking. McDonough, C. J. (1963). Staging Masculinity: Male Identity in Contemporary American Drama. North Carolina: McFarland and Company, Inc., Publishers. Miller, A. (1996). Death of a Salesman. New York: Penguin Classics. Savran, D. (1988). In Their Own Words: Contemporary American Playwrights. New York: Theatre Communications Groups. Shapiro, S. A. (1984). Manhood: A New Definition. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. Stafford, T. J. (1996). David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross: Text and Performances. New York: Garland. Wan-Ling, C. (2000). Theatre of Power. Taiwan: National Sun Yat-Sen University.   

Final Project of Fin619

[pic] Pass Dear Student you are declared PASS in your written work. Start preparing for presentation & viva voce and improve your work according to the given instructions and guidelines available at VULMS of your course under the icon DOWNLOADS after clicking COURSE WEBSITE at VULMS. Also read lesson # 7 of this course in this for effective preparation of your presentation slides. For any course related query and information, you can contact us via MDB, Email ([email  protected] edu. pk) and telephone (92 (42) 111 880 880 (Extension: 8851 or 3941). RATIO ANALYSIS OFASKARI BANK, UNITED BANK AND BANK ALFALAH FOR THE YEARS 2009, 2010, 2011 A PROPOSAL FOR REPORT TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES, VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY OF PAKISTAN IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA-Exec) Submitted By: AAMIR SHAHZAD MC100403644 MBA-Exec (Finance) SUBMISSION DATE: 02-02-2013 Virtual University of Pakistan Letter of Undert aking Job confirmation letter [pic] Dedication I would like to dedicate this project to My parents My Wife & My Kids Ashar Ali & Mubashar Ali AcknowledgementAll my efforts for my MBA and this Project would have been nothing with out the help and grace of Almighty Allah and I am always Gratified to Blessings of Allah. More than anybody else, I would like to acknowledge my uncle Mr. Ashfaq Ali Tabassam for his never ending support. He always guided me whenever I felt stuck off and his encouragement always worked as moral booster for me. I would like to extend my special thanks to my friend Mr. Aamir who advised me time to time and provided me technical assistance. I am highly indebted to my boss in my organization Mr.Muzaffar Ali who spared me and gave me ample time, out of my professional commitments, to go all out for my MBA from Virtual University of Pakistan. Executive Summary The purpose of this report titled â€Å"RATIO ANALYSIS OF ASKARI BANK, UNITED BANK AND BANK ALFALAH FOR THE YEARS 2009, 2010, 2011†is to investigate the financial performance of these banks during the mentioned period. The first chapter of this report deals with introduction of project and banks under study, financial period under consideration, objectives and significance of the project. The second part is about data processing and analysis.The fourth chapter is about calculation of different ratios its comparison and interpretation. In last chapter conclusions and recommendations have been given. The data for the study is collected from financial repots of the banks which are available on theirs respective websites. The financial reports included the balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statements. As regards to finding of study, the Net Profit Margin ratio of Askari and bank Alfalah is low as compare to UBL. UBL is also on top in gross spread ratio, return on equity, debt ratio and Advance/Deposit ratio.While Askari Bank has better cash flow ratio and Price/Earning r atio. It is recommended for Bank Alfalah and Askari bank to cut down their non markup expenses to improve their Net Profit Margin Ratio while, on the other hand their turnover is satisfactory. UBL and Alfalah should decrease their current liabilities and ensure the availability of more liquidity to meet short term debts. Askari bank and bank Alfalah both banks need to adopt measures to cut down their interest expenses in order to increase their gross spread ratio.In order to increase non interest income Askari and Alfalah needs to increase their earnings through fees, commissions and other advisory charges etc. In Advance/Deposit ratio Askari bank and Alfalah should have to utilize their deposits in more projects either through corporate financing or general public financing. Table of Contents Section I Chapter 1†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦8 â⠂¬ ¢ 1. 1 Introduction of the project †¢ 1. 2 Banks Introduction †¢ 1. 4 Period Under Consideration †¢ 1. 5 Objectives †¢ 1. 6 Significance Chapter 2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦11 †¢ 2. 1 Data Collection 2. 2 Data Processing and Analysis Chapter 3†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 12 †¢ 3. 1 Net Profit Margin †¢ 3. 2 Operating cash flow ratio †¢ 3. 3 Gross Spread ratio †¢ 3. 4 Non-interest income to total income ratio †¢ 3. 5 Spread ratio †¢ 3. 6 Advances/deposit ratio †¢ 3. 7 Return on total equity (ROE) †¢ 3. 8 Debt ratio †¢ 3. 9 Debt/Equity ratio †¢ 3. 10 Price/Earning ratio Chapter 4†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. †¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 26 †¢ 4. 1 Conclusions †¢ 4. 2 Recommendations Section I †¢ a) Student Introduction †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦29 †¢ b) Bibliography †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦30 Section IChapter 1 1. Project Introduction The financial ratio analysis techniques referred to in this aid could be useful to analyze any company financial performance. This study is also going to investigate the financial performance of three mentioned banks e. g. Askari bank, united bank and Bank Alfalah. These banks are surveying in the Pakistani Market and are competitors each other. Hence this study is going to find out which bank has strong financial position over other two banks. With the h elp of financial ratio analysis we can analyze the financial position of any company.Many stakeholders, investors, creditors may analyze any company, firms financial position with the help of ratio analysis before taking any important decision regarding to investments or any other. Therefore financial ratio is a mathematical correlation among several numbers often stated in the form of percentage, times, or days. 1. 2 Banks Introduction Askari Bank was incorporated in Pakistan on October 9, 1991, as a public limited company. It commenced operation on April 1, 1992, and is principally engaged in the business of banking, as defined in the Banking Companies Ordinance, 1962.The Bank is listed on Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad Stock Exchanges. Since inception, the bank has concentrated on growth through improving service quality, investment in technology and people, utilizing its extensive branch network which includes Islamic and Agricultural banking. United Bank Limited (UBL) was incorp orated in Pakistan on November 7th 1959. In 1963 the bank opened its first overseas branch in London, United Kingdom. In 1971 the UBL was nationalized by the Government. In 2002, the Government of Pakistan sold it in an open auction to a consortium of Abu Dhabi Group and Bestway.Currently UBL is one of the largest commercial banks in Pakistan having more than 1,220 online branches inside the country. Its 15 branches outside the country are in the United States of America, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, and Republic of Yemen. It also has representative offices in Tehran (Iran), and Almaty (Kazakhstan). It owns subsidiaries in the UK (United National Bank Limited), and in Zurich (Switzerland). Bank Alfalah Limited was incorporated on June 21st, 1992 as a public limited company under the Companies Ordinance 1984. Its banking operations commenced from 1st Nov, 1997.The Bank is currently operating through various branches in Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh & Afghanistan, with the registered office a t B. A. Building, I. I. Chundrigar, Karachi. Strengthened with the banking of the Abu Dhabi Group and driven by the strategic goals set out by its board of management, the Bank has invested in revolutionary technology to have an extensive range of products and services. During the past five years, Bank Alfalah has emerged as one of the foremost financial institution in the region endeavoring to meet the needs of tomorrow today. 3. Financial Period Under-Consideration for Analysis:Financial period under consideration for analysis (2009, 2010, 2011) 4. Objectives 1. To analyze the selected banks efficiency in managing their resource for generating profit 2. To composition of capital structure of the selected banks, how much of the bank’s assets are financed through external and internal debt. 3. To find out that how effectively selected banks are maximizing their profit by controlling their interest expenses. 4. To compare the selected banks interest income with their interest expenses. 5. Are banks able to pay the current liabilities from their cash equivalents? . Significance The significance of these projects may include the following 1. The finding of this research will be more beneficial for investors, creditors, to take good decision after seeing the result of ratio. They can easily analyze the bank position through this study result. Bank Management may also study the finding of this study to determine the success or failure of particular sales, marketing as well as financing strategies. 2. At the end of this research, we will be able to get which bank is more able to pay its current liabilities from their cash equivalents. 3.The major outcomes of this research, this study will clear the concept regarding to financial ratio analysis in banking sector by applying different ratios. 4. This research may help the stakeholders to analyze financial ratios result before taking any serious decisions. 5. Financial mangers of selected banks also take advanta ges from this study to identify their bank strengths and weakness and will improve their poor areas. Chapter 2) Data Processing & Analysis 1. Data Collection Sources Study has used three banks annual reports/balance sheet, income statements, cash flow statements for data analysis and data processing.In research only secondary would be used to access the objectives which are mentioned as above. The study has used secondary sources to access the objectives of this research. The sources of this research were three banks websites. Annual reports were collected from the websites 2. Data Processing and Analysis Tools: Data was processed, analyzed and all the entry has done on excel sheet. Hence Study has used Excel sheet for data analysis and for calculation purpose. Result has been displayed on MS world in tabulation form with interpretation. Chapter 3) Data Analysis Ratio Analysis 1 Net Profit Margin SignificanceNet profit margin ratio explicit the profitability of the institution again st the revenue. It will also define the performance of the company in its operations in the market. So, shareholders assess it carefully in order to take their economic decisions. FORMULA: Net profit margin= (Net profit/ Revenue) *100 |Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |9,192,687/61,107,025*100 |11,159,930/59,331,761*100 |15,499,663/70,450,475*100 | | |15. 4% |18. 81% |22. 00% | |Askari Bank |1,097,507/22,586,736*100 |943,177/27,952,162*100 |1,627,698/32,766,351*100 | | |4. 86% |3. 37% |4. 97% | |Bank Alfalah |897035/35561312 *100= |968452/37530256*100= |3503130/44298178*100= | | |2. 2% |2. 58% |7. 91% | |Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |15. 04 |18. 81 |22. 00 | |Askari Bank |4. 86 |3. 37 |4. 97 | |Bank Alfalah |2. 2 |2. 58 |7. 91 | [pic] Interpretation and comparison The analysis of above table and graph depicts that the Net Profit Margin of all the Three banks is increasing. UBL is on the top with 15. 04% earning in the period of 2009 and increasing in the respective years with 18. 81 % in the year 2010 and 22% in 2011 which shows a positive trend which is due to the stringent control on operating expenses . While on the side, Askari bank Profit margin shows minor fluctuation with 4. 6% in the period 2009 then decreases in 2010 to 3. 37% owing to increase in non markup expenses and increases to 4. 49% in the year 2011. Profit margin of Bank Alfalah is also showing positive ness which is 2. 52% in 2009 and 2. 58% in the year 2010 and sore up to 7. 91% in 2011. 2 Operating Cash Flow Ratio Significance The ratio explains the cash flows of the bank or company which it earns by its operations and analyze it against it current liabilities to determine how well a company is in paying its debts which fall due in the financial year.FORMULA: Operation Cash Flow Ratio= Net cash generated from operating activities/ Current Liabilities |Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |23,099,432/262214540= |100,070,348/369628811= |108,571,682/407621100= | | |0. 09 times |0. 27 times |0. 7 tim es | |Askari Bank |36,245,071/49327164= |35,810,016/114583064= |36,491,839/14943963= | | |0. 73 Times |0. 31 times |2. 44 times | |Bank Alfalah |19945927/350833577= |18112043/184831395= |54274913/194917015= | | |0. 06 times |0. 0 time |0. 28 time | |Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |0. 09 |0. 27 |0. 27 | |Askari Bank |0. 73 |0. 31 |2. 44 | |Bank Alfalah |0. 06 |0. 0 |0. 28 | [pic] Working Current Liabilities of UBL 2009 2010 2011 †¢ Bills payable (Short term) 5,147,259 5,045,815 5,879,043 †¢ Borrowings (Short term) 35,018,765 44,187,313 45,534,286 †¢ Deposits and other accounts (Short term) 209,685,205 319,797,360 340,999,875 †¢ Liabilities against assets subject to finance Lease (Short term). – – – †¢ Other liabilities (Short term) 12,363,311 369,628,811 407,621,100 †¢ Total 262,214,540 369628811 407,621,100 Working Current Liabilities of Askari Bank 009 2010 2011 †¢ Bills payable (Short term) 2,945,6703,089,9842,756,032 †¢ Borrowings (Short term) 19,300,16325,554,7772,758,043 †¢ Deposits and other accounts (Short term) 22,247,84228,646,7715,516,086 †¢ Liabilities against assets subject to finance ease (Short term). – – – †¢ Other liabilities (Short term) 4,833,48957,291,5323,913,802 †¢ Total 49,327,16411458306414,943,963 Working Current Liabilities of Bank Alfalah 2009 2010 2011 Bills payable (Short term) 3,766,144 4,521,533 5,403,453 †¢ Borrowings (Short term) 20,107,541 13,050,006 17,060,524 †¢ Deposits and other accounts (Short term) 320,249,261 161,368,880 165,257,870 †¢ Liabilities against assets subject to finance lease (Short term). 4,429 3,031 – †¢ Other liabilities (Short term) 6,706,202 5,887,945 7,195,168 †¢ Total 350,833,577184,831,395194,917,015Interpretation and comparison The analysis of the above table and graph show that Operating Cash Flow of UBL is 0. 09 times in the period 2009 and 0. 27 times in the perio ds 2010 and 2011 shows consistency in respective years. While the cash flow of Askari bank is 0. 73 times in 2009 and decreases to 0. 31 times due to decline in cash generated from operating activities and increases to 2. 44 times in the year 2011 due to the decline in short term liabilities and increase in cash generation. Cash flow of Bank Alfalah is 0. 6times in the year 2009 and 0. 10 times in 2010 and 0. 28 times in the period 2011 shows increasing trend. 3 Gross Spread Ratio Significance It is being calculated by dividing the difference of interest earned and expensed by interest expensed on the deposits of the public. It will help to measure the markup income of the bank in the reporting period. FORMULA: Gross Spread Ratio = (Mark-up / return / interest earned – Mark-up / return / interest expensed) / Mark-up / return / interest earned*100 Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |61,107,025- 28,163,787= |59,331,761- 24,997,188= |70,450,475 -31,025,869= | | |32,943,238/61,107,02 5= |34,334,573/59,331,761= |39,424,606/70,450,475= | | |53. 1% |57. 87% |55. 96% | |Askari Bank |22,586,736 – 13,554,078 = |27,952,162 – 17,936,616= |32,766,351- 22,699,583= | | |9,032,658/22,586,736 = |10,015,546/27,952,162= |10,066,768/32,766,351 = 30. 72 % | | |39. 99% |35. 3 % | | |Bank Alfalah |35561312 – 24654180 =10907132/35561312 =|37530256 – 23855448= |44298178 –25687485= | | |30. 67% |13674808/37530256 = |18610693/44298178 = | | | |36. 44% |42. 01% |Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |53. 91 |57. 87 |55. 96 | |Askari Bank |39. 99 |35. 83 |30. 72 | |Bank Alfalah |30. 67 |36. 44 |42. 1 | [pic] Interpretation and comparison The analysis of the above table and graphical representation shows the Gross Spread Ratio of UBL 53. 91% in the period 2009 and increases to 57. 87% in the period 2010 and then decreases to 55. 96% in 2011 respectively, UBL is on the top in interest earning in the market. Askari bank ratio is 39. 99% in the period 2009, 35. 8 3% and 30. 72% in the periods 2010 and 2011. While Bank Alfalah ratio is increasing from 2009 to 2011 with 30. 67%, 36. 44% and 42. 01% which is better marginally then other banks.But UBL is earning more as compare to other two banks due to better policy making and service. 4 Non-Interest Income to Total Income Ratio Significance It is other income which a bank earn from its services related to non markup sources such as advisory services and consultation provided in risk management etc. It describes the percentage of non interest income to total income of the bank or company. FORMULA: Non Mark-up / interest income to total income ratio= non mark-up / interest income / (non mark-up / interest income +Mark-up / return / interest earned)*100 Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |11,419,571/72526596= |10,090,162/69421923= |12,718,253/83168728= | | |15. 75% |14. 53% |15. 29% | |Askari Bank |2,544,415/25131151= |2,800,297/30752459= |2,902,921/35669272= | | |10. 2% |9. 11% |8. 14% | |Bank Alfal ah |5182253/40743565 = |4708161/42238417= |5367713/49665891 = | | |12. 72 % |11. 15% |10. 81% | |Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |15. 5 |14. 53 |15. 29 | |Askari Bank |10. 12 |9. 11 |8. 14 | |Bank Alfalah |12. 72 |11. 15 |10. 81 | [pic] Interpretation and comparison The analysis of the above table and graph shows the Non Interest income of all the three banks with the highest ratio of UBL which is 15. 75% in the period 2009 and 14. 3% in the period 2010 and in 2011 is 15. 29% in comparison with Askari bank and Bank Alfalah. Askari Bank earn 10. 12% in the period 2009 and 9. 11% and 8. 14% in 2010 and 2011 which is declining. While Bank Alfalah ratios are 12. 72%, 11. 15% and 10. 81% in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 is declining respectively. So, UBL shows better ratio as compare to the other banks in all the three years. The Results shows that UBL shows fluctuation while the other banks ratios show declining trend. Working of Total income of UBL Total Income= (Non mark-up / interest income +Mark-up / return / interest earned)    |Total Income |   |   | |Non Mark-up/interest income |11,419,571 |10,090,162 |12,718,253 | |Mark-up/return/interest earned |61,107,025 |59,331,761 |70,450,475 | |Total Income = |72526596 |69421923 |83168728 | Working of Total income of Askari Bank    |Total Income |   |   | |Non Mark-up/interest income |2,544,415 |2,800,297 |2,902,921 | |Mark-up/return/interest earned |22,586,736 |27,952,162 |32,766,351 | |Total Income |25131151 |30752459 |35669272 |Working of Total Income of Bank Alfalah Total Income= (Non mark-up / interest income +Mark-up / return / interest earned) |   |Total Income |   |   | |Non Mark-up/interest income |5182253 |4708161 |5367713 |Mark-up/return/interest earned |35561312 |37530256 |44298178 | |Total Income |40743565 |42238417 |49665891 | Interpretation and comparison Interpretation is missing. 5 Spread Ratio Significance It is the ratio that describes the markup spread between income and expens e. It helps to measure how much income bank earns by incurring markup cost.Higher ratio shows more profitability through loans and investments. Formula:- Spread Ratio = Interest Earned / Interest Expensed |Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |61,107,025/28,163,787= |59,331,761/24,997,188= |70,450,475/31,025,869= | | |2. 17 times |2. 37 times |2. 7 times | |Askari Bank |22,586,736/13,554,078= |27,952,162/17,936,616= |32,766,351/22,699,583= | | |1. 68 times |1. 56 times |1. 44 times | |Bank Alfalah |35561312/24654180 = |37530256/23855448= |44298178/25687485= | | |1. 44 times |1. 7 times |1. 72 times | |Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |2. 17 |2. 37 |2. 27 | |Askari Bank |1. 67 |1. 56 |1. 44 | |Bank Alfalah |1. 44 |1. 7 |1. 72 | [pic] Interpretation and comparison The analysis of the above table and graph shows the Spread Ratio of the UBL which is highest as compare to the other two banks, is at 2. 17 times in the year 2009 and increases to 2. 37 times in the year 2010 and 2. 27 times in the year 2011, decreases the zig zag trend is due to the fluctuation in both aspects interest earn and expensed. While the ratio of Askari bank 1. 67% in the year 2009, 1. 56% in the year 2010 and 1. 4% in the year 2011 respectively. Bank Alfalah ratio shows increasing trend throughout the three years 2009 to 2011 which are as 1. 44%, 1. 57%, 1. 72% which shows better recovery of interest income from its investments 6 Advances / Deposits Ratio Significance It defines the advances banks make from the available deposits. It measures the ability of the bank in fruitful usage of money of the depositors which will increase the markup income. FORMULA: Advances / Deposits Ratio= Total Advances/ Total Deposits Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |354,091,713/492,036,103= |333,732,172/550,645,767= |325,347,208/612,980,139= | | |0. 72 times |0. 61 times |0. 53 times | |Askari Bank |135,034,499/205,970,227= |152,784,137/255,936,503= |150,710,709/291,502,993= | | |0. 6 times |0. 60 times |0. 52 times | |Bank Alfalah |188042438/324759752= |207152546/354015311= |198468512/401247886= | | |0. 58 times |0. 59 times |0. 49 times | |Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |0. 2 |0. 61 |0. 53 | |Askari Bank |0. 66 |0. 60 |0. 52 | |Bank Alfalah |0. 58 |0. 59 |0. 49 | [pic] Interpretation and comparison The analysis of the above table and graph shows Advance/Deposit ratio of UBL which is very high as compare to other banks 0. 2 times in the year 2009 and 0. 61 times in the year 2010 and 0. 53 in the year 2011. Askari bank ratio is 0. 66 times, 0. 60 times and 0. 52 times in the consecutive years 2009, 2010 and 2011. While the ratio of bank Alfalah is 0. 58 times in 2009 and increases to 0. 59 times 2010 and decline drastically to 0. 49 times in 2011with 0. 10 times which shows that Bank Alfalah is not utilizing its deposits effectively as compare to other banks. 7 Return on Total Equity (ROE) Significance It measures income bank earns from the equity.It determines the ability of the institution how productively it uses the money of shareholders in its business. High ratio will allure more investors. FORMULA: Return on total Equity=Net Income/ Total equity*100 |Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |9,192,687/52276246*100= |11,159,930/60180924*100= |15,499,663/70,622,933*100= | | |17. 58 % |18. 4 % |21. 94% | |Askari Bank |1097507/ 13142688 |943177/ 14820578*100= |1627698/ 16508782*100= | | |*100= 8. 35 % |6. 36 % |9. 86 % | |Bank Alfalah |897035/ 19770260 *100= |968452/ 19726556*100= |3503130/ 22839886*100= | | |4. 4 % |4. 91 % |15. 34 % | |Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |17. 58 |18. 54 |25. 76 | |Askari Bank |8. 35 |6. 36 |9. 86 | |Bank Alfalah |4. 4 |4. 91 |15. 34 | [pic] Working of Total Equity UBL (UBL) |   |Working Total equity |   |   | |   |Total Equity |   |   | |   |2009 |2010 |2011 |Share capital |11,128,907 |12,241,798 |12,241,798 | |Reserves |18,959,537 |21,688,637 | | |Un appropriated profit |22,187,802 |26,250,489 | | |Total Equity |52276246 |60180924 | | |   |   |   |   | Working of Total Equity (Askari bank)    |2009 |2010 |2011 | |Share capital |5,073,467 |6,427,440 |7,070,184 | |Reserves |7,235,710 |7,691,319 |8,136,440 | |Un appropriated profit |833,511 |701,819 |1,302,158 | |Total Equity |13,142,688 |14,820,578 |16,508,782 | Working of Total Equity (Bank Alfalah)    |2009 |2010 |2011 | |Share capital |13491563 |13491563 |13491563 | |Reserves |3587969 |3819133 |4100264 | |Un appropriated profit |2690728 |2415860 |5248059 | |Total Equity |19770260 |19726556 |22839886 | Interpretation and comparison The analysis of the above table and graph show the Return On equity of all the three banks. UBL ratio is 17. 58% in the year 2009, 18. 54% in the year 2010 and 25. 76% in the year 2011. While Askari bank ratio is 8. 35% in 2009, 6. 36% in the period 2010 and 9. 86% in 2011 respectively. Bank Alfalah ratios are 4. 54%, 4. 91% and 15. 34% in the periods 2009, 2010 and 2011.So on marginal basis Alfalah improves utilizat ion of equity then other two banks. But on the whole, UBL is on the top in optimum utilization of stakeholders equity. 8 Debt Ratio Significance It measures the liabilities of the bank or company against the total assets. It should be low as investors like low ratio because the need their residual interest to be secured. FORMULA: Debt ratio= (Total debt/ Total assets)*100 |Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |558,779,710/619,718,433*100= |631,402,822/699,817,887*100= |698,906,833/778,059,741*100= | | |90. 7% |90. 22 % |89. 83 % | |Askari Bank |239,378,374/254,327,446*100= |298,740,410/314,744,552*100= |325,980,040/343,756,306*100= | | |94. 12 % |94. 92% |94. 83% | |Bank Alfalah |366936635/389070055*100= |389178295/411483839*100= |442396764/468173802*100= | | |94. 31% |94. 58 % |94. 49 % | Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |90. 17 |90. 22 |89. 83 | |Askari Bank |94. 12 |94. 92 |94. 83 | |Bank Alfalah |94. 31 |94. 58 |94. 49 | [pic] Interpretation and comparison The analysis of the above ta ble and graph show the Debt Ratio, UBL ratio is 90. 17 in the year 2009, 81. 15% in the year 2010 and 99. 7% in the year 2011. Askari bank ratio is 94. 12% in 2009, 94. 12% in 2010 and 94. 83% in 2011 which show consistency in the three years. Bank Alfalah shows also consistent trend in 2009, 2010 and 2011 are 94. 31%, 94. 58% and 94. 49%. So results show that UBL ratio is increasing which is not good indication as compare to other banks, while other banks are controlling effectively their Debt ratio. 9 Debt / Equity Ratio Significance It is the percentage of liabilities to shareholders’ money. It will define either the bank is equity or liability based. It also helps to assess the how risky the company is. FORMULA: Debt / Equity Ratio = (total debt/ total equity) Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |558,779,710/52276246= |631,402,822/60180924= |698,906,833/70,622,933= | | |10. 69 times |10. 49 times |9. 90 times | |Askari Bank |239,378,374/13142688= |298,740,410/14820578= |325, 980,040/16508782= | | |18. 21 times |20. 16 times |19. 75 times | |Bank Alfalah |366936635/19770260 = 18. 56 times |389178295/19726556= 19. 73 times |442396764/22839886= 19. 37 times | Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |10. 69 |10. 49 |11. 61 | |Askari Bank |18. 21 |20. 16 |19. 75 | |Bank Alfalah |18. 56 |19. 73 |19. 37 | [pic] Interpretation and comparison The analysis of the above table and graph shows the Debt/Equity ratio where UBL ratio is 10. 69% in 2009,10. 49% in the year 2010 and 11. 1% in the year 2011 respectively which remains consistent in first two years then increases in 2011. Askari bank ratio is 18. 21% in 2009 which too high as compare to UBL, 20. 16% in 2010 and 19. 75% in the year 2011. While Bank Alfalah is on the same level 18. 56% in 2009, 19. 73% and 19. 37% in the years 2010 and 2011. As as consequence of analysis, UBL ratio is much better then other banks as its ratio is approximately 8% below the other banks ratio. 10 Price/Earnings Ratio Significance It will define the price of share against the per share earning. It should be high as it shows business prosperity and growth chances are bright in future. FORMULA: P/E = Current Market Share Price/ EPS Working of EPS EPS WORKING UBL 2009 |2010 |2011 | |Net Income= 9,192,687 |Net Income= 11,159,930 |Net Income= 15,499,663 | |Number of shares= 1,112,890 |Number of shares= 1,224,179 |Number of shares= 1,224,179 | |= Net income/ outstanding number of shares |= Net income/ outstanding number of shares | | |=9,192,687 / 1,112,890 |= 11,159,930/1,224,179 |= Net income/ outstanding number of shares | |= 8. 26 per share |= 9. 12 per share |= 15,499,663/1,224,179 | | | |= 12. 66 per share |No of outstanding share figure has been taken from the notes i. e Share capital EPS WORKING ASKARI BANK |2009 |2010 |2011 | |Net Income= 1,097,507 |Net Income=943,177 |Net Income= 1,627,698 | | |Number of shares= 642,743 |Number of shares= 707,018 | |Number of shares= 507,346 |= Net income/ outstanding numbe r of shares | | |= 943,177/642,743 |= Net income/ outstanding number of shares | |= Net income/ outstanding number of shares |= 1. 47 per share |= 1,627,698/707,018 | |= 1,097,507/507,346 | | | | | |= 2. 30 per share | |= 2. 16 per share | | | BANK Alfalah 2009 |2010 |2011 | |Net Income= 897,035 |Net Income= 968,452 |Net Income= 3,503,130 | |Number of shares= 134,9156 |Number of shares= 134,9156 |Number of shares= 134,9156 | |= Net income/ outstanding number of shares |= Net income/ outstanding number of shares |= Net income/ outstanding number of shares | |= 897,035/ 134,9156 |= 968,452/ 134,9156 |= 3,503,130/ 134,9156 | |= 0. 66 per share |= 0. 71 per share |= 2. 59 per share | |0. 66 |0. 71 |2. 59 | Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |64. 25/8. 26= 7. 77 times |84. 23/9. 12= 9. 23 times | 84. 17/12. 66= 6. 64 times | |Askari Bank |45. 25/2. 16 = 20. 92 times |64. 75/1. 47 = 44. 12 times |73. 49/2. 30 = 31. 92 times | |Bank Alfalah |77. 45/0. 66 = 116. 48 times |114. 23/0. 72= 159. 13 times |16. 87/2. 60= 6. 69 times | |Banks |2009 |2010 |2011 | |UBL |7. 77 |9. 3 |6. 64 | |Askari Bank |20. 92 |44. 12 |31. 92 | |Bank Alfalah |116. 48 |159. 13 |6. 69 | [pic] Interpretation and comparison The analysis of the above table and graph shows the Price Earning ratios, UBL ratio is 7. 77 times in the year 2009, 9. 23 times in 2010 and 6. 64 times in the year 2011is respectively declining. While Askari bank ratio 20. 92 times in 2009, 44. 12 times in 2010 and increases to 31. 2, on the other hand you can see the P/E of bank Alfalah in year 2009,2010, 2011 is 116. 48 in year 2009, 159. 13 year 2010 and 6. 69 in year 2011. After the result it has proved that Bank Alfalah P/E is higher and better in year 2009 and year 2010 than other two banks. Askari bank and UBL shows declining trend which is unfavorable for the investors. Chapter 4) Conclusion and Recommendations 4. 1) Conclusion Following findings has been inferred on the basis of above ratio analyses which are as 1 . Net profit margin ratio of UBL is high as compare to Askari and Alfalah. In addition to that, Bank Alfalah captures the second level in the comparison.So, UBL has taken over the major share of profit margin 2. Analysis of Operating Cash Flow ratio shows Askari bank ratio is high as compare to UBL and Alfalah. 3. On the basis of ratio analysis UBL gross spread ratio is good and high as compare to Askari and bank Alfalah in the current year. While Bank Alfalah is ranked second in the comparison. 4. In accordance with the analysis of non-interest income to total income ratio UBL ratio is high as compare to the other two banks. While analysis show Askari bank ratio is lowest than UBL and bank Alfalah. 5. The analysis has shown UBL spread ratio is high and much better than other banks in comparison. 6.On the basis of advance/Deposit ratio analysis UBL ratio is high as compare to Askari and Alfalah in the current year. 7. The analysis of Return on equity ratio shows that UBL return is h igh and better than the other two banks. 8. Debt ratio Analysis shows that UBL ratio is high than other two banks. While Askari and Alfalah are at the same level. 9. According to the analysis of Debt/Equity ratio Askari bank ratio is high and bank Alfalah is on the second position. 10. The Price/Earning ratio of Askari bank is high in the analysis of the three banks. While UBL is on the second and bank Alfalah is on the third rank. 4. 2) Recommendations 1. The Net profit Margin ratio of Askari and bank Alfalah is low.In order to improve their net profit both the banks should have to cut down their non markup expenses while, on the other hand their turnover is satisfactory. 2. The Operating cash flow of UBL and Alfalah should have to be improved. These banks should decrease their current liabilities and ensure the availability of more liquidity to meet short term debts. 3. Askari bank and bank Alfalah both banks need to adopt measures to cut down their interest expenses in order to i ncrease their gross spread ratio. 4. In order to increase non interest income Askari and Alfalah needs to increase their earnings through fees, commissions and other advisory charges etc. 5.In Advance/Deposit ratio Askari bank and Alfalah should have to utilize their deposits in more projects either through corporate financing or general public financing. 6. 6. Return on total equity of Askari bank is low, it should increase its net income by cut down its expenses with significant margin. 7. Debt ratio of UBL is high so it should have to avoid more borrowings and use available funds in more proper ways. 8. Spread ratio of Askari bank is low as compare to other banks it should have to increase its lending and use deposits in effective ways. SECTION II a) Introduction of the student Last Degree Obtained: – Bachelor of Commerce Current Organization Dubai City Flowers LLC, Dubai, UAECurrent Designation: – Administration Manger Experience 10+ years b) BIBLOGRAPHY Askari ban k limited Pakistan. (2009). annual-reports. Retrieved December 6, 2012, from Askari bank Limited Official website:http://www. askaribank. com. pk/Reports/Askari%20Financials%202009. pdf Askari bank limited Pakistan. (2010). annual-reports. Retrieved December 6, 2012, from Askari bank Limited Official website:http://www. askaribank. com. pk/Reports/Askari%20AR2010%20(Final%20Version). pdf Askari bank limited Pakistan. (2011). annual-reports. Retrieved December 6, 2012, from Askari bank Limited Official website: http://www. askaribank. com. k/Reports/Askari%20AR%202011%20ALL. pdf United bank limited . (2009). Financial-reports. Retrieved December 6, 2012, from United bank Limited Official website: https://www. ubldirect. com/corporate/resources/ubl/aboutus/financial_report/report_2009/annual_dec09/UBLAnnualReport2009. pdf. United bank limited . (2010). Financial-reports. Retrieved December 6, 2012, from United bank Limited Official website: https://www. ubldirect. com/corporate/resour ces/ubl/aboutus/financial_report/report_2010/annual_dec10/UBLAnnualReport2010. pdf United bank limited . (2011). Financial-reports. Retrieved December 6, 2012, from United bank Limited Official website: https://www. ubldirect. om/corporate/resources/ubl/aboutus/financial_report/report_2011/Annual_Reports/UBL%20Annual%20Report%202011. pdf Bank Alfalah Limited. (2009). Financial-reports. Retrieved December 6, 2012, from Bank Alfalah Limited Official website: http://www. bankalfalah. com/about/download/AnnualReport2009. pdf Bank Alfalah Limited. (2010). Financial-reports. Retrieved December 6, 2012, from Bank Alfalah Limited Official website: http://www. bankalfalah. com/about/download/BALAnnualReport2010. pdf Bank Alfalah Limited. (2011). Financial-reports. Retrieved December 6, 2012, from Bank Alfalah Limited Official website: http://www. bankalfalah. com/about/download/BALAnnualReport2011. pdf

Hardware and software Essays

Hardware and software Essays Hardware and software Essay Hardware and software Essay Essay Topic: Hard Times Keyboards: The keyboard is the most common used input device, and it is used to enter commands and key in data. The keyboard is divided into four parts; -The function keys over the top -The letter keys in the main section -The numeric pad on the right : -and finally the cursor movement and editing keys. Mouse: The mouse enables you to move the arrow cursor all over the page it is much easier to use the mouse then using the keyboard, you position the arrow on the item of your choice and press. Scanner: A scanner reads words, and pictures and then translates it into the pattern of light and dark into a digital camera and the computer stores it. The best type has to be the flat bed scanner which works in similar ways that to a photocopier. You put the page flat on the bed and then the sensor that like a photocopier, passes it translate into the computer. Digital camera: A digital camera is similar to a normal camera but thats only looks. The digital camera, instead of recording It, the camera converts light intensities into digital form that can be stored on a disk as a data file. Microphones: The microphones of a computer are just the same as of normal microphones. They are used with voice recognition or simply for the Internet so you can speak to the person on the other side. It takes spoken words and translates them into digital signals. Joystick: The joystick is used for playing games. It is used to move the (car, plane or person). Buttons on top and the side are used to perform such other moves of the (car, plane or person). They cant be used in programs like word-processing, spreadsheet or database, but are used in CAD (computer aided design) software. MAIN PROCESSOR UNIT: CPU: The central processing unit or (CPU) for short or microprocessor, is the computers main component that interprets and carries out the commands that are given to it. It can fetch, decode and execute any instruction, and transfers data from one computer to another. Memory: Memory is used to store the programs you use and is the working area that processes the current data (e.g: the letter you write or word-processing). It also comprises of ROM(read only memory) and RAM(random access memory). Storage: The size of data or (storage) capacity of a computer is measured in bytes. One byte contains 8 bits. Bits stand for binary digits and is the smallest unit of data that can be stored. There are six types of storage; Bit: Smallest unit of data with value of 1 or 0. Byte: Equal to 8 bits-approximately equivalent to one character. The letters a, b and c are represented in binary code by 0110 0001, 0110 0010 and 0110 0011. Kilobyte (kb): Equal to 1,024 bytes or 2 10. Megabyte (Mb): Equal to 1,048,576 2 20 (equivalent to approximately 500 double spaced pages of text). Gigabyte (GB): Equal to 1,073,741,824 bytes or 2 30 (equivalent to approximately half-million double spaced pages of text). Terabyte (TB): Equal to ~1,099,000,000,000 bytes or 2 40 Motherboard: The motherboard is the main printed circuit board of the computer, which usually forms the floor of the system. All the other parts of the computer like the CPU and the memory, these components are linked by buses which are etched into the motherboard. Ports: Ports are the sockets at the back of the main processor casing, which are used attach the peripheral devices (printer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc). Modem: Modem come built in computers mostly. If you want to use the internet or if you want to e-mail the modem helps to run both. A modem, or modulator/demodulator allows two computers to communicate through telephone lines. Network: Networks allow the sharing resources and data by users and, to access the network, each PC should be fitted with a network card. STORAGE DEVICES: Hard Drive: The hard drive is the storage area where all the applications software you use and documents you create are kept. It is also called the main memory of the computer. Floppy Drive: The floppy drive is a removable storage area which enables you to save files on to a floppy disk so that you can take data files between home and work etc. They are flat and are made of a substance called mylar. They have a magnetic surface which allows the recording of your data. Zip Drive: A zip drive is similar to a floppy drive but a zip drive works faster then a floppy drive a holds 100mb of data, thats 70 times more faster then a floppy drive. DVD Drive: DVD-ROM or (digital versatile disk, or disk read-only memory) is the same diameter as a CD but holds nearly 10 times the data. A DVD can hold between 4.7Gb and 15.9Gb data and, while it requires its own drive, the DVD drive can run the existing CDs. They have provided a way of watching digital-quality films or other entertainment. Backing up: Even if you save your work in a computer drive, you should keep the back-up copy. Most organisations would agree because they have large amounts of work to store so they do this process of backing up. OUTPUT DEVICEES: VDU: VDUs display images (characters or graphics) generated by the computers video adapter. The image on the screen is referred to as soft copy-you will lose it when the computer is turned off. Most VDUs use a cathode ray tube (CRT) which accounts for their size. Printers: when you need a hard copy of information on screen you will need a printer. The quality (or resolution) of the image is measured in dots per inch (or Dpi). The more dots per inch the more detailed the output. Laser printer use lasers to produce an image on an electrical charge and this is fixed by heat. Speakers: All computers come with speakers. The speaker will make a small beep to draw your attention e.g. when you have a error of some kind the computer will send this signal through the computer and you will see a message and a little beep to tell you whats happened. CABLES AND CONNECTORS: CABLES: The different components of a computer system are connected by the cables. CONNECTORS: Computers have connection signs to show the person where to put the wire in, e.g. if you were to look behind a tower case you can see the mouse sign to where you put in. SOFTWARE: Software is the set of instructions that run hardware, without it the hardware wont run. That is the difference between hardware and software. BOOTING: When we switch on a computer, we need to wait until it boots up before we can use it. The old saying is pull yourself up by your footsteps. OPERATING SYSTEMS: Operating systems (OS) are the software programs that control the use of hardware resources. For example; Central processing unit (CPU) time. The allocations and use of memory The allocation and use of disk space. The operation of peripheral devices, such as printers. APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE: Application are sometime referred to as packages or the programs that are used to run the computer. Word processing: Word processing enables you to manipulate text-based documents for example, you can enter text, edit and format it, change the presentation, etc. Spreadsheet: Spreadsheets are used to enter only numerical data like numbers, it is used to process numbers in a similar way to the word processing. They are used to enter formulaes into cells, they can also be used to make graphs. Databases: A database can contains data but produces information from this data as a result of the processes carried out within it. Foe example the data in a library would contain the names, addresses of all the members that is a example of data. Desktop Publishing: Purpose-written desktop publishing (DTP) software is more sophisticated than the word processing software. For example, the text for inclusion in a newsletter would be created in a word processing application, spell checked, edited and saved. Graphics: Graphics are computer-generated images, such as pictures or illustrations. The range of graphics software is extensive and you have probably come across images stored in word processing software (e.g. Clipart) and images created on the computer using lines and shapes (e.g. circles, rectangle, or square). Personal Organisers: Personal organisers are now useful tools in big organisations, they can be set up to offer prompts automatically to remind you of important dates and events and can also provide an easy reminder of your most used telephone numbers. E-mail: E-mail has gone popular as now people use it even more then before. It enables people to communicate over the globe. It has been designed so that people dont have to waste time writing a letter when they can easily send through the E-mail. E-mails are known to be legal documents, you can be prosecuted if you write something that could be construed as libellous. Utilities: These programs provide diagnostic and measurement routines that check the performance of your computer. An e.g. of this is Anti-virus software which is a utility program that can scan any files for any virus, it can also detect a virus as well. PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES: Computers software is written in a programming language. Some are very complex and may require experts to use them. The two e.g. of these are C++ and Java. There are those languages which are produced by the computer automatically when writing macros. STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT: Before you can design or write a computer program, there are many stages of development that you must go through when doing this process, these are as follow; Analysis of the requirement what does the computer program need to achieve? Design of solution. Development of the program probably broken down the into small subprograms. Implementation and testing of the program, including training of the eventual users of the program. Preparation of documentation, which will include documentation relating to the actual program and documentation for the users (i.e. a users guide or manual). Ongoing maintenance and development of the program.

Are you ready to be your own boss

Are you ready to be your own boss Let’s be honest: if you have a job, you have boss issues. Even if you like your boss, even if you work well with your boss, even if you are pretty happy at work†¦ there will inevitably be some kind of disagreement or frustration. It happens to literally everyone. When these issues pop up, whether serious or just mildly annoying, you might fantasize about what it would be like to ditch the aforementioned boss and go your own way. But not everyone is cut out to be their own boss for real. Before you quit and commit to the ideal of the boss-free lifestyle, let’s look at some of the questions you should ask yourself first if you’re serious about making this work.Does your personality mesh with the freelance life?Remember that once you embark on your new career as a business owner or freelance professional, it’s going to be just you taking care of everything. That means your own personality is going to play a large part in whether this is truly the right c hoice for your career. If the answer to any of these questions is â€Å"yes† or â€Å"kinda,† then you might want to reconsider making the jump right now.Do I need a lot of guidance in setting my own tasks- and finishing them?Do I need a lot of input from others before I can get started on a project?Do I give up quickly if a task is difficult?Am I hesitant to ask other people for things?Do I panic when things go wrong?Do I have trouble prioritizing projects or tasks without input?If the answer is â€Å"yes† to all or most of these questions, there’s no shame in that. And it’s not a dealbreaker. It just means you’re likely not ready (yet). These are all things you can work on overcoming, if your goal is to be more independent and take-charge in your work life. But when you become your own boss, you already need to have a pretty self-directed working style.Where do you get your validation?After your personality, it’s time to consider wh at makes you feel valued, and what motivates you, professionally. Ask yourself the following questions:Am I driven by my own sense of ambition or self-satisfaction?Do I need positive reinforcement from others to feel like I’ve done a good job?Again, needing an external source for these things isn’t a personality flaw. But if you are someone who takes validation and feelings of success from how others see you, then you might not find the boss role very rewarding or fulfilling. Being honest about what drives you is the key element here.What’s your social style?If you’re going freelance, there’s a good chance that at first it’ll be just you in your home office, or whatever space you’ve set aside for your new work life. And I can assure you that while pets are great, they’re not really helpful when you need to bounce ideas or chat about last night’s awards show. Here’s what you need to ponder:Am I prepared to chug alo ng solo for long periods of time, with no coworker chat breaks or face-to-face interactions to break up the work day?Am I okay with most work communication happening via email or phone?Do I need a lot of feedback from others throughout the day?Do I feel lonely if I don’t have much interaction with others during the day?And if you’re the boss, it can also mean having to shut down distractions around you as well, if your new work environment has disruptions like family members, loud noises, etc. Being the boss means you’ll likely have to both embrace and enforce the solitude factor as necessary to get things done.Are you prepared for a boss-level workload?The main difference between being the boss and acting like a boss is the workload. You can fake-it-till-you-make-it on a lot of things, like confidence. But the work you do is going to be challenging when you’re doing it on your own.Am I ready for long hours, or potentially working on weekends or holidays? Am I prepared to be a jack-of-all-trades if necessary, or do I prefer to stay in my lane?Am I prepared for the frustrations that can come with being in charge?Do I feel comfortable managing others?Realistically, work-life balance may be one of the toughest things to manage if you’re out on your own. The 40-hour work week (or whatever you’re accustomed to now) will likely balloon, once you’re doing the work of managing your business on top of the day-to-day operations of your job. If the idea of answering emails at 10 p.m. makes you want to hide, then you might want to reconsider your readiness to take this step.And if your business expands and you end up taking on employees or other contractors, you need to be prepare to manage them as well- not just yourself. Being the boss means keeping everyone focused on getting the work done.What’s your financial personality?One of the most important factors to breaking out on your own is the financial aspect.Am I pr epared to handle the logistics of income/payments, taxes, benefits, and accounting?Am I financially literate?Am I ready to make sacrifices if things don’t go well, financially?Am I good at paying bills on time?These are basic infrastructure questions. Whether you work for a big company or a small one, there are departments and policies in place, and usually there are people whose job it is to handle different aspects of workplace necessities like paychecks and benefits. When it’s a company of one, guess who’s responsible for all of that infrastructure? It may be possible to outsource a lot of the paperwork and financial details, but it will still require a degree of organization and management on your part. Being the boss means owning every aspect of your business, because your name and reputation will be on every document, every contract, every customer or client relationship. If you’re not very solid on financial issues (or don’t yet have a plan to become so), then you might not be ready to be the boss just yet.If you’re considering busting out on your own, there are lots of things to consider: your business plan, your finances, your future career goals. But before you even get to the point of nailing those down, you need to do a brutally honest assessment of whether you’re emotionally and personally ready even to start that journey. Being your own boss can be incredibly rewarding, and just may be the jump that your career needs. However, if you’re not ready to commit to all of the challenges as well as those rewards, then it just might not be the time to do this. And if you’re just not ready yet, it doesn’t mean that you never will be the boss- it just means there’s a little work to do in the meantime.

Case Report Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Report - Case Study Example Caritas of Australia is one such non-governmental human services organization for international aid and development. It is one of the biggest humanitarian networks assisting the poorest of the poor worldwide (â€Å"Our Mandate,† n. d). Community development principles and theories can aid such organizations to function in a better way. This report will discuss in detail about the various community development principles, models, and theories that can be incorporated by Caritas to enhance the welfare of the citizens. Caritas renders helping hand to people regardless of their social and political ideologies, religion and, gender (â€Å"Our Mandate,† n. d). Caritas works with great care and compassion towards vulnerable people affected by humanitarian crises or natural disasters and strives hard to help them live a dignified life. At times of adversity, it provides a bonfire of hope for millions of sufferers and at times of peace it contributes to the development of an impartial society (â€Å"Our Mandate,† n. d). It plays a significant role in transforming the vulnerable people to become the architects of their own future through fair treatment and empowerment. Caritas works on rigorous grounds to strengthen the local capacity, improves access to indispensable services, upholds the natural resources, and empowers the poor by creating them opportunities for education and employment (â€Å"Our Mandate,† n. d). Caritas’s underlying principles are based on Catholic Social Teaching (CST) which lays emphasis on human dignity, uninterrupted access to basic resources, people’s participation in their life changing decision making, solidarity in diversity, compassion towards poor, promotion of economic justice, respect for the environment and encouragement of peace all over the world (â€Å"Our Values,† n. d). If community development principles and theories were adopted in addition to the above mentioned CST

Did the board act ethically Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Did the board act ethically - Research Paper Example Patients demand for services of the machines are more than the hospitals capacity. As a result, decision is to be made on the patients that are to be offered services from the facilities. Some hospitals have formed boards consisting of medical personnel and members of their communities to help in deciding on the people to be offered the limited services. Though the medical condition of the patients are taken into consideration, other factors such as personal and social characteristics such as age, job, number of dependants, status of the patient’s job among others are prioritized by the boards whose common aim is to maximize the utility of the limited machinery. The boards should have an ethical decision making process. This would begin by collecting necessary information about the problem followed by definition of the problem, selecting patients for care. All the relevant stakeholders in the case would then be considered before identification of available alternatives. The board would have then weighed the merits and disadvantages of each alternative before making a decision. A suitable ethical decision would however be based on consideration of ethical principles as discussed bellow (Potts and Mandleco, p. 40). One of the ethical principles that are applicable to the case is the principle of autonomy. Autonomy refers to a person’s authority over factors around him. The ethical principle induces the concept that every individual has the power to make decisions on matters affecting him or her (Brunner et al., p. 40). Another ethical principle that is applicable to the case, the doctrine of beneficence, is defined as a person’s responsibility to do good to other members of the society. It is base on actions of individual that are expected not to cause harm to others in the society. Professional fidelity is another principle that is directly applicable