Literacy as foundation for lifelong learning Essay Example for Free

Literacy as foundation for lifelong learning Essay Literacy is a fundamental human right and the foundation for lifelong learning. The innovation of writing is one of mankind’s useful creations, it is more than the ability to read and write it’s also the ability to understand what you’re reading and what makes sense in what you’re writing. A person who cannot read and understand sentences, which cannot interpret and cannot write, is called an illiterate person. Illiteracy is the inability to read and write. Literacy makes a person more confident, ambitious and successful in life. Persons with a good education tend to be more confident and ambitious than those who are illiterate. Literacy is thought to have first emerged with the development of numeracy and computational devices. It increases job opportunities and access to higher education; it helps in the economic growth and development of a country. Increases Vocabulary Reading increases your vocabulary, it help persons to learn new words and improves their spelling, the more you read, the more words you gain exposure to and they will inevitably make their way into your everyday vocabulary. Reading also helps in your talking skills. It helps you understand different ways of life and expands your imagination. Stress Reduction A well-written novel, play or newspaper will distract you and keep you in the present moment, letting tensions drain away and allowing you to relax. Reading is a wonderful source of pleasure for many people, and can provide a healthy escape from routine. Mental Stimulation Reading helps to keep the brain active, us like every other muscles in the body, and the brain requires exercise to keep it strong and healthy. Reading prevents the brain from Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Better writing skills This goes hand-in-hand with the expansion of your vocabulary: exposure to published, well-written work has a noted effect on one’s own writing, as observing the cadence, fluidity, and writing styles of other authors will invariably influence your own work. Tranquility In addition to the relaxation that accompanies reading a good book, it’s possible that the subject you read about can bring about immense inner peace and tranquility. Reading spiritual texts can lower blood pressure and bring about an immense sense of calm, while reading self-help books has been shown to help people suffering from certain mood disorders and mild mental illnesses.

International Business Essay Example for Free

International Business Essay 1. Summarize the globalization debate. What are the major interest groups in the world economy? How are they affected by different elements of globalization? 2. Who benefits and who loses from a shift in jobs to low-wage economies? Consider this question from the perspective of consumers, labour, technological change, firms, nation-states. Are the net benefits likely to be positive? 3. Identify and evaluate the sources of conflict between pressures on companies to operate globally and the desire of governments to regulate companies and activities within their borders. 4. Account for the existence of counter trade in the world economy and explore the view that its influence will continue as a solution to the problem developing countries face when attempting to export to western markets? 5. Analyze the likely impact on domestic markets of import restrictions via tariffs and quotas respectively. Discuss the dynamic side effects that can arise from import protection. 6. In the light of the strategic significance of price discrimination between cross-border markets to firms, evaluate the merits of anti-dumping measures. 7. Outline the static and dynamic effects of a customs union and explain why regional integration blocs composed of small economies are unlikely to be economically beneficial. 8. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the joint venture over licensing as a foreign market entry mode. Describe scenarios when licensing might be the preferable one of the two entry modes. 9. International franchising is often regarded as a low-risk foreign market entry strategy. Does this view fully reflect the attraction of international franchising as a market entry mode? 10. Under what circumstances would a BOT system make sense as an international marketing strategy?

General motors core business

General motors core business INTRODUCTION GENERAL MOTORS General Motors was known as one of the worlds best automotive, started in 1908 with 76 years of management and leadership at its best. Its global headquarters located in Detroit, with employees of 204,000 people all over the world and operates business in 140 countries. General Motors core business of producing cars and trucks operates in 34 countries and selling and servicing these vehicles through the following brands: GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Buick, Cadillac, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. It has the largest market in United States followed by China, Brazil, Germany, U.K, Canada and Italy. GMs main element, in which it is industry leader, is its vehicle safety, security and information services. As of 2008, General Motors is the ninth largest publicly traded company in the world. Recently the company has endured major financial confusion, including a 38 billion dollar loss in 2007. GM needs a sense of urgency regarding revising a strategic plan that incorporates the next generation of vehicles. In todays global economy and highly competitive auto industry GM has no time for delay. Factors affecting General Motors and other car industry. Industry involved in the design, development, manufacture, marketing and sale of motor vehicles are known as automotive industry. More than million of motor vehicles, including cars and commercial vehicles were produced worldwide in 2007. Figures show that in 2007, around 71.9 million new automobiles were sold worldwide in which 22.9 m sold in Europe, 21.4 m in Asia-Pacific, 19.4 m in USA and Canada, 4.4 m in Latin America, 2.4 m in the Middle East and 1.4 m in Africa. Though the markets in North America and Japan were inactive but in South America and Asia markets grew very strongly. Russia, Brazil and China were the one who showed rapid growth compare to others. In 2008, automotive industry were experiencing a combination of pricing pressures from raw material cost and changes in consumer buying habits due to rapid rise in the price of oil. G.M and other automotive industries were also facing external competition from the public transport sector, as consumers re-evaluate their private vehicle usage. U.S is the worlds largest consumer market for light vehicles, passenger cars and light trucks which are conquered by big three companies i.e. General Motors, Ford Motors and Daimler/Chrysler. But recently these three industries were started to lose their market share to other rivals within the industry. General Motors are facing huge competition by domestic company such as Ford Motors and Daimler/Chrysler and also by foreign companies such as Toyota Motors and Honda Motors who are able to produce car much cheaper cost than General Motors. In 2006, General Motors has been bankrupted and has been avoiding a filing for years. For years it has been using cars as razors to sell consumers a monthly package of razor blades- in the form of highly profitable car loans. And the reasons for its bankruptcy are because they were focusing mostly on their finance division rather than it vehicle design operation. GM cars were poorly designed and build, took long time to manufacture as compare to its toughest competitor Toyota who has better designed and high quality and cheaper. In past GM controlled half of North America vehicle market but presently it has only 19 percent control as GM has been ignoring competition due to which Toyota and other industry took over the market share. Since General Motors were focusing on making profit from finance they did not care about building better vehicles. It was managing in bubble as GM rewarded those employees who followed the old way of doing things and those who praises CEO wisdom and carry out his orders. PEST Analysis Political: Since 1960, there were more powerful and strict laws and Government intervention that has affected GM and other car industries. Mostly, all regulation was related to consumer increasing concern for environment and concern for the safer automobiles. Economical: Automobile Industries plays an important role on every countries economy. As Automotive industry are major user of computer chips, aluminium, textiles, copper, steel, iron, lead, plastics, vinyl and rubber. Research and study had shown that for every autoworker there are seven other jobs created in other industry which include aluminium to lead to vinyl. Sociocultural: Todays people are mostly concern about their status and society judges on the basis of what type of car one drives. Manufacture takes advantage of this thought and target the market. Every one want attractive and nice car which other people admires. Consumers feel better when they driving nice and new car. Technology: Internet had played a significant role in automotive industry. A study showed that about 60 % buyers referred to internet before making their purchase and out of that 60 percentage. 88 % buyer went to auto website before going and taking test drive. Strength and Weakness of General Motors. Strength: Huge Market Share: Although General Motors market shares has dropped in United States but it still has very much competitive at 26 percent. On the other hand, it is increasing its share in Chinese market and world wide. They still believes that they have an opportunity to become automotive leader once again as it was before. Global Experience: Although General Motors share have decline recently but they have capability of becoming leader once again due to vast experience of almost 100 years. As GM current opportunity is to expand globally and it has got experience to do so. Variety of Brand names General Motors had been leaders in the past and reason for that is wide variety of quality brand names that differentiate it from other automotive manufacturer. Its current brands include GMC, GM Daewoo, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer, Saab, Holden, Buick, Cadillac, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GMAC Customer Finance Program Since, General Motors Acceptance Corporation establishment in 1919, it has proven to be GMs most reliable source of revenue. On Star Satellite technology Star Satellite technology was developed in1996 with a subscriber of more than 3 million and it is the standard of all GM vehicles. The benefit of this technology is that vehicle can be easily tracked at the time of emergency or theft. On the other hand, it allows the driver as well as passengers to communicate with On star personnel just in one click of button. Weakness: Behind on Alternative Energy Movement: This is one of the biggest weaknesses of General Motors. The alternative energy/hybrid technology has already taken place in the automotive industry and GM has been one step behind the competition in terms of alternative energy vehicles. As a result, GM faced lots of problem including loss of market shares and fall in company profit. Now days for any automotive company looking for success must be Hybrid friendly and fuel efficient. Poor Organizational Structure: This is the second and significant weaknesses of GM. Its organizational structure seems to be too vertically integrated. As a result, there is lack of communication between top level management and bottom level management and may have played a part in GM falling behind on the alternative energy movement. Stagnant Profitability: General Motors profit has been certainly falling and they are struggling with respect to the size of their company. General Motors profit margin was about 1.5 % and the ROE has dramatically decreasing by dropping to 10 % in 2004. At this situation shareholders are not happy and they are becoming less interested. Fully Based on US market: For any one who is concentrating on one particularr market cant be successful. This is what happened to GMs case, it fully dependent on the US market. It must take advantage of the opportunity to expand globally. Due to high competition, it is becoming too strong to focus on just one country. Over Dependent on General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) Financing: The other important weakness of General Motors is that it is too dependent on its financing program. Although, it is accepted that it is a great strength for GM, however it will be a problem if it solely rely on financing and cant turn profits, in order to compete with Honda and Toyota who are rapidly growing. Poor Credit Status: GMs credit status is steadily declining same as everything else. It is losing credit in market and amongst the customer. Its current ratio is merely above 1 and its acid test is even lower. Poor strategies and lack of Foresight: Due to increase in oil prices, consumers began to turn away from SUVs, but still General Motors predicted much of its operating success on its ability to sell newly unpopular vehicles. While companies like Toyota, were concentrating on light vehicle and in improving efficiency where GM assumed sales would continue in future. ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF ORGANISATION DEVELOPMENT Organizational Development is a system which differs from other systems of organizational change by putting stress/focusing on process rather than problems. In fact, change system focuses on identifying problems in an organization and then trying to alter the behaviour that creates the problem. OD is a methodology intended for use in complex situations to provide intervention strategy for change management. OD finds the behavioural interactions and the pattern that creates or sustain problem. In fact, OD does not change the behaviours, but they focus on creating a behaviourally healthy organization that will automatically solve and prevents the problems. OD generally considered long term effort that is of at least one to three years in most cases. In addition, it mostly focuses on combined management where manager and workers of different level communicate and unite to solve the problem. OD understands the fact that all organization is different and same solution cant put in every co mpany. The other feature of OD is that it gives importance to team work and small group. The important features of OD programs is the change agent, that is group or individual which makes OD process much easier. Almost all change agent are consultant from outside who are experienced in managing OD programs but sometimes companies may utilize its inside managers. The benefits of consultant from outside are that they provide a different outlook and have a less biased view of the organizations problems and needs. The disadvantage of outside change agents is that its lack an in depth of understanding of main issues mainly one specific organization.

My Plans for Nursing Essay -- Career Planning Nursing

If you are trying to pursue a career in nursing you should do your research on this field. I have learned so much about what it takes to pursue a career in nursing and that there is so much more to it than just choosing what kind of nurse you want to become, to find out all about nursing you have do all the research possible. There are many roles that a nurse has such as a caregiver, educator, advocate and many more. The practice level of nursing is very broad also, there are plenty of degrees that you can get as a nurse, along with the specialty areas of practice I want to become a pediatric nurse which would be a specialty area. The practice settings of nurses vary from a hospital, community, outpatient, or school there is an endless amount of them. A nurse has many responsibilities and roles to their patients that they have. A nurse is a caregiver to their patients they are responsible for meeting the physical and emotional needs of the patient, they are to be able to identify, prevent or treat an illness or disability. A nurse could also be an educator, they could teach a class of future nurses, they also educate by helping other workers with things they do not know or need help with. â€Å"A Masters degree is usually needed to teach in a school of nursing, however, if you would like to teach in a school of nursing, you must have baccalaureate in nursing. Nurses with a baccalaureate usually teach under the supervision of an experienced teacher with a master's or doctorate. In some states, it is possible to teach with a master's in a related discipline but the majority of nursing schools require a master's in nursing.† (Being a Nurse Educator) Nurses must also be able to speak for their patients when needed. For example If a nurse ... ...e Programs From Top Colleges | DegreeFinders.com. Web. 01 Dec. 2010. . Keefe,Sandy. "Flight Nurse Job Description | EHow.com." EHow | How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles. EHow. Web. 26 Nov. 2010. . "Nurses For A Healthier Tomorrow." Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow. American Nurses Association. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. . Ullman, Melanie. "Exploring a Variety of Nurse Practice Settings." EzineArticles Submission - Submit Your Best Quality Original Articles For Massive Exposure, Ezine Publishers Get 25 Free Article Reprints. 12 Aug. 2009. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. .

Reality: Influenced by an Individual’s Perception and Interpretation E

Reality: Influenced by an Individual’s Perception and Interpretation When the term reality is mentioned, many questions arise regarding what reality is and what is real originate also. Unfortunately, many of these questions are yet to be answered since determining reality and what is real are left to each individual’s imagination - for one to determine reality as he or she sees fit. A dictionary may provide a definition for the word reality, but things that constitute reality may never be entirely defined because it is one of those things that is almost completely based on an individual’s perception and interpretation. A dictionary may also provide a definition for the word perception and the word interpretation, but many individuals perceive and interpret many things very differently. With the vast variation of people, thoughts, and beliefs in our world, how should society determine the boundaries of reality? On the other hand, is it even possible to set specific limits when considering reality? The movie chosen, as a springboard into the forthcoming philosophical discussion, was â€Å"Dark City†, A Mystery Clock Production by New Line Cinema directed by Alex Proyas. The movie raised many interesting questions and produced many engaging comments. At the very beginning of the movie, you hear the voice of Dr. Schreber, played by Kieffer Sutherland. He begins by saying, â€Å"They [the â€Å"Strangers†] had mastered the ultimate technology, the ability to alter physical reality by will alone.†i[1] If the â€Å"Strangers† are altering reality, the people of the city will never truly know what is real and what is artificial. Consequently, the city in which they live is all artificial and made up. We as viewers can see this, but ... ...ed and are likely to continue to remain unanswered for many years to come. It is highly doubtful the term reality will ever be entirely and unrestrictedly measurable. Notes: i[1] Dr. Daniel P. Schreber in â€Å"Dark City† – the movie. ii[2] Detective Walenski in â€Å"Dark City† – the movie. iii[3] Woolley, Benjamin. â€Å"Virtual Worlds†. P 5. iv[4] Woolley, Benjamin. â€Å"Virtual Worlds†. P 9. v[5] Ludlow, Peter. â€Å"High Noon on the Electronic Frontier†. P 24. vi[6] Collins Gem Dictionary and Thesaurus. P 450. vii[7] Collins Gem Dictionary and Thesaurus. P 335. viii[8] www.philosophypages.com/dy/ix3.htm#real – the definition of reality. ix[9] Woolley, Benjamin. â€Å"Virtual Worlds†. P 213. x[10] Woolley, Benjamin. â€Å"Virtual Worlds†. P 3. xi[11] Woolley, Benjamin. â€Å"Virtual Worlds†. P 5. xii[12] Woolley, Benjamin. â€Å"Virtual Worlds†. P 3.

Miseducation of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson Essays -- African Ameri

Miseducation of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson In his book, The Miseducation of the Negro, Carter G. Woodson addresses many issues that have been and are still prevalent in the African American community. Woodson believed that in the midst of receiving education, blacks lost sight of their original reasons for becoming educated. He believed that many blacks became educated only to assimilate to white culture and attempt to become successful under white standards, instead of investing in their communities and applying their knowledge to help other blacks. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is a prime example of Woodson’s argument on â€Å"miseducated† blacks. Although Thomas benefitted from programs like affirmative action, once he reached the high point in his career he supported legislature to end such programs. Hampton University and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities must take it upon themselves to teach their students the importance of contributing to their communities once they graduate and enter into the business world. Colleges like Hampton, Howard, Spelman and Morehouse have the opportunity to produce professionals that can restructure and save the black community. Students who graduate from these institutions have the resources and knowledge that are needed to revive the African American community and their economy. Black colleges must educate their students on the need for black businesses, role models and the importance of staying connected to their culture and community. Clarence Thomas and the many blacks like him also contribute to the â€Å"class† rift in the black community. The many educated blacks who do not give back to their community are labeled as â€Å"sellouts† by their peers and family me... ...If we learn anything for the White Man, we could at least learn about how he treats his own kind. Johnica Garrett: In order to better ourselves, we must recognize and identify the problems within our community. Once this is done, we must be willing to work on these areas. We must implement programs that encourage unity within our communities. There are rifts amongst all groups of people, but the key is to not let these divisions be apparent to your enemy. An example of this is the unity America is portraying to the rest of the world right now. Despite the many problems we have within our country, our government realizes that we must at least appear to be united in the eyes of enemy. The black community needs to grasp the importance of strategy and competition. We must try twice as hard as anyone else in school and work to prove that we are at least their equals.

Conglomerate Essay

Materials manager at Captiva Conglomerate, A1 Carpenter, is holding a meeting with his Inventory and Spares manager, Sam, his Supply manager, Aaron, vice president of Operations, Jason, vice president of Finance, Monica, and director of Information Technology, Jana, to discuss the contract with SOS for an inventory management and spare parts management system. – Sam, from Inventory and Spares, believes the spare parts system is not useable for him and his personnel, plus the delivery of the system is four months behind schedule. The information technology department believes the system works great from the perspective of Jim. – The inventory management system is 10 months behind schedule and repercussions towards the supplier are minimal due to a lenient and poorly written contract, which stated verbiage such as â€Å"best efforts† and â€Å"whenever possible. † – The contract with SOS has used the entirety of the $1 M allotted, even though the supplier has accepted 17 unpriced change orders. Jason, from Operations, specifies that the new system ould provide him better support, uptime, and cut inventory while providing improved support. – The question about who wrote the specification for the contracts is brought up and it is pointed out by Aaron, from Supply, that they were drafted by the supplier and initialed by Jana, from Information Technology Can Captiva Conglomerate produce better written and produced specifications, solving the problem of poorly written contracts, by implementing cross functional teams integrated by the pertinent members of all areas of the organization involved in the respective procurement? Best Solution: Establish a multi-functional team to include the purchasing manager, finance, a legal representative, IT, operations, and inventory & spares to come up with a plan and strategy to definitize and clear up the SOS contract requirements. After this is ccomplished, re-engage with SOS to establish the new clear path for moving forward through a new agreement in order to achieve the deliverables needed by Captiva. Immediately following, a standard operating procedure would be created to establish guidance on putting together multifunctional teams for any major acquisition. Advantages: Clearing up the requirement documents will help Captive achieve the desired results it was looking for through the contract with SOS. – This approach will also help establish a firm and final price for the deliverables needed. Involving all epartments in the acquisition process aids in establishing realistic lead times, improved specification writing, and proper financial planning. – Creating a standard operating procedure will avoid the mistakes of the SOS contract in the future. – Multifunctional teams create an environment of efficiency and effectiveness for solving large problems or tackling complex large requireme nts. Disadvantages: Additional time, resources, and cost will be incurred to clear the mess Captiva currently has. – The contract with SOS will require additional funding in order to eceive the final deliverables. Additional coordination with other departments will require additional effort. – There is always risk in trying to enter a new agreement with SOS and resistance could be encountered without a guaranteed result. Alternate Solution: Establish a new training on the approach towards new acquisitions and who should be involved in the process. Centralize the procurement process in Captiva, as it seems that the acquisition of the system through SOS was done solely by the Information Technology department and the president. Provide additional funding to the SOS contract in an attempt to finalize it. Advantages: New conditions will improve the writing of specifications and statements of work. – The centralization of purchasing will produce specialization and better accountability of procurements. – The current goal is still to receive both deliverables from SOS, while maintaining a good working relationship. Disadvantages: Cost of completing the contract will continue to increase as no set path to fixing it has been established. – Time and cost of establishing a new training program