An Exceptional Leader Lee Cockerell Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

An Exceptional Leader Lee Cockerell - Case Study Example Disney World was opened in 1971 inspired by the dreams of Walt Disney who wanted a theme park on the east coast that could supplement the Disney land in California (WDW, 2011). Lee Cockerell founded the Lee Cockrell LLC company. The company is a leadership, management and consulting company that specializes in leadership and management training with an emphasis on how to create world-class customer services through exceptional leadership. The company works on the principle that there are many products and services in the market which are very similar; it is only through the interaction between the employees and the customers that make the difference and gives the organization the competitive advantage (Horn, 2011). He speaks at various conferences, training people in a very simple down-to-earth style that relates to everyone listening to him. Lee has long experience in the hospitality industry and has worked with very many companies all over the world including the Hilton Hotels Corp oration, Marriot Hotels, and Resort before finishing off at the famous Walt Disney Company (Horn, 2011). It is after retiring that he formed his own company in order to share what he has learned all the years in the world’s biggest companies. ...Banks cannot lend them money because they do not have the experience to run the company and secondly is that they do not have security with which the banks can take in case they fail to repay the loaned money (Awogbenle & Iwuamadi, 2010). This becomes a big challenge and many people often fail to start businesses because of this problem. Cockrell was also faced with the same problem and this is well explained because of his poor background. He was just a farm boy and he did not have enough money that could help him start any business. Though he tried to seek for ways he did not get any far because of the same reasons explained above (Cockrell, 2008). Many people and companies face the same problem at the start but once they are runnin g they are able to secure funding from other sources such as banks and other financial institutions that help them in the running of the business. The second problem that faced Lee was the lack of managerial skills. Just like other entrepreneurs, many of them begin with very little knowledge of how to run a business. They lack the essential management skills that are very important in ensuring that people and other resources are managed effectively so as to produce outcomes (Crispen Chipunza, 2011). The result is usually disastrous with many of the businesses closing down because of poor management. Many examples exist in the world today of such business and there are also many examples of people who have failed because of lack of managerial and leadership skills. Lee saw this and decided to pursue a degree in management so that he could understand better how to run a business effectively.

Weathering Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Weathering - Research Paper Example The rate of weathering is also affected by various factors such as climate, geology, relief, soil or vegetation cover, as well as human activity. Research studies regarding the causes and effects of weathering continues and play a vital role in understanding the history of earth movement and development. Weathering is defined as group of slow processes by which surface rocks are broken into smaller pieces or dissolve into water as caused by the impact of the atmosphere and hydrosphere. It is considered as the primary stage in the denudation of the landscape since rocks are loosened by the weathering process. The length of time that rocks and minerals have been exposed at the surface of the earth will dictate the degree to which they have weathered. Pushkar (799) explained the process of weathering: Soils are derived from the parent rocks by the process called weathering. Formation of soil is initiated by disintegration or weathering of parent rocks by certain physical, chemical or bi ological agents. As a result, soil-forming rocks are broken down into small particles called regoliths, which finally develop into mature soil by pedogenesis. After the loosened rock particle moves due to flowing agents specifically air, water or ice, erosion or mass wasting occurs. Erosion refers to the â€Å"movement down slope due to gravity† (US Geological Survey National Park Service). Physical weathering or mechanical weathering is a type of weathering in which the breakdown of rock relies solely through mechanical forces such as freeze thaw, pressure release, thermal expansion, salt crystallization, sand blast, and glaciation, which do not alter the chemical composition of the rock. Freeze thaw refers to the breakdown of rocks as a result of the expansion of water during freezing which is common in places where temperature often fluctuates around zero degrees Celsius like in upland Britain. This procedure is most effective in jointed rocks particularly granite. Pressur e release or dilation happens when weathering and erosion removes overlying rocks. The released pressure expands the rocks, making it to have fractures which weaken the rocks as they become susceptible to weathering agents. Sheeting of rock follows when cracks develop parallel to the surface. Thermal expansion, also called as insolation weathering, results from large diurnal temperature ranges that influences heating and cooling of the rock. The rock expands when heated and contracts when cooled. The changes caused by differing temperature results in stresses in the rock layers. Salt crystallization takes place when saline water passes through crevasses and joints in rocks, evaporates, and salt crystals are formed as the dissolved salts crystallize. The crystals can cause granular disintegration or the gradual breaking off grains of rock. Sand blast occurs in arid and desert conditions when wind and sand disrupts rocks. Lastly, glaciation or ice formation corrodes and breakdown rock s into sand particles as the melting of ice during summer season move downwardly on the slopes and produces glacier movement (Codrington 252). On the other hand, chemical weathering is defined as â€Å"the decomposition of a rock by alteration of its chemical composition† (Codrington 252). The processes of chemical weathering are solution, hydrolysis, chelation, hydration, carbonation and oxidation-reduction. Solution involves the removal of certain mobile components of rocks for instance, calcium sulphates and chlorides, making the rocks porous and easy to disintegrate. Hydrolysis breaks down or washes out components of rocks such as alumina silicates and silicon which leads to simpler mineral matter like

The Importance Of Studying Money Finance Essay

The Importance Of Studying Money Finance Essay Money helps us in avoiding the double coincidence of needs as required by a barter economy and by enabling specialization. However, the money supply has a lot of effects on the well being of its users. Some of these effects can be summarized as inflation, wealth creation/destruction etc. Thus it is very important to study money. Banking and financial markets are intermediaries that help provide a common platform, or a market place, for all individuals to inter act with each other. Banking and financial markets provide liquidity to the system and helps 2 individuals with exactly opposite needs meet on a common platform. Without an apt knowledge of the banking and financial markets, it is impossible to understand how changes around us would affect our wealth and in which way can we best utilize our wealth and help it grow and accumulate. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using financial intermediaries. Financial intermediaries help us by bringing together those entities with surplus funds and willingness to lend, with those with a shortage of funds and willingness to borrow. The benefits of such intermediation include; maturity and risk transformation, lesser transaction costs due to higher liquidity, better bargaining power due to alternative options etc. The function of financial intermediaries is to provide these advantages and make a profit while raising the overall efficiency of the economy. The disadvantage of financial intermediation is that such intermediation may be expensive on occasions. As seen in the recent economic crisis, financial intermediaries may also falter on exploiting structural loopholes in greed of higher profits in the short term while posing a threat to the economic stability in the long term. The given computer entry tells us that the Northwestern Energy company has issued bonds on March 15, 2001, with a principal value of $100,000, expiring in 20 years on March 15, 2021 and carrying an interest rate of 6% payable semi-annually. In the event of interest rates rising for new bonds issued in to the market for the same quality, it would imply that the bonds issued by Northwestern will be relatively expensive and thus less attractive than the newer bonds. Therefore, the value of the Bonds issued by Northwestern will have to fall to an extent that the yield on the bond becomes equal to the yield of the newer bonds issued. In making this inference we are assuming that the yield and interest rates are same. Friedmanà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s belief that when Fed lowers interest rates, they fall but do not stay lower for very long, reiterates his belief that in a free economy, the market always sets up at an equilibrium. Even though, there may be interventions by monetary authorities desired to accomplish certain goals and objectives, such intervention only leads to a temporary imbalance in the demand and supply attributes and over a longer period of time, the market resets itself to equilibrium. In the graph above, we assume that Dd is the initial money demand curve and Ss is the initial money supply curve. Thus, at equilibrium i* is the market determined interest rate and Q* the money supply and demand. Now, if the central bank authorities bring this interest rate down to say ia, a new but short lived equilibrium is formed due to the shift of the supply curve from Ss to Ssa. At this equilibrium, the demand curve has not yet responded to the change in Fed rates. Now as per Friedman, due to a lower interest rate, the liquidity in the market increases, thereby pushing the income of individuals northward. With higher level of incomes, inflation sets in due to a shift in the demand curve from Dd to Dda and the price levels begin to rise to offset the increase in income. Since inflation is a component of interest rates, the interest rates also rise proportionately in order to reset the market at another equilibrium where, in the example above, i* is the equilibrium interest rate and Q*a is the equilibrium money supply and demand. A company that has never received a bond rating will have to contact the rating agency, say Fitch, first. Once the agency is contacted, a credit analyst collates and gathers information required to determine risk to investors who might own or buy the bond. The kinds of information that are to be dispersed are background and history of the company/entity, industry trends, management vision/mission, experience, track record, and attitude towards risk, organization structure etc. He then analyzes the information on hand and develops a conclusion in committee on the appropriate rating. The analyst may also seek explanations and clarifications in to business procedures and audit some financial statements. After the rating is finalized, the agency monitors the security on an ongoing basis. In 2009, the Fed and the treasury were facing the most difficult times they have had to face since the great depression. On 19th March 2009, Fed decided to expand its balance sheet by a US$1,000,000,000,000. The Fed announced that it would inject up to $750 billion in Agency MBS that year. This was over and above an earlier commitment of $500 billion. Fed also announced the buying in to Agency bonds for $200 billion. It further declared that it would purchase up to $300 billion of longer dated Treasuries over the term. So, what was the fear behind such drastic measures? Answer is deflation. Earlier that year in January, Fed took the historic step of cutting the benchmark interest rate to as low as zero. They also called for greater government spending to help revive the economy. Such drastic measures were the result of the failure of Fed efforts like record rate cuts, emergency lending programs and backstops for debt markets, to halt the crisis.

why parrot repeat :: essays research papers

Why Parrots Repeat A long, long time ago before human even roamed the earth animals here alone. There were all different types of them, from big to small, fat to skinny and brave to cowardly. There were also groups of animals, based upon there personalities just like us today. The way that you look made no difference, just the way you acted. For example, the lions were very brave and loyal and the turtles were cowardly and shy. Then there were the parrots. They were also like the turtles because they were cowardly but not shy. They love to make fun of others. They had huge mouths. Every time they could insult one of their fellow animals they would. In this one incidence the warthogs we just minding their own business while playing soccer out in the fields (the warthogs were a sort of uneducated animal, but nice at the same time, as long as you were kind to them they would do anything for you). They parrots saw them playing as they were and immediately started to make fun of them. They called them names like â€Å"fatty† and â€Å"slowpoke.† This upset the warthogs so much that they went to the mammoth, the king animals, and told him what the parrots had done. So at the next town meeting the mammoth talked to the parrots about their behavior towards their fellow animals. The mammoth said â€Å"Parrots why must you be so cruel to all of the animals?† all the parrots did was laugh and then told the mammoth to take it easy because they were just having a little fun. Then the mammoth replied back quickly and said that next time they insulted their fellow animals that he would go straight to Zaron, the god of all the animals. The parrots could only imagine what would happen to them if Zaron found out about this, because all knew about he was the same god would made the flies attracted to feces. After hearing this they seemed to be afraid. The parrots held back their comments for a while but eventually it came back out.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  On one rainy day the sloths were trying to get to there homes as fast as they could but we know that it would take them a while. Even when all the other animals were safely in there homes the sloth’s still had miles to go before they could get dry.

Macbeth Outline

Outline 1. Introduction A. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth with their differences in gender and the fact that they switch roles in the play. B. Thesis Statement: In the play Macbeth, the two characters Lady Macbeth and Macbeth show how they believe in gender and how these thoughts are performed in their actions. As the situation becomes more severe they begin to fall into each other’s shoes and become what they had wanted to avoid. 2. Shakespeare’s view on gender and Lady Macbeth and Macbeth A. State the personality of the character of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth and gender in the play.B. The importance of gender between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth in the play and how they affect each other and cause them to switch their personalities and views 3. Lady Macbeth as a whole character A. Lady Macbeth from the starting of the play to the end. B. The changes that take place with her throughout the play and how they are important. State the differences between the 1st Act and the 5th Act a nd how she has become what she was trying to avoid. 4. Macbeth as a whole character A. Macbeth from the starting of the play to the endB. The changes that take place with him throughout the play and how they are important. State the differences between the 1st Act and the 5th Act and how he has become what he was trying to avoid. 5. Changes with Lady Macbeth and Macbeth A. State what these changes are throughout the play (include quotes and actions) B. The importance of these changes and how they affect both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth differently. 6. Conclusion A. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s role and what they are trying to pursue in the play.

How the Other Half Lives Review Essay

How the other Half Lives is an informative book disusing the 1900’s. The author, Jacob A. Riis, counts people for the census. He saw many different aspects of life in New York City during this time. He shares some of the hidden relations of tenement housing. He discusses the many different ethnic groups and how they form group characteristics in distinct neighborhoods. Riis’s personal opinions of the value and power of these ethnic groups comes through in his writing. His ideas reflect some of the national ideas during this time period. Blacks rank the lowest in society at this time. Riis credits this to natural selection. They are a race on the lowest level, defenseless against the woes of the landlords. Riis does not seem to hate the blacks, but accepts the fact that they are the lowest form of a person. Riis places the Chinese right above the blacks. He discredits the popular belief that, â€Å"the Chinaman being a thousand years behind the age on his own shore†, by stating that in America, â€Å"he is distinctly abreast of it in his successful scheming to ‘to make it pay.’† Riis thinks the Chinese are repugnant people. He starts off my discrediting their â€Å"grub-worshiping† religion. The fact that Chinese practice a different religion takes many people off guard, and they begin to insult the region, saying it is unworthy compared to Christianity. Along with these insults, the dreary neighborhood and past time of gambling are also pointed out. Chinese were the most hated group of this time period. Jews are the next group. Riis shares both positive and negative traits of the Jewish people. He notes the contrast in age groups behavior with a neutral perspective and even notes how they â€Å"honestly† stay home on holidays. Riis points out that they live in the most crowed houses that he has ever seen. Riis seems mostly neutral about this group as he discusses their desire for money. Riis thinks the highest of the Irish. This group comes up many times throughout his writing and there is never any excessively negative comments made about them, unlike when Riis discuses the Chinese. This ethnic group is often compared to other groups and is the topic of a lot of his writing. He notes their short falls, but always with positive rhetoric. I think he is the most considerate to the Irish because they had been in the country so long. It is expected that they are in the country, and some are even moving out of extreme poverty. They seem to have the most power in the tenements of New York. In addition to this, Riis is very familiar with the Irish. Some of his writing comes across as sympathetic, such as when he says the Irish, â€Å"falls most readily victim to tenement influences†. Riis does mention that Germans may have a better experience in America. He tells how Germans garden, and bring their flowers with them wherever they go, but quickly flows that by saying, â€Å"not that it represents any higher principle in the man; rather perhaps the capacity for it†. Riis favors the Irish the most out of all the ethnic groups. Riis mentions many other ethnic groups that are present in America such as the Bohemians and the Italians. However his opinions of the Blacks, Chinese, Jewish, and Irish come through with the most passion in his in his writing.

Stormwater Pollution on the Grand Strand essays

Stormwater Pollution on the Grand Strand essays The lively, family oriented Grand Strand, a booming resort area along the South Carolina coast, is one of the eastern seaboard's largest vacation centers. Myrtle Beach, whose population explodes from 26,000 to 350,000 people in the summer, is single handedly responsible for 40% of the state's tourism revenue (Travel Channel 2). There are millions of things to do along the strand, from golf to shopping, but the main attraction, of course, is the broad, beckoning beach, 60 miles of white sand stretching from the North Carolina border south to Georgetown. Yet, as the demand to visit the coastline of South Carolina continues to grow, so does the need to assess the evident pollution problem within the coastal atmosphere. In the state, storm water runoff is a major pollutant, affecting all aspects of the beach experience. Storm water is water from rain that does not quickly soak into the ground. Storm water runs from rooftops, over paved areas and bare soil, and through sloped lawns a nd fields. Originally, storm water was regarded as clean but as it flows, this runoff collects and transports soil, pet waste, pesticides, fertilizer, oil and grease, leaves, litter, and other potential pollutants. A heavy rainstorm is not needed to send pollutants rushing towards the ocean or nearest body of water; a single garden hose can supply enough water. Water and debris that flows into storm drains and sewers move directly to the ocean, not to a wastewater treatment plant, as many believe. Storm water runoff effects not only South Carolina's coastal environment, but also takes a toll on the economy and the people. In the summer of 1996, as South Carolina's coastal attraction continued to blossom, many became critical of the water quality in South Carolina's ocean beaches. Because of a statement from the Natural Resources Defense Council, as well as an array of local newspaper articles, citizens and vacationers alike became skeptical of why S...

Free Essays on The Chinese And Their Part In The Transcontinental Railroad

In 1850 there were only a few hundred Chinese in California. Most were merchants who were respected as honest upright citizens California people called them the â€Å"celestials† because they came from the â€Å"Celestial Kingdom.† By 1852 there were about 20,000 Chinese on the western coast, looking for gold during the Gold Rush. Their skills as miners caused jealousy and hatred. They were accused of stealing from the Americans. Chinamen were attacked by hoodlums on San Francisco streets for no other reasons than there race. James Strobridge hated the thought of hiring â€Å"Orientals†; He thought they were â€Å"heathen weaklings and at the best they were fit for washing clothes and raising vegetables.† He said â€Å"I will not boss Chinese†¦.. They are not fit for labor.† The Chinese immigrants were eager for work and at least five thousand men were needed for blasting roadbeds around and through mountains. At the time the Central Pacific Railroad construction crew had less than 800 men, and many went on strike for more money. By the spring of 1865 the situation was so bad Croker convinced Strobridge to hire 50 Chinamen on a trial basis. Thrown into freight cars in the Sacramento station and hauled to the end of the track, they were immediately put to work. At first Strobridge gave them simple unskilled jobs such as filling and dumping carts. He believed they were to weak to swing heavy hammers. However the white men refused to work with the China men ; many white men quit. So Strobridge had to test the Chinese. Strobridge was told was told that â€Å"the coolies were better than any white mans crew.† According to one of the observers this was one of â€Å"the cruelest blow of all the egos of the whites.† Strobridge asked Croker to find more Chinese. Within six months more than two thousand Chinese were hired. The Chinese Protective Society which had been organized by San Francisco clergy men, met ships with armed guards to pr... Free Essays on The Chinese And Their Part In The Transcontinental Railroad Free Essays on The Chinese And Their Part In The Transcontinental Railroad In 1850 there were only a few hundred Chinese in California. Most were merchants who were respected as honest upright citizens California people called them the â€Å"celestials† because they came from the â€Å"Celestial Kingdom.† By 1852 there were about 20,000 Chinese on the western coast, looking for gold during the Gold Rush. Their skills as miners caused jealousy and hatred. They were accused of stealing from the Americans. Chinamen were attacked by hoodlums on San Francisco streets for no other reasons than there race. James Strobridge hated the thought of hiring â€Å"Orientals†; He thought they were â€Å"heathen weaklings and at the best they were fit for washing clothes and raising vegetables.† He said â€Å"I will not boss Chinese†¦.. They are not fit for labor.† The Chinese immigrants were eager for work and at least five thousand men were needed for blasting roadbeds around and through mountains. At the time the Central Pacific Railroad construction crew had less than 800 men, and many went on strike for more money. By the spring of 1865 the situation was so bad Croker convinced Strobridge to hire 50 Chinamen on a trial basis. Thrown into freight cars in the Sacramento station and hauled to the end of the track, they were immediately put to work. At first Strobridge gave them simple unskilled jobs such as filling and dumping carts. He believed they were to weak to swing heavy hammers. However the white men refused to work with the China men ; many white men quit. So Strobridge had to test the Chinese. Strobridge was told was told that â€Å"the coolies were better than any white mans crew.† According to one of the observers this was one of â€Å"the cruelest blow of all the egos of the whites.† Strobridge asked Croker to find more Chinese. Within six months more than two thousand Chinese were hired. The Chinese Protective Society which had been organized by San Francisco clergy men, met ships with armed guards to pr...

Understanding Ecological Succession

Understanding Ecological Succession Ecological succession is the progressive change, in an ecosystem, of species composition over time. With the change in species composition comes a series of modifications in community structure and function. A classic example of succession involves the series of changes observed in an abandoned field in what is normally a forested area. Once the field is no longer grazed or mowed, the seeds of shrubs and trees will sprout and rapidly start growing. Before long, shrubs and tree saplings will be the dominant vegetation form. The tree species will then grow to the point of shading out the shrubs, eventually forming a complete canopy. The species composition in that young forest will continue to turn over until it is dominated by a stable, self-maintaining group of species called a climax community. Primary vs. Secondary Succession Ecological succession where there was no vegetation prior is called primary succession. We can observe primary succession on bulldozed sites, after an intense fire, or following a volcanic eruption, for example. The first plant species to show up have the ability to very quickly colonize and grow in these bare areas. Depending on the region, these pioneer species can be grasses, broadleaf plantain, Queen Anne’s lace, or trees like aspen, alder, or black locust. The pioneers set up the stage for the next phase of succession, improving soil chemistry and adding organic matter which provides nutrients, better soil structure, and greater water-holding capacity. Secondary succession occurs when a new set of organisms appears where there was an ecological set-back (for example a clear-cut logging operation) but where a cover of living plants was left behind. The abandoned agricultural field described above is a perfect example of secondary succession. Common plants during this stage are raspberries, asters, goldenrods, cherry trees, and paper birch. Climax Communities and Disturbance The last stage of succession is the climax community. In a forest, climax species are those that can grow in the shade of taller  trees – hence the name shade-tolerant species. The composition of climax communities varies geographically. In parts of the eastern United States, a climax forest will be made of sugar maples, eastern hemlock, and American beech. In Washington State’s Olympic National Park, the climax community may be dominated by western hemlock, Pacific silver fir, and western redcedar. A common misconception is that climax communities are permanent and frozen in time. In reality, the oldest trees eventually die and are replaced by other trees waiting under the canopy. This makes climax canopy part of a dynamic equilibrium, always changing but overall looking the same. Significant changes will occasionally be brought about by disturbances. Disturbances can be wind damage from a hurricane, a wildfire, an insect attack, or even logging. The type, size, and frequency of disturbances vary by region – some coastal, wet locations experience fires on average once every few thousand years, while eastern boreal forests may be subject to spruce budworm kills every few decades. These disturbances knock back the community into an earlier successional stage, restarting the process of ecological succession. The Value of Late Successional Habitat The dark shade and tall canopies of climax forests provide shelter for a number of specialized birds, mammals, and other organisms. The cerulean warbler, wood thrush, and red-cockaded woodpecker  are dwellers of old forests. The threatened spotted owl and Humboldt fisher both require large stands of late successional redwood and Douglas-fir forests. Many small flowering plants and ferns rely on the shady forest floor beneath old trees. The Value of Early Successional Habitat There is also considerable value in early successional habitat. These shrubland and young forests rely on recurring disturbances that set succession back. Unfortunately, in many places, these disturbances often turn forests into housing developments and other land uses that short-cut the ecological succession process. As a result, shrublands and young forests can become quite rare on the landscape. Many birds rely on early successional habitats, including the brown thrasher, golden-winged warbler, and prairie warbler. There are also mammals that need shrubby habitat, perhaps most notably the New England cottontail.

The crisis management process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The crisis management process - Essay Example This essay stresses that management of crisis is critical to long term success of the organization. As the case of Tesco horse meat crisis reflects, the issue has moved a huge customer base of the company in the European market. In this situation the company has been putting best efforts to manage the situation with utmost professionalism and transparency. This paper makes a conclusion that according to public opinion, level of food safety is falling in the country. This is the reason behind the lack of confidence among the shoppers about the item that they are buying. Tesco has to put right such failings in order to win back consumer trust and pull back consumers’ confidence to the pre-scandal level. The company should immediately make a public declaration, over and above the promises to make investigation and refunding, that it would employ more sincere surveillance over the entire process starting from receiving supply form the suppliers, the process of production, packagin g and distribution of the products to the stores. It should also set new product standards for all the supermarkets not only in UK but around the world. This should be done in order to prevent tampering with the product in raw material stage to fully processed stage. It should also strictly follow the UK legislation of food legislation to account for all the ingredients that have been used in the product. Tesco should tighten its policies to take criminal action against the guilty that would be found responsible for breaking the law.... crisis intervention can be summarized as immediate intervention, stability, facilitating understanding, focusing on problem solving, and encouraging self-reliance (Flannery and Everly, 2000). Crisis management is an important ingredient for an organization to achieve success and following these basic principles would help in easing out its efforts. The way executives manage the communication pattern within the organization and the type of information exchanged between the organization and the stakeholders shape public perception. Public relations and media engagement are the two crucial elements of good crisis communication (Pauchant, Mitroff and Lagadec, 1991). The renowned global retailer Tesco has fallen victim to a serious scandal relating to the quality of a range of beef burgers sold by it. This is a serious stake for the company since the company’s reputation is on risk and the company is facing a slump in sale (Thomas, 2013). This article looks into the crisis communic ation maintained by the crisis management procedures followed by the company. Company overview Tesco had been established in the year 1919 in the East End in London (Tesco PLC, 2013a). A market stall owner, Jack Cohen, had set up the company with the vision of becoming â€Å"highly valued by the customers† (Tesco PLC, 2013b) served by the company. The business has grown successfully over the years and at present the company operates in 14 different countries in the world. Tesco is at present â€Å"the largest supermarket retailer in the United Kingdom† (Aaker and Mcloughlin, 2010). The company has always focused on bringing the most pleasing shopping experience for the customers and also taking the necessary actions to do the best for its employees and the community as a whole. The values

Why does the EU rely so much on policy networks to make its political Essay

Why does the EU rely so much on policy networks to make its political system function - Essay Example Policy changes have taken place only with the consent of the group. Interest groups have always favored state bureaucracies maintaining stable relationships with the groups. Hence policy networks have helped the policy makers fulfill their procedural ambitions and obtain a ‘negotiated order’ For this reasons even after decades of formulation, these policies for the functioning of political system continue to exist (Mazey & Richardson, 2001).The paper intends to trace out the possible reasons behind EU’s everlasting reliance on policy networks for managing the political system thereby addressing the background and importance of these policy networks. The European Union EU operating for 50 years possesses a unique background. Under the co-decision procedure the Council consisting of all member states works with the European Parliament for budget formulation and other decisions. Overall, the decision making body contains EU Council, Parliament and the European Commis sion. The legislations for EU comprises of Primary legislation influencing daily lives of member countries’ citizens and Secondary legislation containing directives, regulations and also certain recommendations. The decision based upon majority votes, can be simple or qualified, depending entirely on the addressed issue (Mazey & Richardson, 2001). It appears that the structure of the EU displaying behavioral traits and functioning is very different from the regular or traditional ones found in most other organizations (How does the EU work, 2008). State bureaucrats display efficiency in framing policies under the scope of their limited capacities and available information. The users who are served by these bureaucrats extend a high degree of external support to the political system on obtaining their desired benefits. Thus favoritism and institutional factors act behind decision making (Mazey & Richardson, 2001). Evolvement of European Political System: Horizontal and Vertica l Over the years the European Union has developed a well governed and stable political system. An efficient government operates within the state with concentration of power at the center. Member countries like France, Britain and Sweden are known to possess an ideal political system. Decentralization has been the key to governance. It has always witnessed sharing of political power among large number of actors (Buxbaum, 1996, pp. 14-16). Policies framed under EU governance are concerned with regulation of markets. This has been noticed for environmental and social policies of EU which helps in preventing market failures. The budgetary policies have dealt with compensating potential losers who lose out in market integration. The adoption of a single currency has been aimed towards regulating markets. It has attempted creation and regulation of a single market. The Maastricht Treaty of 1993 has attempted to bring about economic and political union. Viewed form a vertical dimension EU can be termed as a regulatory state. From horizontal perspective it has acted as a hyper consensus government (Buxbaum, 1996, p. 16). The total policy making process has been divided between the governmental head in the European Council and Commission resulting in efficient allocation of power among the EU institutions. Political leadership has been rotational among the member countries. Such a governance framework has led to rising power of the European parliament. Under this multilevel EU framework, networks have helped to improve regulations in the areas of energy, transport and telecommunications. Background for policy networks

Operations Management - An Integrated Approach Case Study - 4

Operations Management - An Integrated Approach - Case Study Example The bank is concentrating on a customer-based change, in a bid to exacerbate its competitive advantage. Staffing, layout, and facilities are the critical targeted aspects in the customer service pursuit (Dan Reid & Sanders, 2005). The operations management should further account for an all-around treatment of operations components. These are quality, speed, dependability, flexibility, and cost (Dan Reid & Sanders, 2005). Since the bank is concerned with the customer aspect, the cost factor does not count in the required changes. However, it is important for the management to ensure that the bank operates within budget. The bank’s strategy to enhance its competitive advantage should target quality of its financial services, the speed of service at all levels, institutional dependability and flexibility of financial services to suit the different customers served. Facility upgrades will also complement these undertakings. A strategy tailored towards cutting costs rather than promoting customer service would require operational adjustments and re-adjustments where possible. Cutting on costs means that no additional costs can be incurred, and the already observed budget should be on the verge of declining. The improvements aforementioned in question two may need to be re-evaluated. The primary concern would be to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the already functioning system in the bank. Facility upgrades may not be employed, but the quality, speed, dependability and flexibility aspects can be redesigned to become more efficient at the current or even lesser  budget.

Comparison & Contrast Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Comparison & Contrast - Essay Example While Sietel directly and openly opposes the banks decision adhere to advocacy groups, Yeoman is more affirming as he recognizes the role of banks in the pursuit of sustainable development. Yeomans begin his discussion by recalling how activist groups were able to make JP Morgan Chase, the second largest bank in the US, adhere to environmental and social policies. The article bring to light how financial institutions, which were not the typically targets of environmentalists, contribute to the degradation of the environment as they fund the projects of â€Å"air polluters† and â€Å"illegal loggers.† The author also describes how banks have incorporated corporate social responsibility in their strategies. In the case of Citigroup, â€Å"the bank committed to banning investment in firms that logged primary tropical forests, and it pledged to invest in renewable-energy projects† (Yeoman 2). The institution of the Equatorial Principle further formalizes the banks’ adherence for a more sustainable operation. However, Yeomans also recognized that banks and other companies often fail to deliver their lofty promises. Though business organization vo wed to adhere on environmentally and socially sound policies, companies often fail to apply these policies on their every project. In contrast, Sietel voices out a strong criticism against the move of the banks to cooperate with environmentalist. It should be noted that the article express its approval on â€Å"corporate concern for environment.† However, he stresses that joining activist groups on their thrusts may post complicacies for business organizations as most of their goals are not in line with their environmental partners. In conclusion, the two articles give light to the current issue of incorporating environmentally responsible policies for banks. Yeoman analyzes the issue by exposing both positive and negative aspects of

How does Alcohol Affect Crime in the United States Essay

How does Alcohol Affect Crime in the United States - Essay Example From this discussion it is clear that  there are some crimes mostly related to alcohol consumption. Homicide, rape, burglary, theft, robbery, child abuse, road accidents, Domestic violence, Teens pregnancy, suicides e.t.c are all crimes, arguably having alcohol as a factor in their committal. Since addressing crime alone, by apprehending the criminal is not likely to succeed in reducing the acts of crime, then the root cause and the motivation behind the committal of criminal activities needs to be addressed. Among all crime related activities reported to the police in 2009, 43 % were found to have been committed by individuals who had previously consumed alcohol.This paper stresses that  consumption of alcohol is likely to result to wrong doings that are offensive and punishable by law, for example, drunken driving.   Battery is another sort crime well related with alcohol consumption, where an individual who is under the influence of alcohol engages in physical assault to mem bers of t heir families or their partners. Among all the reported crimes in the US in the year 2009, cases of battery accounted for 36% of all the reported crime. This is an indication that individuals under the influence of alcohol have a higher chance of assaulting their partners or their family members, more than engage in committing any other alcohol related crime.... There are some crimes mostly related to alcohol consumption. Homicide, rape, burglary, theft, robbery, child abuse, road accidents, Domestic violence, Teens pregnancy, suicides e.t.c are all crimes, arguably having alcohol as a factor in their committal (Michael, 171). Since addressing crime alone, by apprehending the criminal is not likely to succeed in reducing the acts of crime, then the root cause and the motivation behind the committal of criminal activities needs to be addressed. Among all crime related activities reported to the police in 2009, 43 % were found to have been committed by individuals who had previously consumed alcohol (Michael, 314). With such backgrounds, then I present my claim that to address crime in America, the US government already pay much attention on regulating alcohol consumption, but it is not effective. This is because, many underage are still being involved in alcohol consumption, alcohol related violence and offences are still on the rise and dome stic violence with alcoholic perpetrators is still rife (Michael, 172). Hence, I will propose that US government should devise legislations and policies that would effectively eliminate minor involvement in alcohol consumption. Furthermore, the government should introduce social programs that address alcohol consumption, through engaging the alcohol consumers to seminars and workshops, which will play a great role in minimizing the number of alcohol consumers. Consumption of alcohol is likely to result to wrong doings that are offensive and punishable by law, for example, drunken driving. Battery is another sort crime well related with alcohol consumption, where an individual who is under the influence of alcohol engages in physical assault to

Contract Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 4

Contract Law - Essay Example A contact is reached when one party makes an offer and the other one accepts that offer. It is imperative to note that a deal is considered an offer only when the party making that offer shows intention of being bound. This is different to an invitation to treat (Poole, 2012). Invitation to treat is just an invitation for an offer but it is not legally binding. An example of an invitation to treat is where goods are displayed on a shop. Contacts could be either legal or illegal. An illegal contact cannot be enforced by a court of law according to the English laws. There are laws that offer guidance in determining which laws are legal and which ones are illegal. Forming an illegal contract has its consequences under the English law. This essay will explain the laws that relate to legality of a contract. It will give an explanation of illegal contracts as well as the consequences of forming illegal contracts. The essay will conclude by giving recommendations on the importance of the re forming the laws of contract. Laws relating to legality This section of the law is said to be one of the most confusing are of contract law. One of the major reasons as to why it is never clear is the fact that it lacks structure. It is usually very difficult for authors to classify the various heads of illegality. This area of law is said to be unsatisfactory and is usually very contradicting. According to the principle of legality, all laws are supposed to be clear, they should be easy to ascertain and should not be retrospective. Laws should allow decision makers to be certain in whatever decisions they make by applying laws that are declared before. In addition, laws should allow the decision makers to make decisions without altering the legal situations through discretionary divergence from the established law (Poole, 2012). Contracts which are rendered illegal A contact that does not meet statutory requirement is rendered illegal. Such contracts are regarded as illegal if they are likely to cause harm to the public or to the society (Poole, 2012). Any person who is accused of being involved in an illegal contract is likely to face consequences before the court of law. It is important to note that a contract may be lawful by itself but the parties who make an agreement may do it in an illegal manner. The following contracts are rendered illegal under common law; a) Contracts to commit a crime or to commit a civil wrong There are contracts that are aimed at committing a crime or something that is not according to the law. A contract that is deliberately aimed at committing a crime cannot be enforced by the law. However, there are situations where the parties are not aware that the contract they are about to engage in will lead to a civil wrong. Such a contract is not considered as illegal and is enforced by the law. In addition, there are situation where one party is aware that the contract will lead to a civil wrong and the other party is innocent. In suc h a situation, the innocent party will not be at fault by relying on the contract (Poole, 2012). b) Contracts that lead to corruption acts in public life These are contracts that are aimed at committing a corrupt act in the public office. For instance, it a contract is aimed at selling a public land or public property, then that contract is illegal and is not enforceable. In addition, a contract that is aimed at acquiring a tittle of honour illegally is also considered illegal and is no

How does Alcohol Affect Crime in the United States Essay

How does Alcohol Affect Crime in the United States - Essay Example From this discussion it is clear that  there are some crimes mostly related to alcohol consumption. Homicide, rape, burglary, theft, robbery, child abuse, road accidents, Domestic violence, Teens pregnancy, suicides e.t.c are all crimes, arguably having alcohol as a factor in their committal. Since addressing crime alone, by apprehending the criminal is not likely to succeed in reducing the acts of crime, then the root cause and the motivation behind the committal of criminal activities needs to be addressed. Among all crime related activities reported to the police in 2009, 43 % were found to have been committed by individuals who had previously consumed alcohol.This paper stresses that  consumption of alcohol is likely to result to wrong doings that are offensive and punishable by law, for example, drunken driving.   Battery is another sort crime well related with alcohol consumption, where an individual who is under the influence of alcohol engages in physical assault to mem bers of t heir families or their partners. Among all the reported crimes in the US in the year 2009, cases of battery accounted for 36% of all the reported crime. This is an indication that individuals under the influence of alcohol have a higher chance of assaulting their partners or their family members, more than engage in committing any other alcohol related crime.... There are some crimes mostly related to alcohol consumption. Homicide, rape, burglary, theft, robbery, child abuse, road accidents, Domestic violence, Teens pregnancy, suicides e.t.c are all crimes, arguably having alcohol as a factor in their committal (Michael, 171). Since addressing crime alone, by apprehending the criminal is not likely to succeed in reducing the acts of crime, then the root cause and the motivation behind the committal of criminal activities needs to be addressed. Among all crime related activities reported to the police in 2009, 43 % were found to have been committed by individuals who had previously consumed alcohol (Michael, 314). With such backgrounds, then I present my claim that to address crime in America, the US government already pay much attention on regulating alcohol consumption, but it is not effective. This is because, many underage are still being involved in alcohol consumption, alcohol related violence and offences are still on the rise and dome stic violence with alcoholic perpetrators is still rife (Michael, 172). Hence, I will propose that US government should devise legislations and policies that would effectively eliminate minor involvement in alcohol consumption. Furthermore, the government should introduce social programs that address alcohol consumption, through engaging the alcohol consumers to seminars and workshops, which will play a great role in minimizing the number of alcohol consumers. Consumption of alcohol is likely to result to wrong doings that are offensive and punishable by law, for example, drunken driving. Battery is another sort crime well related with alcohol consumption, where an individual who is under the influence of alcohol engages in physical assault to

Values and Planning Essay Example for Free

Values and Planning Essay In this first part of my assignment I will be explaining the different values and principles that are applied in care planning and how they will enable the provision of holistic support for service users. Providing direct care/ meeting and supporting the individuals needs Meeting the individual’s needs, making sure that they recognise and promote the rights of the individual and making sure that they have a right to make choices and engaging in having their needs met are all important in social care. Independence and the wellbeing of the individual using their services should be promoted by the professional so full potential is achieved. The professional should also take part in assessments to ensure the safety and protection of their client. When identifying the individual’s needs, it helps you to create a care plan for them so that their needs are met. A professional should pay them regular visits. On these visits they may identify that the environment that they are living in is not suitable for them. All the information collected would help them to make decisions on what arrangements need to be made to meet their needs. Promotion of choice Every individual should have the right to make their own choices and what they want to do. The choices could be things such as what activities they want to take part for that day. They could do this independently or with assistance if wanted. Promotion of rights In a health and social care environment, individuals all have the rights to choice, confidentiality and to also have their individuality acknowledged and respected. Some of the rights that they have are to be able to voice their opinions and for any form of communication received to be effective. Also to be able to practice their culture and religious beliefs. Policies and procedures of the organisation that is providing them with care should be available for access to all the individuals and if they feel that their needs are not being met they can make a complaint. Recognition of preferences It is important to find out and recognise vulnerable people’s preferences when providing them with care. When their preferences are stated then the support that they want to receive will be offered to them. When vulnerable people’s preferences are acknowledged, working with them becomes more effectively. Respect for religious and beliefs, moral beliefs, values and culture In health and social care sector there is a wide range of behaviours and beliefs that should be recognised and valued. Professionals and the people receiving the care all come from different backgrounds. By law all organisations in the health and social care sector have to respect and value every individual’s religion, beliefs and culture. They need to embrace diversity and demonstrate to their workers and patients. Confidentiality Everyone has the rights to privacy and privacy over their personal details. It is important to keep all information about individuals confidential. This is a legal requirement and also shows that they value and respect their patients who are receiving care from them. The only time when information can be passed on would be if there is an occasion when it has to be passed onto another agency. When doing this the individual must be informed that this information is being passed on. Fulfilling responsibilities Policies and procedures must be followed by every individual working in the health and social care sector.by following this, they will make sure that they are safeguarding that are in their care. They also have requirements that they have to meet, to protect the people within their care. P1 In this first part of my assignment I will be explaining the different values and principles that are applied in care planning and how they will enable the provision of holistic support for service users. Providing direct care/ meeting and supporting the individuals needs Meeting the individual’s needs, making sure that they recognise and promote the rights of the individual and making sure that they have a right to make choices and engaging in having their needs met are all important in social care. Independence and the wellbeing of the individual using their services should be promoted by the professional so full potential is achieved. The professional should also take part in assessments to ensure the safety and protection of their client. When identifying the individual’s needs, it helps you to create a care plan for them so that their needs are met. A professional should pay them regular visits. On these visits they may identify that the environment that they ar e living in is not suitable for them. All the information collected would help them to make decisions on what arrangements need to be made to meet their needs. Promotion of choice Every individual should have the right to make their own choices and what they want to do. The choices could be things such as what activities they want to take part for that day. They could do this independently or with assistance if wanted. Promotion of rights In a health and social care environment, individuals all have the rights to choice, confidentiality and to also have their individuality acknowledged and respected. Some of the rights that they have are to be able to voice their opinions and for any form of communication received to be effective. Also to be able to practice their culture and religious beliefs. Policies and procedures of the organisation that is providing them with care should be available for access to all the individuals and if they feel that their needs are not being met they can make a complaint. Recognition of preferences It is important to find out and recognise vulnerable people’s preferences when providing them with care. When their preferences are stated then the support that they want to receive will be offered to them. When vulnerable people’s preferences are acknowledged, working with them becomes more effectively. Respect for religious and beliefs, moral beliefs, values and culture In health and social care sector there is a wide range of behaviours and beliefs that should be recognised and valued. Professionals and the people receiving the care all come from different backgrounds. By law all organisations in the health and social care sector have to respect and value every individual’s religion, beliefs and culture. They need to embrace diversity and demonstrate to their workers and patients. Confidentiality Everyone has the rights to privacy and privacy over their personal details. It is important to keep all information about individuals confidential. This is a legal requirement and also shows that they value and respect their patients who are receiving care from them. The only time when information can be passed on would be if there is an occasion when it has to be passed onto another agency. When doing this the individual must be informed that this information is being passed on. Fulfilling responsibilities Policies and procedures must be followed by every individual working in the health and social care sector.by following this, they will make sure that they are safeguarding that are in their care. They also have requirements that they have to meet, to protect the people within their care.

Impacts of Sun Damage and Benefits of Sunscreen

Impacts of Sun Damage and Benefits of Sunscreen Abstract Sun damage is a cumulative process, meaning that every moment of exposure has a long-term impact. Overexposure to the suns harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause burns, diseases, and cancers-substantially contributing to mortality rates in fair-skinned populations. The severity of skin cancer is real; there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined figures for lung, breast, prostate, and colon cancers each year (Bell, 97). Helping to protect against sunburn and skin cancer, sunscreen is a topical product that absorbs or reflects the suns UV light. This article will address the global impact of sunscreens, while focusing on the scientific/engineering principles of the sun-care product and its effects. It will review some of the recent advances in photoprotection, including the development of broad-spectrum sunscreen and the sun protection factor. Although sunscreens have been around for over 70 years, its health applications are still being explored. Author Biography: Hieu Nguyen is a junior studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Southern California. After receiving his B.S. degree, he hopes to continue his education in graduate school-in pursuit of a challenging engineering career. From Hawaii, he enjoys riding the oceans waves and basking in sunny, tropical climate. Keywords: sunscreen, sunblock, ultraviolet, radiation, sunburn Rubbing It In: Modern sun-protection Introduction Our sun-the most powerful entity in our corner of the universe-is dangerous. Just about everyone comes into contact with its rays every day. Whether youre outside walking your dog or in a sports arena watching a 3-hour college football game, your skin is at risk. It is well-known that solar radiation is harmful; youve probably taken a few precautions in the past to protect yourself from the suns intensity by wearing brimmed hats, polarized sunglasses, or high-SPF sunscreens (Figure 2). For many, lathering on sunscreen lotion may seem like a chore. But what exactly are you applying liberally to your body? How much protection does sunscreen really have to offer against sunburn and skin cancer, and how long will these safeguards last? The answers to these questions can be understood when you consider the scientific/engineering aspects behind the $1.9 billion industry skin-care product: Sunscreen. A Harmful Sun Natural sunlight contains, among other things, ultraviolet photon particles of light. These photons are shorter in wavelength and have a much higher energy than visible light, giving it the ability to directly cause DNA damage in skin cells. Ultraviolet radiation is broken down into the following three types of wavelengths: Ultraviolet, Type A (UVA) Ultraviolet, Type C (UVC) UVC (wavelength 100-280 nm) rays are completely absorbed by the atmosphere and never reach us on the Earths surface. The UV rays that we are exposed to consist of UVB (280-315 nm) and UVA (315-400 nm) photons. The shorter wavelength UVB rays cause significant damage to DNA and are the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer. The longer wavelength UVA rays cause tanning and penetrate the deeper layers of skin. Because UV light falls outside of the visible spectrum (400-700 nm), the human eye cannot perceive them. Humans are also unable to feel UV radiation, and thus, your body has no mechanism to warn itself against overexposure. The Suns Effects on Our Skin Our skin is highly susceptible to critical damage from the suns ultraviolet rays. Any exposure to UVA or UVB light can alter or damage the skin. Without protection, long-term exposure to natural sunlight inflicts the skin cells, causing them to tan, burn, and peel. Although a suntan is often considered an emblem of good health, tanning for its own sake has no health benefit and is actually a health hazard (MacNeal). Tanning is your skins defense mechanism against the sun, and any change to your natural skin color is a sign of skin damage. When exposed to moderate levels of radiation, a chemical reaction in your skins cell system occurs. Your skin protects its complex structure of sensitive cells by producing a brownish pigment, melanin, which absorbs and reflects UV rays, dissipating the energy as harmless heat. This is one of the reasons you heat up in the sun. Special pigment-producing cells called melanocytes (depicted in Figure 3) manufacture color capsules and send them to the surface of your skin, thus acquiring a tanned color. Dark-skinned people tan quicker because they already have more melanin in their skin. Fair-skinned people burn easier because they have less melanin in their skin to protect against the burning rays of the sun (Kuhta, 6). Although tanning triggers your bodys manufacture of melanin, this process takes time-days to weeks-for your body to build up its supply, and if you are in the sun for an extended period of time, burning may occur. As anyone who has had sunburn knows, this localized skin injury leaves your skin red and extremely painful. When you get sunburn, what you are really getting is cellular damage caused by overexposure to the suns ultraviolet rays. When you stay out too long, you get burned and your skin gets damaged. To attempt to cool the heated skin area, your blood flow increases. The body sends blood to the surface of the skin so that it can be cooled by evaporation and returned to cool the organs-similar to the way a car radiator system works. Sometimes so much blood is pumped to the surface of the skin that it pushes right through the thin walls of your blood vessels to permeate the other tissues and your skin takes on a reddish color. Your skins immune system then releases chemicals like histamine and serotonin, which trigger inflammation and additional chemical production. And within twelve hours, skin cells begin to die, and inflammation turns the skin a darker red (Readers Digest). Peeling after sunburn is your bodys way of getting rid of damaged cells. This abrupt acceleration of the natural cycle of cell replacement causes gobs of dry skin to curl up and flake off (as shown in Figure 4). This process is necessary because the damaged skin cells are at risk of losing control and becoming cancerous. Due to this danger, all damaged cells are instructed to commit cell-suicide. This mass suicide of skin cells results in whole layers of damaged skin peeling off, to be replaced by other cells underneath those layers. Sometimes, the repair mechanisms themselves may be damaged by the UV rays, which prevent the cells from committing suicide in the future and allowing cancerous cells to replicate. Cancer Risks Skin cancer, the uncontrolled growth of skin cells, is the most common cancer in the world today, and the number of cases worldwide is growing each year. This year alone, over 1.3 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer, and one of every five Americans will be afflicted with skin cancer at least once during their lifetime (Bell, 97). Repeated exposure to UV rays can cause cancerous mutations such as malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Some parent cells replicate through cell division repeatedly and the inordinate mass they produce is called a tumor. Once started, tumors keep growing in an irregular, shapeless way (Kuhta, 30). Melanoma is a skin tumor that develops in the melanocytes- pigment producing cells in the skin-and has a very high tendency to spread to other parts of the body. A study at the Anerson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas concluded that about one in 105 Americans will develop melanoma, and 20 percent of them will die from it (T. Adler). Interestingly, malignant melanoma has been found more frequently in sunscreen users than in non-users in some studies. This is because some sunscreens block the natural warnings and adaptations mediated by UVB, but allow damage from UVA to go unchecked. By preventing the pain and redness of sunburn, sunscreen may enable people to stay longer in skin-scorching sunlight, putting them at higher risk for developing melanoma. Prevention: How Sunscreen Works Sunscreens with broad-spectrum protection are most effective to protect against sunburn and skin cancer. Many of the sunscreens available in the U.S. today combine several different active chemical sunscreen ingredients in order to provide broad-spectrum protection, which block both UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreens work by absorbing the UV radiation in the chemical bonds of their ingredients. Different brands of sunscreen contain different combinations of active ingredients that work together to minimize the impact of harmful rays of light from the sun. Some of these ingredients will deflect the UV light while others will absorb it. Most sunscreens work by containing either an organic chemical compound that absorbs ultraviolet light (such as oxybenzone) or an opaque material that reflects light (such as zinc oxide), or a combination of both. This general structure of the principal ingredients allows the molecules to absorb high-energy ultraviolet rays and release the energy as lower-energy rays, thereby preventing the skin-damaging radiation from reaching the skin (Zenitech, 46). Like a screen door, sunscreen filters the light from the sun so that less of it reaches the deeper layers of your skin. The principal ingredients in sunscreens are usually aromatic molecules conjugated with carbonyl groups, which prevent significant chemical change and allow the ingredients to retain their UV-absorbing potency without significant photo-degradation (Zenitech, 48). As its ingredients absorb UV energy, sunscreens begin to deteriorate and lose effectiveness. Sunscreen must be applied early enough before sun exposure to bind to the skin. In order to be effective in preventing skin cancer and sunburn, sunscreen must be reapplied every two hours regardless of their assigned SPF (PrincetonOL). Sunblock, on the other hand, remains on the surface of the skin to reflect the UV radiation. Its sunblock agents-titanium oxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) -reflect the light away so that it doesnt reach the skin at all. Since they do not need time to bind to the skin, they are very effective in blocking all types of UV immediately upon application. However, because they remain on the surface, they are subject to removal by perspiration and friction from towels, clothing, or usual daily activities. The term SPF that appears on sunscreen labels stands for Sun Protection Factor, and is a worldwide standard for measuring the effectiveness of a sunscreens ability to prevent UVB radiation from damaging the skin. The higher the SPF, the more protection a sunscreen will provide against UVB radiation and sunburn. For example, if it takes 20 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red, using an SPF 15 sunscreen theoretically prevents reddening 15 times longer-about five hours. SPF 15 blocks 93% of all incoming UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97% and SPF 50 blocks 99% (The Skin Cancer Foundation). As you can see, no sunscreen can block all UV rays. Because the SPF only accounts for UVB rays, certain sunscreens may not protect against UVA rays which are known to cause photoaging, wrinkles, brownspots, and melanoma. This curtailed protection is why protecting against sunburn does not necessarily protect against skin cancer. To deliver true broad-spectrum protection, products must also protect against UVA radiation in addition to UVB radiation. Conclusion Despite its dangers to skin cells, the sun is an important ally when it comes to good health. Optimal physical and mental wellbeing requires some exposure to the sun. Ultraviolet light enables the body to produce Vitamin D, a vital substance that works against the formation of tumors and aids in the absorption of calcium. Some scientists have suggested that short periods of unprotected sun exposure are beneficial, as they will enhance the bodys Vitamin-D-production capabilities (Kuhta, 40). Not only does sunlight strengthen our physical defenses against disease, but it also enhances our mental/emotional defenses against depression and fatigue. Bell Labs, Inc. has demonstrated sunlight to be a significant factor in maintaining a healthy mood and energy level (Bell, 101). The scientific/engineering aspects of sunscreen illustrate an impactful solution on a global scale, prolonging the lives of many by rejuvenating dead skin cells to deter skin cancer development. Utilizing chemical properties, sunscreen protects the skin by absorbing harmful UV radiation, effectively screening out the suns rays. And with new, emerging sun-care technologies such as the Sun Pillà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢, a convenient daily-dose tablet that has been developed to offer medicinal protection from the sun, we can minimize the suns harmful effects easily. By practicing routine skin protection, one can aim for a healthy level of sun exposure. Because like most things in life, sunlight is best enjoyed in moderation.

Graduation Speech :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to welcome you to Tomatoville's Class of 2006 graduation ceremony. It is a great honor to be speaking to you all. I would just like to take a couple of minutes to point out some things that I have noticed during my time in high school. I always seem to hear complaints about how teachers don't really care about their students. But I think our staff here in Tomatoville disproves that. All the teachers and administrators seem to genuinely care, especially our counselor, Mr. Bool. I am sure that he has helped all of us at one time or another. I also get the impression that society thinks teenagers are lazy and that we don't really care about anything. I would also like to disagree with that. Our high school has done a lot to show people that we care. We had a food drive. There is Little Buddies. In one of my classes, we all chipped in money so that a student could buy tickets for the prom. One student started a group to raise money for the Children's Hospital. Money was collected and support was given for a well-loved teacher who is battling cancer. There also has been a tremendous amount of support in these last few weeks for an injured student. In addition, I think that every single member of this graduating class has great potential. As we start a new phase of our lives, I know that everybody will have a chance to accomplish something meaningful to them. The possibilities are endless. The last thing that I've noticed is something one of my teachers pointed out a few weeks ago. It always seems that in high school, there are certain groups. And one of these groups is always the geeks. But my teacher said that anybody is a geek if he has a passion for something.

Life Styles Inventory (LSI): Self Analysis Essay -- self-assessment di

Introduction The Life Styles Inventory (LSI) is a self-assessment diagnostic instrument that measures 12 key thinking patterns, or "styles". The LSI promotes performance change and improvement by increasing personal understanding of one's thinking and behavior. By responding to these 240 inventory items, individuals learn exactly where they need to focus their development efforts, without ambiguity or guesswork. The results of the self-description are plotted on a circular graph for easy visualization of how the individual thinks and behaves in the 12 LSI styles. This profile acts as a personalized developmental needs assessment, calling attention to the individual's strengths as well as areas needing improvement. Part I: Personal Thinking Styles (primary, backup, limiting) According to my LSI profile shows my primary style is achievement. My backup thinking style is dependent. My backup style was closely followed by avoidance. Refer to attachment â€Å"A† The LSI . My limiting style appears to be is two fold. dependent and avoidance. It illustrates that these two â€Å"limit† my self-actualization and achievement percentages. I do not find myself to be overly defensive or aggressive when dealing with individuals. I tend to listen more to what people have to say. This result was not new to me. avoidance and dependent evidently are the areas that are causing me not to excel. According to the LSI information provided, when your achievement score is greater and the humanistic-encouraging and affiliative scores are less, a concern for task accomplishment will diminish a concern need for others. Evidently this imbalance is reducing my overall effectiveness. When I put this under my microscope, I find that this charact... ...te achiever I need to lead by example, and encourage individuals to give their best effort on every project. Although I am a limited self-starter I must learn to communicate more realistic performance standard/goals and promote teammate input. As I continue to study Leadership and Organizational Behavior, I hope to change my thinking style that is geared to personal effectiveness. Limit my passive / dependent styles and obtain more constructive styles. The Life Styles Inventory from Human Synergistics International was a good wake up call, and offer a way to change your profile. The Challenge of Change section in the LSI will enable me to document a self-improvement plan utilizing my LSI profile. With this, my change suggestions and self-improvement plan will give me a guided direction to properly focus my personal development goals on the way I need to go.

Montage Hotel

What a great opportunity it was to visit a marvelous garden at the â€Å"Montage Hotel† in Laguna Beach. The garden stretches around 700 feet long and 60 feet wide on the west side of the Hotel by the Pacific Ocean. The garden is elevated around 50 feet above the ocean with a spectacular 180 degrees view. Looking around flowers could be seen all over the place as colorful as a rainbow Including all deferent bright colors pink, red white & yellow. The pink and red flowers have petals that flip around each other In a beautiful rose form as the size of a strawberry.The white and yellow flowers are made up of 5 petals and are the size of marshmallows. Palm trees with green leaves hanging are all over the place around 20 of them ranging from 10 to 15 feet, The grass looks like green a velvet carpet so thin and fine, and It Is stretched In areas around the concrete walk ways. The walkways are Like 5 feet wide and they curve with the natural ground edge parallel to the ocean. Brown w ood benches overlooking the ocean invite to sit and enjoy the scenery their size is around 6 feet long and 2 feet wide.The benches consist of high grade outdoor street furniture with premium hard brown wood, contoured and supported by a gallivanted steel frame. People are sitting on them and enjoying the beautiful ocean scenery that is such a joy and can have enough of. A pergola decorates one of the seating areas overlooking the ocean; it is made out of brown wood. The pergola is situated in three sections with half hexagon shape. Each section is around 5 feet long and 3 feet wide. The Ocean is deep blue and seems to sparkle like diamonds. The waves gently move with the south west breeze.The sand is as shiny as gold and it is very smooth and light. Walking on the sand feels like a butterfly flying all over. Brown chestnut rocks elevate in some of the areas near the water it looked like a perfect hill for hiking but there is a sign, placed by the city environmental section, prohibit ing any tress passers to preserve this precious rock. Walking along the beach the bright sun covers the area with an invisible blanket of warmth. The sun displays a beautiful portrait of red orange and yellow colors, especially during the outstanding breath taking sunset.These rays spread through the blue skies like strong threads of wool as they made the sky a mystery of colors all mixed together to give the picture perfect landscape. As the sun starts to sit on the water it begins to melt and sink in the ocean behind gimps of Catalina Island. No matter how strong sensory Images are used to describing this master piece Garden, words can't describe the actual beauty of this place. It Is Indeed a piece of Heaven on earth. Montage Hotel By mausoleum be seen all over the place as colorful as a rainbow including all different bright colors there in a beautiful rose form as the size of a strawberry.The white and yellow feet. The grass looks like green a velvet carpet so thin and fine, an d it is stretched in areas around the concrete walk ways. The walkways are like 5 feet wide and they People are sitting on them and enjoying the beautiful ocean scenery that is such a Joy and can't have enough of. A pergola decorates one of the seating areas overlooking gimps of Catalina Island. No matter how strong sensory images are used to place. It is indeed a piece of Heaven on earth.

International Journal of Accounting and Financial Essay

ABSTRACT The role of Indian mutual fund industry as significant financial service in financial market has really been noteworthy. In fact, the mutual fund industry has emerged as an important segment of financial market of India, especially in channelizing the savings of millions of individuals into the investment in equity and debt instruments. Mutual funds are seemingly the easiest and the least stressful way to invest in the stock market. Quiet a large amount of money has been invested in mutual funds during the past few years. Any investor would like to invest in a reputed Mutual Fund organization. Mutual funds are financial intermediaries concerned with mobilizing savings of those who have surplus and the canalization of these savings in those avenues where there is a demand for funds. These intermediaries employ their resources in such a manner as to provide combined benefits of low risk, steady return, high liquidity and capital appreciation through diversification and expert management. Reforms in the  Indian economic system and the opening up of the economy have been the reasons for the tremendous growth in the Indian capital market. This study analyzes the impact of different demographic variables on the attitude of investors towards mutual funds. Apart from this, it also focuses on the benefits delivered by mutual funds to investors. To this end, 200 respondents of Solapur City, having different demographic profiles were surveyed. The study reveals that the majority of investors have still not formed any attitude towards mutual fund investments. KEYWORDS: Mutual Fund, Investors, Solapur City INTRODUCTION Mutual fund is a pool of money collected from investors and is invested according to certain investment options. A mutual fund is a trust that pools the saving of a no. of investors who share a common financial goal. A mutual fund is created when investors put their money together. It is, therefore, a pool of investor’s fund. The money thus collected is then invested in capital market instruments such as shares, debentures and other securities. The income earned through these investments and the capital appreciations realized are shared by its unit holders in proportion to the no. of units owned by them. The most important characteristics of a fund are that the contributors and the beneficiaries of the fund are the same class of people namely the investors. The term mutual fund means the investors contribute to the pool and also benefit from the pool. The pool of funds held mutually by investors is the mutual fund. A mutual fund business is to invest the funds thus collected according to the wishes of the investors who created the pool. Usually the investor’s appoint professional investment managers create a product and offer it for investment to the investors. This project represents a share in the pool and pre status investment  Pritam P. Kothari & Shivganga C. Mindargi  objectives. Thus, a mutual fund is the most suitable investment for a common man as it offers an opportunity to invest in a diversified, professionally managed basket of securities at relatively low cost. EVOLUTION OF INDIAN MUTUAL FUND INDUSTRY The formation of Unit Trust of India marked the evolution of the Indian mutual fund industry in the year 1963. The primary objective at that time was to attract the small investors and it was made possible through the collective efforts of the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India. The history of mutual fund industry in India can be better understood divided into following phases: Establishment and Growth of Unit Trust of India – 1964-87 Unit Trust of India enjoyed complete monopoly when it was established in the year 1963 by an act of Parliament. UTI was set up by the Reserve Bank of India and it continued to operate under the regulatory control of the RBI until the two were de-linked in 1978 and the entire control was transferred in the hands of Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI). UTI launched its first scheme in 1964, named as Unit Scheme 1964 (US-64), which attracted the largest number of investors in any single investment scheme over the years. UTI launched more innovative schemes in 1970s and 80s to suit the needs of different investors. It launched ULIP in 1971, six more schemes between 1981-84, Children’s Gift Growth Fund and India Fund (India’s first offshore fund) in 1986, Mastershare (Inida’s first equity diversified scheme) in 1987 and Monthly Income Schemes (offering assured returns) during 1990s. By the end of 1987, UTI’s assets under management grew ten times to Rs 6700 crores. Entry of Public Sector Funds – 1987-1993 The Indian mutual fund industry witnessed a number of public sector players entering the market in the year 1987. In November 1987, SBI Mutual Fund from the State Bank of India became the first non-UTI mutual fund in India. SBI Mutual Fund was later followed by Canbank Mutual Fund, LIC Mutual Fund, Indian Bank Mutual Fund, Bank of India Mutual Fund, GIC Mutual Fund and PNB Mutual Fund. By 1993, the assets under management of the industry increased seven times to Rs. 47,004 crores. However, UTI remained to be the leader with about 80% market share. 1992-93 UTI Public Sector Total Amount Mobilised 11,057 1,964 13,021 Assets Under Management 38,247 8,757 47,004 Mobilisation as % of Gross Domestic Savings 5.20% 0.90% 6.10% Emergence of Private Secor Funds – 1993-96 The permission given to private sector funds including foreign fund management companies (most of them entering through joint ventures with Indian promoters) to enter the mutal fund industry in 1993, provided a wide range of choice to investors and more competition in the industry. Private funds introduced innovative products, investment techniques and investor-servicing technology. By 1994-95, about 11 private sector funds had launched their schemes. Growth and SEBI Regulation – 1996-2004 The mutual fund industry witnessed robust growth and stricter regulation from the SEBI after the year 1996. The mobilization of funds and the number of players operating in the industry reached new heights as investors started showing more interest in mutual funds. A Study of Investors Attitude towards Mutual Fund with Special Reference to Inversotrs in Solapur City Investors’ interests were safeguarded by SEBI and the Government offered tax benefits to the investors in order to encourage them. SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 was introduced by SEBI that set uniform standards for all mutual funds in India. The Union Budget in 1999 exempted all dividend incomes in the hands of investors from income tax. Various Investor Awareness Programmes were launched during this phase, both by SEBI and AMFI, with an objective to educate investors and make them informed about the mutual fund industry. Growth and Consolidation – 2004 Onwards The industry has also witnessed several mergers and acquisitions recently, examples of which are acquisition of schemes of Alliance Mutual Fund by Birla Sun Life, Sun F&C Mutual Fund and PNB Mutual Fund by Principal Mutual Fund. Simultaneously, more international mutual fund players have entered India like Fidelity, Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund etc. There were 29 funds as at the end of March 2006. This is a continuing phase of growth of the industry through consolidation and entry of new international and private sector players. Indian mutual fund industry reached Rs 1,50,537 crore by March 2004. It is estimated that by 2010 March-end, the total assets of all scheduled commercial banks should be Rs 40,90,000 crore. The annual composite rate of growth is expected 13.4% during the rest of the decade. In the last 5 years there is an annual growth rate of 9%. According to the current growth rate, by year 2010, Mutual fund  India assets will be double FEATURES THOSE INVESTORS LIKE IN MUTUAL FUND If mutual funds are emerging as the favorite investment vehicle it is because of the many advantages. They have over other forms and avenues of investing parties for the investors who has limited resources available in terms of Capital and ability to carry out detailed reserves and market monitoring. These are the major advantages offered by mutual fund to all investors: Professional Management Mutual Funds provide the services of experienced and skilled professionals, backed by a dedicated investment research team that analyses the performance and prospects of companies and selects suitable investments to achieve the objectives of the scheme. Diversification Mutual Funds invest in a number of companies across a broad cross-section of industries and sectors. This diversification reduces the risk because seldom do all stocks decline at the same time and in the same proportion. You achieve this diversification through a Mutual Fund with far less money than you can do on your own. Convenient Administration Investing in a Mutual Fund reduces paperwork and helps you avoid many problems such as bad deliveries, delayed payments and follow up with brokers and companies. Mutual Funds save your time and make investing easy and convenient. Return Potential Over a medium to long-term, Mutual Funds have the potential to provide a higher return as they invest in a diversified basket of selected securities. Pritam P. Kothari & Shivganga C. Mindargi Low Costs Mutual Funds are a relatively less expensive way to invest compared to directly investing in the capital markets because the benefits of scale in brokerage, custodial and other fees translate into lower costs for investors Liquidity In open-end schemes, the investor gets the money back promptly at net asset value related prices from the Mutual Fund. In closed-end schemes, the units can be sold on a stock exchange at the prevailing market price or the investor can avail of the facility of direct repurchase at NAV related prices by the Mutual Fund Transparency You get regular information on the value of your investment in addition to disclosure on the specific investments made by your scheme, the proportion invested in each class of assets and the fund managers investment strategy and outlook Flexibility Through features such as regular investment plans, regular withdrawal plans and dividend reinvestment plans, you can systematically invest or withdraw funds according to your needs and convenience Affordability Investors individually may lack sufficient funds to invest in high-grade stocks. A mutual fund because of its large corpus allows even a small investor to take the benefit of its investment strategy. Well Regulated All Mutual Funds are registered with SEBI and they function within the provisions of strict regulations designed to protect the interests of investors. The operations of Mutual Funds are regularly monitored by SEBI. DISADVANTAGES OF MUTUAL FUNDS Above I have mentioned the various advantages of Mutual Funds but it also suffers from a lot of drawbacks as the market is volatile and it is ever affected by national as well as international factors, these days we can see that crude oil prices in International market has become an important factor  in determining the market movement. Here are some disadvantages as cited by me and by survey: Fluctuating Returns Mutual funds are like many other investments without a guaranteed return: there is always the possibility that the value of your mutual fund will depreciate. Unlike fixed-income products, such as bonds and Treasury bills, mutual funds experience price fluctuations along with the stocks that make up the fund. When deciding on a particular fund to buy, you need to research the risks involved – just because a professional manager is looking after the fund, that doesn’t mean the performance will be always good Diversification Although diversification is one of the keys to successful investing, many mutual fund investors tend to over diversify. The idea of diversification is to reduce the risks associated with holding a single security; over diversification (also known as diversification) occurs when investors acquire many funds that are highly related and, as a result, don’t get A Study of Investors Attitude towards Mutual Fund with Special Reference to Inversotrs in Solapur City the risk reducing benefits of diversification. At the other extreme, just because you own mutual funds doesn’t mean you are automatically diversified. For example, a fund that invests only in a particular industry or region is still relatively risky. For example: Sect oral Funds Cash and More Cash As you know already, mutual funds pool money from thousands of investors, so everyday investors are putting money into the fund as well as withdrawing investments. To maintain liquidity and the capacity to accommodate withdrawals, funds typically have to keep a large portion of their portfolios as cash. Having ample cash is great for liquidity, but money  sitting around as cash is not working for you and thus is not very advantageous. Costs Mutual funds provide investors with professional management, but it comes at a cost. Funds will typically have a range of different fees that reduce the overall payout. In mutual funds, the fees are classified into two categories: shareholder fees and annual operating fees. The shareholder fees, in the forms of loads and redemption fees are paid directly by shareholders purchasing or selling the funds. The annual fund operating fees are charged as an annual percentage – usually ranging from 1-3%. These fees are assessed to mutual fund investors regardless of the performance of the fund. As you can imagine, in years when the fund doesn’t make money, these fees only magnify losses. Figure 1: Structure of Mutual Fund A mutual is a set up in the form of trust, which has sponsor, trustee, assets management company (AMC) and custodian. Sponsor is the person who acts alone or in combination with another body corporate and establishes a mutual fund. Sponsor must contribute at least 40% of the net worth of the investment managed and meet the eligibility criteria prescribed under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Mutual Funds) regulations, 1996. The sponsor is not responsible or liable for any loss or shortfall resulting from the operation of the schemes beyond the initial contribution made by it towards setting up of Mutual Fund. The Mutual Fund is constituted as a trust in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 by the Sponsor. Trustee is usually a company (corporate body) or a board of trustees (body of individuals). The main responsibility of the trustee is to safeguard the interest of the unit holders and also ensure that AMC functions in the interest of investors’ and in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Mutual Fund) Regulations 1996 the provisions of the Trust deed and the offer Document of the respective schemes. The AMC is appointed by the Trustees Pritam P. Kothari & Shivganga C. Mindargi as the investment Manager of the Mutual Fund. The AMC is required to be approved by SEBI to act as an asset management company of the Mutual Fund. The AMC if so authorized by the Trust Deed appoints the Registrar and Transfer Agent to agent the mutual fund. The registrar processes the application form, redemption requests and dispatches account statements to the unit holders. The Registrar and Transfer agent also handles communications with investors’ and updates investor records. REVIEW OF LITERATURE Lenard et., al. (2003) empirically investigated investor’s attitudes toward mutual funds. The results indicate that the decision to switch funds within a fund family is affected by investor’s attitude towards risk, current asset allocation, investment losses, investment mix, capital base of the fund age, initial fund performance, investment mix, fund and portfolio diversification. The study reported that these factors are crucial to be considered before switching funds regardless of whether they invest in non-employer plans or in both employer and non-employer plans. Bollen (2006) studied the dynamics of investor fund flows in a sample of socially screened equity mutual funds and compared the relation between annual fund flows & lagged performance in SR funds to the same relation in a matched sample of conventional funds. The result revealed that the extra-financial SR attribute serves to dampen the rate at which SR investors trade mutual funds. The study noted that the differences between SR funds and their conventional counterparts are robust over time and persist as funds age. The study found that the preferences of SR investors may be represented by conditional multi-attribute utility function (especially when SR funds deliver positive returns). The study remarked that mutual fund companies can expect SR investors to be more loyal than investors in ordinary funds. Walia and Kiran (2009) studied investor’s risk and return perception towards mutual funds. The study examined investor’s perception towards risk involved in mutual funds, return from mutual funds in comparison to other financial avenues, transparency and disclosure practices. The study investigated  problems of investors encountered with due to unprofessional services of mutual funds. The study found that majority of individual investors doesn’t consider mutual funds as highly risky investment. In fact on a ranking scale it is considered to be on higher side when compared with other financial avenues. The study also reported that significant relationship of interdependence exists between income level of investors and their perception for investment returns from mutual funds investment. Saini et., al. (2011) analyzed investor’s behavior, investors’ opinion and perception relating to various issues like type of mutual fund scheme, its objective, role of financial advisors / brokers, sources of information, deficiencies in the provision of services, investors’ opinion relating to factors that attract them to invest in mutual and challenges before the Indian mutual fund industry etc. The study found that investors seek for liquidity, simplicity in offer documents, online trading, regular updates through SMS and stringent follow up of provisions laid by AMFI. Singh (2012) conducted an empirical study of Indian investors and observed that most of the respondents do not have much awareness about the various function of mutual funds and they are bit confused regarding investment in mutual funds. The study found that some demographic factors like gender, income and level of education have their significant impact over the attitude towards mutual funds. On the contrary age and occupation have not been found influencing the investor’s attitude. The study noticed that return potential and liquidity have been perceived to be most lucrative benefits of investment in mutual funds and the same are followed by flexibility, transparency and affordability. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Mutual funds have their drawbacks and may not be for everyone. No investment is risk free. If the entire stock market declines in value, the value of mutual fund shares will go down as well, no matter how balanced the portfolio. A Study of Investors Attitude towards Mutual Fund with Special Reference to Inversotrs in Solapur City Investors encounter fewer risks when they invest in mutual funds than when they buy and sell stocks on their own. However, anyone who invests through a mutual fund runs the risk of losing money. All funds charge administrative fees to cover their day-to-day expenses. Some funds also charge sales commissions or â€Å"loads† to compensate brokers, financial consultants, or financial planners. When he invests in a mutual fund, they depend on the fund’s manager to make the right decisions regarding the fund’s portfolio. If the invests in Index Funds, they foregoes management risk, because these funds do not employ managers. Though these are the problems in the investment of mutual funds, in the recent days most of the investors preferred to invest their funds on mutual funds. In this background, the research has made an attempt to study the investors’ preference for mutual funds in Solapur City. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY The present study is based upon the results of survey conducted on 200 mutual fund investors. The implications of the study are subject to the limitations of sample size, psychological and emotional characteristics of surveyed population. SCOPE OF THE STUDY This paper provides Future of Mutual Funds industry information as well as awareness level amongst people for Mutual Funds. Also this project report of Mutual Funds gives an outlook to management as to how the mutual funds are performing in the current market situation as a result what may be the future of this industry. This paper on mutual funds is informative the students who want to understand and undertake assignments in the industry. This study also facilitates the general people who can understand the importance and explore the new option for investment in Mutual Funds. Different financial institutions provide services that are both complementary to and competitive with each other. A well built financial system directly contributes to the growth of the country. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY This study is descriptive in nature based on survey method. The study aims at finding out the attitude of the investors towards investment in mutual funds in Solapur city. This study was based mainly on primary sources. The primary data was collected from the investors of mutual funds with help of the questionnaire. The secondary data were collected from the books, records and journals. By adopting convenience sampling, 200 respondents were selected for this study. The essential data were collected with the help of questionnaire. The data collected from the period of January 2011 to April 2011. DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION Figure: 2 Showing Pattern of Investment Pritam P. Kothari & Shivganga C. Mindargi From above figure it is clear that 75% investors are invested in open ended schemes where as 15% invested in closed ended schemes in mutual fund. Figure: 3 Reason for Investment in Mutual Fund From above figure it is clear that and 42% investors say that they invested money in mutual fund for tax assumption. 33% investors say that they invested money in mutual fund for higher returns. 16% investors say that they invested money in mutual fund for value creation in fund. 9% investors say that they invested money in mutual fund for other reason. Figure: 4 Showing the Reason of Investors that not Invested Money in Mutual Fund From above figure is clear that 50% investors say that they not interested to invest money in mutual fund. 33% investors say that they have imperfect knowledge in mutual fund, so they are not invested. 8.5% investors say that they invested in govt. bond. 8.5% investors has other reason so they not invested money in mutual fund. Figure: 5 Showing Type of Investment Investors Should be Preferred A Study of Investors Attitude towards Mutual Fund with Special Reference to Inversotrs in Solapur City From above figure it is clear that investors invest money in fixed deposits. 15 25% investors invest money in gold/real estates. 17% investors invest money in mutual fund. 8% investors invest money in bond/debentures. Remaining 17% investors invest money in shares. Figure: 6 Showing Returns Investor get from their Investment From above figure it is clear that 70% investors are gaining 5-15% returns from their investment. 23% are gaining 15-30% returns from their investment. 5% investors are gaining 30-45% returns from their investment. Remaining only 2% investors is gaining above 45% returns from their investment. Figure: 7 Showing Duration of Investment From above it is clear 80% investors are dealing in short term duration whereas 20% investors are dealing in long term duration. Figure: 8 Showing the Investors Experience in Mutual Fund Pritam P. Kothari & Shivganga C. Mindargi From above figure it is clear that 73% investors say that they are having bad experience in mutual fund. 12% investors say that they are having good experience in mutual fund. Remaining 15% investors say that their experience is ok. FINDINGS AND SUGGESTIONS Findings †¢The trend for investment is changing rapidly besides the traditional pattern of investment and people today they are ready to undertake risk and also bear the volatility of changing mutual fund market scenario. †¢This shows that people with Middle Income Group are more attractive this market and are ready to bear the risk. †¢It is observed that 75% investors have invested open ended schemes that they want higher returns on their investment rather than investing in closed ended schemes in mutual fund. †¢It is observed that 42% investors have invested money for tax assumption.33% investors have invested money for higher returns in their investment.16% investors have invested money for value creation in fund. And remaining 9% investors have invested money for other reason. †¢It is observed that 50% investors have not interested to invest money in mutual fund.33% investors have imperfect knowledge so they not invested money in mutual fund.9% investors find govt. securities bond is better that’s way they not invested money in mutual fund. And remaining 8% investors have other reason so they not invested money in mutual fund. †¢It is observed that more businessmen were inclined towards investing in current account. The ladies were inclined to invest their money in Gold and jewelleries. Service class people and retired class people prefer more saving and fixed deposits People with high income. †¢It is observed that 70% investors have invested to getting returns in the range of 5-15% which shows in short span of time they are getting good returns and more than expectations. †¢It is observed that 80% investors have invested in short term duration which indicates the investors have not ready to invest in long term period due to various risks associated with long term duration of investment. †¢On asking how they get knowledge of mutual fund a large number of them attributed to print media. Even banks today follow the role of the investment advisors. Very few get any information from the e-media or Hence, AMCs must increase the awareness about their product through Electronic media (TVs, Cables, Radios etc.) as well as and should not just constrained itself to the print advertisement those who do not read newspaper. SUGGESTIONS Investor’s Point of View The question that entire customer, irrespective of the age group and financial status, think of is- Are mutual funds are a safe option? What makes them safe? The basis of mutual fund industry’s safety is the way the business is defined and regulation of law. Since the mutual fund invests in the capital market instruments, so proper knowledge is essential. Hence the essential requirement is well informed seller and equally informed buyer who  understands and helped them to understand the product (here we can say the capital market and the money market instruments) is the essential preconditions. A Study of Investors Attitude towards Mutual Fund with Special Reference to Inversotrs in Solapur City Being Prudent Investor One Should †¢Ask one’s agent to give details of different schemes and match the appropriate ones. †¢Go to the company records or the fund house regarding any queries if one is not satisfied by the agents. †¢Investors should always keep an eye on the performance of the scheme and other good schemes as well which are available in the market for the closed comparison. †¢Never invest blindly in the investments before going through the fact sheets, annual reports etc. of the company. Since, according to the Guidelines of SEBI The AMCs are bound to disclose all the relevant data that is necessary for the investment purpose of investors. Company’s (Mutual Fund Companies) Point of View  Following measures can be taken by the company for getting higher investments in the mutual fund schemes: †¢Educate the agents or the salesmen properly so that they can take up the queries of the customer effectively. †¢Set up separate customer care divisions where the customers can anytime pose their query, regarding the scheme or the current NAV etc. These customer care units can work out in accordance with the requirements of the customer and facilitates them to choose the scheme that suits their financial status. †¢Conduct seminars or programs about mutual fund where every information about the product is outlined including the risk factor associated with the different classes of assets. †¢Brokers should reduce the brokerage charges for intra day and delivery based so that the investor can save more amounts to generate extra investment for the investor as well as for the Mutual Fund companies. †¢Mutual Fund companies should try to increase the promotion and advertisement strategies for awareness of Mutual fund in solapur city. CONCLUSIONS The mutual fund industry is growing at a tremendous pace. A large number of plans have come up from different financial resources. With the stock markets oaring the investors are attracted towards these schemes. Only a small segment of the investors still in Mutual Funds and the main source  sources of information still are the financial advisors followed by advertisements in different media. The Indian investors generally invest over period of 2-3 years. Also there is a tendency to invest in fixed deposits due to the security attached to it. In order to excel and make mutual funds a success, companies still need to create awareness and understand the psyche of the Indian customer. REFERENCES Agapova, Anna, 2011, „The Role of Money Market Mutual Funds in Mutual Fund Families , Journal of Applied ‟ 1. Finance, Vol. 21, Issue. 1, pp. 87-102. Agarwal, Vikas; Boyson, Nicole M.; Naik, Narayan Y, 2009, „Hedge Funds for Retail Investors? 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Gil-Bazo, Javier; Ruiz & Verd, Pablo, 2009, „The Relation between Price and Performance in the Mutual Fund Industry , Journal of Finance, Vol. 64, Issue 5, pp. 2153-2183. ‟ 9. Hansen M and Nohria N, â€Å"What’s your Strategy for Managing Knowledge?† Harvard Business Review, MarchApril, 1999, 77 (2).1 10. Journal of Marketing, 32 (October), 65-68, 1968. 11. Rajeswari, T.R., and V.E. RamaMoorthy, 2001, An Empirical Study on Factors Influencing the Mutual Fund Scheme Selection by Retail Investors . Retrieved on May 2010 < http://www.utiicm .com/Cmc/PDFs/ ‟ 2001/rajeswari.pdf>. 12. Singh, Chander, 2004, „Performance of mutual funds in India – an empirical evidence , ICFAI journal of applied ‟ finance December, pp. 81-98. 13. Subbash C. Jain, â€Å"Marketing Planning and Strategy†, South Western College Publishing, Sixth Edition, 2000. 14. Singh, B. K. and Jha, A.K. 2009, „An empirical study on awareness & acceptability of mutual fund , Regional ‟ Student s Conference, ICWAI, pp. 49-55. ‟ 15. Winer, C. Strategic Thinking: An executive Perspective, Upper Saddle River, Prentice Hall, 2000