Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Could Content Writing Help You Make Ends Meet as a Writer

Could Content Writing Help You Make Ends Meet as a Writer Content could be your best chance of making up the extra income you need to keep your writing ambitions on track. So what is it and how does it work? Content is the material produced Is content the same as advertising? Its more a cross between advertising and journalism. The idea is that people are tired of constant promotional messages – buy this now! – and are becoming increasingly savvy shoppers: before they buy anything, they do loads of research online, for instance, in online forums and on social media. So to reach them, businesses now need to be part of that research process. And that means offering useful information and inspiration to support their decision-making: content. So what does content look like? Its the difference between a mortgage website that just says, check out our deals, and one that also says First-time mortgages: a handy guide for new homebuyers. Since the company is an expert in mortgages, it can tell people some useful things that will help them make a choice. In exchange, the potential customer will consent to hearing a few marketing messages and hopefully feel better disposed towards this provider. Whats the opportunity for writers? The rise of internet search as the dominant way in which consumers interact with businesses has led to a content marketing boom. Video and visual content are increasingly popular, especially in social, but written copy is still needed in huge volumes. Pretty much every business of any size needs content, and that means they need writers. For example, an airline might commission a series of destination guides. A supermarket site might want to develop a library of recipes. A business bank might offer funding tips for startups. A recruitment company might offer CV and interview advice. And so on. With all these examples, theres a strong commercial reason for doing the content: the airline wants people to buy tickets to the destinations they write about, for example. But the content still has to be editorial in flavour: if the material is too salesy it will lose its credibility. How can you get started with content work? Businesses employ a multitude of individual freelancers, freelance platforms and marketing agencies to create content on their behalf. Start What skills and experience do you need?   A background in journalism or copywriting is a great help, but many writers in the content world have no special training and have simply picked up skills and experience along the way. Any specialised knowledge or experience is a plus: a degree in

Saturday, November 23, 2019

A Guide to Alto, the Spanish Word for Stop

A Guide to 'Alto', the Spanish Word for Stop All over the English-speaking countries of the world, people may drive on different sides of the road, but an international constant is an octagonal red STOP sign is used to let drivers know they need to stop. The same cannot be said for Spanish-speaking countries. In Spanish-speaking countries, the red octagonal shape is used to mean stop, however, the word used in the sign changes depending on the Spanish-speaking country you are in. In some places the red octagon says Alto, or in other places, the red octagon says, Pare.   Both signs signify for a driver to stop. But, the word alto does not traditionally mean stop in Spanish. Parer is the Spanish verb meaning to stop. In Spanish, the word alto commonly serves as a descriptive word meaning high or loud. As in, the book is up high on a shelf, or the boy shouted loudly. Where did alto come from? How did this word end up on Spanish stop signs? Alto Defined Most native Spanish speakers do not know why alto means stop. It requires some digging into the historical usage of the word and its etymology. For those with a knowledge of German, a similarity could be drawn between the word alto and the German word  Halt. The word Halt in German has the same meaning as the word halt in English. According to the Spanish Royal Academys dictionary, the second reference to  alto with stop as its  meaning is commonly found on road signs  in Central America, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, and it  comes from the German halt.  The German verb halten  means to stop. The dictionary provides a basic etymology of most words, but it does not go into extensive detail or give a date of first use. According to another Spanish etymology dictionary, the  Diccionario Etimolà ³gico, urban legend traces the Spanish usage of the word  alto with the meaning of stop back to the 15th century during the Italian Wars. The sergeant raised his pike high as a signal to stop the column of soldiers from marching. In this reference, the Italian word for high is alto.   More credence is given to the Spanish Royal Academy dictionarys meaning, suggesting that alto is a direct borrowing from the German halt. The Italian story sounds more like a folk tale, but the explanation is plausible. The Online Etymology Dictionary suggests that the English word halt comes from the 1590s from the French halte or Italian alto, ultimately from the German halt, possibly as a German military term that made its way into the Romance languages. Which Countries Use Which Sign Most Spanish-speaking Caribbean and South American countries use pare. Mexico and most Central American countries use alto. Spain and Portugal also use  pare. Also, in Portuguese, the word for stop is pare.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Policy in the Human Services Assignment #2 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Policy in the Human Services #2 - Assignment Example The different stages right from deciding on the agenda or issue for which the policy is needed to be framed to the implementation of the final policy is effectively reflected in the following diagram. The policy making stages reflect after identification of the issue for designing of the policy, reflects on evaluating the problems and the different options for setting up of the policy. After the selection of the right or favorable option the policy making process focuses on generation of legislative and regulatory procedures for designing of the policy before implementing the same to bring about necessary changes. The process of designing or generating a policy is also observed as an effective cycle of different types of activities that are conducted in a specific order. The different types of activities that are conducted in a chronological fashion are identified as recognition of the problems or issues based on which the agenda can be constituted, analysis of the policy to be made, evaluation of the tools for designing of the policy, making effective consultation and collaboration with interested stakeholders, coordinating with other principal areas, formulation of decisions re lated to the policy, implementation of the decision made and finally evaluating the potentiality of the implementation phase in meeting the policy objectives. The above discussion is diagrammatically as follows. Work Life Inc. is a company that works as a consultancy in the generation of effective strategic and marketing solutions for different companies operating in the services sector. Mainly based in United States, the company is currently observed to focus on becoming a multinational company through setting up of branches in different parts of the world both in developed and developing nations. In its bid to internationalize, the company aims in generating a policy framework on incorporating a diversified workforce that

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Current Issues in Information Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Current Issues in Information Technology - Essay Example The study will analyze and evaluate the impact of social media on business performance. In this case, the social media provides a platform for doing business where business companies can reach greater market and make their products and services visible on the global scale. The invention enables all companies to reach target market at minimized costs, therefore providing opportunity for competition on an equal footing for small sized businesses (Gilmore and Altan-Erdem, 2008; Baker and Hart, 2007; Barker et al., 2013). The overall research design for this study will be more descriptive in nature applying semi-structured interviews and surveys to solicit information from participants (Bryman and Bell, 2011; Strauss and Corbin, 1998). Primary research will include semi-structured interviews with business managers from different departments such as sales and marketing. Secondary research will be used in the analysis of company policies and providing background on organizations under study. At the same time, the method will examine information communication technology evolution within the corporate sector (Wilkinson, 2003; Kuter and Yilmaz, 2001; Patton,

Sunday, November 17, 2019

The Handmaids Tale Essay Example for Free

The Handmaids Tale Essay Gilead’s totalitarianism regime uses religion to meet the ends of the regime, rather than the regime being a means to serve God. ‘Soul Scrolls’ is a place where Handmaid’s purchase one of five prayers to be read to them, before being recycled. Offred’s prayer is a distortion of the Lord’s Prayer which is ostensibly much more personal to her. Offred describes ‘Soul Scrolls’ as ‘a franchise’. This suggests the presence of business and technology in Gilead, reinforced by the idea that the Handmaid’s accounts are debited and that the regime is everywhere. This concept of business is continuous throughout the novel, for example the ‘ceremony’ previously discussed is portrayed to be a business transaction. ‘Franchise’ has connotations of something which is unavoidable. Everybody knows it and everybody has access to it, and it’s the same everywhere you go – it’s incredibly impersonal. Gilead uses ‘Soul Scrolls’ as a means of controlling the Handmaids. There is no flexibility because there is no choice in prayer – there are only five prayers to choose from, which seems quite artificial. In only offering five exact choices – ‘health, wealth, a death, a birth, a sin’, it prevents people praying for anything else. Despite the fact that the Handmaid’s can mentally think of other prayers, they can never articulate this because their freedom of speech is subverted to the state of Gilead. ‘Birth’ and ‘death’ are rites of passage and for the Handmaid’s; it’s the only two things they can be certain of. They exist simply for the purpose to bear children, and constant reminders of the consequences if they fail to conceive are that they will eventually die. With only 5 prayers available, this creates uniformity which shows how Gilead manipulates religion, because in reality, prayer should be different for everyone. The concept of Christianity is based on the relationship between God and the person. Prayer is theoretically supposed to be a means of personal communication, a way to thank God, and to wish for things to happen. ‘Soul Scrolls’ is not personal. ‘The machines talk’ and by speaking in a ‘toneless metallic voice’, Gilead is taking all freedom from the Handmaid’s minds, and this autonomy removes any need for a thought process, which means the Handmaid’s cannot threaten the Gilead regime by thinking for themselves. ‘Soul Scrolls’ allegedly teach the Handmaids’ what they should think. However, their soul is a part of them and they should already know what they want to think, but the absence of this suggests the influence and power of Gilead. The idea that the Handmaids’ minds are also controlled is emphasised by this because Gilead doesn’t let them develop, it uses machines and the role of people such as aunt’s and commanders to brainwash them. Regardless of the Handmaids’ being unable to express their thoughts, since God is omniscient he should know what they’re thinking. However, in articulating their thoughts they could confirm their own beliefs to themselves in a pragmatic way. It forms a part of positive thinking in the concept that the more you repeat it the better a chance they have of getting what they want. There is also a value in articulating feelings to people you love because it’s comforting. God is a conscious living entity aware of people’s love. Nevertheless, Gilead completely restricts this because the Handmaids’ have been brainwashed for so long that it’s wrong to think and to have these feelings, and so this restricts the power that the Handmaids’ could have. ‘Soul scrolls’ is only one way communication from the machine to the Handmaid, and this stops them developing thoughts, making the ‘Soul Scrolls’ simply another way of controlling the Handmaids. ‘Soul Scrolls’ are described by the Wives to ‘help their husband’s career’, which shows the machines to be pragmatic and simply a way to get ahead and follow the regime. ‘Soul Scrolls’ also suggests that the regime is manipulative because it shows a yearning for money and power in charging for the prayers to be read, and in controlling the Handmaids’. In buying prayers, it’s a sign of faithfulness to the regime, which implies that the regime has completely replaced religion and which emphasises that the Commander is thought to be like a God. Gilead completely distorts the meaning of prayer because with ‘Soul Scrolls’ it’s not about connecting with God, and in prayer you should want to pray which is not what this is about. Atwood’s repetition of ‘punching in the numbers’ reinforces this sense of autonomy and contempt for the regime, because it appears repetitive and tedious. Offred describes it as having ‘roll upon roll’ of prayers, which shows Gilead believes in quantity not quality, further emphasising the concept of business and money. Gilead’s regime is described as indestructible. ‘The window of ‘Soul scrolls’ is shatterproof’, which suggests that for the regime to have protected the franchise, they must have feared there would be dissenters. It suggests that not everybody in Gilead accepts it but they don’t dare to express this because of the consequences. There is reference to the spies in ‘Soul Scrolls’, ‘each machine has an eye painted in gold on the side’, which shows their superiority and that the Handmaids’ are always being watched – there is no escape and this is yet another means of controlling them. Offred tries ‘to remember’ what the place sold before and realises it was a lingerie shop. This takes away the feminist aspect of women because Gilead attempts to strip women of any wants and thoughts, to make them only want to bear children. If a lingerie shop existed in Gilead’s society as it were then, it would be considered corrupt, which is ironic because Gilead itself is a mire of corruption. The concept of a patriarchal society is reinforced in that ‘most of the stores carrying things for men are still open’. Offred’s parody of the Lord’s Prayer, which takes place by an empty garden (similar to how Jesus prayed alone in the Garden of Gethsemane), articulates Offred’s feelings of abandonment and despair. Line by line, such as ‘Who Art in the kingdom of heaven’, she regurgitates the sentiments of the Lord’s Prayer, typically used at ceremonies (the irony being in comparison to her experience of ceremonies), and in private commitment to express needs and hopes. Offred dwells on metaphors of ‘heaven’, ‘hell’, ‘daily bread’, and ‘forgiveness’, from which arises a vision of the absent chandelier where her predecessor attached a noose. This shows Offred’s despair because throughout a hopeful prayer she arrives at the conclusion that dying is the only option. Offred tediously recites the recurrent line from a tombstone in Gilead’s cemetery, and despite her attempts to remain ‘In hope’; Offred suffers so much isolation that her prayer becomes a desperate cry for spiritual nourishment. Offred concludes with a plaintive rhetorical question, ‘How can I keep on living? ’ which emphasises her unhappiness within Gilead and her want to end it all. Offred continually refers to God as ‘You’, which shows her yearning to be personal with God and to have a personal relationship. Atwood refers God as ‘you’ because it personifies God showing Offred as trying to talk to him personally. She wishes she knew ‘Your name’, which implies she needs God to answer her. She describes her thoughts as ‘hell we can make for ourselves’, which suggests that the hell is Gilead itself. Offred is uncertain about her capacity to find out about what’s happening in Gilead. ‘The Fall was a fall from innocence to knowledge’ is a reference to Adam and Eve’s loss of innocence after they disobeyed God and tasted the Tree of Knowledge. Offred applies this to herself because Gilead teaches that knowledge is dire and that they will no longer be innocent if they think such knowledge (the irony being that they were never innocent in Gilead’s corrupt regime). This suggests that if Offred was to find out about what was happening, this would be a sin, and this also reinforces Gilead’s influence in terms of how they brainwash the Handmaids’ with bible stories. Offred avoids the ‘traditional’ posture of praying ‘I don’t even close my eyes’. This is because it would draw attention to her and also shows that she is afraid of the consequences if she was found to be personally praying, and so this informal prayer becomes her only way of communicating with God. The ‘equal darkness’ even when her eyes are closed implies that nothing goes away because it’s too hard. However, there is potential optimism within Offred. ‘Or light’ suggests that there could be hope for Offred, except that Gilead takes this hope. This informal way of praying seems like she’s not fully committed but she still wants to pray because she’s desperate. ‘Soul scrolls’ is very impersonal in comparison to Offred’s own prayer. All thought process is removed, unlike how Offred can reflect in her mind during her own prayer. In her own prayer, despite Offred not being completely committed, she does get the opportunity to think about what’s happening in Gilead. In ‘Soul Scrolls’, Offred cannot do this because she may be caught and also because the autonomous voices prevent her from thinking. Offred’s own prayer becomes much like a desperate cry for help and the purpose of her prayer is to portray to the reader just how distressed she is. On the other hand, Offred commits to ‘Soul Scrolls’ because she has too since it’s a sign of faithfulness to Gilead’s regime, and if she didn’t, it would seem suspicious, even if she doesn’t believe in doing it. However, both do criticise Gilead, with ‘Soul Scrolls’ expressing the pointlessness of it, and her own personal prayer expressing how Gilead is a hell. In her own personal prayer, Offred has hope for two way communications, and although his name is not known, God does offer some kind of contemplation for Offred, as she works her way through her feelings. ‘Soul scrolls’ is simply a one way communication because prayers are printed and read to the Handmaids’ before being recycled, which shows the uniformity of this prayer. Offred’s own prayer is also in a sense a rebellion from the constraints of Gilead, because although this isn’t her aim, it does go against what Gilead teaches – that she should not be thinking for herself. When Offred visits ‘Soul Scrolls’, she is complying with the ways of Gilead simply to stay out of trouble. In conclusion, Offred’s personal prayer is much more personal than ‘Soul Scrolls’, and despite it being a distorted version of the Lord’s prayer, it does signify her desperation for salvation from the regime. ‘Soul Scrolls’ is something Offred simply goes along with because she has no choice but too, and this offers her no answers to her thoughts because of how autonomous and controlled it is.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Our Economy Essay -- essays papers

Our economy Their season opened in Boston, against a young Celtics team that had listened to 80-year-old Red Auerbach. "David Stern's name is on the basketball," Auerbach had said. "Not Michael Jordan's." That evening, Celtics TV analyst Tom Heinsohn made sure his audience knew who Jordan is not. "He's not God," Heinsohn said. "Everybody treats him like a messiah or something. He isn't." If it seems odd, at this point, for so many to be confused about Michael Jordan's identity, it's only because Jordan makes it confusing. He does not own the Bulls, and he isn't general manager, but as sure as they lost their opener to the Celtics and as sure as they drifted through the first two months of the season, he is the guy who built this team, for better or worse. Shortly after the Bulls defeated the Jazz in the NBA Finals last spring, Jordan said, "We deserve a chance (to win a sixth title)." Much of what has followed is a consequence of Jordan's desire, ambition and power. Phil Jackson is coach, Scottie Pippen is still a part of the team, albeit disgruntled, and Dennis Rodman is back in Chicago, thanks to Jordan. The power to shape a basketball team, not just any team, but the defending NBA champions, winners of five titles in seven years, is impressive power, indeed. This is one reason Jordan, 34, is The Sporting News' Most Powerful Person in Sports for 1997. Here's another: Jim Jannard, chairman and president of Oakley, Inc., welcomed a new director, Bill Schmidt, onto his board this week. California-based Oakley manufactures high-tech sunglasses at a state-of-the-art Orange County factory. Schmidt is executive vice president of Quaker Oats-Gatorade, creator of the successful "Be Like Mike'' ad campaign in which Gatorade and the basketball superstar beckon thirsty consumers. Jannard and Schmidt were introduced by Jordan, an Oakley director who is developing an inside game-soaring high above boardrooms-to complement his outside shot as a marketing superstar. The cross-pollination of Oakley and Gatorade, Jannard and Schmidt, is a reflection of Jordan's power outside the game, just as his shaping of the Bulls reflects it within. He becomes the first No. 1 who started as an athlete before veering into business and media. Previous No. 1s-Laurence Tisch (1990), David Stern (1991), Phil Knight (1992), Ted ... ...se Jordan and Jackson valued his toughness. A key big man from the '97 playoffs, Brian Williams, was lost because of the cap. As the Bulls limp toward January, Pippen still is sidelined because of foot surgery, and he demands to be traded. Rodman plays lethargically. Jackson's zen is on the blink. Only Jordan, averaging a league-leading 26.8 points, stands between the club and humiliation. In business, as with the Bulls, he has the power to be who he is, to call his shots, to control his image. A bold display of Jordan's power occurred this year when two companies he represents, Nike and Oakley, collided over use of his image. Jordan has been with Nike since 1984; he earns $15 million to $20 million a year from the $9 billion behemoth. He has been with Oakley since 1995; he earns about $500,000 a year plus stock equity from the $220 million upstart. An Oakley print ad featured Jordan wearing Oakley sunglasses as well as an Oakley beret. Nike sued Oakley, claiming its contract with Jordan requires he wear Nike apparel in all of his ads. Jordan says he wore the Oakley beret because he believed at the time his deal with Nike encompassed only athletic equipment.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Film Scene Analysis On Racism Depicted In The Movie Crash Essay

In the film Crash we are given a picture of all different kinds of social and multicultural differences, giving us an eye opening and often disturbing examples of racism that damages our society. The scene I have chosen to analyze is between 18:30 – 21:05 minutes in the movie Crash. Cameron and Christine are a black well off couple. They experience stereotyping and racism when they are driving home from a party. A white police officer pulls them over and performs a search on both Cameron and Christine. This scene illustrates the social and racial tensions, with a racist white officer molesting an innocent black woman. The scene is located in a residential neighborhood, in an American City. Although the time of date is not stated it is very dark and probably late at night as there a few cars that pass through the entire scene. There is a Christmas tree in the background, suggesting that this is set during the winter. Although it is dark and gloomy, we can depict that it is cold as Cameron is wearing a turtleneck and blazer, and the policeman are also wearing jackets. The scene revolves around four major characters, Cameron (Husband), Christine (Wife), Officer John, and Officer Tom. Cameron and Christine are pulled over by the two officers whilst driving a Black Navigator. The cop car is directly behind the black navigator, however most of the scene takes place near the Black Navigator. Around the characters there are a few malnourished trees, alongside with blurred streetlights and shop signs. There are glimpses of residential houses in the background indicating that they are in a suburban area. Cameron’s costume is a beige turtleneck, with a Dark brown blazer and black dress pants. He is also wearing a wedding ring, black leather strap watch, and frameless glasses. Christine is wearing a white cocktail dress, with the majority of her body exposed. She is wearing diamond earrings and a wedding ring. Officer John and Tom are wearing police issued jackets, black button down  shirt, black pants and black leather shoes. There is a police badge stitched into the jacket, and on the left arm of the jacket showing their rank. Throughout the scene the dialogue is accompanied by a faint eerie melody that is played at slow tempo. As Officer John is molesting Christine the camera starts to follow John’s hands up and down her backside. Most of the time the camera is focused on the characters faces, to allow the viewer a deeper insight into the situation. Cameron and Christine are both of African decent, and first generation Americans. Christine mentions at the start that Cameron is a Buddhist, and does not drink; however Christine does not oblige to the same lifestyle. Cameron is 5ft10, 40-50 years old, around 160-180 pounds and has his hair slick back. Christine is 5ft7, 40-50 years old, around 120-140 pounds and has her hair tied back. Officer John is around 5ft10-11, 30-40 years old; around 170-190 pounds, and slick back hair. Officer Tom is a younger version of John, around the ages of 20-30, same height and around 150-170 pounds with unpolished hair. When Cameron and Christine are pulled over by the Police, they smile at each other as if they just cracked a joke. When the police officers approach the vehicle and ask Cameron to step out the car, Christine loses it and starts mouthing off at Officer John calling him a â€Å"cracker†, boiling his blood. A key moment in the scene is when Christine searched by Officer John, and glares at Cameron signaling for help. Cameron makes eye contact and looks away in sadness signaling there is nothing he can do. Although Cameron does not speak out, we can clearly tell he is in distress and controlling his anger displayed through non-verbal behavior (Elliot Aronson et Al, 2012). While Officer John runs his hands down Christine’s backside he constantly glances at Cameron showing him the distribution of power in this situation. Although Cameron may be a movie director, John proves to him he is an officer of the law and holds more power than his money can buy. Officer Tom handles contains Cameron as he is forced to watch his partner perform sinful acts on the poor housewife. Through his facial expressions we can depict that he is clearly uncomfortable with his partner’s action, however he is unable to act against them. Officer John clearly outranks Tom in terms of superiority, and must follow his orders. Officer John is portrayed as a troubled racist white that feels the need to establish his racial dominance and authority. Although this could have been a long stemming hatred towards blacks (Attribution Theory (Elliot Aronson et Al, 2012)), it seems that an incident prior to the scene may have triggered his reaction. An Availability Heuristic (Elliot Aronson; Timothy D. Wilson; Robin M. Akert, 2012) may have readily been available for John when he saw a black man receiving fellatio from either a white/black female. Christine as mentioned before is slightly drunk throughout the scene, and starts mouthing off at Officer John. Although both Cameron and Christine realize that this is an act of racism Christine acted out of line by turning a bad situation into a worse one. In a way she was acting out of her Gender Role (Elliot Aronson et Al, 2012) as the male should be the one to deal with situations like this. In the marriage vows it says that you must protect your partner at all times, and is a common known fact when associating Gender Roles (Elliot Aronson et Al, 2012). The traditionally male roles of â€Å"provider† and â€Å"protector† are especially examined when the police officer is molesting Christine, and Cameron just watches in silence and despair. It is arguable that when confronted by police there are certain Demand Characteristics (Elliot Aronson et Al, 2012) that should be done, however in this case Cameron acted like a coward. It is interesting to observe the interaction between Cameron and Christine throughout the scene. Cameron shows his male dominance by telling Christine to â€Å"Shut Up, Stop Talking† and stay out of the situation. This proves that Cameron’s Social Cognition (Elliot Aronson et Al, 2012) is that he is in power and that his wife should listen to his words. Another key thing that was observed during the analysis was that Cameron was more afraid of the consequences against his own future career than his wife. To elaborate Cameron knew that if he intervened with Officer John he would be arrested and be all over the news. He was more concerned with his own image than his wife, which is why he stood there helplessly watching. Once the officers left, we can see that Cameron has been morally degraded and on the verge of succumbing into insanity. Christine starts to blame Cameron for his cowardly actions, although he does not seem to care much on the outside we can depict that it is doing a number on him mentally. When I first  watched this scene I was shocked to see Officer John abuse his power, whilst at the same time surprised to see Cameron and Officer Tom watch helplessly. Especially Cameron being her husband he shows no signs to try and help Christine. This scene is a clear example of Modern Racism (Elliot Aronson et Al, 2012), and how certain roles in society have the ability to abuse their power. It is also very interesting to see how social psychology plays a big role in how certain people make decisions. Such as Christine speaking out of place, John molesting Christine, and Tom and Cameron acting as innocent bystanders. References Elliot Aronson; Timothy D. Wilson; Robin M. Akert (2012), Social Psychology, Eight Edition, New Jersey, Pearson Education Inc, Retrieved from Coursesmart Library

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Discussion Questions Week 1 Economics 365

Discussion Questions Week One Economics 365 TEAM C- WEEK ONE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. What is economics? What role does economics play in your personal and organizational decisions? Provide an example of the role of economics in decision making. (Ana K Gonzalez) * According to â€Å"What Is Economics? A Definition Of Economics† (2012): * Economics is the study of the production and consumption of goods and the transfer of wealth to produce and obtain those goods. Economics explains how people interact within markets to get what they want or accomplish certain goals.Since economics is a driving force of human interaction, studying it often reveals why people and governments behave in particular ways. There are two main types of economics: macroeconomics and microeconomics. Microeconomics focuses on the actions of individuals and industries, like the dynamics between buyers and sellers, borrowers and lenders. Macroeconomics, on the other hand, takes a much broader view by analyzi ng the economic activity of an entire country or the international marketplace (Para. 2 & 3). Economics play an important role in all aspects of life and sometimes people don’t realize that they are using economics day by day.With the use of economics people can understand how to spend time and money. Unemployment, technological progress, interest rates and budget deficits are important issues presented in our daily personal and professional lives. As students, economics can help us to acquire more knowledge about what kind of difficulties business in our region presents, how to solve it, and the difference procedures to follow to succeed as a business holder. 2. What is the difference between a movement along and a shift of the demand curve?What is the effect on the equilibrium price and quantity that results from an increase in demand, supply, and both? Provide examples for each instance. What is the role of supply and demand in decision making? Provide a real-world example . (Sonia Elias) The difference between a movement along and a shift of the demand curve in the movement along is caused by a change in the price of goods or services performed and a shift of the demand curve is caused because a change in any non-price determining on the demand and it can change to both side the right or the left.The effect in the equilibrium price and quantity that result from the increase in demand is the price goes up because of the demand of the product is more and also the quantity has its effect because with more demand it requires more quantity on the product. A good example is the petroleum now its price is going up because of the demand it is suffer. The role of the supply and demand takes the role of decide how much quantity will require to provide the costumers with their demands on a certain product; it makes the decision of require more quantity of products to supply the costumers. . What is the definition of price elasticity of demand? What is the relat ionship between price elasticity of demand and total revenue? How does price elasticity of demand affect a firm’s pricing decisions? How does the availability of substitutes affect the price elasticity of demand? Provide an example. (Chuck Crain) By definition, price elasticity simply means the way demand responds to price changes. The relationship between price elasticity and total revenue can be a very successful one or a total nightmare based on whether or not the product has good elasticity.As long as the product is something the general public either needs or is very high on their want list, then the product has good elasticity and the profits will continue to increase, thus making total revenue much greater. However, if the product is something society can live without, then the product has bad elasticity and total revenue will go down. When a firm decides to make or sell a product, many considerations go into their long term plans, such as will this product stand the t est of time and will it be profitable even in tough financial cycles.As long as the product has good price elasticity and the competition is low, then prices can be adjusted to meet the current market price or to increase revenues. However, if the product has a bad elasticity, then the business will have to decide on whether or not to raise prices, but this decision could cost the company money now and in the future because the customers chose not to pay a higher price. When people want a similar product without the high price, they turn to substitutes.This can include any generic brands of products that provide close to the same experience for the customer, without the higher price of their original brand. Substitutes greatly affect the elasticity of price, because people can choose to buy another product at a lower price, and basically get the same results from the product. An example would be if a person loves to drink Coke, but can’t afford the price they charge.The perso n would turn to a cheap brand such as Sam’s Cola and receive basically the same benefit, without spending the extra money. * Reference Principles of Macroeconomics. (2009). Retrieved from http://ocw. mit. edu/courses/economics/14-02-principles-of-macroeconomics-fall- 2009/ What is Economics? A Definition of Economics. (2012). Retrieved from http://www. whatiseconomics. org/ Why is economics considered social science?. (2012). Retrieved from http://wiki. answers. com/Q/Why_is_economics_considered_social_science

Thursday, November 7, 2019

How To Lead A Remote Team With Sandra Lewis From Worldwide101

How To Lead A Remote Team With Sandra Lewis From Worldwide101 Do you work remotely? A recent Gallup study shows that more than 40% of the American workforce works remotely, at least some of the time. Today, we’re talking to Sandra Lewis, founder and CEO of Worldwide101. It’s a premium subscription staffing company with virtual assists, expert marketers, and others across the world. Sandra shares six keys you need when working with a remote team to amplify their abilities and make them successful. Key 1 Hire for passion: You want them to be interested, passionate, and obsessive in your service and product Key 2 Analyze skill sets and strengths: Worldwide101 has two pillars that categorize someones strength structured or creative Key 3 Amplify those strengths: Amplifying a strength is having someone do what they do best; also look at what can complement a core strength (soft skills) Key 4 Provide ongoing learning opportunities: Keep people engaged and provide a path and cross training for them to grow their strengths Key 5 Provide great tools: Try new tools and build a tool stack that helps workers be more efficient and productive Key 6 Over communicate: Have face-to-face meetings, acknowledge every email, set check-in times to build trust and get to know someone remotely To lead a successful remote team, keep it personal; do little things that make working remotely less isolated; love the people you work with and celebrate them Links: Worldwide101 Upwork Slack Constant Contact Write and send a review to receive a care package If you liked today’s show, please subscribe on iTunes to The Actionable Content Marketing Podcast! The podcast is also available on SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Quotes by Sandra Lewis: â€Å"My company allows for successful business owners and executives to subscribe to staff without having to employ them themselves.† â€Å"Over-communicate. That is super important when youre remote, when you cant see each other.† â€Å"The first thing to do to amplify strength is to make sure you give that person what theyre good at.† â€Å"Everyone wants to keep learning, its part of staying motivated in what you do.†

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Quotes from James Monroe - Fifth President of the United States

Quotes from James Monroe - Fifth President of the United States James Monroe was a fascinating character. He was studied law with Thomas Jefferson. He served under George Washington during the American Revolution. He was also the only person to serve as both Secretary of War and Secretary of State at the same time during the War of 1812. Learn more about James Monroe. The American continents ... are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers. Stated in The Monroe Doctrine on December 2, 1823.   If America wants concessions, she must fight for them. We must purchase our power with our blood. It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising their sovereignty. Usurpation is then an easy attainment, and an usurper soon found. The people themselves become the willing instruments of their own debasement and ruin. Stated during the First Inaugural Address of James Monroe on Tuesday, March 4, 1817.   The best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil. Never did a government commence under auspices so favorable, nor ever was success so complete. If we look to the history of other nations, ancient or modern, we find no example of a growth so rapid, so gigantic, of a people so prosperous and happy.  Stated during the First Inaugural Address of James Monroe on Tuesday, March 4, 1817.   In this great nation there is but one order, that of the people, whose power, by a peculiarly happy improvement of the representative principle, is transferred from them, without impairing in the slightest degree their sovereignty, to bodies of their own creation, and to persons elected by themselves, in the full extent necessary for the purposes of free, enlightened, and efficient government. Stated during the Second Inaugural Address of the president on Tuesday March 6, 1821.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Report on BlueScope Steel Lab Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

On BlueScope Steel - Lab Report Example The most important growth element in BlueScope Steel is evident in its major restructuring plan covering Australian operations, which seeks to reposition the company for increased profitability and as well as growth. The Board approved the restructuring plan and as such, it will contribute to major changes in the operations of the firm that include shutting down the No. 6 Blast Furnace at the Port Kembla, closure of No.4 Cokemaking battery, No. 3 BOS steelmaking furnace and No.1 slab caster as well as closure of the Western Port Hot Strip Mill. Mergers and acquisitions are considered the best corporate strategy for BlueScope Steel owing to a wide range of positive attributes associated with it. With mergers or acquisitions, the company will certainly avoid the hustles associated with joint ventures or funding a subsidiary. The company has managed to expand a number of its operations owing to acquisitions. Key among the acquisitions made by BlueScope over the previous financial years include IMSA Steel Corp, a steel products manufacturing company, from Ternium SA subsidiary of San Faustin NV's Grupo Techint unit as well as Smorgon Steel Group Ltd (SS) steel and metal marketing division. Member 3 WANG, YING 2766757 To a steel-making company such as BlueScope, the value for its business comes from the steel and iron production, which is the most important valuation measurement. Besides the workforce, the steel industry is labor-intensive business. Then, the equipment and devices are also the value for this kind of industry. To increase the enterprise value, there are three major missions, namely reinvigorating their domestic business, including Australia and New Zealand; expanding and improving Asian and North American market; and continuing to grow sunrise business to make BlueScope Steel a unique steel production enterprise (2010/2011 Annual Report 2012). Coated and Industrial Products and Pacific Steel Products have significantly helped the company earn much mo re profit than before, in Australia and New Zealand, respectively (BlueScope Steel Limited Products2012). Because for the domestic market raw materials can be mined in Australia, the transportation expenses can be saved and steel marketing industry is the mainstay industry to countries in Oceania. Therefore, the growth project for steel making in these two years was very strong (IBIS World 2012). In addition, this program makes raw materials a very important role of producing iron for steel-making companies. As everybody knows, Australia is the origin of iron and its economy based on the export of the raw materials and iron. Australia gained a huge amount of capital during these four to five years (2010/2011 Annual Report 2012). Moreover, Australia was just affected slightly by economic crisis. According to this advantage, steel and iron production increased rapidly in Asian countries, and BlueScope Steel seized this opportunity. They take the advantage of Australia's natural resour ces, transfer them to the capital, and make the steel industry to be one of the top three pillar industries both in Australia and in New Zealand. The hot strip mill and the plate mill have been identified as the most two profitable products.However, this only depends on the market demand. For instance, if the market is in a positive situation, the steel price is high and market demand is optimistic, hence the production level will be maintained and the profit will be guaranteed at the same time. When it comes to the real