Helping Students Move Beyond General Goals

Once you have determined a general goal and you think you know why it appeals to you, you are ready to write it in a way that will help you make it happen. Goals Studies of successful people have shown that they write goals that contain similar elements. To write a goal like winners do, be sure that: It is stated in a positive way. (eg. I will... not, I might or I hope...It is obtainable. (Be realistic, but dont sell yourself short.)It involves your behavior and not someone elses.It is written.It includes a way to measure successful completion.It includes the specific date when you will begin working on the goal.It includes a projected date when you will reach the goal.If it is a big goal, it is divided into manageable steps or sub-goals.The projected dates for working on and completion of sub-goals are specified. Despite the length of the list, great goals are easy to write. The following are examples of goals containing the necessary components. General Goal: I will be a better basketball player this year.Specific Goal: I will get 18 baskets in 20 tries by June 1st of this year.I will begin working on this goal on January 15th.General Goal: I will become an electrical engineer someday. Specific Goal: I will have a job as an electrical engineer by January 1st.I will begin working on this goal on February 1st.General Goal: I will go on a diet.Specific Goal: I will lose 10 pounds by April 1st.I will begin dieting and exercising on February 27th. Now, write your general goal. (Be sure to start with I will.) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Now make it more specific by adding the manner of measurement and projected completion date. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I will begin working on this goal on (date) _______________________________ Considering how completing this goal will benefit you is quite important because this benefit will be the source of motivation for the work and sacrifice needed to complete your goal. To remind yourself why this goal is important to you, complete the sentence below. Use as much detail as you can by imagining the goal completed. Begin with, I will benefit by meeting this goal because... _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Because some goals are so big that thinking about them makes us feel overwhelmed, it is necessary to break them into sub goals or the steps you need to take in order to meet your major goal. These steps should be listed below along with a projected date for completion. Creating Sub-Goals Since this list will be used to schedule your work on these steps, you will save time if you set up a table on another piece of paper with a wide column for listing the steps, and a number of columns to the side which will eventually be used to indicate time periods. On a separate sheet of paper, make a table with two columns. To the right of these columns, attach gridded or graph paper. See the image at the top of the page for an example. After you have listed the steps you will need to complete in order to attain your goal, estimate the date by which you can complete all of them. Use this as your projected ending date. Next, turn this table into a Gantt chart by labeling columns to the right of completion date with appropriate time periods (weeks, months, or years) and color in the cells for the times you will work on a particular step. Project management software usually contains features for making Gantt charts and make the job more fun by automatically changing related charts when you make a change in any one of them. Now that you have learned to write a great specific goal and to schedule sub-goals on a Gantt chart, you are ready to learn how to maintain your motivation and momentum.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Essay - 1748 Words

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that is modifiable and preventable through diet and exercise. The incidence of T2DM is propagated by a sedentary lifestyle and excessive caloric intake. Maintenance of a desirable body weight, diet, and exercise are the mainstay therapy for T2DM (Buttaro, Trybulski, Bailey, Sanberg-Cook, 2013). I have chosen Shannon, a 30 year old single African American female who is newly diagnosed with T2DM for my health promotion paper. Shannon is obese with a Basal Metabolic Index (BMI) of 32 and HbA1c of 9.8 %. She is otherwise healthy with no known medical problems. When I first met Shannon, she was petrified of her diagnosis and the accompanied symptoms (polyruria, polydipsia, fatigue,†¦show more content†¦These goals are in accordance with the nutrition and recommendations of the American Diabetes Association (ADA, 2008). Practical Application Of Transtheoritical Model for T2DM The Transtheoritical model (TTM) was utilized to support this health promotion paper. TTM offers guidance for individuals at all stages of readiness for change and it involves matching intervention approaches to an individuals current stage of change. Stage of change (SOC) is the central organizing construct of TTM. As the individual makes a behavioral change, it progresses through a series of change: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. Moreover, TTM integrates several other behavior change constructs such as, decisional balance, processes of change, and self-efficacy (Johnson et al., 2008). Establishing a therapeutic environment, building rapport, and communication techniques are key to the behavior change process. Shannon was in the contemplation stage when I first encountered her in the clinic. She was aware that her recent unfortunate experience was caused by her obesity. Even though T2DM has a genetic predisposition, with glycemic control, physical activity (PA), weight loss and a healthy well balanced diet can help control and prevent disease progression and its complications (Fowler, 2007). Shannon was eager and determined in taking charge of her T2DM but had ambivalence on how to manageShow MoreRelatedAnalytical Essay : Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus2084 Words   |  9 PagesIntroduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was a disease that was thought to have a rare occurrence in children and adolescents a couple decades ago. Nevertheless, researchers have begun to observe the rise in type 2 diabetes mellitus in both adults and children (1). Even though type 1 diabetes mellitus is still the main form of the disease in young people, it is most likely that type 2 diabetes mellitus will prevail in young patients in the near future. Type 2 diabetes mellitus has already beenRead MoreDiabetes Mellitus Type 2 Diabetes1988 Words   |  8 PagesDiabetes type two is one of the fastest growing public health problems in the world. It is difficult to treat and expensive to manage. It has been estimated that the number of people with diabetes in the world will double from the current value of about 190 million to 325 million during the next 25 years (WHO, 2016). Individuals with type-2 diabetes are at a high risk of developing a wide range of complications such as cardiovascular di sease, peripheral vascular disease, nephropathy, changes to theRead MoreDiabetes Mellitus Type 2 Diabetes855 Words   |  4 PagesDiabetes Mellitus Type 2 is on the rise in the United States, with a new case diagnosed every 30 seconds (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 2015). Diabetes is similarly on the rise in Africa, with an estimated 8 million cases to be diagnosed by 2025 (Mbanya,2006, p. 1628-1629). 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Background and Introduction Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease that is caused by insulin resistance ofRead MoreEffects Of Diabetes Education Programs On Reducing The A1c Of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus1025 Words   |  5 PagesResults yelled peer- reviewed articles that pertain to research surrounding diabetes education programs in reducing the A1C in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Each article was evaluated based on its applicability to the research question on this paper. The pattern used in selecting the articles included for evaluation can be found in the Appendix 1. The research strategies included key terms like diabetes, type 2, education, age, program, research, adult, and A1C. The search began withRead MoreFactors Affecting Prevalence And Treatment Outcomes Of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus1005 Words   |  5 PagesFactors Affecting Prevalence and Treatment Outcomes of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Rwanda Introduction Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic condition in which the pancreas no longer produces enough Insulin (impaired insulin secretion) or cells stop responding to the insulin that is produced (insulin resistance) resulting in increased blood glucose (â€Å"Endocrine System.† Internal Medicine Clinical Treatment Guidelines. Republic of Rwanda Ministry of Health, 2012 ). 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This is called insulin resistance, in which the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, or the body is unable to use what is produced. The impairment causes blood glucose level to rise higher than normal. There is no cure for type 2 diabetes mellitus and it is life threatening when left untreated. S igns and symptoms of thisRead MoreDiabetes Mellitus And Type 2 Diabetes Essay1301 Words   |  6 PagesDiabetes mellitus, known as â€Å"diabetes† is a grouping of metabolic diseases that present, over a long period of time, levels of high blood sugar. There are two main forms of diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. In addition to these two, there is also what is called Gestational Diabetes. In all cases, insulin is somehow not doing its job: Insulin is a hormone produced by beta cells of the pancreas, and is needed to allow glucose to enter the cells and produce energy. IfRead MoreDiabetes Mellitus Type 2 Diabetes1628 Words   |  7 PagesDiabetes mellitus type 2, also know as type 2 Diabetes or noninsulin dependent diabetes, is a disease that effects the body systemically. Type 2 diabetes is a disorder in which cells become resistant to insulin and can no longer bind it properly to reduce blood sugar. The result of this is elevated glucose levels in the circulating blood that leads to endothelial injury in all regions of the body. Primary damages occur in the kidneys, cardiovascular, and digestive systems. According to â€Å"Annual Number

Effective Study Skills

Question: Describe about effective Study Skills are the sole foundation of a sound education? Answer: The study skill as define by scholars is the path which leads to learning. Whereas education is defined as the formal process which is followed deliberately by a society by having a target of transferring knowledge, skills, values and customs which it has accumulated to the future generations (Cottrell 2013). The effective study skill establishes a sound education system which leads to a positive outcome in areas of academic content and for diverse learners. Effective study is a learned activity which can be developed through practice and reflection. The list of factors for a contribution to sound and solid education is endless. The psychological, socio-cultural and biological factors play an important role in nurturing an individual by producing a diverse range of effects. The key points that foster and ignite a thirst for learning; which leads towards a sound education is amazement for the world around them, willingness to learn and inner motivation. It can be of help if an individual is encouraged and supported through the learning phase (Elliott 2015). However, it is also noticed that individuals find themselves surrounded with despair and hopelessness and it creates a positive attitude of overcoming the obstacles and reach higher goals to fulfill their dreams. The environment around the individual also plays an important role by comparing nature versus nurture perspective. The genetics also plays an important role in the overall development of a child brain as it has a lot to do with natural abilities and intelligence, which they have developed or are in the process of developing. The study skills make an individual or learner capable of acquiring knowledge in an organized manner and retain it and finally apply it in an effective manner (Pellegrinoet al.2013). The scope of effective learning is not limited to academic knowledge only rather it can be implemented lifelong and prepares individuals for lifelong learning. All the skills like organizing, retaining and listening; which an individual get from effective learning is important in every situation and every phase of life. To make acquired skills and natural skills effectual it needs to be developed and fine-tuned. The study skills is categorized under various types like listening, critically thinking skill, techniques of presentation, reading comprehension, skills to write, management of time, research, memory techniques, evaluation and presentation (Mclaren 2015). The capacity of learning depends from person to person hence it can be said that what one person may understand the other may not and vice-vers a. In conclusion, therefore, it would seem that there are many views and opinions when it comes to effective study skills being the sole foundation of a sound education. In general, study skill is a great tool for effective studying and may lead to better learning. It is also the role of the educators to help an individual in motivating for learning and gain a positive attitude towards every situation. Further, encouraging the habit of effective study will provide individual with self-management and support in this constantly changing fast track knowledge world. References Cottrell, S., 2013.The study skills handbook. Palgrave Macmillan. Elliott, S.N., 2015. Measuring Opportunity to Learn and Achievement Growth Key Research Issues With Implications for the Effective Education of All Students.Remedial and Special Education,36(1), pp.58-64. McLaren, P., 2015.Life in schools: An introduction to critical pedagogy in the foundations of education. Routledge. Pellegrino, J.W. and Hilton, M.L. eds., 2013.Education for life and work: Developing transferable knowledge and skills in the 21st century. National Academies Press.

Walt Whitman the poet of American inclusion Essay Example For Students

Walt Whitman the poet of American inclusion Essay Walt Whitman the poet of American inclusion Walt Whitman used his poems as a way of Illustrating how he saw the perfect utopia that could be the new world If only all of the diverse people that made up the American nation could come together and embrace one another. Whitman poems have a way of connecting people with their neighbors who may have been geographically close but where culturally, economically and ethnically worlds apart. In many ways Whitman is not so different from more modern authors like Alex Haley ho wrote the book Roots or Arthur Laureate the author of West side Story. We will write a custom essay on Walt Whitman the poet of American inclusion specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Both of these authors are examples of writers who used their craft to bring a new view to the people of their time through art. Whitman constructed an inclusive, all-embracing identity that could, as he characterized it, contain multitudes. American Passages Unit 5. Masculine Heroes: Authors. American Passages unit 5. Masculine Heroes From the readings it Is easy to see that Whitman was a poet of democracy. He saw our country In state of transformation. Walt Whitman was criticized by many for the expression of his views, however he showed his readers his vision for unity. Whitman used his poems to capture many things that everyone could relate with such as national Identity, professions, romance and sex. Many literary critics were shocked by Whitman convention-defying style, reviewing the work as reckless and indecent and a mass of stupid filth. American Passages unit 5. Masculine Heroes: Authors. American Passages unit 5. Masculine Heroes. These are topics that everyone is unconnected to regardless of age, gender race or class. He wrote poems that in many ways could be considered prophetic of America. Whitman poetry and work during the civil war serving a nurse to soldiers shows his true compassion for his fellow Americans, The similarities between Song of Myself and the Sermon on the Mount are quite apparent. In that poem he speaks of washing the feet of the fugitive slave Is similar to that of Chrisms washing the feet of the apostles. In the video it Is discussed that that many of the frontiersmen where directed by Manifest Destiny the belief hat American settlers were destined by God to expand throughout and conquer the new world. Walt Whitman obviously being a spiritual man Whitman encouraged all Americans to be heroes Whitman is a boomer for expansion, he would like the whole world to be America not by conquest, not by military conquest, by a kind of spiritual conquest. Richard Slotting, professor of American studies at Wesleyan University. American culture is now much more open to new ideas and possibilities. Whitman helped to shape that that America for us without regard for his own petition or prosperity. He goes into great detail about things that otherwise would go unnoticed. He does this so the reader can the impact that something small could cause. In the video It Is stated that Whitman hinted at acceptance of homosexuality, of his respect for prostitutes and compassion for slaves.

Free Essays on Women In Palestine And Their Rights

When will this all end? My knowledge about the world has always been based on how the United States functions and the rights that are given to everyone and that’s including me, a woman. I never thought of myself lower than anyone else and especially a male. Everything has to do with how I was raised and where I was raised. Palestinian women don’t have the same gender privileges that I have. They have to suffer with having to be raised in a country where gender is a big issue and masculinity is what powers. This paper will mainly focus on the violence and the civil and political rights of women in Palestine. The dominance of male control in Palestine is currently threatening the progression of women rising above the constraints of patriarchy. It is however important to recognize specific cultural and religious practices of gender hierarchy that are accepted by Palestinian women. While keeping this in mind it is of paramount importance to keep sight of the consequences of abusing these cultura l practices at the expense of women’s liberation and development. If we as a global community can acknowledge the adverse effects of patriarchal rule and appreciate the fundamental role of women in society, the succession of women will most certainly follow. The consequences of the subordination of women have left perhaps no woman un-scared by its devastating effects. Unfortunately there are numerous examples that highlight the problematic consequences of patriarchal supremacy. One of the numerous examples that highlight this patriarchal supremacy is the violent crimes towards women. This section of the report deals with the connection between political and social violence in Palestinian society and the manner in which each of these forms of violence interplays with the other. There is also a focus on the forms of violence directed against women at the societal level and within the family, as well as a description of the laws, policies and... Free Essays on Women In Palestine And Their Rights Free Essays on Women In Palestine And Their Rights When will this all end? My knowledge about the world has always been based on how the United States functions and the rights that are given to everyone and that’s including me, a woman. I never thought of myself lower than anyone else and especially a male. Everything has to do with how I was raised and where I was raised. Palestinian women don’t have the same gender privileges that I have. They have to suffer with having to be raised in a country where gender is a big issue and masculinity is what powers. This paper will mainly focus on the violence and the civil and political rights of women in Palestine. The dominance of male control in Palestine is currently threatening the progression of women rising above the constraints of patriarchy. It is however important to recognize specific cultural and religious practices of gender hierarchy that are accepted by Palestinian women. While keeping this in mind it is of paramount importance to keep sight of the consequences of abusing these cultura l practices at the expense of women’s liberation and development. If we as a global community can acknowledge the adverse effects of patriarchal rule and appreciate the fundamental role of women in society, the succession of women will most certainly follow. The consequences of the subordination of women have left perhaps no woman un-scared by its devastating effects. Unfortunately there are numerous examples that highlight the problematic consequences of patriarchal supremacy. One of the numerous examples that highlight this patriarchal supremacy is the violent crimes towards women. This section of the report deals with the connection between political and social violence in Palestinian society and the manner in which each of these forms of violence interplays with the other. There is also a focus on the forms of violence directed against women at the societal level and within the family, as well as a description of the laws, policies and...

Long Story Short

Long Story Short I’ve often heard writers of nonfiction complain that they’re the Rodney Dangerfields of the literary world. Not that they don’t sell a lot of books and articles (because they do) or that they don’t make money from their writing (because they do). Their complaint is that they aren’t recognized as â€Å"real† writers until they’ve published fiction. The same might be said of short-story writers. Some feel they aren’t truly fiction writers unless and until they’ve sold a novel. Many people who are not themselves writers have asked me, â€Å"Why waste your time writing short stories?† Well, I’ve written three novels- two are out with an agent and the other is sitting here at home aging like tobacco leaves, or (as I prefer to think) fine wine. But mostly I write short. One reason, honestly, is that since I’ve sold so many short stories and have never sold a novel, I just feel more comfortable with the short stuff. It’s safe ground for me, and I’m as reluctant as the next soldier to venture far from my foxhole unless someone orders me to. Does that mean I’m not a real fiction writer? Maybe so. But it’s not a question that bothers me much. Having said all that, what possible advantages could there be to writing short stories instead of novels? Well, here are a few: (1) They can be resold. I’ve had some of my shorts published half a dozen times each, in different markets. If you’ve not signed away â€Å"all rights,† you can sell reprints over and over again. (2) They give you a sense of completion. Finishing a story and writing THE END is a great feeling, to me. I can write a short story in a matter of days, and then turn around and write something else, something completely different. (3) There’s less time invested. A novel takes months or even years to write, and if it doesn’t sell, you’ve spent an enormous chunk of time with those characters and that plot. (4) They can help build a rà ©sumà ©. Story credits in quality magazines and anthologies can make you more marketable to agents and publishers of longer works. (5) They’re good practice. Crafting publishable short stories teaches you how to write â€Å"tight.† Novels might be long, but the best novels are still focused and compact, with few wasted words. Writing short also gives you experience in creating the story arc that is so necessary in novels, screenplays, etc. (6) You don’t need an agent. I had a wonderful agent for several years who represented my short fiction (he passed away in 1999), but few agents now will take on short-story authors, and the truth is, you can probably do as well without them. (7) It’s fun. I think the process of putting together a good plot and believable characters in only a few thousand words is a thrill as well as a challenge. A final note. Some writers don’t write short because they don’t think they can. Several novelist friends (one a New York Times bestseller) have told me they think short stories are extremely difficult to write. Lawrence Block once agreed, saying: â€Å"Novels aren’t harder; they’re just longer.† And Faulkner said he tried writing short stories when he found he couldn’t write poetry, and then turned to writing novels when he found he couldn’t write short stories. I’ve also heard that writing a good novel requires a better storyteller, while writing a good short story requires a better craftsman. Is that true? Beats me. It doesn’t matter anyway. There’ll always be room for both.

Employee Engagement and Employee Voice (Contemporary HRM Research) Essay

Employee Engagement and Employee Voice (Contemporary HRM Research) - Essay Example The role of employee voice in employee issues therefore very important in the operation of human resource management units since it has a significant influence on employee performance, employee views and also regulates the relationship between employers and employees. This paper examines the concept of 'employee voice'. It attempts to identify what that concept actually is and how it has evolved over the past 60 years The research then goes on to examine the position of employee voice after the Second World War and how it has evolved to this day. It will examine key concepts and ideas that define the phenomenon. Also, the research discusses the role of employee engagement in organisations. This is done from two perspectives. The first is the position of employers and the facades within which they deal with employee demands. The second is how the organization and the human resource department specifically, deals with employee voice. Finally, the paper will focus on the role of employe e relationships and how it affects the strategic position of organisations. It will be done by examining the business case of employee relations and how it is integrated into the communication plan of organisations. Employee Voice â€Å"For working purpose, we define voice as the expression of ideas, information, opinions and concerns as well as silence, such as withholding† (Greenberg & Edwards, 2009 p4). This means that voice refers to communication in the wider sense. There is no clearcut definition of employee voice. However, using this preamble, we can say that voice refers to the kind of feedback or message that employees give or seek to give to their employers in the workplace. From another perspective, this also means that where employees refuse to communicate or make any demands, it can also be viewed as some kind of a voice. This implies that communication from employees is essential for the success of organisations around the world. Employee voice therefore takes a different connotation all together. Its scope is wider than just making demands and asking management or the owners of a business to come up with certain actions or activities. â€Å"Employee voice is the term increasingly used to cover a whole variety of processes and structures which enables and sometimes empowers employees directly or indirectly to contribute to decision-making in the firm† (Armstrong, 2008 p200). This shows that employee voice is a kind of involvement of employees in the

Scientific method experiment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Scientific method experiment - Essay Example 56) To establish this, the experimentalist used four samples of five gases namely; Oxygen, Hydrogen, Carbon Dioxide and Sulfur Hexafluoride. He used other tools such as four testing tubes, a top- loading balance and a syringe. The experimentalist measured a volume of 50ml of each of the gas samples. By using the syringe and the balance, the experimentalist calculated the weights of each of the 50ml-sample. He observed that although the samples were of the same size, they weighed different. The vacuum weighed 0.00g Oxygen 0.54g, Hydrogen 0.11gm , Carbon Dioxide .088g and Sulfur Hexafluoride 0 .263g (Pandey et al. 56) The explanation behind this is that heavier gas samples have larger weight than the lighter ones. The gas sample cannot have more weight in this experiment as a result of change in the volume of the samples. Therefore, the change must be linked to the mass of the particles of the gas. On plotting the molecular weights against the experimental weights, the experimentalist found out that it was a straight line. This is as a result of the correlation between the mass of the constant samples and the molecular mass. Therefore, this leads to the accepting the hypothesis that it is possible to determine the molecular mass of a sample of gas simply by measuring the constant quantity against an already determined linear relationship Pandey et al.

Enron scandal Essay Example for Free

Enron scandal Essay A brief on Enron’s history ï‚ § Enron was formed in 1985 by Kenneth Lay after merging Houston Natural Gas and InterNorth. ï‚ § In the early 1990s, he helped to initiate the selling of electricity at market prices, The resulting markets made it possible for traders such as Enron to sell energy at higher prices, thereby significantly increasing its revenue. ï‚ § As Enron became the largest seller of natural gas in North America by 1992, Enron pursued a diversification strategy owning and operating a variety of assets including gas pipelines, electricity plants, pulp and paper plants, water plants, and broadband services across the globe. (cont.) brief ï‚ § Enrons stock increased from the start of the 1990s until year-end 1998 by 311% percent, only modestly higher than the average rate of growth in the Standard Poor 500 index. ï‚ § However, the stock increased by 56% in 1999 and a further 87%compared to a 20%  increase and a 10% decrease for the index  during the same years. By December 31,  2000, Enron’s stock was priced at $83.13  and its market capitalization exceeded $60  billion, 70 times earnings and six times  book value, an indication of the stock  market’s high expectations about its future  prospects. In addition, Enron was rated the  most innovative large company in America  in Fortunes Most Admired Companies  survey. Causes of downfall †¢ Enrons complex financial statements were confusing to shareholders and  analysts by using accounting limitations to misrepresent earnings and modify the balance sheet to indicate favorable performance, According to McLean and Elkind in their book The Smartest Guys in the Room, The Enron scandal grew out of a steady accumulation of habits and values and actions that began years before and finally spiraled out of control. the combination of these issues later resulted in the bankruptcy of the company. †¢ the majority of them were perpetuated by the indirect knowledge or direct actions of Lay, Jeffrey Skilling, Andrew Fastow, and other executives, Skilling constantly focused on meeting Wall Street expectations, advocated the use of mark-to-market accounting and pressured Enron executives to find new ways to hide its debt. (Cont.) causes of downfall Mark-To-Market accounting: †¢ when Skilling joined the company, he demanded that the  trading business adopt mark-to-market accounting, citing that it would represent true economic value. †¢ This method requires that once a long-term contract was signed, income is estimated as the present value of net future cash flow. Often, the viability of these contracts and their related costs were difficult to estimate, investors were typically given false or misleading reports. †¢ While using the method, income from projects could be recorded, although they might not have ever received the money, and in turn increasing financial earnings on the books. However, in future years, the profits could not be included, so new and additional income had to be included from more projects to develop additional growth to appease investors. (Cont.) causes of downfall †¢ For one contract, in July 2000, Enron and Blockbuster Video signed a 20-year agreement to introduce on-demand entertainment to various U.S. cities by year-end. After several pilot projects, Enron recognized estimated profits of more than $110 million from the deal, even though analysts questioned the technical viability and market demand of the service. When the network failed to work, Blockbuster withdrew from the contract. Enron continued to recognize future profits, even though the deal resulted in a loss . †¢ Between 1996 and 2000, Enrons revenues increased by more than 750%, rising from $13.3 billion in 1996 to $100.8 billion in 2000. This extensive expansion of 65% per year was unprecedented in any industry, including the energy industry which typically considered growth of 2–3% per year to be respectable. For just the first nine months of 2001, Enron reported $138.7 billion in revenues, which placed the company at the sixth position on the Fortune Global 500. (Cont.) causes of downfall Special purpose entities: †¢ Enron used special purpose entities—limited partnerships or companies created to fulfill a temporary or specific purpose . †¢ These shell firms were created by a sponsor, but funded by independent equity investors and debt financing. †¢ By 2001, Enron had used hundreds of special purpose entities to hide its debt . †¢ The special purpose entities were used for more than just circumventing accounting conventions. Enrons balance sheet understated its liabilities and overstated its equity, and its earnings were overstated (cont.) causes of downfall Executive compensation: †¢ Although Enrons compensation and performance management system was designed to retain and reward its most valuable employees, the system contributed to a dysfunctional corporate culture that became obsessed with short-term earnings to maximize bonuses. †¢ Employees constantly tried to start deals, disregarding the quality of  cash flow or profits, in order to get a better rating for their performance review. (cont.) causes of downfall †¢ The company was constantly emphasizing its stock price. Management was compensated extensively using stock options. †¢ Skilling would develop target earnings by asking What earnings do you need to keep our stock price up? and that number would be used, even if it was not feasible. †¢ Employees had large expense accounts and many executives were paid sometimes twice as much as competitors. †¢ In 1998, the top 200 highest-paid employees received $193 million from salaries, bonuses, and stock. Two years later, the figure jumped to $1.4 billion. (cont.) causes of downfall  Financial audit: †¢ Enrons auditor firm, Arthur Andersen, was accused of applying reckless standards in its audits because of a conflict of interest over the significant consulting fees generated by Enron. †¢ Andersens auditors were pressured by Enrons management to defer recognizing the charges from the special purpose entities as its credit risks became known. †¢ To pressure Andersen into meeting Enrons earnings expectations, Enron would occasionally allow accounting companies Ernst Young or PricewaterhouseCoopers to complete accounting tasks to create the illusion of hiring a new company to replace Andersen. †¢ In addition, after news of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigations of Enron were made public, Andersen would later shred several tons of relevant documents and delete nearly 30,000 e-mails and computer files, causing accusations of a cover-up. (cont.) causes of downfall Other accounting issues: †¢ Enron made a habit of booking costs of cancelled projects as assets, with the rationale that no official letter had stated that the project was cancelled. This method was known as the snowball, and although it was initially dictated that such practices be used only for projects worth less than $90 million, it was later increased to $200 million. †¢ In 1998, when analysts were given a tour of the Enron Energy Services office, they were impressed with how the employees were working so vigorously. In reality, Skilling had moved other employees to the office from other departments (instructing them to pretend to work hard) to create the appearance that the division was larger than it was. This ruse was used several times to fool analysts about the progress of different areas of Enron to help improve the stock price. Bankruptcy †¢ On November 28, 2001, The company had very little cash with which to operate, let alone satisfy enormous debts. Its stock price fell to $0.61 at the end of the days trading. †¢ Enron was estimated to have about $23 billion in liabilities from both debt outstanding and guaranteed loans. Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase in particular appeared to have significant amounts to lose with Enrons bankruptcy. †¢ Enrons European operations filed for bankruptcy on November 30, 2001, and it sought Chapter 11 protection two days later on December 2. It was the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history (before being surpassed by WorldComs bankruptcy the next year), and resulted in 4,000 lost jobs. Sarbanes-Oxley Act †¢ The bill was enacted as a reaction to a number of major corporate and accounting scandals including those affecting Enron, Tyco International, Adelphia, Peregrine Systems and WorldCom. These scandals, which cost investors billions of dollars when the share prices of affected companies collapsed, shook public confidence in the nations securities markets. †¢ The main provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act included the establishment of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to develop standards for the preparation of audit reports; the restriction of public accounting companies from providing any non-auditing services when auditing; provisions for the independence of audit committee members, executives being required to sign off on financial reports. Major elements: (Cont.)SOX 1.Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB): Title I consists of nine sections and establishes the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, to provide independent oversight of public accounting firms providing audit services (auditors). It also creates a central oversight board tasked with registering auditors, defining the specific processes and procedures for compliance audits 2. Auditor Independence: Title II consists of nine sections and establishes standards for external auditor independence, to limit conflicts of interest. It also addresses new auditor approval requirements, audit partner rotation, and auditor reporting requirements. It restricts auditing companies from providing non-audit services (e.g., consulting) for the same clients. (Cont.)SOX 3. Corporate Responsibility: Title III consists of eight sections and mandates that senior executives take individual responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of corporate financial reports. It defines the interaction of external auditors and corporate audit committees, and specifies the responsibility of corporate officers for the accuracy and validity of corporate financial reports. It enumerates specific limits on the behaviors of corporate officers and describes specific forfeitures of benefits and civil penalties for non-compliance. For example, Section 302 requires that the companys  principal officers (typically the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) certify and approve the integrity of their company financial reports quarterly. (Cont.)SOX 4. Enhanced Financial Disclosures: Title IV consists of nine sections. It describes enhanced reporting requirements for financial transactions, including off-balance-sheet transactions, pro-forma figures and stock transactions of corporate officers. 5. Analyst Conflicts of Interest : Title V consists of only one section, which includes measures designed to help restore investor confidence in the reporting of securities analysts. It defines the codes of conduct for securities analysts and requires disclosure of knowable conflicts of interest. 6. Commission Resources and Authority: Title VI consists of four sections and defines practices to restore investor confidence in securities analysts. It also defines the SECs authority to censure or bar securities professionals from practice and defines conditions under which a person can be barred from practicing as a broker, advisor, or dealer. (Cont.)SOX 7.Studies and Reports: Title VII consists of five sections and requires the Comptroller General and the SEC to perform various studies and report their findings. Studies and reports include the effects of consolidation of public accounting firms, the role of credit rating agencies in the operation of securities markets, securities violations and enforcement actions, and whether investment banks assisted Enron, Global Crossing and others to manipulate earnings and obfuscate true financial conditions. (Cont.)SOX 8. Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability: It describes specific criminal penalties for manipulation, destruction or alteration of financial records or other interference with investigations, while providing certain protections for whistle-blowers. 9. White Collar Crime Penalty Enhancement: This section increases the criminal penalties associated with white-collar crimes and conspiracies. It recommends stronger sentencing guidelines and specifically adds failure to certify corporate financial reports as a criminal offense. (Cont.)SOX 10. Corporate Tax Returns : Title X consists of one section. Section 1001 states that the Chief Executive Officer should sign the company tax return. 11. Corporate Fraud Accountability : It identifies corporate fraud and records tampering as criminal offenses and joins those offenses to specific penalties. It also revises sentencing guidelines and strengthens their penalties. This enables the SEC to resort to temporarily freezing transactions or payments that have been deemed large or unusual.

Use of Doubles in the Film, Shadow of A Doubt :: Movie Film Essays

Use of Doubles in the Film, Shadow of A Doubt The film Shadow of A Doubt uses doubles, a film concept in which a shot is created and then later exposed once again in another frame. There are various scenes in the movie where doubles are used to imply different ideas. Three concrete examples of this effect include the scenes where Uncle Charlie and young Charlie wake up, the scenes where both Charlie’s say that telling Emma about Uncles evildoings will be hurtful, and the scene of the trains going in opposites directions of each other. First and foremost, the scene where Uncle Charlie wakes up parallels directly to the scene of little Charlie waking up. The director makes it obvious that these two characters will be linked in some way through this use of doubles. Later in the film, we find that these two characters are closely connected but have a contrasting relationship. Their relationship was one of much love when Uncle first arrived to the family, and suddenly turned sour when little Charlie told Uncle that there was something inside him that no one knew. Next, Shadow of A Doubt uses the two different scenes where both Uncle Charlie and little Charlie say that telling Emma about Uncle will be hurtful are both combined into a double. The director does this in order to let the viewer see that both Uncle and little Charlie have common thoughts even though they have different perceptions on life. They have a common goal and that is for no one else to hurt from Uncles hidden evils. Lastly, this film uses doubles in the final scene of the movie where the two trains cross each other. This sequence is important due to the fact that Uncle was thrown under one of the trains to his death.

Ratio Analysis on Literature of Review Essay

I also declare that I have done my work sincerely and accurately even then if any mistake or error had kept in it, I request the readers to point out these errors and guide me to remove these errors in future. Presentation Incharge Signature of the Candidate Practical work experience is the integral part of individual learning. An individual who is learning managerial concepts has to undergo this practical experience for being a future executive. It is the result of various factors. Primarily because of rising cultivations of BT. cotton (Bacillus thuringnsis) and reduce the farmers input costs, while the yield as well as quality are substantially much larger compared to traditional varieties. In view of this development, the cotton cultivation acreage has been steadily going up in India. The farmers have become more knowledgeable to follow scientific methods to cultivate high yielding long staple cotton varieties. Besides individual mills are also simultaneously taking steps to improve the cotton production along with Technology Mission on cotton (TCM), the cotton development research Associations of organizations (CITI), South Indian Textiles Mills Association (SIMA) and Kerala State Textile Corporation (KSTC). The resultant factor is quality and quantity of raw material supply has substantially improved in the country. Due to globalization of our economy, the conscious of quality inputs and pricing have become competitive to the international standards and prices. Supply of quality raw material availability sources of raw material from major cotton exporting countries. Every organization is a deliberate and planned Endeavour of people whose common goal can be achieved through attainment of targets and goal by individual members in it. No organization can survive for long unless it takes care of prudent utilization of resources particularly human resources. In brief, good business is generally the result of good organization which can emerge only if it consists of good people who work together as a team. The textile industry occupies a unique place in our country. One of the earliest to come into existence in India, it accounts for 14 per cent of the total industrial production, contributes to nearly 30 per cent of the total exports and is the second largest employment generator after agriculture. The Indian textile industry is one of the largest in the world with a massive raw material and textile-manufacturing base. Indian economy is largely dependent on the textile manufacturing and trade in addition to other major industries about 27 per cent of the exchange earning are on account of export of textiles and clothing alone. In India organized textile mill sector has increased from 1787 in 2003-04 to 1789 in 2004-05. During the year 2003-04 the production of yarn was 3051. 07 million kg and it had increased to 3220. 59 million kg in 2004-05. The number of workers worked in textiles mills during the year 9, 18,000. India has the second-largest yarn-spinning capacity in the world (after China), accounting for roughly 20 percent of the world’s spindle capacity. India’s spinning segment is fairly modernized; approximately 35 to 40 percent of India’s spindles are less than 10 years old. During 1989-98, India was the leading buyer of spinning machinery, accounting 2003-04 was 9,28,000 and it have decreased during the year 2004-05 was for 28 per cent of world shipments. India’s production of spun yarn is accounted for almost entirely by the organized mill sector, which includes 285 large. Man-made fibers, wool and silk segment grew by modest 4. 5 per cent per annum during the 5-year period 2000-01 to 2005-06. During the first year of quota-free global trade, production increased leaps and bounds. Textiles production increased 10 per cent over 2004. The growth was fuelled by a 22 per cent rise in production of other textiles (including apparels). Cotton textile also posted an increase of nine percent. In the last six years, an estimated US$ 6. 7 billion has been invested in the textiles sector, aided by the Technology Up gradation Fund (TUF) scheme. The TUF scheme expires in March next year (2007) and the quotas on China will be lifted in 2008. Hence, companies will continue to add capacities over the next year. Also, according to CRISIL, the sector is likely to rise over US$ 3. 5 billion from the capital markets in the next few years. The cotton textile industry, one of the oldest and major consumer industries in India, has assumed national importance by virtue of size, investment, output and employment. The industry produces a wide range of fabrics to suit specific needs of consumers. Further, the cotton textile industry occupies a pre eminent place in the Indian economy by contributing a major share and to the countries industrial production and providing cloth to its millions. The industry also serves by providing direct employment to 60, 00,000 workers in several of its related activities. India is one of the largest textile producing countries in the world. The share of the industry in the export basket of India is around 20%. However, textile industry is vast developing sector and when the competitions are exorbitant especially in its design and quality we have to adopt modern technology management, machine so as to complete with other countries in the international market.

Zen Psychology

In all that we learn, finding peace in all the hurt and happiness, tears and laughter, and ups and downs is not an easy thing. Finding the inspiration to accomplish the things that will make us feel like fulfilled human beings is not an simple task. Like a wise person once said â€Å"Why is it that the deeper you go, the bigger it gets? † What drives great men to do great things? What drives evil men to do evil things? How can I find the courage inside me to accomplish all that I want to do, much less, figure out what I want to do? Life is full of different choices, which inevitably lead to different questions. Working, going to school, quitting your job, or moving to India all eventually lead to the question: What am I going to do with my life now? Zen, is not an answer to these problems. Zen is more of a psychological application rather then a philosophical school of thought. It doesn’t try to touch on metaphysics, spirituality, or anything of the sort. It is more of a complex psychology of acceptance, which turns out to be extraordinarily simple. Humans are afflicted with all external forms of life: we are subject to life and death, pleasure and pain, love and fear, good and evil, beautiful and ugly. We tend to sway, or strive towards one side, and reject its opposite. There is no real escape of one or the other, yet we somehow believe that sooner or later, we will be able to conquer the other side if we stay focused long enough. We often strive for good, hoping the evil in our lives will disappear. But the inevitable always arises, and we find ourselves in the same place that we started. Why is this? From a more Taoist point of view, life could not be without death. Pleasure could not exist without pain. Good could not exist without evil. Growth could not exist without stagnation. If the opposites are dependent on one another, why do we feel inclined to strive for one and reject the other? Why are we so afraid of what’s on the other side of the border? Zen is the psychology of accepting both sides. It is accepting that good and evil are both a part of your life, so there is no need to strive for one or fear the other. Pain is essential for pleasure, if pleasure is to be known as pleasure. Therefore, denial of one of these sides is like denying the existence of both ends. If we believe that evil cannot exist, then good cannot exist, because then there is nothing to compare it to. However, if we accept that both good and evil exist in our lives, it can allow us to feel more at home in the world. We can feel that the world is already whole, and that our lives are already perfect because we are living it. Acceptance also opens up the freedom in our lives. By accepting that we could one day be a failure, we start removing the fear of failure from our want to succeed. Our striving to succeed is then a choice, and not a product of our fear. Through our acceptance of our own fears, we will conquer them. But what is truly accepting everything in life? How can we truly accept everything that happens to us? Would making an effort to change be just another attempt to escape an aspect of ourselves? After all, to truly be accepting, you have to accept that you may not be truly accepting, right? Acceptance is not changing things at all, yet at the same time, a change takes place by accepting. This is the dilemma that the Zen philosophy faces. To be accepting, we can’t be forceful with life. We must accept all as it is, and let everything go. How the heck can we do that? Zen teaches that the only way to be truly accepting, is to live in the now. We hear that all the time, â€Å"Live in the now. Live in the now. What does â€Å"living in the now† actually mean? By losing the foresight of the future, or hindsight in the past, we open up that world of acceptance. Some people will steal because they see that they have something more in their future. Some people will do good deeds because they feel that later on, they will feel better about themselves. Living in the now, is discarding the past, not looking to the future, and just enjoying life as it is. Living in the now holds onto nothing, but accepts everything, because it’s a state of just awareness. Zen teaches that life is life, and nothing more, so we shouldn’t try to make it something that it isn’t. It is like the concept of the time of now, the concept exists, yet we can never hold on to it. Living in the now lets us see that all aspects of life are strangely beautiful and complex. Life is almost one of the most outrageous concepts ever thought of. We go through life, and we search for the answers, but oftentimes the search becomes so strong that we forget to live, we forget to smile, we forget that â€Å"it’s all good in the hood. † Zen tries to take it one step further, taking that frame of mind to every single moment of one’s life. It doesn’t teach us to follow certain ideals, it just teaches us to let go, and enjoy life as it is.

Religions Vs. Cults Is There A Difference Professor Ramos Blog

Religions Vs. Cults Is There A Difference Religions are such a touchy subject. There are thousands of religions in the world today, but they all differ in ideology. Anytime anyone brings up a matter of his or her â€Å"beliefs,† everyone seems to get uncomfortable and changes the subject. Cults, are an even touchier subject. Every time someone says â€Å"cult,† our brains automatically associate with Heaven’s Gate, Children of God, People’s Temple, David Koresh’s Branch Davidians, or Aum Shinriyko. What is a cult, exactly? What makes a religion a religion? Is there that big of a difference? I am going to explain what a religion is, what a cult is, and the commonalities and differences between cults and religions. This is important because when someone is looking for something to believe in or follow; one must know exactly what they are getting into. Converting to a religion is a big commitment, so people need to be aware of what they are getting themselves into and to notice to signs of a possible faux religion. According to the Lexico Dictionary, the definition of religion is, â€Å"the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods† (Religion). Having faith in a god, or numerous gods, usually means that is a religion. A religion has a set of beliefs that lay out a set of guidelines on how to reach the path to God, or the gods. Eric Dietrich Ph.D. states in his 2015 article, â€Å"Why Are There So Many Religions?,† â€Å"that there are tens of thousands of religions on planet Earth today† (Dietrich 2). The fact that there are so many religions in the world can be a little confusing. A theory of why there are so many variations of religions is that, â€Å"we are each seeking our own path to God, and our own paths vary because we vary† (Dietrich 2). Mostly all religious groups always feel like they are practicing the right religion over the others in the world. It is hard to say which is wrong and which one is right. The basic ideology of religion varies since they all are so different. The oldest religion, that is still being practiced today, is Hinduism. Hinduism’s ideology is, â€Å"the goal to become free from the law of karma† (Adamson). Hindus believe in numerous gods and goddesses, karma, and reincarnation, so in other words, one’s soul will continue to rebirth on Earth until the soul has fully reached spiritual perfection and can finally rest at peace. A more familiar religion in America is Christianity. Christians believe in the one almighty God, and the basic ideology is to worship only Him, follow the Ten Commandments, and to live for God. Even though these two religions are vastly different, they are similar in that they believe in a higher supernatural power, which is not here on Earth, and they also try to follow a peaceful way of life to reach the path of their god. In retrospect, even though each religion may be different in names and whom they exactly believe in , they both are very similar in the fact that they live for someone higher than them. â€Å"The term cult used to refer to a minor religious sect that practices its own peculiar rituals,† but, â€Å"nowadays, it suggests a secretive and dangerous group† (Galanter 1). Cults have always been a taboo to society. There is always a bad connotation with the word cult. A cult is traditionally defined as a new religious movement. From the beginning of religion, any branched off religion that was not the original religion, was considered a cult. Judaism, Buddhism, and Christianity were all technically associated with being a cult at the beginning of their debut. They only became religions when they got enough real estate and followers. Cults have basic ideology as well because they â€Å"align themselves with mainstream religions† (Coughlin). Members of cults believe in a higher power, but the higher power is usually the leader of that cult. They promise the path to a divine afterlife alongside God, or themselves, the leader. These religious groups, cults, are so appealing to people because â€Å"they offer the simple path to happiness, to success, to salvation by following their simple rules,† and â€Å"each member contributes to the power of the leader by trading his or her freedom for the illusion of security and reflected glory that group membership holds† (Zimbardo 2). The lines between a religion and a cult are very blurred. Because cults are based off of well-known religions, or religious beliefs, that we all are very familiar with, so it comes down to logistics to see the differences. The first difference is that cults â€Å"can be financially exploitative, like Scientology, which requires its members to literally buy into the religion at different checkpoints on their road to total faith† (What’s 2). Although, orthodox churches do ask for offerings or donations, but it is not mandatory to prove your faith to that church or god. On the other hand, these orthodox churches will have an â€Å"alms-giving policy that requires members to donate ten percent of their earnings out of charity† (What’s 4). Understandably, every organization needs money to operate, religion or cult. Another difference is that religions believe in worshiping the followings and teachings of a supernatural power, whereas a cult will have the leader , here on Earth, be the higher power. This contrast is where the idea of manipulation comes into play. Many argue that cults will twist the words of the religious beliefs they run off to make them have faith in â€Å"committing suicide upon command or destroying the cult’s enemies,† anyone not in favor of them (Zimbardo 4). Mainstream religions continuously preach to do no harm to others or yourself. In these popular religions, committing suicide or murder is a cardinal sin and against all teachings, and any act of it will be automatic damnation to Hell. Philip G. Zimbardo Ph.D. states in his journal, â€Å"What Messages Are Behind Today’s Cults?,† â€Å"that the major difference between a religion and a cult is what happens when a member tries to leave† (Zimbardo 4). His theory is that if a member of a conventional church isn’t happy with the way the church is being ran, or even disagrees with the teachings, one can choose to leave the chur ch in search of a new path, no problem. If one doesn’t agree with a cult’s teachings once they have already pledged their allegiance and attempts to leave, that member is now looked at as a traitor and can be held hostage, be punished, or even killed for their unsupportive feelings toward the group and it’s leader. These points of differences are very subtle, but they are a big factor is what distinguishes the two groups. The resemblance of a religion and a cult are so parallel, that they overlap in many concepts. Both groups â€Å"demonstrate great zeal and unquestioning commitment to their leader. Doubt, skepticism, and debate are discouraged and sometimes even punished. Current members are always looking to acquire new members and money. There’s a mentality that there are two kinds of people in the world: this in the group, and everyone else† (What’s 1). No one in a mainstream religion wants to hear that there are so many similarities in religions and cults, but this is reality. The two groups practice rituals and ceremonies, have reverence for spiritual leaders, have dogmatic adherence to myths, have a system of moral laws, have supernatural or deistic beliefs and have a veneration of sacred symbols. â€Å"A religion is an old cult. A cult is a new religious movement,† (What’s 3). Religions and cults go hand in hand. Even though people may not want to admit it, every religion started off as a cult because it was anew way of thinking. With all these new teachings and more options to follow, it allowed people all over the world to choose what worked best for their lifestyle. It is true, we all think differently and we all have a different outlook on which higher power is looking down on us, guiding our every move. Even though cults have now gotten a bad reputation for the radical groups that have been associated with them, all cults are not bad. Cults are the beginning to a new movement and a new path to salvation. Without the start of cults, branch offs of mainstream religions, we would not have any of the religions we have today. Adamson, Mariyln. â€Å"Connecting with the Divine.†EveryStudent.com, www.everystudent.com/features/connecting.html. This article gives the run down of the five major religions in the world still practiced today. It covers Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam. I am using this information from this article to compare and contrast the different religions today and how they are similar and how they are different. I want to prove that even if religions are not the same, the ideology is basically the same, with the exception of a few particulars. This is more of a blog post, but I feel like it is credible because the author has done religious studies and has traveled to many countries to study religious culture. Coughlin, Sara. â€Å"Where Is The Line Between A Cult A Religion?†The Difference Between A Cult And Religion, Explained, 31 Aug. 2018, www.refinery29.com/en-us/cult-vs-religion-difference. This article explains the differences from cults and religions. It really highlights the more modern cults that have a bad name. I think this article does a good job of comparing and contrasting the things alike and different from religions and cults. I am using this article to show some of the different points it makes aside from the journals, since this article in particular describing the bad cults that can be very manipulative and harmful. Although this source is from an online article that is just more opinion based, the author did an interview with Janja Lalich, Ph. D, who is a professor of sociology ar California State University, Chico. The author quotes the doctor and their findings in the research that they have conducted about cults over the years. Dietrich, Eric. â€Å"Why Are There So Many Religions?†Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 7 Apr. 2015, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/excellent-beauty/201504/why-are-there-so-many-religions. In this article, it breaks down the estimated number of how many religions there are in the world. It also continues to explain why the number of religions in the world is so high. The main point of the whole article is that everyone has a common goal, which is to find the path to their God, but everyone’s paths do not always align. There are many ways to findings one purpose, so that is why there are many different derivatives. I am using this information in my report to show the number of current religions in the world. I want to show that religion is such an open statement and can be interpreted in many different ways. This source is not scholarly, but it was written by, Eric Dietrich Ph.D., whom is a professor of philosophy at Binghamton University and is a current editor in chief of the Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Artificial Intelligence. I think his words are valid since he teaches philosophy of religion. Galanter, Marc.Cults: Faith, healing and coercion. Oxford University Press, 1999. This book is a sequel to the study of cults with updated research. In this book, the author goes into detail about what a cult actually is. Cults never used to be a bad, awful, terrible thing, it was just a new movement of a religious culture. Nowadays, cults are always associated with a bad reputation, but it is more complicated than that. I am using this information in my report to explain how cults came about and how they took a total left turn into what we know today. I am trying to prove the point that religions and cults are not that much different if you lay out all the facts that this book displays. This is a reliable source because it is scholarly. Marc Galanter wrote this book and he was a Professor of Law Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he taught religion and law. â€Å"Religion: Definition of Religion in English by Lexico Dictionaries.†Lexico Dictionaries | English, Lexico Dictionaries, 25 June 2019, www.lexico.com/en/definition/religion. This is an online dictionary sponsored by The English Oxford Dictionary, so I feel like it is a credible source to get a proper, and valid, definition. I wanted to use the definition of religion to have my audience get a better understanding of what exactly a religion is. Tremlin, Todd. Minds and Gods: The Cognitive Foundations Of Religions. Oxford University Press, 2010. In this book, it lays out a plethora of different types of religions and every single one of their ideologies. It explains the foundations of the religion in Sri Lanka all the way to the Catholic Church teachings. This book highlights the commonality between all the types of religions, which is the beliefs in gods. I am using this research within my report to explain the base foundations of religions and how they really are similar once you get down to the base of all the different teachings. It also goes into depth about the power of the mind and how religion goes hand in hand with what you believe to be right or wrong, or even which god is valid and which one is not. This is a scholarly book that was written by a Professor at Central Michigan University, whom is also the head of the religion program. â€Å"Whats the Difference Between Religion and a Cult? Is There?†Guff, 2015, guff.com/whats-the-difference-between-religion-and-a-cult-is-there. In this article, it does a good job of really comparing and contrasting cults and religions. It lays out soe base foundations and asks the reader to really think if those characteristics of a cult or a religion. This article states that the lines distinguishing cults and religions are really blurred, since technically, all religions were cults at one point in time. I am going to use the information form this article post to really drive the point that there is no difference between a cult and a religion because of ideologies are very similar, almost identical. This source is just more of a blog post, but I do believe that this post is credible because they do cite researchers that have done their research on religions. Zimbardo, Philip. What messages are behind today’s cults.(1997). In this journal, the author talks about the ideology and the appeal about cults. This author explains why a person might voluntarily join a â€Å"cult.† It also explains how the ideology of cults can easily be manipulated by it’s leaders into thinking this is really a new revolution. I am using this information to highlight the rational perspectives of the people who get wrapped up in these â€Å"new religious movements.† There are always two sides to the story, and in all cases, cults aren’t necessarily meant to be a bad thing. This information is from a scholarly source. The journal is written by Dr. Philip G. Zimbardo, who is a renowned social psychologist at Stanford University, and is also apart of the American Psychological Association.

Facts about the Importance of Graphene

Facts about the Importance of Graphene Graphene is a two-dimensional honeycomb arrangement of carbon atoms that is revolutionizing technology. Its discovery was so significant that it earned Russian scientists Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics. Here are some reasons why graphene is important. It Is a Two-Dimensional Material. Nearly every material that we encounter is three-dimensional. We are only just beginning to understand how the properties of a material are changed when it is made into a two-dimensional array. The characteristics of graphene are very different from those of graphite, which is the corresponding three-dimensional arrangement of carbon. Studying graphene helps us to predict how other materials might behave in two-dimensional form. Graphene Has the Best Electrical Conductivity of Any Material. Electricity flows very quickly through the simple honeycomb sheet. Most conductors we encounter are metals, yet graphene is based on carbon, a nonmetal. This allows for the  development of electricity to flow under conditions where we might not want a metal. What conditions would those be? We are only just beginning to answer that question! Graphene Can Be Used to Make Very Small Devices. Graphene conducts so much electricity in so small a space that it may be used to develop miniaturized super-fast computers and transistors. These devices should require a minuscule amount of power to support them. Graphene is flexible, strong and transparent, too. Opens Research into Relativistic Quantum Mechanics. Graphene can be used to test the predictions of quantum electrodynamics. This is a new area of research  since it hasnt been easy to find a material that displays Dirac particles. The best part is, graphene isnt some exotic material. Its something anyone can make! Graphene Facts The word graphene refers to a single-layer sheet of hexagonally-arranged carbon atoms. If the graphene is in another arrangement, its usually specified. For example, bilayer graphene and multilayer graphene are other forms the material can take.Just like diamond or graphite, graphene is an allotrope of carbon. Specifically, it is made of  sp2 bonded carbon atoms that have a molecule bond length of 0.142 nm between atoms.Three of graphenes most useful properties are that it is extremely strong (100 to 300 times stronger than steel), its conductive (best-known conductor of heat at room temperature, with an electrical current density 6 order of magnitude higher than copper), and its flexible.Graphene is the thinnest and lightest material known. A 1-square-meter sheet of graphene weighs a mere 0.0077 grams, yet is capable of supporting up to four kilograms of weight.A sheet of graphene is naturally transparent. Potential Uses of Graphene Scientists are only just beginning to explore the many possible uses of graphene. Some of the technology under development includes: Ultra-fast charging of batteries.Collection of radioactive waste for easier clean-up.Faster flash memory.Stronger and better-balanced tools and sporting equipment, such as  tennis racquets.Ultra-thin touchscreens  that can be pasted onto a non-breakable material.Graphene-based e-paper that can update with new information.Quick and efficient biosensor devices 200, to measure blood glucose, cholesterol, and possibly your DNAHeadphones with  phenomenal frequency response.Supercapacitors  that essentially make batteries obsolete.Novel waterproof coatings.Bendable batteries.Stronger and lighter aircraft and armor.Aiding tissue regeneration.Purifying salt water into drinking water.Bionic devices that can connect directly to your bodys neurons.

Imperialism,'Race' and Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Imperialism,'Race' and Development - Essay Example Even though it is said that Colonialism involves the colonization of a country of dark skinned people by a lighter-skinned people, it is not so always. We also come across different countries being subjected to slavery by people of the same origin (Issues of race and imperialism). The world has gone through these stages of development and each stage has left its mark on the face of earth. While we study development or human development, a basic knowledge of these words and the process are necessary to understand their influence on the difference between nation state. To consider and understand the influence of development we should strive to understand about nation states, how individual nation states were formed and how the world developed to its present form. We can use the term ‘development’ to trace the formation of the world order till the end of twentieth century and then turn to ‘human development’, which was a term used only by the end of twentieth century (Coopper.1999). The development of a nation is a very complex multi-faceted notion. It is a much broader concept than income and national GDP. The rate of growth of income of individuals, especially the common working class can be considered as a judge of progress of economies over time. It includes what people with diverse and broad expectations, of the â€Å"good life† that each society envisages for itself. Even though the concept includes growth of income level and economic growth, it can go well beyond these as well. The changes should not only be on the large scale it should also involve whole scale social and economy wide transformations (Haq.2009). The order in the modern world is established by nation states. States are the law makers; they make sure that these are observed and breaking of the law is also the concern of the State. Markets are under the control of states, currency is managed and its value is controlled by the State in both

Ethical issue in health about baby born from transplanted uterus Essay

Ethical issue in health about baby born from transplanted uterus - Essay Example For instance, there are several ethical challenges and dilemmas concerning the babies born form such transplantation processes (Ozkan,et al., 2013). The main dilemma, however, is based on a conflict of two major ethical principles in medicine, the principle of autonomy and non-maleficence. The principle of autonomy states that people are free to make their choices regarding their health and lifestyles. As such, this principle supports uterus transplantation if and when a woman feels it is right for her to go through the process. On the contrary, the principle of non-maleficence requires that doctors and other medical practitioners do no harm to their clients. In this regard, whenever health workers are faced with a complex medical problem, in certain cases it is better to avoid doing anything, than engaging in a process that will ultimately affect the patient negatively. The conflict arising from these two ethical principles makes it quite difficult for the doctors to make a sound decision over whether to progress with uterus transplantation or not. Furthermore, there is the challenge related to the nature of the baby born from such a process (Ozkan, et al., 2013). There are many issues that may affect the ethics of uterus transplantation as relates to the nature of the baby. For instance, the relationship between the child, the parents and the donor, personal identity of the baby, as well as the uncertainty surrounding the future of a baby born from uterus transplantation. These issues can make it difficul t for one to make a strong decision concerning transplantation, thus making it a very risky process. Furthermore, other questions about the costs and technology involved in such a process make the dilemma more complicated. For instance, if indeed the process is successful, it will not be affordable to the majority of the people who need it.

Organisational Behaviours and HRM Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Organisational Behaviours and HRM - Coursework Example rce management and staff management may differ in so many ways depending on the scope, nature of the roles and even the services with human resource management being broader in perspective in both compared to staff management that is narrower in perspective. They too have similarities. The similarities can be summarized in terms of; Payroll & Associated Tasks, new staff recruitment procedures, the documentation processes, and models. In terms of models, both focus on the significance of integrating personnel and human resource management techniques with organizational objectives (Armstrong, 2006) so that both can aim to achieve a common overall objective. The organizational behavior concept and human processes are quite basic in relationship. Organizational behavior concept manifest themselves as some regulations or guidelines that define how employees in a given organization should conduct themselves when they want to engage themselves within certain activities like politics, examples include; organization culture, politics, and ethics. Human resource management, on the other hand, is concerned with implementing the said concepts by doing whatever is necessary to develop strategies of setting rules for the concerned employees. Example, under the organization concept of organization culture, human resource will be concerned with acting as an amplifier of the organization culture using any communication means like employee orientation to help him/her understand the said culture. The same is true for other concepts. The primary responsibility of a human resource manager is to ensure that human resources are utilized and managed as efficiently and effectively as possible (Saiyadain, 1999). Particularly, he/she does; recruitment and selection as well as developing the workplace as required by the organization. He also sees through that all employees receive the required training that is relevant to their job. Others are; motivating employees, ensuring a balance

Norwegian International Ship (NIS) Register: Pros and Cons

Norwegian International Ship (NIS) Register: Pros and Cons Introduction The concept of ship registration dates back to the time when vessels started to sail under national flags. Belonging to different countries, the nationality of a ship provides not only protection of the owners rights, support and other advantages, but also responsibilities and certain limitations. Registration means subjecting the ship to the jurisdiction of a country. However, the ways and approaches to ship registration were not rigid and inflexible. Prior to the 1980s, national registers were the only phenomenon in the ship registration practice. But the so-called open registers appeared due to several developing countries, such as Panama, Liberia and the Bahamas. They provided more flexible conditions and lower costs than national registers. Ship owners were attracted by open registers to become more competitive in comparison with their rivals. The response of the developed countries was to introduce international or second registers that gave wider opportunities than national on es, but provided better technical support and service to the member-vessels. The current literature review is aimed at providing the overall classification of ship register types and to concentrate on the four registering companies: NIS, NOR (Norwegian Ship registers), IOM Ship Register (Isle of Man) and UK Ship Register. Definition, Classification and Functions of Ship Registers Rayfuse (2004) argues that according to existing international legislation, ships are allowed to sail under the flag of one country only. Consequently, the concept of a ship register or flag state addresses a vessel to the state, which carries out the regulatory control over this ship (Harwood, 2006). However, this registration will imply further certification and inspection of the ship. Special attention is given by ship registers to the maintenance of environmental regulations and the prevention of pollution (Raikes, 2009). Hinkelman (2005) proposed an overwhelming classification of ship registers types. The researcher argues that all the register types are subdivided into national registers, flags of convenience (FOCs), second registers and bareboat charter registers. In the case of national registers, the direct link between the nationality of the vessels owner and the flag state is implied. National registers are often referred to as closed registers (Hinkelman, 2005). Flags of convenience (FOCs) do not directly link the nationality of the owner with the state flag. On the contrary, they are foreign registers, which provide more convenient conditions for the ship owners. Bareboat charter registers grant the possibility to obtain for vessels a foreign registration for a certain time period. However, they retain their primary registration (Hinkelman, 2005). The current dissertation focuses predominantly on second and national registers. Second registers are often referred to as offshore registers. Their operation is determined by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) (Mulcahy and Tillotson, 2004). This type of register is usually established either by the separate legislation in the country, which already has a national (primary register), or in the offshore territory with the direct legal connection to the host country. The main second registers are the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS) (Norway), Isle of Man (UK), Madeira (Portugal), Kerguelen (France) and Danish International Ship Register (DIS) (Denmark) (Farthing and Brownrigg, 1997). From the standpoint of the world economy, the main function of international ship registers is to assist in global maritime commerce. According to Odeke (1998) this assistance may be seen in eliminating certain restrictions and limitations imposed by primary registers. Besides the implementation of the official control function, international registers protect the rights of the owners of vessels. Furthermore, second registers tend to subscribe certain original regulations for vessels owners. They stipulate definite manning, taxation rules and safety requirements (Chircop and LindÃÆ'Â ©n, 2006). For instance, the nationality requirements for manning are usually relaxed by the international registers. At the same time, the second register country has the right to call all registered vessels in the event of war or other emergencies (DeSombre, 2006). Klikauer and Morris (2002) argue that it is beneficial for countries to have their own second registers. International registers charge registration taxes and fees from the vessels owners. Even providing the above mentioned services to the ships, they remain profitable. International registers attract ship owners, as they ordinary provide more favourable conditions and terms than those of the home states (Raikes, 2009). It may be even stated that the second registers compete against each other in attracting new candidates. Norwegian International Ship (NIS) Register Background The Norwegian International Ship Register was founded in 1987. The second register provides the possibility of the registration and certification for vessels under the flag of Norway, which has been an outstanding nautical nation since the time of the Vikings. The main purpose of the NIS is formulated as the following: to offer a flexible and commercially attractive alternative to open registers while retaining the essential features of quality registers (Branch, 2007, p. 164). The organisation was established to compete against other international registers for the benefit of Norway. The Norwegian International Ship Register allows the certification of the following types of ships: hovercraft, cargo and self-propelled ships, movable platforms and installations. The citizenship of the owner is not limited or restricted by the NIS. The ships sailing under the Norwegian flag have to subject to the jurisdiction of that country. The key differences with the ordinary NOR may be seen in the following. First, according to the NIS, direct certification of foreign companies is allowed which is not possible in case of NOR. Secondly, according to the NIS, the employment of foreign crew with the standard local salary level is allowed. Limitations of the NIS The limitations subscribed by the NIS were originally formulated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) of Norway and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The main limitation of the NIS is that the ships under the Norwegian flag are not allowed to carry passengers or cargo from one Norwegian port to another Norwegian port. Furthermore, regular transportation of passengers between foreign and Norwegian ports is not permitted either. It is specified that Norwegian gas and oil installations are considered to be Norwegian ports from the standpoint of this limitation. Despite the fact that the NIS legislation allows foreign ownership of the vessel, owners are obliged to have a Norwegian representative. This requirement may be also interpreted as a limitation for foreign owners. Another limitation may be seen in the fact that a foreign crew of the vessel is not allowed to carry out all the technical and commercial maintenance operations by themselves. Furthermore, their home country cannot be involved in these operations either. The NIS legislation implies the participation of the third party, a Norwegian company, which will accomplish the minimum set of technical and commercial operations for a foreign vessel. Hence, a certain degree of dependence in technical and financial operations for foreign vessels may be classified as a limitation because crew cannot make a choice of their own. At the same time, the NIS legislation does not limit the age of the vessel to be registered. The main requirement is satisfactory technical functioning of the ship. The Number of Registered Ships It is reasonable to trace back the dynamics of the registered quantities of vessels in the NIS. At the beginning of 1999, the number of registered vessels was equal to 705. In forthcoming years it was fluctuating and finally dropped. In 2000, 2001 and 2002 the number of the registered vessels constituted 712, 717 and 693 respectively. However, in 2008, this figure constituted only 577 vessels. The NIS registered 358 vessels owned by the Norwegians and 192 owned by foreigners. This illustrates that the general tend in the number of NIS registration was decreasing. To estimate the NIS registration in tonnage, the following indicators can be mentioned. During the period from 1999 to 2005, the tonnage of the NIS registered vessels changed from 19,000 gross tons to around 14,000 gross tons. Again, the overall trend for the NIS registers in tonnage was decreasing. Advantages The following advantages can be attributed to registration in the NIS. Norwegians are universally recognised as a competent and experienced maritime nation. The Norwegian taxation system is relatively mild in comparison with the overall European taxation regulations. The Norwegian judicial system characterises itself as one of the most predictable and sophisticated towards the maritime business. The NIS system has a very good reputation, which eliminates further inspection of the cargo in foreign ports. The registered vessels will reap all the benefits of high-quality tonnage. The implementation by the NIS of other international standards, such as ILO, IMO, ISM, SOLAS, WTO, OECD and MARPOL, increases the universality and uniformity of their legislation, which is advantageous for trade. The NIS provides more than 500 service stations on a global scale, which are easy to apply to for technical and financial management and support. The income of the crews including foreign citizens is not taxed by the Norwegian authorities. Disadvantages It may be argued that the following disadvantages can be found in the NIS. Foreign owners and cargo or passenger transportation companies are not permitted to enter the internal Norwegian market. The NIS legislation does not allow transportation between Norwegian ports for foreign vessels. However, this disadvantage is recognised by foreign owners only. The Norwegian authorities secure themselves against additional competition in the sea transportation market, which is recognised as an advantage for them. Foreign ships have no possibility to turn to their domestic technical and financial support services. Ship owners have to coordinate their payments to the employees within Norwegian legislation. Mandatory participation of the Norwegian representative in the communication with the Norwegian government. Norwegian Ordinary Register (NOR) Background The Norwegian Ordinary Register (NOR) has certain similarities with the NIS, but the main difference may be found in the class of the register. According to the above given classification, the NOR belongs to the national type of registers. It means, that it emphasises the direct link between the nationality of the owner and the host country. The NOR can be considered a closed register. The NOR legislation implies two options upon registration of vessels: mandatory and voluntary registrations. The mandatory registration is necessary for all the Norwegian vessels, which have a length of 15 meters or more. However, if they are already registered in other countries (have international or second registration), the NOR registration is not required. The voluntary option of registration can be applied to the Norwegian vessels, which have a length from 7 to 15 meters. In addition, other vessels, which are not used for commercial purposes may be registered voluntarily according to the NOR. Floating docks and cranes, hovercrafts and installations and moving platforms can be registered on the voluntary basis. In all the other cases, which are prescribed by the Act concerning the Registration and Marking of Fishing Vessels, the registration of vessels is mandatory. Limitations of the NOR According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2005), the main limitations of the NOR may be found in its nature of being a national or closed register. In particular, to be registered by the NOR, the shipping company is to be owned by an EEA citizen. Nevertheless, non-EEA ownership is possible too, but the share owned by the EEA citizens must be no less than 60%. If compared with the NIS, such limitation does not exist there. On registration in the NOR, the company that owns a vessels becomes a company with limited liability. The headquarters of a cargo or passenger transporter must be on the territory of the EEA. Similar requirements are attributed to the crew of the vessel registered in accordance with the NOR standards. The prevailing majority of the crew members including the captain itself are to be EEA citizens, who had resided in the EEA area the two preceding years. Another limitation deals with the technical and financial management of the registered vessel. The NOR legislation allows technical support for a vessel from a Norwegian technical servicer only. The maintenance may be given abroad, but this company has to ultimately belong to Norway. The Number of Registered Ships In 2007, the total number of vessels registered in NOR was equal to 749. In 2008, this figure increased by 2.8% and was equal to 770. The NOR registration in tonnage was equal to 2,411 gross tons in 2007. In 2008, this figure decreased and constituted only 2,305 gross tons. It is quite difficult to comment about the tend in the NOR registrations because the two recent years demonstrated a small rise in numbers, but a fall in tonnage. Advantages The following advantages are usually attributed to the NOR. The vessels operating in the inner market reap the benefits of high-quality support and the protection of foreign competitors. Sophisticated and highly experienced maritime tradition contributes greatly to the development of sea transportation businesses for different types of vessels. It is beneficial for ship owners that the country has two types of ship registers: national and international. Disadvantages The following disadvantages may be seen in the NOR registration for vessels. The registration fees are not stable and fluctuate from year to year depending on the prescriptions of the Maritime Act. Opportunities of technical support are limited only to the domestic providers of this service. It may be concluded that as Norwegian International Ship (NIS) Register and Norwegian Ordinary Registers (NOR) belong to one country, they have much in common. However, the main difference between these registers is that they belong to different register groups: national (NOR) and international or second (NIS) registers. The NOR completely binds the registered ships to the host country, Norway. It may be noticed in terms of ownership, cooperation with maintenance and support services and the location of the headquarters. The NIS naturally allows foreign ownership, but the limitation of mandatory service remains. Moreover, companies are obliged to have a Norwegian representative. UK Register Background The UK register is part of the Maritime and Coastal Agency (MCA), which controls and monitors all of the marine activity in the UK. Since the UK is a kingdom, all of the activity is ultimately answerable to Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain. The UK register is a closed register. The UK register handles: Merchant ships Fishing vessels Large yachts Pleasure Crafts/ Small ships With 116 (UK Ship Register, 2010) ports around the UK, all of the above vessels can register and receive a UK flag. Although the register provides a list of restrictions on who can be registered, it covers quite a wide range of geographical locations (e.g. British Dependant territories citizens, EEA countries, those that have a registered business in one of the EEA countries). Benefits of having a UK Flag The UK flag is considered to be one of the best performing flags in the world, ranking 3rd (lowest by risk) in the Paris MoU list The UK Flag is one of the top performing Flags on the Paris MoU White List' (UK register, 2010). The register is proud to offer their customers assistance both before and after registration. Financially, it rewards its members with relatively low annual renewal fees and contributes around ÂÂ £1.4 million to a Crew Relief Cost Scheme. Furthermore, UK registered ships are not targeted by Port State Control regimes in the worlds major trading areas ISPS plan approvals and verification audits at no cost to owners and operators An international reputation for expert advice and guidance with a proactive leading role at the IMO, EU and Quality Shipping Committees Worldwide security threat level information provided to UK registered ships with support for British Nationals on board from British Consuls and Royal Navy protection dependent on the availability of assets and exact situation Quality Assurance offering certification to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards with audits being taken in harmonisation with ISM Alternate Compliance Scheme: A voluntary scheme that streamlines the survey and certification process by minimising duplication of effort with Classification Societies. Eligibility is conditional upon certain criteria being met (UK Register, 2010). Disadvantages of the UK Flag The National Audit Office (2009) has reported that the efficiency with which the MAC operates has deteriorated over the years. Until 2000 the agency have managed to carry out all of the required surveys in order to check the quality of the ships that operate under a UK flag. However, by 2007, the targets were not met. Furthermore, it was predicted, that the targets would not be met again in 2008-2009. Failure to meet its targets will increase the risk that UK vessels which do not comply with regulations operate without detection in UK ports and waters (National Audit Office, 2009, p.5). In order to be efficient, the MAC needs more resources However, at the moment, even the cost of surveys are not met by the revenues that are brought in by the owners of the vessels. Another worrying fact, is that the quality of the UK flag, which has been enjoying a very good reputation over the years, is starting to disappear. The audit has found that an increasing number of UK flag holders are being detained overseas due to the inability to pass quality checks. Although relatively this detention number is lower compared to other flags, it has been argued that the difference is getting smaller every year. Partly, because the quality of the other flags is increasing and partly because the quality of the UK flag vessels is deteriorating. Registered Ships In order to increase the growth in registered ships, the Government has introduced a tonnage tax in 2000. In turn, instead of charging vessels on the profits that they make off their activities, they are now charged on the tonnage of their vessels. This regulatory measure has allowed the UK register to see a good increase in the number of vessels. By the end of 2007 the UK registered merchant fleet had grown from 1,050 to 1,518. Of these, 646 vessels were trading vessels compared with 417 vessels in 2000 (National Audit Office, 2009, p.5). The tonnage that was brought in also increased. In 2007, the average tonnage per vessel increased from 11,000 to 19,000. This increase had an interesting effect on the number of overseas surveys that the MCA had to perform in 2007. Nearly a quarter of them had to be done overseas. This is a large increase, considering that in 2000-2001, 5% were performed overseas, while the rest were done domestically (National Audit Office, 2009, p.5). Large increases were also seen in the number of Certificates of Equivalent Competency that were issued, from 3,244 in 2003 to 4,722 in 2007. However, although absolute numbers have increased, the overall rate of growth has declined. In 2007, the fleet grew by 10%, compared to 13.33% average growth from 2001 to 2003. The MAC argues that too many external factors are at play, which do not allow them to enhance the growth with more control. For example, the MAC found that some shipping companies were happy to wait and see whether the EU would bring in a tonnage tax as well, before making the final decision on their flagging. In turn, this shows that although the UK ship register provides a large number of benefits, they are not relatively strong enough to become a deciding factor for the shipping companies. Isle of Man Registry Background Isle of Man Registry (IOM) works closely with the Isle of Man government to provide relevant solutions to its members. Tynwald (the local parliament) is ultimately answerable to the Crown, however, as has long been agreed, the UK government does not legislate the IOM, and therefore, shipping legislation is approved by Tynwald alone. The Isle of Man operates a Category One, Red Ensign Group British Register that provides for the registration of ships of any size or type. The Isle of Man Register is a component part of the British Register (The Red Ensign Group, 2010). IOM registry is relatively new, established only in 1984. Over the years, the IOM has seeked local private solutions for its clients, and today works closely with local marine lawyers, accountants, PI clubs and even banks, bringing a diverse, one-stop-shop solution to anyone who registers. Due to its offshore jurisdiction capabilities and proximity to Europe, IOM can provide a highly competitive solution. The IOM strongly competes on its tax exemption regime, its financial centre capabilities and developed technical solutions whilst on the island. The IOM registers a large number of different vessels, including VLCC, superyachts, fishing boats and pleasure crafts. Advantages of the IOM The Isle of Man Ship Registry has recently been voted best in the world, claiming the top spot in the international shipping industry round table annual flag state performance table (PDMS, 2008). Like the rest of the registrars, IOM conveys that it will provide the ship owners with the cost-efficient and customer-friendly solution. Quality is key to the Isle of Man, where our reputation as a high quality jurisdiction makes us the flag of choice for todays modern maritime business (IOM, 2010). Furthermore, the website states that this registers customer service has a can-do approach. A professional Ship Registry providing a high quality of service available 24/7 with fast response to queries Reasonable costs and no annual tonnage dues A favourable taxation regime designed to encourage business The right to fly the Red Ensign and access the support of British consular services world-wide and British Royal Navy protection Flexibility in the requirements for registered owners The availability of Demise registry both IN and OUT Support for ships treated unfairly by Port State Control Full political support for shipping ISO 9001/2008 Accreditation Not a Flag of Convenience Regular advice bulletins on key issues to help owners respond to them (IOM, 2010). Unlike the rest of the registers, it can be argued that IOM offers a number of unique solutions and help. For example, the Ship Managers and Owner Association (IOMSA) brings together the ship owners with the relevant legal and financial representatives, where they are able to discuss outstanding issues and come up with solutions. A similar association is offered to the superyachts sector (Manx Yacht Forum). In turn, it can be argued, that the register can see the issues quickly and address them, which takes the customer service to a different level. Furthermore, since a large proportion of its business is coming from the private yacht owners, the IOM offers one annual yacht fee, which includes all of the charges and exemptions in it already. This makes it very easy for the owners to delegate all of their paper work to the registers, without getting involved in the complex structure of the system. The Annual Report (2008) puts strong emphases on the quality of the vessels that register with the IOM registry. Consistent quality checks before the registration and during the time that the vessel is under the IOM flag, reflects in the strong decline in the number of accidents that the IOM are subject to. Over 5 years, the number of accidents declined from 53 in 2004 to 35 in 2008 (Annual Report, 2008, p. 20). The Number of Registered Ships The IOM has grown over the years, yet, this growth has never been aggressive. In 2008, its main growth was in the registration of yachts, where the target was to register 1 per month. In 2008, 995 vessels were sailing under the IOM flag. Figure 1. IOM registered vessels by type Source: IOM, Annual Report, 2008, p. 10 It is extremely important for the IOM register to be within the first third on the Paris MOU register. So far, out of 83 members of the Paris MOU, they have managed to stay within the first 11. Figure 2: Paris MOU register and IOM position Source: Annual Report, 2008, p. 21 Conclusion The literature review has shown that there are the second registers have been developed by the countries in order to compete with those that were offered by the developing countries. The closed registers examined still prevail in size (by the number of registered vessels), however, the difference is not very large. Each of the registers offers their members a large number of benefits. However, as the case with NIS has shown, reluctance to be flexible is likely to results in less demand for their services. It was interesting to see the results produced by IOM. The registry has managed to grow steadily, despite having a large amount of competition. The low costs that the IOM offers has not impacted on the quality of the service provided. It has been found that the UK Register is much bigger in size than NOR and enjoys a steady growth. Despite the deteriorating ability to meet its survey targets, it still has the 3rd place in the MOU whitelist (see Appendix). It can be argued that if the vessels are less likely to be detained overseas due to deficiencies, this plays an important part on their ability to make a profit. Therefore, low risk registers, such as the UK Register is likely to be more attractive. Both NIS and NOR has seen a decline in their registered members. It can be argued that unlike the UK register and the IOM, they did not make enough competitive changes to stay attractive. References AppleBy (2009) Brief: Ship registration in the Isle of Man [online]: http://dc.co.im/uploaded/Publication/1362_File_5.pdf [Accessed on 2 March 2010] Branch, A. (2007) Elements of shipping, 7th ed., Taylor Francis, p. 164 Burroughs R (1984) Offshore supply vessels: An emerging maritime industry Maritime Policy Management, Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 269 276 The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (2008) UK Ship Register continues to grow [online]: http://www.ciltuk.org.uk/pages/industry-news/article?EBA1745A-D18A-4443-A2FE-946C24DFD242 [Accessed on 2 March 2010] Chircop, A. and LindÃÆ'Â ©n, O. (2006) Places of refuge for ships: emerging environmental concerns of a maritime custom, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, p. 265 Department of Trade and Industry (2010) Registration of Manx Ships [online]: http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/dti/shipregistry/Registration/rans/ran01registrationofmanxships.pdf [Accessed on 2 March 2010] DeSombre, E. (2006) Flagging standards: globalization and environmental, safety, and labor regulations at sea, MIT Press, p. 83 Farthing, B. and Brownrigg, M. (1997) Farthing on international shipping, 3rd ed., the University of Virginia, p. 187 Harwood, S. (2006) Shipping finance, 3rd ed., Euromoney Books, pp. 200-204 Hinkelman, E. (2005) Dictionary of international trade: handbook of the global trade community includes 21 key appendices, 6th ed., World Trade Press, p. 374 IOM (2008) Annual Report, [online]: http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/dti/shipregistry/formsdocs/reports/iomsr/reportfinalwebsiteonly.pdf [Accessed on 2 March 2010] Isle of Man (2010) Ship registry [online]: http://www.gov.im/dti/shipregistry/ [Accessed on 2 March 2010] Isle of Man Government (2010) Registry: Qualified Owners [online]: http://www.gov.im/dti/shipregistry/registration/qualifiedowners.xml [Accessed on 2 March 2010] Klikauer, T. and Morris, R. (2002) Into murky waters: Globalisation and deregulation in Germanys shipping employee relations, Employee Relations, Vol. 24, Issue: 1, pp. 12-28 Mulcahy, L. and Tillotson, J. 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