Introductory Accounting Assignment

ACCT 2060 Introductory Accounting Assignment – Semester 2, 2011 This assignment is designed to get you to locate the Annual Reports for a company and become familiar with the contents of an Annual Report, particularly the financial statements and the notes to the financial statements. While we have looked at very basic formats of the financial statements, the financial statements for a company contain a little more detail and information on some items you may not have been introduced to yet.Pay particular attention to the information provided in the notes to the financial statements as you will find a lot of useful information in them that may help with some of the questions. REQUIRED: You are required to obtain the 2010 Annual Report of Blackmores Limited and then answer the questions that follow in Part A and Part B. PART A – THE COMPANY (8 x 1 = 8 marks) Question 1 Describe the company’s principal operating activities. Ans: Blackmores Limited manufactures & de velops health products. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 2]Question 2 An auditing firm will have received remuneration for their services. What services did the auditing firm provide for this company in 2010? Ans: The auditing firm, DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU, audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 41 to 48 of the directors’ report for the year ended 30  June 2010. Their  responsibility is to express an opinion on the Remuneration Report, based on their audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 41 to 48, Page 50 and 51] Question 3Using the 2010 Annual Report, identify the number of the note that deals with Significant Accounting Policies and identify the method of depreciation the company uses to depreciate property, plant and equipment. What is the underlying assumption of this method in relation to the usefulness of property, plant and equipment? Ans: Total numbers of notes dealing with Significant Accounting Policies are 22. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 58 – 64]. The method of depreciation the company adopt onto depreciation of property, plant and equipment is the straight-line method.The underlying assumption is that the residual value is estimated based on the cost of asset over the expected useful life. Freehold land is not depreciated. The following estimated useful lives are used in the calculation of depreciation: †¢ Buildings 25–40 years †¢ Leasehold improvements 3–13 years †¢ Plant and equipment 3–20 years [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 59]. Question 4 The annual report contains a number of reports with only some of these being ‘financial reports’. Name all of the financial reports in the 2010 annual report shown for this company in their annual report.Ans: The financial reports in the 2010 annual report are Statement of Financial position as at 30 June 2010, Statem ent of Comprehensive Income for the. Statement of Changes in Equity and Statement of cash flows. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 53-57]. Question 5 Directors of the company will often own shares in the company as well. Identify the name of the chairman of the board of directors and identify the number of shares the chairman held in the company at the end of their 2010 financial year (financial year ends June 30, 2010). Ans:Chairman of the board of directors is Marcus C Blackmore AM [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 36]. The number of fully paid ordinary shares he has is 4,479,278 [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 38]. Question 6 Describe the purpose of the external auditor’s report. Ans: The external auditor’s report is to ensure that the financial reports produced by Blackmores internally are true & fair, complete & accurate. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 51]. Question 7 With reference to the consolidated entity: †¢ What is the total amount of revenue and other income in 2010? What are the two revenue items? †¢ What is the ‘other income’ comprised of? (You must refer to the relevant note to find the answer to this. ) Ans: The total amount of revenue and other income in 2010 is $217,093,000 The two revenue items are Sales and Royalties. The ‘other income’ comprises of bank deposits / Net foreign exchange gains. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 53 and 67]. Question 8 Again with reference to the consolidated entity: †¢ What is the amount of cash receipts from customers in 2010? †¢ Why does this amount differ from the 2010 sales figure? Ans:The amount of cash receipts from customers is 2010 is $237,522,000 The amount differ from the 2010 sales figures as not all customer pay cash on payment, some may pay on credit which result in account receivable. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 57]. PART B – Analysis of financial informa tion (12 marks) Question 1 (4 marks) Using the consolidated figures for Blackmores Ltd, calculate the following ratios for the years 2009 and 2010. Ratios are to be shown at one decimal place. You must show all your workings. (Where no workings are shown you will receive zero for this section): . Current ratio ii. Acid test ratio iii. Gearing ratio iv. Interest cover ratio Ans: Current ratio = Current assets / Current liabilities Acid ratio = Current assets (excluding inventory and prepayments) / Current liabilities Gearing ratio = Long-term liabilities / (Share capital + Reserves + Long-term liabilities) Interest cover ratio = Profit before interest and taxation / Interest Expense [Ref: School of Business, MBA 2011, ‘Introductory accounting’, Course Notes from ACCT2060_1160, ‘Lecture 6, Unit 6 – Financial Ratio Analysis’, Page102-107 , RMIT University, Melbourne] |Yr 2009 (Working) |Yr 2009 Ratio |Yr 2010 (Working) |Yr 2010 Ratio | |Current ratio |6 9,544 / 31,903 |2. 2 |82,985 / 34,457 |2. 4 | |Acid Test ratio |(69,544-16,072) / 31,903 |1. 7 |(82,985-22,555) / 34,457 |1. 8 | |Gearing ratio |48,043 / (58,563 + 48,043) |0. 5 |48,102 / (71,790 + 48,102) |0. | |Interest cover ratio |30,335 / 1,372 |22. 1 |36,746 / 2,442 |15. 0 | [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 53 and 55]. Question 2 (2 marks) You have been provided with the following information about another company, Company X, in the same industry as Blackmores Ltd: |COMPANY X | |Ratio |2010 |2009 | |Current ratio |2. |1. 8 | |Acid test ratio |1. 2 |1. 5 | |Gearing ratio |1. 2 |0. 8 | |Interest cover ratio (times) |10. 9 |13. 1 | Using the information above and the calculations in Part B Question 1, you are required to analyse the liquidity and financial gearing (leverage) of Blackmores Ltd and Company X by providing: ) a description of the movement in each of the ratios for Blackmores Ltd; b) a description of the movement in each of the ratios for Company X; c) an explanation of what each of these ratios tell you about Blackmores Ltd; d) an explanation of what each of these ratios tell you about Company X; Ans: A) The current ratio for Blackmores Ltd indicates that the company is experiencing a slight increase in current asset over current liability. The acid ratio for Blackmores Ltd indicates that the company has slight increase in current asset over the current liability excluding inventories.The gearing ratio for Blackmores Ltd indicates that the company has marginal increase in long term liability over equity. The interest cover ratio for Blackmores Ltd indicates that the company has increase in interest expense. B) The current ratio for Company X indicates that the company is experiencing a slight increase in current asset over current liability. The acid ratio for Company X indicates that the company has slight decline in current asset over the current liability excluding its inventories.The gearing ratio for Company X indicates that th e company has marginal increase in long term liability over equity. The interest cover ratio for Company X indicates that the company has increase in interest expense. C) In Blackmores Ltd current ratio, we see a 20cents increase in liquidity to repay for every 1 dollar of obligation in the next operating cycle. By zooming further into acid ratio test, it becomes clearer that the company has only a 10cents increase in liquidity to repay for every 1 dollar of obligation within 90days as it excludes inventories and prepayment.In gearing ratio, we can conclude that Blackmores Ltd has lowered their long term by 10cents per 1 dollar obligation. As for interest ratio, it reflects that Blackmores Ltd has to pay more interest on outstanding debt. D) In Company X current ratio, we see an increase in 30cents in liquidity to repay for every 1 dollar of obligation in the next operating cycle. Looking further into the acid ratio test, it becomes clearer that the company actually have a 30cents d ecline in liquidity to repay for every 1 dollar of obligation within 90days and we also can assume that the company has a lot of inventories or prepayments.In gearing ratio, we can assume that Company X has increased their long term liabilities in certain aspect. In interest cover ratio of Company X, it also reflects that Company X has to pay more interest on outstanding debt. Question 3 (2 marks) Assume you are considering becoming a creditor for Blackmores Ltd or Company X (from Part B Question 2 above). That is, you will only be providing credit to one of them. Explain which company you would prefer to provide goods to on credit and why you have chosen this company. You may consider both financial and non-financial information in making this decision.Ans: I would provide goods on credit to Blackmores Ltd because Blackmores Ltd has a higher ability to pay off obligations as compare to Company X reference from their current and acid ratio. Also, Blackmores Ltd shows that the compan y is relatively low in term of leverage shown from gearing ratio. Question 4(4 marks) Prepare a table similar to the table below. Complete the table by inserting information from Blackmores’ financial statements (consolidated figures). Calculate each item as a percentage (%) of sales revenue. Financial Item |2010 ($) |% |2009 ($) |% | |Sales |214,934,000 |100. 0 |200,314,000 |100. 0 | |Total expenses |180,347,000 |83. 9 |171,380,000 |85. 6 | |Promotional and other rebates |19,054,000 |8. 9 |18,581,000 |9. | |Raw materials and consumables used |65,748,000 |30. 6 |71,338,000 |35. 6 | |Employee benefits expense |48,179,000 |22. 4 |42,212,000 |21. 1 | |Selling and marketing expenses |19,134,000 |8. 9 |21,078,000 |10. 5 | |Net profit attributable to equity holders of the parent |24,297,000 |11. |20,782,000 |10. 4 | Refer to the table above to explain the performance of Blackmores in 2010 compared to 2009. Ans: Based on the above table, Blackmores Ltd performance in 2010 is has inc rease in sales by 7. 3% compared to 2009. By looking at the table, we can determine that the company has cut down on expenses. Particular area is the buying of raw materials and other consumables and marketing expenses. With these we can assume that marketing is successful. The other reason is because the company’s equity has increased as well.This means more dividends for the shareholder. [Ref: Blackmores AR Report August 2010, Page 53 and 55]. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION Format and Presentation: The assignment needs to be presented and formatted according to the guidelines shown in this semester’s Course Guide. You need to ensure that the numeric answers you provide are accurate. For example, some figures are shown in thousands while others are not; showing an answer as $102 instead of $102,000 will result in a mark of zero for such a question as there is obviously quite a difference between these two figures.Also ensure that you read each question carefully as some questions will ask for a figure for a particular year and for either the Group (Consolidated) Financial Reports or the Parent Entity (Company). Referencing: As you will be using a company’s Annual Report as the basis for answering many of the questions asked in this assignment, you need to ensure that you acknowledge this in your assignment. In fact, any sources that you use need to be acknowledged in order to avoid plagiarism. Information on referencing can be found in the Guidelines for Referencing and Presentation at the RMIT website using the following address: (http://www. mit. edu. au/bus/students). A copy can also be found on the Blackboard under the Course Documents folder. From the Blackboard site there is also an online referencing resource that you might find useful. It can be found by following these links: External Links / Study and Learning Centre / Study Skills/Referencing/Referencing for Business Students. In-Text Referencing and the Reference List: Sources of information must be cited both in the body of the text (in-text referencing) and the end of the assignment (reference list). Failure to do so will result in penalties.Remember that when referencing an Annual Report it is a corporate document that does not have a particular author but it will still require referencing any time you use information from it. Any other documents or books or other references you use will also require referencing. Penalties Regarding Referencing: No in-text referencing – deduct 1. 5 marks Some in-text referencing only – deduct 1 mark No reference list – deduct 1. 5 marks Incomplete reference list – deduct 1 mark Policy on Late Submissions: The policy on late submissions can be found in the current semester’s course guide. ASSIGNMENT TOTAL – 20 Marks

Career Development Plan Part I Essay

The purpose of this Job analysis is in response to the current merger facing InterClean Incorporated and its employees. Welcoming this opportunity and supporting changes on this Journey is encouraged. This report will explain the Job analysis, describe the workforce planning system, identify the selection method, and the chosen employees. Job Analysis for new Salesperson Positions in InterClean Job Analysis Methods: The combination of the Job performance and interview method could help InterClean design the qualifications and primary functions for the new sales position. The Job erformance method is well suited for the development of tests and interviews as well as the design of performance appraisals and training. Interviews can be a integral part of the analysis as the company endeavors to use the information to create Job description and study Job evaluations. The observation method would also be beneficial because direct exposure to Jobs can provide a richer, deeper understanding of Job requirements than workers’ descriptions of what they do. Main job duties and specifications: 0 Maintain a thorough comprehension of company products, services, and rocesses. This will help in knowing how to satisfy the customers’ needs and requests. OPerforms routine and regular follow up with potential clients and former clients. Establish and maintain outstanding customer services, which is geared for long lasting relationships with clients. Responsible for locating and establishing new leads. 0 Convince new leads that InterClean can outperform their current full cleaning services by providing efficient, timely, quality, and expeditious services. 0 Obtain a minimum of two new contracts per personnel per year. Workforce Planning System A successful workforce planning system helps to anticipate future business and environmental demands on an organization, and to provide qualified people to fulfill that business and satisfy those demands. It consists of: 0 Set company’s Strategic Direction 0 How many and what types of Jobs are needed in order to meet the performance objectives of the organization? 0 How will Interclean develop worker skills? 0 What strategies should Interclean use to retain these skills? Conduct workforce analysis 0 Analyze employees and determine current workforce profile; number of mployees, skill assessments, salary, workforce diversity 0 Analyze and develop future workforce profile 0 Develop strategies, which include the programs, policies, and practices that assist in recruiting, developing, and retaining the critical staff needed to achieve sales goals. 0 Identify the workforce needed to carry out the mission of InterClean Selection There will be six new positio ns to fill by someone from Interclean or Envirotech. The Outside Sales Representatives. The employee selection is the â€Å"process of collecting and evaluating information about an individual in order to extend an offer of mployment. † Employee selection is part of the overall staffing process of the organization, which also includes human resource (HR) planning, recruitment, and retention activities. Human resource planning will assist InterClean with identifying the necessary required knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for each position. Then it will be compared to the anticipated availability of the personnel from InterClean and Envirotech. Once that is determined, the positions will be filled using the mental ability and validity generalization tests. The different types of mental bility tests that would be most beneficial include: Measures of general intelligence Verbal, nonverbal, and numerical skills Spatial relations ability (the ability to visualize the effects of manipulating or changing the position of objects) Reasoning, and comprehension Clerical aptitudes (perceptual speed tests), and Inductive reasoning (the ability to draw general conclusions on the basis of specific facts) (Cascio, 2005). Results using Mental Ability Tests 0 Jim Martin- VP of Sales; He is knowledgeable with the products and industry, herefore, he would have easier time in accommodating customer requests. His reputation validates that he knows how to interact with customers and handle situations in a professional manner. Follows through with goals and knows how to implement with success. 0 Susan Burnt- OIS Sales Rep- She has been with the company for a while so it shows she has dedication and a lot of experience with understanding different departments of the company. Her experience with each department she worked in shows that she is determined and aggressive for challenges to help her grow as an individual. Knowing that she understands what’s involved and can go to the root of the problem if there may be any to make sure the job is done correctly. Her interaction with each department shows that she gets along with co-workers, therefore she would have the same type of relationship with customers because she values each relationship.

Beat Street

Beat Street Is a 1984 drama film, following Wild Style In featuring New York City hip hop culture of the early 1 sass; breakfasting, Digging, and graffiti. Set in the South Bronx, the film follows the lives of a pair of brothers and their group of friends, all of whom are devoted to various elements of early hip-hop culture. Kenny Kirkland (Guy Davis) Is a budding disc jockey and MAC, and his younger brother Lee (Robert Taylor) Is a hardcore b;boy who dances with Beat Street Breakers (the New York City Breakers).Jennys best friends are Ramona On Charities a graffiti artist known by his tag, Roam, and Collie (Leon W. Grant), his self-styled manager/promoter. The film begins with the mall characters preparing for a house party set in an abandoned apartment building, where Kenny Is the featured D]. An uninvited Lee and his break- dancing friends crash the party, and nearly get tangled into a battle with a rival troupe, the Bronx Rockers (the Rock Steady Crew). The battle of mostly words is broken up by Henry (Dean Elliot), a squatter who lives in the building and Is befriended by Kenny, Collie, Ramona. ND Luis (Franc Rexes). Kenny has dreams of performing in New York Citys top nightclubs. No club is bigger than the Rosy, and on one visit he crosses paths with Tracy Carlson (Rae Dawn Chon), a collegiate music student and composer. A breakneck battle between the Breakers and Rock Steady ensues, and Tracy admires Lees performance. She then Invites him to audition for a television show focusing on dancing. Lee, Kenny, and their crew arrive during a dance rehearsal, and Lee gives his performance only to find out he wont be on television.Protecting his brothers interests, Kenny rips into Tracy for leading Lee on; Ramona steals a videotape of Lees dance as the crew walk out. A remorseful Tracy hen shows up at the Kirkland home to apologize. Lee was not home but Kenny was, working on a mix tape. Tracy clarifies her story, saying that she did not promise to Lee that he was going to be on the TV show. She then takes an interest in Jennys mixing and the two find common ground. Kenny and Tracy then head into the subway, where they meet up with Lee, Ramona, and Luis spray painting an abandoned station platform.They pack up and leave when they hear noises, thinking it may be the police; it turned out to be a rogue graffiti artist known as Spit, who defaces Ramose work (and the work of other artists) by spraying his tag over It. As the group take the train back uptown, Kenny and Tracy break away and spend the rest of the evening together, striking up a romance while walking and talking. Collie talks Kenny into a guest spot at the Burning Spear, a club run by DC Cool Here. Kenny not only spins but presents a special Christmas-themed skit performed by the Treacherous Three, Doug E.Fresh, and the Magnificent Force. The crowds positive reaction convinces Cool Here to invite Kenny back. But both Kenny and Collie see the regular gig as a stepping stone to their bigger goal. They return to the Rosy, where auditions are being held for new talent. Collie convinces Kenny to let him do the talking, and waits for the auditions to end before he succeeds in getting the talent scout to check out Kenny at the Burning Spear. The scout keeps his word, and Is impressed enough that he offers Kenny a performance on New Years Eve.Tracy offers to help Kenny out by allowing pressed a wrong button and deleted his work. A stubborn Kenny then leaves the studio, saying he had enough material for New Years Eve. Meanwhile, Ramona is feeling pressure from two sources. His father Domingo (Shawn Elliot), who despises his graffiti, wants him to find honest work, while his girlfriend Carmen (Sandra Santiago), whos also the mother of his son, longs for them to be together as a family. Ramona eventually gets a Job in a hardware store, and he then takes Carmen and their baby to live with him in Henries building.But Ramona does not stop thinking of the subway trains that are his canvas. When he sees a white-painted one pass him by, he vows to put his mark on it. Later that evening, Ramona and Kenny find the train and proceed to paint one side of the lead car. When the get on the other side, their work is interrupted when Ramona hears noises-?it is Spit, defacing the completed side. Ramona and Kenny chase Spit through the tunnel and into a station, and a fight ensues. Spit sprays paint in Rayons eye, and both men tussle on the roadbed before they roll onto the electrified third rail, which kills them instantly.As the group mourn the death of their friend, Kenny considers not doing the New Years Eve show at the Rosy. But with the help of Tracy and despite initial reluctance from Collie, Kenny turns his big break into a celebration of Rayons life. The show is the films grand finale, starting with a rap performance by Kenny while slides of Ramona and his work were shown in the background. Kenny was followed by Grandmaster Melee Mel the Furious Five, and a Bronx gospel choir backed by dancers and breakers. Edit] Cast * Rae Dawn Chon Tracy Carlson * Guy Davis Kenny Double K Kirkland * Jon Chartist Ramona Roam * Leon W. Grant Collie * Sandra Santiago Carmen Carrot * Robert Taylor Lee Kirkland * Mary Alice Core Kirkland * Shawn Elliott Domingo * Jim Borealis Monte * Dean Elliot Henry * Franc Rexes Luis * Tanya Pippins Angela * Lee Chamberlain Alicia * Duane Jones Robert * DC Little Lieu Vega DC in Background in the club. * Africa Bumboat the Soul Sonic Force Themselves Doug E.Fresh Himself * New York City Breakers Themselves * Rock Steady Crew Themselves * Clive Cool Here Campbell Himself * Treacherous Three Themselves * Jazzy Jay Himself * Grandmaster Melee Mel the Furious Five Themselves Academe Harriso n was credited as High School Student in the directors cut of the film. However, his Some of the plot line was based on the New York City graffiti documentary Style Wars. Most visibly, the antagonist Spit in Beat Street was lifted from the real-life graffiti artist CAP MAC, who was portrayed in Style Wars.It was screened out of competition t the 1984 Cannes Film Festival. [l] [edit] Filming locations Beat Street was filmed entirely on location in New York City, in the boroughs of The Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Several scenes were shot inside the citys subway system, both onboard trains and in stations, notably Hoyt-Shoehorning Streets, 57th Street-sixth Avenue, and Fresh Pond Road. Scenes were also filmed on the campus of the City College of New York, which includes the concert venue Aaron Davis Hall.Many of the internal dance sequences were filmed at the popular nightclub the Rosy, located in the Chelsea section of Manhattan. Most of the graffiti art that was displayed all throughout the film was not done by real graffiti artists-?it was airbrushed by set decorators. [edit] Musical performances and soundtrack Main article: Beat Street (soundtrack) There are several performances in the movie, notably from established early hip-hop groups Grandmaster Melee Mel the Furious Five, Doug E. Fresh, Africa Bumboat the Soul Sonic Force, and the Treacherous Three.As a member of the Treacherous Three, Cool Moe Dee also appeared in the film. It stands as one of the few media appearances he has ever made without his trademark sunglasses (a Tyler he had not yet adopted at the time). In addition to these acts, Guy Davis, who played Kenny, is also a blues musician in real life. The film also includes other musical performances from novice acts, such as Tina B and The System, both of whom appear on the soundtrack album. Though not featured on the album, there were also appearances by rapper Richard Lee Cisco and singers Bernard Fowler and Brenda K. Starr. Contrary to popular (internet legend) belief, The RAZZ of Www-Tang Clan was not actually in the movie. Some rumors have floated around the net stating that he is the guy in the black hat rhyming during the Rosy auditions scene. However, RAZZ has gone on the record stating he was not in the film. In fact, he would have only been 15 at the time Beat Street was filmed. The actor in the black hat appears to be markedly older than 15. At least three breakfasting battles between the New York City Breakers and the Rock Steady Crew were also included in the film. In addition, the Rosy audition scene features a pair of breakfasting boys known as the Fantastic Duo. This was the first American film to feature more than one soundtrack album. Originally, Atlantic Records, which released the soundtrack albums, had three volumes planned, but only two of these were released. The second volume was never released on compact disc. The trailer includes an alternate version of the title song performed by Cool Moe Dee, a version that was not featured in the movie or on the original soundtrack albums. E troubles of ghetto life are accurately captured in this cinematic time capsule, one of the first films to contain rap music. At the time, the rapping took a back seat to the break dancing and one of the many attributes of BEAT STREET is the authentic street moves on display. The locations also retain their street creed, with graffiti covering subway cars and abandoned buildings populating the mean streets. The story homeless out of the ghetto. Musician Harry Flatten teamed with David Picker to produce. Rapper Kenny and his break dancing brother Lee are up and coming soul artists.They only need a few good connections and one big break to make it. When they meet a beautiful college music professor, who can help them expand their horizons, everything starts to fall into place. The troubles of ghetto life are accurately captured in this cinematic time capsule, one concerns a group of Bronx teens using their dancing, rapping, and artistic skills to lift Storyline Jon Chartist plays a Puerco Rican youth who targets subway walls for his graffiti endearing. For a while, it looks as though Charladies problems will carry the plotting, but before long the films true raisin deter comes to the surface.Rap-music deejay Guy Davis, in tandem with such like-minded individuals as music student Rae Dawn Chon, endeavor to stage a huge breakfasting presentation, featuring several musical artistes of the period. Harry Flatten served as coppered. -? Hal Erickson, Rove. An upbeat, lets-put-on-a-show musical about the wonders of hip-hop music and culture that tells the story of Kenny, a young hip-hop artist living in the rough slums f the Bronx with his younger brother Lee and their mother Core. Kenny dreams of making it big as a disc Jockey and playing in the most swank of Manhattan nightclubs, the Rosy.Into their lives comes Tracy, a composer and assistant choreographer from the City College of New York, who inspires him to try to continue his dream while romance begins to grow between them, despite coming from different neighborhoods and worlds. Meanwhile, Lee is part of a break-dancing crew set on dominating the scene of their street. The rest of their friends include Ramona, a graffiti artist determined to spread his painting to every subway car in the city while leaning with his girlfriend Carmen and Collie, a fellow disc Jockey who becomes Jennys manager after he lands him a gig at a Bronx club.Many hip-hop groups, electro artists, break dancers, and Latin freestyle singers, who include Us Girls, the Treacherous Three, the System, the Rock Steady Crew, Africa Bumboat Soul Sonic Force and Shannon, the Magnificent Force, the New York City Breakers, Grand Master Melee Mel the Furious Five, Tina B. , Johnny B. Bad, and many more, make cameo appearances. Written by Matt Patty About 80% of the footage in the original theatrical trailer is not included in the final UT.Examples include Ramona getting his bag ripped off while walking with Kenny and Charlie, several battle outtakes including the classroom up-rocking scene, Ramo na on nightclub. Several other pieces of footage were included as well but were in freeze frame in the opening credits of the film. The trailer also includes an alternate version of title song performed by Cool Moe Dee, (who appears in the film in the Christmas Rapping' sequence with the rest of the Treacherous Three), which also did not appear in the movie nor on the original soundtrack albums.Share this Most of the graffiti art that was displayed all throughout the film was not done by real graffiti artists it was airbrushed by set decorators. Share this It was the producers idea for the main cast to wear Kananga hats and Puma sneakers all throughout production of the film even though many of the dancers felt that it wasnt authentic. Share this According to Fast Break (who appeared in the Treacherous Three sequence), there was a classroom up-rocking battle scene that involved the New York City Breakers and the Rock Steady Crew, but it was cut.There was also more of the climatic battle between the se two crews at the Rosy nightclub. Share this Crazy Legs later said that during the filming of the battle scene at the Rosy he wanted to battle to Jimmy Castors song Its Just Begun, but he was disappointed to find out that the crews were going to battle to a record called Breakers Revenge because of rights issues. Share this This project was sponsored by Puma. The original soundtrack Laps have the Puma logo printed on them, reading, Puma as seen in Beat Street. Share this This was the first American film to have more than one soundtrack album of music featured in a film released. Originally, three volumes of music were planned, but Atlantic Records only released two of them and the second volume was never released on compact disc. And get out of the South Bronx, the movie follows the youngsters over the holiday season of 83 when it looks like Kenny might finally catch that big break. Collie sets it up so Kenny can do a guest spot at the Burning Spear, where he not only spins a few records, he also presents a special Christmas-themed skit.Lee and his crew have a breakneck battle with a rival troupe, the Bronx Rockers (the Rock Steady Crew) at the Rosy nightclub one night and Tracy (Chon, Commando) asks him to come and audition for a show shes putting on at the city college. Ramona, whose graffiti tag is Roam is getting grief from his father (Shawn Elliot) about getting an honest Job and forgetting about drawing pictures on the walls around the neighborhood and from Carmen (Santiago, Miami Vice), his girlfriend and the mother of their baby who wants him to get them a place of their own.Roam gets great pleasure from sharing his art with the people of the city, he thinks that its great that his work is seen throughout many different boroughs. The only problem is a rival graffiti artist whose sprays his gag Spit all over everybody elses work. After a misunderstanding at the city college, Tracy tries to smooth things over with Lee and Kenny and gets romantically involved with Kenny. Collie uses Jennys success at the Burning Spear to get him the New Years Eve performance at the Rosy (the hottest nightclub in NYC).Ultimately, tragedy strikes the group and Kenny is uncertain whether he should go ahead and do the gig at the Rosy. As you can see, there are many plot treads throughout the movie and it present form, is a pretty good movie, but Id like to see a Directors Cut that restores al the excised footage, if it still even exists. I think that might make for a more focused movie, the scenes in the trailer seem to clarify a few things and theres a few more musical numbers, including one in a high school classroom. According to Wisped, Academe Harrison (A Different World, Rapping) had a small role in the movie that ended up being deleted entirely.Whats left is a decent enough movie, any dramatic flaws are compensated for with some great musical sequences The aforementioned Christmas skit at the Burning Spear, a club run by DC Cool Here, features the Treacherous Three, Doug E. Fresh and the Magnificent Force as they do a rap number called Suntans Rap. Its one of the many musical highlights of Beat Street, among the various artists featured in this movie are Grandmaster Melee Mel the Furious Five, Africa Bumboat the Soul Sonic Force Shannon, Tina B. , The System, Brenda Starr, Bernard Fowler, Andy B.Bad, Fantastic Duo, Us Girls, Jazzy Jay, Richard Cisco and Wanda Dee. The director Stan Lethal has assembled quite a roster of talent from the early days of breakfasting and rapping, this is the most awesome part of the movie and Im not even a fan of the genre. Like I said in my review of Crush Groove, I do like the old-school rap, when it was funny and relatively innocent, as opposed to all the obscene crap that seem to be the favorite subjects of todays rappers (bitched, hoes, pimping and popping caps in the ass of another person).The climactic scene of Beat Street is an elaborate number that features Grandmaster Melee Mel the Furious Five, Bernard Fowler and a Bronx gospel choir, dancers from the city college and breakfasters from the New York streets. Its a celebration of life as Grandmaster Melee Mel decries the violence of the world and Fowler sings about believing in the face of tragedy. Its my favorite sequence in this movie because its such a powerful moment and it incorporates a lot of different talent. I also like Tina B. S song Nothings G oanna Come Easy, even though only a small portion of the song is heard in the movie. If memory serves, there were two soundtrack albums released from this movie because there was so much music. In addition, the breakfasting in Beat Street is absolutely fresh, the real life dance crews really know how to bust some serious moves and when theyre strutting their stuff on he screen , the movie totally comes to life. And who doesnt like the human beat-box that is Doug E. Fresh? Ive talked endlessly about the music in Beat Street, what about the other aspects of the movie?Like I said, it falters when it comes to the dramatic elements, it would have been nice to get to know certain characters better. For example, what about Henry (Dean Elliot), the squatter the guys discover living in the basement of the abandoned building where they party at the beginning of the movie? They all seem to become friends, but who is this guy really? We understand hat hes an old friend of somebody who used to live in the building before the landlord torched the place, but at what point does he become friends with the guys?Its implied that hes some sort of musician, he says that he and his old friend planned to start a band. Why doesnt he display his skills at any point in the movie? In the trailer, its shown (briefly) that he plays the drums, I would have liked to see this incorporated into the plot. We see a couple of scenes where Roam and his father argue about how he should live his life, but it would have been interesting to see Kenny and Lees older brother? We get the impression that he was in a gang and died as a result of that lifestyle, but was he shot in a gang war or by the police?My guess would be the latter, only because of the contempt that Core (Mary Alice, The Matrix Revolutions) shows for the cop who arrested her son (Lee) for breakfasting at the subway station. She tells him that hes far too young to be offering child rearing advice and that theres worse things these kids could be doing than dancing. Its another small but powerful moment, but we still dont fully understand how her oldest son died. And I would have loved to see that breakfasting number in the high school classroom, these moments really make a musical fun and enjoyable.I wonder why so many scenes were cut out of Beat Street? Im guessing it was to keep the running time down, who wants to watch a two-and-a-half hour movie during the summer? True, this movie is pretty shallow and it never promised to be an in-depth character study or a realistic, gritty documentary about the hip-hop scene of the early ass. But it would have been cool to add an additional layer of depth and meaning, it would have been nice to understand a few things about the young people who arrogance on the sidewalks or the graffiti artists who see all the surfaces of the world as their own personal canvas.

Hospitality industry Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Hospitality industry - Assignment Example Visitors exports generated 1, 295.9 billion dollars in 2013 which is equivalent to 5.4% of total investment. Lastly, the tourism investment was at 754.6 billion dollars as of 2014, which represent 4.4% of total investment (WTTC 2014). For more information, see appendix 2-4. Although the world is gaining from tourism, its development has a long history. The WW II proved to be a challenge to many people across the world since it made it difficult to walk and reach new destinations. There were no developed means of transport to aid movement from each point without spending much time. As the WW II ended, it relieved many people and wanted to explore the world and have some rest following the war. This acted as a turning point for many nations. People started to travel to new places since the world had become peaceful. One of the factors or issues that contributed to the growth of tourism was the establishment of the transport system. The development of roads, railway, and airplanes facilitated movements and opened some places. Similarly, the development of cheap airlines and package tours facilitated the movements since it saved time and was very fast. Bournemouth is one of the tourist destination in the UK. It has benefited from tourism activities in many ways ranging from the provision of employment opportunities for improvements in infrastructures. There is a circulation of foreign exchange, which helps in improving peoples lives. More so, the government earns from tourism and the locals also sales products to visitors hence earning money. Tourism has also placed Bournemouth on the international map as a travel destination hence improving its image. The demand for tourism is on the steady growth, and this is characterized by the current developments in the area. Many things act as indicators of tourism developments in the way they change as discussed in subsequent paragraphs. Business growth is an indicator that there is demand for tourism. Increase

Describe the methods used to calculate value added. How does value Essay - 1

Describe the methods used to calculate value added. How does value added contribute towards understanding the connections betwee - Essay Example Therefore, outputs that are not determined by one  self are not put into consideration (Sheikh, & Tonak, 2002). Marxist and neoclassical methods of determining value added B. Cox in 1979 agreed in his book called â€Å"value added† that Pigou’s definition went further in explanations. He construed value added in two diverse perspectives: the additive and the subtractive. In one, instance, the subtractive value added, is determined by taking away material purchases and services from revenue from sales. The value added signifies its creation. In addition, additive value added is deliberated by accumulation of labour cost (consisting of social charges), operating profit and depreciation. This permits the estimation methods where the created profit is distributed. Goods and services are (Samuelson, & Nordhaus, 2004) exchanged in business system; thus  a  market product entails a market where products are traded  (especially to firms). Thus, product market and busine ss are interrelated given that the business permits products to be traded in markets. Besides, vertical integration and value added are correlated. Indeed, if a company opts to vertical integration, its Value added ratio increases. However, many companies do not create their own products in entirety. An addition or change made by a business regarding a product or process prior to reaching the point of purchase or customer. In a situation where there is change in business value-added, there will be an increase in the quality and value of the process or products. However, the fact of the change in itself is not obvious to the customer (Palmer, 1998). The concept of Karl Marx where the value product is the same as the national accounting concept of determining net value added. It is obtained through subtracting the value of the gross product and expenditure on constant capital. The latter represents depreciation and the costs of intermediate products. In rotation, value added equals th e summation of variable capital (compensation of labor) and surplus-value (which is pre-tax profit income). The case is that labor generates value added (a new value) that comprises the cost of own wages i.e. payment for the ability of workers perform labor (labor power) and property income (surplus-value). In Marx's case, provided in Das Kapital thesis, workers apply sufficient labor-time within a working day so as to pay for proliferation costs where their ability to work in that day (labor-power) is judged by the extra work or surplus-labor required to compensate incomes to land-owners and capitalists among others (Deardorff, 2003). Given that labor is active and highly conscious factor in the process of production, capital goods which is the means of production together with gifts from nature like land and natural resources, facilitates the ability of labor to transform raw materials into finished products. It raises the physical productivity of labor regarding its ability to ge nerate use-values alongside value-productivity. The latter is the ability to generate use-values that can be traded for money (Yanovsky, 1999). On the contrary, neoclassical economics deem the incomes comprising added value as the prize for services provided. While critiquing the political economy, Marx observed incomes as consequences of production subject to circumstances of capitalist exploitation. In the capitalist class, they

Critical Thinking and Informatics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Critical Thinking and Informatics - Assignment Example In contemporary times, nurses’ assessment relies upon technology, which yields much reliable results. It has not negatively affected the assessment skills of nurses and in fact it has transformed the assessment methods that have improved the clinical assessments (Webb & Shakespeare, 2008). Though technological tools may have errors, but the results are more accurate than human assessment. According to the study of Powell-Cope & Patterson (2008), the use of patient care technology has become complex with the passage of time, and this is because of the reason that the before the use of technology, nurses relied more on their sense of sight, touch, smell and hearing to detect the change in the patient (Powell-Cope, Nelson, & Patterson, 2008). Now, the excessive use of technology tools has suppressed the sense of nurses to detect changes in the patient (Powell-Cope, Nelson, & Patterson, 2008). As cited by Powell Cope in ‘Patient Care Technology and Safety’ nurses relied on change in the skin color and mental status of he patient to determine the changing in oxygen saturation. This reflects that before the invention of pulse oxygmetry nurses were able to identify the oxygen saturation in the patient determining their physical and mental condition. Similar has been cited by Zalumas in ‘Caring in Crisis’ as he states that the overdependence of nurs es on the technology has declined clinical assessment skills (Zalumas, 1995). The legal implication and computerized data has increased the burden on the technical environment. Inducement of Patient Care Technology has provided new dimensions for the clinical practice as nurses are relying more on these technologies that has discarded old methods. On the other hand, scholars believe that the technology has resolved major issues related to nurses assessment (Dickerson, Brewer, & Kovner, 2007). According to Rudy and Bertman,

Financial accounting Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financial accounting - Assignment Example This is regardless on the time when the cash is actually received. In a sale proceed, the revenue is recognized when the ownership of a good or a commodity has been transferred to the buyer together with the associated risks. The amount of the proceeds has to be reliably measurable in terms of revenue. Similarly, the costs associated with the transaction should also be measurable in a reliable way. Finally, there has to be a probability that the economic benefits related to the transaction will flow or will be realised by the organization. The same criteria apply for services rendered. In case of dividends, the revenue should be recognized once the right for payment has been established (IFRS, Pg. 2). In accounting, it is important to distinguish between the terms income, revenue and gains since it will facilitate accurate and clear preparation of the financial statement (Agtarap-San, Pg. 5). Income is defined as the savings opportunity that a business entity gains within a given tim e and it is measured in monetary terms (Weitzman, Pg. 2). Revenue on the other hand is the income that a business entity realises from its usual operations such as the sale of goods and services (ACCA, Para 5). Finally, gains refer to the increase in shareholder’s equity as a result of a transaction other than the daily operations. These are transactions which are non- recurring, for instance sale of a fixed asset (Weltman, Pg. 70). Case Study; Ibi Ryan Plc According To IAS 18, revenue should be recognized when earned. As such, the sale of Electrical goods on 30th March should be included in the revenue for the period ended 31st March 2013. This is because it was earned within the period despite the fact that the delivery was delayed to the following period. A total of ?50, 000 should be included in the financial statements. The revenue generated from the sale proceeds of good sold to Witney Ltd should not be included in the revenue of the period ended 31st March since Ibi Ry an retained ownership of the goods. According to IAS 18, revenue is only recognized when ownership has been transferred. In addition, the announcement that the creditor would receive 50p for every 1? owed did not guarantee future economic benefits since Whitney Ltd did not state it conclusively. It stated that it is â€Å"likely† meaning there was no guarantee and hence this should not also be recognized in the revenue of that period. The total amount of ?600, 000 owing to Ibi Ryan from Witney Ltd as at 31st March 2013 could not be recognized as revenue for the period due to the fact that ownership of goods worth that amount was not yet transferred. The cost price should also not be charged to the period’s revenue. When Ibi Ryan entered a contract with PC4U, it was certain that the amount of the contract will be realised by the company in the future upon delivery of the laptops. However, in the contract, it was agreed that Ibi Ryan would provide support services for a period up to December 31st, 2015. The support services were to cost ?240, 000 each year. It was certain that these costs were to b incurred. The costs were also reliably measured. The profits to be realised from the support services were to be 25% of ?240, 000 which is equal to ?60 000. Similarly, the company was certain to get this revenue though in the future. Therefore, the revenue that would be included in the period ended

Romantic music in Renaissance painting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Romantic music in Renaissance painting - Essay Example Another purpose of Romantic music was that it had non-musical influences. Changes and events that occur in the society such as discoveries, ideas, inventions, attitudes and historical events which will affect the music at all the time. For instance, by early 19th century the industrial revolution was in fully effective and it had a great effect on music. One effect was that there were great improvements in the mechanical valves. This meant that due to the innovative instruments music could be played with more simplicity and easiness. Also the instruments became more reliable. Development in music was also caused by increase of middle class. Composers previously lived on the benefaction of the aristocracy. The audience was small most of the times and the music was only composed by people who had music knowledge and the upper class ones. On the other hand romantic composers wrote mainly for public festivals and concerts, they had large audiences. Nationalism was another theme during Ro mantic era. For instance, Jean Sibelius is mainly read to represent the Finland nation which was rising during that period and which was expecting to gain freedom one day from the Russians. Another example of musical nationalism which is well seen in the productivity of the romantic ages is where Joseph Machlis states that`` Poland’s struggle for freedom from tsarist rule aroused the national poet in Poland.† The development of Renaissance painting is an odd age in the history. It is not only that the time.

Contemporary artists Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Contemporary artists - Essay Example The essay "Contemporary artists" discusses the importance of displacement and the perceived lack or flux of geopolitical boundaries to contemporary artists. Conversely, it is important to appreciate the fact that although displacements, migrations and perceived lack or flux of geo-political boundaries have closely knit contemporary artists from many parts of the world into a global assemblage of persons with common interests, yet the same has led to the strengthening of national cultural heritage, vis-Ã  -vis, the strengthening of contemporary artistes in their given country. This happens as any country or geopolitical entity or body politic become aware of the fact that through globalization, multiculturalism is acting as a force that gnaws away at a people’s socio-cultural values and heritage. It is against this backdrop that states, countries, nation-states or other geopolitical entities have come to craft and ratify policies that are to consolidate or strengthen cultural and social heritage. Chiefly featuring among these policies is the creation of the aforementioned associations which are nevertheless nation or state-specific. The Contemporary Art Society of Victoria Inc. [commonly known as CAS] exists and functions as a non-profiting organization seeks to promote the interests of artists interested in contemporary art works exemplifies government attempts to consolidate contemporary artists within the confines of geopolitical boundaries. CAS is run by artists, for the benefits.

Recruitment selaction process of officers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Recruitment selaction process of officers - Essay Example Most police departments for instance require a certain level of education attainments to qualify for the recruitment process. More than four of every five police departments in the US, demand for a high school diploma, with at least 15 per cent of others requiring a minimum level of college training, and preferably a two year course work, with only about 1% requires that the participants have at least a four year college degree (National Institute of Justice & United States, 2005). Physical traits that include height and weight which have previously been quite crucial trait required for the selection process have been dropped or relaxed in favor of women who would have the urge to join the force. The levels of education it is assumed is essential for the next level of the recruitment process which involves a written examination. The examination is basically set to gauge the some degree of skills necessary for the making of a competent officer. Some of these skills include: map reading, decision making skills, reading abilities, report writing and written communications skills and skills that tests ones intelligence quotient (I.Q). The background of the person to be recruited is also important to shield individuals with questionable characters from gaining access to join the police force; a polygraph may be used to ascertain the truthfulness of the answers provided for most of the questions asked. A physical ability test that gauges the endurance levels of those who wish to join is also important as the police are subjected to intense conditions in the day to day work life. A polygraph may also be required to further ascertain or gauge the level of truthfulness in the answers provided by the respective candidates. A psychological and medical examinations is also important to rule out the possibility of recruiting individuals who are sick and thus unfavorable and enabling the recruitment of individuals with sound minds. Each and every state in

Non-Conformism Is the Refusal to Conform Essay Example for Free

Non-Conformism Is the Refusal to Conform Essay Non-conformism is the refusal to conform to common standards, conventions, rules, customs, traditions, norms or laws. The bravest act of non-conformism I’ve seen would have to be, Malcolm X. During his life, Malcolm went from being a drug dealer and burglar to one of the most prominent Black Nationalist leaders in the United States; he was considered by some as a martyr of Islam and a champion of equality. As a militant leader, Malcolm X advocated black pride, economic self-reliance, and identity politics. He ultimately rose to become a world-renowned African American/Pan-Africanist and human rights activist. Throughout his life Malcolm X went through many transformations and through them all he still did not conform to what society expected of him. Malcolm (Little) X preached what he believed about racism, discrimination, and segregation. He went through many changes in his fight for equality. The three transformations that really changed the way Malcolm thought and preached where his transformation in prison, his transformation into the Islamic religion (following Elijah Muhammad), and the biggest transformation of all, his pilgrimage to Mecca. Malcolm had a lot of respect from those who believed in what he was preaching. He was a man who knew what he wanted and was going to change the way things were. Malcolm did not have the odds to make something of himself. He overcame those odds and became one of the most inspiring and important people in the struggle for equality. Every one should learn from the way Malcolm turned his life around for the better and how he made an impact on those around him. Malcolm (Little) X is definitely one of the people who made the biggest impact on the 20th Century. We have come along way since Malcolm’s assassination in the struggle for quality. We still have a ways to go before his final goal is reached.

Technology and Law Enforcement Essay Example for Free

Technology and Law Enforcement Essay This system provides rapid collect and retrieval of data about wanted fugitives, locating stolen property, locating missing people and protecting law enforcement and the public (Siegel amp; Worrall, 2012). The FBI maintains the host computer that provide telecommunication network to the CJIS Systems Agency in every official state (Mass. gov website). Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) Automated Fingerprint Identification System is a type of biometric system that uses a digital imaging to capture a fingerprint that can be compared to a database records to determine a person identity (webopedia). The use of AFIS is growing in the United States This system can classify fingerprints and identify 250 characteristics of the print. AFIS use high speed silicon chips to plot each and every detail and count the number of ridges in a person’s fingers and palm (Siegel amp; Worrall, 2012 pg. 195). I fingerprints 25 to 35 inmates a day on AFIS and it a wonderful tool because with a couple of minute their fingerprint will be sent to Washington D. C and I can identify the person and have their whole entire criminal history. Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) In the late 1980s, the federal government laid the groundwork for a system of national, state, and local DNA databases for the storage and exchange of DNA profiles. This system, called the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). CODIS is a computerized database that allows deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) obtained at a crime scene to be searched electronically to find matches among sample taken from convicted offenders and crime scenes (Siegel amp; Worrall, 2012 pg. 97). In the late 1980s and early 1990s, states began passing laws requiring offenders convicted of certain offenses to provide DNA samples. Currently all 50 states and the federal government have laws requiring that DNA samples be collected from some categories of offenders (justice. gov). Since 2011, my agency started collecting DNA from inmate that was arrested for crimes New Technology 3 against a person such as; rape, homicide, aggravated battery and aggravated assault etc. But now FDLE had added Burglary, grand theft and trespassing. When we reach 2020, no matter what category that an offender in e every offender will have to summit a DNA sample for their crime. Once CODIS make their improvements, DNA evidence will help solve and may even prevent some of the Nation’s most serious violent crimes.

The Characteristics of Retroviruses

The Characteristics of Retroviruses Retroviruses have various characteristics that make them unique as gene delivery vehicles. Their life cycle includes an integrated state in the DNA of the host chromosome. Retroviruses are the only animal viruses that integrate into the host cells genome during the normal growth cycle. They use an integrase that acts in a site-specific manner to join the ends of the viral cDNA to target sequences in host cell DNA. The linear ds cDNA made in the cytoplasm is transported to the nucleus where it is also found as circles and as integrated DNA. Two forms of circular DNA are generally found: one having a single Long Terminal Repeat (LTR) and one having two LTRs. It is now thought that the original integrated proviruses were linear molecules with two LTRs. The retroviral promoter can direct high-level, efficient expression of genes encoded within the viral capsid of its genome using chromatin. The retroviral genomes can accommodate changes to its configuration. Retroviruses offer gene therapy researchers aid for delivering genes to target cells at high efficiency that allows for long-term, stable expression of introduced genetic elements The retroviral life cycle begins in the nucleus of an infected cell. At the beginning of the life cycle the retroviral genome is a DNA element integrated into and covalently attached to the DNA of the host cell. Full-length genomic mRNA is made starting at the beginning of the repeat at the 5 LTR (Long Terminal Repeat). The free particle can infect new cells by binding to a cell surface receptor. The specificity of the virus-cell interaction is determined most commonly by the envelope proteins of the retrovirus. Infection leads to injection of the virus nucleoprotein core (consisting of many gag-derived proteins, full-length genomic RNA, and the reverse transcriptase protein). Once inside the cell, the nucleoprotein complex accesses intracellular DNA nucleotide triphosphate pools, where the reverse transcriptase protein initiates and creation of a double-stranded DNA copy of the genome of the virus is prepared for integration into the host cell chromosome. When reverse transcription is completed, the viral enzyme integrase looks for an appropriate storage place for the DNA, which the integrase clips the host DNA to and binds the double-stranded DNA into the host DNA. The virus is the able to initiate a new round of replication again. 3 major proteins encoded in a retroviral genome Gag is a polyprotein and is an acronym for Group Antigens (ag). Pol is the reverse transcriptase. Env is the envelope protein. The group antigens form the viral core structure and are the major proteins which comprise the nucleoprotein core particles. Reverse transcriptase is the essential enzyme that carries out the reverse transcription process that take the RNA genome to a double-stranded DNA preintegrate form. General transcription and proteins are encoded from spliced mRNA of retroviruses. Transcription proceeds through the genome and mRNA is polyadenylated and processed using signals in transcribed regions from the 3 LTR at the end of the transcribed R (repeat). The full-length message can be spliced to lead to production of envelope proteins (or other proteins depending upon retroviral class). Unspliced full-length mRNA can give rise to gag-pol proteins. Gag and Pol are made as either Gag protein or a Gag-Pol precursor. Translated proteins assemble a retroviral particle at the cell surface. Full-length genomic unspliced mRNA is bound by gag-derived proteins and incorporated into the budding particle. Virion structures In retroviruses particle shapes can be divided into distinct categories: A-type particles are immature intracellular forms derived from endogenous retrovirus-like elements and the immature form of MMTV. B-type particles correspond to the extracellular form of MMTV and are characterised by prominent surface protein spikes and a dense asentric nucleocapsid. C-type particles form at the surface of the cell at the site of budding. Lentiviruses bud like C type particles but have a distinctive blunted cone shaped core. D-type particles are the MMPV related viruses of sub-human primates, and differ from B-type particles by a lack of surface spikes. The gag (group specific antigen) gene encodes the viral matrix, capsid and nucleoproteins The protease encodes a product that cleaves the gag polyprotein precursor. It can be encoded as part of Gag or a Gag-Pro-Pol polyprotein The major read-through product is derived from the pol gene which encodes the reverse transcriptase and an integrase which is involved in provirus integration. The envelope gene encodes the surface glycoprotein (SU) transmembrane (TM) polyprotein. Viral entry Retroviruses enter by at least two different manners, dependent upon the retroviral subclass. The viral envelope is critical in each case for recognising appropriate surface receptors to initiate viral fusion to the host target cells. The RNA genome in the free retrovirus is arranged as a diploid genome with identical sequences. The mRNA associates with a tRNA primer (pro, trp, or lys) that is bound by complementary base pairing to 18 base pairs to the U5 region. The integrated form (proviral) of all retroviruses contain transcription regulatory sequences primarily in Long Terminal Repeats (LTR). LTR sequences are derived from sequences unique to the 5 end of viral RNA (U5), from sequences unique to the 3 end of viral RNA (U3), and from sequences repeated at both ends of the viral RNA. The integrated provirus is larger than the viral genome but its complexity is the same because of duplication of U3 and U5 during synthesis. Replication of retroviruses is sensitive to the transcription inhibitors Actinomycin D, alpha-amanitin nucleoside and analogues like 5-bromodioxyuridine and cytosine arabinoside. 5 bromodioxyuridine and cytosine arabinoside are thought to inhibit DNA replication.

alcohol treatment Essays -- essays research papers

Numerous treatment methods are constantly being discovered and developed to help start alcohol and drug abusers down the path of sobriety. There are many different methods available to help addicts who need help or to help addicts who want help. Our system is diverting from a punishing approach to a treatment approach. This paper will examine the most popular inpatient and outpatient options available throughout the nation. The types of addicts who normally file into these types of settings will be exam e, and The Way of Life. May I do your will always† (Alcoholics). These prayers are recited by the addict and must be experienced as well as nurtured to successfully break your addiction and never go back once you have completed the twelve step program. Controlled drinking is the concept that individuals that have been drinking pathologically can be taught to drink in a controlled, nonpathological manner. Controlled drinking has mixed reviews, while some alcoholics that have taken this approach say it is very effective some say that if this method does infact then that person was not an alcoholic from the start. Abstinence from an abused substance should be the long term goal for the users in the eyes of many. Therapeutic communities were established in 1958 by Charles Dederick, the purpose of these communities is to live in a supportive, family atmosphere amongst other addicts. The addicts attend seminars that they are put in charge of by being assigned responsibilities need... alcohol treatment Essays -- essays research papers Numerous treatment methods are constantly being discovered and developed to help start alcohol and drug abusers down the path of sobriety. There are many different methods available to help addicts who need help or to help addicts who want help. Our system is diverting from a punishing approach to a treatment approach. This paper will examine the most popular inpatient and outpatient options available throughout the nation. The types of addicts who normally file into these types of settings will be exam e, and The Way of Life. May I do your will always† (Alcoholics). These prayers are recited by the addict and must be experienced as well as nurtured to successfully break your addiction and never go back once you have completed the twelve step program. Controlled drinking is the concept that individuals that have been drinking pathologically can be taught to drink in a controlled, nonpathological manner. Controlled drinking has mixed reviews, while some alcoholics that have taken this approach say it is very effective some say that if this method does infact then that person was not an alcoholic from the start. Abstinence from an abused substance should be the long term goal for the users in the eyes of many. Therapeutic communities were established in 1958 by Charles Dederick, the purpose of these communities is to live in a supportive, family atmosphere amongst other addicts. The addicts attend seminars that they are put in charge of by being assigned responsibilities need...

Should Chinas Human Rights Record Prevent Permanent Normal Trade Relations :: Human Rights Essays

Background Since the initial warming of U.S.-China relations in the early 1970s, policymakers have had difficulty balancing conflicting U.S. policy concerns in the Peoples' Republic of China. From Nixon to Clinton, presidents have had to reconcile security and human rights concerns with corporations' desires for expanded economic relations between the two countries. While the U.S. regularly objects to China's human rights violations, the Chinese government counters with complaints that the American concerns represent unwarranted American intrusion into its internal affairs. In 1989 the Tiananmen Square massacre drew public attention to the inconsistent character of U.S.-China policy. A wave of public indignation with China's repressive practices forced the Bush administration to adopt a sterner posture toward human rights violations and to impose sanctions, including restrictions on bilateral and multilateral aid. But these measures have not satisfied some critics of China's human rights practices, who contend that the U.S. should apply even more rigid trade restrictions against China. Specifically, some critics insist that the U.S. government not give China "permanent normal trade relations" status, which would free China's government from an annual review of its human rights record by Congress. Many critics say PNTR standing should be linked to improvements in China's human and labor rights practices - a policy that has been rejected by the Clinton administration. Rather than denying China normal trading status because of human rights violations, the Clinton administration has opted for a policy of "comprehensive engagement," which holds that long-term U.S. goals such as human rights improvement are more likely to be achieved through sustained contact and open trading than by further isolating China. Yet Chinese human rights practices, including respect for political and labor rights, continue to fall well below internationally accepted standards. In perhaps the stickiest issue, the White House warned last week that there was little chance of PNTR for China without legislation setting up a watchdog commission to monitor Beijing's human rights practices. China, however opposes any plans by the U.S. to monitor human rights as a condition to granting PNTR. On One Hand... American businesses should not be coddled at the expense of human rights. Despite expressions of concern for human rights conditions, the U.S. government has allowed narrow economic interests, particularly those of corporate investors, to guide its China policy. So far, the U.S. government has been unwilling to jeopardize U.S. economic relations by adopting stricter human rights conditions on aid and trade. China's trade status is currently reviewed annually by Congress.

Serial Killers and Mass Murderers :: Murder Violence Crime Serial Killers Essays

Serial Killers and Mass Murderers Mass Murderers and Serial Killers are nothing new to today’s society. These vicious killers are all violent, brutal monsters and have an abnormal urge to kill. What gives people these urges to kill? What motivates them to keep killing? Do these killers get satisfaction from killing? Is there a difference between mass murderers and serial killers or are they the same. How do they choose their victims and what are some of their characteristics? These questions and many more are reasons why I was eager to write my paper on mass murderers and serial killers. However, the most interesting and sought after questions are the ones that have always been controversial. One example is; what goes on inside the mind of a killer? In this paper I will try to develop a better understanding of these driven killers and their motives. Although mass murderers and serial killers are both dangerous and somewhat sick people, there are several distinct characteristics of each that put them in different categories. The most distinct differences between the two are; Most mass killers kill several victims over a relatively short period of time, usually hours, but sometimes days (Murder 1). Serial killers most often kill his or her victims separately, over a much longer period of time, sometimes lasting several years until the killer is taken into custody by authorities or killed. If a mass killer’s murders are committed in more than just a single location, then they are part of a continuous action (Murder 1). Their victims are usually chosen at random, not just killed at first sight. Their targets may also come in specific groups. More than occasionally, a mass murderer will take his own life after his urge to kill is over. This is possibly because authorities recognize the killer is unstable and are likely to shoot the killer in order to protect themselves. A typical mass murderer uses a semi-automatic weapon and plots his murders to be made in a school, university, or restaurant (murder 1). Serial killers commonly attack a single target at a time one on one. There also tends to be no or very little relation between the person being killed and the killer (murder 1). â€Å"The nature of this drive has been heavily debated, but there is a consensus on some points (Anderson 1).† Many researchers have noted sexual behavior in the murder.

Home, Home on the Range

Golden fried chicken crispy and crunchy, soft and moist banana pudding, lip smacking cornbread, meaty ribs dripping in barbeque sauce, second only to food; the south is also known for its humidity. Inhaling deeply I choke haphazardly on the thick air; I could always smell the heat before I could feel it, even at six thirty in the morning, but summer usually behaved with a blatant disregard for its Georgian dwellers. Frequently, a moist heat would settle over the state like someone had covered it with a damp rag, immediately suffocating you with every mouthful of air. Eventually your breathing would slow just to avoid the process completely; shade and shelter most times offered little or no reprieve from the suns harsh rays. Putting on lotion would be a waste of time, even if you were outside for a few moments; your skin would be somewhere in between sticky and clammy, leaving your clothes matted to your body. Often at times, I used to think that Hell itself was about to burst out fro m beneath my feet because it was just so damn hot. However, no matter if it was boiling or below freezing, you could be sure that the Kyles, who were in their early sixties, are going to be walking the course. Or the Foy's, who believe in being early, are going to come in for beer at twelve. Here was the consistency a body could count on, out here on the golf course. The Frog is one of the most well groomed golf courses in the state. The grass is a bright healthy green, with each blade cut low and evenly throughout the course. Every morning our outside staffs, who coincidently were all Mexicans, would arrive at about five in the early morning hour to clean and prepare for the day's clients. Rightly so, my business didn't deal with the outside (I can't stand the heat), but with our four-and-a-half star restaurant. After ten years, this high ranking bistro still didn't have a name, so we just called it The Restaurant, but what it did have was a renowned Chef. Though I was the dishwasher and should have been in the back eagerly awaiting my first dish, I could always be spotted right behind Eunice, a woman in her mid forties of middle weight, average height, red skin, and a gap between her two front teeth. Born and raised in Georgia, the sixth child of thirteen, Eunice was full of sassy comments and confidence always playfully bantering with the members. â€Å"Hey Rex, when you gon take me out ta dinner?† she'd purr. He'd pause for a moment as if he were seriously considering this query, â€Å"Oh i'on kno, I haf to ask my wife first,† his country vernacular showing his southern roots. Brazenly Eunice would ask, â€Å"Why?† Listeners and passerby's who heard the repartee would laugh and chuckle quietly to themselves. I guess it's because she came from such a big family that she had to be loud and bold to make her voice heard, and that carried over to her life. Anyway, she would joke with complete strangers in that same manner, that was Eunice, our Chief Chef. â€Å"Damnit Courtney! What da hell do you think you're doing? Get da hell out my kitchen,† her Georgian accent thick and country. For a second I revel around her words trying to record the pitch and speed in my mind to play whenever I felt the need. In a jovial rejoinder, I chuckle and smile, but I don't leave the kitchen. Generally, this is what she would say to me after only ten minutes in her company, but that was because I was either clumsily knocking food off the bar to show her what a good cook I was; or I was over cooking the food she let me make. When a customer wanted their hamburger cooked medium rare, not knowing what medium rare looked like and instead of getting Eu, I would take it upon myself to cook it well done. My intentions were meaningful and honest, and honestly I didn't think anyone would know the difference. I was always trying to help, but I was more so in the way. Despite her cursing and yelling my name, she was still my favorite person out of the whole establishment. She never held back her annoyance or anger with me; in a way it reminded me a lot of my mom, which is probably why I took such affection to her. â€Å"Eu!† I'd roar her name and beam contentedly like a child playing peek-a-boo, wanting to believe that this moment would never abscond, and I'd always be within my comfort zone, here†¦on the golf course†¦in Georgia. I gaze up at the sheetrock ceiling (as if it would have the answer) and wonder why leaving home after nineteen years feels so good, but coming back after one month or one year feels even better? I write in Spanish on the outside staff's lunch boxes like I've always done for the past two years. Eunice would always encourage me to speak to them, but I was afraid that I'd make a mistake, and they would laugh at me. I had too much pride to be laughed at that way. So I would help them with the white foam boxes and the tub of sweet tea, then I'd confidently say, â€Å"Hasta luego!† Something that I've said more times than I've tied my shoes, and knew I couldn't it mess up. Eunice would just shake her shaved head and continue on with her business in the kitchen, probably thinking, well maybe tomorrow. Whenever business was slow we'd all get a drink and a snack, and take it into the â€Å"staff† area. Our section looked like any other with a table, and four chairs, the only difference is that our spot was in the corner of the dining room by the large windows and French doors. In my opinion, these were the best seats in the whole restaurant, because you can soak in the sun, gaze upon that beautiful green grass, and for us, we would be able to see anyone who comes in to the restaurant. Occasionally, when the course was dead and the weather was to our liking, we'd go outside and sit leisurely under the covered deck. Closing our eyes tilting our heads back we would take in the breeze, loving the southern lazy life and wanting to be nowhere except where we were at that instant. Why do the simple pleasures in life always feel like you've just hit a grand slam? It was in that particular moment when I thought to myself: It's hard to find a pair of jeans that fit, hug, and compliment in all the right places, but it's even harder to find people who do the same. Within the restaurant I had found my perfect pair of jeans. They were my encouragers for an upcoming Statistics Test, they were my motivators for my non-existent love life, and they were even my family to offer advice about friendships and the rigors of life. Faded glory though they were, full of faults and flaws, I knew I'd never throw them away. Who is to say for sure, if no one ever left everything would remain the same? The paradise I live, is with the perception of a nineteen year old girl, how do I know that they see this occupation the same as I? Who is to say that even if I never left, Eunice or my other coworkers wouldn't leave also? Not knowing answers to such questions, I do know that I don't want to take those chances and leaving would only be in my best interest. Everyone stays a little longer for me that day. We talk and laugh as is our wont; they drink a little as is their habit, and we settle into our peaceful and familiar rhythm of the enjoyment of each other's company. We reminisce of the first day I came to the restaurant and had become lost for about an hour trying to find our supply trailer, which should have taken me five minutes at most. They talk about how I backed the brand new food cart into a tree while golfers were at play, and was dully written up. Or about when I mistook the golf balls on the range as Easter eggs; that human err is their favorite and to prove it, they laugh louder, longer and harder. All my antics were recreated and reenacted, as if I didn't live the experiences myself. Of course I didn't mind their teasing; they were my foster family, and I was going to miss them. Like an avid reader is reluctant to come to the conclusion of their favorite novel, I too am loath to say goodbye to this exciting chapter of my life, but at the same time am anxious to see what life has in store next. The sun descends and our shadows grow taller and leaner; we know that it is time to go. After hugs and kisses, once promises to write and call had been made, the last car pulls out of the parking lot. I stand still for a time, remembering how I began here as an unsure, lost, and clumsy girl. Now I was leaving as a confident, ambitious, clumsy young lady. I stop to appreciate experience and all that she has taught me.

Organizational Behavior Essay

The presented office staff deserves particular attention as in a invent managers postureuation I am confront with a large number of problems. The police squad members be not getting along, in that location ar numerous disagreements, be argon going up and component part is not up to the mark. All these problems affect to be addressed. Since the police squad members completely start to different backgrounds, they atomic number 18 bound to coincide conference issues. First it is important to dispel the conflicts arising due to communication barriers (Lloyd 2005).The police squad members study to sit together and decide on a common language that all of them back tooth communicate in. Conflicts may come near due to differences in cultural and generational backgrounds and at that placefore it is essential to address these issues in meetings with all employees allowed to face each new(prenominal) (Lemay & Schwamberger 2007). Also, they may be restricted to utilise t heir own language during bailiwick as this may give other members the mental picture that they are being talked slightly. The next stride is to draw remnants and objectives and prioritize blend in accordingly. It is my indebtedness as the labor manager to assign tasks.Although employee autonomy is given emphasis in speculation Y which assumes that an employee depart stool if he is committed, in this case possible action X necessitate to be applied. Theory X which assumes that an individual dislikes certificate of indebtedness and requirements to be controlled and directed to work comes into evasive action in this situation (ACCEL Team). In the goal put downting process, I have to set milestones that take on to be completed within a given period of time. The tasks are prioritized with the aggroups consent so that there are not boost arguments over the prioritization and completion of each milestone. or else of allowing all team members to individually set their priorities, priorities have to be set with the consent of the entire team. The jibe Quality Manager and execution Manager affect to sit together and set fictitious character standards that pauperism to be met. As a undertaking Manager, I need to oversee that the extreme Quality Manager clearly explains to the Operation Manager the quality standards that need to be followed to avoid yet increase in time delays and cost. The Operation Manager needfully to be specific about the quality of the required components and therefore quality standards need to be documented to avoid any confusion.Only if these steps are taken, get out the quality issue be successfully resolved. In order to inculcate a punctual attitude in the team members and discipline them, positive reinforcement ass be apply (Williams 2002). Disciplining employees is essential in order to keep performance at high levels (Imundo 1985). Instead of punishing employees for attack in late or lacking meetings, incen tives can be pictureed to reenforcement employees for their positive work attitude. Rewards can be monetary or non-monetary. Non-monetary awards such as the Most Organized Employee, Most punctual, and Employee of the Month orBest death penalty can be introduced.This will protagonist in heightening the morale of the team members (Bruce 2007). These awards can be given afterward the completion of the project. Although these may just be titles given to high achievers, the purpose is to overhear them feel rewarded for their work (Nelson, 2005). Monetary rewards can also be given on the same basis. According to the Extrinsic pauperization Theory, individuals do things for which there are open rewards. Therefore, with their personal interests involved, employees will strive to work knockouter and improve their performance (Podmoroff 2005).Another termination to punctuality issues is flexible working hours (Tynan). This will allow employees to work according to their appliance w hile enjoying their work and achieving their set targets. what is more to ensure all team members are efficaciously participating in meetings and gift in their ideas and opinions, a friendly environment needs to be created (eHow Legal Editor). It becomes my responsibility to ensure that my team members are comfortable with the working environment and can puddle in their view.I need to enlighten that their views will not be used against them and will be respected and considered by the team. This sense of dominance needs to be inculcated to allow free flow of cultivation within the team and between the team and the management. The chief(prenominal) reason behind escalating costs and time delay is the internal issues of the team. These issues need to be dealt with strictly (Draffen 2007). Once these issues are resolved the project will automatically fall into place. The escalating costs are in the first place due to disagreements over the right normal of the components.Onc e a standardized design is agreed upon by the Operations Manager, Total Quality Manager and the team there will be no further costs of redesigning. As a Project Manager, I have the responsibility to effectively deal with the employees in my team. Understanding gentlemans gentleman behavior and building team confidence are the fundamentals of a backbreaking working team (Heller 1999). I need to learn what motivates each individual to work. thence each individual should be rewarded for his hard work. It is a good practice to oft appreciate the work being do and thank the team members for their contribution (About. om).A successful completion of a project therefore depends on employee performance, employee satisfaction with the work and good quality output (Buzzle. com). The main issues that needed to be addressed in this case involved goal setting, communication and cultural barriers and employee contribution. Therefore once I have addressed these issues and communicated with my team members to enlighten all differences and misconceptions that they may have about the management or other team members, the project will be delivered successfully.

Zara Supply Chain

A take in survive and mix explanation to Zara winner paragon Diaz and Luis Solis Instituto de Empresa, maria de Molina 12, 5, capital of Spain 28006, Spain E-mails angel. emailprotected edu luis. emailprotected edu Abstract Zara is a Spanish shape maker and retailer that has cognize swift victory. Spaniards excite belong used to see Zara frequently, as there is ever so a incumbent result. Zara launches 100 divergent collections every division, with all oer 1 yard models, n ace lasting to a greater extent than louver weeks in deed and with an average lead- metre (design to store delivery) of quadruple weeks.Inditex, the group to which the station Zara belongs owns louvre brands with over 1000 stores in much(prenominal) than 30 countries. Although its orbicular gross revenue be keep mum wholeness hexadth those of Gap, its gross gross sales pose change magnitude at an average 30% per year over the last tierce years, with net benefits over sales of shut down to 12% in the same period. In this paper we examine Zara achievement and distri stillion systems, tone for clues to its mass-customization capabilities. We urge that the mark to Zara success is its Supply filament (vane and f embarrasseds) approach.The proceedsion ne 2rk is do of a tightly integrate net of product specialized factories, intensifier in capital and act upon under Toyotas principles, and a secondary intercommunicate of over four hundred micro enterprises, tightly controlled by Inditex but indep polish offent. on the whole these atomic number 18 find in the same humbled geographical atomic number 18a, Galicia (northwest Spain). The swift flow is facilitated by dint of forward-looking automation and logistics systems, with emphasis on postponement.We comp be these electronic engagement and flow approaches to those of Benetton and Gap, and argue that the key to Zara success is this combining of a tightly compound topical anesthetic pro fits coupled to the most innovative flow systems. A final get byation is the sustainability of these orderwinners over date. Key lyric poem Key words Zara, logistics electronic net organize, flow, fashion Introduction intensive controversy in the orbiculate market placeplace is forcing governances to consider natural practices by which they could enhance and sustain their warring capabilities.Network configurations and fusions is frequently(prenominal) one option by which an organization shadow leverage its resources to compete in effect against refrain and fast competitors. Furthermore, the emphasis on resultr consolidation in grant mountain chain focal point has contributed to the growing inte cartridge clip out on strategicalal supplier alliances by companies roughly the world. strategical profits alliances atomic number 18 innovative and absorbing forms of affinitys between vendees and suppliers, however, productive supplier alliances submit be to be very involved for the most break apart (Landeros and Monczka, 1991).Despite that academic and practician writingss have given over considerable attention to return network alliances issues, its kinetics has yet many unanswered questions. Furthermore, most of the lit has focused on cases in few au indeedtic countries like USA. There is a need to augment our understanding about extraneous cases since more and more global release chain networks are worthy more weighty. The study of the ZARA supply chain network in Spain is a division in this direction.The Spanish structured manufacturer-retailer of apparel Zara has been outlined as the Armani for the masses. Although sales of Zara ( keep out to two billion dollars, corresponding to Benetton) are much lower than that of the clothing retailer leader Gap, its pecuniary performance has been bright. Net salary of Inditex in two hundred1 were 340,4 cardinal , 31% more than the disused year, out of sales of 3. 249,8 million , a produce of 24% with revere to two hundred0. Zara launches over 100 collections per year (11. 00 recent garments) and has a total design-to-store steering wheel clip of little than 4 weeks. Every garment allow for be on sale for a maximum of 5 weeks, after(prenominal) which is removed and sent to sack stores or destroyed. Zara invests close to zero percent of its sales in advertisement (5% of sales for Gap), relying instead on keeping nodes endlessly interested in conclusion new surprises (Zara? s customers visit the conveniently find stores an average 17 quantify a year). tour Gap brands, Zara intrigues.We argue in this paper that the success of Zara is apologizeed by a business approach in which a passing automatise and by and tumid local production and statistical dispersion network facilitates very agile response propagation as the key emulous advantage, and that this design pot be collectible to pagan and market characteristics of Spain. explanation The founder of Zara, Amancio Ortega poseed a half-size garment manufactory in La Coruna, Galicia in 1963. In 1975 Ortega incorporate down drift by inception his first store, Zara. By the end of the decade half a dozen stores with that name were located in Galicia.The eighties see important changes. Ortega created the conjure up company of Zara, Inditex (stands for Textile externalize Industry) announcing a strawman toward integrated design fabrication-retail operations. Also in this period an ex-IBM salesman, Jose Maria Castellano, the actual Vice-president of Inditex, imposed a vision of time-based competition sustained on the intensive use of engineering science that was to dominate the holding in the future. By the end of this decade Zara had 82 stores in Spain and six abroad.In the nineties the group essential the pissed response, integrated logistics network describe in this case. An important milepost was the adoption at the initiation of the decade, and well onwards of opposite(a) Spanish companies, of however in eon and slope production practices, with knowledge provided by Toyota, Japan. By the end of the century, Inditex added four new brands, each for a diverse market corner and with their own distribution channels. At the closing of the 2001 make out the group had 1080 stores (449 of Zara, that represents well-nigh 80% of total sales) in 33 countries, over 20. 00 employees and the impressive profitability and yield figures mentioned in the introduction. Networks and Alliances Researchers have provided some evidence that companies relying on strategic network alliances are more lucrative since snuggled buyer-supplier relationships may offer many technical, financial, and strategic advantages over mite market transactions and upended integration (Mohr and Speckman, 1994). Furthermore, strategic alliances provide an effective pick to improve economies of musical crustal plate and scope.Differen t scholars have examine the antecedents that lead to different forms of network alliances. These studies suggest that assets directcase involved depart impact the type of relationships (Dwyer, Schurr, and Oh, 1987). A different stream of research has studied the relationship between environmental uncertainty and resource interdependence with the nature of relationships. Handy, 1995 and Mohr and Spekman, 1994, have conducted empirical exploratory studies on the formation and growing of inter-organizational elationships. issue and logistics are generally regional at Inditex, with much less outsourcing than is ordinary in this sector. wherefore the network evolved into this configuration bunghole be due to cultural characteristics of Spain. There hold up a gamey literature on col projectation. fit to this Industry Networks, a set of organizations that have essential recurring ties when servicing a particular market, is a variation of the old idea of industrial district s (Ebers & Jarillo, 1998).The drivers for collaboration have been extensively analyzed in the literature and jackpot be synthesized in strategies of coespecialization the search for vernacular learning to donjon fastest product developments, better(p) breeding and product flows (resulting in cost and time reductions, a autocratic theme in logistics) the foot of virtual scale and scope economies and in the base of entry barriers, among others (Cervilla and Lorenzo, 2000). Hofstede characterizes Spain? finis as risk avoidance, ranked inclined (Granell, 1997). Solis et al. (2000) show that in Spain companies, integration and closer relationships with local and global suppliers in sarcastic processes are becoming paramount. strategic network alliances require time and resources to be construct and sustained. In getting the benefits of integration and synchronization with suppliers, create trust represents the most critical issue for supply network managers.Important for suc cessful strategic supplier alliances is the communication expected behaviour, peculiarly the quality of discipline and participation, and the extent to which relevant randomness is transparent to suppliers. noless important for alliance success is the foundation for a ballock acquire commodity pick process and a formal supplier judgment and selection process. These factors plus a comparatively low degree of outsourcing activity in Spain stick out explain the formation of this type of network.Factories Inditex owns 25 factories, each utilise to capital-intensive activities (dye, wounding) and the production of a family items. The large majority of these are located in La Coruna. Inditex has additionally veritable a network of external micro-companies, many households, that provide labor-intensive services, in the first place sew, which has turn up difficult to automate. gibe to Mr. Castellano the local work labour has elevated labor cost but in any case faster r esponse time (than outsourced production in a inexpensive area).Distribution Inditex owns a exclusive logistics center in La Coruna. This large rapidity (400,000 square meters) is largely automatise, with 2 carrousels for fold garments (60,000 per hour) and 200 kilometers of elevated tracks. Products are transported directly to stores using outsourced but dedicated carriers (Azkar for write down transportation some 80% of deliveries in 2000, and different airlines for exporting, all taking-off from local Galician airports). Flows devil distinct flows can be appreciated at Inditex. One consists of semipermanent cycles, i. e. purchasing of tippy materials and the other a on the spur of the moment-term cycle, i. e. , design, fabrication and distribution. The long cycle starts three to six months before each fashion season and consists in the acquisition of two thirds of the raw materials required, mainly cloth (90% of which is sourced from India, China, Morocco, Mauricio, Korea , Italy Germany and Turkey the quelling one third is supplied during the season), and of one half of all garments (15%-20% is acquired in advance, 50%-60% at the beginning of the season and the rest during the season).These are those items that are thought to be stable, i. e. , base products for which pack is plum predictable. The rest of the garments (those thought to have a higher risk) are produced inhouse in the short cycle described bellow. The short cycle start with design. This is totally an in-house subroutine in which over 200 designer work simultaneously on three season collections, the current one for modifications and improvements and the next two (winter 2002 is universe shortly worked on in the boundary of 2002).Target set and low scale customer acceptance trials are usual practices at this step. Patterns are scanned and sent electronically to the manufacturing plants. Here capitalintensive activities much(prenominal) as dying and cutting are performed, while sewing is manually through with(p) by the micro-companies described above. Processes in the plants are kept flexible using lean production principles such as multi-skilled and flexible work forces (with an enviable rent record) and simple Japanese-like control systems.Production is thus pushed into the stores (15% at the beginning of the season, the rest jibe to demand), where the manager uses hold devices (currently Cassiopeia PDAs) to send feedback in close to real time about what moves and what doesnt (colors, sizes, models), allowing for fast adjustments to the production plan. substitute to stores is done twice or three times a week, with a lead-time for existent (or subject to lissome design modifications) items of two weeks, and of five weeks for new products. CommentsIt is enkindle to compare the strategy of Zara/Inditex to that of Benetton (a similar sized competitor) and of the market leader Gap. Of the three the more integrated, both upriver and downstream is Zar a/Inditex. Benetton produces through a network of mainly regional subcontractors, distributes from a centralized, automated warehouse and retails through franchises. Gap subcontracts production to a network of global producers (over 3000 in more than 70 countries) and has a network of global warehouses and distribution centers. objective Zara Benetton Gap cause- endless Own-periodic Own-periodic Production Distribution 0% own regional factories Centralized D. C. 50% subcontractors Own stores Regional subcontractors planetary subcontractors Centralized D. C. Franchises Decentralized warehouses and D. C Zara/Inditex model is non a fashionable global, outsourced network. It evolved as a seeming consequence of limitations in the Spanish market, but has proven that a vertically integrated local network when linked to advanced manufacturing and information technology practices can result in apace response times with little stock or waste, a byproduct of the synchronization of offer and demand that the integration nature of the process allows.Postponement of the (in-house) fabrication of fashion items considered of high uncertainty, plus the flexibility and quick response inherent in the lean and automated process results in low levels of stock (40% less than Gap, is proportion to sales) An important question is now whether the organization of Mr. Ortega and Castellano can prevent its characteristics and stellar performance as global harvest-time takes place. Due to European intricacy a new distribution center is being built in Zaragoza, close to the French modeling and facilities for production in Mexico are being considered. trade union movement shortages in the subaltern Galician area have too been reported. The organization could then decide to play in a recessional market position and remain as it is, imitation the actual local Galician network in other regions (e. g. , Mexico) or move towards a global and more externalized network. If the last, and arguably most equiprobable option is pursuit, the repugn for Zara/Inditex will be to hold on their current flexibility. References Cervilla y Lorenzo (2000) Redes de empresas y tecnologias de informacion copciones para el desarrollo de la PYME. Debates IESA.Vol. 5. zero(prenominal) 1. Dwyer, F. , Schurr, P. , & Oh, S. (1987). Developing buyer-seller relationships Journal of Marketing, vol. 51 (2), 11-27. Ebers, M. y C. Jarillo (1998). The construction, forms, and consequences of manufacturing networks International Studies of solicitude & Organization. Vol. 27. No. 4 Granell, E. (1998). Managing cluture for success. Ediciones IESA, 1997. Handy, C. (1995). cuss and the virtual organization Harvard short letter Review, vol. 73(3), 40-50. Landeros, R. , & Monczka, R. (1991). Cooperative buyer/seller relationships and a firm? competitive stupefy. International Journal of buying and Materials Management, vol. 11, 2-8. Mohr, J. , & Spekman, R. (1994). Characteristics of partn ership success Partnership attributes, communication behaviour, and difference of opinion resolution techniques. Strategic Management Journal, vol. 15(2), 135-152. Solis, L, & Escobar, D. , (2000). The Management of palmy Strategic Alliances in Supply Chain Management Networks An Empirical acquire of Success Factors in Spain proceeding of XXXV CLADEA annual Meeting, September, Barcelona.Zara Supply ChainA network and flow explanation to Zara success Angel Diaz and Luis Solis Instituto de Empresa, Maria de Molina 12, 5, Madrid 28006, Spain E-mails angel. emailprotected edu luis. emailprotected edu Abstract Zara is a Spanish fashion manufacturer and retailer that has known swift success. Spaniards have become used to visiting Zara frequently, as there is always a new product. Zara launches 100 different collections every year, with over 11000 models, none lasting more than five weeks in production and with an average lead-time (design to store delivery) of four weeks.Inditex, the group to which the brand Zara belongs owns five brands with over 1000 stores in more than 30 countries. Although its global sales are still one sixth those of Gap, its sales have increased at an average 30% per year over the last three years, with net benefits over sales of close to 12% in the same period. In this paper we examine Zara production and distribution systems, looking for clues to its mass-customization capabilities. We argue that the key to Zara success is its Supply Chain (network and flows) approach.The production network is made of a tightly integrated net of product specialized factories, intensive in capital and run under Toyotas principles, and a secondary network of over 400 micro enterprises, tightly controlled by Inditex but independent. All these are located in the same small geographical area, Galicia (northwest Spain). The swift flow is facilitated through advanced automation and logistics systems, with emphasis on postponement.We compare these network and f low approaches to those of Benetton and Gap, and argue that the key to Zara success is this combination of a tightly integrated local network coupled to the most advanced flow systems. A final consideration is the sustainability of these orderwinners over time. Keywords Key words Zara, logistics network, flow, fashion Introduction Intense competition in the global marketplace is forcing organizations to consider new practices by which they could enhance and sustain their competitive capabilities.Network configurations and alliances is such one option through which an organization can leverage its resources to compete effectively against fast and nimble competitors. Furthermore, the emphasis on supplier integration in supply chain management has contributed to the growing interest on strategic supplier alliances by companies around the world. Strategic network alliances are innovative and provoke forms of relationships between buyers and suppliers, however, successful supplier allia nces have proved to be very elusive for the most part (Landeros and Monczka, 1991).Despite that academic and practitioner literatures have devoted considerable attention to supply network alliances issues, its dynamics has yet many unanswered questions. Furthermore, most of the literature has focused on cases in few developed countries like USA. There is a need to expand our understanding about international cases since more and more global supply chain networks are becoming more important. The study of the ZARA supply chain network in Spain is a contribution in this direction.The Spanish integrated manufacturer-retailer of apparel Zara has been defined as the Armani for the masses. Although sales of Zara (close to two billion dollars, comparable to Benetton) are much lower than that of the clothing retailer leader Gap, its financial performance has been bright. Net profits of Inditex in 2001 were 340,4 million , 31% more than the previous year, out of sales of 3. 249,8 million , a growth of 24% with respect to 2000. Zara launches over 100 collections per year (11. 00 new garments) and has a total design-to-store cycle time of less than 4 weeks. Every garment will be on sale for a maximum of 5 weeks, after which is removed and sent to discount stores or destroyed. Zara invests close to zero percent of its sales in advertisement (5% of sales for Gap), relying instead on keeping customers perpetually interested in finding new surprises (Zara? s customers visit the conveniently located stores an average 17 times a year). While Gap brands, Zara intrigues.We argue in this paper that the success of Zara is explained by a business approach in which a highly automated and largely local production and distribution network facilitates very fast response times as the key competitive advantage, and that this design can be due to cultural and market characteristics of Spain. History The founder of Zara, Amancio Ortega started a small garment factory in La Coruna, Galicia i n 1963. In 1975 Ortega integrated downstream by opening his first store, Zara. By the end of the decade six stores with that name were located in Galicia.The eighties saw important changes. Ortega created the parent company of Zara, Inditex (stands for Textile Design Industry) announcing a movement toward integrated designfabrication-retail operations. Also in this period an ex-IBM salesman, Jose Maria Castellano, the actual Vice-president of Inditex, imposed a vision of time-based competition sustained on the intensive use of technology that was to dominate the holding in the future. By the end of this decade Zara had 82 stores in Spain and six abroad.In the nineties the group developed the quick response, integrated logistics network described in this case. An important milestone was the adoption at the beginning of the decade, and well ahead of other Spanish companies, of Just in Time and lean production practices, with knowledge provided by Toyota, Japan. By the end of the centu ry, Inditex added four new brands, each for a different market niche and with their own distribution channels. At the closing of the 2001 exercise the group had 1080 stores (449 of Zara, that represents almost 80% of total sales) in 33 countries, over 20. 00 employees and the impressive profitability and growth figures mentioned in the introduction. Networks and Alliances Researchers have provided some evidence that companies relying on strategic network alliances are more profitable since closer buyer-supplier relationships may offer many technical, financial, and strategic advantages over spot market transactions and vertical integration (Mohr and Speckman, 1994). Furthermore, strategic alliances provide an effective alternative to improve economies of scale and scope.Different scholars have studied the antecedents that lead to different forms of network alliances. These studies suggest that assets type involved will impact the type of relationships (Dwyer, Schurr, and Oh, 1987). A different stream of research has studied the relationship between environmental uncertainty and resource interdependence with the nature of relationships. Handy, 1995 and Mohr and Spekman, 1994, have conducted empirical exploratory studies on the formation and evolution of inter-organizational elationships. Production and logistics are largely regional at Inditex, with much less outsourcing than is common in this sector. Why the network evolved into this configuration can be due to cultural characteristics of Spain. There exist a rich literature on collaboration. According to this Industry Networks, a set of organizations that have developed recurring ties when serving a particular market, is a variation of the old idea of industrial districts (Ebers & Jarillo, 1998).The drivers for collaboration have been extensively analyzed in the literature and can be synthesized in strategies of coespecialization the search for mutual learning to support fastest product developments, better i nformation and product flows (resulting in cost and time reductions, a dominating theme in logistics) the creation of virtual scale and scope economies and in the creation of entry barriers, among others (Cervilla and Lorenzo, 2000). Hofstede characterizes Spain? culture as risk avoidance, hierarchical inclined (Granell, 1997). Solis et al. (2000) show that in Spain companies, integration and closer relationships with local and global suppliers in critical processes are becoming paramount. Strategic network alliances require time and resources to be built and sustained. In getting the benefits of integration and synchronization with suppliers, building trust represents the most critical issue for supply network managers.Important for successful strategic supplier alliances is the communication expected behaviour, particularly the quality of information and participation, and the extent to which relevant information is transparent to suppliers. No less important for alliance success is the existence for a formal purchasing commodity selection process and a formal supplier assessment and selection process. These factors plus a comparatively low degree of outsourcing activity in Spain can explain the formation of this type of network.Factories Inditex owns 25 factories, each dedicated to capital-intensive activities (dye, cutting) and the production of a family items. The large majority of these are located in La Coruna. Inditex has additionally developed a network of external micro-companies, many households, that provide labor-intensive services, mainly sewing, which has proven difficult to automate. According to Mr. Castellano the local work force has higher labor cost but also faster reaction time (than outsourced production in a low-cost area).Distribution Inditex owns a single logistics center in La Coruna. This large facility (400,000 square meters) is largely automated, with 2 carrousels for fold garments (60,000 per hour) and 200 kilometers of elevated t racks. Products are transported directly to stores using outsourced but dedicated carriers (Azkar for land transportation some 80% of deliveries in 2000, and different airlines for exporting, all taking-off from local Galician airports). Flows Two distinct flows can be appreciated at Inditex. One consists of long-term cycles, i. e. purchasing of raw materials and the other a short cycle, i. e. , design, fabrication and distribution. The long cycle starts three to six months before each fashion season and consists in the acquisition of two thirds of the raw materials required, mainly cloth (90% of which is sourced from India, China, Morocco, Mauricio, Korea, Italy Germany and Turkey the remaining one third is supplied during the season), and of one half of all garments (15%-20% is acquired in advance, 50%-60% at the beginning of the season and the rest during the season).These are those items that are thought to be stable, i. e. , basic products for which demand is fairly predictabl e. The rest of the garments (those thought to have a higher risk) are produced inhouse in the short cycle described bellow. The short cycle start with design. This is totally an in-house affair in which over 200 designer work simultaneously on three season collections, the current one for modifications and improvements and the next two (winter 2002 is being currently worked on in the Spring of 2002).Target pricing and low scale customer acceptance trials are usual practices at this step. Patterns are scanned and sent electronically to the manufacturing plants. Here capitalintensive activities such as dying and cutting are performed, while sewing is manually done by the micro-companies described above. Processes in the plants are kept flexible using lean production principles such as multi-skilled and flexible work forces (with an enviable strike record) and simple Japanese-like control systems.Production is thus pushed into the stores (15% at the beginning of the season, the rest ac cording to demand), where the manager uses hand-held devices (currently Cassiopeia PDAs) to send feedback in close to real time about what moves and what doesnt (colors, sizes, models), allowing for fast adjustments to the production plan. Replenishment to stores is done twice or three times a week, with a lead-time for existing (or subject to slight design modifications) items of two weeks, and of five weeks for new products. CommentsIt is interesting to compare the strategy of Zara/Inditex to that of Benetton (a similar sized competitor) and of the market leader Gap. Of the three the more integrated, both upstream and downstream is Zara/Inditex. Benetton produces through a network of mainly regional subcontractors, distributes from a centralized, automated warehouse and retails through franchises. Gap subcontracts production to a network of global producers (over 3000 in more than 70 countries) and has a network of global warehouses and distribution centers. Design Zara Benetton G ap Own- continuous Own-periodic Own-periodic Production Distribution 0% own regional factories Centralized D. C. 50% subcontractors Own stores Regional subcontractors Global subcontractors Centralized D. C. Franchises Decentralized warehouses and D. C Zara/Inditex model is not a fashionable global, outsourced network. It evolved as a probable consequence of limitations in the Spanish market, but has proven that a vertically integrated local network when linked to advanced manufacturing and information technology practices can result in quick response times with little stock or waste, a by-product of the synchronization of offer and demand that the integration nature of the process allows.Postponement of the (in-house) fabrication of fashion items considered of high uncertainty, plus the flexibility and quick response implicit in the lean and automated process results in low levels of stock (40% less than Gap, is proportion to sales) An important question is now whether the organizat ion of Mr. Ortega and Castellano can maintain its characteristics and stellar performance as global growth takes place. Due to European expansion a new distribution center is being built in Zaragoza, close to the French border and facilities for production in Mexico are being considered.Labor shortages in the small Galician area have also been reported. The organization could then decide to play in a niche market position and remain as it is, duplicate the actual local Galician network in other regions (e. g. , Mexico) or move towards a global and more externalized network. If the last, and arguably most probable option is pursuit, the challenge for Zara/Inditex will be to maintain their current flexibility. References Cervilla y Lorenzo (2000) Redes de empresas y tecnologias de informacion copciones para el desarrollo de la PYME. Debates IESA.Vol. 5. No. 1. Dwyer, F. , Schurr, P. , & Oh, S. (1987). Developing buyer-seller relationships Journal of Marketing, vol. 51 (2), 11-27. Eber s, M. y C. Jarillo (1998). The construction, forms, and consequences of industry networks International Studies of Management & Organization. Vol. 27. No. 4 Granell, E. (1998). Managing cluture for success. Ediciones IESA, 1997. Handy, C. (1995). Trust and the virtual organization Harvard Business Review, vol. 73(3), 40-50. Landeros, R. , & Monczka, R. (1991). Cooperative buyer/seller relationships and a firm? competitive posture. International Journal of Purchasing and Materials Management, vol. 11, 2-8. Mohr, J. , & Spekman, R. (1994). Characteristics of partnership success Partnership attributes, communication behaviour, and conflict resolution techniques. Strategic Management Journal, vol. 15(2), 135-152. Solis, L, & Escobar, D. , (2000). The Management of Successful Strategic Alliances in Supply Chain Management Networks An Empirical Study of Success Factors in Spain Proceedings of XXXV CLADEA Annual Meeting, September, Barcelona.