Critique of a speech by Tristram Stuart

This essay examines a speech by Tristram Stuart about the global food waste scandal, delivered at TEDsalon on May 2012. Tristram is an activist fighting food wastage in the developed world.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Critique of a speech by Tristram Stuart specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More He works with many nongovernmental organizations, governments and private organizations to tackle food wastage, hunger, and environmental pollution. He addressed a Ted talk show audience, with the objective of tackling the global food wastage problem. The speech sensitized the audience on the dangers of food overproduction and cosmetic food standards. In the speech, Tristram proves how western government’s policies and food standards have contributed to food overproduction. They directly lead to food wastage. In the process, valuable resources are lost and environmental degradation occurs through deforestation and ca rbon dioxide emission. He shows how factories, supermarkets, and people waste food without consideration. His speech is effective, because it connects with the audience and gives them practical ways of avoiding food wastage. Excess food should instead, be used to feed hungry people all over the world. Tristram makes powerful opening remarks that effectively capture the audience’s attention. His statements spark curiosity and he smoothly introduces his topic. He relates to the audience using real life examples that resonate with the audience. The examples connect him with the audience and people in different parts of the world.Advertising Looking for essay on british literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Throughout the speech, Tristram uses strongly worded statements complemented by photographs and scientific data. The photographs make his points real and believable. They have a big impact in the audience and help move his speech in the right direction. They also help him deliver his main points easily. He effectively uses demonstration aids to explain complicated ideas. They create interest and hold the audience’s attention. Demonstration aids helps the audience understand the complicated information easily. By using real life stories and humor, Tristram personalizes his speech. The humor makes the audience laugh. From the start of the speech to the end, Tristram does not use a script. Using direct eye contact, he easily connects with the audience. This makes his speech have the necessary impact. It also suggests that he had rehearsed his lines several times, and understands his topic perfectly. Despite his use of gestures throughout the speech, his body language is poor and he appears tensed. He should relax, and add more energy and enthusiasm during his speech to make it lively. He effectively uses vocal variety to signal the important points.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Critique of a speech by Tristram Stuart specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Emphasis, pauses, and pace signal important points. They show enthusiasm and increase understanding of the major points. He however fails to vary his volume throughout the speech. Tristram should avoid using complicated tables and figures in his presentation. Not many people can interpret and understand the tables. Complicated information can make people lose their connection and interest in the speech. He should use a simpler method of delivery to disseminate the complicated information. His dressing is suitable for the occasion and portrays him as a simple man, concerned for the hungry and the environment. This shows that he is passionate and committed to his work. Tristram signals his conclusion by use of powerful statements followed by a brief pause. This effectively prepares the audience for his closing remarks. He concludes with enthusiasm a nd with a call for everyone to stop wasting food. The conclusion was perfect and powerful. This essay on Critique of a speech by Tristram Stuart was written and submitted by user Marissa Daniel to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

John F. Kennedys Inaugural Address, 1961

John F. Kennedys Inaugural Address, 1961 This presentation was effective because President Kennedy was able to communicate his feelings and ideas to the public openly. His opening tone was warm and this endeared him to the audience. His voice, body expressions and reassuring smile made Americans have confidence in his ability as their new leader. This made it easy for him to strike a strong rapport with all dignitaries who had attended the ceremony.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, 1961 specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The President was humble in victory and this showed that he was ready to work with all people in his quest to build a united nation. He showed that his Presidency was going to set high standards of leadership because he was ready to be judged more by his performance in office rather than mere rhetoric (Kennedy). The speech revealed the strong charisma which President Kennedy was famous for, which was just one of his many admirable traits. He was passionate about human rights, justice, equality for all and freedom; ideals which are traditionally associated with the US as a nation. The inauguration speech was a testimony to the fact that President Kennedy’s administration was willing to practice these ideals to make America strong and united. He showed his willingness to make America more progressive economically, socially and culturally (Kennedy). This inaugural address showed his traits as a statesman who was willing to transcend racial, ideological, cultural and religious barriers to reach out to leaders of other states. He revealed his own selfless virtues as a leader who was willing to accommodate dissenting views in his own country. His words offered encouragement to people from all different backgrounds to work hard to improve their own welfare in society. President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration address came at a critical point in the history of the U.S as a nation.This speech showed that he had a lot of enthusiasm in his role as the country’s new leader which made America proud as a nation. He was an inspiring leader who was in touch with feelings and aspirations of what fellow citizens in his country wanted. President Kennedy came to office at the height of the Cold War between U.S.A and the then, U.S.S.R. The two super powers were engaged in a battle to dominate global affairs through their capitalist and communist political ideologies, respectively (Kennedy). When he assumed office, President Kennedy faced many challenges as a leader which seemed insurmountable at the time. Through his words, he managed to uplift the morale and pride of his fellow Americans, who were going through tough political times. Historically, President Kennedy is regarded as one of the best leaders that served America. His inaugural address portrayed him as a leader who was not afraid to make sacrifices for the benefit of all Americans. He proved tha t he was ready to use his wisdom to steer the country to greater heights both economically and socially.Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More President Kennedy’s address showed that he was committed to the welfare of his people; a trait which many modern political leaders do not have (Kennedy). He had defeated his challenger in the election by a very narrow margin yet his win proved pivotal in America’s history. His presidency was a calming influence to a nation which was becoming restless about the intentions of U.S.S.R regarding its support for Fidel Castro of Cuba. Kennedy, John F. U.S. Presidential Inaugural Address. You Tube, 1961. Speech.

Foreign Policy of United States Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Foreign Policy of United States - Essay Example During this time, among other things was the settling of the West and the Indian Wars. The United States signed the Treaty of Guadalupe de Hidalgo in 1848 which gave the Southwestern lands to the United States. This began the migration west and the Indian Wars began. This time was marked by much sadness and death. Most of the western lands belonged to different Indian tribes. All of those tribes depended on their hunting grounds to survive. There was much to lose in the loss of their lands. Life would disappear as they knew it. As the white man continued to move into the area, with them came buffalo hunters and white ranchers. These people killed buffalo by the millions just to get their pelts and trampled the land. The people began to starve and there was no way to feed the women and children of the tribes. The government established treaties with most of the tribes giving them rations of food and clothing to allow pioneers to pass through their lands. Most of these pioneers came with the thoughts that the only good Indian is a dead Indian. The Indians land was taken from them and they continued to be forced onto to reservations that were on land that was mostly worthless. They could not hunt and the land would not support stock or farming. Even those that fought back like Sitting Bull and Red Cloud were eventually defeated. The Trail of Tears which was the removal of five Tribes from Southeast Oklahoma Cherokees were marched to a reservation. The march killed most of the old people and many of the women and children. It was a loss that the Cherokee and most of the white people of today will never let be forgotten but was only one example of the many cruelties that these People withstood. The Battle at Wounded Knee is another. In this case essentially a whole tribe was shot dead in camp. It is hard to see it as a Battle, as it seems it was pretty one sided. 1914-1919 Woodrow Wilson who was known as the President of the people was President at this time. He was the idealistic President and up until the time we entered World War I, the country was isolationist in values. Wilson changed many things in this country during that time. He believed that government should be for the common people and during his first term he helped farmers with the Federal Farm Loan Act and the Warehouse Act. The Farm Loan Act allowed low interest loans available to farmers and the Warehouse Act authorized them to have security loans on staple crops. Social welfare programs were started. Workman's compensation began to protect workers and the Child Labor Act began. The Child Labor Act only allowed products produced by children 14 or older to be sold. He followed that with the Adamson Act which only allowed children to work an 8 hour day. The Underwood Act established the first income tax and that was felled by the Federal Reserve Act. All of these things happened because of Wilson's idealist attitude (Ferrell, 2001). Unfortunately the idealistic attitude that helped the country so much also led to it entering World War I. Some say that Wilson had it in mind from the very beginning to enter the war and others say it was because of his pride (Hoover, 2009). We will probably never know the answer to that. Whatever

Reflective account Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Reflective account - Essay Example In keeping with customer satisfaction, the sales and marketing departments at Pendennis actually take notes on their customer’s opinions to help improve not only the company, but also the product itself. This is true customer service at its finest. While both companies have specific design specifications that can fit any need, Pendennis stands out in as much as they only allow for 8-9 projects at a time, in order to focus on quality, not quantity. They also strive to achieve the highest standards of excellence in their team, with extensive training and proper management. A&P is also a company that took me by surprise. Given their higher standards of design and construction, they offer international services that are second to none. They own six fully operational dry docks in the UK, and are continuing to expand. They set the standard worldwide in price, quality, safety and the environment. A&P is unusual in the fact that they offer their customers the option of travelling the globe for them to do a repair, rather than the customer bringing their yacht in to them. This is rare and an exceptional quality for a company to have. Although A&P is a very large company, they are very employee as well as customer oriented, to provide only the best to both. Their health and safety record for crew and visitors is incredible, and ensure the safest and most environmentally friendly work environment for their employees as well. 2. Would you like to work for one of these companies? Yes, I would. Although A&P has just as high standards as Pendennis, I would prefer to work for Pendennis to A&P. The reason for this is that at Pendennis, their management levels and ability to build and maintain partnerships with clients is second to none. They have received many awards that can attest to their ability as well as their passion for building yachts. Pendennis also has an apprenticeship program, which allows for an unskilled or unseasoned worker the opportunity of a lifetime t o work for this company, whose apprenticeship program is also renowned. Pendennis has numerous shipyards in Europe and the U. S., providing an employee even more opportunity. They are committed to quality, not quantity, and do everything they can to ensure the customer’s satisfaction and needs are met every time. Regardless of which avenue someone wanted to pursue in yacht building, the high level of training and support of the staff is paramount to the production of quality products. They have many different courses available, so qualifications for staff are easily met, but not without the same high expectation of intelligence, quality and reliability. From planning and design to every aspect of the actual fabrication of the yacht, Pendennis has a training program available to ensure the highest quality in every aspect, every time. 3. What do you think it would be like to be a customer? I think that being a customer of either company would be an experience that would not be matched elsewhere. From common grocery shopping to going out to a restaurant, customer service has fallen in its quality and availability in recent years. Often, customers are more often looked at as an inconvenience, rather than an asset. Therefore, to go to one of these shipbuilding companies, and have my opinions heard and addressed would be amazing. To have my

AMEX vs NASDAQ - Similarities and Differences Assignment

AMEX vs NASDAQ - Similarities and Differences - Assignment Example To start off both Amex and NASDAQ are companies that are based on the stock market. Both handle major clients and conduct transactions with many different exchanges. Both also deal with the buying and selling of stocks. As regards to the popularity, each is widely known and capitalizes on their investors.While similarities exist, both corporations do have obvious differences. The major point of difference is that Amex uses floor exchange methodology; a specialist system with a centralized limit order book while NASDAQ employs an electronic listing of competing dealer quotes. This difference leads on to other differences such as transaction processing time (slower in the case of Amex) and efficiency.As mentioned earlier the AMEX is an order-driven continuous auction market, the foundation stone of which are the market makers or â€Å"specialists†. The work of the specialists is to facilitate continuous trading by posting quotes for their own account or by offering the best quot es on their limit order book, which represent a centralized depository for limit orders to buy or sell stocks at specified rates or better. Limit orders provide immediate liquidity and their importance on the AMEX can be judged by the fact that nearly 88% of the volume on AMEX arises from trades in which the specialists do not participate for their own account. But specialists in the AMEX are not allowed to trade ahead of limit orders at the same prices so their quotes usually reflect the limit order book. The result is temporarily stale limit prices (in the initial stages) after public announcements. This slow updating of limit orders can delay revisions in the best bid and ask quotes.

Islamic and Conventional Banking: Customer Satisfaction

Islamic and Conventional Banking: Customer Satisfaction Customer satisfaction is a business term which measure that how products and services supplied by a company or business organisation meet or fulfil customer expectations. Customer satisfaction is believed a very important and key performance indicator within a business. In a competitive marketplace where businesses compete for customers, customer satisfaction is a key differentiator and has become a very important element of business strategy. Banking is a customer oriented services industry, therefore, the customer is the focus and customer service is the differentiating factors. When the banks are offering almost the similar products and services with some principal differences. It is the customer satisfaction that can influence the performance and determine the competitiveness and success of either an Islamic or Conventional bank. Banks deal with thousands of customers everyday and render different types of services to them. It is a well known reality and fact that no business can exist and grow without customers. And the satisfaction of these customers is as important as the customers itself are important for any business. Satisfied customers are central to optimal performance and financial returns. Better understanding of customers perceptions is important for a Bank to determine the actions required to meet the customers needs. Banks can identify their own strengths and weaknesses, where they stand in comparison to their competitors, chart out path future progress and improvement. Customer satisfaction measurement helps to promote an increased focus on customer outcomes and stimulate improvements in the work practices and processes used within the company. 1.2 Research Objectives The main aim of this study is to:- Review and analyse the literature available on both Islamic and Conventional bank with special reference to Pakistan. Examine and evaluate the performance of the Islamic and conventional banks in Pakistan. Find out the level of Customers knowledge about the products and services provided by their banks. Find out the factors of customers dissatisfaction from the products and services of their bank. Find out the main factors of motivation for a customer to deal with either an Islamic or a conventional bank. Find out that to what extent customers are satisfied with their banks. 1.3 Research Questions The research is target to examine the Islamic and conventional banking in Pakistan in relation to product analysis and customer satisfaction. This research will be helpful to answer the following questions:- Performance of which form of banking is better than the other and why? What are the main differences between the products offered by the Islamic and Conventional banks in Pakistan? What is the customers satisfaction level with both forms of banking? What are the factors of motivation for a customer to deal with a bank? What are the main factors of customers dissatisfaction from a bank? Which form of banking is more rewarding and reliable in Pakistan? What are the suggestions and recommendation to improve the services and operations of both Islamic and Conventional banks? 1.4 Research Rational The Researcher worked in a conventional bank for about 1 year, at the time when there was no Islamic bank in Pakistan. But there seemed to be a demand in the customer for such kind of banks at that time. Researcher is keen to start his career in the banking sector of Pakistan. At the moment there are about 35 banks working in Pakistan out of which 6 of them are registered as Islamic banks, but majority of the Islamic banks started their operations very recently. But if we compare them with conventional banks in Pakistan conventional banks are much older and larger then these Islamic banks. The Researcher is committed to investigate the principal difference between the both conventional and Islamic banks, their products, their reliability and the factors encouraging the customers to invest their money in any of these two forms of banking. The researcher will also analyse the key factors which play their role in either the satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the customer of these banks and which form of banking is more successful in relation to customer Satisfaction and why? The researcher will also come out with the suggestions to improve the service of the banks to satisfy their customer. 1.5 Research Context Banks are performing various functions to provide variety of products and services for different sectors of the economy. Pakistan came into being in 1947; the first Pakistani bank started its operations the same year in the month of September. Since that time Pakistani banking sector is experiencing difficulties due to unpractical policies and uncertainty. Private Sector banks strongly dominated during the first almost 20 years but all the banks were nationalized in 1974, which proved disastrous move for the banking sector of Pakistan. Nationalization of private banks badly affected the performance of these banks. So, these banks were privatized again in 1992. Pakistans banking sector consists of Scheduled commercial banks, which include nationalized, foreign and private banks. Pakistans banking sector has been going through a comprehensive but complex and very painful process of restructuring since 1997. It is aimed at making these institutions financially sound and forging their li nks firmly with the real sector for promotion of savings, investment and growth. A complete turnaround in this sector will not be possible and is not expected as well but signs of improvement can be seen. Islamic banking was started in the late 70s in Pakistan, but it was initially introduced in the conventional banks. The first Islamic banking license was issued in 2002 to the Meezan Bank Ltd; this bank started its operations in Pakistan in the year 2003. The Islamic banking has gained momentum worldwide. There are more than 185 Islamic banks and financial institutions operating in the world. The popularity of Islamic banking in not limited to Islamic banks only. A large number of conventional banks in Pakistan and all over the world are showing increasing interest in the Islamic banking system as well. The consequence of this is that Islamic banks operating in Islamic countries are faced with strong competition not only from Islamic banks but also from non-Islamic rivals Habib Bank Ltd Habib Banks Ltd. was the first commercial bank to be established in Pakistan in 1947. Over the years, HBL has grown its branch network and become the largest private sector bank with over 1,450 branches across the country and a customer base exceeding five million relationships. The Government of Pakistan privatized HBL in 2004 through which AKFED acquired 51% of the banks shareholding and management control. HBL is majority owned (51%) by the Aga Khan Fund of Economic Development, 42.5% of the shareholding is retained by the Government of Pakistan (GOP), whilst 7.5% is owned by the general public i.e. over 170,000 shareholders following the public listing that took place in July 2007. Nepal, Nigeria, Kenya and Kyrgyzstan and rep offices in Iran and China, HBL is also the largest domestic multinational. The bank is expanding its presence in principal international markets including the UK, UAE, South and Central Asia, Africa and the Far East. Key areas of operations encompass product offering and services in retail and consumer banking. HBL has the largest corporate Banking portfolio in the country with an active investment banking arm. SME and Agriculture lending programmes and banking services are offered in urban and rural centres. HBL is currently rated AA (Long term) and A-1+ (Short term) and has a balance sheet size over USD 11 billion. It is the first Pakistani bank to raise Tier II Capital from external sources. Meezan Bank Ltd. Meezan Bank Limited, a publicly listed company, was incorporated on January 27, 1997 and started operations as an investment bank in August that year. In January, 2002 in a historic initiative, Meezan Bank was granted the nations first full-fledged commercial banking license as a dedicated Islamic Bank, by the State Bank of Pakistan. Meezan Bank has clearly established itself as the largest Islamic Bank in Pakistan with the largest Islamic Banking branch network in the country. The banking sector is showing a significant paradigm shift away from traditional means of business and is catering to an increasingly astute and demanding financial consumer, who is also becoming keenly aware of Islamic Banking. Meezan Bank bears the critical responsibility of leading the way forward in establishing a stable and dynamic Islamic Banking system replete with dynamic and cutting-edge products and services. During the eight years of its operations as an Islamic commercial bank offering universal banking services to customers, Meezan Bank has been one of the fastest growing banks in the history of Pakistans banking sector. Average growth in deposits has been 55% per annum during this period while the branch network grew from 4 to 201. The Bank has established a strong and credible management team comprised of experienced professionals, that have achieved a strong balance sheet with excellent operating profitability and strong ratios, which places the Bank at the top of the Islamic Banking industry. The Bank has been assigned a long-term entity rating of A+ with a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"Stable outlook and a short-term entity rating of A1. The Banks main shareholders are leading financial institutions of the Region namely, Noor Financial Investment Company, Kuwait, a leading investment company based in Kuwait; Pak-Kuwait Investment Company, a AAA rated financial entity in the country and the Islamic Development Bank of Jeddah. The established position, reputation, strength and stability, of these institutions add significant value to the Bank through Board representation and applied synergies. The bank has developed an extraordinary research and development capability by combining investment bankers, commercial bankers, Shariah scholars and legal experts to develop innovative, viable, and competitive value propositions that not only meet the requirements of todays complex financial world, but do so with world-class service excellence which our customers demand, all within the bounds of Shariah. Meezan Bank has a strong technology focus. It has invested heavily in state-of-the-art software applications à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" namely Temenos T-24 and Oracle. It has also recently upgraded its hardware platform and also has a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"hot disaster recovery site in place to cater to any unforeseen eventualities. By implementing robust and aggressive strategic and tactical initiatives on the side of consumer banking, Meezan Bank aims to fulfil its prime target of providing customers accessibility and convenience, within an atmosphere and culture of dedicated service and recognition of their needs. The Bank has a rapidly growing branch network across all major cities nation-wide. Meezan Bank, believe in adding value to its customers lives and businesses through dynamic and competitive products and services that fulfil their needs while conforming completely to the dictates of Shariah. At the same time, they endeavor to deliver competitive risk-adjusted returns to our stakeholders LITERATURE REVIEW Within the last few years, a number of studies have provided the discipline into the Practice of conventional and Islamic banking sector. An insight of related studies is as follows:- Islamic banks are striving to capture the maximum number of customers to compete with conventional banks by providing a large number of products as an alternative for interest based products. In Pakistan, banks are providing a wide range of products and services and facing intensive competition to attract potential customers. Persuraman et al. (1985, 1991b) devised SERVQUAL model and investigated the service quality. They explored ten dimensions of service quality and refined into five dimensions. It was documented that an increase in service quality and professional behaviour resulted a greater customer satisfaction and reduced customer erosion (Leeds, 1992). The relationship between service quality and Customer satisfaction is becoming crucial with the increased level of awareness among bank customers (Sureshchander et al. 2002). The conventional banking theories assume that banks earn profits by purchasing deposits from the depositors at a low interest rate, then reselling those funds to the Borrowers at higher interest rate, based on its competitive advantage at gathering Information and underwriting risk (Santos, 2000). Therefore, conventional banks Make profits from the spread between the interest rate received from borrowers and the interest rate paid to depositors. Islamic banking is considered as a different banking stream as it prohibits interest and replaces with (a) profit share and (b) the profit share depends on the extent of the risk participation of the parties. The absence of pre-determined rewards is based on Quranic commands and as interpreted using Shariah principles (Ariff, 2006). Islamic banks showed remarkable progress. It has captured a reasonable market share with excellent growth rate of 114% per annum. The increasing number and size of Islamic banks is also a positive sign of development and success. There are six full-fledged Islamic banks working in different cities of Pakistan and 13 conventional banks have started partial Islamic banking practices by establishing a large number of branches exclusively engaged in Islamic banking practices (SBP, 2006). The prohibition of interest in Islam caused many writings to come forward with an idea to establish banks that do not work on interest basis. So the basic difference between Islamic banks and conventional banks is that Islamic banks are interest free banks whereas conventional banks are interest based banks. (Kahf 2006) Although interest and profit are very clear concepts but they are misunderstood by many people. Basic difference between interest and profit is that interest is the reward to money and profit is the reward to capital investment. In other words money produces interest and capital investment produces profits. (Toutounchian 2004) Islamic finance has gripped the world with a strong commitment and passion. It has been depicted that interest in this segment has grown rapidly in almost 60 countries, not only in Islamic countries but in the leading global financial centers. Even United Kingdom has adopted an open door policy and provided a level playing field to Islamic finance and now Singapore is following its lead. (Dr.Shamshad 2007) Islamic banking has shown tremendous growth in the past 20 years, with estimated deposits surpassing $80 billion in more than 45 countries. Annual turnover is currently estimated at $70 billion and is projected to pass $100 billion by 2000. (OSullivan 1994, p. 7) For the last 60 years, the mode of banking in Pakistan was totally of interest based but now there is a shift from western banking to Islamic banking in number of banks in Pakistan and also there are some new banks like Meezan bank which is totally based on Islamic banking. In 2007 Meezan Bank creates a significant milestone in the history of Islamic Banking by opening its 100th branch in the city of Karachi. With 100 branches in 31 cities clearly positions the Bank as the leading Islamic Bank in Pakistan. Two new dedicated Islamic Banks start operations in Pakistan, namely Emirates Islamic Bank and Dawood Islamic Bank. (Meezan Bank 2007) Mishkin (2001) reported that banking and financial services are the integral part of services industry and its contribution is increasing with the passage of time. However, expansion of global and integrated banking sector has to face many challenges of legislation, technological and structural changes (Angur et al. 1999). The relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction is investigated by a number of researchers across the globe. It is concluded that there is strong association between dimensions of service quality and overall customer satisfaction (Anderson and Sullivan, 1993). It is found that the banking industry has a link between service quality and customer satisfaction (Avkiran, 1994). Islamic banking practices resulted into a notable increase in the supply of loans. It is found that government intervention played an important role to manage funds besides other economic factors in the economy (Makiyan, 2003). Levesque and McDougall (1996) investigated the influence of key determinants of service quality on customer satisfaction in financial institutions. They found a substantial impact of service problems on customer satisfaction and their intensions to switch. It is suggested that service quality is an essential determinant of customer satisfaction (Yavas e t al., 1997). Islamic banks working in different parts of the world assessed their performance in reference to service quality and customers responses. An empirical study was conducted to measure customer awareness and satisfaction by using a sample of 206 respondents towards Islamic banking in Jordan. It is observed that customers have awareness about products of Islamic bank but expressed a sense of dissatisfaction towards some of the services (Naseer, Jamal and Al-Khatib, 1999). Bahia and Nantel (2000) developed an alternative scale for measurement of service quality in retail banking. They developed BSQ and compared with SERVQUAL. They found that BSQ dimensions are more reliable than SERVQUAL dimensions. In another study SERVQUAL is compared with Technical/Functional quality of services in private banks. Results showed that Technical/Functional quality model is better (Lassar et.al, 2000). A survey of 801 customers indicated that customers perception of service quality differs in terms of demographic characteristics (gender, ethnicity, education and income) of the respondents (Urban and Pratt, 2000). The working of the customers mind is a mystery which is difficult to solve and understanding the nuances of what customer satisfaction is, a challenging task. This exercise in the context of the banking industry will give us an insight into the parameters of customer satisfaction and their measurement. This vital information will help us to build satisfaction amongst the customers and customer loyalty in the long run which is an integral part of any business. The customers requirements must be translated and quantified into measurable targets. This provides an easy way to monitor improvements, and deciding upon the attributes that need to be concentrated on in order to improve customer satisfaction. We can recognize where we need to make changes to create improvements and determine if these changes, after implemented, have led to increased customer satisfaction. If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it. Lord William Thomson Kelvin (1824-1907). Oppewal and Vriens (2000) empirically investigated the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction by using original SERVQUAL instrument with 10 dimensions as devised by Parasuraman et al. (1985). This study gave a direction to relate service quality and customer satisfaction. Service quality gained significance with the passage of time due to increased competition among service firms. It was examined that how customer satisfaction affects the customers behavioral consequences. The study found a strong impact of customer satisfaction on their decision to stay with the existing service provider; and restrain their negative behavioral intentions. (Athanassopoulos, Gounaris and Stathakopoulos, 2001). Kayis, Kim and Shin (2003) conducted a comparative analysis of Australian and Korean banks to find out the quality management practices and its outcomes. They found a meaningful relationship between perceived service quality and customer satisfaction. They suggest that or ganizations should focus on service quality as an input to customer satisfaction for long-term benefits and business success. Now banks have realized the importance of service quality for successful survival in todays global and highly competitive environment (Wang et al. 2003). Jamal (2004) investigated the customer behaviour in retail banking by considering service quality and its outcomes. It was observed that customers have varied experiences of satisfaction and dissatisfaction for utilization of self-service technologies. Financial sector is becoming more conscious about the performance evaluation regarding quality of products/services according to customers expectations. In another study, findings reveal a positive correlation between financial performance and customer service quality scores (Duncan and Elliott, 2004). Curry and Penman (2004) reported that service quality is inevitable for differentiation to compete in the banking sector. They suggested that the right service could retain the customers for long-term benefits. So, Banks should maintain the level of services by proper allocation of resources to meet customer requirements. Findings indicated that financial institutions require reasonable procedures to evaluate the overall satisfaction of their customers. However, understanding of changing needs and expectations of customers is an essential prerequisite for the financial sector (Joseph et al. 2005). Jabnoun and Khalifa (2005) proposed and tested a measure of service quality to compare conventional and Islamic banks in UAE. The study found that four dimensions were significant in case of conventional banks. While only personal skill and values were crucial in determining service quality in Islamic banks. It is found that bank-customer relationship quality is evident between satisfied and dissatisfied customers. Both types of customers have clearly distinctive feelings regarding their service experience (Nelson and Chan, 2005). Al-Hawari and Ward (2006) found that customer satisfaction plays an inter-mediator role in the relationship between service quality and financial performance of the banks. In another study, overall customer satisfaction was investigated in Malaysian banking industry by collecting data from 220 customers of 15 retail banks. It was found that overall customer satisfaction is one of the key determinants of relationship quality (Nelson, 2006). It is suggested that bank should start service quality improvement programs to enhance customer satisfaction and customer loyalty (Razak et al., 2007). On the basis of existing literature, this study examines the perception of bank customers regarding se rvice quality and its impact on customer satisfaction in Pakistani banking sector, we test the following hypotheses. H1: There will be positive relationships between service quality and customer satisfaction regarding Islamic banks in Pakistan. H2: There will be positive relationships between service quality and customer satisfaction regarding Conventional banks in Pakistan. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The main purpose of this research is to analyse the level of customer satisfaction about Meezan Bank Ltd and Habib Bank Ltd in Pakistan. Many authors and writers have defined research and research methodology, most of them if not completely contradictory with each other but are substantially different. Websters Collegiate Dictionary (1977) defines research as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Studious inquiry or examination; esp. investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts or practical application of such new or revised theories of lawsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Andrew and Hildebrand (1982, p. 3) define research as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The orderly procedure by which man increases his knowledgeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? 3.1 RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY 3.2 RESEARCH APPROACH Research approach means the approach or the methodology that has been adopted to conduct the research. Research approach involves the selection of research questions, the conceptual framework that has to be adopted, the selection of appropriate research method such as primary research, secondary research etc. There are mainly two types of research approach:- Inductive approach Deductive approach Inductive Approach An inductive argument is one in which the premises are supposed to support the conclusion in such a way that if the premises are true, it is improbable that the conclusion would be false. Thus, the conclusion follows probably from the premises and inferences. Here is an example: 1. Socrates was Greek. (Premise) 2. Most Greeks eat fish. (Premise) 3. Socrates ate fish. (Conclusion) It may seem that inductive arguments are weaker than deductive arguments because there must always remain the possibility of their arriving at false conclusions, but that is not entirely true. With deductive arguments, our conclusions are already contained, even if implicitly, in our premises. This means that we dont arrive at new information à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬  at best; we are shown information which was obscured or unrecognized previously. Thus, the sure truth-preserving nature of deductive arguments comes at a cost. Inductive arguments, on the other hand, do provide us with new ideas and thus may expand our knowledge about the world in a way that is impossible for deductive arguments to achieve. Thus, while deductive arguments may be used most often with mathematics, most other fields of research make extensive use of inductive arguments. Deductive Approach Deductive argument is one in which it is impossible for the premises to be true but the conclusion false. Thus, the conclusion follows necessarily from the premises and inferences. In this way, it is supposed to be a definitive proof of the truth of the claim (conclusion). Here is a classic example: 1. All men are mortal. (Premise) 2. Socrates was a man. (Premise) 3. Socrates was mortal. (Conclusion) As you can see, if the premises are true (and they are), then it simply isnt possible for the conclusion to be false. If you have a deductive argument and you accept the truth of the premises, then you must also accept the truth of the conclusion; if you reject it, then you are rejecting logic itself. 3.3 Research Strategy Research Strategy basically refers to the method of data collection for the specified topic. The term Data can be divided into further 2 branches. Primary Data The primary data basically refers to data which is collected by the researcher for the purpose of answering the problem under discussion. Primary data will be collected through Secondary Data The Secondary data is being obtained by the literature study, journals and articles. Secondary data is normally used to understand the problem under discussion and its helps the Researcher to reach its conclusion. The Researcher will use a quantitative approach for this research study, developing and distributing a questionnaire to customers of Islamic and Conventional banks asking them about their experiences and attitudes in relation to their banks. The questionnaire will include three types of questions, 1) closed questions, requiring the respondent to answer yes or no, 2) open questions allowing the respondent to elaborate on their answers and 3) multiple choice questions, asking respondents to rate their responses on a scale. Primary data collection plan: quantitative or qualitative both methods have to be used appropriately in any research paradigm. The researcher will be using a quantitative approach. The survey strategy will be used to collect quantitative data which is associated with deductive approach and philosophically positivist. The Researcher will distribute questionnaires to the customers from both Islamic and Conventional banks, asking them to complete and return them to the Researcher. 3.4 Research Sample In research terms a sample is a group of people, objects, or items that are taken from a larger population for measurement. The sample should be representative of the population to ensure that we can generalise the findings from the research sample to the population as a whole. Probability sampling means a method of sampling that utilizes random selection. In order to have a random selection method, you must set up some process or procedure that assures that the different units in your population have equal probabilities of being chosen. Humans have long practiced various forms of random selection, such as picking a name out of a hat, or choosing the short straw. These days, we tend to use computers as the mechanism for generating random numbers as the basis for random selection. Non probability sampling does not involve random selection but it does not mean that non probability samples arent representative of the population. But it does mean that non probability samples cannot depend upon the rationale of probability theory. At least with a probabilistic sample, we know the odds or probability that we have represented the population well. We are able to estimate confidence intervals for the statistic. With non probability samples, we may or may not represent the population well, and it will often be hard for us to know how well weve done so. In general, researchers prefer probabilistic or random sampling methods over non probabilistic ones, and consider them to be more accurate and rigorous. The Researcher will be using Probability Sampling method for its Primary data collection. 3.5 Research Validity and Reliability The research is designed very carefully in order to maintain the level of validity and reliability. The study which is used is a test and re test approach in order to reduce unfairness and interviewee possible irritation. Both qualitative and quantitative research method are aimed to achieve high level of validity and reliability. Interviews are based on friendly manner to approach people have available time for interviews. Open ended and close ended questions along with some probe were going to be used during in-depth interview. The ethical principle of collecting data is to avoid subjective selectivity in what we record. Researchers needs to maintenance his objectivity by making sure he collects all data and fully (Saunder`s M. et al 2007). 3.6 Research Ethics The ethical principle of collecting data is to avoid subjective selectivity in what we record. Researcher needs to maintenance his objectivity by making sure he collects all data accurately and fully (Saunders, M. et al. 2007). Time Period and task to do March 2010 April 2010 May 2010 June 2010 July 2010 August 2010 Weeks, 17, Prepare dissertation proposal and submission before 29th April 2009. Continue searching the literature review and its submission to supervisor. .. . . Weeks, 18,19 .. Weeks, 20,21 Interviewing with participants, and analysing of data simultaneously, gathered from each participant. Revision of draft and supervisor`s comments. Meeting with supervisor, Initial start

AIDS: The Search for a Cure :: Free AIDS Essays

AIDS: The Search for a Cure 788,400 minutes In 1999 the New York health department released figures indicating that after diagnosis of full blown AIDS, patients had an average of 19 months left to live: 788,400 minutes. These figures with only about 20 years of knowledge to work with: the AIDS virus didn’t start appearing in the United States until the late seventies, and was unacknowledged until the 80’s, making AIDS research a relatively new field. First stigmatized and associated with unsafe homosexual sex and then mainstreamed when professional basketball player Magic Johnson announced he was infected, AIDS awareness has come a long way. AIDS education through schools, public service announcements, and government organizations has informed the populace of the various ways the disease is spread. Media attention in the mid-90s promoted research and drug development for HIV and AIDS, but in more recent years it seems to have been dropped from public consciousness. With over 800,000 people living with AID S in the United States today it is our public amenability to provide adequate care for patients and to study the virus, that we might work towards education and a cure. The Facts Although there may never be a definitive cure for AIDS, the chances are very good that a vaccine will be developed for HIV, saving the lives of millions and eventually also saving our citizens billions and billions of dollars in health care. However, it takes a long time for drugs to be researched and made available on the market. Teams of highly trained and educated scientists spend many hours in the laboratory to develop medicine capable of combating the AIDS virus. All of this requires money. Experienced scientists must be paid accordingly, and it can take 20 years of research to test one drug. This time is precious to those suffering from disease and patients sometimes take dangerous risks, buying drugs from other countries before they have been approved in the U.S. or taking completely untested drugs. Plus, even when millions are already spent, if the product is ineffective or has counterproductive side effects the work is started all over again. In the private sector, the money for drug research comes from investors who hope to make a profit once the medication is on the market. Drug companies have to make enough money to cover the costs of production and their investors, this is one reason prescription drugs are so expensive for consumers.

Ban on smoking in public places

Since the beginning of civilization, man has always persuaded his interests for recreation by using tobacco as a frontline substance for his leisure. As time passed by, more production of tobacco started till it reached a stage where today there are numerous cigarette companies selling their cancer sticks at the most reasonable rates. The desire to light a cigarette has always been one of the top most priorities of people who indulge in smoking and in their pretext of soothing their desire for a smoke; they more often than not forget the amount of hazard and trouble caused by the smoke emitting from their cigarettes.Cigarette smoking is one of the worst ways of self destruction and even after knowing its negative impact on the body, a smoker always tends to overlook the danger associated with it and continues to smoke irrespective of the location in which he is standing. The issue of raising a ban on smoking in public has always been a controversial one and has always been taking the side of a non-smoker than people who are indulgent in public smoking. Non- smokers always tend to move away from a location where a smoker is footing and always have a feeling of their sentiments being abused or overlooked by a person who is smoking near them.The history of the smoking ban can be dated to the sixteenth century when the Pope Urban VII made it mandatory law of smokers not being welcomed near the premises of the church and also issues a penalty for people who violated this law. This law however did not catch as much attention as the issue is catching on the twenty-first century. Today because of the advancements of medical science and research on the adverse effects of smoking, we have been able to pin point the negative impacts of smoking on a smoker and the passive smoker near by to him.The following will shed some light on the physical negative impacts of smoking on a smoker: ‘Smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, complicated pregnancy. Smokin g by pregnant women result in fetal injury, premature birth, and low birth weight. Smoking is associated with a reduced bone mass and an increased risk of osteoporosis’ (Courtesy: Cheap Cigarettes, â€Å"Effects of Cigarette Smoking†. Retrieved on December 2, 2008 from http://www. cheap-cigarettes. com/Effects_of_Cigarette_Smoking. asp)There are evidences too on the fact of smoking affecting post operational procedures, especially related with ones in which transfusion of blood is on a higher side because of the attempt to join bones or tissues which due to accidents and other trauma are disarrayed from each other. Apart from knowing these entire statistics a persistent smoker would continue to smoke and silently destroy his body, but for that soothing experience the smoker might make some innocent bystander a partner of his misery, by making him a passive smoker.The second hand smoke inhaled by a passive smoker is considered to very dangerous and it causes a lot more harm and eventuality than what it looks at the moment. The worst effect however of passive smoking is on children, and the following evidence will vindicate the point of having smoking bans in public places due to its adverse effects on children: ‘Exposure to tobacco smoke doubles the chances of your child for illnesses like bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. They are also more likely to suffer from ear infections (glue ear), tonsillitis, and asthma. It may damage a child's olfactory function’ (Courtesy: â€Å"Passive smoking†.Retrieved on December 2, 2008 from http://www. stopsmokingtoday. com/dync/13/Passive_Smoking. html) Legislators and law makers understood the total provocation being inhaled by passive smoking and brought the necessary amendments to the laws of the state by banning smoking in public places. The need for the law to amend was felt by lot of people who were unnecessarily being forced to hazardous health conditions for no fault of their own. Smoking which were rampant in leisure places like pubs and restaurants were the most harmful, as a majority of people have a habit of smoking along with taking intakes of alcohol.This nature of these smokers brought the non smoking populace visiting such leisure outlets in very uncomfortable positions and in one way brought an infringement of the constitution to these victims of passive smoking. There was a nationwide applause for the banning of smoking in public places and a majority of the nation was giving it thumbs up and also considered it an important decision which was taken to curb smokers from spreading any amount chances of passive smoking to non smokers. The following evidence will shed light on the nation’s opinion of having a smoking ban in public places:‘Gallup’s 2004 consumption habits survey reveals that the American public is fairly accepting of such ban. A majority of 58%Americans currently say they favor a ban in their state that would mak e it illegal to smoke in workplaces, restaurants and bars’. (Courtesy: Alec M. Gallup, Frank Newport , â€Å"The Gallup Poll: Public Opinion 2004† .Page 306. Retrieved on December 2, 2008. Gallup Organization. Published by Rowman & Littlefield, 2006) There are a lot of advantages that can be grouped with the banning of smoking in public places.Firstly a commuter or a non smoker can have fresh whiffs of air without the mixture of tobacco endorsed smoke hovering around. Secondly the ban itself makes the smoker smoke less which in turn is helping him from reducing the health hazards which he would eventually inflict on himself over the period of time. The ban on smoking in one way slows down the process of self damage that smokers tend to endure with their constant puffing. It has estimated that around thousands of Americans die every year due to active and passive smoking, and the ban would definitely help the figure of passive smoking by a great extent.The ban comes wit h a whooping of $50 for the first violation and $75 for repetitive violations. This becomes more deterrent for an active smoker and eventually brings him on the brink of leaving the habit or the least bringing down his no. of cigarettes by a good amount. Another big advantage related with the ban, is that the risk of fire catching up in factories or other places to due to a burning cigarette is greatly reduced and it brings the work place into a much safer and a cleaner zone. Also it helps saves the energy consumed by ventilators that are required to recycle the air in such places.However there are certain sets of disadvantages of such a ban too and the most primary one is they way smokers get into more hazardous situations in smoking zones. Here due to a large amount of smoke gathering the ventilation is slower which results in itchiness of the eyes and other lung problems because of the amount of passive smoking inhaled by active smokers. This somehow gives smokers a second class treatment as it becomes acceptable for the government for non smokers not to undergo minimal passive smoking but to allow massive passive smoking for active smokers in such zones.A lot of restaurants and bars feel the crunch as their smoking customers refrain from coming to them and thus it bring a drop to their turnovers. In today’s high stress working atmospheres, employees are feeling more frustrated as somehow the tension which they could feel being released by their smoking has been feverously curbed. Smoking ban is one of the most righteous decisions of the government helping non smokers from the unwanted dangers of nicotine filled smokes.However when the law was being implemented not much attention has been given to smokers rights and at times it is becoming a little hypocritical situation. Nevertheless the main objective of such a ban bring back a life to their citizens which could be void of at least one addiction and would be more fruitful to them in terms of having a hale and hearty standard of living. Reference: 1) Cheap Cigarettes, â€Å"Effects of Cigarette Smoking†. http://www. cheap-cigarettes. com/Effects_of_Cigarette_Smoking. asp 2) Passive smoking†. http://www. stopsmokingtoday. com/dync/13/Passive_Smoking.html 3) Alec M. Gallup, Frank Newport , â€Å"The Gallup Poll: Public Opinion 2004†. Gallup Organization. Published by Rowman & Littlefield, 2006 4) http://www. notosmoke. com/herbal-smoking-articles/pros-and%20cons-of-smoking-ban. htm 5) BRADLEY S. KLAPPER, â€Å"WHO Urges Smoking Ban in Public Places†. May 29, 2007. http://rds. yahoo. com/_ylt=A0geu.. NnTVJvk8BvQdXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyamNvY2Y3BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0Y4NjJfOTM-/SIG=13u9q6ff9/EXP=1228336909/**http%3a//www. sfgate. com/cgi-bin/article. cgi%3ff=/n/a/2007/05/29/international/i122741D62. DTL%26type=politics

How Scientists Determine Climates of the Past

How Scientists Determine Climates of the Past Paleoenvironmental reconstruction (also known as paleoclimate reconstruction) refers to the results and the investigations undertaken to determine what the climate and vegetation were like at a particular time and place in the past. Climate, including vegetation, temperature, and relative humidity, has varied considerably during the time since the earliest human habitation of planet earth, from both natural and cultural (human-made) causes. Climatologists primarily use paleoenvironmental data to understand how the environment of our world has changed and how modern societies need to prepare for the changes to come. Archaeologists use paleoenvironmental data to help understand the living conditions for the people who lived at an archaeological site. Climatologists benefit from the archaeological studies because they show how humans in the past learned how to adapt or failed to adapt to environmental change, and how they caused environmental changes or made them worse or better by their actions. Using Proxies The data that are collected and interpreted by paleoclimatologists are known as proxies, stand-ins for what cant be directly measured. We cant travel back in time to measure the temperature or humidity of a given day or year or century, and there are no written records of climatic changes that would give us those details older than a couple of hundred years. Instead, paleoclimate researchers rely on biological, chemical, and geological traces of past events that were influenced by the climate. The primary proxies used by climate researchers are plant and animal remains because the type of flora and fauna in a region indicates the climate: think of polar bears and palm trees as indicators of local climates. Identifiable traces of plants and animals range in size from whole trees to microscopic diatoms and chemical signatures. The most useful remains are those that are large enough to be identifiable to species; modern science has been able to identify objects as tiny as pollen grains and spores to plant species. Keys to Past Climates Proxy evidence can be biotic, geomorphic, geochemical, or geophysical; they can record environmental data that range in time from yearly, every ten years, every century, every millennium or even multi-millennia. Events such as tree growth and regional vegetation changes leave traces in soils and peat deposits, glacial ice and moraines, cave formations, and in the bottoms of lakes and oceans. Researchers rely on modern analogs; that is to say, they compare the findings from the past to those found in current climates around the world. However, there are periods in the very ancient past when the climate was completely different from what is currently being experienced on our planet. In general, those situations appear to be the result of climate conditions that had more extreme seasonal differences than any weve experienced today. It is particularly important to recognize that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels were lower in the past than those present today, so ecosystems with less  greenhouse gas  in the atmosphere likely behaved differently than they do today. Paleoenvironmental Data Sources There are several types of sources where paleoclimate researchers can find preserved records of past climates. Glaciers and Ice Sheets: Long-term bodies of ice, such as the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, have annual cycles which build new layers of ice each year like tree rings. Layers in the ice vary in texture and color during warmer and cooler parts of the year. Also, glaciers expand with increased precipitation and cooler weather and retract when warmer conditions prevail. Trapped in those layers laid down over thousands of years are dust particles and gases which were created by climatic disturbances such as volcanic eruptions, data which can be retrieved using ice cores.Ocean Bottoms: Sediments are deposited in the bottom of the oceans each year, and lifeforms such as foraminifera, ostracods, and diatoms die and are deposited with them. Those forms respond to ocean temperatures: for example, some are more prevalent during warmer periods.Estuaries and Coastlines: Estuaries preserve information about the height of former sea levels in long sequences of alternating layers of organic p eat when the sea level was low, and inorganic silts when the sea level rose. Lakes: Like oceans and estuaries, lakes also have annual basal deposits called varves. Varves hold a wide variety of organic remains, from entire archaeological sites to pollen grains and insects. They can hold information about environmental pollution such as acid rain, local iron mongering, or run-offs from eroded hills nearby.Caves: Caves are closed systems, where average annual temperatures are maintained year-round and with a high relative humidity. Mineral deposits within caves such as stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones gradually form in thin layers of calcite, which trap chemical compositions from outside the cave. Caves can thus contain continuous, high-resolution records which can be dated using uranium-series dating.Terrestrial Soils: Soil deposits on land can also be a source of information, trapping animal and plant remains in colluvial deposits at the base of hills or alluvial deposits in valley terraces. Archaeological Studies of Climate Change Archaeologists have been interested in climate research since at least Grahame Clarks 1954 work at Star Carr. Many have worked with climate scientists to figure out the local conditions at the time of occupation. A trend identified by Sandweiss and Kelley (2012) suggests that climate researchers are beginning to turn to the archaeological record to assist with the reconstruction of paleoenvironments. Recent studies described in detail in Sandweiss and Kelley include: The interaction between humans and climatic data to determine the rate and extent of El Nià ±o and the human reaction to it over the last 12,000 years of people living in coastal Peru.Tell Leilan in northern Mesopotamia (Syria) deposits matched to ocean drilling cores in the Arabian Sea identified a previously-unknown volcanic eruption that took place between 2075-1675 BC, which in turn may have led to an abrupt aridification with the abandonment of the tell and may have led to the disintegration of the Akkadian empire.In the Penobscot valley of Maine in the northeastern United States, studies on sites dated to the early-middle Archaic (~9000-5000 years ago), helped establish a chronology of flood events in the region associated with falling or low lake levels.Shetland Island, Scotland, where Neolithic-aged sites are sand-inundated, a situation believed to be an indication of a period of storminess in the North Atlantic. Sources Allison AJ, and Niemi TM. 2010. Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of Holocene coastal sediments adjacent to archaeological ruins in Aqaba, Jordan. Geoarchaeology 25(5):602-625.Dark P. 2008. Paleoenvironmental reconstruction, methods. In: Pearsall DM, editor. Encyclopedia of Archaeology. New York: Academic Press. p 1787-1790.Edwards KJ, Schofield JE, and Mauquoy D. 2008. High resolution paleoenvironmental and chronological investigations of Norse landnm at Tasiusaq, Eastern Settlement, Greenland. Quaternary Research 69:1–15.Gocke M, Hambach U, Eckmeier E, Schwark L, Zà ¶ller L, Fuchs M, Là ¶scher M, and Wiesenberg GLB. 2014. Introducing an improved multi-proxy approach for paleoenvironmental reconstruction of loess–paleosol archives applied on the Late Pleistocene Nussloch sequence (SW Germany). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 410:300-315.Lee-Thorp J, and Sponheimer M. 2015. Contribution of Stable Light Isotopes to Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction. I n: Henke W, and Tattersall I, editors. Handbook of Paleoanthropology. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p 441-464. Lyman RL. 2016. The mutual climatic range technique is (usually) not the area of sympatry technique when reconstructing paleoenvironments based on faunal remains. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 454:75-81.Rhode D, Haizhou M, Madsen DB, Brantingham PJ, Forman SL, and Olsen JW. 2010. Paleoenvironmental and archaeological investigations at Qinghai Lake, western China: Geomorphic and chronometric evidence of lake level history. Quaternary International 218(1–2):29-44.Sandweiss DH, and Kelley AR. 2012. Archaeological Contributions to Climate Change Research: The Archaeological Record as a Paleoclimatic and Paleoenvironmental Archive*. Annual Review of Anthropology 41(1):371-391.Shuman BN. 2013. Paleoclimate reconstruction - Approaches In: Elias SA, and Mock CJ, editors. Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science (Second Edition). Amsterdam: Elsevier. p 179-184.

English Writing Dictations for Beginning Learners

English Writing Dictations for Beginning Learners English dictation provides writing practice for English-language learners. Listen to the phrases via the links in this article, then take a piece of paper, or use a writing program on your computer. Write or type what you hear. Listen as many times as necessary. Dictation helps your spelling, listening and understanding skills. Each of the following dictations focuses on a specific learning point. The dictations are for beginning-level learners and include five sentences in each dictation. Each sentence is read twice, giving you time to write what you hear. At a Hotel This  dictation link  will give you a chance to hear- and write- comon phrases used at hotels, such as: Can I make a reservation please? and Id like a double room with a shower. and Do you have any rooms available? Remember that you can hit the pause button to give yourself more time to write your answer. Introductions This section includes  simple sentences  like, Hello, my name is John. Im from New York. and English is a difficult language. As you know from your studies, this is certainly a very accurate statement. At a Government Agency These  dictation sentences  cover phrases youll find useful at a government agency- such as at a motor vehicles or Social Security office. The sentences cover topics such as filling out forms and standing in the correct line. Knowing the sentences on this topic can save you hours of potential aggravation. At the Restaurant These  dictation sentences  cover common phrases used in a restaurant, such as What would you like to have? and Id like a hamburger and a cup of coffee. If youre up for more practice on eatery terms, youll find them in these extra  practice phrases. Present, Past and Comparisons In English, the present and past tense can take many grammatical forms, involving an array of confusing terms. You can memorize the grammatical forms, but its often easier to listen to a native speaker dictate phrases and sentences involving present and past tense events. Making comparisons can also be a difficult concept. Use the following links to practice such sentences as: I started work in October last year and Peter is playing the piano at the moment. Now- sentences that describe things happening at the momentPast events- sentences with the simple past tense to describe things that happened in the pastComparisons- sentences comparing two things or people Other Topics The more practice you can get listening to and  writing  American-English phrases the better. Buying or choosing  clothing, describing habits, giving directions, and even buying souvenirs can be difficult unless you know a few basic phrases that cover these issues. To help you, these practice dictation sentences cover topics including: Clothing- common phrases related to shopping for clothesHabits- sentences that express daily habits and routinesMy town- phrases regarding your communityWork- sentences about daily routines at workDirections- common phrases used when asking for and giving directionsQuestions- a variety of simple questions in different tensesSouvenirs- common phrases used when shopping for souvenirs

International business final exam Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

International business final exam - Assignment Example Thus after being empowered these farmers are able to produce a lot of cotton more than they could have done before at relatively cheaper prices. There is thus much gain from the sustained income that the farmer is able to get which enables them to start small enterprises such as groceries. In some countries such as Uganda, a lot of gains have been realize even with small and basic improvements such as training farmers on the use of fertilizers, pesticides and tractors. These foreign owned enterprises also provide capital in form of loans so as to help in the expansion of production, in Zambia for instance, Dunavant has been lending to farmers millions of dollars every year to farmers at the beginning of every growing season. The farmers usually return the loans at harvest time. This aspect of lending to farmers has made Dunavant the largest micro financier in Africa. In return, Dunavant is able to get interest from the loans offered, has a chance of getting a constant and uninterrupted supplies of cotton for its factories ensuring there is streamlined production. Thus African cotton is profitable for Dunavant and also an intelligent hedge against any fall in American production. The other advantage reaped by Dunavant is the fact that the African cotton is usually produced with lower costs for both land and labor. And with the ongoing discussions by the Senate about the removal of subsidies for the American farmers, it means that the price of the A frican cotton will become more and more attractive and competitive. The fact that Dunavant has managed to establish loyal farmers in Africa, means that they have true business partners in them, which is a very important for any business to thrive and make profits. Dunavant willingness to pay farmers cash on delivery has also endeared them to the farmers, since money is scarce for most

BUDGETING Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

BUDGETING - Coursework Example Business planning, being one of the internal processes, can be made more successful if the business prevents any implications and problems in its projects and practices its being planning about. Budgeting helps these processes in the most effective way by managing the cash flow and helps you to decide when to invest in which project you have planned at the right time which will produce the best results. All during the business planning, a budget plans helps to control the finances, gives you assurance whether you can fulfill your ongoing commitments or not, helps you to decide the best financial decision which fulfills your objectives and last but not the least, it helps to plan and gives you estimation regarding the money you can spend on your future expansionary plans. Budgeting should not be mixed with the forecasting because unlike a forecast, budgeting is a ‘planned’ outcome which the business thrives to get to its achievement (Peterson and Fabozzi, 2002). When it c omes to business planning, it also includes one of the most technical business tasks which is decision making. Budgeting improves this decision making process because it gives you a clear cut idea that which plan is practical and which can be fulfilled with the finance in hand. With the help of effective budgeting skill, a business can never run out of cash or even some issues are detected in cash flow, they can be easily found out and fixed before time. This clearly gives a deep understanding about the relationship between budgeting and business planning (Peterson and Fabozzi, 2002). These two benefits the business if done effectively and efficiently together. Budgeting being the provider of control and accountability over the finances and revenues of the business, aid business planning and make it successful. The reasons behind a planning are fulfilled with the help of making a budget but it never helps the most when it comes to business control. This is an entirely different thin g and cannot be related with budgeting. The above explanation illustrates how budgeting can be a great help in planning and it’s actually doesn’t play any vital role in business control. With the help of Capital budgeting, evaluation of investment proposals can be done easily in the best possible way. Such type of budgeting actually helps a business to decide which proposal should be ranked first so that it can be undertaken and investment can be made on it. For any investment, a business needs a proper financial plan because it will be business’s finances and capital returns which will be invested and benefits in the future will be gained and as budgeting is a part of financial planning, so without it, an investment proposal cannot be evaluated (Wildavsky, 1996). When it comes to evaluation, the first thing to do is to come up with all the possible strengths and weaknesses of a specific proposal, and when it comes to investment, business has to be really carefu l and should dream of only fulfilling those proposals which can be undertaken and comes in the boundary of business’s finances. In capital budgeting, the speed of evaluation process gets geared up as by using this method; those proposals are top ranked which include no real choice for example replacing a leaking sewer line with an updated one, as this one will remove any