Small Business in South Africa

Introduction The purpose of this report is to analyze the area of small businesses. It aims at identifying the meaning of small business by referring to its definition from different scholars. It will also look at the overview of small businesses both in the developed and developing nations. More emphasis is put on the sub-Sahara Africa where the rate of unemployment is very high as compared to other nations.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Small Business in South Africa specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This report will look at some of the economic benefits that results from small business for instance a reduction in unemployment rate, increased GDP and per capita income. It focuses mainly on South Africa as a sub-Saharan country and looks at the contribution of small businesses in its economy. It concludes by giving some constraints that may hinder small scale enterprises in investing in South Africa. These inc lude poor market structures, poor infrastructures, and barriers to entry. Definition Small businesses are small entrepreneurial enterprises that are developed by innovative minds. As their name suggest, they are small in size and can be found in both the formal and informal sectors. Small businesses are common in developing nations which are faced with a couple of problems including lack of capital to start-up big enterprises and high unemployment rate. The main aim towards the establishment of small businesses is to create employment and to drive a country’s economic performance. For a long time, small businesses have been viewed as the major drivers of the economy because they concentrate on the opportunities that have not been utilized especially in the rural areas[1]. Some scholars define small businesses as sole proprietorships or partnerships that employ a small number of employees. According to European Union, the smallest businesses are referred to as micro businesses which employ less than ten people. There are other micro businesses that are managed by the owned only and may be with one assistant[2]. It is also defined as a privately owned business that employs less than one hundred people. Small businesses are the main economic drivers since they create employment opportunities, alleviate poverty and contribute to economic growth and development. The definition small business depends on different countries. Some countries such as the United States define a small business as a private owned enterprise that employs less than five hundred people while in others, a small business is defined as an enterprise than employs between ten to fifty people. Small businesses are diverse and exist in almost all sectors for instance; we have restaurants, hair dressers, private lawyers, accountants, real estate, just to name but a few. There is a difference between service and manufacturing small business; service small businesses are businesses that have bee n started up for the provision of services for example, restaurants, saloons, and real estates while as manufacturing small businesses are set up for the production of goods in small quantities. Manufacturing business employs a significant higher number of employees than the service business because a lot of processes are involved in the process of production.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In service business, most of the employees offer direct services to their clients without passing through other hands; an example of this is a hairdresser who does not need the help of another employee to offer the services to the client. In South Africa, a small business is a business that has been set up to take opportunities of the marginalized population. They are small scale enterprises, started up in the marginalized areas with a lot of government initiatives. Overview of small bu sinesses In sub-Sahara Africa, the rate of unemployment is very low compared to the developed countries, most of these countries suffer from poverty. The per capita income is very low consequently leading to low standards of living. To make it worse, these countries have a very high population growth rate thereby making unemployment and poverty to be salient problems. Over the last twenty years, these countries for instance, Tanzania, and Kenya, have greatly benefited from small business. With the advancement in technology, many people have become creative and are utilizing any opportunity that comes their way into new ideas[3]. Most government especially the South African government has taken the initiative of encouraging innovating individuals in starting up new ventures. These people are given loans by micro finance intuitions at very low interest rates to help them put their ideas into action. In Kenya, most people especially the youths and women are encouraged to form groups an d write up business proposal so as to secure some of the money that has been put aside to help small businesses. With this, the unemployment rate has dropped. The failure rate of small scale businesses is sub Sahara Africa is very high, for instance, in Nigeria and South Africa. Africa has the highest death rate for small scale businesses as compared to other parts of the world. Statistics show that, only one out of five businesses survive for more than five years In sub-Sahara Africa, small businesses are seen as the major drivers of the economy. These countries have been involved in many policies and reforms in this sector but they continue to lag behind in terms of performance. World economic forum 2006 associates this failure to the harsh business environment these businesses are exposed to and the de-industrializing situation that most countries are exposed[4]. However, comparing the present economic status to the 1980s, we find that, small businesses have had an immense contri bution in the economic performance of these countries. Many jobs have been created and par capita income is on the increase, GDP has increased, and most individuals can now enjoy a high per capita income than before.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Small Business in South Africa specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Homan (2010) observes that, the unemployment rate in the United States has dropped to 9.7% and this has resulted from the increase in small scale businesses in the nation. Many manufacturing businesses have been started which employ a significant number of people. Over half a million Americans have been able to secure job places in small businesses and this outweighs the number (20, 000) that has been rendered jobless from the state and local government’s companies[5]. Unemployment is a problem that is eating up many nations including the United States of America which is believed to be a global v illage. Many nations are forced to invest a lot of resources so as to create job opportunities and boast the economic performance. Whereas institutional employment has received considerable consideration in most developed countries, it must be given critical consideration in developing countries and underdeveloped countries, more so the sub-Saharan Africa. The unemployment rate in South Africa is very high. For over a period of 30 years, more than one million job opportunities have been lost and most of them were lost because of disinvestment. To solve this problem, the government has dedicated its efforts in creating jobs to ensure that equitable growth is sustained[6]. However, this has not been an easy task given that; the population is drastically increasing and is congested in urban areas. To address this challenge, the government focuses on the small and medium enterprises which are seen as the vehicle to drive the economy. The government believes that, the private sector is t he real engine of sustainable growth and development and it has now shifted its focus from the government institutions to concentrate more on the private sector. South Africa is one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa that has a wide variety of small business opportunities. Entrepreneurs have many hot deals that they can utilize into productive opportunities. These include restaurants, real estates, saloons, and body tanning. This is just a few examples of the many opportunities that are currently available in South Africa. The idea of small business is becoming popular not only in South Africa but in many parts of the world. They have provided a form of self employment to the youths who find it difficult to secure white collar jobs and their returns is just amazing. People have become innovative an ideas are being converted into big ventures[7]. Statistics taken in 2009 review that, South Africa is in the grip of recession and many businesses are closing down. The unemployment r ate has risen to significant levels; in the first two quarters of 2009, more than 475, 000 people are believed to have lost their jobs. This has resulted in a lot of adjustment being made in many ministries and the introduction of new national planning commission. New strategies have been proposed which aims at integrating the marginalized segments into a productive economy.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Through many researches, it has been found that, the marginalized areas have a lot of possibilities that can be utilized to boast the country’s economy. If these possibilities are fully utilized, then poverty can be alleviated, jobs created, and more revenue can be generated leading to economic growth[8]. However, certain issues have to be addressed if these possibilities are to boast the country’ economy. For instance, is government ready to give the amount of support required to develop the private sector given the current situation in the country? What role does the private sector play in the development of the marginalized population? Should new alliances be formed, for instance private-public partnership to help in the delivery of public goods that are not delivered by the government or the market? Since 2004, the South African government has been fighting with the problem of unemployment and poverty. Before 1994, the economic growth rate was estimated to be 1% wh ich later rose to 3% between 1994 and 2004. Since then, the country has been enjoying a growth rate of more than 4% per year and seems to be increasing annually. Most of this growth has been contributed by the increase in small businesses where the government has put a lot of initiatives. The government has put good policies and a favorable environment that enables both local and international investors to invest in the country. The increase in growth rate has resulted in creation of more employment opportunities for instance in 2005, more than 540, 000 job opportunities were created although the unemployment rate is still high and stood at 26% as at 2005 although there was a slight decrease from 32% unemployment rate few years before[9]. Constraining issues Economic environment South Africa has a poorly developed road network in most of the marginalized populations. These are the population where there are a lot of investment opportunities although most of them are inaccessible mak ing it difficult for entrepreneurs to invest. To make the situation worse, there are very few service providers such as banks, in the marginalized areas making it almost impossible for investment[10]. However, the government has been involved in a lot of initiatives that are aimed at making the business environment favorable for investment although it may take a long time before some of these areas can be accessed. Poor structural markets increase the cost of production since the entrepreneurs have to transport their products to the major markets. Some producers are forced to sell their products directly to their consumers because of lack of channels of distribution. Political environment The Political relationships in South Africa boost the success of small businesses. Over the past fifth years, South African government has been involving itself in massive initiatives that are aimed at developing the small and medium sized enterprises including the macro enterprises. Most of these initiatives are aimed at bringing the gap that exists between the underdeveloped economy and the first class economy. Many agencies have been developed to help these enterprises, one such agency is SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency) which was introduced to support the small scale and macro enterprises. However, these agencies are not able to provide enough resources for the small scale enterprise and a micro-finance can only borrow up to R10, 000. Most start ups die before reaching the maturity because these initiatives fail in supporting them fully. Statistics taken in 2008 by the global entrepreneurship monitor (GEM) reveals that, South Africa lags behind other developing countries in terms of business survival rate. Only eight out of one hundred adults own businesses have survived for less than 3.5 years and only 2.3% adults own business for more than 3.5 years. This is a rather low figure compared to other countries where business survival rate in 13 out of 100. It has b een found that, most business fail to survive because of failure from the government initiatives. It is true that, the government has launched new agencies that help in the start-up of new businesses but their work seems to end at the establishment of a new venture, they do not follow them to make sure that they survive to maturity stage. Legal environment The constraining factors regarding the legal environment include Competition regulation Intellectual property regimes- patenting Technical standards International pressure groups South Africa has limited investment opportunities; this is because, the country is up until now concentrated in upstream production sectors that specialize in the production of steel, iron, and chemicals. This puts some entry barriers to entrepreneurs interested in other form of business, the market structure also possess a major threats in the establishment of service industry or downstream production. To counteract this constraint, the government has to strengthen the industrial policies as well as the competition law. Social environment In South Africa, small business entrepreneurs are faced with some social factors that keep on changing with time, for instance, lifestyle trends and consumer preferences keep on changing requiring the innovators to be creative in coming up with products that will satisfy consumer needs. Other factors include demographic changes and major events and influences. For instance the government is poorly organized in its capacity to control and manage key institutions. These institutions are those responsible for providing economic services such as the banks. The government also fails in the development and implementation of necessary policies and this hinders the economic growth of the country. This makes it difficult for entrepreneurs to invest in small businesses in the country. There is uneven distribution of markets between the rural and the urban areas. If the small businesses started in the marg inalized areas and those to be started are to reap maximum benefits, then the government has to do something about the market structures. Markets need to be decentralized so as to encourage competition which in turn results in reduced prices consequently leading to increased production Cultural environment South Africa is one of the countries that embrace cultural diversity. It has a cultural environment that attracts investors all over the world for investment opportunities. However, there is a lot of Cultural sensitivity (high demand from acceptable business ethics) that limits how foreign investors conduct their businesses. Small businesses are currently experiencing internal and external strategy constraints; for example, the lack of re-regulation measures that prevents expansion and operations, high global competition, and introduction of environmental laws. These are some risks that would limit the future operations of small businesses in South Africa. Bibliography Anon. 2010. Small business development.  http://www.etu.org.za/toolbox/docs/government/sbd.html . Anon. 2002. Comprehensive report on U.S. trade and investment toward Sub-Saharan Africa. London, DIANE Publishing Adelakun, Tunde. 2010. Why small businesses face high failures rates in Africa. Web. Homan R. Timothy. 2010. Unemployment rate in U.S. falls to 9.7% factory payrolls grow.  Web. Longenecker, Justin G. et al 2008. Small business management: launching and growing entrepreneurial ventures. (14th ed.). London, Cengage Learning. Ntsika enterprise promotion agency, 2001. State of small business development in South Africa: annual review. Michigan, The University of Michigan Ogbor, O. John. 2009. Entrepreneurship in sub-Sahara Africa: A strategic management perspective. New York, Authorhouse Okpara, John O. Wynn, Pamela. 2007. Determinants of small business growth constraints in a sub-Saharan African economy.  https://www.allbusiness.com/ . South Africa government information, 2010. Ac celerated and shared growth initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA).  Web. Steve, Lohr. 1980. â€Å"Small-Business Forces Unite; Meeting Drafts Proposals For Carter Memories of Earlier Gatherings Small-Business Forces Unite†, The New York Times, Business Finance, Page D1 Footnotes Anon. (2010). Small business development. Longenecker, Justin G. et al (2008). Small business management: launching and growing entrepreneurial ventures. (14th ed.). Cengage Learning Steve Lohr (Jan. 15, 1980). â€Å"Small-Business Forces Unite; Meeting Drafts Proposals For Carter Memories of Earlier Gatherings Small-Business Forces Unite†, The New York Times, Business Finance, Page D1 Adelakun, Tunde (2010). Why small businesses face high failures rates in Africa. Homan, Timothy R. (2010). Unemployment rate in U.S. falls to 9.7% factory payrolls grow. Anon. (2002). Comprehensive report on U.S. trade and investment toward Sub-Saharan Africa. DIANE Publishing Ogbor, John O. (2009). Entrepren eurship in sub-Sahara Africa: A strategic management perspective: New York: Authorhouse South Africa government information (2010). Accelerated and shared growth initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA). Ntsika enterprise promotion agency (2001). State of small business development in South Africa: annual review. Michigan: The University of Michigan Okpara, John O. Wynn, Pamela (2007). Determinants of small business growth constraints in a sub-Saharan African economy. This report on Small Business in South Africa was written and submitted by user Sylas Walters 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.

Introduction to the Internet of Things

Introduction to the Internet of Things The Internet of Things, or IoT, isnt as esoteric as it sounds. It simply refers to the interconnection of physical objects, computing devices and encompasses a wide range of emerging technologies such as virtual power plants, intelligent transportation systems and smart cars. One a smaller scale, IoT includes any smart (internet-connected) household item, from lighting to thermostats to televisions.   Broadly speaking, IoT can be thought of as a far-reaching expansion of  internet technology through an ever widening network of products, devices and systems embedded with sensors, software, and other electronic systems. Belonging to an interconnected ecosystem enables them to both generate and exchange data to make them more useful.   History and Origins In 1990, British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee  had just completed work on the critical pieces of technology that formed the foundation of the world wide web: HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) 0.9, HyperText Markup Language (HTML) as well as the first Web browser, editor, server, and pages. At the time, the internet existed as a closed network of computers limited to mostly government agencies and research institutions. However, by the early 21st century, the internet had expanded globally and has become one of the most influential technologies in the world. By 2015, more than three billion people have used it to communicate, share content, stream video, purchase goods and services and more. The Internet of Things is poised to be the next big leap in the evolution of the internet with the potential to transform how we work, play and live.   The Business World Some of the most obvious benefits are in the business world. Consumer goods, for example, stand to benefit from IoT throughout the entire supply chain. Factories that utilize automation will be able to connect various systems to eliminate inefficiencies while the cost of transporting and delivering goods can be reduced as real-time data helps to determine the ideal routes. On the retail end, products embedded with sensors will be able to relay performance details and customer feedback to the shops and manufacturers. This information can then be used to streamline the repair process as well as to refine future versions and develop new products.   The use of IoT is industry-specific. Agriculture companies, for example, have already made use of sensors to monitor crops and environmental changes such as soil quality, rainfall, and temperature. This real-time data is then sent to automated farm equipment, which interprets the information to determine how much fertilizer and water to distribute. Meanwhile, the same sensor technologies can be applied in healthcare to enable providers to automatically monitor patients’ vitals.   The Consumer Experience The Internet of Things is poised to shape consumers experiences with technology for years to come. Many standard household devices are available in smart versions, intended to increase convenience and efficiency while lowering cost. Smart  thermostats, for example, integrate user data and ambient data to intelligently control  indoor climate.   As consumers have begun to acquire a growing number of smart devices, a new need has arisen:   technology that can manage and control all IoT devices from a central hub.  These sophisticated program, often called virtual assistants, represent a form of artificial intelligence with a strong reliance on machine learning. Virtual assistants can operate as the control center of an IoT-based  home. The Impact on Public Spaces One of IoTs most significant challenges is large-scale implementation. Integrating IoT devices in a single-family home or multi-story office space is relatively simple, but integrating the technology into an entire community or city is more complex. Many cities have existing infrastructure that would need to be upgraded or entirely revamped in order to implement IoT technology. Nevertheless, there are some success stories. A sensor system in Santander, Spain enables residents to  locate free parking spaces using the citys smartphone app. In South Korea, the smart city of Songdo was built from scratch in 2015. Another smart city - Knowledge City, in Guangzhou, China - is in the works.   The Future of IoT Despite the rapid development  of the Internet of Things, major  barriers remain. Any device that connects to a network, from a laptop to a pacemaker, can be hacked. Consumers, business, and governments alike share concerns about the risk of security breaches if IoT were to become more  widespread. The more personal data our devices generate, the greater the risk of identity fraud and data breaches. IoT also intensifies concerns about cyber warfare. Still, the Internet of Things continues to grow.  From something as simple as a lightbulb that can be turned on and off with an app, to something as complex as network of cameras that sends traffic information to municipal systems to better coordinate emergency response, IoT presents a variety of intriguing possibilities for the future of technology.

Iraq war Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Iraq war - Essay Example Several have taken place from the time to time in the Middle East. But somehow the US- Iraq war remains the most significant of them all. US formed alliance with Israel to accomplish this mission against Iraq. The war had changed many aspects in both the countries. In Iraq, US dominion was started which continued till date. After it lost the war, it came under direct control of US government. Presently, Iraq is facing the terrible consequences of war. It had lost its secular state, its welfare limited and its dignity lost. But on the other hand, US too had to pay a certain price for the win. Apart from war casualties, it had faced a huge blow from economic point of view. In Iraq, the US motto was not to end the reign of Saddam Hussein, but something more than that. Surely, it had won the war, but at price which often shocked the rest of the world. US army, even the high- order military personnel illegitimately arrested innocent civilians, killed them, deported them and often even tor tured them to death. Thus, total loss incurred can broadly be divided into three segments: human loss, financial loss and physical loss. Numerous surveys and researches have attempted to find out the exact number of death causalities in Iraq. The US have followed the Vietnamese model of not counting the total number of dead, likewise, they have not provided actually number of civilian dead (Steele, and Goldenberg) The war has surely increased violence all over Iraq, which is continues till date. The Iraq Body Count (IBC) has claimed that there have been 1,220,580 victims, including war period and post war casualties, with a majority of the families losing more than one family member. Yet other sources like Baltimore/ Lancelet figure claims that Iraq has experienced more deaths. According to Frederick â€Å"Skip† Burkle, the survey had deliberately ignored the number of deaths caused by secondary causalities. Insufficient health- services, unemployment, poverty, loss of family and emotional loss, etc also lead to death of thousands of Iraqis. Civilian death in Iraq numbers somewhere around 104,000 with another 230,000 reported as missing. But all the sources unanimously agree to the fact that the war with US has devastated Iraq, making it struggling hard for survival and sustenance. US was also affected claiming 4000 lives, though the number much less compared to Iraq’s (Steele and Goldenberg). Another situation of human loss occurred when hundreds of thousands of Iraqis fled from their homeland. The chief reason behind this was terror, bloodshed and tyranny inflicted by the US soldiers. The political unrest made the lives of Iraqis so difficult that they sought refuge in other parts of the globe, especially in Jordan and Syria, who is Iraq’s neighboring countries. This was further confirmed by the Iraqi Exodus video which states that Iraqi immigrants have increased the total population of these two countries. However, lives of those new im migrants were not easy. They are facing more hardships because of lack of work permit and shelter (Benson). However, it has to be remembered that that the US- Iraq war not only carries superficial financial loss, but also macroeconomic costs. The war has resulted in higher consumption of resources, than that was estimated before the war started in 2003. Oil prices shot from $23 in 2003 to $90 in US, as an aftermath of US- Iran war. Firstly, war hampered the regular supply of oil from Middle East countries including Iraq and Iran. Secondly, war increased consumption of

Medicine administration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Medicine administration - Essay Example He needs to be in school, not at home taking care of a terminally ill patient. Michael lacks the skills needed to take care of a patient suffering from Parkinson’s disease. He is also too young to cope with the challenges that come with taking care of a person suffering from this disease (Tuite, 2009). The work might be emotionally draining and Michael might not know how to handle this. He has not been trained to deal with medical conditions; therefore, he might not know how to handle his mother’s medication (Chemecky, Infortuna and Macklin, 2006). Sometimes, it is hard to administer drugs to persons suffering from Parkinson’s disease, and since Michael is not a trained medicine administrator, he might not know what to do in this situation. Michael should not be allowed to administer drugs to his mother by himself. Since his mother’s condition is very serious, she needs advanced level medications which can only be administered by a professional, which Mich ael is not. According to the law, only simple drugs such as paracetamols can be administered at home. There are age restrictions for drug administration at home. For some medications, the age limit can be anywhere from 13 years (Tuite, 2009).

The Economics of Crime and Capital Punishment Essay

The Economics of Crime and Capital Punishment - Essay Example   Ã¢â‚¬Å"The Economics of Crime† The economics of crime is the study of factors that cause crime and the consequences of criminal activities in the society as well as approaches towards the reduction of the criminal effects on the society. Economics of crime deals with the costs of criminal justice programs and policies and their benefits to the society. It also deals with analyzing market progress in regard to all activities associated with a crime like drugs, money laundering, and firearms, among others. Economics of crime still evaluates the effects of criminal activities on other aspects of life like healthcare, education, labor market, and substance abuse. â€Å"Capital Punishment† Capital punishment is a method of executing justice especially to offenders who have committed acute crimes like murder. It was highly practiced in ancient days, but later some people and courts found it unconstitutional and against human rights. There have been issues of debate on whet her it should be abolished or it should continue, and this remains a major issue of concern. Many countries so far have abolished capital punishment for all crimes, though there are others that retain it. However, the practice has not proved to be the best in deterring crimes. People differ on the kind of crimes on which capital punishment should be accorded, and the issue remains unresolved. However, capital punishment has a number of effects on the economy of a country especially with the processes involved in administering justice to offenders, and its cost to the entire society. The Common Economic View The economics of crime and capital punishment go hand in hand in dealing with the economic issues. The economics of crime help in determining the cost a country incurs when administering justice to offenders. For example, the society uses public and private resources to prevent crimes and administer justice to offenders. The economics of crime helps to know the type and amount of resources used to give punishment to offenders. Capital punishment, on the other hand, affects the economy of a country to a greater extent. Administering punishment to an offender goes through a number of processes that involve the use of many resources mainly because of its passing through the different panels to justify the offender’s liability for capital punishment. Thus, it affects the economy widely and should be discouraged. Friedman’s Letter to Bill Bennett The main topic in this article is the use of law enforcement to control drug use in America. This letter is important because it talks about the cost incurred in fighting drug use in America (Friedman 85). Milton urges Bill that the direction they take off using more police, imposing harsh penalties for drug users, increasing jails, among other measures will not help in fighting drug abuse in America, but would rather worsen the current situation. Milton argues that the measures taken are only a source of major evils. Enforcing harsh penalties on drug users only increases disasters for both users and society (Friedman 86).  

The Production Process Of Monster Inc Film Studies Essay

The Production Process Of Monster Inc Film Studies Essay The process of movie making entails four stages, development, pre-production, production and post-production. The development stage involves the process of creating the story line. At the pre-production level the technical challenges are addressed. It is in the production stage that the actual filming takes place and polishing of the movie is done at the post production stage. The Pixar process through which Monster Inc passes is detailed below. Step1: This step entails explaining of the idea about the movie to the audience and the members of the development team. At this stage the originality of the idea is pivotal as it translates to how viable the movie is. The idea of Sulley and Mike working for Monsters Inc is an incredible idea and so is the inclusion of Boo. The work was developed from the two artists namely Docter and Grant. The adult man had the childhood drawings come to life and start plaguing on his existence. He could see the monsters but the other could not. The monsters represented the fears he had to deal with as a kid and which he did not. However, these monsters disappeared at he continued to overcome these fears. Step 2: this idea is then written down in what is referred to as text treatment. It also worth mentioning that it necessary to come up with many text treatments as they help in opening up the possibilities available. In addition, such treatments help to refine the main idea of the story. For instance, the initial idea was to have a 32 year old man who could see the monsters but which was later changed to an innocent girl. Step 3: Elisabeth (12) defines storyboards as the graphic organizers which could include illustrations and images and are necessary in the movie making process for the purpose of pre-visualizing a motion picture. It is a tedious and intricate process and was developed in Walt Disney Studio in 1930s. This concept of story boards is credited to Webb Smith where scenes would be drawn in different sheets of paper and would be pinned on a bulletin board (Mark 65). This proved effective in telling a story in a sequence. The Monster Inc incorporates story boards and is better described as a hand drawn comic book version. The artists receive the scripts and they are then expected to make the drawings. The sequences by the artists utilize the emotions from the scripts to be able to make the illustrations. The drawn out sequence is then handed to the director of Monster Inc. Step 4: In making of the Monster Inc movie the scratch voice is used to the story board reels. However, professional actors are hired when the story and the dialogue have been perfected. It is also worth noting that the actors hired need not depend on the script alone but also need to improvise to make the movie interesting. The actors hired for different role in Monster Inc then record the lines in different ways and the best ones are chosen. However, if the scratch voices are good enough then there will we no need to follow the rest of the process. Sulley the massive monster who finds himself in trouble was played by John Goodman who had a rich and wide vocal range. His voice also similar to that of a bear and it seemed to fit to this role. Finding the voice for Boo was challenging and it is the voice of Mary Gibbs who plays this role that brought the energy needed. In addition she was playful and fit in well in this role. Step 5: This is the stage where by the illustration by the story board is developed into a reel. The reel is able to tell a story without the need to have a pitcher person to tell the story behind the shooting of Monster Inc. This process is pivotal in the making of Monster Inc as it helps in validating the sequence of the story. The editorial of Monster Inc also takes this chance to ascertain the elements required for each shot. For instance, in this movie Joe Rauft did the story board and also was the scratch voice of Sullivan. Step 6: The art department utilizes the work from the above process and brings life to the scenes. In particular this involves creating inspirational art, illustrating the world and the characters. In addition, the artists also design sets, props, visual looks for surfaces and colors which will be necessary lighting. In looking for the style of Monstropolis the production designers had to go to view different locations which could inspire the design of the movie. 22 different sets were designed for the movie and some of theses sets included the Boos bedroom, sushi eatery, Harryhausens and home of yeti. Step 7: This step is another tedious task in the making of Monster Inc. The characters, sets and props to be used are sculpted by hand and then scanned in three dimensions. These elements are then given avars and the animators use them to make the movements. In this movie the clay sculptures were made and then digitized for the main characters. For the rest of the monsters they were created by the computer using the kit of virtual parts. It is also worth noting that in order to give the animators a lot of movement those modeling the characters used Geppetto; a program used to add more controls. Step 8: This is an interesting stage where the sets are dressed with prop models in bringing out a realistic scene. It also worth noting that those charged with this task, work closely with the director in ensuring his vision of Monster Inc is being actualized. For instance in making the monsters colorful, the city and the factory had to be muted. Step 9: The real work of taking shots then starts and the story is translated into 3-dimensional scenes. This stage is involving for the layout crew of Monster Inc, who use a virtual camera to create shots while capturing the emotion of each scene. Multiple shots are created for each scene and this helps the editorial team to make the best choice of the shots that will give the maximums story telling effect. Step 10: At this point the layout, dialog, sound, character and models are already done and the animators choreograph the movements and facial expressions of the characters and this is done for each and every scene. Computer controls are used and avars are also necessary at this point. The movement of the Boss shirt and Sullivan long fluid fur posed a great challenge. How do you animate every wrinkle in both of theses two characters clothes? This required the use of simulations that would automatically generate such movements. Similarly, for Boo having the hair was another problem and Docter found a temporary solution by use of pigtails which were easier to animate. However, this was also complicated by the fact that these movements needed to be realistic. In particular, the Boos shirt had to drape in an aesthetically appealing way and Sulleys hair had to stick out attractively as well. The animator John Kahrs was in-charge of Sulley and lead animator for Boo was Dave DeVan. Step 11: At this point the shading is done to bringing out different color effects. In shooting of Monster Inc this was done by using software which allowed complex variations where the color shifted with the lighting. Step 12: It is the lighting that completes the whole picture and at this stage the key, fill and bounce lights become important in enhancing the mood and emotion of the characters in the scene (Richard 45). The room ambience is also defined in creating a realistic and giving out the right impression. Step 13: At last the sets, colors, character movement are put in one frame. The Pixars process used in making the Monster Inc utilized a huge computer system which interpreted the data and incorporated the motion blur. After this was done the completion of Monster Inc required final touches from the various departments. For instance the special effects and sound effects were added. In particular, the photo-science department recorded the digital frames in readiness for projection. Work Cited Elisabeth, Weis Film Sound: Theory and Practice. Columbia University Press, 1985 Mark, CottaVaz. The Invisible Art: The Legends of Movie Matte Painting, Chronicle Books, 2004 Richard, Reckitt. Special Effects: The History and Technique, Billboard Books; 2nd edition, 2007

Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir and Michele Fitoussi Essay -- Books Lite

Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir and Michele Fitoussi For my final paper, I read a book titled 'Stolen Lives' by Malika Oufkir and Michele Fitoussi. This is the true story of Malika's life. This book is divided into two parts; the first part is a description of Malika's fairy-tale life. She lived alongside a princess, in a palace, and was wanting for nothing. The second part of the book tells the story of Malika and her family's time spent in prison and the suffering they went through. Malika Oufkir was born in 1953 in Morocco to a loving mother and father. Her family was very close to King Muhammad V and the royal family of Morocco. Her father was appointed the chief aide to the king after playing an active role in bringing the king back from exile. The king had a young daughter, Lalla Mina, the same age as Malika and wanted them to grow up together so he asked that Malika come and live with him. This was not a request her parents could say no to. She was basically taken from her parents without much explanation to her and brought to live with the royal family. Her mother was allowed to visit her but the visits became less and less frequent. Malika lived inside of the palace where she attended school. She lived a luxurious life, and was treated like a princess herself, but felt like she was a prisoner. The palace was surrounded by walls and her every move was watched so she could not go outside of these walls. The only time she could leave was when the royal family left to vacation at another palace. The king treated Malika very well, as if she were his own daughter. After routine surgery, King Muhammad V died when Malika was seven. King Hassan II, the son of King Muhammad, took over the throne. Malika?s mother thoug... ...e survived all this time in the conditions they had to endure. But I don?t think they could have survived if it weren?t for the support they showed for one another. This is an amazing story of the human spirit and of a bond that held this family together. I would recommend this book to any person that likes human-interest stories. I think we need to be aware that this still does go on in some parts of the world. I enjoy learning about history and this story provided some historical information. I realize how far we have come in this country with women?s rights and how primitive some societies still treat women. Also, it served as a reminder to me that different parts of the world have very diverse beliefs and how lucky we are to live in this country. Works Cited Oufkir, Malika, and Michele Fitoussi. Stolen Lives. New York:Editions Grasset & Fasquelle. 1999

Performance Management Framework Essay

Mr. Stonefield is starting his own business in Austin, Texas, called Landslide Limousine Service. One of the fundamental elements to building this new business venture is creating a framework for performance management. The framework must include necessary employee job skills, the methods used for measuring these skills, the process for addressing skill gaps, and the approach for delivering effective performance feedback. It is important to understand how the performance management framework (PMF) aligns to the organizational business strategy. Mr. Stonefield previously stated he wants to provide first-class transportation to his customers. His goals are realistic for the first year with an anticipated -$50,000 in revenue, and 10% turnover. The success of the business’s performance management will ensure there will not be any additional lost revenue, and turnover stays at, or under target. The goals set in place lay the foundation for the future of this company, and a clearly defined PMF will foster highly engaged employees and lead to continual revenue growth. It is imperative Mr. Stonefield’s employees have the necessary job skills to allow Landslide Limousine to achieve its goals and gain a positive reputation. A job analysis is â€Å"The process of obtaining information about jobs, including the tasks to be done on the jobs as well as the personal characteristics necessary to do the tasks† (Cascio, 2013, p.690). Mr. Stonefield has elected Atwood and Allen Consulting to conduct the job analysis process to identify the skills his employees will need. The job analysis process, or in this case, processes, have been identified, but additional time is required to act out these processes. The first process is observation. â€Å"The analyst simply observes a worker or group of workers doing a job. Without interfering, the analyst records†¦ Team Reflection: Performance Management In week 4 Team â€Å"D† reviewed and discussed the following information and how it applies to Landslide Limousine. Alignment of the performance management framework to the organizational business strategy, organizational performance philosophy, the job analysis process completed identifying the  skills needed by employees, methods used for measuring an employee’s skills, process for addressing skill gaps, approach for delivering effective performance feedback. Alignment of the performance management Aligning the structure of the performance management plan with the business strategy is a key element for its success. For Landslide Limousine Services, it was previously communicated that this strategy entailed providing first class transportation to its customers. Its prospective goals indicate a $50,000.00 first year net revenue, a 5% net revenue increase over the first few years, and a turnover rate of approximately 10%. In order to achieve the realistic goals set and for the business strategy to be met, you must consider what it would take to reach them. Understanding that employee loyalty will be an asset to the business is a good start. This means developing a flexible framework that expresses the company’s culture and shows managements’ commitment to developing a strong team of employees. Providing the right training opportunities is essential for meeting business objectives. Many companies just go through the motions of a performance management plan without fully evaluating the needs of the employees to develop their morale and commitment in return. In order to provide first class transportation to its customers, opportunity for development in this area with the proper guidance and encouragement will engage employees in the direction of the company’s strategy. Organizational performance philosophy Every business and its culture differ from one†¦ Introduction Creating a performance management framework ensures that Clapton Commercial Construction will achieve its business venture goals. A critical tool for a company is its performance management. It gives the employees an opportunity to succeed and for the organization to prosper. Outlined are recommendations that we here at Atwood and Allen consulting feel should be utilized to maximize the potential this company has. Performance Management For any business to be successful it is imperative that they implement a  performance management framework. This structure must be effective for the company to meet its goals and ensure that internal decisions are made based on the work performance of its employees. The performance management framework aligns with the business strategy because the structure is created based on the goals and vision of the business. Recommendations Clapton Commercial Constructions desire is to deliver quality top notch construction and customer service. A clear vision and realistic goals are needed to target areas of improvement. An effective performance management framework ensures consistency in reviews and brings the business success they are anticipating. It is recommended that Clapton Commercial promote growth by making sure that all employees are properly trained and feedback be analyzed from the employees and customers. The job analysis is an in-depth study of the position. It provides information for job descriptions (Job Analysis-Human Resources Management for Employers, 2011). We recommend that the employees be involved by completing a job analysis form, this is a way of collecting information about the work. Interview the employees by asking them specific questions about their job duties and make a list of the specific task performed. Also, identify the experience, education, and training levels†¦ PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ABOUT PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Performance Management involves the entire gamut of processes in identifying critical dimensions of performance – setting work plans against laid down objectives, reviewing the work done against indicators of performance and developing and enhancing competencies for improved performance. THEORGANIZA TIONAL GOAL PROVIDES THE PERSPECTIVE TO DETERMINE THE DEPARTMENTA L (REGION/ THEME/UNIT) GOAL WHICH IN TURN PROVIDES THE CONTEXT FOR AN PROCEDURE FOR EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM An effective Performance Management System should be based on :a) Setting up Key Result Area (KRAs) for the Region/Theme/Unit/ Department b) Clarity of Individual Roles and Responsibilities c) Laying down Plans and Performance  Indicators for each position d) Periodic assessment of performance of the individual against such Plans/ Performance Indicators e) Identifying factors facilitating and hindering achievement of Plans – development of action plans for overcoming hindering factors and strengthening facilitating factors f) Periodic review of role incumbents’ behavior, which contributes to effective functioning and working out action plans for developing such behavior. g) Identification of role incumbents’ developmental needs and preparing plans for staff development through training and related activities. h) Implementation and review. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PAGE STAGES OF MANAGING PERFORMANCE SYSTEM : 1. Identification of KRAs (Key Result Areas)  KRA(s) for the Organisation need to be identified and collectively agreed upon. The KRA(s) for the organization will be drawn out from the Country Strategy paper (2005-2010) which has evolved through a bottom-up approach, from consultations held with over a 1000 persons, with participation from the partners and communities AAI-India works with. KRA(s) for the organization will hold good for the†¦ Performance Management Plan Performance Management Plan HRM-531 March 17, 2014 Patrice Cloutier Mr. Stonefield, I am very happy to hear that you are considering a Performance Management Plan for your business expansion in Austin, Texas. As you may know there are sound organizational payoffs for implementing a strong performance management system. Study indicates that companies with a strong management plan is likely to outperform competitors by 51% on financial measure and by 41% on nonfinancial metrics. The performance management plan for the limousine operation with 25 employees, with a net $-50k revenue, with a growth of rate 5% for the first two years and expected rate of turnover of 10% should be straight forward. Here below I am presenting to you our recommendations for a very comprehensive performance management plan. (Cascio, 2013, P.332) The first step a business must consider is alignment of performance management to the business strategy. Once you have the vision for the Limo operation in Austin, identify the drivers or Key Performance Indicators to achieve the vision. The KPIs then can cascaded down to the functional areas then to individual level. The next step in the process should be of defining goals. The process of goal setting should be a collaborative process between a manger and the employee. Once the company wide strategy is established the strategy and the goals should be shared with each employee. This is a critical step in the process. One thing to keep in mind in goal development is that the goals should be specific, measurable, achievable and timely. Specific: Well-defined to inform employees exactly what is expected, when, and how much. Measurable: Provide milestones to track progress and motivate employees toward achievement. Achievable: Success needs to be attainable with effort by an average employee, with a bit of a stretch. Relevant: The goals should focus on the greatest impact to the overall†¦

Long-Form Possessive Adjectives in Spanish

Long-Form Possessive Adjectives in Spanish Possessive adjectives in Spanish, like those of English, are a way of indicating who owns or is in possession of something. Their use is straightforward, although they, like other adjectives, must match the nouns they modify in both number (singular or plural) and gender. Using the Long Form Unlike English, Spanish has two forms of possessive adjectives, a short form that is used before nouns, and a long form that is used after nouns. Here we focus on the long-form possessive adjectives with examples of usage and possible translations of each example: mà ­o, mà ­a, mà ­os, mà ­as - my, of mine - Son libros mà ­os. (They are my books. They are books of mine.)tuyo, tuya, tuyos, tuyas - your (singular familiar), of yours - Prefiero la casa tuya. (I prefer your house. I prefer the house of yours.) These forms are used even in areas where vos is common, such as Argentina and parts of Central America.suyo, suya, suyos, suyas - your (singular or plural formal), its, his, her, their, of yours, of his, of hers, of theirs - Voy a la oficina suya. (I am going to his/her/your/their office. I am going to the office of his/hers/yours/theirs.)nuestro, nuestra, nuestros, nuestras - our, of ours - Es un coche nuestro. (It is our car. It is a car of ours.)vuestro, vuestra, vuestros, vuestras - your (plural familiar), of yours -  ¿Dà ³nde estn los hijos vuestros? (Where are your children? Where are the children of yours?) As you may have noticed, the short form and long forms of nuestro and vuestro and related pronouns are identical. They differ only as to whether they are used before or after the noun. Owner Irrelevant in Determining Gender In terms of number and gender, changed forms are with the nouns they modify, not with the person(s) who own or possess the object. Thus, a masculine object uses a masculine modifier regardless of whether it is owned by a male or female. Es un amigo tuyo. (He is a friend of yours.)Es una amiga tuya. (She is a friend of yours.)Son unos amigos tuyos. (They are some friends of yours.)Son unas amigas tuyas. (They are some friends of yours.) If youve already studied possessive pronouns, you may have noticed that they are identical with the possessive adjectives listed above. In fact, some grammarians consider the possessive adjectives to be a type of pronoun. Regional Variations in Use of Possessive Adjectives Suyo and the related forms (such as suyas) tend to be used in opposite ways in Spain and Latin America: In Spain, unless the context is clear otherwise, speakers tend to assume that suyo refers to possession by someone other than the person spoken to - in other words, suyo tends to function as a third-person adjective. If you need to refer to something possessed by the person spoken to, you can use de usted or de ustedes.In Latin America, on the other hand, speakers assume that suyo refers to something possessed by the person spoken to. If you need to refer to something possessed by a third party, you can use de à ©l (of his), de ella (of hers), or de ellos/ellas (of theirs). Also, in Latin America nuestro (and related forms such as nuestras) coming after a noun is uncommon for saying of ours. It is more common to use de nosotros or de nosotras. Long or Short Possessive Adjectives? Generally, there is no significant difference in meaning between the long and short forms possessive adjectives. Most often, youd use the long form as the equivalent of of mine, of yours, etc., in English. The short form is more common, and in some cases, the long form can be somewhat awkward or have a slight literary flavor. One use of the long form is in short questions:  ¿Es tuyo? (Is it yours?) In these simple questions, the form of the possessive depends on the gender of the unstated noun. For example,  ¿Es tuyo? could mean Is it your car? because coche (the word for car) is masculine, while  ¿Son tuyas? might mean Are they your flowers? because flor (the word for flower) is feminine. Key Takeaways Spanish has two types of possessive adjectives: short-form possessives, which go before the noun they refer to, and long-form possessives, which go afterward.There is no difference in meaning between the two forms of possessives, although the short term is used more often.Suyo is often understood differently in Spain than it is in Latin America.

Pot

Pot MarijuanaIn this report I will show you my views on Marijuana, if it should belegal, for medical and/or recreational purposes.Marijuana has many names: Dope, Marihuana, Ganja, Pot Mary Jane,Cannabis Sativa (Scientific) to name a few.Marijuana originated in the middle east (Taiwan, Korea). China playsan important part in Marijuana's history. Hoatho, the first chinesephysician to use Cannabis for medical purposes as a painkiller andanesthetic for surgery. In the Ninth Century B.C., it was used as anincense by the Assyrians Herbal, a Chinese book of medicine from the secondCentury B.C., was first to describe it in print. It was used as ananesthetic 5,000 years ago in ancient china. Many (*) ancient culturessuch as the persians, Greeks, East Indians, Romans, and the Assyrians formany things. These were what they used it for: the control of musclespasms, reduction of pain, and for indegestion.English: Close up shot of some high quality mariju...Imagine that if they stillpracticed this, in stead of taking an Alka Seltzer after you had mom's Chilior Tacos, you might be sitting in the living room on the LAY-Z Boy, smokinga joint or however they would take it. The folk medicine of Africa and Asiahave used it as an herbal preparation. A 'mythical' and 'legendary'pharmacist and emperor Shen Nung thought using it as a seditive was allright. In 2,700 B.C. that same 'mythical' emperor said it helped femaleweakness, gout, rheumatism, malaria, beri-beri (?), contipation, andabsentmindedness.In 1979 (A.D.) Carlton E. Turner visited China and found marijuana wasnot in use in formal medical places. J. D. P. Graham of the Welsh NationalSchool of Medicine wrote, 'One not need take to seriously the anecdotal useof it's use for many purposes in China or by the Hindus in...

MGT509 - Human Resource Management Mod 1 SLP Essay

MGT509 - Human Resource Management Mod 1 SLP - Essay Example It is no secret that recruiting, selection and onboarding are some of the most important processes for bringing in new talent in an organization. Companies spend a lot of time, money and energy into selecting and hiring the best recruits and can only hope that they will stay through the orientation programs and beyond and be a good fit with the organizational culture so that they can be contributing to its goals in the shortest time possible. In some ways, the success of the hiring program also depends to a great extent on the investment of time and energy in planning these aspects. As much as candidates try to show organizations that they are the best talent available, the organization also should try to show potential employees that they are the best employers. Coca Cola should know, it has over 100 years of experience and is a global enterprise having the world’s most recognized brand. As explained, I interviewed Miss Ceree Eberly, Human Resources Director for Coca Cola, USA. It was a short telephonic interview, but I think I got what I was looking for. She put me in touch with another HR representative who answered most of my questions on the company’s recruiting, selection and onboarding processes. One of the problems that HR is facing regards the verification of details on the forms and resumes of potential candidates. Like their Face book and Twitter profiles, resumes of candidates may be highly embellished or inflated with experiences and skills that they never had or used and roles they never played. The second difficulty is that candidates give up too easily during the hiring process and are frustrated because of current economic conditions in the USA. The company understands that this is partly because of post-recessionary trends seen in the economy, but society will have to adapt. They want candidates that are skilled and confident and see the job as a career, not just a stepping stone to another organization (SIOP, 2002). The third issue

HR assingment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

HR assingment - Essay Example In job based pay, employees lack flexibility as they have only acquired the skills needed for one particular job. In skill based pay an employee is provided different kinds of training to enhance the number skills he has and in job based pay, training is provided for one specific job so his skill sets remain restricted and limited. 2. Certain traits are associated with individuals conducting unsafe acts, with the aid and knowledge of proper screening and placement techniques, employers can employ individuals who are safe for the organization. While hiring employees, employers need to have knowledge of traits that help in predicting whether an employee is safe and harmless to the organization. For example employers can make use of ERI (Employee Reliability Inventory) while hiring employees to ensure that the applicant is safe for the organization (Hersen 151). The ERI helps in measuring how emotionally mature an individual is, the level of conscientiousness embedded in an applicant and how much control an individual has over his emotions. Other than using tests, employees can conduct background checks to ensure that the applicant is safe to hire. Employers can contact the organizations where an applicant was working previously and obtain information about his conduct in that organization to identify whether it is safe to hire a particular applicant or not. Employers can even obtain information about an employees conduct through law enforcement agencies to figure out whether an employee was previously involved in violent and criminal activities. 3. Stress in work environments are caused due to the availability of stressors. Stressors are recognized as factors that lead to increase in stress levels of employees. There are various stressors that lead to increased level of stress. These stressors include: time, workload, resources and competition (Proctor 259). Individuals end