Role of Media on African Americans Essay Example for Free

Role of Media on African Americans Essay There has always been a lot of discussion about the perception of African Americans in the media and how it affects their self-identity. It is easy to find examples of bias in portraying African Americans in the media. So what exactly is it that the media does to bring out these stereotypes, biases, and images that tend to stick with a lot of African Americans? The goal of this paper is to explore the different perceptions African Americans have gone through, how it has given them a sense of double consciousness on life, where the media image of African Americans that has stuck with them for so long can, and will go from here. According to the United States Census Bureau (2001), 12. 3% of all people reporting as one race reported they were â€Å"Black or African American†. This ethnic identity is now the second biggest minority group in the United States. It also refers to a group of people that has been in the United States for as long as it has existed. However, through the persecution of slavery, the austerity of segregation, and the continuing underlying prejudice, African Americans are still searching for their true identity. Look more:  the issues concerning identity theft essay Just as children that were adopted tend to long for a true identity most of their lives, so are the circumstances of the African American. Stolen from their homeland and forced into slavery in a new country, African Americans were basically victims of identity theft. Although a lot of progress has been made in the way of an American identity for African Americans, a true identity has not yet been found. According to W. E. B DuBois (1903) â€Å"The history of the American Negro is the history of this strife—this longing to attain self-conscious manhood, to merge his double self into a better and truer self† (p.68). Many African Americans feel the same as W. E. B. Du Bois when he says, â€Å"After the Egyptian and Indian, the Greek and Roman, the Teuton and Mongolian, the Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight in this American world – a world which yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world. † He also states, â€Å"One ever feels his twoness – an American, a Negro, two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled arrives; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder. † A quick look at American history makes it easy to understand where this split identity stems from because Du Bois claims that African Americans were always forced to see things through â€Å"white† eyes only and not have a vision of their own. In an effort to rephrase Du Bois’ comment above, the terminology of â€Å"twoness† is really him trying to define double consciousness as a few different things: 1 the power that white stereotypes have on African American’s lives and also having that internal conflict between labeling themselves as African and American simultaneously. 2 it is a sense of awareness of one’s self along with the awareness of how others may perceive one. This in turn leads to conforming based on level of power, which is basically what occurred. PBS’ African American World Timeline (2004) says that there is a large history of not granting African Americans an identity. Before 1787, of course, African Americans were slaves and only thought of as property. In 1787 the U. S. Constitution was approved. It allowed for the continuation of the slave trade for another 20 years and claimed that a slave counted as three-fifths of a man for representation by the government. In 1865 some progress was gained when the Thirteenth Amendment was passed, outlawing slavery and creating a Freedmen’s Bureau to help out former slaves. Also in 1865 Union General, William Sherman issued a field order setting up 40-acre plots of land in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida for African Americans to settle. But, in 1866, some all-white legislatures in the former Confederate states passed what were known as, â€Å"Black Codes† harshly cutting the freedom of African Americans and practically re-enslaving them. Since that time there has been some progression and also some difficulty for African Americans. Based on the history of the United States’ treatment of African Americans, it is easy to understand how they could struggle for their true identity. James Jones (1991) might say it best when he states, â€Å"Black personality is in part an adaptation to the political contours of racism. The conflict between the freedoms and rights of United States citizens is connected to the denial of freedom and rights that is the history of the African American presence in this country. If we view personality as the resultant of coping pattern and socialization directives, then black personality is, in part, the cumulative representation of the effects of racism over four centuries. It reflects over time, the effects of the form and structure racism takes, and comes to signal the nature of race relations at any point in time (p. 305). † This would lead to accepting of the fact that African Americans do, of course, have an identity, but a lot of the time it is dependent on the identity of White race at that time. Alain Locke (1925) explains the upward moving and upbeat side of African American identity: â€Å"In the last decade something beyond the watch and guard of statistics has happened in the life of the American Negro and the three norms who have traditionally presided over the Negro problem have a changeling in their laps. The Sociologist, The Philanthropist, the Race-leader are not unaware of the New Negro but they are at a loss to account for him. He simply cannot be swathed in their formulae. For the younger generation is vibrant with a new psychology; the new spirit is awake in the masses, and under the very eyes of the professional observers is transforming what has been a perennial problem into the progressive phases of contemporary Negro life. Could such a metamorphosis have taken place as suddenly as it has appeared to? The answer is no, not because the New Negro is not here, but because the Old Negro had long become more of a myth than a man. The Old Negro, we must remember, was a creature of moral debate and historical controversy. His has been a stock figure perpetuated as a historical fiction partly in innocent sentimentalism, partly in deliberate reactions. The Negro himself has contributed his share to this through a sort of protective social mimicry forced upon him by the adverse circumstances of dependence. So for generations in the mind of America, the Negro has been more of a formula than a human being a something to be argued about, condemned or defended, to be kept down, or in his place, or helped up, to be worried with or worried over, harassed or patronized, a social bogey or a social burden. The thinking Negro even has been induced to share this same general attitude, to focus his attention on controversial issues, to see himself, in the distorted perspective of a social problem. His shadow, so to speak, has been more real to him than his personality. Through having had to appeal from the unjust stereotypes of his oppressors and Traducers to those of his liberators, friends and benefactors he has subscribed to the traditional positions from which his case has been viewed. Little true social or self-understanding has or could come from such a situation†¦ †¦Until recently, lacking self-understanding, we have been almost as much of a problem to ourselves as we still are to others. But the decade that found us with a problem has left us with only a task. The multitude perhaps feels as yet only a strange relief and a new vague urge, but the thinking few know that in the reaction the vital inner grip of prejudice has been broken. It does not follow that if the Negro were better known he would be better liked or better treated. But mutual understanding is basic for any subsequent cooperation and adjustment. The effort toward this will at least have the effect of remedying in large part what has been the most unsatisfactory feature of our present stage of race relationships in America, namely the fact that the more intelligent and representative elements of the two race groups have at so many points got quite out of vital touch with one another (p. 631). † Even in the premier times of African American identity there were still questions to be answered. Now those questions lead to progressive thinking like Locke’s, â€Å"middle of the road† thinking and â€Å"extremist† thinking. An example of the term â€Å"middle-of-the-road† thinking can be seen in a post by Malcolm Frierson (2004) to a discussion board using the topic of what label to give African Americans. He says: â€Å"It is the right of the individual to be self-defining. Black is a color, not a term for a race of people in this millennium. The word was made beautiful and strong in the 60s and beyond for obvious reasons. That effort was admirable and effective, but now fairly done. It is time to move forward. † The term African American linguistically puts the race on more comfortable ground. It doesn’t seem right or fair to look at four men and call one Italian, one Native American, one Chinese, and the other black. â€Å"Whites† dont seem to have this concern obviously because they sit at the top of this name issue. The whole system was constructed to glorify the â€Å"whites† (the imperialists) and belittle the â€Å"blacks (the subjects). † Also, many whites and blacks together, beg for an end to this issue because they claim, were all Americans. But if we are actually honest with each other, nobody while in contemporary American society, when asked for their race or ethnicity, will never be able to simply label them self as simply â€Å"American. † There will always have to be a distinguishing label put upon everyone. Why is it that blacks have to go through this labeling issue more than any other American subgroup? Asian Americans, Italian Americans, and Filipino Americans often become Asians, Italians, and simply Filipino without ridicule or persecution (Asians further become Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, and others). A possible answer to this would be that we all identify with our most dominant ancestral line or native country – German, Spanish, Portuguese, Jamaican, what have you. It should come before the understood American part. But again, we should respect an individuals rights to be self-defining. One black problem could be that a lot of people really havent been to Africa and are in a sense kind of ashamed about or tend to disregard that fact possibly feeling a sense of ignorance in that area. The term African should be proudly used along with the term American just as other foreign groups use their places of origin along with their American status. Unfortunately this viewpoint is just a common middle-ground between the two poles. The other pole is a belief best supported by the All African People’s Revolutionary Party. They say, â€Å"African People born and living in over 113 countries around the world are [one group of] people, with one identity, one history, one culture, one nation and one destiny. We have one common enemy. We suffer from disunity, disorganization and ideological confusion. And we have only one scientific and correct solution, Pan-Africanism: the total liberation and unification of Africa under scientific socialism. They feel that African people that have been born or are living outside of Africa are intentionally kept from the knowledge of Africa and her achievements through European capitalism. They also feel that people inside of Africa are tricked into living in separate countries because of the â€Å"divide and rule† tactic used by Europeans which basically means it forces large concentrations of power (people) into smaller units of power to constrain them from gaining more power as the larger unit. It is this pole that receives the most voice in the media and also probably this pole which leads to the bias media outlets against African Americans. Perhaps the earliest example of media bias against African Americans, whether intentional or not, came from 19th Century naturalists that divided mankind into Caucasians, Mongolians, Malayans, Ethiopians and (native) American races. The Caucasians were defined as wise, the Mongolians crafty, and the Ethiopians/negro unintelligent. This bias is blunt and disrespectful, but possibly not hateful in intent back in the day. Today our media comes from less than ten gigantic media conglomerates in the United States. Salim Muwakkil (1999) mentions that, â€Å"Virtually all of our information, our cultural narratives, and our global images derive from institutions whose major goal is to pay handsome dividends to stockholders (p. 2). † Which in other words the media doesn’t really care what they say even if it sounds hateful. If it sells and gets publicity, it’s a hit. He also points out that black-owned media operations are becoming increasingly rare as much larger corporations continue to buy out more places and more property. Muwakkil’s fear is that the mainstream will continue to alter the image of African Americans without challenge to the point that their â€Å"anti-black† tendencies will be encouraged and sustained. Muwakkil makes a very strong point when he states the Kerner Commission’s findings: â€Å"The Kerner Commission (formally known as the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders), which was charged with finding the reasons for the long-hot-summer rebellions, had concluded that the United States was headed dangerously toward ‘two societies, one black, and one white, separate and unequal. ’ It blamed the urban unrest on persistent racial discrimination and a historical legacy of disadvantage, but it also singled out the nations news media for censure. The media treated African Americans as invisible, the commission concluded, and failed to communicate to white audiences a feeling for the difficulties and frustrations of being a Negro in the United States (p. 1). † In the book, The Black Image in the White Mind: Media and Race in America, Robert Entman and Andrew Rojecki (2000) point out some surprising statistics from studies done on American television. While Black actors are now more frequently appearing in films, its a debatable question as to how well theyre being represented. In the top movies of 1996 representation of African American Females and Caucasian females was drastically different where statistics from differences in using profanity, to physical violence were very often a difference of 70% or more between the 2 races with African Americans being in the higher percentage of the two for those certain areas. Television ads now show, hidden patterns of differentiation and distance pertaining to African Americans. Not surprisingly, for instance, Blacks do not touch Whites in the majority of television ads, but as opposed to Whites, they rarely even touch each other, expressing a slight message assuming that Black skin would be taboo. A ranking of racial preference is implanted within the casting of commercials. Network news also tends to place a â€Å"ghetto† label or more urban image on African Americans. Increasingly, African Americans appear mostly in crime, sports and entertainment stories. Rarely are Blacks shown making an important contribution to the serious business of the nation. The exception of blacks rarely being shown in a positive fashion contributing to the nation would be President Obama, which will hopefully turn the stage for this image stereotype. Unfortunately however, that negative image is not the only blunt indication of a media stereotype. It is noticed by a lot of different people that African American athletes tend to receive a bad representation by the media, pointing out that when they get into any level of trouble, it is reported significantly more and also perceived in a much different way than when White athletes behave in the same manner or worse. It also is sometimes apparent that sportscasters tend to point out solely the athletic abilities of African American athletes in contrast to their tendency to point out the intelligence and savvy of White athletes. It is a known stereotype for quarterbacks on football teams for example, people perceive this position to demand a much more mental capacity and take a much more conscious effort as opposed to other positions on the team. Therefore the stereotype has often been viewed as teams primarily consisting of white quarterbacks. This tends to lead people to believe that black athletes achieve greatness by some coincidence or by simply their natural physical makeup instead of just assuming they are talented and hard working. There are several more examples of media bias against African Americans and there are far too many to speak on individually. Ultimately the point that is trying to be made is that there is a high level of publicity and strong case for media bias against African Americans. Any actor or famous person for that matter will almost always tell you that no publicity means bad publicity. It is logical then, to see the media (whether its biased or not) as a great tool for providing a voice to the African American community. It is also logical to say that a more biased media representation gives African Americans more publicity as Americans simply love bad press because â€Å"dirt† on other people sells, and the media has never cared about ones feelings if it means for them to make money. Ultimately, where I see this issue going from here has everything to do with President Obama. With the world-wide publicity he received for his changing of history for our country, I really feel this will open up many doors into the media for African Americans to have their voice, and create and defend a sense of identity that is much more positive than any other that has been labeled upon them. Obama is the best thing that has happened to African American media and just them as humans because he is what America needs to not only fix the economic and other issues in this country but most importantly bring the people of different colors together even closer than ever before to becoming one country where everyone is separate in color, but equal in representation and voice. Works Cited Du Bois, W. E. B. The Souls of Black Folk. Chicago: A. C. McClurg Co. ; [Cambridge]:University Press John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U. S. A., 1903; Bartleby. com,1999. P. 68. Entman, R. M. and Andrew R.. (2000). The Black Image in the White Mind: Media andRace in America. University of Chicago Press. Frierson, M. (2004) Black, black, or African American? Feedback Poynter OnlineRetrieved May 10, 2009 from http://www. poynter. org/article_feedback/article_feedback_list. asp? id=51320 Fudjud, D. (2003) Black, black, or African American? Feedback Poynter OnlineRetrieved May 11, 2009 fromhttp://www. poynter. org/article_feedback/article_feedback_list. asp? id=51320 Jones, J. (1991). The Politics of Personality: Being Black in America. In ReginaldJones (ed. ) Black Psychology 3rd Edition, 305-318. Locke, A. (1925) Enter the New Negro. A hypermedia edition of the March 1925 SurveyGraphic Harlem Number Retrieved May 12, 2009 fromhttp://etext. lib. virginia. edu/harlem/LocEnteF. html Muwakkil, S. (1999). Corporate Media, Alternative Press, and African Americans Media Alliance, Retrieved May 11, 2009 fromhttp://mediaalliance2. live. radicaldesigns. org/article. php? id=535 PBS. (2002) African American World Timeline. Retrieved May 11, 2009 fromhttp://www. pbs. org/wnet/aaworld/timeline/early_01. html U. S. Census Bureau (2001) Overview of Race and Hispanic Origin. Census 2000Website Retrieved May 11, 2009 from http://factfinder. census. gov/servlet/ThematicMapFramesetServlet? _bm=y-geo_id=01000US-tm_name=ACS_2007_3YR_G00_M00628-ds_name=ACS_2007_3YR_G00_-_MapEvent=displayBy-_dBy=040. Woods, K. M. (1995) An Essay on a Wickedly Powerful Word Poynter Online RetrievedMay 11, 2009 from http://www. poynter. org/content/content_view. asp? id=5603.

The character of Danforth in the Crucible Essay Example for Free

The character of Danforth in the Crucible Essay The Crucible was written by Arthur Miller as an allegory. He wrote the Crucible at a time during a modern day witch-hunt. The witch-hunt was the hunt for communists in the USA. Many of Millers friends were being persecuted and being attacked for being communists, which they were not. In 1956 Miller himself was accused of being a Communist and was brought before the House of Un-American Activities Committee. Here he was found guilty in communist beliefs. Later in 1957 this decision was over ruled. Miller then went on to marry Marilyn Monroe but divorced in 1961. The Crucible is told from a third person point of view. The characters dont address the audience directly but do obviously address each other directly. In the Crucible Miller portrays the good, the bad and the evil of Salem, a small village in Massachusetts. He shows that even the most religious people can make huge, costly mistakes. Miller shows this through the actions and words of the characters. The Crucible is set during a series of mad witch-hunts in Salem in the late 17th century. It is about a town, after accusations from a small minority of girls, begins to search madly for witches that do not exist. Many people were hanged on the charges of witchcraft. Miller shows the absurdity of the incident with a theme of truth and righteousness. The theme is conveyed through the struggles of Millers main character, John Proctor. The similarities between the witch-hunt in Salem and the hunt for communists are very alike. Miller makes the hunt for witches in Salem sound mad. He also said this about the hunt for Communists, especially when he was convicted. Miller structures the Crucible is set into four acts and tells almost all the story straight to the viewer or reader. This is minus the John Proctor affair which took place off stage. The story begins in act one, where the situation is told. The audience is told that a group of girls has been practicing witchcraft in the woods with Tituba. The initial incident is the actual accusation of the women of witchcraft by the several girls which were in the forest. This seems to get the story in motion and leads to the towns people getting into a mad frenzy. The main action of the story is the witch-hunt itself. The audience learns in later acts that several women are being tried and hanged for witchcraft.

Secret Recipe Franchise Analysis

Secret Recipe Franchise Analysis Executive Summary Secret Recipe, Dubai, UAE will be a franchise of catering company called Secret Recipe owned by ALAMERI Group. The business is in food services industry and has successfully established its brand name in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Philippines, Pakistan, Brunei, and Australia by virtue of its fine quality cakes, fusion food and distinctive service. The purpose for this business plan is to provide a written guide for managing the franchise of Secret Recipe, Dubai, UAE and seek financing from relevant institution and investors by providing detailed funding business plan. This franchise of secret recipe will be owned by Taleb AlAmeri and will be primarily involved in the provision of variety fresh food products such as cheese, chocolate and fresh, cream cakes, health cakes and brownies. The business mission statement is to be solution oriented innovatively and the vision is to be one of the leading telecommunication companies in Africa. The objective of the company is to provide job opportunities youths, generate income for owners and to give 10% of the revenue back to the community. The fundamentals of this business success rest with the capacity to deliver value to the customer at competitive prices (Ajami, Cool Goddard, 2006).With the background knowledge of stiff competition in the food industry within Dubai, this franchise aims at attracting and retaining its customer through the provision of fine quality food products and distinctive service. In addition to the above, the fundamentals of this business will encapsulate best demonstration of ethical practice within both the internal and external environment. This is because of the backdrop knowledge of the stringent measures and legislations that govern the food industry. The food industry is expected to grow in the near and innovative approaches to food service and delivery will define success within this industry. Changing consumer demographics and increasingly complicated customers are pushing food service businesses to the drawing boards (Toyne Nigh, 1999). The success of this franchise will depend on the capacity to create a powerful market niche that cannot be broken. General Company Description What makes the business very unique is the realization that businesses and consumers are increasingly demanding more leading edge in service and product delivery in the most efficient, time saving and reliable way (Hill, 2008). The Secret Recipe situated at Dubai Mall, UAE a franchise of Secret Recipes will be primarily involved in the provision of fine quality cakes and fusion food. This will encompass the provision of more than 20 types of fusion food, 40 cake creations and pastries, with a flavorful range of ice cream and beverages. Mission statement: To provide world class food services to the customer. Vision: To become a leading provider in fine quality cakes and fusion food. The company will offer value addition services innovatively using the existing technology for reliability and efficiency. With a powerful website to be developed, the customers will be able to sample and purchase their preferred choice of quality fine cakes and fusion foods online. The website will be used to advertise and sell the products and services offered by the company. Company Goals and Objectives Goals To have the franchise operating exactly three months after receiving adequate funding. Obtain $ 200,000 of capital by 31st December 2010 to staff and launch the business towards achieving its long term goals. To attain the stated year goal of recruiting employees by the beginning of the year 2011. Objectives Achieve excellent levels of high ethical standards within the food industry. Have a healthy, successful company that is a leader in customer service and that has a loyal customer following. Achieve a sales target of $20,000 within the first three months of the operation. Business Philosophy: The most important aspect of this business is to provide value to the customer through distinctive service and in a manner that guarantees their return. The more than 20 types of fusion food, 40 cake creations and pastries, with a flavorful range of ice cream and beverages will be sold to all customers of different backgrounds in United Arabs Emirates. However, I envisage to draw the larger bulk of my customer base from the residents of Dubai City. Because of the increasing innovative marketing approaches, the marketing strategy will strive to reach customers of diverse backgrounds and will then be narrowed down to touch on the specific market niche. Food industry is a growth industry that has leaped from one phase to the other and is expected to record tremendous growth in the future. Changes that will arise in the future will mainly be in regard to changing demographics and the complexity in the demands of the customer. This will also include changes in technology that will define the operations and customer service delivery (Singh Delios, 2005). My company will stay in tandem with the changes in the food industry and at pace with technological advancement to reap the most out of the benefits presented by these two growth scenarios. My greatest strength and competency that will also be my competitive advantage is the unrivalled experience in the food industry and chain management. As the owner of this franchise, I plan to put in an aggressive and innovative marketing campaign within this industry that will immediately smoke away competition and enhance my entry and strong regional presence in Dubai. I strongly believe my competitors strength will be based on tears of operation that have made them acquire a deeper sense of understanding of the customer. In fact, after an intensive research on the competitors strengths and weaknesses, the company realized that the competitors strengths are based on the experience, location, advertisement, employee, technology, financial, political connection and goodwill. I plan to plough in my vast experience in management within the food industry to his business and ensure its survival. In addition to the above, my capacity to raise capital that will cover important business start-up areas will provide me a competitive advantage against my competitors who has struggling with waning confidence in small and medium sized entrepreneurs by banks. Furthermore, I expect to reap from the efforts of the main company in regards to brand and image building. This will be a sole proprietorship type of business. This is because I believe the inability to raise adequate capital forms the reason behind enlargement and partnerships. Capital is not a problem in my case. Furthermore, sole proprietorship offers the best and simplest environment in regard to decision making (Cherunilam, 2004). I plan to execute my decisions and discharge my duties within this business without any opposition and inhibition. Products and Services This will be an entirely food business that will only deal with the products of the mother company. I will sell the more than 20 types of fusion food, 40 cake creations and pastries, with a flavorful range of ice cream and beverages offered in all  Secret Recipe  outlets. After an intensive research on the competitors strengths and weaknesses, the company realized that the competitors strengths are based on the experience, location, advertisement, employee, technology, financial, political connection and goodwill. These will form the areas that will define my competitive disadvantages. As a new franchise, I plan to get into the market at a slightly reduced sales fee in comparison to my competitors. This will form the introductory offer of the business that is aimed at drawing the customer to the business. Marketing Plan My marketing ill revolve around the need to adapt my brands to meet local and regional culture because of the understanding that branding act as a means of linking items that are part of product line and emphasizes the individuality of product items. This emphasis can only be achieved in instances where products items fit into the local or regional culture of the target market. This is a food industry and therefore I expect very little conflict with the culture of the people in Dubai. In addition to the above, the adapting of these brands to fit into the local and regional culture of the target market is a competitive advantage that is commonly used by competing firms engaged in the sale of similar or substitute products. In essence, this means that a firm that outperforms the others in the primary goal of performance-profitability-has competitive advantage. A reference back to the branding generic model of firms can be made, where the question of whether firms are branding strategies is cost driven or value added arises. Value added competitive advantage arises in instances where competing firms attach strong cognizance to the understanding of local or regional culture before launching their product lines. Companies succeed in branding strategies that their rival because their products are positioned to capitalize on their unique characteristics of a local or regional group and which, in one or more aspects, their rivals find hard to emulate. This competitive adv antage gives it a basis for outperforming competitors because of the value that firms are able to present to the customer. These will define my marketing plan. Management and Organization As I have stated, the day to day management of the business will be my primary duty with the support of other individuals that will form part of employees in the company. The procedure of running the business will be through delegation as per the chain of current bellow DIRECTORS CEOs SENIOR MANAGER FINANCE MANAGER ASSISTANT AGENTS WATCHMEN HUMAN RESOURSE MANAGER The managers and the staff are very important for the company as they are the means through which goals are realized, duties are carried out and they provide the links between the organization and the clients. 5.2 Management team The initial management team consists of the founders who will be working jointly as shareholders. The founders of the company share a vision for the success of Secret Recipe Franchise situated in Dubai, UAE. Their duty will involve day to day running of the business which involves finance, logistics and human resource. In future the company will have a general manager, finance manager and human resource manager who must have a degree or diploma with the relevant course from a recognized University or College. 5.3 Other personnel Apart from the management team, the company is having three (3) supervisors at the head office and one (1) assistant supervisor in every department. The company is planning to employ watchmen, office messenger and more assistant agents as we will be expanding. These personnel have and will have minimum qualification of O level education and diverse knowledge in the food industry. 5.4 Recruitment The management team has been able to recruit other personnel through networking and train them within the already existing outlets before they are posted to the new outlets. The business will also consider advertising through posters, internal memo, friends and relatives, internet, electronic media like radio and printed media like newspapers. The recruitment process will involve short-listing of the applicants, interviewing of the shortlisted applicants, selection of the successful applicants and finally issuing the appointment letter. We will also recruit through confirmation of the interns and the volunteers. 5.5 Orientation, training and developing of staff Secret Recipe Franchise Company will carry out orientation, training and development of staff through induction, on the job training, contract training, refresher courses, internship and evaluation after training. The company is looking forward to become custodians of a very fragile yet integral good: customer trust, therefore the company will maintain refresher courses to ensure all our staffs are properly aligned when it comes to personal integrity. 5.6 Remuneration/incentives 5.6.1 Salaries/wages The company will offer to the personnel a very competitive basic salary according to the qualification, experience, position and expertise. The salary will also be based on what the competitors offer and the companys returns. There will be a commission for the sales personnel and prompt payment for wages. 5.6.2 Fringe benefits Incentive is also another factor that the company has put at the top of priorities. Incentives will enable, motivate or encourage a particular course of action which in turn will contribute to the company success. We will offer allowances in terms of overtime, leave, millage, hardship and many more as they may arise. There will be bonuses including awards in terms of value for money and certificates. Currently the company provides tea, soft drink and has installed a television system. The business will soon embark on taking our staff to the trips, have insurance cover for them and remit contributions on their behalf to their respective insurance companies. 5.7 Support services The company will require the following support services; financial advisor, legal advisor, banking system, security support services, infrastructure and insurance services. 9. FINANCIAL PLAN The company has at its disposal a sum total of $20,000 as a financial source from directors personal savings. We are therefore looking for funding from other investors and banks. The business finance will be used to for the facilities, equipments, materials, cash for operating expenses and salaries, fees and other costs. 9.1 Capitalization 9.1.1 Own contribution Capitalization based on the shareholders contributions is $20,000. 9.1.2 Proposed funds from borrowing sources For the business to operate as proposed, the start-up cost must be met. The company is therefore proposing funds from borrowing sources of $ 20, 000 9.1.3 Total investment Total investment is the sum of own contribution and the proposed funds from borrowing sources which is $40,000. The following sections lay out the details of the financial plan for rapid, but controlled growth for the next one year. The simple structure to be adopted by the company will provide a great deal of flexibility resulting in few coordination problems hence quick reaction to changes in the market. 7.3 Cash flow projection for the year 2011 Jan Feb Mar April May June July August Sep Oct Nov Dec Total CASH IN Cash carried Forward 300 1,866.67 1,733.34 1,800.01 1,851.68 1,903.35 2,005.02 2,056.69 2,088.36 2,180.03 2,216.7 2,303.37 22,305.22 LOAN 2,000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,000 Cash from Sales 200 600 800 850 850 900 900 900 1,000 1,000 1,050 1,100 10,150 CASH OUT Salary 350 450 450 510 510 510 510 510 550 550 550 550 6,000 Rent 40 40 40 45 45 45 45 45 45 50 50 50 540 Office Running Costs 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 70 70 70 70 70 700 LOAN PAYMENT 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 1,120 Drawings 100 100 100 100 100 100 150 150 150 200 200 200 1,650 CASH BALANCE 1,566.67 -133.33 66.67 51.67 51.67 101.67 51.67 31.67 91.67 36.67 86.67 136.67 2,140.04 CUMULATIVE 1,866.67 1,733.34 1,800.01 1,851.68 1,903.35 2,005.02 2,056.69 2,088.36 2,180.03 2,216.7 2,303.37 2,440.04 NOTE: All values are in $ (00) 7.3 Cash flow projection for the year 2011 Jan Feb Mar April May June July August Sep Oct Nov Dec Total CASH IN Cash carried Forward 2,440.04 2,487.79 2,535.54 2,583.29 2,631.04 2,678.79 2,726.54 2,774.29 2,822.04 2,869.79 2,917.54 2,965.29 32,431.98 LOAN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cash from Sales 1,099.58 1,099.58 1,099.58 1,099.58 1,099.58 1,099.58 1,099.58 1,099.58 1,099.58 1,099.58 1,099.58 1,099.58 13,195 CASH OUT Salary 650 650 650 650 650 650 650 650 650 650 650 650 7,800 Rent 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 58.5 702 Office Running Costs 58.33 58.33 58.33 58.33 58.33 58.33 58.33 58.33 58.33 58.33 58.33 58.33 700 LOAN PAYMENT 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 93.33 1,120 Drawings 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 200 2,400 CASH BALANCE 39.42 39.42 39.42 39.42 39.42 39.42 39.42 39.42 39.42 39.42 39.42 39.42 473.04 CUMULATIVE 2,487.79 2,535.54 2,583.29 2,631.04 2,678.79 2,726.54 2,774.29 2,822.04 2,869.79 2,917.54 2,965.29 3,013.04 NOTE: All values are in $ (00) 7.3 Cash flow projection for the year 2012 Jan Feb Mar April May June July August Sep Oct Nov Dec Total CASH IN Cash carried Forward 3,013.04 3,196.49 3,379.94 3,563.39 3,746.84 3,930.29 4,113.74 4,297.19 4,480.64 4,664.09 4,847.54 5,030.99 48,264.18 LOAN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cash from Sales 1,429.5 1,429.5 1,429.5 1,429.5 1,429.5 1,429.5 1,429.5 1,429.5 1,429.5 1,429.5 1,429.5 1,429.5 17,153.5 CASH OUT Salary 845 845 845 845 845 845 845 845 845 845 845 845 10,140 Rent 76.05 76.05 76.05 76.05 76.05 76.05 76.05 76.05 76.05 76.05 76.05 76.05 912.6 Office Running Costs 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 900 LOAN PAYMENT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Drawings 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 3,000 CASH BALANCE 183.45 183.45 183.45 183.45 183.45 183.45 183.45 183.45 183.45 183.45 183.45 183.45 2,201.4 CUMULATIVE 3,196.49 3,379.94 3,563.39 3,746.84 3,930.29 4,113.74 4,297.19 4,480.64 4,664.09 4,664.09 5,030.99 5,214.44 NOTE: All values are in $ (00) 9.6 break-even levels Cheese Cakes Chocolate and Fresh Cream Cakes Health Cakes Brownies Revenue 6,342,000 1,080,000 1,000,000 1,008,000 720,000 Selling Price (SP)/unit 32 56 32,250 70 80 Units 198,188 19,286 31 14,400 9,000 Variable cost/unit à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.. 54 28,375 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ 15 Variable cost à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.. 1,041,444 879,625 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ 135,000 Contribution 6,342,000 38,556 120,375 1,008,000 585,000 Weighted Average Contribution (WAC) = total contribution/total revenue (Johnson Turner, 2003). = $ 80,939.31/$ 101,500 = 0.8 Break Even-Point (BEP) = Fixed cost/WAC = 90,500 Units 9.7 Measurement of profitability 9.7.1 Operating profit margin Operating profit margin = (operating profit/Revenue) x100 First year: Operating profit margin = (1,400/101,500) x 100 = 1.38% Second year: Operating profit margin = (4,730/131,950) x 100 = 3.58% Third year: Operating profit margin = (22,009/171,530) x 100 = 12.83% 9.7.2 Current Ratio Current Ratio = Current assets/Current liabilities Projected Current Ratio by the end December 31, 2011 = 21,000/11,200 = 1.875 9.7.3 Return On Investment (ROI) Return On Investment (ROI) = Net Profit/Investment Return On Investment (ROI) for the ended December 31, 2010 = 1400/23,000 = 0.06

Portrayal of Women in The Good Earth :: Good Earth Essays

Portrayal of Women in The Good Earth The Good Earth focuses around the life of a Chinese peasant, Wang Lung, who struggles to overcome a poverty-stricken life. The accounts of Wang Lung's life portray traditional China. One prominent aspect of this story is how women were depicted in society. The role of women in China is woven throughout the novel. Depending on their social status, each female character within the novel gives readers a different perspective of a woman's role during this period. In addition to their roles, the author includes the trials and tribulations these women must face as well. As a whole, the importance of these female characters are based upon their contribution to the ego's of the male protagonists and as being providers of support to both family and order in society. In Pearl S. Buck's The Good Earth, women are depicted to be consistent with the authentic Chinese culture of that period. Paul A. Doyle, a literary critic, remarks that Buck's stories were improbable and simplistic (Chauhan, 1994, 120). He later adds: "In structure, The Good Earth uses a chronological form which proceeds at a fairly regular pace. Buck's stories take the epic rather than dramatic form, that is to say, they are chronological narratives of a piece of life, seen from one point of view, straightforward, without devices; they have no complex plots, formed of many strands skillfully twisted, but belong to the single-strand type, with the family, however, rather than the individual as a unit (Buck 35). As Wang Lung and his father begin this family strand, one by one characters are introduced from Wang's viewpoint. In regards to women in his society, he objectively portrays them for what they are worth. In spite of his smooth surface, the novel shows a complicated feminism. On the one hand, the woman's situation is clearly, almost gruesomely, presented: Chinese village society is pat riarchal, oppressive, and stultifying to women (Hayford, 1994, 25). The clearest illustration of this occurs through O-lan, the wife of Wang Lung. O-lan comes about in the first chapter of the novel. At the age of ten, her parents sell her off to the Great House of Hwang, where the village's wealthiest landowner resides.

Ruhling Manufacturing Company Essay -- Business Management

1. Why might negotiation be favored over competitive bidding in certain procurement situations? Based on the textbook and my understanding, whenever there are negotiations between a procurer and a supplier regarding a competitive bidding, the first thing that might be favored is the scope of the project, meaning both will sit down and discuss the entire project prior the work begins. Meanwhile, during the negotiations, evaluation criteria should be clear, and stated and defined. As the evaluation is based on the criteria stated and the procurer can request or ask the supplier’s opinions on certain specifications and where things can be improved. There are two characteristics to be considered when negotiating over competitive bidding: a) Must be flexible and allow changes to make and specify the designs of the projects. b) Knowledge is very important because if a project is based or awarded on competitive bidding then a contractor may not know the information about possible design flaws, submit a low bid, and recoup profits when changes are required. 2. Considerations of Epsilon's alternative proposal: a. What is the applicability of a requirements contract from Ruhling’s point of view? Assume that Epsilon will still make a profit resulting from economics of long runs and learning curves From Ruhling's point of views, the applicable of a requirements contract are both legal and mutually satisfactory, as long as performance is met and buyer's requirements exist, it gives certain protection against price increases, and the possibility of a market predictable. b. Assuming Ruhling is now interested in a requirements contract, how should Ruhling proceed with the bidding/award process? Ruhling should start a ... ...anged innumerable times over the project's life. Continual rework and time delays had hampered progress. Bolger had reported design errors that necessitated the refitting of complex equipment and rework of the aluminum welding. Materials requirements included the use of welded aluminum. Bolger normally employed only steel welders; aluminum welders were in short supply and impatient during work stoppages. The Bolger contract was cost based plus a fixed fee. A particularly disturbing problem was Bolger's cost reporting system. Bolger contract negotiators waited for up to three weeks for cost data. Works Cited http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/equip08.pdf http://faculty.haas.berkeley.edu/stadelis/aucvsneg07_15_07.pdf http://www.nextlevelpurchasing.com/articles/dual-source.html http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/employees/omcontracts/pdfs/section12.pdf

Agent Orange :: essays research papers

Agent orange was an herbicide used in Vietnam. It was use to kill overgrown trees and shrubs that were in the way of advancing United States troops. Agent orange got its name from the barrel it was transported in; the barrel had a large orange stripe running across it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Agent orange was heavily used; in fact, it was the most used of all herbicides in Vietnam. From 1962 until 1971 over 20 millions gallons were used to cover a large 6 million acre area. The most heavily covered areas were those where very thick brush was present; it would give the enemy cover, as well as hindering the troops ability to move. The areas were located in South Vietnam, the transportation areas of Laos and Cambodia, and the forests of the demarcation zone.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Agent orange, along with its brothers, Agent White and Agent Blue, did a great job clearing away the brush. It did this with severe costs; people exposed to Agent Orange have had many problems.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Before you know what Agent Orange did to people, you have to understand what it was made of and how it worked. Agent orange contained a mixture of many plant hormones, which would confuse the plants metabolism and cause the plants to lose flowers, leaves and fruit within two to three weeks. Not only did it have bad effects on plants, it did things to humans, especially the ground troops who carried it and the airplane crew that dropped it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Dioxin, what was created in the mixture of hormones, has been proven to be very dangerous and poisonous. In lab tests, Agent Orange has given animals cancer and causes birth effects. This is also thought to be true in humans, as many veterans complain about things like; cancer, birth defects, liver infections, tumors, elevated blood pressure, blood deficiency, enlarged head, club feet and many other illnesses. Although it hasn’t been proven 100% sure that Agent Orange is the cause for this, it is the one linking factor for all the people involved.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The United States government has handled this outbreak rather well, in 1978 the Veterans Administration set up the Agent Orange Registry program. This allowed concerned veterans to enroll in a program that would test them for all known effects and allow them to seek treatment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Agent Orange story is not over yet, in 1994, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) found that the level of dioxin was not high, and most people could tolerate it well.

Role of Finance in Parle G Company

COMPANY PROFILE INTRIODUCTION Vertex Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is a leading IT solutions and service providing center. Established at Nadiad, today we are technically advanced and ready to serve even the toughest of the technical IT challenges. Along with providing IT solutions in terms of both Hardware, Software, Networking, Security solutions(IT), Project works, Solar & Wind energy Solutions, Energy Saving Products & Green Energy Products in Information Technology, Led Lighting and in day to day routines.Our integrated and organized efforts render quality and reliable products and services. We provide solutions, suggestions, software, hardware and other products as per customer needs that are of high quality yet economically viable. We have a highly skilled force of engineers who are at their toes to provide services at the click of a button. Our maintenance and up gradation services are highly reliable and just a phone-call away. Achieving success in a short term Vertex Technologies Pvt. Ltd. has expanded its operations in Gujarat State and moving towards National & International market.VTPL has established its corporate office at Nadiad for National and International operations. At present VTPL has offices in Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat. In today’s world, energy is a great concern due to a gap between demand and supply. We need to save energy in order to reduce the cost of operation. Thus, we are in the field of supplying Energy Saving Products. Our energy saving products is tested and certified by various agencies and government authorities. Our products have a high quality, reliability and consistency. ASSOCIATONAlong with providing IT solutions in terms of both hardware and software, we are also preferred partners with SOLAR Panel manufacturer like Vikram Solar, PAE Ltd, Warree, Kotak Urja, Thermal Solutions Redren, Solar Lighting solutions and other technological partners. HISTORY Vertex Technologies Pvt. Ltd. was established with a vision to serv e the IT industry by providing solutions to technical challenges. The company was set initially by three people having vast experience in the computer field for the past 20 years. OBJECTIVES In our efforts to satisfy our valued customersWe at Vertex believe in being at the forefront of technology and provide the best and the latest to our customers at affordable costs. Our Customers always get a winning – edge over their competitors through our services and solutions. In our desire to innovate through research Our team is constantly engaged in Research and Development which culminates into deployment of latest and cutting-edge technology in our products. In our aspirations to provide the best of quality Vertex and its team are committed to achieve customer satisfaction by ensuring competitive and cost-effective solutions and services delivered in time.Our team continuously controls reviews and enhances its performance and thus sustains an effective Quality Management System. In our dream to create a nature friendly world We provide Energy Saving Products that are beneficial to the society as well as nature. Focusing on today’s lifestyle, our products facilitate both energy saving and user satisfaction. In our vision to lead We aim to be the top IT solution providing company. Our biggest asset is our valued customer list. Their satisfaction is our prime requirement. STRENGTHS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Our strength lies in: †¢ Experience since 1989 Intel GID †¢ Support Services †¢ Strong and Innovative R&D team †¢ Technology partners. Important Milestones: †¢ Companies development and expansion going day by day from establishment †¢ Bank of Reputed customers †¢ Operation at Baroda, Surat and other cities in Gujarat. †¢ Providers of N-Computing Products †¢ Overseas operations with CBSI †¢ Software solutions with VBSOFT Talent: †¢ Highly efficient and motivated young team †¢ Out spoken and always rea dy for challenges †¢ Innovation in self OUR VISION †¢ To provide cutting edge technology and build business for our customers. HR We have facilitates to develop employers skills and make them market leaders to have an edge over competitors. Our Green Energy Projects: 1. Vertex Office at Nadiad – 1000w Solar panel installed in May 2010. 2. Palitana Hill Solar power solution 10Kw in progress given for approval MNRE – Delhi. 3. Metro City- Bagodara 2. 4 Kw off-grid solar power plant 2 nos for Hoardings and Lighting. 4. Nirmit Flora & Nirmit Home 1. 0 Kw each at Sanand and Gandhinagar sites. 5. Solar Street Lights at Chhota- Udaipur, Gujarat- in Rural and Jungle area. Solar Products: Solar : †¢ Home light kit †¢ Solar lantern †¢ Solar blinkers †¢ Solar road studs Solar garden lights †¢ Solar water pump †¢ Solar cooker †¢ Solar water heater Led : †¢ Aviation lights †¢ led down lights †¢ Led Lighting Fixtures †¢ led tube light †¢ led wall washers †¢ led flood lights †¢ led high bay light †¢ led RGB †¢ Led street light Solar Panels & Accessories: †¢ Solar panels †¢ Charge controller †¢ Inverters †¢ Dc controllers Solar Solutions: †¢ Off grid solar power plant o 1kw to 2 Kw Solar Power Pack o 10 50 Kw Solar Power Pack o Above 50 Kw to MW level Solar Power Plant Off-Grid & Grid Tie †¢ Wind power solution †¢ Solar wind high-brid solution †¢ Hoarding & Bill board †¢ Centralized Lighting †¢ Water pumping system Roof top MNRE & DGS&D approved products †¢ Led street light †¢ Led home light kit †¢ Led lantern Customize solutions †¢ Led lights †¢ Led with solar power †¢ Led with solar n wind power †¢ Enlighting building with colorful led lights †¢ For architect construction for the projects. IT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES KEY ACTIVITY AREAS: †¢ Computer System & Hardware Peripherals Sup ply. †¢ Vertical & Customized Software Development. †¢ Licensed Software Marketing, Installation & Maintenance. †¢ Maintenance and Up-gradation. †¢ Internet & Intranet Solutions. †¢ Email & Communication. †¢ Anti Virus Solutions. †¢ Wireless & Broad Band Connectivity. Data Base Administration. †¢ Marketing Energy Saving Products †¢ Energy Saving Products †¢ Annual Maintenance Services †¢ E- Commerce Applications †¢ Web Designing and Development †¢ Corporate Design Work †¢ ERP Solution PROJECT WORK: †¢ Networking Setup †¢ Call Center †¢ Cyber Cafes †¢ VPN Solutions †¢ Intra-networking †¢ Wireless network SERVICES: †¢ Out Source Projects †¢ Data Processing †¢ Data Entry †¢ Printing Jobs (Laser Printers, LMP) †¢ Annual Maintenance Services †¢ Job placement †¢ Preventive Maintenance Services †¢ Repairing of Computers and its Peripherals †¢ NRI seminars and hospitality VALUE – ADDED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES: †¢ Ncomputing Security Surveillance †¢ RFID attendance †¢ Biometric Access †¢ VOIP Solutions †¢ Storage Solutions ENERGY SAVING: †¢ Centralized Lighting †¢ Air Condition †¢ Induction Motor †¢ LED Lighting Products SOFTWARE PRODUCTS: †¢ Vidyalaya School Management Software. †¢ Production ERP Software. †¢ Samay Attendance system. †¢ E-Commerce Solutions †¢ Hospital Management System. †¢ E-Panchayat. †¢ Banking Liquidation Process System †¢ Shopkeeper †¢ Web base management software †¢ Customized Software Solutions VALUED CLIENT LIST [pic][pic][pic][pic] [pic][pic][pic] [pic] [pic] [pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic] [pic] [pic][pic] [pic] * AND GROWING DAY BY DAY