Monday, September 30, 2019

High Prevalence Of Hiv Health And Social Care Essay

Social Determinants are status whereby economic, societal and wellness position depletes for a group of people who are born, turn, populate, work and age, in their state. The economic system of their state is shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources which influence the wellness position. These people are determiners of wellness who are casualty of wellness unfairnesss. Harmonizing to World Health Organisation an unequal distribution of health-damaging experiences is non in any sense a ‘natural ‘ phenomenon but is the consequence of a toxic combination of hapless societal policies, unjust economic agreements [ where the already well-off and healthy go even richer and the hapless who are already more likely to be sick go even poorer ] , and bad political relations. HIV is one of the universe ‘s taking infective slayers, claiming more than 25 million lives over the past three decennaries. Worldwide, immature adult females aged 15-24 old ages are 1.6 times every bit likely as immature work forces to be HIV positive. Harmonizing to UNAIDS, in Sub Saharan, South Africa, has high prevalence of HIV among immature adult females are estimated to be 3,300,000, which is the universe ‘s highest. Sub Saharan contains some of the universe ‘s poorest and politically unstable parts therefore HIV preponderantly strikes immature grownups, the societal and economic instability roots it ‘s manner toA HIVA epidemic. These societal inequalities are based on historical, cultural and structural factors which impeded the striplings to driving them to wellness jeopardies and striping them from wellness benefits. The conditions which may be affect wellness degrees forcing stripling into catching HIV in Sub Saharan is as follows,MarriageIn assorted part of Sub Saharan, the common pattern of immature miss matrimony is an increasing of import factor in HIV epidemic. Marriage immature misss know less about HIV, are less able negotiate method of protection from HIV than single immature misss. Young misss are married to older hubbies where age difference is broad. Most of the hubby carries the HIV virus because they work as a migratory workers.PovertyUnemployment, underemployment and ensuing to poverty continue to account for high incidence ofA HIV inA Sub Saharan. PovertyA is the norm as rich controls the wealth in Sub Saharan.A Economic endurance overrides the life determinations among the hapless. The ti e between poorness andA HIV has been broad. Due to poverty the get bying capacities of families of a immature married adult female are affected as they are impoverished. To pull off their household, immature adult females histories for hazardous behavioursA inA new societal environments, ensuing for an addition incidence of HIV.A To run into the increasing demands, some of these immature adult females may engageA inA transactional sexual activities either on occasion or as professional commercial sex workers, thereby advancing a barbarous sequenceA inA the spread of HIV. Young Women in Sub Saharan are particularly vulnerable to cultural beliefs and patterns as holding a relationship with adult male where sex is exchanged for stuff goods and protection from an older adult male and the belief that an septic adult male can bring around himself by holding sex with younger adult females.Gender InequalityPatriarchy Dependence of WomenThe impact of immature womenA inA patriarchal societies is relatively high in the spread ofA HIV. Young adult females ‘s limited ability to negociate safe sexA is a major obstruction in commanding the rate of the HIV widespread. Young adult females are 3-4 times more likely to be infected compared to their male opposite numbers. The male-dominant societies continues to determine adult females ‘s sexual behaviourA histories for the high prevalence of HIV in immature adult females. Since bulk of the societies are male-dominant, misss are cultured from really immature ages to play low-level functions. Girls are cultivated by household on a â€Å" hand-down † conditioning of adult females to uphold household honor and image. Therefore immature adult females are matrimony at their immature age. Young Women becomes susceptible to the HIV as a consequence of their limited powerA inA sexual brushs. It was noted that bulk of theA HIV positive adult females were really infected by their partners. Young adult females ‘s dependence on work forces made them vulnerable toA HIV. InA African societies, the production of kids is decided by work forces, immature adult females may be under force per unit area from their partners non merely to reproduce, but to besides accomplish a coveted figure of lasting kids. In Sub Saharan societies, adult females are lack in the power to deny sex to their partners even when they can demo cases of matrimonial infidelityA inA their relationship. An article in UNAIDS cited that it ‘s a believed that in Africa, the partners had a right to crush their married woman. Woman ‘ are obligated to hold sex with her partner on demand even if she was non interested. Even more current surveies continue to tie in confidant spouse force and high degrees of male controlA inA a adult female ‘s relationship withA HIVA seropositivity.Forced sexWomans who are victims of sexual force are at a higher hazard of being exposed to HIV, and the deficiency of rubber usage and forced nature of colza makes immature adult females more vul nerable to HIV infection. Forced sex and attendant scratchs facilitate entry of HIV.AUnemploymentA combination of inundations, drouth, hapless distribution system, failed administration, and increasing poorness to import nutrient has implicated scarceness inA the state. Unemployment rate additions. The HIV contagious disease contributes when adolescent/ immature adult females see nutrient shortage.A HIV resultsA when there ‘s inA less income and less capacity to react unemployment rate. A barbarous rhythm exists among hungriness, poorness andA HIV. When a hubby acquired AIDS, the family load falls on married woman. A immature adult female she needs to pull off household hungriness and malnutrition hence drive them to commercial sex workersOrphaned AdolescentVictims of AIDS orphaned stripling. Most of the universe ‘s AIDS orphaned adolescent resideA inA Sub Saharan. This could perchance resultA in a big figure of dysfunctional grownups. Adolescents are left to care for th eir younger siblingsA inA the absence of their parents. The force per unit area on stripling due to high mortality in the household, deepen poorness. InA the face of increasing demands, these adult females would probably engageA inA sexual activities and advancing the spread ofA HIV.AEducationSocioeconomic position and low literacy are major factors act uponing this result. Young adult females are lack educational chances and experience less concern about the hereafter Low literacy rates tend to halter adult females ‘s cognition about bar plans, .Entree to HealthcareYoung Women more likely to detain prosecuting wellness attention either because symptoms were non considered terrible, had disappeared or for deficiency of money. Even when adult females sought attention, they were more likely than their male opposite numbers to turn to public wellness attention installations where minimum attention is the norm. Therefore adult females are less likely to seek wellness attention inA wellness attention scenes compared to work forces.Cultural BeliefsMost Africans believeA inA the power of traditional therapists to bring around sick people. Reuse of unsterilised acerate leafs and cross taint with patients ‘ organic structure fluids were patterns among African traditional healers.This coupled with usage of one unsterilised instrument on several clientsA inA their patterns is a major factorA inA the spread ofA HIV. Due to moo socioeconomics and ignorance because of small or no instruction and limited resources to follow sterile techniques continue to underlie the patterns of these traditional therapists. With limited resources, immature adult females become most vulnerable to these risky alternate redresss. Plans: In sub-Saharan Africa, experience with young person HIV bar programmes is limited, with grounds sing effectivity still emerging. Recent tests of young person HIV bar intercessions have achieved assorted consequences. Three big community tests of comprehensive attacks to youth HIV bar, affecting schools and other cardinal establishments and stakeholders, have failed to significantly cut down HIV incidence in immature people, and have shown merely modest success in increasing protective behaviors [ 8-10 ] . However, two group-based intercessions in South Africa have shown promise in cut downing reported HIV-related hazard behaviors, and in one instance, associated biological results [ 11-13 ] . Both intercessions addressed HIV-related structural factors, or the societal influences underlying HIV hazard [ 14 ] , viz. gender-based force [ 11-13 ] and adult females ‘s poorness [ 12,13 ] . Together with limited consequences of several smaller, school-based intercessions, these result s have triggered argument about ‘which intercessions work ‘ [ 15 ] . The variable ‘economic activity ‘ categorized striplings into employed, unemployed and attending school. Adolescents who were in employment were considered as economically active, whereas those unemployed were classified as economically inactive, and were compared to striplings go toing school. Plans A surveies in both developed and developing states [ 2,5,7,16-19 ] suggest an of import function for school-based intercessions in increasing immature people ‘s cognition of gender, generative wellness, and HIV bar, with a bulk taking to decreases in reported hazard behaviors [ 5 ] . Reviews of school-based intercessions specific to sub-Saharan Africa have found greater intervention impact on HIV-related cognition procedure of intercession development, including formative research ; 2 ) cultural/linguistic version ; 3 ) usage of social/behavioural theory ; 4 ) how and where the intercession was delivered ( eg. schoolroom, community, after school, excess periods ) ; 5 ) who delivered the intercession ( eg. , peer pedagogues, instructors, trained facilitators ) ; 6 ) choice and support of cardinal messages ; 7 ) engagement of participants and/or broader community ; 8 ) focal point on societal context and hazard environments, every bit good as single hazard behaviors ; and 9 ) focal point on HIV causal tracts of relevancy to South African scene.PreventionPersons can cut down the hazard of HIV infection by restricting exposure to hazard factors. Key attacks for HIV bar include:1. Condom usageCorrect and consistent usage of male and female rubbers during vaginal or anal incursion can protect against the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Evidence shows that male latex rubbers have an 85 % or greater protective consequence against the sexual transmittal of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections ( STIs ) .2. Testing and reding for HIV and STIsTesting for HIV and other STIs is strongly advised for all people exposed to any of the hazard factors so that they can larn of their ain infection position and entree necessary bar and intervention services without hold.3. Pre-exposure prophylaxis ( PrEP ) for HIV-negative spouseTests among serodiscordant twosomes have demonstrated that antiretroviral drugs taken by the HIV-negative spouse can be effectual in forestalling acquisition from the HIV-positive spouse. This is known as pre-exposure prophylaxis ( PrEP ) . WHO is urging that states implement presentation undertakings on PrEP for serodiscordant twosomes and work forces and transgender adult females who have sex with work forces.4. Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV ( PEP )Post-exposure prophylaxis ( PEP ) is the usage of ARV drugs within 72 hours of exposure to HIV in order to forestall infection. PEP is frequently recommended for wellness attention workers following needle stick hurts in the workplace. PEP includes guidance, foremost assistance attention, HIV testing, and depending on hazard degree, administrating of a 28-day class of antiretroviral drugs with follow-up attention.5. Male CircumcisionMale Circumcision when safely provided by well-trained wellness professionals reduces the hazard of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in work forces by about 60 % . This is a cardinal intercession in generalised epidemics with high HIV prevalence and low male Circumcision rates.6. Elimination of mother-to-child transmittal of HIV ( eMTCT )The transmittal of HIV from an HIV-positive female parent to her kid during gestation, labor, bringing or breastfeeding is called perpendicular or mother-to-child transmittal ( MTCT ) . In the absence of any intercessions transmittal rates are between 15-45 % . MTCT can be to the full prevented if both the female parent and the kid are provided with antiretroviral drugs throughout the phases when infection could happen. WHO is presently reexamining the advantages of offering all HIV-positive pregnant adult females ARVs, irrespective of their CD4 count, and maintaining them on it for life.7. ArtA new test has confirmed if an HIV-positive individual adheres to an effectual antiretroviral therapy regimen, the hazard of conveying the virus to their clean sexual spouse can be reduced by 96 % . For twosomes in which one spouse is HIV-positive and the other HIV-negative, WHO recommends ART for the HIV-positive spouse regardless of her/his immune position.8. Harm decrease for shooting drug usersPeoples who inject drugs can take safeguards against going infected with HIV by utilizing unfertile shooting equipment, including acerate leafs and panpipes, for each injection. A comprehensive bundle of HIV bar and intervention, peculiarly opioid permutation therapy for drug users includes drug dependance intervention, HIV proving and reding, HIV intervention and attention, and entree to condoms and direction of STI s, TB and viral hepatitis.WHO responseorphanage with age, wealth quintiles, self-perceived fiscal position, instruction attainment, schooling position, economic activity and topographic point of residency.A Participants identified unemployment/poverty, migratory labour, limited educational chances, limited political will, limited entree to rubbers, the low position of adult females, the slow reaction of the international community and other sociocultural correlatesA in HIV/ AIDS epidemiologyA inA that state. Uganda'sA HIVA infection rate has plummeted from 30 per centum to 5 percentA inA somewhat more than a decennary because of an effectiveA HIV/AIDS educational intercession plan. â€Å" Uganda'sA HIV-fighting mantra is referred to as ABC: Abstain, Be faithful or Use rubber. The authorities launched a monolithic run on wireless, telecasting, andA innewspapers to promote people to acquire tested and to follow the ABC ‘s † ( Wax, 2003 ) . An of import lesson here is that Uganda recognized from the oncoming the socioeconomic conditions among the Ugandan people that fueled the behaviour. The Ugandan leading sought to turn to these conditions before advancing the so called â€Å" A, B, C â€Å" scheme. For illustration, immature people are more likely to abstain from sex if redirected with other socioeconomic inducements such as educational chances. Women ( particularly individual caputs of families ) are likely to be faithful if provided with socioeconomic chances that addres s their basic demands. Equally true is the committedness to utilize rubbers with increased ( free ) entree to them. Similar authorities runs againstA HIV/ AIDSA inA Thailand and Zambia are giving positive consequences. As Fassin and Schneider note, These illustrations present obliging grounds that sustained educational and other socioeconomic inducements ( instead than victim faulting ) are effectual toolsA inA the war againstHIV/ AIDSA in sub-SaharanA Africa. . Many womenA inA the part are less likely to profit from anti -HIV/ AIDS runs channeled through the print media. Men largely ain wirelesss and telecastings. WomenA inrural scenes are worse offA inA this respect ( De Bruyn, 1992 ) . Womans are more likely to detain seeking wellness attention either because symptoms were non considered terrible, had disappeared or for deficiency of money. Even when adult females sought attention, they were more likely than their male opposite numbers to turn to public wellness attention installations where fringy attention is the norm ( Voeten, 2004 ) . Equally more distressing is adult females ‘s susceptibleness to the strong belief systemA inA African societies. Most Africans believeA inA the power of traditional therapists to do people ill or good. This is manifestA inA the high backing ofsub-SaharanA Africans to traditional therapists. A survey of traditional therapists ‘ patterns and the spread of HTV/ AIDSinA southeasterly Nigeria revealed a distressing HTV transmittal hazard among these therapists. Reuse of unsterilised acerate leafs and cross taint with patients ‘ organic structure fluids were patterns among Nigerian traditional therapists of greatest public wellness concern. Sixty per centum of Nigerians patronize traditional therapists ( Peters, 2004 ) . The power of suggestion by traditional therapists to their frequenters frequently delays prompt appropriate medical intercession. This coupled with usage of one unsterilised instrument on several clientsA inA their patterns is a major factorA inA the spre ad ofA HIV/ AIDSA in sub-SaharanA Africa. Although these patterns fall within the behavioural sphere, they are predicated on low socioeconomics. Ignorance because of small or no instruction and limited resources to follow sterile techniques continue to underlie the patterns of these traditional therapists. With limited resources, adult females become most vulnerable to these risky alternate redresss. The above are yet extra illustrations of hazardous behaviours rooted inA socioeconomics. that faced with the inexorable statistics about high morbidity and mortality rates of their female couples ( from AIDS ) A inA the part and the deduction for quality of life of both genders, African males will see the demand to embarkA inA some behavior change.A InA the same vena, other traditional patterns such as female venereal mutilations, forced matrimonies, early gestations, and multiparity which compromise the quality of life for adult females and immature girlsA inA the part must be addressed. Of the several factors implicatedA inA the unequal prevalence of the disease among womenA inA Africa, economic dependency/feminization of poorness, unequal distribution of sexual power ( sexual force and coercion ) , limited educational chances and deficiency of political will, The relationship between patriarchate and economic power must be evaluatedA inA order to understand adult females ‘s increased sensitivity toA HIV/ AIDSA in sub-SaharanA Africa. InA those states where there is political will and sustained leading at the highest degree, the result has been an increaseA inA consciousness and sensitiveness to the predicament of the afflicted finally accounting for a important declineA inA the incidence of the disease.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

SWOT Analysis of Tesco in UK

Tesco’s reputation for low cost products, can gain fair-trade cotton clothing substantial market share in the UK. Tesco’s growth in the insurance sector provides financial strength to Tesco in UK. Another important factor is the increasing growth of online sales and fair-trade cotton clothing could be included in these sales. The Brand recognition of Tesco in UK is an important strength and will help fair-trade cotton clothing. Weaknesses: The weaknesses of Tesco are that it is still largely dependent on UK for its sales. it is doubtful if it will support fair-trade cotton clothing objectives. The business model that Tesco is using is suitable for UK and not for the rest of the world. Even though Tesco sales are growing from low priced items there is fall in sale of non-essential and high priced products. If fair-trade cotton clothing are perceived as non-essential, its sales objectives will not be achieved. Tesco has suffered from bad debt, credit card arrears and household insurance claims. This is financially debilitating. Opportunities: Tesco can exercise a high degree of buying power to ensure that it has economies of scale in its fair-trade cotton clothing line. The growth opportunities n Europe and Asia provides excellent opportunities for growth. Most importantly, the growth of online sales shows excellent opportunity for increasing the sales of Tesco. Threats: Increasing fair-trade cotton clothing prices can lead to lower sales and lower profits for Tesco. Change in consumer buying patterns n the UK because of change in technology can lead to loss of customers in UK. SWOT Analysis of Tesco in Germany: Strengths; The Tesco brand recognition gives it a good start for fair-trade cotton clothing in Germany. The Germans are known to avoid uncertainness, ambiguity and unquantifiable risk. In case of Tesco they are buying from a well recognized brand. The brand value of Tesco will work very well in Germany. Further, the global market place recognition of â€Å"Retailer of the Year 2008† provides substantiation to the German customer about fair-trade cotton clothing. Weaknesses: German financial industry is very circumspect and will consider the debt of Tesco in the UK before it gives finance for store expansion for fair-trade cotton clothing in Germany. The reputation of Tesco for acquiring competing store chains may also be held against the company in Germany. Acquisition is a risky move, and Germans are averse to risk. Opportunities: Fair-trade cotton clothing in Germany has good opportunity because it has the endorsement of Tesco brand; it has the marketing channels of Tesco, and the backing of an excellent product mix. If fair-trade cotton clothing offers a good product for money it will get a good reception in Germany. Threats: The low priced fair-trade cotton clothing could lead to price wars. In addition, there can be low profitability because of competitive moves for Tesco. Finally, international competitors like Wal-Mart could add a cotton line in Germany to compete with Tesco.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 6

Case Study Example ight or poor rescheduling of the flight, it is a bit hard to communicate the change he will be able to state it clearly and can be seen through his emotions and explanation of the whole problem. In addition, some customers even become very rude and try to express their feelings through throwing tantrums and abuse to the customer service provider leading to serious emotional balance to the customer (Goleman, 2009, p. 23). The solving of the problem of the customers may involve the use of surface acting. For instance, on the day that I encountered the rude customer, I had family issues that were bogging me down, but I had to pretend everything was alright. In fact, the use of surface acting has helped me shape my professional approach to issues. The development of surface acting techniques has helped hide emotional challenges in the workplace. As a customer care service personnel, it is vital to ensure that personal emotions does not affect the customer attitude. In the case of delayed flights, customers vent their anger on you instead of the management. As a customer care executive, you act as the manager and try to ensure that there is positive public image despite the differences brought about by the delayed service. In my case, the challenge was to cool down two clients who insisted on travelling the same day while there were no flights available for the day (Stanley, 2009, p. 23). They could not understand the challenge faced and were not willing to listen to reason and could not tone down their argument and emotions. It was hell trying to cool them and get them to reason and come down to understanding. At one point, they almost pushed me over the cliff of emotions, but I was composed and tried not to reflect the anger in my heart. Surface acting came to my rescue in the case and enabled self-control to rule. In addition, it was very difficult to communicate in an atmosphere where tempers were flaring and logics were thrown to the dogs. In dealing with

Friday, September 27, 2019

Information Security Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Information Security - Research Paper Example Lack of awareness and execution to protect company’s information assets can result in loss of revenues, bad reputation for the company and probable law suits by the customers for not being able to protect their data. 2. Threats and Vulnerabilities There are numerous types of threats and vulnerabilities that are required to be considered for the protection of information. Data breach is defined as the disclosure of information to unauthorized individuals in an intentional or unintentional manner. Verizon Business Risk Team (2009) stated that the degree of data breaches is the highest in the modern times than it has ever been. Figure 1: Percentage of Different Types of Data Breaches from 2004 to 2008 (Verizon Business Risk Team, 2009) Data breaches tend to threaten the confidentiality, integrity and authenticity of the data. Confidentiality aspect requires the data to be hidden from unauthorized third parties to protect the privacy of the individual. Hash, Bartol, Rollins, Robin son, Abeles and Batdorff (2005) explained that integrity of data provides the assurance that it is not tampered with or modified at any level as a result of malicious intent. Authenticity of data also ensures that the data is complete and accurate. The absence of such attributes of data makes the data unreliable and may prove to lead to misleading directions and results for the management of the organization. Data breaches may result from outside or inside sources. Moore, Cappelli, Caron, Shaw and Trzeciak (2009) defined insider theft as instances when employees (current or ex-employees) may disclose information for personal motives or as a result of lack of awareness of required information security measures. Employees might help the outside intruders gain unauthorized access to sensitive data by leaking passwords or loopholes in the security systems. Such employees may also damage or destroy the data as a result of personal conflicts or grudges against the management. Outside sour ces of threats and vulnerabilities include denial of service (DOS) attack, virus and worms attacks. Houle and Weaver (2001) explained that DOS attacks are directed to impair the IT services and resources so that legitimate users cannot avail them. Common sources that are witnessed to become targets are bandwidth, data storage services and computing power of a resource. Abundant fake requests are sent to the server to make it incapable and unavailable to cater the requests from legitimate users. Viruses and worms are also common threats that reside in a computer without the knowledge of the owner and perform spiteful actions to harm the data. Viruses and worms are automatically installed on the system if the user opens a compromised email attachment, visits an unreliable website, opens an infected image or clicks on a compromised online advertisement etc. Non-repudiation was defined by Hole (2009); it ensures that the transfer of messages between participating parties is valid and re al. Effective security measures need to be taken by companies to ensure that sender and receiver cannot deny the transfer and receiving of the messages, respectively. 3. Counter Measures for Improving Security Cannady and Harrell (n.d.) proposed a technique to tackle the threat of insider theft; they recommended that ‘user profiles’ should be developed and stored in the server. These user profiles are developed on the basis of routine activities

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Cautions or Side Effects of Herbs Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Cautions or Side Effects of Herbs - Assignment Example Through scientific methods, the medicinal properties of numerous herbs have been extracted, analyzed, and synthesized to produce the pharmaceuticals we rely upon today (â€Å"History of Herbs†, 2004). Tinctures, extracts, capsules, teas, lozenges, and ointments are all included in the pharmacopeia of products derived from the cultivation of herbal remedies (â€Å"History of Herbs†, 2004). It is estimated that 80% of the world’s population use herbal remedies as a part of their primary care practice and is a major component of medical care in indigenous populations (â€Å"History of Herbs†, 2004). Herbalists typically use the whole plant to create their remedies, which is not the practice in modern medicine since pharmacologists identify, isolate, extract, and synthesize individual components to use only the active properties (â€Å"History of Herbs†, 2004). ... John's Wort, and Valerian root (â€Å"Safety Issues with Herbal Medicine†, 2011). These herbs are used for a variety of purposes, including strengthening of the immune system, treatment of migraines, to treat hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, improvement of circulation and cognition, treatment for mild depression or mood disorders, and as a sedative (â€Å"Safety Issues with Herbal Medicine†, 2011). However, these herbs all have dangerous side effects that are not indicated on the label, which include allergic reactions, headache, dizziness, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bilateral subdural hematomas, transient nervousness, excitation, insomnia, inability to concentrate, hypertension, epistaxis, mania, gastrointestinal discomfort, localized numbness, dry, scaly skin, discoloration of the skin and nails, photosensitivity, eye redness, photophobia, diplopia, nervousness, irritability, psychosis, seizures, stroke, premature ventricular contraction, myocardi al infarction, and death (â€Å"Safety Issues with Herbal Medicine†, 2011). These side effects can occur from using these herbs alone, but these effects can be significantly worse if used in conjunction with prescription or over-the-counter medications. Fugh-Berman reviewed studies conducted regarding the effects of the most frequently used herbal supplements, many of which are named above, uses of Use of herbal remedies in conjunction with other medications may result in the herbs mimicking, magnifying, opposing, or suppressing the effects of the drug (2000; Woodward, 2005). The study conducted by Niggeman & Gruber indicates the death of an asthmatic 29 year old male wile undergoing acupuncture and

Monetary Policy of the FED during the Economic Crisis Essay

Monetary Policy of the FED during the Economic Crisis - Essay Example et operations by engaging in aggressive purchase of treasury securities and in December 2008, they extended the operations to the purchase of agency debt and mortgage-backed securities. By the end of 2008, the FED reported to have purchased agency mortgages backed securities worth US $1.25 trillion, and it increased its purchase of agency debt by up to US$ 200 billion. Thirdly, by mid 2009, the FED had purchased long-term treasury securities worth US $300 billion in order to improve the level of liquidity in private credit markets (Brezina, 123-127). The result of the open market operations is demonstrated in the chart below, which show that increase in the purchase of securities resulted in the increase of cash supply in the U.S economy. Figure: Impact of open market operations Reserve requirement In the writings by Timberlake, he stated that the reserve requirement is a method of credit control that is normally applied by the FED to control the money market by determining the level of cash that is available within the economy (89-95). The reserve requirement draws its basis from the fact that commercial banks keep cash reserves with the FED and then this reserve is maintained for the purpose of liquidity and for providing the means for credit control. Brezina stated that as a way of responding to the economic crisis between 2007 and 2009, the FED through the reserve requirement policy decreased the minimum reserve ratio that all commercial bank and other financial institutions offering the service of deposit taking keep at the FED’s reserve (198-202). This action was aimed at increasing the power of credit creation by the commercial banks so that the general economy can access more credit and therefore, plunge out of the economic recession. Discount rate According... This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the monetary policy of the Federal Reserve System, carried out to mitigate the negative impacts of the financial crisis and to restore the economic growth in the United States. The three monetary policies are discussed and they are deemed effective in ensuring the increase in the circulation of money in the general economy, thereby resolving the liquidity crisis and facilitating more economic activities to continue or kick-start. One of the key functions of the Federal Reserve Bank (FED) is the regulation of currency or credit in order to reflect the needs of the business community and the general economy and for the purpose of carrying out the broad monetary policy adopted by the U.S government. Monetary policy is the action of a Central Bank, which influences the size and rate of growth of the money supply. The open market operations as the purchase or the sale of securities that include long-term and short-term in the open market by the FED. The reserve requirement is a method of credit control that is normally applied by the FED to control the money market by determining the level of cash that is available within the economy. The discount rate is the rate at which the FED normally discounts the first class bills or will advance loans to commercial banks. This discount rate affects the cost and availability of credit and in particular, a change in the rate of the discount leads to a corresponding change in the money market rate

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Integration of Third Country Nationals in the EU Essay

Integration of Third Country Nationals in the EU - Essay Example In the last 20 years the issue of migration of third world citizens to the European countries has gained particular importance and the member states of the European Union have shown special concern to the matter. The first such move to address the matter was taken in the early 1990's with the treaty of Amsterdam which was first such move of the European Council taken in order to safeguard the social and political rights of third country nationals within the Europe. Such a move along with the ongoing efforts in trying to curtail the immigration in the Europe and tightening the Immigration and Asylum policies was conceived by many observers a stride towards a new culture that will be tolerant, supportive and nondiscriminatory towards the immigrants. Consequently the European Council met in 1999 and drafted a set of procedures at Tampere that guaranteed political rights and a treatment to the third world citizens that would be analogous to EU nationals. The main aim of the conference was to design an integrated policy for the entire European Union. Despite these efforts to homogenize the policies regarding the assimilation of the third world national a number of imperative decisions regarding the employment and other important economic and social aspects were left with the member states and this marked for the insufficiency of the measures to a great extent. One of the factors underlining the varying responses amongst the Europeans has been the d iscrepancy in the level of exposure to the immigrants. Certain have developed a great deal of deal of acumen regarding the issue through continuous interaction with the immigrant inflow for over a long time as compared to these nations a few of the EU member states have only lately been faced with immigration. This factor has resulted in a wide variety of approaches to find a resolution to the matter. As the percentage of the non-Europeans increases and with the every chance of further enhancement in the number the need for a regulated and uniform effort becomes more than significant. Moreover to eliminate the possible threats of discrimination, social exclusion, xenophobia and racism it is extremely vital to make a concerted effort to develop an effective set of policies and procedures regarding the integration of the third country inhabitants. What is Integration This has been subject that has been dealt with respect to a number of principal subject areas including sociology, mathematics and a number of other sciences. Often it has been defined as a term but very seldom has it been looked upon as a concept. Integration as a concept in the context of this subject has been defined as a dynamic, multidimensional process that incorporates mutual socioeconomic, political, legal and cultural accommodation by all immigrants and residents of Member States of the European Union. The basic aim behind the introduction of the phenomenon is to assimilate a universal culture within Europe and to train the third world nationals in the local language, norms, values and to develop them as a permanent fragment, notwithstanding of the color, of the European Society. Importance of Integration to the EU member states Democracy and equality have been popular slogans of the West in the latter part of the 20th century. Realizing that equal contribution by all parties is at the heart of democracy and that

Monday, September 23, 2019

Implementing Strategy & Managing Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Implementing Strategy & Managing Change - Essay Example The crux of the solution is to facilitate a sense of participation to all the stakeholders associated with the issue to solicit maximum cooperation and compliance. This report concerns the implementation of the proposal regarding setting the standard time in which a fire engine arrives at a location at 12 minutes. This proposal though being placed as an inalienable part of the current RMP has come across stiff resistance from the trade unions, government officials and the public. A successful implementation of this proposal necessitates the appraisal and understanding of the external environment in which the organization operates and identifying the salient cultural, political and technical constraints responsible for augmenting such resistance for this proposal (Greener & Hughes, 2006). It was found that extending a sense of ownership and participation to the stakeholders associated with and impacted by the issue would certainly go a long way in assuring a successful implementation of this proposal (Beitler, 2006). As per the existing best practices corroborated three years ago, a fire engine is expected to arrive at 65 percent of the fire incidents within 5 minutes and at 90 percent of the locations in 8 minutes (London Safety Plan, 2008/2011). As per the available data, in the last three years, the fire engines failed to reach at 65 percent of the incidents within 5 minutes (London Safety Plan, 2008/2011). Hence, the attendance standards desperately need to be revised. Going by the current realities, there will also be instances where the fire engines will take more time then the one enshrined in the existing best practices, to arrive at a location. Hence, the setting the maximum time to 12 minutes is pragmatic and realistic. There exists a plethora of cultural factors causing resistance to the proposal under consideration. In the context of the fire and rescue services, London always commanded a peculiar background and attitude (Pepys, 1995).

Sunday, September 22, 2019

US Constitution and gun Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

US Constitution and gun - Research Paper Example However, not all these reasons have eliminated the numerous cases reported on a daily basis within the country of civilians’ improper usage of firearms. As such, civilian gun ownership led to a number of unnecessary deaths and injuries in the country. For instance, in most cases, the civilians cited that they needed to use these guns against fellow civilians in self-protection or to prevent a crime. Few of such cases rarely prove that the civilian had any justification to hold a gun against another civilian. Furthermore, the usage of guns in the United States has escalated to considerable levels whereby criminal gangs have ease of access to firearms for which to use in doing their criminal activity. This holds the entire country at ransom, as well as depreciates the level of security in the country. Many a times have irate minded, or persons with mental illnesses held civilians at hostage with firearms, and some even shot at innocent children and schoolteachers at an elementary school. As such, it is evident that civilian gun ownership requires a high level of discipline from the civilians. This is the key reason that civilians give for wanting to own private firearms. This is a valid reason especially considering the high rate of crime and insecurity within the country. It is no doubt that an individual will at one point come across a compromising situation that requires personal protection and self defense with the use of a gun, such as a rape scare for the women, a kidnap attempt for the rich, as well as a carjacking attempt for car and vehicle owners. For these reasons, a gun comes in handy, as the threatened individual will use it to protect himself or herself from the aggressor, and if lucky prevent the occurrence of a crime. Others keep guns in safekeeping at their homes for such cases of insecurity, especially in the event a burglar attacks their home and attempts to steal or make away with their property. The United

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Walden by Henry David Thoreau Essay Example for Free

Walden by Henry David Thoreau Essay No doubt, the great Henry David Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts on July 12, 1817 and died there calmly on May 6, 1862. He was explained by Hawthorne as ugly as sin. He appreciated nature, and his steady worry was exploring the woods and ponds making full observations of plants and creatures. Henry led a remarkable life, never marrying, and marching to his own drummer, as he put it. From 1845 to 1847, he lived unaccompanied in a little cabin he built by Walden Pond near Concord. He explain this sole trial in natural living in Walden criticizing those who lead lives of quiet desperation by all the trappings of usual society. His personal self-government and simple manner was harsh to a number of people, and he gained very little credit throughout his lifetime. Henry David Thoreau was jailed for refusing to pay his poll-tax because he did not believe he should be part of a government which allowed the holding of slaves and invaded other countries (Mexico) with a standing army. An unknown person paid his poll-tax and he was released from jail. Thoreau would have preferred to remain jailed and had others join him in his refusal. If others had joined him, based on their consciences he believes this could have caused the minority to force the majority to do the right thing. I know this well, that if one thousand, if one hundred, if ten men whom I could name if ten honest men only yes, if one HONEST man ceasing to hold slaves withdrew from the copartner-ship, and be locked up in the county jail therefore, it would be the abolition of slavery in America (Thoreau, Disobedience 317). Summary of His Book Today a majority of high school students do not read books because it is considered boring, and with todays technology, you dont have to read, something else will do it for you. People who dont read often judge a book by its cover. It is not all books that are as dull as their readers. Thoreau said this quote because people often judge books without knowing about the book, in this case, the book would not be dull but the person saying it is will be. In the chapter Reading, Thoreau said, To read well, that is, to read true books in a true spirit, is a noble exercise, and one that will task the reader more than any exercise which the customs of the day esteem. It requires training such as the athletes underwent the steady intention almost of the whole life to this object. This quote is very important because Thoreau is saying that reading is not an easy task, but it also requires lots of practice and training just as athletes undergo. Throughout the chapter of Reading, Thoreau states how everyone should read books, and if we dont, we could end up being like pygmies and manikins. No wonder that Alexander carried the Iliad with him on his expeditions in a precious casket. (Thoreau, Walden) In the chapter Solitude, Thoreau explains how being by yourself is not at all a bad thing. But for the most part it is as solitary where I live as on the prairies. It is as much Asia or Africa as New England, I have, as it were, my own sun and moon and stars, and a little world all to myself. Thoreau didnt look at solitude as being something bad or a punishment, he looked at it as if it were a gift. When he said that he had his own little world all to himself, it made me think different about whenever I am alone. I used to think of solitude as something that was bad, but the way that Thoreau put it, I now felt better about being all by me. In the chapter Visitors, Thoreau talks about how having people around are just as good as being in solitude. I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society. When visitors came in larger and unexpected numbers there was but the third chair for them all, but they generally economized the room by standing up. I think that when Thoreau said that he wanted to keep things as simple as possible, he meant it. For example, he only had 3 chairs in his house, and to most people that would be crazy, but when you think about it, how many chairs do you actually need? Or how many rooms do you need? Thoreau also said that it was amazing how he could fit 25-30 people in his tiny house, and how that brought him and all of his visitors closer together. I could not but notice some of the peculiarities of my visitors. Girls and boys and young women generally seemed glad to be in the woods. They looked in the pond and at the flowers, and improved their time. (Samuel Taylor Coleridge) Walden by Henry David Thoreau is an important book for a high school student to read because it has important factors of life that may be needed now, or in you future. In this book, Thoreau explained many things, but I think the most important thing he explained were his chapters on Reading, Solitude, and Visitors. He explained the importance and necessity of reading, he showed how being alone is usually a good thing, and he also showed how great visitors can be. These are all reasons why I think high school students should read Walden. Conclusion Thoreau wrote a lot of stories, one counting Walden. This story clearly portrayed Thoreaus love for nature and life. Thoreau, in the primary part, defines what he sees as the main difficulty of his time. In the second part, Thoreau describes his own trial in living an easy life. Part three focuses on what is significant to him. In this case, Nature is most significant to him, believing nature of learn as a spiritual pursuit. The entire story of Walden is just a trial of a man in living well. Henry D. Thoreau also wrote Resistance which was about him refusing to pay a poll tax. He was in prison and imprisoned in agreement for one night in 1846 for default of his poll tax. This act of disobedience was a complaint against slavery and alongside the Mexican War, which Thoreau and other abolitionists regard as a means to get bigger the slave territory. Self-reliance and personal independence are hallmarks which are predominant in Walden. Thoreau went to the woods to get to the most basic facts of life and to appreciate and enjoy everything about these most basic facts. Thoreau viewed the woods in particular, and nature in general, as a teacher of life and living. Thoreau believed that the simpler his life became the greater his opportunity to appreciate life. Thoreau did not want to allow society to determine that which he knew as life. To live an existence based on the common experience of others would be as to neglect ones own experience. Individualism and an appreciation for nature and solitude do not necessarily mean living as a hermit. Thoreau believed that in order to truly appreciate life, to understand and experience life as ones own life, it is necessary to quiet the mind of all the surrounding trappings of society. Individualism, the importance of the individual, self-reliance, and personal independence is one of the leading characteristics of the era of Romanticism. Henry David Thoreau wrote about individualism and demonstrated his belief by the way he lived. Living at Walden Pond, standing up to his government, refusing to pay a poll-tax to a government with which he viewed as corrupt are examples of his fierce independence and individuality. Thoreau is a stellar example of what individuality can produce. A worthy goal is to make the effort to devote oneself to thought and work, to in fact nurture ones own individuality, rather than becoming lost in the mainstream of life. This will allow greater individuality and diversity to complement our current day society. References Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Collected Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, gen. ed. Kathleen Coburn, 14 vols. to date (Princeton: Princeton UP, 1969) 6: 30. Thoreau, Walden, the Writings of Henry David Thoreau 199. All additional citations from Walden will come from this edition and be designated by a page number in parentheses.

Friday, September 20, 2019

A literature review

A literature review Abstract At the beginning, a literature review was conducted to identify the different between implementation of Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) and Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CFO). The certification process and conditions for the issuance of both certificate is studied. Besides, the forms used in both systems are studied. The problem of the implementation of CFO is clearly identified in the literature review. The comparison for both systems is based on the simplification of certification process, impact to the corruption level, impact to the foreign investment, integrity of architects, efficiency of public delivery system, attitude of officer in local government, overall duration of the project, duration of the house buyers to occupy their houses, and impact to the quality of works. In order to find out the information to support research title, questionnaire survey was conducted. The result of the analysis showed that the implementation of CCC is better than the implementation of CFO form the architects viewpoints. Therefore, conclusion has been drawn. Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Problem Statement The Government has an intention to create a more efficient public delivery system and reduce bureaucracy or red tape in local government with the implementation of CCC. Besides, implementation of CCC will provide better protection for house buyers. As a person that important role in housing development, what are the opinions and viewpoints of the professional architect after the CCC was implemented for two year and a half years in the industry. Is the implementation of CCC creates positive impacts to the housing industry. Question on Is the CCC system is better than the CFO system? is the main issue that needs to discuss in detail in this research. 1.2 Research Aim The aim of this research is to compare the implementation of CCC and implementation of CFO in housing development projects from Architects viewpoint. 1.3 Research Objective The objectives of this research are: To study the differences between the CFO system and CCC system. To find out the impact of the implementation of the CCC to the housing industry. To study the problem of the CFO system. 1.4 Introduction/ Background Study Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) came into force on April 12, 2007 in order to replace the Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CFO). REHDA believes that implementation of the CCC would cause the technical aspects to be separated from the non-technical issues, increase efficiency and expediency in the construction of projects. Delays in construction and compliance costs can be reduced and house buyers will stand to benefit from CCC system. (Ng, 2007) Former Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting clarified that local authorities would not lose their power with the enforcement of the CCC. He said that under existing laws, local authorities would still have the power to stop the principal submitting person from issuing the CCC if they find any non-compliance of the work. Local authorities will still have to power to check buildings and ensure that the developers follow all the rules and regulations, he said. (The Star, 2007) PAM fully supports the governments decision to eradicate the local authorities issued CFO in 2006, when it will be substituted with the CCC to be issued by the professional architects to improve the efficiency and competitiveness in the public delivery system of the building industry. (Lai, 2007) 1.5 Benefit/Importance of Study The government can compare the result from the research with intention to determine the success of the new policy. The Government can know about the problem faced by the architects in the industry. Besides, the architects can realize about the opinion and viewpoint from other Architects about the CCC systems. Apart from that, the house buyer can have a detail comprehend to the CCC system. 1.6 Scope of Study The main focus of this research is to compare the implementation of CCC with the implementation of CFO. The study population will be limited to the professional architect. This is because professional architect is the most important person and act as PSP in most of the housing projects in Malaysia. The research will focus on opinion and viewpoint from the professional architect about the efficiency of the CCC system. The sampling population is the professional architects in the Klang Valley. This is because Klang Valley is one of the rapid developing areas in Malaysia. There are many architect firms in this area. The responds from the Architects selected may not fully represent the all Architects in the Malaysia. 1.7 Research Methodology 1.7.1 Questionnaire Questionnaire is my research methodology in this study. For this section, a set of question to be prepared and the questionnaire will been sent to the Architect firms by e-mail where the e-mail address of the Architect firms can obtain from http://vps.lam.gov.my/lam_ims_member/ index.php. Due to the time constraint, it is expected to receive only thirty sets of questionnaire from the respondents. So, a hundred and twenty sets of questionnaires will be sent to achieve this target. The quantitative analysis method is use to analysis the data collected from the Architects. 1.8.3 Literature Review A comprehensive review of the relevant literature including a computer assisted search will be undertaken in order to develop an understanding of provisions works relating to the Certificate of Completion and Compliance in construction. Materials have been selected based on the objective of the study. The following sources are found to be useful in providing an insight into the research topic: Journal published by professional bodies. Organization website such as PAM, LAM, REHDA, and HBA. All the magazine, pamphlet and articles are obtained from the organizations. Chapter 2: Comparison between Certificate of Fitness for Occupation System (CFO) and Certificate of Completion and Compliance System (CCC) CCC was implemented with intention to cut down on red-tape and ensure that house buyers and building owners get to move in as quickly as possible without compromising their safety (PAM, 2007). This system is consistent with the governments desire to encourage a self regulation approach which was introduced in the new National Economy Growth Planning strategy. This effort reflects the governments commitment to continuously enhance the service delivery system (The Malaysian Bar, 2007). In the past, LA will issue CFO after it has received application form (Form E) submitted by the Submitting Person. Several barriers were found in the process of the submission and receipt of the Form E by the LA. According to the PAM, the issuance of the CFO then poses many problems, such as delay in certification by technical agencies, additional conditions imposed by LA at the time of CFO application and lack of technical officers to process the CFO. CCC will only address technical aspects and so far as these are complied with and there is no apparent threat to safety then it can be issued. 2.1 Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CFO) System The Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CFO), an official document issued by the LA to acknowledge that a certain building is safe to be occupied. CFOs are issued to ensure that every house built conforms to the various prerequisites, approved layout and building plans and the by-laws. According to the Uniform Building By-laws 1994 (UBBL), no one can occupy or be allowed to occupy any part of a building unless a CFO or a temporary CFO has been issued. This is to make sure that owners do not move into houses that are unfit for human occupation. At the beginning of the development process, even before the local council approves the building plans, the latter have to be channelled to the following technical departments for scrutiny, such as: Jabatan Kerja Raya (Public Works Department) Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat (Fire and Rescue) Indah Water Konsortium Jabatan Perairan Saliran (Drainage Irrigation) Tenaga Nasional Bhd Jabatan Kesihatan (Health Department) Jabatan Bekalan Air (Water Supply Department) According to the Wang (1987), the local council whilst processing the building plans awaits the approval of the various plans by the various relevant departments. When all such the Acts/By-laws/Regulations, or by way of granting waivers to some specific areas that do not comply to the Acts/By-laws/Regulations due to acceptable reasons, the building plans can thus be approved. Normally one or more correction notices are sent by the Building Department to the applicant for the necessary corrections. The process usually takes a considerable period of time to complete. After the other requirements and formalities have been fulfilled, the developer/contractor then proceeds to build the houses. A registered architect supervises the building process. He also certifies the various stages of construction to the developer. So, the developer can pay the interim payment to the contractor. 2.1.1 Inspection on Completed Project When the construction is completed, meaning that the building, infrastructure and facilities for providing utilities (such as water reticulation and electricity sub-stations) are all in place and commissioned by the relevant authorities, the Practical Completion can be certified by the architect. Letters of support (surat sokongan) should obtain by the architect from the various technical departments, namely Building Department, Planning Department, Road drainage, landscaping, safety health, etc, certifying that the requirements for each respective department are fulfilled. Notice requesting inspection of the buildings for the issuance of the CFO should be lodged with the building authority so that final inspection may be carried out by the relevant authority. The relevant authority will inspect the buildings and the services to make sure they are constructed and installed in accordance with the approved drawings and in compliance with Acts, By-laws, Regulations and other special requirements as endorsed on the Development Order. The inspection by various Departments/ Divisions is a time consuming process, as the various inspections are usually carried out separately. After the inspections are carried out, the various departments will issue the latter of support to the architect. The architect will then submit application form together with all the letters of support, to the local council to apply for the issuance of the CFO. 2.1.2 Issuance of Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CFO) Upon submission of Form E, the LA will have to reply whether to accept or reject the application of CFO within 14 days. In the event any of the departments do not issue latter of support to the said development, the local authority will reject the application within that 14 days and the developer have to go through the whole process again from submitting a fresh copy of Form E. In summary, the CFO is issued by the local authority after: the local authority receives the form E (UBBL) from the submitting person compliance of all requirements set up by the LA related technical agencies support letter are received LA has visited the site. 2.1.3 Problem of CFO System The objective of Government control on issuance of CFO is to ensure the regulating of standard of building including fire-prevention, provision of services, the standard of roads, drain and lighting. So the construction of building can be carried out in a systematic and orderly method. Yet on the other hand, in the process of issuance of CFO, it has imposed institutional rigidity and created procedural formality and red-tape, thus resulting in delay. On the question of discretionary power provided under the statutes, this can also go to extremities in freely exercising discretion or unwillingness to use discretion. In either case, it is not beneficial to the building process. The CFO system was overly cumbersome, time-consuming and subject to abuse. It was not unusual for inordinate delays to occur due to many factors including: Noncompliance by the developer for the submission of Form E and its enclosures to the LA. Additional conditions imposed by the LA at the time of application of CFO. The involvement of many technical agencies and the lack of technical officers to process the CFO. 2.1.4 Effect of CFO System to the House Buyer As the name implies, the CFO is a document that declares that a house is fit for occupation. Hence, without it, a buyer is not allowed to occupy his newest possession. It would not be unfair to say that most house buyers in Malaysia have been faced with the problem where they obtained the keys to their brand new homes but were unable to move in because there was no CFO. The rule in the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Regulation 1966 allows developers to hand over vacant possession of houses to the house buyers even though the CFOs have not been issued. The distressing fact is that house buyers are forced to accept the keys to their new homes, although the CFO have not been issued. The Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Regulation 1966 stipulates that in the event of buyers failing to take over vacant possession 14 days after being notified by the developer, they are deemed to have taken over vacant possession of the houses. (National House Buyers Association, 2002) The irony is that they are not allowed from moving into their new homes because the CFOs have not been issued. As the result, from the date they take over or are deemed to have taken over their houses, they are full responsibility for the property. (National House Buyers Association, 2002) 2.1.5 Types of Form under CFO System Form A (Certification of Buildings/Structural Plans) to be submitted to the Local Authority for endorsement on plans to be submitted for approval. The submitting person wills certify the details in the plans are in accordance with the requirements on the town planning and building requirements. The submitted person wills accept full responsibility accordingly. Form B (Notice of Commencement/Resumption of Building Operations) to be submitted by the submitting person to the Local Authority to inform the local authority of the intention to commence or resume building operation according to the approval plans. Form C (Notice of Completion of Setting Out) to be submitted to the Local Authority by the submitting person to certify that the setting out of the buildings is according to the approved plans. The submitting person will accepts responsibility of ensuring that the setting of the buildings will be in accordance with all the town planning and building requirements of the Building By-Laws. Form D (Notice of Completion of Foundations) to be submitted to the Local Authority by the submitting person to give a notice to the local authority that the foundations of the buildings have been completed according to the approval plans. The submitting person will responsible that the works are compliance with the Building By-Laws. Form E (Application Form for Issue of CFO) to be submitted to the Local Authority by the submitting person to apply for CFO. The submitting person will certify that the buildings have been completed in accordance with the approval plan. Besides, the submitting person will also certify that supervision of the erection and completion of the buildings had been carried out under his control are in accordance with the approved building and structural plans and generally in accordance with the specifications and sound engineering practice. He will accept responsibility accordingly for those portions with which he respectively concerned. 2.2 Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) System Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC), a new term introduced by the Street, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Act 2007 (Amendment Act), which enforced by the government on April 12, 2007. The CCC is introduced by the government to replace the CFO. The new CCC is issued by the private sector based on self-regulation. LAs transfer the responsibility to professionals. The professionals that can issue the CCC are architects, engineers and building draftsman. It looks for, cut red tape or bureaucracy in local government, enhance the efficiency of the public delivery system and provide better protection for house buyers. The CCC applies to new projects after the enforcement date while the project commenced before the enforcement date will still be issued with CFOs. Under CCC Issuance System, Development Order approval process and building plan approval process are still required. Development Order must obtain from the LA before the construction of the building is commenced. Besides, the building plan must approved by the all relevant technical agencies before the construction is commenced. 2.2.1 Principal submitting person (PSP) The CCC will be issued by a (PSP), which is a major change in the new system. The PSP is a professional who submits building plans to the LA for approval and registered under the relevant law relating to registration such as Architects Act 1967 or Registration of Engineers Act 1967(Revised 1974). Roles and responsibilities of PSP under implementation of CCC include the following: Present building plans to LA for approval Standardise preparations and presentation of building plan and other necessary plans Inform LA before commencement of construction operations at the site Supervise works at the site and ensure the compliance of the laws and technical requirements of the LA Report building breaches, explain reasons of breach and state recovery actions in the event of breach during constructions Present work resumption notice to LA Ensure non-compliance matters during construction such as rectification in the LA to PSP notice before the CCC is issued Issuing CCC to owners and developers and presenting a copy of the CCC to the LA and the relevant Professional Board Ensure verification of G forms are completed and in order and presenting a copy of the G forms to the LA and relevant Professional Board 2.2.2 Matrix of responsibility Under CFO system, the roles and responsible of the various party is not clearly indentify. To resolve this problem, stage certification is introduced according to the various stage of construction work. The process is based on matrix of responsibility. Ong (2007) notes that the implementation of CCC has introduced a matrix of responsibility to make all parties involved in the construction process accountable and responsible for their respective works. With the introduction of G forms whereby technical personnel are required to certified their respective work, these technical personnel will no longer able to load the responsibility to the architect or engineer who for practical reason cannot be checking every details on site. This has been practiced in Australia as the self regulatory system and it has been effective in producing the quality end product of building works. This process helps to identify and call to attention the various parties responsible in the complex delivery process of buildings. The CIDB registered contractor, licensed specialist contractors and professionals will now be called upon to take responsibility for their portions of the works. For example, the stage certification for internal sanitary plumping is certified by the sub-contractor (licensed plumber), and the professional architect or professional engineer. The professional is depending to the person who prepares the sanitary plumping drawing. There is possible time saved from previously having to the submitting of the application form for apply CFO. If a plumber certified internal sanitary plumping works is found to be defective or using substandard components not according to specification, he can easily be traced under this system for which action can be taken by authority such as suspension or de-registration of the plumbers licence. The same goes to other tradesmen or contractors. The introduction of this matrix of responsibility marks a new milestone in the self regulation of quality building works and hence quality property that should be the culture of the whole construction industry. For the purpose of inspection the non-compliance of work from the local authority, the PSP may inform the LA when the completion of the main construction stage. The three main construction stages are: Sub-structure work (Form G1-G3) Super-structure work (Form G4-G12) Internal and external services (From G13-G21) 2.2.3 Inspection by Local Authority (LA) According to the Street, Drainage and Building Act (Amendment 2007) (Act A1286), the LA is empowered under section 85A to direct inspection to be carried out on the building by the owner 10 years after CCC has been issued for the said building. The LA may inspect the building site at any time on its own initiative or due to complaints. Under section 70(23) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act (Amendment 2007) (Act A1286), in the event of failure to comply with the approved plans, the Act or by-laws in the erection and construction of the building, the LA may issue to the PSP: A written notice requiring compliance within a period in the notice specified by the LA A written directive to withhold the issuance of CCC until the non-compliance has been rectified. 2.2.3.1 PSP Rectify Non-compliance Under section 25(6) of the Uniform Building By-Law (UBBL) (Amendment 2007), after the receipt of the notice issued by the LA, the PSP shall within twenty-one days (21) or period approved by the LA rectify the failure or non-compliance. After the PSP has rectified the failure or non-compliance, he shall issue a notice to the local authority confirming that such rectification works have been satisfactorily completed. The UBBL (Amendment 2007) states that upon receipt of the notice, the LA shall within fourteen days (14) inspect the building to confirm that the failure or non-compliance has been satisfactorily rectified. When the LA is satisfied the rectification of the failure or non-compliance, the LA shall issue a written directive to the PSP to issue the CCC or partial CCC. When the LA does not carry out the inspection of rectification works within the period, the LA is deemed to be satisfied the rectification works of the non-compliance. 2.2.3.2 PSP Does Not Rectify the Non-compliance When the failure or non-compliance is not rectified by the PSP within the specified period, the LA may itself cause any work to be executed or any measure to be taken if it considers such work or measure is necessary to rectify the non-compliance. The cost for executing such work shall be borne by the owner of the building. The CCC or partial CCC shall not be issued by the PSP until all the rectification works of the failures or non-compliances has been satisfactorily completed. The LA is also responsible for approving permission of planning application and building plans, pressing charges against the PSP and professionals and reporting to the relevant professional board, inspection of old buildings and continuing to issue CFOs for projects approved before the CCCs date of enforcement. (Chen, 2007) 2.2.4 Issuance of Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) After the building is completed, the PSP can issue the CCC to certify the building is safe and comfort for the occupational. Conditions for the issuance of Certificate of Completion and Compliance are: When all the technical conditions required by the LA are complied. PSP certify and accept Form G1-G21. Confirmation of Six essential services for the issuance of CCC: Electrical supply (TNB) are confirmed Water supply are confirmed Connection to sewerage treatment plant or mains are confirmed Clearance from lifts and machinery department, if applicable Clearances for active fire fighting systems except for residential buildings not more than 18m high) (Bomba) Roads Drainage When the non-compliance of work is rectified by the PSP. The PSP certifies that the building is constructed under his supervision and the buildings have been completed according to the approval plans and compliance with the Building By-Laws. UBBL (Amendment 2007) states that the PSP shall accept full responsibility for the issuance of the CCC and he certifies that the building is safe and fit for occupation. 2.2.5 Issuance of Vacant Possession (VP) Together with CCC Housing Development (Control and Licensing) (Amendment) Act 2007 states that the delivery of vacant possession by the Vendor shall be supported by a CCC) certifying that the building is safe and fit for occupation. As the result, the developer shall let the purchaser occupy the house when the CCC has been issued by the developers architect. The purchaser may immediately occupy the property as the CFO is no longer required. (Wong, 2008) 2.2.7 Types of Form under CCC System Under implementation of CCC, the Form A (Certification of Buildings/Structural Plans) and Form B (Notice of Commencement/Resumption of Building Operations) are remained and serve the same function as Form A and Form B under implementation of CFO. The Second Schedule of the UBBL is amended by deleting Forms C, D and E. Form F is substituted with the new Form F and F1. The new forms, Form G1-G21 were introduced with the implementation of CCC. Form Gs are stage certification for twenty-one (21) component of work (refer to table 2.1). The Form C and Form D under CFO issuance system are replaced by the Form G2 and Form G3 respectively. The Form Gs must certified by the parties involved in the each component of work. They will certify that the each component of work is constructed according to the approval plans. Besides, they will also fully responsible for the construction and completion for the work. Under CCC insurance system, the Form E is deleted. The PSP can issue the Form F (Certificate of Completion and Compliance) when he satisfy with the construction of the building. He will certify that the construction of the building is accordance to the approved building and structure plans. He will fully responsible for the construction of the building. UBBL (Amendment 2007) states that the PSP shall deposit a copy of the certificate and the Form G1-G21 with the LA and the Board of Architects Malaysia or Board of Engineers Malaysia within fourteen (14) days from the issuance of the CCC. The PSP may issue a partial CCC in Form F1 as set out in the Second Schedule of UBBL (Amendment 2007) in respect of any part of a building partially completed subject to any condition imposed by the LA which it deems necessary for reasons of public health and safety. A partial CCC once issued shall remain effective until the whole of the building is completed and a CCC is issued. 2.2.8 Acts Amended to Prevent Wrong Certification Under the self-certification system, a heavier responsibility will be placed upon the PSP to uphold trust and integrity. However, as the professional fees are currently being paid by the developers to the consultants, the public may get the perception that PSP may not be independent and can be influenced by their developer client to certify and issue the CCC in advance. (Lai, 2007) As a result, several acts are amended to eliminate this perception and prevent wrong certification. 2.2.8.1 Uniform Building By-Law (Amendment 2007) 2.2.8.2 Street, Drainage and Building Act (Amendment) 2007 2.2.8.3 Architects Act 1967 Chapter 3: Research Methodology 3.1 Introduction There are two types of approaches that commonly used for dissertation, quantitative approach and qualitative approach. Quantitative approach is used for this dissertation. The quantitative approach involves analysis of numerical data. Data is in the form of numbers and statistics. Data collected by using tools, such as questionnaires or equipment to collect numerical data. 3.2 Questionnaire Survey Questionnaire is a written list of questions, the answer to which recorded by respondents. In a questionnaire respondents read the question, interpret what is expected and then write down the answers. The questionnaire for this dissertation consists of 6 questions. The respondents are the Registered Architect around the Klang Valley. The questionnaires are sent to the respondent by post. Due to the time limitation, 30 respondents are selected as sample size for this dissertation. The questions are set with mixture of closed-end question and opened end question. There is only 1 closed-end question asking about the general opinion about the replacement of CFO with CCC. This question is optional for the respondents to give the answer. Most of the questions are set under closed-end question to control the data collected and more favourable to the respondent. The data is controlled to make the analysis of data is more easy. The questionnaires attach with a cover and authorised letter from the College. The primary objective of a cover letter is to tell the respondents the purpose of the questionnaire and to request that they participate. The purpose of the study should be stated clearly and simply. 3.2.1 Follow-up Procedures. Nearly all surveys which are serious in nature follow up the initial questionnaires with two o three additional mailings as well as telephone calls to increase the overall response rate. Generally, the second follow-up occurs two or three weeks after the initial survey was sent out. Telephone call is used for the follow-up procedures. 3.2.2 Advantages of Questionnaire Questionnaires are economical, in the sense that they can supply a considerable amount of research data for a relatively low cost in terms of materials, money and time. Questionnaires supply standardised answer, to the extent that all respondents are posted with exactly the same questions. The data collected are very unlikely to be contaminated with the researcher through variations in the wording of the questions or the manner in which the questions is asked. There is little scope for the data to be affected by interpersonal factors. The questionnaires encourage pre-coded answers. This is not an essential facet of questionnaires, because unstructured answers can be sought. However, the value of the data is likely to be greatest where respondents provide answers that fit into range of options offered by the researcher. 3.2.3 Design for Questions <

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Survival in The Bean Trees Essay -- Barbara Kingsolver The Bean Trees

Survival in The Bean Trees In 1859, Charles Darwin published his most famous work, On the Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection (Encarta 96). This book explained Darwin's theory of natural selection, a process not unlike separating the wheat from the chaff, where the least fit are eliminated, and only the fittest survive. An extension of this theory known as Social Darwinism emerged in the late 19th century. "Social Darwinists believed that people, like animals and plants, compete for survival and, by extension, success in life" (Encarta 96). Under this theory, the individuals who acquire the power and wealth are deemed the fittest, while those of lower economic and social levels are considered the least fit (Griffin Lecture). This appears to be a theory that Barbara Kingsolver sets out to disprove in her novel The Bean Trees. In a review in The Women's Review of Books, Margaret Randall observes that this is a novel not about "middle-class America, but real middle America, the unemployed and unde remployed, the people working fast-food joints or patching tires, Oklahoma Indians, young mothers left by wandering husbands or mothers who never had husbands" (Randall 1). Ultimately, it is about survivors -- women such as Taylor Greer who sets out from Kentucky to find a better life and finds responsibility for another life; Mattie whose survival is wrapped up in her role as savior to all in need who enter Jesus Is Lord Used Tires; Lou Ann Ruiz who is afraid of life and in need of finding her strength; and Esperanza whose child was taken from her in a political struggle and who needs to find the will to live -- who pool their resources, both financial and emotional. These women have courage, humor and each other, resou... ...nd in strength, and they do survive. Works Cited Butler, Jack. "She Hung the Moon and Plugged in All the Stars." The New York Times Book Review. April 10, 1988: 15. FitzGerald, Karen. "A Major New Talent." Ms. XVI.10 (1988): 28. Griffin, Joan. Lecture. English 3230. Metropolitan State College, Denver. 7 Oct.1999. Gale Literary Databases: Contemporary Authors. "Barbara Kingsolver." 11 November 1999: 3. http://www.galenet.com/servlet/GLD..&n=10&1 =d&NA=Kingsolver%2C+barbara Kingsolver, Barbara. The Bean Trees. New York: HarperPerennial, 1992. Kingsolver, Barbara. Letter. Contemporary Literary Criticism Yearbook. Vol. 55. (1988): 68. Randall, Margaret. "Human Comedy." The Women's Review of Books. V.8 (1988): 1. "Social Darwinism." Microsoft Encarta96 Encyclopedia. CD ROM. Microsoft Corporation. 1995.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

On Dis-ease :: essays research papers

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/vaksam/">Sam Vaknin's Psychology, Philosophy, Economics and Foreign Affairs Web Sites We are all terminally ill. It is a matter of time before we all die. Aging and death remain almost as mysterious as ever. We feel awed and uncomfortable when we contemplate these twin afflictions. Indeed, the very word denoting illness contains its own best definition: dis-ease. A mental component of lack of well being must exist SUBJECTIVELY. The person must FEEL bad, must experience discomfiture for his condition to qualify as a disease. To this extent, we are justified in classifying all dieases "spiritual" or "mental". Is there any other way of distinguishing health from sickness - a way that does NOT depend on the report tha the patient provides regarding his subjective experience? Some diseases are manifest and others are latent or immanent. Genetic diseases can exist - unmanifested - for generations. This raises the philosophical problem or whether a potential disease IS a disease? Are AIDS and Hemophilia carriers - sick? Should they be treated, ethically speaking? They experience no dis-ease, they report no symptoms, no signs are evident. On what moral grounds can we commit them to treatment? On the grounds of the "greater benefit" is the common response. Carriers threaten others and must be isolated or otherwise neutered. The threat inherent in them must be eradicated. This is a dangerous moral precedent. All kinds of people threaten our well-being: unsettling ideologists, the mentally handicapped, many politicians. Why should we single out our physical well-being as worthy of a privileged moral status? Why is our mental well being, for instance, of less import? Moreover, the distinction between the psychic and the physical is hotly disputed, philosophically. The psychophysical problem is as intractable today as it ever was (if not more so). It is beyond doubt that the physical affects the mental and the other way around. This is what disciplines like psychiatry are all about. The ability to control "autonomous" bodily functions (such as heartbeat) and mental reactions to pathogenes of the brain are proof of the artificialness of this distinction. It is a result of the reductionist view of nature as divisible and summable. The sum of the parts, alas, is not always the whole and there is no such thing as an infinite set of the rules of nature, only an asymptotic approximation of it. The distinction between the patient and the outside world is superfluous and wrong.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

A Comparison of Escape in Madam Bovary and Anna Karenina :: comparison compare contrast essays

Escape in Madam Bovary  and Anna Karenina    Reading provides an escape for people from the ordinariness of everyday life. Madame Bovary and Anna Karenina, dissatisfied with their lives pursued their dreams of ecstasy and love through reading. At the beginning of both novels Anna Karenina and Emma Bovary made active decisions about their future although these decisions were not always rational. As their lives started to disintegrate Emma and Anna sought to live out their dreams and fantasies through reading. Reading served as morphine allowing them to escape the pain of everyday life, but reading like morphine closed them off from the rest of the world preventing them from making rational decisions. It was Anna and Emma's loss of reasoning and isolation that propelled them toward their downfall.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Emma at the beginning of the novel was someone who made active decisions about what she wanted. She saw herself as the master of her destiny. Her affair with Rudolphe was made after her decision to live out her fantasies and escape the ordinariness of her life and her marriage to Charles. Emma's active decisions though were based increasingly as the novel progresses on her fantasies. The lechery to which she falls victim is a product of the debilitating adventures her mind takes. These adventures are feed by the novels that she reads.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   They were filled with love affairs, lovers, mistresses, persecuted ladies fainting in lonely country houses, postriders killed at every relay, horses ridden to death on every page, dark forests, palpitating hearts, vows, sobs, tears and kisses, skiffs in the moonlight, nightingales in thickets, and gentlemen brave as lions gentle as lambs, virtuous as none really is, and always ready to shed floods of tears.(Flaubert 31.)      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Emma's already impaired reasoning and disappointing marriage to Charles caused Emma to withdraw into reading books, she fashioning herself a life based not in reality but in fantasy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Anna Karenina at the begging of Tolstoy's novel was a bright and energetic women. When Tolstoy first introduces us to Anna she appears as the paragon of virtue, a women in charge of her own destiny.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   He felt that he had to have another look at her- not because A Comparison of Escape in Madam Bovary and Anna Karenina :: comparison compare contrast essays Escape in Madam Bovary  and Anna Karenina    Reading provides an escape for people from the ordinariness of everyday life. Madame Bovary and Anna Karenina, dissatisfied with their lives pursued their dreams of ecstasy and love through reading. At the beginning of both novels Anna Karenina and Emma Bovary made active decisions about their future although these decisions were not always rational. As their lives started to disintegrate Emma and Anna sought to live out their dreams and fantasies through reading. Reading served as morphine allowing them to escape the pain of everyday life, but reading like morphine closed them off from the rest of the world preventing them from making rational decisions. It was Anna and Emma's loss of reasoning and isolation that propelled them toward their downfall.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Emma at the beginning of the novel was someone who made active decisions about what she wanted. She saw herself as the master of her destiny. Her affair with Rudolphe was made after her decision to live out her fantasies and escape the ordinariness of her life and her marriage to Charles. Emma's active decisions though were based increasingly as the novel progresses on her fantasies. The lechery to which she falls victim is a product of the debilitating adventures her mind takes. These adventures are feed by the novels that she reads.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   They were filled with love affairs, lovers, mistresses, persecuted ladies fainting in lonely country houses, postriders killed at every relay, horses ridden to death on every page, dark forests, palpitating hearts, vows, sobs, tears and kisses, skiffs in the moonlight, nightingales in thickets, and gentlemen brave as lions gentle as lambs, virtuous as none really is, and always ready to shed floods of tears.(Flaubert 31.)      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Emma's already impaired reasoning and disappointing marriage to Charles caused Emma to withdraw into reading books, she fashioning herself a life based not in reality but in fantasy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Anna Karenina at the begging of Tolstoy's novel was a bright and energetic women. When Tolstoy first introduces us to Anna she appears as the paragon of virtue, a women in charge of her own destiny.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   He felt that he had to have another look at her- not because

Mensa Strategy Essay

A five-year strategic plan Mensa has been engaged with the various businesses, which include; packaging, forest products, energy and financial services businesses. There is a lot of change on multiple levels of the company which is necessary for Mensa to achieve profitability. This strategic plan will provide the correct direction to the business to achieve this goal. Mensa will need to implement a variety of different techniques in order to become a successful growing business. Without the changes outlined in this strategic plan, the company faces significant financial distress. Mensa’s Financial Services Business This business provides insurance, mortgage loan, real state financial services and consultancy services to its customers. It was not a huge business but the management had done a good job with cash flow and profitability for the size of the business. They had proven their know how by selecting target markets and avoiding any serious head-to-head competition with competitors, this helped in creating a bright outlook for this section of Mensa’s business. Therefore, it will be better for the firm to expand this business. I recommend increasing the size of the operation. In order to be able to increase the sales and returns within this sector, there needs to be capital investment. I agree with the outlook, the firm should invest $250,000,000 initially and could increase it to $300,000,000 in the following 5-7 years, with a decrease to $100,000,000 a year at that time. This will generate $200 million to $300 million for the business, at the end of the investment period. Although this will be a lot of upfront investment, the huge increase in profitability will be worth the money spent. Increasing the size of this sector of the business is a good move for the company, which will provide them with a significant amount of returns. Mensa’s Energy Business Mensa energy division deals with the exploration, development and production of the oil and gas. Acquisition of EasyGas Energy was beneficial to the firm, as it was the sole supplier of natural gas to Florida. This business has strong position in some segments; the demand for oil and gas would be increased by next years, annual prices for oil and gas will also increase.  The consultant felt that demand and supply picture is increasing and would be favorable for those firms that had developed the business earlier. However, according to the consultant, it would not be favorable to invest more in exploration and production, so Mensa should expand this business through intensification strategy. As the production would peak from 2002 to 2010, they advised that their existing reserves and the land they own would only increase in value over time, even though Mensa could never grow to be competitive within this industry due to the size of their existing competitors. The Florida pipeline in this sector is a significant tool for improvement in profits, as the cash flow for this business was estimated to increase $100million to $300million in year 5. For exploration and production division, if divestment strategy is followed then the division could be sold for $1,560,000,000 at present and it will be increased up to $2,000,000,000 within 5 to 6 years. The profits would be increased by 8-10%, with a focus on building supplies of both oil and gas. Mensa’s packaging business Mensa’s packaging business had three major markets; Food and Beverage, Specialty Packaging, and International. This sector was economically sensitive, as it was difficult to build any competitive advantage. This packaging business would be very expensive as customers’ required new technologies that led to higher charges while customers create serious pressure to reduce prices, and Mensa’s technology was already outdated. The consultant also felt that profitability would decline over the next several years in the packaging division, and would be negative $100,000,000 in year 6 and declining by 20% each year thereafter. With this being said, it is better to shut down this business. It would bring about $1,200,000,000 which is approximately 70% of book value. In this business, the potential for improvement was very low, due to the high customer demands and the fact that there wasn’t much the Mensa could do to gain a competitive advantage. Given that this is t he case, it is in Mensa’s best interest to sell off the packaging portion of its company to save itself from future negative cash flows. Mensa’s forest product division The forest product division of the Mensa has suffered poor preventive  maintenance practices and inadequate training of the employees; this had a negative impact on production. The forest production division contains two plants, the paperboard and the timber plant. In the paperboard division, Mensa’s competitors were building new plants that would produce higher quality products at a lower cost. This caused to decline in profitability and along with return on investment. The cash flows for this sector would go negative for next six years. Consultants felt that the range for negative cash flows would be $100,000,000 to $125,000,000. They also valued the company at $600,000,000 if it were to be sold today. In the timber plant, there was low level of price fluctuations due to the nine holdings which Mensa owned. This is a valuable asset for them. Although the business had competitors in a large number and faced tough competition, there were chances to increase profits. The value of assets would increase by 20% over the next six years and then by 60% in the following ten years. As the firm has a good amount of holdings within this sector, which helps them resist large fluctuations in costs, it would be a good business move for them to remain within this sector at least as a timber holder. In order to continue to be successful at either plant, Mensa would need to increase employee training and maintenance standards, to reduce the negative impact on production. Recommendations I recommend that Mensa utilizes a variety of strategies to help increase profitability. First of all, they need to expand their financial services division as this will generate large amounts of profits. This profitability created, will be used to invest in other divisions within Mensa. The energy sector of the company, will expand the Florida pipeline as this is a low investment dollar figure for the company, and has huge returns that will continue to increase over time as gas prices increase. This sector should also stop investment in exploration and production as it will create large negative cash flows for approximately the first nine years. The packaging business is possibly the most detrimental division at Mensa. It has faced multiple problems and has negative cash flows, with this being said it is in Mensa’s best interest to dissolve this portion of the company. Forest product business includes different products and there is a need to apply stability strategy so to improve functional performance. There is a lot of  training that needs to be conducted within this sector to increase production and therefore profitability.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Sakae Sushi Business Plan

BU2005 Entrepreneurship Sakae Sushi Business Plan By: Lu Mi (12668064) Zhou Ke Jun (12618536) Aditya Nandal (1266) Mayank Bhardwaj(12669440) mayank. [email  protected] jcu. edu. au Executive Summary This report provides an analysis and evaluation of the current and prospective marketing, sales strategy, target customers, production cost, expenses and capital requirements of Sakae Sushi. It is an in depth report that discusses about the rise of Sakae Sushi as one of Singapore’s major restaurant chains.This report talks about the methods implemented by Sakae Sushi to attract customers during the time of the Asian financial crisis. This report contains financial statements of Sakae Sushi; it also contains information related to the costs involved in running the business, i. e. expenses, salaries and cost of raw materials, etc. It also contains information about the management team of Sakae Sushi and it provides insights of the industry and the company on the whole. Also discuss ed here are the various products and services offered at Sakae Sushi and the methods implemented by them to promote and advertise their brand to the masses.At the end there are a few questions addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of Sakae Sushi, Mr. Douglas Foo Peow Yong, which will help us to gain first hand knowledge about Mr. Foo and also about Sakae Sushi. It will also help young and budding entrepreneurs to understand how to analyze the market and make right decisions from time to time. Table of contents 1. Introduction 2. Overview of the Industry 3. Insights on the Company 4. Market/Product Positioning 5. Products and Services offered 6. Marketing (4 P’s) 7. Sales 8. Business Development Status 9. Production Process 0. Suppliers 11. Staff training and requirements 12. Expenses and Capital Requirements 13. Balance Sheet 14. Income Statement 15. Cash Flow Statement 16. Balance sheet & cash flow statement of Sakae Holdings 17. Financial Highlights 18. Management Profil e 19. Board of Directors 20. Funding Request and Exit Strategy 21. Risks and Contingency Planning 22. Recommendations Introduction Sushi is a Japanese specialty that consists of boiled vinegar rice wrapped around by a sheet of seaweed usually dry seaweed. Sushi is the most famous Japanese food found outside Japan.In Japan sushi is portrayed as a traditional food, the Japanese people enjoy various types of sushi during several occasions. For example oshi-zushi, which is made by pressing fish onto the sushi rice in a wooden box, inari-zushi is a very simple and most inexpensive type of sushi in which the rice is filled into deep fried tofu, chirashi-zushi is another variety of sushi in which seafood, mushrooms and vegetables are added over the sushi rice (Japan-guide. com, 2008). The main ingredients involved in preparing sushi are Shari that consists of short white-grained Japanese rice mixed with a dressing consisting of rice-vinegar, sugar and salt. Next ingredient is Nori, which is basically black seaweed wrappers; it is a type of algae very common in the harbors of Japan. It mostly involves the use of fish tuna, being the most common and also the chef’s specialty. Other seafood’s like shrimp, octopus, squid and crabs are used in preparing sushi. There can be more ingredients added to sushi by just adding them to the rice before it is rolled with the seaweed. One can use the bamboo mat for making the sushi roll (Japan-guide. com, 2008). Sakae Sushi was first introduced during the Asian financial crisis when almost all of the major Asian economies were going through a phase of turmoil.Mr. Douglas Foo Peow Yong, the Chief executive officer of Sakae Sushi opened the first branch of his now famous chain of restaurants in 1997 at Raffles Place, Singapore. At that point in time many would have thought of it as a very risky business and a great risk, but the company did exceptionally well to maintain its image in the mar ket and they established themselves as a tough competitor among other food chains. They managed all this by providing excellent quality customer service and serving one of the most delicious sushi dishes in the city.Sakae sushi took the heart of many Singaporeans and there innovative idea of serving sushi on the conveyor belt attracted more and more customers, not only the Japanese people living in Singapore but also tourists from all over the world visiting Singapore being a tourist hotspot. Many foreigners visiting Singapore were in search of great ambience and good quality fine dining cuisine, which was served at Sakae Sushi and the hospitality of the staff at Sakae sushi made their customers visit them more often and also recommend them to their fellow colleagues and friends. Overview of the IndustryMr. Douglas Foo would never have imagined that taking a gamble of launching his business during tough times would have paid of so much and help him reach such heights, as during the times of recession it is always very hard to enter a new market and sustain in the market, but his hard work along with the compassion and commitment of his colleagues and their dream of becoming the best in the business not only allowed the business to flourish during hard times but in due course it also became one of the most famous and trusted restaurant in qSingapore and also in different parts of Asia. Mr.Douglas Foo implemented his business idea with full dedication and attention and he also operated his business at low profit margins, which helped him attract more customers including the budding middle class and also students to enjoy great tasting authentic Japanese cuisine sitting at home in Singapore. He saw that his business was doing well in Asia and this made him think of expanding outside Asia. He started of with the United States of America but due to the world financial crisis in 2008 his dreams of doing well in the States were shattered and it was hard to sustain th e business in New York.Mr. Foo being a great Entrepreneur spotted the difficulties early on during the financial crisis and he finally decided to shut down operations at the Chrysler building in New York. Insights on the Company Mr. Douglas Foo introduced the first branch of Sakae Sushi at Raffles place in Singapore in the year 1997, knowing it’s going to be a tough fight Mr. Foo never backed out. He worked really hard along with his team to penetrate into the market and establish Sakae Sushi in the country.To attract customers they kept the prices low in comparison to other competitors, which attracted more customers and soon went on to open new outlets one by one and finally today they own more than 30 outlets in Singapore but he did not stop here, his plans of becoming world renowned motivated him to open new outlets in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and the People’s Republic of China, with intentions of entering North Korea and also looking to operate i n the United States of America in the near future (Apex-Pal International, 2009).They opened many branches in the suburban areas of Singapore, which gives a clear idea of them trying to reach out to the masses; this is another reason for their success. To grow along with the fast growing new generation, Mr. Foo introduced several other chains apart from sushi, he opened chains like Sakae Teppanyaki, Sakae Izakaya, The Pasta shop by Sakae, Hibiki and also for private sector parties he introduced Nouvelle Events and they soon became one of the best caterers in the whole of Singapore.The innovative idea of using conveyor belt to serve food met with a huge success and attracted customers who were looking for a great ambience to enjoy delicious food. He also introduced Sakae Delivery that enabled people to even order sushi at their home by calling Sakae Sushi directly. Their good quality food, safe environment and customer friendly service allowed them to achieve high customer satisfacti on, thus making them one of the best restaurant chains not only in Singapore but in many different parts of Asia (Apex-Pal, 2003). Mr.Foo does not just want to stop here; he has plans enter other Asian markets like North Korea that has strong monopoly power and also he still hopes for achieving success in the United States of America. Market/Product Positioning Sakae sushi not only serves sushi but it also has a variety of products that were introduced by Mr. Foo to maintain domination in the market. He knew very well that Singapore being a tourist nation attracts many foreigners who have different taste buds, so he introduced various other signature dishes that suit the taste buds of the customers.To keep up with the demand they keep on innovating and introducing new offers and new themes every month for example they started with Soba theme for the month of April which involved several Soba food specialties like soba soup, soba salad and soba cheese rolls, and the best part is that all of these items are affordable even for the middle class. At some stores they even serve free meals on every first Sunday of the month for the young children.Its important to attract the young generation and today’s generation loves to have fast food so they introduced variety of burgers like Teriyaki Chicken, Unagi and Salmon Mango, the school going children and college students also cherish such delicacies provided to them at reasonable prices. Sakae sushi also runs several sushi buffets for each meal of the day like lunch buffet, teatime buffet and dinner buffet for every member of the family from children to youth to adult they cover all the generations. Their customers love the availability of different desserts with several fruity flavors and they are even healthy.The vast varity of desserts offered like sesame with red bean, vanilla with chestnut, mango and strawberry, etc. are cherished by one and all, thus the people enjoy coming to Sakae Sushi again and again (A pex-Pal International, n. d. ). Marketing Marketing is an art and science of mixing up of elements such as appealing products, competitive prices, convenient places/locations, and promotions to comprise the basic building blocks of the firm’s offer to the market (Noel Capon, 2009, p. 11). Marketing basically involves 3 types of orientation, i. e. Consumer, goal and system orientation.All three orientations need to go hand in hand so as to achieve golden success for any firm and this is exactly the case of Sakae Sushi. Mr. Douglas Foo and other members of the management team were able to address all three orientations very well and were able to create such a brand in Singapore that now has operations in some of the major economies of Asia. The marketing mix of services marketing included 4 P’s that are essential to effectively market a product to the prospective target market, the 4 P’s are namely; Product, Place, Promotion and Pricing.For any firm to excel in it s marketing efforts it needs to focus on these 4 P’s so as to effectively market their product and create a well-established brand image. (Please refer to appendix 1. 1) Product The term product refers to the tangible physical products as well as services that include decisions to be made regarding the brand name, styling, packaging and design, etc. of a product. The way Sakae Sushi has brought about a change to this concept is something for which the management at Sakae Sushi deserves a great round of applause.Introducing an already known product to the customers in a totally new way and effectively marketing it to the masses by introducing a totally new concept of conveyor belt is something to learn from. It not only requires creativity but also innovation at its best, so that whatever hard work is put in is reflected by the craving the customers have for their sushi (Lovelock, 2007). Price The level of competition in today’s world is very high and everything costs a great amount of money as compared to the past.So to effectively market out a product to the customers out of the 4 P’s, price is a very important aspect that needs to be taken into consideration as it affects the demand of a commodity inversely. If the price is more then the demand for a good falls and vice-versa, so to increase the sales pricing should be competitive, and Sakae Sushi has done exactly the same by introducing the Sakae Buffet at competitive prices for different days of the week so that every sushi liver gets to eat all what they crave for. PlacePlace or distribution strategies are concerned with making products available to the customers where and when they want them (Charles W. Lamb et al. 2008,pg. 46). Sakae Sushi outlets in Singapore are located at strategically important and accessible places, so that their customers need not walk miles in search for good food. Being located at many of Singapore’s prime locations and almost all outlets accessible b y M. R. T, it makes Sakae Sushi the preferred choice for the working class of Singapore in areas such as City Hall, Dhoby Ghaut and Orchard during peak office hours.Sakae Sushi targets those areas to operate their stores where they find a potential target market also keeping in mind other areas in close vicinity. Promotion Promotion represents the methods of communication that a marketer may use to provide information to different parties about his product. Promotion comprises of elements such as:  advertising,  public relations,  personal selling  and  sales promotion. To gain most out of the target market and potential customers, various sought of promotions need to be given out form time to time so as to keep the interest of the customers alive.Sakae Sushi has done enough advertising campaigns and has offered its customers with new themes every month so that their customers never get bored of the same old dishes. By introducing â€Å"Sakae Signatures†, â€Å"Sak ae Buffet† and â€Å"Sakae Lunch Mix â€Å"N† Match†, etc. they try to offer more and more to their customers so that the customers can indulge in eating more delicacies without having to worry about their pockets. This has revolutionized the service industry. They also offer burgers and pastas so that they can expand their target market customers and let more people crave for mouth-watering delicacies (Lovelock, 2007).SWOT Analysis Strengths Well-established brand in terms of customer satisfaction and also they provide quality service. Market leaders and trendsetters in terms of addressing the needs of the customers by bringing new and apt themes and promotions every now and then that is according to the demands of their customers. Managing high sales revenue without charging hefty prices to their customers. Dedicated and honest staff that always looks to serve the customers with a smile. Weaknesses The business structure is highly complex in terms of operations and the cost of maintenance is also high.Providing on the job training to their employees also costs a lot of money. Opportunities Can look to capitalize on the advantage they have over their competitors as a well-established brand. They also have good tie-ups in foreign countries including major Asian economies like China. Their company is a well-recognized company listed on Singapore Stock Exchange. Threats Competitors can copy their business idea and try to monopolize on it. The competitors can offer jobs to their employees at their own restaurant. It is also difficult to keep up with the ever-changing demands of the customers.Sales Effectively marketing a product is only one side of the coin, the other side of the coin is the sales strategy that is implemented by a company so as to boost revenues by increasing sales. All the marketing efforts can go down the drain if a company fails to capitalize on the efforts put in by the marketing team. Main motive of any company is to earn profits and this can only be achieved by boosting sales, and to boost sales it is very important to come up with fancy promotions and schemes so that the customers are lured into indulging themselves with the products offered by the company.By introducing Sakae Sushi membership and giving Sakae Card to the customers for S$38 and still managing to give the customers value worth S$55 is a good step taken by the management. The card not only gives bonus value, but it also can be used to avail discounts and other promotions from Sakae Sushi outlets, this keeps the customers craving for more and more new delicacies and keeping a look at new offerings.Various schemes and promotions like â€Å"The Sakae buffet, Min â€Å"N† Match, Drive-Thru menu and Self Collect and Save† help Sakae Sushi to maintain high standards of customer satisfaction and this in turn motivates them to bring up new themes for each month of the year. For example the theme for the month of April is the à ¢â‚¬Å"Soba† theme. New promotions, new monthly themes and discounts help boost sales and as the past records show Sakae Sushi has done well enough to maintain the stream of profits and also innovate to perfection (Dalrymple, 2000). Business Development StatusSakae Sushi was stared in the year 1997, since then it has grown tremendously and expanded and reached out to other countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and China etc. Douglas Foo’s ambition is to turn Sakae into a major food franchise and to be considered as â€Å"the McDonalds of sushi† worldwide. After starting its first branch in Raffles place (business district of Singapore), it has now opened more than 15 branches in Singapore alone. In 2001, Sakae opened its first overseas outlet in Thailand, a joint venture with a Thai food company and other local partners.By 2002, Sakae was in Indonesia as well and was grossing annual revenue of around $23 million SGD. For the financial year ended 31 December 2009, the Group reported revenue of SGD88. 8 million and net profit of SGD3. 3 million (Theresianto, 2008). In 2001 Sakae Sushi opened its first Drive through restaurant in Trade Hub 21 in Jurong east MRT station. Sakae Sushi tends to open their branches near MRT stations so as to attract the crowd and the frequent travellers. In 2006 Sakae sushi decided to expand its business to north Korea, Mr.Foo made his first visit to North Korea in 2001 as part of a Singapore Manufacturers' Federation delegation and has maintained the contacts he made then. He believes it will be â€Å"business as usual†, and he might step up talks with his North Korean business partners on plans to take his sushi outlets there and bring North Korean cuisine to Singapore. In 2003, Sakae’s parent company Apex-Pal was listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange. Apex-Pal’s food businesses, of which Sakae is the flagship brand, represented over 95% of the company’s re venues.In August, Apex-Pal’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) set out 16. 5 million shares, of which 836,000 were for public investors and the rest for institutional investors, clients and company employees (Business Times, 2004). Production Process The rice used for the sushi served in our Sakae Sushi restaurants, unlike most conventional sushi restaurants, is enriched with Vitamin E. Their experienced chefs are able to produce a consistent level of quality for all dishes served in Sakae Sushi, thus raising the level of confidence their customers have in their restaurants.To maintain high level of quality and freshness, raw food is not rotated on the kaiten (conveyor belt) for more than an hour, and cooked food for more than two hours. This standard of freshness is maintained through a color-coding system. For the regular dishes, the staff can immediately identify plates, which have been on the Kaiten (conveyor belt) for too long using our color-coded system. In relation to the premium red plate dishes, as the quantity of such premium dishes is much smaller compared to the regular dishes, our chefs personally monitor these dishes using our color-coded system.Their aim is to provide their customers with unique, hassle-free dining experience at Sakae Sushi restaurants. The dual-directional conveyor belt upon which the sushi dishes are displayed was designed to both maximize the seating space available and to provide customers with efficient service. Self-service hot water dispensers are located at each table and at each station of the kaiten (conveyor belt) for customers to fill their complimentary cups of green tea.Also installed is the interactive menu system at most of the restaurants from which customers can surf the menu containing both illustrations and descriptions of the dishes before placing their orders directly with the kitchen through the ordering system on the interactive menu. Where logistical difficulties affect the installing the interactive menu system at any booth portable, the intercom ordering system is installed instead, thus maintaining the high level of efficiency in service. Sakae Sushi adopts a simple two-tier pricing structure in relation to their kaiten sushi.Sakae’s simple price structure proved to be very popular. The majority of sushi dishes were priced at S$1. 90 and premium dishes at S$6. 50, which made Sakae more affordable than other Japanese restaurants. Suppliers The decrease in purchases from them in FY 2001 and FY 2002 is due to Sakae Sushi’s ability to secure alternative sources of those products at lower costs. To reduce their reliance on All Big Trading Co. and to diversify our supplier base for seafood, they began to purchase seafood from Surapon Foods Public Company Limited and LianHup Fish Merchant Co. n FY 2001 and FY 2002 respectively. These purchases helped them increase the turnover, which was also due to the increase in the number of Sakae Sushi restaurants. In addition to Marukawa Trading, they also purchased frozen food products from Tomo-Ya Japanese Food Trading, Shimaya Trading Pte Ltd and Moon Marine Singapore Pte Ltd who supply Sakae Sushi with frozen food products. The amount of purchases made by the Company from each of these three suppliers was relatively constant for the last three financial years (Apex-Pal International, 2009).The following are the suppliers for Sakae Sushi: All Big Trading Co. (All Big Frozen Food Pte Ltd) – Seafood Marukawa Trading – Dried / frozen food products Tomo-Ya Japanese Food Trading- Frozen food products Shimaya Trading Pte Ltd – Frozen food products Moon Marine Singapore Pte Ltd – Frozen food products Surapon Foods Public Company Limited – Seafood LianHup Fish Merchant Co. – Seafood Staff training and requirements Sakae Sushi provides all new employees with a complete orientation and training which is specific to their positions.New full-time operations staff, for their F;B outlets and, those of the franchises is sent to ITE-certified On-The-Job Training (â€Å"OJT†) schools to be trained by Sakae Sushi’s special OJT trainers. The OJT schools have been certified by ITE to be able to conduct OJT for our staff working in their F;B outlets. Such training involves the training and coaching of new employees by supervisors and managers through hands-on learning at the OJT schools. This type of training allows new employees to develop the required skills within a short period of time, without leaving their work place.Apart from kaiten sushi, the restaurants also serve ala-carte dishes. All members of the service staff are trained with the necessary skills and menu knowledge to provide a consistent level of customer service and to assist our customers in food selection as and when called upon to do so. Sakae Sushi also conducts refresher courses for their staff. Part-time service crew is given on-the-job training by our qualified trainers (A pex-Pal International, 2009). Expenses and Capital Requirements The main expenses of Sakae sushi are the purchase of the raw materials from its suppliers.Since the raw materials have no fixed cost F ; B have to face variable cost of the raw materials. Since the prices of the items on the Sakae Sushi menu cannot be changing constantly, Sakae sushi have to find different ways to maintain their budget and expenses. Every time Sakae sushi opens a new branch it has to incur certain costs like furniture, rent, labor, electricity, operating costs etc. Thus the capital required to open every new branch is different and may vary from places to places and from time to time. In the year 2011 Sakae Sushi spent around S$40,000,000 on the property, plant and equipment.Also the labor cost in Singapore is considerably much higher than most countries, so it is harder to start an F ; B based business like a Sakae Sushi restaurant in Singapore. Balance Sheet (Apex-Pal, 2003) Income Statement (Apex-Pal , 2003) Cash Flow Statement (Apex-Pal, 2003) Balance sheet and cash flow statement of the Sakae Holdings The Group’s cash and bank balances as at 31 December 2011 stood at $6. 1 million, a decline of $6. 4 million during the year, due to increased investment in property, plant and equipment with the construction of new central kitchen in Singapore and setting up of a headquarter in Malaysia.The Group has also made investments in associates in the beginning of the year, which was funded by bank loans. Shareholder’s equity stood at $27. 2 million as at 31 December 2011 (Full Year Financial Statement And Dividend Announcement {n. d. }). The Group was in a negative working capital position of $5. 9 million as at 31 December 2011 due to short-term revolving loans balance of $10. 3 million, which are renewable at maturity. The Group has repaid some of the revolving loans during the year (Full Year Financial Statement And Dividend Announcement {n. d. }). Financial Highlights A.Actual (‘000) Results200420052006200720082009 Revenue45,16151,90566,64583,83893,80488,817 Profit/Loss before tax2,7964,7436,6973,485(3,695)3,336 Profit/Loss attributes to share holders2. 0853,6845,0812,261(3,748)3,262 Non-current assets4,8334,62712,43318,51619,87630,852 Non-current liabilities30128942159058610,088 Shareholders equity10,76213,57620,51516,39811,15320,256 Net assets per share10. 0912. 7414. 4511. 557. 8614. 26 Earnings per share1. 963. 463. 741. 59(2. 64)2. 30 B. Expected (‘000) Results201020112012 Revenue71,69583,644. 1790,058. 03 Profit/Loss before tax2,893. 672,909. 942,604. 4 Profit/Loss attributes to share holders2,104. 172,107. 361,844. 59 Non-current assets15,189. 5016,915. 5818. 963. 68 Non-current liabilities2,045. 832,336. 642,677. 91 Shareholders equity15,443. 3316,223. 5616,664. 81 Net assets per share11. 8312. 1112. 01 Earnings per share1. 741. 701. 40 (*Projected Figures based on previous year average) (Apex-Pal International, 2009) Manageme nt Profile Board of Directors Douglas Foo Peow Yong (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer) Foo Lilian (Executive Director and Executive Vice President) Andy Ong Siew Kwee (Non-Executive and Independent Director)Lim Chee Yong (Non-Executive and Independent Director) Chan Wing Leong (Non-Executive and Independent Director) Audit Committee Lim Chee Yong (Chairman), Chan Wing Leong, Andy Ong Siew Kwee Nominating Committee Lim Chee Yong (Chairman), Chan Wing Leong, Douglas Foo Peow Yong Remuneration Committee Chan Wing Leong (Chairman), Lim Chee Yong, Douglas Foo Peow Yong Company Secretaries Rachel Ng Meijing (CPA, Singapore), Chan Lai Yinb (ACIS) (Apex-Pal International, 2009) Board of Directors â€Å"A  board of directors  is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a  company†(Robert, H. , 2000).Other names include  board of governors,  board of managers,  board of regents,  board of trustees, and board of visitors. It is often simply referred to as â€Å"the board†. In a stock corporation, the stockholders elect the board and it is the highest management authority of a company. In a  non-stock corporation  with no general voting membership,  e. g. , a university, the board is the supreme governing body of the institution (Robert, H. , 2000). The duties of the board of directors of Sakae Sushi are as follows: * Establishing policies and objectives. * Selecting, appointing, supporting and reviewing the performance of the  company. Ensuring the availability of financial resources. * Approving annual budgets. * Accounting for the performance of the company. * Managing salaries and compensation of the employees. MANAGEMENT: Mr. Douglas Foo Ms. Foo Lilian Mr. Lim Chee Yong Mr. Andy Ong Siew Kwee Mr. Chan Wing Leong MR. DOUGLAS FOO (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer) Mr. Douglas Foo has been a Director of the Group since 17 February 1997. As Founder and CEO of the Group, he manages the overall management, strategic planning and business development functions of the Group. Mr.Foo started his career as a marketing executive but with his talent and entrepreneurial skills he was able to come up with an idea of opening a garment trading business which was not really successful, so a year later he thought of getting into the food and beverages industry by opening the first branch of Sakae Sushi and has since developed Apex- Pal into a successful enterprise that it is today (Apex-Pal International, 2009). MS. FOO LILIAN (Executive Director) Ms. Foo Lilian was appointed as Sakae Sushi’s Executive Director on 2nd May 2002 and is responsible for the general management of the Company. Ms.Foo handles the Group’s leasing, business development and legal matters. She is also responsible for the consultancy, maintenance and research and development work for all IT-related matters of the Group. In 1997, Ms. Foo joined the Central Provident Fund Board where she was a databas e administrator until February 2000. She also worked with the Keppel TatLee Bank Limited as an assistant manager. Ms. Foo left Keppel TatLee Bank Limited to join Sakae Sushi in January 2001 (Apex-Pal International, 2009). MR. LIM CHEE YONG (Independent Director) Mr. Lim Chee Yong was appointed as our Independent Director for Sakae Sushi on 14 July 2003.From October 1982 to April 1987, Mr. Lim served as a senior corporate banking officer in Overseas Union Bank Limited. In May 1987, he joined Banque Paribas, Singapore Branch as a deputy manager of banking, where he stayed until April 1989. He was appointed an executive director of Alliance Technology and Development Limited, a company listed on the Main Board of the SGX-ST, in May 1989. Mr. Lim left Alliance Technology and Development Limited in March 2000. Mr. Lim is also an independent director of Twinwood Engineering Limited, a company listed on the SGX- CATALIST, from 1997 to 2007 (Apex-Pal International, 2009). MR.ANDY ONG SIEW K WEE (Independent Director) Mr. Andy Ong Siew Kwee was also appointed as Sakae Sushi’s Independent Director on 14 July 2003. Mr. Ong is the CEO of ERC Holdings Pte Ltd. ERC is a leading player in the education industry in Asia. He oversees the regional development as well as the merger and acquisition activities of the firm. He is also the Founding President of the Financial Planning Association of Singapore, a professional body for financial services that issues world-renowned Certified Financial Planner marks. He has written several best-selling books on financial management and business (Apex-Pal International, 2009).MR. CHAN WING LEONG (Independent Director) Mr. Chan Wing Leong was appointed as an Independent Director on 30 April 2005. Mr. Chan holds an honors degree in Economics from the University of Singapore. He started his career in the Administrative Service of the Singapore Government in 1981, and has held stints in several government posts in the Ministry for Trade and Industry and Economic Development Board, as well as in Government- linked Corporations. Mr. Chan was an investment banker in the late 1980s to 1995 at Schroders PLC and Bankers Trust Corp in both Singapore and Hong Kong.In 1995, he returned to Singapore to be Chief Financial Officer of Sembawang Corporation until 2001 (Carter, 2008). Funding Request and Exit Strategy In December 2007, Sakae opened its first outlet in the United States at the Chrysler Building in New York, its 61st outlet worldwide. Initial S$3 million had been invested by Apex-Pal in the outlet. The outlet did not to well because of tougher times and they have since then shut down their operations in USA. Initially, because of the company’s small size, Mr. Foo’s strategy for Sakae’s expansion was to enter into franchise agreements.As the company grew, the company also utilized a strategy of foreign direct investments in those countries where such investments were feasible and also welcomed by the respective governments. Global economic crisis occurred in 2008 and Sakae found its margins reduced by high prices for commodities such as rice and vegetables. The company cut salaries and executive pay but decided against staff layoff. A profit of S$2. 3 million in 2007 was followed by a net loss of S$3. 8 million, in 2008 due to rising rentals, salaries and commodity costs. It was Apex-Pal’s first annual loss.Sakae introduced cost cutting measures such as finding new food suppliers, minimizing waste and tightening other operational practices. The company returned to making profit in 2009, posting a S$3. 3 million profit. Risks and Contingency Planning The Starting Point It is vital that any organization takes development and maintenance, disaster recovery and business continuity plans seriously. It cannot be left until it develops into a serious problem. Impact Assessment One of the first tasks to be undertaken is to prepare a comprehensive list of serious issues tha t can affect the normal operations of a business.This list should include all possible issues no matter how likely they are to occur. Since Singapore is an island one of the major risk factors can be floods. Developing the Plan Once the assessment stage has been completed, the structure of the plan can be established. The plan will contain a range of milestones to move the organization from disrupted status to return to normal operations. The first important milestone is about dealing with the aftermath of a disaster. The next stage is to determine which business functions need to be resumed.The plan will be detailed, and will identify key individuals who should be familiar with their duties (The Contingency Planning Guide, 2002). Testing the Plan Once this plan has been developed it must be subjected to rigorous testing. The testing process must be properly planned and should be carried out in a suitable environment to produce authentic conditions. Those who would undertake the maj or activities of the business should test the plan. The test procedures should be documented and the results recorded. This is important to ensure that feedback is obtained for fine-tuning the Plan.Personnel Training This stage is dependent upon the development of the plan and the successful testing of the plan. It is necessary that all personnel are aware of the plan, its content and their own related duties and responsibilities. Again, it is important that all personnel take the disaster recovery plan seriously, even if the events that would trigger the Plan seem unlikely. Obtain feedback from staff in order to ensure that responsibilities and duties are understood, particularly those that require dependency on others actions (The Contingency Planning Guide, 2002). Maintaining the PlanThe plan must always be kept up to date and applicable to current business circumstances. This means that any changes to the business process must be properly reflected in the plan. Someone must be a ssigned responsibility for ensuring that the plan is maintained and updated regularly and should therefore ensure that information concerning changes to the business process are properly communicated. Any changes or amendments made to the plan must be fully tested. Everyone should be kept abreast of such changes that affect their duties (The Contingency Planning Guide, 2002). Recommendations To develop business in America and to attract American customers it’s important for the Sakae group to develop some American friendly food like Sakae beef burgers, hot dogs, rolls and other food loved by the people there, this will affect the revenue that Sakae can make in that country. * In countries like North Korea, they should find local partners to work out a good franchising option. * Conduct more on the job training activities to enrich the employees to possess all the required skill to excel in their job. * Expand their product base and standardize their products across all their branches to lower their costs. Conduct extensive market research to identify the target market and develop products and services according to the needs of their customers. * Tie up with other food ; beverage organizations to promote and diversify their brand. * Sponsor events like marathons, blood donation drives and cultural fests to attract the masses especially the younger generation to get involved with Sakae Holdings. * As part of Corporate Social Responsibility, Sakae Holdings should adapt eco-friendly practices like recycling, reusing and reducing the waste generated.Also they can contribute towards the environment by implementing energy saving practices like maintaining a constant temperature of 24 degrees while using air-conditioner. * By working with their suppliers they can research and develop new ways to store their inventories effectively by keeping it fresh and ready to use. * They should also develop ways to minimize their transportation cycles and also save on fuel costs and reduce their carbon footprint. 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J. , Basic Marketing Management (pp. 272-276). New York, United States of America: John Wiley ; Sons. Japan-guide. com. (2008, 05 31). Sushi. Retrieved 04 10, 2012, from Japan-guide. com: http://www. japan-guide. com/e/e2038. html Lamb, C. W. , Hair, J. F. , McDaniel, C. (2008). Essentials of Marketing. Cengage Learning. Lovelock, C. H. , Patterson, P. G. , Walker, R. H. (2007). Understanding service products, customers and employees. In Lovelock, Patterson, P. G. Walker, R. H. , Services Marketing (pp. 26-30). NSW, Australia: Pearson Education Australia. Robert, H. (2000). Robert's Rules of order newly revised. Philadelphia: Perseus Pub. Sakae Holdings Ltd. (2012, 2 28). Retrieved 4 5, 2012, from http://www. finanznachrichten. de: http://www. finanznachrichten. de/pdf/20120228_172124_5DO_752F7CDF0A7BD282482579B2002082FC. 1. pdf The Contingency Planning Guide. (2002). Retrieved 4 5, 2012, from http://www. contingency-planning-disaster-recovery -guide. co. uk Theresianto, N. (2008, February 11). Apex-Pal expands its Sakae Sushi empire. The Edge Singapore. Retrieved March 9, 2010, from Factiva.