Wednesday, January 22, 2020
The Federal Reserve System: Modern Fascism And Absolute Power Essay
Most Americans feel the United States of America is a beacon of democracy and raw capitalism, the leader of the â€Å"free†world. The founding fathers had every intention of turning the new world into a full fledged democracy, devoid of any monarchy or source of totalitarian power. The constitution itself demands that our government be â€Å"of, for and by the people†, and be divided into complex units of checks and balances, designed to thwart any potential power struggle by one specific branch. In essence, the constitution of the United States is a perfect blueprint for democracy in its purest form, with power and control in the hands of its citizens. Unfortunately, this is not the case today. By giving up the right to print its own currency in 1913, the US Government bequeathed its powers to a select few, who have owned and operated this country ever since. They are the true masters of US domestic and foreign policy. Just like a corporation issues shares of stock to function as a productive entity, a country has to issue currency in order to fund its operations. This currency is the lifeblood of a nation, creating wealth for its citizens by fostering economic development and providing public infrastructure and services. In a true democracy, the government is owned by the citizens and operated by representatives of the population as a whole, who control and more importantly regulate the issuance of this currency. This is a critical point to remember. Just like a public company [that issues too much stock] can be punished by the public markets for diluting its share structure, a nation’s currency can suffer the same effects through inflation if the government prints too much money relative to the value of the economy. This can be co... ...al well into the 21st century and beyond depends on it. Thanks to innovations like the Internet, the public’s ability to access information that was once kept hidden from view is now possible. This instills the hope that much like the Fellowship in LOTR was eventually able to thwart the efforts of Sauron, we as citizens of the United States can succeed in abolishing the Federal Reserve System and help restore this nation to the democratic vision of our Forefathers. http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/frseries/frseri.htm Delaware Corporation No. 0042817, https://sos-res.state.de.us/tin/GINameSearch.jsp http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/jfkeo/eo/11110.htm DiLorenzo, Thomas J. 1994. Economic Fascism, The Freeman DiLorenzo, Thomas J. 1994. Economic Fascism, The Freeman http://www.house.gov/paul/legis/106/hr1148.htm http://www.ronpaulinstitute.org/
Monday, January 13, 2020
Automobile? The Main Source of Pollution? Essay
Innovation and creativity, these are the very benchmarks that pave the way in producing new technology that governs the very lives of our future. But the question is, is it doing more harm than good to society? To verify the nature and essence of this query, I will be inquiring and delving into the world of automobiles and motorcycles. On one hand, I balance the modern wonders that craft the very definitions of convenience and comfort. While on the other, I hold the unfathomable realities that draw the line between useful and harmful. Therefore, let it be stated that I have come to an understanding that both automobiles and motorcycles pose a substantial threat the world is constantly ignoring.            In probing this discussion, I will begin by first illustrating the statistics on ownership of automobiles and motorcycles made in the United States. Then, I shall be focusing on the comparison between the subjects and issues that society deals with regard to automobiles and motorcycles by citing some examples in Southeast Asia. Lastly, I will emphasize the known facts and matters that give impact on the current view of automobiles in the society.            To start with, it is acknowledged that present ownership of the automobiles is increasing day by day. According to the US Bureau of Transit Statistics for 2004 there are a total of 243,023,485 registered passenger vehicles in the U.S. of which 136,430,651 (56.13%) are classified as cars. While 91,845,327 (37.79%) are classified under 2 axles and 4 tire vehicles, presumably SUV’s and pick-up trucks. Yet another 6,161,028 (2.53%) are classified as vehicles with 2 axles and 6 tires and 2,010,335 (0.82%) are classified as trucks in combination. In addition to that, there are approximately 5,780,870 motorcycles in the U.S. in 2004, which accounts for 2.37% of all registered passenger vehicles. With the increasing number of automobiles yearly, there is a plan to see an effective way of reducing the emissions from cars through hybrids, diesel and other form of technology.            Recent studies show that automobile emissions are not as bad as motorcycles emissions. Usually, motorcycles are not the major form of transportations in developed countries. Astonishingly, the American Chemical Society reports that motorcycles collectively emit 16 times more hydrocarbons, three times more carbon monoxide and a â€Å"disproportionately high†amount of other air pollutants compared to passenger cars (Science Daily, 2008). The study, by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research, has found both two- and four-cycle motorcycle engines emitted significantly more of these pollutants than automobile engines. Given this data, we can now see the ineffectiveness of motorcycles. Given the sitting capacity of a car compared to a motorcycle, a car is able to hold twice as much sitting capacity compared to motorcycles. In developing countries such as Indonesia, the number of motorcycles is overwhelming compared to the number of automobiles. Being born in Surabaya, Indonesia, I have witnessed some of the worst air pollution that I have ever encountered. It has been so bad to an extent that I can see dust on my front porch every ten minutes upon mopping it clean            Although, there have been seen steps taken to reduce the emissions in automobiles, regulations has been a bit late for motorcycles. This does not take into account the other subjects related to pollution such as air contamination, water contamination, soil contamination, and solid waste mishandling ( L. Gari, 475 – 488).Unlike automobile emissions that have been regulated only after 1970s, the motorcycle emissions have only been regulated only after 1999. This technological advancement has made motorcycles less harmful to the environment. Thus, future bikes may have emissions from new motorcycles at a same level of emissions as cars. For example, the 1000cc Suzuki V-Strom produced in 2002, equipped with a regulated catalyzer, oxygen sensor and fuel injection, complies with 2003 emissions limits and is very close to the 2006 ones (Motorcycle Emission, 2008). It is also said that they have reduced 60% of the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons emissions of new four-stroke bikes produced from the 1st April 2003 and reinforcing it on 1st January 2006. This will in turn apply a further 50% reduction compared to the 2003 limits. Two-stroke engines will see their emissions output reduce by 30% for carbon oxide and 70% for hydrocarbons. Hopefully, motorcycles will have low level of oxides of nitrogen and limits will remain the same for 2003 giving the time for the industry to achieve more drastic nitrogen oxide measures for 2006. With this at hand, Indonesia air pollution would be drastically reduced.            Automobiles and motorcycles affect our environment and push them into critical conditions. There are even unusual emissions that are produced in the atmosphere (Beychok, 29 – 36). Pollutants from automobiles are the major causes for green house effects and other environmental pollutions. Although Bangkok is praised with their three-wheeled vehicles whose name comes from the sputtering sound produced by their horribly polluting two-stroke engines, â€Å"tuk-tuks†look like beat-up golf carts with roofs and backseats and function as inner-city taxis (Hertsgaard, 1999). Unfortunately, â€Å"tuk-tuks†and motorbikes, in terms of mobility, are undercut by their abnormal tailpipe exhaust that burn a fuel that is part gasoline, part benzene. Benzene of course causes cancer and each flick of a driver’s wrist sends thick puffs of bluish-white smoke into the already soup like air (Hertsgaard, 1999). Though the presence of â€Å"tuk-tuks†created many jobs as a â€Å"tuk-tuk†driver for the people in Bangkok, it also cost them their health as prolong breathing of benzene causes cancer.            Nowadays, diesel cars are cleaner than the petrol cars. Modern technologies have been applied in order to reduce the level of emission from cars. For example, carbon dioxide emissions are directly proportional to fuel consumption, and as diesel cars use 30 to 40% less fuel and they emit 30 to 40% less carbon dioxide than petrol cars (Vasic and Weilenmann, 149 – 154).  On the other hand, natural gas and LPG cars are actually quite fuel inefficient, if otherwise cleaner burning, and so produce more CO2 than diesel. Diesel engines produce virtually no carbon monoxide.  Emissions of nitrous oxides can be effectively reduced in both petrol and diesel cars by use of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).  EGR reduces the combustion temperature to below the point where nitrogen effectively burns. Hydrocarbon emissions are contained in petrol engine emissions much more than in diesel engine emissions.  Benzene is also present in the fumes which can be smelt when filling up with petrol at a service station; however this is not a problem with diesel.            Personally, I strongly feel that it is necessary for everyone to get a car since it has a viable use in the lives of ordinary men and women. Moreover, cars have been viewed as a twentieth-century technology (Hertsgaard, 1999). Since the invention of automobiles, more and more industries associated with it have begun to expand. This in turn provides enormous employment opportunities to the people. With that, countries such as Thailand, China and Bangkok have soon started to welcome foreign automobile industries to invest in order to boost their economic progress. One great example of this particular event is the success story of Thailand. Over the past two decades, Thailand’s per capita income in 1991 was U.S$ 1,570â€â€a stunning six fold increase over the 1971 figure of U.S$271 making Thailand an apparent economic success story (Hertsgaard, 1999). With a sudden massive economic growth in an automobile industry as have been seen, there comes a price that everyone has to pay.            In conclusion, not only automobile’s emissions is held scapegoat to many people around the world for global warming and the increase of greenhouse gases, certain factors such as the massive motorcycles emissions are also partly to blame. Both the automobile and motorcycles affect our environment and push them into critical conditions such as the green house effects and other environmental pollutions. Overall, I agree with Hertsgaard when he made a strong point that â€Å"proponents of the car like to point out, as the Mobil Corporation did in a 1995 advertisement in the New York Times, that the cars and skies in the United States are much cleaner now than they were a quarter of a century ago†(Hertsgaard, 1999). This statement he makes inspires the entire environmentalist out there that their efforts have not gone too waste. WORKS CITED ScienceDaily.Amounts of Air Pollutants. March 21, 2008  http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2006/01/060101155000.htm U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. â€Å"Automobile Emissions: An Overview.†August, 1994 1-5. 21 March, 2008 http://www.epa.gov/OMS/consumer/05-autos.pdf Beychok, Milton R. (January 1987). â€Å"A Database for Dioxin and Furan Emissions from Refuse Incineratorsâ€Å". Atmospheric Environment 21 (1): 29-36 Christi, â€Å"The Truth About Diesel Emissions†Fred’s Tdi Forum 21 March, 2008  http://www.stealthtdi.com/Emissions.html Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). â€Å"Estimated National Average Vehicle Emissions Rates per Vehicle by Vehicle Type using Reformulated Gasoline and Diesel.†U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) Nov. 29, 2007. 21 March, 2008 . Hertsgaard , Mark . Earth Odyssey: Around the World in Search of Our Environmental Future . New York: Broadway Books, 1999. Gari. â€Å"Arabic Treatises on Environmental Pollution up to the End of the Thirteenth Centuryâ€Å", Environment and History 8 (4), 2002, pp. 475-488 â€Å"Motorcycle Emissions – Bikes Go Greener.†British Motorcyclists Federation 30 Sep, 2004. 21 March, 2008 http://www.bmf.co.uk/pages/briefing_room_archive.php?fullstory=432 â€Å"Passenger Vehicles in the United States.†Wikipedia 27 February 2008 21 March, 2008 . Vasic, Ana -Marija and Martin Weilenmann. â€Å"Comparison of Real-World Emissions.†Environmental Science&Technology 402006 149-154. 21 March, 2008 . Self-evaluation            Upon starting this essay, I experienced several setbacks and challenges. It took me a total of 3 days of researching and 2 days to complete the essay. The first thing which I did in this essay was the search for good source information for this research. This was hard as I have to be able to find data which preferably have a range of 10 years. Secondly, I read the Top Ten Tips on the transition and brilliant beginnings and I really can see myself being a better writer with it. The last and final step was for me to put all the information down and start writing followed by proofreading. For this research only managed to do a single draft and I did not get the help of any body except the tools of Microsoft words such as its thesaurus and dictionary. I believe that my strong and insightful data on the emission outputs of automobiles and motorcycles are the strengths of my essay. In addition to that I believe that my essay is weak because of proofreading problems. One of the primary problems that I have with this essay was that I have to retype everything again due to a computer problem. The essay was supposed to be done on my lap top. However, it crashed and I am unable to backup my data causing me to lose come information that can help me with this essay. One thing that I would do next time is definitely to start earlier and have a visit to Dr Lankford office to ask him on his views on my current ideas for the essay. I would definitely rewrite this essay for the second time in hope to have at least a B+/- for this course as it depended on this essay. References Vehicle ratios since 1990 Year Motor vehicles Increase in vehicles % Growth  1990 189 2 +1.01  1991 188 -1 -0.52  1992 190 2 +1.06  1993 194 4 +2.10  1994 198 4 +2.06  1995 202 4 +2.02  1996 206 4 +1.98  1997 208 4 +1.94  1998 208 0 +/-0  1999 216 8 +3.84  2000 218 2 +0.92  2001 226 8 +3.66  2002 230 4 +1.76  2003 231 1 +0.43  All numbers in millions; SOURCE: US Department of Transportation  Estimated National Average Vehicle Emissions Rates per Vehicle by Vehicle Type using Reformulated Gasoline and Diesel (Grams per mile)    1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 RFG (assuming 100% RFG)              Light-duty vehicles              Exhaust HC 1.45 1.28 1.15 1.04 0.97 0.84 0.76 0.68 0.62 0.55 0.47 0.41 0.38 Nonexhaust HC 0.89 0.87 0.86 0.84 0.82 0.64 0.63 0.61 0.59 0.57 0.54 0.51 0.47 Total HC 2.34 2.15 2.01 1.88 1.78 1.48 1.39 1.29 1.21 1.12 1.02 0.921 0.852 Exhaust CO 22.78 20.84 19.43 18.25 17.21 15.36 14.68 13.88 13.17 12.49 11.44 9.81 9.29 Exhaust NOx 1.78 1.64 1.55 1.46 1.35 1.24 1.19 1.12 1.06 1.00 0.90 0.77 0.72 DIESEL              Light-duty vehicles              Exhaust HC 0.77 0.79 0.81 0.81 0.82 0.80 0.76 0.73 0.73 0.60 0.58 0.48 0.36 Exhaust CO 1.69 1.73 1.76 1.78 1.79 1.78 1.75 1.73 1.74 1.59 1.57 1.41 1.21 Exhaust NOx 1.89 1.89 1.88 1.86 1.85 1.81 1.72 1.62 1.54 1.43 1.32 1.11 0.85 KEY: CO = carbon monoxide; HC = hydrocarbon; NOx = nitrogen oxide; RFG = reformulated gasoline. SOURCE:U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory, personal communication, Nov. 29, 2007.
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Kurt Lewin and complexity theories back to the future
Joumal of Change Management, Vol. 4, No. 4, 309-325, December 2004 i\ l\ Kurt Lewin and complexity theories: back to the future? BERNARD BURNES Manchester School of Management, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, Manchester, UK ABSTRACT Many writers acknowledge the significance of Kurt Lewin s contribution to organizational change. However, over the last 20 years, where the focus has been on rapid, transformational change, Lewin s work has increasingly become seen as outmoded and irrelevant to the needs of modem organizations. It might be expected that this tendency would increase as academics and practitioners draw on the work of complexity theorists to portray organizations as complex,†¦show more content†¦Many writers have argued that organizations are also complex systems which, to survive, need to operate at the edge of chaos and have to respond continuously to changes in their environments through just such a process of spontaneous self-organizing change (Lewis, 1994; Stickland, 1998; Macintosh and MacLean, 1999, 2001; Hayles, 2000; Macbeth, 2002; Stacey, 2003). This is a far cry from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, where the received wisdom was that change was an incremental process (Quinn, 1980) and that the best way to manage this was through Kurt Lewin s Planned approach to change (French and Bell, 1990; Cummings and Worley, 2001). Given its group-based, consensual and relatively slow nature. Planned change began to attract criticism in the 1980s from those questioning its appropriateness in an era of radical organizational change (Peters and Waterman, 1982; Wilson, 1992; Dawson, 1994; Buchanan and Storey, 1997; Hatch, 1997). The following quotation is perhaps typical of the criticisms levelled against Lewin s approach to change: Lewin s model was a simple one, with organizational change involving three stages; unfreezing, changing and refreezing . . . This quaintly linear andShow MoreRelatedPlanned Approach to Change11990 Words  | 48 PagesKurt Lewin and the Planned Approach to Change: A Re-appraisal Bernard Burnes Manchester School of Management ï ¡Ã¯ ¢Ã¯ ³Ã¯ ´Ã¯ ²Ã¯ ¡Ã¯ £Ã¯ ´ The work of Kurt Lewin dominated the theory and practice of change management for over 40 years. However, in the past 20 years, Lewin’s approach to change, particularly the 3-Step model, has attracted major criticisms. The key ones are that his work: assumed organizations operate in a stable state; was only suitable for small-scale change projects; ignored organizational powerRead MoreGroup Decision And Social Change Essay1936 Words  | 8 PagesGroup Decision and Social Change - Kurt Lewin A diagnosis to this problem would be the fact that people almost always resist to change. The resistance to change at the City of Troutdale is a normal reaction. Organizational change is an ongoing topic in organizational behavior. As each manager wants to make the organization a better place because everyone is a part of it, organizational change is important to organizational development. Organizational change is the process of employees making relativelyRead MoreU.s. Government s Department Of Defense1238 Words  | 5 Pagessimilar to Max Weber s classical organization theory as he viewed it from a macro perspective (Onday, 2016). Conversely, the Government is very different from a micro-level perspective. 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Change is certainly among the most frequently used words on the business pages of every newspaperRead MoreThe Importance of Management for the Success of an Organization2750 Words  | 11 Pagesorganization is required to marshal and control a group of people, guiding them toward optimal utilization of its resources – especially humanâ€â€as it attempts to actualize its ultimate goals. Given the importance and subjectivity of management, several theories and techniques have emerged. In this essay I will discuss the ‘rational’ approach towards management. I will trace and examine the historical developments that have led to the emergence of the ‘rational’ approach over the past centuries. I will thenRead MoreAnalysis Of Kurt Lewin s Change Management Model And John Kotter s Eight Step Change Model2105 Words  | 9 PagesToit (2003) highlights the importance that when choosing the change model it is imperative agents are aware of the choice and its theory of use. Unfortunately â€Å"it is difficult to identify any consensus regarding a framework for organisational change management†(Todnem By, 2005, 370). This section will look to critically analyse two of the most commonly used models, Kurt Lewin’s change management model and John Kotter’s eight step change model (Mourfield, 2014). Carnall (2007) states Lewin’s changeRead MoreManaging Complex Change Within The Organization3878 Words  | 16 Pagesmanaging the change would remain the same. Management approach The most effective theory which I feel is more practical and applicable is the following This sums up the most complex of the changes bringing down to the most basic level. 1. Unfreeze 2. Transition 3. Refreeze THEORIES According to an article in Forbes, Change Management Guru is the world’s oldest profession. Almost everyone has a few theories about change management. While there are many change management models, most companies
Friday, December 20, 2019
Business Plan For A Business - 2550 Words
Activities 1. Review current menu in terms of business focus 2. Get staff feedback 3. Get customer feedback 4. Point out restaurant goals and business 5. Write menu redesigning proposal 6. Get restaurant owners approval 7. Initiate stake holder support 8. Get stake holders approval and contribution 9. Redesign new menu 10. Trail with restaurant stake holders 11. Modify the trail menu 12. Mass print the modified RESOURCES 1. Restaurant business plan, current menu, current and historical sales report. 2. Staff survey form relating to customer service 3. Customer survey form relating to staff service 4. Restaurant business form financial budget 5. Microsoft word power point and excel 6. Completed menu redesigning proposal 7. Noticeboard†¦show more content†¦Budget level START DATE END DATE 03/06/2014 13/06/2014 11/06/2014 13/06/2014 09/06/2014 12/06/2014 02/07/2014 16/07/2014 02/05/2014 11/5/2014 18/07/2014 31/7/2014 22/07/2014 30/07/2014 02/08/2014 16/08/2014 18/08/2014 30/08/2014 02/09/2014 16/09/2014 18/09/2014 31/09/2014 02/10/2014 10/10/2014 The project stakeholders: -Restaurant manager -Restaurant director -Restaurant directors -Restaurant suppliers -Restaurant staffs -Accountants -A TO -Printing organization -Restaurant clients Establishing appropriate systems: All levels of restaurant staffs are inspired and launched to give their inputs also proposals to plan the new menu to draw in and hold more clients presently and later on. They include: . Support: attorneys, gourmet expert, sous culinary specialist are all spurred to give their assessments as far as the appearance, cancellation and expansion of new things on the current menu, they have given numerous inventive and innovative thoughts for the commitment of new menu. . Business Plan For A Business - 2550 Words Activities 1. Review current menu in terms of business focus 2. Get staff feedback 3. Get customer feedback 4. Point out restaurant goals and business 5. Write menu redesigning proposal 6. Get restaurant owners approval 7. Initiate stake holder support 8. Get stake holders approval and contribution 9. Redesign new menu 10. Trail with restaurant stake holders 11. Modify the trail menu 12. Mass print the modified RESOURCES 1. Restaurant business plan, current menu, current and historical sales report. 2. Staff survey form relating to customer service 3. Customer survey form relating to staff service 4. Restaurant business form financial budget 5. Microsoft word power point and excel 6. Completed menu redesigning proposal 7. Noticeboard email and internet 8. Noticeboard internet intranet survey forms 9. Microsoft, word excel and power point software’s 10. Newly designed menu 11. Newly designed stake holder opinion 12. modified COMPLAINCE 1. Meet with company profit margins 2. Simply standard answers to choose from time saving 3. Simplified standard answers to timing saving 4. Ensure business UST and taxation. 5. Includes benefits of current and future menus cost benefit analaysis 6. Included project frame and budget level 7. Set a deadline for final conformation and support approval 8. Set a deadline for final comments and collection 9. Comply with organisation business development 10. Loyal customers and other stake holders 11. Comply with budget level organisationShow MoreRelatedBusiness Plan For A Business1223 Words  | 5 Pagesyour own business is to prepare a business plan. 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The business plan under evaluation in this paperRead MoreBusiness Plan For A Business1276 Words  | 6 PagesA business plan is sometimes ignored by some people, but I think it is important to develop a good business plan. I think this should be an interesting topic to discuss about. Yesterday, I receive a phone call from a new client asking for help to build a business plan for his new business. My role in this part as a business consultant is to not blindly do the work for my client but asking them questions to generate information about his i deas, and level of involvement to better help him build hisRead MoreBusiness Plan For A Business840 Words  | 4 Pagesâ€Å"Business plans are statement of a business goals, reason they are attainable and plans on meeting it’ (FoxBuisness, 2013). A business plan maps the course and gives a detail plan on how these goals are achievable. It is also important to establish a solid business plan for funding. Some small business use venture capital, bank loans, personal funds, and private investors as sources of funding. The business plan must therefore, sell investors. A well-written convincing business plan can buy investorsRead MoreAn Business Plan For A Business Essay1394 Words  | 6 Pagescelebration. This business sells games and other entertainment products. This business is commercial, but has a social conscience. It wants to sell to service a need, but also hopes to enrich the lives of those it serves as it addresses a need for meaning, not just connection or celebration. This business produces original IP to compete in the entertainment industry. This business will not produce entertainment that is divisive or for purely solitary consumption. This business might start withRead MoreBusiness Plan For A Business Essay1708 Words  | 7 Pagesbrand-new business, expand an existing company, or get financing for a business venture, you will need to write a business plan. A business plan not only lends your business a sense of credibility, but also helps you to cover all your bases, increasing your chances of success. Although writing a business plan can be a lengthy, intimidating project, it is not necessarily difficult. Here is an overview of how to write a successful business plan. What to Include in Your Business Plan Your businessRead MoreBusiness Plan For A Business1546 Words  | 7 Pagesenterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative or risk†. They are usually characterized as people with greatly valued self-reliance, with high optimism and people who who strive for distinction through excellence. I am interested in starting my own basketball business and becoming an entrepreneur. In order to start a business I need a business plan. From research, I have learned that my business plan needs to have an executive summary, identification of my business, financial recordsRead MoreBusiness Plan For A Business1221 Words  | 5 PagesBusiness plans are documents used for planning out specific details about your business. They can range in size from a simple few sentences to more than 100 pages with formal sections, a table of contents and a title page. According to Entrepreneur Magazine, typical business plans average 15 to 20 pages. Comprehensive business plans ha ve three sections business concept, marketplace and financial and these are broken down into seven components that include the overview or summary of the plan, a descriptionRead MoreBusiness Plan For A Business2550 Words  | 11 PagesActivities 1. Review current menu in terms of business focus 2. Get staff feedback 3. Get customer feedback 4. Point out restaurant goals and business 5. Write menu redesigning proposal 6. Get restaurant owners approval 7. Initiate stake holder support 8. Get stake holders approval and contribution 9. Redesign new menu 10. Trail with restaurant stake holders 11. Modify the trail menu 12. Mass print the modified RESOURCES 1. Restaurant business plan, current menu, current and historical sales reportRead MoreBusiness Plan For A Business1866 Words  | 8 Pages Business Plan Buiness model in theory and practice according to Wikipedia is used for a broad range of informal and forma l descriptions to represent the core aspects of a business, including the purposes of that business, its process, target customers, of ferings, strategies , infrastructure, organizational structures, trading practice, and operational processes and policies . Below, we would look at two kinds of business model (franchise and tradition al business) , their pros and cons, o r their
Thursday, December 12, 2019
The Odyssey Theme Hospitality Sample Essay Example For Students
The Odyssey Theme: Hospitality Sample Essay There are many different subjects in The Odyssey. but the most outstanding subject Homer portrays in his heroic poem verse form is cordial reception or Xenia. The act of Xenia was possibly the most of import Grecian usage out of all because you see it being performed clip and clip once more throughout Odysseus’ journey place. The Odyssey was about the 20 twelvemonth long journey of King Odysseus return to Ithaca from combating in the Trojan War. The subject of cordial reception is present non merely while Odysseus is going from metropolis to metropolis. but besides at his place in Ithaca. where his married woman and boy. Penelope and Telemachus’ . castle is being overrun with suers. On Odysseus’ seeking journey place. he was welcomed by several male monarchs exposing Xenia. non merely because it was Grecian usage. but because it was disrespectful to Zeus. the God of cordial reception. if they didn’t. After going from Calypso’s island and confronting a heavy storm Poseidon stirred. Odysseus eventually landed on Scheria. The king’s girl Nausicaa saw Odysseus and explained. â€Å"But now. you’ve reached out metropolis and our land. you’ll neer deficiency for vesture or any other gift. the right of raddled petitioners come our manner ( 6. 210-213 ) . This is a premier illustration of how obedient the Ancient Greeks following their strong traditions. Nausicaa didn’t hesitate to assist Odysseus and seemed proud as she was depicting her metropolis. which portrays another subject which is Kleos. The thought of Xenia was extremely regarded in The Odyssey. and disrespecting it was wholly unacceptable. In the beginning. Telemachus and Penelope had to unwillingly host 108 suers who took advantage of their cordial reception. This was a offense that was impermissible so Mentor explains. â€Å"Reach deep down in your bosom and psyche for a manner to kill these suers in your house by stealing or unfastened combat†( 1. 339 ) . This is an illustration of how earnestly the Ancient Greeks valued cordial reception and regard for the Gods. It besides illustrates the Greeks extreme behaviour towards people mistreating their cultural values. Hospitality was so of import in the Ancient Greek’s lives that they obeyed their tradition even if it may hold displeased them. In book 14. when Odysseus returned to Ithaca and went to the pigman disguised. Eumaeus invites him in. provenders him. and gives him a topographic point to kip. The text reads â€Å"Not his manner to bed indoors. apart from the hogs. He geared up to travel outside and it warmed Odysseus’ heart†. ( 14. 592-595 ) This proves how willing the Greeks were to delight their invitees. for case. Eumaeus let Odysseus kip by the fire with caprine animal and sheep tegument. while he slept outdoors in the cold with the swine. This besides illustrates how true they were to Xenia and Piety. In decision. this grounds is a great representation of the Greeks values and life style. The Odyssey illustrates the importance of esteeming the Gods. and of being hospitable in the Ancient Grecian civilization. The people in this narrative went to extreme steps to delight their invitees and protect their values. like kiping with swine or killing work forces who took advantage of people’s Xenia. The Odyssey taught immature schoolboys how to move. and it is obvious that cordial reception was a cardinal constituent to a Greeks mundane life.
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Information System Management For Travel And Tourism
Question: Discuss about the Case Study for Information System Management For Travel And Tourism? Answer: Introduction Relax Ltd is one of the very well known hotel and resort chains of the United Sates. Over the past few years, the organization has grown considerably through acquisition and merging programs and now conducts business across several destinations of the European Union and South East Asia. The acquisition process has resulted in the co-existence of several legacy information management systems throughout the organization and at present, the Information Systems Manager of the organization had been provided with a budget of around 5-8m for the development of an integrated IT system for the group. This report is aimed at providing the Board of the company of Relax Ltd an insight into the existing IT infrastructure and the risks that are associated with the said ICT systems. Besides, the reports also contain detailed information regarding the ICT systems that are currently being utilized in large scale in the tourism industry. The AS-IS Scenario As stated in the section above, the US-based tourism organization has grown over the last few years through several acquisition and merging processes: Relax Ltd started taking over resorts and hotels in Europe from 2005 onwards and had spread out their operations over various parts of South East Asia by 2010. In spite of the steady growth, the management of the organization had not emphasized on the implementation of an efficient information system and had continued with the utilization of the legacy systems that were used by the organizations that the Relax Ltd has taken over. As matter of fact, the following information systems co-exist within the IT infrastructure of Relax Ltd: 3 distinct information management systems that are used for maintaining the flow of information between the various departments of the organization: however, there exists no common shared database which can be used for the storage of data (Warren 2012). A custom designed customer relationship management system that is concerned solely with retaining old customers: however, it is worth mentioning that the system developer no longer conducts business with Relax Ltd (Amalfitano et al. 2014). The organization also utilizes 3reservation systems: one for supporting telesales operations, another for supporting the website that has been solely created for the conducting marketing and sales operations, and the third one for supporting the cloud based intermediaries like that of ebookers.com, expedia.com and Trivago (Srinivas et al. 2016) The following sections of the report are aimed at providing a detailed description of the risks that are associated with the existing system and the issues that are bound to arise in case such systems are added on without any proper integration. Risks associated with the current system At present, Relax Ltd has continued the use of the legacy systems that were inherited by the acquisition and merging process. Now, legacy systems are defined as the old and outdated technologies, computer systems or networks that are in dire need for up-gradation or replacement (Victor 2013). Thus, the primary risk associated with the utilization of legacy systems is that in case such systems might face is that since all legacy systems are essentially custom built, the vendor would stop updating the product after a specific period (Khadka et al. 2014). Needless to say, any changes that are to be incorporated in this system after the said period of time would require lump-sum investment on the part of Relax Ltd. Thus, in case the organization is unable to invest high amounts periodically, new vulnerabilities to the system would neither be detected nor be patched (Laguna and Crespo 2013). It is a well known concept that most legacy systems were developed at times when the techniques of identifying security threats were much less sophisticated that that used at present (Warren 2012). Thus, thus security systems of most legacy networks would be it able to function when targeted with the modern and sophisticated attacks that present day hackers or intruders are capable of launching (Amalfitano et al. 2014). Under such circumstances, the legacy systems being used by Relax Ltd indeed lack security. Last but not least, legacy systems are, as a matter of fact, dependent on old and backdated operating platforms. It is a well known fact that most OS vendors have stopped updating the legacy platforms, thus making them vulnerable to a wide range of security attacks (Laguna and Crespo 2013). The computer systems currently deployed at Relax Ltd are thus vulnerable to the attacks launched on the OS platform as well. Thus, the security issues associated with current computer system of Relax Ltd can be summarized as: Vulnerabilities arising from lack of vendor support. Vulnerabilities arising from old threatscape (Khadka et al. 2014). Vulnerabilities arising from insecure platforms. Evaluation of issues that could arise if the systems are increased Relax Ltd has been utilizing several legacy systems concurrently, for quite some time. Thu, it might appear to the board of directors that integrating the old systems with custom devised new ICT systems would be much easier than replacing the legacy systems entirely. However, such an integration process is found to generate the following issues: Migrating data from the legacy system to the newly developed ICT system becomes difficult as the system designers are made responsible for the herculean task of deciding the process using which data stored in the two systems would be linked to each other (Klammer and Pichler 2014). In general, system designers either use meta-data or integrate data at semantic levels: however the efficiency of each of the techniques is compromised with cost and complexity issues. Most legacy systems lack proper documentation; its becomes immensely difficult to decide on the strategies and protocols that would be utilized for connecting the system components of the legacy system with the newly developed ICT system and for routing messages between these components (Laguna and Crespo 2013). Making the legacy systems adapt to the business rules implemented in the newly developed ICT system requires high financial investment, besides being a time-consuming process (Amalfitano et al. 2014). Last but not the least, the integration with less secured legacy systems generates security vulnerabilities for the data stored and managed by the new ICT system (Alcaiz et al. 2014). Benefits of an Integrated Information System strategy to the business An integrated information system would provide Relax Ltd with the following benefits: Improving process efficiency throughout organization: It is a well known fact that each organization has to conduct certain key operation activities on a regular basis. The incorporation of an integrated information system has been found to help in the management of such key process, thus increasing their efficiency (Alkazemi, Nour and Meelud 2013). Thus, it is expected that the efficiency of the following key operational processes would be enhanced with the implementation of an integrated information system strategy at the Relax Ltd: Order management, Order fulfillment, iii. Invoicing and cash collection (Argyropoulos et al. 2015). Granting approvals. Financial consolidations and so on and so forth. Improved Visibility of information: Real time availability of data facilitates the process of efficient decision making among all other things. Since Relax Ld runs several hotels and holiday homes across several locations of the globe, a centralized and integrated information system would facilitate a drastic enhancement in the visibility of information (MihaliÄ , PraniÄ eviĆ¡ and ArneriĆ¡ 2015). This, in turn, would help the higher management of Relax Ltd developing organizational strategies. Implementing an integrated information system would also facilitate the development of intimate relations with the customers and the suppliers alike (Law, Buhalis and Cobanoglu 2014). While integrated ICT solutions would help in promoting the brand to the potential customers, customer relationship management and supply chain management systems would help in retaining customers and developing partnerships with other business organizations. Strategic alignment between travel and tourism goals and information systems: In the last few years, the tourism and hospitality sector has been immensely benefitted by the incorporation of various internet and communication systems. The following sections of the report would dwell on some such ITC systems that have facilitated the growth of the tourism industry since the last decade: E- reservation: The American Airlines was the undoubtedly the first organization to implement the first electronic reservation system way back in 1962 (Angore, Sawe and James 2014). The field of computer science and technology has gained much growth since then: however automated reservation systems still remain the most widely implemented ICT system that the tourism sector utilizes. Property Management Systems (PMSs) The last decade has witnessed the rapid incorporation of the Property Management Systems or the PMSs in the lodging and hotelier industry, the system being aimed at facilitating the sales, front office and other day-today operational functions of business like that of planning, sales, etc (eriĆ¡, Gil-Saura and Ruiz-Molina 2014). The hotelier industry has implemented PMSs aggressively with the aim of improving their inventory, for interacting with their customers in a better way and reducing operational costs. The operational functionalities that Property Management Systems are capable of managing to include the following: Reservations: PMSs are capable of managing reservation of property through emails, faxes, phone calls, online bookings through official websites, bookings from GDS and so on and so forth (Singh 2014). Check-in and Check-out facilities Guest check-in facilities are utilized for creating guest portfolios and calculating charges. On the other hand, check out facilities help in the process of providing billing information to the guests and collecting the same (Angore, Sawe and James 2014). iii. Room management Room management modules help in keeping a track on the availability of the room, thus facilitating the automated reservation system (Azevedo, Azevedo and Romo 2014). Besides the above mentioned modules, PMS s are also capable of offering services for maintaining guest records, for facilitating back office jobs and scheduling the function' rooms of a hotel facility (Singh 2014). On the other hand, the integration between automated reservation systems and PMSs have been found to be effective in reducing the response time for both customers and the management, improve the efficiency of the operational activities along with the reduction in cost and improved control over these activities (Jayawardena et al. 2013). Destination management systems: Destination Management Systems can be defined as ICT systems that are capable of consolidating and distributing tourism products utilizing a wide range of platforms and channels (Bethapudi 2013). As Destination Management Systems use customer-centric approaches in marketing and managing tourist destinations as holistic entities, organizations operating in the tourism industry utilize such systems to provide information related to tourist destinations, make reservations in real-time, devise tools for managing destinations and for supporting small, independent tourism partner organizations (Mihalic and Buhalis 2013). The systems that must be included in the organization In the light of the discussions made in the section above, the higher management of Relax Ltd is being recommended to implement the following information and communication systems within their organizational infrastructure: Integrated Enterprise Resource Planning System Enterprise resource planning systems can be defined as cross-functional software modules that facilitate organizational planning, tracking and management of the daily activities of business units (Angore, Sawe and James 2014). Driven by an integrated software-module core, ERP systems support the transportation of enterprise information (generated by the operational activities of the enterprise) throughout the organization (Azevedo, Azevedo and Romo 2014). Relax Ltd would be able to avail the following benefits through the implementation of an integrated ERP system within their organizational infrastructure: The requirement for procuring and managing multiple software systems would be reduced drastically, as integrated ERP systems support several operational activities, as conducted by the various departments of a hospitality facility, simultaneously (Mihalic and Buhalis 2013). An integrated ERP system would not only help in smooth access of enterprise data by all the departments but would also allow the management of Relax Ltd to take organizational decisions that are based on concrete information (Ruiz-Molina, Gil-Saura and eric 2013). The integration of a customized Customer Relationship Management or CRM system with the proposed ERP system would also facilitate the process of providing better services to the loyal customers of the organization (Jayawardena et al. 2013). Property Management Systems Section 3 of this report provides an insight into the various functionalities provided by the property management system or PMS. In the light of the discussions made in section 3, it can be said that the higher management of Relax Ltd should incorporate PMSs within their organizational structure to avail the following facilities: An integrated hotel property management system, besides being effective in enhancing the operational facilities, is available with surprisingly low investment (Singh 2014). Thus, the incorporation of such an ICT system would invariably act as a cost effective operational management tool. The property management system also facilitates the process of generating reports and efficient recording of enterprise information. With the incorporation of this ICT system, the employees of Relax Ltd would be able to register any malfunctioning operational element (with the PMS system) and report the higher authorities without any delay (Mihalic and Buhalis 2013). Along with the above mentioned factors, a PMS would also be beneficial to the housekeeping services of the hotel chain (Jayawardena et al. 2013). Conclusion and Recommendations This report contains detailed discussions on the ICT systems that are currently being utilized by Relax Ltd and changes that need to be incorporated into their organizational infrastructure. In the light of the discussions made in section 2 of the report, it can be concluded that the organization should immediately stop using their legacy systems and incorporate enhanced and customized ICT systems to support their organizational activities. The hospitality and tourism industry has been immensely benefitted by the growth achieved by the information and communication industry in the last few decades. This sector has been observed to be efficiently reaping the advantages of a bunch of specialized ICT systems, the said systems being aimed at increasing the efficiency of the operational activities of hotels and lodging facilities. Some such ICT systems have been discussed in section 3 and 4 of this report, so as to bring them in to the notice of higher management. In the light of the discussions made in this report, the following recommendations are being provided to the board of directors of Relax Ltd: The utilization of the existing legacy systems should be stopped at once as these systems are vulnerable to a wide range of security risks. New systems should not be randomly incorporated into the organization as such incorporations would only increase the risks of security breaches. It is being recommended to the management to consider replacing the legacy systems with modern ICT systems (recommended in section 4 of this report). References Alcaiz, L.M., Rosado, D.G., Mellado, D. and Fernndez-Medina, E., 2014. Security in Legacy Systems Migration to the Cloud: A Systematic Mapping Study. InWOSIS(pp. 26-37). Alkazemi, B.Y., Nour, M.K. and Meelud, A.Q., 2013, October. Towards a Framework to Assess Legacy Systems. InSystems, Man, and Cybernetics (SMC), 2013 IEEE International Conference on(pp. 924-928). IEEE. Amalfitano, D., Fasolino, A.R., Maggio, V., Tramontana, P., Di Mare, G., Ferrara, F. and Scala, S., 2014, February. Migrating legacy spreadsheets-based systems to Web MVC architecture: an industrial case study. InSoftware Maintenance, Reengineering and Reverse Engineering (CSMR-WCRE), 2014 Software Evolution Week-IEEE Conference on(pp. 387-390). IEEE. Angore, M., Sawe, B. and James, K., 2014. 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