Business Environment Example

Business Environment Example Business Environment – Coursework Example PESTEL on the behavior of VAA or Virgin Atlantic Airlines Political factors Like other private airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airlines is subject to numerous government regulation for political, economic, and safety concerns. For instance, Air passenger tax by government results to increase in air travel prices and such price increments could discourage passengers from opting to travel. As a result, the airline is directly impacted. The impact is that airline industry functioning and the universal policies on environmental emissions are violated. Further, some nations offer unfair benefit and charge lower than market situation.Economic factorsFuel policies result to increased fuel prices that affect the airline industry including fuel supply thereby affecting airline sustainability (Halpern and Graham 55). Other factors economically affecting airline industry include terrorist attacks, and environmental restriction in terms of security and insurance costs. However, globalization is expect ed to continue boosting long term air traffic especially in growing markets like East Asia and China. For Virgin Atlantic Airlines, expanding into these markets will boost profitability.Technological factors Virgin Atlantic Airlines value technology in its airplanes and its engineers ensures that the best technology is used to improve security, entertain passengers waiting for arrival, including video entertainment through individual screens for every seat. According to Doyle and Bridgewater (64), innovation in marketing has played a key role in marketing the company’s launch of new products and system innovation especially through the company’s webpage and social media. Additionally, the company’s onboard entertainment offers numerous video and audio channels leaving the passenger to choose. The company also uses e-marketing, and internet marketing for online bookings and information.Social factors Since Virgin Atlantic Airline operates in numerous regions in t he world, the company is keen to keep in touch with different cultural aspects, customer attitudes, seasons and cuisines (Halpern and Graham 55-57). For each region, social factors represent variable attitudes which the company uses to price and shape its services. For instance, holidays seasons result to increased passenger traffic and VAA has to be aware of and ready to serve its customer base.Doyle, Peter and Susan Bridgewater. Innovation in Marketing. London: Routledge, 2012.Fleisher, Craig and Babette Bensoussan. Analysis without paralysis : 12 tools to make better strategic decisions. Upper Saddle River, NJ: FT Press, 2013.Halpern, Nigel and Anne Graham. Airport Marketing. London: Routledge, 2013.

Examples of Confidence intervals for means

Examples of Confidence intervals for means One of the major parts of inferential statistics is the development of ways to calculate confidence intervals. Confidence intervals provide us with a way to estimate a population parameter. Rather than say that the parameter is equal to an exact value, we say that the parameter falls within a range of values.   This range of values is typically an estimate, along with a margin of error that we add and subtract from the estimate. Attached to every interval is a level of confidence. The level of confidence gives a measurement of how often, in the long run, the method used to obtain our confidence interval captures the true population parameter. It is helpful when learning about statistics to see some examples worked out. Below we will look at several examples of confidence intervals about a population mean. We will see that the method we use to construct a confidence interval about a mean depends on further information about our population. Specifically, the approach that we take depends on whether or not we know the population standard deviation or not. Statement of Problems We start with a simple random sample of 25 a particular species of newts and measure their tails. The mean tail length of our sample is 5 cm. If we know that 0.2 cm is the standard deviation of the tail lengths of all newts in the population, then what is a 90% confidence interval for the mean tail length of all newts in the population?If we know that 0.2 cm is the standard deviation of the tail lengths of all newts in the population, then what is a 95% confidence interval for the mean tail length of all newts in the population?If we find that that 0.2 cm is the standard deviation of the tail lengths of the newts in our sample the population, then what is a 90% confidence interval for the mean tail length of all newts in the population?If we find that that 0.2 cm is the standard deviation of the tail lengths of the newts in our sample the population, then what is a 95% confidence interval for the mean tail length of all newts in the population? Discussion of the Problems We begin by analyzing each of these problems. In the first two problems we know the value of the population standard deviation. The difference between these two problems is that the level of confidence is greater in #2 than what it is for #1. In the second two problems the population standard deviation is unknown. For these two problems we will estimate this parameter with the sample standard deviation. As we saw in the first two problems, here we also have different levels of confidence. Solutions We will calculate solutions for each of the above problems. Since we know the population standard deviation, we will use a table of z-scores. The value of z that corresponds to a 90% confidence interval is 1.645. By using the formula for the margin of error we have a confidence interval of 5 – 1.645(0.2/5) to 5 1.645(0.2/5). (The 5 in the denominator here is because we have taken the square root of 25). After carrying out the arithmetic we have 4.934 cm to 5.066 cm as a confidence interval for the population mean.Since we know the population standard deviation, we will use a table of z-scores. The value of z that corresponds to a 95% confidence interval is 1.96. By using the formula for the margin of error we have a confidence interval of 5 – 1.96(0.2/5) to 5 1.96(0.2/5). After carrying out the arithmetic we have 4.922 cm to 5.078 cm as a confidence interval for the population mean.Here we do not know the population standard deviation, only the sample standard deviation. Thus we will use a table of t-scores. When we use a tabl e of t scores we need to know how many degrees of freedom we have. In this case there are 24 degrees of freedom, which is one less than sample size of 25. The value of t that corresponds to a 90% confidence interval is 1.71. By using the formula for the margin of error we have a confidence interval of 5 – 1.71(0.2/5) to 5 1.71(0.2/5). After carrying out the arithmetic we have 4.932 cm to 5.068 cm as a confidence interval for the population mean. Here we do not know the population standard deviation, only the sample standard deviation. Thus we will again use a table of t-scores. There are 24 degrees of freedom, which is one less than sample size of 25. The value of t that corresponds to a 95% confidence interval is 2.06. By using the formula for the margin of error we have a confidence interval of 5 – 2.06(0.2/5) to 5 2.06(0.2/5). After carrying out the arithmetic we have 4.912 cm to 5.082 cm as a confidence interval for the population mean. Discussion of the Solutions There are a few things to note in comparing these solutions. The first is that in each case as our level of confidence increased, the greater the value of z or t that we ended up with. The reason for this is that in order to be more confident that we did indeed capture the population mean in our confidence interval, we need a wider interval. The other feature to note is that for a particular confidence interval, those that use t are wider than those with z. The reason for this is that a t distribution has greater variability in its tails than a standard normal distribution. The key to correct solutions of these types of problems is that if we know the population standard deviation we use a table of z-scores. If we do not know the population standard deviation then we use a table of t scores.

Midterm Question Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Midterm Question - Assignment Example Administrative support involves technical support, professional staff and instructional design. An administrator can handle this area by ensuring that members of the organization receive all these services in record time. Training involves exposing and educating the staff to new ways of handling tasks. An administrator should therefore ensure timely training for members of the organization. Incentives on the other hand involves providing things like grants, leave time, promotions and stipend. This encourages employees to give better out-put at the workplace. Communication involves keeping members abreast with changes taking place or necessary information in the organization (Boyd, Grossman, Ing, Lankford, Loeb & Wyckoff, 2011). Communication ensures proper work co-ordination in the organization and the administrator has the mandate of maintaining proper communication channels. The cost of employing the trainer and the extra-curricular benefits it will have on the school students. I would also factor in the possibility of the school employing the trainer without any strain on the school’s budget and have a detailed conclusion on having an athletics trainer (Pettigrew, 2014). I would use a tool that measures the coach’s ability to improve both the students sporting and academic prowess. My evaluation tool will encompass the use of graphs and checklists in evaluating the coach’s success. In doing this, I will use a test tool that evaluates critical elements such as the effectiveness of the coach’s-student training manual, activity roaster, student sporting ability improvement charts and student academic progress (ONeill, Albin, Storey, Horner & Sprague, 2014). The tool will enable me determine the whether the coach is successful or not depending on the graph index produced by student academic performance in relation to extra-curricular activities such as sports. The key aspects of facility management are communication, emergency

Entrepreneurship and new business ventures Essay

Entrepreneurship and new business ventures - Essay Example Andrew Bengry-Howell from the University of Bath, stated that the people he interviewed at 4 of the largest music festivals were there to escape their daily routines (Tickle, 2011). These people view these festivals as havens where they could experience that sense of release. Some people said that they deliberately left their cellphones at home and tried to drift aimlessly inside the festival and disappear. The music festival kit will targeted towards these consumers who frequently spend 2-4 days at music festivals, depending on the length of the festival, and require materials for overnight stays. The attendance at these music festivals can give us an idea of the target market. Below is a list of the biggest festivals around the globe and their attendance numbers (MTV Contributer , 2013). It is important to note the attendance figures as it gives us an idea of the potential market size: These numbers show that the size of the target market is relatively large. What is interesting to note is that these festivals comprise of a sizable chunk of foreign participants. The SZSW festival held in Austin comprised of registrants from 64 foreign countries (SXSW, 2013). So it is worthwhile to note the global hubs of music festivals since the participants of the music festivals do not restrict themselves to their localities. They regularly visit other cities and even countries hunting for the best and biggest music festivals to attend and hence are a part of the potential market. In Australia, attendance at such festivals went up by 0.6% since ticket prices fell by 0.7%. Revenue from this sector averaged around $1.3 billion, which shows the growth potential of this market (AlNewstead, 2012). Contemporary music was the biggest drawcard and hence contributed $539.2 million in revenue which is 41.3% of the total share. Ticket sales from this sector amounted to 5.9 million tickets. Australia is considered to be the strongest market in the world right now for music

The Killing Fields In Cambodia Essay Example for Free

The Killing Fields In Cambodia Essay Introduction: The killing fields mark a tragic time in history; over two million (2,000,000) reported killed while hundreds of thousands of people displaced.   The architect of this massacre is Pol Pot who led the communist guerilla group in 1975 and took over the Khmer Rouge (Etcheson 32).   Many of the deaths that occurred during this time were because of the executions that were mandated on anyone who opposed the rule of Pol Pot. While many were executed, a large number also died because of the starvation that became rampant during this period.    Reports show that almost every Cambodian family lost at least a single relative during this holocaust (Etcheson 32).   This short discourse will attempt to shed more light upon this event by discussing the events that led up to this holocaust as well as identifying several of the factors that may have led to its occurrence. Pol Pot   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In order to arrive at a better understanding of the situation, it is important to first take a brief look at the life of the leader who led the Khmer Rouge during this time and initiated what was perhaps one of the most tragic events in human history.   Pol Pot was born on May 19, 1925 as Saloth Sar in Kompong Thom province (Kiernan 162).   The son of a prosperous farmer that had connections to the royal family, Pol Pot was able to win a government scholarship to study radio electronics in Paris (Kiernan 163).   It is during this time that he becomes exposed to the teachings of Marx and soon develops a passion for revolutionary socialism.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In his quest for more enlightenment in the teachings of Marx, he soon finds himself in the company of other young Cambodians who were studying Paris, such as Ieng Sary, Khieu Samphan, Khieu Ponnary and Song Sen (Kiernan 164).   They soon after formed what was known as the â€Å"Paris Student Group† and eventually became the leaders of the Khmer Rouge (Kiernan 164).   It was with the help of these young students that Pol Pot was able to gain the influence that he did and eventually orchestrate the Killing Fields. In 1953, Pol Pot had his scholarship revoked and was forced to return to Cambodia where he worked for the Kampuchean People’s Revolutionary Party (KPRP) (Kiernan 162).   This Cambodian Communist Party was the first step in the plan of Pol Pot.   He then used the connections from this party to find work as a teacher where he taught history and geography at a private school in Cambodia (Kiernan 162). The most radical step, however, was when Pol Pot visited China where the â€Å"Cultural Revolution† of Chairman Mao had just been launched.   He was taken by the radical change that was occurring in China during this time and thus the seeds for this recreation of Cambodia were planted (Kiernan 262).   The continuous revolution concept that Chairman Mao introduces in China is something that deeply inspires Pol Pot and soon after that begins his mission of taking over Cambodia.   Hidden in the northeast portion of Cambodia, Pol Pot lives with a hill tribe and realizes that this simple life is the realization of all of the communist ideals that he espouses.   Not long after, the Khmer Rouge establishes the Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea (Kiernan 262). Unknown to most, the growth of the Khmer Rouge and the influence that Pol Pot possessed was because of the intervention and support that the United States provided at that time (Chandler 301).   In an attempt to attack the Vietnamese communist sanctuaries, former President Richard Nixon and former security adviser, Henry Kissinger, authorized secret and illegal bombing raids on all communist sanctuaries within Cambodia (Chandler 301). The damage that resulted and the failure of the United States in the Vietnam War served to increase the support that the people had for the Khmer Rouge (Chandler 301).   This enabled the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot to win the civil war that was ensuing in Cambodia and eventually take over control of Phnom Penh thus beginning the tragedy that will be known forever as the â€Å"Killing Fields.† The Killing Fields:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It was on April 17, 1975 that Phnom Penh finally fell to the Khmer Rouge group who were led by Pol Pot.   Not long after, the residents of the city were forced into the countryside and into concentration camps and labor camps (Becker 365).   During the next three years, eight months and twenty days of Pol Pot’s rule, Cambodia endured what was perhaps the its darkest moment in history.   It has been estimated that over thirty percent (30%) of the population of Cambodia died from starvation, execution or torture during this period (Becker 365).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"Year Zero,† as Pol Pot called the day when the Khmer Rouge succeeded in capturing Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975, was the event that led to the death of nearly two million (2,000,000) people (Becker 362).   The ruthless program that Pol Pot initiated to â€Å"purify† the Cambodian society of any vestiges of western capitalism, western philosophy, and western influences was all part of his grand design for the country.   He desired to create an entirely new Cambodia that was isolated from the rest of the world, much like China was, and totally self-sufficient, similar to the Maoist agrarian states (Becker 365).   He enforced this policy by killing anyone who opposed his plans.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The first part of the plan included the expulsion of foreigners and the closing down of any foreign embassies on Cambodian territory.   The local currency was abolished and any other capitalist symbols were purged (Etcheson 32).   This included the closure of public markets, public and private schools, newspapers, religious practices and even the prohibition on owning any private property.   The extremism that marked this reign was never more evident than in the policy of Pol Pot to execute all the members of the previous Lon Nol government, public servants, police, teachers, ethnic Vietnamese, Christian and Muslim clergy, and other members of the middle-class and educated sectors of society (Etcheson 32).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Once this plan was set into place, Pol Pot soon sent the entire population of the country into labor camps.   These citizens were stripped of all of their private belongings and sent to what resembled communes where they were forced to do agricultural labor.   This led to the so called â€Å"Killing Fields† because of the fact that a number of the people died there due to the very primitive living conditions that were provided (Chandler 211).   Families were separated and even the Buddhist monks living in the area were forced to work in these fields.   This led to a collapse of society as even children were forced to spy upon adults including their parents.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The situation was so severe that almost all the offenses that were committed during this time were punishable by death.   There was no leniency in the enforcement of the policies of Pol Pot.   Of the millions of people who were displaced (over Seven Million estimated), over one and a half million (1.5 million) to three million (3 million) people were either worked or starved to death (Etcheson 32).   This does not include those who died of disease or executed for the commission of crimes that the Pol Pot regime would not tolerate. The crimes that were punishable under this regime included the death penalty for those who were found to be not working hard enough, those who complained about the primitive living conditions, those who were caught collecting or stealing food for their own personal consumption, those who were found wearing any form of jewelry, those who engaged in any form of sexual relations, those who grieved over the death of their relatives or friends and finally those who expressed any religious sentiments (Becker 387).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There was no judicial process that existed during this time as Pol Pot abolished any of the vestiges of Western influence including the courts of law.   This meant that justice was to be served solely by the Khmer Rouge (Chandler 211).   All decisions with regard to political and even minor crimes would be initiated by a warning that was sent by the Angkar, which was the government of Cambodia during this time. Those who were unlucky enough to receive two (2) warning were sent for â€Å"re-education,† which meant certain death (Chandler 211).   Similar to the secret police in other communist regimes, the suspects were â€Å"encouraged† to confess to the crimes that they were blamed for under the pretense that if they confessed the Angkar would be lenient and â€Å"wipe the slate clean.†Ã‚   All those who were found to have any connections with foreigners were arrested and promptly executed (Chandler 211).   The most common targets were the ethnic Vietnamese, ethnic Thai the Christians and the Buddhists. Conclusion:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As the events show, the cause of the genocide in the killing fields was primarily borne from the leadership of Pol Pot.   The â€Å"radical† change that Pol Pot envisioned for Cambodia and the intolerant leadership that he possessed led to the deaths of nearly two million (2,000,000) people.   It has been argued that the Killing Fields were actually a result of many different historical factors such as the loss of the Americans during the Vietnam War which rallied support around the Khmer Rouge and the aid that the Americans initially lent to the Khmer Rouge. Whatever theories may lie surrounding this event, however, does not alter the fact that this is one of the saddest and darkest moments of human history.   The loss of all these lives and the destruction of the lives of many other families who lost their loved ones and everything that they had in this event is something that the world should not soon forget.   It takes a million people to create a civilization that will last for centuries but it only takes one person to destroy all of that. Works Cited: Becker, Elizabeth (1998) When The War Was Over: Cambodia And The Khmer Rouge Revolution, Revised Edition PublicAffairs; 1st PublicAffairs ed edition (November 9, 1998) Chandler, David (1993) The Tragedy of Cambodian History: Politics, War, and Revolution since 1945. Yale University Press (September 10, 1993) ISBN-13: 978-0300057522 Chandler, David (2000) Voices from S-21: Terror and History in Pol Pots Secret Prison University of California Press; 1 edition (January 7, 2000) Etcheson, Craig (2005). After the Killing Fields: Lessons from the Cambodia Genocide. Westport: Praeger, 2005. xii + 256 pp. Notes, selected bibliography, ISBN 978-0-275-98513-4. Kiernan, Ben (2004) How Pol Pot Came to Power: Colonialism, Nationalism, and Communism in Cambodia, 1930-1975; Second Edition Yale University Press; 2 edition (August 11, 2004)

Entertainment And News Essay -- essays research papers

Entertainment and News   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  News coverage, whether by television, radio, the internet, or newspaper must be selective, selective not simply in which stories it reports but in how it presents them as well. The media is incapable of providing a rundown of everything that has transpired in a day. Therefore, editors, reporters, etc… decide what will go into the reports. Equally important, reporters are still human beings who, in spite their good intentions, occasionally succumb to anger, jealousy, anxiety, impatience and other emotions that could cloud their objectivity. They belong to large, complex organizations that have their own diverse, often conflicting, goals and needs. So, to report a story “like it is'; can become difficult because of individual agendas.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Entertainment is to hold the attention of with something amusing or diverting. News is information about recent events. In recent history, news has become a commodity. Therefore, news must sell. News organization use entertainment as a basis for getting the viewer to watch their news program. Manheim claims “that the media is not as diverse as it claims to be. He states, though for competitive purposes they might have us believe otherwise, most American news organizations have a great deal in common with one another…they define news itself in essentially the same terms (Manheim, 1991). Manheim argues that the media entertai...

Capital Structure within Ford Essay

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to analyze Ford Motor Company’s capital structure to understand the financial risks and companies financial make up. The research paper will also discuss the Modigliani and Miller capital structure theory including common criticisms. To understand Fords profitability we will take a close look at their financial ratios including stock rates and future analysis of the company’s assets. Research was done by reading news articles, online periodicals and stock references including Fords own annual reports and website. In conclusions we will understand the optimal structure for Ford Motor Company and what should be done to ensure continued success within an ever changing industry. Overview of Ford Motor Company Henry Ford founded Ford Motor Company on June 16th, 1903 with several partners in Dearborn, Michigan. During the early years the company produced several vehicles ranging from the Model A in 1903 to The K, in 1907. The most notable of the Ford motor company vehicles is the Model T in 1909. Ford built over 18,000 Model T’s in 1909, by 1912 they were producing over 170,000 which required a move to a larger plant. By this  time Ford Motor Company was international and within the next few decades it would expand overseas to include Austria, Argentina, Ireland and Australia to name a few. Henry Ford was in control of the company until his wife and daughter demanded that he give over control of the company to his grandson in 1943. Ford died in 1947, attracting over 7 million viewers at a national level. Ford Motor Company would go on to be the largest and most profitable companies in the world. They would ultimately own 5 other brands including Lincoln, Mercury, Land Rover, Jaguar , Volvo and Aston Martin, by 2008 all would be sold except Lincoln. Ford Motor Company Capital Structure In 2012, pre-tax operating profit excluding special items, was $8 billion, or $1.41 per share. Record results of $8.3 billion in North America, continued solid performance from Ford Credit of $1.7 billion, positive results in South America, continued investment in Asia Pacific Africa and began a challenging transition in Europe. 2012 ended with automotive gross cash of $24.3 billion, exceeding debt by $10 billion. A strong liquidity position of $34.5 billion, an increase of $2.1 billion over 2011. With an eye to the future, Ford continued the largest and fastest manufacturing expansion in more than 50 years, adding capacity to support growth plans in North America and Asia Pacific Africa. (Ford, 2012) Although Ford has debt of over $14 Billion they are still positioned to continue to be the top automotive maker in the US. Their debt can be attributed to the decision made by CEO Alan Mulallys decision to borrow $23.6 Billion in 2006 to avoid the recession and ultimately causing others to require government assistance (Taylor, 2009). This decision has afforded Ford the room to make decisions to better their market share in the future. Business and Financial Risks at Ford Ford Motor Company has multiple revenue streams including Ford Motor Company as well as Ford Financial services. Ford Motor can be impacted not only by economic recession or the public’s review of American made vehicles including trucks that have high gas mileage. With the current increasing gas prices Ford must ensure they are investing in the development of the cost and gas efficient vehicles within its portfolio. Fords decision to  increase debt may have given them positive public relations but has put them in a difficult position with limited cash flow needed to continue to grow products. During 2011, global economic growth slowed to about 2.5% from 4% in 2010, as the worsening debt crisis in Europe, regime changes in North Africa, natural disasters in Japan and Thailand, and moderating economic growth in several key newly-developed and emerging markets all contributed to slow growth. Global growth in 2012 remained at the relatively low level of about 2.5% due to the Eur opean debt crisis, slowing of Chinese economic growth, and moderate pace of recovery in the United States. During 2013, global economic growth is expected to remain in the 2% – 3% range. The European debt crisis remains a key risk to economic growth. The current economic performance in many European countries, particularly Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain, is being hampered by excessive government debt levels and the resulting budget austerity measures that are contributing to weak economic growth. The EU, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund have provided important support for many of these countries undergoing structural changes. During 2013, economic growth is likely to remain weak in these markets, even though financial markets have begun to stabilize. The U.K. government has implemented budget cuts and tax increases that will depress growth, although the labor market has stabilized in recent months. Uncertainties associated with the Eu ropean debt crisis, and policy responses to it, could impact global economic performance in 2013. (Yahoo, 2013) Below is the capital structure as of September 2013. Equity is represented by the Orange equaling 20.5 Billion, with company debt of over 110 Billion. The Modigliani and Miller Theory of Capital Structure The Modigliani and Miller theory of capital structure has two propositions: 1) A firm’s total value is independent of its capital structure, and 2) the return on equity will rise and the debt to equity ratio rises in order to compensate investors for the additional financial risk. The first proposition relies on the assumptions that before tax-operating profits are not affected by capital structure neither are taxes themselves, and the firm’s capital structure choices do not convey important information to the  market. What the Modigliani and Miller means to the Ford and its investors is that since the company was able to get a large amount of cash through taking on debt, to increase the value of the company it needs to use this capital to generate more revenue. Investors will not respond to a rise in the debt levels of the company until they become excessive, what will increase the value of the company is a rise in sales revenue. This is not to say that there is no a dverse effects of the company taking more debt and the shareholders will not be any worse off as debt levels go up. There is considerably more risk as the company becomes more and more leveraged. This is the basis for the second proposition to Modigliani and Miller’s theory, which says that as risk increases the investor’s expected return also rises to compensate for the additional exposure to risk. The second theorem is what dictates that Ford use its additional capital to generate more income. Without a significant rise in demand for automobiles, Mulally’s only choice was to shed assets that were costing too much money and take market share. Optimal Capital Structure at Ford Ford Motor Company has seen a large increase in their debt to equity ratio since their decision in 2006 to borrow against their assets. Currently they are seeing a decrease in that ratio to 5.4 as of Sept 2013. According to company disclosure Ford Motor Co has Debt to Equity of 5.4 times. This is 550.0% higher than that of Consumer Goods sector, and 355.56% higher than that of Auto Manufacturers – Major industry (axis, 2014). Data for this Date Range Sept. 30, 2013 5.405 June 30, 2013 5.624 March 31, 2013 6.102 Dec. 31, 2012 6.588 Sept. 30, 2012 4.586 June 30, 2012 5.031 March 31, 2012 6.051 Dec. 31, 2011 6.620 Sept. 30, 2011 15.06 June 30, 2011 17.56 March 31, 2011 39.71 Dec. 31, 2010 -147.79 Sept. 30, 2010 -65.94 June 30, 2010 -32.93 March 31, 2010 -23.84 Dec. 31, 2009 -16.36 Sept. 30, 2009 -15.29 June 30, 2009 -12.42 March 31, 2009 -8.303 References axis, M. (2014). Ford Debt to Equity. Retrieved from macro axis: http://www.macroaxis.com/invest/ratio/F–Debt-to-Equity Ford. (2012). 2012 Annual Report. Retrieved from Corporate.ford.com: http://corporate.ford.com/doc/ar2012-2012%20Annual%20Report.pdf Taylor III, A. (2009). Fixing Up FORD. (Cover story). Fortune, 159(11), 44-52. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Yahoo. (2013, Feb). Form 10-K for FORD MOTOR CO. Retrieved from Yahoo! Finance: http://biz.yahoo.com/e/130219/f10-k.html

Time and Life

Everyone wants to be successful in their own, different way. It is a mutual dream shared by all, to be rich and famous. In my perspective being successful is much different, because money is not everything. To make goals and follow your dreams will lead you down the road to success. Their will be bumps along the way, and you might have to take the harder road, but if you are willing to work hard and never give up, you will be successful. Like everyone, I have many dreams and goals that I would like to see myself accomplish during my life. I want to go to a great college and discover myself, what it truly means to be me.Then I will decide what I would like to spend the rest of my life doing because I honestly believe that, at my age, I do not contain within me the experiences necessary to determine what I want to be or what I want to do with my life. Given the opportunity, I would go into the ? eld of science to study biology or engineering to ? gure out how and why things work, livin g or not. But who knows? I might end up in a totally different ? eld, because wherever my heart goes, I am sure to follow. I want to go to a top school to start with a strong support in the world and to use this foundation to build my life upon.If the building blocks of my future are too small, I will be con? ned to certain things and not others that I would be able to reach with a bigger, sturdier base in knowledge. This will create limitless opportunities that may result in a great job. I want a job that pays well enough so that I could support a family, if I so choose. I want enough money to pay for little things in life, those that create great memories, but not so much that it will go to my head and make me a person that has worked so hard just to see himself become corrupt and sel? h. Above all I want to thank my parents for starting me off in the right direction, they gave up so much for me, because they instilled these values in me and made me who I am today. They have helpe d me this far, and they will help me in the years to come. Without them I would be nothing, and I believe that this deserves much more than simple thanks. My decisions will affect my future, whether it be the near future or in the long run. Seeing as I cannot predict the future, I will just have to work hard and make the right decisions.The right thing is not always the easiest thing to do, but is necessary if you want to reach your goals. The only obstacle that I see in the way of my future is myself. I can do anything I want if only I put my mind to it. But if I make the wrong choice and slack off, it is only that much harder to reach your goals. Another thing between my future and myself is time. Everything changes over time so it is only natural to believe that my short-term goals will too. But the things time cannot change are life long goals.The things you see yourself doing when you sit down and think of all the wondrous things in this world that makes you think what a miracl e life really is. Life is a gift bestowed upon us, and it is our choice to determine where it goes. My goals are what make up my life, what keep me determined to ? ght for the next day and the drive behind everything I do. My family plays a huge part in who I am, and my values. I want more than everything in my life to be successful, and for those I care about to be successful in their lives too.

Film review-Holes Essays - Holes, Free Essays, Term Papers

Film review-Holes Essays - Holes, Free Essays, Term Papers Film review-Holes In the film Holes, directed by Andrew Davis, an important theme was friendship. This was shown by Stanley yelnats (Shia labeouf) and Zero-Hector Zeroni (khleo Thomas) u.r.joking.right? HAHA well nice joke lol In the film holes, the yelnats family is cursed because Elya yelnats did not keep his promise he had made with Madame Zeroni, so she cursed him and his family for eternity If you forget to come back for Madame Zeroni, you and your family will be cursed for always and eternity! So the curse has been passed on for generations till Stanley Yelnats IV. Stanley Yelnats IV (Shia labeouf) ended up in Camp Green Lake (where it never rained for hundreds of years), where you did holes all day to build character and met the bad boys group, x-ray, magnet, zig-zag and armpit and became friends with them. But later Stanley Yelnats (Shia labeouf) becomes friends with zero (khleo Thomas) and together forms a special friendship. Zero asked Stanley if he can teach him to read I cant read, can you teach me? first Stanley said no so Zero started helping Stanley dig his holes so later Stanley started to teach Zero to read (this also shows the importance of education) Later in the film Zero runs away from Camp Green Lake so Stanley steals the water truck and looks for Zero. Later Stanley finds Zero and together they climb up a cliff, the gods thumb.. By 9VS

How Islam Can Help Smokers Quit

How Islam Can Help Smokers Quit One of the dangers of tobacco is that it is so addicting. It causes a physical response in your body when you try to give it up. Therefore, quitting is often difficult. However, some people may find that with the help of Allah and the personal commitment to improving yourself for the sake of Allah, and for your own health, it is possible. Niyyah - Make Your Intention It is first recommended to make the firm intention, from deep in your heart, to give up this evil habit. Trust in Allahs words: ...When you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust in Him. If Allah helps you, none can overcome you; if He forsakes you, who is it - after that - that can help you? In Allah, then, let believers put their trust (Quran 3:159-160). Change Your Habits Secondly, you must avoid situations where you are used to smoking and people who do so around you. For example, if you have certain friends who gather together to smoke, make a choice to stay away from that environment for the time being. At a vulnerable stage, it is too easy to relapse by having just one. Remember, tobacco causes a physical addiction and you must stay away completely. Find Alternatives Thirdly, drink a lot of water and keep yourself busy in other endeavors. Spend time in the mosque. Play sports. Pray. Spend time with your family and non-smoking friends. And remember the words of Allah: And those who strive hard in Our Cause, We will certainly guide them to Our Paths, for verily Allah is with those who do right† (Quran 29:69). If You Live With a Smoker If you live with or are friends with smokers, first of all, encourage them to quit, for the sake of Allah, their health, and their deen. Share with them the information here, and offer support through the difficult process of quitting. Remember that we will each face Allah alone, however, and we are responsible for our own choices. If they refuse to quit, you have the right to protect your own health and the health of your family. Do not allow it in the house. Do not allow it in enclosed quarters with your family. If the smoker is a parent or other elder, we should not neglect to take care of our health out of respect. The Quran is clear that we are not to obey our parents in things which are forbidden by Allah. Gently, but firmly, advise them of the reasons for your own choices.

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 380

Assignment Example The thesis has been supported with examples of policies that have been implemented by the government. For example, the government has restricted insurance companies from charging premium prices to the obese people and this is not motivating people to eat healthy. The author is trying to argue against government’s present steps to fight obesity, but the article fails to persuade me because it lacks factual information and only focuses on providing emotional and opinion based information. The article titled as â€Å"Escape From The Western Diet† was authored by Michael Pollan and in this article the author argues that the Western Diet is the main cause of obesity and people should start eating the same way their ancestors used to. The author argues that the causes of obesity that have been identified by researchers are not real and are motivated by personal gains. The thesis of the article is that the western diet is the main cause of obesity and not the individual ingredients in the western diet (Graff 421). The author does not explicitly state the thesis and instead develops it over time. The author is trying to persuade the readers that it is time to change their diet plans and instead of eating a western diet, citizens of US should move back to eating what the ancestors used to consume. In order to pursued the readers, the author has quite well used the ethical appeals of ethos and pathos but the article lacks logos which includes factual information and thus the article lacks

Practices of Research in Art, Design and Education Essay

Practices of Research in Art, Design and Education - Essay Example The publication manifests an original piece of art from Shakespeare’s imagination (Rall, 2011). Many artists have performed this play (Reagan, 1999) leading to its popularity and winning global art awards (Morgan, 1999). The play involves three interconnecting plots that have different characters that connect at the wedding celebration of the Duke of Athens and Hippolyta. Indeed, the plot entails the adventures of six amateurs and four young Athenian lovers in the forest where a band of fairies control and manipulate the amateurs and Athenian lovers. The play depicts the struggles in love life as the Duke of Athens and Hippolyta suffers numerous challenges before getting married (Morgan, 1999). Notably, a band of fairies in the forest controlled and manipulated the amateurs and Athenian lovers in the play. The publication also defines the place of women in marriage or in a love affair through the various scenes of the play. The four puppets in the play depict the four young Athenian lovers. As such, the theme of love’s difficulty dominates the play as the characters go through troubled romantic relationships before getting married (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2014). The themes of dreams and magic also manifest in the play as various characters use dreams to explain the troubled romantic relationships in the play and misuse magic to cause problems in the play. Feminism is another theme that dominates in this publication. In this context, the publication relates to the marriage of Duke of Athens and Hippolyta. This followed the Athenian law that condemned daughters to death for failing to obey their father’s will, which manifests feminism. In this publication, society regards marriage as a social achievement for women. However, this society holds little value for marriage with respect to men. In this publication, the women are under the control of their husbands and a band of fairies,