Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Difficulties disabling growth of market oriented system in China Essay Example for Free
Difficulties disabling growth of market oriented system in China Essay Difficulties disabling growth of market oriented system in China Introduction            The total achievements of the ongoing social economic reforms in china are very astounding, China from among the poorest nations up to 1976 when Mao Zedong died. Since then, the economy of china has grown rapidly to assume the second position of the biggest economy in the. The rapid growth of the china’s economy has brought sufficient resources to the government to further development and also has rescued million citizens from abject poverty. It is amazing to see the success and speed of the china miracle. The rapid development in china has attracted attentions worldwide in the recent years. The consequences of various aspects of the rise of china ,starting from its military muscles and expanding influence to its expanding energy supply demand, are be mostly debated within china and the international community. Thus it is crucial to correctly comprehend the achievement of china and its wide path toward higher development (Harry J Waters, 1997).            China has continuously faced many challenges to accomplish its performance in developing as in other developed states. Since 2001, commercial banks have been poorly allocating its funds disorderly. This has been a severe problem in china. The Chinese banking system has been a problem on the way has allocated funds.. The private business has relied on the informal finance for a long time. This has affected the success of the private sector. This situation is caused not only by banking system but also is due to capital market. The banks could have solved this challenge if it had lent out loans to the private sectors enterprises with a reasonable interest rate. The lack of reliable corporate credit information made it difficult for commercial banks to assess the risk of lending the loans (Wang, 1990).            The china government improved the legal environment, which occurred remarkably. China made changes to this legal system in accordance with the country’s accession. Even though, the law was so good in the country did not mean that market system was in phase. In fact, the banking system was deteriorating on the way was performing their duties. The senior executive specified some issues basing his argument on banking sector such as absence of regulations and rules on credit registry, the underdeveloped businesses liquidation law, the inability in criminal investigation for financial theft and irregularities(Rotberg, 2008). The PBC senior executive also launched the study project with association of World Bank and other monetary financial institutions (Wang, 1990). The main task was to propose a series of reforms to attain a new framework on the market system. The private sectors concerning the law on the banking system proceeded to the court with an aim to get loans from commercial banks with reasonable interest rates (Wang, 1990). This did not even succeed as planned by the complaints.            Nowadays when the commercial banks require enforcing their bill of rights to the collateral, they face many challenges. This occurs when they try to register some projects system, which they have to intervene with the court. The banks lack motivation of reconciliation therefore has to intervene with the court. They usually face trouble enforcing court decisions due to local government interference (Rotberg, 2008).            China has faced numerous challenges affecting the whole government and even the development of the country. In china, there has been fraud reports and corruption in banking sector. It is not of necessity whether financial frauds are on the increase or whether more crimes are reported and uncovered. There are three main challenges facing the banking system in China, which are high-technologically financial offences; the use of criminally obtained money to corrupt officials in order to run away punishment and to keep away from regulation, and funds crimes report with a more sophisticated means, global focus. The Chinese government is increasing institutional mechanisms for exposing and eradicating financial crime. This has been a prolonged challenge of fraud and corruption affecting the banking system in China (Wang, 1990).            The Chinese commercial banks’ strength to vie with foreign banks was posed in the context of three areas. These areas are in the domestic financial markets, in the open and developed domestic markets for future, and in world markets. Therefore, this is not easy for foreign banks to enter into the Chinese market. Banks involve in local currency where its mission does not move forward. This is much more expensive than simply opening branches (Rotberg, 2008). This affected the market oriented system negatively.            China indeed has achieved most of the objectives it set in 1978.it has improved significantly the well being of the citizens although it’s economic development has often been uneven and narrow. The last twenty seven years of growth and reforms has presented to the world the size of its, labour force, purchasing, creativity, commitment to development and the level of national cohesion. The contribution of china to the whole world as a way of growth will be ground breaking after mobilization of all of its resources. China has struggled with economic development mostly because of its population since a small challenge in its social development or economic when spread over a vast population become a huge problem. The most important strategic choice the government of china has made was to accept the economic globalization instead of separating itself from it .during 1970s the great signs of economic globalization and technological revolu tion was unfolding with huge momentum when Beijing held the trend and overturned the practices of Cultural Revolution (Kiichiro Fakasaku et al , 1999).            Based on the judgment of the development, the president of china alongside other great leaders in the government chose to take up the historic chance and shift the focus of their undertakings on the domestic development and hence tapping in to the international ones .they enforced the system of household contracting in the rural areas hence opening up fourteen coastal cities thus bringing in the economic period take off. Once again, china invoked a strategic because of the financial crisis that was rampant in. Asia and the continued struggles against globalization the decision of china to take part in economic globalization that it was facing was a great challenge .by clearly considering the advantages and the disadvantages related to economic openness and getting lessons from the history, the leaders in china decided to expanded china even more by deepening home economic reforms and world trade organization            The leadership of china has been striving to improve the relation with the whole world as their pursue their objective of rising in peace despite the downs and up the relationship of china and the united states for many years together with other dramatic alterations in the worldwide politics like the death of the soviet union. The leader in china has stuck to the fact that there are more good opportunities than problems for china in the international market today.            With respect to the strategic plans of china, it will take 45 years from today before it can be termed a modernized, medium level grown country. China will encounter several challenges before it get to 2050 mostly because of it’s over population, environmental pollution and lack of coordination among the two key factors of economic and social development. Another great challenge chain must encounter is clearly shown in series of tension that the government officials must deal with. The most common one are the gross domestic product growth and also social progress, between increasing job opportunities and upgrading technology, also the leaders are not sure whether to foster urbanization or expanding agricultural areas and others .to be able to solve all these dilemmas successfully, several properly coordinated policies are required to foster development which is more balanced and faster.            China is continuously losing its ample due to economic development and erosion that has swept the most top layer which is essential for crop production. The government of china is looking forward to add more energy creation capacity from other sources apart from oil and coal and is shifting their focus more on alternative energy development and nuclear sources. The major problem which are associated with setting up nuclear facilities and to maintain them .they are charged with the responsibility of putting heavy boundary the prevent radiation leakage which otherwise would cause terminal diseases such as cancer. Several other factors are converging to decelerate the growth and development .the debt overhang resulting from the stimulus program, slow recovery of the partners trading with china and industrial overcapacity. The economic growth in china has benefited eastern and the southern region more than the region. This has led north to inc reased disparity between south and north .the agricultural activity in has been left behind. Many farmers are struggling to make cater for their daily bread. Consequently this kind of imbalance has favored migration of workers to south china. It is struggling hard to fix this regional inequality (Shahid Yusuf, 2008). References Fukasaku, K., Mello, L. R., Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Decentralisation, Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations and Macroeceonomic Governance. (1999). Fiscal decentralisation in emerging economies: Governance issues. Paris: OECD. Waters, H. J. (1997). Chinas economic development strategies for the 21st century. Westport, Conn: Quorum Books. Yusuf, S., Saich, T. (2008). China urbanizes: Consequences, strategies, and policies. Washington, D.C: World Bank. Dorn, J. A., Wang, X., UniversiteÌ de Fudan (Shanghai, Chine), Cato institute (Washington, D.C.). (1990). Economic reform in China: Problems and prospects. Chicago: University of Chicago press. Rotberg, R. I. (2008). China into Africa: Trade, aid, and influence. Washington, D.C: Brookings Institution Press. Source document
Monday, August 5, 2019
Business overview of Fosters group limited
Business overview of Fosters group limited Fosters group limited is the Australian owned premium global beverage company. It delivers a total liquor portfolio of beers, wines and spirits to millions of its consumers globally. Fosters manufactures Australias most famous beer Foster Lager, it also manufactures Australias leading beer brands including Victoria Bitter (VB), Crown Lager, Carlton Draught and Cascade premium lager. It also produces world recognised wines such as Wolf Blass, Saltram, Beringer, Matua and Chateau St Jean. Wolf Blass was the number globally recognised wine product of Fosters. In addition to the above paragraph, Fosters Lager is the largest selling Australian beer brand in the world. About 100 million cases of fosters lager is consumed by the people worldwide per year. It is brewed in nine countries over 20 plants. It is the worlds third most widely distributed brand which is available in more than 150 countries. Foster lager is the international flagship brand for fosters group. The beer market in Australia is increasing day by day. The consumption of beer by adults, teenagers, and women has also increased. In this present scenario of globalization and economic downfall, people are changing their drinking habits along with their life style. They are concentrating much on the products which they think are worth spending. Fosters being market leader in production of beer in Australia, is adapting itself to the changed mindsets of the people. In order to fit the mind sets of people of Australia it has introduced a new product under the name of Fosters called Carlton Light, which is a low in carbs, low in alcohol volume and rich in its taste. Furthermore, this report deals with fosters groups market analysis in Australia. It explains how fosters has successfully launched its products by considering every aspect of launching a new product. It also deals with fosters research on Australias demographic, economic, socio cultures, political and technical environments, how it has segmented each of them in introducing its products. It emphasises on fosters marketing strategies and comes to a conclusion. At the end, this report will summarise some recommendations and implementation plan for further improvement of fosters market share in Australia. With this research we will find out that similarly if fosters introduces a new product, how it could be further improvised, depending up on the market analysis done on fosters marketing plan 2. Mission: Fosters Mission is to work together, respecting each other, our heritage, diversity, skills and knowledge to: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Build premium quality, first-choice brands à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Deliver service excellence to customers and consumers à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Generate superior returns for shareholders à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Create an inspiring workplace à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ be welcomed in the communities in which we operate (Business Studies, 2009) Vision: Becoming the leading premium branded beverage company in the world by maintaining particular goals include: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ First choice brands for consumers à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ First choice employer for our people à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ First choice investment for shareholders (Business Studies, 2009) 3. Internal Environment: 3.1. Products: Fosters group is a major organisation in beer and liquor industry overall Australia (Fosters Group A, 2009). It has many products in beer, wine, Cider and non alcoholic drinks which are under the flagship of fosters. Major Beer brands owned by Fosters Australia include: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Asahi Super Dry à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Brahama à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Carlton light à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Carlton Draught à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Carlton Midstrength à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Carlton Sterling à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Cascade Premium à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Cascade Premium Light à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Corona à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Crown Lager à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Fosters Lager à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Hoegaarden à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Kronenbourg 1664 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Leffe à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Melbourne Bitter à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Miller Genuine Draft à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Newcastle Brown Ale à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Pure Blond à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Stella Artois à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Victoria Bitter (Fosters Group B, 2009) 3.2 Financial Situation: Fosters group has a much of its production in it beer products but its major sales turnover is with its wine production. The wine products of fosters group has taken a bottom line of 75%. Rest 25% is with beer and spirits (Hoovers, 2009). However, according to the beer industry statistics, fosters group has a major share and its sales are also high. Fosters annual report shows that the company is in a very stable financial position and its good for the any further expansion (Appendix 1). The net profits are enough for implementing or introducing a new product in to the market. Fosters can also expand with this net profit in to new markets. 3.3 Channels: Fosters has chosen the best logistic services company which ensures the just in time delivery of its products to the stores. It also takes care of the warehousing, bottling, brewing and recycling of bottles. It has got the standardised infrastructure, simplified process and advanced transport management systems. Apart from this, it also takes care of the information and communication (ICT) technology utilised by fosters group in outsourcing their services globally (Ferret, 2008). 4 External environments: 4.1 Competitive environment and markets: The environment in which fosters group launching its products have many competitors but the acquisitions made by fosters group in Australia had made it the number one player of beer industry in Australia (Invest Smart, 2009). Apart from the other beer manufacturers, companys manufacturing non- alcoholic drinks is a major drawback for fosters. Because it acts as the substitute product for the alcoholic drinks and are low in price. 4.2 Demographic Environment: Australias diverse culture and lifestyle reflects its liberal democratic traditions and values (Australian Government A, 2009). Its geographic location which is closest to Asia pacific region has given an added advantage to Australia. People are diversifying to the new changes and the trends. Immigrants have helped Australia in enriching almost every aspect of Australian life, starting from business, cooking, arts, sports, science etc (Australian Government A, 2009). 4.3 Political and legal environment: Australia is ranked second in the political stability in the IMD world competitiveness yearbook 2009 (NSW government A, 2009). With this it is clear that the markets in Australia have no threats or inconveniences by the government changes and policies. Though the changes occur, they will be in favour of the organisations because Australia has the decentralised labour market. 4.4 Economic Environment: Australia has a strong and flexible economy. It has capitalized the countries proximities for the emerging new Asian markets on its longstanding trade links to Japan and the United States. In 2007 Australia registered its 17th consecutive year of economic expansion with GDP growth averaging 3.5% per year (NSW government B, 2009). Even during the economic downfall, Australia has remained stable and maintained its position. 4.5 Socio-cultural environment: The Australia is a multilingual country with lot if international immigrants entering in to this country every year. It has broad varieties of culture that adapts any change easily (Australian Government A, 2009). According to the statistics of Australian bureau of statistics, its clear that population of Australia is increased by 2.1% during the 12 months ended at 30 June 2009 (Appendix 2). Along with the population increase the alcohol consumption rate of the people has also increased mostly amongst teenagers aged between 17 -19 years. 4.6 Technological Environment: With the globalization, markets are getting much more advanced in their products. Organisations are producing products at a rapid rate in bulk due to automation of their industries. Australian government is also spending lot of money in developing its countries infrastructure and technology which helps the foreign investors in putting their investments. Research and development has advanced along with the advancement in technology, helping in development of new discoveries (Australian Government B, 2009). Australian market is always ready in adapting new technological changes, discoveries and developments. 5. SWOT Analysis: Strengths: Globally recognised brand Largest selling beer brand in the world available in more than 150 countries Wide range of beer products Strong corporate representation in the market place ( it also produces premium wines such as wolf Blass, Saltram, Beringer, Matua and chateau St jean) Seen as a good corporate citizen with the promotions of the events such as formula one, AFL and Rugby Australian owned company (Business Studies, 2009) Weaknesses: Communities changing attitudes towards alcohol consumption Falling per head beer in Australia Communities attitude towards plastic packaging People becoming more health conscious Opportunities: Further expansion in to domestic and global markets Acquiring more number of breweries and wineries Acquisition of more number of hotels and restaurants by introducing fosters products Gaining public support by taking initiatives on environmental friendly packaging and recycling programs Threats: Strong competition from other beer producers in the market Public changing their tastes and perceptions in demanding imported beers 6. Marketing Objectives: The marketing objectives of fosters group includes: To increase market share Increase product range Expand geographically Expand through export Maximise customer service (Business Studies , 2009) To increase market share: Fosters is trying to expand itself to increase its market share over the years. After the acquisition of New South Wales brewer Tooth and Co, fosters gained the advantage of becoming market leader. By 2001, it has acquired more than five brewing companies across Australia becoming the number one producer of beer by volume in Australia. Increase product range: By acquiring small and big breweries, fosters with its products along with the acquired products has increased its product range. These products are widely distributed throughout Australia with fosters as its flag ship Expand geographically and Expand through export: The prime method of export is by acquiring breweries internationally, this in turn leads to its geographical expansion. With this geographical expansion it can cover a wider market and also increase its market share globally 7.0 Marketing Strategies: 7.1 Target Markets: Fosters groups main target are the people who consume alcohol including beer, wine, spirits, cider and other pre-mixed drinks. When the Carlton light was introduced, everything has changed. This product has concentrated much more on the segments where people are more likely to prefer low crabs beer and people who are health conscious. This segment includes youngsters, corporate employees and women. Continuing, from the outline of the statistics obtained from Australian Bureau of statistics, we can conclude that the people are spending more in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (Appendix). So, by studying the statistics, Fosters has introduced Carlton light in to the markets which eventually boosted its sales. Along with this, Carlton light has grabbed the attention of the people who are in love with Fosters other products. 7.2 Product: Here Carlton light was a new product which was introduced in to the Australian markets. So, this report focuses on its potential service. As mentioned by Stuart, et al, (1995), that a potential service is considered as the level at which the organisations tries to delight their customers by finding out better ways. Similarly, Fosters has introduced Carlton light in order to delight its existing and new customers by providing them with low crabs, ultra light beer. Furthermore, in addition to the introduction of its new products, Fosters has always concentrated on branding them. Since the core product of Fosters is beer, the company wants its core product to be different from its competitors. So, in order to differentiate, Fosters has mainly targeted on its branding by creating a brand image. This was done by shaping the bottle to the international recognizable standards with a long neck bottle, appealing labels, high contrast colours etc. This has differentiated fosters products from other players in the market. Various other products under Fosters such as Victoria Bitter, foster lager, Crown lager and cascade premium draught have a special recognition for themselves in Australia (Fosters C, 2009). This already established recognition has given the Carlton light with the same recognition, which eventually improved the brand image of Fosters. 7.3 Pricing: According to Kerin, (2008), pricing is considered as a crucial of the marketing mix because it determines the revenue that the companys products will earn (Kerin, 2008). In determining a products pricing, pricing strategy matrix should be considered by every organisation (Kotler, et al, 2009). From the above table, the price skimming strategy was used by Fosters in pricing their products. Fosters doesnt want to penetrate in to the markets by keeping their prices low because, its existing products are already higher in costs compared to other brands in the market (Invest Smart, 2009). Foster has gained first mover advantage by introducing Carlton light with a premium price. It has sustained its growth by maintaining steady sales over a period of time. Carlton light has gained the market share by hitting the markets at the right time. During this period, the demographic segments of Australia have become more health conscious, this statistics have helped Fosters in launching Carlton Light (Ibs World, 2009). Rajendhra, (2006), mentions that there is a link between the price and the quality of the product. He also mentions that the pricing of a product should be done along simultaneously by improving the quality of product. So, fosters has introduced Carlton Light in to the markets, which is rich in quality and which has low carbs. Fosters research and development takes care in assuring the quality of its products (Fosters, 2009). 7.4 Promotion Strategies: The role of promotions in the marketing mix is to bring about mutually satisfying exchange with the target markets by informing, educating and persuading them of benefits of the product (Charles, et al, 2008). Here the benefits of Carlton light are the low calories beer which helps the customers in washing their worries on becoming fat or affecting their diet. This beer can be enjoyed by everyone because it has low alcohol; its just a higher end substitute of the soft drinks and other non alcoholic drinks in the market. Continuation, Apart from the regular promotions fosters uses in promoting its products; it has to educate people about the benefits of the beer. This can be done by: Implementing responsible drinking programs: which explains on how much consumption should be made and how it benefits Introducing health conscious kiosks at shopping malls Sponsoring The biggest looser program that is featured in Australian Television channel. Apart from these promotions, it follows its basic approaches like: Advertising through television, magazines and news papers Sponsoring different sporting activities Worldwide sponsorship and association with formula one racing which it already does with foster brands Sponsoring AFL, rugby league etc which it already does with foster brands 7.5 Distribution Strategy: Place or distribution strategy are mainly concerned in making the product available to its customers when and where they wanted (Charles, et al, 2008). Since alcohol is a drink that has some regulations from the government, it should follow specific steps in selling them to its customers. Beer is not available everywhere, it has its own places such as Bottle shops, liquor stores, super markets, pubs, restaurants, hotels etc. Similarly, though Carlton light is a low alcohol beer, it has to be sold along with other liquor products. Foster group has a wide distribution of its products across Australia and it makes sure that Carlton light also gets equal importance along with its other beers. 8. Recommendations: Spending more in research and development in improving the fineness of beer. Introducing new products as substitutes to the existing products Entering in to broader market by using international strategy for market development Concentrating more on responsible drinking programs Increasing the promotion standards e.g. sponsoring student activity programs in universities Improving the quality of the acquired products by implementing the processes foster follow in its own organisation. Acquiring more number of local and international breweries 9. Implementation Plan: Carefully thinking about the suggested recommendations and the market analysis done by this report on fosters group, this report will suggest an implementation plan for these things. Considering the marketing objectives of Fosters group we can draw that, through acquisition on other breweries, fosters has gained a competitive advantage in the market. According to Ansoffs, product/market matrix, fosters should use the international strategy in order to develop its market. Here in market development, it states that by introducing an existing product in to the new market, fosters group can gain the first mover advantage and also can expose its brands to new audience globally (Kotler P, et al, 2009). This will be done by acquisition of local breweries in the new market or introducing the new product with a premium price. This will also expands fosters product range. When it enters in to new markets, it has to do a lot of research in developing fine quality of beer so that everyone likes it at the first shot. By targeting only the health conscious audience, it has to introduce ultra light beer, with low carbs, less alcohol content than Carlton Light. Similar strategies should be followed in implementing this new product. Along with constantly monitoring and controlling this marketing plan, areas like sales and market and profitability by product and territory should also be monitored. It also should conduct regular updates on further improving its each product like wines, spirits, ciders because those particular products will become a massive hit in particular areas. References: ABS, (2009), Australian Bureau Of Statistics-Australian Demographic Statistics, Jun 2009, http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/[emailprotected]/mf/3101.0 (Accessed on 08-03-2010) Australian Government A, (2009), About Australia-People, culture and Life Style, http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/people_culture.html (Accessed on 8-03-2010) Australian Government B, (2009), About Australia-Innovations, http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/science.html (Accessed on 8-03-2010) Business Studies, (2009), Marketing At Fosters, http://www.docstoc.com/docs/14565631/including-SWOT-and-product-life-cycle (Accessed on 5-03-10) Charles W. L., Hair F.J. Jr, McDaniec C., (2008), Essentials of Marketing, 6th Ed, Cengage Learning Ferret, (2009), Fosters Group selects RedPrairie for logistics network transformation project, http://www.ferret.com.au/c/RedPrairie/Foster-s-Group-selects-RedPrairie-for-logistics-network-transformation-project-n735508 (Accessed on 06-03-2010) Fosters A, (2009), About Us, http://www.fosters.com.au/aboutus.htm (Accessed on 7-03-2010) Fosters B, (2009), our brands, http://www.fosters.com.au/enjoy/ourbrands.htm (Accessed on 7-03-2010) Fosters C, (2009), Beer, http://www.fosters.com.au/enjoy/beer.htm (Accessed on 7-3-10) Hoov ers, (2009), Fosters Group Limited, http://www.hoovers.com/company/Fosters_Group_Limited/ctcrci-1-1njea5.html (Accessed on 07-03-2010) Invest Smart, (2009), Fosters Group Limited, http://www.investsmart.com.au/shares/asx/Fosters-Group-FGL.asp (Accessed on 10-03-10) Kotler. P, et al, 2009, Principles of marketing 4th ed, Australia, Pearson education Australia. NSW Government A, (2009), Political Stability, http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/aboutnsw/climate/A9_riskofpolinstabil.htm (Accessed on 07-03-2010) NSW Government B, (2009), State Economies, http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/aboutnsw/climate/A2_state_econ.htm (Accessed on 7-03-2010) Rajendhra Nargundkar, (2006), Services Marketing 2E, 2nd Ed, Tata McGraw-Hill, NY. Appendix 1: (Source: http://www.hoovers.com/company/Fosters_Group_Limited/ctcrci-1-1njea5.html). Fosters Group Limited Income Statement All amounts in millions of US Dollars except per share amounts. Jun 09 Jun 08 Jun 07 Revenue 3,778.5 4,411.7 4,185.1 Cost of Goods Sold Gross Profit 3,778.5 4,411.7 4,185.1 Gross Profit Margin SGA Expense Depreciation Amortization Operating Income 919.6 1,095.8 994.6 Operating Margin 24.3% 24.8% 23.8% Nonoperating Income Nonoperating Expenses Income Before Taxes 801.7 956.9 812.6 Income Taxes 214.5 268.3 221.4 Net Income After Taxes 587.2 688.6 591.2 Continuing Operations 356.2 106.6 823.1 Discontinued Operations 0.0 6.2 0.0 Total Operations 356.2 112.9 823.1 Total Net Income 356.2 112.9 823.1 Net Profit Margin 9.4% 2.6% 19.7% Diluted EPS from Total Net Income 0.18 0.06 0.41 Dividends per Share 0.21 0.24 0.19  © 2009 Morningstar, Inc. Financial Data provided by Data Definitions Fosters Group Limited Balance Sheet All amounts in millions of US Dollars except per share amounts. Assets Jun 09 Jun 08 Jun 07 Current Assets Cash 107.0 154.5 244.0 Net Receivables 757.1 1,019.2 984.9 Inventories 926.1 970.9 880.8 Other Current Assets 114.6 75.3 129.9 Total Current Assets 1,904.8 2,219.9 2,239.5 Net Fixed Assets 1,559.8 1,959.5 1,919.3 Other Noncurrent Assets 3,272.4 3,747.7 3,956.3 Total Assets 6,737.0 7,927.1 8,115.2 Liabilities and Shareholders Equity Jun 09 Jun 08 Jun 07 Current Liabilities Accounts Payable Short-Term Debt 297.8 43.8 242.6 Other Current Liabilities 795.5 954.0 1,048.6 Total Current Liabilities 1,093.3 997.8 1,291.2 Long-Term Debt Other Noncurrent Liabilities 2,620.8 3,230.7 2,892.2 Total Liabilities 3,714.1 4,228.5 4,183.4 Shareholders Equity Preferred Stock Equity 0.0 0.0 0.0 Common Stock Equity 3,009.0 3,670.6 3,908.3 Total Equity 3,009.0 3,670.6 3,908.3 Shares Outstanding (thou.) 1,927,753.0 1,927,753.0 1,927,753.0  © 2009 Morningstar, Inc. Financial Data provided by Data Definitions Fosters Group Limited Cash Flow Statement All amounts in millions of US Dollars except per share amounts. Jun 09 Jun 08 Jun 07 Net Operating Cash Flow 712 643 634 Net Investing Cash Flow (169.6) (47.4) 486.6 Net Financing Cash Flow (568.3) (705.2) (1,247.4) Net Change in Cash (26.0) (109.1) (126.7) Depreciation Amortization Capital Expenditures (149.9) (135.8) (165.6) Cash Dividends Paid (383.1) (578.8) (528.9) Appendix 2, (Source: http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/[emailprotected]/mf/3101.0) JUNE KEY FIGURES Population at end Jun qtr 2009 Change over previous year Change over previous year PRELIMINARY DATA 000 000 % New South Wales 7 099.7 115.5 1.7 Victoria 5 427.7 113.9 2.1 Queensland 4 406.8 112.9 2.6 South Australia 1 622.7 19.4 1.2 Western Australia 2 236.9 65.7 3.0 Tasmania 502.6 5.1 1.0 Northern Territory 224.8 5.0 2.3 Australian Capital Territory 351.2 5.6 1.6 Australia(a) 21 874.9 443.1 2.1 (a) Includes Other Territories comprising Jervis Bay Territory, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Population growth Population Growth Rate, Year ended current quarter JUNE KEY POINTS ESTIMATED RESIDENT POPULATION The preliminary estimated resident population (ERP) of Australia at 30 June 2009 was 21,875,000 persons. This was an increase of 443,100 persons (2.1%) since 30 June 2008 and 95,800 persons since 31 March 2009. Preliminary natural increase recorded for the year ended 30 June 2009 (157,800) was 8.4% (or 12,200 persons) higher than the natural increase recorded for the year ended 30 June 2008 (145,600). Preliminary net overseas migration for the year ended 30 June 2009 was 285,300 persons. POPULATION GROWTH RATES Australias population grew by 2.1% during the 12 months ended 30 June 2009. Natural increase and net overseas migration contributed 36% and 64% respectively to this total population growth. All states and territories experienced positive population growth over the 12 months ended 30 June 2009. Western Australia recorded the largest percentage gain (3.0%) and Tasmania the smallest (1.0%).
Health Essays Childhood Obesity Overweight
Health Essays Childhood Obesity Overweight Childhood Obesity Overweight Introduction Childhood obesity in the United States is proving to be a topic of major concern. Throughout the past decades, this issue has been overlooked and simply unattended to. Other health issues such as second-hand smoke and cancer have indeed been the more popular topics addressed. However, people are starting to notice a change in the leaders of tomorrow. Quite frankly, these children are becoming extremely unhealthy and overweight. In the past, it was out of the ordinary to see a child that was obese. However, overweight children in the United States are actually starting to become a norm (Koplan, Liverman Kraak, 2005). This is where the problem begins to unfold. Parents are becoming increasingly concerned about their children’s health due to the fact that obesity hinders a wide range of factors. Imagine a child that cannot participate in any extracurricular activities such as baseball, soccer, or basketball due to his or her weight. Then, try to explain to that child that due to being overweight, he or she might have an increased chance of heart disease, strokes, and high blood pressure (Vessey MacKenzie, 2000). Above all, imagine being a child and learning that one of their peers has just died due to the fact that he or she was obese. One must begin to realize that the lives of children in the United States are at stake. Science in the past has told the public that each generation is living longer than its precedent. The tide has turned sadly enough as scientists are predicting that this verity is now untrue (Kimm Obarzanek, 2002). With that being said, if lives are beginning to shorten, one might conclude that it is now time to take some action. In an attempt to explore the idea of childhood obesity one must result to an interdisciplinary analysis. The topic involves a wide range of disciplines such as biology, sociology, psychology, and business, which should all be taken into consideration to avoid an oversimplification. There is not one single discipline that can fully address the entire scope of childhood obesity (Repko, 2005). By narrowing down the research, a large amount of data will be looked at using numerous perspectives to try to avoid a biased outcome. The extent of obesity in children is an extremely multifaceted topic and desperately needs to be approached this way to fully grasp and comprehend the issue. Also, for a complete understanding and resolution to be formulated, every discipline needed to investigate the issue must be used. Childhood obesity contains a vast range of disciplines to help in its characterization. With that being said, these disciplines tend to all be interlocked with one another. Looking at childhood obesity through the discipline of biology for instance would constantly be leading the researcher to a psychological standpoint every time a page is turned. Simply ignoring certain disciplines would be an extreme mistake in trying to come to a conclusive solution of the issue addressed and would most likely lead to a biased opinion. Disciplines The following is a compilation of all the disciplines used along with each of their contributions in the process of addressing the issue of childhood obesity. There is indeed a vast range of disciplines that are included. Chemistry, economics, law, and history all bring important insights to the table when addressing childhood obesity. Chemistry will look at various experimental data to try to assess the various structures of fats and sugars that are involved in a child’s diet. Economics could be used to try to understand the possible effects that production and distribution of certain foods has when placed in front of children. Why are these extremely unhealthy foods being put on the shelf for kids to buy? Economics would try to investigate this issue and bring forth a decisive explanation. In addition, law would be utilized to help to understand what governmental efforts have been made towards the issue of childhood obesity. Are the steps being taken by are government in the right direction or are they simply dancing around the heart of the issue? Finally, history is a very helpful discipline in referencing statistical data taken about obese children. Has this problem always been around or is it just now becoming an issue? History with the help of statistics will also illustrate past successes and failures of strategies that were put in action to help to aid the issue being discussed. Throughout the course of the investigation of childhood obesity all the preceding disciplines listed will be taken into consideration. However, biology, sociology, and business will be most relevant and crucial to the process of defining the issue at hand. Biology Biology will be used to try to understand the needs of the human body to progress and function. Each person has a minimum amount of calories that must be consumed to properly run its processes. Likewise, each person has a unique rate of consuming these calories and converting them to energy. The researcher can use biology to place an actually measurement of health of an individual. Attaining a proper measurement or gauge of health has proven to be a very difficult task. Height, sex, genetics, bone structure, and even ethnicity are all very important factors that determine a child’s proper weight. Biology will help to place a gauge on each of these factors and formulate a proper medium for each person. This discipline will be examined first in the following writing because one needs to understand what obesity is before he or she can begin to examine the problem. Biology will basically lay a foundation for the rest of the disciplines as to how they are to be used to assess obesity in children. Sociology Next, a viewpoint based on sociology must be addressed. Demographics of families, along with their ethnicities will be looked at to try to explain the effects of obesity on certain specific populations. Society will be investigated to try to expose the viewpoints of obese children and their parents. Does society really understand the issue? Do children place any concern with health and fitness? These are both very important questions that sociology will help to address through the aid of statistical data. Also, every child does have the right to choose what he or she consumes on a day-to-day basis. Hence, each child must face all of the problems that arise if he or she becomes obese. Obesity is not purely a biological problem. If the previous statement was true, a child could then simply consume less calories and loose weight. However, a child has to make cognitive choices and observations about what is acceptable. Sociology will step in and try to uncover any problems that may be resulting in a population of obese children that simply are misguided by the viewpoints of society. This discipline will be used after biology in hopes to build upon the new understanding of the problem. Once a person understands the physical aspects of childhood obesity using biology, then he or she can delve into the societal traits. Business Finally, obesity has become such a large issue that it has effectively created an entire new industry to take care of itself. Business is a discipline that will be used to help explain the way industries portray children and how they affect what populations recognize and understand. Business will try to assess ethical issues as to whether the food industry for example is making an effort to help. There are obviously many businesses in the United States that are trying to educate children about obesity. However, for every positive product formed, there is another marketing scheme that is made to try to take advantage of a very helpless situation. As a result, the structure and function of the food industry needs to be addressed and scanned for possible pitfalls and shortcomings. Lastly, the discipline of business will be used in the final part of this paper in hopes to illustrate how it relates back to the obese children. The reader will then furthermore understand the extremity of this issue and how it is rooted in almost every aspect of life. In summation, childhood obesity is an extremely sophisticated problem involving the ethics and morals or our society. Children cannot be expected to solve their own problem and desperately need help from all ends of the spectrum. The purpose of this paper is to lay the foundation for a better understanding and new perspective of childhood obesity. This perspective will hopefully stem new possible outcomes that are constructed by the synthesis of each of the discipline’s contributions. Furthermore, the following writing will attempt to educate society of the dangers of childhood obesity and show that this is not a problem caused by one situation. Hopefully the reader will realize that through an interdisciplinary understanding, bringing an end to obesity in children is not an unattainable goal. Background How is childhood obesity defined? Has this issue been around for a long time or is it merely just beginning to cause trouble for the United States? These are two very important questions that every individual needs to be aware of. One cannot expect to be able to successfully tackle an issue without knowing its history beforehand. First, childhood obesity is basically defined as a person that has a body mass index that is above the 95th percentile. That is, the individual exceeds his or her natural weight by approximately 20%. Body mass index is the most widely accepted procedure for sampling obesity in large populations. Basically, it is a numerical measurement composed of a person’s height and weight. Although this particular test does not take a persons bone structure into consideration, the average of an overall population remains very accurate (Vessey MacKenzie, 2000). The people involved in this issue are individuals between the ages of 6 and 17. Male and female children including every ethnicity that resides in the United States are included in this problem. Although obesity rates are increasing almost exponentially in all age groups, children seem to be of the most concern to health experts today. These children are in the most important stage of their growth. An overweight child is putting his or her entire lifespan in jeopardy (Green Reese, 2006). Adolescent obesity has not been around as long as other problems such as cancer, leukemia, or the flu. Yet, it is unique due to the fact that childhood obesity is growing at such an alarming rate. The first signs of childhood obesity began to appear in the 1960’s (Schwartz Puhl, 2003). What caused this sudden weight gain in children during this time? There are several possible explanations however there does not seem to be one clearly defined culprit. The fast food industry is just one of the possible causes that is often looked at. Critics believe that during the 1960’s fast food was starting to embed in American culture. McDonalds restaurants were popping up all around the United States offering a quick and effortless meal. Before fast food, most families were dependant upon time consuming home cooked meals. However, for the first time, people were starting to realize that a ready-to-eat meal was just a few dollars away. Consequently, people started putting the healthy meal aside and began to grab a quick sandwich from a fast food restaurant. Hence, in the 1960’s children’s calorie intake began to rise as their eating habits were basically being altered by society. Statistics showed during this time that the percentage of obese children was approximately 4.5%. As calorie intake began to rise, physical activities began to decrease. Approximately 33% of students in high school do not expose themselves to any strenuous physical activity. Present day schools are so involved in standardized testing that extracurricular activities have been in some ways taken out of the daily lesson plan. Even technology, which usually always aids in the advancement of society, has played a role in increasing rates of childhood obesity. Computer based games, and highly sophisticated cell phones are a few examples that have placed negative outcomes on beneficial cardiovascular events (Harper, 2006). Heath experts began to see a problem by the 1970’s. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was one of the first efforts in addressing the issue of childhood obesity. A study was done in three parts during a 25-year span starting in the late 1960’s. The test studied the body mass index of children and adjusted the results as age, sex, and ethnicity of the population of children changed through time. The results were anything but subtle. There was a 40% increase of overweight children in the ten-year span of the first and second studies. No other illness at this time was even close to growing at such an astounding rate (Rosenbaum Leibel, 1998). With that being said, the third study that was completed in 1994 delivered a divesting knockout punch. The National Health and Nutrition Survey revealed that the number of obese children in the United States had grown a monstrous 100% in the past 10 years (Dietz Gortmaker, 2001). Obesity in children was now considered an epidemic. In the past decade, the percentage of obese adolescents in the 95th percentile has once again doubled. Obese children between the ages of 6 and 11 seemed to have the highest grow rates of any other subgroup. Estimates were now showing that almost 15% of the children in the United States are obese or extremely overweight. Obesity does not seem to be biased towards any particular age, race, or gender. However, African American girls, Hispanics, and American Indians were shown to have the largest overweight populations (Koplan, Liverman Kraak, 2005). Why are obese children the population that is drawing the most attention? First, biologists studying this epidemic have noted that fact that the gene pool in the United States has basically remained the same over the past 15 years. This tends to rule out any possible explanations dealing with actual evolutionary changes or modifications in the human body. As a result, scientists tend to believe that the causes of the increase in children’s weight are a product of environmental effects on metabolism. At any rate, it is shown that individuals who are obese as children are most likely beginning a lifelong fight (Dietz Gortmaker, 2001). Present studies have shown that approximately 95% of obese individuals who succeed in loosing weight tend to gain almost all of it back over time (Koplan, Liverman Kraak, 2005). This statement is supported by our ever-increasing percentage of obese adults. In 2001, statistics show that there were 29 states containing a percentage of obese adults of 20% or greater. Hence, prevention at the earliest possible age is said to be the only hope for success in stopping this seemingly out of control problem. It is shown that the younger the child is, the less likely he or she will have developed bad eating habits. Also, younger children tend to be much easier to work with as oppose to stubborn teenagers who may not accept parental influence. All in all, childhood obesity tends to result in numerous mental, physical and social health disorders for the growing individual. Without immediate intervention at a young age, obesity in children may continue to grow (Kimm Obarzanek, 2002). The following writing will continue to decipher the issue of adolescent obesity and will expose crucial concepts, theories and assumptions dealing with each discipline involved. Biology will first be discussed with the goal of further defining the physical and biological effects of childhood obesity. One must understand how the child physically becomes obese and what biological factors are involved. Next, sociology will be addressed with the goal of educating the reader of the impacts that society has on obese children. Are there any direct causes of obesity that society may have initiated? Finally, business will be mined for possible ways that large companies and organizations have affected the issue. Are these interventions effective or are they merely ways to mask the problem? In conclusion, each discipline involved offers its own understanding of childhood obesity. One must take each possible approach into consideration in hopes of forming a new more comprehensive explanation. An interdisciplinary approach is used in this situation to help organize the inputs of the disciplines and then synthesize them into a new holistic picture. This process helps to avoid a biased opinion, which is likely formed by increasing specialization of the disciplines. Furthermore it attacks the issue from every angle within the reach of the disciplines used (Repko, 2005). References Biology Dietz, W., Gortmaker, S. (2001). PREVENTING OBESITY IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS. Annual Review of Public Health, 22(1), 337. Retrieved February 29, 2008, from Academic Search Complete database. Kimm, S., Obarzanek, E. (2002, November). Childhood Obesity: A New Pandemic of the New Millennium. Pediatrics, 110(5), 1003. Retrieved February 8, 2008, from Academic Search Complete database. Rosenbaum, M., Leibel, R. (1998, March). The physiology of body weight regulation: Relevance to the Pediatrics, 101(3), 525. Retrieved February 29, 2008, from Academic Search Complete database. Vessey, J., MacKenzie, N. (2000, September). Childhood Obesity: Strategies for Prevention. Pediatric Nursing, 26(5), 527. Retrieved February 8, 2008, from Academic Search Complete database. Sociology Green, G., Reese, S. (2006, Fall). CHILDHOOD OBESITY: A GROWING PHENOMENON FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATORS. Education, 127(1), 121-124. Retrieved February 29, 2008, from Academic Search Complete database. Koplan, J., Liverman, C., Kraak, V. (2005, Spring). Preventing Childhood Obesity. Issues in Science Technology, 21(3), 57-64. Retrieved February 4, 2008, from Academic Search Complete database. Schwartz, M., Puhl, R. (2003, February). Childhood obesity: a societal problem to solve. Obesity Reviews, 4(1), 57-71. Retrieved February 29, 2008, from Academic Search Complete database. Business Harper, M. (2006, October). Childhood Obesity. Family Community Health, 29(4), 288-298. Retrieved February 29, 2008, from Academic Search Complete database. Other disciplines Repko, A (2005). Interdisciplinary practice a student guide to research and writing. Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing.
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Francisco Franco Essay -- essays research papers
Francisco Franco Francisco Franco was the dictator of Spain from 1939 to 1975, including the time of WW2. Perhaps he was better known as â€Å"El Caudillo,†translated into English as The Leader. He was born and raised in Spain. He was a very brilliant military general who led Nationalist rebels in defeating the Spanish government during the Spanish Civil War. Although he was viewed as a Fascist Dictator, he strongly opposed communism. He was an extremely important figure in the course of world history.      Francisco Paulino Hermenegildo Teodulo Franco Bahamonde, Francisco Franco as he was known, was born on December 4, 1892 at the coastal city of El Ferrel in the region known as Galicia in Northwestern Spain. He was close to his mother during his childhood. His father, older brother, and the four generations before him were naval officers. However, the Naval Academy was full so Franco went into the Army. He enrolled into Infantry Academy at Toledo when he was 14 and graduated three years later.      Franco quickly climbed the ranks of the Spanish Army. He gained a reputation of being a disciplined, honest, and dedicated soldier who was strictly professional. He was promoted to first lieutenant of an elite regiment when he was only 20 years old. He became the youngest captain in the Spanish Army in 1915 at the unprecedented age of 22. He then became second in command to General Jose Millan Astray of the Spanish Foreign Legion in ...
Saturday, August 3, 2019
Public Hangings :: essays research papers
Capital punishment seemed to have been regenerated from the beginning of mankind, where beheading was considered an honorable method of meeting death, whereas hanging carried with it a definite stigma. The era of public hanging was emotionally satisfying even though the surroundings was emotionally tense. In contrast to private hangings where they were fewer observers, less theatrical from the accuse and hanging was becoming more of an inhuman punishment to inflict on those found guilty of their crime. Both forms of hangings were though to be an effective way of preventing individuals from committing a crime. Capital punishment seemed morally acceptable, to the public and there were individuals who were willing to carry out the execution. From the books; "†¦Hang By the Neck†¦", Hanging in the Balance and The trail of the Dinosaur, gives descriptions of public and private hangings, the responsibilities of the hangman and the general reaction of the public, who were for and againts hangings. In the days of public hangings, gallows or scaffolds were rather crude contraptions. Early contraptions consisted of two post in the ground, with a cross-piece between them from which the victim swung. As the years passed by a second contraption was invented, a single stout post with a timber nailed at a right angle at the top, with supporting boards attached. A third contraption was made which was a platform erected nine or more feet from the ground, in the middle of which was a trap door which swung upon hinges. This latest invention was commonly used towards the end of public hangings. In private hangings the same contraption was used, but the individual were taken down a lot quicker, for their was no need to display the executed to curious observer. Public executions were grim and was a disgusting spectacle to the accuses’ family and close friends, but for most individuals it was a time to rejoice and to celebrate. When a crowd assembled to witn ess a public event, they were out in a holiday mood. Hundreds of people came from long distances to view a hanging, concessionaires had money invested in trinkets and food to be sold at what they called jamborees. Public hanging were often imitated in plays, which were seen as despicable form of entertainment towards the victim and the accuses family. The scenes attending the hangings were for large gatherings from far and near, mostly bent on idle curiosity or for a grand jollification.
Friday, August 2, 2019
Differences between men and women Essay
What is the difference between males and females? We notice the different dressing styles, different roles in the workplace and how we spend our leisure time, how we wear our emotions, and also how differently we think. But a question arises. Are males and females really different in every aspect? The first question we ask when a baby is born is: â€Å"Is it a boy or a girl?†Though most people accept most of the socially prescribed roles for the gender they were born with, some struggle against what they see as rigid and arbitrary social norms. In this essay, I will describe and give my input on the roles of human sexuality and gender. Most people think of sex and gender as one and the same when in fact they are not. Wood, Wood, and Boyd (2005) define sex as â€Å"a biological term, while gender is more commonly used to refer to the psychological and social variables associated with one’s sex†(p. 410). In the biological approach, when defining the sociocultural characteristics of masculinity and femininity, cultures look into the behaviors each gender should act upon. Males should be the dominant figure. They should be strong, competitive, be able to stand their ground, confident, and independent. Women on the other had are expected to be the exact opposite. They should be dependent, caring, encouraging, emotional, and nurturing. As children approach the age of two or so, they start to realize the roles such as attitudes, interest, and behaviors, in which males and females are supposed to portray. This is referred to as gender typing. When understanding which roles are to be taken, then they can star t their development. In the psychoanalytic theory, Freud asserts that children’s thoughts about gender occur out of a clash relating to their feelings about their parents. Generally, they would like to tie a bond between the opposite-sex parent but end up doing so with the same-sex parent in order to settle this clash, taking on that’s parent’s gender-related behavior and ideas. â€Å"At the same time, they defer their love for the opposite-sex parent in the hope that someday they will be able to achieve a sexual relationship with a partner who is similar to him or her†(Wood et. al., 2005, p. 411). I can agree with Freud’s psychoanalytic theory to a certain extent. What would the opposite-sex parent do in a family with no boys or no girls? Would he/she take over some traits that the same-sex parent would give to the children? My mother and father had four boys including myself. Being in the situation my mother was in considering there were no girls, she felt a need to rub off some of her traits to us boys. While my father taught us the game of baseball and how to mow the lawn, my mother taught us our table manners and to how to do the laundry. We shared a bond to both of our parents equally. But overall, we all feel the same way in which we want our future wives to be close to, if not exactly like our mother. In the social learning theory, children look for role models to follow, where they imitate that person and want to be like him/her. But say if a boy started doing something that is out of his gender role, such as trying on his mother’s high heels, he will be informed by his father that it is not appropriate for him to do such a thing. Psychologists say that yes imitating and reinforcing may play a part in the gender role development, but it does not offer a complete clarification of this occurrence. Lawrence Kohlberg’s cognitive developmental theory â€Å"suggests that an understanding if gender is a prerequisite to gender role development†(1966; Kohlberg & Ullian, 1974, p. 412). This theory explains that children go through three stages that are necessary to developing the concept of gender. The first stage happens when the child is around the ages of two and three, which is gender identity, or the sense of being male or female. The next stage occurs at four and five, which is gender stability, the understanding that boys will be boys and girls will be girls forever. Then the last stage is when the child has reached six and eight. It is known as gender constancy, or the knowledge that gender will not change, despite the clothes they wear or the activities they participate in. But Kohlberg failed to mention â€Å"why many gender-role appropriate behaviors and preferences are observed in children as young as age 2 or 3, long before gender constancy is acquired†(Bussey & Bandura, 1999; Jacklin, 1989; Martin & Little, 1990, p. 412). I guess it just depends on the educational techniques used on the children. My brothers and I were taught a lot at a very young age, so we had a little bit of a head start. Like the cognitive developmental theory, Sandra Bem’s gender schema theory (1981) emphasizes that children begin to use gender as a way to pick up and sort out information. But the gender schema theory says that this process happens earlier with the gaining of gender identity other than gender constancy. Also like social learning theory, the gender schema theory indicates â€Å"young children are motivated to pay more attention to and behave in ways consistent with the gender-based standards and stereotypes of their culture†(Wood et. al., 2005, p. 412). I think television can become a major factor in a child’s behavior because they can watch shows that are unsuitable for their viewing, and while growing older they can become more fascinated with sexual activity. When becoming sexually involved with another person, both males and females experience four phases of when engaged in sex, called the sexual response cycle. The first phase is the excitement phase, and this is simply when the female undresses for the male and the male uses verbal expressions of affection to stimulate the female. The blood flow starts pumping and the heart beats faster and faster until they reach the second phase, which is the plateau phase. Here excitement keeps rising for the preparation of the third phase, the orgasm. While males only have one, females can have multiple. After that, everything starts to slow down and goes back to its unaroused state. This is known as the resolution phase or the tapering-off period. Sexual activity varies from culture to culture. Furthermore, â€Å"what is perceived as sexually attractive in males and females may differ dramatically†(Woods et. al., 2005, p. 421). Agreed, differences in attraction may occur, even with the same sex. Someone’s sexual orientation describes the preferences at which someone is attracted to either the opposite or that of their own sex. Studies show that males are twice as likely to be homosexual than females. Berenbaum & Snyder (1995) say that if the androgens, or hormones that make one masculine, are too high or too low, can make the brain develop more masculine or feminine which homosexual orientation is more likely. Most of the time it is all in the genes, but other times it is that person’s choice to be homosexual, even if others may not be on the same page. Some people can be homophobic, which in my view is extremely improper. Whoever thinks that it is wrong should take a step back, let those people live their lives and start worrying about their own. I have known many people who were homophobic and it just pushed my buttons to see how cruel they can be to someone with a different sexual orientation. I do see where they are coming from, on the other hand. I do think it is weird to see two homosexual men holding hands or kissing, but I always come to an understanding that they are who they are and nothing can change that. They want to feel the comfort of another. In general, they want to love just as much as heterosexual couples do, so I praise them for that. With homosexual activity and even heterosexual activity, there comes a price if a couple chooses to have unprotected sex. There are many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), but the major ones are Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, which all can be cured by antibiotics. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are critical to women because if they in fact do have any of these, they do not have any early stages of infections. Since they do not treat it on time, then it can lead to infertility. Viral STDs include genital herpes, genital warts, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which cannot be cured. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. It attacks the immune system, and can cause cancer or other dysfunctions. In order to prevent spreading STDs one should avoid sex with multiple partners, and also use a latex condom with a spermicide. With the growing rate of STDs nowadays, and the amount of television commercials informing teenagers and adults to practice safe sex and get tested for HIV or AIDS, I do not understand why people still have unsafe sex. It is not that difficult to â€Å"strap up†before â€Å"doing the deed†or â€Å"keep it in your pants,†that is unless you are prepared to have a child and have been tested along with your partner. I have known many males and females who have had unprotected sex and regret ever doing so, a couple of which becoming pregnant. From their point of view, they feel lost because they cannot support their children and give them the attention they need in order to have a secure, fulfilling childhood.
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Covey 7 Habits Analysis
I have always been a firm believer that there are many different types of leaders. To be a leader you must have natural ability, and have the ability to listen and grow. Being in many leadership roles and positions has helped me to become the best person that I can be. Looking at leadership and management however opened my eyes to a new concept. I had never before realized how much the two go hand in hand. I feel the two words are synonymous in some aspects. My Leadership and Management style helped me to realize what kind of natural skills I have as a leader, and what kind of defined skills I have as a manager.My â€Å"Lamp†chart really was split between the two entities. I always thought that I was much more of a leader than a manager. Come to find out I have skills in both sides that compliment one another. My Leadership style consists of many components, but the main two are my creating abilities and my empowering abilities. I feel that these two are the natural traits th at I have, and they are things that I have expanded on the more I learn about others, and myself. I have always been a creative person, the one with the ideas and new concepts.This has allowed me to be an effective leader in my positions to find other ways to do things, and to be successful at implementing new ideas. I also have the ability to empower those around me. What this means is to get people excited and willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish the goal or task we may face. I do this by believing in those around me and giving others the tools they need to lead themselves. My management style however is a bit different. I believe management skills are learned unlike leadership traits.Through the positions I have held on campus, in high school, an in the work place I have learned to become more responsible and in turn some vital managerial skills. Through my â€Å"LAMP†I have come to realize my top two managerial skills are organization, and I am very job centered . I have not always been an organized person, and still believe that there is much room for improvement. With that being said my organizational skills have vastly improved while in college and it is due to the roles I have had within clubs and organizations, and most importantly my fraternity.Organization didn’t come easy for me, but I realized to become an effective manager I needed to be organized, this directly translates to being an effective leader as well. Poor organization can lead to loss of credibility and that is something I try to stay away from. I am also very job centered. This means I like to know what needs to be done, by whom, and with a set date. If I have all of that I am able to delegate and get jobs finished in a timely manner. Being job centered really means I like to have defined roles.Who’s doing what is a big deal for me, especially in managerial and leadership positions. Now the question is are Leadership and Management the same? I think not. T here is a reason that the two are separated on the test. Both Leadership and Management skills are vital when taking any role or position of power. The differences lie in how you take charge and take control. Leadership skills I feel are things you are born with. Leaders also are people who are highly revered, someone who you look up to or want to be.While Managerial skills can be taught if enough hard work and effort is put in. Yet managers sometimes are not revered as a role model because for the most part they tend to be your boss and make less of a personnel connection. This is why I feel having defined skills in both areas can make you the most effective person you can be. Being a great leader allows you to connect with people, excite people, and build credibility. While being a good manager means you delegate well, you stay organized and on task, and you oversee/stay on top of those whom you are managing.According to Kotter in the article What Leaders Do â€Å"Management is a bout coping with complexity. Leadership, by contrast, is about coping with change. †Good management is what keeps chaos from occurring. Kotter talks about how management is a major component in consistency and profitability if we look at it from a business aspect. This article describes how management is all about the complexities and how to good managers cope. â€Å"More change always demands more leadership. †(pg.. 86 Kotter. ) Things are ever changing today. This is why leadership as a practice has now become so important.Kotter talks about the abilities of leaders to run with the change and make things work with little room for discrepancy or chaos. A good leader is someone who can roll with the punches, figure out a new plan of action, and take charge all at once. Leadership is something that takes courage to make the tough decisions when something arises. The two styles although different do go hand in hand. When looking at Leadership and Management in relation to the Greek community we see how vital it is to have students who exemplify both qualities.When obtaining a Leadership role within a Fraternity or a Sorority you are taking a lot of responsibility. To run a Greek house you must have the support and respect from all members, otherwise you can accomplish nothing. Fraternities and Sororities were built on the basis that we share the same goals and aspirations, it is the Leaders job to remind everyone that so they are able to carry on together. Leadership skills also come in handy when relating to your members. If you approach them as a manager instead of their leader they may lose that connection with you.With that being said the Managerial side of running a Chapter also is very important. I like to think of this as the work side. When managing a Greek house you must always be on top of the logistical or behind the scenes work that many members never really get a chance to see, whether it be connecting with nationals, working with hou sing corp. , or going to IFC meetings. This is where being a manager plays a big role because with all of this work organizational skills, delegation, and planning all must take place otherwise mayhem could occur.Once things get out of hand it is hard to pull them back, that is why staying on top of everything as a manager is just as important as being the leader that everyone wants to follow. Another way to look at leadership and management in daily life is Stephen Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The book looks at how to be the most effective person you can be. The steps you need to take to do so is also a major component in the book. The 7 Habits prepares you to change your outlook on what it really means to be effective, and in turn what it takes to be a leader.Habit one is Be Proactive. Sounds pretty self-explanatory but when you look more in depth you can really learn a lot from this habit. Being proactive is the root to being effective. It is t he first step away from dependence towards independence. Being proactive means taking initiative, getting things done, and overall taking control of your life. When you become proactive you take responsibility for your choices. You learn what it means to really take accountability and get things done. Being proactive really is all about getting yourself to do what needs to be done and being accountable for that.I have personally seen myself start to be more proactive the older I get. I was a huge procrastinator when I was younger and was always rushing to get things done. Now by being more proactive I have found time to do others things and take on more responsibilities as a leader. Habit two is, begin with an end in mind. This boils down to setting goals. Whenever starting a project or taking something over know what you want to achieve when you begin. This is very important in measuring success. If you have a goal you have a target you are trying to reach.The more solidified the g oal the more prepared you can become while trying to achieve it. To begin with an end in mind is like setting a personal goal or mission statement that can be applied to everything that you do, thus knowing what you can and want to achieve. I find habit two extremely insightful. I have always been an activator, someone who loves to start things and get them off the ground, my problem sometimes is once I start I don’t know where to go. This habit is really on that I connected with because I feel it can help me solidify what I want to do and where I want to go when starting any project in my life.Habit three is put first things first. In other words it is to prioritize by importance rather than urgency. Many times people get caught up and procrastinate, leaving them behind and always rushing to catch up on due dates. In the book there is a chart called the time management matrix, which shows four quadrants. The ideal quadrant is two, if you are living in this quadrant you have your priorities in check and have some free time to enjoy life. Most people however live in quadrant one, which is crisis management and never having free time because of poor pre planning.I find this habit to be one of the more difficult ones to live by. In my â€Å"LAMP†planning was my lowest strength on the management side. I struggle with putting first things first because sometimes I literally do not put first things first. This is something since reading the seven habits that I know I need to work on for my own leadership and management needs. Habit four is think win-win. This chapter explains all the different types of people that are out there. It explains that some people are out there only working for the good of themselves and do not care if they push anyone down to get where they want.This chapter focuses on looking at life from the perspective of win-win. Therefore everyone is no worse off than before. If we always went into a deal looking for the best option fo r both parties then things would run a lot smoother. This habit teaches us that making the right call and doing the right thing will propel you further than if you are only looking out for your own self interest and nothing else. I feel that I am pretty acclimated with this habit. I have always been the type to seek mutual agreements on deals or trades.I feel that by both parties becoming better off there is more room for working together or trading again in the future. Someone who only looks out for themselves will end up burning many bridges and will have no one to rely on soon enough. Habit Five is seek first to understand, then to be understood. This means to listen to someone, really listen to someone. Habit five is all about understanding someone, fully listening and caring about what they say. In turn they will do the same for you. Empathetic listening is key when connecting and seeing where someone is coming from. This is a great characteristic to have as a leader.When someo ne feels like they are really being heard, then they will make a conscious effort to hear you out. This will in turn create an environment of complete unity and will make it that much easier to get things done when you can see from others points of views and they can see from yours. I feel that I have been getting better at understanding first then seeking to be understood. Many times during the beginning of my Presidency I would try to be heard first, what I noticed is that nobody listens when all you want is to be heard. Everybody has a voice and those voices need to have the opportunity to share.Once I learned this many people who I had never even connected with much before my term started coming to me for daily advice because I would actually listen to them. In turn I found myself with a mass support system within the house. Habit Six, Synergize. To combine the strengths of everyone in the group for cohesive and effective teamwork is what synergy is all about. You can also use s ynergy to bring all seven habits together as well. Once you can figure out a way to make them all work then the habits almost condense into one proactive effective lifestyle. To truly understand synergism you must understand and trust the process.The whole is greater than the sum of its parts is a great way to think about synergism. Working to combine the best attributes of people into one is very hard to do but with synergy you must trust others and trust yourself. Synergy can even be related to work, using synergistic energy to bring new ideas and methods is vital to keep things moving and to renew. I feel that because of my Leadership studies minor I have been able to see strengths in people and work together with them implementing my strengths to maximize the potential of the group and do the best job that we can.I also noticed that working as a team and feeding off of others ideas really gets the engines going, creating a better work environment and creating healthy competition . Habit 7, Sharpen the Saw. This is taking a step back, viewing where you are, your goals, and life and really taking the time to meditate and think of how you are effective, and more importantly how you can become even more effective. When you â€Å"Sharpen the Saw†you are taking the time to focus on you. This can even be things like working on your physical health and mental well being.This is very important because if you feel tired, overworked, or stressed it is time to re-evaluate everything and have a plan to better yourself. I like to think of sharpening the saw as if I am looking at my effectiveness and goals from an outsiders view and how I can grow to become a better leader. I feel that I do not take enough time to do this. , partially because I do not manage my time as well as I would like to, to really evaluate myself and how I am doing. I do find it is really difficult to revisit my strengths and weaknesses and how to improve them because I am too worried about how everyone else is doing.When looking at the seven habits and the move from dependence, to independence, and ultimately interdependence I see how the seven habits can really be effective. I found that the seven habits, if utilized correctly can really change your life. The book however in my opinion goes too in-depth about how to use the habits. I feel that it could be condensed, giving more information about the habit itself, and less about how to live your life. The habits should be interpreted by each person from their own standpoint because everyone will use them differently.The part of the book I connected with most was the circle of concern and the circle of influence. This really hit the nail on the head for me. I find myself worried about too much instead of figuring out ways to use my influence to change them. If I was less concerned, and more influential the problems I face would not be there in the first place. This is something I have tried to work on ever since readin g Covey’s book. I also have become more aware of myself. Habit 7 opened my eyes to the fact that I really do need to take care of myself more. By doing this I can effectively use the other six habits to my advantage.Overall I found the habits to be a guide for how to not only be a leader, but how to live life. The habits themselves are great tools to use in a leadership position or to just become a better person. The habits paired with my strengths and my management styles really all coincide. Now I just need to take what I know, take a step back and see how I can apply it to my everyday routine. I want to live like my favorite quote says, â€Å"Don’t count the days, make the days count. †Muhammad Ali. The only way to make the days count is hard work, effort, and the application of my strengths and the seven habits.
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