Pans Labyrinth Analysis

Visual Cues, Harassed Symbolism and the Grim Fantasy Unlike other blissfully enchanted film genres, this evocative fairytale becomes a surreal escape into the work of Guillermo Del Toro. This chilling story confines make believe verses reality through the eyes of a young girl. Two worlds are represented within Pan’s Labyrinth, a cold hard fascist regime in Spain, and a captivating fantasyland both conveyed through visual story telling.The striking surrealism of the fantasy world becomes reflections in reality, providing small visual cues that increase as the story unfolds, unveiling a grim interaction between Ophelia and the new world she has encountered. The style becomes the narrative within the film, and the use of mise-en-scene assists the films explicit meaning, by providing connections between the merging worlds. Del Toro uses standard and non-standard approaches in film, which speaks to the audience either intentionally or through the sub conscious, so the contrast of r eality and imagination is rendered.The style throughout Pan’s Labyrinth is essential for creating dramatic dynamic throughout the film; the attention to detail becomes a fierce component to mise-en-scene, and harasses symbolism. In the beginning of the scene, Ofelia walks toward the camera in pursuit of the little creature she seen during her travels. The facial expression is bewildering, however she wants to learn more. The aspiration to study new ideas can be seen physically while she seizes onto her books, meanwhile helpers unload her other items. The grasp on her books becomes the distinguisher between make believe and reality.As Ofelia moves towards the camera, she drops her stack of books, implying that she has let go of her reality to track the small inquisitive creature. During this, men are walking around in uniform, emphasizing the strict, bleakness and harsh reality of Ofelias new circumstance. Men lined in a row suggest that this new place is in order, with routin e that shall not be disturbed and certainly no place for a wandering imagination. As Ofelia runs toward the forest, she is running towards her new destiny, juxtaposing her willingness to escape, fleeing her new reality.Upon her arrival into the forest, the labyrinth is introduced for the first time. Dark shadows are casted among the rock representing the certain unknown that will be faced. The first pathway leading into the Labyrinth is brightly lit, as to appear welcoming and warming. The dissimilarity between the darkness of the gateway and the lightness of the path can be inferred as a certain warning, some danger will be introduced before the underworld can be reached. As Ofelia walks towards the entrance, taking small, slow steps, the feeling becomes an automatic switch from reality to fantasy, and a sense of falling down the rabbit hole arises.The entrance into the Labyrinth appears untouched, with moss and shrubs growing over the walls, a clear contrast from the cruel sadisti c community ran by the Captain. The walls appear to be weathered and diminishing in time, the time it has taken to find the lost princess. The serenity of the space develops into a piece of tranquility from the outside world paired with an illusion of hope for Ofelia, a new escape she will soon learn of. Throughout Pan’s Labyrinth, shallow color is used with a lot of grey and neutral tones casted in the real world, compared to the rich feast of colors in the underworld.During this sequence however, the two worlds have not yet been distinguished, so the color differentiation is subtle, warm colors are used that provide a sense of comfort. Dark shadows are casted among the walls making the unknown prevalent to the viewer, directing our eye down the dark path that leads further into the Labyrinth. These colors suggest a belonging for Ophelia, a place where she is wanted back. This feeling never goes away for Ofelia, she engages in different levels to get a chance at her new life in the fantasy world.Becoming homesick for a place she has never been or remembers. The clothing plays a role in sustaining the mise-en-scene in this film. Ofelia is dressed in drab clothing along with her mother. Fabricating the lifestyle from which they came from, and a disparity that is latched onto them when being brought to this new home. They instantly become the outsiders from the beginning, largely recognized during the panning shot of the camp while Ofelia becomes more intrigued by the fairies return. Tight, uniformed men lined up in a row contrasted against a young curious, dowdy girl.The style of clothing not only distinguishes the relationship between the newcomers, Ofelia and her Mother, to the military camp, but also positions an extra connection between Ofelia and Mercedes. As Mercedes arrives to explain the Labyrinth to Ofelia, her clothes are ordinary and dull much like that of Ofelia. The dissimilar impression that Mercedes has from the camp appeals to Ofelia, and a relationship is bonded. The clothing becomes a staple into the closeness that these two characters will later share.This relationship is not only choice of style, rather the desire for an escape. When the solider comes up and asks for Mercedes, despair reaches across her face as she turns around, placing Ofelia in the background of the shot, but quickly the young girl reaches back up to Mercedes, sustaining their relationship has began. Trust has started to build when Ofelia explains the relationship or lack of one with the Captain, as Mercedes wraps her arm around Ofelia, completing the security of their relationship.These small visual cues help the viewer establish ideas, which the Story may soon lead into. Becoming aware of these chosen elements can help viewers foresee story components. Mise-en- scene formulates the style as a form of story telling. Guillermo Del Toro approach is surreal and provides a lot of stylistic choice in compelling this masterfully crafted fairytale. Pan’s Labyrinth becomes less about the explicit meaning; yet rather the implied visual indicators leads the viewer to reflect more about the significance then the story.

Quality Oversight in Health Care Organizations Essay

Quality Oversight in Health Care Organizations . Quality of care and patient safety has become a driving force in the delivery of health care in the twenty-first century. Your paper should address the following: 1. Explain the role of quality oversight in health care organizations and elaborate on how non-clinical personnel contribute to the process. 2. Identify and describe three stakeholder organizations or agencies that contribute to quality oversight within health care organizations in a substantial way. Include at least one government and one non-government organization/agency that focuses on quality of care within the health care field. 3. Answer the following questions for each organization/agency: a. How does this organization/agency contribute to quality of care and patient safety? b. What specific types of oversight does this organization/agency provide? c. What are some of the repercussions that a health care organization could face for violating the standards of the organization/agency? 4. Compare and contrast the three organizations/agencies. 5. Who are some of the other stakeholders involved in promoting quality of care in health care and what role do they play? 6. Given the vast amount of mandatory regulations imposed upon the health care industry, explain why a health care organization might subject itself to participate in voluntary accreditation activities. Don’t use artificial stimulants so you can stay up and study longer. Caffeine and other stimulants can wreak havoc with your sleep schedule and your health. Since sleep time is just as important. Don’t use artificial stimulants so you can stay up and study longer. Caffeine and other stimulants can wreak havoc with your sleep schedule and your health. Since sleep time is just as important as study time, you need to be able to rest when you can. Finding the right balance between studying and sleeping is a better strategy for acing tests.

Quantitative analysis Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Quantitative analysis - Article Example nt the research question in the introduction, but it is evident from the flow of ideas in this section that they are interested in understanding if Icelandic nursing homes are meeting quality care standards through the MDS. The article did not present distinct research question/hypothesis, although it expressed its research goals that can be paraphrased into research questions. The research questions are: What are the trends for quality of care for nursing homes? Is there a connection between the quality variables in the MDS and the health and functional profile of elderly resident participants? The independent variables are the quality indicators and the dependent variables are patient health conditions and functional profile. The research questions have sufficient experiential/scientific background because of the prevalence of undertakings on studies regarding quality of care across the world, though they are not placed in any specific theoretical background. The researchers did not discuss how they conducted their search strategy for their review of literature. Nonetheless, the introduction sufficiently provides important published articles on the context of the research, including quality of care measurement in general and the particular care needs of residents of nursing homes in specific. In addition, the study employed a useful conceptual framework that guided their study through emphasizing the value of the MDS to their research context. Furthermore, they made it clear what their study was adding to the literature through the section, What This Paper Adds (Hjaltadà ³ttir et al., 2012, p.1343). This section shows what their contributions to nursing research are. The researchers controlled the potential impact of history on the internal validity of the study through eliminating participants with readmissions to nursing homes after spending time in hospitals because the latter can have an effect on the health status of participants. The researchers

Nuclear Proliferation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Nuclear Proliferation - Essay Example This paper illustrates that the Kellogg- Briand Pact of 1928 was a treaty signed to bring to end wars between countries in Europe. The International safeguards system has attempted to contain the spread of nuclear weaponry. Later in 1968, a treaty on Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was signed to see to it that there were no cases of nuclear technology spreading especially to new states. This treaty is by far the only confirmation that nations using nuclear weapons were to see to it that disarmament was achieved. It was also to ensure that the spread of nuclear technology to careless and malicious people was curbed. Vertical and horizontal proliferation have been issues of concern. Over 190 parties are in consent with this treaty probably because of the fear that these nuclear weapons may end up in the hands of terrorists or failed states. The bombing of Hiroshima and then Nagasaki city three days later were considered the two single terror acts ever. The U.S.A planned to attack Japan so as to subdue it. Before America attacked Japan and other states, it sent leaflets around warning them of the impending attacks. The leaflets further said that the U.S.A was aware of these cities harboring warehouses and factories with nuclear weapons. The leaflets also said that there was need to end the war and that the only way this was going to be achieved is by sabotaging all the weapons of mass destruction. America administered this warning with the aim of making the civilians flee the mentioned cities before the attacks. This sanction that was placed on Japan was not out of spite for the Japanese people but the weapons that were made in that country. This event in history is important as it looks into the ways that different states used so as to curb the problem of weapons of mass destruction falling into the wrong hands. In this case, America was aware that the weapons under the custody of Japan were going to fuel the World War II further. The Japanese government sur rendered on 10th August 1945.

The Scientific Proof behind Marijuana Effects on Humans Essay

The Scientific Proof behind Marijuana Effects on Humans - Essay Example The debate on the legalization of marijuana to be used as a medical substance has lasted for a very long time whereby there are those who are for the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes, and there are others who strongly are against its legalization. The argument on either side is based on the benefits and risks associated with such a move whereby those who think that legalizing marijuana for medical use is beneficial to support its legalization, however, those who think that it would be riskier to legalize marijuana oppose the move. In order to understand the raging debate over legalization of marijuana, it is critical to understand the different views expressed by both sides and it is only after establishing the underlying points and issues that we can be able to have an insight into the debate surrounding marijuana in the USA. There are advantages of marijuana as espoused by the supporters of its legalization whereby the scientific studies have proved that marijuana has some medical value. This is not a new idea because marijuana has been used in the past for medical purposes in the treatment of various ailments classified under therapeutic and palliative groups. In addition to that, smoked cannabis is not only safe but is also effective in the treatment and management of diseases and conditions such as; nausea, pain, AIDs-related weight loss, and palliative care diseases. Nevertheless, marijuana usually makes a person feel high, or have a sense of well being that is why it is abused.

The Making of the American Revolution in Virginia Research Paper

The Making of the American Revolution in Virginia - Research Paper Example According to the research the people of Virginia were reluctant to sever their ties with Great Britain. Having been governed and influenced by a traditional and affluent group of farmers for much of the 18th century, the people of Virginia viewed their cultural and economic wealth at the mercy of favorable affiliations with the mother country. However, with the drastic changes after the Indian and French War, such as unfair British taxes, rapid swelling of multicultural and heterogeneous population, settlement growth in the interior, and the effect of an oppressive labor system, a large number of Virginians became disappointed with the colonial government. According to Woody Holton, the author of Forced Founders: Indians, Debtors, Slaves, and the Making of the American Revolution in Virginia, the colonial aristocracy of Virginia, which is the most renowned nobility in America, did not rashly take part in the revolution but was provoked by other groups and individuals. The historical account of Holton celebrates the Ohio Indians, whose efforts in supporting a wide-ranging confederation forced Britain to implement the 1763 Proclamation Line and abiding by it, thus spoiling the desires of land opportunists like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Holton puts the slaves of Virginia into the picture, who were persuading Governor John Dunmore to accept their services prior to his release of the well-known 1775 declaration and whose pursuit of independence drew the attention of a vast population throughout the colony, encouraging loyalists like William Byrd to join the patriots’ cause.... hites, renters, and smallholders whose choice to hold back the selling of tobacco in 1773 set off the campaign for non-exportation and whose claims for freedom reinforced the ultimate separation from the colonial government. It was the resistance and struggle of these people against the newly developed and unequally organized minuteman—members of squads of chosen individuals during the American Revolution—businesses that presented the first notion of a different political system in the colony and that alongside occupant conflicts and rebellions over poverty and other hardships to generate a grassroots revolution. Holton’s Virginia Holton (1999) discusses how the motives of the affluent Virginian nobility collided with the interests of the British traders and the Indians. The nobility had long aimed to enlarge their land holdings and thereby riches to comprise the region of Kentucky, a source of subsistence for numerous Indian populations. In order to resist the i ncursion of the White people, the Cherokee, the Delaware, and the Shawnee triumphed over their past conflict and cleverly collaborated to build a union. Great Britain, frightened of a disastrous pan-Indian conflict, initially released the 1763 Proclamation which disallowed every effort toward further colonialism and afterward, ratified in Quebec Act in 1774, giving all contested territories to the region of Quebec. The conflict of the nobility with British traders emanated from the Navigation Acts. This decree obliged Virginians to sell their tobacco only to the mother country. The settlers were deeply indebted to the traders somewhat due to their own extravagance, but they also attributed their huge debts to the decrease in earnings from selling tobacco (Holton 1999). The House of Burgesses proposed a

Research Methodologies Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Research Methodologies - Assignment Example des the people who are categorized in elderly group, the increasing and widening gap, the people with disabilities and also dismantling the welfare of the public sector. The main purpose and aim of the study is to determine the organizational development of the human services in the multicultural organizational development and also determining the barriers or the obstacles towards the successful change in the organizational development. In the research paper it highlights and focuses that racial and color biasness is the main problem and obstacle that is faced in the organizations because the organizations generally prefer to hire and provide the position of the management to the people who have fair and good complexion which is creating a racial discrimination in the organization and it has been observed through an qualitative survey and study and the research was conducted in the metropolitan area of England (Gummerson, 2000). The process that is included in the above figure assist and helps the organization in overcoming the barrier in the organizational development and this framework can be adopted for integrating the cultural variety in the organizations. The literature review of the article on multicultural development in the human services have emphasized and focused on the various aspects such as the socio political environment which explains that the organizations mainly faces the threat and the problems from the unstable economy and the broader environment and the barrier towards the multicultural development in the sociopolitical environment are privatization, downsizing and fiscal cutbacks that is mainly dominated and surpassed the human services, the other challenge that is faced towards the organizational development is the issues or the problems that is related to the workload and in this perspective it has been observed that the weak leadership is considered as the main reason for the failure for the promotion in the multicultural work

Govt research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Govt research paper - Essay Example (United Nations 2011) The World Tourism Organisation, or UNWTO, serves as a tool where tourism policy matters can be discussed and also helps in developing tourism proficiency among the participating nations. UNWTO plays a vital role in decision-making for the development of tourism that is accessible among nations. Priority is given to developing countries. This organisation has already achieved a significant milestone in line with its aspirations. In 2010, arrivals of tourists around the world have increased to 7% and international tourism has reached export earnings of â‚ ¬693 billion. Furthermore, the level of economic recovery has been high due to fast growth of arrivals. During the first quarter of 2011, arrivals of tourists worldwide went up to 5%. The impacts of global financial and economic crises to tourism during 2008 to 2009 have been addressed and resolved by UNWTO. UNWTO monitors about 150 countries which provide monthly and quarterly reports on international tourist arrivals to UNWTO. In the last quarter of 2011, positive results were shown by 122 countries while only 27 of them submitted negative results. (UNWTO 2011) UNWTO did not really fail in its undertakings, though it is but normal for it to undergo certain challenges and have some room for improvements. In 2007, tourism had been linked to climate change since both international and domestic arrivals and trips had been contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Likewise, the tourism industry back then was likely to suffer from the effects of climate change. Eventually, changes in climate trends might have threatened tourism in those countries where climate greatly affect tourism like in Northern Europe, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. The biggest challenge here was for UNWTO to balance its solutions to the setbacks in tourism while striving to reduce emissions of

Alternative education Essay Example for Free

Alternative education Essay E-learning is an excellent option in education, particularly when there are hindrances to traditional learning situations. For example, some people wish to continue their educations but do not live within driving distance of a college or university and dont find it feasible to relocate. E-learning is a viable alternative for these students. Another hindrance to traditional learning, especially in grades K through 12, is the one size fits all mentality it embraces. Many students just do not learn well in a traditional learning environment, but thrive in a more flexible setting. To address this issue, parents are turning to e-learning opportunities for their children. Some choose full-time enrollment in a virtual school, while others use e-learning to supplement a home school curriculum. In the business world, e-learning provides a way for companies to train and instruct employees without requiring them to travel to a central location. Convenience is one of the major advantages of e-learning. It allows students to work and learn at their own pace without the unyielding time restrictions of traditional learning. Because e-learning provides access to learning materials at any time, students have the flexibility to schedule around families, jobs and other activities. Another major benefit of e-learning is the accessibility it provides. Students can learn from anywhere in the world. This is an especially important consideration for students who wish to study in a different country. In addition, because e-learning can be done from home, students have less clothing and driving expenses than with traditional learning. A major disadvantage to e-learning is the self-discipline it requires. While being able to work at your own pace can be an advantage, it can also be a disadvantage. This is especially true for students who have difficulty with time management and procrastination. These students tend to be more successful with the structure of traditional learning. Another disadvantage to e-learning is the technology involved. Some people do not have ready access to a computer and Internet connection. And some who do have the required equipment feel ill-equipped to use it. Lack of interaction between teacher and student is another drawback to e-learning. Some students need the immediate feedback that interaction provides. E-learning greatly increases the availability of educational opportunities. Unfortunately, it also increases the number of scams related to online education. Persons considering e-learning possibilities should be alert to such scams and thoroughly investigate any program before making a commitment.

Battle Royal. Ralph Ellison Essay Example for Free

Battle Royal. Ralph Ellison Essay I felt like he had never experienced racism to the extent that he did that day. I believe that he walked into the â€Å"smoker† believing the white people were actually interested in what he had to say. He was even prideful thinking that he was better than the other boys he was forced into the elevator with â€Å"I felt superior to them in my way, and I didn’t like the manner in which we were all crowded together into the servants’ elevator† (pg. 287). The author writes about them being packed into this elevator designated for â€Å"servants. I pictured animals set for slaughter, which was not far from what the battle was, packed into a cart terrified and bewildered. Perhaps the young man believed that times had changed from when his grandfather was alive. Like the average teenager he may have believed that no one can understand the culture and the time quite like they can. He may have thought that his grandfather’s perspective was that of a bitter old man and that white people really did care about him and the rest of his people. The grandfather’s deathbed words affect the protagonist character throughout the story like the haunting of a ghost. His words tell the young man to act how the white people would like and say what they would have him say. At first I thought he was telling his grandson to stay the same and accept oppression as a way of life. In actuality I think he was telling him that he would get further acting correctly then he would by lashing out or acting irrationally. I think the grandpa knew that in order to gain respect you must act like they expected instead of becoming a radical for change. I think that essentially he was trying to tell his family to â€Å"kill them with kindness. Many symbols were present in this story. The naked blonde woman who was forced to dance in front of the men is the first. I believe that, much like the men, the blonde was a victim. The author even says that when they picked her up and tossed her around she had â€Å"terror and disgust in her eyes. † (pg. 288) To the black men she symbolized something that they were not allowed to have. I thought that although she was w hite she was still a victim to the powerful men of the town. She was forced into the ring the same way that the black men were. It seemed as if the author wanted to illustrate the complete disregard these white â€Å"powerful† men had for any one else. The American flag tattoo on the woman’s belly was ironic. I think that the flag, to many people, symbolizes freedom and rights. People around the world associate the American flag with freedoms unlike those in any other country. I think that on the stomach of the blonde woman it was a slap in the face. The black men saw the flag on her body and knew that they could not have her, nor could they have the freedoms that they were entitled to as citizens of this country. The flag shook and waved with the movements of her body, taunting the men. Waving at them, as if beckoning them to come to her, yet they were unable to because of their skin color. Much like the liberties of the United States that waved themselves in the face of the black people but they could not have because of their skin color. The author mentioned red, white and blue multiple times in the story. I thought that the references to the colors symbolic to this country were interesting. I think he used them much the same as he used the flag on the woman’s stomach. They were symbols exclusive to the United States, which is supposed to be a place of freedom; however the black people were only allowed to take part half way. The author spoke of the men’s red faces from their drinking, and the lipstick of the young woman was also red. The men were white along with the dancers skin which was a stark contrast to the young men she was surrounded by. I think that it is ironic that white is often associated with good, or innocence while black is symbolic of darkness or wickedness. In this story the roles were reversed. The white people were wicked and the black people were victims. Smoke in large quantities creates a blue haze like what might have been present in the ballroom. I think that it is interesting the use of blue because it can be associated with suffocation. I think that is what the white men were doing to the black men. They were suffocating them with their presence and their oppression. The coins that they were forced to scramble for off of the electric mat were terribly sad. They were for cars, which surely none of the men could afford. I thought it was sad they were scrambling for little amounts of money or none at all. Finally the last thing I think that was symbolic was the scholarship. While it was a great gift from the community, I think that it was also another stab at black people and their place in society. By giving the young man a scholarship to the state’s leading black college the town was saying that he was allowed the opportunity to further his education but had to remain in his place amongst the other black people. I thought that the fight the men were fighting was not just against the white people. Sadly the white people turned the black people on one another. The white’s did everything they could to tear the black people down including letting them tear each other apart. I think that the older perspective allows for us to see how he had developed as a man. He has education and a broader perspective on the world. The 17 year olds perspective was very narrow because he had not yet seen the crimes white people were capable of. The older man was not surprised or phased by the way that white people behaved with regards to blacks. I also think that as he grew older he found a part of himself that lacked.

Challenges Faced By The Virgin Atlantic Commerce Essay

Challenges Faced By The Virgin Atlantic Commerce Essay Nowadays globalization has increased so competitions in business are very high because of making profits the demand increases through customers. There are lots of good smart phone applications, or app, available for smart phones to help every people to travel easier. People are addicted to travel in different places by flights, so they are looking for cheap rate. If this company decrease the flight charges their marketing in business will be in loss. One really good one is flight track. This flight land at fix time and gate number and even allow to see the geographical position of the flight on a map at any time. In this flight offers many facilities like food, water, drinks ,napkins with free of cost travelers make wonderful journey for their trips on this flight.Many airlines such as southwest,jetblue and others have launched applications which let you book your tickets ,lookup schedules and check in all in phones so customers can book tickets through online and tickets were posted in houses. A few days ago virgin Atlantic came out with app and is called JET LAG FIGTHER which seems to have a lot of potentials for people. In some emergency case workers, families in serious can immediately book on this flight. This aircraft is fastest rather than any other aircraft. TASK1 For years theres been something rather lonely about the British airline its very expensive travelers to travel. The food which they provide is not free of cost. The British airline which flies outside the comforting embrace of the big three alliances, despite the 49%stake owned by the Singapore airline a member of star alliances. That could set to change , though with virgin having now admitted to receiving a number of lines of enquiry. Theres something rather inevitable about a deal for virgin. British airways are very expense this aircraft makes difficult to gain their profits. Its a big rival working ever more closely with American airlines and international air transport associations, virgins continuing survival as a lone operator just seems too shaky. Leadership style is the manner and approach of providing direction, implementing plans and motivating people. Kurt Lewis (1939) led a group of researchers to identify different styles of leaderships.The three major style of leadership are AUTHORITIAN OR AUTOCRATIC PARTICIPATVE OR DEMOCRATIC DELEGATING OR FREE REIGN AUTHORITIAN-This style is used when leaders tell their employees what they want done and how they want it accomplished without getting the advice of their followers .Some of the appropriate conditions to use it is when we all the information to solve the problem. Some people tend to think of this style as a vehicle for yelling ,using demeaning language and leading by threats and abusing their powers. PARTICIPATIVE(DEMOCRATIVE)-This style involves the leader including one or more employees in the decision making process. However leader maintains the final decision making authority.Using this style is not a style of weakness, rather it is sign of strength that your employees will respect. This is normally used when you have part of the information and your employees have other parts. DELEGATING OR FREE REIGN-In this style leaders allow to make the decisions. However the leader is still responsible for the decisions that are made.This is used when employees are able to analyse the situations and determine what needs to be done and how to do it. Leadership is organizing a group of people to achieve a common goal. The leader may or may not have formal authority.Students of leadership have produced theories involving traits. 1.situational,interaction,function,behavior,power,visionand values. 2.charishma and intelligence and among others Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is a British entrepreneur best known for his virgin group of over 400companies His first successful business venture was a magazine called student at age 16.In 1970 he set up an audio record mail order business. In 1972 he opened a chain of record stores .Virgin Records later known as virgin megastores.Bransons virgin brand grew during the 1980.Branson mainly has lots of business he earned more profit for virgin atlantic.He wants to continue his business for a long time. Once he caught arrested and charged selling in virgin stores that had been declared export stock .He settled out of court with uk customs and Excise with an agreement to repay the unpaid tax and a fine. Earning enough money from his record stores. Branson in 1972 launched the record level and a country estate in which he installing a recorded studio. He have lots of professional work and have good idea to build up the companies. DETERMINING ORGANIZATION DIRECTION 1. Through an interpretation of information gathered during environmental analysis managers can determine the direction in which an organization should move. 2. Important ingredients of organizational direction are organizational Mission and organizational objectives. DETERMINING ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION: The most common initial act in establishing organizational direction is an organizational mission. The statement that describes the mission talks about the target market which in this case is families, geographic, domain of neighbourhoods. It also talks about its strategy t be profitable by providing good customer service through friendly and knowledgeable people. It is essential to look into external influences like labour, conditions, competitors, government rules while considering mission statement. Companys mission statement should define stakeholders expected return along with the measurement of the performance of the company through those returns. The expected profit too should be included in the organizations mission. Moreover, the company should come to consensus as to what all areas should be measured like margin growth, efficiency, competitive cost position, product quality, market share etc. A missions statement sets the boundaries for how resources should be allocated and what strategic and operational goals should be set. The mission statement should acknowledge the companys strength and then inform employees where to direst their efforts in order to take advantage of those strength. It is often helpful to allow companywide input when creating a mission statement. Employees from throughout the organization can help identify the core values of the company. It is important to keep in mind that there will be a draft process involving in creating the mission statement. Employees can often provide invaluable insight on how to improve on each draft. In the end the mission statement should reflect the personality of the organization. Thus each company should be creative and unique in developing its own statement. Creating a mission committee that consists of members of management, frontline employees. Communicating the mission statement to customers to make them feel valued a nd important. It can be sending to customers in a mass mailing or posted or signs in areas those customers frequent. It sets the forth the goals of the organizations so customers know what to expect when doing business with the company. Mission and vision statements give organizations a focus and a strategy for the future. Setting up meetings with members of management and frontline employees can often help uncover areas where the company does not meet the standard sets by the mission statement, SWOT ANALYSIS Organizations should begin first by reviewing internal strengths and weakness. When analyzing an organizations strength is important to identify distinctive competencies or strength possessed by only a few competing firms. These distinctive competencies often become the competitive advantage that is included in the mission statement. Distinctive competencies can be found in the financial resources, quality product and services, proprietary technology or cost advantage. Organizational weakness is skills and capabilities that prevent an organization from implementing strategies that achieve its mission. They can be problem with facilities, lack of clear strategic direction, internal operating problems, too narrow a product line, weak market image, or the inability to financial changes. The next step is to identify external opportunities are circumstances in an organizations environment that if capitalized on will result in above normal increases in economic performance. In conclusion mission statement provides a sense of direction and purpose. In times of change and growth they can be an anchor and a guide in decision makings. The benefit far outweigh the disadvantages and challenges when looking at the potential for increase in profitability and returns .Defining an organization by what it produce and who it satisfies are the main target towards creating a sound and stable mission statement. Setting a company apart from the competition is one of the biggest advantages. Task-3 There are two major components to your marketing strategy: how your enterprise will address the competitive market place how you will implement and support your day to day operations In todays every competitive market place a strategy that insures a consistent approach to offering your product its all up to customers how much they required. It is of little value to have a strategy if you lack either the resources or the expertise to implement it. In the process of creating a marketing strategy you must consider many factors. Of those many factors some are more important than others.Because each strategy must address some unique considerations its not reasonable to identify every important factor at a general level. If the market is very attractive and your enterprise is one of the strongest in the industry you will want to invest your best resources in support of your offerings. If the market is very attractive and your enterprise is one of the weaker ones in the industry. A cost leadership strategy based on the concept that you produce and market good quality product or service at lower cost than your competitors. These low cost should translate to profit margins that are higher than the industry average. Some of the conditions that should exist to support a cost leadership strategy include an ongoing availability of operating capital, good process engineering skills, close management of labor, products designed for ease of manufacturing and low cost distribution. A differentiation strategy is one of the creating a product or service that is perceived is being unique throughout the industry. The emphasis can be a brand image, proprietary technology, special features, and superior services, a strong distributor network or other aspects that might be specific to your industry .This uniqueness should also translate to profit margins that are higher than the industry average. In addition some of the conditions that should exist to support a differentiation strategy include strong marketing abilities, effective product engineering, creative personal the ability to perform basic research and a good reputation. A focus strategy may be the most sophisticated of the generic strategies, in that it is a more intense form of either the cost leadership or differentiation strategy. It is designed to address a focused segment of the marketplace, product form or cost management process and is usually employed when it isnt appropriate to attempt an across the board application of cost leadership or differentiations. It is based on the concept of serving a particular target in such an exceptional manner, those others cannot compete. Usually this means addressing a substantially smaller market segment than others in the industry, but because of minimal competitions, profit margin can be high. CUSTOMER SERVICES The strength of the customer service function has a strong influence on long term market success. Factors to consider include. .Experience of the customers service manager in the areas of similar offerings and customer quality control, technical support, product documentation, sales and marketing. The availability of technical to service your offerings after it is purchased. one or more factors that causes your customer support to stand out as unique in the eyes of the customer service. Accessibility of service outlets for the customer. The reputation of the enterprise for the customer service. PROFIT POTENTIAL Potential for competitive retaliation is based on the competitors resources, commitment to the industry, cash position and predictability as well as the status of the market. The enterprises ability to construct entry barriers to competitions such as the creation of high switching costs, gaining substantial benefit from economic of scale ,exclusive access to or clogging of distributional channels and the ability to clearly differentiate your offerings from the competitions. the ability of the enterprise to limit suppliers bargaining power. The availability of substitute solutions to the prospects need. Market potential for new products considering market growth, prospects need for your offerings and the competition and the degrees of the prospect needs. The freedom of the enterprise to make critical business decisions without undue influence from distributors, suppliers, unions, investors, and other influence. COST TO ENTER MARKET This is an analysis of the factors that will influence your cost to achieve significant market penetration. Factors to consider include. your marketing strength. Access to low cost materials and effective productions. The experience of your enterprise. The complexity of introduction problems such as lack of adherence to industry standards, unavailability of materials, poor quality products, regulatory problems, and the inability to explain the benefits of the offerings to the prospects. The effectiveness of the enterprise infrastructure in terms of organization, recruiting capabilities, employee benefit programs, customer support facilities and logistical capabilities. Distribution effectiveness as measured by the history of relations, the extent of channel utilizations ,financial facilities stability, reputations ,access to prospects and familiarity with your offering. Technological efforts likely to be successful as measured by the strength of the development organization. The availability of adequate operating capital. PRODUCTION The strength of the production manager including experience with personnel management, current and new technologies, complex projects and equipments, tools used by the manufacturing personnel. Economies of scale allowing the sharing of production and the potential for vertical integration. Technology and production experience. The necessary production personnel skill level and or the enterprises ability to hire or train qualified personnel. The ability of the enterprise to limit suppliers bargaining power. The ability of the enterprise to control the quality of raw materials and product. Adequate access to raw materials and sub-assembly production. TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS Technology is an outgoing process and BAS competition like virgin Atlantic is also in for the challenge .Virgin Atlantic airlines invested in innovative features that distinguish the company name. The use of information technology and internet are key factors in BAS strategy success and efficiency of the organizations. British Airways recognized this opportunity and turned in to one of its strength. On the other hand Technology advancements may also be a threat to the airline industry. As an example video conferencing may reduce business travel. Another example its internet bookings which are allowing greater price transparency thus leading to aggressive price battles between competitions, resulting in less profit marketing and leading to a less effective financial positions. MARKETING STRATEGY BA lacks of a marketing strategy to win customer loyalty. A weakness that has to be addressed by the organization. It is argued that BA is growing thanks to the globalization and travelers needs rather than to the effectiveness of the marketing campaigns. Despite the great infrastructure hosted by the company.BA needs to carry out better marketing schemes to attract prospective travelers .The company suffers from a deprivation of strategic management strategy to keep its goal aligned with growing market trends to match needs of the future. Virgin Atlantic is being proactive and is currently reviewing it global advertising strategy in a move to increase its advertising effectiveness that could lead to an overhaul of its worldwide arrangement. MAKING STRATEGIC PLANNING MORE EFFECTIVE Rigby has found there is no co relation between satisfaction with financial results and the number or type of strategic management tools used by an organization. The connection between strategies and business results is not perfect because reality usually interference. Reality may interfere internally as when a company is unable to execute its intended strategy, or externally as when events such as competitive response, technological innovation or societal trends affect the business environment. As a result of this week connection the planning process has a limited ability to influence the strategic direction of the enterprise .Most planning process does not work very well. Simpson offered some tips on what planners could do to improve the effectiveness of the planning process. He suggested minimizing the size of the planning function, expanding participation in the planning process, and keeps planning as far away from finance as possible. He noted that a large planning staff tends just to create work and that is important for managers of the functions and business unit to do their own planning .In this way they do the thinking have the insights and are invested in the implementation and results. The business needs to own their plans and against having the corporate planning staff review and critique and an operating department plans. While reducing the size of the planning staff .Planning must become non-elitist and less exclusionary, understanding what business they are in and what value the organization adds. The organization is purpose and strategy flow from the business data. THE THREAT OF TECHNOLOGY Common practices of good management, according to Professor Clayton often sow the seeds of eventual failure; because they are biased towards incremental improvement rather than radical change .He identify two types of technological change, very few established companies have managed to stay top of the change and stay ahead of upstairs competitors. Adopting these disruptive technologies would have caused currently lucrative product lines to become obsolete more rapidly .Companies stumble in the face of technological change for all kinds of reasons, including complacency and arrogance. Failure may be the price of success as companies become captive to once successful paradigms. The gap between what the market requires and what technology is providing creates opportunities for the introduction of radically new technologies. Discontinuities occur when a new technology gives the market smaller, cheaper products with fewer features, less performance or lower quality. Disruptive technologies will not have all the features valued by the mainstream market but may very well serve the needs of the significant portion or an emerging the ability to record. TASK-4 LEADERSHIP SKILL Having this process in place is vital to the organization because the individual identified in the plan will eventually be responsible for ensuring the company is able to tackle future challenges. These high potential candidates must be carefully selected and then provided training and development that gives them skills and competencies needed for tomorrows business environment. Another reason its important is because these high potential will one day become the leaders of the company. This is why their development needs to incorporate a broad range of learning opportunities in your organizations. The individuals should also exposed to as much of the working environment as possible that they gain a good understanding of what the company requires to remain successful. Succession planning is one of those initiatives that many companies dont find the time to start until its too late. If you dont address succession planning now your organization may end up facing the burden in the middle of a crisis. Finally organization understand the need to manage the development of their high performers are step ahead of their competitors. The effort required to establish a development program for future leaders is worthwhile because it creates motivated and capable groups of employees that are ready to move forward in the organization when the need arise. Succession planning is not something a well run company consequences is not being prepared to replace key personnel will have a major impact on organizations ability to achieve its goal and strategic targets. The succession planning needs to be consider as part of the companys strategic planning process because it deals with projecting future changes by anticipating management vacancies and then determining how to meet these challenges. The group turnover is in billions consisting of over 200 companies. The differences in approach from a typical multinational company are: 1) LONG TERM PLANNING-The group is privately held and in the decision making public investors are not involved. Hence the decision is taken from the long term growth perspective. The group does not need to focus on short term profit to show performance in the stock market. 2) COMPANIES OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY-The group is loosely structured under common brand name .The private companies run safely. 3) Containing company wise risk-When a company grows beyond a specific size, the company is divided in two or more. These keep company manageable and while minimizing the impact of its failure in the group. 4) NEW PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION -The group identifies new market and product based on the analysis of the existing market. The existing market for the new market is frequently either a monopoly or oligopoly.

Stem Cell Research Can Help the Sick :: Stem Cell Research

Stem cell research is a very complex argument. There are people that feel that stem cell research should not have even been introduced into our society. However, there are others that feel that stem cell research could change many lives. Those who feel it could change many lives are right in many people’s eyes. With the advancement of stem cell research, we would be able to help many people with such diseases as heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Stem cells could also help others with dibilating diseases and those who have suffered some very unfortunate accident. One particularly known person who supports the stem cell research was Christopher Reeves, who was paralyzed in an accident. Other people that believe that the research is unethical since the best way to get stem cells is from embryos, in which the embryo is killed in order to take the stem cells. The biggest obstacle for stem cell research would have to be, killing the human embryo in order to take the stem cells. Many of those that oppose the research believe that is murder, since many religions, such as the Catholic Church, believe that the embryo has a soul, therefore, it is considered murder and a sin. There are other ways of getting the cells, which do not require the killing of embryos. One way to get the stem cells would be from taking them from an adult source. However, those are sometimes not as abundant as those taken from embryos. There is a chance that the cells could be harvested from the Umbilical cords donated from newborns. There are other instances of the cells being taken from those of aborted babies. If the mothers do not want to keep the baby, why not have them donated to the stem cell research, in order to help someone else. Also, there are the embryos that are left in the fertility clinics. Those embryos are going to be destroyed anyway, why not donate t hose that are grown to the stem cell research. With the stem cell research, there could be many lives saved by the research alone. However, there is no estimate to the lives that stem cell research could save and there is no number of those that have been saved by stem cell research. In fact, there is no human research to date that states that stem cells are going to work.

The Life And Times Of Al Capone Essay -- essays research papers

The Life and Times of Al Capone Alphonse Capone was born in New York City by two parents Gabriel and Teresa Capone. Capone's parents immigrated to the United States in 1893 from Naples, Italy. Capone came from a large family and was the fourth oldest of nine children. (Kobler 10). As a child, Capone was very wise when it came to living on the streets of New York. He had a clever mind when it came to street smarts. As far as school goes, Capone was a near-illiterate. He came from a poor neighborhood in Brooklyn, so education was not a top priority.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At about the age of eleven Capone became a member of a juvenile gang in his neighborhood. While this was taking place, around the year 1900, about eleven percent of all the foreign born population in the United States were Italian. Capone was forced to either deal with a miserable low wage job with a hopeless future or make an improvement for himself by committing first minor, then serious crimes. Al Capone's philosophy was that laws only applied to people who had enough money to live by them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   While in the â€Å"Bim Booms† gang, Capone was taught how to defend himself with a knife, and with a gun. By the time Capone reached the sixth grade he had already become a street brawler. Capone never responded well to authority and for this very reason his schooling would soon come to an end. While attending school, Capone was responsible for beating a female teacher and knocking her to the ground. The principal of the school rushed in and punished young Capone and for this very reason he would never return to school again. (Sifakis 603)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After dropping out of school, Capone took up jobs such as working as a pin-setter at a bowling alley, and working behind the counter at a candy store. Capone was terrific at pool, winning every eightball tournament held in Brooklyn. He also became an expert knife fighter. Although the â€Å"Bim Booms† gang was the first gang Capone ever entered, he was quickly picked up by the â€Å"Five Pointers†. The â€Å"Five Pointers† was the most powerful gang in New York city. The gang was headed by Johnny Torrio, and was made up of over 1,500 thugs who specialized in burglary, extortion, robbery, assault, and murder. While working ... ...lecting Capone's income could be seized. Capone had never paid any type of income tax and for this very reason he was brought up on charges of tax invasion in front of the federal court. Capone offered the federal government $400,000 to drop the case against him, but they rejected the offer. Capone was convicted and given the maximum sentence which was a $50,000 fine, court costs of $30,000, and eleven years in jail. (Nash 116 ) Capone started his sentence in an Atlanta prison. In 1934 he was transferred to Alcatraz, also known as â€Å"The Rock†. Five years later he was released from Alcatraz as a helpless paretic, due to the untreated syphilis he got from prostitutes. Later that year, Al Capone was judged insane and was released to the care of his family. (Sifakis 613 )   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In January 1947 Capone had a massive brain hemorrhage and died. His body was removed from his estate in Florida and transferred back to the seen of his underworld triumph, Chicago. The family held a private ceremony at the cemetery, but were affraid of grave robbers taking the corpse so they reburied Capone in a secret place in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. (Kobler 122)

A Portfolio of Atlantis Casino Resort

Abstract This portfolio pertains to Atlantis Casino Resort in Reno, Nevada. It discusses the facility mix adopted by the resort. Its unique selling point (USP) is drawn from its excellent customer service, reputation for luxury, and a range of activities it offers for adults, children, and the whole family. The Atlantis partners with transport companies that promote environmental sustainability, specifically those that use advanced technology in transport system. The Miossec model is applied in analysing how the resort might be a focus of destination development. This portfolio identifies problems and challenges faced by the Atlantis, as well as the means through which the resort addresses them Introduction This portfolio is about Atlantis Casino Resort. It provides a discussion of an outline of the facility mix of this resort and whether its facilities have helped in creating a unique selling point (USP). It also tackles the utilisation of sustainable transport alternatives and how the chosen resort has responded to this. Moreover, this portfolio looks at how Atlantis Casino Resort has been a focus of destination development, addressing this point by employing a resort-destination development model, the Miossec Model. Finally, the brief discusses development problems and management challenges identified by the resort and how they are being addressed. An Outline of the Facility Mix of Atlantis Casino Resort Atlantis Casino Resort is a deluxe hotel and casino located in Reno, Nevada. Its facility mix includes approximately 1,000 rooms and Jacuzzi suites, nine operating restaurants, a night club that plays live music, a concierge hotel tower, a spa, a salon, and a family entertainment room. It also offers more than 150 table games and 1,400 slots in its casino (Dallas, 2006). Aside from these, its facility mix includes Las Vegas-type shows and water sports, such as windsurfing. The resort has a tropical theme that complements its excellent customer service, apart from its reputation for luxury. It has a 14-acre waterscape that serves as its centerpiece with grottos, lagoons, and other attractions. What is unique about its facilities is this combination of adult, children, and family activities, which other casino resorts nearby do not offer (Kraus, 2007). These facilities have helped the Atlantis in creating a unique selling point (USP). USP refers to an understanding of the products or services’ uniqueness from that of the competitors (King, Kerr, Jefferies, et al, 2005). In the case of the Atlantis, such USP can be initially seen in the combination of deluxe hotel and casino, as well as its other unique features described above. It would not be common for a casino to also have a complex resort system and other facilities that the Atlantis offers, making the entire business case to cater to various ages, including adults and children. The Atlantis has hence captured these target markets in its product offering. The casino and the night club are certainly places for older people, whilst the family entertainment centre, the waterscapes, and the water sports are for children and the whole family. This would mean that a family who wants to stay in a place that offers a range of activities would choose to come to the Atlantis over some others because of its unique features. It is worth-mentioning why resorts like the Atlantis need a unique selling point. This is because the USP serves as the reason why one’s product differs from everyone else’s, which draws customers toward the resort, thereby selecting it over all the others. According to King et al. (2005), USP can be as simple as offering the friendliest welcome or the easiest booking system. In the case of the Atlantis, its unique selling points are its reputation for luxury, excellent customer service, and various product offerings, as mentioned above. Moreover, why a resort needs a USP is because it serves as a clear benefit for the resort, whereby it enables the clients to be willing to pay to satisfy their needs (King et al., 2005). An important point to consider in line with the above heading is the idea that repositioning – or changing the current position of a certain business – can take place because of various circumstances, such as the emergence of a new competitor. This is seen in an example where conference venues in some UK resorts failed to continue to fulfill the needs of customers due to lack of maintenance and product enhancement (Davidson and Rogers, 2007). In the case of the Atlantis, it may be analysed that how it has responded to the use of sustainable transport alternatives has contributed to the resort’s reputation for excellent customer service. Problems and Challenges The problems that the resort faces are the unavailability of seasonal employees during peak season and lack of job security, which is a big concern amongst employees (Glass Door, 2014). The challenges include how it can attract visitors for its family-oriented activities during lean season and increase its revenues from these activities during this period (Glass Door, 2014). How Atlantis Casino Resort Has Responded to the Use of Sustainable Transport Alternatives In terms of the use of sustainable transportation alternatives, the Atlantis Casino Resort uses transport vehicles with latest technology and low carbon emission to protect the environment (Atlas Choice, 2014) in order to accrue with its existing sustainability policy. Encouraging its employees and visitors to use public transportation will contribute to reduction in automobile pollution, a green option for transport utilisation. The Atlantis partners with green transport companies that use the latest technology for environmental friendliness. This is in accordance with the resort’s green ethos and carbon footprint (Atlas Choice, 2014). Since the Atlantis safeguards its reputation for excellent customer service, its transport service is free, fast, and convenient, and guests do not have to wait a long queue in order to enjoy the service, (Airport Shuttles, 2014), neither do they have to be bothered by carbon emissions that can be exhumed by its vehicles. This is because the resort adopts the latest non-carbon emission technology in its transport system (Atlas Choice, 2014). The transport alternative system used by the Atlantis may be viewed as sustainable because of the environmental friendliness it offers. How the Resort Might be a Focus of Destination Development This section discusses the means through which Atlantis Casino resort might be a focus of destination development, using a resort destination development model – the Miossec model. First to consider is the fact that Atlantis Casino Hotel might be a focus of destination development since it is located in a region (Reno, Nevada) with many other resorts that offer more or less similar services. Examples of these are the Aquarius Casino Resort, the Avi Resort and Casino, and the Downstream Casino Resort, which are all a combination of casino and resort. Hence, the reason for the Atlantis to be a focus of destination development is the fact that it competes with others for similar markets and must identify a suitable market positioning based on its relative strengths (e.g. Murphy, 2008). According to the Miossec model, the development of a resort area in a peripheral location starts from its initial establishment towards being a composite hierarchical tourism area in terms of historical dimensions (Krakover and Gradus, 2002). This model may be considered the most logical geographical description of destination development as it depicts a progression of such destination from its infancy through maturity (Gunn, 2014). Along with the stages of development, the reaction of prospective and actual tourists on one hand, and transportation developments on the other, are two separate aspects. The Miossec model depicts the parallel development taking place in the Atlantis Casino Resort, transportation, and number of customers. Hence, this model impliedly assumes a direct relationship amongst the growing number of attractions, transportation improvements, and increasing customer demand in the Atlantis (Krakover and Gradus, 2002). The model in fact focuses on the spatial and te mporal development of destination in relation to physical change. It identifies the interaction of four major elements influencing the resort’s destination development: (1) â€Å"the characteristics of the destination; (2) tourist behaviour; (3) mode of transportation; and (4) attitudes of residents and decision-makers† (Latkova, 2008, p. 19). Taking the Miossec model, Atlantis Casino Resort has gone through minimal developments in its initial phase. During the second phase, it went through a development as a pioneer resort in its area. In the third phase, it presented noticeable changes through which there has been expansion of a system of resorts (where the Atlantis is part) to serve an increasing number of tourists, and where residents either accept or reject the presence of such tourism development. The last stage has seen further development of the area (Latkova, 2008). Since the Atlantis is already an established luxury hotel resort in Reno, the Moissec model of destination development is relevant, particularly in this fourth stage. In terms of where the Atlantis Casino Resort would be positioned in the Moissec model, such positioning is in its destination characteristics (being a casino resort that also features family-oriented activities), analysis of tourist behaviour, considerations for an alternative transport system, and the way it takes into account the attitudes of decision-makers, such as the local government with whom it partners for environment-related matters (e.g. Latkova, 2008). In order to be different from all the others and strengthen its USP as described earlier, Atlantis could pursue the development of a visitor attraction that harmonises with its adjoining environment, such as an aquarium park that can showcase the destination and add to the number of customer activities. It could also ‘adopt’ an adjacent natural attraction and take steps to ensure it can be adequately maintained, for example, by sourcing outside funding. Here, one can see the attitudes of decision-makers being considered and applied to the development, which is the model’s key element influencing the destination development (e.g. Latkova, 2008). It has been noted that the value creation of resorts does not match that of Porter’s value chain configuration due to the non-sequential operational process embodied in a resort destination (Murphy, 2008). Hence, the destination development that Atlantis Casino Resort shall pursue does not adopt Porter’s principle but a ‘value fan,’ (Murphy, 2008) which considers a site and individual focus for its destination activities, sustained by administrative functions that are tasked to aid the entire destination. In order to assimilate the value fan into the resort’s strategic management approach, the resort must manage its tourism product mix configuration (Murphy, 2008), where the right blend of products are being developed to fulfill customer expectations and thereby create the best value prospects for them. In the Atlantis’ destination development pursuit, it is necessary to address some major principles, such as ensuring the purpose of every development item; designing for people; satisfying both functional and aesthetic aspects of the development; establishing substantial and appropriate experiences; fulfilling technical requirements; and meeting customer needs for the lowest possible cost, to mention a few (Murphy, 2008). Development Problems and Management Challenges The identified development problems for Atlantis Casino Resort are the following: (1) a possible lack of balance/leverage between financial costs and revenue from the development (Vogel, 2012); and (2) lack of sufficient knowledge and skills of existing employees for new areas of development, i.e. the aquarium park that features exhibition shows inside the aquarium, which require skillful staff (Robinson, Luck, and Smith, 2013). The Atlantis addresses the first problem by conducting a financial feasibility study, which can situate the new development within measurable and realisable goals without incurring costs that exceed the returns. For the second problem, this is tackled by providing training to staff to match the requirements of the new developments (e.g. Zainai, Radzi, Hashim et al., 2012). The management is challenged by the presence of various hotel resorts within the same area where it is located, which offer similar activities to visitors. It is therefore faced with the task of differentiating its range of product offering and activities, but is further delimited by the nature of the business, where the Porter’s value chain principle is not applicable (e.g. Murphy, 2008). This is addressed by conducting an effective marketing strategy that features the resort’s uniqueness and leverage. The Atlantis is also challenged by the need to identify excellent programmes and product schemes for the lowest price possible (Murphy, 2008). This will be addressed by doing a financial study to ensure revenue despite the lower cost offering. Conclusion This brief provides a discussion of the facility mix offered by Atlantis Casino Resort; how it responded to the utilisation of sustainable transport alternatives; how it might be a focus of destination development; and development problems and management challenges thus identified. The Atlantis is a complex facility mixing hotel and casino, with a reputation for luxury and customer service. These aspects have contributed to its USP. The resort has responded to the use of sustainable transport alternatives by partnering with environmentally friendly transport companies. The Miossec model is used to explain how the Atlantis might be a focus of destination development. This model states that there is a parallel development occurring in the resort, the transportation, and the number of customers. Development problems include a potential lack of balance/leverage between financial costs and revenue; and lack of sufficient knowledge and skills of existing employees for the new development. The Atlantis is also challenged by the presence of casino resorts within its area that offer similar services, as well as the identification of excellent programmes and product schemes for the lowest price possible. References Airport Shuttles (2014) Concierge Tower at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. Retrieved on April 23, 2014 from http://www.airportshuttles.com/reno/concierge-tower-at-atlantis-casino-resort-spa.html Atlas Choice (2014) Reno Atlantis Casino Hotel. Retrieved on April 25, 2014 from http://www.atlaschoice.us/cheap-car-hire/nevada/reno/reno_atlantis_casino_resort/address/41910/3800-s-virginia-street-reno-nv-89502-usa-nevada Dallas, J. (2006) Casino Shrine. FL: Kai Dee Marketing. Davidson, R. and Rogers, T. (2007) Marketing Destinations and Venues for Conferences, Conventions and Business Events. UK: Butterworth-Heinemann. Glass Door (2014) Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. Retrieved on May 5, 2014 from http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Atlantis-Casino-Resort-Spa-Reviews-E348105.htm Gunn, C. A. (2014) Vacationscape: Developing Tourist Areas. London: Routledge. King, B. (1997) Creating Island Resorts. London: Routledge. King, C., Kerr, A., Jefferies, M., and Brombley, D. (2005) Travel and Tourism. Oxford: Heinemann Educational Publishers. Krakover, S. and Gradus, Y. (2002) Tourism in Frontier Areas. England: Lexington Books. Kraus, N. P. (Ed.) (2007) Frommer’s USA. NJ: Wiley Publishing. Latkova, P. (2008) An Examination of Factors Predicting Residents; Support For Tourism Development. Ann Arbor: ProQuest LLC. Murphy, P. (2008) The Business of Resort Management. London: Elsevier Ltd. Robinson, P., Luck, M., and Smith, S. (2013) Tourism. Oxfordshire: CABI International. Vogel, H. L. (2012) Travel Industry Economics: A Guide for Financial Analysis. NY: Cambridge University Press. Zainai, A., Radzi, R., Hashim, R., Chik, C. T., and Abu, R. (2012) Current Issues in Hospitality and Tourism: Research and Innovations. UK: Taylor & Francis Group.

Strayer Cis500 Assignment 1

1. Compare and contrast the application of information technology (IT) to optimize police departments’ performance to reduce crime versus random patrols of the streets. In recent years, the idea of predictive policing, or the use of statistics and data to make policing decisions, has become widely popular in the United States. In 1994, the New York City Police Department adopted a law enforcement crime fighting strategy known as COMPSTAT (Computer Statistics). COMPSTAT uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map the locations of where crimes occur, identify â€Å"hotspots†, and map problem areas.COMPSTAT has amassed a wealth of historical crime data. Mathematicians have designed and developed algorithms that run against the historical data to predict future crimes for police departments. The purpose of this paper is to briefly examine predictive policing and how tools such as COMPSTAT allow police departments to respond more efficiently to criminal activity. Using information technology to fight crime by the police officers is becoming increasingly effective in apprehending the crime perpetrators.Predictive policing, or programs such as COMPSTAT, involves using data from disparate sources, analyzing them and then using the results to anticipate, prevent and respond more effectively to future crimes. â€Å"The predictive vision moves law enforcement from focusing on what will happen and how to effectively deploy resources in front of the crime, thereby changing outcomes,† writes Charlie Beck, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (Predictive Policing: The Future of Law Enforcement, NIJ, 2012). From the early 1800s to the 1980s, patrol and criminal investigation dominated policing.Uniformed police patrolled the streets to prevent crime, to interrupt crimes in progress, and to apprehend criminals. However, research since the 1960s has shown the limits of both patrol and investigation for controlling crime. Patrol officers did not eff ectively prevent crime by questioning suspects, victims, and witnesses. In the 1990s, the police adopted  predictive policing strategies  in which police initiate action instead of waiting for calls. Patrol remains the backbone of police operations. It consumes most of the resources of police agencies.On patrol, a police officer makes regular circuits or passes through a specific area. Studies of foot patrol indicate that these patrols are costly and do not reduce crime. Because crime is not evenly distributed throughout a community, which means some places need more patrol than others. The tradition of giving each neighborhood an equal amount of patrol wastes police resource, so the tradition of giving each neighborhood an equal amount of patrol just wastes police resources, however, which can make citizens less fearful of crime and improve citizen attitudes toward the police(CliffsNotes. om. ). While predictive police operations focus on the concentration of crime in certain o ffenders, places, and victims. Predictive operations include using decoys, going undercover, raiding, relying on informants, stopping and frisking suspects, shadowing repeat offenders, policing repeat-complaint locations, and saturating an area with police to maintain order which can be an effective method to prevent crime(CliffsNotes. com. ). 2. Describe how COMPSTAT, as an information system (IS), implements the four (4) basic IS functions: 1.Input, 2. Processing, 3. Output, 4. Feedback. COMPSTAT is the name given to the New York City Police Department's accountability process and has since been replicated in many other departments. COMPSTAT is a management philosophy or organizational management tool for police departments, roughly equivalent to  Six Sigma  or TQM, and is not a computer system or software package. † (State of CA, 2010). COMPSTAT as an information system implements the four basic IS functions in the following ways: InputData gathering process which is th e building block of COMPSTAT is comprised of information compiled from variety of sources like police incidents, arrest reports, suspect debriefing, telephone calls, and field interview reports. Pushing the data into the Incident Reporting System will help to maintain a database for future reference (Willis et al. , 2003). Processing The collection of data is presented during every COMPSTAT meeting. This would be entered into a database using a data management program like MS Access. This task is performed by the Crime Analysis Unit (CAU).These analysts classify, categorize, aggregate and analyze the data in order to gain a detailed report including many details like date, location, day and other information related to the crime. At this stage they would be able to identify a targeted response that may be the source of concern. This report provides useful identification of crime patterns like the point of entry for a burglary or make and model of a stolen vehicle (Willis et al. , 20 03, Pg 48-50). Further by using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) data and spatial analysis geographic hot spots are located and mapped to the data.Output Once the data is processed, it is presented to the department commanders. With available intelligence they should devise a strategy and deploy resources with expertise to tactfully pre-empt a crime situation and follow it up to ensure performance and results were as desired. These are key steps or principles which guide the departments patrol and investigative work: * Accurate and timely intelligence, * Rapid deployment * Effective tactics, and * Relentless follow-up and assessment (William J. Bratton, 1999 pg-15). Feedback The key element of improvement is feedback.As it includes data, any error related to this aspect should be avoided. Consistent and correct data has to be entered into the incident reporting system and database. Accurate report writing should be followed while recording incidents. Extensive data analysis to i dentify the root cause of crime becomes mandatory. Regular meetings and brainstorming session should be conducted to improve data collection and teams involved should be evaluated. Learning from past mistakes should never be avoided. Continuous aiming at innovation and integration with latest technology to keep the system up to date can provide better results.Periodic assessments of performance and gaps in accomplishing set goals and objectives should be reviewed so that corrective measures can be taken to fill the gaps to meet desired results. 3. Determine how information systems have allowed police departments that implement tools such as COMPSTAT to respond to crime faster. With the implementation of information systems real time access to data has become easier. Identification of hot spots related to crime is possible and problem solving has become proactive instead of reactive. Monitoring of multiple locations and futuristic crime and its patterns can be detected.This allows op erations to be carried with fewer resources, and reduced random patrols. Further it provides a platform for administering vast information which enables better decision making and problem solving. By demanding accountability it facilitates team work and police personnel are now working together to accomplish set goals faster thereby reducing crime. 4. Apply the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis (SWOT analysis) on behalf of police departments that intend to implement predictive policing. SWOT Analysis of Predictive Policing SWOT Analysis of Predictive PolicingStrengths: The strength of predictive policing is that it allows resources to be used more efficiently because they can be deployed to specific locations in which crimes are likely to occur and for specific types of crimes. In this regard, it is also easier to prevent crime from occurring as opposed to merely responding to it (Goode, 2011). Weaknesses: Predictive policing is often treated as being solely related to the use of computers and data to the detriment of involving front-line police officers in the decision-making process.This can result in police officers feeling both disrespected and unimportant in performing police work (Willis, Mastrofski ; Weisburd, 2003). Opportunities: Predictive policing provides for the opportunity for police departments to reduce criminal activity at a lower cost to taxpayers. Police departments can prevent crime from occurring rather than using limited resources to respond to crimes once they have occurred and hoping responses will deter other criminals (Pearsall, 2010).Threats: The primary threat related to predictive policing is that some police officers, particularly older police officers, are skeptical of the use of statistics and data in place of traditional street patrols. This could result in predictive policing efforts not being carried out in a way that will allow them to be as successful as possible. Conclusion The information containe d in this brief paper has shown that with the use of information technology and programs such as COMPSTAT, predictive policing can result in a reduction in crime by predicting where it will occur rather than responding to it once it has occurred.However, predictive policing can have problems if the sole focus is on the use of information technology. Instead, police officers and the general public must be included in the process. Their feedback must be solicited as part of the larger process. Otherwise, they have the ability to derail any reductions in crime and improvements in performance that might be possible from predictive policing. References 1. Goode, E. (2011, August 15). Sending the police before there’s a crime. Retrieved from http://www. nytimes. com/2011/08/us/16police. html 2. Pearsall, B. (2010, May).Predictive policing: The future of law enforcement? National Institute 3. Willis, J. J. , Mastrofski, S. D. , ; Weisburd, D. (2003). Compstat in practice: An in-dept h Analysis of three cities. Police Foundation. Retrieved from http://www. policefoundation. org/pdf/compstatinpractice. pdf 4. CliffsNotes. com. Police Strategies. Retrieved April,12th, 2012, from http://www. cliffsnotes. com/study_guide/topicArticleId-10065,articleId-9953. html 5. Bratton, W. J. ; Malinowski, S. W. (2008). Police performance management in practice: Taking COMPSTAT to the next level. Policing, 2(3), 259-265.

Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 1

I picked out a heartbeat, a single life, in the near distance. The other noises of the city faded into the background as this one called to me. She had wandered away from her friends and left the well-worn paths. The sun had just set over Central Park, where I'd exiled myself since arriving in New York City fourteen long days ago. The colors in this expanse of wilderness were softening, sliding toward one another, shadows blurring with the things that made them. The oranges and deep blues of the sky morphed into an inky black, while the muddy ground dimmed to a velvety sienna. Around me, most of the world was still, paused in the breath that comes at the end of day when the guards change: Humans and their daylight companions lock their doors and creatures of the night like myself come out to hunt. With the ring Katherine gave me I can walk in the daylight like any normal, living human. But as it's been since the beginning of time, it's easier for vampires to hunt during the uncertain hours when day slowly becomes night. Dusk confuses those who aren't equipped with the eyes and ears of a nocturnal predator. The heartbeat I now pursued began to sound quieter . . . its owner was getting away. Desperate, I took off, forcing my body to move quickly, my feet to push off from the ground. I was weak from lack of feeding, and it was affecting my ability to hunt. Added to that, these woods weren't familiar to me. The plants and vines were as alien as the people on the cobbled streets a quarter mile away. But a hunter transplanted is still a hunter. I leaped over a twiggy, stunted bush and avoided an icy stream, devoid of the lazy catfish I used to watch as a child, until my foot slipped on mossy stone and I crashed through the underbrush, my chase growing far louder than I intended. The bearer of the heart I followed heard and knew her death was close. Now that she was alone and aware of her plight, she began to run in earnest. What a spectacle I must have made: dark hair askew, skin as pale as a corpse, eyes starting to redden as the vampire in me came out. Running and leaping through the woods like a wild man, dressed in the finery Lexi, my friend in New Orleans, had given me, the white silk shirt now torn at the sleeves. She picked up speed. But I wasn't going to lose her. My need for blood became an ache so strong that I couldn't contain myself any longer. A sweet pain bloomed along my jaw and my fangs came out. The blood in my face grew hot as I underwent the change. My senses expanded as my Power took over, sapping my last bit of vampiric strength. I leaped, moving at a speed beyond human and animal. With that instinct all living creatures have, the poor thing felt death closing in and began to panic, scrambling for safety under the trees. Her heart pounded out of control: thump thump thump thump thump thump. The tiny human part of me might have regretted what I was about to do, but the vampire in me needed the blood. With a final jump, I caught my prey – a large, greedy squirrel who'd left her pack to scavenge for extra food. Time slowed as I descended, ripped her neck aside, and sank my teeth into her flesh, draining her life into me one drop at a time. I'd eaten squirrels as a human, which lessened my guilt marginally. Back home in Mystic Falls, my brother and I would hunt in the tangled woods that surrounded our estate. Though squirrels were poor eating for most of the year, they were fat and tasted like nuts in the fall. Squirrel blood, however, was no such feast; it was rank and unpleasant. It was nourishment, nothing more – and barely that. I forced myself to keep drinking. It was a tease, a reminder of the intoxicating liquid that runs in a human's veins. But from the moment Damon ended Callie's life, I had sworn off humans forever. I would never kill, never feed from, and never love another human. I could only bring them pain and death, even if I didn't mean to. That's what life as a vampire meant. That's what life with this new, vengeful Damon as my brother meant. An owl hooted in the elm that towered over my head. A chipmunk skittered past my feet. My shoulders slumped as I laid the poor squirrel down on the ground. So little blood remained in its body that the wound didn't leak, the animal's legs already growing stiff with rigor mortis. I wiped the traces of blood and fur from my face and headed deeper into the park, alone with my thoughts while a city of nearly a million people buzzed around me. Since I'd sneaked off the train two weeks earlier, I'd been sleeping in the middle of the park in what was essentially a cave. I'd taken to marking a concrete slab with the passing of each day. Otherwise moments blended together, meaningless, and empty. Next to the cave was a fenced-in area where construction men had gathered the â€Å"useful† remains of a village they had razed to make Central Park, as well as the architectural bric-a-brac they intended to install – carved fountains, baseless statues, lintels, thresholds, and even gravestones. I pushed past a barren branch – November's chill had robbed nearly every tree of its leaves – and sniffed the air. It would rain soon. I knew that both from living in plantation country and from the monster senses that constantly gave me a thousand different pieces of information about the world around me. And then the breeze changed direction, and brought with it the teasing, cloying scent of rust. There it was again. A painful, metallic tang. The smell of blood. Human blood. I stepped into the clearing, my breath coming rapidly. The thick stench of iron was everywhere, filling the hollow with an almost palpable fog. I scanned the area. There was the cave where I spent my tortured nights, tossing and turning and waiting for dawn. Just outside it was a jumble of beams and doors stolen from knocked-down houses and desecrated graves. Farther in the distance there were the glowing white statues and fountains installed around the park. And then I saw it. At the base of a statue of a regal prince was the body of a young woman, her white ball gown slowly turning a bloody red.

Ocean Manufacturing

The client acceptance process can be quite complex. Discuss five procedures an auditor should perform in determining whether to accept a client. Which of these five are required by auditing standards and identify the applicable standards?1. Obtain an understanding of the client's business and operations. Consideration should be given to reading available financial information regarding the prospective client such as annual reports, registration statements, Forms 10-K, other reports to regulatory agencies and income tax returns.2. Inquire as to the general reputation of high ranking employees, influential directors and shareholders, as well as the entity itself. Carefully consider any matters that may negatively reflect on management's integrity, ability and attitude. Such inquiries may be directed to the prospective client's bankers, legal counsel, underwriters, and others in the business community. Background checks obtained by investigative firms may also be useful.3. Consider mana gement's response to observations about or suggestions for improvements in internal controls made by the predecessor auditor and/or the internal auditor.4. Consider the composition and autonomy of the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee, including the number of independent outside directors.5. Communicate with the predecessor auditor in accordance with the provisions of Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 84 [AU315]. Inquiries should be directed to the integrity of management and the reasons for the change in auditor.The following situations should be carefully considered in assessing whether to accept a client: o There has been a disagreement with the previous auditor over accounting principles or practices; financial statement disclosures; auditing scope; or the Form 8-K discloses a reportable event as defined in Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K. o The previous auditor resigned or declined to stand for re-election or there is no clear reason for the c essation of the client relationship. o Access to the predecessor auditor's working papers has been denied. Other CPA firms have declined to serve the prospective client. There appears to be evidence of â€Å"opinion shopping. â€Å"2. Return on Equity (ROE=Net profit after tax /Total Shareholders' Equity * 100) 2521/35469 x100 = 7. 11% Return on Assets (ROA=Net profit after tax / Total Assets * 100)2521/66820 x 100 = 3. 77  Ã‚  Unfavorable Assets to Equity (Total Assets / Total Shareholders' Equity) 66821/35469 = 1. 88  Ã‚   favorable Accounts Receivable Turnover (Sales / Account receivable) 104026/7936 = 13. 10 favorable Average Collection Period (Account receivable / Sales * 365) 7936104026 x 365 = 27. 4 favorable Inventory Turnover (Cost of sales / Inventory) 69177/10487 = 6. 6  Ã‚  Unfavorable Days in Inventory (Inventory / Cost of sales * 365) 10487/69177 x365= 44. 3  Ã‚  Favorable Debt Ratio (Total Liabilities / Total Assets)31352/66821 = 0. 47  Ã‚  Not available ( industry figures) Debt to Equity (Total Liabilities / Total Shareholders' Equity) 31353/35469 = 0. 88 Favorable Times Interest Earned (Profit before interest and tax / Interest expense) 6242/1474 = 4. 23  Ã‚  Favorable Current Ratio (Current assets / Current liabilities)27064/14118 =1. 2  Ã‚  favorable Profit Margin (Net Profit before interest and tax / Sales * 100) 6242/104026 x100 = 6. 00Unfavorable The comparison needs to be done for the audited accounts and since the audited accounts are available for 2001 and 2000 but the industry figures are available only for 2001 and 2002 we have to select the year 2001 for comparison. The accounts show that the company is healthy and the ratios are mainly favorable except that the company is not properly leveraged and this is leading to a loss of opportunities and a lower profit margin and lower return on equity. There are no grounds of objection emanating from the ratios and the company can be accepted for auditing.3. What non-financia l matters should be considered before accepting Ocean as a client? How important are these issues to the client acceptance decision? Why? In order to minimize the likelihood of association with a client whose management lacks integrity, Statement on Quality Control Standards No. 2, System of Quality Control for a CPA Firm's Accounting and Auditing Practice, (QC Section 20. 4) (applicable to auditing and accounting and review services) provides that â€Å"policies and procedures should be established for deciding whether to accept or continue a client relationship and to perform a specific engagement for that client (QC Section 20. 14)†, to minimize the likelihood of the specific policies and procedures established and the nature and extent to which they may be documented may vary significantly from firm to firm. Throughout the process, from initial consideration about accepting or continuing a client to issuance of an audit report, auditors are faced with risk.This risk can b e thought of as having three components: ? The entity's business risk – The risk that the entity will not survive or will not be profitable. ? The auditor's business risk – The risk to the auditor from association with the client, consisting of the risk of potential litigation costs and the related effect on the auditor's reputation and the risk of other costs (not related to litigation) such as the effects on fee realization. ? The auditor's audit risk – The risk that the auditor may unknowingly fail to appropriately modify his or her opinion on financial statements that are materially misstated.The following discussion highlights matters that a firm may wish to consider in connection with establishing policies and procedures for client acceptance and continuance. The extent to which a firm may choose to employ any of the following is, with the exception of certain procedures required by generally accepted auditing standards, largely a matter of professional ju dgment. The discussion of specific policies and procedures is intended to be thought-provoking and useful to a firm in assessing the particular client acceptance and continuance policies and procedures it may choose to employ in its practice.4a) Ocean wants Barnes and Fischer to aid in developing and improving their IT system. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having the same audit firm provide both auditing and consulting services? Given current rules on professional independence in the Joint Code of Professional Conduct, will Barnes and Fischer be able to help Ocean with their IT system and still provide a financial statement audit?No, given the current rules on professional independence in the Joint Code of Professional Conduct, Barnes and Fisher will not be able to help Ocean with heir IT system and still provide a financial statement audit. This appointment as an IT system consultant violates this rule: â€Å"Consider whether any financial interests or relationships exist that would impair the appearance of the firm's independence from the client and preclude its expression of an opinion on the entity's financial statements. The firm should consider Rule 101 of the AICPA Code of Professional Ethics. For clients that are public companies, the firm should also consider the requirements of the SEC â€Å". and also, Consider any potential conflicts of interest that could result from the acceptance of a client†4 b. As indicated in the case, one of the partners in another office has invested in a venture capital fund that owns shares of Ocean common stock. Would this situation constitute a violation of independence according to the Joint Code of Professional Conduct? Why or why not? The venture capital fund holds 50,000 shares of Ocean stock, currently valued at approximately $18 a share. This investment represents just over a half of one percent of the value of the fund's total holdings.The partner's total investment in the mutual fund is cu rrently valued at about $56,000. Since, the value of the investment represents just over one half percent of the value of the fund's total holdings, the influence of the partner is negligible, and in addition, the partner is located at a separate office so the company may go ahead with acceptance.5a)  Ã‚  Prepare a memo to the partner making a recommendation as to whether Barnes and Fischer should or should not accept Ocean Manufacturing, Inc as an audit client. Carefully justify your position in light of the information in the case.Include consideration of reasons both for and against acceptance and be sure to address both financial and non-financial issues to justify your recommendation Ocean should be accepted as a client for the company. Even though: A check on the background of Ocean's management revealed that five years ago Ocean's vice president of finance was charged with a misdemeanor involving illegal gambling on local college football games. Charges were later dropped i n return for Mr. Stevens' agreeing to pay a fine of $500 and perform 100 hours of community service. There were no other integrity problems found in the company.The various checks carried out in Ocean include:1. Entity's Business Risk o Management:– Engages in activities indicative of a lack of integrity.– Is prone to engage in speculative ventures or accept unusually high business risks.– Displays a poor attitude toward compliance with outside regulatory or legislative obligations.– Engages in complex transactions or innovative deals that make the determination of the effects on the financial statements difficult to assess or highly subjective.– Lacks a proven track record. Is evasive, uncooperative or abusive to the audit team.– APART FROM RELUCTANCE TO INTRODUCE US TO THE PREVIOUS AUDITORS ALL THE FACTORS WERE FOUND TO BE NEGATIVEThe Entity:– Has products that are new and unproven.– Depends on a limited number of customers o r suppliers.– Is experiencing a deteriorating financial condition or liquidity crisis.– Is subject to uncertainties that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.– Operates in countries where business practices are questionable.– Has an inadequate capital base or is highly leveraged.– Is experiencing difficulty in meeting restrictive debt covenants.– Generates negative cash flows from operations but reports operating profits.– Has publicly traded debt outstanding that is below investment grade.– Is a low tier firm in an emerging or maturing industry where weak competitors are exiting the market.– Is subject to unpredictable changes in price and availability of product inputs that cause significant variance in profitability.– Is vulnerable to rapidly changing technology.– Is investing cash from short-term borrowings in long-term assets.INVESTIGATIONS SHOW THAT ALL THE ABOVE FA CTORS AT OCEAN ARE NEGATIVE o The Industry:– Is undergoing rapid change.– Is subject to high competition, market saturation, product obsolescence, or declining demand.– Has high operating leverage demonstrated by high fixed costs and low variable costs.– Is highly cyclical or counter cyclical.– Has a low entry barrier.– Is facing regulations that will adversely impact profitability throughout the industry.EXAMINATION OF INDUSTRY DETAILS AT LEXIS NEXIS SHOWS THAT NONE OF THE NEGATIVE TRENDS IN THE INDUSTRY ARE PRESENT2. Barnes and Fischer ‘s Business Risk o The entity is prone to a high number of lawsuits or controversies. o There are frequent changes in the entity's auditors. o The entity plans to engage in an initial public offering or use the financial statements to engage in a debt or equity offering. o The financial statements will be used in connection with an acquisition or disposal of a business or segment INVESTIGATIONS HAVE SH OWN THAT IN CASE OF THE PROSPECTIVE CLIENT NONE OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED RISKS ARE THERE FOR Barnes and Fischer .5. b. Prepare a separate memo to the partner briefly listing and discussing the five or six most important factors or risk areas that will likely affect how the audit is conducted if the Ocean engagement is accepted. Be sure to indicate specific ways in which the audit firm should tailor its approach based on the factors you identify. The risk areas in case of Ocean include;2. The company is under levered.3. The company is not getting loans in the market because of disrepute not know to us.4. There might be integrity issues related to the vice- president involved in gambling but kept underground and secret. The Barnes and Fischer should be vigilant on the activities of the main executives of Ocean.5. The percentage of profit earned by the company is lower than the industry norm. Barnes and Fischer should keep a close watch on the profit margin of the company and in case of anomalistic behavior should mention it in the auditor's report Barnes and Fischer should follow SAS No. 47, as amended, Audit Risk and Materiality in Conducting an Audit (AU Section 312), which provides guidance on the auditor's consideration of audit risk when planning and performing an audit of financial statements.Examples of factors that may increase audit risk include:o Operations that are dominated by a single individual.o Undue emphasis on achieving earnings per share; maintaining the market price of the company's stock; or meeting earnings projections.o Unreliable processes for making accounting estimates or questionable estimates by executives.o Unrealistic budget levels that encourage unrealistic objectives.o A high volume of significant year-end transactions.o Compensation based to a significant degree on reported earnings. o An unnecessarily complex corporate structure. Prior-year financial statements that were restated for correction of an error or irregularity.o Attemp ts by management to reduce the scope of Barnes and Fischer .o Substantial litigation involving the entity's business practices.o Material weaknesses or other reportable conditions in the internal control structure.o Significant and unusually complex related party transactions. o Affiliates that are unaudited or audited by others.o Management espouses aggressive accounting principles.o Understaffed accounting department or inexperienced personnel.Financial reports not prepared on a timely basis. Please note the lacunae in the question. First, the question does not mention the weights Barnes and Fischer intend to give financial measure and non-financial measures for accepting Ocean as the client. Second, the question does not mention what influence the partner in the ‘other' office has in the auditing of Barnes and Fischer. This is related to the policies of the auditors. Third, the question of there being advantages and disadvantages of appointing the same firm as auditor and c onsultant does not arise. Remember, the Enron scam!Fourth, the question is not clear if Barnes and Fischer have experience of auditing accounts of firms making small home appliances. Fifth, the question mention in one place that Ocean wants to make a public issue, on the other hand the company accounts are showing that the company is under leveraged, these two things are antithetical and Barnes and Fischer should have investigated why Ocean wants to go in for equity when Ocean should actually go in for debt. Still this is an excellent question in auditing. Please use the above guidelines and write an excellent answer. Ocean Manufacturing Barnes and Fischer, LLP| To:| Jane Hunter| From:| Susan Anderson, Elizabeth Lane, Chantal Murphy, Elizabeth Robinson| CC:| Dr. Cashell| Date:| 3/5/2013| Re:| Decision on Accepting Ocean Manufacturing as a client| | Recommendation: We recommend that we do not accept Ocean Manufacturing as a client. Justification:There were several issues we considered when making our recommendation:0Independence Violation0No experience in the industry0Can’t do consulting because SOX violation0Red flag with regard to contact to previous auditor0Significant Mgt.Turnover0Unethical behavior (illegal gambling)03 years ago received qualified opinion0Aggressively accounting to meet creditor’s requirements0New accounting system0Audit trails not kept in tactFirst, we considered possible GAAS and GAAP violations. When reviewing Ocean Manufacturing’s background information, we found that a partner in the Salt Lake City office owns shares in a venture fund which holds a private equity investm ent in Ocean common stock. This is an independence violation which goes against the second general standard of GAAS.Another GAAS violation could be considered because we have a background in the healthcare service industry and Ocean Manufacturing is in the appliance industry. Since we do not have training in this field, we would be violating the first general standard of GAAS. There is also a SOX violation because Ocean Manufacturing would like us to do consulting and help prepare for the IPO. They also would like us to work with their IT program. This goes against the rules of GAAP.Since they are getting ready to offer an IPO we would be faced with higher litigation risk. Ocean Manufacturing also has various management issues that have raised red flags. The company has experienced high management turnover, which could be an indication of how the company is run on a daily basis. When the vice-president of Ocean was approached to discuss the previous auditor, he was hesitant to talk about the previous audit firm. If a potential client is even hesitant to allow engagement with prior auditor, this is not usually a good sign.Also, when the client background check was conducted, it was discovered that the vice-president of finance was involved with illegal gambling in the past, which could be an indication of his lack of ethics. This behavior could carry over to unethical behavior in the company since the leaders set the tone of the company which in turn reflects a higher litigation risk. There were also issues with the company’s financial statements. Three years ago Ocean Manufacturing received a qualified report from their auditor.Ocean’s previous auditor told us their problems with Ocean primarily related to management reflecting their revenue and accruals aggressively in order meet creditors’ requirements and the complexity of Ocean’s new IT system. When reviewing their control systems, we noticed a few issues. Ocean Manufacturingâ⠂¬â„¢s audit trails were not kept intact due to system failures and errors. There are also system failures when it comes to their new accounting system. There are problems in inventory tracking and cost accumulation, receivable billing and aging, payroll tax deductions, payables, and balance sheet account classifications.This could also explain some of the aspects of the financial statements that appeared to be off compared to previous years. Ocean’s accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses appear to be much greater than the changes in the year before. This could also be because of the aggressive accruing that was discussed earlier. In conclusion, we feel that the issues with auditing standards, management, and financial statements are good enough indications as to why we should not accept Ocean Manufacturing as a client. |