Eco Tour In Kerala Tourism Essay

Eco Tour In Kerala Tourism Essay Ecotourism can be summed up as a responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. More and more people have become conscious about the fact that environment needs to be protected. That’s why the concept of ecotourism has been received well by many. Ecotourism basically focuses on environmental conservation and sustainable development. Through eco tours one tries to save forests and bring a win-win development strategy for undeveloped rural areas† to life. The basics of eco tourism are same everywhere. The foremost of the rules are that the tourism advises to minimize impact, spread awareness about the environment and the harm caused to the it due to lack of cultural. The eco tourism spreads a sense of respect amongst all the people who undertake tours for environment. The basic idea behind conducting and promoting such tours is that it empowers each individual to take steps towards conserving the Mother Nature. For locals too, such steps are important to provide them with financial stability and provide them with livelihood. In terms of eco tourism destinations in India, Kerala has gained a lot of momentum. It happens to be the greenest part of India, which until the recent times was unexplored by people and has now suddenly gained a lot of fame and popularity amongst travellers from all across the globe. Geographical topography of this place is so varied that the people all around the world come here just to be close to the nature. Kerala boasts of beautiful beaches, backwaters, beaches and the life giving sunshine. The best thing is that the tourism department of Kerala is aware of Kerala’s potential as a tourist destination and its natural wealth as well. It has taken important steps towards maintaining ecological balance amongst people. The coconuts trees growing here and the paddy fields spread in acres and acres of land and the banana plantations fill up the mountain ranges with their green blanket. To promote more eco tourism Kerala tourism has taken steps to organise tours and travels which broaden the horizons of people. There are several attractive packages designed to lure the visitors. Kerala’s western zone is being projected as the eco tourism zone. It specially caters to the foreing tourist who are looking for an experience where they can enjoy wildlife, some nature, have the thrills of adventures like trekking all combined into one. WIlflide sanctuaries like Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary, Chimmini, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Silent Valley National Park and Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary are some well known Eco-Tourism destinations in Kerala. There are other places like Bhoothathankettu, Komarakom, Nelliampathy, Munnar and Kuruva islands which are can be preferred for eco tours. The flora and fauna of Kerala is abundant and diverse. The landscapes are equipped with backwaters, paddy fields, hills and hamlets. Kerala has a forest area of approximately 11,125 sq km, which makes up 28.90 % of the total land area. The western ghats is where all the forest area is located. Western Ghat is also one of the world’s 18 hotspots of bio diversity. Besides luxuriant and flimsy bionetwork of sultry rainforests, Kerala as well has some extraordinary eco-tourism destinations in the form of its thriving emerald backwaters, palm-fringed sea-shores, rambling tea and spice plantations on mount gradients and many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries heaving with remarkable assortment of wildlife. While on an eco tour here, one can prefer a homestay which includes staying with local people. One can stay near the paddy fields or tea plantations and take regular hikes in these places. One also gets a chance to indulge in eating organically grown fruits and vegetables. The typical way of eating which on a banana leaf can be experienced if one decided to try out the home stays. For eco tourists, Kerala has no dearth of activities. One should visit the place once and experience the beauty and tranquillity.

Business and Marketing Analysis Techniques

Business and Marketing Analysis Techniques Business strategy involves seeking a position within an environment or industry that generates a sustainable competitive advantage (implying that a diversified company should have as many business strategies as it has businesses) Analysing Macro Environmental Factors: There are many factors that will effect the strategies and decisions of managers of any organisation. Tax changes, new laws, trade barriers, demographic change, etc are some of the examples. To help analyse these factors, we can categorise these micro environmental factors using PESTEL model. PESTEL abbreviates Political, economical, social, technological, environmental and legal factors. Political Factors: These refer to government policy such as the degree of intervention in the economy. What goods and services does a government want to provide? To what extent does it believe in subsidising firms? What are its priorities in terms of business support? Etc Economical Factors: These include interest rates, taxation changes, economic growth, inflation and exchange rates etc. Social Factors: Changes in social trends can impact on the demand for a firms products and the availability and willingness of individuals to work. For example, in UK, the population has been ageing. This has increased the costs for firms who are committed to pension payments for their employees because their staff are living longer. Technological factors: Technology is growing very fast nowadays. New and fast machineries are introduced every now and then. New technologies create new products and new processes. Technology can reduce costs, improve quality and lead to innovation. These developments can benefit consumers as well as the organisations providing the products. Environmental factors:Â  Environmental factors include weather and climate change in macro factors. Change in climate, temperature can impact on many industries. These can benefit one industry and can make other industry down at the same time. For example in hot sunny days, people love to go out and visit beaches instead of going to restaurants and places like them. With major climate changes occurring due to global warming and with greater environmental awareness this external factor is becoming a significant issue for firms to consider. Legal Factors: These are related to the legal environment in which firms operate. The introduction of age discrimination and disability discrimination legislation, an increase in the minimum wage and greater requirements for firms to recycle are examples of relatively recent laws that affect an organisations actions. LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS: Generally, the model assumes that industry growth follows an S shaped curve. The flat introductory phase reflects the problems of establishing the new product. Once proven, growth becomes explosive until market saturation is reached. Sales now are limited by the rate of replacement sales and the rate of growth of the population in the market. Eventually the industry will come under pressure from newer technologies and substitute products with superior price performance. There are four stages in this model. i.e. introduction stage, growth stage, maturity stage and decline stage. In introduction stage, Pioneering firms often after considerable investment and repeated failures, introduce products based on a new technology. Costs tend to be high, and quality tends to be low because of lack of economies of scale or manufacturing experience and the product itself will be very basic. In growth stage, a dominant technology begins to emerge, and competitors standardise around it. There is likelihood of capacity shortages although costs and prices fall as standardisation and the adoption of large scale manufacturing makes possible economies of scale. At maturity stage, Overcapacity begins to emerge in the industry, products differentiation declines as technological know-how becomes widely shared, and price competition intensifies. Consolidation occurs within the industry as weaker firms are acquired by stronger ones. Sales to less developed markets, and the t ransfer of production to lower labour cost economies accelerates. In decline stage, The industry comes under pressure from new technologies offering superior performance, although this may be reduced by factors such as high price and switching costs associated with the new technology. Price wars erupt as the surviving firms fight for market share in a declining market, and exits from the industry, as well as consolidation within the industry, becomes more likely. Analysing Micro Environmental Factors: The micro environment consists of stakeholders who are directly or indirectly linked with any business. For example customers, consumers, suppliers, shareholders etc. Suppliers: Suppliers are major pillars or any business as they provide all the materials essential for any business. Big deal with suppliers is that can they provide high quality products at low price. Can they do this reliably? Have they got the flexibility to respond to a firms demands? What is the bargaining power of these suppliers? How dependent is the firm on them? Does their approach to their staff and resources fit with your ethics? Firms must decide on issues such as who to use to supply them, on the responsibility it takes for these suppliers and on the terms and conditions it adopts. Some firms take quite an aggressive attitude towards their suppliers by trying to push down the prices and delay payments. Others view the relationship more as a partnership in which they are working together with suppliers and that by helping each other both can benefit. The importance of suppliers can be seen if things go wrong. Distributors: Distributors job is to deliver your product to market place where it can be sell easily. Imagine you sell shampoo what you need to sell this is to get it on the shelves in the leading chemists and supermarkets but this means moving someone elses products off the shelves! So the challenge is to get stores to stock your products; this may be achieved by good negotiating skills and offering appropriate incentives. The distributors used will determine the final price of the product and how it is presented to the end customer. When selling via retailers, for example, the retailer has control over where the products are displayed, how they are priced and how much they are promoted in-store. Customers: Customers are key to sales. Managers must keep the needs of customers in their mind and try to anticipate how these will develop so that they can meet these requirements effectively now and in the future. To help understand their customers firms are increasingly trying to gather information on them through mechanisms such as loyalty cards. By gathering data on shopping patterns and matching this to data on the individual shoppers firms can build up detailed pictures of their buyers and then offer them appropriate deals. Competition: The success and behaviour of any business will depend on the degree of competition in its market. In some markets one firm is dominant. This is called a monopoly. If you are in a monopoly position this may allow you to exploit the consumer with relatively high prices (assuming your position is protected in some way) and you may be able to offer an inferior service if customers have no other choices. In other markets a few firms dominate; this type of market structure is called an oligopoly. In oligopolistic markets there is a high degree of interdependence and so firms will think carefully how their rivals might react to any actions they take. Key Stakeholders, Their Needs Expectations: Key stakeholders of a business are: Employees Customers, suppliers and contractors Shareholders Investors Communities Government Employees: are the major stakeholders of a business as they are strongly linked with the business. They want to work in a place where they can meet their personal needs and wants. Leaders who create job assignments, work environments, and visions help employees be both competent and committed to their work. Customers: want leaders to build compelling products and services so that they can trust and when they do, customers will give share of wallet. Customers are key to sales. Especially in fast food industries like Burger King, we ( employees ) have been instructed to focus on quality service and food. Customers should be satisfied at any cost because without them, business is nothing. Suppliers and contractors want their loyal concern with payment of goods and profit respectively. Shareholders and Investors: are those who bought companys share and are part of ownership in the company. They are concern with maximum outcome in terms of cash from profit. Investors are those who invest their money into the business as capital to earn their share from the profit. Investors want leaders to keep their promises, develop a compelling growth strategy, align core competencies to the strategy and then to ensure that people are committed to delivering on these premises. Communities and Government: Communities want leaders to build organizations that are socially responsible, through how they treat the environment and how they serve the larger community. Government are linked with business as to start a business, licence is required and government issue licence. And from the profit gained by a company, a percentage of profit goes to government in terms of tax which is used to build infrastructures etc. C) SUMMARY: The Burger King Corporation (BKC) was founded in 1954 in Miami by James Mc Lamore and David Edgerton. Following this, the famous Whopper sandwich was introduced in 1957 and it quickly became one of the best-known sandwiches in the world. Today, with the corporations brand promise: Have it your way, there are 221,184 possible ways to order a Whopper sandwich around the world. Burger King now operates more than 11,300 restaurants in approximately 70 countries. Food is necessary for humans to survive, but the wastes, chemical by-products, and inefficiencies in its production can have an immense impact on the environment. People demand perfect inexpensive year round food, which increases the use of pesticides, herbicides, and preservatives depleting the precious ozone, contributing to global warming, and polluting our lakes and streams. To help protecting all the dangerous fumes and chemicals, Burger King is doing its best. To help prevent contamination and other dangerous things, there are separate containers for different things. Strategy is affected by major changes taking place in the environment and for those changes, strategy has to be change accordingly in order to stay in business stream. Some change in micro environmental factors will affect strategy in different ways. If business is losing customers then many strategies can be applied depending on the level of business loss. Prices of product can be decreased, or distribution of vouchers etc. One of Burger Kings most important tasks is to ensure that the business is continually meeting its customers needs. In order to achieve this, the organisation has a research and development team dedicated to product improvement. Its mono is HAVE IT YOUR WAY. It means that customers can have their food the way they want, with or without, more or less of anything in their food. THREE TOOLS TO ANALYSE, SUMMARISE AND EVALUATE EFFECTS OF CURRENT BUSINESS PLAN POSITION OF THE ORGANISATION IN CURRENT MARKET COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF ORGANISATION PORTERS FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS The competitive structure of a company can be analysed by Porters five forces analysis. It analyse the attractiveness of a company within the market. Porters five forces model is: Likelihood of new entry: it means that the extents to which barriers to entry exist. The likelihood of entering a market would be lower if: The entry cost are high There are major advantages for those firms which are already operating in market because of experience Government policies prevent entry or makes it more difficult Existing brands have high level of loyalty Power of buyers: The stronger the power of buyers in an industry the more likely it is that they will be able to force down prices and reduce the profits of firms that provide the product. Buyer power will be higher if There are few or many buyer of the product The buyers can easily switch to other products provided high quality in low price Power of suppliers: The stronger the power of suppliers in an industry the more difficult it is for firms within that sector to make a profit because suppliers can determine the terms and conditions on which business is conducted. Suppliers will be more powerful if they are less in number and the supplier can threaten to buy the firm so it is a stronger negotiation position. Degree of rivalry: This measures the degree of competition between existing firms. The higher the degree of rivalry the more difficult it is for existing firms to generate high profits. Rivalry will be higher if there are large numbers of similar sized firm, the costs of leaving the industry are high, and there is little brand loyalty so customer are likely to switch easily between products. Substitute threat: This measures the ease with which buyers can switch to another product that does the same thing e.g. aluminium cans rather than glass or plastic bottles. The ease of switching depends on what costs would be involved. Using Porters model, firms can generate high profit if the industry is: Difficult to enter There is limited rivalry Buyers are relatively weak Suppliers are relatively weak There are few substitutes BOSTON MATRIX: The Boston Matrix model is a tool for assessing existing and development products in terms of their market potential, and thereby implying strategic action for products and services in each category. Cash Cow: The rather crude metaphor is based on the idea of milking the returns from previous investments which established good distribution and market share for the product. Products in this quadrant need maintenance and protection activity, together with good cost management, not growth effort, because there is little or no additional growth available. Dog: this is that product or service of a company which has low presence in market. There is no point of developing goods and services in this quadrant. Most of the companies discontinue their product which they think fall under this quadrant. Businesses that have been starved or denied development find themselves with a high or entire proportion of their products or services in this quadrant, which is obviously not very funny at all, except to the competitors. Problem Child: These are products which have a big and growing market potential, but existing low market share, normally because they are new products, or the application has not been spotted and acted upon yet. New business development and project management principle are required here to ensure that these products potential can be realised and disasters avoided. This is likely to be an area of business that is quite competitive, where the pioneers take the risks in the hope of securing good early distribution arrangements, image, reputation and market share. Rising Star: star products, are those which have good market share in a strong and growing market. As a product moves into this category it is commonly known as a rising star. When a market is strong and still growing, competition is not yet fully established. Demand is strong; saturation or over-supply do not exists, and so pricing is relatively unhindered. SWOT ANALYSIS: To determine what a companys strategy should be, the managers must consider the internal strength and weaknesses of their company and compare them with external opportunities and threat. This process is known as SWOT analysis. Strengths: are internal factors which a firm may build on to develop a strategy. They may include: Marketing strengths Financial strengths Operation strengths HRM strengths Weaknesses: are internal factors which a firm may need to protect itself such as: Marketing weaknesses such as limited distribution Financial weaknesses such as high levels of borrowing and low rates of return Operational weaknesses such as old or poor quality equipments HRM weaknesses such as high rate of labour turn over and industrial disputes TASK 2 STRATEGY EVALUATION To achieve an objective, managers must develop a suitable strategy. A strategy is a long term plan setting out how an objective will be reached. For example, if the objective is to reduce costs, the strategy could involve relocating or reducing the labour force. If the objective is to boost revenue, the strategy may be to launch new products or to invest in a big promotional campaign. A strategy may be developed by using a firms strengths to exploit the opportunities that exist. For example, a strong brand name may be used to extend a firms products into new markets. It may also use these strengths to protect itself against threats; for example, a retailer may use its finance to acquire key locations to prevent a competitor buying them. Strategies can be evaluated by many ways. One of the way is by using Porters Five Forces model. In this model there are five different sources which are strongly connected with the business and they must be kept in mind while making strategies. While making strategy for a business includes keeping those things in mind which will ruin the business. For example in case of a retail business, if a new retail business entered in, then strategy in this will be change accordingly in this case. Secondly if buyers power is strong in retail business, then it could be a negative or a positive impact on business. If they are strong then they can force down the prices of the product which will lower the profit, so in this case strategy will be evaluated very carefully as every step can change the course of business. Suppliers are the major part of any business so keeping them in mind is a necessary part in strategy evaluation. A firm may also want to protect itself against its weaknesses. For example, it may try to find alternative suppliers to reduce an over-reliance on a particular one; it may invest in a rebranding exercise to reposition itself. Fourth part is degree of rivalry. This measures the degree of competition between existing fir ms. The higher the degree of rivalry the more difficult it is for existing firms to generate high profits. Fifth and last part is threat of substitute. This measures the ease with which buyers can switch to another product that does the same thing. Keeping following things in mind will help effecting business in loss. If the second industry is easy to enter in market, if there is a high degree of rivalry between firms within industry, buyers are strong, suppliers are strong etc. The implication of Porters analysis for managers is that they should examine these five factors before choosing an industry to move into. They should also consider ways of changing the five factors to make them more favourable. TASK 3 IMPLEMENTATION Evaluating strategies is a difficult task but implementing them in a regular and smooth manner is more complicated. The importance of strategy should not be underestimated. Changing the price of an item, changing the distribution strategy and investing in new equipment are all important decisions but if you are fighting in the wrong market with the wrong products then the details are almost irrelevant. The strategy sets out where and how the battles will be fought and a good strategy is essential to business success. This involves an understanding not only of what happens within the firm but also the ability to forecast changes in the external environment and their significance successfully. This implementation is in fact a landmark where various organizations tend to falter. The extensive research and resources used up for the drafting of strategic plans often make organizations believe that whatever they have understood and devised is the optimum and therefore requires no second thoughts. However, what has been ignored is the fact that plans can be tested only if they meet actual usage. Only planning or theoretical application cannot be guarantee complete success. Actual implementation yields the true picture. A business plan is the textual version of a strategy, as it includes pertinent information regarding the company, including: vision and mission statements, measurable objectives supporting the vision, actionable tactics meeting the objective, resources, milestones and timeframes, accountability and role designations, as well as internal and external risks. The business strategy is not evergreen and should be evaluated routinely to ensure the company still has the competitive edge. A business plan includes the primary and secondary objectives of your organization, an analysis of current policies and procedures, and the development of new policies or procedures to correct weaknesses within the organization. Strategy is firstly introduced to lower managers and supervisors so they can act on it and tell to lower staff in order to work on it. If launching a new product or reducing the price of another product because of substitute available in market, all the staff must be aware of that, after that the new promotion or product or discounted product will be advertise in an attractive way in Television, radio and by distributing leaflets to let people aware of it. Focussing on excellent customer service will definitely help improve the business because the service given to customer will bring him back again. Quality assurance of the product will increase the demand of product and will increase revenue. Introducing new and latest technology in the company will save a lot of time and give result much faster and effective. Giving training to all new and old staff about new technology, new products, and everything related to business and plan will help staff delivering a better quality service required. For implementation of plan, money is the major and important resource required. So in order to get money there are many ways, selling shares of the company, retained profit, profit in terms of capital can be reinvested and by taking loans from banks etc. After implementing the plan, wait for the result and do surveys. Drop or put small questionnaire that will help letting you know how good is the strategy going. Taking customers feedback and evaluate the strategy. If it is going the way we wanted, then there is no need to change and if its not, then re evaluate and check where there is a mistake and sort it out.

Dead Poets Society Essay -- essays papers

Dead Poets Society Many poets and directors believe in the concept of living life to the fullest. In this quote, by Sir Henry David Thoreau, he shows that we should live life to its fullest and make sure we make our mark while we still can, so people remember us. In the Movie," Dead Poets Society," a group of students from the Welton Prep School are moved by the teachings of their English teacher, Professor Keating. He teaches the boys to be their own boss, leaders and not followers. This quote relates to the movie because this quote tells what Keating wants to teach his kids. Many events take place during the movie that asks whether or not Professor Keating's teaching are appropriate, it is also questionable whether or not he was successful. "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life†¦" -Sir Henry David Thoreau The quote by Sir Henry David Thoreau, from Walden can be summarized by the statement," live life to the fullest." In the quote, it says you should do what you want and not to care what others think, be your own person. "And not, when ...

Mozart In 1788 :: essays research papers

With over two pages of compositions finished in 1788 you would figure that this year was an extremely busy and prosperous one for Mozart, when in fact his "situation both publicly and privately became critical" (unknown). Up until this year the information revealed in Mozart's personal letters has provided great insight about his private life. A peculiar thing about letters from this year is that there appears to be none written after August (Keys 210). One possible reason for this could be that Mozart was again living at home and thus he was living with the person that he would normally be writing to. Of these letters only one of them is written to Nanarel; the rest are to a dear friend of Mozart's, Micheal Puchberg. Interestingly enough Mozart begins all of his letters to Micheal delicately and affectionately with "brother", "Brother of Order", or "beloved friend" which we know from the past is Mozart's way of getting on somebody's good side before asking for something. After the greeting, the body of all of these letters appears to follow a basic format: starting out with a high feeling of dignity or self-confidence, and ending with pleas for financial backing or help. The letters, amounting to twenty between 1788 and Mozart's death (Keys 206), only afforded Mozart an estimated 1415 florins. This can be compared to the near 3000 gulden that he had borrowed from many people by his death in 1791. Mozart met Micheal back in his freemason days; they worked together for the same company. Micheal became very wealthy when he inherited the textile manufacturing business that he was working for. Mozart's near constant pleas for money were sometimes granted, but not all of the time. Unfortunately, Mozart never made enough money before his death to be able to fully pay Micheal back for all of his help. However, as a small form of compensation, Mozart would occasionally send Micheal compositions and even dedicated one of his piano symphonies to him. Micheal was such a good friend of the family, that it has been said that he continued to help Costanze out with family and financial problems after Mozart's death. Eventually, it becomes rather obvious that Mozart can barely support his family, let alone pay back anyone who lends him money. Because of this, he loses nearly all of the financial credibility that he once had.

Personal Narrative- Cousins Death :: Personal Narrative Essays

Personal Narrative- Cousin's Death It is amazing how many things we take for granted. We make plans for the day, and don't think twice about how those plans can be taken away in the blink of an eye. I never thought much about it myself, until I was faced with the shock, and undeniable truth of my cousin's death. I don't think anyone really thinks about tragedy until they are actually faced with shocking news. My mom had been going to school in Greeley and staying at my Aunt Margaret's house . She had been away for two weeks and wanted to come home for the Fourth of July weekend. My mom had suggested that I go back with her and visit colleges, shop, go to movies and just spend time together. I had been feeling pretty sorry for myself since she had been gone. I had been working alot as a maid and helping my dad run the house, I was getting very irritated with my siblings as I felt that I was the only family member doing my part to help my dad. I was really excited to have a week with my mom to myself. The whole ride over we were talking about what I wanted to do that week. Making plans and having "me time" seemed very important at the time. I woke up Tuesday morning excited for the day I was going to spend with my mom. I was sitting at the kitchen table drinking fresh coffee listening to my mom and aunt tease and joke around about how paranoid my mom was about doing well in her classes, my aunt was telling her that maybe now that I was there, she would relax a little bit and have some fun. Our plan was to go to one of mom's classes with her, and then on a tour of UNC and then we were going to go to dinner and a movie. We were interrupted by a phone call from my dad. My mom was still joking and in a silly mood when she started talking to my dad. Suddenly the conversation turned from joking to dead silence and my mom started crying. She tearfully asked, "Is she ok? Was she alone?" I was thinking my sister went riding and fell off her horse or that something had happened to my grandma.

Laissez-Faire Racism Essay

In â€Å"Racial Attitudes and Relations at the Close of the Twentieth Century,† Lawrence Bobo discusses the concept of laissez-faire racism. Laissez-faire racism describes how racial attitudes in America have shifted from the overtly racist policies of Jim Crowe racism to more subtle forms. As opposed to during the Jim Crowe era when African-Americans faced blatant racism like segregation, they now face underlying racism educationally, socially, and politically. The four main characteristics of laissez-faire racism, as described by Bobo, are â€Å"a continued acceptance of negative racial stereotypes; a belief in a level playing field; the belief that due to this level playing field, anyone can succeed by working hard and playing by the rules; and our country’s belief in justice, so our country’s people behave consistently according to just principles. † Although there are many instances of this within the institutional policies and practices in our country, the two main examples that best illustrate the concept of laissez-faire racism are education and the criminal justice system. The most prominent example of laissez-faire racism is our country’s education system. Although clearly our country does not still have overtly racist policies such as the separate but equal doctrine, there is still a clear disparity between the education received by white Americans and African-Americans and other minorities. The fact of the matter is, African-Americans and other minorities are still living in poorer neighborhoods, in which the quality of schools simply does not compare to those in richer neighborhoods. Students are held to lower expectations at these schools. The textbooks and curriculum are outdated, and job resources are not available to these students. The drop out rates are much higher for African-Americans and minorities, SAT scores are much lower, and overall success rates simply cannot compare to those of white Americans living in richer neighborhoods with better schools. A second example of laissez-faire racism lies within our criminal justice system. There is a huge disparity in the death penalty between African-Americans and minorities as compared to whites. The chances of receiving the death penalty are much higher if an individual is African-American and convicted of murder than if that same individual was white. The facts are even more repulsive when analyzing victimology. If a white person kills a black person, the odds of them getting the death penalty are slim. If a black person kills a white person, the odds are significantly higher. The disparity lies in how we value a life, depending on the color of an individual’s skin. Bobo came to two conclusions based on data collected throughout his research. For one, the United States â€Å"has experienced a genuine and tremendous positive transformation in racial attitudes† . However, he also concluded that â€Å"racial discrimination remains a barrier to the full economic, political, and social participation of African-Americans in institutions† . The fact that discrimination continues to remain a barrier to the participation of African-Americans in society can be clearly seen by the two examples mentioned. So, the question remains: how do we fix this situation? How can these problems be addressed to achieve greater racial equality? In order to address the issue of education, our country must create a way to fund all schools equally. Although the federal government does give money to public schools across the country, schools in each district are mostly funded by the taxpayers living in that district through property taxes. This leads to a small amount of money that is dedicated to schools in poorer districts, and a larger amount of money dedicated to schools in richer districts. The results of this policy are very obvious when comparing the quality of schools in richer districts to that in poorer. There are a few ways that this policy can be crafted. The policy created by our government could direct more aid to schools in poorer districts in order to improve their infrastructure and curriculum, thereby improving quality of their students’ performance. The policy could also redirect education money from richer districts to poorer districts, which would have the same effect. Either way, a policy needs to be put into place in order to get more money to the schools in these poorer districts, which need the money the most. In order to address the issue of the death penalty, our criminal justice practices must be analyzed. There must be a solid standard for what type of crime receives the death penalty, so that minorities do not face the death penalty at higher rates than white Americans. There should be strict guidelines for who receives the death penalty, with no subjectivity. For example, if Congress passed a law that required the death penalty for all premeditated first-degree murders, the law could not be applied broadly based on the biased judgments of a jury. A white man who commits first-degree murder would be subject to the death penalty, just like an African-American man, or any other minority individual for that matter. And this is just an example. Laws must be concrete and inflexible, that is, unable to be bent by a jury in order to hold minorities to stricter standards than that of white Americans. Essentially, to white people, race is something that has been dealt with as seen by the â€Å"level playing field† that supposedly exists today. To African-Americans, race is a constant reality that they must face every day. This idea continues to be reemphasized through our laissez-faire racist policies in education and our criminal justice system. By eliminating this subtle discrimination and other policies like it, our country will be able to fully move on from our discriminatory past and achieve greater racial equity.

Super Retail Group Financial Report Analysis

This Report was commissioned on the request of the Board in relation to ACACIAS press release: '12-MURMUR ACACIAS areas of focus for 30 June 2012 financial report'. A review of the relevant disclosures made In Super Retail Group Lad's 2012 Annual Report is assessed against relevant polices that relate to element 8, estimates and accounting policy Judgments under ACACIAS press release.Executive Summary release: '12-MURMUR SAIS'S areas of focus for 30 June 2012 financial report'. A review of the relevant disclosures made in Super Retail Group Lad's 2012 Annual Report is assessed against relevant policies that relate to element 8, estimates and accounting policy Judgments under Sais's press release. The outline of SAAB standards 108 Presentation of Financial Position, CASABAS Impairment of Assets, SAAB'S 38 Intangible Assets and SAAB'S 37 Provisions, Contingent Liableness and Contingent Assets are disclosed.Super Retail Group (SIR) Lad's accounting practice is determined in regards to t he standards examined. From this analysis, differences can be determined in the ways SIR applies the relevant standards and the requirements of the standards in relation to estimates and Judgments. From this analysis, it is determined that SIR has failed to disclose any Judgments and certain estimates and assumptions that may affect significant amounts seen In the financial statement and the entities positions. Recommendations of refining the presentation of the disclosures and the ways in which it should be structured are outlined.ASIA has identified the need for disclosures within this area for users to assess the reported financial position, as entities did not make material disclosures of sources of estimation uncertainty and significant Judgment in applying accounting policies. An analysis of the relevant counting standard, ISOBAR in particular paragraph 17-124, Disclosure of Accounting Policies and paragraph 125-133, Sources of Estimation Uncertainty, CASABAS Impairment of Ass ets, CASABAS Intangible Assets and CASABAS Provisions, understand Grog's current accounting practices reflected in the 2012 Annual Report.A further discussion into the differences between the accounting standards used and its requirements and the application of them are examined. Through this, recommendations are then outlined into refining the gap between Grog's current accounting practices and the requirements of the standards. Relevant Accounting Standard The relevant accounting standard related to disclosures of sources of estimation uncertainty and Judgments can be found within ISOBAR Presentation of Financial Statements.Other key standards that are relevant to Grog's disclosure of assumptions, estimates and Judgments are SAAB'S 36 Impairment of Assets, SAAB'S 38 Intangible Assets and CASABAS Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets. 2. 1 ISOBAR This standard outlines the presentation of financial statements for general purpose financial statements, in order to ensure that there is comparability between the entities reporting periods as well as between other industries reports. The standard discusses the minimum requirement for reporting content and guidelines for the structure in which it is to be set at.Paragraph 117-124 distinguishes the disclosure of accounting policies in relation to Judgment. Management's Judgment made in applying accounting policies that may have effected significant amounts found in financial statements and the financial position. Seen in paragraph 125-133 ‘Sources Of Estimation Uncertainty, it is vital that entities disclose the key assumptions made grading future prospects and other uncertain estimates that are used in identifying carrying amounts of assets and liabilities.Along side this, the nature and carrying amount must be disclosed at the reporting date. 2. 2 SAAB'S 36 Under SAAB'S 36 it is essential for assets to be tested for impairment when the carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. In und ertaking these annual proceedings, a number of related Judgment and estimated assumptions need to be encountered. There is a need for Judgment when determining cash-generating assets (Para's. 68). Paragraph 30-57 outlines the associated requirements for calculating value-in-use.Paragraph 30. A specifically identifies the need for an estimate of future cash flows that the entity expects to generate from the asset. These cash flow projections are outlined in paragraph 33. A, where it is based on reasonable and supportable assumptions made by management's estimates, re- stated further in paragraph 34, where this assumption is based on the difference between past cash flow predictions and actual cash flow amounts. These projections need to be consistent with previous projections.Paragraph 38 continues to detail the significance for management to use the appropriate assumption that would best fleet management's estimates of economic conditions that will continue throughout the assets use ful life. When calculating the value-in-use, there is a need to determine a discount rate and under paragraph 55 the rate is a pre-tax rate. Paragraph 126-137 states that entities should be encouraged to disclose the assumptions and various estimates taken in order to determine the CHUG recoverable amount during the period.Paragraph 134 requires that a disclosure of the group's key assumptions, description of managements approach to identifying these assumptions, the period future cash flow as well as the discount rate applied. . 3 SAAB'S 38 SAAB'S 38 details the accounting procedures applied for intangible assets that are not specified otherwise in other standards. This standard deals with a number of assumptions and estimates that are required when applying it.Paragraph 22 examines the need for entities to assess the prospect of anticipated future economic benefits using reasonable and supportive assumptions that will exist over the useful life of the asset. Paragraphs 33-41 ident ify the requirements regarding acquisitions as part of a business combination, these intangible assets must be recognized separately from goodwill. Paragraph 41 examines the principle of entities being allowed to use techniques that have been developed for estimating fair values. The standard requires certain disclosures outlined in paragraphs 118-128.These disclosures provided basis for understand of assumptions and estimates involved in determining: Finite or indefinite useful lives, amortization rates and the reasons for identifying an intangible asset having indefinite useful life Amortization methods used for definite lives The gross carrying amount for any accumulated amortization Reconciliation of the carrying amount at start and end of period Information grading any restrictions on the face of intangible assets or any assured as security for liabilities 2. CASABAS SAAB 137 outlines the accounting procedures for provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets. Under paragraph 36 the best estimate required to settle the present obligation at the end of the financial period is the amount recognized as a provision. This estimate discussed in paragraph 38 is determined by the Judgment of management and takes into account risk and uncertainties, the discounting of present value (discounting at a pre-tax rate) and future events that may affect present obligations.Further Judgment needed by management is necessary when dealing with risks and uncertainties in order to avoid overstating or understating accounting elements. When disclosing the application of this standard paragraph 84-92, in relation to Judgments and assumptions, an entity shall detail the major assumptions made relating to future events further addressed in paragraph 48 that is the description of future events that may affect the amount of the provisions likeliness to occur. In summary an entity shall disclose the reconciliation of the movements of each class of provision and detailed i nformation regarding the nature f the obligation.Under note 3 found in SIR Ltd 2012 Annual Report, three significant factors have been disclosed that may result in an alteration of future material adjustments due to estimates and assumptions (Refer to Appendix 1): I. Estimated impairment of goodwill I'. Estimated value of intangible assets relating to acquisitions iii. Estimated make good provisions The associated SAAB standard, previously discussed are SAAB'S 36 Impairment of Assets in relation to point I, SAAB'S 38 Intangible Assets corresponding to ii, and iii, is the reflection of CASABAS Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets.Specific paragraphs have been discussed earlier in order to understand the Grog's accounting practices. 3. 1 Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions SIR Ltd applies SAAB'S 36, CASABAS and SAAB'S 38 regarding estimates and Judgment disclosures under ISOBAR paragraph 125-133 as discussed previously. Estimated impairment of goodwill de als with the application of SAAB'S 36 disclosed under note 1. 0. In applying SAAB'S 36. 68, SIR has classified the recoverable amounts for CHUG, which are determined based on the calculated value-in-use.The assumptions require the application of paragraph 134, outlining the assumptions under note 14. (Refer to Appendix 2). The growth rate and discount rate for each subsidiary and the period of which these assumptions are based on, that is a five-year period approved by the Board has been outlined. The assumptions disclosed regarding value-in-use is that budgeted gross margins are determined by past and expected future performance. There is consistency between the use of weighted average growth rates and forecasts included in industry reports.Disclosures of management's explanation as to why certain subsidiaries were not calculated using value-in-use is present. SIR Ltd has identified the intangible assets that undertook assumptions and estimates as brand names and supplier agreement s, as well as put options. The use of paragraph 41 has been performed by SIR Ltd in valuing brand names using the relief from royalty method and multi-period excess earnings method in valuing supplier agreements. In determining these calculations, assumptions are made by management.The value of put options has undertaken estimations. These three intangible assets were acquired as a business combination. SIR disclosures of the assumptions and estimates reflecting the application of SAAB'S 38. 18-128 are found under note 1 . Q. Iv-v (Refer to Appendix 3). Brand names are determined as indefinite, supplier agreements have a useful life of 20 years, and amortization is calculated in regards to the timing of projected cash flows over the estimated useful life. Reasons for specific brand names being classified as indefinite is outlined under note 14. . The key factors that management has taken in depicting brands useful life is also estimates in accounting for provisions for make good on the removal of leasehold improvements or return leasehold premises to the original state. The make good provision is recognized when SIR has a present obligation from the occurrence of past events. Leasehold improvement costs are capitalist and amortized over the useful life or the shorter of the period of the lease disclosed in note 18. C (Refer to Appendix 5). Note 1 . States that the amounts for provisions have been reliably estimated, and are not recognized for future operating losses (Refer to Appendix 6). Further disclosed under note 1 . Z, is Grog's application of make good costs. They are recognized as a provision at the beginning of the agreement and these estimated true payments are discounted using appropriate market yield at reporting date. (Refer to Appendix 7). 3. 3 Significant Judgment Significant Judgment is essential for SIR to disclose when applying the listed standards. There have been no Judgments disclosed under note 3.Accounting Standard Requirements The one si gnificant gap found between ISOBAR and the current practices of SIR Ltd is the failure of disclosing significant Judgment. ISOBAR . 122 details an entity should disclose a summary of the significant accounting policies of management Judgment's (apart from those of estimations) dad in applying the entity's accounting policies, which has affected significant amounts recognized in financial statements. SIR Ltd has failed to disclose a summary of Judgments made that may affect significant amounts on financial statements.However SIR has disclosed estimates and assumptions however certain areas are not successfully outlined. Assumptions are clearly outlined in the notes, however a detailed description and reasoning of managements approach to identifying these is not present. Management estimates relating to put options have not been clearly stated within the notes. The assumptions regarding the valuation ethos of brand names and supplier agreements have not been outlined (royalty method a nd multi-period excess earnings). ISOBAR . 125 has not been effectively applied in Grog's disclosure of assumptions.There is no information regarding the assumptions of future events. Assumptions and estimates overall have been disclosed, however briefly without detail, as required by ASIA. In order for SIR Ltd to comply with the standard of disclosures of estimates and judgments by which ASIA requires, certain adjustments for future disclosures are needed. The need for ease of locating information requires the implementation of fined structure essential. Under note 3, Critical accounting estimates and judgments, a clear distinction between estimates and Judgments is integral.A distinct need can be seen within note 3. A. I to ‘refer to note 14 for details'; and should be outlined in ii and iii. It is difficult to locate the relevant information regarding estimates value of intangible assets relating to acquisitions and estimated value of makes good provisions, however assumpti ons are still outlined throughout the notes despite a lack of clarity regarding referral to note 3. Any related estimates and judgments made by management need to be discussed under note 3, regarding the nature of the element relating to estimates or Judgment.The differences mentioned previously need to be refined; assumptions relating to the future events, estimates relating to put options and methods used to value brand names and supplier agreements need to be outlined. It is important for SIR to disclose all related information that may assist users in making economic decisions. Therefore it is essential for SIR to outline all assumptions, estimates and Judgments made that affect significant amounts within the financial statement and financial position.