Enron Case Study

Enron Case Study Introduction Agency problem is one of the major challenges that shareholders face in their effort to maximize wealth through investment. One source of agency problems is associated with the existence of conflicts of interest. In an effort to increase their earnings, firms’ management teams engage in unethical practices such as financial irregularities. Additionally, they also implement operational strategies that aim at maximizing their firms’ profitability rather than the shareholders’ wealth.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Enron specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Therefore, to better illustrate how the operational strategies implemented by firms’ management teams can cause a firm to collapse, this paper evaluates the case of Enron Corporation. More focus goes to the firm’s cultural environment and the implemented management control. The paper also conducts an analysis of Enron ’s ineffectiveness in implementing a strong organizational culture and its inefficient management control system. Case background The case illustrates the rise and collapse of Enron Corporation. Some of the salient features evident in the case include: Factors that contributed to the rise of the company These factors are clearly illustrated and explained. The case makes it evident that Enron’s collapse was due to inefficient control by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Skilling. The leadership style adopted by Jeff Skilling Leadership style stands out as the major factor that contributed towards the emergence of an inefficient organizational culture. Establishment of a â€Å"new economy†- Skilling laid more emphasis on transforming the firm from being an â€Å"old economy† to being a â€Å"new economy†. However, the leadership style he adopted had a negative impact on the firm’s effort to achieve its goal. Management contr ol system The case cites inefficiency in controlling the activities of the employees, which comes out as a major cause that significantly contributed towards the firm’s failure. Company attributes Enron Corporation was energy and commodities trading company, which was formed in 1985 by Kenneth Lay. Its headquarters were located in Houston, in the US. The firm owned the most extensive natural gas pipeline in the US. In a quest to maximize its profitability, the firm ventured into the international market. In addition to its energy business, Enron also positioned itself as a giant with regard to water and wastewater management having ventured into the industry in 1998. Upon its market entry, the firm gained global recognition courtesy of its strategic move with regard to its adoption of the â€Å"new economy† strategy. Enron’s management team appreciated the importance of diversification in an effort to maximize profitability. Consequently, the firm established n umerous divisions. Some of these divisions included online marketplace, transportation, wholesale, and broadband services. The firm’s decision to incorporate the concept of product and service diversification emanated from its founders’ focus on steering it towards maximizing the shareholders’ value. Business strategy The success of a firm depends on the effectiveness with which it formulates and implements business strategies. In the course of its operation, Enron adopted a business strategy that focused on attaining a high rate of expansion. Consequently, Enron incorporated a number of business strategies, which included internationalization and formation of mergers and acquisitions.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The firm’s success in the international market emanated from its ability to implement strategic practices such as acq uisitions. For example, in 1987, Enron acquired Zond Corporation, a leader in wind-power, which provided an opportunity to venture into the renewable energy sector. The firm was very effective in venturing into the international market. In its internationalization strategy, one source of the firm’s success was its ability to formulate and implement effective international marketing campaigns. Industry analysis using Porter’s five forces Understanding industry characteristic is paramount in a firm’s efforts to formulate and implement competitive strategies. The porter’s model is one of the frameworks that are suitable in analyzing the intensity of competition, buyer and supplier bargaining power, degree of rivalry, and threat of entry of a particular industry. The industry was experiencing an increment in threat of entry due to its profitability potential. New firms especially firms dealing in production of renewable energy were considering the possibility of venturing into the industry to exploit the presented profitability. The threat of entry was minimal given that there were minimal legal barriers. The emergence of renewable forms of energy significantly increased the threat of substitute. Consumers were switching to renewable forms of energy. The intensity of competition led to an increment in the degree of industry rivalry. The various alternatives with regard to forms of energy significantly increased the buyers’ power. This aspect emanated from the fact that they could switch at a minimal cost. On the other hand, the suppliers’ bargaining power was low due to the large number of suppliers. SWOT Analysis Strengths Pipeline infrastructure-The firm established an elaborate natural gas pipeline network in the United States. The firm’s name attained a relatively high credibility given that it ranked 7th on the Fortune 500. Positive reputation-In the course of its operation, Enron managed to attain and sustain positive reputation. Its strength also emanated from the fact that it had attained a monopolistic advantage over its competitors emanating from its large size. The firm achieved this goal by positioning itself as the largest energy provider in the US. Human capital pool- A firm’s ability to attain high competitive advantage relative to its competitors is directly impacted by the quality of its human capital. In its operation, Enron had been very effective in enhancing its employees’ skills, abilities, knowledge, and capabilities by undertaking comprehensive training and development.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Enron specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Innovation- Enron’s management team appreciated the fact that it operated in a very dynamic industry. Consequently, it laid great emphasis on innovation in an effort to thrive. Its innovation ability enabled Enron to shift from natural gas an d energy transportation to being a trading company. The firm specifically focused on other areas such as pulp and paper production, coal, steel, and communication business lines. Marketing and value delivery- Since its establishment, Enron had been committed towards meeting the customers’ needs. Its ability to identify and deliver customer values played a significant role in enabling Enron to attain an optimal market position. Weaknesses Failed board of directors- The firm’s board of directors did not execute its oversight role effectively, which stands out clearly in the face of its inability to monitor the firm’s operations through its committees. Additionally, the firm’s board of directors failed in enhancing moral and ethical practices within the firm. As a result, its auditors and employees engaged in unethical practices such as deceit. Conflict of interest- The firm’s weakness also stands out given the inability of the management team to con trol conflicts of interest that occurred in various transactions that the firm engaged in during its existence. This aspect pushed the firm into great losses due to the persistent fraud, which further necessitated the firm’s collapse. Opportunities Public reputation -In the course of its operation, Enron developed a strong public reputation, which presents an opportunity that the firm could have exploited in the course of its operation. Consumers associated Enron with its ability to provide quality energy. Consequently, Enron could have exploited such public perception to expand its pipeline and other businesses. Additionally, Enron could have exploited the move by the government to deregulate the energy industry by venturing in other energy sectors. For example, the firm should have considered the possibility of venturing into production of clean energy. This move would have played a significant role in dealing with climate change challenges of the 21st century and thus the firm’s reputation would have improved significantly. Formation of mergers and acquisitions Considering the prevailing economic environment, Enron should have improved its competitive advantage by seeking reputable firms in the industry to form mergers and acquisitions. Some of the potential partners that the firm should have focused on included firms dealing in production of clean energy. In the course of its operation, Enron gained sufficient experience informing mergers and acquisitions. Threats Terrorist threat – The threat of terrorism had become real to firms in different economic sectors. Terrorists were increasingly targeting major infrastructure in the US such as energy plants in an effort to sabotage the country’s economy. Therefore, the extensive natural gas pipeline that Enron had developed in the US could have attracted terrorists, and such an occurrence could have a significant impact on Enron’s operation.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Economic crisis- Due to the high rate of globalization, the US could not shield itself from the occurrence of another economic recession. The occurrence of a recession could have directly affected Enron because it derived a significant proportion of its revenue from household consumption. Competition In the course of its operation, Enron faced competition challenges emanating from the numerous firms in the US energy industry. The intense competition significantly increased the degree of rivalry within the industry. Consequently, most firms in the industry focused at formulating and implementing strategies that enhanced their ability to increase their market share. One of the strategies that the industry players were focusing on entails research and development. Organizational culture An organization’s culture has a significant impact on how its employees act. This aspect arises from the fact that the culture nurtured by a particular organization affects its traditions and cus tomers coupled with how employees execute their duties and responsibilities. Firms develop their culture over time. Upon his entry into the company, Jeff Skilling intended to transform the company’s culture into a â€Å"New Economy†, and to achieve this goal, he focused on transforming the company into becoming an exemplary intellectual capital firm that would greatly delight the shareholders and stakeholders. Consequently, Enron developed a culture that was characterized by intense regulation. This move significantly contributed towards the firm’s collapse. The firm’s management team believed that the culture it developed would foster its innovativeness and capacity to adapt. Consequently, the firm recruited the most talented employees mostly composed of new university graduates such as MBA holders. The decision to recruit employees of such caliber hinged on the management teams’ emphasis on entrepreneurial thinking and risk taking, which made the firm’s managers to become overconfident. Enron nurtured an aggressive culture that led to a high rate of employee turnover. This scenario arose from the fact that the firm laid more emphasis on attaining short-term results. The firm’s management team formulated an employee evaluation program that was conducted after every six months. The objective of the evaluation was to enhance the integrity and creativity amongst the employees. However, this move stressed most of the employees thus reducing their operational efficiency. Employees who succeeded in attaining the set targets received extensive monetary rewards such as salary increments, stock options, and bonuses. Skilling’s focus on development of such culture did not succeed. Instead, a culture of arrogance, fierce internal competition, and extreme decentralization became the norm. The firm’s manager was mainly concerned with transforming the institution into a postmodern, hyper-flexible, and a firm th at continuously re-invents in order to align with changes in the external business environment. According to Skilling’s opinion, this would enable the firm to increase its profitability. Conversely, the ever-changing characteristic of the firm made employees to perceive a significant decline in their job security. Due to its extensive expansion, Enron ventured into unfamiliar territories. The inexperience of the firm’s executives significantly contributed towards the occurrence of mistakes. Additionally, the management team’s emphasis on generation of ideas from the employees led to accumulation of information, which the firm could not process adequately. Its over-emphasis on risk taking made the firm to ignore the costs associated with such risks. Additionally, putting pressure on the employees to be creative stimulated most employees to take shortcuts, which were in most cases unethical. The firm’s employees laid more emphasis on creativity because it a ttracted great rewards compared to integrity. This aspect led to the occurrence of agency problem between shareholders and managers. Employees were mainly concerned with their personal welfare rather than attaining the shareholders’ wealth maximization goal. Problems and Key Issues raised in the case The case illustrates a number of problems and key issues that Enron experienced in the course of its operation. One of the major problems evidenced in the case touches on the accounting system used by the firm. Enron adopted an aggressive accounting style whereby the accounting officers inflated figures in the firm’s financial statements. Additionally, special partnerships were formed with the objective of defrauding the firm. The partnerships rendered the process of accounting very complicated. The accounting officer did not record the actual values in the firm’s accounting books. The records were made to look attractive, which was not the case. The management team engaged in fraudulent reporting by manipulating the firm’s revenue and earnings in order to sustain the firm’s credit rating. Consequently, most investors perceived the firm as a solid and reliable investment partner. The auditors colluded with the management team in return of huge financial gains. Approximately, the auditors and consultants earned between $25 million and $27 million in audit and consulting fees. In the course of executing its oversight duties, Enron ignored the firm’s financial capacity, which made its shares to rise significantly during the 1990s. Enron relied on the â€Å"mark to Market† accounting system, which enabled it to succeed in adjusting the value of its stocks and shares by reflecting the prevailing market value. By using this method, Enron comfortably reported its expected future earnings as current earnings. Therefore, Enron disregarded its codes of ethics, which is based on integrity, respect, excellence, and communicatio n. The existence of conflict of interest between managers and shareholders comes out clearly given the fact that the executive mainly focused on maximizing their earnings. In August 2001, the company Chief Executive Officer Jeff Skilling resigned from the company and immediately disposed off his stocks, which were valued at more than $33 million. In addition to the accounting fraud, another key issue that is evident in the case study relates to the firm’s overdependence on making deals. Despite the fact that Enron had developed a professional risk assessment and control committee, the committee did not execute its duties effectively. For example, the committee was reluctant to reject projects that were evidently risky. Its inability to execute this role was necessitated by the fact that the management team mainly focused on making deals that would contribute to increment in the firm’s cash flows, hence necessitating the firm’s ability to attain high growth. Addi tionally, the committee was reluctant to express its opinion regarding illegal businesses and practices that the firm was undertaking. This scenario arose from the fact that making such opinions would herald their career’s death. The firm’s management team rewarded blind loyalty to employees and quashed those who portrayed dissent. Enron situation fits perfectly in the theory of planned behavior. The theory explains that there exist reasons behind the occurrence of a particular situation. It asserts that unethical practices such as corruption mainly hinge on specific values and intent. Enron’s employees mainly focused on engaging themselves in extreme competitive actions and favored unethical practices in order to achieve their desired operational efficiency. The behavior thrived because the employees observed the optimal treatment to individuals who engaged in shortcuts to attain the desired level of creativity. Conclusion and recommendations In summary, the fr aud in Enron Corporation was a result of failure in the firm’s leadership system, management control, and ineffective organizational culture. Its focus on positioning itself as a â€Å"new economy† stimulated employees to engage in unfair activities in order to achieve the desired objective. Additionally, the management team developed a culture that focused on attainment of results rather than nurturing integrity. Consequently, employees engaged in unethical practices and disregarded the codes of ethics implemented by the firm. Therefore, to deal with these challenges, Enron should have considered the following recommendations. Enron should have adopted a progressive-adoptive culture. This culture focuses on generation of new ideas and openness to new ideas. However, it does not force employees to implement the ideas hence it does not enhance unhealthy competition. It would also have been important for the firm to consider nurturing a community-oriented culture, which mainly seeks to ensure a high level of collaboration and cooperation amongst employees. Adoption of such cultures would have played an important role in providing employees with direction. To ensure effective reporting, Enron should have incorporated accrual method of reporting to ensure accurate description of the company’s value. With regard to control issues, the firm should have adopted a more current control system by reviewing its policies, procedures, and rules. The policies and procedures should have focused on nurturing integrity and ethics. The firm should have remained strict in implementing ethical policies and procedures to refrain employees from unethical behavior. Appendix Action plan on how to implement the recommendations and the expected time duration Action Time December 2012 1st – 4th 7th 10th 11th 14th 15th –20th Reviewing the organization culture Reviewing the firm’s reporting system Evaluating the firm’ s management control system Reviewing the leadership system

French Long Stay Visa and Residence Permit Application

French Long Stay Visa and Residence Permit Application If youre a United States citizen and want to live in France for an extended period of time, you will need a visa de long sà ©jour (long-stay visa) before you go- France will not let you into the country without it. You will also need a carte de sejour, a residence permit which you complete after you arrive in France. The following is a general overview of the process required by United States citizens to obtain long term residence in France. This information is derived from the exceptional amount of detail in English on the France-Visas website. Processes change and it is essential that you be au courant with the appropriate method, so plan to become familiar with France-Visas. The process is conducted in part online but it is a long one and can take weeks or months, and you may not be accepted the first time out. No matter what, France will not let you into the country without a proper visa, so dont buy your ticket until you have completed all the paperwork and have your visa in hand. Process and Function Basically, the long-stay visa is operationally equivalent to a Schengen visa- the visa used by residents of the 26 European states and members of the European Union that have officially abolished all passport and other border controls at their mutual borders. That means that with the visa you will be able to visit the 26 Schengen countries. There are some restrictions and some exceptions, depending in part on the purpose and length of your stay.   The visa and residence permit application process can vary not only due to different family and work situations but also based on where you apply. Beware of scams and unofficial websites: the official secure France-Visas portal is: https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en_US/web/us/ The official list of U.S. VFS Global Centre locations- a third party service provider where you will have to go to submit your visa application- is: https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en_US/web/us/a-qui-sadresser Do You Need a Long-Stay Visa?   In general, an American holding an ordinary passport who wishes to stay in France for a period between 90 days to a year will need a Visa de Long Sà ©jour acquired in advance. Exceptions include if you (or, if you are a minor, your parent) already hold a French residence permit or are a citizen of a European Union Member State. All visa requests must be entered online at the secure France Visas website- since you will be inputting personal information, be absolutely sure you are at the right website. The French government has created a Visa wizard so that if you have any doubts about whether you need one or not, use that.   Will You Also Need a Residence Permit? There are two types of long term visas: the visa de long sejour (VLS) and the visa de long sà ©jour valant titre de sà ©jour (VLS-TS). The VLS requires that you submit a request for a carte de sà ©jour (residence permit) within two months of your arrival in France; the VLS-TS is a combined visa and residence permit, which you must validate within three months of your arrival. They are both long term visas but they have administrative differences which are assigned to you by the French consulate. Either way, if you wish to stay beyond the one year limit, you must apply for a residence permit at your local prefecture in France. Categories of Long Stay Visas (VLS) There are four categories of long-stay visas, based on your purpose for going. The categories determine what supporting documentation you will require in advance, at the border, and in France, and any restrictions youll need to adhere to- such as whether you can work for pay while you are in the country.   The categories of purposes of a long-term stay are:   Tourism / private stay / hospital care: all of these purposes restrict you from working for pay.  Professional purpose: If you will be in France to work, you will need a professional visa regardless of whether you are an employee of a company, or self-employed. Youll have to describe the type of business you will conduct and, if you are in a profession that requires credentials such as doctors and teachers, you will need to prove that you meet French criteria to conduct that work.  Studies training: This category includes if you will be taking an advanced degree; if you want to learn French while working as a family assistant or an au pair; or if you want your minor child to study in a French school. You or your child may need to be officially enrolled before you go.  Family purpose: Youll need to provide the address, names, and nationality of your relatives in France, what your relationship to them is, and the reason for your stay.   Starting the Visa Process Once you have determined that you do need a visa, you can prepare your application online at the France-Visas portal, regardless of where you live in the United States. The online application form and you will be guided through the whole process by on-screen explanations. In order to save your form and print it out, youll have to create a personal account that includes your email address. Once you have finished, you will receive the list of required supporting documents required to the type of visa you have requested, and have the opportunity to book your appointment. All visas for France are ultimately reviewed by the French counsel in Washington DC, but first, youll have to appear in person at the VFS Global Centre for your region to get it submitted to DC. There are ten Global Centres in the United States- youll need to request an appointment through the France-Visas portal.   Submission Requirements   The specific documents you need will depend on your specific circumstances, but you will need a current passport, two recent identification photos in the  specific International Civil Aviation Organization (ISO/IECI) format, and whatever other documents (originals and a copy) are required because of your situation.   As of June 1, 2019, the legal requirements to successfully submit a visa are:   Your passport must be clean and in good condition, issued no more than 10 years ago, valid three months beyond your intended departure date from the Schengen Area, and with at least two blank pagesThe purpose and conditions of your stayDocuments and visas (if any) required by international conventions, which will depend on the circumstances of your visitProof of accommodation: either a hotel reservation or a form filled out by your hostEvidence of your financial ability to live in France: you must have proof that you can spend â‚ ¬65–120â‚ ¬ per day depending on where you will be housed and no less than â‚ ¬32.50 per day if youre staying with familyApproved insurance for medical and hospital expensesGuarantees of repatriationDocuments (if required) for the exercise of a professional activity2 recent photographs according to strict ISO/IECI specificsYour return ticket or the financial means to acquire one at the end of your stayNon-refundable application fee which is t ypically â‚ ¬99 ISO IEC restrictions on photographs which are acceptable for identification are quite specific. The photos must have been taken within the last six months, they must be about 1.5 inches (35-40 mm) in width. The image must be a closeup of your head and top of your shoulders, not too dark or light, your face must take up 70–80% of the photograph. It must be in sharp focus without shadows, you must be standing in front of a plain background, and the picture must not include another person. Dont wear heavy framed glasses, dont wear a hat- if you wear religious headgear your face must be clearly visible. Look at the camera and you can smile, but your mouth must be closed.  You will need several copies during the process. Submitting Your Application After you have filled out your form, you will be given an opportunity to set up an appointment at the VFS Global Centre for your regionbut you can also do it later. Request your appointment through the France-Visas portal.  Bring all of your original documents to the appointment, as well as at least one photocopy of each. The service provider at VFS will receive you, review your application, collect the visa fee, and capture your biometric data (a photo scanned or taken during your appointment, and ten individually-taken fingerprints). She or he will retain your passport and the copies of all your supporting documents in order to forward them to the consulate. You can track the progress of your application online at the France-Visas site; you will be notified when your documents are ready at the VFS Global Centre you applied at. On Arrival To enter France, you will need to offer the following documentation (at least) to the Border police: valid passport and visaproof of accommodationproof of sufficient financial meansyour return ticket or financial means to acquire oneany document providing details on your profession Unless you obtained a VLS-TS, the visa de long sà ©jour does not give you permission to live in France- it gives you permission to apply for the carte de sà ©jour. If your visa has the words carte de sà ©jour solliciter,† you do need to get a residence permit. Start that process within two months of your arrival, at the prefecture of your place of residence within two months of your arrival. If you live in Paris, you must report your presence to police headquartersif you live in another department, you must report to the prefecture or subprefecture of your department   Validate Your Residence Permit (VLS-TS) If you received a VLS-TS visa, you wont need a carte de sà ©jour, but you must validate it within three months of your arrival. While the process is completely online, you will need to provide the information on your long term stay visa, the date you arrived in France, your residential address in France, and your credit card to pay the required issuance fee or electronic stamp.

Measurement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Measurement - Essay Example Without the invention of figures and measuring standards, it would be extremely difficult for industries to perform the tasks accurately and efficiently (Ambrose & Harris 45). One of the industries that measurement plays a large role in is Engineering and Construction and without this practice it would be extremely difficult for those working in this industry to perform their duties. Types of Measurement categories As mentioned earlier, there are different types of measurements that can be found with regard to what in particular an individual is trying to measure (Baines & Haslam 59). These measurements can either be used on their own or jointly depending on the task that the individual measuring wants to perform. The categories that are used for measurement of specific areas can be referred to as Units (Ambrose & Harris 36). Some of the aspects of objects that may require measuring include areas such as: Mass – This has to do with the weight of an object and is one of the mos t common aspects of measurement as it used in almost every single activity including the weighing of oneself in a bid to keep an eye on their body weight (Emerson 23). This is popularly referred to as body mass index. Length – This is in regard to how long an object is. ... Measurement Systems Measurement systems refer to the available units that an individual is able to conduct their measurements in (Emerson 47). The different systems available have different units of measurements that are used to calculate the various aspects of an object such as weight, length and so on. Three of the most common measurement systems that have been used over the years include the Imperial system and the SI system. The Imperial System This system is also known as the English system and was developed by the British. It was once the most popular system in use at one point in time before the switch to use of the SI system (Baines & Haslam 67). The main countries that used these system included the Common wealth countries, the United States and of course the Britons themselves. After a while the system became known as the U.S. Customary units as they maintained the use of these units after other countries made the switch to the SI system and it is still in use there and in certain Caribbean countries as well. Though Britain formally moderately changed to the SI system, many Imperial units still remain in use in this country. The SI System The full name for this particular system is the International System of Units and its abbreviation came from the French language (Systeme International d'Unites). It is a recent revision of the metric system and can be termed as the world’s most popular system of units at the moment with most countries either adapting all or part of the system (Ambrose & Harris 32). There are two categories of SI units in existence, they include the base units that deal with the simpler measurements such as time,

Discourse Community Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Discourse Community Analysis - Essay Example A very good example of an exclusive language can be found in the military. Whereas the officers use â€Å"good English† for their commands and among themselves, the recruits and lower cadre officers at the â€Å"club house† use pidgin which has the potential of expression informality and high level of intimacy of role relations. (Alabi, T., n.d.) This is the usual set-up of communication in the military. The men in the military speak a different language at work than at home. If civilian men are difficult to understand by nature, military men are even more difficult to understand. This is because the military has its own language. The men communicate with words and sometimes with their actions. Each branch of the military also has its own â€Å"lingo†. For example, the word â€Å"camouflage† uniform is called â€Å"cammies† for the Marines and the Navy but â€Å"fatigues† for the Army. Each division the military has its own nickname. A jarhead refers to a Marine. They say this is because the head of a marine looks like a jar. A squid is someone from the Navy. The connection is very obvious, I believe. Top Gun refers to an Air Force member. Finally, those in the army are called dogs. By their terms, one can already see how exclusive and proud military men are with regards to their branch of service. Of course there are also some words used by all branches of the military like CO which means commanding officer. Brass refers to officers because of the many awards (made of metal) pinned on their uniforms. These pins distinguish them from the members in the lower ranks. AO means area of operation. This is any place you’re supposed to work at. Bird doesn’t mean an animal that flies but a plane. Mess hall or chow hall is their word for dining room. Ultimately, a john wayne isn’t a person or an actor but a can opener. Indeed, language in the military is something an outsider has to be ready for. Otherwise, an outsider may act

Chinese philosophy Essay Example for Free

Chinese philosophy Essay The 6th century B. C. E. was an amazing time of philosophical growth for ancient China. It was during that time that the two most influential spiritual leaders native to China, Confucius and Lao-tzu, are thought to have lived and taught. The philosophies that they practiced, Taoism and Confucianism, existed simultaneously in dynastic China, attracting countless numbers of followers over the past 2,500 years. The fascination of both the Eastern and Western worlds with these two legendary figures and the philosophies that they created remains strong. The Old Master  Lao-tzu, translated as either Old Master or Old Boy, is believed to be the author of Taoism. Very little is known of his life; he may not even have existed. According to myth, at his birth around 604 B. C. E. , Lao-tzu came from the womb as an old man, white-haired and full of wisdom. He eventually took a position as head librarian of the Imperial Archives. Saddened by societys lack of goodness, Lao-tzu decided to leave his home in Luoyang to live out the rest of his life in quiet and solitude somewhere beyond the Great Wall of China, possibly near Tibet. As he passed through the city gates for the final time, the gatekeeper asked Lao-tzu to write down his parting thoughts. The Old Master agreed, and three days later returned with a small book. Lao-tzu then left civilization, never to return. His writings were titled the Tao Te Ching, and became the most important text of Taoism. The Vinegar Tasters Lao-tzu smiles while the Buddha and Confucius wince after they taste-test vinegar. The philosophies of ancient China are summarized in the faces of its three most colorful characters. According to Taoism, the entire universe and everything in it flows with a mysterious, unknowable force called the Tao. Translated literally as The Way, the Tao has many different meanings. It is the name that describes ultimate reality. The Tao also explains the powers that drive the universe and the wonder of human nature. Taoists believe that everything is one despite all appearances. Opinions of good and evil or true and false only happen when people forget that they are all one in the Tao. Therefore, it is the aim of Taoists not to forget, and if forgotten to remember that oneness. However, Lao-tzu reminds believers that the Tao is difficult to grasp: the Tao that can be spoken is not the true Tao. Over time a Taoist religion evolved, becoming somewhat different from the philosophy of Taoism just described. While religious Taoism held some of the same beliefs, it also called for worship of many gods and ancestors, a practice that began during the Shang dynasty. Other religious practices included the cultivation of bodily energy called chi, the creation of a system of morals, and use of alchemy in attempts to attain immortality. The folk religion of Taoism became popular after its adoption by China as the state religion in 440 C. E. , and continues to be practiced even to the present-day. Confucius and the Analects The other driving philosophy of dynastic China was created by a politician, musician, and philosopher named Confucius. Born in 551 B. C. E. , Confucius wandered throughout China, first as a government employee, and later as a political advisor to the rulers of the Chou dynasty. In later life, Confucius left politics to teach a small group of students. After his death in 479 B. C. E. , the ethics and moral teachings of Confucius were written down by his students to become the Lun-yu, or Analects. Many of his clever sayings are still followed today. It is as hard to be poor without complaining as to be rich without becoming arrogant. Lao-tzu, the founder of Taoism Lao-tzu, known as the Old Master, wrote his parting thoughts on the Tao or The Way before he left civilization. The Tao Te Ching, as this writing came to be known, has influenced millions during the last 2,500 years. Learning to be human was the goal of Confucianism. According to Confucius, each person should act with virtue in all social matters; family, community, state, and kingdom, to ensure order and unity. Mans virtue in all its forms is called jen. Jen is all encompassing and unable to be defined, in some respects similar to the Tao. Confucian ceremonies contained many rituals based in the Five Classics, especially the I Ching, or Book of Changes. Procedures for birth, marriage, and death were rigid and specific. For example, according to Confucian funeral tradition, a willow branch is always carried behind the body of the deceased symbolizing the soul of that person. However, by far the most influential aspect of Confucianism remains the Analects: Not to teach a man who can be taught, is to waste a man; to teach a man who cannot be taught, is a waste of words. The wise will lose neither men nor words. It was sayings such as this one that made Confucianism the social philosophy of China from the Han dynasty in 202 B. C. E.until the end of dynastic rule in 1911. Rival Philosophies Taoism and Confucianism have lived together in China for well over 2,000 years. Confucianism deals with social matters, while Taoism concerns itself with the search for meaning. They share common beliefs about man, society, and the universe, although these notions were around long before either philosophy. Both began as philosophies, each later taking on religious overtones. Legend states that Confucius and Lao-tzu did in fact meet to discuss the Imperial Archives. Lao-tzu was unimpressed by the beautiful robes worn by Confucius, and did not agree with looking back on the past. Put away your polite airs and your vain display of fine robes. The wise man does not display his treasures to those he does not know. And he cannot learn justice from the Ancients. Regardless of the disagreements between Lao-tzu and Confucius, both Taoism and Confucianism have served as guides. They have led China through the peaks and valleys of its vast history, the longest continuing story on the planet.

Spending on Advancing the Arts is the Proper use of Public Resourses :: essays research papers

"As long as people in a society are hungry or out of work or lack the basic skills needed to survive, the use of public resources to support the arts is inappropriate——and, perhaps, even cruel——when one considers all the potential uses of such money." Although I understand that the mercy that the speaker shows to the people experiencing starvation and unemployment, by asserting that the government should spend more money on the jobless and hungry people rather than squandering money on arts, I have to stand out that it is unwise to exclude art from using of public resources by just considering the starvation and survival problems faced by a minority of people. Admittedly, eliminating poverty is definitely deemed to be one of the ambitious missions of our society in a long run for we are not merciless humankind to witness so many people struggling with the housing problem and starvation. However, if a country ties up all its capital in solving starvation and unemployment problems and has little incentive to invest in art industry, with considering art as unnecessary luxuries, I would rather put it under the label of a refugee camp instead of a country. Every country has its own traditional culture. The essence of traditional art is to illustrate the national culture to the people all over the world in its unique artistic way. Why do we human beings distinct from other creatures in the world? We will never be satisfied with only enough food and safe shelter but starve for art which illuminates our life in the darkness and frustration. It is we humans who have a heart opens and seeks for arts forever. We know how to appreciate art and we dese rve this. Take Van Gogh as an example, he would rather quiet his stomach with painting than go out and find something to eat. He couldn’t live without his painting while he endured hungriness. Therefore we should be determined to foster the development of art for the majority in the society is waiting to enjoy life in ideological field aside from satisfied life necessities. We feel more fulfilled when we get something to communicate with our heart. We hear the echo of our heart. In the second place, is art really a kind of luxury and money consuming? Are the antique buyers billionaires who just interested in the antique itself? Actually not, in most of cases, it is the huge profit that drives many smart investors to heed on the antiques and cautiously pour their money in the realm of antique collectibles.

Growing Up African American Essay

I am a member of the African American group and I would like to tell you a bit about the group of when I am a part of. Let me start by saying that my African American group originated from Africa and growing up in America can be tough for people of my race, the African Americans. My group’s history is wide ranging spanning for many years and varying from region to region within the United States. I remember when I was young I use to talk to my mother a lot and asked her many questions like â€Å"Why am I called an African American? † She went on to explain that our race originally comes from Africa and we were part of a slave trade. From my mother I learned that we were slaves until a law was passed to give us freedom. I use to wonder when I was young if there were other people similar to me all over America. I also remember something my father told me once that African Americans live all over the country. My father told stories of how he used to go to an all black school could vote or sit in the front of buses. Being African Americans have faced several kinds of creation and consequence situations in the years they have been a part of the United States. In some places cheaper labor, longer work hours and terrible living conditions. Many people of the United States have made it almost impossible for groups of another race or Ethnicity to strive and live full happy lives. I have seen over the year’s situations of extermination in some parts, as well segregation, and expulsion. In school from some of my teachers, in social interactions like just walking through a store, and especially in the work place when they’ll even give me the chance to work because it doesn’t matter I go to get a job out here. There are some racist, even the Uncle Tom’s. I’ve done everything they ask and still I either get denied the job or they hire me and treat me like Growing up African American 3 trash until I quit, or they try to find a reason to get rid of me. Since, I don’t give them much reason to get rid of me due to my strong work ethic and performance; they usually try to break me down. Education plays an important role for most African Americans; however we are still way behind when compared to the White American which probably has a lot to do with the way some of us was brought up or our background. Regardless of the contributions made by the forefathers of black people, there is a hesitation of acceptance of the race that has been a focus of many groups the strive for freedom and justice for all, that has not yet been rectified. The same group of people was good enough to built the country is not always seen as good enough to live in the house next door. I believe because this country is made up of many different races and ethnic groups that are steadily growing in numbers. If different races are toco exist peacefully in the U. S. , it is vital that we all become educated on the history and culture of different races and ethnicities. According to the 2000 Census data for Lexington, MS the total population for 2000 were 2,025 male 965 and female 1,060 square miles 2. 45. Race: white (635); black or African American (1,362); American Indian and Alaska Native (1); Asian (13); and two or more races (14); and Hispanic or Latino (of any race) (40) (Fact finder Census 2000). Birthplace facts from the 2000 census data in Lexington born in the same state (1,706); born in another state (269); born outside the US (0); naturalized citizen (14); and foreign born, not US citizen (10). Some more 2000 census data in educational attainment population 25 and older was 1,206 in Lexington: high school graduates (299); some college, or associate’s degree (349); bachelor’s degree (111); and master’s, professional or doctorate degree (60). Some enrollment population 3 years and over Growing up African American 4 enrolled in school was 627: preschool and kindergarten (83); grades 1-12 (446); and college (98) (2000 census data). Growing up African American 5 References Factfinder Census 2000 Census data for Lexington, MS My mother and father.

Letter of Application Essay

I would like to apply for the BTEC Level 3 Health and Social Care course. There are many reasons why I think this would be beneficial to me, some personal and some career related. Personally, studying Health and Social would help me in my life to understand myself as well as better my relationships with peers, friends and family. By gaining a greater understanding of what is involved in the Health and Social Care sector I can improve my ability to work with or alongside others and respect and meet their needs, as well as my own. However the main reason is that I aspire to become an Occupational Therapist in the future and I’ve been passionate about this for many years. Having set my goals and looked into my university courses, I believe Health and Social would put me in good stead for my application for university and enable me to have a better knowledge and understanding prior to beginning an OT course in university. Through my own life I have developed a fairly large amount of knowledge on Health and Social Care. Throughout my school time I have been a part of the schools Peer Mentoring team, working with younger students to overcome difficulties. Incorporated into this was a whole host of different training sessions and it has also gained me a qualification through the organisations BulliesOut and ASDAN. I am very proud to have been given this opportunity, and this really helped me to decide that a job in the Health and Social Care sector would definitely suit me best. Now as a year 12 student I’m taking part in the schools Better Learning Partnership programme to help younger students with either their Numeracy or Literacy to allow them to reach their full  potential. Also, in my own life at home I’ve had experiences with Health and Social care workers such as therapists, nurses, social workers and more. This has allowed me to watch them in their work and gain first hand experi ences about how they work effectively, and also the things that I’ve found have been less effective. However, I have more experience with the Social Care side of things than the Health Care side, so I think this is a slight weakness and an area I would like to further my knowledge in whilst studying this course. Also, working with the elderly is something I’m yet to gain experience in, which this course will give me the opportunity to get. I feel my Communication skills are relatively good because I am a good listener, I can easily find information from texts or reports, I know how to use my verbal language and body language effectively and I am also good at communicating with adults and on a one-to-one basis. This course will enable me to practice and gain more confidence in myself, which is something that could hinder me in Health and Social Care. Also, I’m not as confident and successful in group communication or creating reports and references of my work, even though I do find that sometimes I can be a compulsive note taker. This course I hope will provide me with the skills and confidence to overcome and manage these problems and better my communication skills on the whole so I become equally good in all areas. When I am working with others, I definitely know how I can use my skills best and what would be a good job for me to do and the things that others would be able to do better. I also enjoy helping others in groups to develop their skills and build upon their strengths. This is because I find real satisfaction from helping others to grow and reach their full potential. I also feel I’m fairly good at evaluating group work and interactions with others to help me in the future. However, communicating with peers is definitely one of my weaknesses in this area as I am not a very confident person and often worry about how others will perceive me and also, if I detect or not an aspect of group communication that isn’t as effective as it could be, I’m very hesitant to point it out, again as a result of my lack of confidence. I hope that through the Work Experience I will gain on the Health and Social Care course that I will be able to build on my confidence and believe in myself more as I gain more knowledge and practical experience. Generally, I think my skills with technology are sufficient. I enjoy using both power point and  excel to support my work and I’m always fairly organised and have everything filed appropriately. I also have other skills in things such as music and swimming which I am proud of. However I’m not overly confident in using computerised technology to create reports or organise tasks, schedules and deadline, I prefer to work on paper than on computer. Through my assignments in this course I think I will be able to better my use of computers to organise myself as email systems are commonly used to set deadlines and tasks, and also they will force me to be organised with deadlines and be good with time management, as well as the course giving me opportunities to furth er my personal skills and interests. The biggest threat facing me with my technological skills is that I strongly prefer to work on paper and by hand than using computers! I find that I learn fairly well from observing the work of others in practice and I’m confident in using both computers and books to research and further my knowledge and understanding as well as to analyse data. The Work Experience on this course will enable me to further develop my research skills through observation and participation and my assignments will allow me to practice other skills such as referencing. However I find that I sometimes find it hard to concentrate and stay focused when conducting independent research, especially if I am struggling to find the information I need. I am quite proud of my personal hygiene and sense of how to dress and present myself appropriately. I am also always relatively organised in my work and keep to my deadlines which is a very important skill to have to avoid added stress and consequences. My assignments during the course will give me further opportunities to work on these skills and on any other weaknesses, such as struggling to understand terminology used in assignment briefs and rarely ask for help if I don’t understand the work I have to do. My biggest threat is probably that my personal life and difficulties can sometimes get in the way of my deadlines and ability to focus, however I rarely tell tutors about these things due to feeling embarrassed and the fear of being judged. I am fairly confident in my ability to work professionally and have a vague understanding of the Care Value Base, limitations and responsibilities through my Peer Mentoring work within school. Through the Health and Social Care course I will be able to deepen my knowledge and understanding of things such as the Care Value Base and legislations which will be key to successful work in the Health and  Social Care sector. However I always want to do the best and help as much as I physically can, so sticking to the limitations will be something I find hard to do and potentially upsetting. I have very strong personal values and beliefs which I will always use to guide me in my own life and in my work. They also support the way in which I work and treat other people. The course can help me learn about where my values and beliefs can be used in Health and Social Car. However I feel extremely strongly about certain things so I need to ensure I don’t go against the Care Value Base in my work because my values and beliefs may not quite fit. Also, I sometimes struggle to keep my opinions to myself if I take offence by something or I consider something wrong, so I need to work on this whilst I complete the Health and Social Care course. I know the difference between legislation, policies and codes of conduct. I am also aware that there are certain things that you can’t do related to Health and So cial Care if you are under the age of 18. Also, I’m very familiar with the Data Protection Act 1998 and also about the Health and Safety Act 1974. The course will give me the opportunity to get to grips with the Codes of Conduct in various settings through my Work Experience Placements and get a deeper understanding of legislations. My only worry is that Legislations and Codes of Conduct change for different work environments and I may struggle to know the differences without extended practise. I know what I am good at and what my limitations are. Attending a Mindfulness course has helped me to gain understanding of myself and my limitations. I have already had a fair amount of experience with managing responsibilities and I am aware of how important meeting them can be for success. The Health and Social Care course will allow me to grow as a person and further my understanding of my personal abilities and tackle any problems that I may face, such as mental health, emotional and social aspects that could cause me an issue. I do have some experience with informal care however I could definitely benefit from further experience in certain areas. In conclusion, I feel this course would be paramount for my success in Occupational Therapy. My main strengths are that I have a strong passion for helping other people and that I have had personal experiences with professionals from the Health and Social Care sector. I believe that my passion and determination to succeed will be what carries me through this course and allows me to achieve my full potential. However my main  weaknesses are lack of confidence and also that I always want to help people as best as I possibly can, but sometimes that may be further than policies, codes of practice and legislations allow.

The red planet mars essays

The red planet mars essays As you know Mars is the fourth planet from the sun. though we have not yet traveled there we have pictures from the satellites and the Valles Marineris. There are many mysterious things about mars like. Is there life out there? Can we travel there? Will we ever be able to live there? You get the point. Ill tell you all you need to know in this report. The storms on Mars are like huge tornados or hurricanes. They can last one day or one month they are very unpredictable. There is one tornado on Mars that has been raging on its surface for just over three months. These storms or tornados consist of dust, iron, rocks and a lot of other thing that are on Mars surface. Due to this it makes probes harder and harder to travel on its martian surface. Mars has ice caps on its surface that arent made of water but are made of almost pure carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide ice can also be known as dry ice. This ice forms when the gas freezes in the atmosphere and falls kind of like snow here on Earth. The carbon dioxide is what gives the ice caps a bluish color. These ice caps also show that there is a possibility that water may be on its surface. We will know for sure when we explore Mars completely in the future. These ice caps come and go because of season. The warming and cooling on the planet affects the climate and the weather. Like here on Earth Mars has volcanos. Olympus Mons is the largest volcano ever. It is said to be at least fifteen miles high. Although it is not active because it is extinct. It used to erupt with great fury. There are other volcanos on Mars such as, Elysiun, and Tharsis that are still active and erupt constantly. The lava can flow for great distances and destroying everything in its path. The Mariner 4 was the first successful probe to ever land on Mars surface. The only evidence we got from it showed the Mars was a still dead planet. We sent two probes of in the 1976 suc ...

How to Get a Recommendation Letter for Graduate School

How to Get a Recommendation Letter for Graduate School The letter of recommendation is the part of the graduate school application that students stress most over. As with all elements of the application process, your first step is to be sure that you understand what you’re asking for. Learn about letters of recommendation early, well before it is time to apply to graduate school. What Is a Recommendation Letter? A letter of recommendation is a letter written on your behalf, typically from an undergrad faculty member, that recommends you as a good candidate for graduate study. All graduate admissions committees require that letters of recommendation accompany students’ applications. Most require three. How do you do about getting a letter of recommendation, specifically a good letter of recommendation? Prep Work: Develop Relationships with Faculty Begin thinking about letters of recommendation as soon as you think youd like to apply to graduate school because developing the relationships that are the foundation of good letters takes time. In all honesty, the best students seek to get to know professors and get involved regardless of whether they are interested in graduate study simply because its a good learning experience. Also, graduates will always need recommendations for jobs, even if they dont go to graduate school. Seek experiences that will help you develop relationships with faculty that will get you excellent letters and help you learn about your field. Choose Faculty to Write on Your Behalf Carefully choose your letter writers, keeping in mind that admissions committees seek letters from specific types of professionals.  Learn about what qualities to look for in referees and dont fret if youre a nontraditional student or one who seeks entry to graduate school several years after graduating from college. How to Ask Ask for letters appropriately. Be respectful and remember what not to do. Your professor does not have to write you a letter, so do not demand one. Demonstrate respect for your letter writers time by providing him or her with plenty of advance notice. At least a month is preferable (more is better). Less than two weeks is unacceptable (and may be met with a No). Provide referees with the info they need to write a stellar letter, including info about the programs, your interests, and goals. Waive Your Rights to See the Letter Most recommendation forms include a box to check and sign to indicate whether you waive or retain your rights to see the letter. Always waive your rights. Many referees will not write a non-confidential letter. Also, admissions committees will give letters more weight when they are confidential under the assumption that faculty will be more candid when the student cannot read the letter. Its OK to Follow-Up Professors are busy. There are many classes, many students, many meetings, and many letters. Check in a week or two before its due to see if the recommendation has been sent or if they need anything else from you. Follow-up but don’t make a pest out of yourself. Check with the grad program and contact the prof again if it hasnt been received. Give referees lots of time but also check in. Be friendly and dont nag. Afterwards Thank your referees. Writing a letter of recommendation takes careful thought and hard work. Show that you appreciate it with a thank you note. Also, report back to your referees. Tell them about the status of your application and definitely tell them when you are accepted to graduate school. Theyll want to know, trust me!

Academic mehods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Academic mehods - Essay Example The ownership expects best expertise and allocation of resources from the managers. â€Å"Adequate allocation of resources and their inclusion in strategy wins distinguished position for corporate firms.† (Johnson & Scholes, 1993: 91) To arrange a completely entertaining atmosphere, where the visitors could watch TV, read periodicals and newspapers, listen to the music and entertain themselves with the company of family and friends by taking delicious foods of various kinds â€Å"A general or formal meeting of an organization†, Fenech (2005: 31) submits, â€Å"attended by representatives of its membership for the purpose of deciding legislative direction, policy matters, the election of internal committees, and approval of balance sheets, budgets, and so on is very beneficial for the future profit earning of the companies.† Hotel industry offers a lot of recreational opportunities and thrill to the individuals. It gives equal chances of growth in an excited environment to the professionals affiliated with and attached to this field. Hotel management in UK is quite different from that of the USA. Though both these countries observe multi-racial communities, yet patterns and mode of dining out are quite