Vogue female magazines Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Vogue female magazines - Research Paper Example The primary objective of this research is to take advantage of my background in public relations, organization communication, international marketing and advertising to pursue an in depth research in the customer loyalty aspect of the Chinese Edition of the popular Vogue Female Magazine. As we know that a magazine is a periodical publication containing articles, photographs, advertisements and other features that primarily relies on advertisement and sales to accrue revenues. Thus customer loyalty is an aspect of business that is of cardinal importance, so far as assessing and assuring the profitability in a publishing business is concerned.On the accomplishment of a Masters degree in International Management from Loughborough University, I realized that I am immensely interested in the marketing issues associated with customer loyalty and retention. So in this research I intend to combine the knowledge I gained while pursuing my Masters and Bachelor degree to conduct an in depth and thorough research on the customer loyalty and retention issues faced by the International Chinese Edition of the popular Vogue Magazine. All the relevant data will be collected through return mail (on paper or through website), questionnaires and sales figures, which will aid in the sorting out and study of issues associated with the customer loyalty aspect of the publication under consideration. If this research turns out to be successful, it will serve as a rich source of reference for many foreign publishing companies. that are interested in entering the Chinese speaking market so as to enhance their global market share. After all Chinese is the second most spoken language in the world and the Chinese magazine market has a vast potential and scope that can be exploited by the foreign magazine companies. I would specially like to mention that while pursuing my Bachelors degree I not only achieved a high score of 87 in the 'Research Methods' course, but also finished a dissertatio n that was published in the Shi Hsin University's Journal of Graphic Communication and Technology. The topic that I choose for this dissertation was 'A Study of International Chinese Edition of Vogue Female Magazines' Market Segmentation and Positioning'. I preferred to join the Manchester Business School because I am particularly interested in the practical aspects of the business theories and dogmas and the Manchester Business School is an institution that believes in transcending the barriers between theory and practice so as to arm it's students with the right knowledge that will go a long way in ensuring that they become the business elite of the future (Manchester Business School, 2008). Manchester Business School is an institution that is committed to research (Manchester Business School, 2008). I am confident that the topic selected by me fits well into the priorities of the Marketing and Research Centre and Marketing Research Cohort at the

Death Penalty Persuasive Essay Essay Example for Free

Death Penalty Persuasive Essay Essay The death penalty is an issue that has the United States quite divided. While there are many supporters of it, there is also a large amount of opposition. There are five different forms of execution in the United States: hanging, electrocution, lethal injection, lethal gas, and firing squad. All of these should be illegal. Capital punishment is defined as killing of someone for a crime. But also, murder is defined as killing one human being by another. Both are acts of violence. There is nothing more inhumane than tolerating the killing of another human being. According to the Abolitionists, capital punishment is nothing but an act of violence. There are 32 states with the death penalty, and they must change. These states need to abolish it on the grounds that it carries a dangerous risk of punishing the innocent, is cruel, and for religious reasons. The United States needs to abolish capital punishment in the states that allow it. To fully understand why they should abolish the death penalty, I will first analyze the reasons why they should. First reason the death penalty should be abolished is because the risk of punishing somebody innocent. â€Å"We’re only  ­human, we all make mistakes,† is a commonly used phrase, but it is tried and true. Humans, as a species, are famous for their mistakes. However, in the case of the death penalty, error becomes too dangerous a risk. The innocent lives that have been taken with the approval of our own government should be enough to abolish capital punishment. The wrongful execution of an innocent person is an injustice that can never be rectified. There’s always the chance of the innocent being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A handful of evidence from a strong lawyer could sentence someone to life in prison, and even the death penalty. One could be spending and ending his life in captivity for simply walking down the wrong street on the wrong day. That person does not deserve to serve the time that’s not rightfully his. It’s a small fault in the justice system that is not easy to overcome. In the case of the death penalty, error becomes too dangerous to risk. The innocent lives that have been taken with the approval of our own government  should be enough to abolish capital punishment. Another reason to abolish the death penalty is because it is cruel. Many people favor the death penalty because it helps families get over the wrong done to the family; however, in most cases, closure is not the result. Losing a loved one, no matter how that person is lost, is unbearable. Pain like this is shocking and the victim’s family holds onto the hope that the execution of the murderer will bring relief and closure. Nevertheless, when execution day arrives, the pain is not eased. No relief can be gained, for their pain is an unavoidable, natural process of life. They believe that they are different from those who have taken their loved ones and they demonstrate their  ­difference by refusing to sink to a murderer’s level. According to Edna Weaver, whose daughter was murdered in New Jersey, expressed relief that the defendant was spared the death penalty. She said that she did not want William Severs Jr. executed for killing Tina Lambriola in 2002 because she wanted to spare his mother the pain of losing a child. Im so thankful it came out the way it did. . . . I wouldnt want another mother to feel like I do its a feeling I could never put into words. . . . At least his mother will be able to write to him, she will be able to send things to him, Weaver stated. Finally, the last reason they should abolish capital punishment is because religious reasons. Many religions, such Catholicism, follow the rules that God sent to use through the Ten Commandments. One of the most important of those ten states, â€Å"Thou shall not kill.† If you are executing an individual, that clearly violates this commandment. Murdering any person, no matter what the individual has been convicted of, is a mortal sin. In the Old Testament; the Lord said that it is okay to give a man Capital punishment if he has committed serious crime. Then in the New Testament he said we should not take the life of another man but if that man disobeys the laws of his country then he shall be punished equally according to what he had done. With the many advances that society has made, executing people for crimes the person may have or may not have committed is still practiced. It violates so many religious beliefs. It is a cruel and unusual practice that must be done away with. Society must advance and eliminate the death penalty. We need to understand that the best way to prevent any possible  murders in the future is not let the killer walk free. Nothing good comes of hate, and nothing good can ever come from capital punishment. It cannot continue to be accepted by a nation that claims to have liberty and justice for all. The death penalty is murder on the sly and it’s dead wrong.

Audio Engineer Essay -- essays papers

Audio Engineer An audio engineer is responsible for the operation of the soundboard and other equipment in the recording of music, words, sounds, or any combination of such material. There are several types of engineering positions available in today's studios. In large studios, there are usually several engineers, each with the own duties and contributions. There are recording engineers, recording assistants, set-up engineers, maintenance engineers, and even mix-down engineers in some cases. In smaller studios the engineer is usually responsible for all of these duties. As a rule, the engineer should be able to set-up, use, and fix the equipment they work with. In the studio, the recording engineer has to prepare for the recording sessions by setting up the necessary equipment, run the equipment during the session, and break down afterwards. While this sounds all too simple, one must remember that the engineer must work with the producer and the act to achieve the sound they're looking for, as well as troubleshoot any technical problems. This is not always a smooth process. The engineer must employ both creative and technical skills, applying their knowledge and experience to helping create music in collaboration with the artist and producer. There are many degree programs offered by schools around the world, leaving the prospective recording engineer with several routes of training. One method of receiving training in the audio engineering field is through short course and seminars. While these serve only as an introduction to the field by themselves, they are also instrumental in keeping professionals abreast with current trends and technologies affecting the industry. Such seminars are also a great source of networking for the professional. Short courses and seminars are an excellent way of supplementing a one or two-year program to enter the field. These schools tend to concentrate on the actual usage and maintenance of studio equipment. Hands-on experience and intensive exposure to the equipment is an advantage of such a program. Most offer considerable job placement services as well. Trade or occupational schools are a good choice if someone wishes to someday become a recording engineer. A student may also choose to attend a university or college and pursue a four-year degree in audio engineering. Most of these progr... ...ate education for entry into the field. The annual income of an audio engineer can range from $12,000 at an entry-level position to upwards of $125,000+ for top positions. Remember too that successful freelance engineering is very lucrative. Not only can the reputable freelance demand higher pay, but may also share in the royalties of a particularly successful project. There a few things that one needs to consider before choosing to pursue a career in audio engineering. A recording engineer often has to work long, irregular hours. An engineer must also be able to work well under extreme pressure. It also helps if the engineer has a good musical ear, as well as an appreciation of music. Naturally, it helps to be fairly adept technically and electronically. If you feel like this is you, and you can handle working for a long time without reward (hopefully not too long), then a career in audio engineering could be for you. Bibliography: Resources Field, Shelly. Career Opportunities in the Music Industry. 3rd Ed. New York: Facts on File, 1995. Martin, George. Making Music. New York: Quill, 1984. Http://hrdc.igr.com/lmi/occ prof/5225 html (career overview)

Author Exploration Paper: Saki Essay

Born on December eighteenth, 1870, Hector Hugh Munro was the third child of Charles Augustus Munro, an inspector general in the Burma police. H.H. Munro’s mother, Mary Frances Mercer, was killed a mere two years after her youngest son was born. She was killed by a runaway cow in England (Merriman). After her death, H.H. Munro and his siblings were raised in England by their two aunts and grandmother. These three adults were often the inspiration for many female characters in Munro’s stories (â€Å"A biography of Saki†). Mrs. DeRopp, in â€Å"Srendi Vashtar†, is modelled after his aunt Agnes (â€Å"H.H. Munro: About the Author†). His aunts were both very strict, and they often used the birch and whip as a form of punishment. However, if Saki had not faced such harsh trials as a child, his future works might not have been as rich as they are today{Subjunctive mode}. Due to the Munro children’s poor health, they were forced to be taught by governesses at home. At the age of twelve, H.H. Munro was finally able to attend school in Exmouth and Bedford Grammar. H.H. Munro’s father retired when Hector was sixteen. For a few years, the small family traveled the continent before his father arranged a post for him in the Burma police. Munro spent thirteen months in Burma. Although sick on multiple occasions, Munro was able to study Burmese animals, and he even raised a tiger cub during his time there(A Biography of Saki†). In 1984, Munro was forced to return to England after contracting malaria while in Burma.In 1896, Munro begn to write political satires for the Westminster Gazette. These essays were later collected and published as The Westminster Alice. In 1902, Munro published a collection of his short stories, called Not-So Stories. Munro also published only one work of serious non-fiction called The Rise of the Russian Empire. This was the only piece ever written by Munro to contain his real name on the book jacket. For all of Munro’s other pieces, however, Munro’s name was nowhere to be found. Instead, Munro chose to write under the pen name of â€Å"Saki†. The name Saki can mean one of two things, either Munro was referring to himself as a breed of monkey, or he saw himself as the cupbearer of Fitzgerald’s Rubaiyat. It is more probable that the latter option is true, for Saki had often expressed his admiration for Fitzgerald’s work (Hitchens){Compound sentence}. During his lifetime, Saki also served as a war correspondent before moving to Paris to write for The Morning Post and a French paper. He briefly revisited England in 1907 when his father became ill and died in May. Saki then opened a club, The Cocoa Tree, and continued to write for many newspapers and publish his short stories. When war was declared in late 1914, Saki enlisted in the army although he was officially too old{Complex Sentence}. He also surprised many of his admirers by turning down several commissions and insisting that he serve in the trenches, claiming that he couldn’t lead soldiers if he didn’t first know how to be one (Hitchens). He continued writing{gerund phrase} while in the army about his life on the front until November in 1916. Near the village of Beaumont-Home on the river Somes, Saki was shot by a German sniper. On the verge of a crater, the great storyteller shouted, â€Å"Put that bloody cigarette out!† Those were to be the â€Å"great Saki’s† last words (Hitchens). Although Saki’s hand would write no more, it is quite clear that Saki’s writing has definitely been influenced by his life events. H.H. Munro, or Saki, lived and wrote during the late 1800s and early 1900s. This time period was speckled with various wars and revolutions, and gave birth to the world’s first great war. Throughout these major events, Saki was there to witness, record, and eventually give his life to these skirmishes. During his life, Saki traveled to the Balkans, Russia, Poland, and France as a foreign correspondent from 1902 to 1908. While in these countries, he witnessed â€Å"Bloody Sunday† in St.Petersburg and the Russian Revolution of 1905. He also criticized the government for its â€Å"inept handling† of the Boer War (Silet). Saki’s many travels allowed him to be exposed to hardships and dangers that â€Å"†¦did much to alter the tone of his work† (Silet). Saki’s travels to Europe also â€Å"†¦introduced him to European Folk Literature† (Silet), a genre that supplied him with both subject matter and the darker vision of many of his later fiction. When not traveling the world, Saki was often found in England, where he made observations about the Edwardian society that he lived in. He later transformed these observations into many short stories, based on the upsetting of the monotonous routine of everyday life (Silet). However, towards the end of his life, Saki’s work is darker; there seems to be less humor in his writing as time goes on (Silet). During this period of his life, a hint of naturalism begins to creep into his writing, nearly extinguishing the flickering tongue of humor that used to be evident in all of his work. Saki’s use of naturalism is very apparent in his later fiction, such as the short stories â€Å"Dogged† and â€Å"The remoulding of Groby Lingfoughn†(Elahipanah). Although Saki wrote many different stories, sometimes using multiple genres, there is no question that the many world events that occurred during Saki’s lifetime greatly influenced Saki’s writing. Saki has often been called a â€Å"master of the short story†(Hitchens). Aside from this title, Saki was also a master of satire. Satire is generally witty and ironic, and uses carefully hidden hints in the text to convey its message. The genre rarely attacks specific individuals, and often uses extremes to bring the audience to an awareness of the danger in a particular society (â€Å"Characteristics of Satire†). More specifically, Saki was an Edwardian satirist–he often made fun of his society, and many of his short stories have to deal with extraordinarily strange events happening to the ordinary people of his social class and time period (â€Å"H.H. Munro: About the Author†). Saki’s earlier stories are typically more humorous; his later stories are darker and more macabre due to his many experiences with war and the darker sides of humanity (Silet). Naturalism, a genre that shows the harsher side of life and portrays the idea that man is powerless against nature{appositive phrase}, is also apparent in some of Saki’s aforementioned later fiction. Many figures from Saki’s childhood (mainly his aunts Agatha and Charlotte) are also used as models for many of Saki’s female characters (Silet). The characteristics of satire and and naturalism are both clearly portrayed through Saki’s writing. Saki’s short story â€Å"On Approval† includes many of the classic characteristics of satire that are also found in Saki’s other works. Having lived in England for much of his life, Saki knew the the city well, and chose London, a city he often frequented, as the setting for this story (â€Å"A Biography of Saki†). Gebhard Knopfschrank, a self-pronounced artist, moves to London from his small farm to try his success at painting. As time goes on, Knopfschrank becomes more and more poor, rarely purchasing meals. However, one day, Knopfschrank enters his boarding house and gleefully buys â€Å"†¦an elaborate meal that scarcely stopped short of being a banquet.† (â€Å"On Approval†). The other boarders, believing that Knopfschrank has finally sold his his art and been discovered as a genius, rush to purchase Knopfschrank’s ridiculously expensive paintings, eager to buy his work{infinitive phrase} before their prices increase with his fame. Later, the boarders realize that Knopfschrank has not sold a single painting at all. In fact, a wealthy American has accidentally hit, and killed, many animals back on Knopfschrank’s farm. The American hastily paid â€Å"‘†¦perhaps more than they were worth, many times more than they would have fetched in the market after a month of fattening, but he was in a hurry to get on to Dantzig.’† (â€Å"On Approval†). Saki’s use of satire in this piece is evident. At the end of the story, Saki, through Knopfschrank’s character, ridicules Americans and how they constantly rush around using money to get out of their problems, saying, â€Å"‘†¦God be thanked for rich Americans, who are always in a hurry to get somewhere else† (â€Å"On Approval†). This general attack on a specific group of people is an element commonly used in satire (â€Å"Characteristics of Satire†). This story also uses satire in another way–it is very ironic. Irony is almost always found in satire â€Å"(Characteristics of Satire†). On the last night of his stay, Knopfschrank sells many of his works, noting â€Å"Till to- day I have sold not one of my sketches. To-night you have bought a few, because I am going away from you† (â€Å"On Approval†). This is an example of situational irony. Satire is also evident yet another way in this piece–Saki writes the story in such a way that he makes the members of the boarding house’s unfortunate mistake seem more humorous than tragic, which is a key point of satire (â€Å"Characteristics of Satire†). Saki also states in the text that Knopfschrank â€Å"†¦fancied he could paint and was pardonably anxious to escape from the monotony of rye bread diet and th e sandy, swine-bestrewn plains of Pomerania† (â€Å"On Approval†). This quote portrays a common theme that often appears in many of Saki’s writings–the upsetting of everyday routines. The use of Saki’s genre satire and his personal connections to the setting of the story are evident Saki’s â€Å"On Approval†. Saki’s short story â€Å"The Interlopers† has clearly been influenced by Saki’s own life and genre. This tale, which takes place in a small strip of disputed forest, is about two enemies–Ulrich von Gradwitz and Georg Znaeym–who are both out late on a stormy night, patrolling their borders with their huntsmen, each trying to catch and kill the other. After wandering for some time, the men come face to face with each other. Before either can react, however, there was a â€Å"†¦splitting crash over their heads† (â€Å"The Interlopers†) and a towering tree {participial phrase[present]} falls and pins both men to the ground. The two talk for a time, at first trading insults, but their exchanges soon become much kinder as the men begin to offer each other their friendship. By the end of the story, the former enemies have now become friends, and they see dark figures rushing towards them. Believing these figures to be their men, coming to rescue them, the two feel that all of their troubles are over, before coming to the startling realization that the forms, presumed to be their saviors, are actually the things that will be their deaths–wolves. The story ends with Ulrich letting out â€Å"†¦the idiotic chattering of a man unstrung with fear.† (â€Å"The Interlopers†). This story contains many examples of irony, which is both a staple of satire (â€Å"Characteristics of Satire†) and a common element in many of Saki’s other stories. Dramatic irony is shown in the middle of the story, when the two enemies, fighting over a piece of land, are eventually killed by that land. Irony is portrayed in the story yet again by having the two former enemies end a century-long family feud mere moments before their own death. Saki even states in the text that â€Å"†¦if there was a man in the world whom [Gradwitz] detested and wished ill to it was Georg Znaeym† (â€Å"The Interlopers†). This story also connects to Saki’s personal life through the story’s setting. This story takes place in a forest located â€Å"†¦somewhere on the eastern spurs of the Carpathians† (â€Å"The Interlopers†), an area that Saki visited while traveling with his family (Merriaman). Saki’s â€Å"The Interlopers† includes aspects of Saki’s life, genre, and environment in its telling. Many different facets of Saki’s life and his satire can be found in his short story â€Å"The Lumber-Room†. In this story, a young boy, Nicholas, is banned from the garden and forced to stay at home with his unpleasant aunt as punishment while his cousins are taken to the seaside for a vacation. While at home, Nicholas manages to pull off a great trick on his aunt; he compels her to believe that he is in the forbidden garden while Nicholas steals the key to the mysterious lumber-room. Once inside the mysterious room, Nicholas explores the room, discovering dozens of prizes. While in this room, Nicholas hears his aunt calling and hastily runs to her, only to discover that she has fallen into the water tank in the forbidden garden and is trapped inside, calling for help. Nicholas then explains to his aunt, whom he believes to be â€Å"†¦the Evil One† (â€Å"The Lumber-Room†), that he cannot help her because, due to rules laid out by her, he is not allow ed to enter the garden. Nicholas leaves the aunt in the water tank until a maid discovers her. Meanwhile, the other aunt and the children return from their visit, which turned out to be disastrous. While sitting at dinner, Nicholas reflects on the tapestry that he saw, and speculates that the huntsman may still escape from the wolves with his hounds. This story displays many different aspects of Saki’s own childhood. Saki himself was actually raised by his two aunts. Saki, like Nicholas, also despised two aunts, and often based many of his female characters off of them (Hitchens). Saki was a practical joker (â€Å"A Biography of Saki†), quite similar to Nicholas in the story. Saki was also very fond of animals during his lifetime (â€Å"H.H. Munro: About the Author†), and displays this love of animals in â€Å"The Lumber-Room† by scattering many of them throughout the story. Nicholas finds some of these animals in the lumber room; there are many animal-themed items, and Nicholas soon discovers brass figures shaped in the images of â€Å"†¦hump-necked bulls, and peacocks and goblins† (â€Å"The Lumber-Room†). There is also a beautiful book depicting colorful birds. Saki shows his love of animals by placing them in this â€Å"†¦storehouse of unimagined treasures† (â€Å"The Lumber-Room†). Saki uses irony, an important element of satire, in this story as well. When Nicholas’s aunt is trapped in the water tank and needs Nicholas to save her, Nicholas is unable to because she dictated earlier that he was â€Å"†¦not to go into the gooseberry garden† (â€Å"The Lumber-Room†). Saki uses both satire and his own life experiences to give this story true life and color. The events of Saki’s life are heavily apparent in his short story â€Å"Sredni Vashtar†. In this story, Conradin, a young boy{appositive phrase}, is forced by his sickness to stay with his despised cousin, Mrs. DeRopp. One day, however, Conradin is able to smuggle an internecine ferret into the shed by his room. Conradin names this ferret Sredni Vashtar and creates a religion around this feral god. His aunt soon grows suspicious as Conradin begins to spend all of his time in the shed, showing fervid devotion to the gracile ferret. As time goes on, Conradin grows more and more obsessed with the ferret, and begins to chant â€Å"‘Do one thing for me, Sredni Vashtar.’† (â€Å"Sredni Vashtar†). Finally, his aunt goes to investigate the shed, puzzled as to why Conradin finds it so interesting. During her visit to the shed, a scream is heard coming from it. Moments later, a sleek shadow darts off into the night, its maw red and dark with Mrs. DeRopp ’s blood. This story reflects Saki’s own childhood in many ways. Saki, like Conradin, was weak when he was young, and was not deemed healthy enough to attend school until the age of twelve (Hitchens). Conradin also feels that â€Å"†¦without his imagination† (Sredni Vashtar†) he would not have been able to live due to†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦drawn-out dullness† (â€Å"Sredni Vashtar). Saki writes that he sometimes felt the same way (Silet). Saki, like Conradin, was also confined to the care of an overbearing relative whom he greatly disliked–his aunt, Agatha (Silet). In â€Å"Sredni Vashtar, Conradin hates Mrs. DeRopp with â€Å"†¦a desperate sincerity which he was perfectly able to mask.† (â€Å"Sredni Vashtar†). Saki most likely felt this same way towards his own aunts. Mrs. DeRopp is actually based off of Saki’s despised aunt (Silet). Clearly, many references to Saki’s early childhood are made in Saki’s â€Å"Sredni Vashtar†. Saki’s short stories, which are often about extraordinary things happening to extra-ordinary people, are as applicable in today’s world as they were during Saki’s own lifetime. Many of Saki’s works utilize the key aspects of both satire and naturalism, perfectly. Saki uses ironic wit and exaggerated scenarios to enthrall the reader in his works. This same method is often found in political cartoons today. Saki has also used his considerable talents to influence other authors, such as P.G. Wodehouse. One well-known actor (Hitchens) that was heavily impressed by Saki’s work was the late Noà «l Coward (Hitchens). While staying at a county house, Coward discovered a copy of Beasts and Super Beasts (a collection of Saki’s short stories) and was captivated by the author’s work (Hitchens). â€Å"‘I took it up to my bedroom , opened it casually, and was unable to go to sleep until I had finished it’† (Hitchens). When referring to his own writing, Saki often called it ‘â€Å"true enough to be interesting but not true enough to be tiresome’† (Hitchens). This view of Saki’s prose is quite clear–although his work mainly focuses on the people of Saki’s day, the tremendous events that occur to them keep Saki’s work interesting and engaging. There is no doubt that Saki was able to create imaginative works that captivate the reader, beautiful short stories that are incredibly detailed, and unique texts that are unlike any other author’s{Parallel construction}. This makes Saki’s stories interesting and fun to read.Saki’s work has definitely been influenced by his personal experiences, his environment, and the genre of satire. Saki’s ironic short stories reveal to his readers his personal view on the disturbance of daily routine, events that still occur quite often today.

Debt/Equity Ratio

Debt/Equity Ratio What Does Debt/Equity Ratio Mean? A measure of a company's financial leverage calculated by dividing its total liabilities by its stockholders' equity; it indicates what proportion of equity and debt the company is using to finance its assets. http://financial-dictionary. thefreedictionary. com/debt%2Fequity+ratio ‘Debt/Equity Ratio' A high debt/equity ratio generally means that a company has been aggressive in financing its growth with debt. This can result in volatile earnings as a result of the additional interest expense.If a lot of  debt is  used to finance increased  operations (high debt to equity), the company could potentially generate more earnings  than it would have without this  outside financing. If this were to increase earnings by a greater amount than the debt cost (interest), then the shareholders benefit as  more  earnings are being spread among the same amount of shareholders. However, the cost of this debt financing may  ou tweigh the return that  the company  generates on the debt through investment and business activities and become too much for the company to handle. This can lead to bankruptcy, which would leave shareholders with nothing.The debt/equity ratio also depends on the industry  in which the company operates. For example, capital-intensive industries such as auto  manufacturing tend to have a debt/equity ratio above 2, while personal computer companies have a debt/equity of under 0. 5. Read more: http://www. investopedia. com/terms/d/debtequityratio. asp#ixzz2DQ7bp1aa The debt to equity ratio is a financial metric used to assess a company's capital structure, or â€Å"capital stack. † Specifically, the ratio measures the relative proportions of the firm's assets that are funded by debt or equity.The debt to equity ratio (also called the risk ratio or leverage ratio) provides a quick tool to financial analysts and prospective investors for determining the amount of financial leverage a company is using, and thus its exposure to interest rate increases or insolvency. Knowing how to analyze the debt to equity ratio can help you assess a company's financial health before investing. Steps 1. 1 Determine the debt to equity ratio for the company in question. The ratio is calculated simply by dividing the firm's total debt by its total shareholder's equity.These balances can be found on the company's balance sheet. Ads by Google Free Annuity Calculator Up To 40% More Income To Retire On. Try Our Free Online Calculator Now! AgePartnership. co. uk/Annuity-Report * Generally, only interest-bearing, long term debt (such as notes payable and bonds) is included in the ratio's calculation. Short-term liabilities, such as accounts payable, are often left out, as they don't provide much information about the company's use of leverage. * Some large, off-balance sheet liabilities should be included in the ratio's calculation, however.Operating leases and unpaid pensions are 2 common off-balance sheet liabilities that are large enough to warrant inclusion in the debt to equity ratio. 2. 2 Perform a cursory assessment of the firm's capital structure. Once you have determined the debt to equity ratio for a particular company, you can get an idea of their capital stack. A ratio of 1, for example, indicates that the company funds its projects with an even mix of debt and equity. A low ratio (below about 0. 30) is generally considered good, because the company has a low amount of debt, and is therefore exposed to less risk in terms of interest rate increases or credit rating. . 3 Consider the financing needs associated with the specific industry in which the firm operates. Generally, a high debt to equity ratio (2, for example) is worrisome, as it indicates a precarious amount of leverage. However, in some industries this is appropriate. Construction firms, for example, fund their projects almost entirely with debt in the form of construction loans. Thi s leads to a high debt to equity ratio, but the firm is in no real risk of insolvency, as the owners of each construction project are essentially paying to service the debt themselves. . 4 Determine the effect of treasury stock on the debt to equity ratio. When a company issues stock, shares are usually held on the balance sheet at par value (often only $0. 01 per share). When the firm buys back stock, the treasury stock is recorded at the purchase price; this results in a massive subtraction from shareholder's equity, increasing the debt to equity ratio. A troublingly high debt to equity ratio may simply be the result of stock buybacks. 5. 5 Augment your analysis with other financial ratios. The debt to equity ratio should never be used alone.For example, if a company's debt to equity ratio is quite high, you might reasonably worry about their ability to service their debt. To address this concern, you can also analyze the firm's interest coverage ratio, which is the company's oper ating income divided by debt service payments. A high operating income will allow even a debt-burdened firm to meets its obligations. Capital Structure Total Debt to Total Equity 40. 13 Total Debt to Total Capital 28. 64 Total Debt to Total Assets 17. 66 Long-Term Debt to Equity 31. 57 Long-Term Debt to Total Capital 22. 53

TSA Screening System Draws Criticism

TSA Screening System Draws Criticism Are the airlines getting a free ride on the taxpayers dime thanks to the Transportation Safety Administrations (TSA) new high-tech and high dollar system to detect fake boarding passes?In these days of print-at-home boarding passes and programs like Photoshop, the number of people illegally boarding planes and flying for free by using fake boarding passes and IDs has increased significantly. To the airlines, this is fraud that results in lost income. To honest, paying passengers, its an insult that results in higher ticket prices. To the TSA, its a gaping hole is security that could result in another terrorist attack.To the rescue comes the TSAs high-tech and high-cost CAT/BPSS Credential Authentication Technology and Boarding Pass Scanning System - now being tested at George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, Luis Muà ±oz Marà ­n International in San Juan, and Washington, D.C. Dulles International at an initial combined cost of $3.2 million.In testimony before the House Committee on Homeland Security, Stephen M. Lord, director of homeland security and justice issues at the Government Accountability Office, reported that the estimated 20-year life cycle cost of the CAT/BPSS system is approximately $130 million based on a nationwide deployment of 4,000 units.What CAT/BPSS DoesCosting $100,000 each, and with multiple systems to eventually be installed by the TSA at all U.S. airports serving commercial flights, the CAT/BPSS system automatically compares the passengers ID to an extensive set of security features. Most modern forms of state-issued identification include encoded data, such as barcodes, holograms, magnetic stripes, embedded electrical circuits, and computer-readable text.CAT/BPPS also validates the authenticity of the passengers boarding pass at the first TSA security checkpoint using bar code readers and encryption techniques. The system is compatible with any barcode and can be used with paper boarding passes printed on a home computer, boarding passes printed by the airlines, or a paperless boarding passes that are sent to passengers mobile devices. The system temporarily captures and displays the photograph from the passengers ID for viewing only by TSA agents to help them compare the photo to the person carrying the ID.Finally, CAT/BPPS compares the encoded data on the passengers ID to data on the boarding pass. If they match, they fly.Encountering the CAT/BPSS SystemAccording to the TSA, actually using the CAT/BPSS system will work like this: At the first TSA checkpoint, passengers will hand their ID to the TSA Travel Document Checker (TDC). The TDC will scan the passengers ID, while the passenger scans his or her boarding pass using a built-in scanner. TSA says that testing has shown the CAT/BPSS process takes no longer than the current process in which the TDC visually compares the passengers ID to the boarding pass.In response to concerns about the CAT/BPSS system and personal privacy, the TSA assures that the CAT/BPSS system automatically and permanently deletes all information it has gathered from the ID and the boarding pass. TSA further states that the picture on the passengers ID can be viewed only by TSA agents.Also See: TSA Defends Boarding Gate Drink ChecksIn announcing the development of the CAT/BPSS system, TSA administrator John S. Pistole stated in a press release, This technology will help facilitate risk-based security, while making the process more effective and efficient.What the Critics SayCritics of the CAT/BPSS argue that if the TSA is effective at its primary job - screening for Weapons, Incendiaries, and Explosives - another computer system dedicated only to verifying passenger identity is an unnecessary waste of money. After all, they point out, once passengers have passed the TSA scanning checkpoints, they are allowed to board planes without showing their IDs.Also See: Congressman Takes On Rogue TSA Airport ScreenersWhen the LA Times on June 30, 2011, reported the story of a Nigerian airline stowaway who succeeded in flying from New York to Los Angeles by presenting an expired boardin g pass in another persons name and was found to be in possession of at last 10 similar boarding passes, the TSA issued the following statement:Every passenger that passes through security checkpoints is subject to many layers of security including thorough physical screening at the checkpoint. TSAs review of this matter indicates that the passenger went through screening. It is important to note that this passenger was subject to the same physical screening at the checkpoint as other passengers.While the stowaway succeeded in stealing from the airline by flying free on a clearly fraudulent boarding pass, no evidence was ever found relating the incident to terrorism.In other words, say critics, the CAT/BPSS is another expensive taxpayer-funded solution to something that, if TSA is doing its job properly, should not be a problem in the first place.

How to Write a Graduation Speech as Valedictorian

How to Write a Graduation Speech as Valedictorian The valedictory speech usually is delivered at the graduation ceremony by the valedictorian, the student with the highest grades in the graduating class, although some colleges and high schools have abandoned the practice of naming a valedictorian. The terms valedictory and valedictorian come from the Latin valedicere, meaning a formal farewell. Understand the Goal The valedictory should fulfill two goals: It should convey a sending off message  to the members of a graduating class and inspire them to leave the comfort and security of their school ready to embark on an exciting new adventure. You have been chosen to deliver this speech because you proved you are an excellent student who can live up to adult responsibilities. Now its time to make every student in your class feel special. As you prepare your speech, think about your shared experiences with the class and the people with whom you shared them, including popular and quiet students, class clowns and brains, teachers, principals, professors, deans, and other school employees. Its important to make everyone feel as if they played an important role in this shared experience. If you have limited experience in certain aspects of school life, ask for help in collecting important names and events you might not know about. Are there clubs or teams that won prizes? Students who volunteered in the community? Compile a List of Highlights Make a list of highlights since freshman year, focusing on the current year. Here are examples of events you could describe: Who received awards or scholarships?Were any sports records broken?Is a teacher retiring after this year?Did your class have a reputation with teachers, good or bad?How many students remain from freshman year?Was there a dramatic event in the world this year?Was there a dramatic event in your school?Was there a funny moment? You might need to conduct personal interviews to learn about these benchmarks. Write the Speech Valedictory speeches often combine humorous and serious elements. Start by greeting your audience with a hook that grabs their attention. For example, you could say the senior year has been full of surprises, or were leaving the faculty with lots of interesting memories, or this senior class has set records in some unusual ways. Organize your speech into topics describing these elements. You might want to start with an event thats on everyones mind, such as a championship basketball season, a student featured on a television show, or a tragic event in the community. Then focus on the other highlights, putting them into context and explaining their importance. For example: This year, Jane Smith won a National Merit Scholarship. This may not seem like a big deal, but Jane overcame a year of illness to achieve this goal. Her strength and perseverance are an inspiration to our whole class. Use Anecdotes and Quotes Come up with anecdotes to illustrate your shared experiences. These brief stories can be funny or poignant. You could say, When the student newspaper printed a story about the family who lost their home to a fire, our classmates rallied and organized a series of fundraisers. Sprinkle in quotes from famous people. Quotes work best in the introduction or conclusion and should reflect the theme of your speech. For example: The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.- Charles DickensYou will find the key to success under the alarm clock.- Benjamin FranklinThere is only one success: to be able to spend your life in your own way.- Christopher Morley Plan for Time Be mindful of the appropriate length of your speech. Most people speak about 175 words per minute, so a 10-minute speech should contain about 1750 words. You can fit about 250 words onto a double-spaced page. That translates to seven pages of double-spaced text for 10 minutes of speaking time. Tips for Preparing to Speak Its important to practice your speech before giving it. This will help you troubleshoot problem spots, cut boring parts, and add elements if youre running short. You should: Practice reading your speech aloud to see how it sounds.Time yourself, but remember you may speak faster when youre nervous.Focus on remaining calm.Get plenty of sleep the night before your speech.Eat well before your speech.Don’t try to be funny if it feels unnatural.If youre going to talk about a tragic event your class experienced (it might be awkward not to address it), make sure you do so tactfully. Consult a teacher or adviser if you have any doubts or discomforts. If possible, practice your speech using the microphone in the location where youll be graduating. Your best chance might be just before the event. This will give you an opportunity to experience the sound of your magnified voice, figure out how to stand, and get past any butterflies in your stomach.